I am reborn and refuse to be a sickly rich woman

Chapter 421 In this life, I'm going to live off two wives! (The Finale!)
Time flies.

September arrived in the blink of an eye.

In late autumn, the air is crisp and clear.

Some trees outside the window have already donned golden leaves, displaying their most beautiful colors before they wither away.

Three months have passed since Yao Mingyue's surgery...

Shanghai.

Xu Musen returned home, opened the door, and found the living room filled with a sweet aroma, while a busy figure was in the kitchen.

Xu Musen opened the kitchen door and carefully walked up to it: "Didn't I tell you not to go into the kitchen? What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you when I get back."

At this moment, An Nuannuan, wearing an apron, was intently watching the sweet porridge simmering in the pot.

Four months have passed, and now An Nuannuan's belly is showing a noticeable curve.

Although it won't cause any mobility issues, there are bound to be water stains in the kitchen, and it wouldn't be good if someone slipped and fell.

Furthermore, it's best to avoid contact with natural gas, various knives, and oily fumes as much as possible.

"I only cooked a bowl of porridge."

An Nuannuan chuckled as she looked at Xu Musen's nervous expression.

"That won't do either. If my parents find out, I'll be punished by kneeling on a washboard."

Xu Musen gently pinched her cheek. Since becoming pregnant, An Nuannuan's already chubby cheeks had become even more plump and hydrated.

"And didn't I tell you to eat less sweets? Eat more high-protein, nutritious foods."

"Is it because the baby wants to eat it..."

"It's clearly because you're greedy."

"Woo~"

An Nuannuan looked at Xu Musen pitifully. During her pregnancy, she especially craved sour and sweet foods.

Many pregnant women experience this: they develop a strong craving for certain foods. A few days ago, An Nuannuan even suddenly craved extremely spicy Sichuan hot pot, paired with shaved ice cream, and finally a large cup of milk tea!
However, considering the baby, she managed to resist the urge, though she couldn't help sneaking a few bites of sweets.

Sometimes, even in the middle of the night, I can't resist sneaking a bite of chocolate cake from the fridge.

"Just one last bite, okay...?"

An Nuannuan looked at the sweet porridge that had been cooked in the pot, her mouth watering.

Pregnancy makes you stupid for three years.

"Forget it…"

But looking at An Nuannuan's pitiful eyes, Xu Musen gently rubbed her skin with a mix of helplessness and affection: "After you finish eating today, you can't eat anything so sweet for the next week, understand?"

"Uh-huh!"

An Nuannuan immediately shook her head happily and agreed, even though she had never kept her word in this regard.

Xu Musen served her a small bowl of sweet porridge, and then made two nutritious dishes, and they ate dinner together.

After the meal, Xu Musen brought over water for washing her feet and gently massaged An Nuannuan's little feet.

Pregnant women should not take frequent baths, firstly because they are prone to catching a cold, and secondly because they are afraid of slipping and falling in the bathroom.

Soaking your feet regularly is very good for pregnant women.

Xu Musen would take good care of An Nuannuan every day, making her smell sweet and fragrant.

An Nuannuan ate her fruit after dinner, leaning back in the soft sofa, enjoying the highest level of treatment.

These ordinary days are never enough.

"Honey, after I give birth to the baby, will you still wash my feet every day?"

Xu Musen smiled and said, "I think you asked me this question before we were even together, right?"

Girls are often prone to insecurity and anxiety, and they will ask questions like, "After we do this or that, will you still like me this much?" at every stage of their lives.

"That doesn't count... Everyone says that you'll gain weight after having a baby. If I become less attractive, will you still like me as much?"

"If you can break the habit of sneaking into the refrigerator to eat cake in the middle of the night, you won't gain weight in the future."

Xu Musen bluntly exposed this glutton.

An Nuannuan blushed: "Well... sometimes it's not just about eating, I also have to take care of the baby. People say it's easy to gain weight when taking care of a child."

“It’s okay. Once you’ve finished your postpartum confinement, you can hand the baby over to Nannan. She’s been coming over to freeload every day, so it’s time for her to help take care of the baby and pay off her debt.”

Xu Musen smiled and began to speak, already imagining the scene of his sister-in-law suffering from postpartum depression before she even reached adulthood.

An Nuannuan couldn't help but laugh.

She gently touched her already rounded belly, which was bulging and bouncy. Sometimes she could feel the indescribable movements inside... the rhythm of life.

"It's been four months already..."

An Nuannuan had a happy smile on her face. After four months, they could already tell the sex of the baby, but they didn't choose to get it checked.

Everything goes with the flow.

Nuannuan's grandma had also prepared two sets of clothes for the baby well in advance.

They've even started preparing for when Nuannuan will have her third child.

Xu Musen gently pressed his ear against An Nuannuan's belly to listen.

I couldn't hear anything, but I could still feel the miracle of life.

In six months, their child will finally be born.

"Yes, in another six months, the baby will be ready to meet us."

Xu Musen said softly, "Half a year is not a long time. But when I think about it, it was only five or six months ago when I first officially met An Nuannuan."

The two people who once vowed to be "best friends for life" have quietly seen their friendship deteriorate.

Looking back, from our first meeting until now, everything seems premeditated, yet everything unfolds so naturally. This story, while not particularly dramatic, has certainly withstood the test of time.

"Mingyue should be discharged from the hospital by now."

An Nuannuan spoke softly, still smiling as she looked at Xu Musen: "Do you miss her?"

Since her successful surgery, Yao Mingyue has spent a long recovery period in the hospital.

As the saying goes, "a broken bone or tendon takes a hundred days to heal," and such a major surgery requires at least six months of recovery.

Xu Musen originally intended to stay there to take care of her, but Yao Mingyue firmly told him to return to China and do his own thing.

"Oh dear, this beautiful lady even survived the most difficult surgery, proving that even God wouldn't dare to take me away so easily. You can go back and be with Nuannuan, and also take care of your business, so you won't run out of money for baby formula after the baby is born..."

And so, Xu Musen took An Nuannuan back to China to rest and prepare for her pregnancy.

Two or three months have already passed in the blink of an eye.

Xu Musen looked up at An Nuannuan's smile and smiled too: "My wife said I only dare to think about you if I miss you."

"Humph……"

An Nuannuan seemed to have anticipated his response, and gave a slightly jealous hum: "After she comes back, have you thought about... how we're going to live?"

When three people are together, many unexpected things can happen.

Especially their personalities, which seem so incompatible.

Xu Musen looked up at the warm-toned ceiling, then at An Nuannuan's face, and smiled, "Us?"

"Sometimes I feel like the problem with our life together isn't with her, but with me. It seems like if the two of you lived together, it would be quite harmonious."

Xu Musen truly felt that way about An Nuannuan and Yao Mingyue.

The two people looked completely out of place, like two completely opposite people.

On the contrary, they are the ones who understand the other person the most.

This tacit understanding is even more special than the relationship between childhood sweethearts.

Xu Musen sometimes even felt a little jealous.

An Nuannuan's clear eyes remained fixed on Xu Musen.

"Xu Musen".

He called out the full name.

Xu Musen nodded: "Please go ahead."

It felt like we had suddenly entered into a very formal business negotiation.

"If... she and I were to...

"I'll save you first."

Before An Nuannuan could finish her hesitant question, Xu Musen answered it with a smile.

An Nuannuan was stunned for a moment, then pouted again: "You didn't even get a chance to finish what I was saying."

"Whether you fall into the river at the same time, lose your temper at the same time, or want anything at the same time, I will always put you first."

Xu Musen smiled, but his tone was extremely serious.

An Nuannuan's pouting lips slowly softened, even though she knew it was just a sentence.

It's still a quote from "the ancestor of scumbags at No. 4 Middle School".

But a sweet feeling still welled up in her heart.

That's how girls are; they can be very generous, but they always retain their own petty thoughts.

That's what makes girls so adorable.

"Honey, I want to go out for a walk."

An Nuannuan's eyes were bright, and she suddenly spoke again.

"it is good."

Xu Musen nodded without hesitation.

On September nights, the evening breeze along the riverbank, mixed with the moisture of the Huangpu River, is warm yet carries a touch of natural coolness.

As night falls, this metropolis becomes even more bustling.

The two of them slowly made their way along that familiar road.

I've been walking this path leading to the river for almost four years now.

I remember the first time I walked this road, they were just friends.

Although to outsiders at that time, they were already a couple.

At that time, An Nuannuan was still in a wheelchair, and Xu Musen pushed her along this quiet path.

The words spoken at the time have gradually faded from my memory, but thinking back... they probably weren't anything particularly original.

An Nuannuan gently hugged Xu Musen's arm, and the two seemed to speak even less than before. She gently shook Xu Musen's arm.

"what happened?"

Xu Musen lowered his head and asked her.

"nothing."

An Nuannuan pursed her pink lips, her gaze filled with a hint of reminiscence: "It seems like other couples have endless things to talk about every day, and they even talk on the phone all night long. But it seems like we've never been like that from the beginning. Sometimes we only exchange one or two words a day."

It's unclear whether An Nuannuan was slow to realize it, or if, like all pregnant women, her hormone levels had reached a point where she was overthinking things.

Xu Musen couldn't help but laugh. An Nuannuan's current state of anxiety and insecurity was becoming more and more like a certain annoying little devil.

“You’re still laughing…” An Nuannuan pouted and gently pinched his hand.

Xu Musen's smile remained unchanged as he lowered his head and gently pinched her cheek: "Isn't one sentence a day enough?"

An Nuannuan was stunned for a moment, looking at Xu Musen's gentle smile, and past memories flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern.

I remember back then, she was gloomy every day, and even after graduation, she never spoke a word to anyone in her class.

Even with Xu Musen, if it weren't for the ending of their previous life, they might not even have had a chance to exchange a single word in this life.

One sentence a day.

Is it rare? Very rare. For couples, this is simply unforgivable emotional abuse.

But for them, their connection was formed by a single sentence.

One sentence made An Nuannuan foolishly love him for a lifetime.

Therefore, this one sentence is enough to nourish you for a lifetime.

As long as he's still by my side, one sentence a day is enough.

But the emotions woven into this nighttime street, every time I pass by, feel like trying to find a lost sword by marking the boat in the long river of time.

It seems, just like, at that time, right now.

What remains unchanged is that they are walking on this path again.

At the end of the road, there is a brightly lit bridge.

Under the bridge, beneath a willow tree, September still brings with it the vibrant green of life. Of course, the cool evening breeze occasionally plucks a few leaves, which gently fall, swirling and landing on the bench.

An Nuannuan and Xu Musen both looked at the bench at the same time.

One night, An Nuannuan, shy yet incredibly bold, took the initiative and launched a counterattack.

"Xu Musen...would you be willing to date me?"

The memories are still so clear. Originally, Xu Musen planned to confess his feelings, but in the end, he became the one who was confessed to.

It was at that moment that their relationship was truly and legitimately established.

"You still remember?" An Nuannuan looked at the bench and then at Xu Musen.

"How could I forget? This was the first time in my life that a girl had confessed her feelings to me."

Xu Musen gently tapped An Nuannuan's nose: "You're really bold."

An Nuannuan's cheeks flushed red; after all, it was still a little embarrassing for a girl to confess her feelings first: "It's all because you were too slow..."

"I call it being cautious."

"Hmph, it's clearly because of her..."

An Nuannuan hummed softly, released his arm, and sat on the bench. Her low, melancholic tone made Xu Musen scratch his nose.

The reason I haven't confessed my feelings is partly due to the repeated failures of my confessions in my previous life; once bitten, twice shy.

It's actually quite unfair to An Nuannuan.

“Xu Musen…”

Then he called out the full name again.

Xu Musen squatted down in front of her and nodded gently: "I'm listening."

"You said... on that night, when you hesitated to confess, were you also afraid of not being able to tell whether you still liked her or just saw me as a substitute...?"

An Nuannuan spoke slowly, reaching out to gently touch Xu Musen's cheek. She wasn't angry, she wasn't questioning, and she even... felt a little sorry for him.

When it comes to someone you love, you really can't bear to even complain.

Xu Musen was stunned for a long time.

After his rebirth, Xu Musen always thought that he and Yao Mingyue had cleared up all their debts and that he could completely forget everything and embrace a new life.

But how could one possibly forget?

Sometimes, a single moment can stay with you for a lifetime.

Moreover, they truly lived through that short yet long life.

He himself was unaware of these thoughts.

But he himself is trapped in his subconscious.

Therefore, An Nuannuan took the initiative to confess her feelings.

With a gambler's mentality, and using what should have been the most romantic gesture—a confession—she made Xu Musen truly understand his own heart...

Xu Musen slowly snapped out of his thoughts and looked down at An Nuannuan, who was sitting on the bench, touching her belly with a wronged expression.

I feel wronged for Xu Musen, and I feel wronged for myself.

Apologies... have long since lost their meaning for them.

He smiled and gently squatted down in front of her: "How about I confess my feelings to you again?"

"The baby is already four months old, what kind of talk is it to confess your feelings now..."

An Nuannuan's lips were still pouting in grievance, making Xu Musen look like a scumbag who had abandoned his wife and children and then shamelessly returned.

Xu Musen smiled and picked up the fallen willow leaves from the bench.

He knelt on one knee: "I know I'm not a very good person. I'm glib and fickle, but I'm also so clumsy when it comes to love. Someone like me is destined to make your love very difficult."

However, you're wrong about one thing: I've never considered you as a substitute for anyone.

I hesitated to confess my feelings because I was afraid I hadn't truly let go, and I wasn't sure if I could give this lovely girl my whole self.

The willow leaves are slender; I picked up a few overlapping ones and wove them into a small ring.

"Please forgive my cowardice, please forgive my belated confession, and please promise me that you will give me a chance to make a good impression for the rest of my life."

Xu Musen gently took An Nuannuan's hand and looked into her clear, sparkling eyes: "An Nuannuan, I've actually been secretly in love with you for a long time. Will you be my girlfriend?"

A ring woven from willow leaves was gently placed on her finger, next to the sparkling diamond ring.

Yet they all shone so brightly in the gentle evening breeze.

An Nuannuan was stunned for a long time before gently raising her hand. Under the warm light of the street lamp, this "perfunctory" ring seemed to be a piece from three years ago, slowly and leisurely carrying an undying love, lingering around her fingertip.

She lowered her head and looked at Xu Musen, who was still kneeling on one knee in front of her, waiting for an answer.

A gentle smile curved her lips: "I refuse!"

"???"

Caught off guard, Xu Musen couldn't help but laugh: "Why?"

“Because…” An Nuannuan raised her hand, both diamond rings gleaming under the light, her eyes crinkling: “Because I’m your wife. Agreeing to be your girlfriend would be a downgrade, wouldn’t it?”

Xu Musen was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.

Isn't it precisely this unpredictable and unconventional nature of An Nuan Nuan that makes her so endearing?

The two stood up, walked across the bridge, and looked out at the riverbank in the distance. They sat on the soft sand and listened to the rustling sound of the river water.

This beach looks familiar.

Xu Musen stared blankly at the shimmering river surface under the night lights.

This beach was once the place where he and Yao Mingyue opened their hearts to each other.

She skipped here twice, each time like a rebirth, a promise to start anew.

That crazy girl who cried and made a scene, even threatening to jump into the river.

It's been so long since we last met...

An Nuannuan quietly turned her head to look at Xu Musen, a few thoughts flashing in her eyes, and suddenly said, "Honey, I want to eat candied hawthorns."

She pointed to a stall selling candied hawthorns on the bridge.

"What did you promise me? No sweets today." Xu Musen pretended to put on a stern face.

"Just one, I promise I won't eat any more after I finish it."

An Nuannuan hugged Xu Musen's arm again and gently shook it, acting coquettishly.

Xu Musen is a man with strong principles, but seeing An Nuannuan's pitiful and coquettish appearance, he decided to lower his standards a little further. He gently pinched her cheek with a helpless yet affectionate expression: "You... well, just wait for me here."

"Mmm, I love you, my husband~"

An Nuannuan's eyes sparkled.

Xu Musen got up to buy candied hawthorns.

An Nuannuan watched his retreating figure, then raised her hand to look at the two rings on her fingers. One sparkled, the other was light and airy green, like a journey from innocent first love to marriage.

She smiled gently, her gaze drifting to the other side of the beach...

……

"Ten candied hawthorns a skewer, please take them!"

Xu Musen, holding the candied hawthorn, turned back to the beach, but he did not see the familiar figure in the long dress.

Xu Musen quickened his pace. An Nuannuan was pregnant, and he couldn't afford to take responsibility if she fell and got hurt.

The beach was bustling with people, but An Nuannuan was nowhere to be seen.

"Nuan Nuan."

Xu Musen shouted and walked towards the beach a little further away. The light was dimmer there, and it was closer to the river, so there were fewer people around.

"Warm!"

But there was still no one here. Xu Musen was getting a little anxious. He called out, and a breeze blew from behind him. The moist river breeze mixed with the familiar faint scent of roses and entered his nose.

A tall figure, with long hair swaying like willow leaves, quietly and slowly appeared behind him.

"Xu Musen!"

A clear, crisp call.

"Wife..."

Xu Musen turned around with the candied hawthorn in his hand. In the dim night, when Xu Musen saw her face clearly, his eyes widened instantly, and he almost dropped the candied hawthorn.

At this moment, the figure he longed for, the girl who should still be on the other side of the ocean, was now standing gracefully in front of him.

However, she was no longer wearing the hospital gown she had been wearing for almost a year.

Her long, wine-red hair flowed in the wind, and she wore a black jacket over a white shirt that perfectly accentuated her figure. Her long, straight legs were covered by black stockings, and her stunning face was hidden behind sunglasses. Yet, her unique aura was already on full display, making her look like a domineering female CEO straight out of a movie.

She approached him step by step, so close that they could feel each other's breath.

Looking at his dazed expression.

She reached out a finger and gently pulled down her sunglasses, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling. She snatched the candied hawthorn from his hand, took a small bite, and her rosy lips, stained with malt sugar, became even more alluring, curving into a beautiful smile.
"Are you calling me?"

Xu Musen's hand trembled slightly as he held the candied hawthorn, his mouth still agape as he uttered the last words, "wife."

A sly and triumphant smile crept onto her lips. She had kept it from him for so long, all for this moment.

"Yao Mingyue..."

Xu Musen murmured to himself, realizing that the beautiful woman standing before him was not an illusion, but a real person.

You can smell the other person's scent, feel their warmth, and look into their unique eyes.

"You..." Xu Musen's heart was already in turmoil, but the words stuck in his throat.

"What are you talking about? We haven't seen each other in so long, can't I even have a candied hawthorn skewer from you?"

Yao Mingyue, however, was smiling, her willful and spoiled demeanor resembling that of a little fox who steals food but acts self-righteous.

At this moment, Xu Musen had countless questions he wanted to ask her, such as why she suddenly came back, and how well her body had recovered...

But at this moment.

Xu Musen was unable to utter another word.

He stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

Yao Mingyue's smug and cunning smile melted away as quickly as ice hitting a hot iron.

She gently snuggled into his arms, whispering sweet nothings in his ear.

At this moment, she was just a young girl facing the person she deeply loved.

The night breeze blows, and Shanghai is at its most bustling in September.

On this quiet, secluded beach, the heartbeat of longing is deafening.

After a long while, Xu Musen slowly released her.

The two looked at each other, their eyes glistening with tears. This embrace had been a long, long time coming.

"haven't seen you for a long time…"

Tears welled up in Yao Mingyue's eyes.

But the next moment, she suddenly felt a pain on her forehead.

Xu Musen flicked her on the forehead.

Yao Mingyue's emotions, which had just been building up, suddenly crumbled, replaced by a hint of grievance: "Why did you suddenly flick me?"

"You still have the nerve to ask?"

Xu Musen pinched her cheek: "You should still be recovering, right? How dare you sneak back, how dare you hide it from me? And your hair, you dyed it right after leaving the hospital..."

Xu Musen rambled on, rubbing the corners of his eyes as if he were very unhappy, but at first glance, he couldn't hold back his tears.

Yao Mingyue looked at him, then suddenly smiled and reached out to pinch his face.

"Some people are getting increasingly stubborn, even though they're clearly on the verge of tears..."

"Isn't it the same for you?"

"I'm a girl, crying is a privilege for little girls."

Yao Mingyue remained as unreasonable as ever, but the two of them looked even brighter.

Yao Mingyue's outfit is like a sudden pull back in time.

It's like everything has gone back to the beginning.

She, who had also disappeared for a long time, suddenly appeared in front of him in this same domineering outfit.

"Marry me, and you can live in a villa and drive luxury cars whenever you want..."

Your daily allowance is no less than five figures. If you want children, I'll have enough for you…

These memories still appear vividly before my eyes at all times.

And at this moment, she suddenly appeared again, still dressed in the same outfit.

She stayed close by, her gaze calm, yet silently conveying all her surviving ordeal and endless longing.

She cupped Xu Musen's face in her hands, slowly bringing her closer to him until their foreheads touched. His phoenix eyes, glistening with tears, held that familiar strength and domineering aura.

"And this is how I'm going to dress. I'm going to tell you that the bad woman you wanted to leave the most is now coming back to you."

And this time…

I'm really going to cling to you for the rest of my life.

Yao Mingyue's words still retained her domineering and arrogant nature, but they also carried the gentleness and determination that came with her rebirth.

This time, she can truly be with him, truly accompany him until the day they grow old together...

The river water gently laps against the beach, and the lights of Shanghai, this city that never sleeps, are dazzling, creating shimmering reflections on the water's surface.

The two sat quietly on the beach. This peaceful moment was something they had worked hard to achieve across two lifetimes.

"Looks like I'm the last one to know you're back, isn't I?"

Xu Musen looked at her and recalled An Nuannuan's sudden jealous and coquettish behavior just now. It seemed that all of this was something they had planned in advance.

"It's because you're too stupid."

Yao Mingyue chuckled, gently smoothing her wine-red hair: "Nuan Nuan, she's really too good."

"Actually, I can get quite jealous sometimes."

"What girl doesn't get jealous, unless she doesn't love him?"

Yao Mingyue smiled and murmured to herself as she looked at the river, then turned to look at him: "Actually, there's one more person I wanted to personally tell about my successful surgery..."

Xu Musen was stunned. The dazzling night sky in the distance was not as bright as the girl's eyes at this moment.

"it is good."

"me and you togather."

Xu Musen nodded without any hesitation. Those two short sentences revealed the unique tacit understanding between childhood sweethearts.

Yao Mingyue smiled, shifting her body to lean against Xu Musen. On the soft sand, a gentle breeze blew, and the girl's head slowly rested on his shoulder. The evening wind blew through their hair, intertwining them.

"Hmm~"

……

The plane flew overhead over Zhengcheng.

At the foot of a mountain, a cemetery stands quietly.

Under a huge, evergreen pine tree.

"The Tomb of Yao Jun..."

Xu Musen looked at the name on the tombstone, squatted down, and took out the wine he had prepared.

"Uncle Yao, we've come to see you."

Xu Musen poured two glasses of wine, spilling one in front of the tombstone.

Yao Mingyue then took out a beggar's chicken, still covered in mud and radiating warmth.

She broke through the outer soil, instantly revealing steaming heat inside, carrying the fragrance of lotus leaves.

Yao Mingyue squatted down in front of the tombstone and gently stroked the name on it that she hadn't heard for far too long.

At that moment, no one knew what emotions she was feeling.

After a long while, she let go.

Place the beggar's chicken in front of the tombstone.

"I remember my grandma saying that my dad's favorite food was beggar's chicken, especially the chicken legs..."

Yao Mingyue said softly, "When Dad was a child, his family wasn't well-off. They might not even eat meat once a day. Although they raised chickens, they were only kept for laying eggs. If a chicken died from illness, they wouldn't throw it away. They would cover it with mud and put it directly into the fire pit to cook it, thinking that it would kill the virus. Grandpa and Grandma would also save the chicken legs for Dad, because even if there were still bacteria, the chicken legs would definitely have the fewest and the best parts."

This kind of beggar's chicken is definitely not authentic, and it's even quite dangerous, but for my father back then, it was a delicacy he might not get to eat even once a year..."

Yao Mingyue softly recounted, "My father has always kept the habit of liking to eat beggar's chicken, but ever since I grew up, he has never eaten the chicken leg again, and has saved it for me instead..."

Yao Mingyue smiled, but her eyes were filled with tears as she looked at the name engraved on the tombstone, as if her father, who always had a doting smile, was still in front of her.

"I always get a share of the chicken leg."

Xu Musen, standing to the side, also spoke with a smile, reminiscing. Children always crave meat. He remembered that every time Uncle Yao brought back beggar's chicken, he would always greet the two of them with a smile, tear off two chicken legs, and hand one to each of them.

Then he watched them eat chicken legs with a doting smile, telling them to eat more so they could grow tall.

"That's the role parents play. They may not be good at expressing love directly, but they will definitely give back to their children all the love they received from childhood, doubly so..."

As Xu Musen spoke, he reached out and gently patted Yao Mingyue's head, smiling as he said, "Besides, we didn't let any chicken legs go to waste. Look at us, we've both become big, clumsy guys from eating so much!"

"You're the big, clumsy idiot..."

Yao Mingyue felt a lump in her throat, but her heart was filled with warmth. She knelt before the tombstone, gently pressing her hand to her chest, to her own beating heart: "Dad, I have more good news to tell you. My surgery was successful. I'm completely healed now, just like a normal person. I can live a peaceful and safe life now..."

Yao Mingyue clutched her chest, tears welling up in her eyes. If her father were still alive, how happy he would be to hear this news.

After all, the reason why Yao's father traveled so much for business, and why he even went to discuss business in the pouring rain, was that he wanted to earn more money to find the best doctors and the best medical care in the world to cure his daughter's illness.

Unfortunately, he couldn't wait for any of this.

But thankfully, his beloved daughter, whom he had always cherished, is now completely healthy and can finally live like a normal person, get married, have children, and spend the rest of her life with him...

Xu Musen gently held her arm and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes: "He will definitely hear it, and he will be very happy."

Beside the grave, the evergreen pine tree swayed gently, its layers of needles seemingly nodding slightly.

This pine tree was planted along with Yao's father when he was buried.

So many years have passed in the blink of an eye, and the tree has become more and more lush and green. Its layers of evergreen needles form a natural barrier, and you can only feel the coolness and breeze under it.

"This tree was planted at my father's special request before he passed away."

Yao Mingyue reached out and gently picked up the occasional pine needles that had fallen to the ground: "Dad doesn't like pine trees, but he told me and Mom that pine trees never wither or shed their leaves throughout the year."

If it rains during the Qingming Festival, you can stand under the tree to take shelter from the rain.

It can also help us block out the sun in the summer.

Most importantly, this way you won't have to come to sweep my grave so often. You can still have your own lives, so don't keep grieving for me..."

With a trembling voice, Yao Mingyue reached out and gently stroked the tall trunk of the pine tree. The rough texture of the book cover reminded her of holding her father's hand when she was a child. Although it was rough, it gradually gave her a sense of reliable security.

"Uncle Yao, he is a gentle and reliable person."

Xu Musen looked up at the lush pine trees, and the thunderous night came to mind.

On his deathbed, Yao's father weakly called him to his side, even though he didn't have the strength to even lift his hand.

He forced a smile and gently grasped Xu Musen's hand: "From now on... I'm entrusting Mingyue to your care... Uncle believes in you... to become a... real man..."

In his memory, Yao's father was always a refined and easy-going person, whose smile was particularly warm and reliable.

He has always been very caring towards Xu Musen since he was a child.

He's my uncle, and he's practically a father to me too.

"Why are you crying even harder than me..."

The touch on his cheek brought Xu Musen back to his senses, and he realized that tears were already streaming down his face.

Men don't easily shed tears, but promises between men can easily touch the most vulnerable parts of their hearts.

Yao Mingyue turned around and wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

"I just remembered something I promised Uncle Yao... I almost didn't keep it..."

Xu Musen shook his head, looked at the pine tree in front of him, and then silently looked at his own hands.

She gently placed her other white hand in his palm, raised her head, and looked into his eyes: "No, you have taken very good care of me. My father listens to me the most. If I say I don't blame you, he definitely won't blame you."

Yao Mingyue revealed a willful smile. At this moment, under this pine tree, she looked like a little girl being spoiled by her father.

Xu Musen was lost in thought.

"I'm going to get something... wait for me."

Yao Mingyue's eyes flickered, and she nodded slightly: "You can keep this for a while longer to talk to my dad."

After saying that, she stood up and left in a few steps.

Xu Musen turned around, looked at the tombstone in front of him, smiled, picked up his wine glass, and filled it to the brim.

He didn't know what to say; it seemed he had truly done everything he had promised...

However, he now has another girl by his side who also needs his love for a lifetime.

I wonder if Uncle Yao would beat him up if he knew...

Xu Musen shook his head with a wry smile. With Uncle Yao's good temper, he would probably just have a long talk with him all night at most.

Xu Musen wouldn't dare say he's a good person, but he will definitely try his best to be a real man.

Whatever belongs to Yao Mingyue, whether it's for the wedding or the honeymoon, we will definitely make it up to her.

He sat quietly by himself for a long time.

Behind me, I heard familiar footsteps.

A faint scent of roses wafted on the breeze, causing the pine trees to sway gently.

"Xu Musen".

A soft call, tinged with both anticipation and nervousness.

Xu Musen turned around, his pupils dilated several times, and his breathing paused for a moment.

Before me stood a young girl dressed in red.

The red phoenix robe that had been custom-made long ago was now on her body. The festive and noble red color, and every detail of the handmade fabric, perfectly fit her tall and slender figure.

Behind him, the long trailing phoenix robe, with its golden phoenix feathers shimmering in the sunlight.

Her long red hair was styled in an updo, and her phoenix crown was elegant and noble.

At this moment, she gracefully approached, her beautiful cheeks adorned with natural blush, and her eyes brimming with deep affection.

"do I look good?"

She stood before Xu Musen in this cemetery that symbolized death, yet she seemed like a phoenix rising from the ashes, radiating her own vitality.

Xu Musen was in a daze for a long time before he slowly stood up and looked at Yao Mingyue. He was as nervous as if it were their first date.

"nice…"

Seeing his dazed expression, Yao Mingyue smiled and took a step forward, gently taking his arm.

She led him to the tombstone.

"Dad, I need to tell you something first."

Yao Mingyue smiled as she looked at Xu Musen: "The future son-in-law you always thought highly of has already married another girl."

As soon as she spoke, the pine tree seemed to sway slightly.

Xu Musen coughed, but for a moment he didn't know how to respond.

Yao Mingyue seemed not to notice his expression. She looked back at the tombstone, her smile now carrying a hint of girlish coquettishness: "But... your daughter doesn't seem to be very successful either. I still like him so much, the kind of liking that would make me want to marry him."

She tightened her grip on Xu Musen's arm: "Dad, you once told me that no matter how rich or poor, long or short one's life is, one must live the life one wants to truly live."

We don't need to care about anyone's opinion, and we shouldn't let other people's words change our hearts.

Because we are not obligated to be responsible for everyone, true happiness lies in loving the people we love.

"Now... I can finally tell you, I can finally achieve my own happiness, I can finally hold onto my happiness tightly, forgive my daughter's lack of ambition, and forgive this guy's philandering."

With a smile, Yao Mingyue held Xu Musen's arm tightly, her eyes filled with his reflection.

"However, I believe in him. After all, he has been by my side since birth, and he is the person I chose, the only person I want to spend my life with."

I believe in him. He will be like you, leaving all his love for me even in his last moments.

Yao Mingyue will never forget that in her previous life, even in such circumstances, he still gave her the chance to live at the last moment.

"And from now on... I will love him until the last moment of my life."

She looked up and met Xu Musen's reddened eyes. She smiled, her smile so bright and so resolute.

"Xu Musen, now that you're reborn, are you still going to live off me?"

At this moment, Xu Musen felt as if he were being hit by a series of shocks.

"If there's an afterlife, I'll never again rely on your kindness..."

This belief, which he was once determined to uphold throughout his life, has now been shattered in a pathetic way.

What a spineless couple!

Xu Musen smiled, his tears seeming to leap with joy.

"I am willing!"

His voice rang out before the tombstone.

A gentle breeze rustled the pine trees, making them sway like a silent father nodding slightly.

This was a wedding that belonged only to the two of them.

They knelt before the grave and bowed deeply three times.

There was no lavish hall, no crowds of well-wishers, no long motorcade, and no blessings from the public…

The only witnesses are a tombstone, a tree, and a father who will always love them.

But at this moment, in their hearts, this love is second to none.

……

As the sun sets on the bustling street, everyone is looking in the same direction.

As far as the eye could see, Xu Musen was carrying Yao Mingyue, who was dressed in a phoenix robe, on his back, walking along this familiar road home.

Yao Mingyue's phoenix robe was undeniably eye-catching, drawing curious glances from everyone.

"What are you doing? Cosplaying?"

"Isn't this a traditional Chinese wedding robe? The workmanship is so exquisite, you can tell they're rich."

"They're a perfect match, a handsome couple indeed."

"Why do rich men not even rent a car when they get married?"

"You don't know anything! This is what you call romance!"

Everyone was enjoying the show, and some were even taking pictures with their phones.

At this moment, Yao Mingyue's face was flushed, and she was holding Xu Musen's neck tightly. Just now, she had only casually said that she wanted to go back.

But to my surprise, he carried her on his back and walked down the street.

Moreover, Xu Musen was all smiles at this moment. Facing everyone's gaze, he was as proud as a general returning from a victorious battle, holding his head high and carrying his beloved woman on his back.

Aren't you embarrassed...?

Yao Mingyue whispered in his ear.

"What's there to be embarrassed about? I'm going to make everyone envious and jealous of me for marrying such a beautiful girl!"

Xu Musen smiled and walked slowly through the crowd.

Soon, they arrived at the familiar school gate.

Zhengzhou No. 4 High School.

From a great distance, they could see the notice board at the school gate, with two large "wanted" posters bearing photos.

Recalling their previous experience, Xu Musen and Yao Mingyue couldn't help but laugh.

Who says a scumbag can't be responsible for both of them at the same time?
If you're going to do it, be the most innocent and pure-hearted scumbag!
Xu Musen carried Yao Mingyue on his back, walking along the familiar path home. This path had accompanied them through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, through their youth and adolescence.

It was as if familiar figures were running past them.

"Eee-yah, Brother Musen... wait for me..."

"Brother Musen, I want to eat candied hawthorns, will you buy them for me?"

"Musen, I don't have a father anymore... Will you leave me too...?"

"Xu Musen! We're going to be late for class, can you hurry up?"

"Xu Musen, I already told you it's raining today and you still didn't bring an umbrella. Fine... this time, this beautiful lady will reluctantly share an umbrella with you..."

"Xu Musen, I hope you can study hard every day and not always think about random things. I only see you as an older brother..."

"Xu Musen, please never leave me again..."

It feels like it's right in front of me.

From the moment we were born, held in swaddling clothes, to our childhood, from our school uniforms to our current elegant attire.

They, belonging to each age group, transformed into pairs of phantoms, running swiftly past them.

No matter the time, whether they were arguing or sulking, they always headed in the same direction.

He turned his head and looked at Yao Mingyue.

As the sun sets in September, fallen leaves are swept across the landscape, bathed in the warm glow of the golden sunset.

All the springs, summers, autumns, and winters of those years have condensed into two words at this moment.

go home…

The journey home…

At this moment in Shanghai, An Nuannuan watched the setting sun and gently stroked her belly.

She's almost five months pregnant, and sometimes she can even feel the baby's pulse inside her.

She gazed silently into the distance, holding in her hand the comic she had been drawing all along, but had never shown to anyone.

The painting depicts her, him, and her, all the entanglements and past events between these two lifetimes.

If only we could do all of this again.

Could there be different outcomes?
Will she give up, or will she go to something more extreme?
Or perhaps, she still can't let go, and can't bear to...

An Nuannuan gazed at the sunset outside the window for a long time, finally shaking her head with a smile.

"An Nuannuan, you're so pathetic..."

She gently stroked her belly.

"Baby, you can help Mommy deal with your scumbag dad from now on!"

She picked up her paintbrush and sketched the last page of the comic book.

This chapter is called the finale.

But it feels more like a completely new beginning…

She gently closed the comic book.

Perhaps many years later, someone will reread this comic book and turn a new page...

"Mom~"

A sweet, childlike voice; a gentle woman in a light-colored long dress holding an incredibly cute little girl.

"Little Cream, I told you not to run around like that, look how dirty you are..."

The woman was talking, but the little girl just chuckled and leaned down to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Daddy...where's Daddy?"

"I already told you, you should pronounce it as 'Dad'."

She affectionately tapped her daughter's little nose and carried her to the backyard.

The backyard is a beach villa.

Her gaze shifted to the other side, where a tall, slender figure lay beneath the parasol.

She had long, wine-red hair, wore sunglasses, and had a model-like figure, but her belly was noticeably protruding.

"Auntie..."

The little girl called out affectionately in her cute, sweet voice.

"Little Cream is here~"

She took off her sunglasses, and her almond-shaped eyes were now filled with maternal radiance. She reached out and couldn't help but pinch her rosy cheeks.

How have you been feeling lately?

An Nuannuan reached out and gently touched her slightly bulging belly.

"Apart from feeling a little nauseous occasionally, everything is fine."

Yao Mingyue looked down at her belly, her eyes no longer showing her usual cunning and willful nature, but instead filled with maternal radiance.

After the surgery, she took two or three years to recover, constantly worrying about whether her body could hold up and whether she could give birth to a healthy child.

It wasn't until this year that she finally made up her mind to have the child.

Fortunately, everything is normal.

Now, four months have passed.

"It's okay, take your time."

An Nuannuan, having been through similar experiences, offered words of comfort with a smile.

"I don't ask for anything, I just hope that my baby will be as cute as Little Cream in the future."

Yao Mingyue smiled, picked up Little Cream, and affectionately rubbed her pink cheeks.

"Giggle..."

Little Cream let out a happy, silvery laugh.

Their gaze turned towards the sea.

At that moment, the tall figure was supporting a three- or four-year-old boy.

"Son! A real man conquers the stars and the sea!"

The man laughed in a silly way, holding his son as they splashed in the shallow water. The little boy babbled and choked on seawater every time he tried to speak.

But you can already tell from his eyebrows that he will definitely be a handsome man in the future.

"Dad...I...hiccup, I'm full..."

"This is nothing! You're going to be the King of the Sea from now on, keep swimming! Dad will reward you with a Devil Fruit later!"

Wow, really??

"When has your dad ever lied to you? If your dad ever lies to you, may my son be born without skin!"

son:"???"

"puff…"

Looking at the father and son, both of them so childish, she smiled helplessly and indulgently.

Yao Mingyue couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Honestly, he's a father now, and he still doesn't act like a proper person."

"But isn't that what you like about him?"

An Nuannuan cupped her cheeks and smiled as she spoke.

"Yes, we all like his unserious nature. Sometimes we think he's really pathetic."

Yao Mingyue smiled too. Now, they can open up and talk about such topics.

"Yeah, what a loser..."

An Nuannuan smiled, took out a slightly yellowed comic book, and turned to the last page.

"It's like the ending of many romantic comedy comics; it lacks the excitement of adventure comics, the plot twists of suspense comics, and the sadness of tearjerker comics..."

Ordinary and uneventful.

But isn't this the best possible ending?

An Nuannuan smiled and gently turned to the last page of the animation book. Sunlight streamed in, and she and Yao Mingyue looked at the father and son who were still in the sea, acting like sea kings.

The warm afternoon sun, the shimmering sea, the carefree laughter—everything was so peaceful, so comforting…

It's like an ending you can see at a glance, and also like the beginning of everything.

If the world isn't going your way, why not lie down, feel the breeze, and watch the sunset?

Perhaps we still can't change things, but at least we shouldn't let this world get too complacent.

May every story end just as peacefully.

And beautiful.

(The finale~)

　The finale has finally arrived. There are so many things I want to say to my readers. My feelings are really complicated. I'll save them for tomorrow's epilogue and talk to you all about them slowly.

　　Perhaps the ending is still somewhat imperfect, or perhaps it's too "sci-fi".

　　But that's just my style. Real life is already exhausting enough. Reading online novels isn't necessarily about learning anything; it's more about finding spiritual solace, relaxation, and enjoyment.

　　At the very least, I think a perfect ending is the best attitude.

　　Thank you for your support. We'll continue our conversation tomorrow with your closing remarks.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)