The pill in his mouth ended up in the trash can.

The bitter taste still lingered in his mouth as Chi Yan went to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and repeatedly rinsed his mouth to wash away the taste of the abortion pill.

But after that, his stomach started to churn violently. Even though the pill was no longer in his mouth, just the thought of the taste made him feel like vomiting.

Leaning against the sink, Chi Yan looked up. His reflection in the mirror had red-rimmed eyes, an unusually pale face, and colorless lips. He looked sickly, both inside and out.

Chi Yan smirked, as if trying to laugh, but the smile was twisted.

After resting by the sink for a while, he took a deep breath and exhaled heavily.

“Heh!” Chi Yan let out a self-mocking laugh.

Leaving the bathroom, Chi Yan was glad he had asked someone to buy extra pills for him. Otherwise, at this rate, he’d throw them all up.

Chi Yan took out another pill, this time preparing some crackers to eat immediately after swallowing the pill.

But the outcome this time was unexpected. He thought it would work, but he ended up vomiting the pill and crackers together.

After two rounds of vomiting, Chi Yan sat on the couch, his stomach starting to ache faintly.

It was as if the tiny life inside him knew what was happening—knew that its father didn’t want it and wanted to get rid of it.

But the little thing hadn’t even formed yet.

With his hand on his stomach, Chi Yan curled up on the couch and turned his head to gaze out the window.

Since taking the pill only made him vomit, going to the hospital was the only option left.

It was the last thing he wanted—going to the hospital for an abortion. Lying on the operating table, people would definitely look at him like he was a freak.

A man being pregnant?

The thought of what could happen made Chi Yan’s chest tighten painfully. He lifted his head and laughed silently, with a hint of madness.

Chi Yan didn’t go to a hospital in his city. He bought a train ticket for that day and planned to travel to a nearby city.

At least that way, he would be in another place, where he trusted the hospital staff wouldn’t leak his information. He could have the procedure done, come back, and pretend nothing had ever happened.

Chi Yan searched online for a hospital phone number and called to ask about the procedure.

They recommended coming in the morning for all the necessary tests, and if everything was fine, the abortion could be done in the afternoon on the same day.

Chi Yan didn’t mention that it was him who needed the surgery. He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Planning to go the day before and stay at a hotel overnight, he’d head to the hospital first thing in the morning.

He had an evening train ticket. After dinner, Chi Yan put on an extra coat and left the house, heading straight to the station.

When he arrived, the train hadn’t left yet, so he found a seat in the waiting area.

There were quite a few other passengers around waiting as well, but Chi Yan knew he was different from them.

Subconsciously, his hand went to his stomach.

Fortunately, he’d caught it early. If it had been much later, the procedure might not have been possible.

Leaning back in the chair, Chi Yan put in his earphones and lowered his eyes, listening to music.

The sound wasn’t loud, so when the cry of a baby came from behind him, he heard it immediately.

Chi Yan didn’t know why, but something stirred inside him. He took out one earphone and turned his head to look.

He saw a young woman holding a baby.

The child was crying loudly, but after being comforted by its mother for a while, the baby broke into laughter.

A baby’s emotions seemed so simple and straightforward.

The plump, fair little hands waved in the air, as if trying to grab something. The mother gently held the baby’s hand and kissed it.

This scene caused a ripple in Chi Yan’s heart.

He found himself unable to take his eyes off the adorable, innocent baby.

His child… Chi Yan placed his hand gently over his abdomen. If his child were born, it would probably be just as cute.

The sudden thought startled him.

Soon, his train was boarding, and Chi Yan followed the crowd, scanning his ID to enter the station.

With the seat number texted to his phone, Chi Yan easily found his seat on the train.

He sat by the window for a while before the person assigned to the seat next to him arrived.

Chi Yan glanced casually at first, but then realized it was a father and daughter.

Before the girl had even sat down, she called out, “Daddy! Daddy!” Her voice was crisp and sweet.

“Sit down first, don’t disturb the man next to you,” the father gently told her, glancing at Chi Yan with a calm expression.

The girl gave an obedient “Oh,” and sat down properly.

Her father put their luggage on the overhead rack, keeping a small bag with him.

After sitting down, the father took out a bottle of milk and inserted a straw.

“Daddy, how long will we be on the train?” the girl asked while sipping her milk.

“About half an hour,” he replied, patting her head.

“Oh, Daddy, I want to watch cartoons,” the girl asked again.

The father, always gentle and affectionate, opened a video on his phone, and to avoid disturbing others, he gave her earphones to wear.

“You can watch one episode,” the father said.

“Okay,” the little girl agreed, obedient and content.

The episode was about twenty minutes long.