Burn Out - Chapter 88
◎ Ji Ting, I love you so much ◎
Tan Yucheng helped Ji Ting put on her coat. Ji Ting was still a bit dazed, but she was definitely feeling unwell. Tan Yucheng took her hand and led her to get the car keys. Both parents quickly reacted, with some removing their aprons, some grabbing coats, and others taking the car keys, all while giving a quick reminder to the housekeeper.
Soon, the whole family had left the house.
In the elevator, Xiao Xi couldn’t hide her excitement but was also worried about Ji Ting’s health. She held Ji Ting’s other hand and said, “Don’t panic. We’re just going for a check-up. If you’re pregnant, that’s fine, if not, it’s okay too. Just don’t stress.”
Ji Ting was much calmer now, and with the smell in the elevator not as strong, she felt more comfortable. She looked at Xiao Xi and nodded, “Okay, Mom, I’m fine.”
Xiao Xi relaxed.
Qiu Dan, standing nearby, said, “If you feel uncomfortable, be sure to tell us.”
Ji Ting replied with a soft “mm-hmm.”
Tan Yucheng stood by her side, holding her hand and looking at her.
Despite often making jokes about pregnancy and menstrual pain, Tan Yucheng was genuinely concerned about her health. He was also worried because of what happened with Wen Nanxi, who had postpartum depression for a long time.
Once they were in the car.
Ji Ting sat in the front passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt. The beige knitted dress she wore highlighted her pale skin. Both mothers were anxious and sat in the back seat of this car.
Tan Yucheng gripped the steering wheel and started the car.
The black car drove out of the underground garage of Tianyu, onto the main road. The streets of Li City on New Year’s Eve were crowded with cars, and the neon lights were flashing.
There was some minor traffic congestion on the road. While waiting at a red light, Tan Yucheng rested his arm on the window, turned to look at Ji Ting in the passenger seat. Ji Ting was also watching the traffic, her gaze inadvertently shifting towards him.
Tan Yucheng freed one hand, reached across the center console, and held her delicate, beautiful hand.
Ji Ting met his gaze, gave a slight smile, and held his hand.
This silent intimacy.
All of this fell into the eyes of the two mothers in the back seat, giving a sense that others were intruding. Xiao Xi tapped her phone, took a picture of their intertwined hands, and sent it directly to Tan Hui.
Tan Hui, who was driving, replied with a question mark.
Xiao Xi: Yucheng is holding Tingting’s hand.
Tan Hui: Not the first time seeing that.
Xiao Xi: I want to take a picture every time I see it.
Tan Hui: …..
Xiao Xi: Does this count as shipping a couple?
Tan Hui: Yes.
Xiao Xi: Haha.
The black car arrived at the hospital. The place was crowded tonight, and the obstetrics and gynecology department had a separate on-duty room. While waiting for tickets, Ji Ting and her party had the most people. When they went in to see the doctor, the nurse stopped the four parents at the door. Tan Yucheng accompanied Ji Ting inside. The doctor ordered a check-up, and the simplest test was a pregnancy test. Ji Ting was directed to the bathroom to take the test.
The result came out quickly.
Two lines.
Ji Ting looked at Tan Yucheng. He stared at the two lines for a few seconds, then took it and held her waist, saying, “Let’s show the doctor.”
Ji Ting smiled.
Following his lead, before they went to see the doctor, she looked up and asked, “Are you happy?”
Tan Yucheng glanced at her and replied lazily, “Happy.”
“Just a bit surprised.”
Ji Ting smiled.
At the entrance to the department, the four parents moved forward. Seeing Tan Yucheng holding the pregnancy test, Qiu Dan let out a sigh of relief, Xiao Xi’s eyes brightened, and Tan Hui and Ji Lindong exchanged glances.
“So, it’s really happening?”
“It should be with the two lines. It was shown on TV, just look at their expressions.”
“Oh, it’s really happening.”
Tan Hui and Ji Lindong were both visibly delighted.
After showing the pregnancy test to the doctor and undergoing some additional checks, they waited briefly before receiving the report, confirming a five-week pregnancy. The doctor gave some advice on precautions, established a file, and there were no further issues.
The family happily left the hospital.
On the way back, Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan, sitting in the back seat, advised Ji Ting on what to pay attention to next. They emphasized that the first three months were crucial, and it would be more reassuring by the fourth month. Ji Ting listened with a smile, glancing at the man driving.
Tan Yucheng was focused on driving, occasionally listening to the two mothers in the back seat.
Returning to Tianyu.
Given Ji Ting’s lack of appetite, Xiao Xi had the housekeeper prepare bird’s nest porridge and some light dishes Ji Ting liked to eat in the car. As for the cooked fish, Xiao Xi decided to give it to the owner of the convenience store at the neighborhood entrance, as they had a good relationship and often exchanged gifts.
The other dishes on the table were not strongly flavored.
The housekeeper was also very happy to hear about Ji Ting’s pregnancy. She was skilled in preparing various nutritious meals, especially for pregnant women, babies, and postpartum meals. Her previous learning was now coming into use.
The Spring Festival Gala was particularly joyful tonight.
Ji Ting had good luck, winning a considerable amount of money while playing mahjong.
It wasn’t because of skill but luck, combined with Tan Yucheng occasionally giving her tips from behind.
She asked her husband for help, which wasn’t illegal, and Tan Yucheng’s assistance was perfectly reasonable.
Late at night.
Back in the master bedroom, Ji Ting sat on the bed in a nightgown, reviewing her winnings. Tan Yucheng, having finished his shower, sat on the edge of the bed, turned, and handed her a glass of milk. Ji Ting sipped through the straw, glanced at him, and Tan Yucheng nonchalantly looked at her hand and asked, “How much did you win?”
Ji Ting smiled and leaned closer to him, giving him the amount.
Tan Yucheng raised his eyebrows and smiled at her, “You also received quite a bit in red envelopes, yet you don’t seem this happy.”
Ji Ting propped herself up on the bed and said, “Winning and receiving are different.”
She also had a competitive streak.
Just like in games, she would always strive to play well.
Tan Yucheng lightly smiled, took Ji Ting’s empty milk glass, stood up to wash it, and placed it on the cabinet. After drying his hands, he returned to the bed. Ji Ting had tidied up and placed her things on the nightstand. Tan Yucheng embraced her from behind, burying his face in her neck. Ji Ting relaxed and leaned into his arms. She picked up her tablet and opened the store’s system, while Tan Yucheng’s warm hand rested on her abdomen.
Ji Ting also placed one of her hands over his.
They both were quiet, and in their solitude, they slowly recalled the events of the night.
Tan Yucheng’s voice was lazy, “Five weeks, what day does that count from?”
Ji Ting thought for a moment and said, “It seems it’s based on the last menstrual period, so it’s uncertain.”
Tan Yucheng kissed her neck and said, “No, there was a day in Chenghai when you were all flushed, and it took a long time for you to snap out of it….”
Hearing him speak, Ji Ting pinched the back of his hand.
Tan Yucheng chuckled softly and fell silent.
No matter which day it was, the child was on its way. It was a bit unexpected but also somewhat exciting.
New Year’s Eve began.
Ji Ting started experiencing morning sickness around three months into her pregnancy, feeling unwell, but her physical condition was generally good. She still spent most of her time at the store. Her assertive apprentice had also been trained to take over many tasks, so Tan Yucheng managed the overall situation, while Ji Ting assisted and rested in a newly arranged lounge if she felt tired.
She wasn’t used to the smell in the kitchen, but she didn’t mind the smell of coffee even though she didn’t drink it.
Every morning, Tan Yucheng would drop her off at the store before heading to the company, and he would pick her up in the evening to return to Tianyu. Fu Yan and Wen Nanxi had also returned to the company, so many projects could be divided up.
On this day.
Tan Yucheng came to pick up Ji Ting as usual.
Ji Ting linked her arm with his as they walked towards the black car. The sun was setting beautifully, casting a warm glow on the car, making their silhouettes appear well-matched.
Shu Xiao was pulled into the Sunset by a colleague. Although she was reluctant, she turned around and saw the two of them. She was stunned, watching Ji Ting standing by the car, not knowing what to say. Tan Yucheng was brushing aside her bangs while listening to her, nodding occasionally. They neither kissed nor embraced but seemed incredibly intimate, with everything around them fading into the background.
A colleague ordered a coffee and asked Shu Xiao what she wanted.
Shu Xiao, lost in thought, looked back at the ordering counter and said, “Iced Americano.”
Xiao Zhou smiled and agreed, but when she looked up, she saw Shu Xiao. Shu Xiao’s skin was very fair, but she looked lacking in vitality, still appearing quite fragile. Xiao Zhou immediately recognized her and said with a smile, “What a coincidence, Miss Shu.”
Shu Xiao looked up, surprised that Ji Ting’s store staff remembered her.
She nodded.
“Hello.”
Xiao Zhou smiled and went over to make their coffee.
Xiao Wan came out of the lounge, holding Ji Ting’s coat, and asked, “Where’s Sister Ting?”
Xiao Zhou replied, “Brother Tan picked her up.”
“Ah? Sister Ting forgot her coat again. She’s pregnant, it’s chilly at night.”
Xiao Zhou looked outside, seeing the black car drive away, and said, “They’ve left. You should come earlier next time. But it’s fine, Brother Tan definitely won’t let her get cold. They’re not going anywhere tonight, they’re heading home.”
“Oh, that’s good.” Xiao Wan nodded, turned, and walked back to the lounge with the coat, saying, “Since Sister Ting got pregnant, we’ve all become like old mothers.”
Xiao Zhou laughed heartily.
She glanced over and saw Shu Xiao.
Shu Xiao was standing by the counter and overheard their conversation.
Her face turned even whiter than before.
Ji Ting was pregnant?
“Miss Shu, here’s your coffee.” Xiao Zhou placed the coffee on the counter and called out to Shu Xiao. Shu Xiao looked up, took the coffee, and automatically turned to leave.
Her colleague paid, followed her out, and was about to ask what was wrong when she saw Shu Xiao’s coffee cup lid wasn’t properly sealed and spilled on her hand. Her colleague leaned in and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Shu Xiao didn’t reply and quickly left.
—
Four months later.
Ji Ting was feeling much better and began attending prenatal yoga classes at Zhuoyue’s studio. Although Ji Ting had occasionally attended classes before, she hadn’t gone frequently.
This time, she was quite diligent and attended almost every session.
With the management of the yoga instructor and the nutritious meals prepared by the housekeeper, Ji Ting kept her weight under control and smoothly reached her due date. Ten months passed by slowly and without issue.
On September 26th, Ji Ting gave birth to a baby boy, named Tan Jiashuo.
“Jia Yan Yi Xing, Gao Cai Shuo Xue (“嘉言懿行, 高才硕学”, “Virtuous words and exemplary conduct, outstanding talent and great learning.”).”
During the month after the birth, Tan Yucheng was extremely concerned about her, holding her while they slept at night and spending most of the day with her. To ensure Ji Ting could rest properly, family members helped out.234
Tan Jiashuo was only brought to Ji Ting when she wanted to see him. Most of the time, he was in the care of his grandparents or the housekeeper.
One day, Ji Ting asked while holding his arm, “Where’s our son?”
Tan Yucheng, still drowsy, had his arm under her head and was holding her tightly. “I don’t know if he’s with my mom or your mom.”
Ji Ting was sweating in her sleep. Tan Yucheng slid his hand in to wipe her sweat. Ji Ting turned to look at him and said softly, “I feel like I gave birth to a fake son, I haven’t even seen him.”
Tan Yucheng propped himself up, kissed her lips, and gently explored with his tongue, causing her cheeks to flush. He pulled away slightly and looked down at her. “Isn’t this good? Having a son won’t change you one bit.”
Ji Ting glanced at him and tilted her neck back.
Tan Yucheng leaned in and kissed her again.
While she couldn’t hold him, she could at least embrace him.
Tan Jiashuo’s full-month celebration was postponed, probably held about three months after Ji Ting’s recovery.
The invitation cards for the full-month celebration were handwritten. Tan Yucheng returned home early that day, took off his tie, and sat on the sofa preparing the guest list. While writing, he remembered that person.
He took off a bit more of his collar and retrieved an invitation card, intending to keep it for Ji Ting to see when she returned.
At that moment, the housekeeper wheeled Tan Jiashuo’s crib over and said, “Yucheng, take a look at Jiashuo while I go buy some green onions.”
Tan Yucheng glanced at his son playing with a small blanket and nodded.
The housekeeper quickly took her bag and left.
Tan Jiashuo kicked his legs, making small noises, and twisted his little body while clutching the blanket. Tan Yucheng rolled up his sleeves and sat on the armrest, watching his son, whose eyes and eyebrows resembled Ji Ting’s.
He tapped his son’s nose.
Tan Jiashuo wrinkled his nose and bumped his little head against the edge of the crib, hitting it cheerfully. Tan Yucheng gently pulled on his tiny feet to keep him from kicking up further. The crib was spacious, yet not large enough for him to turn around in. Tan Yucheng then picked up the tablet and checked the invitation list.
Ji Ting had asked him via WeChat to verify whether the photos of their son’s full-month celebration had been successfully uploaded to the cloud.
Tan Yucheng replied that it was fine.
He checked the cloud and saw that the upload was successful. As he was about to exit, he accidentally noticed a folder.
The folder was labeled 0503.
It wasn’t particularly eye-catching among the other folders, but the number was familiar to him.
He clicked on it.
The page loaded, revealing mostly photos of himself.
Photos from the past few years, from university, and even high school.
The high school photos were mostly of him playing basketball, fetching water, at an internet cafe, and at the convenience store in Nan’an Alley. These photos had previously appeared on forums or had been shared by Long Kong and others on social media and in group chats.
He hadn’t saved many of these photos himself, having deleted some early ones later on.
But she had kept them.
If it were only photos from university and those few years, he might not have thought much of it, given that he had also kept many of her photos. However, seeing the high school photos as well…
Tan Yucheng was stunned, his heart racing rapidly.
Sudden thoughts surged into his mind:
“Will you remember me?”
“Have you ever had someone you liked?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me ask another way. If we got married, would you invite him?”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever thought that perhaps that person is actually you?”
The empty chair at the wedding wasn’t without significance, it turned out that the person who was supposed to be there was indeed him.
Tan Yucheng was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts when Tan Jiashuo grabbed his fingers. The little boy, holding onto his long fingers, was trying to grasp his wrist. Tan Yucheng put down the tablet and removed his watch from his wrist to avoid bumping into his son. He maintained this posture and, in a low, lazy voice, said, “Son, your mother loved me when she was young.”
For the past two years, he had been troubled by the person she once loved.
And he was that person, someone she had loved long ago.
Tan Jiashuo blinked, looking up at his handsome father.
A click sounded.
The door opened.
Ji Ting’s voice was heard as she answered a phone call. Tan Yucheng stood up and withdrew his hand from Tan Jiashuo’s grip. He looked up to see Ji Ting hanging up the phone and meeting his gaze across the room. His eyes were deep and unblinking as he stared at her. Ji Ting paused and asked, “Where’s the nanny?”
Tan Yucheng replied in a low voice, “Buying groceries.”
Ji Ting nodded, walking over to him. Feeling warm, she re-tied her hair and came to his side to check on their son. She also took the small blanket from Tan Jiashuo’s hands.
Tan Yucheng placed his hand on the crib, staying with her for a while, but his eyes kept drifting back to her.
Ji Ting noticed, and looked up to meet his gaze.
Tan Yucheng pulled her hand, which was still tying her hair, to his chest and hugged her. Ji Ting raised an eyebrow and wrapped her arms around his neck, asking, “What’s wrong?”
Tan Yucheng pressed her against the sofa armrest, burying his face in her neck.
In a low, lazy voice, he said, “0503.”
Ji Ting, leaning against the armrest, was momentarily stunned, her heart racing. She remembered she had asked him to look at the photos uploaded to the cloud. She had avoided doing this in the past but had forgotten this time. After a few seconds of silence, she asked softly, “Did you see them?”
Tan Yucheng murmured, “Yes.”
Ji Ting’s heartbeat quickened, but she also felt a sense of resolution. He had found out after all.
Tan Yucheng’s voice was very low. “The person you’ve liked all along has been me, right?”
Ji Ting clung tightly to his neck.
She murmured a yes.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
He asked.
Ji Ting tilted her head back and asked, “Do you love me?”
“Very much.”
“Yes, you love me deeply. At first, I wanted to keep it hidden, but then I didn’t dare. You love me to the fullest, and I didn’t want to use my past infatuation with you to manipulate you.” Ji Ting said gently, “I hope our relationship is equal.”
Tan Yucheng buried himself deeply in her neck, his voice very low.
“Ji Ting, I love you very, very much.”
Ji Ting responded tenderly, “I do too.”
“I love you very, very much, Tan Yucheng.”
[The author has something to say]
With this, the story ends.
It’s hard to part, but the story has reached its end. Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng have found love, which is beyond words.
—
Translated By JustMeow18
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Alice
Simply perfect! I loved the story, thank you very much translator for translating this work.