Sunday morning in the bathroom.
After a serious wash, Janette solemnly approached the vanity, gently exhaled, and clasped her hands in prayer for a moment before picking up the pregnancy test stick from the counter.
"Ah..."
With a small shriek of disappointment, Janette rushed out of the bathroom, pouncing on Simon, who had just put on a pair of trousers and was bare-chested, and started nibbling him.
Simon wrapped his arms around the woman's waist, feeling the two rows of small teeth on his shoulder, and soothed her, "Once these recent matters are dealt with, I'll take a good break with you for a while".
Janette increased her bite force slightly, continuing to grind her teeth on the man's firm shoulder muscles, mumbling indistinctly, "I don't believe you".
Simon was helpless.
After their wedding last year, the two had been trying hard, but now, almost a year later, Janette's belly remained flat. They had several private check-ups, and both husband and wife were perfectly healthy.
Janette's birth date is March 13, 1960. In two months, it would be her 31st birthday, which meant she would completely miss the optimal childbearing age for women.
Pulling the woman closer into his embrace again, Simon said softly, "Since that's the case, we'll rest today. This promise is easy to keep. Where do you want to go?"
Janette finally released her teeth, burying her face in the man's neck and rubbing it, saying, "I don't want to go anywhere".
"Then let's stay home", Simon said, reaching out to pick up the woman, leaning in to kiss her lips, and adding, "How about we try again?"
Janette wrapped her arms around Simon's neck, skilfully calculating the time in her heart, and softly hummed in agreement.
By the time the couple sat down for breakfast in the dining Room, it was already past nine in the morning.
January is the coldest time of year in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, but in perennially spring-like Los Angeles, the average temperature remained above 10 degrees Celsius, making it another sunny day as usual.
Having decided to rest, Simon completely put aside all work-related matters, not even paying attention to the Golden Globe Awards media reports that were sure to appear today.
After moving into Point Dume Manor, he hadn't had a chance to thoroughly explore Seashell Villa on the cliff. Apart from the initial exterior design, most of the interior details were handled by Janette. Simon spent the entire day afterward moving between various rooms in the villa with Janette.
In the private library, he listened to her talk about how she selected the thousands of books on the shelves.
In the living room on the second floor, he listened to her talk about how she spotted a carpet at an auction.
In the kitchen on the first floor, he listened to her talk about where the kitchenware was custom-made.
In the underground wine cellar, he listened to her talk about how she outwitted Unilever, not only buying Château Latour for almost half its original price but also retaining most of the finest vintage red wines... As he listened, Simon suddenly remembered what seemed like a long time ago, when the woman helped him rent an empty house and then meticulously filled it, piece by piece.
Perhaps it was from that time that Janette somewhat mischievously assumed a certain role for herself.
Simon also increasingly realized that his wife, though mostly lazy and always delegating tasks she could to others, had actually sacrificed a lot for him over the years.
Just one thing: with Simon constantly acquiring real estate worldwide, buying land non-stop on Tasmania, Australia, and Westeros Company's continuous outward investments, if Janette hadn't diligently overseen and meticulously managed every expenditure, Simon felt his current financial situation would definitely be a mess.
After all, too many celebrities have gone bankrupt due to their extravagance and unfortunate choices in asset management.
Although Simon always paid close attention to his financial situation, his energy was ultimately limited. It was because of Janette's efforts that his personal finances remained well-organized.
This continued until evening. After touring most of the villa's rooms and hearing Janette mention that she had recently bought another piece of land on Tasmania, and that the doomsday shelter they had conceived during their honeymoon last year was continuously being built deep in the Tasmanian jungle, Simon suddenly wanted to go and see everything.
He didn't want to become like those ancient emperors.
They fought all their lives, conquering vast territories, yet never got to see the picturesque landscapes, instead confined to a small palace city.
So they left, leaving work behind.
The first stop was Florida. Janette said she had recently acquired a piece of land on Miami Beach and planned to build an estate from scratch. As a transition, Simon also owned another property in Miami.
After flying around the mainland U.S., the couple went to Europe, and a week later, they rushed to Australia.
In the jungles of central-western Tasmania.
Unbeknownst to them, time had already moved into February. Simon and Janette appeared together at a construction site in the jungle.
This was the construction site for the doomsday shelter, a very secluded location. Because there were no roads in the forest, both construction equipment and numerous workers were transported directly by helicopter, and they had signed confidentiality agreements in advance.
Except for a few core project managers, most workers did not know who the employer behind this building was.
Many even speculated that it might be a secret base built by the Australian military.
Due to the complex construction, this shelter would require at least another year to complete.
The couple discreetly spent half a day at the construction site, even going down to the deepest underground level for a tour, before finally leaving together by helicopter.
"About 30 miles south of our land parcel, there's a copper mine that's on the verge of bankruptcy. Aunt is currently discussing its acquisition with them. Once we buy the copper mine, our land can extend much further south".
The helicopter landed directly at the Johnston Family mansion on the outskirts of Melbourne.
As the couple disembarked, Janette continued to talk about the land expansion in Tasmania: "However, because news of us buying land has been exposed in the past two years, even though they don't understand what you're trying to do, many people are following suit and buying land in Tasmania. This is quite troublesome, as land prices in Tasmania have significantly increased".
Simon, however, wasn't too concerned and smiled, "Once they realize that land in Tasmania isn't actually very useful, they'll gradually withdraw".
Janette thought about it and nodded in agreement.
Simon had accumulated the world's largest private fortune in just a few years. Whatever he did now would cause a trend of imitation.
However, people always calm down eventually.
Moreover, apart from Simon, there probably aren't many people in this world with enough spare cash to simply buy a piece of land and leave it there without any output.
Over time, the trend will naturally fade.
It was evening.
As the two entered the mansion, dinner preparations had already begun inside the villa.
Simon and his wife's sudden return to Australia delighted Janette's parents, who hoped the couple would visit more often in the future.
Raymond Johnston hadn't finished work yet. Janette went to help her mother prepare dinner, but Simon didn't join the fun, instead turning into a living Room in the villa.
As soon as he entered, he was surprised to find Veronica Johnston sitting on the sofa casually flipping through a newspaper, with the television in the living Room also on.
Even after all this time, Veronica's expression couldn't help but tense up when she suddenly saw Simon, but she quickly relaxed her tone, looked over, and softly said, "I just got back from Perth. I heard you and Janette came to Australia".
Simon nodded, walked over, sat on the single sofa next to Veronica, and casually picked up the remote control from the coffee table, aimlessly changing TV channels.
After greeting Simon, Veronica's gaze returned to the newspaper in front of her, but her previously relaxed back couldn't help but straighten slightly, and even her breathing became lighter.
She seemed very worried about what might happen.
Ready to flee at any moment.
After a long silence, Simon still hadn't said a word, so Veronica had to initiate a conversation, asking softly, "Um, how long do you and Janette plan to stay here?"
"We're going back tomorrow".
"Oh".
Silence again.
She really wanted to get up and leave, but she knew he probably didn't want her to get up, so she remained seated.
She wanted to find another topic to chat about for a few more sentences, but after her thoughts circled around, she realized that no matter what she said, he would probably only respond with a few cold words.
Suddenly, she felt a little wronged.
An intense, uncontrollable feeling of injustice.
So wronged that tears couldn't help but flow, dripping onto the newspaper with a patter.
After holding back for a moment, she still let out a sob.
Then, that voice spoke again, still cold: "Don't cry".
This time, she didn't stop.
I'll cry if I want to, what's it to you?
Then she completely disregarded everything, covered her face, and let out a slightly louder, choked sob.
Simon looked at the crying woman next to him, then glanced towards the door, feeling a bit numb.
After a moment of hesitation, Simon still got up, walked over, and locked the living Room door.
Returning to his previous seat, he finally relaxed a little.
He patiently stayed with the crying woman.
Veronica's crying showed no signs of abating. Perhaps sensing the movement around her and feeling the figure on the single sofa beside her, the woman still covered her face but lifted her leg and kicked towards Simon.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
Simon endured it for a moment, then reached out and pressed her leg down.
Veronica shook off the high heel that Simon had held, and barefoot, continued to kick him repeatedly.
This time, Simon didn't bother to stop her, letting the woman kick.
Finally, Veronica cried herself out, kicked herself out, and curled up on the sofa, hugging her legs, her face buried in her arms, her hair dishevelled, one foot wearing a high heel and the other bare, looking very dishevelled.
Who knows how much time passed.
The sky had completely darkened, and faint voices came from the corridor. Simon realized things seemed even more troublesome and couldn't help but say, "You should tidy up; it's time for dinner".
Veronica was unmoved.
She looked completely self-abandoned and defiant.
Simon dared not stay in the Room any longer. He casually turned off the TV and walked out of the living Room.
As soon as he closed the door, Janette came from the other side of the corridor: "Dinner is ready. Oh, is Aunt also here?"
Simon put his arm around Janette, who was about to walk towards the living Room door, and said, "No, I was just watching TV alone. Your aunt should be in another room".
"Oh", Janette, unsuspecting, said, "Then you go to the dining Room first, I'll call Aunt".
"I'll go with you".
Simon said, and together with Janette, searched the other Rooms in the corridor without success, and even went upstairs.
After checking Veronica's bedroom and still not finding anyone, Simon said, "Your aunt probably left early".
Janette frowned and said, "The maid said she didn't see Aunt leave".
"Then she might be outside the villa. Let's go downstairs first".
Janette, with Simon's arm around her waist, didn't refuse, and the two went downstairs together.
Passing by the living Room they had just left, Janette glanced at the door, her eyes flickering, but she ultimately didn't go to check, and went to the dining Room with Simon.
Then they saw Veronica already seated in the dining Room.
Still looking icy cold, she briefly nodded to Simon and Janette, then lowered her head and busied herself with the cutlery in front of her.
Raymond Johnston had also returned. The family was long accustomed to Veronica's demeanour; otherwise, Janette wouldn't frequently call her 'Iceberg,' so they didn't suspect anything.
After dinner, Veronica was the first to leave the dining Room.
Janette's mother, Tracy Johnston, watched her sister-in-law leave, then turned to Raymond and said, "Veronica seems to have been crying?"
Raymond Johnston had been discussing the two ongoing acquisitions by Westeros Company with Simon during dinner. Hearing his wife's comment, he glanced in the direction his sister had left, frowning, "What happened now?"
"I'm not sure. Didn't she just come back from Perth today? Did something happen there?"
The Old Man's brows furrowed even tighter: "Work matters, how could that make her cry?"
"Was she bullied?"
The Old Man shook his head, "How could that be? Who would dare bully her? It's more like her bullying others".
Janette, listening to her parents' conversation, suddenly said, "I'll go talk to Aunt later".
Raymond Johnston nodded and then said, "Hmm, why don't you stay a few more days to talk with your aunt?"
Janette hugged Simon's arm and leaned against him, saying, "We've been away from the U.S. for two weeks now, and there's a pile of things there. We can't delay any longer".
Raymond Johnston didn't press the issue, but he couldn't help but glance at his daughter and son-in-law, saying, "You two, what about the child situation?"
Upon hearing this topic, Janette's face immediately fell. She released Simon's arm and remained silent.
Simon also forced a bitter smile, gently shaking his head, "Still no news".
Tracy Johnston asked with concern, "How about this, you two go for another check-up at the family medical centre tomorrow?"
Janette said to her mother, "Simon and I have already discussed it. If I still don't get pregnant in a few months, we'll try IVF."
Tracy Johnston said, "IVF, isn't it said to be unsafe?"
More than ten years had passed since the first test-tube baby in 1978, and that child had grown up healthy. However, even Simon, as someone from the future, had always had concerns about it, let alone ordinary people with traditional views.
Nevertheless, with things dragging on this long, they could only try it.
It was better than never having children.
Although Simon was not in a hurry, Janette could not wait indefinitely.
The couple had already contacted Robert Edwards, the 'father of IVF,' during their previous trip to Europe. They decided to wait a few more months; if Janette's belly still showed no signs after Westeros Company's recent series of matters were settled, they would proceed with the IVF plan.