Lin Anning looked at Ye Jinghuai as if she were in a different life. She then gave a self-deprecating smile, but wasn't it truly a different life?
That night, while she was asleep, a string of memories suddenly appeared in her mind. She woke up and couldn't fall back asleep. Lying in bed with her eyes open, she silently shed tears all night.
The next day, her eyes were sore and swollen. But her heart ached even more.
Thinking of Ye Jinghuai made her feel foolish, that she had lost everything for a man who didn't love her. Not only did she make her parents sad and disappointed, but she also caused her sister to lose her marriage.
Recalling her lonely and helpless latter half of her previous life, she just wanted to beat her past self to death. Fortunately, heaven had given her a chance to start over.
In this life, she would no longer compete with Lu Linlang. What was the point of fighting to the death? That man had never shown her any affection in the end, and she had lost her family because of it.
For the past few days, she had been at home organizing her thoughts. She had thought a lot and finally come to terms with it; she would no longer love.
Let go! Cut off her long hair and bid farewell to her past self. Today, she was here to mourn her emotions over the years.
From now on, she would be her own queen and start everything anew.
With that thought, Lin Anning proudly lifted her chin.
"Ye Jinghuai, ten years. I loved you for ten whole years. My entire youth existed because of you. I sacrificed so much in these ten years, yet you never even glanced at me.
I'm tired, truly tired. So I've decided to stop liking you forever. From now on, no one will bother you again. May you and Lu Linlang be happy!"
Lin Anning felt an instant release. In this life, Ye Jinghuai could be left to that woman Lu Linlang. She would never interfere again.
Although she didn't know why Ye Jinghuai suddenly had a daughter in this life, it was no longer her concern.
In her previous life, Lu Linlang had appeared when she was on tour abroad. The two of them should have some budding relationship now. She wondered how Lu Linlang would act with a daughter now.
Thinking of this, Lin Anning found it ironic.
It was precisely because she was always fighting with Lu Linlang that her reputation was severely damaged, and her parents were shamed. She had even implicated her innocent sister, who, out of helplessness, chose divorce and died of depression.
In this life, she hoped her sister would always be happy.
Meanwhile, Ye Jinghuai had already found what Lin Anning was saying about ten years, feelings, and sacrifices to be tiresome.
The last sentence, however, left him even more bewildered, and his expression instantly turned very unpleasant.
Seeing Ye Jinghuai's suddenly changing expression, Lin Anning assumed it was because he heard she no longer liked him.
A hint of smugness welled up within her.
See! This is men. You treated me like dirt when I loved you, and now you regret it when I stop. Unfortunately, she would never be foolish enough to love him like she did in her previous life.
"Everyone is here today, so bear witness for me! Now that I've said my piece, I won't disturb your meal!" With that, she arrogantly flicked her hair and left with her head held high.
At the dinner table, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
"Second Brother, can you explain who Lu Linlang is?" Ye Jingming asked in an interrogative tone.
"Jinghuai, if you truly have someone you like, we won't stop you. We'll take good care of Nuannuan from now on," Ye Jingchen said with a serious expression.
"I—don't—have—anyone!" Ye Jinghuai uttered the words almost through gritted teeth.
"Second Brother, we all know how much Sister Anning likes you. In the past, any woman who came near you would be treated as an enemy and driven away by her. Now that Sister Anning has suddenly given up and wished you happiness, she must know something. Don't deny it anymore."
Ye Jingzhi looked at him with the expression of a faithless scoundrel, denying a relationship with a girl.
"Daddy?" Nuannuan was also startled. When did Ye Jinghuai have a Lu Linlang by his side?
"I don't! She's talking nonsense. I don't even know the person she's talking about." Ye Jinghuai truly felt wronged.
"Second Brother, she even named her," Ye Jingxing said with a frown, disapprovingly.
"I really don't know this Lu what's-her-name. I don't have anyone I like, now or in the future."
"Really no one?" Ye Jingming was still a bit skeptical.
"You can go and check. When did someone like that appear next to me?" Ye Jinghuai said impatiently.
Ye Jinghuai now truly detested Lin Anning. If she wanted to give up, fine! But to throw a bomb at him on her way out was simply inexplicable.
Nuannuan, however, believed Ye Jinghuai. After all, Lin Anning had been reborn, so she was likely talking about someone from her previous life.
Because of Lin Anning's words, Ye Jinghuai ate the rest of the dinner with a dark expression and, after it concluded, unceremoniously kicked everyone out.
"Daddy~" Nuannuan sat obediently watching Ye Jinghuai.
"Nuannuan, do you believe your Daddy?" Ye Jinghuai asked Nuannuan anxiously.
"Mm-hmm~ That auntie is sick." Nuannuan meant that Lin Anning was not quite right in the head.
"As long as Nuannuan believes Daddy, that's enough."
Ye Jinghuai's face finally brightened. As for Lin Anning, whatever she wanted to do was none of his business. It would be best if she never appeared again.
And Lin Anning, as she walked out of the Ye family villa, felt her mood lift: Ye Jinghuai, you've had your turn! From now on, I'll only love myself. Even if you beg me, I won't look back. Go and regret it!