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nTranslator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio

nIt was already 5PM by the time He Xiyan knocked off. She held a handbag on her arm and walked down the streets of Shen City alone. Many shops alongside the streets were decked with festive decorations and the streets were extremely crowded.

nIt was already year-end before she knew it. It was the 27th of January, or 25th December according to the lunar calendar and fast approaching the end of the lunar year. Her company was already closed for the festive period. This was the good thing about working for a social media company – they placed an emphasis on work-life balance and promoted work efficiency. They had closed earlier than most companies for the lunar new year.

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nShe entered a lingerie shop and bought a set of loungewear. Next, she went into a maternity and childcare shop to purchase some items she would need during her pregnancy, including radiation protection clothing, brassiere for pregnant women, toiletries and so on.

nShe was just reaching for a set of toiletries when another woman’s hand took the product first.

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nThis woman looked like she was just a few years older than her. She had shoulder-length hair and she had some slight pigmentation on her face from her pregnancy. She was not exactly pretty but her face was a picture of bliss.

n“This is the final set, could you let me have it?” The woman nodded politely at He Xiyan.

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nHe Xiyan’s gaze moved from the woman’s face to her hands. She then realized that the woman’s hand held tightly by a man. The man was ordinary-looking and was even a little chubby, but when he looked at the woman, his gaze was loving and doting. There was even a small boy beside the man. This was a family of three.

nThe man nodded politely at He Xiyan. “I’m sorry, Miss. My wife had been using this brand of toiletries ever since she got pregnant and she is not used to other brands. Since there is only one set left, do you mind letting her have it?”

nThe man then turned and smiled lovingly at his wife.

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nHe Xiyan stared at their clasped hands and the loving way in which he looked at her, then quickly withdrew her hand as though she had been electrocuted.

nThe moment she withdrew her hand, she felt her heart squeeze in pain.

nShe smoothed her flat stomach and tears slowly welled up in her eyes. She blinked a few times and a teardrop fell.

nShe was also a pregnant woman but there was no man by her side. Neither had such been loved in such a manner, nor has any man ever gone shopping with her.

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nHer child was the most pitiful of them all since he would not have a father and would never experience fatherly love.

nI’m sorry, my child. Blame your mother if you must, for not being able to hold on to your father.

nShe said to herself.

nAfter she returned home, she continued to live life as she always had, lonely and quiet.

nShe cooked a nutritious meal for herself and heated up a cup of milk.

nThis was her life – she ate alone, shopped alone, laughed alone and cried alone.

nThen, her phone rang.

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nIt was a text from her senior schoolmate, Yang Mingyu.

nShe pursed her lips and looked impassively at the text.

nXiyan, you must take good care of yourself. Don’t ever do something silly.

nStop thinking about Mo Yixuan, he is not worth it.

nYou are a good girl, you will find happiness one day.

nHe Xiyan stared at these messages until the screen faded. She did not respond to these messages. She was tired and just wanted to leave her past life behind, whether it be the friends that she made, her schoolmates or her colleagues. She wanted to forget it all.

nShe knew that they were concerned about her but each time they called or sent her messages, it was a reminder of a past. Then, she could not help but cry.

nTherefore, she was afraid of contacting them now. She was truly afraid.

nThe doorbell rang.

nShe used a tissue to dab at the corner of her eye, then walked toward the door.

nShe opened the door to find Ye Hao holding an LED light and a ladder.

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