Chapter 264 You’re Pregnant?!

Cats might be the cutest creatures in the world. When they're affectionate, they're all over you; when they're aloof, they're completely detached, perfectly mastering the psychology of humans. Unlike dogs, who, once they bond with their owners, remain loyal for life. In Western weddings, there are vows about "sickness and poverty," feeding Thor with endless energy. Most people can't live up to these vows, but dogs can.

Yet, some dogs are abandoned, and nowadays, people don't seem to think much of those who discard dogs. Instead, they make snide remarks about dogs.

There's a quote in No Longer Human: "Excessive enthusiasm towards anyone increases the chance of being taken for granted. If one can avoid extreme joy, one will naturally be spared from intense sorrow."

This quote is quite bleak but not without merit. However, many people just see this quote online and leave it at that, thinking they've understood the world and dismissing deeply emotional people with disdain, labeling them as "dog lickers."

But why not delve into the state of mind in which Dazai Osamu wrote this book? Literary works aren't meant for readers to use selectively to validate their own values. Unreserved affection isn't wrong; what's wrong is this era—a time of money-worshipping, vanity-driven materialism. An era where people's views are fragmented by trends, and hypocrisy is praised while sincerity is mocked.

Out of billions of people, a few exceptions have tainted societal norms. If you like someone, pursue them boldly. Even if you end up loving someone unworthy, accept fate's slap with a smile. In the end, the ones who leave you are the real losers. Afterward, live well, forget thoroughly, and stay true to yourself. If you meet someone you like, continue to like them, but don't fall for someone you know isn't worth it.

Those who betray love will ultimately be betrayed by love. Searching for treasure in garbage will only lead to eternal misery—neither is worth it.

In the treatment room, Zhao Yanan drank half a glass of warm water, trying to calm her breathing and avoid becoming anxious. Zhou Xiaoruo hesitated several times, then quietly turned to adjust the nearby equipment. After a moment, she made a joke, "This thing is almost new. The last patient only used it once and never came back. Later, she told me it was too painful."

Last night, Zhou Xiaoruo had urged Zhao Yanan to call Chu Yuxuan, even threatening her to do so. However, Zhao Yanan remained resolute, even grabbing her phone, and said, "I'm sure now—I really love him. Xiaoruo, love requires mutual effort. I can't just enjoy his love while remaining indifferent. I don't want him to suffer any longer or make him wait too long."

Throughout their journey, from the initial upheaval to constantly wanting to see him, Zhao Yanan had seen and remembered all Chu Yuxuan's unspoken efforts.

She truly didn't want Chu Yuxuan to wait any longer, or rather, she herself was impatient. In life, the greatest happiness is having the person you love, loving you in return.

Everything was ready. Zhou Xiaoruo lowered the chair, helped Zhao Yanan lie down, and then placed the transcranial magnetic stimulation cap on her head.

"Nan Nan, relax."

Zhao Yanan responded with a smile, "Let's begin."

Zhou Xiaoruo smiled back, turned to operate the machine. At first, Zhao Yanan felt no discomfort, as if nothing was happening, and remained calm. But soon, her expression began to change, her face turning paler, her lips trembling, and her forehead and palms breaking into a thin sweat.

Zhou Xiaoruo bit her lip, her eyes instantly reddening.

The sensation of the electrical stimulation wasn't particularly painful. What Zhao Yanan struggled with was the deep-seated scars in her heart. Her entire mind was like a movie screen, replaying the past with the electrical currents, as vivid as slides. The person who loved her most in the world gave her the last embrace, repeatedly saying, "Nan Nan, it's okay, Mom is okay..." that resolute back turned toward the raging sea...

The devil fell before Zhao Yunbo's gun, his blood-stained face twisted in a sinister grin...

Time dragged on, feeling ten times longer than usual. Zhao Yanan's tears flowed, her hands continuously wiping them, occasionally letting out a painful groan.

Zhou Xiaoruo felt like she was choking, unable to make a sound, tears streaming down uncontrollably. She had considered stopping the machine more than once. But she knew that even if she stopped, Zhao Yanan would just go to another psychologist in secret. This girl, in fact, was even stronger than most men.

After half an hour, the treatment finally ended. As Zhou Xiaoruo removed the cap, Zhao Yanan turned to the side and began to vomit into the trash can.

Zhou Xiaoruo had managed to compose herself, showing no signs of having cried. She gently patted Zhao Yanan's back and said, "It's okay, it's a normal reaction, it means it's working. Our Nan Nan..."

At this point, the psychologist could no longer keep up the pretense and started crying openly. "Please, let's stop. Let's take it slowly. Let him wait a bit longer..."

Zhao Yanan's face was pale. After a period of vomiting, she slowly sat up, leaning tiredly against Zhou Xiaoruo, and bitterly smiled, "When is the next session?"

This appearance would surely break Chu Yuxuan's heart if he saw it.

Zhou Xiaoruo was sobbing, wiping the sweat from Zhao Yanan's face, her voice choked with emotion.

Ten minutes later, the two women left the treatment room, their makeup touched up.

At this moment, "Park Yisheng" was utterly exhausted from being fussed over by Old Three. Lying flat as if poisoned by toxic mushrooms, its little tail swishing in annoyance and impatience, its eyes reflecting a sense of hopelessness.

Upon seeing Zhou Xiaoruo, the little creature scrambled up, rolling and crawling over, meowing non-stop, presumably to complain.

Old Three sat stiffly, pretending nothing had happened.

Zhao Yanan took a few steps forward, feeling another wave of nausea, and hurried to the bathroom. After dry heaving for a while, she slumped onto the sofa in the living room and, feeling guilty, asked Old Three, "Do I look...unwell?"

Old Three, confused, nodded, wondering why his sister-in-law was vomiting.

Zhao Yanan pressed her lips together and said, "Don't tell your brother, okay?"

Old Three blinked his wise eyes and suddenly stood up, exclaiming in astonishment, "Sister-in-law! Are you pregnant?! Wahahaha! You're pregnant?! My brother is amazing! Busy with serious matters and secretly having a baby for us to play with! Incredible!"

Zhou Xiaoruo: ...

Zhao Yanan was completely stunned.