ã€ŠA Billion Stars Can&#x27;t Amount to Youã€‹


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1: Entrapping the God (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°In love, we were separated by an entire adolescence, but I am willing to walk through your youthful years again.¡± ¡ª Ye Feiye ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You¡±

    ¨C

    ¡°That night... was it you?¡±

    At the age of eighteen, Ji Yi fantasized a thousand different ways¡ªa million ways, even¡ªto confess to the guy she liked, but she never imagined that when she finally summoned all her courage to stand in front of him, her first words would be, ¡°The man, that night... was you, wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    He Jichen lowered his eyes and leaned casually against themppost. When he heard Ji Yi¡¯s question, he didn¡¯t even raise his eyelids but he furrowed his brows. His eyshes quivered. With that, his clean and brightplexion returned to its usual tness and dullness.

    If Ji Yi hadn¡¯t caught on to his change in expression, she would¡¯ve assumed he hadn¡¯t heard her question. She stared unwaveringly at the young man in front of her for a moment in silence. Seeing as he had no intention of replying, she gently pursed her lips and asked again but this time with hints of certainty, ¡°That night, it was you, am I right?¡±

    After Ji Yi asked twice, He Jichen finally looked up and slowly swept a look over Ji Yi with his dark, emotionless eyes. Then, he straightened up and turned around to leave without any warning at all.

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen¡¯s back and instinctively balled her hands into tight fists.

    The person that night must¡¯ve been him. There¡¯s no mistake about it...

    That night, the way he kissed me was so gentle. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m wrong...

    Even though she didn¡¯t know why he seemed apletely different man from that night, she had summoned her courage to confess to him with great difficulty, so she couldn¡¯t just give up halfway like that! She was afraid she would never have the guts and confidence to do it a second time around...

    At that thought, Ji Yi chased after He Jichen. ¡°I know the person that night was you, I...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish, He Jichen sped up.

    The distance between them grew further.

    Ji Yi jogged and drew a little closer, ¡°A long time ago, I... I noticed you. I...¡±

    He Jichen, who already made it to the side of the road, raised his arms to hail a taxi.

    Before He Jichen opened the taxi door, Ji Yi quickly reached her hand out and grabbed onto He Jichen¡¯s sleeve.

    He Jichen was a lot taller than Ji Yi was, so when he turned his head to look down at her, it felt a little patronizing.

    At his nce, the words tumbling out of Ji Yi¡¯s mouth stopped. She nervously looked into He Jichen¡¯s eyes and gulped. Eventually, she fearlessly said, ¡°I¡¯ve always liked you. I¡¯ve liked you for a long time now. Do you...¡±

    He Jichen suddenly raised his arm and forcefully grabbed Ji Yi¡¯s little hand on his sleeve.

    As Ji Yi strengthened her grip, she finished her thought, ¡°... like me?¡±

    Just as He Jichen was about to tear away from Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips, he suddenly trembled and rxed his muscles.

    His slight loss of control made Ji Yi feel like she heard flowers bloom.

    So he must feel something for me! Otherwise, why would he touch me that night? Otherwise, why was he so stunned tonight after I told him I liked him?

    Ji Yi raised her head and stared at He Jichen¡¯s eyes filled with radiance and surprise. She held her breath, then with a serious expression on her face, she said while emphasizing each word, ¡°Will you be my boyfriend...¡±

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2: Entrapping the God (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Without knowing which exact words triggered He Jichen, a spark suddenly shot to the deepest part of his pupils. Before Ji Yi could even finish speaking, He Jichen abruptly grabbed her wrist and dragged her into an alleyway not too far away.

    He Jichen walked so quickly that they soon reached an isted part of the alley. Ji Yi, who snapped back to her senses, let out a single word, ¡°He¡ª¡±, when He Jichen suddenly flipped his hand and pushed her violently up against the old, rough, blue brick wall. ¡°Name a price.¡±

    Perhaps it was because Ji Yi was in so much pain from having her back forced against the wall, or maybe it was because He Jichen¡¯s words were too difficult to understand, but Ji Yi was left dumbfounded. She stood there in a daze for a while, without flinching.

    ¡°Give me a figure,¡± He Jichen demanded again.

    Like before, he was met with silence.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows and waited another two seconds. Seeing that Ji Yi didn¡¯t look like she was going to say anything, he lost his patience and raised his hands to the neckline of Ji Yi¡¯s dress. Without any hesitation, he forcefully ripped the fabric of Ji Yi¡¯s dress with a ¡°Siiiii¡±, tearing it in two.

    The temperature was fairly chilly during the early summer evenings. The sudden coldness in front of her breasts made Ji Yi shiver, as her jet-ck pupils met He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    The young man¡¯s eyes were cold. The moment he felt her gaze upon him, he lifted his eyelids and slowly shot a nce at her. Under her gaze, his eyes drifted towards the exposed flesh of her breasts.

    He stared emotionlessly at them for a while, then said in a chilling voice, ¡°See? Even if you stripped your clothes off in front me, I wouldn¡¯t be the least bit interested in you!¡±

    At the sound of his cial but pleasing voice, shock crept into Ji Yi¡¯s eyes.

    A gust of the night breeze brushed by her chest, causing her to inadvertently flinch. She hastily pulled on her ripped top and covered herself up.

    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t drunk so much that night, do you think I would¡¯ve ever touched you?¡± continued He Jichen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips shivered as she tightened her grip on her clothes, revealing the green of her veins.

    As it turns out, that night of passionate love was just a drunken mistake to him. I was the one who let my imagination run wild; it was all in my head.

    As it turns out, this is the actual truth behind it all.

    As it turns out, the fall from heaven to hell just took a single instant.

    ¡°To tell the truth, I didn¡¯t even know who I was touching that night.¡± In that moment, it was like she was separated from everything around her, and she was all that was left. The faint sound of He Jichen¡¯s voice seemed like it was from a different time and space. With a fierce and vicious voice, he said, ¡°So, give me a figure. Just how much would it cost for us to settle this and pretend nothing happened?¡±

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3: Entrapping the God (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi forcefully held her breath. Her entire body stood there lifelessly, still as a statue.

    In actuality, she had only stood there for a few short seconds, but the scenario unfolding in front of her seemed as long andplicated as a century.

    She struggled to keep her emotions in check, to notpletely lose herself and break down. Little by little, she rxed her hold on his sleeve and slowly straightened herself up.

    She didn¡¯t cry or scream. In fact, she didn¡¯t even say a word. It was like He Jichen wasn¡¯t even standing right in front of her. She turned and headed right out of the alley.

    She tried hard to control her feet to avoid embarrassment as she walked, but her feet started to pick up the pace uncontrobly. As she took just a few steps forward, behind her, He Jichen spoke again, ¡°Oh and if it¡¯s possible, I hope you never show your face in front of me ever again.¡±

    For just a moment, Ji Yi¡¯s legs felt weak. She almost fell to the ground, but in thest second, she quickly made a break for it and rushed out onto the street.

    With a single breath, Ji Yi ran for quite a distance before she came to a stop. It was as though she couldn¡¯t feel exhaustion as she stood there by the side of the road, lost in a daze. It wasn¡¯t until she felt the strange gazes of people checking her out that she remembered her shirt was still all ripped up.

    His words rang in her ears again and an indescribable pain coursed through her body. Ji Yi lowered her eyes and hurriedly headed back for the school dorms.

    As it was almost time for lights off, her roommates were already back in their dorm. When they saw her, they immediately flooded her with questions.

    ¡°Ji Yi, did you find your dream guy and confess to him? Any sess?¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, you¡¯re officially dating now, aren¡¯t you? Congrattions...¡±

    ¡°Hm? Ji Yi, what¡¯s wrong with your clothes?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes were sore, but she didn¡¯t make a sound. She headed straight for the bathroom, pushed open the door, locked the door behind her, and turned on the tap. With the sound of the running water, she lost all strength in her body and copsed to the ground. She hung her head between her knees and started to quietly sob.

    Her first love, her innocence buried alive, just like that.

    Her love hadn¡¯t even started, yet she was already utterly defeated.

    ¨C

    Since He Jichen told Ji Yi to never appear in front of him again, that¡¯s exactly what she did.

    As soon as her college exams ended, Ji Yi, who had lived with her grandma since junior high, prepared to take off. She hadn¡¯t spent her entire youth in that city¡ªshe booked a flight back to Beijing, where her parents lived.

    The years went by and little changed in the world. In the blink of an eye, it had been four years since Ji Yi arrived in Beijing.

    Even whilst in the same city, Ji Yi and He Jichen never crossed paths. In thest four years, the two didn¡¯t run into each other even more so, considering that they were now in separate cities.

    ¨C

    As October was nearing, Beijing was humid as usual, making people feel suffocated.

    Just by going downstairs to pick up her mail and standing outside for no longer than two minutes, Ji Yi was already drenched in sweat.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t like to feel sweaty, so she headed back to her dorm. Before even opening her mail, the first thing she did was grab her towel and pajamas, and jump in the shower.

    Her roommates weren¡¯t in, so Ji Yi was the only one left in the dorm. After she came out of the shower and dried her hair, because she was bored, she climbed into bed and continued to watch her movie. After the movie ended, sleepiness came over her. Since it didn¡¯t seem like her roommates had returned, Ji Yi simply put her phone down and shut her eyes to sleep.

    Considering she hadn¡¯t set an rm, Ji Yi took a nice, long nap. She didn¡¯t wake up until she heard her phone ring.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4: Entrapping the God (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi nced over at her phone to see who was calling. It was her roommate and head of the dorms, Bo He. She picked up the call. Before she could get a word out, Bo He¡¯s voice came from the phone, ¡°Xiao Yi, don¡¯t forget! Tonight¡¯s dinner party is at Yuhuatai Restaurant at seven..¡±

    Ji Yi knew they made dinner ns some time ago, but how did a table at a hot pot restaurant for three be a table at Yuhuatai Restaurant for more than five?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows. ¡°Why was the location changed?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Ya changed it...¡± Women were born to gossip. She added, ¡°... I think her new boyfriend set it up. From what I see, Xiao Ya¡¯s new boyfriend seems kind of loaded.¡±

    Xiao Ya, or Lin Ya, was also Ji Yi¡¯s roommate. She was known to be one of the hottest girls in B-film. She hadn¡¯t even acted a single role, yet she was quite famous online. Tond herself a rich boyfriend wasn¡¯t anything to fuss about.

    Ji Yi replied candidly, ¡°Oh I see...¡±

    Seeing how dull andpletely uninterested Ji Yi¡¯s tone of voice was, Bo He didn¡¯t bother talking to Ji Yi anymore about it. Bo He reminded her not to bete, then hung up the phone.

    Ji Yi casually tossed her phone aside, then started to get changed and put on her makeup. When she was ready, it was about time to head out.

    Just as she was about to leave the dorms, Ji Yi looked into the mirror and checked herself out. The woman in the mirror had fair skin and delicate facial features¡ªabsolutely wless. She wore a mid-length dress which revealed two long and beautifully straight legs. She had a dainty waist and perky bottom. She was an absolute stunner.

    Ji Yi pursed her lips in satisfaction to smooth out her vintage red lipstick and make it appear more natural. She grabbed her purse and phone, then left.

    Yuhuatai Restaurant wasn¡¯t too far from Ji Yi¡¯s dorm, but it happened to be rush hour so the roads were crowded. When Ji Yi arrived, the private room was almost packed full. Lin Ya was holding the menu, ordering the food.

    The ten-person table only had two empty seats left. One was beside Lin Ya, and the other was next to Bo He...

    Ji Yi and Bo He were quite close, so as she greeted everyone, she took the seat next to Bo He.

    The seat next to Lin Ya remained empty, even after the food was served and everyone had started eating.

    Of course, the dinner party wasn¡¯tplete without alcohol. After a few sses, the atmosphere at the dinner table started to be lively.

    In the midst of all the excitement, everyone ate until they saw the bottoms of te after te. Just as the waiter was about to serve dessert, Lin Ya¡¯s phone rang. She merely glimpsed at the phone screen, but her eyes were filled with joy as if she couldn¡¯t wait to pick up the phone. ¡°Are you here?¡±

    They weren¡¯t sure what the person said over the phone, but Lin Ya spoke again in an overwhelmingly gentle voice, ¡°I¡¯lle meet you.¡± As Lin Ya hung up the phone, she got up.

    ¡°Xiao Ya, is your boyfriending?¡± Faced with their curious questions, Lin Ya neither admitted or denied it, but she was exceptionally happy as she hurriedly ran out of the room after hastily replying, ¡°I¡¯m going to pick someone up.¡±

    After no more than five minutes, the doors opened again and everyone in the room, including Ji Yi, collectively turned their heads. Lin Ya, who had just hastily run out, had returned and behind her was a guy.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5: Entrapping the God (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi was closest to the door. As she chatted happily with Bo He, she turned her head slightly and caught a glimpse of the guy behind Lin Ya.

    It was just a glimpse; Ji Yi quickly diverted her eyes from the guy. Her fingers instinctively tightened her grip on her chopsticks and the smile on her lips instantly froze.

    That guy... She recognized him. In other words, she¡¯d recognize him even if he was reduced to ashes.

    Ji Yi may have looked away, but she still felt the guy walk closer to the dining table with Lin Ya. Her toes cowered nervously in her high heels.

    Following the crisp sound of Lin Ya¡¯s high heels, she said sweetly and softly, ¡°Let me introduce everyone to my...¡±

    Lin Ya paused for a moment, as though she was hesitant about something. After two seconds, she continued, ¡°... friend, He Jichen.¡±

    He Jichen ... Ji Yi was almost certain it was him, but when she heard those three words, her entire body involuntarily shivered for a moment.

    Yes, that¡¯s right. The ¡®He Jichen¡¯ Lin Ya just introduced was the very same He Jichen who took her innocence four years ago. He was the same He Jichen she¡¯d summoned her courage to confess to, who ripped her top that night four years ago. He was the same He Jichen who told her, ¡°See? Even if you stripped your clothes off in front me, I wouldn¡¯t be the least bit interested in you!¡±. He was the He Jichen who said, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t drunk so much that night, do you think I would¡¯ve ever touched you?¡±, and the same He Jichen who said, ¡°Oh and if it¡¯s possible, I hope you never show your face in front of me ever again.¡±. What¡¯s more, he was the He Jichen who Ji Yi never wanted to see again in her life.

    Four years ago, He Jichen was just a senior high school student. Wherever he went, he lit up the room. Now, four yearster, the years strengthened his charisma, as his aura seemed to have intimidated the entire table of people. After Lin Ya finished introducing him, the room fell silent, before someone finally summoned the courage to weakly say hello.

    Just as before, He Jichen wasn¡¯t an enthusiastic conversationalist. As everyone said hello, he only gave a slight nod in response. His every movement seemed visually pleasing and majestic, yet distant and polite.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t greet He Jichen, nor did she raise her head to nce at him.

    Perhaps it was because He Jichen was far too perfect that an entire room full of people were drawn to him, but he never noticed herck of manners.

    He Jichen¡¯s arrival interrupted the rowdiness of the room. After a while, the atmosphere became lively again, as everyone started to chatter away loudly to no end.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t quite bounce back from this sudden reunion of sorts, as she wasn¡¯t able to enthusiastically re-enter the group conversation. As she silently sat there in a daze, she kept a rigidly upright position in her chair. Ji Yi tried her best not to think about what happened four years ago, but those memories resurfaced one by one in her mind.

    Ji Yi started to shiver gently. Afraid that someone would notice she was acting strangely, she tightened her hands into fists with all her might, digging her sharp nails into her palms, inflicting waves of pain.

    Ji Yi wondered if she was the one who disfigured her own palms like that. Without specifying the person, everyone knew he was referring to Lin Ya when He Jichen asked, ¡°Wanna get out of here?¡±

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6: Entrapping the God (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi, who was deep in thought, wasn¡¯t certain if those were He Jichen¡¯s first words of the night, but they were certainly the first words she heard him say that night.

    Four years ago, Ji Yi was aware He Jichen had a good voice, one that definitely didn¡¯t pale inparison to his good looks. Yet, she never felt like his voice sounded as pleasing as it did today, but she knew, for the most part, it was because of what he said.

    Get out of here... so finally they¡¯d reached the end of dinner... I can also make an excuse to leave now...

    Ji Yi¡¯s tense mood gradually started to loosen up, so much so that she snapped out of her daze just like that. Now, she was in the mood to listen to the conversations in the room.

    When Lin Ya heard He Jichen¡¯s words, she obediently nodded, ¡°Alright.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but raised his arm to call the waiter over for the bill. As he waited, he suggested, ¡°The Golden Lounge?¡±

    The Golden Lounge was famous for being a ssy spot in Beijing. It was even more high ss than that evening¡¯s Yuhuatai Restaurant, so everyone¡¯s eyes lit up.

    Lin Ya managed to hide her emotions well as she used her soft and sickly sweet voice, ¡°Alright.¡±

    Now, He Jichen went silent again.

    The waiter quickly brought over the bill. Without even ncing at the total, he immediately signed for it.

    Lin Ya probably wanted to encourage He Jichen to speak more, so after some thought, she found a topic to talk about. ¡°He Dage 1 , did you know? Our Ji Yi is a great singer.¡±

    With Lin Ya¡¯s sudden mention of her name, Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips shivered and her back started to tense up uncontrobly. The light in her eyes subconsciouslynded on where He Jichen was sitting.

    He Jichen handed the signed bill back to the waiter, then sat back into his chair nonchntly. The expression on his face was calm and not the least bit interested, as though the ¡°Ji Yi¡± from Lin Ya¡¯s mouth was simply two words put together with no personal meaning to him.

    But to her, what happened four years ago was burned in her memory¡ªsomething she¡¯d never forget. To him, it was all just a big drunken mistake in a hotel. Four years had passed¡ªmaybe he¡¯d already forgotten all about the past, forgotten about the girl called Ji Yi who¡¯d given him her first, forgotten the iparably hurtful things he said to her.

    Seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t seem to have any interest in the topic, Lin Ya turned her head towards Ji Yi and casually added to what she said, ¡°Ji Yi, didn¡¯t you learn a new song a few days ago? Later, when we¡¯re at the Golden Lounge, you have to sing for us.¡±

    Lin Ya¡¯s request wasn¡¯t very demanding, so Ji Yi wouldn¡¯t usually decline, but there was He Jichen with them tonight... Ji Yi¡¯s eyes turned to Lin Ya. Since He Jichen was there, her voice was a little weak as she said, ¡°I¡¯m not feeling too well. Count me out. I want to go back to school and get some rest.¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, where do you not feel well? Besides, it¡¯s sote right now. It¡¯s not safe to go back on your own. Why don¡¯t youe out with us...¡± Before Lin Ya could persuade her to stay, He Jichen, who was sitting next to her, got up. Hepletely ignored Ji Yi and Lin Ya¡¯s conversation and left with the words, ¡°Let¡¯s go¡±. He strode out of the private dining room.

    Lin Ya watched He Jichen¡¯s back as he disappeared out the door. She looked over at Ji Yi without finishing her sentence. She picked up her bag and hurriedly followed him out.

    Everyone in the room was curious to see how elegant The Golden Lounge was, so they left Ji Yi with a few simple, polite words. Seeing as she really had no intention of going, they left without a fuss.

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7: Entrapping the God (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The only person left in therge room was Ji Yi.

    She wasn¡¯t in a rush to get up and leave, so she stayed in her original seat and continued to sit there quietly. After a while, she lifted her eyelids towards the seat He Jichen sat in. She stared at it for a long time until eventually, her gaze was locked onto it.

    Meanwhile, the waiter cleaned up the table noisily. The crisp sound of bowls and tes crashing into each other woke Ji Yi up from her trance. She gently blinked her eyes that were a little sore from staring for so long. Then she got up, picked up her bag, and left Yuhuatai Restaurant.

    After hailing a taxi, Ji Yi arrived back at the school. She wasn¡¯t in a hurry to go back to her dorm. Instead, she headed straight for the sports field.

    There was a group of people ying ser on the field who shouted asionally. Ji Yi walked around the group. After she walked through the innermost part of the field, she found a seat in a quiet area.

    Ji Yi dazed out so much that she forgot what she was thinking about when she first sat down. After she snapped back to her senses, Lin Ya¡¯s words from that night rang in her ears, ¡°Let me introduce everyone to my friend, He Jichen.¡±

    He Jichen ... Ji Yi instinctively tightened her fists. The pain forced her to realize that the dinner wasn¡¯t a dream, and it really did happen. After four years, she actually bumped into He Jichen.

    An indescribable sharp pain instantly engulfed Ji Yi¡¯s entire body. Image upon image of what happened four years ago shed increasingly clearly before her eyes.

    People say ¡°time is the best medicine.¡± Four years had passed and Ji Yi assumed those memories would¡¯ve blurred over the years, but when He Jichen reappeared alive and well in front of her, she realized that the pain was always hidden deep within her bones.

    It took a lot of energy for Ji Yi to finallypose herself. At first, she nned to sit there quietly on the field by herself for a while, but the skies suddenly released a sh of lightning and the drizzle of rain came crashing down.

    There were often bursts of rain during the October evenings in Beijing. Ji Yi promptly got up and ran towards the dorms.

    Just as she reached the front doors, Ji Yi saw Bo He. She wanted to call out to her, but then she saw a familiar silhouette.

    It was He Jichen. He was holding an umbre as he dropped Lin Ya off at the dorm.

    Ji Yi ignored the increasingly heavy rain and suddenly stopped walking. She observed everything around her, took a few steps back, and hid behind amp post.

    He Jichen and Lin Ya walked slowly. After Bo He and a few girls from that night¡¯s dinner said their goodbyes and ran upstairs, the two of them walked towards the dorm steps.

    Both He Jichen and Lin Ya came to a stop.

    Lin Ya didn¡¯t seem to be in a rush to go back to her dorm block, so she turned around, looked at He Jichen, and said something.

    As she was quite a distance away and the sound of the rain was quite loud, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear what they were talking about. But from what she could see, they were happily chatting away, judging by Lin Ya¡¯s increasingly radiant smile.

    Ji Yi¡¯s clothes werepletely drenched. Since the iing winds were so chilly, they made her whole body shiver.

    Just when Ji Yi couldn¡¯t take it any longer, Lin Ya finally walked up the steps in front of the dorm.

    After Lin Ya disappeared into the dorm, He Jichen continued to stand there for a while, holding his umbre. Then, he turned around as though he was about to leave.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8: Entrapping the God (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    There was only one path to the front door of the dorms.

    Although He Jichen appeared to not remember who she was during dinner that night, Ji Yi still didn¡¯t want to risk bumping into him, let alone let him see her all drenched from the rain. She looked indecent as could be, so the instant He Jichen turned around, Ji Yi subconsciously buried her face behind themp post.

    He Jichen was still far away, which was why Ji Yi dared to secretly sneak a few nces at him. Seeing that He Jichen was drawing closer and closer, Ji Yi was so afraid to be seen that she held her breath and didn¡¯t dare to move an inch.

    The sound of the rain was quite loud, so there was no way Ji Yi could hear He Jichen¡¯s footsteps. She estimated that it¡¯d take just four to five minutes. Ji Yi was certain that in four to five minutes time, He Jichen would¡¯ve walked far enough away from her to enable her to rx, quickly escape from behind this ice-coldmp post, and run through the front doors to the dorm.

    ording to her calctions, the coast should be clear now. She barely made it out when suddenly, she stopped in her tracks.

    She stared dumbfounded at He Jichen just two meters in front of her.

    Hadn¡¯t he left already? A few minutes had passed; why¡¯s he still here?

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes widened as though she¡¯d seen a ghost.

    He Jichen probably felt her staring at him, so he turned his head slightly in the direction Ji Yi was standing.

    The very moment their eyes met, Ji Yi averted her eyes downwards reflexively. From the corner of her eyes, she clearly saw the light from a call on He Jichen¡¯s phone.

    So the only reason he¡¯s still here was to take a call?

    Before Ji Yi could form her suspicions, she heard the cold, dull voice of He Jichen on the phone, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? I¡¯ll call you when I get back to talk about it.¡±

    With that, He Jichen¡¯s fingers pressed a button on phone screen and hung up. The corner of Ji Yi¡¯s eyes then caught a glimpse of He Jichen about to walk away.

    She didn¡¯t want He Jichen to see how embarrassed she looked right now. Yet, by chance, he saw her. There was nothing she could do about that.

    Judging by his actions, it seemed he really did forget about her, or he just wasn¡¯t bothered to deal with her; he seemed to have no intention of saying hello. Nor did she feel the need to put up with talking to him.

    Ji Yi stood rooted in her original spot for three seconds, then raised her legs and headed in the direction of the dorm.

    It was like the two of them wereplete strangers as they walked different paths.

    It was still raining. Ji Yi¡¯s clothes started to drip and clumps of hair stuck to her neck.

    He Jichen, who was holding an umbre, walked steadily and elegantly. Aside from the legs of his trousers being a little wet, his clothes were mostly neat and dry.

    The obvious difference between them made Ji Yi lower her head even further as she walked even more quickly.

    Even as Ji Yi tried her best to keep herposure, running into He Jichen made her steps a little erratic. On top of that, she wanted to get as far away from He Jichen as possible; it was no wonder she acted so hasty the moment they brushed shoulders. She didn¡¯t pay much attention to where she was walking so she identally slipped into a puddle. Her whole body crashed to the ground.

    As she felt the pain, Ji Yi¡¯s first instinct was to nce in front of her.

    It was just as she thought. He Jichen, who¡¯d brushed past her with an umbre in his hand, heard themotion, stopped, and turned his head towards her direction.

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9: Entrapping the God (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Their eyes met. Ji Yi¡¯s heart raced for a moment, as she instinctively balled her hands into a fist.

    This was the first time they truly looked at each other that night. His eyes were cold and emotionless, as though they¡¯d never met before.

    Trapped in a daze, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t pull her eyes away. For some reason, neither could He Jichen.

    Just like that, the two of them stared at each other through the dense rain.

    A gust of wind blew in by chance, causing Ji Yi¡¯s whole body to shiver.

    He Jichen gently furrowed his brows at this sight, as though her actions woke him from his trance. After he continued to stare at her for two more seconds, he pulled his gaze back, pretending like nothing happened.

    Freed from his gaze, Ji Yi rxed. She pushed herself up from the ground and started to climb up when He Jichen suddenly looked over at her again.

    Ji Yi tensed up a little. Seeing as He Jichen had no intention of looking away, she quickly shot him a nce and saw that he was staring at her arm.

    Instinctively, she lowered her head to find that she grazed her arm when she fell. Blood trickled endlessly down her arm but was quickly washed clean by the rain.

    Even if Ji Yi didn¡¯t look at him, she still could feel his gaze upon her.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know why He Jichen was staring at her wound, nor did she bother to figure out why. She just thought the way he was looking at her was a little odd, so she hid her arm behind her, and her eyes discreetly drifted over to where he stood.

    He had already looked away. With his eyes lowered, he held his umbre with a lifeless look on his face, pondering about something.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t waste her time on He Jichen. Instead, she tried to endure the pain radiating from her arm and got up.

    Her knee was also injured. Though it wasn¡¯t anything serious, it hurt quite a bit under the torrential pour of rain. For just a moment, she felt like she couldn¡¯t tolerate the pain any longer, so she let out a soft yelp.

    Perhaps it was because He Jichen was standing next to her that Ji Yi naturally nced over at his frame. When he heard her cry, his eyes darted towards her again.

    It really was just a quick nce.

    His eyes fell on her body for no more than a second before he averted his eyes. His eyes barely blinked, let alone showed any expression on his face. It was like the shivering woman in the heavy rain didn¡¯t exist at all. He turned around heartlessly while carrying his umbre and casually walked away.

    After He Jichen¡¯s silhouette had faded, Ji Yi blinked softly and snapped back to her senses. She staggered slightly as she walked towards the front door.

    ...

    Back in the dorms, her three roommates had already finished brushing their teeth and washing their faces and were already in their respective beds.

    Bo He wore a face mask, Tang Huahua was ying Arena of Valor, and Lin Ya was applying skin care products while on speakerphone with who knows who.

    Bo He was the first to spot Ji Yi. At first, she was stunned then abruptly sat up in bed, ¡°Xiao Yi, why are you all wet and dirty?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Ji Yi curved her lips into a smile at Bo He then grabbed a towel and a change of clothes as she headed for the bathroom.

    ¡°And your arm, how did you hurt it?¡± Bo He climbed out of bed and caught up to Ji Yi.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10: Entrapping the God (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At the same time, Lin Ya¡¯s call was picked up and He Jichen¡¯s voice was heard saying, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    Ji Yi, who was about answer Bo He, pursed her lips and didn¡¯t make a sound when she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice. Instead, she bolted into the bathroom.

    The moment the doors shut, Ji Yi heard the muffled sound of He Jichen¡¯s voice, ¡°Is everyone back in your dorm?¡±

    When Ji Yi came out of the shower, Lin Ya was already off the phone. Every one of her roommates had a cup of milk tea in their hands and were chattering non-stop.

    Bo He was the first to say something to Ji Yi, ¡°Xiao Yi, are you alright?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head and replied, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s nothing. I wasn¡¯t paying attention and identally tripped.¡±

    ¡°Oh okay.¡± Bo He then pointed at Ji Yi¡¯s table and said, ¡°Xiao Yi, your milk tea is ready over there.¡±

    Tang Huahua replied, ¡°Xiao Ya¡¯s boyfriend brought it over just now.¡±

    Xiao Ya¡¯s boyfriend... He Jichen?

    So, before Ji Yi got into the bathroom, this was what He Jichen meant by his question to Lin Ya... he wanted to treat everyone in her dorm to milk tea.

    Ji Yi left Lin Ya with a word of ¡°thanks.¡± To avoid raising suspicion, she carried her milk tea with her to bed, but eventually put it down by her bedside, untouched.

    The other three continued to chat while drinking their milk tea. Their conversations were all about Lin Ya¡¯s new boyfriend.

    ¡°Xiao Ya, your boyfriend is so nice!¡±

    ¡°Yeah. You wanted to order milk tea at the Golden Lounge but they didn¡¯t have it, so he actually ran to get some for you after taking us home.¡±

    ¡°Most importantly, he doesn¡¯t smoke or drink! He didn¡¯t even drink when everyone offered him sses tonight. What did he say? ¡®It¡¯s easy to get into trouble after drinking¡¯? A man with such self-control is almost too good to be true!¡±

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t take in a single word from that point onwards. Her mind was filled with the words, ¡°It¡¯s easy to get into trouble after drinking¡±. The very words He Jichen condescendingly said to her four years ago rang in her ears, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t drunk so much that night, do you think I would¡¯ve ever touched you?¡±.

    It felt like something had pierced the deepest part of Ji Yi¡¯s heart as her face started to turn pale from agony.

    ¨C

    A week had gone by without bumping into He Jichen or hearing his name spoken aloud.

    On the weekend, Bo He and Tang Huahua went shopping, so Ji Yi and Lin Ya were the only two left in the dorm.

    As Lin Ya put on her makeup, she suddenly turned her head as though she remembered something. She looked over at Ji Yi on the bed who was reading a book and said, ¡°Xiao Yi, I remember you saying you studied senior high in Sucheng, at A-High nevertheless. He Dage 1 also studied at A-High in Sucheng. Did you and He Dage know each other back then?¡±

    ¨C

    People were allowed to visit B-film dorms during the day.

    He Jichen, who had ns to go to an outdoor party that evening, was right downstairs from Lin Ya¡¯s dorm. He wanted to give Lin Ya a call to ask her toe down when he realized his phone had turned off due to no battery. Even if he charged it in his car, it¡¯d take a while before he could turn it on. He hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to personally go upstairs.

    The door to Ji Yi¡¯s room was left open, so out of courtesy, He Jichen didn¡¯t push the door open and walk in. Instead, he raised his hand to the door preparing to knock when he heard Lin Ya from inside saying, ¡°Xiao Yi... did you and He Dage know each other back then?¡±

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11: He and I Could Never Happen (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Xiao Yi... did you and He Dage know each other back then?¡±

    All of a sudden, He Jichen stopped his hand in mid-air, about to knock on the door. After a few seconds, he heard Ji Yi say in a low, t voice, ¡°No.¡±

    ...

    In the dorm room.

    Lin Ya¡¯s voice sounded full of regret, ¡°Oh, I thought you and He Dage would¡¯ve known each other... I really want to know what he was like in senior high...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t respond.

    Lin Yi continued to say, ¡°But, Xiao Yi, He Dage¡¯s so fine, he must¡¯ve been a popr guy right? At school, did you hear any stories about him?¡±

    This time, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t as hesitant as before as she quickly replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t really pay much attention to him.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see...¡± Lin Ya could tell that she wouldn¡¯t be able to find out anything about He Jichen from Ji Yi, so she shut her mouth in embarrassment and defeat.

    The room was silent for a while. After Lin Ya finished putting on her makeup, she got up, as though something suddenly came to mind. She said, ¡°Ah, right! Xiao Yi, He Dage invited me two days ago to go to his friend¡¯s party at Suyuan 1 tonight. There¡¯ll be a lot of big shots in the film industry. He said since we¡¯re studying acting, we should go andwork; maybe it¡¯ll help us out in the future. Do you want to go?¡±

    All I want is to never have anything to do with He Jichen ever again in my life. Why would I ever go to a party he¡¯s attending?

    Reflexively, Ji Yi answered, ¡°No...¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi realized she¡¯d forgotten her manners for a moment and quickly changed her tone of voice by adding, ¡°... I have ns tonight.¡±

    Lin Ya asked, ¡°Is it important? If it isn¡¯t important, then cancel your ns and go out with me! It¡¯s not easy for us to get the chance to mingle with people in this industry. It¡¯d be such a shame to miss out on such a rare opportunity.¡±

    ¡°Thanks Lin Ya, I appreciate your kindness, but I really...¡± Before Ji Yi could finish, a string of knocks was heard at the door.

    Lin Ya, who was closest to the door, bolted up and pulled the door open. Seeing He Jichen at the door, she was stunned at first, but then her face was all smiles. ¡°He Dage, why¡¯d youe to pick me up?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything or enter the room, but he stood there at the door with a dull expression on his face.

    When Ji Yi heard Lin Ya¡¯s words, she knew the person who arrived was He Jichen. She stared unwaveringly at her book, pretending to be so engrossed in her book that she didn¡¯t realize someone had arrived. She didn¡¯t even nce over at the door.

    Lin Ya was afraid He Jichen would get impatient waiting, so she quickly finished getting ready. ¡°He Dage, let¡¯s go.¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t say a word, but he gave a slight nod and straightened up. Just as he was ready to leave, he caught a glimpse of where Ji Yi was sitting from the corner of his eye. His attention wasn¡¯t drawn to her, but to the trash next to her table.

    Even though she purposefully used the trash as a cover, he could clearly see the unfinished milk tea inside.

    It was left exactly how it was the night before, without a single sip taken, thrown into the trash can just like that.

    Lin Ya took two steps towards the door, stopped, and turned to Ji Yi, ¡°Xiao Yi, you¡¯re really noting with me¡ª¡±

    Before Lin Ya could finish, He Jichen finally spoke from the front door. His voice was abrupt and a little cold, ¡°Tonight¡¯s party isn¡¯t open for everyone. Don¡¯t go around inviting random people!¡±

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12: He and I Could Never Happen (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Random people... With her book in hand, Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips stiffened.

    Deep down inside, she was d to have a book to stare at. Before Lin Ya could say anything, she politely looked over at her. Had she not done so, she really wouldn¡¯t have known how else to react to He Jichen¡¯s words.

    After he¡¯d said his piece, He Jichen didn¡¯t linger for even a second. He turned around and strode out, leaving the room with a lingering awkwardness in the air.

    Lin Ya stood there with a helpless expression on her face as she looked over at He Jichen¡¯s back and then at Ji Yi. She wanted to say something but didn¡¯t know how to start.

    He Jichen, who¡¯d walked quite a distance away now, could sense that Lin Ya hadn¡¯t caught up. He said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Lin Ya could hear the obvious impatience in his voice. She pursed her lips and left with a ¡°Sorry Xiao Yi...¡±. Then she darted out of the room, closed the door, and tried to catch up with He Jichen.

    Ji Yi was the only one left in the dorm room. She kept the same posture and stared at the book with a peaceful expression on her face for a long time before she softly blinked. She raised her fingers and turned the page.

    She stared at the words on the paper. She stared and stared, dead straight ahead.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi¡¯s rejection of Lin Ya¡¯s offer with the words ¡°I have ns tonight¡± wasn¡¯t an excuse. Though it wasn¡¯t anything serious, she really did have ns that night. Yesterday, her dad had returned to Bejing from a business trip in Hong Kong, so her mum asked her toe home for dinner that night.

    B-film wasn¡¯t particrly far from Ji Yi¡¯s house, so she wanted to finish reading the book in her hands before heading back home. However, He Jichen¡¯s appearance just now ruined her mood, so she simply tossed her book aside in defeat and headed out early.

    She arrived home just before five. Her parents were probably out on a stroll since there was no one at home, so Ji Yi headed straight for her bedroom.

    She didn¡¯t have a break at noon, so she was a little sleepy. Soon after Ji Yi climbed into bed, she fell asleep.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure how long she was asleep for, but she groggily woke up from her dreams to the sound of someone talking.

    The skies outside were dark, and the gentle night¡¯s breeze blew in wafts of the sweet aroma of Osmanthus flowers from downstairs.

    She heard the faint sound of the TV outside her room, so she figured her parents must¡¯ve already returned home.

    Ji Yi climbed out of bed. She first went to the bathroom to wash her face, then pulled the door open and walked out.

    In the living room every now and then, she heard her dad talking and assumed he was on the phone. She didn¡¯t think much of it and walked right down the stairs.

    It wasn¡¯t until she reached the first floor that she heard another voice. As the person was a little quiet, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t quite make out who the voice belonged to.

    They must have a visitor ... Ji Yi casually walked over to the sofa in the living room where she saw a man sitting on the European sofa in front of her.

    Since he was looking right at her dad, all she could see was the back of his head. Ji Yi was still able to immediately recognize who it was with just one nce.

    Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps came to a gentle stop.

    Isn¡¯t He Jichen at some outdoor party with Lin Ya? How¡¯s he here at my house?

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t recovered from her astonishment when her father noticed her. ¡°Xiao Yi, look who¡¯s here!¡±

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13: He and I Could Never Happen (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As her father spoke, He Jichen turned his head and looked over.

    With no warning at all, their eyes met.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers suddenly trembled. The next second, she furiously tried to control herself and looked over at her dad with the most natural attitude she could muster.

    Her dad figured that Ji Yi must¡¯ve been curious as to why He Jichen was at their house, so he exined, ¡°It was your mum. A few days ago, she bumped into Jichen and that¡¯s when she realized he was in Beijing too. Back when you lived with grandma in Sucheng for school, we troubled He Ayi 1 quite often. Since I¡¯m back home today, we just had to invite Jichen over.¡±

    Ji Yi knew that the ¡®He Ayi¡¯ her dad mentioned was He Jichen¡¯s mom, a good friend of her mum.

    When she studied in Sucheng, He Jichen¡¯s mum often apanied her to parent-teacher conferences since her grandma was quite old.

    Because of her, the two families became quite close back then.

    After she graduated senior-high, she rushed back to Beijing because of He Jichen. After her grandma passed away, their family never returned to Suchen, and they only contacted the He family during the holidays.

    After rambling on for so long, her dad realized Ji Yi was just standing there on the spot without greeting He Jichen. He couldn¡¯t help telling her off, ¡°Xiao Yi, when you were back in Sucheng, you went over to their house quite often, and if I remember correctly, you and Jichen were even ssmates! Why aren¡¯t you even saying hello now?¡±

    Ji Yi was afraid her dad would ask about what happened between them, so as unwilling as she was, she tried hard to remain calm as she spoke politely to He Jichen, ¡°Hello, long time no see.¡±

    Perhaps it was because her dad was there, but He Jichen didn¡¯t ignore her this time. His voice was polite, courteous and easygoing, ¡°Long time no see.¡±

    He seemed afraid to be forced to have casual conversation with her, so after greeting her, he immediately turned his head towards her dad and continued the conversation from before she came down the stairs.

    After being separated for so many years, it was normal for them to be a little distant. Her dad didn¡¯t think much of it as he continued to chat with He Jichen.

    Ji Yi, who was being given the cold shoulder, lowered her head and didn¡¯t stay any longer in the living room. Instead, she went over to help her mum in the kitchen.

    As she washed the vegetables, Ji Yi suddenly remembered their exchange just now was perhaps the first time they¡¯d spoken to each other since parting four years ago.

    She figured if it weren¡¯t for the fact that this was her house and her dad was around, they wouldn¡¯t have even spoken to each other at all.

    ...

    At dinner, her mum made the seating arrangements¡ªJi Yi and He Jichen were sat together, side by side.

    The two of them were physically quite close, so every now and then, the scent of He Jichen¡¯s body drifted into Ji Yi¡¯s nostrils, putting her under more pressure. She felt a little ufortable as she held her chopsticks and tried, but failed, to pick up food a few times.

    Thankfully, her parent¡¯s attention was drawn to He Jichen. They didn¡¯t even notice her mishaps as they chatted away with him enthusiastically.

    That single dinner practically spent all of Ji Yi¡¯s energy. After the meal, she didn¡¯t stay a single second longer as she lied to her parents about having to help her ssmate out with something. She then hurriedly left the house.

    At the residential gates, Ji Yi was about to get into a taxi when she realized she¡¯d left in such a hurry that she¡¯d forgotten to bring her jacket and purse.

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14: He and I Could Never Happen (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi had run out of the house because of He Jichen in the first ce, so of course she didn¡¯t want to go back. What¡¯s more, she still had a backup bank card back at her dorm, so she¡¯d rather stand by the road and wait for a taxi.

    It was still early, and the roads of Beijing were crowded as usual. Ji Yi¡¯s house was in the center of the city where traffic was particrly heavy, so a lot of taxis weren¡¯t willing to take jobs there.

    Ji Yi stared so intensely at her phone screen that she didn¡¯t notice an Audi had pulled up beside her.

    The car window lowered, and the person inside looked over at her.

    A few days ago, the temperature in Beijing had suddenly dropped. It was extremely windy in the evenings, and since Ji Yi didn¡¯t have her jacket with her, she shivered in the cold.

    Seeing as she was shivering, the person in the car gradually started to furrow his brows.

    Since she still wasn¡¯t able to hitch a ride, Ji Yi was just thinking about upping the ride price on her taxi-hailing app when she got a call.

    It was her mother.

    Without hesitation, she took the call.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, did something happen to your ssmate? Is it serious?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious...¡± A gust of cold air blew in, causing Ji Yi to let out a loud sneeze.

    The man in the car furrowed his brows even harder and stared intensely at Ji Yi without blinking like he was contemting something.

    ¡°That¡¯s good. I thought something big happened...¡± Her mum¡¯s voice clearly rxed a little, then she changed the subject, ¡°...Xiao Yi, what do you think about Jichen?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t quite understand what her mum was saying as she let out a ¡°Hm?¡±.

    ¡°Although you haven¡¯t finished your second year of university yet, it¡¯s not like you don¡¯t know that you were forced to take three years off from school because of what happened... You¡¯re not young anymore, so you should consider what to do about your love life...¡± Her mother rambled on over the phone for quite a long lecture.

    Ji Yi knew roughly what she was getting at, but just as Ji Yi was going to reply, she let out another loud sneeze.

    The man inside the Audi instinctively pushed open his door.

    ¡°...Xiao Yi, I think Jichen isn¡¯t bad. Listen to Mama. Think about it, alright?¡± Her mother finally got to the point.

    ¡°He Jichen?¡± Without a second thought, Ji Yi let slip, ¡°He and I could never happen!¡±

    The fingers of the man who was just about to get out of the Audi trembled for a moment, then suddenly rxed.

    ¡°Why not? Jichen graduated from a prestigious university, his family background is good, he looks good... What¡¯s more, your He Ayi and I have known each other for so many years; we know him very well. If he and you got together, your father and I wouldn¡¯t have to worry, so why don¡¯t you consider it? Also, when your He Ayi and I were pregnant at the same time, we already talked about it. If we had a boy and a girl, they¡¯d get married. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll give your He Ayi a call. She¡¯ll be delighted...¡±

    Four years ago, He Jichen treated me like trash. If mum really calls his mum, wouldn¡¯t she essentially be shamelessly making me marry him even after he humiliated me in every way possible?

    Because she was so agitated, Ji Yi raised her voice and her tone became strict and firm, ¡°Ma, I¡¯m going to say this one more time. When I say ¡®he and I can never be together¡¯, I mean it! I¡¯ll consider anyone but He Jichen!¡±

    As Ji Yi¡¯s voice fell, she heard the loud sound of a car door m.

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15: He and I Could Never Happen (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi instinctively turned to the source of the sound¡ªit came from an Audi she hadn¡¯t realized had pulled up next to her.

    Ji Yi was still afraid that her mom would call He Jichen¡¯s mom, so as she curiously looked over at the Audi with its windows down, she continued to emphasize over the phone, ¡°Ma, I¡¯m serious. I¡¯d rather be stuck with anyone but him!¡±

    Just before Ji Yi caught a glimpse of the silhouette in the driver¡¯s seat¡ªshe had no time to tell if it was a man or woman¡ªthe car suddenly sped off with a jump. A cold gust of wind whistled by, forcing her to take two steps back.

    The Audi was so fast that she couldn¡¯t even catch the license te before it disappeared from sight.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if it was just her imagination, but that Audi seemed awfully familiar...

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows. All of a sudden, a sense of familiarity came over her.

    Over the phone, her mother kept rambling on. Seeing as Ji Yi wasn¡¯t responding, she spoke a little louder, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi hurriedly snapped back to her senses and continued to chat with her mum for a while before hanging up.

    As she got into the taxi she booked, she stared out at the glistening night through the window. All of a sudden, Ji Yi realized how that Audi made her feel. It was the same way she felt four years ago when she confessed to He Jichen that night before he abruptly dragged her into the alleyway.

    ...

    The Audi sped really far off before it came to an emergency stop by the side of the road.

    A caring from the opposite direction turned on its headlights as it drove closer to him. The eye-piercing headlights coincidentally shed across the Audi¡¯s windshield and illuminated He Jichen¡¯s face.

    He barely showed any emotions on his face as he silently leaned back into his seat. He stared dead straight at the road ahead with a dull expression in his eyes when a light momentarily flickered in his eyes. It was as if he thought of something, then reverted to thinking about nothing at all.

    After some time had passed, the phone in the car rang. He reached for it and nced over at the screen as a sh of impatience crossed his eyes when he saw the contact¡¯s name, ¡°Lin Ya¡±.

    The phone rang incessantly. He furrowed his brows and eventually answered the call calmly, ¡°Lin Tongxue 1 , what¡¯s up?¡±

    After he hung up, He Jichen continued to sit in the car for a while. Then, he gently stepped on the gas and skillfully drove slowly out onto the road again.

    ...

    Lin Ya and the others still hadn¡¯te back, so the dorm room was pitch-ck.

    Ji Yi turned the lights on then headed straight for the bathroom.

    After taking a shower, Ji Yi nced at the time¡ªit was just past nine o¡¯clock. She grabbed the book she hadn¡¯t finished reading in the afternoon, climbed into bed, and continued to flip through it.

    Just as she immersed herself in it, thendline rang. Ding-ling-ding-ling.

    Everyone in the dorm room had their own cell phone, so thendline served no purpose. If Ji Yi remembered correctly, nobody had called that phone for over half a year now. This is truly strange ... At that thought, Ji Yi put her phone down and climbed out of bed.

    As she was reading just now, she had been chewing on a piece of sesame candy, so she wasn¡¯t able to immediately answer the moment she picked up the phone.

    After a while, seeing as nobody spoke, the person over the phone let out a simple, ¡°Hello?¡±

    Ji Yi suddenly stopped chewing, and her fingers felt a little numb as she held the phone.

    That voice, she¡¯d recognize it even if he turned to ashes. But, why would He Jichen call the dorm roomndline?

    Seeing as there was still no answer, He Jichen let out another ¡°hello¡± over the phone.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16: He and I Could Never Happen (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi snapped back to her senses.

    He Jichen probably called for Lin Ya... Could it possibly be that Lin Ya¡¯s phone ran out of battery, so he called her dorm room because he couldn¡¯t get ahold of her?

    Ji Yi answered with a calm sneer and asked, ¡°Excuse me, are you looking for Lin Ya?¡±

    Nothing came from the other side of the phone.

    Does he not want to speak because I picked up the call?

    Ji Yi waited for about a minute before she spoke again, ¡°Lin Ya¡¯s not here right now. When she gets back, I¡¯ll tell her to call you. If there¡¯s nothing else, then I¡¯ll...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could say ¡°... hang up¡±, He Jichen cut the call. Ji Yi was met with a hangup tone.

    ¨C

    Lin Ya, Bo He, and Tang Huahua didn¡¯t return to the dorm room until Ji Yi was almost asleep.

    Having been woken up, she groggily sat up in her bed and said in a raspy voice, ¡°Xiao Ya, did you not have any battery on your phone?¡±

    ¡°No, what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Tonight...¡± Ji Yi hesitated for a moment as she swallowed the words ¡°He Jichen¡± and changed them to ¡°...your boyfriend called thendline looking for you.¡±

    ¡°He Dage?¡± asked Lin Ya in return.

    Ji Yi let out a ¡°Yeah¡±.

    After overhearing their conversation, Bo He casually picked up the phone and checked the call logs. ¡°Huh, it was at ten in the evening. Wasn¡¯t he with us at the time?¡±

    Lin Ya paused as she put her hair up in a ponytail.

    He Jichen made ns with her to go to the outdoor party together, but just as they arrived at the venue, he dropped her, Bo He, and Tang Huahua off. He didn¡¯t even get out the car as he said farewell and left.

    In the evening, she called him to ask when he wasing. He told her ter¡±, so she waited until ten before he eventually showed up.

    She pestered him and talked to him a lot, but he wasn¡¯t really responsive.

    Naturally, she was a little unhappy, so she eventually quieted down too. In the end, he deliberately asked for the phone number to her dorm room.

    He has my cell number, so why did he need the number to my dorm room?

    She was curious, but since she was afraid of annoying him, she didn¡¯t dare ask. Instead, she gave it to him obediently.

    Who knew that he¡¯d actually turn around and call the dorm looking for me...

    She was sitting next to him at the time, so he definitely wasn¡¯t looking for her. There were only four people in the dorm room, three of which were at the party. Ji Yi was the only one not there.

    Lin Ya couldn¡¯t help but tense up her hand in the middle of tying up her hair, but her voice was soft and smooth as satin as she said, ¡°He Dage asked for our dorm number, so I added it to his phone forughs. He deliberately saved our number as his home phone number, then when he actually wanted to call his home phone, he identally called the wrong number.¡±

    ¡°Oh so that¡¯s what happened...¡± Bo He and Tang Huahua dismissed the matter and took their time to freshen up.

    Ji Yi, who was dead tired,id in bed and shut her eyes.

    Lin Ya stood in ce for a long while before she tied her hair up with a hairband. Then, she turned to look over at Ji Yi lying in bed.

    Without so much as a blink of an eye, she stared at Ji Yi sleeping for quite some time before she grabbed her makeup remover and walked into the bathroom.

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17: He and I Could Never Happen (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    The next day was a Monday. Just like the week before, He Jichen didn¡¯t reappear in Ji Yi¡¯s world until the weekend.

    ...

    Ji Yi had a ssmate from senior high called Li Da who went to university in Beijing. As they were in the same city, the two of them kept in contact.

    Li Da was upbeat and witty, and he was quite close with Ji Yi¡¯s roommates. On top of it all, he was kind of interested in Bo He, so every so often, he liked to treat the girls out for a meal.

    When Ji Yi picked up Li Da¡¯s call, she originally thought he was asking them out for a meal like usual. Who knew that he¡¯d actually ssh out and treat them all to a stay at a hot springs resort?

    The hot springs resort was situated in the northern suburbs. Ji Yi and the girls headed out on Saturday afternoon. By the time they arrived at the resort and checked in, it was about time for dinner.

    They first went to their respective rooms to drop off their things and made ns to meet up twenty minutester at the Peony Pavilion restaurant.

    Ji Yi thought she was having dinner with just her roommates and Li Da, but when she arrived at the Peony Pavilion, there he was. Sitting nonchntly against the back of his chair with his head turned towards Li Da was He Jichen. Ji Yi suddenly felt a little regret for agreeing to meet up with Li Da.

    Inparison to Ji Yi¡¯s regret, Tang Huahua was filled with surprise as she said, ¡°He Xuezhang 1 ?¡±

    Li Da was left stunned; he was just nning to introduce the girls to He Jichen. ¡°You guys know each other?¡±

    ¡°Of course! He Xuezhang is our Xiao Ya¡¯s...¡± said Tang Huahua without much thought. But before she could finish, Lin Ya, who was standing next to her, suddenly pulled on Tang Huahua¡¯s arm and shook her head at her, as if to signal her to not finish her sentence. Then Lin Ya added almost instantaneously, ¡°... He Dage is my friend, so yeah we all know each other.¡±

    Though Tang Huahua was a little confused, she didn¡¯t say anything.

    Lin Ya shot He Jichen an apprehensive look and realized that his facial expression had barely changed. Then she let out a sigh of relief and continued to say, ¡°What a coincidence, so everyone knows each other...¡±

    ¡°Yeah, what a coincidence...¡± said Li Da, a little disappointed. Seeing as everyone was there, they immediately called a waiter for the menu. He didn¡¯t order but handed the menu to He Jichen, ¡°Chen Ge 2 , you order.¡±

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t shy about it as he silently flipped through the menu with one hand and pointed at a few dishes with his beautiful, slender fingers every now and then.

    ¡°Chen Ge and I are from the same hometown. Chen Ge is like my Laoda 3 .¡± Li Da was always talkative. Even if no one asked, he started talking about He Jichen¡¯s backstory as he sat there. ¡°After so many years, Chen Ge really hasn¡¯t changed. You still attract people¡¯s attention as always. In the lobby just now, I spotted Chen Ge immediately.¡±

    When Lin Ya heard this, her face immediately dropped.

    Yesterday, when she called He Jichen to invite him for dinner over the weekend, he said, ¡°We¡¯ll see how it goes.¡±

    Understandingly, she obediently told him that if he was busy not to worry about it, because she had ns with her roommates on Saturday.

    As an excuse to talk to him some more, she even told him that the person who invited them was Li Da, Ji Yi¡¯s ssmate from senior high who was interested in Bo He. She told them they were going to a hot springs resort.

    Over the phone, he didn¡¯tmit to my invitation at all, but today, he turns up at the resort out of the blue and just so happened to bump into Li Da?!

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18: He and I Could Never Happen (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At that thought, Lin Ya couldn¡¯t help but shoot a nce at Ji Yi with an ice-cold expression in her eyes.

    Throughout dinner, Li Da spoke eloquently and for almost the entire time.

    His conversation topics were mostly centered around He Jichen¡¯s glory days in senior high school.

    As they continued to chatter away, Li Da suddenly remembered that he didn¡¯t have He Jichen¡¯s contact details yet the meal was almost over. He turned his head towards He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t really spoken during dinner, and said, ¡°Chen Ge, I almost forgot. I forgot to leave you with my contact details. Do you have WeChat? Let¡¯s add each other as friends; then I¡¯ll send you my number.¡±

    He Jichen reached for his phone and tapped the phone screen, then handed it to Li Da.

    Li Da took the phone and scanned the screen with his.

    Just as he was about to hand it back to He Jichen, Tang Huahua timidly said, ¡°He Xuezhang, can I add you on WeChat too?¡±

    Li Da instinctively looked over at He Jichen, who gave a gentle nod. Then, he handed the phone in his hand to Tang Huahua.

    Tang Huahua cheerfully got up and scanned He Jichen¡¯s QR code for WeChat. Upon seeing this, Bo He also added He Jichen on WeChat. Lin Ya had He Jichen¡¯s number, but she didn¡¯t have his WeChat, so she pulled out her phone and scanned it too.

    Everyone added him but Ji Yi, who quietly drank her tea with her head down.

    Seeing as everyone but Ji Yi scanned He Jichen¡¯s WeChat, Li Da casually asked her, ¡°Xiao Yi, you¡¯re not going to add Chen Ge¡¯s WeChat and leave your contact info?¡±

    Ji Yi stopped drinking her tea and looked down at the redness of her tea for a moment. She finally raised her head and lied with a natural expression on her face, ¡°I forgot to bring my phone; I left it in the hotel room.¡±

    After hearing what Ji Yi said, the thick-skinned Li Da didn¡¯t think twice and returned He Jichen¡¯s phone. Then he asked a question on his mind, ¡°By the way, why do you guys call Chen Ge, ¡® Xuezhang 1 ¡®? If I remember correctly, Chen Ge isn¡¯t part of B-film...¡±

    Seeing as it was none of her business, Ji Yi lowered her eyes again.

    The corner of her eyes caught a glimpse of He Jichen¡¯s chin. She wasn¡¯t sure if she was seeing things, but his chin seemed to have tightened. An indescribable coldness flowed out.

    ¡°He Xuezhang is from B-film...¡± replied Bo He.

    With a mouth full of food, Tang Huahua nodded in agreement.

    In a soft tone of voice, Lin Ya added to what Bo He said, ¡°...He Dage is in the directing program, and we¡¯re in the acting program. They¡¯re different degrees.¡±

    Just as Ji Yi was going to continue drinking her tea, her cup suddenly stopped in mid-air when she heard Lin Ya¡¯s words.

    He Jichen entered senior high early, but he was the top student in Sucheng. With the highest score in the nationwide college entrance exams, didn¡¯t he get into the prestigious S University? To this day, he was still a legend at Sucheng; why did he change programs and give up his ce at a prestigious school toe to B-film?

    ¡°Chen Ge, was there some mistake?¡± Lin Da identally knocked the bowl next to his hand, and his voice cracked, as though he¡¯d just heard the most ridiculous thing. ¡°You gave up a glorious spot at a prestigious school with a bright future.. you actually gave up taking over your family business just to go to B-film?¡±

    In stark contrast to Li Da¡¯smotion, He Jichen looked carefree as usual as he took a long sip of tea, like the person on everyone¡¯s mind wasn¡¯t even him.

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19: He and I Could Never Happen (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Chen Ge, are you crazy?¡±

    Still refusing to respond, He Jichen leisurely drank his tea.

    ¡°Chen Ge, what were you thinking?¡±

    He Jichen slowly put his cup down on the table, picked up the pot, and poured himself more tea.

    ¡°Chen Ge, why did you do it?¡±

    Why?

    When those words left Li Da¡¯s lips, He Jichen seemed carefree and rxed. His brows twitched as he stared transfixed at his teacup in front of him.

    The light from the crystal chandelier that shone on his body made hisplexion look wless, more breathtaking.

    There weren¡¯t any visible emotions on his face, yet an upsetting feeling of remorse gradually exuded out from him.

    Upsetting? There are times when He Jichen actually gets upset?

    Even though Ji Yi had worked hard to act as though He Jichen didn¡¯t exist, she couldn¡¯t help but raise her eyelids in curiosity when she picked up these vibes from him. She nced over at He Jichen.

    He Jichen felt her gaze upon him, so his eyes met hers for a second. He looked as though he¡¯d just seen something disgusting¡ªhis eyes became deeply cold for a second, then he abruptly got up, kicked his chair behind him, and strode out.

    ...

    The entire room of people didn¡¯t notice He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s exchange of nces, so it seemed rather odd how he suddenly left in anger.

    The atmosphere in the room was inevitably awkward as everyone quietly looked at each other in dismay for quite a while. The first person to snap back to their senses was Li Da, who broke the silence in the room. ¡°Why are you all nking out? C¡¯mon, let¡¯s eat.¡±

    With the sound of Li Da¡¯s voice, everyone began to lift their chopsticks one after the other.

    Even though everyone in the room wondered what they¡¯d said to trigger He Jichen, they all had a mutual understanding to abandon that topic.

    When He Jichen was there, Ji Yi drank cup after cup of tea to help her act naturally. Throughout the dinner, she had the urge to go to the restroom a few times.

    When she came out of the restroom the third time, the phone in her pocket rang.

    It was her mum calling.

    Ji Yi first walked up to the sink to wash her hands then took the call on her way out.

    It was oddly quiet through the corridor leading from the restrooms to the dining room of the Peony Pavilion. Besides the sound of her high heels, all that could be heard was her soft voice talking to her mum over the phone.

    The call ended in under a minute, after which Ji Yi put the phone into her pocket. As she took two steps forward, she felt the presence of someone standing by the garbage can not too far in front of her.

    She instinctively looked up.

    It was He Jichen.

    He leaned leisurely against the wall. He had a cigarette between his fingers that omitted a waft of faint smoke.

    His cigarette was short, so he must¡¯ve stood in the corridors for quite some time.

    Ji Yi¡¯s toes couldn¡¯t help but curl in fright as she stared straight ahead and continued to walk forward leisurely like He Jichen wasn¡¯t even there.

    Just as she was about to brush past him, she wanted to let out a sigh of relief but before she was able to, He Jichen suddenly put out his cigarette. After he put the cigarette butt into the trash can, he straightened up. Before Ji Yi could react fast enough, He Jichen clutched her wrists.

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20: He and I Could Never Happen (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It felt like Ji Yi was hit by an electric shock as she trembled violently. Without any hesitation at all, she forcefully struggled to pull her wrist free from his clutches.

    As though he¡¯d guessed what she was going to do next, He Jichen pressed his fingers harder and held her wrist tighter the very moment she tried to resist him.

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows as she continued to struggle. Seeing as she couldn¡¯t break free, she gave up, raised her head, and looked over at He Jichen. To her own surprise, she spoke in a calm andposed voice, ¡°What do you want?¡±

    He Jichen stared right at the pocket Ji Yi¡¯s phone was in without any reaction, like he hadn¡¯t heard a single word.

    Ji Yi¡¯s brows were intensely tight.

    Seeing as he didn¡¯t say anything, she didn¡¯t either.

    Ji Yi froze there for about a minute but eventually caved in. Having failed to stay calm, she struggled again to escape his grasp while using herposed voice from earlier to say, ¡°Could you please let me go...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish, she suddenly pulled her arm away from his clutches and backed against the wall he just leaned on.

    Before Ji Yi could find her feet, He Jichen pinched her chin, causing her to look into his handsome face.

    ¡°What are you going to do? Just what in the hell do you want?¡± His lips were sealed tight as he stared ruthlessly into her eyes. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to never turn up in front of me ever again?!¡±

    Perhaps it was because she¡¯d seen He Jichen one too many times recently that Ji Yi was considerably more resilient towards him. She was nothing like the first time they bumped into each other again, where her initial reaction was so strong. In this very moment, He Jichen¡¯s cutting words forced her to recollect the memories from four years ago.

    Ji Yi sped her fingers to prevent herself from revealing any hint of emotion or loss ofposure.

    ¡°Or...¡± He Jichen spoke again.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know what he was going to say next, but she was certain it wouldn¡¯t be anything good. Without any hesitation at all, she interrupted him, ¡°What a coincidence...¡±

    With that, she slowly lifted her eyes to meet his.

    He Jichen suddenly stopped.

    Ji Yi continued to speak tly, ¡°...If it¡¯s possible, I also wish you¡¯ll never appear again in front of me.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes turned vicious as though he wanted to violently tear her apart.

    She knew he was angry, but she didn¡¯t understand why he was so mad. Four years ago, she was the one who suffered the worst humiliation.

    Ji Yi mentallyughed at the ridiculousness of it all, then said with no change in her expression, ¡°So, Mr. He, don¡¯t you worry. I definitely won¡¯t be a nuisance to you.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s grip on her wrist instantly turned frighteningly tight. It hurt Ji Yi so much that she held her breath, yet she didn¡¯t cry for mercy or let out a single painful shriek.

    She waited until she limated to the pain before she calmly said, ¡°Mr. He, could you please remove your oh-so-generous hands off of me, so I can get out of your sight as soon as possible.¡±

    When she finished saying this, she politely added, ¡°Thank you.¡±

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21: Thank You for Your Generosity (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Thanks?

    He Jichen suddenly had the impulse to strangle her. His pupils ergened and his fingers started to tremble.

    He looked at her delicate face with a fierce expression as though he¡¯d just reached the very peak of his anger. Then he suddenly chuckled, ¡°Thank me? What¡¯s there for you to thank me for?¡±

    ¡°If I remember correctly, I slept with you four years ago and gave you money, yet you didn¡¯t even take a cent!¡±

    ¡°So I should be thanking you instead!¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen sneered and stared into her eyes. With a ruthlessness even he couldn¡¯t exin, his words were overbearingly harsh and degrading, ¡°Thank you for your generosity! Thank you for letting me take your virginity for free!¡±

    Ji Yi felt the stab of a razor-sharp knife as her face was instantly drained of blood.

    Her hands instinctively balled into fists.

    She clutched her palms tightly, then used the piercing pain to force herself to calm down and notpletely lose it.

    She directed a silent and callous gaze at He Jichen.

    She didn¡¯t actually want to look at him but she didn¡¯t dare to flinch, fearing that the tears hiding beneath her eyes would pour out.

    As the atmosphere in the corridor froze, the two of them didn¡¯t say a word.

    After some time had passed, the phone in Ji Yi¡¯s pocket suddenly rang. In the silence, her ringtone sounded particrly piercing. He Jichen suddenly let go of his hold on her as though he¡¯d jumped in shock. Then he took a step back, threw her aside, and turned around to leave.

    Ji Yi gritted her teeth as she heard He Jichen¡¯s footsteps disappear without a trace. Without a care for how she looked, Ji Yi slowly slumped down against the wall.

    The phone wouldn¡¯t stop ringing but Ji Yi waited until she¡¯d calmed down slightly before she reached her trembling hand into her pocket to answer the call.

    It was Bo He calling.

    Maybe it¡¯s because I left for the restroom so long ago that they must think something happened to me...

    Ji Yi was afraid that she¡¯d sound like she was about to cry if she spoke, so she didn¡¯t take Bo He¡¯s call. Instead, she tapped on her phone and sent Bo He a message, ¡°I¡¯ming.¡±

    ¨C

    After dinner, everyone went to the hot springs together.

    As the others chatted away, Ji Yi remained silent as she spread out in the hot spring.

    In her heart, she felt stifled over the issue of He Jichen. After sitting in the hot spring for a long time, that stifling feeling only grew heavier and it made it difficult for her to breathe, so she got out. She found a bench toy on close to Bo He and the others in the hot spring.

    Even though they were quite a distance apart, Ji Yi could still hear Bo He and the girls chatting.

    It was easy to get dehydrated after sitting in the hot springs for a long time. Tang Huahua was just about to call an attendant to bring them some water when Lin Ya coincidentally nced over at Ji Yi and suddenly said, ¡°I¡¯ll go buy some.¡±

    Lin Ya quickly came back with five bottles of water, She first handed one each to Bo He, Tang Huahua, and Li Da in the hot springs. Then, she ran over to Ji Yi¡¯s side, carrying the two remaining bottles.

    When she handed the water to Ji Yi, she leaned in to whisper into Ji Yi¡¯s ear, ¡°Xiao Yi, can you do me a favor?¡±

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22: Thank You for Your Generosity (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi unscrewed the bottle cap but didn¡¯t take a drink. She turned to look at Lin Ya. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°My thing came...¡±

    At first, Ji Yi didn¡¯t understand what Lin Ya meant until Lin Ya¡¯s face flushed. That¡¯s when she realized Lin Ya was talking about her period.

    Li Da was in the hot spring not too far away, so she was probably afraid he¡¯d overhear her. Lin Ya reached her hand out to cover her mouth, then she drew closer to Ji Yi¡¯s ear and continued to whisper, ¡°...I felt a little strange just now, so I went to buy some water. On the way, I took a turn into the restroom and realized it really dide. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on this month... It came a few days early so I¡¯m not prepared. Maybe it was because I soaked in the hot springs¡ªit¡¯s a little heavy. The supermarket is a little far from our room and since we¡¯re only here for a night, I only brought an extra pair of pants. I¡¯m scared that if I move around too much, my clothes will get dirty so Xiao Yi, could you buy a pack of pads for me?¡±

    Lin Ya¡¯s request wasn¡¯t a big deal, so Ji Yi didn¡¯t think much of it and let out an ¡°Oh.¡± She sat up on the bench.

    ¡°Thank you Xiao Yi. I¡¯m really sorry to have to bother you!¡± Lin Ya raised her brows in gratitude and shot her a bright smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± replied Ji Yi as she headed for the changing rooms.

    She barely took a few steps when Lin Ya suddenly realized something. Lin Ya jogged a few steps and caught up to Ji Yi. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s right! Xiao Yi, you don¡¯t have to give it to me here. I¡¯m on my period so I can¡¯t go into the hot springs. I¡¯m about to go back to my room to get some rest, so you can drop it off at my room.¡±

    ¡°Mm, alright,¡± replied Ji YI.

    ¡°Thank you!¡± said Lin Ya again. Just as Ji Yi was about to head out, Lin Ya said her final piece, ¡°I almost forgot Xiao Yi. I¡¯m not in the room next to yours anymore¡ªI¡¯ve moved to room 1808.¡±

    Ji Yi gave a nod, then she headed straight for the changing rooms.

    ...

    The hot spring resort was over a thousand square meters, and there were no shuttle buses. All Ji Yi could do was walk.

    At the supermarket, she first picked up a pack of pads for Lin Ya, then figured everyone would probably be hungry after the hot springs, so she filled a basket with snacks. Then she went to pay for everything.

    Ji Yi headed back to the resort and took an elevator up to the eighteenth floor.

    The top floor was all suites. The rooms were quite far apart, so it took a good two minutes for Ji Yi to reach Lin Ya¡¯s room at number 1808.

    She pressed the doorbell and waited a while before she heard the sound of shuffling footsteps draw closer to the door. The door opened.

    Ji Yi assumed it was Lin Ya and was just about to speak. The person who opened the door didn¡¯t even shoot a nce at her before he lightly dismissed her with the words ¡°bring it in¡± and turned to walk into the bathroom.

    Even though Ji Yi didn¡¯t clearly catch the person who opened the door, she could tell who it was by his voice.

    She thought Lin Ya was a spoiled and pampered princess who wasn¡¯t used to a regr room, so she paid for a suite. But this room turned out to be He Jichen¡¯s room...

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23: Thank You for Your Generosity (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ah, that¡¯s right. He Jichen is Lin Ya¡¯s boyfriend. They bumped into each other at the same hotel¡ªit¡¯s only normal that they stay together at night...

    But... this didn¡¯t seem like any of her business. She didn¡¯t need to think too much about the two of them; she was just there to drop off something for Lin Ya. The sooner she dropped it off, the sooner she could leave. Most importantly, she got so upset with He Jichen just two hours ago in the corridor of the restaurant that she didn¡¯t want to see him. Since he was now in the bathroom, she could use this chance to drop the stuff off and disappear...

    With that thought, Ji Yi quickly snapped back to her senses and hastily walked into the room, carrying the shopping bags.

    With the doors shut, Ji Yi didn¡¯t see Lin Ya in the living room, so she assumed Lin Ya was in the bedroom.

    When He Jichen opened the door, he just said: ¡°bring it in¡±. Lin Ya must¡¯ve already told him that she was going to drop off some thingster, so she didn¡¯t bother going into the room or lingering around to talk to Lin Ya...

    Ji Yi quickly pulled out the pads from the shopping bag and ced them on the coffee table, somewhere Lin Ya could easily spot them. Without nning to stay a moment longer, she turned right around and bolted for the door.

    Who knew that before she could even take a few steps, the bathroom door would suddenly fling open? Out stepped He Jichen leisurely in his robe, wiping his hands with tissue.

    Ji Yi suddenly came to a stop. She tightened her grip on the shopping bag and took a step back.

    He Jichen walked two steps towards Ji Yi, then noticed there was someone standing in his own room.

    He thought an attendant had brought up the coffee he just asked for and was waiting in the room for him to sign the bill. He wasn¡¯t paying much attention when he reached his hand out in front of Ji Yi for the bill.

    Ji Yi was stunned by He Jichen¡¯s actions. She stared at his beautifully long fingers for a moment, raised her head up at him, then stared at He Jichen, ¡°I left...¡±

    She wanted to tell He Jichen that she left Lin Ya¡¯s things on the coffee table, but she only just managed to get out two words before He Jichen suddenly turned his head and stared dead straight at her. ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    Didn¡¯t Lin Ya tell him who was dropping off pads for her?

    Ji Yi definitely didn¡¯t want He Jichen to assume she was there for him. ¡°I¡¯m looking for Lin Ya...¡±

    Lin Ya? Lin tongxue 1 ? If she¡¯s looking for Lin tongxue, why didn¡¯t she go looking for her in her room? Why¡¯s she looking for Lin tongxue in my room?

    A thought suddenly crossed He Jichen¡¯s mind. Last week, after she went back to her dorm alone after having dinner with her family, she mentioned Lin Ya again. She asked on the phone, ¡°Excuse me, are you looking for Lin Ya?¡±

    So she thinks Lin Ya is with me?

    ¡°Alright...¡± He Jichen suddenly smiled. His smile appeared cheerful, but his eyes were terrifyingly bleak. ¡°...a beautiful excuse, truly beautiful!¡±

    ¡°Did you really think you could juste to my room, and I¡¯d let you stay with that excuse?¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you Ji Yi... Four years ago, I let you touch me because I was drunk. Four years ago, even if you offered me money, I wouldn¡¯t touch a single strand of your hair!¡±

    ¡°You sure are shameless! Just at the restaurant I already made it crystal clear, yet you still have the nerve toe to my room!¡±

    Is she really that naive to think I would believe such an excuse ... Ji Yi lowered her head without saying a single word. She walked right past He Jichen and headed for the door.

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24: Thank You for Your Generosity (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The moment she opened the door, the doorbell to He Jichen¡¯s suite coincidentally rang.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t the least bit interested in who rang for He Jichen, nor did she care to nce at who it was. With her head low, she was just about to say: ¡°Excuse me, could you please move aside¡± when Bo He said with a little uncertainty, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi quickly swallowed her words. Besides Bo He, Lin Ya and Tang Huahua were also there.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, why are you...¡± blurted Tang Huahua, as though she didn¡¯t dare believe her eyes. However, before she could finish speaking, Bo He nudged her in the arm and shot her a look.

    Tang Huahua suddenly understood what Bo He meant and immediately shut her mouth.

    From what Tang Huahua and Bo He knew, Ji Yi knew He Jichen solely through Lin Ya and He Jichen was Lin Ya¡¯s boyfriend.

    In that very moment, if Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in He Jichen¡¯s room to throw herself at him, then He Jichen was cheating on Lin Ya.

    They were only there with Lin Ya to look for He Jichen, but in the end, they stumbled upon this...

    Every so often, Tang Huahua and Bo He shot each other a nce.

    The atmosphere turned a little awkward.

    Ji Yi knew that Tang Huahua and Bo He had misunderstood.

    But then again, it wasn¡¯t their fault. A woman who appears in a man¡¯s room in the middle of the night¡ªit¡¯s hard for anyone not to misunderstand.

    Without a second thought, Ji Yi said, ¡°Lin Ya, you...¡±

    Lin Ya spoke at the same time. However, her words weren¡¯t directed at her but at He Jichen, who was standing not too far behind her, ¡°He Dage, we just ordered dinner and since you¡¯re here, we wanted to ask if you wanted any.¡±

    Though his anger had simmered down significantly, He Jichen still looked upset from his outburst. At Lin Ya¡¯s gentle voice, he raised his eyelids and shook his head slightly to decline the offer.

    ¡°Then He Dage, if you¡¯re hungryter, let me know,¡± said Lin Ya softly with a gentle smile, as though she didn¡¯t mind He Jichen¡¯s silence in the slightest.

    This time, she didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to respond. Instead, she stared at Ji Yi with soft eyes as though she didn¡¯t have a clue why she was there. In an innocent and inquisitive voice, she asked, ¡°Xiao Yi, it¡¯s sote. Why are you in He Dage¡¯s room?¡±

    Of all people, shouldn¡¯t she know best as to why I¡¯m here?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and came to a vague understanding.

    Bo He and Tang Huahua had no idea Lin Ya asked Ji Yi to help her with a favor. Now that they heard Lin Ya ask this to Ji Yi, they assumed Lin Ya was telling her off.

    Everyone lived under the same roof in the same dorm. Bo He really didn¡¯t want their rtionship to disintegrate, so she quickly tried to smooth things over, ¡°If I remember correctly, Xiao Yi spent her senior high in Sucheng and He Jichen is from Sucheng. Who knows, maybe they knew each other before. Maybe Xiao Yi was looking for He Tongxue to talk about something important.¡±

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25: Thank You for Your Generosity (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When Tang Huahua heard Bo He put it that way, she immediately nodded along. ¡°Right right right, maybe they knew each other long before.¡±

    Lin Ya¡¯s eyes smiled and she continued to look as soft as gently rippling waters. ¡°Nope. I asked Xiao Yi before; she and He Dage never knew each other. Xiao told me they didn¡¯t know each other and that she never really paid much attention to He Dage.¡±

    Bo He and Tang Huahua didn¡¯t know quite what to say after being countered like that.

    Even if Ji Yi had just a vague idea as to what was going on before, she nowpletely understood what Lin Ya was thinking at that very moment.

    She clearly ran to her for help and lured her, one step at a time, into He Jichen¡¯s room. Now she was pretending like she didn¡¯t know why she was there, and she even cut off Bo He¡¯s attempt at smoothing things out. Lin Ya was actually set on pinning her to the reputation of her ¡°seducing a best friend¡¯s boyfriend¡±...

    ¡°Lin Ya, don¡¯t you know why I¡¯m here?¡± asked Ji Yi in a calm voice as she looked into Lin Ya¡¯s eyes.

    Lin Ya was obviously going to pretend to be ignorant till the very end. She widened her eyes and asked with a bewildered look on her face, ¡°Xiao Yi, what do you mean by that? How would I know why you¡¯re there?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t? Didn¡¯t youe running to tell me that you¡¯re on your period and that I should pick up some pads for you? You even told me you changed to room 1808 and asked me to drop them off here!¡± As Ji Yi said this, she tilted her head and nced over at He Jichen and said, ¡°The pads are on the coffee table in the room.¡±

    To see if what Ji Yi said was true, Bo He peered over at the room then politely asked He Jichen, ¡°May Ie in to have a quick peek?¡± With He Jichen¡¯s slight nod, Bo He ran right into the room.

    ¡°So there really is...¡± Soon enough, Bo He brought the pack of pads back. With the evidence, Bo He asked, ¡°Xiao Ya, was what Xiao Yi said true?¡±

    Lin Ya didn¡¯t reply to Bo He but stared at the pack of pads in disbelief. Her eyes looked like they were practically going to fall out. After a while, she raised her head and stared at Ji Yi in disbelief, ¡°Xiao Yi, why did you do that? I didn¡¯t ask you to buy me anything.¡±

    The rims of her eyes turned red as though she¡¯d just been wronged. She looked over at Bo He and Tang Huahua for help. ¡°Bo He, Huahua, you know I sat in the hot spring all night. If I really was on my period, why would I be there...¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more, Bo He, I had myst period at the same time as you...¡± Lin Ya was so flustered that she asked twice, ¡°Bo He, do you still remember? Remember?¡±

    Bo He nced over at Ji Yi in hesitation but after a while, she eventually nodded.

    ¡°Look, Bo He nodded. I¡¯m not on my period, so why would I ask you to help me buy them? Xiao Yi, why did you try to lie and embarrass me?¡± As Lin Ya said this, she turned around like she just realized something. ¡°Xiao Yi, did you use me as an excuse because you wanted to visit He Dage but didn¡¯t have a reason to be here?¡±

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26: Thank You for Your Generosity (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Yeah. Yeah, it must be that...¡± Lin Ya nodded fervently and looked at Bo He and Tang Huahua like she was recruiting allies. ¡°Think about it. If I really was on my period and I really did ask her to buy me something, I¡¯d definitely ask her to deliver it to my room. Why would I possibly ask her to drop it off at He Jichen¡¯s room?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more, if I really did ask her toe here, do you think I¡¯d really stay with you both in the hot springs for so long, head of the dorms Huahua?¡±

    That¡¯s right. No girlfriend would allow their own boyfriend to be in the same room as a beautiful young woman in the middle of the night.

    Lin Ya is He Jichen¡¯s girlfriend, so why would she ask Ji Yi to go to He Jichen¡¯s room? And why would she stay in the hot springs with us, knowing full well that Ji Yi was in He Jichen¡¯s room?

    Even though Bo He and Tang Huahua didn¡¯t reply to Lin Ya¡¯s words, their faces obviously looked as though they believed Lin Ya.

    Seeing this, Ji Yipletely understood.

    Lin Ya¡¯s story was well-rehearsed.

    Though Ji Yi didn¡¯t know when Lin Ya started to hold a grudge for her, she was certain Lin Ya had plotted this for a long time.

    Lin Ya knew she¡¯d just finished her period and Bo He could back that story, so she used a good opportunity to string up a good story from a bunch of lies.

    Her intent to drop off some food for He Jichen was fake; bringing Tang Huahua and Bo He over was her real intention.

    First, Lin Ya wanted Bo He to bear witness and second, she wanted to embarrass me in front of all my roommates!

    For Lin Ya to think up such a wless n, she wasn¡¯t stupid. Seeing as Tang Huahua and Bo He stood by her side, her eyes filled with tears, appearing pitiful. ¡°Xiao Yi, did you use me?¡±

    ¡°Everyone said that four years ago, Ji Yi, who¡¯d joined B-film a year before, was a big shot. She wasn¡¯t someone to be messed with. If it weren¡¯t for the car ident three years ago that put her in aa, then Ji Yi would¡¯ve long been the queen bee of the entertainment industry today. All this time, I never believed those absurd rumours because I thought Xiao Ye was really nice. But today, I learned I was wrong. Xiao Yi, I never imagined you¡¯d use me as a pawn to get closer to He Dage. Especially after how I¡¯ve treated you so well all this time...¡±

    As Lin Ya said this,rge teardrops rolled down from the corner of her eyes.

    Everything would¡¯ve been fine if she hadn¡¯t cried, but as soon as she did, everything fell apart. Having assumed Ji Yi used Lin Ya, Bo He and Tang Huahua couldn¡¯t sit idly by any longer.

    ¡°Xiao Ya, don¡¯t cry.¡±

    ¡°All of us live together¡ªXiao Yi, why would you go and do something like that?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, why don¡¯t you apologize to Xiao Ya? You¡¯re in the wrong in the first ce. If you just went to see He Xuezhang, fair enough but to use Xiao Ya as an excuse? That¡¯s really going overboard.¡±

    She had been through setups like this before.

    She told He Jichen before, though he didn¡¯t believe her and made her sound like a terrible person.

    Now, even her roommates believed she had sinister motives and wanted to steal her roommate¡¯s boyfriend...

    When Ji Yi heard Bo He and Tang Huahua¡¯s words, her blood ran cold and her face turned pale.

    He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t said a word from start to end but watched everything unfold, stared at Ji Yi¡¯s back for quite some time. Then, his eyes dropped to her fingers.

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27: Thank You for Your Generosity (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Though they were quite some distance apart, he clearly saw her fingers tremble.

    He Jichen¡¯s mouth pursed slightly as he stared at Ji Yi¡¯s fingers for a few seconds, then he opened his mouth.

    The words he wanted to say didn¡¯t manage to escape his lips before Ji Yi, who had her back turned from the door, suddenly repeated Lin Ya¡¯s words, ¡°After I¡¯ve treated you so well all this time...¡± Her tone of voice wasn¡¯t pitiful like Lin Ya¡¯s but taunting instead.

    ¡°Huh...¡± chortled Ji Yi as she said that. ¡°...Lin Ya, doesn¡¯t your face hurt after saying those things?¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, what do you mean? You were obviously the one who used me, and you schemed to embarrass me in front of so many people. Not only are you not the least bit sorry, you have the nerve to say such things. Just what the hell do you want?¡± Lin Ya cried violently and started to shiver as though Ji Yi had frightened her. She looked as innocent and pitiful as could be.

    Bo He and Tang Huahua stared at Ji Yi, visibly upset.

    Ji Yi pretended as though she hadn¡¯t seen Lin Ya¡¯s reaction and stared unwaveringly at her. ¡°What do I want to do? I don¡¯t want to do anything. I just want to ask you a question. Lin Ya, everything you said tonight¡ªwere you messing around or were you for real?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, at a time like this, are you still not going to admit you tried to sabotage me? You still want to berate me and me the victim...¡±

    Bme the victim... Nice word choice. Just who¡¯s ming the victim here?

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for poor, teary-eyed Lin Ya to finish speaking as she interrupted in a low and a far more serious tone of voice, ¡°Don¡¯t talk shit to me!¡±

    Since Ji Yi¡¯s tone of voice was so aggressive, Bo He couldn¡¯t help but cry out, ¡°Xiao Yi!¡±

    Ji Yi ignored Bo He¡¯sints and stared at Lin Ya, speaking freely, ¡°Lin Ya, answer me this. Are you just messing with me, or are you for real?!¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I never thought you were this type of person...¡± Lin Ya avoided her questions like before.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything but immediately removed her waterproof watch.

    ¡°I truly saw you as a friend. Even then, after I learned that you used me and embarrassed me...¡± continued Lin Ya.

    Ji Yi pretended as though she didn¡¯t hear what Lin Ya said and clicked a button on her watch with disregard for everyone around her.

    ¡°...Though I¡¯m really upset and angry, I don¡¯t really me you...¡±

    Ji Yi put the watch to her ear as though she was trying to hear something.

    ¡°...I still hope we can continue to be friends...¡±

    Ji Yi brought the watch down from her ear and quickly clicked the button on her watch a few times.

    ¡°...So much so that I want to tell Bo He and Tang Huahua that we should pretend what happened to us tonight never happened at all. The four of us are still best roommates and best frie¡ª¡±

    Before Lin Ya could finish her final word, a voice was suddenly heard, ¡°Xiao Yi, can you do me a favour?¡±

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28: Thank You for Your Generosity (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The words Lin Ya was about to speak suddenly dissipated into nothingness.

    This... this is obviously my voice, but I didn¡¯t say that earlier...

    Bo He and Tang Huahua were alsopletely astonished.

    The corridors were extremely quiet to the extent that you could hear Ji Yi¡¯s voice, crystal clear: ¡°What¡¯s up??¡±

    ¡°My thing came...¡±

    When Lin Ya¡¯s voice was heard again, they finally suddenly snapped back to their senses and instinctively looked at the watch in Ji Yi¡¯s hand.

    So all this time, this watch they were looking at was no ordinary watch; it could record.

    ¡°...I felt a little strange just now so I went to buy some water. On the way, I took a turn into the restroom and found out that it really dide. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on this month... It came a few days early, so I¡¯m not prepared. Maybe it was because I soaked in the hot springs¡ªit¡¯s a little heavy...¡±

    Lin Ya and Ji Yi were whispering at the time, so the recording was a bit hard to hear. Even if Ji Yi turned up the volume to its very loudest, they still couldn¡¯t quite make out some words. But with the words they could hear, they could make out it was Lin Ya¡¯s voice, along with what she was saying.

    Lin Ya¡¯s face gradually turned pale, and her eyes shot over to He Jichen standing behind Ji Yi. She was visibly unsteady.

    ¡°...The supermarket is a little far from our room and since we¡¯re only here for a night, I only brought an extra pair of pants. I¡¯m scared that if I move around too much, I¡¯ll get my clothes dirty so Xiao Yi, could you pick up some pads for me?¡±

    The air in the hallway instantly turned tense with the sound of Lin Ya¡¯s recorded voice.

    Bo He and Tang Huahua looked over at Lin Ya.

    Lin Ya¡¯s pale face was flushed as she tightly pursed her lips and clutched her sleeves. She looked exactly like a thief being caught at the scene.

    The recording was still going.

    The hallway was frighteningly silent.

    ¡°...I¡¯m about to go back to my room to get some rest, so drop it off at my room...¡±

    With that, Ji Yi replied, ¡°Mm, alright.¡± That was when Lin Ya remembered what she said afterwards and like she¡¯d just been electrocuted, her whole body trembled. Then her whole body lurched towards Ji Yi with her ws. ¡°Enough! Stop it!¡±

    As she screamed, she hurled her handbag at Ji Yi¡¯s head.

    Unprepared, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t ready for an attack by Lin Ya, so she didn¡¯t have time to dodge.

    While she stared at the bag on the verge of hitting her face, a forceful hand grabbed her arm. With quick reflexes, her entire body was dragged backwards.

    The bag brushed past Ji Yi¡¯s head and hit the door with a ¡°Bang¡±!

    Ji Yi only recovered from her shock secondster.

    He Jichen had pulled her away at the most crucial moment.

    She didn¡¯t even think about why He Jichen did such a thing before she instinctively pulled away from He Jichen¡¯s hands. Then she took two steps forward and stood directly in front of Lin Ya.

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29: Thank You for Your Generosity (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Her reaction was so intense¡ªwas she afraid of everyone hearing the words she said next?

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t a particrly virtuous person, but she never bothered anyone if they didn¡¯t bother her. Since Lin Ya came looking for trouble, she wasn¡¯t going to just idly sit around!

    In the middle of the scuffle, the recording finished ying but Ji Yi wasn¡¯t done. She rewound the recording a little and continued to y it.

    ¡°...I almost forgot, Xiao Yi. I¡¯m not in the room next to yours anymore, I moved to room 1808....¡±

    Ji Yi waited for Lin Ya¡¯s words topletely finish ying before she refastened her watch onto her wrist. Then she nonchntly raised her eyelids and stared coldly at Lin Ya. ¡°I gave you a chance, but you didn¡¯t want it!¡±

    Lin Ya¡¯s face was frighteningly pale as she bit down on her lips so hard that they turned blue. Despite this, Ji Yi didn¡¯t hold back; in fact, she became even more swift and fierce like a queen, full of gloating. ¡°Since you already know the big shot Ji Yi who joined B-film four years ago is no ordinary person, let me offer you a bit of advice: don¡¯t mess with me!¡±

    Ji Yi then turned right around and strode out in her high heels.

    Bo He and Tang Huahua didn¡¯t snap back to reality until Ji Yi stepped into the elevator.

    The two of them nced at Lin Ya, then they each found an excuse to leave.

    All of a sudden, it was just the two of them¡ªLin Ya and He Jichen¡ªleft in the corridors.

    Lin Ya lowered her head, a little afraid to look at He Jichen.

    Actually, she never wanted to take on Ji Yi; she only nned tonight¡¯s act because of He Jichen.

    She was popr for being the most beautiful woman in B-film. There were so many guys lusting after her that they could form two rings around the school track, but her standards were too high. Not a single one of them caught her eye until she met He Jichen.

    She had a friend from her hometown who studied in the directing program. It was because of him that she was able to meet He Jichen. From that point onwards, she often hung around her directing friend just so she could try to catch He Jichen¡¯s eye, but he never paid any attention to her. It wasn¡¯t until a month ago when she picked up Ji Yi¡¯s call while in the middle of a conversation with her friend that it all started.

    That day, they were eating at the canteen. She deliberately sat next to He Jichen, and when she cried ¡°Ji Yi¡±, He Jichen turned his head and shot her a nce.

    At the time, she thought the look was because she was a little too loud, but after that meal, he began to show up at different points in her day. She figured that she¡¯d finally gotten his attention, so she was unbelievably happy inside.

    Later, what made her even happier was when she went over to clean her te that he came up to her and asked, ¡°ssmate, can I get your number?¡±

    In that very moment, she was ecstatic.

    She tried her best to contain her excitement and tried to casually exchange numbers with him.

    She often made the first move to contact him. He rarely replied so she assumed it was just because his personality was naturally distant.

    Even though he didn¡¯t explicitly express that he wanted to be with her, she didn¡¯t clear things up when Tang Huahua and Bo He mistook them for being a couple.

    Because she felt that they already were a couple.

    Otherwise, why would he invite her to dinner and to parties?

    Oh wait¡ªhe never really invited just me. Every time, he said the four words, ¡°You and your roommates¡±...

    But at the time, she was so ovee with happiness to be able to get closer to him that she didn¡¯t notice anything wrong with his words.

    That is, until the night of the outdoor party. When she came back from the party, Ji Yi told her that He Jichen had called the dorm room¡¯s phone to look for her.

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30: Thank You for Your Generosity (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Although she used irrefutable arguments to dismiss Bo He¡¯s suspicions then, she still had deep doubts in her heart.

    When He Jichen called the dorm room, she was right next to him. Bo He and Tang Huahua were also with her, so was he looking for Ji Yi?

    At times, a woman¡¯s intuition is really urate.

    She had to admit, when she invited He Jichen out that weekend, she deliberately told He Jichen that Ji Yi was going to the hot springs too.

    So when she unexpectedly saw He Jichen at the Peony Pavilion, she finally understood.

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t into her. He obviously wasn¡¯t drunk in love with her, but Ji Yi.

    And for over a month now, I¡¯ve been foolishly used as a pawn.

    How could I just take that? How could I?

    Yet she didn¡¯t want to lose face in front of He Jichen, so she plotted to ruin Ji Yi. She wanted Bo He and Tang Huahua to look down on her, and she wanted He Jichen to think she was a sly, calctive woman... so she put on that show tonight.

    Lin Ya prepared well in advance for that night. She had been full of confidence, but she never imagined that Ji Yi would have a recording device on her.

    In the end, she hadn¡¯t ruined her target but ruined herself. Bo He and Huahua definitely looked down on her now, and as for He Jichen...

    At that thought, Lin Ya¡¯s fingers trembled. She carefully raised her head and looked up at He Jichen.

    He was bending down to pick up her bag...

    In that very moment, a sliver of hope surfaced Lin Ya¡¯s ashen heart. If he¡¯s doing this, does that mean he forgives me?

    ¡°He Dage, I...¡±

    Before Lin Ya could finish, He Jichen straightened up, raised his hand and threw the bag at her face.

    With that, an immense pain pierced Lin Ya¡¯s heart. Her heart was instantly shattered.

    He wasn¡¯t helping me pick up my bag; he was giving me a taste of my own medicine by throwing the bag I just hurled at Ji Yi!

    Tears instantly filled Lin Ya¡¯s eyes. She turned her head and looked at He Jichen as she said, a little choked up, ¡°He Da...¡±

    She only managed to get those two words out before He Jichen took a step back into his room. It was as though he wasn¡¯t willing to waste any more time with her. He mmed the door right in her face.

    ¨C

    After their fight, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in the mood to spend the rest of the weekend at the hot spring resort, so the next morning, she sent Li Da, Bo He, and Tang Huahua each a text. She gave a weak excuse and returned home, back to the city.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t go back to school dorms that night since she only had ss the next morning. When she returned to school, she went straight to the ssroom.

    Lin Ya never showed up, even after the bell rang for ss.

    After ss, when Bo He and Tang Huahua looked for Ji Yi to talk, Ji Yi learned that Lin Ya didn¡¯te back to the dorm roomst night either.

    In the following days, no matter in the ssroom or the dorms, Lin Ya was nowhere to be found.

    When the three of them¡ªJi Yi, Bo He, and Tanghuahua¡ªfinished ss and went back to their dorm on Friday, Tang Huahua was just about to pull out her keys to unlock the door when someone from inside pulled the door open.

    It was Lin Ya, who they hadn¡¯t seen for a few days. She emerged from the room with a suitcase and walked out.

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31: Let Her Leave (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Bo He and Tang Huahua, who were loudly chatting away, instantly fell silent.

    After a short while, Bo He and Tang Huahua greeted Lin Ya one after the other, ¡°Xiao Ya.¡±

    Lin Ya felt that something was off, so she raised her head and looked straight ahead. Her footsteps stopped in their tracks.

    Lin Ya first saw Bo He who was right at the front, then she saw Tang Huahua. Her lips twitched as though she was going to greet them back, but before doing so, she saw Ji Yi behind them. Her face froze, and her eyes turned cold. Then without saying a word, she walked right around Bo He and dragged her suitcase on her way out without looking back.

    When Lin Ya brushed past her, Ji Yi caught a glimpse of a bruise on her face.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but turn her head to look at Lin Ya¡¯s face. Even with heavy makeup, Lin Ya¡¯s bruise was still very obvious. Before Ji Yi could get a clear look at the bruise, Lin Ya already sensed her gaze. As though she had an electric shock, she quickly covered her face with her hand, then turned to shoot Ji Yi a fierce look. Her eyes were icy cold as she picked up the pace and quickly disappeared around the corner, going downstairs.

    ...

    A long time passed since Ji Yist saw Lin Ya.

    If it weren¡¯t for Lin Ya, Ji Yi would never have unexpectedly crossed paths with He Jichen again; He Jichen would never have appeared so often in her world. Now that Lin Ya disappeared from her life, He Jichen wouldpletely disappear from her world as well.

    Ji Yi wholeheartedly felt that this was great¡ªshe could go back to her uneventful but peaceful life like before.

    As the days went by, fall was soon upon them. Just as Ji Yi had almostpletely forgotten about He Jichen, she picked up some rumours about him.

    It was a Thursday. After she finished dance ss, she went back to the dorm room to find that Bo He and Tang Huahua seemed a little different. She furrowed her brows and casually asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    Tang Huahua and Bo He didn¡¯t say a word. Without warning, their eyes were drawn towards Lin Ya¡¯s bed.

    Ji Yi also turned her head in the same direction and realized that Lin Ya¡¯s bed was empty.

    ¡°Not only are the duvets gone but even the things on her table are gone,¡± said Bo He.

    ¡°Her cab¡¯s unlocked, and it¡¯s empty inside.¡± Tang Huahua added, ¡°When Bo He and I got back, the stuff was already gone. She probably doesn¡¯t want to see us, so she secretly came back on her own and moved out while we were in ss. Looks like she really doesn¡¯t n oning back to live with us.¡±

    ¡°However, Xiaoyang from the next dorm came by and said that she saw Lin Ya in the afternoon with a guy who helped pack her things. After they exchanged a few words, she found out that Lin Ya moved in with her boyfriend.¡±

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32: Let Her Leave (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Mm, that¡¯s right!¡± Tang Huahua then took over from Bo He, ¡°Xiaoyang said the guy was handsome and drove an Audi. He Xuezhang¡¯s car is an Audi. Bo He and I have even been in it twice now, so we suspect Lin Ya must¡¯ve moved in with He Xuezhang.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just a suspicion¡ªwe¡¯re sure of it.¡± Compared to Tang Huahua, Bo He¡¯s tone of voice sounded calmer and more assured by far. ¡°I remember when we went to that outdoor party, someone from He Xuezhang¡¯s dorm mentioned that he asionally stayed in the dorms, but he has his own apartment. They say it¡¯s a mansion. What¡¯s more, it¡¯s worth ten million andpletely paid off. He Xuezhang really isn¡¯t just your average rich person...¡±

    Of course, He Jichen was no average rich person¡ªhe had the listedpany, He Enterprises, behind him. Not to mention, he had a mansion in the heart of Beijing worth ten million. He was even able to afford a vi worth billions in the rich neighbourhood up on the north side of Beijing.

    Since four years ago, anything regarding He Jichen long had nothing to do with me...

    Ji Yi¡¯s facial expression didn¡¯t change much as she grabbed a change of clothes and walked into the bathroom.

    As they say, don¡¯t believe what people tell you until you see it for yourself.

    More or less, women liked to gossip; Ji Yi was just having a half-hearted conversation with Bo He and Tang Huahua¡ªwho said there was any truth to the rumors? The next day, when she went to her afternoon fitness ss, she made a detour into the school supermarket and bought a bottle of water. On her way out, she saw Lin Ya and He Jichen together, and that was when she realized that what she, Bo He and Tang Huahua gossiped about was all true.

    The two of them stood facing each other, talking about something.

    He Jichen lowered his head and yed around with his car keys. He leaned against his car which shed in the sunlight every now and then.

    It was just as Tang Huahua and Bo He described; he really did have an Audi.

    At that thought, Ji Yi drew her gaze back from He Jichen and Lin Ya. As she did so, He Jichen, who had his head lowered from the start, coincidentally looked up in the direction where she was standing.

    The sun was bright, so Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if she was seeing things but she thought she saw He Jichen slightly stunned. Then, he abruptly straightened up like he was ready to rush over towards her.

    Ji Yi instinctively raised her legs and bolted in the direction of the sports track.

    After putting a good fifty meters between He Jichen and herself, she turned her head back to see that He Jichen and Lin Ya were rooted at the same spot. She couldn¡¯t help but secretlyugh to herself. As she figured, her eyes were just ying with her; why would He Jichene rushing over to her? Yet his Audi looked a little familiar as though she¡¯d seen it somewhere before...

    ¨C

    Recently, He Jichen hadn¡¯t felt great, especially today. As he drove away from school, he realized he left his lighter in the dorms, so he stopped by the supermarket near the school to get a new one. As he got out the car, he was stopped by Lin Ya, who he hadn¡¯t seen for a while.

    Lin Ya stood in front of him rambling on about a bunch of things, but he wasn¡¯t really listening so he didn¡¯t say a thing.

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33: Let Her Leave (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Actually, Lin Ya didn¡¯t say much, but he just didn¡¯t have the patience for her. He lifted his head, hoping to avoid her, but then he saw her. It was Ji Yi, standing not too far away by the entrance of the supermarket.

    She was looking over at him and Lin Ya. Her eyes were clear¡ªthere was no emotion at all¡ªbut in that very moment, his heart skipped a beat for some reason. An indescribable sense of panic came over him as he subconsciously lifted a leg in her direction. However, before he could make his way over, Ji Yi suddenly turned around and left in a hurry.

    His crappy mood instantly worsened. He silently stared at where Ji Yi had been standing for a while then without even buying the lighter, he turned around, pulled the car door open, and got in.

    He ignored Lin Ya¡¯s frantic pping on his window and stepped hard on the gas, leaving her in the dust as he sped off.

    Just as he was about to reach his house, He Jichen got a call from Han Zhifan inviting him to The Golden Lounge to y cards. He hadn¡¯t decided if he was going or not, but he let out a nonmittal ¡°Mm¡± and hung up the phone.

    As He Jichen was about to take a turn into the residential gates, he hesitated for a moment then turned the car around, heading for The Golden Lounge.

    ying cards made the time fly by. In the blink of an eye, the sky was already dark.

    After He Jichen picked up a card in front of him, Han Zhifan nced at his watch. It was already eight o¡¯clock, so he turned his head around to look at He Jichen, who¡¯d remained quiet from the start. He asked, ¡°Want to go next door for some food?¡±

    He Jichen knew that by ¡°next door¡±, Han Zhifan meant China World Hotel, Beijing. His fingers nonchntly rubbed the card, and after thinking it over, he gave a slight nod and got up to walk out of the room.

    Han Zhifan hurriedly called the waiter for the bill, then picked up his jacket and swiftly chased after him.

    After dinner, Han Zhifan pulled out a pack of cigarettes out of habit. He took out a cigarette and was about to put it to his lips when remembered He Jichen. Turning to him, he offered the cigarette to He Jichen. ¡°Want one?¡±

    He Jichen silently reached his arm out to take it.

    Han Zhifan lit He Jichen¡¯s cigarette first, then his own. While holding the cigarette with his lips, he slowly took a drag. He assumed He Jichen would silently hold his cigarette between his fingers, waiting for it to slowly burn to the end as he always did. Who knew that a secondter, he would actually put it to his mouth and take a deep drag.

    Having been ssmates with He Jichen for four years, he knew more than anyone that he liked cigarettes but never smoked them.

    Since three years ago, this was the second time seeing him take a big drag like this.

    He Jichen¡¯s odd behaviour stunned Han Zhifan. He then looked down at He Jichen¡¯s te and realized there wasn¡¯t a single trace of oil. He realized that he might¡¯ve been the only one who ate that night since He Jichen hadn¡¯t even picked up his chopsticks.

    Han Zhifan quickly released the smoke from his mouth and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up? Not in a good mood?¡±

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34: Let Her Leave (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen raised his hand and took a hard drag. Through the lingering smoke, he nced at Han Zhifan, who had an indescribable look on his face.

    ¡°What¡¯s up? Not happy at B-film?¡± Han Zhifan spoke again. At the mention of B-film, Han Zhifan continued, ¡°I did tell you... You already got your bachelor¡¯s degree from a prestigious university. They even wanted to send you to study at an American university, but in the end, you wasted so many years of your academic career to start over at B-film?¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t know what to say. Can B-film evenpete with prestigious schools? Can itpete with America?¡±

    ¡°In any case, if you¡¯re bored of studying, it¡¯d probably be easy for you to just be a CEO of a listedpany with all your years in university!¡±

    ¡°Not to mention, even if you didn¡¯t want to be some CEO, couldn¡¯t you just go home and take over He Enterprises?¡±

    ¡°No matter which path you take, anything is surely better thaning to B-film to study from scratch?¡±

    ¡°I just don¡¯t get it. Why did you give up your bright future and unbound glory and insist on starting again from scratch? Aren¡¯t you wasting all your years of hard work and struggle?¡±

    Given all the criticism, He Jichen wasn¡¯t phased. Instead, Han Zhifan started to feel regretful on He Jichen¡¯s behalf yet energized at the same time, ¡°Say, just how depressed must you have been to make such a decision? Honestly speaking, I really do pity you. I¡¯m not afraid of anything, but I¡¯m scared you¡¯ve given up far too much and you¡¯lle to regret it one day.¡±

    He Jichen, who¡¯d been quiet the whole time, showed no signs of wanting to talk.

    After going on his monologue for so long, Han Zhifan paused for a moment. Then, as though something had clicked for him, he turned his head to He Jichen with some uncertainty and said, ¡°Jichen, are you hiding something about why you came to B-film?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been your ssmate for four years now, but I¡¯ve never heard you say you¡¯re interested in directing, so don¡¯t give me that ¡°it¡¯s my dream¡± bull. Tell me straight up¡ªare you here because of someone?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled as he held the cigarette between them.

    After a while, he drew the cigarette over to the ash tray and lightly tapped it. The ashes fluttered down.

    Like a detective, Han Zhifan also recounted, ¡°Every month during the four years in university, you made a trip to Beijing¡ªdid you go see someone?¡±

    ¡°A man or a woman?¡±

    ¡°Does that person have something to do with why you¡¯vee to to Beijing?¡±

    ¡°And this person, are they in B-film too¡ª¡±

    ¡°Waiter, bill please!¡± After remaining quiet all night, He Jichen finally said his first words of the night.

    ¡°I can¡¯t have possibly guessed right... right?¡±

    When Han Zhifan finished speaking, He Jichen paid the bill, put out his cigarette and took off.

    The Golden Lounge and China World Hotel, Beijing were so close to one another that the two of them simply walked between them.

    When they reached the front doors of the Golden Lounge again, Han Zhifan pointed upstairs at the cards room that wasn¡¯t empty yet, ¡°Do you want to go up to y for a while?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t; I have ss tomorrow morning.¡±

    Han Zhifan could tell that He Jichen really had no intention of going back up, so he said his goodbyes and walked up the stairs.

    He Jichen stood at the front doors of the Golden Lounge for a while before going to the parking lot.

    As he drove off, He Jichen headed towards the university.

    The light from outside the window shed across his handsome face. He stared straight ahead with a calm expression for the entire journey. It wasn¡¯t until he drew closer to the university that he suddenly hit the brakes.

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35: Let Her Leave (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen stared out at the empty street in front of him for quite some time before he slowly turned his attention to the road.

    There was a woman crouched on the ground with her body curled up under the pale yellow light from themppost.

    Her face was lowered so he couldn¡¯t see her face, but he still recognized her with a single look.

    Her shoulders quivered slightly as though she was crying.

    He Jichen subconsciously tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he watched the scene before him.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi crouched by the side of the road with her head buried between her knees. Her eyebrows were furrowed, and she had one hand pressed against her stomach, with the other tightly clenched into a fist.

    She had been fine just now, but for some reason, her stomach suddenly started to hurt out of the blue.

    At first, she assumed the faint, sharp pain was just trapped gas, so she didn¡¯t think too much of it. Who knew the pain in her stomach would grow as she continued to walk to the entrance of the school? It ended up hurting so much that it became a little difficult to breathe, and her legs were so weak that she couldn¡¯t walk any further. All she could do was hold her stomach, sit down, and hope for the pain to gradually disappear.

    After about four or five minutes, the pain had dulled quite a bit. With trembling legs, Ji Yi was just about to stand up when suddenly, her stomach was struck again by a sharp pain. This time, the pain was several times more intense than before as though her stomach was cut by a knife. It hurt so much that she let out a grunt, and tears came pouring out. Then, she sat back down on the ground.

    Not only did the wave of pain not subside, but it grew more intense. Ji Yi was in so much pain that her body started to tremble. She realized that something wasn¡¯t quite right. She wanted to reach her arm out to grab her phone to call for help.

    The pain made her fingers tremble like crazy. She used every bit of her strength to drag her bag in front. She was about to pull the zipper when another wave of pain bore into her. Ji Yi was in so much pain that her body swayed, almost causing her to fall to the ground. She steadied herself, held her breath, and remained quietly still for a moment before she gritted her teeth. She reached her fingers over to the zipper but realized that the pain had exhausted her so much that she couldn¡¯t find the strength to pinch the zipper, let alone pull it open.

    She felt herself be a little disoriented. She forced herself to hold it together and not faint, but the pain grew increasingly sharp, and her back waspletely drenched in sweat.

    Every now and then, she heard the whistling of passing cars on the road slowly disappear in the distance.

    Just as she felt so much pain that she started to ck out, she heard the faint sound of a familiar voice above her head, ¡°Why are you sitting here?¡±

    Ji Yi thought she was just hearing things. She was stunned for a while before she groggily lifted her head.

    In front of her was a pair of men¡¯s ck leather shoes.

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows as she tried hard to look up. Just as she caught a glimpse of the man¡¯s waist, the pain in her stomach caused her vision to go dark. Her entire body slumped to the ground.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36: Let Her Leave (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Xiao Yi! Xiao Yi!¡± That familiar voice rang in her ears again, but this time, the voice wasn¡¯t the least bitposed like it was before; it was filled with anxiety and worry with an evident tremble.

    Ji Yi thought she must¡¯ve been hallucinating. How could that man call my name with that kind of tone?

    And yet, this hallucination felt so real... The way he reached his arm out to gently pat her face as though he was trying to wake her up...

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyshes quivered. She wanted to open her eyes, but before she could, she faintedpletely. The final second before she lost consciousness, she vaguely heard, ¡°Dr. Zhu? Come to my ce immediately...¡±

    ¨C

    When Ji Yi woke up again, she was no longer on the dark, ice-cold street but under the covers on a soft, warm bed.

    Sheid in bed for a while in a daze before she realized how unfamiliar the ceiling above her head looked. As she looked around, she gradually remembered walking to the fourth crossing to eat mian noodles. On the way back to school, her stomach suddenly started to hurt. She tried to call for help, but then she fainted... so... where was she right now?

    At that thought, Ji Yi suddenly sat up, hugging the covers. Completely unfamiliar surroundings filled her eyes.

    It looked like a bedroom. The walls were beige, the room was purely decorated in a European style, there were white floor-to-ceiling ss windows and fine, elegant furniture. The entire room looked luxurious, yet low-key.

    Am I at someone¡¯s home? Judging by the furnishings of the room, the owner is probably rich... She continued to observe her surroundings.

    There were two doors in the room; one open, the other closed shut.

    Through the open doors, she could see a changing room with rows and rows of neatly organized men¡¯s clothes.

    So I¡¯m in a man¡¯s room?

    Before that thought could settle, the door was pushed open and Ji Yi instinctively diverted her attention towards the sound.

    An unfamiliar middle-aged woman came in softly and quietly. When she saw Ji Yi up in bed, her footsteps stopped for a moment. She wore a friendly smile. ¡°Miss, you¡¯re awake?¡±

    Ji Yi stared at the unfamiliar woman for a while, then asked in hesitation, ¡°Hello, excuse me, are you...¡±

    When the middle-aged woman heard this, she immediately smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯m the housekeeper here. You can call me Zhang Sao...¡±

    Zhang Sao suddenly looked like she just remembered something and continued, ¡°Oh my poor memory... I almost forgot! Miss, please wait, I¡¯ll go tell mister...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t have any time to react before Zhang Sao turned around and ran right out of the bedroom.

    After about five or six minutes, footsteps were heard outside the room. Ji Yi could tell those footsteps weren¡¯t Zhao Sao¡¯s.

    Zhao Sao didn¡¯t close the door on her way out, so after hearing those footsteps, Ji Yi turned her head in that direction. In the next instant, He Jichen appeared at the door, fully dressed in all white loungewear.

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37: Let Her Leave (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen for a while,pletely stunned. Her mind slowly caught on.

    Last night, the person who brought me back to their ce was... He Jichen?

    So, the hallucinations I had before I fell unconscious were real?

    That thought crossed Ji Yi¡¯s mind for just a second before she rejected it without hesitation.

    Before she lost consciousness, she saw a pair of leather shoes. That was probably real, but when she heard the anxious cry of ¡°Xiao Yi¡±... now, that must¡¯ve been hearing things.

    Without giving it much consideration, she was certain of it. Why would He Jichen worry about me?

    In the midst of all her wild thoughts, she heard the sound of footsteps from outside again. Then, she heard Zhang Sao say to He Jichen in an extremely respectful voice, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    Ji Yi snapped to her senses when Zhang Sao appeared. She realized toote that He Jichen, who was just at the door, had already made his way to the side of the bed.

    As he drew closer, Ji Yi started to feel incredibly ufortable and instinctively clutched onto the bed sheets out of habit.

    ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯ve brought the congee up. Should the Miss eat now?¡±

    With that, Ji Yi realized that Zhang Sao now had a food tray in her hands.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything. As he stared at Ji Yi¡¯s deathly sp on the bedsheets, he gave Zhang Sao a gentle nod.

    With his permission, Zhang Sao came to the side of the bed. She first ced the food tray on the bedside table. Then, she put two pillows against the head of the bed and took a seat. As she stirred the steaming hot congee, she said to Ji Yi, ¡°Miss, when Dr. Zhu came overst night, he said you had acute enterogastritis, so he put you on a drip...¡±

    So, the sudden pain I feltst night was because of acute enterogastritis... With Zhang Sao¡¯s words, Ji Yi lowered her head and nced over at her arm. There actually was a needle sticking out of the back of her left hand.

    ¡°...Dr. Zhu rmends that you eat light meals for a few days, so I made you some congee. Please have some now, then take your medicine after a while.¡± With that, Zhang Sao brought the spoonful of congee to Ji Yi¡¯s lips.

    Ji Yi stared at the smooth white congee but didn¡¯t eat it. Instead, she turned her head, looked over at He Jichen and said politely, ¡°Thank you forst night.¡±

    The clothes she wore the night before were still on her body. When Ji Yi finished speaking, she removed the covers and attempted to get out the bed.

    ¡°Miss, you were unconscious for so long that you missed breakfast and lunch. Your body is weak, so you should eat something. You can get out of bed in a moment...¡± Zhang Sao said hastily.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± replied Ji Yi to Zhang Sao. She found her shoes on the floor and bent over to pick them up.

    Zhang Sao wanted to try persuading her again, but just as she cried ¡°Miss¡±, He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t said a word since he entered the room, suddenly addressed Zhang Sao, ¡°Please leave first.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He.¡±

    When Zhang Sao got up, He Jichen added, ¡°Give me the congee.¡±

    Zhang Sao hurriedly handed it to him with both hands.

    He Jichen took the congee. After Zhang Sao shut the door on her way out, He Jichen looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°Eat a little. Even if you don¡¯t have an appetite, eat some.¡±

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38: Let Her Leave (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After Ji Yi put her shoes on, she straightened up and said somethingpletely unrted to what He Jichen said, ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry for troubling youst night.¡±

    He Jichen furrowed his brows. His voice didn¡¯t carry any emotion, and his voice remained calm as he said, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t feel like eating congee?¡±

    Aside from the time he said harsh, mocking words to her at the hot spring resort, he either didn¡¯t talk to her at all or he¡¯d say under ten words to her each time, ever since they bumped into each other that first day. To date, this was the first time he spoke calmly with her since they were reunited after four years.

    Ji Yi still thought it was odd. She silently nced at He Jichen for a moment but didn¡¯t reply. Instead, she continued with her own train of thought and said, ¡°I¡¯m much better, so I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡±

    The corners of He Jichen¡¯s lips tightened for a moment. Ji Yi saw a faint hint of annoyance sh across his eyes but when she took a closer look, a sense of calmness had already filled his eyes.

    He stood there on the spot with such calm eyes as he stared at her about to leave. He said, ¡°What do you want to eat? I¡¯ll call someone to make it for you.¡±

    From Ji Yi¡¯s memory, He Jichen rarely had this much patience. If this had been in the past, it would¡¯ve been a miracle for him to hold his anger and try to persuade you more than once. Today, he tried to persuade her three times... Ji Yi felt even more suspicious. After a while, she softly replied to He Jichen and said, ¡°Thank you, but that¡¯s okay.¡±

    As Ji Yi¡¯s voice fell, she felt his expression turn cold. The atmosphere in the room becamepletely tense.

    Ji Yi waited for half a minute, but seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything further, she lifted her legs and prepared to leave.

    Just as she was about to take a step, He Jichen spoke again, ¡°Since you don¡¯t have an appetite, then at least take your medicine.¡±

    As He Jichen said this, he walked over to the bedside table.

    It would¡¯ve been better if He Jichen hadn¡¯t mentioned the medicine, but Ji Yi thought about the money it must¡¯ve cost for her checkup. Paying for itpletely slipped her mind, so she hurriedly said, ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯m sorry. I forgot for a moment there. Could you please let me know how much the medical bill was fromst night?¡±

    With his back turned to Ji Yi, He Jichen¡¯s body tensed up for a moment, then he bent over to put the bowl down.

    He reached his hand out to pick up the home phone as though he hadn¡¯t heard what Ji Yi said, then he pressed a button.

    The call quickly went through. From what Ji Yi could tell, He Jichen called Zhang Sao. ¡°Bring up a cup of water.¡±

    After he hung up, He Jichen grabbed the bag on the bedside table and pulled out a few boxes of medicine. He looked down for a moment, then picked up a pill.

    Just then, Zhang Sao coincidentally walked in with some water. He Jichen took the cup and turned around to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t stupid. Of course she knew He Jichen wanted her to take the medicine, but she didn¡¯t understand why he was treating her so well?

    Last night, he picked her up from the street and took her home. She could justify that by saying he couldn¡¯t refuse to help someone in need, but after she woke up and wanted to leave, shouldn¡¯t he be d?

    Could it be that he¡¯s.. .

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39: Let Her Leave (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Could it possibly be that he¡¯s...

    For some reason, the thought of Lin Ya suddenly shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind. Her whole body froze like her pressure points had been pressed. After some time, she continued her thought.

    ... trying to apologize on behalf of Lin Ya?

    He was Lin Ya¡¯s boyfriend¡ªBo He and Tang Huahua both said she moved in with He Jichen. Yesterday, she saw the two of them together outside the supermarket with her own eyes.

    Back at the hot spring resort, Lin Ya was exposed for doing such outrageous things to me that she moved out of the dorm room. As her boyfriend, he probably didn¡¯t want his girlfriend to fall out like that with her roommates, so maybe that¡¯s why he was so patient with me. He tried to get me to eat the congee and take the medicine to express his apologies. He hoped that I could consider the fact that he saved mest night to stop arguing with Lin Ya over the past...

    Ji Yi knew just how much He Jichen hated her. He definitely wouldn¡¯t have done this out of genuine care for her, so the more she thought about it, the more she was convinced by her own reasoning.

    He Jichen handed the cup of water and medicine to Ji Yi. He waited a moment, then seeing as she was staring at a random spot on the ground with no reaction, he said, ¡°Take the medicine.¡±

    A secondter, it was like he suddenly remembered something. He turned his head towards Zhang Sao who was about to leave and instructed her, ¡°Zhang Sao, find some paper and write down Dr. Zhu¡¯s instructions on how often to take the medicine. Give it to herter...¡±

    Zhang Sao didn¡¯t have time to say ¡°yes¡± before Ji Yi snapped back to reality and the words ¡°It¡¯s okay¡± slipped out.

    After hearing Ji Yi say this, Zhang Sao hurriedly swallowed her words and looked over at He Jichen with a little confusion.

    Ji Yi instinctively knew that Zhang Sao would look to He Jichen for rification, so she turned to look at him too. She repeated it again, ¡°Really, it¡¯s okay...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything, but his gaze towards the door turned nk. After a while, he blinked gently and looked over at Zhang Sao again. He wanted to give her a nod to tell her to do as instructed. All of a sudden, Ji Yi, who stood quietly next to He Jichen for a long time, finally spoke, ¡°You don¡¯t have to do all this for me...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s words had He Jichen confused. He held back a nod and turned his head slightly towards her.

    Ji Yi quietly gulped as she gathered the courage to say these next few words, ¡°...I know the only reason you¡¯re treating me like this is because of what happened back at the hot spring resort. You¡¯re apologizing on Lin Ya¡¯s behalf for what she did to me.¡±

    The corners of He Jichen¡¯s lips pursed tightly. His fingers trembled and gradually started to tense up as he held the cup of water.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t do anything to her. What¡¯s more, I¡¯ll pretend as though you never saved mest night.¡± Ji Yi paused for a moment. Then, she swiftly pulled out her purse, unzipped it and pulled all her cash out in front of him. ¡°This money here should be enough to pay for the medical bills fromst night.¡±

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40: Let Her Leave (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s hand started to gently tremble as he held onto the cup.

    Ji Yi figured that Lin Ya probably had other things to dost night, so she didn¡¯t stay over at He Jichen¡¯s ce, but what if she came backter... Ji Yi wholeheartedly wanted to leave as soon as possible. Seeing He Jichen wasn¡¯t going to take the money from her hands, she put it on the bed then politely bid farewell to He Jichen, ¡°I better be off now to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings and trouble with Lin Ya when she gets back...¡±

    Ji Yi barely finished herst word when He Jichen suddenly smashed the cup hard onto the ground.

    It made an unparalleled, sharp ¡°p!¡± and Ji Yi shut her mouth in shock. She wanted to take a step back to distance herself from He Jichen, but before she could react, He Jichen abruptly took a big step forward. He firmly grabbed her cor and pulled her in front of him.

    He seemed angry. His body trembled slightly, and there was an arctic air that felt apocalyptic. An extremely stifling sensation emanated from his very bones, and it made her want to shudder.

    He looked into her eyes with a cold intensity as though they were two sharp, invisible knives itching to hack her to pieces.

    He panted like crazy. After a good while, he forced the words out between his gritted teeth, ¡°Let me tell you, there¡¯s...¡±

    With that, He Jichen almost let it slip. He suddenly stopped talking and tightly pursed his lips. He just couldn¡¯t bring himself to say the rest ¡°...nothing between Lin Ya and me.¡±

    He opened and closed his lips a few times, but he couldn¡¯t think of a better excuse.

    This doesn¡¯t seem like the first time she¡¯s lumped me and Lin Ya together. She actually took everything I did for her as an apology on behalf of Lin Ya?! What did she say about Lin Yaing back? What right did she have to assume Lin Ya lives in this house... The more He Jichen thought about it, the more he boiled with rage. The bottom of his eyes turned scarlet as he clutched her cor with uncontrobly shaky fingers. He gulped hard but as usual, he didn¡¯t say a word. He eventually forcefully pushed her down with an angry swing.

    Ji Yi¡¯s body felt like a leaf in a violent storm. Without the strength to fight back, she fell to the ground.

    Her head banged against the solid wooden chair with a loud thud.

    Zhang Sao, who was at the door, shrieked in shock when she saw this and rushed over to Ji Yi. ¡°Mr. He, Miss!¡±

    But just when Zhang Sao took barely two steps forward, He Jichen suddenly roared, ¡°Don¡¯t bother with her! Didn¡¯t she want to leave? Let her leave!¡±

    Zhang Sao didn¡¯t dare to move any further as she stood frozen on the spot, so she could only look at Ji Yi with a face full of worry.

    After a few seconds, Ji Yi recovered from the pain in her head, then she silently tried to stand up. She didn¡¯t say a thing, nor did she nce at He Jichen, before striding right out of the bedroom.

    The moment she brushed past him, He Jichen suddenly reached his hand out and hastily grabbed her wrist. He paused between every word as he said, ¡°I warn you, don¡¯t talk about me ever again!¡±

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41: Somewhere in in Sight (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change as she turned to look at He Jichen. She used a little strength to pull her wrist from his clutches, then she turned around and stormed out.

    Her calm andposed demeanor didn¡¯t make the rage in He Jichen¡¯s chest subside; rather, it intensified. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath in hopes of lowering the fury in his chest. However, when he opened his eyes, he saw the outline of her body on the bed. His heart felt incredibly stifled as he turned to watch Ji Yi¡¯s back as she disappeared. He suddenly lost control of his temper and roared in Zhang Sao¡¯s face, ¡°What are you doing still standing there? Quickly take everything she touched in the room and throw it out! So freaking¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish his final word ¡°dirty¡±, He Jichen clearly saw a silhouette sway from his periphery. He suddenly shut his mouth.

    Zhang Sao was so shocked that she didn¡¯t dare reply with a ¡°Yeah.¡± She hurriedly ran over to the bedside and started to tear off the bedsheets and duvet.

    He Jichen stood in the bedroom with a cold expression on his face. It wasn¡¯t until he heard the sound of the living room door being mmed shut that he swiftly turned around and walked out. He entered the study next door, still in a fit of rage, as he mmed the door shut with a deafeningly loud bang.

    He Jichen sat at his desk then turned theptop on. He stared at the screen for no more than two minutes before angrily mming it shut again.

    He shut his eyes and silently leaned back in his chair for a while, expressionless. Suddenly he sat up, grabbed his phone and searched through his WeChat. His fingers hovered over Tang Huahua¡¯s name. He hesitated for a moment but eventually tapped her name and sent her a message.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi wandered around He Jichen¡¯s residential area for a good while before she found the exit.

    On her way out, she walked up the side of the road and tried to hail a taxi. She suddenly heard someone cry, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi turned towards the source of the sound and saw Tang Huahua on the other side of the road.

    ...

    After the intense pain in her stomach, Ji Yi was fine today, but she didn¡¯t dare let her guard down. She had a short chat with Tang Huahua then decided to take a trip to a nearby hospital.

    Coincidentally, Tang Huahua wasn¡¯t busy, so when she heard that Ji Yi was on her way to the hospital, she enthusiastically offered to go with her.

    It was already four in the afternoon when they left the hospital.

    Perhaps because she wasn¡¯t feeling well, Ji Yi took the medicine and went to sleep after returning to the dorm.

    The skies were dark when she woke up. They didn¡¯t know where Bo He was¡ªonly Tang Huahua was in. She was nestled snugly in bed with her earphones in, and every now and then, she let out a giggle. Ji Yi didn¡¯t even need to look; she was certain Tang Huahua was ying games.

    Tang Huahua only realized Ji Yi was awake when she got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She took out her left earphone and said to Ji Yi, ¡°Xiao Yi, you¡¯re awake?¡±

    ¡°Mm,¡± responded Ji Yi.

    Tang Huahua nodded in the direction of Ji Yi¡¯s table. ¡°Xiao Yi, I saw you were asleep, so I didn¡¯t wake you up. I figured that the canteen would be closed when you woke up, so I brought some food back for you.¡±

    That was when Ji Yi saw two thermal containers on her desk. She thanked Tang Huahua before going into the bathroom.

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42: Somewhere in in Sight (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi was really hungry. After she came out of the bathroom, she pulled out a chair, sat down and started to eat the dinner Tang Huahua brought for her.

    From the looks of it, the food was from the First Canteen, but it didn¡¯t quite taste the same; it tasted far better than usual.

    Confused, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but turn her head and ask Tang Huahua, ¡°Did you get this from the First Canteen?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...¡± Tang Huahua stared at her phone screen as her fingers swiped quickly.

    ¡°Why does it taste a little different than usual?¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Tang Huahua¡¯s eyes flickered for a moment. She didn¡¯t say anything for a while, then she put down her phone presumably because her game ended. Then she said to Ji Yi, ¡°Are you just imagining things because you¡¯re too hungry?¡±

    Ji Yi thought Tang Huahua made a good point and she nodded. ¡°Probably.¡±

    Tang Huahua then scrambled out of bed as if she wanted to share an important secret with Ji Yi. She dragged a chair next to Ji Yi, sat down, and said withplete seriousness, ¡°Xiao Yi, guess what? I discovered something unbelievable this afternoon!¡±

    Ji Yi turned and nced at Tang Huahua. Since she still had food in her mouth, her voice was a little muffled, ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s about Lin Ya. I found out He Xuezhang wasn¡¯t actually her boyfriend!¡±

    He Xuezhang... When Ji Yi heard those three words, she thought about what happened at He Jichen¡¯s house that afternoon. Her fingers gently trembled as she held the spoon. She wore a calm expression on her face, lowered her eyes and didn¡¯t say a word.

    Tang Huahua continued on her own tangent, borating on the unbelievable news. ¡°Or so to speak, she never was He Xuezhang¡¯s girlfriend! It¡¯s true that she really did get a new boyfriend recently though. Actually, he¡¯s from our ss¡ªit¡¯s that yboy Yang Shuo, who changes girlfriends like he changes clothes. He thinks he can act this way just because his family has a little money... I think Yang Shuo¡¯s just messing around with Lin Ya.¡±

    As Tang Huahua continued, she suddenly looked like she just figured something out. She let out an ¡°Aha!¡± then said in realization, ¡°I did think there was something strange about Lin Ya and He Xuezhang being together! Now I get it¡ªLin Ya only said she was He Dage¡¯s friend in front of all her friends. One time, I was tempted to call He Dage Lin Ya¡¯s boyfriend, but Lin Ya smacked me before I could. At the time, I didn¡¯t understand why but didn¡¯t really ask her about it. Now that I think about it, Lin Ya was the only one in love all along; she called herself He Dage¡¯s girlfriend...¡±

    So, Lin Ya and He Jichen were never together? But whether they were together or not has nothing to do with me anyway... Ji Yi paused for a moment then continued to finish her dinner in silence.

    ¨C

    The fifth time Zhang Sao reappeared at the doors of the study room, He Jichen was still standing motionless in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

    Illuminated by the billions of lights outside the window, his gentle manner and handsomeness looked picture-perfect.

    ¡°Mr. He, would you like to have dinner?¡±

    Just like the first four attempts, Zhang Sao was again met with silence.

    Xhang Sao stood there for a while. She nned to leave ande back again around eleven to check on him.

    Zhang Sao hadn¡¯t yet left when He Jichen¡¯s phone suddenly went off.

    Zhang Sao instinctively turned her head to see that he brought the phone to his face reflexively. From his actions, it looked like he had been standing there just waiting for the phone to ring.

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43: Somewhere in in Sight (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Zhang Sao¡¯s eyesight was superb. Though she and He Jichen were quite a distance apart, she still managed to catch a glimpse of his phone screen.

    Even though she couldn¡¯t clearly see the words on his screen, she did see that he¡¯d received quite a few messages. They didn¡¯t look like long messages though; there were each just a few characters long.

    Yet he stared intensely at those few words as though he was afraid to miss something important.

    Zhang Sao didn¡¯t want to disturb He Jichen, so she silently retreated out of the study and closed the door on her way out.

    The atmosphere in the room became increasingly quiet.

    He Jichen still stared unwaveringly at the few messages Tang Huahua sent him.

    ¡°He Xuezhang, Xiao Yi went to the hospital. The doctor says she¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi went to bed as soon as she returned to the dorm. After she woke up, she ate the dinner you sent over.¡±

    ¡°I told Xiao Yi about the truth regarding Lin Ya without leaving out a single word, just as you instructed.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi just took her medicine, had a shower, watched tv dramas for a while, then went to sleep.¡±

    Because he hadn¡¯t touched the screen for a while, his phone locked automatically. He Jichen stood still, staring at his phone with no reaction as though he felt nothing.

    After who knows how long, his phone rang again and the screen lit up. He Jichen nced over at the notification on the locked screen. It was Tang Huahua again. ¡°He Dage, why do you treat Xiao Yi so well?¡±

    Why?

    He Jichen stared at that word for a long time before he softly blinked. He looked out at the billions of glowing lights outside the window.

    Lately, that word has popped up the most, hasn¡¯t it?

    A while back, when he bumped into Li Da at the hot spring resort, Li Da asked him ¡°Chen Ge, why did you do it?¡± when he learned that He Jichen went to study at B-film.

    Yesterday at the China World Hotel, Beijing, Han Zhifan asked him, ¡°I just don¡¯t get it. Why did you give up your bright future and limitless glory to start again from scratch?¡±

    Li Da and Han Zhifan... one asked if he was crazy, the other called him depressed.

    Even Han Zhifan said it¡ªhe was afraid that one day, he¡¯de to regret his decision.

    But how could they understand? He wasn¡¯t actually crazy or depressed; he clearly knew what he was doing. If he didn¡¯t go to B-film, that would be something he¡¯d regret one day.

    Going to a prestigious school, getting an unconditional offer to go to an American University, worked as a CEO of a listedpany, working for He Enterprises... so what? So what if I have a bright future ahead of me?

    He didn¡¯t want any of those things. What he wanted was to put her somewhere he could see her.

    As long as I can see her, that¡¯d be enough... simply seeing her would be enough...

    He Jichen stared out the window in a daze. Over the years, he had the same thought¡ªas long as he could see her, that¡¯d be enough. Throughout all these years, he never hoped that he¡¯d be able to have her. He was just lucky that night four years ago when fate intertwined the two of them in an idental mix up.

    He Jichen clearly remembered it was June 1st¡ªChildren¡¯s Day¡ªa week before their college entrance exam.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44: Somewhere in in Sight (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As time shed by He Jichen¡¯s mind, his thoughts were dragged back to four years ago.

    ...

    It was a weekend. There were no sses in the afternoon or evening. With the ss president¡¯s permission, the ss council organized a dinner party to mark the end of their senior high life.

    At first with the teacher around, nobody drank, but as soon as the teacher left, the guys in the ss called the waiter and ordered a couple of cases of beer.

    Farewells are inevitably sad. The room full of ssmates didn¡¯t hold back as everyone¡¯s cups were filled with beer.

    Everyone forgot all the sorrows of the past three years as they chatted about the good times. Their beers were quickly finished. In the end, practically everyone, including himself, had way too much to drink.

    The guys in the ss were obviously a drunken mess, but they continued to drink bottle after bottle.

    With his head already spinning, he was afraid that he¡¯d ckout, so he found an excuse to leave the room and go to the bathroom.

    He washed his face, which slightly woke him up a little. He stood in the hallway and pulled out a cigarette. He was just about to light it when he saw Ji Yi stagger out from the women¡¯s restroom.

    His finger paused on the lighter. Before he could speak, she shed him a bright smile then sashayed over to him.

    She was obviously drunk since she couldn¡¯t even stand up straight. Her body swayed from side to side. He was so afraid she¡¯d fall over that he reached his hand out to support her.

    Once she was steady, she tried hard to tiptoe and bring her face to his. After carefully checking him up and down as though she was trying to figure out who he was, the corner of her lips formed a goofy smile.

    She giggled as she let out a hup and mumbled the word ¡°He.¡± Then, she lifelessly threw herself into his arms.

    He knew that she¡¯d passed out.

    The hotel was above the restaurant, so he called a waiter to help him book a room. He grabbed the room key and carried her upstairs.

    He put her on the bed, pulled the covers over her, and prepared to leave. However, she drunkenly reached her arms out and hugged his neck.

    He tried to pull her arms off a few times but failed. He was afraid to hurt her, so he didn¡¯t dare use force. Not to mention, this was the first time he¡¯d ever gotten so close to her. He gave up struggling and let her hold him.

    Having just turned of age, he really didn¡¯t think of doing anything with her. Coincidentally, she also just turned of age.

    At most, he imagined that the two of them could innocentlyy in bed together fully dressed and sleep all night.

    Yet he underestimated her sex appeal and overestimated his level of self-control with her.

    How it started... he couldn¡¯t exactly remember because he had as much to drink as she did.

    Maybe he made the first move by reaching over to her neck and slowly stroking her, or maybe she was responsible by grabbing his waist with her outstretched arms. Maybe they both wanted each other at the same time.

    In short, when he came to, their clothes were already stripped bare.

    In that moment, how could he possibly still have his senses intact after seeing her naked, fair skin? With no hesitation at all, he lowered his head and kissed her hard on her lips.

    They were very quiet. It wasn¡¯t until he entered her body that she let out a low shriek of pain.

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45: Somewhere in in Sight (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He suddenly stopped and tightly held her hand, because he felt sorry for her. With an unprecedented gentleness, he kissed her on her brows, her face, her corbone...

    He waited until her body gradually rxed. Then, he tried again.

    He didn¡¯t dare go hard, afraid of hurting her. He was so gentle and slow like he was guarding the most precious jewel in the world.

    He waited for her to slowly adapt to him before moving faster.

    Everything he felt was like a wonderful dream, an ethereal dream. It wasn¡¯t until they¡¯d finished that hey there in disbelief.

    He was on top of her for quite some time before he looked directly at her face.

    Her beautiful face was mere inches from his, but he still reached his arm out to tenderly caress it. It wasn¡¯t until his fingers felt her smooth skin that he realized it was all real and snapped back to his senses.

    In that moment, he looked at her with softness, full of uncontained joy.

    He couldn¡¯t help but grab her little hand and put her soft fingers to the corner of his lips. Every now and then he bit them lightly and kissed them softly.

    Her body trembled lightly under his affection. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.

    She hadn¡¯t sobered up yet, but through her tipsiness, her dark eyes glowed with the reflection of the lights in the room.

    In that moment, he stared drunkenly into her eyes. He clearly saw his own image reflected back at him.

    He didn¡¯t know just how long they stared at each other, but his body grew increasingly warm. Sparks flew.

    He lost control once again and kissed her lips.

    She didn¡¯t struggle. This time, she wasn¡¯t as ufortable and inexperienced as before. This time, her body was far more soft andpliant, so much so that her arms reached out andtched onto his shoulders.

    His body shivered violently, then he exerted full strength from his body to dive into her.

    Compared to the first time, the second time was far wilder andsted much longer.

    She bit her bottom lip, and just as they reached climax, she couldn¡¯t help but let out a low moan.

    Even though her voice was soft, he heard it clearly.

    He stopped suddenly and stared unwaveringly at her for quite some time. Then, he flipped over to the side, away from her panting body.

    She was exhausted. As soon as they finished, she shut her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

    But he wasn¡¯t the least bit sleepy. His mind was frighteningly awake.

    The air in the room was filled with their scent. With every inhtion, his heart felt like it had been ruthlessly struck by a thousand cuts.

    It was summer, and due to his vigorous movements, his whole body was drenched in sweat. Yet he felt like his whole body had been through ice and snow, as a cold breeze travelled through the depths of his bones.

    He didn¡¯t stay in the room for long. He quickly jumped out of bed, took a shower, got dressed, and left.

    His ssmates in the private room on the second floor had already left. Alone on the streets at night, he stared at the light from themppost not too far away. The words she said in her low, mellow voice while under his body suddenly rang in his ears.

    ...

    As he stood on the balcony, He Jichen quietly thought back to the past. But then, he snapped back to reality and forced himself to stop.

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46: Somewhere in in Sight (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Even if four years had passed, he still didn¡¯t have the courage to recollect the words she said that night.

    But even so, he could clearly feel his raw heart start to ache at the thought of what happened that night.

    Did you know?

    In the passing years, only once have I loved a person deeply.

    Unbeknownst to her, I have quietly, quietlye to her side.

    ¨C

    Maybe it was because she was at He Jichen¡¯s house for too long that she ended up sleeping again when she got back to the dorm. The next day, Ji Yi was awake before it was even light out.

    She was afraid to wake the others up in the dorm, so sheid in bed and yed on her phone. Ji Yi opened Weibo, but before she could read the headlines, an older article grabbed her attention. It read, ¡°Casting for director Liang Wenxin¡¯s new movie has officially started¡±.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t resist clenching her fingers tightly as her mind involuntarily wandered to the events of four years ago.

    ...

    Four years ago, she returned a lot sooner to Beijing from Sucheng than nned because of He Jichen. Some good came from this as she bumped into a talent scout in the airport the very same day she arrived in Beijing.

    At first, she thought he was a con artist, but one weekter, the scout actually called her to invite her to a screen test.

    She didn¡¯t have much to do that summer after college entrance exams, and since she liked to act so much that she wrote that she aspired to go to B-film on her college application, she didn¡¯t hesitate to agree to the screen test over the phone.

    After the screen test ended, Ji Yi went home. The next day, she got a call from the production team, telling her that she was chosen by the director for the role as the supporting actress for Infinite Grace .

    And so, she spent the first month of the semester on the production set.

    Infinite Grace was released around the country in November. Well-known directors, and the A-list male and female celebrity from this movie quickly became popr all over China.

    Of course, it was surprising for the supporting female actress to also gain fame.

    Someone once said that her outstanding looks only came once every ten years. Another said that a natural talent for acting was in her bones, and every frown and smile of hers could be considered acting. The next screen queen of the entertainment industry was going to be the legendary Ji Yi.

    In short, she became an overnight sensation. By the end of November, she was invited to be the female lead for a big production historical drama titled The Queens.

    In April of the second year, The Queens became a popr show. As the female lead, she became the focus of millions of people¡¯s attention. Commercials, endorsements, television dramas... the offers came pouring in one after the other. She was even approached by investmentpanies who wanted to invest in an office for her...

    At the time, her future really was limitless, her name was honourable, and her career was a sess.

    But just as she finished negotiations for an office of her own, finally established a name for herself and signed on to a new film, she suddenly got into a car ident, which made her slip into a three-year-longa.

    At the time, although she was still hot on the scene, she had only just entered the entertainment industry and hadn¡¯t quite found her feet. What¡¯s more, the industry was not short of neers.

    So, the unbound glory of her past disappeared without a trace, like dispersed clouds during her deep slumber. Ji Yi, an entertainment industry legend, suddenly vanished off the radar.

    After she woke up, the only road she could continue to walk down was the path back to school to continue her years in university.

    ...

    At that thought, Ji Yi blinked gently. In the past half year, she had been waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity to make aeback in the entertainment industry. She thought this might be her chance.

    Liang Wenxin was Infinite Grace¡¯s director. She had his contact info on her phone, but after three years, he would¡¯ve probably forgotten about her by now. She was afraid that if she called him out of the blue, he wouldn¡¯t even want to talk to her.

    Ji Yi was deep in thought for a moment, then she flipped through her timetable and saw that she didn¡¯t have any sses in the afternoon. She decided to take a personal trip to Director Liang¡¯s office.

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47: Somewhere in in Sight (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was already three in the afternoon when Ji Yi made her way over to director Liang¡¯s office.

    She didn¡¯t have an appointment, so as soon as she entered the lobby, she was stopped by a young, beautifuldy at the front desk. ¡°Miss, may I ask who you¡¯re looking for?¡±

    ¡°Director Liang Wenxin,¡± replied Ji Yi.

    Thedy at the front desk picked up the phone and made a call. After a few words in a quiet voice, she put the phone down and gave a polite smile. She raised her head and said to Ji Yi, ¡°Miss, I¡¯m sorry but Director Liang isn¡¯t in the office.¡±

    Director Liang isn¡¯t in the office? Ji Yi thought to herself for two seconds, then changed the question. ¡°Excuse me, is Xu Yi still director Liang¡¯s assistant?¡±

    Xu Yi was director Liang¡¯s assistant before her ident. When she was on set for Infinite Grace , she was considerably close to him.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Is he in the office?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Madam please wait.¡± Thedy at the front desk picked up the phone, ¡°Assistant Xu, there¡¯s a ...¡±

    Thedy at the front desk paused, then looked at Ji Yi. Before she could ask for her name, Ji Yi responded, ¡°Ji Yi.¡±

    Thedy at the front desk continued to speak over the phone, ¡°Miss Ji Yi is here for you.¡±

    She didn¡¯t know what Xu Yi said over the phone, but thedy replied with an ¡°alright¡± then hung up the phone. Then she escorted Ji Yi to the elevators. ¡°Assistant Xu is on the seventh floor.¡±

    Ji Yi took the elevator up, and when she reached the first floor, the elevator doors opened. There, she suddenly bumped into Xu Yi himself.

    Compared to four years ago, Xu Yi had aged a little. He still remembered her, so he chuckled and cried ¡°Xiao Yi¡± the moment he saw her. Then, he escorted her to his office.

    Since Xu Yi had worked in the industry for a long time, of course he knew Ji Yi was there to see him for something. After some casual conversation, he cut right to the chase. ¡°You¡¯re here for director Liang¡¯s new movie, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± openly admitted Ji Yi, without any holding back. ¡°I saw on the news today that director Liang is casting for this new movie, so I came to see what¡¯s up.¡±

    To her surprise, Xu Yi was still a sentimental person. After hearing her words, he didn¡¯t hesitate to tell her, ¡°Xiao Yi, you know I don¡¯t have the power to cast people, so I can¡¯t guarantee that you can feature in director Liang¡¯s new movie. However, I can rmend you to director Liang. It¡¯s up to you if you can actually get the part.¡±

    After a pause, Xu Yi said, ¡°It¡¯s like this: I¡¯m seeing director Liang tonight, so I¡¯ll casually mention you to him. When the timees, I¡¯ll give you a call.¡±

    With that, Xu Yi looked like he just remembered something. ¡°Oh right, what¡¯s your number?¡±

    Ji Yi gave her thanks and left her number with him. Seeing how Xu Yi was probably busy since his phone rang non-stop on his desk, she politely said her goodbyes and left.

    Aftering out of Xu Yi¡¯s office, Ji Yi walked towards the elevator, then heard her name being called with a hesitant voice, ¡°Ji...Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi suddenly froze. After some time, she turned her head. A pretty figure was reflected in her eyes.

    It was someone Ji Yi could not be more familiar with.

    If He Jichen was the person she was most unwilling to see in the world, then this woman was not far behind.

    Her name was Qian Ge. From Sucheng to B-film, Ji Yi had known her for ten whole years.

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48: Somewhere in in Sight (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi once thought of Qian Ge as the most important friend in her life, but Qian Ge never reciprocated the feeling. As things changed over the years, so did their strong, supposedly evesting friendship.

    When she was young, she and Qian Ge had the same dream to be a star.

    However, Qian Ge was luckier than she was, yet also unluckier in other ways.

    What¡¯s lucky was that Qian Ge first went on TV at the age of six and was crowned as a ¡°child actor¡±.

    What¡¯s unlucky was that although Qian Ge clearly had a good start, she never made it big.

    She and Qian Ge made a pact when they were in senior high: if there came a day when either of them made it big, neither one would leave the other behind.

    She remembered their pact well, so four years ago, she used her nationwide fame from Infinite Grace and The Queens to rmend Qian Ge to the director, which helped Qian Gend the role of supporting female.

    Not every supporting actress was lucky enough to be popr. After The Queens became popr, everyone remembered Ji Yi and didn¡¯t pay attention to Qian Ge.

    She knew she was upset, and she even tried tofort her. When she took onmercials, she always rmended Qian Ge to investors. Of course, while she took on new projects, she never forgot to help her friend get roles. When she obtained an office, she even let Qian Ge be one of her partners.

    She hadn¡¯t changed, so she thought Qian Ge hadn¡¯t either. However, she wasn¡¯t Qian Ge, and she didn¡¯t understand how it psychologically affected Qian Ge to be the weaker of the two after having such a strong start.

    When she got into the ident, she hadn¡¯t suspected Qian Ge in the slightest; she assumed that the ident was simply because of drunk driving. It wasn¡¯t until half a year after she woke up that she realized that her office had be Qian Ge¡¯s, and Xie Siyao, who stole the supporting actress role on The Queens, was now one of her partners. Then she realized that the drunk driver three years ago was one of Xie Siyao¡¯s boyfriends. She connected that with the fact that the only person who knew about her ident was Qian Ge, and she was meant to be in the car with her that night on her way back to B-film. However, Qian Ge found an excuse to get out of the car en route just before the ident happened...

    That¡¯s when she realized her car ident was no ordinary ident. It was jointly nned by Qian Ge and Xie Siyao.

    When she found out the truth, three long years had passed, so there was no way to investigate it.

    Her unexpected ident happened at the beginning of filming the drama, when Qian Gended the role as the supporting actress. After the ident, Qian Ge¡¯s role was given to Xie Siyao to y.

    Ji Yi had personally chosen the script, as the topics were fresh and original, and the storylines were sufficient. Just as she predicted, that drama blew up as soon as it aired, enabling Qian Ge, who made her first public appearance at six years old and had fourteen whole years of experience, to finally make it.

    From then on, Qian Ge had been doing exceedingly well in the entertainment industry. In three short years, she became an A-lister in the entertainment industry.

    Not only that, but Qian Ge stole her office, which was put on the market in the beginning of the year for an estimated four billion in value.

    And as for Ji Yi, who Qian Ge trampled on?

    The glory she had before was gone. The office she established from scratch was gone, all the people she studied university with had graduated, and she was forced to finish her studies at B-film alone.

    For Ji Yi, who had thought back to all of this in an instant, stared at Qian Ge with a dark expression in her eyes.

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49: Somewhere in in Sight (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She was struggling at the bottom, while Qian Ge had everything that once belonged to her. She now stood at the peak, where things were smooth sailing for her. How could I not be hurt by this? How could I not be angry?

    ¡°Ah, it really is you, Xiao Yi.¡± Compared to how Ji Yi struggled to contain her thoughts, Qian Ge appeared far calmer than her. ¡°I thought I was mistaking someone else for you just now.¡±

    As Qian Ge said that, she nced over at the two assistants behind her, hinting for them to leave.

    When it was just Qian Ge and Ji Yi alone, Qian Ge strode over elegantly in her heels towards Ji Yi.

    She looked Ji Yi up and down then put on a smile and said, ¡°Long time no see, Xiao Yi.¡±

    There were some things on both of their minds, but before exposing her, Ji Yi tried to be just as calm and even-tempered as Qian Ge was.

    At that thought, Ji Yi blinked and snapped back to reality. The corners of her lips curved into a sweet and beautiful smile. She answered warmly, ¡°Yeah, we haven¡¯t seen each other for a while.¡±

    Seeing Ji Yi smile, Qian Ge¡¯s smile turned even brighter. ¡°Xiao Yi, when did you wake up? You probably know from the tabloids that I¡¯ve been busy for two years taking on jobs non-stop, so I haven¡¯t had much time for anything else.¡±

    Of course, Ji Yi noticed how Qian Ge emphasized the word ¡°jobs.¡± Ji Yi got the message. She was showing off and trying to make her lose her temper. Ji Yi lowered her eyes slightly and kept the smile stered on her face as though she hadn¡¯t heard Qian Ge¡¯s hint. She used the same tone of voice and continued, ¡°I¡¯ve been awake for half a year now.¡±

    ¡°Oh I see...¡± responded Qian Ge half-heartedly as she realized that her ¡°weapon¡± had turned into a cotton bud and it looked like nothing could trigger Ji Yi. She turned to look at the door next to Ji Yi and casually asked, ¡°Looking for Xu Yi about director Liang¡¯s new movie?¡±

    Ji Yi pursed her lips and admitted honestly, ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Qian Ge lowered her eyes slightly and put on a smile. ¡°Director Liang¡¯s movies aren¡¯t easy to get into now. Compared to four years ago, casting has be far more demanding.¡± With a pause, Qian Ge lifted her eyelids, stared at Ji Yi, and said half-jokingly yet also provokingly, ¡°What¡¯s more, Xiao Yi, you aren¡¯t the same person you were four years ago.¡±

    Of course, Ji Yi knew Qian Ge was trying to provoke her, but what a shame... Ji Yi wasn¡¯t the weak type, and she never allowed herself to lose shamefully.

    At that thought, Ji Yi nced calmly over at Qian Ge and replied nonchntly, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m not the same as I was four years ago. Now, I want to im my rightful title as Queen Bee of the entertainment industry...¡±

    With a pause, Ji Yi copied Qian Ge¡¯s tone of voice. She sounded like she was joking but her reply was also threatening, ¡°...So Qian Ge, you have to be careful now. Don¡¯t let me steal your thunder and take your spot.¡±

    Qian Ge froze at Ji Yi¡¯s words. The coldness in her smiling eyes seemed far more obvious than before. She seemed afraid to get a taste of her own medicine after stealing Ji Yi¡¯s title. She lowered her head to nce at her watch and changed the topic, ¡°I have some other business to attend to; I¡¯m gonna take off. If we get some time, let¡¯s talk again.¡±

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50: Somewhere in in Sight (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything but smiled as she watched Qian Ge leave. Ji Yi¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t turnpletely cold until Qian Ge disappeared out of sight.

    She wasn¡¯t joking with Qian Ge; her threat was genuine.

    Ji Yi definitely wasn¡¯t the type to let people bully her without fighting back. In her book, these words were of utmost importance: Never let anyone get away with threatening you.

    She definitely wouldn¡¯t allow Qian Ge to steal her title and live a bright and beautiful life that she didn¡¯t deserve.

    She would use all her power to make Qian Ge and Xie Siyao give back every little thing they owed her.

    No matter if it was her spot as Queen Bee, her office, or even their current sess... She wanted them to give it all back!

    ¨C

    Director Liang¡¯spany was quite close to Ji Yi¡¯s parent¡¯s house. Since she identally left her cafeteria card there on herst visit and had been temporarily using Tang Huahua¡¯s card, she hailed a taxi and went straight to her parent¡¯s house to pick it up.

    After dinner, Ji Yi noticed it was still early, so she sat on her sofa and started to watch TV.

    Her mother cut up some fruit and brought it to her as she took a seat and watched TV with her for a while. Then, she suddenly looked like she remembered something and turned her head to ask Ji Yi, ¡°Xiao Yi, how is Jichen these days?¡±

    As her mother said this, the words He Jichen said to her yesterday at his house suddenly rang in her ears. He told her, ¡°I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t talk about me ever again!¡±

    Ji Yi paused as she was about to pick up an apple slice. She really didn¡¯t want to reply.

    ¡°Xiao Yi?! Mama¡¯s asking a question!¡± said Ji Yi¡¯s mother emphatically as she watched her daughter remain silent for some time.

    After Ji Yi slowly swallowed the apple, she unwilling replied, ¡°Quite good.¡±

    Her mother could tell this was a half-hearted reply. ¡°Forget it, I can¡¯t trust you.¡±

    Ji Yi figured it was over, but then her mother said, ¡°When you were back in Sucheng, your He Ayi looked after you so well. Now that Jichen is in Beijing, we haven¡¯t done anything for him. Xiao Yi, don¡¯t you live quite close to Jichen? On your way home, why don¡¯t you stop by his ce and drop off some nutrient supplements I prepared for him.¡±

    Ji Yi instinctively declined, ¡°I don¡¯t know where he lives.¡±

    After a pause, Ji Yi added, ¡°What¡¯s more, I don¡¯t even have his number, so I can¡¯t even call him. How am I supposed to give...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish, her mum held up her phone and pressed a few buttons. With that, the phone in Ji Yi¡¯s hands rang ¡°ding-dong.¡± She looked down to find that her mum had sent her a text with eleven digits.

    Her mum didn¡¯t need to exin; she knew it was He Jichen¡¯s number.

    Ji Yi knew if her mum wanted something done, nobody could say ¡°no.¡± Since her mum would probably pester her about this non-stop, she figured it¡¯d be best to just get on with it.

    Worstes to worst, she could just take the supplements back to the dorm and give them to Bo He and Tang Huahua...

    Ji Yi¡¯s n was foiled all too soon as she had only punched half the digits into her phone before her mother snatched the phone from her. Before she could even react, her mother quickly punched in the rest of the numbers. ¡°Jichen ah... It¡¯s your Ji Bomu 1 .¡±

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51: Shut Your Mouth (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi sat right next to her mum. She could hear He Jichen¡¯s polite voice through the phone over the sound of the television, ¡°Hello Ji Bomu.¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if she was hearing things, but He Jichen¡¯s voice sounded slightly hoarse, a little weak.

    Her mum noticed it too as she said worriedly, ¡°Jichen, what¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t sound too good. Are you sick?¡±

    ¡°No, I just woke up.¡± He Jichen cleared his throat and reverted back to his usual elegant and polite voice.

    ¡°Oh that¡¯s good...¡± Her mother let out a sigh of relief then cut to the chase. ¡°...It¡¯s like this, Jichen. Your Ji Bofu 1 went on a business trip a while back and bought some nutritional supplements. We figured that since you¡¯re in Beijing, we wanted to give you some. Ji Yi happened toe back home today, and since she lives close to your house, I¡¯ll have her bring some over for you. What time is most convenient for you?¡±

    Maybe it was because it was her mum instead of her speaking, but He Jichen didn¡¯t reveal any annoyance or hatred about Ji Yiing over. In fact, his tone of voice was still as elegant and polite as usual. ¡°Anytime is good for me.¡±

    When Ji Yi¡¯s mum heard He Jichen say this, she decided to set a time. ¡°Then, how aboutter tonight? The supplements have expiry dates and since Xiao Yi has ss tomorrow, she might not have timeter on when she gets busy.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Ji Bomu.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Ji Yi¡¯s mother was left grinning from ear to ear by He Jichen¡¯s politeness. Before she hung up the phone, she suddenly remembered that she didn¡¯t have his address and said, ¡°Jichen, text your address to this number. It¡¯s Ji Yi¡¯s number.¡±

    After hanging up the phone, the tone ¡°ding-dong¡± was heard through Ji Yi¡¯s phone.

    It was a text from the same eleven digits that her mother just dialed. Aside from the name of the residential area and apartment number, there were no words apanying the address. That was just He Jichen¡¯s style.

    ...

    Had her mum not called him, Ji Yi would¡¯ve undoubtedly eaten the supplements in private. Now after that call, there was a chance He Jichen and her mother would bring it up if they bumped into each other. Her mother would definitely tear her to pieces if she didn¡¯t pass the supplements on to He Jichen, so no matter how unwilling Ji Yi was, she had to force herself to take a trip to the address He Jichen sent her.

    He Jichen lived in a ssy residential area and his property management services were exceptional. After Ji Yi reached He Jichen¡¯s estate, she took a turn into the property management center in hopes of just leaving the pills there so He Jichen could pick them up himself.

    However, they had a rule where the homeowner had to give prior consent before things were dropped off. After hearing Ji Yi¡¯s exnation, the attendant gave He Jichen a call, but after a few rings, nobody picked up the home phone or cell. Eventually, the attendant apologized and refused to let Ji Yi leave the package there.

    Ji Yi carried the supplements out of the center and contemted for a while before eventually heading over to He Jichen¡¯s apartment on the sixteenth floor.

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52: Shut Your Mouth (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When Ji Yi reached He Jichen¡¯s floor, she hesitantly stood in front of his door for a while, then raised her hand to press the doorbell.

    The doorbell rang for a long time without any answer until it stopped automatically.

    He Jichen¡¯s not home? That can¡¯t be right. Mum clearly told him that I¡¯d being over tonight... Ji Yi furrowed her brows and raised her hand to press the button again.

    Just like the first time, it rang till the end and the door didn¡¯t open in the slightest. Nor did it look like it was going to be opened by anyone.

    Maybe something urgent came up, so he had to leave at thest moment?

    Ji Yi thought hard about it for a moment and figured this was great. She came and he wasn¡¯t home, but she could tell her mum that she tried. Then she could tell her mum that she was busy with ss, and she didn¡¯t have time to go a second time...

    At that thought, Ji Yi carried the supplements and headed back to the elevator doors. She reached her hand out, but just as she was about to press the button, a ¡°ka-cha!¡± was heard from behind her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s entire body tensed up. After two seconds, she turned her head and looked over.

    He Jichen¡¯s door was shut tight earlier, but there was now a crack at the door. Someone had pulled it open.

    She didn¡¯t know why he was sote toe to the door, but it waspletely open a short whileter.

    He Jichen was dressed in sky-blue pajamas and his hair was aplete mess. It was just as he told her mum over the phone¡ªhe had only just woken up. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because he was under the corridor lights, but his face looked pale.

    He saw her but didn¡¯t make a sound.

    After what happened four years ago, Ji Yi always felt weird about seeing He Jichen. She stood there nervously on the spot for a while before she calmed down and walked over to him, carrying the supplements.

    She didn¡¯t get too close. When she was about a meter away, she stopped and raised the bag to his face without even looking up at him. She quickly said, ¡°My mum wanted me to give these to you.¡±

    Seeing as he didn¡¯t take them after about a minute, she bent over to put them on the floor. ¡°So er... it¡¯s gettingte, I¡¯ll be heading out now.¡±

    As she said that, Ji Yi turned around and rushed towards the elevator.

    Because He Jichen was behind her, she was a little tense as she pressed the elevator button.

    As she watched the red numbers change on the elevator, she prayed for it to go faster. Just when she saw that it had arrived at He Jichen¡¯s floor, she suddenly heard a ¡°dong!¡± from behind her.

    Ji Yi instinctively turned her head to find He Jichen, who had been standing at the door, had now fallen to the ground...

    That was when Ji Yi saw his face clearly. His face wasn¡¯t pale because of the corridor lights¡ªit was really drained of blood.

    His brows and eyes were shut tight. He lookedpletely exhausted and his whole body looked unwell.

    So he didn¡¯t sound weak over the phone because he¡¯d just woken up; it was because he¡¯s... sick?

    ¡°Ding-dong!¡± Ji Yi averted her attention from He Jichen and turned to look at the elevator. It coincidentally opened at that exact moment.

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53: Shut Your Mouth (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi stared at the elevator for some time before she nced back at He Jichen, whoid lifelessly on the ground. She struggled for a long time as though she¡¯d been hurled into the trap of making a difficult decision. Seeing as no one entered, the elevator doors closed again. She suddenly reached her hand out to stop the doors.

    The elevator doors opened again. She gritted her teeth, raised her legs and walked into the elevator.

    She avoided ncing over at He Jichen on the floor, in fear that she¡¯d get soft-hearted and change her mind. She stared straight ahead at the elevator doors closing.

    The elevator went all the way down. When it reached the first floor, the door opened and Ji Yi couldn¡¯t wait to run out. She didn¡¯t slow down and only let out a sigh of relief when she exited He Jichen¡¯s apartment block.

    For a long time, they had nothing to do with each other. What¡¯s more, he said he never wanted to see her face again, so even if he was in such bad shape, it was none of her business.

    With that thought, Ji Yi shook her head vigorously to shake off the image of pale-faced He Jichen on the ground.

    He said it before, he never wanted to see her face again. He also said that he never wanted her to talk about him, so there was no need for her to avoid him or embarrass herself, yet she still turned up tonight... But just the day before yesterday, she fainted on the streets because of her stomach pain and he was the one who brought her to his house...

    Ji Yi almost made it to the gates of the residential area when she suddenly stopped.

    She tightly pursed her lips and stared straight at the road ahead with firmly balled up fists.

    She learned from Tang Huahua that Lin Ya and He Jichen weren¡¯t actually in a rtionship, so naturally, this meant that He Jichen hadn¡¯t brought her back to his home to apologize on behalf of Lin Ya... She couldn¡¯t figure out the real reason, and she didn¡¯t want to think about this anymore, but she didn¡¯t want to have to owe him a favour either...

    At that thought, Ji Yi took a hard gulp and decided to turn around and go back to He Jichen.

    As she got out of the elevator, Ji Yi took a deep breath and walked over to He Jichen¡¯s door. She bent down. As she dragged He Jichen¡¯s arm up, she felt the heat from his body through his shirt. Her fingers quivered for a moment before she used all the strength in her body to drag the unconscious He Jichen into the apartment.

    He Jichen¡¯s apartment had two floors. From thest time she was there, she learned that his bedroom was on the second floor. However, she wasn¡¯t strong enough to get him up there.

    The ground floor didn¡¯t have a bedroom, and Zhang Sao, who she metst time, wasn¡¯t in. Ji Yi scanned the surroundings and noticed there was an exercise room with a clean yoga mat, so she figured she may as well leave He Jichen there.

    Ji Yi first picked up the supplements from outside the door and brought them into the apartment. She closed the door behind her and went upstairs.

    He Jichen¡¯s bedroom door was left open, so with just one glimpse, she saw the contents of a medicine box scattered on the ground.

    He Jichen must¡¯ve tried to reach for some medicine when he felt sick... Ji Yi grabbed the duvet and carried it out of the bedroom. On her way out, she also put all the medicine back into the box and carried it downstairs with her.

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54: Shut Your Mouth (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi first pulled the covers over He Jichen, then sat casually on the floor. She pulled out a thermometer from the medical kit and put under He Jichen¡¯s armpit.

    Her fingers identally touched his chest. It was just as firm as it was four years ago, and it still had the ability to make her feel all warm inside.

    Ji Yi instantly thought back to that night so many years ago, and the image of their bodies intertwining caused her entire body to shiver. She swiftly pulled her hand back and repeatedly pinched herself. She only stopped when the painpletely masked the feel of He Jichen¡¯s skin.

    As Ji Yi checked He Jichen¡¯s temperature, she searched the medicine kit for fever medication.

    The medicine kit was unused. She figured that He Jichen must not have had enough time to take the medicine before he heard her ring the doorbell.

    Ji Yi read the instructions carefully. Then she got up, went to the kitchen, and returned with a cup of hot water.

    She put the cup on the ground. To avoid touching his skin again, Ji Yi pulled out the thermometer far more carefully than before.

    He Jichen¡¯s temperature was nearly forty degrees.

    Ji Yi put down the thermometer and hurriedly gave He Jichen medicine. Thankfully, in his hazy feverish state, he still instinctively knew to swallow. Even though quite a bit of water seeped through his lips, the medicine made its way in.

    The instructions clearly said that if the patient¡¯s fever didn¡¯t subside in the next four hours, take another dose.

    Ji Yi really didn¡¯t want to be in the same room as He Jichen, but luckily he was asleep, so she felt a lot morefortable.

    Night slowly fell.

    Ji Yi stared at her phone for a long time; her eyes were a little exhausted. She then shifted her gaze to look out the window.

    The lights were on in the room, so the floor-to-ceiling windows became a mirror. She could clearly see the reflection of her and He Jichen in the window.

    She stared unwaveringly at his face for a long time before she looked down. Her facial expression barely changed, yet there was a faint hint of sadness in her eyes.

    Ji Yi set an rm for four hourster. He Jichen¡¯s fever hadn¡¯t subsided yet, so all she could do was give him another dose of medicine.

    She woke up early that morning. Since she had to go to director Liang¡¯s office, she wouldn¡¯t get any time to rest in the afternoon. After it hit twelve in the afternoon, she started to feel sleepy.

    She considered waiting for his fever to subside before leaving, but when she reached her hand out to check his forehead one more time, his temperature was still frighteningly high. Unable to contain her sleepiness, she couldn¡¯t help but slump to the ground against the wall. As she started to doze off, she groggily stroked his forehead again. It didn¡¯t feel so hot. She let out a sigh of relief before she drifted off to sleep.

    As Ji Yi slept, her body wavered unsteadily before falling to the ground. However, the anticipated pain didn¡¯te. Instead, she felt a warmth from underneath her. She shifted into afortable position and slipped into a deep sleep.

    ...

    While drowsy, He Jichen felt like there was someone snuggled in the crook of his arm. A familiar scent from the soft body drifted into his nostrils.

 Chapter 55

    Chapter 55: Shut Your Mouth (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He couldn¡¯t count just how many times he dreamt of this over the past few years. It was only in his dreams that he ever dared to imagine her by his side.

    He didn¡¯t dare move recklessly, fearing that this wild dream would disappear without a trace, just as it had happened countless times before.

    He slept with his body tensed up in the same position for an indefinite amount of time. His dreams suddenly became convincingly real as the woman in his arm shifted in her sleep.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if it was because she was cold and seeking warmth or if it was because she was ufortable, but every now and then she changed positions.

    As she tossed back and forth, she edged increasingly close to him. Eventually, she snuggled up right against his body. Her hand hugged his waist.

    The air was filled with her scent. Her face happened to face his neck, resulting in her gentle breath flowing over his skin, inciting waves of numbness in him. Like in his dreams, his body started to unconsciously respond to her.

    Every now and then, she kept tossing around, igniting a me inside of him. In a sleepy haze, he felt his body temperature gradually start to increase. He tried to lower it with much difficulty.

    His breath hastened a little as his heartbeat sped up out of control. He instinctively turned and trapped her in his embrace.

    The position felt so sensual as her back pressed closely against his chest. He couldn¡¯t handle this level of intimacy.

    In the long years since they parted, it wasn¡¯t like he hadn¡¯t had simr dreams before, but whenever he reached the climactic moment to kiss her, he always ended up kissing empty space.

    Even though it was painful to hold back his desires, he wanted to treasure the time he had with her, so he tensed up his body and forced himself toy still.

    Even though he was engulfed in sadness from not being able to be with her, he could hold her close as long as he had dreams like this. Although he knew he¡¯d be devastated when he was ruthlessly awakened from his beautiful dreams, he couldn¡¯t bear to not have these dreams at all. That was just how sad he was.

    Maybe he wasn¡¯t embracing her properly, but Ji Yi felt a little ufortable in her sleep. She struggled gently for a moment, and as she shifted, he was tempted to push her body back into ce. He moved his arm away from hers, then drew close to her ear and mumbled the words, ¡°Don¡¯t move, or I can¡¯t guarantee your safety.¡±

    She didn¡¯t move.

    Because he used all his strength to hold her, their bodies were pressed tightly together. Through his thin clothes, he could feel the evident shape of her soft curves and the smoothness of her skin.

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 56: Shut Your Mouth (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He couldn¡¯t hold it together. His fingers, which held her tightly, involuntarily started to caress her waist.

    Her body shivered for a moment, just like that night four years ago. He slowly stroked her neck with his fingers.

    His train of thought was interrupted by her reaction. He couldn¡¯t tell if he was really dreaming or if this was real. He just knew that this gentle touch couldn¡¯t satisfy him. He needed more.

    As that thought crossed his mind, his hand ran up her shirt and reached her breasts.

    It seemed like she was fighting back, but then again, maybe not. His mind was so filled with the urge to have her that he couldn¡¯t think about anything else. He followed his urges and let his hands explore under her shirt.

    This was the same as that night so many years back. Her skin was so unusually soft that it tempted him to no end. He couldn¡¯t help but stroke her skin faster, with some desperation. His breath became ragged, and before he coulde to his senses, his lips fell to her temple, then to her forehead. His kisses shifted to her closed eyes, before eventually falling on her lips.

    He didn¡¯t dare use too much strength in fear that it was all an illusion. He gently rubbed against her, and a strong shock of electricity came over him. Just as he was about to go deeper, she suddenly turned her face and avoided his lips.

    Could this be real? This never happened in his dreams. He suddenly flipped around, pressed himself on top of her, then lowered his head and kissed her hard on the lips.

    He kissed her passionately and eagerly, and as his hands slipped down her cor, he started to unbutton her shirt.

    She reached her hand out to try to stop him in every way possible, but she wasn¡¯t strong enough. He kept her hand away with ease and unbuttoned her shirt even faster.

    She struggled even harder. Her legs started to il, and her head swayed erratically as he kissed empty air.

    Even in my dreams, she¡¯s avoiding me?

    He Jichen¡¯s heart suddenly felt pained and angry. He gave up unbuttoning the rest of the buttons and hastily grabbed her cor. With one hard tug, he ripped her clothes right in two. With one hand, he held her chin and kissed her mouth again, hard. He then started to recklessly explore her exposed skin.

    In a daze, he thought he heard a teary crack in her voice. He assumed it was just his imagination, so he didn¡¯t pay much attention to it. She wriggled around endlessly, harder and harder. Her resistance annoyed him a little and it only made him want her more. He clenched his jaw harder and left deep, uneven marks, one after another on her white skin as punishment.

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 57: Shut Your Mouth (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as he was about to go in, he felt an intense, piercing pain from his ear.

    The pain stunned him into stopping everything he was doing.

    He felt the immense pain had subsided, but then he realized his shoulders were also in incredible pain as though someone dug their fingernails into him. He furrowed his brows, then heard the familiar, panicked shriek of a voice, ¡°Let me go! Let me go!¡±

    He Jichen held his pose, stopped in mid-movement.

    The sound of her fighting back still rang in his ears. Her fingers didn¡¯t loosen up, but in fact, she tightened her grip. He faintly felt a sticky liquid trickle from his shoulders. The pearls of blood dripped down his skin and slowly slid down his body. He trembled as the flowing of blood tickled his body. He slowly looked down at the woman underneath him.

    As the sight of Ji Yi¡¯s deathly pale face gradually came into view, he then realized that everything wasn¡¯t a dream after all.

    The significance of that thought dawned on He Jichen. His eyes circled Ji Yi twice. Maybe he kissed her too hard, since her lips were so red that they were flushed with blood. There was a different kind of appeal to them. Her fair neck was filled with hickeys, and her hair clung to her skin sensually as her hair was drenched in sweat from struggling against him.

    His line of sight stopped on her chest for quite some time before he slowly looked down. When he caught sight of their positions, his lips twitched.

    I... I actually almost raped her while half awake...

    He Jichen hadn¡¯tpletely woken up from it all. From underneath, Ji Yi felt him stop moving, so she abruptly reached her hand out and forcefully pushed him away.

    She escaped his clutches without a moment¡¯s hesitation and pulled on her clothes that had been ripped in two. She tried to cover her body up and inched back to put some distance between them.

    He Jichen swayed as Ji Yi pushed him away. That¡¯s when he realized where he was¡ªit was the gym in his house. Under him were the yoga mat and the duvet from his master bedroom.

    He remembered he got a call from Ji Bomust night to say that she wanted to give him some supplements. He was in pain, so he didn¡¯t hear her particrly well, but he got the general idea. The more he slept, however, the more unconscious he fell. He could tell he had a fever, so he pushed himself to search through his medical kit until he heard the doorbell. He used all his strength to go down the stairs and open the door. Before he could see who rang the bell, he couldn¡¯t take it any longer and fainted...

    Sost night, she was the person at the door?

    As He Jichen gradually came to his senses, his eyes fell again slowly on Ji Yi.

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 58: Shut Your Mouth (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Her face was pale white and her body was trembling, probably because he had just frightened her. With her lowered, wet eyshes, she looked so pitiful. She must¡¯ve just been crying.

    A sharp pain crept into He Jichen¡¯s heart like it had been struck hard by something.

    He instinctively wanted to apologize to her, but after a few attempts, the words wouldn¡¯te out.

    Maybe it was because she¡¯d just cried, but she huped. A few stray tears seeped from her eyes and caught onto her eyshes. The build-up of water formed arge teardrop that crashed to the ground.

    He Jichen¡¯s beating heart felt like itpletely shattered as those tears crushed his heart. He gulped. Then, he bent over to pick up his clothes, swiftly threw them on, and walked over to her.

    Before he could even take two steps forward, a sh of defensiveness came across her teary eyes as she watched him draw closer.

    Why¡¯s heing over to me? He can¡¯t say this time that I was the one who initiated things. He said he didn¡¯t even want me to utter a single word about him... While he was asleep and groggy, he almost had me... shes of what happened that night four years ago flickered across Ji Yi¡¯s mind. My first love that was shattered before it even started, and the humiliation of having my clothes ripped off in the alley... He doesn¡¯t want to embarrass me again, does he?

    At that thought, Ji Yi didn¡¯t hesitate to let slip, ¡°Don¡¯te any closer!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s footsteps slowed down slightly, but two secondster, he rushed over to her.

    ¡°I told you not toe any closer!¡± As He Jichen drew closer, Ji Yi grabbed a nearby magazine and threw it at him. ¡°Mr. He, let me tell you! If my mum didn¡¯t have me drop something off for you, I would never havee to see you voluntarily. The only reason I stayedst night was because I didn¡¯t want to owe you anything since you saved me two days ago. So now we¡¯re even. Please stay away from me!¡±

    The magazine hit He Jichen¡¯s leg, stopping his footsteps once again.

    Mr. He, we¡¯re even... she can at least use simple words to prick my heart and anger me.

    He Jichen gritted his teeth and forced himself to ignore her words. Then he took a big step forward.

    He crouched down and reached out his hand to wipe her tears away, but she pounced at him like a tiger before he could do so. She raised her hands and smacked his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡±

    She hit the back of his hand hard, but he felt the pain in his heart.

    He tried to suppress his churning emotions and willed himself to be patient. He started to raise his hand again, but this time, she said in a stern tone of voice, ¡°I told you! Don¡¯t touch me carelessly!¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, you know full well what I said to you that night, four years ago...¡±

    What I said to you that night four years ago...

    As though his pressure points had been hit, that simple sentence instantly froze He Jichen.

    His deep and tranquil eyes narrowed.

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59: Shut Your Mouth (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before he could reach her, his fingertips suddenly curled into fists. The strength of his clench made his veins protrude from the back of his hand.

    ¡°...Whether it¡¯s now or four years ago, you know very well that from the start, I ...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s soft lips pursed as she didn¡¯t see any change in He Jichen¡¯s face. She attempted to continue but suddenly He Jichen snarled, ¡°Shut up!¡±

    Ji Yi paused momentarily at He Jichen¡¯s roar.

    He had a shockingly tough aura about him. Her eyes were filled with fear as she lightly pursed her lips. After a few seconds, she spoke again with less confidence, ¡°Why won¡¯t you let me finish? You should know that night four years ago I had too much to drink...¡±

    ¡°Shut your fucking mouth!¡± He would¡¯ve been fine if she hadn¡¯t mentioned what happened four years ago, but as soon as she did, He Jichen was unable to contain his anger; he was like a monkey with static hair. He now appeared ruthless and cold.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t stop but spoke a little quieter, ¡°...I said...¡±

    ¡°Shut your mouth! Shut up! Do you hear me? Shut up!¡± roared He Jichen with his body trembling. He Jichen couldn¡¯t tell if he was actually mad, or if he was just afraid... afraid that he¡¯d hear the same words she said four years ago. Since she refused to stop, he lost all reason. Suddenly, he raised his hand and mercilessly hurled it towards her.

    Ji Yi instinctively shut her eyes in fear and stopped speaking.

    There was an intense wind from his fist as it brushed past her ears and smashed into the wall.

    With the sound of a ¡°dong!¡±, blood dripped from his fist and fell onto her shoulder. The sticky liquid made her skin crawl and left her silent.

    The room was silent for just a second before He Jichen clutched her with his bloody hand and lifted her face up, forcing her to gaze at him.

    His eyes were practically dyed a frighteningly bloody red.

    He spoke through gritted teeth and an intensely angry expression, ¡°You¡¯re not worthy of talking shit to me! Who do you think you are? If you hadn¡¯tid next to me, do you think I would¡¯ve even bothered to touch you?¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you, it was just a natural physical male reaction!¡±

    After all was said and done, she couldn¡¯t escape it. She still had to hear his humiliating words.

    However, it was fine since she could leave and it wasn¡¯t like she hadn¡¯t heard it all before...

    On one hand, Ji Yi was telling herself not to care about what He Jichen was saying. On the other, she was holding her breath in an attempt to keep a calm expression on her face.

    No matter what he said to belittle her or make her lose face, he hadn¡¯t reached her limit. She didn¡¯t allow herself to show any hurt or suffering in front of him.

    Her emotionless face only served to rile He Jichen up. As he clutched her chin, he spoke even more harshly than before and emphasized every word.

    ¡°But I¡¯m pretty lucky; I¡¯m d I woke up at that vital moment. If I really did fuck you in a daze, that¡¯d be disgusting!¡±

    ¡°After all, it was stomach-turning enough to have done such nasty things with you four years ago!¡±

 Chapter 60

    Chapter 60: Shut Your Mouth (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Nasty, dirty, stomach-turning...

    The cutting words felt like invisible, flying knives that stabbed Ji Yi¡¯s heart, one after the other.

    Her face looked a little pale, and her fingers trembled uncontrobly as she clutched her clothes.

    After everything, she¡¯d made a miscalction. She figured that if she pretended not to hear anything he said, she wouldn¡¯t be hurt by him. Who would¡¯ve thought that the things he said could actually hit her weak spots?

    Even so, she still refused to let him see her suffering.

    Ji Yi swiftly lowered her head to hide the emotions surfacing in her eyes and forced herself to not be affected by his words.

    Everything was the same as when she ran over to confess to him that night four years ago; she wore this exact same impassive look.

    Her apathetic response affected him deeply, making him lose it and hurt her in a crazed frenzy.

    ¡°But luckily, that night four years ago was your first. If it wasn¡¯t, not only would I resent how disgusting it was, but also how dirty it was. Then again, even if it was your first, I...¡± He Jichen deliberately emphasized the word ¡°first¡±¡ªhe knew this would hurt her deeply. Since he¡¯d been hurt so badly, he wanted her to join him in his misery. Her fragile body started to tremble frantically as he repeatedly spat out that brutal word. On the third time he said ¡°first,¡± her face turned so pale it was practically translucent. A line of tears hung on her lowered eyshes as though they were about to gush out. He suddenly stopped. The room became unusually silent.

    The sounds of their breaths were crystal clear.

    He Jichen stared at her beautifulplexion up close. Now, he felt like his body and heart werepletely hollowed out that instant. He lost all of his strength.

    He knew that he¡¯d spoken out of turn.

    He¡¯d been saying all the wrong things since that night four years ago when she confessed to him.

    He also knew that even if he said something wrong, she wouldn¡¯t care.

    He slowly loosened his grip on her chin until his hand released her skin.

    With his head lowered, he gradually got up and stared at her for a while. She was still balled up on the floor, hugging her clothes. Then he silently averted his gaze.

    Outside the window, the sunshine beamed brightly and made his eyes a little sore.

    An unprecedented exhaustion suddenly overcame him, causing him to crash. With an intense tiredness, he said, ¡°Get out!¡±

    She was more stubborn than he imagined. Her clothes were even ripped, but when hemanded her to leave, she refused to budge.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t even have the strength to get mad. Without so much as a nce back at her, he strode right out of the gym.

    He understood her well. He knew that even if he wasn¡¯t around, she wouldn¡¯t want to stick around in his house for too long. So in a strange twist, he locked her in the room behind him on his way out.

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 61: Waging a War for Her (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He pretended to not hear the sounds of her frantic attempts to pry the door open as he walked straight up the stairs and up to the second floor.

    Back in his bedroom, heid limply on the bed and silently stared at the ceiling for some time. He reached his arm out and blindly felt for the ashtray and lighter on the coffee table. He lit a cigarette. Just as he did in the past, he didn¡¯t smoke it but silently enjoyed the burning smell of tobo.

    When the cigarette was about to burn out, he sat up and looked for his phone. He gave Zhang Sao a call, who was currently on holiday.

    ¡°Come back early... On your way back, stop by the mall and buy some women¡¯s clothes in size Small. Yes, the smallest size... Also, are there oats at home? If there aren¡¯t any, remember to buy some. Come back and make some oatmeal congee; it¡¯s her favorite... Oh right, she¡¯s in the gym...¡±

    After a pause, He Jichen added, ¡°...Oh, when you¡¯ve made the congee, open the door for her. I¡¯ve locked her in. Then, tell her I¡¯ve gone out...¡±

    He Jichen stopped to think if he¡¯d forgotten something. Then he hung up the phone.

    ¨C

    The doors to the gym weren¡¯t opened until noon.

    It was Zhang Sao. It was like she knew exactly how it looked inside, so she didn¡¯t enter or take a peek into the room. She merely reached her hand in while holding out a bag. ¡°Miss, Sir told me to prepare some clothes for you.¡±

    When she finished, Zhang Sao crouched down, put the bag down, and shut the door again.

    ... Clothes that He Jichen prepared. If she had a choice, Ji Yi wouldn¡¯t have worn them, but she was reluctant to go back to school with her clothes all disheveled.

    Having weighed her options, Ji Yi figured it¡¯d be better to wear the clothes Zhang Sao brought her.

    There wasn¡¯t a receipt in the bag, but Ji Yi knew this brand, so she searched online for the price. She looked for her purse but realized she didn¡¯t have enough cash. After a while, she decided to look for Zhang Sao to send her the money through Alipay or WeChat and ask her to pass it on to He Jichen.

    Zhang Sao hadn¡¯t actually left but was right outside the door of the gym. As soon as Ji Yi pulled the door open, she saw her standing there.

    ¡°Miss, you haven¡¯t eaten anything this afternoon. I made oatmeal congee; please have some?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head, but before she could say anything, Zhang Sao said, ¡°Miss, Sir has left, so I¡¯m all alone here.¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head again. ¡°No thank you. I¡¯m not hungry.¡±

    ¡°But, Miss... I made congee for you. It¡¯d be a waste if you don¡¯t eat...¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much, but I really don¡¯t have an appetite and I¡¯m busy.¡±

    Zhang Sao wanted to protest but Ji Yi spoke again, ¡°Oh yeah, Zhang Sao. Do you have Alipay or WeChat? I¡¯ll send you the money for the clothes.¡±

    He Jichen ordered her to buy those clothes for Ji Yi, so how could she ept the money on his behalf? Without any hesitation at all, Zhang Sao rejected the offer, ¡°Why would I take your money?¡±

    Ji Yi thought about it for a while, then decided to get some money and drop it off when He Jichen wasn¡¯t home. She gave Zhang Sao a smile and said her farewells, ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t disturb you any longer then. Goodbye.¡±

    Zhang Sao wanted to stop Ji Yi, but Ji Yi had already turned, pushed the door open, and left.

 Chapter 62

    hapter 62: Waging a War for Her (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Zhang Sao stared at the tightly shut door and let out a sigh. She turned her head, nced upstairs, and let out another sigh. She first went into the kitchen to turn the stove off that had been keeping the oatmeal congee warm. Then she made a cup of tea and was just about to carry it upstairs to report to He Jichen when the doorbell rang.

    Zhang Sao hurriedly ran to the door and pulled it open to find that Ji Yi hade back. Her face swiftly formed a smile. ¡°Miss...¡±

    She only got a single word out before Ji Yi handed her an envelope. ¡°Zhang Sao, would you please help me pass this on to Mr. He? Thank you.¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi gave Zhang Sao a smile then politely said, ¡°Goodbye¡±. She stepped into the elevator and left again.

    Zhang Sao waited until the elevator reached the main floor before she shut the doors. Then she started to head upstairs, but before she could take two steps forward, she felt the presence of someone standing over the railings of the second floor. All of a sudden, she stopped walking, looked up, and cried, ¡°Mr. He!¡±

    He Jichen stared at the tightly shut living room door without a word.

    Zhang Sao paused below the stairs for a while before she started to walk up again. When she reached He Jichen, she first handed him the envelope then said in quiet voice, ¡°I tried to persuade her, but Miss didn¡¯t stay to eat.¡±

    Zhang Sao continued, ¡°Soon after she left, she came back again and gave me this envelope.¡±

    After Zhang Sao finished, He Jichen didn¡¯t react, so she spoke again, ¡°Mr. He?¡±

    This time, He Jichen hesitated for a long time before he slowly directed his gaze towards Zhang Sao¡¯s envelope. His Adam¡¯s apple shifted up and down as he reached his hand out and took it.

    Zhang Sao didn¡¯t say anything else; she instinctively left him alone. Before she stepped into the kitchen, she looked up again at the second-floor railing. He Jichen was still there, but now there was a cigarette in his hands.

    ...

    Actually, there are some things Zhang Sao omitted that he knew anyway. He opened his bedroom door the very moment he heard her voice downstairs.

    He stood at the door and silently looked over at her.

    He heard her refuse Zhang Sao¡¯s request to eat, and he saw here back to hand Zhang Sao the envelope.

    Do you know how it feels to see the person you love most leave while you¡¯re helpless to do anything about it?

    In that instant, he was plunged into agony. His entire body felt like it was suffering from being hacked to a thousand pieces.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare wear a low-cut top for several days, no matter if she was in her dorm room or in the ssroom.

    The marks He Jichen left on her body took a whole week to disappear.

    But thankfully it was alreadyte autumn, so she could wear thicker clothes without looking out of ce.

    On the eighth day, Ji Yi got a call from director Liang¡¯s assistant, Xu Yi.

    Xu Yi told her that he mentioned her in passing to director Liang. He still remembered her, so this weekend, he wanted her toe to the filming studio for an audition.

    Soon after the call, Ji Yi got an email from Xu Yi with descriptions of roles for director Liang¡¯s uing movie.

    This was the opportunity she had waited half a year for. Naturally, she didn¡¯t dare take it lightly, so she spent two whole days reading about the roles for the movie.

    They started the audition at ten, but Ji Yi arrived at nine.

    The order of the audition was set in advance. Ji Yi was number fourteen, so she had to wait till eleven. Finally, she heard the staff member call her name.

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 63: Waging a War for Her (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After actor number thirteen came out from their audition, a staff member called Ji Yi¡¯s name and gestured for her toe onto the set.

    Each actor had their own acting methods. To prevent people from being influenced by other actors, only one actor at a time was allowed on set.

    Whether it was the investments or the cast, Director Liang¡¯s new movie had to have the best, so aside from the production staff, influential people from the industry were also invited to judge the auditions. This included producers, co-directors, and some investors.

    Four years ago, after Ji Yi became famous overnight, she quickly gained a lot of experience with acting and going onstage, so she wasn¡¯t the least bit nervous about this situation. When she saw director Liang signal for her, she stepped in front of the judging panel with unbound elegance. She held a perfect smile and stood naturally as everyone assessed her appearance.

    As everyone checked her up and down, her eyes scanned the people in the studio. There were some people she met in the past, and some werepletely new faces. In the end, her eyes fell on director Liang. Her expression froze slightly when she identally caught sight of the person sitting next to him from the corner of her eyes. She didn¡¯t take a close look, but she could tell it was him... He Jichen, who she hadn¡¯t seen for several days.

    What¡¯s he doing here? What¡¯s more, why¡¯s he sitting next to director Liang...? Ji Yi¡¯s mood was inevitably affected by He Jichen¡¯s presence, but she knew just how important today¡¯s audition was, so she quicklyposed herself. She pretended he wasn¡¯t even there and calmly introduced herself to everyone in the room. ¡°Hello everyone, I¡¯m Ji Yi.¡±

    After hearing her introduction, an expert and senior in the industry asked, ¡°Miss Ji Yi. What role are you auditioning for today?¡±

    Without any hesitation, two words slipped from Ji Yi¡¯s mouth, ¡°Little Nine.¡±

    These two casually spoken words stirredmotion in the room.

    In director Liang¡¯s movie, Little Nine had a total of five lines of dialogue. She wasn¡¯t even considered an insignificant female role, let alone a supporting female character. At most, she was fodder for the camera.

    The main female character was already confirmed for the movie, but there were still positions avable for supporting female characters two and three. Most of the candidates that day were auditioning for the second and third female role; this was the first time an actress auditioned for such an inconspicuous character. It was perhaps the first time they¡¯d encountered something like this in their entire history of holding auditions.

    Everyone¡¯s attention was suddenly on Ji Yi.

    From the beginning of auditions that day, director Liang seldom shared any thoughts, but this time, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Why did you choose this character?¡±

    ¡°Because I quite like this character.¡± Ji Yi¡¯s answer was very conservative, but she spent a few days analyzing the characters from director Liang¡¯s movie. It wasn¡¯t that the other characters weren¡¯t good, but Little Nine¡¯s character was odd in all the right ways. She liked the main female character, she went crazy for love, and even turned corrupt for love. In the end, she made a huge sacrifice for love. Even though she rarely appeared in any scenes, she was an exquisitely intriguing character.

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64: Waging a War for Her (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Most importantly, Little Nine was a lesbian, so that was instantly a topic of conversation and controversy. It was easy for people to remember her; she definitely wouldn¡¯t be forgotten.

    On her great return to the entertainment industry, what Ji Yi wanted the most was to be remembered and talked about.

    When director Liang heard Ji Yi¡¯s answer, praise shed across his eyes. He didn¡¯t say anything else to Ji Yi, but turned to a judge next to him and said, ¡°I have no more questions, let¡¯s start the audition.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s audition topic was: ¡°When you deeply love someone, what would you do when they say they want to break up with you?¡±

    Ji Yi lowered her eyes and quietly thought about her act for three minutes, then made an ¡°ok¡± gesture. Then the staff member who was responsible for reading lines with her said, ¡°Let¡¯s break up.¡± That was Ji Yi¡¯s cue to begin her act.

    She didn¡¯t respond directly to the staff member¡¯s words, but she stood there staring firmly at him. After a few seconds, she gently moved her lips as though she was about to say something. But eventually, she decided not to say anything at all. She gradually lowered her head, slowly turned around, took two steps in the opposite direction and stopped. She was about to look back, but in the end, she decided against it. After lifting her legs again, she had barely taken two steps forward when her pitch-ck eyes grew red, and a single teardrop fell from the corner of her eye...

    Even though there wasn¡¯t a line of dialogue in her entire performance, she delivered a spectacr performance of the breakup scene.

    The moment they saw Ji Yi cry, the five judges looked impressed, exchanged looks, and nodded one after the other.

    After the performance, Ji Yi broke out of character. Just as she was ready to turn around and give everyone in the room a nod to signal ¡°I¡¯ve finished my performance,¡± the studio doors suddenly opened. Everyone turned their attention as thevishly dressed Qian Ge entered with her assistant.

    She unapologetically said ¡°sorry¡± for interrupting the audition. Then she bustled over to director Liang in her high heels, bent down and whispered something into his ear. Director Liang furrowed his brows, nced up at Ji Yi then got up, signaling for everyone in the room to wait. He then followed Qian Ge out.

    About two minutester, the doors to the studio opened again and director Liangmanded, ¡°Xu Yi, step out for a second.¡±

    Xu Yi immediately got up and ran out.

    This time, only about thirty seconds passed before Xu Yi came back in. Then he told Ji Yi, ¡°Apologies Miss. Ji Yi, please leave. We have decided to disqualify your right to audition due to sudden changes in the circumstances.¡±

    She already finished and the five judges were obviously impressed by her; her chances of getting the role were high. What¡¯s more, the character she was auditioning for wasn¡¯t even important, yet the second Qian Ge appeared, she was disqualified...

    From where she was standing, Ji Yi clearly saw the looks of panic and heard the huddled whispers of the discussions of her audience. She even saw He Jichen finally look up at her for the first since she came in.

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65: Waging a War for Her (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Nobody, including Ji Yi, was unconcerned about saving face. She really didn¡¯t want He Jichen to see her in this sticky situation, especially since he embarrassed her several times before.

    But fate never seemed to meet her expectations. As it so happened, the more unwilling she was for something to happen, the more inevitable it became.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare look into He Jichen¡¯s eyes. Instead, she stared at Xu Yi, wanting him to exin. However, the words never left her lips as she thought again about the people in the room and how Qian Ge was able to ruin her efforts at thest moment¡ªshe must¡¯vee prepared. If she fought back now, it would only serve to embarrass her even more.

    Having worked in the entertainment industry before she got into the ident three years ago, she understood far too well what ¡°a little impatience spoils great ns¡± and ¡°revenge is a dish best served cold¡± meant. Until she was absolutely certain she could seed in defending herself, all she could do was try not topletely burn her bridges.

    At that thought, Ji Yi quickly held her tongue and politely bowed to everyone in the room. She straightened up and walked elegantly out the door.

    ...

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t realize that the moment she turned to leave, He Jichen got up from his seat as well.

    Because he got up so suddenly, it caused everyone in the studio to shoot him some nces. Completely oblivious to this, he stared at her back as Ji Yi left. His lips turned into a tight frown while she casually pulled open the doors and left his field of view. That¡¯s when he suddenly kicked the chair behind him and hurriedly chased after her.

    ¨C

    She would be lying if she said she wasn¡¯t angry, but Ji Yi wasn¡¯t going to lose it in front of Qian Ge, so she left the studio as fast as she could. In her high heels, she made her way towards the elevators, pretending she didn¡¯t see Qian Ge chatting happily with director Liang.

    As she stood in front of the elevators, Ji Yi casually pressed the elevator button. When the doors opened, she leisurely stepped in and pressed the button to close the doors.

    The elevator doors closed slowly. The second before it closed, a slender arm reached out all of a sudden and blocked the doors from closing.

    The doors opened up again. Qian Ge, who was just talking with director Liang, came in with her assistant. She emanated a sense of superiority with her sunsses.

    Ji Yi¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change as she continued to pretend Qian Ge didn¡¯t exist.

    Through the elevator mirrors, Ji Yi clearly saw that Qian Ge didn¡¯t reveal any emotions on her face either, as though they wereplete strangers.

    On the contrary, Qian Ge¡¯s little assistant nced over at her every now and then.

    Ji Yi nonchntly moved to exit the elevator when they reached the first floor.

    Just as she stepped out, Qian Ge¡¯s little assistant jogged past her and swiftly disappeared around a corner in the corridors in front of them. Thereafter, the sound of Qian Ge¡¯s voice from behind her echoed, ¡°Ji Yi, what did I sayst time? I said, you aren¡¯t the same person from four years ago. And... Nor am I the same person from four years ago.¡±

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 66: Waging a War for Her (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She saw me go into the elevator, so she deliberately caught up just to show off in front of me?

    Ji Yi pretended as though she didn¡¯t her at all and kept walking forward.

    ¡°Look. Just now, I said just two words to director Liang, and he immediately disqualified you from the audition. And what did you do? Couldn¡¯t do a thing about it but gloomily walk away.¡± Qian Ge curved her red lips into a smirk as if to tease Ji Yi¡¯s helplessness. She continued to speak carefully.

    ¡°You said you want a ce in the entertainment industry, but you can¡¯t even get through the door. How are you going to get a footing in this field?¡±

    The more Qian Ge spoke, the better she felt, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s not right. You can¡¯t even audition for a useless filler character. Again, how are you going to get a footing in this field?¡±

    Ji Yi suddenly stopped walking and shed a gentle smile.

    I don¡¯t want to get caught up with her anymore but how am I supposed to stop her from rambling?!

    With that thought, Ji Yi slowly turned her head towards Qian Ge. ¡°Did you really think you¡¯re respected in this field? That you beat me? You say that I, right now, can¡¯t beat you since you¡¯re better. Then why don¡¯t you audition for a filler character? Why don¡¯t you personallypete against me? Qian Ge, what are you really afraid of?¡±

    The smile on Qian Ge¡¯s face faded.

    ¡°Qian Ge, should I say that you have no confidence or that you¡¯re just too pitiful? No matter if it¡¯s four years ago or four yearster, you¡¯ve seen me all the same!¡±

    The smile on Qian Ge¡¯s facepletely disappeared; a coldness surfaced on her lips. Ji Yi felt a vicious and cutting re through her sunsses.

    After a while, Qian Ge moved her lips, ¡°I never imagined that after so many years, you would still have a sharp tongue!¡±

    With that, Qian Ge slowly walked over to Ji Yi in her high heels. ¡°But, getting back on topic... Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know what I told director Liang?¡±

    As Qian Ge stood in front of Ji Yi, she removed her sunsses and slowly drew closer to Ji Yi¡¯s ear. She said, while emphasizing every word, ¡°I told director Liang that you got pregnant four years ago. ¡®Pregnant out of wedlock¡¯ is bad for your reputation. This time, his movie¡¯s a big deal, so if someone wrote an article and exposed rumours about such a nasty actress associated with his movie, there could be a lot of people who¡¯d boycott this movie. The box office sales would suffer considerably.¡±

    As Qian Ge said this, she lowered her head and dug out her elegant nails. ¡°What¡¯s more, this actress had no background or poprity, so to be on the safe side, it¡¯d be best to go with someone safer without such a scandalous reputation. After all, there were a ton of actresses with clean backgrounds. There really was no use in taking such a risk.¡±

    So that was what Qian Ge said to director Liang... Ji Yi slightly pursed the corners of her lips, and she instinctively lowered her eyes.

    She had to admit that Qian Ge really did put her in a difficult situation.

    Nowadays, it¡¯s easy to get people talking online. Many people who scout or try to promote celebrities are vignt, being careful to avoid even a single hup that could drag them down and ruin their efforts.

    What¡¯s more, what she said was true. Four years ago, she did in fact get pregnant out of wedlock.

 Chapter 67

    Chapter 67: Waging a War for Her (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Even though it was an ectopic pregnancy, her records could be checked at a hospital. As soon as someone revealed this online, who knows what kind of controversy it could bring.

    ¡°You have to know that if I just casually reveal this to some people in the industry, it¡¯ll quickly be a topic of conversation. They¡¯ll talk about the short-lived fame of Ji Yi and how she had a miscarriage at eighteen. The investors, producers, and directors are smart people. They¡¯d naturally would put you on a cklist...¡± Qian Ge, who¡¯d just turned the tables, spoke with a falsely warm, kind and unusually sweet voice as she wore an arrogant smile.

    Qian Ge wasn¡¯t wrong. Each and every person in this industry was devious. No matter how well she acted, no one dared to get in bed with a stranger with a ¡°story.¡±

    Although she assumed Qian Ge would give her trouble if she tried to re-enter the entertainment industry, she never imagined that Qian Ge¡¯s attack would be such a devastating hit. So it seems like Qian Ge just wants to dispose of me as soon as possible in a one-shot kill. What¡¯s more, she used a tactic topletely eliminate my chances of getting a foot in the industry to avoid future trouble with me.

    Ji Yi tightly pursed the corner of her lips.

    Qian Ge¡¯s smile grew brighter and more captivating. Seeing as she didn¡¯t say anything, she started to ramble on. ¡°Ji Yi, it¡¯s just as I said. You aren¡¯t the same as you were four years ago. The once glorious Ji Yi has died so admit defeat. You obviously aren¡¯t a match for me the way you are now...¡±

    By the end, Qian Ge¡¯s tone of voice grew heavier, more resolute and firm and with an air of arrogance, ¡°Not today, nor will you ever be!¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± said Ji Yi suddenly, after staying silent for quite some time. She slowly lifted her eyes and met Qian Ge¡¯s gaze with a calm nce. ¡°Did you think you could hold me back like this?¡±

    ¡°Then let me make this clear, Qian Ge. You¡¯re wrong. It¡¯s easy to escape your trap¡ªas long as I get married, everything you just said wouldn¡¯t affect me at all. In fact, it would give those investors, producers, and directors a great chance to build hype. After all, a pregnancy out of wedlock is a real hot topic. With everyone paying attention to me, I could whip out marriage papers to rebuke it and fan the mes. It wouldn¡¯t negatively affect my reputation anymore, and I¡¯d be killing two birds with one stone. I believe any smart person would agree that this oue couldn¡¯t be any better!¡±

    Perhaps Qian Ge never imagined that Ji Yi would think up such a trick to outmaneuver her. The smile on her face instantly disappeared.

    She wasn¡¯t smiling anymore, but instead, Ji Yi started to crack a smile. ¡°If you think about it Qian Ge, I have to thank you. If you didn¡¯t dig up my past, I wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to make this y.¡±

    When Ji Yi finished speaking, she shot a smirk at Qian Ge and ignored the distraught look on her face. She turned around to leave, but just as she lifted her foot, Ji Yi suddenly remembered something. She paused, turned her head and shot Qian Ge a nce from the corner of her eye. ¡°What did you just say to me? Admit defeat? That I¡¯m not a match for you right now?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes suddenly ran cold, and her tone was exceedingly calm as she said, ¡°Qian Ge, if the car ident three years ago didn¡¯t kill me, did you think that anything could stand in my way three yearster?¡±

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68: Waging a War for Her (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In that very instant, it felt like the atmosphere had frozen.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t bother ncing over at Qian Ge, nor did she care about the erratic look on her face. Instead, she averted her eyes and walked off in her high heels; she wasn¡¯t going to stick around any longer.

    ...

    Qian Ge tightly balled up her fists as her body started to tremble. She stared viciously at Ji Yi¡¯s back moving further and further away. She gritted her teeth in discontent; she wanted to retaliate somehow, but she couldn¡¯t get out a single word since the sound of Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps disappeared.

    Qian Ge violently stomped her feet, shut her eyes, and took a few deep breaths. That¡¯s when she finally calmed down a little and forced a smile. When she was sure she could maintain her elegantposure, she slowly opened her eyes.

    She raised her hand and started to put her sunsses back on, but then she caught a glimpse of a tall and familiar silhouette in her periphery. Her fingers quivered suddenly as she instinctively turned to look for an emergency exit.

    The man standing at the door wore a slim suit with an unusually distinguished air about him.

    The moment Qian Ge caught sight of his silhouette, the sunsses in her hand suddenly fell to the ground.

    She stared at the silhouette for ten whole seconds before she was certain she wasn¡¯t seeing things. It really was him... He Jichen. It was He Jichen, who she hadn¡¯t seen for a very, very long time.

    Compared to three years ago when theyst saw each other, he looked a lot more mature and lethal. Of course, that only made her even more interested in him.

    After a while, Qian Ge couldn¡¯t contain the pounding in her heart or her impulses, so she slowly turned to He Jichen and walked over to him. Just as she was about to reach him, she finally spoke, ¡°He...¡±

    She was only able to call out his surname when he red back at her with cold eyes and spoke with a voice that sounded far more distant and callous than before, ¡°Was what you said true? Four years ago, was she really pregnant?¡±

    She¡¯d thought about him all these years, yet the first thing he said to her was about Ji Yi.

    Qian Ge¡¯s heart felt twisted as she started at He Jichen unwaveringly, without a sound.

    It was obvious He Jichen was in a bad mood. He waited for a while, but seeing as she didn¡¯t speak, he pulled out a cigarette and put it to his mouth. He lit the cigarette but didn¡¯t inhale. A secondter, he sped it between his fingers.

    After so many years had passed, he kept the same habits. Whenever he was upset, he lit a cigarette without smoking it and let it quietly burn out in his fingers.

    Qian Ge stared at He Jichen¡¯s cigarette in disgust and slowly drifted off. After a while, she gently blinked and looked at He Jichen¡¯s face. ¡°Besides asking about her, don¡¯t you have anything else to say when you see me?¡±

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69: Waging a War for Her (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I have something else to say,¡± answered He Jichen gracefully.

    A hint of anticipation escaped from Qian Ge¡¯s eyes as her heart fluttered in joy.

    But the anticipation and joysted no longer than half a second when He Jichen headed over to the trash can and gracefully flicked the ashes. Then, four blunt and swift words came from his mouth, ¡°Stay away from her.¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s pretty face quickly drained of blood. She looked as though she wanted tough and cry at the same time. She sounded a little unsteady as she said, ¡°He Jichen, you did that on purpose, didn¡¯t you? You clearly knew I don¡¯t like hearing you talk about her, yet every word of yours never strays far from her! You deliberately came to hold me back, am I right?¡±

    ¡°Heh...¡± scoffed He Jichen. He looked like he just heard a hrious joke. His voice was full of mockery as he said, ¡°I deliberately came to hold you back? You think too much of yourself! Do you think I¡¯m standing here just to reminisce with you? Oh, wait, what do I have to reminisce about with you? The only reason I¡¯m standing here talking to you is because I had something to say to you!¡±

    As He Jichen¡¯s words fell, he raised his hand and threw the cigarette into the trash can. Then he took two steps towards Qian Ge.

    Once he reached her, his footsteps halted. The air of nonchnce from his body instantly disappeared without a trace and turned the atmosphere tense. When he spoke again, he sounded far more stern and serious.

    ¡°Stay away from her. I mean it! If you have topare yourself to her, then I can definitely tell you that four years ago, you weren¡¯t a match for her. Four yearster, you still aren¡¯t a match for her!¡±

    ¡°Whether you ept it or not, from the very first day you met her, you¡¯ve neverpared to her!¡±

    ¡°The words she didn¡¯t say to you¡ªlet me say them now. She didn¡¯t wage a war against you, but let me do that on her behalf!¡±

    ¡°Remember this clearly: one of these days, Ji Yi will leave you in the dust! What¡¯s more, she never needed topare herself to you because she¡¯s already at the top. Four years ago, she stood at the top. Four yearster, she still can get back on top!¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you, there¡¯ll be a day when wherever she goes, she¡¯ll be revered by everyone. If she¡¯s not on top, I, He Jichen, will make sure shees out on top!¡±

    He Jichen said this all in a single breath then took two steps back. He raised his hand, fixed up his shirt, and turned around to leave.

    He hadn¡¯t gone far when suddenly, he remembered something. He turned his head and stared back at Qian Ge with a stern look. Qian Ge¡¯s face turned from white to blue. ¡°Also, quit calling her career short-lived. That will never be the case. Even if it is short-lived, I, He Jichen, won¡¯t let her fade into the background!¡±

    With that, He Jichen strode off.

    Qian Ge stood in her tracks. He Jichen didn¡¯t get far when she suddenly snapped back to reality. Without caring about her image, she jogged up to He Jichen in her high heels.

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70: Waging a War for Her (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to know if she was pregnant four years ago?¡± Qian Ge was afraid He Jichen would leave, so she blocked his path. ¡°Let me tell you now, yes. She was pregnant! And she found out she was seven weeks pregnant on July twentieth, four years ago.¡±

    She found out on July twentieth four years ago that she was seven weeks pregnant... It was June first that night we were together. With that time frame... the baby was mine!

    He Jichen was just about to brush past Qian Ge when he suddenly stopped.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. The baby in her belly was yours.¡± It was as if Qian Ge knew what was going on in He Jichen¡¯s head. ¡°But, do you know where your child went?¡±

    Four years ago, she was the person Ji Yi trusted the most.

    After she found out she was pregnant, she didn¡¯t dare let her family know. The first person she contacted was Qian Ge.

    She went to the hospital with Ji Yi. The results showed an ectopic pregnancy.

    There was no way the baby could stay. To save her life, the doctor set her up for an abortion.

    But there were some things she didn¡¯t want He Jichen to know because if he did, he would only feel guilty and sorry for Ji Yi.

    The thing she didn¡¯t want to see most was He Jichen treating Ji Yi well... At that thought, Qian Ge then said, ¡°Your baby died!¡±

    ¡°The moment she found out she was pregnant, she went to the hospital to book an appointment for an abortion to abort your child!¡±

    Qian Ge lied effortlessly, keeping her breathing steady. ¡°She aborted your child without the least bit of hesitation! She never wanted your baby!¡±

    The expression on He Jichen¡¯s face didn¡¯t show much change, but his hands slowly balled up into fists.

    ¡°If I guessed correctly, you came to Bejing for her? I hear that you¡¯re at B-Film now. It was also for her, wasn¡¯t it? Even the fact that you¡¯re here today, it¡¯s also for her too, right?¡±

    ¡°Outsiders,¡± Qian Ge thought. She didn¡¯t really understand why he cared so much, but it was obvious that He Jichen showed up in Beijing, turned up at B-Film, and ended up here just for her.

    ¡°Why treat her like this when she treated you like that? Do you think she¡¯ll ever appreciate everything you¡¯ve done? Or so to speak, would she cherish it at all?¡±

    It was as though He Jichen was frozen when Qian Ge finished speaking. His eyshes gently fluttered as he softly shifted his eyes from an empty space to Qian Ge¡¯s face.

    His eyes were calm like he didn¡¯t even hear what Qian Ge said. His tone of voice had a rare seriousness and sincerity when he said, ¡°How I treat her is my business. I never expected her to appreciate or cherish my efforts.¡±

    After he¡¯d finished what he had to say, He Jichen brushed across Qian Ge and strode off.

    I said she aborted his baby without a second thought, yet he still protects her like this!

    Qian Ge¡¯s heart was instantly ovee with an indescribable sense of jealousy and envy. She swiftly turned around, stared at He Jichen¡¯s back, and hysterically cried, ¡°He Jichen, do you think there¡¯s any point in your one-sided love for her? You know deep down that if it weren¡¯t for your brother, He Yuguang, you would¡¯ve never had a chance to get close to her!¡±

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71: Missing the Days When We Were Young (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen just about had his emotions under control, but when he heard the five words ¡°your brother He Yuguang¡±, his body trembled violently for a moment. He was so stunned that his footsteps became a little erratic.

    He continued to walk forward for a short distance before he came to aplete stop.

    Because he had his back turned to Qian Ge and didn¡¯t look back, Qian Ge couldn¡¯t see the expression on his face. However, from his silhouette, she could feel the tension in his back, and the swaying strands of his hair told her that his whole body was trembling. He looked as though he was trying hard to suppress the raging emotions inside.

    But soon enough, his mood lightened up like he hadn¡¯t heard Qian Ge¡¯s words at all as he lifted his foot again and left.

    ¨C

    He Jichen hadn¡¯t reached the gates of the film studios before he saw Ji Yi through his windshield. She was standing at the gates just before she got into a taxi.

    The taxi doors swiftly closed and slowly drove off.

    As it left the film studio gates, He Jichen stared in the direction of the taxi. He hesitated for a moment but finally gently stepped on the gas. He turned the steering wheel and chased after her.

    The film studios were in the southern suburbs which required you to cut through most of Beijing. The roads weren¡¯t quite clear in the afternoon, so traffic was unpredictable. When he reached the Second Ring Road, He Jichen saw Ji Yi¡¯s car turn off the main road early. Ignoring the dissatisfied honking of the cars behind him, He Jichen suddenly stepped on the gas, turned the steering wheel and exited the main road too.

    After about five minutes, He Jichen was able to guess Ji Yi¡¯s destination.

    As they drove through two old streets, He Jichen watched from a distance as the taxi actually stopped at the entrance of Nanluguxiang 1 .

    After He Jichen parked the car nearby, Ji Yi¡¯s taxi disappeared. He Jichen quickly walked into Nanluguxiang, looked fifty meters to his left and right and finally found Ji Yi.

    He didn¡¯t go over to bother her but kept a good distance.

    In the afternoon, the sunshine was bright and warm, highlighting the true nature of the streets.

    She hadn¡¯t eaten since the end of the audition. She was probably hungry since she stopped to nce at the sign on the door of a Russian restaurant. After the waiter came out to invite her in, she averted her eyes, nodded at the waiter, and followed him inside.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t follow them in, but he leaned against a tree not too far from the restaurant and lit a cigarette.

    After lighting his fifth cigarette, she finally came out. He instinctively hid behind the tree for a moment and waited until she walked quite a distance away before putting out the cigarette and following her.

    She probably had a lot on her mind as she walked leisurely from Nanluguxiang headed towards Houhai 2 . Then, she started to aimlessly walk by theke Houhai.

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72: Missing the Days When We Were Young (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was already evening when she leisurely circled Houhai, pausing a few times in her walk.

    She seemed tired from walking¡ªshe suddenly stopped at an empty spot. She took some tissues out of her bag,id them on the ground, and sat down.

    After staring pensively out at theke for a long time, she blinked then lowered her head. Her fingertips explored the ground beneath her, gently picked up a pebble, then crouched as she dug the pebble into the ground and started to draw.

    He was afraid she¡¯d notice him, so he kept his distance. From his position, he could tell she was writing something on the ground.

    A good while passed before she stopped.

    She stared at the words she¡¯d written over and over again in a daze. He Jichen could clearly tell that she was infinitely sadderpared to how calm she was before. Just when he thought she was going to cry, she turned her head and stared out at theke once more.

    Since she crouched for such a long time, her legs were sore. She quickly came to her senses, threw the pebble aside, and got up.

    She wiggled her toes on the spot for a while to ease the numbness, then looked down at the floor and walked off.

    He Jichen waited until she walked into the distance before he moved to where she¡¯d been sitting.

    Darkness fell and the streetlights around Houhai were lit, illuminating theke and emphasizing the incredibly beautifulndscape.

    He Jichen used the pale yellow light from the streetlight and made out the words carved with stone on the ground: I only see you 1 .

    He read those simple words a few times before he started to connect the words.

    He didn¡¯t know just how many times he repeated those words, as four words ran circles in his mind over and over.

    ¡°Yuguang¡±, ¡°Manman¡±, ¡°Full¡±, ¡°My eyes¡±...

    A gust of the evening breeze brought a bone-chilling air which snapped He Jichen out of his daze.

    He lowered his eyes to hide the sadness and disappointment in his eyes. He turned his head and looked all over for Ji Yi.

    She wasn¡¯t anywhere in sight, so he started to quickly walk in the direction where he¡¯d seen herst. Then, through the window of a bar called Flying Fish, he saw her sitting quietly by a window seat with her head tilted as she ordered a drink from the waiter.

    He Jichen stood by the roads and stared at Ji Yi for a while before he stepped into the bar.

    The only lights in the bar came from the stage and the candles on each table.

    The dim lights made it difficult to see other people¡¯s faces. He Jichen silently gestured for the waiter toe over, and he chose to sit behind Ji Yi. As he took a seat with her back turned towards him, he ordered a cup of green tea from the menu.

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73: Missing the Days When We Were Young (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was still early, so there was barely anyone at the bar. Aside from the man singing and ying the guitar, there were no other sounds.

    He Jichen and Ji Yi sat back-to-back for who knows how long, while a woman reced the male singer.

    She had a great voice. She spoke sweetly through the mic to test the sound, then she started to sing an old song.

    When she sang the words, ¡°I miss the unspoken, I miss the dreams we had, I miss the impulse of loving you after an argument¡±, He Jichen turned his head and nced over at Ji Yi.

    She looked like she was lost in her own thoughts, listening to the song. The candlelight highlighted her beauty. From her silence, He Jichen felt a vague hint of nostalgia as he thought to himself.

    Do I miss anything? What¡¯s my most cherished memory? And what memories do I cherish the most?

    He Jichen wondered for quite some time before the answer slowly came to mind: ¡°I miss the days when we were young.¡±

    He missed the days when they were young together.

    Those years were the most glorious years of his life.

    ¡°I miss the silent words, I miss the dreams we had, I miss the...¡± When the sweet lyrics rang in his ears again, he directed his eyes slowly at the candlelight on the table in front of him. As the light danced and glistened in his eyes, he felt like time had reversed to the distant... distant past.

    ...

    He Jichen had a rather long rebellious period, but he didn¡¯t do it to show off nor was he trying to be cool. He had a rebellious streak because of his older brother He Yuguang.

    Everyone said he was the older brother, but He Yuguang was born only a minute earlier.

    He Jichen and He Yuguang were identical twins. Even their own parents had to use their clothes to distinguish between the two, so it was extremely difficult for outsiders to tell them apart.

    They were both children from the He family, yet their destinies were pr opposites.

    From a young age, He Jichen was always healthy, but He Yuhuang was weak, often sick, and not to mention, he was born mute.

    The doctors¡¯ exnation was that during the pregnancy, one twin hoarded most of the nutrients, leaving the other twin with a nutrient deficiency.

    The doctor even said it¡¯d be difficult for He Yuguang to live past twenty years old.

    So, while He Jichen spent his childhood under the sun growing up with kids from school, He Yuguang spent his childhood in the hospital and studied with a home tutor their parents hired.

    Because of He Yuguang¡¯s condition, it meant He Jichen was the only one who could take over He Enterprises, so the members of the He family more or less preferred him.

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74: Missing the Days When We Were Young (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He was young and didn¡¯t know better; he didn¡¯t think much of it. As he grew up, he finally understood in junior high that He Yuguang had paid the price for his own good health.

    So he thought that if he was a bad kid, his parents would love He Yuguang a little more.

    That was when he started to skip sses and get into fights. He learned how to drink and smoke, joined gangs, and stayed outte... That was probably the most ¡°hot-blooded¡± period of his life. In less than two months, he annihted Sucheng Yizhong school¡¯s big boss for three consecutive years and became the new Laoda 1 of the school.

    At the time, whenever he walked out of school, cowering students hid far from him and didn¡¯t dare make a sound. Those who were brave enough whispered things like ¡°This is Yizhong¡¯s Laoda¡± or ¡°I heard our school¡¯s Laoda was stoppedst night at the inte cafe. In the end, he took on five other guys andpletely destroyed them¡± as he brushed past.

    At the time, a lot of people in school politely made way for him when they saw him and cried, ¡°Chen Ge.¡±

    Besides news of his ¡°hot-blooded glory days¡±, his striking looks generated a lot of interest in his love life.

    ¡°Did you know? Our school¡¯s Laoda changed girlfriends.¡±

    ¡°I just saw our Laoda in the cafeteria eating with the prettiest girl in third year.¡±

    ¡°I heard the prettiest girl from the neighboring school came to our school today to look for our Laoda...¡±

    In actuality, he wasn¡¯t even friends with those girls, let alone dated them. At most, they chatted with him or simply met up with him.

    Back then, the three words ¡°He Jichen¡± carried a reputation throughout all the middle schools in Sucheng.

    He was a legend and frequent topic of gossip. In private, everyone who knew him or spoke to him saw it as an honor. Besides the two nicknames ¡°Chen Ge¡± and ¡°Yizhong¡¯s Laoda¡±, he was also called ¡°Sucheng¡¯s Master He¡± and ¡°Suchengdy killer.¡±

    At the time, everyone spected at what kind of woman could get Yi Zhong Laoda He Jichen...

    Their guesses reached his ears. He hung out in the inte cafe at night and slept during the day. He let out a cold scoff andughed at the hrious thought that the kind of woman he was into probably hadn¡¯t even been born.

    Perhaps it was because he was so overly arrogant that God couldn¡¯t watch any longer, so in the first half of his third year, God gave him a girl.

    During a break in the early afternoon, he leaned against a pole on the sports field where he was safe from the stares of a thousand students. He leisurely took a drag from a cigarette.

    Just when he felt most rxed, he overheard the conversation of a few of girls behind him.

    ¡°Girls, let me ask you¡ªif you were walking alone one night, and you were stopped by two hoodrats who wanted to rape you, what would you do?¡±

    ¡°Call the police.¡±

    ¡°Call for help.¡±

    ¡°Run!¡±

    Eventually, a girl with the most beautiful and soft voice said, ¡°Give them a condom each.¡±

    All of a sudden, he choked on the cigarette in his mouth and bent over in a coughing fit. As he turned his head in the direction of the sound, he caught a glimpse of a tall and elegant long-haired girl.

 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75: Missing the Days When We Were Young (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After He Jichen¡¯s reputation spread across the middle schools of Sucheng, he practically saw different beautiful girls every day. There were ones with round faces, oval faces, youngdies from respectable families and girls who were uniquely beautiful.

    Even though there weren¡¯t any who made it into his heart, his expectations of women grew increasingly high especially after he entered his third year. No matter who he saw, these women were all too vani for him and failed to excite him in the slightest.

    But the silhouette of this girl gave him an unprecedented feeling of ¡°The twinkle in the eye.¡±

    Before he could take a closer look, his minion Fatty, who he sent out to buy a soda, returned. He was drenched in sweat. ¡°Chen Ge, the c you wanted.¡±

    Fatty coincidentally stood right in his line of sight. He wrinkled his brows and swiftly pushed Fatty aside, but the girl had long disappeared in the sea of other students wearing the same uniform.

    Fatty probably sensed that he was pissed, so he removed the lid of the c and panted while trying to kiss up to him, ¡°Chen Ge, the lid¡¯s off.¡±

    Who would¡¯ve thought that He Jichen would angrily kick Fatty and reply sourly, ¡°F*ck your C!¡± Then, he put out his cigarette, casually flicked it into the trash can nearby, and walked towards the block of ssrooms.

    The brief encounter with that girl was akin to a leaf softly falling on ake, drifting across rings of ripples. Before it could form any waves, it floated peacefully away, carried away on a breeze.

    Half a monthter, he and a ¡°gang of lowlifes¡± gathered together in an inte cafe close to the school for the night.

    After ying games for most of the night, he was a little tired, so he rested his eyes and rxed his mind while he leaned back in his chair. Fatty, who sat next to him, touch his arm. ¡°Chen Ge, do you want a soda?¡±

    He gently nodded his head but didn¡¯t reply.

    Fatty kicked the chair behind him in one big motion and ran over to the front desk to buy drinks.

    Maybe it was because Fatty mentioned the word ¡°soda¡± that the memory of the pretty figure on the sports field half a month earlier popped into his mind.

    His heart suddenly felt flustered. He instantly lost all sleepiness as he reached for the pack of cigarettes on the table. He pulled one out, put it to his lips, and lit it up. Through the cloud of smoke, he saw Fatty carry a bunch of sodas back with him.

    Fatty didn¡¯t get the chance to sit down before He Jichen waved at him. ¡°Help me find someone.¡±

    Fatty seemed especially eager. ¡°Chen Ge, which person? Did someone mess with you? They actually dared to mess with our Chen Ge?! I¡¯ll fuck him up!¡±

    ¡°Fuck you! You dare try to fuck her, I¡¯ll fucking kill you!¡± He Jichen red at Fatty then let out a ring of smoke. He answered, ¡°It¡¯s a woman.¡±

    ¡°Woman?¡± Fatty¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Is it Chen Sao 1

    ¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t bother with Fatty¡¯s nosiness but kept ordering him around. ¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it. Even if you have to dig three feet deep, find her for me!¡±

    He made it difficult for Fatty. ¡°Chen Ge, you¡¯ve only given me the two words ¡®a woman¡¯ to go by¡ª where do I go to find her for you? Surely you have more clues for me?¡±

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 76: Missing the Days When We Were Young (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    If I knew, would I need you to look for her? cursed He Jichen inside as he was thought of a few hints then said, ¡°She¡¯s from Yizhong. Long hair, sweet voice, and a beautiful back...¡±

    Fatty waited for a long time for He Jichen to go on, but he didn¡¯t. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it.¡±

    ¡°There must be a name.¡±

    Told you to go find her, so just go find her! Why do you still have so much shit to say?!

    He Jichen felt like cursing him out but then his eyes were drawn to the bundle of cs in Fatty¡¯s arms. He paused with the cigarette still in his mouth for a moment as the ashes fell. Then he murmured, ¡°Call her C girl.¡±

    ¡°C girl? What the...¡± The final word, ¡°hell,¡± didn¡¯t leave Fatty¡¯s mouth. He Jichen¡¯s bone-chilling gazended on him and he hastily shut up. With a sudden nod, he said with the utmost certainty, ¡°Rx, Chen Ge. Leave it to me. I¡¯ll definitely find Chen Sao!¡±

    Fatty started to look for ¡°C girl¡± for He Jichen, and he did so with a particr gusto.

    That night, Suchen Yizhong¡¯s forum, the school¡¯s notice board and radio, had breaking news titled ¡°Looking for C girl.¡± The message was simple: ¡°Looking for a beautiful woman with the name C girl. Student of Yizhong with long hair, sweet voice, and a beautiful back.¡±

    Not only that, but Fatty also split up the ¡°gang of lowlifes¡± into several teams to go through each ss in search for those listed qualities to find ¡°C girl¡±.

    At the time, Fatty brought fifty¡ªif not a hundred¡ªgirls to He Jichen every day.

    All the middle schools in Sucheng knew He Jichen was looking for ¡°C girl¡±, along with the schools in Yizhong.

    At the time, those two words ¡°C girl¡± became more popr than the words ¡°He Jichen.¡± Everyone was full of suspense and curiosity as they talked about how Chen Ge had fallen for this C girl.

    Eventually, school leaders caught wind of ¡°C girl incident,¡± so He Jichen¡¯s parents were called, and he was brought into the dean¡¯s office for an entire afternoon. In the end, he, Fatty and the gang were punished to clean the school toilets for a month.

    But even after paying the price and going through such ¡°serious distress¡± to clean the toilets, He Jichen still couldn¡¯t find ¡°C girl.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t until He Jichen and the gang had cleaned the toilets for twenty-eight days that he finally saw his ¡°C girl.¡±

    That day, it was evening, well after school hours. He had a mop in his hand as he leaned against the window opposite the toilet. He stared at Fatty and the gang cleaning the toilet bowls, ¡°exhausted.¡±

    He was bored, so he was about to call someone to go buy him a bottle of c when he identally turned his head and coincidentally caught the familiar figure he¡¯d been looking for through the window.

    Reflexively, he dropped the mop in his hand and ran towards the stairs as he ignored the cries of Fatty and the gang.

 Chapter 77

    Chapter 77: Missing the Days When We Were Young (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    School was over for the day, so there were a lot of students walking down the stairs. Since he was blocked by the crowd, he roared in annoyance, ¡°Move to the side!¡±

    A path was instantly formed on the crowded stairs between the fourth and first floors.

    Even so, he still missed her.

    When he rushed out of the block of ssrooms and reached the spot where hest saw ¡°C girl,¡± she was already gone.

    He stood where she¡¯d just been a moment earlier as his mood instantly soured.

    He always thought he was a heartless person, but this was the first time in his life when he felt moved by love.

    He was in a daze for a long while before he heard calls for ¡°Chen Ge¡± from behind him. That was when he turned his head and saw Fatty and the gang, who were supposed to be cleaning the toilets, rush down in a hurry with their mops and brooms. They asked anxiously, ¡°Chen Ge, who do you want us to beat up?¡±

    ¡°I wanna f*cking beat you up,¡± thought He Jichen. He waved his hand dismissively as if to tell them to go back to what they were doing.

    After the gang dispersed, he continued to stand rooted on the spot for a while before he headed back upstairs.

    The gang didn¡¯t finish cleaning the toilets until the skies became dark. Everybody wore their backpacks out of school, walking with a united front. They headed to a Lamian 1 restaurant.

    After paying for his food, Fatty asked, ¡°Next stop: inte cafe?¡±

    With a cigarette in his mouth, He Jichen didn¡¯t say a word until the mian restaurant manager handed him his change. ¡°You guys go. I¡¯m not going.¡±

    Fatty asked, ¡°Chen Ge, where do you want to go?¡±

    He Jichen picked up his backpack and turned away from the gang. After he walked a distance away, he said, ¡°Home.¡±

    Our Laoda is someone who ¡°doesn¡¯t go home at night¡±. What¡¯s gotten into him today? Laoda actually wants to go home?

    The gang looked at each other as though they¡¯d heard something unbelievable.

    By the time he arrived home, it was already nightfall.

    His dad came homete, so they¡¯d only just finished dinner. When the nanny opened the door, she took his backpack and asked, ¡± Er Shaoye 2 , have you had dinner?¡±

    He wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk, so he mumbled ¡°mm.¡± He exchanged his shoes for slippers and only took two steps upstairs when his mum called out, ¡°Ah Chen,e.¡±

    With tongue in cheek, he stood on the spot, his hands tucked in his pockets in annoyance. He pivoted on the spot to face the dining room.

    He was just about to say ¡°What?¡± in frustration when his eyes were drawn to the girl sitting next to He Yuguang. An old saying came to mind: ¡°You travel far and wide only to find something right before your eyes.¡±

    The girl on my mind, the girl I spent over a whole month searching for, is actually sitting right here in my dining room, calmly and elegantly eating dinner with my family?!

    In that moment, an infinite number of curses crossed He Jichen¡¯s mind.

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 78: Missing the Days When We Were Young (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    That night, he learned that the ¡°C girl¡± he¡¯d been looking so long for was called Ji Yi. She was the granddaughter of his neighbour, Luo Nainai 1

    , and the daughter of his mum¡¯s friend.

    That night, he was lectured by his parents for half an hour in front of her. Unlike before, he didn¡¯t turn to leave in less than a minute.

    That night, he was in a particrly good mood. After his parents¡¯ long lecture, he replied with a single ¡°En¡±, which shocked his mum.

    After Ji Yi left that night, he took a shower andy in the bed he hadn¡¯t slept in for a long time, tossing and turning.

    That night, he hugged his duvet, smiling foolishly to himself as he repeated her name. Ji Yi, Ji Yi, Ji Yi. So it turned out her name was Ji Yi, and he¡¯s called He Jichen. Ji Yi, He Jichen, He Jichen, Ji Yi. Their names endlessly intermingled in his mind when he suddenly thought of something wonderful: My name has your surname 2 .

    Because of the rtionship between their families, he quickly learned which ss she was in.

    He was in ss Nine of the third year while she was in ss One of the third year.

    At school, he was the cker, and she was the nerd.

    For someone who previously disliked people who walked through the doors of ss One, he started to often pass the windows of ss One.

    For someone who used to spend long hours away from home, he started toe home on time every day.

    He slowly learned that she¡¯d been in Suchen for over a year, and had known He Yuguang for over a year now. Because of his rebellious behaviour, he often came homete before, so he missed out on over a year of getting to know her.

    They werete to know each other by over a year¡ªhe¡¯d never be able to make up for that time. She called He Yuguang ¡°Yuguang Gege 3 ,¡± but he was ¡°He Tongxue 4 .¡±

    Although He Yuguang was mute and unable to speak, whenever she came over to his house, she mostly chatted with him. He Jichen tried to look as though he wasn¡¯t bothered at all, but behind their backs, he sneakily found a way to secretly eavesdrop.

    Later, he learned that He Yuguang didn¡¯t call her ¡°Xiao Yi¡±, but ¡°Manman.¡±

    But at the time, he was so confident to think that these little nicknames were nothing because one day, he would be just as close as to her as He Yuguang.

    He Yuguang had a nickname especially for her, ¡°Manman,¡± but he had one for her too, ¡°C girl.¡±

    So one day, when he identally saw Ji Yi write the words ¡± I only see you 5 ¡°, he didn¡¯t feel anything. It was just a phrase with the words ¡°Yuguang¡± and ¡°Manman¡±? He had one too! It was ¡°My name has your surname.¡±

    ...

    The back of his chair was suddenly knocked as He Jichen snapped out of his reminiscing.

    Because he was lost in his own thoughts for so long, it took some time to realize where he was. Then he abruptly turned his head to see that Ji Yi drank quite a bit. She looked like a drunken mess as she swayed out the doors of the bar.

    She didn¡¯t pay the bill, so the waiter stopped her. She must¡¯ve been really drunk because her vision was blurred and she didn¡¯t understand what the waiter was saying at all.

    He Jichen hurriedly got up, walked up to her and reached his hand out to help steady her swaying body.

    After paying for both their bills, He Jichen walked out of the bar with Ji Yi.

    She couldn¡¯t even walk. He bent over and carried her on his back to where he parked his car.

    Just as they were about to reach the car, while in a drunken mess, she started to murmur, ¡°I don¡¯t want to get married, yet I think that¡¯s all I can do...¡±

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 79: Missing the Days When We Were Young (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    I don¡¯t want to get married, yet I think that¡¯s all I can do...

    He Jichen suddenly remembered what she said to Qian Ge in the afternoon at the film studio, ¡°Qian Ge. You¡¯re wrong. It¡¯s easy to escape your trap¡ªas long as I get married...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s footsteps suddenly came to a stop.

    Just to get out of Qian Ge¡¯s trap, is she really prepared to get married?

    ¡°But I really didn¡¯t want to get married...¡± After a while, the disordered Ji Yi spoke again incoherently.

    He Jichen snapped back to his senses and continued to walk with a calm expression on his face. He kept walking steadily to his car.

    ¡°Don¡¯t want to get married, don¡¯t want to get married...¡± she repeated those words over and over again, with a more assured tone of voice. ¡°...I don¡¯t want to get married a single bit...¡±

    All of a sudden, a gust of breeze brought in a bone-cutting chill that caused her to shiver. Her mumbling voice cracked, but He Jichen still heard what she said. ¡°... I¡¯ve had someone I want to marry for many years now. Since many years ago, I¡¯ve had...¡±

    He Jichen suddenly stopped walking. The next second, he silently walked over to the car with Ji Yi on his back, pulled the car door open and carefully helped her get inside.

    With the dim yellow light from themppost, He Jichen stared at Ji Yi for a while then closed the door. He walked to the front of the car and sat inside.

    It was silent in the car. The woman sitting in the back wouldn¡¯t stop repeating the same sentence over and over.

    He Jichen stared at the road ahead calmly.

    It was early evening, and all the lights just turned on. Outside the car, the multicoloured neon lights shone endlessly over his handsomeplexion and revealed his tightened jaw.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t take her back to his house like he had when she had stomach pains. Instead, he brought her to the Four Seasons hotel near the school.

    He searched for her ID from her bag to book the room. As she slept soundly in his hands, he carried her up the stairs.

    He entered the hotel room, gentlyid Ji Yi on the bed, and tenderly pulled the covers over her.

    He stood by her bedside for a long time until her breathing rxed. Then, he turned the lights off and tiptoed out.

    It was already one in the morning when he left the Four Seasons hotel. He Jichen stood on the empty streets with a cigarette lit. Under the dim lights of themppost and through the clouds of smoke, he suddenly thought back to that night they had a one-night stand. Back then, he also stood on the street afterwards like this. This scene really brought him back to that night.

    But wheny her down, she gently said those words that crippled his heart. He thought back to her words ¡°I don¡¯t want to get married, yet I think that¡¯s all I can do...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t move an inch as though he¡¯d turned to stone. It wasn¡¯t until the cigarette burned out and burned his finger that he snapped back to his senses and put out the cigarette.

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 80: Missing the Days When We Were Young (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Juchen chucked the cigarette head into the garbage and just stood there for a long while before pulling the car door open and getting in.

    He drove back with the route memorized as he headed home, but when he was halfway there, he suddenly stopped the car by the roadside. He pulled his phone out, opened the navigator, and entered the words ¡°Sucheng.¡± After the navigator found the route, he stepped on the gas again and made a turn at the road ahead then flew onto the highway.

    He drove from nightfall to sunrise, and it was already noon when He Jichen reached the toll booth at Sucheng.

    After paying the toll, He Jichen shut off the navigation on his phone and effortlessly drove into Sucheng City.

    He first went to the He family estate. He didn¡¯t tell anyone in advance he was going toe home, so besides the nanny, no one else was in.

    The nanny seemed delightfully shocked to see him and caringly asked him non-stop, ¡± Er Shaoye 1 , why are you suddenly back? Are you hungry? Do you want to eat? Do you want to eat something right now? How about I give Sir and Madam a call? They¡¯ll definitely be delighted to hear you¡¯re back...¡±

    As she said this, the nanny picked up the phone in the living room, but before she could press any buttons, He Jichen said, ¡°No, that¡¯s okay. I have some things to attend toter, so I¡¯ll have to head out.¡±

    After a pause, He Jichen added, ¡°Continue with what you were doing. Don¡¯t mind me.¡±

    The nanny responded, ¡°Okay.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything further and headed right upstairs.

    Back in his bedroom, he first took a shower, thenid in bed and made up for some lost sleep. When he woke up again, it was four in the afternoon. He Jichen got changed into an all-ck outfit and grabbed his keys and wallet on his way out.

    He Jichen turned into a nearby flower store after he left the residential area. He chose a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers. After he paid, he went to the supermarket next door and bought a couple bottles of beer. He put the things in the trunk of his car before he got back into the car and drove to the suburbs of Sucheng.

    After he drove for about forty-five minutes, He Jichen turned into the He family¡¯s private cemetery.

    The security guard recognized He Jichen through the lowered windows of his car. When he saw him, he hurriedly opened the gates and greeted him, ¡°Er Shaoye, you¡¯vee.¡±

    He Jichen slowly nodded as he gradually parked the car in the parking lot and entered the cemetery. He opened up the trunk, brought out the fresh flowers and beers then headed deep into the cemetery.

    He walked for about ten minutes before he stopped in front of a particr gravestone. He stood on the path beside it for some time before he lifted his foot and walked over.

    Coincidentally, the sun was setting in the west and the blood-red light formed a faint red halo around the gravestone.

    He Jichen quietly stood in front of the grave for a long time before he crouched down to ce the fresh flowers down. He slowly looked up at the ck and white photo on the gravestone.

    The person in the photo smiled warmly and wore a white shirt.

    His facial features and profile were wlessly identical to his.

    As he stared at the ck and white photo for a long time, it was like He Jichen was looking into a mirror. He slowly raised his hand to touch the name on the gravestone.

    With quivering fingers, each word came into view¡ªit was He Yuguang.

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 81: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Though his older brother He Yuguang passed away three years ago, every time he went in front of his gravestone, a heavy, indescribable pain crept into He Jichen¡¯s heart.

    After a while, he calmed down as he repeatedly stroked the word ¡°Guang¡± and spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Bro, I¡¯vee to visit you.¡±

    He Jichen knew that nobody would reply, but he still quietly waited for a while before he continued, ¡°Bro, how have you been? Let¡¯s not lie...¡±

    He Jichen knew he would never in his life see He Yuguang scribbling replies on his whiteboard ever again. He lowered his eyes and gulped hard. Then he pulled his hand back from the gravestone, turned around and sat down on the ground. He rested his head on the gravestone and stared up at the sunny skies. He smelled the tobo of a cigarette he lit up, and he slowly said, ¡°...I¡¯ve been good. I¡¯m not lying... Really good. She woke up, and she¡¯s doing alright... How about you, Bro?¡±

    He was met with silence.

    It wasn¡¯t until a gust of wind blew in and made the leaves from the surrounding trees rustle that He Jichen spoke again as though he was talking to himself, ¡°Bro, can I ask you a question? Have you ever really wanted to start over with someone?¡±

    He Jichen paused for three seconds then blinked softly. An infinite sense of sadness washed over his body, which in turn made his voice sound dejected. ¡°Bro, I have...¡±

    He Jichen said just three words before he stopped. Yet, he clearly said the words in his heart: I really want to start over with her; I want to go back to the moment she said her name. I really really want to start over with her; I want to start from the moment she first stepped into our house.

    It wasn¡¯t until four years ago that he realized no matter how he confidently thought he would be as close as He Yuguang was in Ji Yi¡¯s heart, that wasn¡¯t the reality. His confidence had no use at all.

    He Jichen lit another cigarette and slowly shut his eyes. Amongst the faint smell of tobo, he continued his reminiscing about the beautiful memories of the past that he had the night before in the bar.

    ...

    Soon after He Jichen and Ji Yi met each other, they had to take their high school examinations.

    Ji Yi¡¯s results were good, and she easily entered Sucheng Yizhong¡¯s senior high experimental ss 1 . As for He Jichen, who left four out of five test papers nk and got only twenty points on one test, he barely made it into Sucheng Yizhong even after the He family donated a hundredputers. However, he didn¡¯t get into the experimental ss but was in the ordinary ss instead.

    After graduating to senior high, aside from still being as ignorant and boastful as he was in junior high, he also learned a new skill: to protect.

    He learned this new skill in the second month into the start of senior high.

    It was a Wednesday afternoon. Ji Yi didn¡¯t go home after school but went with a few girls to have lunch, then she headed to the Happy Inte Cafe.

    Coincidentally that day, He Jichen, Fatty and the gang met up for a game at the Happy Inte Cafe.

    But she was on the first floor, and they were on the second floor.

    Halfway through his game, he went to the washroom. Since the second-floor toilets were upied, he had to go to the first-floor toilets. He picked up a pack of cigarettes while he was there.

    After he grabbed his cigarettes at the front desk, he nonchntly headed upstairs. That was when he incidentally caught glimpse of her through the windows, sitting in the inte cafe.

    He instinctively stopped walking and looked back.

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 82: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She and two other girls sitting next to her were chatting and joking around as they yed a popr game.

    He remembered those two girls¡ªthey were her ssmates. He often saw them together in school. One of them was a slightly popr child actress called Ge... or something.

    The radiance of thete summer sun cut through the window and fell on her fair face, emphasizing the wholesomeness and beauty of her asional smile.

    He Jichen stopped tearing open the pack of cigarettes and stared at her in a daze.

    He didn¡¯t avert his eyes until an acquaintance from the inte cafe brushed past him and called out ¡°Chen Ge¡± out of respect.

    He exchanged a few polite words with this person, but after he left, He Jichen walked back down to the first floor as he sneaked a few nces at Ji Yi. Since he was quite high up, he realized he wasn¡¯t the only one dazed by her beauty¡ªthere was also a group of thugs sitting not too far behind her staring at her intently.

    He Jichen knew the gang belonged to the previous Laoda of Yizhong, Sun Zhang. After graduating junior high, he stopped going to school. Since he was still young and there was nowhere for him to go, he often hung out with his gang, fooling around in this inte cafe.

    He recently caught wind that this gang liked a pretty girl from Research Yizhong, so they often ambushed the girl when she left school and forced her to go out with them.

    Sun Zhang sat right in the middle of the gang. He checked Ji Yi up and down, and every now and then, he¡¯d turn to look, point and whisper about Ji Yi.

    It was noisy in the inte cafe, and he was still a little far from Ji Yi. He Jichen didn¡¯t know what Sun Zhang was talking about, but he felt so annoyed for some reason... like someone had his eyes on something that belonged to him.

    Sun Zhangplimented Ji Yi just a little then suddenly got up and walked over to where she was sitting. The moment he brushed past Ji Yi, he deliberately pretended to identally sprain his ankle so he could fall into the back of Ji Yi¡¯s chair.

    He Jichen clearly saw Sun Zhang¡¯s hand sp Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder.

    Without a second thought, He Jichen turned around and rushed down the stairs. As he reached thest flight of stairs, Fatty, who was still at the top of the stairs, called out, ¡°Chen Ge!¡±

    Just then, Sun Zhang pretended to steady himself and reluctantly removed his hand from Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder.

    With an ominous look on He Jichen¡¯s face, his feet came to a stop.

    ¡°Chen Ge, what¡¯s wrong?¡± asked Fatty as he caught up to He Jichen. He Jichen pointed at Sun Zhang who was now at the front desk. He gave a few nonchnt nods then deliberately emphasized the word ¡°invite¡± as he said in a sluggish drawl, ¡°Invite that Sun guy upstairs. Tell him I want to see him.¡±

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 83: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Yes, Chen Ge.¡± Fatty pounded down the rest of the stairs, and when he reached the main floor, he bolted over to Sun Zhang.

    In the past, He Jichen and Sun Zhang fought to be the Laoda of Sucheng, so they often had run-ins with each other, but Sun Zhang was defeated every time. Sun Zhang knew Fatty was He Jichen¡¯s ¡°handy assistant¡±, so when he saw Fattying, his body instinctively shivered. He tried to bolt so fast that he didn¡¯t even pick up his change from the assistant at the front desk.

    Though Fatty was fat, he had quick reflexes. Sun Zhang took a step back, but Fatty already had his arms around his shoulders and smiled like they were brothers. Fatty pointed upstairs. In a half menacing way, like he was going to abduct him, Fatty pressured Sun Zhang to walk up the stairs.

    As he caught sight of that image, He Jichen didn¡¯t linger any longer and turned around to walk back up the stairs.

    When he reached the second floor, He Jichen didn¡¯t bother with the yelling from the groups of enthusiastic people ying games. He pulled out a chair and sat facing the corridor by the stairway.

    Secondster, Fatty and Sun Zhang came into his view.

    After taking two steps towards He Jichen, Fatty presented Sun Zhang like he was presenting a treasure. ¡°Chen Ge, the person you wanted.¡±

    He Jichen ignored Fatty and stared straight at Sun Zhang.

    Sun Zhang felt his insides squirming under He Jichen¡¯ gaze. He didn¡¯t dare meet He Jichen¡¯s eyes as he spoke carefully, trying to kiss up to him as he said respectfully, ¡°Chen Ge.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say a word. He reached his hand out towards Sun Zhang like he wanted to shake his hand.

    He had never been this polite with Sun Zhang. Sun Zhang stared at He Jichen¡¯s hand, a little stunned at his friendliness. He snuck a nce at He Jichen to confirm that he wasn¡¯t hiding any rage, then he slowly reached both hands out to He Jichen.

    He Jichen clutched the part of Sun Zhang¡¯s hand where he touched Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder.

    Seeing as everything was fine, Sun Zhang rxed and asked, ¡°Chen Ge, why were you looking for...¡± before the word ¡°me¡± could slip out, Sun Zhang let out a blood-curdling screech.

    He Jichen now clutched Sun Zhang¡¯s hand tightly, spraining his wrist. Everyone downstairs heard his anguished howl as he tried to run.

    Fatty promptly took a step downstairs to block Sun Zhang¡¯s escape route and giggled as he pointed behind him. ¡°Zhang, you¡¯re going in the wrong direction. Our Chen Ge is over there.¡±

    With that, Fatty shoved Sun Zhang back in front of He Jichen.

    Without a second thought, He Jichen raised his foot and kicked Sun Zhang¡¯s stomach.

    When Sun Zhang fell to the ground in the pain, He Jichen was like a spring as he jumped up from the chair and onto Sun Zhang. He showered Sun Zhang with punches and kicks.

    After his anger had been released, He Jichen pped his hands and got up. Then he took a step back.

    He straightened his clothes and nced down while towering over the panting Sun Zhang. He furrowed his brows and was ovee by an impulse to beat him again. He kicked him with the tip of his foot. ¡°Get out!¡±

 Chapter 84

    Chapter 84: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Sun Zhang climbed up from the floor and staggered to the stairway. However, he hadn¡¯t even taken two steps when all of a sudden, He Jichen reached his hand out to grab the back of Sun Zhang¡¯s cor and pulled him closer. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you touch Yizhong girls, but the girl you just touched downstairs¡ªshe¡¯s mine. I¡¯m warning you, stay away from her! If I see you try anything with her, I¡¯ll cripple you!¡±

    Sun Zhang frantically nodded with a flushed face and repeatedly said ¡°yes.¡±

    He Jichen let go of Sun Zhang¡¯s cor in disgust like he¡¯d seen enough of his face for a lifetime. He then waved his hands to signal him to get lost.

    Sun Zhang didn¡¯t dare stay any longer, nor did he want to stay. He walked around Fatty and scampered down the stairs.

    After all that fuss with Sun Zhang, He Jichen lost the mood to continue gaming. He sat back in his chair and smoked one cigarette after another, quickly finishing off an entire pack. He turned his head and nced downstairs. Ji Yi and her two friends were still there with all sorts of guys sitting around them. Some were smoking, so every now and then, she furrowed her brows, coughed and covered her nose.

    He Jichen also furrowed his brows. He looked away and swept his eyes around the group of noisy people around him ying games. Suddenly, he reached his hand out and pped theputer desk twice.

    The entire second floor fell silent. Everyone removed their headphones, and one after the other, they turned to look at He Jichen.

    He Jichen flicked the cigarette ashes away and pointed at Ji Yi¡¯s back. ¡°Each and every one of you sitting here¡ªgo downstairs. You see that girl? Besides her and her friends, tell everyone else to get lost!¡±

    After hearing He Jichen¡¯s orders, the group of people immediately got up.

    ¡°Also, when you¡¯re down there, don¡¯te back up. After kicking those guys out, sit in a circle around her!¡± If his people sat around her as protection, there wouldn¡¯t be any other pests bothering her like Sun Zhang.

    ¡°But Chen Ge, we reserved the second floor...¡± whined someone with a cigarette in his mouth. Before he could finish, He Jichen shot him a violent stare and he immediately changed his tone. ¡°Yes yes yes, Chen Ge, don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll be downstairs.¡±

    He Jichen then saw a few of them exhale clouds of smoke. He furrowed his brows, pointed at them, and spoke again, ¡°Also, put out your cigarettes. Nobody is allowed to smoke next to her!¡±

    After seeing each cigarette get put out, He Jichen finally looked satisfied. He gave a slight nod as a signal for them to leave. As they made their way downstairs, he added, ¡°Treat her with a little respect!¡±

    From that day onwards, there was an unspoken rule among He Jichen¡¯s people: as soon as Ji Yi turned up at the Happy Inte Cafe, they immediately made the people sitting around her move and theypletely surrounded her like a barricade of human shields. Even though the gang didn¡¯t know Ji Yi personally, if she identally looked at one of them, they had to smile. As long as Ji Yi was around, none of them smoked. Even if the urge came, they knew better and went outside to smoke.

    At the time, He Jichen and Ji Yi weren¡¯t familiar with one another, and when they were in each other¡¯s presence, they barely said anything. However, He Jichen¡¯s people all knew she was a treasured woman in Chen Ge¡¯s heart. At Sucheng Yizhong, Chen Ge wasn¡¯t number one any longer¡ªJi Yi was the true number one.

 Chapter 85

    Chapter 85: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Fatty had known He Jichen since elementary school. When He Jichen ¡°established himself¡± during the first year of middle school, Fatty was always unwaveringly loyal by his side.

    After all these years, Fatty had never seen He Jichen treat a woman this well. Oh, correction, he¡¯s never looked a woman in the eyes.

    Ji Yi was the first, and Fatty knew she would be thest.

    No matter how many years passed, if someone asked how a man should treat a woman, Fatty would think of the way Chen Ge treated Ji Yi. He had never seen a man so devoted to a woman in his life.

    Fatty thought it was enough for He Jichen to get all the guys to protect Ji Yi to ¡°put on a show¡± for her at the Happy Inte Cafe. Later, he learned this was just the start.

    A week passed after the incident with Sun Zhang. From the first year of middle school, no one had ever seen He Jichen read a textbook, write essays or take his studies seriously like he did now.

    As He Jichen¡¯s desk mate, Fatty thought He Jichen was just doing everything for show, but after weeks passed and He Jichen scored in the top one hundred on the mid-term exam, Fatty realized Chen Ge wasn¡¯t ying. He was serious.

    Fatty asked He Jichen, ¡°Chen Ge, now that you¡¯re Yizhong¡¯s Laoda, are you trying to fit in with all of Yizhong¡¯s nerds?¡±

    As He Jichen flipped through his math book, he tly replied Fatty with a ¡°No.¡±

    No? Then why are you studying so hard? Before Fatty could ask, He Jichen said, ¡°I want to help someone.¡±

    ¡°Help someone? Help who?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t answer.

    At the time, Fatty didn¡¯t know any better. He didn¡¯t understand that everything He Jichen did was for the woman ¡°Ji Yi¡±, so he kept pestering He Jichen. He Jichen eventually smacked the back of Fatty¡¯s head with the book to make him shut his mouth.

    He Jichen was smart. When he took his studies seriously, his scores skyrocketed. At the end-of-term exam, he managed to make it into the top twenty of his year,pared to Ji Yi¡¯s fifth ce.

    After the first term of their first year of high school ended, everybody was on winter break. When Chinese New Year was over, everyone weed the second term of school.

    After starting school again, besides focusing on his studies, He Jichen took it upon himself to study the key points of every subject.

    Fatty felt that He Jichen was going overboard, so he mumbled to himself, ¡°You already know everything, Chen Ge. Why are you tormenting yourself over these key points? Are you trying to help me? I can study everything about picking up girls, but I can¡¯t study for school...¡±

    He Jichen looked unfazed as he continued to read the textbook and highlight important points, but his mind pondered what Fatty said.

    Who am I tormenting myself over these key points for? Do I need to ask? The person I want to help is Ji Yi...

    It was the first year of high school. The only reason he did this was because when he came back home one day, he identally overheard Ji Yiin to He Yuguang, ¡°Yuguang gege, I think senior high¡¯s curriculum is so hard...¡±

 Chapter 86

    Chapter 86: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She justined a little, but it made him determined to study for no reason other than helping her.

    As time passed, he was actually able to help her. His mum practically invited her over for dinner every day, so she spent most of her time studying at his house. When she wasn¡¯t in the study room, he took the chance to sneakily go in, flip through her textbook and figure out the focal points so he could help herter.

    In the second year of high school, art and science sses were split up. Since He Jichen¡¯s scores shot up, he and Ji Yi were put in the same science ss.

    She and He Jichen seats were on opposite sides of the room, so the two of them still didn¡¯t really interact with each another.

    There were more assignments for Yizhong¡¯s second years than first years, so the school started to ask students to study more during the evenings. Every day at nine in the evening, Ji Yi rode her bike back home alone from He Jichen¡¯s house.

    During early October that year, there was an awful story going around about a girl from a neighboring school who came home from school in the evening and got gang raped by several drunk men.

    He Jichen never cared about these silly rumours, but when he heard this, he immediately ordered Fatty to send two people to secretly guard Ji Yi on her way home in the evenings.

    He Jichen hadmanded Fatty and the gang to do so much for Ji Yi. After seeing that He Jichen and Ji Yi didn¡¯t even interact after all they¡¯d done to help her, the guys gradually started to feel upset, like all their efforts weren¡¯t worth the trouble.

    These upset individuals reached their limit during a school foundation event.

    Ji Yi, who was an outstanding student, signed up to perform a song with the chairman of the student union at the event.

    Because the pressure was on, Ji Yi and the chairperson practiced after evening study sessions. He Jichen got the two people who guarded Ji Yi on her way home to sit outside the ssroom she practiced in until she finished.

    Through the window, He Jichen¡¯s guys always saw Ji Yi and the chairman chatting away and joking around.

    The picture of them together was an eyesore for He Jichen¡¯s guys. This was clearly their Laoda¡¯s woman, and their Laoda put so much time and effort into treating her so well. Why didn¡¯t she smile whenever she saw Laoda, but smiled so cheerfully with that scrawny student union chairman?

    The guards often got together andined about this, which made them even angrier. One particr day, it was coincidentally the day of the school¡¯s celebration and also He Jichen¡¯s birthday. A few of the guys got together and secretly made ns. Just like how Sun Zhang ¡°invited¡± girls at the school gates to go out with him, they would surprise He Jichen by ¡°inviting¡± Ji Yi to their KTV birthday party for him.

    That day, He Jichen arrived quite early as the guys mysteriously surrounded him, calling out ¡°Chen Ge¡± and pushing the doors into the private room open for him.

    There Ji Yi was, sitting on the sofa in the private room in her beautiful costume.

 Chapter 87

    Chapter 87: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At first, he was stunned by the sight of her beauty, but then he looked suspiciously at his men standing to one side. Just as he was going to ask why she was there, Ji Yi saw hime in and suddenly got up from the sofa to dump a ss of beer on his head. Before he could speak, she said, ¡°He Jichen, did you know there¡¯s only twenty-five minutes until it¡¯s my turn to perform? Do you think it¡¯s cool to casually ambush people outside school? From the way I see it, it¡¯s absolutely disgusting! Why don¡¯t you learn from your brother?! Look at your older brother, then take a look at yourself...¡±

    He Jichen was left bewildered by Ji Yi dumping beer on his face.

    Each and every member of the gang was upset by Ji Yi¡¯s sharp-tongued rant. So much so that someone angrily said, ¡°You want to say that again? Who gave you the right to talk to Chen Ge like that?!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Do you know how our Chen Ge treats you...¡±

    Before the second person could finish, the silent He Jichen suddenly spoke up. ¡°Enough!¡±

    ¡°Chen Ge, did you hear what she said about you? What¡¯s more, what you did...¡±

    ¡°I said, enough!¡± He Jichen¡¯s voice was so terrifyingly cold that it shocked everyone in the room into silence. They didn¡¯t even dare breathe too loudly.

    He Jichen¡¯s dark eyes swept around the people in the room and asked, ¡°Who brought her here?¡±

    He was met with a wall of silence.

    ¡°Who brought her here?!¡± repeated He Jichen.

    This time, a few of them obediently stepped forward with heads bowed,cking the enthusiasm from earlier when they plotted to ¡°invite¡± Ji Yi. ¡°Chen Ge, we saw that she...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t want to hear their excuses. He interrupted them and shouted, ¡°Go apologize!¡±

    The few of them who felt they did no wrong just stood there without flinching.

    He Jichen roared again, ¡°I said, go apologize!¡±

    This time, several people faced Ji Yi and cried, ¡°Sorry.¡±

    He Jichen still looked upset as he waited for the final person to apologize. He then took a step aside and moved from the KTV room door. ¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it, but I¡¯ll give you ten minutes to take her back to school! If you hold up her performance, you¡¯ll have to face the consequences!¡±

    They replied with a ¡°yes¡± as someone called a taxi and the others escorted Ji Yi out.

    In the end, Ji Yi didn¡¯t care to wait for her escorts. Instead, she left the KTV ce and hailed a taxi herself without even a nce at He Jichen¡¯s guys.

    That night, the carefully nned birthday celebrations for He Jichen fell to pieces.

    That night, He Jichenshed out at the guys in a fit of rage and warned them that he¡¯d never forgive anyone who bothered Ji Yi. Then he yelled at everyone to leave.

 Chapter 88

    Chapter 88: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    That night, He Jichen drank many bottles of beer by himself in the KTV room. When he came home feeling shattered, he coincidentally saw Ji Yi sleeping under He Yuguang¡¯s nket. The moment she came out of He Yuguang¡¯s room, he happened to bump right into her. She was still angry at him, so instead of being rude or calling him an estranged ¡°He Tongxue¡±, she didn¡¯t even look at him as she brushed past his shoulders and closed He Yuguang¡¯s bedroom door without turning back.

    That must¡¯ve been the first time she gave him the cold shoulder¡ªitsted an entire two weeks. During that time, his mood was terrible. He didn¡¯t smile at all, and his friends kept as much distance as possible from him after ss in fear that they¡¯d identally set him off.

    Thest time they spoke was because of Sun Zhang.

    One night after he came home, he went upstairs and heard Ji Yi¡¯s distressed voice talking to He Yuguang. ¡°Yuguang Gege, you don¡¯t know how annoying Sun Zhang is. Lately, he¡¯s been harassing me all the time. Today, he wentpletely overboard. Not only did he call me cheap, but he grabbed me...¡±

    He Jichen couldn¡¯t see inside the room, but he guessed that He Yuguang must be replying to Ji Yi on his whiteboard.

    After a while, Ji Yi¡¯s voice was heard. ¡°Ask He Jichen? But we¡¯re not even close.¡±

    He Yuguang must¡¯ve written something as Ji Yi replied, ¡°Yuguang Gege will help me ask?¡±

    He didn¡¯t even have to wait for He Yuguang to ask him for help¡ªthe moment he heard her mention that Sun Zhangid his hands on her, his anger spiked. He didn¡¯t even stop to put his backpack down as he rushed downstairs and gave Fatty a call. Over the phone, he told Fatty that even if he had to turn Sucheng upside down, he had to find Sun Zhang.

    It wasn¡¯t until the afternoon of the following day that he found out where Sun Zhang was.

    He didn¡¯t wait for Fatty to call his posse over before heading out on his own.

    At three in the afternoon, a hair-raising incident happened on the sports field of Sucheng Yizhong.

    The handsome man was like a blood-soaked hero as he publicly dragged Sun Zhang with his shirt dishevelled in the middle of Ji Yi¡¯s P.E. ss.

    With no consideration for the surrounding young men and women, he raised his leg and forced Sun Zhang to bow in front of Ji Yi.

    He stared right at Ji Yi and spat out a word directed at Sun Zhang, ¡°Speak!¡±

    Sun Zhang struggled to get up as He Jichen violently kicked him. Sun Zhang crawled to Ji Yi¡¯s feet.

    He Jichen kept his leg glued to Sun Zhang¡¯s back as he remained silent this time. Seeing as Sun Zhang wasn¡¯t doing anything, he gradually increased pressure on his back, causing Sun Zhang to finally blurt out, ¡°Sorry, Ji Yi, sorry, sorry, sorry...¡±

    As Sun Zhang said ¡°sorry,¡± Fatty counted beside him. When he reached a hundred, He Jichen finally released his leg from Sun Zhang¡¯s back.

 Chapter 89

    Chapter 89: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He shot Fatty a look, which prompted Fatty to immediatelye over and drag Sun Zhang away by his cor.

    Everyone on the field, including Ji Yi, was silent as they watched it all unfold.

    As he soaked in the sun, the bright red splotches stood out on He Jichen¡¯s white shirt. He stared unwaveringly at Ji Yi for a while, then said, ¡°He won¡¯t harass you anymore.¡± As though he felt like those words weren¡¯t quite enough, he added, ¡°Nobody will ever harass you anymore.¡± He then turned to leave.

    That wasn¡¯t the end of that incident. Even though a fight hadn¡¯t broken out in school, the principal was alerted.

    In addition to He Jichen¡¯s parents being called again, He Jichen was given another major demerit and was punished to clean the toilets for another month.

    After school that day, He Jichenzily leaned up against the window sill for the millionth time as he directed Fatty and the gang to clean the toilets.

    Something was different this time. As the rowdy gang was cleaning, Ji Yi appeared in her school uniform and backpack in front of He Jichen.

    Fatty and the others stared at Ji Yi with gaping mouths in a daze, then looked at He Jichen before repeatedly calling out ¡°Woah!¡± in session. Before they could finish, He Jichen shot a nce at them, causing them to immediately seek shelter in the toilet stalls. Because they ran in such haste, a few of them crashed into each other hriously.

    Ji Yi lowered her head and pursed her lips into a smile.

    The sun shone alluringly over Ji Yi¡¯s head and over her face. The atmosphere was like something straight out of a movie.

    Her faint smile was like a shockingly beautiful flower blooming inside He Jichen¡¯s heart.

    In that instant, all the sorrow he felt on his birthday was suddenly wiped clean. He turned to nce at her and smiled too.

    After a while, He Jichen retracted his smile and asked nonchntly, ¡°Did you need something?¡±

    ¡°No...¡± replied Ji Yi, also nonchntly.

    ¡°Oh.¡± He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice didn¡¯t sound as rxed as before.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes smiled brightly and she said, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    He Jichen knew she was thanking him for what happened that afternoon. Thinking about it, this was the first time she spoke to him like that since he met her. All of a sudden, He Jichen was flustered for a good moment before he averted his eyes out the window, pretending like it was nothing. ¡°It was no big deal.¡±

    Silence fell between the two of them again.

    After about a minute, He Jichen suddenly asked, ¡°Wanna go home?¡±

    Ji Yi let out a ¡°Mm.¡±

    He Jichen picked up his backpack sitting on the window sill. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Ji Yi casually looked over at the toilets. ¡°Is it okay for you to leave just like that?¡±

    He Jichen knew what Ji Yi meant. This time, the school punished him to clean the toilets on his own. He turned his head and shouted in the direction of the toilets, ¡°Clean up good for me!¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± came an ear-splitting roar from inside the toilets.

    Amidst the roar, He Jichen strode off with Ji Yi. The two of them walked, one after the other, down the stairs.

 Chapter 90

    Chapter 90: How Have You Been? Let¡¯s Not Lie (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    That was the first time He Jichen and Ji Yi walked home together after knowing each other for over two years.

    He Yuguang caught wind of the incident of He Jichen grabbing Sun Zheng and forcing him down on the sports field to apologize to Ji Yi, so just as He Jichen and Ji Yi entered the residential area, they saw He Yuguang waiting for them at the door.

    Ji Yi, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with He Jichen, sped up and reached He Yuguang first. Her voice sounded crisp as she cried out, ¡°Yuguang Gege.¡±

    He Yuguang smiled at Ji Yi and reached his hand out to take her backpack, then he looked over at He Jichen. He didn¡¯t write anything on his whiteboard but pointed at the house behind him.

    He Jichen understood his older brother meant for him to go inside, so he nodded slightly. He took two big steps forward and grabbed Ji Yi¡¯s bag from He Yuguang. ¡°Bro, let me.¡±

    He Yuguang didn¡¯t resist.

    He Jichen swung Ji Yi¡¯s bag onto his back and took two steps forward. When he was certain the two of them couldn¡¯t see his expression, his lips finally broke into a smile because he got to help Ji Yi with her bag. Yet, since his smile was so wide, a cold shiver came over him and he grimaced in pain from the cut on his face from fighting Sun Zhang¡¯s guys earlier that afternoon. He pushed open the door and strutted in with two backpacks on his back while the other two followed behind him. Just as he walked in and changed into his slippers, he caught a glimpse of her pink backpack from the corner of his eyes and he smiled again.

    That night, He Yuguang helped He Jichen with his wound while Ji Yi helped.

    That afternoon, He Jichen went to look for Sun Zhang on his own, but there were five to six people next to Sun Zhang. He took on several of them on his own, and although he won gloriously, he was pretty beaten down.

    He Yuguang¡¯s heart ached at the sight of him as he helped He Jichen apply some medicine. He couldn¡¯t help but write the words ¡°Does it hurt?¡± on his whiteboard.

    At the time, He Jichen was young and foolish. In front of the girl he loved, he only wanted to act like a hero. Even if it hurt, he didn¡¯t want to show a single sign of it, so when He Jichen heard what He Yuguang said, he forcefully repressed the pain by digging his fingers into his thigh and replied in the most rxed voice and shook his head, ¡°Nope.¡±

    It was ten in the evening when they finished applying the medicine on He Jichen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s grandma was downstairs talking with the twins¡¯ mother. She hade over to urge her to go home to sleep.

    When Ji Yi packed her bag and went downstairs, He Yuguang wrote something for He Jichen, ¡°Jichen, thank you.¡±

    That morning, He Jichen had received a text from He Yuguang about Sun Zhang harassing Ji Yi. He knew what He Yuguang was thanking him for. He Jichen wanted to see Ji Yi off, but because He Yuguang was next to him, he said, ¡°Bro, what are you saying? You¡¯re my brother. You asked me for help, so how could I not?¡±

    He Yuguang wore a smile, lowered his head, and wrote on his whiteboard, ¡°Then, please take good care of Manman in school.¡±

 Chapter 91

    Chapter 91: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Heaven knew just how thankful He Jichen was for He Yuguang saying those words because now, he finally had a legitimate reason to publically treat Ji Yi well.

    He Jichen really did treat Ji Yi well. So well, in fact, that the entire student body of Yizhong from the third year of high school down to the first year of junior middle school knew about it.

    His treatment of her was so bizarre, so rare that it deeply moved the girls from all school years at Yizhang. Even after many years passed and He Jichen and Ji Yi no longer talked, just the mention of the word ¡°affection¡± made the girls¡¯ minds wander to the image of that young man and woman together. No matter how many stories they heard about husbands treating their wives well, they never felt it was true ¡°affection¡± when they had already seen what true affection looked like in their youth.

    Back then, no matter if Ji Yi was waiting for a queue at the supermarket checkout or hot water from the cafeteria, the people in front of her always made way for her to go straight to the front.

    Back then, when Ji Yi got food at the cafeteria in the afternoon, she always got the biggest chicken leg on Wednesdays and the best yellow croaker on Thursdays. The seat by the window under the electric fan would always be empty. Besides Ji Yi, nobody sat there.

    Back then, no matter if Ji Yi signed up for the hundred meter sprint or the three thousand meter long distance run on sports day, no one ever fought for first ce with her if she signed up to participate. Even if others had the talent to win, they always let her get first ce.

    Back then, Ji Yi never had to sweep the floors, wipe the ckboard or clean up, because there would always be a group of people to help her.

    Back then, Fatty and the gang surrounded ss One in the afternoon so no one could enter. It was all because Ji Yi took afternoon naps in the ssroom, and He Jichen was afraid someone would go in and wake her up.

    Have you seen a princess? They¡¯re a character from fairy tales, but the students at Yizhong got to see one in real life. From how they saw it, Ji Yi was a princess, a princess whom He Jichen treasured in the palm his hands.

    Have you heard of a ¡°school gem¡±? It¡¯s a person who is spoiled by the entire school. Who could possibly make an entire school spoil someone? He Jichen managed to do that for Ji Yi. In those days, she was Yizhong¡¯s school gem.

    Back then, students from Yizhong felt like since He Jichen treated Ji Yi so well, they could never get into an argument with each other. In reality, after Ji Yi and He Jichen truly got to know each other, they rarely bumped heads, so how could they get into an argument? As Fatty said, when He Jichen bumped into Ji Yi, he didn¡¯t have a bottom line any longer. If Ji Yi pointed to the moon and called it a sun, he would blindly agree. From how he let Ji Yi be, and how he obediently allowed Ji Yi to do whatever she wanted, how could they get into an argument?

    However, life is unpredictable. During the first half of their third year in high school, He Jichen and Ji Yi finally got into an argument.

 Chapter 92

    Chapter 92: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was Chinese Valentine¡¯s day. At five in the afternoon, Ji Yi ran over to He Jichen, who was sleeping on his desk. ¡°Hey, let me tell you something.¡±

    No one in the school but Ji Yi dared to interrupt He Jichen when he was sleeping. He Jichen had a serious anger problem with being woken up, but when Ji Yi woke him up, he wasn¡¯t the least bit angry. He opened his eyes wide and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Come to the grove behind the school tonight.¡±

    That simple line made He Jichen¡¯s heart skip two beats. He spent a lot of effort trying to calm himself as he let out an ¡°Oh.¡±

    At his reply, Ji Yi turned around to leave with her ponytail bouncing behind her in a pretty, confident swing.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t go to the self-study session in the evening. Instead, he took Fatty with him to skip ss and head to the mall. He bought a brand new outfit, went to the hair salon for a new look, and ran over to the grove with time to spare.

    It wasn¡¯t until ten in the evening when a certain someone casually arrived, but it wasn¡¯t Ji Yi. It was her friend Qian Ge.

    So, in the afternoon, she was helping Qian Ge ask me to meet her at the grove?

    Do you know how painful it is for the woman you love to set you up with another woman?

    No matter what Ji Yi did, he could endure it, but this? There was no way he could take it. His face turned frighteningly cold. He didn¡¯t even nce at Qian Ge, who had dressed up just for him, before leaving straight away.

    Outside the grove, he bumped into Ji Yi.

    Seeing how quickly he left, Ji Yi asked, ¡°Why are you leaving so soon?¡±

    It would¡¯ve been better if she hadn¡¯t asked. All of a sudden, a fire lit up inside him and without thinking it over, he spat the words out at Ji Yi, ¡°Are you crazy?!¡±

    With that, he strode off straight away without giving Ji Yi a further nce.

    The day after marked the first time in a while that they didn¡¯t walk home together after school.

    Afterwards, there was a long, long time when he didn¡¯t bother with Ji Yi, even when he bumped into her in his house or at school.

    Yet, he ordered Fatty to continue doing what he always did¡ªbuy her breakfast, get her hot water, clean up, and wipe the ckboard for her...

    Their fall-outsted until September. One day, it was raining heavily and she forgot to bring an umbre. She pitifully took shelter under the roof of a small shop opposite the school.

    He Jichen, Fatty and the gang brushed past her with an umbre each in their hands.

    Actually, he noticed her earlier but pretended not to have seen her. Then, Fatty came up beside him and said, ¡°Chen Ge, look at Saozi 1 , aye...¡±

    He Jichen stared straight ahead with a cold look on his face and kept walking, but every now and then, his line of sight drifted over to her. It rained in the fall in Beijing, and this season was particrly cold. She wore a short sleeve top, so she shivered endlessly. Seeing this, He Jichen¡¯s heart softened little by little amidst her cold shivers. He suddenly stopped walking, turned around, and tookrge steps to her as he held out an umbre.

 Chapter 93

    Chapter 93: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At the time, he was a lot taller than she was. Sensing someonee close to her, she looked up to see that it was him.

    She was stunned at first when she saw it was him, but then she looked away.

    They stood there silently in front of each other for a while, then he silently pushed the umbre into her hands and turned back into the heavy rain.

    The rain was so heavy that his clothes werepletely soaked after a few seconds.

    Before he took even two steps forward, he heard her voice. ¡°He Jichen!¡±

    He didn¡¯t want to stop, but she called him again, ¡°He Jichen!¡±

    He turned back and saw she was chasing after him while holding the umbre.

    She stood in front of him and lifted the umbre up high over his head. Then she said something he engraved into his heart to this very day.

    ¡°He Jichen, how have you beentely?¡±

    Without waiting for an answer, she added, ¡°Let¡¯s not lie...¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll answer first. He Jichen, things haven¡¯t been good for metely. I was wrong for what happened with Qian Ge. I¡¯ll never interfere with your business again. You¡¯re the most important friend to me; I don¡¯t want to argue with you.¡±

    Most important friend... He Jichen, at the time, didn¡¯t realize that the key word was ¡°friend.¡± He was so dazed with the word ¡°important¡± that his anger disappeared. He looked down at her and said, ¡°Things haven¡¯t been good for metely either because you¡¯re also the most important friend to me.¡±

    ...

    ¡°Ding dong, ding dong...¡± His phone notifications rang a few times. He Jichen felt the phone in his pocket vibrate and slightly furrowed his brows. He gradually opened his eyes and realized the skies were dark.

    Because he had been deep in thought for such a long time, he was in a slight daze. After a while, he came to and realized he was still in front of He Yuguang¡¯s gravestone.

    He realized he had been quietly reminiscing back to such distance times in the past.

    He Jichen lit another cigarette, stuck it into his mouth and slowly took a drag. Then, he reached for his phone.

    Tang Huahua sent him a few messages on WeChat.

    ¡°He Xuezhang, I have to tell you something earth-shattering!¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi didn¡¯te back to the dorms yesterday. She came back this afternoon, stared nkly out the window for a long while, then made a call.¡±

    ¡°Do you know who she was calling? She called a match-makingpany¡ªshe actually wants to go on a blind date!¡±

    ¡°He Xuezhang, I just asked Xiao Yi and she really wants to get married!¡±

    ¡°I asked her why, but she didn¡¯t answer directly. She just said she wants to get married!¡±

    She moved quicker than I ever imagined. It¡¯s just the next day, yet she¡¯s already decided she wants to get married.

    He Jichen hesitated for a moment, then typed the words ¡°got it¡± to Tang Huahua and put his phone away.

    He continued to sit there for a while before he put out his cigarette, got up, and faced He Yuguang¡¯s gravestone.

 Chapter 94

    Chapter 94: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Bro, I¡¯m back this time because I have something to ask of you.¡±

    The only response he received was the whistling of the night¡¯s breeze.

    ¡°Bro, you¡¯ll promise me, right?¡± He Jichen gave He Yuguang¡¯s gravestone a bow, then straightened up after a good while. ¡°Thank you Bro.¡±

    He sounded serious and earnest. After he said his piece, he stood in front of the gravestone for quite some time before he turned to leave.

    He Jichen got back into the car, slowly made his way out of the He family¡¯s private cemetery and headed for central Sucheng.

    The streetlights by the road flew by endlessly in reverse as though time was turning back. His mind wandered back again to the third year of high school.

    ...

    After thest time they made up, he and Ji Yi didn¡¯t get into any more fights.

    As the college entrance exam drew closer, they became busier with assignments. Aside from continuing to secretly highlight the key studying points for her, He Jichen started to think up a n on how he would confess to her after the college entrance exams and graduation.

    As the n gradually took form, he hoped to confess the day after they finished their college entrance exams.

    But he never carried out his n.

    Or so to speak, he didn¡¯t have the time to make it all a reality.

    He always thought that after getting into two arguments, they wouldn¡¯t get into any more arguments.

    But he never imagined that the third time around would be the one to break them apart.

    The third argument happened before college entrance exams. It all started the night they both got drunk and slept together.

    Heaven knew just how fast his heart beat and how happy he was that night to finally make this woman his, the woman he thought about day and night who he¡¯d protected for so many years. That night, he felt so satisfied and content, like he had the whole world.

    But did you know? There¡¯s only a thin, vulnerable line between heaven and hell.

    That night, when he was just about to climax during their second round, the name she called wasn¡¯t his, but his older brother¡¯s name.

    ¡°Yuguang, Yuguang, Yuguang...¡± She didn¡¯t add the words ¡°Gege¡± like all the other times he called his name. Her voice was low and sweet, and the tenderness of her voice was beyond words.

    So the girl he liked also had this kind of infinitely deep emotional side to her.

    In his dreams, he wanted to see this side of her, but he never imagined that the moment his dream became a reality, it turned out to be the moment he descended into hell.

    The only girl in his eyes, the girl he had secretly guarded for two years, the girl he was openly affectionate to for two years... the person she liked wasn¡¯t him. It was his older brother, He Yuguang.

    He thought they were doing the happiest thing on earth, yet to her, her mind was with his older brother.

    What a painful truth to take in.

    ...

    As He Jichen drove, his fingers on the steering wheel trembled violently.

    That night, he really didn¡¯t know how to face her when she woke, so he left. Alone on the streets of Sucheng in the dead of night, he walked until the sun came up. Once home, he slept, and when he woke, his nostrils could still smell her scent.

    In the past, he used to get drunk over that scent, but at this very moment, he loathed it.

    He never forgot that afternoon on the third day after they did it. He Yuguang was resting and he was sitting in a daze beside him. The phone suddenly rang but it wasn¡¯t his. It was He Yuguang¡¯s phone.

    He swept his gaze over at it, and purely by ident, he saw the two words ¡°Manman¡± appear on the screen of the phone.

    He subconsciously picked up the phone.

 Chapter 95

    Chapter 95: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He could vaguely guess why Ji Yi was calling He Yuguang. He hesitated for a moment with He Yuguang¡¯s phone in his hand. Then, he unlocked the phone and clicked to open the text.

    ¡°Yuguang Gege, are you free tonight? I have something I want to tell you. If you are, can youe to Luoyun za tonight at eight?¡±

    That night, he clearly heard the words ¡°Yuguang¡± from her mouth. So it turned out Ji Yi mistook him for He Yuguang because she was drunk.

    Since he left while she was still asleep, she probably thought the two of them did it that night.

    It was the third day. She hadn¡¯t visited the He family¡¯s house since and the night before, he heard his mum say over dinner that Ji Yi moved into the school dorms since the college entrance exam was drawing close.

    Now she must be sending He Yuguang a text about three nights ago, right?

    He didn¡¯t know what came over him that day, but he stared at the texts she sent He Yuguang for a long time. He raised his fingers, typed the word ¡°Okay,¡± and sent it.

    Soon enough, she sent He Yuguang a reply: ¡°Then Yuguang Gege, I¡¯ll see you tonight!¡±

    He didn¡¯t reply butpletely deleted Ji Yi¡¯s texts, then he put the phone back.

    He and He Yuguang looked far too simr. So simr, in fact, that their parents couldn¡¯t tell them apart. From a young age, He Jichen wore a single red string on his wrist so they could differentiate him from He Yuguang.

    That afternoon, he struggled internally for four whole hours. Eventually, he slipped out when He Yuguang wasn¡¯t paying attention, secretly grabbed a typical outfit of his, shoved it into his backpack and left the house.

    He went to the barber¡¯s with a picture of He Yuguang for the barber to give him the exact same hairstyle. Then he found a public restroom to change his clothes and removed the red string from his wrist. He stood on the sidewalk for a while to hail a taxi and headed for Luoyun za.

    When he arrived, she wasn¡¯t there yet. He casually found a telephone pole and leaned against it while waiting patiently.

    His nicotine addiction came over him and he wanted to light up a cigarette, but he remembered He Yuguang didn¡¯t smoke, so he forced himself to suppress his urges.

    It wasn¡¯t until ten past eight that he saw her turn upte as she got off the bus.

    She scanned the area before she finally noticed him. From afar, she shot him a beaming smile and ran over to him at a light jog.

    She stood in front of him without noticing that he wasn¡¯t actually He Yuguang and softly cried, ¡°Yuguang Gege.¡±

    He didn¡¯t make a sound.

    Even if He Yuguang was really standing there, he¡¯d be just as silent, so she didn¡¯t notice anything amiss.

    She was probably nervous as she kept her fingers clutching her sleeves the entire time. After a while, she looked up at him, and before she could speak, her face was all flushed.

    After a few seconds, she must¡¯ve found her words and finally said, ¡°That night, was it you?¡±

 Chapter 96

    Chapter 96: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She paused. Then her words sounded slightly more resolute as she said, ¡°The man, that night... was you, wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    He knew she was referring to what happened a few days ago¡ªthat night he slept with her. As he was pretending to be He Yuguang, he remained silent.

    When she spoke again, her voice sounded a lot more confident. ¡°That night it was you, right?¡±

    He already knew she¡¯d gotten the wrong person that night.

    But after posing as his brother like this and hearing her confirm it with her own mouth, he realized the sadness of the truth was quite unbearable.

    He was afraid that if he continued on like this, he might lose it, so he might as well leave. But she continued to stubbornly go on as she said, ¡°I know the person that night was you, I...¡±

    Her words are all for my brother... He didn¡¯t want to hear any of it in the slightest. His footsteps hastened in hopes of running away from her, but she chased him even more. ¡°A long time ago, I... I noticed you. I...¡±

    Though she stumbled over her words, just as he was about to open the car door, she actually managed to grab onto his sleeves tightly. He turned to look at her.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always liked you. I¡¯ve liked you for a long time now. Do you...¡± asked Ji Yi withplete seriousness as she looked into his eyes. Thinking back on it now, his heart still ached. ¡°... like me?¡±

    Like... He liked her. To no avail. She asked if he liked her, yet those words weren¡¯t for him.

    At this moment, he felt so unjustified for how well he treated her in the past. He Jichen felt his heart gradually grow unstable.

    Like... He liked her. To no avail, she asked if he liked her, and yet those words weren¡¯t for him. They were for He Yuguang to hear.

    In this very moment, he felt so cheated for how well he treated her in the past. He Jichen clearly felt his heart gradually grow unstable.

    He tried to force himself to endure the jealousy and rage, but in the end, he couldn¡¯t do it. The word ¡°boyfriend¡± in what she said next, ¡°Will you be my boyfriend...¡± felt like three swift knives stabbed him brutally at the softest part of his heart.

    He didn¡¯t even realize what he was doing when his hand grabbed her wrist, dragged her deep into an alley and pushed her hard against the wall. He spewed out bitterly, ¡°Name a price.¡±

    He said that just to let her know he wasn¡¯t He Yuguang, the person she wanted to confess to, but He Jichen.

    He saw with his own eyes just how bewildered she looked when he spoke.

    ¡°Give me a figure?¡± Whether it was a jealous rage in his chest, or his crazy and reckless side ignited inside him, his anger didn¡¯t look like it was going to subside. Faced with her silence, he lost even more control as he reached his arm out and ripped her top. He nced down at her exposed skin with a cold look and thought back to how she called him ¡°Yuguang¡± that night. After suppressing his emotions for so many days, he suddenly erupted. ¡°See? Even if you stripped your clothes off in front me, I wouldn¡¯t be the least bit interested in you!¡±

 Chapter 97

    Chapter 97: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He realized that back then, he must¡¯ve been crazy with rage to use such degrading words to hide his true feelings.

    He knew she was full of joy in her belief that it was He Yuguang that night, yet he purposefully, viciously and mercilessly shattered her dreams and one-sided love.

    Not only did he want to let her know that she¡¯d gotten the wrong person, he also wanted her to know the person she slept with wasn¡¯t the He Yuguang she thought so dearly of, but him, He Jichen! So, he spoke again. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t drunk so much that night, do you think I would¡¯ve ever touched you?¡±

    Her eyes were filled with astonishment as her fingers started to shiver while clutching his sleeve. He knew just how cutting his words were, but he wasn¡¯t the least bit soft-hearted. He only thought about how she cried ¡°Yuguang¡± and how hurt and embarrassed he felt. She hurt him, so he wanted her to hurt too. Like a child who wasn¡¯t able to eat sweets, if he couldn¡¯t have something, he wanted to ruin it. With more intensity, he said, ¡°To tell the truth, I didn¡¯t even know who I was touching that night.¡±

    He tried his hardest to say all these hurtful things mercilessly. He put on a facade as though he didn¡¯t even want anything to do with her and used money to humiliate her. ¡°So, give me a figure. Just how much would it cost for us to settle this and pretend nothing happened?¡±

    Just as he hoped, her face turned pale white, drained from blood. He thought she¡¯d cry but she didn¡¯t react at all. Instead, she stood there staring at him quietly for a while, then gently struggled out of his grip and left like he didn¡¯t exist.

    She hurt him so much, yet she could still stay this calm at his fury and leave him to go crazy?

    He was devastated and upset. As he stared at her back, he added the harshest of words, ¡°Oh and if it¡¯s possible, I hope you never show your face in front of me ever again.¡±

    She still didn¡¯t reply. Instead, she sped up and headed out of the alley.

    ...

    As he reflected back on that moment, He Jichen arrived at the He family¡¯s courtyard.

    He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to get out, so he sat in the car and stared at the glowing lights of the vi. He reyed the image of her stumbling out of the alleyway in his mind.

    That night, after she disappeared from his field of view, she alsopletely disappeared from his life.

    In the following few years, he went to Beijing and saw her a few times, but he never showed up in front of her.

    If Qian Ge hadn¡¯t set her up and caused her to get into that car ident, he probably would¡¯ve spent his life silently watching her from afar.

    He was afraid that after struggling so much to wake up from hera, she could get into another ident, so he wanted her somewhere in in sight to protect and defend her well. That was why he moved to the city she lived in and applied to the school she studied at.

    At that thought, a faint hint of worry clouded He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    In his mind, he wanted to say to the woman he loved and spoiled for so many years, ¡°Ji Yi... love, we lost so many years to be together, but I am more than willing to spend my remaining years with you.¡±

    Even if... my time in university ends, and we are separated by an entire period of youth, I am willing to relive those years again with you as you walk through yours.

 Chapter 98

    Chapter 98: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The next day, before the sun came out, He Jichen left Sucheng for Beijing. Before he left, he went into He Yuguang¡¯s room to take some of He Yuguang¡¯s belongings with him.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reach his home in Beijing until six in the evening.

    After a long drive, he was a little tired, so he took a shower and copsed in bed.

    Having fallen asleep not too long ago, his eyes were shut when his phone started to ring. He Jichen searched under his pillow in annoyance and grabbed his phone. He nced at the iing call disy to see that it was Tang Huahua.

    He picked up the call, but before He Jichen could say anything, Tang Huahua¡¯s voice came out. ¡°He Xuezhang, Xiao Yi is moving quickly. Last night, she decided to go on a blind date, and tonight, she is really going to do it. I just sent you the location of her blind date on WeChat...¡±

    He Jichen instantly woke up and let out a ¡°Mm¡± to Tang Huahua, then replied with ¡°Got it¡± and hung up the phone.

    He grabbed his phone and stared at the dark skies outside the window for a while, then pulled off the covers. He got out of bed and headed to change.

    He Jichen drove out from the underground parking lot. Beijing started to actually drizzle with rain.

    The rain fell heavier as he waited at the address of the cafe Tang Huahua sent him.

    He Jichen still hadn¡¯t reached the entrance of the cafe when he saw Ji Yi sitting by the window of the cafe, watching the torrential rain.

    There was a man sitting in front of her. The two of them had probably finished their conversation since the man was calling the waiter for the bill.

    The waiter quickly brought him the change. The man and Ji Yi chatted a bit more before getting up together and walking over to the front door.

    The man headed for his own car while Ji Yi stood at the door of the cafe with her head lowered. She was probably trying to call for a ride.

    Time ticked by, but no car showed up. He Jichen averted his eyes and hesitated for a moment before turning the steering wheel and stopping in front of the cafe.

    With the passenger¡¯s seat window rolled down, He Jichen honked.

    Ji Yi, who was staring at her phone, suddenly looked up in shock.

    With the bright light from the cafe, He Jichen could clearly see her eyes fall immediately to his wrist. Seeing that there was a red string, her gaze immediately turned tense.

    She only looked down at the red string on my wrist to confirm who I was, right?

    He Jichen lowered his eyes and pretended not to have noticed the tense expression on her face. Then he calmly asked, ¡°Going back to school?¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen nced over at the car door in the back, ¡°Let me take you.¡±

    Ji Yi quietly stood on the spot for a while before she forced a smile at He Jichen. ¡°Thank you, Mr. He, that¡¯s okay. I¡¯m waiting for someone here.¡±

    He Jichen stared at Ji Yi for two seconds then gave a slight nod. Without saying a word, he stepped on the gas and left.

    He Jichen turned around at the roundabout ahead and stopped his car at a cafe directly opposite from her.

    Through the heavy rain, He Jichen could still see Ji Yi standing in front of the cafe doors.

    After who knows how long, the rain gradually stopped. Ji Yi, who told him she was waiting for someone, stepped out onto the street and ran over to a nearby subway station.

    So what she said was but an excuse.

    She wasn¡¯t waiting for anyone¡ªshe just didn¡¯t want to get in his car.

 Chapter 99

    Chapter 99: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s silhouette long disappeared into the entrance of the subway before He Jichen averted his eyes, started his car up again and drove home.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Sao heard a noise at the house and promptly ran over to see that it was him. She immediately smiled and said, ¡°Mr. He, you¡¯re back?¡±

    He Jichen gave a slight nod and silently bent over to remove his shoes.

    ¡°Mr. He, would you like to eat anything?¡± asked Zhang Sao.

    After he stepped into his slippers, He Jichen straightened up, shook his head and headed upstairs.

    Back in his bedroom, He Jichen nced at He Yuguang¡¯s belongings on the sofa that he brought back from Sucheng. There were clothes, a whiteboard, a phone, his watch...

    He Jichen¡¯s chest started to feel stifled as he stared and stared at the pile. He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows and cracked open a window.

    The post-rain air was refreshing, damp, and carried the faint scent of the flowers in the garden. The night breeze drew waft after waft of the scent into his nostrils.

    He casually lit a cigarette. Through the clouds of smoke, he looked into the distance.

    He remembered when he went to her house for the first time and how he incidentally heard her say to her mum over the phone, ¡°Ma, I¡¯m serious. I¡¯d rather be stuck with anyone but him!¡±

    Also, at the hotel resort, she obviously had her phone, yet she didn¡¯t want to add him as a friend on WeChat, so she deliberately said she left her phone in her hotel room.

    Then, there was the morning when he had a fever and almost cked out. He was so quick to interrupt her, but he knew what she wanted to say: ¡°No matter if it¡¯s four years ago or four yearster, I know full well you were never the person I wanted.¡±

    Ever since they met in Beijing, she tried really hard to have nothing to do with him and stayed clear of him. Like tonight, she¡¯d rather stand in front of the cafe doors and wait for the rain to stop than get in his car.

    Yet, he couldn¡¯t just watch as she really got married to someone just to escape Qian Ge¡¯s trap. Was impersonating his older brother the only way to get close to her?

    He Jichen had fallen into a serious dilemma. His brows slowly furrowed as he became deep in thought.

    In the past, heined how the He family didn¡¯t publicize his brother¡¯s death and had such a low key funeral. Now, his brother¡¯s inconspicuous death actually presented him with an opportunity?

    At first, He Jichen thought the idea was great fun, but after that passed, a heavy wave of sadness crept into his heart.

    He knew his brother was really important to her, but he was reluctant to use his brother to get close to her. However, what choice did he have? His only option was to use his older brother¡¯s identity¡ªthat¡¯s just how tragically helpless he was.

    At that thought, He Jichen turned around and looked back at the pile of He Yuguang¡¯s belongings.

    He pursed his lips and eventually put out the cigarette between his fingers. He walked over and grabbed He Yuguang¡¯s phone, pressed the button to turn it on, and keyed in Ji Yi¡¯s mobile number one digit at a time. He drafted a text and sent it.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi finished taking a shower and climbed into bed. Just as she was ready to put her phone down and go to bed, her phone pinged ¨C ¡°ding!¡±

    It was a text. Even though she hadn¡¯t saved this phone number, she recognized it, especially after she saw the two words ¡°Manman.¡± Her fingers trembled violently out of control.

 Chapter 100

    Chapter 100: A Hundred ¡°Sorry¡±s (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ...

    There was only person in this world who called her ¡°Manman.¡±

    It was He Yuguang, He Jichen¡¯s older twin brother.

    She met him when she was thirteen years old. It was her second day in Sucheng and she and her grandma were guests at the He family home.

    He Yuguang was sitting on the sofa with a drip at the time. After hearing Ji Yi¡¯s grandma¡¯s introduction, he gradually smiled at her. He looked gentle, elegant, and handsome, like a young hero from theics young girls were obsessed with. His handsomeness made her forget to take the apples He Bomu 1 handed her.

    That day, she spent quite a bit of time talking to him, but he only ever smiled or nodded in response. Deep down, she thought this little boy didn¡¯t like to talk...

    It wasn¡¯t until she returned to her grandma¡¯s house that she learned the little boy she assumed didn¡¯t like to talk was actually mute.

    She thought it was such a great shame and felt an indescribable sense of sympathy for him.

    Her grandma also told her that the little boy had a twin brother who didn¡¯t study, liked to pick fights, and was a bad young boy.

    Grandma also added that if one day she saw a boy that looked identical to the little boy but had a red string on his wrist, it was his younger brother. She had to stay far away from him so that she wouldn¡¯t learn his bad ways.

    But in actuality, Grandma was just being overly cautious because the bad younger brother seldom came back to the He family house.

    Grandma hadn¡¯t retired at that point, so she regrly went to work at Sucheng hospital. She often had to work overtime because of dyed surgeries, so she often asked He Bomu to take care of her granddaughter. Because of this, she and He Yuguang hung out frequently.

    He Yuguang had a good temper in addition to being sweet and easy to get along with, so they quickly became close.

    In the second half of the second year of junior middle school, she got addicted to a game and introduced He Yuguang to it so they could y together. In the game, they had couple missions toplete, so she suggested they be a couple in the game.

    He Yuguang agreed without hesitation.

    She wanted to be like other couples and have a couples name with He Yuguang, so she looked at a ton of beautiful phrases. Eventually, she found one with He Yuguang¡¯s name: ¡± I only see you. 2 ¡±

    So, she happily suggested that He Yuguang be called Yuguang, and she be called Manman.

    He Yuguang smiled and nodded.

    At first, He Yuguang only called her Manman in the game until one day, he started to call her Manman in person too.

    At the time, she and He Yuguang were just innocent friends.

    During the third year of junior middle school when she had dinner at the He family¡¯s house, she finally met the infamous bad younger brother and the future heir to the He enterprise, He Jichen.

    He was just as Grandma described. The bad younger brother really did look like He Yuguang. If it weren¡¯t for the red string on his wrist, she would¡¯ve never been able to tell the two apart.

    Grandma reminded her a million times over for her to stay away from the bad younger brother, so she always kept her distance and politely called him ¡°He Tongxue 3 .¡±

    However, he was far more difficult to get along with than He Yuguang. He merely replied ¡°Hm¡± to her greetings or wouldn¡¯t respond at all and brushed past her.

    Maybe it was because she started to understand love, or maybe it was because her heart became more appreciative of everyday things, but starting from the first year of high school, her feelings for He Yuguang started to change.

 Chapter 101

    Chapter 101: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    That year, grandma was particrly busy with work, so Ji Yi often stayed at the He family¡¯s house for long hours. He Bomu 1 specially prepared a room for her where she sometimes fell asleep on the desk while doing her homework. Whenever she woke up, there¡¯d be a nket pulled over her or some snacks sitting on her textbook.

    They were always her favorite snacks and they tended to be the snacks she rambled on about to He Yuguang two days earlier. Two dayster, they¡¯d appear in front of her.

    She only told He Yuguang those things, so naturally, she thought He Yuguang secretly bought them for her.

    At first, she didn¡¯t really think much of it until one night when she struggled with math questions for her monthly exam. She went home toin to He Yugugang that the homework for senior high was really hard. Not long after, her textbook was filled with circles around all the important studying points.

    That point onwards, her heart started to change little-by-little. Whenever she saw He Yuguang, her face flushed, her heart raced, and she couldn¡¯t help but think about him just before she fell asleep at night.

    Later on, when she was harassed by Sun Zhang, she instinctively thought of He Yuguang.

    He Yuguang wasn¡¯t in good health so he couldn¡¯t directly help her, but he helped her by asking He Jichen, who she wasn¡¯t close with.

    She could never forget that afternoon when she stood in front of everyone on the sports field and epted Sun Zhang¡¯s hundred apologies as everyone watched.

    Even though she knew He Jichen only helped her because of He Yuguang, she still went to find He Jichen after school that day to thank him.

    He Yuguang was afraid she¡¯d be bullied in the future, so he deliberately asked He Jichen to take good care of her in school.

    When she found out, she was filled with happiness since the boy of her dreams cared for her this much.

    Even though grandma warned her over and over again to stay away from He Jichen, she still made friends with He Jichen since he was He Yuguang¡¯s younger brother and he took care of her in school on He Yuguang¡¯s behalf.

    At the time, He Jichen treated her really well. Though he had a bad temper, nobody in school dared to mess with him and he never got angry at her.

    The only time they ever got into an argument was because of Qian Ge.

    Qian Ge liked him, so she helped set her up to meet him in the grove. Maybe it was because he didn¡¯t like Qian Ge so after that, he fell out with her. He ignored her for several days.

    At the time, she was noticeably upset because without knowing, she had started to view him like her most important friend. She even went to apologize to He Jichen.

    She kept her teenage crush a secret in her heart, and she never thought to confess.

    That was the n until the week before college entrance exams, when she drank too much at their ss party. Her head ached so hard that she wanted to go home, so she sent He Yuguang a text.

    When she came out of the washroom, she saw He Yuguang standing outside. She shot him a dazzling smile and staggered over.

    Actually, she wanted to call He Yuguang ¡°Yuguang¡± or ¡°He Yuguang¡± for a long time now. She was done calling him ¡°Yuguang Gege¡±¡ªit always made her feel like she was his little sister.

    That day, she took the opportunity to call him by his actual name since she was drunk. Although she wasn¡¯t entirely sure if she had since she lost consciousness.

 Chapter 102

    Chapter 102: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Although she was in aplete haze, she knew someone was kissing her softly. She forced her eyes open and saw He Yuguang¡¯s face.

    It hurt and she felt shy, but she was overjoyed all the same. She didn¡¯t dare make a sound that night, but in the end, she couldn¡¯t help but cry his name out, ¡°Yuguang.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t until she woke up that she realized it wasn¡¯t all a dream. She felt flustered but also a little thrilled.

    Since He Yuguang took such good care of her that night, she questioned whether it meant he liked her too. However, she waited and waited but didn¡¯t receive any messages from He Yuguang. She thought maybe He Yuguang felt too weak so he didn¡¯t reach out to her, so she then took the initiative to meet up with him.

    She never forgot that night she went to confess to him¡ªhow ¡°He Yuguang¡± stood right in front of her and how her world crumbled suddenly when he spoke!

    Never in a million years could she have imagined that the person standing in front of her was actually He Jichen.

    Also, she never dared to imagine that the person she got involved with that night was also actually He Jichen.

    She clearly sent the text to He Yuguang, so how was He Jichen the one who showed up? Afterwards, she flipped through her phone and realized that the text she sent to He Yuguang was merely saved as a draft and was never sent out...

    So everything... she got all of it wrong.

    She slept with her most treasured friend, while the person she liked was the older brother of her most important friend.

    Her world was plunged into chaos in an instant. She didn¡¯t know how she was going to face He Yugugang, nor did she want anything to do with He Jichen. Left with no options, the only road she could take was to run away... run away from Sucheng, run away from He Yuguang and He Jichen, and run away from this absurd nightmare!

    As time went by, the confused feelings she had for He Yuguang when she was young faded away. However, the pain she felt four years ago was still there. Especially, the hurtful words He Jichen said that night when he tore her clothes... they rang crystal clear in her ears. Every time she thought about it, it always made her lose her mind.

    ...

    The phone in her hands suddenly started to vibrate. ¡°Ding dong!¡±

    Ji Yi hurriedly snapped back to her senses and looked back at the phone screen.

    It seemed like He Yuguang didn¡¯t wait for her reply and sent another message: ¡°Manman, it¡¯s me, He Yuguang. Do you still remember me?¡±

    Ji Yi unlocked her phone, tapped on the screen a few times, and sent the message: ¡°Yuguang Ge, long time no see.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since west spoke. I came to Beijing to see Jichen, and I remembered that you¡¯re also in Beijing, so I asked Jichen for your number. When are you free? Let¡¯s meet up.¡±

    If this was four years ago right after the ludicrous incident between her and He Jichen, Ji Yi definitely couldn¡¯t face He Yuguang, but now, thankfully those emotions from when they were young already faded and her scars disappeared. With He Yuguang¡¯s message, she only viewed him as a friend she hadn¡¯t seen for a long time.

    Ji Yi epted the idea of meeting He Yuguang and swiftly replied: ¡°Sure, Yuguang Ge! Whenever is fine; you choose a time and ce and send me the details.¡±

    ...

    The next day in the afternoon, Ji Yi got a text from He Yuguang with the time and location of the meetup: ¡°Tonight at seven. Second floor cafe of the Four Seasons Hotel.¡±

 Chapter 103

    Chapter 103: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    That night, Ji Yi arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel on time. With the hotel staff escorting her, she headed up to the second floor.

    As soon as she entered the cafe, she saw ¡°He Yuguang¡± sitting in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Just like four years ago, he wore a warm smile when he saw her.

    After she took a seat, He Yuguang pushed the menu in front of Ji Yi. She knew He Yuguang was signaling for her to ce an order. She didn¡¯t hold back and flipped through the menu. She nced through it once then ordered a cup of Blue Mountain Coffee.

    After the waiter left, Ji Yi addressed He Yuguang like an old friend she hadn¡¯t seen for many years. ¡°Yuguang Ge, how have you been all these years?¡±

    He Yuguang gave a nod and picked up the phone on the table. With two taps, he slid the phone in front of her: ¡°Pretty good. And you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not too bad,¡± replied Ji Yi with a smile.

    He Yuguang smiled then grabbed the phone and tapped it a few times, ¡°I heard from Jichen that after you woke up, you went back to study at B-Film?¡±

    When Ji Yi saw that He Yugugang had finished typing, she was just about to reply when the phone in her bag started to ring. She apologized for the disturbance. After He Yuguang nodded, she reached for her phone and took the call.

    It was the match-makingpany calling. After yesterday¡¯s blind date ended poorly, they found a new match for her so they were asking if she was free this weekend.

    Ji Yi replied ¡°alright,¡± hung up the phone, then turned her attention back to He Yuguang. ¡°Yeah, I hadn¡¯t finished studying college before the crash, so I had toe back. And you? Yuguang Ge? What have you been busy with all these years?¡±

    He Yuguang typed: ¡°Busy helping the family.¡±

    Ji Yi considered He Yuguang¡¯s poor health and asked, ¡°How¡¯s your health? Alright?¡±

    He Yuguang nodded but didn¡¯t type anything. After a while, he looked like he had a sudden thought then tapped the phone: ¡°Xiao Yi, are you going on blind dates?¡±

    After he handed it over for Ji Yi to see, He Yuguang seemed to realize he was overstepping, so he grabbed the phone back and added a line: ¡°I happened to overhear when you were on the phone.¡±

    Ji Yi understood and gave He Yuguang a ¡°Mm.¡±

    ¡°What happened? Why are you suddenly thinking about getting married?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to tell He Yuguang about the awful things that happened in her life, so she replied vaguely, ¡°I got into some trouble where I can only get out of it by getting married.¡±

    He Yuguang sensed that Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to talk about it, so he didn¡¯t ask any more questions. He stared out of the window like he was deep in thought. After a while, his fingertips quickly tapped the phone.

    After about three minutes, He Yuguang then pushed the phone in front of Ji Yi: ¡°If, Manman, you¡¯re not marrying for love but you¡¯re doing it just to get out of some trouble, how about you marry me instead? Manman, you know my health is bad and I¡¯m not suitable to get married, but my family really wants to marry me off. Seeing as we¡¯re both in need of a marriage partner, Manman, consider me. We¡¯re like-minded people...¡±

 Chapter 104

    Chapter 104: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply for a long time, He Yuguang grabbed the phone back and tapped, ¡°After your problem has been solved, we can get a divorce at any time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve also been wracking my brain over this problemtely. When I overheard your phone call just now, that gave me this idea. Of course, you don¡¯t have to give me an answer right away, but think about it and let me know...¡±

    ...

    That night, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t sleep. Sheid there in bed tossing and turning all night long, then finally, she agreed to He Yuguang¡¯s proposition.

    All those people going on blind dates with her actually wanted to get married, but He Yuguang¡¯s fake marriage was perfect for her. Above all else, she was strapped for time, so if she kept hesitating, her role in Director Liang¡¯s movie would probably be filled. Most importantly, she knew He Yuguang¡¯s background extremely well¡ªshe didn¡¯t need to worry about getting into any danger while married to him.

    Soon after Ji Yi sent He Yuguang a text agreeing to marry him, He Yuguang came looking for her.

    He brought her to a photo studio to take wedding photos, then he asked for her digital signature and told her he already contacted someone at the registry office in Sucheng. All he had to do was go on his own to register the marriage.

    The He family had a lot of power in Sucheng, so it wasn¡¯t difficult for him to register the marriage without her having to go in person. What¡¯s more, it saved her from having to take a day off from school to go all the way to Sucheng, so after seeing Hu Yuguang¡¯s text, Ji Yi unhesitatingly handed He Yuguang her passport for him to sort it all out.

    ...

    Five dayster, Ji Yi received a package from Sucheng. She opened it. Besides the passport she¡¯d given He Yuguang, there was also a red marriage certificate. She opened it to see a photo of her and He Yuguang with the following names written under it: He Yuguang, Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi stared at the marriage certificate for some time then grabbed her phone and sent He Yuguang a text: ¡°Yuguang Ge, I got your package.¡±

    After a long while, she got a reply: ¡°Dad and mum aren¡¯t in the country right now. I¡¯ll wait till theye back to China then we can go back to Sucheng to see them.¡±

    Her marriage was originally meant to get her out of Qian Ge¡¯s trap. She hadn¡¯t thought about how long she had to keep up the act, so she never thought to let her parents know.

    If He Bomu 1 and He Bofu 2 knew she and He Yuguang got married, the first thing they¡¯d do would be to contact her parents. Since they weren¡¯t in the country, this saved her from having to go back and exin everything to her parents. Who knows, maybe her and He Yuguang¡¯s marriage would be over by the time He Bomu and He Bofu came back.

    At that thought, Ji Yi tapped her phone a few times then sent the text: ¡°Got it, Yuguang Ge.¡±

    ¨C

    ¡°Got it, Yuguang Ge.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply but averted his eyes to the book on the table.

    On top of it were three marriage certificatesid open.

    The photos on the marriage certificates were the same, but the names below it were different.

    On the red book on the far left, it read: He Yugugang, Ji Yi.

    But the other two red books read: He Jichen, Ji Yi.

    He figured there was no way she¡¯d figure out that he paid five hundred yuan to bribe someone to make her fake marriage certificate.

    And the two marriage certificates in front of him that read ¡°He Jichen, Ji Yi¡± were the real ones that got registered at the registry office.

    She disliked him so much that even if it were a fake marriage, she¡¯d never agree to marry him. However, he couldn¡¯t watch as she got married to someone else, so the only way out was to use his older brother¡¯s identity to trick her into marrying him.

 Chapter 105

    Chapter 105: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At that thought, He Jichen slowly reached his hand out and let it fall on the marriage certificate with the two names ¡°He Jichen, Ji Yi¡±. His fingers repeatedly stroked their names.

    He finally married the woman he loved deeply... under the guise of the man she loved.

    Even though he was the only one who knew about this marriage and even though he knew they¡¯d eventually have to get a divorce...

    ... their names were bound together under the protection of thew.

    The corners of He Jichen¡¯s lips gently curved into a tender smile, but his eyes were filled with a thick, inscrutable sense of sadness.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi contacted Director Liang¡¯s assistant, Xu Yi, the very night she received the marriage certificate.

    Without beating around the bush, Ji Yiid her cards out to Xu Yi over the phone and asked him who had heard the rumor of her once having an abortion.

    Xu Yi wasn¡¯t surprised she knew the reason why Director Liang suddenly stopped her audition, and he simply asked, ¡°The abortion thing was real?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t hide it but calmly admitted it. Over the phone, Xu Yi was left stunned. Then Ji Yi exined that she didn¡¯t actually get a voluntary abortion in the past, but it was due to an ectopic pregnancy. She also told Xu Yi that she was already married. To authenticate her story, she also sent him a photo of her marriage certificate.

    Ji Yi¡¯s audition that day was perfect. Now that she was married, it extinguished the threat of the whole abortion rumor; things turned out just as she¡¯d told Qian Ge back at the film studio. Not long after Xu Yi got off the phone with Ji Yi, he called her back to tell her that he passed the story on to Director Liang, who booked her for the role of ¡°Little Nine¡±!

    Even though ¡°Little Nine¡± wasn¡¯t the main character, when Ji Yi heard Xu Yi¡¯s response, she still let out a huge sigh of relief. Aftering out of a three-year-longa, waiting for so long, and getting married to He Yuguang, her many sacrifices weren¡¯t all for nothing. Now, she could finally take the first step to sess.

    ¡°Little Nine¡± barely had any scenes. There were so few, in fact, that Ji Yi only needed two days of shooting, so before shooting her part, she was able to stay at school, studying earnestly.

    With four years between her and He Yuguang, who spoke freely together when they were young, they had now be a little distant. Even though they were now a legally married couple, they seldom talked to each other. After their marriage, the only time they saw each other was a month after they received their marriage certificate. He Yuguang gave her a set of keys and told her that he got a home ready for the two of them in Beijing.

    What was strange was, even though Ji Yi never really took the initiative to find out anything about He Jichen, she more or less still heard rumors about him or bumped into him at school before. However, after getting married to He Yuguang, He Jichen seemed to have disappeared from B-Film entiriely¡ªthere was never any news about him.

    In the blink of an eye, Director Liang¡¯s new movie ¡°The Pce¡± had already been shooting for two months. It was time for Ji Yi¡¯s character, ¡°Little Nine,¡± to make an appearance on set.

 Chapter 106

    Chapter 106: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    All of Little Nine¡¯s scenes were shot indoors, so Ji Yi only needed to make it to the giant set built in the suburbs for ¡°The Pce¡± at nine in the morning.

    Ji Yi was afraid of beingte, so she set her rm for five in the morning.

    To make sure her skin was good for the big day, Ji Yi climbed into bed before eight the evening before.

    Ji Yi shut her eyes and was about to go to sleep when the dorm room doors opened. It was Lin Ya, who hadn¡¯te back to the dorms for over two months now.

    After the argument at the hot springs resort, Lin Ya hadn¡¯t spoken with Ji Yi, and Ji Yi wasn¡¯t too concerned about speaking to her either. Ji Yi just nced at Lin Ya and shut her eyes again.

    The atmosphere in the dorm room was evidently awkward with Lin Ya¡¯s return. As the resident assistant, Bo He attempted to soften the atmosphere as Ji Yi heard her speak softly to Lin Ya.

    ¡°Xiao Ya, you¡¯re back?¡±

    ¡°Mm.¡±

    ¡°Are you nning to move back into the dorms for the long-term?¡±

    ¡°No, my tutor wants to see me early tomorrow morning, and I was scared I couldn¡¯t wake up, so I came back to stay a night.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Ji Yi stopped paying attention to their conversation and forced herself to go to sleep.

    The next day at five, Ji Yi woke up on time. She freshened up, putst night¡¯s pajamas into her packed bags, and tiptoed out of the dorms.

    ...

    The second the door closed shut, Lin Ya opened her eyes, grabbed her phone, and sent out a text.

    ...

    It was winter in Beijing, so it was still dark at five in the morning; there was practically nobody at school. Since Ji Yi was in a rush, she deliberately took a shortcut through campus.

    There were two young men smoking outside the old abandoned building on campus. As Ji Yi drew closer, they shot nces at her every now and then.

    Ji Yi ignored them and walked faster. As she brushed past them, one of the men suddenly tossed the cigarette in his hands and reached out to grab her wrist.

    Ji Yi instinctively wanted to struggle and scream for help, but before she could make a sound, the other man covered her mouth. The two men used their joint force to drag her into the old abandoned building.

    They moved quickly¡ªso quickly in fact, that before Ji Yi coulde to her senses, the two men had already thrown her into a dirty, messy, cobweb-filled ssroom. They tied her up against an old, broken chair, and covered her mouth. Without staying a second longer, they quickly fled the ssroom.

    Through the wooden boards, Ji Yi first heard them lock the doors from the outside then the sound of their footsteps slowly disappeared.

    In an instant, she was left all alone in the old ssroom block. It was terrifyingly silent.

    With her mouth covered, Ji Yi could only let out a weak whimper. She tried her hardest to struggle out of the ties around her body but to no avail.

    Through the window, Ji Yi clearly saw the sun was slowly rising, and she knew that time was running out. If she didn¡¯t turn up on set before nine, she wouldn¡¯t be able to keep her role as Little Nine.

 Chapter 107

    Chapter 107: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    My role as Little Nine is at risk again... At that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s expression suddenly froze.

    Which person in the entire world was afraid that she¡¯d get the part of Little Nine? Qian Ge ...

    The two young men had clearly been waiting for her. There were so many routes through campus, but how were they so sure that she¡¯d take the route past the old, abandoned ssroom block?

    Someone must¡¯ve secretly gotten advance notice. What¡¯s more, that person must¡¯ve been someone who knew her well.

    But Qian Ge and I stopped keeping in contact three years ago, so that person must be... With that line of thought, Ji Yi¡¯s mind instantly thought back to Lin Ya, who suddenly came back to stay at the dorms. A coldness surfaced on her face.

    So, as it turned out, the reason why she was trapped there at this very moment, was because it was all set up by Qian Ge and Lin Ya. Their aim was to deliberately sabotage her chances of getting the role of Little Nine, that role she tried so hard to get!

    At that thought, Ji Yi scanned her surroundings. The ssroom window faced the college gates, so nobody would ever walk past. Even if she tried to run over to the window and call for help, the other floor was a corridor and the door was locked from the outside. What¡¯s more, the block had been abandoned for many years, so people wouldn¡¯t normally pass by...

    She had to admit their n was meticulous and merciless. As soon as they made their move, they clearly weren¡¯t going to allow her any chances to escape!

    Ji Yi¡¯s lips pursed.

    Their calctions were on point, but she¡¯d never easily admit defeat, even though she was currently in a hopeless situation.

    If she didn¡¯t fight, her road ahead would truly be tragic. As long as she didn¡¯t give up, there would always be a sliver of hope!

    Since she couldn¡¯t cry for help, she could only rely on herself!

    Ji Yi nced down at her bound hands, and without any hesitation, she started to wear down the ropes on the chair.

    Her wrists hurt as the thick rope rubbed up and down, her fair skin started to peel and blood poured out, but she didn¡¯t stop at all. Instead, she gritted her teeth, endured the pain, and kept trying to break through the rope.

    ...

    In the past two months, although He Jichen had been staying on the set of ¡°The Pce,¡± he knew Ji Yi¡¯s every movement because of Tang Huahua.

    At nine in the evening on the day before Ji Yi was to go on set, he received Tang Huahua¡¯s text.

    ¡°He Xuezhang... There are no sses today, so Xiao Yi stayed in the dorm. She went to sleep before nine, and it seems like she set her rm for five in the morning. She said she had to rush to the set early in the morning.¡±

    If there was no traffic, it¡¯d take about an hour by car to get from B-Film to the set.

    In the early mornings, traffic was unbelievably smooth in Beijing. If Ji Yi left at around five in the morning, she should¡¯ve reached the set at half-past six at the verytest.

 Chapter 108

    Chapter 108: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The past month, ¡°The Pce¡± had been doing exclusively outdoor shots. As the assistant director, He Jichen needed to follow the production crew throughout. Aside fromst month, when he went to Beijing as his older brother to give her the keys to the apartment, he never saw Ji Yi. So the next day, He Jichen woke up before six in the morning.

    At first, He Jichen wasn¡¯t worried until half-past six. At six fifty, He Jichen suddenly became a little worried at no sign of Ji Yi.

    He waited a little while longer, but after five short minutes, He Jichen felt like he¡¯d waited an entire century. Seeing as Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t arrived, he sent Tang Huahua a text.

    After half a minute, seeing as Tang Huahua didn¡¯t reply, He Jichen immediately picked up the phone.

    After about three rings, the phone was picked up, and out came Tang Huahua¡¯s groggy ¡°hello.¡± It was obvious she hadn¡¯t woken up yet.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for her to continue but asked urgently, ¡°Where¡¯s Ji Yi?¡±

    ¡°Ey?¡± Over the phone, Tang Huahua was stunned for a moment then replied, ¡°Didn¡¯t she leave to go to the set?¡±

    ¡°What time did she leave?¡± He Jidhen furrowed his brows.

    ¡°Five...¡± Tang Huahua said,

    The conversation paused for a moment as she continued, ¡°...she left at ten past five. When her phone rm went off, it woke up me and Lin Ya. I even went to the bathro-¡±

    Tang Huahua didn¡¯t finish her sentence before He Jichen caught something. ¡°Lin Ya?¡±

    Tang Huahua always talked too much, and especially after gettingpensation from He Jichen, she never left a word unsaid when she knew about something, ¡°Yeah, Lin Ya suddenly showed up at the dorms yesterday. She told Bo He that her tutor wanted to see her early in the morning, and she was afraid she wouldn¡¯t be able to wake up... but saying this out loud, it does seem strange. Xiao Yi left at five to go to the set, but Lin Ya also left at five something...¡±

    The two of them left one after the other... He Jichen¡¯s head rang out ¡°ding!¡± Before Tang Huahua could finish, he hung up the phone and strode over to the parking lot.

    Lin Ya suddenly returned to the dorms, and Ji Yi waste to the set today. There must be some kind of mishap there... At that thought, He Jichen¡¯s walk turned into a run.

    Since Lin Ya left after Ji Yi, she must¡¯ve followed her.

    The fact that Ji Yi isn¡¯t on set right now must have something to do with Lin Ya!

    Lin Ya couldn¡¯t have known which taxi Ji Yi called, so the possibility of her conspiring with the taxi driver was out of the question.

    So if Ji Yi did manage to get in a taxi, she would¡¯ve definitely arrived safely on set.

    Since there wouldn¡¯t be any problems on the road, the only possibility left was that Ji Yi probably didn¡¯t make it past the college gates!

    With that thought, He Jichen pulled open the car door and got in. He didn¡¯t even put on a seatbelt before stepping on the gas and rushing over to B-Film.

 Chapter 109

    Chapter 109: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    After Lin Ya saw Ji Yi dragged into the abandoned block of ssrooms, she stood there a while longer to confirm that Ji Yi was really trapped and couldn¡¯te out. When she was satisfied, she went back to the dorms, climbed into bed, and went back to sleep.

    After sleeping for who knows how long, Lin Ya¡¯s phone rang and woke her from her dreams.

    She nced over at her phone with groggy eyes and immediately woke up when she saw she had an iing call.

    She sat upright, scanned the room, and realized that Tang Huahua and Bo He already left. Then she swiped her phone screen and immediately picked up the call. She spoke politely and respectfully as she answered, ¡°Hello Miss. Qian Ge.¡±

    A secondter, a gentle, pleasant voice spoke, ¡°The thing I asked you to do... how did that go?¡±

    ¡°Miss Qian Ge, you can rest assured. It¡¯s done. Two hours ago, I trapped her in the abandoned building at our college.¡± Lin Ya tried her best to suck up to her. ¡°I personally saw her dragged into the building by the two men you ordered. No one usually walks around there, so as long as we don¡¯t let her go, it won¡¯t be a problem to keep her trapped there until noon tomorrow, let alone noon today.¡±

    After hearing what Lin Ya had to say, Qian Ge sounded satisfied as she let out a low chuckle. ¡°Alright, if I have anything else, I¡¯ll contact you.¡±

    Seeing as Qian Ge was going to hang up the phone, Lin Ya hurriedly blurted out, ¡°Miss Qian Ge.¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    Lin Ya hesitated for a moment before she stumbled to say, ¡°Miss. Qian Ge, when you first came to me, you told me that if I helped you, you¡¯d give me Ji Yi¡¯s role... I want to know, have I done what was asked?¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re talking about that...¡± After a long while, Qian Ge seemed surprised. ¡°...Don¡¯t worry about that¡ªif she doesn¡¯t get there by nine, there¡¯s no way they can start shooting. Director Liang definitely won¡¯t be happy. If she doesn¡¯t get there by twelve, Director Liang will definitely find someone else. Then I¡¯ll put in a rmendation for you. Just wait for my message.¡±

    Lin Ya suddenly smiled. ¡°Miss Qian Ge, thank you.¡±

    On the other end, Qian Ge immediately hung up the phone.

    The dorm fell silent again. Lin Ya put her phone down as she smirked even harder.

    Even though she hadn¡¯t benefitted from what happened at the hot spring resort, now she was about to steal Ji Yi¡¯s role. What¡¯s more, it was a movie by Director Liang, so it was a considerable trade for how angry Ji Yi made her back then!

    At that thought, Lin Ya couldn¡¯t help but let out a cheerful chuckle and a trace of amusement crept into her eyes. She leisurely removed the covers and was about to get out of bed to freshen up when the doors to her room were suddenly flung open with one hard kick.

 Chapter 110

    Chapter 110: How About You Choose to Marry Me? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lin Ya was so frightened that her fingers trembled. She looked up at the door, and just as she was about to scream in anger ¡°Are you crazy?!¡±, she saw He Jichen stride in. The words suddenly died in her mouth as she stared straight at He Jichen, who she hadn¡¯t seen for over two months now.

    He Jichen¡¯s kick on the door was so strong that it frightened the people next door. Quite a lot of people came running over to see what themotion was about.

    With all the girls crowding around him, he didn¡¯t stop walking until he reached Lin Ya¡¯s bed.

    Lin Ya snapped back to her senses, then quietly said, ¡°He Da...¡±

    The final ¡°ge¡± didn¡¯t manage to leave her mouth before He Jichen suddenly reached his arm out, yanked her arm and tossed her.

    A shriek escaped Lin Ya¡¯s mouth, and before she could figure out what was going on, she was thrown hard against the steeldder of the bunk bed.

    The pain shooting through her back made Lin Ya suddenly draw a cold breath of air. However, before she could steady herself, He Jichen¡¯s voice came crashing down on her from above, ¡°Where is she?¡±

    Lin Ya¡¯s entire body shivered until the piercing pain in her back eased off a little. Then she forced her eyes open and looked over at He Jichen. With trembling lips, she replied, ¡°What?¡± He Jichen¡¯s eyes froze. He clutched her arm and flung her over to the window. He then opened the window and pushed her towards it, leaving half her body suspended in mid-air. He spoke in a chilly voice, ¡°Quit acting dumb. I don¡¯t have the patience to go on and on about it. I¡¯m asking you, where did you put Ji Yi?¡±

    The blood drained from Lin Ya¡¯s face. After a while, she realized why He Jichen was here.

    But her and Qian Ge¡¯s n was wless. Only the two of them knew about it, so how did he find out Ji Yi¡¯s disappearance had something to do with them? Unless he made a lucky guess?

    Lin Ya¡¯s teeth chattered, and she remained silent for quite some time before she said with a trembling voice, ¡°He Dage, I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talkin-¡±

    ¡°...Aaah...!¡± shrieked Lin Ya all of a sudden.

    Two-thirds of her body was pushed out the window by He Jichen. Her hands wed erratically for anything to grip onto as tears poured out.

    He Jichen spoke with his usual icy tone as though he couldn¡¯t see her crying. ¡°I¡¯ll say it one more time¡ªtell me where she is. You just have to tell me the answer I want to hear and you¡¯ll be fine. If you say one more word of nonsense...¡±

    He Jichen pushed Lin Ya further out the window. Lin Ya cried in fear and said, ¡°I said, I said... She, she, she... in the abandoned building...¡±

 Chapter 111

    hapter 111: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before Lin Ya could finish, He Jichen pulled her back into the room and tossed her casually to one side when he learned where Ji Yi was. Without a single word, he strode out the front door.

    The doors to her dorm room were wide open, and there were quite a few people watching from outside the doors. Everybody seemed shaken up by the ferocity emanating from his body. When he stepped out, everyone took a step back in unison.

    It wasn¡¯t until He Jichen¡¯s silhouette had disappeared around the corner of the stairway that the silent halls erupted with whispers.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but they were just talking, and I think Lin Ya trapped Ji Yi over there?¡±

    ¡°Why would Lin Ya treat Ji Yi like that? We¡¯re all dorm-mates, isn¡¯t that going overboard?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    As those voices grew louder, they woke Lin Ya from the shock inflicted by He Jichen that practically frightened her to death. She leaned against the cabs on the balcony, took a few deep breaths and forced herself to stand up straight. Then, with trembling legs, she walked over to the doors and through the pointing and whispering in the corridors.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know just how long she¡¯d been trapped in there, but she did know that it must be quitete because the sun was rising higher, and the rays of sunshine were brighter.

    Fresh blood poured from her wrists from rubbing against the ropes, and they were swollen two times the normal size.

    She didn¡¯t want to give up, but she could clearly feel the pain from her wrist with every movement. The pain was so sharp that it made her entire body shiver violently.

    The sun beat down through the windows and bathed Ji Yi¡¯s face, making the hopelessness in her heart grow stronger.

    Even though there was no way for her to tell the time, the sun had risen pretty high. It was probably almost nine in the morning.

    Ji Yi was no longer tremendously popr like four years ago, so she had no right to bete, nor did she have any right to dy the shooting. She was afraid that with her absence, the director would rece her right away...

    Ji Yi felt so wronged. Again, she gritted her teeth and rubbed the rope around the chair, causing a piercing pain to surge from the wound on her fair wrists. Her whole body jumped, and the pain hurt her so much that she let out a grunt. A cold sweat came over her body.

    She held her breath for a long time as she waited for the pain to subside. She really wanted to endure the pain, but her wrists no longer felt like her own. No matter how hard she tried to move, they wouldn¡¯t budge.

    Her hopelessness was like a tide,pletely flooding her.

    The toughness in her eyes slowly disappeared and in its ce was infinite sorrow.

    Could it possibly be that this time I really lost to Qian Ge?

    This was the hard-earned opportunity I¡¯ve been fighting for. If I miss out, wouldn¡¯t I be in the exact same position as when I woke up from thea? I¡¯ve waited so, so long for this new opportunity... In the end, maybe I never had a shot at all.

    At that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes turned red; she could clearly feel the wetness building up in her eyes. Just when she thought the tears were going to pour out, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps from outside the door.

 Chapter 112

    Chapter 112: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows slightly. Before she could figure out if it was a hallucination, there was a loud ¡°Bang!¡± suddenly from the back door of the ssroom.

    ¡°Ba-donk¡± Ji Yi¡¯s heart jumped in shock, causing her to instinctively turn her head and look over at the door in the back.

    The old door was hit by something as dust scattered down.

    The door swayed, but before it stabilized, she heard another ear-splitting ¡°Bang!¡±

    Coincidentally, Ji Yi stared at the back door when it was still whole, then she caught sight of the door after it crashed to the ground a second after.

    Then Ji Yi saw a ck leather shoe standing on the cracked door.

    So, someone really did turn up... Just when she felt the most helpless and desperate.

    Ji Yi felt her defeated heart start to pound little-by-little ande back to life.

    She suppressed the pounding in her heart as her eyes were drawn to the leather shoes that moved slowly across the floor. The two long slender legs, a white shirt, the fine corbone through his open shirt, and the perfect jaw... Ji Yi¡¯s eyes stopped for a moment before she continued to look up to see the image of a familiar and shockingly beautiful face.

    Out of years of habit, her eyes were immediately drawn to the man¡¯s wrist, and that¡¯s when she saw the red string. Her fingers instinctively curled, and an indescribable sense of difort came over her.

    It¡¯s He Jichen... but h-how did he know I was here?

    Astonishment surfaced in Ji Yi¡¯s mind, and before it could settle, He Jichen was already standing in front of her.

    The man tightly pursed his lips and his face looked frighteningly bleak. He stared at her bound hands and feet for less than a second before he crouched down and started to untie the ropes.

    By doing so, he was particrly close to her.

    Ji Yi incidentally saw the fair shade of He Jichen¡¯s neck with beads of sweat trickling down into his shirt.

    She was stunned for a moment before she turned her head to look at his lowered face. She didn¡¯t know what exactly he had gone through to reach her, but deep in the middle of winter, he was drenched in sweat. There were even a few strands of hair covered in sweat that fully covered his forehead.

    The ssroom was very silent as neither of them spoke.

    He Jichen flung the untied ropes from Ji Yi¡¯s legs aside and removed the tape from Ji Yi¡¯s mouth. Then he unbound the ropes from her wrists.

    Before his fingers touched her wrists, his eyes were drawn to their redness. That was when he realized that the skin around her wrists was rubbed clean off and was dripping endlessly with blood.

    He came all the way to Beijing to be by her side, put her in in sight where he could see her just to protect her, yet she still managed to get hurt in the end...

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers shivered gently as his eyes became colder than before.

 Chapter 113

    Chapter 113: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He didn¡¯t move a single inch and remained silent for a while before heartache pressed down on his chest. Without making a sound, his fingers fell on the ropes tying her hands.

    He looked like his usual cold and distant self, but his fingers used the softest and most tender force to untie the rope.

    As soon as he tossed aside the rope, He Jichen grabbed Ji Yi¡¯s hand and examined the wound on her wrists.

    He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s rtionship was at its peak many years ago, during their years at Sucheng Yizhong. Their skin hadn¡¯t touched...

    Until now. Ji Yi could still clearly recollect when they went hiking in their senior year. On her descent, she identally twisted her leg, and it was He Jichen who carried her on his back one step at a time.

    At the time, she really treated him as her best friend. Whenever she was sleepy in the car, she leaned against his shoulders, shut her eyes, and slept.

    But after bumping into each other in Beijing, she became uncontrobly tense whenever he drew near her¡ªespecially since she learned she slept with him and not He Yuguang the night before the college entrance exams, and since he ripped her clothes and said such humiliating things that night she tried to confess to He Yuguang.

    So the very moment He Jichen suddenly grabbed Ji Yi¡¯s hand, her fingers instinctively curled up. Her body was so unusually tense¡ªit was like it turned into stone.

    He Jichen noticed her reaction, which prompted his grip on her hand to soften. Yet he didn¡¯t let go and looked down at her wrists.

    Her skin was already delicate, but after chafing against the rope for such a long time, it was frighteningly swollen.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows and instinctively ripped off his own sleeve to give her wrist a simple bandage. However, before he had time to move, he felt a faint force from her hand as she struggled out of his grip.

    He raised his head and nced at her.

    She caught glimpse of his eyes and quickly lowered them. The expression on her face was a little tense, and her voice sounded a little distant and hoarse. ¡°Err... Thank you.¡±

    As she said this, she pulled her hand away harder and freed herself from his grip.

    He Jichen lowered his eyes first to look at his empty palms, then nced at Ji Yi¡¯s hands.

    Even though Ji Yi freed her hands from He Jichen, she could still feel the warmth of his hands wrapped around hers. She wasn¡¯t used to that feeling, so she instinctively rubbed her hands hard against her body. It wasn¡¯t until she felt a slight pain masking his residual warmth that she stopped.

    In He Jichen¡¯s eyes, her actions looked like she couldn¡¯t wait to have nothing to do with him.

    It felt like something was lodged in He Jichen¡¯s throat as an indescribable sense of agitation and hurt entered his mind.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mind was still on her role as Little Nine. After thanking He Jichen for saving her and seeing as he didn¡¯t give her a reply, she said, ¡°I have something to do, so I¡¯m heading out first...¡±

    After everything, it was all thanks to him. If it weren¡¯t for him, she would¡¯ve really missed out on the chance to y Little Nine.

 Chapter 114

    Chapter 114: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At that thought, Ji Yi added two words, ¡°... I¡¯m truly grateful for your help this time. If you don¡¯t mind, I-I want to treat you to a meal as thanks, He Tongxue 1 ...¡±

    After those words left her mouth, Ji Yi felt like she misspoke.

    He Jichen said those words himself: don¡¯t appear in front of him again. What¡¯s more, they argued terribly every time they bumped into each other. Furthermore, after they almost did it a second time when she looked after him that night he had a fever, he said, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t drunk so much that night, do you think I would¡¯ve ever touched you?¡± He also said, ¡°If I really did sleep with you while I was in a daze, that¡¯d be disgusting!¡± Eventually, he told her to leave... He clearly didn¡¯t want anything more to do with her...

    At that thought, Ji Yi hurriedly added, ¡°...But, you don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯ll ask...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she swiftly turned her head and remembered their mutual ssmate, Li Da. ¡°...Li Da to take my ce...¡±

    ¡°No thanks!¡± Before Ji Yi could finish, He Jichen, who had remained silent through it all, suddenly spoke. He interrupted her with his usual cold voice. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if it was an illusion¡ªit was like she had been immersed in ice as she suddenly felt desperately chilly. ¡°A meal on you? I wouldn¡¯t even nce at it, let alone eat it or let it spoil my appetite!¡±

    Ji Yi wore a calm expression and nced over at He Jichen. At the sight of his distress, her eyes lowered, she slightly pursed her lips, and her wordspletely disappeared from her mouth.

    ¡°Also, you don¡¯t have to bother thanking me. I¡¯m only here because I identally found that Lin Ya trapped you in here!¡±

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me, Lin Ya probably wouldn¡¯t have treated you like this, so I¡¯m just solving the problem I created!¡±

    ¡°And that problem just so happens to be about you, that¡¯s all!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers instinctively clutched her sleeves with He Jichen¡¯s words.

    ¡°So, you really don¡¯t have to toot your own horn and think that I came here especially to help you! You really aren¡¯t worth me doing such a thing!¡± In the end, He Jichen¡¯s tone was angry. His voice was quite loud, and it made her feel a strong sense of oppression.

    In actuality, it was understandable for him not toe here just for her. After all, they no longer had the rtionship of their youth after that night four years ago.

    But the reality of it stung. Some words from his mouth always hurt.

    After she heard He Jichen say ¡°how much¡± and ¡°not worthy,¡± Ji Yi¡¯s face trembled and turned pale.

    Seeing Ji Yi¡¯s reaction, He Jichen¡¯s movements became increasingly violent and ghastly. Almost without thinking it through, he let slip the words, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were heading out? Why haven¡¯t you left? What are you still doing here? Waiting for me to take you? Let me tell you, don¡¯t even think about it. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll dirty my car...¡±

 Chapter 115

    Chapter 115: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After Ji Yi heard He Jichen say this, it seemed like she suddenly woke up as she stood up and pushed her chair away.

    When she bent down to pick up her handbag, she grazed the wounds on her wrists.

    He clearly saw her furrow her brows and bite down on her bottom lip in pain, causing him to purse his lips reflexively. Before he could move, she swiftly ran away.

    The only person left in the old, dirty ssroom was He Jichen.

    Bright rays of sun shone through the window andnded on his body.

    He stayed in position, still in the crouched position he took in front of the chair as he helped Ji Yi untie the ropes. He didn¡¯t move an inch as though he was frozen in ce.

    After a long while, he gently raised his eyes and averted his gaze from the direction Ji Yi ran in.

    He knew his actions were wrong; he said the wrong thing again.

    He didn¡¯t want to argue with her like this, but when she drew her hand back and said what she said, he really couldn¡¯t control his temper. He really couldn¡¯t contain himself in the end.

    After all, he didn¡¯t want her to find out about some things, like the fact that he loved her... that he really missed her all those years after she left.

    He knew he still had feelings for her because he was still hurt about how she cried ¡°Yuguang¡± four years ago on that night.

    He liked her so much, yet she embarrassed him so badly that night. It was that very feeling of embarrassment that he didn¡¯t want her to know, so he was always so hypocritical and hurtful to her, in hopes of masking his true feelings.

    He knew very well that it was his ego and unwillingness to speak the truth prevailing above all else.

    After a long while, He Jichen swayed as he got up and stepped out of the abandoned ssroom block.

    When he got in the car, he nced at the time; it was almost nine. Ji Yi wanted the role of Little Nine so badly that she rushed out immediately.

    Even though it wasn¡¯t so long ago when she upset him, in this very moment, he couldn¡¯t help wanting to help her still.

    Because of her, he always felt so confused and lost.

    All of a sudden, He Jichen lowered his eyes and stayed quiet. He followed his thoughts, reached for his phone, and made a call to Director Liang.

    The phone was quickly picked up. He opened with two polite words then went straight to the point: ¡°I was tied up just now finding the actress for Little Nine. She might be a littlete to set...¡±

    He Jichen hung up the phone and silently sat in the car for a moment before he started up the car. He leisurely drove out of campus onto familiar roads.

    As he waited at the stoplight en route to the set, he saw a drug store by the road through the side window. The thought of her injured wrists suddenly crossed his mind.

    He stepped on the gas and drove straight ahead for quite some distance. Eventually, he stopped by the side of the road, got out of the car and entered the drug store.

    ¨C

    It was already eight forty when Ji Yi got in the taxi. Coincidentally, it was the height of rush hour in Beijing, so traffic was terrible. When she reached the set of ¡°The Pce,¡± it was already almost ten.

 Chapter 116

    Chapter 116: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was an entire hourter than the time the production team expected everyone to arrive. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure what was happening on set at the moment, but she knew they¡¯d probably started shooting with a recement for the role of Little Nine.

    Yet, she figured she would find out for herself what was really going on before she gave uppletely. Who knows, the production team may not have found a suitable recement... Ji Yi stood at the entrance to the set, took a deep breath then walked in.

    To her astonishment, the staff responsible for Ji Yi not only didn¡¯t me her for beingte, but told her that something happened to the director, so the scene was rescheduled to shoot at one in the afternoon.

    Ji Yi, who had been worrying just a second ago, was instantly at ease when she heard the staff member¡¯s words.

    After Ji Yi had her make up done, she dealt with the wounds on her wrists.

    She was afraid that her bandages would be exposed during that afternoon¡¯s filming, so she specifically asked the stylist if she could wear a thick jade bracelet to cover it up.

    Ji Yi stood in front of the mirror checking her costume up and down to make sure there wasn¡¯t a single thing out of ce. Then she found an empty room to go over the script.

    Ji Yi memorized her lines long ago. After repeating the lines to herself two times over, she saw that it was still early, so she put the script down and shut her eyes to get some rest.

    The break room was public. Not long after, other actors came in for a break after getting their makeup done.

    The silent room became quite noisy.

    Ji Yi sat in the corner where nobody could bother her. Though she didn¡¯t open her eyes, she couldn¡¯t manage to fall sleep.

    The two young women in maid costumes sitting behind Ji Yi whispered to each other.

    She was far away, but though they deliberately spoke quietly, Ji Yi could still clearly hear them.

    ¡°Did you hear? It was the assistant director¡¯s idea to push back this afternoon¡¯s filming.¡±

    ¡°For real? After being on the production team for over two months now, the assistant director has been the strictest. Why did he drop the ball all of a sudden?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! Director Liang¡¯s staff mentioned it over lunch... I only just found out that our assistant director is the director for that TV drama ¡°Encounter¡±.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t initially interested in what the two women talked about earlier; everything went in one ear and out the other. But near the end, her interest was instantly piqued.

    Wasn¡¯t ¡°Encounter¡± the popr TV drama from the start of the year? They said ¡°Encounter¡± was the director¡¯s first piece. The filming techniques were unique and the drama gained a lot of hype. It was an overnight sensation!

    After Ji Yi woke up from hera, she paid close attention to this director. She thought he was really talented, and she really wanted the chance to work with him, but this director kept an unusually low profile. He had never been interviewed by the media, so since Ji Yi couldn¡¯t get any information on him, she eventually gave up on him. She never imagined that now, they¡¯d actually be on the same set...

 Chapter 117

    Chapter 117: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At that thought, Ji Yi tuned in to the conversation between the women behind her again.

    ¡°No wonder! Remember we talked about this? Why would such a highly respected director like Director Liang suddenly hire such a young assistant director? As it turns out, the assistant director has such a good background!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not only that! You probably won¡¯t believe me when I say this, but our assistant director is studying in college right now. He hasn¡¯t even graduated yet!¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she didn¡¯t reveal much emotion on her face, but she was terribly shocked inside.

    She always thought that shooting such a profoundly deep drama such as ¡°Encounter¡± would require the director to have a lot of life experience, or at the very least, be a certain advanced age. She never imagined that it¡¯d actually be such a young person...

    In the midst of her wild thoughts, Ji Yi suddenly heard a staff member near the break room say, ¡°Everyone get ready; we¡¯re about to start shooting!¡±

    Ji Yi hurriedly snapped back to her senses and rushed over to the set with script in hand along with all the other actors in the break room.

    Director Liang stood in the center of the pce with the script. He was talking to the lead actress of ¡°The Pce¡± about the scene.

    A row of impatient people suddenly ran over to him. ¡°Director Liang, the assistant director is here.¡±

    Director Liang nodded and finished off his conversation with the lead actress. Then he made a signal for everyone to get ready and walked over to the monitor.

    Soon after Director Liang sat down, someone entered the pce doors.

    As quite a few people inside the pce cried ¡°assistant director,¡± Ji Yi turned her head without hesitation and looked over at the person she had been curious about for so long.

    Without warning, a slender and tall frame came directly into her view.

    He was greeted by a row of people as he walked over to the monitor in front of director Liang with an emotionless expression on his face.

    His strides were sorge and so rushed that although Ji Yi turned her head to the side to nce at his face, she still couldn¡¯t quite see him clearly. Yet, it took less than half a minute to recognize him.

    The director for ¡°Encounter¡±, the assistant director for ¡°The Pce¡±, the talented young person she praised endlessly was actually... He Jichen!

    She never imagined it was him!

    Even though she saw it with her own eyes, she still didn¡¯t dare believe it!

    It was like Ji Yi was stuck in a daze as she stared straight at He Jichen for a long time without blinking.

    He Jichen stopped in front of the monitors and single-handedly pulled a chair out. His posture was rxed and refined as he took a seat.

    Director Liang whispered a few words into his ears, nodded slightly, grabbed the mic, and said, ¡°ces, everyone!¡±

    Everyone was ready besides Ji Yi, who was still frozen on the spot.

    ¡°Little Nine!¡± Director Liang cried her character¡¯s name.

    That was when Ji Yi snapped out of it and lowered her head apologetically at the director as she realized she¡¯d forgotten her manners. The moment she raised her head, she saw in her peripheral vision that He Jichen snuck a nce at her. His eyes were calm andposed like they were strangers.

    Ji Yi only shot him a single nce, then swiftly turned her head and ran over to her ce by the pce doors.

 Chapter 118

    Chapter 118: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Perhaps it was because of He Jichen¡¯s presence that Ji Yi was so reserved when she started to act that it made her forget her lines and do a NG 1 .

    But everything was fine since Ji Yi quickly pulled herself together. As she immersed herself in her role, her acting became more natural. Afterwards, her few scenes were practically done in one shot.

    It was almost eleven in the evening when they finished shooting the night scenes. Ji Yi didn¡¯t go back to the city but headed straight to the hotel the production team booked.

    After she finished taking a shower, Ji Yi fell asleep. The next morning, Ji Yi realized that the wounds on her wrists were pouring with blood and were incredibly more swollen than before.

    As long as she could persevere through today, she would finish filming for ¡°The Pce¡±. Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to leave a bad impression for Director Liang because of such small wounds, so she changed the bandages around her wrists. When the bleeding stopped, she put on the thick jade bracelet from the stylist and walked on set.

    Besides having to go hide in the restrooms every so often to change her bloodstained bandages, her day on set went smoothly.

    Even though they worked on the same shoot, she barely bumped into He Jichen. She only caught sight of him when he was in front of the monitor during shoots.

    The final scene that day was Little Nine¡¯s suicide in the rain due to a lost love.

    The temperature was already low in the depths of winter in Beijing. The icy cold water raining down was enough to make any person shiver. In the afternoon when Ji Yi went into the restroom to change her bandages, the wound was already a little inmed and started to hurt. After the icy rainwater poured down, the resulting piercing pain in her wrists made Ji Yi suddenly forget her lines, creating the first NG of the day.

    Starting again from scratch, Ji Yi started her second take, but the pain in her wrists hadn¡¯t subsided. Even though she forced herself to get into character, her performance was affected, so she couldn¡¯t do her very best.

    Director Liang and He Jichen sat in front of the monitor and reyed the scene they just shot.

    ¡°I think Little Nine can still try to look more tense. Shall we get a third take?¡± Director Liang wondered as he asked He Jichen sitting next to him.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say a word but kept staring at the monitor. In the scene, just as Ji Yi stabbed her chest, the blood bag they prepared earlier ruptured. The blood sprayed out when she pulled the knife out of her chest and dropped it on the ground. The camera slid across her hand gripping the knife. He Jichen clearly saw that aside from the stains from the blood bag, there was a trickle of red slowly dripping from her thick jade bangle.

    He could tell that it wasn¡¯t red from the blood bag but from her own blood.

    Are the wounds on her wrists that serious? But why didn¡¯t she make a sound or tell the production team? Why did she choose to tolerate the stinging rain instead?

    Before He Jichen¡¯s mind settled, the director cried, ¡°Get ready for the third...¡±

    The final word ¡°take¡± didn¡¯te out, because He Jichen, who had kept his silence until now, suddenly interrupted him with, ¡°Pass it.¡±

    He Jichen was well-known for being strict and having high standards. For him to abruptly say this, it left director Liang a little stunned.

    He Jichen pretended like he hadn¡¯t noticed the director¡¯s reaction and continued to say with a neutral tone, ¡°I¡¯ve taken a look and there were no problems with Little Nine¡¯s acting just now. With a little editing, it¡¯ll be more than sufficient.¡±

    Hearing He Jichen say this, Director Liang didn¡¯t push his thoughts on the matter. He grabbed the mic and cried, ¡°Pass!¡±

    After the scene was over, it marked the end of that day¡¯s filming.

    Havingpletely finished filming, Ji Yi didn¡¯t linger for long. She changed her clothes and called for a ride.

    She got into the taxi and left the set a secondter. Immediately after, an Audi car followed after her.

    In the driver¡¯s seat, He Jichen followed closely behind the taxi in front of him. After driving some distance, his eyesnded on the medicine he bought the day before and casually tossed onto the front passenger seat. He pursed his lips slightly, then turned the steering wheel and parked the car by the side of the road.

    With an unwavering gaze, he stared as the taxi gradually drove away. When the taxi finally disappearedpletely from sight, he opened the trunk of the car and grabbed a phone. Then he tapped on the screen for a bit and sent out a text.

 Chapter 119

    Chapter 119: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ...

    Ji Yi¡¯s taxi hadn¡¯t driven too far away from the set of ¡°The Pce¡± when she received a text.

    It was from He Yuguang.

    ¡°Manman, tonight I¡¯ll be flying to Beijing at eight. If you don¡¯t have any ns, let¡¯s meet at home.¡±

    Ji Yi knew that the ¡®home¡¯ He Yuguang was referring to was the apartment he gave her keys tost month.

    If it was anyone else, she¡¯d be a little scared to be in the same room as them in the middle of the night, but she knew He Yuguang very well, so Ji Yi didn¡¯t hesitate. She swiftly tapped her phone screen and replied: ¡°Alright, Yuguang Ge.¡±

    ...

    After about three minutes, a ¡°ding!¡± came from inside the car.

    He Jichen stared at a withered tree outside of the window. At the noise, he instinctively turned his head and looked over at the phone screen.

    ¡°Alright, Yuguang Ge.¡± Having clearly scanned those five words, he didn¡¯t unlock the screen but casually tossed the phone into the back of the car.

    Counting the first time when he used He Yuguang¡¯s identity to trick Ji Yi into marrying him, this was the third time using it to get close to her.

    The second time was a month ago. That day, he went to Yunnan with the production team to shoot ¡°The Pce¡±. He found out from Tang Huahua¡¯s daily texts that Ji Yi caught a cold because the weather was bad.

    If he thought about it carefully, after getting married, they hadn¡¯t seen each other for a month. With the habit he established four years ago, he visited Ji Yi secretly in Beijing on the eighteenth of every month. A month ago, the day after shooting ¡°The Pce¡± in Yunnan was coincidentally the eighteenth, so he took an overnight flight back to Beijing.

    That day, he didn¡¯t even know why, but he missed Ji Yi more than usual, so he invited her out for a meal. He knew that He Jichen would never be able to invite her out, so he used his brother¡¯s identity to do it and handed her the keys to the apartment he prepared at the same time.

    That night he pretended to be ¡°He Yuguang¡±, she was rxed and carefree in front of him. She wasn¡¯t reserved or rejected him, unlike how she was in front of the real him.

    In actuality, to meet in that context was upsetting to him.

    But he knew that if he used his own identity to meet with her, she would be the upset one.

    When the two of them met, one of them was bound to be unhappy, so he would rather that person be himself.

    He thought about taking care of the wounds on her wrists but didn¡¯t want to make her unhappy, so he assumed his brother¡¯s identity again.

    ¨C

    It was already seven in the evening when Ji Yi returned to B-Film.

    He Yuguang¡¯s eight o¡¯clock flight was going tond at around ten o¡¯clock.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait to eat with He Yuguang but instead, headed to the cafeteria to grab something with Tang Huahua.

    Back at the dorms, Ji Yi packed two pieces of clean clothes then went to the college¡¯s infirmary. She bought some ointment for the wounds on her wrists, hailed a taxi, and headed for He Yuguang¡¯s apartment.

 Chapter 120

    Chapter 120: You¡¯re Not Worthy Enough For Me To Do Such a Thing (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Two consecutive days of filming with her injured wrists exhausted Ji Yi. When she arrived at the apartment, she took a hot shower and smeared ointment onto the wound. She huddled on the sofa, not wanting to move an inch.

    She was really tired, so Ji Yi fell asleep on the sofa while waiting for He Yuguang.

    She didn¡¯t have a nket. Though the heating was on, since she filmed two takes in the icy cold weather under the rain that afternoon, Ji Yi felt a burning sensation in her throat while in a sleepy haze. It made her mouth dry, and she was desperately thirsty.

    Ji Yi knew she should go drink some water but she was so tired... so tired that she couldn¡¯t open her eyes or move.

    So she continued toy there with a dry mouth as her body started to get cold sweats. Her breathing becamebored, so much so that she eventually started to shiver uncontrobly. She moaned in pain as she tried her hardest to breathe but as she did so, her nose suddenly became sore, almost forcing tears to pour out.

    Just as she was in so much pain that she was about to cry quietly to herself, she felt a hand cover her forehead. Then she fell into a warm embrace and felt her body sink into a soft bed.

    Is someone here by my side?

    In a haze, Ji Yi reached her hand out and fumbled around but couldn¡¯t feel anything. Instead, she heard the sound of footsteps gradually moving further and further away.

    Who is it? He came back, so why did he leave again? I¡¯m in so much pain; why isn¡¯t he helping me call a doctor?

    Ji Yi wanted to move, but she couldn¡¯t. Her body was cold one second and hot the next, and her body shivered like crazy.

    Something isn¡¯t right. I can¡¯t stay here like this, or I might die from the pain... At that thought, Ji Yi started to struggle. Just as she tried to shuffle over to the side of the bed with much difficulty, she heard the sound of the door opening, then the sound of hurried footsteps. As her body sank onto the bed, someone sat down, propped her up and brought a cup of hot water to her lips.

    She felt much better after drinking some water.

    She felt someoney her back down on the bed and pull the covers on top of her body.

    But she was still cold¡ªso cold that she wouldn¡¯t stop trembling. In a daze, she vaguely sensed someone helping her drink water. Aside from that person, there was someone else in the room. That person said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s just a fever.¡± An ice-cold needle pierced the skin of her hand. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because she was sick, but the pain felt amplified and it hurt so much that tears squirted out. She instinctively tried to avoid the needle, but the person who fed her water held her down. Incapable of resisting, she let out a small cry, ¡°It hurts, hurts so much...¡±

    The person who fed her water didn¡¯t say anything but used the other hand to stroke her hair. He was warm and full offort.

 Chapter 121

    Chapter 121: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In that instant, the warm andforting sensation of having someone taking care of Ji Yi suddenly overwhelmed her, making her sickly self feel miraculously calm.

    After a good while, the needle was pulled out of her arm. Then Ji Yi heard the same person speak again, ¡°Remember to have her take the medicine when she wakes up. I have business at the hospital to attend to, so I¡¯m taking off. If there¡¯s anything else you need, contact me...¡±

    So the person who¡¯s talking is a doctor... thought Ji Yi as she heard the sound of the doctor¡¯s voice in her ears again: ¡°... You don¡¯t have to see me out. Stay here and take care of her.¡±

    Following that, there were the sounds of someone packing things up, footsteps, and the door opening and closing.

    The room was far quieter without the doctor there.

    The person who fed her water was still gently stroking her hair.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if it was the medicine kicking in or if it was because she was cared for so well, but the pain subsided and she stopped having wild thoughts. She quickly fell asleep.

    ...

    This time, Ji Yi slept peacefully for a long time.

    It was almost noon when she woke up. She stared out the window at the piercing sunshine with squinted eyes for a while, then suddenly snapped out of it.

    She and He Yuguang were meant to meet at home, but she fell asleep waiting for him. Then it seemed that she had a fever and relied on someone to take care of her while she was groggy... All of a sudden, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes snapped wide open to explore her surroundings.

    There were a few packs of medicine, an empty ss, and a thermometer on the bedside table... When Ji Yi got up and removed her duvet, she realized the wounds on her wrists were taken care of again.

    So everything that happenedst night wasn¡¯t an illusion...

    Since this is He Yuguang¡¯s ce, the person who took care of me all night was Yuguang Ge?

    As Ji Yi thought this, she got out of bed and walked out of the room.

    The living room waspletely empty. There was no one there.

    He Yuguang isn¡¯t at home?

    Before the thought settled in Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she heard the sound of the hood fan in the kitchen nearby.

    She instinctively walked towards the open door to the kitchen and saw a guy standing in front of the sink, busy with something.

    Before anything else, she nced over at the guy¡¯s wrist to see that there was nothing there, so she cried, ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡±

    The sound of the fan was a little loud. Since he was busy and had his back to her, he probably couldn¡¯t hear her.

    Ji Yi stood at the door, staring at the guy in a slight daze.

    When did Yuguang He learn to cook?

    When they were young, they practically saw each other every day. Since he was unwell, his family never allowed him into the kitchen, let alone cook...

 Chapter 122

    Chapter 122: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In the kitchen, when He Jichen turned around to get a spoon, he saw Ji Yi standing at the door.

    He moved his lips, preparing to say ¡°You¡¯re up¡± before he realized that in this very moment, he was supposed to be He Yuguang. He swiftly turned his head, turned down the heat for the congee, then walked over to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi snapped back to her senses and cried, ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but reached his hand out and touched Ji Yi¡¯s forehead. When he was certain that her temperature was back to normal, he pulled out his phone from his pocket, typed some words, and handed the phone to Ji Yi. ¡°Food is almost done. Go freshen up.¡±

    Ji Yi shot him a smile and replied with a ¡°Mm.¡± She stood there for a while before heading back to the bedroom.

    After she freshened up and returned, the food was already sitting neatly on the dining table.

    Since He Yuguang couldn¡¯t speak, Ji Yi practically never spoke during meals ever since they started eating together when they were young. Till this day, she still kept the same habit.

    The dining room was unusually quiet. Besides the crisp sound of the chopsticks touching the bowls, there was barely any other noise.

    After the meal, Ji Yi got up and was just about to clean up when ¡°He Yuguang¡± stopped her. He typed a string of words into his phone: ¡°You don¡¯t need to tidy up. I hired a worker toe over; they¡¯ll be here soon.¡±

    He Jichen showed the phone to Ji Yi then pulled it back and deleted the previous message. He started to write another message: ¡°Go get some rest first, then take the medicine.¡±

    ...

    Even though Ji Yi no longer had a high temperature, she hadn¡¯tpletely recovered from her cold, so she obediently took the medicine as instructed. It kicked in quickly so she felt drowsy and fell asleep again.

    When she woke up, it was already evening.

    Ji Yi stepped out of the bedroom, but instead of seeing He Yugugang, she stumbled on the worker he hired.

    The worker saw here out and immediately smiled, ¡°Miss, you¡¯re up?¡±

    Ji Yi let out a ¡°mm,¡± then scanned her surroundings.

    The worker probably guessed what she was looking for, so before she could speak, the worker said, ¡°Miss, mister is not at home. He left in the afternoon, but before he left, he told me he had some business to attend to, so he had to step out. He won¡¯t be having dinner at home, but please wait for him.¡±

    Ji Yi let out an ¡°Oh¡± to signal that she understood but she didn¡¯t say anything further.

    ...

    After dinner, Ji Yi, who stayed at home the entire day, went downstairs and took a walk around the neighborhood. When she came back and changed into a pair of slippers at the entrance, Ji Yi saw He Yuguang¡¯s shoes.

    Having changed into slippers, Ji Yi walked into the living room to coincidentally find the workering out of the kitchen with a cup of hot tea. Ji Yi asked, ¡°Has Yuguang Gee back?¡±

    The worker replied, ¡°Yes. He¡¯s in the study.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes were drawn to the tray in the worker¡¯s hands. Remembering that she hadn¡¯t thanked He Yuguang since she woke up, she then said, ¡°Give it to me.¡±

    The worker hurriedly handed Ji Yi the tray.

    Ji Yi waited for the worker to enter the kitchen before she turned around and headed for the study.

    Since He Yuguang couldn¡¯t speak, Ji Yi politely knocked on the door and pushed it open. She nced over at ¡°He Yuguang¡± and cried, ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± sat behind the big, wide desk and stared unwaveringly at theputer screen with no response as though he hadn¡¯t heard Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi thought he was concentrating hard on important work, so she didn¡¯t say anything to disturb him. She quietly walked over and put down the hot tea while incidentally catching a glimpse of He Yuguang¡¯sputer screen from the corner of her eye.

 Chapter 123

    Chapter 123: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (3)

    <strong>Trantor:</strong>Paperne

    <strong>Editor:</strong>Caron_

    He was watching a video. From the video resolution and color, she could tell the video was considerably old.

    The background in the video looked familiar. Ji Yi instinctively averted her gaze, but before she did, she saw where the video was shot. The girl in the red clothes caught her attention.

    She didn¡¯t manage to take a good look at her face, but just a nce was enough for Ji Yi to figure out that the young girl in the red clothes was her younger self.

    <i>So ¡°He Yuguang¡± isn¡¯t busy with work, but he¡¯s watching videos of me when I was younger... What¡¯s more, it¡¯s been so many years. Has he been keeping these old videos all this time?</i>

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart skipped two beats.

    When she was about to calm down and take a closer look, ¡°He Yuguang¡± finally sensed someone standing beside him. He turned his head slightly as his line of sightnded on her face. He looked evidently tense and suddenly raised his hand to reflexively cover theputer screen.

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t certain if Ji Yi saw the video he saved of her younger self, so he felt slightly flustered. After a second, he was back to normal and looked at the cup of tea Ji Yi just put down. He grabbed his phone as though nothing happened, typed a few words, and put the phone in front of Ji Yi. ¡°Manman, howe you¡¯re in here?¡±

    Ji Yi could tell that ¡°He Yuguang¡± was hiding the video he was just watching. She didn¡¯t want to expose him, so she simply smiled and replied, ¡°I took a walk and came back home. I coincidentally sawAyi<sup>1</sup>make you a cup of tea, so I thought I might as well bring it to you.¡±

    He Jichen gave a gentle nod, took his phone back and continued to type: ¡°Do you feel a little better?¡±

    ¡°Lots better.¡±

    Even though Ji Yi replied like that, He Jichen still got up and reached his hand out to feel her forehead. After he confirmed that she didn¡¯t have a high temperature, he then went back and grabbed his phone. He continued to type: ¡°Have you taken your medicine?¡±

    ¡°Not yet...¡± Ji Yi paused and said, ¡°...I¡¯ll go take it now.¡±

    He Jichen nodded gently but didn¡¯t type anything.

    Ji Yi suddenly remembered that she wanted to thank him. ¡°Yuguang Ge, thank you forst night.¡±

    He Jichen knew Ji Yi was talking about when he took care of her all night long when she couldn¡¯t wake up from her fever...<i>Oh, no, she probably thinks it was He Yuguang...</i>He Jichen lowered his eyes to cover up the loneliness in his eyes. The next second, he stered on He Yuguang¡¯s smile from the video and gently curved his lips. With a warm smile, he gradually shook his head as if to say ¡°you don¡¯t have to thank me.¡±

    The study was silent for a moment. After a while, Ji Yi pointed at the door. ¡°Then Yuguang Ge, continue with what you were doing. I¡¯ll take off first to take my medicine.¡±

    He Jichen nodded and saw Ji Yi out with his eyes. He waited for her to close the door then diverted his eyes back to theputer again.

 Chapter 124

    Chapter 124: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (4)

    <strong>Trantor:</strong>Paperne

    <strong>Editor:</strong>Caron_

    He Jichen had an entire hard drive of videos. They were videos recorded in the He family home and were recorded for He Yuguang to remember him by after he left.

    Since Ji Yi spent so much time with He Yuguang, a lot of videos featured her in them.

    He copied those videos long ago. In the quiet evenings, when his yearning for her was unbearable, he watched them to satisfy his desires.

    But now, he watched these videos to learn to wlessly impersonate He Yuguang.

    ¨C

    When Ji Yi came out of the study, the worker alreadypleted all her duties and had left.

    Ji Yi was the only one in the living room. After taking her medicine, she watched TV for a while, then went back to the bedroom when she felt bored. She grabbed her phone that was charging on the nightstand. With one nce, Ji Yi saw some messages from Tang Huahua: ¡°Ah ah ah... have you guys heard? My favorite Cheng Weiwan story ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± has finally started shooting its TV series! Do you guys even know how popr this book is? It¡¯s Cheng Weiwan¡¯s masterpiece! It¡¯s definitely one of his ssics; it¡¯s been a best-seller for ten years. To this day, the book is an undefeated legend in the publishing world!¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t really like to read, so she didn¡¯t really know about ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±, but she knew Cheng Weiwan.

    Many of her works had been made into TV adaptations, which created quite a few waves of new actors. The past two years, the entertainment industry called her ¡°The Creator¡±¡ªas long as actors signed onto her shows, no matter if it was the leading role or a supporting role, they¡¯d be overnight sensations.

    After Ji Yi woke up from hera, aside from the director for ¡°Encounter¡±, she also paid close attention to Cheng Weiwan. She never imagined that after waiting so long, Cheng Weiwan finally started shooting something new!

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t respond in the Wechat group but headed straight to the inte and searched for the news Tang Huahua shared.

    During dinner, she was still browsing through the top searches on Weibo for gossip on some celebrities. In the short span of time when she didn¡¯t look at her phone, the threads for ¡°Cheng Weiwan¡± and ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± jumped up to first ce on Weibo¡¯s top searches.

    Just as Tang Huahua said on Wechat, this book was really popr; fans were already discussing it on Weibo. Some begged for them not to film, another person asked who the leading actress and actor were. There were even fans who started a poll to guess who¡¯d be the most suitable actors for each character.

    Ji Yi read all the rted Weibo posts, but in the end, she was only able to find a little information about it. She learned that the producer for the TV series was called ¡°YC¡± from New Entertainment.

    Ji Yi researched thepany onBaidu.<sup>1</sup> Thepanyunched earlier that year and hadn¡¯t produced anything till now.

    What was even stranger was thepany¡¯s contact information wasn¡¯t online, which meant that even if she wanted to star in the TV adaptation of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±, she couldn¡¯t even get in contact with the right people...

    As Ji Yi swiped on her phone and browsed Weibo, she secretly cursed inside.

    Suddenly, the bedroom door was pushed open. ¡°He Yuguang¡± came walking in, carrying a medical kit.

 Chapter 125

    Chapter 125: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (5)

    <strong>Trantor:</strong>Paperne

    <strong>Editor:</strong>Caron_

    Ji Yi was so focused on her phone that she didn¡¯t notice He Jichene close. It wasn¡¯t until he put the medical kit on the desk that she raised her head and looked over at ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    He Jichen stared at Ji Yi¡¯s phone screen. When He Jichen heard her speak, he silently averted his eyes, typed a few words into his phone and handed it to Ji Yi: ¡°Let me change your bandages.¡±

    With that, He Jichen pointed at Ji Yi¡¯s wrist.

    Ji Yi understood what he meant, so she hurriedly put her phone down and said ¡°Thank you,¡± then obediently reached out her tightly bandaged wrist.

    He Jichen¡¯s hands were too busy to type, so the two of them didn¡¯tmunicate, leaving the roompletely silent.

    After medicine was applied to the wound and He Jichen bandaged it up again, Ji Yi said, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Their marriage was fake. Even though they now lived in the same apartment, they had different rooms.

    It waste, so Ji Yi thought that after thanking him, ¡°He Yuguang¡± would leave. She never imagined that he¡¯d sit on the sofa and stare at the ck screen of her phone without any indication of leaving.

    Ji Yi wanted to ask ¡°Yuguang Ge, is there something else?¡± but He Yuguang¡¯s line of sight turned back to his phone. He tapped the keyboard for a while then handed the phone to Ji Yi. ¡°When I came in, I saw you on Weibo searching about ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ and YC?¡±

    Seeing as He Yuguang had seen her phone screen, she showed a little annoyance as she said, ¡°Mm, yeah.¡±

    After hearing her reply, He Jichen started typing on his phone again: ¡°You¡¯re interested in ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯?¡±

    ¡°This story is pretty popr. What¡¯s more, the author is really popr. Right now, it isn¡¯t a bad choice to me,¡± said Ji Yi.

    He Jichen took the phone, tapped on the screen, then stopped again.

    If she found out hispany shot this TV series and that he was the director, maybe she¡¯d give up on ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± entirely.

    He Jichen was deep in thought for a while, then deleted one character at a time and changed his message to: ¡°Oh, I see.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t think too much about his behavior. When she saw those three words, she smiled in return.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t stay for long. He typed the two words, ¡°Goodnight,¡± got up and left Ji Yi¡¯s bedroom.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi¡¯s illness left just as quickly as it came. On the third day, she waspletely fine.

    He Yuguang must¡¯ve had a lot to do in Sucheng because he flew back to Sucheng that afternoon.

    The next day was a Saturday. There were no sses, so Ji Yi went back home.

    On Sunday, Ji Yi went out with her mum since it¡¯d been a long time since she went shopping with her. It was three in the afternoon and she was sitting with her mum at a cafe having afternoon tea when she received a call from a stranger.

    Recently, Ji Yi had been receiving a lot of harassment calls. She was in no hurry to take the call, so first, she put some non-dairy creamer in her drink. Then she slowly swiped her phone screen and asked, ¡°Hello, Hi, I¡¯m Ji Yi. May I ask who you¡¯re looking for?¡±

 Chapter 126

    Chapter 126: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (6)

    <strong>Trantor:</strong>Paperne

    <strong>Editor:</strong>Caron_

    It was quiet over the phone for a few seconds before a particrly gentle and quiet female voice was heard. Through the phone, Ji Yi could sense the thick air of educated elegance as the person said, ¡°Hello, Miss. Ji Yi. I¡¯m Cheng Weiwan.¡±

    <i>Cheng Weiwan...</i>Ji Yi¡¯s mind went nk for a long while as she held the phone. She still thought what she heard was an illusion, so she asked hesitantly, ¡°Cheng Weiwan?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Cheng Weiwan.¡± On the phone, Cheng Weiwan used the same gentle tone of voice. After giving Ji Yi confirmation of her identity, she went straight to the point, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Ji Yi, to suddenly disturb you like this. The situation is this: two days ago, a friend of mine here rmended you. I saw your previous work, and I think that your personality is a good match for our second female character on ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±. As the screenwriter, I have some power in casting, so I want to ask if you¡¯re interested in ying the second female character? If you are, let¡¯s set up an appointment, and I¡¯ll arrange for the cast to talk with you in person. Would that be alright?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s speaking speedpletely wasn¡¯t what Ji Yi imagined it would be¡ªshe didn¡¯t speak fast or slow. Just two days ago, Ji Yi had been thinking about this very TV show, and now, all of a sudden, the opportunity was right in front of her. Ji Yi¡¯s dreams came true so abruptly that she didn¡¯t have time to reflect on it. Though Cheng Weiwan had finished speaking, Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t replied.

    Cheng Weiwan waited for quite some time before she spoke again, ¡°Miss Ji Yi, are you still there?¡±

    Ji Yi suddenly snapped out of it and replied, ¡°Yes! Yes, I¡¯m here.¡±

    After a pause, Ji Yi hurriedly said, ¡°I heard what you just said, and I¡¯m delighted to receive your interest. My schedule is rtively clear in the near future, so once you¡¯ve made the arrangements on your side, you can contact me at any time.¡±

    ¡°Great. I¡¯ll be contacting you shortly. Goodbye for now.¡±

    Ji Yi waited for Cheng Weiwan to hang up the phone before she slowly dropped her phone.

    She didn¡¯t reply to her mother¡¯s question ¡°Who called?¡± but instead, she picked up her coffee and took a big gulp. The bitterness coursed down her throat and into her stomach. That was when she knew everything that happened wasn¡¯t a dream but reality!

    <i>Cheng Weiwan, the author of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±, personally contacted me to invite me to an audition!</i>

    <i>Which goes to say, she really did have her eyes set on me, so my chances of getting the role as the supporting actress are pretty good!</i>

    After three years of silence, she already lost her poprity as an actress long ago, so even though she wouldn¡¯t be the leading actress, this opportunity was incredibly surprising!

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s call kept Ji Yi in a pleasant mood all the way home. After she finished dinner, she took a shower andid in bed.

    She wasn¡¯t really sleepy, so she hugged her covers and tossed around in bed thinking about Cheng Weiwan¡¯s call. As she thought about it, Ji Yi became even more awake. Eventually, she just got out of bed, put on a thick jacket, walked over to the balcony, and stared out at the night view.

    She stared and stared. She was unsure why, but the thought of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s words crossed her mind: ¡°Two days ago, a friend of mine here rmended you.¡±

    She spent her entire afternoon and evening feeling pleasantly surprised, but she¡¯d forgotten such an important piece of information.

    <i>A friend rmended me to Cheng Weiwan; that friend was...</i>

 Chapter 127

    Chapter 127: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (7)

    <strong>Trantor:</strong>Paperne

    <strong>Editor:</strong>Caron_

    Just for an instant, the three words ¡°He Yuguang¡± crossed her mind.

    In this world, aside from Yuguang Ge who asked if she was interested in ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± just two days ago when they were together, there wasn¡¯t anybody else who knew about her interest.

    And his younger brother, He Jichen, was now someone in the entertainment industry, so it was normal for him to have contacts in the field.

    <i>So it was Yuguang Ge. It was Yuguang Ge helped me...</i>

    As Ji Yi thought about this, she couldn¡¯t help but go back to her nightstand. She grabbed her phone, found He Yuguang¡¯s number, then sent him a text: ¡°Yuguang Ge, are you asleep?¡±

    ¨C

    After reading the script for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±, He Jichen rubbed his sore eyes from the many hours in front of theputer. Then he casually reached for the pack of cigarettes on the desk and lit one up.

    He didn¡¯t smoke it but let it burn between his fingertips. He closed his eyes andid back into his chair as he inhaled the faint smell of tobo.

    As the cigarette burnt down halfway, He Jichen pressed the cigarette into the ashtray. He straightened up and started to form his opinions of the script for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±.

    Just as he wrote two points, his phone on the table let out a ¡°ding!¡±

    He casually grabbed his phone and unlocked the screen to find that it was empty¡ªhe didn¡¯t get any new messages. With furrowed brows, he felt confused for a moment. Then he suddenly realized something. He put the phone down and swapped it out for the other phone by the cup of coffee.

    As he typed away on the keyboard with one hand, he used his other hand to unlock the phone.

    Sure enough, there was a new message notification. He Jichen casually unlocked the phone and continued to type away at the keyboard for a while. He turned his head, nced over at the screen, and saw the words: ¡°Yuguang Ge, are you up?¡± His fingers slowly stopped typing.

    He nced at the timestamp on the message at the top right corner. It was about to be twelve at night.

    It was sote, yet she was up texting He Yuguang...

    He Jichen¡¯s throat felt like it was being choked and burnt; it had a thick, sore feeling. He hesitated for a moment as his hand shifted from theputer to the phone screen. He tapped a few times and sent the message: ¡°Not yet. Manman, what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¨C

    After she sessfully sent her text, Ji Yi noticed it was gettingte. She figured that He Yuguang must¡¯ve already gone to bed, so she didn¡¯t hold on to any hope that he¡¯d reply. She casually put her phone back on the nightstand.

    Aftering back from a trip to the bathroom, Ji Yi figured that since she had a ss tomorrow morning, she better climb into bed. Just as she was about to force herself to sleep, the phone by her pillow suddenly lit up.

    She turned her head and saw He Yuguang¡¯s message: ¡°Not yet. Manman, what¡¯s up?¡±

    Ji Yi drafted a text on her phone: ¡°Yuguang Ge, it¡¯s sote. You¡¯re still up?¡±

    He Yuguang replied: ¡°Mm, I¡¯m busy with some things.¡±

    Before Ji Yi could reply, another text popped onto the screen: ¡°Texting me sote at night... did something happen?¡±

 Chapter 128

    Chapter 128: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (8)

    <strong>Trantor:</strong>Paperne

    <strong>Editor:</strong>Caron_

    ¡°Nothing happened.¡±

    After Ji Yi sent out that text, she continued to type on the keyboard: ¡°Yuguang Ge, I got a call from Cheng Weiwan a few days ago. She invited me to take part in the audition for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±, and said that someone rmended me...¡±

    Ji Yi clicked the ¡°send¡± button a second time.

    She didn¡¯t wait for He Yuguang to reply before she sent a third text: ¡°Yuguang Ge, aside from you, nobody else knew that I¡¯m interested in ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±, so are you the person who rmended me?¡±

    She wasn¡¯t sure if it was toote, or if He Yuguang was already asleep, or if he was busy with other things, but Ji Yi waited for a reply for a long time. So much time had passed that she thought He Yuguang wouldn¡¯t text her back. But then, her phone lit up again and she saw that He Yuguang sent her a simple message of just one word: ¡°Mmhm.¡±

    <i>As expected, it was Yuguang Ge...</i>

    Thest time she saw him, he didn¡¯t say anything more about the show and left.

    At the time, she didn¡¯t think too much about the conversation but simply thought he was just asking casually about the TV series. She never imagined that as soon as he turned around, he would actually silently help her fulfill her wish.

    It was just like when they were young. When she casuallyined about how hard senior high was,ter that day, her textbook would be covered in highlighted key studying points. If she mentioned that she wanted to eat cake on impulse, a cake would appear on her desk the next day...

    Ji Yi stared intently at the ¡°Mmhm¡± on the screen as though the text was a thousand words long. In an instant, her heart became eminently soft.

    After a while, Ji Yi snapped back to her senses, lowered her head, and saw that there was another message on the phone. It was from Yuguang again. ¡°It¡¯s sote, why are you not sleeping?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m about to sleep. Yuguang Ge, good night,¡± replied Ji Yi in a hurry. Ji Yi then swiftly added the message: ¡°Thank you, Yuguang Ge.¡±

    He Yuguang only replied with one word: ¡°Goodnight.¡±

    Ji Yi then put down her phone. Under the dim bedroom lights, sheid on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. For some reason, she started to think about that night when she had a fever and how he stroked her hair. Even though it happened days ago and she was delirious from her fever, she could still clearly recall the care and tenderness of his fingers.

    On top of it all, when she brought him a cup of hot tea the next evening, he was ying videos of her younger self...

    <i>Does this mean that after so many years, Yuguang Ge still remembers me, treats me just as well as he did before, and didn¡¯t change at all?</i>

    An indescribable warmth coursed through Ji Yi¡¯s entire body.

    Her fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch onto the sheets tightly.

    In the lonely night, she felt her heart race faster, little by little.

    ¨C

    He Jichen stared at the chat log on the phone screen for a long time. The more he read it, the more stifled he felt inside, and he instinctively reached for another cigarette.

    His fingers fumbled around the pack of cigarettes for a long time, until he caught sight of the ashtray full of cigarette butts of different sizes. He realized they were all from when he received Ji Yi¡¯s message to He Yuguang with the words ¡°Are you the person who helped me?¡± By the time he thought of how to reply, he had already finished a whole pack of cigarettes.

 Chapter 129

    Chapter 129: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (9)

    <strong>Trantor:</strong>Paperne

    <strong>Editor:</strong>Caron_

    Nobody knew just how much he wanted to tell her that the person who helped her wasn¡¯t He Yuguang, but it was him, He Jichen.

    Not only did he help her with this situation, but he also made the final decision to cast her as Little Nine.

    Also, a year before she woke from hera, he knew many people would be fighting to purchase the rights for this book, ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± so he invested arge amount of money to get it.

    These past two years, the only reason he hadn¡¯t been in a rush to start production for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was only because he was waiting for her, even though he had no idea when she would wake up.

    He knew that after she woke up, she wouldn¡¯t be happy helplessly watching as Qian Ge took everything from her. Though she really was helpless, he¡¯d never allow it. She was the only woman he loved in the world. How could he allow for her to suffer?

    So, for an awfully long time now, he had already been silently paving the way for her.

    In his whole life, he only had two goals: the first was being with her and the second was helping her reach her dreams.

    No matter what price he had to pay, the reality was just as he told Qiange: even if Ji Yi wasn¡¯t at her peak, he would take her there, one step at a time!

    The woman he loved should be the most sensational woman in the whole world!

    Though he felt this way, there was no way he could tell her these things to her face.

    He was afraid to tell her that He Yuguang wasn¡¯t really He Yuguang, but He Jichen. Seeing as she loathed him, if she found out all the great things she thought He Yuguang did for her were actually done by He Jichen, she¡¯d cut ties between them without hesitation.

    At that point, he was afraid he wouldn¡¯t even have a chance to get close to her.

    So no matter how sad or jealous he was, he still ended up forcing himself to reply with ¡°Mmhm.¡±

    At that thought, He Jichen averted his intense re away from the phone screen and looked through the dense script of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± on theputer screen. His eyes suddenly became overwhelmed with emotion.

    <i>Ji Yi, did you know?</i>

    <i>In this big wide world, there¡¯s someone keeping the whole world in the dark about loving you.</i>

    ¨C

    The situation had progressed much faster than Ji Yi imagined.

    The day before, she got a call from Cheng Weiwan then the following day, she got a call from the casting director of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± to set up a time for an audition the next day.

    Ji Yi flipped through her ss schedule to find that she didn¡¯t really have any important sses on Monday, so she just didn¡¯t go to school. Instead, she stayed at home and read the script of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± which she becamepletely engrossed with. Shepletely immersed herself in the world of the supporting female character.

    Three dayster.

    Ji Yi¡¯s audition was really sessful. Less than two hours after she finished her audition, she got a call from the casting director for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, congrattions! You¡¯ve been selected to star as our supporting actress. I am calling to ask if you have some time tonight? If possible, I hope you can sign the contract then...¡±

 Chapter 130

    Chapter 130: Keeping the Whole World in the Dark About Loving You (10)

    <strong>Trantor:</strong>Paperne

    <strong>Editor:</strong>Caron_

    ¡°Of course I have time,¡± replied Ji Yi politely.

    ¡°It¡¯s like this. Tonight, there¡¯s a party that the main investor, producer, and director for ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ as well as the chairman of YC Corp and important actors will be attending. Tomorrow morning, I have to fly to America, and I probably won¡¯t be back for over half a month. Before I leave, I want to finalize this contract. What¡¯s more, you¡¯re the supporting female, so you need to meet the people who are responsible for their respective roles. If you¡¯re avable, how about we meet tonight at seven at the China World Hotel?¡±

    Ji Yi hoped to quickly finalize the contract even more than the casting director. She didn¡¯t hesitate at all to meet.

    To give the production crew a good impression, Ji Yi arrived at China World Hotel, Beijing at half-past six.

    She didn¡¯t think the casting director would already be there. After she took a seat, they immediately ordered the assistant to bring over the contract.

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, take a look at the contract. If you have any questions, please do ask.¡±

    Ji Yi responded with ¡°Thanks¡± and took a serious look through the contract. There wasn¡¯t really a problem with the contract; in fact, the remuneration was higher than she expected.

    Not long after signing the contract, people started entering the party room one after the other.

    At almost seven o¡¯clock, there were only two empty seats at the dining table; the other seats were already full.

    Aside from Ji Yi, the others knew one another. From everyone¡¯s introductions, Ji Yi learned that besides the chairman of YC, the director, the leading actress, and the other actors were all present.

    <i>Aren¡¯t we waiting for three people? Why are there just two seats? Could it be someone¡¯s noting at thest minute?</i>

    Even though Ji Yi was curious, she didn¡¯t bother to ask.

    The person responsible for today¡¯s party ordered the food in advance. As soon as it turned seven, the waiter started to serve food and alcohol.

    At ten past seven, the doors to the party room were pushed open. Before Ji Yi could turn her head to see who it was, she heard a familiar female voice. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for beingte. There was traffic on the way here.¡±

    While holding her phone, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers suddenly tensed up. Among all the chitchat in the room ¨C ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± ¡°Oh! Our leading actress is here,¡± ¡°We have to punish you with three shotster on¡±... Ji Yi slowly turned her head and saw who it was.

    As the elegantly dressed Qian Ge came into sight, a phrase came to Ji Yi¡¯s mind: The road of enemies is narrow.

    Not only was the road of enemies narrow, she was practically meeting her enemy face-to-face!

    She never imagined that her second TV series upon her return to the entertainment industry would be with Qian Ge!

    Qian Ge leisurely and boldly greeted the people in the party room then pulled out a chair and took a seat.

    She reached her hand out for a hot towel, and just as she was about to wipe her hand, she noticed Ji Yi sitting not too far away from the corner of her eyes.

    As she paused, a hint of astonishment evidently shed across her eyes, but soon enough, she calmed down. She tilted her head, stared at Ji Yi, and as though she had bumped into someone familiar, she said in a pleasantly surprised and a friendly manner, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

 Chapter 131

    Chapter 131: Defamation is a Form of ttery (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The first to respond to Qian Ge wasn¡¯t actually Ji Yi but the casting director, who looked full of surprise. He stared at Ji Yi, then back at Qian Ge and said, ¡°You guys know each other?¡±

    ¡°Of course we know each other...¡± Qian Ge spoke first, her meticulously made-up face had the same friendly and kind look. ¡°...Xiao Yi and I were senior high ssmates!¡±

    As she said this, Qian Ge tilted her head again and looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°Xiao Yi, long time no see. How have you been all these years?¡±

    They clearly met each other twice before, and each time they fought on equal grounds... Ji Yi stared at Qian Ge with a caring expression. Her heart felt revolted inside, but in front of everyone, she kept up her deep sisterhood act. She couldn¡¯t not y along with her, so before Qian Ge could speak, Ji Yi instantly stered on a bulletproof smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s really been a long time. I¡¯ve been alright, and you?¡±

    ¡°Not bad myself...¡± Qian Ge saw Ji Yi¡¯s smile, and her smile became even brighter. What she said next wasn¡¯t directed at Ji Yi but the casting director: ¡°...Xiao Yi is also on our production team?¡±

    ¡°Yes, she¡¯s the supporting actress,¡± replied the casting director.

    ¡°Director, you really have a good eye. Truth be told, Xiao Yi¡¯s acting skills are great!¡± Qian Ge looked like she was sincerelyplimenting Ji Yi as she looked over Ji Yi repeatedly. ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯m really happy we can be on the same production team.¡±

    Even though Qian Ge acted really modest, Ji Yi clearly felt an infinite number of hidden knives and swords heading straight at her. She curved her lips upward and just like Qian Ge, she lied unblinkingly, ¡°I¡¯m delighted too! At first, I was really nervous about acting poorly, but now that I see you, I feel a lot better.¡±

    Qian Ge heard Ji Yi¡¯s words andughed out loud as though she just heard the happiest thing. But soon enough, she changed the subject and started talking with the producer.

    The final empty seat was at the head of the table. The seat hadn¡¯t been filled even after half an hour into the dinner party.

    Qian Ge skillfully and easily made her way chatting around the room then stepped out to take a call. After she came back, she whispered something to the investmentpany¡¯s Mr. Lin, who was sitting next to her. Then she raised a ss to everyone in the room and apologized before leaving the room early.

    ¨C

    As soon as Qian Ge left the party room, her little smiling face instantly turned incredibly cold. She stomped her heels over to the elevator and headed straight for the underground parking lot.

    When she got out of the elevator, she saw that the parking lot was empty, so she immediately reached for her phone and dialed a number in a hurry.

    A second after the call was picked up, Qian Ge said, ¡°Xie Siyao, what the hell is this? When I took on ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,, did you not check in advance to see who the supporting actress was?¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s the supporting actress? It¡¯s Ji Yi?! It¡¯s not like you don¡¯t know just how powerful she was four years ago! Back then, we tried so hard to beat her down! Luckily, my reflexes were fast tonight. After I found out she was the supporting actress, I immediately thought of a n. I told the old pervert, Mr. Lin, that the girls who knew Ji Yi said she¡¯s famous for doing anything to reach the top, and she was someone who dared to y any kind of game! I even told the old pervert that Ji Yi slept with three men at once before. I bet the old pervert will definitely hit on her after hearing that, and with Ji Yi¡¯s personality, she¡¯d never allow it. When the timees, that old pervert will turn embarrassment into anger and definitely kick her off the production...¡±

    Before the word ¡°crew¡± could leave Qian Ge¡¯s lips, someone suddenly viciously grabbed the phone from her very hands.

 Chapter 132

    Chapter 132: Defamation is a Form of ttery (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge, who hadn¡¯t noticed that someone was around, shivered in shock. Her fingers instinctively lost their grip for a second then her phone fell straight to the ground with a ¡°Pa!¡±

    The words ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± were about to slip from her mouth, but only the word ¡°who¡± managed toe out. A cold and stern voice came crashing down on her, ¡°What you said just now... was that true?¡±

    Qian Ge could tell who it was from the voice. It was like her pressure points had been pressed as she becamepletely frozen on the spot.

    In the next second, the person forcefully asked, ¡°You told Lin Zhengyi that she was famous among your girls for daring to do anything to get to the top and that she was someone who dared to y any game?¡±

    As those words fell into Qian Ge¡¯s ears, her fake eyshes trembled while she snapped back to reality.

    It¡¯s him, He Jichen... How did he suddenly turn up here? Also, how did he know I was talking about Mr. Lin, Lin Zhengyi?

    The confusion hadn¡¯t cleared in Qian Ge¡¯s mind. Seeing as she was slow to respond, He Jichen impatiently grabbed her wrist and suddenly swung her aside forcefully.

    Qian Ge was like a kite with a broken string. She crashedpletely into the car without warning, which prompted the rm system on the car and a string of ear-piercing whistles.

    Through all the noise, Qian Ge clearly heard He Jichen grit his teeth and say one word at a time, bing increasingly cold and emotionless: ¡°You even told Lin Zhengyi she once slept with three guys at once?¡±

    The more he repeated her words back to her, the angrier he got. Qian Ge clearly felt He Jichen gradually tighten his grip on her wrist.

    She furrowed her brows in pain before she slowly lifted her eyes and looked straight at He Jichen.

    For some reason, his clothes were formal like he was attending some kind of party. Even though the white shirt and ck suit were simple and bold, he lookedpletely majestic and elegant. However, he looked so bleak that he could leak water. The corners of his lips quickly pursed into a single line, revealing just how angry he was inside.

    He towered over Qian Ge and stared her down with a faint hint of spitting mes in his eyes.

    Qian Ge only saw He Jichen like this once before. It was three years ago, about a month after the car ident when he suddenly appeared in front of her.

    At this very moment, he wasn¡¯t as terrifying, bold, or frightening as he was back then.

    Maybe she was left scarred from the time he blew up three years ago. Even though he didn¡¯t say anything particrly harsh this time, Qian Ge already felt her back drenched in cold sweat.

    Just as Qian Ge¡¯s legs started to shiver, He Jichen red unwavering at her. He was deeply furious as he sneered, ¡°Hmph. This is truly the first time I¡¯ve met such a shameless woman like you! Someone who can nder and backstab without even batting an eyelid!¡±

 Chapter 133

    Chapter 133: Defamation is a Form of ttery (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°But with that said, I truly feel sorry for you...¡± There was an obvious disdain and mockery on He Jichen¡¯s face as he scornfully stared into Qian Ge¡¯s eyes. ¡°...No matter if it¡¯s the you who had nothing four years ago, or if it¡¯s the shy Queen of the silver screen that you¡¯ve be now, four yearster, you can feel it in your very bones¨Cyou can¡¯t beat Ji Yi!¡±

    ¡°Because the people who are better than you don¡¯t even bother to mention you, let alone talk about using some kind of underhanded tricks on you!¡±

    ¡°Yet you, by every possible means, racked your brain thinking up ways to torment her, to nder her, and make it look like you¡¯re better than her. But in reality, you forgot that ndering someone is a form of ttery!¡±

    Qian Ge was flushed by He Jichen¡¯s words, but He Jichen didn¡¯t look like he was finished yet. He stared into her eyes with a frosty, icy look, and the words from his mouth were even more merciless and harsh: ¡°Also, you just repeatedly ndered her by saying she would dare to do anything and y any games as though you really understood what you were talking about. Sure enough, you must be an old timer at this game with lots of personal experience!¡±

    How could Qian Ge not understand what he really meant by his words?

    He Jichen slyly mocked her. The only reason she knew these things was because she did them herself before!

    Qian Ge¡¯s turned pale as she tried to move her lips.

    He Jichen sensed she was about to speak, so he beat her to the punch. ¡°But that¡¯s you, and the kind of sacrifices you had to make to be in your position today. However, Ji Yi doesn¡¯t need to, because she¡¯s destined to live a good life since she met me, He Jichen, who¡¯s happy to help her!¡±

    Since liking Ji Yi, he realized just how beautiful it felt to like someone.

    Even though he never responded to any of the women who admired him, he respected their affection for him.

    All of them but Qian Ge.

    He knew she liked him, so he wanted to use that affection to mercilessly torment her.

    At that thought, a hint of ferocity crossed He Jichen¡¯s eyes. Though his voice was gentle, there was a faint cruelty which came out: ¡°There¡¯s something I want you to know... I¡¯m the director for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± and I¡¯m also the chairman of YC Entertainment! The only reason you were chosen to be the leading actress wasn¡¯t because you¡¯re some big shot, but because the fame you have today came from stepping all over her. I wanted to put the two of you in the same production crew so that everything you got from stepping all over her ispletely returned, bit by bit!¡±

    After Qian Ge heard the truth, her eyes suddenly shot wide open.

    She wasn¡¯t stupid because if she was, how could she put Ji Yi in such difficult situations, time and time again?

    In that instant, it was like everything became clear.

    No wonder when they asked her to sign on to ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± and she asked who the director, head producer, and supporting actress were, absolutely no one had a clue. All they said was that it was unconfirmed!

 Chapter 134

    Chapter 134: Defamation is a Form of ttery (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    So he¡¯s in charge of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics...¡± He had such a good script for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± that she couldn¡¯t miss out.

    He did it all on purpose. He waited for her to sign the contract then cast the supporting actress...

    Her current value was sky-high, and the cost of breaking the contract was terrifyingly high. As soon as the contract was set, she faced a huge sum ofpensation, so she couldn¡¯t break the contract!

    So from the moment she had the script for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± in her hands, He Jichen already had a ditch dug for her!

    She knew Ji Yi would never give up on returning to the entertainment industry. She also knew that He Jichen couldn¡¯t resist helping Ji Yi, but she never imagined that He Jichen woulde up with such a n to help her!

    At that thought, a sh ofplete disbelief crossed Qian Ge¡¯s eyes as she met He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    Her reaction told He Jichen that she already understood everything.

    Since he reached his objective of sufficiently upsetting her, he didn¡¯t need to continue wasting his time with her here!

    At that thought, He Jichen let go of Qian Ge¡¯s wrist, took a step back, and without even so much as a nce at her, he headed for the elevators.

    Qian Ge stared at He Jichen¡¯s back. She couldn¡¯t help but clench her hand into a fist.

    He was right. Ji Yi was born to live a good life because she had him, so she didn¡¯t need to do everything she had to do. To make it in the industry and to stand out, she had to socialize with all types of people every day to have everything go her way.

    But what about her? She liked him... She always liked him, but he actually helped another woman and he hated her to the bone...

    A waft of jealousy and instability instantly shrouded Qian Ge¡¯s heart and sent her emotions spiraling. The second He Jichen stepped into the elevator, she suddenly got up and cried, ¡°He Jichen, due to what you did three years ago because of her car ident, you sullied yourself, yet she doesn¡¯t even know about it... You say I¡¯m pitiful, but I think maybe you¡¯re even more pitiful. No... even sadder...¡±

    With Qian Ge¡¯s words, He Jichen didn¡¯t react at first. When he heard her final word, his finger over the button to close the elevator doors suddenly paused. Then, he took big strides to stand in front of Qian Ge.

    He didn¡¯t say anything but grabbed the car keys from her hand, pressed the unlock button and saw the lights of a nearby car light up. A secondter, he dragged Qian Ge¡¯s arm all the way to the car, pulled open the car doors, and shoved her in.

    ¡°If you didn¡¯t mention it, I forgot how you worked with Lin Ya to trap her in the abandoned building that day of her audition for ¡®The Pce,¡¯ right?¡±

    Alright then! Today he was going to give her a taste of her own medicine!

    ¡°Just to make me even sadder, tonight, why don¡¯t I take back what you owe her from that day?¡±

    With that, He Jichen mmed the door of Qian Ge¡¯s car hard, pressed the button on the car keys, and locked her in. Then, without even bothering with Qian Ge who was pping the windows, he mercilessly turned around to leave.

    As the elevator reached the door for that night¡¯s dinner party, He Jichen was in no hurry to go into the party room, so instead, he handed the restaurant manager Qian Ge¡¯s phone and car keys. He ordered him to unlock a car in the underground parking lot in four hours time then leisurely stepped over to the party room doors.

    He pushed the door open, scanned the room while ignoring everyone¡¯s greetings, but he couldn¡¯t find Ji Yi.

 Chapter 135

    Chapter 135: Defamation is a Form of ttery (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen thought maybe Ji Yi went to the restroom, so he didn¡¯t think too much of it. He nonchntly averted his eyes towards the waitress who brought him a ss of wine before he leisurely clinked sses with everyone in the room.

    After greeting everyone, He Jichen then pulled out a chair and took a seat.

    The people in the room endlessly tried to find topics to talk about with him.

    He Jichen never liked these kinds of lively situations, yet it wasn¡¯t a responsibility he could avoid. Having to face each person there, he either nodded or said a few polite words in response.

    He seemed evidently more distant than the friendly people around him, but that was fine. The livelier the atmosphere in the room was, the less likely it would be silent and awkward.

    After a while, everyone¡¯s conversations slowly moved away from his appearance.

    He Jichen used that opportunity to pull out a single cigarette, lit it up, and out of years of habit, he didn¡¯t smoke it. Instead, he put it between his fingers and every now and again, he tapped the ashes into the ashtray.

    Sitting next to He Jichen was the main actor for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± Lu Nan. After Lu Nan and the casting director finished their conversation, he turned his head and exchanged a few words with him every now and then.

    He Jichen only listened but didn¡¯t answer.

    The third time he raised his hand to flick the ashes, he looked up and scanned the people around the dining table as though he just thought of something. Then he realized that since he arrived about twenty minutes ago, Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t returned.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows, shifted over to Lu Nan, interrupted his rambling on how many times he¡¯d read ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± and said, ¡°Howe I haven¡¯t seen the leading actress and supporting actress yet?¡±

    ¡°Qian Ge left long ago since she had something to do at thest minute. The supporting actress...¡± Lu Nan probably forgot Ji Yi¡¯s name, so he called her by her role. As he replied to He Jichen, he looked around the room like he was looking for her. ¡°...I didn¡¯t pay attention to her. If she¡¯s not in the room then she¡¯s probably in the restroom?¡±

    After he said this, Lu Nan¡¯s eyes hovered over the empty seat next to He Jichen and said in astonishment, ¡°Huh? Mr. Lin hasn¡¯te back yet?¡±

    What Qian Ge said in the underground parking lot suddenly wandered into He Jichen¡¯s mind. His fingers sped onto the cigarette, and abruptly trembled for a moment as an awful feeling climbed into his heart.

    He had been there for about twenty minutes now, yet the two of them hadn¡¯t shown up. It couldn¡¯t be that Qian Ge¡¯s words to Lin Zhengyi actually worked and messed up thoughts came over Lin Zhengyi?

    As the smoke slowly fell, three words slipped from He Jichen¡¯s mouth practically without hesitation as though asking for confirmation, ¡°Lin Zhengyi?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Mr. Lin went to the restroom half an hour ago, but he hasn¡¯te back yet...¡±

    Before Lu Nan could finish, He Jichen put out the cigarette in his fingers and suddenly got up.

    It was so sudden that it caught everyone¡¯s attention. Someone cried, ¡°Mr. He?¡±

    He Jichen ignored them and kicked the chair back as he rushed out of the private dining room.

 Chapter 136

    Chapter 136: Defamation is a Form of ttery (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    To attend these types of events, you had to drink. Even though Ji Yi only took a sip each time after clinking sses with each person, there were over ten people in the room, so she had quite a bit to drink. Not long after Qian Ge left, Ji Yi headed to the restroom.

    As she exited the cubicle, Ji Yi walked over to the sink and turned the tap on. Just as she finished washing her hands and was about to wipe them with tissue, she heard someone from behind call out, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi turned to find a middle-aged man walking over to her on his way out of the male restroom.

    Though Ji Yi didn¡¯t have a great memory, she recognized him. He was one of the main investors for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± at that night¡¯s dinner party. She couldn¡¯t quite remember his name, but she knew his surname. Ji Yi smiled and politely said, ¡°Mr. Lin.¡±

    Lin Zhengyi didn¡¯t say anything but smiled at Ji Yi who stood in front of the sink.

    Ji Yi threw a tissue into the bin then prepared to say goodbye to Lin Zhengyi. As Lin Zhengyi wiped his hands, he turned to look at Ji Yi like he just remembered something and said, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t caught you, I would¡¯ve almost forgotten. Now that I see you, I remember. Xiao Yi, do you have some time now? I want to speak to you privately about ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics.¡¯¡±

    Ji Yi nodded and said with a smile, ¡°Okay.¡±

    Lin Zhengyi pointed outside the restrooms as he signaled for them to step out together. He started to exin how big the investors for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± were.

    This was all public information she could find online, but out of politeness and respect, she didn¡¯t interrupt. She listened with a smile on her face, and every now and then, she indicated her agreement by nodding.

    By chance, they happened to bump into a waiteress. Lin Zhengyi stopped, called the waiteress, and asked, ¡°Are there any more private party rooms?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Lin, please wait.¡± Lin Zhengyi was probably a regr at China World Hotel Beijing, seeing as the waiteress recognized him. The waiteress immediately asked the front desk if there were any avable rooms over his walkie-talkie.

    As the waiteress made preparations, Lin Zhengyi used this chance to ask Ji Yi, ¡°The room we¡¯re in is too loud. If you don¡¯t mind, let¡¯s find a quiet ce to talk before heading back?¡±

    Every single word Lin Zhengyi said was about ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± so Ji Yi thought Lin Zhengyi genuinely wanted to talk about the series. As the supporting actress, there was no reason to not go along with him, so Ji Yi didn¡¯t think too much of it and agreed.

    When the waiteress put his walkie-talkie away, he smiled and made a gesture to wee them into the room in front of them. ¡°Mr. Lin, please.¡±

    Lin Zhengyi booked a new private party room that looked exactly like the one from that night¡¯s dinner party.

    Because it was just the two of them, Lin Zhengyi didn¡¯t order any food, nor did the two of them sit at the table. Instead, they sat on the sofa by the lounge area.

 Chapter 137

    Chapter 137: Defamation is a Form of ttery (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lin Zhengyi didn¡¯t wait for the waitress to hand them the drinks menu, but instead, he asked her to bring him one of the bottles of wine he stored there.

    The waitress politely replied with a ¡°yes¡± then left the room. After a while, the waitress brought a bottle of Royal Salute back with her.

    Lin Zhengyi didn¡¯t allow the waitress to help serve the wine but dismissed her.

    When the doors to the party room were shut, Lin Zhengyi held the bottle of wine, poured two sses and handed Ji Yi a ss. After Ji Yi took the ss, he clinked sses with her and quickly downed the wine.

    Seeing Lin Zhengyi do this, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t refuse to give him face, so all she could do was smile, bring the ss to her lips and drink a few gulps of wine.

    As Lin Zhengyi poured another full ss for himself, he started to talk about ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± again.

    On his second ss, he didn¡¯t forget to point at Ji Yi¡¯s ss of wine as if to signal for her to drink too.

    At first, Ji Yi really didn¡¯t think there was anything wrong. As the bottle of ¡°Royal Salute¡± emptied little by little, she felt she had to keep her distance from Lin Zhengyi. She started to feel like something wasn¡¯t right, and she slowly backed away. When he raised his ss again, wanting to drink with Ji Yi, the topic changed, ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯ve read your profile. It says you¡¯re currently studying at B-Film University?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Lin.¡± As Ji Yi politely replied to Lin Zhengyi, she silently shifted back to create some distance between them.

    Lin Zhengyi looked up and emptied his ss again. When he reached his hand out for the bottle, he pretended to have had too much to drink and identally fell onto Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi instinctively wanted to get up to avoid him, but Lin Zhengyi¡¯s reflexes were faster than hers. His hands quickly wrapped around her shoulders, and he put his lips close to her eyes, releasing a strong stench of alcohol. ¡°I also hear many of you girls from B-Film want to be escorts? Is that right?¡±

    When she heard that, Ji Yi finally snapped to her senses. She was too gullible to think that Lin Zhengyi booked a party room just to talk... she never imagined that he¡¯d be like this. Ji Yi used some force to struggle out of Lin Zhengyi¡¯s grip. She pretended she hadn¡¯t heard what he said and shifted onto her own tangent. ¡°Mr. Lin, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll head back to the production crew.¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi stood up.

    Before she could leave, Lin Zhengyi grabbed her wrist so tightly that it didn¡¯t seem like he had drunk much at all. ¡°Alright, you don¡¯t have to pretend to be all high and mighty with me. I know just what kind of person you are. Are you just faking this to get more from me? Go on, how much do you want? Or, what do you want?¡±

    Annoyance shed across Ji Yi¡¯s eyes as she used all her strength to bat Lin Zhengyi¡¯s hand away. Without even bothering to respond, she headed for the door.

    Though Lin Zhengyi was already middle-aged and overweight, his reflexes were fast. Ji Yi hadn¡¯t taken two steps before he quickly dragged Ji Yi¡¯s arm again and forcefully pulled her back onto the sofa.

 Chapter 138

    Chapter 138: Defamation is a Form of ttery (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯tpletely snapped back to her senses when Lin Zhengyi¡¯s bby body pressed heavily down on hers as he pulled his arms out and started to rip her clothes off.

    Ji Yi reflexively struggled by punching and kicking him.

    Lin Zhengyi, whose wild animalistic instincts kicked in, tried to get close to her a few times but never seeded. He became so annoyed that he grabbed her harder, and the words from his mouth became increasingly hard to hear. ¡°Don¡¯t think that I don¡¯t know just how many people you slept with to get the role as the supporting actress of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± and don¡¯t think that I don¡¯t know how many guys you messed around with. I mean who ¡®messed with you¡¯. What¡¯s more, don¡¯t forget that I¡¯m the main investor for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± so I encourage you to know your ce. If you upset me, you won¡¯t get anything out of this! So, I encourage you to behave well and let me y with...¡±

    In her ears, Lin Zhengyi¡¯s words became increasingly dirty. Ji Yi had never been so humiliated like this before. Without thinking twice, she reached out her hand and uncontrobly pped Lin Zhengyi hard across the face.

    Having endured such a hard p, Lin Zhengyi was stunned for a second before he exploded. First, he swore then he mercilessly pped Ji Yi¡¯s face back hard!

    Lin Zhengyi¡¯s p was so hard that Ji Yi¡¯s ears rang. When she turned her head, Lin Zhengyi tugged on her hair and forced her to stand up. ¡°You wanted some face, but you didn¡¯t take it! Seeing as you refuse to take it easy, I won¡¯t be polite about it!¡±

    With that, Ji Yi saw him pull out a pill and chuck it into the remaining bottle of Royal Salute which was still half full. Then he grabbed the bottle and put it to Ji Yi¡¯s lips.

    Even though Ji Yi didn¡¯t know what the pill was, she knew he was going to force her to down the wine. As soon as the medicine kicked in, she¡¯d be done for.

    She used all the strength in her body to resist him, but Lin Zhengyi was a man after all. He quickly held her down, raised the bottle above her face, and forced her to drink.

    She struggled like crazy to resist it so the wine poured all over her face. She could feel Lin Zhengyi clutch her face in rage. He pried her mouth open as he shoved the wine bottle over her mouth...

    In her struggle, Ji Yi wanted to kick back, but she couldn¡¯t move. All she could do was watch the mouth of the bottle draw closer. The second it touched her lips, she heard a familiar voice from outside the doors of the private party room. ¡°Is Lin Zhengyi inside?¡±

    Before Ji Yi could figure out if it was an illusion or if it was real, the doors to the private party room doors were suddenly pushed open.

    From the corners of her eyes, she instinctively looked over at the source of the sound. She hazily saw a tall figure with a ferocious aura instantlye over to where she and Lin Zhengyi were.

    She didn¡¯t catch how the person made their move, but Lin Zhengyi immediately fell to the ground.

 Chapter 139

    Chapter 139: Defamation is a Form of ttery (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As Lin Zhengyi hit the ground with a ¡°Bang!¡± Ji Yi instinctively sat up and immediately nced down at the embarrassed Lin Zhenyi on the floor. Then she turned her head and looked at the person standing by the sofa.

    The second she caught a glimpse of the man¡¯s handsome face, Ji Yi was left stunned then her eyes fell to the man¡¯s wrist.

    Under the light, the guy¡¯s skin looked unusually fair, making that red string eye-piercingly evident.

    He Jichen... Why¡¯s he here?

    Confusion clouded Ji Yi¡¯s mind before she realized something was off with the guy.

    She slowly looked up at his face again.

    Only then did she realize that he was staring unwaveringly at her. His eyes were frightening like he was going to spit fire.

    Ji Yi was so scared that her entire body trembled as she instinctively lowered her eyelids. Then she heard a loud crash¡ªthe coffee table in front of her went flying.

    The objects on top of the table slid to the ground with sessive crashes.

    Following that, Ji Yi heard the sound of the man¡¯s footsteps leaving.

    He¡¯s going to leave just like that?

    The bewilderment in Ji Yi¡¯s mind hadn¡¯t settled when she suddenly heard painful cries. She looked up to see that He Jichen had punched Lin Zhengyi square in the face, knocking him to one side.

    Just watching the scene, Ji Yi felt the bone-piercing pain herself.

    However, He Jichen looked like he wasn¡¯t finished. He raised his hand and punched Lin Zhengyi twice. Then when he saw the wine bottle in his hand, he connected that to what he saw when he first entered the room. Without any hesitation, he grabbed him and punched him violently in the face.

    Bright red blood trickled down from Lin Zhengyi¡¯s head.

    After finally realizing who hit him, Lin Zhengyu cried painfully and said, ¡°Mr. He, do you think one woman is worth this? Don¡¯t you know I have a coboration with yourpany, YC Corp? Though you¡¯re the director of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± I¡¯m the biggest investor. If I take back my investment, you¡¯ll definitely be...¡±

    Lin Zhengyi couldn¡¯t even finish his sentence before He Jichen grabbed his cor and yanked him up from the ground. Then he raised his leg and sent him flying.

    As she watched He Jichen¡¯s frightening fighting form, Ji Yi was leftpletely stunned when she heard Lin Zhengyi¡¯s words.

    What did Lin Zhengyi say? Your YC Corp? Director?

    Which means... He Jichen owns YC Corp? He¡¯s the director for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±?

    That exined the discrepancy when she saw only two empty seats at the dining table but expected three more guests to arrive. She assumed one of them was busy, so they couldn¡¯t make it. In the end, YC Corp¡¯s chairman and the director for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was the same person¨CHe Jichen?

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯tpletely digested the implication of all that explosive information when she heard a ¡°Dong!¡± in front of her.

    She trembled all over as her eyes followed the noise. That was when she saw Lin Zhengyi¡¯s swollen, bruised face spread out beneath her feet.

    She instinctively shrunk her foot back, but then she heard He Jichen¡¯s stern and bold voice nearby. It was low but cold: ¡°Apologize!¡±

 Chapter 140

    Chapter 140: Defamation is a Form of ttery (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°He Jichen, do you have to be like this?¡± Lin Zhengyi attempted to stand up, but with just one movement from He Jichen, Lin Zhengyi quivered in pain and drew a sharp breath of air. Then he turned his head, looking slightly angry as gritted his teeth at He Jichen standing next to him. He said, ¡°You have to understand. You¡¯re treating me like I¡¯mpletely in the wrong here...¡±

    He Jichen impatiently took two steps forward, raised a leg, and stomped on Lin Zhengyi¡¯s left shoulder. He gritted his teeth and enunciated each word: ¡°Do you know how to apologize?¡±

    Lin Zhengyi grunted in pain as his teeth chattered. After a while, he forced himself to finish what he was saying: ¡°...You won¡¯t get anything good out of this...¡±

    Lin Zhengyi barely managed to say ¡°this¡± before He Jichen used his foot to apply more pressure on Lin Zhengyi¡¯s shoulder. As Lin Zhengyi let out an anguished cry, He Jichen spoke again, ¡°If you don¡¯t know how, I¡¯ll teach you!¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen reached for the back of Lin Zhengyi¡¯s cor.

    Before He Jichen could fling him around again, Lin Zhengyi, who felt dizzy from all the attacks, wailed like a ghost and howled like a wolf and cried, ¡°Alright! Alright! Sorry! Sorry! I¡¯m sorry!¡±

    Lin Zhengyi¡¯s cries got louder with each consecutive one until finally, He Jichen slowly released his cor. He gradually stood up, extracted his leg from Lin Zhengyi¡¯s body and stood aside.

    He didn¡¯t look at the mumbling Lin Zhengyi on the floor, but instead, his gaze fell to Ji Yi¡¯s face.

    The aura of violence around him hadn¡¯t disappeared, and there was an air of arrogance swirling swiftly in his pitch-ck eyes.

    He Jichen was terrifying and dangerous like this, but in her shock, Ji Yi forgot to fear and avoid him. She responded to the man¡¯s drifting gaze with astonishment.

    She still remembered the young man drenched in blood on the school grounds of Sucheng Yizhong from years ago. He clutched onto a boy and threw him on the ground in front of her. He wildly stepped on the boy¡¯s back and forced him to apologize. With each and every ¡°Sorry,¡± Fatty at the side counted along.

    In that moment, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t distinguish between her memories and reality. She was in aplete daze, so when He Jichen stood in front of her, she waspletely frozen with no reaction at all.

    Once he came close enough, He Jichen saw everything clearly. The clothes on her body were in an array and her cor was ripped, exposing five fresh finger marks on her fair, delicate face.

    Before I came, Lin Zhengyi touched her?

    A murderous thought instantly rushed to He Jichen¡¯s mind, causing the tender look in his eyes to turn cold and vicious again as he drew closer to her.

    Both his hands curled into fists and he tried hard to suppress his heaving chest. After a while, he removed his zer and covered her up since her ripped clothes exposed her bare shoulders.

 Chapter 141

    Chapter 141: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s actions rmed Ji Yi so much that she froze for a moment before instinctively looking down at the jacket covering her body. When she felt the touch of He Jichen¡¯s fingers as he buttoned the jacket up, her lips naturally pursed and her whole body tightened up.

    When He Jichen finished buttoning up the final button, he withdrew his hand. That was when Ji Yi finally snuck a nce at He Jichen.

    The man¡¯s handsome face lost its violent rage, but his eyes still felt vaguely sharp.

    His gaze upon her wasn¡¯t considerably friendly. In fact, it radiated a deep chill.

    Ji Yi quickly retracted her secret nces at He Jichen.

    It was disturbingly quiet in the party room aside from Lin Zhengyi¡¯s pained grunts.

    Just as Ji Yi was contemting whether to thank He Jichen and leave, he said without warning: ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Ji Yi thought she heard him wrong, so she looked up at him while she slouched on the sofa. She didn¡¯t move an inch.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows in annoyance. Ji Yi thought he was going to get angry, but to her surprise, his tone of voice sounded shockingly calm. ¡°I¡¯ll take you away from here.¡±

    He Jichen then turned around and headed for the door.

    After taking just two steps forward, he somehow realized she hadn¡¯t moved. When he nced back, Ji Yi hurriedly got up from the sofa the very moment his eyes met hers. She walked around Lin Zhengyi and rushed over to He Jichen.

    He Jichen waited for her toe a little closer then strode off again.

    Maintaining a good distance between them, they walked in single file towards the elevators.

    When the doors opened, He Jichen headed in first without looking back at Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi thought he would stop caring for her after they left Lin Zhengyi¡¯s party room, so she never imagined He Jichen would hold the door open for her. He nced at Ji Yi who was still in a daze.

    Ji Yi felt his gaze and understood what he meant. Seeing as he didn¡¯t say anything, she didn¡¯t either, but she quickly rushed into the elevator.

    When the elevator doors opened again, Ji Yi realized that He Jichen had taken her to the underground car park.

    She didn¡¯t have a ride since she took a taxi to China World Hotel Beijing. As Ji Yi stood in the elevator contemting whether to go with him, He Jichen started to walk out of the elevator. As though he just realized her predicament, he turned his head and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take you.¡±

    With that, he swept a nce over her disheveled clothes.

    Ji Yi knew deep down what he meant.

    Her hair was messed up, and her face still had finger marks. Her skirt had a big rip in it, so it would be incredibly embarrassing to call a taxi...

    Ji Yi lowered her eyes but didn¡¯t refuse He Jichen¡¯s offer. She quietly said, ¡°Thanks.¡±

    This is the first time she hasn¡¯t refused me after we met again, right?

    He Jichen trembled soundlessly as he stepped out of the elevator.

 Chapter 142

    Chapter 142: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen took big strides which quickly created a distance between him and Ji Yi.

    When he reached the front of his car, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to get in, so he leaned against the hood. He kept his head lowered slightly until he caught a glimpse of Ji Yi¡¯s approaching feet then he unlocked the car.

    He waited until Ji Yi got into the car then he pulled his car door open and got into the driver¡¯s seat.

    He didn¡¯t say anything to her, but he focused on single-handedly maneuvering the steering wheel and skillfully drove out of China World Hotel Beijing¡¯s underground parking lot.

    He drove through the midnight roads of Beijing. After driving some distance, Ji Yi then realized that she looked disheveled and was unfit to return to the dorms or back home. Also, she forgot her keys to He Yuguang¡¯s house.

    Ji Yi watched the endless rows of neon lights outside the window. She was deep in thought for a while then she turned her head and told He Jichen, who was focused on the road ahead: ¡°You can just drop me off at the entrance to the Four Seasons Hotel.¡±

    The car was silent for so long that when she spoke so suddenly, He Jichen didn¡¯t know quite how to react. After a while, he turned to nce at her and he finally understood what she meant. He didn¡¯t say anything but continued to drive quite some distance. When they reached a red light near an intersection, he said tly, ¡°You¡¯re probably not fit to go to that hotel. If someone takes a photo and word gets out, we¡¯d have to face endless trouble.¡±

    He Jichen was right. Even though she wasn¡¯t as popr as she was before, she did still attract some attention. If she was recognized by anyone and they took a photo of her looking so disheveled in public, it¡¯d definitely be troublesome.

    Just as Ji Yi was feeling torn about what to do, He Jichen figured out a solution and said, ¡°Come to my ce.¡±

    Ji Yi was stunned.

    The red light turned green, so He Jichen stepped on the gas. The car slowly sped up, and just as they were about to reach another intersection, He Jichen added, ¡°I have other things to do, so I¡¯ll have to go back to the university in a bit. There¡¯s no one at home.¡±

    There¡¯s no one at home, meaning it would only be me at his house tonight?

    Ji Yi kept her silence for just two seconds before she thanked him again.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say a thing.

    The car drove through the underground parking lot before He Jichen parked right next to the elevators. He didn¡¯t turn off the engine, nor did he get out of the car, before he pulled out a pen from his pocket and wrote a few numbers down on a piece of paper. He handed it to her. ¡°The code to the door, eighteenth floor.¡±

    Ji Yi could tell He Jichen didn¡¯t n to get out of the car. After he handed her the piece of paper, she said in a low voice, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    He Jichen fell silent again.

    ¡°So I guess I¡¯ll get out first,¡± said Ji Yi.

    This time, He Jichen responded with a slight nod.

    Ji Yi pushed the car door open and before she closed it, she said, ¡°Goodbye.¡± She wasn¡¯t sure if He Jichen heard her or not, but as soon as she closed the door, he stepped on the gas and left.

 Chapter 143

    Chapter 143: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi waited until He Jichen¡¯s car disppeared before she walked over to the elevators and pressed the button to go up.

    He Jichen¡¯s apartment was in a ssy residential area. Every household had its own elevator, so the elevator doors opened quickly.

    Ji Yi had been to He Jichen¡¯s home twice now, but she never had the chance to check the ce out.

    This time, it was just her at his ce. She found a pair of slippers at the entrance, stepped inside, and scanned her surroundings.

    The apartment was decorated veryvishly and impressively. Just like its owner, the ce gave off a grand and elegant feeling.

    There wasn¡¯t a bedroom on the first floor. Ji Yi first went to the dining room, poured a cup of water, then walked up the stairs.

    There were two bedrooms on the second floor and a study. Ji Yi stayed in He Jichen¡¯s master bedroom before, so she didn¡¯t waste any time and headed straight for that room.

    She took a shower and folded up the bathrobe in the ensuite then climbed into bed.

    Too many disturbing things happened in one day. Ji Yiid down for a long while before falling into a deep sleep.

    ¨C

    Outside the window of his bedroom, He Jichen leaned against themppost and lit a cigarette.

    Besides the security guard who made his rounds with a shlight asionally, the neighborhood was very quiet and there were no other people around.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t know just how long he stood there for, but he only looked down when he felt a slight burning sensation on his fingers. Then he saw the cigarette he lit not long ago quietly burning to the very end.

    He put out the cigarette in the ashtray on top of the trash can, then he raised his head and nced up at the second floor.

    The lights were just on, but now they were turned off.

    She¡¯s probably already asleep...

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave, so he lit another cigarette.

    The cigarette burned down halfway before his eyes shifted away from the room where she was sleeping.

    Without me there, she should be able to sleep well, right?

    A hint of sadness clouded He Jichen¡¯s eyes. He blinked slightly and put out the cigarette between his fingers then threw the cigarette into the trash can. He made his way over to his car nearby.

    He sat in the car while he drafted a text for Zhang Sao toe earlier the next day to make breakfast. After he sent the text, he remembered Ji Yi¡¯s ripped clothes and instructed Zhang Sao to go to the mall to buy some clothes as well. Then he put his phone away, stepped on the gas, and slowly drove away.

    ¨C

    This time, Ji Yi was in such a deep sleep that she woke up at nine the next morning.

    She instinctively reached for her phone, nning to call her favorite clothing store to deliver some new clothes to her. But then she caught a glimpse of a neat pile of clothes on the bedside table.

    On top of the pile there was a note: Miss, Sir wanted me to prepare these clothes for you.

    Ji Yi instantly knew that Zhang Sao left the note. The ¡°Sir¡± she referred to was He Jichen... How could he be so meticulous to instruct Zhang Sao to prepare some clothes for me?

    Ji Yi stared at the clothes, lost in thought for a while, then she flung off the duvet and headed into the bathroom with the new clothes.

    After she freshened up and got dressed, Ji Yi walked out of the bedroom and headed downstairs.

    As she was about to reach the living room on the first floor, Ji Yi heard a faint movement from the balcony. She thought it was Zhang Sao, so she made her way over, nning to say hello. Before she could take two steps forward, she heard He Jichen¡¯s voiceing from the balcony.

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    Shout out to Rumi!

 Chapter 144

    Chapter 144: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I already know what you¡¯re going to tell me...¡± He Jichen must¡¯ve been on the phone as his sophisticated voice sounded especiallyplicated and distant. ¡°...I was very clear at this morning¡¯s meeting.¡±

    So He Jichen¡¯s home... Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps instinctively ground to a halt.

    The man on the balcony hadn¡¯t noticed she wasing closer. After a moment of silence, he spoke again. ¡°You don¡¯t have to waste your breath on me. You can¡¯t change my mind.¡±

    With that, Ji Yi heard the sound of his footsteps and instinctively looked up at the balcony. Through the ss, she watched him walk over to the table on the balcony. He pulled a cigarette out, put it to his mouth, and flicked the lighter on as he spoke with a muffled voice, ¡°I¡¯m not confused nor am I messing around here. I know exactly what I¡¯m doing.¡±

    He Jichen removed the cigarette from his mouth. The person on the phone was probably still trying to persuade him as He Jichen¡¯s brows creased slightly, showing a hint of impatience. ¡°Alright. They can think what they want! I made a mess of things, so I¡¯ll think of a solution! Even if it¡¯s doomed, it¡¯s all on me. Why are you guys sticking around for fun?¡±

    Mess? He Jichen¡¯s in some kind of trouble? Could he be in trouble from what happenedst night at the China World Hotel Beijing with Lin Zhengyi?

    Just as those thoughts formed in Ji Yi¡¯s mind, He Jichen, who bent over leisurely to flick the cigarette ashes into the ashtray, caught a glimpse of her from the corner of his eyes. The words about to leave his lips suddenly died in his mouth. His body froze in ce as he stared at her for a while before he put out the cigarette in the ashtray. He straightened up and spoke, but his words weren¡¯t for her¡ªthey were for the person inside. ¡°Zhang Sao!¡±

    ¡°Here, Mr. He!¡± Zhang Sao heard He Jichen call, so she quickly ran over from the dining room. Then she saw Ji Yi standing to one side. She immediately smiled and said, ¡°Miss, you¡¯re up?¡±

    Ji Yi gave a gentle nod then replied, ¡°Good morning, Zhang Sao.¡±

    Some time passed and she looked over at He Jichen again. ¡°Good morning.¡±

    He Jichen returned her gaze, and after some time, he replied back, ¡°Morning.¡± He looked over at Zhang Sao. ¡°Is breakfast ready?¡±

    ¡°It was ready a long time ago, Mr. He,¡± said Zhang Sao respectfully.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply but pointed at the dining table to Ji Yi. ¡°You eat first. I have some business to take care of.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait to see Ji Yi¡¯s reaction, so after a moment, he instructed Zhang Sao, ¡°Take Miss Ji Yi to eat.¡±

    After he said this, he raised his phone to his ear, brushed past Ji Yi, and headed for the stairs. With his footsteps, Ji Yi heard his cold, t voice say in a low voice behind her: ¡°Sorry about that. I just had some business to handle. Please continue.¡±

 Chapter 145

    Chapter 145: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi looked back to watch He Jichen climb one step at a time upstairs and disappear around the corner on the second floor.

    When the study door closed on the second floor, Zhang Sao smiled cheerfully and said, ¡°Miss, are you hungry? Let me take you to your breakfast.¡±

    With that, Zhang Sao headed for the dining room and made a gesture to wee her in.

    No matter what happened between her and He Jichen, he did help her outst night, so out of courtesy, she should wait for him to finish with what he was doing and say ¡°goodbye¡± before leaving... Ji Yi thought about it then smiled at Zhang Sao. She replied ¡°Mmhmm¡± and ¡°Thank you.¡±

    After they walked into the dining room, Zhang Sao pulled a chair out for Ji Yi. She waited for Ji Yi to sit down then headed into the kitchen and brought out all different kinds of breakfast foods.

    Ji Yi lived in Sucheng when she was young, where she often had people serve her congee and hand her chopsticks during dinner at the He Family residence. However, in the past few years after leaving Sucheng, she rarely had dinner like this. She wasn¡¯t used to having someone like Zhang Sao taking care of her, so she couldn¡¯t help but tell her, ¡°Thank you, Zhang Sao. I can help myself.¡±

    Zhang Sao responded with her mouth, but her hands didn¡¯t stop.

    When Ji Yi lowered her head to eat the congee, she saw Zhang Sao standing guard beside her. She instinctively asked, ¡°Zhang Sao, have you eaten? How about you sit down and eat with me?¡±

    ¡°I ate ages ago,¡± replied Zhang Sao with a beaming smile. She probably noticed that Ji Yi was ufortable, so she found a topic to talk about. ¡°I¡¯ve worked here for three years now, yet you¡¯re the first woman I¡¯ve met who Mr. He has brought home.¡±

    Rather than focus on the fact that she was the first woman He Jichen brought home, Ji Yi paid attention to the first half of his sentence. She asked Zhang Sao in confusion, ¡°Three years? He Jichen has had this apartment for three years now?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Mr. He bought this apartment right when it went on sale. Technically speaking, he bought it four years ago, since it took a year to renovate it.¡±

    Didn¡¯t He Jichen start studying at B-Film only this year? Wasn¡¯t he studying at some prestigious school before? Why¡¯d he buy this apartment in Beijing so many years ago?

    For a moment, Ji Yi had an odd feeling inside. Realizing that she hadn¡¯t replied to Zhang Sao, she looked up, smiled, and responded with an ¡°Oh!¡±

    ¡°In actuality, Mr. He doesn¡¯te home often. In the past, he only came here once in a while. Sometimes, it¡¯d be once a month, other times it was once every two months. Say... Apartments in Beijing are so expensive, yet Mr. He didn¡¯t stay here often, so why did he buy this ce, and why didn¡¯t he stay in a hotel? I was curious, so I casually asked him about it once. Actually, Mr. He didn¡¯t like to talk much, and I never hoped for a proper reply. I just thought I¡¯d ask then get back to work, but I never imagined that Mr. He would actually give me an answer. What he said...¡± Zhang Sao tilted her head and tried hard to remember. ¡°...I came to your city, secured a home... does that count as a way of reuniting?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t really understand what Mr. He meant, but from what I saw, He Jichen¡¯s mood was unusually good that day, exceptionally good. As long as I¡¯ve known him, that was the best mood I¡¯ve ever seen him in. About half a year ago, I even saw him secretly smile.¡±

 Chapter 146

    Chapter 146: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Maybe it was because Ji Yi was female, but she often paid close attention to details. She took note of the words ¡°...I came to your city, secured a home... does that count as a way of reuniting?¡± from what Zhang Sao said.

    Zhang Sao spoke in fragments, so although Ji Yi understood what she meant, she wasn¡¯t sure if what He Jichen said was meant for Zhang Sao. She didn¡¯t think too much of it but let those words silently circle in her head. She smiled at Zhang Sao to show that she was still listening.

    Ji Yi ate two fried dough sticks, wiped her hands on some tissue then put a spoonful of congee into her mouth.

    She took just a mouthful when her entire body froze.

    Why did this congee taste so familiar? It was like she¡¯d eaten it before...

    Ji Yi hurriedly put another spoonful into her mouth. She savored it slowly and the more she ate, the more familiar it seemed, but she couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint what it was. Her brows furrowed.

    Just as she racked her brain over it, Zhang Sao, who stood respectfully to one side, said, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    Ji Yi snapped back to her senses, turned her head, and saw He Jichen walk into the dining room.

    He probably finished with his work and took a shower as his hair was slightly wet. His neat clothes had been exchanged for casual loungewear, making him look far younger.

    He didn¡¯t respond to Zhang Sao¡¯s greeting but single-handedly pulled out a chair in front of Ji Yi and sat down.

    He reached for a fried dough stick, took a bite, then jutted his chin at the congee before looking over at Zhang Sao.

    Zhang Sao had been with him for a long while, so she understood what his little gesture meant. She immediately went over to the dining table and served He Jichen some congee.

    Since He Jichen was there, Zhang Sao wasn¡¯t as talkative as before.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything or even open his mouth.

    The dining room fell disturbingly silent, but every now and then, there was the sound of the ttering of chopsticks hitting the porcin bowls.

    Even though He Jichen arrived after Ji Yi, he finished eating before her.

    Ji Yi saw him put his chopsticks down, so she hurriedly finished the remaining congee in her bowl.

    As she sat upright, she looked up and nced over at the wet towel Zhang Sao handed her. He Jichen was slowly wiping his mouth when Ji Yi gulped and said in a quiet voice, ¡°Thank you for your helpst night, and also for lending me a room to stay in... and for the breakfast just now.¡±

    When He Jichen heard her words, he only gave a slight nod of acknowledgement before he continued to wipe his hands calmly.

    The dining room was quiet for a while before Ji Yi spoke again. ¡°That errr... the clothes I¡¯m wearing... you asked Zhang Sao to buy them for me, right?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to reply and said, ¡°When you have the time, I¡¯ll give you the money...¡± She paused then added, ¡°...Or I¡¯ll give it to Zhang Sao.¡±

 Chapter 147

    Chapter 147: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen paused as he wiped his hands then immediately lowered his eyes.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if it was an illusion, but she felt the atmosphere in the dining room lighten up.

    She thought he would be upset, so she instinctively nced over at He Jichen but was surprised to find that in less than three seconds, he released the wet towel, looked up at her and responded with a gentle ¡°Mmhmm.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s nervousness instantly disappeared as she smiled tenderly at He Jichen. Just as she was about to say ¡°goodbye,¡± He Jichen¡¯s phone on the table started to ring.

    He lowered his eyes slightly and swept a nce at the phone screen. Then he made a hand gesture at Ji Yi as if to say ¡°please wait.¡± He grabbed the phone, took the call, and strode out of the dining room.

    He was back on the balcony. Though he spoke quietly, Ji Yi could still vaguely hear his voice, but she wasn¡¯t sure what he was saying.

    Minutes after the phone was picked up, the balcony suddenly became a lot noisier, and his tone of voice became fierce and stern: ¡°He wishes! Make her personally apologize to him? In his dreams! Tell him to go die!¡±

    Zhang Sao, who was clearing the dining table, jumped in shock from He Jichen¡¯s sudden roar. As the chopsticks in her hands fell on the table, a string of ttering sounds rang out.

    Then He Jichen¡¯s angry voice was heard again: ¡°Let me tell you this! No way in hell means no way in hell! You want to threaten me with this? Let me tell you, never in my life have I ever been afraid of threats! Based on him? He¡¯s not worthy!¡±

    After he said this, He Jichen hung up the phone and tossed it on the sofa beside him. He walked over to the dining room and sat back down.

    Because of his fit of anger just now, He Jichen didn¡¯t look so good when he returned to the table. Yet he asked Ji Yi in a considerably calm voice, ¡°What were you saying?¡±

    After hearing He Jichen¡¯s question, Ji Yi, who originally nned to bid him farewell, changed what she was going to say: ¡°D...Did youe across some kind of trouble?¡±

    He Jichen never imagined that Ji Yi would suddenly ask him this, so a sh of astonishment came over him. Eventually, deep down inside, he felt something akin to being pleasantly surprised.

    Her... casual question... could it be considered her way of caring about me?

    Seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t respond, Ji Yi asked again to confirm her suspicions: ¡°Did it have anything to do with...¡±

    Ji Yi wanted to say ¡°me,¡± but the words stopped inside her mouth.

    Even though he helped me, I may not even be that important to him.

    Ji Yi pursed her lips and once again changed what she was going to say: ¡°...Mr. Lin?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Without hesitation, He Jichen denied Ji Yi¡¯s suspicions.

    He probably realized he replied too swiftly, so two secondster, he exined further, ¡°There are some minor internal problems at thepany.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Ji Yi, who now had nothing else to say, pointed towards the door. ¡°So, umm, I¡¯ve inconvenienced you for a while now; I better get going.¡±

    He Jichen sat there calmly and didn¡¯t stop her, but he gave a gentle ¡°Mm¡± then looked over at Zhang Sao.

    From his gaze, Zhang Sao knew what to do, so she hurriedly put down the things in her hands and saw Ji Yi off at the main door.

    ¨C

    The start date for shooting ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was never set. When Ji Yi returned to the university, she continued to live her peaceful life, immersed in her studies.

    B-Film was a big school, so although she asionally brushed past the lecture room for the directing faculty, she didn¡¯t bump into He Jichen once.

 Chapter 148

    Chapter 148: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a week had passed.

    Since Ji Yi stayed upte watching dramas the night before, she woke up particrlyte on Sunday. When she sat up, Tang Huahua, who was typing loudly away on herptop, turned her head and said in excitement, ¡°Xiao Yi, do you remember a while back, ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± announced they¡¯d be starting production? I told you about Chen Weiwan¡¯s story before...¡±

    Ji Yi was still groggy from sleep, so it was a while before she nodded at Tang Huahua and said, ¡°Yeah, I remember.¡±

    Since ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± hadn¡¯t revealed that she was the supporting actress, Ji Yi never told anyone about it in fear that something might happen in the process.

    She stopped for a moment, pretended to be ignorant about it all and pressed on, ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°What happened? Something big happened! They originally announced they were going to start shooting ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± next February, but now they actually stopped production!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers suddenly trembled when she heard this as she was in the process of taking off her duvet.

    Tang Huahua clicked her mouse as she described what was on the website. ¡°The news was leaked today at four in the morning and has raised hell up till now. Everybody¡¯s trying to guess why such a big TV series suddenly stopped shooting. Insiders said it was because there was some conflict between the investor and director...¡±

    Tang Huahua hadn¡¯t finished speaking when Ji Yi suddenly fell into a daze. She swiftly grabbed her phone from beside her pillow, unlocked the phone screen, and opened Weibo.

    Just like Tang Huahua said, Weibo¡¯s top trending search was: ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± Stops Production.

    Ji Yi clicked the link and the first thing that popped into sight werements from users reading the news on Weibo: ¡°An insider revealed that the director for ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ offended the investor, which caused them to lose a major investment. Because of problems with the investor, ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± which was scheduled to start filming in February, was forced to stop filming!¡±

    The director for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was He Jichen and the investor... Ji Yi furrowed her brows for a moment as the three words ¡°Lin Zhengyi¡± shed across her mind.

    Could the person who pulled their investment be Lin Zhengyi?

    Ji Yi pursed her lips slightly then exited Weibo. She opened her text messages and hesitated for a moment before she drafted a text to Chen Weiwan, who probably knew the entire truth. She sent the text: ¡°Miss Chen, I wanted to ask if the news about ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ stopping production was true?¡±

    After sessfully sending the text, Ji Yi assumed she¡¯d have to wait a while before Chen Weiwan would reply. She never imagined that the moment she exited the messages screen, she¡¯d receive a new notification.

    Chen Weiwan¡¯s reply was simply one word: ¡°Yes.¡±

    Ji Yi typed a quick response, dying to confirm her suspicions: ¡°Was it because of Lin Zhengyi?¡±

    Just like before, Chen Weiwan sent a reply practically a secondter: ¡°Yes, but as for the details, I¡¯m not very sure. I think Mr. He hit someone.¡±

    Hit someone...So this big mess really was because of what happened to me that night?

    Ji Yi¡¯s mind wandered as her phone screen lit up again. It was Chen Weiwan again with another message: ¡°How did you know it was because of Lin Zhengyi?¡±

    It looked like nobody¡¯s name was leaked regarding what happened that night.

    Even though Ji Yi contacted Chen Weiwan, she wasn¡¯t very familiar with her. She was afraid that if she said too much and it got leaked online, an ident might happen, so Ji Yi thought carefully about it for a moment before replying: ¡°I saw someone post about it online, so I thought I¡¯d ask.¡±

 Chapter 149

    Chapter 149: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Oh,¡± replied Chen Weiwan.

    Ji Yi politely bid her farewell: ¡°Miss Chen, I won¡¯t disturb you anymore.¡±

    This time, Chen Weiwan didn¡¯t send her another message for some time, but eventually, the reply was: ¡°Alright.¡±

    Ji Yi found a random smiling emoji and sent it out. Then she put her phone down and turned to look out the window.

    She stared at the bright sunlight for a long time before Tang Huahua walked over to her bedside. With a pat, she finally snapped back to her senses and nced at Tang Huahua.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, why are you daydreaming? I¡¯ve been calling you for half a day with no reaction from you! Let¡¯s go to the cafeteria to eat!¡±

    ¡°Mm, yeah, let¡¯s go,¡± responded Ji Yi as she jumped out of bed and went to freshen up.

    There weren¡¯t many people in the cafeteria on the weekends.

    Since ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± stopped filming, Ji Yi had a lot on her mind and didn¡¯t have much appetite. She ordered a portion of rice with meat and vegetables then found a space by a window. She ate slowly while waiting for Tang Huahua.

    She took just two bites before someone who brushed past her suddenly stopped and called her name: ¡°Ji Yi?¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she turned to see a woman from the dorm room opposite hers. She smiled and replied, ¡°Just finished eating?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± The woman wasn¡¯t in any hurry to leave. Instead, she put her tray down, sat next to Ji Yi, crept mysteriously over and said nosily, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you aroundtely. It¡¯s hard to bump into you like this, so I have to ask¡ªhonestly speaking, what¡¯s going on between you and that hottie from the directing faculty, He Jichen?¡±

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and shook her head at the woman: ¡°Why would He Jichen and I have anything to do with each other? Don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s it nonsense? If nothing¡¯s going on between you and him, why would hey his hands on Lin Ya?¡± retorted the woman as she curled her lips. Her face evidently showed that she didn¡¯t believe her.

    Ji Yi stopped chewing and swallowed everythingpletely before turning to sh an odd look at her. She asked, ¡°Laid his hands on Lin Ya? Are you joking?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m joking? You must be joking!¡± replied the woman with a genuinely shocked face. She didn¡¯t appear to be lying. After recovering from her shock, the woman made a huge fuss: ¡°It can¡¯t be?! Ji Yi, you know what I¡¯m talking about, right?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head at the woman.

    ¡°Oh god! You don¡¯t know? Everyone in the female dorm knows!¡± The woman¡¯s tone of voice was incredulous as she sighed and continued, ¡°It happened a while ago¡ªmaybe two weeks ago. He Jichen barged into your dorm, bright and early. He grabbed Lin Ya from her bed and asked her where she kept you!¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she understood that the woman must be talking about what happened that day she went to shoot ¡°The Pce.¡±

    So, He Jichen only found me that day because he went to the dorm to find Lin Ya?

    ¡°Lin Ya wouldn¡¯t tell, so He Jichen pushed her through the window, leaving two-thirds of her body dangling outside!¡± Since Ji Yi was listening attentively to what she was saying, the woman ran over to the cafeteria windows to demonstrate what happened. ¡°Then he threatened Lin Ya that if she dared to say a single word of nonsense... before he could even finish, Lin Ya revealed where you were...

    ¡°Do you know just how scary He Jichen was that day?! He practically looked like a crazy person!¡±

 Chapter 150

    Chapter 150: His Story That She Didn¡¯t Know About (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°While watching what was happening, I was scared to death just standing at your dorm room door. I can¡¯t imagine how Lin Ya must¡¯ve felt. I really believed that if Lin Ya didn¡¯t reveal where you were, He Jichen would¡¯ve really thrown her out the window!¡±

    Did He Jichen almost toss Lin Ya out the window just to find out where I was?

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers suddenly trembled as she held her chopsticks in a daze.

    ¡°Although He Jichen was definitely scary that day, he was still cool as hell! He was like a hero flushed in anger for a damsel! Situations that only happen in stories actually happened to you...¡± The woman sat back down beside Ji Yi again. She reached her hand out and started to shake Ji Yi¡¯s arm. ¡°...Ji Yi, I really envy you...¡±

    Ji Yi snapped back to her senses from the shaking then averted her stiff gaze from a random spot on the floor. She turned her head, shot the woman a smile, but didn¡¯t say anything in response.

    The woman rested her head on Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder, full of envy, as she continued to ramble on about how handsome He Jichen was. The woman suddenly realized she had wasted a lot of time, so she bid farewell to Ji Yi, grabbed her tray and left.

    It was finally quiet. Ji Yi lowered her head and silently took two bites of her food. She suddenly stopped and stared at her tray in a daze with chopsticks in hand.

    Ji Yi barely ate a fifth of her meal before she put her chopsticks down.

    With her head lowered, she grabbed her phone and browsed Weibo for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡± She kept Tang Huahuapany while she ate.

    Ji Yi initially nned to wait for Tang Huahua to finish eating to leave the cafeteria together, but she changed her mind and said, ¡°Huahua, I have something to do. You should head back to the dorms first.¡±

    Tang Huahua responded with an ¡°Okay¡± then said bye to Ji Yi.

    After Ji Yi saw Tang Huahua leave, she headed for the sports field where she took a seat in an isted grove. She grabbed her phone and was about to check Weibo for thetest activity regarding ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± when she received an iing call. It was Li Da, who she hadn¡¯t talked to for quite some time.

    Just like before, Li Da extended her a dorm-wide invitation to dinner just as an excuse to see Bo He.

    After they set a time and ce, Li Da didn¡¯t hang up, but he changed the subject: ¡°Xiao Yi, have you talked to Chen Getely?¡±

    So strange! From the moment she opened her eyes that morning, every single thing she heard was about He Jichen... Deep down, Ji Yi was bewildered before she replied, ¡°Nope, what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Chen Ge seems to have gotten into some kind of trouble. You know I¡¯m in real estate... Two days ago, he contacted me to sell his apartment in Beijing. When I heard this, I was stunned! Say, his family¡¯s so rich, so why would he need the money from just one apartment? Then I asked him if something happened to him. That was when I learned when he went to study at B-Film in Beijing, his family simply didn¡¯t approve of it and he was cut off from all family funds. The money he¡¯s been spending all this time in Beijing was money he earned from working...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s been cut off from the He Family¡¯s funds? Ji Yi tightened her fingers around the phone.

    She didn¡¯t make a sound.

    Over the phone, Lin Da was still talking. ¡°... Lately, he¡¯s been raising funds for a series. It¡¯s that one series that¡¯s blown up on Weibo. They say he messed with the investor, so he pulled out his investment. Now he¡¯s using all his savings from thest few years.¡±

 Chapter 151

    Chapter 151: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°If they can¡¯t raise enough money, they can¡¯t start production, meaning he¡¯d breach the contract. The other investors would definitely raise ims for contemtion, and by then, not only would he lose his family fortune, who¡¯s to say he won¡¯t go to court?

    ¡°I guess he¡¯s been under a lot of pressuretely. From what I know, not only did he sell his stocks, now he¡¯s selling the apartment and car. He probably wants to make up for the lost investment...¡±

    So the situation¡¯s a lot more serious than I imagined... Ji Yi¡¯s mind wandered a little far away.

    Li Da rambled on by himself for a while before he realized that Ji Yi hadn¡¯t said anything for a long time. He thought the call was cut off, so he nced at the phone screen first then said ¡°hello?¡± when he realized the call was still connected. ¡°Xiao Yi, are you still listening?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here...¡± replied Ji Yi instinctively. Then she quickly gathered her thoughts together and said, ¡°...I¡¯m listening.¡±

    Hearing her response, Lin Da let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Well, actually it¡¯s not like I want to talk about Chen Ge behind his back... I just think it hasn¡¯t been easy for Chen Ge, so I brought it up. You don¡¯t even know... when he saw me a few days ago, he was smoking cigarette after cigarette. He looked really worried, so I couldn¡¯t help but try to persuade him to hand the series to someone else or ask his family for help. Then he coulde to some kind ofpromise and go back to managing the family business. Do you know what he said?

    ¡°His original words were...¡± Lin Da adjusted his attitude, copied He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice then said, ¡°...Impossible. I¡¯ve waited so long for this day, only to get so close. I can¡¯t just give up!¡±

    ¡°I think by ¡®close,¡¯ he was referring to his dream of bing a director. After all, he¡¯s had some sess in the directing world...¡±

    Behind her back, he¡¯d actually taken on so much pressure, and it was all because of her.

    If that incident between her and Lin Zhengyi never happened, Lin Zhengyi would never have pulled his investment, and He Jichen would never be in this situation.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t describe her feelings, but her chest felt heavy¡ªit was so heavy that it was hard for her to breathe. As she held her phone, she suddenly couldn¡¯t stand listening to Lin Da chatter on any longer. She interrupted him: ¡°Li Da, I have some things to do, so I have to go now.¡±

    After she hung up, Ji Yi kept holding onto her phone as she stared at a nearby rock. She stared at it for quite some time with a nk mind. Finally, she blinked and withdrew her eyes to stare at her phone screen.

    Because of her, He Jichen treated Lin Ya like that. Later, because of her, he then hit Lin Zhengyi... She really couldn¡¯t understand. He said such horrible things, so why did he do all this? She knew full well that since four years ago, they had nothing to do with each other. Yet Ji Yi clearly understood at this very moment, she couldn¡¯t leave He Jichen be.

    What¡¯s more, his current predicament was all because of her.

    At that thought, Ji Yi opened her call logs, found He Jichen¡¯s contact, and dialed the number.

    ¡°Sorry, the phone you are dialing has been turned off.¡±

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and lowered her phone from her ear. She hesitated for a moment before eventually hailing a taxi back to the university gates.

 Chapter 152

    Chapter 152: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After the car stopped outside He Jichen¡¯s apartment, Ji Yi paid and got out of the car. Just when she was about to enter the apartment building, she saw He Jichene out with someone trailing behind him.

    It was the person Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to see the most... Qian Ge.

    Why¡¯s Qian Ge here?

    Ji Yi suddenly stopped walking, and a secondter, she understood.

    That¡¯s right... Qian Ge has liked He Jichen since she was young. Back then, I even helped Qian Ge and He Jichen meet in a grove at Sucheng Yizhong. Now, since He Jichen¡¯s gotten into this kind of trouble, Qian Ge¡¯s here to take care of him?

    Ji Yi saw the two of them walk in her direction. She hurriedly snapped back to her senses and looked left and right. Taking advantage of the fact that the two of them hadn¡¯t seen her yet, she quickly hid behind a parked car.

    ¡°He Jichen, I¡¯ve said so much already. Have you been listening?¡± Ji Yi heard Qian Ge say anxiously just as she took cover.

    She was met with silence.

    He Jichen must¡¯ve sped up¡ªJi Yi heard the hurried stomps of Qian Ge¡¯s high heels which sounded like a light jog.

    Deep down, Ji Yi was so curious, so she discreetly poked her head out a little. She saw Qian Ge pull on He Jichen¡¯s sleeve and block his path.

    Before Qian Ge said anything, He Jichen furrowed his brows with a hint of impatience. ¡°I have nothing to say to you. Please leave!¡±

    Qian Ge acted like she didn¡¯t hear what He Jichen said as she tightened her grip on his sleeve. ¡°He Jichen, Lin Zhengyi isn¡¯t stupid. It¡¯s hard toe by a script like the ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics.¡¯ He¡¯s a businessman, so being part of the project would bring him enormous returns. He didn¡¯t really want to pull his investment; he just wants some face by having Ji Yi personally apologize to him! He¡¯s doing this just to give himself a way out, but you won¡¯t let him, so he was forced to pull his investment. Hence, that¡¯s why the situation turned out like this...¡±

    Lin Zhengyi wants me to personally apologize to him? Howe I didn¡¯t know about this?

    Ji Yi¡¯s brows furrowed slightly and two secondster, she realized what He Jichen meant over the phone after breakfast the day after it happened. He said: ¡°He wishes! Make her personally go apologize to him? In his dreams! Tell him to go die!¡±

    So that day, I guessed right! He Jichen was on and off the phone because of the incident between me and Lin Zhengyi...

    If I went to apologize to him that would fix everything, so why didn¡¯t He Jichen let me go?

    Before the doubt settled in Ji Yi¡¯s mind, Qian Ge said, ¡°The board of directors has given you your final notice. If you can¡¯t get the funding in three days, not only will ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ not happen, you¡¯ll lose YCpany. He Jichen, I didn¡¯te here today to argue with you. I really want to help you, but you have to promise me that ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ won¡¯t be ying the supporting female character. Do this and I¡¯ll help you persuade Lin Zhengyi to invest again... invest twenty percent more than before, in fact!¡±

 Chapter 153

    Chapter 153: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen had barely spoken since Ji Yi arrived. When he heard that he suddenly sneered, ¡°You want to negotiate terms with me? Are you worthy?¡±

    Qian Ge was stunned by He Jichen¡¯s retort as she clearly looked unsettled. It took some time for her to speak up again, and she didn¡¯t sound as confident as she did before: ¡°I¡¯m not here to negotiate terms. I¡¯m wholeheartedly here to help you...¡±

    ¡°Wholeheartedly?¡± A mild chill appeared in He Jichen¡¯s eyes. For the first time since the beginning, he nced over at Qian Ge. He turned his head slightly and looked at her with cold eyes as his voice turned low, crude and bold: ¡°Put your fake act away and don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know Lin Zhengyi pulled his investment all because of your meddling! And don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know the true objective behind why you racked your brain so hard over this!¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she understood everything.

    So the only reason Lin Zhengyi pulled his investment was because Qian Ge instigated things behind the scenes. The only reason Qian Ge did this was to put He Jichen in a difficult position, to force him to kick me out of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±!

    But if I left the casting crew, that¡¯d clearly solve things, so why didn¡¯t He Jichen do that?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and lowered her eyes.

    After a while, she came up with a reason: Could it be that Yuguang Ge asked him for help?

    Aside from this, Ji Yi really couldn¡¯t think of another reason to exin this.

    At that thought, Ji Yi raised her head again and secretly looked over at He Jichen and Qian Ge.

    Qian Ge probably didn¡¯t expect He Jichen would see through everything. Her face looked vaguely awkward as she took a few deep breaths before she spoke again. ¡°He Jichen, how could you lump me in with Lin Zhengyi and think that I¡¯m trying to make things difficult for you? You know I¡¯m sincere and that since I was little, I¡¯ve lik-¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t need to think hard to know that Qian Ge was going to say the words ¡°liked you.¡±

    But before Qian Ge could finish, He Jichen suddenly swung her hand away from his sleeve and took big strides past her.

    He Jichen was quite heavy-handed, so Qian Ge was thrown back a few steps. She then forced herself to find her bnce.

    She wore a tall and thin pair of heels, so she identally sprained her ankle. She lowered her head and rubbed her ankle then angrily pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

    After some time, Ji Yi saw Qian Ge¡¯s managere rushing over.

    Qian Ge¡¯s manager gave her a helping hand as they hobbled away together.

    When Qian Ge disappeared, Ji Yi slowly got up from behind the car.

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t at home anymore, so she didn¡¯t need to enter the building.

    From his and Qian Ge¡¯s conversation, she could clearly tell how immense the pressure was on him.

    Three days... In three days, if nothing was resolved, then everything he built all these years would go up in smoke!

 Chapter 154

    Chapter 154: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s mind rang continuously with He Jichen¡¯s words that Li Da shared with her over the phone: ¡°Impossible. I¡¯ve waited so long for this day, only to get so close. I can¡¯t just give up!¡±

    Li Da said he thought He Jichen was referring to his dream of bing a director.

    To chase his dream, he gave up on his prestigious school, gave up on his grand future, and started from the bottom again at B-Film...

    Even if He Jichen really did it for Yuguang Ge, she didn¡¯t want him to make such grave sacrifices behind the scenes!

    Since everything started with her, it should end with her too!

    Ji Yi stood quietly on the spot as her eyes fell to the watch on her wrist.

    She silently stared at it for a moment then took it off and put it close to her ear. After listening to it for some time, she walked out of He Jichen¡¯s neighborhood.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t return to the university but went straight to a nearby electronics store and bought a recording pen. She transferred a recording to the recording pen and started to type a text asking for Lin Zhengyi¡¯s contact information.

    After some time, Ji Yi got Lin Zhengyi¡¯s WeChat ID from Xu Yi.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t hesitate at all before adding Lin Zhengyi as a friend.

    After about a minute, Lin Zhengyi epted Ji Yi¡¯s friend request. She swiftly tapped a string of text on the phone and sent it out: ¡°Hello, Chief Lin. It¡¯s Ji Yi. I have something I¡¯d like to speak with you about. Could you please let me know when you¡¯re avable?¡±

    After some time, Ji Yi received Lin Zhengyi¡¯s reply: ¡°Tonight, I have a dinner at Yue Yuan. If you need to see me, you¡¯ll find me there.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply. As she walked over to the sidewalk, she hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address for Yue Yuan.

    ...

    There was a minivan parked on the road opposite.

    ¡°Qian Jie 1 , she¡¯s gone.¡± The driver said as he turned away from where Ji Yi was just standing. He turned his head over to Qian Ge sitting behind him and asked, ¡°Qian Jie, would you like to go back to thepany?¡±

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t reply but stared at where Ji Yi was just standing through the window.

    Could it be that Ji Yi was in He Jichen¡¯s neighborhood to look for him just like me?

    But if she went to look for He Jichen, why¡¯d she buy a recording pen from the electronics store?

    She held her phone and stood by the side of the road for such a long time before she left. Is she taking the pen somewhere?

    The driver didn¡¯t receive any response from Qian Ge so he prompted her, ¡°Qian Jie?¡±

    After a few seconds, Qian Ge snapped back to her senses as her eyes continued to stare at the same spot. She replied tly, ¡°Not back to thepany. Turn around and follow that taxi.¡±

 Chapter 155

    Chapter 155: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge¡¯s minivan followed Ji Yi¡¯s taxi for about half an hour before she came to a stop.

    ¡°Qian Jie, she stopped at Yue Yuan.¡±

    Yue Yuan? Why¡¯d shee to such a ssy opera theater? From what I remember, Ji Yi never had any interest in the theater...

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t reply as her brows started to furrow. Secondster, Qian Ge turned her head and looked over at her manager next to her. ¡°Is anyone from the industry watching the opera tonight at Yue Yuan?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll ask.¡± As the manager replied, she grabbed her phone. Less than thirty secondster, she suddenly remembered something and told Qian Ge, ¡°Look at this memory of mine. I almost forgot¡ªdidn¡¯t Mr. Lin of Wan Xiang recently invest in a movie? He even asked you to make a guest appearance as a friend. Didn¡¯t you make a trade for him to pull the investment for ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯? Yesterday, he called to tell you that he¡¯d be having a party today at Yue Yuan for the series he invested in. He asked if you wereing, but since you wanted to go look for director He, you declined...¡±

    Before the manager could finish, Qian Ge had a sudden realization. ¡°Oh right. That did happen.¡±

    So, Ji Yi came to Yue Yuan for Lin Zhengyi?

    Qian Ge silently lowered her gaze for no more than three seconds before making up her mind. ¡°Drive in. Tonight, we¡¯re going to watch the opera at Yue Yuan too.¡±

    ¡°But, you have ns with Mr. Yan today at eight...¡±

    ¡°Cancel it.¡± Qian Ge didn¡¯t wait for her manager to finish speaking and signaled for the driver to drive into Yue Yuan¡¯s parking lot.

    ¨C

    Everybody needed an appointment to enter Yue Yuan.

    Ji Yi was stopped by the usher just as she stepped inside Yue Yuan.

    She grabbed her phone and sent Lin Zhengyi a message on WeChat.

    The ¡± Typing... ¡± status on the screen told Ji Yi that Lin Zhengyi had already seen her message, but she waited for ten whole minutes to receive a reply from Lin Zhengyi. It read: ¡°I¡¯m sending someone to get you.¡±

    Ji Yi knew Lin Zhengyi was deliberately making things difficult for her, but she had to remain calm, so she politely replied, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Lin.¡±

    After she sent the message, Ji Yi continued to wait at the doors of ¡°Yue Yuan¡± for almost half an hour before a young man strolled leisurely in front of her and asked with some doubt, ¡°Pardon me, are you Ji Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi wore a smile as she said, ¡°Yes, hello.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Lin asked me to escort you. Pleasee with me,¡± said the man as he escorted Ji Yi into Yue Yuan.

    As she followed the man through the mahogany corridors, he turned left then right several times beforeing to a stop. He pushed open a set of ancient-looking doors and made a gesture at Ji Yi as if to wee her inside.

    Ji Yi and the man walked into the room in single file.

    There was no one directly on the other side of the door facing the big stage.

    The brilliant actress on stage gently swung her body and moved her rosy lips, singing sweetly.

    There were seven to eight people sitting in the room. They all couldn¡¯t look away from the stage as they gave the performance their full attention.

    The man who escorted Ji Yi closed the doors as he indicated for Ji Yi to wait a moment. Then he quietly made his way to Lin Zhengyi¡¯s side, lowered his head and whispered something into his ear.

    Lin Zhengyi was enthralled by the show as his head swayed with the music. After the man finished whispering, Lin Zhengyi turned his head and nced over at Ji Yi. Lin Zhengyi then tilted his head to reply.

 Chapter 156

    Chapter 156: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The man gave a polite nod then returned to Ji Yi¡¯s side. He pointed in Lin Zhengyi¡¯s direction and said quietly, ¡°Miss Ji Yi, Mr. Lin¡¯s asking you to go over.¡±

    Ji Yi quietly thanked him then paused for two seconds before heading over to Lin Zhengyi.

    Just as Ji Yi was half a meter away from Lin Zhengyu, he sensed her presence and nced up at her.

    Before Ji Yi could cry ¡°Mr. Lin,¡± Lin Zhengyu pointed at the empty space next to him to signal her to take a seat. He then resumed looking at the big stage.

    Everyone in the room was admiring the performance, so Ji Yi pushed the words on the tip of her tongue down, in fear of ruining everyone¡¯s mood. She nced at the empty seat next to Lin Zhengyi twice before finally walking over and taking the seat.

    The performance on the stage reached its climax.

    Not only did Ji Yi¡¯s sudden appearance not ruin Lin Zhengyi¡¯s mood, she even heard him humming to the songs with enthusiasm.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t watch the show but sat silently and waited patiently in her seat.

    About half an hourter, the performance finally finished.

    That was when Ji Yi turned to look at Lin Zhengyi and said, ¡°Mr. Lin, I...¡±

    Lin Zhengyi pretended she didn¡¯t exist, ignoring her wordspletely. He called a waiter standing nearby and said, ¡°Serve the food.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Lin.¡± After the waiter replied politely, he left the private room.

    ¡°Mr. Lin, I¡¯m here to talk to you...¡± Seeing as no one was talking to Lin Zhengyi, Ji Yi used this opportunity to try to talk to him for the second time.

    Just like before, Lin Zhengyi pretended not to hear her as he continued to speak to the others at the table, but this time, it was about her. ¡°Let me introduce you all. Sitting beside me is Ji Yi, a university student at B-Film.¡±

    Lin Zhengyi probably brought a lot of women to these kinds of dinner parties. After he introduced her, a few of the people revealed knowing expressions on their faces.

    Ji Yi knew they must¡¯ve mistaken her as Lin Zhengyi¡¯s escort.

    A feeling of repulsion came over her at the thought of having to talk to Lin Zhengyiter. It was a sticky situation right now, so she had to pretend she hadn¡¯t seen those looks. She had to keep aposed expression.

    The waiter already started to serve dishes and drinks one after the other.

    Neither of them spoke as Ji Yi watched Lin Zhengyi pour some wine. On her third attempt, she spoke in a quiet voice so only the two of them could hear. ¡°Mr. Lin, if you have time, could we please talk?¡±

    This time, Lin Zhengyi didn¡¯t interrupt her. He waited until she finished speaking before he raised a ss to everyone and spoke, yet everything he said had no rtion to what she talked about. ¡°Xiao Yi, these people are in charge of my newly invested drama ¡®Dust.¡¯ This is the producer, and this is the casting director. This is...¡±

    Out of respect, Ji Yi smiled as Lin Zhengyi introduced each and every person, one at a time.

 Chapter 157

    Chapter 157: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After Lin Zhengyi finished introducing everyone, there were only two sses left in front of him.

    He brought one of them over to Ji Yi then whispered in a particrly cold voice, ¡°Drink with each and every person in this room, then I¡¯ll listen to what you have to say!¡±

    After a pause, Lin Zhengyi added, ¡°This is the chance I¡¯m giving you. It¡¯s up to you if you want to take it!¡±

    After he said this, Lin Zhengyi raised his ss high and shot Ji Yi a beaming smile, ¡°Come, Xiao Yi, raise your ss to everyone here!¡±

    It wasn¡¯t like Ji Yi didn¡¯t realize that Lin Shengyi was treating her like one of the usual girls he brought to these asions just to put her in an awkward position.

    Long before she arrived, she already guessed that Lin Zhengyi wouldn¡¯t make things so easy for her.

    Since she was in aa for three years, she didn¡¯t know many of these powerful people.

    The only reason she came to speak to Lin Zhengyi was because she had a recording of what Lin Zhengyi said to her that night. No matter how corrupt Lin Zhengyi was in private, he still needed to maintain his public image, so she brought the recording to make a trade with him.

    She could just show her cards to Lin Zhengyi at the dinner table and pull out the recording pen, but that would undoubtedly make him lose face. Not only would itpletely burn bridges, he would never reinvest in He Jichen¡¯s ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    If she hadn¡¯t seen He Jichen in such a difficult position with her own eyes, she wouldn¡¯t have taken this path and she wouldn¡¯t have to put up with all this.

    Ji Yi stared at the full ss of white wine in Lin Zhengyi¡¯s hand with a streak of determination in her eyes. The next second, she took the ss, got up, and walked over to the director sitting next to Lin Zhengyi. She raised her ss with a bright smile and said, ¡°Director, here¡¯s to you.¡±

    After clinking sses, Ji Yi nodded and downed the ss of wine.

    The burning sensation slid down her throat all the way to her stomach, making Ji Yi feel extremely ufortable. She sat back down in her original seat to get herself together before Lin Zhengyi grabbed the bottle of wine and topped up her ss.

    ¡°Producer, here¡¯s to you.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Luo, cheers.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Ji Yi drank to each person at the table, one ss after another. When it was over, Ji Yi felt like vomiting.

    She couldn¡¯t count how many of Lin Zhengyi¡¯s sses she downed, but she felt Lin Zhengyi deliberately edge a lot closer. He was so close that his hand started to vaguely grope her body through her clothes.

    Ji Yi instinctively wanted to run away, but she thought about He Jichen and how much he gave up for his dreams, and how he was soon going to have nothing at all.

    Compared to him, what she was enduring was nothing.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know how she could take it, but she knew that before she faintedpletely, she had to grit her teeth and bear it. She tried hard to smile and continued to down ss after ss.

    ...

    In the private room opposite, Qian Ge gracefully leaned back in her chair as she watched the videos her manager secretly recorded. Her lips couldn¡¯t help but curve into a smirk.

 Chapter 158

    Chapter 158: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen offended Lin Zhengyi on behalf of Ji Yi, but Ji Yi was just fine. In fact, Ji Yi was drinking with Lin Zhengyi and a group of other people. If He Jichen saw this...

    Qian Ge was so excited at the thought that her fingers trembled.

    Without any hesitation, she opened her messages and entered He Jichen¡¯s number.

    She first selected a video recording and prepared to send it, when she suddenly stopped.

    ¡°Qian Ge, what¡¯s wrong?¡± asked the manager in confusion as she saw Qian Ge¡¯s hesitation.

    When Qian Ge heard her voice, she looked up and gave her manager a look, then looked back down at her phone. After some time, she said with a soft mumble, ¡°We¡¯ve never gotten along. If the video was sent from me, what would his first thought be?¡±

    Her voice was gentle, but the manager could clearly make out what she said and asked, ¡°Qian Ge, what are you saying?¡±

    It was as if Qian Ge hadn¡¯t heard what her manager said as she stayed quiet for some time. She then continued to talk to herself: ¡°...He¡¯ll definitely think I set her up. Then he¡¯d definitely make things hard for me... No! I can¡¯t send him this video!¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s tone suddenly turned fierce towards the end, so she ended up speaking louder. Her manager only caught thest few words at the end, so she asked in confusion, ¡°Why can¡¯t you send it? Qian Jie, didn¡¯t you say Mr. He would definitely be mad if he saw her drinking with them like this? Didn¡¯t you say that if Mr. He stopped protecting her, she¡¯d be a nobody?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t send it, but it¡¯s not like it won¡¯t be sent...¡± replied Qian Ge.

    Can¡¯t send it yourself, so who¡¯s going to send it?

    Qian Ge left her manager even more confused and lost. Just as she was about to ask Qian Ge what she meant, Qian Ge raised her head with a sudden thought. Then she asked apletely unrted question, ¡°Do you have a contact at YC Corp?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...¡± Although her manager didn¡¯t understand, she answered honestly and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Give her a call now and ask her to help share this video internally within theirpany. It doesn¡¯t matter how she does it; He Jichen just has to see it,¡± instructed Qian Ge as she swiftly turned her head. ¡°Whatever her price is, give it to her, but no matter what, you have to stress that she act like she identally came across the situation and recorded it on a whim.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Qian Jie. Got it.¡± As the manager said this, she pulled out her phone and started searching for a phone number.

    Just before the manager made the call, Qian Ge added, ¡°Also, remember to tell your acquaintance that there¡¯s a party here tonight for the TV series ¡®Dust,¡¯ and the only reason Ji Yi¡¯s here is because ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ is over now, and she wants to get a part in ¡®Dust¡¯...¡±

 Chapter 159

    Chapter 159: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge paused for a moment to ensure she hadn¡¯t missed anything before she gave her manager a nod as if to tell her to proceed with the call.

    With her signal, the manager immediately walked off to a quiet corner and tapped the button to make the call.

    Maybe someone in the private room spent a huge sum to request another song, since music started ying again on the big stage.

    Qian Ge, who never listened to Beijing opera, shut her eyes and tapped her fingertips every so often to the beat on the table, which let out a weak sound.

    After some time, her manager returned. She saw Qian Ge resting with her eyes shut, so she said in a particrly soft voice, ¡°Qian Jie 1 , it¡¯s done.¡±

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t say anything but gave a slight nod to indicate she heard her.

    From start to finish, she never opened her eyes, yet a smile appeared like she was in an excellent mood.

    ¨C

    When He Jichen¡¯s phone rang, he, Han Zhifan, and two of Han Zhifan¡¯s business partners were ying cards in room 1001 of the Golden Lounge.

    As he drew his cards, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and nced at the screen to find that it was his secretary calling.

    After He Jichen threw his cards out, he swiped his phone screen and asked in a particrly cold voice, ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, do you remember the supporting actress for ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯?¡±

    Wasn¡¯t the supporting actress for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± Ji Yi? How could I forget the person I cast myself ?

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers slid the cards in front of him and he slowly replied, ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like this, Mr. He. I saw a video of her in ourpany¡¯s internal WeChat group...¡±

    He Jichen nced emotionlessly at the card Han Zhifan threw out and realized he was careless since he casuallyid all his cards out.

    ¡°Our project ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯¡ªdidn¡¯t it end because Lin Zhengyi pulled his investment? Yet, it looks like that actress is kind of close to Lin Zhengyi...¡±

    From start to finish, He Jichen hadn¡¯t really shown any reaction to the secretary¡¯s report, but when he heard this, his brows started to tighten.

    Ji Yi and Lin Zhengyi were kind of close? How could that be?

    ¡°... She¡¯s even having dinner with Lin Zhengyi, and it seems like she¡¯s at the dinner party with the production team for Lin Zhengyi¡¯s newly invested series ¡®Dust¡¯...¡±

    When He Jichen heard this, he looked up at Han Zhifan and shot him a look as if to say ¡°Please wait.¡± Then he kicked his chair back, got up and walked out of the party room.

    Coincidentally, he bumped into a waiter in the corridors who softly asked him if he was in need of assistance.

    He Jichen shook his head, brushed past him and headed for the window at the end of the corridor.

    He pushed the window open, inviting in the night¡¯s breeze from the dead of winter, which helped to clear his mind.

    He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, put it between his lips, and lit up as he asked the secretary over the phone, ¡°More specifically, tell me what¡¯s going on?¡±

 Chapter 160

    Chapter 160: Want to Negotiate Terms with Me? Are You Worthy? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Someone said she¡¯s clinging onto Lin Zhengyi...¡±

    The secretary only said a few words, but He Jichen¡¯s brows furrowed as he interrupted menacingly, ¡°Who¡¯s spouting nonsense and making sh*t up?¡±

    The secretary remained quiet for a bit when he heard He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice. Then he said weakly, ¡°Mr. He, no one¡¯s making up anything. There¡¯s video evidence. Someone in thepany said that since Ji Yi saw Lin Zhengyi pull his investment for ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯, she followed Lin Zhengyi to join the production team of ¡®Dust¡¯...¡±

    The secretary probably sensed He Jichen¡¯s bleak mood since his voice got quieter. In the end, hepletely lost his voice, and since he was afraid to bring trouble upon himself, he swiftly thought of something and hurriedly added, ¡°Mr. He, if you don¡¯t believe me, give ourpany¡¯s WeChat group-¡±

    Before the secretary could finish his sentence off with ¡°a look,¡± He Jichen hung up.

    He bit the cigarette as his fingers swiftly opened WeChat. He ignored a string of unread messages, found thepany¡¯s WeChat group and opened it.

    The chat frompany staff members came into view.

    ¡°I never imagined that the supporting actress for ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ was actually that kind of person!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, when I saw her photo, I thought she was pretty innocent, but I never imagined that she would use such tactics to get to the top!¡±

    ¡°Look at the video¡ªshe drank herself into that kind of state. What¡¯s the difference between her and those hostesses in nightclubs?¡±

    He Jichen furrowed his brows as his eyes revealed a sliver of annoyance. He held it together and didn¡¯t erupt in rage as he swiftly scrolled through the messages.

    After scrolling for quite some time, He Jichen finally saw the video they mentioned.

    It was posted by someone called ¡°Meow meow meow,¡± and there were about five to six videos altogether. He Jichen randomly clicked one open.

    He Jichen grabbed the cigarette from his mouth and flicked the ashes into the trash can beside him. Then he turned back to this phone screen.

    He hadn¡¯t taken a close look before he easily recognized the updo and the exposed curve of the woman with a slender long neck dressed in the red in the video. It was Ji Yi.

    She sat around a table full of alcohol, and sitting on her right was Lin Zhengyi¡ªthe same man he violently beat up a while back.

    In her hand was a ss of wine. She smiled wholeheartedly at the middle-aged man in front of her and drank to him.

    The person who secretly filmed this was quite far away, so they couldn¡¯t record what they were saying and he didn¡¯t know what she said. However, from the video, he saw her clink sses with the slightly chubby middle-aged man. Then she put the ss to her mouth, tossed her head back and downed the entire ss.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers clutching the cigarette suddenly paused and stopped by the corner of his mouth.

    His expression instantly turned cold as he stared at the phone screen.

    The video wasn¡¯t long. It ended quickly.

    He Jichen paused for about two seconds before he chose another video and clicked it open.

 Chapter 161

    Chapter 161: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    This time, the video he opened showed Ji Yi whispering something into Lin Zhengyi¡¯s ear.

    After Lin Zhengyi finished listening to what she had to say, he pointed at each person around the table and started to talk to her.

    With Lin Zhengyi¡¯s words, Ji Yi smiled and nodded at each one.

    Even though He Jichen couldn¡¯t hear what they said, he could tell from the video that Lin Zhengyi was introducing her to the surrounding people.

    After the introductions, Lin Zhengyi picked up a ss of wine and whispered something into Ji Yi¡¯s ear.

    Then, Lin Zhengyi smiled at everyone around the table and said something. Ji Yi took the ss from his hand, got up, and raised it towards the person next to him.

    When the video finished, He Jichen didn¡¯t hesistate to continue on to the third.

    In this video, Lin Zhengyi was pouring Ji Yi some wine, and from the pale expression on Ji Yi¡¯s face, you could tell she had drank quite a lot of wine.

    But when Lin Zhengyi handed her a ss of wine, she didn¡¯t hesitate to take it. Like the previous videos, she toasted another person and downed the ss.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingertips around his phone turned white from the force of his grip.

    He tightly pursed his lips and opened the fourth video.

    The video was of Lin Zhengyi pouring wine for Ji Yi, but Lin Zhengyi was so close to Ji Yi that his hand touched her waist.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if it was voluntary or if she was numb from drinking too much, but she didn¡¯t squirm out of Lin Zhengyi¡¯s grasp nor did she stop him.

    The cigarette in He Jichen¡¯s hand was bent out of shape from the force of his clutches.

    His gaze on his phone was frighteningly solemn.

    As he watched the table full of people reveal flirtatious and sinister looks after Ji Yi drank several sses in the video, He Jichen abruptly raised his hand and hurled his phone.

    The phone crashed into the wall with a ¡°bang!¡±, rming a nearby waitress.

    The waitress came running in, bent to pick the phone up, and was about to hand it to He Jichen when she realized that the man had a terrifyingly cold expression on his face. She was so scared that she took a step back and timidly said, ¡°Sir, your phone.¡±

    It seemed like He Jichen didn¡¯t hear her at all as he stood unflinchingly on the spot. He stared intensely at the space in front of him.

    His pupils contracted non-stop as though he was in a rage over something, and his body started to tremble slightly.

    The waitress didn¡¯t dare linger for too long, so she put the phone on the window sill and hurriedly turned around with the words, ¡°Sir, I¡¯ve put your phone here for you.¡±

    Just as she was about to raise her feet, she detected the burning smell of flesh.

    She furrowed her brows and instinctively looked down to find the cigarette butt burning He Jichen¡¯s palm.

    The waitress reached her hand out reflexively and grabbed He Jichen¡¯s arm, ¡°Sir, sir, your hand...¡±

    He Jichen turned his head and swept her an extremely intense look, then drew away from her touch. He chucked the burning cigarette into the trash can then silently grabbed the phone from the window sill and strode over to the elevator.

 Chapter 162

    Chapter 162: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen stepped into the elevator. With no regard to whether there were other people behind him, he pressed the button to close the doors.

    The elevators stopped at the underground parking lot, and just as the doors opened halfway, he stepped out.

    He figured his mind must¡¯ve burst with rage by the videos from the WeChat group as he circled the parking lot several times around but couldn¡¯t remember where he parked his car. Eventually, he pulled out his car keys and clicked the button to unlock it. In the distance, he saw his car lights blink, which was when he realized that his car was parked right in front of the elevators.

    He Jichen got into the car, and without even strapping on his seatbelt, he immediately stepped on the gas and raced out of the underground parking lot of the Golden Lounge.

    He realized the background in the video looked very familiar ¨C it was the Yue Yuan he had been to a few times.

    As soon as He Jichen drove onto the main road, he immediately turned the car around and headed straight for Yue Yuan.

    ¨C

    After toasting everyst person in the room, Ji Yi¡¯s resilient heart finally rxed slightly.

    She fought the turbulent feeling in her stomach that made her want to vomit, and with trembling fingers, she slowly put the ss back down on the table.

    Her tolerance to alcohol was neither good or bad. Not only did the alcohol Lin Zhengyi forced her to drink tonight make her feelpletely drunk, if she stayed there, she¡¯d inevitably end up muddled. By then, she would undoubtedly be fish meat on a chopping board for Lin Zhengyi to pick at will.

    At that thought, Ji Yi nced back to look at Lin Zhengyi, who was clinking sses with the producer. When he finally put the ss down, she went over to him and whispered, ¡°Mr. Lin, I drank the wine as you wanted. Can you give me some of your time now?¡±

    Lin Zhengyi¡¯s seemed stunned as he turned to shoot a nce at Ji Yi. Then he continued to casually pour the wine.

    Ji Yi clearly caught a sh of astonishment across Lin Zhengyi¡¯s face just now.

    She furrowed her brows, but before she could react to his astonishment, he raised the wine bottle and started to pour wine into her ss when he saw she¡¯d finished her ss. ¡°Come, Xiao Yi. You just drank to everyone here but me. Now, let¡¯s both drink a ss.¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she sluggishly turned around.

    As it turned out, Lin Zhengyi¡¯s real objective was not only to put her in a difficult position but to get herpletely drunk to make things easier for him.

    So, if I¡¯m notpletely drunk on the table tonight, Lin Zhengyi won¡¯t give me a chance to talk to him alone...

    Ji Yi looked down and stared at the ss before she picked it up and drank all of it with Lin Zhengyi.

    The moment she put the ss down, Ji Yi deliberately loosened her grip and pretended to have had one too many to drink. Since she didn¡¯t hold onto the ss properly, it smashed to the ground.

    She copied how drunk people looked on TV then slurred the words ¡°Sorry,¡± as she sneakily nced at Lin Zhengyi. She realized the man had a malevolent smile at the corner of his mouth. That was when Ji Yi knew Lin Zhengyi¡¯s true objective.

    Wine, she couldn¡¯t drink any longer.

    But she had to keep up her drunken act.

    Ji Yi quietly schemed for a moment before she said, a little tongue-tied, ¡°Mr. Lin, I-I¡¯m going to the restroom.¡±

    With that, Ji Yi got up swaying and walked towards the opposite direction of the restroom.

    The waitress standing nearby heard what she just said and kindly reminded her, ¡°Miss, the restroom is over there.¡±

 Chapter 163

    Chapter 163: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Oh,¡± responded Ji Yi as she pretended to look drunk and stumbled forward two steps. She sluggishly turned around and headed in the direction the waitress pointed to.

    As she brushed past the waitress, she pretended to not be able to stand up steadily as she purposefully leaned over to the waitress a little.

    With fast reflexes, she saw the waitress support her up before she boldly leaned over onto her body.

    ¡°Miss, are you okay?¡±

    Ji Yi heard the waitress¡¯s concerned tone, but she didn¡¯t say a word and pretended to be suffering while still groggily conscious as she leaned on her shoulder.

    ¡°Miss.. Miss?¡± asked the waitress again.

    She asked a few times, but seeing as Ji Yi had no reaction, she looked over at the head of tonight¡¯s dinner party, Lin Zhengyi, ¡°Mr. Lin, miss looks like she¡¯s drank a lot, should I take her to the lounge area...?¡±

    Lin Zhengyi who had seen everything and heard the waitress¡¯s words, immediately got up. He walked over to the waitress, reached over and dragged Ji Yi over to his side. ¡°You don¡¯t have to interfere. I¡¯ll take her to the lounge.¡±

    To pretend that she was drunk, Ji Yi didn¡¯t avoid Lin Zhengyi¡¯s arms around her waist. She suppressed the repulsive feeling inside and tried hard to put on a hazy expression. She mumbled to herself, ¡°So dizzy...¡±

    When Lin Zhengyi heard her voice, he immediately pulled her out of the room. As they walked, he said flirtatiously, ¡°You won¡¯t be dizzy in a moment. I guarantee you¡¯ll feel good.¡±

    His words roused a room full of people to giggle.

    At their sneering res, Ji Yi almost vomited all the wine from her stomach. She tried hard to stabilize herself and forced herself not to expose her true state, so she let Lin Zhengyi carry her. The waitress followed behind one step at a time as they left the room.

    Down the vintage, elegant corridors of Yue Yuan, the waitress walked about five minutes then pushed the double doors open, ¡°Mr. Lin, may I ask ¨C should I get her a drink to sober her up?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± replied Lin Zhengyi. He hurriedly brought Ji Yi into the room. ¡°Shut the door.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Lin,¡± replied the waitress. She immediately closed the door.

    As the lounge doors closed shut, Lin Zhengyi impatiently held Ji Yi in his embrace. While he lowered his head to bite at her exposed neck, he reached his hand out and let it trace her waist and up her back.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart panicked for a second before she instinctively struggled out of Lin Zhengyi¡¯s embrace. She retreated a few steps and put some distance between them.

    The woman was already a drunken mess, so how could she suddenly have the strength to pull away now?

    Lin Zhengyi was stunned for a moment before he looked up at Ji Yi.

    With just the two of them in the room, Ji Yi put away her drunken facade and calmly answered Lin Zhengyi¡¯s bewildered look. ¡°Mr. Lin, I¡¯m terribly sorry that I had to use such a method to trick you into speaking to me one-on-one.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here to personally apologize to you. I hope you can ept my apology, and I hope you can reconsider investing in ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯...¡±

    Lin Zhengyi realized he¡¯d been tricked by this women, so he didn¡¯t even let her finish and said, ¡°Alright, I can forgive you, but a verbal apology means nothing. If you want apologize, you have to take action.¡±

 Chapter 164

    Chapter 164: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When he finished speaking, Lin Zhengyi tilted his head in thought for a while. As though he just thought of a great idea, he pped his hand and continued by saying, ¡°It¡¯s like this, apologize in bed for me until I¡¯m satisfied, then I¡¯ll reconsider investing in ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics.¡¯¡±

    Ji Yi tightly furrowed her brows and a sh of disgust crossed her eyes.

    Having clearly seen the repulsion in her eyes, Lin Zhengyi didn¡¯t get angry but instead, he scanned her up and down with perverted eyes. He didn¡¯t wait for her to speak and walked closer to her as he said, ¡°There¡¯s no other way.¡±

    ¡°Of course, as you are right now, it¡¯s useless for you to decline anyway!¡±

    As Lin Zhengyi stood in front of Ji Yi, he reached his hand out to grab Ji Yi¡¯s waist. He forcefully pulled her body to his. ¡°This time, it¡¯s not like how it was at China World Hotel Beijing. There¡¯s no He Jichen here, and in my hands, you have no choice but to listen!¡±

    ¡°I suggest you know your ce. y obediently with me. Make me happy, and I¡¯ll not only invest in ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics,¡¯ I can also rmend you for other roles!¡±

    ¡°If I force myself on you, my body may feel good, but my heart won¡¯t. You may as well give up on trying to get any special benefits from me. By then, you¡¯ll just end up with a bigger loss!¡±

    As he finished, Lin Zhengyi reach his hand out and cupped Ji Yi¡¯s chin. He raised her face up slightly and lowered his head to kiss her on the lips.

    Ji Yi wanted to struggle out of it so hard, but because she was intoxicated, she couldn¡¯t quite push him away.

    She could feel Lin Zhengyi¡¯s lips draw closer to hers. He was so close that she smelled the stench of his breath.

    She tried to force down the urge to vomit, and without even thinking about it, she tilted her head to avoid his lips.

    As Lin Zhengyi¡¯s lips kissed the empty space, he squinted his eyes and he looked clearly annoyed.

    He didn¡¯t want to bother wasting his breath on Ji Yi, so he pushed her hard into the wall. He lowered his head and bit her neck.

    After struggling hard a few times, Ji Yi saw there was no way for her to escape, so she started to pull something out from her pocket with her free hand.

    Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t fight back, he was excited at the prospect of her epting him now. As he undid Ji Yi¡¯s clothes, he rubbed his body onto hers.

    When the first button of Ji Yi¡¯s top was undone, Lin Zhengyi immediately dug his head into her fair chest, but before his lips could touch her skin, he suddenly heard his own voice. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t caught you, I would¡¯ve almost forgotten. Now that I see you, I remember. Xiao Yi, do you have some time now? I want to speak to you privately about ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics.¡¯¡±

    Lin Zhengyipletely froze. He didn¡¯t react until some time had passed after Ji Yi yed the recording pen to his ear.

    What he said previously continued to y: ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯ve read your profile. It says you¡¯re currently studying at B-Film University?¡±

    ¡°I also hear many of you girls from B-Film want to be escorts? Is that right?¡±

    ¡°...I encourage you to behave well and let me y with...¡± ¡°You wanted some face, but you didn¡¯t take it! Seeing as you refuse to take it easy, I won¡¯t be polite about it!¡±

    When the recording finished ying, Lin Zhengyi hadn¡¯tpletely snapped out of his daze as Ji Yi said, ¡°Mr. Lin, does the recording sound familiar to you? I just want to ask you a question: if this recording gets out, what do you think people will say?¡±

 Chapter 165

    Chapter 165: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As she finished speaking, Ji Yi watched Lin Zhengyi¡¯s gaze upon her chest ascend to her eyes.

    She didn¡¯t struggle, nor was she worried. Instead, she spoke calmly as usual. She continued to speak.

    ¡°I hear you recently invested in a new project, and it¡¯s almost ready to be released at the beginning of next year. If you get into some kind of some bad publicity, I¡¯m afraid the new project would be affected, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Also, what did you say in the recording just now? There are many girls at B-film who want to be escorts...?¡±

    ¡°Ny percent of the celebrities in the entire entertainment industry are from B-film. What you said would offend a lot of big stars, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more, what you said was really deep. A lot of people online would definitely say that you¡¯re...¡±

    When Lin Zhengyi heard this, his face turned unbelievably stern. He didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to finish speaking as he said, ¡°Say it. What do you want?¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to reply, so she looked down at Lin Zhengyi pressed against her body. ¡°Mr. Lin, it¡¯s probably notfortable to talk like this, right?¡±

    Lin Zhengyi discreetly gritted his teeth, but in the end, he let go of Ji Yi to save face. Then he stepped back a distance before saying, ¡°Now we can talk, right?¡±

    Ji Yi took her time with Lin Zhengyi¡¯s impatience as she casually buttoned up her top and settled into afortable position leaning against the wall. Then she slowly looked at Lin Zhengyi before getting straight to the point. ¡°My objective is simple. I just want you to reconsider investing in ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ again. As long as you¡¯re willing to invest, I¡¯ll give you all the recordings I have. If you don¡¯t and you want to continue making things difficult, then Mr. Lin, I¡¯m sorry, but all I can do is ruin it for everybody!¡±

    ¡°Last time at the China World Hotel Beijing, Mr. Lin, you were disrespectful to me first. Though Mr. He was wrong to hit you, he did so with good reason. If you truly can¡¯t take what he did to you, Mr. Lin, then I solemnly apologize to you on his behalf!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Lin, I didn¡¯t talk to you about it during the dinner party today because I didn¡¯t want to make you lose face. I really hope that everyone can just get along.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more, you should know that whoever invests in ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ will profit. As a business person, there¡¯s no reason for you not to make money.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a smart person; you can weigh the options. I¡¯m sure you know better than I.¡±

    Having spoken for so long with the same tone, Ji Yi clearly saw Lin Zhengyi¡¯s eyes shift. She knew Lin Zhengyi would definitely agree to her proposed terms.

    In actuality, before she even arrived, she was certain Lin Zhengyi would agree.

    No matter how perverted a man was, they¡¯d never jeopardize a huge sum of money and their bright future to mess around with a beautiful woman.

    Ji Yi sensed the alcohol affecting her, so seeing as she¡¯d aplished what she wanted to do, she slowly straightened up. Without wanting to talk any more nonsense with Lin Zhengyi, she started to wrap things up. ¡°I¡¯ve finished what I wanted to say, Mr. Lin. I¡¯ll give you one night to consider it. You have my contact details, so when you have an answer, please contact me at any time. Mr. Lin, I have some business, so I¡¯ll be leaving first. I won¡¯t keep you from your dinner party any longer, so goodbye.¡±

    As Ji Yi finished speaking, she shot Lin Zhengyi a polite and courteous smile. Then she sauntered out of the lounge in her high heels.

 Chapter 166

    Chapter 166: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as she walked up to the door, before she could even reach her hand out to open the door, it suddenly swung open with a hard kick from the outside.

    Ji Yi was so frightened that she took two abrupt steps back to just avoid getting smacked in the face by the wooden doors.

    She let out a cold breath of air in a panic before she looked up, slightly angry. She was about to ask the person who kicked the door ¡°What are you doing?¡±, but the words never came. Instead, she stared at the arrogant person in an all-ck ensemble at the door for a long while.

    The expression on the man¡¯s face was as distant and cold as usual. His fine facial features were breathtaking and he was frighteningly handsome under the lights from the corridors.

    He stared deeply into her eyes with a killer charisma, but all that Ji Yi was focused on was a trace of sternness which gave her an immense trembling fear.

    An air of danger silently crept into Ji Yi¡¯s heart and she instinctively lowered her head to avoid his gaze. From the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of the man¡¯s red string on his wrist, and that was when she woke up a little.

    It was He Jichen. Why... is he here?

    The thought hadn¡¯t settled in Ji Yi¡¯s mind when she felt He Jichen, who was standing at the door, finally move.

    She instinctively looked down and saw his transfixed gaze upon her as he drew closer, one step at a time.

    As he drew closer, Ji Yi clearly felt a threateningly cold airing from his body.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips trembled and she was about to take two steps back to keep some distance between her and He Jichen, when he suddenly reached his arm out and pointed at Lin Zhengyi behind her.

    His actions were simple, yet there was a dangerous air pouring out from his body.

    Ji Yi thought he was immediately going to start cursing, but to her surprise, he didn¡¯t say anything. He merely pointed at Lin Zhengyi up and down. The next second, his hand moved over to Ji Yi¡¯s side. Without giving any time for Ji Yi to react, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her out.

    He Jichen brushed past someone who knew him at Yue Yuan and greeted him politely.

    With a cold expression on his face, he ignored everyone around him and blindly dragged Ji Yi down the long and winding corridors, then out the doors.

    His strides were long and fast, so Ji Yi, who stumbled behind him in her heels, almost tripped several times.

    He grabbed her frighteningly tightly on her wrists, and it felt as though her bones were being crushed. It hurt so much that Ji Yi¡¯s teeth were left chattering.

    The doorman at the entrance of Yue Yuan saw He Jichene out and immediately handed him his car keys. ¡°Mr. He, your car is...¡±

    Before the doorman could finish, He Jichen snatched his keys and headed right for the parking lot nearby while takingrge strides and dragging Ji Yi along with him.

    As he reached his car, He Jichen pulled the car door open and forcefully shoved Ji Yi in. The door mmed shut.

    He used such force that the car door created a loud mming sound. Having been shoved into the car seat, Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t snapped back to reality when she heard the sound of a door in the front open.

    Ji Yi raised her head and saw He Jichen get into the driver¡¯s seat.

    Before she even saw him start up the car, the car sped off at an rming speed.

    Without a seatbelt on, she toppled forward.

 Chapter 167

    Chapter 167: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi instinctively reached her hand out and pressed against the back of the driver¡¯s seat for support. She waited for herself to regain her bnce, then she looked up again to find that the car was already on the road.

    He Jichen drove terrifyingly fast. In the back, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t see his expression but she could feel how tense the atmosphere was, since even the air in the car became thinner, making it harder for her to breathe.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say a word. Seeing him like this, Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare to make a sound either.

    The silence in the car was frightening.

    As Ji Yi thought about where the hell He Jichen was driving her to, the car came to a sudden stop.

    Completely unprepared, Ji Yi suddenly hurled forward, hitting her forehead on the back of the car seat.

    The piercing pain forced her to crease her brows for a moment, and before she could snap back to her senses, the car door was pulled open. He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the car.

    Before Ji Yi could find her feet, He Jichen had already tossed his keys to the person standing by the car. He silently walked to the revolving doors in front of him while dragging her along.

    After this string of He Jichen¡¯s actions, Ji Yi had absolutely no idea where she was.

    She turned her head and was about to take a good look around her when a well-dressed man came over. He politely handed He Jichen a key card. ¡°Mr. He, the same old room...¡±

    Just like when they stepped out of Yue Yuan, He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for anyone to finish speaking and rushed forward. He stepped into the elevator with Ji Yi.

    The moment he swiped the card and pressed the floor number, Ji Yi nced over at the words above the elevators. She realized He Jichen had brought her to the Four Seasons Hotel.

    The red numbers on the elevator jumped one after the other until it reached ¡°21¡±. That was when the question popped into Ji Yi¡¯s mind: What did He Jichen bring me to a hotel for?

    She instinctively turned her head in his direction.

    Before she could ask him, the elevator doors opened and He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t loosened his tight grip on her arm, sped out with her.

    After they followed the carpeted corridors and walked hastily for about ten seconds, He Jichen pulled out his key card. He gently swiped the card at the door, which prompted a ¡°Kacha!¡± sound. He Jichen pushed the door open and dragged Ji Yi into the room.

    As the door automatically closed shut, Ji Yi only realized she had walked into a hotel room with He Jichen when she heard the sound of the door locking behind her. In a horror, she cried, ¡°He...¡±

    She wasn¡¯t able toplete her sentence: ¡°He Jichen, why did you take me here?¡± before He Jichen raised his leg and kicked open the doors into the room.

    It was the bathroom... Why is he taking me to the bathroom?

    The words in Ji Yi¡¯s mouth paused for a moment as she instinctively turned to look at He Jichen. Before her gaze could reach his face, he had thrown her into the bathtub.

    The walls of the bathtub were so slippery that she fell into it without any warning at all.

    The shooting pain from knocking her hands and feet on the sides of the tub caused Ji Yi to furrow her brows. Just as she was about to stand up, He Jichen grabbed the shower, turned it to the coldest setting and let it rain over her.

    The bone-piercing coldness made Ji Yi shiver and sneeze. She instinctively reached her hand out to cover her head as she tried to climb out of the tub.

    Just as she managed to sit up and before she could stand up, He Jichen reached his arms out and grabbed her shoulders, pressing her back down into the bathtub.

 Chapter 168

    Chapter 168: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After drinking quite a lot of wine, Ji Yi didn¡¯t have the strength to push back. Though she forced herself to resist, she didn¡¯t have the energy to fight back. ¡°He Jichen, let go of me! He Jichen, what are you doing?!¡±

    The ice-cold water ran down her face, and just as she was about to speak, it poured right into her mouth, causing her to violently cough from theck of air. When she settled down, she waspletely drenched, and her icy-cold clothes stuck to her skin.

    It was the dead of winter in the capital. Although the heating in the room was warm enough, she was so cold that she was trembling.

    In that very moment, she didn¡¯t have the strength to talk, let alone fight back. All she could do was let him shower her with cold water like that.

    Increasing amounts of water filled the bathtub, and shortly after, Ji Yi¡¯s body waspletely submerged. She was paralyzed with coldness in the tub. As her teeth chattered, she lost the ability to move.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if it was an illusion, but she vaguely sensed that the running water had decreased quite a bit.

    She opened her eyelids slightly and looked towards He Jichen through the drops of water on her eyshes.

    The clothes on his body were mostly wet from him fighting with her during their earlier struggle. The lines of his stiff muscles could faintly be seen through his white shirt that was stuck to his chest.

    There was aplex glow in his eyes as he stared at her with an icy, merciless expression. Just when she thought he was going to let her go, he caught something in the corners of his eyes as they abruptly fell to her neck.

    It was red in that area. It was a mark left from being bitten.

    Did Lin Zhengyi do this? She actually let Lin Zhengyi treat her like this?

    He Jichen squinted his eyes and stared transfixed at Ji Yi¡¯s neck for about half a minute. All of a sudden, his gaze turned unbelievably stern. It was as though he had been hiding knives, and his gaze tore a hole through her skin.

    A secondter, he couldn¡¯t hold his temper down as the strength inside him pressed down harder on her shoulder, causing her to drown in the tub filled with water. The rmingly cold water filled her nose and made her face swell up, but he didn¡¯t loosen his grip.

    He looked so vicious and convinced that he wanted her to die like this.

    She¡¯d seen before how he looked when he was angry ¨C four years ago, when she confessed to He Yuguang, he showed up instead,pletely enraged.

    She thought he was already iparably cutthroat back then, but now she knew that when he was truly angry, he could be this frightening.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t say if she was scared or if it was because she was choked from the water, but her eyes widened as she stared at He Jichen¡¯s face. She had no other reaction aside from trembling.

    Just when she thought she was going to be drowned to death by He Jichen, he suddenly threw the shower head fiercely to the ground. He grabbed onto her arm and lifted her from the bathtub.

    He didn¡¯t grab a towel for her to wipe off the dripping cold water from her body, but he dragged her out of the bathroom and casually flung her to the floor of the living room. Then he pressed his body to hers, reached his hand out, and grabbed her cor.

    She wore ace inner top, so how could it withstand his force? All she could hear was the ¡°tssssst¡± sound of her clothes being torn off.

    Her wet, fair skin fell into his field of view.

 Chapter 169

    Chapter 169: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The red areas on her neck looked more obvious under the living room lights. He could clearly see the faint bite marks.

    Even though he didn¡¯t personally see how Lin Zhengyi actually left those marks, simply imagining it made He Jichen¡¯s eyes bloodshot.

    Several videos on thepany¡¯s WeChat group shed before his eyes.

    Her downing one ss at a time... Her smiling sweetly at every man in the room... Her and Lin Zhengyi whispering to one another... Her not avoiding Lin Zhengyi¡¯s hand around her waist... The images he saw were heart-wrenching, but he didn¡¯t believe it.

    He raced over to Yue Yuan, yet he didn¡¯t see her at the dinner party.

    After he asked a waitress, he realized she was actually alone with Lin Zhengyi in the lounge area... She knew full well that Lin Zhengyi had bad intentions, yet she was alone with him. She was willing to do this... It was just as his secretary described ¨C she realized that ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was no longer shooting, so she was holding onto Lin Zhengyi to get a part in ¡°Dust¡±?

    He Jichen¡¯s hand clutching onto Ji Yi¡¯s sleeve started to tremble slightly.

    It felt like a ball of fire was burning in his chest, scorching his entire body.

    Did she know that he was afraid she¡¯d be like other female celebrities who exchanged things, ttered and fawned over men in the industry to get by? He only gave up the glory of attending a prestigious school, gave up the chance to study abroad, and gave up the He family business after arguing with his family, just to travel all the way to Beijing from Sucheng to give her an easy life... But what about her?

    She actually drank with them, she actually let Lin Zhengyi touch her...

    He Jichen couldn¡¯t tell if he was actually devastated or enraged as his gaze upon the hickeys on Ji Yi¡¯s neck swiftly contracted and expanded. He wanted to say something, but not a single word came out. The corner of his lips couldn¡¯t help but tighten as she froze there. All of a sudden, he lowered his head and bit down onto the red marks on her neck.

    His sharp and hard bite onto her delicate skin caused her to bleed.

    The painpelled her to tremble, but there wasn¡¯t the slightest affection and tenderness in his heart. In the end, he took a hard suck and started to tear her clothes off as he ignored her resistance.

    He ripped off one item at a time until she was naked. Aside from being wet, his clothes were neat and undamaged.

    The stark contrast between them made her feel profoundly humiliated.

    She wanted to grab something to cover herself, but he didn¡¯t give her any chances as his hand started to touch her skin.

    He was heavy-handed with her, and there wasn¡¯t any hint of warmth whatsoever. He was simply venting.

    She shrieked for mercy, but he didn¡¯t show any signs of letting her go.

    She felt his hands fall to her hips and make its way downward.

    As his palms stroked her thigh, she finally couldn¡¯t help but let out a cry.

    When he heard the sound of her cries, his fingers gradually came to a stop.

    Secondster, he clutched her chin and slowly turned her face towards him.

 Chapter 170

    Chapter 170: Isn¡¯t This How You Like it? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Secondster, he clutched her chin and slowly turned her face towards him.

    He stared at the brimming tears in her eyes with the same cold and merciless expression. He didn¡¯t look like he was going to soften up in the slightest as he mocked her, ¡°Why are you crying? Isn¡¯t this how you like it?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t understand how she angered him from the moment He Jichen turned up without warning at the doors of the Yue Yuan lounge up to this moment. Now that she heard him ask this with such hatred, her eyes upon He Jichen¡¯s face looked confused.

    How I liked it? How I liked it?

    The woman¡¯srge, pitch ck, wet eyes and her puzzled expression made her lookpletely innocent.

    Innocent?

    That word shed across He Jichen¡¯s mind and a cold smile arose from his lips.

    He wanted her to be innocent so badly, but those videos, the hickeys on her body, and the fact that she knew Lin Zhengyi was plotting against her, yet she stayed with him... How could he believe she was innocent after her all this evidence?

    He Jichen couldn¡¯t help but clutch her chin harder. His voice sounded even more heartless than before as he said even more hurtful and harsh things. ¡°What? You can be like an escort, drinking with Lin Zhengyi and being in the same room as him, but you can¡¯t let me touch you? Do you think I¡¯m lesser than Lin Zhengyi because ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ stopped production? I can¡¯t give you the role you want now, so you want to climb straight into Lin Zhengyi¡¯s bed and beg him to give you a part in his new drama?¡±

    Escort? Climb into bed with Lin Zhengyi?

    He Jichen¡¯s cruel words instantly drained the blood right off Ji Yi¡¯s face. She stared into He Jichen¡¯s eyes first with bewilderment, which turned into an intense look of disbelief.

    It wasn¡¯t like she hadn¡¯t experienced He Jichen¡¯s sharp tongue before, but she never imagined that he would actually use such words to describe her.

    After some time, Ji Yi slowly understood what had happened.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if He Jichen just so happened to be at Yue Yuan, or if someone had told him, but he probably knew she was at Lin Zhengyi¡¯s dinner party tonight to drink. He also must¡¯ve known that she, while aplete drunken mess, entered the lounge with Lin Zhengyi alone... So, he had the misunderstanding that because ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was in trouble, she ran over to Lin Zhengyi to beg him for a part in ¡°Dust.¡±

    From the moment he appeared till now, he never even asked her a thing, but he was so adamant that she was the type of woman to give up everything to make it to the top!

    Ji Yi¡¯s lips instinctively tightened up as an evident sh of hurt crossed her eyes.

    She shifted, wanting to tell him that she was only there because of him!

    However, as the words lingered on her lips, her mind suddenly shed back to that night four years ago. When she realized her first time was with him, she was so shocked and helpless, but what about him? The first thing from his mouth wasn¡¯t ¡°sorry,¡± or ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I drank too much that night and made this mistake,¡± it was ¡°name a price.¡±

    So, no matter if it was years in the past or the present day, he firmly believed she was some kind of dirty woman deep inside.

    And what about her? Was she actually going to exin to him?

 Chapter 171

    Chapter 171: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    If he truly believed her, why would she need to exin herself?

    Before she let any words slip out, Ji Yi suddenly realized just how incredibly funny the situation was.

    After all, she was too soft-hearted. Seeing how he brought her home that night from Lin Zhengyi¡¯s clutches, she had a change of heart about him. After she heard those stories about his current plight, she was full of guilt and felt sorry for him.

    What¡¯s more, she clearly knew Lin Zhengyi was scheming against her, yet she still went straight into the lion¡¯s den with the recordings just to win his investment back.

    She never spoke so softly and submissively or let someone force her to drink so much before. After she woke up from the car ident, she never thought of using dishonest methods to return to the entertainment industry. Instead, she patiently waited for over half a year for the right opportunity.

    In an instant, Ji Yi¡¯s mood became slightlyplicated.

    She refused to be taken so lightly by He Jichen. She was upset over being mistaken as a traitor by him, and she felt wronged after being indiscriminately treated like that by him.

    The bitterness in her eye grew more fierce, but she stubbornly refused to cry in front of him.

    Compared to how flustered and afraid she was when she witnessed He Jichen¡¯s scathing anger in the past, she wasn¡¯t actually that scared at this very moment. In fact, she stared unwaveringly into He Jichen¡¯s eyes that were a thousand times colder than the dead of winter.

    In any case, she was already worthless in his heart, so there was nothing to worry about.

    At that thought, Ji Yi went ahead and said to He Jichen, ¡°Yeah, since I saw that nothing was happening with ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics,¡¯ I went to find Lin Zhengyi to see if he could give me a role. He can give me whatever role I want, so why wouldn¡¯t I look for him?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes squinted slightly as an aura of violence poured out from his body.

    Ji Yi felt his fingers on her chin start to tremble. She knew he was furious, yet she scoffed as she spoke with no hint of stopping, ¡°You asked since I stayed with him, why couldn¡¯t I let you touch me? You can, Mr. He, but I want to know what role you can give me? What perks can you offer me?¡±

    He Jichen was so angry that his lips quivered, but he was alsopletely paralyzed; he couldn¡¯t say a word.

    Ji Yi gave an even more charming and sweet smile as her voice turned gentle. She said, ¡°Mr. He, now we can chat, and once we finish talking, however you want me to be of service to you, I¡¯ll do it...¡±

    All of a sudden, He Jichen gripped her chin frighteningly hard. The pain stopped Ji Yi from finishing her sentence.

    In a rage, He Jichen looked unexpectedly emotionless as he stared at Ji Yi with bloodshot eyes. She had no idea what he was going to say as the words seemed to build up in his mouth. Then, as though he was itching to ferociously peel her skin off, he said, ¡°You want to make a deal? Do you really think I care about you? If it weren¡¯t...¡±

    He Jichen paused for a moment, then he had a sudden thought and continued by saying, ¡°... If I wasn¡¯t asked to help you, I never would¡¯ve even bothered with you! I¡¯m telling you, I never mess with prostitutes because I think they¡¯re dirty...¡±

    Mess with prostitutes... think they¡¯re dirty... Ji Yi¡¯s fingers quivered. She didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to finish before she interrupted him on her own tangent.

 Chapter 172

    Chapter 172: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Oh look at me... How could I forget? Mr. He once said: ¡®Wasn¡¯t it disgusting enough to sleep with me?¡¯ We did it once four years ago, and that was enough to make Mr. He vomit!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s body froze. Secondster, he realized those were indeed the words he once said to her.

    ¡°Mr. He also said that even if I stood barenaked in front of Mr. He, Mr. He wouldn¡¯t be the least bit interested! I was wrong; I shouldn¡¯t have overestimated the power of my words and mocked Mr. He...¡±

    As Ji Yi repeatedly said ¡°Mr. He,¡± she fired He Jichen¡¯s own words back at him to fatally attack him to the point where he couldn¡¯t say a word.

    He Jichen felt the ball of fire in his chest could explode at any time. He was afraid he¡¯d lose his senses as he tried his hardest to control himself. However, he couldn¡¯t control his feelings in the end; his heart hurt and he had to use an infinite amount of strength to force down the words ¡°Shut your mouth¡±.

    Meanwhile, Ji Yi had no intention of stopping, so she kept talking with a beautiful smile on her face. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, Mr. He. Mr. He isn¡¯t the only benefactor in the world. You may reject me, but there¡¯s bound to be someone who will ept me and wants to talk to me. For example...¡±

    Ji Yi tilted her head and appeared to ponder it seriously then she deliberately raised her voice as she enunciated the name one word at a time, ¡°...Lin. Zheng. Yi...¡±

    Those three words were like a live wire, igniting a spark in He Jichen¡¯s body.

    He couldn¡¯t take it any longer and rapidly shifted his hand from her chin to her arm. He forcefully picked her up, and without so much as a second thought, he swung his hand towards her face. Before his hand reached her face, it stopped in midair.

    But it paused there for just a second before he waved his hand and chucked her to the sofa beside them.

    The sofa was soft, so Ji Yi didn¡¯t get hurt, but her head was in disarray for a moment as she fell from He Jichen¡¯s sheer force.

    Before she could snap back to her senses, she heard a loud ¡°bang!¡± by her ear.

    Her body shuddered in shock as she turned her head to see that He Jichen had kicked the coffee table two meters away.

    Her fingertips instinctively grabbed the cushions on the sofa, and just as she wondered whether He Jichen was going to tear her apart, she heard footstepsing from behind her. Before she could turn her head to look, the hotel room doors were pulled open and mmed shut.

    He Jichen left?

    Ji Yi was afraid she was hallucinating, so she turned her head and carefully scanned all around the hotel room. When she was certain He Jichen had truly left, she picked up the clothes he tore off her. She was barely able to cover her body before she buried her face into the sofa and started to quietly cry.

    Ji Yi¡¯s silent tears went on for some time until her eyes were dry and sore and no more tears were left. She finally struggled to climb up from the sofa and grabbed the phone beside her. She called the front desk to give them her measurements and asked them to bring some clothes up for her. Then she swayed over to the bathroom.

    Ji Yi stood under the hot shower for a long time before she heard the doorbell ring. She snapped back to her senses, quickly turned the shower off, and wrapped herself in a bathrobe in a panic. She didn¡¯t even have time to dry her hair as she ran over to the door.

 Chapter 173

    Chapter 173: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She was afraid He Jichen had returned, so she peered through the peephole first, only to see a female hotel attendant standing there. She opened the door.

    The attendant politely handed her a paper bag with smile. ¡°Miss, these are the clothes you requested. May I ask, will you be paying by cash?¡±

    ¡°Thank you, cash.¡± Ji Yi took the invoice, nced at the total, and turned to the living room. She found her purse, counted out the cash, and handed it to the attendant.

    Ji Yi waited for the attendant to give her the change before she shut the door, grabbed the bag, and walked into the bathroom.

    Just as she grabbed a towel and patted her hair and body dry, she saw in the mirror that her skin was filled with marks all over.

    They were all marks left by He Jichen¡¯s fingers and teeth... Ji Yi stopped brushing her hair for a moment as she felt a pulsing ache creeping upon her.

    She was afraid she¡¯d cry again, so she hurriedly lowered her eyes, pretending as though she hadn¡¯t seen anything. She patted her hair quickly then used the hair dryer to frantically dry the rest of it before getting dressed.

    After she was all ready, Ji Yi didn¡¯t linger in the bathroom. When she got out, she put her ripped clothes into the paper bag that the attendant delivered her new clothes in. Then she hastily grabbed her bag and left He Jichen¡¯s room.

    While she took the elevator down, Ji Yi called for a taxi.

    In the chill of the winter night, the room was unusually cold. Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for the taxi in the warm lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel but stood right by the side of the hotel. She found amppost and stood under it as she waited.

    After about a minute passed, the phone in Ji Yi¡¯s pocket rang.

    She thought it was the taxi driver calling to say her ride had arrived. The cold forced her body to shiver as she pulled out her phone to see an unknown number calling. She picked up the call immediately and asked, ¡°Sir, where are you?¡±

    The call was silent for a couple of seconds when a familiar voice was heard, ¡°Miss Ji Yi, it¡¯s me.¡±

    It was Lin Zhengyi¡¯s voice.

    Ji Yi was stunned as she realized she¡¯d made a mistake and hurriedly changed her tone, ¡°Mr. Lin, my apologies. I thought the taxi I called arrived.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, Miss Ji Yi.¡± After Lin Zhengyi politely replied, he spoke again secondster. ¡°I¡¯m calling to give you my answer.¡±

    Ji Yi knew this answer referred to the conversation about the recording tonight.

    She let out a soft ¡°Mhm¡±. ¡°Mr. Lin, go on.¡±

    ¡°I agree to all the terms you mentioned tonight at Yue Yuan. I¡¯ll even add twenty percent of my original investment, so...¡± Lin Zhengyi came to a stop.

    Although he didn¡¯t finish, Ji Yi already knew what he meant. ¡°Mr. Lin, about your investment. It¡¯s a coboration with YC Corp, so you should contact them directly. As long as you re-sign with YC Corp, I¡¯ll hand over all the recordings in my possession. As for deleting or keeping those recordings, that¡¯ll be up to you to decide.¡±

    Upon hearing Ji Yi¡¯s swift response, Lin Zhengyi sounded a lot more rxed. ¡°Alright, I und... No, I¡¯ll order someone to speak to YC Corp now. When everything is finalized, I¡¯ll contact you again.¡±

    ¡°Alright, goodbye for now, Mr. Lin.¡± Ji Yi was just about to hang up when all of a sudden, she remembered something and said, ¡°Mr. Lin...¡±

 Chapter 174

    Chapter 174: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lin Zhengyi was probably about to hang up when he heard her voice and replied, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is there anything else?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like this...¡± Ji Yi paused for a moment then continued. ¡°...As for your ns to reinvest, if anyone asks, I hope you can think up an excuse to brush them off. Don¡¯t say you changed your mind after I came to see you.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± asked Lin Zhengyi out of curiosity.

    He didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to answer before he suddenly realized what Ji Yi meant and said, ¡°I get it. You¡¯re afraid if this gets out, I would lose face, right? Xiao Yi, don¡¯t you worry. I¡¯ll think of an exnation. Ah, you really thought things through...¡±

    Upon hearing how happy Lin Zhengyi was, Ji Yi realized he misunderstood her intentions.

    She wasn¡¯t afraid of news getting out that she ckmailed Lin Zhengyi with the recordings, but rather, she didn¡¯t want He Jichen to know her true objective for being with Lin Zhengyi. Her objective wasn¡¯t to get close to Lin Zhengyi, but it was all because she was trying to protect He Jichen!

    Anyway... He Jichen didn¡¯t believe her, so there was no need to ept his gratitude.

    What¡¯s more, she was partly responsible for Lin Zhengyi pulling his investment for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± in the first ce, so she viewed this as her way of paying him back.

    After everything, the two of them were now even.

    With that thought, Ji Yi didn¡¯t bother to exin her true intentions to Lin Zhengyi over the phone, but instead, she politely said ¡°Goodbye¡± and hung up.

    A cold breeze rushed in, causing Ji Yi to shiver.

    She hugged her shoulders as her neck shrank into her clothes. She continued to wait by the side of the road for a while before she finally saw her taxi slowly driving over.

    ¨C

    When He Jichen charged out of the Four Seasons Hotel boiling with rage, he coincidentally bumped right into the hotel manager delivering a fruit tray next door.

    The manager recognized him, so he immediately stood aside with the tray and was about to greet him politely when he saw his furious expression. He was so frightened that he didn¡¯t dare to speak and held his breath as he stood unflinchingly against the wall.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t even shoot him a nce as he brushed right past him withrge strides. He headed for the elevator and pressed the button.

    When the elevator doors opened, He Jichen stepped in and headed right for the underground parking lot.

    The things Ji Yi said in the room just now rang repeatedly in his ears.

    ¡°Yeah, since I saw that nothing was happening with ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics,¡¯ I went to find Lin Zhengyi... Oh look at me... How could I forget? Mr. He asked: wasn¡¯t it disgusting enough to sleep with me...? But don¡¯t worry, Mr. He. Mr. He isn¡¯t the only benefactor in the world. You may reject me, but there¡¯s bound to be someone who will ept me and wants to talk to me...¡±

    With those words, He Jichen felt his flesh sear in pain with the pain coursing through his blood around his entire body. The pain made his temples pulse and his entire body started to tremble uncontrobly.

    No! He couldn¡¯t think about it any longer or he¡¯d really go crazy!

    At that thought, He Jichen violently shook his head and hurled the words out from his ears.

    He had to find something else to do or else he really would lose control, go back upstairs and beat up the feeble, sharp-tongued little woman to pieces!

    That¡¯s right! He had to do something...

 Chapter 175

    Chapter 175: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    But what was he doing?

    A second ago, He Jichen was racking his brain over what to do, and the next second, he shot a nce at his own car. Without even thinking about it, he pulled the car door open and got in. As he stepped on the gas and sped out of the parking lot and onto the main road, he drove aimlessly around the city and wandered recklessly.

    He didn¡¯t know what road he was on exactly nor how fast he was going, but he knew to stop at a red light and to go at a green light. He drove like he was a mindless puppet up until his car ran out of gas and he was forced to stop. He didn¡¯t even realize he ran out of gas when he kept furiously stepping on the pedal. He furrowed his brows with the faint pain radiating from the soles of his feet. Finally, he snapped back to his senses, lowered his head, and nced over at the meter. Ah, the car ran out of gas...

    But he just topped his tank up that afternoon... With that thought, He Jichen slowly turned his head, stared at the night sky out the window and realized it was already quitete.

    That was when he shot a quick nce at the time on the car; it was almost midnight.

    He had actually been driving around Beijing aimlessly for almost three hours.

    He rubbed his sore eyes from driving for such a long time. Then he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, put it to his mouth, and lit it up. He didn¡¯t take a drag but let it quietly burn out between his fingers.

    The car windows were shut tight so the smoke quickly filled the area around him, gradually calming his extremely tense mood. He then found his phone and called the insurancepany to send someone over to top the tank up.

    After he hung up the phone, He Jichen lowered his car seat andid down. As he stared at the dazzling night sky out the window, he lit up one cigarette after another.

    When he reached for the final cigarette left in the pack, he blindly reached for his phone on the front passenger seat and brought it to his face.

    There were many unread We Chat message notifications.

    After he clicked on them, the first message that popped up was sent by Tang Huahua an hour ago.

    ¡°He Xuezhang 1 , after Xiao Yi got out of bed in the early afternoon, she left campus and hasn¡¯t returned to the dorm.¡±

    ¡°I gave her a call but she didn¡¯t answer. At half past ten, her mum called her at the dorms to say that she wasn¡¯t picking up her phone. I was afraid her mum was overthinking things, so I gave her a random excuse.¡±

    He took her to the Four Seasons Hotel and tore off her clothes. She wasn¡¯t back at her dorm yet, so she must still be in the hotel room...

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply to Tang Huahua¡¯s message but went straight to thepany¡¯s WeChat group chat.

    It waste so there weren¡¯t many people on, but when he casually scrolled through the group, he saw the messages some people left about Ji Yi...

    He was always like that ¨C no matter how upset he made her... how angry he made her... even if his rage made him want to kill her, there was no way he could let other people criticize her.

    All throughout the past few years, he knew clearly that he wasn¡¯t in her heart, yet he still deeply loved her unwaveringly.

    He appeared as someone who was calm and collected, but in reality, he had loved her with a burning insanity for far too long. It had been so long, yet he still hadn¡¯t seen the slightest hope she had any feelings for him, and her unintentional cuts always pierced the deepest corners of his heart, making him lose his senses.

    Just like what happened tonight ¨C when he saw those videos, saw here out from the lounge Lin Zhengyi was in, and heard her say those things... hepletely lost control.

 Chapter 176

    Chapter 176: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Aftering back to his senses from his fit of rage against her, he was more remorseful than anyone, but he just couldn¡¯t contain himself. In the end, it was because he loved her too much.

    At that thought, a hint of heartbreak appeared on He Jichen¡¯s face. It was raw and solemn.

    His fingers slowly slid across the phone screen as he stared at all the criticism about her. He eventually closed WeChat. Though it waste at night and his secretary was probably already resting, he opened his call logs and found his secretary¡¯s number.

    He was just about to call him when he realized he had quite a few missed calls. Besides getting calls from his secretary, he also received two missed calls from Han Zhifan.

    His brows twitched as he suddenly remembered he was originally ying cards with him and some clients when the situation with Ji Yi came up. He left without so much as a goodbye.

    He stopped dialing his secretary and called Han Zhifan instead.

    The call rang for a long time before it was picked up. It seemed like Han Zhifan had gone home and was just about to get in the shower as he could hear the faint sound of running water. Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for him to speak first and said, ¡°You still know how to call me back huh?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply to Han Zhifan¡¯s sarcastic taunts and cut to the chase, ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡±

    ¡°You left, so it most probably fell through...¡± replied Han Zhifan.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but tightened his grip on his phone.

    Han Zhifan probably felt his anxiety because a secondter, he heard the ¡°poof!¡± sound ofughter over the phone. ¡°Say, Jichen, you weren¡¯t like this before. It¡¯s not like projects haven¡¯t fallen through in the past when we worked together, and you¡¯ve never been so worried. Tell me, why do you care so much about this series, ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯? Is there some kind of hidden secret?¡±

    ¡°Also, you got a call tonight and without even saying goodbye, you just left. In all the years we¡¯ve known each other, I¡¯ve never seen you forget yourself like that before. I noticed that you¡¯ve recently be increasingly more secretive...¡±

    He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t made a sound, cleared his throat to remind Han Zhifan to get back on topic.

    ¡°Oh, I forgot...¡± Han Zhifan heard the sound of his cough and understanding his meaning, went straight to business. ¡°I was just joking. The negotiations are all done. They agreed to invest in ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics,¡¯ and I helped you draft up the contracts already. They¡¯re in your inbox, so remember to check it. If there are no problems, I¡¯ll set up an appointment to meet at the office tomorrow for the signing... Now that business is over, we can go back to what we were just talking about. Jichen, tell me, are you dating someone? Lately, why...¡±

    When He Jichen heard this, he didn¡¯t wait for Han Zhifan to ramble on but mercilessly hung up the phone. Then he dialed his secretary¡¯s number.

    The secretary called him a few times that night. Since the call was picked up immediately, he probably was waiting up for him about something, so he didn¡¯t go to sleep. ¡°Mr. He, you finally called back.¡±

    He Jichen twitched his brows at how eager the secretary sounded. He put out the cigarette between his fingers and replied leisurely, ¡°Did something happen?¡±

    ¡°Nothing bad. It¡¯s good news. Mr. Lin¡¯s secretary just contacted me to say that he wants to reinvest in ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics,¡¯ and what¡¯s more, he wants to invest twenty percent more than...¡±

    Before his secretary could finish his report, He Jichen tly spat out the two words, ¡°Decline it!¡±

 Chapter 177

    Chapter 177: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Eh?¡± The secretary was left stunned by He Jichen¡¯s reply. After a while, as he asked again to make sure, ¡°Reject it?¡±

    He Jichen carelessly let out a ¡°mhm.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, weren¡¯t you recently worried about the investment for ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯? You asked me to sell all your shares, and you even wanted to sell your apartment! Now, all you have to do is ept Mr. Lin¡¯s investment and everything will be resolved, right? Mr. Lin originally invested a total of two billion, so with an additional twenty percent, that¡¯s four hundred million extra! Mr. Lin will invest two billion and four hundred million...¡±

    ¡°So what?¡± replied He Jichen nonchntly after the secretary¡¯s long monologue.

    What does he mean by ¡°so what¡±?

    This was practically a gift from the heavens falling right into hisp! Not only were they going to get their investment back, there was going to be four hundred million more. Four hundred million was enough to pay an A-list actor. This was basically arge sum of money they could invest into production at ater stage...

    The secretary was stunned by those two words for quite some time before he forced himself to speak, ¡°Mr. He...¡±

    The secretary wanted to tell He Jichen what was on his mind, but he only managed to say two words before He Jichen said softly, ¡°Do as I asked.¡±

    He was probably tired as there seemed to be some exhaustion in his voice, but even so, the secretary still felt an intense stifling feeling. He didn¡¯t dare try to persuade him again and said quietly, ¡°Yes, Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen remained quiet for a long time over the phone as though he was in deep in thought, then he moved his lips. ¡°Had he not pulled his investment back then, I would¡¯ve made him pull his investment!¡±

    Since Mr. He had ns to refuse Mr. Lin¡¯s investment before he pulled it... The secretary¡¯s eyes suddenly shot wide open as he thought he misheard. He Jichen boldly mumbled to himself over the phone quietly, a little puzzled, ¡°She¡¯s the woman I¡¯m protecting. How could I let someone else casuallye in and mess with her and take matters into their own hands...¡±

    Though he was quiet, the secretary heard every word clearly.

    He Jichen was obviously transparent with his emotions when he said that. The secretary wasn¡¯t sure if he was hallucinating, but he suddenly felt an intense shock.

    It felt like something hard had crashed into the secretary¡¯s heart as he suddenly fell into a daze.

    After staying quiet for some time, He Jichen suddenly remembered the secretary had called to talk business. He hurriedly snapped back to his senses, cleared his throat, and tly said, ¡°Oh, right. Tell everyone in thepany on the WeChat group that they¡¯re not permitted to leak any of tonight¡¯s videos out about the supporting actress of ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯!¡±

    Those videos have implications for her reputation. Even if she degraded herself, I¡¯ll still pretend to be deaf and mute and protect her to the end.

    ¡°Also, fire that ¡®meow meow meow¡¯ person who uploaded the videos to the group...¡± After a pause, He Jichen was afraid the secretary would interpret this to mean he had feelings for Ji Yi, so he added, ¡°¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ is really important to ourpany. I can¡¯t allow anyone to make any mistakes!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He, as soon as I get to the office in the morning, I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± Just as He Jichen hoped, his secretary¡¯s suspicious seemed to be diverted.

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    Shout out to Aln!

 Chapter 178

    Chapter 178: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen said no more and was just about to hang up.

    But before he lowered the phone from his ear, the secretary spoke again, ¡°Mr. He? I...¡±

    ¡°Mm?¡± responded He Jichen, thinking the secretary still had matters to discuss.

    The secretary just blurted out He Jichen¡¯s name without thinking, but when he realized he was going to cross a line, he stopped himself. However, after hearing He Jichen¡¯s patient reply, he hesitated for a moment before pushing forward with the question he wanted to ask earlier. ¡°Mr. He, you just said she¡¯s the woman you¡¯re protecting and you can¡¯t let anyone mess with her. That woman, is she the woman you like?¡±

    He Jichen never imagined that his secretary would suddenly care about his personal life. He furrowed his brows.

    Over the phone, the secretary was nervous as hell while he waited for He Jichen to reply. All of sudden, he lost his confidence and said, ¡°Sorry, Mr. He, I...¡±

    Before the secretary could finish apologizing, He Jichen blinked andposed himself then tly responded with an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    In that instant, the secretary was stunned when he caught his response.

    He never imagined Mr. He would actually share his personal matters with him...

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t sure what came over the secretary, but after a few seconds of silence, he said, ¡°Yes, she¡¯s the woman I like...¡±

    The secretary didn¡¯t understand his history, so he didn¡¯t know about his and Ji Yi¡¯splex rtionship. Moreover, He Jichen felt overly saddened after reflecting on what he did to Ji Yi out of anger. Having never revealed his feelings to anyone before, this was the first time he revealed his feelings deep down inside.

    What¡¯s more, He Jichen¡¯s reply was just a way for him to release the intense feelings he kept hidden in his heart all these years.

    His gaze softened as he held the phone, but he didn¡¯t wait for the secretary to answer and continued to add, ¡°...I¡¯ve liked her since the first time I saw her.¡±

    If he thought about it, after working for He Jichen for so long, this was the most he¡¯d ever spoken to his boss.

    Because He Jichen revealed so much, the secretary felt a little more daring. When he finished speaking, the secretary asked the question he had on his mind: ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯m having trouble imagining the woman you like. What kind of woman is she?¡±

    What kind of woman is she?

    He Jichen held his phone as he stared unblinkingly out the window for a long time. He suddenly realized there were stars glistening in the dark sky. At that moment, seven words shed across his mind, and with a soft voice, he said, ¡°...A billion stars can¡¯t amount to her...¡±

    The secretary didn¡¯t clearly hear what he said, so he asked, ¡°What?¡±

    He Jichen snapped back to reality and responded with an ¡°Mm¡± before saying, ¡°Her? She casually barged into my life and silently filled it up...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t give the secretary any time to respond and hung up.

    He stared transfixed at the glistening stars up in the sky as the words he said circled his mind.

    What kind of woman is the woman I like?

    Simple. Her name is Ji Yi and in his heart, a billion stars couldn¡¯t amount to her. She was Ji Yi, who casually barged into his life and silently filled it up...

 Chapter 179

    Chapter 179: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    He Jichen continued to sit in the car for a while after the insurancepany sent someone to fill up his tank before he finally started the car up again.

    He followed the silent and empty road for about half an hour with no idea where he was headed. Then he hit the brakes and slowly came to a stop.

    He turned his head to look through the window and realized that he had returned to the entrance to the Four Seasons Hotel.

    The doorman recognized his car and quickly rushed over to wait for him to get out.

    He Jichen rolled his window down and waved at the doorman to signal for him to leave.

    After the doorman left, He Jichen rolled his window back up and started to contemte whether to go to the university or back home next.

    He spent an awfully long time over such a simple decision, yet he still couldn¡¯t decide. His gaze involuntarily traveled up to the top floor of the Four Seasons Hotel.

    I wonder how that woman is doing now?

    When he left, he kicked the coffee table over, and from the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of her slender frame on the sofa, shivering violently. She stared straight at him with red eyes full of terror as though she was about to cry at any moment.

    He didn¡¯t linger for long before he left her alone in the hotel room. Did she actually cry?

    Also... He Jichen¡¯s gaze shifted from the top floor of the Four Seasons Hotel back to his own two hands on the steering wheel.

    Did I drag her too hard all the way from Yue Yuan? I even showered her with cold water, and when her words pissed me off, I even threw her aside...

    Tell me, why do I always lose control with her and erupt in anger?

    And why did she say those things to me? I was clearly angry, yet she still triggered me...

    At that thought, He Jichen¡¯s head started to ache. He raised his hand and pressed his temples, trying to stop himself from thinking, yet the thoughts in his mind simmered even more.

    Such a cold night, yet she was showered with so much cold water. Who knew if she¡¯d end up with a fever likest time. Her wrist was also still injured. Who knew if that healed up yet...

    He Jichen suddenly reached his hand out, pushed the door, and got out of the car.

    He didn¡¯t even lock the car before walking right into the hotel lobby.

    The hotel manager was coincidentally talking to the staff at the front desk. Seeing him walk in, he immediately walked over and greeted him, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    It was only when He Jichen heard the manager¡¯s voice that he realized what he was doing. His footsteps suddenly stopped as he stared at the elevator for a while. It was sote now, that woman was probably long asleep by now, right? He was going to go up to sneakily see her. If she was alright, then he¡¯d leave again...

    With that, He Jichen lifted his feet again, ignored the hotel manager, and headed for the elevator.

    When he reached the top floor, He Jichen stepped out of the elevators and headed right for the room door.

    He Jichen gently swiped the key card and pushed the door open.

    The lights in the room were still on, and the coffee table was still flipped over, just as he left it. The tissue box and remote control were spread out over the floorboards.

    The lights in the bathroom were also on, and through the door, he could see there were two towels thrown on the ground.

    But she wasn¡¯t on the sofa.

 Chapter 180

    Chapter 180: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to Her (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After I left, did she take a shower and go to get some rest in the bedroom?

    With that thought, He Jichen tiptoed over to the bedroom door.

    Afraid to wake Ji Yi up from her sleep, he opened the door gently.

    The lights were off in the bedroom and it waspletely pitch-ck. With the lighting from the living room, he could see that the room was spotless as though nobody had entered at all.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows and instinctively reached for the light switch on the wall.

    The lights turned on and the empty bed instantly came into sight. The bedsheets were neat and no one was there...

    He Jichen¡¯s heart instantly jumped as he strode over to the bed and pulled the covers to the floor. When he confirmed there was no one there, he immediately turned back to the living room.

    He nced around the room to make sure that she wasn¡¯t hiding anywhere then he looked in the bathroom, bathtub, and sauna. He couldn¡¯t find any trace of her...

    Only then did He Jichen realize that the clothes he ripped off the woman had also disappeared.

    She couldn¡¯t have left wearing those torn clothes, right?

    He Jichen leaped over to the phone and called the front desk. After he asked for the manager, he immediately hurled the question, ¡°1001, Where is the person I brought here?¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, please wait...¡± Over the phone, He Jichen heard the manager asking thedy at the front desk. After waiting for about a minute, the hotel manager said, ¡°Mr. He, thedy you brought asked us to bring a set of clothes three hours ago, paid for them herself then left.¡±

    Left three hours ago... He Jichen hung the phone up and immediately pulled his phone out from his pocket and nced at the time.

    Meaning... she left a little over half an hour ago... It wasn¡¯t even nine at the time and Tang Huahua messaged him at eleven to say she hadn¡¯t returned to the university, and she didn¡¯t return home... That was a two-hour gap, so where did she go?

    He Jichen was still a little uneasy as his mind pondered over those questions. He immediately opened WeChat and sent Tang Huahua a message: ¡°Is she back at the university yet?¡±

    Tang Huahua must¡¯ve been asleep since she didn¡¯t reply.

    He Jichen paced restlessly around the living room for some time before he realized he might be fussing over nothing. She wasn¡¯t back at the university at eleven, but now it was already one in the morning. Maybe she returned at half-past eleven or twelve?

    She was an adult and public security in Beijing was good. Before she left, she even asked the hotel to bring her some clothes so she would¡¯ve been just fine...

    He Jichen forced himself to calm down then stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and stared at the night sky for a long time. Then he went back to the bedroom and slept on the bed.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t know just how long he slept as he groggily heard his phone ring ¡°ding dong!¡±, whichpletely woke him up.

    The curtains were drawn. It was already light outside, and the morning sun filled the room with a red glow.

    He Jichen sat up, grabbed his phone, and opened WeChat. The first message was a reply from Tang Huahua. ¡°Xiao Yi didn¡¯te homest night. I just called her, but no one picked up.¡±

    Didn¡¯te home all night? No one picked up?

    He Jichen immediately punched in Ji Yi¡¯s number and made the call. Just like Tang Huahua said, the phone rang until he heard the message: ¡°Sorry! The person you are calling is unavable right now. Please try againter.¡±.Ji Yi didn¡¯t pick up his call.

 Chapter 181

    Chapter 181: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Could she have returned to her parents¡¯ house?

    He Jichen instinctively found Ji Yi¡¯s mum¡¯s phone number, but the second he was about to tap on it, he paused.

    What if she wasn¡¯t back home and he was just making her parents worry?

    He Jichen hesitated for a second then eventually swiped back to WeChat, where he sent Tang Huahua a message, ¡°Still not back yet?¡±

    Tang Huahua quickly replied with, ¡°Not yet.¡±

    The words ¡°Typing...¡± appeared right above the WeChat chat bubbles. He Jichen waited for about half a minute before he saw another message from Tang Huahua. ¡°He Xuezhang, we have a ss at ten. Xiao Yi would never miss ss for no reason, so I¡¯ll definitely see her at ten.¡±

    He Jichen tapped the screen and was about to start typing when he received a line of text from Tang Huahua. ¡°When I see Xiao Yi, I¡¯ll ask her where she wentst night and let you know.¡±

    Tang Huahua didn¡¯t know about all the things that happened between him and Ji Yi, so she simply thought he was curious about Ji Yi¡¯s whereabouts. Perhaps it was because he and Ji Yi left on such horrible terms that He Jichen felt an indescribable sense of unease. However, he didn¡¯t tell Tang Huahua about the anxiety in his heart but instead, he just replied with an ¡°alright.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply to Tang Huahua¡¯s smile emoji. He put his phone away and raised his wrist to check the time ¨C it was already half past seven. He had an early meeting at nine, so after he ordered breakfast, he went into the bathroom.

    ...

    At the start, He Jichen sat in the meeting room at the office, fully focused on the meeting.

    When it reached about ten to ten, he started to frequently check his phone in fear of missing Tang Huahua¡¯s message on WeChat. The phone was still silent at five past ten.

    He Jichen tried to look as though he was paying attention to what the corporate strategy manager was saying as he lowered his eyes to his phone. He tapped the chat with Tang Huahua and started typing.

    Just as he typed the three words ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡±, his phone vibrated. The text he longed for from Tang Huahua had finally arrived. ¡°He Xuezhang, Xiao Yi really didn¡¯t show up to ss. The teacher just took attendance and from the teacher¡¯s looks, it seems like she didn¡¯t give notice for her absence either. I secretly hid under the desk and gave her a call. Right now, her phone is off.¡±

    He Jichen started to feel like something was wrong. Withplete disregard to the meeting, he dialed Ji Yi¡¯s number and raised the phone to his ear.

    ¡°Sorry! The number you dialed is currently unavable.¡±

    Tang Huahua said Ji Yi¡¯s mum called herst night looking for her. Did something happen at home? Was she at home?

    As He Jichen tried to figure out what happened, he kicked the chair back and without saying a word, he grabbed his car keys. Under a row of bewildered stares, He Jichen left the meeting room, headed straight for the underground parking lot, and drove to Ji Yi¡¯s parents¡¯ house.

    Ji Yi¡¯s dad was at work, so her mum was the only one at home. She was pleasantly surprised to see He Jichen.

    He Jichen handed Ji Yi¡¯s mum the nutritional supplements he prepared for her and lied that his mum asked him to drop them off.

    He chatted with Ji Yi¡¯s mum for a while, but after he realizd that Ji Yi wasn¡¯t home, he immediately found an excuse to leave. He quickly said his goodbyes and left.

    Back in the car, He Jichen reached around for his phone and called Ji Yi again. Just like before, her phone was off, and that was when he realized the situation was far more serious than he imagined. All of a sudden, he felt incredibly flustered and uneasy.

 Chapter 182

    Chapter 182: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She wasn¡¯t at the university nor was she at home. Could she have gone to visit a friend?

    In the past few years, he paid attention to all her movements. After being in aa for three years, most people lose contact with their friends. At the moment, she didn¡¯t have many people she kept in contact with...

    The first person He Jichen thought to call was Li Da, but when he called him, the first thing he heard over the phone before he thought about asking him if Ji Yi was with him, was a polite female voice. ¡°Sorry sir, the ne is about to take off. Could you please turn off your phone?¡±

    Li Da first replied to the air hostess politely with a ¡°Right away,¡± then said to He Jichen, ¡°Chen Ge, did you need something? I¡¯m going to Hangzhou for a business trip. If there¡¯s nothing urgent, I¡¯ll call you when Ind.¡±

    ¡°Just you?¡± asked He Jichen casually.

    ¡°Of course it¡¯s just me. I¡¯m not in a high position...¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Let¡¯s talk when yound.¡± Having heard that, He Jichen knew Ji Yi wasn¡¯t with him, so he tly ignored what Li Da said afterwards. He said his goodbyes and hung up.

    He Jichen grabbed his phone and used all kinds of methods to contact other people Ji Yi still kept in contact with. They were all either on holiday abroad or were busy with their own matters.

    So Ji Yi... didn¡¯t go see her friends either?

    At first, there was no way of getting through to her, then her phone was turned off. Something couldn¡¯t have happened, right?

    He Jichen¡¯s mind wandered back to an article he read on his phone not too long ago about a university student who was reported lost forty-eight hours after getting into a taxi. Theyter found the woman in the wilderness where she had long been dead.

    He tightened his grip on his phone then anxiously stepped on the gas. He turned the steering wheel with just one hand as he aimlessly drove around Beijing.

    As time flew by, He Jichen realized he almost ran out of gas, so he stopped at a nearby gas station. That was when he realized it was alreadyte in the afternoon.

    With his phone in hand, he sent a text to Tang Huahua: ¡°Has shee back to the university?¡±

    Just after he finished filling up the tank, paid and exited the gas station, he received a text from Tang Huahua: ¡°Not yet, He Xuezhang. Say, do you think something happened to Xiao Yi?¡±

    He Jichen, who was already aplete mess, saw Tang Huahua¡¯s message and becamepletely agitated and uneasy. He felt so lost that he clicked on news websites to see if there was any news about women in the Beijing area.

    When he realized that the headlines were all trivial news about the entertainment industry, He Jichen was slightly reassured, but afterwards, he felt that he was acting so stupid. If something really happened to Ji Yi, how would it be reported on the news so soon?

    The unsettled feeling inside made He Jichen feel even more on edge. He raised his hand and rubbed his temples then started driving aimlessly again.

    When the sun went down, He Jichen felt his stomach churn in pain from having eaten nothing all day long. He stopped by the road and got out but didn¡¯t go to the fast food restaurant. Instead, he went to the convenience store nearby to buy a pack of cigarettes.

    He didn¡¯t go back to the car but went straight to the trash can on the sidewalk and opened a pack of cigarettes.

    As the cigarette butts piled up, the sky got darker.

 Chapter 183

    Chapter 183: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen finished the pack of cigarettes. It was only when it was dark that he took two steps back inplete exhaustion and leaned against a tree.

    He pulled out his phone to call her several times, but her phone was still turned off. Then he sent another message to Tang Huahua, but the reply he received was the same; she still hadn¡¯te back to the university.

    She wasn¡¯t with her friends, he checked all her favorite ces, and he¡¯d spent a whole day searching the streets for her, but he couldn¡¯t find her... She couldn¡¯t have left Beijing, right?

    At that thought, He Jichen suddenly clicked into his call logs. He found his secretary¡¯s number and was about to call and ask for help with finding out if Ji Yi recently took a ne or train. However, before his finger could touch the screen, a reminder popped up: ¡°Low battery.¡±

    He Jichen casually flicked hisst cigarette into the trash then straightened up before he walked over to the car. He pulled the car door open and searched thepartment for a phone charger. That was when he identally caught a glimpse of another phone.

    This is He Yuguang¡¯s phone... He Yuguang...

    As those three words shed across He Jichen¡¯s mind, he suddenly stopped searching for the phone charger.

    How could he be so careless? He searched everywhere. How could he not think of the ¡°newly-wed¡± house ¡°He Yuguang¡± prepared for her? She always relied on He Yuguang, so could she be there now?

    Before the thought settled in He Jichen¡¯s mind, he got into the car and sped off.

    After the car drove quite some distance away, He Jichen had a sudden thought ¨C if she really was there, it¡¯d be bad for him to go like this, so he made a detour and turned into his own ce.

    He took a thorough shower then pulled open the lowest drawer in the changing room. He removed the red string that he rarely took off all these years and he carefully checked himself in the mirror to see if there were any ws. Only then did he grab He Yuguang¡¯s phone and walk out the door.

    He Jichen hailed a taxi and headed straight for the house he prepared for Ji Yi as He Yuguang.

    When he reached the building, He Jichen paid the taxi fare and without waiting for his change, he took big strides into the building.

    When the elevator doors opened, He Jichen darted towards the door and quickly entered the code for the front door. He charged in without even removing his shoes.

    The lights in the room were off, but with the scattered lights from the floor-to-ceiling windows of the balcony, He Jichen immediately saw a round shadow.

    He Jichen tightened up and forgot to turn on the light switch as he slowly walked over.

    With the light from outside the window, the closer he got, the clearer he could see who it was.

    It was her. It was her, the person he¡¯d been looking for all day.

    She sat balled up in the corner of the wall with her face buried between her knees.

    She looked very calm, yet He Jichen¡¯s heart ached as he watched her.

    When he was just two meters away, his footsteps stopped. He stopped on the spot for a few seconds before he closed the distance between them and crouched down in front of her.

    It seemed like she hadn¡¯t noticed he was drawing closer as she didn¡¯t move an inch.

    He Jichen stared at her ruffled hair for a little while then slowly reached his hand out and touched her.

    Finally, she slowly started to raise her head.

 Chapter 184

    Chapter 184: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The image of her eyes swollen from crying came into his view.

    She looked distraught; her dark pupils werepletely misty and the tears swayed as they clung from the corners of her eyes.

    He had never seen her like this before. The image instantly cut his eyes, making his hand upon her shoulder tremble violently. All of a sudden, he didn¡¯t know how to react.

    Through her tears, she stared at him for quite some time before she saw his face clearly. She instinctively shifted backwards to hide before her eyes timidly glossed over him and looked down at his wrist. That was when she realized there wasn¡¯t a red string. Her small, tense frame gradually rxed and she opened her mouth. She probably wanted to cry ¡°Yuguang Ge,¡± but in the end, she just moved her lips without making a sound before lowering her head back down again.

    As He Jichen watched her reaction, it suddenly felt like a hand clutched his heart hard and brutally squeezed it. The sharp pain of it stung intensely.

    So, she was frightened by his fit of rage at the Four Seasons Hotel after all...

    He Jichen calmly lowered his eyes to hide the frustration in his mind. He waited for the pain in his chest to slowly subside a little before his hands slowly lifted from her shoulders, shifted over to her head, and gently stroked it.

    Ji Yi trembled softly as she couldn¡¯t help but tighten her sp on her knees, but she didn¡¯t avoid He Jichen¡¯s touch.

    He Jichen dotingly stroked her head even more gently.

    After getting into a taxi when she left the Four Seasons Hotelst night, she couldn¡¯t go back to the university all the worse for wear, nor could she go back home. She couldn¡¯t see her friends either, so in the end, she chose to secretly hide here on her own to lick her wounds.

    She never thought that someone would care about her, but here in the saddest of times, ¡°He Yuguang¡± suddenly showed up. He obviously cared immensely for her.

    As her face followed the touch of his fingers little by little, the feeling of being wronged, which already disappeared after such a long time, amplified in her heart now for some reason. She thought she had no more tears to cry, but her eyes suddenly turned hazy and tears started to fall again. The tears poured from her eyes and crashed heavily onto the floorboards as she let out a soft wail.

    Seeing her tears fall made He Jichen¡¯s heart feel like it had been sliced open. The pain made him lose his breath for a moment before he pulled out his phone, unlocked the screen and typed a question he obviously knew the answer to: ¡°Did something happen?¡±

    He touched her knee and handed her the phone.

    She raised her head slightly, but she didn¡¯t look up at him. Instead, her eyes were drawn straight to he phone screen.

    Did something happen?

    It was a simple question, but it made Ji Yi cry even more violently.

    Not long after, while clutching onto his phone, He Jichen¡¯s hand was covered in her tears.

    He Jichen silently pursed his lips and grabbed his phone back as he typed the words: ¡°Don¡¯t cry...¡±

    After Ji Yi saw that, not only did she not stop crying, but the tears kept pouring down endlessly.

    Seeing her cry even more fiercely than before, He Jichen becamepletely powerless.

    He held onto the phone and racked his brain for a long time but couldn¡¯t quite find the right words tofort her. In the end, he threw his phone to one side and helped her wipe her tears.

 Chapter 185

    Chapter 185: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As he wiped her face, the tears drenched his hand as she continued to cry.

    He Jichen hopelessly let out a soft sigh as he sat down on the ground. He reached over to her body against the wall and dragged her small frame over to him as he held her in his arms. With the same hand used to wipe her tears, he gently patted her back to cheer her up.

    His embrace made her tense up a little and gave her the urge to struggle out of it, but he tightened his hug.

    Maybe she wasn¡¯t used to his hug since she was a little tense. After some time, perhaps due to his affectionate pat on her back, she eventually rxed, buried her head in his chest, and openly let out a cry.

    As her tears drenched his shirt and her throat became hoarse from crying, He Jichen held her in his gentle embrace as he let her cry on him.

    The sound of her crying slowly subsided into a sob which eventually weakened and returned the room toplete silence. He Jichen didn¡¯t let go of Ji Yi, nor did Ji Yi pull out of He Jichen¡¯s embrace.

    If it was possible, He Jichen really hoped he could hug her silently like this until the end of time.

    After she calmed down, a sudden thought sprung to mind: did she hide here all alonest night after she left the Four Seasons Hotel?

    Nobody normally came here, and she didn¡¯t look like she had been outside. It had been almost a whole day and night now; could she have been crouching here all this time without eating?

    At that thought, He Jichen slightly pushed her away from his arms, grabbed the phone from the floor, and typed: ¡°Have you eaten?¡±

    After reading what ¡°He Yuguang¡± wrote, Ji Yi gently shook her head.

    So he guessed right. She hadn¡¯t eaten all day?

    He Jichen felt a painful tug in his heart then continued to type into his phone: ¡°Then, I¡¯ll go cook something for you okay?¡±

    After Ji Yi read those words, she instinctively nced over at the time on He Jichen¡¯s phone. It was already nine something in the evening, so it would be troublesome to cook...

    She was just about to reject him when He Jichen put his phone back and typed the line: ¡°The floor is cold. I¡¯ll take you to the bedroom first to get some rest. Later, when I finish cooking, I¡¯ll call you toe eat, alright?¡±

    From the two consecutive messages he wrote to her, he spoke with peaceful a tone of voice which made her feel important. A warm sensation gradually engulfed Ji Yi¡¯s body before she finally said, ¡°It¡¯s too much trouble...¡±

    Because she had been crying, her voice was a little hoarse, so it took some time for He Jichen to make out what she meant.

    She didn¡¯t want to trouble him to cook...

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes softened as he shook his head at her. Without typing a single message, he got up, carried her in his arms, and headed for the bedroom.

    When he put Ji Yi on the bed, he realized that she hadn¡¯t worn any socks all along.

    Even though it was warm in the room, her feet were frighteningly cold.

    He pulled two covers over her, grabbed his phone and wrote: ¡°Wait a while for me. It¡¯ll be done soon¡±. After he saw her nod, he got up, but just as he was about to turn to leave, he caught a glimpse of a recording pen in her hands.

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    Shout out to alikhemi101!

 Chapter 186

    Chapter 186: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She wasn¡¯t doing anything, so why did she had a recording pen in her hands?

    A wave of suspicion came over He Jichen. He wanted to ask, but in the end, he fought the urge. He just furrowed his brows, pretended like he didn¡¯t notice anything, and walked out of the bedroom.

    He Jichen first brewed some congee. The moment it was on high heat, he went over to the dining room and picked up some brown sugar from the container. He poured the sugar into the hot water and carried it back up into the bedroom.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t asleep yet, but she was sitting upright against the headboard and searching for a charger in her bag.

    She heard the sound of the door being pushed open and instinctively looked over at the door. At the same time, He Jichen happened to walk in.

    The two of them looked at each other for about three seconds before Ji Yi swiftly lowered her eyes, plugged the phone charger into the wall, and connected it to the phone.

    A secondter, Ji Yi put her phone down. The next second, He Jichen stopped by the bedside.

    Because she had just been crying, her eyes looked asrge as peaches. She probably knew she didn¡¯t look presentable right now, so she shot him a swift look then lowered her head and quietly said, ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡±

    Compared to her crying from earlier, her voice sounded a lot more normal now. She must¡¯ve felt a lot better.

    He Jichen¡¯s rxed considerably as he raised the sweet soup to Ji Yi¡¯s face, signaling for her to take it. Then he reached into his pocket and swiftly tapped the screen: ¡°Drink some sweet soup to warm up.¡±

    Perhaps it was because He Jichen had devastated her so much yesterday that she stayed here on her own for so long, but now ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s simple acts of care seemed to easily warm Ji Yi¡¯s heart. She held the sweet soup, nodded, and quietly said, ¡°Thank you Yuguang Ge.¡±

    The congee was still cooking in the kitchen, so He Jichen didn¡¯t stay long in fear of it burning. He grabbed the phone to tell Ji Yi, but just as he was about to leave, he remembered he¡¯d only just boiled the sweet soup, so with a little uneasiness, he typed a few words of warning: ¡°Be careful, it¡¯s hot.¡±

    Ji Yi saw those words and was stunned for second. When she came to her senses, she noticed he was pointing at the sweet soup in her hands. Her heart quivered as her fingers couldn¡¯t help but tightly clutch onto the mug. She shot ¡°He Yuguang¡± a gentle smile and let out a low, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    With the cup in her hand, Ji Yi lowered her head to take a sip.

    The sweet warmth ran down her throat and filled her stomach. The warmth soon spread around her entire body.

    He Jichen stood by the side of the bed and stared at Ji Yi for a while with her head lowered, drinking the sweet soup before he quietly slipped out of the room.

    When he closed the door, his eyes swept over at the woman in the bed. From the corners of his eyes, he stared at the recording pen by her pillow and froze there for two seconds before he closed the door again and went to the kitchen.

    When he finished cooking, it was already half past ten.

    He Jichen pushed the bedroom door open and was about to call Ji Yi when he realized she wasying on the bed with her eyes shut, fast asleep.

    He Jichen hastily stopped the sound from escaping his mouth then quietly walked over to the bedside. He tucked her in a little tighter and was going to head to the kitchen to keep the food warm for when she woke up, but just as he straightened up, she opened her eyes. ¡°Yuguang Ge?¡±

    Did I wake her?

    He Jichen furrowed his brows and instinctively reached for the cell phone.

    Before he could unlock it, Ji Yi seemed to understand what he meant and said, ¡°I¡¯m a little hungry, so I wasn¡¯tpletely asleep. I woke up when you pulled the covers over me.¡±

 Chapter 187

    Chapter 187: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s brows rxed a little then without typing, he pointed out the bedroom door.

    Ji Yi knew he was telling her that dinner was ready, so she said, ¡°I¡¯ll go wash my heads then I¡¯ll go eat.¡±

    He Jichen nodded gently and left the room.

    He carried the food over to the dining table, and just as he finished, Ji Yi appeared at the dining room door.

    He casually pulled out a chair for Ji Yi as he gestured for her to take a seat. Then he pulled out another chair for himself and sat down.

    He ced a bowl of congee in front of Ji Yi.

    She thanked him.

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t eaten a thing fromst night till now, so she was really hungry. She mixed the congee with a spoon a few times then she silently started to eat until she was half-full before slowing down. She looked up at ¡°He Yuguang¡± who was casually eating then suddenly remembered that He Yuguang was usually in Sucheng, so she asked out of curiosity,¡±Yuguang Ge, why did you suddenlye to Beijing today?¡±

    He Jichen stopped eating for a moment, put down his bowl, and wiped his hands first before grabbing the phone. After some time, he pushed the phone over to Ji Yi with his message typed out: ¡°Tomorrow I have to fly to America, so I¡¯m stopping over in Beijing. I¡¯m afraid my body can¡¯t handle the long ne journey, so I decided to rest up the day before.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± responded Ji Yi. She didn¡¯t press the issue.

    He Jichen then took two bites of congee. He grabbed his phone again and, knowing the answer, he asked: ¡°What about you? Why are you here all alone? Did you get in some kind of trouble?¡±

    As ¡°He Yuguang¡± typed away, Ji Yi watched every letter emerge on the screen. The image of what He Jichen did and said to herst night crossed her mind...

    She instinctively pursed her lips and lowered her eyes to mask the embarrassment and hurt in her eyes.

    He Jichen was Yuguang Ge¡¯s little brother. For her to get into an argument with his little brother, it must put him in a bad position... Most importantly, He Jichen made her feel so humiliated that she didn¡¯t want other people to know...

    At that thought, Ji Yi tried her hardest to smile and forcibly replied to ¡°He Yuguang¡± by changing the subject. ¡°Yuguang Ge, I¡¯m a little tired, so I¡¯m going to take a shower first before getting some rest.¡±

    As she said that, Ji Yi got up and said ¡°goodnight¡± without even giving ¡°He Yuguang¡± any time to reply. She pushed the chair pack and hurriedly left the dining room.

    He Jichen continued to sit at the dining table for some time before he too got up and gave the dining table a quick wipe.

    Having spent a whole day busily looking for her, there was quite a lot of work piled up in the office for him to deal with. He made himself a cup of tea and made her a cup of hot milk while he was at it.

    He carried the ss cup to the bedroom and gently knocked on the door. There was no reply from inside, but he heard the sound of a phone ringing from the other side of the door.

    He Jichen waited a while, but hearing that the phone wasn¡¯t picked up, he pushed the door open and walked in.

    Ji Yi was already in bed, fast asleep.

    Just after the phone stopped ringing, it went off again. He nced over at her phone screen and saw three familiar words: ¡°Lin Zhengyi.¡±

    Why¡¯s Lin Zhengyi calling her in the middle of the night?

    He Jichen was afraid to wake her up, so he reached over and turned the phone to silent.

    Just as he put the phone down, a text message popped up on the screen.

 Chapter 188

    Chapter 188: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as he put the phone down, a text message popped up on the screen.

    He instinctively looked down, nced over at her phone screen, and clearly saw what was written in the text.

    It was sent by Lin Zhengyi: ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯ve been calling you all day. Why haven¡¯t you picked up?¡±

    Lin Zhengyi has also been calling Ji Yi all day?

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes turned a lot colder. He was just about to turn his gaze away when the phone in his hands vibrated again.

    It was another text sent from Lin Zhengyi: ¡°Xiao Yi, I tried to contact He Jichen about the investment for ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics.¡¯ It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t follow your orders... I even offered to add twenty percent on top of my original investment, but He Jichen wouldn¡¯t ept it. He rejected it without a second thought. In the afternoon, I sent someone to discuss it with him, but his people didn¡¯t even have anyone avable to talk to us. The situation really...¡±

    Lin Zhengyi¡¯s message was a little long. As He Jichen read, he hadn¡¯t taken it all in before a third text popped onto the screen: ¡°Xiao Yi, there¡¯s no way I can invest in ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ right now. How about this? I¡¯ll give you a good part in the new series I¡¯m investing in and you¡¯ll hand me the recording you have. How about that?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps you could suggest a new condition. As long as I can do it, I¡¯ll try my best to satisfy you.¡±

    Lin Zhengyi then continued to follow up with more text messages, but He Jichen didn¡¯t read them. His full attention was drawn to the words: ¡°you¡¯ll hand me the recording you have...¡±

    Ji Yi had suffered in the entertainment industry, so she always had the habit of carrying a recording device on her at all times. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have gotten out of Lin Ya¡¯s trap from a while back at the spa resort.

    From Lin Zhengyi¡¯s texts, he assumed that Ji Yi had a recording of Lin Zhengyi that she used against him...

    At that thought, He Jichen¡¯s eyes fell on her, deep asleep. By her pillow, he saw the recording pen that she clutched tightly onto while he carried her to the bedroom earlier that night.

    He Jichen knew it was hical to touch another person¡¯s things without their permission.

    However, he felt like he might¡¯ve gotten something wrong. He contemted it for a few seconds before he gently grabbed the recording pen and walked out of the bedroom.

    As he shut the door, He Jichen hadn¡¯t walked too far before leaned against a wall and turned on the recording pen. Soon enough, Lin Zhengyi¡¯s voice was heard: ¡°If I hadn¡¯t caught you, I would¡¯ve almost forgotten. Now that I see you, I remember. Xiao Yi... I hear many of you girls from B-Film want to be escorts? Is that right?... I encourage you to behave well and let me y with...¡±

    He Jichen erupted into a terrible fit of rage the night that Lin Zhengyi preyed on Ji Yi at the China World Hotel Beijing. Hearing this now, his eyes released a solemn feeling, but he wasn¡¯t lost in thought by Lin Zhengyi¡¯s words for too long as his mind jumped back to the texts he just read on Ji Yi¡¯s phone.

    Lin Zhengyi said he was following orders from Ji Yi to reinvest in ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    Though it was just a text, he clearly saw from his long-winded message that he was nervous after He Jichen rejected his investment.

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    Shout out to alikhemi101!

 Chapter 189

    Chapter 189: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    That¡¯s right. In private, Lin Zhengyi could mess around however he liked, but the things he said in the recording could never fall in anyone else¡¯s hands. If it was leaked, he would get caught up in an endless amount of trouble.

    No wonder he boldly suggested that Ji Yi give him new terms; he wanted the recording in his possession.

    Lin Zhengyi had worked in the business industry for many years, and to have survived all this time, he was naturally extremely knowledgeable. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t have used her beauty to make Lin Zhengyi obey her like this, so the key was this recording pen in his hands...

    As that thought shed across He Jichen¡¯s mind, everything that transpired in the past two days swiftly came to mind too.

    Last night, Ji Yi and Lin Zhengyi had dinner together.

    That same night, Lin Zhengyi contacted YC Corp to reinvest in ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    Tonight, Lin Zhengyi, whose investment was rejected, came looking for Ji Yi in a panic to talk about new conditions...

    All of sudden, He Jichenpletely froze like someone hit his pressure points. He silently realized something.

    Perhaps... perhaps he had gotten it all wrong. Ji Yi didn¡¯t see Lin Zhengyist night to get a role in ¡°Dust,¡± but she went to...

    He Jichen didn¡¯t dare specte, because he felt if he did, it¡¯d turn into some kind of wild story.

    Ji Yi... How could Ji Yi go looking for Lin Zhengyi about the lost investment for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±... She knew ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was his series. She rejected him so much...

    Even if he didn¡¯t believe it, Lin Zhengyi¡¯s text was crystal clear...

    He Jichen held his breath as he couldn¡¯t help but tighten his grasp on the recording pen. An indescribable sense of powerlessness and panic suddenly engulfed his whole body.

    If it was any other day, he would love that she had done something like this for him, but in that very moment, he was afraid. He was afraid she really went to see Lin Zhengyi for him...

    ¨C

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t sleep all night the night before, so this time, she fell in a deep sleep for a long time.

    When she finally woke up, the sky outside were bright. The bright rays of sunlight illuminated the entire city, making it look surreal.

    She stayed in bed for some time before she finally climbed out and walked into the bathroom.

    In the mirror, she stared at every little mark He Jichen left on her body as his eyes turned dark the previous night.

    She didn¡¯t dare think too much of it and quickly pushed the thought to the back of her mind. She dried herself off and went to get changed into a conservative set of clothes in the change room. Having wrapped herself up tightly, she then walked back into the bathroom, grabbed her phone, and walked out the door.

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± was already awake. He was sitting on the sofa and reading the news.

    There was a hired helper cleaning the house. Seeing Ji Yie out, she shot her a beaming smile and said, ¡°Madam, shall I prepare some food for you?¡±

    Ji Yi nodded gently and said, ¡°Thank you.¡± When the the helper walked into the kitchen, she then sat on the sofa and greeted ¡°He Yuguang¡±: ¡°Good morning, Yuguang Ge.¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s dark circles under his eyes exposed how he didn¡¯t sleep wellst night. His phone probably wasn¡¯t on him, so he only shot her a smile because there was no other way for him tomunicate with her.

    After Ji Yi sat down, she nced over at ¡°He Yuguang¡± who was reading the news. Then she unlocked the phone in her hands.

    To her surprise, there were dozens of unread text messages.

 Chapter 190

    Chapter 190: The Recording Pen in Her Hands (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Among those messages were a long thread of reminders for missed calls sent by ¡°10086.¡± There were calls from her mum, Tang Huahua, He Yuguang, Lin Zhengyi, and... He Jichen.

    As Ji Yi saw the missed calls, she sent a text to each person to let them know she was safe.

    When He Jichen came out of Ji Yi¡¯s room, he averted his attention from the news to her. As she looked down at her phone, his eyes couldn¡¯t help but fall on her every now and again.

    His eyesight had always been very good. Sitting next to her, he could see every word on her phone.

    Though he didn¡¯t try to chat with her, his gaze intermittently turned back to the scattered words on her phone when he realized that she was replying to everyone who called her the day before.

    As he nced over again, he saw the name ¡°He Jichen¡± appear on the screen which drew his full attention to her.

    She looked down at her phone, so he couldn¡¯t see her gaze, but he clearly noticed that her fingers tensed up. She stared at the string of missed calls from him yesterday for about three seconds before she pursed her lips then she deleted all of his missed calls.

    Her fingers instinctively wanted to clicked into the texts, but she paused for a moment as though she realized something and exited out of the texts. She opened the chat logs, found his phone number, and put it on her list of blocked numbers.

    As she did this, she didn¡¯t hesitate in the slightest. In fact, she looked like nothing had happened. The next second, she opened her texts again to see dozens of messages from Lin Zhengyi.

    He Jichen had already seen those textsst night, so he wasn¡¯t the least bit curious. He averted his peripheral gaze from her and looked straight at the television ahead.

    She replied to everyone¡¯s missed calls but his. Not only that, but she moved his number into her list of blocked numbers.

    After hitting Lin Zhengyi thest time at ¡°China World Hotel Beijing¡± and bringing her home, she actively came to speak with him the next day.

    At the time, he was so thrilled because he thought their rtionship had finally improved, but after a few short days, their rtionship became even worse than before...

    He Jichen thought back to how he incidentally saw Lin Zhengyi¡¯s texts and the recording penst night after she fell asleep. The anxiety in his heart fromst night became even more intense.

    Beside him, Ji Yi had her head down while she tapped on her phone non-stop, replying to other people¡¯s messages.

    The gentle sound of ¡°tap tap tap¡± made He Jichen so devastated and a little suffocated. He was afraid to suddenly lose control, so he put down the remote control, got up, and headed for the study.

    ...

    Just as Ji Yi was about to finish texting, the hired help cried from the kitchen nearby, ¡°Madam, the food¡¯s ready.¡±

    Ji Yi responded in affirmation. She finished typing thest few words and got up. She headed to the bathroom to wash her hands then walked into the dining room.

    While she ate, Ji Yi noticed that He Yuguang still hadn¡¯te, so she asked out of curiosity, ¡°Yuguang Ge isn¡¯t eating?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go call him.¡± The helper put down the things in her hands and went to the study.

 Chapter 191

    hapter 191: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The hired helper and He Yuguang¡¯s conversation was very muted, so Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear anything. After about a minute, the helper came back and said, ¡°Sir said he doesn¡¯t have an appetite right now, so I¡¯m afraid you will be eating alone.¡±

    Ji Yi responded with an ¡°Oh,¡± lowered her head, and ate another spoonful of congee. She casually said, ¡°Could I please trouble you to prepare a portion of breakfast for me to bring to Yuguang Ge?¡±

    ¡°Yes, madam. Just a moment.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t make a sound but she quickened her eating pace.

    After she finished her bowl of congee, Ji Yi picked up the napkin, wiped her mouth, and got up. She carried the breakfast that the helper prepared and headed for the study room.

    Because she couldn¡¯t carry the tray steadily with one hand, Ji Yi was afraid to drop the breakfast tray. She directed her arm to knock on the door. She intended to make some noise to politely notify the person in the study of her presence when she realized the door wasn¡¯t closed. With a shove, she pushed the door open.

    Sitting at the desk with a pen in hand, ¡°He Yuguang¡± was concentrating on writing something when he heard a noise. His head shot up as he looked over towards the door.

    After he saw Ji Yi, an obvious wave of panic came over him, and he hastily shoved everything on the table into the drawer.

    He Jichen was too quick, so Ji Yi only vaguely caught sight of the paper. She didn¡¯t think that ¡°He Yuguang¡± would have this reaction, so she was sheepish as she apologized with a smile. ¡°Yuguang Ge, sorry. I wanted to knock, but I didn¡¯t realize that I¡¯d nudged the door open.¡±

    After calming down from the initial panic of seeing Ji Yi, He Jichen smiled at her and shook his head.

    Ji Yi walked up to him and ced the breakfast on his desk. ¡°Yuguang Ge, I heard Ayi 1 say that you don¡¯t have an appetite. That¡¯s no good. Even if you¡¯re not hungry, you should eat.¡±

    He Jichen grabbed the phone on the table and typed: ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll eat in a bit.¡±

    After seeing that ¡°He Yuguang¡± was willing to eat, Ji Yi rxed. ¡°Thenter, I¡¯ll...¡±

    Before she could finish saying goodbye, ¡°He Yuguang¡± looked as though he had a sudden thought. He grabbed his phone and typed: ¡°Manman, did you and Jichen get into some kind of misunderstanding?¡±

    How did Yuguang Ge know?

    Ji Yi was left stunned when she saw that line as she remembered that He Yuguang and He Jichen were blood-rted brothers. They were close, so it was normal for Yuguang Ge to know, but would Yuguang Ge view her as some kind of dirty woman like He Jichen did?

    The nervousness deep down hadn¡¯t settled when Ji Yi saw new words on ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s phone: ¡°Is there some kind of misunderstanding?¡±

    Misunderstanding?

    Yuguang Ge actually used the word ¡°misunderstanding.¡± Did that mean that deep down inside, he believed her a little?

    Ji Yi¡¯s mouth gaped slightly and she looked over at ¡°He Yuguang¡± for some time before she said in disbelief, ¡°Yuguang Ge, you say it¡¯s a misunderstanding. Does that mean you believe I¡¯m not that kind of woman?¡±

    He Jichen vaguely understood the truth of what happenedst night; the only reason he was asking so indirectly was to get some confirmation. After seeing her reaction at this very moment, it was like he realized something deep down inside.

    It felt like a sharp knife stabbed his heart. The pain made it unbearable for him to breathe and he forced his fingers to stop shaking. He copied the way He Yuguang wrote as he typed: ¡°Manman, of course I believe you.¡±

 Chapter 192

    Chapter 192: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Believe ...

    So this is the warm feeling you get when someone stands up to say they believe you after you¡¯ve been seriously misunderstood by someone else.

    The night before, He Jichen made her feel so aggrieved and she tried her best to endure it all on her own. She never thought to share these hardships to anyone, but at this very moment, ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s word, ¡°believe,¡± effortlessly broke her armor and softened her heart.

    She stared at ¡°He Yuguang¡± with warm and tender eyes. She was so moved that the rims of her eyes ached a little. Afraid she would lose control and suddenly cry, she quickly blinked.

    ¡°Manman, if you¡¯re hurt, you can tell me. No matter what it is, I¡¯ll be here for you.¡± It felt like there was something lodged in He Jichen¡¯s throat, suffocating him. After a lot of effort, he typed that into his phone.

    He Jichen pushed the phone in front of Ji Yi.

    She raised her head slightly to look over at the phone.

    Though it was just a simple line, she stared at it for so long. He didn¡¯t notice her fingers tremble gently.

    He Jichen knew she finished reading, so he pulled the phone back.

    When she was young, every time she encountered any troubles, she told Yuguang Ge everything. After so many years, he was still willing to listen to her chatter...

    A strong pounding started in Ji Yi¡¯s heart.

    In that very instant, it felt like time had turned back. Without thinking twice, sheined to ¡°He Yuguang¡± just like when they were young. ¡°Yuguang Ge, I¡¯m not the woman he says I am. I didn¡¯t go see Lin Zhengyi to find a new path for myself because ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ stopped production over the lost investment...¡±

    This was what she wanted to tell He Jichen that night at the Four Seasons Hotel, but seeing him like that made her instantly not want to exin herself to him.

    Which went to say that back then, she was really disheartened.

    If someone trusted you, what need was there to exin yourself? If a person trusted you, what use was there to further exin yourself?

    Ji Yi stopped for a moment, twitched her lips and said quietly, ¡°...I went to see Lin Zhengyi because he was the only one I could find. In this industry, I don¡¯t know many rich people. What¡¯s more, even if I did know anyone, they might not be interested in investing. As for Lin Zhengyi, I had other ways that could persuade him.¡±

    Though she didn¡¯t mention what other ways, He Jichen knew exactly what she meant after secretly listening to the recordingst night.

    ¡°How all this happened had nothing to do with me, but I feel like he got into trouble to help me. I just felt so sorry that I wanted to help him, but I never thought that as soon as he showed up, he would say I¡¯m that kind of woman without even asking me what happened...¡±

    Even though it happened two days ago, Ji Yi still felt powerless and hurt at the mention of that night.

    Perhaps she was too absorbed in what she said that she didn¡¯t notice that the man in front of her turned a little pale.

    And perhaps she spoke too fluidly, but she naturally followed byining, ¡°...He doesn¡¯t even know just how much I drank just to get a chance to be alone with Lin Zhengyi.¡±

 Chapter 193

    Chapter 193: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to drink at all, but there was nothing I could do. Lin Zhengyi said he would only talk to me alone as long as I drank all that...¡±

    So, that was why he saw those videos of her drinking one ss after another...

    And the only reason she did that was just so she could speak to Lin Zhengyi alone. She had those recordings to negotiate a trade with Lin Zhengyi for his reinvestment into ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    But what about him? Not only did he misunderstand her, he even treated her so horrifically...

    Despite having guessed that he made a mistake earlier yesterday night, He Jichen was unbelievably devastated and felt like a wild beast inside was tearing him apart when he heard what Ji Yi said. A sharp pain attacked every vein and cell of his.

    So, unknownst to him, she really did care about him.

    But her good will was brutally trampled on.

    Although she never really liked to argue with him, it was no wonder that she became so sharp-tongued that night. He even thought she was really hateful to speak with such confidence. It seemed she must¡¯ve been so devastated so she spoke out of anger!

    No wonder when he left, she didn¡¯t want to stay a single second longer in the Four Seasons Hotel and also left.

    No wonder after he spent a whole day and night looking for her, he found her so distraught...

    The more He Jichen thought about it, the more his whole body felt an unbearable pain. It became harder to breathe and his fingers trembled so much that he couldn¡¯t muster any strength.

    Deep in her own train of thought, she didn¡¯t even notice how strange ¡°He Yuguang¡± was. She lowered her eyes and stared at the old wooden desk for some time before continuing to say, ¡°...I knew that if I wasn¡¯t drunk, Lin Zhengyi wouldn¡¯t let me leave the party room, so I deliberately pretended to be drunk. I was afraid he¡¯d figure things out, and he.. he...¡±

    Ji Yi wanted to say ¡°molested me,¡± but no matter how she tried, thosest words couldn¡¯te out.

    He Jichen took in everyst word, and though she only stopped halfway, he knew what she wanted to say in the end.

    She only willingly allowed Lin Zhengyi to embarrass her because of him...

    Heartache, annoyance, regret, self-me... an infinite variety of emotions coursed through his entire body. The muscles in his hand ached with pain, causing his phone to fall through his fingers and crash hard onto the desk with a ¡°dong!¡±

    Ji Yi instinctively looked up and realized that ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s face had turned utterly pale.

    ¡°Yuguang Ge, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Ji Yipletely forgot about her train of thought as she hurriedly ran over to ¡°He Yuguang,¡± distraught. She grabbed his arm and said, ¡°Yuguang Ge, are you alright?¡±

    She knew He Yuguang had always been in poor health since he was young. After asking him, she screamed out the door, ¡± Ayi 1 , Ayi, help me call the amb...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could say ¡°ambnce,¡± He Jichen reached over and grabbed her hand to stop her.

    Ji Yi looked down when she felt his touch.

    He Jichen nced over at Ji Yi then reached his phone out and opened the notes. With trembling fingers, he started to type.

 Chapter 194

    Chapter 194: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He needed to be alone. He needed some time to digest what she just said, because he couldn¡¯t stay there with her, otherwise he would definitely lose control...

    With that thought, a line appeared on the phone: ¡°I¡¯m fine, don¡¯t call an ambnce...¡±

    Ji Yi stood by his side and watched as he typed every word. When she read this, she couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Yuguang Ge, you don¡¯t look so good...¡±

    ¡°...Perhaps it was because I was busy workingst night and didn¡¯t rest well, so I¡¯m going to go sleep for a while. I¡¯ll be fine when I wake up...¡±

    While she was talking, He Jichen typed another line of words.

    After he stopped, he didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to try and persuade him, but he lifted himself up using the desk and stood up from his chair.

    He grabbed his phone and forced a smile at Ji Yi as he brushed past her on his way out of the study.

    He stumbled slightly but walked very quickly. Seeing this, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but furrow her brows. What was with Yuguang Ge? He looked really unwell, but he also looked like he was triggered...

    Ji Yi stood by the desk for a while with a confused look, deep in thought. She couldn¡¯te up with an exnation, so she withdrew her gaze from where she hadst seen ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    She looked over at the untouched breakfast on the desk and instinctively walked over to it. She was about to carry it over to ¡°He Yuguang¡± for him to eat after he got some rest. However, before her fingers touched the breakfast tray, her eyes caught the small card by the foot of the chair.

    The small card looked familiar. When she charged into the study room, he hurriedly tried to hide the card. At the time, he was holding several of them, but because he was too flustered, he didn¡¯t notice that one had fallen to the floor...

    At the time, she vaguely saw that he was holding a card with some writing on it...

    At that thought, Ji Yi withdrew her hand from the tray and walked over to the chair. She did see a card with a line of words on it.

    Her eyesight wasn¡¯t bad, but she was slightly short-sighted, so when she crouched down to pick up the card, she clearly saw the words on the back.

    ¡°I wish you would be lost forever ande to my side.¡±

    Such a beautiful line...

    Ji Yi stared at the line and turned it in her head over and over again then she flipped the card around. That was when she becamepletely stunned.

    This little card had... a clear photo...

    And the girl in the photo wore a red dress with a simple and stylish ponytail. Her smile was bright and she looked around eighteen years old. She was someone Ji Yi knew better than anyone.

    Because the girl in the photo was her. It was her when she was younger.

    From the background of the photo, it looked like it was taken in secret.

    So, was this a photo Yuguang Ge secretly took back when I was in Sucheng?

    Why did Yuguang Ge secretly take a photo of me? What¡¯s more, why did he keep it for so many years? What¡¯s most curious is...

    As Ji Yi thought about it, she flipped the card.

    I wish you would get lost forever ande to my side... This sounded so much like a confession of a secret crush...

    Ji Yi stared at those words as though something brutally hit the softest part of the left side of her chest.

    Could he have written this on the back of my photo for me?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly skipped a beat then uncontrobly raced faster, beat by beat.

 Chapter 195

    Chapter 195: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Could Yuguang Ge have written this?

    With that thought, Ji Yi stared earnestly at every single word. With the world ¡°forever,¡± she was certain it was ¡°He Yuguang¡± who wrote it.

    For long period of time when they were younger, her textbook was filled with Yuguang Ge¡¯s highlighted key points.

    She was very familiar with his handwriting ¨C he always wrote the character for ¡°forever¡± with one less stroke.

    Since the time she was reunited with ¡°He Yuguang¡± till now, every little thing that happened between them seemed to be projected in slow motion in her mind.

    When he heard her mention getting married over the phone, he suggested that they get married.

    He would treat her to a meal whenever he was in Beijing.

    When she had a fever while filming ¡°Pce,¡± he took care of her all night, and that was how he found out that she was interested in ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡± Without a word, he helped hernd a role in it.

    Last night, when she felt the most upset, he appeared by her side. His heart ached as he protectively wiped her tears away and hugged her. He cooked for her, and just now, he even told her that he believed in her.

    And then there was the card in her hands... Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but grip the card harder.

    If she didn¡¯t have this card, she definitely wouldn¡¯t have those thoughts. Yet this card was here, right before her eyes, making it impossible for her not to specte. Does He Yuguang like me?

    This photo was taken of me when I was younger, so does that mean he¡¯s secretly held onto it all these years?

    Could it be that during those glorious years of secretly having a crush on him, he also liked me?

    As that very thought rushed to Ji Yi¡¯s head, she vaguely felt her lifeless heart beat for He Yuguang. Her heart died because of He Jichen four years ago, but now it was graduallying back to life.

    What¡¯s more, this kind of throbbing felt even more intense than back in the old days.

    Her heart didn¡¯t quite feel like it was rising from the ashes, but her heart felt like it was beating all over again for another person.

    So strange... Those feelings are all obviously for He Yuguang, but why does it feel so different from before?

    Ji Yi crouched on the floor for some time with the photo in her hands. It wasn¡¯t until her legs were numb that she snapped to her senses.

    She pretended as though she hadn¡¯t seen the photo and put it back by the corner of the chair, just as she found it. Then she got up and carried the tray out of the study.

    The food was already cold, so she asked the hired helper to heat it up.

    Ji Yi was worried because ¡°He Yuguang¡± didn¡¯t look too good when he left the study. When she stood in front of the door to his bedroom, she reached her hand out, ready to knock, when all of a sudden, she remembered the one night stand she had with He Jichen four years ago.

    She was no longer the same Ji Yi from back then. She couldn¡¯t brazenly have a crush on He Yuguang.

    After that night, the two of them were destined to never have a future together...

    The only reason she was in a fake marriage with He Yuguang was because she was certain that she didn¡¯t like him as strongly as she did when they were young. However, now, everything changed...

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart became cold for a moment.

    She hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to pull her hand back without knocking. SHe turned back into the bedroom.

    She quickly gathered her things, and just before she stepped out, she reminded the helper to serve He Yuguang some food when he woke up. She also wanted to let him know that she had some business at the university, so she needed to rush out. With that, she put her shoes on and left ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s house.

 Chapter 196

    Chapter 196: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As she stepped out of the building, Ji Yi¡¯s feet stopped. She turned around and stared up at the floor of ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s apartment.

    She stared firmly at it for a moment before she lowered her head slightly to mask the sh of misery across her eyes.

    She thought Yuguang Ge probably didn¡¯t know about what happened between her and He Jichen four years ago. If Yuguang Ge knew she and his twin brother had sex, he definitely wouldn¡¯t have suggested that she go through with the wedding.

    Nor could she ever get involved with He Jichen¡¯s older brother after they did it.

    Rather than waiting for the day they fell harder for each other or before she couldn¡¯t pull away from him, she thought she better get out before she became too invested. If Yuguang Ge could still control his affections, they could keep a safe distance between one another.

    Now, perhaps she was a little reluctant and regretful to be in a forbidden love, but that was far better than having to leave him when she was deep in love.

    By then, to cut ties would be to cut wrists; the pain would be as torturous as hovering between life and death.

    At that thought, Ji Yi shut her eyes, took a deep breath, suppressed the image of the photo she saw in ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s study and sealed it into the furthest part of her heart. Then she turned around and strode out of the residential area and hailed a taxi back to the university.

    ¨C

    From Lin Zhengyi¡¯s texts, Ji Yi learned that He Jichen rejected the investment for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    If what happened at the Four Seasons Hotel didn¡¯t happen at all, then perhaps Ji Yi would¡¯ve tried to persuade He Jichen to think about the bigger picture. However, she was so humiliated that night that she naturally wasn¡¯t going to interfere. Even if a role in ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± could¡¯ve shaped her career, she would rather continue to live freely and wait for an opportunity in university. She didn¡¯t want anything from Lin Zhengyi, so she gave him all the recordings, and ended everything at that.

    The news about ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± stopping production over investment issues buzzed around the inte for three days until news of a male celebrity cheating dialed it down.

    It was already January, so it was time for final exams. Ji Yi didn¡¯t pay too much attention to entertainment news. She spent every day either in her dorms or in the library studying.

    It had been about half a month since ¡°He Yuguang¡± left when she received his text saying he wasing back from his business trip to America. He was changing flights at Beijing as usual, so he asked if she was free to have dinner together.

    At the time, Ji Yi was leaning against the bed head, studying English. When she saw his text, she thought about theplicated emotions she had upon leaving ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s ce. She hesitated for quite some time but found an excuse to reject his invitation.

    Since she decided to not have a future with him, it¡¯d be best not to meet him.

    Ji Yi put her phone down and stared at the English letters for some time before she regained her concentration again.

    Final exams were over on the seventh of January, and students would be off on winter break.

    Ji Yi¡¯s home was in Beijing, so she didn¡¯t need to pack a bunch of things into big and small bags to take to the train station like Tang Huahua and Bo He. In thete afternoon after her exams were over, she headed back to the dorms and packed all her things in less than ten minutes.

    She gave Tang Huahua and Bo He goodbye hugs then carried her belongings out of the dorms.

 Chapter 197

    Chapter 197: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As Ji Yi stepped out of the university and onto the road to hail a taxi, a car drove out from the university gates. Since they were on winter break today, the roads in front of the gates were all jammed. As the car reached her side, it hit the emergency breaks following the driver in front.

    The tires screeched across the ground, releasing a ear-piercing sound. Ji Yi instinctively looked up from her phone and over at the car in front of her.

    From the outer appearance, she noticed it was an Audi, but she didn¡¯t pay too much attention to it and looked down at her phone again.

    About a minuteter, the Audi pulled down the windows of the front passenger seat. Something from inside sprang out, flew past her, and fell exactly into the trash can beside her.

    Ji Yi was so startled that she first nced into the trash can to see that it was an extinguished cigarette butt. She then turned her head and looked over at the car before her.

    While in the traffic jam, the car shifted forward a little, and she happened to coincidentally see inside through the car window.

    In a ck trenchcoat, a man was sitting in the driver¡¯s seat with a cigarette in his hands. He put it to his mouth as he lit it up with a lighter.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t be more familiar with the handsomeplexion and shockingly captivating looks under the flickering light.

    She stared at his profile for some time before her gaze fell on the red bracelet on his wrist as he held the steering wheel.

    After leaving on bad terms that night at the Four Seasons Hotel, this was the first time she¡¯d seen He Jichen...

    Even though it had been over twenty days since it happened, after seeing him, she couldn¡¯t help but purse her lips.

    He Jichen removed the cigarette from his mouth probably because he noticed someone was looking at him. He turned his head tly through the cloud of cigarette smoke as he looked through the car window.

    When Ji Yi shifted her gaze from the red string on He Jichen¡¯s wrist, their eyes coincidentally met.

    Her back tensed up, and her fingers around her phone turned stiff.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t think that he¡¯d be bumping into Ji Yi there, so his eyes were evidently astonished. Then he thought about how Ji Yi didn¡¯t like cigarette smoke, and without a second thought, he instinctively put out the cigarette he lit up.

    Just as he finished, the woman standing outside the car turned her gaze away nonchntly as though he was aplete stranger. She carried the little suitcase by her foot, walked around the back of his car, and threaded through the congested cars over to the opposite side of the road.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled as he pinched the cigarette. He instinctively opened the car door then got out.

    Between the cars, he saw Ji Yi struggle to carry the suitcase as she got on the bus that happened to stop.

    The bus had its own busne which wasn¡¯t jammed, so it sped off really quickly until it left his line of sight.

    He Jichen leaned against the car for a long time before he slowly snapped back to his senses. He turned his head and nced over at where Ji Yi had been standing a moment ago while waiting for a taxi.

    Did she give up on getting a taxi and got on the bus because she saw me?

    It happened so many days ago, but is she still angry at me?

    Well, she should be angry at him. It was horrible enough for him not to believe her, but then he humiliated her like that... He couldn¡¯t face her, apologize, or beg for her forgiveness.

    He Jichen stared at the empty space without so much as a flinch, like a statue.

 Chapter 198

    Chapter 198: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The traffic ahead subsided, but there was an endless amount of cars behind He Jichen. They honked with all their might, but it didn¡¯t snap him out of it.

    Someone eventually got out of their car and walked over to him. They patted his shoulder and reminded him in a rugged voice, ¡°Hey, bro! Please stop blocking the road, alright?¡±

    He Jichen felt someone touch him, so he slowly brought his gaze back and looked over at the person. He finally realized what was going on and he apologized before he hurriedly got into the car and drove.

    After about ten minutes, He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled on the steering wheel as he stopped the car by the side of the road. Then he put his hand on his aching chest and rested on the steering wheel.

    Sorry, I¡¯m truly sorry... Though he knew no matter how many times he apologized, it would never make up for the pain he put her through, he had been repeating those words in his dreams all this time.

    ¨C

    For the first half of the month during her winter break, Ji Yi stayed at home every day. She basically spent those days sleeping or eating, lounging around.

    Usually for Chinese new year, Ji Yi spent it in Beijing. This year, Ji Yi¡¯s mum got carried away and nned for them to spend new year¡¯s in the warm springs of Hainan.

    On Chinese new year¡¯s eve, Ji Yi¡¯s family flew on Hainan Airlines from Beijing to Hainan.

    As the new year drew closer, there were a lot of flights, so the Ji family¡¯s flight was dyed by half an hour. When theynded in Hainan, it was already eight in the evening.

    Ji Yi¡¯s dad booked a car. After the family picked up their baggage and walked out of the airport, they saw a driver with a sign to pick them up.

    In the taxi, there was a television broadcasting thetest entertainment news.

    Ji Yi and her mum sat in the back of the car, enjoying the warm breeze. Slightly tired from her long ne journey, Ji Yi shut her eyes to get some rest.

    The car drove for about ten minutes before Ji Yi¡¯s mum suddenly nudged her arm.

    Ji Yi opened her eyes to see her mum pointing at the television in the car.

    She instinctively turned her gaze towards it, and before she could see what was on, she heard her mum say, ¡°Xiao Yi, look! Isn¡¯t that Jichen?¡±

    As Ji Yi¡¯s mum spoke, the poster of ¡°The Pce¡± that she filmed in October was the first thing she caught sight of. Then she realized that today was the opening night for ¡°The Pce.¡±

    In front of the poster, there was a line of people. Ji Yi immediately saw He Jichen standing tall and straight, all dressed in a suit.

    Beside him was director Liang who was talking into a microphone.

    The car television was silent, so Ji Yi read the subtitles and learned that director Liang was just saying a few wishful words like hoping that everyone could support ¡°The Pce¡± and so forth.

    The cameraman probably thought He Jichen looked very striking, so he gave him a bit of screentime. Ji Yi froze looking at He Jichen who she hadn¡¯t seen for some time.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum didn¡¯t notice anything strange with Ji Yi as she continued to chatter beside her, ¡°So Jichen came to Beijing for the movie. Say, Ji Yi, isn¡¯t this rted to what you do? Why don¡¯t you keep in contact with Jichen? I see he¡¯s doing well. Who knows, maybe he can help you...¡±

 Chapter 199

    Chapter 199: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°...Huh? Hold on a minute. Wasn¡¯t the movie you filmed in the fall called ¡°The Pce¡±? Which goes to say, you were in the same production team as Jichen... Then Ji Yi, how are you and Jichen?¡±

    After Ji Yi¡¯s mum talked for so long, she didn¡¯t get any response from Ji Yi, so she couldn¡¯t help but raise her voice. ¡°Xiao Yi, mum is asking you a question?!¡±

    ¡°Alright...¡± replied Ji Yi half-heartedly. She turned her head and looked out the window.

    They got further from the seashore, and it was getting windier, so Ji Yi rolled up the window.

    Ji Yi could clearly see the reflection of the car television on the car window. The video looped endlessly and every so often, she saw the premiere for ¡°The Pce.¡±

    ...

    When they reached the hotel, Ji Yi didn¡¯t stick around to talk with her mum and dad but she went directly to her own room.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if it was because of seeing He Jichen on the TV, but she felt a little down, so shey in bed in a daze for a long time before she fell asleep.

    This year, there wasn¡¯t a thirtieth of thest month of the year, so the twenty-ninth was Chinese new year¡¯s eve.

    Ji Yi¡¯s dad booked a new year¡¯s family dinner on the yacht, so after sleeping till thete afternoon, Ji Yi freshened up and headed for the yacht to meet her parents.

    After having new year¡¯s family dinner, Ji Yi didn¡¯t disturb her parents and discreetly headed out to the deck to catch the ocean breeze.

    Someone was setting off fireworks by the shore. Above the sea, beautiful fireworks were disyed.

    She put her headphones in and listened to music as she stared in the air for far too long. Suddenly, the music in her ears paused and was reced with a ¡°ding.¡± After two seconds, the music resumed.

    Ji Yi knew she received a message. She enjoyed the endless, beautiful firework disy for a while longer before she brought the phone to her eyes and unlocked the screen.

    It was a WeChat message from ¡°He Yuguang¡± to celebrate the new year: ¡°Happy new year, Manman.¡±

    Even though Ji Yi restrained herself from getting too close to He Yuguang, when she received his new year¡¯s blessings, she politely replied: ¡°Yuguang Ge, happy new year.¡±

    She received another message from ¡°He Yuguang¡± seconds after she sent her reply: ¡°Manman, what are you doing?¡±

    Ji Yi: ¡°Watching some fireworks.¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡±: ¡°Have you eaten new year¡¯s dinner yet?¡±

    Ji Yi: ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡±: ¡°What did you have?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t ask He Yuguang any questions, but she replied to whatever he asked. The two of them chatted back and forth for some time before Ji Yi excused herself with, ¡°Mum and dad are calling me for something¡± and stopped chatting with ¡°He Yuguang¡±.

    Before Ji Yi and her parents came to Hainan, they discussed that their family of three would have new year¡¯s eve dinner together. The next day, she would travel to Lijiang to give her parents some alone time in Hainan.

    So, bright and early on the morning of the first day of the new year, Ji Yi rushed over to the airport and got on a flight to Lijiang.

    Once in Lijiang, Ji Yi checked in at the hotel she booked then had lunch at the hotel restaurant. She then went back to her hotel room and got an hour¡¯s rest in the afternoon. After she woke up, she took a shower, changed into a long dress, and took a walk around the old town.

    It wasn¡¯t until nightfall before she stopped by a restaurant with rave reviews for dinner.

    As she waited for the waiter to serve her food, she reached for her phone and browsed Weibo to pass the time before she was drawn to a headline:

 Chapter 200

    Chapter 200: I Wish You Would Be Lost Forever and Come To My Side (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As she waited for the waiter to serve her food, she reached for her phone and browsed Weibo to pass the time before she was drawn to a headline: ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± will officially start shooting on March fourteenth, White Day.

    Don¡¯t tell me... He Jichen epted Lin Zhengyi¡¯s investment?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows in bewilderment. Before she could even tap into ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±¡®s thread, her phone continuously let out a ¡°ding dong ding dong.¡±

    She was afraid someone was urgently looking for her, so she exited Weibo and opened WeChat. The messages were sent by Tang Huahua; aside from a voice note, she also received a string of photos.

    Ji Yi first clicked on the voice note, and she heard Tang Huahua¡¯s voice through the mor of the restaurant.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, quickly look at the screenshot I sent you. I found it on Lin Ya¡¯s Moments and it¡¯s going around many students from our university right now...¡±

    At the mention of Lin Ya, Ji Yi¡¯s heart shook for a moment. In the next second, she zoomed in on the image Tang Huahua sent.

    The first image was a screenshot of Lin Ya¡¯s Moments from an hour ago.

    ¡°I only just realized that someone looks all clean and wless, but in reality, they drank with other people to keep her part as supporting actress. She was able to secure an investment with so much difficulty, but in the end, thepany didn¡¯t even care. They didn¡¯t even take the investment...¡± Following that, there was a fewughing emojis with covered mouths, and underneath them were several photos.

    Even though Tang Huahua didn¡¯t erge those photos and share them with her, Ji Yi could tell that those photos were taken of her from Yue Yuan during her dinner with Lin Zhengyi.

    After Ji Yi and Lin Ya got into an argument at the spa resort, Lin Ya had blocked Ji Yi on WeChat, so Ji Yi was only able to see Lin Ya¡¯s Moments from the screenshot Tang Huahua sent her.

    Someone asked if it was true and another said it was explosive news, but no matter what how many peoplemented, Lin Ya replied to them all.

    From Tang Huahua¡¯s screenshot, she could see that many people liked Lin Ya¡¯sment. She probably wanted everyone to see what she said, so she replied to the Moments for several days, instead of replying to the individual person¡¯sment.

    ¡°It¡¯s true. Look at the image. A picture tells a thousand words! What¡¯s more, someone I know from the industry told me about this.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, same here. I couldn¡¯t tell she was that kind of person. Who knows, she might¡¯ve slept with someone to get the investment.¡±

    ¡°She definitely wanted to get the investment to leave a good impression with thepany. In the end, they didn¡¯t even take the investment. What a big p in the face!¡±

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t read any longer, so she quickly swiped the screen and brushed past all the images Tang Huahua sent until she reached the final one. She saw what Tang Huahua had sent her and her fingers suddenly stopped moving.

    It was news about the ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    The investor wasn¡¯t Lin Zhengyi but a venture capitalpany that was more outstanding than Lin Zhengyi. It was leaked that the investment was greater than before, almost fifty percent more... Could it be that after He Jichen heard Lin Zhengyi wanted to reinvest, he declined it without even talking it over because he had other ns?

    She was the one who didn¡¯t know what she was capable of and meddled with their business. Having spent all her energy only to not get anything in return, she felt unbelievably humiliated, and now, someone brought it to Lin Ya¡¯s attention. Everyone in the university knew about it, and it made her feel utterly embarassed.

 Chapter 201

    Chapter 201: The Right to See You (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lin Ya said someone with star power in the industry told her. That person was... Qian Ge right?

    The two of them had known each other for quite some time. At first, when she joined the production team of ¡°The Pce,¡± wasn¡¯t it Lin Ya who helped Qian Ge trap her in the abandoned school building?

    So, just like before, Qian Ge was using Lin Ya as a weapon against her.

    Tang Huahua sent a new voice note: ¡°Xiao Yi, Lin Ya¡¯s mouth is so darn cheap...¡±

    As Ji Yi heard her angry voice, she received Tang Huahua¡¯s screenshot.

    The conversation between Lin Ya and her two girl friends was buzzing. One of the lines was from Lin Ya: ¡°Look at how she drank to each one of them. Her smile was so slutty. Who¡¯s to say that everyone on that table isn¡¯t her investor?¡±

    Below that, one of the girls replied with threeughing emojis with their mouths covered.

    Ji Yi silently pursed her lips. Before she could even click out of the image, Tang Huahua sent several more voice notes.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, look at how shameless she is! She went as far as to say that you¡¯re having an affair with everyone at the table in her Moments 1 .¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re ssmates after all, but for her to make the situation worse, does she think we¡¯ll never see each other again?

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t she feel bad when we see each other?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t listen to Tang Huahua¡¯ster voice notes and she locked her phone screen before putting it down.

    Her gaze was transfixed on the rustic lights hanging above the windows. The calm expression on her face looked as if she hadn¡¯t seen anything on her phone just now. It wasn¡¯t until the waiter served her some food before she withdrew her gaze, picked up her chopsticks, and silently started to eat.

    Ji Yi ate for quite some time, but after eating a fifth of her food, she couldn¡¯t eat anymore and put her chopsticks down. She called the waiter over, paid her bill, and got up to leave.

    As she followed the cobbled road in the old town, she aimlessly followed the tourists in front of her. She continued to walk until she was tired and simply couldn¡¯t walk anymore. Then she took a seat by the riverside as she stared transfixed at the glistening lights on the surface of the river and the boats asionally sailing by.

    Ji Yi was in a daze for who knows how long before she snapped to her senses and noticed that the busy little town was already empty.

    All the stores aside from the noisy bar some distance away were shut for the evening.

    There were a few sparse lights reflecting off the surface of the river. Besides the other lights from the fewnterns far away, various other spots werepletely shrouded with a dim light.

    How long had she been sitting there on her own?

    Before Ji Yi pulled the food from her bags, she noticed that she had over 99 messages when she checked her phone for the time.

    Ji Yi hesitated for a while but eventually opened WeChat.

    Besides the few messages from Tang Huahua asking if she was alright, her other B-Film colleagues and friends also asked whether or not what Lin Ya wrote on her Moments was real. Even her ssmate¡¯s WeChat groups all happily chatted away about her.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t click into their posts, but she was certain there were some nastyments. The thought of it was already devastating, so she didn¡¯t need to stifle her own heart. The next second, she exited WeChat without any hesitation.

 Chapter 202

    Chapter 202: The Right to See You (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She continued to sit by the riverside for a while before she got up and followed the stone steps to the road ahead.

    Ji Yi was so distracted by the thought of what Lin Ya did that she didn¡¯t notice the road and slipped on a rock, causing her to unexpectedly fall to the ground.

    The piercing pain woke Ji Yi up in an instant.

    She was spread out on the ground for an embarrassingly long time. When the pain gradually subsided a little, she forced herself up and realized just how painful her ankle was as she tried to walk.

    She hastily turned on the shlight on her phone, bent over to check her ankle and realized it was starting to swell up.

    So as it turned out when she identally tripped, she twisted her ankle.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t too far from the hotel she was staying at. It would take just over ten minutes to walk back.

    But a sharp pain struck her ankle with every step she took, so Ji Yi simply leaned against the tree and reached for her phone to call a taxi.

    When she opened the app to call a taxi, she saw there wasn¡¯t a single car around. Then she realized cars weren¡¯t permitted in the ancient city.

    Her parents were all the way in Hainan, she was unfamiliar with Lijiang, and she didn¡¯t have a single friend here, so she had no one to rely on. There weren¡¯t as many people therepared to the daytime, so who could she call for help? Ji Yi was deep in thought for some time before she put her phone away, gritted her teeth, endured the pain, and headed for the hotel.

    At first, Ji Yi could hold it together as she took small steps forward, but the more she walked, the more intense the bone-piercing pain was in her ankle. Eventually, whenever Ji Yi¡¯s leg hit the ground, she sharply inhaled a cold breath of air in pain as she shivered all over.

    Ji Yi simply couldn¡¯t take it anymore and couldn¡¯t care less for how dirty the ground was as she sat right on the ground.

    It waste in the evening, and she was the only person left on the well-lit road.

    Waves of pain rushed to her ankle.

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi felt really hurt. She couldn¡¯t help but bury her head in her knees.

    She stayed like that for who knows how long before her phone rang. She slowly looked up at her phone.

    The three words ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± flickered clearly on the screen.

    Ji Yi stared at the phone screen for some time before she reached over to take the call with some hesitation.

    Because He Yuguang couldn¡¯t talk, the phone was silent.

    At the same time, Ji Yi remained quiet for some time before she spoke. Even though she tried to remain calm until the very end, her voice still trembled as she spoke. ¡°Yuguang Ge, it¡¯s sote. Were you looking for me for something?¡±

    After four to five seconds of silence over the phone, the call disconnected.

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t snapped out of the busy tone when her phone rang. ¡°Ding dong!¡± ¡°He Yuguang¡± sent a text: ¡°Manman, did something happen?¡±

    Ji Yi knew Yuguang Ge only asked because he heard that something was wrong in her voice.

    With her phone in hand, she ignored the issue with Lin Ya and focused on more important matters: ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just sprained my ankle.¡±

    After sending that text out, Ji Yi typed what she just said over the phone and sent it: ¡°Yuguang Ge, it¡¯s sote. Were you looking for me for something?¡±

 Chapter 203

    Chapter 203: The Right to See You (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± replied quickly as usual, but he didn¡¯t answer her question. Instead, he asked what was on his mind: ¡°Manman, are you all on your own?¡±

    ¡°Mhm...¡± Ji Yi sent just the one word. She was just about to exin how she wasn¡¯t in Hainan to give her parents some space.

    But she only managed to type a few words before ¡°He Yuguang¡± sent another message: ¡°Where are you now?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t think too much of it and casually typed just two words: ¡°Lijiang.¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡±: ¡°Where in Lijiang?¡±

    ¡°Do you know your exact location?¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± sent two consecutive messages as though he was anxious.

    Before Ji Yi could tap the reply box, a notification popped up on WeChat so she casually clicked on it. Having just seen the three words ¡°He Yuguang,¡± she clicked ¡°agree¡± before she could clearly see what was sent. When she tapped it, she realized that she shared her location.

    Ji Yi instinctively typed a reply to ¡°He Yuguang¡±: ¡°Yuguang Ge, why did you send a location share request?¡±

    She wasn¡¯t sure if ¡°He Yuguang¡± saw her message, but he was slow to reply.

    About a minute passed when ¡°He Yuguang¡± stopped sharing the location.

    That was when Ji Yi knew he on WeChat, so she sent out a question mark.

    She waited for quite some time. Seeing as ¡°He Yuguang¡± didn¡¯t reply, she thought he probably clicked it by ident, so she didn¡¯t message him again.

    The phone was quiet for about five minutes. Seeing as ¡°He Yuguang¡± didn¡¯t reply, she figured that he might¡¯ve fallen asleep by now, or he was busy with something, so she put her phone away.

    She endured the pain in her ankle as she tried to get up. She gritted her teeth and pushed her way back to the hotel. However, she still couldn¡¯t get up. All of a sudden, her phone started to ring.

    She quickly stopped what she was doing and pulled out her phone to see that ¡°He Yuguang¡± had replied to her message: ¡°Manman, are you still where you were before?¡±

    Why¡¯s he asking where I am?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows in confusion and replied: ¡°Yeah, why?¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡±: ¡°Manman, stay there and don¡¯t move.¡±

    Why does Yuguang Ge not want me to move?

    Ji Yi was just about to message ¡°He Yuguang¡± to ask, when she received yet another message: ¡°I¡¯ll call you to be with you.¡±

    Then Ji Yi really did get a call. It was ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    Ji Yi took the call, and out of habit, she cried ¡°Yuguang Ge,¡± but she was met with a wall of silence.

    She knew He Yugung couldn¡¯t talk, so she didn¡¯t say anything more.

    On the other side of the phone, it was ridiculously silent. She could hear rustling from his end of the phone every now and then.

    Ji Yi knew he was using these little noises to tell her that he was there.

    In actuality, the sounds from his end of the phone didn¡¯t sound good, but Ji Yi thought they were heavenly, and it lifted her up from the terrible mood she was in because of Lin Ya. Little by little, she started to warm up.

    Although Yuguang Ge wasn¡¯t perfect and there was no way for him to have aforting conversation with her, he could use this call to silently be with her. This made her heart feel unbelievably calm.

    Ji Yi felt like her heart was carefully held by a pair ofrge, warm hands. Her mood became unusually delicate and soft.

 Chapter 204

    Chapter 204: The Right to See You (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Perhaps it was because both sides of the line were too quiet, but the sound of singing came from ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s side of the phone.

    Through the gentle sound of music, Ji Yi could hear the faint sound of ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s breath. It was low but strong.

    Being all alone at night instantly started to feel beautiful.

    With the phone raised, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but look up at the stars in the sky above.

    After some time had passed, Ji Yi heard a phone start to ring on ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s end.

    Ji Yi instinctively wanted to cry out ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± and say: ¡°If you have an iing call, let¡¯s hang up first.¡± However, before she could speak, she heard the sound of two sets of footsteps close by.

    Ji Yi turned her head to see a man and woman walk over.

    The man had a phone in his hand and was talking into it: ¡°I¡¯ve arrived at the ce you sent me, but I haven¡¯t found her yet...¡±

    Before the man could finish, the woman beside him saw Ji Yi and nudged the man¡¯s arm and pointed. ¡°Isn¡¯t that her?¡±

    The man¡¯s line of sight fell on Ji Yi then he spoke into the phone, ¡°...Found her. Found her.¡±

    As the man hung up, Ji Yi and He Yuguang¡¯s call was also cut.

    Straight after, a string of messages was received. She lowered her phone and saw that ¡°He Yuguang¡± had sent her a message: ¡°Those are my friends ¨C I asked them to take you to your hotel.¡±

    So, Yuguang Ge didn¡¯t mistakenly get her to share her location just now ¨C he wanted to know where she was so he could send people to take care of her?

    He was afraid she¡¯d be bored waiting there on her own, so he stayed on the phone with her?

    Ji Yi stared at the message suddenly with so much confusion.

    That man and woman had already walked over to Ji Yi. ¡°Hello, excuse me, are you Ji Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi quicklyposed herself, looked up, and politely replied, ¡°Hello, yes, I¡¯m Ji Yi.¡±

    ¡°You know Mr. He? He asked us to take you to your hotel...¡± said the woman with the beaming smile. She then looked down at Ji Yi¡¯s leg and said, ¡°...Mr. He said you twisted your ankle. Can you get up? If you can¡¯t then let this man carry you. I called this strong guy over...¡±

    As she said this, the woman shot the man a look, to which he immediately turned around and crouched in front of Ji Yi.

    The woman was probably afraid that Ji Yi would feel embarrassed, so she continued by saying, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Don¡¯t be embarrassed. They don¡¯t let cars into the ancient city, so this is the best we can do.¡±

    Having said this, any word of timidness would only make Ji Yi seem unreasonable. She quietly said ¡°Thank you¡± andid on the man¡¯s back.

    After the woman asked Ji Yi for the hotel¡¯s name, she opened her navigation app and the three of them set off in the direction of the hotel.

    The woman stayed with Ji Yi in the hotel room, but the man walked out with his phone. Who knows who he was on the phone with.

    After about a minute, a man came in. He was an orthopedic doctor.

    The woman recognised him and greeted him: ¡°Old Zhang.¡± Then she moved to make space for him to check Ji Yi¡¯s ankle.

    In the process, the man who carried Ji Yi on his back shot her a nce from outside the door. Then he talked on the phone while he walked away.

    ...

    ¡°Mr. He, Miss. Ji Yi has reached the hotel with me and my wife. Now Old Zhang is checking her ankle.¡±

 Chapter 205

    Chapter 205: The Right to See You (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji Yi has reached the hotel with me and my wife. Now Old Zhang is checking her ankle.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, just now, I secretly went over to her door and overheard Old Zhang say that she didn¡¯t injure the muscles and bones in her ankle.¡±

    He Jichen stood in front of the tall windows of the airport¡¯s VIP lounge and stared at a ne about to make anding. One hand was on the phone listening to the call, and the other hand was reaching for a cigarette. He put it to his lips and grabbed a lighter, but just when he was going to light it up, he heard the man on the phone reporting what was happening. ¡°Now Old Zhang is smearing bruise removal cream. He says she¡¯ll be able to walk like normal after two days.¡±

    He Jichen put his lighter away, removed the cigarette from his mouth, and tly said into the phone: ¡°Mhm,¡± to indicate that he heard what he said.

    ¡°Mr. He, Old Zhang has applied the medicine. It looks like she fell, since her knee was a little injured. Old Zhang is helping her disinfect it...¡± They almost finished in the hotel room, so the man knew it was time to go back. Just as he was about to say goodbye to He Jichen, he heard the sweet sound of a woman¡¯s voice on He Jichen¡¯s end of the line. ¡°Mr. He, your private ne is in position. You can board now.¡±

    The man suddenly stopped what he was going to say. ¡°Mr. He, it¡¯s sote. You still want to get on the ne? Just to...¡±

    Mid-speech, the man seemed like he suddenly thought of something and changed what he was going to say. ¡°...Mr. He, are youing to Lijiang?¡±

    Having guessed He Jichen¡¯s thoughts, he didn¡¯t hide a thing and replied with an honest ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi really is fine. If you¡¯re worried, my wife and I can stay with her tomorrow. Aren¡¯t you busy over there? You don¡¯t have to rush here overnight...¡±

    Before the man could finish trying to persuade him, He Jichen suddenly asked, ¡°She doesn¡¯t know that I arranged for you both to be there right?¡±

    ¡°No, she doesn¡¯t know. I didn¡¯t mention your name, just as you asked. I just said that Mr. He asked us toe...¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± replied He Jichen tly. He paused for a moment and added, ¡°Hanging up.¡± He didn¡¯t even wait for the man to respond before ending the call on his own ord. He pinched the cigarette as he followed the flight attendant through the VIP path to board the ne.

    As he took a seat, He Jichen fastened the seat belt and waited for the ne to take off. When it was steadily in the air, a tall and slender air hostess walked over, offering a menu. ¡°Mr. He, please let me know what you¡¯d like to order?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t take the menu but said in a t voice, ¡°A cup of cool boiled water.¡± Then he readjusted his seat to sit back in the mostfortable position and shut his eyes.

    The air hostess quickly brought back a cup of cold water, but seeing as he had his eyes shut, she assumed he was sleeping so she didn¡¯t disturb him. She gently put the cup of water down and attentively helped him turn off the lights above his head before she left.

    He Jichen continued to shut his eyes to get some rest for a while before his eyelids flickered open again and he reached for the cup of water. When he drank half the cup, he put it down and turned to look out the window at the pitch-ck sky. The stars glistened radiantly and the moonlight shone brightly.

    He stared at the shockingly beautiful night view and suddenly thought back to the WeChat messages Tang Huahua sent him four hours ago...

    ...

    Since ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was going to start shooting in under a month, he only had new year¡¯s family dinner at home on Chinese new year¡¯s eve before getting on an overnight ne back to Beijing.

 Chapter 206

    Chapter 206: The Right to See You (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Tonight, he originally nned to meet the the production team for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± to discuss the script, but after talking to everybody for just a short while, his phone rang.

    As they were all alerts from WeChat, he didn¡¯t really bother with them. Thinking that it couldn¡¯t possibly be anything important, he put his phone on silent and continued with the meeting about the script.

    After about half an hour passed, the phone in his pocket started to vibrate.

    He knew it was an iing call, so he reached to pull out his phone as he continued to point out to the people around him the areas where the script could be improved.

    As he spoke, he lowered his head and nced over at the phone screen to see the three words ¡°Tang Huahua.¡± He furrowed his brows, and he felt a little bewildered. Why was Tang Huahua looking for him on new year¡¯s day?

    He Jichen immediately tapped the button to take the call. When he finished what he had to say at the meeting, he raised the phone to his ear and said nonchntly, ¡°Hello?¡±

    As soon as Tang Huahua heard him speak, she immediately said in a panic, ¡°He Xuezhang, I can¡¯t get a hold of Xiao Yi. I¡¯m afraid she¡¯s taking things too hard and something happened to her...¡±

    When He Jichen heard the two words ¡°Xiao Yi,¡± he suddenly stopped circling the script with a pen. The next second, he apologized to the room full of people then kicked his chair back and walked out of the meeting room with his phone.

    When he reached a quiet spot, He Jichen then asked over the phone, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Lin Ya. Lin Ya sent a photo of Xiao Yi on Moments then started to talk a lot of crap. I told Xiao Yi about it then she started ignoring me. I was afraid she was feeling horrible, so I constantly sent her messages tofort her, but she never replied. I was a little worried so I called her, but nobody picked up...¡±

    Over the phone, Tang Huahua talked for a long time, but He Jichen caught the key point in an instant. ¡°What kind of photo did Lin Ya send?¡±

    ¡°Half an hour ago, I sent it to you on WeChat...¡±

    As Tang Huahua was in mid-speech, He Jichen hung up the call without a word and opened WeChat.

    He ignored the other unread messages but searched for Tang Huahua¡¯s name and clicked on it.

    The first screenshot turned He Jichen¡¯s eyes cold. As he remained frozen in ce while swiping the screen to see the screenshot, the expression on his face grew bleak. Eventually, he looked like he was going to break a sweat.

    Lin Ya actually hadn¡¯t change one bit, and she dared to do something like this to Ji Yi?!

    A sh of fury crossed He Jichen¡¯s eyes. The next second, he found Ji Yi¡¯s phone number and called her.

    Compared to Lin Ya, Ji Yi should be his priority...

    But when he called her, the line was cut.

    He tried it a few times over, but just as he thought there was something wrong with his phone, he suddenly remembered that after what happened at the Four Seasons Hotel, she put his number on her blocked list.

    He Jichen put his phone away and strode back into the meeting room. He called his secretary, wanting to borrow his phone, but then remembered how terrible Ji Yi must be feeling right now, seeing what Lin Ya wrote on Moments.

    He saw her the same day she broke for winter holidays. When she saw him at the university gates, she turned away, so that meant she obviously didn¡¯t want to see him.

 Chapter 207

    Chapter 207: The Right to See You (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    This situation with Lin Ya involved him, so he was afraid that she loathed and med him deep down inside.

    It would only make her bad mood worse if he just called her.

    After the secretary noticed that He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything after calling for him, he asked in bewilderment, ¡°Mr. He?¡±

    When He Jichen heard this, he hastily snapped back to reality and looked over at the secretary.

    ¡°Mr. He, you called for me?¡± the secretary quickly asked as he met He Jichen¡¯s gaze.

    He Jichen clenched his hands tightly and shook his head. He replied in a t tone, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±

    After some time, he spoke again. ¡°I have other matters to attend to. Discuss and edit the script amongst yourselves and email it to meter. I¡¯ll reply to you all in a bit.¡±

    With that, He Jichen turned around and left the meeting room.

    Back in his own office, He Jichen leaned against the wooden door and stood there without moving an inch for a long time. Then he strode over to the desk, pulled out He Yuguang¡¯s phone from the drawer, and turned it on.

    She liked He Yuguang so much when she was young, so it would more or less make her feel better if he called her as He Yuguang, right?

    He had always been ill-tempered. Above all, he couldn¡¯t stand how non-existent he was in her eyes. Every time he pretended to be his older brother, he had to remember to contain himself so he never lost control in front of her.

    The only reason he was so willing to endure this suffering was because he was afraid that without pretending to be his older brother at all, they would truly be worlds apart.

    He Jichen tried hard to push down the bitterness in his heart. He texted Ji Yi, copying He Yuguang¡¯s style of writing.

    It was just as Tang Huahua said. She didn¡¯t reply to his messages or pick up his calls.

    He started to panic slightly, and without thinking twice, he headed for the underground car park. Last night, when he sent her new years wishes as He Yuguang, he found out her family of three was in Hainan, so he headed straight for the airport.

    It waste, so there weren¡¯t any more flights to Hainan for a while; He Jichen could only book a private ride.

    As he waited for a notification from the airport, he called her a number of times. It wasn¡¯t until his phone almost ran out of battery when she finally picked up.

    He found out she was in Lijiang, so he hurriedly ordered the staff at the airport to change their course from Hainan to Lijiang.

    She was quite some distance away from him, and he didn¡¯t know how serious her sprained ankle was, so he called employees from hispany to take care of her.

    The instant she picked up his call, he sensed a grunt in her voice and knew she had been affected by Lin Ya after all. Alone in a foreign ce, he was afraid she was upset, so he stayed on the line with her to silently apany her.

    His anxious heart only settled down slowly when his employee called him back to let him know that they found her.

    He pushed the car door open and was about to walk into the airport when he nced over at the well-decorated box in the front passenger seat. He hesitated for a moment then reached his hand out and picked it up.

    ...

    After boarding the ne, He Jichen blinked softly then averted his gaze from the ne¡¯s window to the gift by his foot.

    It was a new year¡¯s gift he prepared for her, but he didn¡¯t know how to give it to her.

    Just like tonight, he knew she was devastated, but he still really wanted to be with her. There was no way he could get close to her as He Jichen.

 Chapter 208

    Chapter 208: The Right to See You (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Did you know? Ji Yi... Every day, my heartes up with a thousand, no, a million reasons to see you, but I don¡¯t have any right to see you.

    He Jichen felt a deep feeling of grief spew out little by little from his heart.

    He looked at peace as though he wasn¡¯t bothered by his thoughts at all, but his hands slowly clenched into fists.

    He tried hard to stop himself from losing itpletely on the ne.

    Even as his nails painfully pierced his palms, there was no sign of him easing up. It took quite a long time for the throbbing pain and sorrow in his heart to subside before he slowly rxed his fists. He felt his left palm was a little sticky, so he looked down to find tiny drops of blood from his nails digging into his palm.

    ¨C

    Because of the medicine applied to her leg, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t take a shower. She waited for the doctor, man and woman to leave before she limped over to the bathroom to freshen up a little andid back in bed.

    It was already two in the morning, but Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sleepy. With her phone in hand, before she realized what she was doing, her fingers opened WeChat and typed in ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    ¡°They are my friends. I asked them to help take you to the hotel.¡± When she met the man and woman, he received her message which read, ¡°I see them.¡±

    Up till now, he hadn¡¯t sent her a reply.

    About forty-five minutes passed. Could he already be asleep?

    Ji Yi bit her fingers and stared at her phone screen for some time before she typed a single line message and sent it. ¡°Yuguang Ge, I¡¯ve safely reached the hotel. They even found a doctor to take care of my injury.¡±

    After a moment, Ji Yi added, ¡°They¡¯ve left now.¡±

    After about five minutes, Ji Yi saw that ¡°He Yuguang¡± still hadn¡¯t replied to her message, so she simply scrolled through Weibo on her phone to waste time. She nced at her Moments until she saw that ¡°He Yuguang¡± was still silent two and a half hourster, so she clicked on their WeChat conversation and found onest topic to talk about. ¡°Yuguang Ge, I need to sleep now. Thank you for tonight.¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± didn¡¯t reply as usual. Ji Yi, who wasn¡¯t really sleepy, swiped the screen and read all the messages between herself and ¡°He Yuguang¡± from the moment they were reunited till the present day.

    When she finished, Ji Yi still felt wide awake, so she started to re-read their conversation from start to end again. A third of the way down, her eyelids started to struggle, and she fought with her sleepiness to push through ten more lines. Then her eyelids closed and she stopped resisting.

    Her phone screen wasn¡¯t locked, so the bright light shone on her fairplexion, making her look peaceful and beautiful.

    Having not yet fallen asleep yet, her mind wandered for some reason to what she read a month ago in the study of the apartment of ¡°He Yuguang¡±: ¡°I wish you would get lost all your life ande to my side.¡± The line became clearer in her mind, and she eventually remembered how she sat alone in the ancient city by the road, listening to his silent call over an hour ago.

    She couldn¡¯t help but curve the corner of her lips into a smile.

    Since it had been a long time since the phone was touched, the screen locked automatically.

    As Ji Yi¡¯s consciousness slipped into the darkness, she fell asleep.

 Chapter 209

    Chapter 209: The Right to See You (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Even though the situation with Lin Ya was so irritating, Ji Yi still managed to sleep unusually well. When she woke up, it was already eleven in the morning.

    She removed the covers, and the first thing she did when she sat up was check her ankle. Her red, swollen ankle seemed to have improved a lot with the applied medicine.

    She tried to walk two steps, and though it still hurt, it was better than how it wasst night.

    It looked like it was just as the orthopedic doctor saidst night ¨C she probably only needed to rest at the hotel for a day before she could walk like normal.

    Ji Yi went to brush her teeth and freshened up in the bathroom. When she came out, she found her phone on the bed, tapped to unlock it, and saw that ¡°He Yuguang¡± sent her two replies.

    One was a polite ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± and the other read: ¡°Goodnight.¡±

    After she clicked on the message, Ji Yi then saw that he sent the messages at half past four in the morning.

    Did Yuguang reply with those messages after waking up at half past four, or was he up all that time, busy with something?

    With that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers typed a message and she sent it over. ¡°Yuguang Ge, why were you up sote?¡±

    He probably didn¡¯t have his phone on him, so Ji Yi waited for some time without receiving a reply. She put down her phone and was just about to grab thendline on her bedside table to request the front desk for breakfast when her phone rang: ¡°Ding!¡±

    Ji Yi nced over at her glowing phone screen and saw ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s reply, ¡°Manman, open the door.¡±

    Open the door? Open what door?

    Ji Yi was stunned for a moment, thinking that ¡°He Yuguang¡± must¡¯ve sent the message to the wrong person. Just as she was about to reply with a ¡°?¡±, three loud knocks rang out from the hotel room door: ¡°Dong! Dong! Dong!¡±

    Ji Yi casually asked, ¡°Who is it?¡± The knocks stopped. With her phone in hand, she hopped over to the door as she unlocked her phone to check He Yuguang¡¯s reply.

    ¡°Yuguang Ge, did you send the wrong message?¡± After Ji Yi typed this, she walked over to the door without sending the reply, and she reached her hand out to open the door.

    The man standing at the door carried two bags in one hand, and his phone in the other. His head was lowered as he looked at his phone like he was going to type something.

    Both his fair wrists were exposed, and aside from a watch on his left hand, he didn¡¯t have any essories on.

    Ji Yi instantly froze as she stared at the man before her eyes, like her pressure points had been struck.

    When the man heard the sound of the door being opened, he raised his head and silently smiled at the sight of Ji Yi.

    The moment Ji Yi saw his smile, she softly moved her lips, seemingly distracted. After being stunned for quite some time, she asked in disbelief and hesitantly said, ¡°Yu-Yuguang Ge?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but kindly smiled at her like usual.

    Ji Yi slowly snapped back from the sudden shock of ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s appearance and said, ¡°Yuguang Ge, why are you here?¡±

    After Ji Yi asked this, she realized just how tired ¡°He Yuguang¡± looked. The heavy, dark circles under his eyes made it seem like he hadn¡¯t slept all night.

    She suddenly thought back to the message he sent at half past four in the morning, and an unbelievable thought suddenly crossed her mind: Yuguang Ge, c-couldn¡¯t have taken a ne through the night to get to Lijiang, right?!

 Chapter 210

    Chapter 210: The Right to See You (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t invite him in, He Jichen then looked down again at his phone.

    He quickly deleted the sentence he started typing when she didn¡¯t open the door immediately. Then, he started to type a few new words: ¡°May Ie in?¡±

    Because it wasn¡¯t a whiteboard, when He Jichen finished typing this, he casually sent it to Ji Yi.

    The vibration in her palms brought Ji Yi back to her senses. She looked down at the phone and realized that it really was ¡°He Yuguang¡± standing at her door. Where were her manners? She hadn¡¯t invited him in yet.

    Ji Yi hastily opened the door and said, slightly embarrassed, ¡°Yuguang Ge, my bad. Pleasee in.¡±

    Ji Yi shut the doors behind ¡°He Yuguang¡± and was about to hop back to the bedroom when ¡°He Yuguang¡± looked like he had a sudden thought. He stopped walking, put his phone in his pocket, reached over to lead Ji Yi by the arm, and walked her over to the sofa in the hotel room.

    After Ji Yi sat down, she quickly pointed down at the empty space on the sofa. ¡°Yuguang Ge, take a seat too.¡±

    He Jichen gave a gentle nod and put down the two bags in his hands. Then, without any warning, he crouched in front of Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi jumped in shock at his sudden movement and instinctively cried, ¡°Yuguang Ge!¡±

    He Jichen was as silent as ever when he reached his hand over and grabbed one of her ankles as if he hadn¡¯t heard what she said.

    He nced down and realized that there were no scars on this slender, fair ankle, so he quickly reached for the other ankle.

    When he grabbed the obviously red, swollen ankle, his handsome brows furrowed.

    That was when Ji Yi realized ¡°He Yuguang¡± was checking her injury.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart warmed as she quickly exined, ¡°Yuguang Ge, my ankle is fine now. When I woke up today, it was a lot less painful than yesterday.¡±

    He Jichen nced up at her and heard what Ji Yi said, but he didn¡¯t let go of her ankle. He looked down and carefully examined all around her ankle. Even though he never studied medicine, he knew basic first aid. After he confirmed that she hadn¡¯t injured her bones or muscles, he finally let go of her ankle. He nced over at the scrapes on her lower leg, then got up and sat by Ji Yi on the sofa.

    Ji Yi, who hadn¡¯t eaten breakfast, was already hungry. She waited for ¡°He Yuguang¡± to sit before she said, ¡°Yuguang Ge, you haven¡¯t had lunch yet, right? I¡¯ll call to order some food...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she grabbed the menu on the coffee table by the sofa and handed it to ¡°He Yuguang.¡± ¡°Yuguang Ge, take a look at what you want to eat!¡±

    He Jichen took the menu, flipped through it a little, and tapped the ¡°Stir-fried beef with t rice noodles¡± twice.

    Ji Yi picked up the phone and called the front desk to ce her order.

    Aside from what ¡°He Yuguang¡± wanted, she also asked for soup, a cup of coffee, and a te of fruit for him.

    After she put the phone down, she turned to stare directly at one of the bags ¡°He Yuguang¡± put down on the coffee table.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if she was seeing things, but she felt like the expression in ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s eyes wasplex.

 Chapter 211

    Chapter 211: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She wasn¡¯t sure if she was seeing things, but she felt like the expression in ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s eyes wereplex. It was as though he was struggling to decide whether or not to do something.

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows in confusion, and just as she was about to inquire about it, ¡°He Yuguang¡± who hadn¡¯t moved an inch till now, suddenly reached his arm out and dragged over the bag that he had been staring at. Then, he pulled out a gift box, put it onto the coffee table, and pushed it in front of Ji Yi with his fingertips.

    Ji Yi stared at the giftbox stunned then looked up at ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    Even though she didn¡¯t say a word, He Jichen knew, with just one look into her eyes, what she meant. He pulled his phone from his pocket, opened his notes app, and started to type.

    When he was done, he stared at the screen for a little while before appearing like he made some kind of decision. He ced the phone on top of the gift box.

    As Ji Yi picked up the phone, He Jichen averted his gaze to the window where she couldn¡¯t see his expression.

    This new year¡¯s gift was initially supposed to be given to her by He Jichen, but in the end, he gave it to her assuming the identity of the man she loved.

    He didn¡¯t actually want to do this, but if he didn¡¯t go through with this, he¡¯d never be able to give her his gift.

    So there was nothing to be sad about, right? No matter what, she received something of his in the end ¨C even if she didn¡¯t know the true identity of the person who gave it to her.

    The words ¡°He Yuguang¡± typed were six simple words: ¡°A new year¡¯s gift for you.¡±

    Besides the red envelope she received from her parents on new year¡¯s eve, this was the first gift she received this year.

    Ji Yi stared at the words ¡°He Yuguang¡± typed on the screen as a wave of warmth flowed into her heart. After some time, she returned ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s phone and said in a quiet voice, ¡°Yuguang Ge, thank you for the new year¡¯s present.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t type anymore but curved the corners of his lips into a smile which said: ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    The food Ji Yi ordered arrived quickly.

    The two of them sat opposite each other as they ate. When Ji Yi was full, she remembered the thought she had when she saw ¡°He Yuguang¡± at the door: ¡°He Yuguang couldn¡¯t have caught a ne to Lijiang overnight...¡± What¡¯s more, as soon as he stepped in, he immediately checked her ankle...

    For some reason, Ji Yi was certain her suspicions were true. She bit her chopsticks as she stared at the man with his head down eating quietly. After some time, she lowered the chopsticks from her mouth and cried, ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡±

    When He Jichen heard this, he stopped eating and looked up at Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers held her chopsticks tightly as she asked in a quiet voice, ¡°Yuguang Ge, did youe to Lijiangst night?¡±

    He Jichen seemed shocked like he never imagined Ji Yi would suddenly ask such a thing, but he eventually straightened up and gave a gentle nod.

    With this confirmation, Ji Yi¡¯s heart gently trembled for a moment before she asked, ¡°Yuguang Ge, did your nend about half-past four when you sent that reply?¡±

    He Jichen nodded again.

    So, all my suspicions were true...

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi¡¯s heart raced.

    Last night, on the phone, he heard that her voice sounded odd, and the first thing he did was ask where she was. Then, he sent people to take care of her.

    She thought these actions were considerate enough.

    She never imagined that after he called her, he rushed over by ne overnight and travelled so far to be by her side...

 Chapter 212

    Chapter 212: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, her fingers shook as she held her chopsticks, causing her to identally flick the food from her te onto ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s te.

    He instinctively looked up from his food towards Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi was afraid that ¡°He Yuguang¡± would catch on to how she felt from the expression on her face, so before his eyes could meet hers, she quickly looked down at the leftover food on her te.

    She tried to look nonchnt as she picked up her food and resumed eating.

    He Jichen nced over at Ji Yi. Seeing as everything was normal, he didn¡¯t pay much attention to what happened. He casually looked away and continued to eat his food.

    Ji Yi waited for her roaring heart to calm down slightly then she raised her eyelids and sneaked a peek at ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    He drank his coffee with a warm expression on his face as though he hadn¡¯t noticed her ident just now.

    When Ji Yi¡¯s anxious heart finally settled down, she put her chopsticks down as she was full from the meal. She stared over at ¡°He Yuguang¡± for two seconds and said in low voice, ¡°Yuguang Ge, I¡¯m actually fine. You really didn¡¯t have toe all this way.¡±

    He Jichen drank his coffee leisurely then put the cup down to grab his phone from the table. His fingers moved a few times then he handed Ji Yi the phone.

    After taking the phone, she looked at the three lonely words on the screen: ¡°Worried about you.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled for a moment, causing the phone to fall from her hands and crash onto the floor.

    In a panic, she hastily picked up her phone and held it tightly as she nced up at ¡°He Yuguang.¡± When her eyes met his, she couldn¡¯t help but look away.

    His three words were too blunt ¨C they were so blunt that Ji Yi didn¡¯t know how to respond. Her gaze faltered for a moment before she forced herself to regain someposure and she pretended to smile calmly. ¡°Anyway, Yuguang Ge, I still have to thank you. I ...¡±

    Mid-speech, Ji Yi suddenly didn¡¯t quite know how to continue. She felt her heart race faster as though it was going to burst out of her chest. She then suddenly caught a glimpse of the bed from the corner of her eye and she thought about how he rushed there overnight, so he probably hadn¡¯t gotten any rest. An idea suddenly came to mind, and she continued by saying, ¡°...I slept for a really long time, so I¡¯ve slept enough. Yuguang Ge, you must¡¯ve not had a good night¡¯s rest, rushing over herest night. Now that you¡¯ve eaten, how about you go freshen up and get some rest?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t refuse Ji Yi¡¯s kind gesture and responded with a soft ¡°Mm.¡± He picked up the cup of coffee from the table and drank it all before getting up to go to the bathroom.

    After freshening up, He Jichen walked out dressed infortable clothes. He nced over at Ji Yi in silence and fell right into bed in exhaustion. He pulled the covers over his body and fell asleep soon after.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare watch TV in fear that she¡¯d wake up ¡°He Yuguang¡± from his sleep, so she simply pulled up ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± and read it from start to finish.

    After staying in the same position while reading for a long time, Ji Yi also felt a little tired.

    She put down her phone and rubbed her sore neck. Her eyes involuntarily fell on ¡°He Yuguang¡± who was deep asleep on the bed.

 Chapter 213

    Chapter 213: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She hesitated for a moment before her eyes slowly shifted and stopped on his sleeping face.

    She never imagined that a low grunt and a few nonchnt words telling him that she sprained her ankle over the phone actually meant a lot to him.

    In his presence, she felt precious and treasured, like she was an important person he couldn¡¯t live without.

    The expression on Ji Yi¡¯s face didn¡¯t change, but her fingers on the phone slightly tightened their grip. She felt her heart surge again inside.

    After some time, Ji Yi withdrew her gaze from ¡°He Yuguang,¡± and thought back to the new year¡¯s gift he gave her. She put down her phone and very gently started to remove the packaging.

    It was an exquisite diamond bracelet.

    The sunlight from the tall windows on the first floor happened to hit the bracelet, revealing an eye-piercing shine. The light shone into Ji Yi¡¯s eyes, but it seemed more like it shone right into her heart.

    The afternoon sunshine in Lijiang was unusually bright. Ji Yi watched as the sunshine pierced through the wide floor-to-ceiling windows and illuminated the room even more. She was afraid that all that light would affect ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s sleep, so she got up and quietly walked over to the windows and pulled the curtains closed.

    The filtered sunlight felt better. Ji Yi nestled back onto the sofa and vaguely heard the long, serene sounds of ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s breaths.

    One breath after another swept into her heart making her body feel tickled and tingly, carrying an indescribable pounding and trembling feeling into her chest.

    Just as she was about to grab her phone and continue reading the story of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± Ji Yi¡¯s heart felt flustered again. She stared at the dense ck words on the screen for a long time but none of the words got through to her. In the end, she put her phone down and stared at the traditional painting of a woman on the wall in aplete daze.

    Ji Yi, who hadn¡¯t had an afternoon break, gradually became sleepy. She nestled into afortable position on the sofa and shut her eyes.

    When she woke up again, the curtains were already open and the zing sunlight from the window was bright red from the setting sun. There was also a nket pulled over her.

    Ji Yi was stunned for a moment before she hugged the nket and slowly sat up straight. ¡°He Yuguang¡± was no longer on the bed, and there were low, endless tapping sounds of a keyboard in the room. When she heard this, she turned her head and saw ¡°He Yuguang¡± sitting in front of theputer, typing away on the keyboard at a ridiculous speed. He looked like he was busy with work.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t disturb ¡°He Yuguang¡±, but searched for her phone and randomly browsed some websites for a while. Then she opened the script for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± and picked up where she left off in the afternoon.

    After handling his emails, He Jichen reached his hand out for his cup of water and nced over at Ji Yiying on the sofa out of habit.

    She was sleeping sweetly earlier, but now she was awake, holding her phone, captivated by whatever was on the screen since who knew when.

    He noticed there was a brand new diamond bracelet on her fair wrist.

    It was the new year¡¯s gift he prepared for her long ago. After she woke up, she put on the bracelet, so his suspicions were right. She would definitely like something He Yuguang gave her...

    He Jichen tried to hide the sadness in his eyes.

    ...

    After dinner, He Jichen continued to sit in front of theptop and work.

    Since it was winter break, hotels in Lijiang were full. Since He Jichen arrived on such short notice, he couldn¡¯t book a room.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t let ¡°He Yuguang¡± sleep on the streets, but after she was hit by that wave of sleepiness, she stared at therge bed, regretting that she hadn¡¯t booked a twin room.

 Chapter 214

    Chapter 214: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    While He Jichen was busy with work, he nced over at Ji Yi every now and then. When he felt her gaze shift repeatedly over to himself and the bed, He Jichen¡¯s brows furrowed. He paused for a moment then he realized what was on her mind.

    He Jichen nced at hisptop to see that it was already ten. It was indeed time to get some rest. He grabbed his phone from the desk, typed a message, and sent it to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi noticed her phone vibrate, so she looked down at the screen to see the three words ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡± She instinctively looked over to the man in front of theputer before she read the message: ¡°Manman, if you¡¯re sleepy, just go to sleep. Tonight I have a lot of work, so you don¡¯t have to worry about me.¡±

    So it turned out he saw through what was on her mind.

    But does he really have work to do, or is it just an excuse he used to make me feel more at ease?

    Ji Yi stared at the phone screen and after some thought, rather than speaking to ¡°He Yuguang¡± directly, she replied with a short ¡°Oh¡± in return.

    After Ji Yi freshened up, she climbed into bed.

    The main light switch was next to He Jichen. Seeing that sheid down, he casually pressed it, instantly engulfing the entire room in darkness aside from the light emitting from hisptop.

    In that very moment, Ji Yi, who was so sleepy she was yawning earlier, shut her eyes but couldn¡¯t sleep at all.

    After Ji Yi tossed and turned countless times in bed, she couldn¡¯t help but eventually reach for her phone by the pillow.

    After opening her conversation with He Yuguang in WeChat, Ji Yi pursed the corners of her lips and eventually typed, ¡°Yuguang Ge, I¡¯ll leave you half the bed. When you finish working, remember to get some rest.¡±

    Ji Yi stopped for a moment then added a few words: ¡°Don¡¯t take this the wrong way... I mean, I just think it¡¯s not healthy to stay upte.¡±

    After Ji Yi finished writing the message, she shoved her thumb into her mouth and nibbled on her nail. As she bit down, she pressed the send button.

    She knew ¡°He Yuguang¡± would definitely see her message, so she put her phone face-down and shut her eyes.

    After about twenty seconds, she vaguely heard the sound of him unlocking his phone, then shortly after, her own phone lit up. She knew that she received a message. She paused for a moment then quietly picked up her phone and nced at the screen.

    ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s reply was simple; there was just one word: ¡°Goodnight.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply to ¡°He Yuguang¡± since she said everything she wanted to, and her heart felt more at peace. She put down the phone, shut her eyes, and not long after, she fell asleep.

    The next morning, when Ji Yi woke up, the other half of the bed was empty.

    The bed sheets were also neat like no one had slept in them.

    Yuguang Ge couldn¡¯t have really been busy working all night long, right?

    As that thought entered Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she bolted upright in bed and saw ¡°He Yuguang¡±ying on the sofa. He had the same nket from her afternoon nap the day before.

    The sofa was a little small, and since he was tall, a big chunk of his legs was suspended in the air.

    Just by looking at his posture made her feel like she was in pain. So he...

    I purposely gave him permission to share the bed with me after he finished his work, yet he didn¡¯t.

    Was it out of respect for me, or was he afraid to disturb me if we slept side by side?

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers suddenly tightened on the covers.

 Chapter 215

    Chapter 215: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After some time, Ji Yi¡¯s eyelids gently flickered as she rxed her fingers and looked away from ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    The first thing Ji Yi looked at when she removed the covers was her sprained ankle. It was still a little swollen, but she tried to stand up. She immediately felt a tinge of pain, so she hastily sat back down. After a while, she tried again and after confirming that she could endure the pain, she headed for the bathroom.

    He Jichen was ufortable on the sofa, so he woke up not long after Ji Yi did.

    After he freshened up, the first thing he did was check if Ji Yi¡¯s ankle improved.

    Ji Yi secretly endured the pain in her ankle ¨C in front of ¡°He Yuguang,¡± she took two nimble steps and said, ¡°Yuguang Ge, I¡¯m fine now.¡±

    Ji Yi was afraid that ¡°He Yuguang¡± wouldn¡¯t believe her, so after she finished speaking, she even performed a perfect ballet pose.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze lingered on ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s brows. When she came out of her pose, she saw the knot between his brows loosen, so she knew that he believed her. She then gracefully walked over to the phone and ordered breakfast as she let out a sigh of relief with her back turned to ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    Since ¡°He Yuguang¡± hadn¡¯t gotten a good night¡¯s rest two nights in a row, his handsome eyes were filled with exhaustion.

    After Ji Yi put the phone down, she nced over at the sofa where he was rubbing his brows non-stop. Then she lowered her gaze and silently pursed her lips. The moment she opened her eyes, she pictured the sleeping man on the sofa. A thought came to mind and she said, ¡°Yuguang Ge, my foot is better now. It¡¯s fine. I can go out and continue strolling around the old town. Since you¡¯re pretty busy with work, please don¡¯t worry about me.¡±

    Ji Yi was afraid that ¡°He Yuguang¡± would find an excuse to stay, so she added, ¡°I have ns to go Erhai Lake tomorrow, so Yuguang Ge, you should go about your own business.¡±

    He Jichen really did have a load of work to deal with back in Beijing, so seeing as she said this, he didn¡¯t bother arguing with her. As he shot her a gentle nod, he grabbed his phone to check flight times and he booked a ticket for that afternoon.

    After the flight was sessfully booked, He Jichen passed a message on his phone to Ji Yi: ¡°I booked a flight for twelve in the afternoon.¡±

    After Ji Yi saw that line, He Jichen continued to type: ¡°Since you¡¯re in Lijiang all alone, you have take care of yourself. If anything happen, you can contact me anytime.¡±

    Ji Yi smiled as she responded with, ¡°Thank you Yuguang Ge.¡±

    He Jichen curved his lips, but he didn¡¯t say anything.

    Breakfast was quickly delivered. The two of them ate in silence. He Jichen nced at the time and realized it was already half past nine. It was just about time to leave for the airport, so he got up and started to pack his things.

    Ji Yi apanied He Jichen all the way to the hotel entrance. The taxi, which the front desk requested for him, had already arrived, so the doorman opened the car door for He Jichen. He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to get into the car, so he continued to type a few reminders for Ji Yi then told her ¡°Goodbye¡± before he bent down and got into the car.

    Ji Yi stood to the side as she stared at the car after it left. She quickly bent over to check her ankle which she had convincingly pretended didn¡¯t hurt as she apanied He Yuguang downstairs. When she confirmed it was fine, she turned around and limped back into the hotel.

 Chapter 216

    Chapter 216: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Even though ¡°He Yuguang¡± appeared for just one night and day, Ji Yi still felt empty inside as she stepped into the elevator.

    She actually didn¡¯t want to let him go. In this world, there was nobody who didn¡¯t want to be with a person who was incredibly considerate and treated them incredibly well.

    But she couldn¡¯t let him suffer or trouble him by making him stay in Lijiang with her, right?

    Most importantly, she had been forcing herself to put some distance between them. If it wasn¡¯t for what happened with Lin Ya, if she hadn¡¯t twisted her ankle, and if he hadn¡¯t rushed there overnight, the two of them wouldn¡¯t have spent a whole day and night alone together...

    She wasn¡¯t stupid; she clearly felt herself fall irresistibly harder for him in just one day and night.

    The confused feelings she felt for him were far stronger than when she was younger.

    She was really afraid ¨C afraid that she would lose control and fall in love with him without a second thought, so she pretended like her foot was fine to allow him to leave without worrying.

    Yes... Fall in love.

    No matter how she felt about him when she was young, now that she thought back on it, it was just puppy-love.

    But now, the feeling she had deep down inside was true love.

    The way she felt about him waspletely different from the past.

    It was the same person, and it was just four years difference, so how could her feelings be so drastically different?

    Ji Yi slightly furrowed her brows. Having not recovered from her confusion and bewilderment, her heart was engulfed by sadness and frustration.

    If only he wasn¡¯t He Jichen¡¯s older brother, how great would that be... She wouldn¡¯t need to worry so much ¨C if she loved him, she could do it openly...

    Four years ago, she couldn¡¯t ignore the mistake she and He Jichen made that night, and it stopped her from following her heart with He Yuguang.

    When the elevator doors opened, Ji Yi stood there foolishly for a while before she came out.

    She didn¡¯t know how she made her way to the door of her hotel room, nor how she managed to swipe her room key to open the door... in brief, when she snapped back to her senses, she was sitting on the sofa in a daze.

    Had He Yuguang not appeared, she wouldn¡¯t feel this lonely travelling by herself. Now, in the hotel room, whenever she looked over at the desk, she would remember how he worked therest night. When she looked over at the sofa, she would remember that he slept there before. When she looked at the bracelet on her wrist, she would remember that he gave it to her... Ji Yi¡¯s mood became instantly gloomy.

    Ji Yi¡¯s ankle wasn¡¯t better yet, so she couldn¡¯t go out. Instead, she hugged a pillowfortably on the sofa while watching television.

    It looked like she was watching TV, but she actually didn¡¯t know what was on. It was only when housekeeping came in to help her clean up that she realized she¡¯d been watching the shopping channel for half the day.

    She hastily grabbed the remote control, changed the channel, then stared straight at the television.

    The housekeeper cleaned up very carefully, quietly, never disturbing Ji Yi.

    After the housekeeper reced the bed sheets, she walked into the bathroom. She was busy working inside for about ten minutes before she suddenly came out. ¡°Miss, is this yours? I found this on the tissue box in the bathroom.¡±

    Ji Yi turned her head when she heard the housekeeper.

    ¡°This looks pretty expensive,¡± continued the housekeeper as she handed the object in their hand over to Ji Yi.

 Chapter 217

    Chapter 217: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi looked down, over at the object in the housekeeper¡¯s palm, and her eyes suddenly flew wide open.

    It was a piece of nephrite jade so clear it looked like water; it was glossy and bright in quality, releasing a faint energy around it.

    The jade must¡¯ve been casually carried for many years. It was smooth and round, and it was thick and solid to the touch.

    The jade was shaped like a crescent moon, and it was intricately carved into a lucky dragon. It was just as the housekeeper said ¨C it really did look like an expensive piece of jade. The only w it had was a small chip in the corner, shaped like a crescent moon.

    Ji Yi figured that perhaps the owner of the jade dropped it identally, causing it to chip when it hit the ground. Moreover, the shape of the missing piece looked a little familiar.

    Seeing as Ji Yi stared at the jade in her hand without much of a response, the housekeeper prompted her with ¡°Miss?¡±

    Ji Yi snapped back to her senses and shot a few nces at the jade again before looking up at the housekeeper to politely reply, ¡°It¡¯s not mine, but it¡¯s probably my friend¡¯s. I¡¯ll call him now to ask.¡±

    ¡°Alright, Miss.¡± The housekeeper looked like she was afraid to break the jade as she carefully set the jade down on the coffee table in front of Ji Yi. The housekeeper then turned around and walked back into the bathroom.

    Ji Yi found her phone, took a photo of the jade, and sent it to ¡°He Yuguang.¡± ¡°Yuguang Ge, is this yours? It was in the hotel bathroom.¡±

    After the photo was sent, Ji Yi nced over at the time. ¡°He Yuguang¡± should already be on the ne now, so she didn¡¯t wait for a reply and threw her phone back onto the sofa. Then she carefully took a closer look at the jade on the table. The more she examined it, the more familiar the chipped part of the jade looked. She reached her hand out to pick it up. The instant her fingers touched the jade, she immediately felt a sense of familiarity. Ji Yi¡¯s entire body shook as her face turned slightly pale.

    Even though she didn¡¯t really know much about jade, this piece seemed incredibly familiar... It felt so familiar, it was like...

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart jumped into her throat as she held her breath and stared at the jade in her hand for a moment. Then she got up and limped over to the bed and sat down. She reached over to her own bag, unzipped it, and pulled out her purse. As she opened the inner pocket, she pulled out a tiny red pouch.

    She opened the pouch and pulled out a small hook-shaped piece of nephrite jade.

    Under the sunlight, therge and small pieces of jade released the same glossy shine, looking like they were the same piece of jade.

    Ji Yi hesitated for a moment before she took the small piece of jade from the pouch to try to piece it together with therger piece the housekeeper found in the bathroom.

    Although the chipped end of the jade was rubbed smooth, the outline of the crack still managed to join with the smaller piece impably.

    Ji Yi stared at the conjoined pieces like her pressure points had been hit. She didn¡¯t move an inch.

    After the housekeeper finished cleaning the bathroom, she said a few words to Ji Yi before she stepped out. Seeing as Ji Yi was sitting frozen on the bed without any reaction, the housekeeper drew closer. Just as she reached Ji Yi, she saw the two pieces of jade in her hand and suddenly cried out, ¡°I thought this piece of jade was missing a piece. I never imagined that it was broken off.¡±

    With that, the housekeeper looked down and got a little closer to the jade. ¡°This can be repaired. Miss, if you find a good jade specialist to fix it, you wouldn¡¯t be able to see the crack unless you looked closely.¡±

 Chapter 218

    Chapter 218: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The housekeeper rmed Ji Yi bying in that close. Ji Yi slowly averted her gaze from the jade to the housekeeper and said with an evidently drifting demeanor, ¡°You think they were originally one piece of jade?¡±

    ¡°For sure! Just by looking at the gloss, you can tell it was originally the same piece. There are probably only a few pieces of high-quality jade like this. Miss, if you¡¯re unsure, find an expert to examine it then everything would be clear, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply but slightly curved the corners of her lips into a smile at the housekeeper.

    Ji Yi waiting for the housekeeper to leave the hotel room before she took the two pieces of jade and kept them safe by storing them in the red pouch. She put the pouch pack into her purse then turned her head to stare out at the eye-piercingly bright sunshine in a daze.

    ...

    In the six months since she woke from hera, Ji Yi had been wondering who the owner of that small piece of jade was.

    She didn¡¯t personally pick up that piece of jade, but her parents passed it on to the nurse taking care of her during hera to give to her.

    When she first woke up, she was fully conscious but her speech wasn¡¯t particrly adept. Also, having been immobile for such a long time, it took a lot of strength for her to move her limbs. Her parents were busy at work, so they couldn¡¯t be with her every day. Back then, the nurse looking after her stayed with her, talked with her, and worked with her.

    It was one afternoon, about a month after she had woken up, when she could make simple, short sentences sound as smooth as before. By then, she could take care of the basics by herself, and although she wasn¡¯t very strong, she didn¡¯t appear any different from how she was before the ident.

    That afternoon, she performed over an hour¡¯s worth of rehabilitation under the nurse¡¯s supervision, so after having lunch, she took a long nap,pletely exhausted. When she woke up, it was already dusk.

    Through the red glow of the setting sun, she nced over at the nurse who was crouched down in a daze, looking at something.

    Ji Yi sat up, looked at her and said, ¡°Miss Liang?¡±

    When the nurse heard her, she bolted up, walked over to her bedside and handed Ji Yi the thing she was staring at.

    It was a small piece of jade that she pulled out from a red pouch. At the time, she asked the nurse, stunned, ¡°What is this?¡±

    The nurse pulled a chair out, sat by the bedside and started to exin in detail.

    Ji Yi gathered that aside from her parents, there was another man who visited during her three-yeara. The man came to see her on the eighteenth of every month.

    At first, he didn¡¯te into the room but stood outside in the corridors, watching her through the window from afar.

    The nurse said the man was handsome. She watched him turn up a few months in a row before realizing that he was harmless; he was probably someone who secretly liked her, so she asked him if he would like toe in to see her.

    It seemed like the man didn¡¯t like to talk. Faced with the nurse¡¯s questions, he stared at Ji Yi on the hospital bed for some time as though he was hesitant and wrestling with himself over something. After some time, he just gave the nurse a gentle nod.

    Every month after that, he came by as usual. Sometimes he¡¯de in, and other times he wouldn¡¯t, watching her from afar as he did before. If he came into the room, he might stay for long periods of time, sometimes staring at Ji Yi for four to five hours without blinking. Sometimes he¡¯d leave after staying for an hour.

    The nurse said she¡¯d seen many peopleing and going in the hospital, so she knew how to read people.

 Chapter 219

    Chapter 219: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The nurse said that she¡¯d seen many peopleing and going in the hospital, so she knew how to read people.

    She could tell that every time the man visited, he was in a bad mood, as he often watched her with infinitely sad eyes.

    When he stood in the corridor withouting in, his hands always balled up tightly into fists which were so tight that the backs of his hands had veins protruding on them. There were even times when she saw him raise his foot towards the door but pulled it back in fear ofing close like he was afraid it would be unbearable for her.

    The nurse also said that the man must really care about her because one time, she even secretly saw the man reach his hand through the window to touch her face. He was very gentle and infinitely caring; just before he left, he gently pecked her on the cheek.

    The nurse didn¡¯t talk about the history of the little piece of jade until the very end. The nurse said that soon after her afternoon nap, the man visited again with the same silent demeanor, but his mood seemed better than before.

    The nurse said it was the first time she had seen the man smile in the past three years. When she smiled to greet him, he even looked her in the eye. Although he didn¡¯t say a word, she didn¡¯t feel like the man was very distant and he seemed more down-to-earth than usual.

    From what Ji Yi gathered from the nurse, she assumed his mood was so good because she had woken up.

    From what the nurse said, the man stayed in the hospital room for a long time that day. He stared at her quietly with an unspoken tenderness in his eyes while ying around with a piece of jade all that time. At four in the afternoon, his phone rang and since he was afraid to wake her, he went outside to take the call. When he returned, he stood by the bed and looked down at her without blinking for a long time as she slept. Then when he lowered his head and drew closer to her lips, the nurse suddenly came bustling in to check if she was up.

    The man was probably surprised as his hand shook, causing the jade to crash to the ground. A crisp sound was heard.

    Then he bent down to pick up arge piece of jade with a red string wrapped around it. Without saying a word, he darted past the nurse and headed out the door.

    As the nurse exined this, she said it a little apologetically while emphasizing that he had already left because it was sote. Only then did the nurse get to the point. Seeing as Ji Yi was still sleeping, she picked up some fruit, about to wash and prepare it for when Ji Yi woke up, but on the way to the bathroom, she identally stepped on something hard. She withdrew her foot, looked down, and saw a small piece of jade.

    The nurse mentioned that Ji Yi happened to wake up just as she picked up the piece of jade.

    The sunset was beautiful that day. As the nurse was busy cutting the fruit, she borated on the story with a gentle voice. Ji Yi leaned back against the headboard, holding the little piece of jade. Having woken up after a three-yeara, her peaceful heart jumped to life.

    Ji Yi asked the nurse for the man¡¯s name and what he looked like.

    The nurse said the man had a charismatic air about him and he looked like he came from a rich family. She didn¡¯t dare converse with him too much, so she didn¡¯t know his name. As for the way he looked, aside from being ¡°good-looking,¡± the nurse described him as being better-looking than celebrities on TV. She couldn¡¯t find the proper words to describe him.

 Chapter 220

    Chapter 220: The Only Person Who Never Forgot About Her (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    But in the very end, the nurse said that the man visited on the eighteenth of every month for three years... If Ji Yi wanted to know who he was, it was simple. All she had to do was wait until the eighteenth.

    For a month after that day, she counted each day that passed in anticipation. Finally, the eighteenth of the next month came around.

    But what a shame. She longed to meet the man the nurse took a whole day to describe, but he never showed up...

    With her hopes dashed, she felt downcast and glum.

    The nurse could probably tell she truly wanted to discover the identity of the person who visited her every month without fail. Perhaps it was tofort her, or perhaps the nurse wholeheartedly wanted to help her, but she told Ji Yi that the man showed up when she was unconscious, so he¡¯d definitely show up by her side after she woke up. He probably just didn¡¯te this month because he was held up by some business, but as long as she kept this small piece of jade, she¡¯d be able to find that man. After all, he had the missing,rger piece...

    She felt like the nurse made a good point, so she really kept that small piece of jade safe wherever she went.

    At the time, she was pretty muchpletely recovered, so she didn¡¯t stick around for the eighteenth of the following month since she was discharged from the hospital.

    Afterwards, she always wondered what kind of person the owner of the jade was. However, the world was so big and she knew nothing about him. With just a small piece of jade, there was no way of finding out who the owner was, so she just kept waiting.

    Often, there were countless times when she held the piece of jade at night, thinking about how she might never meet the owner of the jade in her lifetime.

    Every time, her heart filled with disappointment.

    In this world, besides her biological parents, the owner of this jade was the only person who never forgot about her after she got into that ident. This was why she really wanted to know who the owner of the jade was.

    But as time went by, she couldn¡¯t find any clues about who the owner of the jade was. Just when she thought she¡¯d never find out who the owner was, a piece of jade that fit perfectly with her piece appeared...

    ...

    At that thought, Ji Yi blinked her sore eyes from staring at the light out the window softly. Then she looked down at the phone in her palms.

    There were new message notifications from WeChat.

    Ji Yi clicked on it to find two messages from ¡°He Yuguang¡±:

    ¡°It¡¯s mine.¡±

    ¡°It must¡¯ve slipped my mind. I forgot about it.¡±

    The piece of jade couldn¡¯t have been left from previous guests since the housekeeper didn¡¯t find the piece of jade in the bathroom the day before, and it was just her and ¡°He Yuguang¡± staying in that hotel room. The jade wasn¡¯t hers, so it could only be his ¨C this was the undeniable truth. However, after Ji Yi saw ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s confirmation, her fingers instinctively clutched her phone tightly.

    After some time, Ji Yi typed: ¡°Yuguang Ge, have younded?¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± sent that message ten minutes ago, so he should be at the airport right now. Some time passed before Ji Yi received a reply: ¡°Mhm, I¡¯m already in the car.¡±

 Chapter 221

    Chapter 221: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi knew ¡°He Yuguang¡± meant he already caught a taxi from the airport. She first replied with a smiling emoji then quickly typed a reply: ¡°Yuguang Ge, give me your address. I¡¯ll mail you the jade.¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± must¡¯ve been on his phone as he replied swiftly: ¡°You don¡¯t have to go through all that trouble. Keep it with you for now, and let¡¯s talk about when we see each other next.¡±

    Ji Yi replied with an ¡°Alright.¡± She stared at her phone screen and gently bit her bottom lip. After thinking about it for a few seconds, she nonchntly replied with a few words: ¡°Yuguang Ge, is the jade missing a piece?¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± replied quickly as usual, with a simple: ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Ji Yi was just about to ask ¡°He Yuguang¡± what happened to it when another new message popped up on her phone: ¡°identally dropped it.¡±

    identally dropped it... It¡¯s exactly as the nurse described...

    Ji Yi¡¯s breaths suddenly caught in her chest. After about a good half minute, she forced herself to steady her trembling fingers. She continued to casually ask him: ¡°You never got someone to fix it? I hear that people in the trade are really skilled; they could make it so that you can¡¯t even see the crack!¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± replied: ¡°At the time, I couldn¡¯t find the corner that broke off.¡±

    At the time...

    The nurse said that the guy picked up the big piece of jade and left in a hurry. Wasn¡¯t that when he dropped it and broke off that small piece?

    Is it possible that the owner of the jade is Yuguang Ge?

    Ji Yi thought about it before she flipped through the photos on her phone and found a photo of ¡°He Yuguang¡± and sent it to the nurse. She also added ament: ¡°Liang Jie 1 , was this the person who came to see me every month while I was in aa?¡±

    After she was discharged from the hospital, Ji Yi hadn¡¯t really kept in contact with the nurse, so she was afraid she would¡¯ve forgotten her by now. After texts were sessfully sent out, she thought about it for a moment then called the nurse directly.

    The nurse probably got her messages, so she immediately picked up to say, ¡°Xiao Yi, it¡¯s him! That¡¯s him!¡±

    Before Ji Yi could say hello, the reserved confidence in her voice became stunned.

    The nurse was even more excited than she was as she chattered non-stop over the phone. ¡°I definitely didn¡¯t remember wrong. Even though I see many people at the hospital, it¡¯s rare to see someone with such striking features, so I know I¡¯m right. Xiao Yi, how did you find him?¡±

    Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply, she raised her voice and said, ¡°Xiao Yi? Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi snapped back to her senses a little, but still sounded a little absent-minded as she said, ¡°En?¡±

    ¡°How did you find him?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Ji Yi¡¯s mind went nk for a moment before she realized what the nurse asked. She sounded dazed as she said, ¡°I, I... He is an old friend...¡±

    ¡°Then he definitely has a crush on you, Xiao Yi. You don¡¯t often see this type of person. To actually be able to meet... Ah, you must treasure this...¡±

    The nurse was talkative as usual ¨C Ji Yi knew that if she didn¡¯t stop her, the nurse would talk for ten whole minutes. After the nurse spoke for a while, Ji Yi found an appropriate time to cut her off: ¡°Liang Jie, sorry to have disturbed you. I still have some things to deal with, so I¡¯ve got to go.¡±

    As soon as the call ended, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers rxed and the phone crashed to the ground.

    She didn¡¯t bother to pick it up as she hugged the cushion firmly and sat back on the sofa.

 Chapter 222

    Chapter 222: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She stared emptily at the TV in front of her for an awfully long time before she came back to her senses.

    So, after I woke from mya, the person I kept looking for was actually Yuguang Ge?

    That¡¯s about right... Right now, besides her parents, the person who treated her the best was Yuguang Ge. The owner of the jade must¡¯ve missed her dearly to visit her every month. Besides Yuguang Ge, who would go as far as to travel overnight to see her just because she sprained her ankle?

    What¡¯s more, how could she forget that after she and Yuguang Ge got into their fake marriage, Yuguang Ge always went to Beijing on the eighteenth of every month...

    With that thought, more and more ideas came flooding into Ji Yi¡¯s mind. Her heart started to race.

    So in the three years she was in aa, Yuguang Ge never forgot about her.

    So the person she was looking for was Yuguang Ge. It was indeed Yuguang Ge...

    An inexplicable feeling instantly overcame Ji Yi¡¯s chest. The feeling iled erratically as it entered her heart; the sensation made her unsettled.

    She always thought she kept a good distance between her and Yuguang Ge; she went to the extent of not allowing them to take an irreversible step.

    But now, she realized she underestimated how well Yuguang Ge treated her.

    This type of treatment was silent ¨C incredibly attentive yet stifling, like one of the world¡¯s incurable poisons. It gradually seeped into her skin and entered her body, coursing through her organs and veins, making her feel helpless in defending herself from it.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know just how long she could withstand this kind of poison and save herself from it.

    But she knew clearly that in this very moment, her senses were still there. She had to grit her teeth and be reasonable.

    Because between her and Yuguang, there was still He Jichen...

    ¨C

    After Ji Yi¡¯s foot fully recovered, she followed her original n of going to Erhai.

    She received ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s messages every day and she replied to them, but she never had the courage to let ¡°He Yuguang¡± take it any further. This was why she never asked him if he was the one who came to visit her every month while she was in aa for three years. Of course, she didn¡¯t let ¡°He Yuguang¡± know that she actually had the small lost half of his jade in her hands.

    Her holiday flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the tenth of January in the lunar calendar, so there was still one week before school started. Ji Yi took a ne back to Beijing.

    At home, she ate and sleptfortably for three days, then on the fourteenth of January, which was also February eighteenth in the Gregorian calendar, ¡°He Yuguang¡± came to Beijing.

    Ji Yi and ¡°He Yuguang¡± had dinner together. Since Ji Yi needed to go back to university the next day, she didn¡¯t go back to ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s apartment but headed straight back home.

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± drove her back. Just before she got out of the car, Ji Yi returned his jade to him.

    It was better that she didn¡¯t look at the jade because as soon as she did, Ji Yi¡¯s mind wandered to how well ¡°He Yuguang¡± treated her. Even though she tried hard to control herself, when she handed the jade to ¡°He Yuguang,¡± her fingers started to tremble gently.

    After she returned home, Ji Yiid in bed and summoned her strength to force the riveting emotions she felt for ¡°He Yuguang¡± to settle down.

    The next afternoon, Ji Yi ate lunch and returned to the school.

 Chapter 223

    Chapter 223: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Bo He and Tang Huahua arrived in the early afternoon. The two of them unpacked all their belongings thenid in bed to get some rest.

    Delighted to see Ji Yi had arrived, the three women excitedly hugged each other and chatted for some time before Ji Yi started to change her bedsheets.

    After Ji Yi finished getting her bed ready and wiped down her desk and chair, the three women went downstairs together to register at the admin office and to buy textbooks for the new semester.

    Ji Yi assumed many of her coursemates would judge her and talk about what Lin Ya posted on Moments on the evening of new year¡¯s upon her return to school. However, as she lined up at the admin office, she bumped into so many familiar faces, yet not only was everyone as normal as ever, there were even people who shot her ¡°sympathetic¡± looks.

    Tang Huahua, who she was close with, felt like something was off. She even whispered into Ji Yi¡¯s ear: ¡°Xiao Yi, they obviously know about what Lin Ya posted on her Moments, but not only did they not judge you, they¡¯re actually acting all friendly. Don¡¯t you think something¡¯s not right here?

    Ji Yi nodded in agreement, not quite sure what was going on.

    Since there were many students registering, the three of them waited half an hour before finally seeing hope.

    In front of them was the schoolmittee member who was very familiar with the ss advisor. As soon as they saw each other, they struck up a casual conversation.

    Standing behind the schoolmittee member, Ji Yi didn¡¯t really pay attention to their conversation until the schoolmittee member asked the ss advisor, ¡°Yang Jie, I heard Lin Ya was expelled?¡± Ji Yi furrowed her brows and focused all her attention to listen in on their conversation.

    The ss advisor spoke quietly, so Ji Yi came a little closer. Even though she couldn¡¯t hear clearly, she heard most of the conversation. ¡°Yeah, I only caught wind of this today. No matter if she dropped out or if she was expelled by the administration office, it happened because of personal misconduct. Someone reported her to the Education Bureau for working an inappropriate job in a nightclub outside of school. The school leaders were called in to make a judgement. This situation just tarnishes our school¡¯s reputation. The administration office said they¡¯ll be taking this matter seriously ¨C in a school assembly, they¡¯ll probably call out names rted to this case...¡±

    Having also heard the schoolmittee member say this, Tang Huahua sneakily pinched Ji Yi¡¯s waist.

    Ji Yi got the hint and looked back to shoot Tang Huahua a nce. Then the schoolmittee member hugged her books and said her goodbyes to the ss advisor before she left. It was time for Ji Yi to sign up and collect her textbooks.

    Coming out of the admin office, Tang Huahua immediately started chatting with Ji Yi: ¡°Xiao Yi, did you hear what Yang Jie said? Lin Ya was expelled! Our school... Oh.. Wait.. every school has students whomit misconduct, but how many schools actually deal with it? Lin Ya was obviously set up, but who did she offend to receive this fate?¡±

    Just as Tang Huahua said ¡°Lin Ya,¡± they heard someone also say ¡°Lin Ya¡± from behind a nearby tree.

    Ji Yi and the other two instinctively stopped walking and looked over in that direction.

    They were some girls from the same dorm floor chatting enthusiastically together. Some had books in their hands while another was empty-handed, probably preparing to pick up her textbook.

    ¡°I never imagined that Lin Ya was so shameless! She¡¯s capable of anything!¡±

 Chapter 224

    Chapter 224: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Yeah, I never imagined that her jealousy could actually be so intense. After she found out that Ji Yi got a role in ¡°The Pce,¡± she actually locked Ji Yi in some abandoned school building just to stop her from making it to the set.¡±

    ¡°If Xiaoyang didn¡¯t see it with her own eyes, I wouldn¡¯t believe her. This is clearly the type of drama that only happens in TV shows! I never imagined it¡¯d really happen in real life! What¡¯s more, ording to what Xiaoyang said, He Jichen from the directing course forced Lin Ya to tell him where Ji Yi was and almost threw Lin Ya out the window. While this happened, the door of their dorm was wide open, so loads of people saw the look on Lin Ya¡¯s face. In her heart, she must¡¯ve hated Ji Yi to death!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more, Ji Yi already decided to take on the supporting female role in ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± so it was normal for her to have dinner with those people. Lin Ya hated Ji Yi so much that there was no way what she said on Moments was credible. Who¡¯s to say that Lin Ya didn¡¯t purposely try to make Ji Yi look bad?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Several of them continued chatting away, all huddled together.

    After Ji Yi listened up to this point, she turned her head and locked eyes with Tang Huahua. The two of them had the same sh of confusion in their eyes.

    It was no wonder that when she returned to school, nobody judged her for Lin Ya¡¯s photos that caused such an uproar on new year¡¯s eve. So as it turned out, the situation already took a different turn without her even knowing it... It was obvious that someone secretly helped her clean up this mess.

    As this thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, Tang Huahua said, ¡°Xiao Yi, it¡¯s obvious that someone is helping you. What¡¯s more, that person must¡¯ve had something to do with Lin Ya¡¯s expulsion!¡±

    Bo He immediately tagged along with Tang Huahua and added, ¡°It¡¯s not just a theory! Someone¡¯s helping Xiao Yi for sure! By expelling Lin Ya, they probably wanted to kick her out of Xiao Yi¡¯s lifepletely. This person obviously made matters so resolute to cut the weeds, eliminate the roots and prevent any problems that mighte up in the future.¡±

    The circumstances were obvious. Even if Tang Huahua and Bo He didn¡¯t say it, Ji Yi guessed this too.

    But this person... who is it?

    It definitely isn¡¯t Yuguang Ge, because I didn¡¯t even tell him about what happened with Lin Ya...

    ¡°Say... who do you think this person could be?¡± Bo He pondered out loud and the three of them were silent for a moment.

    Tang Huahua let slip, ¡°I got it!¡±

    Tang Huahua picked up her phone and started typing whilepletely ignoring Bo He¡¯s incessant questioning.

    A momentter, Tang Huahua¡¯s phone rang, ¡°Ding! Ding!¡± She raised her phone in front of Ji Yi. ¡°I was right! It really was him!¡±

    ¡°Who is it? Who is it?¡± Bo He came over to Ji Yi¡¯s side and read what was on Tang Huahua¡¯s phone with her.

    Tang Huahua had a simple conversation with Xiaoyang on WeChat.

    Huahua: ¡°Did someone entrust you to spread news about how Lin Ya trapped Xiao Yi in the abandoned school building?¡±

    Xiaoyang: ¡°How did you know?¡±

    Huahua: ¡°Don¡¯t worry about how I know. Let me ask you, was it He Jichen?¡±

    Xiaoyang: ¡°You know about even this?!¡±

    Xiaoyang: ¡°What the hell? God! Tang Huahua, were you born in the year of the celestial?¡±

    After reading all the WeChat messages, Bo He turned to look at Ji Yi. ¡°So, Xiao Yi. The person who helped you was He Xuezhang?¡±

    Ji Yi looked calm and still as she stared at the phone screen. She didn¡¯t reveal too much on her face, but her fingers silently gripped her textbooks tightly.

 Chapter 225

    Chapter 225: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    About the incident with Lin Ya... He Jichen actually helped me settle this issue?

    It wasn¡¯t like he hadn¡¯t helped her before ¨C for example, he also helped out in the situation with Lin Zhengyi. However, he helped her that time on Yuguang Ge¡¯s behalf, but this time, Yuguang Ge didn¡¯t even know about it. Anyway, He Jichen even viewed her as a filthy woman...

    The things Lin Ya said on her Moments was obviously simr to what he thinks about me, so why did he help me?

    Tang Huahua and Bo He didn¡¯t notice Ji Yi deep in thought as the two of them stood to one side. They even spoke back and forth on the topic of ¡°He Jichen.¡±

    ¡°Ah... He Xuezhang treats Xiao Yi so well...¡± said Tang Huahua.

    ¡°That¡¯s really great! I seriously wondered whether He Xuezhang became friends with Lin Ya just because of Ji Yi...¡± spected Bo He.

    ¡°What is there to...¡± Tang Huahua instinctively wanted to borate on what Bo He said, but she only said four words and suddenly stopped. She thought back to how He Jichen asked her to help report on Ji Yi¡¯s daily activities every day and how she promised to keep it a secret. Then she swallowed the following words: ¡°suspect? He obviously is¡± and forced herself to change her words to: ¡°...think about? In any case, Lin Ya¡¯s already old news. Now that she¡¯s expelled, she won¡¯t cause Xiao Yi any more trouble.¡±

    Bo He, who didn¡¯t notice anything strange with what Tang Huahua just said, felt like Tang Huahua had a point. She nodded and added, ¡°I agree!¡±

    Tang Huahua and Bo He pped hands. Then Tang Huahua was struck with a sudden thought as she turned to look at Ji Yi. She stared at her for some time but eventually couldn¡¯t contain the curiosity in her mind any longer and asked, ¡°Xiao Yi, what do you think of He Xuezhang 1 ?¡±

    When Ji Yi heard Tang Huahua¡¯s question, she quickly repressed her feelings.

    She was lost in her own thoughts just now, so she hadn¡¯t heard Tang Huahua¡¯s question at all. Ji Yi raised her eyelids, looked over at Tang Huahua, and let out an ¡°Mm?¡±

    ¡°I said, what do you honestly think of He Xuezhang?¡± Tang Huahua figured that Ji Yi didn¡¯t quite understand what she meant by her question, so she exined it in a little more detail.

    Having clearly heard the question, Ji Yi¡¯s fine brows slightly furrowed of their own ord. Then she looked down and remained quiet for some time before she replied casually, ¡°Nothing. He¡¯s just someone from the same school.¡±

    Tang Huahua could tell that Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to answer her question, but she didn¡¯t want to let Ji Yi off the hook, so she added, ¡°Xiao Yi, don¡¯t brush me off. I¡¯m asking you one more time, for real!¡±

    ¡°Look, He Xuezhang is really hot and his family background is great. You rarely find a person like him in this world and what¡¯s most important, he treats you...¡± Tang Huahua almost said the two words ¡°especially well,¡± but the words only managed to reach the corner of her mouth before she recalled what He Jichen secretly did for Ji Yi behind her back. Ji Yi had no idea, so Tang Huahua improvised by rewording her sentence to: ¡°...not bad, so Xiao Yi, have you considered taking the next step with He Xuezhang?¡±

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows even more tightly as she turned her head and looked over at Tang Huahua.

    Having received Ji Yi¡¯s fierce gaze, Tang Huahua caught a tinge of annoyance.

    She knew Ji Yi didn¡¯t like her asking that question...

 Chapter 226

    Chapter 226: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In the past, when something like this happened, Tang Huahua would instinctively shut up and stop asking, but this time, she didn¡¯t have the slightest intention of stopping. Instead, she continued to ask for even more rification, ¡°Or, Xiao Yi, would you ever like He Xuezhang? And do you now feel something for He Xuezhang?¡±

    ...

    Long ago on new year¡¯s eve when He Jichen received the screenshots from Tang Huahua, he was determined to not let Lin Ya off. However at the time, Ji Yi wouldn¡¯t pick up her phone and he didn¡¯t know her whereabouts, so he was worried and shoved the incident with Lin Ya to the back of his mind.

    After returning from Lijiang, there was just over a month before ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± started filming. He had to makest-minute decisions and finalize the pre-release promotion, script, set and more. In the first month of the year, everyone was off on holiday, but he was working like crazy.

    It wasn¡¯t until yesterday that he finally finished his work. After he got a good night¡¯s sleep, he realized it was the eighteenth ¨C the very day he secretly went to see her every month after losing contact with her four years ago.

    As soon as he thought of her, he conveniently remembered the unresolved situation with Lin Ya.

    He was supposed to start school the next day, so he couldn¡¯t allow those rumors to spread wildly around the school. Without any appetite for Zhang Sao¡¯s breakfast set-up, he headed out to handle the situation with Lin Ya.

    He knew about Lin Ya¡¯s antics long ago, but he never intended topletely remove her from the picture in the past.

    He figured that after giving her that vicious warningst time in her form, she would instinctively know to stay away from Ji Yi. He never imagined that after two short months had passed, she would cause even more trouble.

    Because Qian Ge alone already created enough trouble for Ji Yi, he couldn¡¯t allow Qian Ge to also have an easily maniptable pawn such as Lin Ya, so he simply had to attack them at the root.

    After saying goodbye to Ji Yi posing as his older brother back in Lijiang, he hadn¡¯t seen her for a little under two weeks. It was alright if he kept busy, but when he was free, he constantly thought about her. Since he had a free day yesterdaybined with the fact that he helped her take care of the incident with Lin Ya, his longing for her grew stronger. He knew that as He Jichen, he simply couldn¡¯t ask her out, but he couldn¡¯t resist missing her. He struggled over the idea for a long time but eventually asked her out for a meal posing as He Yuguang.

    Today was the first day back at school. He Jichen originally had a meeting scheduled forter in the afternoon, but he remembered that Ji Yi had to be at the administration office to register and pick up her textbooks that day. After rescheduling the meeting for tomorrow at eight in the morning, he drove to the school.

    He parked the car close to the school building, pulled the window down and lit a cigarette. He turned on the music in the car and waited there for about an hour before he saw her and a few girls from her dorm walk over from afar.

    It took half an hour for her to walk into the school building and walk out again with the two girls from her dorm, hugging her textbook.

    After walking for some time, the three of them came to a stop to discuss something.

    Through the windshield, he stared at her when he suddenly had the urge to talk to her.

    Ever since that night at the Four Seasons Hotel, he hadn¡¯t spoken a single word to her as He Jichen... He could use the excuse of telling her that filming started on the fourteenth of March just to say a few words to her.

    With that very thought, He Jichen pushed the car door open and headed straight for Ji Yi.

 Chapter 227

    Chapter 227: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as he was about to reach the three women, he heard what Tang Huahua said: ¡°Or, Xiao Yi, would you ever like He Xuezhang? Moreover, do you now feel something for He Xuezhang?¡±

    His footsteps came to a sudden halt as he held his breath and silently stared firmly at Ji Yi for her answer.

    ...

    Like He Jichen? Or feel something for He Jichen?

    The annoyance between Ji Yi¡¯s brows grew more intense.

    She would never forget how she endured and put up with Lin Zhengyi that night, just to help He Jichen get his investment back. She also remembered how he treated her and how humiliated she felt.

    Like? Feel something?

    She couldn¡¯t hate and avoid him enough, so how could she ever develop any pleasant feelings for him?

    Tang Huahua saw how Ji Yi pursed the corners of her lips and how she didn¡¯t reply for some time, so she hid behind Bo He. In a quiet voice, she prompted her, ¡°Xiao Yi...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s train of thought was broken when Tang Huahua spoke. She was afraid Tang Huahua would continue to say offbeat, ridiculous things, so she immediately responded, ¡°Would you fall for someone you hated?¡±

    Ji Yi left Tang Huahua stunned with her swift response which then made Tang Huahuaugh. ¡°Xiao Yi, are you kidding? He Xuezhang treats you so well, how could you hate such a...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to keep talking about this topic in the slightest. Ji Yi understood exactly what Tang Huahua meant in an instant and stopped her from saying the word ¡°person¡± by interjecting, ¡°I¡¯m not joking around with you. Like or feel something for him? Why don¡¯t you just kill me!¡±

    After saying that, Ji Yi didn¡¯t stay a second longer. She hugged her textbooks and turned back around, heading towards the dorm.

    Bo He and Tang Huahua seemed stunned by the sternness and conclusiveness of Ji Yi¡¯sst words. The two of them continued to stand there, staring each other in dismay for quite some time before they hurriedly caught up to Ji Yi.

    ...

    The three girls left and long ago disappeared from his line of sight, but He Jichen still stayed right where he stopped in his tracks without flinching at all.

    Quite a few students brushed past him and entered the school building. There were also quite a few students holding textbooks, chatting andughing beside him as they walked away.

    However, his line of sight seemed frozen on the spot where Ji Yi was just standing.

    The afterglow from the setting sun elongated his shadow.

    Even he didn¡¯t know just how long he stayed there in that position before someone from his dorm, who hade to the administration office to register, saw him and cried, ¡°Chen Ge?¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t flinch as though he hadn¡¯t heard a thing.

    The roommate was so confused that he took a few big steps forward and stood behind He Jichen. He reached his arm out and patted his shoulder. ¡°Chen Ge, what¡¯re you looking at? What has you so entranced?¡±

    He Jichen suddenly snapped back to reality and turned his head around to look at his roommate.

    The roommate followed He Jichen¡¯s line of sight, but couldn¡¯t see anything interesting. He let out a chuckle and cut to the chase: ¡°Chen Ge, there¡¯s a party tonight in our dorm. Are youing?¡±

    Perhaps He Jichen was just in a daze for too long as he was a little bewildered. He initially shook his head then realized what his roommate asked and after a short while, he nodded.

    He was afraid his roommate would be confused by his conflicting head shaking and nodding, so he added in an unbelievably hoarse voice, ¡°Where?¡±

 Chapter 228

    Chapter 228: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°It¡¯s at the hot pot restaurant in front of the school.¡± After the roommate said this, he pointed to the school building nearby. ¡°Chen Ge, I¡¯m going in to register first. See youter at the restaurant.¡±

    He Jichen gave a gentle nod but didn¡¯t say a word.

    After his roommate left, he stood on the spot for some time before he strode back to his car. He pulled the car door open and got in.

    He closed the door and pulled up the windows, letting silence seep through the entire car.

    He Jichen lowered his eyes and stared at the steering wheel in front of him with Ji Yi¡¯s words to Tang Huahua echoing in his ears: ¡°Would you fall for someone you hate?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not joking around with you. Like or feel something for him? Why don¡¯t you just kill me!¡±

    In actuality, deep down inside, he knew full well that she didn¡¯t have him in his heart. If he was, why would he need his brother¡¯s identity to get close to her?

    However, when he heard himself just how non-existent he was to her, he realized the resulting devastation was a little too much to bear.

    He knew she wasn¡¯t at fault here. He went overboard that night at the Four Seasons Hotel, but his heart still throbbed in pain at her words.

    ¨C

    Back in the dorms, Bo He received a call from the ss president.

    The ss president and Bo He were from the same hometown and they were ssmates since high school, so their rtionship had always been good. He was calling to ask if Bo He would like to have dinner with him and his roommatester that evening.

    Bo He thought about Ji Yi and Tang Huahua and hesitated a little since the ss president asked her to bring them both along. However, when she remembered that it was a free meal, Bo He immediately broke into a wide smile while hanging up the phone. She called Ji Yi and Tang Huahua to hurry up and get ready to head out for a free meal.

    The dinner party was at a hot pot restaurant opposite the school, which eight out of ten school dinner parties were held at. Students at B-Film called it ¡°Second Canteen.¡±

    Today was the start of the term, so all the students were eating out together. When Ji Yi and her two roommates arrived, the entire first floor of the hot pot restaurant was filled with people.

    The three of them circled the first floor but couldn¡¯t find the ss president and the others. Bo He was just about to take out her phone and give them a quick call when the ss president showed up by the stairway. ¡°Bo He.¡±

    Ji Yi and the girls walked up the stairs, following the ss president while they heard him exin, ¡°When we got here, the first floor was full. There was just no room, so we had to bookrge private room on the second floor. However, they were full today and seeing as therge private room could seat over ten people, the boss wasn¡¯t particrly willing to give it to our party of seven. Luckily, I bumped into good basketball friends of mine. They came too, so he figured that we might as well share tables. We¡¯re from the same school, so you guys can get to know each other...¡±

    By the time the ss president finished talking about how it all happened, the four of them had already reached the entrance of therge private room.

    Aside from the three girls, all the others were already seated around the big round table, happily chatting away.

    Tang Huahua walked right to the front, pulled a chair out, and just sat down when her eyes widened in disbelief. She cried out, ¡°He Xuezhang?¡±

    The second Tang Huahua said that, she thought back to what she asked Ji Yi in front of the administration office not too long ago. She instinctively turned her head and nced over at Ji Yi.

    When Ji Yi heard Tang Huahua say the three words ¡°He Xuezhang,¡± her fingertips trembled but the expression on her face didn¡¯t change.

    If she knew she¡¯d have to share tables with He Jichen, she would¡¯ve definitely found an excuse to decline tonight¡¯s dinner invitation.

    But she was already there, so she couldn¡¯t just turn and leave.

 Chapter 229

    Chapter 229: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi could only force herself to endure the ufortable feeling inside as she slowly pulled out the chair next to Tang Huahua and took a seat.

    Seeing as everyone was there, the ss president immediately called the waiter to order food.

    Since there were too many people eating tonight, not only did it take a long time for the food to arrive, but the staff also took a long time to distribute the tableware.

    Coincidentally, Ji Yi¡¯s back was to the doors of therge party room, so all of the cutlery was by her side. As she helped Tang Huahua hand out the tableware, Ji Yi incidentally looked up and caught a glimpse of He Jichen sitting right in front of her.

    He sat by the window with his chair turned to one side. There was a cigarette in his mouth as he stared out the window.

    The somber expression on his face revealed he was in a bad mood. Despite this, it didn¡¯t conceal his air of nobility.

    When he raised his lighter and lit his cigarette, the flickering me illuminated his face and emphasized the frightening good looks of his perfect facial features.

    After he lit the cigarette, he pinched it from his lips and held it between his fingers without smoking it.

    This guy has so many weird habits ¨C he doesn¡¯t smoke, so why does he still light up the cigarette?

    After Ji Yi silently cursed at him deep inside, she then realized that she really was caring too much about He Jichen. She then averted her gaze and joined back into the group conversation.

    Everyone in the room was cheerfully chatting away apart from He Jichen, who from start to finish, didn¡¯t say a word.

    After the waiter finished serving the food, the ss president dipped the beef into the hot pot water to cook. That was when the man sitting next to He Jichen cried, ¡°Chen Ge, let¡¯s eat.¡±

    He Jichen tilted his head stiffly but didn¡¯t say a word.

    But after some time passed, the cigarette between his fingers had burned down to half its size.

    Not in a hurry to turn his chair around to start eating, He Jichen nonchntly brought his cigarette up and swiped the window pane.

    After Chinese new year in Beijing, the weather was still really cold. As soon as the hot pot in the room started to boil, the temperature rose, creating ayer of condensation on the window pane.

    As He Jichen¡¯s cigarette swiped the window pane, it left temporary marks against the dispersing condensation.

    At first, Ji Yi didn¡¯t pay attention to what He Jichen was writing on the window, but just as she got up to fish out the beef balls from the hot pot, she saw him write ¡°I¡± on the window pane with his cigarette-wielding fingers. Out of utter curiosity, she looked over at his slender fingers as she sat down.

    He looked unusually serious as he slowly wrote stroke by stroke until he wrote the word ¡°love.¡± By then, the first word was already covered by condensation.

    Did He Jichen want to write ¡°I love you¡±?

    Before that thought could settle, she caught sight of the third word He Jichen wrote.

    Every time he wrote a word, the condensation from the previous word covered up thest.

    After he finished writing the whole sentence, the only word left on the window was ¡°lover.¡±

    So it wasn¡¯t what I thought it was. Then what does he want to write?

    Ji Yi stopped eating and stared unblinkingly as He Jichen¡¯s cigarette butt burned out.

    With her gaze transfixed, Ji Yi stared at He Jichen as she silently read the entire line: ¡°The person I love is not my lover.¡±

    What a sad line...

    Ji Yi instinctively turned her gaze to He Jichen.

    He was still staring out the window with his back against the entire room.

 Chapter 230

    Chapter 230: The Person I Love Is Not My Lover (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She wasn¡¯t entirely sure if it was because of what He Jichen just wrote, but Ji Yi felt a strong sense of sadness permeate little by little from his silhouette.

    Sadness?

    From Ji Yi¡¯s impression of He Jichen, his characteristics were best described with words like egotistical, arrogant, brash, and self-righteous. As for sadness... this adjective waspletely out of ce in his world...

    There are actually things for him to be torn up about?

    And from what he just wrote, it looks like it¡¯s about... love?

    He Jichen has someone he likes? Back in Sucheng, there was a long period of time when we were especially close. How could I not know that he liked someone? Could he have met someone after we parted four years ago?

    It¡¯s really hard to imagine what kind of woman He Jichen could fall for.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but stare at He Jichen, entranced. When Tang Huahua saw her holding her chopsticks still for a while, she gave her a little nudge.

    Ji Yi shook and quickly nced down to hide the fact that she stared at He Jichen.

    Tang Huahua, with something in her mouth, said in a muffled voice, ¡°Xiao Yi, why¡¯re you not eating?¡±

    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Ji Yi quickly picked up some food with her chopsticks and shoved it into her mouth.

    She chewed a little but couldn¡¯t resist ncing up at He Jichen.

    The final word he wrote on the window pane, ¡°lover,¡± was long gone, but she stared firmly at him. Everyone in the room was still eating, but he didn¡¯t have any intention of picking up his chopsticks. He looked truly devastated as he felt around for another cigarette. He eventually found one and put it in his mouth. Through the shroud of cigarette smoke, Ji Yi hazily saw a sh of deep heartache in his eyes as his gaze fell.

    It felt like Ji Yi¡¯s heart was stabbed harshly by something, inducing an inexplicably sharp pain.

    She hurriedly withdrew her gaze and creased her brows. Then she remained frozen in ce while tightly gripping her chopsticks for a moment before the heartache disappeared.

    That was so weird. What does He Jichen being sad have anything to do with me? Anyway, how does the way his crush looks have anything to do with me?

    Ji Yi shook her head as she cast the thoughts of He Jichen away and continued to eat.

    By the time everyone was full, He Jichen¡¯s te was still untouched.

    The ss president noticed it was still early, so he wasn¡¯t in a rush to get back to school. Seeing as the conversations were dying out, someone suggested they y a game.

    The game was simple ¨C everyone had one piece of paper and a pen, and you had to write a message you could never bring yourself to say to someone. All you had to do was write the person¡¯s name but not your own.

    Everyone around the table thought it was really interesting and agreed.

    When someone called the waiter for some paper and pens, they asked if He Jichen wanted to join in.

    The roommate next to He Jichen instinctively said, ¡°Chen Ge would never...¡±

    Before he could finish, He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t said a word all night, finally said, ¡°Let me.¡±

    The roommate¡¯s mouth gaped as he sat next to him.

    The waiter quickly brought over some paper and pens.

    Each person at the table grabbed a paper and pen and started to write.

    After they finished writing, they folded the piece of paper and called a waiter over to help collect them and distribute them back in a random order.

    The first one on top was for the ss president: ¡°Your socks are so stinky.¡±

    Everyone in the room burst intoughter.

 Chapter 231

    Chapter 231: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The second piece of paper was written for a roommate from He Jichen¡¯s dorm: ¡°I know you took a dump in the bathroomst night.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Because they were all close friends, everyone wrote embarrassing things which left them all grinning from ear to ear. However, after the ss president opened the final piece of paper, he didn¡¯t actually read it with the same cheerfulness. He stared at Ji Yi with a little astonishment then handed it to her.

    After about two seconds, Ji Yi then realized that the piece of paper was probably written for her, so she took it with a skeptical look on her face.

    Because the ss president¡¯s gaze was overly astonished, Ji Yi was more or less a little nervous. She held the piece of paper hesitantly for two seconds before opening it.

    She looked down and saw the ck ink strikingly clear against the pure white paper: ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    No wonder the ss president was stunned. Even Ji Yi waspletely stunned when she read those five words.

    Sorry... who is apologizing to me?

    Tonight, in that room, was the first time Ji Yi met the three people from He Jichen¡¯s dorm. Before that evening, she hadn¡¯t crossed paths with the four people from the ss president¡¯s dorm either. Bo He and Tang Huahua... The two of them would probably only joke around with her in the fashion of all the other slips of paper, so it couldn¡¯t have been them...

    He Jichen was the only one she had bad blood with...

    But someone this arrogant ¨C could he even apologize to me?

    As Ji Yi thought this, her eyes couldn¡¯t help slowly looking up and staring in the direction where He Jichen was sitting.

    Through the smoke from the cigarette in his hand, He Jichen was staring right at her.

    His eyes were dark and enigmatic as though they could talk. When his gaze met hers, he blinked gently, releasing an aura that pulled on her soul.

    From her eyes, he could probably tell that she started to suspect something. He stared unwaveringly back into her eyes for two seconds before he gave her a gentle nod.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled as she naturally looked down and clutched onto the paper tightly.

    What did He Jichen mean by giving me that nod?

    Is he using non-verbal hints to tell me that he was the one who wrote those words?

    So he¡¯s really apologizing to me? Is it for what happened that night at the Four Seasons Hotel?

    Since Ji Yi remained quiet after she read the piece of paper, Tang Huahua was a little curious, so she leaned in closer. ¡°Xiao Yi, what was written on the paper?¡±

    Although the five words on the paper were really simple, if someone saw it, they¡¯d probably rack their brains making up various wild stories. They¡¯d assume she had some kind of secret rtionship with someone at the table, so Ji Yi didn¡¯t let Tang Huahua see it and quickly folded it away. ¡°Nothing.¡±

    ¡°You have that expression on your face, yet you say it¡¯s nothing? Xiao Yi, tell me, what was written on there?¡± Tang Huahua became even more curious, pulling on Ji Yi¡¯s arm and starting to mess with her.

    The ss president, who knew what was written on the paper, could tell that Ji Yi didn¡¯t want other people to know, so he spoke up to help Ji Yi smooth things over. ¡°It¡¯s really nothing. I can testify...¡±

    Every person there was an adult, so even though the paper might¡¯ve had something private written on it, they knew not to ask any more questions when they heard the ss president say this. They skipped right past the paper in Ji Yi¡¯s hand and opened the final piece of paper. It was written for a guy from the ss president¡¯s dorm: ¡°Yesterday, when I was brushing my shoes, I couldn¡¯t find the shoe brush, so I used your toothbrush.¡±

    The guy replied with ¡°Grrrrr,¡± lowered his head and started to gag, causing everyone to sway inughter.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but curve her lips as she looked up and looked at the guy. Just then, her eyes couldn¡¯t help but catch a glimpse of He Jichen again.

 Chapter 232

    Chapter 232: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She wasn¡¯t sure if he¡¯d been staring at her from the very start, or if he just happened to look over at her, but their eyes met.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart raced like crazy for a moment, but it was just for a second. She then pretended that looking in He Jichen¡¯s direction was just an ident before she averted her gaze.

    Perhaps it was because their eyes met that her mind suddenly wandered to the image of his slight nod a while back. Her finger incidentally pressed down on the paper she kept on the table.

    After they finished one round of the game, people started to ponder how they could start another round.

    While everyone chimed in with suggestions, He Jichen¡¯s phone rang.

    He pulled out his phone and nced at the screen. Without stepping out, he picked up the call right away.

    Not knowing what was said on the other side, everyone heard He Jichen reply, ¡°Got it, be right there.¡± Then he hung up the phone, got up and grabbed his jacket from behind him as he said to everyone in the room, ¡°Something came up. I¡¯m heading out first.¡±

    He Jichen looked up and nced at Ji Yi. He heard everyone say their goodbyes: ¡°Bye Chen Ge¡± and ¡°Take care, Chen Ge,¡± as he strode out of the party room.

    Soon after He Jichen left, the waiter pushed open the door and came in with a beaming smile, interrupting the new game. ¡°The wishing bell is about to ring in the restaurant. If anyone is interested, you cane down to the first-floor lobby to make a wish in front of the wishing bell.¡±

    The wishing bell was this hot pot restaurant¡¯s specialty. It was said the owner of the restaurant was a master tarot card reader who offered tarot card readings for an hour every day. The master also rang the Chinese wishing bell for five seconds.

    In those five seconds, the restaurant¡¯s lights were turned off. If you sincerely kissed the person you liked and confessed to them In the pitch dark, you were guaranteed to get together one day.

    Perhaps it was because the wishing bell¡¯s theme was about love that many B-Film students came to give it a try. On top of that, there were quite a few guys and girls who actually became couples from this ritual and as time passed, the wishing bell became a sacred ce for everybody¡¯s confessions.

    As the wishing bell rang at unexpected times, it wasn¡¯t guaranteed it would ring while you ate there. Since everybody got the privilege of encountering it today, quite a few of them went downstairs to take a look.

    Ji Yi heard about the wishing bell but never saw it rung before, so she was a little curious too. She headed downstairs with Tang Huahua and Bo He.

    There were only five minutes until the wishing bell rang, so the area surrounding the wishing bell was already crowded with people in front of it.

    Quite a few people probably wanted to watch the wishing bell ritual. With unusually excited expressions on their faces, there were also many who dragged their partners over, chattering non-stop.

    As time went by, the restaurant fell even quieter. As the world fell intoplete darkness, the wishing bell rang on the final second and everything around them was utterly silent.

    As the bell rang, ¡°Ding!¡ª¡ª¡± Ji Yi heard the faint sound of kissing all around.

    It was pitch ck so she couldn¡¯t see a thing, but she still turned her head in the direction of where the sounds came from. All of a sudden, before she could even grasp the situation, someone grabbed her wrist.

    Ji Yi instinctively wanted to struggle out of it, but the person seemed to anticipate what she was going to do, so they grabbed her hand tightly. With great force, she was flung in front of this person.

    Before Ji Yi could react to what just happened, the back of her head was scooped up. A secondter, a pair of warm, soft lips fell onto hers...

 Chapter 233

    Chapter 233: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi suddenly opened her eyes wide and her mind wentpletely nk. It seemed like her pressure points were pressed as she froze on the spot.

    The person who kissed her was a man. The kiss was only superficial as a secondter, he swiftly released her lips.

    Ji Yi was left a little dazed by the sudden kiss. She hadn¡¯tpletely snapped back to her senses before the guy moved from her lips to her ears.

    Even if it was really noisy around them, Ji Yi could still hear the whispers and sound of kissing over the ringing of the wishing bell. She even heard the man say quietly in a breathless whisper, ¡°Actually I¡¯m really not so bad. Do you want to try to fall in love with me?¡±

    The very second he finished speaking, the man¡¯s lips kissed Ji Yi¡¯s forehead.

    His lips were soft and warm as they stuck to her face and lingered there for a second. He let out a distinct sigh of regret at just how fleeting time was like he couldn¡¯t bear to leave.

    A secondter, he pulled his lips away from her forehead and swiftly let go of Ji Yi¡¯s wrist. He took two steps back and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Ji Yi standing there on the spot, still in a daze.

    The sound of the bell stopped ringing as the lights turned on.

    Having not yet readjusted to the brightness, Ji Yi furrowed her brows as she realized that a stranger stole a five-second kiss from her with the lights out.

    She instinctively opened her eyes and searched her surroundings.

    Everyone was busy with their own business, and none of them seemed like the person who kissed her just now.

    Could it all have been a figment of my imagination?

    Ji Yi thought about it and raised her fingers to touch her lips. A faint warmth on her mouth lingered.

    Which proved that in those five seconds, someone really did kiss her...

    It was just a shame that the kiss was so short and she was so bewildered that she didn¡¯t take notice of what kind of air the man let off.

    ¡°Xiao Yi? Why are you daydreaming? We¡¯re heading up!¡± When the wishing bell stopped ringing, the group dispersed. Tang Huahua was about to go upstairs and took just two steps before she noticed that Ji Yi stood there fixed on the spot, so she called out to her.

    Ji Yi gave a quick response, turned around and headed over to Tang Huahua. Having taken just two steps, she suddenly thought back to what the man said to her during those five seconds when the wishing bell rang.

    Her mind wandered back to those words again as she softly mouthed, ¡°Actually I¡¯m really not so bad, Do you want to try to fall in love with me?¡±

    She spoke very quietly, so Tang Huahua, who was some distance away from her, only saw her mouth move soundlessly. She couldn¡¯t help calling out again, ¡°Xiao Yi, what did you say?¡±

    Immersed in her thoughts, Ji Yi didn¡¯t make a sound. As she sluggishly made her way to Tang Huahua, she raised her hand and touched the middle of her forehead where the man kissed her. Then when she reminisced about the moment he left, she let out a sigh. All of a sudden, her footsteps came to a stop and a sharp pain came over her heart as though it was pricked by a needle.

    That¡¯s weird. How can that man make me feel so sad and pained?

    Who in the hell was he? Why did he say those things to me?

    ¡°Xiao Yi? Xiao Yi?¡± Seeing that Ji Yi had frozen again, Tang Huahua walked back to her side and pulled on her arm. As they walked up to the first floor, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s up with you?¡±

 Chapter 234

    Chapter 234: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi brought herself back to her senses as she said, a little absent-mindedly, ¡°Nothing...¡±

    ¡°Is it really nothing? Why do I think something about you is off...¡± continued Tang Huahua with a worried expression on her face.

    Ji Yi only heard the first part of what she said as her mind drifted again back to the five-second ring of the wishing bell...

    ¨C

    Outside the hot pot restaurant.

    He Jichen stood outside the tall windows in the rustling cold wind. Through the ss, he watched as Ji Yi was dragged up the stairs by Tang Huahua. After she disappearedpletely, he reached to pull out his vibrating phone. He nced at the iing call ¨C it was Han Zhifan who called him moments ago ¨C he wanted to meet up to talk about business.

    He Jichen took the call but didn¡¯t give Han Zhifan a chance to say anything and replied, ¡°Be right there.¡± He tapped the button to hang up the call.

    He Jichen looked up and nced over again at the spot where Ji Yi had just been. Then his eyes darted over to the wishing bell nearby for just a second before he withdrew his gaze and turned around to walk over to the parking lot.

    He Jichen started the engine and skillfully drove over to Han Zhifan¡¯s office where he was working overtime.

    After driving for about fifteen minutes, he reached a red light. He Jichen hit the emergency brakes and stared at the eye-piercing red in front of him. His mind wandered back to how he pulled Ji Yi into a kiss in the five seconds of darkness at the hot pot restaurant not long ago.

    Han Zhifan had just called him about some urgent business.

    After he finished paying the bill, he went over to the front desk to get his receipt when he heard someone nearby mention that the wishing bell was about to ring in the hot pot restaurant.

    He heard about the legend of the hot pot restaurant¡¯s wishing bell, but he never believed in such superstitions. He always thought it was just the restaurant¡¯s marketing strategy, but uponing across the wishing bell just as it was about to ring tonight, He Jichen couldn¡¯t help but blurt out a question to thedy at the front desk, ¡°Does the wishing bell really work?¡±

    If you really kissed your crush and confessed to her during the ringing of the wishing bell, would you really get together one day?

    Before thedy at the front desk could answer, the boss, who was arranging tarot cards, looked up and smiled to say, ¡°It works for those with sincere hearts.¡±

    He didn¡¯t say anything but nodded at the boss and left the restaurant.

    As he stepped out, his feet came to a stop and he looked back at the restaurant. He actually saw Ji Yie down from the second floor and stop in front of the wishing bell.

    He hesitated for a few seconds, but he eventually headed back to the hot pot restaurant.

    As everyone gathered in front of the wishing bell, he showed up inconspicuously with nobody noticing him.

    He paid close attention to her frame so that when the lights went out, he could ensure he was standing next to the right person.

    He remembered what the boss said, ¡°It works for those with sincere hearts.¡± With utter seriousness, he held her hand, dragged her over to him, and kissed her lips.

    He was like a school kid, earnestly following the instructions in front of the wishing bell, one step at a time. After he kissed her, he drew close to her ear and whispered to her, fearing that she could tell it was him.

    Word by word, like an oath, he sincerely said the words he wanted to say to her back in his school days when he showered her with unwavering affection.

    Actually, in his heart, there was a second part to those words which he never got to say.

    The whole line was meant to go like this: Actually, I¡¯m really not so bad. Do you want to try to fall in love with me and not hate me so much?

 Chapter 235

    Chapter 235: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He kissed her and confessed to her so sincerely during the five-second ringing of the wishing bell. Would they really get together one day like the bossdy said? ¡°It works for those with sincere hearts.¡±

    If it was true... If they really ended up together... As long as he got to be with her in the end, it really didn¡¯t matter if it happenedter in the future. He was willing to wait...

    She appeared in his adolescence for just a while, but she lingered in his memories for a lifetime.

    ¨C

    On the fifteenth of the February, Ji Yi received a call from the production team for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± informing her that they were going to officially start filming on the fourteenth of March and there was going to be an opening ceremony held at Hengdian.

    On the eleventh of March, Ji Yi requested a leave of absence from her professor.

    On the morning of the thirteenth of March, Ji Yi got on an early flight andnded in Hengdian.

    Right now, she wasn¡¯t signed to an agency and had no assistant, so she had to rely on herself for everything. Luckily, she filmed at Hengdian World Studios four years ago, so Ji Yi found the route online easily and went off on her way with multiple transfers.

    She first hailed a taxi to the intercity bus station and bought tickets to Hengdian.

    After she reached Hengdian, Ji Yi got into another taxi. At three in the afternoon, she arrived at the hotel the production team made reservations for.

    It had been a long and arduous day, so Ji Yi took a shower,id down on the in bed and fell asleep. When she woke, it was already seven in the evening. Ji Yi was afraid the restaurant on the second floor was closed, so she quickly unpacked and rushed downstairs to have dinner.

    The restaurant was still open but dinner time was over, so the restaurant was empty with barely anybody around.

    Ji Yi ordered a portion of egg noodles then found the nearest empty table and sat down.

    Not long after, the waiter served her the noodles. Ji Yi picked up a pair of chopsticks and was just about to eat when the doors of a private dining room opened and a group of people walked out.

    Ji Yi happened to know all of them since they were all from the production team of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡± Besides He Jichen, the producer and director, other team leaders were there. Even the screenwriter was there, as well as the main actor and the main actress, Qian Ge.

    The group must¡¯ve been drinking as they swayed slightly as they walked.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t a big star to begin with, and she was sitting quite far from where they came out, so she merely watched as they mboyantly walked out of the restaurant.

    This group of people temporarily engulfed the silent restaurant in noise.

    Ji Yi pretended as though she didn¡¯t notice this interlude happening as she lowered her head and started to eat her noodles.

    Perhaps it was because she ran around for too long that Ji Yi didn¡¯t really have an appetite. She was full after eating just a small portion of her food.

    She put her chopsticks down and picked up a napkin. She wiped the corner of her mouth and picked up her phone from the table, then got up and left the restaurant.

    She walked down the corridor then took two turns, but before Ji Yi could reach the elevators, she came to a halt.

    Qian Ge, who had long left the restaurant, held a long, slender cigarette in her fingers. She lookedid-back as she leaned against the wall. She stood beside the trash can, leisurely taking fluid drags of her cigarette.

    Qian Ge seemed to have noticed someoneing closer, so she turned her head slightly. Amid the smoke, she nced over to where Ji Yi stood.

    She looked like she was deliberately waiting for Ji Yi, so upon seeing her appear, she immediately straightened up and trotted over towards Ji Yi menacingly in her high heels. Standing in front of Ji Yi, she took a hard puff and exhaled it, releasing peppermint-scented smoke from her cigarette. Qian Ge arrogantly said, ¡°Do you really think that after getting onto the production team, the supporting female role would be entirely yours?¡±

 Chapter 236

    Chapter 236: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    So back in the restaurant just now, Qian Ge pretended to look as though she hadn¡¯t nced my way, but in actual fact, she did notice me.

    After she left the restaurant with the group of team leaders, Qian Ge stayed behind and lingered by the elevators just to say this to me?

    Deep down inside, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but secretly chuckle.

    But this time, it wasn¡¯t the same as the other times when she bumped into Qian Ge and argued over all those trivial matters.

    Now they were on set ¨C Qian Ge was like a senior to the entire crew. Even if Ji Yi was popr in the past, she was a newbiepared to Qian Ge. Many people on the production crew must¡¯ve been dissatisfied and discontent by the fact that she was cast as the supporting female character. If she wasn¡¯t careful and was caught arguing with Qian Ge, then who knew what kind of wild rumors would be spread.

    What¡¯s more, Qian Ge wasn¡¯t a simpleton. Right now, it might look like it was just the two of them, but who knew who could be hiding in the corner taking photos!

    I waited over half a year for an opportunity like this, so I have to be cautious!

    That thought quickly swept through Ji Yi¡¯s mind as she pretended like Qian Ge didn¡¯t exist and didn¡¯t hear what she just said. Ji Yi raised her feet, brushed past her and walked over to the elevator where she reached out to push the button to open the door.

    Before the elevator doors closed, Qian Ge stomped her high heels and walked over to Ji Yi. She put out her cigarette and chucked it into the trash can as she nonchntly said, ¡°If you really think that, then you¡¯re naive. I could never be on the same production team as you!¡±

    Ji Yi stared in silence at descending red numbers in the elevator.

    ¡°But I must admit, you really are something! To be able to get the role of the supporting female character...¡± Qian Ge then pulled out another cigarette and held it between her rouge lips. She sounded a little muffled as she said, ¡°..e to think of it, I¡¯m really curious to know... Ji Yi, how did you get the supporting female role? Did you sell yourself? To who?¡±

    Qian Ge knew Ji Yi was able to get onto the production team because of He Jichen.

    And she was only able to be on the same production crew as her because He Jichen plotted against her!

    Yet she said this on purpose because she wanted to agitate Ji Yi and start an argument. That way, her manager could record everything as she hid in the corner. With the recording, all she had to do was edit and post the parts where Ji Yi was being disrespectful, and her enormous fan base would attack her.

    Everyone in their industry knew just how frightening the violent power of the inte could be ¨C it was enough to make a bright and beautiful person go crazy!

    At that point, not to mention trying to surpass her on ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± but Ji Yi would have to live under Qian Ge¡¯s shadow her entire life!

    As Qian Ge lit another cigarette and took a drag, more outrageous things came from her mouth: ¡°Or perhaps, how many have you been with? Were they old men? I hear those old men are all perverts. They must¡¯ve broken you...¡±

    After hearing the second half of what she said, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes turned a little cold, but the corner of her lips curved into a smile. She turned her head and looked at Qian Ge like they were good friends. ¡°Qian Ge, you seem to know a lot about that? You must¡¯ve personally experienced it before, huh?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Ji Yi made Qian Ge choke for a moment, but a secondter, she curved her red lips into a smirk.

 Chapter 237

    Chapter 237: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Forget it. Why bother arguing with you? You¡¯re so pitiful right now with that sharp tongue of yours. I hope you can use that sharp-tongue to stay on set until the series finishes. After all, you know I¡¯m not one to back down...¡±

    Qian Ge deliberately stopped for a moment and put the cigarette to her mouth then took a drag. Amidst the lingering smoke, she sluggishly cried, ¡°...Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you; I have a thousand ways, no... a million ways to make you leave the team. I don¡¯t need to use my connections to force you out at all. I bet that after not too long, you¡¯ll leave the production crew in tears!¡±

    When Ji Yi saw Qian Ge was the leading actress for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± she already knew that these next few months on set wouldn¡¯t go smoothly.

    She also knew she had to face these situations eventually because she couldn¡¯t allow Qian Ge to move up in life and live so morously and carefree by stepping all over her. Nor could she allow her office to be taken so easily like that.

    So, a long long time ago, she prepared all kinds of retorts for Qian Ge¡¯s attacks.

    After Ji Yi listened to Qian Ge¡¯s long speech with underlying threats, not only was she not the slightest bit angry, she even wore the same friendly smile on her face. Ji Yi blinked gently at Qian Ge and spoke softly and politely, not showing any weakness at all. ¡°Leave the crew in tears?¡±

    ¡°Qian Ge, do you really look down on me, or do you really think so highly of yourself?¡±

    ¡°What about you is worth crying over? I, Ji Yi, will never cry over insignificant people!¡±

    ¡°Even if it¡¯s between the two of us, the person who will be crying is definitely you!¡±

    ¡°So let¡¯s quietly wait and see, shall we? Let¡¯s see whose days working on this production will drag on and on...¡± As Ji Yi said this, the elevator finally reached the second floor and opened. Ji Yi stepped out and just as she raised her hand to close the doors, it looked like a thought suddenly urred to her. She looked back and added another line from outside the elevator: ¡°...Oh, no, the days won¡¯t drag, the seconds will drag!¡±

    When Ji Yi finished saying this, she pressed the button to close the elevator doors. Ji Yi shot a dazzling smile at Qian Ge as though she was giving her a friendly goodbye.

    The second before the doors closedpletely, Ji Yi clearly saw Qian Ge grit her teeth like mad.

    Ji Yi raised her brows as a cold glow of light emanated from her eyes.

    Qian Ge has surely overestimated herself. She actually thought I was a pushover who¡¯d let anyone push me around.

    Three years ago, Ji Yi saw her as a friend so she didn¡¯t have her guard up, which was why she slipped up.

    Three yearster, as Qian Ge stood in front of her, Ji Yi vowed to make her meet the same ending, the same ending that would befall all the people who challenged her!

    One of these days, she, Ji Yi, would make her, Qian Ge, repay her ten-fold for every single thing she owed her!

    One of these days, she, Ji Yi, would stand in front of her, Qian Ge, stare down at her and say, ¡°Qian Ge, you¡¯ve lost!¡±

    ¨C

    Ji Yi knew that Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t give up, but she never thought she would actually use such despicable tactics to defeat her.

 Chapter 238

    Chapter 238: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi knew Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t let her go, but she never imagined she would actually use such dirty tactics against her.

    At the very start, Ji Yi didn¡¯t notice anything wrong. There were many things she innocently thought were just a coincidence.

    For example:

    On the first day of shooting, Ji Yi finished shooting her scenes at seven in the evening. She was looking for somewhere to eat her meal when a staff member brushed her arm in a hurry, causing her meal to fly to the ground. Meals were ordered for each person, so if she picked up another, someone else wouldn¡¯t have one. All Ji Yi could do was admit that she was unlucky and starve that day.

    On the second day of shooting, during Ji Yi¡¯s afternoon scenes, she needed to go to the bathroom. Seeing as the director cried ¡°Cut!¡± in between two scenes, she took advantage and hurriedly left the set. When it was almost her turn to use the restroom, a female staff member ran in and hurriedly cut in front of her. The woman pushed open the restroom doors and made her way in. She stood outside the door waiting for ten whole minutes until another staff member hurried her back on set for filming. All Ji Yi could do was helplessly continue acting.

    On the third day of shooting, the makeup artist responsible for Ji Yi¡¯s makeup that evening had frequent stomach aches and ran to the restroom. When the director started to push them to start shooting, Ji Yi only had half her makeup on and the other makeup artists were busy. All Ji Yi could do was apply her makeup herself.

    On the fourth day of shooting, after Ji Yi finished applying her makeup for her scenes in the evening, she discovered arge hole in her costume that the crew prepared for her in advance. Though the staff fixed it up, it was nevertheless particrly expensive and it took a lot of time to fix, considering it was a period costume. Because of this, it was one in the morning when they finished filming the evening scenes.

    ...

    Small mishaps like this happened practically every day. At first, Ji Yi didn¡¯t really notice what was happening until one day, before going to the restroom, she put her costume bracelet on the makeup table only to notice that it was gone when she came back.

    If she didn¡¯t wear the bracelet, all her scenes would be outtakes. To help her find her bracelet, the production staff wasted over an hour searching.

    That day, He Jichen sat in front of the monitor with his usual cold expression and didn¡¯t reveal any change in emotion.

    Rather, it was the assistant director beside him who had been waiting impatiently. After they found the bracelet, he signaled for everyone to take their ces and get ready to shoot. Then he warned and reminded Ji Yi by saying, ¡°Xiao Yi, you¡¯ve troubled the crew quite a bit!¡±

    The assistant director¡¯s words were like a wake-up call.

    Of course people experienced mishaps, but for her, they urred far too frequently. They happened daily ¨C in fact, sometimes they happened two times in one day.

    When mishaps happened this frequently, they were no longer by ident; they were intentional.

    When the assistant director finished speaking, Ji Yi instinctively looked over to where Qian Ge was sitting. Sure enough, she looked really pleased with herself.

    At that moment, Ji Yi realized that everything that had happened to her thesest few days weren¡¯t just coincidences; it was Qian Ge messing with her in the background.

    Her goal was simple: she wanted Ji Yi to encounter endless mishaps to dy the filming and make everyone on set unhappy with her, iste her, push her aside, and make the production team leaders think she was inadequate for the job...

 Chapter 239

    Chapter 239: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    A whole day¡¯s worth of filming was tiring enough. If Ji Yi created problems every day, it would take up most of everybody¡¯s free time.

    At first, everybody tolerated it ¨C they just felt dissatisfied inside at the most and ranted about it in private. However, as time went on, everybody lost their patience and they started to target her outright.

    By then, her situation was certainly difficult to manage on top of the heavy workload. It could really destroy her!

    After being shouted at by the assistant director, Ji Yi humbly apologized but started to be more alert.

    She was cautious and on guard for the first two days after that, and she did have a few days of peace. However, itsted just a few days because her cautiousness only aggravated Qian Ge.

    There was even a day when Ji Yi didn¡¯t even get a lunch box to eat. She knew it was Qian Ge messing with her, but she didn¡¯t have any evidence, so she fought her hunger and forced herself to concentrate on finishing the shoot.

    When she finished shooting scenes at eleven in the evening that day, she was so hungry that she had stomach cramps. It was so bad that when she went back to her hotel room for snacks, she immediately vomited them right out.

    For the whole afternoon, she didn¡¯t go to the bathroom and held it in until the very end. Her dder started to hurt.

    Of course, that wasn¡¯t all. One day, she spent the whole day on the toilet, so it forced her to stop shooting all day. After she went to the hospital to get things examined, she learned she ate axative. Then she remembered that Qian Ge probably asked someone to contaminate her water on set.

    Ji Yi knew Qian Ge used these disgusting methods to force herself to cry first.

    She said it before; she wouldn¡¯t cry because of her, and she really wouldn¡¯t. She wasn¡¯t stupid. She learned from her mistakes, so she brought a lot of instant noodles into her hotel room. Before she left the house in the morning every day, she brought her own lunch box in her bag. If anything happened to her lunch box, then she wouldn¡¯t have to be hungry and allow it to affect her acting.

    To avoid going to the toilet, she tried to cut down her water intake. She wouldn¡¯t touch anything that she left unattended because of her past experience withxatives.

    Deep down inside, Ji Yi knew that Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t let the matter slide.

    In her heart, she actually hoped Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t give up because she needed an opportunity ¨C an opportunity to retaliate.

    She wasn¡¯t Qian Ge, so she wasn¡¯t going to frequently mess around like her. That would be too easy to spot ws, and too easy for someone else to use against her.

    Until she was absolutely certain that she could attack Qian Ge, all she could do was bide her time and endure it all.

    Even if she had to eat half a month¡¯s worth of instant noodles until it disgusted her.

    Even if she suffered from dehydration and had a nose bleed every morning because she didn¡¯t drink enough water.

    Even if she lost almost 5kg in half a month.

    She still gritted her teeth and chose to endure it all.

    The heavens didn¡¯t treat her badly in the end, or perhaps, Qian Ge was about to receive her dose of karma, because Ji Yi finally got her chance.

    That day, the main scene to shoot was a scene with her and Qian Ge together.

    He Jichen, who suddenly left the set two days ago, had returned. While Ji Yi and Qian Ge had their makeup done, he sat down in front of the monitor, watching the scenes from the past two days of his absence.

    Ji Yi¡¯s makeup was done before Qian Ge¡¯s, so she went first to the production crew¡¯s changing rooms to change into her costume.

    Since someone tampered with her costume in the past, every time Ji Yi put it on, she always carefully checked it once.

 Chapter 240

    Chapter 240: Ji Yi, I¡¯m Sorry (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As her fingers stroked the waist area of her clothes, she discovered a fraying thread.

    Ji Yi creased her brows, lowered her head and took a serious look.

    A thread in the waist area must¡¯ve been sliced through with some kind of knife. It looked like everything was normal, but when she put it on, she realized that if she made any big movements, the thread would burst open.

    If she wasn¡¯t careful and examined her costume beforehand, she really could¡¯ve torn it open. She really had to wear a thinyer of clothing underneath otherwise the whole crew would see her naked.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze turned cold.

    Qian Ge had truly gone too far. Seeing as she hadn¡¯t been able to embarrass Ji Yi recently, she actually used such heinous tactics...

    That was all well and good. Since she dared to y this game, she couldn¡¯t me Qian Ge for not caring about her feelings!

    This time, she had an opportunity to settle the score!

    At that thought, there was a sh of cold mercilessness across Ji Yi¡¯s neatly drawn brows.

    ...

    Because she knew someone messed with her costume, Ji Yi deliberately wore an extrayer of tight clothes and safety shorts to prevent her from being exposed.

    She stood in front of the tall mirror and confirmed that even if the tear in her waistpletely burst open, she wouldn¡¯t be exposed. With that, she put on her costume as she went back into the makeup room. Then she took a seat in front of the dressing room mirror and started to have her hair done.

    Qian Ge sat nearby. She got up after she finished applying her makeup and happened to walk past Ji Yi, heading to her changeroom to get changed.

    Ji Yi stared straight at the dressing room mirror but from the corner of her eye, she paid attention to Qian Ge. Just as Qian Ge was about to walk in front of her, she clearly nced at Ji Yi¡¯s waist area.

    Qian Ge¡¯s little move confirmed to Ji Yi that her spections werepletely true.

    She pretended as though nothing happened as she randomly grabbed a fashion magazine with a calm expression on her face. Every now and then, she would look up and nce over at the stylist working on her hair through the reflection in the mirror.

    When everything was in order for Ji Yi and Qian Ge, it was time to start filming.

    With the small crack of light from the set, Ji Yi used this opportunity to pull out the script she memorized by heart and read it over again.

    Today, Ji Yi and Qian Ge¡¯s scenes weren¡¯t difficult to shoot.

    The second female character of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was a soldier trained by the male lead to die in her fight. As the female lead was heavily injured, the male lead repeatedly called her name. Completely disregarding the male lead¡¯s warnings before she fainted, the loyal second female character went to find the female lead, who was getting ready for her wedding.

    At the time, there were some misunderstandings between the female lead and male lead. No matter how the second female character tried to persuade her, the female lead just wouldn¡¯t believe her. The second female character was stubborn, so she reached out and grabbed the female lead¡¯s hand, trying to force her to go with her. Just then, the female lead struggled against the second female and swung out of her grip. The female lead then shoved the second female with such force it caused the second female lead to fall to the ground.

    Four years ago, when Ji Yi was scouted, she was alreadyplimented for being a natural talent at acting; she made anything she acted look real.

    Also, ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was key to hereback to the entertainment industry. During the filming process, she used practically every second to get herself into the role of the second female character. As soon as filming started, Ji Yi got herself together.

    The only reason Qian Ge was such a big shot now was because of the acting skills she honed these past two years.

 Chapter 241

    Chapter 241: Think About It, Before You Answer (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The two of them were arch-enemies after all; neither one wanted the other to beat them, so during their scenes together, they each put in hard work to perform their best. As soon as they started shooting Ji Yi and Qian Ge¡¯s scenes, the two of them performed incredibly well. Aside from the asional lighting and positioning problems that led to some outtakes, all the scenes with the two of them were practically shot in one go.

    The original n was to finish filming the scenes by six in the afternoon, but by three of o¡¯clock, they were already on their final and most important scene of the day: Ji Yi and Qian Ge¡¯s characters got into an argument where the female lead tossed the second female character to the ground in a rage.

    Seeing as there was a possibility of leaving earlier, each and every person on set carried a tinge of happiness on their face and everyone worked a lot quicker than before. Soon enough, the set for the final scene was all ready to start shooting.

    When Ji Yi and Qian Ge finished touching up their makeup, the assistant director raised the mic and cried, ¡°Get ready.¡± With that, the set fell silent.

    Ji Yi and Qian Ge got into their respective positions.

    The assistant director turned his head and shot a nce at He Jichen, who was wearing a long ck trench coat. He Jichen took two nces at the monitor then gave a slight nod. Only then did the assistant director raise the microphone and cry at Ji Yi and Qian Ge again, ¡°Action!¡±

    With those words, Qian Ge and Ji Yi instantly got into character.

    Qian Ge, who was dressed in all-red Chinese bridal wear, stood two flights of stairs above Ji Yi on the temple steps. She coldly spoke down at Ji Yi: ¡°I told you. I won¡¯t go with you!¡±

    Dressed in light green, Ji Yi had a sword in one hand as she stared at the woman who was about to marry into the imperial family and be an imperial concubine. Without backing down, Ji Yi asked in neither a pushy nor humble way: ¡°I¡¯ll ask you one more time. Are you sure you won¡¯te with me?¡±

    Qian Ge seemed to grow impatient. This time, she didn¡¯t even reply to Ji Yi and immediately walked away.

    When Qian Ge brushed past Ji Yi, Ji Yi raised her hand and used the de to block Qian Ge¡¯s path. ¡°Come with me!¡±

    Qian Ge raised her hand and gently pushed the sword away as though she hadn¡¯t heard what Ji Yi said. Then she proceeded to walk down the long flight of stairs.

    Ji Yi hurriedly caught up to Qian Ge, the ineloquent young woman, and she cried the same three words, ¡°Come with me!¡±

    Qian Ge shot a look at the two guards standing to one side. Immediately understanding what she meant, the guards headed towards Ji YI to hold her back.

    But Ji Yi was one step ahead as she grabbed Qian Ge¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Since you refuse toe with me, I¡¯ll have to bring you by force!¡±

    Qian Ge tried to resist but seeing as she couldn¡¯t struggle out of Ji Yi¡¯s arms, a sh of rage crossed her eyes. A secondter, she gritted her teeth and blurted just two words, ¡°Let go!¡±

    Ji Yi pulled harder. Qian Ge suddenly exploded and violently swung her arm, causing Ji Yi to fall down to the cushioned floor with a mighty crash.

    With that, the director cried ¡°Cut!¡±, ending the scene.

    Qian Ge immediately got out of character and nced down at Ji Yi from above with a faint smirk in her eyes.

    Having fallen so heavily just now, her clothes were probably torn up. As soon she got up, she would be aughing stock.

 Chapter 242

    Chapter 242: Think About It, Before You Answer (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At that thought, Qian Ge couldn¡¯t help but smirk as she reached her arm out and waited for the assistant and makeup artist to help her remove the red Chinese bridal cor and jacket.

    After Qian Ge¡¯s outer jacket and bridal cor had been removed, Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t gotten up from the mat.

    After the scene was shot, the staff were in a hurry to leave and had already started to pack up. Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t move for a long time, someone instinctively asked her, ¡°Second female, why haven¡¯t you gotten up yet? Are you hurt somewhere?¡±

    With her back turned to Ji Yi, Qian Ge had a cold smirk on her face as she listened.

    Hurt somewhere? A mat wasid out for her ¨C how could she have gotten injured from the fall? She¡¯s probably scared to get up and let everyone see her exposed body, right?

    After a while, Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t gotten up. Laying there was a way to temporarily escape her embarrassment.

    As she imagined Ji Yi getting up and revealing her body to everyone, Qian Ge couldn¡¯t help but emanate a happy glow about her.

    When Ji Yi heard someone address her, she turned around slightly and looked over at the source of the sound.

    Her face was a little pale as her brows furrowed tightly. She looked as if she was in extreme pain.

    She propped herself up slightly on the mat with her arms and let out a grunt. Her hand shifted to the left side of her waist, looking like she was really in pain.

    Seeing as something wasn¡¯t quite right with Ji Yi, a staff member stopped what she was doing and walked over to her side. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply to what she said as her hand by her waist shuddered profusely for a moment. A secondter, she slowly withdrew her arm and before she could take a closer look, she cried, ¡°Blood! Blood! So much blood!¡±

    A secondter, the staff member surrounded her and yelled, ¡°The second female character got injured, got injured!¡±

    In the past, after finishing a shoot, Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t linger for even a second ¨C she got changed and left. However, today she lingered and pretended like she had something to discuss with her manager just to watch the drama unfold with Ji Yi.

    The assistant eagerly handed Qian Ge a bottle of mineral water with the cap removed. Qian Ge put it to her lips and was just about to take a gulp when she heard a staff member¡¯s frantic calls from behind her.

    Qian Ge furrowed her brows tightly and instinctively looked up at her own manager.

    The manager was looking at Ji Yi. It was the same for her ¨C the second she heard what the staff member said, she creased her brows with an astonished expression on her face. Suddenly, her eyes widened as though she saw something unbelievable and said, ¡°My goodness, how did that happen?¡±

    Qian Ge was a little confused by her manager¡¯s words, but she kept quiet and turned around to look at Ji Yi.

    The woman¡¯s little, fair hands were covered in blood.

    Staff members in the area came rushing over and surrounded Ji Yi when they heard their coworker¡¯s cries.

    There was a female crouched down, examining her condition.

    Just as Qian Ge hoped, the loose thread by Ji Yi¡¯s waist hadpletely torn open. However, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t exposed like she hoped, since Ji Yi was wearing body-tight suspenders and safety shorts.

    Her white suspenders were even dyed red.

    There was also blood leaking non-stop from her waist, which had patches upon patches of red on her clothes.

 Chapter 243

    Chapter 243: Think About It, Before You Answer (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After seeing this, Qian Ge¡¯s expression mimicked her manager¡¯s; at first she was stunned, then she waspletely bewildered.

    Ji Yi... how could she bleed so much?

    As a sense of astonishment shed across Qian Ge¡¯s mind, the staff members next to Ji Yi expressed the same bewilderment. ¡°What in the hell happened? How did you get such a serious injury all of a sudden?¡±

    The moment after one staff member said this, other staff members also chimed in.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s horrifying to see her bleed so much.¡±

    ¡°Ah! Has anyone contacted someone in charge?¡±

    ¡°Someone¡¯s already been called...¡±

    ¡°How about the production crew¡¯s doctor? Called them yet? They have toe and stop the bleeding...¡±

    ...

    After filming the scenes, He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for the crew to finish up before he left in a hurry. He got a call from Han Zhifan saying he was there to visit him, so He Jichen left to pick him up.

    Because of what happened with Ji Yi, after Lin Zhengyi pulled his investment from ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± Han Zhifan helped He Jichen make up the lost investment. Which went to say that Han Zhifan was now an important investor for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡± After meeting with Han Zhifan, He Jichen immediately arranged for all the important production crew members to have dinner with him at the restaurant they were staying in.

    After picking Han Zhifan up, He Jichen didn¡¯t go back to the hotel room but went straight to the restaurant with Han Zhifan.

    Just as he stepped out of the second-floor elevator, He Jichen bumped into the assistant director and casting director before they reached the restaurant doors.

    The two of them looked like they were in some kind of emergency as they rushed out of the restaurant.

    The assistant director was holding up his phone with a worried expression on his face. ¡°Got it! I¡¯ll be right there!¡±

    When the casting director saw He Jichen, he cried ¡°Director He!¡± from quite some distance away.

    He Jichen gave a slight nod to say hello then turned his head. He looked over at the assistant director who was asking questions over the phone.

    ¡°Called the doctor yet? Can the staff doctor solve the problem? If it¡¯s serious, call for an ambnce or call a specialist doctor over...¡±

    Hearing this, He Jichen furrowed his brows. Did someone on the production crew get injured?

    Those who worked on the production weren¡¯t oblivious. Though He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything, the casting director already read his mind, so he quickly exined what was happening to He Jichen. ¡°Mr. He, it¡¯s the supporting actress. After she finished shooting the final scene, she didn¡¯t get up, so a staff member discovered that she lost a lot of blood...¡±

    He Jichen grasped the main point of what the casting director said. His brows tightened furiously as he blurted out a single word as though he wanted to confirm something. ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°The supporting actress...¡± In the beginning, it was the casting director who He Jichen personally sent to sign Ji Yi, so he had a strong impression of her. ¡°...it¡¯s the supporting actress you chose. That woman you asked me to sign as quickly as possible...¡±

    Before the casting director could finish, He Jichen strode over to the assistant director.

    The assistant director, who was on the phone, was shocked to find that He Jichen was just inches away when he looked up. Before he could even cry ¡°Director He,¡± He Jichen snatched his phone away from his ear.

    The assistant director was stunned for a moment before he cried, ¡°Director He?¡±

    He Jichen put the phone to his ear and asked, ¡°How is she?¡± as though he didn¡¯t hear what the assistant director said.

 Chapter 244

    Chapter 244: Think About It, Before You Answer (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The person on the other side of the phone probably was a little stunned to suddenly be speaking to someone else. They didn¡¯t say anything for a while. Drained of his patience, He Jichen asked angrily, ¡°Let me ask you! How is she?¡±

    The assistant director and casting director were so shocked by He Jichen¡¯s roar that they didn¡¯t dare take a single breath.

    The person over the phone finally snapped back to their senses and asked in confusion,

    ¡°Director He? She?¡±

    It was as though the person on the phone could sense He Jichen¡¯s impatience as they hurriedly said, ¡°It looks like she injured her hip. There¡¯s a lot of blood...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled, and without a second thought, he pulled out his phone.

    While listening to the other person talk over the phone, he started to dial a number on his own phone. The call from his own phone rang ¡°doooot¨D¨D.¡± The staff member was heard speaking on the assistant director¡¯s phone: ¡°... don¡¯t know if it¡¯s serious, so nobody dared to move her. They¡¯re afraid...¡±

    Before the staff member could finish reporting what was happening, He Jichen¡¯s phone call went through. He removed the assistant director¡¯s phone from his ear and raised his own phone to it. Without waiting for the person over the phone to greet him, he demanded in a short and precise tone, ¡°Are you in the hotel? Meet me in the first-floor lobby.¡±

    After he hung up the phone, He Jichen handed the assistant his phone back. Then he took big strides over to the elevator without saying a thing.

    Even though Han Zhifan, the assistant director, and the casting director weren¡¯t sure who He Jichen called, seeing as he was heading for the elevator, they swiftly caught up to him.

    He Jichen nced over at the jumping red numbers over the elevator but he eventually gave up waiting as it was taking too long. He walked over to the emergency stairwell beside them, pushed open the door, and took the stairway to the first floor.

    He Jichen and the others waited in the main lobby for about a minute before the elevator doors opened. A middle-aged woman in a long white dress rushed over with a phone in her hand.

    Besides Han Zhifan, everyone knew this woman was the writer and screenwriter of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan scrabbled across the lobby left and right before she saw He Jichen and hobbled over to him.

    She seemed to have left in a hurry since she was heaving after she made her way to him. ¡°Director He, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    When she said this, Cheng Weiwan gave a slight nod to acknowledge the assistant director and casting director.

    The assistant director and casting director respectively greeted her with ¡°Weiwan¡± as He Jichen abruptly reached his hand out. He grabbed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s wrist and rushed out the hotel doors.

    He Jichen¡¯s footsteps were wide and hurried, which made it a little difficult for Cheng Weiwan to keep up. All she could do was run quickly and keep the expression on her face calm throughout. She didn¡¯t reveal even the slightest difort.

    From the hotel to the set, there was a road where cars weren¡¯t permitted to drive, but He Jichen still charged in. When they arrived at the set, they saw a crowd of people. He Jichen stepped hard on the brakes.

    Almost instantaneously, He Jichen opened the car door, got out, and darted over to the crowd.

    On his way to the set, He Jichen exined the situation briefly to Cheng Weiwan. As soon as the car stopped, Cheng Weiwan also quickly got out of the car and caught up to He Jichen.

 Chapter 245

    Chapter 245: Think About It, Before You Answer (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The sound of He Jichen¡¯s car screeching to a halt was exceedingly ear-piercing. The sound rmed quite a few staff members close to Ji Yi and caused everyone to turn around. When they saw He Jichen apanied by the assistant director, casting director, the screenwriter, and a majestic man they weren¡¯t familiar with, everyone politely greeted him with ¡°Director He.¡± One after the other, they instinctively stood aside to make a path for them.

    ...

    The piercing pain from her waist made Ji Yi tighten her brows even more. Just when she thought she was going to faint from the pain, she heard the sound of a car braking abruptly. Because the sound was so sharp, her brows twitched slightly. Then she heard consecutive cries all saying ¡°Director He.¡±

    Director He?

    Among the entire production crew and directors, only He Jichen had the surname ¡°He¡±... So...

    Ji Yi hesitated for two seconds before she turned her head and saw He Jichen making his way through the crowd. He looked dreary as he took big strides directly towards her.

    Did the news of me getting injured shock him?

    But didn¡¯t they call the on-site doctor over? Why did He Jichen have toe over personally?

    What¡¯s more, he looks vaguely worried instead of his unchangingly cold expression.

    Worried...

    Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t snapped back from her disbelief of using such a word to describe He Jichen. When she did eventuallye to her senses, He Jichen was already standing in front of her.

    He lowered his head slightly and checked her body up and down. When his eyes met the bloody stains by her waist, he instantly turned pale.

    Having clearly taken in the sight of Ji Yi, his expression changed as though he saw somethingpletely unbelievable. His lips were so shocked and gaped open that Ji Yi forgot about the pain on her waist.

    He Jichen waspletely frozen in front of her for over ten seconds before he abruptly crouched down.

    He raised his hand and reached out to her waist. Just as he touched her wound, her entire body shivered in pain. He flinched as he withdrew his fingers. Then he turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi¡¯s fair, little face. ¡°How did you get yourself injured like this?¡±

    Though he seemedposed, there was still a slight tremble in his voice.

    Ji Yi caught onto how unusual He Jichen sounded as she stared at his face in astonishment once again.

    He sounds like he¡¯s afraid... Is he afraid because I got injured?

    Ji Yi¡¯s mind was a little confused by this sudden realization. For a moment, she forgot to answer the question He Jichen just asked her.

    He Jichen saw the woman stare silently stunned at him, making his heart hurt even more.

    There were so many people surrounding her, so he couldn¡¯t allow her to get her wound treated under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say a thing as he immediately reached out to carefully lift Ji Yi from the mat.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t seem to mind Ji Yi¡¯s blood on his expensive clothes. He turned his head and shot Cheng Weiwan a look to signal her toe with him. Then he walked on the stairs and entered the pce nearby, all the while carrying Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t think He Jichen would carry her like that in front of everyone on the production team; her mind was so blown that she couldn¡¯t register what happened at all.

    When she snapped back to her senses, the man already carried her through the pce doors.

    Through the mirror in the pce, Ji Yi saw He Jichen was carrying her like he was holding a fragile item.

 Chapter 246

    Chapter 246: Think About It, Before You Answer (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi found herself unable to look away as she stared unwaveringly at the reflection in the mirror. Ji Yi didn¡¯t snap back to her senses until He Jichen carried her past the copper mirror, preventing her from seeing a thing.

    He actually carries me with that kind of posture... It¡¯s like he¡¯s scared to identally break me...

    As that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, it felt like something struck her heart heavily, causing her to tremble violently.

    She instinctively raised her head and stared up at He Jichen.

    Hisplexion looked the same as when he first showed up ¨C cold and deste. Yet after he scanned all around for somewhere he could put her down, Ji Yi also caught a glimpse of his anxiousness.

    His gaze fell on one area in the pce, finally locating a ce to put her down. With her face stuck to his chest, she felt him let out a sigh of relief like he just solved a great problem.

    With Ji Yi in his arms, He Jichen finally stopped in front of the bed in the pce.

    Although the bed was made, who knew how many people from the production team sat on it. He Jichen figured it was dirty, so after he slowly put Ji Yi down onto the bed, he raised his arms and removed his jacket. Heid it down the other side of the bed and carried Ji Yi over to his jacket and turned around to look over at Cheng Weiwan.

    He Jichen only took a step back from the bedside when Cheng Weiwan arrived.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze wandered over to the guy¡¯s trembling fingers.

    This was the first time Ji Yi saw He Jichen like this. Her fingertips instinctively quivered for a moment then she tightly clutched onto his jacket over her lower body.

    Since the moment he showed up till now, he had tried his best not to reveal any expression. Though people around them may not have noticed anything, Ji Yi, who had been quite close to him, noticed his little reactions.

    She wasn¡¯t stupid. She knew what all these little actions of his really meant.

    He¡¯s worried...

    He Jichen¡¯s actually worried about me?

    No matter how she thought about it, it didn¡¯t make any sense. However, Ji Yi thought there was no denying that He Jichen was actually worrying about someone like her. He was worried for her safety.

    ¡°While I take care of your wound, it¡¯s going to hurt a little. You have to hold it in.¡± Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice was calm andposed, like the time over the phone when she asked Ji Yi if she was interested in ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she came back her senses a little. As her heart was a little rattled by He Jichen, she only just gave Cheng Weiwan a gentle nod but didn¡¯t say a word.

    Even though Ji Yi already braced herself for it, when Cheng Weiwan treated her wound, she was in so much pain that her teeth trembled and she inhaled cold breaths of air non-stop.

    He Jichen hadn¡¯t left but was standing not too far away. At first, he was able to keep hisposure, but when he heard the sounds of her exhtions more frequently, he couldn¡¯t stand it any longer and started pacing back and forth around the lobby.

    The wound on Ji Yi¡¯s waist was a little deep, so it needed stitching up.

    The location of the film studios was incredibly remote, so she wouldn¡¯t be able to make it if they sent her to the hospital. Cheng Weiwan¡¯s medical kit didn¡¯t have any anesthetics, so all Ji Yi could do was force herself to endure the pain of someone stitching her up.

    Even though Ji Yi tried really hard to bear with the pain, when the needles pierced into her flesh one after the other, she let out a low painful cry.

    He Jichen, who had been pacing some distance away, suddenly rushed over to her bedside when he heard Ji Yi¡¯s high-pitched, painful ¡°YA¨C¡°.

 Chapter 247

    Chapter 247: Think About It, Before You Answer (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan sensed He Jichen draw closer, but she sat unfazed, continuing to concentrate on helping Ji Yi take care of her wound.

    Rather, it was Ji Yi who instinctively turned her head to look over at He Jichen. When she felt his gaze, she waspletely stunned.

    She didn¡¯t know when it happened, but the man¡¯splexion had turned pale white. His face waspletely erratic and disheveled.

    His eyes were sharp and stern as he stared at the needle in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s hand like an enemy with a blood feud.

    This man who was always calm andposed and never revealed his emotions on his face... To her surprise... He¡¯s capable of having such a chaotic expression?

    She always thought the man who carried her all the way into the pce already lost it; she never imagined that he could have such crazed moments like this.

    What¡¯s more, in this very moment, it was because... because of her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly trembled incessantly.

    The needle in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers pierced her flesh again, causing her to naturally furrow her eyebrows in pain. However, her thoughts were still with He Jichen.

    Having clearly noticed her furrowed brows, He Jichen instinctively reached his hand out at Cheng Weiwan, tempted to take the needle away from her. But when his fingers reached out no more than an inch away, he clenched his fingers hard and forced himself to withdraw them.

    The needle pierced through her skin again, causing Ji Yi¡¯s leg to shudder in pain.

    With that, He Jichen¡¯s body tensed up for a second then tightly balled up his hands into fists. He turned around and walked out of the pce.

    It wasn¡¯t until Ji Yi heard the heavy m of the pce doors that she blinked and return to her senses.

    Her round pupils circled the pce as she thought, why did He Jichen suddenly leave ?

    Her mind lingered on that thought for no more than three seconds before she thought back to how He Jichen rushed over to her earlier. A confused expression came over her face.

    This time, as her heart raced again, Ji Yi took a few breaths and started to grow anxious.

    Is He Jichen not as annoyed and hateful of me as I thought?

    Which goes to say, deep down inside, he cares about me a little?

    After all, we were once on good terms and good friends...

    ...

    Under the eyes of the production crew, He Jichen stepped out of the pce and walked towards the stairs in front of him. He walked up and down. Up again, then down again.

    He repeated this a few times over before he walked over to the pce doors and raised his hand, preparing to push the doors open. However, he also couldn¡¯t bear the thought of seeing and hearing Ji Yi in pain and he was afraid he¡¯d pull Cheng Weiwan out of there. With that thought, he simply withdrew his hand and continued to repeatedly walk up and down the stairs.

    Under all this anxiety and worry, time dragged on infinitely.

    Just as He Jichen was about topletely lose his patience, the pce doors finally opened and Cheng Weiwan walked out. ¡°Where are her clothes?¡±

    He Jichen immediately understood what Cheng Weiwan meant. He turned and yelled at a staff member nearby. ¡°Clothes, bring her clothes over here!¡±

    Soon enough, someone found Ji Yi¡¯s clothes from when she changed into her costume and brought them over.

    Cheng Weiwan took them and walked back into the pce.

    She shut the doors, handed Ji Yi her change of clothes, then picked up the blood-stained costume.

    These clothes were definitely done for... Cheng Weiwan rubbed them for a moment and considered throwing them into the trash before her fingertips felt a hard object.

 Chapter 248

    Chapter 248: Think About It, Before You Answer (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t think twice as she opened up the balled-up the costume in search of the hard object.

    It was an approximately five-centimeter, razor-sharp thin de.

    One side of the de was covered in blood, and the other side was glued into the costume.

    When she helped Ji Yi take care of her wound just now, she was so confused as to how she got such a serious cut. So as it turned out, there was a ¡°weapon¡± on the inside...

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s brows suddenly creased as she quietly stared at the de for two seconds before turning her head to nce over at Ji Yi¡¯s wound on her waist. Then she instantly understood everything.

    She didn¡¯t even mention her findings to Ji Yi. She walked right out the pce doors and shut them again.

    Standing in front of the pce doors was He Jichen. When he heard the sound of the door opening, he thought it was Ji Yiing out, so he instinctively turned around, only to see that it was Cheng Weiwan. He furrowed his brows and wanted to ask her: Why hasn¡¯t shee out? However, before the words could escape his mouth, Cheng Weiwan handed him the costume with the de still inside. She went straight to the point and said, ¡°This was found in her costume.¡±

    The words at the tip of He Jichen¡¯s tongue came to a sudden halt.

    He stared at the de and furrowed his brows.

    What Cheng Weiwan learned with just one nce, He Jichen naturally figured out too.

    In that very instant, he snapped back to reality and realized that someone had set up Ji Yi.

    All of a sudden, an obvious chill surfaced from He Jichen¡¯s eyes, bit by bit.

    After half an hour, he finally spoke. His tone of voice sounded evidently a lot colder than before. ¡°How is she?¡±

    ¡°Luckily this de was small, so it didn¡¯t hit the vital areas, but the cut was a little deep. She¡¯s been stitched up, but she has to be careful for a few days.¡± Cheng Weiwan figured he must really care about the woman inside. He was obviously boiling with rage, but when he opened his mouth, he asked about her condition first.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say another word. He reached his hand out and took the de from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers. He turned to the stairs and walked right up to the crowd of staff. ¡°Who¡¯s in charge of wardrobe?¡±

    Clueless as to what was happening, everyone was all stunned by He Jichen¡¯s sudden question.

    Seeing as nobody replied after over ten seconds, He Jichen spoke again with a more serious tone of voice than before, ¡°Did you not hear me? Runner!¡±

    As He Jichen finished speaking, a man immediately yelled, ¡°Wardrobe assistant, wardrobe assistant!¡±

    Not long after, the runner brought a woman of around twenty years old in front of He Jichen. ¡°Director Ji, this is her. She¡¯s responsible for wardrobe...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for the runner to finish speaking as he suddenly interrupted him with no trace of politeness and asked the woman in a clear voice, ¡°Are you responsible for all the costumes on set?¡±

    The woman stood to one side obediently and replied in a quiet voice, ¡°Yes, Director Ji.¡±

    ¡°Besides you, who else touched this costume?¡± He Jichen raised Ji Yi¡¯s costume a little higher.

    The woman shot two nces at the clothes and shook her head. ¡°There was no one else besides me.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    The woman looked down and paused for a moment before she gave a gentle nod.

    As she did that, He Jichen suddenly hoisted his arm and threw the costume in front of the woman.

    The bloody de fell exactly next to the woman¡¯s feet with a crisp ¡°ng!¡±

 Chapter 249

    Chapter 249: Think About It, Before You Answer (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The woman¡¯s face cycled through a few emotions when she saw the de, and she took a step back.

    The de fell to the ground, letting out a subtle ng, so only people up close could hear it. Everyone looked over at the source of the sound and saw a de glued to the costume. An obvious bewilderment crossed every person¡¯s eyes. There were even people who couldn¡¯t help but whisper, ¡°Why is there a de in the costume?¡±

    Earlier on, Qian Ge and her manager made their way over to a parasol not too far away before He Jichen came. They now walked over to the crowd and stopped by the assistant director¡¯s side.

    When Qian Ge heard themotion, she instantly looked over at the wardrobe assistant¡¯s feet. When she caught sight of the de, her eyes suddenly had a tinge of astonishment.

    She did ask someone to tamper with Ji Yi¡¯s costume, but she didn¡¯t ask them to put a de in there... Could it possibly be something her manager did of her own ord?

    The next second, Qian Ge looked over at the manager standing next to her, confused.

    At the same time, the manager¡¯s gaze happened to turn from the de to Qian Ge, and for a second, the two of them looked at one another incredibly puzzled.

    They had been together a long time now, so there were some things that didn¡¯t have to be said because they knew each other so well.

    Qian Ge realized her manager wasn¡¯t responsible for this either. Deep down, they spected that some other person put the de there.

    Standing in front of them, He Jichen was bored of standing there as he took two steps back and leisurely leaned against the pce¡¯s white jade railing.

    Right now he looked a lot calmer, showing no emotions on his face. When he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, he lookedpletely nonchnt.

    He didn¡¯t smoke it but pinched it between his fingers and yed with it.

    As the ashes fell down in chunks, he raised his hand and flicked them into the trash can beside him.

    As the ashes fell down, he looked up and swept a nce at the wardrobe assistant in front of him.

    She still had her head lowered as she stared at the de.

    He Jichen lowered his gaze and stared at the burning smoke between his fingers. Then, as though he lost all patience, he suddenly asked, ¡°I¡¯ll ask you onest time. This costume ¨C besides yourself, has no one really touched it?¡±

    He didn¡¯t wait for the wardrobe assistant to speak up before his thin lips twitched as though a thought just urred to him. He spoke again: ¡°There¡¯s something I have to tell you now... I don¡¯t like people who lie to me, so it¡¯s best you think about it carefully before you answer me!¡±

    His voice was neither serious nor light-hearted, neither fast nor slow. Amidst the dullness, there was a slight standoffish air without any hints of emotion.

    The wardrobe assistant started to tremble uncontrobly.

    All the costumes on set were tailor-made. They were afraid that if the costumes were lost or damaged it¡¯d dy the shoot, so she was the one who was inplete charge of them.

    Without her authorization, nobody could touch those costumes besides the actors when it came time for filming. Yet she was also the one who took a bribe to mess with Ji Yi¡¯s costume. That same person clearly told her to embarrass Ji Yi, but she didn¡¯t tell her to put the de in there...

    However, if she called them out, she¡¯d lose the money and there was no guarantee what would happen ¨C she might even get kicked off the production team.

    The wardrobe assistant¡¯s clutches on the clothes rxed then she tightly grasped them again. She repeated this a few times before she eventually shook her head at He Jichen. ¡°No, besides me, there was really no other...¡±

 Chapter 250

    Chapter 250: Think About It, Before You Answer (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The cigarette between He Jichen¡¯s fingers was pinched out of shape. Without so much as a nce at the wardrobe assistant, his line of sight fell on the assistant director, ¡°Assistant director, call the police!¡±

    The assistant director was left stunned by He Jichen¡¯s sudden instruction. ¡°Call the police?¡±

    ¡°Yes! And while you¡¯re at it, call mywyer over, take Ji Yi to check her wound, and prepare to sue in court!¡± When he finished saying this, He Jichen turned his head and nced down at the wardrobe assistant who he interrupted, ¡°Since you were the only one who touched this costume, you¡¯re the biggest suspect. Nobody has the time to listen to the entire story. Save it for the police!¡±

    Thereafter, He Jichen turned around and headed for the stairs to pick up Ji Yi from the pce and leave.

    After the wardrobe assistant heard ¡°call the police,¡± wyer,¡± and int,¡± He Jichen hadn¡¯t even made it two steps forward before she suddenly screamed, ¡°Director He, I didn¡¯t put the de in there! Director He, I have nothing to do with this!¡±

    Having not heard the answer he wanted to hear, He Jichen¡¯s footsteps didn¡¯t show the slightest hint of slowing down.

    The assistant director beside him already dialed ¡°110¡± ording to He Jichen¡¯s instructions.

    The wardrobe assistant couldn¡¯t care less about the money or getting kicked off the production team now. She just didn¡¯t want to go to the police station. Seeing as He Jichen had no intention of turning around, she raised her feet and chased after him. However, the guy took big strides, so she had to work hard to chase after him. Eventually, she ended up yelling straight out, ¡°Director He, I really have nothing to do with this! It was Qian Ge Jie! Qian Ge Jie¡¯s assistant, Xiao Ying, messed with her costume. She was the one who tampered with her costume!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s feet came to a sudden stop.

    The entire set instantly fell silent.

    The picture seemed frozen in ce. After about a good minute, all eyes fell on Qian Ge.

    There were some with astonished glows in their eyes while others were filled with immense disbelief.

    He Jichen had his back turned to everyone as he silently stood there for two seconds before slowly turning around. He took one step at a time on the stairs and walked back down again.

    He reached the final step of the stairs and scanned the area left and right. Eventually, his line of sight stopped on Qian Ge¡¯s face.

    Less than a second after he spotted her, he raised his feet and rushed over to her.

    His steps weren¡¯t fast nor did he have much of an expression on his face, but the way in which he stared into Qian Ge¡¯s eyes was swift and fierce. His gaze made her want to tremble with fear.

    All of a sudden, Qian Ge held her breath as she subconsciously prepared to make a run for it. However, her legs just wouldn¡¯t budge as though they were bolted to the ground.

    As He Jichen drew closer, Qian Ge¡¯s heart felt heavier.

    When the man stopped about half a meter away, Qian Ge clearly felt the cold air exuding from his body. Fear spread from the soles of her feet and climbed up her entire body.

    He Jichen stared coldly into Qian Ge¡¯s eyes as he blurted a few simple words which gushed with destructive power. ¡°You went that far to hurt her again?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice was neither loud nor quiet, but he sounded particrly menacing when he said the word ¡°again.¡±

    His words were like a sudden p of thunder which shook everyone¡¯s core.

    Again?

    Could that possibly mean that... Qian Ge hurt Ji Yi before?

    Suspicion arose in everybody¡¯s mind.

    He Jichen¡¯s questioning made Qian Ge¡¯s body tremble.

 Chapter 251

    Chapter 251: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s questioning made Qian Ge¡¯s body tremble.

    Perhaps the man in front of her was overly imposing, but her lips quivered in shock as she could only cry out: ¡°Director He.¡± After that, she didn¡¯t say another word.

    Between He Jichen¡¯s eyes was a faint air of ruthlessness as his gaze grew exceedingly cold. With a menacing tone of voice, he said, ¡°Last time, when you tried to kick her off the production team by ndering her to Lin Zhengyi, I warned you that would be thest time. I never imagined that you wouldn¡¯t feel the least bit remorseful and keep ying dirty!¡±

    With the production team, He Jichen never spoke much ¨C even if the actors performed poorly, he let the assistant director handle it.

    Come to think of it, this was the most he had ever spoken after joining the team.

    Qian Ge remained stunned for a while when she heard this. She suddenly realized... Why would this guy say so much? He only said this so he could let everyone know I never wanted Ji Yi to stay on the team for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±!

    What¡¯s more, from the very start, he actually suspected that the costume situation had something to do with Qian Ge. That was why he went through all the trouble of calling the police and calling for his privatewyer to scare the wardrobe assistant ¨C he did it to reveal the truth before everyone¡¯s watchful eyes, which was why he said what he said at the very end.

    So as it turned out, He Jichen did all this to not only get justice for Ji Yi, but most importantly, it was to use this situation to add fuel to the fire and ruin Qian Ge in front of the entire cast and crew. Moreover, he was going to ruin her image in the entertainment industry that she worked so hard to maintain!

    Even if she was shocked by He Jichen, Qian Ge had worked in the entertainment industry for so many years, so after she snapped back to her senses, she quicklyposed herself and started to exin herself. ¡°Director He, you can¡¯t just take her word for it and think that I was the one who did it! Last time, Ji Yi and I did get into a little misunderstanding, but I never held a grudge. What¡¯s more, I¡¯m the leading actress and she¡¯s the supporting actress ¨C what reason do I have to target her?¡±

    Qian Ge was afraid her own words weren¡¯t enough to convince people, and she was afraid her people wouldn¡¯t believe her either, so she paused for a moment. Then her gaze fell onto the wardrobe assistant nearby. ¡°Director He, I think you have to seriously investigate this. She¡¯s in charge of costumes, so what right does she have to say that my assistant tampered with it? Who¡¯s to say that she isn¡¯t in on it with someone else to frame me instead? Must I have to take the fall for this?¡±

    The wardrobe assistant thought she already cleared her name and was saved, but she never imagined that Qian Ge would turn around and attack her in return. She was terrified, so without even a second thought, she said, ¡°It¡¯s not like that. I never set up Qian Ge Jie. It was Qian Ge Jie who asked me...¡±

    The more the wardrobe assistant exined, the more powerless she felt her words werepared to Qian Ge¡¯s cutting rebuttal.

    She knew she did something wrong, but she was even more afraid of having to take all the me. After all, Ji Yi¡¯s wound looked frightening! Maybe they really would sentence her.

    When one is pushed to a dead end, their first instinct is to always protect themselves.

    No matter what happened before, no matter how she promised to keep her word... in this very moment, to save herself, the wardrobe assistantid all her cards out, disregarding everything else. ¡°...Qian Ge Jie not only asked me, but she asked other people too! This isn¡¯t all she¡¯s done to Ji Yi!¡±

 Chapter 252

    Chapter 252: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Thest time Ji Yi¡¯s costume had a hole in it, Qian Ge Jie was the one responsible for it. Also, the time Ji Yi had diarrhea, Qian Ge Jie sent someone to give Ji Yi¡¯s makeup artist somexatives to put in her drink. And...¡±

    The wardrobe assistant spoke quite loudly, so everyone standing nearby could hear her clearly. The dumbstruck expressions on every one of their faces seemed as though they were hearing something straight from a work of fiction.

    ¡°... And every time Ji Yi wanted to go to the toilet, there were always several people running over to upy the toilets before her, so there was no way for her to go to the restroom...¡±

    The more the wardrobe assistant exposed, the more somber the expression on He Jichen¡¯s face became. In the end, he looked as though he could break out in a sweat.

    Bewilderment emerged from Qian Ge¡¯s eyes, but when she spoke, she sounded intimidating as usual, ¡°Liang Wenwen, save it with your nonsense!¡±

    The wardrobe assistant shivered in shock, but she didn¡¯t stop and continued to speak: ¡°...Not only that, but even Ji Yi¡¯s lunch box was targeted. It would always mysteriously have some kind of strange problem. From what I know, since Ji Yi joined the cast and crew, she has never eaten a single lunch box...¡±

    Since Qian Ge protested that the wardrobe assistant was just covering up for herself, He Jichen suddenly spoke when he heard this. His words weren¡¯t for Qian Ge nor the wardrobe assistant, but for the assistant director, ¡°Where¡¯s the police? Here yet? And thewyer... how much longer will thewyer take?!¡±

    When the wardrobe assistant heard this, she was even more flustered. She was afraid that He Jichen didn¡¯t believe her or think she was the main culprit and take her to the police station. She started to provide evidence for He Jichen. ¡°I promise every single word I said is true. I didn¡¯t lie. Director He, if you don¡¯t believe me, I¡¯ll tell you who Qian Ge Jie bribed. I can point them out to you right now...¡±

    As the wardrobe assistant spoke, she really reached her arm out and pointed at individuals in the crowd of cast and crew members. She pointed at one person, then a second person... she pointed out more and more, causing the atmosphere to grow tense. There were quite a few people who started whispering amongst each other as if they weren¡¯t aware of what was going on.

    ¡°So those non-stop mishaps that Ji Yi had during filming was because of Qian Ge.¡±

    ¡°I never imagined that Qian Ge could actually do such despicable things!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! ¡®Queen of the silver screen,¡¯ ¡®The queen bee¡¯... From how I see it, she¡¯s only able to hold her status by treading all over potential neers to the industry. In reality, she¡¯s probably not even any good...¡±

    The louder every one spoke, the ruder they were. Qian Ge felt her footing falling apart as she saw the wardrobe assistant continue to me her. A cold light shed in her eyes as she suddenly prepared to charge at the wardrobe assistant.

    But before she could move, her manager suddenly grabbed her arm and stopped her.

    Qian Ge furrowed her brows in confusion then turned her head to nce at her manager.

    The manager gently nodded at her then let go of her arm before taking a step forward. ¡°You don¡¯t have to call the police to investigate this. Just take me, because I single-handedly arranged for everything that happened to Ji Yi. This had nothing to do with Qian Ge. She had no idea what happened!¡±

    Qian Ge couldn¡¯t argue with the wardrobe assistant and she was obviously scared to death. Having changed her stance, Qian Ge would only be embarrassed even more if she continued to argue.

    It was all out now. All the cast and crew weren¡¯t stupid, they could tell that Qian Ge was trying to beat down Ji Yi.

    Even though nobody knew where the de came from, Qian Ge¡¯s image was already ruined. In addition, she couldn¡¯t get involved in awsuit ¨C if word got out on the inte, Qian Ge would suffer serious damage.

    In this moment, someone had to stand up and take responsibility, and her manager was the only person who could do it. It couldn¡¯t be Qian Ge.

    At that thought, Qian Ge¡¯s manager continued to say, ¡°The reason is simple... Because I think Ji Yi is a huge threat, so I don¡¯t want her to make it big one day. That¡¯s why I wanted to force her out of the cast. I did so to protect my artist...¡±

 Chapter 253

    Chapter 253: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I ept yourint and I will ept a police investigation into my actions!¡±

    It was just as Qian Ge¡¯s manager said ¨C no one there was stupid. Though she spoke very well and she cut out Qian Ge¡¯s involvement, everyone knew in their hearts that the manager and artist were like one. These incidents must¡¯ve had something to do with Qian Ge, so this was like an emergency PR stunt.

    Other people clearly saw through the act and He Jichen knew it deep down inside too.

    However, Qian Ge¡¯s manager already owned up and was willing to take responsibility for everything. If they aggressively questioned her for the truth, not only was there no meaning to it, but nothing woulde out of it.

    At the thought of Qian Ge getting off scot-free, He Jichen¡¯s gaze turned increasingly intense and stern.

    In that very instant, Qian Ge thought He Jichen was going to rush over and p her. She was so frightened that her heart stopped beating and both her legs started to tremble uncontrobly.

    Just as she was about to copse to the ground in shock, He Jichen withdrew his cold gaze and said in the coldest tone of voice to the assistant director: ¡°When the police andwyer get here, you¡¯re in charge of handling everything.¡± Then he turned around and headed for the pce doors.

    When He Jichen took his first step towards the doors, he saw a pale white Ji Yi holding her waist, leaning against the pce doors.

    She¡¯s injured, so why did shee out when she could be lying down?

    He Jichen gently creased his brows and couldn¡¯t resist but speed up his footsteps.

    ...

    Ji Yi was startled when Cheng Weiwan took her costume from her.

    I have such a heavy injury, but the best part of my n hasn¡¯t even started. If Cheng Weiwan gets rid of the costume, wouldn¡¯t she have wasted all my efforts?

    Just when Ji Yi was scheming about how to get her costume back, she watched Cheng Weiwan pause as she unrolled the costume. Then she spread out the costume and started to search inside.

    She knew Cheng Weiwan noticed something odd...

    She figured Cheng Weiwan would tell her right away, but she never imagined that Cheng Weiwan would only stare at the costume for some time before walking out of the pce.

    Since Ji Yi was inside the pce, she couldn¡¯t see what was happening outside, but she wanted to know if her objective was achieved. She endured the pain in her waist, and she pushed herself up from the side of the bed, got up, and slowly staggered over to the door.

    She saw with her own eyes how He Jichen threw the costume down by the wardrobe assistant¡¯s feet, and she personally heard him ask to get awyer to sue her. She also saw how he took one step at a time towards Qian Ge after the wardrobe assistant revealed that Qian Ge bribed someone to mess with her costume.

    Actually, she could understand Qian Ge¡¯s confusion. Qian Ge tampered with the costume, but she didn¡¯t put the de in there.

    Because I personally put the de in there.

    It¡¯s just a shame that nobody would ever suspect that I did it to myself...

    She understood what she did was really stupid, but she had no other way. For someone as powerless as she was, trying to keep her ce on the set, trying to make her days easier, and harshly fighting back at Qian Ge, this was the only path she could take.

    If she was hurt, the production crew would take her situation seriously. Then, even if there was no one on set who could handle it, she could leave it for the police to handle since the situation was so dire.

    But she never imagined that He Jichen would help her handle the situation as soon as he found out the whole story.

    He even went as far as to reveal that he warned Qian Ge in the past that time when she ndered her to Lin Zhengyi?

 Chapter 254

    Chapter 254: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When did Qian Ge nder me? How did I not know about this? And he-he actually protected me without knowing the full story...

    In that instant, Ji Yi¡¯s state of mind was so confused that she didn¡¯t even notice He Jichen walking up to her.

    He Jichen was still sullen about how Qian Ge¡¯s manager took the me for Qian Ge without a second thought. Even though he worked really hard to not show the emotions he had earlier in front of Ji Yi, everything the wardrobe assistant said rang in his ears when he stood in front of her and saw her slender figure looking skinnier than before.

    He thought her change in weight was because she just started filming, so she was tired from shooting all day from early in the morning tillte at night, but that wasn¡¯t the real reason...

    He left behind the glorious honor of going to a prestigious school, stinted his rtionship with the He family by insisting on going to Beijing to be a director to get a little closer to her. He did it all just to allow her to get a little closer to her dream and protect her well.

    But under his watch, she still suffered so much...

    An indescribable sense of shame instantly engulfed He Jichen¡¯s entire body. A burning fire within his heart grew exuberantly, so when he spoke to Ji Yi, an air of ruthlessness came over him. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±

    Ji Yi shivered in shock by He Jichen¡¯s low roar and suddenly felt wide awake.

    She instinctively looked up and stared at He Jichen.

    The expression on his face was cold and somber as usual, and as he tightened his lips, a vague sense of anger jumped out from his brows.

    With just one nce, Ji Yi lowered her eyes at the sight of the expression on He Jichen¡¯s face.

    Seeing as the woman didn¡¯t say anything, annoyance coursed through He Jichen¡¯s body. He needed to vent, so he asked again in the same overbearing attitude as before. ¡°I¡¯m asking you, why didn¡¯t you tell me? Did you think I¡¯m just as immobile as furniture? Someone was bullying...¡±

    He Jichen suddenly stopped speaking.

    He originally wanted to say: Someone was bullying you, so why didn¡¯t you tell me?

    However, as the words reached the edge of his mouth, he suddenly remembered that their rtionship wasn¡¯t that good and she was unbelievably stubborn. Four years ago, he mistakenly told her to never appear in front of him out of jealousy, and she really avoided him...

    So, how could she confide in him about this incident now?

    Even if she suffered the worst on set, she¡¯d probably rather ask a stranger to help her over him...

    Ji Yi creased her brows as she didn¡¯t quite understand He Jichen¡¯s random questioning. After some time, seeing as he didn¡¯t finish his sentence, she looked up in confusion and snuck a nce at He Jichen¡¯s face.

    He Jichen felt her gaze and easily met her eyes.

    Ji Yi instinctively lowered her head.

    He Jichen snapped back to his senses and pushed down his thoughts from earlier, suddenly catching sight of her eyes. For a moment, he looked down at the messy hair of the woman who was almost half a head shorter, then he opened his mouth. He wanted to ask her if her wound hurt terribly or if she wanted him to carry her back to the hotel. He already formed the words in his mind, but when they reached his lips, he couldn¡¯t say them as he had never spoken so gently to a woman before.

    He Jichen tried several times, but in the end, he only forced out the word ¡°wound¡± in an incredibly low voice which even he couldn¡¯t quite hear.

 Chapter 255

    Chapter 255: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Upset, He Jichen turned his head as he fiercely cursed himself for not being able to live up to his expectations. Then he suddenly reached his hand out and grabbed Ji Yi¡¯s arm.

    Ji Yi was so shocked that she only managed to say just one word, ¡°He-,¡± as she fell into He Jichen¡¯s arms. Her body froze, and in the next second, both her legs left the floor. When she came to, she was already in He Jichen¡¯s arms.

    She instinctively raised her head and nced up at He Jichen.

    With a cold expression on his face, he stared straight ahead and walked down the stairs carrying Ji Yi, under the bewildered gazes of the crowd. He took one steady step at a time and walked to the side of his car.

    He Jichen pulled the car door and lowered Ji Yi in. Then he walked around the car and got in. He didn¡¯t bother with the nk stares from the crowd outside and he stepped on the gas, turned the steering wheel and left.

    After the car reached some distance away, Ji Yi turned her head and nced at He Jichen. There was no hint of any expression on his face as he stared unwaveringly at the road ahead, but there was a glow of annoyance about him.

    Ji Yi hesitated for a moment and spoke to He Jichen in a quiet voice, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s brows twitched, but he didn¡¯t reply to her.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything else as silence fell in the car.

    When they reached the hotel, He Jichen got out of the car first. He walked around the car and when he reached Ji Yi¡¯s side, the valet helped Ji Yi pull open the car door.

    Ji Yi reached her legs out, but before they could touch the ground, He Jichen bent over and scooped her up.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled and she spoke unnaturally softly, ¡°I, I can walk on my own...¡±

    He Jichen strode right into the hotel lobby and into the elevator as though he hadn¡¯t heard what she said.

    He didn¡¯t stop until they reached Ji Yi¡¯s front door, confusion shing across Ji Yi¡¯s mind. All the cast and crew members stayed at the hotel, so all the room numbers were handled by the floor runner. For someone in He Jichen¡¯s position, he shouldn¡¯t keep track of where everyone stayed. However, without even asking, he found her room easily...

    Which went to say, He Jichen knew exactly where her room was long ago. What¡¯s more, he may have evene to her door?

    Didn¡¯t he always hate me and ignore me? But why does he still pay attention to me? Just like what happened on set earlier when he saw me injured, he reacted so anxiously and out of control...

    Ji Yi¡¯s thoughts were carried so far away by He Jichen that she didn¡¯t hear him ask, ¡°The room key?¡±

    He Jichen saw she was staring dead ahead at her room number on the door. Who knew what was on her mind, but he asked again, ¡°The room key?¡± Seeing as she still didn¡¯t respond, he simply reached into her bag and searched around for it.

    His actions woke Ji Yi up, then she hurriedly pulled out the room key from the side pocket of her bag.

    Compared to the suite He Jichen was staying in, Ji Yi¡¯s room was pitifully small. He Jichen furrowed his brows as he walked into the room andy Ji Yi down on the bed.

    He tilted his head and nced over at Ji Yi¡¯s waist. He rxed when he saw that there were no traces of blood through her clothes, so he got up and went to pour Ji Yi a cup of water.

    The trash can happened to be next to the counter where He Jichen poured the cup of water. Just as he was ready to carry the cup over to Ji Yi, he caught sight of a bunch of tissues spotted with blood inside the trash can.

    There wasn¡¯t a lot of blood, but those tissues were balled up together...

    He Jichen¡¯s heart quivered for a moment, then the next second, he looked up at Ji Yi and asked, ¡°Where else did you get hurt?¡±

 Chapter 256

    Chapter 256: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s incoherent words stunned Ji Yi, so she asked, ¡°What?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s eyelids drifted over to the trash can, ¡°Why is there so much blood there?¡±

    That was when Ji Yi came to her senses and hastily exined, ¡°I¡¯ve been having nosebleeds. I¡¯ve been dehydrated these few days, so my nose bled.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers around the ss suddenly tightened.

    It wasn¡¯t like he didn¡¯t pay attention to her on set. What¡¯s more, every now and then, he shot her a mindful nce. Filming was an exhausting and tough process, so there were many actors and actresses who drank some water as soon as they finished filming. When she first joined the cast, she did the same, but she started drinking very little water about half a month ago.

    He too was puzzled as to why she never drank water. It wasn¡¯t until today when he heard what the wardrobe assistant said that he finally understood everything.

    It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t want to drink, it was that she didn¡¯t dare to drink because of the risk of someone messing with her water. There were many people from the cast and crew who looked annoyed that day when she messed up during her shoot. She was afraid there would be a repeat episode, so just to be cautious, she chose not to drink. In turn, this caused her to be dehydrated and get nosebleeds...

    The fury he suppressed with great difficulty on his drive back to the hotel was nowing back.

    He was angry with Qian Ge, but he was even angrier with himself.

    She had him on her side, so why was she still suffering?

    After Ji Yi heard He Jichen¡¯s two questions, he stood there holding the ss of water as still as a statue. He looked deep in thought.

    Ji Yi waited for a while, but seeing as he didn¡¯t look like he was going to snap out of his daze, she deliberately cleared her throat.

    He Jichen raised his head in shock and shot her a nce. Then he walked over to her bedside, carrying the ss of water.

    Ji Yi took the ss, looked up at He Jichen and muttered, ¡°Thank you.¡± She then identally met the man¡¯s gaze. From his eyes, she could see a sliver of indistinct anger.

    Is he angry? Who pissed him off?

    Ji Yi, who had personally seen He Jichen in a fit of rage many times over, suddenly became cautious. She was afraid that He Jichen would take out his anger on her the next second.

    The man stood unwaveringly by the bedside with his cold expression.

    He reached his hand out after she finished drinking her water.

    When he put the ss back on the table, He Jichen saw two boxes of instant noodles on the ground.

    One of the boxes hadn¡¯t been opened yet, whereas the other box had just two packs left.

    The wardrobe assistant said that since she joined the cast, she hadn¡¯t eaten any lunch boxes on set... even though He Jichen deliberately got the floor runner to order some of her favorite foods... She actually ate instant noodles every day instead?

    He Jichen was so angry that he instinctively tensed his fingers. Having forgotten that he had a ss in his hand, he crushed the ss cup.

    The shards of ss stabbed his palms, but it wasn¡¯t like he felt anything. The anger in his brows grew fiercer.

    Ji Yi heard a noise and instinctively turned her head to find that He Jichen¡¯s hand was dripping with blood. She abruptly sat up in her bed and identally pulled on her wound. The pain forced her to inhale a cold breath of air. After a short while, she called his name: ¡°Director He...¡±

    When he heard her voice, He Jichen¡¯s body shook for a moment, but he didn¡¯t turn his head. Instead, his gaze continued to stare unwaveringly at the two boxes of instant noodles.

 Chapter 257

    Chapter 257: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He looked like he just saw the most aggravating thing. The tighter his fist was, the more blood dripped from his fingertips.

    Although he had his back to her so she couldn¡¯t see his face, she could sense the anger he felt from the position of his back.

    Ji Yi was so scared that she held her breath and stared at his bloody hand for a moment. She wanted to remove her covers, get out of bed and check on him, but then he suddenly raised his arm and threw the ss shards in his palm into the trash. Without even ncing at Ji Yi, he strode out of her room.

    It seemed like he needed to vent as he shut the door with overbearing strength. With it came an ear-splitting ¡°Bang!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s entire body trembled with the m of the door while she remained quiet in bed.

    This picture looked frozen in ce as it remained quiet for a long time before Ji Yi slowlyy back down in bed.

    As she stared up at the ceiling, she became even more puzzled.

    What¡¯s with He Jichen? I didn¡¯t anger him. In the car, the look on his face improved, so why did he randomly get angry as soon as he entered my room?

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the more she felt He Jichen¡¯s personality was strange.

    Back in high school, how could she have not noticed this erratic side of him?

    After racking her brain over it for a while, she still couldn¡¯t understand what He Jichen was so angry about. Filming was already tiring, and her waist was injured too, so she shut her eyes and groggily fell asleep.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t sleep well as every now and then, she would wake up for a moment because of the dull pain from her wound.

    She wasn¡¯t sure just how long sheid there drifting in and out of sleep, but the doorbell rang; ¡°Dong! Dong! Dong!¡±

    Ji Yi sat up and asked, ¡°Who is it?¡±

    No one answered.

    Ji Yi subconsciously thought He Jichen had returned after leaving her room, seething with anger. She didn¡¯t say anything else but removed her nket while holding her wound. She got out of bed and walked slowly over to the door.

    When she opened the door, Ji Yi looked up to see Qian Ge carryingrge and small bags of Chinese tonics at the door. Ji Yi¡¯s face immediately turned cold. ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    Qian Ge shot Ji Yi a dazzling smile but didn¡¯t say a word. Instead, she brushed right past Ji Yi and walked into her hotel roompletely unsolicited.

    Having been injured, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t drag Qian Ge out, so she simply leaned against the wall next to the door and watched to see what Qian Ge was up to.

    As soon as she entered the room, Qian Ge¡¯s smile instantly disappeared clean off her face. She threw the things in her hands onto the ground then arrogantly answered Ji Yi¡¯s question, ¡°Do you think I want to see your sh*tty ce? After all, my people hurt you and I have to show up, visit you, and pretend to be all sorry.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not visiting me genuinely but you¡¯re just scheming to get your image back?¡± Ji Yi looked down and curved her lips into a smirk. She broke into a chuckle when she thought back to how much trouble Qian Ge was in at the set earlier. She also remembered how her manager stood up for her, and in that instant, she raised her eyelids and almost asked Qian Ge: Your manager told you to drop by, right?

    Qian Ge pursed her lips but before she could speak, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t resist but smile as she realized that she¡¯d guessed right and slowly said, ¡°Is your manager the only person with a brain among all the people around you?¡±

    Is she secretly calling me brainless?

    Qian Ge¡¯s eyes were red with anger.

 Chapter 258

    Chapter 258: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge¡¯s eyes were red with anger. ¡°Ji Yi, watch what you say!¡±

    Watch?

    Deep down inside, Ji Yi thought that was quite funny.

    She wants me to watch what I say? Then what about her? In all these years, when has she ever watched what she said or did?

    She came to my room not to visit me, but rather she truly wants to get her image back. Yet most importantly, she wants to anger me, right?

    From the moment I joined the cast till now, she¡¯s always made me suffer. After enduring it for so long, I¡¯ve had enough already! I wanted to make her see who was making whom suffer today!

    With that thought, Ji Yi leisurely spoke again: ¡°Oh, right! I forgot to ask you ¨C did the police take your manager away in custody for a few days?¡±

    In that very moment, that undoubtedly was what Qian Ge was most irritated and pained about!

    She wanted to touch a sore spot!

    Just as Ji Yi thought. When she said that, Qian Ge was so angry she started to grit her teeth. Qian Ge only blurted one word, ¡°You¨D¨D¡±, then stopped, because she didn¡¯t know how to continue.

    Compared to how angry Qian Ge was, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes had a gentle smirk on them as she nced over at Qian Ge. She nonchntly lowered her head and dug into her nails carelessly as she said in a rxed tone of voice: ¡°Now that you think about it, it¡¯s really pitiful that the only person who has a brain is in custody...¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, shut your mouth!¡± Qian Ge¡¯s face waspletely somber.

    Ignoring her exasperated warning, Ji Yi¡¯s smile became even more presumptuously bright. Even her voice sounded even sweeter. ¡°...It¡¯s one thing to lose so badly, but you couldn¡¯t even keep your image and really suffered two-fold by bringing others down with you...¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi! Save your ridicule!¡± When people are angry, they tend to use the other person¡¯s weak spots to attack them, and Qian Ge was no exception. What¡¯s more, she knew everything about Ji Yi, so she was merciless with her attacks. ¡°Come to think about it, no one knew as much as you do about suffering two-fold after trying to bring others down, am I right? In our senior year of high school, you obviously liked He Yuguang, but you climbed into bed with He Jichen. It¡¯s enough that He Jichen didn¡¯t want you after sleeping with you, but you even got pregnant and almost lost your life on the operating table! Say, even after He Jichen treated you like that, you still tried to fawn over him by every means and joined the same production crew as him. Not only did you suffer two-fold back then, yearster, you¡¯re still a b*tch!¡±

    Bit by bit, Ji Yi¡¯s smile withdrew from her lips as she heard Qian Ge¡¯s words.

    That was the heaviest pain she held in her heart. In all these years, she never dared to touch this pain, but Qian Ge actually used it as a weapon to attack her!

    A chill slowly crept from Ji Yi¡¯s eyes as she abruptly turned her head and interrupted Qian Ge. ¡°Finished talking? If you are, then get out of my room!¡±

    ¡°Get out? The hell I will!¡± As Qian Ge said this, she sat by Ji Yi¡¯s beside, crossed her legs and said with more intensity, ¡°Honestly speaking, Ji Yi, you couldn¡¯t have used your first time to negotiate with He Jichen to get the role as the supporting actress, right?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s expression became even colder as Qian Ge brought up the past for the second time. She squinted as a sh of harshness crossed her eyes. ¡°Qian Ge, you¡¯re going on non-stop as you stand in front of me. Aren¡¯t you afraid of offending me and getting into court again?¡±

    For a moment there, Qian Ge understood the hidden meaning behind Ji Yi¡¯s words, and she let out a ¡°Tch¡± from her smirk.

 Chapter 259

    Chapter 259: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The corners of Ji Yi¡¯s lips curved into a cold smirk. ¡°I say you¡¯re brainless, but it¡¯s true ¨C you really are brainless! However, Qian Ge...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she deliberately paused for a moment then leisurely continued to say, ¡°...Without your manager around, if there really is a next time, would you be the one personally escorted out by the police?¡±

    ¡°Tsk tsk tsk...¡± Ji Yi sounded happy over this thought as though it could really happen. ¡°...Come to think about it, that whole picture sounds awesome! By then, the inte would definitely go crazy over it and you¡¯ll definitely be more popr than you are now...¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, you¡¯re the one who¡¯s going to be caught by the police...¡± As those words blurted from Qian Ge¡¯s mouth, her mind instantly thought back to the de. The words from her mouth came to an abrupt stop.

    She clearly didn¡¯t ask anyone to put the de in there. She always thought it was one of her own people who did it to vent some anger for her. She thought someone took initiative here, and she even had the urge to turn her head and ask them about it.

    She never thought Ji Yi had anything to do with the de. After all, she never thought that someone would ever gamble with their life like that... But she thought back to what Ji Yi said... getting into awsuit and that she was brainless...

    At that thought, Qian Ge suddenly understood everything. She dropped down on the bed. ¡°That de... you put it there, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Congrattions, so you¡¯re not all that stupid!¡± With a face full of praise and ridicule, Ji Yi stared at Qian Ge¡¯s face.

    So, I fell for Ji Yi¡¯s ploy?

    A ze suddenly ignited in Qian Ge¡¯s chest as though she was going to explode at any time. She stared at Ji Yi in exasperation and eximed, ¡°You were the one who put the knife in there and framed me? I¡¯m going to the police station to tell them the truth...¡±

    As she said that, Qian Ge headed for the door.

    Ji Yi let out a chuckle as though she just heard a hrious joke. She waited for Qian Ge to walk up to her before she leisurely said, ¡°Do you have any evidence?¡±

    Qian Ge suddenly stopped walking.

    ¡°Do you think the police will believe you with just a few words? It¡¯s normal for my fingerprints to be on my costume, but your people also left their fingerprints behind when they messed with it. If you run to the police and say that I put the de there, not only would they not believe you, it might even make people think you¡¯re so angry from being embarrassed that you¡¯re trying to frame me!¡±

    Ji Yi wanted Qian Ge to know that she was the one who put the de in there. She set her up, so Qian Ge could feel the pain of being wrongly used!

    It was just as Ji Yi thought; when Qian Ge heard what she said, her face contorted oddly and her hands balled up into fists. She was so angry that her entire body started to shake!

    Seeing Qian Ge like this, Ji Yi felt tinges of joy emerge in her heart. She stared coldly at Qian Ge and her tone of voice became iparably stern. ¡°I told you long ago; The you four years ago was defeated by me. The you four yearster will also be defeated by me! You didn¡¯t listen and insisted on fighting with me!¡±

    ¡°What happened today was just the start. Now that you¡¯ve lost your manager, in the future, you¡¯ll be losing your glory, your status, your future prospects, and yourpany!¡±

    ¡°Between the two of us is an inevitable battle! Even if one of these days you let me off, I won¡¯t let you off!¡±

    The more Ji Yi spoke, the quieter she was, the softer her tone of voice was, and the more serious she was with her message between the lines. ¡°One of these days, I will make it so that you have nothing at all and grovel for forgiveness!¡±

 Chapter 260

    Chapter 260: Why Didn¡¯t You Tell Me? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge had seen a million different sides to Ji Yi, but she had never seen this side of her in this very moment.

    A tinge of fear for her arrogance and overbearingness unexpectedly rose in her heart as she stared at Ji Yi unwaveringly for a long time. Yet she didn¡¯t reply Ji Yi with a single word. In the end, all she did was stand on the spot for a short while then stomped her way towards the door, slightly embarrassed. But just as she reached the door, she suddenly stopped.

    Confused, Ji Yi turned her head to look over and was just about to ask Qian Ge: Now, what do you want? when she saw Qian Ge stare at the wall in front of the door. Her lips moved as she said in astonishment, ¡°He... Jichen?¡±

    The words in Ji Yi¡¯s mouth instantly froze.

    He Jichen? He¡¯s at the door? Is Qian Ge joking...

    Before the final word ¡°she¡± shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she heard faint sounds from outside the door as though someone was getting up. A secondter, He Jichen¡¯s tall and slender frame appeared in her field of vision.

    It was like Ji Yi instantly turned to stone as her entire body couldn¡¯t move even if she tried. In fact, the blood coursing through her entire body stopped flowing.

    After several seconds, Ji Yi¡¯s mind slowly started to turn.

    He Jichen¡¯s really here. When did hee back? The door wasn¡¯t closed since I was standing at the door... so, did he hear everything I said?

    Then did he also learn that I was the one who put the de in there?

    What He Jichen hated most was when actors and actresses yed mind games while filming. Not only would today¡¯s events dy shooting by several days, most importantly, as soon as he discovered the de, he stood up in front of everyone to help her resolve the situation.

    In the end, he realized that she actually was the biggest mastermind behind it all...

    A strong unsettled feeling boiled in Ji Yi¡¯s heart as she discreetly took a deep breath. She suppressed the waves within her body before she secretly looked up at the two people standing at the door.

    Qian Ge probably never imagined that there would be someone standing at the door, so after she blurted out He Jichen¡¯s name, she waspletely stunned.

    He Jichen stood drearily in front of her. His injured hand was wrapped with some tissue which had some blood stains in the corner. He was carrying arge bag in his other hand with who knows what inside.

    His neutral gaze fell on Ji Yi, and his deep, dark eyes, he looked unfazed; there wasn¡¯t a hint of any emotion.

    His dazzling eyes were as cold as usual which made it difficult for Ji Yi to know what he was thinking, let alone guess if he overheard her conversation with Qian Ge.

    Compared to Ji Yi¡¯s nervousness, after Qian Ge snapped back to her senses, she stared at He Jichen for a moment as her eyes lit up. Impatiently, she eximed, ¡°Director He, did you just overhear our conversation? Did you hear she was the one who put the de in her costume?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s gaze locked onto Ji Yi as though he hadn¡¯t heard a single thing Qian Ge said. He didn¡¯t even look at her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart was rattled and her fingertips trembled under his gaze.

    ¡°Director He, I thought it was my manager who hurt Ji Yi, so I felt sorry and I deliberately came to apologize to her. Look, I bought her so many Chinese tonics. But in the end, she told me that she put the de in there on purpose just to frame me! Director He...¡±

 Chapter 261

    Chapter 261: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen finally reacted. Without so much as a nce at Qian Ge, he silently averted his eyes from Ji Yi¡¯s face to the nutritional tonics that Qian Ge left on the ground.

    Seeing as He Jichen heard and reacted to what she said, Qian Ge quickly said, ¡°...Director He, my manager has been wrongly used! You¡¯re the director and the producer. For this to happen in your production team, you should step in and resolve the issue...¡±

    It was unclear if He Jichen actually heard what Qian Ge said as he only stared straight at the nutritional tonics.

    About a minute passed since the moment he entered Ji Yi¡¯s sight. All of a sudden, he walked into the room.

    As he brushed past Ji Yi, her fingers quivered and her heart became even more unsettled.

    Why did he enter my room?

    Qian Ge probably had the same question she did. Her chattering stopped for about a dozen seconds before she continued to say, ¡°Ji Yi openly framed other people! It¡¯s practically out of order! What¡¯s more, for her to do this, she¡¯s dying production. No matter if it¡¯s her character or work, Ji Yi is an unqualified actress...¡±

    He Jichen was just as calm andposed as before while he digested what Qian Ge said. He casually put the big bag down on the counter, walked over and stopped in front of the nutritional tonics Qian Ge brought with her.

    They¡¯re just a bunch of normal nutritional tonics. Why¡¯s he so transfixed by them?

    Qian Ge paused what she was saying for a moment then quickly spoke up again, ¡°...Director He, I need Ji Yi to exin herself and I also hope you can get justice for my manager!¡±

    It was unclear which one of Qian Ge¡¯s words caught He Jichen¡¯s attention. However, after having not nced at Qian Ge up till now, He Jichen suddenly turned around and looked nkly over at her.

    He stared at Qian Ge for no more than a few short seconds when he withdrew his gaze and scanned the room with his eyes. He walked over to Ji Yi¡¯s bedside table.

    After he stopped in front of it, he picked up the hotel phone and put it to his ear as he pressed a button.

    His gaze was emotionless and distant as usual, but his actions were so mysterious that Ji Yi couldn¡¯t guess what he was thinking from his cryptic behavior. What¡¯s more, she wasn¡¯t sure if He Jichen heard the conversation she had with Qian Ge. Her anxious heart was a little flustered.

    The phone was picked up after over ten seconds.

    Because she was some distance away, Ji Yi could only vaguely hear that it was a woman on the other line.

    After she said just a few words, He Jichen eximed, ¡°Room 2006, please send an attendant up.¡±

    Why¡¯s he calling an attendant?

    The doubt and suspicion in Ji Yi¡¯s mind grew and before her thoughts settled, He Jichen put the phone down.

    There was an office on every floor of the hotel, so an attendant in a hotel uniform rushed over not long after He Jichen hung up the phone. When she saw Ji Yi and Qian Ge standing at the door, her expression looked evidently stunned but she didn¡¯t stop walking. She continued to take a few steps and stopped at the hotel door. Then she smiled at Ji Yi and said, ¡°Miss, may I ask...¡±

 Chapter 262

    Chapter 262: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before the attendant could finish what she was saying, He Jichen cried, ¡°It was me¡± from inside the room.

    The attendant paused, turned her head, and looked over at He Jichen who was standing by the bed. A secondter, she politely said, ¡°Sir, is there something I can help you with?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s gaze was locked onto Ji Yi as he was in no rush to reply to the attendant.

    After some time passed, the attendant wondered if He Jichen heard what she said at all. Just as she was getting ready to politely repeat herself, He Jichen gently blinked and averted his gaze from Ji Yi to the attendant. Then he said in a dull voice, ¡°Could you please take out the trash in the room?¡±

    Every afternoon, the hotel sent housekeeping around to clean the rooms, but she didn¡¯t have a lot of trash in her room... Ji Yi furrowed her brows and couldn¡¯t help but turn her head to nce at He Jichen in astonishment.

    The hotel attendant seemed just as confused as Ji Yi, but she would never reject a customer¡¯s request. The second He Jichen made his request, the attendant held a perfect smile, gave a gentle nod and said, ¡°yes¡± before she entered Ji Yi¡¯s room.

    The hotel attendant first walked past the counter and cleared out the trash can beside it, then she was about to go into the bathroom to clear out the trash in there too. All of a sudden, He Jichen cried, ¡°Not that. These!¡±

    As he said that, He Jichen took two big strides over to the pile of nutritional tonics and raised his chin up towards them for the attendant to see.

    This... This is trash? Those were obviously unopened, high-quality nutritional products... The attendant¡¯s eyes shot wide open as she stared at He Jichen in disbelief.

    Ji Yi and Qian Ge were equally startled as they stood still at the door.

    The more the hotel attendant thought about it, the more she questioned if she heard him correctly. ¡°Sir, you would like me to throw out these nutritional tonics?¡± asked the attendant for rification.

    ¡°Nutritional tonics?¡± He Jichen sounded as though he heard something really funny. A mocking smile surfaced from his lips as he mercilessly said, ¡°The things that a trash person brought could only be trash!¡±

    Qian Ge brought those nutritional tonics. He Jichen¡¯s words were obviously covertly mocking Qian Ge... Ji Yi instinctively looked back and nced over at Qian Ge who was standing outside the door.

    Her face was filled with embarrassment and she pursed her lips tightly as though she was trying hard to stay calm and not lose her cool.

    Seeing as the attendant was just frozen on the spot, He Jichen twitched his handsome brows and said impatiently, ¡°Hustle! Quickly take out this trash. It makes me sick just looking at them!¡±

    The attendant quickly put down the rubbish bag in her hands and walked over to the pile of nutritional tonics. She crouched down and started to tidy up.

    Because of the pain in her waist, Ji Yi was leaning against the wall by the door. When she heard the rustling sounds of the attendant tidying up, she couldn¡¯t help but turn around and rush into the room. She first shot two nces at the attendant then her gaze fell onto He Jichen, who was standing to one side.

    The man stared at the busy attendant with the same chilling, arrogant air. The impatience on his face seemed to havepletely disappeared after watching her clean up.

    Just a nce at He Jichen made Ji Yi¡¯s heart flustered.

 Chapter 263

    Chapter 263: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In this very moment, it wasn¡¯t important whether or not he overheard her conversation with Qian Ge. What¡¯s important was that after hearing what Qian Ge said, not only was he unfazed by her, but he even stood up and helped her p Qian Ge on the face!

    It wasn¡¯t like she hadn¡¯t heard how awful his words could be. In the past, she hated him to no end for what he said to her, but she never imagined that he would protect her with his cruel words!

    Ji Yi clearly felt her heart rate speed up: Boom, boom, boom.

    She stared intently at He Jichen.

    The attendant moved swiftly as she quickly tidied up all the nutritional tonics and held the bags in her hands.

    Just as she cried, ¡°Goodbye Sir, Miss,¡± and before she could even turn to leave, He Jichen suddenly cried, ¡°Wait!¡±

    The attendant stopped what she was doing and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°Sir, is there anything else you would like me to help you with?¡±

    He Jichen drearily turned around and nced over at Ji Yi¡¯s bed at a specific point on the bed for a few seconds. He raised his fingers and pointed twice at the bed. ¡°Change the bed sheets too. Trash touched it just now. It¡¯s dirty!¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she suddenly realized that the spot He Jichen stared at was the same spot where Qian Ge sat...

    So, He Jichen was standing outside the hotel room at that time?

    Which goes to say that he actually did hear that I was the one who put the de in there?

    He knows the truth, so why¡¯s he helping me fight against Qian Ge?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart was already confused, but it instantly became aplete mess.

    After the attendant heard what He Jichen said, she first carried the nutritional tonics out of the room and put them in the corridor. Then she swiftly tore off the bedsheets.

    She grabbed the bedsheets, nning to leave to fetch new ones and return to change it. As she reached the door, He Jichen looked as though he remembered something and said, ¡°Also, the rug in the room. Change that too. The TRASH stepped on it!¡±

    As He Jichen said this, he started to think back to where Qian Ge sat. Then he pointed at the floorboard outside the door and said, ¡°... The trash also walked on that part of the ground. Later, scrub it carefully for me...¡±

    After a pause, He Jichen added, ¡°...Oh no, scrub it with disinfectant to save you from the leftover virus carried by the TRASH!¡±

    It was enough for He Jichen to repeatedly describe Qian Ge as trash, but ordering the attendant so brazenly around Ji Yi¡¯s room made Qian Ge out to be some kind of hideous creature!

    Standing at the door, Qian Ge¡¯s little face flushed and turned pale white. She bit down hard on her bottom lip as her eyes turned red. She couldn¡¯t hold it in and she cried, ¡°Director He...¡±

    When He Jichen heard her speak, his eyes nced over and saw her face looking as though she was about to cry. There wasn¡¯t any hint of tenderness on his face, nor was there the slightest hint of giving up. As He Jichen racked his brain over what he might¡¯ve missed, he ordered the attendant, ¡°...Also, send someone to bring up an air purifier. Clean the air from the TRASH that was in the room!¡±

    Tears started to pour from Qian Ge¡¯s eyes, perhaps because she felt so embarrassed.

    He Jichen continued to add, as though on purpose, ¡°...The door too. Trash knocked on it, so wipe it over once with disinfectant! No, ten times, to save the guest in the room from getting her hand dirty!¡±

 Chapter 264

    Chapter 264: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The attendant was probably startled by He Jichen¡¯s sessive orders as she stood there hugging the bed sheets. As she stared at He Jichen in a daze for a couple seconds, she replied with a ¡°yes,¡± and scurried out of Ji Yi¡¯s room.

    Not long after, the attendant came running back with fresh sheets and two other attendants behind her.

    The attendants had probably worked in the hotel for a long time now because as soon as they entered the room, it took just over ten short minutes to respectively finish their tasks; one changed the bed sheets, another changed the rug, and the other cleaned the floor with disinfectant. The entire room was like new.

    Just as the attendants were about to leave, He Jichen asked the first attendant to stop and wait by the side. He Jichen walked over the shining floorboards to the door and stopped in front of Qian Ge.

    The brows of the man who had been calm all this time instantly grew stern as he said with a menacingly quiet voice: ¡°It¡¯s not up to you to say whether she¡¯s a qualified actress or not! Don¡¯t think that I have no idea about the little games you¡¯ve been ying behind the scenes. You were the one who forced her to take such dramatic actions today!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m warning you! You better watch yourself! If there¡¯s ever a next time, I won¡¯t speak as nicely to you as I¡¯ve done today!¡±

    Qian Ge gently shuddered as a string of tears streamed down her face and flowed down.

    She knew that the man in front of her definitely did this on purpose and he knew it! The most regretful experience of her life was being scolded in front of Ji Yi, and he deliberately wanted her to never get her way!

    It was her mistake to think that he would be mad at Ji Yi instead and she¡¯d get the chance to watch her get embarrassed after He Jichen overheard their conversation. She never thought this man could see through her trap!

    Even if she was looking for trouble, she couldn¡¯t let Ji Yi have it so easy!

    At that thought, Qian Ge gritted her teeth even harder and stared fiercely at Ji Yi. Then she took a step forward, drew closer to He Jichen¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°For you to protect her like that ¨C isn¡¯t it painful for you deep down? Three years ago when she was in aa from the car ident, you threw away your whole life for her. You cared so much about her safety, but what about her? She took what you cared most about and turned it into a weapon to scheme against me. She even tricked you after you panicked on set...¡±

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t heard what Qian Ge said, but she knew Qian Ge must¡¯ve said something awful because she saw He Jichen¡¯s fingertips silently clench into fists after hearing her words.

    His fists trembled slightly as though he was heavily suppressing his feelings inside.

    Just when Ji Yi thought He Jichen would burst into anger, he miraculously calmed down. Then, as though avoiding something dirty, he took a step back and put some distance between him and Qian Ge. With the same arrogant, patronizing voice, he said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say you wanted Ji Yi to give you an exnation?¡±

    She thought I didn¡¯t see through her little scheme?

    She wanted to use me to mock Ji Yi? Are you kidding me? No matter how angry I get, I would never let her get her way!

    At that thought, He Jichen spoke again with a tone that implied Qian Ge had overestimated her abilities. ¡°Let me tell you this... As long as I, He Jichen live, she, Ji Yi, doesn¡¯t need to give you any exnations!¡±

 Chapter 265

    Chapter 265: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t stupid. When she realized He Jichen was still treating Qian Ge so horribly after finding out the truth, she knew he was protecting her!

    However, after she heard him say such protective words so arrogantly to Qian Ge, the blood in her body couldn¡¯t help but boil.

    In that case, if He Jichen helped her when she was bullied by Lin Zhengyi because of He Yuguang, then what about what happened today? He Yuguang wasn¡¯t aware of what was happening but He Jichen still did what he did.

    He was, in some ways, still like the boy he¡¯d been at Sucheng Yizhong ¨C wherever he went, people politely called him ¡°Chen Ge.¡± If she simply furrowed her brows, He Jichen would start swinging his fists at anybody who troubled her.

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen and fell into a daze.

    ¡°Also, didn¡¯t you ask whether I overheard your conversation?¡± asked He Jichen with the same heartless tone of voice.

    ¡°Yes. I heard everything without missing a single word. But so what?¡±

    As He Jichen said that, his body shifted into a domineering pose and his voice sounded arrogant as he continued, ¡°In my world, there is no justice. She¡¯s right and you are wrong!¡±

    ¡°Won¡¯t you let me have justice? Everything I just did was to serve justice to you! Now that things are clear, can you get out of here?¡±

    Even if Qian Ge tried to keep her cool, when she heard He Jichen blurt the words ¡°get out,¡± her face turned pale white.

    Qian Ge held her tears back as she stared at He Jichen for some time. Her lips twitched like she was going to say something, but she suddenly burst into tears withrge drops crashing down.

    She swiftly raised her hand to wipe the tears from her face. She ended up saying nothing as she turned her heels around like she couldn¡¯t stand to stay any longer. Then she hurriedly walked over to the elevator.

    Ji Yi thought that the matter was over, but she never imagined that the second after Qian Ge left, He Jichen would cruelly call the attendant again. ¡°You, clean this part of the ground by the door. Remember, use disinfectant!¡±

    Ji Yi clearly saw Qian Ge stumble and almost fall over after He Jichen said that. Her steps then turned into a run.

    The attendant replied to He Jichen with a ¡°yes,¡± then walked over to the corridor with disinfectant and a rag.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t bother to watch over the attendant. He retreated into the room, raised his hand and slowly closed the door.

    As the door shut with a ¡°Kacha!¡±, Ji Yi suddenly snapped back to her senses after everything that just happened. She instinctively looked up at He Jichen standing by her side.

    The man looked drearily frightening. As though he knew Ji Yi was watching him, he slowly withdrew his hand from the door and nonchntly turned around to face Ji Yi.

    His eyes didn¡¯t look as calm as before, and there were infinite emotions swimming around like he was going to explode at any time.

    Looking like this, he was way more frightening and angrier than he was with Qian Ge just now.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart raced like crazy. As she leaned against the wall, she couldn¡¯t help but cling to it for support.

    It seemed like her subtle gesture rmed him as he squinted and immediately said, ¡°Ji Yi, is there a hole in your head?!¡±

 Chapter 266

    Chapter 266: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    His earlier demeanor was frightening enough for her, but this roar made Ji Yi¡¯s entire body shiver. She instinctively pulled her head back.

    She had enough experience to know just how scary he could be when he was angry, so she didn¡¯t dare to look up at him. She held her breath, clung to the wall, and stealthily shifted to one side. She wanted to quickly head to the bathroom and shut the door to distance herself from He Jichen.

    He Jichen was staring firmly at Ji Yi without flinching, so the moment she moved, he quickly reached his arm out and pulled her to him by the wrist. Because she just tried to escape, his voice sounded increasingly bone-chilling as he said, ¡°...to actually do something this moronic!¡±

    Ji Yi had no idea just how broken his heart felt when the assistant director told him she was hurt.

    When he got to set and saw her in a pool of blood, he was about to go crazy!

    He had experienced this feeling two times in his entire life. The first time was three years ago when he learned she got into a car ident. He rushed over to Beijing all the way from Sucheng, and when he saw her unconscious with tubes all over her body, his legs almost gave way and fell to the ground under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes!

    The second time was today on set. He tried hard to stop himself from losing it in front of everyone, but they had no idea about the torture and misery he was in.

    He even started to question if it was a mistake to have Ji Yi and Qian Ge on the same crew. Should I rece Qian Ge...

    But in the end?

    Ji Yi was the one who actually hid the de there just to retaliate against Qian Ge!

    That piece of sh*t, unworthy of being trash. She even had to risk her life and disregard everything to hurt herself just for revenge?

    The wound wasn¡¯t particrly deep nor fatal, and she only needed stitches to stop the bleeding, but... but if the de was any deeper, it would¡¯ve cut her organs...

    The more He Jichen thought about it, the more scared and angry he felt in his heart. Even his voice started to sound increasingly stern and harsh as he said, ¡°Did you feel especially proud when you got away with it? Especially dignified? From what I saw, you¡¯re basically dumb as hell! Not only are you dumb but you¡¯re irresponsible! You turned the set into a ce to fight and scheme against others. You¡¯re practically unfit to be an actress!¡±

    Ji Yi had to admit that what she did wasn¡¯t brilliant, but her hand was forced. Having been pushed into a corner, the only path she could take was to injure herself out of desperation.

    Did he think I wanted to go to such extreme measures? I had no other way...

    As He Jichen berated Ji Yi to nothing, a feeling of being wronged entered her heart, and she instinctively bit her bottom lip.

    ¡°With your IQ and aplishments, do you still want to work in the entertainment industry? I advise that you pack up your things and leave before it¡¯s toote!¡± As He Jichen spoke, he couldn¡¯t help but tighten his grip on Ji Yi¡¯s wrist.

    Ji Yi was in so much pain that she couldn¡¯t help but let out a soft yelp.

    ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Not only did He Jichen¡¯s fingers not let go, but he tightened them even more. ¡°You still feel pain? If you do, why would you do something so stupid? With your skills, you still wanted to fight with trash. Did you think you could beat trash?¡±

    He was truly angry... so angry that she hadn¡¯t cared about her own safety to this degree!

    She was the woman he truly loved and sincerely protected. Even if her pain was self-inflicted, he couldn¡¯t forgive it!

    In the end, because of how scared He Jichen was after the incident, he said with a trembling voice, ¡°Luckily for you, it wasn¡¯t too serious of an injury. Did you even think about the consequences if something more serious happened to you?!¡±

 Chapter 267

    Chapter 267: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Trash, luck, consequences...

    Those three words barged into Ji Yi¡¯s mind as she creased her brows slightly. In her heart, she finally understood something.

    If this was a minute ago, she would¡¯ve thought he was being unreasonable. His words were easier said than done. He wasn¡¯t her, so how would he know the extent of her problems? Deep down, she lost track of all theints she had against him.

    But he actually described Qian Ge as ¡°trash¡± and lectured her with a trembling voice on how lucky she was. When he asked her whether she thought about the consequences if something ever happened to her, she suddenly realized that he wasn¡¯t just angry at her for causing trouble on set...

    Ji Yi was hesitant for two seconds before she looked up at He Jichen with astonishment.

    In this very moment, at surface level, he looked just as scary as when he used to get angry at her before. Even the words from his mouth were just as sharp and harsh...

    But his lips still trembled slightly as though he was in shock and hadn¡¯tpletely recovered from the incident...

    His eyes looked really vicious, but there were evident flickers of chaos and heartache.

    Looking like this, he was obviously scared after what happened... She was the one who got hurt, but he was actually afraid...

    So, she guessed right earlier ¨C the main reason he was angry wasn¡¯t because she used dirty tricks and lied to him, but because she hurt herself.

    At that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s heart quivered violently. Her eyes suddenly shot open, and in that instant, she couldn¡¯t care less about the intense pain in her wrist under He Jichen¡¯s force. Just like that, she stared at He Jichen nkly.

    He Jichen had no idea what was going on in Ji Yi¡¯s mind. He thought back to how he almost ruined his life because of her car ident three years ago. It was just as Qian Ge said ¨C he cared so much for her safety. In fact, he cared so much that he wished he could take on all her little aches and pains. But what about her? She casually hurt herself, just like that?

    He Jichen was so angry that his chest started to heave.

    He stared at the woman and wished he could grab a tool to pry open her brain and see how it worked!

    At that thought, He Jichen clenched his teeth and scolded her: ¡°I¡¯ve never seen someone as stupid as you in my whole life! I think not only do you have a hole in your head, it¡¯s filled with water too! I¡¯m not sure how you were able to survive up till now!¡±

    His tone of voice was fierce and stern, but Ji Yi wasn¡¯t like how she used to be. She didn¡¯t feel fear or panic, and she didn¡¯t think about running away from him. She kept the same stance, still nkly staring at He Jichen.

    In all the years she¡¯d known him, this was probably the first time that after hearing such horrible things from him, not only was she not annoyed, but she even felt a little warm inside.

    ¡°No wonder you...¡± In a fit of anger, it was natural for him to be tongue-tied. He Jichen only managed to get those three words out before he suddenly came to a stop.

    He almost erupted in anger as he almost let slip: ¡°It¡¯s no wonder someone put you in aa three years ago.¡±

    To her, this must¡¯ve been an embarrassing ordeal for her. An ordeal of betrayal, and a humiliating ordeal...

    At this crucial moment, He Jichen stopped speaking as his rationality slowly returned. That was when he realized that he wasshing out at her again.

    He didn¡¯t want to be like this, but she was always able to easily anger him.

 Chapter 268

    Chapter 268: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The heavy sense of rage still lingered within his body. Before it could disappear, he was engulfed with an earth-shattering annoyance and agitation.

    Theplex mix of emotions umted in his body and assaulted He Jichen in a way that left him defenseless. He tightened his lips and stared at Ji Yi for a while then he suddenly let go of her hand, forcefully swung open the door, and strode out of the room with big strides.

    The door was mmed shut heavily, and the room instantly calmed down.

    Ji Yi leaned against the wall and stood there transfixed for some time. Minding the pain in her waist, she slowly sat down by the bedside.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure just how long she sat there for, nor was she aware of what was going through her mind. All she knew was that her mind was confused, but when she finally calmed down, she wanted to get up and go to the bathroom. Her gaze suddenly fell on the bag on the counter.

    He Jichen brought those...

    Ji Yi stood by the bedside for a moment before she walked over to it.

    She opened the bag and saw well-packed, luxurious boxes of food for dinner.

    Beside this was also a small stic bag with several boxes of medicine. There was medicine to reduce inmmation, some vitamins, and an ointment to remove scars...

    He Jichen, he... after he brought me back to the hotel room, randomly got mad and left, he didn¡¯t just leave me here without a care in the world. He went to buy me dinner and medicine?

    The film studio doesn¡¯t have any drug stores nearby, so did he drive over to the nearest city to buy some?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart, which had already calmed down with some difficulty, felt like it had been smashed byrge stones and was stirred up by a million waves.

    Before this, she wasn¡¯t sure how He Jichen truly thought about her, but right now, as she saw the things in the bag, it was hard to believe it wasn¡¯t true that... He Jichen, he-he actually did care about her deep down inside!

    ¨C

    Suite 1001 on the top floor of the hotel.

    He Jichen held a cigarette between his fingers as he had his back turned to Han Zhifan, who was sitting on the sofa. He stood in front of the tall window, staring coldly out the window.

    Han Zhifan talked non-stop, but He Jichen didn¡¯t really listen, nor was he in the mood to care. The atmosphere in the room was evidently somber.

    After some time, there was a knock on the door of the suite. Following Han Zhifan¡¯s call to enter, He Jichen¡¯s personal secretary walked through the door with Cheng Weiwan.

    When the secretary brushed past Han Zhifan, he greeted Han Zhifan before walking over to He Jichen¡¯s side and said with his head down, ¡°Mr. He, Miss Cheng is here. Allow her to please take care of the wound on your hand.¡±

    He Jichen looked lost in a daze as he stared out the window without blinking for quite some time before slowlying back to his senses and ncing over at the secretary. He looked down at his palms, wrapped in tissue.

    A long time had passed, but there were still streaks of blood endlessly pouring out.

    Two seconds passed before He Jichen withdrew his gaze and casually put out the cigarette between his fingers in the ashtray beside him. Then he turned and looked over at Cheng Weiwan. ¡°First, go to room 2006 and check to see if she stopped bleeding.¡±

    When the secretary heard this, he didn¡¯t wait for Cheng Weiwan to respond and beat her first to say, ¡°Mr. He, you must take care of your wound. The ss shards are still in there...¡±

    Before the secretary could finish, He Jichen suddenly spoke with a dull voice, ¡°I told you to go first to 2006, so go first to 2006.¡±

    He didn¡¯t sound that stern, but it was enough to stop the secretary from talking any further.

 Chapter 269

    Chapter 269: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen averted his gaze as he nced at Cheng Weiwan. ¡°Sorry to trouble you.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t pushy with He Jichen like the secretary, but she gave a gentle nod and carried the medical kit with her on her way out of He Jichen¡¯s suite.

    When Cheng Weiwan arrived, Ji Yi had only just finished the dinner He Jichen bought her. She was just about to tidy it up when she heard a knock at the door.

    She opened the door to see Cheng Weiwan. Ji Yi was stunned for a moment before she opened the door wider and weed Cheng Weiwan in.

    As she gestured for Cheng Weiwan to take a seat, she walked over to the desk and prepared to tidy up her leftover food.

    Cheng Weiwan put down the medical kit and saw Ji Yi moving around, so she walked over to her side and scrambled to clean up the table before she could.

    With the wound on her waist, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t as fast as Cheng Weiwan, so all she could do was say, ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan shot Ji Yi a smile but didn¡¯t say a word. She took the bag of garbage, walked over to the door and ced it down on the floor. Then she walked into the bathroom and washed her hands. After she came out, she told Ji Yi, ¡°I¡¯m here to check on your wound again.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± responded Ji Yi as she hurriedly took off her top to reveal her waist that Cheng Weiwan bandaged up.

    Cheng Weiwan got closer and carefully checked it to confirm that everything was okay. While she was at it, she reapplied some medicine for Ji Yi, bandaged it up, and reminded Ji Yi to not let it get wet for a few days. Then she started to pack up her medical kit.

    Ji Yi knew this meant that Cheng Weiwan was about to leave.

    Apart from the first time Cheng Weiwan called her to invite her to join the cast of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± they never really talked to one another. Since Cheng Weiwan already took care of the wound that evening, she should drop by the next day to change the bandage if Ji Yi remembered correctly, but Cheng Weiwan came to see her mere hourster...

    Ji Yi pursed her lips. Seeing as Cheng Weiwan had already packed up her medical kit and was about to get up and leave, she hurriedly cried out, ¡°Miss Cheng...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything but stared quietly at her and waited for her to finish.

    Ji Yi bit her bottom lip and asked the question on her mind, ¡°Did... he ask you toe?¡±

    After a pause, Ji Yi was afraid Cheng Weiwan wouldn¡¯t know who she meant by ¡°he,¡± so she moved her lips about to say ¡°He Jichen¡± when Cheng Weiwan nodded. ¡°Yes, He Jichen asked me toe.¡±

    It was just as I thought... Ji Yi¡¯s fingers instinctively clutched onto her sleeve.

    Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything more, Cheng Weiwan spoke again, ¡°Is there anything else?¡±

    Ji Yi swiftly shook her head. ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll be off.¡±

    ¡°Mhm...¡± Ji Yi got up and saw Cheng Weiwan to the door. She first gave her thanks before bidding her farewell. ¡°Goodbye.¡±

    After Cheng Weiwan walked off some distance, Ji Yi shut the door and leaned against the wooden door. She lost track of the time as her thoughts were in disarray.

    ...

    Back in suite 1001, Cheng Weiwan headed to He Jichen¡¯s side and opened the medical kit.

    When she gestured for He Jichen to open his injured hand, she watched as the man stared firmly at her. That was when she realized something and quickly said, ¡°There¡¯s no real problem with her wound. I reapplied her medicine and changed her bandages. Tomorrow night, I¡¯ll go over again to change it one more time. I¡¯ll remove the stitches after seven days and she¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    At that thought, He Jichen still didn¡¯t say a word as he brought his injured hand over to Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan crouched on the ground and picked up the tweezers and scissors. Soon after, she picked out the remaining ss shards in He Jichen¡¯s palms.

 Chapter 270

    Chapter 270: There¡¯s No Justice. Only She¡¯s Right and You¡¯re Wrong. (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan crouched on the ground and picked up the tweezers and scissors. Soon after, she picked out the remaining ss shards in He Jichen¡¯s palms.

    Then Cheng Weiwan picked up a few cotton balls, doused them with alcohol, started to disinfect the wound and applied some medicine.

    She moved smoothly throughout the process then took a seat to one side facing Han Zhifan, who was talking business over the phone. As she did so, Han Zhifan¡¯s attention was incidentally captured by Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fair, slender hands.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s gaze slowly rose from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingertips to her face. Meanwhile, Cheng Weiwan had finished taking care of He Jichen¡¯s wound and started to tidy up her medical kit.

    She had good facial features, her skin was fair, and she seemed calm... looking at her like this made him feel so peaceful.

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but stare at her some more until the phone in his hand endlessly rang ¡°ding-dong! ding-dong!¡± He finally withdrew his gaze, looked down and continued to work.

    ¡°Be careful of getting it wet. I¡¯ll put some ointment here. Remember to re-apply the medicine,¡± said Cheng Weiwan calmly to He Jichen as she packed her things and got up, carrying the medical kit.

    He Jichen let out a soft ¡°Mhm,¡± but didn¡¯t say a word.

    Cheng Weiwan quietly said ¡°goodbye¡± and strode out.

    When she passed Han Zhifan, Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t resist but look up from his phone screen and nce over at Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan looked over at Han Zhifan too as she noticed him staring. Their eyes met. Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t look away but politely and brazenly smiled at Han Zhifan. She brushed past him then quietly left He Jichen¡¯s suite.

    Now there was just Han Zhifan and He Jichen left in the room.

    Han Zhifan continued working busily on his phone for some time before he put it down and turned to look at He Jichen.

    The manid leisurely on the sofa with his head raised as he stared transfixed at the ceiling, deep in thought.

    Han Zhifan stared at He Jichen for a moment but didn¡¯t say a thing. He got up and walked over to the counter then opened a bottle of red wine. He poured two sses then headed back to the sofa and ced one ss in front of He Jichen.

    The ss made a crisp sound when it touched the marble desk, stirring theposed He Jichen. He sat up and nced at the tall ss in front of him, reaching his hand out to pick it up.

    Han Zhifan swirled the wine ss and took a gulp then tilted his head and looked up and down at He Jichen. All of a sudden, he smiled and asked, ¡°Chen Ge, it¡¯s because of her, right?¡±

    He Jichen was about to put the ss of wine to his lips when he stopped, turned his head slightly and nced over at Han Zhifan.

    ¡°On the fourth year of university, you had to go to Beijing on the twenty-eighth of every month. Then after graduation, you gave up a great future toe to Beijing. After the investment was pulled for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± you would rather make less profit and have me find new investors. Even if you didn¡¯t earn a lot, you wanted to keep this series running. It was all because of her... Because of that supporting actress who got injured tonight, am I right?¡±

    Nowpletely exposed, He Jichen stopped drinking abruptly.

    Han Zhifan knew He Jichen too well. He knew his subtle actions meant he guessed right.

    He wasn¡¯t pushy with He Jichen by asking personal questions, but he held the wine ss and continued to take two gulps before saying something else. ¡°Chen Ge...¡±

 Chapter 271

    Chapter 271: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°You remember the most beautiful girl in school from the foreignnguages department, right? She was every guy¡¯s dream girl in school. There could¡¯ve been as many as three circles of guys lined up around the track who wanted to get with her. Yet she never fell for anyone¡¯s attempts. It wasn¡¯t until fourth year when you had to go to Beijing that she found out, ran over to the male dorms, and stopped to confess to you...¡±

    ¡°At the time, you had returned from ying ball with a group of us. In front of so many people, she didn¡¯t flinch at all. She said so much; she even nned out how your future would be together. It sounded quite nice, and you both looked like a nice match. Truth be told, at the time, I was a little interested in her. You know... This fairdy deserved a proper man. But at the time, I felt like the two of you were quite the match, so I really liked the idea of you two together. Thinking back on it, many people had the same thought. But that day, even after she said so much, you simply replied sorry.¡±

    ¡°The most beautiful girl in school asked why you rejected her. What did you say back then?¡±

    Han Zhifan tilted his head and carefully thought about it for some time before saying, ¡°...After so many years, I still clearly remember what you said ¨C that a person was probably only single because there was someone who was impossible to be with or someone who would never look back.¡±

    At the time, he thought He Jichen was just spouting nonsense to get rid of the girl.

    That day, He Jichen went back to the dorm and stayed there quietly for a long time. He didn¡¯t say anything until the next day.

    Up until now, he figured He Jichen was in a bad mood then because someone confessed to him, but he now realized that He Jichen was in a bad mood because those words stabbed his heart.

    At that thought, Han Zhifan added, ¡°...What about her? The supporting actress who left you all alone for so many years. Deep down inside, was she that someone who was impossible to be with or was she that someone who would never look back?¡±

    He Jichen stared at the liquid through the crystal clear ss with a dull expression on his face for a long time. Then he looked up at Han Zhifan and said, ¡°Someone who¡¯s impossible to be with.¡±

    As He Jichen said this, he looked down with infinite sorrow in his eyes. When he spoke again, his voice was soft with a hidden, immense sorrow. ¡°But in any case, there¡¯s a possibility. As long as it¡¯s her, I would turn back with no hesitation, but she¡¯s never given me the slightest chance...¡±

    After a pause, He Jichen said, ¡°...and she¡¯s never thought about giving me a chance.¡±

    The atmosphere in the room instantly turned a little somber.

    The two of them stayed silently like that for a long time until they¡¯d almost finished drinking their sses. Then Han Zhifan cleared his throat and changed the subject to something more interesting: ¡°Oh, right! Today, the woman who helped take care of the supporting actress¡¯s wound and your wound... is she the on-call doctor for the production cast and crew?¡±

    ¡°No, that was the screenwriter, Cheng Weiwan.¡±

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan is the writer of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±? She¡¯s so young! That can¡¯t be right... wasn¡¯t she a writer? How does she know about medicine?¡±

    ¡°Oh, her dad is Cheng Weiguo.¡±

    Cheng Weiguo? Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers suddenly gripped the tall ss hard. His voice sounded a little excited. ¡°Cheng Weiguo? You¡¯re telling me that her dad is the world-famous doctor, Cheng Weiguo?¡±

    He Jichen nodded gently and swiftly replied with one word, ¡°Yeah.¡±

 Chapter 272

    Chapter 272: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As He Jichen finished what he said, Han Zhifan suddenly mmed his tall ss onto the coffee table.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows and turned to look over at Han Zhifan in confusion. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything, but his gaze upon the tall ss grew intense.

    Cheng Weiguo... Even if he turned to ashes, he¡¯d still be able to recognize those three words.

    He would never forget the dirty, lowly thing that the well-dressed man did!

    So the woman he noticed today who made him feel so peaceful was Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter?

    He heard Cheng Weiguo only had that one daughter who he loved so dearly.

    He Jichen creased his brows a little harder. ¡°What the hell¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Han Zhifan snapped back to his senses and realized that he was lost for a moment and hurriedly pushed down the feelings in his eyes. He looked up at He Jichen and shot him his usual warm smile. ¡°Nothing, I was just shocked. I never imagined that such a hidden gem would be on your production team!¡±

    He Jichen believed Han Zhifan, so he didn¡¯t pursue it any further.

    Seeing as He Jichen looked normal and didn¡¯t pick up on anything, Han Zhifan felt more at ease. Then he looked down to hide the boiling emotions in his eyes.

    Cheng Weiguo, Cheng Weiwan, Cheng Weiwan, Cheng Weiguo...

    He repeated those two names in his mind over and over again until he eventually gritted his teeth with hatred and ferocity.

    In this lifetime, he would never forgive Cheng Weiguo. He had been waiting for an opportunity to give Cheng Weiguo a fate worse than death... With Cheng Weiwan¡¯s appearance, this might just be that opportunity for him.

    At that thought, Han Zhifan lost interest in lounging around in He Jichen¡¯s room. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, so I¡¯m heading back to my room to get some rest.¡±

    He Jichen nodded slightly. He didn¡¯t try to make Han Zhifan stay, but he remembered something the moment that he got up and cried to Han Zhifan, ¡°Ah yeah!¡±

    ¡°Mm?¡± Han Zhifan stopped everything he was doing and stared at He Jichen.

    He Jichen raised his head and downed the red wine then nced over at Han Zhifan and said in a dull voice, ¡°I have to stay on set and can¡¯t step away, so there¡¯s something I wanted to ask of you.¡±

    ¡°What is it? Just say it and it¡¯s done.¡±

    ¡°Go back to Beijing and help me find out which hospital Ji Yi had her abortion done at three years ago...¡± Back in Ji Yi¡¯s room, he heard Qian Ge mention how Ji Yi almost lost her life during her abortion years ago. If it really happened how Qian Ge described it, why would she risk so much to avoid having his child? Could there possibly be some kind of hidden reason he didn¡¯t know about?

    At that thought, He Jichen added, ¡°Remember, I want the mostprehensive rundown of what happened.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± promised Han Zhifan. Seeing as He Jichen had no other orders, he said goodbye and left.

    The door gently opened and shut, suddenly causing the room to fall incredibly silent. Now there was only He Jichen left in the room.

    He sat on the sofa for quite some time before the rm on his phone rang. He finally got up and walked out of the bedroom.

    Because of the wound on his hand, He Jichen went to the restroom to quickly freshen up before heid back in bed.

    A hard object under his body felt a little ufortable. He furrowed his brows and pulled out the hard object. It was He Yuguang¡¯s phone.

 Chapter 273

    Chapter 273: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ever since Chinese New Year when he used He Yuguang¡¯s identity and stayed a whole night and day in Lijiang, ¡°He Yuguang¡± and Ji Yi had grown quite close. ¡°He Yuguang¡± and Ji Yi practically messaged each other every day.

    The phone had been left on the bed only because they exchanged messages on WeChat tillte the night before. Before going to sleep, he just tossed it to one side.

    When he unlocked the screen, he noticed there were notifications for several unread WeChat messages. He Jichen casually opened WeChat and saw that those messages were from Ji Yi, but he didn¡¯t open to read them as another notification popped up. His phone was running out of battery.

    As he sat up against the headboard, He Jichen found the charging cable and plugged in the phone. With one hand raising a cigarette to his mouth, he tapped Ji Yi¡¯s name and read her message. ¡°Yuguang Ge,st night, I was too sleepy, so I fell asleep. So sorry.¡±

    Last night, she hadn¡¯t replied to hisst message. He waited for so long, but when his phone remained silent for so long, he knew in his heart that she probably fell asleep. He sent her a message to say ¡°goodnight¡± and he fell asleep too.

    He figured that once she woke up the next day, she¡¯d send him a reply when she saw his message.

    He Jichen quickly tapped on the phone screen. After he sent the words ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he reached for his lighter and lit up his cigarette.

    He didn¡¯t smoke it but held the cigarette between his fingers and leaned against the headboard. As he inhaled the tobo, he waited patiently.

    After about a minute, the phone vibrated in his hand.

    Ji Yi replied: ¡°Yuguang Ge, it¡¯s sote. Why are you still awake?¡±

    He Jichen flicked the ashes of his cigarette into the ashtray by the bedside table then held his cigarette between his fingers. He started to type away on the phone screen. ¡°Just about to go to bed.¡±

    After he sent that text, He Jichen realized it was almost twelve yet Ji Yi was still up, so he tapped on the screen again. ¡°What about you? Why are you still up?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t sleep.¡± Ji Yi probably had her phone in her hand since she replied to his message so quickly.

    Can¡¯t sleep ?

    He Jichen stared at those two words and started to furrow his brows. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Manman?¡±

    Ji Yi: ¡°Nothing.¡±

    Nothing is stopping her from sleeping? Clearly, there¡¯s something... It can¡¯t be her wound preventing her from sleeping, right?

    At that thought, He Jichen sat up on the bed and stretched his legs out before his mind shed back to how he lectured her in her room earlier. Then he frozepletely.

    For a while, he held his stance as though he was about to get out of bed before he finally pulled his legs back into bed again. He stared at the night sky out the window for a while then tapped the phone a few times. ¡°Is it because of the wound on your waist?¡±

    ¡°Yuguang Ge, how did you know?¡± It was just as He Jichen thought ¨C Ji Yi replied with a question.

    Before he sent out thatst message, he already thought of a good excuse exining how he knew. He typed it and was just about to send it when he received another message from Ji Yi. ¡°He... He Jichen told you, didn¡¯t he?¡±

    He Jichen, who just typed the words ¡°Jichen told me,¡± quickly deleted the message and changed it to ¡°Mhm.¡± He sent it out.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply on her end.

    He Jichen figured she thought ¡°He Yuguang¡± knew the full details of how she nned for herself to get injured, so she probably didn¡¯t know how to respond.

    After some thought, he typed another sentence on the screen. ¡°Don¡¯t do stupid things like that again for those people. It¡¯s not worth it.¡±

    After about five minutes, Ji Yi finally responded, ¡°I know it¡¯s not worth it, but Yuguang Ge, in this world, I can only rely on myself. I can only rely on these stupid ways to protect myself.¡±

 Chapter 274

    Chapter 274: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I didn¡¯t really want to do it, but Yuguang Ge, did you know? Since the first day I joined the cast and crew, I¡¯ve practically been hungry every day. I¡¯m sick of eating instant noodles. When I wanted to go to the restroom, it was always upied. I didn¡¯t dare dy filming, so all I could do was hold it in. Once, I held it in until the end, and my stomach was in so much pain. Then I didn¡¯t dare to drink water so I wouldn¡¯t have to go to the toilet too often to avoid any mishaps, but I started to get dehydrated and get nosebleeds...¡±

    As He Jichen read the long passages of text, the image of seeing those instant noodles and bloody tissues in her room shed across his mind. It felt like waves of pain hade over him as if something clutched his heart and squeezed it.

    Ji Yi seemed like she still had more to say because the screen still read: ¡°typing...¡±

    He Jichen hadn¡¯t snapped back from his immense pain when a long passage of text popped onto the screen. ¡°I¡¯m not some kind of naive girl, and I can¡¯t let someone bully me and not do anything about it. I just wanted to make my days go by easier, so when I got the chance, I decided to go for it.¡±

    ¡°Yuguang Ge, I never thought about using tricks to make it to the top and I never imagined fighting with other people. I just wanted to protect myself, because if I don¡¯t protect myself, nobody in the world is there to protect me.¡±

    He Jichen always thought he understood Ji Yi well enough, so when she sent those words, he realized for the first time just how much sadness and loneliness were hidden deep inside the woman he loved.

    An indescribable pain prated his body as his fingers started to shake gently.

    On the other side, there was no sign of Ji Yi after she finished typing those words.

    Perhaps she was deep in thought or perhaps she was waiting for his reply.

    It wasn¡¯t clear just how much time passed ¨C probably a minute or ten minutes even. He Jichen hadn¡¯t thought about how to reply to Ji Yi when his phone suddenly lit up. Ji Yi sent him another message. Compared to the long messages she sent before, this one was particrly short: ¡°If I could live a simple life, why would I rack my brain trying to think of schemes?¡±

    The blood drained from He Jichen¡¯s face as his eyes quickly ran through the words, and his tightly pursed lips turned white.

    He had to admit that when he learned she hurt herself, he was enraged.

    He couldn¡¯t understand why she would do such a thing. Was there anything that was more important than her own safety?

    But now, he was just filled with heartache.

    It was just as she said ¨C if she could live a simple life, why would she rack her brain scheming?

    Just how desperate and hopeless could she have been to use herself as bait?

    She was the same woman he kept in his heart after a catching a quick glimpse of her back in the schoolyard at Sucheng Yizhong. She was the woman he secretly vowed to protect for life, so how could his woman be suffering so much now?

    He Jichen¡¯s heart felt like it had been brutally torn apart; his blood flowed endlessly and the pain was neverending.

    He once thought that the pain he felt after having sex with her that night four years ago was enough to make him not want to live through the night...

    But today he realized that there was a pain far greater ¨C realizing that she was in pain.

 Chapter 275

    Chapter 275: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It felt like a pair of invisible hands were tightly choking his neck, making it hard for him to breathe.

    He was the only one in the room; it was so quiet that he could hear his own heart beating. It was slow but heavy, and with every beat, he could clearly feel a bone-piercing pain.

    It was so painful that it made his teeth chatter; it drenched his whole body in cold sweats, and it turned the deepest part of his heart cold.

    He instinctively raised his hand, put the cigarette to his mouth, and finally took a hard drag for the first time in a while.

    Before he met her, he tried to contrast He Yuguang¡¯s excellence by smoking, drinking, fighting... there was nothing he couldn¡¯t do.

    After he met her and learned she didn¡¯t like the smell of cigarettes, he forced himself to quit smoking.

    He was heavily addicted to cigarettes, so everytime he was in a bad mood, his addiction red up. When that happened, he lit a cigarette just to relieve himself for a moment, but he didn¡¯t let himself smoke it unless he was particrly devastated.

    He knew how to smoke, but after taking just one toke, he forgot to exhale and actually coughed.

    He clutched his chest and bent over as he started to cough violently. As he coughed, he emitted ayer of mist from his eyes.

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t sure when he stopped coughing, but when he came to, his cigarette had burnt down to this fingers and was about to burn his skin.

    He put out the cigarette in the ashtray and slowly straightened up to look for his phone.

    After Ji Yi saw that he hadn¡¯t replied for a while, she sent him another message. ¡°Yuguang Ge, are you asleep?¡±

    About three minutester, she sent another message: ¡°Goodnight Yuguang Ge, it¡¯ste, so I¡¯m going to bed too.¡±

    He Jichen stared at the screen for some time but didn¡¯t send a reply. He put down his phone and lit another cigarette as he stared deeply at the night outside the window. It was like he was caught up in some kind of confusion and distress as he took one drag after another.

    He wasn¡¯t sure just how many cigarettes he had, but he knew that in the end, his mouth tastedpletely bitter. Yet he still hadn¡¯t reached a decision.

    He got out of bed, grabbed a bottle of water and drank over half the bottle before he walked over to the tall windows. He stood there silently for some time but eventually headed back to the bed and picked up He Yuguang¡¯s phone. He opened WeChat and clicked on Ji Yi¡¯s name.

    He read her long series of messages and was really tempted tofort her.

    But as soon as he thought about what he wanted to tell her and how he had to use He Yuguang¡¯s identity to say it, he hesitated and felt torn.

    He Jichen tapped the keyboard only twice before he came to a stop.

    Just like when they were young, she only revealed her true feelings to He Yuguang. If something bad happened at school, if she got into an argument with ssmates, or if someone made her unhappy, she would never tell him. Instead, she went back home and only told He Yuguang.

    So there were some words offort he wanted to tell her, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to tell her.

    He Jichen silently pursed his lips as his fingers moved again. With the ¡°tap tap tap¡± of the keyboard, He Jichen clearly felt the devastation and helplessness deep in his heart.

    After everything, he wished for her to be happy.

    Even if he suffered for her happiness.

    He Jichen stopped what he was doing and carefully read what he typed before he eventually tapped ¡°send.¡±

 Chapter 276

    Chapter 276: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°You were never alone, you still have me.¡±

    He originally wanted to add the two words ¡°Manman,¡± but after he finished typing, he hesitated for a moment before he ended things there.

    He wanted to treat it as something He Jichen would say.

    His original draft was: You were never alone, you still have me, C girl.

    ¨C

    Last night, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t sleep because of He Jichen. She just couldn¡¯t get to sleep as sheid in bed, tossing and turning. Then her phone lit up, and she received a message from ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    Perhaps she was confused, or perhaps it was because she liked sharing things with He Yuguang when she was young, but after she found out that He Yuguang knew about everything that happened on set, she reverted back to how she was before. She typed word after word, spilling all the little things on her mind.

    Sharing was a way for her to vent. Even if she typed a lot of words and didn¡¯t get a reply, she felt a lot better. Eventually, waiting for his reply led her to shut her eyes and fall asleep.

    The next day, Ji Yi was woken up by a knock at the door.

    She groggily went over to the door to see the floor runner standing outside. They told her that her scenes had been pushed back to seven dayster and the cast and crew had arranged for other scenes to be shot first.

    After the floor runner left, Ji Yi was confused as to why the floor runner was personally sent over to tell her... When she returned to her bed, she picked up her phone and checked the time, only to realize that her phone had automatically turned off because it ran out of battery.

    After she plugged it in to charge, she checked the time on the hotel clock. It was already eight in the morning.

    After going to the bathroom to freshen up, Ji Yi went to the restaurant on the second floor.

    She wouldn¡¯t have gone to the restaurant had yesterday¡¯s events not happened because it would¡¯ve been a wasted trip ¨C she¡¯d never have been able to eat.

    But today was different. Qian Ge lost so badly yesterday that she would be tempted to get revenge. However, after being exposed by He Jichen, she definitely wouldn¡¯t try anything again.

    Just as Ji Yi thought, as soon as she walked into the restaurant, everything went smoothly.

    To her astonishment, the waiting staff did a one-eighty degree on her and changed their attitudepletely.

    While she was eating, after she reached the bottom of her ss of milk, a waiter came up to ask whether she needed a top up.

    After dinner, Ji Yi got up, a young man walked over to her and politely asked, ¡°Miss, were you satisfied with your meal?¡±

    When did the cast and crew buy out the restaurant and how was this level of hospitality possible? Ji Yi was stunned for a moment before she smiled, nodded, and replied, ¡°It was great.¡±

    ¡°Excellent.¡± The man smiled and with both hands, he presented her with a business card from his pocket. ¡°Miss, I¡¯m the restaurant manager. If you have any requests in the future, you can contact me.¡±

    He clearly wasn¡¯t the manager of the restaurant... Ji Yi was stunned again.

    The man probably guessed that she was puzzled, so he smiled and exined, ¡°Last night, the manager of the restaurant was changed at thest minute, so I will be in charge of meals for the cast and crew from now on.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± replied Ji Yi as she snapped back to her senses and took the business card. ¡°Sorry to trouble you from here on then.¡±

 Chapter 277

    Chapter 277: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi took the elevator up to her floor. As she passed room 2020, she realized the door was open and she could hear the intermittent cries of someone inside.

    Ji Yi was curious, so she took a peep through the open door and saw a woman crouched on the ground. There were two or three women around her consoling her as she packed up her suitcase.

    ¡°Kexin, don¡¯t cry. After you leave here, you can still find somewhere else to work. It¡¯s not like you¡¯re unemployed forever.¡±

    Kexin... isn¡¯t she the make-up artist? She¡¯s leaving the production team for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±? From their conversation, it sounds like this make-up artist called Kexin doesn¡¯t want to leave...

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows in astonishment as she slowed down.

    ¡°You can¡¯t me anyone for this. Who told you to promise Tang Jie to do those things?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you have to be careful in the future. Don¡¯t go doing shady things for a little bit of money. Who knows when karma will find you.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more, they fired you in private, so it won¡¯t affect your future too much. Don¡¯t cry...¡±

    After Ji Yi heard thest part as she walked past the door, her footsteps came to a sudden stop.

    Tang Jie is Qian Ge¡¯s assistant, and Kexin was responsible for applying her makeup every day. Yesterday on set, the wardrobe assistant ousted Kexin to clear herself and told them she was the one who put thexatives into my water... And today, she¡¯s fired from the team.

    As that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she suddenly remembered how that man at the restaurant gave her his business card and told her about management changing at thest minute... What was odd was that the wardrobe assistant ousted the restaurant manager yesterday too ¨C she said that he arranged for someone to mess with her lunch box.

    So, maybe this isn¡¯t a coincidence?

    If it¡¯s not a coincidence, then...

    Ji Yi pursed her lips and vaguely guessed what happened.

    She continued to stand there for some time before hurriedly walking away when she heard footsteps of peopleing out of the room. Then she rushed over to her own room.

    At her door, she pulled out the room key and was about to open the door. She hesitated for a moment but pulled her key back and walked back over to the elevator.

    Ji Yi took the elevator to the first floor where she headed straight for the front desk of the hotel.

    A young woman shot a smile at her and asked, ¡°Miss, how may I help you?¡±

    Ji Yi smiled back and said, ¡°I¡¯d like some information. All the guests of this hotel are from our production team, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± said thedy at the front desk.

    ¡°Then, are there some people checking out and are there new personnel checking in today?¡±

    ¡°How did you know?¡± asked thedy at the front desk with a shocked expression on her face.

    ¡°I just heard it from someone,¡± lied Ji Yi.

    After a pause, Ji Yi cut right to the point: ¡°Can you tell me who¡¯s checking out today?¡±

    ¡°Please wait.¡± When thedy at the front desk said this, she looked down at theputer and started searching. After about a minute, she read out a few names.

    Ji Yi knew some of the names, and there were others she hadn¡¯t heard of. However, she easily recognized a simrity amongst all those names... the make-up artist called Kexin, and the previous restaurant manager... They were all names that the wardrobe assistant ousted yesterday.

 Chapter 278

    Chapter 278: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    So, it was really just as she thought. Everyone who was ousted by the wardrobe assistant cooperating with Qian Ge was all fired from the team overnight?

    Only an important member of the production team with a lot of power could¡¯ve fired people on such arge scale, and on ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± that was... He Jichen.

    So, this was all his doing?

    That made sense since her scenes were pushed back, whereas other actors had their scenes pushed forward. Besides him, the director, there was no one else who had the power to do that.

    ¡°Miss? Miss?¡± After thedy at the front desk finished reading the names, she couldn¡¯t help but call Ji Yi because she hadn¡¯t reacted for some time.

    When Ji Yi snapped back to reality, she stared at thedy at the front desk for a while before she realized what happened. Then she swiftly replied to thedy at the front desk: ¡°Thank you and sorry to trouble you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± said thedy at the front desk.

    Ji Yi replied with a smile but didn¡¯t say anything as she walked away from the front desk and headed back upstairs.

    Ji Yi, who had no scenes to shoot, wanted to use the opportunity to get some rest and recuperate from being so exhausted. However, since she incidentally learned about what happened, Ji Yi¡¯s mind was rattled again, just like how she felt after Cheng Weiwan left the night before.

    With her anxious heart, Ji Yi managed to make it to the afternoon when she finally shook that feeling away and went downstairs for lunch.

    Perhaps she was too full from lunch since she felt a little sleepy as she headed back to her room. Ji Yi, whoid there for an entire afternoon, finally managed to sleep.

    She was really tired because she ended up sleeping tillte in the day. When she finally woke up, it looked like it waste in the evening, judging by the color outside the window.

    Ji Yi went to wash her face first then headed downstairs to the restaurant.

    She didn¡¯t have much of an appetite, so she only grabbed some sd and fruit before finding a seat by the window.

    Before she could start eating, Ji Yi saw He Jichen and the other leaders of the production team walk into the restaurant.

    Her gaze was instantly fixed on He Jichen who was so engaged in conversation with the assistant director that he didn¡¯t notice her sitting in the corner.

    This string of people probably just wanted to get a quick meal since they didn¡¯t dine in the private room. Instead, they sat at the biggest table in the restaurant.

    The casting director said a few quick words to the restaurant manager, and soon after, a waiter carried out dishes of food one after the other.

    He Jichen and the assistant director continued their conversation as they ate.

    He Jichen¡¯s seat happened to face Ji Yi, so she could see his injured hand.

    The wound on his right hand probably hadn¡¯t healed yet since he was using his left hand to eat; it was probably inconvenient for him to hold chopsticks with his wounded right hand. It looked like he wasn¡¯t used to it since he seemed to have trouble picking up the food. Perhaps he thought it wasn¡¯t worth the bother so he didn¡¯t eat a lot and put his chopsticks down.

    The group of people looked like they had more to discusster, so they ate quickly and left the restaurant.

    That was when Ji Yi finally withdrew her gaze from He Jichen¡¯s table and started to eat her own food absent-mindedly.

    Ji Yi took just a few bites before she put her fork down and watched as the sky outside turned dark. Then she turned her head and called the waiter. ¡°Excuse me, can I please get a portion of egg fried rice?¡±

    The waiter nodded, but before he could leave, Ji Yi added, ¡°...to take away.¡±

    After about ten minutes, the waiter came out with a bag of egg fried rice to-go and ced it on Ji Yi¡¯s table.

    Ji Yi thanked the waiter. After the waiter left, she stared at the bag for some time before gently biting her bottom lip. Then she got up and picked up the bag.

 Chapter 279

    Chapter 279: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After walking out of the restaurant, Ji Yi walked over to the elevator and hesitantly stared at the floor numbers for a moment before eventually pressing the button for the top floor.

    As the red elevator numbers jumped higher and higher, Ji Yi¡¯s heart grew more nervous. She couldn¡¯t help but clutch onto her bag more tightly.

    When she reached the top floor, the door opened with a ¡°Ding¨D¨D.¡± Ji Yi took a deep breath then walked out.

    Ji Yi followed the long corridor, took two turns and finally saw He Jichen¡¯s room number.

    Ji Yi stopped walking and stared firmly at the door to He Jichen¡¯s room for a long time, but in the end, she didn¡¯t have the courage to knock.

    She started to pace around the door, and the third time she passed by He Jichen¡¯s door, she suddenly took a deep breath. She took one big step towards the door, looked up, and reached for the doorbell.

    Her fingers hadn¡¯t touched the doorbell yet when she felt her confidence slipping.

    Would it seem too out of the blue toe to his room, carrying egg fried rice?

    Ji Yi withdrew her fingers and hesitated for a moment in front of the door. In the end, she chose to give up, but just as she was about to leave, someone from the other side of He Jichen¡¯s door suddenly pulled it open.

    Her entire body shivered in fright as she took two abrupt steps back.

    The person at the door probably didn¡¯t expect to see someone standing outside the door, so when he saw Ji Yi, he let out a ¡°Huh?¡± He got it together and stared at Ji Yi with a stunned expression then said in disbelief, ¡°Miss Ji?!¡±

    Ji Yi forced her racing heart to calm down as she looked up at him.

    She knew him. It was He Jichen¡¯s assistant, Chen Bai.

    ¡°Miss Ji, why are you here?¡± Chen Bai spoke again with an evidently more stable tone of voice which didn¡¯t sound as shocked as before.

    ¡°I...¡± Ji Yi, who didn¡¯t have a well-thought-out reason to see He Jichen, blurted just one word and awkwardly stood there.

    ¡°You¡¯re here for Mr. He?¡± Chen Bai didn¡¯t think too much of it, but seeing as Ji Yi stopped talking, he casually continued for her. Without waiting for Ji Yi to reply, he moved aside to let her in and made a hand gesture to wee her in. ¡°Miss Ji, pleasee in.¡±

    Having been caught in the act, even if she wanted to run away, she couldn¡¯t now... Ji Yi could only put on a brave face and followed Chen Bai into the room.

    He Jichen¡¯s room was frighteningly big. After walking about ten meters, Ji Yi finally saw He Jichen sitting on the sofa in front of the tall windows.

    His head was lowered as he used his left hand to unwrap the bandage from his right hand.

    He probably hadn¡¯t heard her conversation with Chen Bai, so he didn¡¯t look up even when he sensed Chen Baiing back. He continued unwrapping his bandage as he asked dully, ¡°Is there something else?¡±

    ¡°No, but Miss Ji is here,¡± replied Chen Bai.

    He Jichen suddenly stopped what he was doing and slowly looked up from his injured right hand for a moment.

    His lips twitched evidently. The very second he caught sight of Ji Yi, the expression on his face shifted quickly before reverting back to his usual cold grimace.

    He didn¡¯t say anything but averted his gaze from Ji Yi to Chen Bai¡¯s face.

    Chen Bai sensed He Jichen¡¯s re and immediately knew what he meant. Then he quickly eximed, ¡°Mr. He, I still have business to attend to, so I¡¯ll be leaving first.¡±

 Chapter 280

    Chapter 280: You Were Never Alone, You Still Have Me (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After seeing He Jichen¡¯s silent nod, Chen Bai then turned to Ji Yi. ¡°Miss Ji, goodbye.¡±

    ¡°Goodbye,¡± replied Ji Yi so softly that it was difficult to catch.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t mind and he smiled kindly at Ji Yi. He walked around Ji Yi and quickly exited He Jichen¡¯s suite.

    As the door shut gently not too far behind her, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers, holding the bag of takeout, shivered instinctively.

    It was unclear what was on He Jichen¡¯s mind, but after Chen Bai left, his eyes fell on her face. Yet he still didn¡¯t say anything.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart felt nervous as she hadn¡¯t thought about what she was going to say. Now that He Jichen was looking her like that, she becamepletely flustered and instinctively looked down at her feet.

    Without the secretary, Chen Bai, in the room, it instantly seemed a lot quieter and the atmosphere froze over.

    Aside from the sound from the air conditioner, there were no other sounds in the entire room.

    Even though Ji Yi didn¡¯t look at He Jichen, she could still sense his transfixed gaze upon her. Her nervous breathing started to grow unsteady, and just when she couldn¡¯t take it anymore, He Jichen, who had remained quiet throughout, suddenly cleared his throat.

    When Ji Yi heard this, she instinctively looked up and caught He Jichen pointing at the sofa at the side. ¡°Sit.¡±

    Ji Yi quietly let out an ¡°oh¡± and continued to stand where she was for two seconds before she walked over to the sofa. She found a seat some distance away from He Jichen and sat down. Then she added, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply to her word of thanks but raised his chin slightly at the unopened bottle of water on the coffee table. ¡°There¡¯s some water over there.¡±

    Ji Yi knew that he meant for her to drink some water, so she gave him a nod and let out a soft, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    He Jichen probably thought she came to say something really important. With a neutral tone of voice, he continued by saying, ¡°Please wait for a moment.¡±

    Ji Yi let out another ¡°Mhm.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything as he looked down and continued to unwrap the bandage from his right hand.

    Ji Yi sat on the sofa obediently and racked her brain over what she would say if He Jichen asked why she was there to see him.

    The room fell silent once again.

    After about five minutes, Ji Yi furrowed her brows in annoyance as she still couldn¡¯t think of a good excuse. She figured she¡¯d be better off giving up, so she instinctively turned her head to nce over at He Jichen.

    He had removed his bandage. When the wound was first wrapped up, it must¡¯ve been bleeding because the long bandage was all red.

    The wound in his hand had two deep cuts where flesh was exposed. The sight of it was quite shocking to see.

    A new set of bandages, tweezers, cotton balls, alcohol and a few mysterious small white bottles were ced on the table by his left hand. Ji Yi figured those white bottles were probably ointment.

    From what Ji Yi saw, it looked like He Jichen was getting ready to change his bandages on his own.

    After he threw the old bandages into the bin by his side, he picked up the tweezers with his left hand to grab a cotton ball.

    Just like when he was clumsily trying to pick up food with his left hand, he was now trying hard to pick up the cotton ball. He was used to using his right hand, so when he tried to dab the cotton ball into the alcohol, he mistakenly dropped it into the bottle.

 Chapter 281

    Chapter 281: Can You Give Me A Hug? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    A slight look of annoyance suddenly surfaced in his eyes as he fished for the cotton ball in the bottle of alcohol a few times, but he still couldn¡¯t manage to get it out. His brows also started to tighten with annoyance growing in his eyes.

    With some difficulty, He Jichen tried to pinch the cotton ball again, but in the end, he failed once again. Ji Yi, who became anxious just watching him, didn¡¯t think twice about reaching over and holding He Jichen¡¯s hand that held the tweezers.

    Her sudden touch felt like a jolt of electricity to He Jichen, causing his body to tense up. He hesitantly looked up after a few seconds, looking over at her in disbelief.

    When Ji Yi met his gaze, she realized what she had just done and pulled her fingers away from He Jichen¡¯s hand. Her eyes suddenly shifted left and right for a while as her face flushed. A little embarrassed, she softly said, ¡°L-l-let me help you.¡±

    He Jichen stared firmly at Ji Yi without saying a word.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t understand what was going through his mind; she couldn¡¯t tell if he needed help or not, so she didn¡¯t dare reach her hand out again. After some time, seeing as he didn¡¯t respond, she assumed he didn¡¯t actually need her help. Just as she was going to withdraw her hand, He Jichen¡¯s voice floated out: ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Thanks?

    Is he epting my help?

    Ji Yi looked up and shot a nce at him then realized he had his arm out, offering her the tweezers.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything and quickly took the tweezers. She swiftly dipped the cotton ball into the alcohol then ced it onto the wound on He Jichen¡¯s palm.

    Because it wasn¡¯t easy to disinfect the wound, Ji Yi reached her other hand out to steady He Jichen¡¯s right hand.

    Her eyshes gently trembled the moment their fingers touched, and after about three minutes passed, she forced herself to stay calm. She carefully helped disinfect his wound.

    After she finished disinfecting the wound and ced the tweezers down, He Jichen pointed at the bottle of medicine on the table. ¡°That¡¯s the ointment,¡± reminded He Jichen.

    Ji Yi let out an ¡°Oh¡± then picked up the bottle and read the instructions on it before removing the lid. She poured out a little bit of ointment then gently smeared it onto He Jichen¡¯s palm.

    Ji Yi was afraid the medicine would get rubbed away before it could soak into the wound, so she grabbed the bandage and wrapped it around his hand a few times. When she was sure the wound was wrapped up well, she tore off the excess and quietly said, ¡°I¡¯m scared the bandage will fall apart, so I tied a tight knot there for you. When you remove the bandage, just use scissors to cut it.¡±

    He Jichen let out a gentle ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Again, Ji Yi didn¡¯t respond right away. After she carefully secured the bandage, she finally said, ¡°Or you can ask assistant Chen to help.¡±

    This time, He Jichen didn¡¯t let out a peep.

    Ji Yi examined his hand to make sure there weren¡¯t any loose ends then she looked up. She was just about to say ¡°all good¡± when she realized he was staring, transfixed at her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart fell into a daze as the words she was about to say suddenly vanished.

    It wasn¡¯t like she wasn¡¯t aware of how striking he looked, but when their eyes met, she still felt shocked at his stunning looks.

    She never realized just how perfect his eyes were and how impossible they were to break free from. There was a rity in the very depths of those eyes like the vast starry sky and a profound brightness which seduced people easily...

 Chapter 282

    Chapter 282: Can You Give Me A Hug? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure just how long she and He Jichen were staring at each other for. It wasn¡¯t until her legs started to ache from crouching down that she snapped back to her senses.

    She was actually still holding his hand. She hadn¡¯t let go...

    Ji Yi hurriedly turned her gaze away from He Jichen and awkwardly loosened her fingers.

    As the soft sensation of her hand disappeared, He Jichen furrowed his brows and instinctively looked down at his bandaged hand.

    He stared at his empty fingertips for some time before he came to his senses.

    As she applied the medicine, he stared at that serious expression on her face in aplete daze...

    He Jichen secretly took a deep breath as he pushed down the wave of emotions in his chest. That was when he looked up at her.

    She seemed embarrassed so her head was lowered, revealing a tinge of light red on her fair neck.

    The atmosphere in the room became a little awkward since their eyes just met.

    He Jichen lowered his gaze and fell deep in thought for a moment. Then he tried to break the awkwardness. ¡°You...came looking for me?¡±

    ¡°I-I-I-...¡± Ji Yi, who hadn¡¯t thought of a good excuse, felt even more dumbfounded by He Jichen¡¯s question. She stammered for a long time before her eyes swept over to the takeout box on the coffee table. Just to mask her odd behavior, she handed He Jichen the bag. ¡°...I came to drop off some food!¡±

    ¡°Drop off...some food?¡± He Jichen was transfixed by what Ji Yi said.

    Seeing He Jichen¡¯s reaction, Ji Yi realized what she just said.

    Seeing as he hadn¡¯t eaten much for dinner, she uncharacteristically ordered a portion of egg fried rice and delivered it to his room. But because they weren¡¯t very close, she wavered at his door for quite some time, hesitating to knock... In the end, how did she manage to blurt out what she originally couldn¡¯t bear to say...

    To not embarrass herself, Ji Yi instinctively started to exin herself: ¡°...In the evening, I saw that you didn¡¯t eat much at the restaurant, so...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she suddenly stopped.

    Deep down, she was ovee with an urge to bite off her tongue.

    She wanted to give herself a way out, to not make herself look so helpless, but how did it be even more of a mess the more she tried to exin...

    Ji Yi hung her head down even lower. Not only did her neck turn red, but her ears turnedpletely red too.

    He Jichen stared at Ji Yi as his heart instantly turned soft; he was reduced to aplete mess.

    Though she stammered when she spoke, he could still make out that she saw he hadn¡¯t eaten much at the restaurant, so she especially came to drop off some food for him...

    Does that mean she was worried about me?

    An indescribable sense of joy crept into He Jichen¡¯s heart. He stared at Ji Yi¡¯s eyes with a shocking warmth and said with an unexpectedly soft voice: ¡°You... came here just for that?¡±

    ¡°No, no, no!¡± With no hesitation at all, Ji Yi denied what He Jichen said with three consecutive ¡°No¡¯s.¡±

    The light in He Jichen¡¯s eyes dimmed slightly.

    Ji Yi tightened her balled up fists; she didn¡¯t notice a change in He Jichen¡¯s expression at all. With all her strength, she racked her brain for some time before she finally found an excuse to see He Jichen. She finally cried, ¡°I came to apologize!¡±

 Chapter 283

    Chapter 283: Can You Give Me A Hug? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen furrowed his brows as confusion shed in his eyes.

    Yes yes yes, to apologize... this excuse is practically beyond brilliant!

    Ji Yi secretlyplimented herself on how quick-witted she was as she continued to tell He Jichen: ¡°Even though Qian Ge¡¯s people used so many cheap tricks on me, I still shouldn¡¯t have gone to such drastic measures yesterday. After all, the production team isn¡¯t my home. Topletely readjust the shooting schedule must¡¯ve messed with the actors and troubled the production crew. I¡¯m terribly sorry.¡±

    So she denied me with three consecutive ¡°No¡¯s¡± only because of this... Joy filled He Jichen¡¯s heart as the dullness in his eyes was instantly swept away. His voice sounded a lot softer as he said, ¡°It¡¯s over now, so don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    Ji Yi never imagined He Jichen had such a well-tempered side, so she was stunned as she gently said, ¡°Mhm.¡± Then she quietly nced up at the man.

    With his left hand, he pulled out the box of egg fried rice from the bag she brought.

    Seeing how inconvenient it was for He Jichen to use his left hand in the restaurant, Ji Yi hurriedly reached her hand out to grab the spoon she asked the waiter to pack.

    She pulled the spoon out from the bag and wiped it with a tissue then loosened up the egg fried rice. After she finished scooping with the spoon, she handed it to He Jichen.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t take the spoon after he saw everything she did.

    Ji Yi nced up at He Jichen in confusion; his expression hadn¡¯t changed ¨C he was just as cold as usual, but there was a discreet glimmer of a smile in the corners of his eyes.

    Stunned, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if she was just seeing things when He Jichen¡¯s expression disappeared. He finally reached his hand out to take the spoon from her hands.

    Ji Yi stayed by his side while he ate.

    Seeing how tough it was for him to scoop the rice with his spoon, she reached her hand out and help him stir the rice apart asionally.

    The two of them were in sync. Even though they didn¡¯t really talk to each other, the atmosphere seemed friendly.

    When Ji Yi saw the bottom of the box of egg fried rice, she got up and walked over to the bar counter and made He Jichen a cup of coffee. When she carried the cup back to him, he already finished eating and was tapping away at his phone.

    As Ji Yi gently ced the coffee in front of He Jichen, he looked up and shot her a nce. He pointed over at the sofa beside him and quietly said, ¡°Please wait.¡± Then he lowered his head and tapped away on the phone with his left hand.

    Ji Yi incidentally nced over at He Jichen¡¯s phone to see that he was replying to an email. Realizing that he was dealing with work, she sat silently to the side.

    When she saw He Jichen on his phone, she remembered that she hadn¡¯t touched her phone all day, so she pulled it out of her pocket.

    Ji Yi unlocked the phone screen, opened WeChat out of habit, and noticed a series of notifications. Ji Yi swiped down, and after she finished sending Tang Huahua a reply, she looked down at a familiar name at the bottom of the screen: Yuguang Ge.

    There were two unread messages.

    The timestamp indicated they were sent past one in the morningst night.

 Chapter 284

    Chapter 284: Can You Give Me A Hug? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Last night when she didn¡¯t receive any reply from ¡°He Yuguang,¡± she assumed he already fell asleep, so she put her phone down and slept too.

    She never imagined that he hadn¡¯t actually fallen asleep yet...

    At that thought, Ji Yi tapped into the chat.

    Aside from this ¡°goodnight¡± message, there was another message. The message wasn¡¯t long: ¡°You were never alone, you still have me.¡±

    You were never alone, you still have me... Was Yuguang Ge replying to my message: ¡°I can only rely on myself in this world¡±?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly warmed and she stared transfixed at those words.

    You still have me... Although those four words were simple and they weren¡¯t some vow of eternal love or a lover¡¯s gut-wrenching sweet words, she still thought they were unusually heart-warming.

    Yes... As long as you¡¯ve experienced betrayal, the lowest of the low, have nothing left and have to start life all over again, only then will you know that the words that¡¯ll make you feel the most secure in the world aren¡¯t ¡°I love you,¡± ¡°I¡¯ll marry you,¡± ¡°I¡¯ll financially support you,¡± nor ¡°together¡±... but they were ¡°you still have me.¡±

    ...

    After He Jichen finished working, the first thought he had was to look over at Ji Yi.

    She was holding her phone, staring tenderly at something on her screen with a smile on the corners of her lips.

    What¡¯s making her so happy?

    He Jichen was curious, so he instinctively stretched his neck out and nced over at Ji Yi¡¯s phone screen.

    He quickly saw the three words ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡±

    From the conversation on the screen, He Jichen easily recognized that it was WeChat.

    Is she reading the chat between herself and ¡°He Yuguang¡±?

    He Jichen¡¯s brows twitched and he stretched his neck out further to get a better look at Ji Yi¡¯s phone.

    The page disyed the conversation they hadst night.

    At the top were messages she sent him, but at the very end were his replies to her.

    Is she really this happy over that conversation with ¡°He Yuguang¡±?

    Deep down, He Jichen started to feel an intensely bitter feeling. The next second, with his very own eyes, he saw Ji Yi gently stroke the words ¡°You were never alone, you still have me¡± on her phone.

    So, she isn¡¯t happy because of the conversation between her and ¡°He Yuguang,¡± but because of those words themselves?

    He Jichen¡¯s heart was struck by a piercing sharp pain as he instinctively turned his head and looked out the window.

    Didn¡¯t I send those words to herst night to cheer her up?

    Now that she¡¯s so happy, shouldn¡¯t I feel happy too?

    So there¡¯s nothing to be sad about... I achieved my goal, didn¡¯t I?

    He Jichen repeatedly tried tofort himself for a long time before the pain subsided.

    He shifted his line of sight and he silently stared at the reflection of her silhouette through the window for a while. Just as he was about to turn his head and say something to her, his phone started to ring.

    The sudden ring woke Ji Yi up.

    When He Jichen picked up the phone, he watched through the reflection on the window as Ji Yi¡¯s fingers quivered while grabbing her phone.

    He Jichen¡¯s gaze lingered over Ji Yi for two seconds then he looked down at the phone screen.

    When he saw the name on his phone screen, he instinctively nced at Ji Yi.

 Chapter 285

    Chapter 285: Can You Give Me A Hug? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When he saw who was calling, he instinctively looked up and shot Ji Yi a nce.

    He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to pick up the call, so he got up and walked further away from Ji Yi before tapping the screen to take the call.

    It was very quiet in the room, so even though He Jichen deliberately put some distance between himself and Ji Yi, she still managed to hear him say ¡°hello.¡± After being startled by his phone ringing, Ji Yi slowly turned her head and looked over towards him.

    He stood with his tall and slender back to her.

    The dazzling light prated through the window andnded on his body as he stood in front of the tall windows. With the radiating light pouring in, it formed a makeshift halo around him, making him seem deep and mysterious.

    At that moment, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t quite tear her gaze away, nor could she shake the thought: I haven¡¯t seen him for a few years, and he¡¯s actually grown to be quite charming. There was a distinguishing air about him as bright as the dazzling light which actually adorned him quite well.

    As Ji Yi was lost in her own world, He Jichen, who stood far away, spoke quietly again: ¡°What did you find out?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t clear what the person on the other side of the phone said, but after a couple seconds, He Jichen spoke again: ¡°How was it?¡±

    With that, He Jichen remainedpletely silent.

    The person on the phone must¡¯ve been speaking non-stop as He Jichen didn¡¯t for a second remove the phone from his ear.

    She wasn¡¯t sure what the other person was reporting to him, but after about two minutes, Ji Yi clearly saw He Jichen¡¯s silhouette shake violently for a moment. With that, his posture became a little tense.

    He had his back turned to her so she couldn¡¯t see his facial expression, but she sensed something about him was off in that moment.

    He remained silent as he listened to the call. Finally, he spoke again with a little tremble in his voice: ¡°It¡¯s been confirmed?¡±

    Perhaps the person on the phone replied to him because secondster, his fingers seemed to suddenly tremble for a moment.

    He didn¡¯t say anything but maintained his posture as he listened to the call. However, Ji Yi could see how his knuckles protruded while he gripped his phone more tightly.

    The person on the phone must¡¯ve spoken for a long time or something triggered He Jichen because his body started to stagger like he¡¯d lost it. All of a sudden, the phone slipped from his fingers and crashed hard to the ground.

    With the loud ¡°Pap!¡± Ji Yi bolted up from the sofa.

    Although Ji Yi and He Jichen were some distance apart, Ji Yi could still hear a man cry out in a high pitch, ¡°Chen Ge, what¡¯s wrong?¡± The man on the phone must¡¯ve heard the phone drop.

    He Jichen stood in the distance, stunned like his soul had left his body. He must¡¯ve noticed his phone had fallen to the ground or heard the person on the phone screaming for him as he slowly turned around.

    Ji Yi only glimpsed the side of his face, yet she realized just how frighteningly pale it looked.

    Her heart thumped ¡°ka-donk!¡± and before she could ask He Jichen what was wrong, he already ran into the bathroom in a panic.

    Ji Yi was left stunned, staring at the bathroom door which was locked from the inside. Then she heard a voice from He Jichen¡¯s phone, ¡°Chen Ge?¡±

 Chapter 286

    Chapter 286: Can You Give Me A Hug? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She instinctively looked back at the phone on the floor in front of the tall windows. The screen flickered on and off, and she could still hear the sound of someone on the phone every so often.

    Ji Yi hesitated for a moment but eventually, she walked over and bent down to pick up He Jichen¡¯s phone.

    From the call screen, Ji Yi could see that the name disyed was ¡°Han Zhifan.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know much about Han Zhifan, but she knew he was a local, rich friend of He Jichen.

    ¡°Chen Ge, don¡¯t be too sad...¡± said Han Zhifan again.

    Ji Yi hurriedly raised the phone to her ear and gently told Han Zhifan that He Jichen couldn¡¯t hear him right now. ¡°Hello, Mr. Han. Director He isn¡¯t on his phone right now. He¡¯s in the bathroom.¡±

    The phone instantly fell silent.

    After some time passed, Han Zhifan spoke again. ¡°Is Chen Ge in his room?¡±

    If He Jichen wasn¡¯t in his own room, whose room would he be in?

    Ji Yi thought Han Zhifan asked a ridiculous question but she politely replied, ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go...¡± On the phone, it sounded like Han Zhifan muttered something that resembled swear words then he asked, ¡°So, you¡¯re... the supporting actress for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± Ji Yi?¡±

    ¡°Eh?¡± I¡¯ve never introduced myself before... Ji Yi was stunned. After a few seconds, she said inquisitively, ¡°Have... we met?¡±

    ¡°Must we have met? It¡¯s easy to guess! Chen Ge¡¯s room...¡± Han Zhifan only said half of what he was going to say when he realized that he already revealed too much, so he suddenly swallowed thetter half of his sentence. ¡°... do you think just anyone can casually walk in?¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t finish speaking so Ji Yi was a little confused. After she let out an ¡°Mm?¡± she was about to say ¡°What?¡± when Han Zhifan changed the topic. ¡°Right! How is Chen Ge right now?¡±

    ¡°He...¡± Ji Yi lost her train of thought, nced over at the bathroom door, and answered honestly. ¡°...hasn¡¯te out of the bathroom.¡±

    Han Zhifan dragged out a long ¡°Oh...¡± as he started thinking...

    In all the years I¡¯ve known He Jichen, I¡¯ve never seen him so moved by a girl before.

    He Jichen must be devastated right now after learning the truth, and the only person in the world who canfort him and make him feel better might just be on the phone with me right now?

    With that thought, Han Zhifan spoke again, ¡°...Chen Ge¡¯s probably not feeling too good. If you aren¡¯t busy, please stay with him a little longer...¡±

    Han Zhifan was afraid that what he said wouldn¡¯t be enough for Ji Yi to care, so after a pause, he continued with a serious tone of voice, ¡°...If he doesn¡¯te out of the bathroom after a long period, you have to check on him. Don¡¯t let anything happen to him while he¡¯s alone in there...¡±

    ...

    On the other side of the locked bathroom door, He Jichenpletely copsed against the wooden door.

    He shut his eyes and stayed there silently for a while before he dared to think back on what Han Zhifan just told him over the phone.

    ¡°Chen Ge, I investigated what you told mest night. Four years ago, Ji Yi had her abortion at the Health Care Center for Women and Children.¡±

    ¡°But it wasn¡¯t really an abortion per se because the circumstances were a little special. She could never have kept the child.¡±

 Chapter 287

    Chapter 287: Can You Give Me A Hug? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°She had an ectopic pregnancy. When they found out what it was, she was already two months pregnant. The doctor said it was probably her first pregnancy and she didn¡¯t really have any experience. Her period waste, yet she didn¡¯t go to get it checked. She waited until her abdomen hurt and started bleeding before someone took her to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°Ectopic pregnancies are really dangerous, so when she was taken to the hospital and showed signs of bleeding, the situation was dire. The doctor arranged for an emergency operation.¡±

    ¡°During the operation, she bled excessively. I took a trip to the Health Care Center for Women and Children where she had her operation and spoke with the doctor to get an understanding of what happened. She said that at the time, Ji Yi almost lost her life on the operating table. Her heart really stopped beating, but the doctor practically called all the resident doctors over. They resuscitated her for two whole minutes before they pulled her back from death¡¯s door...¡±

    Ectopic pregnancy, bleeding, emergency operation, excessive bleeding, heart stopped beating, at death¡¯s door... He Jichen¡¯s heart was tugged harshly as each and every one of those cruel words shed across his mind.

    They were young back then. At Sucheng Yizhong, her one phrase ¡°Give them a condom each¡± and the silhouette of her back caught He Jichen¡¯s attention.

    At the time, he was young and reckless, fearless of any consequences, and grossly overestimated himself because of his ignorance about the world. He took advantage of the fact that nobody dared to mess with him at Sucheng Yizhong to order Fatty to search through all the ssrooms, looking for her.

    From the very moment he bumped into her at his house, he quietly and unknowingly started to change for her.

    He studied hard just to help her highlight the key points in her textbook.

    He stopped staying outte and came home on time, just to see her.

    He protected her no matter what. He protected her so much that his underlings didn¡¯t dare disturb her in fear that if they spoke out of turn to her and upset her, they¡¯d be dragged out to the grove behind the school for a violent beating.

    He figured that he did so much for her. He came from a good background and he was surrounded by people who served him well. When did he ever have to work to win anyone¡¯s favor? So, when he found out that the person in Ji Yi¡¯s heart wasn¡¯t him, he was jealous, envious, and assumed that she didn¡¯t know a good thing when she saw it...

    He really considered wiping her clean from his world and finding someone better, but he couldn¡¯t do it. Yet, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to see her, so he sneakily came to visit her once a month in Beijing.

    At the time, he thought he treated her really well... so well in fact that even he was touched. So after they met again, he couldn¡¯t take it when she tried to distance herself, run away from him, or wanted to have nothing to do with him. Whenever he couldn¡¯t handle how she treated him, he thought up ways to hurt her the same way she hurt him.

    He didn¡¯t realize until after he took Han Zhifan¡¯s call just now how much of a b*stard, just how repulsive he was.

    Did he love her? He truly loved her. For all his life, he gave her his good side, his bad side, his aggrieved side, his crazy side... everything.

    But his so-called love hurt her the deepest.

    He always thought that Qian Ge setting her up for a car ident which put her in a three-yeara was the vilest, most inexcusable thing to do.

    But he realized in that very moment: how was he any different from Qian Ge? Didn¡¯t he also almost make her lose her life?

    At that thought, He Jichen raised his hand up to his face and harshly pped himself twice on the face.

    Although he realized he loved her, he equally loved preserving his pride and dignity.

    Yeah, he loved her, but he didn¡¯t know how to love, nor had he ever learned how to love.

 Chapter 288

    Chapter 288: Can You Give Me A Hug? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He wasn¡¯t sure if he felt regret or heartache over her almost losing her life four years ago. He Jichen furrowed his brows hard and pursed his lips tightly.

    He felt like something had violently torn his heart apart. The pain made it hard for him to breathe.

    He truly was a b*stard. At first, during the audition for ¡°The Pce¡± when Qian Ge told him Ji Yi hadn¡¯t wanted his child and aborted the baby straight away, he actually believed it. He was actually sad about it.

    He was truly repulsive. He actually had the gall to be jealous when he saw how she smiled as she read He Yuguang¡¯s message?

    It hurt. His heart really hurt. It hurt so much he thought he was going to die.

    But the pain he felt wasn¡¯t for himself but it was for her.

    So this is what real heartache feels like; a pain that makes you wish you were dead, a heart-torn, gut-wrenching feeling...

    He Jichen¡¯s entire body started to tremble from the pain then he forced himself to walk over to the sink. He stroked the ashtray, lit a cigarette, and started to take big drags as though he was torturing himself.

    ...

    After hanging up Han Zhifan¡¯s call, Ji Yi started to worry since He Jichen still hadn¡¯te out from the bathroom. She circled the room twice over. She couldn¡¯t help but walk over to the bathroom door, raise her hand, and knock the door.

    She was met with a wall of silence.

    Ji Yi waited for some time, but seeing as there seemed to be no movement at the door, she couldn¡¯t help but put her ear to the door.

    It wasn¡¯t clear if the hotel was soundproof, but Ji Yi tried to listen intently for a long time, yet she still couldn¡¯t hear any movement.

    What¡¯s he doing inside? Did I knock too softly so he hasn¡¯t heard me?

    With that thought, Ji Yi knocked on the door again but this time, she knocked harder than before.

    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± rang the door for some time, but there was no sign of it opening.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart started to grow a little uneasy.

    Something couldn¡¯t have happened like Han Zhifan said, right? He Jichen doesn¡¯t look like someone who would take things too hard... But when he went to the bathroom, he really didn¡¯t look too good. Han Zhifan even told me that if he doesn¡¯te out from the bathroom, I should definitely go check on him...

    At that thought, Ji Yi waspletely rattled. She went from smacking the door to kicking it until her feet hurt, but there was still no reaction from the person inside the bathroom.

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi stopped caring about anything else. She walked around the room turning things over and throwing things around left and right until the entire room was in shambles. Yet she still couldn¡¯t find anything to break the door.

    She was so worried that her forehead was drenched in sweat. Then she rushed over to the bathroom door and kicked it with all her might.

    The sheer pain from the blow against her feet made her eyes water.

    She raised her leg to hug her foot. Then, she suddenly had an idea. She hobbled out of He Jichen¡¯s room and chose the room opposite and hurled herself at the door, kicking and punching.

    ¡°Who is it?!¡± Because the smacking at the door was non-stop, the person who opened it was little annoyed. After his angry reply to Ji Yi, he pulled the door open.

    It was the assistant director who opened the door. Over his shoulder, Ji Yi saw that the casting director and the male lead were sitting in his room.

    There was a te of fruit and beers on the table. The three of them were probably hanging out.

    The assistant director was clearly stunned to see Ji Yi as he cried ¡°Ji Yi?¡± in disbelief. Before he could ask why she was there, Ji Yi reached her hand out, grabbed the assistant director by the arm, and dragged him into He Jichen¡¯s room.

 Chapter 289

    Chapter 289: Can You Give Me A Hug? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi dragged the assistant director all the way to the bathroom door. Without giving him any reason at all, she pointed at the door and said, ¡°Assistant director, quickly think of a way to break the door down!¡±

    Break the door down?

    The assistant director silently looked at Ji Yi like she was crazy.

    Seeing as the assistant director didn¡¯t move, Ji Yi ushered him again, ¡°Assistant director, what are you doing looking so stunned? Hurry!¡±

    ¡°No, out of nowhere, you want me to break...¡±

    Before the assistant director could finish, Ji Yi was in such a hurry that she looked like she was going to stomp angrily at any time. She cried, ¡°Assistant director! Quit asking so many questions and quickly break down the door, alright?! He Jichen¡¯s in there! If you act too slow, someone¡¯s going to die!¡±

    Die?

    When he heard those words, the assistant director burst outughing. ¡°Ji Yi, your joke is pretty good...¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not joking. It¡¯s true, He Jichen has been in the bathroom for some time now and he still hasn¡¯te out. He didn¡¯t look good when he walked in, and Han Zhifan just advised me that if he doesn¡¯te out, I have to go in to check on him. He said something will happen to him...¡± The more Ji Yi spoke, the more anxious she got as tears started to pour out.

    Seeing how distressed she looked, the assistant director started to take her seriously. ¡°You¡¯re saying Han Zhifan advised you?¡±

    Ji Yi nodded.

    The expression on the assistant director¡¯s face changed, and without any hesitation, he yelled for the casting director and male lead toe over.

    The casting director and male lead saw the anxiety on the assistant director¡¯s face and realized it was an emergency. Without asking, they immediately followed the assistant director¡¯s n. The three of them got together and charged at the door, kicking it open.

    As the door fell to the ground, it let out a loud ¡°Bang¨D¨D.¡± The sight of He Jichen leaning against the sink while smoking came into view.

    He Jichen, who was immersed in his own thoughts, furrowed his brows and looked up at the four people on the other side of the door.

    After meeting his gaze, they werepletely frozen on the spot.

    The assistant director, who stood right in the middle, stared at He Jichen in a daze. He finally realized something.

    Didn¡¯t she say... someone¡¯s going to die?

    The assistant director turned around and nced at Ji Yi then realized that He Jichen looked just fine. Without thinking twice, he betrayed Ji Yi. ¡°It was Ji Yi¡¯s idea. She said you wanted tomit suicide...¡±

    As the assistant director finished speaking, He Jichen¡¯s gaze fell on Ji Yi¡¯s face.

    This group of people had been around He Jichen for a long time, so they knew just how frightening his temper was and were afraid he¡¯d get angry. Seeing that he was looking at Ji Yi, the assistant director used that opportunity to shoot nces at the other two next to him. Then the three of them quickly slipped out of He Jichen¡¯s room.

    The sound of the door closing dumfounded Ji Yi and woke her up from her daze.

    She finally realized his gaze had drifted to the mess around the room behind her.

    Didn¡¯t Han Zhifan tell me that something would happen? But in the end, he was just in the bathroom smoking. Meanwhile, Ipletely turned his room upside down...

    Ji Yi awkwardly bit her bottom lip, looked down, and spoke in a quiet voice, ¡°Han Zhifan told me that something was going to happen to you...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but let his gaze fall back onto Ji Yi. He saw her fair neck was drenched in sweat.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare look at He Jichen. She waited for a while, but seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t react, all she could do was continue to exin herself in a somber voice. ¡°...I knocked on the door for so long, but you didn¡¯t even react. I thought it was just as Han Zhifan said, that you...¡±

 Chapter 290

    Chapter 290: Can You Give Me A Hug? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Up until that point, Ji Yi hadn¡¯t finished saying the two words mit suicide¡± when she suddenly fell silent for two seconds. Then she timidly said, ¡°Don¡¯t be mad. When I saw you go into the bathroom with that awful look on your face, I was a little worried, so...¡±

    Worried? He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled slightly as he pinched the cigarette.

    Ji Yi looked down and thought about it for a moment then continued to quietly say, ¡°I¡¯ll help you pay for any damages to the room. About the room... I¡¯ll tidy it up for you now...¡±

    As she said that, Ji Yi turned around.

    Before she could approach the mess on the ground, He Jichen suddenly raised his hand, threw his cigarette into the trash can, and took big strides over to her.

    Ji Yi sensed He Jichen drawing close as she instinctively turned her head. Before she caught sight of his eyes, he grabbed her arm and pulled her swiftly into his arms, embracing her tightly.

    The man¡¯s unique scent instantly enveloped Ji Yi¡¯s entire body.

    She was stunned at first, but after three whole seconds, she realized what they were doing. Her body froze, her heart was startled, and a secondter, she was so flustered that she started to struggle out of He Jichen¡¯s embrace.

    He Jichen realized what she was doing, because the moment she struggled, he hugged her even more tightly. He didn¡¯t give her the slightest opportunity to break free.

    Through the man¡¯s thin clothing, Ji Yi could clearly feel the warmth radiating from his body.

    Her heartbeat and consciousness started to be confused, shy, and ufortable. She nervously held her breath and her face looked like it was on fire as it waspletely flushed and warm.

    She wanted to struggle out of his grip so badly.

    He Jichen remembered the wound on her waist, so he didn¡¯t dare hug her too tight because he was afraid to hurt her. At the same time, she fought him even harder, but just as she was going to break free from his embrace, he suddenly said, ¡°Can you give me a hug?¡±

    He sounded very gently, yet there was an indescribable sense of sadness.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart felt like it had been pierced by something as a sharp pain started to surface. All of a sudden, she came to aplete stop, frozen on the spot.

    After about three seconds, Ji Yi cried, ¡°I...¡±

    She said just one word, but He Jichen figured she was going to reject him, so he quickly spoke first. ¡°Give me a hug. Just for a while. Just a while...¡±

    He Jichen sounded a lot gentlerpared to how sad he sounded a moment ago. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if it was all in her head, but she thought she actually heard him beg.

    For a man so arrogant and proud, why would he beg anything of me?

    In the midst of Ji Yi¡¯s astonishment, she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice from above her head. ¡°...as friends. Is that okay?¡±

    Friend... To Ji Yi, he was once her most important friend when they were young...

    Ji Yi wanted to reject He Jichen but the words seemed lodged in her throat. No matter how hard she tried, the words wouldn¡¯te out.

    Her silence and hesitation gave He Jichen a sliver of hope as he slowly tightened his arms, hugging her in his arms.

    Unlike before when she tried to push away from him, her body was now tensed up.

    He carefully held her a little tighter. Seeing as she didn¡¯t fight back, he slowly lowered his head and buried his face in her hair.

 Chapter 291

    Chapter 291: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    His tenderness made Ji Yi¡¯s fingers quiver as she instinctively looked up.

    She still hadn¡¯t reciprocated with a hug when his words rang in her ears again. Her hands suddenly stopped in mid-air.

    Though she didn¡¯t know what Han Zhifan told him over the phone, she could tell he was devastated. The only reason he hugged her like that was probably because he wanted someone tofort him...

    Ji Yi lifted her fingers and balled her hands into fists. She seemed to be torn over something. After some time, she eventually sank her body inward and stopped fighting his loving embrace.

    It was just as he remembered. Her hair still smelled sweet.

    It was the same sweetness he had countless dreams about over the past few years.

    In that very instant, He Jichen was in a slight trance, feeling like it was all an illusion.

    He gently pressed her back with his fingers. She was real and she was soft to the touch. This feeling made his heart much more at ease.

    He never imagined that he would actually have an opportunity in his lifetime to actually hug her like this...

    A wave of intense emotions instantly engulfed He Jichen¡¯s entire body, and with it came infinite satisfaction and contentment. He gently rubbed his cheek against her hair then irresistibly embraced her tighter and deeper.

    The room was very quiet. It was so quiet in fact that Ji Yi and He Jichen could hear the sound of one another¡¯s heartbeats and breaths.

    Such a gentle, beautiful, and delicate experience made He Jichen¡¯s pained heart gradually calm down after being shocked from receiving Han Zhifan¡¯s call. When he caught the subtle scent of her body, he sinfully and seriously started to reflect on everything that happened between them.

    He always thought he loved her... until tonight, when he got Han Zhifan¡¯s phone call. It was only after the heart-piercing pain of regret that he learned that he never treated her with love; it was only ever ¡°like.¡± It was only when you liked someone that you wanted to love each other and kill each other simultaneously, feel bitter at heart, put in hard work yet want to to be repaid, and strive to win but end up hurting both parties.

    It was only when you liked someone that you would be so immature and have such extreme thoughts.

    True love wasn¡¯t like this.

    True love wasn¡¯t just about liking someone and thinking about the other person while they thought about you.

    True love was him being okay, knowing that she was okay.

    It was a shame that he was confused for far too long. He learned this far toote and made her endure so much hurt, making her suffer so much.

    At that thought, He Jichen couldn¡¯t help but gradually tighten his arms. His attitude radically changed as he looked at her in a different way.

    Sorry Ji Yi, I learned how to love far toote.

    Sorry C girl. I said I¡¯d protect you, but I ended up hurting you the most.

    Sorry, I¡¯m truly sorry. On your road to growth, I forced you to mature on your journey. I also hurt you so badly.

    It was unclear just how long the two of them stood there, silently hugging each other. It wasn¡¯t until Ji Yi¡¯s legs started to ache from standing that she raised her leg, shifting gently. He Jichen, who had been hugging her without moving an inch, slowly moved his head away from her hair.

    His palm on her back lingered there for a while before he slowly loosened his fingers as though he couldn¡¯t bear to tear away. Little by little, he withdrew his hand from her back.

    After his hand hadpletely left her body, He Jichen took a step back to put some distance between the two of them.

 Chapter 292

    Chapter 292: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi felt a slight chill as she tore away from his embrace. She furrowed her brows and instinctively nced up at He Jichen.

    She could sense his gaze right at her and the thought of their hug just now suddenly appeared in Ji Yi¡¯s mind, causing her face to instantly turn red. In a panic, she lowered her head in confusion, avoiding his gaze.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze fell to her own feet as He Jichen, who was standing in front of her, spoke. Rather than the sad tone of voice he used when he first hugged her, He Jichen spoke with his usual elegance: ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Is he thanking me for the hug just now?

    That hug was just too affectionate, so Ji Yi couldn¡¯t bring herself to say ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Instead, she just gently shook her head.

    She knew that the hug didn¡¯t mean anything, but it was all that was on her mind. She was afraid He Jichen could tell she was affected strongly by the hug, so after she shook her head, she stopped for a few seconds and hurriedly said goodbye. ¡°It¡¯ste; I have to head back.¡±

    When she finished speaking, Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen¡¯s response before she turned around and headed for the door.

    He Jichen stood rooted to the spot. He stared at her back silently without flinching.

    She weaved around the sofa and the mess scattered around the floor before reaching the entrance. That was when he suddenly moved his lips: ¡°Ji Yi.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s hurried footsteps came to an abrupt halt. After a few seconds, she looked back at him.

    She didn¡¯t say anything, but her gaze was silently asking him if there was anything else?

    He Jichen met her gaze, transfixed for a long time. Just when Ji Yi thought he wouldn¡¯t reply, the calm expression on his face suddenly turned serious. His tone of voice became incredibly sincere as he said, ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Sorry? Why¡¯s he suddenly saying sorry to me?

    Ji Yi was stunned for a moment as she thought back to the note he wrote for her when they returned to school after Chinese new year, eating at the hot pot restaurant opposite B-Film.

    He said the same thing then: ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Is he now apologizing to me for what happened with Lin Zhengyi?

    When she couldn¡¯t think of any other reason, she asked, ¡°For what happened with Lin Zhengyi?¡±

    She didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to reply before she added, ¡°It¡¯s in the past, so let¡¯s not bring it up again. What¡¯s more, didn¡¯t you already apologize that day at the hot pot-¡±

    Just before Ji Yi could finish, He Jichen, who was standing not too far away, stared firmly at her and said, ¡°Not only for this.¡±

    Ji Yi was astonished.

    If it¡¯s not only for this, then what else? Don¡¯t tell me there were things he did behind my back that I don¡¯t know about?

    He Jichen looked at her but didn¡¯t say anything else for a long time.

    His face still had the same, unusually dignified expression.

    After some time passed, He Jichen blinked gently. About ten secondster, his lips finally moved. ¡°Also for that night four years ago.¡±

    Ji Yi, who hadn¡¯t quitee back to her senses from what He Jichen said, waspletely stunned when she heard this.

    He-he¡¯s actually... apologizing for what happened that night four years ago?

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes suddenly turned sore as she instinctively turned her head and averted her gaze.

    The room fell silent once again.

    After the atmosphere slowly mellowed out from He Jichen¡¯s sudden apology, He Jichen didn¡¯t really expect Ji Yi to forgive him right away. He said in a rxed voice, ¡°Ah right! The production team is going to have a party next Friday. Don¡¯t forget toe.¡±

 Chapter 293

    Chapter 293: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    This was perhaps the first time she¡¯d been invited to a party for the cast and crew since she joined the production team for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± over a month ago...

    A sh of astonishment evidently crossed Ji Yi¡¯s eyes, and after a while, she realized that she hadn¡¯t responded to He Jichen. Overwhelmed by his tenderness, Ji Yi looked over at He Jichen and swiftly yet softly nodded her head twice. ¡°Got it.¡±

    He Jichen stared at Ji Yi¡¯s slender frame for a moment and said, ¡°You better head back to get some rest.¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded Ji Yi as she stood in her tracks for a few seconds before turning to face He Jichen and adding: ¡°Goodbye.¡±

    ¡°Goodbye.¡±

    When she heard He Jichen¡¯s response, Ji Yi didn¡¯t hesitate to turn around and walked over to the door. She gently pulled the door open and left He Jichen¡¯s room.

    As soon as the door closed, the room became quieter with He Jichen as the only one left in the room.

    He sent Ji Yi off with his eyes, and he continued to stand there like that for some time before walking over to the sofa. He picked up the phone that Ji Yi had flipped over and ced it on the table. Then he pressed the button for the front desk and called an attendant up to clean up the room.

    Less than two seconds after the call ended, a hotel attendant arrived.

    He Jichen opened the door for them then walked over to the tall windows.

    The attendant moved quietly to avoid disturbing He Jichen. He stared out at the dark night with a hypnotized expression on his face.

    He was in a daze for just a short moment then withdrew his gaze from the window. As he weaved twice around the room, he picked up the phone on the coffee table then he found Chen Bai¡¯s number and made a call.

    The sky was dark and Chen Bai was most probably asleep. As the call was waiting to be connected, it rang a few times before the call went through. From the other side of the phone, he heard Chen Bai¡¯s groggy voice, ¡°Mr. He?¡±

    ¡°Mhm...¡± responded He Jichen nonchntly then he waited twenty seconds. He figured Chen Bai must¡¯ve woken up by then, so he got straight to the point, ¡°Book arge party room at the Grand Hyatt for next Friday.¡±

    ¡°Next Friday?¡± Chen Bai hesitated for a moment then continued to ask, ¡°Mr. He, you have a very important dinner in Hangzhou next Friday...¡±

    ¡°Cancel it.¡± In contrast with Chen Bai¡¯s hesitation, He Jichen sounded incredibly clear and decisive.

    ¡°Cancel it? Mr. He, that¡¯s a bit hard. You know there¡¯ll be governmental officials there...¡±

    ¡°If it can¡¯t be canceled, arrange for someone else to go. I have even more important matters to attend to...¡± He Jichen didn¡¯t give Chen Bai a chance to talk him out of it before he continued to give a series of instructions in a neutral voice.

    At the office, He Jichen¡¯s instructions were always like gold ¨C he only said them once, and if you performed poorly, you were bound to be lectured.

    But today, after he finished giving his instructions, He Jichen added, ¡°You got all that?¡±

    ¡°More or less...¡±

    He Jichen furrowed his brows at Chen Bai¡¯sst three words. More or less? Not one item on the list of instructions could be amiss!

    A secondter, He Jichen cut off Chen Bai, ¡°Turn on yourputer now or find a pen and paper. Note down everything I say without leaving a single letter out!¡±

    No way? He usually wants notes taken down for him, but now, he needs notes taken down for a casual party?

    Over the phone, Chen Bai was just a second too slow as He Jichen said with a hidden yet immensely oppressive tone of voice, ¡°Ready?¡±

 Chapter 294

    Chapter 294: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Bai was so frightened that he stopped breathing for a moment. Then he immediately got out of bed and fumbled over to turn on theputer.

    ¡°Ready, Mr. He...¡±

    As Chen Bai said this, He Jichen repeated every instruction he gave over the phone once more.

    He Jichen was a little worried and afraid that Chen Bai would miss something, so after he repeated the instructions, he asked Chen Bai to repeat each and every word of his notes. It wasn¡¯t until He Jichen confirmed that Chen Bai hadn¡¯t missed a single word that he put the phone down.

    ¨C

    Back in Ji Yi¡¯s room, after she finished freshening up, she picked up her phone out of habit and sent a message to ¡°He Yuguang.¡± With her phone in hand, she browsed through Weibo while waiting for his reply.

    It was reallyte, so maybe ¡°He Yuguang¡± was already asleep, or maybe he was busy. When Ji Yi ran out of things to read on Weibo, she still hadn¡¯t received any replies from ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    After returning from Lijiang, she and ¡°He Yuguang¡± always chatted every night before they slept, no matter the topic. However, there was no reply back tonight. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t used to this, so after she put the phone down, she shut her eyes, tossed and turned on the bed for a long while, but couldn¡¯t sleep.

    Eventually, Ji Yi thought she might as well sit up and turned on the lights by the bed. She got out of bed and walked over to the window.

    It was alreadyte at night; everyone in the hotel was probably asleep. Though her windows were closed, it was so quiet that she could hear the faint sound of the sweeping wind outside.

    She stared silently out the window at the night as she reminisced about every little encounter between her and He Yuguang from the past up to the present. She thought back to the words she read tonight in He Jichen¡¯s room: ¡°You were never alone, you still have me¡± and the corners of her mouth couldn¡¯t help but curve into a smile.

    No matter if it was in her youth or the present day ¨C Yuguang Ge always made her feel safe.

    For example, in senior high, her textbook was filled with highlighted points...

    For example, during her three-yeara, he visited her on the eighteenth of every month...

    The more she thought about it, the more her eyes filled with joy, and her heart grew warm.

    However, this wonderful feeling didn¡¯tst long; just as she thought about He Yuguang, she also remembered where she was when she re-read He Yuguang¡¯s message ¨C she was in He Jichen¡¯s room. Eventually, her mind unknowingly wandered to He Jichen.

    What exactly did Han Zhifan tell him to make him so sad? That night, he showed twopletely different sides from the He Jichen she¡¯d always known.

    Also, he actually had such a pitiful side to him when he asked her for a hug.

    Even though so much time had passed since it happened, when Ji Yi¡¯s mind thought back to his request, it still felt like someone pricked her heart; a wave of concentrated pain washed over her.

    Ji Yi worked hard to push that unspeakable feeling of hurt down, but she thought back to tonight¡¯s hug between them again.

    She had already taken a shower and she even changed out of the clothes she hugged him in, but she could still feel the warmth of his embrace.

    Her fingertips suddenly quivered for a moment and her breathing became uncontrobly rattled.

    That was weird; that hug didn¡¯t mean anything. It was just meant tofort him when he was feeling hurt, so why am I so affected by it?

 Chapter 295

    Chapter 295: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi shook her head erratically and pushed all those thoughts to the back of her mind. Caught in a daydream, she took two deep breaths then went back to bed, shut her eyes, and tried to force herself to fall asleep.

    Not long after her mind went nk, it suddenly wandered back to what He Jichen said.

    ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Not only for this but also for that night four years ago.¡±

    She never imagined she would hear He Jichen apologize for their idental night together four whole years ago ¨C one thousand, four hundred and sixty whole days and nights ago. She never thought he would apologize for her first love that ended before it could start...

    Once again, her heart became unbelievably erratic.

    Ji Yi opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

    It was like her ears were bewitched as they rang endlessly with ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry¡± and ¡°Not only for this but also for that night four years ago.¡±

    She wasn¡¯t sure just how many times her mind went over these two sentences. Though she never imagined epting his apology or forgiving him, after she heard him say those words, her heart actually started to waver.

    ¨C

    On the fifth day, Ji Yi¡¯s wound more or less recovered.

    On the seventh evening, Cheng Weiwan came to her room to help her remove the stitches.

    On the eighth morning, Ji Yi returned to the team and continued to shoot her scenes.

    Having returned on set after the chaos of what happened, Ji Yi knew her days at work wouldn¡¯t be as painful as before. When she actually arrived on set, Ji Yi realized that not only would she not have to suffer and spend her days being so careful and alert like before, but the change was as different as night and day.

    At seven in the morning, she arrived on time to set. She figured that she had to line up to get her makeup done like before, but when she showed up at the makeup room, there was a makeup artist immediately avable for her. There were even actors who only had half their makeup done fighting to give her their seat.

    As she got her makeup done, the makeup artist¡¯s assistant would run over to her and bring her water or snacks every now and then.

    Ji Yi, who had never received this kind of treatment, was a little startled by the attention. When she checked out people in the makeup room, trying to figure out what was going on, whoever her eyesnded on stopped what they were doing and shot her friendly smiles back.

    With great confusion, Ji Yi hurriedly ran out of the room with the strange atmosphere right after getting her makeup done. She figured everything would be normal outside, but who knew... When she stepped out, the staff immediately smiled and greeted her one after the other when they saw her. ¡°Good morning, Miss Ji.¡±

    Miss Ji...good morning? Didn¡¯t they always call me Ji Yi or the supporting actress? Howe after seven days, all of them are greeting me so politely?

    Ji Yi secretly pinched herself to make sure she wasn¡¯t dreaming. Then she hurriedly smiled back at the people who greeted her.

    Who would¡¯ve imagined... when she smiled, they smiled even brighter. All Ji Yi could do was try her hardest to ster a smile on her face. It was painful, just looking at her face. All Ji Yi could do was rush over to the horse training site nearby where there were fewer people around.

    On her way there, whenever Ji Yi bumped into someone, they would stop and politely say ¡°hello.¡±

    After finding an isted ce to hide with much difficulty, Ji Yi let out a sigh of relief. But before she could have two minutes of peace, the casting director and assistant director¡¯s assistant happened to pass by her for some reason.

 Chapter 296

    Chapter 296: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When the little assistant saw her, she first shot her a bright smile then walked over and gave a bow of respect. ¡°Good morning, Miss Ji.¡±

    The casting director was responsible for casting, and he was also responsible for future casting for new series under his management, so all the actors on set not only kissed up to him for future roles, but they were also very polite towards his little assistant whenever they saw her. Yet, the assistant was actually bowing to her, a newbie, the supporting actress...

    Ji Yi was so stunned that she took a step back. A secondter, Ji Yi bowed back at the little assistant and greeted her cheerfully. ¡°Good morning. Busy?¡±

    Seeing Ji Yi bow, the little assistant bowed even lower and replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m just checking to see if the set is ready.¡±

    All Ji Yi could do was follow the little assistant¡¯s actions and bow. ¡°You¡¯re working hard, I see.¡±

    The little assistant then bowed even lower. ¡°No, not at all. It¡¯s all part of my job. Miss Ji, I¡¯ll be off to work now.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Seeing as the little assistant bowed with each time she spoke, all Ji Yi could do was continue bowing too.

    ¡°Goodbye.¡± The little assistant didn¡¯t straighten up at all as she said goodbye then took a few steps back before leaving.

    Seeing as she bowed, Ji Yi also followed suit. It was only when the assistant left that Ji Yi straightened up. She reached her arm back and rubbed her waist as her wound started to hurt. Then she patted her chest to soothe her frightened heart.

    Ji Yi was afraid there were more odd situations toe, so she nced left and right, trying to figure out where to hide. Who knew that before she could find a good hiding spot, a young woman holding an umbre woulde running over to her. ¡°Miss Ji, why are you here alone? The sun is too strong, you mustn¡¯t burn. There¡¯s some distance to walk to get to the set, so let me take you to the lounge to get some rest.¡±

    Ji Yi thought her experience from that morning was already too much. She never imagined that several people would surround her the very second after she finished shooting her first scene! Someone handed her water, another held an umbre for her, another helped retouch her makeup... she was so well taken care of that it seemed like she wasn¡¯t there to shoot but was there instead as an empress.

    With the group of people crowding around her, Ji Yi and the production team went to the hotel restaurant together after the afternoon scenes were shot.

    Just as she finished cing her order, before she could even choose a seat, someone greeted her enthusiastically again. There were also people who were so over-the-top that they helped her wipe down her table and chair with a tissue, even though they¡¯d already been cleaned.

    After her meal, Ji Yi went to the restroom. Since the entire production team was there, everyone was lining up to use the restroom.

    Some saw Ji Yi walk in and immediately smiled, bowed, and greeted her, ¡°Hello, Miss Ji.¡±

    As they said this, people who hadn¡¯t noticed Ji Yi all turned their heads, one after the other, just to say ¡°hello.¡±

    Just as Ji Yi¡¯s face started to ache from returning their smiles, one of the cubicles opened. As though everyone in the restroom had made prior ns, they all stood aside and said, oddly in unison, ¡°You first, Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi hastily refused their gesture, but who knew that if she didn¡¯t go in, nobody else would either.

    A row of people stood there awkwardly for three whole minutes before Ji Yi gave in. She summoned her courage and forced herself through the crowd and into the cubicle which everyone so modestly declined.

 Chapter 297

    Chapter 297: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi must¡¯ve been frightened by her experience just now in the restroom. She originally wanted to use the toilet, but she had to sit on the toilet for three whole minutes before she could summon the urge to go.

    Ji Yi smiled as she stepped out of the cubicle and passed the row of people. When she reached the sink, she turned the tap on and carefully washed her hands. Just as she was about to wipe the water from her hands, a tissue appeared before her eyes.

    Having experienced surprising situations early that afternoon, Ji Yi was still truly shocked. She stared at the tissue for two seconds before she looked up as she grabbed it. There was a woman about twenty-five or six years old who was smiling right at her with bright eyes.

    Ji Yi gulped hard to steady her pounding heart. She smiled and said, ¡°Thank you,¡± as she took the tissue.

    After drying her hands, she was just about to throw the tissue into the trash can when the woman who passed her the tissue earlier reached out and took the tissue from her. She walked over to trash can and tossed it in.

    Having received such overly enthusiastic treatment, when Ji Yi exited the restroom, she didn¡¯t dare return to the restaurant. Instead, she headed directly over to the set.

    It was still too early to shoot, but she was afraid to bump into more overly friendly people from the set, forced to exchange smiles with them, so she figured that she might as well find a sofa by the window to sit on. She shut her eyes and pretended to sleep.

    The warm sun beat down on her body through the window, making her feel unusuallyfortable. Ji Yi, who had just been pretending to sleep, actually managed to fall asleep.

    When she woke up, the sun was still shining brightly through the window; the brightness made it a little difficult for her to open her eyes. She raised her hand and gently covered her face for a moment before she heard a ¡°ding dong!¡± from beside her.

    She instinctively turned her head and saw that an actress from the production team had received a message. Instead of actually reading the message, she switched her phone to silent in a panic then looked up at the entrance of the lounge area with fear in her heart.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze happened tond on Chen Bai who was standing at the door, wearing an all-blue suit. He was staring at an actress with a warning look on his face.

    The actress looked so fearful that her face was pale white like she¡¯dmitted a terrible crime.

    Meeting her gaze, Ji Yi furrowed her brows in confusion.

    Chen Bai was staring at her, but why?

    Confused, Ji Yi thought about it as she nced up at the clock on the wall of the lounge.

    It¡¯s already three in the afternoon?

    Didn¡¯t they say they¡¯d start shooting at one? It¡¯s been two hours, so why haven¡¯t they started shooting?

    That¡¯s not right... I identally slept for two hours? The lounge area¡¯s a public space, so why didn¡¯t someone wake me up in the past two hours?

    Chen Bai can¡¯t be staring at that actress just because her phone went off and woke me up, right?

    This whole scene was like deja vu... Back at Sucheng Yizhong when she was young, after she fell asleep on the ssroom desk in the summer afternoons, Fatty stood by the door to prevent anyone from making a single peep... If somebody identally coughed, Fatty would stare at the person with a menacing re...

    As that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she instinctively looked over at the actress whose phone rang. Then she looked over at Chen Bai standing at the door.

    This whole scene was precisely the same as when she was young. Chen Bai was Fatty, and the actress was the senior high student who identally made a sound... Even the series of exaggerated events she had earlier that afternoon were incredibly simr to her senior high school days...

    Deep down inside, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t entirely sure if she was right, when Chen Bai, standing at the door, said, ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji just woke up. Can we get ready to start shooting now?¡±

 Chapter 298

    Chapter 298: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Deep down inside, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t entirely sure if she was right, when Chen Bai, standing at the door, said, ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji has woken up now. Can we get ready to start shooting now?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes naturally followed the direction of the sound to see that Chen Bai was on the phone.

    It was unclear what He Jichen said over the phone, but Chen Bai quickly replied, ¡°Alright. Got it, Mr. He.¡±

    Then Chen Bai removed the phone from his ear. He casually swiped the screen to hang up the call then looked up at everyone in the room. ¡°Get ready, everyone! Be on set in fifteen minutes.¡±

    Before shooting the scene, He Jichen had a lot of matters to attend to. After Chen Bai ryed He Jichen¡¯s instructions, he didn¡¯t stay for long and headed straight out of the lounge.

    After Ji Yi woke up and Chen Bai had left, the room full of people who had been prohibited from making a sound started to talk amongst themselves. Soon afterward, the entire lounge became unusually lively.

    Ji Yi remained in ce, quietly sitting on the sofa. As though she couldn¡¯t hear the chatter around her, she stared at where Chen Bai had been standing in a daze.

    So, it really was as I imagined. All the ¡°frightening¡± things I saw today were all He Jichen¡¯s idea...

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly pounded twice as she felt that time had rapidly turned back that very instant, dragging her back to her adolescence in Sucheng Yizhong.

    Every day of summer that year was just as bright and sunny as today.

    No matter which corner of the school grounds she was in, people would always smile at her younger self, wearing a school uniform.

    She clearly wasn¡¯t someone who had the best rtionship with everyone, but the entire school treated her unbelievably kindly.

    She was never a princess, but she became the princess of Sucheng Yizhong for a whole year.

    That was just like her day on set. She clearly didn¡¯t stand out, but the infinite spotlight on her was greater than that on Qian Ge and the male lead.

    She never was a queen, but He Jichen forcibly built her up to be a queen.

    ¨C

    Because of Ji Yi¡¯s afternoon nap, they hadn¡¯t finished shooting that day¡¯s scenes until the sky outside waspletely dark.

    As usual, there were parties in the evening. Today happened to be Friday, the day of the party He Jichen mentioned, so after the scenes were shot, they wrapped things up at work quickly.

    The party was held at the Grand Hyatt hotel, the ssiest ce in the Hengdian area. It took about twenty minutes to get there by car, so the production team arranged for a coach, which had waited early outside their hotel for them.

    After Ji Yi headed back upstairs, she quickly put on some makeup and got changed. There were already quite a few people on the coach.

    She found a seat randomly. Not long after she passed some time on her phone, the coach was full and the coach driver slowly started the car.

    Arriving at the Grand Hyatt, a group of people got out of the car and entered the lobby, one after the other.

    Ji Yi followed the group of people to the elevator. As she passed the front desk in the lobby, Chen Bai suddenly called out to her, ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi came to a stop then walked towards Chen Bai.

    Chen Bai waited until she came closer to say, ¡°Miss Ji, how is the wound on your waist?¡±

    Why is Chen Bai suddenly caring about me? Did He Jichen have him ask me?

 Chapter 299

    Chapter 299: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Though Ji Yi had her suspicions deep inside, she chose to answer Chen Bai¡¯s question honestly. ¡°It¡¯s more or less better now.¡±

    ¡°Mm...¡± responded Chen Bai as he looked behind Ji Yi, a little distracted. He then said, ¡°...that¡¯s good, that¡¯s good.¡±

    For him to answer like that, Ji Yi didn¡¯t quite know how to respond. In the end, all she could do was address his concern as she said, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± quickly replied Chen Bai. He paused for a moment then asked again as though he was trying too hard to find something to talk about: ¡°How did you feel during today¡¯s filming? Does the wound on your waist hurt?¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt.¡± Ji Yi shook her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s good that it doesn¡¯t hurt...¡± Chen Bai didn¡¯t look at Ji Yi, but his eyes kept wandering around the lobby of the Grand Hyatt like he was looking for something.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Ji Yi again. Seeing as Chen Bai didn¡¯t say anything further, she thought their conversation was over, so she said, ¡°Assistant Chen if there¡¯s nothing else then I¡¯d better head up...¡±

    ¡°No no no...¡± cried Chen Bai anxiously as though he was frightened.

    What joke is this...?

    Chen Bai¡¯s main mission right now was to hold her back so she was thest one to go upstairs. There were still some people in the lobby who hadn¡¯t gotten in the elevator yet and the phone in his pocket hadn¡¯t vibrated to tell him to let her go...

    At that thought, Chen Bai quickly improvised. ¡°Miss Ji, though your stitches have been removed, it doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re all healed... If you have to film tomorrow but you feel unwell, you have to tell me... If you¡¯re in bad shape, the scenes wille out bad too. We must bring our best selves to shoot, that way it¡¯ll move the audience...¡±

    With furrowed brows, Ji Yi stared at Chen Bai talking non-stop.

    Why do I feel like Chen Bai¡¯s acting strange? Not quite the same as usual?

    Ji Yi racked her brain thinking about it for a long time, but she couldn¡¯t figure what was off about him. Seeing as Chen Bai finally stopped talking, she politely replied to everything he said: ¡°Thank you assistant Chen for your concern. I¡¯ll bring my best self to set.¡±

    ¡°Mmhmm, I believe you.¡± Chen Bai nodded profusely. After replying to Ji Yi, he clearly felt his phone vibrating in his pocket for a moment. He pulled it out and nced at it. It was He Jichen calling. Suddenly, he looked like he received the greatest surprise, and a secondter, he told Ji Yi, ¡°Miss Ji, there¡¯s nothing else, so please go ahead.¡±

    Ji Yi looked at Chen Bai with eyes filled with suspicion, but she gave him a nod and said, ¡°Then, assistant Chen, I¡¯ll be off first.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Chen Bai continued to nod profusely as he smiled.

    Ji Yi nced at Chen Bai a few times oddly and said goodbye then turned around and headed for the elevator.

    Ji Yi knew that the party was on the second floor.

    As she stepped out of the elevator, she was just about to find a sign for the drastis Pavilion when a young waitress in a traditional Chinese dress shot her a beaming smile and walked over to her. ¡°Excuse me, do you need some assistance?¡±

    ¡°Where is the drastis Pavilion?¡± asked Ji Yi, trying to save herself the trouble of looking for it.

    ¡°Miss, please follow me.¡± The waitress smiled and pointed to the left as she escorted Ji Yi through the hall with the red carpet.

    When she reached the entrance to the drastis Pavilion, the waitress stopped. She didn¡¯t help Ji Yi open the door, but she turned around and told Ji Yi, ¡°Miss, this is it.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± replied Ji Yi politely.

 Chapter 300

    Chapter 300: Pampered Collectively by the Production Team (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The waitress replied, ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± then quickly walked away in her high heels.

    After the waitress was some distance away, Ji Yi took a few steps forward and stopped in front of the drastis Pavilion. She reached her hands out and pushed the door open.

    The lights were off, so it was pitch-ck.

    With the light from the corridors, Ji Yi saw a line of long tables with all different kinds of gourmet food and good wine.

    The room was big, but with the light from the corridors, she could only see a small area; everything else was hidden in the darkness.

    It was like there was no one in the room...plete silence. There wasn¡¯t even the sound of breathing.

    Ji Yi stopped at the door for some time before she took little steps into the room.

    After she walked about a meter into the room, the door behind her automatically closed shut. Without the light from the corridors, the entire room was frighteningly dark.

    Ji Yi instinctively stopped walking. Deep down inside, she panicked and thought it was a little strange, but her curiosity stopped her from turning around and leaving. Instead, she stood there and scanned all areas of the room, but all she saw was darkness. Ji Yi furrowed her brows and was just about to ask ¡°Is anyone here?¡± when all of a sudden, she saw a bright light from the corners of her eyes.

    She turned around to see a tiny lighting down from the roof, illuminating a round white circle of light on the floor.

    There was a person standing in the white circle wearing a Snow White costume, just like from the fairytale.

    Ji Yi was stunned, but before she could snap back to reality, there was another white circle of light about five meters away from Snow White. Inside the circle was someone dressed in a Cindere costume.

    Another light started to appear, then another and another, with the same short intervals as before. Underneath each light was a person ¨C the Snow Queen, the Little Mermaid, the Little Red Riding Hood, and Sleeping Beauty... practically all the popr fairytale characters appeared.

    Ji Yi turned around non-stop, checking out the people in the costumes. Before she could figure out what was happening, she suddenly heard a muffled ¡°bang.¡±

    Her body shuddered in shock. She patted her chest, and just when she was about to calm down, she saw something glow in the dark in front of her. It looked like snow floating down from the rooftop. After some time, they fell on her and covered the floor all around her.

    The glow in the dark paper was still falling when Ji Yi vaguely heard the door open.

    Her gaze followed the sound, and under the dim circr beams of light, she saw someone pushing a little cart slowly to her.

    The cart was covered, so she couldn¡¯t see what was inside.

    The person pushing the cart was a waitress.

    Just when the cart was about two meters away, the beams of light suddenly went out and the entire room was engulfed in darkness again.

    Ji Yi vaguely heard footsteps of people leaving and others drawing closer.

    They walked gently but she could feel that they moved quickly.

    About three minutester, Ji Yi heard the rustling of what sounded like the cover being removed.

    She instinctively looked over to where the waitress had parked the cart just now, but before she was able to do so, she suddenly heard the smooth sound of a piano. It was ying a melody that she was more than familiar with.

 Chapter 301

    Chapter 301: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Amidst the soothing piano music, Ji Yi heard the sound of people singing from all around her. ¡°Happy birthday to you...¡±

    The cart she turned to look at earlier slowly came into her field of view.

    A beautiful and finely decorated cake gradually filled appeared as though in slow motion. The light from the candles on top shone into her eyes.

    When the cart was about to reach her, Ji Yi recognized the two familiar faces under the candlelight pushing the cart: Bo He and Tang Huahua.

    Their smiling eyes stared at her as they sang happy birthday along with the piano music.

    There were loads of people following behind them; some faces were hidden in the dark, so she couldn¡¯t see them clearly. She could only just about make out their silhouettes. However, the people that she could see, she recognized as the entire cast and crew of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mind hadn¡¯t settled from all her racing thoughts when happiness filled her chest.

    She didn¡¯t quite know how to react in a situation like this. It wasn¡¯t until the piano music and singing had stopped that someone gently reminded her, ¡°Xiao Yi, blow out the candles.¡± She blinked then snapped out of her shock and awe.

    With so many surprises, there was no way she could take it all in. All she could do was follow everyone¡¯s gentle reminders. She softly took a step towards the cake, crossed both palms to her chest, looked down and sincerely made a wish.

    When she opened her eyes, bent over and blew out the candles, the people next to her also blew with her.

    The second the candles went out, all the lights in the room lit up. There were many people walking over to Ji Yi¡¯s side holding flowers.

    Some people wore casual clothes and others wore their fairy tale character¡¯s costume like Snow White and Cindere.

    As everyone handed her flowers, they didn¡¯t forget to wish her ¡°Happy birthday.¡±

    Very soon, Ji Yi¡¯s arms were full of fresh flowers.

    Her eyes shot wide open in disbelief as she stared around at all the faces wishing her well. Then she scanned the finely decorated room until finally, her gazended on He Jichen who was sitting not too far away, hidden behind the piano.

    So, the so-called get-together tonight wasn¡¯t really a get-together but a meticulously nned birthday party?

    She knew that today was her birthday. When she woke up that morning, she received birthday greetings from her parents. It was just that on the set, she was all alone without a single close friend by her side, so she never thought to celebrate her birthday...but now...the birthday she never nned to celebrate had be the most amazing birthday she¡¯d ever had in her life.

    An elegantly dressed He Jichen, who she had been staring at, got up from the piano and casually walked up to her. ¡°Ji Yi, happy birthday.¡±

    His naturally melodic voice caught Ji Yi off guard and firmly overloaded Ji Yi¡¯s senses, producing a violent storm which rolled wave after wave in her heart.

    She looked back at his charmingplexion under the crystal lights, and her fingers clutching the bundle of fresh flowers started to gently tremble.

    Did he n everything?

    That night when he told her there¡¯d be a party next Friday, he already had his mind set on holding a party for her birthday?

    No wonder Chen Bai was acting so strangely in the lobby. It must¡¯ve been He Jichen¡¯s idea to have Chen Bai stall her just to prepare this unexpected surprise?!

 Chapter 302

    Chapter 302: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi wanted to give He Jichen her thanks and her lips moved silently, but she was so deeply emotional that she couldn¡¯t make a sound.

    He Jichen¡¯s expression became unusually soft in front of the speechless Ji Yi. The corners of his lips formed an overflowing smile. He stared at her for some time before his gaze fell on the cake behind her. ¡°Cut the cake.¡±

    Ji Yi let out an ¡°Mhm¡± and continued to stand there for a moment. She waited for her raging emotions to settle down a little before she handed Tang Huahua standing next to her the fresh flowers. Then she took the knife Bo He gave her and walked over to the cake.

    ...

    After the cake was distributed, a row of people wished Ji Yi happy birthday. Everyone hadn¡¯t eaten since the moment they finished shooting till now, so they dispersed on their own, heading to the long buffet tables nearby.

    Since today was Ji Yi¡¯s birthday, there were drinks prepared for the party. What¡¯s more, her birthday was single-handedly arranged by He Jichen, so no matter if it was out of respect for the birthday girl or to get on He Jichen¡¯s good side, everyone had to endlessly drink to her.

    Although Ji Yi only sipped a little each time, dozens of people in the room continued to drink one gulp after another until even Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hold her drink any longer.

    There were still people at the party holding continually topped-up wine sses with smiling faces surrounding her.

    Having drunk so much ice wine on an empty stomach, Ji Yi¡¯s stomach was churning like crazy. In reality, she hadn¡¯t wanted to entertain people for a long time now. Even if He Jichen was building her up to be a queen, she wasn¡¯t really a queen. Out of respect for He Jichen, everyone respected her too. She couldn¡¯t act like a diva, so all she could do was endure the pain in her stomach as she continued to drink with all the people who ran over to respectfully toast her.

    Just after Ji Yi sent off three more well-wishers with much difficulty, she thought about taking this opportunity to slip away to hide in the toilet for a while. That was when someone cried, ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi turned her head and saw four people holding tall wine sses walking over to her. She secretly cursed in her heart but tried hard to wee them with a smile.

    ¡°Miss Ji, happy birthday. Because we didn¡¯t know in advance, we couldn¡¯t prepare a birthday gift for you. Please forgive us.¡± The person right at the front was an actress from ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡± She stopped about a meter in front of Ji Yi and apologized to her while pushing a wine ss in front of Ji Yi.

    No matter how reluctant Ji Yi was to drink again, she clutched the wine ss tight then raised her hand to clink sses with them.

    But before the two sses touched, another person beside her called her name: ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi and the four people in front of her turned their heads at the same time when they heard the cry.

    It was Chen Bai.

    The four of them practically shot a beaming smile and said, ¡°Assistant Chen¡± at the same time.

    With a friendly expression on his face, Chen Bai greeted them with a gentle nod then looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°Miss Ji, Mr. He¡¯s looking for you.¡±

    After saying this, Chen Bai didn¡¯t even give Ji Yi a chance to respond ¨C he swiped the wine ss from her hands then looked over at the four people standing beside her. ¡°Apologies, I¡¯ll be taking Miss Ji away first. If you have unfinished business, you all can talk about itter.¡±

    Everybody knew Chen Bai was He Jichen¡¯s assistant. Since he asked, who would dare refuse him? All four of them nodded and shared some nice parting words.

 Chapter 303

    Chapter 303: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    With a polite expression on his face, Chen Bai smiled at the four of them and replied with a ¡°Thank you.¡± Then he ced the wine ss he stole from Ji Yi¡¯s hands onto a waiter¡¯s tray as they walked past him. Chen Bai turned his head and said to Ji Yi: ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± and he led the way over to the set of sofas in front of the tall windows.

    Ji Yi really thought He Jichen needed to talk to her about something, so she shot the four of them an apologetic smile. Then she hurriedly caught up with Chen Bai.

    On the way, quite a few people stopped their conversations just to greet Chen Bai and Ji Yi.

    Seeing as Chen Bai didn¡¯t stop walking, Ji Yi didn¡¯t stop either. Just as Chen Bai did, she replied to those people by shooting them a smile and gentle nod of the head.

    As they drew closer to the sofas in front of the tall windows, Ji Yi could clearly make out that not only was He Jichen sitting there on the sofa but Han Zhifan was there also.

    The two of them probably had work to discuss as there were two files on the coffee table between the sofa.

    ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji is here,¡± said Chen Bai when they reached the sofa,pletely disregarding what He Jichen and Chen Bai were talking about.

    Though He Jichen was interrupted, he didn¡¯t seem the least bit annoyed. He turned to nce over at Ji Yi, ignored Chen Bai and pointed right at the sofa in front of her. ¡°Sit.¡±

    It probably wasn¡¯t good for her to sit there while he was talking business with Han Zhifan, right?

    Ji Yi helplessly turned her head and nced at Chen Bai. When she saw a slight nod of the head, she proceeded to walk over to the sofa He Jichen pointed at and took a seat.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t speak to Ji Yi, but his gaze found its way over to Chen Bai. With just his eyes alone, he hinted something to Chen Bai. Chen Bai seemed to understand the message and turned to leave.

    After Han Zhifan and Ji Yi smiled at one another, He Jichen continued the conversation from earlier.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t understand why He Jichen called her over, but out of courtesy and respect, she tried her best to stay quiet in order to not disturb the business conversation between the two men in front of her.

    About five minutes passed before Chen Bai returned. Behind him was a middle-aged man in chef¡¯s clothes.

    He Jichen must¡¯ve heard the footsteps as he looked over at Chen Bai arriving yet continued to talk to Han Zhifan.

    He Jichen only stopped talking when Chen Bai and the chef reached the sofa. ¡°What would you like to eat? Just tell them,¡± suggested He Jichen casually to Ji Yi sitting in front of him.

    Ji Yi never imagined that He Jichen called her over to have dinner. She stared at He Jichen, stunned on the scene.

    Seeing how dazed she looked, He Jichen didn¡¯t speak for some time. He turned his head and looked over at the chef standing next to Chen Bai. ¡°What are your some of your specialty dishes? Name a few for her.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He,¡± politely replied the chef. He then looked over at Ji Yi and smoothly listed a series of dishes.

    There were fine French dishes, traditional Japanese dishes, and there were dishes he imed as his personal specialty Imperial dishes...

    The Grand Hyatt was a five-star hotel, so naturally, the chef was first-rate. After Ji Yi heard the list, she recognized that these cuisines were of great quality. It was such a shame that she really didn¡¯t have the appetite for gourmet food after having drunk quite a lot of wine. All she wanted was to eat something she was in the mood for, so after the chef finished listing the dishes, she hesitated for a moment but eventually said, ¡°Could you make me some hot and spicy soup?¡±

 Chapter 304

    Chapter 304: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Did she actually ask this grand chef of a five-star hotel for hot and spicy soup?

    As though he heard something unbelievable, the chef was startled on the spot, staring dumbstruck at Ji Yi.

    Sitting next to He Jichen, Han Zhifan was holding a ss of wine when he burst outughing with a ¡°poof!¡± and almost spat out the wine in his mouth.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t dareugh, so all he could do was tightly purse his lips to hold in hisughter. But he couldn¡¯t stop the corner of his mouth from slowly curving into a smile.

    After hearing what Ji Yi said, He Jichen was the only one who looked calm as he looked over at the chef, ¡°Can you?¡±

    The chef snapped back to his senses and said, slightly embarrassed, ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t...¡±

    Before the chef even said ¡°can¡¯t,¡± He Jichen¡¯s brows started to furrow.

    Are there needs I can¡¯t satisfy for her? What¡¯s more, today¡¯s her birthday...

    He Jichen didn¡¯t give the chef a chance to finish as he turned his head and shot Chen Bai a look.

    When he caught He Jichen¡¯s gaze, Chen Bai immediately reached his hand out to grab the chef¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s have a talk over there.¡±

    With that, Chen Bai grabbed his arm harder. It looked friendly but the power he used felt a little threatening as he escorted the chef away.

    After Chen Bai and the chef left, He Jichen and Han Zhifan continued their previous conversation.

    Ji Yi really was hungry. She looked at the crystal dishes full of nuts on the coffee table, casually grabbed a bunch of pine nuts and started to eat.

    The hard pine nuts were a little tough for Ji Yi to shell as her fingertips turned red trying to do so. However, the pine nuts were roasted so well that Ji Yi couldn¡¯t stop nibbling on them.

    Perhaps she looked like she was really enjoying them, because He Jichen, who was sitting opposite her, started to also shell the pine nuts.

    After Ji Yi ate about a small handful of pine nuts, Chen Bai appeared again.

    This time, however, there was no one behind him, and there was a tray in his hands.

    ¡°Miss Ji, the hot and spicy soup you wanted.¡± Chen Bai bent down and ced the tray in front of Ji Yi.

    After the chef was taken away, Ji Yi assumed there was no chance of her getting the hot and spicy soup. She figured that after He Jichen and Han Zhifan finished their conversation, she would just head over to the buffet table for some food after asking He Jichen why he was looking for her.

    She never imagined that after some time, Chen Bai would actuallye back with a portion of hot and spicy soup...

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen, a little surprised. He and Han Zhifan were deep in conversation, so she didn¡¯t notice his gaze as his fingers quickly shelled the pine nuts.

    ¡°Miss Ji, eat it while it¡¯s hot,¡± warned Chen Bai kindly before he straightened up.

    Ji Yi snapped back to her senses and quickly withdrew her gaze from He Jichen then politely told Chen Bai, ¡°Thank you.¡± She picked up the chopsticks, put her head down and started eating.

    This time, after Chen Bai reappeared, he didn¡¯t leave He Jichen¡¯s side. Instead, he leaned against a nearby table and yed casually on his phone.

    Quite a few people tried to walk over, perhaps to engage in casual conversation with He Jichen, but they were all stopped by Chen Bai. ¡°Apologies, Mr. He has some business to discuss over there, and he¡¯s asked to not be disturbed.¡±

    Just when Ji Yi was about to finish the bowl of hot and spicy soup, Tang Huahua and Bo He must¡¯vee back to find her after taking photos with the male lead for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    Rather than stopping them, Chen Bai politely escorted them over to where Ji Yi was sitting. He Jichen must¡¯ve told Chen Bai that Tang Huahua and Bo He were her friends.

 Chapter 305

    Chapter 305: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before Chen Bai left, he casually called the waiter to help take Ji Yi¡¯s empty bowl away.

    The waiter carried the tray, took out a towel and wiped down the table. Just as they were going to leave, Bo He asked, ¡°Excuse me, can I please get three sses of wine?¡±

    As He Jichen was listening to Han Zhifan, he stopped shelling the pine nuts for a moment and also asked, ¡°Can I get a ss of hot milk?¡±

    ¡°Sure. Sir, Miss, please wait,¡± said the waiter as he politely retreated.

    Together, the three women were bound to chat away, so Ji Yi deliberately reminded Tang Huahua and Bo He to keep their voices down as He Jichen and Han Zhifan were discussing business.

    Ji Yi was just as peckish as she was before the hot and spicy soup, so she grabbed another handful of pine nuts.

    After eating the hot and spicy soup and quite a few pine nuts, Ji Yi¡¯s mouth was dry, so she picked up the ss of wine. Just as she was about to drink it, He Jichen¡¯s hand reached over and snatched her ss from her fingertips without warning.

    Ji Yi was still in a state of shock when He Jichen gave her a cup of milk instead. With that, she heard the carefree voice of He Jichen whisper into her ear: ¡°You just had quite a lot to drink. If you drink any more, your stomach¡¯s going to hurt.¡±

    He probably had something important to discuss with Han Zhifan since after he casually slipped her that line, he turned back to look at Han Zhifan.

    With the cup of milk in her hand, Ji Yi stared at He Jichen for a moment, who was listening attentively to Han Zhifan. It wasn¡¯t until Tang Huahua nudged her arm that she came back to her senses. She put her head down and continued to chat with Tang Huahua and Bo He.

    In actuality, He Jichen never nned to deal with business tonight but something came up, which was why he had to discuss it with Han Zhifan for so long.

    After their talk was over, Han Zhifan, who noticed Cheng Weiwan long ago, made an excuse to go to the restroom and leave.

    He Jichen silently nced over at the three women staring at something on one phone. He leaned against the sofa and rubbed his eyes which became swollen from staring at aputer for such a long time.

    Without having to discuss business with Han Zhifan, it was a lot quieter. He Jichen was also able to clearly hear what the three women were talking about.

    ¡°From your experience, what were the most romantic words that touched your heart?¡± asked Tang Huahua.

    Tang Huahua tilted her head and started off by saying, ¡°For me, the most romantic words were, ¡®take this credit card and spend it however you like!¡¯¡±

    ¡°Gross... For me, the most romantic words were ¡®you be responsible for looking beautiful, and I¡¯ll be responsible for earning money to support the family!¡¯¡± joked Bo He.

    ¡°Psh, how was that different from mine?¡± said Tang Huahua, annoyed. Then Tang Huahua said again, ¡°Xiao Yi, what about you?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± replied Ji Yi with a soft voice. ¡°For me, the most romantic words were...¡± She thought about it for around three seconds before she continued by saying, ¡°...you were never alone, you still have me.¡±

    He Jichen suddenly stopped rubbing his eyes.

    He said those words himself but while acting as He Yuguang.

    Yet, she just said they were the most romantic words... Did she feel particrly moved because He Yuguang said it?

    The three women in front of him didn¡¯t notice anything off about him and continued to whisper.

    ¡°Poetic Yi...¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, alright fess up... who said those words to you?¡±

    He Jichen instinctively looked up and nced over at Ji Yi. When she heard what Tang Huahua said, a wave of shyness evidently crossed her face.

 Chapter 306

    Chapter 306: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It felt like his heart was pierced by a sharp object as a stabbing pain surfaced and his throat turned sore.

    He instinctively lowered his eyelids to hide the sh of anguish in his eyes.

    The three women in front of him were still giggling away, but he was in no mood to continue listening. He stood up silently and left.

    ...

    Without even noticing that the people in front of them were gone, the three women continued to chat while huddled around Tang Huahua¡¯s phone.

    After about ten minutes, Bo He and Tang Huahua wanted to go to the restroom, so the two of them got up and left. Just then, Ji Yi inadvertently looked up and realized that He Jichen and Han Zhifan were no longer there.

    ¡°Huh? Where¡¯s He Xuezhang and his friend?¡± Tang Huahua¡¯s gaze happened to look over at the empty sofa and couldn¡¯t help but wonder.

    ¡°They probably just stepped away for something,¡± continued Bo He. She was in such a rush to go to the toilet that she started to usher Tang Huahua to hurry up.

    After the two of them were some distance away, Ji Yi turned her head and scanned therge room.

    In another rather quiet corner of the room, Ji Yi saw Han Zhifan leaning freely on a long table with his head turned while talking to Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan probably didn¡¯t want to bother with him and pretended he wasn¡¯t even there as her eyes were glued to the openptop on the table in front of her. She was most likely editing the script. Every now and then, she furrowed her brows and typed away on the keyboard with her beautiful, slender fingers.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t pay much attention to the two of them as her gaze swiftly turned away. She scanned the entire room twice over but could find He Jichen.

    He called me over yet before he could talk to me, he disappears?

    Ji Yi was confused for two seconds, but she figured that He Jichen probably went to the restrooms. Sitting quietly by herself on the sofa, she withdrew her eyes and waited for everybody to return.

    Seeing as she was bored, Ji Yi took out her phone and browsed through Weibo as her fingers simultaneously grabbed some pine nuts from the dish at the center of the table every now and then, just as she did when she was talking with the girls.

    When she went for a second grab, she picked up a pine nut and put it into her mouth. Suddenly, she noticed something and stopped.

    She hesitated for a moment and spat out the pine nut she just put into her mouth. Ji Yi looked down and saw that the pine nut in her fingers had no shell.

    She furrowed her brows and opened her palms to look at the handful of pine nuts she grabbed. They were all just like thest one she put in her mouth ¨C they had all been shelled.

    She instinctively looked up and realized that all the pine nuts in the dish were shelled, and all the pine nuts with shells were moved to the far corner of the table.

    Apart from her, He Jichen was the only one who peeled pine nuts...

    So, he didn¡¯t actually eat the pine nuts he shelled. He just put them into the clean dish?

    When did he rece all the shelled pine nuts? How did I not even notice?

    Then he shelled those pine nuts for me?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart quivered for a moment then she turned her head and scanned the room again.

    As before, she couldn¡¯t see He Jichen, but his assistant Chen Bai was still standing in his original spot by a sofa nearby.

 Chapter 307

    Chapter 307: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    That¡¯s strange... He Jichen and Han Zhifan had already finished discussing business, so why was he was still standing there?

    As Ji Yi waspletely confused, two actresses from the production team walked over to where she was sitting with wine sses in their hand.

    Just as they were about to reach Chen Bai, he looked up from his phone and nced over at the two. Then his eyes stopped on the wine sses in their hands. ¡°Excuse me, you girls are...¡±

    Because Ji Yi was quite some distance away and Chen Bai wasn¡¯t speaking loudly, she couldn¡¯t clearly hear what he said. All she saw was his lips moving for two moments.

    Then those two actresses came to a stop and replied.

    One of the actresses had a naturally loud voice, so Ji Yi clearly heard her name from her mouth.

    Though she didn¡¯t know what they were discussing, Ji Yi knew the two actresses must¡¯ve wanted toe to toast to her like the others earlier.

    It wasn¡¯t clear what Chen Bai said, but the expressions on the two actresses¡¯ faces looked disappointed. They probably didn¡¯t want to give up, so they continued to surround Chen Bai to talk for a while. He didn¡¯t say anymore but shook his head non-stop with a look on his face that said there was no negotiating. Eventually, the two actresses gave up hope, turned around in embarrassment and left together.

    After they were quite some distance away, Chen Bai rxed again as he casually leaned over the table and yed on his phone.

    Every now and then, someone brushed past him but with his quick reflexes, he always looked up and nced at them to determine whether they were there for Ji Yi. After ensuring there was no threat, he continued ying on his phone.

    Ji Yi was unsure why, but she suddenly thought back to the moment she wanted to drink wine after finishing her hot and spicy soup. She remembered how after He Jichen stopped her from drinking it, he handed her a cup of warm milk and said: ¡°You just had quite a lot to drink. If you drink any more, your stomach¡¯s going to hurt.¡±

    At the time, she thought he was just trying to take care of her. She never thought much about what he said, but now, seeing Chen Bai on guard, she came to a sudden realization.

    He Jichen only said ¡°You just had quite a lot to drink¡± because he saw her continually surrounded by people who wanted to drink to her. That was why he asked Chen Bai to call her over.

    He didn¡¯t really have anything to talk to her about, but he knew that with her personality, she would never decline anyone¡¯s request to drink. That was why he asked Chen Bai to help her decline drinks by using him as a cover.

    So, she wasn¡¯t wrong in thinking Chen Bai looked like he was on guard. He Jichen left, but Chen Bai was still here. Surely he was on guard just to prevent her from having to drink?

    He didn¡¯t say anything to her all night, but he silently got her out of so much trouble.

    Their rtionship was obviously awful as hell; they never contacted one another and they were like water and fire. But howe he seemed like apletely different person ever since that night he asked her for aforting hug?

    He no longer looked at her with disgust and hate, nor did he speak to her in a bad temper or lousy tone of voice. What¡¯s more, he wasn¡¯t fuming with rage to see her dead...Even on set, she was pampered sovishly, not to mention the birthday surprise tonight...

 Chapter 308

    Chapter 308: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    There were infinite things Ji Yi didn¡¯t understand and was confused about which floated and knocked around endlessly in her heart. Those feelings made her calm heart enterplete chaos.

    No matter how she thought about it, she couldn¡¯t understand why He Jichen changed so dramatically. She started to grow agitated, so she got up from the sofa and headed over to the counter nearby to get some air outside.

    Seeing Ji Yi move, Chen Bai followed suit without bothering her, so he kept afortable distance away from her.

    He saw her walk over to the entrance to the balcony and she stopped going any further. Instead, she found a ce to stand nearby and paused there.

    Ji Yi reached her hand out, wanting to push the balcony door open, but just as she raised her fingers, she saw He Jichen¡¯s back standing here through the ss doors.

    The outline of his body looked a little hazy considering there were no lights on the balcony, so she relied on the rays of light from the room which were rather faint.

    With a cigarette lit between his fingers, he looked like something was troubling him.

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi stopped in her tracks and stared firmly at He Jichen through the ss for a while. Just when she withdrew her gaze and was about to pretend she wasn¡¯t there by turning to leave, He Jichen suddenly turned around. He flicked the ashes of the cigarette between his fingers into the ashtray on the table nearby.

    He caught a glimpse of Ji Yi from the corner of his eyes and thought she was an illusion for a second. He stopped, looked up, and before Ji Yi could return his gaze, their eyes identally met.

    With the light shining from He Jichen¡¯s back, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t clearly see the expression in his eyes, but she knew he was looking at her. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

    Because Ji Yi was caught by He Jichen, she hesitated for a moment but figured that all she could do was give up on leaving now. She gently pushed the door open.

    Her actions seemed to rm He Jichen as he stared at her, eyes blinking, and he hastily put out the cigarette into the ashtray.

    Ji Yi stepped onto the balcony and shut the door behind her. ¡°Why are you here on your own?¡± said Ji Yi with an overly cautious tone of voice.

    ¡°Stayed in the room for too long. It was getting a little stuffy, so I came out to get some air,¡± said He Jichen, who was standing in the center of the balcony. He shuffled aside to the banister to give Ji Yi some room.

    After Ji Yi walked over and came to a stop, he spoke again. ¡°What about you? Why are you out here?¡±

    ¡°Same. I came out to get some air.¡± Ji Yi turned her head and nced over at He Jichen.

    He Jichen gave a gentle nod but didn¡¯t say anything.

    At that moment, Ji Yi didn¡¯t know what to say to He Jichen, and the balcony was engulfed with a deafening silence.

    After about a minute, the two of them felt the atmosphere was a little tense, so they spoke at the same time.

    He Jichen: ¡°Tod...¡±

    Ji Yi: ¡°Did...¡±

    They both heard the other speak, so they both stopped.

    She wanted to let him continue speaking, and he wanted to let her continue speaking, so there was a long wall of silence.

    ¡°To...¡± Just as He Jichen spoke to break the deadlock they were in, Ji Yi had the same thought: ¡°Did...¡±

    The two of them didn¡¯t continue on but this time, He Jichen didn¡¯t stay silent and said graciously, ¡°You go first.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t decline modestly and asked, ¡°Did you arrange for all this?¡± She desperately wanted to know the truth.

    He Jichen knew that Ji Yi was referring to the surprise birthday party. He didn¡¯t deny it. He gave a gentle nod and responded with an ¡°Mhm.¡± About three secondster, he asked, ¡°Did you like it?¡±

 Chapter 309

    Chapter 309: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Yeah,¡± answered Ji Yi honestly.

    She really did like it. She had forgotten just how long it had been since she received a pleasant surprise like this.

    Hearing her answer made He Jichen feel overjoyed as he stared right at the night scenery in front of him. The corners of his lips seemed to vaguely curve upwards and his voice sounded rxed as he said, ¡°Good. As long as you like it...¡±

    His voice sounded naturally pleasing, but with this intonation, it made Ji Yi¡¯s heart race. She couldn¡¯t help turning her head and ncing over at him. Then, all the confusion and suspicions she had in the room earlier filled her heart once again. She pursed her lips and hesitantly asked, ¡°He Jichen, why... did you do it?¡±

    Her question came a little suddenly, so He Jichen didn¡¯t quite know how to react and looked clearly caught off guard.

    Ji Yi spoke again. ¡°We obviously...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t quite know what she wanted to say next, so all she did was say those two words and stopped.

    He Jichen understood what she meant. He knew she wanted to say that obviously their rtionship was awful and he treated her terribly, so how did that change overnight?

    Yes. He admitted his attitude towards her changed a little quickly. Rather than saying his attitude quickly changed, one might say that he hadpletelye to terms with her.

    When he saw that she risked her life, under his watch, just to retaliate to Qian Ge and protect herself, he felt sorry for her and he med himself.

    When he learned that she almost lost her life on the operating table four years ago as a result of their drunken night together, he felt remorseful and a sense of lingering fear.

    On that night when he couldn¡¯t control his own emotions and held her tightly in his arms, he learned that to truly love someone wasn¡¯t to possess them but to hope that they were happy.

    Whatever honor and grievances he had were all tossed away. He just wanted for her to be happy, to make her happier...

    Ji Yi looked at He Jichen but didn¡¯t say anything. Seeing how difficult it was for him to get the words out, she suddenly thought back to his apology that night.

    Four years ago, she confessed to the wrong person, and the first thing he said to her was, ¡°Name a price.¡± She didn¡¯t want anything from him and just evaporated from his world...

    At that thought, Ji Yi looked like she just understood something. She stopped waiting for He Jichen to talk and said, ¡°...You did all this just to make it up to me?¡±

    Make it up to her? In her eyes, she thought I did all this out of guilt just to make it up to her?

    A pang of sadness filled He Jichen¡¯s eyes. ¡°No... not to make it up to you, but...¡±

    Mid-sentence, He Jichen suddenly stopped thest half of the sentence froming out: Because I like you, and I just want you to be happy.

    Like... She took my good-will for some kind ofpensation, so if I tell her that I like her, how would she ever believe me?

    Who¡¯s to say she won¡¯t turn around and try to get herself out of trouble after I tell her? She may not have any feelings for me and, after so much difficulty to bring us closer, she might try to pull further away.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers instinctively curled into a fist as he tried hard to resist the painful feeling inside. He stared straight ahead and changed his sincere words to say: ¡°...no no, not to make it up to you. Well.. not just to make it up to you...¡±

    Not just to make it up to you... so it did have something to do with making it up to her or maybe it was because they¡¯d known each other for some time. It could be just like how she hated He Jichen¡¯s guts but she never forgot that he was once her most important friend back at Sucheng Yizhong.

 Chapter 310

    Chapter 310: Can We Go Back to How We Were Before? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Ji Yi...¡± said He Jichen again, but with a fleetingness to his voice.

    Ji Yi pushed her thoughts away and silently turned to look at He Jichen.

    He Jichen knew she was looking at him but he didn¡¯t turn to look back at her. He looked as though he was seriously contemting something as he stared firmly ahead for a couple seconds before continuing to say, ¡°...Can we go back to how we were before?¡±

    It seemed like Ji Yi¡¯s pressure points had been pressed! Every now and then, she suddenly blinked quickly while staring at He Jichen, standingpletely still.

    What did he say?

    Did he say ¡°Can we go back to how we were before?¡±

    Before? When¡¯s that?

    He Jichen knew what she was thinking as though he had the ability to read minds. The second after those questions shed across her mind, he said, ¡°Go back to the seventeen-year-old you and the eighteen-year-old me.¡±

    ¡°Go back to that summer; go back to that summer when we were best friends at Sucheng Yizhong; go back to when I could call you Xiao Yi and when you weren¡¯t scared of me like other people. That same summer you dared to call me He Jichen without holding back...¡±

    His voice sounded just as beautiful as always, but there was a slight tremble as though he was nervous and scared about something.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart quivered gently as she listened on.

    He Jichen knew full and well just how weak he sounded as he spoke.

    He was afraid she¡¯d tell him that he had the wildest thoughts and that she¡¯d reject his suggestion.

    But he paused for a moment then continued to ask, ¡°...Is that okay? Can we go back to the He Jichen and Ji Yi from before?¡±

    Is that okay? Can we go back to the He Jichen and Ji Yi from before?

    As He Jichen said this, Ji Yi¡¯s heart gently asked herself.

    The past He Jichen was once the most important person in Ji Yi¡¯s heart.

    But time passed, and so many things happened between them. He wasn¡¯t the same He Jichen as before, nor was she the same Ji Yi as before.

    Could we go back to how we were before?

    She had to admit that he cared about her deep down and he was treating her quite well now. However, she couldn¡¯t forget all the pain and humiliation he put her through in the past, so... Could she really write off all the unpleasantness between them?

    Ji Yi never thought about this question, so she repeatedly asked herself deep down without finding an answer.

    Her silence made He Jichen¡¯s heart sink little by little.

    It wasn¡¯t a confession but an innocent call for peace. Is this uneptable too?

    Is she going to say ¡°No, we can¡¯t¡±?

    He Jichen¡¯s heart suddenly panicked for a moment. He said something to break the awkward tension in the air. ¡°It¡¯s alright. If you don¡¯t know how to answer me, you can choose not to answer...¡±

    With that, a pang of sadness came over He Jichen¡¯s handsome face and his voice faded a little. ¡°...One day, when you have the answer, you can tell me then. It¡¯s alright, I can wait.¡±

    A stabbing pain suddenly came over Ji Yi¡¯s heart for a moment.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi¡¯s reaction. The second he finished talking, he immediately pulled out a gift box in front of Ji Yi and changed the subject. ¡°Happy birthday.¡±

    Is this my birthday present?

    Ji Yi, who still hadn¡¯tpletelye back from what He Jichen said, was stunned for two seconds before she reached over to ept it. Just as she was about to softly say, ¡°Thanks,¡± the balcony door was pushed open and she heard Tang Huahua¡¯s voice. ¡°Xiao Yi, why are you hiding here? I¡¯ve been looking for you for so long to go sing...¡±

 Chapter 311

    Chapter 311: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Tang Huahua barged in energetically, but when she saw He Jichen, she suddenly stopped what she was going to say. She hesitated for two seconds as though she realized that she had disturbed Ji Yi and He Jichen. She hurriedly walked over to Ji Yi and acted like a reserveddy as she greeted He Jichen. ¡°...He Xuezhang, you¡¯re here too?¡±

    He Jichen gave Tang Huahua a gentle nod without the slightest hint of annoyance on his handsome face.

    ¡°Errr, if you two are busy, then I¡¯ll head...¡± Tang Huahua pointed back into the room. Before she could finish saying ¡°in first,¡± Ji Yi said, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, just wanted you toe sing with us,¡± said Tang Huahua.

    Ji Yi turned to look at He Jichen. ¡°Then, she and I will head in first.¡±

    He Jichen nodded slightly and let out a soft ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t stay there for long as she walked over to Tang Huahua¡¯s side. When she was about ready to pull Tang Huahua¡¯s arm and walk back into the room, Tang Huahua looked over at He Jichen and said, ¡°He Xuezheng, everybody¡¯s singing. Do you want toe sing a song?¡±

    Having known He Jichen for so many years now, Ji Yi had never seen him sing once. Even during the years when they were on their best terms, they went to KTV countless times, and no matter how kindly people invited him to sing, he always had the same uninterested look on his face.

    So after Ji Yi heard Tang Huahua¡¯s enthusiastic invitation, the first thought in her mind was how He Jichen would definitely put on the same uninterested expression.

    But she never imagined that He Jichen would actually p her in the face with an: ¡°Alright.¡±

    Alright... He Jichen¡¯s actually going to sing? Ji Yi waspletely astonished as she stared at He Jichen.

    Tang Huahua wasn¡¯t the least bit surprised but was immediately delighted when she heard He Jichen ept. ¡°Then, He Xuezhang,e in with us.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t make a sound as he straightened up and walked into the room.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Ji Yi didn¡¯t yet snap back to her senses from the shock until Tang Huahua dragged Ji Yi¡¯s arm and spoke again. She quicklyposed herself and followed Tang Huahua into the room.

    Bo He was in front of the song selection counter when she saw Tang Huahua dragging Ji Yi over. From a quite a far distance away, she screeched, ¡°What would you all like to sing?¡±

    Rather than singing with Ji Yi, Tang Huahua seemed even more interested in hearing what He Jichen wanted to sing. ¡°He Xuezhang also wants to sing. Let him go first!¡±

    With that, Tang Huahua turned her head and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°He Xuezhang, what do you want to sing? I¡¯ll help you select the song.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, I can do it,¡± replied He Jichen politely to Tang Huahua. Then he walked over to the song selection counter...

    Bo He hurriedly made way.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t sit where Bo He just sat but instead, he bent over and tapped the song selection screen a few times.

    The big screen instantly turned dark. He Jichen grabbed the microphone and walked over to the center. When he stood firmly in ce, the screen lit up and a pleasant melody started to y.

    About ten secondster, the song name popped up: ¡°Within Your Radius.¡±

    Then He Jichen raised the microphone to his mouth and as the song title faded away, lyrics appeared at the bottom of the screen. He Jichen¡¯s singing voice traveled around each corner of the room.

 Chapter 312

    Chapter 312: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Within Your Radius.¡± Ji Yi heard this song before; the emotions in this song were as deep as the ocean.

    He Jichen had a beautiful voice, but his tone sounded rather cold. Before he sang, Ji Yi had doubts about whether he could deliver the emotions of the song.

    But when he really started to sing, Ji Yi realized that her doubts were simply a joke.

    He didn¡¯t just nail the intonation ¨C he even captured the meticulous emotions just as well as the original singer.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t the only one whose attention was on He Jichen. One after the other, everyone in the room was also drawn to him.

    Besides the sweet sound of his singing, the room was silent; nothing else was heard.

    He Jichen lowered his eyes and didn¡¯t even look at the people in front of him. All he did was focus fully on singing his song.

    After the first half of the song was finished, the tempo in the middle of the song was a little long. He changed positions slightly and waited for a while before he raised the microphone to his mouth again. ¡°It feels stifling, there¡¯s no meaning in forcing it. I¡¯m not considered selfish, and I¡¯m learning ever more that loving you is my business...¡±

    As the words ¡°loving you is my business¡± slipped between his teeth, He Jichen suddenly thought back to that night when Han Zhifan called him. He remembered how devastated and guilt-ridden he was and how he pped himself hard on the face twice because he med himself.

    That was when he learned that loving her was just his one-sided story.

    ¡°Rather than be in a world where you don¡¯t want me, why not forget youpletely, everybody knows this principle, it¡¯s easy to say it~ to be stubborn even loving you through and through.¡±

    Four years ago, he wanted to confess to her after graduation, but before he could even make a move, he found out he wasn¡¯t the person she wanted.

    He was jealous, angry, and felt hard done by. He arrogantly thought that if the person she loved wasn¡¯t him then why not just have it over and done with? He wanted to make a clean break between the two of them. That way, he¡¯d be hurt, and so would she.

    He thought that considering how they parted on such bad terms, their story was over. However, after she left Sucheng, he started to think about her every night and day, and he was drunk for a whole month. That was when he understood the whole picture. He thought their story was over, but in actuality, it was just an unfinished ending yet to be continued.

    He couldn¡¯t let it be over so quickly, but he would never openly admit that he regretted it.

    ¡°I would rather stay within your radius, at least to be able to feel your sadness and happiness, when you need me, I can be there for you.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t want me in your world, Why don¡¯t I just find someone to rece you, It¡¯s a shame that I don¡¯t listen to those who persuade me otherwise¡±

    Later on, he entered a prestigious school.

    As usual, he was the main attraction of that school, but now he didn¡¯t have Ji Yi by his side who he used to try so hard to pamper.

    ¡°Laoda¡± still existed in university, but she wasn¡¯t there, nor was his youthful hot-blooded nature, nor the kind of setting where people called him ¡°Chen Ge.¡± He didn¡¯t want that anymore.

    At first, he clearly became a ¡°Laoda¡± for He Yuguang, but in the end, he realized that there was no reason for ¡°Laoda¡± to exist. All he wanted to do was spoil her to infinity.

    Without her, he was in no mood to smile at women. It wasn¡¯t until then that he realized just how he missed those days by her side, or at the very least, those days when he was able to feel her sadness and happiness.

    At the time, he felt really regretful but he¡¯d never admit it. Even though he secretly ran over to Beijing to see her once a month.

 Chapter 313

    Chapter 313: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I would rather stay within your radius, should my heart not return to me, then it is yours.¡±

    ¡°You can choose to love me or not, I am still yours no matter what.¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen¡¯s eyes suddenly looked up and slowly fell on Ji Yi.

    She happened to be looking at him. When their eyes met, he didn¡¯t stop singing: ¡°Because I love you, that has nothing to do with you.¡±

    He was too stubborn, too proud, and he regretted it a long time ago, but he didn¡¯t dare admit it. He dragged it on and on. He kept it up even when Qian Ge hit Ji Yi when she was down. He kept it up when she wasying in bed in aa for three years. He kept it up even after he transferred to B-Film and wasn¡¯t willing to yield to her.

    He just had to wait until he saw her hurt herself in retaliation to Qian Ge. He had to wait until he learned that she almost lost her life because of him before he started feeling remorse.

    He was the one who matured too slowly. He learned this toote, and learned to love toote...

    ... In the process of ¡°like¡± turning into ¡°love¡± for him, he made her suffer immense pain and misery.

    He wanted to say these words to her so badly. However, when he came to this realization, they were already far too away from each other and she had already stopped believing his words.

    He didn¡¯t like singing, nor did he ever sing. But this song was just an idea that came to his mind.

    He only wanted to say the words he had on his mind earlier on the balcony, so he turned them into a song for her to hear.

    ¡°My love spreads within your radius.¡±

    When the music stopped, the only thing that could be heard was the gentle sound of He Jichen¡¯s voice into the microphone.

    ¡°It¡¯s so close, I can hear you breathing.¡±

    His eyes were still staring firmly at Ji Yi with infinitely deep emotions. As he sang, those emotions slowly overflowed from within his body.

    ¡°As long as you turn around, I am right here.¡±

    Ji Yi... until this very moment, I only just learned that my love for you isplete. Whether you love me or not isn¡¯t important.

    The singing stopped, and the gentle music started to y again.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t put the microphone down from his lips, but he kept the same position as before and kept his gaze locked on Ji Yi.

    Even though they were some distance away, Ji Yi could clearly feel the heat in his eyes as if all the warmth and light in the entire room came together.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if it was just an illusion, but she actually felt his eyes talking to her.

    She stared back at him and was unwittingly enraptured by him...

    As the end of the song yed, He Jichen softly read the lyrics in his heart one more time.

    He knew he was singing for the only woman in his eyes.

    ¡°I would rather stay within your radius. Should my heart not return to me, it is yours.¡±

    ¡°You can choose to love me or not, I am still yours no matter what.¡±

    ¡°As long as you turn around, I am right here. Because I love you, that has nothing to do with you.¡±

    As he read the final lines, He Jichen started to tear up in his eyes.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I will wait for you in the years we have yet to spend together.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯m in love with you, in a time you¡¯re unaware of.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a saying that you definitely don¡¯t know just how much I like: ¡®My name has your surname.¡¯¡±

    The music disappeared.

    The entire room fell remarkably silent. There wasn¡¯t even the sound of breathing.

    About a minute passed before someone came back to their senses from He Jichen¡¯s singing, reached their hands up and pped.

    Then the pping in the room grew and people started to cheer.

    In the midst of all the excitement, He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s eyes were glued tightly to one another; still yet to part.

 Chapter 314

    Chapter 314: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes dragged Ji Yi into an ocean of tranquility as she couldn¡¯t hear any of the lively cheers and pping from around them. In that very moment, she forgot where she was and what actually happened just now. All she did was stare, transfixed by He Jichen¡¯s eyes. The world around her waspletely empty aside from the two of them.

    His eyes were like a vast ocean of stars which hid the deep rity and brightness of his perfection. They glowed a faint yet prating glow as though there was a mystical power calling for her to plunge in. She had no control and no way to resist it as she fell deeper and deeper until she entered his world within.

    In that same instant, her breathing and heartbeat both disappeared ¨C even the blood coursing through her entire body stopped.

    She vividly felt her chest stifled from holding her breath for too long, but she just couldn¡¯t breathe.

    In a haze, she vaguely felt someone talking to her beside her ear, but she simply couldn¡¯t hear anything.

    In that very moment, the only thing left to do in her life aside from staring at him was still to keep staring at him.

    Just when Ji Yi thought she would faint from holding her breath for so long, someone pulled hard on her arm, violently shaking her unflinchingly dazed body.

    Her eyes broke from his gaze and looked over at the big screen, which showed the MVP winner¡¯s screen. As the picture entered her eyes, she slowly realized that the person she heard screaming excitedly was Tang Huahua. ¡°Xiao Yi! So hot, He Xuezhang is so, sooo cool! He¡¯s so cool I¡¯m gonna die!!¡±

    As Tang Huahua said this, she hugged andid her head on Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder like a little cat, rubbing against her cutely and crying ¡°waaa-waaa-waaa.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s whole body shivered as shepletely came to her senses.

    Then she realized just how long she and He Jichen had been staring at each other for...

    Her gaze instinctively drifted over to He Jichen¡¯s face. His enigmatic yet impossible to read eyes were still staring right at her.

    It was just one shared look, but Ji Yi felt like her own soul was being sucked away. She was so frightened that she quickly turned her head to avoid He Jichen¡¯s eyes. But even so, she could still feel him staring at her and under his gaze, she clearly felt the warm blood rush up from the soles of her feet. For some reason, she felt flustered and helpless. Under the urgent circumstances, she pushed away Tang Huahua, who was glued to her body, then turned to run out. Without turning back, she headed for the direction of the restroom and ran.

    Rushing into the restroom, she opened the cubicle doorpletely disregarding the people in front of her, but before she could say ¡°sorry,¡± she jumped in first and mmed the door with a ¡°bang!¡± She leaned against the cold wall of the toilet stall as she patted her chest and started taking big breaths.

    But no matter how hard she tried to breathe, she was still breathing too hard and fast. It still felt like she wascking air.

    She was having such a hard time that she continued to circle the toilet. After sitting on the toilet for some time, she stood on it for a bit. She was in so much anguish that she stuck her face to the wall for some time. She went crazy and seemed frantic like that for a long while before her breathing finally calmed down. However, the rhythm of her heartbeat was still as chaotic.

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    Hello readddeeers! Hope everyone is well! I started writing an original romantic web novel yesterday called ¡°Love Sold Separately¡±, sooo I was wondering if anyone here would be interested in giving it a shot? ^^

 Chapter 315

    Chapter 315: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She rubbed her chest non-stop for a long while before finally calming down.

    When she came out of the restroom and returned to the hall, He Jichen had already left the KTV stage. Instead, there was an actress and actor singing ¡°Hiroshima Mon Amour¡± together.

    Ji Yi turned her gaze to find Tang Huahua and Bo He in front of the tall windows. She saw Han Zhifan and Chen Bai standing together with He Jichen.

    He had lost the rush of emotions he felt earlier when he was singing. Instead, he had his usual cold and proud look on.

    Chen Bai and Han Zhifan must be quite close because the two of them were chatting enthusiastically away as they revealed smiles on their faces every now and then. He Jichen looked like he wasn¡¯t even listening to them. While theyughed away, his brows didn¡¯t even flinch.

    There was a tall ss in his hands. Every now and then, he put it to his mouth as he held his majestically attractive stance.

    He seemed even more charismatic now than he was when he was young; he was calm yet had a sinister air about him. He was practically the most fatal poison for women... As Ji Yi stared at He Jichen, she couldn¡¯t help but secretly size up his body. He must¡¯ve felt someone watching him as he turned his head in her direction.

    Ji Yi was afraid He Jichen would catch her gaze, so she hurriedly turned her eyes away and continued to look for Tang Huahua and Bo He.

    The corner of her eyes met He Jichen¡¯s gaze by ident. It was just for a second, but Ji Yi¡¯s breathing started to grow erratic.

    Ji Yi breathed hastily. She took a deep breath, then another, and when she finally found Tang Huahua and Bo He, she was able to breathe properly again.

    She rushed over to the two of them with a thought on her mind: how strange. Does He Jichen have the ability to cut off oxygen to my body? Howe I randomly lose my breath whenever I see him tonight?

    ¨C

    Tang Huahua and Bo He were personally invited by He Jichen to celebrate Ji Yi¡¯s birthday with her, but they had to return to Beijing the next morning. Ji Yi was afraid to stay too long and make it hard for them to get up the next morning for their flight, so she escorted them back to their hotel at ten in the evening.

    After Ji Yi finished freshening up, sheid in bed. Tang Huahua went into the bathroom, and Bo He hid in the corridors, talking on the phone.

    Th only one left in the room was Ji Yi. She picked up her phone and nced at the message she sent to ¡°He Yuguang¡± half an hour ago. She still hadn¡¯t received a reply. She casually opened Weibo and discovered that there was nothing much to see, so she put the phone down. Then she remembered that she hadn¡¯t opened tonight¡¯s birthday presents, so she climbed out of bed, ran over to the desk, and started to open the presents.

    Chen Bai gave her a sun hat that was popr online.

    Chen Weiwan gave her a model of something rted to her story.

    Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t close to her, but he gave her a present also. Capitalists are rich, so he bought her a set of expensive cosmetics...

    ...

    It wasn¡¯t until she was about to finish opening all her presents when Ji Yi remembered that she still had a present in her bag. It was from He Jichen.

    She hastily pulled it out ¨C it was a delicate, small blue box. Inside was a ne with two of the same words engraved on the back: Ji.

    Ji? He Jichen is so weird. Why did he just have it engraved with ¡°Ji¡± and not add ¡°Yi¡±?

    Ji Yi was stroking the ne with curiosity when she received a message on her phone. She ran over to her bedside and picked up her phone. ¡°He Yuguang¡± finally replied to her: ¡°Just finished with work. What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Opening presents,¡± replied Ji Yi honestly.

    As she said that, Ji Yi took a photo of the ne in her hand and sent it to ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

 Chapter 316

    Chapter 316: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi replied to the message she just received. ¡°He Yuguang¡± must¡¯ve had his phone in hand because he quickly replied back to her: ¡°Celebrated your birthday yet?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ji Yi casually replied to him with just one word then continued to type on the keyboard and gave a ¡°He Yuguang¡± a detailed answer: ¡°He Jichen nned my birthday celebrations.¡±

    She was always talkative with ¡°He Yuguang,¡± so this time was no exception. She described her birthday party in great detail for ¡°He Yuguang.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t even know about it. He went all out for my birthday. Snow White, Cindere, and all those characters even showed up. It was something only little girls like. I¡¯m so old now... but it was still really beautiful. I really liked it.¡±

    ¨C

    ¡°Mr. Han, believe it! From thest time you came on set and Miss Ji was hurt, Mr. He has be apletely different person. He¡¯s making me closely follow Miss Ji at all times and he told me to ry the message that the entire cast and crew have to treat Miss Ji well...¡± With an anguished expression on his face, Chen Bai raised his ss to Han Zhifan.

    ¡°Has it be that ridiculous?¡± Han Zhifan raised his eyebrows.

    Seeing just how happy Han Zhifan was, Chen Bai immediately continued to share his misery in an anguished voice. ¡°This isn¡¯t the extent of it, alright? There¡¯s more. Mr. He was afraid that if I instructed them, the production team wouldn¡¯t listen, so he created some kind of reward. It sounds so conceited, doesn¡¯t it? There¡¯s more! To get this so-called reward, you have to do good deeds for Miss Ji. You can get reward money not just for a good deed, but even for a smile.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Han, don¡¯t you think Mr. He has far too much money to waste? Today¡¯s only day one. Did you know that a single smile at Miss Ji will earn you a five-figure amount... If that¡¯s not enough, when Miss Ji was napping in the afternoon, Mr. He actually didn¡¯t let us film. Everyone had to wait for her to wake up, and he even made me stand watch for anyone who made a sound in the lounge area... What¡¯s even weirder is that Mr. He actually told me that my assignment to take care of Miss Ji will be included in my end-of-year appraisal. If I perform poorly, he¡¯ll take it out of my annual bonus!¡±

    He Jichen sat rxed on the sofa without even caring about Chen Bai¡¯sints. After he felt the vibration of his phone in his hand, he immediately unlocked the phone and looked over at the message Ji Yi sent to He Yuguang.

    Snow White, Cindere, and all those characters even showed up... Could she have forgotten why they were there?

    He Jichen hesitated for two seconds then started typing on his phone: ¡°Snow White and Cindere showed up because on your birthday in your second year of high school, you wished they¡¯d show up on your birthday. That¡¯s probably why Jichen arranged that for you.¡±

    ¨C

    Ji Yi was about to continue describing her birthday party when she was stunned. On the other side of the phone, Ji Yi suddenly stopped after reading what ¡°He Yuguang¡± sent her.

    She stared at her phone screen for a long time, deep in thought, before she finally had a vague memory of what happened in school.

    On her birthday that year, she watched ¡°Snow White.¡± Maybe I really did make a wish like that!

    It¡¯s been so many years; I never imagined that He Jichen would actually remember...

    A sudden ¡°ding dong!¡± came from her palm, snapping Ji Yi out of her daze. She lowered her head and nced at the screen. It was ¡°He Yuguang¡± ¨C she hadn¡¯t replied for a long time, so he sent her a question mark.

    ¡°Oh, I remember now! I can¡¯t believe that after so many years, he remembered!¡± replied Ji Yi, hastily.

 Chapter 317

    Chapter 317: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As she typed that line, Ji Yi¡¯s heart became a little flustered. She shook her head to try to push those feelings He Jichen made her feel to the back of her head, and she hurriedly changed the topic: ¡°Yuguang Ge, I only learned today that He Jichen actually is a great singer.¡±

    After she sent that line, Ji Yi stared at the screen before her as it disturbingly turned into the image of He Jichen¡¯s gaze upon her after he finished singing his song. Having worked so hard to calm her heart, it became uncontrobly erratic again. She frantically shook her head again and continued to change the subject and distract herself: ¡°Yuguang Ge, the photo of the ne that I just sent you was He Jichen¡¯s birthday gift...¡±

    Ji Yi typed and typed when she suddenly spotted the brand of the ne. Then she continued to type on the keyboard in wonder: ¡°...what a coincidence! The ne He Jichen gave me is from the same brand as the new year¡¯s gift you gave me. It¡¯s no surprise you guys are biological twins. Your tastes are even the same.¡±

    After she sessfully sent the message, Ji Yi thought about the ¡°Ji¡± engraving behind the ne and ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s message earlier. Then shebined the doubts in her heart and sent out: ¡°However, Yuguang Ge... It¡¯s weird. Why did He Jichen give me a ne with the word ¡°Ji¡± engraved on the back? Shouldn¡¯t there also be a ¡®Yi¡¯?¡±

    ¨C

    Chen Bai was stillining non-stop beside him.

    He Jichen looked down and stared at Ji Yi¡¯s string of messages as his brows softened.

    She actuallyplimented me on my singing... this is something pretty rare, right?

    Also, she actually took a serious look at the ne because she even noticed that the back was engraved with ¡°Ji¡±... Unlike before, she¡¯s not throwing something that belonged to me far f ar away .

    He Jichen repeatedly reread Ji Yi¡¯s stories twice over. He realized the four lines she wrote all had the three words ¡°He Jichen.¡± His heart suddenly started to race, and before he had time to carefully think about it, his fingers were already dancing away on the screen: ¡°Manman, you seem like you don¡¯t hate Jichen as much as before?¡±

    ¨C

    Ji Yi was so stunned because she never imagined that ¡°He Yuguang¡± would reply like that. She sent him a question mark in confusion.

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± quickly replied back: ¡°I¡¯ve mentioned Jichen to you before, but you always avoided the topic. Yet today, you mentioned him a few times.¡±

    Did I?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and reread the messages she and ¡°He Yuguang¡± exchanged that night. That was when she realized that she really did unknowingly type He Jichen¡¯s name a few times.

    That¡¯s so weird! What¡¯s with me? If it¡¯s not He Jichen¡¯s eyes making it hard for me to breathe, then it¡¯s me mentioning He Jichen to other people...Did I recently be poisoned...

    At that thought, Ji Yi refused to admit it and replied, ¡°Did I? Nah? It¡¯s just five or six times. How is that considered a lot... Yuguang Ge, do you know how to use the right words?¡±

    After she sent that message, Ji Yi realized she¡¯d only sent ¡°He Yuguang¡± seven to eight words that night, but He Jichen was mentioned about seventy to eighty percent of the time...

    Ji Yi felt a faint pain on her face. She didn¡¯t wait for He Yuguang to reply before immediately typing: ¡°Yuguang Ge, I¡¯m really tired, so I¡¯m heading off to bed first. Goodnight.¡± After she sent the message, she tried to sleep.

 Chapter 318

    Chapter 318: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    He Jichen read Ji Yi¡¯s two consecutive messages and the usual cold expression in his eyes softened a little.

    He replied with a ¡°Goodnight.¡± When he knew she wouldn¡¯t be replying to his messages anymore, he didn¡¯t put his phone away but started to reread the messages she sent him from start to end one more time.

    Every time he read the three words ¡°He Jichen,¡± his heart softened a little. Eventually, the air he gave off seemingly became more easy-going and approachable.

    He never knew that his name could actually look this good typed by Ji Yi¡¯s own fingers.

    She said it was a coincidence how he and He Yuguang gave her a gift from the samepany. She also said it was no wonder that they were twins.

    In actuality, the coincidence wasn¡¯t really because they were twins.

    It was because he was the one who gave her He Yuguang¡¯s present, and he was the one who gave her his present also.

    He only chose to give her jewelry from that brand because you had to register to purchase their products. You even had to register to gift them to someone, so if you bought their products, you could only gift their products to one person. If you wanted to send a gift to someone with a different name, this shop would reject your business.

    He knew about this marketing strategy, but for a person in love like him, this was romantic and heartfelt.

    What was most important was that thepany only sold unique products ¨C each item was one-of-a-kind.

    Their advertising slogan was particrly beautiful: To only gift to one person is tomit to one person for life.

    As for what she said about why he engraved the word ¡°Ji¡± and not ¡°Yi¡± ¨C it was only because his name had her surname in it.

    ¡°Ji¡±... is the bond we shared before we even met.

    He Jichen quietly thought about it as his eyes stopped on the three words ¡°He Jichen¡± in Ji Yi¡¯s messages.

    That night, even though he asked her: Can we go back to how we were before?

    She never gave him a reply, but in the silence, she had a change of heart, didn¡¯t she?

    She was willing to blurt out his name now and she didn¡¯t say it with disgust, nor did she say it while gritting her teeth.

    As long as he worked hard and as long as he had patience, one of these days, he would move her, she would be convinced by him, and they¡¯d go back to how they were before. Perhaps... she¡¯d even fall for him, right?

    The corners of He Jichen¡¯s lips couldn¡¯t help but curve into a smile.

    He put his locked phone into his pocket, picked up the red wine, and took a sip. Then he listened in on Chen Bai and Han Zhifan¡¯s conversation; they were actually still talking about Ji Yi.

    ¡°Mr. Han, for my age, do you think it¡¯s easy to scrape a meager living and support my family?¡±

    ¡°A weakling like me actually has to do the work of four people. Mr. He is practically t out squeezing all the energy out of me!¡±

    ¡°I think that not only am I Mr. He¡¯s assistant, but I¡¯m soon going to be Miss Ji¡¯s nanny...¡±

    As Chen Bai said this, he raised his wine ss and took a big gulp. He was just about to continueining to Han Zhifan when He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t joined their conversation, spoke softly. However, it wasn¡¯t directed to Chen Bai but to Han Zhifan, ¡°Zhifan, what do nannies do?¡±

    ¡°Wash the clothes, make food, and clean the toilet...¡± Han Zhifan randomly found three answers.

    He Jichen gave a nod then he looked like he suddenly realized something. The next second, his eyes fell on Chen Bai. ¡°Nanny Chen, from tomorrow onwards, you are responsible for Miss Ji¡¯s three meals and taking Miss Ji¡¯s clothes to the wash. You won¡¯t have to go as far as to scrub Miss Ji¡¯s toilets, but you have to pay attention to Miss Ji¡¯s chair on set.¡±

 Chapter 319

    Chapter 319: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Bai¡¯s eyes shot wide open as he stared at He Jichen with quivering fingers. After some time, he instinctively begged, ¡°Mr. He...¡±

    He Jichen seemed like he knew what Chen Bai was going to say next, so he spoke again without even giving Chen Bai a chance to talk. His tone of voice was sluggish, but there was an overbearing feeling in his voice. ¡°Nanny Chen, you seem to have a real problem with the woman I choose to spoil?!¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t!¡± Chen Bai bolted in his seat and shook his head like a rattle. He was so afraid that He Jichen wouldn¡¯t believe him, so with conviction, he added, ¡°I definitely don¡¯t!¡±

    He Jichen looked satisfied with Chen Bai¡¯s answer. ¡°Since you don¡¯t, show your sincerity. Do a good job with the things I just asked of you.¡±

    Does that mean that if I don¡¯t do well, it would mean that I really have a problem with the woman Mr. He chooses to spoil?

    Chen Bai, who wanted to plead for himself, couldn¡¯t say anything in his defense.

    He Jichen saw how pale Chen Bai was, but he didn¡¯t back off in the slightest. He turned his head and looked over at Han Zhifan then said in a serious voice, ¡°Zhifan, after you¡¯re back in Beijing, redesign Nanny Chen¡¯s business card. Put the title ¡®CEO¡¯s Personal Assistant¡¯ after ¡®Miss Ji¡¯s Personal Nanny.¡±

    After a pause, it seemed like this wasn¡¯t enough, so He Jichen added, ¡°Remember, the words ¡®Miss Ji¡¯s Personal Nanny¡¯ has to be in bold, darker, and twice asrge as the other words.¡±

    Having just picked up a wine ss, Han Zhifan drank just half a mouthful of wine when he almost spat it out again with a ¡°Poof!¡± as he heard what He Jichen said. He grabbed a tissue, wiped the corners of his lips then nced delightfully over at Chen Bai who looked like he wanted to cry but the tears wouldn¡¯te out. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll work on it for Nanny Chen immediately when I get back,¡± replied Han Zhifan.

    He Jichen looked satisfied with Han Zhifan¡¯s answer so he raised his head and downed the wine. Then he put his ss down and got up first. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    When Chen Bai heard He Jichen say this, he immediately jumped up from the sofa and ran over to He Jichen¡¯s side to kiss up to him in the most obvious way possible. Then he helped He Jichen carry his zer.

    He Jichen acted as though he didn¡¯t see Chen Bai¡¯s polite smile as he headed over to the elevator with a dull expression on his face.

    As the three of them left the Grand Hyatt, Chen Bai pulled open the car door for He Jichen and Han Zhifan to get in when Han Zhifan caught a glimpse of Cheng Weiwan from the corners of his eyes. She was standing on the opposite side of the road. Just then, Han Zhifan stopped getting into the car, straightened up and said to He Jichen, who was already in the car: ¡°You guys go back to the hotel first. I still have some business, so I¡¯ll see youter.¡±

    He Jichen asked no more then gave Han Zhifan a gentle nod as if to tell Chen Bai that he should start the car.

    After He Jichen and Chen Bai left, Han Zhifan walked over to the other side of the road.

    After He Jichen and Chen Bai left, Han Zhifan walked over to the roadside and unlocked a public bicycle. He followed the road, took a turn on the road ahead, and stopped in front of Cheng Weiwan.

    When Cheng Weiwan heard a noise, she looked up from her phone and saw Han Zhifan. It stunned her for a second but she didn¡¯t say a thing.

    Han Zhifan sat on the bicycle and put both feet on the ground. ¡°Heading back to the hotel? Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan rejected him by softly saying, ¡°No, thanks.¡± She put her phone away and walked up to the road in an attempt to distance herself from Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan caught up with her on the bike. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m more than willing to serve the woman I fell in love with at first sight.¡±

 Chapter 320

    Chapter 320: ¡°Within Your Radius¡± (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything as her footsteps hastened.

    ¡°You can¡¯t get a taxi here. If you trust me, get on. If you don¡¯t, then I¡¯ll get off and piggyback you back to your hotel...¡± As Han Zhifan said this, he drove the bike in front of her to block her way.

    Cheng Weiwan turned around, but Han Zhifan reached his hand out, grabbed her wrist and pulled her over to him. He lowered his head slightly and whispered into her ear, ¡°Or who¡¯s to say ¨C maybe you really want me to piggyback you back home?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face flushed.

    Han Zhifan showed a dazzling smile. ¡°Three, two...¡±

    Before he said ¡°one,¡± Han Zhifan already started to dismount.

    With Han Zhifan pestering her all night long, Cheng Weiwan knew he would do just as he said. She was a little afraid he¡¯d really force her to be piggybacked all the way back to the hotel, so she quickly said, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    When he heard this, Han Zhifan knew Cheng Weiwan agreed, so his lips curved into a smile. ¡°Although I¡¯m a little disappointed that I can¡¯t piggyback you back to the hotel, to be able to cycle you back also makes me happy.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t bother responding to Han Zhifan.

    Yet Han Zhifan didn¡¯t mind at all as he made a hand gesture to wee her to take a seat at the back of the bike. ¡°Please get on the bike, girl I like.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan turned her head away and got on his bike without looking at Han Zhifan.

    For the entire journey, Han Zhifan tried to find a topic to talk about with Cheng Weiwan. Although Cheng Weiwan rarely replied, he still happily talked to himself.

    ¡°Why did you choose to write?¡±

    ¡°Are all you girls who write books so ssy?¡±

    ¡°How did you think of so many stories?¡±

    ¡°Will you consider writing about me in your story?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    When they reached the hotel entrance, Han Zhifan nted his feet onto the ground, forcing the bicycle toe to a stop.

    Cheng Weiwan said practically nothing from the moment she got on the bike, but when she dismounted, she still managed to quietly say, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Han Zhifan turned his head and shed Cheng Weiwan another radiant smile.

    Cheng Weiwan looked away and said ¡°goodbye.¡± She turned and headed into the hotel.

    She hadn¡¯t taken two steps before Han Zhifan caught up with her. However, she didn¡¯t stop walking. As she walked quickly forwards, Han Zhifan faced her, walking backward one step at a time while saying, ¡°Seeing as how I took you back, can you give me your number?¡±

    ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m not used to strangers having my number,¡± politely rejected Cheng Weiwan.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Then let¡¯s try this a different way. Seeing as how I took you back, can I save my number in your phone?¡± As Han Zhifan said this, he pulled out his phone and made a call.

    After about thirty secondster, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s phone went off. Over a dozen unfamiliar numbers popped onto the screen.

    ¡°This is my phone number. I¡¯m Han Zhifan. Han is my surname, and my name is Zhifan. I¡¯m from Mituzhifan.¡±

    Han Zhifan introduced himself as he nced over at Cheng Weiwan. When he caught the astonishment in her eyes, he knew she was confused as to how he got her number, so he said, ¡°If I don¡¯t put some effort into the girl I fell in love with at first sight, how could I call it ¡®love at first sight¡¯?¡±

    Having her thoughts read like that, Cheng Weiwan walked around Han Zhifan and entered the elevator.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t stop her. It wasn¡¯t until she got into the elevator and went up that the expression on his face turned cold and a tinge of hatred and ruthlessness boiled in the depths of his eyes.

    ¨C

    After her birthday, Ji Yi¡¯s life on set was evidently a lot calmer.

 Chapter 321

    Chapter 321: Who is C Girl? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After her birthday, Ji Yi¡¯s life on set was evidently a lot calmer.

    Ji Yi knew that this kind of calm was only temporary. Qian Ge would never let her off that easily, but since she didn¡¯t know what was going to happen next, all Ji Yi could do now was do her best in her scenes.

    Life on set wasn¡¯tpletely tedious. For example, Han Zhifan seemed to have a thing for the scriptwriter, Cheng Weiwan. Every day, he would send a bouquet of flowers to the set. His pursuit of her was on fire, making the entire cast and crew buzz.

    As time went by, spring flew by and summer came. In the blink of an eye, they were at the end of shooting for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    In the summer, Hengdian got hotter by the day. This year on June first, Children¡¯s day, it was recorded as the hottest day in history. After shooting the final scene, Ji Yi waspletely drenched in sweat, through and through.

    As soon as she removed herself from the scrutiny of the camera lens, the first thought on her mind was to immediately head back to the hotel for a shower. However, before she could get changed in the changing room, an old acquaintance who she couldn¡¯t quite remember called out to her: ¡°Ji Yi.¡±

    It was a man with a familiar, yet perhaps unfamiliar voice. Ji Yi was stunned for few seconds before she slowly turned her head towards the source of the sound.

    The man wore a suit and he was standing under a nearby tree smiling right at her.

    He looked incredibly familiar, but Ji Yi couldn¡¯t quite remember who this old acquaintance was all of a sudden?

    ¡°Ji Yi...¡± The man called her name again then walked over to her. Just as he was about to reach her, he continued to say, ¡°...What a coincidence! I never imagined that...¡±

    Before the man could even finish, Ji Yi finally realized who he was. In the shock of it all, she let slip, ¡°Fatty?!¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for the man to reply and looked him up and down twice over. A secondter, she said in astonishment, ¡°It¡¯s really you! Fatty, I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re so skinny now. I couldn¡¯t even recognize you just now!¡±

    As Ji Yi said that, she realized she just called him by his old nickname, so she quickly corrected herself: ¡°I¡¯m sorry, force of habit! I should call you Su Han.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s alright.¡± Su Han didn¡¯t mind at all and continued from where he left off. ¡°I learned a few days ago that Chen Ge was filming here. I just happened to be in Hangzhou and I had a free day today, so I figured I¡¯de to visit Chen Ge. I never imagined that you¡¯d be on Chen Ge¡¯s production team.¡±

    After a pause, Su Han said, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right! It¡¯s still early. Chen Ge and I have ns to have dinnerter in Hangzhou ¨C why don¡¯t youe along too?¡±

    He and He Jichen nned to meet up, but he¡¯s inviting me toe along... Does He Jichen know?

    Just as Ji Yi was torn over how to answer him, He Jichen came over after rewatching all the scenes shot that day, confirming that there were no scenes to reshoot. Without waiting for Ji Yi to reply, he said dully, ¡°We¡¯re all old ssmates and it¡¯s been so long since we saw each other. It¡¯s a perfect time for us to get together.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Ji Yi. You can¡¯t snub me like that, right? After all, I helped you buy breakfast for a whole year at school...¡± said Su Han as added to He Jichen¡¯s words.

    Even though He Jichen was the one who ordered Su Han to buy the breakfast for her for a whole year, now that he brought it up, Ji Yi didn¡¯t have the heart to decline even though she hadn¡¯t decided if she wanted to go. She lowered her eyelids and smiled. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll head back to the hotel to get changed. See you guyster in the hotel lobby.¡±

 Chapter 322

    Chapter 322: Who is C Girl? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi first took a shower then changed into a simple but elegant dress and took the elevator downstairs. He Jichen and Su Han were already sitting in the lounge area in the lobby.

    He Jichen was the first to see her. He looked just as subdued as usual and didn¡¯t say anything to her.

    On the contrary, Su Han, who was just talking with him, noticed that his gaze had turned to the elevator. He turned his head, following his eyes. When he saw Ji Yi, he immediately raised his hand and waved at her. ¡°Ji Yi!¡±

    Ji Yi replied with a smile and walked faster.

    As she drew closer, He Jichen and Su Han got up, one after the other.

    They stepped through the revolving doors of the lobby. Chen Bai had driven the car up to the front door and immediately got out of the car. He walked around and opened the door of the front passenger seat.

    Before Chen Bai could say ¡°Please get in,¡± Su Han took two strides and got into the car without being polite about it.

    Chen Bai helped Su Han close the front passenger door then took two steps towards the end of the car and opened the doors in the back.

    With the front passenger seat taken, Ji Yi had no choice but to politely say ¡°Thank you¡± to Chen Bai and get into the car.

    He Jichen followed behind her and got in. While she was taking a shower, He Jichen probably took a shower too since Ji Yi could clearly smell the faint scent of jasmine.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t understand why she was nervous, but her fingers clutched her handbag silently. Her body instinctively edged right up against the car door to put some between her and He Jichen. Her breathing suddenly stopped but after a short while, it was back to normal.

    Fatty was just as chatty as when they were young. After Chen Bai started the car, his mouth didn¡¯t stop moving for a second.

    At first, he chatted to Ji Yi, mostly inquiring about how she wastely and how life on set was.

    Ji Yi figured that Fatty probably knew she got in a car ident three years ago and had been in aa for years afterward. He knew it was a touchy subject for her, so he didn¡¯t bring it up.

    But thereafter, Fatty mostly spoke to He Jichen.

    It was just as it was in senior high ¨C for every 10 words Fatty said, He Jichen replied with just one.

    From their conversation, Ji Yi discovered that Fatty didn¡¯t have great college entrance exam results, so he didn¡¯t get into a good university nor did he retake the exam. Instead, he joined the army straight after. After returningst year, he¡¯d been working in Sucheng Huanan¡¯s police force.

    Eventually, Fatty brought the conversation to a case he¡¯d been working on that year.

    At first, Ji Yi was interested in listening to his talk, but due to her exhaustion from shooting all the scenes that day, her eyes closed and she slipped into a deep sleep.

    In a groggy state, Ji Yi felt like she was being enveloped by the sweet scent of jasmine. It smelled so good and it made her feel so cozy that it made her lips curve irresistibly into a smile and she fell into a deeper sleep.

    It was a two-hour journey by car from Hengdian to Hangzhou, so when Ji Yi woke up, the car was very quiet. Fatty was on his phone, Chen Bai was focused on driving, and the sky outside the window was dim.

    She wasn¡¯t sure how long she¡¯d been sleeping for, but she waspletely groggy upon waking. Then she tried to move her legs which were numb from not moving for so long while she sensed some good material stuck to her face.

    She furrowed her brows and realized it was He Jichen¡¯s shoulder. She instinctively looked over to find a patch of drool on He Jichen¡¯s clean shirt. Her eyes suddenly shot wide open.

 Chapter 323

    Chapter 323: Who is C Girl (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    I-I actually drooled?

    Ji Yi was at aplete loss for words before she awkwardly raised her finger to wipe the moisture from her lips. Then she discreetly raised her eyelids and nced over at He Jichen.

    When He Jichen sensed her shifting, he gently looked to his side and happened to catch Ji Yi sneaking a peek at him.

    Ji Yi was stunned for some time. With nowhere to hide, she swallowed her saliva. ¡°I-I-I...¡±

    She wanted to tell him that she didn¡¯t mean to drool on him, but after stuttering for some time, she didn¡¯t want to say something that embarrassing. Eventually, her cheeks flushed. She put her head down and quietly said, ¡°Sorry.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s voice sounded gentle and sweet. ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡±

    He actually doesn¡¯t care?

    Ji Yi was stunned for a second then her eyelids quickly and swiftly nced over at He Jichen.

    Not only was the man¡¯s face not annoyed, but the corners of his lips had a faint curve upward as though he was in a great mood.

    Ji Yi¡¯s apprehensive heart instantly calmed down.

    Her head was still on his shoulder and she was particrly close to his face. It was so close, in fact, that she could clearly see his fair, poreless skin.

    His skin¡¯s actually this good?

    At that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s gaze wandered around He Jichen¡¯s face as she carefully studied his features. She tried hard to find a w, but in the end, she couldn¡¯t find a single one. Instead, she ended up secretly admiring him. How could a big man like him have such damn good skin... that¡¯s so unfair!

    Ji Yi stared transfixed with quivering pupils at He Jichen¡¯s face. He shifted a little and grabbed a bottle of water beside him. He unscrewed the cap and handed it to Ji Yi. ¡°Drink some water.¡±

    Ji Yi snapped back from her daze for a second and hurriedly said, ¡°Thank you.¡± She took the bottle then realized that after being awake for so long, her head was still on He Jichen¡¯s shoulder. That was when she straightened up, flustered, as she distanced herself from He Jichen by pulling herself away.

    What is with me today? I actually embarrassed myself time and time again in front of He Jichen... Ji Yi tried to calm her flustered little heart as she secretly pulled away from He Jichen. She watched as he grabbed hisptop, opened it up, and ced it on hisp.

    Didn¡¯t they say we¡¯re going to eat at Lou Wailou? We¡¯re already at West Lake so we¡¯ll reach our destination in a few minutes. Why did he take out hisptop?

    Ji Yi curiously sneaked a peek over at He Jichen¡¯s face, but it was too dark. She couldn¡¯t be sure, but she thought she noticed his ears had turned a little red.

    Ji Yi¡¯s brows furrowed as she wanted to take a closer look. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the nket over her body.

    No wonder that after feeling a little cold from the air conditioning when I was sleeping, I started to warm up some time. So he put a nket over me...

    At that thought, Ji Yi looked to one side and her gaze fell on the air conditioning vent that gently released cold air. It had already been turned off.

    She always thought that Yuguang Ge was the only one who would do these small things for her. She never imagined that He Jichen would actually be so meticulous...

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but gaze over at He Jichen as she still couldn¡¯t clearly see what he was so busy with on theptop. The car came to a stop and Chen Bai in front said, ¡°Mr. He, we¡¯re here.¡±

 Chapter 324

    Chapter 324: Who is C Girl? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After he said this, Chen Bai pushed the car door open and got out. He first opened the front passenger door then pulled the rear passenger door open.

    Fatty got out but He Jichen sat in the car for a while, staring at theptop.

    If he didn¡¯t get out, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t either, so all she could do was turn to look at He Jichen.

    He Jichen acted as though he didn¡¯t sense her gaze as he stared right at hisptop screen.

    Fatty waited impatiently and started to rush him. He Jichen still didn¡¯t react and ignored all the puzzled eyes from the three people surrounding him. He waited until he adjusted to Ji Yi¡¯s unwavering stare before he coldly shut theptop. He handed theptop to Chen Bai, who was standing by the car door, and elegantly stepped out of the car.

    ¨C

    Chen Bai booked a private room in advance facing a view of the West Lake.

    It was just as how things were when they were young -when Fatty ate, he had to drink a little. He was talkative to begin with, but after two drinks, he became even more talkative.

    After eating for twenty minutes, Chen Bai was full and had other business to attend to, so he left early.

    Fatty drank quite a bit before he got the urge to smoke. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, but before he could put a cigarette to his mouth, He Jichen cried, ¡°Fatty.¡±

    He said just one word, nothing else, but Fatty knew to quickly put down his cigarette. ¡°Look at this memory of mine. In front of Sao...¡±

    Fatty only let out the word ¡°Sao¡± before he caught sight of He Jichen¡¯s gaze. He quickly pretended to look as though he was choking and coughed for a moment and corrected himself with, ¡°...Ji Yi, Chen Ge has a rule: absolutely no smoking.¡±

    As he said that, Fatty turned to look at Ji Yi. ¡°Ji Yi, when we were in school, did you know what we were most scared of?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°We were most scared of you hanging around us!¡± Fatty slowly sipped the wine from his wine ss. ¡°Our gang wasn¡¯t allowed to smoke because you didn¡¯t like the smell of cigarettes. Chen Ge didn¡¯t force us to quit smoking, but he didn¡¯t allow us to smoke in front of you. This wasn¡¯t the most messed up thing... Did you know what was Chen Ge¡¯s most over-the-top request? In front of you, we were asked not to smell of cigarettes, which meant that when my urge to smoke came, I couldn¡¯t hide from you for a smoke...¡±

    When they were young, Ji Yi knew that He Jichen didn¡¯t allow Fatty and the gang to smoke in front of her. However, she didn¡¯t know that his demands were that strict. After she heard Fatty¡¯s words, her gaze instinctively drifted over to He Jichen. Perhaps it was because Fatty brought up the past that the expression on his face looked far away like he was reminiscing about the past too.

    Fatty didn¡¯t notice that Ji Yi was following He Jichen¡¯s gaze. He shook his head and continued to repeat the words ¡°messed up¡± and took another gulp of wine. ¡°...Ji Yi, do you know what we used to secretly call Chen Ge?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± asked Ji Yi in curiosity as she averted her gaze from He Jichen to Fatty.

    ¡°We called Chen Ge the ¡®Tyrant¡¯! The kind of dictating tyrant!¡± After a pause, Fatty looked like he thought about something hrious as he chuckled softly. Then he asked Ji Yi, ¡°And do you know what we used to secretly call you?¡±

    Perhaps it was because she had too much to drink, but Ji Yi didn¡¯t think too much of it and blurted her guess. ¡°The pampered consort?¡±

    Sitting next to Ji Yi, He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled when he heard the words ¡°The pampered consort.¡±

    Tyrant and the pampered consort were a match made in heaven. She...

    He Jichen turned his head and stared at Ji Yi. He could tell it was unintentional, but he couldn¡¯t help but show a tinge of satisfaction in his brows.

 Chapter 325

    Chapter 325: Who is C Girl? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°The pampered consort?¡± Fatty looked like he heard a funny word and said: ¡°In your dreams! The secret nickname we gave you was...¡±

    Fatty was overjoyed before he said anything. With a pause, he cried, ¡°...The great demon!¡±

    Ji Yi thought it would be something like ¡°the desting beauty¡± or ¡°the extraordinary maiden,¡± but when she heard what Fatty said, she was stunned for three seconds. She furrowed her brows and repeated those three words for confirmation: ¡°The great demon?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Back then, you were a nightmare for our gang. When you went to the canteen, Chen Ge would get angry if the line was over five minutes long. When you went to pick up delivery from the school gates, Chen Ge would get angry if you were outside for more than five minutes. When you identally slipped on some water after the ssroom floors were mopped, Chen Ge got angry. Even when you walked past the school garden and your skirt got a little wet from the automatic sprinklers, Chen Ge would randomly lecture us. It that wasn¡¯t enough, if you didn¡¯t get a good score on your test or when you were in a bad mood because you were on your period, Chen Ge would get angry at us over those unavoidable natural disasters...¡± Though it happened so many years ago, Fatty couldn¡¯t help but pick up his ss with a stifled heart at the thought of those arduous years. ¡°...So you tell me ¨C if you aren¡¯t the great demon, what are you?¡± he asked as he downed a few gulps.

    Having heard all of Fatty¡¯s resentment, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but purse her lips for a moment.

    But before she could form aplete smile, Fatty spoke again, ¡°You were no normal great demon; you were the type people were afraid of when they saw you. The feared great demon!¡±

    Was I that scary? People were afraid when they saw me?

    Deep down, Ji Yi let out a ¡°hmph!¡±

    She thought Fatty was done, but then Fatty unexpectedly took a big, hard gulp and added, ¡°What¡¯s more, the thought of you, the great demon, would make us break out in cold sweats in our dreams. You were basically the great dark demon!¡±

    When they were young, they actually said that about her in private!

    Not fair!

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t actually angry, but she felt a little girl¡¯s strong will climb into her heart. She furiously turned her head and happened to catch a glimpse of many street food stalls out the window. There were quite a few people lining up around them.

    Back in the day, when she and He Jichen¡¯s rtionship was at its best, they practically hung out with Fatty and the gang every day.

    Besides He Jichen, no one else dared to mess with her, but every now and then, if someone annoyed her, she would think of a way to torment them back.

    She was annoyed with how Fatty just described her ¨C the great demon...

    With that thought, Ji Yi turned to look at Fatty. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that people were afraid of me when they saw me; I was the great demon who made people break out in cold sweats in their dreams? Which means you don¡¯t dare mess with me. If that¡¯s true...¡±

    Ji Yi raised her hand and pointed at the longest queue in the snack area. ¡°...then go buy some snacks for me, the great demon!¡±

    As Fatty¡¯s drink was about to touch his lips, his fingers shook violently when he heard what Ji Yi said, causing him to almost drop his ss. ¡°No way... It¡¯s so hot out! You want me to line up in such a long queue to buy you something?¡±

    Just as she did back when she was young, Ji Yi silently turned her head and looked over at He Jichen and left the rest to him.

 Chapter 326

    Chapter 326: Who is C Girl? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When her eyes met He Jichen¡¯s, her heart trembled violently.

    This very scenario brought back memories from when they were young...

    Back then, if anybody made her unhappy, He Jichen actedpletely unreasonably and put them in a difficult spot.

    The gang and the current Fatty were just the same ¨C they used a patronizing tone of voice to ask her why she was like that. She wouldn¡¯t even bother exining herself and turned her little face over to He Jichen for support.

    Heaven knew just how much he loved her reaction because it made him feel like she needed him.

    Fatty watched Ji Yi staring at He Jichen as rm bells rang in his head. He felt defiant at first, but all his words instantly disappeared from his mouth. He instinctively turned his head to look at He Jichen. ¡°Chen Ge...¡±

    When He Jichen heard Fatty¡¯s voice, his eyelids fluttered and he drew himself back from the distant thoughts he had while staring at Ji Yi. He acted as though he hadn¡¯t seen Fatty beg for mercy and said ¡°Go¡± with a dull voice.

    This can¡¯t be? It¡¯s been four years since he¡¯se across the great demon¡¯s trouble-making; how is the tyrant still so unruly?

    Fatty was stunned for two seconds and tried to speak.

    This time, he didn¡¯t manage to get any words out, but He Jichen¡¯s brows were beginning to furrow. Fatty felt an aura of infinite severity rushing over at him, so he bolted up from his seat. The words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat for some reason before they uncontrobly changed to: ¡°I¡¯ll go, I¡¯ll go.¡±

    As he said this, Fatty rushed for the door to the private room.

    He Jichen seemed satisfied with his answer as his furrowed brows started to rx. He stared at Fatty¡¯s hurried back and thought for a moment before saying in aid-back tone, ¡°Mhm, remember to buy another round of all the snacks.¡±

    Fatty instantly stopped in his tracks. ¡°Chen...¡±

    He only managed to get one word out when He Jichen spoke again, ¡°Ten portions.¡±

    Fatty drew a sharp breath, but before he could make a sound, He Jichen cut in before Fatty could speak. He said: ¡°A hun-¡±

    Before he could finish saying ¡°hundred,¡± Fatty ran out of the private room in fear that He Jichen would really ask him to buy a hundred of each snack. He disappeared instantly.

    ...

    When Fatty returned with various big and small bags,pletely out of breath with a head drenched in sweat, Ji Yi was sipping her tea with her head lowered. At the time, He Jichen was holding his wine ss as he stared softly at Ji Yi.

    A breeze blew in gently, making the image of the two of them look so quaint.

    After lining up for so long, Fatty waspletely drenched in sweat. As his heart grew bitter, he put the takeout boxes on the table. He couldn¡¯t help but mutter, ¡°The bully! Partner in crime! The dictating tyrant and great demon together, truly a tragedy on...¡±

    Fatty didn¡¯t get to say the final word ¡°humanity¡± when He Jichen¡¯s gaze swept over him. With an earnest smile on his face, Fatty hurriedly shut his mouth and handed Ji Yi a skewer.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but burst out inughter. She raised her hand and took it then apologized a few times to Fatty before she said, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Fatty knew Ji Yi was sorry for her momentarypse of judgment just now. He waved his hands and replied to her with a beaming smile as if to say no problem. He picked up the wine ss, added some ice to it and took a few big gulps.

    Fatty then grabbed the wine bottle and topped up his own ss. While he was at it, he also topped up He Jichen¡¯s ss. By ident, Fatty looked up to find He Jichen still staring at Ji Yi with a warm and tender look in his eyes.

 Chapter 327

    Chapter 327: Who is C Girl? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Having personally seen how He Jichen treated Ji Yi when they were young, Fatty¡¯s heart trembled for a moment and a sudden, unspeakable sense of pain came over him.

    He ced the bottle of wine on the table. With alcohol in his system, he couldn¡¯t help but let out a sigh. ¡°Say, it¡¯s so nice that you guys are like this. When I went down to line up for snacks, I thought back to the things that happened to us in senior high and realized that you guys are still on good terms like you were back then. Honestly speaking, I always thought that people were bound to part after meeting. Chen Ge and I would part ways, the other brothers and I would part ways, but I never imagined that you two would part ways, and...¡±

    Fatty paused for a moment as though he was apologetic about something. He took a hard gulp of wine then continued to say, ¡°...I never imagined that the first to part ways in our gang would be you two.¡±

    ¡°Till this day, I still don¡¯t know why you, Ji Yi, left without saying goodbye as soon as you finished your college entrance exams four years ago. You left Sucheng and left Chen Ge?¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she suddenly thought back to that night four years ago, and her face turned slightly pale.

    ¡°Fatty!¡± cried He Jichen as he realized what Fatty just said.

    Fatty acted as though he hadn¡¯t heard He Jichen tell him to stop and he continued to say, ¡°If I remember correctly, it was four years ago today. It was the night of the ss party before the college entrance exams when you both stopped talking. What the hell happened that night to make you both be strangers?!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers clutched the table. No matter how hard she tried to stay calm, her body started to tremble gently.

    ¡°Fatty!¡± cried He Jichen again, but this time with a far sterner voice.

    Fatty seemed to also be impatient as his tone of voice sounded heavier. ¡°Chen Ge, why don¡¯t you let me speak? Four years ago, I wanted to go find her, but you didn¡¯t let me! Four yearster, you guys meet up again, and you don¡¯t even tell me? You treated her so well, and I don¡¯t believe she wasn¡¯t aware! Even if you did something wrong, how could she be so ruthless as to cut all ties?!¡±

    As he said this, Fatty turned his head. ¡°Ji Yi, did you know just how much I hated you back then? I thought you practically didn¡¯t have a conscience! At school, you had everything going for you, and everyone respected you whenever they mentioned you. Who made that happen? Don¡¯t you know? It was all because of Chen Ge, but what about you? You said you were going to toss aside Chen Ge and you did just that! Do you know how Chen Ge was after you left?! He was at the bar, drunk for a whole month. I saw, with my own eyes, how he lost five kilograms. I¡¯ve known Chen Ge for so many years. I¡¯ve seen him bleed, I¡¯ve seen him break his bones, but I¡¯ve never seen him cry!¡±

    ¡°Su Han!¡± He Jichen swiftly raised his hand and mmed the table. ¡°I f*cking told you that I wronged her four years ago. I wronged her! I, He Jichen, wronged her!¡±

    After He Jichen repeated ¡°I wronged her¡± three times, he abruptly got up and kicked the chair behind him. He gritted his teeth and said ¡°You f*cking got that?¡± at Fatty then stormed out of the room.

    As the door mmed shut, the atmosphere in the room became incredibly awkward.

    Neither Ji Yi and Fatty flinched as though their pressure points had been pressed.

 Chapter 328

    Chapter 328: Who is C Girl? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After some time, Fatty turned his head and opened his mouth as though he was about to say something. A whileter, Fatty turned his head slightly and looked over at Ji Yi. He opened his mouth to say something again, but he didn¡¯t. In the end, he gulped hard and forced the words out. ¡°Sorry, I got too riled up just now.¡±

    When Ji Yi heard that, she nced up at Fatty but didn¡¯t make a sound.

    The room was engulfed in silence once again.

    Fatty seemed like he was agitated over something as he raised his ss and downed the wine. Then he mmed the ss down on the table and stared at it for two seconds. After some time, he tilted his head towards Ji Yi and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Ji Yi, if Chen Ge did something to wrong you, I want to apologize on his behalf... But believe me, Chen Ge isn¡¯t a bad person...¡±

    As Fatty said this, his voice sounded confident. ¡°He¡¯s definitely the nicest person in the world that I, Su Han, have ever met in my life...¡±

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯tpletely recovered from everything Fatty brought up about their life four years ago, but her heart was astonished for a moment after she heard what he said.

    She heard He Jichen mostly described as handsome, rich, well-off and very capable. As for his bad side, at most he was cold, distant, short-tempered, and Sucheng¡¯s number one bully... As for what Fatty said, ¡°the nicest person in the world,¡± this was her first time hearing that for sure.

    Fatty was tipsy, but he was very much conscious. Although Ji Yi didn¡¯t respond, he could sense the confusion on her face. He picked up the wine bottle, but he didn¡¯t pour the wine into his ss. Instead, he poured it right into his mouth. ¡°You don¡¯t believe what I said, do you?¡±

    ¡°But did you know? I¡¯ve known Chen Ge since elementary school. Back then, Chen Ge was a good student. At every meeting, teachers alwaysplimented him. He was the model child every parent talked about.¡±

    ¡°When I was young, I was fat, so ssmates didn¡¯t want to y with me. They liked to make fun of me... but not Chen Ge. He never turned his back on me. One time, when I was surrounded by people years above me, Chen Ge stood up and protected me. At the time, I decided to follow Chen Ge no matter what he said.¡±

    ¡°Chen Ge got first-ce in the elementary school exams in the whole district...¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, a tinge of skepticism crossed her eyes.

    He Jichen¡¯s results were always terrible, and he was famous for being the worse student in the whole school. But after senior high, his grades slowly started to improve...

    ¡°What? Surprised?¡± Fatty shot Ji Yi a look like she was ignorant and he spoke again boastfully: ¡°Let me tell you, Chen Ge¡¯s not only good at his studies. Back then, he was also great at the piano. He received first ce in the national children¡¯s pianopetition. His piano skills were so good that a grand piano master saw his potential and personally went to the He family¡¯s house to take him on as his student...¡±

    After Fatty said this, his tone of voice sounded a little regretful. ¡°...Perhaps if there wasn¡¯t He Yuguang, Chen Ge¡¯s bright future would¡¯ve been limitless.¡±

    ¡°Yuguang Ge?¡± When Ji Yi heard this, she creased her eyebrows slightly and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What does this have to do with Yuguang Ge?¡±

    ¡°How does it not have anything to do with him? It¡¯s because of him that Chen Ge got into fights, didn¡¯t study, and messed around aimlessly. It¡¯s because Chen Ge wanted people in the He family to treat He Yuguang better, considering how he was naturally born weak. He figured that the more outstanding he was and the more people in the He family spoiled him, the more He Yuguang would be snubbed.¡±

 Chapter 329

    Chapter 329: Who is C Girl? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°So he thought of a n to intentionally disappoint the He family...¡±

    ¡°Everyone thought Chen Ge was distant and condescending, but only people who truly understood him knew just how soft-hearted he was.¡±

    ¡°He cared so much for his older brother that he foolishly ruined his exceptional image...¡±

    After Fatty said this, he stopped for a moment, drank a small gulp of wine, and turned to look at Ji Yi. All of a sudden, he asked, ¡°Do you know how old Chen Ge was at the time?¡±

    Ji Yi gently shook her head.

    ¡°At the time, Chen Ge was eleven years old. He was still an immature kid, but he already knew that a person he cared about was silently suffering on his own.¡±

    ¡°At the time, the He family didn¡¯t know the truth and lectured him every day. Even He Yuguang tried to persuade him, but He Jichen refused to exin himself because he simply hoped that the He family would prioritize his older brother a more and more until he, himself, was left in the dust.

    ¡°You might think that Chen Ge only treated him like this because He Yuguang was his older brother, but that wasn¡¯t it. Chen Ge treated us brothers really well too. At first, when Chestnut¡¯s father had cancer, Chen Ge gave him all his pocket money. At the time, the He family disliked how he did nothing every day, so they didn¡¯t give him any money. He Jichen went behind our backs and got a job. Also, when there was a fund going around for a girl in our school with leukemia, wasn¡¯t there an anonymous hero who donated a five-figure sum? That person was Chen Ge...¡±

    Fatty spoke casually, but Ji Yi was listening inplete astonishment.

    In her eyes, He Jichen domineering, unreasonable, arrogant, condescending... Once, she loathed him so much and thought of him as the world¡¯s most unforgivable person.

    She never imagined that she would ever hear apletely different side to He Jichen from Fatty¡¯s mouth.

    His hot-bloodedness, his sincerity, and his capacity to give up everything to look after the people he cared for... He also cared for people he had no personal rtionship with and he was willing to lend a helping hand...

    Her rtionship with He Jichen was once really good... But the He Jichen Fatty described wasn¡¯t the same He Jichen she knew.

    So all this time, I never truly got to know the real him?

    As Ji Yi reflected on that, Fatty downed a ss of wine and grabbed the wine opener to open a new bottle while he said, ¡°Ji Yi. Actually... what I said just now was nothing. Chen Ge also had an even more important person in his life.¡±

    An even more important person?

    Ji Yi stopped the thought running through her mind and looked over at Fatty with evident interest.

    ¡°How do I tell you... everyone has a weak spot and a strong source of ¡°armor¡± in their lives, but they¡¯re usually not the same person. However, one person was Chen Ge¡¯s weak spot as well as his armor.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to describe just how important that person was to Chen Ge; I can only say that she was the only person I¡¯ve ever seen whose smile could make Chen Ge happy for days, whose purse of their lips could frustrate Chen Ge for days.¡±

    ¡°Saying that... I remember something interesting. Before Chen Ge met that really important person, he even gave her a funny name...¡± Reminiscing back to their younger years, Fatty¡¯s voice sounded rather tender as he said: ¡°...C girl.¡±

 Chapter 330

    Chapter 330: Who is C Girl? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    C girl?

    After those two words entered Ji Yi¡¯s ears, her first thought was tough, but then she thought those words sounded familiar, like she¡¯d heard them somewhere before.

    ¡°Back then, Chen Ge turned Sucheng Yizhong upside down, searching for C girl...¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she realized why she thought ¡°C girl¡± sounded so familiar.

    No matter if she was at her granny¡¯s house, or at the He family¡¯s home, or at school, she heard He Jichen¡¯s name practically every day, long before she met him.

    There was just so much gossip about him amongst the girls that he was practically as popr as a celebrity.

    Naturally, most of the gossip was about his love life.

    One day, everyone was discussing what girl gave him a love letter. The next, everyone would be talking about what girl he was with at the school gates. The day after that, everyone would be discussing what girl he was ying games with at the inte cafe...

    But the most sensational piece of gossip about him was, ¡°Searching for C girl.¡±

    That incident caused so muchmotion throughout the entire school. Practically every corner of the school was stered with leaflets saying ¡°Searching for C girl.¡± Even the walls of the girl¡¯s toilets were covered in them. The after school broadcast would repeatedly y an announcement for ¡°Searching for C girl.¡± Even the school forums were covered with threads about ¡°Searching for C girl.¡±

    At the time, no matter if it was a guy or girl, or the old man at the gates, or thedy at the canteen, everyone was curious to find out who ¡°C Girl¡± was.

    Even after being warned by granny that she had to keep her distance from He Jichen, she still secretly spected about who ¡°C girl¡± could be with her desk mate.

    It was a shame that the situation got so big that it eventually rmed the principal, who punished He Jichen and his gang to clean the toilets. Just like that, the whole ¡°Searching for C girl¡± fiasco ended with no result. It wasn¡¯t until she graduated when ¡°Who is C girl¡± became the Sucheng Yizhong¡¯s top ten unsolved mysteries.

    When she and He Jichen got really close, the ¡°Searching for C girl¡± fiasco was long over; it was at least two years old. At the time, she forgot just how big of a deal it was, until Fatty abruptly mentioned it today. That was when she suddenly started reminiscing about the past...

    This unsolved mystery of so many years made Ji Yi incredibly curious. As she thought back to all the events surrounding ¡°C girl,¡± she couldn¡¯t help but nosily ask, ¡°I remember now. C girl, the person you called Chen Sao ¨C so was she He Jichen¡¯s first love?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...¡± Fatty nodded without hesitation. ¡°...She¡¯s the only woman Chen Ge has ever fallen for.¡±

    Romantic stories would always be the most captivating topic of conversation for women.

    Deep down inside, Ji Yi grew increasingly curious after learning that He Jichen had this other, loving side to him. Then she asked a series of questions in one breath, ¡°That incident, wasn¡¯t it unsettled back then? What happened after? Did He Jichen find C girl? In the end, who was C girl?¡±

    ¡°Till this day, you don¡¯t know who C Girl was?¡± eximed Fatty in shock.

    Ji Yi was stunned by how Fatty was making a fuss over nothing. ¡°Nobody told me, so how would I know...¡±

    ¡°Are you stupid!¡± Fatty didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to finish talking and said, ¡°Such a simple answer, yet you still need someone to tell you? C girl is...¡±

 Chapter 331

    Chapter 331: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before Fatty could finish talking, a voice interrupted what he was going to say. ¡°Fatty.¡±

    When Fatty heard this, he suddenly stopped the word ¡°you¡± from slipping out. At the same time, Fatty and Ji Yi turned their heads reflexively towards the source of the sound.

    It was He Jichen, returning from his fit of anger. It wasn¡¯t clear when he made it back to the room. Despite being quite some distance away from Ji Yi and Fatty, Ji Yi could still clearly smell the thick smell of cigarettes on his body.

    After he left, did he go smoke by himself?

    Ji Yi furrowed her eyebrows slightly then heard He Jichen¡¯s voice drift over. ¡°I have something to discuss with him. Please wait here for a moment.¡±

    After hearing He Jichen speak, Ji Yi¡¯s attention was drawn to his body then she realized he was talking to her.

    The expression on his face looked extremely serious.

    Ji Yi understood he and Fatty had something important to talk about, so she gave a gentle nod.

    With her silent response, He Jichen¡¯s gaze fell on Fatty. ¡°Come outside for a moment.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s up? Did something happen?¡± said Fatty, puzzled.

    Seeing as Fatty didn¡¯t move from his chair, He Jichen furrowed his brows and repeated himself with a heavier tone and simplified words: ¡°Come out!¡±

    Fatty didn¡¯t dare fight back, so he put the wine bottle down and quickly got up.

    He Jichen waited until Fatty left the private room and softly shut the door.

    ...

    ¡°What¡¯s up Chen Ge? What¡¯s so important that you couldn¡¯t stay in the room? Why do we have to step out?¡± asked Fatty as he walked beside He Jichen.

    He Jichen deliberately ignored him and continued walking until they were quite some distance away from the room. He Jichen suddenly stopped and looked at Fatty with a sense of urgency. ¡°After I stepped out, what did you talk to her about?¡±

    Fatty¡¯s heart was terrified by the serious expression on He Jichen¡¯s face. He stuttered, ¡°Nah, nothing.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s brows twitched.

    Fatty hastily and honestly fessed up to what he told Ji Yi in great detail.

    After He Jichen confirmed that Fatty didn¡¯t let slip that He Yuguang passed away or that the person he liked was her, he shut his eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

    Fatty and He Jichen had known each other for many years, so he knew him very well. Seeing him react like that, Fatty instantly understood why he called him out of the room.

    Fatty pursed his lips slightly and was silent for a moment before he said, ¡°Chen Ge, you stopped me just now because you were afraid I¡¯d tell her she¡¯s C girl, right?¡±

    He Jichen silently nced over at Fatty. He reached for a pack of cigarettes in his pocket and handed Fatty one.

    Fatty didn¡¯t take it but moved his lips instead: ¡°Chen Ge, why didn¡¯t you let me tell her? Why don¡¯t you let her know that the C girl you were searching for back then was her?¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t say anything. He retracted the cigarette he offered Fatty and shoved it between his lips then lit it up.

    ¡°Chen Ge, I don¡¯t understand. In the third year of senior high, you already had your mind set on confessing to her after graduation. It¡¯s been four years now ¨C what¡¯s there to worry about? Why can¡¯t you let her know that she¡¯s the person you like? What¡¯s more, you¡¯ve liked her for years!¡±

 Chapter 332

    Chapter 332: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s eyelids blinked leisurely as he silently took a drag. He acted as though he hadn¡¯t heard Fatty¡¯s overbearing questions.

    ¡°Chen Ge, if you like her, just go for her! If you don¡¯t tell her, how would she know that you like her? If another man took a little more initiative and got together with her, you¡¯d be the one crying!¡±

    Darkness shed in his eyes as He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled with the cigarette between them.

    His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down, yet he didn¡¯t say a word and continued to put the cigarette to his lips.

    ¡°Chen Ge, is this the time to still y cool? Alright, if you won¡¯t say it, I will! If you don¡¯t chase her, then I¡¯ll think of ways to help you!¡± After he said that, Fatty turned right around and headed for the room with impatience and resentment.

    ¡°Chase? You think I want to chase her?¡± After staying quiet for a long time, He Jichen finally spoke up. ¡°I dream about chasing her; all I want to do is stand outside her dorm every day just to give her breakfast; when it¡¯s stormy outside, I want to be able to hold an umbre out for her; when she¡¯s not feeling well, I want to carry her to the hospital...¡±

    Fatty stopped walking but he didn¡¯t turn to nce at He Jichen.

    ¡°I even thought about the whole setting and how I was going to confess. Deep down, I went through my lines an infinite amount of times, but Fatty, did you know? I was afraid. I was afraid she wouldn¡¯t believe me. I was afraid that after I confessed, we¡¯d be saying our farewells. I was afraid that she¡¯d be put in a difficult spot because she liked He Yuguang.¡±

    Hearing thest line, Fatty abruptly turned his head and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°Chen Ge... did you say that Ji Yi... she-she likes Yuguang Ge?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t respond, acting as if he hadn¡¯t heard Fatty.

    With deep sorrow across his forehead, He Jichen stared at the traditional painting of a beautiful woman on the wall.

    He looked as though he was stuck in a difficult and upsetting situation he couldn¡¯t get out of. He took big drags of his cigarette, and after a long while, he slowly turned to look at Fatty. ¡°Fatty...¡±

    His voice sounded a little far off as he said, ¡°Have you ever regretted anything? I¡¯m talking about the kind of regret you feel when you can¡¯t forgive yourself no matter how you think about it.¡±

    ¨C

    Ji Yi was the only one left in the room.

    She opened the boxes of takeout that Fatty brought and picked some snacks that she liked. She took a few bites but felt too full, so she pulled out a tissue to wipe her mouth clean.

    Sitting in the room by herself, she was so bored that she swiped her phonezily for a while to check out her Weibo and Moments. Seeing as there really wasn¡¯t much to look at, Ji Yi figured she might as well put her phone away.

    Perhaps it was because Fatty got interrupted by He Jichen at an important moment that Ji Yi was still very curious inside. With nothing to do, she thought back to ¡°C girl¡± again.

    From Fatty¡¯s tone, it was no secret who C girl was and she should know who it was...

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and racked her brain over it for a long time, but she couldn¡¯t remember any of the girls who were close to He Jichen. In the end, she simply shook her head and gave up thinking about it. She was going to ask Fatty when he came back.

    With no idea where the two of them went to talk, Ji Yi noticed they still hadn¡¯t returned yet, but she wanted to go to the restroom. She called for a waiter to let them know they hadn¡¯t finished eating yet. Then she headed for the corridors and walked in the direction of the restroom.

    After walking for about twenty meters, she reached the corner of the stairway. Before she made a turn, Ji Yi stumbled upon He Jichen¡¯s and Fatty¡¯s voices.

    What a coincidence... The two of them are out here?

 Chapter 333

    Chapter 333: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi furrowed her eyebrows slightly and took two steps forward. She was nning to say ¡°hello¡± to them both.

    Just as that thought settled in her mind, before she lifted her feet, she heard the sadness in He Jichen¡¯s voice as he said: ¡°Have you ever regretted anything?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly tightened up and her feet came to a sudden stop.

    He Jichen¡¯s clear yet absent-minded voice immediately drifted over, ¡°I¡¯m talking about the kind of regret you feel when you can¡¯t forgive yourself no matter how you think about it.¡±

    He Jichen called Fatty out just to have a heart-to-heart?

    But why¡¯s he asking Fatty this? Could there be something he regrets?

    After He Jichen finished speaking, Fatty didn¡¯t respond.

    A long period of silence ensued. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t see past the turn in the corridor or what kind of scene unfolded, so she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the two of them had left already.

    Ji Yi hesitated for some time. As she got ready to peer over to sneak a look at them, He Jichen finally spoke again. ¡°I have.¡±

    His abrupt voice made Ji Yi instinctively shrink back. Then she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice again: ¡°It was four years ago today.¡±

    Four years ago today, I was drunk and mistook him for He Yuguang then the two of us had sex... The regretful thing he did couldn¡¯t be...

    Ji Yi was afraid she was overthinking things. When her thoughts came to this point, her rationality helped her force down these thoughts, preventing her from going any further.

    Fatty must¡¯ve been listening earnestly as he didn¡¯t say anything from start to end.

    After about a minute passed, He Jichen¡¯s neutral voice was heard again: ¡°To this day, I remember how I did the most regrettable thing in my life at twenty-four minutes past ten that evening.¡±

    Twenty-four minutes past ten... At the time, we were together in the hotel room. That exact time was when we were sleeping together...

    So, my guess was right.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips trembled as she instinctively tightened them into fists.

    ¡°Had I known all the things that would happen after, had I known just how guilty and ashamed I would feel now...¡± He Jichen paused for a while as though it was hard for him to go on, then he continued to say, ¡°...then I wouldn¡¯t have done what I did that night.¡±

    Fatty broke his own silence and finally said, ¡°Chen Ge...¡±

    He probably wanted tofort He Jichen, but after calling his name, Fatty didn¡¯t know what to say next so he stopped there.

    It seemed like He Jichen hadn¡¯t heard Fatty¡¯s voice as he was still deep in his own thoughts. With the same soft voice, he continued, ¡°If you experienced just how beautiful those years at Sucheng Yizhong were... You don¡¯t know just how much I miss them. Recently, I¡¯ve practically been dreaming about her every night...¡±

    Considering what He Jichen said, Ji Yi suddenly thought back to He Jichen¡¯s recent apology and what he said that night on her birthday about going back to how things were.

    He said so many horrid things, humiliated her, embarrassed her, and even almost made her lose her life on the operating table after that night four years ago...

    It was virtually impossible not to hate him.

    So in the face of his apology, she remained quiet. She looked as though she didn¡¯t know how to react, but she knew very well how she felt. Deep down inside, she simply couldn¡¯t believe him.

 Chapter 334

    Chapter 334: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In that very moment, she overheard his conversation with Fatty and realized that he truly was regretful and ashamed for that night.

    He even missed their younger years together as well as the time they missed out on.

    So he was serious when he apologized to her that night. On the night of her birthday, when he suggested that they go back to how things were in the past, he was being serious too.

    It felt like something crashed softly into her heart, creating ripples upon ripples in her body, which had no way of calming down.

    The two people around the corner didn¡¯t say anything further. Ji Yi vaguely heard the flick of a lighter as someone lit a cigarette.

    She took two deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves but to no avail.

    Her heart raced faster, and the waves in her body grew more violent. Her leg started to tremble as she took a step back and leaned against the wall. She stared at the lights on the opposite side of the wall, and memories of every little thing that happened between them shed across her mind...

    She felt like there was a rubber band around her heart being pulled at each end.

    Forgive, don¡¯t forgive, don¡¯t forgive, forgive... It repeated until eventually, her gaze became vacant and hesitant.

    After who knew how much time had passed, Ji Yi heard the faint sound of Fatty¡¯s voice. ¡°Chen Ge, it¡¯s gettingte. I should head back now. It¡¯s probably bad to leave Ji Yi alone in the room by herself...¡±

    She twitched her brows then heard He Jichen mumble, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Then there were sounds of footsteps.

    With her back against the wall, Ji Yi suddenly snapped out of her daze.

    If they bumped into her here, wouldn¡¯t they know she¡¯d been eavesdropping?

    The next second, Ji Yi straightened up and bolted back to the room.

    As she sat back in her seat, Ji Yi was afraid He Jichen and Fatty would notice something amiss, so she pulled out her phone in hurry. She randomly opened Weibo and stared at her phone screen, pretending to be deeply invested in what she was reading.

    She hadn¡¯t taken a single word in when the door behind her was pushed open. One after the other, He Jichen and Fatty walked in.

    Ji Yi¡¯s back tensed up for a moment as she pretended to be captivated by her phone, not noticing that the two of them had returned. She stared at the phone screen and steadied her haggard breaths from all the running she just did.

    Deep down, she was trying to keep it together. Until she was certain she wouldn¡¯t expose anything odd about her, she acted as though she didn¡¯t realize that they¡¯d returned. Finally, she turned her head suspiciously and stared at the two of them. ¡°Heyyyy, you guys are back?¡±

    It was unclear if it was because Fatty said too much earlier, but there seemed to be a faint hint of sorrow in He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    She caught just a glimpse of it on his normally emotionless face, but it was enough to make Ji Yi think back to what she secretly overheard. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat, and her gaze hurriedly darted over to the view of West Lake outside the window. She said, ¡°The food¡¯s cold now. Are you guys hungry? Do you guys want to order anything else?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything. He pulled out a chair and sat down.

    ¡°Nah,¡± replied Fatty.

    Ji Yi let out an ¡°oh!¡± Since she had too many things on her mind, Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything else.

    Thankfully, the ever-talkative Fatty was there, so the atmosphere in the room wasn¡¯t awkward.

 Chapter 335

    Chapter 335: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Half an hour after returning to the party room, He Jichen and Fatty wrapped up the party.

    He Jichen paid the bill and the three of them exited Lou Wailou.

    Fatty was in Hangzhou for work, so hispany booked him a hotel room. Back at the party room, he already called for a taxi.

    The three of them stood outside Lou Wailou opposite the West Lake. Less than two minutester, Fatty¡¯s taxi arrived.

    Fatty had a little too much to drink, so he had his arm around He Jichen¡¯s shoulder. They repeatedly said their farewells until the driver rolled down the window and rushed them. Fatty pulled the car door open and got in.

    The taxi slowly sped up and Fatty stuck his head out. He continued to talk endlessly until the car had driven off into the distance and they could no longer hear his voice; Ji Yi could still see Fatty¡¯s hand waving.

    The car took a turn and disappeared from sight.

    That was when He Jichen withdrew his eyes from where Fatty¡¯s car had just been.

    It was already ten in the evening and the heat from the day had subsided significantly. The night breeze blew over the West Lake and mixed with the chill from the surface of the water. The temperature was perfect and pleasing.

    There were quite a few people strolling along the path of willow trees by theke. The lotus flowers on theke¡¯s surface just bloomed, and under the street lights, they looked unusually beautiful.

    He Jichen stared at theke for a moment then suddenly asked, ¡°Walk?¡±

    Ji Yi knew He Jichen meant to ask her for a stroll by the West Lake. She was stunned for a second before she gave a nod and gently replied, ¡°Alright.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything as he pointed towards the Duan Bridge. He walked on straight ahead.

    Ji Yi followed behind.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t walk quickly but his legs were long, so one of his steps was equivalent to two of Ji Yi¡¯s steps. To avoid falling too far behind, all Ji Yi could do was walk faster.

    After walking for about five minutes, He Jichen noticed Ji Yi was having trouble keeping up, so he walked a little slower.

    Even though he didn¡¯t say anything, Ji Yi understood the reason behind his change in pace.

    She knew he purposefully slowed down because she was walking so hastily to keep up.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart warmed all of a sudden, and she couldn¡¯t help but turn her head to nce over at He Jichen.

    He was looking straight ahead as he walked leisurely under the dim light of thempposts by theke. The light blurred her vision, but his elegance and distinguished air were obvious.

    Behind him, the willow trees stirred in the wind, the lotus flowers swayed, and the water rippled.

    The entire picture was frighteningly beautiful; the scene was visually-appeasing and calming to the mind. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but stare a while longer. When she withdrew her gaze, she happened to notice two young girls secretly taking photos of He Jichen with their phones.

    Ji Yi instinctively turned her head and stared right at the two girls.

    One of them noticed her gaze and gently nudged the other girl who had her phone raised, taking photos non-stop.

    The other girl¡¯s face was flushed as she instinctively put her phone away. Then she pulled the other girl along and they quickly ran away.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but smile as she watched the backs of the two girls rushing away.

    He Jichen happened to turn to Ji Yi at this moment and realized that her lips were curved into a smirk. ¡°Why¡¯re you smiling?¡± inquired He Jichen quietly.

    The two of them hadn¡¯t said much to one another from the moment they started their stroll.

    When Ji Yi heard this, she hesitated for a moment but replied, ¡°Two girls were secretly taking photos of you just now, so I stared at them and scared them away.¡±

    ¡°Mm,¡± responded He Jichen. Considering how unfazed he looked, it seemed like this was a normal urrence ¨C people often took photos of him eating.

 Chapter 336

    Chapter 336: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    For the most part, Fatty brought up a lot about their past over dinner that night, so Ji Yi¡¯s thoughts still hadn¡¯tpletely returned from those memories. After she heard He Jichen¡¯s response, she couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Back then, so many girls secretly took photos of you in school, and there were so many girls who used your photo as their screensaver!¡±

    In actuality, He Jichen had absolutely no interest in how girls treated him, but since those words came from her mouth, he didn¡¯t mind discussing whatever topic with her as long as he could talk to her. This was why he turned to look at her and pretended to look shocked. ¡°Really?¡± he replied.

    Ji Yi thought He Jichen would be really happy as she gave him an earnest nod. ¡°Of course.¡±

    She was afraid he wouldn¡¯t believe her, so she gave an example. ¡°The ssmate who shared my table ¨C Xiao Li ¨C you¡¯ve met her before but I¡¯m not sure if you remember her. Anyways, you were her screensaver on her phone. You were even the background to her QQ chat screen.¡±

    He had forgotten just how many years it¡¯d been since they spoke calmly like this together. For some reason, He Jichen was in a great mood as his voice became rxed. ¡°Something like that happened?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, at the time, you were every girl¡¯s dream guy...¡± Ji Yi paused for a moment then said, ¡°...Back then, the girls would get together and talk mostly about you. Everyone was curious to know what kind of girl you liked...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she suddenly remembered what Fatty said about that ¡°C girl.¡±

    She originally wanted to wait for Fatty to get back to ask who ¡°C girl¡± was, but she ended up overhearing He Jichen and Fatty¡¯s conversation and got distracted. She ended uppletely pushing the matter to the back of her mind...

    At that thought, Ji Yi turned and nced over at He Jichen.

    For some reason, the man looked as though he was in a great mood; his brows were rxed and he had a slight smile on his mouth. His usual distant feeling seemed a lot more approachable.

    With He Jichen like this, Ji Yi felt a lot braver; she couldn¡¯t help but ask the question that had always been on her mind. ¡°Tonight, Fatty and I were talking and happened to mention that C girl. He said she was the girl you liked?¡± asked Ji Yi bravely.

    He Jichen never imagined that she would suddenly ask about his private life. After a pause, he gently nodded and responded with an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Seeing as he didn¡¯t reject her question, Ji Yi got even braver and figured she¡¯d open up the conversation. ¡°So did you eventually find her?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± After He Jichen answered, he silently added in his mind: And she happens to be by my side right now.

    ¡°Who is she? Did you get to know her?¡± blurted Ji Yi.

    He Jichen kept silent for some time then answered the second question. ¡°You know her.¡±

    I know her? Then who is she? I never saw He Jichen get close to any girl. Could it be that we weren¡¯t really close when he and C girl ended it?

    With that thought, Ji Yi nced over at He Jichen again and noticed a gloomy look in his eyes.

    He became that sad simply at the mention of C girl, so my guess was probably right... Also, he didn¡¯t tell me who C girl was. Was that because he didn¡¯t want to bring up the name that made him feel so heart-broken?

    Nevertheless, what kind of girl did a near-perfect man like He Jichen fall for?

 Chapter 337

    Chapter 337: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    If this was before, Ji Yi would definitely treat He Jichen differently. She didn¡¯t even notice it herself, but she actually took an interest in the girl He Jichen liked. Deep down inside, she didn¡¯t think too much of it and she asked, ¡°She must be very special for you to like her, right?¡±

    ¡°Mhm, she¡¯s very pretty...¡± A second ago, He Jichen looked deste, but when he opened his mouth and talked about the girl he liked, his face became a little warmer. ¡°... her back looks beautiful. She¡¯s most charming when has her long hair down. She¡¯s very smart, and has a wit deep in her bones that very few girls have...¡±

    As he said thatst part, there was a subtle hint of a smile in his eyes as though he was sharing something he was proud of. His voice had a loving feel to it that even he didn¡¯t notice. ¡°When she smiles, her face has two little dimples... Mm, she¡¯s a good dancer... her body is so flexible like she has no bones...¡±

    Ji Yi stared at how gentle He Jichen looked, deep in thought and slightly dazed.

    She never knew he actually had such a tender and soft side. He was so simr to the leading male characters from the manhua 1 she secretly read in ss when she was younger...

    She wasn¡¯t sure if something was wrong with her or if it was her growing interest in C girl, but her chest started to heave unusually and she wasn¡¯t feeling too good. However, it was subtle, so she quickly continued the conversation to mask it. ¡°Hearing you talk about her like this ¨C she must be really special and exceptional. In other people¡¯s eyes, she must be the type of girl to make others jealous, right?¡±

    A warm glow engulfed He Jichen¡¯s body; it was evident he didn¡¯t want to stop talking about her. ¡°I don¡¯t care if she¡¯s good or not in other people¡¯s eyes. In my eyes, she¡¯s unique ¨C the best in the world.¡±

    Those kinds of words were sappy but moving. If they came from the mouths of other men, they would look like a bunch of smooth-talkers.

    Buting from He Jichen, all Ji Yi sensed were deep emotions and seriousness.

    Deep down inside, Ji Yi tried to repress the ufortable feeling she just had. She thought maybe she¡¯d been deeply moved by He Jichen¡¯s feelings. After she gulped, swallowing the ufortable feeling in her chest, she casually said, ¡°Looks like you really like her...¡±

    His slow steps towards Ji Yi came to a sudden stop.

    Ji Yi instinctively stopped too and stared at He Jichen in astonishment.

    She wasn¡¯t sure when, but he had turned to look at her. His eyes were unusually bright as though the surrounding light around them gathered in his eyes.

    His gaze met hers, locking onto each other tightly. He sounded a lot more resolute than the gentle person just moments ago. ¡°Really like... like her so much that if I stare at her too long, I want to embrace her.¡±

    Ji Yi was stunned as she stared back into He Jichen¡¯s eyes. She was slow to react.

    It was unclear just how long she was in a daze for, but a night¡¯s breeze blew in a chill that made Ji Yi shiver, making her snap back to her senses.

    She realized she was still staring nkly at He Jichen. With a flustered heart, she hurriedly withdrew her gaze and stared at the road ahead and silently strode away.

    After about ten seconds, Ji Yi heard the sound of He Jichen from behind. She knew he caught up to her, and it made her heart race uncontrobly faster.

 Chapter 338

    Chapter 338: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She was afraid he could tell she was nervous, so to mask her strange behavior, she pretended like nothing was out of the ordinary when he walked up to her. She asked a question to divert his attention: ¡°Did she and you get into some kind of misunderstanding?¡±

    Otherwise, how¡¯s it possible that we were close for so long, yet I never saw him being affectionate with any girls before?

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a misunderstanding. I upset her,¡± exined He Jichen.

    Upset her? Then why didn¡¯t you go ask her for forgiveness?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows slightly and asked the question she was wondering deep inside: ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you go suck up to her? Girls love that. As long as you suck up to her a little, she¡¯ll forgive you for sure. Isn¡¯t there a saying on Weibo? When you fight, give her lipstick. If one lipstick can¡¯t clear things up, give her two, and if two don¡¯t do the trick, then send her a whole set of them!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s serious tone of voice almost wiped the smile from He Jichen¡¯s face. After that, a pang of loneliness came over him.

    If sucking up to her a little could bring her back to him, he would be willing to do that a thousand times over.

    It was just a shame that in the past, he didn¡¯t know how to love. He was overly confused, and he took things too far, far too many times.

    This was something he didn¡¯t dare to talk about any further. He was afraid she¡¯d read between the lines and realize she was C girl.

    He Jichen stared at the ripples of light reflecting off theke¡¯s surface. After remaining silent for some time, he chose a cautious reply: ¡°I used to look for her forgiveness, but after a while, I didn¡¯t want it anymore.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± cried Ji Yi.

    After a pause, she added, ¡°Could it be that you wanted to... give up on...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish saying ¡°her,¡± He Jichen spoke again, ¡°It doesn¡¯t exist.¡±

    With his straight-forwardness and decisiveness, Ji Yi paused. Then before she could make a sound, he spoke again without hesitation, ¡°I could never give up on her!¡±

    ¡°I was just afraid to be a nuisance to her. I didn¡¯t want my deep devotion to be a disturbance to her.¡±

    He Jichen probably realized that his tone of voice was overly agitated, so he calmed down slightly and continued, ¡°But it doesn¡¯t actually matter if she forgives me or not, because I can¡¯t leave her be anyway. Instead of the two of us being in pain, I¡¯d rather bear it alone...¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen thought back to that night when he learned that she almost lost her life because of his baby. His eyes became unfocused as he pursed his lips slightly and opened his mouth again. ¡°But it took me a long time to learn this principle. If I understood this long ago, then perhaps I...¡±

    An unspeakable pain was lodged in He Jichen¡¯s throat, and he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say, ¡°...wouldn¡¯t have parted ways and be strangers for so many years.¡±

    He was silent for a long time. Just when Ji Yi thought he wasn¡¯t going to say anything more, he spoke again. ¡°...But it doesn¡¯t matter anymore. She¡¯s the only good thing in my life, yet she¡¯s also my worst memory.¡±

    She¡¯s the only good thing in my life, yet she¡¯s also my worst memory.

    To love on such a level must mean he¡¯s deeply in love.

    It felt like Ji Yi¡¯s heart was pierced by something so hard that an indescribable pain came over her.

    She wanted to offer some words offort, but in that very moment, she couldn¡¯t speak a single word.

    Her silence made He Jichen realize how awkward the atmosphere was. He slowlyposed himself and pretended to look calm as he changed the topic of conversation. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Let¡¯s head back to the hotel.¡±

 Chapter 339

    Chapter 339: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi remained quiet for some time before she realized what he said. She didn¡¯t say a word but gave him a gentle nod.

    ...

    After Chen Bai left during dinner, he didn¡¯t return.

    The car was parked in a nearby parking lot. He Jichen drove Ji Yi to the hotel.

    The hotel Chen Bai booked was situated just by the West Lake.

    It took only about ten minutes to drive there.

    Perhaps they¡¯d exhausted all possible conversation during their stroll by West Lake, so after they got into the car, they didn¡¯t say a single word to each other.

    The radio was turned off in the car, so aside from the soft sounds of the air conditioning blowing, the atmosphere in the car was incredibly quiet. Ji Yi could even hear the faint sounds of He Jichen breathing.

    When they reached a red light on the road, Ji Yi averted her eyes away from the window and gently trained them on He Jichen.

    The passionate expression he showed back at West Lake when he mentioned the woman he liked had now disappeared. His usual cold expression and arrogant posture had returned, and he was staring straight at the road ahead.

    If she hadn¡¯t seen just how caring and deeply emotional he looked, there was no way she¡¯d believe the person at theke was the same person driving the car now.

    The red light turned green and the car started to drive off again.

    The jostle from the eleration was so gentle that it was barely noticeable, but it made Ji Yi avert her eyes from He Jichen¡¯s face. She nced down at her hands instead.

    She then stared at the ever-receding view of West Lake with He Jichen¡¯s seemingly magical words echoing in her ears.

    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t actually matter if she forgives me or not, because I can¡¯t leave her be anyway. Instead of the two of us being in pain, I¡¯d rather bear it alone...¡±

    She wasn¡¯t sure why, but at those words, Ji Yi suddenly remembered the night of her birthday and him singing ¡°Within Your Radius.¡±

    At the time, she was still astonished that someone who regarded himself as being so much better than others could deliver such an emotional song so incredibly eloquently.

    It wasn¡¯t until tonight that she finally realized that the sadness she saw then was genuine distress. It wasn¡¯t just an illusion, and she finally realized that he revealed his true inner-self that night.

    He actually loved a woman irrevocably and he loved her ever since they were young. He loved her so much that he never gave up on her even though they had a misunderstanding.

    She figured those lyrics he sang expressed his true feelings; he loved someone, but that was his business and it had nothing to do with her. If this woman, whoever she was, turned around, he would definitely be there supporting her.

    Without even realizing it, Ji Yi¡¯s gaze fell on the side mirror. Through it, her eyes were glued on He Jichen, who was concentrating on driving.

    Rays of passing bright lights shined down on his face through the car window. It allowed Ji Yi to clearly see the obscured expression on his face from time to time.

    She stared and stared at him before her gaze became a little distracted.

    ¨C

    He finally reached the hotel entrance and handed the valet his car keys. He Jichen and Ji Yi walked into the hotel lobby together.

    Chen Bai must¡¯ve checked them in because when He Jichen walked over to the front desk and showed his ID, the staff at the front desk immediately presented him his room key.

    They got into the elevator on the first floor then exited when they reached their floor. Seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t give Ji Yi her own room key or say ¡°goodbye,¡± she felt a little wary. Don¡¯t tell me he wants to personally escort me to my room?

 Chapter 340

    Chapter 340: Have You Ever Regretted Anything? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as Ji Yi was pondering whether to politely tell He Jichen: ¡°Give me the room key, I¡¯ll enter my room alone,¡± He Jichen stopped. He opened the room himself with a swipe of the card.

    Ji Yi instinctively reced what she was going to say with a ¡°Thank you.¡± However, before she could reach her hand out to take the room key from He Jichen, He Jichen suddenly said, ¡°Chen Bai said that since it¡¯s holiday season, this is the only room left.¡±

    This is the only room left... Ji Yi was instantly left stunned.

    Meaning I¡¯ll be alone in a room with He Jichen tonight?

    He Jichen pushed the door open and walked in as though he hadn¡¯t seen her reaction.

    He turned on the lights and casually ced hisptop on the desk. When he reached his hand out to loosen his necktie, his fingers suddenly trembled and he realized that Ji Yi was still standing at the door.

    He knew that despite how uneasy she felt, she was really overthinking things because he¡¯d never make the same mistake twice.

    He knew she didn¡¯t trust him and was afraid something would happen between them which was why she was hesitant toe in.

    He Jichen was a little upset inside, but he gently pursed his bottom lip and pretended he hadn¡¯t seen anything. As he continued to loosen his tie, he proceeded to add, ¡°But fortunately, it¡¯s a suite, so you can sleep in the bedroom. I have some work to take care of tonight, so I¡¯ll manage in the living room.¡±

    Hearing what He Jichen said, Ji Yi let out an ¡°Oh!¡± She stood at the door for a few more seconds then finally stepped into the room.

    The second the doors closed, He Jichen saw her frame tremble gently.

    He looked away from her and walked over to the counter of his own ord. He boiled some water and made a cup of hot milk and cup of hot tea.

    He handed her the milk. ¡°It¡¯s reallyte. Drink a cup of hot milk, take a shower, and have a good night¡¯s sleep. You still have your shoot tomorrow.¡±

    When she heard him say this, she nced up at him then took the milk. She gave a nod and let out a soft ¡°Mm.¡±

    Even though she nced at him for just a second, he caught a glimpse of her unease. It felt like something was lodged in his throat, stifling his breathing.

    If this was before, he would¡¯ve felt unfairly treated to see her resist him like that. He would¡¯ve used anger to fight for his self-respect back and he would¡¯ve used harsh words to mask his embarrassment, but now, all he did was lower his eyes. He chose to turn a blind eye and headed back to the desk.

    As he opened hisptop, He Jichen nced over at Ji Yi every now and then using his peripheral vision.

    She sat poised on the sofa; he could tell her back was stiff.

    Did what I just said not help her feel at ease?

    He¡¯d be lying if he said he wasn¡¯t disappointed, but he also didn¡¯t have the heart to see her like this. He Jichen turned on theptop and stared at the screen for about ten seconds then picked up his phone and called Chen Bai.

    The phone was quickly picked up. ¡°Mr. He, are you satisfied with the arrangements I made tonight?¡± asked Chen Bai in a voice that sounded like he was fishing for praise.

    ¡°Contact all the high executives to start a video conference in five minutes time,¡± replied He Jichen tly.

    ¡°No way? Mr. He, didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d give me the night off? What¡¯s more, the night is short and time is precious...¡±

 Chapter 341

    Chapter 341: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s brows twitched. Although he was quite some distance from Ji Yi and she hadn¡¯t heard what Chen Bai said, he still cut off Chen Bai¡¯s nonsense: ¡°I¡¯m already sitting in front of myptop. Just waiting for you all.¡±

    After he said that, he was afraid Chen Bai was going to continue rambling on, so he added: ¡°Hurry.¡± Then he hung up the phone.

    Soon after, several rings of ¡°ding dong!¡± came from He Jichen¡¯sptop. There were many voices saying, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    In front of theptop, a cold-faced He Jichen acknowledged them all with ¡°Mm.¡± Without saying a word, his fingers flew across the screen as though he was going over an agenda for the meeting.

    After about three minutes, he said, ¡°Tonight, we will...¡±

    With that, he read a series of questions to be discussed during their meeting.

    Even though she was quite some distance away, Ji Yi could still hear the gasps from He Jichen¡¯sptop. The meeting agenda was overly long and they were probably distressed over their loss of sleep tonight. He Jichen raised his brows and stared at the webcam, cutting off the sighs of dissatisfaction.

    After He Jichen continued to list off a few questions to be discussed during the meeting, he stopped and nced at the webcam as a signal to everyone to start the meeting.

    Not only did this meeting agenda draw a lot of gasps from the high executives, but even Ji Yi thought the agenda was so intense that it was borderline inhumane.

    No wonder he said he¡¯s busy with work tonight. It¡¯s good that he¡¯s staying in the living room... So, he wasn¡¯t lying to me... But the meeting agenda he just described wasn¡¯t just ¡°a little¡± bit of work...? Actually, there¡¯s quite a lot... Maybe they¡¯ll have to work until tomorrow morning...

    At that thought, Ji Yi nced at where He Jichen was sitting. He must¡¯ve been worried about the video conference disturbing her, so he had headphones on.

    He looked stern and serious during his meeting. Every now and then, he gently nodded at theptop and moved his lips to quietly say a few words.

    Because He Jichen was so busy with his own business, he looked like he had no time to bother Ji Yi. Thus Ji Yi¡¯s tense heart rxed considerably; even her posture started to be loosen up.

    She wasn¡¯t sleepy just yet, but Ji Yi was afraid she¡¯d disturb He Jichen if she watched TV, so she settled into afortable position on the sofa and started to y games on her phone.

    Before she started to browse Weibo, she opened WeChat out of habit.

    She wasn¡¯t sure what Yuguang Ge was busy with tonight. To her surprise, she hadn¡¯t received a message from him yet.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t think too much of it and tapped on the keyboard a few times. She took the initiative and sent ¡°He Yuguang¡± a message: ¡°Yuguang Ge, what are you doing?¡±

    He Jichen, who was in the middle of his meeting, felt his pocket vibrate. His brows creased and he realized that He Yuguang received a message on his phone. He instinctively nced over to Ji Yi and saw her with her phone in hand.

    He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to fish out the phone so he continued to stare firmly at theptop for a short while before his hand reached into his pocket.

    He pulled out his phone. Every now and then, he nced at theptop screen before continuing to look over at the phone screen. After he saw Ji Yi¡¯s message, he sent a reply back with one hand: ¡°In a meeting.¡±

    When Ji Yi, who was browsing Weibo, saw a WeChat notification on her phone, she hurriedly exited the app.

    After she read ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s reply, she instinctively replied, ¡°It¡¯s sote. You¡¯re still in a meeting? Why are you just like He Jichen?¡±

 Chapter 342

    Chapter 342: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After the message was sessfully sent, Ji Yi realized it was almost midnight. Since she told Yuguang Ge that He Jichen was in a meeting, wasn¡¯t that indirectly saying she was with He Jichen at the moment?

    Ji Yi was afraid He Yuguang would misunderstand, so she started tapping the screen.

    ¡°Fatty dropped by the set today, so I had dinner with them tonight. Since it got toote, we didn¡¯t return to Hengdian and stayed in Hangzhou instead.¡±

    Ji Yi was afraid He Yuguang wouldn¡¯t remember Fatty, so she added, ¡°Do you still remember Fatty? He¡¯s the chubby kid who was close to He Jichen in senior high; his name¡¯s Su Han.¡±

    Some time passed before ¡°He Yuguang¡± replied to her message with a simple ¡°I remember.¡± He was probably tied up in his meeting right now.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to disturb He Yuguang, so she said, ¡°Yuguang Ge, if you¡¯re busy then go ahead with your meeting. I don¡¯t want to disturb you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± ¡°He Yuguang¡± replied quickly to her message. ¡°Did you guys just finish dinner?¡±

    ¡°No, we finished dinner a while ago. After dinner, He Jichen and I took a stroll by the West Lake...¡± After Ji Yi sent that line, she suddenly remembered what she and He Jichen talked about on their stroll. When she was young, she liked to share everything with He Yuguang, and she still felt the same now. She didn¡¯t wait for He Yuguang to reply as her fingers started flying away on the keyboard. ¡°...Yuguang Ge, did you know? He Jichen had a girl he liked.¡±

    At the desk nearby, He Jichen secretly checked his phone to read Ji Yi¡¯s message. When he read the final line, his brows furrowed.

    Is it really okay for her to gossip so openly about me... to me?

    As He Jichen was deep in thought, Ji Yi sent another message.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if He Jichen and the girl he liked got into some kind of misunderstanding, but now their rtionship is really strained.¡±

    Is she going to go on incessantly about it? Does she want to gossip about everything I said to ¡°He Yuguang¡±?

    Just as that thought settled, a long series of messages popped up onto his screen.

    ¡°I always assumed that a man like He Jichen had loads of women lined up to be with him and that the only reason he¡¯s been single for so many years was because his expectations were too high. I thought he just couldn¡¯t find the right woman for him, but I never imagined that he¡¯s been single for so long because of a single woman.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more, did you know? Yuguang Ge, he said something tonight that made me especially touched. The line was: She¡¯s the only good thing in my life, yet she¡¯s also my worst memory.¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t until that very moment that I really understood that behind his cold and distant exterior, he¡¯s actually as deeply passionate as the ocean.¡±

    After reading that final line, He Jichen suddenly didn¡¯t mind her gossiping so much. He raised his fingers and was thinking about replying to her message when his phone vibrated again. Her message came through: ¡°Yuguang Ge, do you know which girl He Jichen likes? I asked him but he wouldn¡¯t tell me!¡±

    ¡°...¡± After all was said and done, her objective was just to gossip.

    He Jichen was dumbstruck for a while before he replied to Ji Yi¡¯s message. ¡°I never heard him mention it, so I¡¯m not very clear who it is.¡±

    ¡°Oh, right. That¡¯s his personality,¡± Ji Yi replied, unsurprised. ¡°Just like how he did so many nice things for me during school but didn¡¯t ever mention them to me.¡±

 Chapter 343

    Chapter 343: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Well, with this personality, he¡¯s really losing out. All he does is y it cool and pretend to be cold. In the end, after all he¡¯s done, he didn¡¯t take credit for anything, so everyone definitely misunderstood him.¡±

    Before, when would she ever care if I was misunderstood? Does this mean she¡¯s worried about me?

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled slightly when he read that message; his eyes were transfixed on the phone screen.

    After a dozen seconds, he realized that the group of people in his video conference were staring at him with odd expressions. He quicklyposed himself and put on a serious attitude as he continued to reply to Ji Yi: ¡°Looks like tonight¡¯s dinner changed Manman¡¯s impression of Jichen quite a bit.¡±

    ¡°To be precise, it changed a lot. Everything that I learned tonightpletely overturned everything I knew about him. He¡¯s theplete opposite of my impression of him. Deep down inside, I thought he was condescending, arrogant, and rude, but tonight, I realized he¡¯s not like that. He¡¯s cold on the outside but warm on the inside, kindhearted from the bottom of his heart, and he treats friends and family very well. What¡¯s more, he¡¯s very passionate about the girl he likes. He has good traits that few men have...¡± Ji Yi paused for a moment then added, ¡°He looks good, has a good background, and he¡¯s very talented. To think about it, he really is perfect.¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she thought about ¡°C girl¡± and couldn¡¯t help butin to He Yuguang: ¡°Now that I think about it, the girl he likes must be blind not to have chosen him.¡±

    It hadn¡¯t even been ten seconds after she sent that message when she heard the sound of soft chuckling.

    She instinctively turned her head to look over at He Jichen who was sitting behind hisptop,ughing while staring at his phone.

    Isn¡¯t he in a meeting? How did he slip up like that? And tough out of control like that...

    He Jichen raised his head and shot a nce at Ji Yi as though he sensed her gaze upon him. After he met her nce, he immediately withdrew the smile on his face. Then he nced at the indescribable expressions on the faces of the executives. He cleared his throat, fixed his expression and replied, ¡°Continue.¡±

    ¡°He Yuguang¡± must¡¯ve been tied up with something as he didn¡¯t reply to Ji Yi¡¯s message.

    Ji Yi figured she might as well browse Weibo and wait for sleep to ovee her. After a while, she opened WeChat and noticed that He Yuguang still hadn¡¯t replied.

    She was just about to exit WeChat and continue to browse on Weibo when she caught a glimpse of what she sent to He Yuguang from the corner of her eyes: ¡°He¡¯s cold on the outside but warm on the inside, kindhearted from the bottom of his heart, and he treats friends and family very well. What¡¯s more, he¡¯s very passionate about the girl he likes. He has good traits that few men have...¡±

    Thosepliments for He Jichen were actually typed out with my fingers?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows in slight disbelief for a moment then looked at the next line: ¡°He looks good, has a good background, and he¡¯s very talented. To think about it, he really is perfect.¡±

    Ji Yi waspletely stunned as though her pressure points had been pressed.

    Unbeknownst to me, I actually... actually changed my perception of He Jichen this much?

    Ji Yi instinctively looked over at He Jichen through his reflection in the tall windows nearby.

    He was moving his lips, speaking quietly with his headphones on.

    She couldn¡¯t hear what was being said, but she was lost in her thoughts again as she stared at him just as she did on the car ride back from West Lake.

 Chapter 344

    Chapter 344: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t snap back to her senses until she felt a vibration on her palm.

    She looked down at her phone to find that He Yuguang sent her a message: ¡°From what you said about Jichen¡¯s girl, she does sound like she could be a little blind.¡±

    Ji Yi nodded at his sympathetic response and replied, ¡°Not just a little blind, she¡¯s practically too blind!¡±

    Ji Yi let out a yawn after she sent that message.

    After some time, He Yuguang replied, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. You should go to bed.¡±

    ¡°Mhm. Mhm,¡± Ji Yi replied.

    He Yuguang: ¡°Goodnight.¡±

    ¡°Goodnight.¡± After she replied, Ji Yi sat still on the sofa for a while. She was feeling drowsy now, so she grabbed her phone and got up.

    Her actions rmed He Jichen, who was still in his meeting. He raised his head and looked over at her.

    Ji Yi realized that if she spoke up, the people in the video conference would hear her. She gestured towards the bedroom as if to tell him that she was going to bed.

    He Jichen must¡¯ve understood the message as he gave her a gentle nod.

    With that, Ji Yi made her way out of the living room and into the bedroom.

    She shut the doors and went to take a shower. She changed into her pajamas andid in bed for a while then fell asleep.

    Perhaps it was because she drank too much over dinner that night with Fatty that Ji Yi needed to use the washroom, so she woke up from her dream.

    The curtains were shut, so she couldn¡¯t see the color of the sky beyond the windows. It wasn¡¯t until she walked into the bathroom that she realized there was already a glimmer of light outside the tall windows next to the bathtub.

    As she came out of the bathroom, Ji Yi felt a little thirsty, so she pulled open the bedroom door. Just as she was about to grab a bottle of water, she heard sounds of pitter-pattering from the keyboard from the living room.

    She was stunned for a few seconds; her sleepiness dissipatedpletely.

    He Jichen¡¯s... still busy at work. He didn¡¯t go to sleep?

    She instinctively turned her head and saw He Jichen at the desk with his concentrated gaze on theptop. His fingers were flying as they typed away on the keyboard.

    He was probably wholeheartedly engrossed in his work. He hadn¡¯t even noticed that she opened the bedroom door.

    So, he actually looks even more charming and captivating when he¡¯s hard at work.

    It¡¯s true what they say ¨C a working man is the most charismatic.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure just how long she¡¯d been lost in her thoughts while staring at He Jichen. He stopped typing away on the keyboard, raised his hand to rub his neck and sank into his chair as though he was exhausted.

    After massaging his neck a few times, his eyes swept over to her. He stopped what he was doing and turned to look at her.

    Sensing his gaze upon her, Ji Yi immediately snapped back to her senses and pointed over at the counter nearby. ¡°I was thirsty.¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi walked over to the counter and poured herself a ss of water.

    She thought about it for a moment and poured He Jichen one too. She brought it over to his desk.

    When she set the ss down, she saw the opened file on theptop. With just one look, she recognized it to be the script for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    It was full of struck-out lines... Some lines already seemed perfect, but He Jichen still reworked them.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Did you make all these amendments?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded He Jichen softly as he picked up his ss of water and drank half the ss.

    She never imagined that he was someone who strived for perfection, and most importantly, that he treated work with such seriousness. Very few directors personally read the script in such detail.

    At that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s admiration for He Jichen grew even more.

 Chapter 345

    Chapter 345: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen remained at the desk. He raised his head and asked, ¡°Not sleepy?¡±

    ¡°Mhm, I¡¯m not that sleepy right now,¡± replied Ji Yi.

    ¡°Oh good, there¡¯s something I want to tell you...¡± He Jichen put the ss down and searched around the desk for a while before he pulled out a few documents. Then he handed them to Ji Yi.

    Was He Jichen looking for me to tell me something?

    Ji Yi looked over at He Jichen suspiciously.

    His eyes were dull and Ji Yi couldn¡¯t make out a thing. Deep down inside, her heart secretly wondered for a moment before she reached her hand out and took the files from He Jichen¡¯s hands.

    The first was a contract for a script titled ¡°The Imperial Pce.¡±

    This story had dominated top online searches for close to ten years now. The copyright was bought for an exorbitant amount of money many years ago. Later, it was passed around to countlesspanies before it eventually disappeared. For the past few years, movie adaptations for novels had grown increasingly popr. Many people had spected when ¡°The Imperial Pce¡± would start production.

    She never imagined that He Jichen would actually also possess the rights to the ¡°Ten Years on Top.¡±

    Ji Yi suppressed the astonishment in her heart, looked up at He Jichen, then flipped through the second file.

    It was a coborative agreement by YC Corp with Huan Ying Entertainment, thergest productionpany for movies and shows in China to date. Most A-list celebrities were under thispany including the brightest stars. The CEO, Mr. Lu Jinnian, and his wife, Mrs. Qian Anhao, just received the annual award for the king and queen of the silver screen.

    He Jichen¡¯spany actually signed a winning coboration with Huan Ying Entertainment?

    Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t recovered from the initial shock of seeing the contract for ¡°The Imperial Pce.¡± After a minute, she then nced at the final file.

    She called it a ¡°file¡± but to be precise, it was a contract.

    It was YC Corp¡¯s contract to sign her as their artist; it included a management team and packaging team on the contract too.

    Having worked in the entertainment industry, Ji Yi knew all those teams wereprised of the very best in the country.

    So, He Jichen... wants to sign me?

    Ji Yi waspletely stunned.

    After he gave Ji Yi the three files, He Jichen noticed her shocked expression but didn¡¯t make a sound.

    The room was so quiet that He Jichen could hear the slight sounds of Ji Yi¡¯s fingers flipping through the contract. His gaze never left her face as he waited patiently. He waited until she recovered from her shock a little then he softly got up and kicked the chair back from behind him. He walked around the desk and over towards her.

    She sensed his movements so she looked up from the contracts and over towards him.

    When he met her gaze, he didn¡¯t shy away but looked right at her and softly said, ¡°Finished reading?¡±

    Ji Yi knew he was referring to the three files he gave her, but she still hadn¡¯tpletely recovered from the shock of it all. All she could do was give a slight nod.

    He didn¡¯t mind her silence and stared at her for about ten seconds then said, ¡°Ji Yi, will you trust me?¡±

    His earlier words and what he said just now didn¡¯t match up at all.

    Ji Yi was stunned but couldn¡¯t quite get on the same page as him.

    He Jichen spoke up again, ¡°Do you trust that I can fight, side-by-side, with you?¡±

    ¡°Will you trust me to take each step with you from the lowest point of the entertainment industry towards infinite, brightest point?¡±

    ¡°Will you trust that I can help you get back what was taken from you, bit by bit?¡±

    With just a second¡¯s pause, He Jichen asked again, ¡°So, will you trust me?¡±

 Chapter 346

    Chapter 346: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Will you trust me?

    He Jichen¡¯s voice sounded distant in both time and space; the words didn¡¯t reach Ji Yi until a long while after.

    She kept her gaze on his body until the second he finished speaking. With an obviously nk look, she fluttered her eyshes then returned to her frozen state. Her mind was nk, and aside from staring right at him, she had no other reaction.

    He didn¡¯t say another word and neither did she. He stood unflinchingly on the spot, gazing at her.

    The room was overwhelmingly silent and the overcast weather outside started to gradually brighten. The skies in the east glowed red.

    It wasn¡¯t clear how long the two of them stared quietly at each other like that; Ji Yi stood there until her legs were numb. When the rims of her eyes became a little sore, her pitch-ck pupils pulsed gently. Her thoughts started to circle around what He Jichen said.

    He asked if I¡¯m willing to trust him to fight side-by-side with me?

    He asked if I¡¯m willing to trust him to take each step with me from the lowest point of the entertainment industry towards infinite, brightest heights?

    He asked if I¡¯m willing to trust him to help me get back what was taken from me, bit by bit?

    He asked if I¡¯m willing to trust him?

    With each question asked, Ji Yi¡¯s heart vigorously skipped a beat.

    She thought this was an illusion, so she silently pinched her own palm. The piercing pain made her realize that everything wasn¡¯t a dream, and in that instant, a raging storm violently coursed through her body.

    She admitted that the moment He Jichen handed her those files, she did consider that he wanted to sign her for a new series.

    But never in a million years would she have imagined that he¡¯d hand her a contract, not a script.

    Any actor who wanted to go anywhere with their career had to sign with a management agency, including her. However, since her return to the entertainment industry, she hadn¡¯t been in a hurry to get herself a manager. She wanted to sign with a good managementpany, which she thought would require her to wait a little more until she gained some more poprity in the entertainment industry.

    After all, a good team controlled eighty to ny percent of your future.

    With ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±ing to an end, she had recently been considering whichpany she should sign with. Yet before she could even meet with anypanies, she made peace with He Jichen.

    Although YC was a newpany, He Jichen was already considered a well-known director in the industry. Now with a coboration with Huan Ying Entertainment in addition to the rights to ¡°The Imperial Pce¡± in his hands... legal rights, good actors, a good director... It was virtually the perfectbination. For her, this was undoubtedly a step to climbing the ranks.

    Most importantly, he wanted to fight with her and get back everything that was taken from her, little by little...

    Heaven knew that three years ago, that car crash was equivalent to pushing her from heaven towards hell. She thought she was going to have everything in the world but ended up losing absolutely everything. Now, at her lowest point, he stood by her side...

    An unspeakable feeling coursed through the blood in her heart and quickly filled her entire body.

    Her fixed gaze on He Jichen became sore for some reason. She moved her lips, wanting to reply to him, but her throat felt stifled and she couldn¡¯t make a sound.

    Meanwhile, he wasn¡¯t sure what she wanted to say or what was going through her mind.

 Chapter 347

    Chapter 347: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He was afraid she¡¯d reject him. His motive for offering her the contract was entirely selfish ¨C he wanted her somewhere he could see her and in a world where he could protect her.

    Even if there came a day when she lost all rtion to He Yuguang or him, they still wouldn¡¯t be how they were four years ago; they wouldn¡¯t just simply part ways with no ties remaining at all.

    Does she know? I can¡¯t find the right words, but at this very moment, I¡¯m going out of my way to find the right words to convince her.

    At that thought, He Jichen pursed the corner of his lips slightly and spoke before Ji Yi couldpose herself: ¡°To date, YC hasn¡¯t signed any artists. If you sign with us, the entirepany will work hard to promote our sole artist.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve seen it too ¨C YC and Huan Ying have established a coboration. As soon as production for the new series starts, we¡¯ll definitely hire actors from Huan Ying. You should understand that any actor from Huan Ying is either an A-lister or close to being an A-lister.¡±

    After a pause, He Jichen then added, ¡°Here, I¡¯ll give you onest promise...¡±

    A dignified look engulfed He Jichen¡¯s beautifully refined face like he was making some kind of deep promise. Then his voice sounded unusually serious and especially sentimental as he said earnestly:

    ¡°...I won¡¯t swarm to you when you¡¯re famous, and I won¡¯t turn and leave you at your lowest point.¡±

    I won¡¯t swarm to you when you¡¯re famous, and I won¡¯t turn and leave you at your lowest point... In this world, Ji Yi was afraid that he was the only one who¡¯d go against the current for her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes started to sting. Having experienced so much apprehensiveness, she¡¯d be a lot stronger, but at this very moment, she was really afraid that she would suddenly cry. She hurriedly turned her head and averted her gaze from He Jichen.

    Meanwhile, He Jichen asked Ji Yi for the third time, ¡°Will you trust me?¡±

    He didn¡¯t stop there. There was a rare tenderness to his gaze as he said, ¡°If you¡¯re willing...e, join YC.¡±

    ¡°Come to my side... I will stay with you and take on thisplicated world with you. I¡¯ll use all my power to give you the most basic joy.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes became a little moist, so she instinctively lowered her head.

    He Jichen was aware of his own impatience, but he didn¡¯t want to rush her. He waited for a moment then said, ¡°Of course, I don¡¯t expect you to give me an answer straight away. I¡¯ll give you...¡±

    He Jichen paused for a moment.

    He hadn¡¯t figured out how much time to give her when the woman in front of him with her head lowered suddenly turned around, facing the desk.

    Then she flipped everything on the desk, ransacking the ce before she finally grabbed his pen. She flipped right to the final page of the contract and swiftly wrote down two words: Ji Yi.

    The thoughts running through He Jichen¡¯s mind came to a stop.

    There were two contracts.

    After she signed the first, she threw it aside and flipped through the second.

    After he heard the sounds of rustling paper, he saw her raise the pen again and signed the graceful two words: Ji Yi.

    She finally put down the pen without even ncing at He Jichen. She put her head down and left with the dull words, ¡°I¡¯m still a little sleepy, so I¡¯m going to go back to sleep now.¡±

    She didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to react. She turned around and headed right for the bedroom, mming it shut.

    She locked the door and leaned against the wooden door. That was when she finally blinked, releasing a single stream of tears.

    Will you trust me to fight side-by-side with you?

    Will you trust me to take each step with you from the lowest point of the entertainment industry towards infinite, brightest heights?

    Will you trust me to help you get back what was taken from you, bit by bit?

 Chapter 348

    Chapter 348: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    I only promise you one thing... I won¡¯t swarm to you when you¡¯re famous, and I won¡¯t turn and leave you at your lowest point.

    Will you trust me?

    If you¡¯re willing...e, join YC.

    ...

    As those words repeatedly swept through Ji Yi¡¯s mind, more tears fell. Eventually, she had to cover her mouth as she stifled her sobs. As she cried and cried, her lips curved upwards.

    She smiled and cried like that for a long time before sheposed herself. She swayed as she got up. Outside the window, the sun had already risen and bright red rays of light adorned the entire city with a shockingly beautiful glow.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi said she didn¡¯t sleep enough and was going back to the room to make up for the loss of sleep, but how could she sleep with such a messed up frame of mind?

    Sheid in bed, tossing and turning for a long time. It wasn¡¯t until He Jichen knocked on the door that she remembered they had to head back to Hengdian. She finally started to climb out of bed.

    When she went to the bathroom to wash her face, she sshed cold water on her eyes for a long time to reduce the swelling from all the crying.

    After she came out of the room, He Jichen was already packed and waiting for her.

    She sensed his gaze but didn¡¯t dare look back. She walked in front of him and softly said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    He didn¡¯t say anything but continued to stare at her for some time before heading out the door.

    Ji Yi followed behind him.

    When they got out of the elevator, Chen Bai, who leftst night, was already waiting in the lobby. He immediately greeted them when he saw the two of them. He took theptop from He Jichen and took the opportunity to hand him some take away breakfast.

    Chen Bai already checked them out of the room and picked up the car keys from the valet. He opened the passenger car door.

    After He Jichen and Ji Yi entered, Chen Bai got in and started the car.

    After He Jichen and Ji Yi ate their breakfast in the car, He Jichen sank into his chair, shut his eyes and fell asleep. He must¡¯ve been tired from not getting any rest all night.

    Maybe He Jichen¡¯s sleepiness was contagious to Ji Yi sitting next to him. Soon after, she tried to doze off herself.

    The road towards Hengdian was under construction, so the car jolted as it drove, waking up Ji Yi, who was unable to fall asleep.

    She first nced over at the time ¨C it had already been over an hour since they set off. They were going to arrive on set in about twenty minutes or so. They had to filmter, so she didn¡¯t dare try to sleep again in fear that she wouldn¡¯t be able to wake up on set. She figured she might as well sit upright for the rest of the ride.

    It was very quiet in the car. Through the window, Ji Yi examined their surroundings for some time, but on the second time her gaze incidentally nced over He Jichen¡¯s sleeping face, her eyes lingered there and her thoughts wandered uncontrobly.

    Her thoughts were all a blur, but when the car pulled into the film studio, she suddenly realized how resourceful He Jichen was. He clearly has better actresses to choose from, so why did he choose me precisely?

    Could he possibly havee to sign me from the very beginning?

    So, no matter if it¡¯s ¡°The Imperial Pce¡± or Huan Ying Entertainment, he prepared it all for me?

    The car came to a stop, and Chen Bai and He Jichen got out of the car, but Ji Yi, who was deep in thought, waste to react.

    She didn¡¯te to her senses until Chen Bai roused her. She then hurriedly got out of the car.

    The entire production team was waiting for He Jichen, so after Ji Yi got out of the car, he turned to leave with a few quiet words, ¡°I¡¯m heading out first to get to work.¡±

 Chapter 349

    Chapter 349: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before He Jichen could take two steps, Ji Yi suddenly cried out to him, ¡°He Jichen!¡±

    She¡¯s calling me with the same desperation from when we were younger...

    Heaven knew just how many times he envisioned her crying his name like that over the past few years.

    Every time he stopped to look for her, he turned his head in bewilderment only to see face after face of strangers.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled but he didn¡¯t stop walking.

    He was afraid that this time was a hallucination like every other time, even if she really was behind him.

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen walking further and further away. Then Ji Yi cried even louder, ¡°He Jichen!¡±

    Chen Bai, who was just two steps behind He Jichen, heard Ji Yi¡¯s two consecutive cries. Seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t stop, Chen Bai figured that he hadn¡¯t heard her and nudged him. ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji is calling you.¡±

    At the sound of Chen Bai¡¯s voice, it was like He Jichen had been electrocuted as his entire body violently jolted for a moment. Then he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

    So it¡¯s not an illusion. It¡¯s real. She¡¯s really calling me...

    Time passed, some things remained the same but people changed over the years. He couldn¡¯t believe he actually saw the day when he could hear her call him with that kind of tone. ¡°He Jichen!¡±

    Chen Bai saw He Jichen stop but didn¡¯t turn around. He curiously peered his head forward and nced at the expression on He Jichen¡¯s face. Chen Bai realized he looked a little vacant as though he was in a daze.

    Chen Bai was confused but continued to remind He Jichen with ¡°Mr. He?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s long, curly eyshes fluttered gently and the expression on his face reverted to its usual calmness.

    He didn¡¯t look at Chen Bai but calmly looked over at Ji Yi.

    He silently balled up his hands at an angle where people nearby couldn¡¯t see his movements, indicating his slight nervousness.

    The second Ji Yi¡¯s eyes met his, her mind snapped awake.

    In a moment of desperation, she called for him, but she hadn¡¯t even thought of what she was going to say to him.

    She hurriedly turned her head and thought about how to start. She had no idea why she was at such a loss for words either. For no reason at all, she thought back to the conversation between him and Fatty that she identally overheardst night at Lou Wailou.

    ¡°To this day, I remember how I did the most regrettable thing in my life at twenty-four minutes past ten that evening.¡±

    ¡°Had I known all the things that would happen after, had I known just how guilty and ashamed I would feel now... then I wouldn¡¯t have done what I did that night.¡±

    He said he regrets it... He said he¡¯s always felt guilty...

    Ji Yi¡¯s train of thought was in disarray once again.

    Seeing as Ji Yi hadn¡¯t made a sound at all, He Jichen took the initiative and said, ¡°Is there something you need?¡±

    Ji Yi stared unflinchingly at He Jichen, but she didn¡¯t hear what he said.

    The words he saidst night still echoed in her ears: ¡°If you experienced just how beautiful those years at Sucheng Yizhong were... You don¡¯t know just how much I miss them. Recently, I¡¯ve practically been dreaming about her every night...¡±

    How was the time spent in Sucheng Yizhong not also the most wonderful time of my life?

    He misses the past me, yet when did I ever not miss the past ¡°him¡±?

    Even after so many upsetting things happened between us, this He Jichen is still the same He Jichen from Sucheng Yizhong.

 Chapter 350

    Chapter 350: Ji Yi, Will You Trust Me? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    I thought we could never get back our lost years, but in thest two months on the production team...

    The anxious look he had after I hurt herself to get revenge on Qian Ge...

    He kicked out the people Qian Ge bribed and made it so that the entire production team pampered me...

    On the night of my birthday, the birthday surprise he gave me...

    All the special little things that happened in the past evidently came back little by little...

    The people waiting for He Jichen were all impatiently grouped up nearby, but it seemed like he didn¡¯t even see them there. He had a nk expression on his face as he patiently waited for Ji Yi.

    Beside them, Chen Bai looked at Ji Yi with a strange look on his face then furrowed his brows as he looked at He Jichen.

    What¡¯s with these two? One called the other, but now they¡¯re just standing there stunned like that for half a day. After one turned around, the person who called didn¡¯t say anything further... It just doesn¡¯t make any sense...

    Seeing as Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t made a sound, Chen Bai cleared his throat and broke the silence, ¡°Miss Ji, did you call for Mr. He about something?¡±

    After hearing Chen Bai¡¯s voice, Ji Yi turned to look at him then realized she must¡¯ve been daydreaming for too long. She instinctively looked over at He Jichen and opened her mouth, ready to say something to him, but just as the words reached the corner of her mouth, she remembered that Chen Bai was still standing to one side. Then she swallowed the words back into her mouth and turned to look over at Chen Bai again.

    He Jichen noticed Ji Yi was looking at Chen Bai, so he also looked over at him.

    Chen Bai noticed that the two of them were now staring at him. He was so stunned that he looked down and started to check himself out up and down.

    My clothes are normal; there¡¯s nothing wrong with me... Why¡¯re they looking at me? Before that thought could form in Chen Bai¡¯s mind, he heard He Jichen¡¯s voice. ¡°You can leave first.¡±

    Stunned, Chen Bai reacted quickly when he realized that the two of them were only staring at him just now because he was in their way. Before he could reply with a ¡°Yes,¡± he ran far away and stopped the assistant director, who was just about to rush He Jichen.

    He Jichen turned his head until he was satisfied that Chen Bai was far enough away that he wouldn¡¯t overhear their conversation. Then he slowly turned around and looked into Ji Yi¡¯s eyes.

    When he met her eyes, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers bended slightly then she moved her lips. ¡°He Jichen, on the night of my birthday, were you serious about what you said to me?¡±

    What did I say? Is it the same question I¡¯ve been anticipating the answer to?

    He Jichen didn¡¯t dare take the risk, so he held his breath while looking over at Ji Yi.

    As though she was fighting with herself internally, Ji Yi clutched tightly onto her sleeve.

    In all these years, he did so many things for me, so does that mean he always cared for me, his friend?

    He inflicted the most agonizing pain, but he¡¯s also given me the most wonderful warmth. He even helped pave a road for me into the entertainment industry...

    At that thought, Ji Yi made up her mind about something and said, ¡°What you said, ¡®Can we go back to how we were before?¡¯... were you serious about that?¡±

    So, she really did mean to ask about that...

    He Jichen tried hard to pull himself together and gently nodded. He was afraid she would feel that he wasn¡¯t sincere enough, so he said, ¡°Yeah, I was serious.¡±

    Ji Yi blinked at He Jichen and curved the corners of her lips into a smile. ¡°If you were being serious, then let¡¯s go back to how things were.¡±

    ¡°...as though nothing happened. Let¡¯s go back to how things were and continue to be best friends.¡±

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter!!

 Chapter 351

    Chapter 351: This is My Answer (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    A picture he never dared to hope for in his dreams was bing a reality.

    A tinge of sadness surfaced in He Jichen¡¯s eyes, and he instinctively turned his head and looked far away.

    He spent two seconds to force himself to calm the raging storm in his chest then he looked back at Ji Yi. He didn¡¯t reply with the simple ¡°yeah¡± as he did before, but with a ¡°How have you been recently?¡±

    With just these five words, he knew what he wanted to say next. Ji Yi beat him to the punch by saying, ¡°Let¡¯s not lie to each other.¡±

    How have you been recently? Let¡¯s not lie to each other.

    Those were the words she said when she took the initiative to apologize during their first misunderstanding.

    Later, they got into an argument. No matter if he was the one who went to look for her, or if she went to look for him, someone had to speak up first.

    It was like their secretw; as long as they were on speaking terms, even the greatest misunderstandings between them would disappear.

    They quietly stared at one another. He knew what she was thinking, and he knew what was going through her mind.

    Neither of them said anything. As they stared and stared, the corners of Ji Yi¡¯s lips curved into a smile.

    Seeing her smile, He Jichen also curved his lips and said in a soft voice, ¡°Hello, my most important friend, Ji Yi.¡±

    On hearing this, Ji Yi smiled, revealing her teeth. ¡°Hello, my most important friend, He Jichen.¡±

    As the afternoon drew closer, bright sunlight shone on their faces, making them look incredibly clean and pure.

    They were smiling at each other, but beneath their eyes, there was a faint watery refraction of light.

    ¨C

    Having returned to how they were before, He Jichen and Ji Yi met in private more often and talked more often outside of work.

    As an outsider, Chen Bai could tell that He Jichen¡¯s mood was better day after day. He even noticed that He Jichen¡¯s lips would randomly curl into a smile during work or during meetings.

    In the past, Chen Bai would dream of his boss bing a little more sensitive to people¡¯s needs just so his days would be a bit more rxed. Now that it had be a reality, he realized that not only was he not rxed, he was actually even more exhausted.

    Since He Jichen spoiled Ji Yi endlessly, he wanted Chen Bai to prepare breakfast for Ji Yi every morning. In the early afternoon, he wanted Chen Bai to prepare desserts for Ji Yi on her breaks after shooting scenes. In the mid-afternoon, Chen Bai had to make sure that no one disturbed Ji Yi during her afternoon break. In thete afternoon, Chen Bai had to prepare fruit for Ji Yi, and in the evening, Chen Bai would have to drive away mosquitoes for Ji Yi during their evening shots...

    After finishing the shoot with much difficulty, he thought he could finally head back to the hotel to get some rest, but because of Ji Yi mentioning her hunger, He Jichen asked him to run out to buy dinner.

    What made him fall apart was when He Jichen learned that Ji Yi didn¡¯t have any sanitary towels ready when her period came... He felt like it was inappropriate for Chen Bai to buy her personal items, so he had to buy them personally. However, he still woke up Chen Bai from his sleep to be his personal driver.

    Day by day, Chen Bai thought he had to endure unparalleled hardship.

    ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± finally finished shooting in mid-June.

    The Shanghai Film Festival happened to be going on, so the after-party for their filming was held at the Shanghai Starlight Hotel.

    Aside from the cast and important crew members in attendance, there were also industry investors invited for support.

    Ji Yi followed He Jichen¡¯s car from Hengdian to Shanghai. After they reached Starlight, the two of them headed upstairs to their respective rooms to get changed.

    When Ji Yi came down to the second-floor hall, He Jichen was already dressed in an all-ck suit with a ss of wine in hand. He stood gracefully in the crowd, politely engaged in conversation.

    An attendant greeted Ji Yi, and in return, she smiled and picked up a ss of wine from the tray.

    She put it by her lips and was about to take a sip when she saw He Jichen waving at her.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t think too much of it and charged right at him in her high heels. However, just as she was about to reach him, she saw someone she didn¡¯t want to see...

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    Hey readers ^^ Anyone on twitter? (paperne_qi)

 Chapter 352

    Chapter 352: This is My Answer (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t think too much of it and charged right at him in her high heels. However, just as she was about to reach him, she saw someone she didn¡¯t want to see.

    Her footsteps suddenly came to a stop, and her fingers instinctively clutched the wine ss tightly in her hands.

    A second ago, He Jichen called Ji Yi over. Then a secondter, his words made Mr. Li, who was standing next to him, look away.

    He raised his ss with one hand and turned his head to listen earnestly to what Mr. Li was saying. Every now and then, he would let out a soft ¡°Mhm¡± in respect.

    About a minuteter, he sensed Ji Yi standing about twenty meters away. She hadn¡¯te to his side yet, so he slowly turned his head and looked over at her.

    She had stopped about seven to eight meters away, looking frozen, and her eyes were transfixed to his right.

    What¡¯s... with her?

    He Jichen furrowed his brows as he was about to apologize to Mr. Li, who was chatting away and walk over to Ji Yi. In the end, before he could take action, Ji Yi sensed someone was staring at her, so she turned to look at his face. When she met his eyes, she waspletely stunned for a few seconds before she came to her senses and rushed over to him.

    But she didn¡¯t walk with the same calm as she did when he first called her over. Instead, her footsteps seemed obviously hesitant and slower.

    She clearly has something on her mind...

    Even though He Jichen was still chatting with Mr. Li, his thoughts wandered every now and then to Ji Yi.

    When she reached him, He Jichen politely stopped talking to Mr. Li and started to introduce each and every person surrounding them to Ji Yi.

    To be able to stand beside He Jichen, the people he patiently had to entertain were no ordinary people at all. On a normal day, they would have others surrounding them, but after He Jichen finished introducing Ji Yi to those people, they became evidently more natural and friendly as they greeted her.

    Ji Yi knew they only bothered with her just to give He Jichen some face. She maintained her most fitting smile, clinked sses and shared a few casual words with every person.

    However, when it came to introducing the final person on He Jichen¡¯s right-hand side, Mr. Sun, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t as polite as she was previously. Instead, she lowered her eyelids.

    She waited until He Jichen finished introducing Mr. Sun before she lifted her eyelids secondster to see a smirking Mr. Sun.

    In her lifetime, Ji Yi had smiled involuntarily countless of times, but this time, it was most insufferable for her.

    ¡°Hello.¡± Ji Yi spent a lot of energy to force herself to say it. She merely gave him a greeting; she didn¡¯t share any polite small talk like she¡¯d done with the others.

    ¡°Hello there, Ji Yi. Long time no see.¡± Mr. Sun spoke in a tone of voice that sounded much friendlier than Ji Yi.

    Someone next to them couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Mr. Sun, so you know Miss Ji.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t just know her, we were very close back in the day...¡± replied Mr. Sun with a smile as he stared at Ji Yi. ¡°...Isn¡¯t that right, Ji Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi knew just how stiff her smile was. She didn¡¯t actually want to respond to Mr. Sun, but she was afraid to embarrass He Jichen, so all she could do was endure the annoyance in her heart and force out the word ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s such a small world. We have to have a good drink to that!¡± As Mr. Sun said this, he handed Ji Yi a ss of wine.

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    sketchy... sketchy... SKETCHY!

 Chapter 353

    Chapter 353: This is My Answer (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi knew she should raise her ss to Mr. Sun, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t lift her arm.

    There were capitalists all around them; each iparably insightful. Ji Yi hesitated for just a moment, but someone sensed that something was wrong and noted the suspicion in both her and Mr. Sun¡¯s eyes.

    Mr. Sun handed the ss in his hand to Ji Yi again and pretended to be just as dazed as Ji Yi while silently plotting to win some face back. ¡°Ji Yi?¡±

    Hearing this, Ji Yi raised her eyes and nced at the smile on Mr. Sun¡¯s lips.

    It was the same fake smile he used back then. Her expression changed slightly as her fingers reached for the ss. It felt like a giant boulder was weighing down her arms, making it even more difficult for her tensed-up body to clink his ss.

    The atmosphere around them became awkward from Ji Yi¡¯s silence.

    Mr. Sun looked evidently agitated, but he didn¡¯t act out because He Jichen was standing next to him, so instead, he let out a soft cough.

    Ji Yi knew people around them were looking at her, and she knew that He Jichen had called her over to introduce her to some important people in the industry. For her to react sote would not only create a poor impression of her, but she would also be making it difficult for He Jichen.

    Deep down inside, Ji Yi tried hard to convince herself to reach her arm out to clink Mr. Sun¡¯s ss in front of all these strangers.

    As she was overly unwilling, her fingertips clutched onto her wine ss tightly until they were a little white.

    But before her fingers reached an inch away from Mr. Sun¡¯s ss, a long, slender finger pulled away her hand. Then she heard the usual mild-mannered voice of He Jichen in her ears. ¡°Apologies, she can¡¯t really take her alcohol. She drank some earlier and now, her stomach probably feels ufortable.¡±

    After he said this, He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for everyone around him to react and cried, ¡°Chen Bai.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He.¡± A secondter, Chen Bai practically appeared by He Jichen¡¯s side.

    ¡°Please escort Miss Ji to the lounge to rest for a moment,¡± ordered He Jichen tly.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Chen Bai walked over to Ji Yi¡¯s side and before he could quietly say: Miss Ji, please follow me, He Jichen added, ¡°Find Miss Cheng to give her some medicine for stomach pain.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He.¡± Chen Bai politely nodded at the people around them then escorted Ji Yi out.

    As soon as they entered the lounge, Chen Bai hinted for Ji Yi to take a seat then he immediately went to find Cheng Weiwan for the medicine that He Jichen instructed.

    The room was silent. Since Ji Yi was now alone, the forced smile on her lips immediately vanished right off her face. She stared at the dark night¡¯s sky outside the window and reflected on what happened between her and Mr. He. Her fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch onto her handbag as she started to purse her lips.

    Not long after, the doors to the lounge opened again.

    Ji Yi thought Chen Bai had returned, so she quickly adjusted the expression on her face and turned her head to look at him.

    It was He Jichen.

    Ji Yi was stunned for a moment as she thought back to how she forgot her manners earlier. In deep embarrassment, she couldn¡¯t help but lower her head.

    She was just about to apologize to him when he walked in front of her and spoke first, ¡°Unhappy?¡±

    Ji Yi never imagined that He Jichen would ask her this. She looked up and nced at him then gently shook her head.

 Chapter 354

    Chapter 354: This is My Answer (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The people she was unfamiliar with sensed her indifference, and what¡¯s more, he...

    At first, he thought something was on her mind until he introduced her to Mr. Sun. That was when he saw her eyes instantly be disheartened and realized that the problem was with Mr. Sun.

    At the time, I could clearly see her unhappiness, yet she¡¯s shaking her head at me now...

    He Jichen knew Ji Yi wouldn¡¯t say anything, so he said, ¡°Because of Mr. Sun?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled for a moment but she shook her head. ¡°No...¡±

    She immediately tried to change the topic: ¡°Sorry about earlier. I put you in a difficult position by doing that.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to entertain people if you don¡¯t want to, and you don¡¯t have to worry about who you embarrass,¡± He Jichen replied so bluntly with hints of rare arrogance. ¡°Including myself.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart shook as she looked up at He Jichen.

    He was standing and she was sitting, so all she could see was his perfect lower jaw.

    His wordsforted her, yet Mr. Sun¡¯s appearance troubled her heart. The mixed feelings she had seemed to build up in her chest. They tumbled around in her mind and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t shake them off. He Jichen stared at her for some time without saying a single word.

    The doors to the lounge opened again. It was Chen Bai, back with the stomach pain relief medicine. As soon as he saw He Jichen, he impatiently said, ¡°Mr. He, so here you are. Mr. Xia was looking for you.¡±

    He Jichen gave a gentle nod. He reached his hand out, took the medicine from Chen Bai and signaled with his eyes for him to leave first.

    Chen Bai knew what to do, so he swiftly disappeared from the lounge. The second he shut the door, He Jichen lowered his head and looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°You don¡¯t like Mr. Sun?¡±

    By reflex, Ji Yi wanted to nod but she thought that wasn¡¯t appropriate, so she quickly stopped.

    ¡°Forget it. You don¡¯t have to tell me ¨C I can tell.¡± He Jichen paused for a moment and said, ¡°Wait here for a moment, I¡¯m stepping out for a bit.¡±

    Ji Yi figured that He Jichen must¡¯ve been talking to Mr. Xia when he stepped away to find Chen Bai. She let out a soft ¡°Mhm.¡±

    He Jichen turned to leave the lounge.

    ...

    After about ten minutes, Chen Bai knocked on the door of the lounge to let Ji Yi know that the production party was almost over.

    Ji Yi hurriedly got up and went to the restroom to fix herself up a little first. When she returned to the hall, the host was already on stage giving a speech.

    Ji Yi took a seat in the second row. Besides the production team sitting in the front row, there were also some people He Jichen introduced to her earlier.

    However, there was an empty seat to the right in front of her, in the front row. There was still someone missing.

    After the host finished speaking, He Jichen went up on stage to give a speech, followed by the assistant director.

    The two of them didn¡¯t speak for long; they spoke for perhaps over ten minutes. After they finished, during the apuse, Ji Yi identally overheard someone sitting in front of her with their head tilted whispering to the person next to him.

    ¡°Mr. Sun just sent me a message. He said Mr. He mercilessly kicked him out of the party over a woman!¡±

    ¡°Are you serious?¡± eximed the other person in shock.

    ¡°It¡¯s true! Look, the seat next to mine was for Mr. Sun, but it¡¯s empty right now!¡±

 Chapter 355

    Chapter 355: This is My Answer (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Oh it really is true...¡±

    The speech at the end of production party was over, so the two people sitting in front of Ji Yi left, one after the other.

    Having overheard everything they said, Ji Yi remained in her seat for some time before getting up. As she passed the empty seat, she leaned forward a little to look at the name behind the chair: Sun Zhounan.

    What they said was true ¨C it¡¯s Mr. Sun¡¯s seat...

    Ji Yi averted her gaze and scanned the entire hall. She searched several times over but she couldn¡¯t see any sign of Sun Zhounan.

    So what I just heard was all true?

    He Jichen asked me if I disliked Mr. He, but before I could answer, he made his own call to kick Mr. Sun out of the party?

    Someone from the production team came to make casual conversation with Ji Yi. She came to her senses and took a ss of wine from a nearby attendant.

    Though she was busily chatting away, her eyes nced over at He Jichen every now and then.

    After the people around him finally dispersed, he seemed tired of entertaining people, so he found a seat by the window.

    Ji Yi politely excused herself from the conversation with the people around her: ¡°Apologies, please excuse me.¡± Then she walked over to He Jichen.

    The sound of her footsteps was very quiet, but he was still able to sense someone walking over to his side. His hands fell from his face and he turned to look at her.

    Seeing that it was her, he didn¡¯t say anything. He pointed over at the empty seat beside him then he raised his hands again and massaged his temples.

    Ji Yi knew he meant for her to take a seat. She bent over and put the ss down on the coffee table first. Then she smoothed out her dress and sat down.

    After two seconds of silence, Ji Yi asked, ¡°Did you kick out Mr. Sun?¡±

    He Jichen casually let out an ¡°Mhm¡± then continued to massage his temples.

    She realized what happened long ago, but his neutral ¡°Mhm¡± made her thoughts fluctuate for a moment.

    Ji Yi took a sip of her wine,posed herself, and asked, ¡°You didn¡¯t even want to clear things up with me first?¡±

    She wasn¡¯t sure how tired He Jichen was, but he didn¡¯t listen carefully to what she said nor did he reply to her for some time. All of sudden, he stopped massaging for a moment and replied with some degree of suspicion: ¡°Mhm?¡±

    ¡°I said, you didn¡¯t even want to clear things up with me first? What if I was the one in the wrong?¡± asked Ji Yi, providing some rification.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re asking about that...¡± He Jichen looked down at his hands then turned his head and looked into Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. ¡°... Then answer me this first, do you not like him?¡±

    He Jichen already kicked him out, so he didn¡¯t need to hide anything. Ji Yi gave a gentle nod. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all I needed to know,¡± said He Jichen.

    Ji Yi was stunned, unable to keep up with He Jichen.

    He Jichen shifted into a morefortable position as he picked up his wine ss on the coffee table. He took a gulp. Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t respond, he remainedpletelyid back as he spoke again in his usual leisurely tone of voice: ¡°Didn¡¯t you ask me to not ask why? Your reply was all I needed to know.¡±

    ¡ª¡ª¡±Do you not like him?¡±

    ¡ª¡ª¡±Yes.¡±

    ¡ª¡ª¡±That¡¯s all I needed to know.¡±

    This went to say: Ji Yi didn¡¯t like Mr. Sun, so why should he allow Mr. Sun to stay? As for why she didn¡¯t like him, he simply didn¡¯t care.

 Chapter 356

    Chapter 356: This is My Answer (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t stupid; she instantly got the meaning behind He Jichen¡¯s words. Her heart skipped a beat then it started to race uncontrobly.

    So this is how it feels to have someone care about me like this... It¡¯s like you¡¯re being carefully protected in someone¡¯s hands; it¡¯s like you¡¯re the center of the world and everything revolves around you.

    Ji Yi stared right at He Jichen for a long time before she withdrew her gaze. Her eyes instantly fell and she faintly sensed the corners of her eyes starting to water.

    She realized she was moved by his actions. The gloomy feeling she had from meeting Sun Zhounan seemed to have disappeared long ago, and in this very moment, her heart was filledpletely with warmth.

    She was moved by everything He Jichen did, but she didn¡¯t want him to think she was someone who liked to hold grudges. After Ji Yi calmed down, she started to recount to He Jichen all the grievances she had against Sun Zhounan.

    She met Sun Zhounan four years ago. At that time, Sun Zhounan wasn¡¯t the capitalist he was today. At the time, Sun Zhounan was the assistant director in her production team. What¡¯s more, at the time, she was a new actress in the entertainment industry.

    At first, she thought Sun Zhounan was a good person, unlike the others who¡¯d been working in the industry for a long time who liked to show off what little status they had.

    This was until she realizedter on that everything she knew about Sun Zhounan was wrong. In private, he was despicable and he especially liked to use women to grow his business.

    And she... was the person he had his eyes set on.

    At the time, Ji Yi didn¡¯t think too much of it when he invited her for a meal ¨C she thought it was normal for the production team to spend time together. When the time came, she realized that aside from the cast and crew, there was also a rich man from Beijing in attendance. That night, she was arranged to sit next to Sun Zhounan, and he worked with the rich man to try to get her to drink.

    If it wasn¡¯t for her luck that night, she wouldn¡¯t have identally overheard Sun Zhounan ordering other people to drug her drink as she returned from the restroom. He said it¡¯d be easier to get her into the rich man¡¯s bed. She became extremely cautious and didn¡¯t touch any food afterward. She was afraid she was going to turn out like all those innocent girls who went to parties and became some kind of bargaining chip Sun Zhounan used to trade for business.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t make a sound and stayed very silent as he listened to Ji Yi¡¯s detailed ount. But when he heard her mention the ¡°drugging¡± at the end, his eyes instantly turned cold.

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t finished, so she continued, ¡°He¡¯s probably never failed before, so I was an exception. He didn¡¯t give up. Later, he invited me to a party under the guise of the production team, but I rejected his invitation. He was probably annoyed, so that¡¯s when he started meddling with my reputation. Four years ago, when my first movie just came out, he created rumors out of nothing behind my back by bribing all the mediapanies...¡±

    Even though it happened many years ago, Ji Yi still pursed her lips like she was still upset.

    In contrast to her long exnation, He Jichen¡¯s reply was very simple: ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Just when Ji Yi wondered whether or not he actually heard her, He Jichen pulled out his phone from his pocket and made a call.

    Before the call even went through, He Jichen hung up.

    Then after about ten seconds, Chen Bai appeared. ¡°Mr. He, you were looking for me?¡±

 Chapter 357

    Chapter 357: This is My Answer (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded He Jichen softly as he yed on his phone. After about two seconds, he looked up and shot Chen Bai a nce. He didn¡¯t wait for Chen Bai to speak as he opened his mouth. ¡°Is Sun Zhounan staying at the Tianhua Hotel?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± replied Chen Bai.

    He Jichen calmly said, ¡°Send someone to invite him back.¡±

    Chen Bai looked as though he¡¯d just heard the most unbelievable thing. His eyes shot wide open from being overly shocked. He stuttered as he spoke, ¡°In-invite him... back?¡±

    As Ji Yi stared at He Jichen sitting beside her, she wore the same astonished look on her face as Chen Bai.

    In contrast to their reactions, He Jichen looked as calm as a sheet of white paper. Hezily mumbled the word ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just that... Mr. He, you asked me to privately ask Mr. Sun to leave, yet now you want me to send someone to invite him back. This...¡± Before Chen Bai could finish protesting, He Jichen looked impatient as he nced over at Chen Bai from the corners of his eyes. Chen Bai was so afraid that his lips trembled and his endless chatter changed direction. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go invite Mr. Sun. Please wait, Mr. He.¡±

    After he said this, Chen Bai turned around, swiftly carrying out He Jichen¡¯s orders.

    ...

    Tianhua Hotel was just about a thousand meters away from Starlight. In ten minutes time, Sun Zhounan followed behind Chen Bai, appearing before He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s eyes.

    Chen Bai stopped walking and said in a low voice, ¡°Mr. He, Mr. Sun has arrived.¡±

    He Jichen raised his head and silently swept a look at Sun Zhounan standing behind Chen Bai.

    As their eyes met, Sun Zhounan unexpectedly spoke up: ¡°Mr. He, I thought you were a smart person. You won¡¯t really pick a fight over a woman.¡±

    ¡°After all, women are women, and business is business. Nobody would give up on a big business deal over a mere woman!¡±

    As he said this, Sun Zhounan looked over at Ji Yi with disgust in his oddly clear eyes.

    Ji Yi looked away with an evidently colder look in her eyes.

    Sun Zhounan didn¡¯t care in the slightest for Ji Yi¡¯s reaction. He shifted over to He Jichen on the sofa as he said, ¡°Honestly speaking, when you kicked me out, I was really angry. Was there any need for you to do this on behalf of a third-rate minor celebrity?¡±

    Third-rate minor celebrity... He Jichen pinched his phone a little harder as the air around him instantly turned a lot colder.

    Sun Zhounanpletely disregarded Ji Yi and continued to say, ¡°Who knows how many people know about this and how many people areughing at you behind your back. But luckily, you sent someone to escort me back so we can get over this and be good friends in the...¡±

    After Sun Zhounan was saying this, he walked over to sit on the sofa. Just before he sat down and his mouth could say the word ¡°future,¡± He Jichen broke his silence as he suddenly blurted out, ¡°Did I offer you a seat?¡±

    Sun Zhounan¡¯s words suddenly came to a stop. He stayed crouched, and after ten whole seconds, he turned to look at He Jichen.

    He Jichen knew Sun Zhounan was looking right at him. Without even looking at him, He Jichen continued to tell him bluntly, ¡°I invited you back for no special reason. I just realized I didn¡¯t ask you to leave publically enough, so I just wanted to ask you to leave again!¡±

 Chapter 358

    Chapter 358: This is My Answer (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°After all, you just said it yourself... who knows how many people wouldugh behind your back for doing this on behalf of a third-rate celebrity...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s brows raised slightly with harsh contempt as he said, ¡°...Unfortunately, I¡¯ve never experienced the taste of ridicule, but today, I just so happened to have the chance to give it out!¡±

    After he said this, He Jichen didn¡¯t give Sun Zhounan any chance to react. He turned his head and looked over at Chen Bai as he raised his voice loudly: ¡°Chen Bai, call security to escort Mr. Sun out!¡±

    Quite a few people nearby heard what He Jichen said and turned their heads towards the scene, one after the other.

    Sun Zhounan never imagined that He Jichen would ever invite him back to his hotel only to embarrass him even more. With his face flushed, he stared at He Jichen¡¯s changing expression for a moment and forced out the words, ¡°He Jichen, don¡¯t test me!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t test me?!¡± It was like He Jichen heard something hrious as his lips curved into a smirk. ¡°If you didn¡¯t remind me, I would¡¯ve forgotten I was even testing you. What can you do about it?!¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen turned to look over at the two security guards Chen Bai called over and said, ¡°Sorry, I used the wrong words. I didn¡¯t mean to say escort Mr. Sun out ¨C please kick Mr. Sun out!¡±

    As He Jichen was about to finish, he shot Chen Bai a look. Chen Bai understood what He Jichen meant. When He Jichen spoke hisst word, he immediately waved the two security guards over to make their move.

    When was Sun Zhounan ever this resistant? He struggled and fought to prevent the security guards from touching him, but how could he take on the strength of two people by himself? In the end, he was dragged out of the hall in embarrassment under everyone¡¯s gaze.

    ...

    The atmosphere in the hall was chaotic after Sun Zhounan was dragged away screaming.

    Everyone¡¯s attention lingered on He Jichen and Ji Yi; quite a few people got together and started to gossip about what just unfolded.

    The sounds of everyone talking grew louder and louder. Overhearing some of their conversations, Ji Yi blinked gently, turned her head slightly and looked over at He Jichen.

    He looked calm as though what just happened had nothing to do with him at all.

    She was curious as to why He Jichen invited Sun Zhounan back, but she never imagined that the reason was for him to throw Sun Zhounan out again as everybody watched!

    Although this matter was unpleasant, the first time he asked Chen Bai to see Sun Zhounan out discreetly, so he still left Sun Zhounan some face. He didn¡¯t destroy their rtionship entirely, but now, considering what just happened... he and Sun Zhounan would probably never work together again...

    It was just like Sun Zhounan said, women were women, business was business. How much business would someone give up over a woman?

    He Jichen spoke up but didn¡¯t answer her inquisitive gaze as he asked, ¡°Released all that pent-up anger?¡±

    Ji Yi knew he was referring to inviting Sun Zhounan back and kicking him out. She gave an honest nod. With everything that just unfolded, it really did help relieve her anger.

    A hint of satisfaction came over He Jichen¡¯s face. He then leaned back against the sofa with his eyes shut as though he was exhausted. He spoke with a clear voice, but all Ji Yi could hear was two words: ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±

 Chapter 359

    Chapter 359: This is My Answer (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡ª¡ª¡±Released all that pent up anger?¡±

    ¡ª¡ª¡±That¡¯s enough.¡±

    In that instant, Ji Yi understood what He Jichen meant. It didn¡¯t matter if this incident affected his business ¨C it wasn¡¯t important. What mattered to him was allowing her to release all her pent-up anger.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly started to waver and she felt like she had an infinite number of things to say to him. Most of all, she wanted to say ¡°thank you¡± to He Jichen. She also wanted to tell him that she was delighted he did that for her and that she hoped he would continue to be considerate towards her in the future. However, those words were stuck in her throat, and all of a sudden, she was left speechless.

    I should probably start by thanking him...

    Ji Yi remained quiet for some time before she finally decided to tell He Jichen what was on her mind. But suddenly, she heard a crisp, fragile voice nearby: ¡°Jichen.¡±

    In that instant, the words Ji Yi wanted to say stopped in her mouth. She hesitated for a second then slowly turned her head towards the source of the sound.

    It was Chen Bai. He was escorting a young, beautiful girl to where she and He Jichen were sitting.

    The woman¡¯s skin was very fair and she had prominent facial features. Although she was dressed in business attire with her hair up, it couldn¡¯t mask her feminine air. Not to mention her effect on guys, but with just one look, even Ji Yi¡¯s breath was taken away by her beauty.

    ¡°Mr. He, Miss Xia...¡± Chen Bai walked over and eventually came to a stop in front of He Jichen. Before Chen Bai could finish his introduction, the woman greeted He Jichen, ran over to him and said with a bright smile, ¡°Jichen, are you surprised by my sudden appearance?!¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if He Jichen was pleasantly surprised by this ¡°Miss Xia¡± who Chen Bai introduced, but he was silent for a few seconds. Then his lips moved: ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    The woman was in no rush to reply but instead, she rushed over to Chen Bai who was standing beside her and demanded, ¡°Chen Bai, fetch me a ss of water first. I¡¯m parched.¡±

    There was quite some space between Ji Yi and He Jichen on the sofa ¨C enough space for a person to take a seat. After the woman withdrew her gaze from Chen Bai, she looked over at the empty space next to He Jichen and replied to He Jichen, ¡°It¡¯s all your fault. You haven¡¯te back to Sucheng for so long, so I wanted to see you. Seeing as your party was at Shanghai Starlight, I wanted to give you a pleasant surprise, so I secretly came over...¡± She brazenly sat down, forcing Ji Yi and He Jichen to separate.

    She gestured with her arms as she spoke. When she said that, the smell of her perfume drifted endlessly into Ji Yi¡¯s nostrils.

    ¡°...Jichen, since tonight¡¯s the end-of-production party, you¡¯re free tomorrow, right? Why don¡¯t youe with me to Shanghai for two days...¡±

    Her voice sounded so nice, but for some reason, after listening to her for some time, Ji Yi started to get a headache. Even her perfume felt like it was piercing her nose.

    ¡°...I want to go on a night cruise on the Huangpu River. I also want to go to Disnend, and I want to go shopping...¡±

    Chen Bai returned and interrupted the woman¡¯s words. ¡°Miss Xia, your water.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± The woman took it, turned her head and told He Jichen, ¡°... Jichen, I still want to go to the Oriental Pearl Tower...¡±

 Chapter 360

    Chapter 360: This is My Answer (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The woman said so much, yet He Jichen didn¡¯t say a peep in reply. She was probably afraid of getting rejected by him, so she reached her hand out and pulled on his sleeve. She started to whine sweetly and sway her body like a child. ¡°Jichen, promise me, won¡¯t you? Please, pretty please...¡±

    He Jichen seemed a bit impatient with her pestering, so he called out her name, ¡°Xia Yuan...¡±

    So her name¡¯s Xia Yuan... Not only is she beautiful, but her name also sounds so good...

    Ji Yi had never met such an exceptional woman in her life; never before had she paid this much attention to another woman¡¯s looks, body, voice, and even her name.

    What¡¯s even more, Ji Yi didn¡¯t notice just how much she took note of everything that this woman called ¡°Xia Yuan¡± looked at or what she knew.

    He Jichen, who had never really been a patient person, didn¡¯t erupt in a fit of rage at Xia Yuan, but he just furrowed his brows slightly. Then he silently reached over with his other arm and gently plucked Xia Yuan off his sleeve. He looked over at Ji Yi and continued to speak to Xia Yuan, ¡°...Let me introduce you for a moment. This is Ji Yi, the new artist signed to mypany.¡±

    As soon as she heard He Jichen mention her name, Ji Yi immediately tossed aside all her thoughts to the back of her mind and looked over at He Jichen.

    Noticing her gaze, He Jichen spoke again, ¡°And this is Xia Yuan, my professor¡¯s daughter and my ssmate from school.¡±

    Oh, so she¡¯s from a prestigious school; she¡¯s totally an honor student... What¡¯s more, she was probably raised in a rich family. Is she what people call a ¡°debutante¡±?

    Considering what He Jichen said, Ji Yi¡¯s mind started to revolve around Xia Yuan several times.

    Having heard He Jichen¡¯s introduction, Xia Yuan, who had been sitting on the sofa for so long, finally noticed Ji Yi. She turned her head to look at Ji Yi with a dazzling smile, then she reached her slender, lily-white hands out. ¡°Hello, Miss Ji. I¡¯m Xia Yuan, delighted to meet you,¡± said Xia Yuan warmly to Ji Yi.

    When Ji Yi heard Xia Yuan speak, she shed her a smile and looked back at her. However, for some reason, after hearing Xia Yuan¡¯s natural and outspoken introduction, the smile on her face turned stiff. She tried her best to raise the corners of her lips as the words from her mouth came out hoarse, ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Ji Yi.¡±

    After the two of them politely shook hands, Xia Yuan and Ji Yi continued to share a few courteous words.

    Every word Xia Yuan said didn¡¯t stray far from the topic of He Jichen. If she didn¡¯t talk about how remarkable he was in school, she¡¯d talk about interesting things that happened to him in school...

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t part of He Jichen¡¯s old life at his university, so she couldn¡¯t talk about it with Xia Yuan; all she could do was wear a slight smile and listen feebly.

    When Xia Yuan started to talk about the time He Jichen received an award in university, she turned to look over at He Jichen and said with an unusually sweet voice, ¡°Jichen, did you know? Two days ago, my dad brought up the time you received an award in conversations. He even called you the most outstanding student amongst all his students. When are you free? My dad really misses you. He always bugs me about youing over to our house to y chess with him when you have some free time...¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure what was wrong with her, but when she heard this, her chest felt incredibly stifled for some reason.

    She suddenly didn¡¯t want to sit there like a fool, listening to them chat about things she had no idea about.

    She didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to reply and beat him first to say, ¡°Apologies Director He, Miss Xia. You two continue to chat, I¡¯m just going to take a look over there.¡±

 Chapter 361

    Chapter 361: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    With that, Ji Yi immediately grabbed her handbag from the coffee table and got up.

    From the corners of her eyes, she caught a faint glimpse of He Jichen¡¯s lips moving when she turned around. Before she could make out what he said, she had already walked far away.

    Only Ji Yi knew just how drained her entire body was, but she still forced herself to walk elegantly out of the hall and into the restroom.

    She only walked ten short meters from He Jichen¡¯s side to the bathroom, but it felt like she walked several kilometers. Both her legs felt weak and unsteady.

    She was scared she was going to fall any second, so she found an empty cubicle and rushed in.

    As soon as she shut the cubicle door, her whole body went limp as she took a seat on the toilet.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure just how long she sat there frozen nor how many people entered the restroom or what those people said. She only knew that her bag vibrated endlessly in her palms, and her hand was a little numb from the constant vibrations. She finally looked down, opened the zipper, and reached in to pull out her phone.

    There were five missed calls from He Jichen.

    She wasn¡¯t going to call He Jichen back and was about to put her phone away when she got another call from him.

    She stared at the name of the iing call for some time before taking the call.

    Just as she put the phone to her ear, she heard the flustered voice of He Jichen: ¡°Where are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m...¡± When Ji Yi spoke, she felt her voice was a little hoarse, so she quickly paused to swallow then said, ¡°...in the restroom.¡±

    ¡°Oh...¡± Over the phone, He Jichen¡¯s voice sounded a lot more rxed.

    Ji Yi knew He Jichen was going to continue talking, so she clutched her phone silently.

    But just when He Jichen said ¡°Then,¡± she heard the sweet sound of Xia Yuan over the phone saying: ¡°Jichen, are you finished talking on the phone?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly sank for a moment and it became hard to breathe again. She didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to finish as she quickly said, ¡°Errr, it¡¯s not convenient to talk right now so I¡¯m hanging up.¡±

    With that, Ji Yi removed the phone from her ear and hung up the call.

    After about ten seconds, the phone in her palms vibrated again. It was a text from He Jichen: ¡°After you¡¯re out, remember toe find me.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply but put her phone away and stayed in the restroom for a while before she got up and headed back to the hall.

    He Jichen and Xia Yuan were still sitting on the sofa by the window.

    The empty coffee table now had a spread of all different types of desserts.

    Xia Yuan scooped up some ice cream with her spoon. She would take a bite and turn her head every now and then and smile sweetly at He Jichen as she spoke.

    Behind them was a night view of Huangpu River beyond the tall windows.

    The two of them sitting together, a handsome guy and a beautiful woman, looked like a shockingly beautiful piece of art against the backdrop of a glistening night¡¯s view.

    Ji Yi watched on with a piercing pain in her eyes, yet she didn¡¯t look away until an attendant passed and asked in a quiet voice if she needed anything. That was when she blinked and looked at the ss of wine in their hands.

 Chapter 362

    Chapter 362: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She didn¡¯t reply to the attendant nor did she care to find out what kind of alcohol he was carrying. She reached her hand out to grab a ss, put it to her lips, and downed it.

    When she put down the ss, Ji Yi nced back at where He Jichen and Xia Yuan were sitting.

    Xia Yuan had finished the ice cream and was now eating the mango pomelo sago. Xia Yuan seemed to have spilled something on herself since He Jichen handed her a tissue. After she took the tissue, she looked up and smiled sweetly at He Jichen. Then she looked down and dabbed at her cor.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but clutch onto the ss in her hands more tightly. The next second, she withdrew her gaze and put down the empty ss onto the attendant¡¯s tray. She picked up another ss and raised it to her mouth again.

    Since the alcohol was a little strong and she downed two consecutive sses, Ji Yi was feeling a little dizzy. She found a ce nearby to take a seat, then she asked the attendant to leave two sses for her before she dismissed him.

    As quite a few people passed Ji Yi, they would say ¡°hello¡± to her. She smiled back reflexively, but she didn¡¯t really hear what they were saying to her ¨C the corners of her eyes were glued to the two people in front of the tall windows.

    Xia Yuan had finished eating, so she put down her spoon and picked up a napkin to wipe the corners of her mouth. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear what He Jichen said, but then Xia Yuan elegantly got up and walked over to the restroom.

    The second Xia Yuan left, He Jichen called Chen Bai over.

    Since Ji Yi was too far away, she couldn¡¯t hear them talking, but she saw Chen Bai pull out his phone after He Jichen finished speaking. After flipping through it for some time, Chen Bai then handed it to He Jichen as though he was waiting for some kind of confirmation. It wasn¡¯t until He Jichen nodded that Chen Bai took his phone back and continued to tap the screen.

    Over ten secondster, Chen Bai put his phone away. Ji Yi could vaguely make out the words: ¡°Mr. He, it¡¯s done¡± from Chen Bai¡¯s lips.

    Ji Yi figured that He Jichen must¡¯ve asked Chen Bai to do something for him just now. After Chen Baipleted the task, he gave proof of this through his phone.

    He Jichen gave a slight nod when Xia Yuan came back. She first said a few words to Chen Bai with a bright smile, then walked over to He Jichen¡¯s side. She didn¡¯t sit down but went right over and whispered something into his ear.

    The expression on He Jichen¡¯s face didn¡¯t change, but he furrowed his brows and after about five secondster, he got up.

    She didn¡¯t know what he said to Chen Bai, but Chen Bai passed He Jichen a room key.

    After He Jichen took it, he nced over at Xia Yuan but didn¡¯t say a word and walked over to the elevator.

    Xia Yuan waved goodbye to Chen Bai and caught up to He Jichen.

    The two of them stepped into the same elevator. After the red figures above the elevator started to jump, Ji Yi¡¯s bewildered gaze fell to the wine ss in front of her.

    He Jichen got a room key and took Xia Yuan upstairs? What¡¯re they doing upstairs?

    It felt like Ji Yi¡¯s mind was going to explode; all kinds of questions started to fill her head.

    She started to grow uneasy as she downed the two untouched sses on the table without a second thought. She couldn¡¯t let go of this sudden agitation that came out of nowhere.

    She mmed the now-empty ss onto the table, and she didn¡¯t bother with the attendant staring at her, rmed by her sudden actions. Then she sluggishly got up.

 Chapter 363

    Chapter 363: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know what to do; all she knew was that her thoughts were running wild, so she figured she¡¯d get up and walk to calm her breathing a little.

    She circled the hall aimlessly with no idea how many times she brushed past the elevator that He Jichen and Xia Yuan stepped into. Suddenly, before she could think things through, she was already inside the elevator.

    Ji Yi¡¯s room was right next to He Jichen¡¯s room.

    When Ji Yi reached her floor, she stepped out of the elevator and walked down the long corridor towards her own room.

    When she walked past He Jichen¡¯s room, Ji Yi saw that his door was actually half open.

    The light from inside shone brightly, illuminating the ground in front of his door.

    Out of curiosity, Ji Yi sneakily glimpsed into He Jichen¡¯s room.

    He Jichen sat on the sofa, signing a receipt.

    An attendant was standing next to him, waiting with a smile on her face.

    After He Jichen finished signing, the attendant handed the bag to He Jichen then politely took her leave.

    Ji Yi was afraid that the people inside the room would catch her peeping, so she walked faster and brushed past He Jichen¡¯s room. While doing so, she heard the faint sound of a feminine voice from inside He Jichen¡¯s room: ¡°Jichen, did you get the thing?¡±

    Thing? What ¡°thing¡±? Does she mean the ck bag the attendant just handed to He Jichen?

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure where this deep-rooted curiosity came from, but her feet couldn¡¯t help but walk a bit slower.

    It was a shame that before she could hear He Jichen¡¯s reply, the attendant stepped out of his room and attentively shut the doors.

    The attendant probably never imagined that there was someone in the corridor, considering that she was stunned for a second when she saw Ji Yi. She immediately smiled at Ji Yi and said, ¡°Hello.¡±

    Ji Yi pretended as though she was pulling out a key card as she nodded slightly at the attendant.

    The attendant didn¡¯t say anything and smiled politely back at her before brushing past her.

    Having found her room key, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to swipe the door. Instead, she waited for the attendant to disappear around the corner then she swiftly took a few steps back. She was back at He Jichen¡¯s door with her ear pressed against it, trying to eavesdrop.

    He Jichen was staying in a suite. Ji Yi was at the door for a while but still couldn¡¯t manage to hear any movement, so she deduced that He Jichen and Xia Yuan were probably not in the living room.

    With furrowed brows, she stepped back from the door. She made a rough guess at where He Jichen¡¯s bedroom was then pressed her ear against the wall.

    Aside from the blowing of the air conditioning unit, she still couldn¡¯t hear any noise.

    Could I have guessed wrong? Maybe this isn¡¯t where the bedroom is and I need to shift down a little more?

    Ji Yi took two steps in the direction where she thought He Jichen might be. Noticing that her own room wasn¡¯t too far away, she couldn¡¯t help but smack her own head. Isn¡¯t my room right next to He Jichen¡¯s bedroom? Why am I here wasting time...

    With that very thought, Ji Yi grabbed her room key, swiped the door, and stepped into her room.

    She first turned off the air conditioning to the entire room then jumped onto the bed and pressed her ear against the wall.

    She still couldn¡¯t hear any movement.

    Ji Yi examined the room n roughly and realized that the bathroom was closest to He Jichen¡¯s room. She darted into the bathroom and leaped into the bathtub, pressing herself against the icy cold marble wall.

 Chapter 364

    Chapter 364: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi held her breath and concentrated her full attention on trying to listen harder. That was when she heard the faint sound of running water from the other side of the wall.

    The sound of running water...

    Ji Yi instinctively looked up at the shower above her head...

    Is someone taking a shower?

    Besides He Jichen, Xia Yuan was the only other person in the room next door. Why are they showering?

    As that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, an image of He Jichen and Xia Yuan intertwined and kissing popped in her head.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers quivered and she was leftpletely stunned in an instant.

    She looked up in a daze and stared at the shower without blinking for a long time. It wasn¡¯t until her neck started to hurt that she slowly withdrew her gaze and looked down.

    They can¡¯t be doing what I¡¯m thinking, right? But a man and woman alone in a room, and showering too... So, when I passed He Jichen¡¯s room earlier, could there have been condoms inside the ck bag the attendant gave He Jichen?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart started to feel a sharp pain as she slowly turned her head and looked over at the wall again. Yet, she didn¡¯t have the courage to listen carefully for their movements again.

    She didn¡¯t understand why she was afraid, but she was afraid to hear He Jichen and Xia Yuan doing what she was thinking...

    Ji Yi stood in the sleek bathtub in a daze for some time before she walked out of the bathroom.

    She walked over to the side of the bed in a daze. Just as she took a seat, her gaze fell firmly on the wall behind the cab by the headboard.

    On the other side of the wall was He Jichen¡¯s big bed. He and Xia Yuan were just there...

    The air in the room instantly became thin. No matter how hard Ji Yi tried to breathe, she just couldn¡¯t do it.

    She spent a lot of energy trying to eavesdrop, but she barely heard the sound of running water. Deep down inside, she knew that the rooms had excellent soundproofing. However, at that exact moment, she was scared she would hear the breathing sounds that could make a person¡¯s face flush.

    Ji Yi thought if she stayed in the room any longer, she would definitely go crazy. Without even picking up her room key, she grabbed her phone and suddenly bolted out the door and towards the elevator.

    Returning to the bustling party, Ji Yi finally felt a little better. She picked up a ss of wine and found a random corner to sit.

    But this feeling didn¡¯tst long. She stayed like that for a minute then she started to sneak frequent nces at the elevator.

    Why hasn¡¯t He Jichene downstairs yet? Are he and Xia Yuan still upstairs?

    With that thought, Ji Yi picked up the ss and started to down the alcohol.

    She wasn¡¯t sure just how many sses she drank, but she felt like she was troubling the attendant from demanding one ss after another, so she eventually asked the attendant to get her an entire bottle. Then she continued chugging away.

    After a third into the bottle, she pulled out her phone to check the time.

    Twenty minutes had passed since she came down from her room, yet He Jichen still hadn¡¯te downstairs...

    Just how long is he going to be busy with her?

    Ji Yi huped while hugging the bottle. She put it to her lips again and drank so fiercely that she choked. She quickly put the wine down, bent over and started to cough violently...

    ¨C

    He Jichen and Xia Yuan didn¡¯t have a particrly close rtionship. He just treated her more politely than other women in honor of his most respected teacher.

 Chapter 365

    Chapter 365: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He knew full well how Xia Yuan felt about him.

    Long ago, during their first year of university, Xia Yuan had spontaneously confessed her love for him. He already clearly exined that he could never be with her.

    But Xia Yuan ignored his rejection; she stayed by his side and pestered him as she did before.

    Later, he came to Beijing looking for Ji Yi. Not only did he not return to his prestigious school, but he rarely even went back to Sucheng. So, he rarely had the opportunity to see Xia Yuan. The opportunities were so few that he could count the number of times on just one hand.

    However, Xia Yuan still managed to send him many messages every day. Sometimes he nced at them, but sometimes he deleted them without so much as a nce.

    He and Xia Yuan hadn¡¯t kept in contact for over a year now, but after Xia Yuan learned of his whereabouts, she quietly bolted over to Shanghai.

    After Ji Yi left, he suggested that Xia Yuan return to Sucheng that night.

    Xia Yuan wasn¡¯t willing andined about being hungry. She even acted pitiful by saying that she didn¡¯t get to eat because she rushed over there.

    He knew she was using little tricks to stall for time, but he didn¡¯t expose her. Instead, he ordered Chen Bai to get her some food. After she finished eating, he called Chen Bai over to order ne tickets to Sucheng for Xia Yuan.

    Who knew that after she returned from the restroom, she would draw close to his ear and timidly tell him that she was on her period? She didn¡¯t have any sanitary towels and messed up her clothes.

    All he could do was ask Chen Bai for the room key then he brought her upstairs.

    Since Xia Yuan brought her suitcase, she probably intended to stay in Shanghai for a few days.

    So He Jichen didn¡¯t need to prepare any clothes for her; he merely asked the attendant to buy a pack of sanitary towels.

    Xia Yuan continued by saying she soiled her clothes, so she wasn¡¯t feelingfortable and wanted to use his shower.

    It wasn¡¯t a difficult request, so he let her go.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if all women took such long showers, but she was actually in there for over half an hour before she stepped out. He shut his eyes to get some rest and leaned back on the sofa, bored of waiting.

    After a few minutes, he sensed a faint, sweet scenting from behind him. Before he could even open his eyes, a pair of slender fair arms wrapped around him from behind. Then he heard Xia Yuan¡¯s distinctive gentle voice in his ear: ¡°Jichen...¡±

    He was an adult. Even though he only had that one sexual encounter four years ago with Ji Yi, he knew very well what Xia Yuan meant by her actions.

    Like a conditioned reflex, he practically pulled her arm away and got up. He turned around and saw that Xia Yuan was wearing a low-cut mini dress. That was when he instantly understood that she wasn¡¯t on her period ¨C it was just a cover-up to be alone with him.

    The only reasons he never flipped out on Xia Yuan before was because one, out of respect for her father and two, she never did anything over-the-top. However, things were different today. She was actually like all the other girls, ying games. Deep down, he suddenly felt an unspeakable sense of disgust. Without even thinking it through, he bluntly said, ¡°Go change into a normal outfit. I¡¯ll help you call a car to take you to the airport.¡±

    There was nothing more embarrassing for a woman than being rejected after throwing themselves into a man¡¯s arms. Xia Yuan¡¯s eyes turned red and she sounded like was pleading a little when she said: ¡°Jichen, don¡¯t y-you kick me out. I-I just like you too much...¡±

 Chapter 366

    Chapter 366: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t sure just how many times he heard words like those in his life. The expression on his face didn¡¯t change in the slightest while he was faced with Xia Yuan¡¯s pitiful look. All he did was say: ¡°See you in the lobby in ten minutes.¡± Brushing off Xia Yuan crying out his name endlessly, he marched out of the room.

    Xia Yuan had known him for many years, so she knew his personality very well. She could tell he was mad, so she didn¡¯t dare act out. He headed downstairs and took a seat in the lounge. Before he could finish a single cigarette, he saw Xia Yuan emerge from the elevator with red eyes, dragging her suitcase behind her.

    He Jichen waited until Xia Yuan came closer before he put out the cigarette and got up.

    He didn¡¯t say a word and headed for the car by the lobby entrance.

    The valet at the entrance of Starlight politely greeted him, but He Jichen ignored him and walked right over to the front of the car and pulled the door open.

    Xia Yuan trudged over unwillingly. Just as the driver was ready to take her suitcase and load it into the trunk, she suddenly clutched onto the handle. ¡°Jichen, I-I promise that I¡¯ll never do this again. D-don¡¯t push me away, alright...¡±

    It was like He Jichen hadn¡¯t heard what she said as he tly ordered the driver, ¡°After you see her get on the ne, leave.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He,¡± replied the driver. Then he forcefully pried Xia Yuan¡¯s fingers from the suitcase.

    He Jichen watched the driver put Xia Yuan¡¯s suitcase into the trunk. Not too long after, he walked around Xia Yuan and headed for the lobby.

    ¡°Jichen!¡± Xia Yuan turned around and called his name.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t stop in the slightest as he stepped into the revolving doors.

    Through the ss in front of him, he watched the driver shove Xia Yuan into the car. He couldn¡¯t hear Xia Yuan¡¯s voice on the other side of the door, but he knew she was still calling his name. He didn¡¯t give her a second thought as he pressed the button for the elevator and stepped in.

    The moment the elevator doors closed, the car Xia Yuan was in slowly drove off.

    After He Jichen stepped out onto the second floor, his first reaction was to scan the lobby for Ji Yi.

    The room was filled with people, so he searched all around but couldn¡¯t find Ji Yi. Instead, when he returned to the hall, he caught sight of Chen Bai.

    ¡°Mr. He...¡±

    Chen Bai walked over to He Jichen. With just three words, He Jichen interrupted Chen Bai: ¡°Where is she?¡±

    After pausing for just a second, Chen Bai realized who He Jichen meant by ¡°she.¡± Then he looked over to where Ji Yi sat after she first came out of the restroom earlier that evening. ¡°She¡¯s not...¡±

    Chen Bai was going to say ¡°there¡± when he suddenly stopped.

    That¡¯s strange. Miss Ji¡¯s clearly sitting over there; howe she was nowhere to be seen until now?

    Chen Bai swiftly swallowed back the word he was going to say and He Jichen, who was standing right next to him, started to walk over to the corner of the room.

    Chen Bai caught up in a hurry.

    After about ten meters, they found Ji Yi sitting in a corner, spread out on the table and bent over, coughing.

    He Jichen¡¯s footsteps were a lot quicker; all Chen Bai could do was try to keep up.

    When Chen Bai was about two meters away from Ji Yi, He Jichen was already by her side. He reached his arm out and started to drag her paralyzed frame from the table.

 Chapter 367

    Chapter 367: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    An intense smell of alcohol made He Jichen¡¯s brows furrow as his gaze turned to the table.

    There were five to six empty wine sses and a third left in a big bottle of whiskey... She couldn¡¯t have drunk them all by herself, right?

    Chen Bai, who hadn¡¯t yet seen Ji Yi¡¯s condition, walked over. ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji¡¯s probably...¡±

    Before he could finish his sentence with ¡°...alright¡±, he immediately turned silent from fear of He Jichen¡¯s shooting cold re.

    ¡°I told you to stay here to watch her. How the hell have you been watching her? How could you let her drink so much?!¡±

    Chen Bai trembled at He Jichen¡¯s roar and instinctively took a step back. Then he looked over at Ji Yi.

    It was over. Her eyes were already far gone; she obviously drank a lot... Didn¡¯t she just have an upset stomach so she stayed in the restroom for longer than usual? Howe everything changed after she came out...

    The next second, Chen Bai immediately replied with his incredible quick-wit, ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯ll go have someone whip up a drink to sober her up!¡±

    After saying that, Chen Bai turned around, ready to head in the direction of the restaurant. However, he just took two steps before Ji Yi suddenly jumped up from the sofa. ¡°Stop right there!¡±

    By reflex, Chen Bai stopped walking, turned to look at Ji Yi, and said with a polished smile, ¡°Miss Ji, what are your orders?¡±

    He wasn¡¯t sure whether Ji Yi actually heard what he said or if she could even recognize him after drinking so much. Anyhow, she stared at him for some time as she said, a little tongue-tied, ¡°Have you seen He Jichen?¡±

    ¡°Mr. He is right next to you!¡± swiftly answered Chen Bai.

    ¡°Oh,¡± responded Ji Yi with a nod. Then she swept a look at He Jichen, who was standing right next to her, as she started to mumble to herself: ¡°Why hasn¡¯t hee downstairs yet... What the hell is he doing upstairs for so long? He couldn¡¯t have been so tired that he fell asleep, right...¡±

    Her voice was a little low, and since she¡¯d been drinking, her words sounded slurred and unclear. He Jichen, who was standing next to her, couldn¡¯t catch what she said, let alone Chen Bai.

    ¡°Mhm, he most probably fell asleep from exhaustion!¡± Ji Yi nodded to herself and confirmed her own thoughts. With a tilted head and stunned expression, she added after a minute of silence, ¡°Mmmmm. How could I forget? He told me that I should contact him after Ie out of the restroom...¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi started looking for her phone.

    She rummaged around the table for a long time before she found her phone. She must¡¯ve been truly drunk because she tapped the phone for a long time but still couldn¡¯t manage to unlock it. Instead, she turned the screen dark. She handed He Jichen her phone. ¡°Help me take a look. Is my phone broken...¡±

    He Jichen stared at Ji Yi in a drunken mess,pletely ignored what she said, and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take you back upstairs to get some rest.¡±

    As he said this, he pulled on her arm.

    He didn¡¯t use his full strength, so with furrowed brows, Ji Yi was able to swing her wrist free and waved over at Chen Bai. ¡°This person is so stupid! They can¡¯t even tell if my phone is broken or not. Come here and help me take a look!¡±

    Chen Bai almost lost it with Ji Yi¡¯s line ¡°This person is so stupid¡±. The corners of his lips twitched from holding in hisughter as he walked over to Ji Yi and helped her turn on her phone. ¡°Miss Ji, your phone isn¡¯t broken. It was just turned off.¡±

 Chapter 368

    Chapter 368: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi was obviously drunk beyondpare. She watched her phone screen light up and smiled foolishly. ¡°Wah! This little brother, you¡¯re awesome! Way better than this uncle on the side...¡±

    Chen Bai is a little brother? I¡¯m an uncle?

    He Jichen almost cked out from anger and he had the urge to call someone to throw a bucket of cold water over Ji Yi. He scowled ferociously at Chen Bai.

    Chen Bai¡¯s insides were writhing withughter, but when he met He Jichen¡¯s murderous re, all he could do was put on an innocent and serious front while suppressing his smile.

    Ji Yi had no idea that He Jichen was standing next to her. With an awful expression on her face, she tapped the ¡°Home¡± button as she angled her thumb a few times before finally unlocking the screen.

    She opened her contacts and stared at her recent call logs for a moment. Finally, she found the words ¡°He Jichen¡± then clicked the dial button.

    She didn¡¯t raise the phone to her ear but tapped the loudspeaker function instead.

    After making the call, the three of them heard the rings ¡°Doot¡ª¡ª¡±. The melodic sound of He Jichen¡¯s phone started to ring in his pocket.

    He knew she was calling him, but he didn¡¯t pick up the phone. Instead, he called Ji Yi¡¯s name, ¡°Ji Yi.¡±

    Ji Yi stared at her phone screen for a while in a drunken haze. Seeing as no one picked up, she tapped to hang up the call and called He Jichen again.

    It was just the same as before ¨C the phone rang a few times but no one picked up. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but tense up her brows. ¡°B*tch! Didn¡¯t pick up my call!¡±

    B*tch? Is she talking about He Jichen?

    Chen Bai was afraid he was going to suddenly burst intoughter, so he tightened his lips and discreetly nced over at He Jichen.

    Besides the cold expression which surfaced in his eyes after seeing the drunk woman call him a ¡°b*tch¡±, he didn¡¯t reveal any other emotions. In fact, he even spoke softly and patiently to her as he said, ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m here. I¡¯ll take you upstairs to get some rest.¡±

    Perhaps the only person in this world who dares to call Mr. He a ¡°b*tch¡± is Miss Ji?

    While Miss Ji is maybe the only person in this world who dares to insult Mr. He, Mr. He can¡¯t have no reaction at all, right?

    Just as Chen Bai was mumbling to himself, Ji Yi called several more times but nobody picked up. All of a sudden, she mmed her phone on the table in anger. The next second, she spoke with a full alcoholic breath of air, ¡°Don¡¯t pick up my call?! Alright!! I¡¯ll block you!¡±

    As she said this, she really did tap the name ¡°He Jichen¡± and moved it to her blocked list.

    Chen Bai was dumbstruck for a good few seconds then he sneakily turned his head and nced at He Jichen.

    Having been dragged onto her blocked list, He Jichen still didn¡¯t show any signs of anger. In fact, he crouched down and was eye-to-eye with her as he said, ¡°Ji Yi? I¡¯m here, I¡¯m He Jichen...¡±

    From the moment He Jichen and Chen Bai appeared, Ji Yi hadn¡¯t really listened to what the two of them said. However, when He Jichen said the words ¡°He Jichen,¡± she repeated them again with furrowed brows, ¡°He Jichen? He¡¯s next to me?¡±

    With that, she turned her groggy head and looked all around her.

    She was a drunken mess and couldn¡¯t clearly see who it was; she looked dazed as her eyes swayed between He Jichen and Chen Bai for a moment. In the end, her gaze fell on Chen Bai.

 Chapter 369

    Chapter 369: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She stared at Chen Bai firmly for a moment then all of a sudden, she burst intoughter. She then got up and walked around He Jichen while sashaying over to Chen Bai. ¡°He Jichen, you¡¯re finally here...¡±

    Miss Ji is actually mistaking me for Mr. He?

    Chen Bai instinctively nced over at He Jichen when he heard those shocking words. After being practically torn apart by He Jichen¡¯s re, Chen Bai¡¯s legs were so weak that he almost fell to the ground.

    To stay alive, Chen Bai instinctively wanted to exin himself, but since he was in such a hurry, he started to stammer, ¡°M-Miss. Ji, I-I...¡±

    Chen Bai hadn¡¯t finished talking when Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps started to stagger from drinking so much. All of a sudden, she started walking lopsidedly.

    Instinctively, Chen Bai hurriedly reached his hands out to support Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi leaned against Chen Bai¡¯s body as he steadied her arm.

    The atmosphere instantly dropped and the temperature plummeted to an icy chill.

    Chen Bai¡¯s whole body quivered as he looked towards He Jichen.

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes were just like knives, charging at Chen Bai, itching to pierce countless bloody holes into his body.

    Chen Bai instinctively raised both his arms up in the air and took two quick steps back to put some distance between him and Ji Yi.

    Since Chen Bai pulled away, the drunken Ji Yi fell to the ground from her unsteady footing.

    I f Miss Ji gets hurt from the fall because of me, won¡¯t Mr. He skin me alive?

    Chen Bai hastily reached his hands out, scared witless as he steadied Ji Yi again.

    Chen Bai only cared about protecting Ji Yi, yet he realized toote that his actions were equivalent to embracing Ji Yi in his arms.

    Chen Bai felt a faint pain the very second he caught Ji Yi.

    Without even daring to nce at He Jichen, he made sure Ji Yi was steady before quickly withdrawing his arms.

    But who knew that just as he removed his hands from Ji Yi, she would then cling to his body and start to sniff him like a dog?

    Chen Bai was so frightened that he drew a breath of cold air. He wanted to push Ji Yi off him, but before he even touched Ji Yi¡¯s skin or raised his hands, he felt an obvious menacing auraing from He Jichen. Chen Bai was so frightened that he swiftly withdrew his hands and took a step back.

    Although Ji Yi was groggy, she could still feel ¡°He Jichen¡± pulling away from her. The next second, she reached her hands out in a rage and clutched Chen Bai¡¯s cor, pulling him towards her.

    Chen Bai instinctively started to beg and his voice quivered, ¡°M-Miss. Ji, y-you don¡¯t...¡±

    That¡¯s weird. He Jichen should have Xia Yuan¡¯s scent on his body. Howe there¡¯s no trace of it on him... Ji Yi widened her eyes in bewilderment then twitched her cute nose, clinging to Chen Bai¡¯s sleeve. She tried hard to sniff him again.

    Chen Bai¡¯s legs trembled more and more out of control. He wanted to escape from Ji Yi¡¯s grasp, but he didn¡¯t dare touch Ji Yi, who was still clutching his cor. All he could do was helplessly stand there.

    As Ji Yi¡¯s nose started sniffing more areas of his body, Chen Bai clearly heard He Jichen¡¯s knuckles starting to crack ¡°Guh-chi guh-chi.¡± His heart instantly jumped as the sounds grew louder and louder until eventually, they sounded like ps of thunder.

 Chapter 370

    Chapter 370: A Thousand Bottles of Correction Fluid (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s nose shifted to Chen Bai¡¯s chest and she buried her face in itpletely.

    Every hair on Chen Bai¡¯s body stood up, and without thinking about it, he blurted out, ¡°Mr. He, I was wrong...¡±

    Speechless with rage, He Jichen pointed to the doors of the hall and forced out the words ¡°Get out!¡± to Chen Bai.

    ¡°Yes!¡± replied Chen Bai, without any hesitation.

    Chen Bai had worked for He Jichen for many years now, so he was very familiar with his temper, and he knew that He Jichen was on the verge of erupting into a fit of anger. He really was afraid that He Jichen¡¯s fist woulde hurling towards him, so Chen Bai now had no second thoughts about forcefully yanking Ji Yi off his body, even if it meant hurting her in the process. Without even thinking it through, he raised his hands, preparing to break away from Ji Yi¡¯s grip. However, before his fingers even touched Ji Yi, she suddenly turned her drunken self and directed her words to He Jichen: ¡°Why are you getting angry?! Who are you telling to get out? You get out!¡±

    Chen Bai¡¯s forehead started to sweat when he heard this.

    Oh my god, I beg you stop talking. If you keep talking, I really won¡¯t live past tonight...

    But it felt like the heavens wanted to y with Chen Bai ¨C just as he made a secret wish for Ji Yi to shut up, she gritted her teeth and spoke again. ¡°You¡ª¡ªWhy are you still standing there like an idiot? Go buy me some correction fluid!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s face was already gloomy from Ji Yi¡¯s antics; he now looked as though he was at his limit and couldn¡¯t endure it any longer. He took big strides towards Ji Yi and yanked her fingers from Chen Bai¡¯s cor. Withplete disregard for the amount of force he was using, He Jichen pried off her fingers, one after another.

    Chen Bai¡¯s fingers hurt just from watching him do that; he couldn¡¯t imagine how painful it must be for Ji Yi.

    ¡°I told you to go buy some correction fluid ¨C why are you pulling my fingers off?! Are you listening to what I¡¯m saying?!¡± Ji Yi squirmed to free herself, trying to escape from He Jichen¡¯s hold.

    With a calm and collected expression on his face, He Jichen ignored Ji Yi.

    He violently pried off Ji Yi¡¯s fingers from Chen Bai¡¯s cor out of anger from her incessant antics. He reached his arm out and forcefully tugged on the corner of Chen Bai¡¯s cor. With a ¡°sssseeeet¡ª¡ª¡± sound, he tore off the sleeve that Ji Yi had been clutching.

    Chen Bai instinctively raised his hands and covered his chest.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t even shoot him a nce and wed the little woman into his embrace.

    Ji Yi squirmed but couldn¡¯t escape He Jichen¡¯s embrace. She was so angry that she raised her leg and frantically kicked He Jichen. ¡°Are you deaf? Did you not hear what I said? Why are you standing there like a fool? Go buy me some correction fluid! I want a hundred bottles!¡±

    To He Jichen¡¯s surprise, he was kicked in the calf by Ji Yi¡¯s sharp stilettos. The searing pain further fanned the angry me brewing in his heart.

    He shot a nce at Ji Yi, who was so drunk that she didn¡¯t know what time or day it was, tempted to shout at her but he figured it¡¯d be useless. ¡°Are you deaf? Didn¡¯t you hear what she said? Why are you still standing there like a fool? Go buy some correction fluid!¡± demanded He Jichen, repeating Ji Yi¡¯s orders to Chen Bai.

    Those were clearly the words Miss Ji shouted at Mr. He. Why¡¯s Mr. He shouting the exact same words back at me?

    Chen Bai was suffering inside, but he didn¡¯t dare show it on the outside. All he could do was nod violently. ¡°Yes, Mr. He, I¡¯m going!¡±

 Chapter 371

    Chapter 371: Their Second Time (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After he said this, Chen Bai turned right around and headed for the elevators.

    After taking just two steps forward, Chen Bai stopped again. ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji said a hundred bottles of correction fluid. You really want me to buy a hundred bottles?¡±

    ¡°A thousand bottles!¡± replied He Jichen through gritted teeth. He then bent down and carried the crazy woman in his arms, taking his leave first.

    As he passed Chen Bai, He Jichen¡¯s footsteps slowed down slightly. ¡°Don¡¯te back if you¡¯re one bottle short!¡±

    With that, He Jichen sped up and entered the elevator.

    ¨C

    With Ji Yi in his arms, He Jichen stepped out of the elevator onto the first floor. He Jichen couldn¡¯t find Ji Yi¡¯s room key on her person, so he carried her into his own room.

    He Jichen set Ji Yi down on the bed then immediately called the front desk with the phone by his bedside table, ordering a cocktail to help Ji Yi sober up.

    As soon as the drunken Ji Yi touched the bed, he shut his eyes.

    After He Jichen put the phone down, he nced over at Ji Yi. He was afraid she would catch a cold sleeping like that, so he walked up to her and pulled the covers over her body.

    Groggy and woozy, Ji Yi smelled a waft of his cologne as he moved.

    She furrowed her brows and sniffed harder. When the scent of his cologne intensified, her eyelids slowly opened.

    So, the scent I was looking for earlier is here after all...

    With that thought, Ji Yi pulled on He Jichen¡¯s shirt and looked up at him.

    Her gaze happened tond on his shoulder area. Her soft breaths and the sweet scent of alcohol gently sprayed across his neck area.

    He Jichen¡¯s back suddenly tightened up and his voice sounded low, but also a little t, as he said, ¡°Xiao Yi, stop ying.¡±

    She ignored what he said and continued to rub her little face up and down his clothes.

    Her nose slid from his neck down to his chest, then stopped.

    Through the covers and his clothes, He Jichen could feel the heat of her lips.

    His breathing became a little unsteady as his hand naturally clutched onto the bedsheet.

    ¡°Xiao Yi...¡± He spoke again with an unbelievably hoarse voice.

    He Jichen only said two words when the tip of Ji Yi¡¯s nose rubbed against his chest. The sensation made him feel numb and limp, and he let out a grunt.

    He held his breath and his whole body tightened up as the desire in his body was suppressed after two seconds of silence.

    He Jichen gulped and was about to open his mouth to finish what he was going to say. However, before his tender voice coulde out, Ji Yi mumbled the word, ¡°Stinks...¡±

    Stinks? Is she talking about me?

    He Jichen furrowed his brows, lowered his head and sniffed his own clothes.

    There are no weird smells. Why¡¯d she call me stinky?

    Just as He Jichen puzzled over this, Ji Yi moved her nose from He Jichen¡¯s chest to his arm. Then it stopped at a certain spot and she lingered there quietly for a moment. Her delicate brows started to furrow tightly, full of dislike, and she said, ¡°...Stinks so bad...¡±

    With that, Ji Yi reached both her hands out, nning to push He Jichen¡¯s chest away.

    The alcohol probably came over her, because she was as flexible as a cat. He Jichen didn¡¯t move an inch however.

    Her eyebrows tightened fiercely as she pushed harder. Seeing as he wasn¡¯t moving, she mumbled, ¡°Go away... Stay away from me. You stink... Suffocating me to death...¡±

 Chapter 372

    Chapter 372: Their Second Time (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The more she rambled on, the more hurried her tone of voice sounded. In the very end, she sounded like she was going to cry.

    Even if she was drunk, He Jichen was afraid Ji Yi¡¯s eyes would turn red. Without any hesitation, He Jichen gave in. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll go away, I¡¯ll go away...¡±

    He only managed to say half the things he wanted, yet he still moved away from the bed.

    He was already moving away, but Ji Yi still felt like she could sense Xia Yuan¡¯s perfume prating her nostrils. Her heart felt stifled and unusually hurt.

    With that thought, she wanted He Jichen even farther away. She pointed out the door and said, ¡°Leave, you!¡±

    He Jichen furrowed his brows dejectedly and didn¡¯t move.

    The next second, Ji Yi grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. ¡°Leave!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave, I¡¯ll leave...¡± yielded He Jichen, when he saw her throwing a tantrum.

    Just as he retreated back to the bedroom, the doorbell rang.

    He Jichen figured it was the staff delivering the cocktail he ordered, so he quickly passed through the living room, walked over to the door, and opened it.

    It wasn¡¯t the hotel attendant; it was Chen Bai.

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes instantly became cold.

    Chen Bai smiled while carrying dozens of bags in his hands and raised them with some effort. ¡°Mr. He, here are the thousand bottles of correction fluid Miss Ji wanted.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t make a sound but nced into the room as if to tell Chen Bai to put the things down then get out.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t dare bring up He Jichen¡¯s coldness, so instead, he smiled politely.

    As he entered the room, Chen Bai hadn¡¯t put down the bags yet when Ji Yi stumbled out of the bedroom, hearing the words ¡°correction fluid.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the correction fluid?¡± she cried.

    As soon as Chen Bai heard Ji Yi¡¯s voice, his back became numb.

    Chen Bai was afraid she would be the same as she was downstairs in the hall just now and cling onto him again. His fingers shivered in fear, so he carelessly tossed the bags onto the floor then swiftly retreated to the door, behind He Jichen.

    The bags had no fastening, so with Chen Bai¡¯s toss, the correction fluid sprayed across the floor.

    When Ji Yi saw this, she stared at the correction fluid on the floor for a while as though she was trying to figure something out. Then she stumbled over to the mess.

    When He Jichen pulled the covers over Ji Yi, he took off her high heels.

    She also wasn¡¯t wearing shoes when she ran out of the bedroom.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows as he stared at her bare feet on the ice-cold floorboards. Then he walked over to the wardrobe, grabbed a pair of room slippers and rushed over to the woman crouched on the ground in front of the pile of correction fluid.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, put on the slippers,¡± said He Jichen as he crouched down, grabbed Ji Yi¡¯s ankles and put the slippers on for her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s full attention was on the correction fluid, so she didn¡¯t even notice there was now a pair of slippers on her feet.

    She casually picked up two bottles of correction fluid, removed the lids, and shook them forcefully for a moment. Then she tilted her head and looked over at He Jichen.

    About five minutester, she charged into his body just like she did on the bed earlier.

    It seemed like she was looking for something as she sniffed around his body for some time. Then she stopped at his left arm. ¡°Mhm, it¡¯s here...¡±

    He Jichen let out an ¡°Mhm?¡± He was just about to ask her what she meant when Ji Yi raised the correction fluid and squeezed some onto He Jichen¡¯s arm.

    Chen Bai stood at the door with his eyes wide open.

    That was an extremely expensive, handmade suit... ruined just like that by Miss Ji...

    With no clue just how much money she wasted by ruining the suit, Ji Yi stared at the white patch on He Jichen¡¯s arm and cracked a smile. ¡°If you just fix it... things will be like before...¡±

 Chapter 373

    Chapter 373: Their Second Time (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen had a tinge of obsessivepulsive disorder, so when Ji Yi put the correction fluid on his clothes, he suddenly furrowed his brows. The thought of taking off his clothes came to mind.

    But before he could move, he saw her smile like a child as she stared at the correction fluid on his arm.

    Even though he didn¡¯t understand what she meant by her drunken shenanigans, he could feel that she was truly happy. Without any hesitation, he gave up taking his clothes off.

    Her gaze was still fixated on his arm. She stared and stared as the smile faded from her lips. ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem like it¡¯s enough, I can still smell it...¡±

    As she said this, she raised the correction fluid and applied it to his arm again.

    Even though He Jichen didn¡¯t understand why she was doing this, he figured that he might as well leave her be since she was ying so happily and his clothes were already ruined.

    Ji Yi used about a dozen bottles of correction fluid and painted He Jichen¡¯s entire sleeve white before she finally stopped. She lowered her head and put her nose to He Jichen¡¯s arm.

    The correction fluid hadn¡¯t dried yet, so the tip of her nose was smeared with the white fluid. She didn¡¯t notice it in the slightest but kept trying her hardest to sniff the sleeve. After she confirmed that she could no longer smell the perfume on He Jichen, she smiled foolishly. ¡°This time, it¡¯s really fixed...¡±

    She spoke so incoherently and He Jichen tried to listen on in confusion, but when he saw her smile, he felt more at ease.

    But her happiness onlysted three seconds as a gloominess crept up to her brows. ¡°That¡¯s not right. I can still smell it...¡±

    ¡°What can you smell?¡± asked He Jichen curiously.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t bother answering He Jichen because she waspletely lost in her own thoughts. Then she directed her nose towards other areas of his body and sniffed.

    ¡°It¡¯s here and here... It¡¯s here too...¡±

    Every time she smelled the scent of Xia Yuan¡¯s perfume on He Jichen¡¯s body, she tried to cover up the spot using correction fluid.

    Soon after, He Jichen¡¯s ck suit was entirely covered in white correction fluid.

    But Ji Yi had no intention of giving up. Her nose dove at He Jichen¡¯s neck, ear, face, and hair.

    After applying so much correction fluid, how can I still smell that woman¡¯s perfume?

    Annoyed, Ji Yi pouted, grabbed a few bottles and directed them at He Jichen with no concept of right and wrong.

    Chen Bai stood at the door and drew a cold breath of air as he said meekly, ¡°Mr...¡±

    Before Chen Bai could finish saying ¡°He,¡± He Jichen swept him a threatening look to shut him up.

    Chen Bai was so frightened that he swiftly shut up, and all he could do was stare nkly at He Jichen affectionately indulging Ji Yi. He let Ji Yi apply correction fluid little by little on his handsome hair and refined face.

    If Chen Bai didn¡¯t treasure his life, he would¡¯ve pulled out his phone and taken a photo that second. He wanted to take a photo for YC Corp and all their business partners to see Mr. He, who they deeply respected, actually looking like this in front of a woman!

    Ji Yi finally stopped when He Jichen¡¯s entire face was covered in correction fluid.

    She turned her head and sniffed He Jichen left and right, front and back, and all around, just to confirm that she couldn¡¯t smell the perfume anymore. That was when she gave a satisfied smile. ¡°This time, it¡¯s really fixed...¡±

 Chapter 374

    Chapter 374: Their Second Time (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After she said that, Ji Yi seemed tired and done with messing around, so she instantly calmed down.

    The smile didn¡¯t disappear from her lips though, and a tinge of warmth came over He Jichen¡¯s eyes, watching her smiling face.

    He stared at her for a while, but seeing that she stopped acting up, he turned his head. ¡°Call a female attendant to help her get into the shower,¡± said He Jichen to Chen Bai, who was standing at the door.

    ...

    After the attendant helped Ji Yi into the bathroom, He Jichen grabbed his bathrobe from the wardrobe and entered the other bathroom in the living room.

    His head and face werepletely covered in correction fluid which wasn¡¯t easy to wash off. After he cleaned himself up with much difficulty, he casually wrapped himself in a bathrobe and stood in front of the sink. He grabbed a towel and was just about to dry his hair when he heard the attendant¡¯s restless voice through the locked bathroom doors. ¡°Miss Ji, don¡¯t run. Miss Ji, be careful...¡±

    After using so much effort to get her to take a shower and quiet down, she can¡¯t possibly be acting up again, right?

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled and without thinking twice, he tossed the towel into the sink. He pulled the door open and rushed out after hastily tying up his bathrobe.

    A trail of correction fluid was scattered from the coffee table all the way to the bedroom.

    Why did she grab the correction fluid again?

    Just as He Jichen furrowed his brows in curiosity, he heard the sound of the attendant in the restroom. ¡°Miss Ji, be careful not to fall over!¡±

    As the attendant¡¯s voice rang out, a ¡°bang!¡± was heard as though something had slid to the ground.

    He Jichen shivered violently for a second. He couldn¡¯t care less about whether Ji Yi was wearing any clothes as he leaped into the bedroom and pushed the bathroom door open with one hand.

    ¡°Xiao¡ª¡ª¡± He Jichen cried out just that word when he caught sight of the woman crouched in a drenched bathrobe.

    She had her back to him, so he couldn¡¯t see her expression clearly. ¡°The correction fluid can obviously fix some mistakes, but after using so much of it in the bathroom, how is the stench still in this room...¡± mumbled Ji Yi endlessly.

    The anxious attendant stood to one side. Just as she was flustered trying to figure out what to do, she noticed He Jichen from the corner of her eye then ran over to him like he was her savior. ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji was well-behaved when I started to help her take a shower just now, but for some reason, she suddenly started to act up. She grabbed a bunch of correction fluid and covered the entire bathroom with it...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for the attendant to finish talking but pointed at the door as if to tell her to leave first.

    After the attendant left, He Jichen walked over to Ji Yi.

    Before he could reach her, he heard her mutter his name. ¡°He Jichen, do you know that you upset me...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s footsteps came to a sudden stop.

    He wasn¡¯t stupid. When she drank so much, he knew she must¡¯ve had a lot on her mind. He just never imagined that he was the one who upset her.

    He Jichen silently stared at Ji Yi¡¯s curled-up body for some time with no clue how he upset her. In the end, he figured there was no use thinking about it as he snuck out of the bathroom. He looked for his cell phone and gave Chen Bai a call.

    After he hung up, He Jichen returned to the bathroom.

    Ji Yi must¡¯ve been tired out from acting up for so long because when he carried her out of the bathroom, she merely fought back for a moment then stopped struggling altogether.

 Chapter 375

    Chapter 375: Their Second Time (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He was afraid she would catch a cold, so after he carried her out of the bathroom, he put her on the sofa and immediately found dry towels and a bathrobe to wipe down her body. He helped her into a new bathrobe then found a hair dryer to carefully dry her hair.

    After making sure she wouldn¡¯t get cold, He Jichen took the soup he ordered the attendant to deliver to help her sober up. Then he sat down beside Ji Yi.

    It wasmon for people who had been drinking to get thirsty. When he fed her the soup, she didn¡¯tin and drank it all up.

    He Jichen put down the bowl and grabbed a tissue to wipe the corners of Ji Yi¡¯s lips.

    Just as he chucked the tissue into the trash, his phone went off. ¡°Ding dong!¡±

    He pulled the phone out from his pocket and nced at the screen. Then he put it back into his pocket like it hadn¡¯t rung at all. He turned his head and nced over at Ji Yi. ¡°Shall I take you to your room to go to bed?¡± asked He Jichen in a gentle voice.

    After taking a hot shower and drinking the soup, Ji Yi still wasn¡¯tpletely awake, but she was a lot more rational than before.

    She was a little sluggish from the alcohol, so after she heard what He Jichen said, she nodded gently a secondter.

    Seeing her returning to normal, He Jichen¡¯s eyes turned more affectionate. He got up and started to help her up. Seeing as she couldn¡¯t walk steadily, he carried her out of his room and down a dozen meters down the corridor then stopped in front of her room.

    With the door open, he carried her into the room and put her down by the door.

    After He Jichen waited for her to find her footing, he let her go and used his chin to point inside the room. ¡°Go on in.¡±

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen in a daze for a moment then slowly turned around. Using the wall to support herself, she staggered into the room.

    She walked around the entrance area, but just as she was stepping into the living room, she suddenly stopped, staring right ahead.

    Some time ago, the coffee table and sofa were moved in front of the tall windows.

    About twenty square meters of the living room floor were covered with new tubes of lipstick from her feet all the way to the bedroom door.

    It looked spectacr; it was a thousand times, no, a million times more exciting than seeing rows upon rows of lipstick on the shelves at the mall.

    It felt like Ji Yi¡¯s pressure points had been hit as she stared dumbstruck at the scene before her in astonishment. Then she slowly turned her head and looked behind her.

    He Jichen hadn¡¯t left yet, and he was standing at the door with an elegant and majestic air as though he was a fine prince from a TV show.

    When his gaze met hers, his longshes blinked and his whole face looked as though it was giving off electricity; he looked infinitely charming. ¡°Are you happy?¡±

    Ji Yi was a lot slower to react than usual because of the alcohol. She stared silently at He Jichen.

    He Jichen lowered his head as though he was trying to figure out what to say for a moment. Then he said in a soft voice, ¡°Though I¡¯m not clear what I¡¯ve done wrong to upset you, you said before that women love to be given lipstick when they¡¯re mad. If one tube of lipstick can¡¯t resolve the issue, then two. If two can¡¯t resolve the issue, then give her a whole set!¡±

    As He Jichen¡¯s voice filled the room, Ji Yi slowly turned her head and looked over at the living room full of lipstick.

    That was what she told Fatty when they started to talk about ¡°C girl¡± back when they finished dinner at Lou Wailou not long ago.

 Chapter 376

    Chapter 376: Their Second Time (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She never imagined that he would actually remember everything so clearly without a single word amiss...

    Ji Yi¡¯s reaction time hadn¡¯t returned to normal when she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice from behind. ¡°In front of you, there are a hundred sets of lipstick.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s voice sounded even closer. When Ji Yi responded, he was already standing next to her.

    She instinctively turned her head and his perfect profile came into view.

    It was like he knew she was watching him as he looked right at the astounding array of lipsticks on the floor. He said calmly, ¡°If I say sorry to you right now and that I shouldn¡¯t have upset you, would that make you feel better?¡±

    Even if Ji Yi was drunk at the moment and dizzy, she understood what he said.

    He knew she wasn¡¯t happy, so he used the method she spoke about to cheer her up...

    She had been feeling unusually down ever since she got drunk, but now she seemed to feel better instantly. Earlier, when she was taking a shower in his suite, she remembered how Xia Yuan took a shower there too. That was when she felt hurt and instantly nked out. At this very moment, she wanted to smile a little, and her heart turned warm and sweet from his attempts to cheer her up.

    The room was silent for some time. He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to reply to him ¨C he slowly turned his head and looked into her eyes as she stared at his profile. After a while, he moved his lips and sincerely and seriously said, ¡°Sorry.¡±

    That simple word made Ji Yi shiver which turned into frantic trembling in the furthest depths of her heart.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have upset you,¡± said He Jichen again.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart started to pound. She didn¡¯t understand what was wrong with her and she didn¡¯t dare to meet his eyes.

    She averted her gaze, flustered. She had been caught off guard by all the different lipsticks in the room.

    Not only did her rattled heart not calm down, but it turned into an even bigger mess.

    Her breathing started to grow hurried and urgent. Her fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch her clothes.

    A few secondster, the sound of his voice bore into her ears. ¡°So...¡±

    Like a conditioned reflex, she followed the sound of his voice and nced over at his face. Their gazes locked again.

    Her eyshes fluttered twice frantically and her heartbeat grew fierce. She instinctively wanted to withdraw her gaze but his shockingly beautiful lips moved again. She was instantly and deeply drawn back to his opening and closing lips. She couldn¡¯t look away again.

    ¡°... Can you forgive me?¡±

    His voice dropped but she didn¡¯t react. Instead, she continued to blink and stare at his lips.

    The color of his lips was beautiful; they were more luscious and brighter than the lips of many women after they¡¯d applied lipstick. It gave her the urge to lunge... and bite him.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but gulp. She didn¡¯t know why she had such strong urges, but she was afraid that she really was going to bite his lips, so she restrained herself by forcefully balling up her fists.

    He Jichen waited for some time but didn¡¯t get any response from Ji Yi. He thought she didn¡¯t understand him because she was drunk, so he spoke again, slower this time. ¡°Can you...¡±

    It would¡¯ve been better if he hadn¡¯t spoken because as soon as he spoke, the slight movement of his lips made Ji Yi¡¯s urges grow more intense.

 Chapter 377

    Chapter 377: Their Second Time (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just that single word made her lose itpletely. With alcohol in her system, she took a step forward, tip-toed and locked her lips onto his.

    Her actions came out of the blue. Completely unprepared, He Jichen was frozen on the spot with his mouth still open.

    All the surrounding sounds instantly disappeared and He Jichen felt like his whole world became utterly quiet.

    He remained numb and stood there silently for about three seconds. He finally noticed the softness on his lips, but before he could figure out what it was, his mind instantly turned nk.

    He stared straight ahead at the lights, and he waspletely still like a statue. His heartbeat, breathing, and pulse were all still.

    All Ji Yi intended was to innocently bite He Jichen¡¯s lips, but when her lips touched his, an intense shock of electricity coursed through her entire body. It made her entire body shiver for a moment. As she opened her mouth to bite He Jichen¡¯s bottom lip, her will suddenly turned soft and she couldn¡¯t summon the strength.

    She maintained her position, hovering in front of his lips. After silently lingering there for a moment, she gulped. The tip of her tongue pushed forward and it happened to touch his lips.

    His lips were warm and soft to the touch. They also had the familiar, elegant scent of jasmine.

    So, his lips not only looked good, but they tasted so amazing...

    She wasn¡¯t sure if it was the influence of alcohol or if it was his scent by her side, but Ji Yi grew increasingly bewildered as she lost her senses and train of thought. She had no idea what she was doing at that moment; all she knew was that she still wanted to lick his lips. With that, her tongue probed his lips again.

    The numbness from her lips and teeth spread to her heart as it created wave upon wave of violent contractions.

    This kind feeling was exciting and foreign. It made her want even more, and she couldn¡¯t help but let the tip of her tongue trace his open lips and teeth then it entered his mouth.

    The tip of her tongue touched his teeth and the numbing electrical shock intensified. She couldn¡¯t help but linger on his teeth...

    She was much shorter than him and she didn¡¯t have high heels on, so she had to tip-toe just to reach his lips. She wanted to venture deeper into his mouth, but after trying for a long time, she couldn¡¯t go any deeper. She furrowed her brows. She couldn¡¯t help but raise her arms, wrap them around his neck and push his head down a little.

    Her actions rmed thepletely stunned He Jichen. His brows furrowed then he averted his gaze from the lights to her body.

    Before his gaze met hers, her tongue touched his.

    He Jichen¡¯s tall and heavy build trembled for a moment and he suddenly stopped like his pressure points had been hit.

    His nk mind started to churn with thoughts, little by little.

    He wanted to tell her ¡°Can you forgive me?¡± but she suddenly stepped forward, then...

    He Jichen furrowed his brows slightly and realized what Ji Yi was doing.

 Chapter 378

    Chapter 378: Their Second Time (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Sh-she kissed me...

    As that thought drifted into He Jichen¡¯s mind, he felt his heart skip a beat.

    She actually kissed me... Even if Ji Yi was drunk, He Jichen couldn¡¯t suppress the intense shock that engulfed him at an rming speed.

    He wasn¡¯t sure just how long he was dazed,pletely immersed in happiness, but he felt a subtle pain andplex numbness inside. He stopped breathing for a moment before slowly realizing that her lips were actually stuck onto his.

    The soft, slippery warmth in his mouth was her little supple tongue.

    She probably had never taken the initiative to kiss someone before because she was so clumsy, yet she still made his heart race uncontrobly. His body temperature rose rapidly and his breathing elerated.

    Ages ago, in his room, when he carried her out of the bathroom and scrubbed her body, urges of his own already emerged from his heart. It was through touching her soft body and seeing her fair skin that triggered the urges. However, he was afraid to scare her, so he tried hard to resist.

    In this very moment, she had her arms wrapped around his neck. She raised her little face and clumsily caressed his lips...

    There was an obvious heat within his body, running between his lips and forcing its way down to his stomach. His fingers shivered slightly and his consciousness instantly dissipated after struggling with so much effort. His mind stopped considering whether what they were doing was appropriate or not; he lowered his head and firmly pressed his lips to hers.

    He was probably being too forceful and hurt her as she let out a soft grunt.

    Her voice was fine and soft, filled with intangible captivation and life-threatening provocation.

    He Jichen¡¯s back stiffened for a moment. The next second, he hovered over her lips as Ji Yi¡¯s tongue unknowingly entangled itself.

    With alcohol in her system, Ji Yi was a lot more sluggish than usual. After He Jichen¡¯s lips covered hers, she waspletely paralyzed. All she could do was stare numbly and let him kiss her.

    As his kisses became increasingly urgent, Ji Yi¡¯s legs started to weaken and her heart started to race like crazy. She lost all strength in her arms as they dropped to He Jichen¡¯s shoulders and slid down his arms.

    He felt her slipping, so he reached his hands out just in time as he grabbed her by the waist. He pressed her hard into his chest and pulled her head towards him so their lips wouldn¡¯t part.

    Compared to her kiss before, this kiss was for real.

    He kissed her hard like he was absorbing her soul.

    Even though Ji Yi was groggy, she could feel the air in her lungs being stolen little by little. The stifling feeling was making her ufortable, so she instinctively opened her mouth to breathe, but this only allowed him to kiss her more deeply.

    Just as Ji Yi thought she was going to die from ack of oxygen, He Jichen¡¯s frantic warm kisses finally stopped.

    She waited for his lips to part so she could desperately take big gulps of air.

    Her lips were bright red with his kisses; the smell of his breath and warmth lingered in the air.

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes were red and fiery. His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down then he dropped his head to violently kiss her lips again.

 Chapter 379

    Chapter 379: Their Second Time (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    For ten seconds, He Jichen kissed Ji Yi until her entire body shut down. She reliedpletely on his arms to prevent her from slumping to the ground.

    He probably thought it wasn¡¯tfortable to kiss her while holding her up, so his hand suddenly shifted to her waist and he forcefully scooped her up. As he kissed her, he walked over to the grey mirror in the living room. Then he turned around and pressed her up against the icy cold mirror with the weight of his body. After ensuring Ji Yi wouldn¡¯t slump to the ground, he engulfed her trembling lips again.

    As he kissed her with increasing ferocity, his hand against the mirror couldn¡¯t help but slide down to her head, little by little. Her long hair fell over her ears and covered her slender, fair neck.

    Her skin was delicate and supple, lookingpletely irresistible. As he lingered over her body, he kissed her harder while his fingers slipped down to her corbone. His fingertips stroked her delicate corbone for a long time then he slowly moved his hands down to the cor of her bathrobe and reached inside.

    His fingers shook, his breathing became unsteady, and even his lips started to tremble upon hers.

    As his fingertips caressed her skin more and more, his lips reluctantly released hers and trailed down to her chin. He kissed her neck, her corbone...

    The force of his kisses was gentle yet hard. Every now and then, his teeth would nibble her a little.

    Her skin was already fairer than most. It was so supple that you could practically squeeze water out of it. He Jichen¡¯s forceful kisses leftsting marks on her body.

    After a while, her neck, corbone, and chest were filled with marks of different sizes.

    The sight of these marks made He Jichen even more aroused and enticed. With his urges pressing him forward, he took off her bathrobe, revealing her perfect shoulders which he nibbled impatiently.

    Meanwhile, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure what was going on with her, but she felt an overwhelming urge rising up endlessly within her. She didn¡¯t know how to keep it down. She enjoyed him treating her like this, but she also felt a distinct sense of bewilderment.

    His lips kept moving downward. When he reached her lower abdomen, Ji Yi¡¯s body couldn¡¯t help but tense up and her fingertips, sping his shoulders, tightened. It showed how nervous and helpless she felt.

    He let his fingertips fall to her waist and he unwound the loose belt.

    The bathrobe instantly slipped to the ground.

    The sight of her long, slender legs came into view.

    He drew a breath of cold air as his fingers dropped to her legs.

    She instinctively let out a weak, husky grunt, ¡°Mhm...¡± Then she dug her fingers into his shoulders.

 Chapter 380

    Chapter 380: Their Second Time (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The more aggressive he was with her, the more forceful her fingers became. Tied up with pleasing her, He Jichen felt the pain radiating from his shoulders.

    The pain made him fiercely crease his brows, but his fingers didn¡¯t stop. His lips stuck to her skin, he lifted his eyelids and looked up.

    The top half of her body was filled with marks he left on her. She opened her mouth slightly and her breathing grew hurried and unsteady. With her eyes shut, her face flushed a faint red and her hands trembled on his shoulders...

    Image after image of the two of them together shed in He Jichen¡¯s mind, causing his brows to tightly furrow again.

    He Jichen stayed crouched in front of her for a whole minute in a quiet daze until Ji Yi let out a low, dissatisfied grunt when she noticed he stopped. He Jichen¡¯s eyelids gently flickered up then his mind slowly thought back to the picture of them together and what it meant.

    I-I actually lost control and al-almost... had her in the living room...

    He could feel his own body cry out from dissatisfaction after hitting the brakes mid-way. Because of his intense desire, his abdomen started to ache.

    He clearly knew that he really, really, really wanted to continue their unfinished business.

    But he came back to his senses and realized that something wasn¡¯t right about what they were doing.

    He was just her friend... What¡¯s more, he waited four agonizingly long years and put so much effort into bing friends like before... What¡¯s more important was that he wasn¡¯t even the person she liked all along... It was his older brother, He Yuguang.

    Even if his older brother wasn¡¯t in this world anymore, in Ji Yi¡¯s heart, she always saw He Jichen as the person who impersonated He Yuguang and stole her first love. Every night, he chatted with her using He Yuguang¡¯s identity, so even if they were friends, she alwaysined to He Yuguang, not him. His heart was like a mirror; he knew more than anyone because the person she depended on the most was his older brother.

    If I really lose control like this and really do it with her, what will she do when she wakes up? What would happen to us?

    Who¡¯s to say... deep down inside, behind her drunken demeanor, she might¡¯ve mistaken me for my older brother like that night four years ago...

    At that thought, there was a sh of darkness in the depths of He Jichen¡¯s eyes. Even if his body was burning, his heart was cold. He forced his hand to withdraw from her legs then bit by bit, he took control of himself and left her body.

    He stayed crouched like that for some time before he slowly straightened up.

    Through the grey mirror in front of them, he could see her almostpletely naked body.

    Another intense wave of desire surged from his throat to his stomach. He instinctively let out a dull grunt then quickly averted his eyes.

    He couldn¡¯t stay here under these circumstances with her barely clothed. His sense of reasoning and control was only temporary. While he still had control, he had to swiftly leave because if he lost control like before, he would definitely do something crazy.

 Chapter 381

    Chapter 381: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He was the only person in this world who knew just how alluring she was to him.

    He didn¡¯t need to try to seduce her or purposefully lure her, nor did he need to rack his brain over tricks. With just a look, a smile and a step towards him, it was enough to make him utterly helpless.

    What¡¯s more, at this very moment, she was disheveled and the room was filled with a sensual air. And he had been clinging to her for just how long now...?

    With that thought, He Jichen felt his blood boil. He quickly shut his eyes, tightened his lips, and restrained the desire that simmered inside him. Then he took a step back and pulled himself away from her fingertips.

    Only god knew just how much strength he used to lift his feet off the floor.

    After he stepped away, he didn¡¯t dare to nce at her; he hurriedly turned and headed right for the door.

    But he hadn¡¯t even taken two steps before he caught a glimpse of her near-naked body from the corners of his eyes through the ck mirror behind her.

    He Jichen¡¯s entire body stiffened, his breath became stifled, and his footsteps came to a stop.

    She looked disoriented. If he left just like that, he didn¡¯t know just how long it would take for her toe to her senses.

    She had so much to drink that if she really slept disheveled like this on the floor, she would definitely get sick.

    At the very least, since he felt ufortable helping her himself, he could ask a trusted person toe over after he left the room... But Ji Yi wasn¡¯t clothed and her body was covered in kiss marks. He was afraid that it would be inevitable for the helper to gossip or makements. The more he thought about it... even the most trusted people couldn¡¯t be trusted entirely.

    He Jichen contemted this for a few seconds then took a step back. He used all his strength to force himself not to look at her. Then he swiftly bent down and picked up the bathrobe that fell to Ji Yi¡¯s feet.

    When he pulled the bathrobe up to her waist, he felt resistance and couldn¡¯t pull it any higher.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows slightly and nced down. Ji Yi was standing on the end of the robe with her fair legs.

    He Jichen tugged slightly but couldn¡¯t pull the robe out from underneath her. Instead, it made Ji Yi, the drunken mess that she was, sway and fall to the side.

    He Jichen reached his hands out reflexively and caught Ji Yi¡¯s copsing body.

    Just like that, her soft and fair skin fell back into his arms.

    The unique, sweet, and clean scent of her body instantly filled his nostrils and enveloped him entirely.

    He Jichen¡¯s pupils turned pitch-ck and his breath grew hurried.

    He shut his eyes and took two hard breaths before he swiftly picked up the robe from the floor and finished covering up Ji Yi¡¯s body.

    Just as he was about to lift her up, he had the sudden thought to carry her over to the bedroom.

    Since they were already like this, he might as well take her to her bed before leaving...

    With that thought, He Jichen walked to the bedroom door and kicked the door open.

    Just as he raised his leg, he felt Ji Yi¡¯s little head shift gently as it rested against his shoulder. Her lips and nose happened to meet his earlobe and neck.

    Her soft breaths puffed against his skin, making his ears numb.

    He suddenly tightened his grip on her body and his footsteps became a little unsteady.

 Chapter 382

    Chapter 382: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He held his breath and forced himself to imagine that he was just holding a balled-upforter in his arms. His gaze was transfixed straight ahead as he swiftly walked to the side of the bed. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he put her down on the bed.

    He didn¡¯t dare linger there any longer as he pulled the covers over her body messily and prepared to leave.

    But just as he turned around, she started to make gagging sounds.

    It sounded like she was going to vomit. He was afraid she¡¯d choke since she was lying on her back, so he instinctively turned around.

    She raised her head slightly and coughed twice before she quietlyid back down on the pillow.

    After that false rm, He Jichen let out a quiet sigh of relief. Just as he was going to withdraw his gaze, Ji Yi suddenly flipped over on the bed.

    Because he set her down a little close to the edge of the bed, it caused Ji Yi to fall over the edge.

    Without even thinking about it, he lunged over to the bedside and caught her falling body.

    Though the bed wasn¡¯t very high, Ji Yi still felt some pain from mming right into He Jichen¡¯s chest.

    He Jichen drew two breaths and waited for the pain to subside a little before reaching his hand out to stroke her face. ¡°Were you hurt anywhere?¡± he asked in a quiet voice.

    Ji Yi felt his touch. She lifted her little head and looked over at him with her drunken, hazy eyes.

    She looked obedient and cute like she had no idea just how rmed he was a second ago.

    He Jichen knew it was pointless in asking, so he manually checked her body with his hands. He only rxed after he made sure she wasn¡¯t injured anywhere.

    Just as He Jichen wanted to carry her, Ji Yi started to sit up. At his touch, she looked up at him and suddenly lunged forward like she was tired. Her little head nestled right into his neck.

    Her hair rubbed against his lower jaw and her breaths happened to blow her hair. As her hair fluttered back and forth, it tickled his skin every time. Her hair softly pricked his skin with every waft and fanned the mes within him again.

    He Jichen¡¯s body instantly tightened up. He wanted to take the opportunity to quickly throw her onto the bed and make love with her before he could control himself.

    It was a shame that before that thought could register, Ji Yi suddenly raised her hand to his mouth and used her soft fingertips to caress the outline of his lips.

    He Jichen¡¯s breathing was stifled once more; he turned his head swiftly to look over at Ji Yi.

    The woman¡¯s gaze was transfixed upon his lips with a piercingly bright light jumping in her eyes.

    Does she know that she¡¯s ying with fire...?

    He Jichen felt her fingertips moving towards his mouth. He instinctively grabbed her little hand and let out a low grunt, ¡°Xiao Yi, quit it...¡±

    As she was drunk, how could she understand what he was saying? All she knew was that she wanted to pull her hand from his grasp and trace his lips again.

    But how could she have the strength to resist him? She struggled hard twice to no avail, so she raised her head from where it was resting on his neck. Then she drew close to his lips, reached her tongue out and gently licked them.

    He Jichen let out a low grunt and clearly felt his body start to change.

    He spoke again with a light, hoarse voice, ¡°Xiao Yi, quit messing around...¡±

 Chapter 383

    Chapter 383: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    This time, she heard what he said. As she raised her head, she shot him a silly smile, pouted her lips and said with dissatisfaction, ¡°Heyyy I-I-I¡¯m not messing around! I-I just think they look good...¡±

    With that, she lowered her head then violently lunged at his lips and kissed him hard twice.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers around Ji Yi shivered slightly as his gaze locked upon her eyes instantly became scorching hot.

    But being as heavily drunk as she was, she didn¡¯t sense the iing danger and continued to foolishly examine He Jichen¡¯s lips. Then she kept praising them, saying they ¡°looked good¡± as she pouted and kissed his lips again.

    She made noises with her mouth as though she was tasting a sweet treat. Eventually, she mumbled quietly, ¡°It tastes real good... soft...¡±

    ¡°Like...¡± She tilted her head and donned an expression as though she was contemting something. After some time, an innocent and cute smile appeared on her face. ¡°...Cotton candy!¡±

    It hadn¡¯t even been three seconds when Ji Yi started to shake her head. ¡°That¡¯s not right. Not cotton candy... cotton candy tastes sweet, but you don¡¯t...¡±

    Ji Yi looked like she had an answer but then lowered her head and kissed him on the lips again.

    This time, she kissed him slowly and carefully, which to He Jichen, was undoubtedly the most agonizingly cruel form of torture.

    He felt a ball of fire inside burning every cell of his body. He also saw his rationality and self-control being destroyed, bit by bit.

    Completely oblivious to this, Ji Yi continued to ponder: ¡°...But, it tastes like jasmine... Mhm...¡±

    She hesitated for a moment then unexpectedly said with all seriousness, ¡°...Maybe it¡¯s cotton candy without any added sugar...¡±

    With that, she lowered her head and bit his lips.

    He knew she was just rambling drunkenly and she was actually biting his lips like one would bite into cotton candy. The force of her bite didn¡¯t hurt ¨C in fact, it was nothing worthining about and was more yful than anything.

    ¡°Eh...¡± She suddenly looked like she realized something. All of a sudden, she used the tip of her tongue to carefully taste his lips.

    Every move of hers made his body tremble violently.

    Just when he couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore, she started to mumble, ¡°... That¡¯s strange. Why does cotton candy taste like alcohol...¡±

    Aren¡¯t you just tasting the alcohol you left on me?

    As that thought drifted across He Jichen¡¯s mind, he suddenly thought back to how they kissed passionately and intensely in the living room earlier.

    All of a sudden, his breathing grew unsteady and his chest started to heave.

    No, if they continued like this, something really would happen...

    With that thought, He Jichen raised his hands and grabbed the edge of the bed, lifting himself up a little.

    As he did this, Ji Yi slid down his chest slightly and her bottom happened to push down on his body, below his abdomen.

    He Jichen couldn¡¯t help but let out a low moan.

    Just as he was going to get up, Ji Yi¡¯s eyebrows suddenly furrowed and she started to mumble in confusion. ¡°That¡¯s so strange, what is this...¡±

    As she said this, she even started to shake her little butt. It felt like He Jichen was shocked by electricity as his entire body shivered. He couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°Xiao Yi, stop moving...¡±

 Chapter 384

    Chapter 384: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    But why would she listen to him? Instead, she moved even more frantically as she said something that tempted him to think wild thoughts: ¡°Why do you keep fighting me...?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, don¡¯t move!¡± He Jichen¡¯s voice was stern from holding himself back with so much restraint and enduring so much torture.

    ¡°Why are you getting angry?!¡± Ji Yi nced at He Jichen, dissatisfied. She simply refused to obey what he said. On the contrary, she moved even more erratically. ¡°Who do you think you are? You tell me not to move, so I¡¯m just going to stop moving? Just how little face do you think I have? Whatever, I¡¯m gonna move...¡±

    As she said this, it looked like this wasn¡¯t exciting enough for her. She actually reached her little hand out and aimed below He Jichen¡¯s abdomen.

    ¡°Xiao Yi!¡± He spoke out sharply to stop her, but before he could physically block her, her fingers had already touched his lower body.

    He didn¡¯t hesitate in the slightest to grab her hand.

    She clearly got what he meant, and she knew that he wanted to stop her. She didn¡¯t hesitate either to tighten her grip on his body.

    His abdomen twitched all of a sudden. Then he loosened the strength in his grip on her hand.

    He suddenly felt a little parched and the air in the room seemed incredibly dry.

    He instinctively reached towards her again with balled-up fists. Because he was trying his hardest to control himself, he heard the cracking of his knuckles.

    After some time, he finally spoke in an intensely tender voice: ¡°Xiao Yi... Let go...¡±

    As he said this, a tinge of anticipation rose from his heart. He hoped she could listen to what he said, let go, and leave him. The further away she was, the better... His self-control was better than most, but in his heart, she was his deepest craving. What¡¯s more, in this very moment, he felt like the ball of fire was about to explode inside!

    But in the end, his hopes came crashing down. With no idea what He Jichen was thinking, Ji Yi replied with a crisp ¡°No!¡± then put more force in her fingers.

    He Jichen choked a little as he tried to suppress a pained expression from emerging on his devastatingly beautiful face. He pursed his lips tightly and waited for the electrical current generated by Ji Yi¡¯s tight grip to subside. Then he said with an unusually weak, hoarse voice: ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯m going to hurt you if you don¡¯t stop...¡±

    To him, she was an endless pursuit. Once he started, there was no other way for him to stop.

    He wanted to take advantage of the rationality still left in him and stop what was going to happen. He wanted to allow their story to stop now while they still had a beautiful friendship.

    In her drunken state, how could she understand what he really wanted? All she knew was that he wanted her to let go. Under the influence of alcohol, her rebellious nature intensified. She shook her head like a rattle-drum and consecutively said ¡°No!¡±

    Ji Yi felt really hot. She could feel ayer of dense sweat in her palms and she couldn¡¯t help but rub it on the bathrobe in hopes of rubbing the sweat away.

    Her actions happened to rub against He Jichen. She stimted him with one rub after another, leaving him on the verge ofpletely losing his rationality and self-control.

    In the end, he overestimated his self-control and underestimated her sex appeal.

 Chapter 385

    Chapter 385: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Without even noticing that she was in danger, she continued to mumble, ¡°Ehhhh?! Why so...¡±

    Before she could say the word ¡°hard,¡± He Jichen¡¯s gaze intensified suddenly; his arm that was reaching over to block Ji Yi¡¯s hand turned around to grab her neck. He grabbed her neck hard, sealing off her windpipe and forcing her to swallow the words back.

    He had wanted her ages ago in the living room. In this very moment, he lost controlpletely and the sleeping beast within him instantly took control. He kissed her with astonishing urgency and craving. He wound his lips around her mouth and kissed her violently.

    Soon enough, he had kissed her until she was one big mess, slumped weakly onto his body.

    His lips fell to her neck as he tossed theforter on the bed over to an empty space on the floor. Then he hoisted her onto the bed.

    Her bathrobe was tied loosely, so with just one toss, it fell off her body.

    He stared at her body filled with his kiss marks all over as faint red mes started to jump from his eyes.

    He raised his hands, casually removed his own bathrobe and tossed it aside. Immediately after, he turned around and impatiently pressed her body down.

    Her skin was icy cold while his body was scolding hot. The moment they touched, they both shivered at the same time. Then his skin hugged hers tightly.

    His slender fingertips trailed from her ears to her neck, her corbone, then slid down.

    He could feel her convulse gently as he moved.

    He couldn¡¯t stop himself from lowering his head and sealing her lips for the umpteenth time. However, this time, he kissed her more deeply than before as he forcefully inhaled her scent. His kiss was fierce like he wanted to swallow her alive.

    Even though he knew this was wrong, he still dove headfirst like a moth to a me.

    This was just like four years ago. He knew she liked his older brother, but he still chose to continue to love her regardless.

    There were some things that could never be stopped once they started.

    For example, the thing that was happening at this very moment in time...

    Just when He Jichen kissed Ji Yi to the point where she was about to suffocate, he firmly and decisively charged into her world.

    Four years. It had been four years ¨C more than one thousand, four hundred days and nights ¨C since the first time they were this intimate together...

    In this very moment, He Jichen felt like it was all a dream, simr to a dream he had just yesterday.

    He stopped everything he was doing as he took in the throbbing ecstasy of the moment. After he noted it in his mind, he finally realized it was real.

    He moved slowly and gently. An odd sensation engulfed him, wave after wave.

    His breathing was in disarray, and hers was chaotic. With no nning at all, they moved in synchrony together.

    The curtains to the bedroom were open and the window was slightly open, so the night¡¯s breeze gently wafted into the room with the scent of the Huangpu River.

    They became more intensely entangled. As the sounds of his gasps grew, her seductive moans fell gently.

    The temperature in the room rose higher and the atmosphere was gentle and enchanting...

 Chapter 386

    Chapter 386: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    For a long, long time, his sweat-drenched rugged body was spread out over her delicate body, and the room finally fell silent.

    It wasn¡¯t clear just how long his heart had been racing until it finally calmed down. He sat up and reached out to grab a tissue from the bedside table. He wiped the sweat from both their bodies. Still gasping for breaths, Ji Yiid on the bed.

    He held her in his embrace and gently stroked her hair, filled with an intense feeling of love and affection.

    Barely able to keep her eyes open, she relished his tenderness and sank into his embrace.

    Her affectionate actions tensed his body up and restarted his wild feelings.

    His fingers entangled in her hair couldn¡¯t help but slide down to her glossy, fair skin. With that, his fingertips touched hers, causing him to gulp and press her down with his body again.

    She was obviously exhausted, but she couldn¡¯t fight his allure. Not long after, her breathing started to grow urgent.

    She was moved and his desires became more intense. As their breaths travelled in the room, she instinctively grabbed onto his shoulders as she pleaded weakly.

    He moved increasingly faster. She felt like she wasn¡¯t herself anymore.

    The breeze that came in from the window grew stronger as it blew the curtains wildly in all directions. It stirred the atmosphere in the room into a mess, reflecting the state of their hearts.

    He was now in a state of desperation like before as he kissed her lips hungrily. Then they felt both their bodies tremble and fall harshly into the clouds. In that very second, it was like there was just the two of them left in this boundless universe.

    ...

    After He Jichen calmed down and carried her to take a shower, there wasn¡¯t an ounce of energy left in his entire body.

    Maybe he was just overly attracted to her, or maybe it had been too long since he touched a woman that made him act so obscenely animalistic. With a sudden burst of energy, he couldn¡¯t help but take her violently again under the shower.

    After doing it three consecutive times, Ji Yi finally felt thest ounce of energy leaving her body. After they finished, she leaned against his shoulders and fell asleep.

    He cleaned her up and wiped her body down with a towel. Then he carried her back to the bed.

    He was actually really tired too ¨C so tired that he didn¡¯t want to think about or reflect on what happened tonight.

    In bed, he tenderly held her in his arms, inhaled the scent of her body, then shut his eyes.

    The second he was about to fall asleep, he turned his head slightly and kissed the top of her head. Then as though he was talking in his sleep, he said, ¡°Xiao Yi, I love you...¡±

    She was incredibly still after drifting off to sleep ages ago.

    He hugged her tightly in his arms before following her into a deep sleep.

    ¨C

    Time turned back to eleven in the evening, in the hall for the end-of-production party for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    Today, Han Zhifan should have been on a flight to America, but he got a call from He Jichen. He figured that Cheng Weiwan was going to be at the party for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡± He thought about how work had been hectictely, which meant he hadn¡¯t spent much time with her, although he had been sending a bouquet of flowers to the set for her everyday. He figured that he might as well call his secretary to postpone the flight to America by two days and travel from Beijing to Shanghai.

 Chapter 387

    Chapter 387: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was monsoon season in all of southern China, so it rained heavily non-stop. Having originally booked a flight for ten in the morning, Han Zhifan waited in the VIP lounge of the hotel till one in the afternoon without any updates on his dyed departure.

    The end-of-production party was booked for seven in the evening, so there were only six hours left. Han Zhifan made a mental calction and he didn¡¯t know just how much time he would continue to waste at the airport. He was afraid he wouldn¡¯t make it to the party.

    Han Zhifan thought about it for a moment then ordered the driver to get the car started. He also asked his secretary to book a ticket for the high-speed train.

    The train station was quite some distance away from the airport. As there were too many flights on standby, a lot of flight passengers were now trying to get to the high-speed train instead, so there was more traffic on the roads than usual. When Han Zhifan reached the train station, it was already three in the afternoon.

    At a quarter past three, Han Zhifan got on the high-speed train.

    He wasted practically a whole day at the airport. He still had a lot of work to attend to, so Han Zhifan took out hisptop and started to get busy.

    It was already dark outside when he finished his work. He nced at the time to find that it was already half past seven. The end-of-production party had already started, and he was still about two hours away from Shanghai.

    At half past nine, the train arrived on time. The doors opened, and as soon as Han Zhifan stepped out, he saw the driver arranged for him by the Shanghai branch.

    After he got into the car, he didn¡¯t wait for the driver to ask where he was heading and beat him to the chase with: ¡°Head right for Starlight.¡±

    Han Zhifan was afraid he wouldn¡¯t be able to make it before the party ended, so he urged the driver to step on the gas throughout the entire journey as he checked the time constantly.

    At ten o¡¯clock, the car reached the entrance to the Starlight lobby. Han Zhifan ordered the driver: ¡°Take my things up to room 1002¡± then ignored the doorman¡¯s polite greeting. He strode into the revolving doors and headed right for the elevator.

    As he stepped out of the elevator, Han Zhifan saw many people in uniformsing out from the hall, one after the other.

    She... couldn¡¯t have already left, right?

    Han Zhifan naturally walked faster while muttering ¡°Excuse me¡± as he hurriedly threaded through the crowd and into the hall.

    The lobby was empty. Aside from a dozen or so hotel attendants, there was barely anyone else there.

    Han Zhifan scanned therge hall carefully, but after he confirmed that Cheng Weiwan was nowhere in sight, he suddenly felt a deep sense of annoyance.

    After hurrying over, I still wasn¡¯t able to get here on time?

    Han Zhifan raised his hand and tugged on his cor a little. He let out a few stifled breaths of air before turning around and walking out of the hall.

    In his rush over to the hotel, Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t even gotten a chance to use the restroom. Before he headed up to his hotel room, he happened to notice a restroom sign and walked right in.

    As he came out of the stall, Han Zhifan was about to walk over to the sink when he heard the sound of vomiting nearby.

    He instinctively lifted his eyelids and nced over. Through the mirror, he watched as a familiar silhouette came into view.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s footsteps stopped for a moment as he stared at the woman, who was vomiting non-stop with her head lowered, for some time. Then he silently backed away, gestured for a nearby attendant, and asked her to get a bottle of water.

    Soon enough, the waitress brought over a bottle of water to him.

    Han Zhifan gave his thanks then popped the lid of the bottle open and stepped back into the restroom.

    He walked over to the sink. After waiting for the woman to finish throwing up, he put the bottle of water down before her eyes.

    Just as she was about to turn the tap on to rinse her mouth out with cold water, Cheng Weiwan suddenly froze when she saw the bottle of water in front of her.

 Chapter 388

    Chapter 388: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After about five seconds, she slowly turned her head and nced from the bottle of water all the way to Han Zhifan¡¯s handsomeplexion. Stunned, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips twitched, tempted to ask: Why are you here? All of a sudden, she felt her stomach turn. The sensation made her hastily put her head down and throw up again.

    Han Zhifan quickly put the bottle of water on the counter and reached his hand out to gently pat Cheng Weiwan¡¯s back.

    He waited until after she finished vomiting to put the bottle of water close to her mouth again and said, ¡°Rinse your mouth first then drink some water. You¡¯ll feel a little better.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything and followed Han Zhifan¡¯s instructions obediently.

    After the mildly cold water flowed down her throat and into her stomach, it was just as he said ¨C it really did make her feel a lot better.

    Lowering the bottle, she turned the tap on and washed her face. Then she grabbed a towel to wipe her face and hands dry. She finally straightened up, faced Han Zhifan, and gently said, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    This guy... He doesn¡¯t usually talk, but when he does, he says romantic words. He sounds more emotional than me, who writes romantic novels for a living...

    With a tense look on her face, Cheng Weiwan said, ¡°I don¡¯t feel so well, so I¡¯m going to head upstairs to get some rest first.¡±

    She didn¡¯t wait for him to reply and added the words ¡°Goodbye.¡± Then she turned around and headed for the restroom door.

    She was wearing a gown and high heels for tonight¡¯s party. On typical days, she mostly wore t shoes, so she wasn¡¯t used to wearing heels and right now, she was drunk. Although she wasn¡¯t a drunken mess, she was still a little tipsy. As she took a single step forward, her foot went flying. She almost fell to the ground, but luckily Han Zhifan had fast reflexes and grabbed her arm from behind.

    ¡°Which one is your room? I¡¯ll take you.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan hesitated for a moment then told him her room number.

    When Cheng Weiwan almost tripped up, she identally twisted her ankle. Even though Han Zhifan supported her as she walked, she felt a piercing pain in her leg with every step.

    Her father, Cheng Weiguo, was always busy with work, and her mother passed away when she was young, so she would often be home alone from the age of thirteen. Maybe she was too used to being independent for so many years that she never thought about asking people for help. Even though she twisted her ankle, she didn¡¯t tell Han Zhifan.

    After getting into the elevator and reaching Cheng Weiwan¡¯s floor, her leg couldn¡¯t help but go limp from the pain in her ankle. Han Zhifan felt her weight shift, lowered his head slightly then saw that her fair, slender ankle was red and swollen.

    ¡°You twisted your ankle. Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡± Han Zhifan¡¯s tone of voice sounded like there were hints of me and annoyance.

    Cheng Weiwan lowered her eyes without saying a word.

    Han Zhifan stared at her for a moment then suddenly bent over and lifted her off her feet.

    Having never been touched so intimately by a man before, Cheng Weiwan looked flustered. She instinctively tried to struggle out of Han Zhifan¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Han Zhifan tightened his grip and said with a concealed threat: ¡°If you move again, trust me when I say I¡¯ll kiss you right here in the hallway!¡±

    ¡°You¡ª¡ª¡± Cheng Weiwan only managed to blurt out one word when she saw Han Zhifan really drawing closer. She swiftly turned her head then quieted down.

    Cheng Weiwan tensed her body in fear as she still wasn¡¯t quite used to being carried by a man.

    He opened the door. After Han Zhifan put her down on the sofa, Cheng Weiwan silently let out a sigh of relief.

 Chapter 389

    Chapter 389: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan thanked Han Zhifan then found some red flower oil from the medical kit on the coffee table. She poured it into her palms and rubbed her red, swollen ankle.

    Han Zhifan knew she studied medicine before, so seeing as she didn¡¯t call for a doctor, he figured that she knew it wasn¡¯t sprained and could take care of it on her own.

    Without talking any nonsense, he took a seat beside her and stared at her as she rubbed her ankle.

    Her fingers were really beautiful. She probably typed away on a keyboard all year round and students of medicine probably had a little OCD, so she didn¡¯t have long nails like other girls. Her hands werepletely clean and easy on the eyes.

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but nce at her as she poured the red flower oil into her palms again. When she lifted her head, he looked at her face and quietly asked, ¡°Why did you drink so much?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan stopped what she was doing. ¡°I had to entertain some people so I had to drink, but it was also my fault because I can¡¯t really take my alcohol. I throw up after just a little drinking.¡±

    ¡°A woman out by herself must be careful. Don¡¯t drink if you can help it.¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s tone of voice was lighthearted, but he managed to suddenly stop Cheng Weiwan from rubbing her ankles for a moment.

    Maybe he¡¯s right... Ever since I was a kid, nobody ever said such caring words to me...

    Cheng Weiwan lowered her eyes and stared at her swollen ankles quietly for a moment. Just as she was going to give Han Zhifan an ¡°Mhm,¡± he spoke again. ¡°But, that being said, there¡¯s another way for you to not have to drink.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue and turned to look over at Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan smiled. ¡°Be with me. My woman doesn¡¯t need to entertain other people.¡±

    How did the conversation end up this way...

    Cheng Weiwan chose to ignore him and continued to rub her ankle with her head lowered.

    After Cheng Weiwan finished caring for her ankle, she went into the bathroom to remove her makeup. Han Zhifan was afraid she¡¯d trip on the way, so he apanied her all the way to the bathroom.

    When Cheng Weiwan brushed her teeth, Han Zhifan was leaning against the door, staring at her with his arms crossed.

    When she was rinsing her mouth, Han Zhifan suddenly asked, ¡°Let me give you a suggestion.¡±

    His words came all of a sudden. Cheng Weiwan thought he was serious, so after she spat the water out, she asked in return, ¡°What suggestion?¡±

    Han Zhifan looked into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes and said withplete seriousness, ¡°Be with me.¡±

    ¡°You¡ª¡ª¡± That was the third time Cheng Weiwan heard Han Zhifan say those words that night. She let out just one word, but couldn¡¯t quitee back from it. She stared menacingly at Han Zhifan then looked away like she was annoyed at his incessant attempts. She continued to rinse her mouth even more fiercely.

    After she put down the cup, Cheng Weiwan limped over to the bathroom door. When she passed by Han Zhifan, he suddenly reached out and scooped her up.

    ¡°Han Zhifan, put me down! What do you want to do?!¡±

    Han Zhifan walked straight towards the bed as though he hadn¡¯t heard Cheng Weiwan. He put her down on the bed, and before she could react, he leaned over. With his hands by both her ears, he hovered over her body.

    ¡°Do? What do you think I want to do? After all, I¡¯m in your room...¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s face was no more than ten inches away from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face. The warmth of his breath sprayed all over her face, making Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart flustered.

 Chapter 390

    Chapter 390: Why Does Cotton Candy Taste Like Alcohol (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When she spoke again, she sounded even more agitated, ¡°Han Zhifan, get out! Get out of my room!¡±

    Han Zhifan ignored her and slowly pushed his head down lower. As his lips drew closer to hers, Cheng Weiwan nervously shut her eyes and tears fell from the corners of her eyes.

    Just when she thought her first kiss was going to be stolen by him, he suddenly stopped about an inch away from her lips.

    Cheng Weiwan waited for a moment but the sensation she was expecting never arrived. That was when she slowly lifted her eyelids.

    She was caught off guard by Han Zhifan¡¯s deep gaze.

    Their eyes met for about ten seconds. Then, with a uniquely arrogant and serious voice, he said, ¡°I lied. I, Han Zhifan, never force women.¡±

    As he said this, he continued to stare at her eyes for some time. Then he slowly raised his left hand to her head and gently stroked her hair, messy from her struggles against him. ¡°I really do want you, but most importantly, I want you to do this willingly.¡±

    As he said this, Han Zhifan lowered his head and left a gentle peck between Cheng Weiwan¡¯s brows. Then he added a ¡°goodnight,¡± swiftly retreated and took a few steps back. Under the soft, pale yellow lights, he spoke again with a tender voice, ¡°Sweet dreams.¡± With that, he really did leave her room without looking back.

    Cheng Weiwan blinked and came to her senses a long time after he left.

    She stared at the ceiling quietly for some time before she raised her hand gently and touched the spot between her eyebrows.

    It seemed as though his breath and warmth were still lingering there. Her fingers suddenly trembled for a moment before she hurriedly hid under the covers.

    ...

    As Han Zhifan stepped out of the room and shut the door, he had a cold expression on his face.

    He stared at the empty hallway and stood there in silence for a moment. Then he strode over to the elevators.

    When he reached his own floor, he waited for the driver to hand him his room key and saw the driver off. He took out a cigarette, walked over to the tall windows and watched the night view out the window. He started to smoke.

    As the sky grew darker, there were fewer and fewer boats out on the Huangpu River. When the neon lights dimmed one after the other, Han Zhifan seemed to have made some kind of decision. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and made a call. ¡°Lin Sheng, have you arranged what I asked?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Han, it¡¯s all ready.¡± The man¡¯s voice over the phone stopped for a moment and said, ¡°Are we going to run with the n?¡±

    ¡°No...¡± Han Zhifan answered bluntly. About two secondster, he spoke again. ¡°...bring it up to next month.¡±

    ¡°So soon?¡± Lin Sheng was a little shocked.

    Han Zhifan let out an ¡°Mhm,¡± lowered his head and took a drag of his cigarette.

    The man was silent for a moment then Lin Sheng spoke again with a sluggish voice: ¡°Mr. Han, are you sure? After all, Cheng Weiguo was in the wrong, not his daughter, Cheng Weiwan. What¡¯s more, Cheng Weiwan probably knows nothing about her father, she...¡±

    ¡°Say no more. I¡¯ve decided and I won¡¯t change my mind. She can¡¯tin; she has only her father, Cheng Weiguo, to me!¡± Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for Lin Sheng to reply and firmly cut him off.

 Chapter 391

    Chapter 391: Waking Up the Following Day (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lin Sheng shut his mouth and didn¡¯t utter a peep.

    Silence fell again.

    After some time, Lin Sheng asked, ¡°So Mr. Han, when the nes into action, I¡¯ll tell the men to be careful not to hurt you as much as possible...¡±

    ¡°No!¡± With practically no hesitation, Han Zhifan rejected Lin Sheng¡¯s suggestion. ¡°Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter may be naive, but she¡¯s smart. If they don¡¯t act realistically, she won¡¯t believe it! So...¡±

    As Han Zhifan said this, a stern look shed across his eyes. ¡°... When it¡¯s time for them to hit me, they must hit hard!¡±

    ¨C

    Ji Yi was awoken from her deep sleep by an urge to use the bathroom. Having not slept enough, she refused to get up just yet, so she tried to endure it and fall back asleep.

    After enduring it for long a time, her dder started to hurt. Wanting to cling to her dream, she furrowed her brows. Seeing as she couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer, she grudgingly cracked her eyes open a little. She groggily got out of bed and went to the bathroom.

    Ji Yi kept her eyes shut thoughout the process of using the toilet and washing her hands.

    Still half-asleep, she came out of the bathroom and went back to bed in a hurry.

    She found afortable position and was about to fall back asleep when she felt something soft and smooth. It was warm and reallyfortable.

    Itching to go back to sleep, she was toozy to open her eyes, so she just reached her hand out to feel around. She felt something smooth and hard, like... a man¡¯s chest.

    Because she was too sleepy, her reaction time was slow, so she didn¡¯t register the thought that shed across her mind and what it meant.

    After about ten seconds, Ji Yi quickly fell asleep. Suddenly, her eyes shot wide open.

    No... what I just felt was... a man¡¯s chest?

    A man¡¯s chest?!

    As those three words glossed over Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she suddenly felt wide awake. Her vision also became clearer, but although she was no longer as groggy as before, she still felt like her vision was clouded by a fog or something.

    Two bathrobes were scattered on the floor in a ball, her underwear was tossed on a nearby round coffee table, and on the floor beside it was a pair of men¡¯s underwear.

    The curtains were drawn and the window was half-open. The cold morning air blew in gently but it couldn¡¯t blow away the alluring, affectionate air in the room.

    Even though it was four years ago, she remembered that one night stand clearly. She was too familiar with this whole picture and knew what it meant.

    At that moment, this picture looked no different from when she woke up in the hotel room four years ago...

    So,st night...st night, I re-enacted that night from four years ago?

    Because she was still hungover, Ji Yi¡¯s head hurt a little. Her memory was a little sluggish, and she furrowed her brows to no avail as she struggled to remember what happenedst night. In the end, she brought her fingers up to rub her aching temples. Then she held her breath and carefully turned around to look behind her.

    The first things she saw were a naked man¡¯s chest, his prominent muscles, and his fair skin covered in fingernail marks. Some of them were even bleeding. This whole picture looked incredibly sexy.

    But Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in the right mind to admire him at all. She instinctively clutched onto the covers, stared at those bleeding fingernail marks, and fiercely furrowed her brows.

    I c-couldn¡¯t h-have made those fingernail marks, right?

 Chapter 392

    Chapter 392: Waking Up the Following Day (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi raised her arm in annoyance and smacked her own head. That was when her gaze rose towards the man¡¯s exquisite corbones.

    His naturally smooth curves, perfect lips, tall nose bridge, and fine eyebrows... As each and every facial feature fell into Ji Yi¡¯s gaze, her body shivered visibly.

    After about ten seconds, her gaze traced his arms and slowly wandered down to his wrist.

    Clear as day, there was a red string there which pierced her eyes.

    I.. I... Last night, I actually had sex w-with He Jichen again...

    As those words registered, one after the other, in Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she withdrew her eyes away from He Jichen.

    How did I and He Jichen end up having sex?

    Ji Yi racked her brain thinking about it for a long time, but before she could figure it out, her heart started to feel powerless.

    How did things end up like this? We¡¯re just friends. After he wakes up and sees this, what¡¯s going to happen? And what about me? How should I react?

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the more it hurt her head. She couldn¡¯t help but raise her hand and massage her throbbing temples again. However, before her fingertips touched her skin, she noticed He Jichen shifting on the bed.

    He can¡¯t be waking up, right?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly stopped and she was so frightened that she didn¡¯t dare to breathe.

    About a minuteter, seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t move further, Ji Yi realized that he just repositioned himself; he didn¡¯t actually wake up. She finally let out a sigh of relief. Then, without any hesitation at all, she removed the covers and gently got out of bed. She took her clothes out of her suitcase and ran into the bathroom.

    After she quickly freshened up, Ji Yi put on her clothes and fixed up her messy hair in the mirror. Then she opened the bathroom door and poked her head out to check that the man was still sleeping. Seeing that he was, she pulled the door open a little wider then gently walked out, clinging to the wall. She finally reached the door of the bedroom and tried her best to be as silent as possible as she opened the door and quickly slipped out.

    Ji Yi shut the door, turned around, and was just about to run out of the hotel room when she saw the unexpected floor full of lipstick.

    As though her pressure points had been pressed, she suddenly froze in her tracks.

    So many lipst- before the word ¡°lipstick¡± came to mind, it seemed like she heard the imaginary sound of He Jichen¡¯s voice saying: ¡°Are you happy?¡±

    ¡°Though I¡¯m not clear what I¡¯ve done wrong to upset you, you said before that women love to be given lipstick when they¡¯re mad. If one tube of lipstick can¡¯t resolve the issue, then two. If two can¡¯t resolve the issue, then give her a whole set!¡±

    ¡°In front of you, there are a hundred sets of lipstick.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mouth gaped slightly as she realized that those words were fromst night.

    He Jichen actually gave her one hundred sets of lipstick. But why did he give them to her?

    Ji Yi turned her head and nced at the closed door to the bedroom then naturally furrowed her brows, carefully trying to recollect the events of the night before.

    Yesterday, a woman called Xia Yuan came to see He Jichen. They were in He Jichen¡¯s room. She even went upstairs with him, then came back downstairs. I drank a lot...

    Just as Ji Yi had that thought, she heard a cough from within the bedroom behind the closed door.

 Chapter 393

    Chapter 393: Waking Up the Following Day (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Inplete shock, Ji Yi hastily stopped her train of thought. Wanting to avoid lingering in the room any longer, she hurriedly ran out of the room.

    Ji Yi pulled the door open, but before she could leave the room, her footsteps came to a halt. She turned her head and stared at the spectacr and stunning array of lipsticks which covered the floor. As her eyes finished scanning the room, she finally managed to close the hotel room door softly. She jogged up to the elevators and quickly pressed the button. When the elevator doors opened, she rushed right in, heading straight for the first floor.

    Because it was still early out, not only was the hotel lobby empty, but there was no one to be found on the entire street.

    Ji Yi stood by the side of the road and stared at the cars that passed every so often in a daze. That was when she saw an empty taxi heading her way, so she reached her hand out to hail it.

    As she got into the taxi, the driver started up the car and slowly drove out onto the main road. He asked, ¡°Miss, where would you like to go?¡±

    Ji Yi silently watched as the Starlight hotel shrunk in the distance behind them.

    Just as the car was going to reach a red light up ahead, the taxi driver repeated: ¡°Miss?¡±

    Ji Yi came to her senses and realized that she hadn¡¯t told the driver where she wanted to go yet. With a soft voice, she said, ¡°Hongqiao Airport.¡±

    Since they were heading out before the morning rush, the traffic was incredibly smooth. It took less than half an hour for her to arrive at the floor for departures at Hongqiao Airport.

    After she paid the taxi fare, Ji Yi got out and stepped into the airport.

    She decided she was going to skip the Shanghai Film Festival happening the next day. Originally, she was able to go back to Beijing today, but He Jichen asked her to stay in Beijing for two more days and return to Beijing with him after the festival. Seeing as she had nothing to do back in Beijing, she agreed. She ended up pushing her departure back by two days. So after Ji Yi entered the airport, the first thing she did was go to the counter to change her departure back to today.

    Luckily for her, there was an empty seat avable on the next flight. Ji Yi pulled out her ne ticket. Seeing as there were fifty minutes left until departure, she hurriedly headed over to security.

    There were quite a lot of people on the flight, so after going through security, it was just about time to board. Without any time to rx in the first ss lounge, she headed straight for the departure gate and boarded the ne.

    She found her seat ording to the number on her boarding pass. After she took her seat, the flight attendant immediately came over to ask if she needed anything.

    Ji Yi shook her head. After she gently declined, she sat back in her chair and shut her eyes.

    Not long after, the safety announcement came on.

    The flight attendant came over and quietly asked Ji Yi to turn her phone off.

    That was when she opened her eyes, pulled out her phone from her bag and turned it off.

    Just when she was going to put her phone back into her bag, the ne started to move. As the ne started to speed up and take off, Ji Yi felt like everything that happened until now was surreal. It was like the whole thing was a dream.

    Yeah, she really hoped it was all a dream. If it was a dream, then she wouldn¡¯t have so many things on her mind and she wouldn¡¯t feel so helpless...

    At that thought, Ji Yi reached her arm out and fiercely pinched her own thigh.

    The piercing pain forced her brows to scrunch up; she could no longer avoid the truth.

    In the air, the ne stabilized.

    Through the window, Ji Yi looked over at the rising sun from the east, lighting up the azure sky. Then her recollection of what happenedst night drifted back into her mind.

 Chapter 394

    Chapter 394: Waking Up the Following Day (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ...

    After going upstairs to check on He Jichen, she headed back down to the main hall, where she found a random quiet spot and asked the waiter to get her lots of wine because she was in a terrible mood.

    That was when she drank too much and choked on the alcohol. As she bent over andid spread out on the table, she coughed. Someone pulled on her arm and pulled her up.

    She really drank too much. Her memory was a little fragmented, but she could still recollect a big portion of what happened.

    It seemed like she grabbed her phone and called He Jichen but nobody picked up. Then she mistook Chen Bai for He Jichen, He Jichen for Chen Bai, and ordered He Jichen to buy correction fluid...

    She couldn¡¯t quite remember what happened afterward, but He Jichen took her back upstairs to the hotel room.

    At the time, she was a little tired and with alcohol in her system, she was really sleepy too. However, she could still smell Xia Yuan¡¯s perfume... Then she seemed to have muttered ¡°Stinky¡± a few times. She even kicked He Jichen out of the room... Then she heard the two words: ¡°correction fluid¡±...

    Suddenly, she struggled out of bed and grabbed the correction fluid.

    But she had too much to drink, so she had no strength left and ended up rolling off the bed.

    She must¡¯ve been really drunk when she hit her head because she couldn¡¯t feel the pain. Then she started to crawl up and stagger out of the bedroom.

    At that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled as her mind reyed the scene like a movie and quickly forwarded to her squirting He Jichen all over his body, face, and hair with correction fluid.

    Oh god... I actually did such a thing...

    Though nobody on the entire ne knew what she was thinking, Ji Yi still raised her hands to cover her face inplete embarrassment.

    In the full awkwardness of this memory, Ji Yi was immersed in it for a minute then continued to recall the events.

    A hotel attendant helped her into He Jichen¡¯s bathroom to take a shower, but mid-way through, she realized that Xia Yuan used the shower before her. She suddenly felt so disgusted that she ran around the bathroom like a crazy person, out of the attendant¡¯s control. She picked up the correction fluid from the living room and smeared it everywhere in the bathroom like a lunatic.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t quite remember what happened afterward, but she vaguely remembered that she said a lot of nonsense. Then He Jichen carried her out of the bathtub.

    He helped her out of her soaking wet bathrobe, patted her dry and helped her change into a new, dry bathrobe...

    So, at that point in time, he actually saw herpletely naked?

    Ji Yi¡¯s face flushed then she lowered her head.

    He helped her dry her hair, brushed her hair, then fed her something...

    She couldn¡¯t quite remember. Ji Yi figured that the only reason why she didn¡¯t feel so horrible during her hangover was probably because he fed her something.

    Later on, he led her back into her own room. He stood at the door and didn¡¯te in. By herself, she took two steps in and was shocked by the floor full of lipstick.

    So the words that came to mind earlier in the living room, when she saw the lipstick, were the same words he said at that moment.

    He told her that he upset her... Perhaps she drunkenly told him that he upset her, so he used this method to cheer her up.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips suddenly shivered and the image of him telling her ¡°Sorry¡± came to mind.

 Chapter 395

    Chapter 395: Waking Up the Following Day (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He said that he shouldn¡¯t have upset her.

    He even asked if she could forgive him.

    She never answered him but instead, stared nkly at him. Then she didn¡¯t know why but her attention waspletely on his lips...

    At that thought, Ji Yi suddenly covered her mouth with her hand as she opened her eyes wide in disbelief.

    Yesterday, was I-I crazy? I a-a-actually kissed him!

    If kissing him wasn¡¯t enough, she actually licked his lips, his teeth, and his tongue...

    In the beginning, he didn¡¯t react, but then she teased him, provoking him to kiss her hungrily.

    In that very moment, Ji Yi felt like she could die.

    Just how many outrageous things did I dost night?

    That was all that was on Ji Yi¡¯s mind; the images of He Jichen on top of her drifted intermittently in her mind. She thought back to every time he nibbled and kissed her entire body so fervently and frantically...

    Even if it had already been over ten hours ago, Ji Yi¡¯s face still couldn¡¯t help but burn up at the thought of what happened.

    That tender picture of them shocked her into silence. After she gave her mind time to recover, she continued to recollect what happened.

    She wasn¡¯t sure what He Jichen was suddenly thinking, but he stopped, let go of her and left.

    Nor did she know what he was thinking as he came back, wrapped her up in a nket and put her back on the bed in the bedroom.

    After he pulled the covers over her, he left, but she identally rolled off the bed. He caught her and then she...

    Stunned for a long time, Ji Yi bit her bottom lip hard while holding her breath. Then she recalled the memory she pushed to the back of her mind.

    It was her who reached out to his lips first, and after kissing him, she said something like: ¡°cotton candy with no added sugar¡± and ¡°why does cotton candy taste like alcohol?¡± If that wasn¡¯t enough, the worst part was how she lowered her head and licked his lips with every word...

    When he carried her, she even identally ignited his fire. He warned her not to move, but she was the one who didn¡¯t listen. She fought him and not only did they toss and turn, but she even reached her hand out and touched...

    So, I started everything that happened between usst night?

    Ji Yi suddenly slumped in her seat like she lost all her strength.

    At this very moment, she really and truly wanted to die.

    If she felt at a loss this morning when she realized they had sex, now she felt all the same misery and on top of that, she was now truly embarrassed to face He Jichen!

    ¨C

    He Jichen slept well.

    They say that the most beautiful thing in this world is nothing other than waking up naturally from a dream. Even He Jichen himself couldn¡¯t remember just how many nights he had without waking up naturally like this.

    Perhaps it started four years ago after she left him that his sleep duration started to gradually get shorter and shorter. Even when he was asleep, the slightest sound or movement could easily wake him up.

    In university, he and Han Zhifan slept in the same room, so whenever he was particrly restless at night, Han Zhifan knew full well that he was tired... really tired. He really wanted to sleep till the next morning, but he couldn¡¯t. Whenever he shut his eyes, he would think of her, and when he opened his eyes, he would still think of her. Especially in the dead of night, those thoughts were intensified and made every second of every minute unbelievably grueling.

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    Trust me, I know how you feel right now. I was screaming...

 Chapter 396

    Chapter 396: Waking Up the Following Day (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Maybe it was because he hadn¡¯t slept so well for such a long time that He Jichen slept like there was no tomorrow.

    When he woke up, the room was incredibly quiet. The sunlight outside the window was unusually harsh on his eyes, but it actually felt quite pleasant.

    He Jichen was still a little groggy from sleeping for too long, so heid in bed staring at the crystal lights on the ceiling for a long time. Then he hugged the covers and slowly sat up.

    He was used to grabbing his phone from his nightstand, but after reaching around for some time to no avail, he furrowed his brows. That was when he realized that this wasn¡¯t his room; it was Ji Yi¡¯s room.

    Image after image of what happenedst night immediately came to his mind. Then he instantly looked over at the other side of the bed.

    The bedsheets were left in disarray and the pillow was randomly tossed to the corner of the bed. Yet, there was no one on the other side of the bed.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows slightly as he instinctively touched the bed. It was cold; there were no traces of body warmth leftover, which meant that she... had been awake for some time now?

    Deep down, He Jichen suddenly realized something. The next second, he pulled off the covers, picked up his bathrobe and messily put it on as he rushed into the bathroom.

    Just like the empty half of the bed earlier, there was no one in sight.

    But her makeup was still scattered on the shelf above the sink, just where they were when he brought her in to take a showerst night.

    He Jichen¡¯s restless heart calmed down a little. Then he rushed out of the bathroom and pulled open the wardrobe.

    Suitcase, clothes, and shoes. All her luggage was here...

    Seeing as she didn¡¯t take her stuff, He Jichen let out a long sigh of relief. This meant she didn¡¯t really leave... But after she woke up, where did she go? Was she bothered by what happenedst night? Or maybe she was hungry so she went to the restaurant downstairs to eat...

    Although he tried really hard to restrain himselfst night, they still did it again.

    Four years ago, he inflicted such an inerasable pain because he was young and naive; because he didn¡¯t know how to truly love someone; because he was jealous. He even almost caused her to lose her life. Four yearster, he could never repeat the same mistakes again.

    So, there were some things he had to tell her.

    For example, at the very least, he was willing to take responsibility for what happenedst night.

    At that thought, He Jichen quickly gathered his thoughts together and walked over to the bedside table. He picked up the phone and gave the front desk a call. He ordered them to send someone up to help him open the room next to his.

    ...

    Back in his own room, He Jichen first found his phone and called Chen Bai. After asking him to drop by his room, he then walked into the bathroom.

    When he finished freshening up, he found a set of casual clothes to change into. Just as he was going to shave his beard in front of the mirror, the doorbell rang.

    He shaved his chin with the razor in hand as he walked over to the door and pulled it open.

    It was Chen Bai.

    ¡°Mr. He, you¡¯re awake?¡± Having been mistaken for He Jichenst night when Ji Yi was drunk, Chen Bai was now afraid that He Jichen would try to get back at him, so he smiled unusually brightly when he spoke.

    He Jichen said nothing to his bootlicking and smiling face. He turned right around and headed for the bathroom.

    ¨C

    Trantor¡¯s Thoughts

    Paperne Paperne

    real time reactions ¡ª> twitter: paperne_qi

 Chapter 397

    Chapter 397: Waking Up the Following Day (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Bai shut the door and followed He Jichen all the way to the bathroom door.

    Before Chen Bai could politely ask He Jichen if he wanted to have something to eat, He Jichen looked up and swept Chen Bai a look in the mirror then said with a nd voice, ¡°Where¡¯s Ji Yi?¡±

    Chen Bai was stunned by his question for a moment, but two secondster, he asked curiously, ¡°Wasn¡¯t Miss Ji with you?¡±

    He Jichen creased his brows. ¡°Didn¡¯t she get up really early? Didn¡¯t she go to the restaurant to eat?¡±

    Chen Bai shook his head. ¡°No... I was sitting at the restaurant for breakfast and lunch, but I didn¡¯t see Miss Ji.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s heart jumped and an ominous feeling filled his heart.

    Seeing He Jichen¡¯s expression change, Chen Bai spoke again but with a more cautious tone of voice, ¡°Mr. He, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    She didn¡¯t eat in the restaurant and her things are still in the room, so she couldn¡¯t have done what I¡¯m thinking... After she woke up and saw us sleeping together, was she so shocked that she found somewhere to hide all alone, worrying about what happenedst night?

    With that thought, He Jichen threw his razor into the sink. He turned around and walked out of the bathroom. After pulling out his own phone, he found Ji Yi¡¯s number and gave her a call.

    After about three seconds, the connection went through, but it was an automated response. ¡°Sorry, the person you are trying to reach has turned off their phone.¡±

    Turned off?!

    The uneasiness in He Jichen¡¯s heart grew deeper.

    After she got drunkst night, she dragged his number into her blocked numbers list. But then again, heter got hold of her phone and removed it from the list... Don¡¯t tell me my hand shook and didn¡¯t properly remove my number from the list?

    At that thought, He Jichen looked over at Chen Bai. ¡°Give me your phone.¡±

    At a loss, Chen Bai was confused as to why He Jichen wanted his phone, but he still obediently pulled out his phone, unlocked it and handed it to He Jichen.

    He Jichen took his phone, entered Ji Yi¡¯s number and made the call.

    He got the same response as when he used his own phone just now. ¡°Sorry, the person you are trying to reach has turned off their phone.¡±

    She really did turn her phone off...

    He Jichen used Chen Bai¡¯s phone to call again. When he confirmed the circumstances, he felt like the situation was more serious than he imagined.

    It was a matter of urgency. He had to find her first...

    As this idea came to He Jichen¡¯s mind, he handed Chen Bai¡¯s phone back to him and said, ¡°Go find a hotel manager now to scan through the CCTV footage. Let¡¯s see if we can find out where she went.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He.¡± Chen Bai realized that something was wrong, judging by the look on He Jichen¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t dare to refuse him in the slightest, so he simply gave a short response and took the phone. Then he quickly left He Jichen¡¯s room and followed his orders.

    As He Jichen waited for Chen Bai¡¯s news, he called Ji Yi a few more times but got the same response telling him that her phone was off.

    After making countless calls, just when he was going to call her again, he suddenly remembered Tang Huahua. Then he withdrew his fingers, opened his contact list and found Tang Huahua¡¯s number. He called her.

    Tang Huahua was probably in ss since she whispered when she picked up: ¡°Hello, He Xuezhang.¡±

 Chapter 398

    Chapter 398: Waking Up the Following Day (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen went straight to the point: ¡°Did Ji Yi contact you?¡±

    ¡°No...¡± Tang Huahua paused for a moment then replied with more detail: ¡°... Three nights ago, when we chatted over WeChat, she told me she¡¯d be going back to Beijing the day after tomorrow. In the past two days, we haven¡¯t been in contact.¡±

    ¡°Oh...¡± He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything further.

    Tang Huahua waited for more, but seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything else, she asked curiously, ¡°He Xuezhang, did something happen?¡±

    He Jichen came back to his senses and replied tly, ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Oh...¡± Tang Huahua wasn¡¯t stupid ¨C she knew He Jichen wasn¡¯t going to tell her the truth, so she didn¡¯t bother probing anymore.

    After two seconds, Tang Huahua said again, ¡°... He Xuezhang, how about this... I¡¯ll try to contact Xiao Yi. If I¡¯m able to get through to her, I¡¯ll contact you right away.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± He Jichen politely replied and hung up the phone.

    He Jichen stared at the phone screen for a short while then called Ji Yi¡¯s phone again. The phone was still turned off.

    After hanging up, He Jichen stopped calling Ji Yi incessantly. Instead, he held his phone, walked over to the tall windows, and stared at the glistening sunlight outside.

    He didn¡¯t know how much time passed before the doorbell behind him rang.

    He Jichen turned around and pulled the door open.

    It was Chen Bai again. He Jichen didn¡¯t invite him in but asked at the door, ¡°So?¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji left the room at a quarter to seven this morning. She headed straight for the elevator, went downstairs and left the hotel. She hasn¡¯te back...¡±

    So, she got up and left at six? That¡¯s earlier than I imagined...

    He Jichen silently pursed his lips while he listened to the rest of Chen Bai¡¯s report.

    ¡°... I booked Miss Ji¡¯s flight back to Beijing, so I called the airlinepany to check. Miss Ji¡¯s flight was changed from the day after tomorrow to today at half past eight in the morning. That flight wasn¡¯t dyed, and the duration was two hours and fifteen minutes, which means that Miss Ji arrived at Beijing Airport at a quarter to eleven...¡± Chen Bai lowered his head and nced at the time on his watch. ¡°...It¡¯s two in the afternoon now, so Miss Ji has already been in Beijing for three hours and fifteen minutes now.¡±

    Three hours and fifteen minutes... so much time has passed, yet she still has her phone off.

    As soon as she woke up, she saw me by her side. Yet she left without any hesitation?

    Could it be possible that the thing I¡¯m most afraid of is really going to happen?

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers instinctively balled into a fist.

    Having finished his report to He Jichen, Chen Bai couldn¡¯t help but cry ¡°Mr. He?¡± after he remained quiet for so long.

    After about five seconds, He Jichen¡¯s gaze fell on Chen Bai¡¯s face. ¡°Change my flight and I will return to Beijing.¡±

    ¡°But the film festival is tonight ¨C you have to be there...¡± Chen Bai reminded him.

    He Jichen instantly fell silent.

    Oh yeah, the film festival. He had to attend not only for himself, but on behalf of YC Corp, and most importantly, for Ji Yi¡¯s dream.

    He Jichen pursed his lips slightly. After a good while, he spoke, ¡°As soon as the film festival is over, we¡¯ll head back to Beijing.¡±

    Chen Bai knew this was the biggest concession for He Jichen. He replied with a ¡°Yes,¡± grabbed his phone and started to change their flights.

 Chapter 399

    Chapter 399: Waking Up the Following Day (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ...

    The film festival finished at ten in the evening.

    He Jichen tactfully declined over ten invitations to meet afterward. After he slipped out, he immediately reached for his phone and tried to call Ji Yi as soon as he got in the car.

    Just like his previous attempts to reach her, her phone was still switched off.

    From the rear-view mirror, Chen Bai, in the driver¡¯s seat, saw He Jichen put his phone to his ear for the second time.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t have to ask; he knew He Jichen was calling Ji Yi.

    Since He Jichen woke up in the afternoon, Chen Bai had constantly been by his side. When he attended the film festival in the evening, He Jichen had to entertain a lot of people, but every now and then, he would pull out his phone and tap the screen. Sometimes, the people beside him would talk to him, but He Jichen wouldn¡¯t react for a long time and when he did, he replied with single-word answers.

    He knew better than anyone that Miss Ji left without saying goodbye. In his heart, he knew that He Jichen was in no mood to smile, but he smiled at everyone he met at the film festival. The moment he finished making casual conversation though, there would be an indescribable cloudiness in his eyes.

    What was more grueling than forcing someone to smile? But for four whole hours, Mr. He managed to get through the film festival...

    Chen Bai came back from his senses and saw a slight worry creep up between He Jichen¡¯s handsome brows. He immediately removed the phone from his ear.

    Chen Bai figured that Mr. He¡¯s call definitely didn¡¯t get through to Miss Ji.

    The sight of him made Chen Bai a little ufortable, and he couldn¡¯t help but try to console him. ¡°Mr. He, nothing¡¯s going to happen to Miss Ji. She probably decided she wanted some alone time. You don¡¯t have to worry.¡±

    He Jichen nced over at Chen Bai through the rear-view mirror without making a sound.

    To make He Jichen¡¯s mood a little better, Chen Bai smiled as he said, ¡°What¡¯s more, Mr. He, you treat Miss Ji so well. You¡¯re handsome and rich, and you¡¯ve been considered this century¡¯s most desirable director. You¡¯re the dream man of nine billion young girls, so you don¡¯t have to worry so much. Miss Ji is an ordinary woman too, so she definitely feels something for you too...¡±

    With that, as Chen Bai continued to ramble on, the darkness in He Jichen¡¯s eyes grew more intense.

    Chen Bai realized something was wrong, so he hurriedly shut his mouth in fear.

    Could I possibly have said something wrong? Howe the more I try to persuade him, the more upset Mr. He looks?

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t dare speak.

    The car fell silent.

    Just when Chen Bai thought it¡¯d be quiet for the rest of their journey to the airport, He Jichen suddenly said, ¡°If only she was just an ordinary woman...¡±

    Chen Bai, who was fully concentrated on driving, didn¡¯t quite catch what He Jichen said and naturally let out an ¡°Mhm?¡±

    He was met with a wall of silence.

    Just when Chen Bai was going to ask He Jichen to repeat what he said, he saw a strong sense of helplessness between He Jichen¡¯s brows as he stared at the endlessly disappearing night through the window.

    This was a side of He Jichen that he had never seen in all the years he had known him.

    Just like that, the words he wanted to say were swallowed.

    He never knew that the god-like, almighty Mr. He could look so helpless.

    He Jichen had no idea that Chen Bai was looking at him.

    As he stared at the scenery outside the window, he continued to quietly think... that it would be alright if she was just a little more superficial, greedy, infatuated with love, or vain, so she would be more like other women and like him...

 Chapter 400

    Chapter 400: Waking Up the Following Day (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ...

    It was twelve thirty-five at night when He Jichen and Chen Bai reached Beijing Airport.

    As soon as the nended, He Jichen turned on his phone and immediately called Ji Yi.

    When the call went through, he got the same message: ¡°Sorry, the person you are trying to reach has turned off their phone.¡±

    He wanted to confirm that Ji Yi didn¡¯t leave Beijing, so he asked Chen Bai to check any flights or high-speed train tickets under Ji Yi¡¯s name the next afternoon.

    In the years when they weren¡¯t in contact, he would stalk her every time he went to Beijing to secretly see her. He silently watched her for so many years, so he understood some of her habits.

    After He Jichen confirmed that Ji Yi¡¯s phone was still switched off, he got in the car and immediately ordered Chen Bai to drive to her favorite bar in Houhai, the one she liked to go to when something was on her mind.

    She wasn¡¯t at the bar.

    He Jichen was in no hurry to get back in the car to look for her at her next favorite spot. Instead, he walked around a street full of bars. He even walked by the shores of Houhai once to make sure she really wasn¡¯t there. Only then did he get back into the car and ask Chen Bai to take him to her favoritete-night theater.

    She wasn¡¯t there either...

    He Jichen asked Chen Bai to drive him to Shanghai International Commerce Center Park.

    After a night of driving, Chen Bai couldn¡¯t recount just how many ces they went. All he knew was that he stayed with He Jichen from the night till the light of day and topped up the gas tank three times, but they still couldn¡¯t find Miss Ji.

    With no idea where Ji Yi could¡¯ve gone, He Jichen said: ¡°Take a turn at the road ahead and stop by the side of the road¡± when Chen Bai passed the Second Ring Road.

    ¡°Yes,¡± responded Chen Bai as he skillfully exited the main road and found an empty space to park.

    There happened to be a breakfast shop by the road, and Chen Bai remembered that He Jichen hadn¡¯t eaten since waking up yesterday afternoon. He pushed the car door open and got out.

    When Chen Bai came back with breakfast in-hand, the windows were rolled down and He Jichen was sitting back in his seat with a lit cigarette.

    Chen Bai could tell that He Jichen was in a terrible mood since he was smoking. Come to think of it, since he and Miss Ji¡¯s rtionship improved, it had been a long time since he touched a cigarette...

    Chen Bai let out a discreet sigh, walked up to him and handed He Jichen breakfast through the window. ¡°Mr. He, from yesterday till now, you haven¡¯t eaten. Eat something now, or else your body won¡¯t be able to take it.¡±

    Through the cloud of smoke, He Jichen nced over at the breakfast in Chen Bai¡¯s hands and shook his head.

    Chen Bai wanted to persuade him some more as he watched He Jichen flick some ashes into the ash tray. Suddenly, He Jichen said, ¡°Give me the car keys and you can head back.¡±

    Chen Bai was stunned for a while as he realized what He Jichen said and hurriedly shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s alright Mr. He, I¡¯lle with you...¡±

    ¡°Go back,¡± said He Jichen as he cut Chen Bai off.

    Chen Bai hesitated for a moment then handed him the car keys.

    After He Jichen took them, he didn¡¯t say anything then waved his hands to signal for him to leave.

    Chen Bai twitched his lips as he could sense He Jichen¡¯s resolve, so he bid him farewell. He picked up the breakfast, walked up to the taxi stand and waited for a taxi.

    After Chen Bai got into a taxi and left, He Jichen then got out and moved to the driver¡¯s seat.

    He Jichen checked the school first, then Ji Yi¡¯s home, then he eventually drove to the home that he bought under He Yuguang¡¯s name...

 Chapter 401

    Chapter 401: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After circling Beijing all night looking for Ji Yi to no avail, there were only three possible ces left to search.

    Tang Huahua kept in contact with him, so he knew Ji Yi hadn¡¯t returned to school yet.

    In actuality, deep down, he knew that the possibility of her being back at school was the slimmest. Yet, he was also afraid that she was avoiding him and Tang Huahua was helping her hide from him. It¡¯d be good to drop by the school personally.

    As for her parent¡¯s house, the possibility of her being there was rtively high. However, after he arrived, he learned from the cleaning staff that her parents had been abroad on holiday for over half a month now. This meant she hadn¡¯te back from Hengdian.

    He was most afraid of her being at the home he bought under He Yuguang¡¯s name. He knew better than anyone what it meant if she really was avoiding him at ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s after they had sex. Yet, he knew deep down that the possibility of her being there was the highest.

    As he left Ji Yi¡¯s house, He Jichen first stopped by his own home, took a shower, and changed into a clean set of clothes. After he confirmed that there weren¡¯t any traces of cigarette smoke on him, he took off the red string and hid it in his pocket before he left.

    The apartment under He Yuguang¡¯s name rarely had anyone staying over, but someone always came to clean it every day.

    He entered the passcode and pushed open the door. A clean and bright living room came into view. The pink rose on the coffee table in front of the sofa was blooming beautifully.

    Objects were ced neatly in every corner of the room and it lookedpletely like there wasn¡¯t anyone there. There weren¡¯t even any extra shoes in the shoe cab.

    He Jichen guessed that she probably wasn¡¯t here.

    But he still had a sliver of hope, so he changed his shoes and walked into the apartment. Then he searched every inch of every corner of the apartment.

    She actually wasn¡¯t in ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s apartment...

    The worst thing for He Jichen didn¡¯t happen, yet he wasn¡¯t the least bit happy. Instead, he felt even more anxiety and agitation crawl into his chest.

    She hadn¡¯t left Beijing, yet he searched her usual spots, her favorite ces, and even the ces she only went to once or twice. However, he still couldn¡¯t find her. Just where could she be?

    ...

    A new day came, and the rising sun shone bright rays of light. The temperature in the room rose higher and higher. The cars and pedestrians on the bustling streets gradually merged to form heavy traffic.

    The sun rose from the east and set in the west. When darkness fell, all the city lights started to illuminate the streets.

    He Jichen had unconsciously driven around Beijing for the whole day. Out of habit, he tried calling her phone again. The expression on his face became a little numb when he heard that her phone was still turned off.

    He stared straight ahead and drove for quite some distance then parked the car by the road. After he lit a cigarette, he sent her a text message.

    The whole day passed without a word back from her... Did she do this all just to avoid me?

    It felt like there was something stuck in He Jichen¡¯s throat, stifling him till his chest ached. He took two heavy drags of his cigarette then pulled out He Yuguang¡¯s phone from his bag.

    The world was so big. If Ji Yi was determined to avoid him, then even if he was really capable, he still might not be able to find her.

    But He Yuguang was different. He was the person she liked the most. Maybe he could use his brother¡¯s identity to find out where she was.

 Chapter 402

    Chapter 402: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen pressed his lips together tightly then stared down at He Yuguang¡¯s phone screen for a moment. His fingertips gently slid across it and tapped WeChat. He found her name and started to type away on the keyboard: ¡°Manman, have you been busy the past two days? Why haven¡¯t you contacted me?¡±

    ¡°Manman, haven¡¯t you finished filming by now? Did you set a good time toe back to Beijing?¡±

    ¡°Manman, I happen to have business in Beijing in a few days time, so when you¡¯ve set a date toe back to Beijing, let me know. I¡¯ll check my schedule ande see you then.¡±

    ...

    It was very quiet in the car. The only sound heard was the subtle ¡°tap tap tap¡±ing from the phone.

    He wasn¡¯t sure just how many messages he sent out from He Yuguang¡¯s phone. All he knew was that in the end, his heart felt like it was being pulled in all directions.

    ¨C

    Time turned back to the day before at twenty to eleven in the morning.

    Ji Yi emerged from the airport then caught a taxi to the city. As she passed by a chain hotel, she asked the driver to stop. She paid the fare and entered the hotel.

    Ji Yi booked a room, grabbed the room key, and went upstairs in a trance-like state like she was sleepwalking.

    As soon as she entered the room, Ji Yiid in bed and seemed to fall asleep as soon as she shut her eyes.

    In reality, she couldn¡¯t actually fall asleep.

    But she didn¡¯t dare open her eyes either because she was afraid to think about what happened between her and He Jichen.

    Everything happened too suddenly. So sudden, in fact, that she simply didn¡¯t know how to face it, so all she could do was hide herself like an ostrich and run from reality by not thinking about it.

    As night slowly fell, she was able to sleep for a bit, but then she woke up again not too long after.

    She pulled the curtains so tight that there wasn¡¯t even a speck of light in the room. She couldn¡¯t tell what time it was, nor could she see if it was dark or light out.

    Like a soulless shell of a human, she hugged herforter and snuggled in bed without moving an inch.

    She could feel time pass in the darkness, but she wasn¡¯t sure just how much time passed. All she knew was that since she checked into the hotel yesterday, she hadn¡¯t had a single drop of water. She was starting to feel thirsty.

    When she simply couldn¡¯t endure the pain any longer, she finally crawled out of bed, clutching her stomach and walked into the bathroom. She first drank half a bottle of theplimentary water from the hotel, then quickly freshened up and walked out of the room.

    Ji Yi only realized that it was veryte at night when she came out of the hotel.

    She instinctively looked back and nced at the clock in the hotel lobby. It was eleven in the evening. The date beside the clock reminded her that it had already been thirty-six hours since she checked into the hotel.

    There was a twenty-four hour fast-food restaurant near the hotel.

    After Ji Yi ordered something to fill her stomach, she was in no hurry to leave. Instead, she watched the streets from the tall windows beside her.

    The streets at midnight in the capital were just as lively as usual, yet the traffic wasn¡¯t as fast-flowing as usual.

    Caught in a daze for a moment, she then waved over the hotel attendant and paid her bill. That was when she saw the silent phone in her bag.

    She purposefully didn¡¯t turn on her phone throughout her ne journey. Yet, she still kept it turned off up till now out of fear. She knew full well that avoiding reality wasn¡¯t going to fix anything, so in the end, she decided to face the music.

    So much time has passed without checking my phone, so I should probably turn it back on again...

    Ji Yi grabbed her phone and hesitated for two minutes, but eventually she pressed the button to switch it on.

 Chapter 403

    Chapter 403: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The phone screen lit up. After Ji Yi entered the code to unlock her screen, she watched the home screene up and silently waited for a couple seconds. Then some notifications for text messages and WeChat messages started to pop up.

    After waiting for some time, her phone finally fell silent. Ji Yi first opened her text messages to see about a hundred reminders for missed calls sent from ¡°10086.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers slid over the screen as she glossed over the notifications. The absolute majority of them were calls from He Jichen. Aside from those, there were some from Tang Huahua, Bo He, and Chen Bai. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if she was looking for her about something specific, but even Cheng Weiwan called her. After some thought, she figured that she¡¯d wait until she was feeling better to call Cheng Weiwan back. She then continued to swipe down. The messages were all more or less the same as before; there was a long series of messages regarding He Jichen¡¯s missed calls. Between the messages, there were also some calls from unknownndline numbers and some advertising notifications.

    After she clicked out of the ¡°10086¡± messages, there were also text messages sent from other numbers.

    The first toe into view was from He Jichen. She clicked them to find thirty to forty messages.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, where are you?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, did you turn off your phone because of what happenedst night?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯m sorry. I admit I acted out of line.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, turn on your phone. When you see my messages, can you send me a reply?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, contact me. Let¡¯s meet up and talk...¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi...¡±

    After reading all the messages, Ji Yi¡¯s heart felt incredibly stifled. Without replying to He Jichen¡¯s long series of messages, she clicked back and exited the page.

    Then she glossed over most of the other messages from people who called her, and they were mostly messages asking where she was. Aside from those, there were some junk messages about loans and real estate.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply to any messages but exited the messages screen and went straight back to the home screen. She found WeChat and clicked the app.

    The first among the list of unread WeChat messages was from Tang Huahua.

    Ji Yi casually clicked it to find that it was a string of voice messages.

    Ji Yi found her earphones, plugged them in and checked the messages.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, where are you? Didn¡¯t you say you finished filming and areing back to Beijing? When will you be back? Bo He and I wille pick you up at the airport.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, don¡¯t forget that your holiday ends next Monday. You have toe back to ss. If you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll fail this semester. Be careful, or you won¡¯t get your graduation certificate.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, He Xuezhang dropped by the dorm to look for you. He says you¡¯re back in Beijing. Did something happen? Are you feeling down and hiding somewhere by yourself?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, if you¡¯re feeling down, you can talk to me or Bo He. We can help you...¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Ji Yi unconsciously listened to Tang Huahua¡¯s fifth message.

    It was sent about three hours ago.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, He Xuezhang came to the dorms looking for you again.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, He Xuechang looks really worn out. He must¡¯ve been looking for you for a really long time without getting any rest.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I was just on the balcony drying some clothes when I saw He Xuezhang¡¯s car outside our dorm. Is he here on guard?¡±

    Tang Huahua¡¯s final voice note was sent five minutes ago. ¡°Xiao Yi, it¡¯s almost twelve now. He Xuezhang hasn¡¯t left. He can¡¯t possibly wait outside our dorms all night, right?¡±

 Chapter 404

    Chapter 404: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled for a moment as her eyes naturally nced out at the dark night sky out the window.

    He can¡¯t really be staying out all night outside my dorm like Huahua said, right?

    Ji Yi rxed her grip on her phone, and after about half a minute, she withdrew her gaze. After exiting out of Tang Huahua¡¯s messages, she looked at the other unread WeChat messages.

    There were more WeChat messages than there were text messages.

    Besides those people who called her, there were even WeChat messages from Li Da, Fatty, and Han Zhifan, whom she never really spoke to.

    But before Ji Yi could click each of their names and check their messages, she saw the three words: Yuguang Ge.

    Reading those three words felt like a bucket of cold water had been tossed right over her head.

    At that very moment, there were no other words in her sight besides ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡± She stared straight at them for a long time as her mind slowly started to turn.

    Yuguang Ge... How could I forget Yuguang Ge?

    After she and He Jichen had sex for the second time, she ran away helplessly. How could she have not thought about Yuguang Ge to whom she was now married to?

    Even if she and Yuguang Ge got married because Qian Ge was making her life difficult, she was still Yuguang Ge¡¯s wife in name...

    Yet, as his wife, she went behind his back and had sex with his biological twin brother...

    Annoyance, remorse, self-me, pain, and a strong sense of guilt instantly engulfed Ji Yi like a wave.

    Her rtionship with Yuguang Ge was great, and she used to actively talk to Yuguang every day... Even when she was busy, alone and absent-minded, she would think about Yuguang Ge. Yet, howe she became a different person in thest three months since filming ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±? When did she actually be like this?

    When you don¡¯t think about it, you¡¯ll nevere to realize it. When Ji Yi thought carefully about it, she realized that her thoughts of Yuguang Ge gradually decreased starting a month ago. Instead, she thought more about... He Jichen.

    When they were young, Yuguang Ge was in poor health and didn¡¯t really like to go out. Nevertheless, seeing that he was the eldest son of the He family, there were a few young noble girls who woulde to see him whenever they visited his house.

    She personally witnessed this with difort, but through the bitterness, she put up a good front; even if she was unhappy, she never allowed herself to reveal it in front of the other girls. Instead, she always pretended to lookpletely unfazed. It was only when those girls left and Yuguang Ge came to find her that she would push her annoyance to the back of her head.

    But during the end-of-production party for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± she actually started drinking so much and acted uncharacteristically after she saw Xia Yuan all over He Jichen... She even used the alcohol in her system to kiss He Jichen... Why did she be so different when it came to He Jichen?

    Unless, in my heart, He Jichen...

    She was just on the cusp of an answer when Ji Yi suddenly stopped her mind from thinking about it any further.

    She admitted that He Jichen was really important to her now, but he wasn¡¯t as important as she imagined.

    Yes. It definitely can¡¯t be! Definitely can¡¯t! Absolutely can¡¯t!

    Deep down, Ji Yi repeatedly emphasized this several times before these sudden thoughts disappeared from her heart.

 Chapter 405

    Chapter 405: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When she was young, she liked Yuguang Ge, who highlighted sections in her textbook for her, prepared snacks for her, and helped pull the nket over her when she was sleeping. Even if she had those feelings long ago and felt them less intensely over time, he was still very warm, caring and protective of her when they met again not long ago.

    Yuguang took care of her when she had a fever that night after filming ¡°The Pce¡± and when Qian Ge schemed to kidnap her. The following day, after he learned that she was interested in ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± he silently helped hernd a role in the production.

    After He Jichen got into an argument with her at the Four Seasons Hotel because of Lin Zhengyi, Yuguang Ge appeared when she was hiding in the apartment they shared. He cheered her up and took care of her. That day, she even caught him looking at her photo which had the words she hadn¡¯t forgotten till this day: I wish you would be lost forever ande to my side.

    During New Year¡¯s, she went to Yunnan alone because of the rumor Qian Ge started. She identally twisted her ankle, and when she was stuck helplessly by the side of the road, Yuguang Ge came to her aid at thest minute. He even rushed over to Lijiang overnight just to personally see her. Most importantly, that was the day she discovered a huge secret behind the jade. During the three years she was in aa, the person who came to visit her on the eighteenth of every month was Yuguang Ge. He was the only person in this world who didn¡¯t forget her when she fell from the peak of her career and hit rock bottom.

    Yuguang Ge treated her really, really, really, well... how could she do such a thing to let him down?

    ¡°Miss, your change.¡± The waiter who took her payment had returned with few notes.

    Ji Yi gave a gentle nod but didn¡¯t make a sound.

    The waiter put the money on the table and left.

    After some time, Ji Yi picked up the money and walked out of the restaurant in a daze. She walked down the street with no particr direction or purpose.

    The cars at midnight were a little fast; one car after another sped infinitely past her at an ear-splitting speed. Too dazed to take any notice of her surroundings, she walked ahead nkly.

    With no idea how long she had been walking for, her feet started to blister. When she simply couldn¡¯t move because of the pain, she found a spot by the side of the road and crouched down.

    She wasn¡¯t stupid. When she read the words ¡°I wish you would be lost forever ande to my side¡± in Yuguang Ge¡¯s room, she knew that Yuguang had feelings for her.

    At the time, it wasn¡¯t like she wasn¡¯t moved, but she thought back to what happened between her and He Jichen that night four years ago, so she tried her best to hold back.

    But now, during their marriage, she actually did something like this to betray him...

    She let down Yuguang Ge¡¯s kindness and she let down Yuguang Ge¡¯s deep feelings for her.

    Now, not only did she not know how to face He Jichen, but she didn¡¯t even know how to get in touch with Yuguang Ge.

    With that thought, Ji Yi buried her head between her knees.

    Like a helpless child, she stayed like that feebly for a long time before she looked up. She nced at the empty street and slowly helped herself up while leaning on amppost.

    She gained a sense of direction after a moment then headed for the hotel.

    Just as she was about to reach the hotel entrance, her feet stopped when she saw a pharmacy by the twenty-four-hour restaurant.

    She stared at the bright lights of the pharmacy for some time before her hand instinctively touched her abdomen. She started to walk over.

 Chapter 406

    Chapter 406: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was reallyte, so the pharmacy cashier was yawning. After she heard the ¡°Wee¡± announcement, she groggily looked up and asked Ji Yi, ¡°Miss, how may I help you?¡±

    She suffered gravely four years ago, so when she made the same mistake four yearster, she had to protect herself, just in case.

    She couldn¡¯t let herself get pregnant again...

    Ji Yi clutched her clothes as she quietly replied with three words, ¡°Morning after pill.¡±

    After a pause, Ji Yi remembered that almost two days had passed, so she added, ¡°I want the seventy-two hours one.¡±

    The cashier was probably used to seeing these kinds of things, so she calmly pulled out a box from below the counter, gave it to Ji Yi and told her the price.

    After Ji Yi paid and left, she walked into the convenience store next door to buy a bottle of water. She stood by the road, scooped out a pill, shoved it into her mouth, and took a gulp of water.

    After she was sure the pill went down, her fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch the medicine box tightly.

    She wasn¡¯t sure what was with her, but her entire body shivered like crazy. After some time, she finally calmed down.

    She threw the medicine box into the trash can then continued to walk over to the hotel.

    It was already four in the morning when she got back to her hotel room.

    Ji Yi took a shower. As she was drying herself off in front of the sink, she noticed that her body was covered in numerous, densely packed marks.

    Even if they were caused long ago, those marks were still clearly visible.

    Ji Yi thought they were an eye-sore as she hurriedly withdrew her gaze. She frantically wiped away the water droplets, put on a bathrobe, and tightly wrapped her body up.

    Back in bed, Ji Yi picked up her phone and nced at it.

    In three short hours, her phone had over a dozen missed calls from He Jichen. He even sent her some more text messages.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I know you turned your phone on and I know you can see my messages. Send me a reply, okay?¡±

    ¡°If you really don¡¯t want to see me, I can give you time, but please tell me roughly when you think you¡¯ll be ready to talk. Let¡¯s have a good chat?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes heated up and she turned her head. Then she looked away from the phone screen and stared at the floormp by the bed silently for a while. In the end, she chose to not reply.

    When she closed the text message, she saw that she received a new WeChat message.

    She instinctively clicked it to find that Tang Huahua sent it to her half an hour ago.

    Perhaps Bo He was asleep now, so Tang Huahua didn¡¯t want to disturb her and send any more voice notes. Instead, she sent just one line: ¡°Xiao Yi, it¡¯s almost four in the morning. I¡¯ve finished ying my game, and He Xuezhang is still downstairs.¡±

    ¡°He came out from the car and is leaning on the car, smoking. The trash can beside him is filled with cigarette butts. He smoked them all...¡±

    Under those words was a video.

    From the thumbnail, Ji Yi already knew that Tang Huahua was recording He Jichen through the window of the dorm with her phone.

    She hesitated for a moment but eventually, she chose to open it.

    It was just as Tang Huahua described in her message. There was He Jichen standing in casual clothes against the head of the car, smoking. His movements looked harsh and impatient as he constructed a text with his other hand.

    The dorm room was on the second floor, so the picture quality on Tang Huahua¡¯s phone was pretty high. Beside him was a trash can filled with cigarette butts. The various long and short cigarettes formed a small mountain.

    His clothes were incredibly wrinkled. It looked like it had been some time since he changed them. His hair was messy and hepletelycked his usual air of elegance.

 Chapter 407

    Chapter 407: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The video was short, so it finished ying shortly after.

    But Ji Yi stared at the motionless video for a long time before she came back to her senses and started to read the messages Tang Huahua sent her.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, even though I don¡¯t know what happened between you guys, I feel like after you¡¯ve calmed down, you should still contact He Xuezhang and have a good talk with him. After all, it¡¯s not possible to have him wait like this forever.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more, Xiao Yi, you¡¯re smarter than I am, so I¡¯m sure you know better than I do that there are some things you just can¡¯t solve by hiding. Besides, you may be able to run from your issues for now, but not forever. If this is going to drag on like this, then why not sort things out now? If you do, Xiao Yi, you¡¯ll realize that you¡¯ll feel a lot more rxed than you do now.¡±

    Ji Yi forcefully pursed her lips then closed Tang Huahua¡¯s chat. She was just about to close WeChat altogether when she saw a messagee in from ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡±

    Just by looking at his name, she became flustered before she even read what he sent.

    Ji Yi hesitated for some time before she finally decided to click his message.

    ¡°Manman, have you been busy for the past two days? Why haven¡¯t you contacted me?¡±

    ¡°Manman, haven¡¯t you finished filming by now? Have you set a good time toe back to Beijing?¡±

    ¡°Manman, I happen to have business in Beijing in a few day¡¯s time, so when you¡¯ve set a date toe back to Beijing, let me know. I¡¯ll check my schedule ande see you then.¡±

    ¡°Manman, did something happen to you? Why are you not replying to my messages?¡±

    ¡°Manman, I¡¯m really worried about you. If you¡¯re in some kind of trouble, you can always ask me for help. I told you before that you¡¯re never alone ¨C you still have me.¡±

    You¡¯re never alone, you still have me... These were the words he told her when she first felt isted and helpless on the set of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± and when she hurt herself to get back at Qian Ge.

    At the time, she was moved as she read those words with a warm heart, but now, she read them with a bone-piercing sense of pain and guilt.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t read any more of ¡°He Yuguang¡¯s¡± message, so she tossed her phone aside and pulled the covers over her head.

    Yeah... Huahua¡¯s right. I¡¯m trying to avoid the situation, but that won¡¯t solve the problem.

    She had to face the music eventually. Even if she had to break it off, it had to be done.

    She was afraid that she was destined to pay back Yuguang Ge for his kindness towards her.

    Even if their marriage was fake, when she had sex with his younger brother as Yuguang Ge¡¯s wife, it was the same as betraying him. This was the irrefutable truth. How could she ever have the face to continue enjoying his kindness towards her?

    Since it was out of her hands now, all she could do was face this cruel situation.

    But he was someone who truly treated her well... No matter if it was when they were young, or now, as adults.

    Since she already made the decision to go through with it, she knew this was what she had to do. But she still felt horrible about going through with it.

    At that thought, Ji Yi balled up, clung onto the pitch-ckforter, and started to cry silently.

    ...

    How did she fall asleepst night? Ji Yi couldn¡¯t remember in the slightest.

    When she woke, the sun outside the window was already shining brightly.

    As soon as she thought about the decision she made before she fell asleep, her heart suddenly started to ache.

 Chapter 408

    Chapter 408: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yiid in bed, staring at the ceiling as she waited motionlessly for the intense pain to subside. Only then did she take off the covers, get out of bed, and walk into the bathroom.

    While sitting on the toilet, she remembered how she didn¡¯t bring anything with her when she left Shanghai in a hurry. Aside from the clothes she had on, she had no other possessions in the hotel she was staying in.

    At that thought, Ji Yi picked up her phone and reached out to her usual clothing store. She requested them to send an outfit over to her.

    She didn¡¯t forget to contact her usual makeup store either and bought some cosmetics to be sent over to the hotel quickly.

    After she hung up the phone, Ji Yi continued to take her time in the bathroom before she stepped out again. Without thinking twice, sheid in bed for an hour until the hotel phone rang.

    It was the front desk. They were confirming whether she ordered clothes and makeup.

    She replied with a ¡°yes.¡±

    Then she put the phone down. About three minutester, the doorbell rang.

    Ji Yi went to open the door.

    A hotel attendant was carrying two bags. ¡°Miss, the things you ordered.¡±

    Ji Yi muttered ¡°thank you¡± as she took them. After the attendant left, she shut the door and went into the bathroom.

    She removed the packaging from the cosmetics and carefully applied some primer in front of the mirror. Then she applied a lightyer of makeup.

    She changed into her new clothes, checked herself in the mirror and confirmed that she looked no different from usual. Then she packed up her few belongings and brought everything downstairs.

    Ji Yi walked up to the front desk, handed them the room key and requested to check out.

    Thedy at the front desk asked for her room number, worked on herputer for some time, then picked up the phone to call housekeeping. Having confirmed that the room was in good order, she then helped Ji Yi check out.

    After Ji Yi finished signing the bill, thedy at the front desk shot her a smile and said, ¡°We wee you to stay with us again.¡± With a soft smile, Ji Yi picked up her things and walked out the door of the hotel.

    At the hotel entrance, Ji Yi pulled out her phone and was about to call a taxi when she caught a glimpse of a figureing towards her from not too far away from the corner of her eye.

    Her fingers hovering over the taxi app suddenly stopped as she stared at the phone screen for a few seconds. Then she slowly looked up to see the red string around the wrist of the person walking her way. Her entire body was frozen on the spot.

    It was He Jichen, whom she ran out on in Shanghai without saying a word and hadn¡¯t seen for two days and nights.

    He was still wearing the same clothes he wore in the video Tang Huahua sent her. His hair was even messier than inst night¡¯s video. Did he not get any shut-eye since she left him? The circles under his eyes were especially dark.

    His face was pale white and his usually clean-shaven chin was covered in stubble.

    He lookedpletely exhausted. He lost his usual arrogant, conceited prince look.

    He Jichen was about a meter away from Ji Yi when he came to a stop.

    Even if it had been just two days and nights without seeing each other, his expression made it seem like it had been a century.

    After his eyes silently scanned her up, down, and all around to confirm that she was alright, he looked into her eyes. His usually clear voice came out unbelievably hoarse: ¡°Xiao Yi.¡±

 Chapter 409

    Chapter 409: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The two simple words he spoke suddenly shook Ji Yi¡¯s heart as she instinctively looked down to avoid his gaze.

    A couple secondster, He Jichen spoke again, ¡°Xiao Yi...¡±

    He called her name just like before, but this time, he didn¡¯t pause for too long and moved his lips again: ¡°...Let¡¯s talk.¡±

    When He Jichen finished speaking, he reached his hand out for the bags Ji Yi was holding.

    Ji Yi instinctively clutched her handbag and paper bag more tightly.

    When she turned on her phonest night but didn¡¯t return any of He Jichen¡¯s calls or messages, he already asked Chen Bai to contact his friends in the police force to pick up Ji Yi¡¯s location from her phone signal.

    At five in the morning, Chen Bai sent him her whereabouts.

    Afraid that she¡¯d leave when she woke up, he didn¡¯t dare waste any time, so he drove right over. He didn¡¯t go anywhere and waited at the entrance.

    He decided that they would have a good talk today, no matter what.

    At that thought, He Jichen¡¯s fingers inched closer to Ji Yi¡¯s bags and he spoke with a stern voice: ¡°Now, let¡¯s find a ce to have a good talk.¡±

    After he said this, He Jichen realized just how forceful he sounded, so he softened his tone a little then added, ¡°Is that okay?¡±

    From beginning till end, Ji Yi had her head lowered and didn¡¯t look at He Jichen. Her grip on her bags never rxed in the slightest.

    In actuality, she wanted to first go home, have a nice meal, get some sleep, and be well-rested before contacting him and Yuguang Ge.

    But, she never imagined that he would actually find her... In any case, she was going to have to talk to him eventually, and since things were like this, there was no point in putting it off...

    Ji Yi contemted it in silence for a moment then gave a gentle nod.

    Seeing her reply, He Jichen reached for the things in her hand.

    Ji Yi hesitated for a moment then released her fingers and let him take them.

    After he took hold of her things, He Jichen turned slightly and pointed at the parked car by the road. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    After he said this, he didn¡¯t walk ahead like before but stood in the back and waited for her to walk in front. Only then did he start walking, making sure to keep half a meter¡¯s distance from her as they reached the car.

    He Jichen first pulled the trunk door open and put Ji Yi¡¯s things inside. Then he pulled the passenger car door open.

    Ji Yi took a seat.

    Before she could settle into her seat, she smelled the strong scent of cigarette smoke which was forced into her nostrils, almost making her cough out loud.

    She furrowed her brows, looked to one side, and noticed the trash can full of cigarette butts of various sizes.

    He couldn¡¯t have smoked all through the entire night yesterday, right?

    Just as Ji Yi felt stunned, He Jichen pulled open his car door and sat inside.

    Ji Yi instinctively withdrew her gaze and looked at her own knees.

    He Jichen started the engine and drove some distance before he said, ¡°Can we go to the Four Seasons Hotel?¡±

    Ji Yi nodded and let out a gentle ¡°Mhm.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything else; the car instantly fell into silence. Through the thick scent of cigarette smoke, Ji Yi felt the atmosphere clearly be stifled, little by little.

 Chapter 410

    Chapter 410: Ji Yi, let¡¯s talk (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At that point, the air in the car became thin.

    Gradually, Ji Yi felt like there was ack of oxygen. Just when her chest started to subtly ache from feeling stifled, the car made an exit. Then it drove around the water fountain in front of the Four Seasons Hotel and stopped right at the entrance of the lobby.

    He Jichen only unfastened his seatbelt when Chen Bai, who was standing at the entrance for who knew how long, walked over to them. He pulled the car door open for Ji Yi. ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi smiled back at Chen Bai and got out of the car.

    She stood by the car as He Jichen walked around the front of the car and over towards her. Instead of handing Chen Bai the car keys, He Jichen gave them to the doorman. He turned his head and said to Ji Yi, ¡°I¡¯m going up to take a shower and get changed. Would you like to head over to the teahouse on the second floor with Chen Bai?¡±

    Ji Yi nodded and replied with an ¡°alright.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say any more.

    But then Chen Bai said, ¡°Mr. He, here are your clothes.¡±

    When He Jichen reached out to take them, his eyes met Chen Bai¡¯s for just one moment.

    Even though He Jichen¡¯s face didn¡¯t reveal any emotions, Chen Bai knew that he wanted him to watch Miss Ji carefully.

    ¡°Mr. He, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take good care of Miss Ji,¡± replied Chen Bai immediately while discreetly reassuring him with his words.

    He Jichen gave a gentle nod and nced at Ji Yi before leaving with: ¡°Wait for me just a while.¡± Then he headed into the hotel lobby first.

    After He Jichen walked some distance away, Chen Bai then smiled brightly at Ji Yi and said, ¡°Miss Ji, let¡¯s go upstairs.¡±

    Ji Yi let out an ¡°Mhm¡± as Chen Bai walked into the hotel lobby and rode the elevator up to the second floor.

    He Jichen must¡¯ve made prior arrangements as Chen Bai already had seats booked. After they came out of the elevator, the two of them walked right into the tea house without being stopped and sat in a spot in front of the tall windows.

    Chen Bai pushed the drink menu over to Ji Yi. ¡°Miss Ji, is there anything you want to drink?¡±

    He Jichen hadn¡¯t arrived yet. Ji Yi shook her head to say ¡°no.¡±

    Chen Bai more or less understood what Ji Yi was thinking, so he shot a smile at the waiter standing next to them. ¡°We¡¯ll order in a bit. Please bring over two sses of lemon water first.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Chen.¡± The waiter nodded with a smile, turned and left.

    The lemon water was quickly brought over. Ji Yi picked it up but only drank just a third of it when she heard the soft voice of a nearby waiter. ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    Ji Yi turned her head and coincidentally locked eyes with He Jichen, who just stepped into the teahouse looking for her.

    The two of them were slightly dazed. He Jichen was the first toe back to his senses as he walked over.

    Chen Bai got up and cried, ¡°Mr. He,¡± as he set aside a seat for him. After He Jichen sat down, Chen Bai then said, ¡°Mr. He, Pu¡¯er as usual?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± replied He Jichen softly. Considering Ji Yi was a woman, dark tea was beneficial in warming up the body well, so he added, ¡°Dark Pu¡¯er.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Chen Bai retreated and shared two words with a waiter nearby. Soon after, the waiter brought over a tea set.

    The waiter didn¡¯t help brew the tea ¨C He Jichen brewed it himself.

    After the water boiled in the ceramic teapot, Ji Yi realized that in the enormous tea house, there was just her and He Jichen in the tea house. There wasn¡¯t another soul in sight.

    Did He Jichen reserve the whole tea house just to chat with me?

    Just as these suspicions formed in Ji Yi¡¯s mind, He Jichen pushed the cup of brewed tea in front of her.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Ji Yi.

 Chapter 411

    Chapter 411: Ah! So, She Was Moved (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything and picked up the teacup. He took a sip then looked down at the red tea for a little while before he set the cup down. He looked up and said, ¡°Ji Yi.¡±

    When she heard this, Ji Yi raised her eyes and looked over at He Jichen.

    Having taken a shower, he looked clean, his hair was smooth, and his handsome features looked like he had emerged from a painting.

    Ji Yi stared nkly for a while then let out a soft ¡°Mhm.¡±

    As though he was contemting how to even start, He Jichen looked like he was in no hurry to speak. After about ten seconds, his beautiful lips started moving. ¡°About what happened that night in Shanghai, I was wrong...¡±

    Ji Yi knew He Jichen wanted to talk about what happened that night, but she never imagined that he¡¯d go straight to the point like that. Her fingertips trembled for a moment, but knowing that he wasn¡¯t finished, she didn¡¯t say a word.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± He Jichen spoke up again.

    On the ne, she remembered every little thing that happened that night.

    Even with a normal, mature man, the same thing would happen if they were faced with an excessively teasing woman.

    So, he wasn¡¯t in the wrong...

    Ji Yi lowered her head and kept quiet for some time before quietly saying, ¡°You can¡¯tpletely me yourself for what happened that night. It was my fault.¡±

    ¡°I was wrong too,¡± said He Jichen.

    The situation had already happened, so it didn¡¯t really matter who was right or wrong. Ji Yi didn¡¯t continue arguing about it with He Jichen and chose to stay quiet.

    Suddenly, the two of them were engulfed in silence.

    Inside, He Jichen went over what he wanted to say.

    Ji Yi sat opposite He Jichen, staring at the steam from the teacups as she recollected everything that happenedst night.

    After about two minutes, He Jichen looked up at Ji Yi, who was mentally preparing herself. Just as she was about to say something, she saw He Jichen¡¯s lips move. ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m willing to take responsibility for what happened that night.¡±

    Ji Yi was stunned.

    She knew he had a woman he liked. Even though she didn¡¯t know her name, she knew that he called her ¡°C girl.¡±

    That night, when they strolled alongside West Lake, she saw just how strongly he felt about ¡°C girl.¡±

    After they slept together four years ago, he said such hurtful things to her. Although she might not have known why, when she learned that he liked someone, she realized that his anger might¡¯ve been due to betrayal to ¡°C girl.¡±

    So, after the same thing happened four yearster, she never imagined that he would say that he was willing to take responsibility.

    Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t react, He Jichen thought maybe she didn¡¯t hear what he said. ¡°I¡¯m willing to take responsibility,¡± he repeated.

    As his voice rang out, he looked unusually sincere. ¡°If you¡¯re willing, Xiao Yi, I¡¯m willing to take responsibility.¡±

    Responsibility... After hearing the word ¡°responsibility¡± twice, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled as she snapped back to her senses.

    He really did say ¡°responsibility¡±... He wants to take responsibility... For any man with a sense of responsibility, it¡¯s the most respectful thing to say after having sex with someone. However, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure what was wrong with her; with that one word, her heart skipped a beat for some reason.

    He Jichen waited a long time, but seeing as she still didn¡¯t react, he spoke again. ¡°Ji Yi?¡±

 Chapter 412

    Chapter 412: Ah! So, She Was Moved (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice, Ji Yi realized just how deeply his one line affected her. She hastily gulped and pushed down the surging emotions in her chest. As she forced herself toe back to her senses, she looked at He Jichen and said, ¡°Although it wasn¡¯t your fault that night, I¡¯m really grateful you said you¡¯ll take responsibility. But I¡¯m sorry...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish speaking, she felt like something was forcefully clutching her heart as a ravaging, raw pain started to creep into her chest.

    Her fingers instinctively grasped the table, and she struggled to look and sound calm. She continued to say, ¡°...He Jichen, I can¡¯t ept it.¡±

    Yes... I can¡¯t ept it, nor can I ept it...

    This is obviously how I feel, but why does my heart hurt even more intensely after I said it?

    It hurts even more thanst night when I decided to end things with He Yuguang...

    Ji Yi was in pain for so long that she didn¡¯t dare to breathe in fear of identally losing it in front of He Jichen. However, even though she worked really, really hard to restrain herself, her fingertips still started to tremble softly.

    She assumed this unbearable pain would only hurt for a while before subsiding, but she never imagined that the pain would actually grow more intense. It coursed from her chest, into her blood and into every corner of her body.

    How weird! Why am I so hurt? Last night, I was hurt because I cared about Yuguang Ge and liked him, but even now, I¡¯m hurt...

    As that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, her mind suddenly went nk.

    She stayed frozen for about half a minute like her pressure points had been hit. Her long eyshes blinked gently, and she came to a realization that was undeniable. Each and every word leaped into her mind: I might feel a little moved by him.

    Three months ago, she clearly hated him to the bone, wanted nothing more than to never cross paths with him.

    Since when did that all change?

    Was it when I saw the anxiety in his eyes and knew he was worried for me when I hurt myself to frame Qian Ge?

    Was it when I heard him say ¡°Can you give me a hug?¡± after I was possessed and brought up egg-fried-rice for him, seeing that he hadn¡¯t eaten?

    Was it that night when I finally understood him after Fatty told me everything about him over dinner by West Lake?

    Was it the following morning when he put three contracts in front of me and asked if I was willing to trust him?

    Just when did I start to have feelings for him?

    Ji Yi tried hard to think of an answer, but she couldn¡¯t find one. However, she knew that no matter how unwilling she was, no matter how much she didn¡¯t want to face the music, she couldn¡¯t help but admit that she was emotionally moved by him.

    No wonder she couldn¡¯t help but feel rattled after they became friends and her heart raced whenever their eyes met. No wonder she drank because she was upset by Xia Yuan¡¯s appearance and no wonder that, when she was a drunken mess, she did some iprehensible things. She even kissed him...

    Ah! So, I¡¯m emotionally moved by him...

    Even though she never felt like she was moved by him before, her actions seemed to have silently betrayed her true feelings inside.

 Chapter 413

    Chapter 413: Ah! So, She Was Moved (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    But, don¡¯t I like Yuguang Ge? How could I have feelings for He Jichen?

    When a person truly likes someone, wouldn¡¯t they avoid liking anyone else?

    How could He Jichen enter my heart if I already have Yuguang Ge?

    Could it be that one of those feelings is an illusion?

    Ji Yi instinctively pursed her lips and thought it over seriously in her mind.

    If she didn¡¯t have He Yuguang in her life, her heart would ache. Without He Jichen, she would be in pain too.

    This meant she cared about both men.

    What¡¯s wrong with me? How can I have feelings for both men?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart felt iparably flustered.

    Sitting opposite her, He Jichen was instantly immersed in her reply: ¡°I can¡¯t ept it.¡±

    Earlier that evening, when he couldn¡¯t control himself and slept with her, he already wanted to take responsibility then.

    He knew deep down that maybe she didn¡¯t need him to take responsibility, especially since she hid from him when she woke up the following day. He knew this in his heart, yet he was still insistent on looking for her to tell her that he wanted to take responsibility.

    But just as he expected, she rejected him...

    He Jichen¡¯s gaze fell as he hid the darkness in his eyes. He waited until the anguish in his heart disappeared before saying, ¡°Is it because of my older brother?¡±

    He Jichen spoke so suddenly that he startled Ji Yi. Her fingertips trembled reflexively as she realized that her mind had wandered throughout their conversation.

    There were some things he didn¡¯t dare ask, for fear that he wouldn¡¯t be able to face the answer.

    But in that very moment, he couldn¡¯t not ask.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t dare look up to meet Ji Yi¡¯s gaze as he was afraid that he wouldn¡¯t be able to suppress the anguish and sorrow. ¡°Is it because you guys got fake married, or because...¡±

    Before He Jichen could finish, he felt a stifling pain in his chest which made it difficult for him to breathe. ¡°... many years passed and you still like him?¡±

    If it was just because she and He Yuguang were fake married, he didn¡¯t need to take responsibility and the solution would be easy. He could tell her that the person she fake-married wasn¡¯t his older brother, but it was him. However, if she still liked his older brother... He Jichen stopped at that, as he didn¡¯t dare continue with that thought.

    If he didn¡¯t notice that I was moved by him ten minutes ago, he¡¯ll definitely know by my reply.

    But now, having realized that there were two men in her heart, Ji Yi didn¡¯t know how to answer him.

    She liked Yuguang Ge, and her feelings were pure.

    She was moved by He Jichen too, but she couldn¡¯t like him freely because she liked Yuguang Ge.

    Judging by the way she was now, she wasn¡¯t worthy of liking Yuguang Ge, nor was she worthy of He Jichen¡¯s responsibility.

    So, I have to uphold the decision I madest night... I can¡¯t hesitate anymore. Even if I¡¯m in pain, all I can do is endure it. Who told me to let my love life get to such an absurd state!

    I brought all this upon myself and I can¡¯t me anyone!

    At that thought, Ji Yi gulped hard and bluntly ignored He Jichen¡¯s question. With her calmest demeanor, she said, ¡°He Jichen, let¡¯s pretend what happenedst night never happened.¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, her hands involuntarily balled up into fists.

    To prevent her voice from cracking and to soothe her aching heart, she dug her fingernails into her palms hard to mask her pain.

 Chapter 414

    Chapter 414: Ah! So, She Was Moved (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°It was aplete misunderstanding. Just like four years ago, I got drunk.¡±

    ¡°So, let¡¯s forget aboutst night and that night four years ago!¡±

    Ji Yi felt her body go numb. She felt like she might as well die from the pain. I deserve this! Who told me to be half-hearted and care about someone else while liking another person?!

    Pretend like it never happened. Aplete misunderstanding... That night, He Jichen used all his love and affection on Ji Yi and with her in his arms, he slept the most peaceful sleep he¡¯d had in the past few years. To him, it was a precious night, but to her, it was a mistake she hoped never happened.

    What¡¯s more, she said it was just like four years ago... she got drunk... was anything different? Did she mistake me for He Yuguang again?

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply to his earlier questions, but he didn¡¯t dare ask anymore.

    She said to forget it. How could she forget every little thing between them that he started gathering in his heart since watching the silhouette of her back that first time, so many years ago?

    As she said this, Ji Yi felt like she was speaking something she knew by heart. ¡°What¡¯s more, you have a woman you like, so it¡¯s best to just pretend likest night didn¡¯t happen.¡±

    The woman I like is her... As that thought surfaced in his mind, He Jichen heard Ji Yi speak again. ¡°If you¡¯re willing, we can continue to be friends, but if you think things will be awkward after what happened, let¡¯s keep our distance as a boss and his employee...¡±

    Keep a distance... he worked so hard to be friends with her, but now everything had to go back to square one?

    He wanted to tell her that he liked her... But at Ji Yi¡¯sst few words, he didn¡¯t dare to say anything.

    He loved her, but he was afraid to tell her.

    He was afraid that after his confession, it would mean farewell. He was afraid that she wouldn¡¯t even give him the chance to be friends... He was just that pathetic. In a world where he loved her, he was a coward, an incredible weakling.

    Compared to not having her as his lover, he was more afraid of losing her altogether.

    Meanwhile, music had been ying in the tea house all this time.

    After the previous song ended, the tea house fell silent for about five seconds, and a new song started. At the same time. the two of them happened to immerse themselves in the familiar melody and lyrics.

    The song ying in the tea house was the same song he sang on her birthday: ¡°Within Your Radius.¡±

    As the song reached the lyrics: ¡°It feels stifling, there¡¯s no meaning in forcing it. I¡¯m not considered selfish, and I¡¯m learning ever more that loving you is my business...¡± He Jichen snapped back to his senses.

    That night when they had dinner at Lou Wailou, if he hadn¡¯t happened to stop Fatty, Fatty would¡¯ve already told Ji Yi that she was the ¡°C girl¡± that He Jichen created such an uproar to search for back then.

    Fatty asked He Jichen why he didn¡¯t want his secret revealed, and He Jichen said he was afraid that by confessing to her, it might cause trouble for her.

    On his journey down a path with Ji Yi, he really had learned more and more. In this very moment, he never thought about forcing her. He knew that it was only his business to love her, yet he still racked his brain for a long time before he said another thing he was holding back. ¡°But that night, I didn¡¯t have protection. You might get pregnant, so do you really...¡±

    He Jichen paused for a moment and after a short while, he finished his sentence. ¡°...not need me to take responsibility?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t get pregnant.¡±

    Just as He Jichen was about to say, ¡°what if,¡± Ji Yi spoke again. ¡°I took the morning after pill.¡±

 Chapter 415

    Chapter 415: Ah! So, She Was Moved (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen instantly froze.

    His mind waspletely nk for half a minute before he realized what Ji Yi just said.

    She took the morning after pill...

    She took the morning after pill...

    She took the morning after pill...

    Those six simple words repeatedly echoed in his mind before he realized what they meant.

    As there were too many risks rted to the night they spent together, Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to face the same consequences as four years ago, so she took the pill right after they had sex... To her, that night really was a mistake, an ident...

    He Jichen sat quietly in his chair, staring at the cold tea before him with a nk, unreadable expression on his face.

    He could clearly see the radiant sky through the window, yet in that very moment, it felt like darkness was going toe crashing down on him.

    In the tea house, there were no other sounds aside from the faint sound of singing.

    After Ji Yi lost track of the number of times she heard the words ¡°I would rather stay within your radius,¡± she couldn¡¯t take it anymore. Her head bolted up, and without looking at He Jichen¡¯s face, she said, ¡°I¡¯ve said what I wanted to say. If you have nothing else to add, I¡¯ll be off then.¡±

    With his eyes lowered, He Jichen didn¡¯t move an inch and looked as though he hadn¡¯t heard anything she said.

    Everything would¡¯ve been alright if this particr song wasn¡¯t ying, but upon hearing this song, Ji Yi realized that she felt worse. She was afraid she was going to cry uncontrobly any moment, so she forced herself to hold it in for half a minute in her seat. Seeing as He Jichen wasn¡¯t going to say anything, she took this as his silent eptance. She got up and left without turning around or saying goodbye. Ji Yi darted out of the tea house.

    Chen Bai was sitting on a chair outside the tea house while ying on his phone. When he heard the sound of high heelsing from behind, he immediately turned his head. When he saw Ji Yi hurriedlying out, he bolted up. ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi heard Chen Bai, but she didn¡¯t stop to reply. She didn¡¯t even nce at him and darted quickly towards the elevator. Without hesitation, she pressed the elevator button, stepped in, and headed downstairs.

    The second after she left the Four Seasons Hotel, Ji Yi¡¯s vision was immediately blurred by her tears.

    She hurriedly walked over to the side of the road and tried to hail a taxi.

    It was only after she got into the car and told the driver her home address that she realized her voice sounded like she was crying.

    She pretended as though she hadn¡¯t seen the odd look on the driver¡¯s face and tried hard to suppress the urge to cry. She raised her hands to wipe the tears from her eyes.

    The Four Seasons Hotel was close to her home; the car reached the entrance about fifteen minutester.

    She paid the taxi fare and darted out of the car.

    In one breath, she charged into her house, kicked off her shoes, pounced onto her bed and started to cry.

    She cried and cried.

    She felt like her heart was being brutally strangled byrge hands; the pain was unbearable.

    How could I have two people in my heart?

    How could I be such a fickle woman?

    I, like this, am unclean, imperfect, unbnced. Just who could I ever be worthy of?

    If Ji Yi hadn¡¯t reunited with He Yuguang, how great would that have been? Then the confused feelings she had from when she was younger would be long gone. If she hadn¡¯t met him again, then today, she could¡¯ve agreed for He Jichen to take responsibility. Then she could go with what her heart wanted and like him, fall in love with him...

 Chapter 416

    Chapter 416: Ah! So, She Was Moved (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Or... how great would it have been if she and He Jichen had never worked on the same set? That way, she would never have to hurt herself to get revenge on Qian Ge; she would never have seen the dread in his eyes; their rtionship would never have improved; she would never have truly understood him; she would never have agreed to go back to how things were; moreover, she would never have developed feelings for him, and they would never have had drunken sex...

    If only, and that¡¯s a big ¡°if¡± ...

    Ji Yiid spread out on the bed, crying more and more violently. She cried till her entire body started to twitch and she couldn¡¯t breathe.

    As she clutched her chest with her hand, she couldn¡¯t help but tightly grasp onto her clothes. The sheer force she used made her fingertips turn white.

    ¨C

    Four Seasons Hotel.

    Slightly stunned, Chen Bai stared at Ji Yi¡¯s back as she left in a hurry. After he came back to his senses, the elevator had long reached the first floor.

    Why did Miss Ji leave in such a hurry? Did she and Mr. He not manage to talk things through?

    A terrible feeling came over Chen Bai as he stood quietly on the spot for some time before he turned around and headed into the tea room.

    With Ji Yi gone, there was just He Jichen left in the room. Standing at the entrance, Chen Bai immediately saw He Jichen sitting by the window.

    The man¡¯s head was down and half his face was hidden in the shadows, which made it difficult to see his expression. One of his hands was casually hung over a chair, while the other was on the table. His fingers gently held a teacup.

    His posture looked serene and Chen Bai couldn¡¯t tell if he was sad or happy.

    Chen Bai walked over to him and softly cried, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t sure if He Jichen was deep in thought or not, but he didn¡¯t reply. His entire body was motionless.

    Chen Bai realized that it had been about two or three minutes since he first appeared at the door, walked over to He Jichen, and spoke to him. In all that time, He Jichen was as still as a statue. Not only did his body not flinch in the slightest, but his eyshes didn¡¯t even blink at all.

    Chen Bai tried to call He Jichen again, but seeing as he didn¡¯t make a sound, Chen Bai took two steps back and silently stood beside him.

    Time went by slowly, and the sunlight outside the windows became brighter. Seeing as it was almost midday and their reservation wasing to an end, the manager of the tea room walked over to them. ¡°Mr. He, it¡¯s about time. May I ask if we can let other customers in now?¡±

    He Jichen remained just as silent as when Chen Bai first saw him; he didn¡¯t react to the manager¡¯s question, just like how he didn¡¯t react to Chen Bai¡¯s prompting earlier.

    ¡°Mr. He...¡± repeated the manager after he noticed that He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything. This time, before the manager could finish, Chen Bai knew He Jichen wasn¡¯t going to reply to him, so he walked up to the manager and patted his shoulder. Chen Bai pointed out the door, signaling for them to talk.

    Chen Bai renegotiated the price with the manager, and after the manager left, Chen Bai didn¡¯t go back into the tea room. Instead, he leaned back against the door frame, pulled out his phone and started ying on it.

    The beaming sun slowly transitioned into the red setting sun, then little by little, it fell to the west. Along the way, Chen Bai¡¯s phone ran out of battery, and the manager of the tea room came over twice. Even after night had fallen and neon lights lit up the streets outside the windows, He Jichen maintained his initial, motionless posture.

    The lights in the tea room with ancient Chinese furnishings quietly enveloped He Jichen and surrounded his body with a ring of light.

 Chapter 417

    Chapter 417: Ah! So, She Was Moved (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Although He Jichen clearly kept the same silent and emotionless demeanor, for some inexplicable reason, Chen Bai felt a faint sense of anguish emitting little by little from He Jichen¡¯s body and intertwining with the ring of light around him.

    In that second, a thought suddenly drifted into Chen Bai¡¯s mind that perfectly described He Jichen at this moment in time: Quietness is the most silent form of crying.

    This man may look quiet and peaceful like he¡¯s fine, but deep down inside, tears are falling.

    I fear that silent sadness is the most distressing.

    Outside the window, the dark of the night gradually deepened.

    Having forgotten to put on his watch as he rushed out the door that morning, Chen Bai wasn¡¯t sure what time it was with his phone switched off. All he knew was that when the whole city fell silent, an unusually ear-piercing notification was heard from He Jichen¡¯s vicinity.

    From the time Ji Yi left in the early afternoon till now, He Jichen¡¯s phone rang more than once, but he never reacted. But when this other phone rang, his fingers around the teacup suddenly trembled and the cold tea spilled over the back of his hand.

    He left the mess alone and with his other hand around the chair, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an old phone.

    Chen Bai furrowed his brows and couldn¡¯t help but feel curious.

    What¡¯s with Mr. Hetely? Instead of using his new phone, he takes out that outdated phone every night and messes around with it...

    While Chen Bai was lost in his own thoughts, a bleak look came across He Jichen¡¯s face. He stared at the screen for a long while then pulled his gaze away and stared out the window. Then his brows tightened like he was caught in some kind of inner struggle. Eventually, a look of agony crept onto his face.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know just how long she¡¯d been crying; all she knew was that she cried until she was exhausted. She didn¡¯t even have the strength to flip around.

    She figured that she might as welly there stiffly, staring up at the ceiling nkly.

    She didn¡¯t know how much time had passed, but the color on the ceiling turned darker until Ji Yi could see nothing at all.

    Like before, she didn¡¯t react and simplyid there in a daze until she couldn¡¯t take it anymore. She climbed out of bed to use the bathroom.

    She hadid in bed all day without doing a thing, yet she came to discover that her entire body was exhausted; she had no strength left.

    As she came out from the bathroom, she didn¡¯t go back to bed. Instead, she stared out at the pitch-ck sky out the window for a while then slowly let out an ¡°oh¡± in her mind. She thought: Ah, so it¡¯s already dark.

    With her parents abroad and being home alone, Ji Yi was hungry from having not eaten all day. After she headed downstairs to the kitchen to find something to fill her up, Ji Yi nced over at the wall clock on her way out the living room. It was already ten in the evening.

    She returned to the bedroom, walked over to a chair and took a seat. After staring out at the dark sky out the window for a long time, she withdrew her gaze and stared at the phone that was tossed to one side. A whileter, she reached out to pick it up.

    After she left He Jichen earlier that afternoon, she cried all that she could cry and felt all the agony possible. Now, she should do what she had to do.

    Ji Yi unlocked the phone, opened WeChat and found He Yuguang¡¯s name. After she clicked into their chat, she stared at the screen in a daze for a while then pursed her lips as though she¡¯d made up her mind about something. She raised her fingertips and started to type away.

 Chapter 418

    Chapter 418: Ah! So, She Was Moved (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Yuguang Ge, I¡¯m sorry. Something has been wrong with my phone the past two days. It should be fixed now.¡±

    She didn¡¯t want him to know what happened between her and He Jichen because she was afraid the news would be upsetting and hard to take.

    After all, they were married and he treated her so well. She couldn¡¯t help but care for his dignity.

    Ji Yi thought up an excuse for not keeping in contact the past two days then her fingers continued to type away on the keyboard non-stop.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already returned to Beijing. When are youing? I¡¯m not busy these days, so whenever you¡¯re free...¡±

    As Ji Yi typed this, she started to feel a dull pain in her heart. She even had to stop what she was doing because of the pain in her fingers. After some time, she gritted her teeth and endured the pain as she typed thest few words: ¡°...let¡¯s meet up.¡±

    ¨C

    After she silently left Shanghai two days ago, He Jichen called and texted her so many times. He even asked Cheng Weiwan and other people on the production crew to contact her. He thought she was hiding from only him and not others... yet she didn¡¯t reply to anyone.

    If he hadn¡¯t turned up at her hotel entrance and waited for her, he probably still wouldn¡¯t have any news about her.

    And yet, she replied to He Yuguang.

    Just as he was desperately and helplessly searching for her, he put his final hopes on He Yuguang, hoping that he could find out where she was, considering that he was the person she liked and cared about.

    Heaven knew just how conflicted his heart felt when he picked up He Yuguang¡¯s phone to text her. He was afraid she¡¯d reply to He Yuguang and see the difference between him and He Yuguang. He was also afraid that she wouldn¡¯t reply and was worried for her safety.

    Deep in Ji Yi¡¯s heart, He Yuguang must be really, really important. She found an excuse to exin why she lost contact with him the past two days and agreed to meet him in Beijing.

    But what about me?

    Inparison to his conversation with her earlier that afternoon, he learned just how big the difference was between him and He Yuguang in her world.

    He was crazy over her in the past. He felt betrayed and hysterically hurt her along with himself. He matured for her and changed, just to stay by her side as a friend. After trying hard for so long, he was never able to reach her side. Did that mean they truly weren¡¯t meant to be together?

    He didn¡¯t believe in destiny, but at this very moment, he started to believe it a little.

    He really wanted to be with her. If fate meant for Ji Yi to only like He Yuguang, didn¡¯t that mean he could...

    A colossal thought unexpectedly came into He Jichen¡¯s mind.

    How could I stoop to such a crazy thought?

    He only started to act as his older brother to get close to her... Now, he actually wanted to use He Yuguang¡¯s identity to be with her forever.

    Do I like her and want to spend my life with her that much?

    But it really was a great way.

    Even though it was a little hard to take, it would allow him to have her; he could possess her. He could tell her what was on his mind, even if this meant she¡¯d never know that the person who truly loved her was He Jichen, not He Yuguang.

    At that thought, He Jichen looked back and stared at the ck screen for a moment. Then he unlocked the screen and replied: ¡°I¡¯ll be in Beijing in the next two days.¡±

 Chapter 419

    Chapter 419: Ah! So, She Was Moved (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After the message was sent, He Jichen thought about it and added: ¡°How about we meet in the evening in two day¡¯s time?¡±

    Perhaps he took too long to reply to her since Ji Yi¡¯s reply appeared on his screen almost an entire ten minutester. ¡°Alright, Yuguang Ge. See you the day after tomorrow.¡±

    At this moment, it wasn¡¯t a good time for He Jichen to talk to Ji Yi like he normally would or use He Yuguang¡¯s identity to chat casually. His fingers quickly tapped the screen twice and he hastily ended their conversation. ¡°Manman, I have some work to do and it¡¯ste. Get some rest. See you the day after tomorrow. Good night.¡±

    ¡°Good night.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s reply came soon after. He Jichen cradled the phone as he stared out the window.

    He still liked her, ardently and clumsily. He liked her so much that he¡¯d give her everything even if he had nothing.

    He liked her so much that he was willing to ept her love and spend the rest of his life with her using the identity of the man she liked. He was willing to silently watch as he, who loved her the most, slowly died.

    Silent heartbreak exuded from his body and filled the air.

    His eyes were filled with sadness, hurt and even helplessness.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi thought He Yuguang would meet up with her at a ssy restaurant for dinner like usual, but to her surprise, he sent her a message at five in the afternoon that day. ¡°I¡¯m sending a driver to pick you up at eight. Remember to eat at home before youe out.¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t annoyed, but she figured that He Yuguang probably had too many dinners and couldn¡¯t make the time. He could probably only have supper with her, so she didn¡¯t think too much of it and replied with a single word, ¡°Okay.¡±

    Ji Yi was ready by seven fifty in the evening. Twirling around in front of the tall mirror in her bedroom, she checked to confirm that there weren¡¯t any problems with her outfit then picked up her bag and headed downstairs.

    She crouched down in front of the shoe cab and chose two pairs of shoes that matched her dress. After thinking it over, she chose a pair with shorter heels.

    19:57: Ji Yi left the house.

    The car that He Jichen booked had been waiting downstairs for a long time now.

    In the afternoon, He Yuguang texted Ji Yi with the car¡¯s license te. She took the elevator and reached the first floor where she stepped out of the building and saw the car waiting to pick her up.

    The driver must¡¯ve seen a photo of her because he immediately got out of the car when he recognized her. Then the driver helped open her door.

    Ji Yi realized that He Yuguang still hadn¡¯t told her where they were going to meet, bute to think about it... the driver probably knew. She didn¡¯t say anything but sat quietly in the car as she let the driver speed through the streets of Beijing.

    About half an hourter, Ji Yi incidentally caught a nce of thendscape out the window and realized they had left downtown. Her brows couldn¡¯t help but furrow gently.

    Where¡¯s He Yuguang meeting me? Why are we all the way in the Western Hills?

    ¡°Where are we going?¡±

    When the driver heard Ji Yi, he shot her a smile through the rearview mirror. ¡°Miss Ji, you¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡±

    Ji Yi figured that He Yuguang must¡¯ve told the driver in advance not to tell her. She assumed he wouldn¡¯t say anything even if she asked again, so she shut her mouth.

    The car continued to drive for about ten minutes. It drove up and stopped halfway up a mountain.

    The driver got out and helped Ji Yi pull open the car door. ¡°We¡¯re here, Miss Ji.¡±

 Chapter 420

    Chapter 420: Ah! So, She Was Moved (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Thanks,¡± said Ji Yi as she got out of the car.

    After she found her feet, the driver pointed over at the bend nearby. ¡°Miss Ji, Mr. He asked if you could please wait over there for a moment.¡±

    Why did He Yuguang ask me to meet half-way up a mountain in the middle of nowhere at night?

    Ji Yi was suspicious at heart, but she still shot the driver a smile. ¡°Got it, thanks.¡±

    ¡°Then, Miss Ji, please take a seat. I¡¯ll head down now and wait for you,¡± said the driver.

    ¡°Alright.¡± Ji Yi nodded.

    The driver courteously bowed at Ji Yi then turned to get into the car after saying goodbye.

    When the car started, the car lights lit up the area half-way up the mountain.

    The summery mountainndscape was beautiful with luscious trees and rich wildflowers in bloom.

    Soon enough, the car made a turn not too far up ahead, then followed the path down the mountain.

    The entire area instantly fell pitch-ck. It was rtively quiet on the mountain, and subtle sounds now seemed unusually loud. The car had driven off for quite some time now, yet Ji Yi could still hear the faint sound of the car.

    Ji Yi stood still in the same spot where she got off the car for a short while before she reached for her phone and used the light to guide her to the bench.

    About two minutester, the sound of the carpletely disappeared and the atmosphere instantly fell quiet.

    The night breeze blew gently as the tree leaves rustled. Wave upon wave of an intense floral scent made its way into Ji Yi¡¯s nostrils.

    Ji Yi was the only one in the area. It was pitch-ck all around her and aside from the endless sounds of insects, she couldn¡¯t hear anything else. Seeing as Yuguang still hadn¡¯t appeared, Ji Yi¡¯s heart grew apprehensive, so she grabbed her phone and prepared to send him a message to ask for his whereabouts. Just as she opened WeChat, she saw a light in the corner of her eye not too far away.

    Ji Yi instinctively looked up and saw a blurry ball of fire glowing from the foot of the mountain.

    Before she could figure out what those balls of fire were, she saw several more balls of fireing into her field of sight.

    Those balls of fire glowed a golden-yellow yet orangey light, which looked shockingly beautiful in the pitch-ck sky.

    Ji Yi stared for a good while before she called herself stupid and realized they were skynterns.

    As the first skyntern came into view and rose higher and higher, Ji Yi started to notice numerous skynterns at the foot of the mountain drifting up to the sky.

    With her own eyes, she soon saw the entire sky filled with skynterns.

    It was a magnificent sight to behold; so beautiful and stunning that it took Ji Yi¡¯s breath away.

    She raised her head and stared at the rising skynterns for some time before she took out her phone to take a photo.

    She chose all different angles and took about five or six photos when her phone rang. A message jumped onto the screen from ¡°He Yuguang¡±: ¡°Manman, do you like it?¡±

    Ji Yi was tempted to take another photo, but then she suddenly stopped.

    Yuguang Ge¡¯s asking if I like it?

    By this, does that mean he¡¯s the one who filled the sky with skynterns?

    Did he ask the driver to mysteriously take me there just to give me this stunning sight?

 Chapter 421

    Chapter 421: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s lips quivered. Before she could put her phone away, she heard ¡°tap tap tap¡± soundsing from beside her.

    It was the tapping sounds of a keyboard on a phone...

    Ji Yi instinctively turned her head and looked over to see He Yuguang sitting in the empty seat beside her. He had his head down, concentrating on typing.

    Ji Yi was stunned.

    When did Yuguang Ge turn up? How did I not sense a thing?

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯te to her senses when her phone rang in her palms. She blinked in bewilderment as she slowly turned away from ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s side profile and looked at her phone screen. Then the words he just typed came into view: ¡°Do you know what day it is on the lunar calendar?¡±

    Ji Yi always used the Gregorian calendar and rarely took note of the lunar calendar, so she was confused for a few seconds. Then she hurriedly opened the calendar on her phone.

    May tenth of the lunar calendar.

    Sitting next to Ji Yi, He Jichen watched all her movements. Without waiting for her to reply, he started to type on the keyboard: ¡°Do you still remember the first year of high school, when Jichen drove us to Sucheng¡¯s Jixian district?¡±

    Reading that line, Ji Yi remembered.

    At the time, she and He Jichen weren¡¯t close. There was a Xianxia TV series that was really popr at the time that had a sky filled with skynterns when the main female and male characters reunited.

    The scene was incredibly beautiful. After she saw it, it was all that was on her mind. She often brought it up with He Yuguang. Later, it wasn¡¯t clear who told He Yuguang, but he found out there was an annual skyntern festival on May tenth that was two hundred meters from Sucheng in Jixian. Many people went to release skynterns that day. They wrote their wishes on them, released them into the sky, and prayed for their wishes toe true.

    Because it was too far and it was at night, nor was it good for them to stay overnight, her grandma and He Bomu didn¡¯t allow them to go.

    At the time, He Jichen wasn¡¯t even eighteen yet. He didn¡¯t have a driver¡¯s license, but he already knew how to drive. The night before, he stole He Bofu¡¯s car keys. The next day, it snowed as she and He Yuguang secretly rushed over to Jixian.

    The journey took at least four hours. When they made it to Jixian, it was already eight in the evening and there was just half an hour left till it was time to release the skynterns.

    Not having eaten yet, the three of them rushed to Jixian in time to release their own skynterns.

    That night, the sky over the town of Jixian and the remote area half-way up the mountain were covered in skynterns just for a moment.

    Ji Yi stared up at the stunning, breathtaking picture of the sky with boundless joy as she turned around endlessly.

    Wherever she went, He Yuguang was by her side.

    Whereas He Jichen looked tired from driving and he sat down on a rock with a bleak expression on his face. He looked as though he wasn¡¯t the least bit interested in the view Ji Yi was admiring.

    After the skyntern festival ended, they went back on the road overnight. Like before, Ji Yi was excited.

    He Jichen sat in the front, concentrating on driving, and she sat in the back with He Yuguang. She started to talk about how she definitely had to see an amazing view like this seven yearster when she graduated from university.

    Come to think of it, it had been seven whole years since she said that. If she hadn¡¯t been in aa for three years, then now, she would¡¯ve been about to graduate from university.

    Thinking back to it, Ji Yi softly said to ¡°He Yuguang,¡± ¡°So, Yuguang Ge, you asked to meet me here because of that night, seven years ago?¡±

 Chapter 422

    Chapter 422: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When He Jichen heard Ji Yi say this, he looked down. He gently tapped the keyboard and he sent just one word to her phone: ¡°Mhm.¡±

    That simple word let Ji Yi know that the beautiful scene captivating her was specifically prepared for her.

    Ah... Seven years. Seven years had passed, yet Yuguang Ge actually remembered.

    All of a sudden, intense emotions bubbled up in her heart. After some time, Ji Yi forced herself to speak. ¡°It¡¯s been so many years ¨C I never thought Yuguang Ge would still remember such a thing.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t He Yuguang who remembered, it was He Jichen... He remembered every little thing about Ji Yi¡¯s younger-self very clearly.

    Just like her first year of high school. They weren¡¯t close, but he came home as soon as school ended every day because he knew she would oftene to his house.

    He actually stayed at home for her, but every time she visited, he pretended that he didn¡¯t care in the slightest and yed video games.

    When she was at his house, he would pay attention to her every word and movement, so he often overheard her telling Yuguang Ge how she hoped to see a sky covered in skynterns. Then he started to search online and found out about Jixian¡¯s skyntern festival. Since they weren¡¯t close, there was no natural way of inviting her, so he told He Yuguang about it.

    On the way back from Jixian, she said that she definitely wanted to see a spectacr view like that again seven yearster when she graduated from university.

    Even though he didn¡¯t utter a word to her and He Yuguang on the drive, he constantly caught nces of Ji Yi through the side mirror.

    He saw He Yuguang gesture to her in signnguage: ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go with you in seven years.¡±

    As He Yuguang couldn¡¯t talk, she understood basic signnguage, so she nodded cheerfully and said, ¡°Okay, okay, Yuguang Ge, let¡¯s meet seven yearster to watch the skynterns together!¡±

    At the time, he really thought the trip was worth it because she was so happy seeing such beautiful scenery. It was onlyter that he realized her happiness back then was because of He Yuguang¡¯s promise to see it with her.

    He Jichen returned from his wandering thoughts and started to type on the phone: ¡°I promised you that we would see the skynterns together seven yearster, but it was such a shame that many people were burned by Jixian¡¯s skynterns a couple years ago. The festival¡¯s been canceled now, so I carried out the promise I made seven years ago to you here.¡±

    Yeah, he really did promise her, but it was a one-sided promise to her that he made deep down inside.

    At the time, he watched her chatting to He Yuguang as he drove. He Jichen secretly thought to himself that in seven year¡¯s time, no matter if He Yuguang remembered or not, he would definitely take Ji Yi to see the skynterns again.

    Seven yearster, even if he had to do so under the identity of the man she liked, he fulfilled that seven-year-old promise he made to her.

    This time, ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s text message was a little long, so Ji Yi took some time to read it.

    He remembered such a careless promise he made when they were young, just like... He Jichen. By West Lake, she randomly told him that when women are upset, he should use lipstick to cheer them up. That night when she got drunk, after she told him that he upset her, he really prepared a room filled with lipstick.

    Her emotionally touched mood fell to rock bottom when He Jichen suddenly popped into her mind.

 Chapter 423

    Chapter 423: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    If things were how they were before, she could let herself bepletely happy, but now... The more He Yuguang treated her well, the more torturous it felt for her.

    She and Yuguang Ge hadn¡¯t seen each other for three months now. Now after meeting again, he created such a beautiful scene for her, but what about her?

    She actually had sex with his younger brother while being married to him, and she even had feelings for his younger brother too...

    Ji Yi stared at the rising skynterns that looked like little stars. Her heart started to ache.

    She didn¡¯t say anything and he didn¡¯t a word; silence fell in this spot midway up the mountain.

    A gust of the evening wind drifted past, blowing Ji Yi¡¯s long hair across his face. The itchy sensation was coupled with an intoxicating scent.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers around his phone couldn¡¯t help but rx as he finally turned to look at Ji Yi.

    She raised her head and looked up at the skynterns in the night sky. It wasn¡¯t clear what she was thinking about.

    With the dim lights beside them, he could see the unbelievably bright glow of the skyntern-filled sky reflected in her eyes.

    His heart trembled gently.

    As long as he was prepared to confess his deep love for her with his older brother¡¯s identity and ept Ji Yi¡¯s love for his brother, then perhaps he could spend his whole life with her...

    My whole life... Three captivating words...

    He Jichen¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down as he continued to stare at Ji Yi for a while. Then he withdrew his gaze and stared up at the floating skynterns in the distance for a moment. In the end, he couldn¡¯t resist the temptation and picked up his phone. He typed something and sent it to Ji Yi: ¡°Manman...¡±

    When she felt the vibration in her palms, Ji Yi suddenly snapped back to reality. She tore herself away from her troubled feelings over He Jichen and He Yuguang, looked down, and nced at the screen.

    It¡¯s just my name... What did Yuguang Ge call my name for?

    Ji Yi turned her head in confusion then saw ¡°He Yuguang¡± staring at the phone attentively like he was wondering how to tell her something.

    Most of the time, a woman¡¯s sixth sense is very urate.

    Before ¡°He Yuguang¡± could raise his fingers to type on the keyboard, Ji Yi already had an inkling of what he might say next.

    Her fingers sped the phone in her palms tightly.

    After five seconds, she saw ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s fingers move. He used the Nine Grid Chinese keyboard on his phone. She saw him first tap ¡°9,¡± then ¡°6,¡± then ¡°9¡± again, then ¡°4,¡± but when his finger hovered over ¡°4¡± for a second, a light bulb turned on in Ji Yi¡¯s mind, confirming her intuitions.

    Seeing ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s fingers about to tap ¡°4¡± for the second time, Ji Yi suddenly cried, ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡±

    Up on the quiet mountain, her voice sounded hurried, unusually sudden, and ear-piercing.

    Having been frightened, ¡°He Yuguang¡±¡®s fingers shook for a moment as he was concentrated on typing. Then he released his phone and turned to look at Ji Yi.

    He couldn¡¯t speak but his eyes were filled with silent questions.

    Ji Yi tightened her grip on her phone then she cried, ¡°Yuguang Ge, I didn¡¯te to see you tonight to meet with you like we usually do.¡±

    Ji Yi paused for just a second then continued to say, ¡°Tonight, I came to see you because I have something to tell you.¡±

    The expression on her face was very serious. It was so serious that He Jichen really believed that she had something important to say.

 Chapter 424

    Chapter 424: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He cast aside what he was nning to say as he put his phone away and gave her a nod to let her continue.

    Seeing He Jichen¡¯s reaction, Ji Yi gulped and said, ¡°Yuguang Ge, although we were on the same page at the beginning and were just helping each other out, I¡¯m still very thankful to you. Last year when I was at my wit¡¯s end, you stepped up and helped mend a role on ¡®The Pce¡¯ without asking for anything in return.¡±

    A few days ago, she thought about the things she wanted to say, but when it came down to really saying it, Ji Yi realized her heart was starting to feel a dull ache before she even got to the point.

    She held her breath unflinchingly for a few seconds; she waited until the pain subsided before she continued. ¡°Come to think of it, eight or nine months have passed. My problems have long been resolved, so I shouldn¡¯t continue to drag you down. At this point, I wanted to see you to tell you...¡±

    A few days ago, she cried so many times that she should¡¯ve finished crying all the tears she had. However, when she got to the main point, her eyes still became red and her voice became a little haggard.

    She pursed her lips tightly as she stared unwaveringly at thenterns in the sky for a moment. Then she gritted her teeth and pressed on to the main point. ¡°... Yuguang Ge, our agreed marriage should end now.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t like He Jichen wasn¡¯t curious about the important thing Ji Yi wanted to say, but he never imagined that as soon as she opened her mouth, she would talk about her and He Yuguang¡¯s marriage.

    He had a feeling deep down about what she was going to say next, but when she really did say it, he was stillpletely stunned.

    Ji Yi waited for a long time but didn¡¯t receive any messages from ¡°He Yuguang.¡±

    She didn¡¯t dare turn her head to look at him. Strictly speaking, she didn¡¯t dare move in fear that any movement would cause the tears in the corners of her eyes to roll down.

    She continued to wait for some time, but seeing that he was still motionless, she repeated what she said one more time: ¡°Yuguang Ge, our agreed marriage should end now.¡±

    Having remained unflinchingly still from her first word, He Jichen finally blinked and picked up his phone about ten secondster. ¡°Manman, why did you suddenly decide this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a sudden decision. It was a decision I made long ago. After all, we aren¡¯t really married. My parents don¡¯t know nor do yours, so it¡¯ll be pretty easy to end it like this. At the very least, it¡¯ll save us some trouble.¡± Although Ji Yi tried her best to speak clearly, she realized that after she spoke, her voice sounded slightly shaky.

    The night when she decided to end her fake marriage with He Yuguang, she already experienced pain. Yet, it was at this very moment that she knew the pain back then was noparison to the pain she felt now.

    But there was no other way. She had no other choice. He Yuguang and He Jichen were biological brothers. If she was with either one of them, it would be impossible to avoid the other brother. Now that the two of them had entered her heart, she couldn¡¯t forget either one of them and pretend that she never had feelings for them. She couldn¡¯t wholeheartedly like only one brother, so all she could do was give up on both.

 Chapter 425

    Chapter 425: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She really did want to get a divorce with He Yuguang...

    Had he not been rejected after telling her that he¡¯d take responsibility just two days ago, he definitely would¡¯ve been happy to hear this decision of hers.

    But now, after hearing what she said, he felt an unspeakable sense of panic in his heart.

    The only reason he decided to confess to her as He Yuguang was because he was at the end of his rope. After she refused to let him take responsibility, pretended their night together was a mistake, and took the morning-after pill right after their night together to avoid any trouble afterward with him, he didn¡¯t see a world where the two of them could have a future together.

    He was willing to pretend to be his older brother for the rest of his life, as long as he could be with her.

    But who knew that just as he was willing to genuinely start married life as ¡°He Yuguang¡± with her, she was going to ask to end her marriage to him.

    The more he thought about it, the more He Jichen¡¯s heart grew flustered.

    Although he was afraid there was no way for him to be with her, he was even more afraid she would ignore He Jichen. He couldn¡¯t even use He Yuguang¡¯s identity to get close to her now.

    He instinctively wanted to change her mind. ¡°Manman, was Icking in some way?¡±

    Such a clear and simple question almost made Ji Yi¡¯s tearse pouring out.

    How¡¯s hecking? I¡¯m the one who wasn¡¯t good enough. I¡¯m so bad that I¡¯m not worthy of being his wife. I¡¯m not worthy of being by his side, and I¡¯m not worthy of epting his kindness.

    Ji Yi stared at the sky ofnterns with sorrowful eyes and felt so upset that she couldn¡¯t speak. All she could do was endure the bitterness in her heart. She raised her fingers and started to type a message: ¡°No, Yuguang Ge. You¡¯re great. You¡¯re a good person. You treated me very well... really, really, really well.¡±

    ¡°Manman, do you know what the most hurtful thing to say is? It¡¯s to call someone really good but leave them anyway.¡± He Jichen tightened his lips as he tapped the screen to reply to Ji Yi.

    Speechless at the sight of those words, Ji Yi read them for some time before her fingers started to type the words: ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    If she could help it, Ji Yi really didn¡¯t want to say those words to someone who cared for her, because those words were more hurtful than what she just said. However, all she could say to He Yuguang were just those words.

    What¡¯s more, she was really, really, really sorry.

    It was just as Ji Yi imagined. When He Jichen saw those words ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± his eyes instantly turned dark.

    He wasn¡¯t stupid. He knew the meaning behind ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± and what it really meant.

    It meant: You¡¯re great, but I still can¡¯t be with you.

    When she was young, didn¡¯t she like He Yuguang? Didn¡¯t she quickly agree to He Yuguang¡¯s request to marry her? Didn¡¯t she share everything on her mind with He Yuguang every night?

    But why doesn¡¯t she want to be with He Yuguang? Didn¡¯t she spend a night with him in Shanghai?

    He Jichen found a glimmer of hope as he quickly typed a line to Ji Yi: ¡°Manman, is there some reason why you want to divorce that¡¯s hard to say?¡±

    Ji Yi, who was staring at her phone all this time, was slightly stunned when she read the line on the screen that hit the nail on the head: ¡°If I said that I don¡¯t mind and I don¡¯t care, could you reconsider divorcing me?¡±

 Chapter 426

    Chapter 426: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Those words... If he sent her those words two days ago when she didn¡¯t realize she had feelings for He Jichen, she would definitely feel tempted to follow her heart and say yes if Yuguang Ge insisted, even though she would feel bad for cheating on Yuguang Ge with his brother. The very thought of being able to make up for everything she owed him after sleeping with He Jichen gave her the strong urge to nod and say yes.

    But now, it was toote... It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t want to promise him ¨C she just couldn¡¯t.

    Ji Yi pursed her lips and was ready to refuse when she saw another message from ¡°He Yuguang¡±: ¡°Manman, I guarantee I don¡¯t mind. No matter what the reason is, I don¡¯t mind. If there¡¯s ever a day I go back on my word, let heaven unleash its wrath upon me!¡±

    Clearly, Ji Yi was in the wrong. Why did it seem like Yuguang Ge was acting like the one who made a huge mistake?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart was already incredibly guilty towards He Yuguang, but now she felt even worse.

    This isn¡¯t right! I can¡¯t mess around with him any longer; otherwise, he might really make me have a change of heart.

    What¡¯s more, she made her mind up long ago and already carried out her decisions ¨C she rejected He Jichen and decided not to string Yuguang Ge along.

    With that thought, Ji Yi started to type: ¡°Sorry Yuguang Ge, there¡¯s no way I can promise you.¡±

    As Ji Yi¡¯s fingers typed out each and every word, she felt her heart cry violently in pain.

    She forced herself to ignore the pain and continue to tap with her incredibly shaky fingers: ¡°Even if you don¡¯t care, there¡¯s no way I can still promise you, Yuguang Ge. It¡¯s me, I¡¯m not good enough and I¡¯m not worthy. Don¡¯t say anything else. I¡¯ve already made my mind up. Sorry. I¡¯m really sorry, Yuguang Ge. If it¡¯s possible, I hope we don¡¯t keep in contact after we finalize the divorce.¡±

    As she typed this, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes turned misty. Barely able to see the screen, she bit down hard and gritted her chattering teeth as she then typed: ¡°If it¡¯s possible, it¡¯s best that we don¡¯t keep in contact.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare read over the line she wrote. After she typed the final period, she immediately tapped ¡°send.¡± Without bothering to see if ¡°He Yuguang¡± read it, she hurriedly got up and said goodbye with a trembling voice. Without giving herself any chance to go back, she quickly picked up her bag and walked down the mountain.

    She was only half a meter away when the tears she held back for so long came rolling down from her eyes.

    She raised a hand to frantically wipe her face then walked faster.

    The mountainous roads were winding and it was dark, so Ji Yi stumbled as she walked. On her way down, she even tripped twice, but she didn¡¯t feel any pain and continued to hurriedly walk down.

    She was wearing high heels, so she didn¡¯t walk particrly steadily. When she tripped for the third time, her shoes flew off. She continued to stumble down bare-footed while ignoring the pain from the rocks under her feet.

    There were two cars parked at the foot of the mountain. The driver who picked her up sat inside one car with the lights on while ying on his phone.

    Because he was paying full attention to his phone, the driver didn¡¯t notice her walk up to the car. It wasn¡¯t until she reached her hand out and pulled the car door open that the driver noticed something was odd. Then he turned to look in her direction.

 Chapter 427

    Chapter 427: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In just a second, the driver swiftly put his phone away, pushed his car door open and got out.

    When he walked around the front of the car to open the door for Ji Yi, he saw her walking barefooted with cuts of various sizes. She had several grazes on her arms and legs, and she was covered in mud.

    The driver was stunned for a while before he worriedly asked, ¡°Miss Ji, what happened? I¡¯ll call Mr...¡±

    Before the driver could say ¡°He,¡± Ji Yi suddenly cried, ¡°There¡¯s no need. Take me home!¡±

    Her hurried tone of voice gave the driver a scare.

    Ji Yi realized she sounded overly agitated, so she spoke again with a more rxed voice. ¡°You don¡¯t need to call him. Please take me home, thank you.¡±

    From Ji Yi¡¯s expression, the driver could tell that Miss Ji and Mr. He got into some kind of argument. The driver didn¡¯t bring up the topic again and replied with a ¡°yes¡± as he helped Ji Yi pull the car door open.

    After the driver got into the car, he stepped on the gas and drove out of the parking lot at the foot of the mountain. As the car drove out, Ji Yi turned her head and stared at the pitch-ck night sky out the window as the tears came crashing down like a flowing river.

    She was truly devastated. Even if she knew deep down that by rejecting He Jichen and leaving He Yuguang, it would be the best ending for her, for He Jichen, for He Yuguang, for the three of them... she was still devastated.

    Even if she knew that nobody else was aware she had feelings for He Jichen while liking He Yuguang, she still deeply despised herself for being this disloyal and fickle.

    What¡¯s more, because nobody knew this bad-to-the-bone side of her, nobody could me her. This was why she med herself so harshly.

    From today onwards, He Yuguang would be just a memory to her, and as for He Jichen, she had to try hard to control her heart. She had to limit herself to this stage of infatuation and prevent herself from falling any deeper.

    From today onwards, her future love life would not include He Yuguang or He Jichen ever again. She might get married in the future or she might not, but no matter what, her other half wouldn¡¯t be either one of them.

    From today onwards, she had to say goodbye to the He Yuguang she liked and goodbye to the He Jichen she had feelings for.

    At that thought, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but bite the back of her hand hard to stop herself from crying, and embarrassingly, to prevent herself from wailing.

    ¨C

    It was already the fourth day Chen Bai couldn¡¯t get hold of He Jichen.

    He didn¡¯te to the office, he wasn¡¯t at home, he wasn¡¯t at the university, and his phone was switched off.

    Chen Bai even tried calling He Jichen¡¯s home in Sucheng. The person who picked up the phone was the He family¡¯s housekeeper who told him that after he left in the spring, he hadn¡¯t visited in almost half a year now.

    After finishing shooting ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± thepany still had many follow-up projects for He Jichen to finalize.

    For him to vanish into thin air, there was lots of work at YC that couldn¡¯t be carried out. Business was fine two days ago, but two dayster, Chen Bai spent practically every day in the office receiving an infinite number of calls asking when He Jichen would hand them the signed documents.

    All Chen Bai could do was handle the seemingly endless aftermath to prevent matters from getting even worse.

    One night, after seeing that YC was going to lose several big projects, Chen Bai personally called everyone who ever had anything to do with He Jichen out of desperation. However, in the end, he couldn¡¯t manage to locate He Jichen.

 Chapter 428

    Chapter 428: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Time went by and another day passed. The sun rose and fell, and nightfall came.

    It was about to be the fifth night without any news from Mr. He. If things went on like this, Chen Bai was afraid that not only would they lose YC, but ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± which had already finished shooting, would probably be lost too...

    Chen Bai paced around his desk with his phone in hand for a while. Eventually, he wound up standing in front of the tall window, looking for Ji Yi¡¯s number.

    The status of Mr. He and Miss Ji¡¯s rtionship wasn¡¯t very promising. He wasn¡¯t sure what Mr. He was thinking deep down, so he didn¡¯t want to disturb Miss Ji in fear that Mr. He wouldn¡¯t forgive him... But he already contacted everyone else. The only person left to call was Miss Ji.

    YC was Mr. He¡¯s blood, sweat, and tears. Chen Bai witnessed Mr. He¡¯s determination as he went against the He family and his professor at his prestigious university. He also watched as Mr. He built YC from a twenty-square-meter rental... Everyone knew Mr. He came from a good family background and had a privileged position, but they didn¡¯t know how he actually created YC from scratch.

    At that thought, Chen Bai realized nothing else was important right now.

    Between getting lectured by Mr. He and the real threat of losing his job if YC copsed, it was more important to help Mr. He save YC... So, Chen Bai pulled up Ji Yi¡¯s phone number.

    The call was made and the phone rang a few times, but nobody picked up.

    Chen Bai furrowed his brows and put the phone down. He nced at the time. It was already half past ten ¨C could Miss Ji be asleep now?

    Just as curiosity crossed Chen Bai¡¯s mind, his phone screen lit up.

    Ji Yi sent him a message: ¡°Mr. Chen, can I help you with something?¡±

    Chen Bai instinctively wanted to call her again, but seeing as she replied with a text rather than picking up the call, she probably didn¡¯t want to take his call. He then switched over to texting: ¡°Miss Ji, has Mr. He contacted you in the past two days?¡±

    Soon enough, Chen Bai received a simple ¡°No¡± back from Ji Yi.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t really know how to continue the conversation.

    Just as he was preparing to think of another way to find He Jichen, his phone screen lit up. He received a simple message from Ji Yi: ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like this, Miss Ji. I don¡¯t know where Mr. He went and I can¡¯t get ahold of him. There¡¯s a lot of work for him to handle at thepany. Today, several shareholders got angry. There are also many coborative projects awaiting replies and people are asking to end their coboration with YC, including ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± which just finished filming... In short, it¡¯s been quite troublesome. If you have any news about Mr. He or if you can reach Mr. He, please help.¡±

    After about five minutes, Chen Bai received Ji Yi¡¯s reply. This time, the message was just a simple: ¡°Alright.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± replied Chen Bai.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply anymore.

    Chen Bai stared at the phone for a while then closed the text message screen and continued to think up different ways to get ahold of He Jichen.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi had a fever the day after asking for a divorce from ¡°He Yuguang¡± and had to stay in the hospital on a drip for two days. Then she returned to school to inform them that she was back from her leave shooting ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    It happened to be a Friday, so Ji Yi didn¡¯t have ss. After reporting her return, she headed straight back home.

    Perhaps she was still recovering from her serious illness, or perhaps it was because she gave up on both He Jichen and He Yuguang a few short days ago that she was feeling a little glum. She didn¡¯t go outside and if she wasn¡¯t sleeping in her room, she was watching TV.

 Chapter 429

    Chapter 429: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi tried her best not to think about anything else.

    She figured this way, she could slowly forget about her devastating losses.

    But truth be told, she was just kidding herself ¨C one second, she wasughing till her stomach hurt after watching aedy series while the next, her eyes were red from Chen Bai¡¯s phone call.

    She didn¡¯t dare take the call in fear of Chen Bai noticing the pain in her voice, so she waited till after he hung up to reply to him with a text.

    She didn¡¯t dare send too many messages to Chen Bai because reading his name reminded her of He Jichen. Wave after wave of heartache made it difficult for her to summon the strength to type. She forced herself to stayposed. After their chat ended, she couldn¡¯t wait to close their messages.

    She figured that since Chen Bai called her, He Jichen¡¯s phone must be off.

    Chen Bai was more familiar with He Jichen¡¯s friends, where they lived, and their whereabouts more than Ji Yi did. Since she knew where He Jichen lived, Chen Bai definitely knew too and he must¡¯ve searched there already. After some thought, Ji Yi called Fatty, who Chen Bai wasn¡¯t familiar with but who was very close to He Jichen.

    Fatty was working overtime, so he spoke quietly when he picked up the phone. Ji Yi gave him the basic rundown of the situation, to which Fatty asked, ¡°Is Chen Ge in a terrible mood?¡±

    Ji Yi figured that he must be in a terrible mood since he couldn¡¯t be reached for several days, so she replied, ¡°Probably yeah.¡±

    Fatty muttered to himself over the phone for a moment then told Ji Yi two addresses. The first was a bar in Sucheng and the second was a bar in Beijing.

    Sucheng was several hundred miles away from Beijing, so it was unrealistic for Chen Bai to go there overnight to search for him. After Fatty told Ji Yi where He Jichen might be, he added, ¡°How about this? You can be in charge of checking the bar in Beijing. I have a lot of friends in Sucheng, so I¡¯ll ask them to check.¡±

    ¡°Sorry to trouble you, Su Han,¡± said Ji Yi politely before Fatty could say ¡°farewell.¡± Then she said goodbye to him.

    After Ji Yi hung up the phone, she sent a text to Chen Bai with the whereabouts and name of the bar Fatty mentioned.

    ¨C

    Having failed to find He Jichen, Chen Bai had no choice but to stay in the office like a sitting duck. He still had hope that He Jichen mighte home, so he drove to the apartment he bought near B-Film.

    Just as Chen Bai was about to reach He Jichen¡¯s apartment block, he received a text from Ji Yi.

    He held the steering wheel with one hand and replied to her message with the other. ¡°Got it, Miss Ji. I¡¯ll check it out now.¡±

    After he put the phone down, Chen Bai immediately turned the car around and drove to the address of the bar Ji Yi sent him.

    It was a sake bar, so the atmosphere was elegant and peaceful. The groups of people inside were chatting quietly.

    Aside from the barman who was making cocktails at the counter, the only staff member Chen Bai saw was a waiter. With a menu to his chest, the waiter stood in front of a table by the window, taking an order.

    Chen Bai wanted to wait for the waiter to finish taking the order before showing him a photo of He Jichen and asking him if he¡¯d seen He Jichen. All of a sudden, just as he walked about ten meters deeper into the bar, he saw a familiar figure in the furthest corner.

    Ah! So, Mr. He really was here...

    Chen Bai paused for a moment then walked over.

    The lights in the bar were dim, so Chen Bai only noticed that He Jichen was still wearing the same clothes from five days ago when he drew closer to him.

 Chapter 430

    Chapter 430: I Really Love Her, Who I Could Never Be With (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Mr. He couldn¡¯t have stayed here for five days, right?

    As that thought shed across Chen Bai¡¯s mind, the waiter who was taking an order nearby happened to walk past him. Seeing as Chen Bai was staring at He Jichen, the waiter stopped. ¡°Hello sir. May I ask, is this gentleman your friend?¡±

    Chen Bai nodded. ¡°Yes.¡±

    After a pause, Chen Bai added a short exnation. ¡°He¡¯s my boss.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great! This gentleman hasn¡¯t left since he came in four days ago. We¡¯ve cleared almost a hundred empty bottles from him. Besides going to the restroom, he¡¯s stayed here and hasn¡¯t been anywhere else. When he gets drunk, he just sleeps on the table then wakes up and continues to drink. He¡¯s been living in this half-drunken state for four whole days and nights. Since you¡¯re his employee, it¡¯d be best if you quickly took him away. We¡¯re really afraid that something might happen to him if he continues to drink like this.¡± The waiter looked at Chen Bai like he¡¯d seen a savior and said all that in one long breath.

    Ah! So Mr. He really has been here for four days. What in the hell happened to him? Having known him for so many years, Chen Bai had rarely seen him drink. I can¡¯t believe he actually drank himself to this state... With that thought, Chen Bai told the waiter, ¡°Got it. Thank you.¡±

    Without waiting for the waiter to speak, Chen Bai strode over to He Jichen.

    Before Chen Bai drew close to He Jichen, he smelled a strong, pungent smell of cigarettes and alcohol.

    Chen Bai instinctively held his breath. After some time, he slowly inhaled and adjusted to the horrid smell. Then he tried to rouse He Jichen: ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    In aplete ruin, He Jichen slumped back into the back of his seat with a cigarette in one hand and some alcohol in the other. He was staring straight ahead without reacting in the slightest to Chen Bai¡¯s words.

    Chen Bai furrowed his brows and cried ¡°Mr. He¡± again. Seeing as there was no reaction, he took the cigarette and alcohol from He Jichen¡¯s fingers. Then he lifted him up from the sofa and put his arm around his shoulders. Chen Bai supported him out of the bar.

    Chen Bai shoved He Jichen into the car then drove to He Jichen¡¯s apartment.

    Traffic was particrly smooth since it was the dead of the night; the car reached the underground parking lot in under ten minutes.

    Chen Bai stopped the car, got out, and pulled the passenger side door open. As he reached his arm out to grab He Jichen, he heard him mutter, ¡°She doesn¡¯t want me...¡±

    Before Chen Bai¡¯s fingers touched He Jichen¡¯s arm, he suddenly stopped and heard He Jichen say in a weak voice, ¡°I even willingly pretended to be him, yet she still doesn¡¯t want me...¡±

    What does he mean by ¡°willingly pretended to be him¡±? ¡°She doesn¡¯t want me¡±? What¡¯s Mr. He saying?

    Completely confused, Chen Bai furrowed his brows and dragged He Jichen out of the car.

    As Chen Bai supported He Jichen up and walked into the elevator, He Jichen repeatedly muttered those two sentences.

    When they reached the floor of his ce, the elevator opened and Chen Bai couldn¡¯t wait to walk over to He Jichen¡¯s door.

    Chen Bai found the keys in his pocket, opened the door, and carried He Jichen straight to the restroom. He grabbed the shower head, but before he turned it on, he heard the trembling man in the bathtub cry out: ¡°I really love her, the woman I can¡¯t be with...¡±

 Chapter 431

    Chapter 431: Did You Come to See Him? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The wide bathroom was very quiet, so although He Jichen¡¯s voice was low, Chen Bai could still clearly hear each and every word. His fingers around the showerhead naturally rxed as he stared at the pale-faced man. An unbearable feeling came over him and after about ten seconds, Chen Bai snapped back to his senses. He detached the shower head from the wall and adjusted the water from cold to warm then held the showerhead over He Jichen¡¯s body.

    The rather low temperature gradually woke up the drunken mess that was He Jichen. His eyes shot open as he stared at the ceiling with furrowed brows, appearing like he was puzzled over something. After staring nkly for some time, his pupils rolled over towards Chen Bai.

    His beautiful pitch-ck eyes became brighter, bit by bit. It seemed like he was just realizing that he was at home. He then gradually sat up in the bathtub and reached his hand out towards Chen Bai.

    Chen Bai knew that by doing so, He Jichen was telling him that he wanted to wash himself. Neither of them made a sound. All Chen Bai did was hand him the shower head silently. After He Jichen took it, Chen Bai quickly left the bathroom and helped him close the door then he headed downstairs.

    Chen Bai went into the kitchen to cook a bowl of soup to sober him up then carried it up to He Jichen¡¯s bedroom.

    He pushed open the door. The bedroom lights had already been switched off.

    Chen Bai couldn¡¯t clearly see the way in the darkness, so he wanted to turn the lights on. Before his fingers touched the light switch on the wall, he heard He Jichen cry from the bed, ¡°Don¡¯t turn them on.¡±

    He said just four short words, but Chen Bai clearly caught the tremble in his voice.

    Mr. He can¡¯t be... Chen Bai wasn¡¯t sure if he was hearing things, but he didn¡¯t dare continue down that train of thought. He stood frozen in the doorway, holding the soup.

    After who knew how much time had passed, the phone in Chen Bai¡¯s pocket suddenly vibrated.

    He freed one hand and reached for his phone to see that Ji Yi had sent him a text: ¡°Have you found him yet?¡±

    Chen Bai knew that by ¡°him,¡± Ji Yi meant He Jichen, so he single-handedly replied: ¡°Found him.¡±

    His phone screen was a littlerge, so it was cumbersome to text. Chen Bai bent over and set the soup down on the floor as he continued to tap on the screen: ¡°He was at the bar you mentioned, Miss Ji.¡±

    Thirty secondster, he received a message from Ji Yi: ¡°As long as you found him.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Miss Ji,¡± replied Chen Bai, who then nced over at He Jichen lying in bed. Because the lights weren¡¯t on, he could only see a faint, dark figure with the light from the hallway. He hesitated for a moment then sent Ji Yi a message: ¡°Mr. He isn¡¯t in good shape. The waiter said he was drinking for four days and nights; I¡¯m not sure if he harmed himself from drinking so much. I¡¯ll have to call Dr. Xia toe take a lookter... Miss Ji, if you¡¯re not busy, would you like to visit Mr. He?¡±

    The text was like a rock thrown into the ocean because he received no reply.

    Just as Chen Bai was going to type a few words to persuade Ji Yi, his fingers hadn¡¯t even touched the phone screen when he heard the faint sound of sniffling from the bed.

    Chen Bai suddenly went silent like his pressure points had been pressed.

    After about three seconds, he heard another gentle sniffle.

    This time, Chen Bai heard it more clearly as he turned his head to look into the pitch-ck room.

    If I didn¡¯t mishear, Mr. He¡¯s really crying... No wonder Mr. He doesn¡¯t want the lights turned on...

 Chapter 432

    Chapter 432: Did You Come to See Him? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before the thought could settle in Chen Bai¡¯s mind, his phone vibrated. He turned to see that it was a long-awaited reply from Ji Yi.

    ¡°I can¡¯t, I¡¯m busy with something. Please ask Dr. Xia to take good care of him.¡±

    He originally thought since Mr. He cared so much for Miss Ji that no matter what argument they got into, Miss Ji would stille to see Mr. He; Mr. He would definitely be pleased by Miss Ji¡¯s presence. He never imagined that Miss Ji would actually refuse to see him...

    Chen Bai thought about trying to persuade Ji Yi further, but just when he touched the screen, he realized he had no clue what to say and stopped there.

    Deep in the night, the apartment seemed unusually quiet.

    After who knew how much time had passed, Chen Bai heard another gentle voice that sounded like someone muttering in their dreams. ¡°I really love, really love, really love...¡±

    He repeated the words ¡°really love¡± many times like a broken record then went on to say: ¡°...her, who I can¡¯t be with.¡±

    As his voice dropped, a new text arrived. It was another message from Ji Yi, who ended the conversation without waiting for his reply: ¡°I gotta go. Goodbye and goodnight.¡±

    When Chen Bai read this text, the momentarily quiet He Jichen blurted out again: ¡°really love her, who I could never be with...¡±

    He said each word with a soft voice, but Chen Bai could still clearly hear the increasingly obvious tremble in his voice. Eventually, his trembling voice turned into a sob.

    ¨C

    At the same time.

    After typing the word ¡°Goodnight,¡± Ji Yi couldn¡¯t wait to hit the send button. She threw her phone to one side then buried her face into theforter and cried.

    She wanted to see him. She wanted to so badly, but she had to control herself because she made a promise not to allow herself to fall deeper for him.

    Soon enough, Ji Yi¡¯s bedding becamepletely drenched with tears.

    But she continued to cry with grief as her shoulders heaved and she let out a crisp wail every now and then.

    Ji Yi cried until she was exhausted and fell asleep with tears still rolling down her cheeks.

    In her sleep, she had a dream where she was still crying, but as she cried and cried, the picture started to slowly turn back...

    Under a sky of infinitenterns, she and He Yuguang were half-way up the mountain and talking about getting a divorce. Then in a quiet and tranquil cafe, she told He Jichen that he needn¡¯t take responsibility. At the Shanghai Starlight hotel, she tip-toed and drunkenly kissed He Jichen. Then she received He Yuguang¡¯s text, ¡°You aren¡¯t alone, you still have me¡±...

    Time in the dream turned back endlessly, and soon enough it was back to the time when she and He Yuguang sat in that cafe and he asked her to get married. The dream then returned to the time He Jichen came into the private party room when Lin Ya went to pick him up during a ss reunion party she attended...

    The dream then turned back to when they were young and having dinner at the He family¡¯s house because her grandma was working overtime. Mid-dinner, the legendary second son of the He family came back and carelessly wandered into the living room. His mother cried for him toe over, but he replied ¡°What?¡± with an impatient expression on his face.

    In the dream, Ji Yi raised her head and looked at He Jichen up close for the first time ever. That was when the dream came to a sudden end.

    ¨C

    In the same city but in a different house, He Jichen also had a dream about the past. However, his dream was fixated on the sweet sound of a woman¡¯s voice. ¡°Give them a condom each.¡± Choking from his cigarette smoke in surprise, he turned his head to see the silhouette of a tall, elegant girl with long, flowing hair.

 Chapter 433

    Chapter 433: Did You Come to See Him? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    ¡°There¡¯s a type of love thates once in a lifetime. You came and I knew. I loved you. I was sure of it.¡± ¡ª¡ª Ye Feiye ¡°Entrapping the God¡±

    ¨C

    The next day was a Monday. Ji Yi got up early to go to school and finish her academic career.

    In June, Beijing was hotter by the day, and the sunlight became brighter by the day.

    Unwittingly, three weeks had passed since Ji Yi received Chen Bai¡¯s call that night.

    In those three weeks, aside from having to file for divorce, Ji Yi and He Yuguang contacted each other only twice. Apart from this, Ji Yi didn¡¯t cross paths with either He Jichen or He Yuguang.

    Shooting ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± took up three months of her time, leaving her with lots of homework to catch up on. The end-of-semester-exams were drawing close, so Ji Yi spent most of her days either studying in the self-studying rooms or finding research material in the library.

    In those three weeks, she spent every day doing peacefully ordinary things. Those days were just like the days before she reunited with He Jichen and He Yuguang after waking up from her three-yeara.

    Sometimes, when her mind drifted away in ss, she would stare at the bright world outside the window and wonder if she really did see He Jichen and He Yuguang the past few months or if it was all part of her imagination.

    In the blink of an eye, it was time for the end of semester exams. Afterpleting four exams in two days, it was time for a long break.

    When Ji Yi carried the suitcase she packed in advance to the side of the road, waiting for a taxi, she thought back to how simr this was to the time when He Jichen¡¯s car appeared in front of her as she waited for a taxi during winter break.

    Back then, their rtionship was at its rockiest point because of what happened with Lin Zhengyi. When she saw him, she carried her suitcase over to the opposite side of the road and immediately got on a bus to get away from him.

    But today, Ji Yi waited by the curb for almost half an hour, waiting for a taxi, yet He Jichen¡¯s car was nowhere in sight.

    Back home, Ji Yi took a shower,id in bed, and started to make up for the sleep she lost from her intense studying the night before.

    It was too hot, so Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to go outside. A while back, she gave in to Tang Huahua¡¯s incessant gaming invitations and finally joined Tang Huahua in ying her MOBA game. Since then, Ji Yi spent practically every day of her break at home ying games in online groups with Tang Huahua.

    Just as Ji Yi thought she was going to spend her entire break geeking out, she got a call, inviting her out for afternoon tea.

    The call was from Cheng Weiwan, whom she hadn¡¯t seen since filming for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± wrapped up.

    In actuality, during their three months of filming ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± the two of them became somewhat close; in the final month when Ji Yi and He Jichen got closer and Cheng Weiwan and He Jichen¡¯s rtionship wasn¡¯t bad, the three of them often had dinner together. She and Cheng Weiwan were woman of about the same age, so they got along pretty easily.

    Cheng Weiwan invited her out to reminisce about their past but also to talk business.

    Since they agreed to meet up, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t chat on the phone in detail. All she said was that it was about a new drama. They then set a time and ce to meet and hung up.

    There was still three hours before the two of them nned to meet, so Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in too much of a hurry. Sheid in bed and yed two matches with Tang Huahua before she got up to use the bathroom.

 Chapter 434

    Chapter 434: Did You Come to See Him? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi got dressed and applied a simpleyer of makeup in front of her vanity mirror. When it was about time to leave the house, she picked up her bag then called a taxi while on her way downstairs.

    It had been almost ten days since Ji Yi left her room. As soon as she left her apartment, she was greeted by a hot wave of air, causing her to furrow her brows in difort.

    After about five minutes, the taxi arrived. Ji Yi hurriedly got into the car and gave the driver her destination.

    Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t yet arrived when Ji Yi reached the cafe. She was greeted by a waiter as she found herself a table by the window. Just as she took a seat, a ¡°Wee¡± was hearding from the entrance. Ji Yi instinctively turned her head to see Cheng Weiwan step in, wearing a light colored dress.

    Ji Yi instinctively raised her hand and waved at the door. Cheng Weiwan sensed her since she turned her head and shot her a smile. As she slowly walked over to the table, Cheng Weiwan said, ¡°Xiao Yi, long time no see.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, long time no see.¡± Ji Yi waited for Cheng Weiwan to take a seat before handing her the drinks menu. ¡°Take a look at what you want.¡±

    As Cheng Weiwan reached into her bag for her phone, she scanned through the drinks menu then ordered a cappino from the waiter beside them.

    Having already glossed through the drinks menu, Ji Yi then said ¡°same as her¡± after Cheng Weiwan ced her order. Then she handed the waiter back the menu.

    After the waiter left, Cheng Weiwan smiled and said, ¡°I could¡¯ve just told you over the phone, but I realized how it¡¯s been a while since west saw each other, so I invited you out.¡±

    There was a pause before Cheng Weiwan asked, ¡°This isn¡¯t much trouble for you, is it?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Ji Yi shook her head.

    ¡°That¡¯s good-¡± Cheng Weiwan said just two words when the waiter brought two cups of coffee over to the table. She stopped mid-sentence and didn¡¯t continue to speak until after the waiter left. ¡°Let¡¯s first talk business. If you¡¯re not busy, let¡¯s go have dinner when we¡¯re done chatting. There¡¯s a new Japanese restaurant nearby ¨C I ate there a few days ago and the food isn¡¯t half bad.¡±

    Ji Yi figured she didn¡¯t have much going on that night, so she nodded and said, ¡°Sure.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan picked up a teaspoon and stirred her drink as she said, ¡°It¡¯s like this:st week, YC confirmed that the next drama for production will be called ¡®The Roaring Tang Dynasty.¡¯ It¡¯s a series about time travel. Seeing as you¡¯re the only signed artist in thepany, you¡¯ll definitely be the female lead and we¡¯re still deciding on the male lead. The script is more or less finished, so today, I asked to meet up to show you the script and listen to your thoughts, then I¡¯ll make whatever changes necessary.¡±

    As she said this, Cheng Weiwan pulled out a thick script and pushed it in front of Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to read the script, so she asked with curiosity: ¡°Didn¡¯t they say that the next series up for production was ¡®The Imperial Pce¡¯? Why did that change to ¡®The Roaring Tang Dynasty¡¯ now?¡±

    ¡°It was He Jichen¡¯s idea. The change was madest month, and people in thepany are really confused too,¡± exined Cheng Weiwan.

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t heard the three words ¡°He Jichen¡± for a long time now. Her expression changed for a moment as her fingers suddenly rxed around the coffee mug.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t notice Ji Yi¡¯s expression. A secondter, she shared her suspicions. ¡°I think because it¡¯s your first time as the lead, he might be afraid that you¡¯ll run into some trouble, so before you take on a movie, he wants you to get some practice first.¡±

 Chapter 435

    Chapter 435: Did You Come to See Him? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Having not yet bounced back from the shock of hearing the three words ¡°He Jichen,¡± Ji Yi was afraid Cheng Weiwan would notice something strange. Ji Yi pretended to sound calm as she replied, ¡°Perhaps...¡± then carefully thought about how reasonable Cheng Weiwan¡¯s spections were. She was afraid that after her hiatus, thepany wouldn¡¯t dare to give her such a major project with her as the lead.

    Though ¡°The Roaring Tang Dynasty¡± may not be a highly popr IPpared to ¡°The Imperial Pce,¡± it was a story with lots of charisma. The main female character¡¯s design was especially interesting as Ji Yi would have to y two characters withpletely different personalities. It would be quite challenging to act. Cheng Weiwan was afraid Ji Yi would be secretly disappointed that ¡°The Imperial Pce¡± wasn¡¯t her next project, so she tried to say a few words offort. Then she nced at the script and got to the point of their meeting: ¡°Take a look at the script first.¡±

    Ji Yi gently nodded her head, looked down and flipped through the script. She stared at the dense array of words on the first page, then took two sips of coffee. Eventually, she calmed down her racing heart from hearing ¡°He Jichen¡± and started to read the script seriously.

    ...

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t bring the entire script with her ¨C perhaps just five or six episodes ¨C yet the two of them managed to talk about the script till six o¡¯clock.

    It was already evening, so the two of them finished chatting and reminiscing in the cafe. They called a waiter to pay the bill then headed for the Japanese restaurant that Cheng Weiwan mentioned.

    The restaurant was already full of customers, so Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan waited for ten minutes before they finally secured a rtively quiet table.

    Since Cheng Weiwan ate there before, Ji Yi let her order the dishes.

    After the waiter left, Cheng Weiwan picked up the water jug from the table and poured Ji Yi a ss of water. ¡°After filming ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics,¡¯ what have you been up to? I haven¡¯t even seen you write in the WeChat group for our production team.¡±

    In actuality, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t really busy. The only reason she didn¡¯t talk was because He Jichen was also in the group...

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t too into the topic, so she casually breezed past it. ¡°I haven¡¯t been up to much. Soon after returning from shooting, it was finals, so I¡¯ve been busy studying.¡±

    ¡°How did you do on your exams?¡±

    ¡°Alright. Barely saved myself from failing.¡±

    ¡°But half a year ago, you had to go on leave to join the cast. Who¡¯s to say that when the resultse out, you won¡¯t have to retake your exams...?¡±

    Ji Yi knew Cheng Weiwan was just joking, so her lips pursed into a smile. With her chopsticks, she picked up some food from the dish the waiter just set down. She took two bites then said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not talk about me. How about you? What have you been busy withtely?¡±

    ¡°Me? Just been busy with the script you just read.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not just asking about that, what about Han Zhifan? How have you both beentely? Is he still trying to chase after you extravagantly? When do you n to ept him?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean ¡®When do you n to ept him¡¯? He and I are in twopletely different worlds. What¡¯s more, he¡¯s been really busytely ¨C we haven¡¯t talked for a week...¡± Before Cheng Weiwan could finish, her phone rang. At the same time, Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan looked over to see the name ¡°Han Zhifan¡± light up on the screen, which seemed unusually bright in the gloomy restaurant.

    Ji Yi suddenly smirked. ¡°And you said you haven¡¯t kept in contact, aye? Isn¡¯t he contacting you now?¡±

 Chapter 436

    Chapter 436: Did You Come to See Him? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan burst outughing as she never imagined he would call at this particr moment. Without any reservations about talking to him with Ji Yi around, she picked up the phone and took the call.

    ¡°Having dinner...with Xiao Yi... the new Japanese restaurant on the West Road of Third Ring South... Not sure. Just started eating not too long ago...¡±

    Even if Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear what Han Zhifan was saying, she could guess what he was asking from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s replies.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because she was there, but it seemed like Cheng Weiwan was concerned about keeping her waiting, so she rushed to end the call. ¡°Mm, alright. Hanging up... Bye.¡±

    Ji Yi put her chopsticks down and looked up. She nced at Cheng Weiwan, who put her phone down and was now wiping her hands with a wet towel. ¡°I see he cares a lot about you. Come to think about it, he¡¯s been chasing you for over two months ¨C must be almost three months now ¨C right? He must really like you. Are you really not going to consider him?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I asked to meet you today to catch up, not because I needed a match-maker.¡±

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not go there...¡± said Ji Yi with a smile.

    Thereafter, the topic of their discussion changed.

    Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan really hit it off. From TV series to celebrities to books, they couldn¡¯t stop chatting.

    The two of them were so into the conversation that they didn¡¯t pay attention to the time. They didn¡¯t stop talking until a waiter came over to remind them that there were just ten minutes until closing. As they waited for the waiter to get their bill, they started to pack their things.

    After paying, Ji Yi went to the restroom. When she came out, she left the restaurant with Cheng Weiwan, who was waiting for her at the entrance.

    The Japanese restaurant had interesting furnishings. Perhaps they wanted to create a unique atmosphere since they chose to decorate it like an ancient courtyard in the heart of the city. Bamboo covered the courtyard along with papernterns, which gave off a Kyoto-esque feeling.

    There was a huge courtyard, and as patrons stepped out of the Japanese restaurant, they would encounter an alleyway. Cars were prohibited from driving into the alleyway, so Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan were forced to walk over to the main road.

    There were only a few people who lived close to the courtyard. It was noisiest during the day, buting here felt really secluded and quiet at night.

    Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan followed the dim lights and weaved through the alleyway for about five minutes without bumping into anyone.

    It wasn¡¯t until they turned into a rather long alley that they heard a few heavy stepsing from behind them.

    Out of instinct, Ji Yi nced back to see about five or six men, each with a cigarette in their hands.

    They were a little far from them, but they walked quickly. Not long after, they caught up to the two of them.

    Ji Yi reached her hand out and pulled Cheng Weiwan to the side to let them through.

    As they got closer, Ji Yi saw that they were dressed like thugs with threatening tattoos.

    One of the men with a blonde buzzcut nced over at Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan as he passed. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if she was imagining things or not, but she felt the man¡¯s line of sight linger over Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face.

    Soon after, the men disappeared at a turning point up ahead.

    Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t think much about those guys as they continued their conversation while walking forward.

    But when the two of them reached the turning point, they saw that the guys who passed by earlier were all still there.

 Chapter 437

    Chapter 437: Did You Come to See Him? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t reached the turn yet when they saw that the guys who passed by earlier were all still there.

    They were leaning against the wall, smoking casually. They must¡¯ve heard Cheng Weiwan¡¯s footsteps approaching as their hushed conversation instantly stopped and their eyes all fell on Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan.

    Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan looked at each other then instinctively edged closer to each other.

    Just as they were about to make their way through the guys, each guy in front of them straightened up as though they had been waiting especially for Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan.

    At the same time, their hearts thumped ¡°kadonk!¡± then a terrible feeling crept into their chests.

    In one short second, Ji Yi calmly turned around and asked Cheng Weiwan, ¡°Wanwan, I can¡¯t find my phone. Call me for a sec.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t stupid. She instantly understood that Ji Yi was secretly signaling for her to call for help.

    Cheng Weiwan pretended as though Ji Yi really did lose her phone as she fished for her own phone and said, ¡°Could you have left it at the restaurant? Let¡¯s go back and look for it.¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan turned around, one after the other, but before they could walk back, a hand grabbed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s arm and yanked her backward.

    The man moved so suddenly that it caught Cheng Weiwan off guard, causing her to scream.

    ¡°Wanwan!¡± Ji Yi blurted out Cheng Weiwan¡¯s name. She immediately stopped walking and turned around to look.

    The man standing next to Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t give her any chance to react as he snatched the phone from her fingers. Then he pushed her up against the wall and push his body hard against hers.

    ¡°Wanwan!¡± Ji Yi cried Cheng Weiwan¡¯s name again. She instinctively raised her feet and rushed over to Cheng Weiwan.

    Having returned to her senses, Cheng Weiwan shook her head at Ji Yi. ¡°Xiao Yi, run...¡±

    ¡°Yo, I¡¯ve got you in my hands right now, yet you still have the heart to worry about other people? Let me tell the both of you now: meeting us guys tonight... don¡¯t you even think about running away. Stay and y with us and if we¡¯re happy, we can let you girls leave with your clothes all neat and tidy. Otherwise, you leave with no clothes at all!¡± The man pressed up against Cheng Weiwan scoffed like he heard her say the funniest joke. He shot a look at the two guys standing beside him then reached his hand out and squeezed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s chest hard.

    Catching the guy¡¯s nce, the two men pinched their cigarettes and rushed over to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi instinctively took a step back and pulled out her phone from her bag.

    But before her fingers could dive into her bag, she heard the sound of ripping. Ji Yi looked over to see that Cheng Weiwan¡¯s clothes had been ripped in two. The sight of her fair skin instantly fell into the eyes of everyone around them.

    Ji Yi¡¯s entire body shivered as her bag was snatched away. Then she saw the man pulling Cheng Weiwan, looking like he was drooling slightly as he lowered his head to kiss Cheng Weiwan¡¯s skin...

 Chapter 438

    Chapter 438: Did You Come to See Him? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Wanwan!¡± Without any hesitation at all, Ji Yi charged in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s direction.

    She wanted to pull that man¡¯s body away from Cheng Weiwan, but before she could take two steps, the two men sent to watch her held her arms back.

    The man pressing up against Cheng Weiwan became more overbearing. His mouth started to slowly travel down Cheng Weiwan¡¯s skin, eventually reaching her ******.

    Cheng Weiwan tried her hardest to struggle, but it was like a cat tickling a muscr man. Her resilience simply didn¡¯t have any effect on him.

    The man used even more force to free his hand from Cheng Weiwan and reach into her ripped clothes.

    The stifling scent of cigarettes entered Cheng Weiwan¡¯s nostrils as his greasy lips sucked her skin non-stop. His coarse hands brushed her skin, repulsing her and making her want to faint.

    Her body trembled like crazy as the horror in her eyes spread to her mind. Tears slowly gathered in her eyes.

    The moment Ji Yi met Cheng Weiwan, she always seemed calm, no matter the situation. She gave off the feeling that she was very well-educated and elegant; Ji Yi had never seen Cheng Weiwan the way she was at this very moment, so when she saw the tears fall from the corners of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes, Ji Yi¡¯s heart ached. Then, as though Ji Yi¡¯s entire body had been provoked, an unknown strength inside her erupted, tearing the man¡¯s hand away from hers. Like a crazy person, she lunged over to the man pressing up against Cheng Weiwan and yanked his clothes in hopes of pulling him away from Cheng Weiwan.

    He was so immersed in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s beauty that he didn¡¯t pay Ji Yi any attention. When he spoke, his lips didn¡¯t even leave Cheng Weiwan¡¯s skin as he said, ¡°Are you all blind? Take her away!¡±

    Following the man¡¯s roar, the two men responsible for Ji Yi instantly snapped back to their senses and quickly drew closer to her.

    Ji Yi knew she couldn¡¯t handle one guy, let alone two.

    But when they came closer, she saw Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body tremble.

    Ji Yi wouldn¡¯t just sit back and ignore it if she saw a woman she didn¡¯t know in this kind of situation... but this was her friend in front of her!

    She knew deep down that if she fought back now, it would be useless. Regardless, in a moment of desperation, Ji Yi bit the man on top of Cheng Weiwan without a second thought while she sensed the two men drawing closer.

    She used all the strength in her body to hurt the man assaulting Cheng Weiwan. After he cried out involuntarily, breaking his mood and angering him, he turned around and mercilessly pped Ji Yi across the face.

    With an equal force to Ji Yi¡¯s bite, the man struck hard, causing Ji Yi¡¯s ears to ring. Then she felt the scorching pain on her face.

    But she wasn¡¯t willing to let go.

    She clearly felt the man grow more agitated.

    She was afraid she might¡¯ve already used up all her strength, but she still clenched down hard.

    ¡°F*ck!¡± cursed the man as he reached his hand out and grabbed her lower jaw, prying open her mouth. Then he nced at his arm to see that there was blood. A secondter, he violently tossed Ji Yi aside.

 Chapter 439

    Chapter 439: Did You Come to See Him? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The man used sufficient force to hurl Ji Yi¡¯s slender body to the ground far away, like a kite with a broken string.

    The immense pain almost made Ji Yi faint. Sheid on the floor without flinching for a while then slowly came back to her senses. She heard the man grit his teeth and say, ¡°You¡¯d better y nice or you¡¯ll really make me mad. Don¡¯t me me if I finish youter!¡±

    As he said this, the man told the people around him, ¡°Watch her!¡±

    Then he turned around and pressed on Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body again...

    Maybe it was because Ji Yi¡¯s fiasco wasted too much time, but the group of guys was afraid that people would find out sooner orter if they stuck around. The man was a lot hastier as he assaulted Cheng Weiwan.

    His hands weren¡¯t exactly caressing her, yet he didn¡¯t seem to want to vite Cheng Weiwan¡¯s skin either.

    Even though he threw Ji Yi a distance away, she could still see the bruises on Cheng Weiwan¡¯s shoulder and corbone under the pale yellow street lights.

    Ji Yi struggled to get up from the ground, but because her knees were in so much pain from her fall, she couldn¡¯t get up. All she could do was try to stop them: ¡°Stop! Stop! I beg you guys to stop...¡±

    She cried until her voice trembled and started to sound like she was pleading.

    The thuggish men around her pretended like she didn¡¯t exist and ignored her.

    One of the guys even watched andughed as Cheng Weiwan was humiliated; another guy actually cried out judgmentally, ¡°That girl¡¯s skin isn¡¯t too bad. She looks skinny, but she¡¯s got some body. Her waist is pretty slim...¡±

    They humiliated Cheng Weiwan, causing Ji Yi¡¯s body to quiver.

    Her phone was still in their possession and it was just them in the silent alley.

    Deep down, she knew that it was Cheng Weiwan¡¯s turn now, but she would probably be up next... It was impossible for her and Cheng Weiwan to escape at that moment in time. Even if she fought back, it would be useless! And yet, she endured the pain and got up from the ground. As she walked unsteadily, she tried to reach Cheng Weiwan.

    But before she could reach her, she was stopped by the surrounding guys.

    She tried hard to push past them but couldn¡¯t budge them.

    With her own eyes, she watched as the man lifted Cheng Weiwan¡¯s skirt and undid his belt...

    Ji Yi finally broke down as she watched, ¡°Please, let her go! Let her go! What do you want? I¡¯ll give it to you guys. I¡¯ll give you guys money. Let her go! Let her go...¡±

    Her cries and pleas sounded like she was acting out a one-woman show.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know if she was scared witless or just lost all hope because her face was pale white and aside from the silent tears falling from her eyes, her entire body didn¡¯t flinch.

    The man¡¯s eyes glowed brightly as he easily pried Cheng Weiwan¡¯s legs apart...

    Ji Yi¡¯s mouth gaped as she lost her voice in an instant.

    She clearly wasn¡¯t the one being harassed, but her body trembled like crazy.

    Is Cheng Weiwan really going to be defiled just like that?

    Ji Yi instinctively shut her eyes and didn¡¯t dare watch such cruelty.

    In actuality, she shut her eyes for just a second, but it felt like an entire century went by.

 Chapter 440

    Chapter 440: Did You Come to See Him? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She wanted to stop all of it, but she was held down to the point where she couldn¡¯t move. She wanted to beg them, but it felt like something was stuck in her throat. She was so numb that she simply couldn¡¯t speak.

    In her heart, all she could think about was what was going to happen to Cheng Weiwan now. Was shepletely humiliated by that man?

    Cheng Weiwan told her that she had never dated before. She looked forward to meeting a good person like the ones in the stories she wrote. She looked forward to being in a rtionship that wouldst forever, but considering what was happening to her, how could she ever live out the life she so looked forward to?

    The more Ji Yi thought, the more fiercely her tears fell.

    As both her legs were numb from the devastation, she nearly copsed to the ground. Then Ji Yi suddenly heard a ¡°bang!¡± like a body had been kicked violently, and there was an ear-splitting howl.

    Ji Yi¡¯s wet eyshes quivered softly as she hadn¡¯t quite snapped back to her senses.

    After about ten seconds, the man next to Ji Yi cursed: ¡°F*ck.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s brows furrowed slightly then she instantly realized that someone else was there. Are they here to save me and Cheng Weiwan?

    Ji Yi hurriedly opened her eyes and looked over.

    The man on top of Cheng Weiwan was no longer there. Cheng Weiwan was clutching her torn clothes and forcefully covered herself up as she crouched in the corner.

    The disheveled man who assaulted her was lying nearby, looking badly beaten up. He let out a ¡°Huk.¡±

    The other guys who were surrounding the humiliated Cheng Weiwan straightened up and encircled the ck-suited man.

    The man had his back to Ji Yi, so she couldn¡¯t recognize who he was until one of the other guys made a move first. When he retaliated, he turned his face and Ji Yi realized he was Han Zhifan.

    Did Han Zhifane and just happened to bump into this scene after he called Cheng Weiwan at dinner to ask where she was?

    Deep down, Ji Yi was instantly filled with joy and gratitude.

    The three people fighting Han Zhifan quickly lost their spirit. The two men guarding Ji Yi released her as they too joined the fight.

    Freed from her gag, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t care less about how the fight going on. She stumbled over to Cheng Weiwan.

    ¡°Wanwan?¡± Ji Yi called Cheng Weiwan¡¯s name then crouched to the ground.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t react but curled up her body and cried silently.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart ached as she reached her hand out to stroke Cheng Weiwan¡¯s disheveled hair. Then she took off her jacket and covered Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body.

    Cheng Weiwan finally moved, but she merely made a quick nce at Ji Yi then looked away and continued to fall back into a daze.

    Just as Ji Yi was thinking about what to say tofort Cheng Weiwan, she heard an angry roar up ahead. ¡°Who told you to meddle in my business? Go die!¡±

    Ji Yi turned her head and saw a man with a brick rush over to Han Zhifan and hit the back of his head hard.

    In that split-second, it was like the picture was frozen still.

    After about three seconds, there was blood... Fresh, red blood trickled down from Han Zhifan¡¯s head.

 Chapter 441

    Chapter 441: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In that instant, everything waspletely silent.

    So silent that the only thing that could be heard was the sound of blood dripping.

    The big and tall Han Zhifan swayed violently for a moment then he raised his hand to touch the back of his head.

    His hand instantly turned red. Before he could take a look at his hands, his world turned ck and he copsed to the ground with a ¡°bang!¡±

    The sound rmed everyone in the alley.

    Ji Yi, who watched everything unfold without blinking, suddenly raised her hand and covered her mouth.

    The men surrounding Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan probably didn¡¯t intend to hit him so hard. Seeing Han Zhifan lying on the floor surrounded by a pool of blood, utter panic filled each of their faces. They silently shot nces at one another, helped their friends get up from the ground and dashed out of the alley.

    The sound of their frantic footsteps moved further and further away as those men disappeared.

    Soon after the men disappeared, there was just Ji Yi, Cheng Weiwan and Han Zhifan left in the dim alley.

    Ji Yi was the first to snap out of her shock from what just happened. When she came to, she cried at the motionless Han Zhifan: ¡°Mr. Han?¡±

    She was met by a wall of silence.

    ¡°Mr. Han?¡± Ji Yi asked again as she saw the motionless Han Zhifan in a pool of blood. She panicked and in the next second, her legs trembled as she stumbled over to Han Zhifan. ¡°Mr. Han? Mr. Han? Han Zhifan?! Han Zhifan?!¡±

    The man¡¯s eyes were tightly shut,pletely unresponsive to her cries.

    His face was frighteningly pale and his blood-drenched hair stuck to his forehead.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers shivered as she gently touched Han Zhifan. Seeing as his eyelids didn¡¯t even flinch, she started to feelpletely hopeless.

    She instinctively wanted to find a phone and call 120 for an ambnce. She scanned the area and saw Cheng Weiwan¡¯s phone by her feet. She quickly crawled over and picked up the phone. Just as she was about to press the button, she suddenly remembered that Cheng Weiwan studied medicine, so she probably knew how to stop the blood. Ji Yi abruptly grabbed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s arm. ¡°Wanwan? Wanwan?¡±

    Ji Yi shook Cheng Weiwan violently.

    Cheng Weiwan looked into Ji Yi¡¯s eyes in a daze.

    Ji Yi knew she still hadn¡¯t recovered from the terrifying scene, but now, someone¡¯s life was in danger. There simply wasn¡¯t any time for her to be stunned. Ji Yi hesitated for a moment then a secondter, she grabbed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s wrist and helped her get up from the ground. They headed over to Han Zhifan, where Ji Yi pushed Cheng Weiwan forward so she could see Han Zhifan¡¯s condition clearly.

    Cheng Weiwan stared at Han Zhifan¡¯s blood-covered face for a moment then her fingers twitched softly.

    Ji Yi let out a sigh of relief when she saw Cheng Weiwan finally return from her lifeless state and immediately said, ¡°Wanwan, quick! Think, what should we do? Han Zhifan¡¯s bleeding so much. If he continues to bleed like this, I¡¯m scared he¡¯s going to be in mortal danger...¡±

 Chapter 442

    Chapter 442: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When Cheng Weiwan heard Ji Yi speak, she turned her head and nced over at her. Her eyes still looked nk, but Ji Yi was worried that Han Zhifan was in grave danger, so she said with agitation: ¡°... Wanwan, you studied medicine. Quick! Think of some way to save him!¡±

    ¡°You have to realize... He only ended up in this state while trying to save us!¡±

    To save us... When those three words escaped from Ji Yi¡¯s mouth, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body shivered for a moment. Her mind went nk for a long time before she slowly realized what just happened.

    That man just stripped me. He pressed my body down and almost humiliated me...

    At the time, she really thought she couldn¡¯t escape and gave up struggling as sheid there dejected on the icy ground. While crying silently, she was like a shattered and unresponsive doll.

    But just as that man was going to invade her body and force the revolting weight of his body on her, he suddenly disappeared...

    I thought I was wishing too hard for someone to save me at that moment, so I thought I was just hallucinating... I never imagined that I would actually be saved in the nick of time?!

    At that thought, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips started to tremble slightly.

    ¡°Wanwan?!¡± cried Ji Yi desperately as she saw Cheng Weiwan stare back at her with no reaction.

    Cheng Weiwan shivered as she came back to her senses when Ji Yi called her. She turned her head and nced at Han Zhifan. The next second, she crouched to the ground, reached her hand out and checked Han Zhifan¡¯s nostrils. Then she held his wrist to check his pulse. After she confirmed that he wasn¡¯t in mortal danger, she ripped some of her clothes off and swiftly wrapped them around Han Zhifan¡¯s head, supporting his head wound.

    Though it didn¡¯t stop the blood from flowing, the bleeding did slow down quite a bit.

    That was when Ji Yi let out a sigh of relief and asked Cheng Weiwan, ¡°Will Mr. Han be alright?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan silently stared at Han Zhifan as though she hadn¡¯t heard what Ji Yi said at all.

    Ji Yi figured too many things happened so Cheng Weiwan was probably still processing it all; Ji Yi didn¡¯t bother asking anymore. Instead, she used Cheng Weiwan¡¯s phone to call an ambnce.

    After Ji Yi hung up the phone, she scanned the area and found her and Cheng Weiwan¡¯s handbags.

    Ji Yi took a long time to pick up both bags; she limped as she walked with her grazed knees from when the man pushed her over earlier.

    When she handed Cheng Weiwan her handbag, Cheng Weiwan remained unresponsive, still crouched on the ground next to Han Zhifan. Without even blinking her eyes, she was staring motionlessly at his unconscious face.

    It wasn¡¯t until the ambnce arrived that Cheng Weiwan quickly got up from the ground. She wrapped herself in the jacket Ji Yi gave her and made way for the nurse.

    As soon as they got in the ambnce, the nurse started to help Han Zhifan stop the bleeding.

    Cheng Weiwan was sitting by Han Zhifan¡¯s side, staring unwaveringly at him. When she looked up, she saw her reflection in the mirror.

    Half her face was swollen, her hair was messy and she had a few wounds on her knees...

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything but stared quietly for some time before she withdrew her gaze. Then she found her phone, drafted a message, and sent it.

 Chapter 443

    Chapter 443: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    The ambnce reached the hospital in no more than ten minutes.

    The car came to a stop. The car door opened and Han Zhifan was immediately taken by the nurse waiting at the hospital entrance.

    Cheng Weiwan was never more than a single step away from Han Zhifan¡¯s side; she followed the nurse from the ambnce. The two of them followed behind Han Zhifan as he got out of the car.

    After the people in the ambnce stepped out, Ji Yi picked up her handbag, got up and quickly got out of the car.

    She found her feet then told Cheng Weiwan she was going to help look after Han Zhifan, so she was going to change into a hospital gown. That was when she suddenly heard a familiar voice next to Han Zhifan¡¯s ambnce saying, ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡±

    As she heard this voice, a tall, slender figure barged into Ji Yi¡¯s sight. Both the word ¡°Wanwan¡± from her mouth and her footsteps towards Han Zhifan came to a sudden stop.

    Her fingers clutched her bag more tightly and her gaze slowly lifted as she looked over to Han Zhifan¡¯s side.

    A middle-aged man in a long white gown who looked like he could be the president of the hospital was talking to Cheng Weiwan.

    Beside them was a man in a white top and ck bottoms. He stood leisurely as he stared at their exchange with a rather unconcerned look on his face.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze stopped on the man¡¯s face for no more than two seconds before her eyes were drawn to the man¡¯s wrist.

    Under the dazzling light from the hospital entrance, the red string looked unusually striking.

    In actuality, when she heard the voice, she knew it was He Jichen. But it was only after she saw the red string that she realized he was real.

    It really is He Jichen... It¡¯s He Jichen, who I haven¡¯t seen for about a month...

    Ji Yi stopped in her tracks and stared at He Jichen but didn¡¯te close.

    The middle-aged man in the white gown must¡¯ve finished speaking to Cheng Weiwan as he was now saying a few words to He Jichen standing beside him. Then he headed over to Han Zhifan¡¯s bedside and started to talk to the nurse beside him who was waiting to prep the operating room.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t go to the bedside; she but turned her head to look over at He Jichen.

    He Jichen¡¯s lips moved. As they were quite some distance apart, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear what he said, but from the shape of his lips, she could tell he was asking Cheng Weiwan about what happened.

    Without even waiting for Cheng Weiwan to speak, He Jichen turned his head and quickly said something to the nurse beside him. Then the nurse quickly removed her long white jacket and handed it to He Jichen.

    He Jichen took it and handed it to Cheng Weiwan. She hesitated for a moment before taking it; she must¡¯ve said: ¡°Thank you.¡± Cheng Weiwan paused for a moment then continued to speak for some time.

    From start to finish, He Jichen didn¡¯t make a sound, but the expression on his face became colder and colder.

    After Cheng Weiwan finished speaking, he turned to look in the direction where Ji Yi was standing.

    He stared at her so unexpectedly that Ji Yi wasn¡¯t prepared at all as her immediate attention was captured by his eyes.

    He wasn¡¯t looking at Cheng Weiwan, nor did he even notice Cheng Weiwan saying anything. All he did was nod gently, raise his feet and start to walk over to Ji Yi.

    His footsteps were big. As Ji Yi snapped back to reality after their gazes unexpectedly met, he was already standing in front of her. His eyes started to scan her entire body up and down.

 Chapter 444

    Chapter 444: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s gaze firstnded on Ji Yi¡¯s face. Having heard Cheng Weiwan retell the events of that night, his cold eyes were bleak.

    He pursed his lips slightly then after a while, his gaze dropped.

    Her nude-colored clothes were covered in dirt and there were some areas which were so worn out that there were holes.

    Her fair arms were grimy and the inside of her forearm had arge graze.

    He Jichen¡¯s hand balled up into a fist as a murderous impulse entered his heart.

    Those people not only hit her face, but they injured her in other areas too?

    He Jichen¡¯s chest started to heave from rage, and after some time, he withdrew his gaze and averted it to the lower half of Ji Yi¡¯s body.

    With just one nce, he could see the traces of blood beneath her dress in the area of her covered knees.

    Is that Han Zhifan¡¯s blood or is that from her injuries?

    He Jichen walked over, crouched down and lifted Ji Yi¡¯s dress.

    Ji Yi jumped in fright from his unexpected actions and instinctively took a step back. He grabbed her calves.

    His palms were really hot; they burned Ji Yi¡¯s legs until she instinctively tightened up and her fingers clutched her bag even more tightly.

    The wounds on her legs were far more serious than the grazes on her arm; her left knee already turned purple. The injured area was still bleeding... so, someone pushed her to the ground?

    He Jichen squinted his eyes and a thick, vicious aura suddenly emitted from his body, adding to the already-heavy atmosphere.

    Ji Yi stood frozen in ce for a long time. Her legs were a little ufortable, so she couldn¡¯t help but shift around.

    He Jichen snapped back to his senses and released his hands. As he stood up, he said with his cold, angry voice, ¡°I¡¯ll take you in to get looked at.¡±

    As he said this, he snatched the handbag in her hands and pulled her wrist. Then he dragged her and walked over to the emergency unit.

    Yeah, Ji Yi was in some pain, but she knew that her muscles and bones were intact; she would be fine if she applied some ointment from home. Her injuries weren¡¯t worth making a big fuss over; she didn¡¯t need to see the doctor. She instinctively rxed a little as she stepped back. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll be fine after I put some ointment on it when I get back home.¡±

    He Jichen kept dragging her and walked ahead like he hadn¡¯t heard what she said.

    All Ji Yi could do was make up some random excuse. ¡°What¡¯s more, you need ID to be seen by a doctor. I don¡¯t have my ID with me today...¡±

    He Jichen stopped his footsteps.

    Standing with his back to Ji Yi, He Jichen looked back at her. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take you back home.¡±

    As he said that, he dragged her wrist and headed for the nearby parking lot.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll go back by myself. There are many taxis here...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s knees hurt so much that she couldn¡¯t walk steadily. After walking a couple steps, He Jichen noticed this and stopped walking.

    Ji Yi thought by his actions, He Jichen was allowing her to head home on her own, so she tried to draw her fingers back from him. All of a sudden, he forcefully dragged her in front of him, bent down, lifted her up, and carried her over to the car with big strides. He pulled the car door open and without giving her any chance to fight back, he shoved her in and locked the door while he was at it.

    He Jichen quickly got into the car and bent over to fasten Ji Yi¡¯s seat belt. Then he stepped on the gas and drove out of the hospital.

 Chapter 445

    Chapter 445: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen stared straight at the street ahead with a cold expression as he drove quickly without even slowing down when he made a turn. He saw a red light from afar, but he didn¡¯t even step on the brakes, forcing himself to brake suddenly when the car reached the traffic light. Even with her seat belt on, Ji Yi¡¯s entire body swayed left to right throughout the ride.

    He Jichen looked like he was letting off some steam, but Ji Yi could still sense that his body temperature was as cold as ever.

    He was obviously unhappy. Seeing as he didn¡¯t say anything, Ji Yi didn¡¯t either.

    It was silent in the car.

    In the dead of the night, the car sped down who knew how many intersections before they reached Ji Yi¡¯s neighborhood.

    There was another red light ahead of them which prompted He Jichen to make an emergency brake ande to a stop.

    Ji Yi was hurled forward. When her body stabilized, she looked up and saw that they were about to reach an express hotel through the windshield.

    Her parents came back two days ago from their trip abroad. If she came home looking like this, they¡¯d definitely worry.

    Years ago, they were worried enough when she fell into aa from the car ident. Now that she was awake, she had to consider their feelings...

    Ji Yi thought about going to the express hotel and said, ¡°You can just drop me off on the road up ahead.¡±

    Her sudden words made He Jichen instinctively turn his head and nce at her. Seeing that she was staring straight ahead, his eyes followed her gaze. When he caught sight of the express hotel, he instantly understood what she meant.

    Is she nning to stay alone at the express hotel?

    She has wounds all over her body, and after what happened tonight...

    He Jichen furrowed his brows as he noticed the red light turning green in the corner of his eye. A secondter, he stepped on the gas as he turned the steering wheel, making a turn at the intersection.

    This isn¡¯t the way to the hotel...

    Ji Yi thought He Jichen forgot the way, so she hurriedly said, ¡°You made a wrong turn. You should¡¯ve gone straight ahead.¡±

    He Jichen ignored what she said and sped up.

    Two short minutester, the express hotel had already disappeared in the rearview mirror.

    ¡°The hotel is on that road. You¡¯re driving further and further away...¡±

    ¡°You can just make a turn at the next intersection, and you¡¯ll get to-¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Ji Yi spoke several times but He Jichen ignored her. The area they were driving in looked more and more familiar to her and she realized they were approaching B-Film. She thought he wanted to take her back to the school, so she hurriedly said, ¡°I don¡¯t have sses in the next two days, so don¡¯t go back to the school. What¡¯s more, my things are at home...¡±

    Just as Ji Yi finished speaking, He Jichen made a turn up ahead and drove into the neighborhood underground car park.

    She¡¯d been to He Jichen¡¯s ce a few times, so of course she knew he was taking her back to his ce...

    A month ago, after what happened to them in Shanghai, she rejected his offer to take responsibility and got a divorce from Yuguang Ge when she returned. She told herself that she had to forget Yuguang Ge and control her feelings for He Jichen... And the best way to control her feelings was by keeping her distance from He Jichen. If she went to his house, wouldn¡¯t it just be the two of them alone in a room?

    Ji Yi instinctively said, ¡°I...¡±

    She only let out one word when He Jichen smoothly entered the parking space and stomped on the brakes.

    She was hurled forward and her words naturally died in her mouth. Then she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice say, ¡°Stay at my ce. I have a business trip early tomorrow morning, so nobody will be home during that time.¡±

 Chapter 446

    Chapter 446: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After He Jichen finished speaking, he stayed in his seat for about two seconds before he got out without even waiting for Ji Yi¡¯s reply. He walked around the front of the car and walked over to the passenger seat.

    He pulled the car door open and picked up Ji Yi¡¯s bag. Then he bent over and carried her out of the car. He used his leg to nudge the door closed before striding over to the elevator.

    Having returned home, He Jichen put Ji Yi down on the bed and reached for his phone. He walked towards the balcony by the tall windows as he tapped his phone to make a call.

    It was just the two of them in the enormous room and it was the middle of the night, so the area was unbelievably quiet. Although He Jichen didn¡¯t speak loudly, she could hear every word of his phone call. ¡°Are you asleep? Yes... something came up, so I need you to drop by... Do you need me to send a driver to you? Alright, I¡¯ll wait at home for you. Sorry to have to trouble you...¡±

    After he hung up the phone, He Jichen didn¡¯t turn around but raised his phone again and made another call. After about half a minute, Ji Yi heard his voice again in a clearer and simpler manner than before, which made his tone of voice sound more resolute. ¡°Can you please drop by now? Yes, now.¡±

    Then he hung up the phone again. He Jichen stood in front of the window for some time then turned around, but he didn¡¯t walk over to Ji Yi. Instead, he went to the dining room.

    After about five minutes, he came out carrying a steaming cup.

    He walked over to the sofa, bent down, and put the cup in front of Ji Yi. Then he sat down on an armchair not too far away from her.

    Everything fell apart a month ago, so it was a little awkward for the two of them to sit together. Neither of them spoke for quite some time.

    The quieter the room was, the more stifled the atmosphere felt.

    Perhaps He Jichen sensed how Ji Yi felt, or perhaps He Jichen also felt a little ufortable too since he took the remote control on the coffee table and turned the TV on.

    A music video happened to be ying; it was one of the songs currently popr.

    The rxing music slowly improved the atmosphere in the room.

    Ji Yi¡¯s tense body also gradually rxed.

    Before the song ended, the doorbell rang.

    He Jichen put the remote control down, got up, and walked over to the door.

    Soon enough, Ji Yi heard the sound of footsteps which disappeared into the entrance area. Ji Yi turned her head and saw Dr. Xia behind He Jichen.

    They stopped about a meter away from the sofa when He Jichen pointed at Ji Yi and raised his hand as if to gesture Dr. Xia to go ahead.

    Dr. Xia was evidently startled when he saw Ji Yi¡¯s condition. He didn¡¯t ask any questions but quickly walked over to Ji Yi¡¯s side, opened the medical kit and hurriedly started to take care of her injuries.

    He Jichen stood on the spot, staring at Dr. Xia as he helped Ji Yi treat her wounds.

    Even though the three people in the room didn¡¯t speak, the atmosphere was better with Dr. Xia around.

    Ji Yi quietly winced a few times in pain as he disinfected the wound. She bit her fingers while looking out the window.

    All the lights were on in the room, so it was bright as day. With the pitch-ck night outside, the windows were like mirrors, reflecting everything in the room very clearly.

    While Ji Yi¡¯s knee was being looked at, she instinctively turned her head and faced the window as she bit the back of her hand. That was when her gaze incidentally swept over to He Jichen standing behind the sofa.

 Chapter 447

    Chapter 447: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The man stood elegantly yet leisurely with both hands in his pockets. His gaze fell calmly on both Ji Yi and Dr. Xia.

    After unexpectedly bumping into him tonight, she hadn¡¯t had enough time to really look at him; now that she did, Ji Yi realized that He Jichen got a haircut. It was a lot shorter than thest time she saw him a month ago, and he looked a lot skinnier.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because he was really busy at worktely, but it looked like he hadn¡¯t been sleeping well. The dark circles under his eyes were very heavy and his eyes looked deeply exhausted.

    ¡°Miss Ji...¡± said Dr. Xia suddenly, startling Ji Yi, who was staring at He Jichen through the window in a daze.

    She hurriedly looked to see that Dr. Xia had already taken care of her wound and was pulling out medicine from his medical kit.

    As he grabbed the medicine, he said, ¡°...these are to be rubbed on the skin, and these are to be taken orally... The wounds are alright, not considerably deep. Today, I¡¯ll wrap them up for you. After you remove the bandages tomorrow, you won¡¯t need to bandage them up again. Tonight, don¡¯t let the wound on your knee touch water ¨C your other areas are fine. Tomorrow, if a scab forms, you can take a shower as normal...¡±

    When Dr. Xia finished speaking, he had already put his medical kit away and gotten up from the sofa. He said goodbye to Ji Yi then walked over to He Jichen. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Her wounds aren¡¯t serious. If there¡¯s anything else, call me. I have an operation at the hospital, so I¡¯ll be on my way now.¡±

    He Jichen nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯ll see you out.¡±

    He Jichen walked Dr. Xia to the elevator doors. When they opened, Zhang Sao walked out from inside.

    Seeing both He Jichen and Dr. Xia standing in the corridors, Zhang Sao was stunned and greeted them. ¡°Mr. He, Dr. Xia.¡±

    Dr. Xia smiled at Zhang Sao but headed straight for the elevator because he couldn¡¯t stay for long, considering that he had to rush back to the hospital.

    The elevator doors closed and Zhang Sao was about to walk over to the door when she noticed He Jichen still standing at the same spot. She stopped and turned to nce at He Jichen in confusion. ¡°Mr. He, are you not going inside?¡±

    Ji Yi must be physically and mentally exhausted from what happened to her and Cheng Weiwan tonight. With me at home, she probably won¡¯t be able to rest well, so it¡¯d be best if I don¡¯t go back. Anyway, when I received Cheng Weiwan¡¯s text, I was busy working, so there¡¯s still a bunch of work waiting for me...

    At that thought, He Jichen withdrew his gaze from the elevator and shook his head ¡°no.¡±

    After three seconds, He Jichen looked over at Zhang Sao. ¡°These next few days, take good care of her. If she¡¯s ever feeling unwell, call Dr. Xia immediately. When her wounds form scabs, they¡¯ll definitely be itchy. When she sleeps, she¡¯ll definitely scratch them, so please pay a bit more attention to her at night and watch over her...¡±

    He Jichen carefully ordered Zhang Sao to do many things and only stopped when he ran out of things to remind her.

    He stood there for a long time before he nced over at the closed door to his apartment with a lonely look. Then he walked over to the elevator, pressed the button to open the doors, and stepped inside without looking back.

    He Jichen drove the car out of the underground parking lot and stopped by the road. He lit a cigarette and smoked half of it when he suddenly remembered something. He pulled his phone out from his pocket and gave Chen Bai a call. ¡°Tonight, something happened to Ji Yi in the courtyard of Nancheng. Try to find out about those people and while you¡¯re at it, find out who¡¯s behind this!¡±

 Chapter 448

    Chapter 448: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After He Jichen hung up, he put the cigarette in the corner of his mouth and took a drag. When he slowly blew out a cloud of smoke, he looked out his car window and stared at the tall building nearby. Through the smoke, his gaze fell on the illuminated window of his apartment.

    After staring for such a long time, He Jichen only blinked when his phone rang. He slowly withdrew his gaze as his eyes swept over his phone screen. It was someone from thepany calling ¨C they were probably rushing him toe back. He didn¡¯t pick up the call. He snapped the cigarette between his fingers and stepped on the gas as he slowly drove away.

    ¨C

    When the door opened again, Ji Yi thought it was He Jichen returning from seeing Dr. Xia out. Her body instinctively tensed up before she heard Zhang Sao¡¯s voice: ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi was stunned for a moment but after two seconds, she raised her head to see that it was just Zhang Sao on her own.

    She assumed He Jichen was still talking to Dr. Xia outside. Ji Yi smiled back at her. ¡°Zhang Sao.¡±

    Before He Jichen left, he gave Zhang Sao many sets of instructions; she remembered each one by heart. She waited for Ji Yi to finish changing her shoes and step into the living room before she immediately carried out what He Jichen asked her to do. ¡°Miss Ji, are you hungry now? Shall I whip up some supper for you?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head.

    Zhang Sao thought about what He Jichen said ¨C if Ji Yi wasn¡¯t hungry, make her a cup of hot milk to help her sleep instead. ¡°Then Miss Ji, shall I prepare a hot cup of milk? After you drink it, you¡¯ll sleep a little better.¡±

    Ji Yi hesitated for a moment then gently nodded.

    Zhang Sao smiled brightly and replied, ¡°Miss Ji, please wait for a moment,¡± then she headed into the dining room.

    After Zhang Sao emerged from the dining room carrying a cup of hot milk, the apartment door still showed no other signs of being pushed open.

    Are He Jichen and Dr. Xia actually chatting outside for this long?

    ¡°Miss Ji, your milk.¡± Zhang Sao stopped at Ji Yi¡¯s side and handed her the cup of milk.

    Ji Yi came back to her senses and thanked her. After she took the cup, she raised it to her lips and took a small sip. Seeing as the door still didn¡¯t move in the slightest, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but ask in bewilderment, ¡°Is he... and Dr. Xia still chatting outside?¡±

    Zhang Sao paused for a moment and realized that the ¡°he¡± Ji Yi was referring to was He Jichen. Then she said, ¡°When I came in, Mr. He already left.¡±

    So, He Jichen left long ago... then those two phone calls earlier... One was to Dr. Xia and the other was to Zhang Sao?

    He specifically called Zhang Sao over to take care of me?

    Ji Yi held the cup of milk silently while deep in thought. Beside her, Zhang Sao noticed that she didn¡¯t react at all, so she added, ¡°Mr. He said he had some work to do at the office, so he called me over to take good care of you.¡±

    Things really are as I thought... Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly skipped a beat and her fingertips couldn¡¯t help but tighten around the cup of milk. Then she felt her own heart start to race uncontrobly.

    In the past, she was in the same situation but at the time, she didn¡¯t understand that they were signs that she was emotionally touched by He Jichen. Now, she understood what they meant, but she was afraid... She was afraid she¡¯d fall deeper, and that after making their rtionship clear, this would make matters messy again.

    With that thought, Ji Yi took a hard gulp as she tried her best to suppress the pounding of her heart. Then she replied to Zhang Sao with an ¡°Oh,¡± before raising the cup and downing the milk.

    After putting the cup on the table, Ji Yi left Zhang Sao with the words: ¡°I¡¯m going to get some rest now.¡± Without waiting for a reply, she got up and walked into He Jichen¡¯s bedroom.

 Chapter 449

    Chapter 449: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Throughout the night, Ji Yi tossed and turned in He Jichen¡¯s bed for a long time before she could fall asleep.

    When she woke, the sunlight from outside the windows was shining over the entire floor.

    Ji Yi sat up and nced at the pile of neatly folded clothes by the bedside along with some unopened toiletries.

    Ji Yi knew Zhang Sao must¡¯ve snuck in while she slept.

    She reached for her phone and checked the time ¨C it was already approaching twelve in the afternoon. She yanked off the covers and got out of bed to use the bathroom.

    After she came out, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to change, so she first removed the bandages as instructed by Dr. Xiast night.

    While she was at it, she nced at the wound, which looked like it was healing up.

    After she got changed, Ji Yi walked over to the bedroom door. Just as she pulled the door open, she smelled the alluring aroma of rice.

    It had been almost fourteen hours since the events ofst night. During this time, all Ji Yi had to eat or drink was a cup of milk. She was truly hungry, so she hurriedly entered the dining room.

    Zhang Sao immediately greeted her enthusiastically and beckoned for her to take a seat, then she served some food on the table.

    The swelling of Ji Yi¡¯s face hadn¡¯t subsided, so she couldn¡¯t go outside. After having lunch, she snuggled on the sofa as she had nothing better to do. She grabbed her phone and asked Tang Huahua to start a party in their game.

    But the second before she was about to send Tang Huahua a message, she thought about Cheng Weiwan and Han Zhifan. Then she hurriedly exited WeChat, found Cheng Weiwan¡¯s phone number and called her.

    ¨C

    When Ji Yi called, Han Zhifan was already awake and surrounded by doctors examining him.

    Cheng Weiwan walked out of the patient room and tapped a button to take the call. She chatted with Ji Yi for a little then hurriedly hung up.

    As she put her phone away, Cheng Weiwan immediately pushed open the patient door. Just as she walked in, the doctors surrounding Han Zhifan dispersed. One of the middle-aged doctors in charge of Han Zhifan saw Cheng Weiwan enter and he took off his face mask. ¡°Mr. Han has recovered back to normal now. He has to stay for one more day, but if no other issues arise, he can be discharged tomorrow.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan nodded to say that she understood and she gave her thanks.

    After the row of doctors left the room, Cheng Weiwan walked over to Han Zhifan¡¯s bedside.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s head was bandaged up. Even though he was awake now, he was exhausted because he lost a lot of blood. After being examined by all the doctors, he shut his eyes, intending to get some rest until he sensed someone drawing closer. Then he slowly opened his eyes to see that Cheng Weiwan was walking over to him.

    Their eyes met. Cheng Weiwan originally wanted to sit down, but she suddenly stopped still.

    The two of them looked at one another for no more than three seconds when Cheng Weiwan hurriedly lowered her eyes. She looked away from Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes and sat in the chair by his bed where she watched over him during the night. Then she opened her mouth and said in a gentle voice, ¡°How do you feel now?¡±

    ¡°Pretty good,¡± replied Han Zhifan casually as though he wasn¡¯t the one injuredst night.

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips when she heard that. She lowered her head and stared at the phone in her hands for some time. Then she asked the question on her mind sincest night: ¡°Why did you do it?¡±

    ¡°There were clearly several people there. You could¡¯ve called the police or called for help. Why did you have to take them on alone?¡±

    A pale-faced Han Zhifan stared straight at Cheng Weiwan for quite some time before saying, ¡°Because I like you.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingertips trembled as her phone almost slid and fell to the ground.

 Chapter 450

    Chapter 450: I¡¯ll Take You Back Home (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The patient room was engulfed in silence.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s line of sight never left Cheng Weiwan, who had her head lowered.

    The sunlight outside the window shone unusually brightly. He stared at her messy head for a long time then spoke again with a far more serious tone than before. ¡°Wanwan, I really do like you. I¡¯ve liked you since the first time Iid eyes on you. I¡¯ve never felt so serious about a girl before. This is the first time, so Wanwan... Will you be my girlfriend?¡±

    Nobody had ever confessed to Cheng Weiwan before. Come to think of it, this was her first time.

    In the face of his request, she felt a little helpless and held her head even lower. A light red blush swept across her face and neck.

    Seeing as she didn¡¯t say anything for some time, Han Zhifan said, ¡°Maybe if you want to find a boyfriend one day, you¡¯ll consider me?¡±

    Because she was nervous, Cheng Weiwan instinctively tightened her grip on her phone. After about three seconds, she raised her head and swiftly nced at Han Zhifan. Then she put her head down and let out a soft ¡°Mhm.¡±

    She didn¡¯t wait for Han Zhifan to speak and said, ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten anything after being unconscious for so long; you must be hungry. I¡¯ll go buy you some food.¡±

    After she said this, Cheng Weiwan bolted up and ran out of the patient room.

    Soon after the door closed, Cheng Weiwan returned. Without daring to nce over at Han Zhifan on the bed, she grabbed her handbag and ran out of the room.

    The patient room fellpletely silent. Han Zhifan stared at the seat where Cheng Weiwan was just sitting. He reached for his phone by the bed and made a call.

    Soon enough, the phone was picked up. ¡°Lin Sheng, it¡¯s done. Send the money to the guys. Remember, you have to tell them to act as though nothing happened,¡± said Han Zhifan.

    Over the phone, Lin Sheng didn¡¯t say anything for some time.

    ¡°Lin Sheng?¡± prompted Han Zhifan.

    ¡°Mr. Han, I...¡± stammered Lin Sheng before it fell quiet for a few seconds. Then he continued to say, ¡°...Mr. Han, I heard from those guysst night that they took things too far. Just a little bit more and they would¡¯ve really had her... Wasn¡¯t this a little cruel? After all, Cheng Weiguo¡¯s in the wrong, not his daughter...¡±

    Han Zhifan looked like he heard a funny joke as there was a taunting tilt in his brows. ¡°Cruel? That was cruel? Then what about Lili? What do you call what happened to Lili?¡±

    Lin Sheng suddenly fell silent.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for him to speak as he continued to say sternly, ¡°Lin Sheng, do as I say!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Han. I¡¯ll handle it.¡±

    ¨C

    From Cheng Weiwan¡¯s report, Han Zhifan had already woken up and was no longer in danger. Only then did Ji Yi rx and feel at ease to y games with Tang Huahua.

    On the third round, Tang Huahua suddenly put her phone down.

    Ji Yi sent her a few messages in the game, but seeing as she was ignored, Ji Yi exited the game and entered WeChat to find Tang Huahua.

    Before Ji Yi could send a message, Tang Huahua beat her to it. ¡°Xiao Yi, look! This is definitely explosive news from the entertainment industry!¡±

    Following this, several screenshots popped onto her phone screen.

    No matter how big the news, it can wait till after the game¡¯s finished... Ji Yi was just about to tell Tang Huahua to finish ying the game first when she saw the familiar words ¡°YC¡± on the screen.

 Chapter 451

    Chapter 451: An Overnight Sensation (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    YC... isn¡¯t that He Jichen¡¯spany?

    Don¡¯t tell me Tang Huahua¡¯s explosive news has something to do with He Jichen?

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t care less about her unfinished game as she immediately opened the screenshot and started to read.

    It was a Weibo post from a verified user who often posted about all different types of entertainment news: ¡°Unofficial news reveals that an unknown female celebrity will be the first artist to sign under YC Corp, thepany which was single-handedly founded by the talented director, He Jichen.¡±

    It was just a simple sentence. Below that werements guessing who the female celebrity signed under YC could be. Ji Yi skimmed through the names of female celebrities; if they weren¡¯t A-list celebrities, then they were famous celebrities or rtively popr celebrities.

    She already signed a contract with YC in front of He Jichen long ago when they discussed the contract for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± ¨C it was just that this piece of news had remained under wraps until now. Could someone have let the word out and leaked the information?

    Ji Yi pondered it for two seconds before she checked Tang Huahua¡¯s other screenshots.

    ¡°The queen of TV dramas, Jiang Xinxin, ended her contract three days ago with Huanyi Entertainment. Yesterday, she had a three-hour-long meeting with the ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± director, He Jichen, over coffee. They looked like they were discussing signing with YC.¡±

    There were even photo attachments underneath the text. Even if the photo wasn¡¯t clear, Ji Yi could still tell that the man in the picture was He Jichen and the woman sitting opposite him with the baseball cap and remarkable body was Jiang Xinxin.

    ¡°During the Anrui Charity G, the box office queen, Lin Shiyi, was talking non-stop with the famous director, He Jichen. After the party, the two of them met in the restaurant downstairs and talked for four hours. Reports tell us that Lin Shiyi and her current management contract will end next month.¡±

    There were nine whole photos beneath this Weibo post. Compared to the previous screenshot, these were a lot clearer, which not only caught their faces but also clearly caught He Jichen and Lin Shiyi¡¯s facial expressions.

    All but one of the screenshots was simr ¨C this one had a different female celebrity in it. It was Chen Wanlin, the two-time winner of the White Flower best actress award, personally traveling to YC Corp.

    The poprity of several of these female celebrities was astonishing. They had enormous fan bases, they usually walked down the red carpet, and a couple casual photos of them would pop up in the top searches list from time to time. Even photos secretly taken of Lin Shiyi without make-up walking down the street would linger on the hot searches for a whole day and night.

    Now that these female celebrities were suspected of signing on with YC, it was no wonder Tang Huahua said that it was explosive news... It¡¯d be odd if it wasn¡¯t explosive with so many female celebrities mentioned altogether!

    With that thought, Ji Yi immediately exited WeChat and opened Weibo.

    It was just as she imagined ¨C the top searches on Weibo were practically all about that news: ¡°Chen Wanlin YC,¡± ¡°Lin Shiyi, He Jichen,¡± ¡°Jiang Xinxin New Management¡±...

    Five minutes ago, an insider leaked the fact that YC was only nning to sign one female artist.

    It was difficult to notpare when several big-shot female celebrities were bunched together. If their fans weren¡¯t defending their idol, they were replying to haters of their idol. To get involved, some verified users started polls like ¡°Who will be YC Corp¡¯s first artist?¡± causing fans to participate more fiercely than before. In a moment, was Weibopletely revolving around the topic: ¡°Which female celebrity will be signed by the hottest, talented director He Jichen?¡±

    I¡¯m already an artist signed under YC, but the news that just came out doesn¡¯t have anything to do with me...

    Could it be that He Jichen¡¯s recently been nning to sign other artists?

 Chapter 452

    Chapter 452: An Overnight Sensation (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Any one of these female artists was better than she was by a hundred times ¨C no, a thousand times. He Jichen was hot right now, so if he was able to sign one of them, they¡¯d undoubtedly be a strong team... To be associated with YC as apany in addition to He Jichen could provide anyone with the best prospects.

    But when he first signed her, he told her she would be the only artist signed under YC...

    But that was over two months ago. Aside from learning that she was booked to take on the role as the female lead for the new drama ¡°The Unstable, Grand Tang¡± that Cheng Weiwan told her about, thepany hadn¡¯t given her any other jobs. She hadn¡¯t even met a manager...

    Could it be that something changed after He Jichen promised her?

    Ji Yi¡¯s mood instantly plummeted.

    She stared at her phone screen filled with conversations on Weibo without the least bit of interest and ended up closing the app.

    There was a new message notification for her on WeChat.

    Ji Yi casually clicked it. It was a whole series of messages from Tang Huahua.

    ¡°He Xuezhang 1 is simply amazing! He¡¯s actually going to sign an A-list celebrity!¡±

    ¡°Ah! I like so many female celebrities! One of them is Lin Siyi. I hope He Xuezhang ends up signing her!¡±

    ¡°Jiang Xinxin is good too. What to do? Xiao Yi, I can¡¯t decide!¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi,eee! Log into the game and y with me!¡±

    There were about ten minutes between her final message and her first message. Tang Huahua must¡¯ve already finished going through thetest entertainment news; her excitement over the news must¡¯ve died down and she was now distracted by the game.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in the mood to y anymore, yet she was afraid her mind would wander if she had nothing to do, so she logged into the game.

    Maybe it was because her mind was preupied or maybe she was just bad at the game, but she yed particrly poorly. She died a total of eighteen times in one match.

    Ji Yi stared at her ¡°2.0¡± score and felt even worse. She rejected Tang Huahua¡¯s next game invite and replied ¡°busy with something¡± then tossed her phone aside.

    The premiere for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was being shown today at eight in the evening.

    After dinner, Ji Yi was glued to the TV.

    Having gone through post-production, ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was aesthetically beautiful and the scenes looked impable, the soundtrack was magnificent, and the scenes were edited to bepact yet orderly and logical so the pacing was good. Just two episodes were enough to push the drama to the top of everyone¡¯s minds, grabbing everyone¡¯s attention.

    In the evening, Zhang Sao was free, so seeing as Ji Yi was watching TV, she decided to join her. After watching thetest episode, Zhang Sao couldn¡¯t help but ask Ji Yi about the story.

    After chatting to Zhang Sao till about half-past ten, Ji Yi drank some hot milk and headed back to the bedroom. Sheid in bed and opened Weibo out of habit.

    Perhaps it was because ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was showing that Ji Yi¡¯s fanbase, which was usually stagnant, actually increased by two hundred percent that night.

    The hot searches list was still taken over by the news of YC signing a new artist, but ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± actually made it onto the list too.

    Most of thements were from fans admiring the female lead, Qian Ge, along with the male lead, Cheng Yi. There were also quite a few random viewers whoplimented the story. Ji Yi flipped through about three hundred or so pages before she finally read something about herself. They probably couldn¡¯t remember her real name, so they only mentioned her character¡¯s name when they said: ¡°Princess Qingyang is so beautiful.¡±

    When she closed Weibo, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but check a discussion on who might be the next female artist to sign with YC. She nced at the statistics to see that the total number of voters had reached twenty million.

    But underneath the Weibo statistics, the blogger still made a new post.

 Chapter 453

    Chapter 453: An Overnight Sensation (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was twenty-five past nine in the evening.

    The post read: ¡°Insider reveals that YC has the copyrights to ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± and the TV drama has already started to raise funds. This time, the female artist YC signs will most likely be the female lead on ¡°Jiuchong Pce.¡±

    The female lead to ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡±... When He Jichen first signed Ji Yi, she saw the licensing contract for ¡°Jiuchong Pce.¡±

    She always assumed that after she signed with YC, her first series would be ¡°Jiuchong Pce,¡± but two days ago, Cheng Weiwan gave her the script for ¡°The Unstable, Grand Tang¡± instead. Could it be that the situation wasn¡¯t as Cheng Weiwan described? Ji Yi wasn¡¯t assigned to train her acting skills with another series first, but in actuality, they already had a female lead cast for ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡±?

    Ji Yi was feeling better after she watched ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± but now she suddenly felt down.

    She was afraid that the more Weibo posts she read, the more upset she¡¯d feel, so she switched her phone off andid in bed with her eyes shut.

    Like the night before, sheid on He Jichen¡¯s bed, tossing and turning for a long time before forcing herself to sleep.

    She didn¡¯t sleep well and wasn¡¯t able to wake up naturally like the night before either. Instead, she slept for no more than an hour before she woke up again.

    Ji Yiid in bed ufortably then eventually pulled off the covers and hopped out of bed. She wanted to walk to the kitchen to pour a cup of water. When she walked to the door and cracked it open a little, she heard Zhang Sao whispering outside.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t quite hear her clearly from upstairs. After hearing nothing after Zhang Sao finished speaking, she realized Zhang Sao was on the phone. Ji Yi pulled the door open and quietly crept over.

    As she reached the banister, Ji Yi nced downstairs into the living room. Zhang Sao was sitting on the sofa with her back facing her and a phone to her ear. ¡°Miss Ji went to bed at ten something...¡± she said.

    Miss Ji... is she talking about me?

    Ji Yi suddenly stopped in her tracks.

    She didn¡¯t know what the person said on the other side, but Zhang Sao respectfully said, ¡°... the wound is healing just fine, but the swelling in her face hasn¡¯tpletely gone down yet...¡±

    ¡°...I have. I gave Miss Ji an egg to disperse the bruising... I have. I applied the medicine... Yes, I¡¯ll go into the bedroom to check on Miss Jiter to see if she¡¯s scratched the wound...¡±

    ¡°... Miss Ji¡¯s in a good mood. She slept fromst night all the way till twelve in the afternoon. After lunch, she started to y games and watched Three Thousand Lunaticsst night... Mhm, Mr. He, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take good care of Miss Ji... Then Mr. He, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll hang up first... Goodbye, Mr. He.¡±

    Ji Yi realized it was He Jichen on the other line from the two words Zhang Sao said at the end: ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    She instinctively nced at the grandfather clock in the living room. It was already almost one in the morning, yet He Jichen wasn¡¯t asleep yet.

    From Zhang Sao¡¯s lengthy reply, she could tell that He Jichen was asking about her situation. Was he worried about her?

    No, he had Zhang Sao watching over her so she didn¡¯t scratch like crazy after her wound healed. This wasn¡¯t ¡°worrying,¡± this was ¡°caring¡±...

    So, even after what happened between them in Shanghai, even though she rejected his offer to take responsibility and although they hadn¡¯t kept in contact for a month, he still cared about her...

    Zhang Sao hung up the phone and got up.

    Ji Yi was afraid Zhang Sao would turn around and see her. She quickly put that thought to rest and retreated a few steps back into the bedroom.

    Ji Yiid back in bed, but she wasn¡¯t sleepy anymore. Staring out at the night sky outside, she eventually did manage to sleep. However, she wasn¡¯t asleep for long when the phone by her pillow started to ring.

 Chapter 454

    Chapter 454: An Overnight Sensation (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She reached for her phone and nced at the screen. It was Tang Huahua calling.

    It was only seven in the morning ¨C why was Tang Huahua calling her?

    Ji Yi had a headache from being so sleepy. She swiped her phone screen and picked up the call with a lifeless ¡°Hello¡± then heard Tang Huahua shrieking from the other side: ¡°Ji Yi! You¡¯re really something, huh?! Something so big happened, yet you actually kept it a secret from me!¡±

    Ji Yi was a little groggy, so she didn¡¯t understand what Tang Huahua was talking about.

    Before she even opened her mouth to ask Tang Huahua what she meant, Tang Huahua sounded oddly excited over the phone as she said, ¡°You know... I was gaming all night long then before I went to sleep, I casually nced at Weibo. Just a nce... then I saw your name right at the top of the hot searches! And to think I even shared such explosive news with youst night... I bet you already knew everything!¡±

    ¡°Stop stop stop ...¡± interrupted Ji Yi,pletely confused. ¡°...Huahua, what¡¯re you talking about?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, you¡¯re still pretending now?! I was just messing with you when I said ¡®you really are something¡¯! I know you guys had to keep the contract a secret, but now that YC announced it, you don¡¯t have to pretend with me!¡±

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t quitee to her senses. Tang Huahua¡¯s ecstatic voice instantly softened up over the phone: ¡°Xiao Yi, you¡¯re about to shoot to the top! Don¡¯t forget about me! Even if it¡¯s for a minor role like a tea-serving maid and even if there are no lines, that¡¯s fine with me! You have to remember to support me... Xiao Yi...¡±

    As Tang Huahua acted all cute, Ji Yi slowly came to.

    Tang Huahua said YC made a public announcement and that her name made it to the top of the hot searches. That means there¡¯s news about me on Weibo?

    A secondter, Ji Yi opened Weibo.

    It was just as Tang Huahua said ¨C once she opened the hot searches, the first two words to pop into view were ¡°Ji Yi.¡±

    Ji Yi hesitated for a second before clicking it. The topic was: YC official ount announces their first signed female artist. It¡¯s not an A-list female celebrity, nor a popr actress, but Princess Qingyang, Ji Yi, from ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    The first Weibo post underneath the topic was from YC¡¯s official ount with her headshot underneath.

    This topic had been hyped up for a whole day and night and so many famous female celebrities were dragged into it, so there was lots of enthusiasm over it. Now that she¡¯d been officially announced as a signed female artist at YC, she suddenly gained almost ten million followers in the few short hours while she was away. After she refreshed the page, her numbers endlessly skyrocketed, gaining thousands of followers every so often.

    ¡°Xiao Yi? Xiao Yi?¡± cried Tang Huahua over the phone call that was still connected.

    Ji Yi snapped back to reality. ¡°I¡¯m not very clear on the details myself...¡±

    She didn¡¯t wait for Tang Huahua to speak before she piped up again. ¡°Huahua, I¡¯m hanging up first. Call you backter.¡±

    After she hung up the phone, Ji Yi reread everything about herself on Weibo then clicked on her own Weibo page.

    She rarely posted on Weibo; even when she did post, nobody replied to her.

    Thetest Weibo post was still the MVP trophy pic she earned ying with Tang Huahua two days ago. Last night, there were only thirteenments, one of which was an advert. But now, there were over a million.

 Chapter 455

    Chapter 455: An Overnight Sensation (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Even her ¡°likes¡± broke five million.

    Overnight, she woke up to actually be this famous.

    This all came too suddenly. Ji Yi abruptly pinched her thigh and felt a piercing pain. That was when she knew she wasn¡¯t dreaming. This was all real.

    She wasn¡¯t stupid; she knew she couldn¡¯t have be famous out of nowhere. If the events of yesterday hadn¡¯t happened then even if YC announced she was the first female artist to be signed, it might not have grabbed everyone¡¯s attention.

    Jiang Xinxin, Lin Siyi, Chen Wanlin... someone used their poprity yesterday to stirmotion and arouse everyone¡¯s attention and curiosity, so after the truth came out today in YC¡¯s announcement, Ji Yi became the focal point.

    So, those insanely famous A-listers were nothing but floor mats, and the true spotlight really ended upnding on her.

    As these thoughts drifted through her mind, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but tighten her fingers around her phone.

    This meant that He Jichen never intended on signing any other female artist from the beginning. Yesterday, the explosive news on Weibo was just to hype things up for her.

    And he purposefully decided to release the breaking news on the same day ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was released; it was all to quickly present her to the world and make them pay attention to her performance as Princess Qingyang. This way, if her acting skills were great, it would prevent everyone from remembering the character Princess Qingyang, but instead, they would remember the actress, Ji Yi, ying Princess Qingyang.

    Yesterday, when she saw those news articles, she thought He Jichen abandoned her and was going to coborate with other female celebrities.

    So... Not only did he not forget about his promise to her, but he even gave her such an enormous, pleasant surprise!

    Because she misunderstood He Jichen yesterday, she felt a tinge of guilt ovee her heart.

    She remembered how she incidentally overheard Zhang Sao when she couldn¡¯t sleep and went to get a cup of water in the middle of the night.

    Even though things ended badly in Shanghai, he¡¯s still this attentive towards me...

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart started to race uncontrobly. She didn¡¯t know what was wrong with her. All of a sudden, she really wanted to call He Jichen.

    With that thought, her fingers opened her contact list and found He Jichen¡¯s number. She didn¡¯t realize what she was actually doing as her fingertips pressed the call button.

    The phone rang three times before it was picked up.

    He Jichen picked up, but it wasn¡¯t clear if he¡¯d been woken up by the call, or if he was thinking about something else as he hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    When she heard his voice, Ji Yi turned her head in a daze and nced at her phone. Then she slowly realized that she actually did call He Jichen.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Xiao Yi? Does your wound hurt?¡± He Jichen spoke without first waiting for Ji Yi to speak.

    Compared to theposed voice he had when he first picked up the phone, he suddenly sounded quite impatient.

    As his voice dropped, she hadn¡¯t made a peep when she heard him cry ¡°Dr. Xia¡± from the other line.

    ¡°He Jichen...¡± said Ji Yi hurriedly as she realized that He Jichen misunderstood.

 Chapter 456

    Chapter 456: An Overnight Sensation (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The words in He Jichen¡¯s mouth came to a sudden stop. After a second, Ji Yi realized that he was speaking to Dr. Xia, ¡°Excuse me, please wait...¡±

    Then Ji Yi felt his voice be a lot clearer than before and assumed that he put the phone to his ear. ¡°Mhm?¡±

    ¡°My wound is fine. I was calling you to...¡± Ji Yi¡¯s voice was soft. She was mid-speech when He Jichen interrupted her words: ¡°Wait just one moment.¡±

    Then Ji Yi heard He Jichen apologize to Dr. Xia and bid him farewell. After a while, He Jichen¡¯s voice sounded clear again. ¡°Go ahead...¡±

    ¡°I...¡± Ji Yi had called He Jichen too suddenly. She hadn¡¯t even nned what she wanted to say. She merely said one word then suddenly stopped. He Jichen, however, was really patient ¨C he didn¡¯t rush her. After some time, Ji Yi moved her lips and said, ¡°... I saw the top searches on Weibo.¡±

    ¡°Mhm?¡± replied He Jichen. Ji Yi was speaking so vaguely that he didn¡¯t quite know how to respond. After his confused reply, he realized what she was referring to and let out an ¡°Oh.¡±

    Oh... What kind of answer is that?

    Ji Yi made the call instinctively without even thinking about what she was going to say to He Jichen, so as she heard him reply like that, she didn¡¯t quite know what to say.

    A wall of silence fell on both sides of the call.

    After who knew how much time had passed, Ji Yi suddenly remembered that she could say ¡°thank you¡± to He Jichen. She gulped but before speaking again, she heard a ¡°Dong!¡± over the phone.

    Like something hit the ground?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and instinctively asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    She was met with a wall of silence.

    ¡°He Jichen?¡± repeated Ji Yi.

    She finally got a reply from the other line but it sounded like Chen Bai¡¯s voice. ¡°Mr. He?!¡±

    His worried voice made Ji Yi¡¯s brows furrow more tightly. She was going to cry ¡°Assistant Chen¡± when she heard hurried footsteps over the phone. Then it was Chen Bai¡¯s voice that entered her ears. ¡°Hello, hello, 120? Someone fainted here. The address is ...¡± Chen Bai cried, ¡°Mr. He? Mr. He?!¡±

    Fainted?

    Does that mean the ¡°Dong!¡± I just heard was the sound of He Jichen falling?

    Ji Yi bolted up from her bed as she intended to politely cry ¡°Assistant Chen,¡± but the words came out as ¡°Chen Bai! Chen Bai!¡±

    Ji Yi shouted quite a few times, so Chen Bai must¡¯ve heard her from He Jichen¡¯s phone after he hung up his call. Chen Bai picked up the phone and replied to her, ¡°Miss Ji?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with He Jichen?¡±

    ¡°Mr. He hasn¡¯t been feeling welltely. I don¡¯t know why, but he hasn¡¯t been home for the past two days and has been staying in the office doing overtime. I came into his office just now to give him breakfast and saw him on the floor...¡±

    He stayed at his office to work overtime? Didn¡¯t he say he was on a business trip and no one was going to be home, so I could stay over?

    In just one instant, Ji Yi suddenly understood everything.

    He Jichen knew she was afraid that her parents would see her roughed up and worry about her, so she didn¡¯t want to go home. Yet, he was worried about her staying in a hotel alone, so he lied about going on a business trip and took her to his ce...

    In the past two days, she had been attentively taken care of by Zhang Sao, but He Jichen was in the office doing overtime...

 Chapter 457

    Chapter 457: An Overnight Sensation (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It felt like something had stabbed Ji Yi right in the heart, bringing a heavy yet blunt pain upon her.

    She heard a phone go off on the other line which startled her.

    Chen Bai quickly took the call. Through the phone, Ji Yi heard Chen Bai reply with ¡°the 28th floor.¡± Just as she was wondering if the ambnce had arrived, she heard Chen Bai¡¯s voice again. ¡°Miss Ji, the ambnce has arrived. I¡¯m taking Mr. He to the hospital first. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m hanging...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for Chen Bai to finish speaking and said, ¡°Which hospital are you going to?¡±

    ¡°The closest municipal hospital to the office,¡± said Chen Bai.

    As Chen Bai¡¯s voice dropped, the sound of hurried footsteps and an unfamiliar man¡¯s voice were heard. ¡°Where is the patient?¡±

    Ji Yi knew the ambnce arrived, so she didn¡¯t want to disturb Chen Bai. Instead, she replied with ¡°got it¡± and put the phone down.

    She sat on the bed for a while, holding her phone. The next second, she pulled off the covers and jumped out of bed. She rushed into the bathroom without even putting her shoes on.

    After she freshened up, Ji Yi hurriedly changed her clothes, grabbed her purse, and ran down the stairs.

    Zhang Sao was already awake and was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. As she came out of the kitchen, she saw that Ji Yi was at the entrance, changing her shoes. Zhang Sao immediately rushed out in a panic. ¡°Miss Ji, where are you going so early in the morning?¡±

    After Ji Yi put her shoes on, she didn¡¯t nce at Zhang Sao and replied, ¡°I have to go out for something,¡± Then she pulled the door open, rushed over to the elevator, and jabbed the button a few times.

    Zhang Sao followed her out and cried her name a few times, but this time, Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply. She stepped into the elevator and closed the door.

    Ji Yi ran out of He Jichen¡¯s neighborhood and hailed a taxi for the hospital Chen Bai mentioned.

    He Jichen¡¯s apartment was quite some distance from the office. When Ji Yi was about to reach the hospital, she gave Chen Bai a call to ask for He Jichen¡¯s room number.

    After she hung up the phone, the car drove for two minutes before it reached the hospital entrance. Ji Yi paid the fare, hurriedly got out of the car and ran towards the hospital without even collecting her change.

    There were many people in the inpatient department. Ji Yi waited a few minutes before getting into the elevator.

    When Ji Yi reached the floor of He Jichen¡¯s room, she followed the signs on the wall and easily found his room.

    Through the window, Ji Yi immediately caught sight of He Jichenying on the bed.

    The doctors must¡¯ve examined He Jichen on her way there. There was an IV drip by the bed with a thin needle in the back of his arm.

    Ji Yi stood at the entrance watching for a while before she slowed her hurried steps, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.

    Chen Bai was probably checking him in because the only one in the patient room was He Jichen.

    Ji Yi walked over to his bedside and drew closer. That was when Ji Yi noticed that He Jichen¡¯s face was frighteningly pale; even his lips were drained of blood.

    His eyes were shut as heid there motionlessly.

    The dark circles under his eyes were terrifying, and he didn¡¯t look the least bit angry at all. If it wasn¡¯t for his heaving chest, Ji Yi would¡¯ve really thought she was looking at a shell of a person.

    It felt like something was clutching Ji Yi¡¯s heart as a dull pain started to surface again. Her breathing started to grow unsteady.

 Chapter 458

    Chapter 458: An Overnight Sensation (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi stared at the sleeping He Jichen for some time before the heaviness in her chest gradually dispersed.

    The air conditioning was a little strong in the room and one of He Jichen¡¯s legs were sticking out. Ji Yi¡¯s mood improved slightly as she took a step forward and stood by the side of the bed. Then she bent over and pulled the corner of theforter to gently cover He Jichen¡¯s leg.

    Before she could straighten up, the door opened. Ji Yi turned to see Chen Bai walk in with a stack of forms and a bag.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t realize Ji Yi was in the room, so when he saw Ji Yi after nonchntly taking a few steps into the room, he suddenly came to a halt.

    Ji Yi called him on her way over to ask for He Jichen¡¯s room number, so Chen Bai knew she was going toe. After less than a second, he returned to normal and greeted her, ¡°Miss Ji, you¡¯re here?¡±

    Ji Yi gently nodded, straightened up, and took a few steps back. Then she asked in a quiet voice, ¡°What did the doctor say?¡±

    Chen Bai knew Ji Yi was asking about He Jichen¡¯s condition. As he walked over to the bedside, he replied, ¡°He¡¯s a bit malnourished and now he¡¯s burning up pretty badly. The doctor rmends that he stay in the hospital on a drip to get some rest for a few days.¡±

    He Jichen had a servant at home and an assistant at the office. There were people hired to prepare three meals a day for him, so how could he be malnourished?

    Ji Yi was a little surprised. ¡°Malnourished?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Chen Bai put the medicine and forms on the coffee table. ¡°Last month, when I called you to tell you that I couldn¡¯t find Mr. He, I took him home from the barter that night, right? The next day when he woke up, Mr. He headed straight to the office. Ever since that day, he¡¯s been like a crazy person, working hard every day. Come to think of it, out of the twenty-four hours in a day, he spends at least eighteen hours at the office. On some asions he even spends as much as twenty-three hours there; he¡¯s like a tireless robot. His appetite hasn¡¯t been great since he¡¯s barely been eating anything. Sometimes, aside from tea and coffee, he won¡¯t eat a thing. For the past two days, he¡¯s been staying at the office, so this ended up happening today...¡±

    From when Chen Bai went to look for me till now, it¡¯s been almost a month. For the past month, has He Jichen spent every day like this?

    Ji Yi listened with a slightly pale face. When she spoke, there was a slight tremble in her voice. ¡°Has he been spending the past month like this?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, like this...¡±

    Chen Bai answered casually, but upon hearing his response, Ji Yi¡¯s body swayed gently.

    Chen Bai noticed Ji Yi¡¯s subtle response and nced over at He Jichen on the bed. His pupils turned bright as he had a sudden thought.

    After that night in Shanghai, he didn¡¯t know what Mr. He and Miss Ji talked about in the tea house at the Four Season¡¯s hotel, but he was certain that Mr. He cared about Miss Ji.

    In the past month, when he went to the office to get Mr. He¡¯s signature, he often saw He Jichen staring at a photo in a daze. Chen Bai would have to call him a few times before he snapped to his senses.

    A few days ago, Chen Bai entered Mr. He¡¯s office while he was in the bathroom. The photo he often held was slipped in the pages of a book on the desk.

    Simply out of curiosity, he pulled out the photo and caught a glimpse of it. That was when he realized that the photo Mr. He often stared at was a photo of Miss Ji.

 Chapter 459

    Chapter 459: An Overnight Sensation (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Miss Ji looked very young in the photo; she was maybe about sixteen or seventeen years old.

    He was afraid Mr. He would suddenly return, so he didn¡¯t dare stare at the photo for too long. After just a few seconds, he quickly tried to put it back.

    Without permission, he was secretly invading He Jichen¡¯s privacy. With a nervous heart, he lost his grip on the photo, causing it to fall on the table.

    That was when he realized that on the back of the photo were two lines in ck ink.

    He first caught sight of the slightlyrger words: ¡°Actually, I¡¯m really not so bad. Do you want to try to fall in love with me?¡±

    He¡¯d worked for Mr. He for many years, so he could tell with just one nce that it was Mr. He¡¯s handwriting.

    Underneath those words was another line of very small words. From the writing, he could tell that those two lines were written at different times.

    The first line seemed like it was written many years ago, but the ink for the writing underneath was fresh ¨C it must¡¯ve been written a few days ago. ¡°YC is the best confession of love I can give to you.¡±

    YC... Isn¡¯t that hispany¡¯s name?

    Chen Bai had been with Mr. He all the way since he first established YC. At the time, Mr. He insisted on calling thepany YC. Chen Bai was confused for a really long time as to why He Jichen chose such a name.

    He quickly put the photo back in its original ce then waited for Mr. He to return. After he and Mr. He finished discussing business, he thought about the letters YC for a long time. Finally, he understood what YC actually meant.

    Ah, YC means ¡°Yi Chen¡±... ¡°Y¡± represents Ji Yi, and ¡°C¡± represents He Jichen... So the real reason why YC exists is due to Miss Ji.

    It wasn¡¯t until this moment that Chen Bai realized Miss Ji wasn¡¯t just an average woman Mr. He spoiled, nor a woman he cared about, nor a woman he liked or was deeply in love with... She was his everything.

    Returning to the present, Chen Bai suddenly acted like he had a call as he reached into his pocket for his phone. He made an apologetic gesture to Ji Yi, held his phone to his ear and walked out of the patient room.

    After about two minutes, Chen Bai returned with an embarrassed look on his face as he said to Ji Yi, ¡°Miss Ji, there¡¯s some urgent business back at thepany; I have to go back to deal with it. I¡¯m afraid I might even have to go on a business trip, but if I leave, Mr. He won¡¯t have anyone to watch over him...¡±

    After saying this, Chen Bai looked like he had a eureka moment as his eyes lit up. ¡°Oh yeah, how could I forget? There¡¯s also Mr. Han...¡±

    As Chen Bai said this, he turned around, acting like he was going to step out of the patient room and call Han Zhifan. However, before he reached the door, he stopped again and started to mumble: ¡°...Look at this memory of mine. Mr. Han is injured and in the hospital too. Even Miss Cheng, who he doesn¡¯t have a bad rtionship with, is staying with Mr. Han. This time, we¡¯re really in trouble. Don¡¯t tell me I¡¯ll have to put off work? Ahhh, but I really have urgent things to deal with...¡±

    Having heard every word Chen Bai said, Ji Yi nced over at the sleeping He Jichen and interrupted Chen Bai: ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯ll be here to watch over him.¡±

    Chen Bai immediately turned around with a pleasantly surprised look on his face. ¡°Really?¡±

    Ji Yi knew full well that she should keep a good distance away from He Jichen, but as soon as she heard Chen Bai mention that no one could take care of He Jichen, she couldn¡¯t help but speak up.

 Chapter 460

    Chapter 460: An Overnight Sensation (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She just didn¡¯t have the heart to sit and watch, so she let out an ¡°Mhm¡± and gently nodded at Chen Bai.

    Chen Bai suddenly smiled. ¡°Miss Ji, thank you so much.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji, remember to get Mr. He to take his medicine...¡± Chen Bai walked over to the bedside table, took out a sheet of paper from the bag of medicine, and handed it to Ji Yi. ¡°...Here are the dosage instructions.¡±

    Ji Yi took it and shot a quick nce at the paper. After she scanned it quickly to ensure she understood it, she gave Chen Bai a nod. ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°Also Miss Ji, after Mr. He wakes up, make sure he eats something...¡± Chen Bai was originally worried about getting Mr. He to eat something after he woke up, but now that Miss Ji was here, he didn¡¯t need to worry at all... ¡°The doctor said he has to eat and drink on a regr basis and that the drip is only temporary. If he doesn¡¯t eat regrly, no matter how many times he¡¯s put on the drip, his body will copse.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll watch his food intake,¡± said Ji Yi.

    With Ji Yi¡¯s promise, Chen Bai rxed. ¡°Then, Miss Ji, I¡¯ll head back to thepany and get to work. If you need anything, you can call me anytime.¡±

    Ji Yi first let out an ¡°Mhm¡± then said ¡°Alright.¡±

    Ji Yi was walking Chen Bai out of the patient room, but before Chen Bai left, he reminded Ji Yi once more: ¡°You must get Mr. He to eat.¡± Then he said goodbye to Ji Yi and left.

    After Chen Bai disappeared into an elevator, Ji Yi returned to the patient room.

    She first examined He Jichen¡¯s drip. She noticed there was a lot of fluid left and his wrists weren¡¯t bleeding, which was a good sign. Then she took the chance to give Zhang Sao a call.

    Early in the morning, she ran out without saying a word and worried the hell out of Zhang Sao, so when she called, Zhang Sao cried out: ¡°Lord!¡± Her worried heart finally calmed down. ¡°Miss Ji, I¡¯m so d you called me. If Mr. He started asking questions after you left so suddenly, I¡¯d be done for... Miss Ji, where are you now? I¡¯ll call the driver to pick you up...¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s okay...¡± Ji Yi interrupted Zhang Sao mid-sentence. Then she said with a serious voice: ¡°...I¡¯m with He Jichen...¡±

    After Zhang Sao heard what Ji Yi said, her voice rxed. ¡°Ah, so Miss Ji, you¡¯re with Mr. He.¡±

    ¡°Mhm, he¡¯s sick and we¡¯re at the hospital.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s sick? Is Mr. He alright?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s okay for now. I was actually calling to trouble you to make him something to eat and drop it off at the hospitalter...¡± Ji Yi suddenly remembered she didn¡¯t know when He Jichen was going to wake up, so she added, ¡°...remember to keep it warm.¡±

    ¡°Got it, Miss Ji. I¡¯ll get off the phone now and get cooking.¡±

    ¡°Mhm...¡± replied Ji Yi. Just as she was going to hang up, Ji Yi remembered that He Jichen hadn¡¯t eaten well for a month, so his stomach probably couldn¡¯t take anything overly oily or chewy. Then she added, ¡°...Oh right, Zhang Sao. Cook some congee. He has to have light meals that are easy to digest...¡±

    Ji Yi felt like her description wasn¡¯t quite right, so she changed itpletely. ¡°Zhang Sao, do you know how to make baby food? Make baby food for him.¡±

    Baby food... Over the phone, Zhang Sao hesitated for a moment but eventually replied, ¡°Okay.¡±

 Chapter 461

    Chapter 461: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    Qian Ge was clever as always. After losing the battle with Ji Yi during production for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± she was upset but she knew to restrain herself.

    Half a year prior, she already had a full year¡¯s worth of jobs lined up. Once Qian Ge finished shooting her scenes on the same day that ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± finished production, she got on a flight to Los Angeles without even attending the end-of-production party.

    After a month-long shoot without a day of rest, she flew to Paris to attend an exhibition for an international brand and walked the red carpet.

    Once it was over, she headed back to the hotel, took a shower,id on the floor, and did some yoga. That was when she heard her assistant start to talk about how ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± broke records on their premiere five hours ago. There were an infinite number of positivements online saying that the title for the Queen of TV was rightfully Qian Ge¡¯s!

    Qian Ge stretched her torso as she asked sluggishly, ¡°What about the supporting actress?¡±

    The assistant swiped her iPad for a long time before replying, ¡°Nobody really mentioned her.¡±

    After hearing this, Qian Ge¡¯s hazy mood finally started to lighten up.

    So what if Ji Yi¡¯s acting skills are good? So what if He Jichen worked hard tond her the role as the supporting actress? Times have changed; I¡¯m no longer the old Qian Ge, but I¡¯m still able to steal the limelight.

    The more Qian Ge thought about it, the better she felt. In the end, she started to hum.

    After yoga, she noticed it was still early, so she figured she¡¯d go out shopping with her assistant. Considering that Ji Yi hadn¡¯t been noticed at all from her first appearance on TV, it made Qian Ge so overjoyed that she generously bought her assistant a handbag.

    When women buy buy buy, they feel particrly happy. Back at the hotel, not only was Qian Ge wide awake, but she even called an attendant to send up a bottle of their best red wine.

    She sat in front of the wide, tall windows and stared out at the Parisian night sky. She sampled some top-quality wine and listened to the elegant sound of the piano, enjoying this perfect night.

    However, this sense of contentment didn¡¯tst more than half an hour. The assistant, who was sitting on a nearby sofa, spoiled her mood when she saw something on Weibo. ¡°Qian Jie, Ji Yi made it to the hot searches list!¡± she cried.

    Qian Ge swirled her ss of red wine as though she hadn¡¯t quite registered what her assistant said. Then she curved her red lips to let out an ¡°Mm?¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi¡¯s on the hot searches list. Loads of people are starting to notice her, and they recognize her as Princess Qing Yang. There are many peopleplimenting her acting skills. They say she¡¯s beautiful, and there are even some people who dug up clips of her when she appeared on ¡°Pce¡± as Little Nine for a couple minutes. The posts have been shared among many verified ounts. Someone even...¡±

    As the assistant rambled on, Qian Ge¡¯s face grew sullen. Eventually, the assistant was so frightened that she stopped speaking altogether.

    Qian Ge furrowed her brows and her tone of voice ran cold and icy. ¡°Even what?¡±

    The assistant clenched her teeth and continued: ¡°People evenpared her to you, and many people are saying she¡¯s prettier than you...¡±

    The assistant slowly raised her eyes and shot Qian Ge a quick nce.

    ¡°Give me the iPad!¡± cried Qian Ge.

    After Qian Ge spoke, the assistant was so frightened that she kept her head down and didn¡¯t dare look up. The assistant didn¡¯t move.

    Qian Ge impatiently reached her hand out and snatched the iPad from her hands. She swiped the screen for a while. A secondter, the iPad was tossed from her hands and smashed into the wall with a ¡°Pop!¡±

 Chapter 462

    Chapter 462: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The assistant was so frightened that she took two steps back, causing the wine ss to fall to the floor. A ¡°crash!¡± followed as Qian Ge spoke sternly, ¡°Why didn¡¯t I catch the slightest wind of YC signing Ji Yi? I pay all you people so much, yet you guys didn¡¯t even know about a piece of news like this?¡±

    ¡°Qian Jie, it¡¯s not that we didn¡¯t know ¨C we knew long ago that YC was looking for artists to sign, but if Mr. He of YC wasn¡¯t frequently meeting with Jiang Xinxin, then he was with Lin Siyi. Everyone thought he was going to sign them. Yesterday, there was all thismotion about it on Weibo; everyone was guessing who YC would sign, but in the end, who knew that YC would officially announce that the person they signed was Ji Yi...¡±

    The second Qian Ge heard this, she hurled a half-full bottle of red wine across the room.

    The red wine crashed into the wall and shattered, causing the red liquid to ssh across the floor.

    ¡°Which means it was all premeditated! Which also means that YC wanted to hype Ji Yi up long ago, and this was nned long ago. Whether He Jichen was talking to Jiang Xinxin or Lin Siyi, none of them were important. They were just used to hype Ji Yi up to the max!¡± Qian Ge raised her chin then clenched her teeth as she spoke: ¡°If they wanted to boost her poprity, they could¡¯ve done this long ago, but they just had to wait till ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was released. They obviously wanted to use the double threat from the news and drama to get that b*tch a following...¡±

    ¡°Ah, He Jichen is truly devious...¡± A smirk emerged from the corners of Qian Ge¡¯s lips. ¡°...But did he think he could actually make that b*tch famous? In his dreams! Every day that I, Qian Ge, remain in the entertainment industry, that b*tch Ji Yi will never be famous!¡±

    Good, really good... but I, Qian Ge, am not a force to be reckoned with!

    Qian Ge quickly calmed down and in a short minute, she thought of a n. Qian Ge turned to look at her assistant then said, ¡°Tell thepany that no matter the consequences, go investigate! Find out about all the uing jobs Ji Yi has! Steal as many of them as possible, and for the ones that we can¡¯t steal, I¡¯ll think of another n!¡±

    In other words, she wasn¡¯t going to care about the consequences; she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to stop Ji Yi from ever making it big in the entertainment biz!

    ¨C

    It was eight in the evening when He Jichen woke up.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t get much sleep the night before. After they took out He Jichen¡¯s needle, she couldn¡¯t take it anymore and fell asleep, sprawled out on the bed.

    But she was still worried about He Jichen¡¯s illness, so Ji Yi didn¡¯t sleep very well. After He Jichen woke up, his leg twitched slightly, causing Ji Yi¡¯s eyes to open wide. She bolted up from his arm that she used as a pillow. She happened to catch He Jichen as he slowly opened his eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯re up?¡± eximed Ji Yi.

    After He Jichen heard this, his brows twitched; he assumed he was just hearing things. He stared up at the ceiling for a long time before his gaze fell on Ji Yi.

    He didn¡¯t dare speak in fear that it was all a dream; he was scared that as soon as he opened his mouth, he¡¯d wake up to find that she was gone.

    When he caught her gaze, Ji Yi spoke again: ¡°Is there anywhere you don¡¯t feel well?¡±

    He Jichen only stared at Ji Yi without making a sound.

    Ji Yi reached her hand out and touched He Jichen¡¯s head. ¡°Still a little hot...¡± she mumbled as she got up and pressed the button for help by He Jichen¡¯s bedside.

 Chapter 463

    Chapter 463: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The doctor quickly appeared in the patient room.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t react at all to the doctor as he checked his body temperature, blood pressure, and asked some questions about hisfort level. From start to finish, He Jichen stared right at Ji Yi like a puppet, allowing the doctor to do as he pleased.

    ¡°We¡¯ll give you a bottle of nutritional fluid then give you a shot to lower the fever...¡± The resident doctor put his thermometer away and gave instructions to the nurse responsible for He Jichen. After the nurse nodded and said ¡°alright,¡± the resident doctor looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°...You must remember that Mr. He needs to take his medicine on time.¡±

    ¡°Got it. Thank you, doctor.¡± Ji Yi smiled politely at the doctor.

    The doctor didn¡¯t reply but turned to look at He Jichen on the bed then politely said, ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯m going to do my rounds. If you feel unwell, you can call me at any time.¡±

    He Jichen was as quiet as before as though he hadn¡¯t heard what the doctor said. He stared unwaveringly at Ji Yi without any sign of speaking.

    Ji Yi was afraid things would be awkward if He Jichen didn¡¯t respond, so she hurriedly said, ¡°Doctor, I got it. I¡¯ll call you if anything happens.¡±

    The doctor replied with a faint smile and left the room with the nurse.

    Ji Yi followed behind the doctor and saw him out of the patient room.

    After the doctor left, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to head back into the room. Instead, she gave Zhang Sao a call.

    Because it was summer, it wasn¡¯t convenient to store food at the hospital. Since Ji Yi didn¡¯t know when He Jichen would wake up, she had asked Zhang Sao to leave the food she prepared at home instead of dropping it off at the hospital right away.

    He Jichen had slept for a whole day before finally waking up now. Having remembered Chen Bai¡¯s instructions, Ji Yi quickly ordered Zhang Sao to deliver the prepared food to the hospital.

    After hanging up, Ji Yi headed back to the room, shut the door, and turned to nce at He Jichen. Seeing that he still wasn¡¯t saying a word, she walked over to the side of the bed.

    When she sat on the chair she ced beside the bed earlier that afternoon, Ji Yi noticed that He Jichen still didn¡¯t look as if he was going to make a sound. She started to exin why she was there: ¡°I called you earlier today just before you fainted, so I came to see you at the hospital.¡±

    When He Jichen heard what she said, his unwavering eyes blinked slightly.

    Ji Yi continued to say, ¡°Chen Bai got a call in the early afternoon; he said he had to head back to the office for urgent business. He might need to go on a business trip and Mr. Han is also at the hospital now, so I stayed to keep youpany.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s words rang out in the patient room and a hint of anxiety slowly gathered in He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    He tightened his hands into fists the moment Ji Yi¡¯s voice dropped, digging his nails into his skin. The pain convinced him that all this confusion in front of him wasn¡¯t an illusion at all. It was all real.

    All of a sudden, his mood instantly changed; he felt disbelief, shock, and delight for some time before he recovered hisposure.

    He hadn¡¯t absorbed what Ji Yi said, but he knew she was talking to him. He gave Ji Yi a gentle nod then looked at her and snapped back to reality.

    Even after seeing each other, both of them tactfully didn¡¯t mention that night in Shanghaist month. However, the atmosphere was inevitably a little awkward.

    Now that the two of them were face-to-face and alone, He Jichen was quiet. Ji Yi felt even more ufortable in the silent room.

 Chapter 464

    Chapter 464: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi felt her body bing increasingly stiff. To break the tension and to make things feel a little more natural, she wanted to find a topic to talk about. She thought carefully for a moment before she remembered she hadn¡¯t said everything she wanted to say over the phone to He Jichen in the morning. She took the initiative and said, ¡°What happened on Weibo... was that your idea?¡±

    When he heard her words, He Jichen snapped back to reality and let out a soft ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°Did you deliberately wait for the day ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ was released to announce that I was signed to YC?¡± Actually, she didn¡¯t need to ask ¨C Ji Yi knew the answer, but she was just looking for something to talk about to break the tense atmosphere.

    Maybe it was because He Jichen still had a fever, but he didn¡¯t feel well, so he didn¡¯t really want to talk and simply replied again with an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°In the afternoon, I saw that the clip of me as Little Nine on ¡®Pce¡¯ has been shared like crazy on Weibo. Did you also do this?¡±

    Having not yet returned to his senses from the euphoria of seeing Ji Yi as soon as he woke up, it took He Jichen a short while to shake his head and reply, ¡°No.¡±

    It really wasn¡¯t. There were many marketing ounts on Weibo who relied on trending topics to maintain their poprity. With Ji Yi as the number one search, it was inevitable that many people would want to follow her story. In the end, it didn¡¯t matter if ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± had just been released or if ¡°Pce¡± had long finished ying on TV.

    He Jichen was very tight-lipped, so Ji Yi constantly tried to find a topic to talk about. It was starting to feel a little difficult for her to keep going, so she let out an ¡°Oh¡± then fell silent. After some time, she added, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    He Jichen, who was still in disbelief over Ji Yi¡¯s appearance, stared at her. This time, he didn¡¯t even respond and stared calmly at her.

    The room fell silent again, but the tension grew evidently more stifled.

    Ji Yi felt like she couldn¡¯t quite breathe as she surveyed the room. She noticed the ss of water on the coffee table. At the thought of He Jichen having had nothing to drink since he woke, she added, ¡°Do you want to drink some water?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t react.

    Just when Ji Yi nned to get up and pour a ss of water for him, the door was pushed open and Zhang Sao came in with lunch boxes. ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi looked like she¡¯d just seen a savior as she let out a sigh of relief. She got up and pulled the dining table towards the bed. ¡°Food¡¯s here. Have some dinner.¡±

    Zhang Sao stood at the entrance in hesitation for a moment with the lunch boxes in hand. Then she walked over, put the boxes on the table and removed the lids.

    One cute kid¡¯s meal after another entered Ji Yi and He Jichen¡¯s line of sight.

    There were pandas, rabbits, and owls to encourage He Jichen¡¯s appetite. There were even colorful vegetables and pieces of meat. When the lunch box was opened, there was even green vegetable paste.

    Mr. He was already twenty-something years old, yet Miss Ji actually asked for a kids meal... Zhang Sao was afraid He Jichen would scold her, so after she removed the lid, she quickly took a few steps away from the bed.

    In contrast to Zhang Sao¡¯s fear, Ji Yi looked calm as she picked up the paste and stirred it a little. She tasted it first to confirm that the temperature was tolerable then she shifted it towards He Jichen. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten all day. Eat something first to warm your stomach.¡±

 Chapter 465

    Chapter 465: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s voice called He Jichen back from his dream-like state. He first nced over at Ji Yi then at the green paste she was offering him. He was stunned for about three seconds before his gaze fell to the table of dishes that resembled a zoo.

    Zhang Sao, who was standing to one side, saw that He Jichen was ncing at the table of dishes. All of a sudden, she was so frightened that she didn¡¯t dare breathe.

    What¡¯s this?

    He Jichen saw the table full of kittens, puppies, and bunnies as he furrowed his brows slightly.

    His reaction terrified Zhang Sao so much that her heart almost stopped. She was afraid He Jichen was going to throw a tantrum the next second and instinctively said, ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji asked me to prepare this for you.¡±

    Ji Yi asked her to make this for me?

    He Jichen¡¯s trembled softly and for just a second, his gaze returned to Ji Yi.

    When she caught sight of his gaze, Ji Yi brought the paste towards him. ¡°Eat it quickly while it¡¯s hot.¡±

    Even though he didn¡¯t understand why Ji Yi asked Zhang Sao to prepare a table of little animals, he trusted that she asked Zhang Sao to do it...

    Come to think of it, in all the time he¡¯d known her, this was probably the first time she¡¯d ever asked anyone to cook him something to eat.

    In a second, He Jichen felt an indescribable joy which seemed to enter the deepest part of his heart. He stared at Ji Yi silently and his fingers started to tremble.

    Seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t take the paste, Ji Yi assumed he didn¡¯t have an appetite just as Chen Bai said. ¡°The doctor said you have to eat well, otherwise your body will copse,¡± reminded Ji Yi in a gentle, persuasive voice.

    ¡°What¡¯s more, you still have a fever. If you don¡¯t eat, it¡¯ll be hard for you to recover.¡±

    ¡°And you have to take your medicer. The medicine will more or less irritate your stomach, so if you don¡¯t eat now, that won¡¯t do.¡±

    Mr. He¡¯s so big already, he definitely won¡¯t be willing to eat baby food... As Zhang Sao thought this, she said, ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji is right. You should eat something...¡±

    Though Ji Yi tried to coax him into it and persuade him, He Jichen still didn¡¯t take it. However, he was in such a poor state that he couldn¡¯t not eat. Seeing as her gentle approach wasn¡¯t working, Ji Yi decided to go in hard. She grabbed the spoon, scooped some paste, and brought it directly to He Jichen¡¯s mouth.

    ¡°...Otherwise, why don¡¯t you tell me what you¡¯d like to eat, Mr. He? I can go make it for you right now...¡±

    Zhang Sao wanted to keep talking, but before she could finish, she saw Ji Yi forcing the paste into He Jichen¡¯s mouth. ¡°Open up!¡± she ordered him.

    Is Miss Ji scolding Mr. He?

    Zhang Sao watched fearfully with a back covered in a cold sweat.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows and lowered his eyes as the paste touched the corner of his mouth.

    He didn¡¯t have time to process what the food was when he felt it suddenly being shoved into his mouth. Then he heard Ji Yi¡¯s impatient voice in his ear: ¡°He Jichen, open your mouth. If you don¡¯t open your mouth, I¡¯m going to force it down!¡±

    It was enough for Miss Ji to say Mr. He¡¯s full name, yet she still had the audacity to say such vile words about Mr. He... On the inside, Zhang Sao cried ¡®I¡¯m finished!¡¯ as she prepared to yank Ji Yi away to prevent He Jichen from getting angry and shower her with insults. However, before she could move, she saw He Jichen¡¯s mouth open. He obediently swallowed the paste.

 Chapter 466

    Chapter 466: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Zhang Sao¡¯s fearful expression instantly turned into horror.

    She watched the scenario before her eyes like she was watching something unbelievable. She blinked twice, and as she reached her hand out on her third blink, Ji Yi said ¡°Open up¡± as she forcefully shoved the spoon into He Jichen¡¯s mouth. Zhang Sao patted her own chest in hopes of calming her pounding heart.

    Ji Yi quickly finished feeding him a bowl of paste then handed the empty bowl to the stunned Zhang Sao. Without so much as a nce at the colorful kid¡¯s meal on the table, she scooped a glutinous rice ball from the bunny rice dish and continued feeding He Jichen.

    Just as the bunny¡¯s head was about to be devoured, they heard a ¡°Ding dong!¡± in the room.

    At the same time, Ji Yi and He Jichen looked towards the source of the noise; it came from the phone He Jichen ced by the bed.

    He reached for his phone as he opened his mouth and swallowed the rice Ji Yi was feeding him. He gently swiped the screen and nced at a WeChat message from Han Zhifan: ¡°I heard from the secretary, who came to the hospital to report on business today, that you fainted in the office this morning?¡±

    He Jichen typed a half-hearted ¡°Mhm¡± and opened his mouth again, swallowing some more rice Ji Yi fed him. Then he clicked ¡°send.¡±

    ¡°How are you now?¡± asked Han Zhifan.

    He Jichen lifted his eyes and nced at Ji Yi, who was mixing some rice and vegetables together. He typed: ¡°Pretty good.¡±

    After the WeChat message was sessfully sent, He Jichen ate a mouthful then tapped the screen a few times. He replied to Han Zhifan again saying: ¡°Have you eaten?¡±

    Han Zhifan: ¡°What time is it now? I ate ages ago.¡±

    He Jichen realized it was already half past nine when he read Han Zhifan¡¯s reply. As he sluggishly chewed on the rice Ji Yi crudely shoved into his mouth, he tapped the screen and asked: ¡°Have you had supper?¡±

    Han Zhifan: ¡°No.¡±

    He Jichen: ¡°I¡¯m eating.¡±

    Without waiting for Han Zhifan¡¯s reply, He Jichen typed a few more words and sent the message to Han Zhifan.

    After the message was sessfully sent, he thought about it for a moment then took a photo of the cute baby food and pressed the ¡°send¡± button again.

    ...

    Han Zhifan stood in the bathroom brushing his teeth after taking his medicine. With one hand, he texted He Jichen. When he read He Jichen¡¯s two-word message ¡°I¡¯m eating,¡± he nned to reply with ¡°I¡¯m a little hungry,¡± but just as his fingers were about to touch the screen, he received another line: ¡°Ji Yi made this for me.¡±

    So, He Jichen, who typically never replies to my flood of WeChat messages, wasn¡¯t able to reply back today because he was stuck at the hospital. But... is he showing off to me right now?

    Could this be considered He Jichen¡¯s force-feeding public disy of affection?

    Han Zhifan was just about to send him an emoji with a disdainful expression. However, because his phone was so big and he was holding it with just one hand, the phone abruptly slipped through his fingers and fell to the ground.

    He bent down and picked up his phone. Just as he was about to reply to He Jichen¡¯s message, he saw a picture appear on his phone screen.

    After he tapped to erge the picture, he suddenly burst outughing. His fingers shook and the phone slipped out of his hand again.

 Chapter 467

    Chapter 467: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The grand Mr. He is actually eating a kids¡¯ meal for supper?

    The more Han Zhifan thought about the photo, the harder heughed. Heughed until the tears in his eyes couldn¡¯t help but pour out.

    After some time, Han Zhifan settled down and rubbed his aching stomach. Just as he was about to look for his phone, he caught a glimpse of a phone from the corner of his eye, sitting in the trash can.

    ¨C

    He Jichen noticed that Han Zhifan still hadn¡¯t replied to his message, so he chucked his phone by his pillow.

    After dinner, Zhang Sao tidied up the dinner table and left with the lunch boxes. Once again, only Ji Yi and He Jichen were left in the room.

    Ji Yi remembered the doctor¡¯s orders; half an hour after dinner, Ji Yi made sure He Jichen took his medicine. Then she pressed the button to call for a nurse to put He Jichen on a drip.

    He Jichen¡¯s fever hadn¡¯t gone down yet, and his condition wasn¡¯t great. The needle used to reduce his fever had sedatives in it, so he fell asleep soon after they put him on the drip.

    Ji Yi was afraid that after the drip finished, blood would flow back through the tube, so she didn¡¯t dare sleep.

    Ji Yi became sleepier deeper into the night, so she went to the bathroom to ssh her face with cold water. When she came back, she was still afraid she would fall asleep identally, so she searched her bag for earphones and listened to music to stay awake.

    After listening to about three or four songs, she heard a familiar melody.

    Why do I have this song on my phone?

    Ji Yi was stunned for a second as she kept her head down, staring at the phone screen. As the three words ¡°Within Your Radius¡± came into view, she remembered she searched for the original song online and downloaded it onto her phone when she returned to the hotel after He Jichen sang it on her birthday.

    After listening to half the song, she stared at the lyrics on the phone screen then at He Jichen, who, oblivious to her, had fallen asleep.

    In the patient room in the dead of the night, she was the only one awake. Her watchful gaze upon him became a lot more rxed as she drew a lot closer to him.

    Perhaps it was because he slept all day that hisplexion looked a lot better than when she saw him that morning.

    His eyshes looked long and his skin was so impable that there wasn¡¯t a single pore visible. His lips were very thin with a soft curve. With him so still, he actually had a hint of tenderness to him.

    Ji Yi was transfixed as her gaze froze. The music ying through the earphones were clearly from the original singer, but all she could hear was He Jichen¡¯s voice from her birthday.

    She wasn¡¯t sure just how long she stared at him when He Jichen suddenly let out a noise. In the quiet room, the sound was particrly abrupt, startling Ji Yi. That was when she realized that, oblivious to her, he had furrowed his eyebrows tightly like he was in pain, his lips trembling non-stop.

    Ji Yi hurriedly removed her earphones and reached her arm out to feel He Jichen¡¯s forehead. When she noticed it wasn¡¯t frighteningly hot, she let out a sigh of relief.

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t pulled her fingers back when she heard He Jichen mumble, ¡°Don¡¯t... Don¡¯t leave me...¡±

    Is He Jichen talking in his sleep?

    As that thought emerged in Ji Yi¡¯s mind, He Jichen started to talk again. ¡°...Don¡¯t go, don¡¯t-don¡¯t leave me...¡±

    The more he spoke, the more agitated he sounded. He suddenly grabbed her hand on his forehead.

 Chapter 468

    Chapter 468: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi instinctively shrank back, so He Jichen must¡¯ve sensed she was avoiding him in his dreams. He suddenly tightened his grip on her wrist as his quiet mumbling grew louder: ¡°Don¡¯t avoid me, don¡¯t... I promise I won¡¯t bug you. As long as I can see you, that¡¯s alright, I promise, promise...¡±

    After he said this, Ji Yi noted his pleading tone as He Jichen talked in his sleep along with the heart-wrenching sadness in his fine brows.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly went soft as she lost all strength in the arm she tried to pull away.

    He Jichen probably sensed she had stopped resisting him, so he gradually calmed down and rxed his grip on her hand. Eventually, he gave off a protective feeling as he gently held Ji Yi.

    Her fingers in his palms couldn¡¯t help but tremble gently.

    She wanted to pull away, yet she didn¡¯t. Ji Yi stared at him holding her hand for a moment, but her fingers subconsciously ended up softly holding his hand in return.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t pull her hand away from his until He Jichen was about to finish his IV drip.

    She called the nurse, who took out the needle from He Jichen¡¯s hand, then pressed a cotton pad down on his skin for a moment. After she waited for the bleeding to stop, she carefully pulled the covers over him. Ji Yi quietly tiptoed over to the empty bed nearby andid down.

    The patient room was so quiet that Ji Yi could hear the slight but rhythmic breathing of He Jichen.

    She was so sleepy that she was starting to doze off, but now she couldn¡¯t sleep even with her eyes shut. Her mind was filled with the image of He Jichen holding her hand.

    Their palms had long separated, yet she could still feel his warmth on the back of her hand.

    ¨C

    He Jichen stayed in the hospital for a few days, where every meal he ate was a baby¡¯s meal.

    Though things between the two of them were a little awkward because of what happened that night in Shanghai, the atmosphere seemed to naturally ease up, day by day.

    He Jichen recovered from his fever in the morning of his third day in the hospital. However, because he was still in poor condition, he stayed in the hospital for observation. That evening, Ji Yi took a stroll with He Jichen in the garden of the hospital.

    On the afternoon of the fourth day, people from YC came to see He Jichen to discuss business. As he hadn¡¯tpletely recovered, Ji Yi restricted He Jichen¡¯s working hours. As soon as she saw exhaustion creep into his eyes, she would hold onto all the documents everyone sent over and only gave them to He Jichen after he had a long rest.

    As the days went by, He Jichen recovered day by day and his working hours grew longer. Of course, at the same time, Ji Yi grew more bored as the days went on.

    Sometimes, He Jichen¡¯s video conferences wouldst three or four hours, so he didn¡¯t have the time to bother with her.

    At first, Ji Yi used that time to make up for her lost sleep from looking after He Jichen. Later, after she had slept enough, all she could do was y games with Tang Huahua to pass the time.

    After dinner on the ninth night of He Jichen¡¯s stay in the hospital, thepany had an urgentst-minute video conference.

    They canceled their ns to take a stroll downstairs after dinner.

 Chapter 469

    Chapter 469: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When it came to dinner time, they canceled their ns to take a stroll downstairs after dinner. While He Jichen turned theputer on and started the video conference, Ji Yi had nothing to do, so all she could do was call Tang Huahua to y games, just like she had been doing for the past two days when she was bored.

    The game Ji Yi and Tang Huahua were ying was called ¡°King of Glory,¡± a ridiculously popr game at the moment. Simply put, the game was a MOBA ¨C whoever destroyed the opponent¡¯s crystal would win. Tang Huahua yed this game for over a year before Ji Yi started, but her skills were nowhere near as good as Ji Yi¡¯s. Using Tang Huahua¡¯s words, it was the type of game where you won by being carried, but it was a shame that the two of them were stuck with bad yers tonight. They couldn¡¯t rely on their team, who would lose three consecutive games every so often.

    Naturally, they wanted to win, so losing constantly would inevitably ruin the mood for anyone hoping to have fun.

    After the fourth game, Tang Huahua was a little salty after having lost again. She sent Ji Yi a message on WeChat: ¡°Wait a min. I¡¯ll call an awesome guy to lead us.¡± Then she disappeared.

    After about five minutes, Ji Yi¡¯s phone vibrated, and a message from Tang Huahua showed up: ¡°Xiao Yi, quickly! Come online. I spent twenty yuan to hire a guy from the public screen called Kingdude.¡±

    Ji Yi hurriedly switched over to the game, logged in, and epted Tang Huahua¡¯s game invite.

    Just as Tang Huahua wrote in her message, there really was another teammate aside from her and Tang Huahua.

    Tang Huahua noticed Ji Yi had entered the party she opened, so she immediately clicked to start. While choosing the heroes, Tang Huahua sent Ji Yi a message on the game¡¯s home screen: ¡°Xiao Yi, turn on the game chat.¡±

    Ji Yi was sitting quite close to He Jichen, so she carried her phone and walked over to the sofa away from him in fear that the gaming sounds would disrupt his conference. After she sat down, she turned the sound on.

    ¡°Wee to King of Glory. The enemy will reach the field in five seconds.¡±

    As this was heard, Ji Yi, who yed Cai Wenji, and Tang Huahua, who yed Sun Shangxiang, walked down the path together.

    When the two of them passed the red buff, a man¡¯s voice was heard. It was from the Kingdude, the guy Tang Huahua paid twenty yuan to y. ¡°Follow me to the other side, let¡¯s go get the blue buff.¡±

    Kingdude¡¯s voice was unusually pleasant and crisp. It gave Ji Yi a feeling that he was like a leading male character from a teen novel.

    Tang Huahua couldn¡¯t help but exim in admiration, ¡°Wow, what a beautiful voice!¡±

    Ji Yi followed suit, ¡°Yeah... yeah.¡±

    Kingdude lived up to his reputation as he led them easily. In the seven short minutes after starting the game, they already took down eight enemies.

    After having lost all night, Ji Yi and Tang Huahua were happy as they became more talkative over the mic.

    He Jichen, who was in a video conference, would pay attention to Ji Yi every now and then since she left his side to y on her phone.

    Her phone, which was on silent before, was suddenly ying music now. Luckily, the volume wasn¡¯t too loud, so it didn¡¯t disturb his work.

    He assumed she walked away so she could turn the volume up, so he didn¡¯t think too much of it and continued to pay attention to the director¡¯s report. However, after just two words, he vaguely heard the sound of a man¡¯s voice.

    He instinctively looked up and nced over to where Ji Yi was sitting. Seeing as she was concentrating hard on her phone, his eyes smiled cheerfully.

 Chapter 470

    Chapter 470: Miss, Your Take Out Has Arrived (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Is Ji Yi happily talking to a man over a game?

    He Jichen furrowed his brows slightly as he withdrew his gaze. Then he lowered the volume a little on hisputer.

    Though He Jichen might have looked like he was concentrating on the conference, his attention was actuallypletely focused on Ji Yi¡¯s phone. Through the voice from the screen, he could barely hear Tang Huahua¡¯s voice from Ji Yi¡¯s phone. ¡°Wow, we finally won! I¡¯m so happy!¡±

    Following that, a man¡¯s voice was heard. ¡°Biaomei, add me as a friend first then let¡¯s keep ying.¡±

    When Ji Yi was ying beside He Jichen, he caught a glimpse of her ID, ¡°Biaomei_bigbeauty.¡± So that man¡¯s referring to Ji Yi?

    Just as that thought settled in He Jichen¡¯s mind, he heard Ji Yi¡¯s soft voice: ¡°Alright.¡±

    Alright? The hell with ¡°alright¡±! cursed He Jichen secretly inside. Then he swept a nce over at Ji Yi to see her fingers tap the screen a few times. He heard the game sounds being resumed.

    He¡¯d never yed this kind of game before, but seeing her y for the past two days, he could tell with just a few nces that they were about to start a new match.

    In this match, the guy¡¯s voice was no longer directing Ji Yi and Tang Huahua how to y, but he was chatting with Ji Yi instead.

    ¡°Biaomei, where are you from?¡±

    ¡°Beijing.¡±

    ¡°Biaomei,e get this blue buff.¡±

    Tang Huahua: ¡°She¡¯s an assist character. Why does she need a blue?! Baby¡¯s not happy.¡±

    Tang Huahua was ignored as the man¡¯s voice continued by asking, ¡°Biaomei, how old are you?¡±

    Biaomei... The hell with ¡°biaomei¡±... He Jichen started to shift in his seat ufortably.

    ¡°Biaomei, which do you use more often, WeChat or QQ?

    ¡°WeChat.¡±

    ¡°Biaomei, my WeChat number is...¡± A series of numbers appeared on Ji Yi¡¯s phone. ¡°...You got that? If you didn¡¯t, I¡¯ll send it through the game, so remember to screenshot it. That¡¯s also my phone number. Add me as a friendter.¡±

    Isn¡¯t it enough to add him as a friend in the game? But he wants her to add him as a WeChat friend too?

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers quietly curled into a fist. He suddenly had the urge to pull the guy out from the phone and violently beat the sh*t out of him.

    ¡°Biaomei, I thought about it ¨C it¡¯s too much trouble to have you add me. Tell me your WeChat and I¡¯ll add youter.¡±

    ¡°Oh...¡± The game was at its peak, so Ji Yi couldn¡¯t care less about giving him her WeChat number. ¡°...Wait, I¡¯ll tell youter.¡±

    I¡¯ll tell youter... She¡¯s really going to tell him?

    He Jichen held back the impulse to rush over to Ji Yi and snatch her phone. He stared at theputer screen, deep in thought for a moment, then suddenly had an idea. He didn¡¯t say anything, but he tapped the screen and told everyone in the conference: ¡°Apologies, please wait just a moment.¡±

    After he said this, he paused the video conference and pulled out his phone. After downloading an app, he frantically tapped the screen.

    After he put the phone down, He Jichen started up the video conference again.

    Ji Yi was chatting away enthusiastically on her phone nearby.

    Ten minutester, Ji Yi got a call, ¡°Miss, your takeout has arrived...¡±

    I didn¡¯t order take out... Ji Yi was stunned for two seconds before she turned her head and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°Did you ask for takeout?¡±

    He Jichen nodded gently but didn¡¯t say anything. He pointed at theputer screen, silently telling Ji Yi that he was busy and that he couldn¡¯t walk away; he was subtly asking if she could help him pick it up.

    After Ji Yi hung up the call, she was about to resume her game as she headed downstairs to pick up the takeout when she got another call. ¡°Miss, your takeout has arrived...¡±

    On her way downstairs, Ji Yi had no time to get into the game because when one call ended, another would start up.

    Ji Yi got a total of ten calls, all telling her ¡°Miss, your takeout has arrived...¡± Each one of the calls was from a takeaway ce.

    After Ji Yi ended ten calls from takeaways and returned to her game, it was already over.

    Despite Ji Yi being away for the second half of the match, they still managed to win. However, she was reported by her teammates and had a two-hour ban.

    Ji Yi was steaming with rage inside as she carried variousrge and small bags back to the patient room. He Jichen¡¯s video conference was over, so she walked over to the bedside and without any hesitation at all, she threw the bags at He Jichen on the bed. ¡°He Jichen, are you bored? Why did you order so much take-¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t manage to say the final word ¡°out¡± when she hastily chucked the heavy bags at him, incidentally hurling herself forward.

    In front of her was He Jichen, who was leaning against the head of the bed. Her sudden lunge forward caused her to press down on the body of an unguarded He Jichen...

 Chapter 471

    Chapter 471: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In front of her was He Jichen, who was leaning against the head of the bed. Her sudden lunge forward caused her to press down the body of an unguarded He Jichen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s slender body was light, but she fell right on top of him with considerable force. He Jichen felt an intense pain on his chest as Ji Yi¡¯s head came crashing down. He instinctively shut his eyes and drew a sharp breath of air.

    The impact was reciprocal as He Jichen worked out on a regr basis, so his chest was firm and hard like a rock. The resulting blow to Ji Yi¡¯s head almost made her burst into tears.

    After about a minute, Ji Yi recovered from the pain and looked up as she reached her hand out to rub the throbbing spot on her head.

    At the same time, He Jichen¡¯s pain gradually subsided, and he slowly opened his eyes to catch Ji Yi¡¯s gaze as she lifted her head. Their eyes happened to meet.

    Ji Yi stopped rubbing her head. After about a minute, she had a dyed reaction, realizing that she was lying on top of He Jichen. Her entire body shook as she instinctively flipped over, trying to get off his body.

    Because she was flustered, she forgot they were on a single bed, so her sudden flip sent her flying. Just as she felt herself falling to the ground, she realized that she was actually falling off the bed.

    Sh*t! she cried on the inside as she quickly shut her eyes. However, the iing impact she anticipated never came. Instead, arge arm was locked tightly around her waist.

    Her survival instincts took over as she reached her arm out without hesitation and forcefully pulled herself up. All of sudden, she felt a warm, soft sensation upon her lips.

    Ji Yi was stunned for about three seconds before she opened her eyes again.

    He Jichen¡¯s striking facial features were practically glued to her eyes.

    It was like the pressure points in her body had been hit as she was stunned like that for a long time. Eventually, she gently opened her pitch-dark pupils and clearly saw her lips tightly sped onto He Jichen¡¯s lips.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t quite register what she was seeing as her mind went nk for some time before she regained consciousness.

    My lips are stuck onto his lips... The warmth and softness wereing from his lips... His lips...

    Ji Yi suddenly understood what these thoughts meant, and her eyes suddenly widened. Then she blurted, ¡°Yah!¡± and withdrew her body, pulling their lips away.

    He Jichen¡¯s body shook for a moment then there was nothing.

    He looked like he was repressing something as there was a pained expression on his face.

    After about half a minute, he snapped back from the idental kiss that couldn¡¯t quite be considered a kiss at all.

    With one motion of his arm, he lifted Ji Yi¡¯s upper body upright then withdrew his arm. He flipped over and got out of bed. Without saying a single word, he quickly entered the bathroom.

    Soon enough, the sound of running water was heard from the bathroom.

    He Jichen stood under the cold water for a long time before he could push down the urges brought on by Ji Yi.

    When he got dressed and stepped out of the bathroom, Ji Yi was still standing in the same ce she was in before he entered the bathroom.

    Ji Yi turned her head when she heard the door opening and looked over at He Jichen. Her eyes lingered on He Jichen for less than a second before she averted her gaze.

 Chapter 472

    Chapter 472: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to speak before she blurted out, ¡°I¡¯m going to shower.¡±

    After she said this, she brushed by He Jichen and rushed into the bathroom.

    Ji Yi dawdled in the bathroom for a long time and didn¡¯te out until she was certain she wouldn¡¯t awkwardly embarrass herself in front of He Jichen over the ¡°kiss.¡±

    She didn¡¯t nce at the bed where He Jichen was lying, but she walked over to the other empty bed and said, ¡°It¡¯ste. Get some sleep.¡± Then she turned the lights off in the patient room, climbed into bed, and pulled the covers over her head.

    Ji Yiid silently in the darkness for a long long time ¨C so long, in fact, that she only emerged from under the covers when He Jichen had fallen asleep.

    Ji Yi stared up at the ceiling, breathing carefully for a while until the stifling difort in her chest subsided. Then she gently turned her head and looked over at He Jichen.

    While asleep, his perfect facial features looked serene and hypnotizing. The pale yellow night light in the patient room illuminated his unusually gentle, perfect looks.

    Her gaze repeatedly circled his face for a long time before it fell on his lips.

    His lips were already beautiful, but under the light, they softened his appearance and captivated her even more. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel transfixed.

    After who knew how long, He Jichen flipped over, probably because he was ufortable with his sleeping position. Now he had his back facing Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi was stunned for a good while before she blinked gently. As she withdrew her gaze from the back of He Jichen¡¯s head, she tilted her head again to look up at the ceiling.

    In the silent night, she felt some urges emerging to go over and kiss him, caused by when she stared at his lips earlier.

    It was just as things were back in Shanghai ¨C that night when she got drunk.

    The only thing different was that tonight¡¯s urges were slightly stronger than when she was drunk.

    After she came back to her senses from identally touching his lips, she felt the same creeping sense of regret from when she dodged him in a panic earlier.

    She hadn¡¯t dared to let herself consider what she was actually regretful about until this very moment. She had to admit that her regret was because she couldn¡¯t bear to part from He Jichen after theirpletely idental ¡°kiss¡±...

    Couldn¡¯t bear to part...

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips trembled gently as she turned her head to look over at He Jichen.

    She stared at his back for an awfully long time before she came to the realization as to why she couldn¡¯t bear to part from the kiss.

    But it was just for a moment as she stopped that thought and erased itpletely from her mind. She pretended nothing happened, and that she didn¡¯t understand anything.

    If she could, Ji Yi really wanted to pretend to be confused, but most of the time, things happened beyond her control.

    Ji Yi thought she could keep pretending for a long time, but she never imagined that in less than a week after that night in Shanghai, she would have to give up this game.

    Because there was no way she could pretend to be confused over what happened to her; there was no way she could erase the realization from her heart.

    That incident made her realize that she didn¡¯t simply have feelings for He Jichen, but she liked him. She had already fallen for him.

 Chapter 473

    Chapter 473: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was the sixth day after Ji Yi identally ¡°kissed¡± He Jichen.

    He Jichen was discharged the second day after that idental ¡°kiss¡± happened. Chen Bai came to the hotel at ten in the morning to help He Jichen go up and down the stairs for almost an hour to finish the discharge procedures.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t really sleep the night before, so she gracefully turned down Chen Bai¡¯s suggestion to have lunch together and headed back home.

    Back at home, Ji Yi stayed indoors as usual. When He Jichen was recovering at the hospital, she was by his side for ten whole days to take care of him. She felt like things between them were equivalent to a little pebble being thrown into ake; neither of them created a big ssh. After they parted, she didn¡¯t contact He Jichen, nor did he contact her. It was like what happened wasn¡¯t even worth mentioning at all; it was something that was glossed over in their lives.

    If it wasn¡¯t for what happened six days ago, Ji Yi wouldn¡¯t have known when she and He Jichen would meet next.

    Following the poprity of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± Princess Qing Yang¡¯s impression on the audience grew stronger. With the additionalbel of being YC¡¯s first signed female artist, many people now knew Ji Yi. At the same time, there were some not-quite-major-nor-minor jobs that presented themselves to Ji Yi one after the other.

    YC had already lined up many jobs for Ji Yi. The manager responsible for Ji Yi was called Zhuang Yi, who wasn¡¯t too old but had worked in the industry for about ten years and managed a dozen A-list celebrities.

    Zhuang Yi was smart and experienced. Among the many jobs offered to Ji Yi, Zhuang Yi carefully picked out just one endorsement in the end.

    Ji Yi gained poprity, so she had to keep it up and maintain momentum. YC organized a job for Ji Yi to go on a major variety show on a satellite TVwork that had been popr for almost ten years now.

    The filming time for the episode was a little tight as there were just two days. On the first morning of the shooting, it wasn¡¯t even light out, yet Zhuang Yi had already driven to Ji Yi¡¯s front door.

    The shoot was held at a movie and TV studio in the suburbs of South Beijing. By the time they arrived, it was seven in the morning.

    On the journey there, Zhuang Yi gave Ji Yi breakfast, so as soon as she arrived at the broadcasting studio, she could go straight to make-up.

    There was a rare kind of beauty to Ji Yi¡¯s facial features, so the make-up artist only had to apply a simpleyer of make-up for her to reach perfection. However, Zhuang Yi stood behind Ji Yi throughout it all, reminding the make-up artist to pay attention to her work in front of the mirror.

    Ji Yi was the earliest on set. While she was getting her make up done, other artists filming the show with her started to show up.

    Long before Ji Yi got the job, she already saw the casting list for the show. There was a hot new artist, a famous Taiwanese singer from a few years ago, and a considerably popr actor from Hong Kong who never seemed to be able to break into the A-list category.

    They were the four guests on the show.

    The first to arrive was the hot new artist, then the actor from Hong Kong.

    At eight o¡¯clock, the Taiwanese singer still hadn¡¯t turned up.

    It wasn¡¯t until Ji Yi finished doing her make-up, changing her clothes, and started doing her hair that the door to the make-up room was finally pushed open.

    Ji Yi thought the Taiwanese singer had finally arrived, so she instinctively turned her head to nce at the door. Before her gaze fell on the person walking through the door, she first heard someone say, ¡°Qian Jie, please sit.¡±

 Chapter 474

    Chapter 474: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Jie?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and paused for two seconds before her gaze traveled towards the door.

    The first to enter her sight was Qian Ge¡¯s assistant, who was carrying two big bags in her hands. Then Qian Ge¡¯s personal make-up artist came into view, dragging a suitcase. Finally, Qian Ge entered in brightly colored clothes.

    She wore stilettos which tapped particrly loudly as she walked around the make-up room.

    The hot new artist and Qian Ge had worked together a few times, so they were quite familiar with one another. Upon seeing her appearance, the artist was the first to greet her, ¡°Qian Jie.¡±

    Qian Ge smiled brightly and replied, ¡°Long time no see.¡± Then she averted her gaze to the actor from Hong Kong. Though the two of them had worked in the industry for many years, they only really ever acknowledged each other¡¯s presence, so Qian Ge politely gave him a nod.

    The actor from Hong Kong didn¡¯t say anything but returned Qian Ge¡¯s nod.

    Finally, Qian Ge looked over at Ji Yi.

    Neither of them spoke, but they silently nced at one another. Qian Ge sat elegantly in front of the make-up chair that her assistant pulled out and started to sweetly describe the look she wanted to go with today to the make-up artist.

    As Qian Ge spoke quietly, Ji Yi nced over at Zhuang Yi standing behind her through the mirror.

    Although they¡¯d never really talked, Zhuang Yi knew what Ji Yi was thinking. They were both confused ¨C the cast list clearly had the Taiwanese singer¡¯s name on it, so why was Qian Ge here?

    Zhuang Yi shook her head at Ji Yi, silently telling her that she wasn¡¯t sure what happened either. Then she pointed at the door and stepped out.

    After about ten minutes, Zhuang Yi returned to the make-up room. Ji Yi had just finished getting her make-up done. Zhuang Yi stood by the side for a while, waiting for the make-up artist to finish up. That was when she walked over to Ji Yi, lowered her head and whispered into Ji Yi¡¯s ear, ¡°I just went to ask someone responsible for the show. They said something happened to the Taiwanese singer, so she couldn¡¯t make it at thest minute. They only contacted Qian Gest night to save today¡¯s shoot, so there wasn¡¯t enough time to tell the rest of us.¡±

    Though Ji Yi didn¡¯t quite believe the excuse, the staff¡¯s exnation was logical. What¡¯s more, this show was a very important job for her. She couldn¡¯t give it up just because the eyesore ¨C Qian Ge ¨C was present, so all she could do was remind herself to be careful.

    They were originally nned to start shooting at ten, but Qian Ge arrivedte. Her make-up was only finished at ten, and her ce in the entertainment industry was immeasurable, so everyone was particrly nice to her on set. Nobody dared to rush her, so Ji Yi and the other two male artists waited for almost forty minutes before all four of them entered the studio.

    After listening to the director¡¯s overview, filming officially started at eleven.

    They already finished filming the opening dance for the show and revealed the host while the four guests were in make-up, so they started off shooting the four of them on stage.

    The show director filmed them once from afar and up close, but since they were already behind schedule, they didn¡¯t give everyone a break after they appeared on stage. Instead, they went straight to the self-introduction segment.

    The actor from Hong Kong started his career earliest out of all of them. Although he wasn¡¯t as famous as Qian Ge, he was considered her senior, so the host called his name first to give a self-introduction.

 Chapter 475

    Chapter 475: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The actor from Hong Kong started his career earliest out of all of them. Although he wasn¡¯t as famous as Qian Ge, he was considered her senior, so the host called his name first to give a self-introduction.

    Next was Qian Ge, then the hot new artist who became really bigst year, followed by Ji Yist.

    If the show wanted to attract attention, there needed to be interesting, explosive topics. With Ji Yi being the hottest news online, the female host smiled and tilted her head to ask Ji Yi a question after her self-introduction. ¡°We all know that Ji Yi is the first female artist to be signed with YC. May I ask Ji Yi ¨C how did you feel when YC decided to sign you?¡±

    With that, the presenter brought the mic in front of Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi wore the most befitting smile as she honestly described the feeling she had when He Jichen put the three contracts in front of her. ¡°I was a little in disbelief like it was all a dream. I only realized the full implications of the signing several dayster. It¡¯s the same feeling I have now ¨C I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m here on your show.¡±

    The female host was the essence of the show; she always knew how to manage time and interact with people. The next second, she reached her hand out after hearing Ji Yi¡¯s half-joking words and pretended to forcefully pinch Ji Yi¡¯s arm. ¡°Now do you know you¡¯re not dreaming?¡±

    The audience roared withughter as they watched the two of them.

    Even the two male actors and presenter on stage started tough. Everyoneughed except Qian Ge, whose smile was frozen in ce.

    Ji Yi was just a third-rate minor actress who hadn¡¯t even had a leading role and only recently gained some fame, yet the presenter chose to interact with her... But since it was a live shoot, Qian Ge could only grit her teeth and fiercely suppress her inner rage, preventing herself from marching out right there and then.

    Because they were pressed for time, they needed to start the next segment of the show, so the male presenter butted in at the right time. ¡°Alright then! Let¡¯s officially start off today¡¯s show...¡±

    To prevent appearing rigid as the male presenter spoke, Ji Yi nced over at him and happened to catch a glimpse of Qian Ge standing next to him. Though Qian Ge was wearing her signature smile, she had an obvious chill in her eyes. Ji Yi¡¯s fingers clenched her fingers, which further reminded her to be careful. This show was going to help promote her widely. She couldn¡¯t let Qian Ge ruin this for her at such a crucial time.

    After the self-introductions were over, the rest of the show was like a game show.

    The first game was ¡°Live KTV.¡±

    They were split into two teams for the game: Ji Yi, the hot new artist, and the female presenter were on one team. Qian Ge, the actor from Hong Kong, and the male host were on the other team.

    Everybody had a microphone in their hands as the music yed. Whoever could name the song and be the first to sing all the lyrics got one point. The team with the least points received a punishment.

    The hot new artist was famous all over China for a Xianxia drama and became an A-lister overnight.

    Before his dramatic rise to fame, he entered showbiz as a singer who participated in many singingpetitions and sang covers of popr songs, so everyone on set knew he was familiar with many songs.

    In a few short moments after the game started, the hot new artist sang all three of the songs that were yed. He earned Ji Yi¡¯s group three points.

 Chapter 476

    Chapter 476: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The fourth song was the song that made the male presenter famous. Just as the music started, he raised his hand.

    Qian Ge¡¯s team finally got a point.

    The fifth song was a song Ji Yi always really liked. She beat them all to raise her hand first.

    The sixth song wasn¡¯t a famous song, so the six people on stage were a little bewildered. In the end, the female host cried ¡°pass,¡± and they yed the seventh song.

    When Ji Yi had nothing to do, she liked to listen to music. Although the female presenter got her fame from being a presenter, she also dabbled in TV dramas and music too. On top of it all, the hot new artist entered showbiz as a singer, so if Ji Yi couldn¡¯t remember the song, the hot new artist would get the song. If either of them was stuck, the female presenter took home the point. After a while, the team scores were ten to one.

    Even though it was just a show and winning or losing didn¡¯t really matter, theparison of scores looked bad. Everyone was in the same industry, so everybody wanted to keep the peace. When the thirteenth song yed, Ji Yi¡¯s team knew well to pretend they couldn¡¯t recognize the song and give Qian Ge¡¯s team a chance.

    The actor from Hong Kong wasn¡¯t familiar with the music, but even he managed to sing the song when he heard it.

    There were only two songs left. Nobody on Ji Yi¡¯s team sang again, so the male presenter sang another. The final song turned out to be a song everyone knew ¨C it was the birthday song. From the very beginning of the game until now, Qian Ge was the only one who hadn¡¯t sung, so when nobody on Ji Yi¡¯s team raised their hands, the male presenter and actor from Hong Kong mutually knew to give the song to Qian Ge.

    In actuality, Qian Ge knew deep down that the most important thing about this game show was the reactions and not the score. However, because she was facing Ji Yi, her umted rage grew fiercer as she watched Ji Yi¡¯s score increasing after the KTV section of the show began.

    Now that everyone was giving her such a simple song, Qian Ge knew they had good intentions, but she saw this as mockery.

    Yet she couldn¡¯t refuse it, so she raised the mic. Before she sang, she incidentally swept a nce at Ji Yi from the corner of her eye. Ji Yi sensed Qian Ge¡¯s gaze and didn¡¯t look back at her. Instead, she curved the corners of her lips into a smile and swayed elegantly to the tempo of the music.

    The sight of Ji Yi¡¯s naturally rxed-self fell into Qian Ge¡¯s eyes, annoying her to the extreme. When it was time for her to sing, she actually forgot and when she snapped back to her senses with some difficulty, she actually sang off-key for such a simple song like the birthday song.

    Because they were recording, the director let Qian Ge sing the song again.

    The moment Qian Ge sang off-key, she realized she was embarrassing herself. She quickly fixed her pitch and followed the music from the beginning.

    This time, she sang without any problems, but Qian Ge feltpletely embarrassed as quite a few audience members saw what happened earlier.

    It was lunchtime after the ¡°Live KTV¡± recording was over. At two in the afternoon, they were going to record ¡°The Big ssroom Contest.¡±

    This time, one person yed on behalf of the team and there were six half-meter tall desks on the stage with a seat for each person. Ji Yi was selected as the yer, assigned to sit beside Qian Ge.

    ¡°The Big ssroom Contest¡± asked all sorts of questions. Luckily, Ji Yi was still in school and remembered many things. She got first ce in this game without exerting any effort.

 Chapter 477

    Chapter 477: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi, who was nicknamed the ¡°bookworm,¡± needed to get up to collect her prize. With the director¡¯s signal, she got up. Then under the eyes of the other three celebrities, the presenters, and the live audience, Ji Yi turned around to walk over to the tform. When her right leg took a step, she felt something hard and round from under her heel.

    The stage floor was already slippery, so since Ji Yi was wearing heels, she didn¡¯t have time to guess what was underneath her feet. The object was round, so her body rolled forward. With a ¡°dong!¡± Ji Yi fell hard on the tform andid sprawled on the stage under everyone¡¯s eyes.

    The ident happened far too unexpectedly as nobody on set reacted.

    Besides the celebratory music, there were no other sounds in the entire studio.

    After about ten seconds, the female presenter was the first to snap back to reality. ¡°Ji Yi, are you okay?¡±

    The female celebrity didn¡¯t turn off her microphone as her voice traveled around each corner of the studio. Following this, the people on set started to realize what happened one after the other.

    The three actors on stage and the two presenters were closest to Ji Yi. Everyone jumped down onto the stage and surrounded Ji Yi.

    ¡°Ji Yi, are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Are you injured somewhere?¡±

    ¡°Can you still stand up?¡±

    Amidst everyone¡¯s caring words, Qian Ge¡¯s gaze wasn¡¯t focused on Ji Yi like everyone else, but she scanned the stage to see the scattered pearls around Ji Yi. She went over to her and pretended to care for her, but when no one was looking, she started to pick up the pearls.

    Soon after, the director, Zhuang Yi, and other staff members rushed to the stage.

    ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡± The second after the director asked this, they saw Ji Yi¡¯s right ankle was shockingly red and swollen. He suddenly cried, ¡°Did you twist your ankle? Quickly take her to the hospital and check if she hurt any muscles or bones!¡±

    Just as the director finished speaking, the actor from Hong Kong said, ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡±

    As he said this, he bent over and hastily carried Ji Yi down the stage.

    Zhuang Yi quickly rushed over.

    Outside the studio, Zhuang Yi immediately reached for her car keys. After they found her car, she quickly rushed over to the front of the car and pulled the door open.

    After the Hong Kong actor lifted Ji Yi into the car, Zhuang Yi shut the door and got in.

    Ji Yi was in so much pain that she was pale white. She leaned back in the car seat, chattered her teeth, and couldn¡¯t say a thing.

    Zhuang Yi repeated, ¡°Hold on! Hold on! We¡¯ll reach the hospital real soon!¡± Then she stepped on the gas and left the studio.

    They were in the suburbs, so even if Zhuang Yi drove fast, it would still take half an hour to reach the nearest hospital in the city.

    The actor from Hong Kong stayed with her all the way. After the car stopped, he picked up Ji Yi again. With Zhuang Yi taking the lead, he signed Ji Yi into the emergency unit and brought her to a doctor.

    The most painful the moment when Ji Yi tripped wasn¡¯t when her knee first touched the ground but when her ankle got twisted.

    Earlier in the year, she twisted her ankle when she was in Lijiang, so she was familiar with this pain. However, this time, the pain felt infinitely sharper. It hurt so much that she was sprawled on the ground and couldn¡¯t breathe.

    That kind of pain scared her. She was afraid that she had injured her bones or muscles.

 Chapter 478

    Chapter 478: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She had recently got some fame in the show business with some difficulty, but this incident would now make her lose all thepany-assigned job and all potential jobs would be given to other artists.

    But sometimes, the more you¡¯re afraid of something, the more likely it will happen.

    The doctor first took an x-ray of Ji Yi. After about an hour, the doctor looked over the scans. With just one nce, the doctor told Ji Yi that she sprained her ankle and needed a cast.

    While they were taking care of Ji Yi¡¯s injury, Zhuang Yi first saw the Hong Kong actor out of the hospital. When she returned, Ji Yi still hadn¡¯te out from the doctor¡¯s office, so Zhuang Yi leaned against the wall opposite the door.

    When she lifted her head, she saw Ji Yi through the window and realized she still hadn¡¯t told what happened to Ji Yi during the recording of the show to thepany.

    After Zhuang Yi pulled out her phone, she searched for He Jichen¡¯s number.

    When he arranged for her to be Ji Yi¡¯s manager, he specifically stressed that she should report everything about Ji Yi directly to him.

    After she made the call, it rang a few times before it got picked up.

    Zhuang Yi instinctively straightened up and was just about to say ¡°Mr. He¡± when she heard Chen Bai¡¯s voice over the phone: ¡°Zhuang Yi, is this something urgent? Mr. He is in a meeting right now...¡±

    Zhuang Yi swallowed her words and after a couple of seconds, she said, ¡°It¡¯s Ji Yi. She was in an ident.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji?¡± Chen Bai raised his voice by half a decibel. ¡°What happened to Miss Ji?¡±

    ¡°During the filming for the variety show, she fell from the tform and twisted her leg...¡± Zhuang Yi exined what happened in full detail to Chen Bai over the phone.

    ¨C

    Even though He Jichen picked up some work during thest week of his hospital stay, he still had a ton of work to do.

    On the fourth day after he was discharged, he flew to America on a business trip.

    He gave Chen Bai his phone for safekeeping during the trip.

    He Jichen had a meeting all-night-long and it was half past five in the afternoon in America when Chen Bai got Zhuang Yi¡¯s call.

    The conference didn¡¯t end until six forty-seven when it waspletely bright outside.

    He Jichen just closed hisptop when Chen Bai hurriedly rushed in.

    Someone happened to walk up to He Jichen to talk to him, so he shared a few polite words with him. After their conversation, Chen Bai immediately whispered in He Jichen¡¯s ear: ¡°Mr. He, I just got a call from Miss Ji¡¯s manager, Zhuang Yi...¡±

    He Jichen abruptly stopped tidying his desk full of documents as a horrible feeling started to enter his heart. Yet he didn¡¯t say a word.

    ¡°Over the phone, Zhuang Yi said Miss Ji identally fell from the stage during her recording and twisted her ankle.¡± With a pause, Chen Bai tried to remember what Zhuang Yi said before she hung up. ¡°But today was strange. A Taiwanese actress was meant to be on set today, but for some reason, it turned out to be Qian Ge. The show exined that at thest minute, something urgent came up for the Taiwanese actress, so she couldn¡¯t make it.¡± Then he added, ¡°Also, Mr. He, the female celebrity Miss Ji recorded the show with today was Qian Ge.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s brows were raised. He looked like he suddenly understood something. The next second, his voice sounded frigid: ¡°Book a ticket. I want the earliest flight out.¡±

 Chapter 479

    Chapter 479: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    It was already half-past six in the evening when Zhuang Yi emerged from the hospital pushing Ji Yi in a wheelchair. It happened to be rush hour, so the main roads were jammed from the southern to the northern part of the city.

    The car stopped and started for about forty minutes until the traffic became smoother. Zhuang Yi was just about to speed up when her phone rang.

    The car had been silent until the phone suddenly rang, which caused Ji Yi to instinctively turn her head and look over at Zhuang Yi.

    She noticed Zhuang Yi ncing over at the phone screen. Then she raised her head and she nced at Ji Yi through the rearview mirror and found her Bluetooth earpiece. After she put it on, she swiped the screen and took the call. ¡°Director Lin, hello.¡±

    The director Lin that Zhuang Yi spoke of was someone she met a few days ago at YC; he was in charge of YC artists.

    Because Zhuang Yi had her earpiece in, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear what director Lin was saying, but she was afraid that director Lin called Zhuang Yi to discuss what happened during the recording.

    Just as Ji Yi¡¯s suspicions formed in her mind, she heard Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice from the driver¡¯s seat: ¡°She wasn¡¯t careful, so she tripped and sprained her ankle. Her condition is good and it¡¯s not especially serious...¡±

    After some time, Zhuang Yi spoke again but with a less confident tone in her voice. ¡°...Perhaps, probably, maybe, about a month.¡±

    Ji Yi figured that director Lin got mad over the phone ¨C otherwise, Zhuang Yi wouldn¡¯t be repeatedly apologizing. ¡°Yes yes yes, Mr. Lin. We¡¯re terribly sorry for what happened this time. It was also my fault...¡±

    ¡°Come to the office now?¡± Zhuang Yi spoke with a slightly higher voice then nced at Ji Yi again through the rearview mirror. After a pause, she said, ¡°Mr. Lin, today is probably inconvenient for us as the doctor said it would be best for Ji Yi not to move around because her leg is in a cast, so you see...¡±

    She didn¡¯t know what Mr. Lin said over the phone, but he probably hung up since Zhuang Yi took off the earpiece. She stared at the road ahead and drove about a dozen meters then said, ¡°Ji Yi, you have toe with me to the office tomorrow morning.¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± softly replied Ji Yi. She stared out at the endlessly retreating streets without another word.

    After a while, she withdrew her gaze and looked over at Zhuang Yi as she drove and asked, ¡°This time, did I cause you and thepany a lot of trouble?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Zhuang Yi turned her head and nced at Ji Yi for a moment but quickly drew her gaze back to the road. ¡°Nah... I¡¯ve had bigger problems than this. What¡¯s more, nobody wanted something like this to happen...¡±

    After a pause, Zhuang Yi added, ¡°...But, Ji Yi, you have to be careful in the future.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± responded Ji Yi with her eyes lowered.

    Even though Zhuang Yi sounded very polite, Ji Yi knew that no matter if it was director Lin or Zhuang Yi speaking, she was more or less unsatisfied with what happened today.

    After Zhuang Yi took Ji Yi home, she left.

    Ji Yi¡¯s parents still hadn¡¯t finished work yet, so Ji Yi maneuvered the wheelchair to her bedroom and climbed into bed with one foot on the floor.

    After lying down for some time, her phone started to ring. She nced at the screen to see that it was Zhuang Yi calling. After she picked up the call, Zhuang Yi reminded her, ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning.¡±

    Seconds after they hung up, the phone rang again. Ji Yi assumed Zhuang Yi must¡¯ve forgotten to mention something. This time without looking at the screen, Ji Yi asked, ¡°Is there anything else?¡±

 Chapter 480

    Chapter 480: Quit Dreaming About Ever Making it Some Day (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After Ji Yi said that, she didn¡¯t get a reply for some time, so she felt like something wasn¡¯t right. For some reason, her eyelids flickered and the next second, she raised her phone to eye-level and saw the two words on the disy: Qian Ge.

    Why¡¯s she calling me?

    Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t recovered from the shock of Qian Ge¡¯s sudden call when Qian Ge¡¯s voice rang out from the phone: ¡°I heard you had quite a serious fall?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes instantly turned cold.

    She didn¡¯t believe Qian Ge called because she genuinely cared. No matter what her real aim was for her call, Ji Yi didn¡¯t believe it was for anything good.

    After what happened during the recording that afternoon, she was already in a terrible mood. She really wasn¡¯t in the right mindset to take on Qian Ge.

    Ji Yi pretended she hadn¡¯t heard what Qian Ge said by staying silent. She prepared to hang up.

    Before her fingers could touch the screen, it was like Qian Ge knew she was going to hang up on her as she spoke again: ¡°Sprained your ankle and got a cast? They say you¡¯ll need at least a month to recover?¡±

    Qian Ge let out a soft sigh as she continued to speak in a pitying voice: ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a real shame... you missed out on such a good variety show, just like that. I heard the show found out you couldn¡¯t continue recording, so they started looking for other actresses!¡±

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but clutch her phone tightly.

    It was like Qian Ge could sense Ji Yi¡¯s annoyance through the phone as the words from her mouth sounded even more smug: ¡°It looks like you didn¡¯t just lose out on the variety show alone ¨C I¡¯m afraid you lost all those jobs YC tried so hard to get you, right?¡±

    As she said this, Qian Ge let out a light chuckle and said with a mocking yet disdainful tone of voice, ¡°I thought you¡¯d be all high and mighty four yearster, but you¡¯re no better than you were four years ago. Such great opportunities in front of you, yet you missed out. After all He Jichen¡¯s hard work, what a shame. Say, how could he have not figured it out; how could he support such a disappointing person? What did he say at the beginning? That wherever you were, you would be at the top? It¡¯s funny now that you think about it... an opportunity was handed to someone who couldn¡¯t even hold onto it. What future can there be for you?!¡±

    ¡°But then again, Ji Yi... don¡¯t you ept your fate now? You were never a match for me, Qian Ge. I don¡¯t really have a reason for calling you today. I just wanted to tell you...¡± Qian Ge paused for a moment then said with a sternness in her voice: ¡°... As long I, Qian Ge, am still in the show business, you can quit dreaming about ever making it big someday!¡±

    All of a sudden, the image of the round object beneath her foot when she went to collect her prize shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind.

    For Qian Ge to say something like that... what happened today really wasn¡¯t an ident, but it was intentional!

    Ji Yi¡¯s lips pursed as she spoke for the first time since picking up the phone: ¡°You had something to do with what happened today, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for Qian Ge to speak as she thought about that Taiwanese singer who couldn¡¯t make it at thest minute. ¡°And that Taiwanese singer 1 ¨C that was your idea, right?¡±

    Over the phone, Qian Ge let out a light chuckle but didn¡¯t reply to Ji Yi¡¯s question. Instead, she changed the subject. ¡°Since you missed out on this variety show, do you know who¡¯s going to rece you?¡±

 Chapter 481

    Chapter 481: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t give Ji Yi a chance to reply and spat out the words: ¡°Xie Siyao.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right! I rmended Xie Siyao to the show¡¯s production crew. I did it on purpose because you hate her!¡±

    Then without checking to see if Ji Yi heard her clearly, Qian Ge hung up the call.

    Ji Yi lowered the phone from her ear when she heard the ¡°Doot-doot-doot¡± sound of the busy tone.

    Xie Siyao was the same as Qian Ge ¨C she hated them both.

    Xie Siyao was once both her and Qian Ge¡¯s enemy in showbiz. At the time, Xie Siyao bullied the weak but was afraid of the strong. When they saw she was angry, neither of them dared to mess with her, and she would always take things out on Qian Ge. Back then, Ji Yi viewed Qian Ge as one of her most important friends, so she would stand in front of Qian Ge every time to protect her!

    But in the end, the person she protected decided to work with their enemy and set up the car ident that put her in a three-yeara.

    Ji Yi knew Qian Ge only said thosest few words to crush her heart.

    She also knew that if she really was crushed, that would be exactly what Qian Ge wanted.

    However, Qian Ge was the despicable person behind the ident that happened this afternoon and the reason she lost that variety show job. How could she not be crushed?

    Ji Yi was still bitter about the ident that happened this afternoon. She was really afraid it wasn¡¯t an ident but all Qian Ge¡¯s doing!

    But Ji Yi had no evidence. This was just a guess she knew perfectly well to be true!

    Ji Yi really didn¡¯t want to be angry, but the more Ji Yi thought about it, the angrier she felt deep down. Eventually, her heart started to ache and her fingers started to tremble around her phone.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t sleep well because of Qian Ge¡¯s call. Early the next morning, she was woken up by the rm.

    With her mum¡¯s help, Ji Yi was able to get changed after freshening up. Then she sat in the dining room to have breakfast while waiting for Zhuang Yi.

    At eight on the dot, Ji Yi¡¯s phone rang on-time. It was Zhuang Yi calling.

    At five past eight, the doorbell rang. The assistant opened the door. Zhuang Yi had arrived.

    Zhuang Yi first greeted Ji Yi¡¯s mum then took Ji Yi¡¯s wheelchair from Ji Yi¡¯s mum¡¯s hands and left the house.

    Even though it was about time for the early morning rush hour, traffic was quite smooth. At around half past eight, they reached YC.

    They took the elevator and reached director Lin¡¯s floor. After they stepped out of the elevator, they waited in the lounge for about ten minutes. The elevator doors opened countless times before the ck-suited director Lin stepped out theatrically along with several higher-ups.

    Zhuang Yi got up first and waited for director Lin toe closer. She greeted her: ¡°Director Lin.¡±

    Director Lin nced at Zhuang Yi then withdrew her gaze and happened to pass Ji Yi in her wheelchair. Without even looking at Ji Yi, she said, ¡°Conference room two.¡± Then she turned on her heels and strode down the hall.

    Zhuang Yi pushed Ji Yi first into conference room two. After them, the higher-ups who were in the elevator with director Lin also entered, one after the other.

    A group of people sat around the conference table, and after about two minutes, the conference door was pushed open. Director Lin swiftly walked in.

    She stood right at the front of the conference room. Without sitting down, she threw a document in front of Ji Yi. The ¡°Pap!¡± sound was heard as director Lin¡¯s crisp, cold voice was heard in every corner of the room: ¡°Sign it.¡±

 Chapter 482

    Chapter 482: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After she said this, director Lin pulled out a chair and took a seat.

    Ji Yi stared at the document that director Lin threw in front of her for a while. She reached her hand out, straightened the contract and flipped through it.

    Her eyshes trembled gently as she read the two words on the document: ¡°Termination Contract.¡± Her whole body evidently stiffened up.

    When Zhuang Yi drove her back home yesterday, she heard director Lin and Zhuang Yi on the phone. Back then, she already knew director Lin was angry. However, Ji Yi figured that they were calling her into the office to shout at her at the most; she never imagined that she would actually throw a termination contract in front of her face...

    Zhuang Yi, who was sitting beside Ji Yi, noticed that something was wrong with her expression as Ji Yi stared at the document. Zhuang Yi reached her hand out and pulled the document in front of her. She took a single nce as her brows furrowed. ¡°Director Lin, the situation isn¡¯t that serious, right?¡±

    Director Lin had always been quick-tempered. After hearing what Zhuang Yi said, she suddenly was agitated as she said, ¡°Not that serious?¡±

    ¡°Then tell me... if the several millions thepany lost isn¡¯t considered serious, what would you call serious?¡±

    ¡°Do you know how much time and effort thispany has spent on her recently? And do you know just how much work our public rtions team put in to get her on that variety show? The celebrities on that show are either A-listers or near A-listers; it¡¯s the first time a newbie like her has been on the show!¡±

    The more director Lin spoke, the more agitated she became. In the end, she started to p the table. ¡°And in the end? How could she have fallen from such a short tform? Did you think she was an A-list celebrity, that she¡¯d make it into the headlines and get everyone¡¯s condolences after what happened? She¡¯s just a newbie who we racked our brains over to win the tiniest bit of poprity! With one fall, she ruined all the arrangements we made for her! What an utter disappointment!¡±

    ¡°How do you expect us to work in showbiz?! Do you even know how many phone calls I received after yesterday¡¯s ident, all to cancel contracts?! It¡¯s enough that we have to deal with all these cancetions, but thepany also has to paypensation!¡±

    ¡°First, the contract clearly states that she can¡¯t do anything that will make thepany lose money. Now, thepany has suffered serious lost profits, so sign it!¡±

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t raise her head after hearing what director Lin said. Even if Qian Ge sabotaged her, she had no evidence, so if she mentioned it now, people would only think of that as an excuse. The only thing she could do was earnestly admit she was wrong. With that thought, Ji Yi said, ¡°As for what happened yesterday, I¡¯m truly sorry, but it really wasn¡¯t intentional. I hope you can all give me another chance. Sorry. I¡¯m really sorry.¡±

    Zhuang Yi quickly followed: ¡°Director Lin, it really was an ident, and Ji Yi knows she made a mistake. She felt guilty all day yesterday. Give her another chance. This time, I promise. I promise something like this will never happen again!¡±

    ¡°What use is there in feeling guilty? What use is your promise? Ourpany won¡¯t tolerate such a useless person!¡± Director Lin didn¡¯t seem willing to negotiate. She raised her fingers, knocked the table, then said impatiently with an urgent voice, ¡°I have an important meeting in a minute, so hurry up and sign it!¡±

 Chapter 483

    Chapter 483: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Useless person... Even though she was at fault, director Lin¡¯s unrestrained words made Ji Yi feel so utterly horrible that she could no longer apologize.

    ¡°Director Lin, though Ji Yi¡¯s at fault, don¡¯t you think what you said went a little overboard?¡± Zhuang Yi furrowed her brows, clearly disapproving director Lin¡¯s choice of words.

    ¡°Overboard?¡± Director Lin let out a light chuckle. ¡°If you want to earn respect, you have to respect the other person. What right does this person with no good qualities have to talk about other people going overboard?¡±

    Zhuang Yi fell silent.

    The entire conference room fell silent.

    After about two minutes, director Lin noticed that Ji Yi didn¡¯t pick up the pen to sign it. Impatient, she started to pressure her by saying, ¡°I really don¡¯t have time to spend with you here. Please sign it quickly.¡±

    Ji Yi pursed her lips tightly as she looked down at the contract on the table for some time. Then she raised her eyes and looked over at director Lin. ¡°Is this what He Jichen wants?¡±

    He was the one who sought her out first to sign her. That night in the hotel room by the West Lake, he asked if she was willing to trust him.

    Even though it was a long while back, she still remembered that night and her heart still raced endlessly over those words.

    She knew director Lin, with her position in thepany, could decide if she stayed or left. However, for some reason, she suddenly thought about He Jichen and she wanted to know if he was also responsible for asking to terminate her contract.

    ¡°Miss Ji, I also have a say in this matter. Even if I can¡¯t call the shots or make decisions on my own, it was a decision the entire board of directors madest night. The people in charge of thepany were all there, so you can ask each and every one of them!¡±

    As director Lin¡¯s voice dropped, all the representatives nodded one after the other as they sat in front of Ji Yi.

    Director Lin waited until everyone stopped nodding before she swept Ji Yi a look. After a bout of silence, she spoke again, ¡°Perhaps, Miss Ji, there¡¯s a reason why you suddenly brought up Mr. He? Are you telling me that you and Mr. He¡¯s rtionship isn¡¯t so simple and you¡¯re using him to threaten me?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji, I know you were signed specifically by Mr. He. I don¡¯t care for whatever despicable methods you used to get Mr. He to sign you, but you breached the contract and I have the right to terminate that contract!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve met many women like you who use their sex appeal to get what they want. Take this incident as a lesson to not use your youth and moderate looks to use men to get to the top. With no skills, you¡¯re just trash!¡±

    Despicable methods, sex appeal to get what I want, use men to get to the top... The words director Lin blurted out ignited an anger from the bottom of Ji Yi¡¯s heart. ¡°Director Lin, this incident was my fault, but I hope you don¡¯t maliciously attack people and use your opinion to judge other people!¡±

    ¡°What Miss Ji means to say is that you didn¡¯t use men to get to where you are today? If that¡¯s the case, sign it. As long as you sign it, I¡¯ll believe you¡¯re innocent!¡± After director Lin said this, she raised her chin towards the contract in Zhuang Yi¡¯s hand.

    It was obvious that if she didn¡¯t sign it, that would mean she joined YC under false pretenses... Ji Yi¡¯s hand instinctively clenched into a fist.

    Director Lin waited for a while. When she noticed that Ji Yi didn¡¯t respond, she said, ¡°What? Not signing? Are you secretly admitting that you used your body to join YC?¡±

 Chapter 484

    Chapter 484: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Used your body... Director Lin¡¯s words became more and more cutting as Ji Yi¡¯s face turned red from agitation. Her hands over her knees clenched into fists and started to tremble gently.

    Having been rendered speechless by director Lin earlier, Zhuang Yi decided to speak up again at that very moment: ¡°Director Lin, you have to have evidence for what you say. For you to criticize people without any proof like this really makes it impossible to believe. Additionally, Ji Yi only replied to you, yet you used her words to give her an ultimatum if she doesn¡¯t sign? With that logic, aren¡¯t you just shoving false words down people¡¯s throats?¡±

    ¡°How am I trying to shove false words down her throat? I¡¯m giving Miss Ji a chance to prove that she has skills. Didn¡¯t she say she was innocent? If so, then Mr. He signed her for her own skills, and if she does have her own skills, she won¡¯t have to worry about not being able to work in the industry. Even if YC canceled her contract, she won¡¯t have to worry about other people signing her with her skill set,¡± said director Lin cleverly. Then she averted her gaze to Ji Yi. ¡°Unless Miss Ji doesn¡¯t want to sign because she doesn¡¯t actually have any skills? Or! Miss Ji¡¯s so-called skills are only in the bedroom?¡±

    ¡°Director Lin, you¡¯re obviously not doing this for thepany, but you¡¯re trying to force Ji Yi away!¡± Zhuang Yi lost her cool from director Lin¡¯s aggressive words as her voice became a little agitated.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m trying to push her out!¡± Director Lin had always been quick-tempered. With Zhuang Yi¡¯s retaliation, her demeanor suddenly became more overbearing. ¡°She ruined the hard work of countless people at YC, she made YC suffer severe losses, and she wasted a great opportunity handed right to her. I can¡¯t think of any good traits about her. If I don¡¯t push her out, who would?!¡±

    ¡°Director Lin, who are you trying to push out?¡± A second after director Lin spoke, the conference room doors flew open, and a cold voice floated in.

    All of a sudden, the atmosphere in the room froze for a moment. Then everyone¡¯s heads turned to look over at the conference door in unison.

    He Jichen walked in dressed in a simple ck suit, looking worn out from his travels.

    Hurriedly following behind him was Chen Bai.

    Under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes, the two of them quickly walked over to the conference table.

    That was when everyone in the conference room snapped to their senses and intuitively straightened up as they cried, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen acted like he hadn¡¯t heard them as he ignored everyone¡¯s greetings and stopped in front of Ji Yi.

    He didn¡¯t say anything but he lowered his head and stared at the cast on Ji Yi¡¯s leg.

    He looked at her for about ten seconds before his gaze rose to Ji Yi¡¯s face.

    She didn¡¯t look particrly good as annoyance emerged from her darkened eyes.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t make a sound but furrowed his brows then his gaze fell on other people¡¯s faces.

    Zhuang Yi had a faint hint of anger between her brows; a vague sense of difort appeared in director Lin¡¯s eyes...

    He Jichen¡¯s gaze couldn¡¯t help but linger longer over director Lin.

    Deep down inside, director Lin was terrified by He Jichen¡¯s re as she couldn¡¯t help but speak out. ¡°Mr. He, weren¡¯t you in America on a business trip? Why are you back now?¡±

 Chapter 485

    Chapter 485: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen heard what director Lin said, but he didn¡¯t have any intention of replying.

    After receiving Zhuang Yi¡¯s call, he immediately rushed back. After a thirteen-hour ne journey, it was eight in the morning in Beijing when hended at the airport.

    As soon as he got off the ne, he headed straight for the office without stopping at home.

    When he and Chen Bai stepped into the lobby of the office, he happened to bump into Cheng Weiwan, who dropped by for a meeting about the script. She was chatting with thedy at the front desk, so she didn¡¯t notice him and Chen Bai. Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t turn around until thedy at the front desk greeted him with a shocked expression because he was still supposed to be in America.

    In contrast with the front deskdy¡¯s shock, Cheng Weiwan looked unfazed and straightened up from leaning on the front desk. She strutted over to him in her high heels and said, ¡°Xiao Yi¡¯s also in the office. She was called into conference room two by director Lin.¡±

    Ji Yi twisted her ankle. Why did she stille into the office today?

    Hearing this, He Jichen didn¡¯t say a word to Cheng Weiwan. He walked right into the elevator and headed upstairs.

    As he emerged from the elevator, he ignored the greetings of all the office workers. He headed right for conference room two, but before he could push open the door, he heard director Lin¡¯s voice inside saying: ¡°If I don¡¯t push her out, who should be pushed out then?!¡±

    Although he didn¡¯t know what happened in the conference room, he could sense that it wasn¡¯t anything good, so he immediately pushed open the doors and stepped in.

    The expressions of Ji Yi, Zhuang Yi, and director Lin definitely showed that they were in some kind of an argument...

    He Jichen continued to stare at director Lin for some time before he nced at the file in front of Zhuang Yi.

    He didn¡¯t move any closer but instead, he turned his head towards Chen Bai.

    Chen Bai immediately walked over to the documents and started to flip through them.

    Soon enough, Chen Bai closed the file and nced first at director Lin before he turned to He Jichen and replied, ¡°Mr. He, this file is a contract termination.¡±

    Contract termination document?

    He Jichen creased his brows. A secondter, he snatched the documents from Chen Bai¡¯s hands.

    He flipped the file open and read through it for about three seconds before mming it onto the table hard. He stared at director Lin and said with a cold voice, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    The corners of director Lin¡¯s lips twitched, but she didn¡¯t say anything and lowered her eyelids.

    He Jichen stared deeply at director Lin. After some time, he realized she wasn¡¯t going to say anything, so he gave up questioning her. Instead, he looked right at Ji Yi and spoke with a far calmer voice than the cold tone he used with director Lin earlier. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    When Ji Yi heard He Jichen¡¯s voice, her eyelids shot open. She nced at him then lowered her head.

    She wasn¡¯t trying to be uncooperative and not say anything, but she really didn¡¯t know how she could tell He Jichen about what happened. After all, director Lin said some overly harsh things, so there was no way she could repeat them.

    Inparison to how he waited for director Lin to speak earlier, He Jichen now seemed much more patient.

    He didn¡¯t urge Ji Yi to talk, so no one else dared to make a sound. The entire conference room fell silent.

    After about five minutes, He Jichen gave up waiting for Ji Yi to speak as he looked over at Zhuang Yi, sitting next to Ji Yi. ¡°Zhuang Yi, you talk. What the hell is going on?!¡±

 Chapter 486

    Chapter 486: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    All of a sudden, Zhuang Yi instinctively raised her head and shot He Jichen a nce.

    Ji Yi was her artist and they¡¯d gotten along quite well since they started working together, but she had her reservations.

    Director Lin was her boss at the office, so if she spoke out, that¡¯d be equivalent to offending director Lin. She was afraid her days at the office wouldn¡¯t be so easy afterward.

    Zhuang Yi hesitated for a moment then her gaze fell on director Lin sitting nearby.

    Director Lin happened to be staring unwaveringly at Zhuang Yi. Their eyes met and the corners of Zhuang Yi¡¯s lips twitched, but no sound came out.

    He Jichen was losing his patience, so when he saw Zhuang Yi looking over at director Lin, he was instantly infuriated and said, ¡°I asked you a question! Why¡¯re you looking at her?¡±

    Zhuang Yi¡¯s body trembled for a moment after he lectured her. She hurriedly withdrew her gaze from director Lin, but this time, she didn¡¯t dare nce at He Jichen. She stared at the table in front of her without daring to let her eyes wander.

    ¡°Go on, Zhuang Yi...¡± He Jichen spoke again with a gentler voice than before. Yet there was a strong oppressive feeling in his words as he continued: ¡°...tell me every detail about what just happened in the conference room. Don¡¯t miss a single word and tell me every single thing!¡±

    Zhuang Yi knew director Lin was watching her, but He Jichen was putting a lot of pressure on her. She stayed silent for about three seconds before her fingers twitched. She finally spoke up. ¡°Ji Yi got into an ident yesterday and we got a call on the way home after we left the hospital. Director Lin called to ask me to bring Ji Yi to the office. Since the cast on Ji Yi¡¯s leg hadn¡¯tpletely set yet, I suggested to director Lin that we meet today.¡±

    ¡°Director Lin agreed. I thought director Lin wanted to talk to Ji Yi, but I never imagined that there¡¯d be a board of directors here. As soon as we came into the conference room, director Lin didn¡¯t say anything and tossed the termination contract right in front of Ji Yi for her to sign.¡±

    The conference room was really quiet. Aside from Zhuang Yi¡¯s low voice, no other sounds could be heard.

    ¡°Then I told director Lin that the issue wasn¡¯t that serious. Director Lin countered that Ji Yi made thepany suffer millions in losses. Her fall ruined everything that thepany arranged for her...¡±

    As Zhuang Yi said this, she stopped for a moment. She raised her head then slowly nced at He Jichen. She realized his eyes were staring straight at her. He looked like he was waiting for her to finish speaking. She pursed her lips and recounted the overbearing things director Lin said. ¡°...Director Lin called Ji Yi a disappointment and she asked how she could work in showbiz!¡±

    As He Jichen heard this, he furrowed his brows. Although he didn¡¯t make a sound, a hint of coldness crept up between his brows.

    ¡°Then director Lin said that Ji Yi breached the contract and made thepany suffer losses. She told her to sign it. Ji Yi didn¡¯t sign but she apologized to director Lin.¡±

    Apologized? He Jichen furrowed his brows even tighter.

    ¡°I think Ji Yi didn¡¯t think things over properly as she didn¡¯t deny anything. I helped say a few words defending Ji Yi and promised that something like this would never happen again. However, director Lin said...¡± As she thought about what director Lin said next, Zhuang Yi paused for a few seconds again. Then she continued to repeat what director Lin said. ¡°...thepany wouldn¡¯t support such a useless person!¡±

 Chapter 487

    hapter 487: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Useless person?

    Streaks of white appeared on He Jichen¡¯s remarkably handsome face. An icy air slowly exuded from his body.

    Zhuang Yi knew He Jichen¡¯s formidable anger wasn¡¯t because of her, but she was still scared to speak again as she continued with a lot more fear and trepidation: ¡°I told director Lin she was going overboard, but director Lin asked what kind of right did someone like Ji Yi have to say someone went overboard when she had no redeeming qualities herself.¡±

    ¡°Since director Lin kept pushing Ji Yi to sign, Ji Y asked if it was your idea.¡±

    ¡°Then director Lin said she could call the shots, and even if it wasn¡¯t up to her, the entire board of directors decided thisst night. All the representatives of thepany were here, so Ji Yi could ask them one by one.¡±

    As Zhuang Yi¡¯s words entered He Jichen¡¯s ears, he turned his body slightly and swept a look at thepany reps around the conference table.

    When they caught his gaze, none of them dared to meet his eyes. They either looked down at the documents in their hands or averted their gaze elsewhere.

    Zhuang Yi was just an employee, and since she already offended director Lin, she didn¡¯t dare to offend everyone else in the room. Therefore, she skipped over the part when everyone nodded, backing up director Lin¡¯s words. ¡°After director Lin finished, she asked Ji Yi if she had a special intention by bringing up Mr. He.¡±

    ¡°Director Lin even said that the only reason Ji Yi mentioned you was because Ji Yi¡¯s rtionship with you wasn¡¯t normal; she used her of using you to threaten her.¡±

    ¡°But director Lin said that even if it was your idea to sign Ji Yi to thepany, since Ji Yi breached the contract, she had the right to terminate the contract.¡±

    Zhuang Yi pursed her lips, turned her head, and nced over at Ji Yi. ¡°Director Lin told Ji Yi that she used despicable methods to make you sign her and that she¡¯d seen a lot of women like her who used their sex appeal...¡± continued Zhuang Yi.

    Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t dare look at He Jichen, but she felt a stern air exuding from the man¡¯s body after she said the four words ¡°used her sex appeal.¡± The sight of him made her tremble with fear.

    The pitch of her voice involuntarily dropped. ¡°...She also said that this was a lesson to Ji Yi to not use her youth and looks to use men to make it to the top. She said Ji Yi had no strengths so she was trash!¡±

    ¡°Because director Lin spoke so boldly, Ji Yi was a little agitated at the time and said that director Lin was maliciously attacking her and subjectively criticizing her.¡±

    ¡°Then director Lin told Ji Yi that if she wanted to prove her innocence, she had to sign the contract termination papers.¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi didn¡¯t sign, so director said she was admitting to using her body to get into YC.¡±

    He Jichen, who had been quietly listening to Zhuang Yi, suddenly spoke out. ¡°Is there any more?¡±

    Zhuang Yi gently nodded and moved her lips a few secondster. ¡°I told director Lin that she was just shoving false words down Ji Yi¡¯s throat. Director Lin said in order for Ji Yi to have been signed, she must¡¯ve had some skill, so she shouldn¡¯t be afraid of terminating the contract. Then director Lin asked Ji Yi whether her so-called skills were actually just...¡±

    ¡°Just what?¡± asked He Jichen as he noticed Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice slowing down.

 Chapter 488

    Chapter 488: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°...in bed...¡±

    Zhuang Yi sounded as quiet as a fly, but He Jichen heard her clearly.

    ¡°...And then, Mr. He, you came in and heard everything else that was said...¡±

    The final word barely left Zhuang Yi¡¯s mouth before He Jichen suddenly kicked a chair beside him.

    The sheer force of his kick sent the office chair flying. It crashed into the filing cab nearby with an ear-splitting ¡°Bang!¡±

    The people at the front of the conference table shook in unison. Then everyone held their breaths and lowered their heads simultaneously.

    ¡°I signed her. It appears director Lin has a problem with the person I selected. Oh, a big problem... You even dared to take matters into your own hands without even consulting me! I see that the CEO of YC isn¡¯t He Jichen any longer. It¡¯d be more fitting if that title went to Lin Yang! Isn¡¯t that right, director Lin?¡±

    When those harsh words left He Jichen¡¯s mouth, a disdainful, cold smirk emerged as his eyes fell on the row of YC staff members around the conference table. ¡°And each and every one of you. Did you all have the same thought?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s usations were overbearingly stern as they startled everyone in the conference room. Everyone¡¯s hearts jumped in astonishment. Not only did they not speak, but they didn¡¯t dare budge an inch either.

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes brushed over each and every rep at YC. In the end, his gaze stopped on director Lin. ¡°Director Lin was really thinking about what was best for YC. Even I wanted to apud you when I heard about it! Don¡¯t you think I should give you an embroidered g now and call you the most loyal official at YC?¡±

    Director Lin¡¯s expression shifted slightly as her fingers gripped the desk tightly, still not daring to make a sound.

    ¡°What? Director Lin, aren¡¯t you always good at talking? Why aren¡¯t you speaking in front of me? Alright, if you don¡¯t speak, I will!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s brows instantly turned icy the second the words came out of his mouth. ¡°Director Lin was right. Today, in this very conference room, there will be a resignation signed!¡±

    ¡°But, it¡¯s not for her. It¡¯s for you!¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen raised his voice. ¡°Chen Bai!¡±

    ¡°Here, Mr. He,¡± cried Chen Bai hurriedly.

    ¡°Call the human resources manager over!¡± said He Jichen.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He.¡± After Chen Bai replied, he hurriedly turned around and retreated out of the conference room.

    Human resources was on the same floor. Just outside of conference room two, the human resources office was on the left.

    In under a minute, Chen Bai returned with the human resources manager.

    The human resources manager didn¡¯t even have time to say ¡°Mr. He¡± as He Jichen cried, ¡°Prepare director Lin for her resignation!¡±

    The human resources manager noticed He Jichen¡¯s demeanor and didn¡¯t dare ask why, so he responded with ¡°yes¡± and immediately followed his boss¡¯ orders.

    Soon enough, resignation papers were brought before director Lin.

    Director Lin stared at the papers for some time before she pursed her lips, raised her head and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°Mr. He, I did it for thepany. What¡¯s more, Mr. He, I didn¡¯t make this decision alone. It was a decision made by the shareholders over a votest night at the board of directors conference...¡±

    ¡°What a joke!¡± It was like He Jichen heard a funny joke as he let out a coldugh. ¡°When was it ever up to the board of directors to make decisions on the person I, He Jichen, signed to thepany?¡±

 Chapter 489

    Chapter 489: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Having been interrupted by He Jichen, director Lin fell silent for some time as she stared at him with a defiant gaze. She wanted to defend herself, but just as she was about to move her lips, He Jichen shot Chen Bai an impatient look.

    Although He Jichen didn¡¯t say a word, Chen Bai knew his intentions. He immediately turned around and walked out of the conference room as he reached for his phone to make a call.

    When the conference room doors opened again, Chen Bai wasn¡¯t the only person who stepped in. There were two security guards behind him.

    Chen Bai had left the room to order the security guards to follow him. After they entered, they called out ¡°Mr. He¡± and walked over to director Lin¡¯s side. They forced the pen into her hands and forced her hand down to the signature portion of the document.

    Director Lin couldn¡¯t fight back under the force of one man let alone two men.

    While writing her name in the signature box, director Lin figured that since she was going to be kicked out, she might as well rant. ¡°Mr. He, aren¡¯t you going overboard? What did I do wrong? I was just mitigating our losses on behalf of thepany! I did it for thepany. She made thepany lose so much, yet you actually indulge her. Do you dare admit there¡¯s nothing shameful going on between the two of you? Do you dare admit that she didn¡¯t use her body to cling onto you and join Y...¡±

    Director Lin didn¡¯t manage to finish when He Jichen suddenly bent over. He picked up the letter of authorization she previously threw at Ji Yi and smushed it onto her face. ¡°I¡¯m warning you to be careful about what you say. You can insult me but don¡¯t insult her in front of me! Don¡¯t insinuate there¡¯s some shameful rtionship between us. Even if there is, I¡¯m the one clinging onto her!¡±

    With a headache from being thrashed around, director Lin raised her hand to cover her face. She stared into He Jichen¡¯s eyes, full of discontentment. ¡°Mr. He, you¡¯re clearly making decisions on your own without considering anyone else¡¯s opinion. By recklessly making decisions like this by yourself over a woman, it will disappoint everyone in thepany. Did you know that people in thepany have their objections about that woman? If you don¡¯t believe me, ask everyone sitting here now!¡±

    ¡°Objections?¡± A trace of hatred crossed He Jichen¡¯s ruggedly handsome face as a rare tone of defiance entered his voice. ¡°I¡¯ll see who dares to have objections against the person I protect! For every person who stands up, I¡¯ll purge one person. For two, I¡¯ll purge the pair!¡±

    After he finished speaking, He Jichen didn¡¯t give director Lin a chance to speak before he viciously ordered the two security guards behind her: ¡°Take her away!¡±

    The security guards didn¡¯t reply to He Jichen¡¯s thunderous words but they grabbed director Lin by an arm each and quickly took her out of the conference room.

    As the door shut, the conference room slipped into a temporary silence.

    After several seconds, He Jichen¡¯s stern gaze swept over the other reps at the conference table. ¡°What about you guys? Whoever objects can stand up right now. The human resources manager is here to help you with your resignations. I definitely won¡¯t stop you from leaving!¡±

    Everyone present was silent; no one dared to make a sound.

    He Jichen sat quietly for a few minutes. Seeing as no one was speaking, he said, ¡°Since no one has any objections, I¡¯m making some arrangements. We¡¯ll have a meetingter!¡±

 Chapter 490

    Chapter 490: Who Dares Have Something to Say About the Person I¡¯m Protecting? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As He Jichen¡¯s voice fell, he turned around to look at Ji Yi sitting beside him.

    She looked the same as when he saw her upon walking into the conference room. She still had her head down, staring at her hands like a child who did something wrong.

    With her in this state, He Jichen felt waves of difort and a subtle ache from the bottom of his heart.

    He already felt a pain worse than death over the ident from three years ago. He was really afraid of a repeat, so he racked his brains and signed her to YC just to put her in a world under his control to protect her well.

    Yet under his careful watch, she still went through hardship...

    The more He Jichen thought about it, the more his heart ached. He stared at her for a short while then calmed down. He bent over slightly, drew closer to her ear and whispered, ¡°I have a meeting to lead in a while. How about you get some rest in the lounge for a bit?¡±

    Ji Yi raised her head and nced over at He Jichen. She didn¡¯t say a word but gently nodded.

    He Jichen then straightened up and looked over at Zhuang Yi sitting beside Ji Yi. ¡°Stay with her.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He.¡± Zhuang Yi got up and pushed Ji Yi¡¯s wheelchair aside then told He Jichen, ¡°Mr. He, we¡¯ll head out first.¡±

    He Jichen nodded and let out an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Zhuang Yi was about to walk out when He Jichen suddenly remembered something and said, ¡°That¡¯s right...¡±

    Zhuang Yi¡¯s feet suddenly halted and she looked over at He Jichen.

    He Jichen¡¯s words were actually directed at Ji Yi. ¡°There¡¯s a lounge at the office. If you¡¯re tired, go take a nap.¡±

    Like before, Ji Yi only gave a gentle nod and didn¡¯t speak.

    He Jichen remained silent as Zhuang Yi pushed Ji Yi out.

    After Zhuang Yi and Ji Yi left the office, He Jichen nced at the high executives still present. He was just about to pull out a chair and take a seat when he realized something. He turned his head, looking for Chen Bai. ¡°Give doctor Xia a call. Tell him to drop by the office.¡±

    Even though Ji Yi already had her leg checked out at the hospital, he was still worried...

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll call doctor Xia,¡± replied Chen Bai as he pulled his phone out.

    ¨C

    After Zhuang Yi wheeled Ji Yi into He Jichen¡¯s office, Ji Yi stared at the bright sun out the window without saying a word.

    Zhuang Yi knew Ji Yi was upset and wanted to say a few words offort, but she wondered whether Ji Yi wanted to just be left alone at the moment, so she sat silently beside her.

    Half an hourter, doctor Xia arrived at He Jichen¡¯s office.

    He Jichen hadn¡¯t quite recovered from what happened at the office. Through it all, Chen Bai stood to one side as he watched doctor Xia examine Ji Yi¡¯s wound.

    After confirming that everything was fine, Chen Bai saw doctor Xia out.

    Only the two of them, Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi were left in the office again.

    Ji Yi had been silent from even before doctor Xia arrived.

    It was mid-afternoon, yet He Jichen¡¯s meeting still wasn¡¯t over.

    Chen Bai stopped by the office once to ry a message for Zhuang Yi to take Ji Yi downstairs to the canteen.

    Zhuang Yi and Ji Yi went early, so there weren¡¯t many people there.

    There was lots of space for Ji Yi to move around, so Zhuang Yi found a seat, allowed Ji Yi to settle in and went over to the window to get their food.

    As lunchtime came, people trickled into the canteen one after the other.

 Chapter 491

    Chapter 491: YC Exists and Dies With Her (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The people who passed by Ji Yi were all YC employees; their gazes always seemed to linger on her.

    Ji Yi vaguely heard one of the female employees, who brushed past her, whisper into the ear of anotherdy, ¡°It¡¯s her. You see the one with the cast on her leg? That¡¯s Ji Yi.¡±

    After some time, people arrived to sit at the table behind Ji Yi.

    Various men and women sat there, speaking quite loudly. Ji Yi could hear everything withplete rity. From their words, she sensed that their rtionships were good and they sounded mutually sarcastic.

    Maybe they hadn¡¯t noticed her or maybe they hadn¡¯t recognized her from the back, but this loud group of people suddenly started to talk about her.

    ¡°Did you guys hear? Director Lin was fired earlier this afternoon.¡±

    ¡°I heard a bit about it. Do you know specifically how it happened?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because of the artist ourpany signed. Yesterday, she identally fell off a short tform during a recording and sprained her ankle. She ruined all the jobs thepany set up for her. Director Lin was angry and wanted to terminate her contract, but in the end, Mr. He protected her and fired director Lin...¡±

    ¡°I heard from director Lin¡¯s assistant that the artist got into ourpany by sleeping with Mr. He.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s so normal... you gotta know that there¡¯s a whole load of A-listers who want to sign up with thepany, but in the end, Mr. He stubbornly chose her. There¡¯s obviously something fishy going on behind the scenes!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen her picture. She¡¯s quite pretty, but there¡¯s nock of beautiful women in showbiz. Do you think she got signed because she¡¯s so great in bed that she captivated our Mr. He to fall head over heels for her...?¡±

    ¡°I have no idea if she¡¯s great in bed, but I think she¡¯s a troublemaker. In the early afternoon, when I brought tea into the conference room during Mr. He¡¯s meeting, the atmosphere was terrifying. Because of her, Mr. He argued with the board of directors. Do you guys know Mr. He signed some kind of agreement to say that if Ji Yi doesn¡¯t generate enough revenue for thepany within a year, he¡¯ll give up his ce as CEO of thepany? I really don¡¯t get it. What¡¯s so good about that woman for Mr. He to protect her so much? She¡¯s basically a femme fatale who¡¯s going to ruin Mr. He sooner orter...¡±

    Ji Yi pursed her lips when she heard this and instinctively balled her hands into fists.

    Was He Jichen¡¯s meeting about dealing with the consequences of yesterday¡¯s mess?

    Not only did he kick out director Lin for me, but he even signed a guarantee?

    The table full of people behind her were still talking about her, but Ji Yi didn¡¯t hear a single word.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t snap back to reality until Zhuang Yi brought a food tray back to the table. Ji Yi nced at Zhuang Yi without saying a word. She picked up the chopsticks and ate like a machine.

    ¨C

    After He Jichen¡¯s meeting was adjourned, she didn¡¯t go downstairs to eat at the canteen. Instead, he went straight to the office.

    He took off his suit and casually threw it on the sofa. Then he walked over to the tall windows and stared at the bright sunshine outside.

    After about ten minutes, a knock came at his office door, but he didn¡¯t look back or say a word.

    After about a few seconds, the office door opened and Chen Bai walked in. He didn¡¯t say anything but silently made his way to He Jichen and cried, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

 Chapter 492

    Chapter 492: YC Exists and Dies With Her (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Like before, He Jichen silently stared out the window like a motionless statue.

    Chen Bai knew He Jichen was waiting for him to finish what he had to say, so he spoke first: ¡°I saw all the shareholders out.¡±

    He Jichen was lost in his own world, thinking about something as he still didn¡¯t respond.

    Chen Bai stared at He Jichen¡¯s back and suddenly remembered the chaos from earlier that afternoon.

    He thought back to how He Jichen didn¡¯t give in a bit when he was faced with the shareholders¡¯ determination to force Miss Ji to resign.

    He Jichen even hurled the words ¡°She and YC die together¡± at the shareholders.

    It implied that if Ji Yi wasn¡¯t with YC, YC would cease to exist in this world.

    What¡¯s more, he thought Miss Ji wouldn¡¯t want to be disturbed by such matters again, so he signed an agreement because he didn¡¯t care about giving away all his shares at YC as a bargaining chip.

    If Miss Ji didn¡¯t generate revenue for YC within a year, He Jichen was willing to leave YC with nothing for himself.

    YC was something he single-handedly started with an infinite number of sleepless nights. Yet he was actually willing to give up YC for Miss Ji.

    Everyone in the conference room had an oppositional attitude toward him. Everyone aside from Chen Bai stood quietly to one side; when Chen Bai heard that He Jichen was going to use such conditions to negotiate with the shareholders, he couldn¡¯t help but speak out. He wanted to stop him and make him think things over.

    But He Jichen didn¡¯t give him a chance to speak before he picked up the pen and signed the agreement.

    At that thought, Chen Bai couldn¡¯t help but break the silence in the room: ¡°Mr. He, before the shareholders left, they told me a few words to share with you...¡±

    Chen Bai paused for a moment then continued: ¡°Mr. Li hopes you won¡¯t ruin your bright future over a woman.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Chen hopes you stay rational and think about the bigger picture for YC.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Zhang says that the ¡®femme fatale¡¯ is a man¡¯s greatest weakness. If you want to seed, you can¡¯t be too emotional over rtionship issues. Mr. Zhang also added that he hopes you don¡¯t be an incapable ruler...¡±

    ¡°Incapable ruler?¡± Until now, he hadn¡¯t spoken since Chen Bai stepped into the office. He Jichen suddenly spoke with a gentle voice like he was talking to himself. ¡°Actually, I wanted to be an incapable ruler, but she never gave me that opportunity.¡±

    Chen Bai was stunned.

    The office fell silent once again.

    After a long period of staring out the window, He Jichen spoke again. In his soft, gentle voice, there was evident pain and sadness. ¡°It¡¯s the femme fatale situation as they said; these are all my one-sided feelings. You don¡¯t even realize how she would rather push him away over ever wanting me.¡±

    Because of that night in Shanghai, Ji Yi felt like she would never be worthy of He Yuguang, so she got the divorce.

    But she didn¡¯t want the man she liked either, nor was she willing for him to take responsibility.

    So, the femme fatale they were referring to was just his misconception of a femme fatale.

    He Jichen was slurring his words, so Chen Bai couldn¡¯t understand him. All he could do was remain silent.

    He Jichen spoke again: ¡°Chen Bai, do you know why I ignored you when you tried to stop me from signing that agreement with the shareholders?¡±

    Chen Bai shook his head. After about two seconds, he sensed He Jichen turned his back to him and hurriedly said, ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because YC exists for Ji Yi,¡± replied He Jichen with a dull voice as he stared unwaveringly out the window.

 Chapter 493

    Chapter 493: YC Exists and Dies With Her (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Rippling waves instantly came over Chen Bai¡¯s heart.

    That line, ¡°YC exists for Ji Yi,¡± lingered in his ears for a long, long time before disappearing.

    Again, the conference room fell into silence.

    Having steadied himself from the shock of hearing what He Jichen said, Chen Bai opened his mouth after a long silence. He wanted to say something, but he didn¡¯t know what to say. Just as he pondered over what to say, his phone rang in his pocket.

    Chen Bai hurriedly broke his train of thought and pulled out his phone. He took a nce at the screen to see that it was Zhuang Yi calling. He quickly epted the call. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Zhuang Yi?¡±

    The motionless He Jichen turned his head slightly and shot a nce at Chen Bai when he heard ¡°Zhuang Yi.¡±

    Chen Bai sensed He Jichen moving and immediately understood. He hurriedly lowered the phone from his ear and tapped the speakerphone button.

    They heard Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice clearly from the phone. ¡°Assistant Chen, it¡¯s like this... something¡¯s wrong with Ji Yi.¡±

    Chen Bai nodded and nced over at He Jichen. After he saw a tinge of concern between his brows, he immediately asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Well actually, after leaving conference room two earlier that afternoon, Ji Yi already seemed off. When you asked doctor Xia toe by, she looked calm and no different from usual, but you have no idea... she looked like that all afternoon. Sitting in Mr. He¡¯s office, she didn¡¯t say a word ¨C she was just dazed and she stared without blinking.¡±

    Though Chen Bai was staring at the phone, Chen Bai caught a glimpse of He Jichen¡¯s arm by his side from the corner of his eyes.

    He clearly saw He Jichen¡¯s fingers tremble.

    Over the phone, Zhuang Yi continued to speak about Ji Yi¡¯s situation: ¡°At eleven something, you asked me to take Ji Yi downstairs to eat, so I told her and she agreed to go. I thought she was hungry. However, when I ordered food and brought it to her, she didn¡¯t take a single bite. I asked her what was wrong. At first, she replied with ¡®it¡¯s nothing¡¯ but just now, as I was talking to her, she ignored me. She lookedpletely dazed, just sitting there, holding her chopsticks in a trance...¡±

    Zhuang Yi hadn¡¯t finished speaking when He Jichen, who was standing in front of the tall windows, suddenly turned around and took big strides over to the office door.

    Chen Bai turned his head and nced at He Jichen. Then he replied to Zhuang Yi: ¡°Got it.¡± He immediately hung up the call and chased after He Jichen.

    They took the elevator up to the second floor.

    Aftering out of the elevator, He Jichen headed straight for thepany canteen.

    On a normal day, He Jichen almost never went to the canteen. His sudden appearance today made the chattering canteen fall instantly into silence.

    He Jichen stood at the door, staring in all directions for a while. Then, after he spotted Ji Yi sitting on the east side by the window, he immediately walked over under the gaze of every YC employee in the canteen.

    Zhuang Yi saw He Jichen and immediately got up. ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen ignored Zhuang Yi and stopped right in front of Ji Yi.

    He nced at the table, and it was just as Zhuang Yi described over the phone to Chen Bai; the food on her te hadn¡¯t been touched at all.

 Chapter 494

    Chapter 494: YC Exists and Dies With Her (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen furrowed his brows slightly and turned to look at Ji Yi.

    She was holding her chopsticks and staring out the window. She was so transfixed that she didn¡¯t even sense him standing by her side.

    ¡°Xiao Yi,¡± cried He Jichen in a low voice.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t react at all like she waspletely lost in her own thoughts.

    ¡°Ji Yi, He...¡± said Zhuang Yi intuitively.

    Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t get to finish speaking when He Jichen shot her a nce as if to hush her.

    Zhuang Yi¡¯s words immediately disappeared from her mouth.

    He Jichen shot her another nce. Although he didn¡¯t say anything, Zhuang Yi knew he was asking her to walk away. Zhuang Yi immediately picked up her phone from the table then retreated to Chen Bai¡¯s side nearby.

    He Jichen stared at Ji Yi; this picture was frozen still for some time. Then he reached out for her hand and gently removed the chopsticks from her fingertips.

    His actions shocked her body into quivering. After a few seconds, she sluggishly turned to look at him.

    When he met her eyes, He Jichen curved his mouth into a slight smile. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you eating?¡±

    He spoke softly with a gentle, clean smile, which was entirely different from his usual proud and untouchable self.

    No one disliked a person who spoke gently to them. However, at this very moment, He Jichen¡¯s tenderness pierced Ji Yi¡¯s guilty heart, making her feel even more remorseful. A secondter, she lowered her head to hide from his gaze.

    She didn¡¯t say anything.

    He Jichen knew Ji Yi was upset about the series of disputes about yesterday¡¯s variety show recording. He patiently waited for a while and spoke with an even softer and gentler voice, ¡°Is the food not to your taste?¡±

    She still didn¡¯t say anything. She heard He Jichen¡¯s soft voice and felt extremely guilt-ridden and pained deep down inside.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reveal any annoyance with her silence. In fact, he asked again with a good temper, ¡°Then, what do you want to eat? I¡¯ll help get it for you.¡±

    I¡¯m clearly not paying attention, yet he¡¯s still going out of his way to trouble himself. Not only is he not ming me, but he¡¯s still patiently talking to me...

    Ji Yi felt her throat instantly be choked up and she remained silent. However, this time, she shook her head at He Jichen.

    ¡°Do you not want to eat, or do you not want to eat here?¡± asked He Jichen, confused by her head shaking. Seeing as she didn¡¯t make a sound or respond, he continued to say, ¡°Then tell me, what do you want to eat? It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s not here. As long as you say it, I¡¯ll ask someone to make it for you.¡±

    When she heard this, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers suddenly shook and ayer of mist clouded her vision.

    She wanted to tell him, ¡°No thanks,¡± but the bitterness in her throat stopped her from making a sound. All she could do was shake her head at him again.

    He Jichen had never cheered a girl up before. This was his first time, so he had no experience. Seeing as Ji Yi still looked sulky after he said so much, he didn¡¯t know what else to do. He stood by her side for some time then he reached his hand out and pushed her wheelchair. He turned her around to face him. He crouched down and gently raised her head. He looked at her lowered eyes and little face for a short while then said, ¡°How can you not eat? I haven¡¯t had lunch yet either. Let¡¯s eat together, alright?¡±

 Chapter 495

    Chapter 495: YC Exists and Dies With Her (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Alright?

    He spoke like he was trying to cheer up a child, making Ji Yi¡¯s eyes fog and well up with tears.

    Her eyelids concealed her eyes, so he couldn¡¯t see that the rims of her eyes were wet. All he knew was that she wasn¡¯t saying anything. After some time, he spoke again with a persuasive voice: ¡°I know you¡¯re feeling bad. If you don¡¯t want to say anything then let¡¯s not talk. I¡¯ll tell Chen Bai to call the chef and recite the menu. If you hear anything you want to eat, you can nod, alright?¡±

    He said ¡°Alright¡± again and this time, it sounded even more gentle and affectionate. Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly shook when she heard it as a single tear inescapably fell from the corner of her eye and crashed down heavily.

    Even though that tear fell on her fair hands, it felt like it fell on He Jichen¡¯s heart, drilling a hole straight through his heart.

    ¡°Why¡¯re you crying?¡± asked He Jichen naturally.

    It would¡¯ve been alright if he hadn¡¯t said anything at all. When he spoke, a single tear fell again.

    He Jichen hurriedly reached his hand out and cradled Ji Yi¡¯s face. He used his thumb to gently wipe the tear from her face.

    He had wanted tofort her, but he never imagined that hisforting words would make her cry; her tears fell so suddenly like a copsed river. The tears started to stream even more fiercely.

    ¡°There there, don¡¯t cry...¡± said He Jichen so quickly that he sounded muffled. He might as well have not said anything and kept his silence as he helped her wipe her tears, flustered. The more he wiped, the more tears there were on her face. He gradually started to feel helpless as Ji Yi let out a gentle sob.

    He Jichen¡¯s heart ached. The next second, he withdrew his hands from her face and without any regard for the surrounding employees in the canteen, he got up, reached out his hands and pulled her into his embrace. He carefully ced her head on his chest, gently patting her back and trying to cheer her up.

    His shirt was quickly soaked with her tears.

    He didn¡¯t say anything but silently stayed with her and let her cry freely on his chest.

    After some time, he felt her tearful, shivering body gradually quiet down.

    He continued to embrace her for some time before he gently pulled her away from his arms.

    Her eyes were red from crying and his heart ached as he reached his hand out to wipe the tears from her eyshes. Then he said: ¡°Do you feel better now? If you¡¯re a little better, how about we go get something to eat?¡±

    Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t really have an appetite, she shook her head.

    It¡¯s definitely not okay to not eat... He Jichen was about to try to coax Ji Yi when he suddenly caught a glimpse of the nearby employees whispering amongst themselves from the corners of his eyes. Then he abruptly stopped what he was about to say.

    He was so focused on trying to cheer her up that he forgot they were in a public space.

    With both her eyes bright red from crying, he certainly didn¡¯t want so many people watching her.

    At that thought, He Jichen changed what he was about to say. ¡°...If not, how about we first get something to eat? After we order, we can go back to the office and let the chef cook our food. We¡¯ll eat when you¡¯re hungry, is that alright?¡±

    This time, Ji Yi didn¡¯t shake her head in disagreement but silently nodded.

 Chapter 496

    Chapter 496: YC Exists and Dies With Her (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Since He Jichen appeared at the canteen, Ji Yi either shook her head or stayed silent. Now that she finally reacted, He Jichen looked like he¡¯d seen the most beautiful scenery. With joy stered across his face, he seemed afraid Ji Yi would change her mind, so he immediately turned his head and cried, ¡°Chen Bai.¡±

    Though Chen Bai had kept a distance from He Jichen and Ji Yi, he heard everything the two of them talked about. When he heard He Jichen calling him, he responded, ¡°I¡¯ll go call the chef now,¡± and immediately turned around. Then he headed over to the kitchen at the back of the canteen.

    Chen Bai quickly brought the chef over to He Jichen and Ji Yi.

    The chef followed He Jichen¡¯s orders and started to recite names of dishes: ¡°Boiled Chinese broli.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes were swollen from crying, so she didn¡¯t want to raise her head and look at the chef. She kept her head down. All she could think about all afternoon was what happened the day before at the recording for the variety show. She just didn¡¯t have the heart to think about food, so she didn¡¯t react as the chef read out the name of a dish.

    The chef was uncertain if Ji Yi wanted it or not, so he stopped reading out dish names and looked over at He Jichen.

    He Jichen crouched down and looked up at Ji Yi¡¯s lowered little face. He repeated the dish that the chef just called out: ¡°Boiled Chinese broli ¨C do you want to eat it?¡±

    Ji Yi looked up as she heard He Jichen speak. She nced at him then shook her head.

    He Jichen shook his head at the chef to indicate ¡°no.¡±

    The chef continued to read out the menu. Every time after He Jichen repeated the name of a dish, Ji Yi made a decision.

    Sometimes, Ji Yi quickly nodded or shook her head. Other times, Ji Yi would take a long time to respond.

    No matter how quickly or slowly she responded, He Jichen was unbelievably patient throughout it all. Even though the chef was anxious, he didn¡¯t dare show it, so he could only stand by and keep reading out the menu.

    It took a whole half hour to ce the lunch order.

    The chef took Ji Yi¡¯s order and repeated it once over. After he confirmed there were no mistakes, the chef felt so free that he darted back to the kitchen.

    He Jichen made Chen Bai stay at the canteen to wait for the food. Meanwhile, he ushered Ji Yi into the elevator and headed back to his own office.

    He Jichen¡¯s heart ached, seeing how silent Ji Yi was, so he took the initiative to try to find a topic to talk about.

    ¡°Are you tired?¡±

    ¡°Do you want to nap in the lounge for a while?¡±

    ¡°The TV remote is here. Do you want to watch TV for a while?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a game console here. What game do you want to y? I¡¯ll y with you...¡±

    The room was very quiet. Aside from He Jichen who spoke every now and then, there were no other sounds in the room.

    Chen Bai, who had been left at the canteen, carried tworge bags of takeout to He Jichen¡¯s office.

    Chen Bai put the lunch down as He Jichen waved his arm for him to leave.

    ¡°Are you hungry? Do you want to eat?¡±

    He Jichen waited a while, but seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything, he reiterated: ¡°When you¡¯re hungryter on, tell me, okay?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes felt sore. She was afraid tears were going to fall again as she bit her lip and lowered her head.

    She always hoped she¡¯d achieve great things in showbiz. After such a good situation presented itself to her, she ruined it and she really set herself back.

    Having been dismissed by director Lin with such harsh words, Ji Yi must feel really upset... But it¡¯s no n to stay this depressed deep down.

    He Jichen thought about it and said again, ¡°Do you want to walk with me around the park in the afternoon?¡±

 Chapter 497

    Chapter 497: YC Exists and Dies With Her (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen thought about it and repeated himself: ¡°Do you want to walk with me around the park in the afternoon?¡±

    ¡°Or how about we go shopping? Where do you want to go? Shin Kong Pce?¡±

    ¡°Or we could go Houhai. It¡¯s so hot ¨C how about we find a bar to sit in?¡±

    He Jichen asked her one question after another with an open, delicate voice. After having had a break from crying for so long in the canteen earlier, Ji Yi¡¯s tears suddenly fell again.

    Sometimes, women were strange like that. Even after feeling enormously wronged, Ji Yi only held her tongue, clenched her teeth and endured it silently. However, the tears she forced back suddenly broke out in soundless sobs after she received words offort.

    She wasn¡¯t actually that weak or that delicate. Three years ago, she didn¡¯t even shed a tear when she faced Qian Ge¡¯s betrayal or when she woke up to realize that Qian Ge sabotaged her while in cahoots with their mutual enemy.

    Yesterday, she didn¡¯t cry when her ankle hurt so bad that it was hard for her to breathe after falling from the tform.

    Back home, she didn¡¯t cry either when she received a call from Qian Ge to show off and provoke her.

    Even this morning in the conference room, she never thought about crying when she felt so hurt from director Lin acting so cruel towards her.

    In the afternoon, she didn¡¯t want to cry in the slightest even when she felt uneasy after seeing He Jichen so concerned and guilty rather than depressed over the YC employees talking about her and misunderstanding her in the canteen...

    But after he appeared, she didn¡¯t know what was wrong with her. She became unbelievably emotional.

    He Jichen, standing by Ji Yi¡¯s side, saw her tears fall. Hispelling voice suddenly sounded worried: ¡°Why¡¯re you crying again?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, it¡¯s in the past. I already resolved what needs to be resolved. It¡¯s fine now...¡±

    She wasn¡¯t crying because of what happened; she was crying because of him.

    Did he know that she probably wouldn¡¯t have cried if he med her,ined to her, or even lectured her like director Lin? It was just that him acting like this now made her heart feel the worst pain.

    ¡°... Really, it¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s in the past now...¡±

    The more He Jichen tried to cheer her up, the fiercer Ji Yi¡¯s throat seized up. She raised her hand and wiped away the tears on her face as she said with a trembling voice, ¡°Don¡¯t say anything. I beg you. Stop talking...¡±

    She was afraid that if he continued to speak, she would lose it and start to cry like she did in the canteen.

    ¡°Okay, okay, I won¡¯t talk. I won¡¯t talk anymore.¡± He Jichen really did shut up.

    The office instantly slipped into silence again.

    She suppressed the surging emotions in her chest and stared at the bright sunshine outside the window.

    He stood to one side, staring at her, silently apanying her through the pain and sadness.

    At that very moment, time seemed to quietly stop.

    After a long, long time, the sun descended behind the mountains and night came. Neon lights started to light up, one after the other. Ji Yi¡¯s gaze withdrew from the window and fell on the man beside her, who had silently stayed with her all afternoon.

    His patience and indulgence for her emotional statespletely softened her heart. She stared at him for some time then remembered that she hadn¡¯t eaten lunch yet. Since he stayed by her side, He Jichen hadn¡¯t eaten either, so Ji Yi said, ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±

    Those two simple words were as beautiful as the sounds of nature for He Jichen. ¡°What would you like to eat?¡± he asked immediately.

    Rate Trantion Quality

    Chapter 498: YC Exists and Dies With Her (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi was more talkative than before. ¡°Whatever¡¯s fine.¡±

    Their lunch had gone cold long ago and they naturally wouldn¡¯t eat it even if it was heated in the microwave since it had probably gone bad by now.

    The canteen chef finished work long ago at six and it was now almost eight o¡¯clock. Most of the restaurants were still open, however...

    With that thought, He Jichen asked, ¡°Let¡¯s eat out?¡±

    Ji Yi lowered her head and nced at her cast. She felt that it was too much trouble to eat out, so she hesitated for a moment then moved her lips. ¡°Can we call for takeout?¡± she said quietly.

    ¡°Sure,¡± replied He Jichen with no hesitation at all.

    He pulled out his phone and opened a takeout app. He crouched down and he was now the same height as Ji Yi in her wheelchair. Then he brought the phone in front of Ji Yi. ¡°What do you want to eat?¡±

    Ji Yi scanned the phone roughly and chose a Cantonese restaurant with rather light meals.

    He Jichen clicked it. He browsed through the menu while asking Ji Yi for her opinion.

    After ordering some food, He Jichen put his phone back and remembered that Ji Yi hadn¡¯t drunk any water since earlier that afternoon. ¡°How about I go pour you a ss of water?¡± asked He Jichen.

    Ji Yi let out a gentle ¡°Mhm.¡±

    The food arrived forty minutester. Having rushed back from America overnight, He Jichen hadn¡¯t taken a shower yet. With mild OCD, he¡¯d been feeling ufortable for a long time but he waited for Ji Yi to finish her water first. Seeing that she was feeling better, he took her ss and said quietly, ¡°y on your phone for a while or watch TV. I¡¯m going to take a shower.¡±

    Ji Yi nodded silently.

    When He Jichen finished taking a shower and came out of the lounge, his phone happened to ring. It was the delivery boy with the takeout.

    He hinted at Ji Yi to wait in the office then he grabbed his wallet from the desk and walked out.

    Shortly after, He Jichen brought a bag of takeout back with him.

    He casually tidied up the files from the coffee table then randomly tossed them onto the sofa. He ced the takeout neatly on the table then walked over and positioned Ji Yi in front of the coffee table.

    After finishing dinner, it was already ten o¡¯clock.

    Aside from some workers working overtime, the entire office block was empty.

    He Jichen waited until after Ji Yi put her chopsticks down to hand her a ss of water. Then he said, ¡°Get some rest first and I¡¯ll tidy up this stuff. I¡¯ll take you back home afterward.¡±

    Ji Yi, holding onto the ss of water, said ¡°Alright¡± softly.

    He Jichen got up, tidied up the takeout boxes and put them back into the takeout bag. Then he pulled out a few tissues and wiped down the coffee table. He straightened up and walked out of the office holding the bag.

    Having just finished eating, Ji Yi felt a little full. After drinking about half a ss of water, she couldn¡¯t drink anymore.

    She put the ss of water back down on the coffee table and out of habit, she reached her hand out to grab her phone by the sofa.

    As she reached for her phone, she briefly lost focus. When she withdrew her arm, she identally knocked the files He Jichen had ced on the sofa to the ground.

    The files happened to fall by Ji Yi¡¯s legs. She bent down without a second thought and reached out to pick up the files.

    When she put the files back on the sofa, she incidentally nced over the files. Then, as though all the pressure points in her body had been hit, she suddenly froze.

    After about ten seconds, she held the file up...

 Chapter 498

    Chapter 498: YC Exists and Dies With Her (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi was more talkative than before. ¡°Whatever¡¯s fine.¡±

    Their lunch had gone cold long ago and they naturally wouldn¡¯t eat it even if it was heated in the microwave since it had probably gone bad by now.

    The canteen chef finished work long ago at six and it was now almost eight o¡¯clock. Most of the restaurants were still open, however...

    With that thought, He Jichen asked, ¡°Let¡¯s eat out?¡±

    Ji Yi lowered her head and nced at her cast. She felt that it was too much trouble to eat out, so she hesitated for a moment then moved her lips. ¡°Can we call for takeout?¡± she said quietly.

    ¡°Sure,¡± replied He Jichen with no hesitation at all.

    He pulled out his phone and opened a takeout app. He crouched down and he was now the same height as Ji Yi in her wheelchair. Then he brought the phone in front of Ji Yi. ¡°What do you want to eat?¡±

    Ji Yi scanned the phone roughly and chose a Cantonese restaurant with rather light meals.

    He Jichen clicked it. He browsed through the menu while asking Ji Yi for her opinion.

    After ordering some food, He Jichen put his phone back and remembered that Ji Yi hadn¡¯t drunk any water since earlier that afternoon. ¡°How about I go pour you a ss of water?¡± asked He Jichen.

    Ji Yi let out a gentle ¡°Mhm.¡±

    The food arrived forty minutester. Having rushed back from America overnight, He Jichen hadn¡¯t taken a shower yet. With mild OCD, he¡¯d been feeling ufortable for a long time but he waited for Ji Yi to finish her water first. Seeing that she was feeling better, he took her ss and said quietly, ¡°y on your phone for a while or watch TV. I¡¯m going to take a shower.¡±

    Ji Yi nodded silently.

    When He Jichen finished taking a shower and came out of the lounge, his phone happened to ring. It was the delivery boy with the takeout.

    He hinted at Ji Yi to wait in the office then he grabbed his wallet from the desk and walked out.

    Shortly after, He Jichen brought a bag of takeout back with him.

    He casually tidied up the files from the coffee table then randomly tossed them onto the sofa. He ced the takeout neatly on the table then walked over and positioned Ji Yi in front of the coffee table.

    After finishing dinner, it was already ten o¡¯clock.

    Aside from some workers working overtime, the entire office block was empty.

    He Jichen waited until after Ji Yi put her chopsticks down to hand her a ss of water. Then he said, ¡°Get some rest first and I¡¯ll tidy up this stuff. I¡¯ll take you back home afterward.¡±

    Ji Yi, holding onto the ss of water, said ¡°Alright¡± softly.

    He Jichen got up, tidied up the takeout boxes and put them back into the takeout bag. Then he pulled out a few tissues and wiped down the coffee table. He straightened up and walked out of the office holding the bag.

    Having just finished eating, Ji Yi felt a little full. After drinking about half a ss of water, she couldn¡¯t drink anymore.

    She put the ss of water back down on the coffee table and out of habit, she reached her hand out to grab her phone by the sofa.

    As she reached for her phone, she briefly lost focus. When she withdrew her arm, she identally knocked the files He Jichen had ced on the sofa to the ground.

    The files happened to fall by Ji Yi¡¯s legs. She bent down without a second thought and reached out to pick up the files.

    When she put the files back on the sofa, she incidentally nced over the files. Then, as though all the pressure points in her body had been hit, she suddenly froze.

    After about ten seconds, she held the file up...

 Chapter 499

    Chapter 499: YC Exists and Dies With Her (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After about ten seconds, she raised the file to eye-level and scanned the three words ¡°Leave with nothing.¡± She stared at those words for a long time without blinking before her gaze gradually fell to the bottom of the page, signed ¡°He Jichen¡± in ck ink. Her fingers trembled as her eyes shot up again to the top of the document.

    It was there in ck and white, clearly printed. Ji Yi skimmed the contents of the file from top to bottom then her eyes locked onto the three words ¡°Leave with nothing.¡±

    The people at the table behind her in the afternoon at the canteen said that He Jichen insisted on keeping her at YC in front of all the shareholders who wanted her out. She overheard them say that they signed an agreement that if she didn¡¯t generate profits for YC within a year, He Jichen was willing to give up his ce as CEO of thepany.

    At the time, it wasn¡¯t like she wasn¡¯t moved by his gesture, but she assumed it was just an informal wager he had with YC¡¯s board of directors. However, she never imagined that behind the wager were three words she knew nothing about: Leave with nothing.

    Leave with nothing... This went to say that if she wasn¡¯t able to generate profits for YC within a year, He Jichen would lose everything.

    Chen Bai told her before that He Jichen gave up attending a prestigious school, having a great future, and argued with the He family all to create YC. He sacrificed countless nights for YC.

    He sacrificed so much for YC including his blood, sweat, and tears. It was his enterprise and the most important thing in his life, but to keep her at YC, he was actually willing to use YC as a bargaining chip.

    Even if he did it for her, Ji Yi felt like it wasn¡¯t really worth it...

    She had to admit that she felt down from ruining the great future He Jichen and YC set up for her yesterday.

    She had to admit that her heart was filled with hatred from Qian Ge¡¯s gloating phone call and Xie Siyao¡¯s takeover of her shoot.

    She had to admit that she felt unfairly treated when director Lin lectured her severely in front of all the executives at the office, not to mention when she called her trash and assumed she used He Jichen to make it to the top.

    Furthermore, she had to admit that in the canteen, she couldn¡¯t act like all the rumors and gossip were nothing and that she didn¡¯t take it to heart...

    So when he appeared by her side and cheered her up so patiently and with such a good temper, she not only felt guilty but also like she was truly a mess.

    Yet, he unconditionally indulged her in her acting out all afternoon without the slightest bit of impatience.

    Her heart was already warm and moved by all this, but she never imagined that behind her back, he actually made this bet to ¡°Leave with nothing¡±...

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes heated up and she instinctively turned her head to look out the window.

    Her fingers creased the document as her agitated emotions made her tighten her grip.

    The office doors suddenly opened. He Jichen was back from throwing out the trash.

    When she heard him enter, Ji Yi hurriedly put the document back on the sofa.

    Not having seen her movements, He Jichen walked into the washroom to wash his hands then went into the lounge to find his car keys. After putting his phone and wallet back, he walked over to Ji Yi. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    He walked around the wheelchair after those two quiet words then he raised his hand. Just as he was about to push the wheelchair out, Ji Yi suddenly reached her hand out and grabbed his wrist.

    Rate Trantion Quality

    Chapter 500: YC Exists and Dies With Her (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Her sudden touch made He Jichen¡¯s body tremble as he instinctively looked down at her fair hand around his wrist.

    He stared unwaveringly at her tender fingers for a moment before his eyes looked up andnded on her delicate neck. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    She didn¡¯t make a sound, but he clearly felt her fingers around his wrist start to tremble after he spoke.

    All of a sudden, an intense worry entered He Jichen¡¯s heart. There were hints of anxiety when he spoke: ¡°Xiao Yi, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    She still said nothing, but a single tear rolled down from the corner of her eye.

    Isn¡¯t everything okay now? We just ate, so why¡¯s she upset again after I came back from throwing the trash out?

    Even though the rims of her eyes had turned red several times throughout the day, He Jichen¡¯s heart still ached to see her like this now.

    He spoke again with a more anxious voice, ¡°Didn¡¯t I say it¡¯s all sorted? Why¡¯re you crying again?¡±

    He Jichen wanted to crouch down when he said this, but Ji Yi held onto his other hand. She cried, ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    He Jichen hurriedly stopped everything he was doing. He turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi.

    She lowered her head, deep in thought.

    She didn¡¯t speak again, but he patiently waited for her.

    After some time, she cried his name again in a low voice: ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    But this time, she didn¡¯t stop and continued by asking, ¡°...Why did you do it?¡±

    She asked so abruptly that He Jichen didn¡¯t know how to react. He furrowed his brows, bewildered and speechless.

    ¡°He Jichen, did I create a big mess of things and cause a huge amount of trouble?¡±

    He Jichen heard this and instantly understood what she meant by ¡°Why did you do it?¡±

    He pursed his lips. Before the word ¡°no¡± could escape his mouth, the sound of her voice traveled into his ear again.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me; I know I got into so much trouble. It was all my fault since I wasn¡¯t careful. I fell from the tform and ruined everything...¡±

    ¡°...Director Lin was right. I made thepany suffer immense losses. You should terminate my contract. The board of directors was right ¨C you definitely have better artists to choose from. Whether it¡¯s the Jiang Xinxin people mentioned or Lin Siyi, they¡¯re all better than I am...¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, everyone at YC thinks I¡¯m not worthy enough to stay here. Even I think I¡¯m not worthy. Why do you still want to keep me?¡±

    The more Ji Yi spoke, the more unbearable it felt. It was so bad that the left side of her chest started to ache.

    She knew her heart ached for He Jichen and how unworthy she was for him.

    ¡°Why would you rather fire director Lin, rather erupt in a fit of rage in the conference room, rather fight with the board of directors, rather use YC which you single-handedly established, as a bargaining chip... just to keep me?¡±

    Ji Yi really didn¡¯t want to cry, but as she said this, she just couldn¡¯t control her emotions and cried aloud.

    Her voice became agitated because of her overly emotional state.

    ¡°Why did you do it? He Jichen, why did you do it?¡±

 Chapter 500

    Chapter 500: YC Exists and Dies With Her (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Her sudden touch made He Jichen¡¯s body tremble as he instinctively looked down at her fair hand around his wrist.

    He stared unwaveringly at her tender fingers for a moment before his eyes looked up andnded on her delicate neck. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    She didn¡¯t make a sound, but he clearly felt her fingers around his wrist start to tremble after he spoke.

    All of a sudden, an intense worry entered He Jichen¡¯s heart. There were hints of anxiety when he spoke: ¡°Xiao Yi, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    She still said nothing, but a single tear rolled down from the corner of her eye.

    Isn¡¯t everything okay now? We just ate, so why¡¯s she upset again after I came back from throwing the trash out?

    Even though the rims of her eyes had turned red several times throughout the day, He Jichen¡¯s heart still ached to see her like this now.

    He spoke again with a more anxious voice, ¡°Didn¡¯t I say it¡¯s all sorted? Why¡¯re you crying again?¡±

    He Jichen wanted to crouch down when he said this, but Ji Yi held onto his other hand. She cried, ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    He Jichen hurriedly stopped everything he was doing. He turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi.

    She lowered her head, deep in thought.

    She didn¡¯t speak again, but he patiently waited for her.

    After some time, she cried his name again in a low voice: ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    But this time, she didn¡¯t stop and continued by asking, ¡°...Why did you do it?¡±

    She asked so abruptly that He Jichen didn¡¯t know how to react. He furrowed his brows, bewildered and speechless.

    ¡°He Jichen, did I create a big mess of things and cause a huge amount of trouble?¡±

    He Jichen heard this and instantly understood what she meant by ¡°Why did you do it?¡±

    He pursed his lips. Before the word ¡°no¡± could escape his mouth, the sound of her voice traveled into his ear again.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me; I know I got into so much trouble. It was all my fault since I wasn¡¯t careful. I fell from the tform and ruined everything...¡±

    ¡°...Director Lin was right. I made thepany suffer immense losses. You should terminate my contract. The board of directors was right ¨C you definitely have better artists to choose from. Whether it¡¯s the Jiang Xinxin people mentioned or Lin Siyi, they¡¯re all better than I am...¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, everyone at YC thinks I¡¯m not worthy enough to stay here. Even I think I¡¯m not worthy. Why do you still want to keep me?¡±

    The more Ji Yi spoke, the more unbearable it felt. It was so bad that the left side of her chest started to ache.

    She knew her heart ached for He Jichen and how unworthy she was for him.

    ¡°Why would you rather fire director Lin, rather erupt in a fit of rage in the conference room, rather fight with the board of directors, rather use YC which you single-handedly established, as a bargaining chip... just to keep me?¡±

    Ji Yi really didn¡¯t want to cry, but as she said this, she just couldn¡¯t control her emotions and cried aloud.

    Her voice became agitated because of her overly emotional state.

    ¡°Why did you do it? He Jichen, why did you do it?¡±

 Chapter 501

    Chapter 501: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He was slightly dazed as he heard her speak one line after another.

    Why did I do it?

    Ah, because I like her... I like her so much that I¡¯m willing to lose everything for her and give her everything.

    His silence intensified her need for answers as she couldn¡¯t help but start to pull at his arm. ¡°Say something, He Jichen! Why did you do it? Why?¡±

    Ji Yi was a little forceful as she shook He Jichen¡¯s body, which brought him back to his senses.

    He lowered his head and stared at the fluffy top of Ji Yi¡¯s head and moved his lips. ¡°Because...¡±

    He spoke quietly, but she heard him. He abruptly fell silent.

    She raised her head and her wet eyes met his gaze.

    He stared back at her silently for a few seconds and continued by saying, ¡°...You¡¯re willing to trust me.¡±

    ¡°Because I said I¡¯d never onlye to you when you¡¯re famous or turn and leave you at your lowest point.¡±

    Those simple and familiar words made Ji Yi suddenly remember that night at Hangzhou¡¯s West Lake hotel during the shooting of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    That night was when he signed her with YC.

    Promises were always touching.

    That night, when he told her those same words, she was so emotional that she welled up with hot tears. With barely a moment¡¯s contemtion, she signed with YC.

    But now, she realized that he had been trying hard to fulfil the touching promise he made to her...

    Even though they stopped talking for almost a year after what happened in Shanghai that night, he never forgot his promise to her.

    He put her up on Weibo¡¯s hot searches and set up lots of jobs for her. Even if she messed up everything, he still chose to stand by her side...

    The tears in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes poured out more fiercely and seized her heart. The guilt she had felt all afternoon suddenly broke free. ¡°Sorry, He Jichen. I¡¯m truly sorry...¡±

    ¡°...I didn¡¯t mean it. I never imagined that things would turn out like this. I really never imagined things would go down like this... Sorry... He Jichen, I¡¯m really sorry...¡±

    As she repeatedly said ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± a piercing pain struck He Jichen¡¯s heart over and over again.

    He willingly did those things for her; what¡¯s more, he actually liked that she got into trouble because it gave him a legitimate reason to appear by her side.

    But liking her make trouble was one thing ¨C he didn¡¯t like her ming herself like this.

    ¡°...I never imagined that I¡¯d make so much trouble for you. I¡¯m sorry...¡±

    When she said ¡°sorry¡± again, He Jichen reached his fingers out and touched her lips. ¡°Xiao Yi, you don¡¯t have to say sorry to me because ever since I found out about what happened, I¡¯ve never med you.¡±

    I never med you... Those four words made Ji Yi¡¯s body tremble softly. Her tears were like endless strings of pearls streaming down her face.

    There was a lot she wanted to say, but she didn¡¯t know what he should say. She stared at He Jichen¡¯s moving lips when all of a sudden, she got this unknown urge to free her hands from his wrist. She reached both arms out and hugged his waist.

 Chapter 502

    Chapter 502: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s back tightened as his entire body froze on the spot.

    He felt like it was all a dream; a surreal illusion.

    He didn¡¯t dare move as he was afraid her arms would disappear from around his waist.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know what had gotten into her either. She just suddenly really wanted to hug him.

    She buried her face in his chest where she felt the warmth of his body through his clothes.

    That warmth made her feel oddly at peace as theplex and raging emotions she had all day gradually settled down.

    It was silent in the office. Ji Yi kept up her one-sided hug for a long time. The tears in her eyes gradually disappeared.

    Because she had cried so violently, she hupped every now and then.

    She was a little ufortable from holding that pose for so long, so she shifted slightly as she adjusted her position.

    Her shifting rmed He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t moved an inch from the very start.

    He held his breath and continued to stand like that for a while. Then he gently raised his hand and touched her back.

    His touch validated that she was actually hugging him.

    His fingers trembled slightly for a moment then he pressed his hand into her back.

    The warmth of his palm travelled through her shirt, into her skin, and infiltrated her heart. Her head couldn¡¯t help but lean closer to his body and her arms around his waist tightened.

    Her affectionate and cute actions softened his heart into honey. The sweetness travelled from the corners of his mouth to the very depths of his heart. He couldn¡¯t help but secretly increase the force through his palms and he sealed his body to hers.

    They hugged like this for who knew how long as Ji Yi calmed downpletely.

    She didn¡¯t want to leave his arms, so seeing that he didn¡¯t push her away, she figured she might as well lean into him.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure just how long she stayed frozen like that for as she remembered how she stepped on a round object during yesterday¡¯s live recording.

    She wasn¡¯t clear if her spections were right, and what¡¯s more, she had no evidence, so she couldn¡¯t just blurt it out. However, she really wanted to tell He Jichen.

    Ji Yi contemted it for a short while then eventually said, ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    ¡°Mhm?¡±

    ¡°Yesterday...¡± Still a little angry, Ji Yi paused for a moment then quietly said, ¡°...Qian Ge called me.¡±

    ¡°... She told me a lot of things, mostly teasing me... But she did say something really weird to me. She said that as long as she, Qian Ge, works in showbiz, I should quit dreaming of ever making it some day...¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi felt He Jichen¡¯s body tense up. Then she heard him say with a cold voice from above: ¡°Then what happened?¡±

    ¡°Then I asked if she had anything to do with me tripping, but she didn¡¯t give me an answer... It¡¯s not just that, but I thought it was really weird that the Taiwanese artist didn¡¯t turn up yesterday. Most importantly, when I stepped down from the tform, I stepped on a round object. That¡¯s what I slipped on...¡±

    ¡°Yesterday when I saw Qian Ge, I was already really careful and had my guard up, but something bad still happened...¡±

 Chapter 503

    Chapter 503: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As she said this, Ji Yi remembered she didn¡¯t have any evidence. Afraid that He Jichen would think she was just making up excuses, her head shot up and she stared at He Jichen¡¯s chin. ¡°...I¡¯m not trying to make excuses for causing all that trouble yesterday. I¡¯m telling the truth...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t even manage to finish her sentence when He Jichen said, ¡°I believe you.¡±

    Those simple words and his clear voice made Ji Yi suddenly lose her voice as she looked up at He Jichen.

    The room was silent for a while before Ji Yi said, ¡°You... believe me?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I believe you,¡± repeated He Jichen with no hesitation at all.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes heated up as she instinctively stared back at He Jichen. She buried her face into his body once again.

    He Jichen reached his hand out and stroked Ji Yi¡¯s long hair. ¡°Xiao Yi, don¡¯t worry. This matter won¡¯t end like this, but you don¡¯t need to think about anything or do anything. All you need to do is get better and calm your mind to focus on shooting your next series. Leave everything else to me. One day, I¡¯ll help you get revenge for everything you¡¯ve suffered and more!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart warmed up for a moment and it felt like something was lodged in her throat, preventing her from speaking.

    She silently leaned into his body for a while then tightened her hug.

    He sensed her subtle movements and couldn¡¯t help but hug her a little tighter.

    It was dark outside as they hugged each other more tightly.

    ...

    After what happened the day before, Ji Yi hadn¡¯t slept all night. In the morning, she hadn¡¯t gotten the chance to shut her eyes as she had been back and forth since Zhuang Yi took her to the office.

    She¡¯d already cried out all her pain and spoke all her suppressed feelings; she even got some much-neededfort from He Jichen. She felt so rxed that she unexpectedly fell asleep in He Jichen¡¯s embrace as she couldn¡¯t fight her exhaustion and sleepiness.

    It was alreadyte and Ji Yi was deep asleep. He Jichen was afraid he¡¯d wake her up if he took her back home, so he carefully scooped her up from the wheelchair and took her into the lounge.

    He took a long time just trying to pull her arms away from his waist. He took no more than two steps with her in his arms when her arms wrapped around his neck again.

    Heid her on the bed and removed her hands from his neck. Ji Yi¡¯s brows started to gently furrow. He was afraid to wake her up, so he didn¡¯t dare make any sudden movements. Instead, he simplyid by her side gently and softly and held her in his arms all night long.

    ¨C

    As He Jichen and Ji Yi slept all night in each other¡¯s embrace, Han Zhifan and Cheng Weiwan were just ten meters away at the Four Seasons Hotel. It was their first time meeting each other since he was discharged.

    Cheng Weiwan had stayed by Han Zhifan¡¯s side throughout his stay in the hospital.

    The day after he was discharged, Han Zhifan had to go on a business trip to Hong Kong.

    When he returned, it was already five in the afternoon.

    On his way back from the airport, he gave Cheng Weiwan a call.

    It was inconvenient at the time ¨C Cheng Weiwan was in a meeting at YC ¨C so she declined his call.

    Before she could reply to Han Zhifan with a text, Han Zhifan¡¯s text came through first. He asked to meet up with her that night at the Four Seasons Hotel.

    Cheng Weiwan replied with ¡°okay¡± then added, ¡°I¡¯m in a meeting¡± before putting her phone back into her pocket.

 Chapter 504

    Chapter 504: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After the script meeting was over, it was already six in the evening.

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave the meeting as she typed up all the ideas she¡¯d gotten from the meeting on herptop.

    After she finished work, it was already dark outside. She closed herptop and pulled out her phone from her pocket. She nced at Han Zhifan¡¯s text message on the lock screen.

    ¡°See you at nine at the Four Seasons Hotel, room 1002.¡±

    After he sent that text, he probably realized he forgot to leave some additional instructions, so he added, ¡°The room key is at the front desk. Just give them your name then head right up...¡±

    After the ellipsis, there were a few more words, ¡°...Don¡¯t worry, Wanwan. I won¡¯t do anything to you.¡±

    If this had been in the past, Cheng Weiwan would never go on a date with Han Zhifan at a hotel, but things were different now. He saved her life.

    She would never have believed that she would be in such a situation had he arrived a littleter that night.

    Cheng Weiwan stared at the text from Han Zhifan on her phone screen for a while. Then she put her phone away and carried herptop out of the conference room.

    To make hermute to YC easier, Cheng Weiwan rented an apartment close to the office.

    After she made it back home and dropped off herptop, she called a taxi and headed for the Four Seasons Hotel.

    Following the instructions given by Han Zhifan, Cheng Weiwan walked up to the front desk and gave her name. After they verified her ID, she collected the room key and headed upstairs.

    After she swiped the key to open the door, Cheng Weiwan stepped into the room. However, before she could put the card into the electricity slot, she caught sight of a candle glowing on the table in the living room.

    Cheng Weiwan was confused for two seconds. Without turning the lights on, she walked straight to the living room.

    When she got closer, she realized that under the light of the candle was a birthday cake.

    On the cake was a line of words written in chocte: ¡°Wanwan, happy birthday.¡±

    Han Zhifan asked to meet me here just to celebrate my birthday?

    Just as Cheng Weiwan was feeling bewildered, the bedroom door opened.

    Cheng Weiwan turned her head at the sound to see Han Zhifan stepping out, holding a gift box.

    ¡°Wanwan, I only found out your birthday was yesterday from one of your readers¡¯ments on Weibo today. I also found out that since your mum passed away, no one has celebrated your birthday...¡±

    Han Zhifan walked towards her as he spoke. ¡°Even though I¡¯m a dayte... Happy birthday!¡±

    As he said this, Han Zhifan opened the gift box and handed it to Cheng Weiwan.

    Inside was a pink diamond ne. Under the candlelight, it had a bright, piercing light.

    ¡°Do you like it?¡± asked Han Zhifan softly with raised brows.

    Cheng Weiwan let out a tender ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but took out the ne from the gift box. After he walked up to Cheng Weiwan, he gently helped her put it on.

    As he fastened the ne, Han Zhifan swept Cheng Weiwan¡¯s long hair aside. He carefully fixed her hair after the ne was secure then he grabbed her shoulder and turned her around to face him.

    He stared at the ne above her chest for some time before his eyes met hers. ¡°Beautiful.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything as she stared into Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes with an unusual glow.

    Han Zhifan stared back at Cheng Weiwan for some time before taking a slight step forward. He lowered his head and kissed the space in between her brows.

    His soft touch made Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body tremble slightly but she didn¡¯t avoid him.

    That was when Han Zhifan gradually lowered his lips to Cheng Weiwan¡¯s, gently sealing them into a delicate kiss.

    It was silent in the room with the faint sound of them kissing.

    After kissing for a while, Han Zhifan reluctantly parted from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips. He lowered his head to touch her forehead, looked down at her bright red lips then asked softly, ¡°Can I?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers trembled with his question as her eyelids shot up and met Han Zhifan¡¯s before she lowered them again.

    Han Zhifan continued to stare at Cheng Weiwan for quite some time before he moved to seal his lips with hers again. ¡°Wanwan, can I? Tonight, can I have you?¡± asked Han Zhifan before their lips touched.

 Chapter 505

    Chapter 505: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan¡¯s gentle breath grazed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips. The soft, tickly sensation stifled Cheng Weiwan¡¯s breathing as her eyshes quivered endlessly.

    It was like her pressure points had been hit. Apart from clutching onto her sleeve tightly, she stood on the spot, not daring to move an inch.

    She still hadn¡¯t replied when her face gradually started to flush.

    ¡°Wanwan...¡± Han Zhifan spoke again with a tender murmur, like one between lovers. ¡°...Are you not saying anything because you haven¡¯t thought it through?¡±

    After Han Zhifan said this, he waited for a while. Seeing as Cheng Weiwan still didn¡¯t reply, he added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Wanwan. I can wait for you...¡±

    With that, Han Zhifan moved away from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips and reached out to lovingly stroke her long hair. He turned his head and nced at the cake beside them. ¡°Let¡¯s cut the cake...¡±

    As Han Zhifan¡¯s voice fell, Cheng Weiwan lifted her eyes and shot a nce at the man in front of her.

    She clearly saw a hint of disappointment between his brows.

    She felt a tinge of pain from something pricking her heart.

    Han Zhifan took a step back and put some distance between himself and Cheng Weiwan. He turned around, walked over to the dining table and bent over. He didn¡¯t have time to pick up the box of cutlery when Cheng Weiwan suddenly cried, ¡°Han Zhifan.¡±

    Han Zhifan turned his head.

    The swaying candlelight entuated his unusually slim silhouette.

    Cheng Weiwan stared unwaveringly at his face for a while before she moved her lips again, ¡°Do you... really like me?¡±

    Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t in a hurry to reply, but his gaze was transfixed on Cheng Weiwan for a while. He put the knife and fork back onto the table then walked up to her.

    He stared at her eyes for a few seconds and shook his head. ¡°No.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was stunned.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s voice quickly traveled into her ears: ¡°I don¡¯t really like you ¨C I love you.¡±

    I don¡¯t really like you, I love you... These words were like a hammer pounding at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart, making her heart race.

    She had written many romantic stories, but she had never had her own love story.

    She had just one dream, which was to love only one person.

    All these years, she stayed single because she was waiting for the one and only love of her life.

    She had waited for so many years. Was her wait finally over now?

    ¡°Han Zhifan, all I¡¯ve wanted in my life was to be in love and love a man. Do you get it now?¡±

    ¡°What a coincidence.¡± Han Zhifan looked sincere like he was going to make a promise. ¡°All I want in my life is to be in love and love a woman.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t speak again but she took a step forward. She tip-toed and kissed Han Zhifan on the lips.

    Han Zhifan waspletely stunned for a few seconds before he reached his hand out and domineeringly pushed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s head forward, kissing her deeply.

    Her body slowly melted in his embrace.

    His hand around her waist started to wander over her clothes and up her body.

    His palms scorched her body, burning her incessantly.

    She instinctively raised her hands and grabbed his shirt.

    Her small movements made his brows twitch. The next second, he forcefully tore off her clothes.

 Chapter 506

    Chapter 506: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He put her down on the sofa beside him and with his head down, he nibbled on her fair skin.

    His lips and hands were all over her soft body, exciting her like never before.

    Having never experienced this before, her body trembled violently because she was nervous and terrified.

    ¡°Zhifan...¡±

    Han Zhifan suddenly stopped moving as his gaze fell upon Cheng Weiwan¡¯s tightly shut eyes. Her fragile look made her appear helpless yet particrly captivating.

    In that split second, he wasn¡¯t sure what was going on with him as his heart softened in his chest. He ac-actually wanted to let go of her...

    No, you can¡¯t!

    Since he found out she was Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter, he had been waiting for this very moment.

    He put so much thought into getting onto her good side and pleasing her. He went so far as to even y out the frightening scene of the hero saving the damsel in distress.

    I can¡¯t give up just like that!

    What¡¯s more, he promised over Lili¡¯s dead body that he would definitely avenge her suffering!

    Lili... As her name shed across Han Zhifan¡¯s mind suddenly, the image of his eighteen-year-old self fruitlessly screaming to wake the girl lying in the pool of blood shed before his eyes...

    The pain drained Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face of blood and her body turned a little stiff.

    Seeing as she didn¡¯t cry out in pain, she was probably shy. All she did was bite on her bottom lip.

    As he watched the lovely, pitiful look on her face, Han Zhifan pursed his lips and looked away. Then he started to recklessly and cruelly warm her soft body without mercy.

    ¨C

    Waking up the next day, He Jichen took Ji Yi out first to eat breakfast then he took her back home.

    It was ten in the morning and He Jichen had an early meeting, so he didn¡¯t stay at the Ji family¡¯s house for long. Instead, he politely bid Ji Yi¡¯s mum and dad goodbye then headed back to the office.

    Even though Ji Yi took care of He Jichen for ten days when he was in the hospital, that didn¡¯t improve the rtionship between the two of them. However, this time, their rtionship seemed to improve a lot more after He Jichen patiently stayed with her from afternoon till the evening after she was hurting over the botched recording.

    However, when Ji Yi and He Jichen parted, neither of them contacted the other for a while.

    Because of Ji Yi¡¯s leg injury, she couldn¡¯t go outside; all she could do was y games with Tang Huahua like she did during her summer holiday.

    She and He Jichen got into contact again because sheined about being hungry while ying games with Tang Huahua. Tang Huahua immediately sent her a photo of a big te of crayfish on Weibo with the words: ¡°My mum just cooked dinner for me.¡±

    Ji Yi replied to Tang Huahua with a ¡°disdainful¡± emoji then rubbed her empty belly. The more she thought about it, the more she thought about how mean Tang Huahua was, so she took a screenshot of their conversation. Then she put it up on Moments with ament: ¡°Where¡¯s the true love they speak of? It¡¯s all a lie...¡±

 Chapter 507

    Chapter 507: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was alreadyte at night. Aside from her close friends on WeChat, there was no one else online on her Moments, so ten minutes after posting that photo, no one liked or replied to it.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t think much of it. After Tang Huahua ate and drank, Ji Yi immediately continued their game.

    After the match ended, an unknown number popped up on Ji Yi¡¯s phone, pulling her back to the home screen.

    It¡¯s the middle of the night. Who could be calling?

    Ji Yi hesitated for a few seconds before picking up.

    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m here to deliver your takeout. I¡¯m outside your home, could you please open the door?¡±

    Takeout? I didn¡¯t order anything... Ji Yi was stunned and figured they must¡¯ve gotten the wrong number. Just as she was about to hang up, the doorbell rang.

    Ji Yi maneuvered her wheelchair out of the bedroom.

    She took a nce at the security monitor on the wall of the entrance to see that there really was a young man standing there to deliver food.

    Since it was inconvenient for Ji Yi to move around, the delivery guy kindly ced the food on the living room coffee table before he left.

    Ji Yi opened the bag and casually took a nce inside to see that it was all crayfish. She instinctively pulled out her phone and sent Tang Huahua a message: ¡°Huahua, did you order takeout for me?¡±

    Tang Huahua instantly replied: ¡°You wish!¡±

    Ji Yi took a photo: ¡°I¡¯m being serious. I¡¯m not joking with you.¡±

    Tang Huahua: ¡°It really wasn¡¯t me.¡±

    If it wasn¡¯t Tang Huahua, who was it?

    Ji Yi stared at WeChat with her brows furrowed. Then she saw that there was a notification on her Moments.

    She hurriedly clicked it and saw that there was a ¡°like¡± on the picture she posted half an hour ago on Moments. It was from He Jichen.

    Don¡¯t tell me. He Jichen saw my post on Moments and ordered the crayfish?

    Ji Yi thought about it for a moment then opened up her chat with He Jichen. ¡°The err... crayfish. Did you order it?¡±

    He Jichen was still awake. He was probably on his phone because he quickly replied: ¡°Mhm.¡±

    It really was He Jichen who ordered the crayfish... Ji Yi¡¯s heart warmed and after a short while, she typed again: ¡°Ah, thank you!¡±

    He Jichen replied quickly again. However, his message was unrted to hers: ¡°How¡¯s your leg?¡±

    ¡°A lot better.¡± After Ji Yi pressed send, she tapped on the keyboard for a while: ¡°I went to the hospital this afternoon for a check-up. The doctor said the sprain has already started to heal.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡± He Jichen sent another message. Just as his first message, it was just a single word.

    He probably realized he was being overly boring, so he sent another message three secondster with two more words: ¡°Then that¡¯s good.¡±

    At the moment, Ji Yi didn¡¯t quite know how to reply to He Jichen. She figured she might as well change the subject: ¡°Why¡¯re you still up sote?¡±

    ¡°Just got home.¡±

    ¡°Did overtime?¡±

    ¡°No, I had a dinner which just ended.¡± He Jichen sent two consecutive messages. ¡°Eat the crayfish while it¡¯s still hot.¡±

    ¡°Mhm, mhm,¡± replied Ji Yi then she put on the gloves. As she ate the crayfish, she took off the gloves every now and then to reply to He Jichen.

    The two of them chatted about tedious things, but they managed to keep the conversation going till two in the morning before they both said ¡°Goodnight.¡±

 Chapter 508

    Chapter 508: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was from that day onwards that Ji Yi and He Jichen started to keep in contact.

    At first, they would chat just once every three or four days. Eventually, they would say a few words every day then,ter on, they would talk every day without breaks from morning till evening.

    Women naturally liked toin. Before she and He Yuguang got divorced, Ji Yi liked to go to He Yuguang whenever something happened. After the divorce, she and Tang Huahua started to y games, strengthening their friendship, so naturally, Ji Yi started toin to Tang Huahua.

    Now unbeknownst to her, as she and He Jichen started talking more and more each day, she gradually got into the habit of going to him whenever something happened.

    At first, Ji Yi and He Jichen chatted through text. Later, Ji Yiined that typing was too much hassle, so she started to send He Jichen voice notes.

    ¡°He Jichen, I went to see a movie today. It was the newest one in theatres. The storyline was unbelievable garbage.¡±

    ¡°He Jichen... how can Chanel¡¯s newest handbag collection look so damn good? How am I supposed to choose...¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, say... why are women so difficult to support? If it¡¯s not going to the toilet, then it¡¯s browsing on Taobao. My cart has sooo many things in it!¡± After she sent the message, she sent a screenshot of her cart.

    ¡°He Jichen, say... what¡¯s so special about this cake? Wasn¡¯t it only promoted online for a short time? They don¡¯t actually deliver but you have to line up to buy one!¡±

    ¨C

    He Jichen didn¡¯t have as much free time as Ji Yi, so it was no wonder he couldn¡¯t keep up with her messages. Sometimes he¡¯d wait until he finished work to open his WeChat only to see a series of messages from Ji Yi.

    They were mostly ramblings of a little woman¡¯s heart. To He Jichen, there were many things he simply could not understand. For example, Ji Yi would be torn for a long time over what to have for dinner or she would wail for a long time after eating a piece of fruit after eight in the evening because she was afraid to get fat.

    However, no matter how he could never understand her troubles, He Jichen always listened attentively to Ji Yi¡¯s messages.

    Sometimes, he was crazy busy and multi-tasking so he listened to her voice messages while working.

    Chen Bai, as He Jichen¡¯s personal assistant, practically never left He Jichen¡¯s side aside from when he was asleep.

    He could see that He Jichen¡¯s mood had been really goodtely. He even had a new interest ¨C when he was working, he liked to put on earphones.

    At first, Chen Bai thought He Jichen was listening to music, but it wasn¡¯t until one time when he incidentally nced over at He Jichen¡¯s phone screen that he realized He Jichen wasn¡¯t listening to music after all.

    Whenever He Jichen had earphones in while working, he wasn¡¯t very focused. Sometimes, he would type on theputer then suddenly stop like he was listening attentively to what was being said. After about one or two minutes, he would call Chen Bai¡¯s name and order him to carry out some task.

    ¡°Chen Bai, buy Chanel¡¯s entire collection of newest handbags. Then tell them to deliver it to this address.¡±

    ¡°Chen Bai, I sent a screenshot to your phone. Buy everything on there and send it to the same address I sent you.¡±

    ¡°Chen Bai, go to Cat Eat Cookie Alley and buy two slices of blueberry yogurt cake. Oh and deliver them to the address I sent you earlier too.¡±

 Chapter 509

    Chapter 509: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Bai had never gone to Ji Yi¡¯s house with He Jichen before, so at first, he was pretty confused who He Jichen was sending these items to. He lined up for four hours under the scorching sun and carried two slices of cake worth no more than two hundred yuan all under He Jichen¡¯s orders. He didn¡¯t know who lived at that address but realized it was actually Miss Ji¡¯s house when he heard a familiar voice say, ¡°Who is it?¡± when he rang the doorbell...

    He couldn¡¯t help but secretly call himself dumb deep down.

    He must¡¯ve known that the address was Miss Ji¡¯s house.

    After all, she was the only woman in this world capable of remaining in He Jichen¡¯s heart. Aside from Miss Ji, there was no one else.

    On the fourth day, Chen Bai delivered some cake to Ji Yi and identally discovered that the reason why He Jichen put earphones in while working was to listen to the voice messages Ji Yi sent him.

    It was then that he started to realize that men with cold exteriors like He Jichen could still be deeply passionate.

    It was a Wednesday at seven in the morning when Chen Bai arrived at He Jichen¡¯s room.

    He Jichen was eating breakfast. Chen Bai stood to one side and was rying He Jichen¡¯s schedule for the day when He Jichen¡¯s phone rang.

    It was a message from Ji Yi. She typed the line: ¡°He Jichen, help me choose. Which dress looks better? I want to wear one for a follow-up appointment at the hospitalter.¡±

    Chen Bai was standing behind He Jichen when the phone rang. He was instinctively ncing over at He Jichen¡¯s phone when he saw a line of text.

    Chen Bai paused in his reporting of He Jichen¡¯s schedule and He Jichen chewed on his breakfast more slowly as he nced at the several photos Ji Yi sent him.

    The photos were of a couple of dresses and they all looked good. If it was Chen Bai, he would definitely have replied: ¡°They¡¯re all pretty.¡±

    But He Jichen looked at those pictures like he was reading an important document. After repeatedly studying them for some time, he chose the nude dress and replied with his choice to Ji Yi.

    This little incident was over quickly.

    When He Jichen finished breakfast and entered the bedroom to change, Chen Bai followed behind him as he hadn¡¯t finished reporting his schedule.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t go through the changing room doors but leaned against the door frame while he watched He Jichen choose his clothes and continued to talk.

    Inside He Jichen¡¯s changing room were mostly ck and white clothes and barely any clothes of other colors.

    He Jichen naturally chose a ck shirt before he waved his hand to interrupt Chen Bai and signal for him to leave for a while.

    He Jichen took off his pajamas and was about to change into the ck shirt when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a piece of clothing of another color in the corner of his wardrobe. He hesitated for a moment but chucked the ck shirt onto the floor and chose the mustard yellow t-shirt to wear.

    Chen Bai was waiting outside the changing room when He Jichen signaled for him to return. He continued with his earlier report but after two words, he suddenly stopped speaking when he noticed the mustard yellow t-shirt He Jichen was wearing.

    After no more than three seconds, he pretended nothing had happened and continued to speak. However, deep down, he couldn¡¯t help but secretly mutter: Mr. He, this is forcing Miss Ji to match with you...

 Chapter 510

    Chapter 510: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It didn¡¯t stop there. Simr situations happenedter, but the most memorable one of all for Chen Bai was the ¡°Forced matching clothing.¡±

    As usual, it happened in the afternoon. Earlier that afternoon, there was a bout of thunder and rain, and the summer humidity had disappeared.

    He Jichen was sitting in the office, discussing the uing business trip with Chen Bai, when he received a message from Ji Yi.

    That message wasn¡¯t actually one Ji Yi took the initiative to send first, but it was a reply to the message he sent over lunch asking ¡°What are you up to?¡± She replied: ¡°Nothing much. Huahua¡¯s busy, so she can¡¯t y with me. I¡¯m reading a GUCCI catalog that just got sent to my house.¡±

    ¡°Let me see,¡± replied He Jichen as he tapped the phone.

    Shortly after, He Jichen received over ten pictures. He casually flipped through them then chose several pictures to send to Ji Yi. ¡°The new collection isn¡¯t bad.¡±

    ¡°What a coincidence! We have quite simr tastes, but I don¡¯t like this one. I like this one more,¡± replied Ji Yi as she sent him two images.

    He Jichen had a government meeting at four in the afternoon. He initially nned to leave at half past three, but it wasn¡¯t even two o¡¯clock when he told Chen Bai they should leave after they finished discussing the business trip schedule.

    On the way to the meeting, they happened to pass a shopping mall. He Jichen asked Chen Bai to turn in.

    That was when Chen Bai realized He Jichen¡¯s intentions; he wanted to personally go buy the things Miss Ji showed him...

    But the facts proved that Chen Bai was overthinking things. After they stepped into the GUCCI store, He Jichen took a seat in the lounge and sent pictures to Chen Bai for him to choose.

    Chen Bai moaned that even with Mr. He at the mall, he couldn¡¯t run away from his fate as a ve. Meanwhile, he picked out all the clothes He Jichen sent him.

    Just when Chen Bai was about to pay, He Jichen, who had been casually sitting in the lounge drinking coffee, unexpectedly wandered over. Chen Bai thought He Jichen came over to check the items, but just as he was going give him an overview, He Jichen raised his hand and pointed at him. Then he told the shop assistant beside him, ¡°Give him the receipt to sign.¡±

    That was when Chen Bai realized that while he was picking out clothes for Ji Yi, He Jichen hadn¡¯t actually stayed in the lounge but he went into the men¡¯s section to pick out clothes...

    After they paid the bill and checked the goods, Chen Bai noticed just how familiar the clothing He Jichen picked out was to Ji Yi¡¯s clothes. They were the same colors as the ones he just bought for Miss Ji. In fact, there were two outfits with the exact same designs as hers! What was most important was that He Jichen actually chose the same wallet he picked out for Miss Ji...

    So, Mr. He wasn¡¯t entirely there to personally pick out clothes for Miss Ji, but he was there to forcefully get them matching couple¡¯s clothes...

    Of course, He Jichen and Ji Yi didn¡¯t just talk about what she liked then get He Jichen to send someone over immediately to deliver it to her... no, a lot of the time, Ji Yi and He Jichen also talked seriously about work. However, on those rare asions, Ji Yi, who was crazy bored at home, also shared some thoughts that made He Jichen unsure whether to cry orugh.

 Chapter 511

    Chapter 511: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    For example, there was this one time when He Jichen received a WeChat message from Ji Yi during a meeting that said: ¡°He Jichen, log onto QQ.¡±

    He Jichen rarely used QQ, so when he saw that message, his first reaction was to reply with a question mark. ¡°Is there something you can¡¯t say on WeChat?¡±

    ¡°Aiya! Don¡¯t ask, just quickly log onto QQ...¡± Ji Yi was afraid He Jichen wouldn¡¯t agree to do it, so she even sent a cute emoji to persuade him.

    He Jichen waited for QQ to finish downloading then replied to Ji Y by saying: ¡°Alright.¡±

    As He Jichen logged onto QQ, he got a message from Ji Yi: ¡°I¡¯m sending a few red envelopes on QQ. Remember to ept themmm~¡±

    She was afraid he wouldn¡¯t ept them, so she added, ¡°You have to ept themmm~¡±

    After QQ was sessfully downloaded, Ji Yi¡¯s message popped up. There really were two encrypted red envelopes.

    When He Jichen clicked to ept them, there was a message pre-written by Ji Yi to be sent to herself.

    ¡°Ji Yi, you¡¯re so beautiful!¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, your performance as Princess Qing Yang was better than Qian Ge by far!¡±

    As He Jichen ept the two red envelopes, Ji Yi sent a few more encrypted red envelopes which also turned out to bepliments to herself.

    ¡°Ji Yi, your skin is great!¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, your King of Glory skills can definitely take on mine!¡±

    As He Jichen epted Ji Yi¡¯s red envelopes, he listened to the department director¡¯s report.

    Because their conversation was rather important, He Jichen didn¡¯t notice the contents of thetter red envelopes. After he epted them all, Ji Yi didn¡¯t send any more envelopes. He Jichen put the phone down then immersed himself into his work.

    Ten minutes into his work, He Jichen finished.

    He sent Ji Yi several messages; most of the messages were screenshots of the red envelopes he received on QQ.

    Underneath the screenshots was Ji Yi¡¯s reply to him: ¡°He Jichen, now I know just how much of a sweet talker you are. Ah, you sure know how topliment someone!¡±

    He Jichen burst outughing. After some time, he replied to Ji Yi with a line of ellipses: ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Eeek, He Jichen, why did you send me that?¡±

    After He Jichen¡¯s message was sent, another message from Ji Yi came in.

    He Jichen was just about to send ¡°?¡± when another screenshot came onto the screen. It was a message he sent to her automatically: ¡°Sorry Ji Yi, I was wrong.¡±

    He Jichen furrowed his brows then he clicked on QQ. He realized that among the long series of red envelopes, there was onest red envelope he missed. It wasn¡¯t oneplimenting Ji Yi but it read: ¡°Sorry Ji Yi, I was wrong.¡±

    He Jichen opened WeChat to see that Ji Yi sent another message: ¡°He Jichen, be honest! What the hell did you do!¡±

    He Jichen: ¡°...¡±

    Ji Yi: ¡°You admitted you were wrong, yet you still won¡¯t be honest with me. I don¡¯t want to put up with you anymore!¡±

    He Jichen: ¡°...¡±

    After two seconds, He Jichen typed a line of words: ¡°Ji Yi set up He Jichen to walk down the longest path he¡¯s ever walked.¡±

    Ji Yi instantly replied with a ¡°roll on the floorughing in tears¡± emoji.

    He Jichen stared at the emoji, imagining Ji Yi smile. His brows instantly turned gentle and soft.

    A month was neither long nor short, but as the two kept in contact like this, time quickly and quietly slipped by.

 Chapter 512

    Chapter 512: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    On the second day Ji Yi could walk again, she was tempted to walk around the office, but after she woke up, she opened her Weibo out of habit to see a message: ¡°On August 27th, the BL Charity G will be held in Beiyang.¡±

    The BL Charity G... It¡¯s single-handedly hosted by Su Yihan, the famous fashionista. Almost all celebrities will be attending, especially big A-list celebrities, so will Qian Ge be going too?

    As that thought crossed Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she immediately searched Qian Ge¡¯s name and opened her Weibo page.

    Her most recent Weibo post was a repost of the public announcement for the ¡°BL Charity G¡±: ¡°Tonight at 8 PM, see you all at the BL Charity G.¡±

    At first, the BL Charity G was broadcast on Sucheng TV, but as online media grew in the past two years, this year¡¯s BL Charity G was going to be in association with eight online tforms such as Star Entertainment and South Broadcasting to be broadcast live.

    Cameras meant for the satellite TV broadcast of the Charity G were mostly on stage, but the online streaming tform was different. To attract more viewers, they were definitely going to make things entertaining. In other words, every little thing that happened on tonight¡¯s BL Charity G would be broadcast live on every tform to a live audience...

    Ji Yi was still a little sleepy from her night¡¯s rest but when she thought harder about the g, it woke her uppletely.

    Qian Ge¡¯s going... It¡¯s a live broadcast...

    These two phrases repeatedly circled Ji Yi¡¯s mind for some time then she suddenly decided on something and her eyes lit up. As she suddenly bolted up, she found Zhuang Yi¡¯s number and impatiently made a call.

    Zhuang Yi had just gotten up from bed and was brushing her teeth when she got the call. With toothpaste still in her mouth, she mumbled: ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Ji Yi?¡±

    ¡°Do you have an invite to tonight¡¯s BL Charity G?¡± Without bothering to chit-chat, Ji Yi went straight to the point.

    ¡°Yeah I do, but...¡±

    Ji Yi interrupted her: ¡°Get ready. Go to the BL Charity G with me tonight.¡±

    ¡°But, the wound on your leg...¡± Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice sounded a little hesitant.

    Seeing as her ankle had only just gotten better, Ji Yi knew Zhuang Yi was afraid she¡¯d hurt her ankle again if she wore high heels to the g. She didn¡¯t wait for Zhuang Yi to finish and she said, ¡°I¡¯m aware of the situation. Don¡¯t worry. Nothing¡¯s going to happen.¡±

    After a two second pause, Ji Yi continued to say, ¡°Pick me up at four ande with me to buy a dress and get styled.¡±

    Zhuang Yi thought about it for a moment before agreeing. ¡°Alright, see you in the afternoon.¡±

    ¡°See you in the afternoon.¡± After Ji Yi finished speaking, she took off her earphones and was just about to hang up when she suddenly remembered something. ¡°Zhuang Yi!¡± cried Ji Yi quickly into the phone.

    ¡°Was there something else?¡±

    Ji Yi let out a soft ¡°Mhm¡± then after some time, she said, ¡°About me attending the Charity G ¨C help me keep it a secret for now.¡±

    Though Zhuang Yi was confused, she didn¡¯t ask for rification. ¡°Got it.¡±

    When Ji Yi hung up, she was in no hurry to get up. She rested against the headboard with her phone in hand.

    She stared at the TV on the wall in front of her as a slight chill crept into her eyes.

 Chapter 513

    Chapter 513: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    To make sure their evening look was on point, Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi first had a full body SPA treatment then called a professional to do their make-up.

    After their makeup was done and they changed into their dresses, it was already seven. It was about time to leave for Beiyang Hall.

    As Zhuang Yi left to get the car from the underground parking lot of the salon, Ji Yi carefully checked herself all around in the mirror. After confirming that everything looked perfect, she picked up her handbag and leisurely walked out of the beauty salon.

    After standing at the door for half a minute, Zhuang Yi¡¯s car arrived.

    The car stopped steadily. Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t get out to help her open the door, so Ji Yi opened the car door herself. After she got into the car, she realized Zhuang Yi was in the middle of a call.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything and shut the car door.

    Zhuang Yi raised her phone with one hand and maneuvered the steering wheel with the other as she drove out onto the main road.

    They drove for about forty-five minutes as Zhuang Yi lowered the phone from her ear and put it down. As she drove, she said, ¡°I have a good girlfriend who used to be a manager just like me. However, she jumped ship to Su Yihan¡¯spany. She¡¯s the main nner for this BL Charity G, and I just called her to ask for a program for tonight. I just sent it to your phone. Take a look.¡±

    As Zhuang Yi finished speaking, Ji Yi¡¯s phone went off ¨C ¡°Ding dong!¡±

    She gave Zhuang Yi a soft ¡°Mhm¡± then reached for her phone and opened the program Zhuang Yi sent to her.

    Ji Yi skimmed through it once and realized that it was basically the same program from previous years. But then Ji Yi¡¯s brows couldn¡¯t help but gently furrow as her eyes swept across Qian Ge¡¯s name.

    Qian Ge was actually going to sing a duet with Cheng Ke tonight...

    Cheng Ke had been famous for eight years, and he was still a respected elder in showbiz. There was a mind-blowing number of female celebrities who wanted to coborate with him.

    Four years ago, after she made it big, Ji Yi was lucky enough to work with him once, so she was somewhat familiar with him. She knew Cheng Ke was an upstanding person who especially hated people who stirred up trouble.

    Three months ago, when she was shooting ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± she heard rumors that Qian Ge¡¯s new drama series was looking to cast Cheng Ke to boost her poprity.

    After three months had passed, Qian Ge¡¯s new drama hadn¡¯t been finalized, yet she was going to be together with Cheng Ke at the BL Charity G...

    As Zhuang Yi drove, she noticed that Ji Yi didn¡¯t make a peep. She couldn¡¯t resist checking the rear view mirror to nce at Ji Yi. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is there a problem?¡±

    Ji Yi snapped back to reality and shook her head at Zhuang Yi. Then she replied ¡°nothing¡± as her mind wandered again.

    If she remembered correctly, when she and Cheng Ke worked together back then, Qian Ge was also there. She asked for a picture together with Cheng Ke but was tactfully rejected by him. However, Qian Ge secretly took a selfie with Cheng Ke at the dinner table. Though Cheng Ke¡¯s face wasn¡¯t in the picture, his unique arm tattoo could clearly be seen...

    At that thought, Ji Yi hurriedly opened Qian Ge¡¯s Weibo page and started to scroll down.

    She scrolled till her fingers hurt. Atst, Ji Yi found a photo Qian Ge had posted on Weibo.

    Ji Yi took a screenshot, saved it to her phone and put her phone away.

    ...

    People had to first walk down the red carpet to enter the main hall of the BL Charity G.

    At the end of the red carpet were the interview and photo area.

    When Ji Yi got out of the car, the minivan behind them happened to also open their doors. She instinctively nced over to see...

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    Chapter 514: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When Ji Yi got out of the car, the minivan behind them happened to also open its doors. She instinctively nced over to see a graceful, lc silhouette elegantly emerge from the car.

    Even though Ji Yi didn¡¯t catch the face, she could still recognize that it was Qian Ge.

    After Qian Ge found her footing, she sensed someone watching and turned her head in Ji Yi¡¯s direction. Her eyes only vaguely nced over Ji Yi¡¯s face like she and Ji Yi didn¡¯t know each other at all. Then she headed towards the security area by the reporters beyond the red line while revealing a perfectly well-trained smile practiced over the years.

    Qian Ge wore a long, magical dress today and had her long hair in an updo with fine strands of hair falling around her fair neck. Her every expression seemed polished and honest. She looked a lot more majestic and dainty than ever before.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t waste too much energy on Qian Ge as she quickly withdrew her gaze and walked down the red carpet with Zhuang Yi towards the entrance to the BL Charity G.

    Each celebrity who entered had to leave their signature at the signing area in front of the interview and photo area.

    Ji Yi picked up a pen from thedy MC and signed ¡°Ji¡± onto the red board. Qian Ge, who originally stepped onto the red carpet after her, actually caught up to her. She stood next to her and signed her name at the same time.

    Side by side with Qian Ge, Qian Ge¡¯s poprity was far greater than Ji Yi¡¯s. As they stood shoulder-to-shoulder together, practically all the reporters and attention were on Qian Ge.

    In contrast to Qian Ge¡¯s glow, after Ji Yi signed her name, she held her pen and shot a faint smile at the reporters in front of her. Only one or two lights shed over her face.

    Because Ji Yi and Qian Ge finished signing at the same time, the two of them also walked over to the interview area together.

    Just like at the photo area, the eyes of the presenter in charge of the interview immediately lit up when she saw Qian Ge. ¡°Our nation¡¯s first love, Qian Ge, has arrived...¡±

    Qian Ge and the presenter knew each other, so when she heard the presenter, she immediately stered on a bright smile, made her way over and hugged her.

    There were far too many celebrities at the BL Charity G today, so every celebrity had less than five minutes for their interviews. Qian Ge smiled brightly and shared two words then the presenter appropriately suggested, ¡°Please go on in, Qian Ge, and get some rest.¡±

    Qian Ge replied with a slight smile: ¡°Alright.¡±

    After Qian Ge left the interview area, Ji Yi was meant to be introduced next. However, after Qian Ge spoke, she nced behind Ji Yi as though she saw a new fascinating world. Qian Ge cried in excitement: ¡°Wow, our King of the Silver Screen, Shi Yang, is here.¡±

    Ji Yi already blended into the crowd, but with Qian Ge now mentioning the renowned Shi Yang, the presenter¡¯s full attention was naturally drawn towards him, ignoring Ji Yi. ¡°Coming up next to our interview area is Shi Yang, who just received the title of ¡®King of the Silver Screen¡¯st month...¡± the presenter said to Shi Yang after he finished signing.

    Next to the interview area was the entrance to the BL Charity G. Thedy in charge of clearing the door area and maintaining the flow of the red carpet immediately came forward and politely said to Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, the two of you can¡¯t stay here for long. Could you both please go on in?¡±

    Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi couldn¡¯t just leave because they didn¡¯t get introduced, so the two of them first smiled apologetically at thedy MC. They entered the hall one after the other.

 Chapter 514

    Chapter 514: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When Ji Yi got out of the car, the minivan behind them happened to also open its doors. She instinctively nced over to see a graceful, lc silhouette elegantly emerge from the car.

    Even though Ji Yi didn¡¯t catch the face, she could still recognize that it was Qian Ge.

    After Qian Ge found her footing, she sensed someone watching and turned her head in Ji Yi¡¯s direction. Her eyes only vaguely nced over Ji Yi¡¯s face like she and Ji Yi didn¡¯t know each other at all. Then she headed towards the security area by the reporters beyond the red line while revealing a perfectly well-trained smile practiced over the years.

    Qian Ge wore a long, magical dress today and had her long hair in an updo with fine strands of hair falling around her fair neck. Her every expression seemed polished and honest. She looked a lot more majestic and dainty than ever before.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t waste too much energy on Qian Ge as she quickly withdrew her gaze and walked down the red carpet with Zhuang Yi towards the entrance to the BL Charity G.

    Each celebrity who entered had to leave their signature at the signing area in front of the interview and photo area.

    Ji Yi picked up a pen from thedy MC and signed ¡°Ji¡± onto the red board. Qian Ge, who originally stepped onto the red carpet after her, actually caught up to her. She stood next to her and signed her name at the same time.

    Side by side with Qian Ge, Qian Ge¡¯s poprity was far greater than Ji Yi¡¯s. As they stood shoulder-to-shoulder together, practically all the reporters and attention were on Qian Ge.

    In contrast to Qian Ge¡¯s glow, after Ji Yi signed her name, she held her pen and shot a faint smile at the reporters in front of her. Only one or two lights shed over her face.

    Because Ji Yi and Qian Ge finished signing at the same time, the two of them also walked over to the interview area together.

    Just like at the photo area, the eyes of the presenter in charge of the interview immediately lit up when she saw Qian Ge. ¡°Our nation¡¯s first love, Qian Ge, has arrived...¡±

    Qian Ge and the presenter knew each other, so when she heard the presenter, she immediately stered on a bright smile, made her way over and hugged her.

    There were far too many celebrities at the BL Charity G today, so every celebrity had less than five minutes for their interviews. Qian Ge smiled brightly and shared two words then the presenter appropriately suggested, ¡°Please go on in, Qian Ge, and get some rest.¡±

    Qian Ge replied with a slight smile: ¡°Alright.¡±

    After Qian Ge left the interview area, Ji Yi was meant to be introduced next. However, after Qian Ge spoke, she nced behind Ji Yi as though she saw a new fascinating world. Qian Ge cried in excitement: ¡°Wow, our King of the Silver Screen, Shi Yang, is here.¡±

    Ji Yi already blended into the crowd, but with Qian Ge now mentioning the renowned Shi Yang, the presenter¡¯s full attention was naturally drawn towards him, ignoring Ji Yi. ¡°Coming up next to our interview area is Shi Yang, who just received the title of ¡®King of the Silver Screen¡¯st month...¡± the presenter said to Shi Yang after he finished signing.

    Next to the interview area was the entrance to the BL Charity G. Thedy in charge of clearing the door area and maintaining the flow of the red carpet immediately came forward and politely said to Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, the two of you can¡¯t stay here for long. Could you both please go on in?¡±

    Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi couldn¡¯t just leave because they didn¡¯t get introduced, so the two of them first smiled apologetically at thedy MC. They entered the hall one after the other.

 Chapter 515

    Chapter 515: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t stupid since she had worked in showbiz for many years now, nor was Zhuang Yi stupid, as she¡¯d managed quite a few celebrities. Even though both of them maintained their smiles calmly on the red carpet, after entering the hall and taking a seat, Zhuang Yi still couldn¡¯t help but whisper into Ji Yi¡¯s ear: ¡°It¡¯s obvious Qian Ge did this on purpose. She clearly walked on the red carpet after you and she¡¯s more well-known than you are. She started walking down the red carpet slower than you as she had to consider each reporter and let them all take photos of her. But eventually, she ended up in the signing area at the same time as you, obviously to steal your limelight. She didn¡¯t even give you the chance to show your face!¡±

    In contrast with Zhuang Yi¡¯s agitation, Ji Yi looked unaffected, ustomed to all these little tricks long ago after encountering them an infinite number of times. She shifted her train of thought then started to survey the hall.

    ¡°Also, in the interview area, she obviously did that on purpose too. What kind of status does Shi Yang have? For her to take the initiative and mention Shi Yang, why would the presenter and reporters bother with you...¡±

    Zhuang Yi saw Ji Yi looking around, so she followed her gaze. In the end, Qian Ge entered from behind them and happened to enter their field of view.

    Even though Qian Ge couldn¡¯t hear Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice, Zhuang Yi immediately stopped talking.

    Qian Ge also saw Ji Yi. The moment Ji Yi¡¯s gaze fell on her face, she deliberately curled the corners of her lips at Ji Yi, revealing a proud smirk. Qian Ge walked over to the VIP lounge with her manager and assistant.

    After Qian Ge took her seat, Zhuang Yi spoke again. In contrast to before, she sounded even more agitated. ¡°Did you see that smirk? She clearly did it on purpose...¡±

    Ji Yi surveyed all four corners of the room like she hadn¡¯t heard what Zhuang Yi said.

    ¡°Tell me, what kind of person is she?! I used to think she was great, friendly, and humble. Now, I realize that it was all a facade! Facade! Facade!¡±

    Zhuang Yi repeated the word ¡°facade¡± three times, trying hard to repress the mes within her heart. She took a deep breath. She was about to continue to speak when Ji Yi finally found the person she was looking for. ¡°Zhuang Yi, stay here. I need to do something, so I have to step away for a bit,¡± said Ji Yi suddenly.

    As she said this, Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for Zhuang Yi to ask for rification. She got up and walked towards the south-west corner of the hall.

    With no one around, it was quieter over there.

    A man with his back against the busy hall was on the phone.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t walk over and disturb him but quietly waited instead. After seeing him hang up the call and turn to walk to the center of the hall, she quickly cried out with a little uncertainty, ¡°Cheng Ke?¡±

    Cheng Ke came to a stop and looked over at Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi arched her brows and spoke as though she was greeting him after not seeing him for a long time: ¡°It really is you! Haven¡¯t seen you for four years. I almost didn¡¯t recognize you.¡±

    The two of them really hadn¡¯t seen each other for four years. Back then, they happened to work together. Cheng Ke probably forgot about her long ago as he looked a little confused.

    ¡°You don¡¯t remember me? That¡¯s fine. Four years ago, I worked with you once...¡± As Ji Yi said this, she pulled out her phone and opened the screenshot of Qian Ge¡¯s photo on Weibo. Ji Yi brought the photo in front of Cheng Ke¡¯s face. ¡°... Do you remember what happened in this photo? Four years ago, you and I worked on amercial together. Qian Ge was also there and we had dinner there once.¡±

 Chapter 516

    Chapter 516: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (16)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As Ji Yi said this, Cheng Ke finally remembered. ¡°Oh, I remember that did happen. You¡¯re...¡±

    Ji Yi could tell Cheng Ke just couldn¡¯t remember her name, so she finished the sentence for him. ¡°I¡¯m Ji Yi.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Hello, Ji Yi.¡± Cheng Ke politely reached his hand out towards Ji Yi.

    ¡°Hello.¡± Ji Yi shook Cheng Ke¡¯s hand with a smile. When she released her grip, Ji Yi casually said, ¡°You and Qian Ge have been good friends for the past four years now. Four years ago, she posted a photo of you on Weibo and she¡¯s always said she¡¯s wanted to work with you and look! The two of you are now going to get on stage together and do a duet.¡±

    As Ji Yi¡¯s crisp, captivating voice slipped from her lips, she noticed that although Cheng Ke had a smile on his face, there was a cold tinge in his eyes.

    She knew Cheng Ke had been misled by her words.

    He and Qian Ge hadn¡¯t really contacted each other in private, but her vague words naturally made him feel like Qian Ge was using him to be more popr.

    This undoubtedly struck a nerve with him.

    There were some words that would raise suspicion if you said too much.

    Ji Yi knowingly let his misunderstanding stand. ¡°I have something to do over the there, so I¡¯ll be leaving first.¡±

    Cheng Ke nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Ji Yi turned around and pretended to walk away. After taking two steps, she acted like she remembered something and turned her head. ¡°Oh right! Qian Ge and I are good friends. You probably knew that four years ago. If you have timeter, when she and I grab some food, I¡¯ll ask her to invite you too...¡± Ji Yi kindly offered.

    Qian Ge and I are best friends, so when I suggest eating together, I¡¯ll ask Qian Ge to call you.

    By saying this, Ji Yi inadvertently told Cheng Ke that Qian Ge often mentioned him in front of her and Qian Ge told her that they were close.

    People in showbiz weren¡¯t ordinary; especially to get to Cheng Ke¡¯s position, he had to be smart.

    It was just as Ji Yi expected. After Cheng Ke heard what she said, his smile disappeared. All he coldly said was, ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t mind Cheng Ke¡¯s coldness as she said ¡°Goodbye¡± with a sweet smile. She turned around and walked back to Zhuang Yi¡¯s side.

    The BL Charity G started promptly at eight.

    Ji Yi had no business to do tonight, and she didn¡¯t need to show her face on stage, so she wasn¡¯t really interested in what was happening on stage or the awards. All she did was keep her head down and y games on her phone.

    At about twenty past eight, Ji Yi got He Jichen¡¯s WeChat message: ¡°The ne iste. Just arrived in Beijing.¡±

    Three days ago, He Jichen went on a business trip to Taiwan. He was meant to arrive in Beijing today at four in the afternoon, but he had only just arrived now.

    Ji Yi tapped the screen and replied to him with one word as she usually did when she was chatting with Tang Huahua: ¡°Lame.¡±

    After it was sent sessfully, Ji Yi instinctively wanted to take it back, but He Jichen had already seen it. She hurriedly added the ¡°covering theugh with her hand¡± emoji then she sent a few more words: ¡°Quick, get back and rest.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡± He Jichen replied with a single word. After some time, Ji Yi got another message. ¡°What are you doing? ying games with Tang Huahua?¡±

    Ji Yi instinctively tapped a ¡°No¡± on the screen, butter, she remembered what she had to doter, so she deleted her ¡°No¡± and replied with a lie: ¡°Yeah.¡±

 Chapter 517

    Chapter 517: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before the results of her scheming came out, she didn¡¯t want anyone to know her ns.

    If she failed, it¡¯d be a secret of her own.

    If she seeded, it¡¯d be the best thing she could do in return for his sacrifices.

    At that thought, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but tighten her fingers around her phone.

    Man proposes, God disposes. She only wished God would care a little more for her tonight.

    He Jichen must¡¯ve been collecting his baggage, so he didn¡¯t reply to Ji Yi¡¯s message.

    Ji Yi brought herself back from her wandering thoughts and raised her head from her phone screen. She nced at the big stage in front of her and happened to hear the presenter say, ¡°Coming up next on our show is what many people have long been waiting for.¡±

    ¡°However, before the show starts, I first have something I regret to say.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re terribly sorry. Half an hour ago, we just got news that Cheng Ke had no choice but to pull out of tonight¡¯s charity g at thest minute due to personal circumstances.¡±

    ¡°Just before Cheng Ke left, he asked us to offer his sincere apologies. From our understanding, if it hadn¡¯t been an emergency, Cheng Ke wouldn¡¯t have suddenly left.¡±

    As the presenter said this, he pulled the stern, imposing expression on his face then reverted back to his bright smile to present tonight¡¯s show. ¡°Alright, now let¡¯s get back to the show. Please enjoy a song brought to you by Qian Ge.¡±

    As the presenter¡¯s voice dropped, he made a hand gesture to ¡°wee¡± her on the stage.

    The lights on the stage were instantly turned off.

    After about a minuteter, the lights lit up. Qian Ge raised her mic and stood at the center of the stage.

    The instant the music started to y, Ji Yi withdrew her gaze from the stage and quietly nced down at her phone screen.

    Zhuang Yi turned her head, edged closer to Ji Yi¡¯s ear, and whispered, ¡°How could Cheng Ke suddenly leave? It was a show booked in advance; it¡¯s all been paid already. He has to pay apensation fee for dropping out. He couldn¡¯t really have had an emergency as they said in their official announcement, right?¡±

    Ji Yi knew deep down that Cheng Ke only left at thest minute because of what she said before the charity g started.

    But they were surrounded entirely by other people. Even if they spoke quietly, it didn¡¯t mean nobody would hear them, so Ji Yi pretended to not know and shook her heard at Zhuang Yi. ¡°Not sure.¡±

    ¡°Who cares. All in all, it was a good thing. You know Qian Ge always wanted to piggyback off of Cheng Ke¡¯s poprity, secure promos with him and boost her public character. At first, I was worried that if investors saw the two on stage together tonight, Qian Ge would get offer after offer and have money thrown at her. I never imagined that something like this woulde up in thest minute. To think how she screwed us over on the red carpet... this is awesome!¡±

    Ji Yi smiled at how Zhuang Yi was clearly trying to suppress her words. She lowered her head and looked over at her vibrating phone ¨C it was a message from He Jichen.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already left the airport and got a call from Han Zhifan. There¡¯s an important meeting at the Golden Lounge, so I probably have to rush over.¡±

    When Ji Yi saw the three words ¡°Han Zhifan,¡± she thought back to what Cheng Weiwan told her a few days ago.

    Ji Yi suddenly typed a single line on the screen and sent it to He Jichen. ¡°Wanwan gave into Han Zhifan¡¯s pursuit. Did you know?¡±

 Chapter 518

    Chapter 518: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I heard Chen Bai mention it.¡±

    ¡°I hope Wanwan is happy, but I imagine she¡¯d be happy for sure. Han Zhifan treats her really well. Last time when that incident happened, I don¡¯t even dare think about what would¡¯ve happened to Wanwan if it weren¡¯t for Han Zhifan...¡±

    ...

    Ji Yi spent the next part of the BL Charity G chatting to He Jichen.

    At half past nine, the celebrity performances finished. The next part was the banquet.

    Many live broadcasting stations signed an agreement with the BL Charity G to also film live interviews with some celebrities during the banquet.

    Since Ji Yi had been at the BL Charity G since morning, she had been waiting all day for this very moment.

    Even though Ji Yi had no part in the BL Charity G, she was going to perform a thrilling show on this shy, star-packed evening!

    The banquet was held in the second-floor dining room of the Beiyang Hall.

    Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi first went to the restroom to retouch their make up and took the opportunity topose themselves before calmly heading over to the second floor.

    Aside from the few celebrities who had already left the charity g to rush to their next jobs, other celebrities were making their way to the dining hall.

    Staff members from different stations headed to their respective ces to broadcast their live coverage of the g.

    Ji Yi, who hadn¡¯t eaten much all evening, was a little hungry. She entered the dining hall and headed straight for the food area.

    After filling up on a few of her favorite foods, Ji Yi wiped her hands and the corners of her lips with a napkin. Then she pulled out her mirror and reapplied her lipstick. Once she was certain she was in a good frame of mind, she turned her head and scanned the area, looking for Qian Ge.

    After no more than ten seconds, Ji Yi found Qian Ge.

    Ji Yi had to admit that Qian Ge was really smart. She knew every major broadcasting station would be covering the event tonight, so to get better exposure, she selected the most eye-catching table. It didn¡¯t matter where reporters from every major station were in the dining hall ¨C she was always in the perfect shot.

    Ji Yi knew Qian Ge¡¯s underlings well; after tonight, she was afraid that the headline ¡°The most beautiful woman on the ck screen, Qian Ge¡± was going to probably be stered all over every media outlet.

    If it were any other day, Ji Yi would more or less feel annoyed andment over Qian Ge¡¯s schemes, but today, she was a little d.

    She wasn¡¯t afraid of Qian Ge getting exposure; she was afraid there wasn¡¯t enough of it.

    At that thought, Ji Yi curled her lips into a sweet smile and said to Zhuang Yi, ¡°I¡¯m going over there for a moment.¡± Without waiting for Zhuang Yi to finish eating, she grabbed her handbag and got up. She picked up a light pink cocktail from the waiter tray beside her and headed over to Qian Ge.

    There were three female celebrities around Qian Ge. After Ji Yi walked up to them, she pretended to really admire Qian Ge and said with a bright smile, ¡°Qian Jie, I really like you! Can I get a pic with you?¡±

    With other female celebrities by her side and so many cameras around, Qian Ge had to protect her image, even if she knew Ji Yi was lying. There was no way she couldn¡¯t put up a warm and generous front. ¡°Sure!¡± she said with a nod.

    ¡°Thank you Qian Jie,¡± thanked Ji Yi sweetly as she walked over to Qian Ge¡¯s side and grabbed the phone.

    After she fixed the camera, Ji Yi tilted her head, lunged over and kissed Qian Ge by her ear.

 Chapter 519

    Chapter 519: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Her eyes nced over the screen, pretending to check out the expressions in their photo. She opened her lips slightly and gently whispered into Qian Ge¡¯s ear, ¡°Do you know why Cheng Ke pulled out of the BL Charity G tonight at thest minute?¡±

    As Ji Yi¡¯s voice dropped, she clearly saw Qian Ge¡¯s expression freeze on her phone screen.

    But after all, Qian Ge had worked in showbiz for many years now; the stiffness in her expression onlysted a split-second before she softly arched her eyes.

    Ji Yi pressed the camera button and raised the phone to eye-level, pretending to take a picture, but in actuality, she opened the photo of Qian Ge from four years ago. Then she brought it in front of Qian Ge. After she took a good look at it, Ji Yi said, ¡°Qian Jie, this one¡¯s really good, isn¡¯t it? Let¡¯s take two more?¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she pulled the camera app in front of her and Qian Ge again.

    Just like before, she acted as though she really liked Qian Ge. She leaned into her hair for a kiss and spoke at a volume only the two of them could hear. ¡°It was because I took this photo and showed it to Cheng Ke. I told him you and I were great friends, so the next time we went out, you were going to invite him toe too.¡±

    Ji Yi knew Qian Ge far too well and she could clearly tell that Qian Ge knew what she meant from her furrowed brows.

    ¡°So, Cheng Ke thought you were trying to use him to be popr, so he left at thest minute...¡± exined Ji Yi as she tapped the camera button a few more times then moved away from Qian Ge¡¯s ear.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t give Qian Ge any chance to react and said, ¡°Qian Jie, I took the photo. Have a look and see which ones you don¡¯t like ¨C I¡¯ll delete them.¡±

    Ji Yi knew Qian Ge¡¯s heart was unbelievably stifled right now. Ji Yi also knew Qian Ge was just itching to free herself from her and find an isted area to vent her anger.

    But I can¡¯t give her that opportunity because I have a showing up since my chest is on fire!

    With that thought, Ji Yi brought the phone up to Qian Ge¡¯s face, pulled up the photos, and pretended to examine the photos with her. In actuality, she kept taunting Qian Ge, ¡°...I heard you¡¯ve always wanted to work with Cheng Ke, but now, I think you¡¯ve got no chance...¡±

    Ji Yi was so close to Qian Ge, so she clearly felt Qian Ge¡¯s body tighten up.

    The moment the word ¡°No...¡± left Qian Ge¡¯s lips, Ji Yi immediately cut in, ¡°Wow! Qian Jie, you¡¯re really pretty in this photo!¡±

    All Qian Ge could do was confront Ji Yi¡¯spliment with a smile. Backing up, Qian Ge excused herself: ¡°Excuse me, I have to go to the restroom.¡±

    Ji Yi took the opportunity and said a few quick words to Qian Ge: ¡°Ah right, there¡¯s something I forgot to tell you. You don¡¯t know just how cold the expression on Cheng Ke¡¯s face was after what I told him. Whenever Cheng Ke sees your name, I bet he¡¯s going to definitely move as far as possible for you!¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi tilted her head and raised her ss at Qian Ge. ¡°Qian Jie, thank you for taking a photo with me. I hope we get the chance to work together again like we did for Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± Ji Yi said with a radiant smile.

 Chapter 520

    Chapter 520: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    If it was any other day, Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t be willing to clink sses with Ji Yi, let alone do that now. When Ji Yi asked her for a selfie, she said so many things to let her know how she single-handedly crushed her dreams of getting the chance to work with Cheng Ke.

    But at that very moment, their every move was being broadcasted live on air, so no matter how angry she was deep down, she had to clink sses with Ji Yi.

    Qian Ge expended a lot of energy to raise her ss to Ji Yi. She forced herself to smile as she pondered how to politely reply to Ji Yi. However, she only managed to speak the first word from her intended sentence ¡°I hope so too¡± before Ji Yi lost control of her ss, resulting in her cocktail flying out of her hands and sshing Qian Ge¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Sorry Qian Jie, I didn¡¯t mean to! I really didn¡¯t mean to.¡± Qian Ge was in shock from the cocktail spilling over her. Ji Yi¡¯s mouth gaped open with a shocked expression on her face.

    Ji Yi¡¯s voice was a little high, causing quite a few people around them to peer over. Even the live cameras sensed themotion and moved in closer to them.

    ¡°Qian Jie, sorry, I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Ji Yi deliberately pretended to look like a child who had misbehaved, bowing apologetically to Qian Ge.

    The cocktail quickly seeped into her thin gown, drenching her undergarments. That was when Qian Ge realized what had just happened.

    ¡°Qian Jie, your dress. I¡¯ll pay you back. I¡¯m sorry, I really didn¡¯t mean it...¡± Ji Yi bowed a few more times. Then, like she suddenly realized something, Ji Yi put her tall ss on the table, grabbed the napkin, and started to wipe Qian Ge¡¯s chest.

    Ji Yi reached her hand out, alerting Qian Ge to instinctively nce at Ji Yi.

    When Ji Yi met Qian Ge¡¯s gaze, she hurriedly lowered her head. Once she was sure the cameras weren¡¯t on her, she slowly curved her lips and shot Qian Ge a smirk.

    Taking in the smirk on Ji Yi¡¯s face, Qian Ge instantly understood. Ji Yi deliberately spilled the cocktail on her.

    She only did that to stir upmotion and grab the live broadcasters¡¯ attention.

    With that incident, Ji Yi could use Qian Ge¡¯s poprity to gain attention from the masses again.

    Having clearly seen through Ji Yi¡¯s intentions, her eyes instantly turned cold.

    You want to use my poprity to make it big? In your dreams!

    With that thought, Qian Ge immediately said, ¡°No that¡¯s okay, I can do it myself.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Qian Jie. It¡¯s my fault, let me,¡± said Ji Yi as she wiped Qian Ge¡¯s chest as humbly as possible.

    She was afraid there¡¯d be over a billion people watching the live broadcast.

    As Qian Ge had always been petty, she was afraid that from the moment Ji Yi identally spilled the alcohol, other people would think she was forcing Ji Yi to wipe the dress... With that thought, Qian Ge reached out and pushed Ji Yi¡¯s hand away...

    Qian Ge really only wanted to push Ji Yi¡¯s hand away and leave to fix the situation with her dress.

    She really didn¡¯t think she used too much force, but when her hand touched Ji Yi¡¯s hand, moving it away from her body, Ji Yi suddenly fell to the floor somehow...

 Chapter 521

    Chapter 521: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge waspletely confused until she heard Ji Yi gently shriek, ¡°ah!¡± Qian Ge turned her head to nce at the source of the noise. Her eyes stared at the feet right in front of her then she turned to see Ji Yi¡¯s innocent, pitiful face spread out at her feet.

    Qian Ge froze on the spot, and after three whole seconds, she lowered her head and looked over at her hand.

    She stared at her palms repeatedly for a while and that was when the thought crossed her mind: I clearly didn¡¯t use that much strength just now... How did Ji Yi fall to the ground?¡¯

    When Zhuang Yi went to get some sushi, she happened to hear someone whisper, ¡°Qian Ge got into an argument with someone,¡± so she curiously nced over to where Qian Ge was standing.

    Even though half of Ji Yi¡¯s body was blocked from view by someone, Zhuang Yi could tell from the corner of her dress that the woman standing in front of Qian Ge with her arched body was Ji Yi. Without hesitation, she dropped the te and rushed over to where Qian Ge and Ji Yi were standing.

    Since Ji Yi identally spilled a cocktail over Qian Ge¡¯s body and was apologizing profusely, the situation between the two of them already caused quite a few people to peer over.

    Zhuang Yi apologized a few times consecutively before she managed to push her way through the wall of people. She was just about to say ¡°Excuse me¡± to the man in front of her when she heard Ji Yi scream. She raised her head and looked over the man¡¯s shoulder to see Ji Yi spread out across the floor.

    ¡°Xiao Yi!¡± Zhuang Yi screamed Ji Yi¡¯s name reflexively. She wanted to say something to the people blocking her path, but the words immediately disappeared from her throat. She pushed the man in front out of the way, leaped over to Ji Yi¡¯s side and crouched down. ¡°Xiao Yi, what happened? Are you hurt?¡±

    Ji Yi covered her ankle and pretended to look pitiful. She shook her head at Zhuang Yi.

    Seeing her like this, Zhuang Yi suddenly got angry. She raised her head and without thinking twice, she spoke to Qian Ge who was standing in front of them, ¡°Miss Qian, how could you push someone!¡±

    From the moment Ji Yi fell down until now, Qian Ge had remained in a daze. With Zhuang Yi¡¯s question, she suddenly seemed to snap back to reality.

    Qian Ge gaped, instinctively defending herself, ¡°I...¡±

    She wanted to say, ¡°I didn¡¯t push her,¡± but she only managed to blurt out the first word when Ji Yi weakly cried from the floor, ¡°Zhuang Yi, I was wrong... I identally spilled a cocktail over Qian Ge. It makes sense for her to be unhappy.¡±

    It makes sense for me to be unhappy... She¡¯s basically turning things around and saying I really did push her just now?

    Qian Ge¡¯s chest suddenly started to burn up.

    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®It makes sense for her to be unhappy¡¯?!¡± Zhuang Yi retorted in a stern voice: ¡°You didn¡¯t spill your drink on purpose. Miss Qian, as Ji Yi¡¯s manager, I think you have to apologize to Ji Yi right no-...¡±

    ¡°Zhuang Yi!¡± Ji Yi forcefully reached her hand out and covered Zhuang Yi¡¯s mouth. Then, she acted as though she was trying to cover up Zhuang Yi¡¯s words as she spoke with agitation, ¡°Zhuang Yi, you don¡¯t have to say anything. It really was my fault...¡±

    As she spoke, Ji Yi turned her head and looked over at Qian Ge. ¡°Qian Jie, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m really sorry. My manager has a bad temper. Don¡¯t take it at heart!¡±

 Chapter 522

    Chapter 522: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    All of a sudden, Qian Ge felt the fire in her chest burn even more fiercely.

    Seeing just how weak and helpless Ji Yi was, the fire in Zhuang Yi¡¯s heart grew as she ripped off the hand covering her mouth. ¡°Xiao Yi, what¡¯re you afraid of? She¡¯s the one in the wrong...¡±

    ¡°Zhuang Yi, I beg you ¨C don¡¯t say anything. Stop!¡± Ji Yi hurriedly interrupted. She stealthily stabbed her own thigh and used the searing pain to force out some tears. Then she pretended as though she was afraid Zhuang Yi would get on Qian Ge¡¯s bad side if she continued speaking. She turned towards Qian Ge and said, ¡°...Qian Ge, sorry, sorry...¡±

    Then she acted as though all she wanted to do was immediately patch things up. She said to Zhuang Yi, ¡°Zhuang Yi, let this go. What¡¯s more, I trust Qian Jie didn¡¯t do it on purpose. She probably never realized she used so much force and slipped up...¡±

    Slipped up?

    She¡¯s obviously telling everyone I just forcefully pushed her?

    She ruined my dreams of getting on stage with Cheng Ke and now she¡¯s defiling me like this?

    Since Ji Yi first appeared by Qian Ge¡¯s side and told her what she said to Cheng Ke, Qian Ge had been forcing herself to suppress the fire in her heart. When she heard what Ji Yi said right then, all of sudden her stern voice broke out, ¡°Bullsh*t!¡±

    Ji Yi waited a long time for Qian Ge to lose it. As soon as she heard Qian Ge swear, her whole body flinched like she was unbelievably afraid and she hid behind Zhuang Yi while she secretly stabbed her own thigh with all her strength.

    The pain made the corners of her eyes burn and tears burst out. Ji Yi¡¯s lip quivered as she pretended to be in pain and she said weakly, ¡°Qian Jie, don¡¯t be mad. I was wrong. I spoke out of turn...¡±

    The more delicate and feeble Ji Yi looked, the more Qian Ge¡¯s fury grew in her heart. She even raised her voice as she said, ¡°Quit acting! Do you think I really can¡¯t tell that you¡¯re pretending to look this pathetic?!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s body trembled fiercely and she acted so scared that she didn¡¯t dare say anything. All she could do was tightly grab onto Zhuang Yi¡¯s arm with tears flowing down her face.

    How could Zhuang Yi just watch as Qian Ge scolded Ji Yi? What¡¯s more, there were so many live cameras on them. As a professional manager, she had to protect her artist at all times. There were some words Ji Yi couldn¡¯t say, but as Ji Yi¡¯s manager, Zhuang Yi had the ability to stand up before everyone and say them. With that thought, Zhuang Yi said, ¡°Miss Qian, do you feel a certain way about Ji Yi so you¡¯re deliberately making things difficult for her?¡±

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be the one to ask you guys? Are you both working together to make things hard for me?¡± Although Qian Ge¡¯s question sounded rhetorical, with Ji Yi sprawled across the floor, she sounded unusually bossy.

    ¡°Miss Qian, let¡¯s not talk about anything else. Let¡¯s just talk about tonight alone! When you arrived at the charity g tonight, you were behind Ji Yi, but then you rushed ahead to be interviewed. After that was over, you mentioned the King of TV, Shi Yang, ruining Ji Yi¡¯s chance of being interviewed let alone show her face at all! Then she was ushered right into the hall...¡± Even if there was anything else, Zhuang Yi wasn¡¯t going to bring it up because there was no evidence. On any other night if she kept talking, she might end up worse off, but tonight, the red carpet walk was televised. As long as someone rewatched it, they could easily confirm what she said.

 Chapter 523

    Chapter 523: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (23)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge probably never imagined that Zhuang Yi would suddenly bring up what happened on the red carpet. She waspletely stunned for two seconds before she said, ¡°That¡¯s bull! Why would I need to pick on her? Since when did she even qualify to be worth picking on? She and I could...¡±

    Before Qian Ge could finish, her manager found out what was happening and hurriedly rushed over to lecture her to stop. ¡°Qian Ge!¡±

    As Qian Ge¡¯s manager¡¯s voice dropped, she was already at Qian Ge¡¯s side. She reached out, pulled on Qian Ge¡¯s arm, and shot an apologetic smile at everyone around her. Then Qian Ge bolted out of the dining hall.

    On the way out, she happened to brush by a reporter for a live broadcasting station who stopped Qian Ge. ¡°Excuse me, Miss Qian Ge, may I ask if what Ji Yi¡¯s manager just said was true? When you walked down the red carpet, did you really stop Miss Ji Yi from getting any press coverage?¡±

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t have time to react as her manager spoke first. ¡°Excuse me, but we¡¯re not epting interviews at this moment. Thank you.¡±

    With that, Qian Ge¡¯s manager walked right around the reporter. She continued to hold Qian Ge back from reporter questions as she left the dining hall.

    Qian Ge left the set, so Ji Yi¡¯s scene shoulde to an end.

    The expression on her face was still panicked and helpless when Zhuang Yi lifted her up from the floor.

    She knew that after Qian Ge left, all the stations would now focus on the other main character. Ji Yi raised her leg and deliberately pretended as though she sprained her ankle. Her leg went limp as she let out a painful yelp that she couldn¡¯t hold back.

    ¡°Did you sprain your ankle again?¡± Zhuang Yi hurriedly supported Ji Yi by the arm to prevent her from falling over.

    Ji Yi shook her head and replied softly, ¡°No.¡±

    Her ankle was injured, so she naturally couldn¡¯t stay any longer. Ji Yi pretended the pain had passed as she waited on the spot for a while. With Zhuang Yi¡¯s assistance, she carefully limped out of the dining hall and left the g early.

    There was only Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi in the elevator to the underground parking lot.

    When the elevator doors closed, Ji Yi pulled her arm back from Zhuang Yi then sluggishly leaned against the elevator wall.

    Seeing Ji Yi like that, Zhuang Yi suddenly froze. After about five seconds, she instantly realized... ¡°So...¡±

    Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice was a little high. Even though they were in an elevator and nobody else could hear them, she lowered her voice a little: ¡°... you didn¡¯t actually sprain your ankle?¡±

    Ji Yi curved her lips into a smile at Zhuang Yi and nodded then she pulled out her phone. She clicked into a live stream of the g.

    Even though some time had passed since that incident between her and Qian Ge, thement section was still talking about the whole incident.

    ¡°Geez, what kind of ¡®Nation¡¯s First Love¡¯ was this?! She¡¯s practically an evil empress!¡±

    ¡°Empress? So young? She¡¯s obviously the empress dowager!¡±

    ¡°I never imagined that Qian Ge was such a bossy and domineering person. I feel so sorry for the new girl. She apologized so humbly, yet Qian Ge was so unforgiving!¡±

    ¡°The new girl sprained her ankle ¨C poor thing!¡±

 Chapter 524

    Chapter 524: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (24)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Whatever! After this, I¡¯m supporting the new artist too! I just followed her Weibo. Her name is Ji Yi. It¡¯s Xiao Yi.¡±

    ¡°I just watched the coverage again. When they walked down the red carpet, Qian Ge really did pull one over on Ji Yi. After the interview, she deliberately mentioned my dream guy, Shi Yang. My poor dream guy, he was used as a tool...¡±

    ¡°Qian Ge, that scheming b*tch! She actually used my dream guy Shi Yang!¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Zhuang Yi looked at Ji Yi watching the coverage and suddenly understood her intentions. She hurriedly pulled her own phone out and opened Weibo.

    With all the stars gathered at the BL Charity G, the incident was bound to be tonight¡¯s hottest topic.

    Due to Qian Ge¡¯s poprity and after what happened to Qian Ge and Ji Yi during the live broadcast, the incident appeared on the top searches board soon enough.

    ¡°Empress Chunyi and Princess Qing Yang Live PK.¡±

    ¡°Qian Ge Puts Down New Artist, Ji Yi.¡±

    ¡°The ¡®Nation¡¯s First Love¡¯ Qian Ge is a Scheming B*tch.¡±

    As Zhuang Yi went through the list, she spoke to Ji Yi standing next to her: ¡°Three threads about the incident between you and Qian Ge already made it to the top searches and one of the topics entered the top ten. ording to current trends, those three threads are going to make it to the top three.¡±

    Zhuang Yi swiped her screen, scanned some Weibo messages, and said, ¡°Everyone on Weibo is dissing Qian Ge! Especially Shi Yang fans ¨C theirments are the fiercest, saying she used Shi Yang like a tool!¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she nced at Zhuang Yi. ¡°What a coincidence. The live anchors are also all criticizing her too.¡±

    ¡°Serves her right!¡± replied Zhuang Yi, who was happy to see Qian Ge in trouble. Then she continued to stare at her phone for a while like something was on her mind. She turned her head and spoke to Ji Yi: ¡°Xiao Yi, you didn¡¯t go to the BL Charity G because you wanted a chance to get some publicity, did you? You came for Qian Ge, right?¡±

    Ji Yi briefly nced at how the anchor criticized Qian Ge then she sluggishly replied to Zhuang Yi with an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Zhuang Yi was smart. When she heard Ji Yi¡¯s reply, she immediately understood everything. However, she stared into Ji Yi¡¯s eyes, full of surprise and admiration.

    A month ago, when Ji Yi was recording the variety show and got into that ident which ruined everything, she didn¡¯t say anything but thought Ji Yi was more or less useless.

    At the time, she thought He Jichen only offered her a high sry to be Ji Yi¡¯s manager because Ji Yi was overly ipetent.

    It wasn¡¯t until today that she realized she was wrong. Not only was Ji Yi not useless ¨C she could actually outsmart others.

    How could such a person make such a simple mistake during the recording for the variety show?

    With that thought, Zhuang Yi spoke as though she suddenly understood something, ¡°Last time during our variety show recording, did you trip because someone set you up?¡±

    Regarding that incident, Ji Yi had no conclusive evidence so she only told He Jichen her suspicions. After hearing Zhuang Yi¡¯s guess, Ji Yi was a little surprised deep down. But she remembered what Zhuang Yi said when she pretended to be hurt; she knew Zhuang Yi was truly on her side. With no option to continue keeping her suspicions from Zhuang Yi, Ji Yi nodded right away and said, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Ji Yi thought about exining what happened that day to Zhuang Yi in detail, but before she could, the elevator reached the underground car park.

 Chapter 525

    Chapter 525: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Every person at Beiyang Hall tonight was practically all in showbiz. Ji Yi was afraid there were others outside, so she hurriedly swallowed what she was going to say and spoke with an indifferent tone of voice: ¡°If we have time when we get back, I¡¯ll tell you more about it.¡±

    Zhuang Yi nodded gently then reached out to support Ji Yi¡¯s arm.

    Even though Ji Yi didn¡¯t sprain her ankle, the scene unfolded under an audience¡¯s watchful eyes. Even if there were no cameras around, they had to continue acting!

    When the elevator doors opened, Ji Yi limped just like she did at the g. She limped over to the side of the minivan with Zhuang Yi¡¯s support.

    Zhuang Yi was just about to open the car door when the phone in Ji Yi¡¯s hand rang.

    Ji Yi nced down to see that it was He Jichen calling.

    He couldn¡¯t have already caught wind of what happened between me and Qian Ge tonight at the BL Charity G, right?

    As she thought about it, Ji Yi swiped the screen and took He Jichen¡¯s call. ¡°Hello?¡±

    The caller was silent.

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and said, ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    She was met once again by a wall of silence.

    It can¡¯t be a pocket dial, right?

    ¡°He Jichen?¡± Ji Yi called He Jichen¡¯s name again. Deep down, she figured that if the person on the other side of the call still didn¡¯t reply, she would hang up...

    But before that could happen, a honk came from the other end.

    At the same time, she heard a honk alsoing from behind her.

    Over the two honks, Ji Yi could hear He Jichen¡¯s voiceing from her phone. ¡°I¡¯m behind you.¡±

    Ji Yi was so shocked by He Jichen¡¯s three words that her fingers trembled and she almost dropped her phone.

    Before she could react and register what those three words meant, she heard the sound of a car from behind her. With a stunned expression on her face, Zhuang Yi, who was standing beside her, said, ¡°Mr. He?¡±

    Ji Yi turned her head and saw He Jichen in just a white shirt. He was walking closer to her with his pair of long legs, one step at a time.

    Wasn¡¯t He Jichen with Han Zhifan at the Golden Lounge on business? Why¡¯s he showing up here now?

    Ji Yi was a little confused.

    Ji Yi only came back to her senses when He Jichen stopped about half a meter from her. ¡°Why... did youe here?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything. He crouched down straight away and lifted Ji Yi¡¯s skirt.

    Ji Yi¡¯s entire body froze at his sudden, unexpected move. Her legs instinctively retreated a little, but He Jichen grabbed her calf. That was when Ji Yi realized that He Jichen was checking her leg, so she blurted out, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    He Jichen seemed to have not heard Ji Yi at all as he checked Ji Yi¡¯s left leg then her right leg.

    ¡°I¡¯m really fine,¡± repeated Ji Yi.

    He Jichen still ignored her. He didn¡¯t get up until he checked to see for himself that she was fine. Then he pulled out his phone and made a call.

    After a few seconds, the call was picked up and He Jichen spoke with deep, low voice. ¡°Doctor Xia? You don¡¯t have toe. Mhm, it¡¯s nothing major. Mhm, sorry...¡±

 Chapter 526

    Chapter 526: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (26)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After hanging up, He Jichen threw his phone into his pocket and turned to look at Zhuang Yi.

    Having met He Jichen¡¯s gaze, Zhuang Yi was stunned for a moment before she quickly realized what He Jichen wanted. She quickly and discreetly said, ¡°I suddenly remembered I have something to do. Mr. He, if you aren¡¯t doing anythingter, can I please trouble you to take Ji Yi back home?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but nodded his head slightly.

    Seeing as He Jichen agreed, Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t even bother to ask Ji Yi for her thoughts and handed Ji Yi¡¯s arm over to He Jichen to support her.

    After He Jichen reached his arm out, he held onto Ji Yi¡¯s arm while Zhuang Yi quickly released hers. She then took a step back and said, ¡°Mr. He, Ji Yi, goodbye,¡± then she quickly got into the car and left.

    While Zhuang Yi drove the minivan out and disappeared out of sight, He Jichen supported Ji Yi and they headed back to his car.

    When He Jichen started up the car, he turned to nce at Ji Yi in the front passenger seat.

    Maybe it was because Ji Yi finally got Qian Ge back for that incident a month ago, but her mood was incredibly good. She didn¡¯t really want to go home, so she tilted her head and thought about it for a while. Just as the car was about to reach the exit of the parking lot, she asked, ¡°He Jichen, do you have anything to doter?¡±

    He Jichen stopped the car and first paid the parking fee. While he waited for the attendant to give him his change, he turned to nce at Ji Yi. He didn¡¯t say anything but gently shook his head.

    Ji Yi was used to He Jichen not saying much. Seeing He Jichen shake his head, she suggested, ¡°Then, can you drive me around Beijing and check out the night view?¡±

    He Jichen blinked in silent agreement. He picked up his change and stepped on the gas again.

    After the car drove onto the main road, Ji Yi realized that a raincloud had just passed over Beijing when she saw puddle after puddle up on the road ahead.

    She rolled the windows down and weed the cool breeze after the rain as her mood became even more rxed.

    Ji Yi leaned against the window and stared at the night view in reverse, unable to restrain herself from thinking back to what happened at the BL Charity G.

    As she remembered how people shouted at Qian Ge, she couldn¡¯t help but curl her lips upwards. Just as she had sent He Jichen a WeChat message whenever anything happened to her the past month, she turned to let it all out to He Jichen, who was concentrating on driving. ¡°He Jichen, did you know we yed Qian Ge tonight so bad!¡±

    When he heard Ji Yi¡¯s voice, He Jichen shot her a nce. When he noted her smile, the corners of his lips pursed for a moment, but soon enough, his eyes were back on the road ahead.

    On a normal day, whenever Ji Yiined about anything, He Jichen never interrupted her, so she didn¡¯t sense anything was wrong and she continued happily. ¡°She definitely feels like crap right now with so many people online angry at her...¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi pulled her phone out and opened Weibo. ¡°...Zhuang Yi was right! Threads about her are really rising up on the trending topics board. Now the ¡®Nation¡¯s First Love is a scheming b*tch¡¯ topic is already on the list of the top-three most-searched threads!¡±

    He Jichen discreetly tightened his fingers around the steering wheel.

 Chapter 527

    Chapter 527: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (27)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen discreetly tightened his fingers around the steering wheel.

    He didn¡¯t reply to Ji Yi. His gaze straight ahead became a little colder.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t really pay much attention to He Jichen. As she browsed through everyone¡¯s hatefulments about Qian Ge on Weibo, she had a sense of joy that she just couldn¡¯t hide. ¡°With the image of a gentle, elegant, and well-mannered Qian Ge in everyone¡¯s hearts now destroyed, I¡¯m afraid her whole team will probably have a terrible night¡¯s sleep tonight, huh?¡± she continued to say.

    As Ji Yi¡¯s voice fell, she saw a public telephone booth by the road through the windshield. All of a sudden, her mind shed back to when Qian Ge called her to show off and taunt herst month when she came home with a sprained ankle. ¡°Stop the car!¡± she cried abruptly.

    She said this so suddenly that He Jichen couldn¡¯t react in time to slow down the car.

    Ji Yi reached her hand out and grabbed his arm as she cried with a lot more impatience than before. ¡°He Jichen, stop the car, stop the car!¡±

    He Jichen hit the emergency brakes.

    Ji Yi¡¯s body jolted forward for a moment and after the car came to a halt, she immediately unbuckled her seatbelt and hurriedly got out of the car.

    She was in such a hurry that she didn¡¯t have time to close the car door as she ran over to the phone booth. After just two steps, she realized that she didn¡¯t have any change on her and she headed back. ¡°He Jichen, do you have any coins?¡±

    Even though He Jichen didn¡¯t understand what Ji Yi wanted to do, he still gave Ji Yi some spare change lying around in the car.

    Ji Yi took the coins without saying a word then ran over to the phone booth.

    He Jichen sat in the car and stared out the window for a while and watched as Ji Yi made a call in the booth. Eventually, he switched the engine off, unbuckled his seatbelt and walked over to her.

    ...

    Ji Yi pulled up Qian Ge¡¯s private phone number in her phone and used the phone to make the call.

    It was just as Ji Yi predicted earlier in the car ¨C Qian Ge¡¯s team really was a mess. The phone rang non-stop, so Ji Yi figured her phone line was probably tied up with calls from reporters. When Qian Ge finally picked up, she didn¡¯t even ask who was calling but immediately cried, ¡°Sorry, I said I¡¯m not taking any interviews!¡±

    Ji Yi waited patiently for Qian Ge to finish speaking then she used the same tone Qian Ge used when she called her way back. Seeing as she hadn¡¯t hung up the phone yet, Ji Yi took the opportunity to say, ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±

    Those two simple words instantly silenced Qian Ge on the other side of the phone.

    Ji Yi knew Qian Ge recognized her voice. She also knew Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t hang up, so seeing that Qian Ge didn¡¯t say anything and she wasn¡¯t in a hurry, she calmly held the phone and waited.

    After about two minutes, Qian Ge¡¯s voice came out with a more impatient and colder tone of voice than before. ¡°Why are you calling?¡±

    ¡°Ah, no reason... I heard you¡¯re being dissed pretty badly online, so I thought I¡¯d call to see if you were alright?¡± Ji Yi sluggishly leaned against the side of the phone booth and copied Qian Ge¡¯s tone of voice from back then. ¡°I heard Shi Yang was also hit because he was dragged into this by you. His fans really don¡¯t like you right now,¡± she continued to say with a slightly pitying tone.

 Chapter 528

    Chapter 528: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (28)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°It¡¯s so bad that someone even questioned whether Shi Yang worked with you to put down the new artist. This situation also reflects badly on his image too. Who knows if Shi Yang will distance himself from you after working so closely with you?¡±

    With that, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but let out a ¡°tsk tsk tsk¡± then she repeated everything Qian Ge told her in the past back to her: ¡°Qian Ge, I took it as though you were really skilled four years ago, but it looks like you aren¡¯t much at all... After working hard for so long, you not only lost the rare chance of being on stage with Cheng Ke, you even offended Shi Yang. Scratch that ¨C you even ruined your image with a new artist. Say... what¡¯s this called? Suffering double the loss after trying to trick the enemy? But your losses are too great...¡±

    ¡°No no no, there¡¯s more. After tonight¡¯s situation between us, I was able to get in the headlines after lying low from that injury on set. Speaking of which, I have to thank you. Without you, I wouldn¡¯t have known when I¡¯d get a chance to get some public exposure!¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, that¡¯s enough! Shut up!¡± Qian Ge sounded so triggered by Ji Yi that her voice was a little shaky.

    ¡°Shut up? If I shut up, how would you know how much you lost tonight? Qian Ge, let me tell you. When you used your information about me to mercilessly make me enter hell three years ago, did you not think that one day I, Ji Yi, could also do the same? Tonight, you were only counter-attacked by me because I know you. I know what happened between you and Cheng Ke, and I know your temper has a limit, so I med the fury in your heart one step at a time until the mespletely imploded. Then I let you lose control and ruin yourself!¡±

    With that, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°But,e to think of it, Qian Ge, you really are stupid! While shooting ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics,¡¯ I hurt myself and put your manager in prison. Now, I used the same method to ruin your image in front of millions ofizens. Say... how could you fall for the same trick twice? But, this time, you must feel even more smothered because luckily for you, I was hurtst time. But this time, I wasn¡¯t hurt in the slightest...¡±

    ¡°Shut up, shut your mouth! Ji Yi, stop showing off. Do you think you¡¯ve won like this? Don¡¯t think just because you got the upper hand tonight that you know everything! I¡¯m telling you, Ji Yi, this bit of bad news won¡¯t be the end of Qian Ge today!¡±

    Ji Yi could feel Qian Ge¡¯s rage through the phone.

    The more angry Qian Ge got, the better Ji Yi felt; she even sounded like she was smiling when she spoke. ¡°Of course I know this bit of bad news won¡¯t be the end of you. I never imagined this incident would get rid of you. What¡¯s more, there¡¯d be no fun in getting rid of you with one go. I want to keep you alive and torture you slowly!¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, you b*tch!¡±

    ¡°B*tch?!¡± The expression on Ji Yi¡¯s face suddenly turned so cold that even her voice sounded chilly. ¡°You¡¯re only calling me a b*tch now because you pushed me!¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you, Qian Ge... Tonight¡¯s phone call is to say that what He Jichen said to you back then was right! One of these days, wherever I am, that will be the pinnacle of sess!¡±

 Chapter 529

    Chapter 529: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (29)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°You called me a disappointment and a failure, but one of these days, you¡¯re going to get stepped on by me, this ¡®failure¡¯!¡±

    ¡°What happened today is a good example of that. Everything of mine that you used back then to rise to fame, I¡¯m going to make you lose them, bit by bit!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s take Cheng Ke for example. You knew him because of me, so because of me, I made you lose any chances of working with him! Cheng Ke is just the beginning; there are other people to follow. For example, four years ago, the male lead I worked with, Dai Luo, now interacts with you on Weibo every now and then. In fact, they say you¡¯ll be filming your next series with him!¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to get angry with Qian Ge, but a fire ignited in her heart when she called her a b*tch.

    When I was younger, I once wholeheartedly treated Qian Ge well, but now I wholeheartedly hate her!

    I could probably forgive anyone in this world, but not Qian Ge. I can¡¯t do it, nor can I ever do it!

    Because I poured my heart and soul out in the past just to end up betrayed, I care even more now!

    When Ji Yi finished what she said, she didn¡¯t give Qian Ge any chance to react.

    Just as she lowered the phone from her ear and prepared to hang up, a hand blocked her from doing so.

    In shock, Ji Yi turned her head to see He Jichen. She had no idea when he left the car and walked over to her side.

    She moved her lips, wanting to speak. He Jichen however, pulled out a phone from his pocket to make a call.

    JI Yi¡¯s mind was rattled by He Jichen¡¯s random actions. With furrowed brows, she heard He Jichen raise his own phone and ryed what she had said on the public phone in a dull voice. ¡°Is this Chen Bai? Call Dai Luo. I want him to work with Ji Yi on ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯...¡±

    After Chen Bai replied, He Jichen hung up both phones then told Ji Yi in a t voice, ¡°Get in the car.¡±

    With that, He Jichen turned on his heels and walked over to the car first.

    Ji Yi continued to stand in the phone booth for some time before she realized what He Jichen¡¯s actions meant.

    Ji Yi said such harsh words to Qian Ge then said she¡¯d steal Dai Luo. He Jichen stopped her from hanging up and called Chen Bai to tell him he wanted to sign Dai Luo to work with her on the new series.

    He was stabbing another knife into Qian Ge, torturing Qian Ge with her... But his knife cut a little deep...

    Even though He Jichen had spoken on another line, Ji Yi could definitely imagine that Qian Ge simply exploded with anger!

    ¡°Ji Yi,¡± cried He Jichen as he walked over to the side of the car. He sensed that Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t followed behind him, so he turned his head and cried Ji Yi¡¯s name.

    Ji Yi snapped back to reality and hurriedly jogged over.

    He Jichen pulled the car door open for her. As she got in, she couldn¡¯t help but look up and smile brightly at He Jichen. ¡°He Jichen, your call just now... that was on purpose, wasn¡¯t it? You did it just so Qian Ge could hear. She¡¯s definitely mad as hell!¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t speak but bent over to help fasten her seatbelt and headed back to the driver¡¯s side. When He Jichen started the car up, Ji Yi turned around to face him. She couldn¡¯t contain her excitement as she said, ¡°He Jichen, did you know just how long I¡¯ve been holding that anger inside? Tonight, I was finally able to let it out!¡±

    ¡°After she twisted my anklest time, she called to make fun of me! That, just now, is called giving her a taste of her own medicine!¡±

 Chapter 530

    Chapter 530: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (30)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°He Jichen, do you know just how well I acted at tonight¡¯s BL Charity G? I think that was the best performance of my entire acting career on disy tonight!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s lips pursed tightly as he stared at the road straight ahead and stepped on the gas.

    Ji Yi, who didn¡¯t sense that the car was speeding up, continued chatting away happily.

    ¡°I only regret not having any eye drops. When I cried, I had to pinch myself for the tears toe out.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of which, my thigh kind of hurts now. At the time, I only cared about acting convincingly and forgot to take it easy on myself. I wonder if I¡¯ll bruis-¡±

    Ji Yi only managed to speak half the word ¡°bruised¡± before the speeding car suddenly came to an emergency stop, dead center on the main road.

    With the sharp, ear-piercing screech of the emergency brakes, Ji Yi lurched forward. Luckily, she had her seat belt on to prevent her forehead from smacking into the windshield.

    Ji Yi was scared half to death by the sudden emergency brakes. After some time, sheposed herself and slowly straightened up in her seat.

    She instinctively nced over at the street ahead and realized that the main road was empty.

    There are no cars and no pedestrians in sight. Why did He Jichen suddenly hit the emergency brakes?

    Ji Yi furrowed her delicate brows and vaguely felt like something wasn¡¯t right. She slowly turned her head and looked over at He Jichen.

    Her gaze firstnded on the steering wheel and noticed that He Jichen¡¯s grip was so tight that his knuckles were protruding.

    The curve on Ji Yi¡¯s lips suddenly froze as her gaze quickly traveled down He Jichen¡¯s arm and up to his face.

    He stared right ahead as his thin lips practically pursed into a straight line. There was an evident sense of frustration in his handsome eyes.

    What¡¯s with He Jichen?

    Ji Yi¡¯s mouth gaped slightly. Her joy over what happened to Qian Ge instantly disappeared.

    The car was silent for a minute before Ji Yi¡¯s lips moved, releasing a low, soft voice. ¡°He Jichen, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    He Jichen seemed to have not heard what she said as he sat motionless in the driver¡¯s seat. He stared ahead without any reaction at all.

    She wasn¡¯t aware of what happened at the Golden Lounge when he was with Han Zhifan discussing business. When he was sitting in front of the tall windows with noise-canceling headphones, writing the script, Cheng Weiwan suddenly got up and ran over to them in a hurry with her phone in hand. ¡°Mr. He, look. It¡¯s Xiao Yi. She got into an argument with Qian Ge at the BL Charity G.¡±

    At the time, he didn¡¯t even believe it. Ji Yi clearly told him she was at home, so how could she be at the BL Charity G?

    But he casually swept a look at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s phone to see her apologetically bowing to Qian Ge.

    Though he didn¡¯t know what happened, he was afraid she was being bullied. He got up and left the scene with a quick exnation to Han Zhifan: ¡°I¡¯m stepping out for a bit.¡± He didn¡¯t even bother grabbing his zer and he took his car keys from Chen Bai then rushed over to Beiyang Hall.

    The Golden Lounge was some distance from Beiyang Hall. He was so worried about her that he watched the live coverage on his entire journey over there.

    When he saw her fall to the ground, all he could do was step violently on the gas.

 Chapter 531

    Chapter 531: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (31)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He knew her leg just recovered, so if she hurt herself again, he was afraid he¡¯d have to immediately call Dr. Xia to urgently stop by Beiyang Hall.

    The journey to Beiyang Hall that normally took forty-five minutes took He Jichen just fifteen minutes.

    When he rushed over, themotion between her and Qian Ge had already calmed down. He was just about to park when he saw Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi through his windshield.

    The more Ji Yi was confused by He Jichen¡¯s silent treatment, the more panicked she felt. Her fingers bent slightly as she thought about how she lied to He Jichen that night. Thinking this was the reason why he was angry, she said in low voice, ¡°He Jichen, are you angry? Angry that I lied to you...?¡±

    When He Jichen heard what Ji Yi said, the ball in his throat rolled up and down.

    Yes, I¡¯m angry.

    But I¡¯m not angry because she lied to me.

    I¡¯m angry because she actually used such stupid methods to defeat Qian Ge.

    Even though she wasn¡¯t hurt likest time, he was still mad.

    Ji Yi noticed that He Jichen still hadn¡¯t said anything and figured she guessed right. Ji Yi pursed her lips and couldn¡¯t help but lower her head and quietly say, ¡°Sorry He Jichen, I didn¡¯t mean to lie to you...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish speaking, He Jichen¡¯s head shot up and looked at her. ¡°Did you know just how dangerous it was for you to do that tonight?!¡±

    Because he was mad, He Jichen¡¯s tone was stern. He was so fierce that Ji Yi¡¯s voice instantly disappeared.

    ¡°If you didn¡¯t adjust your weight when you fell, you could¡¯ve seriously sprained your ankle and then what? Do you realize your leg only just recovered after an entire¡¯s month of rest?!¡±

    The more He Jichen spoke, the angrier he became. ¡°And Zhuang Yi, what was with her? You made trouble and she was willing to join you?!¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t stupid; she knew that behind He Jichen¡¯s fury, he was mostly worried about her.

    Even though she was being yelled at, her heart actually felt warm. She wasn¡¯t scared of him like she was when he was angry with her in the past. In fact, as his anger grew, she hurriedly spoke with a cute voice, ¡°Am I not okay though?¡±

    ¡°But what if? What if something happened? You¡¯d continue to sit in a wheelchair for another month?!¡±

    Faced with He Jichen¡¯s fury, Ji Yi shot him a sweet smile.

    He Jichen wanted to continue talking, but all of a sudden the words wouldn¡¯te out. He red fiercely at Ji Yi then looked away, out the car window.

    The car instantly fell silent.

    Ji Yi knew the anger in He Jichen¡¯s chest hadn¡¯t subsided, and she knew he only had her best interests at heart. After some time, she softly tried to sweet-talk him. ¡°Okay okay, don¡¯t be angry...¡±

    He Jichen ignored her.

    Ji Yi reached her arm out, tugged on He Jichen¡¯s sleeve, and gently shook it. ¡°I¡¯ll treat you to dinner, yeah?¡±

    Her touch warmed the cold air around He Jichen and curved his tightened lips.

    ¡°He Jichen...¡± Seeing as He Jichen still wasn¡¯t willing to look at her, Ji Yi let out three chirps in the lovable way she usually messaged him on WeChat. ¡°chirp chirp chirp!¡±

    The anger in He Jichen¡¯s chest instantly disappeared. He turned his head to nce at Ji Yi and after some time, he finally spoke. ¡°Don¡¯t do that ever again.¡±

    Such simple, ordinary words, yet somehow, they touched the deepest, softest part of Ji Yi¡¯s heart.

 Chapter 532

    Chapter 532: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (32)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Don¡¯t ever do that again... Don¡¯t use yourself as a weapon to protect yourself.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mind was scattered with a million feelings. After some time, she let out a soft ¡°Mhm¡± to He Jichen.

    Upon hearing her reply, He Jichen¡¯s brows rxed and he started the car up again. He followed the road and drove straight ahead.

    Inparison to how silent he was before, he still didn¡¯t speak much but he did start to talk to her again.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wanted to walk around the city to see the night view?¡±

    ¡°Where do you want to go?¡±

    ¡°Chang¡¯an Street?¡±

    Ji Yi let out another soft ¡°Mhm.¡±

    He Jichen took that as agreement, so he turned left at the road up ahead and drove to Chang¡¯an street.

    Ji Yi felt truly warmed by He Jichen¡¯s words ¡°Don¡¯t ever do that again.¡± She stared outside the window and watched the endlessly retreating neon lights for a while. Without realizing it, Ji Yi naturally told He Jichen the thoughts on her mind that she never nned to tell anyone. ¡°He Jichen, I didn¡¯t actually lie to you on purpose...¡±

    Deep down, I never cared about her lying to me... He Jichen instinctively wanted to tell Ji Yi, but before he could, the sound of Ji Yi¡¯s soft voice traveled into his ears. ¡°...I wanted to give you a surprise.¡±

    Surprise?

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers quivered around the steering wheel. He chose to stay silent as he waited for Ji Yi to finish.

    Ji Yi probably had a lot she wanted to say in her heart as she stared out the window for some time before speaking again. ¡°Well... in the beginning, I never wanted to go to the BL Charity G, but I wanted to return to the road you paved for me. I wanted to regain the poprity you generated for me after you spent so much time and money on me in the past...¡±

    I want to not let you down after everything you did for me.

    I don¡¯t want all the work you put in to go to waste. I didn¡¯t want your decisions to fire Director Lin and go against the board of directors to go to waste. What¡¯s more, I don¡¯t want you to lose your bet with the board of directors.

    I wanted to use my own abilities to tell YC that I¡¯m not a total failure. I wanted them to know I¡¯m worth your protection.

    With those thoughts, Ji Yi continued to move her lips.

    The atmosphere in the car thinned out. Aside from her low, delicate voice, there were no other sounds.

    ¡°... I really do hate Qian Ge; I hate her so much that I want to step on her, but He Jichen... Though I let my anger out on Qian Ge tonight, that wasn¡¯t my main goal. My main goal was to give you a surprise.¡±

    My main goal was to give you a surprise...

    Her final word revolved around He Jichen¡¯s heart for who knew how many times before he realized that his heart didn¡¯t dare believe that what she said was truly meant for him to hear.

    The things that I did for her, the things I sacrificed, and the things I lost for her... They were all done willingly by me.

    He never imagined that she would pay him back, but at this very moment, she was telling him that everything she did tonight was to give him a surprise.

    He Jichen thought about it; this had to be the most beautiful thing he had ever heard in his life.

    The surprise came so suddenly that He Jichen lost the ability to speak.

    After Ji Yi finished speaking, she stayed silent for some time before she realized exactly what she said.

    She sensed that the atmosphere in the room had turned a little odd.

    To ease the atmosphere, she half-jokingly said, ¡°What¡¯s more, I signed onto YC with great difficulty that I can¡¯t let YC shut down now... I still hope YC can support me. What if YC bes bankrupt...¡±

    Ji Yi wanted to say ¡°What if YC shuts down, then wouldn¡¯t I be finished?¡± but before she could finish, He Jichen suddenly broke his silence. ¡°Without YC, you¡¯ll still have me.¡±

    Without YC, you¡¯ll still have me...

    Those few words reyed in slow-motion. Each and every word echoed in Ji Yi¡¯s head and unbelievably softened her whole heart.

    At that moment, a sudden line came to mind: ¡°The glorious Spring fell into the Autumn waters, the Summer days shine on the Spring mud. From here on out, you are the only one in my heart.¡±

    The glorious Spring fell into the Autumn waters, the Summer days shine on the Spring mud. From here on out, you are the only one in my heart, He Jichen.

    No matter how she tried to stop her emotions from deepening, she couldn¡¯t deny that in her heart, his name, ¡°He Jichen,¡± was there.

 Chapter 533

    Chapter 533: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (33)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    That night, He Jichen¡¯s heart softened when Ji Yi said, ¡°I wanted to give you a surprise,¡± lightening the atmosphere. Without reading the atmosphere, he said seriously, ¡°With YC gone, you¡¯ll still have me,¡± suddenly making the atmosphere feel even more strange.

    In their hearts, they both had their own apprehensions.

    He Jichen was afraid to take one step forward ¨C not to get closer to Ji Yi, but he was afraid of pushing her even further away.

    Upon realizing that her feelings for He Jichen had turned to a faint sense of joy, she suddenly remembered He Yuguang.

    So, the two of them stayed quiet and didn¡¯t say a word to each other. Later, when they came back to their senses, they both tactfully brushed over what they said.

    That night, Ji Yi and He Jichen still went to Chang¡¯an street to see the night view and ate crayfish down the night market full of street food. By the time He Jichen drove Ji Yi back home, it was already two in the morning.

    That night, Ji Yiid in bed, tossing and turning, unable to go to sleep. Her mind drifted over to He Jichen¡¯s words, ¡°With YC gone, you¡¯ll still have me.¡±

    After He Jichen drove Ji Yi back home, he started catching up on some work. He rubbed his sore shoulders and lit a cigarette. He walked up to the tall windows and stared out at the billions of lights as Ji Yi¡¯s dainty yet resolute voice suddenly came to mind: ¡°The main point was that I wanted to give you a surprise.¡±

    After that night, Ji Yi¡¯s days went by smoothly.

    ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was still broadcasting and Princess Qing Yang garnered more support from the fans than Empress Chunyi, especially in the explosive second half of the show. As the series drew to a close, Weibo often had clips of Princess Qing Yang on its top searches. Whereas Empress Chunyi, yed by Qian Ge, was rarely mentioned by anyone.

    Qian Ge¡¯s reputation took a big hit from the BL Charity G fiasco. After it all blew over, although she still had endless jobs lined up, her reputation was still sullied; every time she posted on Weibo, there were always quite a few people hating on her.

    When Ji Yi¡¯s Weibo ount reached over 500 million followers, she went to Hengdian studios again to join the production team for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡±

    At the same time, Qian Ge¡¯s new drama ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± was also filming at Hengdian studios.

    That meant she and Qian Ge were both filming at Hengdian studios. ording to Zhuang Yi, they both stayed at the same hotel too, but neither of them ever bumped into each other.

    The director for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± wasn¡¯t He Jichen, but He Jichen still dropped by often in the two months or so of Ji Yi¡¯s filming to represent the productionpany.

    ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± and ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± started filming on the same day, but ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± finished ten days earlier than ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡±

    It was already November when she returned to Beijing after leaving the set of ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t winter break yet at school, so with no jobs lined up, Ji Yi studied to make up for missed sses and tackle the end-of-term exams just like she did after ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± was over.

    Time flew by and in the blink of an eye, it was already the new year. On the fifth of January, ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± started broadcasting.

    January fifteenth was the day of Ji Yi¡¯s end-of-term exams. After they were over, ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± started broadcasting the day after she went home for winter break.

    Five whole months passed between Ji Yi mercilessly retaliating against Qian Ge at the BL Charity G and the start of broadcasting for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡±

    In those five months, Ji Yi¡¯s life could really be described as serene and monotonous.

    If Ji Yi really had to describe something interesting that happened in the past five months, it was that YC arranged a new assistant to work with her.

 Chapter 534

    Chapter 534: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (34)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The new assistant was called Li Yaoyao. The week before Ji Yi started on the set of ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang,¡± she had already been trained under Zhuang Yi to start taking care of Ji Yi¡¯s everyday needs.

    Aside from this, if Ji Yi had to name something else interesting that happened, it¡¯d be the time she got a penta-kill while ying with Tang Huahua the day before the end-of-term exams.

    Having gone through a great rise and fall, betrayal, and even near-death experience, these peaceful days were a blessing for Ji Yi.

    Butter on, Ji Yi realized she was wrong. She thought her life was serene and uneventful, but it was actually the calm before the storm.

    This storm came unusually suddenly, without any warning whatsoever.

    The day before the storm, it was Lunar New Year eve.

    Casting for the leading actress for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± wasn¡¯t hard, butpared to the leading actress for ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng,¡± Ji Yi was a weaker choice than Qian Ge. From the very beginning, ratings for the ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± were slightly higher.

    But after the first week of broadcasting ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang,¡± the story picked up and the ratings started to rise slowly. As the end of the Spring festival approached, the ratings actually became on par with ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng.¡±

    Seeing that the ratings for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± weren¡¯t bad, Ji Yi¡¯s mood also improved. On the morning of new year¡¯s eve, she casually nced at the rating report right after she got up and discovered that the ratings for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± actually managed to beat ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± by 0.1.

    Even if it was just 0.1, Ji Yi¡¯s mood became exceedingly good. While freshening up, she couldn¡¯t help but hum a song.

    After breakfast, Ji Yi went shopping with her mum in preparation for new year¡¯s. On their way back, they passed a flower shop. An impulse came over Ji Yi and she asked the driver to stop the car. She ran over to the flower shop and carefully picked out some flowers after a while. Hugging a big bouquet, she left and got back into the car.

    After they arrived back home, Ji Yi spent over two hours putting colorful, fresh flowers in each room.

    Ji Yi admired her finished product and didn¡¯t forget to take a photo. She opened the Meitu app, adjusted the lighting and color, then posted the photo on Moments with the caption: ¡°Fresh flowers to wee the new year.¡±

    The nanny of the house was back in her hometown, so her mum was single-handedly preparing new year¡¯s dinner.

    After Ji Yi arranged the flowers, she was called in to help wrap dumplings.

    By the time the dishes came out, filling arge dining table with new year¡¯s food, it was already six in the evening.

    With her phone in hand, Ji Yi saw that there were a dozen likes and messages under her casual photo of fresh flowers. Most of thements read: ¡°Happy new year.¡±

    Zhuang Yi¡¯s reply was unique: ¡°Remember to choose a good one to post on Weibo.¡±

    Ji Yi took over a dozen photos of her new year¡¯s dinner then she ran over to the bathroom. After turning on the lights, she took a selfie under the warm glow then chose the best photo from her new year¡¯s dinner photos and her selfies. She posted them on Weibo with the caption: ¡°Happy new year everybody!¡±

    As ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± began to be broadcast, Ji Yi got over a billion fans. After the photo was sessfully posted on Weibo, there were over a thousand likes in a short minute.

    Ji Yi read fans¡¯ments for a while before her mum called her down to eat new year¡¯s dinner.

    After new year¡¯s dinner was over, the new year¡¯s special on TV started.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t particrly interested as she purely watched it to spend time with her parents.

 Chapter 535

    Chapter 535: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (35)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Tang Huahua was eating at her granddad¡¯s house and hadn¡¯t returned yet, so there was no way she could y with Ji Yi. Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to y on her own, so she figured she would cuddle up on the sofa and browse Taobao on her phone.

    At around eight, she got a WeChat message on her phone. It was Bo He sending her new year¡¯s blessings and a red envelope.

    After Ji Yi epted it, she sent one back to Bo He then remembered she hadn¡¯t given blessings to her friends yet. She drafted a message and sent it to all her friends on WeChat.

    After the photo was sessfully sent, she started receiving endless new year¡¯s blessings from her friends.

    Fatty sent a voice note: ¡°Happy new year, great demon!¡±

    Since she and Fatty had dinner at Lou Wailou after shooting ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± and he told her that he used to secretly call her ¡°The great demon,¡± he¡¯d been calling her the great demon in their conversations.

    After Ji Yi finished listening to the voice note, she was about to reply to Fatty when he sent her another voice note: ¡°Great demon, I watched your new drama. Your acting¡¯s not bad!¡±

    Fatty sounded like he was outside because it was a little noisy and there was a faint sound of singing.

    The first time she read ¡°great demon,¡± Ji Yi wanted to make aeback but she changed her mind when she heard Fattypliment her new drama. Instead, she changed the message she was going to send to:¡±Where are you? It¡¯s so noisy.¡±

    This time, Fatty didn¡¯t reply with a voice note. Instead, he sent a video. The first person to appear on the video was Fatty with a cigarette in his mouth. He mumbled out the words: ¡°ss reunion party!¡±

    After he spoke, he turned the camera around for Ji Yi to see that he was in a karaoke room with a group of guys and girls who were drinking.

    Because the lighting was dim, she couldn¡¯t clearly see a lot of people¡¯s faces. However, Ji Yi could tell that they were the group of friends He Jichen hung out with during senior high school.

    Ji Yi figured that He Jichen was there too, so she looked carefully for him but wasn¡¯t able to catch sight of him by the end of the video call. She quickly sent Fatty a message: ¡°What about He Jichen? Howe I didn¡¯t see him?¡±

    ¡°Chen Ge?¡± Fatty¡¯s message was sent as a voice note again, but his voice sounded a little shocked this time. ¡°He didn¡¯te back to Sucheng. Didn¡¯t you know?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s not back in Sucheng?

    Two days ago, when she bumped into He Jichen at YC and when they had dinner together, she asked him if he was heading back to Sucheng for new year¡¯s. He only replied with ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Ji Yi thought Fatty was messing with her, so she continued to type: ¡°Fatty, stop messing around. Hurry, send me a secret video of He Jichen.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m really not messing with you. Chen Ge really didn¡¯te back to Sucheng.¡± This time, Fatty¡¯s voice sounded a lot more serious.

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows when she realized Fatty wasn¡¯t joking around. But she still wasn¡¯t so sure, so she hesitantly replied: ¡°Two days ago, he told me he was going back to Sucheng for new year¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°Chen Ge lied to you, silly! He¡¯d spend new year¡¯s anywhere but Sucheng.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart dropped when she understood the meaning behind Fatty¡¯s words and typed a single word: ¡°Why?¡±

    After waiting some time, Ji Yi was about to send another message but then Fatty finally replied.

    This time, Fatty didn¡¯t send a voice note. Instead, he sent a long string of words.

    FacebookTwitterGoogle+Th¨ºm...

 Chapter 536

    Chapter 536: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (36)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°At the time, Chen Ge was so adamant on dropping out of his prestigious school that he went against his family¡¯s wishes and moved to Beijing. His family always hoped he¡¯d take over He enterprises, but he insisted on bing a director and started his ownpany. In the end, things got pretty messy with his family. Three years ago, when he came to Beijing, his family didn¡¯t give him a single jiao 1 since Chen Ge was still determined to go to Beijing. His dad was so pissed that he said he didn¡¯t have a son. That year, He Jichen came back to Sucheng for new year¡¯s and his dad told him he was only allowed to step foot in the house if he was willing to take over the family business. Chen Ge didn¡¯t agree, so his dad really didn¡¯t let him enter. The next day, when Chen Ge came to see me, I realized Chen Ge really didn¡¯t have any money on him whatsoever. He didn¡¯t even have money to buy a flight back to Beijing. I had to buy the ticket for him! Later, I went to Beijing and learned Chen Ge was living in a basement there. His mattress was soaked because of a leak in the ceiling. Don¡¯t assume anything based on how big Chen Ge¡¯spany is now ¨C he actually single-handedly built it from the ground up. Last year, Chen Ge came back for new year¡¯s because his granny felt sorry for him so she let him in, but he didn¡¯t even touch his chopsticks for new year¡¯s dinner when his dad came back home. After the two of them had an argument, he walked out the door. I¡¯m telling you... Chen Ge would nevere back to Sucheng because if hees back, he can¡¯t even go home.¡±

    Ji Yi knew He Jichen wasn¡¯t in a good ce with the He family because he left for Beijing, but she never imagined their rtionship was this bad.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, eat some fruit,¡± said Ji Yi¡¯s mum softly, waking her up. She had fallen asleep from staring at Fatty¡¯s message on her phone.

    Ji Yi raised her head and gently replied to her mum. Then she put her head down and scanned over the wall of text on her phone again.

    ¡°This one¡¯s sweeter. Try this one.¡±

    Her mum spoke again. Ji Yi turned her head and looked over to find her mum feeding a piece of watermelon on a toothpick to her dad.

    The picture of them together was affectionate and sweet, but it hurt her eyes, so she couldn¡¯t help but avert her gaze out the window.

    Several units in the building opposite didn¡¯t have their curtains shut, so she could clearly see inside their homes with their bright lights on.

    The family inside the window with red floral paper cuttings was watching the new year¡¯s show on TV too, and they had a child ying happily in the living room... The picture of their family was about the same as her own just now.

    What¡¯s He Jichen doing on such a day filled with family unity and happiness?

    If things are really as Fatty described and He Jichen didn¡¯t return to Sucheng, then is he spending new year¡¯s eve all alone right now?

    For some reason, Ji Yi¡¯s chest felt stifled. ¡°Xiao Yi, why aren¡¯t you eating any fruit?¡± her mum asked again. She turned her head and replied with ¡°I¡¯ll eat someter¡± then got up and headed back into her room.

    After the door closed, Ji Yi found He Jichen¡¯s number and called him.

    It rang a few times but no one answered.

    Ji Yi ended the call then called Chen Bai.

    Chen Bai picked up the call at lightning speed. When he heard her question, Chen Bai waspletely confused. ¡°Mr. He? I don¡¯t know where he is. I¡¯m back home...¡±

    After hanging up, Ji Yi called He Jichen again. Just like before, no one answered.

    She paced twice around the room then darted over to the wardrobe. She picked out an outfit and quickly changed.

 Chapter 537

    Chapter 537: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (37)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Sitting in the living room, Ji Yi¡¯s mum heard rustling and looked up at Ji Yi. She realized Ji Yi changed out of her loungewear and she immediately asked curiously, ¡°Xiao Yi, are you heading out?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded Ji Yi then she walked over to the entrance and opened the shoe cab.

    Her mum got up and walked over to Ji Yi. ¡°It¡¯s new year¡¯s eve. What are you going to do outside?¡±

    ¡°I have something to do. I¡¯ll be backter.¡± Ji Yi changed into a good pair of shoes, walked over to her mum and waved. Without giving her mum a chance to ask more questions, she quickly bolted out the door and into the elevator.

    The streets on new year¡¯s eve were particrly empty and the floor was covered with ashes from all the fireworks.

    Under the arctic north wind, Ji Yi shivered for a while before she finally got into a taxi.

    Ji Yi first went to He Jichen¡¯s house near B-Film.

    Before she headed into the building, Ji Yi first looked up at the pitch-ck windows of He Jichen¡¯s apartment.

    Ji Yi knew full well that He Jichen probably wasn¡¯t at home, but she still asked the taxi driver to please wait for her. Then she headed into the building.

    Ji Yi pressed the doorbell for a long time before she headed back into the taxi and asked the driver to take her to YC Corp.

    Before the taxi came to a stop, Ji Yi looked through the car window and saw that there was a light on at the top floor of the building.

    Ji Yi paid the taxi fare then walked up the stairs and ran into thepany building.

    Normally on holidays, thepany had security personnel on guard, but it waspletely empty on new year¡¯s eve. There wasn¡¯t a soul in sight.

    The areas Ji Yi stepped on with her high heels had sensory lights, so one after the other, they started to light up.

    After she took the elevator up to the highest floor, Ji Yi noticed with just one look that the tea room lights were on. There, with his back turned to her, stood He Jichen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps instinctively stopped on the spot.

    In the entire building, there wasn¡¯t any other person there besides the two of them.

    The sound of water boiling in the tea room could be heard unusually clearly.

    There was a spark between He Jichen¡¯s fingers, and every now and then, he raised it to his mouth.

    Ji Yi knew he was smoking.

    She knew the water was done since the boiling sounds stopped. He Jichen held the kettle up and poured the water out in front of him.

    Ji Yi heard the sshing sounds of running water and came to her senses. She walked over to the tea room and cried, ¡°He Jichen.¡±

    He Jichen thought he was just hearing things, so he didn¡¯t turn his head but loosened his grip around the kettle handle.

    Ji Yi took steps towards him. ¡°He Jichen.¡±

    As the sound of her voice fell again for the second time, she clearly saw He Jichen¡¯s back stiffen up. The sound of flowing water instantly stopped.

    After about two seconds, He Jichen turned his head and met Ji Yi¡¯s gaze.

    Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps stopped again.

    He Jichen¡¯s lips gaped a little as though he had just seen something unbelievable. His half-smoked cigarette slipped from his lips and crashed to the ground.

    The two of them looked at each other for some time before He Jichen came to his senses and hurriedly stomped on the burning cigarette by his feet. Then he put down the kettle on the marble table and asked, ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    Hearing He Jichen¡¯s voice, Ji Yi blinked quickly. She raised her feet again and walked into the tea room.

    As she got closer, she clearly noticed the steam from the instant cup noodles in front of He Jichen.

    So he was boiling water for instant noodles? This is his new year¡¯s dinner?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows.

    ¡°Xiao Yi?¡± He Jichen spoke again.

 Chapter 538

    Chapter 538: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (38)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When Ji Yi heard this, her gaze upon the instant noodles shifted to He Jichen¡¯s face. She knew he was waiting for her to reply to his question, but instead, she asked a question in return: ¡°You¡¯re eating instant noodles for new year¡¯s?¡±

    At Ji Yi¡¯s mention of instant noodles, He Jichen thought back to his improvised new year¡¯s dinner. He turned his head, put the lid on his cup noodles and carried it back into his office.

    Ji Yi followed behind him silently.

    Just as she took one step into He Jichen¡¯s office, she almost immediately stepped back out again.

    The shroud of cigarette smoke was so heavy inside that the sofa and coffee table were filled with packs of empty cigarettes.

    Documents were tossed messily over the desk, and the ashtray by theputer was filled with cigarette butts of various sizes.

    He Jichen put the instant noodles down onto the table, walked over to the windows and opened them.

    The cold wind that entered the room was a little strong as it quickly blew away arge portion of the smoke along with the documents on the desk onto the floor.

    When Ji Yi bent down to pick them up, she caught a glimpse of many circled scribbles in ck ink.

    The scribbles on the sheets of paper looked familiar ¨C they looked exactly like how her textbook looked many years ago when she woke up to find her books filled with circled key points.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze couldn¡¯t help but linger on the papers. Before she could figure it out, He Jichen returned from opening the window and was no longer leaning against the desk. ¡°You haven¡¯t replied to my question yet,¡± he said tly.

    He Jichen¡¯s voice abruptly interrupted Ji Yi¡¯s thoughts, causing her to nce up at him. She walked over to him and put his documents on the desk. Just as she was about to tell him that Fatty told her the truth of how he hadn¡¯t returned to Sucheng so she came over to look for him, the words couldn¡¯t seem to escape from her mouth. She nced over at He Jichen¡¯s keyboard and saw a single photographying on top.

    She recognized all the people inside.

    It was a family photo of the He family.

    The words she wanted to say suddenly stopped in her throat and a sense of indescribable sadness instantly filled Ji Yi¡¯s heart.

    Is he spending new year¡¯s eve in the office doing overtime because he wants to let work take his mind off his family issues?

    But even so, he smoked so many cigarettes because he couldn¡¯t mask the sadness deep down?

    With that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s gaze swept over the cigarette butts and empty packs of cigarettes in different areas of the room. The more she looked, the more upset she got.

    He¡¯s already pretty upset; if I mention that he didn¡¯t go back to Sucheng now, I¡¯m afraid it would be like picking at his scabs...

    With that thought, Ji Yi took a hard gulp and pushed her words back down. Then she twitched her lips and spoke a white lie: ¡°I just dropped off my mum at her friend¡¯s to y mahjong. On my way back, I happened to pass by the office and noticed the light was on, so I came to check it out.¡±

    If things were like before, Ji Yi would definitely ask He Jichen why he was doing overtime in the office on new year¡¯s eve.

    But knowing the truth, she chose to avoid the topic. Without waiting for He Jichen to reply, she moved her head from left to right and scanned the room all over again. Then she stared at the instant noodles He Jichen casually put on the desk and changed the subject: ¡°Your noodles look like they¡¯re about ready.¡±

    He Jichen let out an ¡°Mhm¡± and removed the lid.

    The smell instantly permeated every corner of the office.

    There were restaurants open for business on new year¡¯s eve, but they only served guests with reservations made half a month in advance. It¡¯d be odd for two people to spontaneously go out to eat now. Other people spent new year¡¯s eve back home having a family reunion dinner, but He Jichen was eating alone... Ji Yi paused for a few seconds and said, ¡°Is there more?¡±

 Chapter 539

    Chapter 539: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (39)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen didn¡¯t understand what Ji Yi said. He turned his head and asked ¡°Mhm?¡±

    Ji Yi raised her chin and nodded at He Jichen¡¯s instant noodles. ¡°I¡¯m hungry too. You got any more cup noodles?¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± said He Jichen with realization. He pointed at the cab by the office desk and was just about to get up and help Ji Yi retrieve it when she walked over first and opened it herself. She chose her favorite vor and headed out to boil some water.

    He Jichen finished eating and put down his chopsticks. He sat back on the sofa and stared at Ji Yi taking small bites of her noodles. ¡°I¡¯ll take you back hometer?¡± he suggested in a t tone.

    Ji Yi came especially for He Jichen, but after she saw the family photo on his keyboard and spoke a white lie...

    She never imagined that the white lie would be kind to He Jichen but would dig a hole for her.

    Ji Yi was stunned by He Jichen¡¯s question for two seconds then she lowered her head and shoved noodles into her mouth. With the excuse of food in her mouth, her eyes shifted to think of an excuse. She couldn¡¯t go back home and she couldn¡¯t let He Jichen find out that she just spoke a white lie.

    With her eyes on the noodles, Ji Yi chewed until it was gooey. Before her anxious fingers could snap her chopsticks because she couldn¡¯t think of a good excuse, she suddenly heard fireworks outside the window. All of a sudden, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes lit up like she just found herst hope. She swallowed the gooey noodles that had long lost their vor. She looked up then told He Jichen, ¡°I¡¯m not going back home. I told my parents I was going to Houhai to watch the fireworks.¡±

    He Jichen furrowed his brows. ¡°With someone?¡±

    She probably said too many lies as He Jichen¡¯s question rattled Ji Yi¡¯s confidence. She was afraid He Jichen would find something fishy, so she first nodded and hurriedly suggested, ¡°Want to go together?¡±

    A sh of surprise crossed He Jichen¡¯s face as he never imagined Ji Yi would ask if he wanted to go with her. With a gentle nod, he raised his wrist to check the time. It wasn¡¯t quite half past nine, so there was still time before twelve. He thought about how he smelledpletely of cigarettes and said, ¡°It¡¯s still early. I¡¯m going to take a shower.¡±

    The second after He Jichen stepped into the lounge in his office, Ji Yi immediately put down her chopsticks and rubbed her exploding stomach. Then she got up and cleaned up by chucking the two cup noodles into the trash can.

    While waiting for He Jichen, Ji Yi was bored and happened to see Tang Huahua¡¯s game invitation, so she found afortable position on the sofa and entered the game.

    The match quickly finished.

    While waiting for Tang Huahua to add her into her room, an in-game chat box popped up from ¡°Young Windchaser.¡±

    Ji Yi kind of recognized this ID. They were auto-matched teammates in the game.

    Ji Yi tapped ¡°decline,¡± but ¡°Young Windchaser¡± continued to send invites and Ji Yi continued to tap ¡®¡±decline.¡± Then Tang Huahua invited Ji Yi. After Ji Yi entered the game, her phone rang and vibrated non-stop which severely distracted her from the game. After her fourth death, Ji Yi exited the game and nced at the screen to see that it was a reminder from the game.

    Once she tapped it, Ji Yi realized that the messages were all from ¡°Young Windchaser.¡±

    ¡°Biaomei, let¡¯s y!¡±

    ¡°Biaomei, I¡¯ll lead you in the King of Glory.¡±

    ¡°Biaomei...¡±

    Ji Yi saw that she already respawned, so she didn¡¯t finish reading this person¡¯s messages and returned to the game.

 Chapter 540

    Chapter 540: From Here on Out, You Are the Only One in My Heart (40)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In five seconds, the hero Ji Yi chose respawned. Having juste out of the healing springs, another series of alerts and vibrations started again.

    And so, under a minute after she respawned, Ji Yi died before a new wave came, even before she could get a kill or receive assistance.

    Even though Ji Yi knew this was just a game and was just for fun, she got really mad. She was killed repeatedly from being harassed by a stranger, so deep down, she was extremely upset!

    Ji Yi forced herself to calm down. After the game ended with a ¡°0-8-2¡± loss, Ji Yi saw an in-game message saying she had been reported by her teammates and had five credits deducted. Even more pissed than before, Ji Yi tapped the game assistant without a second thought.

    ¡°Young Windchaser¡± sent her two whole pages of messages.

    ¡°Biaomei, I¡¯ll lead you. I¡¯mst season¡¯s King yer!¡±

    ¡°Biaomei, you want to Chu CP?¡±

    ¡°Biaomei...¡±

    Chu f*cking CP!

    Ji Yi, who rarely swore, secretly cursed inside as she angrily raised her fingers, about to send a few words to this ¡°Young Windchaser.¡±

    But just as she typed a few words, she realized it wasn¡¯t worth getting angry over aplete stranger, so she forcefully stabbed at the screen to delete what she typed, word-by-word.

    After his shower, He Jichen dried his hair and walked out of the lounge. He nced at Ji Yi¡¯s angry little face, stabbing hard at the screen.

    He Jichen suddenly stopped patting his hair dry. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    When Ji Yi heard He Jichen¡¯s voice, she looked up and nced over at him andined like she usually did to He Jichen. ¡°Just met this crazy person in the game. When Huahua and I were ying, he sent me messages non-stop and got me killed eight times! Pissed me off!¡±

    Before Ji Yi finished speaking, He Jichen was already standing by her side.

    He Jichen towered over Ji Yi¡¯s screen. He casually nced over then caught the message: ¡°Biaomei, you want to Chu CP?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s brow creased as a stern look shed across his eyes.

    Not having sensed the change in He Jichen¡¯s expression, Ji Yi deleted her own words and tapped ¡°Young Windchaser¡±¡®s name. Just as she was about to drag his name onto the blocked users list, He Jichen¡¯s fingers suddenly reached out and grabbed the phone from her fingers.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Ji Yi instinctively raised her head and looked over at He Jichen.

    He Jichen casually threw his towel onto the sofa and sat next to Ji Yi. He tly replied ¡°Pissed!¡± as he quickly typed a reply to ¡°Young Windchaser¡±: ¡°Alright, let¡¯s y.¡±

    Soon enough He Jichen and ¡°Young Windchaser¡± were matched into a game.

    He Jichen had never yed this game before, but when he was in the hospital, he watched Ji Yi y and was familiar with the game rules.

    When choosing his character, He Jichen casually scrolled through a few and read over their abilities then chose an archer.

    When he was young, he skipped sses like it was nothing and spent practically every day in the inte cafe ying games, so these kind of phone games were easy to pick up for He Jichen. Once he was in the game, He Jichen was familiar with the wild beasts¡¯ abilities then he started to kill minions for money.

 Chapter 541

    Chapter 541: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Young Windchaser¡± was ying a wave clearer. To a noob like Ji Yi, this could really be described as ¡°the difference between a God and a beginner at the game.¡±

    It was just a shame that besides killing beasts and minions, He Jichen didn¡¯t take down a tower or group up once. It was four vs five, so no matter how great ¡°Young Windchaser¡± was, they still lost twelve minutes into the game.

    He Jichen and ¡°Young Windchaser¡± had selected ranked matches, so after losing, He Jichen lost a star.

    Before ¡°Young Windchaser¡± could send a message, He Jichen sent one first to him: ¡°Ah sorry, I¡¯m not that great at being an archer. I don¡¯t have six-god armor, so I didn¡¯t dare to group up.¡±

    ¡°Young Windchaser¡± was very generous: ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Choose your best character for the next one.¡±

    So He Jichen and ¡°Young Windchaser¡± started a second match.

    In this match, He Jichen chose a tank. As soon as the game started, He Jichen actually stood on the spot motionlessly three times and fed the enemy archer.

    The enemy archer¡¯s exp shot up. Even though ¡°Young Windchaser¡± and his teammates tried hard to save ¡°Ji Yi,¡± they were defeated within ten minutes of the game.

    Ji Yi and ¡°Young Windchaser¡± dropped by another star.

    He Jichen sent Young Windchaser another message: ¡°Sorry Xiao Gege, I was just in an elevator and the signal was bad. I¡¯m at home now, so I promise it won¡¯t happen again.¡±

    Xiao Gege... Sitting at the side, Ji Yi almost burst intoughter when she saw He Jichen¡¯s dull expression while writing those three words.

    It seemed like those three words ¡°Xiao Gege¡± worked particrly well on ¡°Young Windchaser,¡± seeing as he and He Jichen started a third game.

    This time, He Jichen used the excuse of an iing call to not y for five minutes and dragged ¡°Young Windchaser¡± down by another star.

    A fourth game, a fifth game, a sixth game... Each game, He Jichen found new and different excuses to cut down ¡°Young Windchaser¡±¡®s stars.

    For Ji Yi, who wasn¡¯t really after stars, sat to one side and watched as Young Windchaser fell two consecutive ranks, unable to secretly hold back herughter.

    On the seventh game, Ji Yi was just about to ask He Jichen what kind of excuse he was going to use to make ¡°Young Windchaser¡± lose another star, but before Ji Yi could ask, He Jichen chose to y a mage and got the first kill.

    With a one-kill advantage, He Jichen went to the enemy wilnds and easily got the blue buff then casually walked up to a small beast. Down the path, he worked with his own tank and took out the enemy archer.

    With two kills, He Jichen¡¯s exp rose even more. Soon enough, he got his third kill, fourth kill... before the seven minute mark, He Jichen walked down the middlene and reached the enemy¡¯s furthest tower, forcing the enemy to group up.

    At that very moment, He Jichen had double the opponent¡¯s highest exp. He could easily take on five people on his own, so when they grouped up on him, He Jichen easily got a penta-kill.

    He crushed the seventh game and won.

    Having lost six consecutive matches, ¡°Young Windchaser¡± sent Ji Yi a message: ¡°Wow, Biaomei, you¡¯re actually awesome!¡±

    He Jichen ignored ¡°Young Windchaser¡± and invited him to start an eighth game.

    After everyone chose their characters and the game was about to start, He Jichen opened the game assistant and sluggishly sent a reply to ¡°Young Windchaser¡±¡®spliment: ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t y thest game.¡±

 Chapter 542

    Chapter 542: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After the message was sessfully sent, He Jichen entered the game.

    This time, he chose to be an archer, but he didn¡¯t take the bottomne and headed for the middlene.

    The teammates fighting in the middlene told him endlessly to retreat, but He Jichen went ahead anyway like he hadn¡¯t seen their messages. After respawning from dying by the tower, he continued to use the samene and was killed again by the tower. He respawned again...

    After three consecutive times, ¡°Young Windchaser¡± sent a few question marks in the game.

    He Jichen pretended not to see his messages. He walked ahead and got killed by the tower again.

    His teammates had seen enough and started to yell at He Jichen. As though he wasn¡¯t being shouted at, He Jichen leaned back leisurely on the sofa and continued to walk forward while he was killed by the tower and waited to be respawned.

    Because He Jichen fed his opponents like crazy, the middlene wave got exp every now and then. This caused the middlene mage to not level up fully, so this was another lost game.

    Aftering out of the game, he opened the game assistant and saw that ¡°Young Windchaser¡± had already sent two messages.

    ¡°If you didn¡¯t y, then who did?¡±

    ¡°What the hell? Why are you always giving the tower away?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t hesitate for a moment. He tapped the screen a few times and said: ¡°Her husband.¡±

    ¡°Her husband?¡± ¡°Young Windchaser¡± quickly got to the main point: ¡°Then who are you?¡±

    He Jichen: ¡°I¡¯m her daughter. I¡¯m two and a half.¡±

    To make his lie more realistic, after He Jichen sent his message, he sent another: ¡°What does ¡®give the tower away¡¯ mean?¡±

    After reading that line, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but burst outughing: ¡°Pft!¡±

    He wanted to hit on a girl, but he ended up losing six stars. Alright, so in the end, the girl he tried to hit on had a husband and also had a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter!

    Ji Yi could almost imagine ¡°Young Windchaser¡± vomiting blood from anger!

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for ¡°Young Windchaser¡± to reply and dragged him onto the blocked users list. Then he handed Ji Yi her phone back. ¡°Not angry anymore, right?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head and couldn¡¯t help butugh out loud, thinking about what just happened.

    With a calm face, He Jichen revealed what looked like a loving expression when he heard Ji Yi¡¯sugh. He raised his wrist to check the time and realized it was half-past eleven. ¡°Aren¡¯t there going to be fireworks? If we don¡¯t leave now, we won¡¯t make it.¡±

    ...

    There were few cars on the road in Beijing during new year¡¯s. The streets in the dead of the night seemed even more empty.

    At ten to eleven, Ji Yi and He Jichen reached Houhai.

    There were young guys and girls everywhere. Ji Yi weaved through the group of people for some time before she finally found a spot.

    Not long after she and He Jichen found a spot, the bell tower rang and everyone around them started chanting an ear-splitting countdown in unison, ¡°Ten, nine, eight, seven...¡±

    Neither He Jichen and Ji Yi made a sound, but they were secretly counting on the inside.

    The moment ¡°One¡± was said, He Jichen and Ji Yi spoke at the same time as though they had nned it in advance.

    ¡°Ji Yi, happy new year.¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, happy new year.¡±

    As their voices fell, an infinite array of sparkling fireworks exploded, sending vibrant multicolored lights into the night sky.

    At that moment, Ji Yi stared at the sky of fireworks with a sweet smile.

    After He Jichen took her home at two in the morning, sheid in bed while hugging her covers to sleep with a big smile. Ji Yi clearly had a happy new year¡¯s eve, but when she woke up, her entire world had changed.

 Chapter 543

    Chapter 543: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi sleptte the night before and when woke up at eleven in the morning the next day, she was still dreaming under her warmforter.

    It really was a wonderful dream. She dreamed she and He Jichen were standing in front of the white stone fence in Houhai, watching the sky filled with fireworks.

    In the midst of the exploding fireworks, Ji Yi felt her phone vibrate gently in her hand. She tapped the screen and saw an Alipay red envelope. After clicking on it, Ji Yi realized it was sent by He Jichen who was standing right next to her.

    The message on the red envelope was simple; there were just three words: New year¡¯s money.

    The sum in the red envelope read: 8888.

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t finished thetter half of her dream when she heard her mom cry, ¡°Ji Yi, get up. Ji Yi!¡±

    She then removed herforter, allowing the chill to wake her up from her dream.

    She groggily opened her eyes and stared at her mom standing against the sunlight from the window. It took some time for her to slowlye to her senses.

    ¡°Quickly get up. It¡¯s eleven! Time for lunch!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mom was afraid Ji Yi was still sleeping, so she reached her hand out and pulled Ji Yi¡¯s arm to make her sit upright. Ji Yi¡¯s entire body swayed for a moment. Seeing as Ji Yi waspletely awake, she left the bedroom after saying ¡°Quickly, go freshen up!¡±

    As Ji Yi¡¯s mom shut the bedroom door, Ji Yi slowly got out of bed and took her phone into the bathroom with her.

    While brushing her teeth, Ji Yi opened Alipay and saw the ¡°8888¡± red envelope He Jichen sent. Then she realized the dream she just had was real and yesterday really did happen.

    The corners of Ji Yi¡¯s lips couldn¡¯t help but curve into a smile. While brushing her teeth, she tapped on Weibo out of habit.

    Yesterday, the new year¡¯s blessing Zhuang Yi told her to post on Weibo got over three million likes and over nine thousand replies.

    There were too many messages and Ji Yi couldn¡¯t reply to every fan, so she skimmed through all the popr replies.

    Apart from thements, there were also many messages Just as she skimmed through the replies, Ji Yi vaguely nced through those messages until she saw one which crushed her.

    It was a Weibo post from someone called ¡°I love eating mangoes¡±: ¡°Trash! Ji Yi has no acting skills. giarizes other people¡¯s performances! A disgrace!¡±

    There were two gifs under the post.

    Ji Yi tapped it to see that the first gif was of Qian Ge in ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng.¡± It was the scene where she and the main actor first met. She nced shyly at the lead actor, blushed without saying a word, and turned to run away.

    The second gif was of Ji Yi in ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡± She identally stumbled into the main actor¡¯s arms. She quickly nced at the lead actor, blushed without saying a word too, and turned to run away.

    ¡°I love eating mango¡±¡®s post was sent about over an hour ago. Just a few people replied to voice their opinions to Ji Yi. They must¡¯ve been Qian Ge¡¯s fans.

    Deep down, it was inevitable for Ji Yi to feel a little uneasy, but she knew that no matter how good the celebrity was, it was impossible to not receive just one hatement. What¡¯s more, she felt like ¡°I love eating mango¡±¡®s post was twisting the truth, so she didn¡¯t take it to heart. Choosing to just ignore it, she heard her mom ushering her to eat on the other side of the door. She hurriedly exited Weibo, quickly freshened up and left the bedroom to eat lunch.

 Chapter 544

    Chapter 544: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After lunch, Ji Yi went back into her room to get changed. With various-sized bags in hand, she went out with her parents to make their annual new year visits.

    Before she went to sleepst night, Ji Yi forgot to charge her phone. After she left the house, she realized she only had twenty percent battery left.

    Even though Ji Yi carefully monitored her usage while outside, her phone still ran out of battery at half past four in the afternoon.

    It was already nine in the evening by the time she got back home.

    The first thing Ji Yi did when she went to her room was to charge her phone and take a shower.

    After drying her hair and applying skin care products, her phone had automatically turned on by the time she climbed into bed.

    Ji Yiid against the headboard. After snuggling into afortable position, she picked up her phone.

    She unlocked the screen and nced at her Weibo message notifications. There were almost double the usual amount.

    After opening Weibo, Ji Yi saw most of the messages were from other people¡¯s @myself.

    Ji Yi figured that the story during tonight¡¯s showing of ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± stirred up some debate. She thought this must be why so many people posted @myself, so she didn¡¯t think much of it and casually tapped into the conversation threads. Who knew that she would see a wall of curses and abusive hate messages?

    ¡°giarizing b*tch! Not one of them are innocent!¡±

    ¡°To think that the new YC artist must be talented. I never imagined she¡¯d be a giarizing b*tch!!¡±

    ¡°Trash actress! Is she worthy of working in showbiz with that kind of personality?¡±

    Ji Yi read the series of hate messages in a daze for an entire half minute before she saw the first Weibo post. It was from that ¡°I love eating mangoes¡± user¡¯s Weibo, but it wasn¡¯t the same post she saw earlier; it was a new Weibo post.

    It was another post with two gifs.

    The first gif was of Qian Ge¡¯s ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng.¡± When the main actor got injured and fell unconscious, she stayed by his side and stared intensely at him. She couldn¡¯t help but reach her fingers out to touch the man¡¯s forehead. She revealed a sentimental expression on her face.

    The second gif was of Ji Yi¡¯s ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡± The difference between this and ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± was that the main actor wasn¡¯t injured or unconscious but he was drunk instead. Deep in the night, Ji Yi took care of him without getting any rest herself. After the male lead fell deep asleep, the scene yed out exactly the same as Qian Ge¡¯s ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng.¡± Ji Yi stared at the main actor in a daze then slowly reached her fingers out to trace the outline of his face. When she touched the corners of his lips, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled softly. Even the motions of her trembling finger were the same as Qian Ge¡¯s; there weren¡¯t the slightest bit of difference. The expression on Ji Yi¡¯s face was the same as Qian Ge in the ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± ¨C her pupils shifted as she wore a shy smile.

    If the two gifs from the afternoon were considered just a coincidence, Ji Yi found that quite unbelievable with this side-by-sideparison.

    She clearly remembered how she found it difficult to adjust to acting when she first started shooting scenes at Hengdian studios in the evenings. She could never seem to grasp the right emotions, so she had endless outtakes. Eventually, the director couldn¡¯t take it anymore and asked her to take a break and called in other actors to shoot first.

    To help her get into character, she hid alone in the restroom and reread the script from start to end just topletely immerse herself into the story. Once she grasped the emotions, she finally came out of the restroom and made an ¡°OK¡± hand gesture to the director. She got her makeup retouched and smoothly finished shooting the scenes.

 Chapter 545

    Chapter 545: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    What was most important was that her inspiration came originally from the first night she rushed over to the hospital and took care of He Jichen. After her name reached the top searches list as the first and only artist to sign under YC, she called He Jichen, but he fainted over the phone before she could speak. After he slept, she listened to¡±Within Your Radius¡± and stared at his sleeping face in a daze. Ji Yi took that and exhibited her feelings from that moment in her performance.

    This was clearly her original experience, so how could Qian Ge replicate that with ny-nine percent uracy?

    In the few hours Ji Yi had her phone switched off, ¡°I love eating mangoes¡± hadn¡¯t made just one Weibo post.

    The other Weibo posts were alsoparisons simr to the one Ji Yi saw while brushing her teeth in the morning.

    Weibo posts from ¡°I love eating mangoes¡± became increasingly popr. When Ji Yi first opened Weibo and saw theparison gifs, they had already been shared amongst several major verified users. In the ten short minutes or so that it took for Ji Yi to read ¡°I love eating mangoes¡±¡®s Weibo post, the post was shared over a thousand times and the hashtag #JiYigerizesQianGe# had already started circling.

    Because ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± finished filming first and was first to broadcast, everyone watched that show first and it was naturally the original, whereas Ji Yi¡¯s ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± inevitably became the copy and giarized version since it was broadcastter.

    No matter whether it was ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± or ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang,¡± both series were the hottest dramas that spring. Since people paid a lot of attention to them, it didn¡¯t take long for conversations around the series to climb to the top of Weibo¡¯s hottest search list.

    Having encountered something like this, any artist would seek advice from their manager.

    So Ji Yi immediately called Zhuang Yi first thing.

    The situation escted faster than Ji Yi imagined. Zhuang Yi already heard the gossip and was discussing it with thepany.

    Zhuang Yi was afraid Ji Yi would say something wrong and someone would have something they could use against her, so before Zhuang Yi hung up, she specifically ordered Ji Yi not to post anything on Weibo without thepany¡¯s permission. Zhuang Yi also told Ji Yi there were no celebrities who hadn¡¯t had any scandals, so she had to stay calm and wait for her call.

    The situation not only escted faster than Ji Yi imagined, but it was also far worse than she imagined.

    ¹Ò¶Ï×¯ÒÇµÄµç»°ºó,¼¾ÒäÔÙ½øÎ¢²©,¿´µ½#¼¾ÒäØâÇÔÇ§¸è#µÄ»°Ìâ,ÒÑ¾­ì­Éýµ½ÁËÈÈËÑ°ñÇ°Ê®.

    After the call with Zhuang Yi, Ji Yi then opened Weibo again to see that #JiYigerizedQianGe# had already shot up to the top ten most-searched list.

    Having clicked into the conversation, she not only saw many major verified users and news outlets who shared it, but even minor celebrities shared ¡°I love eating mangoes¡±¡®s Weibo post.

    The topic skyrocketed by the minute until it reached first ce. In under ten minutes, the hashtag #JiYigerizedQianGe# already reached first ce and even had a fire emoji after the title.

    The Weibo post Ji Yi made yesterday was about to break the highest record of three million, but after she checked it, the first line was filled with abusivements.

    There were so many direct messages that she couldn¡¯t count them all. They were all the same type of unbearably abusive, hateful messages.

    This kind of thing was just uneptable.

    Zhuang Yi deliberated for a long time before she eventually replied to Ji Yi: ¡°What the eye doesn¡¯t see, the heart doesn¡¯t grieve over. Let¡¯s wait and see how things pan out.¡±

    At this stage, there was only one path to take ¨C Ji Yi uninstalled Weibo. Deep down, she hoped it would all blow over after tonight, but she never imagined that not only were there no signs of it stopping but the situation would worsen.

 Chapter 546

    Chapter 546: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi practically didn¡¯t sleep all night. There were many times when she wanted to grab her phone and nce at the online discussions. However, the moment her fingertips touched the screen, they shrank back again at the very thought of those viciousments.

    Ji Yi repeated this for who knew how many times. The sky outside slowly got brighter and her body was so exhausted that she couldn¡¯t take it anymore. Finally, Ji Yi fell asleep.

    Even if she was asleep, Ji Yi didn¡¯t sleep well as her entire body woke up every now and then. She would flip over then groggily fall back asleep. After sleeping, waking up, and tossing and turning like this repeatedly for who knew how long, Ji Yi fell deep asleep again after much difficulty. She only managed to sleep for no more than over an hour before she suddenly woke from her dreams.

    It was already bright outside. The sun shone brightly the day after new year¡¯s, gloriously radiating over the entire city.

    Ji Yi reached for her phone and checked the time. It was just before half past nine in the morning; she slept for less than four hours.

    Seriously sleep deprived, Ji Yi just couldn¡¯t sleep, so she figured that she might as well get up.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mom had breakfast ready, but Ji Yi didn¡¯t have the slightest bit of appetite. She messily drank half a bowl of congee and headed back into the bedroom.

    Just as she closed her door, the phone rang. It was a WeChat message from Zhuang Yi: ¡°Xiao Yi, didn¡¯t you say a while back that you wanted to go to the Maldives? Look, do you and your parents have free time the next few days? Or your friends even? I can ask thepany to arrange a holiday for you all to go to the Maldives.¡±

    Even though Zhuang Yi never mentioned how she was randomly used of giarizing Qian Ge¡¯s performance, Ji Yi could tell that the situation had escted severely in the news.

    Ji Yi was naturally curious about how the situation developed, but she didn¡¯t quite dare face it, so she didn¡¯t mention anything. She just replied to Zhuang Yi with, ¡°No thanks. I don¡¯t want to go anywhere these days.¡±

    ¡°Alright. For the next few days, you should eat, sleep, and spend your holidays at home,¡± replied Zhuang Yi quickly.

    Ji Yi replied with an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    After about half a minute, Zhuang Yi sent another message: ¡°Oh right, Xiao Yi. It¡¯s best if you don¡¯t read the news or Weibo or that kind of thing.¡±

    Ji Yi replied with another ¡°Mhm¡± then exited the chat.

    Aside from her WeChat Moments, she received a new notification. Ji Yi tapped it to see that it was a notification for Chen Bai liking the picture she posted on new year¡¯s eve on her Moments.

    After reading the notification, Ji Yi casually swiped through her Moments and the first Moments status about her was: ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± can now be changed to ¡°Ji Yi¡¯s celebrity impressions show.¡±

    This Moments group had some of her ssmates from B-film.

    The people replying below were mostly her ssmates from B-film who Ji Yi had also added as friends so she could see theughing at her first-hand.

    ¡°¡®Impression¡¯, that word is too soft. This is tantly stealing!¡±

    ¡°I truly never thought you could even giarize a performance. WTF!¡±

    ¡°The problem is that even if she giarized another actress¡¯ performance, shouldn¡¯t she have been so obvious? She even copied the amount of times she trembled her finger exactly! ughing crying*¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi counts as a disgrace to our B-Film!¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    The following words were even more hard-to-read. Ji Yi¡¯s fingers swiped up and continued to read the Moments below.

 Chapter 547

    Chapter 547: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She worked in showbiz, so her WeChat friends were practically all people in the industry already. As she nced through hertest Moments feed, they were all posts about her copying Qian Ge. Everyone¡¯s thoughts and opinions were more or less the same as the first post she saw on Moments ¨C they were all conversations belittling her and making fun of her, but after the initial shock, they weren¡¯t as hard to hear.

    Everyone was already talking about it on WeChat Moments, so she was afraid her Weibo must be popping off.

    When Zhuang Yi sent her the WeChat message just now, Ji Yi wanted to take a look out of curiosity. Yet she was afraid and didn¡¯t dare look, so she figured she might as well toss her phone aside. Then she found a book and read to calm herself down.

    There were many things that were easier said than done. Ji Yi forced herself to read over three pages before she couldn¡¯t read anymore.

    She threw the book away,id in bed, and tried to sleep. However, with a distracted mind, she simply couldn¡¯t fall asleep.

    Eventually, she anxiously picked up the phone and downloaded Weibo again.

    Ji Yi stared at the phone screen unwaveringly for a while before she lifted her fingers. Then she entered her username and password.

    After she sessfully logged into Weibo, Ji Yi saw with her own eyes how her message notifications skyrocketed from 0 to over 9999.

    She first opened Weibo¡¯s main page and saw that her Weibo post from new year¡¯s eve already had over ten millionments. From a simple nce, thements all cursed her.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare read what everyone actually posted about her and instead, she checked the top searches list.

    Aside from the hashtag #JiYigerizedQianGe# which took the first spot on the top searches list before she uninstalled Weibost night, there were also now #JiYiLeaveShowbiz# and #boycottJiYi# etc topics.

    Everyone had lots of leisure time during the new year, but now with all themotion online, she was afraid all theizens would get involved.

    At ten in the evening, it marked twenty-four whole hours since the situation first started and news broke out to everyone. It was only then that the heat of the situation finally started to subside.

    After about ten minutes, Ji Yi refreshed Weibo¡¯s top searches list and saw topics about her starting to drop, bit by bit. Ji Yi felt therge, crushing pressure upon her heart lessen a little.

    At midnight, Ji Yi saw only one topic about herself still on the top searches list then she let out a sigh of relief.

    Since eating two bites of breakfast in the morning, Ji Yi hadn¡¯t eaten a thing. Just as she was about to look for snacks to fill her tummy, she saw that ¡°I love eating mangoes¡± posted a newparison gif about her and Qian Ge at ten past twelve.

    The gif was a scene from ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± broadcasted ten days ago. Qian Ge and the male lead were standing in the majestic imperial city, staring at the billions of lights far away as they bid each other farewell.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gif was a farewell scene from ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± broadcasted just two hours ago. Ji Yi¡¯s character and the male lead sat on a hillside under boundless starlight.

    Ji Yi gave her best performance in this very scene in ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± since this part was incredibly simr to the night she asked Yuguang Ge for a divorce.

    After she memorized her lines, she pretended the glistening stars in the sky were the skynterns Yuguang Ge set up for her. This scene was shot in one take.

    At the time, the entire cast and crew remained silent for a whole minute after the scene was shot. Then the director cried, ¡°Cut!¡±

 Chapter 548

    Chapter 548: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    There was a part in the scene she performed which was exactly the same as the day she asked Yuguang Ge for a divorce. The female clearly had the male character in her heart, but she was forced to give up on him.

    So when she rejected the main actor, she didn¡¯t dare to look at him. All she did was stare up at the sky and hold back the tears in her eyes as she read her lines with a determined voice.

    She experienced the pain of enduring a parting before, so when she read her lines, she paused mid-sentence to better repress her emotions. After she calmed down, she continued to speak.

    After she said the line ¡°From here on, you and I are through,¡± she didn¡¯t dare nce at the male character. She got up and turned around while crying and left.

    ¡°I love eating mangoes¡± used this exact scene.

    She was definitely the one who acted it out, but in ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng,¡± Qian Ge¡¯s farewell to the supporting male character happened to be exactly the same.

    When she rejected the supporting male character, she stared up at the sky too without daring to look at him.

    There wasn¡¯t a single difference between their lines nor the location where she broke up with him. Qian Ge even managed to copy how she silently clenched her fists to entuate her sadness.

    When she said her final line, Qian Ge got up, turned around, and cried. Aside from the different people acting, the whole picture of her leaving was practically the same as in ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡±!

    Ji Yi was confused by why this was all happening after what ¡°I love eating mangoes¡± posted on Weibo yesterday, but she didn¡¯t think much of it. She figured that the scene was purely coincidental.

    But this scene couldn¡¯t possibly be a coincidence!

    This was a scene from my personal experience!

    Even if Qian Ge¡¯s acting is impable, she couldn¡¯t have possibly acted exactly the same way as me!

    U-unless it was Qian Ge...

    At that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s fingers suddenly clutched her phone.

    ...Unless Qian Ge posted a spy around me to get ahold of my scenes from ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± then copied all of my best performances!

    For a period drama, it¡¯d take at least two and a half to three months to film if they rushed production.

    ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± took just two months to shoot. When they announced they finished production, Ji Yi was confused as to how they filmed so quickly!

    Also, after Qian Ge suffered such a big loss at the BL Charity G, she wasn¡¯t heard from in a long time. Ji Yi thought something was wrong. With her personality, how could she just let what happened at the g slide?

    At that very moment, Ji Yi understood everything.

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t let it go at all! She was just digging a ditch for five long months, waiting to bury me, Ji Yi, alive!

    Qian Ge purposefully rushed the process to finish filming ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± and beat ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± in broadcasting first.

    If this really did happen, Qian Ge was the true giarizer who came off as the original creator. Yet, I¡¯m the creator who¡¯s being called a little thief on Weibo this very minute!

    When she entered showbiz four years ago, she learned full well that online opinions and scandals like this could annihte a celebrity.

    For Qian Ge to do something like this, she undoubtedly wanted tobel Ji Yi as someone who giarized other people¡¯s acting.

    This was a problem of ethics. As soon as the thought had been nted in other people¡¯s minds, she was afraid of this for a long, long time, perhaps her whole lifetime. She couldn¡¯t possibly dream of making aeback in the entertainment industry.

 Chapter 549

    Chapter 549: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She wasn¡¯t afraid of vile people per se, but she was afraid of vile people with no bottom line. Ji Yi was careless; never in a million years did she think Qian Ge would actually make such a shameless move. To have taken Ji Yi¡¯s things for her own, Qian Ge even went around and took a bite at her!

    Ji Yi wanted nothing more than to post on Weibo and tell the whole world right now that she wasn¡¯t the giarizer, Qian Ge was!

    But she knew deep down that ¡°The Legend of Qingcheng¡± aired before ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡± Even if she told the truth, nobody would believe her!

    If she really did post anything like that on Weibo, she was afraid it would just serve to invite even more abusive and hatefulments.

    Now, Ji Yi finally understood that the most upsetting situation in the world was the agony of not being able to exin yourself.

    The agony of holding it in, of being hard done by, of being framed... All types of emotions instantly filled Ji Yi¡¯s mind and boiled chaotically until theplicated feelings turned into an air of resentment.

    She realized she must¡¯ve been very angry, which was why her fingertips and body were trembling. Her teeth even started to chatter!

    It had been a long time since Ji Yi was this angry. She wanted to calm her agitation, but the more she thought about it, the more the fire inside crackled.

    Ji Yi figured she had to do something or she might go crazy.

    With that thought, Ji Yi opened the game on her phone. However, after she got in, her fingers trembled as she couldn¡¯t even control the character¡¯s positioning.

    Ji Yi got so mad that she threw her phone aside, found a rag in the bathroom, and started to wipe the floors.

    Her bedroom was no more than twenty or so square feet, so she cleaned it pretty quickly. She didn¡¯t sleep at allst night, so she was obviously very tired, but she couldn¡¯t stop cleaning as she wiped the clean floors again...

    She didn¡¯t know just how long she crouched on the floor like that or how many times she repeatedly wiped the floorboards when suddenly her phone rang.

    She instinctively got up and wanted to get her phone.

    However, because her knees crouched on the ground for far too long while wiping the floor, they were so sore that she couldn¡¯t get up. All she could do was climb over to the bedside and reach around for her phone.

    When she saw the screen with the three words ¡°He Jichen.,¡± Ji Yi¡¯s eyes heated up and tears almost came crashing down.

    When she swiped the screen to take the call, Ji Yi didn¡¯t manage to say anything when He Jichen cried out with a worried voice, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi wanted to reply to He Jichen, but when she opened her mouth, she realized she had an incredible pain in her throat. She just couldn¡¯t speak.

    Over the phone, He Jichen seemed to know how she felt at that very moment since he spoke without waiting for her response. ¡°I flew to Americast night. When Inded, it was already six in the morning. I was afraid you¡¯d be asleep, so I didn¡¯t disturb you and quickly bought a flight and hurried back. I justnded at Beijing airport.¡±

    Even though He Jichen didn¡¯t mention why he was in such a hurry to book a flight back, Ji Yi knew he couldn¡¯t deal with everything in America because he was in trouble. He had to fly back.

    Her heart suddenly warmed. Thesting feeling of being done hard by and the anger which circled her mind instantly intensified.

    After He Jichen¡¯s voice fell, he waited for a while. Seeing as Ji Yi hadn¡¯t replied, he spoke again, ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯lle to pick you up tomorrow morning. Come with me on my business trip to America?¡±

    If he really wanted her to go to America with him, then he could¡¯ve asked Chen Bai to book her a ticket for her to fly out there. Why did hee all the way back?

 Chapter 550

    Chapter 550: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    If he really wanted her to go to America with him, he could¡¯ve asked Chen Bai to book her a ticket for her to fly out there. Why did hee all the way back?

    He made a suggestion like that just because he wanted her to get her mind off of the incidents at hand.

    The more attentive He Jichen was, the more unsettled Ji Yi felt.

    ¡°Maybe we can go to France? If that¡¯s no good, then Switzend...¡±

    ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    Before He Jichen could make another suggestion, Ji Yi suddenly spoke after remaining quiet throughout the call.

    He Jichen was about to blurt out ¡°or the UK¡± when he softly changed what he was going to say and let out an ¡°Mhm?¡±

    Ji Yi fell silent again.

    But this time, He Jichen didn¡¯t rush her.

    Both sides fell silent for a moment before Ji Yi spoke extremely slowly and softly. ¡°He Jichen, my performance on ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯ was solely my own form of expression. I didn¡¯t copy Qian Ge¡¯s performance.¡±

    ¡°I believe you,¡± replied He Jichen with no hesitation in a soft but stern voice.

    After being suspected and berated by the whole world all day and night, He Jichen¡¯s phrase ¡°I believe you¡± felt like a candle in the pitch-ck night. He lit up Ji Yi¡¯s hopeless and helpless world, miraculously calming down her anger.

    She held the phone silently for a moment then said, ¡°Those photos circting online were of scenes I racked my brain over for a long time. There were even some scenes that kept me up all night nning all the intricate details...¡±

    On the other side of the phone, He Jichen sat in the car back to the city without making a sound.

    He knew Ji Yi didn¡¯t need to beforted at that very moment. She needed to vent.

    ¡°...I wanted to do well with the first leading female character that I yed after my hiatus. I knew I couldn¡¯t perform perfectly, but I wanted to act with a clear conscience. I was truly sincere, but I never imagined that all my hard work would be stolen just like that...¡±

    ¡°...It¡¯s just like four years ago. No matter if it¡¯s my acting career or my office, I rose to the top like in the old days, but with just one simple scheme, she took it all away...¡±

    ¡°... And what about me? She put me in the hospital for three years and now, she made everyone hate me. No matter if it¡¯s four years ago or four yearster, all I can do is get angry!¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, I¡¯m really useless, aren¡¯t I? It¡¯s just like what Director Lin said; I¡¯m not good at anything! Qian Ge was right, I can¡¯tpare to her...¡±

    ¡°If using tricks and stepping on other people to be sessful is called being useful, there are many people in the world who aren¡¯t useful at all!¡±

    Having stayed quiet all conversation, He Jichen listened to what Ji Yi said then spoke sluggishly.

    ¡°It isn¡¯t your fault that you¡¯re caught all up in this; it¡¯s her fault because most of the time, people with principles can¡¯t beat people with no bottom line!¡±

    ¡°So Xiao Yi, don¡¯tpare yourself...¡±

    He Jichen paused for a moment before his voice became disdainful. ¡°...because she simply isn¡¯t worthy enough topare with you!¡±

    Ji Yi still had lingering feelings of being wronged when she wasining to He Jichen, but at that very moment, she considered herself nowpletely rxed when she heard what He Jichen said.

 Chapter 551

    Chapter 551: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Even though they were a phone call apart, He Jichen felt Ji Yi¡¯s mood slowly improving. He said, ¡°And anyway, whypare yourself to her? Aside from her b*tchiness, I don¡¯t see anything special about her. Don¡¯t tell me you want to bepared to someone who is even more b*tchy?¡±

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as she never imagined He Jichen would suddenly say something like that. ¡°I¡¯m not taking it that hard, alright?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good. I thought you were taking things too hard.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything, but she could clearly feel her chest fill up with joy, bit-by-bit.

    After some time, He Jichen spoke again: ¡°Feeling a bit better?¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good. Then listen to me and get some things done...¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Take a shower, dry your hair, and drink a ss of milk. Then get in bed, close your eyes, don¡¯t think about anything, and get a good night¡¯s sleep...¡± He Jichen paused for a moment before his voice returned. ¡°... Do what I say. I won¡¯t hang up. I¡¯ll stay with you.¡±

    I¡¯ll stay with you... Ji Yi never knew that four simple words could have such power. In that very moment, she felt like even if the sky fell, there would be nothing to fear as long as she had He Jichen by her side!

    Ji Yi endured the raging emotions on her mind and let out a gentle ¡°Mhm.¡± Then she put down her phone and followed He Jichen¡¯s instructions.

    He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t returned home yet, knew Ji Yi didn¡¯t have her phone on her anymore, but he didn¡¯t lower his phone from his ear.

    He stared out at the night view of the city passing by and thought the four words he just said in his mind again.

    I¡¯ll stay with you...

    Four years ago, when you got into your ident, I couldn¡¯t be by your side. Four yearster, no matter how many things happen to you, I will stay by your side.

    I left you on your own to deal with all the ugliness of the world. I won¡¯t leave you to deal with it a second time...

    Ji Yi picked up her phone again and noticed that forty minutes had passed.

    The call was still ongoing.

    Sheid in bed and followed He Jichen¡¯s orders. She pulled the covers over her body, put her ear to her phone, and continued to chat casually with He Jichen.

    ¡°You home yet?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°You took a shower?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°You hungry?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    They chatted like that for who knew how long before sleepiness crept up on her. Ji Yi¡¯s eyelids gradually closed.

    On the other side of the phone, He Jichen noticed that Ji Yi was replying more slowly and figured that she must be sleepy so he stopped talking.

    The night was peaceful. Through the phone, he could hear her breathing gradually bing slow and deep.

    He stood in front of the tall windows and stared out at millions of lights then lit a cigarette. After a drag, he suddenly remembered something and said to Ji Yi, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    ¡°Mhm?¡± Her voice was slurred.

    ¡°You have to remember what I said.¡±

    ¡°Every promise I told you:

    ¡ª¡ªWithout YC, you¡¯ll still have me.

    ¡ª¡ªI won¡¯t swarm to you when you¡¯re famous, and I won¡¯t turn and leave you at your lowest point.¡±

    ¡°... Mhm.¡±

    ¨C

    When Ji Yi woke up again, it was noon of the third day after new year¡¯s and her phone shut off because it ran out of battery.

    The whole ordeal about her giarizing Qian Ge¡¯s idea got so big that her parents found out.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum was so afraid of Ji Yi lounging around at home and having wild thoughts running through her mind. After lunch, she dragged Ji Yi to the beauty salon to enjoy the spa.

 Chapter 552

    Chapter 552: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi forgot to go to the bathroom before she left the house, so the first thing she did when she arrived at the beauty salon was use the restroom.

    Ji Yi truly never imagined that she would bump into *her* in the restroom.

    She walked over to the restroom door and raised her hand. Just as she was about to push the door open, someone on the other side pulled it open. Ji Yi was caught off guard by the sight of Qian Ge¡¯s carefully done make up.

    The past few days, news of their incident got out to the whole world.

    Now, to unexpectedly meet like this, not only was Ji Yi stunned, but Qian Ge also felt a little startled.

    Ji Yi was the first to snap back to her senses.

    Things were fine when she didn¡¯t see Qian Ge, but as soon as Ji Yi saw her, the fire in her heart ignited.

    She knew full well that Qian Ge wanted to see her embarrassed more than anyone, so she tried her best to push down the thought of wanting to shred Qian Ge into a million pieces. Ji Yi pretended she didn¡¯t exist and brushed right past her into the restroom.

    After entering a cubicle, she locked the cubicle door from the inside then waited for a while. Ji Yi heard the crisp sound of Qian Ge¡¯s high heels gradually disappearing.

    After using the toilet, Ji Yi continued to sit there for a while before she got up and flushed. Then she emerged from the cubicle.

    As she came out, Ji Yi headed straight for the sink and turned on the tap. With some soap in her hands, she aimed for the water and was about to wash her hands when she saw Qian Ge through the mirror. She was standing at the exit with a slender women¡¯s menthol cigarette between her fingers.

    When Ji Yi saw her, she could sense the bewitching smokeing from Qian Ge¡¯s lips. She nced into the mirror. When their eyes met for just two seconds, the smoke Qian Ge exhaled covered both their gazes.

    Ji Yi pretended Qian Ge didn¡¯t exist just like she did when she entered the restroom and nkly lowered her eyes. After carefully washing her hands, she reached for a tissue and dried her hands. Then she turned around and leisurely walked out of the restroom.

    Ji Yi turned right and was just about to walk over to the front desk of the beauty salon. Standing next to her, Qian Ge spoke with an elegant voice, ¡°Do you have nothing to say to me?¡±

    Of course, Ji Yi knew what Qian Ge secretly meant with those words. She was waiting for Ji Yi to me her for giarizing her performance and call her a little thief! She¡¯s probably betting on me saying that!

    That way, Qian Ge could just record me and post it up on Weibo. I¡¯m already in dangerous territory, so this would only push me over the edge!

    Ji Yi pretended as though she hadn¡¯t heard anything, so her feet didn¡¯t hesitate or stop walking at all.

    ¡°You may have nothing to say, but I have something to say to you today.¡± Ji Yi heard Qian Ge¡¯s unhurried voice from behind her.

    Ji Yi continued walking straight ahead.

    The distance between them grew.

    Yet, Qian Ge wasn¡¯t in a hurry in the least. She continued to sluggishly lean against the wall and smoke her cigarette. ¡°Ji Yi, did you know? He Jichen knew years ago that your character in ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯ would sh with my character in ¡®The Legend of Qingcheng¡¯.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s calm steps suddenly came to a stop at the sound of those words ¡°He Jichen.¡±

    She didn¡¯t turn back.

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t hope for Ji Yi to turn around, but she put out her finished cigarette on the ashtray by the bin. She pushed herself up then strolled over to Ji Yi¡¯s side.

 Chapter 553

    Chapter 553: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°From the moment He Jichen found out about the incident till the night it blew up, he had a whole week¡¯s time to think of a way to keep it down. But do you know? He didn¡¯t do anything...¡±

    Qian Ge would admit she was cutthroat with everything she did in life; she didn¡¯t even show mercy to Ji Yi who she was closest to when they were young. She was like that with everyone besides He Jichen, who always treated her like she was unworthy, who she considered the worst man yet he was also the man who filled her heart with fantasies.

    Though she was the one who single-handedly created all the scandals guing Ji Yi right now, she received some help from the media to blow the situation up to this level. While in touch with the media, she found out someone revealed the incident to He Jichen. At the time, she was worried whether she could pull this off without interference from He Jichen. Later, she realized He Jichen not only didn¡¯t stop her from carrying out her plot, but he even helped fan the mes.

    It wasn¡¯t like she didn¡¯t know He Jichen treated Ji Yi well; she just thought it was a bit odd.

    She asked people from everywhere to get the inside scoop. It wasn¡¯t until the day after new year¡¯s day that she found out from Director Lin, who she nted at YC and who was ultimately fired, that He Jichen made an agreement with the board of directors. If Ji Yi was unable to generate profit for YC within a year, he would leave YC with nothing.

    At that moment, she finally realized He Jichen was only unconcerned because deep down, he actually hoped Ji Yi¡¯s scandal would blow up.

    To Ji Yi, it was a disaster, but to He Jichen, it was a great way to get exposure for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡± As long as they got sales, He Jichen could stay at YC.

    With that thought, Qian Ge¡¯s lips couldn¡¯t help but curve up. ¡°...Did you think He Jichen was truly going to support you? I didn¡¯t know till now that to him, you¡¯re just a money-making tool. Look at you, all embarrassing as hell, gued by scandals. What did He Jichen do? Nothing! He didn¡¯t even spend money to find ways to remove your scandal from Weibo¡¯s top searches. He didn¡¯t even do that...¡±

    The expression on Ji Yi¡¯s face was as cold andposed as usual, like Qian Ge hadn¡¯t said anything at all.

    ¡°Do you know why?¡± Qian Ge didn¡¯t mind how Ji Yi pretended to have not heard what she said as she looked down and yed with the diamonds stuck on her nails. ¡°Because the more blown up your situation is, the more exposure ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯ gets. Did you see the spike in ratings forst night¡¯s ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯ because of the incident? To He Jichen, he made money. What do your reputation, your life, and death have anything to do with him?¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she realized she had to be sick in the head to even listen to what Qian Ge had to say.

    Without ncing at Qian Ge, she continued to walk up to the front desk of the beauty salon.

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t stop Ji Yi, but after taking just two steps forward, she spoke again. ¡°Ji Yi, do you think that my abilities alone could single-handedly blow this scandal up to this extent? You don¡¯t have to believe me, but what I said is the truth ¨C He Jichen had a part in all of this!¡±

    ¡°To He Jichen, he wants this situation to be blown up even more than I do!¡±

    ¡°So in some areas, he and I are alike; we don¡¯t care if you live or die!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s feet suddenly stopped.

    Since Qian Ge started talking to her, Ji Yi hadn¡¯t nced back at Qian Ge. She suddenly turned around and looked over at Qian Ge now.

 Chapter 554

    Chapter 554: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°You think he¡¯s the same as you?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s voice sounded particrly cold. After she repeated what Qian Ge said, she shot an icy re at Qian Ge. ¡°Could you not insult him like that? Are you worthy of calling him your equal?¡±

    Qian Ge never imagined Ji Yi would sound so overbearing and threatening as her arrogant eyes froze.

    ¡°You can¡¯t possibly believe I would believe your whole act of pretending to be clear and logical?¡± Ji Yi spoke as her lips curved into a gentle smile. ¡°Qian Ge, do you take me for some kind of gullible three-year-old kid?¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you, even if you hype up your story and make it sound possible, I would never believe you!¡±

    ¡°You lost your credibility long ago. Let¡¯s not even mention what you said to me today about He Jichen ¨C even if you randomly dragged a beggar off the streets, I¡¯d rather believe them over believing you!¡±

    ¡°So Qian Ge, if you¡¯re trying to drive a wedge between me and He Jichen, I suggest you save it!¡±

    With that, a newfound confidence entered Ji Yi¡¯s voice: ¡°Because that will never happen!¡±

    What a joke!

    What has He Jichen done for me? Compared to what Qian Ge has done to me?

    Does she think I¡¯m dumb or that there¡¯s something wrong with my brain? Why would I suspect He Jichen just because of what she said?

    What¡¯s more, after He Jichen went to America and found out what happened to me, he dropped everything and flew right back.

    As soon as hended, He Jichen called me. Usually he barely speaks, butst night, he changed and stayed with me the whole time...

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the more she got angry at Qian Ge¡¯s im that he and she were alike. It was a tant insult to He Jichen!

    How could He Jichen be like her?

    With that thought, Ji Yi spoke again with an angrier tone: ¡°Do you know what you just said makes me think you¡¯re aplete fool? You think your little act is really convincing, but I¡¯ve beenughing at you for a while now!¡±

    ¡°Today, I¡¯m knocking down your words right here and now. I choose to believe He Jichen. I choose to believe him tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and every day in the future!¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t choose to believe He Jichen because of what you said. Even if someone else said what you did, I would still choose to believe in him!¡±

    ¡°I, Ji Yi, am not foolish enough to be repeatedly embarrassed by you. I can tell who is telling me the truth and who is pretending. I have enough intelligence to determine that at least!¡±

    As Ji Yi said that, she shot a deadly re at Qian Ge then turned right around without waiting for her to respond.

    She took two steps forward but then her footsteps suddenly halted like she just remembered something.

    Without bothering to nce back at Qian Ge, Ji Yi coldly said, ¡°Also, I¡¯m warning you ¨C quitparing yourself to He Jichen because it will only disgrace him!¡±

    With a pause, Ji Yi thought back to when they were young. Qian Ge asked her long ago to help set her up to meet He Jichen at the school¡¯s grove. She added, ¡°I finally get why He Jichen didn¡¯t like you in senior high!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because birds of a feather flock together. The two of you were never alike!¡±

 Chapter 555

    Chapter 555: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him(15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As thest syble dropped, Ji Yi strode away without lingering for a second.

    After she finally released all her pent-up anger through venting at Qian Ge just now, Ji Yi walked right up to the front desk and curved her lips into a smile.

    Thedy at the front desk came over to Ji Yi when she saw her and immediately escorted her over to the room where her mum was.

    Her mum was sitting on a European-style sofa while quietly discussing what she wanted to have done today with a much older technician.

    After thedy at the front desk asked her to take a seat, she spoke a few words into the walkie-talkie she carried on her body. About a minuteter, the door to their room opened and a technician younger than Ji Yi¡¯s mum came in with a cup of rose tea.

    After thedy at the front desk left, the young technician handed Ji Yi a list of treatments then crouched down, raised Ji Yi¡¯s feet and soaked them into a foot spa filled with warm water.

    Because He Jichen was at the front of her mind from when she said such harsh words to Qian Ge just now, Ji Yi suddenly wanted to talk to him.

    She casually nced at the list of treatments. After ordering a treatment, she started looking for her phone.

    After searching for a while, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t find it. Then she remembered that when her mum rushed her out of the house, she specifically left her phone at home to avoid reading thements online.

    Without having He Jichen to share her thoughts with, Ji Yi realized just how much she missed him.

    When she had something on her mind with no way of calling He Jichen, she realized she really wanted to see him.

    What time did he sleep yesterday? Is he awake now?

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the more strongly she wanted to see him. After her technician finished wiping her leg with a towel, she suddenly stood up.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, what are you doing?¡± Sitting beside her, Ji Yi¡¯s mum jumped in shock.

    When Ji Yi heard her mum speak, she turned to nce at her then casually said, ¡°Mum, wait here at the spa for me. I¡¯m going to go look for He Jichen!!¡±

    ¡°Why are you looking for Jichen?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you when I get back...¡± replied Ji Yi to her mum as she apologized to her technician: ¡°Sorry.¡± Then she put on her shoes and hurriedly ran out of the beauty salon.

    She hailed a taxi and headed for He Jichen¡¯s apartment.

    The door opened the second after she rang the doorbell, but it wasn¡¯t He Jichen ¨C it was the helper he hired, Zhang Sao. ¡°Miss Ji, why are you here?¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s He Jichen?¡± Ji Yi asked.

    ¡°Mr. He went to the office with his assistant Mr. Chen an hour ago.¡± After Zhang Sao spoke, she made a hand gesture to wee Ji Yi into the room. ¡°I¡¯ll call Mr. He now and inform him you¡¯re here. Please wait inside for him.¡±

    ¡°No need to trouble you. I¡¯ll go look for him at his office.¡±

    ¡°Alright then, Miss Ji. Take care.¡±

    Ji Yi replied to Zhang Sao with a smile but didn¡¯t utter a word. She retreated to the elevator and pressed the button.

    At the office, there was still no security guard on shift on the third day after new year¡¯s.

    Ji Yi paid her driver and walked through the empty lobby then stepped into the elevator.

    Reaching the top floor, Ji Yi weaved past the secretary¡¯s office and headed right for He Jichen¡¯s office door.

    The office door wasn¡¯tpletely shut but it was left half-open.

 Chapter 556

    Chapter 556: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (16)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Out of courtesy, Ji Yi didn¡¯t push the doors open right away, but she reached out to knock on the wooden door.

    Her fingers hadn¡¯t reached the door when He Jichen¡¯s distinct voice was heard from inside: ¡°How¡¯s Ji Yi¡¯s situation going?¡±

    Upon hearing her name, Ji Yi stopped mid-knock.

    Immediately after, Chen Bai¡¯s voice came from the office. ¡°It¡¯s still up on the top searches list, but it¡¯s dying down so it¡¯s dropping in rank.¡±

    He Jichen only asked Chen Bai about me because he¡¯s worried about me?

    An indescribable sense of joy crept into Ji Yi¡¯s heart, making her lips unconsciously curve gently.

    ¡°We can¡¯t let the hype die down...¡± He Jichen spoke again with the same distinctly crisp voice.

    Such simple words bewildered Ji Yi.

    We can¡¯t let the hype die down... What did He Jichen mean by that?

    ¡± Got it, Mr. He. I have one more piece of news I can leak to ¡®I love eating mangoes.¡± When Miss Ji was stuck on a scene, she hid away by herself. This can easily trigger people online. As long as we leak that, it¡¯ll definitely cause another uproar.¡±

    Leak to ¡®I love eating mangoes¡¯... ¡®I love eating mangoes¡¯ was the person who single-handedly started this wave of public hatred. Why¡¯s Chen Bai leaking info to him?

    Ji Yi looked panicked as her pitch-ck pupils started to quickly flicker.

    Did Chen Bai misspeak? Or am I hearing things?

    With that thought, Ji Yi raised her hand and frantically rubbed her ears. Before she could stop, she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice from within the office again. ¡°Mm, pay close attention to Ji Yi¡¯s poprity on Weibo. As soon as it drops, boost it up. If that doesn¡¯t work, buy out all the online media outlets to boost it. Basically, you have to blow this whole thing out of proportion until everyone knows about it.¡±

    ¡°I understand, Mr. He.¡±

    After Chen Bai said this, the office fell into silence once again.

    Ji Yi vaguely heard the sound of a lighter followed by He Jichen¡¯s muffled voice. Ji Yi figured he must have a cigarette in his mouth. ¡°How are thetest ratings for ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s already surpassed ¡®The Legend of Qingcheng¡¯ ¨C it¡¯s number one in the ratings.¡± Chen Bai paused for a moment then said, ¡°Today, the shares for YC increased by a lot again...¡±

    After Ji Yi heard this, she didn¡¯t dare to listen anymore. She took two steps back and put some distance between her and He Jichen¡¯s office. She turned around and ran back into the elevator.

    The second the elevator doors closed, the words Qian Ge said in the salon and the words He Jichen and Chen Bai said in the office suddenly mored around in her head like a curse.

    ¡°He had a whole week¡¯s time to think of a way to keep it down. But did you know? He didn¡¯t do anything.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t let the hype die down...¡±

    ¡°I have one more piece of news I can leak to ¡®I love eating mangoes¡¯.¡±

    ¡°To him, you¡¯re just a money-making tool.¡±

    ¡°How are thetest ratings for ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Today, the shares for YC increased by a lot again...¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to believe me, but what I said is the truth. He Jichen had a part in all this!¡±

 Chapter 557

    Chapter 557: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi shook her head profusely, wanting to drive out the noise from her head but it only served to make the noise even louder. Eventually, it was so loud that her temples began to throb in pain, bringing her to tears. Her tears came crashing down unexpectedly from the corners of her eyes.

    When the elevator doors opened, she frantically ran out of the office and took a right into a small alleyway by the office.

    Both shops beside the ally were closed and the streets were quiet and empty without a single soul in sight.

    Ji Yi walked quite a bit deeper into the alley. Like a deted balloon, she crouched down, put her head between her knees, and started to sob.

    How did things turn out like this?

    He Jichen did call mest night tofort me and stay with me. How could he turn around and say things like that to Chen Bai?

    He¡¯s always treated me really, really well! He signed me with YC and fired Director Lin for me. He even went against the board of directors! At the time, I was really touched that I even attended the BL Charity G the day after my leg finally healed. I did it just for him because I wanted to work hard to repay him for everything he did for me.

    Back then, I really viewed him as someone I could rely on in my life.

    I really believed him, which is why I went straight to him when I wanted toin about something... Because I subconsciously thought this entire world turned its back on me, but he would never do that.

    So at the beauty salon, when I heard Qian Ge say those things, I thought it was hrious.

    I had such confidence that He Jichen wasn¡¯t how she described.

    I was certain everything Qian Ge said was made up.

    I even confidently said such harsh things to Qian Ge.

    What¡¯s more, I even got mad when I heard Qian Ge say ¡°he and I are alike¡±... Now, it seems like the joke was on me... I even called Qian Ge a clown when in actual fact, I was the clown!

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the more fiercely her eyes watered. She felt her heart being viciously torn apart. The pain made it impossible for her to breathe.

    How did things turn out like this?

    How could he, who treated me so well, turn out to be one of the people behind the scandal?

    Is it really like how Qian Ge described? Am I really just his money-making tool? Are my life and death really not the least bit important to him?

    As long as the rumors about me increase ratings for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± and shares for YC, does it not matter at all to him if my reputation gets ruined and everyone gives up on me?

    Though her heart endured the suffering of people cursing her out online, Ji Yi never cried about it.

    But here and now, she cried like a helpless and hopeless child.

    She really, really wanted to believe this was all fake, but it was such a shame she heard everything He Jichen and Chen Bai said with her own ears!

    How devastating! She couldn¡¯t even trick herself.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure how long she¡¯d been crying when her tears dried. Then she raised her head up from her knees.

    The sun already reached the West and the golden glow already turnedpletely red.

    So, she¡¯d cried for almost an entire afternoon...

 Chapter 558

    Chapter 558: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Her mum was still waiting for her at the beauty salon...

    Her mum only came out because of her, and now, she ran out without even bringing a phone with her. She¡¯d been away for so long now, she must be worried about her...

    Ji Yi only left her mum¡¯s side in such a hurry because she couldn¡¯t wait to see He Jichen, but who knew... she would see him under those circumstances...

    As soon as she thought about what He Jichen and Chen Bai said, Ji Yi¡¯s swollen, red eyes started to feel sore again.

    She raised her head to the sky and took a deep breath, trying to push back the tears. Then she got up and walked out of the alley.

    Ji Yi stood by the side of the road for some time before she caught a taxi.

    When she reached the beauty salon, the sun had already set. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to head back into her mum¡¯s room, so she took a turn into the restroom.

    As she passed by the trash can opposite the restroom, Ji Yi remembered what Qian Ge said to her an hour ago when she stood there. A sharp pain came over her again as she walked slightly in disarray.

    Standing in front of the sink, Ji Yi poured cold water over her face. She stayed in a daze for a long time as she watched her swollen red eyes gradually return to normal then she grabbed a towel and wiped her hands and face dry. Ji Yi forcefully smiled a few times in the mirror. After she confirmed that the expression on her face didn¡¯t look so down, she headed back to see her mum.

    ...

    After noticing that Ji Yi was gone for a while, her mum felt bad waiting around at the salon after finishing her treatments, so she had a new treatment done.

    Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t returned when the new treatment was almost finished.

    As she worried about Ji Yi, Ji Yi¡¯s mum was also conflicted about whether to have another treatment done when all of sudden, the door opened and in came Ji Yi¡¯s voice: ¡°Ma.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum turned her head and saw Ji Yi then immediately thanked the heavens as she cried, ¡°Xiao Yi, you want to scare mama to death!? Mama thought something happened to you!¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Ji Yi was afraid her mum would notice signs of her crying, so when her mum looked over at her, she lowered her head.

    ¡°Why did you go look for Jichen? Was it something urgent?¡±

    It would¡¯ve been better if Ji Yi¡¯s mum hadn¡¯t mentioned it at all, because as soon as she did, Ji Yi¡¯s rattled emotions resurfaced again after she tried so hard to push them down in the restroom. Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips trembled for a moment as she almost lost control and she lied with a soft voice, ¡°I wanted to see him about something, but he wasn¡¯t at home, so I came back.¡±

    ¡°What took you so long?¡± rebuked Ji Yi¡¯s mum with a hint of me in her voice.

    ¡°I went to look for Zhuang Yi,¡± replied Ji Yi, who randomly thought up an excuse to mislead her mum. Then she apologized with a gentle voice, ¡°Ma, I¡¯m sorry for making you wait for me for so long.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum was more worried than angry at Ji Yi, and upon seeing her return, she was overjoyed. Ji Yi¡¯s mum immediately smiled when she heard her apology and said, ¡°Just pay for mama¡¯s billter and we¡¯re good.¡±

    Ji Yi smiled back and replied with an ¡°Mhm.¡± Before she could finish, the technician working on Ji Yi¡¯s mum softly cried, ¡°Madam, your treatment¡¯s finished now. May I ask, is there anything else I can help you with?¡±

    Her mum shook her head.

    ¡°Madam, please wait here for a moment as I step out.¡±

    Her mum nodded.

    After the technician left, it was just Ji Yi and her mum left in therge room.

    Her mum wasn¡¯t in a rush to get up, so she shut her eyes as sheid on the bed.

    Sitting beside her, Ji Yi stared at her mum for a while before she suddenly apologized. ¡°Ma, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

 Chapter 559

    Chapter 559: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Hearing Ji Yi apologize again, Ji Yi¡¯s mum was stunned for a moment before she opened her eyes and looked over at Ji Yi with a warm smile. ¡°Why do you keep saying sorry?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum probably wanted to ease the atmosphere, so she paused for a moment then said, ¡°You couldn¡¯t have done something that would make me angry, right? Did you spill the honey in my freezer?¡±

    Ji Yi knew she was just joking, but she didn¡¯t smile at all. Instead, her eyes puffed up and she had the urge to cry again.

    She knew she was this upset because of He Jichen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum could easily sense that something was wrong with Ji Yi, so she couldn¡¯t justy in bed resting anymore. She immediately shot up from the bed and rushed over to Ji Yi.

    Drawing closer, Ji Yi¡¯s mum realized that Ji Yi¡¯s eyes were a little red and swollen. It was obvious she¡¯d been crying as worry suddenly crept into her eyes. ¡°Xiao Yi, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum figured she must be sad over what happened online and said, ¡°Xiao Yi, other people can say what they want; only you know what you¡¯ve done. No matter what happens, you¡¯ll always have mum and dad.¡±

    As Ji Yi¡¯s eyes turned red, she reached her hand out and hugged her mum¡¯s waist then buried her face into her embrace. After a short while, Ji Yi said in a dull voice, ¡°Ma, I¡¯m not upset about what happened online. I suddenly felt sorry to you and dad for worrying about me all these years.¡±

    No matter if it was the car ident from four years ago or being in aa for three long years, or all the nasty rumors about her... They were probably the only people in the world who watched her experience it all and worried most about her.

    ¡°What are you saying? As parents, it¡¯s normal to worry about their children, isn¡¯t it?¡± As Ji Yi¡¯s mum said this, her worried heart dropped into her chest again.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything but she tightly hugged her mum¡¯s waist. After about ten seconds, she softly said, ¡°Ma, if I can never film again and can¡¯t earn money, would you and dad support me?¡±

    Ji Yi knew that the hypothetical question she just asked could possibly be true.

    With her current ruined reputation, she was afraid she was probably going to be fired by YC.

    ¡°Silly child, asking such silly questions. If your dad and I don¡¯t support you, then who will?¡± Ji Yi¡¯s mum stroked Ji Yi¡¯s hair for a moment then said in a warm yet serious voice, ¡°Xiao Yi, if you¡¯re unhappy filming, then don¡¯t do it anymore. Your dad and I just want you to be happy.¡±

    A single tear fell from the corner of Ji Yi¡¯s eye.

    She stayed in her mum¡¯s embrace for a long time before she removed herself.

    That was when Ji Yi¡¯s mum said, ¡°Alright now... stop with these wild thoughts. Wait for mama to get changed. After, let¡¯s head back home and I¡¯ll make you some food.¡±

    Ji Yi replied with a silent smile and gentle nod of the head.

    Soon enough, Ji Yi¡¯s mum got changed.

    Ji Yi helped her mum carry her bag and held her mum¡¯s hand as they left the room together.

    The room they booked was in the furthest corner of the salon. As they walked down the hallway and past the front desk, they happened to overhear a conversationing from one of the rooms that left their door open.

    ¡°Did you know? The young woman in room 1002 is Ji Yi.¡±

    ¡°She looks really pretty. She¡¯s prettier in real life than on television.¡±

 Chapter 560

    Chapter 560: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi and her mum peeked into the room at the same time to see that it was two technicians chatting away while cleaning up a room.

    ¡°What use is there in being pretty? Her personality is bad... She¡¯s truly shameless to copy Qian Ge¡¯s performance!¡±

    ¡°Not only that, but I gave Qian Ge and her friends treatments just now. They were talking about how Ji Yi¡¯s personal life is pretty messed up. She had an abortion and she schemes a lot; she¡¯s not as harmless as she looks...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum suddenly stopped walking and turned around with an angry look on her face, prepared to charge right into the room.

    But before she could do so, Ji Yi stopped her in her tracks, walked a few quick steps ahead and softly said, ¡°There¡¯s no point in arguing with them. There¡¯s no telling ¨C this might even be Qian Ge¡¯s trap to wait for us to angrily charge in and pick a fight with two technicians. It¡¯ll just be another headline if other people post it online.¡±

    ¡°But you heard what they just said...¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say that others can say what they want, and we¡¯ll continue living our lives?¡± With that, Ji Yi and her mum walked over to the front desk.

    Ji Yi nced at the bill thedy at the front desk handed her. After confirming there were no mistakes, she handed her the credit card.

    While her card was being swiped, the two technicians who were talking about Ji Yi just now happened to walk out of the room cheerfully.

    Ji Yi turned her head, nced at them, and happened to catch their employee numbers on their chests.

    ¡°Miss, could you please sign here?¡± Thedy pushed the bill towards Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi picked up the pen and was about to sign when she suddenly thought of something. She raised her head and asked, ¡°If I remember correctly, a technician who gets aint will have their wages cut, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± Thedy at the front desk was stunned for a moment but then shot her a smile, as she never imagined Ji Yi would suddenly ask such a question.

    While Ji Yi signed, she read out the two employee numbers right in front of those two technicians then handed the bill back to thedy. She added in a soft voice, ¡°Those two technicians were disrespectful to customers. Please remember to help me file aint.¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi held onto her mum¡¯s arm, picked up her bag, and walked out the door.

    After just two steps. Ji Yi turned her head and added with a smile, ¡°Oh right! Next time I visit, I want feedback on thatint.¡±

    With that, Ji Yi swept an emotionless look at the two technicians she filed aint about then shot them a sweet smile before looking away and walking out of the salon.

    The beauty salon was on the third floor.

    After she took the elevator to the first floor, Ji Yi and her mum were weed by the sound of frantic footsteps before they even reached the front doors of the building.

    Before Ji Yi could figure out what those footsteps meant, she and her mum were faced with an audience of people.

    They had cameras and microphones in their hands. Endless shing lights followed as over ten microphones rushed at Ji Yi.

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, what do you think about the onlinements of you copying Qian Ge¡¯s performance?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, will you be issuing an apology to Qian Ge over this incident?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, did you purposefully use Miss Qian Ge to promote yourself?¡±

 Chapter 561

    Chapter 561: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, if you¡¯re doing this to promote yourself, don¡¯t you think this method is a little hard for people to ept?

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi...¡±

    Practically everyone chimed in, but aside from the very first question asked, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear any of the questions clearly as thetter questions were all mixed in together. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear what they were asking with all that chatter.

    The reporters noticed that Ji Yi wasn¡¯t replying, so they started to ask even more obnoxious questions.

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, can we take your silence for a confession?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, I want to ask, is this person next to you your mother? Then can I ask your mother a question? When you raised your daughter, did you not teach her the ethics of not giarizing?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Ji Yi¡¯s mother, could you please tell us ¨C don¡¯t you feel ashamed of seeing your daughterpletely giarize someone else¡¯s performance?¡±

    The reporter who directed his question to Ji Yi¡¯s mum then pushed the microphone over towards her.

    Following those earth-shattering questions attacking Ji Yi¡¯s mum, Ji Yi snapped to her senses from the chaos caused by the group of people surrounding them.

    Without thinking twice, she took a step forward and blocked them. ¡°Sorry, I hope you can direct all your questions to me and not drag my family into this. Thank you.¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she wanted to take her mum back into the elevator and into the beauty salon again to call Zhuang Yi for some help to get out of this mess.

    A reporter must¡¯ve figured out what Ji Yi was thinking as she ran to block their way. Soon enough, Ji Yi and her mum were surrounded by them again.

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, could you please answer myst question?¡±

    Seeing Ji Yi speak, the reporter pushed the microphone even further out towards Ji Yi and her mum.

    Entrapped by reporters all around her, Ji Yi and her mum had no path to retreat, so all Ji Yi could do was say the words at the tip of her tongue: ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯m not epting any interviews today. If everyone could please move aside...¡±

    Those reporters were never going to let Ji Yi go... As her voice fell, another wave of questions came pouring in.

    News about her was blown up online for everyone to see, so it was normal for reporters to want to interview her. However, for them to know of her and her mum¡¯sst minute ns to go to the beauty salon, they must¡¯ve been followed. Yet, if that were true, only one or two would¡¯ve turned up ¨C there definitely wouldn¡¯t be a whole crowd of reporters like this. There was just one possibility ¨C someone leaked her whereabouts.

    And for so many reporters to be contacted in such a short time, there could be no other person responsible but Qian Ge, who she bumped into at the salon earlier that afternoon...

    Ji Yi knew she couldn¡¯t escape the group of reporters without an army of assistants.

    She didn¡¯t have her phone on her, so she could only borrow her mum¡¯s phone.

    After she unlocked her mum¡¯s phone screen, Ji Yi realized she didn¡¯t have Zhuang Yi¡¯s number memorized. In her mind, she quickly went over all the people who could help her get out of her situation right now, but aside from He Jichen¡¯s number, she had no one else¡¯s number memorized.

    If what happened in the afternoon hadn¡¯te to light, she wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to call He Jichen.

 Chapter 562

    Chapter 562: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    But now...

    Ji Yi hesitated for a moment but didn¡¯t dial He Jichen¡¯s number in the end. She noticed the reporters had no intention of leaving, so after a moment¡¯s silence, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll say it again. I¡¯m not taking any interviews today. Everyone, please move aside.¡±

    Her words were like a pebble thrown into a vast ocean which didn¡¯t create a single ripple.

    The reporters¡¯ questions were neverending.

    ¡°Apologies, my mother has nothing to do with any of this. If it¡¯s possible, I hope everyone can allow her to leave.¡± Seeing as the reporters had no intention of negotiating with her, all she could do was plead with them to let her mum go.

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, could you please answer my question?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, are you avoiding the topic because you¡¯re guilty?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi...¡±

    The two of them stood ufortably and unsteadily in the center of the group of reporters.

    Trapped inside, they definitely couldn¡¯t get out, so the best way to leave was for someone to escape first and call the police or call the office.

    Seeing as nobody cared about what Ji Yi said, Ji Yi¡¯s mum said, ¡°I don¡¯t work in showbiz. Could you please make a path for me to leave first?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum didn¡¯t get a response either.

    She furrowed her brows and said with a more threatening voice, ¡°Could you please move aside? I¡¯m going to call the police on all of you surrounding me like this.¡±

    Those reporters still ignored what Ji Yi¡¯s mum said as they continued to surround Ji Yi and her mum with an imprable wall.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum didn¡¯t waste her breath anymore and immediately snatched the phone from Ji Yi¡¯s hand and dialed ¡°110.¡±

    A sharp-eyed reporter saw this then immediately grabbed the camera and pointed it at Ji Yi¡¯s mum with her fingers on the phone. As he recorded her, he asked, ¡°May I ask, Miss Ji Yi, are you asking your mother to call the police because you have a guilty conscience from giarizing Qian Ge¡¯s performance and want to run away?¡±

    This group of reporters could truly twist the story and make good seem bad and bad seem good. Seeing that Ji Yi¡¯s mum was really calling the police, a wave of questions came flooding in after the first one.

    ¡°Ji Yi¡¯s mother, are you calling the police to avoid our questions?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, why would you rather call the police than face our cameras and answer our questions?¡±

    There were reporters on the scene broadcasting live who twisted the truth: ¡°Hello everyone, we are on the first floor of SF beauty salon and we bumped into Miss Ji Yi and her mother. To decline our interviews, Ji Yi¡¯s mother has called the police here to threaten us. I would like to verify that those videos circting online of Miss Ji Yi giarizing Miss Qian Ge¡¯s acting are, in fact, true...¡±

    Before ¡°110¡± could get through, Ji Yi¡¯s mum quickly lowered the phone from her ear. Even though she was slow to anger, when she heard the reporter, it was understandable for her to get angry. After she hung up the call, she headed for the live broadcaster and said, ¡°This presenter here ¨C how could you say that? When did I call the police to threaten you all?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been emphasizing I am not in showbiz and that I have my own freedom. I should be able to leave, but all of you won¡¯t let me leave!¡±

 Chapter 563

    Chapter 563: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (23)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Madam, Miss Ji Yi did something wrong. Why aren¡¯t you letting her in front of the camera to give everyone an exnation? Would you rather call the police and insist on leaving with Miss Ji Yi to protect her? Deep down, do you believe it wasn¡¯t an ident that your own daughter giarized other people¡¯s work?¡± The live reporter noticed Ji Yi¡¯s mother had opened her mouth and immediately aimed the camera right at her.

    From the moment the reporters surrounded Ji Yi and her mum till now, it wasn¡¯t clear just how many times they heard the words ¡°Ji Yi giarized Qian Ge¡¯s performance.¡±

    As a mother, it might¡¯ve looked like she was ming and yelling at her daughter, but in actuality, it truly hurt her heart.

    Maybe she became a little impatient with the harassment from the reporters, or maybe she really wanted to fight for her daughter¡¯s justice, because when Ji Yi¡¯s mother spoke again, she sounded serious and stern. ¡°On this matter, I don¡¯t believe those things online. I believe my daughter.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mother¡¯s words piqued every reporter¡¯s interest and incited wave after wave of questions.

    ¡°Madam, are you saying you think your daughter didn¡¯t copy Miss Qian Ge?¡±

    ¡°Madam, the videos online clearly show your daughter giarized Miss Qian Ge¡¯s performance. What you¡¯re saying is that you¡¯re siding with the offender?¡±

    ¡°Madam...¡±

    But before the reporters could finish asking their questions, a sudden loud mor came from the main doors.

    ¡°It¡¯s true! The news was right; that little b*tch Ji Yi really is here!¡±

    ¡°Quickly everyone! Today, we have to force her to apologize to our queen, Qian Ge!¡±

    About a dozen young girls and boys came rushing in.

    ¡°Little thief Ji, apologize to our queen!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! That b*tch is shameless to dare to steal our Qian Ge¡¯s act. Did you think that us ¡®Cornstarch¡¯ are timid?!¡±

    ¡°Wow, that b*tch¡¯s mum actually said she believes her daughter on live TV!¡±

    ¡°Well, sh*t... so that b*tch¡¯s mum turns out to be a b*tch too!¡±

    Having caught that line, Ji Yi instantly turned her head and looked over at the group of young girls and boys rushing towards them through the reporters. Her voice turned serious as she cried, ¡°How could you say that? How did your parents raise you all!? Apologize!¡±

    ¡°Apologize? You should be the one to apologize to our queen! Such a shameless person... are you even worthy of an apology?¡± retaliated the sharp-tongued girl in front. Then someone with an egg in hand reached out and prepared to smash it onto Ji Yi¡¯s head.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum was standing beside Ji Yi. When Ji Yi¡¯s mum saw this, she didn¡¯t hesitate at all to run in front of Ji Yi to shield her.

    Following this, many more objects came flying at Ji Yi and Ji Yi¡¯s mum. As they threw things, they screamed, ¡°Apologize to our queen!¡±

    ¡°For stealing our queen¡¯s things!¡±

    The whole situation got out of hand, but the reporters had no intention of controlling the scene.

    They took photos and continued to broadcast the whole scene live.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum hugged Ji Yi tightly in her arms so the objects didn¡¯t touch her.

    But her fingertips were covered in something sticky. She instinctively nced down and saw that it was blood.

    Did they hurt mum?

    Ji Yi instinctively cried, ¡°Stop! Stop!¡±

    Those young guys and guys showed no intention of stopping.

    And none of those reporters showed any signs ofing up to help them.

    In fact, the live broadcaster sounded just as lively and upbeat as before. ¡°That¡¯s right. These young men and women are all Qian Ge¡¯s fans. They call themselves ¡®Cornstarch¡¯ and they came to get justice for Qian Ge...¡±

    Ji Yi wanted to struggle out of her mum¡¯s grip, but her mum held her even tighter.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t fight her mum¡¯s strength, so her tears came pouring out in frustration.

    Just when she was wondering when this nightmare would end, a stern voice was suddenly heard in the lobby doors: ¡°Stop!¡±

 Chapter 564

    Chapter 564: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as she was wondering when this nightmare would end, a stern voice was suddenly heard from the lobby doors: ¡°Stop!¡±

    As that voice fell, a heavy series of footsteps could be heard in the lobby.

    Ji Yi¡¯s head was pushed hard into her mum¡¯s arms, so she couldn¡¯t see anything around her. All she could do was use the sound of the footsteps to guess that the person was drawing closer to her and her mother.

    ¡°Stop!¡±

    ¡°All of you, stop now!¡±

    It was the same stern voice, but this time, Ji Yi heard the sounds of girls screaming after the person finished speaking. Then she clearly felt the group of people surrounding her and her mum move away.

    Is someone here to save me and mum?

    After that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she quickly remembered that her mum was injured, so she tried to struggle out of her grip again.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum sensed that someone had the situation under control, so she loosened her grip on Ji Yi enough for her to easily break free.

    The first thing toe into view was the row of police officers who ushered the group of men and women called ¡®Cornstarch¡¯ against the wall. Each person had both their arms behind their heads while crouched on the ground. As for the reporters taking photos and broadcasting live coverage, they had their equipment packed away while they stood to one side.

    Secondly, she noticed the messy floor all around her.

    There was a phone, des, c bottles, broken egg shells, and even middle school textbooks... All those things were thrown at mum just now?

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingertips trembled then she quickly turned to look at her mum.

    Her mum had looked graceful after finishing her spa treatments, but now she looked like an absolute mess.

    Her styled hair was covered in egg and coke. There were also blood stains slowly dripping from her temples.

    Ji Yi opened her mouth slightly as her lips trembled like crazy. After a while, she softly cried, ¡°Ma...¡±

    When her mum heard this, she opened her eyes and looked over at Ji Yi. She scanned Ji Yi up and down to confirm she wasn¡¯t hurt then she spoke with apassionate smile: ¡°Mama¡¯s fine.¡±

    Those two words instantly made Ji Yi¡¯s tears fall.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, why are you crying... Mama is fine...¡± Ji Yi¡¯s mum reached her hand out and gently stroked Ji Yi¡¯s face to wipe the tears away.

    Ji Yi held onto her mum¡¯s hand as the tears came crashing down like crazy. She moved her lips and was just about to say ¡°sorry¡± when she heard a stern voice again. ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    Mr. He... Ji Yi¡¯s body trembled gently for a moment as she stared at her hands around her mum¡¯s fingers. After some time, she slowly turned her head and looked over at the door.

    He Jichen took big strides into the lobby in his long, ck trench coat.

    Behind him, Chen Bai walked at the same pace.

    He nodded silently at the police officer who was talking to him then in the next minute, his gaze swept in the direction of Ji Yi and her mum.

    When He Jichen saw Ji Yi¡¯s wet eyes, his hasty steps suddenly slowed down and he came to an abrupt halt.

    Chen Bai also stopped. Seeing He Jichen and Ji Yi staring at one another for a long time with no reaction, he quietly called out ¡°Mr. He¡± to get his attention.

 Chapter 565

    Chapter 565: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen snapped back to his senses then his gaze fell on Ji Yi¡¯s mum. When he noticed the trickle of red by her temple, his fingers quivered for a moment then suddenly balled into fists. After about a second, he raised his foot and started walking again towards Ji Yi.

    Earlier, when the police cried ¡°Mr. He,¡± Ji Yi and her mum immediately knew He Jichen was the one who called the police.

    While Ji Yi¡¯s mum waited for He Jichen to walk over, she immediately smiled. ¡°Jichen, thank goodness you called the police. If not, I don¡¯t know what Xiao Yi and I would¡¯ve done!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum¡¯s genuinely thankful smile was like a needle pricking He Jichen¡¯s eyes, causing him to avert his eyes to one side. He quietly replied, ¡°Ji Bomu.¡± He bent down, trying to help Ji Yi¡¯s mum up.

    Then Chen Bai rushed over to He Jichen and he noticed Ji Yi was also crouched on the ground. He immediately reached out and grabbed Ji Yi¡¯s mum¡¯s arm first. ¡°Ji Bomu, I¡¯ll take you to the hospital.¡±

    With that, Chen Bai carefully helped Ji Yi¡¯s mum up from the floor and walked over to the front door.

    In the middle of all this mess, only Ji Yi and He Jichen were left.

    He Jichen stared at the eggshells by his feet for a few seconds then he turned to look at Ji Yi for just a short second before looking away. Then he reached his hand out and silently pulled her up from the floor.

    As he passed the police standing beside them, He Jichen came to a halt with Ji Yi beside him.

    He didn¡¯t say anything but looked over at the police officer standing at the front.

    The police silently understood what He Jichen meant as he politely said, ¡°Mr. He, don¡¯t worry. Leave things with me; I¡¯ll handle this.¡±

    He Jichen gave a gentle nod then without saying anything, he took Ji Yi¡¯s arm and left.

    Once they stepped out of the building, Ji Yi immediately saw He Jichen¡¯s car parked at the entrance.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum was already in the passenger¡¯s seat.

    Chen Bai watched the two of them step out and immediately pulled open the back door.

    On the way to the hospital, Ji Yi called her dad with her mum¡¯s phone.

    Chen Bai called Dr. Xia in advance, so when they reached the hospital, he was waiting for them at the entrance.

    As Ji Yi¡¯s mum entered the operating room, Chen Bai went downstairs to check her in. At the waiting area outside the operating room, Ji Yi and He Jichen were left alone once again.

    Ji Yi was worried about her mum, but she also remembered He Jichen and Chen Bai¡¯s conversation at YC that afternoon, so she intended to stay silent.

    He Jichen looked like he had something on his mind as he stood in front of the window not too far away. He stared out at the night sky with the same silent demeanor.

    Not too long after, Ji Yi¡¯s dad arrived in a hurry.

    After Ji Yi¡¯s dad asked how Ji Yi was, he chatted a little with He Jichen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum was severely injured and the cut was a little deep. Dr. Xia gave her a few stitches then quickly came out of the operating room.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mum could leave the hospital afterward, but He Jichen was worried there¡¯d be problems down the line with the wound on her chest, so he asked Dr. Xia to prepare a room for her for the night to make sure she would be okay.

    With Ji Yi¡¯s dad there, they didn¡¯t need so many visitors lingering at the hospital.

    Originally, Ji Yi and her mum nned to go out to get their minds off recent events, but things ended up like this. Ji Yi¡¯s parents were worried about their daughter, so when they saw He Jichen there, they asked him to take Ji Yi home.

    On the way to the hospital, the atmosphere wasn¡¯t so awkward because Ji Yi¡¯s mum and Chen Bai were present and shared a few words.

    However, on the trip heading home, He Jichen and Ji Yi didn¡¯t say a word. Naturally, Chen Bai didn¡¯t dare say anything, so the atmosphere in the car felt particrly t.

 Chapter 566

    Chapter 566: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (26)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Bai gradually felt his breathing growing unsteady, so to escape this stifled feeling, he drove faster.

    Just as the car passed ¡°China World Hotel, Beijing,¡± He Jichen, who remained quiet all this time, finally broke the silence. ¡°Stop the car.¡±

    Chen Bai mmed the brakes but because they were going so quickly, the car traveled for quite some distance before stopping.

    ¡°Head to China World Hotel, Beijing,¡± ordered He Jichen in a t voice, leaving the car to fall silent once again. But it was alright this time as the car turned around and quickly stopped at the entrance of China World Hotel, Beijing.

    The manager for China World Hotel, Beijing happened to be seeing a guest off at the entrance and recognized He Jichen¡¯s car. After the customer left, he immediately ran over.

    Chen Bai rolled the window down and the manager bent over to speak to He Jichen with a smile. ¡°Mr. He, are you here to dine?¡±

    He Jichen let out a soft ¡°Mm¡± turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°You haven¡¯t had dinner. Let¡¯s go eat.¡±

    In three short days, the whole world had changed for Ji Yi. At this very moment, how could she have an appetite? When she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice, she didn¡¯t look at him but gently shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry.¡±

    She paused for a moment then wondered whether He Jichen and Chen Bai would try to persuade her, so she added, ¡°I¡¯m a little tired. I want to go home and get some rest. If you guys want to eat, I¡¯ll call a taxi from here.¡±

    He Jichen stared at Ji Yi¡¯s profile for a while then his eyes fell to the manager¡¯s face. ¡°How about this? Ask the chef to cook us something to go.¡±

    ¡°Alright Mr. He, what would you like?¡± After the manager grabbed his walkie-talkie and called the chef, he looked over at He Jichen.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t even look at the menu and listed a few dishes.

    Those dishes were Ji Yi¡¯s favorites.

    Ji Yi knew He Jichen ordered them for her.

    If this was yesterday, she would definitely be happy to receive this special treatment, but right now, she felt unspeakable pain and difort inside.

    ¡°Mr. He, is there anything else you¡¯d like to add?¡± asked the manager as he noticed He Jichen had stopped listing dishes.

    He Jichen shook his head.

    The manager straightened up and was about to go back into the restaurant to ry the order when He Jichen suddenly remembered something. Then he cried, ¡°Oh right! And a portion of hot spicy soup.¡±

    Hot spicy soup... Those three simple words made the rims of Ji Yi¡¯s eyes turn red.

    When did it begin?

    It might¡¯ve been the day of the end-of-production party for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± when she was forced to drink. He Jichen was afraid she drank too much, so he called her over to him and asked what she wanted to eat. She said she really wanted some hot spicy soup and from that day on, whenever they went to a ssy restaurant or a Chinese restaurant together, he always asked them to make hot spicy soup...

    But now, these things that once secretly made her happy now hurt her beyond measure.

    Ji Yi was afraid to cry in front of He Jichen, so she kept her head down and pretended to look at her phone.

    On her Moments, she saw the Weibo posts shared between ssmates at B-film.

    ¡°I love eating mangoes¡± had a new post: ¡°ording to an insider on the set of ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang,¡¯ when Ji Yi had to shoot the scene where she watched the male lead fall in deep sleep, she made a lot of mistakes. In the end, the director asked her to get some rest, so she left on her own. When she came back, she filmed it perfectly, but it was the same as Qian Ge¡¯s scene in ¡®The Legend of Qingcheng¡¯...¡±

 Chapter 567

    Chapter 567: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (27)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The contents of this Weibo post was what she overheard Chen Bai mentioning to He Jichen in his office that afternoon.

    Chen Bai said he was going to leak this to ¡°I love eating mangoes.¡± He said the post could trigger people online and cause a lot ofmotion.

    She never imagined Chen Bai would work so quickly. ¡°I love eating mangoes¡±¡®s Weibo post was already out.

    A few days ago, ¡°I love eating mangoes¡± initially had several hundred followers but was now a verified user with several million followers all because of Ji Yi¡¯s incident. Two hours after that Weibo post was up, there were already over a millionments. It was just as Chen Bai said ¨C mostizenstched onto the news about her ¡°disappearance on set¡± and started specting what she was doing during that time. They suspected her of going away to copy Qian Ge¡¯s performance again.

    Theizens really did run with that idea and they went a little wild with it. There were infinite replies with a series of ¡°hahaha,¡± but Ji Yi couldn¡¯tugh. Instead, her eyes ached like crazy and the urge to cry became stronger.

    At this point, everything she heard was already online, but she still didn¡¯t dare believe that He Jichen actually had a hand in all of this ¨C in her being ridiculed and made fun of like this, and even hated, targeted, and cussed like this.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He Jichen sat beside Ji Yi and grabbed her hand. He noticed her shivering gently. He furrowed his brows slightly and asked softly.

    She was more than familiar with the crisp, pleasant sound of his voice. When he spoke, the uniquely clean scent from his body followed and wafted into her nostrils.

    Clearly, his presence was just the same as before, but Ji Yi now thought that He Jichen, sitting next to her, was aplete stranger.

    He Jichen caught the words on her bright phone screen and knew what Ji Yi was looking at.

    Chen Bai leaked the news to ¡°I love eating mangoes¡±... Is she in a bad mood because of that?

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled as he didn¡¯t dare to look at Ji Yi. The car was silent for a while before his lips moved a little. ¡°Don¡¯t read the stuff online. It¡¯ll pass...¡±

    Clearly, he was the only who put that stuff on Weibo, so how could he pretend like none of it had anything to do with him while shamelessly trying tofort her?

    Yeah, he¡¯s right. It¡¯ll pass. After all thismotion passes and the hatred gradually dies down online, what about us? Can we survive this?

    Ji Yi really wanted to ask He Jichen: why did he do it? Didn¡¯t he say that without YC, she would still have him? Didn¡¯t he say, ¡°I won¡¯t swarm to you when you¡¯re famous and I won¡¯t turn and leave you at your lowest point?¡± Didn¡¯t he say that if she was willing to trust him,e to YC...?

    But when Ji Yi turned to look at He Jichen, she just couldn¡¯t ask the questions at the tip of her tongue.

    Compared to the things she heard while eavesdropping or what she saw with her own eyes, she was even more afraid he would give her an answer she couldn¡¯t take.

    She wasn¡¯t really a timid person, but she lost her confidence when forced to face He Jichen over this issue for some reason.

    Soon enough, the manager stepped out of the restaurant carrying a take-out box.

    Chen Bai got out of the car and picked it up.

 Chapter 568

    Chapter 568: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (28)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After he put down the takeout box, Chen Bai started the car again.

    It was just as silent in the car as when they left the hospital.

    ¡°China World Hotel, Beijing¡± wasn¡¯t far from Ji Yi¡¯s house. Just around ten minutester, the car turned into the neighborhood and stopped in front of Ji Yi¡¯s building.

    Chen Bai got out of the car and helped Ji Yi open her car door as he picked up the takeout box.

    After Ji Yi got out, Chen Bai immediately handed the box to Ji Yi. ¡°Miss Ji, here¡¯s your takeout. You have to eat something for dinner.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t take it. ¡°I don¡¯t have an appetite. You guys take it back with you and eat it.¡±

    ¡°Even if you don¡¯t have an appetite, you have to eat some. Otherwise, your stomach will feel unwell...¡± Chen Bai wanted to persuade her a little more when He Jichen pushed the other door open and got out of the car.

    Chen Bai stopped speaking and waited for He Jichen to walk over to him and Ji Yi before he cried, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but reached his hand out towards Chen Bai.

    Chen Bai knew what He Jichen meant and immediately handed him the takeout box.

    After He Jichen took it, he turned around and faced Ji Yi. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you upstairs.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s...¡± Before Ji Yi could say ¡°fine,¡± He Jichen grabbed her wrist and walked into the building holding her hand.

    He Jichen had been to Ji Yi¡¯s house before, so he took her down a recognizable path and reached the door of her family¡¯s house.

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave, so after Ji Yi pulled out the keys and opened the door, he pushed the door open and stepped in.

    He put the takeout box down on the dining room table and checked the temperature. Then he told Ji Yi as she sluggishly removed her shoes: ¡°Eat the food while it¡¯s still hot.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything. She walked into the house after putting on some slippers.

    He Jichen took two steps towards her and said, ¡°After dinner, take a hot shower and go to bed early.¡±

    Ji Yi gently nodded. Her eyes were still a little sore and swollen. She averted her gaze from He Jichen to the television unit beside her.

    ¡°About your mum ¨C don¡¯t worry. Dr. Xia will take good care of her.¡± After a pause, He Jichen then said, ¡°Chen Bai will handle the discharge papers tomorrow. You don¡¯t have to go all the way back to take them home. I¡¯ll ask Chen Bai to drive them back.¡±

    The more meticulously attentive He Jichen was, the more Ji Yi¡¯s heart hurt. She was afraid she would lose it in front of He Jichen, so her fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch onto her sleeve tightly.

    The room was silent for a while when He Jichen spoke up again for the umpteenth time. ¡°What happened today will never happen again. Later, I¡¯ll ask Chen Bai to get some people to watch over your family tomorrow. When you and your parents are out, they¡¯ll follow along...¡±

    Ji Yi really didn¡¯t want to listen anymore so she interrupted He Jichen. ¡°Thanks.¡±

    He Jichen fell silent.

    He stared at Ji Yi unwaveringly for a while. When he was sure there was nothing else he needed to say, he bid her farewell. ¡°I¡¯ll be off then.¡±

    Ji Yi let out a soft. ¡°Mm.¡±

    He Jichen stood on the spot for some time before he walked over to the door.

    Just as He Jichen was about to shut the door behind him, he turned to nce at Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t look at him, but she could sense he was staring at her.

    She thought He Jichen would say something, but after some time, the entrance area remained silent.

    After some more time passed, the door closed gently. He Jichen left without saying a single word.

 Chapter 569

    Chapter 569: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (29)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As He Jichen emerged from the building, he was in no hurry to get into the car. Instead, he stood beside the car and lit a cigarette.

    Through the smoke, he raised his head and nced at the lights in Ji Yi¡¯s home.

    After He Jichen finished his cigarette, he still showed no signs of getting into the car.

    It seemed like Ji Yi went to her bedroom since the living room lights were off, yet he still stood motionlessly on the spot.

    Waiting in the car, Chen Bai nced at the time. It was almost one in the morning, yet Mr. He had been standing there in the cold night for over two hours now. If he stood there any longer, he would probably catch a cold!

    With that thought, Chen Bai rolled down the windows. ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen looked like he hadn¡¯t heard Chen Bai and stayed still like a statue.

    Chen Bai cried ¡°Mr. He¡± again then pushed the door open and got out of the car.

    When Chen Bai walked over to He Jichen¡¯s side, He Jichen turned his head slightly and nced at him without uttering a word. Then he pulled another cigarette out from his pocket.

    Chen Bai knew that the more silent He Jichen was, the worse his mood was. He didn¡¯t say anything more to disturb him and chose to stand beside him silently.

    The scent of tobo drifted in the chilly winter night.

    The cigarette burned down halfway when He Jichen suddenly cried, ¡°Chen Bai, I¡¯m a little scared.¡±

    Really scared.

    This was the first time in his life he was this scared.

    That evening, he and Chen Bai meant to attend a dinner party, but then he got a message from Tang Huahua when he was about to leave. She told him Ji Yi and her mum were surrounded by live reporters at the beauty salon.

    From that moment on, he became a little afraid.

    He called the police as he ordered Chen Bai to head straight for the beauty salon.

    On the way there, his gaze didn¡¯t leave the live coverage of the scene for one second. When he saw Ji Yi and her mum being pressured by the reporter; when he saw the group of young men and women named ¡°Cornstarch¡± rushing towards her and her mum; when he saw the catastrophic aftermath of scandalous leaks online happening to her and her mother, the initial fear he had became heavier and deeper... When he arrived at the scene and saw her eyes all wet, he suddenly felt like it was over for him. At that very moment, he didn¡¯t dare walk up to her or face her.

    Chen Bai had worked for He Jichen for a long time and knew him far too well. He understood the meaning behind his simple words. ¡°Mr. He, what happened this afternoon was just an ident. Don¡¯t be so hard on yourself.¡±

    He wanted to protect her. He was already at his limit, while she had to take all those hatefulments. But now, her mum actually got dragged into this and got injured... How could he not me himself?

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything. He raised his fingers, put a cigarette to his lips, and took a hard drag.

    ¡°And Mr. He, Miss Ji doesn¡¯t even know you have something to do with this situation on Weibo, so you really don¡¯t need to think too much about it. What¡¯s more, you did this only for Miss Ji¡¯s well-being. Sometimes if you¡¯re not ruthless enough, it¡¯ll be imposssible to reach your goals.¡±

    Yeah, Ji Yi didn¡¯t know he had anything to do with this. He Jichen wasn¡¯t sure if he was feeling guilty but deep down, he felt anxious.

    ¡°Mr. He, don¡¯t worry. Even if Miss Ji knew, she would understand your intentions,¡± Chen Bai added.

    Chen Bai¡¯sforting words really made a difference as He Jichen¡¯s apprehensive heart slowly calmed down.

 Chapter 570

    Chapter 570: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (30)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen didn¡¯t smoke, but he pinched the cigarette between his fingers and quietly stayed like that for a while. It was only after the cigarette burned down to his fingers that he put the cigarette out. He turned to look over at Chen Bai. ¡°Have you called officer Wu yet?¡±

    ¡°Yes, the members of the group called ¡°Cornstarch¡± have already been charged. Officer Wu, myself, and theywer we hired have talked it through. We¡¯ll settle this in court and follow legal proceedings.¡± After Chen Bai said this, he didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to ask him and he continued to report based on He Jichen¡¯s orders. ¡°I also investigated those reporters thoroughly. They only stopped Miss Ji this afternoon because Qian Ge leaked Miss Ji¡¯s whereabouts. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll act ording to your instructions and contact each and every one of those reporters.¡±

    He Jichen gave a slight nod but didn¡¯t say anything.

    He stared at the dark windows of Ji Yi¡¯s house for a while then suddenly remembered something. ¡°Did you do what I asked of you for Ji Yi¡¯s birthday?¡± he asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s all done. Don¡¯t worry, Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen let out an ¡°Mhm¡± and nced at the window again before turning around and heading for the car.

    Chen Bai knew this meant He Jichen was finally ready to leave, so he quickly reached out and pulled the door open.

    Chen Bai got into the car and stepped on the gas. He drove on the familiar roads out of Ji Yi¡¯s neighborhood.

    The car stopped when they reached He Jichen¡¯s apartment. Chen Bai was about to get out of the car to open the door for He Jichen when he suddenly remembered there was something he forgot to report to him. Chen Bai turned towards He Jichen in the passenger seat and said, ¡°Ah, right! Mr. He, do you still remember what happened between Miss Ji and the screenwriter Miss Cheng in the alleyst year?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but let his gaze fall upon Chen Bai¡¯s face.

    Chen Bai knew what He Jichen meant by his gaze, so he hurriedly said, ¡°When we first investigated, we didn¡¯t have any leads, remember? It was like someone purposefully covered their tracks, so I figured there was no way we could find out what really happened. But a few days ago, I got a lead. The details aren¡¯t clear, but I imagine that with time, we will find out the identity of the group that ambushed Miss Ji and Miss Cheng.¡±

    After Chen Bai finished his report, he got out and helped He Jichen open the car door.

    After He Jichen got out of the car, Chen Bai added hesitantly, ¡°Mr. He, those people who ambushed Miss Ji and Miss Cheng must¡¯ve been a couple thugs, but there must be a mastermind behind it all. I suspect it had something to do with Lin Sheng, so Mr. He, should we continue to investigate further?¡±

    Lin Sheng? He¡¯s close to Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan once tried to get He Jichen and Lin Sheng to get to know each other, but because Lin Sheng ran with a bad crowd, didn¡¯te from a clean background, and was easily irritable, He Jichen refused...

    He Jichen knew what Chen Bai was worried about, but with no hesitation at all, he replied with just one word ¨C ¡°Investigate!¡±

    ¨C

    The day He Jichen left with lingering unspoken words while standing at the door for so long:

    It wasn¡¯t that Ji Yi never thought about what He Jichen wanted to say but couldn¡¯t manage to say. However, those were just her spections; in the end, she never asked He Jichen about it. It wasn¡¯t until the day of her birthday that she finally understood what he was hiding with his silence that day.

 Chapter 571

    Chapter 571: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (31)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It happened to be C city¡¯s annual television awards ceremony the day of Ji Yi¡¯s birthday.

    She was nominated for the ¡°Best Supporting Actress¡± award for her role on ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡± Even though she didn¡¯t win, she still had to show face at events like this as she was still new to showbiz.

    So before the year¡¯s end, Zhuang Yi booked a flight to C city for her. However, nobody could¡¯ve predicted that such an earth-shattering scandal would happen to her over the new year. Her journey was canceled at thest minute.

    Lately, Ji Yi hadn¡¯t gotten any rest. When she awoke on her birthday, she felt unwell. After taking a whole pack of herbal medicine, she spent the afternoon with her parents to celebrate a simple birthday then fell right asleep.

    When she woke up again, it was already seven in the evening.

    Maybe it was because she slept all afternoon, or maybe it was because of the herbal medicine, but Ji Yi felt a lot more energized.

    The lights weren¡¯t on in the house, so it was pitch-ck everywhere. She didn¡¯t know where her parents were.

    Ji Yi turned on the lights and grabbed her phone. Just as she was about to call her parents, she saw a post-it note on the fridge with her mum¡¯s handwriting on it: ¡°Xiao Yi, your dad and I went to the cinema. I made dinner for you ¨C it¡¯s in the thermal lunch box.¡±

    Ji Yi threw the post-it note in the trash, lugged the thermos over to the dining table and took a seat.

    At home all by herself, it was so quiet that she could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.

    Ji Yi was a little annoyed by the sound of it, so she turned the TV on in the living room and turned the volume up a little.

    Tonight¡¯s coverage of C city¡¯s television awards happened to be on.

    There was about half an hour until the ceremony started, so they were covering the celebrities entering the venue.

    Because of her mood, Ji Yi had been avoiding showbiz as much as possible. Just as she was about to change the channel, she saw He Jichen on the screen.

    He was in an all-ck suit which perfectly fitted his tall, slender frame. He was with two actors, one who was voted the ¡°beauty of the century¡± online, but he was obviously a little overshadowed inparison.

    Under infinitely shing lights, not only did He Jichen not crack a smile, but he didn¡¯t even reveal a single emotion on his face. From beginning to end, he kept his gaze straight ahead and exuded his majestic charisma while he strode casually ahead.

    Ji Yi suddenly hesitated before changing the channel as her eyes lingered on the television set.

    It had been over ten days since he took her home that night. The two of them hadn¡¯t seen each other since and hadn¡¯t really contacted each other.

    Well actually, they didn¡¯tpletely stop contacting each other ¨C he did contact her, but she just brushed him off.

    After Ji Yi came back to her senses, He Jichen had already left the screen and in his ce was Qian Ge being interviewed by a reporter.

    The reporter asked questions about her work which Qian Ge replied to eloquently. But towards the end, a random reporter mentioned her. ¡°Miss Qian Ge, have you been following the recent uproar online about the main actress of ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang,¡¯ Ji Yi, giarizing your performance on ¡®The Legend of Qingcheng¡¯?¡±

 Chapter 572

    Chapter 572: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (32)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge smiled slightly and gave a conservative answer. ¡°I heard about it, but since I¡¯ve been really busy with work, I haven¡¯t really been following the story.¡±

    ¡°So Miss Qian Ge, if you found out Miss Ji Yi really giarized your performance, may I ask if you would take any measures?¡±

    The reporter¡¯s question seemed overly invasive, because Qian Ge hesitated for a few seconds before she showed a subtle smile and replied warmly: ¡°If it was true, I would probably contact Miss Ji¡¯spany and if we can¡¯t get through to them, I would consider asking thepany¡¯s legal department to handle the matter...¡±

    Qian Ge stole from her and ruined Ji Yi¡¯s reputation to this extent. Not only did she not give up, she still wanted to take this up in court and put the final nail in the coffin?

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze turned cold as she stared at the television. To prevent her mood from worsening, Ji Yi viciously pressed the remote control and changed the channel.

    Maybe she was truly affected by Qian Ge¡¯s words because after dinner, Ji Yi¡¯s chest felt overly stifled. She headed back into the bedroom, got changed and grabbed her phone to go on a walk to get her mind off of things.

    The cold evening wind in the early spring eased Ji Yi¡¯s mind a little.

    Ji Yi¡¯s parents hadn¡¯t returned and Ji Yi didn¡¯t particrly want to go back home. She remembered the cream puff store by the mall near her house that she wanted to try yesterday, so she thought she might as well go buy some cream puffs.

    There was a giant TV screen in front of the mall which happened to be showing the C city Television Awards ceremony.

    Ji Yi nced up just before she stepped into the mall and noticed that the award for best-supporting actress had already been given out.

    After she bought the cream puff and came out of the mall, the presenter¡¯s voice was heard from the big screen above her head. ¡°This year¡¯s C city Television Award¡¯s Best Leading Actress goes to Qian Ge. Please wee Qian Ge¡ª¡ª¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t look at the big screen, but she could imagine from the sound of the warm apuse that it was definitely Qian Ge climbing up onto the big stage.

    Just as Ji Yi¡¯s spections formed, the presenter¡¯s voice came out from the big TV screen. ¡°Hello, Qian Ge. Long time no see.¡±

    ¡°Long time no see,¡± said Qian Ge.

    After they greeted one another, the presenter and Qian Ge started to chat casually.

    The female presenter: ¡°Qian Ge, this is the second time you received the award for the best leading actress at our ceremony, is that correct?¡±

    Qian Ge: ¡°Yes, yes, I¡¯m honored.¡±

    ¡°But your acting skills have improved and everyone has personally seen that for themselves.¡± After the male presenter finished praising Qian Ge, he initiated a hot topic of conversation: ¡°Before we get to the award¡¯s speech and ask you a few questions, let¡¯s first watch the ssic scenes from Qian Ge¡¯s award-winning performance on ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯.¡±

    As the male presenter¡¯s voice dropped, Qian Ge and the female presenter replied: ¡°Mhm.¡± Then the big screen instantly fell silent.

    After about ten seconds, no sound came from the screen. Instead, she heard passersby stopping in front of the big screen just to watch Qian Ge receive her award. With a confused expression on their faces, they let out a ¡°Huuuh?¡±

    Then Ji Yi heard the female presenter say with a confused voice: ¡°What is this? Is this some mistake?¡±

    The moment the presenter¡¯s voice fell, Ji Yi heard her own voiceing from the big screen: ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t answer that...¡±

    Ji Yi was just about to reach the road when she instinctively stopped. She turned her head with a confused look on her face as she nibbled on her cream puff and looked at the big screen.

 Chapter 573

    Chapter 573: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (33)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    These weren¡¯t Qian Ge¡¯s best scenes from ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡±! These were clearly the scenes of Ji Yi in ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡±

    But the camera wasn¡¯t pointed at Ji Yi. It was pointed at a woman standing outside the set with her phone raised.

    Even though that woman had her back to Ji Yi, she recognized her as her assistant Li Yaoyao right away.

    Why was Li Yaoyao recording me while I was shooting my scenes?

    Doubt shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind as the image on the big screen changed.

    It was Li Yaoyao still,ing out of the hotel in the middle of the night. She stood at the hotel entrance, looking left and right a few times to confirm there was nobody around then she hurriedly ran over to the back of the fake mountain prop near the hotel.

    This video was probably shot by someone identally. After Li Yaoyao entered the fake mountain, there was no one in the picture and aside from the sounds of insects and birds, nothing else could be heard.

    After about three seconds, a voice was heard. Other people probably couldn¡¯t tell who the voice belonged to, but Ji Yi could tell it was Li Yaoyao by just one word. ¡°The videos of Ji Yi¡¯s scenes today are on this phone.¡±

    Behind the fake mountain, there was another person present aside from Li Yaoyao. That person was checking a video on the phone as the audience could hear the sound of the director cry ¡°Action¡± every now and then. After about thirty seconds, another sound was heard. Even though that voice was very low, the voice was delicate and soft enough for everyone to recognize it as Qian Ge¡¯s voice. ¡°Were you seen on your way here?¡±

    ¡°No, Qian Jie. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m always very careful.¡± If people couldn¡¯t tell who it was by the voice, then surely with Li Yaoyao addressing the stranger as ¡°Qian Jie,¡± everyone watching the awards now knew the person behind the fake mountain was Qian Ge.

    The video on the big screen suddenly stopped.

    The camera returned to the live awards ceremony where the male and female presenter looked evidently stunned. After hosting this show for almost ten years and witnessing all the drama throughout the years, the two of them were still shocked by this video.

    With both hands on the mic, Qian Ge stood motionless with her head still turned towards the big screen.

    There was a wall of silence below the stage.

    This kind of silent, eerie atmosphere stayed like this for a whole minute before the people below the stage snapped back to their senses. They started to secretly whisper amongst themselves.

    Since there wasn¡¯t a microphone around, bystanders couldn¡¯t hear what they were saying, but they could sense themotion live at the scene.

    The male presenter snapped back to his senses. He had never thought about how to de-escte the situation, so he sounded a little stiff as he spoke: ¡°That err, apologies. Perhaps we are experiencing some technical difficulties as we showed the wrong video.¡±

    The female presenter heard what the male presenter said and snapped back to reality then immediately tried to fix the situation. ¡°Can our staff please y Qian Ge¡¯s best scenes from ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯¡ª¡ª¡±

    As the female presenter¡¯s voice fell, another video yed on the big screen.

    They weren¡¯t sure what kind of technical difficulties were going on, but the video still wasn¡¯t of Qian Ge¡¯s best scenes from ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± ¨C it was still the video they just yed of Li Yaoyao.

 Chapter 574

    hapter 574: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (34)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    If people hadn¡¯t quite recovered from the shock of the first video then after ying the second video, everybody who waste to react at the awards ceremony finally came to.

    Before the video could finish, the scene erupted and the sheer volume masked what Qian Ge and the other woman said in the video.

    Some people were rather close to the cameras, so their voices were clear enough to be heard during the live broadcast for millions of people tuning into the television awards ceremony.

    ¡°What the hell¡¯s going on? Who¡¯s the woman in the recording?¡±

    ¡°That woman recorded Ji Yi¡¯s scenes and secretly gave them to Qian Ge?¡±

    ¡°The recent incident about Ji Yi giarizing has gotten so big. If Ji Yi really did it, shouldn¡¯t someone be giving her recordings of Qian Ge¡¯s scenes? Why¡¯s it the other way around?¡±

    Not only were the people below the stage in heated discussion, but the two presenters on stage both had looks of confusion and doubt on their faces.

    Ever since the first video yed, it was like Qian Ge¡¯s pressure points had been hit. She blinked a few times before her mind finally started to churn again.

    How could this kind of video get leaked? Who did this? Was this premeditated?

    This ain¡¯t right... I can¡¯t be thinking about this now. The awards are live! C city¡¯s televisionwork has always had high ratings and tonight, all the stars are gathered here. Who knows how many people are in front of the TV right now, and after seeing this kind of video, it¡¯ll undoubtedly pique everyone¡¯s suspicions.

    It took me so much work just to push Ji Yi into a dead end like this. I definitely can¡¯t let it all be for nothing!

    So I have to now turn the tables in front of everyone in the entire nation!

    Qian Ge¡¯s mind quickly tried to think up a n as she analyzed the situation in her mind.

    Li Yaoyao was someone who worked for her. She spent a lot of energy to nt her by Ji Yi¡¯s side just to sabotage Ji Yi with this whole giarizing incident... Li Yaoyao came today, and she even saw her just now... She wasn¡¯t shown in the video now, but her voice was heard...

    With those scattered thoughts shing across Qian Ge¡¯s mind, she suddenly calmed down as she just thought of an escape route.

    For the video to be leaked, it must¡¯ve been done by someone at YC to save Ji Yi¡¯s image.

    Alright then... I¡¯m going to y it by ear and cut off all chances of Ji Yi ever making aeback!

    At that thought, a cold smirk shed in Qian Ge¡¯s eyes. Then she said into the mic: ¡°First, I don¡¯t know who¡¯s ying a prank on me.¡±

    ¡°I know that person in the video ¨C she¡¯s Ji Yi¡¯s assistant, Li Yaoyao.¡±

    ¡°I believe everyone has heard about the recent situation surrounding the leading actress for ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯ giarizing my performance in ¡®The Legend of Qingcheng.¡¯ Being involved in such a nasty scandal could undoubtedly ruin someone¡¯s future. Yet, no normal person is willing to helplessly watch their future being ruined, so it¡¯s no wonder that some people would try to frame other people to save themselves!¡±

    Qian Ge sounded very vague, but the viewers weren¡¯t stupid. Everybody knew what she really meant. She was implying that Ji Yi was the one who yed the video to nder her!

 Chapter 575

    Chapter 575: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (35)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°And... You didn¡¯t see me in the video ¨C you only heard my voice.¡±

    ¡°When I came in, a reporter friend asked me how I felt about this whole giarizing issue.¡±

    ¡°Honestly speaking, my manager told me about it the day it happened, but I didn¡¯t pay attention to it or care about it because I thought that since we all work in showbiz, there are some things we don¡¯t need to be so cutthroat about.¡±

    As Qian Ge said this, she sounded a little hurt. ¡°But now I realize I was wrong. I wanted to keep the peace but that doesn¡¯t mean others feel the same as well. I¡¯m really sorry that this mishap happened on the Television Awards, but I still hope this whole thing will both begin and end here at the awards. As for today¡¯s video, I hope the show¡¯s production team can give me some time to investigate and prove my innocence!¡±

    As she finished speaking, Qian Ge even gave a deep, sincere bow.

    When she straightened up, she spoke again with a serious, stern, and even righteous voice: ¡°You can giarize my performance, but you can¡¯t insult my character like this. I didn¡¯t want to be so ruthless, but I think the kind of person who would do that isn¡¯t worthy of staying in showbiz!¡±

    ¡°On my way into the Awards, I happened to bump into Ji Yi¡¯s assistant who was also the woman in the video. Could the cameraman please help me do a sweep of everyone here at the Awards?¡±

    As Qian Ge¡¯s voice fell, the cameraman pointed down to the far left and swept across each and every person there.

    He Jichen was sitting in the first row. Though hispany¡¯s artist was involved in this fiasco on stage, he didn¡¯t look the least bit concerned. He had his head tilted, listening to an old artist next to him talking.

    It wasn¡¯t clear what the old artist was actually saying, but it made He Jichen¡¯s lips raise slightly, making his cold facial features look a little gentler.

    The camera quickly panned over to He Jichen then to the center. Suddenly, Qian Ge cried, ¡°Stop for a moment. I see Li Yaoyao.¡±

    As she said this, Qian Ge raised her microphone and rushed down the stage.

    But just as she walked over to the edge of the stage, a man in a navy suit suddenly rushed up on stage before she could reach the steps.

    Even though Ji Yi couldn¡¯t clearly see the man¡¯s face, she could tell who it was by his silhouette.

    It was Chen Bai. He walked swiftly in front of the presenter and whispered a few words then the male presenter handed Chen Bai the microphone.

    After Chen Bai took it, he immediately spoke with a polite voice: ¡°I¡¯ll first introduce myself. I¡¯m Chen Bai, the senior assistant of YC¡¯s CEO.¡±

    At the mention of YC, the cameraman pointed the camera once again at He Jichen.

    He had the same expression as before, sitting casually in his seat while calmly and elegantly listening to the old artist next to him as though the person up on stage wasn¡¯t Chen Bai, his assistant.

    ¡°Terribly sorry toe up on stage so rudely, but YC¡¯s artist is implicated in this situation, so I hope everyone can please forgive me.¡± After Chen Bai finished and gave a deep bow, he straightened up and looked over at Qian Ge. ¡°Miss Qian Ge repeatedly said that the video was an insult, but may I ask Miss Qian Ge to please listen to the recording I have in my hands?¡±

 Chapter 576

    Chapter 576: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (36)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After Chen Bai said this, he didn¡¯t give Qian Ge any chance to react as he pulled out a recording pen from his pocket. He turned it on and put it by the mic.

    At first, there was a short swishing sound ¡°sha sha sha.¡± After about ten seconds, a man¡¯s voice was heard. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. I¡¯m a reporter for Tangerine. I only found out that Miss Ji Yi was at SF Beauty Salon because Qian Ge¡¯s assistant called me to leak that info.¡±

    After the man¡¯s voice dropped, a woman¡¯s voice was heard a few secondster. ¡°I¡¯m the reporter for WF. Qian Ge and I have worked together a few times, so I¡¯m rather close to her assistant. I rushed right over as soon as Qian Ge¡¯s assistant called to tell me that Miss Ji Yi was at SF Beauty Salon. After all, this whole thing got so big; everyone wants to be the first to get exclusive insider news.¡±

    Following that, a few more testimonies were heard from other reporters, all stating that they found out Ji Yi was at SF Beauty Salon from Qian Ge¡¯s assistant or from a friend of a friend of Qian Ge¡¯s assistant.

    The final recording wasn¡¯t of a reporter, but it was a rather young-sounding voice. They sounded frightened because their voice was trembling like crazy. ¡°I¡¯m not from the ¡®Cornstarch.¡¯ Qian Ge¡¯s assistant is a big sister of mine. She gave me two thousand RMB to take all my friends to SF Beauty Salon and surround Ji Yi. I really never imagined things would get so bad. Mr. police officer sir, you won¡¯t really put me in jail, will you?¡±

    When the recording ended, Chen Bai raised the mic to his lips again. ¡°I got these recordings from the police. The incident that happened at SF Beauty Salon has been all over Weibo. I believe you don¡¯t need me to repeat it. I just want to ask Miss Qian Ge ¨C if you repeatedly insist the video was meant to nder you, why did you leak Ji Yi¡¯s whereabouts to the reporters after you bumped into her at SF Beauty Salon? You also asked a few young kids to surround Miss Ji Yi and her mother, which even ended in her mother getting injured?¡±

    Faced with Chen Bai¡¯s questions, Qian Ge¡¯s mind instantly froze.

    That day at the SF Beauty Salon, she was pissed off at Ji Yi¡¯s arrogance, so she did ask her assistant to leak her whereabouts to reporters. She even asked her assistant to make as much trouble for Ji Yi and her mum. However, she never imagined her assistant would be dumb enough to ask a group of rude school kids to make the situation so serious... But luckily, regarding Ji Yi¡¯s scandal and the fans causing trouble, she wasn¡¯t implicated even though the situation blew up.

    At first, she thought it was over, but who knew that Chen Bai would get up on stage with a recording and make the truth public like that?

    Qian Ge felt the calmness of the room she achieved with her quick-witted response once again be chaotic.

    She knew that this wasn¡¯t looking good for her.

    However, as long as she stood with Li Yaoyao and said the video was just part of Ji Yi¡¯s scheme to nder her, Chen Bai¡¯s big reveal would look a lot weaker than her im. Even if it did affect her, it wouldn¡¯t be fatal. But, who was to say there wouldn¡¯t be a lot of people despising Qian Ge¡¯s way of thinking or believing that Qian Ge deserved it after learning what Chen Bai revealed about her!

    With that thought, Qian Ge spoke out. ¡°Mr. Chen, I¡¯ll answer your question in a moment. Let¡¯s please resolve my problem first. Thank you.¡±

    Having said that, Qian Ge trotted over to the row of seats in her high heels and stopped in front of a young woman. ¡°May I ask ¨C are you Ji Yi¡¯s assistant, Li Yaoyao?¡±

    Perhaps Li Yaoyao was frightened by this kind of scene because she just stared at Qian Ge for a while before nodding gently.

    ¡°Were you the person in the video just now?¡± asked Qian Ge again.

    Li Yaoyao continued to nod but this time, she hesitated for a moment then cried, ¡°It was me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Miss Li, you and I are not close. Could you exin to me for a moment what actually happened in the video?¡± After Qian Ge said this, she put the microphone out in front of Li Yaoyao.

 Chapter 577

    Chapter 577: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (37)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Li Yaoyao looked frightened by the microphone pushed in front of her mouth and she timidly nced at Qian Ge then swiftly lowered her gaze. She seemed stumped by Qian Ge¡¯s question as she bit her bottom lip for a long time without saying anything.

    Seeing that Li Yaoyao didn¡¯t say anything, Qian Ge was confused for a second but almost immediately understood what Li Yaoyao meant.

    Li Yaoyao must¡¯ve only chosen to hesitate because she wanted to avoid arousing suspicion.

    After all, if Li Yaoyao immediately confessed that the video just now was meant for Ji Yi to frame her and she had no choice but to participate in it, it would actually make everyone suspicious.

    Qian Ge praised Li Yaoyao¡¯s intelligence as she put the microphone to her mouth and spoke again. ¡°Miss Li, if everything in that video was true and I really asked you to help me record Ji Yi shooting her scenes for ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang,¡¯ that would mean we¡¯re really close. Your phone would have my number saved in it, and also, even if you deleted many of those videos, you couldn¡¯t have deleted them all. Your phone must still have them saved, so could you please take your phone out and show everyone?¡±

    Qian Ge only made such a request because she was certain that when she sent Li Yaoyao to be Ji Yi¡¯s assistant, she made sure to erase all ties with Li Yaoyao long ago. When Li Yaoyao helped her take those videos, Qian Ge didn¡¯t let Li Yaoyao send them to her online. Instead, she took Li Yaoyao¡¯s phone, copied all the videos, erased everything off her phone then gave it to someone to return it to Li Yaoyao.

    If Li Yaoyao gave her the phone and put it up on the big screen for the world to see, everyone would be able to clearly see that Li Yaoyao didn¡¯t have her number on her contacts, they weren¡¯t friends on WeChat, and there weren¡¯t any videos of Ji Yi in her photo album. Then she could confidently question Li Yaoyao. By then, as long as Li Yaoyao pretended she had nowhere to go, she could answer that Ji Yi made her do it. Then she would clear her namepletely and stomp Ji Yi to death!

    With her phone in hand, Li Yaoyao heard Qian Ge¡¯s question and hid her hand behind her back.

    Having noticed her little move, Qian Ge praised Li Yaoyao even more inside. Clever! I made a good choice in choosing her! That move incidentally told everyone she was guilty and was afraid of Qian Ge looking at her phone.

    ¡°Why are you hiding your phone behind you? Miss Li, what are you afraid of? Perhaps you¡¯re feeling guilty over something?¡± Assuming Ji Yi didn¡¯t have a way out, Qian Ge purposefully emphasized Li Yaoyao¡¯s move.

    Faced with Qian Ge¡¯s questioning, Li Yaoyao¡¯s fingers gripped her phone tightly, causing her to tremble.

    ¡°Miss Li, may I please borrow your phone for a moment? Thank you.¡± After Qian Ge said this to Li Yaoyao, she happened to look over at Li Yaoyao and secretly gave her a look to say she could give her the phone now while reaching her hand out.

    People not familiar with Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t have noticed the look she gave.

    But Ji Yi was different. She knew Qian Ge very well ¨C while others wouldn¡¯t think much of her actions, Ji Yi knew the truth. Qian Ge was giving Li Yaoyao a signal.

 Chapter 578

    Chapter 578: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (38)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As the party currently under scrutiny, she knew she wasn¡¯t a giarizer, and she also knew the video yed earlier was genuine.

    Li Yaoyao was a spy sent by Qian Ge to work by her side, so the signal Qian Ge sent to Li Yaoyao was secretly telling her to confess that Ji Yi asked her to record those videos...

    If that happened, Ji Yi really had no way of bouncing back!

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart was in her mouth. She stared at Li Yaoyao on the big screen who was currently hiding her phone even further behind her.

    Li Yaoyao¡¯s doing this on purpose, right? The more she acted this way, the more guilty she looked, so when she ndered Ji Yiter, it¡¯d emphasize how truthful and believable her words were.

    Qian Ge waited a while, but seeing as Li Yaoyao still wasn¡¯t willing to hand over her phone, she furrowed her brows. Then she reached out to touch Li Yaoyao¡¯s hand.

    Qian Ge¡¯s fingertips barely touched Li Yaoyao¡¯s phone when Li Yaoyao cried out in panic like she was extremely upset. ¡°Qian Jie, I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t give you my phone!¡±

    I already gave her the signal to say she can give her phone to me. Why¡¯s she still acting this way?

    Qian Ge grasped Li Yaoyao¡¯s phone. She thought to herself that this woman still had a lot to learn.

    When Qian Ge forcefully grabbed Li Yaoyao¡¯s phone, Li Yaoyao also forcefully pulled it back in hopes of holding onto it. ¡°Qian Ge, you can¡¯t do this! You can¡¯t take my phone! Qian Jie¡ª¡ª¡±

    In the end, Li Yaoyao was no match for Qian Ge as the phone fell into Qian Ge¡¯s hands.

    The corners of Ji Yi¡¯s lips ran cold when she saw this.

    That whole scene between Li Yaoyao and Qian Ge was acted well!

    With Li Yaoyao¡¯s phone in hand, Qian Ge said ¡°Sorry¡± then turned around and walked back up to the stage.

    Li Yaoyao followed Qian Ge in a panic and grabbed the corner of Qian Ge¡¯s dress. ¡°Qian Jie!¡± she cried pitifully.

    But Qian Ge ignored Li Yaoyao and handed the phone to the presenter while asking him to pass it to their staff to connect it to the big screen.

    Standing at the foot of the stage, Li Yaoyao looked worried sick as she fidgeted endlessly with her hands. Even the expression on her face as she red at Qian Ge looked like she was pleading.

    Qian Ge stood on stage with a smile like she couldn¡¯t see Li Yaoyao and waited for the staff¡¯s response.

    On the big screen, Ji Yi could feel the confidence radiating from Qian Ge¡¯s body.

    The camera ran back and forth between Qian Ge and Li Yaoyao while incidentally brushing past He Jichen.

    He wasn¡¯t in conversation with the older artist like before. He had his legs crossed, casually resting back into his seat with his head down, ying on his phone. From the way his fingers moved, it looked like he was ying a casual little game.

    At a time like this, he still had the same unconcerned look on his face.

    Ah right... If he wanted to protect me, he wouldn¡¯t have boosted the rumors of me copying Qian Ge, and he wouldn¡¯t have caused me to be surrounded by reporters and subsequently hurt my mum...

    Ji Yi suddenly felt unbelievably cold. Her lips pursed gently and she lowered her eyes to prevent herself from looking at the big screen.

    Soon after, the female presenter cried out, ¡°The phone is connected to the big screen. Our staff will now open the contacts list...¡±

 Chapter 579

    Chapter 579: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (39)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°...Her contacts list doesn¡¯t have Qian Ge¡¯s contact info... Our staff then opened WeChat to find that she didn¡¯t have Qian Ge¡¯s contact info there either. She didn¡¯t even have her manager or assistant¡¯s info either... It looks like Li Yaoyao and Qian Ge really aren¡¯t too familiar with one another...¡±

    ¡°... There¡¯s also the photo album, right? Can the staff open the photo album? Woah, there are so many photos and videos...¡±

    Even though Ji Yi wasn¡¯t looking at the big screen, she could tell by the words of the presenter alone what was happening.

    ¡°Can the staff check to see if there are any videos of the scenes shot on ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯... Huh?¡±

    The presenter suddenly stopped speaking.

    Women¡¯s intuition told Ji Yi that the situation had a sudden twist on the big screen.

    Out of curiosity, Ji Yi looked up to see a selfie of Qian Ge and Li Yaoyao together on the big screen.

    Ji Yi suddenly froze. She didn¡¯t find it odd that Qian Ge and Li Yaoyao knew each other long ago. If they didn¡¯t know each other, why would Qian Ge arrange for Li Yaoyao to work by her side as a spy? Since Li Yaoyao was working for Qian Ge, she was definitely going to help Qian Ge. However, her phone had a photo of them together, which was incidentally a p in the face for Qian Ge.

    It wasn¡¯t just Ji Yi, but the presenters were also stunned in addition to Qian Ge, who wore a slight smile on her face.

    With her eyes opened wide, she looked like she was looking at something unbelievable.

    The staff backstage quickly exited out of the photo on Li Yaoyao¡¯s phone, but one after the other, more selfies of Qian Ge and Li Yaoyao popped up... Later on, there were even a couple photos of the two of them together in the same pajamas.

    The atmosphere below the stage became restless again.

    Like before, the conversations closest to the cameras could easily be heard on the big screen.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Qian Ge repeatedly say she didn¡¯t know Li Yaoyao? Howe there are selfies of them together on Li Yaoyao¡¯s phone?¡±

    ¡°From the photos, Qian Ge and Li Yaoyao look very close ¨C like good friends actually!¡±

    ¡°They must be good friends! Look, they¡¯re wearing the same pajamas. They live together, so if they¡¯re not close, then what is this?¡±

    ¡°What the hell is going on? Qian Ge was clearly full of confidence just now. She was so confident that I believed Ji Yi was trying to nder Qian Ge...¡±

    With all themotion, the scene grew noisier and noisier. Qian Ge, who was staring straight at the big screen, finally snapped back to her senses.

    How could this happen? Why does Li Yaoyao have so many photos of us together?

    Isn¡¯t she trying to help me get rid of Ji Yi?

    As Qian Ge thought about it, she slowly looked down at Li Yaoyao on the left, below the stage.

    As her gaze met Li Yaoyao¡¯s eyes, Li Yaoyao looked away, avoiding her gaze.

    After the staff opened the next photo on the big screen, it was no longer a photo but a video clip.

    When they yed it, it turned out to bepletely ck. There was no one in the video, but there was a voice.

    ¡°Qian Jie, why do I have to be Ji Yi¡¯s assistant? How can she evenpare to you? Why do you have to scheme to beat her?¡± There was no need to guess. At this point, everyone could tell the voice belonged to Li Yaoyao.

    ¡°Because I hate her! As long as she¡¯s in showbiz, I can never let her be famous!¡± This time, it was Qian Ge¡¯s voice.

 Chapter 580

    Chapter 580: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (40)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Her voice wasn¡¯t as sweet and gentle as usual and there was a hint of viciousness.

    The video was silent for a while before Qian Ge¡¯s voice was heard again. Inparison to how stern she sounded before, her voice now sounded softer and closer to her usual voice. ¡°Yaoyao, my sess or failure this time depends on you. You have to record all of Ji Yi¡¯s scenes from ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Qian Jie, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll definitely do what I promised,¡± replied Li Yaoyao.

    ¡°Thank you, Yaoyao.¡± The two of them were probably drinking because the faint sound of sses clinking was heard. Then Qian Ge¡¯s voice started to sound even more cold and calctive. ¡°This time, I have to make sure that b*tch Ji Yi has no hope of ever making aeback. I want her to fully understand that never in her lifetime could she everpare to me, Qian Ge!¡±

    Many people present rooted for Qian Ge to get justice in the past as she always left everyone with the impression she was well-educated and kind. Now, with herpletely changed tone of voice, shocked expressions were caught on camera as the camera swept over the majority of faces on the scene.

    Even the two presenters on the stage looked at one another in dismay.

    Qian Ge was still staring at Li Yaoyao, but the confusion in her eyes was gradually breaking down.

    Her fingers couldn¡¯t help but tighten around the micorphone.

    This was the conversation we had over drinks the day before I arranged for Li Yaoyao to work by Ji Yi¡¯s side as a spy. Why did she record it?

    Before the suspicions on Qian Ge¡¯s mind settled, another short clip yed on the big screen behind her.

    It was the set of the variety show. Ji Yi was there and so was Qian Ge. One of the female presenters happened to also be the presenter for that night.

    Seconds after the video yed, the female presenter said, ¡°I know this one. It¡¯s a clip fromst year, when Ji Yi and Qian Ge were recording together on our variety show. At the time, Ji Yi got injured...¡±

    Before the female presenter could finish speaking, the close-up on the video turned to Qian Ge. She had a pearl bracelet in her hand, but when the director adjusted the camera, she bent over fixing her shoe. When she got up again, the pearl bracelet was gone.

    Soon after, the director called Ji Yi up to receive her prize. Just as Ji Yi turned around to step down from the stage, she unexpectedly tripped over.

    The picture in the video was suddenly chaotic as everyone surrounded Ji Yi, including Qian Ge.

    That was when the camera closed in again on Qian Ge. She looked like she was picking something up from the ground.

    Everyone was so focused on Ji Yi that no one noticed her.

    After someone took the injured Ji Yi away, Qian Ge turned around and walked off stage. From start to finish, her hands were balled into fists. She probably didn¡¯t even notice it herself, but on herst step down from the stage, an object fell from her fingers and rolled onto the stage. After rolling around for a long time, it finally stopped. It was a single shimmering white pearl.

    The camera stopped at the pearl then the video came to an abrupt end.

    The female presenter who had been fully focused on the big screen looked as though she had seen the most unbelievable thing. With a gaping mouth, she blurted, ¡°Oh god! The day Ji Yi got hurt... It wasn¡¯t because she was careless ¨C she slipped on a pearl?¡±

 Chapter 581

    Chapter 581: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (41)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As her voice dropped, the female celebrity only just realized she identally said something she shouldn¡¯t have. She hurriedly raised her hand to cover her mouth then turned her head and looked at Qian Ge beside her.

    If Qian Ge really didn¡¯t understand why Li Yaoyao kept their selfies together and recorded their conversations before, she knew now after the video of the variety show finished ying. She instantly understood that Li Yaoyao, the person she always thought had worked for her, actually hadn¡¯t been from the very beginning!

    Because Li Yaoyao wasn¡¯t even on set that day when they were recording the variety show, so she couldn¡¯t have taken that video.

    But that video was on her phone, which meant she betrayed her a long time ago!

    Which also showed that when she asked for her phone, the only reason why she looked timid and didn¡¯t dare give her the phone wasn¡¯t because she wanted to help her. She just didn¡¯t want to raise suspicion, to better lure her and make her believe there was nothing on her phone...

    So, Qian Ge solemnly believed she could take down Ji Yi, but instead, she was overly clever and ended up bing the biggest help in clearing Ji Yi¡¯s name?!

    Ji Yi had been attacked by everyone for over ten days. She was so pitiful and innocent.

    With the truth now out about the whole giarizing incident, theizens who used to horribly attack Ji Yi now felt incredibly guilty. This way, everyone not only deeply remembered Ji Yi but also supported her out of guilt...

    After pushing Ji Yi down to hell with much difficulty, Li Yaoyao¡¯s phone brought Qian Ge down from heaven to hell and made Ji Yi the idol the nation felt guilty over.

    I asked Li Yaoyao help me, but Li Yaoyao ended up ruining all my hard work and dedication these past few years!

    At that thought, Qian Ge¡¯s eyes suddenly started to redden as she red at Li Yaoyao. Disregarding the live cameras and her well-kept image, she charged up to Li Yaoyao and chucked the microphone right at her head. ¡°B*tch, you betrayed me!¡±

    Qian Ge came up to her so unexpectedly and the microphonended so hard on Li Yaoyao¡¯s head that the only thing that could be heard was a squeal as she covered her head and crouched down.

    Yet Qian Ge showed no signs of going easy on her. She raised her high heels and stomped on Li Yaoyao.

    Everyone on the scene never imagined that Qian Ge would suddenly hit someone, so quite a few people bolted up from their seats.

    The security guards were quick to hold Qian Ge back. She must¡¯ve been fuming as she flexed her legs, wanting to stomp on Li Yaoyao again. However, she was dragged off by the security guards quickly.

    Unable to hit her, Qian Ge became even more violent as her cussing became hard on the ears. ¡°Li Yaoyao, you little b*tch! I gave you so much money and you actually plotted behind my back...¡±

    ¡°Betray?¡± Standing at the corner of the stage, Chen Bai had been waiting all along for Qian Ge to answer his question. The moment he realized it was time to take another stab, he immediately brought the mic to his mouth and cried, ¡°Miss Qian Ge said ¡®betray.¡¯ Does that mean Miss Qian Ge admits Miss Li Yaoyao and yourself worked together to sabotage Ji Yi?¡±

    The cursing from Qian Ge¡¯s mouth suddenly came to a stop.

    I-I actually lost it and said ¡°betray¡±?

 Chapter 582

    Chapter 582: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (42)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge hadn¡¯t snapped back to her senses when Chen Bai took another stab and said, ¡°So it¡¯s just as Miss Qian Ge and Miss Li Yaoyao¡¯s conversation described in the video. Miss Qian Ge wanted to get rid of Ji Yi, so she purposefully leaked the information to the reporters and arranged for the fans to create trouble by surrounding Ji Yi. Then that situation ended up injuring Ji Yi¡¯s mum?¡±

    As Chen Bai¡¯s words crashed down on Qian Ge, her body swayed violently for a moment.

    That¡¯s not right! How did I get so caught up with getting angry at Li Yaoyao that I forgot the main point?

    After the whole variety show incident, she immediately bribed the studio¡¯s security department to delete the footage.

    With Li Yaoyao¡¯s capabilities, she could never have recovered the security footage. For her phone to have such a video, there must¡¯ve been someone who put it on her phone ahead of time.

    If Li Yaoyao wasn¡¯t on her side, she was standing on Ji Yi¡¯s side. Ji Yi was an artist from YC, and YC belonged to He Jichen. He Jichen was aputer games expert in senior high a long time ago...

    When she said she wanted to confront Li Yaoyao, Chen Bai stood up.

    At the time, she thought Chen Bai just wanted to exin on behalf of thepany¡¯s artist. Now she saw this wasn¡¯t the case at all! Chen Bai only yed the recording to wait for her to show her true colors then took the chance to add hail to snow...

    Before Li Yaoyao was a spy by Ji Yi¡¯s side, she already recorded their conversation together. This meant that back then, Li Yaoyao was already not loyal to her.

    Which meant that Li Yaoyao was on He Jichen¡¯s side long ago.

    He Jichen knew about her stealing Ji Yi¡¯s performance a long time ago, but he didn¡¯t stop it back then because he was waiting for her to dig herself into a hole.

    So from the very beginning, He Jichen had an even bigger plot in mind before she had her own, and his goal for doing so was to help Ji Yi...

    At that thought, Qian Ge slowly turned her head and looked over at He Jichen nearby.

    On the stage, the atmosphere was buzzing, but He Jichen lookedpletely unconcerned. He lookedpletely uninterested by the whole episode that suddenly broke out at the Television Awards.

    He looked like he was tired from ying his phone game as he put his phone away and shut his eyes to get some rest.

    His face looked unusually gentle as the lights of the Television Awards beamed down on his face. He looked less distant but more warm and elegant, like an exquisite painting ¨C harmless and visually stunning.

    However, a hint of fear crept into Qian Ge¡¯s heart when she saw He Jichen like this.

    With her eyes on the big screen above the mall and a cream puff in hand, Ji Yi held her breath in shock at everything that just unfolded.

    She wasn¡¯t stupid. She also figured out what Qian Ge just figured out!

    Because Qian Ge stared in the direction of He Jichen¡¯s seat for a long time, the cameraman cut to where she was looking.

    In the midst of all themotion, the sight of peaceful He Jichen with his eyes shut barged into Ji Yi¡¯s sight.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers around the cream puff trembled abruptly, causing the cream puff to fall right to the ground.

    She stared right at He Jichen as her vision started to gently shake along with her body. After some time, she abruptly covered her mouth with her hand.

    So as it turned out, it wasn¡¯t what she thought it was. The truth was that He Jichen never gave up on her. From beginning to end, he¡¯d been helping her...

 Chapter 583

    Chapter 583: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (43)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He did blow up her scandal, but his real motive wasn¡¯t to raise the ratings for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± like she overheard in his office or because he cared about his shares at YC. His motive was to fulfill her deep desire for revenge on Qian Ge.

    So that night when he took her home after her mum got injured, he stood at the door staring at her, not knowing what to say for a long time because he was actually thinking how to exin himself?

    It was still very chaotic at the Awards, but staff were nowing out to stabilize the situation.

    Li Yaoyao must¡¯ve been hurt by Qian Ge¡¯s kick because someone had to help her up. Qian Ge¡¯s manager rushed over, hurriedly wrestled her away from the security guard¡¯s hold on her and escorted her out of the Television Awards.

    The exit was filled with media outlets as they had all just seen everything unfold. The moment Qian Ge reached the door, she was instantly surrounded by an infinite amount of shing lights and microphones.

    The celebrities and guests below the stage were whispering about what happened. Some even took photos of Qian Ge and Li Yaoyao.

    Themotion grew as people on the street passing by the mall stopped walking and started to talk about what happened.

    But Ji Yi¡¯s world was inplete silence. She couldn¡¯t hear a thing nor could she see a thing besides He Jichen on the big screen.

    Anyone would gasp at such a big spectacle, but He Jichen just turned a blind eye to the growingmotion around him.

    People sitting beside him knew he was the CEO of YC, so they enthusiastically drew closer to him to engage him in conversation.

    He maintained his sluggish posture and slowly raised his eyes at the people talking to him and politely nodded. Without any intention of speaking, he averted his gaze.

    His neutral gaze happened to be caught by the cameraman and his gaze met Ji Yi¡¯s gaze at the big screen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly trembled and her fingers covering her mouth quivered slightly.

    She could feel the raging waves instantly wash over her body.

    It was this man, who looked as calm as calm could be,posed asposed could be, unconcerned as unconcerned could be, who saved her from hell and returned her to the mortal world...

    The scene at the Television Awards quickly returned to normal.

    Both presentersposed themselves and acted as though the episode just now hadn¡¯t happened at all. They enigmatically started to unveil the award for the best actor.

    Ji Yi stared at the big screen, thinking about the dream she had a few days ago. In the dream, she heard He Jichen say, ¡°You have to remember what I promised you.¡±

    You have to remember what I promised you.

    ¡ª¡ª Without YC, you¡¯ll still have me.

    ¡ª¡ªI won¡¯t swarm to you when you¡¯re famous, and I won¡¯t turn and leave you at your lowest point.

    ¡ª¡ª Will you trust me? Do you trust that I can fight, side-by-side, with you?

    He asked if I¡¯m willing to trust him to take each step with me from my lowest point in the entertainment industry towards infinite, brighter heights?

    ¡°Will you trust that I can help you get back what was taken from you, bit by bit? So, will you trust me?¡±

 Chapter 584

    Chapter 584: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (44)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the more fired up she got, and the more she felt like those words didn¡¯te from her dreams.

    About half a minuteter, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes opened wide.

    Yeah... Those words weren¡¯t from my dreams. Those words were what he said to me over the phone, the day after my scandal broke out.

    But at the time, Ji Yi was sleepy and groggy, so she thought it was all a dream.

    So as it turns out, He Jichen hinted at his intentions a long time ago. I just didn¡¯t pay attention... I misunderstood him!

    At that thought, Ji Yi suddenly turned around and rushed to the sidewalk.

    She raised her hand, hailed a taxi, and got in.

    Without waiting for the driver to ask where she was headed, she beat him to it. ¡°Sir, take me to the airport.¡±

    After her voice dropped, she quickly pulled her phone out from her pocket and started to check flight times.

    It took an hour to fly to C city. As Ji Yi booked her ticket, she rushed the driver to drive faster.

    Two minutes after she paid, Ji Yi¡¯s phone rang. She nced down at her phone to see that it was a notification telling her that her ticket was sessfully booked.

    She locked her phone screen and turned to look out at the night speeding by. Her heart started to race for no reason and with each beat, it jumped to life and pulsed with energy.

    Soon enough, Ji Yi reached the airport where she paid the fare and bolted out without picking up her change from the driver. She rushed over to the departure floor and checked in.

    It was almost time to board, so Ji Yi headed straight towards security. She managed to reach the boarding gate a minute before it closed and sessfully made it onto the ne.

    She took her seat, fastened the seatbelt, and switched her phone off.

    After the ne ascended three million feet in the air, Ji Yi still thought this was all a dream, so she discreetly pinched her thigh. Then she pinched her own arm, still thinking this was all so surreal. She turned her head and reached her arm towards the middle-aged woman sitting next to her. ¡± Ayi, 1 could you please pinch me?¡±

    The middle-aged woman nced at Ji Yi like she was crazy then turned away to the other side, putting some distance between her and Ji Yi.

    All Ji Yi could do was proceed to forcefully pinch her own face.

    Her lips curved into a smile as she realized that everything that happened tonight was real when she felt the sharp pain from her pinch.

    She removed her hands from her face and noticed the Ayi had already shifted to the empty seat next to her.

    C city was close to Beijing. The nended safely at C city¡¯s airport after half an hour.

    Ji Yi got off the ne and darted towards a taxi in the taxi area. She waited two minutes in line and got into a taxi.

    On the way to the Television Awards, Ji Yi pulled out her phone and opened the live stream.

    The awards were already reaching the final segment. The hosts were giving out the annual achievement award.

    Midway through the journey, the awards show finished, so celebrities were shown on the screen as they made their way out of the venue.

    Ji Yi was afraid He Jichen would¡¯ve already left by the time she made it over. Just as she was going to call He Jichen, she saw He Jichen and Chen Bai on the live stream.

    As soon as the two of them stepped out from the awards show, they were stopped by a group of interviewers.

    ¡°Excuse me Mr. He Jichen, may we please trouble you for a couple minutes of your time for an interview?¡±

 Chapter 585

    Chapter 585: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (45)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Faced with a crowd of reporters, Chen Bai used his quick reflexes and rushed in front of He Jichen.

    ¡°Sorry! We¡¯re not epting interviews. Everyone, please move aside,¡± apologized Chen Bai as he used his arm to block the reporter and make way for He Jichen. To avoid getting overcrowded by reporters, he made a path for him as he walked forward.

    The reporter didn¡¯t let He Jichen go easily as they raised their cameras and microphones, following closely behind Chen Bai and He Jichen. They continued to pester them.

    ¡°Mr. He Jichen, may I ask, did you know about tonight¡¯s events beforehand?¡±

    ¡°Mr. He Jichen, does YC have anything to do with exposing Miss Qian Ge¡¯s schemes to sabotage Miss Ji Yi tonight?¡±

    ¡°Mr. He Jichen...¡±

    Faced with the reporter¡¯s questions, Chen Bai patiently answered, ¡°YC Corp will answer these questions on Weibo at ater date. Could everyone please make way...¡±

    The security beside them checked the situation and quickly rushed over to help them with the reporters.

    The reporters¡¯ questions didn¡¯t stop there. ¡°Mr. He Jichen, we all know you directed Qian Ge¡¯s ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯ and your partnership with her was uneventful. Now, she and your signed artist got into such an incident, so may I ask: would you still consider working with Qian Ge in the future?¡±

    Having already put about two meters between himself and the reporters, He Jichen suddenly paused when he heard this question.

    Chen Bai, noticing that He Jichen stopped, did the same.

    He Jichen had his back to the crowd of reporters for two seconds before he turned around and looked at them behind the security guards holding them back.

    He stood his ground. With a calm look on his face, he spoke with an unusually stern and decisive voice: ¡°No, YC won¡¯t be working with someone so despicable and wretched!¡±

    He Jichen paused for a moment then added, ¡°And I believe that anyone with a conscience and moralpass would not work with such an artist!¡±

    Which went to say that whoever worked with Qian Ge had no conscience or moralpass.

    Ji Yi always knew how harsh He Jichen could sound, but she had to admit that this time, He Jichen¡¯s harsh words made her feel pretty great!

    He Jichen¡¯s reply gave the reporters hope he would consent to a full interview as another two to three questions were tossed out.

    He Jichen turned around tly and walked down the steps like he hadn¡¯t heard their questions.

    Chen Bai hurriedly tried to clean up the aftermath by saying, ¡°Apologies, Mr. He has important business to attend to, so he has to leave first. As for other questions, YC will give everyone an exnation in due time.¡±

    As for news about He Jichen¡¯s personal life, the media had never been able to get any information from him.

    It waste at night, yet He Jichen had something important to do...?

    A curious reporter blurted out, ¡°Mr. He Jichen, the ¡®important business¡¯ you have can¡¯t possibly be meeting someone this evening, right?¡±

    After taking two steps down, He Jichen stopped again. This time, only his head turned around and he said in a rxed voice, ¡°I¡¯m going to a friend¡¯s birthday party.¡±

    As his voice dropped, He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for the reporters to react and took big strides away.

    The picture on Ji Yi¡¯s phone screen cut to a celebrity participating to an interview on the scene.

 Chapter 586

    Chapter 586: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (46)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The picture on her phone screen cut to a celebrity participating in an interview on the scene.

    But He Jichen¡¯s words ¡°I¡¯m going to celebrate a friend¡¯s birthday¡± continued to echo in her ears.

    Today¡¯s my birthday... Is he rushing back to Beijing after the Television Awards?

    With that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s blood started to pump again.

    Then the taxi stopped.

    Because there were so many people at the Television Awards, the surrounding roads were blocked off. Cars without permits couldn¡¯t enter, so the taxi had to stop at the blocked road.

    He Jichen hadn¡¯t left after his interview ended, so he was probably heading to the parking lot.

    Ji Yi gave up on calling He Jichen. She paid the taxi fare and ran over to the venue like she was running a marathon.

    ¨C

    The parking lot was open-air and there were no lights. They could only vaguely see their path with the streetlights all around them, but as they got deeper into the lot, it got darker.

    He Jichen and Chen Bai left ratherte, so most of the cars already left the car park a long time ago.

    He Jichen¡¯s car was parked in the center of the parking lot; all the cars parked around it were gone.

    Because the lot was a little dim, He Jichen and Chen Bai didn¡¯t notice there was someone standing by the car when they walked over.

    They walked right up to the car then Chen Bai pulled out the keys and pressed the button to unlock it. The car lights illuminated the space all around them and they finally noticed the person crouched by the passenger car door.

    He Jichen and Chen Bai paused at the same time.

    The car lights turned on, shocking the person crouched on the ground. She slowly looked up and saw He Jichen and Chen Bai.

    Not far away, another car happened to start up. The sh of light let He Jichen and Chen Bai see the face of the person crouched down.

    Standing next to He Jichen, Chen Bai clearly felt the atmosphere around him turn cold. His instinct was to turn his head and nce at He Jichen whose handsome cold eyes were like frozen ice in the depths of winter.

    Qian Ge lifted her head and stared at He Jichen¡¯s half-shrouded face in the shadows for a while. Then she slowly got up and walked over to He Jichen.

    It was only when she drew closer that Chen Bai saw how rough she looked.

    Her long, elegant silk dress had a long tear in it and the beautiful hairdo she had earlier had long lost its shape. She had messy, nest-like hair and it looked like she was crying because her intricately applied make-up was ruined.

    If Chen Bai hadn¡¯t seen it with his own eyes, it would¡¯ve been really hard for him to imagine that the woman before him was the same elegant Qian Ge who remainedposed under any circumstances.

    Qian Ge was about a meter away from He Jichen when he stopped. She knew he wouldn¡¯t speak up first, so she cried, ¡°You set this all up, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    She knew that was talking nonsense, but she still asked.

    He looked at her coldly without any intention of speaking.

    She had slipped under her manager¡¯s watch, ran to the parking lot, and crouched next to his car for almost an hour to ask not this question, but another one.

    Seeing that He Jichen didn¡¯t respond, Qian Ge spoke again, ¡°Li Yaoyao betrayed me because of you, right?¡±

    Yes, that was the main point of waiting for him. She wanted to know why Li Yaoyao, who had always been so close to her, would betray her...

 Chapter 587

    Chapter 587: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (47)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t say anything.

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t wait and swiftly asked a new question, ¡°What in the hell did you say to her for her to betray me?¡±

    He Jichen continued to ignore Qian Ge. This time, he didn¡¯t stand still, but he raised his foot and walked towards the car.

    Seeing as He Jichen was walking, Chen Bai immediately followed suit.

    Just as He Jichen was about to brush past Qian Ge, she spoke again. ¡°I came to see you for no other reason. I want to know the answer already!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t figure it out! I treated Li Yaoyao so well. I practically bought her gifts every month, and I gave her so much money. I just can¡¯t figure out why she would betray me! I just want to know why she would do this?!¡±

    ¡°So, He Jichen... can¡¯t you tell me why?¡±

    ¡°Tell you why?¡± He Jichen looked like he just heard a joke as he suddenly chuckled. His feet hadn¡¯te to a stop as he soundedpletely insulted. ¡°I¡¯m so confused... Where¡¯d you get the impression that I would ever tell you?¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s body trembled in response to He Jichen¡¯s rudeness and her hands balled into fists. She stood there for a moment, turned around, stared at He Jichen¡¯s back and cried, ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to die not knowing. I came to see you so I can die knowing the truth!¡±

    ¡°Heh...¡± a coldugh escaped He Jichen¡¯s mouth. He stopped in his tracks and shot Qian Ge a look of disdain. ¡°You want to die knowing, do you? I¡¯m not interested in letting you die knowing the truth!¡±

    After he said this, He Jichen withdrew his gaze and raised his feet, ready to take a step towards the car. All of a sudden, he remembered something and paused. With his back turned to Qian Ge, he spoke without looking at her: ¡°Don¡¯t you think that deep down, you know why?¡±

    ¡°You treated Li Yaoyao so well, so why did she betray you back then? Let me ask you ¨C did Ji Yi ever treat you badly? No? Why did you betray her then?!¡±

    ¡°Actually, I had other ways of ruining you, but do you know why I chose this way?¡±

    ¡°Because I told you before ¨C for every ordeal you made Ji Yi suffer, I would give you a taste of that medicine! Didn¡¯t you trust Li Yaoyao?¡± As He Jichen said this, an intense aura emanated from his body. ¡°So I was going to give you a taste of being betrayed by someone you trusted!¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel good, does it?¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t you worry. Today¡¯s not the end of it. You thought your reputation being ruined in showbiz would be the end of it? Let me tell you, that¡¯s impossible!¡±

    ¡°One of these days, I¡¯ll make you regret ever betraying Ji Yi, ever messing with Ji Yi!¡±

    After he said this, He Jichen shot Chen Bai a look.

    Chen Bai immediately understood He Jichen¡¯s meaning and took two steps forward to pull the car door open.

    ¡°Oh yeah...¡± He Jichen was just about to get into the car when he stopped again. ¡°I didn¡¯t actually want to waste my breath on you, but you came to me, so if I didn¡¯t say a few words or p you hard on the face, you would¡¯ve wasted all that time waiting here in the cold, right?¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s face instantly turned pale white. Tears began to well up in her eyes again.

    She thought he finished speaking, so she never imagined he would continue, ¡°Also, do you know why I chose to expose you today? Because today¡¯s her birthday...¡±

 Chapter 588

    Chapter 588: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (48)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°He Jichen¡ª¡ª¡± Before He Jichen could finish speaking, a voice was heard from not too far away.

    He Jichen¡¯s body shook then his body froze on the spot like his pressure points had been hit.

    He was far too familiar with that voice. He was so familiar with it that it felt like he was passing through time, going back to his adolescence.

    She appeared on the race track practically every evening when they were close in senior high and she screamed at him on the football field, drenched in sweat. ¡°He Jichen, time to go home.¡±

    He was proud of not going home tillte during his rebellious phase, but back then, going home was the best part of his day.

    That cry of ¡°He Jichen¡± just now sounded the same as when Ji Yi used to cry ¡°He Jichen¡± back on the football field. It was as soft and crisp as a spirited bad.

    After He Jichen¡¯s voice disappeared, there wasplete silence all around him.

    In the dark of the night, there was the faint sound of someone running.

    He Jichen thought it was an illusion as he stared at the open car door for some time. Then he slowly turned his head towards the source of the sound.

    Far, far away, he saw a silhouette of someone rushing towards him. The person seemed determined.

    Because the parking lot was dim, He Jichen couldn¡¯t see the person¡¯s face, but from her frame, he could tell who it was right away.

    He was stunned at first then his heart skipped a beat. He stared at the woman drawing closer and closer as he his heart suddenly felt a rising sense of surrealness.

    As the woman¡¯s face became clearer, she slowed down, her run turning into a walk.

    With the lights of his car, He Jichen could tell she was wearing a long white dress with a pair of white shoes and a thin, torn jacket over her dress.

    Maybe she ran too quickly just now as her hair was stuck to her forehead with sweat, her face was flushed, and her hair was a mess from the evening wind.

    She looked into his eyes with an unusual brightness like she had gathered the brightness from all the stars in the universe. They were enigmatic and captivating.

    He Jichen stared at her, a little dazed. He felt like he bumped into a deadly fairy who appeared deep in the night like in fairytales.

    After she was about five meters from him, she spoke again. It looked like she¡¯d been running for too long because her breath was a little unsteady. ¡°He Jichen!¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t react but he red right at Ji Yi motionlessly like he was a stone statue.

    Ji Yi¡¯s voice snapped Chen Bai to his senses and he was the first to cry in shock: ¡°Miss Ji?¡± He turned to He Jichen beside him and he said with an excited voice, ¡°Mr. He, it¡¯s Miss Ji!¡±

    He Jichen pretended not to hear. He only stared straight at Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi continued to take two steps towards He Jichen¡¯s side then she realized that aside from He Jichen and Chen Bai, there was also someone else present.

    She instinctively turned her head and happened to meet Qian Ge¡¯s gaze by chance.

    Stunned, Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps came to a stop.

    After ten seconds, Ji Yi¡¯s gaze jumped from Qian Ge to He Jichen and Chen Bai. ¡°How... is she here?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji...¡± Chen Bai didn¡¯t hesitate to exin, but just as he said her name, He Jichen, standing beside him motionlessly, said with a t tone of voice. ¡°...Isn¡¯t there just three of us here? Me, you, and Chen Bai?¡±

 Chapter 589

    Chapter 589: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (49)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Poof!¡ª¡ª¡± Chen Bai couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter at He Jichen¡¯s interruption.

    Mr. He, must your mouth be so harsh?! Aren¡¯t you saying Qian Ge isn¡¯t even a person?

    Ji Yi was two steps behind Chen Bai in understanding what He Jichen meant. She initially felt annoyed at seeing Qian Ge, but she suddenly felt a lot better as she quickly arched her eyes.

    He Jichen noticed Ji Yi¡¯s smile and his eyes instantly became a lot softer. Little by little, his cold demeanor from talking to Qian Ge earlier receded.

    He walked over to Ji Yi while maintaining his deep gaze. ¡°Why did you run till you have a face full of sweat?¡±

    ¡°I was afraid of missing you,¡± replied Ji Yi honestly without much thought.

    Does that mean she came to C city all the way from Beijing just to look for me?

    He Jichen¡¯s heart trembled slightly.

    He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat off from Ji Yi¡¯s face.

    A gust of wind blew in, bringing in the cold chill of the evening.

    He Jichen was afraid Ji Yi would catch a cold from the windy breeze, so he put his handkerchief back then cried, ¡°Let¡¯s go. Get in the car.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡± Ji Yi gave a gentle nod as her eyes irresistibly drifted over to Qian Ge.

    Qian Ge stood on the spot staring at her and He Jichen with tears in her eyes.

    The expression on her face was unusually pale as though she was holding her feelings back. Her fists were tightly balled up and trembling slightly.

    Noticing Ji Yi staring at Qian Ge, He Jichen furrowed her brows. ¡°It¡¯s pitch-ck over there. There¡¯s nothing there. Is there anything worth seeing?¡±

    While He Jichen said this, Ji Yi withdrew her gaze from Qian Ge. From the corners of Ji Yi¡¯s eyes, she managed to catch a single line of tears running down Qian Ge¡¯s face.

    Another gust of wind blew in and He Jichen spoke again. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there. You¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±

    This time, Ji Yi didn¡¯t say a thing but replied to He Jichen with a sweet smile. Then she walked over to the door Chen Bai opened and got in.

    But she only managed to take two steps before He Jichen grabbed her wrist.

    Ji Yi turned her head and looked over at He Jichen in confusion.

    When He Jichen bent down and touched Ji Yi¡¯s shoes, she realized she ran so fast that herces came loose.

    Her foot instinctively took a step back as she was about to crouch down and tie them.

    However, He Jichen¡¯s reflexes were faster than hers. He beat her to it by holding onto her ankle then he quietly said: ¡°don¡¯t move.¡± With one swift move, he tied herces into a beautiful butterfly knot.

    After He Jichen got up, he didn¡¯t say anything but shot Ji Yi a look to go ahead.

    He Jichen waited for Ji Yi to take a step before he got up.

    One after the other, the two of them walked over to the car door. Just as Ji Yi was going to get into the car, Qian Ge unexpectedly cried, ¡°He Jichen, I spoke to Ji Yi the day I bumped into her at TF beauty salon. Did you know that?¡±

    ¡°I told her you had a hand in blowing up her scandal!¡±

    He Jichen always assumed Ji Yi didn¡¯t know a thing about it, but Qian Ge was now suddenly bringing it up again. His feet came to aplete stop.

 Chapter 590

    Chapter 590: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (50)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I told her that you only care about the ratings for ¡®The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡¯ and increasing YC¡¯s shares. I told her she¡¯s just a money-making tool to you!¡±

    ¡°You know what her reaction was at the time?¡±

    She actually never imagined He Jichen would go overboard like he did. He first said some horrible things, then he even told her he only chose to expose her today because it was Ji Yi¡¯s birthday.

    He used my demise as a birthday present for Ji Yi?

    Her heart had suffered enough, but the heavens didn¡¯t let her go as if she hadn¡¯t been tortured enough tonight.

    After Ji Yi appeared, she made his whole stern demeanor soft and gentle. From the moment he asked why Ji Yi was there, he insulted me by implying I wasn¡¯t a person.

    He clearly knew Qian Ge liked him. Since they were young, she was infatuated with him like crazy, but he was so affectionate towards Ji Yi right in front of her. He even crouched down to tie her shoces.

    I¡¯m clearly a person. How could he be so cold and merciless to me but turn around and be so tender with Ji Yi?

    Tonight, my whole reputation was swept away and I was called a million different names. The image I worked hard to mold for so many years waspletely ruined and my career entered its lowest point, but Ji Yi¡¯s experiencing the exact opposite. After four years of silence, Ji Yi is starting to make it to the top with the help of the man I like... How can I ept that?

    Since I¡¯m having a hard time, they can forget about having an easy time!

    With that thought, Qian Ge didn¡¯t hesitate in the slightest and said, ¡°She asked if it was true or false.¡±

    ¡°When I told her you knew a week before the whole scandal broke out but didn¡¯t do anything, she got angry right there! Her face changed like she¡¯d been lied to!¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, you schemed so carefully to set up such big game, but did you know that the person you¡¯re helping doesn¡¯t actually trust you in the slightest?¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, her eyes abruptly widened in disbelief and she stopped midway in getting into the car.

    What kind of nonsense is Qian Ge spewing? That clearly wasn¡¯t the reaction I had when I heard what she said that day!

    I was mad but I was mad at Qian Ge, not because I didn¡¯t believe He Jichen!

    ¡°He Jichen, if it wasn¡¯t for tonight, did you think she woulde running to you because of all the things you did for her? If it wasn¡¯t for what happened tonight, her heart would definitely be filled with hatred because you hyped up the scandal and got her mum injured in the process...¡±

    Ji Yi had to admit she hated He Jichen then, but she didn¡¯t misunderstand him because of what Qian Ge said. She was only hurt because she overheard his conversation with Chen Bai at his office.

    Qian Ge really tried to set a new bottom line by actually flipping the story! She was now trying to challenge her and He Jichen¡¯s rtionship!

    Deep down, a sense of disgust started to brew. Suddenly, her re on Qian Ge became intense. She took a step towards Qian Ge and was about to speak when He JIchen reached out to stop her.

    Ji Yi instinctively turned her head to look at He Jichen who had a neutral gaze on Qian Ge. For some reason, a sense of anxiety crept into Ji Yi¡¯s heart and her fingers clutched onto his sleeve for a moment. Then she heard He Jichen say, ¡°Are you sick in the head?! I don¡¯t even know you! Why should I believe what you¡¯re saying?!¡±

 Chapter 591

    Chapter 591: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (51)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Why do I have to believe what you say...

    Sometime after He Jichen¡¯s voice fell, the words still seemed to ring in Ji Yi¡¯s ears.

    She felt a slight chill as the evening wind brushed across her sweaty body.

    But when He Jichen¡¯s words echoed for a third time in her mind, Ji Yi suddenly felt a ball of fire ignite and inste her body from inside.

    Qian Ge never imagined He Jichen would answer with such conviction in Ji Yi. A wall of confusion crossed her troubled eyes as an indescribable sense of uncertainty filled her chest.

    That day at the beauty salon, Ji Yi responded to her in the same resolute way when she tried to drive a wedge between them. Ji Yi trusted He Jichen then and now that Qian Ge tried the same trick on He Jichen, he also chose to trust Ji Yi.

    At that moment, Qian Ge felt like a clown. She used all her willpower, yet she still couldn¡¯t achieve her goals. She wasn¡¯t sure if she was angry with herself or if she was jealous of Ji Yi, but a sudden menacing ray of light shot from her eyes as she stared at the two people standing together in front of her. ¡°Yes, you don¡¯t have to believe what I say, He Jichen, but facts are facts. Between the two of you, you have always been the one who trusts the other...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s already stated his position. How has Qian Ge still not given up?

    If Ji Yi was just a little unhappy before, she was definitely real mad now.

    Just as she was about to retaliate, He Jichen spoke first with a t voice, ¡°I believe her and that¡¯s my business. I never asked her to believe me.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s thoughts instantly froze.

    She hadn¡¯t recovered from what He Jichen said when he pushed her into the car and got in himself.

    Chen Bai shut the car door, quickly got in, and started the car.

    As the car drove past Qian Ge, Ji Yi instinctively turned her head and looked through the back window.

    Qian Ge gritted her teeth as she stared at the car. Flustered and exasperated, she made a few stumbling steps with tears still flowing from her eyes. She looked really sullen and impatient. After the car drove some distance away, she suddenly dropped to the ground. Her shoulders trembled and she started to sob.

    The car gradually sped up. Ji Yi sat in the car, thinking about thatst image of Qian Ge crying on the ground and her lips couldn¡¯t help but curve up slightly.

    Qian Ge intended to strike He Jichen¡¯s heart with a thunderbolt and scar his rtionship with Ji Yi. However, she never imagined He Jichen would reply the way he did.

    Not only did Qian Ge not achieve her goal, but her own heart was struck and she was afraid it would take a very long time before she could release the pent-up feelings she had tonight.

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the happier she felt. Eventually, she even put on a toothy grin.

    ¡°What are youughing at?¡± He Jichen couldn¡¯t help but ask as he sat next to her. Since he got into the car, he¡¯d been staring at her through the rearview mirror and noticed she had the same satisfied look for quite some time; she was so happy.

    ¡°Laughing at Qian Ge...¡± blurted out Ji Yi.

    He Jichen shot a nce at Ji Yi and said coldly, ¡°You must have so much free time to think about that piece of garbage!¡±

 Chapter 592

    Chapter 592: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (52)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen spoke with disdain, but for some reason, Ji Yi felt it was a likable sense of disdain. Her smile became radiant and captivating and her voice sounded rxed as she said: ¡°You have to admit, He Jichen, youreback just now was amazing!¡±

    Maybe it was because her dejected feelings leftover from new year¡¯s day were suddenly swept away in one fell swoop that Ji Yi had a lot to say. Since she was excited, her hands waved around energetically. ¡°You don¡¯t even know! I¡¯ve known her for so many years, but I¡¯ve never seen her so disheveled. She actually cried! Thest time I saw her cry, it was when she begged me to ask you to meet up with her at the grove behind the school. After you tossed her aside, I went to see her and she cried and was hurt so badly...¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi suddenly remembered something and looked over at He Jichen. Then she asked the question she had from long ago. ¡°That¡¯s right, He Jichen, what did you tell Qian Ge the night she confessed that she ended up so upset?¡±

    Actually, he assumed the person he was going to meet that night was Ji Yi. That was why he agreed to go to the grove.

    In the end, when he saw Qian Ge, he didn¡¯t even wait for her to speak as his whole face changed. ¡°Where¡¯s Xiao Yi?¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s face flushed as she lowered her head shyly. She stuttered for a long while before she raised her head and said, ¡°I asked Xiao Yi to help me meet up with you...¡±

    Before she could finish, he understood what she meant and turned to leave without saying a word. She grabbed his shirt, which caused him to be angry. With a flick of his hand, he pushed her arm off and threw her to the ground. Then he left with the words: ¡°The person I wanted to see was her! Tell Xiao Yi to never do this kind of thing ever again. Disgusting!¡±

    The person I wanted to see was her... It was just a shame he didn¡¯t dare say that for Ji Yi to hear, nor did he dare express his feelings to her.

    He was afraid to scare her, afraid she wouldn¡¯t believe him, afraid she would reject him, afraid she wouldn¡¯t even want to be friends with him...

    A gloomy look shed across He Jichen¡¯s eyes and a look of disgust crept on his face. With an obvious sense of dislike, he said, ¡°Could you please not mock me again with that incident?¡±

    Mock... I brought up the time Qian Ge confessed to him, yet he¡¯s having this kind of reaction...

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure what was wrong with her, but her mood improved slightly. ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t mention it anymore, but I still have to thank you for standing by me tonight in front of Qian Ge.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything.

    The car fell silent again.

    About half a minuteter, Ji Yi thought He Jichen wasn¡¯t going to say anything, but then he suddenly said with an honest heart, ¡°Not only will I stand by you in front of Qian Ge ¨C I¡¯ll stand by you in front of everyone else too.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t loud, but it was loud enough for Ji Yi to hear him clearly. Her heart shook violently for a moment as an indescribable feeling suddenly came over her chest.

    What she saw tonight on the big screen al the mall felt like it was on rey. The images sped past her eyes and she suddenly had loads of things she wanted to say to He Jichen, but her mouth gaped; she was clueless as to where to even start. In the end, she remembered something as she tore off the watch on her wrist. She listened to it for a while then put it up to He Jichen¡¯s ear and pressed y.

 Chapter 593

    Chapter 593: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (53)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Each and every one of Qian Ge¡¯s words to Ji Yi at the beauty salon that day traveled into He Jichen¡¯s ear.

    The more Qian Ge spoke, the colder the light became in He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°He¡¯s the same as you? Could you not insult him like that? Are you worthy of mentioning him as your equal?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s back froze for a moment and his whole body stiffened up when she heard the annoyance in Ji Yi¡¯s voiceing from her watch.

    It was silent in the car as her angry voice rang endlessly in his ear.

    He Jichen¡¯s heart raced like he just heard the most pleasant song.

    ¡°Also, I¡¯m warning you ¨C quitparing yourself to He Jichen because it will only disgrace him!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled for a moment then he swiftly turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi.

    His reaction wasn¡¯t huge, but it made Ji Yi jump in shock and the watch in her palms started to quiver. From her watch, she heard the click-ck of her own feet leaving after she said such harsh things to Qian Ge.

    Ji Yi knew He Jichen had finished listening to what she wanted him to listen to, so she lowered the phone from He Jichen¡¯s ear and put it back on her watch. ¡°Qian Ge was lying. She told me those things but my reaction at the time wasn¡¯t as she said...¡±

    ¡°... I misunderstood you a little because of what happened to my mum, but those misunderstandings weren¡¯t because of Qian Ge. They were because I went to your office to see you that day...¡±

    ¡°... I didn¡¯t mean to eavesdrop on your and Chen Bai¡¯s conversation, but when I walked up to the door, I happened to overhear your conversation...¡±

    ¡°... I watched the Television Awards today and realized I misunderstood you... So I rushed over here tonight...¡±

    He only had her best interests at heart, but she really did misunderstand him. When she said those things, JI Yi wasn¡¯t confident at all, so she didn¡¯t dare to look at He Jichen. She had her head down like a child who did something wrong. ¡°... Sorry He Jichen...¡± sheid the truth out on the table.

    Some time after Ji Yi¡¯s apology, her heart started to rattle but she didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to react.

    He can¡¯t be upset at me for misunderstanding him, right?

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure why she cared about He Jichen¡¯s feelings, but she knew she really did care. She waited for a while again. Then, seeing as everything was quiet, she spoke quietly again: ¡°He Jichen, I¡¯m really sorry, I...¡±

    ¡°...I...¡± Ji Yi stuttered for a while then pondered what to say next. She immediately said with certainty: ¡°...I promise that if this kind of stuff ever happens again, I¡¯ll ask you right away and won¡¯t blindly assume things on my own...¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t make a sound.

    Ji Yi¡¯s palms started to sweat from her nerves and restlessness. While she thought about how to cheer He Jichen up, she sneakily nced at He Jichen to see if the expression on his face was unusually frightening.

    Then Ji Yi realized He Jichen actually looked no different from before. His eyes were still staring unwaveringly right at her, but the only thing different was his slight smile.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mouth gaped in confusion as she thought she was just seeing things, so she turned her head to look straight at him in disbelief.

 Chapter 594

    Chapter 594: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (54)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s lips really were slightly curved.

    I misunderstood him, yet he¡¯s actually happy?

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen¡¯s lips for a while as her gaze slowly rose to his eyes.

    His deep, beautiful eyes were radiating with a warm glow.

    With just one look, Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly skipped a beat when she felt her own gaze was locked onto He Jichen¡¯s eyes like a ma.

    It wasn¡¯t clear just how long they held their gaze like that.

    The atmosphere in the back of the car gradually started to be a little ufortable.

    He Jichen¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down. With robotic movements that didn¡¯t look like his own, he slowly edged closer to Ji Yi¡¯s face.

    His face drew closer and closer to hers ¨C so close that they felt one another¡¯s breath.

    His eyshes were long. With their faces so close to each other, his eyshes brushed across hers when he blinked. The itchy sensation made Ji Yi¡¯s eyelids twitch slightly as she couldn¡¯t help but close them shut. Then she clearly felt his lips press onto her own...

    Just as she felt the heat of his lips draw closer, the car came to a sudden stop. Chen Bai¡¯s voice came from in front: ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji, we¡¯ve arrived at the hotel.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s lean-in to kiss Ji Yi was suddenly interrupted by Chen Bai¡¯s words.

    He was stunned for a moment until the cloudiness in his eyes became a little clearer. Then he slowly realized just how close he was to Ji Yi¡¯s face...

    After Chen Bai switched off the engine, he noticed how quiet it was in the back, so he turned his head back to look. When he saw the scene in the backseat, he immediately said, ¡°Mr. He, sorry, I...¡±

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t finish what he was going to say when He Jichen twitched his brows slightly. He came to his senses and shot Chen Bai a menacing look, immediately telling Chen Bai to not utter a word. Chen Bai swiftly pushed the door open and ran out of the car.

    As Chen Bai swung the door shut heavily, Ji Yi also returned to her senses.

    Before her eyes opened, He Jichen had already withdrawn himself from her body.

    Even so, the atmosphere in the car was still unbelievably awkward.

    He Jichen and Ji Yi sat in the back of the car shoulder-to-shoulder for a while before He Jichen said, ¡°Let¡¯s get out.¡±

    Ji Yi let out an ¡°Mhm¡± and suddenly her heart started to race.

    Just then, did He Jichen want to kiss me?

    If we weren¡¯t interrupted by Chen Bai, would he have kissed me?

    Ji Yi initially felt awkward, but with some thought, she suddenly felt a hint of regret for some reason.

    After hearing Ji Yi¡¯s response, He Jichen didn¡¯t stay in the car for too long and he immediately pushed the door open and got out.

    The cold wind outside poured into the car. The chill pulled Ji Yi back from her thoughts and immediately put a stop to the swirling thoughts in her mind. She also got out of the car right after He Jichen.

    Knowing that he¡¯d just interrupted something special, Chen Bai didn¡¯t dare nce at He Jichen when he got out of the car. Instead, he hid far away and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go book a room for Miss Ji...¡± then slipped into the lobby before He Jichen could respond.

    When He Jichen and Ji Yi entered the lobby, Chen Bai had already picked up their room key cards.

    When Chen Bai handed Ji Yi a key card, He Jichen took it right from him. Then He Jichen¡¯s and Chen¡¯s eyes met when Ji Yi wasn¡¯t looking.

 Chapter 595

    Chapter 595: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (55)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Soon after, Chen Bai withdrew his gaze and he headed upstairs first after departing with: ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji, I¡¯ll leave the two of you alone.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t immediately give the key card to Ji Yi. Instead, he pinched it with his fingers and yed with it a little. Then they headed to the cafe on the first floor by the hotel lobby that was still open and He Jichen casually said, ¡°Come with me ¨C let¡¯s grab a coffee.¡±

    Maybe it was because they almost kissed in the car, but Ji Yi felt a little ufortable. When she heard what He Jichen said, she turned her head and looked at him with shifting eyes. ¡°Alright.¡±

    When He Jichen ced his order, he asked Ji Yi, ¡°What would you like to drink?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head to say ¡°no thanks.¡±

    But He Jichen still ordered Ji Yi a cup of hot milk.

    Ji Yi thought He Jichen was going to have it to-go and drink it back in his room. She never imagined that after he paid the bill, he would point over to the window seat and tell her: ¡°Go take a seat over there.¡±

    After he quickly downed his cup of coffee, Ji Yi thought they could go upstairs now, but she never imagined He Jichen would actually call the waiter over for a refill.

    Drinking too much coffee in the evening made it hard to fall asleep. The third time He Jichen called the waiter for a refill, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but remind him: ¡°Drinking too much coffee in the evening makes it hard for you to fall asleep, you know.¡±

    With the cup to his lips, He Jichen nced at Ji Yi. Then He Jichen noticed his phone vibrating in his pocket and secretly counted how many times it happened. It vibrated five times, which was the secret signal Chen Bai agreed upon, so he figured he should put his cup back down. He pulled out a napkin and wiped his lips before saying: ¡°Let¡¯s go back upstairs.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s room was on the same floor as He Jichen.

    As he came out of the elevator, He Jichen broke the silence. ¡°Come to my room for a sec. I have something to give to you.¡±

    Today was Ji Yi¡¯s birthday, so she instinctively thought He Jichen bought her a birthday gift. She tugged the corner of her lips, tilted her head and asked, ¡°Birthday present?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say it was, but he didn¡¯t say it wasn¡¯t. All he did was walk up to the door of his room and swipe his door open with the key card.

    He pushed the door open and waited for Ji Yi to step in before entering himself.

    He shut the door but didn¡¯t go in. Instead, he stopped in front of the toilet by the entrance. ¡°You go in and take a seat first. I¡¯m going to the washroom.¡±

    Ji Yi let out a gentle ¡°Mhm.¡± After He Jichen locked the door, he walked out of the room.

    Just as Ji Yi turned into the living room, her footsteps came to a stop.

    In front of the tall window, she was faced with a metal tree sculpture covered with lights. It radiated a warm and soft glow.

    Although the living room lights weren¡¯t on, under the warm lighting, Ji Yi could tell the various-sized branches were densely packed with lipsticks.

    As the string of LED lights blinked, the lipsticks abruptly appeared and disappeared in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes.

    Ji Yi stared motionlessly at the ¡°Lipstick tree¡± for some time before she walked over to it.

    As she got closer, Ji Yi realized this was different from thest time He Jichen gave her a floor of lipsticks during the ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± end-of-production party.

    On all the lipstick lids was a single, gold word: Ji.

    The lipstick lids also had scribbled text which Ji Yi couldn¡¯t read. She walked around the metal tree for a long time before she finally found words she could read on one of the lipsticks. It was the Japanese trantion of ¡°Happy birthday.¡±

 Chapter 596

    Chapter 596: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (56)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi realized something and continued to search through the metal tree. Then she saw possibly the Korean, English, French... and the familiar Chinese words for ¡°happy birthday.¡±

    So the words I can¡¯t read are the different trantions for ¡°happy birthday¡±?

    With that thought, Ji Yi pulled out her phone and took a few photos. She put the pictures through a trantion app and it was just as she thought ¨C they all read ¡°happy birthday.¡±

    Did He Jichen... give me a tree full of lipstick with birthday wishes?

    Her mind was so preupied with the tree filled with lipstick that she didn¡¯t realize He Jichen had already stepped out from the washroom and was standing behind her.

    ¡°I wanted to mail it by air back to your house in Beijing, but I never thought you¡¯de over here, so I asked Chen Bai to set up these decorations at thest minute.¡±

    When she heard that, Ji Yi quickly turned around to look at the man behind her. That was when she realized he only asked to get some coffee to stall for Chen Bai.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re upset over your mum¡¯s injury, so I got a few extra lipsticks for you.¡±

    By that, does he mean he¡¯s trying to cheer me up from ages ago when I got hurt?

    He had to make Ji Yi suffer for a bit for her own good, and although it may have implicated her mum, he hadn¡¯t meant for that to happen.

    When she learned the truth, she decided to forgive him right away, but she never imagined he actually kept the matter close at heart...

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly started to tremble softly.

    She thought He Jichen finished speaking, so she was taken aback when he said: ¡°I hope this is thest time I have to give you lipstick.¡±

    I told him before: Women love to be given lipstick when they¡¯re mad. If one tube of lipstick can¡¯t resolve the issue, then two. If two can¡¯t resolve the issue, then give the woman a whole set! He said he hopes this is thest time he¡¯ll have to give me lipstick. Is he telling me he won¡¯t ever upset me again?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart raced violently as her gaze into He Jichen¡¯s eyes quivered.

    The room was incredibly silent.

    Under the lights of the metal tree, Ji Yi stared unwaveringly at He Jichen.

    Having finished his monologue, He Jichen made his way towards Ji Yi.

    As he drew closer to her one step at a time, Ji Yi could feel her heart jump like lightning, like it could leap out from her throat at any time.

    When He Jichen paused in front of Ji Yi, her entire body shivered for a moment like she¡¯d been electrocuted. She withdrew her gaze from He Jichen and silently retreated into the washroom and mmed the door shut.

    After locking the door, she leaned into the wooden door then ced her hand over her racing heart going ¡°bang bang bang¡± in her chest. She took deep breaths to calm herself down.

    When her heart rate returned to normal, Ji Yi straightened up and walked over to the sink.

    She turned the tap on and sshed a handful of cold water on her face. Looking in the mirror, she stared at herself for a long time. She suddenly realized why she stood outside He Jichen¡¯s office and eavesdropped on his conversation with Chen Bai then hid in the alley behind the office, crying from heartbreak ages ago.

 Chapter 597

    Chapter 597: Unexpectedly, Deeply in Love with Him (57)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The night she saw that Chen Bai really did leak information to ¡°I love eating mangoes¡± on Weibo, she understood why she was tempted to but didn¡¯t dare ask He Jichen why he did it.

    She understood why she flew to C city without telling her parents after she saw what happened to Qian Ge on the big screen and learned about He Jichen¡¯s true intentions.

    She understood why she was so nervous when Qian Ge told He Jichen that Ji Yi didn¡¯t believe him.

    And she understood why she felt so anxious after He Jichen didn¡¯t reply when she showed him the recording on her watch in the car and apologized.

    Moreover, she understood why she felt some regret inside when he didn¡¯t kiss her...

    Because¡ª¡ªshe had fallen in love with him.

    When she decided to get a divorce from He Yuguang, she was resolute when she told herself to stop having feelings for He Jichen.

    But now, she realized her heart was uncontrobly lost to him long ago, all throughout the time they spent together.

    It was no wonder she revealed her feminine side to him byining and rambling on about tons of unimportant things.

    It was no wonder she immediately ran to see him on new year¡¯s eve when she found out he wasn¡¯t at home.

    It was no wonder she cared so much when he hyped up her scandal...

    Since she loved him, she was used to relying on him and telling him about everything; because she loved him, she wanted to be with him when she found out he was spending new year¡¯s day alone; because she loved him, she cared more than anyone that he hyped up her scandal; because she loved him, she cared more than anyone about what he once said to her; because she loved him ¨C really really loved him ¨C she dropped everything to rush over to him overnight, afraid he¡¯d think she didn¡¯t believe him. It was no wonder she looked forward to his kiss...

    This love felt stronger, more intense, and deeper than she ever imagined.

    This love crept into her life a lot earlier than she imagined.

    Before she even realized she had feelings for him, she might¡¯ve already fallen for him. She just didn¡¯t want to end things with him so suddenly like she did with He Yuguang, so she fooled herself by saying she was only ¡°moved¡± by him.

    And maybe this love was so deep that even though they got into arguments when they were younger and she thought she would never fall for him, she eventually started to get these strange feelings she denied was love...

    But no matter how she tried to run away or lie to herself, no matter how slow she was, after seeing the tree filled with lipsticks covered with differentnguages; after she learned how guilty he felt for implicating her mum in his n; after he said he hoped this would be thest time he gave her lipstick, there was no escape. She couldn¡¯t find any more excuses to lie to herself or any way of fooling herself. She had to face the truth: She was unexpectedly, deeply in love with him.

    Knocking came from the toilet door.

    She must¡¯ve been in there too long without making a sound. Every now and then, He Jichen cried out ¡°Xiao Yi?¡± with a worried voice.

    ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    After He Jichen cried her name countless times, Ji Yi blinked quickly as she stared at her own eyes in the mirror and slowly came back to her senses.

    When Ji Yiposed herself, she turned the tap off and walked over to the door.

 Chapter 598

    Chapter 598: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as she reached the door, she heard He Jichen calling her from outside the door again: ¡°Xiao Yi.¡±

    Ji Yi stopped breathing when she heard his voice and stood in front of the door for a short moment before taking a deep breath. She reached out and pulled the door open.

    Seeing Ji Yi step out, He Jichen immediately took a step forward, grabbed her shoulders and scanned her up and down. When he was sure everything was fine, he spoke again: ¡°Xiao Yi, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t like He Jichen hadn¡¯t touched her before, but after Ji Yi realized she was in love with him, she couldn¡¯t help but quiver at his touch. The shoulder he touched felt like it was on fire, spreading into her heart and lungs. She wanted to wrestle her shoulder out of his grip, but she couldn¡¯t bear to do it. Faced with this inner struggle, she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice again: ¡°Xiao Yi? Are you not feeling well anywhere?¡±

    Ji Yi hurriedly shifted her focus away from He Jichen¡¯s hand on her shoulder. She first shook her head at He Jichen then made up a random excuse: ¡°I-I¡¯m not feeling unwell. It-it¡¯s just that I came in such a hurry that I forgot to eat. My stomach just hurts from hunger. I wanted to throw up, so I ran into the washroom...¡±

    When he heard this, He Jichen let out a sigh of relief. ¡°What do you want to eat? I¡¯ll get the hotel to make it for you.¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen released his hand from her shoulder as his other hand slid down her arm and grabbed her tiny wrist. He pulled her in front of the living room desk.

    When Ji Yi sat down on a chair, He Jichen found the 24-hour room service menu and ced it in front of Ji Yi.

    ¡°Take a look and see what you want to eat...¡± said He Jichen as he picked up the phone on the desk and called for room service.

    It had been a total of four to five hours since her journey from Beijing to C city then to the hotel. Ji Yi really was quite hungry. She lowered her head and quickly skimmed through the menu then gently pointed at ¡°Stir-fried beef with rice noodles.¡±

    ¡°Stir-fried beef with rice noodles.¡± After He Jichen repeated what Ji Yi wanted to eat to the staff, he turned and asked Ji Yi, ¡°Nothing else?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows and grabbed the menu. As he looked at it, he spoke into the phone again, ¡°Add another portion of congee with sugar. It has to have a little sugar...¡±

    That¡¯s just how I like it... As He Jichen¡¯s low and gentle voice traveled into her ears, Ji Yi¡¯s gaze couldn¡¯t help butnd on him.

    Just now, in the washroom, He Jichen turned on the heating so it was a little warm. He took off his jacket and tie and even his unbuttoned his shirt by three buttons.

    With one hand on the table and the other on the phone, another shirt button popped open, revealing a faint hint of He Jichen¡¯s muscles to Ji Yi.

    Compared to his usually serious demeanor in his trenchcoat, He Jichen looked a lot sexier right now.

    All of sudden, Ji Yi remembered the night they spent together in Shanghai. She gently brushed her fingers across his chest... It felt good to the touch; hard and strong...

    ¡°... And a portion of stir-fried Chinese broli and a ss of milk... Mm, yeah, and a portion of hot spicy soup... go easy on the chilis...¡±

    After He Jichen hung up the phone, he asked Ji Yi if she wanted to drink some water first.

    After asking her twice with no answer, he eventually turned his head in confusion to see that she was lost in a daze.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows, reached his hand out and waved it in front of Ji Yi¡¯s face. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡±

 Chapter 599

    Chapter 599: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi listened to what He Jichen said and without thinking it over, she blurted out, ¡°I want to sleep with you...¡±

    After waving his hand in front of Ji Yi¡¯s face, He Jichen felt his phone vibrate, so his fingers dove into his pocket.

    When he fished out his phone and raised it to eye-level, Ji Yi¡¯s words, ¡°I want to sleep with you¡± drifted into his ears before he could unlock the phone screen and nce at the message notification.

    He Jichen paused for a moment then realized what those six words meant. The back of his hand froze and the strength in his hand suddenly dissipated, causing his phone to slip out of his hand and crash onto the desk with a loud ¡°bang!¡±

    The shock snapped Ji Yi back to her senses. She blinked and shot a nce at He Jichen¡¯s face then realized what she just said to him while in her daydream state.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes suddenly shot wide open.

    When He Jichen asked what she was thinking, she happened to be reminiscing about the night they spent together in Shanghai. At that very moment, she stared at He Jichen¡¯s unbuttoned shirt and had an urge to tear it off... But even so, she couldn¡¯t honestly admit what was really on her mind to He Jichen!

    Ji Yi suddenly became flustered as her pupils darted around wildly for some time before she spoke again. ¡°No-no-no-no... It¡¯s like this ¨C I misspoke! What I really meant was that I-I remembered sleeping with you in Shanghai...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she suddenly shut her mouth and wanted nothing more than to bite off her tongue.

    What the hell was that?! Even if I wanted to exin myself, I can¡¯t just fess up to what I was actually thinking about just now...

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare look at He Jichen and she instinctively continued to exin herself: ¡°...He Jichen, I was just joking with you. Like I¡¯ve got nothing better to do... why would I think about our night in Shanghai...¡±

    My god... Do I have no filter at all?

    There are cheats and liars, but what about people trying to dig themselves into a hole?

    I¡¯m not exining myself properly! I¡¯m just digging a ditch for myself...

    Ji Yi had the urge to cry at her stupidity, and she wanted nothing more than to hide in a crack in the ground. What¡¯s more, I could¡¯ve just bolted out of here... but if I really did run, how awkward would it be the next time we meet?

    With that thought, all Ji Yi could do was force herself to continue to sit in the chair and put on a bold face as she spoke to He Jichen again, ¡°I really didn¡¯t think about that night in Shanghai. What I meant by what I said was...¡±

    Having never thought about how to smooth things over, Ji Yi was stuck after she said this.

    The more stuck she was, the more impatient she felt inside and the more chaotic her thoughts were. The more frantic she felt, the more she couldn¡¯t think of anything to say, so her gaze wandered all around the room, trying to find some inspiration. As a result, her gaze shot past He Jichen¡¯s room and to the bedroom door. When she saw the big bed, her mind suddenly sparked like she thought of a brilliant way to exin herself. Her eyes lit up as she raised her head and met He Jichen¡¯s eyes. ¡°...I want to sleep in your bed tonight!¡± she cried.

    As soon as she said it, Ji Yi stared in shock at He Jichen.

    Am I-I-I trying to smooth things over?

    I¡¯m just adding fuel to the fire!

    What the hell was ¡°I want to sleep in your bed tonight¡±?!

 Chapter 600

    Chapter 600: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    So embarrassing... Faced with the temptations for a man, did my IQ end up getting fed to the dogs?!

    If Ji Yi almost cried from her stupidity earlier, then right now, Ji Yi really wanted to cry for real!

    She clearly felt her face heating up. Even her ears and neck started to warm up.

    The room fell silent.

    Ji Yi could sense the atmosphere around them turning unbelievably awkward.

    Her heart stopped beating as she stared at He Jichen in shock for a while then she cried, ¡°You misunderstood. That¡¯s not what I meant ¨C I was just... sleepy. I want to sleep... and... and the only reason why I thought about that night in Shanghai was because...because...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s face quivered as she happened to nce over at the tree full of lipsticks in front of the tall windows. As though she¡¯d seen some hope amidst her despair, she quickly blurted out: ¡°... I saw those lipsticks and thought back to the night you gave me lipsticks for the first time...¡±

    Thank god the dog spat out my dog-food IQ...

    Finally, Ji Yi sessfully smoothed things over and let out a sigh of relief. But then she noticed He Jichen was staring straight at her, standingpletely still on the other side of the desk.

    He had no emotion on his face, but there was a fire burning in the depths of his eyes which had a prative power that could see into the depths of her heart. It left nowhere for her to hide her strong feelings.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled and her whole body became even more flustered.

    Scared of him seeing through her, she instinctively avoided He Jichen¡¯s gaze. Even though she tried hard topose herself, her voice trembled as she said: ¡°I¡¯m really sleepy, so I¡¯m heading back to my room to get some rest...¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi bolted up without waiting for He Jichen to react. She kicked the chair behind her and darted to the door.

    She only managed to take two steps before He Jichen grabbed her wrist.

    Ji Yi felt her whole body quiver like she¡¯d just been electrocuted. She instinctively wanted to pull her fingers away but the man towering above her spoke in a t voice. ¡°Go to sleep after dinner.¡±

    It was like the person delivering the food had a secret arrangement with him as the doorbell rang just as He Jichen finished speaking. A voice from the other side of the door was heard: ¡°Hello, your order has arrived.¡±

    He Jichen let go of Ji Yi¡¯s wrist. He walked over to the door and opened it.

    The hotel attendant pushed a food cart in and asked He Jichen in a quiet voice if it was okay to put the food on the coffee table.

    He Jichen nodded.

    The attendant quickly brought the tray over and ced one item at a time onto the coffee table. Then he left the room saying: ¡°Sir, Miss, please enjoy.¡±

    Because the attendant was there, the awkward atmosphere between the two of them almost disappearedpletely.

    When He Jichen called Ji Yi over to eat, Ji Yi obediently walked over to the sofa. With no intention of running away, she took the chopsticks He Jichen handed to her.

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t hungry, so it was only Ji Yi eating. However, He Jichen was worried she¡¯d be bored eating alone, so he sat with her.

    When Ji Yi finished her portion of stir-fried beef with rice noodles, He Jichen¡¯s phone started to vibrate.

    It sounded like an iing call. He Jichen nced at the phone screen but didn¡¯t pick it up ¨C he just let the phone vibrate.

    Seeing as nobody picked up, the caller gave up. After a few seconds, He Jichen¡¯s phone vibrated again.

 Chapter 601

    Chapter 601: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Seeing as nobody picked up, the caller gave up. After a few seconds, He Jichen¡¯s phone vibrated again.

    After He Jichen saw who was calling, he didn¡¯t even nce at the screen and let it vibrate non-stop.

    The phone stopped vibrating then started again and continued like this about four to five times. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but raise her brows and nce at He Jichen¡¯s phone screen to see a familiar name: Xia Yuan.

    Ji Yi only met her once at the end-of-production party for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡± She came all the way to Shanghai from Sucheng just to give He Jichen a surprise. Then she even went upstairs with He Jichen and stayed in his room for some time.

    That night, she only ended up sleeping with He Jichen because of her.

    Xia Yuan liked He Jichen, right? She didn¡¯t need to say it aloud ¨C it was obvious that night... So even though He Jichen wasn¡¯t picking up, she was still persistent in calling him?

    A sense of jealousy arose in Ji Yi¡¯s heart. Thankfully, He Jichen had no intention of picking up Xia Yuan¡¯s call. That sense of bitterness fermented in her chest for a while but ended up disappearing.

    Xia Yuan called non-stop.

    Just as Ji Yi was about to finish her dinner, He Jichen¡¯s phone vibrated again. Even though Ji Yi knew who was calling, she still nced over at He Jichen¡¯s phone which was vibrating ¡°zzt zzt zzt.¡± This time, the disy didn¡¯t show ¡°Xia Yuan¡± but ¡°Mrs. He.¡±

    Mrs. He... when we were younger, He Jichen liked to call He Bomu ¡°Mrs. He¡±... so it¡¯s He Jichen¡¯s mum calling?

    Ji Yi nced at He Jichen, who was reading documents, and told him, ¡°He Jichen, your mum called.¡±

    When He Jichen heard this, he averted his gaze from the documents to his phone screen.

    So it¡¯s mum calling... He Jichen put the documents down, picked up the phone, and answered the call.

    Before he could put the phone to his ear, he heard a sickly sweet voice: ¡°Jichen, why didn¡¯t you pick up my call?¡±

    The room was very quiet. Even though she wasn¡¯t on speakerphone, Ji Yi could still clearly hear the conversation.

    It wasn¡¯t He Bomu¡¯s voice. It was Xia Yuan...

    He Jichen, who was also taken aback, said, ¡°Why¡¯s it you?¡±

    ¡°Who told you to not pick up my call! All I could do was use He Bomu¡¯s phone to call you...¡± As Xia Yuan¡¯s voice rang in his ear, He Jichen¡¯s brows furrowed fiercely. He raised his head and nced at Ji Yi then got up and walked over to the window.

    It¡¯s sote. Why¡¯s Xia Yuan calling He Jichen with He Bomu¡¯s phone?

    Unless He Bomu likes Xia Yuan and wants her to be her daughter-inw?

    With that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s ears perked up.

    Now that He Jichen was some distance away, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear the voice on the phone.

    And He Jichen spoke quietly with his back turned to her, so she couldn¡¯t quite hear anything clearly.

    All Ji Yi could do was stretch her neck out and look over in He Jichen¡¯s direction.

    Not long after, He Jichen lowered the phone from his ear.

    It looked like He Jichen didn¡¯t really want to bother with Xia Yuan and just said a few words...

 Chapter 602

    Chapter 602: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi was secretly happy as she was about to pick up a ss of milk and take a sip. A momentter though, she saw another calling through on He Jichen¡¯s phone.

    Ji Yi paused with the ss of milk in her hands and stared at He Jichen¡¯s phone screen.

    As He Jichen¡¯s fingers tapped the screen, the screen didn¡¯t show a call ¨C it was a video call...

    So He Jichen hung up the phone just now not to end his call with Xia Yuan, but to change it to a video call?

    Ji Yi felt overwhelmed by jealousy which made her feel incredibly ufortable.

    He Jichen stood in front of the tall windows, video chatting for a long time with no intention of hanging up.

    The jealousy in her chest grew heavier as Ji Yi started to get restless.

    Isn¡¯t he not a talkative person? Why¡¯s he chatting with Xia Yuan for so long?

    He Jichen¡¯s voice was really low. Ji Yi could only make out one or two words every now and then, but she couldn¡¯t make out what he was really saying.

    Just as Ji Yi couldn¡¯t take it anymore and wanted to go into the bathroom to calm down a little, she vaguely heard He Jichen say, ¡°Get married?¡±

    Married?! What does that mean?

    Is Xia Yuan talking to He Jichen about getting married?

    He Jichen won¡¯t agree to it, right?

    Ji Yi held her breath and concentrated on eavesdropping for a long time, but she really couldn¡¯t hear what He Jichen and Xia Yuan were talking about.

    The more she tried, the more impatient Ji Yi felt.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t pick up Xia Yuan¡¯s call at first, so he must not like her... But isn¡¯t there an old saying ¨C hmmm, how did it go? It¡¯s as easy as pie to get a guy... Xia Yuan¡¯s pretty and shees from a well-educated background. What if He Jichen agrees to it? What¡¯s most important is that He Bomu¡¯s with Xia Yuan sote at night... It¡¯s a good time to go to war for her and Xia Yuan¡¯s upied everything...

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the more scared she felt.

    No! I have to think of a n to interrupt their video chat...

    Ji Yi bit her fingernails and stayed silent for two seconds. Then she put the ss of milk on the coffee table, grabbed a fork, and tossed it at her foot.

    Taking advantage of the temporary pain that traveled into her heart, Ji Yi deliberately raised her voice and shrieked.

    He Jichen was standing in front of the tall window with his back to Ji Yi when he heard her shriek. He abruptly turned his head and looked over at her.

    When Ji Yi met He Jichen¡¯s gaze, she immediately couched down on the sofa and covered her foot.

    Even though she wasn¡¯t looking at He Jichen, she heard the sound of his footsteps striding over.

    Soon enough, she saw He Jichen¡¯s feet appearing in her field of vision. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    After Ji Yi heard this, she covered her foot and looked up at He Jichen.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t hang up the phone and heard Xia Yuan¡¯s voice, ¡°Jichen, who¡¯s in your room?¡±

    She¡¯s not married to He Jichen, yet she¡¯s starting to check up on him?

    And she even called him Jichen... Are they that close?

    Ji Yi initially wanted to tell He Jichen she identally hurt her foot, but then she chose to hold her tongue. To show up Xia Yuan, Ji Yi first called him: ¡°Chen chen...¡± Then she continued to say the words she held back initially: ¡°...I identally hurt my foot...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers around his phone suddenly shook.

    He stared at Ji Yi for a few seconds and crouched down to check on her foot.

    The fork wasn¡¯t heavy, so her foot just turned red. It wasn¡¯t a big deal.

 Chapter 603

    Chapter 603: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Jichen...¡± Xia Yuan¡¯s voice came from the phone again.

    ¡°Mm, I¡¯m here.¡± He Jichen let go of Ji Yi¡¯s foot and looked like he was going to get up.

    It looks like it¡¯s serious. Is he going to continue talking about marriage with Xia Yuan?

    Then my little trick went to waste and the pain in my big toe was for nothing too?

    Just when Ji Yi felt like she was at a loss, she heard Xia Yuan¡¯s voice from He Jichen¡¯s phone again. ¡°Jichen, you still haven¡¯t answered my question...¡±

    Following Xia Yuan¡¯s voice, Ji Yi nced over at He Jichen¡¯s phone screen.

    Xia Yuan was wearing a low top and deliberately had her phone up high so He Jichen could see half her snowy-white breasts on camera.

    This isn¡¯t just a video chat ¨C she¡¯s clearly trying to seduce him with her body too?!

    Ji Yi forced down the urge to reach out and end the call. She looked over at He Jichen.

    He was standing tall with a t expression on his face, looking at the phone screen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s intuition told her that He Jichen was looking at Xia Yuan¡¯s breasts... It was true ¨C men were all natural perverts... He Jichen looked so majestic on the surface, but in his bones, he couldn¡¯t escape the temptation of beauty... With the temptation of breasts, He Jichen might just have apse and really agree to marry Xia Yuan...

    ¡°Wait a moment. I¡¯lle back after I finish chatting,¡± Ji Yi heard He Jichen say in the midst of all her wild thoughts.

    What did he mean by finish chatting? Is he talking about the engagement?

    ¡°Chen Chen...¡± Without thinking, Ji Yi blurted out the nickname she just made up for He Jichen on the spot.

    On the verge of leaving, He Jichen suddenly stopped on the spot.

    ¡°Jichen, how about I call youter?¡±

    Later? When I leave He Jichen¡¯s room? They¡¯re going to get rid of me, this obstacle, so they can have a good chat?

    In your dreams... Ji Yi¡¯s eyes turned gloomy as she racked her brain over how she could stop Xia Yuan and He Jichen¡¯s call. Oh, no ¨C He Jichen suddenly said, ¡°Mm, okay.¡±

    Mm? Okay? Does this mean he¡¯s agreeing to video chat with Xia Yuan againter?

    With that thought, Ji Yi bolted up and took advantage of the fact that He Jichen was still on the call with Xia Yuan. She suddenly reached her hand out, pulled on He Jichen¡¯s hand, stopped him from hanging up, and quickly thought of a n of what to do next.

    ¡°Alright, Jichen. Good...¡±

    Xia Yuan already said goodbye to He Jichen... There was no time left... Then two thoughts crossed Ji Yi¡¯s mind and a sudden impulse came over her. Under the pressing circumstances, she couldn¡¯t care less about the consequences anymore. She abruptly walked up and kissed He Jichen¡¯s face right in front of the video chat.

    He Jichen¡¯s body instantly stiffened up.

    Xia Yuan didn¡¯t manage to get out her final word, ¡°bye.¡±

    The room temporarily slipped into silence.

    Ji Yi¡¯s lips were glued onto He Jichen¡¯s lips for a moment when she heard Xia Yuan¡¯s angry and hurt voice, ¡°Jichen...¡±

    Can¡¯t she see we¡¯re kissing? Why¡¯s she still crying for He Jichen?!

    The next second, Ji Yi reached her tongue out, prying He Jichen¡¯s lips apart.

 Chapter 604

    Chapter 604: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Her actions woke He Jichen up from his shock.

    He Jichen¡¯s first reaction was to struggle out of the liplock.

    Because she was too seductive, he was afraid he couldn¡¯t control himself...

    The moment his head moved back, Ji Yi felt him dodging her, so her slender arm wrapped around his neck. She pushed his head back violently and intensified their kiss.

    The sweet aroma of her body wafted endlessly into his nostrils.

    Her hot tongue darted around endlessly in his mouth.

    It was probably the first time she initiated a kiss with anyone. She was clumsy, but it was enough to drive him crazy.

    He Jichen felt the blood rushing to his brain, coursing quickly into his abdomen area.

    Her lips hadn¡¯t left his when the tip of her tongue gently swept across the tip of his tongue. The sensation made his whole body quiver and instantly made him forget the video chat was still on. Thest bit of reason he had disappeared to oblivion. When he parted from her tongue, he instinctively wanted to chase after it again and entangle himself with her. He pulled Ji Yi into a lock, initiating a kiss himself. He started to kiss her violently.

    On the video call, Xia Yuan cried ¡°Jichen¡± again. It was as though she was speaking to thin-air ¨C she didn¡¯t get a single response.

    Ji Yi and He Jichen¡¯s kiss grew heated and more entangled.

    Gradually, the room filled with intimate noises.

    In the haze of it all, Ji Yi could hear the sound of Xia Yuan¡¯s cries, but before she could figure out what the sob meant, her lips were violently sucked on by He Jichen. The air in her chest was sucked out little by little.

    Her mind went nk. It was like they were the only ones left in the whole world.

    They were entangled in the kiss for a long, long time. It was so long that Ji Yi felt she was going to die fromck of air. He Jichen¡¯s lips slowly left hers then he buried his head into her neck.

    His breathing was a little rough and heavy as his chest heaved.

    The tight grip around her waist loosened then tightened again. After some time, he slowly raised his head.

    When he touched her swollen red lips from his kiss, a hot flow of blood started to course through his body again. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing himself to loosen his hands around her waist. He took a step back and put some distance between them.

    Even if he couldn¡¯t bear to do it, he had to.

    Because he was afraid that if they hugged too tightly, he might just finish her.

    Five years ago, that night before their college entrance exams, he made her go through an ectopic pregnancy. She almost lost her life on the operating table.

    Last year, that night in Shanghai, the first thing she did was take a morning-after pill. Even though her actions hurt him, he felt even more responsible because the morning-after pill was harmful to her body too.

    He truly loved her, so he couldn¡¯t bear to hurt her in the slightest.

    No matter how much he wanted her, no matter how many times he dreamt of being intimate with her, he wouldn¡¯t touch her until he was sure of Ji Yi¡¯s feelings or until she agreed to be with him...

    He Jichen¡¯s departure led Ji Yi¡¯s warm body to drop in temperature. She gradually recovered her senses from the kiss.

    It wasn¡¯t clear when He Jichen¡¯s phone crashed to the ground.

    The video chat with Xia Yuan had already ended.

 Chapter 605

    Chapter 605: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    And she might¡¯ve cried while hanging up... So, I defeated one of He Jichen¡¯s admirers?

    Having seeded, Ji Yi was happy for three mere seconds when she realized what she just did to He Jichen.

    I-I actually kissed He Jichen in a moment of desperation?

    Not only did I kiss him, but I actually pried He Jichen¡¯s lips apart when Xia Yuan cried ¡°Jichen¡±...?

    Is my mouth poisoned? I told him I wanted to sleep with him and now I kissed him...

    Ji Yi was confused as she balled her fingers up tightly, trying to think of an excuse. Then, after some time, Ji Yi exined in a serious voice, ¡°That, errr... Just now, I saw that you didn¡¯t pick up her call, so I thought you didn¡¯t really want her hassling you. I could also tell she really likes you, so in a moment of desperation, I casually helped you out...¡±

    There was just silence.

    He Jichen can¡¯t be mad at me because I kissed him, right?

    Ji Yi slowly peered through her squinted eyelids and secretly looked over at He Jichen.

    It seemed like he sensed her looking as he nced over and caught her gaze. Ji Yi averted her eyes out of guilt then heard He Jichen¡¯s clear voice say: ¡°Thank you¡± with the same serious tone she just used.

    Kissing was obviously quite the opposite of serious, so why were the two of them treating it like they just ¡°picked up money and gave it back to the other person¡±?

    Ji Yi was embarrassed but she stered on an awkward smile. ¡°That errrr... don¡¯t mention it! We¡¯re friends right...¡±

    Friends?

    The two of us... He Jichen felt a little hurt. He paused for a moment then made his voice sound normal. ¡°Mm, you really do sacrifice a lot for your friends.¡±

    Huh? He Jichen can¡¯t possibly think I¡¯d do this for any one of my guy friends, right?

    Ji Yi instinctively shook her head. ¡°Nooo, I¡¯d only do this kind of thing for you...¡±

    What was ¡°I¡¯d only do this kind of thing for you¡±?! Why did it sound so much like a confession?

    My mouth is truly poisonous tonight!

    Deep down, Ji Yi was screaming ¡°ah ah ah!¡± frantically before she hurriedly exined, ¡°...What I meant was ¨C you help me out so much, so I should help you too...¡±

    ¡°Sorry to bother you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a bother, I actually li...¡±

    Ji Yi only managed to say the first syble for ¡°like it¡± when she suddenly stopped.

    So close... Just a little more and I would¡¯ve said something I shouldn¡¯t have.

    ¡°Mm?¡± said He Jichen tly as he only heard half the sentence.

    Ji Yi raised her head and nced at He Jichen.

    His lips looked a lot redder than before due to their kiss, making him look unbelievably demonic.

    The thought of them kissing suddenly shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind. The thought drifted around softly and it actually didn¡¯t annoy her ¨C there was an indescribable sense of fondness... Ji Yi moved her lips with the slight desire to kiss him again.

    For a second, Ji Yi was afraid she was really going to pounce onto He Jichen for a kiss, so she quickly averted her gaze. ¡°...Say, I¡¯m a little sleepy. I want to head back to my room to get some sleep now...¡±

    With that, Ji Yi bent over and grabbed her phone and key card from the sofa. Then she ran out of He Jichen¡¯s room like her life depended on it.

    As the hotel room door mmed shut heavily, He Jichen stood there on the spot staring as Ji Yi ran out. His lips couldn¡¯t help but curve up softly.

 Chapter 606

    Chapter 606: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She kissed me?

    And she even told me she was just helping me out because she thought I didn¡¯t like Xia Yuan.

    Her way of helping is really weird... So weird that He Jichen¡¯s heart bloomed beautifully like a flower.

    Actually, He Jichen didn¡¯t have the heart to tell her that the person he was video chatting with was his mum, not Xia Yuan.

    Later, he only talked to Xia Yuan because his mum told her Xia Yuan was going to get married and to not be so cold to her.

    Honestly speaking, Xia Yuan¡¯s engagement announcement shocked him. After all, she always said she would marry him or not marry at all.

    But after the initial shock, he was mostly happy. He was destined to never be able to reciprocate Xia Yuan¡¯s feelings. He truly liked Ji Yi. He knew far too well what it was like to truly like someone, so he truly hoped Xia Yuan could find happiness with another man.

    When he was talking with Xia Yuan about her setting a date for the wedding, He Jichen heard Ji Yi¡¯s shriek of pain.

    Without even thinking it through, he rushed over to her side. Seeing as she was just fine, he wanted to finish his conversation with Xia Yuan, but he never imagined that Ji Yi would actually take the initiative to kiss him...

    He wasn¡¯t sure if her kiss was truly to help him or if there was some jealousy involved, but at least he could be sure she wanted to kiss him. That meant that deep down inside, she didn¡¯t hate him anymore, right?

    With that, the smile on He Jichen¡¯s lips grew wider.

    Time really was a powerful and beautiful thing. It could change a person¡¯s view on another, and it could bring two people closer together...

    Actually, he had a lot of doubts and suspicions he wanted to clear up tonight, but he didn¡¯t dare to ask.

    Because he was afraid he was being too impatient and would scare her.

    He thought she was treating him so differently now that in the future, she might slowly ept him, like him, and even fall in love with him...

    From the moment he noticed her during senior high, he was sure she would be the one for the rest of his life. After almost ten years, he¡¯d waited so long up till the present day that waiting just a little more really didn¡¯t matter.

    He could treat her a little better, make her trust him a little more. That way when he confessed, he¡¯d probably be more sessful, right?

    He Jichen smiled for a long time before he withdrew his gaze from the tightly shut door. Then he bent over to pick his phone up and send Xia Yuan a message. ¡°After your wedding date is set, tell me and I¡¯ll send someone over to give you your gift.¡±

    After some time, He Jichen¡¯s phone vibrated. Xia Yuan replied, ¡°Alright.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply further, but just as he was going to put his phone away, another message from Xia Yuan came in. ¡°Jichen, the girl who kissed you earlier... is she the reason you rejected me?¡±

    Maybe it was because he was in a great mood, but He Jichen casually replied to Xia Yuan with one word: ¡°Yes.¡±

    There was something he actually really wanted to say to Xia Yuan, but after some thought, he didn¡¯t.

    It was: She wasn¡¯t the only reason why I rejected you. She¡¯s the reason I rejected the whole world.

    She¡¯s the best thing in my life. Aside from her, all I can do is reject everyone else.

    ¨C

    The morning after, He Jichen received some news that changed his initial ns to stay with Ji Yi at C city for the next few days. He ordered Chen Bai to book a flight back to Beijing right away.

 Chapter 607

    Chapter 607: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was Chen Bai who told He Jichen the news.

    He Jichen was used to opening his eyes before seven in the morning.

    He sat up and leaned against the headboard. With his phone in hand while reading news on finance, he got out of bed and walked into the bathroom.

    After he freshened up and got dressed, He Jichen nced at the time. It was just past eight o¡¯clock. He thought about letting Ji Yi sleep for half an hour more before waking her up for breakfast, so he walked over to the desk and turned on hisptop.

    Just as he was going to register his fingerprint and go to the home screen, a knock came at his hotel room door.

    He opened the door to see that it was Chen Bai. He looked distressed and apprehensive.

    Even though he didn¡¯t say anything, He Jichen knew something happened. He gently furrowed his brows and let him in. After Chen Bai stepped in, He Jichen asked, ¡°Did something happen?¡±

    Chen Bai hesitated for a good moment before speaking.

    As each and every word traveled into He Jichen¡¯s ears, his calm andposed expression turned cold.

    After Chen Bai finished speaking, the gloomy look on He Jichen¡¯s face looked like a storm cloud.

    Chen Bai knew this side of He Jichen was the most dangerous and life-threatening.

    In all these years, every time he saw He Jichen like this, he didn¡¯t dare take a breath and his legs went weak.

    The room fell silent for a long time before He Jichen¡¯s frozen voice was heard: ¡°Is the info urate?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± replied Chen Bai. After some time, he was afraid He Jichen didn¡¯t believe him, so Chen Bai added, ¡°Their people said it themselves, so it can¡¯t be wrong.¡±

    He Jichen fell silent again, but the coldness on his face spread to the deepest parts of his eyes.

    Chen Bai waited for a while, but seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t make a sound, he feebly moved his lips, ¡°He...¡±

    ¡°Book the flight!¡± He Jichen instantly cried, ¡°Back to Beijing!¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Chen Bai immediately pulled out his phone and booked their flights like a robot.

    When Chen Bai received the reservation confirmation on his phone, he said, ¡°Mr. He, the flights are booked. The flight is for eleven am.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything. His expression looked terrifying.

    Chen Bai said, ¡°It¡¯s already half past eight, and we¡¯re a little far from the airport. We should head out at half past nine at thetest, so should I get a hotel attendant to wake Miss Ji?¡±

    Perhaps it was because he mentioned ¡°Miss Ji¡± that He JIchen¡¯s eyes softened slightly and he pursed the corners of his lips, revealing his annoyance.

    He gently nodded. Just as Chen Bai walked over to the phone and was about to call the front desk, He Jichen added, ¡°Get breakfast ready and bring it into the car.¡±

    Last night, after Ji Yi fled He Jichen¡¯s room, sheid in bed, thinking only about their kiss. She wasn¡¯t able to sleep until almost five in the morning.

    After just three and half hours of sleep, she was woken up by a phone call. She had a splitting headache, but she was afraid of holding up He Jichen and Chen Bai, so she climbed out of bed.

    They said they¡¯d meet at half past nine in the first-floor lobby.

    At twenty past nine, He Jichen and Chen Bai were already there.

    From the moment Chen Bai told He Jichen about the news, He Jichen had been suppressing his anger down.

 Chapter 608

    Chapter 608: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Bai stood by He Jichen¡¯s side with fear and trepidation, only daring to take small breaths.

    Just as Chen Bai felt like he was going to die from the pressure, the elevator doors opened and Ji Yi stepped out.

    Chen Bai was just thinking about running over to Ji Yi and taking the opportunity to get a breath of air when He Jichen¡¯s icy aura instantly disappeared without a trace. In its ce was his usual majestic, clean demeanor of a cold noble prince.

    This... he changed so quickly?

    Before Chen Bai could react, Ji Yi walked over to him and He Jichen. She stood there elegantly before them with a smile and said, ¡°Good morning.¡±

    ¡°Morning,¡± said He Jichen with an unusually warm voice ¨Cpletely different from when Chen Bai asked if he had eaten, to which he replied with ¡°Get lost!¡±

    Does he have to change so dramatically?!

    Before Chen Bai returned to his senses, He Jichen had already taken Ji Yi¡¯s bag from her and said in a soft voice, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Then he escorted her to the car outside.

    For all the years he¡¯d worked for Mr. He, how could he not have known that Mr. He was a chameleon who valued sex over friendship?

    Just as Chen Bai was secretlyining to himself, He Jichen helped Ji Yi open the car door.

    When Ji Yi got in the car, He Jichen sensed Chen Bai wasgging behind, so he turned his head and shot a cold re at him through the revolving doors.

    Chen Bai let out a cold shiver then quickly discarded his wild thoughts and ran right over.

    When Chen Bai got in the car, He Jichen was already sitting inside, softly speaking with Ji Yi and handing her breakfast.

    His eyes were bright and his demeanor wasn¡¯t the cold and stern one he had just given off to Chen Bai.

    They¡¯re both human, so why¡¯s the difference so big?

    Chen Bai silentlyined as he had to miss eating breakfast, seeing as He Jichen was in a terrible mood and didn¡¯t want to eat. If He Jichen didn¡¯t eat, Chen Bai didn¡¯t get to eat. With emptiness evident in his stomach, Chen Bai started the engine and drove to the airport.

    It was already half past ten when they reached the airport.

    After checking in and going through security, they just made it for boarding time.

    The three of them didn¡¯t have time to go to the VIP lounge. They headed straight for the VIP passage and boarded the ne.

    Last night, Ji Yi didn¡¯t get enough sleep, so she fell asleep the moment she sat down.

    The seats on the ne were a little ufortable, so Ji Yi tossed and turned in her sleep. Unbeknownst to her, her head leaned against He Jichen¡¯s shoulder as she slept.

    Sitting beside her, staring at the files on hisputer, He Jichen sensed a weight on his shoulder and turned his head slightly. Ji Yi had long fallen deep asleep.

    He lowered his shoulder a little to make it morefortable for her.

    It was a little cold on the ne, so He Jichen covered Ji Yi with his zer then turned his head. He looked over at the wall of text on his screen but not long after, he felt the little head on his shoulder shift gently. Ji Yi¡¯s soft breathing sprayed over his neck, waft after waft, softly and numbingly, disturbing his thoughts. No matter what he read, he couldn¡¯t take it in, so he turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi beside him. His gaze fell upon her sleeping face, and his fingers couldn¡¯t help but gently stroke her face. In her dreams, Ji Yi could feel someone stroking her face, so she gently pouted. Her cute and lovable look caused a tender look to slowly creep on He Jichen¡¯s face.

 Chapter 609

    Chapter 609: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The sun shone unusually bright outside the window.

    Thirty thousand feet in the sky, the sky was blue with white clouds.

    He Jichen stared at the scenery outside the ne window and suddenly thought back to the night before he left his prestigious school for Beijing. He treated his ssmates to dinner and drank so much that his consciousness swayed a little.

    A ssmate asked, ¡°Why would you give up such a bright future to fly to Beijing?¡±

    There was a little regret in his ssmate¡¯s voice.

    But nobody knew that night was the happiest he¡¯d felt since they lost contact.

    He was finally going to her city and he could finally be closer to her. In the day, he could enjoy the same sunshine and in the evening, he could see the same neon city lights.

    He smiled for a moment then slowly shut his eyes. Being a person who was slow to express his true feelings, he was way too disinhibited that night and was drunk enough to say, ¡°Because I want to find the woman I love.¡±

    ¡°You actually have someone you like?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to Beijing to be with her?¡±

    ¡°You guys aren¡¯t about to get married, right?¡±

    His ssmates enthusiastically asked questions one after the other.

    He shook his head and thought about it for a while then replied, ¡°No, I just want to be closer to her.¡±

    ¡°Are you kidding me? You aren¡¯t even with her, so why go to Beijing?¡±

    ¡°If you can get her, then go. That way, you won¡¯t lose out so badly!¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, what the hell are you thinking?¡±

    After hearing his ssmates frantically trying to persuade him out of it, he raised his ss and downed it. Then he gently put the ss back down onto the table. He thought about it for a long time then said, ¡°I wasn¡¯t really thinking. I just want to be closer to her and stay with her. If we can¡¯t be together, then we won¡¯t! Anyways, even if we don¡¯t get together, I still want to pledge my life to spoiling her.¡±

    With that thought, He Jichen averted his gaze from the airne window. He was drawn back to Ji Yi¡¯s face.

    She was still sleeping; her long, curly eyshes quivered every now and then.

    Yeah... pledge his life to treat her like a queen.

    He pledged to indulge her.

    In this lifetime... the only... person he would indulge.

    ...

    Fast asleep on the ne, Ji Yi vaguely felt a hand stroke her face then she sensed He Jichen¡¯s distinct scent enveloping herpletely. With that, she fell into He Jichen¡¯s warm and sturdy embrace.

    Before she could do anything, her lips were encased by He Jichen¡¯s.

    His kiss was extremely gentle, making her start to feel dizzy. As his kiss grew deeper, she could feel his fingers unbuttoning her shirt and touching her soft skin.

    Her body started to tremble gently as her breath started to gradually be unstable. Their clothes were quickly torn off and his sexy body pressed on top of hers.

    She didn¡¯t dodge him. She reached her arm out to hug his neck as she felt him forcefully barging into her body...

    Ji Yi¡¯s whole body shivered then she woke up from her dream.

    Her eyes opened to see He Jichen¡¯s worried, handsome face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Ji Yi was stunned for a while before she came back to her senses. What kind of dream did I just have? She instinctively turned her gaze and said with a little guilt, ¡°Nothing.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯s your face so red?¡± He Jichen furrowed his brows. He reached his hand out and touched Ji Yi¡¯s forehead. ¡°Do you have a fever?¡±

    The warmth of his fingers lingered on her skin and the dream she had instantly came to mind. She reached her hand out reflexively and smacked He Jichen¡¯s hand away.

    Her overreaction shocked He Jichen.

    Ji Yi then realized she lost her manners and hastily stuttered, ¡°I-I don¡¯t have a fever. It¡¯s just-just...¡±

    Ji Yi stuttered for a little. Seeing as someone happened toe out from the washroom, she immediately said, ¡°...need to pee!¡±

    Her voice was so loud that many people in the first ss cabin turned to look.

    Ji Yi was already red in the face. She instantly turned so red that blood could drip from her face!

    Without ncing around her, she hurriedly unfastened her seatbelt and ran for the toilet.

    After Ji Yi shut the door, she clutched her hair.

    What¡¯s with me?! Starting fromst night, I flirted with He Jichen, forced a kiss on him, and on the ne, I even dreamt of us sleeping together...

    The more she thought about it, the more she went crazy. She wanted nothing more than to grab her head and smash it against the door.

    ¨C

    Little did Ji Yi know that while she was thirty thousand meters in the air going crazy, Cheng Weiwan was in Beijing in the hospital toilet, also confused and worried.

 Chapter 610

    Chapter 610: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Little did Ji Yi know that while she was thirty thousand meters in the air going crazy, Cheng Weiwan was in Beijing in the hospital toilet, also confused and worried.

    Three days ago, Cheng Weiwan was feeling unwell.

    That day, she wanted to do an all-nighter and finish writing the first draft of the script for ¡°Jiuchong Pce,¡± but she started getting sleepy at ten in the evening while working.

    Because she just couldn¡¯t stay up anymore, she set the rm for seven the next morning and climbed into bed, hoping to get up early to write.

    She slept well all night and was woken up at seven in the morning by her rm. Having slept eight whole hours, Cheng Weiwan still felt unbelievably sleepy.

    But at the thought of her work being unfinished, Cheng Weiwan endured the sleepiness creeping upon her and went to brush her teeth. She didn¡¯t know why but her stomach was churning and she really wanted to vomit.

    With just onest episode to write, Cheng Weiwan could¡¯ve finished it in three to four hours at her usual pace, but that day, she wrote until five in the afternoon before she managed to finish.

    Last year, after she agreed to be with Han Zhifan, Han Zhifan gave her a set of keys to his apartment.

    Seeing as it was almost time for dinner, she went out to pick up some fresh ingredients at the supermarket. She figured she might as well buy some flowers and go to Han Zhifan¡¯s apartment.

    Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t finished work yet, so after she put the flowers in a vase, she sent Han Zhifan a message asking when he¡¯d be home in the evening.

    Upon receiving his reply, Cheng Weiwan estimated the time she had to prepare and started to get dinner ready.

    Three fragrant dishes and soup were just ced on the dining table when she heard the sound of the door opening as Han Zhifan entered the apartment.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t even remove her apron as she jogged over to the entrance. Like an attentive little wife, she crouched down and helped Han Zhifan grab the slippers from the shoe cab then took his jacket.

    After having dinner together, Cheng Weiwan and Han Zhifan sat on the living room sofa and watched a movie.

    During the second half of the movie, there was a part that was ¡°not suitable for children.¡± With his hands around Cheng Weiwan¡¯s waist, Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers explored underneath her shirt.

    The movie hadn¡¯t finished when the two of them started to have sex on the sofa.

    After they finished, Cheng Weiwanid on top of Han Zhifan and felt exhausted. She didn¡¯t want to move an inch. In the end, Han Zhifan even carried her into the ensuite bathroom and took a shower with her. Then theyid back in bed.

    While they were having sex on the living room sofa, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s phone rang. She waited until her exhaustion disappeared before she reached for her phone.

    It was a text message from her dad, Cheng Weiguo, saying that he wasing to Beijing next Wednesday. He was asking if she was free for dinner.

    Cheng Weiwan replied with an ¡°Okay.¡±

    Cheng Weiguo was probably on his phone as he quickly replied to her with: ¡°Wanwan, remember to bring your boyfriend for dad to meet.¡±

    Unsure if Han Zhifan was free or not, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t dare agree to her dad right away. Instead, she turned her head and looked over at Han Zhifan, staring at his reports. ¡°Zhifan, do you have time next Wednesday?¡± she asked.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t leave the report for a second.

    ¡°My dad¡¯sing to Beijing. He knows we¡¯ve been together for almost a year now, so he wants to meet you...¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers suddenly the report more tightly when he heard the two words ¡°my dad.¡±

    But soon enough, Han Zhifan¡¯s shock vanished. He turned his head and smiled while asking, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? In such a rush for me to meet the parents...you want to marry me now?¡±

 Chapter 611

    Chapter 611: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face flushed at Han Zhifan¡¯s words and she silently buried her head in Han Zhifan¡¯s chest.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers found her chin. He lifted her head up and he stared into her eyes. He asked, ¡°What? Don¡¯t want to marry me?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face became even redder, but this time, she didn¡¯t hide her shyness. She softly replied, ¡°I want to. I dream about marrying you.¡±

    Han Zhifan looked like he heard the happiest thing as a tender look appeared in his smiling eyes. He lowered his head and kissed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s forehead. Then he turned his head and his eyes turned cold so Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t see. ¡°I¡¯m not sure about next Wednesday, but if I have time, I¡¯ll definitely go.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan smiled as her head nestled into the curve of Han Zhifan¡¯s arm. Not long after, she fell asleep.

    That evening, Cheng Weiwan dreamed of a fat, white steamed meat bun climbing into her embrace. It reached its little cute hand out, grabbed her hair and yed with it.

    When she woke, it was bright outside. Han Zhifan left to go to thepany, so the other half of the bed was empty.

    Cheng Weiwanid around in bed for a while before she climbed out of bed then realized there was a tiny speck of blood.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s first thought was that her period came. However she had a sanitary towel on until the afternoon, yet there was no blood.

    In the afternoon, she had to go to a script meeting at YC. Xiao Wang from the script team ordered KFC, but she didn¡¯t eat any of it. The smell of KFC alone made her stomach churn, so she held her breath as she rushed into the restroom and started to gag.

    When the vomiting stopped, Cheng Weiwan gargled her mouth then went to the toilet. She casually checked her sanitary towel and realized it was still clean.

    So I¡¯m not on my period? Why did I bleed?

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know why, but she thought back to yesterday¡¯s dream then she remembered... Her period hadn¡¯te for two months now...

    Since she was young, she had been influenced by her father and was well-educated in the medical field. She was quick to understand what was going on with her.

    She was probably pregnant.

    Last night, she and Han Zhifan were a little rough, so it must¡¯ve affected the baby, making her bleed a little.

    Although Cheng Weiwan was pretty sure nothing really happened, she made an appointment online when she went home that night, just to make sure.

    The next morning at seven, Cheng Weiwan left her home for the hospital.

    She checked in, lined up, and waited for the results. After going through a series of procedures, it was already half past twelve in the afternoon.

    It was just as she guessed ¨C she really was pregnant.

    Though Cheng Weiwan already had an answer yesterday, after seeing the results, she waspletely flustered by the truth. As she came out of the doctor¡¯s office, Cheng Weiwan immediately went to the restroom and hid in a cubicle. She stared at the results as the big news sank in.

    She and Han Zhifan had been together for a year. Aside fromst night when Han Zhifan asked if she wanted to marry him, he had never mentioned their future, marriage, or life ns.

    She did secretly feel a little hurt, but she thought about how well Han Zhifan treated her and thought that maybe Han Zhifan just wanted to take things slowly and let things happen naturally.

    She wasn¡¯t ready to be a mum, but the pregnancy came about so suddenly. She couldn¡¯t not have the baby...

 Chapter 612

    Chapter 612: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan was the baby¡¯s dad. He had the right to know the baby existed.

    What¡¯s more,st night, he asked her if she wanted to marry him. After she said yes, he even kissed her tenderly... Deep down inside, he sincerely wanted to marry her, right?

    He and she were destined to be together anyway. Now that they were going to have a baby, it¡¯d just fast track their lives, that was all.

    So, I really don¡¯t have to feel so uneasy. What¡¯s more, Han Zhifan likes me so much that my pregnancy wille as great news!

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart gradually calmed down.

    It might be too hasty to just simply call or text Han Zhifan over such a life-changing event like being pregnant. She had nothing to say that afternoon after she finished the script for ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± anyway, and she hadn¡¯t dropped by Han Zhifan¡¯s office for half a year now, so she figured she might as well drop by. While she was there, she could tell him the news...

    Having made up her mind, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t stay in the washroom cubicle for long. She left the hospital and called for a car on her phone.

    When she reached the hospital doors, her taxi happened to arrive. Cheng Weiwan pulled open the car door and sat inside then gave the taxi driver Han Zhifan¡¯s office address. She then stared out at the bright sunlight outside. Her mind couldn¡¯t help but picture her, Han Zhifan, and their baby¡¯s future.

    Han Zhifan had such a great temper that he¡¯d never blown up at her even after being with her for over a year, so he¡¯d treat their baby well, right?

    He was very patient when she first wrote the script, and when there was something she didn¡¯t understand, he would go to the library with her to do research and make notes. When their baby grew up, he¡¯d definitely spend lots of time teaching and nurturing the child, right?

    When they went out, he never let her carry her handbag, so he¡¯d definitely carry their baby a lot...

    The image she envisioned was like a fantasy that slowly made the corners of her lips curve into a smile.

    Her hand naturally stroked her abdomen. As she fantasized about their future life, she couldn¡¯t help but start to think of names for the new baby.

    ¨C

    After a lot of effort, Ji Yiposed herself and cleared her throat while staring at her reflection in the mirror. When she was sure she wasn¡¯t going to lose her cool again, she pulled open the bathroom door and stepped out.

    She sat back down beside He Jichen and fastened her seatbelt just as the announcement for the nending was yed from every corner of the ne.

    Twenty minutester, the ne safelynded at the city airport.

    Coming out of the airport, the three of them headed straight for the underground car park.

    Just as Ji Yi looked for He Jichen¡¯s car out of habit, a business car stopped in front of the three of them.

    Huh? Isn¡¯t this the minivan thepany arranged for me?

    In the midst of Ji Yi¡¯s confusion, the car window rolled down, revealing Zhuang Yi¡¯s face. ¡°Mr. He, Xiao Yi, Assistant Chen.¡±

    It¡¯s no wonder He Jichen and Chen Bai didn¡¯t drive on their business trip ¨C they called Zhuang Yi to pick us up?

    That thought just crossed Ji Yi¡¯s mind when He Jichen, who was standing next to her, reached out and pulled the car door open for her. He looked like he had no intention of getting in the car. He turned his head and said, ¡°I have some business to attend to, so I can¡¯t take you home. Chen Bai called Zhuang Yi here to pick you up.¡±

    So Zhuang Yi is here to pick me up... Suddenly, Ji Yi felt a little regret and let out a gentle ¡°Oh.¡±

 Chapter 613

    Chapter 613: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (16)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen heard Ji Yi¡¯s response and turned to look over at Zhuang Yi. ¡°Take her first to China World Hotel, Beijing to get something to eat. I already booked a table.¡±

    So even though he¡¯s busy, he still thought about my lunch?

    ¡°Got it, Mr. He.¡± Ji Yi heard Zhuang Yi¡¯s polite reply to He Jichen and the sorrow in her chest instantly turned sweeter.

    ¡°Also, I already told them to put it on my tab.¡±

    ¡°Got it, Mr. He.¡±

    After He Jichen finished giving his orders, he looked back at Ji Yi. ¡°Order what you want to eat.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know why she was so happy, but she when she nodded at He Jichen, her lips couldn¡¯t help but lift up.

    ¡°After you get home, remember to give me a call,¡± reminded He Jichen.

    ¡°Got it...¡± After Ji Yi replied to He Jichen, she pointed at the car door behind him. ¡°So I¡¯ll get in the car now.¡±

    He Jichen let out a gentle ¡°Mm.¡± After Ji Yi got into the car, He Jichen said to Zhuang Yi in the driver¡¯s seat: ¡°Drive slowly.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen then said ¡°Goodbye¡± to Ji Yi and helped her close the car door.

    ¡°Goodbye, Mr. He,¡± said Zhuang Yi from her rolled down windows before she stepped on the gas.

    The car slowly left and Ji Yi saw herself moving further away from He Jichen and Chen Bai from the rearview mirror. Ji Yi suddenly realized she was a little reluctant to leave.

    He Jichen and Chen Bai¡¯s silhouettes quickly disappeared, but Ji Yi¡¯s gaze never left the rearview mirror.

    When the car left the airport and drove back to the city, Ji Yi suddenly realized she kind of missed He Jichen after only leaving him five minutes ago...

    Oh god! Loving someone¡¯s deadly!

    She actually thought about staying with He Jichen. She was even reluctant to leave him for such a short period of time...

    ¨C

    After Ji Yi entered the minivan and disappeared around the corner from the airport, He Jichen¡¯s anger, hidden ever since Ji Yi¡¯s appearance that morning in C city, instantly resurfaced and turned icy. ¡°Where are the car keys?¡±

    Startled by He Jichen¡¯s sudden change, Chen Bai was stunned for a moment before he hurriedly pulled out his car keys and handed them to He Jichen.

    He Jichen took the car keys and didn¡¯t even nce at Chen Bai as he strode over to his own car.

    He pulled the car door open and sat in the driver¡¯s seat.

    Chen Bai was afraid He Jichen would leave him behind, so he quickly got in. Before he could even fasten his seat belt, He Jichen stepped hard on the gas, sending the car flying!

    On the road, He Jichen drove fast the entire journey.

    After entering the city, traffic was heavier, so He Jichen constantly changednes.

    The car swiveled left and right. Unable to tolerate the shifts, Chen Bai almost threw up.

    Speeding up to the second junction, he drove for about five kilometers before the car bolted onto the main road and onto Beijing¡¯s financial street. Then he stepped on the emergency brakes and stopped in front of a tall building.

    Chen Bai¡¯s body lurched forward. After he straightened up, He Jichen was already out of the car and in the building.

    Chen Bai hurriedly unfastened his seatbelt and caught up to him.

    In thest second before He Jichen¡¯s elevator door closed, Chen Bai managed to squeeze himself in.

    When they reached the eighteenth floor, the elevator doors opened, unleashing a hostile He Jichen.

 Chapter 614

    Chapter 614: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Mr. He, are you here to see Mr. Han?¡±

    Thedy at the front desk outside the elevator door recognized He Jichen. Seeing him step out, she immediately got up and weed him with a smile.

    He Jichen ignored her as he rushed into the office.

    Thedy at the front desk hurriedly got up to tell He Jichen: ¡°Mr. He, Mr. Han is currently in a meeting, so it¡¯s inconvenient for him to see you...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s footsteps didn¡¯t stop at all. In just eighteen short seconds, thedy at the front desk was far behind him.

    All thedy could do was look over at the Chen Bai trailing behind He Jichen and say, ¡°Assistant Chen, Mr. Han really is in a meeting. Let me take you both to the waiting area for a moment...¡±

    Chen Bai gave thedy aforting smile as a signal for her to get on with her work. Then he increased his pace to catch up to He Jichen.

    Chen Bai hadn¡¯t reached the secretary¡¯s desk when he heard a ¡°Bang!¡± up ahead. The sound caught the attention of everyone in the office and even caused a few shrieks.

    Chen Bai hurriedly took two steps forward and saw the office of the general manager. After He Jichen¡¯s hard kick, the man¡¯s ferocious demeanor came over him. Inplete disregard for the secretary¡¯s efforts to stop him, he charged into the office.

    Without a second thought, Chen Bai ran right over.

    The secretary viewed Chen Bai like a savior. ¡°Assitant Chen, what¡¯s going on with Mr. He?¡±

    Chen Bai waved his arm and couldn¡¯t be bothered to say a thing as he stepped into the office.

    Inside were Han Zhifan and two foreign men sitting on the sofa in the vast office. In front of them was a table full of documents.

    The three of them must¡¯ve been startled by He Jichen¡¯s kick as the expressions on their faces looked evidently confused.

    The first toe to his senses was Han Zhifan. He stared at He Jichen with furrowed brows and said with a voice full of doubt, ¡°Chen Ge?¡±

    Then the two foreigners, who he was discussing business with, spoke too.

    ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Han, what¡¯s happening?¡±

    Han Zhifan and He Jichen had known each other for many years. From He Jichen¡¯s demeanor alone, Han Zhifan knew something had happened. When he heard his business partners asking him questions, he hurriedly withdrew his gaze from He Jichen and apologized to the two foreigners sitting beside him. ¡°Apologies, I¡¯ll arrange for our business manager to speak with you both. I may have some urgent matters that need my immediate attention.¡±

    As he said this, Han Zhifan reached out and quickly tidied up the documents on the table then called out to his secretary, ¡°Secretary Zhang!¡±

    Secretary Zhang was outside the door. When the secretary heard his voice, she immediately pushed the door open and stepped in.

    Han Zhifan got up and handed Secretary Zhang the documents then personally escorted the two clients out of the office and shut the door behind them. Han Zhifan stood at the door for some time before turning around and walking over to the emotionless He Jichen in front of the desk. He asked again, ¡°Chen Ge, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t manage to finish what he was saying when He Jichen suddenly walked up to him and punched him hard in the stomach without warning.

    Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t prepared in the slightest and He Jichen used all his strength, so it forced Han Zhifan back several meters. When he hit the wall behind him hard, he stopped.

    ¡°Mr. He! Mr. Han!¡± cried Chen Bai who was in the office.

    It seemed like He Jichen didn¡¯t hear what Chen Bai said as he walked over to Han Zhifan who was covering his stomach.

    FacebookTwitterGoogle+Th¨ºm...

 Chapter 615

    Chapter 615: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows fiercely from the pain. He raised his head and looked into He Jichen¡¯s eyes, full of bewilderment. ¡°Chen...¡±

    He only managed to say one word when He Jichen¡¯s fist crashed into the right side of his face, causing his face to turn ny degrees.

    Soon enough, there was a trickle of blood pouring out from Han Zhifan¡¯s lips.

    ¡°Mr. He!¡± Chen Bai instinctively took a step forward and watched as He Jichen stood with a ferocious air around him.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t give Han Zhifan any time to recuperate as he grabbed Han Zhifan¡¯s cor after the punch and dragged him off the floor. He raised his leg and violently kicked his stomach again.

    ¡°Mr. Han!¡± blurted Chen Bai after he heard Han Zhifan¡¯s grunt.

    After Chen Bai¡¯s voice dropped, He Jichen knocked Han Zhifan to the floor. Then He Jichen¡¯s fist came crashing down on his face as his body slumped.

    He Jichen¡¯s punch was harder than thest like he had an excessive amount of repressed anger in his chest.

    After hitting Han Zhifan for who knew how long, Han Zhifan¡¯s body started to gently quiver. Chen Bai was afraid He Jichen would kill him if he continued. Chen Bai didn¡¯t care whether He Jichen¡¯s anger would spread to him anymore as he pulled the two apart.

    ¡°Mr. Han, are you alright?¡± Chen Bai saw that He Jichen had no signs of rushing at him anymore, so he crouched down and tried to help Han Zhifan up.

    Han Zhifan rejected Chen Bai¡¯s arm as he endured the excruciating pain in his body andid on the floor. He stared up at He Jichen nearby and said, ¡°Chen Ge, you already hit me as much as you wanted, now can you tell me what the hell happened?¡±

    It would¡¯ve been better had Han Zhifan not asked because as soon as he did, the fire in He Jichen¡¯s chest reignited again. ¡°You still have the guts to ask me what happened?¡±

    ¡°Do you know I want to kill you right now?!¡± spat He Jichen. He turned and looked over at Chen Bai and said with a stern voice, ¡°Show him the evidence on your phone!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He,¡± replied Chen Bai feebly. He quickly pulled out his phone from his pocket, found the video recording and held it up to Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s lips started to purse the moment he saw the people on the screen.

    After about three seconds, a male voice came out from Chen Bai¡¯s phone: ¡°I give, I give! Yes, I¡¯m one of Lin Sheng¡¯s people, but Lin Sheng didn¡¯t ask me to go to the courtyard in the south city and surround Cheng Weiwan. I was asked by Mr. Han to go. It was Mr. Han who wanted to y hero to a damsel in distress because he was trying to get with Cheng Weiwan, so I was just acting out my part... I swear! We really wanted to mess with only Cheng Weiwan. We really didn¡¯t know her friend would be there and that Mr. He knew that friend...¡±

    After the video finished ying, Han Zhifan stared at the screen silently watching thest frame before he averted his eyes. ¡°So it was because of this... I knew long ago that one day, you would find out...¡±

    He knew a long time ago?

    Those words made He Jichen kick Han Zhifan hard in the stomach again. ¡°You still have the gall to say you knew a long time ago?¡±

    ¡°You knew how important Ji Yi was to me, yet you actually dared to hurt her?!¡±

 Chapter 616

    Chapter 616: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I wondered who might¡¯ve hurt Ji Yi, but I never imagined it was you!¡±

    The more He Jichen spoke, the angrier he got. He looked around him then randomly picked up a floormp and smashed it on Han Zhifan without a second thought.

    The floormp crashed against Han Zhifan¡¯s body hard, making him shrink in pain. He violently coughed for a moment then heaved as he looked at He Jichen. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Chen Ge.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me sorry. I won¡¯t ept it!¡± He Jichen angrily turned his back on Han Zhifan.

    ¡°Chen Ge, I¡¯m truly sorry. Actually, I wanted to tell you a long time ago, but I just had a sliver of hope you would never find out...¡±

    ¡°Shut up! I told you I¡¯m not going to ept any apologies!¡±

    ¡°Chen Ge, I truly never meant to hurt Xiao Yi. That whole thing was an ident. I felt guilty because I didn¡¯t mean to drag Xiao Yi into all this, then afterward I invested so much into Xiao Yi in hopes of making it up to her. Chen Ge, I¡¯m truly sorry...¡±

    ¡°Han Zhifan, do you think there¡¯s any use in apologizing?¡± In contrast with his fury earlier, He Jichen calmed down a lot more, but he was still icy cold.

    The coldness and softness in his voice made Han Zhifan¡¯s heart a little flustered. He really did care about his brother, He Jichen, so without thinking twice, he said, ¡°Chen Ge, I had my reasons. I know I crossed a line and made you mad, but I really didn¡¯t mean to hurt Xiao Yi. I was only going for Cheng Weiwan. You know about my sister, my biological sister Lili, who was a year older than me. She died horrifically on the operating table. My sister was only eighteen years old. She died a month after hering-of-age ceremony; I¡¯ll never forget the scene. Later, I learned that the person who killed my sister was Cheng Weiguo. Cheng Weiwan is Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter and it¡¯s only natural for children to repay their father¡¯s debts. I want Cheng Weiguo to feel the pain he inflicted on Lili by giving his daughter a taste of that pain, so I went after Cheng Weiwan. That¡¯s why I gave her flowers every day and acted as a hero saving the damsel in distress that night...¡±

    The anger in He Jichen¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t disappear, but he didn¡¯t say anything more.

    ¡°As for Xiao Yi, I¡¯m really, really sorry. No matter how you hit or punish me, I have no qualms about that, but Chen Ge, Lili was my sister who I loved and spoiled ever since I was young. She was killed just like that by someone. I can¡¯t just sit by and do nothing about it...¡±

    ¨C

    Perhaps her fantasies in the taxi were just too beautiful, but she was in an excellent mood as she rode the elevator up.

    Many people knew her at Han Zhifan¡¯s office, so as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary ran up to her. ¡°Miss Cheng, why are you here?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan noticed something was off with the secretary and assumed something must¡¯ve happened to Han Zhifan. She hurriedly cut to the chase and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did something happen?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Mr. He ¨C he angrily barged into Mr. Han¡¯s office and it seems he even hit him. We didn¡¯t even dare to go in. Quickly go in and check on them...¡±

    Before the secretary could finish speaking, Cheng Weiwan ran over to Han Zhifan¡¯s office.

    After two steps, she remembered she was pregnant now, so she turned her jog into a quick walk.

 Chapter 617

    Chapter 617: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before she reached the door of his office, Cheng Weiwan heard the sound of a fist hitting flesh and blood.

    She wasn¡¯t sure who hit whom, but the sound of it rmed her. She instinctively walked faster towards the door and without even knocking, she reached out to push open the door.

    The door was only open by a crack when she heard a voice from inside that Cheng Weiwan could never mistake.

    ¡°I give, I give! Yes, I¡¯m one of Lin Sheng¡¯s people...¡±

    Isn¡¯t this the voice of the man who almost raped me in the alley next to the courtyard of the south cityst year when I was with Ji Yi?

    Even though it happened almost a year ago, she still had nightmares about it every now and then. This voice was drilled into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s brain, scaring her so much that her entire body would be drenched in a cold sweat upon hearing it. After the nightmares, she woke up shivering for a long time, hugging her covers, unable to fall back asleep.

    It¡¯s just... why am I hearing his voice in Han Zhifan¡¯s office?

    Unless he¡¯s here?

    Afraid, Cheng Weiwan suddenly stopped pushing the door. Then she heard the same voice that frightened her terribly.

    ¡°...I was asked by Mr. Han to go. It was Mr. Han who wanted to y hero to a damsel in distress because he was trying to get with Cheng Weiwan...¡±

    Mr. He? Han Zhifan? He set up that incident when something awful almost happened to me?

    As that thought crossed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mind, she instinctively thought she must¡¯ve heard wrong.

    How can that be... That night, Han Zhifan got seriously injured for me and it even left a scar on his head... So I must¡¯ve heard wrong. I absolutely heard wrong...

    Just when Cheng Weiwan was trying hard tofort herself, she heard Han Zhifan¡¯s voice. ¡°...I knew a long time ago that one day, you would find out...¡±

    Find out... what does that mean?

    A terrible feeling washed over Cheng Weiwan and she wanted to run, but her feet were glued to the floor. No matter how she tried, her feet wouldn¡¯t move. Then she heard Han Zhifan apologizing repeatedly about Xiao Yi. Following that, she heard the unbelievable truth from Han Zhifan¡¯s mouth...

    ¡°...I want Cheng Weiguo to feel the pain he inflicted on Lili by giving his daughter a taste of that pain, so I went after Cheng Weiwan. That¡¯s why I gave her flowers every day and pretended to be a hero saving the damsel in distress that night...¡±

    What he said afterward Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t listen to, nor did she have the heart to listen.

    Her ears, her mind, and her heart were orbiting around everything that was just said.

    They were simple, easy-to-understand words, yet she spent so much effort trying to understand the meaning behind the words.

    She always hoped to be with someone for the rest of her life and she thought she met the right person. In the taxi, she fantasized about the future... But in reality, she had just been starring in a one-woman show this whole time.

    The man who repeatedly said he loved her was the director of this movie, and she thought the show had been about their story. In fact, it was just her story alone.

    The man she so dearly loved didn¡¯t actually love her. He only yed with her feelings and when she waspletely immersed in the show and couldn¡¯t remove herself from it, he mercilessly had to discard her...

    Cheng Weiwan stared in shock at the office door.

    She wasn¡¯t sure how long she was in a daze before her shoulders were softly touched.

    In a daze, she turned her head and stared at the person in front of her for a long time before she recognized her as Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary.

 Chapter 618

    Chapter 618: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary¡¯s lips had been moving all along, so she must be talking to her. Cheng Weiwan tried hard to listen, but for some reason, she couldn¡¯t hear anything around her. Her ears were still echoing with everything Han Zhifan said.

    A bitterness crept into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes. She was afraid to cry in front of Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary, so she hurriedly withdrew her gaze, turned around and sped into the elevator like a robot.

    Cheng Weiwan stood in the elevator for a long time before she realized she actually hadn¡¯t pressed a floor button. After reaching the first floor with much difficulty, she forgot to step outside, so she followed the elevator back up to the top floor. Cheng Weiwan stood in the elevator like that for who knew how long before she finally walked out of Han Zhifan¡¯s office building.

    She wasn¡¯t sure where she wanted to go as she walked aimlessly down the street. When she got tired from walking and couldn¡¯t go any further, Cheng Weiwan found a spot on the sidewalk to sit down.

    She stared at the road with pitch-ck eyes inplete silence without any signs of crying.

    She remembered that when she was young, her mum passed away and her dad was busy with work so he didn¡¯t have time to take care of her. She was home alone most of the time, writing essays, drawing, reading medical books, ying the piano... She was already very, very talented. Because her mum passed away, her busy dad told her that as long as she was good, he would take her out to y on weekends.

    After she grew up, she realized those were lies to make her happy.

    Perhaps it was because she was used to being alone thatter on, she rarely trusted people until she met Han Zhifan...

    But the truth behind the story was regrettable and the person who once brought her up to heaven had now pushed her down to hell.

    ¨C

    After He Jichen left, steaming with anger, Han Zhifanid on the floor without moving an inch. It was not until a knock came at the office door that he got off the floor.

    The secretary came in and saw how rough Han Zhifan looked then looked down. ¡°Mr. Han, do you need me to call an ambnce?¡±

    ¡°No thanks,¡± Han Zhifan replied with a soft voice then tip-toed over the desk and picked up the pack of cigarettes.

    He pulled out a cigarette, ready to put it in his mouth, when he heard the secretary speak with some hesitation: ¡°Mr. Han, not long after Mr. He stepped into the office, Miss Cheng came by.¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s hands trembled as the cigarette suddenly fell from his fingers to the ground.

    The room was silent for some time before the secretary exined everything. ¡°Miss Cheng stood at the door for a really long time. When she left, she looked pale...¡±

    Pale... does that mean she heard what I said?

    In actuality, even if she hadn¡¯t heard it, he was going to tell her. From the very beginning, their story together was never really set in motion. Now that she overheard it all, it would save him the trouble, but what was with him? He actually felt a little flustered deep down...

    ¡°Mr. He?¡± Seeing as Han Zhifan didn¡¯t react, the secretary didn¡¯t make another sound.

    Han Zhifan returned to his senses and turned his back to the secretary. With a voice as faint as the smoke, he said, ¡°Step outside first.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± replied the secretary softly then she walked out of the office.

    As the door closed, only Han Zhifan was left in the room. His mind went nk for a while. For some reason, his mind pondered over what the secretary just said: ¡°She looked pale¡±...

    ¨C

    After dinner at China World Hotel, Beijing, Zhuang Yi took Ji Yi home just like He Jichen asked. She obediently sent him a text to tell him she was safely home.

 Chapter 619

    Chapter 619: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    After dinner at China World Hotel, Beijing, Zhuang Yi took Ji Yi home just like He Jichen asked and obediently sent him a text to tell him that she was safely home.

    After the text went through, Ji Yi waited ten minutes but didn¡¯t get a reply from He Jichen. She figured he must¡¯ve been busy handling the urgent situation from earlier, so she went to the bathroom.

    After she freshened up and changed into pajamas, sheid in bed and nced over at her phone again, only to see that He Jichen still hadn¡¯t replied to her message.

    A tinge of disappointment came over Ji Yi¡¯s heart as she instinctively wanted to ask He Jichen to send her another message. However, as soon as she tapped the screen, she remembered that He Jichen had urgent business to attend to, so she didn¡¯t disturb him. Deep down, she was torn for a little while then suddenly she remembered that ever since the incident at the Television Awards, she hadn¡¯t had time to check Weibo. She exited He Jichen¡¯s message window and opened Weibo.

    The top trending topic was about her: #SorryJiYi#.

    The second and third were about Qian Ge.

    Netizens who had been recently cursing her out wee now doing the same to Qian Ge. Oh, wait... As Ji Yi browsed through thements, she shook her head on the inside... Actually now, they were cursing Qian Ge out ten times harsher than they did to her.

    In contrast to thebel they gave her, ¡°giarizing b*tch,¡± people online were now calling Qian Ge all kinds of names like ¡°giarizing b*tch,¡± ¡°scheming b*tch,¡± ¡°green tea b*tch¡±... there wasn¡¯t a name you could think of that theizens hadn¡¯t used.

    The incident atst night¡¯s Television Awards pushed the whole her ¡°giarizing¡± Qian Ge scandal to the top.

    Everyone in the country knew they wrongly med Ji Yi and ran to her Weibo to apologize and followed her in support of her performance in ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang.¡±

    No matter if it was following her Weibo ormenting or liking her posts, she had broken a new record; even the ratings for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡±st night almost broke the record fromst year¡¯s hottest drama, ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    In contrast to the ¡°glory¡± she felt now, Qian Ge¡¯s Weibo was evidently more negative. Perhaps she received far too many hatements because she eventually disabled thements section.

    Four years ago, Ji Yi secretly hid her anger from Qian Ge since that car ident, but it wasn¡¯t until now that she was able to release half of that anger. Ji Yi had to admit she wasn¡¯t exactly innocent; she was so happy about Qian Ge¡¯s poor reputation and misfortunes that she even relished and admired the haters¡¯ meanments about her.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t get enough sleepst night. Even though she made up for her lost sleep on the ne, she had a dream about He Jichen, so she didn¡¯t manage to sleep well. She stared and stared at Weibo until sleepiness hit her. She slipped into sleep without even noticing.

    It was already nine in the evening when she woke.

    Ji Yi¡¯s phone was by her ear, so she nced over to see that He Jichen had sent her a reply about an hour ago. ¡°My phone ran out of battery in the afternoon.¡±

    So He Jichen didn¡¯t reply to her for some time because his phone was switched off...

    Ji Yi¡¯s mood was particrly good perhaps because she finally got He Jichen¡¯s message, so her fingers seemed evidently more energetic typing on the screen: ¡°I just woke up.¡±

    ¡°Still haven¡¯t had dinner?¡± replied He Jichen swiftly.

    Ji Yi stepped out of the room and opened the thermal lunch box. She took out the dinner her mum prepared for her, took a photo, sent it to He Jichen, then replied, ¡°Just about to go eat.¡±

 Chapter 620

    Chapter 620: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (23)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After clicking send, Ji Yi thought about it and added a few words: ¡°What about you? Have you had dinner?¡±

    ¡°Mhm, I ate.¡± He Jichen probably wasn¡¯t busy as he replied as fast as before.

    As Ji Yi was about to start eating, she saw He Jichen¡¯s reply. She shoved the spoon into her mouth then started to type on the keyboard again. ¡°I was on Weibo today and saw the reactions of people online. With the scandal cleared up a few days ago, loads of people ran to my Weibo to apologize. I also went onto Qian Ge¡¯s Weibo and saw that everyone was hating on her so badly...¡±

    Out of habit, Ji Yi unloaded to He Jichen everything she had on her mind when she was browsing Weibo before she fell asleep.

    She sent a really long message, so He Jichen was probably reading every single word carefully. After some time, she received his message. ¡°She deserved it.¡±

    Ji Yi knew He Jichen¡¯s reply was meant for Qian Ge, so she couldn¡¯t help but smile a little with food still in her mouth.

    She put down her spoon and chewed on her food as she continued to message He Jichen.

    She didn¡¯t linger on what was happening on Weibo for too long and changed the topic right away. ¡°What are you doing right now?¡±

    ¡°Looking at the night sky.¡±

    ¡°Does it look nice?¡±

    After clicking ¡°send,¡± the words ¡°message read¡± appeared on the screen. Then an iing video call from He Jichen came through.

    Ji Yi instinctively looked into the mirror in front of the dining table. She fixed her messy bedhead then took the call.

    Ji Yi knew He Jichen couldn¡¯t have known she had to fix herself up in the mirror before the call. However, after He Jichen¡¯s handsome good looks appeared on the screen, she still felt self-conscious and tried to cover up for herself by saying, ¡°I went to heat up some soup just now.¡±

    Oh god! I wasn¡¯t like this before. Could it be that women in love have all kinds of weird thoughts?

    In contrast to Ji Yi¡¯s racing mind, He Jichen was a little sluggish to take the call. He didn¡¯t mind at all and let out a gentle ¡°Mhm¡± then turned the phone camera.

    All of a sudden, his view of the night sky with a million lights appeared on Ji Yi¡¯s phone screen.

    She¡¯d stayed in his house before. When she couldn¡¯t sleep before, she walked to his balcony to get some air, so she knew He Jichen was on the bedroom balcony of his apartment.

    The night sky really was beautiful.

    Multicolored neon lights brightly illuminated the night.

    Opposite He Jichen¡¯s apartment was an office building. Apart from the lights from thepany¡¯s advertisements, a lot of windows were dark.

    The floor of the office building at the same level as He Jichen¡¯s apartment was a wedding eventspany. The slogan on the ad sounded particrly touching: ¡°A billion stars can¡¯t amount to you.¡±

    Ji Yi stared at those words for a while and couldn¡¯t help but let out a light chuckle.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± asked He Jichen when he caught herughing.

    ¡°I¡¯mughing at the slogan on the ad opposite your balcony: ¡®A billion stars can¡¯t amount to you¡¯ (Yi Wan Xing Chen Bu Ji Ni). Don¡¯t you think our names are in this phrase?¡± Ji Yi further exined to He Jichen, ¡°The ¡®Yi¡¯ in ¡®Yi Wan¡¯ sounds the same as the ¡®Yi¡¯ in ¡®Ji Yi,¡¯ and the ¡®Chen¡¯ in ¡®Xing Chen¡¯ sounds like Ji Chen. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a coincidence?¡±

    On the other side, He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything for a long time.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but speak up again. ¡°He Jichen? Are you listening to what I¡¯m saying?¡±

    ¡°Mhm, yeah.¡± He Jichen¡¯s voice came clearly out of the phone. ¡°It¡¯s a coincidence.¡±

 Chapter 621

    Chapter 621: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (24)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When he chose the apartment, he stood in front of the bedroom window and thought that seeing those words was a coincidence.

    A billion stars can¡¯t amount to you... Don¡¯t they mean Yi and Chen?

    At the time, there were better apartments he could¡¯ve chosen, but because of those words, he didn¡¯t consider the other options and settled on this one. He paid up front and signed the contract right there and then.

    He thought the slogan opposite his balcony window was his secret. Who knew that tonight, she would actually make the same connection?

    The phone was still facing the night view, so she couldn¡¯t see his face. After he replied to her, he thought about all this and his lips couldn¡¯t help but curve up.

    ¡°You realized this coincidence before, right?¡± said Ji Yi, sounding a little proud.

    He Jichen absent-mindedly responded with an ¡°Mhm¡± but didn¡¯t tell her he realized this many years ago.

    ¡°Oh right, tomorrow you...¡± Ji Yi changed the subject again.

    But as she started to speak, a voice came from He Jichen¡¯s side of the phone. ¡°Mr. He, please sign these documents.¡±

    It was Chen Bai¡¯s voice.

    Ji Yi was quick to stop the words: ¡°First go to work.¡±

    ¡°Mm, please wait a moment,¡± replied He Jichen softly. Ji Yi noticed that the image on her phone screen had changed. He Jichen must¡¯ve put the phone on the table as she was now looking at the ceiling of the balcony.

    Then she heard the sound of paper rustling and she knew that He Jichen was reading through documents.

    The picture of a serious-looking He Jichen in a suit, sitting behind a desk couldn¡¯t help but pop up in her mind... It was truly quite a sight, yet it was an image she tried to repress...

    Just as Ji Yi¡¯s mind was deep in thought, she heard Chen Bai say, ¡°Mr. He, why¡¯s your hand bleeding?¡±

    She suddenly snapped back to reality and perked her ears up, carefully listening to the conversation through the phone.

    ¡°Was it this afternoon...¡± It was a shame that Chen Bai only managed to say four words before he stopped. Was he stopped by He Jichen? But Chen Bai said He Jichen¡¯s hand is bleeding. Is it serious?

    Deep down, Ji Yi suddenly felt worried. Just as she was about to ask He Jichen, Chen Bai spoke again. ¡°... Mr. He, I¡¯ll go find you some band-aids. Though it might not be serious, what if it gets infected?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything, but Chen Bai¡¯s footsteps sounded further and further away.

    Soon enough, Ji Yi went back to listening to a wall of silence. Aside from the sounds of He Jichen flipping through papers and signing documents, nothing else was heard.

    Bandaids... then it can¡¯t be serious... Ji Yi rxed slightly and didn¡¯t bother He Jichen. She waited until she couldn¡¯t hear anything on his side before asking, ¡°Finished with work?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded He Jichen as the image on the phone screen changed to the night¡¯s view outside his window.

    ¡°You injured your hand? Is it serious?¡± asked Ji Yi, who was still actually worried about it.

    ¡°Not serious. It was just two scrapes.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Ji Yi let out a sigh of relief then heard He Jichen¡¯s bedroom door being pushed open. Chen Bai¡¯s voice was heard. ¡°Mr. He, there are no more band-aids in the first aid kit. Shall I go down and buy you two boxes?¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. The documents have been signed. If there¡¯s nothing else, you can head home early,¡± said He Jichen immediately afterward in a t voice.

 Chapter 622

    Chapter 622: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°But your hand...¡±

    Chen Bai was probably still worried as he spoke again. However, before he could finish, he was interrupted by He Jichen¡¯s impatient voice, ¡°... I told you. It¡¯s not serious.¡±

    Chen Bai was probably afraid of He Jichen getting angry, so he didn¡¯t say anything more.

    Ji Yi heard rustling from the other side and figured Chen Bai was tidying up the files.

    After some time, she heard Chen Bai¡¯s voice again. ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯ll take my leave now. Goodbye.¡±

    ¡°Mm,¡± responded He Jichen softly, who sounded a little half-hearted. Then she heard Chen Bai¡¯s footsteps leaving. Thereafter, He Jichen fell into silence.

    After about two minutes had passed, He Jichen said, ¡°Finished eating?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± replied Ji Yi, who finally remembered she was still holding her chopsticks. She put them down and was about to ask about the wound on He Jichen¡¯s hand, but she suddenly remembered something and paused.

    A few secondster, Ji Yi said, ¡°I suddenly remembered I still have some business to attend to, so I¡¯ll give you a callter.¡±

    With that reply, Ji Yi hung up the video chat, kicked the chair from behind her and ran back up to the bedroom.

    She stepped into the bathroom and washed her face at lightning speed then ran over to the dressing table. In front of the mirror, she did her makeup real quick, put on lipstick, then ran over to the wardrobe. She chose a few pieces of clothing in a split-second then draped a couple outfits in front of her body in the mirror for a while before picking out a big red cardigan. After putting on a beige jacket, she hurriedly ran out of the bedroom. She grabbed her phone and purse then walked over to the entrance, put on her shoes and walked out the door.

    After leaving her residential area, Ji Yi first took a turn into the 24-hour pharmacy. She bought two packs of band-aids then walked over to the sidewalk to catch a taxi.

    Upon reaching He Jichen¡¯s apartment building, Ji Yi paid the taxi fare then walked in.

    She stepped into the elevator and waited for it to go up before pulling out her phone and calling He Jichen.

    When the elevator stopped on He Jichen¡¯s floor, her call happened to go through.

    The elevator door opened and Ji Yi stepped out as she said into the phone, ¡°Open the door.¡±

    ¡°Mm?¡± asked He Jichen in return, not quite registering what was happening.

    ¡°I said, open the door,¡± repeated Ji Yi as she reached her hand out to press the doorbell.

    Soon enough, Ji Yi heard footstepsing from the other side of the door.

    As the footsteps drew closer to the door, Ji Yi¡¯s heart felt a tinge of anxiety for some reason.

    The door opened and Ji Yi saw He Jichen in aplete loungewear set.

    Unbelievably nervous, Ji Yi tightly clutched the bag of band-aids as she handed it to He Jichen and exined, ¡°I was a little bloated after dinner, so I thought I should take a walk. When I passed the pharmacy, I turned into it and bought two packs of band-aids and figured I might as welle over and give them to you.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s house is over ten kilometers away. It would¡¯ve taken about twenty minutes by car to get here.

    Her walk was quite a long one...

    He Jichen didn¡¯t expose Ji Yi¡¯s lie. He reached his hand out and took the bag in Ji Yi¡¯s hands. ¡°Thank you.¡±

 Chapter 623

    Chapter 623: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (26)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    I gave him the band-aids, but he¡¯s not asking me toe in and sit. It¡¯s the middle of the night and I¡¯m a woman, so it¡¯s probably not okay for me to take the initiative and go in. Should I suggest to He Jichen that I leave early?

    I just arrived and only just exchanged a few words with him though...

    Ji Yi looked down to mask the disappointment in her eyes.

    After her reluctance to leave and sadness cleared up, she looked up again and smiled at He Jichen.

    But before she could apologize, she noticed He Jichen¡¯s whole demeanor softening under the hallway lights and heard his gentle voice saying, ¡°Do you want toe in for a drink?¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Ji Yi nodded with her reply with practically no hesitation.

    After her voice fell, she realized she replied a little quickly and wasn¡¯t the least bit reserved. ¡°I¡¯m a little thirsty,¡± she added hastily.

    He Jichen moved aside to let her in.

    After Ji Yi stepped into the apartment, he bent over and ced a pair of slippers in front of Ji Yi.

    While Ji Yi put on the slippers, He Jichen asked, ¡°What would you like? Juice, milk, or water?¡±

    ¡°Water,¡± said Ji Yi.

    ¡°Mm,¡± responded He Jichen. After Ji Yi changed into the slippers, He Jichen pointed at the living room sofa as a signal for her to take a seat. Then he walked over to the dining room.

    Soon enough, He Jichen carried two sses of water back to the sofa. He bent down and handed one to Ji Yi. She nced at the scraped skin on his fingers and noticed there were trickles of blood.

    Without even thinking about it, Ji Yi blurted out, ¡°You¡¯d better take care of the scrapes on your hand. The weather is getting cold and it¡¯ll be easy for your cuts to sting from the cold...¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi took the ss of water and put it down on the coffee table. Then she grabbed the band-aids she bought, ripped open the packaging and pulled a couple out.

    She didn¡¯t give He Jichen a chance to react at all and grabbed his hand.

    He Jichen¡¯s back suddenly stiffened up, but he didn¡¯t try to avoid her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s full concentration was on the scrapes on his fingers, so she didn¡¯t sense anything strange with him.

    She first put some alcohol pads from the first aid kit on the table, cleansed He Jichen¡¯s scrapes, and ripped open the band-aids. She carefully stuck some onto the injured area.

    He Jichen looked like his pressure points had been hit as he kept his head down from beginning to end. His gaze was dead set on Ji Yi busily moving back and forth.

    The band-aids on his hands felt like they were stuck to his heart, making him feel unbelievably warm inside.

    After applying the band-aids, Ji Yi looked up and shot He Jichen a smile. ¡°Alright.¡±

    He Jichen hurriedly came back from the overflowing warmth in his chest and said ¡°thanks¡± to Ji Yi as she sat beside him.

    In the evening, it was just the two of them in therge room.

    He Jichen was afraid the atmosphere was going to turn awkward, so after he sat down, he reached for the remote control and turned the TV on.

    There happened to be a music video ying. The soothing melody from the violin moved like clouds and flowed like water, traveling around the room.

    Ji Yi stared at the famous violinist on the TV and suddenly remembered that at Louwailou, Fatty once mentioned He Jichen could y the violin. He even got the first prize for the nation¡¯s best junior violinist.

    With that thought, Ji Yi looked over at He Jichen, ¡°Fatty told me you can y the violin very well!¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t touched a violin in many years. I think I¡¯m a bit rusty now.¡± He Jichen lowered his eyes and blew at the steaming hot water then took a sip.

 Chapter 624

    Chapter 624: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (27)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°That¡¯s a shame... I still haven¡¯t seen you y the violin.¡±

    ¡°If I get a chance in the future, I¡¯ll y it for you.¡±

    The future... This was the first time those words sounded so good to Ji Yi. The corners of her lips couldn¡¯t help but curve into a smile. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Seeing Ji Yi smile, He Jichen¡¯s eyes also became even more rxed. After some time, he looked like he just remembered something then said, ¡°Oh yeah, the metal tree with the lipsticks and the lights... I asked Chen Bai to ship them. They should be at your house in two days.¡±

    ¡°Mm, good.¡± Ji Yi smiled again. She picked up the ss of water in front of her and took a sip then said, ¡°We have to go back to school tomorrow. Are you going to school?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m still not sure. There¡¯s an office meeting I can¡¯t miss tomorrow.¡± He Jichen paused then asked, ¡°What about you? What time will you go?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll probably get up early for school. Huahua and I said we¡¯ll meet up for lunch then go for a walk in the afternoon,¡± answered Ji Yi, describing her whole schedule for school in an odd level of detail.

    ...

    Ji Yi and He Jichen continued to chat like that casually.

    Time flew by and in the blink of an eye, the living room clock rang. Ji Yi nced over and realized it was already twelve at night.

    It¡¯s sote, I really should leave... With that thought, Ji Yi put her ss of water down then turned to look at He Jichen with a little reluctance.

    She didn¡¯t even get a chance to speak when He Jichen suddenly got up. ¡°Come with me for a sec.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± asked Ji Yi in confusion, but she got up and followed He Jichen.

    He Jichen brought Ji Yi into the study room. He walked over to the desk, bent over, and turned on theputer.

    While he entered the password, He Jichen stared at the screen, typed quickly and asked, ¡°Are you sleepy?¡±

    ¡°Not sleepy.¡± Ji Yi shook her head.

    ¡°That¡¯s good. Come here and look at the script for the first three episodes of ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯ and tell me if anything looks off.¡±

    Ji Yi rushed over.

    He Jichen clicked into several folders then moved aside to give Ji Yi the seat, hinting for her to sit and slowly read through it.

    While Ji Yi was reading through the script, He Jichen stood to the side for a while then walked out of the study room.

    When he came back, he had another ss of water in his hand.

    He didn¡¯t say anything to disturb Ji Yi, but he ced the ss of water in her hand. Then he sat on a sofa nearby and casually pulled out a financial newspaper from beside him.

    The room was very quiet. Aside from He Jichen flipping through the newspaper and the sound of Ji Yi¡¯s mouse clicking every now and then, nothing else could be heard.

    Though the two of them didn¡¯t speak, the atmosphere wasn¡¯t awkward because they were each doing their own thing. Instead, there was an indescribable feeling of warmth in the room.

    He Jichen quickly scanned through the financial papers.

    He nced over at Ji Yi in front of theputer table, earnestly reading the script. He didn¡¯t say anything, but he gently put the paper down on a shelf beside him, turned his head and looked out the window.

    The lights in the study were on and the windows were like mirrors, reflecting the woman unbelievably clearly.

    He Jichen couldn¡¯t help but be entranced.

    Ji Yi finished reading the script then instinctively looked up at He Jichen.

    He caught her gaze through the window and quicklyposed himself. He turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°Finished reading?¡±

    After asking, He Jichen got up and walked over to Ji Yi.

 Chapter 625

    Chapter 625: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (28)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As He Jichen walked over to the desk, he added, ¡°Is there anything you think needs changing?¡±

    ¡°Wanwan¡¯s scripts are always high-quality. There isn¡¯t anything that needs changing, but I actually think they could add another part to improve the tempo and atmosphere during shooting...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she started looking for the part she was referring to.

    ¡°I think you can add some drama here...¡± Ji Yi found the part where she first had the idea then carefully started to describe her ideas to He Jichen.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t interrupt Ji Yi but let her continue speaking. He waited until she finished before he repeated her idea back to her.

    He was probably afraid he¡¯d forget, so he stood behind Ji Yi as he repeated it and he typed it out to create a record of her suggestions.

    With He Jichen positioned like that, this happened to ce Ji Yi in his arms.

    The unique scent of his body instantly rushed into Ji Yi¡¯s nostrils and stifled her breathing. She started to feel shaky as she stared at theputer.

    ¡°You have to add some drama here...¡± said He Jichen softly as his long, slender fingers reached over Ji Yi¡¯s body and his fingers started to quickly dance over the keyboard.

    ¡°Also, the drama here can be simplified slightly... Also, here. We could make this line a little funnier...¡±

    At first, Ji Yi could still hear what He Jichen was saying, but with her in his arms like that for so long, her mind grew sluggish and she started to tune out.

    His voice sounded good ¨C it sounded far more deadly than the inte¡¯s best male voice actor. His beautiful fingers also looked more exquisite than a pianist¡¯s. The scent of his body smelled so good. She didn¡¯t know what brand of shower gel he used, but it let off the faint smell of jasmine; it smelled infinitely light and captivating...

    Ji Yi thought about this and couldn¡¯t help but look up at the monitor as He Jichen spoke. She focused on his notes.

    He looked like he was really paying attention to his work and was immersed in deep thought. He looked quite profound and gave off an unreadable sense of mystery.

    Ji Yi stared and stared as she couldn¡¯t help but feel captivated.

    She didn¡¯t even notice her lips had curved into a slight smile.

    If... if time could stop with the two of us in this very moment, how great would that be...

    ¡°Did I forget anything?¡± asked He Jichen as he typed up his notes, moved the cursor and read through the red words.

    Lost in thought, Ji Yi¡¯s heart shivered suddenly at his question then she withdrew her gaze from He Jichen in a panic. As she had been ncing at theputer screen, she didn¡¯t catch his main point, so she shook her head. ¡°Nope.¡±

    He Jichen looked through the notes from start to end again to see if he really had forgotten anything. Then he removed his hand on the mouse and straightened up.

    But he only managed to straighten up half-way as he felt a force pulling on his chest then came a light scream of pain ¡°AH¨C¡°by Ji Yi.

    He Jichen hurriedly stopped what he was doing, looked down and realized Ji Yi¡¯s hair had caught onto a button on his chest.

    FacebookTwitterGoogle+Th¨ºm...

 Chapter 626

    Chapter 626: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (29)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Having felt the pain, Ji Yi turned her head and looked at the ends of her hair. Without any hesitation, she tried to free her hair from He Jichen but in the end, her hair only wrapped around him more tightly.

    He Jichen was afraid that if he straightened up, it would hurt Ji Yi¡¯s scalp, so all he could do was arch his body.

    His face happened to be facing her forehead, so his breathing swept endlessly over Ji Yi, creating a numbness that made her heart randomly skip a beat. She tried to free her hair a little harder.

    With that, she managed to tangle her hair up even more tightly around the button.

    The more she pulled, the more tangled her hair was. Some strands of hair even broke.

    Just as Ji Yi was about to pull harder, He Jichen suddenly grabbed her hand.

    The touch felt electric as it traveled instantly from his palms to the bottom of her heart. The shock made Ji Yi¡¯s whole body tremble and she suddenly looked up at He Jichen.

    Her movements were so unexpected that as soon as she raised her head, her lips happened to rub against He Jichen¡¯s lips.

    Another strong electric current sent Ji Yi shivering. She clearly felt He Jichen¡¯s body stiffen up.

    The atmosphere in the room suddenly turned romantically charged. He Jichen lowered his eyes slightly. Without looking at Ji Yi¡¯s face, he stared unwaveringly at her hair around his button then he carefully unraveled it.

    Their faces were so close together. Although Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare to look at him after she identally touched He Jichen¡¯s lips, she could feel the warmth of his body, his breath, and his sweet scent. Her heartbeat waspletely in chaos as her face heated up.

    After He Jichen freed Ji Yi¡¯s hair from his button, he tentatively untangled her balled-up hair, one strand at a time.

    When her hair was straightened out, he then looked up and nced at her face.

    Her skin was unusually fair, her long curly eyshes were lowered, and her flushed face looked... extremely seductive.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled for a moment as his gaze upon Ji Yi suddenly turned trance-like. Even the word lingering in his mouth, ¡°alright,¡± disappeared without a trace.

    They held that position for so long without either of them making a sound.

    Just as Ji Yi thought she was so hot that she was going to catch on fire, she lifted her head up and shot He Jichen a nce.

    Beneath his pitch ck eyes was a faint hint of red...

    With just a nce, Ji Yi sank into He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    They stared silently at each other for some time before her lips moved and an intense urge made her shut her eyes. She gradually raised her head and took the initiative to push her lips against He Jichen¡¯s.

    As her lips drew closer to his, Ji Yi clearly felt her eyshes fluttering like crazy.

    Just as their lips were going to touch, her phone suddenly rang.

    Ji Yi trembled in shock then instantly snapped back to her senses.

    She hurriedly moved her lips away from He Jichen¡¯s and looked over at her phone on the desk. It was her mum calling.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t hesitate for a moment. She grabbed the phone and took the call.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, it¡¯ste. Why aren¡¯t you at home?¡±

 Chapter 627

    Chapter 627: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (30)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I left the house to buy something; I¡¯m heading right back now.¡± Ji Yi made a random, half-hearted excuse to answer her mum then hung up the phone.

    She didn¡¯t even nce at He Jichen before she hurriedly got up from her chair. ¡°Err... it¡¯s gettingte. I should head home now.¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi ran for the door of the study, but before she could take even two steps, He Jichen grabbed her wrist.

    A strong electric current ran from his palms again, engulfing her whole body. It made her shiver violently before she realized what was happening and shook off his wrists.

    But before she could do so, He Jichen behind her tly said, ¡°I¡¯ll take you.¡±

    As He Jichen¡¯s words fell, he pulled open his desk drawer and found the car keys in a pile of keys. Then he let go of Ji Yi¡¯s wrist. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t look at He Jichen while he spoke. She looked down then walked out the door.

    When he wasn¡¯t looking, she rubbed the area he just grabbed against her clothes, hiding the excitement and numb feeling he left her with.

    As they stepped out of He Jichen¡¯s apartment and reached the underground car park, neither of them spoke.

    When she got into the car, He Jichen turned around to fasten Ji Yi¡¯s seatbelt out of habit. As he drew closer, Ji Yi smelled the unique scent of his body, making her face flush. She turned her gaze out the window.

    The car quickly started up and they drove out of the underground parking lot. The car sped through the evening city streets.

    Ji Yi stared out through her window at the world outside whizzing by. Her gaze subconsciously fell to the reflection of He Jichen in the rearview mirror.

    The street lights were dim in the evening, giving his unique elegance a slight sense of mystery.

    The chill in his eyes made him look calm andposed as he stared at the road ahead.

    He was too perfect like this ¨C so perfect that he looked as surreal as an illusion.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but stare a little longer. In the end, she watched and watched, forgetting to breathe or blink.

    The roads at night were particrly smooth. Soon enough, the car stopped outside her family home.

    When He Jichen turned the engine off and looked towards Ji Yi, she sensed his gaze but immediately looked over at the streetlight outside. That was when she realized they reached their destination.

    ¡°I¡¯m heading up,¡± blurted Ji Yi softly as she unfastened her seatbelt. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if He Jichen was looking at her, but she didn¡¯t dare to look over at him. She then pushed the car door open.

    ¡°Goodbye.¡± Before she shut the car door, Ji Yi said goodbye to He Jichen.

    ¡°Yeah, goodnight.¡± When Ji Yi heard He Jichen¡¯s voice, she couldn¡¯t help but turn her head and nce over at the car.

    His gaze never veered from her, causing her gaze to be irresistibly glued to him for a while.

    Because he didn¡¯t hear the sound of Ji Yi¡¯s door closing for some time, he looked over at her, but before his eyes could meet hers, she quickly shut the car door. She turned and ran into the building.

    It wasn¡¯t until she entered the elevator that Ji Yi stroked her pounding heart.

    Loving someone was truly miraculous. Without even noticing it, she stared at him in a daze and when he looked over, she was afraid he¡¯d notice how she felt deep down, so she pretended to have not seen him. She quickly averted her eyes... and she even...

 Chapter 628

    Chapter 628: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (31)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    I can¡¯t help but want to kiss him and get intimate with him...

    That thought just crossed Ji Yi¡¯s mind when a ¡°ding dong!¡± notification came from her phone.

    The elevator doors opened, stopping all of Ji Yi¡¯s wild thoughts. She rushed over to the door, fumbled to open the door and headed back to her own room.

    That¡¯s so weird. I¡¯m clearly not a perverted person. Why am I having such X-rated thoughts after I realized I¡¯m in love with He Jichen?

    After she took a shower and went through her skincare routine, sheid in bed but she couldn¡¯t help but grab her phone and send He Jichen a text: ¡°Home yet?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± replied He Jichen within seconds.

    ¡°It¡¯ste. Get some rest.¡±

    ¡°You too.¡±

    ¡°Mhm, night!¡±

    ¡°Goodnight.¡±

    Not knowing what to say next, Ji Yi replied with a ¡°goodnight¡± emoji.

    He Jichen replied to her with a smiling face emoji.

    Ji Yi sent another emoji.

    Not long after, the two of them covered the screen with emojis. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but burst outughing. ¡°Alright!! I really have to sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow. Bye, goodnight!¡±

    ¡°Sweet dreams.¡±

    This time, Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply to He Jichen¡¯s message and turned off the bedroom lights. She put down the phone and shut her eyes.

    ¨C

    Outside, He Jichen quietly smoked while leaning on the hood of his car. When he saw the lights in Ji Yi¡¯s room turned off, he put out the cigarette between his fingers then chucked the butt into the trash and got into the car.

    In the car, he sat there staring at his phone. Having just texted Ji Yi, the corners of his lips curved into a smile then he tossed his phone aside, started up the car and left.

    ¨C

    At seven o¡¯clock, Ji Yi climbed out of bed, ate breakfast and freshened up. Then she picked up the suitcase she packed the day before and headed downstairs.

    As she came out of the elevator and left her apartment building, Ji Yi was about to call a taxi to get to school when she heard someone calling her, ¡°Miss Ji!¡±

    Ji Yi turned her head and saw Chen Bai in a blue suit. He was standing by a car as she shot him a smile.

    Through the car window, Ji Yi noticed that He Jichen was sitting inside, staring at hisptop and typing away on the keyboard.

    He Jichen probably heard Chen Bai¡¯s voice, so when his fingers were done typing, he turned his head and noticed Ji Yi looking at him. When their eyes met, he waved at her toe over.

    Seeing He Jichen do so, Ji Yi felt excited. Her legs made a run for it as she rushed over to He Jichen¡¯s car.

    ¡°Good morning, Miss Ji.¡± Chen Bai waited for Ji Yi toe closer then took her suitcase for her. ¡°Miss Ji, are you going to school? Mr. He and I were just about to head to the office. We can drop you off on the way.¡±

    With that, Chen Bai pulled the car door open for Ji Yi.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Ji Yi then got into the car. She looked over at He Jichen who was typing away at hisptop again. ¡°Good morning.¡±

    ¡°Good morning.¡± He Jichen stared unwaveringly at theputer screen.

    Chen Bai got into the car himself.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡®Why did you guyse by and not give me a heads up?¡±

    ¡°It was Mr. He who called me and asked that I drive here to pick him up,¡± answered Chen Bai honestly.

    He Jichen asked Chen Bai toe over but there¡¯s only one car, so how did He Jichen get from his ce to mine?

    Ji Yi turned to look at He Jichen in confusion.

 Chapter 629

    Chapter 629: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (32)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen continued to stare at hisptop screen but he must¡¯ve known she was staring at him as he replied in a rxed voice while typing, ¡°On my morning jog, I ran over to your building and remembered you were going to school early, so I asked Chen Bai to pick me up right here.¡±

    Morning jog...

    As those two words jumped into Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she suddenly remembered the excuse she used the night before when she dropped by He Jichen¡¯s apartment. I said I was out on a stroll...

    So he¡¯s actually doing what I did ¨C randomly making up excuses?

    I went to his ce because I was worried about his arm injury, and now he¡¯s doing this to take me to school?

    With that thought, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but smile. Just like how He Jichen didn¡¯t expose her liest night, she did the same. ¡°I never thought you were the type to go out for morning runs.¡±

    ¡°Mhm...¡± softly responded He Jichen. When he finished typing and sent his email, he looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°...Same. I never thought you were the type to go for evening strolls.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything, but she let her smile extend from her lips up to her eyes, radiating her happiness around her fair little face.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything more. His phone rang ¨C it was probably a reply to the email he just sent out. When he looked down at hisptop, away from Ji Yi¡¯s line of sight, his eyes instantly softened. Beneath his lowered eyshes, he was smiling slightly.

    Driving in front, Chen Bai waspletely lost while listening in on He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s conversation. However, he clearly sensed that the atmosphere in the car had an indescribable sense of sweetness.

    ¨C

    There was a meeting at the office, so He Jichen and Chen Bai dropped Ji Yi off at the women¡¯s dorms and left.

    Tang Huahua had an early flight to Beijing. Not long after Ji Yi arrived, Tang Huahua arrived too.

    The two of them unpacked their suitcases and went into the admin office to sign in. Afterward, they didn¡¯t return to the dorms but headed straight for lunch.

    The ce they chose happened to be a hotpot restaurant owned by a male singer Tang Huahua really liked. They were having a soft opening so there were quite a few customers, but luckily Ji Yi reserved a room so it didn¡¯t affect Ji Yi and Tang Huahua¡¯s dining experience.

    The hotpot restaurant was in a shopping district, so after their meal, Ji Yi and Tang Huahua nned to window shop.

    Tang Huahua put on a newly-bought pair of high heels before they left the dorms, but they weren¡¯t a great fit on her. After walking a while, they started to blister her feet, so she cried in pain to find a cafe to rest her feet.

    They couldn¡¯t find a cafe, but instead, they saw the popr bakery mentioned on Weibo a while back.

    This bakery produced a limited number of loaves and sold them at exactly four in the afternoon until they were sold out.

    Just to buy this bakery¡¯s bread, many people would line up three hours early.

    It wasn¡¯t even three, yet the bakery already had a really long line.

    Ji Yi thought that since Tang Huahua¡¯s shoes made her feet hurt, they should stop shopping, so she suggested Tang Huahua to find a chair to sit on in the mall. Then she was going to line up to buy the bread.

    The bakery opened promptly at four.

    Ji Yi followed the queue and slowly moved forward in line.

    There was a woman about the same age as her standing in front of her who was talking into her phone like she was talking to a guy she liked. ¡°I finally got in line at that bakery today with the really good bread. Do you want some? I can drop it off at your ce?¡±

 Chapter 630

    Chapter 630: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (33)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It felt like those words had woken her up from a daydream as Ji Yi¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up. A secondter, she pulled out her phone and sent a message to Tang Huahua: ¡°Huahua, haven¡¯t you always said you¡¯d really like to explore YC? We¡¯re not too far from YC, and seeing as you can¡¯t window shop anymore, should we drop by YCter?¡±

    Tang Huahua sounded so excited as she replied with high spirits: ¡°Sure, sure!¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply to Tang Huahua¡¯s message but put her phone back into her bag.

    After standing in line for about twenty minutes, it was finally Ji Yi¡¯s turn.

    She especially ordered a few buns and asked the shop assistant to help her pack them into two portions.

    Coming out of the mall, Ji Yi hailed a taxi for her and Tang Huahua to go to YC together.

    Tang Huahua really liked Cheng Weiwan, so the first thing she did when they reached Ji Yi¡¯s office was to go find Cheng Weiwan¡¯s office.

    But then they saw that Cheng Weiwan¡¯s office was vacant. Ji Yi thought Cheng Weiwan might¡¯ve gone to the restroom, so she asked Cheng Weiwan¡¯s other co-workers who were responsible for the script. That was when Ji Yi found out Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t been feeling well ¨C she must¡¯ve caught some kind of stomach bug as she¡¯d been vomitting consistently and hadn¡¯t been in the office today or yesterday.

    Ji Yi figured she would give Cheng Weiwan a call in the evening. Tang Huahua headed back to Ji Yi¡¯s office in disappointment.

    Zhuang Yi was in the office and since she knew Tang Huahua, Ji Yi figured she could ask Zhuang Yi to give Tang Huahua an office tour.

    After the two of them left, Ji Yi carried the unopened portion of buns into He Jichen¡¯s office.

    As she passed secretary Zhang, she saw Ji Yi and immediately stopped what she was doing. ¡°Miss Ji, you¡¯re here. Let me take you to Mr. He¡¯s office...¡±

    ¡°No thanks. Please continue with your work; I¡¯ll find my way,¡± replied Ji Yi with a smile. As she passed the general manager¡¯s office, she stopped outside He Jichen¡¯s office door.

    Reaching her hand out, she knocked on the door and waited a few seconds then heard He Jichen¡¯s pleasant voice from say from the inside: ¡°Come in.¡±

    Ji Yi suddenly became nervous. She took a deep breath at the door, opened it and walked in.

    Chen Bai was also in He Jichen¡¯s office, reporting about some kind of work when he heard the door opening. He nced back and spotted Ji Yi. His chattering suddenly paused for a moment then he said with a doubtful tone of voice, ¡°Miss Ji?¡±

    As He Jichen was staring at some documents, when he heard what Chen Bai said, his hand trembled then he turned his head and saw Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi felt flustered again when she met He Jichen¡¯s gaze. She replied with a smile, ¡°Huahua and I were window shopping this afternoon and happened to see these buns that were famous online, so I bought extra and brought them over for you two.¡±

    ¡°You two?¡± Chen Bai found the main point. ¡°Miss Ji, are you including me?¡±

    Ji Yi nodded. ¡°Of course.¡±

    Chen Bai instantly smiled. He wanted to say, ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± but before he could, He Jichen shot him a cold re.

    Chen Bai was so frightened that his entire body shivered. The next second, he swallowed the words back down and lied, ¡°But Miss Ji, it¡¯s really such a shame that I haven¡¯t been feeling well recently. The doctor specifically asked me not to eat sweet things.¡±

    As Chen Bai said this, he nced over at He Jichen. The expression on his face improved a lot.

 Chapter 631

    Chapter 631: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (34)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Bai secretly let out a sigh of relief.

    Luckily, I have great improvisation skills!

    ¡°Oh, I see. That¡¯s a real shame. They¡¯re hard to buy; you have to line up ahead of time to get them. Today, I was lucky to only have to line up a little over an hour to buy them,¡± said Ji Yi with earnest regret in her voice.

    Since Ji Yi entered the office, He Jichen hadn¡¯t said a word. ¡°Next time, just ask Chen Bai to do things like this,¡± He Jichen suggested.

    Chen Bai¡¯s eyes widened as he looked over at He Jichen.

    I¡¯m clearly a personal assistant, so why do I always have to do a runner¡¯s job?

    He Jichen must¡¯ve sensed Chen Bai¡¯s resistance as he nced at him again with a neutral look on his face.

    Chen Bai met He Jichen¡¯s gaze and the next second, he smiled brightly at Ji Yi. ¡°Yeah! Miss Ji, in the future, you can just ask me to line up for things like this. Though I can¡¯t eat it, I can still line up! You don¡¯t know how good I am at lining up! I have so much patience!¡±

    As Chen Bai said this, he secretly nced over at He Jichen, who already turned his head and was looking at Ji Yi with a soft gaze. Chen Bai secretly let out a long sigh of relief.

    Almost freaked me out! But you¡¯re the boss, so what you say goes!

    He Jichen appeared to want to y lots of mind games with Chen Bai. After Ji Yi came closer, he put the documents and cushions aside. Then he told Ji Yi, ¡°Sit first. I¡¯m just finishing up.¡±

    Ji Yi smiled and let out an ¡°Mhm¡± then put the buns on the coffee table. She sat down then replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Do what you have to.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no rush,¡± said He Jichen in a faint voice. He asked, ¡°Would you like something to drink?¡±

    ¡°Whatever¡¯s fine.¡± After Ji Yi said this, she remembered that she read on Weibo that men hated when women said that, so she added, ¡°ck tea.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± After He Jichen replied to Ji Yi, he turned his head and looked over at Chen Bai. ¡°Tell secretary Zhang to make some ck tea.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He.¡±

    Without waiting for Chen Bai to turn and leave the office, He Jichen then said, ¡°Not too strong. It¡¯s already nighttime ¨C overly strong tea will interfere with her sleep.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± After Chen Bai was certain He Jichen didn¡¯t have anything to add, he walked out of the office then ryed He Jichen¡¯s request to secretary Zhang.

    Soon enough, Chen Bai came back and continue their discussion from before Ji Yi stepped in.

    Ji Yi sat quietly to the side, ying on her phone.

    Meanwhile, secretary Zhang came in once to ce the ck tea down in front of Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi was afraid of saying anything in case she would disturb He Jichen and Chen Bai¡¯s work, so all she did was smile back at secretary Zhang.

    The two of them talked for who knew how long when He Jichen suddenly said, ¡°Go into my office and get the file in the right-hand drawer of my desk.¡±

    Typing away at theputer in front of him, Chen Bai heard what He Jichen said and was going to quickly get up.

    Ji Yi figured she had nothing to do, so she shot up before Chen Bai could. ¡°Let me help you get it.¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi quickly ran over to He Jichen¡¯s desk and pulled open the second drawer on the right, just as he instructed.

    ¡°Is it this contract?¡± A contract came into view. Ji Yi grabbed it and waved it around at He Jichen.

 Chapter 632

    Chapter 632: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (35)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Mhm, yeah.¡±

    When she heard He Jichen¡¯s response, Ji Yi looked down as she was about to reached her hand out to shut the drawer, but then she saw it ¨C two little red booklets.

    Marriage Certificate...

    Those were the two words on it. Ji Yi knew both of them, but when she put the two together, they repeatedly revolved around her mind for a bit before she understood what they meant.

    All of a sudden, it felt like Ji Yi had lost her soul as she stared unflinchingly at the two red marriage certificates.

    After responding to Ji Yi, He Jichen quickly looked back at the files in his hand.

    As he read them, he was waiting for Ji Yi to bring over the other file. However, after having to wait for a while, he furrowed his brows and turned his head in confusion. He looked over at Ji Yi.

    She stood in front of the desk with the document in her hand like a statue. She didn¡¯t move an inch while staring in the direction of the drawer.

    She looked shocked and startled like she had just seen something unbelievable.

    What¡¯s with her?

    He Jichen furrowed his brows again and was about to ask Ji Yi ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± but before the words could escape his mouth, he suddenly remembered what was in that drawer. Besides his files, their marriage certificate was also in there...

    With that thought, the blood in He Jichen¡¯s body stopped flowing and an indescribable sense of horror and fear instantly enveloped him. A secondter, he bolted up abruptly.

    He got up so quickly that it shocked Chen Bai who was sitting opposite him.

    Chen Bai looked up at He Jichen with a confused look on his face, but before he could ask ¡°Mr. He?¡±, He Jichen darted over to the desk and forcefully mmed the drawer closed that Ji Yi was staring at.

    He looked like he was afraid of something. After he shut it, he also locked it, pulled the key out, and put it into his pocket.

    His series of movements was unbelievably fast.

    It didn¡¯t give Ji Yi any time to react at all.

    After she snapped back to reality, the shock and panic disappeared from He Jichen¡¯s face like nothing had happened at all. ¡°I¡¯ll be right there, wait a moment for me,¡± he said in a calm voice.

    Ji Yi¡¯s mind was still fixated on the two marriage certificates in the drawer. She hadn¡¯t quitee back to her senses, but she knew He Jichen was talking to her. What was he talking about though? She didn¡¯t know. All she did was absent-mindedly give a light nod.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t make another sound as he stared at Ji Yi for a while. He took the file in her hands and walked back to the sofa.

    He Jichen flipped through his own file and spoke with Chen Bai for approximately five minutes. Standing beside the desk, Ji Yi then walked back to the sofa and sat down.

    It was now nightfall. Outside the window, the sun had set in the west and the red glow filtered through the tall windows and illuminated half the room in red.

    Ji Yi stared at the beautiful scenery out the window for a while. Her mind went nk for a long time before she finally realized.

    Marriage certificate... is it He Jichen¡¯s? Is he married? Who¡¯s he married to?

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know how long she was in shock for when a gentle touchnded on her shoulder.

    She turned her head back and realized it was just her and He Jichen left in the big office.

    ¡°It¡¯s almost dinner time. What do you want to eat?¡±

    She was sluggish for a few seconds before Ji Yi finally shook her head.

 Chapter 633

    Chapter 633: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (36)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Seeing as she didn¡¯t reply, he didn¡¯t either. In that instant, the room fell silent.

    He Jichen stared at Ji Yi for some time then pursed his lips slightly. Then he slowly turned his head and averted his gaze from her face to the oil painting on the wall.

    It wasn¡¯t that he wanted to be silent all of a sudden, but he just didn¡¯t know where to start.

    At first, Ji Yi hated him so much that she wanted nothing more than to stay as far away as possible from him. He Jichen couldn¡¯t allow her to get married to another person, so he made a pact to get married to her using his older brother¡¯s identity.

    He didn¡¯t ask her to go with him to the civil office to register the marriage; he asked an assistant to take care of the matter because Ji Yi¡¯s marriage certificate with He Yuguang was fake while He Jichen and her marriage was genuine.

    Later on, when she suggested that she and He Yuguang get a divorce, he handled the matter by himself again. Since He Yuguang had technically passed away, they never got married in the first ce, so the divorce certificate sent to her was fake too.

    Deep down, he knew full well that a day woulde when Ji Yi would meet someone she really wanted to marry. If He Jichen wasn¡¯t that person, he would definitely silently disappear and turn her marriage certificate into a divorce certificate. However, she still didn¡¯t have anyone else to marry, so he selfishly held onto their legally married couple status for a little longer...

    That was his little secret.

    But he never imagined that she would actually stumble right into it today.

    At that very moment, his heart almost stopped beating from fear.

    Luckily, his reflexes were fast. Before she could touch the marriage certificate, he blocked her from doing anything.

    Up until now, he was still a little afraid she saw that the names on the marriage certificate were his and hers...

    This incident came up suddenly, so suddenly that He Jichen, who had always handled all sorts of situations easily, didn¡¯t quite know what to do. As a result, he chose to pretend nothing happened and continued to discuss work with Chen Bai.

    God knew just how messed up he was back then. The only thing on his mind was what to do next, so his productivity at work was terrible. Tasks that normally took ten minutes toplete now took over forty minutes.

    The room was silent for too long. Ji Yi gently blinked and let her gaze fall on a random part of He Jichen¡¯s body.

    She stared at his perfect, dazzling profile for a long time before she eventually couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer. She asked, ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    Her voice made He Jichen instinctively nce over at her but just for a second. He looked down to hide from her gaze and softly said, ¡°Mhm?¡±

    The room fell silent once again.

    But this time, it was only for a short while. About ten secondster, Ji Yi asked, ¡°You¡¯re... married?¡±

    She already saw it with her own eyes, so he couldn¡¯t treat her like a child and make up lies... He Jichen nodded and with the same softness, he let out another ¡°Mhm.¡±

    It was just one simple word, but it felt as painful as a knife, stabbing Ji Yi violently in the heart. The pain suddenly stopped her from breathing.

    After some time, she forced herself to summon the courage to ask: ¡°With who?¡±

    Her voice was soft ¨C so soft in fact that she wondered if she said anything at all.

    Because she was afraid that if she raised her voice slightly, it would reveal her sadness.

    He Jichen heard it.

    With who?

    Those simple two words stumped him.

 Chapter 634

    Chapter 634: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (37)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Would she be mad at him if he told her she was the person he married? Would she be mad that he lied to her? And would she end their friendship over this? Would it sink their hard-earned rtionship down to the freezing point once again?

    Even if he didn¡¯t tell her the truth, he would still be a secretly-married man. He was afraid she¡¯d never consider him as her future partner then.

    He Jichen thought about the most difficult problem of his life for a long time but couldn¡¯t find a suitable answer.

    The office was ridiculously silent.

    Ji Yi waited for a long time but couldn¡¯t wait for He Jichen any longer. She couldn¡¯t help but nce over at him.

    Since she realized she loved him, every time she saw him in the past two days, her heart had been so lovesick as if she¡¯d eaten honey. However, at that very moment when she looked at him, her eyes stung bitterly.

    He¡¯s married. How¡¯s he married? Who¡¯s he married to? Why not... Before she could finish that thought, it shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind and suddenly, she remembered two words that blew her mind away. Her heart waspletely stunned.

    C Girl... how could I forget about that person?

    Back then at West Lake when we went on a stroll, I brought up C Girl and sadness instantly crept into He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    They¡¯d known each other for so many years, but Ji Yi had never seen him reveal that kind of expression over a woman.

    That night, he said something that she still remembered to this day: She¡¯s the only good thing in my life, yet she¡¯s also my worst memory.

    So in this world, was C Girl the only person he was willing to get married to?

    With that thought, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but take the initiative and break the silence in the room. ¡°Is it her?¡±

    Ji Yi instinctively wanted to say everything all in one breath, but after she said those three words, an intensely bitter pain boiled up in her chest. The pressure made it hard for her to breathe. She held her breath and stopped for a while. Then she spoke with a trembling voice: ¡°Is it that woman you¡¯ve liked for so many years...that woman called C Girl?¡±

    It¡¯s her... but she¡¯s you...

    The answer spiraled in He Jichen¡¯s heart but he didn¡¯t dare to say it.

    He had lost her once and he knew far too well how grueling it was to be strangers with her. He was really afraid he would lose her again...

    After Ji Yi asked the question, she regretted it because she was afraid she would hear the word ¡°Yes¡± from He Jichen¡¯s mouth.

    Though she brought it up, she didn¡¯t quite dare continue the conversation.

    She clearly felt her emotions slowly crumbling; she could lose it at any time.

    She started to change her train of thought. She thought back to how they spent that night together in Shanghaist year and He Jichen said he would take responsibility... So back then, He Jichen still hadn¡¯t gotten married, right? If he didn¡¯t then why would he say such things to her?

    When Ji Yi spoke again, she still remained on the same topic. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have gotten married that long ago, right? You got married after filming ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯st year, right?¡±

    Why am I still talking about the same topic? Ji Yi med herself inside. Then she said, ¡°You¡¯re married, but why didn¡¯t you publicize it? Are you waiting to publicize it after the wedding ceremony?¡±

 Chapter 635

    Chapter 635: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (38)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    What¡¯s with me? Wasn¡¯t I going to change the topic? Why couldn¡¯t I do it?

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes started to ache. She held her breath and tried hard to suppress the roaring pain in her chest to stop herself from crying in front of He Jichen.

    She knew she really wasn¡¯t in the right mind to sit across from He Jichen. She needed time to ept the truth that he was already married.

    With that thought, Ji Yi forced herself to smile and tried her best to speak naturally in a rxed voice, ¡°Regardless, it¡¯s a joyous asion and I have to congratte you.¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to reply but grabbed her phone and nced at the time. ¡°It¡¯s almost seven ¨C Zhuang Yi should¡¯ve finished work now. I asked her to take Huahua on a tour of the office and I think they¡¯re probably done. I have ns to meet up with Huahua and Bo He for dinner; we haven¡¯t seen each other all winter break and we missed each other so much, so I think it¡¯s best that you don¡¯t join us for dinner...¡±

    Ji Yi jabbered on for a really long time until finally, she didn¡¯t know what she was saying anymore. It wasn¡¯t until she had nothing else to say that she sluggishly got up and said goodbye to He Jichen, ¡°...I, errrr, have to really go see Huahua now. Bye.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to answer before she picked up her bag, turned right around, and bolted out of his office.

    After she shut the door, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes instantly turned red.

    There were a lot of people doing overtime outside the general manager¡¯s office nearby. Ji Yi was afraid they¡¯d see her lose her cool, so she took a deep breath and suppressed the urge to cry. She lowered her head slightly and quickly walked away.

    When she passed the general manager¡¯s office, someone greeted her. Without daring to nce over, she gave a tiny nod and sped off.

    She didn¡¯t go directly to Tang Huahua since Tang Huahua sent her a text telling her she¡¯d be waiting for her on the first floor, so Ji Yi took the elevator down.

    Sitting on the sofa in therge lobby, Ji Yi looked all around. All she saw was the darkened sky outside the windows and felt a fog creeping up within her eyes.

    She pulled out a tissue and was about to wipe the tears from her eyes when she heard Tang Huahua¡¯s voice from behind her: ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled as she quickly rubbed her eyes. Taking a deep breath facing the window, she forced her lips into a smile then turned around and looked over at Tang Huahua.

    On the way to school, Tang Huahua wouldn¡¯t stop going on about YC. Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to talk, but she was afraid Tang Huahua would notice something was off. All she could do was give her a few half-hearted replies.

    When they arrived at the school, Ji Yi made up a random excuse about feeling unwell to avoid going to tonight¡¯s start-of-school party. She headed straight back to the dorm room.

    Tang Huahua and Bo He were going to the start-of-school party, so she was the only one left in the dorm room.

    She shut the door and leaned against the wooden door. Before she could lower her head, tears flowed down from her eyes.

    He Jichen... How is he married all of a sudden?

    It¡¯s only been two days since I realized I was in love with him... How could he be married just like that?

    Back then, he told her he was going to take responsibility. If she epted it at the time, how great would that have been...? It wouldn¡¯t have mattered if he was with her out of obligation and not for love; that¡¯d be fine, right? At the very least, she could have him...

 Chapter 636

    Chapter 636: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (38)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    What was wrong with me back then? For He Yuguang, was I...

    Before that thought could enter Ji Yi¡¯s mind, all her thoughts stopped at once.

    She stared at her feet on the floor. She was stunned like that for a long time before she pressed her back to the door and slowly slid down like she¡¯d lost all her strength.

    He Yuguang... The Yuguang Ge who gave her a sense of warmth many timesst year when she was at her lowest; The Yuguang Ge who was the only person in the world who never forgot about her and visited her at the hospital every month during her four yeara; The Yuguang Ge who she brutally chose to abandon when he tried to confess his love, and after she developed feelings for He Jichen and had sex with him... How could she have forgotten about him?

    At first, she rejected He Jichen¡¯s offer to take responsibility and asked for a divorce from Yuguang Ge because she had both of them in her heart. She didn¡¯t think she was worthy of being with either of them, so she figured that she might as well not have either of them.

    She knew she had to interact with He Jichen because of work, and she had always told herself not to fall harder for He Jichen. However, as the situation went on, all her heart could remember was He Jichen. Shepletely forgot about how she ruthlessly abandoned He Yuguang.

    A strong sense of guilt and unease instantly swallowed Ji Yi up.

    But He Yuguang truly treated her well from the beginning and she truly liked him, but he was also He Jichen¡¯s older brother. What¡¯s important was that she used to be married to He Yuguang for some time... Even if He Jichen wasn¡¯t married, she couldn¡¯t go and marry the younger brother after having married the older brother!

    With that thought, harsh feelings shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind: self-me, pain, loss, helplessness ¨C all types ofplicated feelings came rushing at her one after the other.

    The distance between her and He Jichen wasn¡¯t just determined by the two red marriage certificates she saw in his office in the afternoon but it was also determined by his biological older brother. She used to like Yuguang Ge.

    This wasn¡¯t just a single wide gap but two wide gaps which brutally separated the two of them and determined that in their lifetimes, they weren¡¯t destined to be together.

    It hurt... it really hurt. It was the type of pain that hit the bone... But even though it hurt, what could she do about it? All she could do was endure it, like... how she loved He Jichen, loved him so deeply in her core that she couldn¡¯t free herself. All she could do was love him fully in silence.

    Ji Yi gradually buried her head between her knees.

    She felt like arge hand was mercilessly clutching her heart. The pain made it hard for her to breathe and her fists started to tremble softly.

    She knew she deserved it. Who told her to like the older brother then fall for the younger brother? I started this whole mess!

    She didn¡¯t have the right to cry, but she still lost her cool and sobbed in pain...

    ¨C

    He Jichen didn¡¯t know when Ji Yi had left.

    All he knew was that when he came back to his senses, the sky outside was filled with evening clouds. It had already turned pitch-ck.

    His chest felt heavy like it was being crushed by a rock, making it very hard to breathe fluidly.

    He got up and walked over to his desk in a daze and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He randomly pulled out a cigarette, lit it up, and took a big drag.

 Chapter 637

    Chapter 637: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (40)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen smoked and smoked. Through the fog of smoke, he vaguely remembered Ji Yi calling out to him ¡°He Jichen¡± from the parking lot at C City¡¯s Television Awards when he was about to get into his car.

    That night, he was in a hurry to get back to the hotel, get his suitcase and check out of his room. He was going to head back to Beijing to celebrate her birthday and apologize to her.

    He never imagined that after she saw the Television Awards, she would actually rush all the way over from Beijing to C City.

    Just to take Qian Ge down, he hyped up the scandal Qian Ge single-handedly created and incidentally got Ji Yi¡¯s mother injured.

    On their way back to the hotel, he meant to apologize to her, but he never imagined she would be the first to apologize to him for misunderstanding him.

    He really never imagined she would forgive him so easily... After all, her mum got hurt.

    Amidst his joy, he was a little touched. He stared at her cute, nervous look while apologizing to him and had the urge to kiss her.

    If the car hadn¡¯t arrived at the hotel and if Chen Bai hadn¡¯t interrupted him, he might¡¯ve kissed her in the car...

    Though they didn¡¯t do it, he wasn¡¯t stupid and could sense that when he was about to kiss her, she had no intention of fighting back.

    And that night, she kissed him while he was in a video call with Xia Yuan.

    Because she started treating him differently, he couldn¡¯t sleep from the excitement.

    Back in Beijing, when she heard that his hand was injured, she made the excuse of taking a stroll just to run over to him and drop off some band-aids...

    When her hair was tangled, she lifted her head and leaned in for a kiss...

    And this afternoon, she brought buns to his office...

    Never before had he imagined that she would give him all these different signs.

    He was happy about these changes in her, but he didn¡¯t want to make it too obvious. He was afraid it would embarrass her or scare her, so he carefully protected their rtionship and allowed it all to gradually develop...

    But she found the marriage certificate...

    Could it be that just as their rtionship was improving beautifully, it was going to suddenlye to an end?

    He Jichen¡¯s lips tightened.

    ...

    After finishing a pot of instant noodles while waiting several hours for He Jichen to get off work, Chen Bai noticed that He Jichen¡¯s office was still quiet, so he grabbed the documents on the table and knocked on his door to get them signed.

    He was met with a wall of silence.

    Chen Bai furrowed his brows and knocked on the door again. He still didn¡¯t get any response, so he daringly pushed the door open a crack and poked his head inside.

    Before he could see He Jichen in the office, Chen Bai was met by an intense smell of cigarettes, making him almost cough.

    Did something awful happen? Why¡¯s he smoking again?

    Chen Bai waved his hand around twice before stepping into the office.

    ¡°Mr. He, smoking so much is bad for your health.¡± As Chen Bai said this, he walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and opened a window.

    The cold evening wind of early spring blew into the office.

    Wearing a thin shirt, He Jichen only turned his gaze slowly over to Chen Bai when he felt a chill.

    He didn¡¯t say a thing but quickly allowed his gaze to drift back out the window. He started topose himself again.

 Chapter 638

    Chapter 638: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (41)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Mr. He, you still haven¡¯t had dinner and it¡¯s gettingte. How about we go get you something to eat?¡± Though Chen Bai didn¡¯t understand why He Jichen was in a terrible mood, he knew that if He Jichen wanted to speak, he would. There was no point in asking.

    He Jichen pretended he hadn¡¯t heard what Chen Bai said.

    ¡°Mr. He, even if you don¡¯t have an appetite right now, you still have to eat something.¡± The smoke in the room was just too strong. As Chen Bai spoke, he walked up to the air purifier and turned it on.

    The air purifier let out ¡°hoo hoo hoo¡± sounds as it quickly purified every corner of the office.

    Chen Bai tried again: ¡°Mr. He, if you don¡¯t want to eat out, I can order delivery for you so you can eat back at home. By the time we get there, the takeout should¡¯ve arrived...¡±

    Before Chen Bai could finish speaking, He Jichen suddenly broke his long silence and said in a hoarse voice from smoking too many cigarettes: ¡°Should I try hard one more time?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Chen Bai was stunned by He Jichen¡¯s non-sensical words.

    After a few seconds, he turned his head and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°Mr. He, I don¡¯t really understand. What do you mean?¡±

    He Jichen was in the same position from when Chen Bai stepped into the office earlier, without moving in the slightest.

    He didn¡¯t react in any way to what Chen Bai said.

    His gaze outside the window looked distant like he was deep in thought and he couldn¡¯t snap out of it.

    If Chen Bai wasn¡¯t absolutely certain He Jichen spoke earlier, Chen Bai would¡¯ve sworn he was hearing things just going by He Jichen¡¯s appearance.

    He spoke again, ¡°Mr. He?¡±

    When He Jichen heard Chen Bai¡¯s voice again, he finally shifted his brows slightly and spoke while staring out at the night sky. His voice sounded deeper than before as he muttered to himself, ¡°I should try hard one more time, right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve done so much. Although I have no regrets, I should at least try hard one more time...¡± As he said this, He Jichen turned his head and looked over at Chen Bai. ¡°... Am I right?¡±

    Though Chen Bai didn¡¯t understand what He Jichen was referring to, he still replied to He Jichen seriously. ¡°Mr. He, even though I don¡¯t really understand what you mean, there are some things you should fight for when the time calls for it. If you don¡¯t work hard for it, you¡¯ll never know what you could¡¯ve achieved. If you do work hard for it, then even if you don¡¯t seed, you¡¯ll still be better off than regretting not taking action for the rest of your life.¡±

    With a pause, Chen Bai then added, ¡°What¡¯s more, if you work hard once and don¡¯t seed, try again a second time. If you don¡¯t seed a second time, try a third time. Your life is so long ¨C what¡¯s there to be afraid of...?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right! What¡¯s there to be afraid of?!¡± He Jichen suddenly looked wide awake. His eyes lit up.

    After she found out he secretly married her behind her back, maybe she would be mad or maybe she would ignore him, but as Chen Bai said, he should try to beg for her forgiveness.

    If she didn¡¯t know the person he married was her, then there was no chance of them working things out... What¡¯s more, the thoughts he just had were all about her recent changes...

    With that thought, He Jichen put out his cigarette, pulled open the drawer, and took out the two marriage certificates. Without even grabbing a jacket, he rushed out of the office.

 Chapter 639

    Chapter 639: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (42)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Evenings in the early spring were very cold. Seeing as He Jichen was just wearing a thin shirt, Chen Bai ran out after him in a hurry with a jacket.

    He Jichen was already in the elevator and had pressed the button to close the doors when Chen Bai reached the office door.

    ¡°Mr. He...¡± Chen Bai quickly raised his voice and walked faster, but he only managed to call out He Jichen¡¯s name when the elevator doors closed.

    As long as there¡¯s a shred of hope, I should try, right?

    So I have to find her and exin things clearly. Even if she gets mad or angry, what¡¯s there to be afraid of?

    It¡¯s better than her thinking I have a wife, making it so there¡¯s no chance of us being together romantically, right?

    With that thought, He Jichen¡¯s fingers clutching the marriage certificates started to tremble with anxiety and agitation.

    Midway down the elevator shaft, He Jichen realized he left the office in such a hurry that he hadn¡¯t nned what he was going to tell Ji Yi when he saw her. Then he shut his eyes, took a deep breath, calmed down, and started to mentally create a script.

    ¡°Ji Yi, there¡¯s something I want to tell you. The person on my marriage certificate is actually you.¡±

    That err... does that sound a bit too serious?

    ¡°Ji Yi, I brought the marriage certificates. Look at them for yourself!¡±

    That err... sounds a little too half-hearted, right?

    ¡°Ji Yi...¡±

    In a few short seconds, He Jichen came up with several starting points in his mind, but he didn¡¯t think any of them were good enough.

    When the elevator reached the parking lot, the doors opened and as he stepped out, he instantly realized he should apologize earnestly first then tell her she was the one he married.

    As soon as those words left his mouth, he knew he had toe clean about everything he kept in the dark from her.

    For example, he didn¡¯t want to see her fall for Qian Ge¡¯s trap and marry someone else, so he had no choice but to use his brother¡¯s identity and lie to her.

    And Bro died four years ago but the He family didn¡¯t make it public. The He Yuguang she was in contact with all ofst year was actually him.

    And he only did it because he liked her. He liked her when they first met as young students. She was the C Girl he talked about that night at West Lake when he said: ¡°She¡¯s the only good thing in my life, yet she¡¯s also my worst memory.¡±

    If she really was mad at him for lying and keeping secrets and if she didn¡¯t want to forgive him, he had another thing to say to her: ¡°Actually I¡¯m really not so bad. Do you want to try to fall in love with me?¡±

    When you truly loved someone, there was nothing the heart could do about it. He Jichen felt the same way he did when he talked to Fatty before the college entrance exams, before they got into that misunderstanding about confessing to her after the exams.

    He felt uneasy and anxious, yet there was an indescribable pang of sweetness.

    After he stepped out of the elevator and walked about fifty meters, He Jichen spotted his own car.

    Even though he was quite some distance away, he dug into his pockets for the keys and opened the car doors.

    The car lights lit up. As the car beeped to show that the doors were unlocked, he heard his name called beside him: ¡°He Jichen.¡±

 Chapter 640

    Chapter 640: The Marriage Certificate Discovered (43)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s steps stopped abruptly and he looked over at the direction of the noise.

    The door to a nearby BMW opened before Qian Ge stepped out.

    In contrast to the ever bright and beautiful-looking Qian Ge, she was dressed a lot more low-key today.

    It had just been two days and nights since they parted ways in C city, but it felt like five years. Qian Ge looked a lot older and her skin wasn¡¯t glowing like before. Without eye makeup on, she looked a lot less energetic and she had dark eyebags that made it hard for him to look at her dead on. She must¡¯ve not had a good night¡¯s sleep since the incident at the Television Awards.

    Without waiting for Qian Ge toe closer, He Jichen coldly withdrew his gaze and started to walk towards his car again.

    ¡°He Jichen!¡± cried Qian Ge again.

    This time, He Jichen didn¡¯t stop walking but he sensed the woman behind him speeding up. The sounds of their footsteps in the silent underground lot made them sound rushed.

    ¡°He Jichen, I have something to say to you!¡±

    He Jichen walked up to his car and was about to pull the door open when Qian Ge¡¯s arm suddenly reached out to block him.

    Something to say? She¡¯s probably just going to spew lies...

    If it were any other day and he was in a better mood, maybe he would listen to her say a few words and shoot harsh insults back at her.

    But not today. He had important things to do and he had no time to waste on her now!

    Without a second thought, He Jichen reached out and shoved Qian Ge¡¯s arm away forcefully.

    He Jichen pushed her so hard that Qian Ge took two steps back and stumbled into the car door behind her.

    When He Jichen heard the noise, he didn¡¯t even bother ncing over and pulled open his car door.

    He bent over and was about to crawl in when Qian Ge clutched onto his sleeve tightly. ¡°He Jichen, I really do have something to talk to you about!¡±

    In the past, when she was in the limelight, it was difficult even then to get ahold of He Jichen. Now that her reputation was in shambles and everyone was scolding her, the distance between them was even wider. The only way she was able to stop him today was because he hadn¡¯t expected her to be there.

    Next time, this would be harder.

    Qian Ge was afraid He Jichen would toss her aside the next second and leave. She didn¡¯t have time to exin, so she quickly pulled out her phone and opened a video. She then showed the video for He Jichen to see.

    Having been stopped by Qian Ge again, He Jichen furrowed his brows and raised his arms impatiently. He was about to push Qian Ge away when he saw himself on her phone screen.

    It was just a nce, but he could tell when and why that video of himself was taken.

    He instantly stopped midway in pushing Qian Ge aside.

    He stared unblinkingly at the video.

    There was no sound in the video. Most people in the building had already finished work, so there were very few cars in the parking lot. With no oneing and going, the entire ce was incredibly silent.

    The video was short ¨C just two minutes long. However, He Jichen felt like it was as long as a century.

    After the video ended, Qian Ge put her phone away. ¡°This is what I spent two days of hard work making.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything. The second he heard Qian Ge¡¯s voice, he pushed her off his arm.

 Chapter 641

    Chapter 641: The Unruly Heart (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°It happened four years ago. I really didn¡¯t have any hope, but I was still able to find it.¡±

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t try to stop He Jichen anymore. She knew that after He Jichen saw the video, he wouldn¡¯t be in such a hurry to leave.

    ¡°He Jichen, this video must be the only stain on your life, right? You must¡¯ve known that back then, it almost ruined your life!¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s voice sounded more and more confident with hints of mockery.

    ¡°At the time, the He family used their connections and spent quite a lot of money, didn¡¯t they? It happened so many years ago, He Jichen. Did you almost forget what you once did?¡±

    ¡°Oh, look at this memory of mine. How could I forget such an important point? You only did this in the first ce because...¡± Qian Ge pretended she forgot and purposefully waited a while then spoke as though the idea just came to her like aplete surprise: ¡°... because of Ji Yi!¡±

    After she said this, Qian Ge slowly took a step back and sluggishly leaned against He Jichen¡¯s car.

    The corners of her lips turned into a smirk as she looked over at the silent He Jichen for a while and said, ¡°He Jichen... Say, if I identally leaked the video, would you be as rude and harsh as you are now?¡±

    As Qian Ge said this, her eyes scanned He Jichen up and down. ¡°Could you still live pretending to look all calm, graceful, and majestic like a prince?¡±

    ¡°Most importantly...¡± Qian Ge met He Jichen¡¯s eyes. ¡°... At the time, you were so helpless that you couldn¡¯t help Ji Yi in any way.¡±

    As her voice fell, Qian Ge realized she forgot to say something and quickly turned her head. ¡°No no no, Ji Yi¡¯s an artist at YC now. If you¡¯re finished, that¡¯ll affect her too, right? And your rtionship is so close. I¡¯m afraid that when the timees, you won¡¯t be the only one who has it bad ¨C she can¡¯t get away scot-free either, right?!¡±

    ¡°So He Jichen, you don¡¯t want the video to get out, right?¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s demeanor and tone of voice instantly turned serious. ¡°If you don¡¯t want that, let¡¯s talk terms, shall we?¡±

    Qian Ge paused for a while. Seeing that He Jichen still showed no signs of talking, she added, ¡°Freeze out Ji Yi. As long as you stop promoting her, then consider everything settled between us!¡±

    ¡°Not interested.¡± Having not uttered a word since watching the video, He Jichen finally blurted out those two words after hearing Qian Ge¡¯s terms.

    Then he bent over and entered his car.

    When he reached out to shut the car door, Qian Ge beat him to it and blocked him. ¡°He Jichen, you know full well that the only reason you got out of what happened four years ago was because I had you in my heart. Four yearster, it¡¯s the same. Though I showed you this video today, I never wanted to really destroy you! So He Jichen, don¡¯t push me. As long as you agree to my terms, I promise I¡¯ll never mess with Ji Yi again. Between us and Ji Yi, all of it will bepletely settled!¡±

    ¡°Us?¡± He Jichen heard those two wordse out of Qian Ge¡¯s mouth for the second time and furrowed his brows tightly as though he heard the most disgusting thing. ¡°Between you and me, there is no US!¡±

    After he said this, he started the engine up and fastened his seatbelt.

 Chapter 642

    Chapter 642: The Unruly Heart (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Qian Ge was afraid He Jichen would step on the gas and speed off in a second, so she cried loudly, ¡°He Jichen, you¡¯re only able to be so condescending in front of me because I like you. You know I like you, so you don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ruin you, am I right? Let me tell you ¨C if you don¡¯t agree to my terms, I¡¯ll definitely leak the video. I would rather destroy something I can¡¯t have over letting other people have it! Even if Ji Yi gets you one day, I want to make it hard for her to have you. After she gets you, it¡¯ll cause her a world of trouble!¡±

    He Jichen suddenly halted his foot above the gas pedal.

    He didn¡¯t look at Qian Ge but stared right ahead, silently.

    ¡°Firstly, I¡¯m not using the fact that you like me to act all condescending in front of you because in my eyes, you¡¯re not even a person. As for you liking me, that¡¯s the biggest stain on my life, not the video you just showed me.¡±

    ¡°Secondly, I never assumed you wouldn¡¯t dare to leak the video, but did you think I was afraid? Four years ago, if I dared to do it then I epted the consequences. I¡¯m telling you, Qian Ge. Even now, if you dare to take things too far against Ji Yi, I will reenact what happened four years ago just for you!¡±

    ¡°Thirdly, I will never talk terms with you. Who dares to freeze out the person I¡¯m supporting? As long as I¡¯m around, no one will ever get in her way. Even if I¡¯m that person, I will relentlessly clear things up!¡±

    The second he finished, he swatted Qian Ge¡¯s hand off his car door. He shut the door, stepped on the gas, and sped out of the parking lot.

    He Jichen sped through the main roads of Beijing rapidly for quite some time until there were fewer and fewer cars on the road. The third time he drew close to B-Film, he took a quick turn at the road ahead and drove off the main road. With his emergency brakes, he stopped on the road under an old locust tree.

    In the silent night, he leaned back in his seat and stared up at the dim streetlights out the window. After staring for a bit, he reached for a cigarette and lit it up.

    He didn¡¯t smoke it but let it burn between his fingers and fill up the car with smoke.

    His chaotic state of mind slowly settled under the tobo smoke.

    Yes, if Qian Ge hadn¡¯t brought the video to him, he really would¡¯ve forgotten what he did four years ago.

    She was right. As soon as the video got out, he would be targeted by everyone in the country. Then his career and YC would be affected; of course, as an artist at YC, that would include Ji Yi.

    But it was just as Qian Ge said ¨C he could lose his career as a director and YC could fall, but Ji Yi couldn¡¯t be ruined!

    So, he now had to race against time with Qian Ge.

    He had to push Ji Yi up to the highest peak to promise her afortable future before Qian Ge publicized the video to the world.

    As for him...

    He Jichen didn¡¯t think about it and softly lowered his gaze.

    His eyes happened to catch a glimpse of the two marriage certificates from the corner of his eye.

    With the cigarette between his fingers, his fingers suddenly shook as an indescribable pain instantly radiated throughout his body from his chest.

    The pain stifled his breathing but after a while, he slowly lifted his eyelids. Through the shroud of smoke, he stared out the window.

 Chapter 643

    Chapter 643: The Unruly Heart (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ... As for me, I¡¯m afraid I might have t-to...

    They went their seperate ways for four years. In those four years, he¡¯d experienced how hard life was without her, so he gave up his prestigious school eptance with no hesitation. He gave up his bright future and came to Beijing just to be closer to her.

    He created YC to put her somewhere he could see her.

    To take care of her, he impersonated his older brother, He Yuguang, with no hesitation and treated her well while using the identity of the person she liked.

    He did it simply to get closer to her, closer, and even closer.

    He¡¯d liked her for a long time ¨C so long that it made him satisfied and happy to find out something about her every day.

    However, he now had no choice but to leave her in order to protect her...

    All of a sudden, He Jichen¡¯s heart felt incredibly stifled; it was a little difficult for him to breathe.

    He rolled the car window down.

    The cold wind in the early spring wafted into the car, flickering the cigarette spark. The intense smell of smoke entered his nostrils and irritated his eyes, making them feel sore and painfully swollen.

    He never imagined that things would turn out this way...

    A minute ago, he was like a kid who found love for the first time, excitedly ready to turn and confess to the woman he loved. The next second, everything was turning on its head...

    There was a saying that between a man and a woman, destiny ruled; no matter how long people went around in circles, those who were fated to be together would eventuallye together. He and Ji Yi probably weren¡¯t destined to be together. After running around in circles for ten years, they were going to end up going their separate ways.

    Their story didn¡¯t have an ending where ¡°She¡¯s the most beautiful thing in my life,¡± but rather ¡°She¡¯s the worst memory of my life.¡±

    The wind grew stronger and stronger while the heat in the car quickly enveloped the cold breeze.

    With the temperature lowering, it was like He Jichen couldn¡¯t feel a thing. He sat there stunned, staring out the window without flinching.

    After the cigarette burned to the very tip, he woke from his daze with the slight warmth. He put out the cigarette and pulled a new one out then he returned to his earlier state.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t know just how long he was in a daydream for, but the sky slowly got brighter and the quiet city slowly started to wake up. There were more and more cars on the empty streets. He didn¡¯t snap back to his senses until the sunshine pierced through his car window and hit his face.

    So he sat in the car, absent-minded for a whole night...

    He Jichen slowly turned his head and sat upright.

    The trash can in his car was filled with various-sized cigarette butts and ashes all around him.

    He gently moved his feet, attempting to drive, but he realized they were numb from holding the same position for too long.

    He pushed open the car door and used all his strength to force himself out of the car.

    He stood outside the car and stared at the busy road ahead filled with cars and people. His gaze turned into a daze.

    After just two minutes, he was woken up by his phone ringing back in the car.

    He turned around and reached for his phone to see that it was Chen Bai calling. He took the call. Chen Bai called to ask when he was going to leave so he could make the time to pick him up.

    He Jichen wanted to reply ¡°No thanks¡± but thought about his current condition. He wasn¡¯t in the right state to drive, so he swallowed his words and told Chen Bai where he was.

 Chapter 644

    Chapter 644: The Unruly Heart (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The morning rush-hour traffic was bad. After he hung up the phone, He Jichen sat in the car and waited forty minutes for Chen Bai to arrive.

    When Chen Bai saw He Jichen all dejected, his face looked stunned for a moment. After two seconds, he spoke with a discreetly cautious tone, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    At the sound of his voice, He Jichen turned and nced at Chen Bai. He gave a gentle nod in reply but didn¡¯t say anything then got right out of his car, pulled open the door to Chen Bai¡¯s car and took a seat.

    Mr. He¡¯s wearing the same clothes from yesterday, his hair is messy, there¡¯s some stubble on his chin, his face looks pale white, and there¡¯s an intense look of exhaustion on his face... He couldn¡¯t have stayed in the car all night long after leaving the office yesterday, right?

    Chen Bai stood by the car with a nk look.

    He Jichen saw that Chen Bai was taking ages to get into the car so he knocked twice against the window.

    Startled by the noise, Chen Bai suddenly snapped to attention and hurriedly got in.

    When he started the car up, Chen bai shot a few nces at He Jichen through the rearview mirror.

    He was probably tired as he was lying back in his seat and had his eyes closed like he was sleeping.

    Chen Bai knew He Jichen hadn¡¯t slept. After he shifted around in the car, he softly said, ¡°Mr. He, are we...¡±

    Chen Bai wanted to say ¡°going to the office,¡± but seeing how awful He Jichen looked, he decided to say: ¡°... going to your apartment first?¡±

    ¡°No...¡± quickly replied He Jichen to Chen Bai. ¡°... to the office.¡±

    ¡°But...¡±

    Before Chen Bai could finish, He Jichen realized what Chen Bai wanted to say and he added with his eyes shut: ¡°There¡¯s a set of clothes at the office.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Chen Bai responded quickly but didn¡¯t say anything more and concentrated on driving.

    The car slipped into silence.

    At the back of the car, He Jichen looked like he was fast asleep as his breaths became slow and drawn out.

    Chen Bai suddenly felt a lot morefortable while staring straight at the road ahead. He didn¡¯t seem as rigid as before.

    Halfway into their journey, Chen Bai suddenly heard a voice from behind: ¡°How¡¯s the investment going for ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯?¡±

    Huh! Mr. He isn¡¯t asleep!

    Chen Bai was so shocked that his leg shook and he almost hit the emergency brakes. Luckily, his reflexes were fast enough to control himself. As he let out an inaudible sigh of relief, he politely replied, ¡°We¡¯re almost at our destination.¡±

    ¡°When is ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯ scheduled to start shooting?¡±

    ¡°May.¡±

    May. It¡¯s just March... There are two more months... That¡¯s too long... He Jichen thought about it for a moment then said, ¡°When¡¯s the earliest we can start shooting?¡±

    Chen Bai pondered it for a moment then replied, ¡°Early April.¡±

    He Jichen remained silent for a moment then said, ¡°We have to start shooting on March 20th. I know it¡¯ll be a little difficult, but if we push it, we can make it in time.¡±

    ¡°I can fight for it,¡± said Chen Bai.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply.

    The car fell silent once again.

    After some time, He Jichen spoke again but with a more sluggish tone of voice: ¡°How much did Qian Ge¡¯spany¡¯s stocks fall?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been falling for two consecutive days now. I¡¯m guessing it¡¯ll fall today too,¡± replied Chen Bai.

    ¡°After today¡¯s decrease, start buying stocks for Qian Ge¡¯s studio tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, isn¡¯t it a little too early? We could wait a little more. Qian Ge¡¯s stocks will continue to fall for a week at least...¡±

 Chapter 645

    Chapter 645: The Unruly Heart (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I said tomorrow, so tomorrow it is.¡±

    Before Chen Bai could finish, He Jichen spoke again in a low but in clear voice. An intensely oppressive feeling came through and was mixed into his tone.

    Chen Bai¡¯s heart quivered. All of a sudden, he didn¡¯t dare say too much and a hint of confusion came over his heart.

    What¡¯s with Mr. He? He wants to speed up the production time for ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± and quickly buy up stocks for Qian Ge¡¯s studio ahead of time...

    This was a different Mr. He from the one he knew. Although Mr. He often rushed the process, he never rushed it by this much... It was like He Jichen was afraid that if production was too slow, they wouldn¡¯t get it done at all.

    The more Chen Bai thought about it, the more confused he was. He couldn¡¯t help but nce at He Jichen every now and then in the rearview mirror.

    He Jichen was deep in thought as his sharp senses didn¡¯t notice Chen Bai¡¯s stares.

    Chen Bai wasn¡¯t sure just how many times he looked up to sneakily check on He Jichen, but He Jichen, with his eyes shut, suddenly moved his lips again: ¡°Chen Bai.¡±

    Chen Bai jumped in fright. He didn¡¯t allow his gaze to linger on He Jichen and averted his eyes to the road ahead. ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯m listening.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t Ji Yi interested in Huan Ying Entertainment? Their vice president asked for a price before and said they¡¯d pay anything to have Ji Yi signed to theirpany...¡±

    Chen Bai heard this and vaguely understood what He Jichen meant. He couldn¡¯t help but grip the steering wheel tightly. All of a sudden, he cut He Jichen off: ¡°... Mr. He!¡±

    It seemed like He Jichen hadn¡¯t heard Chen Bai¡¯s objections as he calmly kept his eyes shut. Then he continued to speak with a neutral voice. ¡°... In the next two days, help me set up a meeting with the vice president. I want to talk to him.¡±

    Chen Bai stayed silent for a long time before making a sound. He didn¡¯t reply to He Jichen¡¯s orders but asked a question on his mind: ¡°Mr. He, did you and Miss Ji get into some kind of misunderstanding?¡±

    Chen Bai was met withplete silence.

    Mr. He likes Miss Ji so much. Till this day, she is YC¡¯s only signed artist. Everything is done with her in mind, so why would he suddenly want to have her transferred to anotherpany?

    ¡°Mr. He, even if Miss Ji made you angry, you can¡¯t sent her to another-¡±

    ¡°Chen Bai,¡± interrupted He Jichen once again.

    This time, his tone of voice sounded a lot more serious.

    Chen Bai instinctively slowed the car down and shifted most of his attention to He Jichen.

    Behind him, He Jichen seemed to be forming his words as he stayed silent for some time before speaking. ¡°... I hope that when I send Ji Yi away, you can go with her.¡±

    Chen Be hit the emergency brakes furiously.

    He didn¡¯t even care that he stopped on a main road. He turned around in his seat to the piercing sounds of honking cars and stared at He Jichen. ¡°Mr. He, am I doing something wrong? You want to send me away too?!¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, when I came to Beijing with you in the beginning, I said I¡¯d never quit. You...¡±

    ¡°Chen Bai, I¡¯m not firing you. I believe in you.¡± Having kept his eyes shut the whole time, He Jichen finally opened his eyes and looked deeply into Chen Bai¡¯s eyes with a pleading look. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t you, I¡¯d worry if anyone else worked by Ji Yi¡¯s side.¡±

 Chapter 646

    Chapter 646: The Unruly Heart (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    This atmosphere... why does it seem even more off?

    Mr. He didn¡¯t appear like he wanted to send Ji Yi away, nor did it seem like he wanted to fire Chen Bai. It seemed more like he was getting his affairs in order in preparation for his death... But He Jichen had a physical a few days ago. He got the report back from Dr. Xia and there were no problems at all...

    Chen Bai¡¯s heart suddenly started to worry. ¡°Mr. He, did something big happen?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything. He turned his head and looked out the window.

    ¡°Mr. He, something happened to you, right? You¡¯re afraid Miss Ji will be dragged down by your issues, so you¡¯re in such a rush to start shooting ¡®Jiuchong Pce,¡¯ buy stocks for Qian Ge¡¯s studio, and send Miss Ji away? You¡¯re so worried about Miss Ji at Huan Ying that you even want me to follow her just to take care of her on your behalf?¡±

    Chen Bai had worked for He Jichen for quite some time. Even if He Jichen didn¡¯t say a thing, Chen Bai got the picture right away and was able to understand what was happening.

    ¡°Mr. He, what about you then? You¡¯ve only thought about Miss Ji, but what about yourself?¡±

    Completely still, He Jichen gazed out the window as though he hadn¡¯t heard what Chen Bai said. There was a shroud of gloom over the dull expression on his face.

    ¡°Mr. He, it¡¯s been over a year since I found out about Miss Ji. In this time, you¡¯ve always been considerate of Miss Ji in everything you do. Even now, when you can¡¯t manage things yourself, you make sure that Miss Ji is cared for. I can¡¯t do that! In the past two days, manypanies have approached me with an offer to be vice president, but I didn¡¯t go. Now that something¡¯s happened to you, how can I just go and leave? Sorry, Mr. He, there¡¯s no way I can agree to this!¡±

    ¡°This is why I can leave Ji Yi in your care! Chen Bai, you know just how important she is to me. If you really see me as a brother and really want me to be well, do as I say. I¡¯m notmanding you or ordering you around. I am begging you as a brother!¡± He Jichen paused for a moment then added, ¡°Chen Bai, please.¡±

    A bitter pain rose in Chen Bai¡¯s eyes as he knew deep down that he couldn¡¯t say no to He Jichen.

    Not only was he the boss, but he was also someone who helped him greatly.

    He Jichen may look distant, cold, and arrogant, but Chen Bai knew more than anyone that he had a good heart.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯te from a good background and he needed the country¡¯s support to be able to go to university. His mother got sick and her exorbitant medical bills left him desperate. It was He Jichen who helped him.

    Till this day, he remembered the line He Jichen said to him: ¡°Want toe with me to try our luck in Beijing?¡±

    Chen Bai knew that although He Jichen let him follow him to Beijing, he was really going just to take care of her. After Chen Bai agreed that very night, He Jichen gave him three hundred thousand in cash.

    But even though he knew he would agree to He Jichen, when it came to saying ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t say it. After struggling for a long time, he eventually changed the subject, ¡°Mr. He, what about you? What will you do in the future?¡±

    ¡°What can I do?¡± He Jichen stared out at the sun as a faint sense of sadness showed on his face. His tone of voice sounded unusually lighthearted as he said, ¡°Continue to keep the world from knowing that I love her...¡±

    With just one line, Chen Bai¡¯s throat ached so much that he couldn¡¯t utter a sound.

    The car was silent for a while before He Jichen¡¯s gentle and sluggish voice was heard again. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m used to it.¡±

 Chapter 647

    Chapter 647: The Unruly Heart (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Bai¡¯s heart suddenly contracted when he heard He Jichen. He turned his back to He Jichen abruptly with red eyes.

    He¡¯s used to it... There are people who are used to taking afternoon naps every day, people who are used to eating an apple a day, people who are used to taking walks, people who are used to watching a movie at the theatre every weekend... This was the first time Chen Bai heard someone say they were used to keeping the world from knowing that he loved somebody.

    ¨C

    That night, Ji Yi cried for a really, really long time ¨C so long in fact that her eyes were dried up and her head was dizzy before she finally got up from the floor and made her way into the bathroom.

    She was afraid Tang Huahua and Bo He would suddenlye back to the dorms and see her eyes all red and swollen. She took a shower then immediately climbed into bed, pulled the covers over herself and pretended to sleep.

    Waking up the next day, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes were so swollen that there was no way she could let anyone see her, so she figured she might as well continue to act sick and skip ss.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t have any jobs lined up, so she spent most of her time at school.

    Thanks to Qian Ge, her poprity rose considerably. The script for ¡°The Tempestuous Grand Tang¡± wasn¡¯t bad, and on top of it all, she had great acting skills. A reporter snuck into B-film and took photos of her in the cafeteria, in the lecture rooms and shopping at the local supermarket. Every now and then, she found her own photos posted on Weibo. With her increased exposure, her private life became increasingly public. It was so bad that there even were fans who found her dorm room and ss locations and went to her school to look for her to get photos and autographs.

    Ever since she found out He Jichen was married, she stopped contacting him.

    However, she found out a few things about him from Zhuang Yi. For some reason, he¡¯d recently been frighteningly busy with business dinner after business dinner and meeting after meeting.

    Though she didn¡¯t see him, Zhuang Yi sent her a photo of him once. In the few short days they hadn¡¯t seen each other, she could clearly see he was a lot skinnier.

    At the time, she was in a lecture and immediately lost all concentration to listen in ss. She grabbed her phone several times, wanting to send him a message and tell him to take good care of himself. However, as she typed, she thought back to his marriage certificate and He Yuguang too, and eventually deleted every single word.

    She knew very well that she and He Jichen could never be together, but she couldn¡¯t control her own heart. She missed him, daydreamed about him, dreamed about him, and woke up in the middle of the night, calling his name. She spent afternoons reading her past messages with him and in the dead of the night, she secretly ran over to his apartment to see if his lights were on or off.

    Ji Yi knew it wasn¡¯t good to go on like this.

    But there was nothing she could do. The more she told herself that she couldn¡¯t continue to love him, the more she loved him. Day by day, her feelings grew deeper. Day after day, she missed him more and more...

    In the end, despite knowing that He Jichen was busy and wouldn¡¯t have time to go to school, she still couldn¡¯t help but walk around the directing program building every day.

    In just half a month, not only did He Jichen lose weight, but she did too.

    Ji Yi really, really missed He Jichen to the point where she couldn¡¯t eat or sleep, but she didn¡¯t dare to look for him.

    Maybe she missed He Jichen so much that her sincerity touched the heavens, creating a chance for her and He Jichen to identally bump into each other.

 Chapter 648

    Chapter 648: The Unruly Heart (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Maybe she missed He Jichen so much that her sincerity touched the heavens, creating a chance for her and He Jichen to identally bump into each other.

    But before Ji Yi and He Jichen bumped into each other by ident, two other people came in the way and identally met them first.

    ¨C

    ¡°Do you know what a woman¡¯s most afraid of? A woman isn¡¯t most afraid of falling for youpletely, sharing all her secrets, orpletely trusting you whole-heartedly, but she¡¯s afraid of you not loving her.¡±

    When Cheng Weiwan wrote the script for ¡°Jiuchong Pce,¡± she wrote this line for the young female lead.

    She never imagined that there¡¯d be a day when the words she wrote would happen to her, and it happened to be so simr to her situation like it was destined for her.

    After she heard the shattering truth outside Han Zhifan¡¯s office that day, she sat in a daze by the sidewalk tillte at night. She didn¡¯te back to her senses until she started to feel a faint pain in her abdomen.

    Even if she wasn¡¯t considerate of herself, she still couldn¡¯t bear to make the baby in her womb suffer, so she called a cab to take her back home.

    After a hot shower and some food, Chen Weiwan took a cup of milk and sat by the window, staring at the beautiful, dazzling night sky. The more she thought about it, the more she felt like everything that happened was a nightmare.

    Chen Weiwan knew Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary must¡¯ve told him she went to his office and stood outside his door for so long. The thought of that started to make her feel worse. Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t stupid ¨C he must¡¯ve assumed she overheard his conversation with He Jichen.

    After she turned and left, she had been waiting for Han Zhifan¡¯s call. She was waiting for him to tell her that she misheard. As long as he called to exin, she would choose to believe him despite knowing the truth.

    But Cheng Weiwan waited day after day. After receiving phone call after phone call, she never got one from Han Zhifan.

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t brave enough to see Han Zhifan and he didn¡¯t contact her, so their story came to an end the moment she eavesdropped at his door.

    In the past, Cheng Weiwan wrote many stories where the female lead decisively cut off all ties with the lying male lead. She also wrote female leads so weak that they gave up everything to stay by the man¡¯s side despite knowing he didn¡¯t love her.

    She created those characters herself, and when she spoke with other people, she always confidently said that if something like that happened to her, she would definitely be cut-throat and break things off there and then.

    He didn¡¯t love her anymore, so what more did she want him to do?!

    Chen Weiwan always thought that if something like that really happened to her, she would act without hesitation.

    But after twenty-seven days, on the eleventh day ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± started shooting, March 31st, Han Zhifan visited the set as the main investor and unexpectedly bumped into her. At that moment, Cheng Weiwan realized she could be the cut-throat type. When Han Zhifan finished work and ran over to her to ask if she was free in the evening, Cheng Weiwan pretended that nothing happened, gently nodded at him and softly replied with her usual voice, ¡°Yeah.¡±

 Chapter 649

    Chapter 649: The Unruly Heart (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After her voice fell, Han Zhifan stared at her for a while before moving his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner tonight. There¡¯s something I want to talk to you about.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t sure if it was all in her head, but she felt like Han Zhifan¡¯s gaze was a little cold. The sight of him made her heart start to feel cold too.

    In this area, women are naturally intuitive. She knew exactly what Han Zhifan wanted to talk to her about that night.

    Her heart couldn¡¯t take it and started to panic. Even if she did know that this romance was a well-concocted lie, she was still afraid to lose it.

    Because she had whole-heartedly fallen in love... No, she was wholeheartedly still in love...

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t dare to look into Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes. She lowered her eyes slightly and let out an ¡°Mhm.¡± After some time, she finally said, ¡°Come home tonight for dinner...¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s too much trouble...¡±

    ¡°N-no trouble.¡± Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t wait for Han Zhifan to finish speaking and interrupted him: ¡°I recently learned how to cook a new dish. I want to make it for you...¡±

    Han Zhifan was silent for a while before he eventuallyplied with her wishes. ¡°Alright, then you go work and find me afterward in the parking lot.¡±

    Actually, Cheng Weiwan had already finished, but after Han Zhifan left, she lingered around the set for a long time before going to the parking lot.

    ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± was shot in a film studio in the suburbs south of Beijing, so it took a long while to drive back to the city. Cheng Weiwan was afraid she and Han Zhifan would start talking in the car, so she pretended to look tired and shut her eyes as though she fell asleep.

    The car stopped at Han Zhifan¡¯s apartment where Cheng Weiwan raced to get out first. She hurriedly left after saying, ¡°I¡¯m going to the supermarket to buy some ingredients first.¡±

    Carrying a bag of fresh ingredients, she headed back to Han Zhifan¡¯s apartment. Unlike in the past, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t use her key to open the door but knocked instead.

    When Han Zhifan opened the door, she showed him the ingredients she brought back from the supermarket and shed a smile that she worked hard on practicing several times. Without waiting for him to say anything, she walked right into the kitchen.

    It was already eight o¡¯clock by the time the food was ready.

    Cheng Weiwan was in the dining room, staring in a daze at the spread of three dishes and soup for a long, long time before she called Han Zhifan over to eat.

    When Han Zhifan sat down, Cheng Weiwan served him rice and soup attentively then even handed him a pair of chopsticks like she did in the past.

    Cheng Weiwan served herself some rice. After she sat down, she was afraid Han Zhifan would say something, so she spoke first, ¡°So hungry. Let¡¯s quickly eat.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was really hungry. Since she was pregnant, she¡¯d been eating a lot recently.

    After her voice fell, she didn¡¯t care if Han Zhifan had started eating or not as she lowered her head and started to eat rice.

    After having a bowl of rice, Han Zhifan, who was sitting in front of her, said, ¡°Cheng Weiwan.¡±

    He used to call her ¡°Wanwan,¡± but now he called her by her full name...

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s hands holding her chopsticks shook. She then said with a flustered voice, ¡°Errr, I¡¯m still not full yet. Let¡¯s talkter, okay?¡±

    With that, Cheng Weiwan served herself another heaping bowl of rice and started to shove the food into her mouth.

    Han Zhifan leaned back into his chair and lowered his head. Cheng Weiwan, who was eating furiously, felt like it was hard to breathe. He turned his head and stayed like that for a while. Then he realized the heavy feeling he had still showed no signs of disappearing, so he pushed out the chair behind him and got up. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you outside.¡±

 Chapter 650

    Chapter 650: The Unruly Heart (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t reply and continued to eat again.

    Her vomiting had been really serioustely, but it all happened in the morning. Maybe it was because she was unstable right now, continuously eating, so she suddenly felt her stomach churning. She hurriedly put the chopsticks down, ran out of the dining room, and rushed into the bathroom.

    Standing in front of the window, Han Zhifan lit up a cigarette. Before he could take a drag, he heard some movement and turned his head to catch Cheng Weiwan rushing to the bathroom.

    He still hadn¡¯t figured out what was wrong with her until he heard the waves of vomiting sounds from the bathroom.

    Han Zhifan tightened his grip around his cigarette. Without a second thought, he started to rush over to the bathroom.

    Halfway there, Han Zhifan stopped.

    She¡¯s vomiting so hard, but what does that have to do with me?

    Han Zhifan turned around, about to walk back to the window, but just as he raised his feet, he sensed something was wrong with Cheng Weiwan vomiting in the bathroom.

    She¡¯s gagging...

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows, quietly thinking things over for a while before he realized that before they cut off contact, she hadn¡¯t had her period for a long time...

    She can¡¯t be...

    Han Zhifan abruptly turned his head and looked over at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s bag on the sofa.

    Without any hesitation, he strode over in a second and opened her bag.

    Before he searched the bag, he immediately saw she had fte and calcium pills.

    So she¡¯s really pregnant?

    Han Zhifan stared at the fte and calcium pills for a long while before his mind started to slowly turn.

    He was with her for so long with the intention of getting her pregnant. If He Jichen hadn¡¯t suddenly found out about what happened that night with her and Ji Yi; if she hadn¡¯t eavesdropped on their conversation outside his office, he was going to tell her the truth after she got pregnant.

    But things changed and she found out early. The only reason he wanted to speak to her today was because he wanted to stop ¨C he wanted to end things between them. He wasn¡¯t going to wait for her to get pregnant anymore and he was ready to let her go. From then on, they weren¡¯t going to keep in contact...

    But he never imagined she would actually get pregnant...

    The bathroom door opened and Cheng Weiwan stepped out.

    When he heard her, Han Zhifan turned his head and their eyes happened to meet.

    The two of them quietly stared at one another for a while before Cheng Weiwan¡¯s gaze fell down to the fte and calcium in Han Zhifan¡¯s hand.

    Han Zhifan followed her gaze down to her hand and asked, ¡°You¡¯re pregnant?¡±

    Hearing Han Zhifan say this, Cheng Weiwan nced over at Han Zhifan then looked down and gently replied, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s mine?¡± asked Han Zhifan.

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips and softly nodded in silence.

    Without even asking, Han Zhifan knew the baby was his.

    After he saw her nod, he asked, ¡°How many months now?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan kept her head down, but this time she spoke. ¡°Two months.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but looked like he was struggling to contemte something. He stared at the top of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s messy hair for a long time ¨C so long that Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t help but look up and sneak a peek at Han Zhifan. Suddenly, Han Zhifan said, ¡°Abort it.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes rose only halfway before she suddenly froze.

 Chapter 651

    Chapter 651: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Abort it?

    He just found out I¡¯m pregnant and with no hesitation at all, he¡¯s asking me to abort it?

    The baby in my womb is his baby too...

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s chest felt a pounding pain. It hurt so much that her fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch her sleeves.

    The room felt like it was frozen in the same frame. It was incredibly silent.

    Cheng Weiwan was so quiet that she made Han Zhifan think he hadn¡¯t said anything at all.

    He waited for a while, but seeing as Cheng Weiwan remained silent, he spoke again. ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll ask my secretary to contact a doctor. Once they¡¯ve arranged a time for the operation, she¡¯ll contact you.¡±

    As Han Zhifan¡¯s voice rang in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s ears, she slowly raised her head and looked over at him.

    The blood was drained from her face and her eyes were wide open, but there was a stillness in her eyes. She didn¡¯t look hazy or sad, but there was a soft, pleading tone in her voice, ¡°Zhifan...¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for her to finish speaking before he said with a cold, t voice, ¡°Tonight, the thing I wanted to talk to you about is that from now on, our rtionship is over.¡±

    Our rtionship... what does he mean?

    Shouldn¡¯t we be breaking up?

    Oh yeah, our rtionship is a lie to him, so why would he use words like ¡°break up¡±?

    After all, breaking up meant they were both in love at one point... And it meant there were feelings between them during their rtionship.

    Cheng Weiwan was already pale white, but she turned even paler. Her lips trembled frantically, causing her to stutter like crazy: ¡°I-I can ept us being over, but could you not make me abort the baby?¡±

    ¡°I-I-I...¡± Cheng Weiwan looked at the incredibly cold look on Han Zhifan¡¯s face and muttered, ¡°... have money, so I don¡¯t need you to help me raise the child. I really do have money. I¡¯ve been saving a lot a lot of money. I can raise the child really, really well...¡±

    ¡°... I promise-promise I¡¯ll never show up in front of you nor will the baby. Just pretend that the baby and I never existed, please?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t handle it as her eyes started to fog up when she finished speaking.

    Apart from the night he nned to save her, for the entire year they were together, was this perhaps the first time he¡¯d seen her not blush or smile?

    Back then, when he saw her smile, he thought about how he would definitely make her cry one day!

    Now that day had finallye, he realized he wasn¡¯t as happy as he thought he¡¯d be, nor did he feel as satisfied as he thought he¡¯d be when he seeded.

    In fact, he felt annoyed.

    It waspletely different from what he imagined and it started to make Han Zhifan feel irritated for no reason.

    ¡°Zhifan...¡±

    When she begged him again, he suddenly walked up to her, reached his hand out and dragged her out the door by the arm. He walked her up to the emergency exit stairway and pointed downward. He pushed her down a little and said angrily, ¡°I asked you to abort the baby, so abort the baby. I¡¯m telling you ¨C if I was looking for someone to have a baby with, that person would never be you!¡±

 Chapter 652

    Chapter 652: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°If you don¡¯t do as I say, I¡¯ll push down on this spot right now. The results would be the same anyway!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan looked like she¡¯d just seen something so horrific that her whole body started shivering in fear.

    Her vision became blurrier but her eyes were dry from start to end. Not a single tear fell.

    She looked like she wanted to cry but didn¡¯t, and for some reason that made Han Zhifan anxious. He hated that feeling, so when he spoke again, he sounded even more heartless and cruel, ¡°You overhead my conversation that day in my office, didn¡¯t you? Since you heard it, you should know why I did it!¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t understand, then let me repeat it one more time for you. Cheng Weiwan, I never liked you. From the first time I saw you and found out you were called Cheng Weiwan, as in Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter, I¡¯ve had a motive for getting closer to you!¡±

    ¡°The flowers I sent you, the words I said to you, and the night you almost got raped... it was all fake!¡±

    ¡°I even slept with you for the past year just to force you to abort it!¡±

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for these thoughts, did you think I would go after you? Sleep with you? Did you really think that I, Han Zhifan, the young master of THE Han family would ever choose you, an author?!¡±

    ¡°Do you know that if I randomly picked out one of the girls by my side, they¡¯d all have better qualities than you? Their backgrounds are better, they look better, and they dress better than you. Of course,pared to your dead a** shy-self in bed, they would actually make me feel good...¡±

    ¡°Stop! I beg you, stop! Stop! I¡¯m begging for you to stop...¡± She did end up crying. Her tears looked like a broken string of pearls, falling one after the other.

    Han Zhifan really stopped and said no more.

    He stared at the cascading tears down her face for a while without the least bit of sympathy in his cold, hardened eyes. Even his voice seemed to match his merciless expression. ¡°I¡¯ll have my secretary watch you all the way as you abort the baby. I suggest you don¡¯t y games with me. If I find out you disobey me, it won¡¯t be as simple as going to the hospital for surgery!¡±

    After he said this, Han Zhifan pulled Cheng Weiwan back and threw her against the wall. Without turning back, he headed back into his apartment.

    He didn¡¯t shut the doors but strode right over to the sofa, grabbed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s bag and threw it at her. Without saying a thing or looking at her, he headed back into his apartment and mmed the door shut.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi was only able to bump into He Jichen because of Cheng Weiwan.

    The next day was April 1st, her day off.

    That day happened to be a weekend, so she didn¡¯t go to school but headed back home.

    After she woke up in the morning, there wasn¡¯t much for her to do, so Ji Yi grabbed the script and memorized her lines.

    Halfway in, she realized the script was a little odd and not quite fluid, so she grabbed her phone and called Cheng Weiwan.

    She wasn¡¯t sure what Cheng Weiwan was doing, but after the phone rang for a long time, nobody picked up.

    Recently, Ji Yi and Cheng Weiwan saw each other a lot more on the set of ¡°Jiuchong Pce.¡± Ji Yi had been feeling like something was off with hertely, but she wasn¡¯t sure what it was. Now that she suddenly wasn¡¯t picking up her phone, Ji Yi was a little worried. Seeing as she was free, she changed, grabbed the script, and went over to Cheng Weiwan¡¯s house.

 Chapter 653

    Chapter 653: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She pressed the doorbell for ages but no one opened the door.

    Just when Ji Yi thought Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t home and was about to leave, the tightly-shut door opened.

    Ji Yi raised her head and was shocked at how pale Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face was. Ji Yi waspletely stunned for a moment but two secondster, she said, ¡°Wanwan, what¡¯s wrong? You look terrible. Are you sick?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan wanted to force a smile for Ji Yi, but it made her want to cry even more. In the end, she just shook her head and said in an unbelievably hoarse voice, ¡°No.¡±

    When she finished, Cheng Weiwan moved aside to let Ji Yi into the apartment.

    Ji Yi removed her shoes. She couldn¡¯t help but ask worriedly, ¡°Then what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan acted as though she hadn¡¯t heard what Ji Yi said. She poured her a ss of water and handed it to Ji Yi. Then she asked what was on her mind, ¡°Xiao Yi, why did youe over?¡±

    Ji Yi could tell Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t want to talk about it, so she intuitively didn¡¯t ask her any more questions about it. She first said ¡°Thanks¡± then took the ss of water and continued to answer her question. ¡°It¡¯s the script ¨C I think there¡¯s a problem with it. Was there some mistake when it was printing...¡±

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t finished her sentence when the phone Cheng Weiwan casually threw on the sofa rang.

    When Ji Yi heard it, she instinctively turned her head to nce at the phone. She couldn¡¯t read the words on the screen but figured it was a text message.

    Cheng Weiwan looked over at the phone too, but as the phone was close to her, she could clearly read the words on the screen. All of a sudden, she froze.

    Sensing that something was wrong, Ji Yi furrowed her brows. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan heard what she said and looked a little more normal. She didn¡¯t reply, but grabbed her phone, unlocked the screen and clicked the message she received.

    It was from Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary. ¡°Miss Cheng, I contacted the hospital and arranged the operation for next Wednesday. You need to go to the hospital the day after tomorrow for a checkup. See what time¡¯s suitable for you and I¡¯ll pick you up.¡±

    Han Zhifan sure moves fast... The things he said to me yesterday are all taken care of this afternoon...

    Cheng Weiwan stared at her phone, clearly without much change in her facial expression, but Ji Yi still felt like something was wrong. She stared at her for a while then Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but cry, ¡°Wanwan?¡±

    ¡°About the script...¡± Cheng Weiwan instantly snapped back to her senses. ¡°...Let¡¯s talk about it when we get back to the studio tomorrow. Xiao Yi, are you freeter this afternoon? If you¡¯re not busy, how about we go for a couple drinks?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was clearly smiling as she spoke, but Ji Yi felt like her smile was sadder than if she was crying.

    She wasn¡¯t stupid; Ji Yi knew something must¡¯ve happened to Cheng Weiwan. She wanted to ask but she felt that if Cheng Weiwan wanted to say something, she would have. In this very moment, she just needed someone to stay with her, so she nodded in reply and said, ¡°Alright.¡±

    Now that she thought about it, it was strange that Cheng Weiwan clearly asked to go to the bar for two drinks, but when they got there, she ordered a ss of fresh orange juice instead.

    Ji Yi saw that Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t drinking, so she didn¡¯t order alcohol either and went with a ss of orange juice too.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t look like she was going to say anything, so Ji Yi stayed silently by her side.

    Time went by slowly, but it was still early in the evening ¨C Ji Yi figured that sitting around wasn¡¯t a solid n. If Cheng Weiwan was in a bad mood, maybe she could find something to get her mind off things, so Ji Yi suggested, ¡°Wanwan, are you hungry? How about I treat you to something to eat?¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if Cheng Weiwan heard her, but after she noticed Ji Yi was talking to her, she gave her a stiff nod.

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll go to the bathroom first. You wait here and I¡¯ll be right back.¡±

    Ji Yi waited for Cheng Weiwan to nod before she grabbed her phone and went to the restroom.

    As Ji Yi stepped out of the restroom and was ready to go back to Cheng Weiwan, a drunk middle-aged man walked right up to her. She was about to walk around the middle-aged man when he reached his arm out and grabbed her wrist. ¡°Miss, how much for a night?¡±

    Crazy... secretly cursed Ji Yi.

    Because the only women in the bar were her and Cheng Weiwan, she didn¡¯t want to cause trouble. Instinctively, all she wanted to do was quickly pull her hand back, act as though that never happened, and leave.

    But after she struggled out of the man¡¯s grip, she only took two steps forward before the middle-aged man grabbed her wrist again. ¡°Miss, don¡¯t go! I can pay...¡±

    As he said this, the middle-aged man pulled out some money from his pockets and tried to shove it down her shirt.

    ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?!¡± blurted Ji Yi as she quickly retreated backward. Who knew that she would identally bump into someone¡¯s firm chest.

 Chapter 654

    Chapter 654: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    A familiar scent instantly enveloped her from behind.

    Ji Yi was stunned for a moment, thinking it was an illusion. She was stunned for a moment but then turned her head back.

    He Jichen happened to be looking back at her with his head lowered, wearing a white shirt.

    Ji Yi was stunned again when their gazes suddenly met then she asked in disbelief, ¡°Howe you¡¯re here?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes quivered slightly when he heard Ji Yi¡¯s voice, but he didn¡¯t reply to what she said. Instead, he reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back behind him. Then he raised his head and looked at the drunk middle-aged man ahead.

    The middle-aged man stared at He Jichen who popped out of nowhere and said in annoyance, ¡°Who are you? I saw thisdy first. Even if you want some, firste first serve...¡±

    Before the middle-aged man could finish, He Jichen punched him hard on the face.

    The middle-aged man was pushed two steps back by the punch as his words turned into a shriek. He felt some wetness in his nostrils, quickly followed by a trickle of hot liquid. He instinctively raised his hand to wipe his nose and saw the red on his fingers. Then he started screeching, making a fuss about nothing. ¡°I¡¯m telling you... it¡¯s a crime to hit someone. When the police get here, they¡¯ll fine you at least a thousand, no that¡¯s not right...¡±

    As the middle-aged man spoke, he pointed over at Ji Yi, who He Jichen dragged behind him. ¡°... I¡¯ll also report thatdy, so it won¡¯t be as simple as a thousand. They¡¯ll keep ya¡¯ll in custody...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fist smashed into the middle-aged man¡¯s face hard again.

    This time, he didn¡¯t give him any chance to ease up. After the punchnded, he grabbed his cor and punched him violently again.

    He Jichen punched the middle-aged man six whole times before he stopped.

    He clutched the middle-aged man¡¯s cor and stared at the blue, swollen face he just punched. Then his tone of voice turned cold. ¡°A thousand yuan per punch? Do you want me to give you three more punches to make it even?¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen raised his hand again.

    By instinct, the middle-aged man raised his hands to cover his head then started to shake his head.

    ¡°Apologize!¡± He Jichen pushed the middle-aged man in front of Ji Yi.

    The middle-aged man didn¡¯t say anything, so He Jichen raised his foot and kicked him, almost making him crouch in front of Ji Yi. ¡°Apologize!¡±

    The middle-aged man was so afraid that he trembled with fear and immediately cried out, ¡°Sorry!¡±

    With that, the middle-aged man was afraid He Jichen was going to hit him again as he ran over to Ji Yi¡¯s side.

    The middle-aged man drank too much ¨C he ran while swaying back and forth and bumped into the wall, making a ¡°Dong!¡± sound.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but nce back at the middle-aged man as he disappeared around the corner, into the restrooms. Then she turned her head and looked over at He Jichen.

    There was blood on his hands. It must¡¯ve been blood from the middle-aged man¡¯s nose.

    Ji Yi pulled out some tissues from her pocket and handed them to He Jichen.

    He Jichen was stunned for a moment until Ji Yi¡¯s gaze fell to his hands again. That was when he noticed the blood and quickly took the tissue. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said in a quiet voice.

    He raised his head while wiping his hands then looked at Ji Yi, who was standing in front of him.

 Chapter 655

    Chapter 655: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Having not seen her for a while, it looked like she¡¯d lost quite a lot of weight... Is she tired out by filming?

    While He Jichen wiped his hands in front of Ji Yi, her eyes scanned his body non-stop.

    A while back, Zhuang Yi sent her a video. Ji Yi could tell with just one nce that he had lost weight. She never imagined he would show up tonight. He actually looked skinnier than she imagined... Is he tired out from working?

    With that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s gaze couldn¡¯t help but drift over to He Jichen again.

    Thinking of her too, He Jichen nced over at Ji Yi again. Their gazes happened to cross and meet dead on.

    He Jichen stopped wiping his hands for a moment then continued to slowly wipe his hands. Then he repeated the question she asked him when they saw each other again. ¡°Howe you¡¯re here?¡±

    ¡°Oh...¡± Ji Yi replied instinctively. She hurriedly snapped out of her thoughts about He Jichen¡¯s body and replied, ¡°... I don¡¯t know what happened, but Wanwan¡¯s been in a particrly bad moodtely. I wanted to see her and ask her something about the script, but she asked me to go out with her for a bit, so we came here.¡±

    Knowing exactly why Cheng Weiwan was in a terrible mood, He Jichen let out a ¡°Mmmm.¡± He didn¡¯t speak out of turn and chucked the tissue in the trash can after wiping his hands.

    At the mention of ¡°Wanwan,¡± Ji Yi remembered Cheng Weiwan was still waiting for her at the bar.

    She spent quite a bit of time there because of the drunk man. What if Cheng Weiwan¡¯s waiting anxiously for me...? At that thought, Ji Yi asked, ¡°And you? Are you meeting a friend here?¡±

    ¡°Uh huh.¡± With that, He Jichen stared unwaveringly at Ji Yi then realized his answer was too half-hearted, so he added, ¡°To talk a bit about business.¡±

    So he¡¯s here for work, not for fun... Ji Yi thought about He Jichen countless times every day, but she didn¡¯t dare to go see him. Now that she bumped into him, she really wanted to look at him a little longer, but Cheng Weiwan was waiting for her and she didn¡¯t want to get in the way of his business. She stared at He Jichen for a while then smiled. ¡°You better get back to work then. Wanwan is still inside waiting for me.¡±

    ¡°Where do you want to go eat? I¡¯ll have Chen Bai take you girls.¡± He Jichen turned around and walked into the bar.

    Ji Yi walked also. ¡°No thanks. Wanwan and I will call a taxi...¡±

    Hearing Ji Yi¡¯s rejection, He Jichen realized he misspoke, so he added, ¡°I just finished work, so I was just getting ready to leave.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see...¡± Ji Yi stopped mid-sentence.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say much else.

    The two of them walked one after the other into the bar.

    Chen Bai had already settled the bill and was holding He Jichen¡¯s jacket as he stood at the entrance, waiting for him.

    Seeing He Jichen enter, he immediately cried ¡°Mr. He¡± then he saw Ji Yi. He was surprised for a second then he quickly said, ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi replied to Chen Bai with a smile then instinctively looked over to where she was sitting earlier.

    The table was empty. Aside from two empty sses of orange juice there, Cheng Weiwan had left.

    Ji Yi wanted to greet Chen Bai, but the words instantly stopped in her mouth. She surveyed the whole bar but couldn¡¯t find Cheng Weiwan.

 Chapter 656

    Chapter 656: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    That was when Ji Yi started to get worried. She hurriedly ran over to the bar counter, pointed at her table and anxiously asked the server, ¡°Excuse me, did you see where the woman sitting at that table went?¡±

    The server heard what Ji Yi said and stopped what he was doing. He looked towards the direction of her finger and back at Ji Yi like she recognized her. Without saying a word, he grabbed a note from the table and handed it to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi stared at the note in confusion for a while then picked it up.

    She opened it up to see a message from Cheng Weiwan. ¡°Xiao Yi, I wanted to be alone for a bit, so I left first. Sorry.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan actually left on her own. She was in a terrible mood; she couldn¡¯t be hiding somewhere to cry, could she?

    With that thought, she politely said ¡°thanks¡± to the server and reached for her phone to call Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t pick up her phone. Just as Ji Yi was about to call again, she got a text message from Cheng Weiwan: ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯m fine. You don¡¯t need to call me.¡±

    Ji Yi knew Cheng Weiwan wouldn¡¯t pick up if she called again, so she tapped on her keyboard and replied with one line: ¡°You have to take care. If you need anything, call me at any time.¡±

    ¡°Ok, thanks.¡±

    Ji Yi replied with a hug emoji then stared at her phone screen for a while. She didn¡¯t wait for Cheng Weiwan¡¯s message, knowing that she wouldn¡¯t reply.

    Ji Yi put her phone away, a little worried. She then raised her head and happened to catch He Jichen and Chen Bai walking over to her.

    ¡°Miss Ji, what happened?¡± asked Chen Bai.

    ¡°It¡¯s Wanwan...¡± Ji Yi waved the note in her hand but spoke to He Jichen who stopped and stared at her. ¡°... She left a note and left on her own.¡±

    ¡°So scriptwriter Cheng was here. Is she...¡±

    Knowing what happened with Cheng Weiwan, Chen Bai naturally wanted to express a few words of concern, but before he could finish by saying ¡°alright?¡±, He Jichen tly interrupted him: ¡°And what about you?¡±

    Ji Yi was stunned by He Jichen¡¯s question. A few secondster, she realized what He Jichen meant. With Cheng Weiwan gone, what was she going to do since she made ns to have dinner with Cheng Weiwan?

    Ji Yi wanted to ask He Jichen to eat with her, but then she thought about He Yuguang and He Jichen¡¯s marriage certificate and couldn¡¯t bring herself to ask.

    ¡°If you¡¯re not doing anything in the evening, how about we have dinner together?¡± asked He Jichen when he saw that Ji Yi wasn¡¯t moving or saying anything.

    It was so difficult for them to bump into each other. Even though Ji Yi knew that the closer she got to He Jichen, the more she would suffer, she still hesistated for two seconds before smiling at He Jichen. ¡°Sure.¡±

    ¡°What do you want to eat?¡± He Jichen nced outsid the bar and waited for Ji Yi to walk ahead before he raised his feet.

    ¡°Anything.¡± Ji Yi replied with the universal answer, but deep down, she secretly thought: As long as I can eat with you, I¡¯ll be happy eating anything.

    ¨C

    In the end, He Jichen took Ji Yi to a new Thai restaurant near YR za and her parent¡¯s house.

 Chapter 657

    Chapter 657: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In the end, He Jichen took Ji Yi to a new Thai restaurant near YR za and her parent¡¯s house.

    The car stopped outside the restaurant doors. Chen Bai quickly got out of the car and walked around the front of the car. He didn¡¯t help He Jichen and Ji Yi open the door but walked over to the valet.

    Through the darkly-tinted car windows, Ji Yi watched Chen Bai say a few words to the valet then handed him the car keys.

    Ji Yi knew Chen Bai was asking the valet to help them park the car.

    After the valet got ahold of the keys, Chen Bai turned around, walked over to the side fo the car, and pulled the passenger car door open.

    When He Jichen and Ji Yi got out of the car one after the other, Chen Bai said, ¡°Mr. He, Miss Ji, the table has already been booked. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving first.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but nodded slightly at Chen Bai.

    When Chen Bai said ¡°goodbye,¡± Ji Yi smiled and said goodbye.

    Without waiting for Chen Bai to leave, He Jichen and Ji Yi stepped into the restaurant.

    The restaurant was really big and very elegantly furnished with a lot of space between the tables.

    Maybe it was because the restaurant was recently opened that quite a few people were there to try the food. Despite the sea of people, everyone spoke quietly. Aside from the background violin music ying, there weren¡¯t any ear-piercing, annoying sounds.

    He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s table happened to be next to a window.

    After the two of them took their seats facing each other, a tall waiter arrived with menus.

    Ji Yi ced her order and the waiter confirmed it with her as He Jichen flipped through his menu and added two more dishes.

    After the waiter left, Ji Yi picked up the ss of water in front of her and drank over half the water before she nced at He Jichen and said, ¡°I heard from Zhuang Yi that you¡¯ve been very busytely?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded He Jichen. His slender fingertips wrapped around the teacup in front of him and slowly slid around the cup. Then he added, ¡°There are a lot of things I¡¯ve had to handle recently.¡±

    ¡°Is there some kind of new drama to prepare for?¡± asked Ji Yi casually.

    He Jichen wanted to instinctively reply ¡°No,¡± but the words stopped in his mouth.

    He was busy handling situations regarding her, but he didn¡¯t want her to know about it.

    He Jichen gently pursed his lips and put it in a different way: ¡°That¡¯s a n, but it¡¯s not set in stone.¡±

    Actually Ji Yi wasn¡¯t worried about how busy He Jichen ,was; she was worried about his condition, so she only replied with an ¡°Mhm¡± when she heard his answer. ¡°Work is important, but health is even more important. You look like you¡¯ve recently lost a lot of weight.¡±

    Is she worrying about me? Something I used to never dare dream of is now actuallying true...

    In the past, he would¡¯ve been ridiculously happy, but now, he felt an indescribable sense of pain and difort.

    As she was bing the woman he wished for, he had to leave her...

    With his eyes lowered, He Jichen felt something stuck in his throat and he stayed quiet for a while then he looked up at Ji Yi. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because he spoke quietly, but his voice sounded quite gentle. ¡°You too. You look like you¡¯ve recently lost a lot of weight.¡±

    After he said that, He Jichen thought about how he rushed the shoot for ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± by quite a few weeks and asked, ¡°Are there too many filmingmitments?¡±

 Chapter 658

    Chapter 658: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Filming was tiring but before the filming, she was already losing weight because of him...

    Deep down, Ji Yi was just about to say that when she heard He Jichen speak again. ¡°If it¡¯s too much, I¡¯ll tell Chen Bai to call the studio and make some changes...¡±

    Before He Jichen could finish, Ji Yi hurriedly shook her head at He Jichen. ¡°Filming¡¯s just fine. Before filming, I lost some weight on purpose to look better on camera.¡±

    He Jichen responded with an ¡°Mhm¡± and took back what he was about to say. After some time, he continued by saying, ¡°You weren¡¯t fat before and you look really pretty on camera anyway.¡±

    She was a woman, after all, so Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but form a slight smile after hearing himpliment her. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Her teeth were perfect, so when she smiled with her arched eyes, her whole face looked like a blooming flower. She looked particrly beautiful.

    He Jichen stared at Ji Yi¡¯s blooming smile with an indescribable sense of grief.

    He was afraid that in the near future, he¡¯d only be able to see such a beautiful smile in his dreams.

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen¡¯s eyes looking at her without blinking or any reaction. She couldn¡¯t help but furrow her brows slightly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    When he heard Ji Yi¡¯s voice, He Jichen suddenly snapped back to his senses and shook his head at Ji Yi. ¡°Nothing,¡± replied He Jichen nonchntly.

    Practically without pausing, he moved his lips and said, ¡°In the future, don¡¯t lose weight for filming again. Your health is most important. What¡¯s more, after you woke up from youra, your health isn¡¯t as good as ordinary people.¡±

    As they were chatting, the waiter served all the dishes to their table.

    Ji Yi raised her chopsticks and picked up the curry crab, but she suddenly stopped when she heard He Jichen finish his sentence.

    After waking up from my three-yeara, my health is considerably worsepared to ordinary people... But nobody aside from myself, my parents, my doctors, and nurses know about that...

    What¡¯s more, in the three years I was in aa, He Jichen never kept in contact with me. After we reunited, I never mentioned this, so how could he have known?

    As that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, her fingers gripping her chopsticks tightened slightly and she couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°How did you know?¡±

    Ji Yi asked so suddenly that He Jichen didn¡¯t know what she was talking about for a moment and let out an ¡°Mhm¡± with confusion in his eyes.

    ¡°I mean, how did you know that since I woke up, my health is a lot worsepared to ordinary people?¡± Ji Yi rephrased her question to make it a little clearer.

    He Jichen suddenly realized that he identally let out a secret only he knew.

    Just as He Jichen wondered how to exin it to Ji Yi, she thought of a possibility and asked, ¡°Yuguang Ge told you, right?¡±

    He Yuguang... My older brother. How could she have gotten me mixed up with my older brother?

    He Jichen twitched his brows and the confusion in his eyes deepened.

    Could I have guessed wrong?

    But aside from seeing He Yuguang once a month, other people, including He Jichen, wouldn¡¯t know about this...

    Or maybe He Jichen didn¡¯t really understand what I just said?

 Chapter 659

    Chapter 659: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    With that thought, Ji Yi said, ¡°When I was in aa, Yuguang Ge came to visit me once a month. Not many people knew about my condition, so I think the only person who could¡¯ve told you would most probably be Yuguang Ge. That¡¯s why I asked...¡±

    When He Jichen heard this, he finally understood what was going on.

    Ji Yi knew someone came to visit her once a month while she was in aa, but she got the wrong person...

    It¡¯s just... when exactly did she assume He Yuguang was the person who visited her?

    He Jichen was silent for a while then asked, ¡°How did you know He Yuguang visited you while you were in aa?¡±

    ¡°Because of a piece of jade...¡± Ji Yi came clean with everything.

    Every single word Ji Yi slowly said fell into He Jichen¡¯s ears. He couldn¡¯t help but reach his hand out and plunge it into his pocket to touch the broken corner of his jade.

    That piece of jade was the one he identally dropped and broke in front of her hospital bed back when he visited her.

    A corner was missing, a very little one. He always figured that no one would notice, but he never imagined that Ji Yi¡¯s nurse would coincidentally find it and give it to her.

    It was no wonder that when she twisted her ankle, she took a photo of the jade he identally left at her hotel room when he rushed to Yunnan overnight as He Yuguang and asked him if it was his. After he replied with yes, she asked a few questions about the jade...

    At the time, he wondered why she was so concerned about the jade. Now that he thought about it, Ji Yi knew long ago that the owner of the jade came to visit her every month. She just made guesses to confirm if what she knew about the broken jade was true... So by ident, he let her believe her visitor was a different person...

    It was almost like from that moment, her and his impressions of ¡°He Yuguang¡± became a lot closer...

    Ji Yi continued by saying, ¡°... If I didn¡¯t happen to see that piece of jade, I wouldn¡¯t have known Yuguang Ge came to visit me every month for three years while I was in mya. In those three years, I think that aside from my parents, the only person in the world who never forgot about me was Yuguang Ge...¡±

    The only person in the world who never forgot about me...

    So the owner of the jade is this important to her.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers instinctively clutched the jade in his pocket.

    If she knew that she got everything wrong and that the person who visited her every month wasn¡¯t He Yuguang, but him, He Jichen... Then would he really be that important in her heart?

    But the video in Qian Ge¡¯s possession...

    He Jichen couldn¡¯t help but grip onto the jade more tightly. The edges of the jade cut into his palms, but there wasn¡¯t the slightest hint of him loosening his grip.

    Her future was bright and gleaming with infinite possibilities. She was the woman he truly loved, so he didn¡¯t allow her to have any stains on her life. Even though her current stain was him, he hated that it existed...

    So he should just ept her misunderstanding and leave it be.

    He Jichen looked at Ji Yi. After waiting for her to finish speaking, he then said, ¡°So because of the jade, you found out that...¡±

    He Jichen paused for a moment. Without saying those three words ¡°He Yuguang,¡± he actually reced it with the word ¡°he¡±: ¡°... he came to visit you.¡±

 Chapter 660

    Chapter 660: Do You Know Who I Have A Crush On? (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    This allowed him to believe his own lies onest time.

    The ¡°he¡± that he said for her to hear was He Yuguang.

    The ¡°he¡± that he said for himself to hear was He Jichen.

    Ji Yi heard He Jichen say this and knew she guessed right. It really was He Yuguang who told him about her poor physical condition.

    Ji Yi frowned as He Jichen let out an ¡°Mhm¡± then lowered her head. She put the food in her chopsticks into her mouth and chewed. She didn¡¯t know what was going on, but deep down, something didn¡¯t feel right.

    Ji Yi¡¯s brows couldn¡¯t help but slowly furrow as she slowly stopped chewing.

    She bit her chopsticks and seriously thought about it for a while. She felt something was off with He Jichen, who was sitting in front of her. She instinctively raised her eyes and looked over at He Jichen.

    His handsomeplexion seemed dull. She stared deeply and peacefully into his eyes across the table.

    He Jichen seemed no different from any other day, but Ji Yi realized that the sense of unease she felt inside was growing more intense.

    Ji Yi pursed her lips slightly, put her chopsticks down and softly said, ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    As she said this, He Jichen fluttered his eyshes and noticed the anxiety in her eyes.

    Ji Yi knew it was a sign he was snapping out of his daze, so she added, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± He Jichen shook his head sluggishly as his gaze was still locked onto Ji Yi. He stared at her for a while. Then, just as Ji Yi was about to speak, He Jichen spoke slowly and softly in an elegant voice from across the table: ¡°Xiao Yi, though you really like hot and spicy soup, you should try to cut down if you can.¡±

    Ji Yi looked back at He Jichen in astonishment and said, ¡°Why did you suddenly bring that up?¡±

    ¡°No reason. We were just talking about how your health isn¡¯t great and I suddenly remembered you liked that soup.¡± He Jichen said it so nonchntly but he felt his heart was bleeding.

    He was saying ¡°goodbye¡± to her... He didn¡¯t n on telling her all this, but he just couldn¡¯t help himself since they happened to bump into each other and talk about her health.

    So He Jichen stared at me, deep in thought, just to say that?

    Is he caring and worrying about me?

    She felt an inconceivable sense of sweetness inside and let out a tender ¡°Oh¡± as her lips couldn¡¯t help but smile.

    ¡°Also, don¡¯t always stay upte. It¡¯s not good for you.¡±

    Her mother often nagged her like that too. She thought it was annoying, but it was different nowing from He Jichen¡¯s mouth. Ji Yi happily allowed her grip to soften around her chopsticks.

    ¡°Eat less things like ice cream. A woman should learn how to cherish and take care of herself.¡±

    ¡°Remember to eat more fruit, and eat it even if you don¡¯t like it. Those VC vitamins don¡¯t have as much nutrients as fruit.¡±

    ¡°You have a gym card, so remember to go more often. It can¡¯t be bad for you.¡±

    ¡°Three meals a day. You have to eat your meals on time and don¡¯t wait till you¡¯re hungry before you go find something to eat...¡±

    Ji Yi listened to every piece of He Jichen¡¯s instructions with joy filling up her chest. She gradually felt indescribably moved.

    She stared at He Jichen under the soft restaurant candlelights; hisplexion looked radiant. Without realizing it, she suddenly interrupted him: ¡°He Jichen, do you know who I have a crush on?¡±

 Chapter 661

    Chapter 661: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen was stunned by Ji Yi¡¯s sudden question. Two secondster, he silently stared at her, unable to look away. Then he let out an ¡°Mhm?¡±

    Ji Yi said what she did without thinking straight.

    After she blurted out those words, she realized what she actually said.

    Thankfully she didn¡¯tpletely lose it by actually telling him who she had a crush on.

    Ji Yi was secretly d inside as she thought about how to reply to He Jichen.

    After she heard his ¡°Mhm?¡±, Ji Yi instinctively wanted to say that the person she had a crush on was the Li Xiaobai from her game.

    But as the words reached her lips, she suddenly nced over at the restaurant¡¯s clock not too far from where she was. The date disyed was April first. Then she instinctively swallowed her words back down.

    Today was April fool¡¯s day. In senior high school, no matter if it was a prank or the truth, many people chose April fool¡¯s day to confess.

    He was married now and she was once married to He Yuguang. They had no hope of being together.

    But he was the first person shepletely loved deeply... Could she use the old way to tell him the truth like it was a prank?

    The thought just crossed Ji Yi¡¯s mind as she looked into He Jichen¡¯s eyes then said, ¡°If you don¡¯t know, please go back and think about the first three words I said earlier.¡±

    The first three words she said earlier were: He Jichen.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers around the teacup softly trembled for a moment then he quickly put the cup to his mouth and used the tea to hide the panic and shock in his heart.

    Their table was silent.

    About half a minute passed when Ji Yi smirked and exined, ¡°Today is April first...¡±

    When he heard the date, He Jichen instantly came to a sudden realization.

    Today was April fool¡¯s day and she was pranking him...

    Disappointment and regret quickly overcame his racing heart.

    He Jichen took big gulps before he elegantly and slowly put the teacup down on the table gently. Then he stared at Ji Yi and asked, ¡°Do you know what¡¯s a coincidence?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to reply but stared transfixed at her and continued to say, ¡°It¡¯s how I never thought I would fall in love with you, but I did.¡±

    His voice sounded so good. There was a serious tone in his voice that made Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly stop.

    She looked back at him as though she was frozen, sluggish to react in any way.

    After he finished, he also stared silently back at her.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if it was just an illusion, but Ji Yi felt like He Jichen¡¯s gaze was really piercing. It seemed like he could read her mind at that very moment.

    She suddenly felt a little flustered and was about to avert her gaze from him when a smile spread across the serious look on his face. ¡°Ji Yi, happy April fool¡¯s day.¡±

    So, he¡¯s copying me and took the same out... Ah right, he¡¯s married ¨C why would he confess his love to me?

    Ji Yi was clearly disappointed, but she tried her hardest to smile. To make herself look wless, she picked up the teacup and reached over to He Jichen. Using tea as wine for a toast, she replied, ¡°He Jichen, happy April fool¡¯s day!¡±

 Chapter 662

    Chapter 662: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but raised his cup and clinked Ji Yi¡¯s. Then the two of them simultaneously brought the cups to their mouths.

    While drinking the tea, Ji Yi shut her eyes to cover the emotions in them.

    He Jichen, Happy April fool¡¯s day, but the words I just said weren¡¯t meant to fool anyone.

    ¡°He Jichen, do you know who I have a crush on? If you don¡¯t know, please go back and think about the first three words I said earlier.¡±

    He Jichen, the person I have a crush on is you.

    While the cup touched his lips, He Jichen instinctively lowered his eyes as sadness crept into his heart.

    Ji Yi, Happy April fool¡¯s day, but what I just said wasn¡¯t a lie.

    ¡°Do you know what¡¯s a coincidence? It¡¯s how I never thought I would fall in love with you, but I did.¡±

    Ji Yi, the person I love deeply is you.

    ¨C

    After Cheng Weiwan left the bar, she hailed a taxi from the sidewalk and headed to the courtyard of Nancheng.

    Last year, after she almost got raped, the courtyards of Nancheng became a no-go zone.

    It¡¯d been a long time since the incident. Coming back here, Cheng Weiwan realized that her fear hadn¡¯t decreased in the slightest.

    In the past, after she thought about the near-rape and how she got frightened, Cheng Weiwan would think about Han Zhifan, then the fear would turn into happiness.

    But now, all she had was fear and all that was left was a heart-wrenching pain.

    Cheng Weiwan stared deep into the alleys of the courtyard for a long time before she could summon the courage to step in.

    As she drew closer and closer to where it almost happened, Cheng Weiwan walked slower and slower. Her chest also grew stifled.

    When there was about ten meters left, Cheng Weiwan came to a stop.

    She stared straight ahead, transfixed at the empty alley for a long while. Then she held her breath and walked forward.

    That day, the man pushed her against the wall, tore off her clothes, and touched her skin...

    As the image shed across Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes, she started to shiver softly.

    Just as she thought she was done for, the man stopped and let go of her. Deep in fear once again, she wasn¡¯tpletely awake, but she heard moring from around her. It wasn¡¯t until Xiao Yi cried her name that she raised her head and stared into that direction in astonishment...

    Cheng Weiwan walked towards the direction she was staring at. After just a few steps, she crouched down and touched the dirty ground with her fingertips.

    Han Zhifanid here with blood beneath his head. She stared at him with quivering lips.

    If Ji Yi hadn¡¯t called her name, she wouldn¡¯t have known to check his pulse and wrap his wound.

    It was that night when she threw her heart to him on that very part of the ground.

    Cheng Weiwan crouched on the ground for a long time and didn¡¯t get up until it turned dark.

    She waited until the numbness in her leg disappeared before she left the courtyard, hailed a taxi and headed to the hospital.

    As she reached the hospital, Cheng Weiwan counted the floors and hospital room numbers. Then she stopped outside the room Han Zhifan stayed in back then.

    Right now, there was a different patient inside as the lights were on and a silhouette brushed against the window.

    The first time she ever stayed alone in a room with a man was in that very hospital room.

 Chapter 663

    Chapter 663: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan stared at the window of the patient room in a daze, just as she did in the courtyard. After standing there for over an hour, she then went to the next location ¨C the Four Seasons Hotel.

    She didn¡¯t book a room but took the elevator up to the top floor and walked to room 1002. She stared at the tightly shut door and fell deep in thought like an unflinching wooden mannequin.

    He made ns to meet her there on her birthday.

    At first, she didn¡¯t know he prepared to celebrate her birthday.

    He definitely didn¡¯t know it would be her first birthday celebration and first birthday cake despite the fact she didn¡¯t like to eat sweet things. The next day, she insisted on happily eating the whole birthday cake even though after she left the hotel, she hid alone in the restroom and vomited. However, she was truly really happy ¨C so happy that it felt like she had the world.

    That night, she truly fell in love with him.

    So when he asked her ¡°Can I?¡± she nodded lightly.

    That was her first time. It really hurt. It hurt so bad that tears fell but her heart was unbelievably warm.

    Later, they got together.

    He didn¡¯t know just how excited she was when he gave her the keys to his apartment.

    He clearly hired a nanny but Ji Yi still did many things herself.

    It was because she liked him. She truly liked him, so she willingly washed his clothes, cooked for him, cleaned for him, and changed his sheets...

    And it was in this apartment where she got pregnant with his baby.

    Obviously she had a home to go to, but it felt like she didn¡¯t. After she found out she was pregnant and decided to have the baby, she walked all the way from the hospital to his office fantasizing about all types of beautiful possibilities for the future. In that moment, she looked at her familiar city of Beijing and felt like she finally had a family in this city.

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan turned around and left the Four Seasons Hotel.

    She walked down the street by the moat.

    En route, she thought about the many, many things he said to her.

    ¡°Heading back to the hotel? Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m more than willing to serve the woman I fell in love with at first sight.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t get a taxi here. If you trust me, get on. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll get off and piggyback you to your hotel...¡±

    ¡°Or who¡¯s to say ¨C maybe you really want me to piggyback you back home?¡±

    ¡°Although I¡¯m a little disappointed that I can¡¯t piggyback you back to the hotel, to be able to cycle you back also makes me happy.¡±

    ¡°Please get on the bike, girl I like.¡±

    ¡°Why did you choose to write?¡±

    ¡°Are all you girls who write books so ssy?¡±

    ¡°How did youe up with so many stories?¡±

    ¡°Will you consider writing about me in your story?¡±

    ¡°Do you like me? If not, I¡¯ll teach you.¡±

    ¡°Let me give you a suggestion. Be with me.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    As she thought and thought, Cheng Weiwan covered her mouth and started to cry on the main road.

    You clearly said I¡¯m the girl you liked. How did I be the only one in love in the end?

    You clearly said that if I didn¡¯t know how to like you, you¡¯d teach me. But why did you not want me after you taught me to like you?

    You clearly suggested that I be with you. I did as you said, but why did you leave me all alone?

 Chapter 664

    Chapter 664: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Do you know what it means to give you my first love, first kiss, and first time ¨C all my firsts?

    Did you know I was willing to tell you everything because you made me feel safe for the first time in my life?

    Did you know that I truly, truly, truly loved you? I loved you until now, when I learned that everything, everything, everything about us was fake, yet I still can¡¯t help but love you still...

    Han Zhifan, did you know?!

    Did you know?!

    Cheng Weiwan sobbed out loud.

    It was still early, so there were a bunch of people passing by. The passerby would often look back at her, but not a single person stopped to check on her.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know just how long she cried for, but she only stopped when she felt her mouth dry up.

    She didn¡¯t stand up but buried her head between her knees and cried silently.

    Nearby, someone yed a song.

    ¡°Never me nor regret, walk until physically and mentally exhausted, love was a whole misunderstanding, pain is a type of practice.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan raised her head from her knees slightly and listened attention to the lyrics.

    ¡°Fromforting one another to being speechless, to endure or to retreat, they¡¯re sad all the same.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was transfixed by a leaf in front of her feet until the song finished. Then she slowly pulled out her phone from her pocket.

    She stared at the phone screen for a long time then unlocked it. She opened the text sent to her in the afternoon from Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary but didn¡¯t dare continue to read it. Instead, she swiftly tapped the keyboard and replied, ¡°Okay,e to my house tomorrow. I¡¯ll go with you to the doctor¡¯s for a check up.¡±

    Having sent the text message, Cheng Weiwan was about to put her phone away but she hesitated the second she locked the screen. Cheng Weiwan typed a few words then sent them off to Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary: ¡°Help me send him a message. I agree to abort the baby.¡±

    ¨C

    Tonight, Han Zhifan was a little busy.

    After work, it was already ten in the evening.

    He waved his hand to signal the secretary to leave his office. The secretary¡¯s phone got two notifications.

    As the secretary walked out, she pulled her phone out. Not knowing who sent the text, when the secretary finished reading, she stopped walking. She stood with her back towards him for a while before turning around. ¡°Mr. Han.¡±

    Han Zhifan got up, grabbed his jacket and was just putting it on when he said, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    The secretary was silent for a while then said, ¡°Miss Cheng sent a text message to say that I can pick her up tomorrow to go to the hospital for a check up.¡±

    Han Zhifan suddenly stopped midway through putting his jacket on.

    The room was silent for a good moment when the secretary added, ¡°Miss Cheng told me to tell you that she¡¯s agreeing to abort the baby.¡±

    When Han Zhifan heard the secretary speak again, he snapped out of his daze. He let out an ¡°oh¡± and continued to put on his jacket.

    The secretary said goodbye and left.

    Han Zhifan waited for the doors to shut then froze still like his pressure points were hit.

    ¨C

    April first, April fool¡¯s day. After Ji Yi and He Jichen had dinner, one continued to work at YC, while the other continued to film at the studio.

    Just like the period leading up to the dinner, neither of them tried to keep in contact.

    Ji Yi figured that the next time they met would be a chance encounter like that day, April first.

    But things happened beyond her expectations. On April fifteenth, she got a call from Chen Bai, asking her to drop by the office the next day at eight in the morning.

 Chapter 665

    Chapter 665: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ever since Ji Yi signed with YC, there were many times when if He Jichen didn¡¯t contact her directly, Zhuang Yi would be the one contacting her.

    It wasn¡¯t like Chen Bai never called her before, but it was so rare that she could count the times on one hand. After hanging up the call with Chen Bai, Ji Yi secretly felt a bad feeling creeping into her heart. She stood still on the spot with her phone in hand then stared at the busy studio nearby. She couldn¡¯t help but gently furrow her brows.

    Soon enough, a makeup artist ran over to her. ¡°Yi Jie, let me retouch your makeup.¡±

    Ji Yi hurriedly came back to her senses and politely replied to the makeup artist with a smile.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if she was overthinking things, but after she received Chen Bai¡¯s call, she felt a little distracted. However, because she was still filming, Ji Yi had to maintain a high level of concentration to avoid making mistakes.

    Today, Ji Yi didn¡¯t have many scenes but she was even more exhausted than if she had to film martial arts scenes all day.

    Completely drained, she went back to the hotel room close to the studio. Sheid on the bed but it was hard for her to fall asleep.

    The next day, Ji Yi climbed out of bed before six in the morning. She first gave a call to Zhuang Yi for her to get the car ready then walked into the bathroom to freshen up.

    On the way to YC, the traffic was considerably smooth as there weren¡¯t too many traffic jams.

    Mid-April, the willow trees on either side of Beijing¡¯s streets were all green, perfectly weing the spring flowers to bloom.

    Pedestrians put away their thick, heavy winter clothes. There were some women who liked to dress up and had already changed into beautiful dresses.

    Today¡¯s weather was unusually good; the skies were clear without a single gray cloud. The sun lit up the ground and brightened up the entire city.

    Ji Yi looked at the view outside the window. Since she received Chen Bai¡¯s call yesterday, every now and then, she got distracted or daydreamed.

    The car drove into the underground parking lot. Once the car was parked, Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi got out together and when they took the elevator up to the top floor, the CEO¡¯s office, it happened to be eight o¡¯clock.

    Chen Bai must¡¯ve been at the office for some time as the coffee on the desk was already half finished.

    He watched Ji Yi and Zhuang Yie over then immediately put down everything he was doing and got up. ¡°Morning Miss Ji,¡± he cried.

    Ji Yi replied with a smile and said, ¡°Morning.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji, let¡¯s go to the small conference room to talk.¡± As he said this, Chen Bai turned around and grabbed a file from the desk. Then he gestured over to the small conference room as if to wee Ji Yi.

    Zhuang Yi didn¡¯te in. There was just Ji Yi and Chen Bai in the small conference room.

    After Chen Bai signaled for Ji Yi to sit down, he walked out of the small conference room and cried ¡°Two coffees¡± towards the manager¡¯s office nearby.

    Soon enough, a new assistant from the manager¡¯s office carried a tray in and ced a cup of coffee in front of Ji Yi and the seat in front of her.

    Ji Yi stirred the coffee twice then picked it up. Just as she was about to put it to her mouth, the door to the small conference room opened again.

    Ji Yi thought it was He Jichen, so her fingers around her coffee involuntarily tightened. Then she looked over to find that it was Chen Bai who just walked in.

    ¡°Miss Ji, can we start now?¡±

    Could it be that the person who wanted to talk today wasn¡¯t He Jichen, but Chen Bai?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows slightly as she watched Chen Bai pull the chair out in front of him and sit down.

    Probably because she hadn¡¯t responded, Chen Bai added, ¡°Miss Ji?¡±

 Chapter 666

    Chapter 666: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi snapped back to reality and nodded at Chen Bai gently.

    Seeing Ji Yi¡¯s reaction, Chen Bai continued to speak. ¡°Miss Ji, it¡¯s like this... Today, I asked you toe because there¡¯s something I wanted to tell you.¡±

    Tell... For some reason, Ji Yi¡¯s heart sank with that single word. She stared at Chen Bai for a short while before softly nodding again. This time, she said just two words: ¡°Go on.¡±

    Chen Bai had worked with He Jichen for so long that his whole style of doing things had been more or less influenced by him ¨C he was now more direct and straight-forward. However, for some reason, Chen Bai didn¡¯t go straight to the point right away. Instead, he beat around the bush: ¡°Then, I¡¯ll go ahead and start.¡±

    Deep down, Ji Yi felt more uneasy with Chen Bai acting like this. She instinctively clenched her fingers and stared into Chen Bai¡¯s eyes. ¡°Mhm,¡± she encouraged him.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t say anything but turned his head to avoid Ji Yi¡¯s gaze.

    After all these years, he¡¯d experienced many difficult negotiations, but this was the first time he didn¡¯t know how to start.

    It was no wonder Mr. He didn¡¯te and gave him this mess to handle. He probably just didn¡¯t know how to face it.

    Chen Bai stared outside the window for a while then clenched his teeth and pushed the document in front of Ji Yi ¡°Miss Ji, take a look.¡±

    Ji Yi already felt on edge after taking Chen Bai¡¯s call the night before. However, after seeing how strange Chen Bai was acting and seeing as He Jichen wasn¡¯t here, she suddenly felt a little scared of the document pushed in front of her.

    After waiting for a while, Chen Bai watched motionlessly as Ji Yi stared at the document. He finally prompted her: ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Having heard Chen Bai¡¯s words, Ji Yi didn¡¯t look up at him. As usual, her gaze was locked on the document. After some time, Chen Bai tried again with just the single word ¡°Ji,¡± before Ji Yi finally raised her hand and turned the page.

    ck words on white paper. They were unbelievably clear.

    Yet, Ji Yi remained still and was transfixed for a long time as if she couldn¡¯t recognize a single word.

    Chen Bai knew that by Ji Yi¡¯s expression, she had already read what was written in the document. He secretly clenched his teeth then professionally recited the script he wrote over half a month ago. ¡°Miss Ji, thepany has discussed this for a long time beforeing to this decision.¡±

    ¡°Huan Ying Entertainment is a lot better than YC and is beneficial to your future prospects. What¡¯s more, the price they¡¯re offering is twice as much as your current value. No matter what area it is, it¡¯s a pretty good trade.¡±

    ¡°Also, thepany thinks the period of time required to cultivate an artist is too long. It would be better to just produce dramas and coborate with artists¡¯ managementpanies. Business would operate more effectively that way.¡±

    The more Chen Bai spoke, the more he felt like he couldn¡¯t quite go on. He paused for a moment then continued to say, ¡°So, Miss Ji, I called you in today to ask you to sign on the back.¡±

    Sign it...

    After those two words were drilled into Ji Yi¡¯s ears, she came back to reality. Ji Yi raised her head and nced at Chen Bai. Then she gently turned the page.

    The blocks of text were contract details. She didn¡¯t read it carefully but chose to continue turning to the final page.

    On the final page, she noticed that in the three signature areas, her¡¯s was the only one unsigned. The two other signature spots were already signed by Huan Ying Entertainment¡¯s representative, Li Shen, and YC¡¯s representative: He Jichen.

 Chapter 667

    Chapter 667: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen... H-he actually signed it. This means that before Chen Bai asked to speak to me about this, he already agreed for me to sign with anotherpany?

    Didn¡¯t we have an agreement? He wanted me to trust him and to fight side by side with me. He stayed with me every step of the way from my lowest point in showbiz as I walked towards infinitely bright heights. He said he wanted to help me get back what I lost, little by little.

    He often told her two things. One was: ¡°Without YC, you¡¯ll still have me,¡± and the other was ¡°...I won¡¯t swarm to you when you¡¯re famous and I won¡¯t turn and leave you at your lowest point.¡±

    But how could he sign me over to anotherpany?

    Did I misread something?

    Ji Yi thought about it and reached her fingers out to touch the three words ¡°He Jichen¡± on the document.

    The ink was dry. Her fingers traced over the cursive handwriting which looked unsmudged.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but press her fingers over his name.

    But no matter how she rubbed it, the handwriting remained. She tried rubbing harder. Sitting in front of Ji Yi, Chen Bai was afraid she was going to tear the paper, so he couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi stopped rubbing it for a moment as her finger stopped unflinchingly over the ¡°J.¡±

    Could this be a misunderstanding?

    During Chinese New Year, she misunderstood him over the incident about copying Qian Ge. Later, she learned it was a setup he created to help her get Qian Ge back.

    So, could it be just likest time? Is there a deeper meaning behind him doing this?

    Moreover, when she apologized to him in the car, after she went to see him that night at C City during the Television Awards, she told herself she would never doubt He Jichen again...

    That¡¯s right. I can¡¯t assume he really wants me to leave YC because of a mere signature. Something must¡¯ve happened. That must be it...

    With that thought, Ji Yi hurriedly raised her head and looked over at Chen Bai. ¡°What about He Jichen?¡±

    If I see He Jichen and speak to him in person... Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for Chen Bai to reply and added, ¡°Call him over here. I want to speak to him in person.¡±

    Chen Bai politely recited the script he prepared in advance. ¡°Miss Ji, Mr. He¡¯s not in the office. He¡¯s in America on business...¡±

    ¡°The hell! Like I believe you!¡± Ji Yi shot a look at Chen Bai and stopped begging him to contact He Jichen. Instead, she pulled out her phone, found He Jichen¡¯s number, and called him.

    After the call went through, it went straight to his auto-reply: ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed has been switched off.¡±

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows then called again. It was still switched off. After her third attempt, Chen Bai said while sitting in front of her, ¡°Miss Ji, I didn¡¯t lie to you. Mr. He really is in America on business. He¡¯s on a ne right now. He¡¯ll probably turn on his phone at two in the afternoon.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more, Miss Ji, did you not wonder why I am asking you to sign today and not Mr. He?¡±

    Hearing Chen Bai¡¯s question in return, Ji Yi stopped calling.

    As she slowly lowered her phone, Chen Bai continued to say, ¡°Mr. He could¡¯ve personally talked to you. The only reason why he isn¡¯t here is because he has made his mind up and doesn¡¯t want to say much more on the matter.¡±

 Chapter 668

    Chapter 668: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°So there¡¯s no real point in you going to see Mr. He. The results will be the same; you¡¯ll still have to sign, you¡¯ll still have to leave YC, and you¡¯ll still have to go to Huan Ying Entertainment.¡±

    Chen Bai¡¯s three statements were like three sharp knives piercing through Ji Yi¡¯s chest one after the other. It hurt so much that her eyes couldn¡¯t help but turn red. Her fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch the document until the paper had creases in it. Ji Yi kept her head down and eyes lowered in fear that Chen Bai would see tears in her eyes. ¡°Did something happen for He Jichen to do this?¡± she asked softly.

    ¡°Is this simr to what happened during the Chinese New Year scandal? Does He Jichen want to give me another surprise?¡±

    There was a slight pleading tone in Ji Yi¡¯s voice when she asked. ¡°Chen Bai, it is, isn¡¯t it? He Jichen doesn¡¯t really want to send me to Huan Ying, right?¡±

    Chen Bai really wanted to say ¡°Yes.¡± If he could, he also wanted to tell her that he really cared about her and really liked her. He cared so much that he was willing to give up on himself.

    But he promised He Jichen to keep it a secret.

    He was meant to be the bad guy. He had to do it eventually, sooner orter. Rather than dragging things on, he might as well settle things nice and cleanly.

    With that thought, Chen Bai said, ¡°Miss Ji, this time, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to disappoint you. This time, there¡¯s no reason nor any surprise. Mr. He thinks it¡¯ll be a triple win to sign you off to Huan Ying for you, for him, and for YC.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji, you¡¯re not stupid, so you must know that Mr. He is a businessman. Sometimes, businessmen talk profits. You have to know that the contract in front of you will bring Mr. He a nine-figure sum. If you were Mr. He, which would you think is more valuable? You or a nine-figure sum?¡±

    Me or a nine-figure sum? A nine-figure sum or me?

    If this was before, Ji Yi would still have some confidence that He Jichen didn¡¯t really want to sell her off to anotherpany. However, now that Ji Yi heard Chen Bai¡¯s figure, she wasn¡¯t so naive.

    Chen Bai had been working in the business industry for many years, so he was an expert in reading bodynguage. He could tell that Ji Yi was unsettled.

    He gulped and hardened his state of mind then continued to feed her the same medicine. ¡°Mr. He¡¯s business matters in America weren¡¯t urgent. The trip was originally scheduled for next week, but he set off early. Miss Ji, do you know what that means?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t need him to say it as she could guess the meaning behind his words. She didn¡¯t want to listen or maybe she was afraid to listen. She instinctively shook her head and wanted Chen Bai to shut up, but Chen Bai acted like he didn¡¯t see her reaction and continued in the same tone. ¡°He Jichen did it on purpose.¡±

    The moment Chen Bai¡¯s voice fell, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer. A single tear fell from her eyes and crashed onto the document with a soft ¡°Bam.¡±

    Chen Bai stared at the water stain without a moment¡¯s sympathy. ¡°Mr. He went to America early to avoid you.¡±

    ¡°So, Miss Ji...¡±

    Without even waiting for Chen Bai to finish what he was saying, Ji Yi spoke. ¡°Can I take the document home with me first to think about it?¡±

    He Jichen had orders for Ji Yi to sign it there and then...

 Chapter 669

    Chapter 669: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Bai stared at the woman with her eyes lowered. No matter how hard he tried, there was no way he could keep going.

    Could I listen to her suggestion? Worstes to worst, I¡¯ll just get lectured by Mr. He...

    Deep down, Chen Bai secretly struggled for a while before he finally came to terms with it. ¡°You can.¡±

    Ji Yi still didn¡¯t look at him but softly said ¡°Thanks¡± then closed the document. She hugged it to her chest and stood up. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll go back to the studio first. I still have to film in the afternoon.¡±

    ¡°Alright, Miss Ji.¡± Chen Bai got up and attempted to see Ji Yi out.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for him to step forward. She suddenly picked up her bag and walked out of the conference room without saying goodbye.

    When Chen Bai chased after her from the conference room, Ji Yi was already in the elevator. In utter confusion, Zhuang Yi cried out ¡°Xiao Yi¡± as she slipped into the elevator.

    The red numbers jumped to ¡°1¡± as the elevator descended. Chen Bai withdrew his gaze and stared at the tightly shut doors in the manager¡¯s office for a while. Then he walked over.

    Chen Bai stood in front of the doors to the CEO¡¯s office, raised his hand, and knocked three times. He waited for half a minute before He Jichen softly said, ¡°Come in.¡±

    He opened the door and the office was unusually quiet. Chen Bai instinctively nced over at the desk. He Jichen wasn¡¯t in his seat and his silhouette wasn¡¯t found in front of the tall windows.

    Chen Bai shut the door and headed for the lounge.

    The doors to the lounge were half open, so Chen Bai pushed the door open further. With just one nce, he saw He Jichen standing in front of the window.

    After Chen Bai walked in, he cried, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t react.

    Chen Bai continued by saying, ¡°Miss Ji has already left.¡±

    He Jichen remained in the same position as before and didn¡¯t look back or say anything. However, Chen Bai clearly saw his back stiffen the very second he spoke.

    Chen Bai knew He Jichen heard what he said. After a short pause, he continued to report what happened. ¡°Miss Ji asked if she could take the document back and think about it. I...¡±

    Chen Bai hesitated for a moment but eventually summoned the courage to speak the truth. ¡°...agreed to let Miss Ji do so.¡±

    He Jichen stood motionless with his back to Chen Bai. All of a sudden, he turned around the moment Chen Bai finished speaking.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to get angry as he swiftly added, ¡°Miss Ji ¨C she cried...¡±

    Those four simple words instantly halted He Jichen.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t dare look at He Jichen but slowly lifted his eyes to see that his hands were balled into fists.

    Fortunately, Chen Bai was quick-witted... Chen Bai carefully said, ¡°I really followed your instructions and said what needed to be said, but Miss Ji was so stunned that she didn¡¯t sign it right there and then. I just couldn¡¯t bear to force her...¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t say anything.

    Chen Bai¡¯s head bolted up. He nced at He Jichen. The anger in his brows had disappeared.

    Chen Bai knew He Jichen wasn¡¯t angry because he couldn¡¯t get Ji Yi to sign, so he hurriedly promised him: ¡°Mr. He, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll contact Miss Ji and get her to sign it as soon as possible.¡±

    He Jichen waved his hand to signal for him to leave.

    Chen Bai bowed his head at He Jichen. He turned around and headed out of the lounge.

 Chapter 670

    Chapter 670: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The moment he left the lounge, Chen Bai stopped, turned around and nced at He Jichen. With a moment¡¯s hesitation, he said, ¡°When Miss Ji saw your signature, her first reaction was to rub the letters...¡±

    At the time, my own heart ached when I saw her do it. How must Mr. He feel?

    Deep down, he understood that if Mr. He knew, he would definitely feel terrible. However, Chen Bai felt as though Mr. He should still know that the woman he loved and sacrificed everything for didn¡¯t immediately misunderstand him after seeing his signature...

    ¡°...Miss Ji even asked to see you. I told her that there was no point in seeing you. She asked me if something happened for you to do such a thing.¡±

    Chen Bai clearly saw He Jichen¡¯s body sway for a second before his head quickly turned to the window.

    ¡°Miss Ji even asked if this was simr to the scandal during Chinese new year and if you were giving her some kind of surprise.¡±

    ¡°She even asked if you really wanted to send her to Huan...¡±

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t manage to say the final word ¡°Ying¡± when He Jichen cried, ¡°Get out!¡±

    His voice was loud and his tone wavered as though he was afraid of something.

    After saying everything he wanted to say, Chen Bai spoke no more and swiftly left He Jichen¡¯s office.

    After he heard the door close, He Jichen stared out the window as a tint of red slowly crept up around his eyes.

    While the wetness blurred his vision, he suddenly remembered a song.

    ¡°Can¡¯t speak about the sadness when breaking up. When friends ask you about me, I always y it down like I never loved you. I never told anyone that actually, I can¡¯t live without you.¡±

    ¡°Actually, the love I gave you was more than you imagined. Actually, I love you more than you imagine.¡±

    ¨C

    Eventually, Ji Yi decided to sign the document.

    In actuality, she really didn¡¯t want to sign it at all. She really wanted to stay at YC so she could keep seeing him. Even if she couldn¡¯t see him, they were at least in the same ce and they belonged in the samepany: YC.

    That way, she could at least imagine she was close to He Jichen.

    If she signed it, she was afraid they¡¯d be worlds apart. If neither of them took the initiative to call the other, it¡¯d be really difficult to see each other again.

    But despite how unwilling she was to sign, she waited for herself to calm down before seriously analyzing their situation. She realized that signing was the best ending for them both.

    It wasn¡¯t because Chen Bai¡¯s words were hurtful, but it was mostly because they wouldn¡¯t have a good ending.

    He Jichen was already married. The person he married was the woman he loved deeply for many years ¨C ¡°C Girl.¡± He wouldn¡¯t t divorce ¡°C Girl.¡±

    Even if he really got a divorce, she liked He Yuguang and she even got married to him! Even if she was nowpletely in love with He Jichen, she couldn¡¯t hurt He Yuguang.

    There was no way she could stop loving He Jichen. Every time she saw him, it was hard for her to control herself.

    Since she could no longer bear the pain and torture of not being with him, she thought she might as well swiftly cut ties like she did with He Yuguang.

    It¡¯d definitely hurt, but the pain would only be temporary.

    So, she might as well use this chance to swiftly break things off.

    Ji Yi cried all night after she made the decision.

    Fortunately, she didn¡¯t have any scenes to shoot the next day, otherwise, she was afraid that even makeup wouldn¡¯t be able to cover up her puffy eyes.

    Since she made the decision, Ji Yi didn¡¯t give herself any chance to back out. When she woke up the next morning, the first thing she did was flip through the document.

 Chapter 671

    Chapter 671: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She didn¡¯t read the contents of the document but flipped straight to the final page.

    Though it happened over ten days ago, Ji Yi still felt a sharp knife piercing her heart when she saw He Jichen¡¯s signature. It hurt so much that she couldn¡¯t breathe.

    After a good while, Ji Yi eventually recovered from the sharp pain. She found a pen and without a moment¡¯s hesitation, she quickly wrote the two words ¡°Ji Yi¡± on the signature line.

    There were three copies of the document. When the time came to sign the final one, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hold back her emotions as a single tear crashed down on the ¡°Ji¡± part of He Jichen¡¯s name.

    After she finished writing ¡°Yi,¡± Ji Yi forcefully piled the papers together then copsed to the table, sobbing.

    In the past, she was devastated when she had to give up on He Yuguang, butpared to that, she now knew that wasn¡¯t really devastation back then.

    She realized that she merely liked He Yuguang, but regarding He Jichen, she had the temptation to love him for the rest of her life.

    Say... When I was young, how was I so infatuated with He Yuguang?

    Say... Why did He Yuguang and He Jichen have to be brothers?

    Say... Why couldn¡¯t Yuguang from ¡°I only see you¡± be about He Jichen?

    Say... After reuniting with him, how could I have married He Yuguang?

    Say... If all I saw was He Jichen and ¡°forever¡± also included He Jichen, how great would that be...?

    Say, why are there so many ¡°say¡±s... Nobody could¡¯ve known that in the very end, she would fall in love with He Jichen who she used to hate so much.

    A long while passed when Ji Yi finally stopped crying.

    She sat up, raised her hand, and wiped the tears from her face. Then she reached for her phone and found Chen Bai¡¯s number.

    She was just about to call him but remembered how hoarse her voice would probably be from crying then decided to text him instead. ¡°I signed it. Can I send them to you by express delivery?¡±

    Soon enough, Ji Yi received a reply from Chen Bai. ¡°Thank you, Miss Ji. Sorry to trouble you.¡±

    Ji Yi wanted to reply with ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± but her hand was trembling so hard that she couldn¡¯t text. In the end, she exited her chat with Chen Bai and called the front desk to ask them to request a deliverypany.

    Ji Yi put the phone down and stepped into the bathroom.

    After she freshened up, the hotel phone happened to ring. It was the front desk calling to tell her that the delivery person had arrived for her.

    With a word of ¡°Thanks,¡± Ji Yi hung up, quickly got dressed and headed downstairs.

    After she sent the document off, Ji Yi didn¡¯t go back to the room but hailed a cab into the city.

    She couldn¡¯t let herself be depressed all alone in her room. She had to go out and do something...

    En route, Ji Yi gave Tang Huahua a call.

    Seeing as she had no sses that afternoon and Tang Huahua and Bo He were sleeping in the dorms, Ji Yi figured that she might as well ask them to go window shopping.

    Ji Yi really never imagined that she would bump into He Jichen that evening at ¡°The Golden Lounge.¡±

    Chapter 671: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She didn¡¯t read the contents of the document but flipped straight to the final page.

    Though it happened over ten days ago, Ji Yi still felt a sharp knife piercing her heart when she saw He Jichen¡¯s signature. It hurt so much that she couldn¡¯t breathe.

    After a good while, Ji Yi eventually recovered from the sharp pain. She found a pen and without a moment¡¯s hesitation, she quickly wrote the two words ¡°Ji Yi¡± on the signature line.

    There were three copies of the document. When the time came to sign the final one, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hold back her emotions as a single tear crashed down on the ¡°Ji¡± part of He Jichen¡¯s name.

    After she finished writing ¡°Yi,¡± Ji Yi forcefully piled the papers together then copsed to the table, sobbing.

    In the past, she was devastated when she had to give up on He Yuguang, butpared to that, she now knew that wasn¡¯t really devastation back then.

    She realized that she merely liked He Yuguang, but regarding He Jichen, she had the temptation to love him for the rest of her life.

    Say... When I was young, how was I so infatuated with He Yuguang?

    Say... Why did He Yuguang and He Jichen have to be brothers?

    Say... Why couldn¡¯t Yuguang from ¡°I only see you¡± be about He Jichen?

    Say... After reuniting with him, how could I have married He Yuguang?

    Say... If all I saw was He Jichen and ¡°forever¡± also included He Jichen, how great would that be...?

    Say, why are there so many ¡°say¡±s... Nobody could¡¯ve known that in the very end, she would fall in love with He Jichen who she used to hate so much.

    A long while passed when Ji Yi finally stopped crying.

    She sat up, raised her hand, and wiped the tears from her face. Then she reached for her phone and found Chen Bai¡¯s number.

    She was just about to call him but remembered how hoarse her voice would probably be from crying then decided to text him instead. ¡°I signed it. Can I send them to you by express delivery?¡±

    Soon enough, Ji Yi received a reply from Chen Bai. ¡°Thank you, Miss Ji. Sorry to trouble you.¡±

    Ji Yi wanted to reply with ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± but her hand was trembling so hard that she couldn¡¯t text. In the end, she exited her chat with Chen Bai and called the front desk to ask them to request a deliverypany.

    Ji Yi put the phone down and stepped into the bathroom.

    After she freshened up, the hotel phone happened to ring. It was the front desk calling to tell her that the delivery person had arrived for her.

    With a word of ¡°Thanks,¡± Ji Yi hung up, quickly got dressed and headed downstairs.

    After she sent the document off, Ji Yi didn¡¯t go back to the room but hailed a cab into the city.

    She couldn¡¯t let herself be depressed all alone in her room. She had to go out and do something...

    En route, Ji Yi gave Tang Huahua a call.

    Seeing as she had no sses that afternoon and Tang Huahua and Bo He were sleeping in the dorms, Ji Yi figured that she might as well ask them to go window shopping.

    Ji Yi really never imagined that she would bump into He Jichen that evening at ¡°The Golden Lounge.¡±

    After she, Tang Huahua, and Bo He finished window shopping, they all went to eat hot pot. Seeing that it was still early, she didn¡¯t want to go back to the hotel, so she figured she might as well treat Tang Huahua and Bo He out to sing at ¡°The Golden Lounge.¡±

    Because she had to shoot the next day, Ji Yi didn¡¯t drink too much, but light-weight Tang Huahua drank just two sses and was tipsy.

    As she went to the restroom with Tang Huahua, Ji Yi bumped into He Jichen on her way back to the private room.

    After she, Tang Huahua, and Bo He finished window shopping, they all went to eat hot pot. Seeing that it was still early, she didn¡¯t want to go back to the hotel, so she figured she might as well treat Tang Huahua and Bo He out to sing at ¡°The Golden Lounge.¡±

    Because she had to shoot the next day, Ji Yi didn¡¯t drink too much, but light-weight Tang Huahua drank just two sses and was tipsy.

    As she went to the restroom with Tang Huahua, Ji Yi bumped into He Jichen on her way back to the private room.

 Chapter 672

    Chapter 672: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Rather than say ¡°bumping into,¡± let¡¯s just say that she was the one who saw He Jichen.

    He was with a man she didn¡¯t know, smoking and chatting in the smoking area at the end of the hallway. He didn¡¯t even notice her, but as she emerged from the restroom, she caught sight of him with a nce.

    She stared at him for a while. Before she could figure out if she wanted to say hello, she already cried his name: ¡°He Jichen.¡±

    She wasn¡¯t loud, but the hallway was extremely quiet ¨C quiet enough for him to hear.

    He and the person next to him heard her voice. Practically at the same time, he looked over at her and Tang Huahua.

    From the surprised expression on his face, He Jichen probably never imagined he would bump into her. It wasn¡¯t until the stranger turned his head and said something to He Jichen that he had an apologetic look on his face. It wasn¡¯t clear what he quietly said, but the man put out his cigarette and left first to enter a nearby private room.

    He Jichen took a hard drag on his cigarette first. Then he put it out in a nearby ashtray before walking over to Ji Yi.

    When he stopped in front of Ji Yi and Tang Huahua, tipsy Tang Huahua realized it was He Jichen. She smiled and greeted him: ¡°He Xuezhang.¡±

    He Jichen nodded at Tang Huahua in a polite yet conceited manner. Then he looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°Out to have fun?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded Ji Yi. But before she could speak, Tang Huahua added, ¡°He Xuezhang, did you know that Xiao Yi took the microphone and sang eight hundred times just now...¡±

    Before Tang Huahua could finish, Ji Yi reached her hand out and smacked her, preventing her from revealing her song choice ¨C ¡°Within Your Radius.¡± ¡°Huahua, didn¡¯t you need to go to the restroom? Hurry and go.¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi didn¡¯t give Tang Huahua a chance to react and pushed her back into the restroom again.

    Ji Yi mmed the door, took two steps towards He Jichen and exined, ¡°Huahua drank too much...¡±

    He Jichen nodded slightly and let out a quiet ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Ji Yi: ¡°Are you here with friends tonight or for business?¡±

    He Jichen: ¡°Business.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still so busy these days?¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡±

    She always had a lot to say whenever she saw him and today was no exception. However, as the words entered her head, Ji Yi swallowed her feminine littleints.

    She looked at him for some time then resorted to talking business. ¡°I signed the contract Chen Bai gave me.¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded He Jichen. After a long time, he added, ¡°Chen Bai told me.¡±

    ¡°I sent it to Chen Bai this afternoon. You should receive it in a day since we¡¯re in the same city. Chen Bai¡¯s probably already received it.¡±

    He Jichen kept his head down and gently nodded without making a sound.

    He Jichen¡¯s reaction left Ji Yi at a loss for words. She stood in front of him for a while but seeing how motionless he was, her eyes started to feel sore. She was scared of crying in front of him, so she pointed to the restroom beside her. ¡°I¡¯ll go and check on Huahua.¡±

    Without waiting for He Jichen to respond, Ji Yi turned around and bolted into the restroom.

    As the doors shut with a ¡°Bam,¡± He Jichen¡¯s body trembled for a moment. He quickly lifted his head and nced over in the direction of the restroom. Then he turned away and looked out of the window at the end of the hallway.

 Chapter 673

    Chapter 673: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Out the window, bunches of Chinese roses were in bloom in the back garden of The Golden Lounge.

    The window was open, so the evening breeze carried a faint scent of flowers in.

    He Jichen started at the yellow roses without blinking for a long time until his eyes felt sore. Then he fluttered his eyshes softly and withdrew his gaze. He shot a nce towards the restroom then turned and walked away.

    After just two steps, He Jichen stopped. He wanted to turn back, but in the end, he didn¡¯t. A momentter, he raised his feet again.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t head back to the private room but took the elevator down to the first floor of The Golden Lounge.

    As he emerged from the elevator, the lobby manager of The Golden Lounge saw him and made his way over to him. ¡°Mr. He, you¡¯re leaving?¡±

    He Jichen nced at the lobby manager but didn¡¯t reply. He walked out the front entrance with a sullen look on his face.

    The lobby manager followed He Jichen with a polite and respectful smile. ¡°Mr. He, you¡¯re leaving after Mr. Chen dropped you off? Will Mr. Chen pick you up or shall I arrange for someone to drive you?¡±

    Stepping out from the revolving doors of The Golden Lounge, He Jichen was met with the cold evening breeze which scattered the dullness in his heart. He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, but just as he was about to light it up, the lobby manager already reached over to him with his own lighter in hand.

    He Jichen nced at it and drew in closer with the cigarette between his lips. He held it in his lips for a while then blew out a cloud of smoke. After the smokepletely dissipated, He Jichen then replied, ¡°Get Chen Bai to drive me back.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll call Mr. Chen now,¡± replied the manager in the lobby.

    He Jichen nodded and silently brought the cigarette to the corner of his lips.

    After the lobby manager hung up the phone, he reported, ¡°Mr. Chen said he¡¯s nearby. He¡¯ll be arriving in ten minutes or so.¡±

    With the cigarette in He Jichen¡¯s mouth, he mumbled ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, do you want toe inside and sit for a while first? I¡¯ll get you a cup of tea or maybe coffee?¡±

    After a long time passed, He Jichen finally waved his hands. ¡°No thanks.¡±

    After a pause, he nced over at the lobby manager standing at the entrance beside him then added, ¡°Go do your work.¡±

    ¡°Alright, Mr. He. If there¡¯s anything you need, call me at any time.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply.

    After the lobby manager headed back to the main hall of The Golden Lounge, He Jichen stood at the main doors for a while then walked over to the sidewalk.

    He found a randommppost, leaned against it and reached for another cigarette.

    Just as this cigarette burned till the tip, Chen Bai arrived.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for Chen Bai to help him open the door but pulled it open himself and stepped in.

    After driving about a hundred meters down the empty road, He Jichen said, ¡°Have you received the contract she mailed back?¡±

    Chen Bai was stunned for a moment before he realized that the ¡°she¡± He Jichen was referring to was Ji Yi, and the contract was the one signing Ji Yi over to Huan Ying Entertainment. Then he hurriedly replied, ¡°I received it before I left the office in the evening.¡±

    The car fell silent again.

    Chen Bai drove some distance ahead. When he reached a red light, he nced back at He Jichen through the rearview mirror. He hesitated for a moment and asked, ¡°Mr. He, would you like to read the contract over one more time?¡±

 Chapter 674

    Chapter 674: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say a word, but Chen Bai saw a hint of his brow loosening up.

    Chen Bai knew it meant He Jichen wanted to read the contract...

    He didn¡¯t say anything more but grabbed the document from his briefcase in the front passenger seat. He opened it and gave it a quick read over. Once he was sure he hadn¡¯t made a mistake, he turned around and handed it to He Jichen sitting behind him.

    The corners of He Jichen¡¯s lips twitched as he silently reached over to take the document.

    When the red light turned green, Chen Bai held onto the steering wheel and stepped on the gas again.

    While the car drove down the road, the reading light in the back seat was turned on and the crisp sound of paper turning could be heard.

    The car was very silent. Chen Bai, who was staring at the road ahead, was a little curious about He Jichen reading the document so every now and then, he peered into the rearview mirror.

    He Jichen flipped through the document rigorously. Chen Bai wasn¡¯t sure which page he was reading, but it looked like his pressure points had been hit as he didn¡¯t flinch at all.

    When they reached the underground parking lot of He Jichen¡¯s apartment, Chen Bai nced over at He Jichen again and saw that he was still staring at the document in silence. Chen Bai couldn¡¯t help but prompt him, ¡°Mr. He, we¡¯re here.¡±

    He was met with a wall of silence.

    Chen Bai waited for a while. Seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t react, he was about to call his name again. All of a sudden, He Jichen softly said a few words.

    Because he spoke very quietly, Chen Bai simply couldn¡¯t hear him.

    The silent atmosphere continued to envelop the car for a while before a faint word escaped He Jichen¡¯s lips, ¡°...cry...¡±

    He said a couple of words, but Chen Bai only heard the single word ¡°cry.¡±

    Chen Bai was just about to ask He Jichen why he was crying...

    When in the end, before the words could reach his lips, he looked at He Jichen¡¯s fingers gently ced on top of the document.

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled like crazy as Chen Bai¡¯s heart shook. He instinctively raised his chin and caught sight of a teardrop beneath He Jichen¡¯s fingers.

    So Mr. He meant to say that... Miss Ji cried when she signed it?

    The thought just shed across Chen Bai¡¯s mind when he heard a faint mumble from within the car. Chen Bai probably guessed right as he picked up He Jichen¡¯s slurred words. ¡°...I made her cry again...¡±

    ¨C

    Ji Yi¡¯s mood took a dive again because she identally bumped into He Jichen.

    After returning to the private room, not only was she not in the mood to sing, but she wasn¡¯t even in the mood to talk.

    Bo He could tell she was in a terrible mood, so not long after, she suggested that they leave.

    They paid the bill before Bo He and Ji Yi called their respective taxis.

    Just as the three of them reached the lobby of The Golden Lounge, Bo He¡¯s taxi back to B-Film arrived.

    Ji Yi said her goodbyes to Bo He and Tang Huahua then the two entered the taxi. After they left, Ji Yi walked over to the sidewalk.

    Before she could take two steps, she saw He Jichen in the distance leaning against amppost, smoking with his head down.

    Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps involuntarily came to a stop.

    She didn¡¯t call him like she did at the restroom door. Instead, she just stared at him silently.

    Chen Bai¡¯s car appeared. He Jichen got in and left with Ji Yi still staring in a daze at the spot where he was standing.

 Chapter 675

    Chapter 675: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know just how long she stood there for, nor did she notice how many people walked by as they entered and exited The Golden Lounge.

    Moreover, she didn¡¯t know just how many times her taxi driver called her or when he eventually cancelled her ride.

    She only knew that after she came to her senses, her face was long covered in tears.

    ¨C

    Because Cheng Weiwan¡¯s health, the abortion was dyed till the end of April.

    From mid-April onwards, Beijing had clear skies for the remainder of the month.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if God was pitying the baby inside her, but before her operation, the night was clear and full of stars. Then the weather turned gloomy the next morning.

    The abortion was scheduled for ten in the morning.

    Cheng Weiwan forced herself to sleep at three in the morning and woke up before five in the morning.

    She hoped it was all a nightmare, but as she stared at the ceiling, she slowly reached her arm out and pinched her thigh. The sharp pain told her that the purgatory-like pain she was experiencing was all real.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because she had been crying far too much recently, but Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t cry anymore on the day of her operation.

    Sheid in bed like a corpse until her rm rang. Then she climbed out of bed and entered the bathroom.

    She showered unusually seriously as if she was in a ceremony. For someone who never really liked to put on makeup, she carefully applied her makeup. Then she opened up her wardrobe and put on her most expensive, beautiful dress.

    All dressed, Cheng Weiwan took a nce at the time. It was ten to eight ¨C there were still ten minutes until the time she agreed with Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary.

    Since she sent a text to say she decided to abort the child, neither she nor Han Zhifan contacted one another.

    Cheng Weiwan stared out at the dark clouds in the sky, tightly clutching her phone. In the end, she found Han Zhifan¡¯s phone and made the call.

    Han Zhifan probably hadn¡¯t woken up as the phone rang for a long time before it was picked up. From the other the line, he groggily said, ¡°Hello?¡±

    It was just a simple word, but it almost made the rims of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes turn red. She tried hard to force herself to speak. ¡°I...I have the operation at ten in the morning today.¡±

    Han Zhifan, do you know what I mean by that?

    I hope that at thest minute, you have a change of heart and want to keep our child...

    The phone was silent for a while before she heard the sudden realization in Han Zhifan¡¯s voice. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you.¡±

    Oh, it¡¯s you... those taunting three words...

    How much time had passed? After he heard her voice, he actually took that long to react and realize she was the person calling...

    The blood in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face instantly drained and her fingers around her phone couldn¡¯t help but start to tremble.

    She actually hoped he would have mercy and be mature. If she hadn¡¯t made the call, he probably wouldn¡¯t even have remembered she was having an operation today. In other words, he must¡¯ve pushed her far to the back of his mind, right?

    So to him, their story had long expired. She was the only one stupid enough to stay in their story, thinking it hadn¡¯tpletely ended yet...

 Chapter 676

    Chapter 676: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Seeing as Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything for a long time, Han Zhifan spoke again. ¡°Is there anything else?¡±

    Tears slowly streamed down from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes.

    She didn¡¯t manage to get a word in when Han Zhifan added, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m hanging up.¡±

    The instant Cheng Weiwan heard what Han Zhifan said, she lowered the phone from her ear and pressed the button to hang up the call.

    While clutching her phone, she sat down on the floor and started to sob quietly.

    It seemed like there was traffic as Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary arrived ten minuteste.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t pick up Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary¡¯s call, nor was she in a hurry to head downstairs. Instead, she calmed herself down before reapplying her makeup and leisurely stepping out the door.

    It was already nine by the time they reached the hospital.

    There was half an hour left until the operation.

    The doctor checked Cheng Weiwan¡¯s temperature. After they were sure it was fine, they called a nurse to put her on an IV.

    Perhaps Han Zhifan ordered his secretary to report back on the operation because as the doctor injected the drip, Cheng Weiwan watched her record something on her phone and send it to somebody.

    Throughout the infusion, she watched the phone in Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary¡¯s hands until the doctor called her into the operating room. Then Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary¡¯s phone didn¡¯t receive any more replies from Han Zhifan.

    The moment the doctor anesthetized her after sheid down in the operating room, tears fell from her eyes again.

    She suddenly thought back to the afternoon she learned she was pregnant. On the way to Han Zhifan¡¯s office, she fantasized about their future with their baby...

    As she thought about it, more and more streams tears started to roll down from her eyes. When she thought about the name she was going to give their child, the two words popped up in her mind ¡°rice bowl,¡± and she finally couldn¡¯t help but break down.

    Then the anesthesia kicked in. She lost consciousness...

    ...

    The operation was quick. Twenty minutes hadn¡¯t even passed before it was over.

    After Cheng Weiwan was awoken by a nurse, sheid in bed for about ten minutes before she was notified that she could leave.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary collected the medicine. On the journey back from the hospital, she ryed every single word of the doctor¡¯s orders to Cheng Weiwan.

    From start to end, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say a single word. It wasn¡¯t until she stepped out of the hospital building that she saw the heavy rain and finally spoke: ¡°It¡¯s raining.¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary stopped what she was saying in astonishment and replied to Cheng Weiwan, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s raining.¡±

    Again, Cheng Weiwan kept silent again but raised her head to stare up at the infinite raindrops. As she stared and stared, Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary wasn¡¯t sure if she was seeing things, but she actually saw Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips curve into a smile. However, her smile seemed even sadder than her tears.

    ...

    Today, Han Zhifan finally managed to secure the big project he¡¯d always wanted.

    Everyone thought that Han Zhifan would be in a great mood, but who knew that after the contract was finalized, he actually erupted in anger like he¡¯d just eaten gunpowder.

    His terrible moodsted all afternoon, causing everyone to fear stepping into his office, even if it was for an urgent matter.

    It was already three in the afternoon when Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary took Cheng Weiwan back home and returned to thepany.

 Chapter 677

    Chapter 677: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The moment she stepped into the office, she sensed an unusually gloomy atmosphere.

    For as long as she¡¯d worked for Han Zhifan, she¡¯d rarely ever seen Han Zhifan get angry. After hearing her coworkers describe his mood, the secretary instinctively wanted to hide far away from Han Zhifan. However, she had to report to him, so all she could do was summon the courage to walk over to Han Zhifan¡¯s office and knock on his door.

    ¡°Come in.¡±

    After the secretary heard Han Zhifan¡¯s voice from inside, she took a deep breath while facing the wooden door and carefully pushed it open.

    Han Zhifan was sitting behind the desk, typing on hisputer.

    Flustered, the secretary took a few steps into the office, keeping a distance from Han Zhifan. ¡°Mr. Han, I did what you requested. Miss Cheng¡¯s operation is over and the baby has been aborted. I already took her back home.¡±

    Han Zhifan looked as though he hadn¡¯t heard what she said and didn¡¯t stop typing in the slightest.

    After the secretary finished her report, she held her breath for a while, but seeing as Han Zhifan didn¡¯t look like he was going to say something, she added, ¡°Mr. Han, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll get back to work now.¡±

    With that, the secretary continued to wait for a while. Seeing as Han Zhifan continued to type away and waspletely ignoring her, she quickly turned around and bolted out of Han Zhifan¡¯s office.

    After shutting the door, the secretary took just two steps towards her desk when she heard ¡°Bam¡± from behind her.

    Her entire body shook as she quickly turned her head and heard another ¡°Bang¡± from behind the wooden door.

    Thereafter, the entire office heard the crashing sounds of things being thrown around...

    ¨C

    The third day after Ji Yi and He Jichen bumped into each other at The Golden Lounge was the day the production crew was back at work filming the second half of ¡°Jiuchong Pce.¡±

    While in the same city, these two well-acquainted people didn¡¯t contact each other, so they could only rely on fate to identally bump into each other. One was in the South and the other was in the North, so naturally, it was even more unlikely for them to meet.

    It was said that the days were hard to bear, and that was the truth.

    Ji Yi missed He Jichen every day and night; her eyes would turn red at the thought of him. There was even a period of time when she dreamt of He Jichen every day.

    But no matter how hard her days were, the sun rose every day as usual and night fell on time. Time still went on, each second at a time.

    Without even noticing, May passed and June arrived. As the heat rose day by day, the shooting of ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± slowly drew to an end.

    As it was a historical drama, all the actors were wrapped inyers of clothing which made filming very hard. Most of the time, after a scene was shot, their inner clothes would be drenched.

    With three days left before the end of production, Ji Yi¡¯s eyelid twitched endlessly when she woke up that day.

    She wasn¡¯t superstitious, but after her eyelid twitched, her heart felt worried for some reason.

    Ji Yi felt like something was going to happen, but she wasn¡¯t sure what it could be. It wasn¡¯t until after she finished lunch and headed back to grab her phone that was charging in her hotel room that she identally overheard a few of the high execs from the studio and learned why she felt so uneasy all afternoon.

 Chapter 678

    Chapter 678: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was a non-smoking hotel, but to amodate smokers, there was a smoking area between the restaurant and esctors.

    After dinner, the execs must¡¯ve been craving for a cigarette as they didn¡¯t rush upstairs to rest but headed straight for the smoking area together.

    They stood in front of the window with their backs to the hallway, so no one noticed Ji Yi passing by.

    The door to the smoking area wasn¡¯t closed and several people inside were chatting rather loudly.

    With their voices alone, Ji Yi could tell who they were.

    Just as she was thinking about walking by, she heard the assistant director¡¯s voice: ¡°Oh yeah, did you guys hear? Mr. He seems to have left Beijing.¡±

    ¡°I vaguely heard about it earlier, but there are plenty of those kinds of rumors going around, so I figured it was fake. After all, YC has been doing well the past two years.¡± The person who replied was a runner.

    ¡°It¡¯s not fake ¨C it¡¯s real. I saw assistant Chen the other day who confirmed that Mr. He left Beijing.¡± This time, Ji Yi was most familiar with the person who spoke ¨C it was the casting director. He was the person who signed her for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    Later, she learned that he worked for He Jichen and was quite close to Chen Bai in private, so what he said was certain to be true.

    Which meant He Jichen really did leave Beijing?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly stopped beating and she slowly took two steps forward then stopped.

    ¡°With Mr. He gone, who¡¯s in charge of YC?¡±

    ¡°Probably the vice president?¡±

    ¡°But now that you mention it, it¡¯s normal for Mr. He to leave Beijing. His family¡¯s business empire is so powerful. If I were him, I would also consider leaving Beijing to take over the family business.¡±

    ¡°He may not be taking over the family business. I heard that after Mr. He left, assistant Chen seemed to have also left.¡±

    ¡°Their rtionship has always been good; it¡¯d be normal for assistant Chen to be with him...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare continue to listen. She hurriedly came back to her senses and quickly left the smoking area.

    Once she stepped into the elevator, Ji Yi pulled out her phone despite the low battery and stared at the screen for a while. Then she found Chen Bai¡¯s number and sent him a text.

    ¡°I heard He Jichen¡¯s going to leave Beijing?¡±

    Chen Bai was probably busy as he didn¡¯t reply to Ji Yi¡¯s message.

    It wasn¡¯t until after she grabbed her charger and met up with Zhuang Yi that she headed back to the set. Just as she was about to touch up her makeup, her phone vibrated.

    Chen Bai replied to her with just one word: ¡°Yeah.¡±

    That one simple, easy-to-understand word pricked Ji Yi¡¯s eyes and her fingers suddenly started to shiver, causing her phone to crash to the floor.

    The makeup artist didn¡¯t notice anything off with Ji Yi. She figured she must¡¯ve not held her phone tightly and identally dropped it. She half-jokingly said, ¡°Yi Jie, are you in a hurry to change your phone?¡±

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t smile at all. The corners of her mouth twitched a little then she bent down and sat back in front of the vanity mirror.

    Just as the makeup artist finished applying foundation and was looking for a lip color, Ji Yi put her head down and tapped the phone a few times. ¡°Will you go with him?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say.¡± This time, Chen Bai replied quickly. Just as Ji Yi finished reading those four words, another message popped up on the screen. ¡°I might also go to anotherpany.¡±

    So, the reality of He Jichen leaving Beijing is confirmed...

 Chapter 679

    Chapter 679: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The two of them were well past the stage of keeping in contact. They were now in two different cities. Are things going to go back to how they were four years ago and are we never going to cross paths?

    With him gone, she was afraid they¡¯d never be able to meet again in their lives...

    Even if they didn¡¯t keep in contact while living in the same city, there was still a chance of them bumping into each other.

    With that thought, Ji Yi realized she wouldn¡¯t even have the slightest bit of hope left. In a split-second, an intense piercing pain crept upon her heart.

    ¡°Yi Jie?¡± asked the makeup artist who found the right lip gloss. She dipped the brush and was about to apply it when Ji Yi lowered her head while staring at her ck phone screen. The makeup artist couldn¡¯t help but be concerned.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t react in the slightest.

    The makeup artist raised her voice and spoke again. ¡°Yi Jie? Yi Jie?¡±

    After calling her several times, the makeup artist saw how motionless Ji Yi was and gently nudged Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder with her arm.

    Ji Yi sat frozen in front of the dresser table for a while before graduallying to the realization that someone was touching her shoulder. She slowly turned her head and looked at the makeup artist.

    ¡°Hm?¡± she said to the makeup artist in a daze. She apologetically followed with an ¡°Oh¡± and ¡°Thank you¡± before getting up.

    ¡°Yi Jie, I haven¡¯t put on your lipgloss yet!¡± said the makeup artist in a worried voice.

    Ji Yi paused as though she didn¡¯t quite understand what the makeup artist was saying. After a couple seconds, she finally realized what the makeup artist said and replied ¡°Oh really?¡± and sat back down.

    To even out the lip color, the makeup artist applied it twice.

    After she was done, she quietly told Ji Yi, ¡°Yi Jie, it¡¯s done.¡±

    Transfixed, Ji Yi stared at herself in the mirror. Her eyshes didn¡¯t tremble for a moment, nor did she get up.

    The makeup artist added some lip liner and turned to look at Ji Yi, who was still sitting in her seat. Seeing as Ji Yi wasn¡¯t getting up, she said, ¡°Yi Jie?¡±

    This time, Ji Yi heard the makeup artist¡¯s voice. She slowly turned her head and looked towards the source of the sound.

    That was when the makeup artist realized Ji Yi¡¯s face was frighteningly pale. ¡°Yi Jie, what¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t look so good. Are you not feeling well?¡±

    Just like before, Ji Yi¡¯s reactions were sluggish. Some time after hearing the makeup artist¡¯s worried voice, she shook her head and got up without saying a single word. Then she headed over to a chair in the lounge nearby.

    While Ji Yi had her lip gloss applied, she casually left her phone on the dressing table.

    The makeup artist caught a glimpse of it and hurriedly cried after Ji Yi. ¡°Yi Jie, your phone.¡±

    Ji Yi looked back. The phone was clearly in her line of sight, but she stared at the dressing table for a really long time. She was so out of it that she didn¡¯t see her own phone.

    The makeup artist simply couldn¡¯t watch her like that any longer, so she grabbed the phone and handed it right to her. Ji Yi vacantly let out an ¡°Oh¡± then reached out to take the phone.

    Zhuang Yi, who was sitting on a chair in the lounge, handed her some water with a straw in it. Ji Yi sensed it in her hands but didn¡¯t take a single sip.

    Zhuang Yi said a few things to her which she didn¡¯t listen to carefully. Ji Yi half-heartedly nodded her head softly every now and then.

    Soon enough, the director sent someone over to rush them. They called all the actors on set to get ready to start filming.

    Before the shoot, the director went over the scene and outlined positions for the actors.

    All the actors were ready, but Ji Yi still stood motionlessly rooted to the spot.

 Chapter 680

    Chapter 680: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The director raised the megaphone to his mouth again. ¡°Ji Yi!¡±

    The director¡¯s voice was already loud, but with the megaphone, he was deafeningly loud.

    Ji Yi was so shocked that her body shivered and she suddenly snapped back to reality.

    She was in a daze for a few seconds as she noticed the director, who was originally standing beside her, discussing the scene with the other actors in the vicinity. That was when she realized it was almost time for her to start shooting, so she quickly rushed over to her position.

    After Ji Yi got in position, the director cried, ¡°Get ready! 3, 2, 1 ¨C Action!¡±

    This scene featured several characters, but most importantly, it was a scene Ji Yi had with the male lead.

    In the drama, the male lead left mid-banquet.

    The character Ji Yi yed had been paying attention to him all along. When she saw him leave the Imperial Hall, she found an excuse to follow him.

    In the back garden, the two of them stared at each other in silence for a long time before the male lead said goodbye. Ji Yi shouted out to stop him then asked if they could go back to how things were before...

    Because of He Jichen, Ji Yi was in a poor state of mind; she couldn¡¯t focus and she was particrly distracted while acting. A simple scene such as the banquet scene could¡¯ve been done in one take, but because of her emotional state, she made two mistakes.

    After finishing that scene with much difficulty, Ji Yi used her break to reread the lines she acted so poorly earlier.

    Maybe Ji Yi really did reset her state of mind during the break because when it came time to shoot the scene outside in the back garden, Ji Yi seemed a lot more focused. She strode over to the male lead¡¯s side.

    The male lead sensed someoneing closer and turned his head slightly. When he saw her, his brows appeared stunned for a moment, but he didn¡¯t utter a word.

    The two of them stared at the Japanese roses in front of them for a while. After the director cried out ¡°good,¡± the male lead turned, keeping a respectful distance from Ji Yi, and bid her farewell.

    Even though Ji Yi didn¡¯t respond, the male lead turned around, ready to head back to the pce through the winding path.

    Ji Yi stared at his back silhouette with pursed lips. Her expression changed slightly to show that she just stopped herself from speaking her mind. Then when the director repeated ¡°good,¡± she cried out for the male lead.

    The male lead stopped in his tracks but didn¡¯t look back at her.

    Ji Yi stared at his back with a deeplyplex look in her eyes. The corners of her lips trembled incredibly and she tried hard to spit out her lines. ¡°Can we really not go back to how things were before?¡±

    As those words fell, Ji Yi suddenly heard He Jichen¡¯s voice in her ear: ¡°...Can we go back to how things were before?¡±

    Ji Yi suddenly forgot she was on camera and stood frozen like that on set.

    After disappearing all of a sudden at her birthday partyst year, she found He Jichen alone on the balcony. Those were the words he said to her.

    He even said, ¡°Back to when you were seventeen and I was eighteen.¡±

    ¡°Go back to that summer; go back to that summer when we were best friends at Sucheng Yizhong; go back to when I could call you Xiao Yi and when you weren¡¯t scared of me like other people. That same summer you dared to call me He Jichen without holding back...¡±

    After the male lead finished his lines, there was a long string of dialogue that followed afterward.

    As Ji Yi was suddenly frozen, the director was stunned, assuming she was improvising. However, after waiting a while without her showing any signs of keeping up her act, he raised the megaphone and screamed her name.

 Chapter 681

    Chapter 681: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was like Ji Yi¡¯s soul had left her body as she couldn¡¯t hear anything around her.

    That was when Zhuang Yi sensed something was wrong and apologized to the director. Zhuang Yi hurriedly ran over to the set and reached out to touch Ji Yi¡¯s arm. ¡°Xiao Yi, you¡¯re on set! How could you be daydreaming?¡±

    That was when Ji Yi blinked and looked at Zhuang Yi with red eyes.

    Sensing that Ji Yi was acting strange, a hint of worry surfaced Zhuang Yi¡¯s face. She hurriedly whispered in her ear, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head and looked down.

    When she raised her eyes again, the redness hadpletely disappeared. She didn¡¯t reply to Zhuang Yi but nced over at the director.

    The director had been paying attention to Ji Yi¡¯s condition all along, so seeing her look over at him, he hurriedly said, ¡°You¡¯re okay, right?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head and forced an apologetic smile at him.

    The director wasn¡¯t mad, but he ordered the makeup artist to touch up her makeup. They would shoot againter.

    Ji Yi figured she could use this short break to regain herposure. However, when it came time to shoot for the second time, her mind wandered to He Jichen again before she could even ask the male lead: ¡°Can we really not go back to how things were before?¡± Even after trying so hard to calm down, she was distracted again and her hands balled into fists. She wanted to calm down, but after balling her hands up so hard, her palms hurt so badly that they lost all feeling. She still felt unbelievably confused until, in the end, her mind wentpletely nk. Not to mention the lines she memorized long ago, but she couldn¡¯t even remember the line ¡°Can we really not go back to how things were before?¡±

    Seeing as the director hadn¡¯t yet asked Ji Yi what was wrong, she turned to the male lead, who was waiting for her to say her line. She bowed and apologized, ¡°Sorry.¡±

    Then she ran over to the director.

    Stopping in front of the director, Ji Yi put on an earnest front and said, ¡°Director, I¡¯m really sorry. I can¡¯t seem to get into character today because I have some personal issues to deal with. Do you think we can...¡±

    Before she could finish, the director understood what she wanted.

    Since she started filming ¡°Jiuchong Pce,¡± Ji Yi hadn¡¯t made any mistakes. This was the first time, so the director wasn¡¯t mad at her for dying the production process or wasting time. In contrast, he nodded at Ji Yi with forgiveness and said, ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll shoot other scenes first until you¡¯ve recovered.¡±

    After a short pause, the director remembered that there were just two days till the end of production and added, ¡°As quickly as possible. We can¡¯t dy shooting for too long.¡±

    Ji Yi apologized again to the director then said, ¡°Thank you.¡± To avoid interrupting everyone during their shoot, she and Zhuang Yi left the set.

    Back at the hotel, Ji Yi didn¡¯t let Zhuang Yi stay with her and immediately locked herself up in the hotel room.

    Ji Yiid in bed, staring up at the ceiling. She clearly sensed her rupturing pain and sadness from the deepest part of her heart, hitting her wave after wave.

    It hurt. It really did hurt...

    That helpless feeling of clearly not wanting him to leave. It really hurt...

    The dull feeling in her chest didn¡¯t subside in time, but instead, it became heavier and heavier.

 Chapter 682

    Chapter 682: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know just how long she endured this pain for; all she knew was that when she slowly came back to her senses, her room was already pitch ck.

    She reached for her phone and nced at the time.

    It was nine in the evening.

    After she came back from the studio, she actuallyid in bed for almost six hours.

    At this time, the hotel restaurant was closed. She hadn¡¯t had dinner and she had work the next day. If any problems came up because of her hunger, that would dy production.

    With that thought, Ji Yi reached out, turned on the lights, then climbed out of bed. She found her purse and left the hotel.

    After entering the hotel supermarket, Ji Yi picked out two buns. When she went to pay, she happened to pass by the alcohol section. She hesitated for a moment then crouched down and picked up a tasty beer she tried before. In the heat of the moment, she went back and grabbed a dozen bottles.

    Back at the hotel room, Ji Yi tore into the buns. Without tasting a thing, she ate until she was full. Then she opened a bottle of beer. As she sat on the wooden floors in front of the tall windows, she stared out at the night sky, drinking on her own.

    The room was very quiet. Aside from the sound of her chugging beer, nothing else could be heard.

    The still atmosphere made Ji Yi feel quite stifled. She reached around for her phone on the ground, tapped a music app, and randomly picked a song.

    While listening to music, Ji Yi drank one bottle after another.

    She figured she could sleep well if she got drunk, but who knew that the more she drank, the sadder she would feel?

    Eventually, tears crashed down from her eyes as she drank.

    She wasn¡¯t sure how many songs yed from her ylist when all of a sudden, a familiar melody started to y.

    Ji Yi stopped drinking then heard He Jichen¡¯s voiceing out from her phone.

    ¡°It honestly feels like a good thing that doesn¡¯t have to be promised. I thought I could let you do what you want. Besides, I have nowhere to go.¡±

    This was the audio clip Tang Huahua recorded and sent to her a few days ago. Tang Huahua was organizing her phone when she incidentally came across the clip she recorded on Ji Yi¡¯s birthdayst year.

    After Tang Huahua sent it to her, she saved it to her phone.

    Ji Yi had been feeling so down about himtely and was afraid she¡¯d lose herself, so she hadn¡¯t dared to listen to it. She never imagined that this song woulde up today after she randomly put on a ylist.

    ¡°I would rather stay within your radius. At least I can feel your happiness and sadness...¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, her momentarily-halted tears started to pour out again.

    He Jichen, do you know? Right now, I identify so strongly with the lyrics of this song. I want to keep you within my radius. It doesn¡¯t matter if you don¡¯t love me, and it¡¯s fine if we never speak again as long as I can see you every now and then from afar. But you¡¯re leaving Beijing now, so I can¡¯t even hope for that...

    ¡°You can choose to love me or not; I am still yours no matter what. Because I love you, so it has nothing to do with you...¡±

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t listen anymore. She quickly swiped on her phone and stopped the music.

    She gripped her phone tightly as her body couldn¡¯t help but tremble. She started to sob quietly.

    Stunned for two seconds, she realized a sound wasing from her phone. She looked over at it and realized that while she was clutching onto her phone, her fingers identally made a call...

    With that thought, Ji Yi nced at the screen.

    She just saw the three words ¡°He Jichen¡± and had no time to react before his crisp voice came out from the phone: ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

 Chapter 683

    Chapter 683: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence, the Adolescent Who I Liked (23)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The familiar voice made Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly shudder, causing her phone to almost fall to the floor.

    She stared at the shing phone screen like an illusion had appeared. All of a sudden, she forgot to speak.

    He Jichen waited a while, but seeing as Ji Yi still hadn¡¯t made a sound, he repeated, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi shuddered from He Jichen¡¯s voice then she instinctively blurted out, ¡°At...¡±

    She made the call without knowing, so she hadn¡¯t nned what she was going to say to him. She replied with just one word then stopped.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± probed He Jichen again, seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything. After waiting just a few short seconds, his voice came out from the phone again. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡±

    ¡°No...¡± This time, Ji Yi didn¡¯t pause for too long. She quickly said something but stopped again after just one syble.

    Perhaps it was because she¡¯d been crying far too heavily that her nose couldn¡¯t help but quietly sniff.

    Even though it was very soft, He Jichen caught on. He didn¡¯t wait for her to continue speaking and quickly said, ¡°Did something happen?¡±

    His voice sounded pleasant and elegant, but there was a hidden worry that Ji Yi was far too familiar with. Ji Yi felt her tears suddenly falling again.

    Though they were a phone call apart, she still hurriedly lifted her hand to wipe her tears, but as she did so, more and more tears fell. Soon enough, her palm was drenched.

    ¡°Xiao Yi?¡± He Jichen¡¯s voice worriedly cried her name again.

    Ji Yi heard those two words and cried even more loudly. She couldn¡¯t hold it in as the sound of a sob suddenly escaped.

    She was afraid to cry aloud, so in a split-second, she quickly covered her mouth and swiftly ended the call.

    She buried her face in her palms and cried with her shoulders shuddering for quite some time. After the weight on her mind subsided, she reached out and grabbed a bottle of beer.

    Just as she removed the lid and took a gulp, a knock came at her hotel room door.

    Ji Yi nced at the time on the hotel clock. It was almost eleven in the evening. Is Zhuang Yi looking for me?

    With that thought, another knock came at the door.

    Ji Yi hurriedly put the beer down, got up and ran to the door.

    Before she opened the door, she didn¡¯t forget to run into the bathroom and ssh water over her face to wash off the tear stains.

    She randomly pulled out two pieces of tissue and wiped her face and hands while walking over to the door. Just as she pulled the door open without seeing who was on the other side of the door, another knock came. However, it was just two knocks. The person knocking at the door probably didn¡¯t notice that the door was open. The person stopped knocking then a voice was heard. ¡°Xiao Yi.¡±

    The blood in Ji Yi¡¯s body suddenly stopped running.

    She sluggishly raised her head for a few seconds then stared at the person outside.

    He Jichen, who she just hung up on, was now standing right in front of her.

    He didn¡¯t seem to realize that she was in a trance as he took a step towards her. ¡°What the hell is wrong?¡±

    After he asked, he smelled the scent of alcohol and furrowed his brows. Then he said, ¡°Have you been drinking?¡±

    As he said this, he raised his head and looked into her eyes, scanning her up and down.

    The strands of hair by her temple were wet. She must¡¯ve washed her face before opening the door.

 Chapter 684

    Chapter 684: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence and the Adolescent Who I Liked (24)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Her face looked rather pale and the rims of her eyes were red, revealing that she¡¯d been crying.

    She was crying and drinking... He Jichen¡¯s brows furrowed tightly as his voice sounded a lot quieter and slower: ¡°Are you upset? Did something happen?¡±

    When she heard this, Ji Yi snapped out of her trance.

    She stared at him but didn¡¯t say a word and remembered how he once spoke to her with the same soft and patient tone of voice. Not long after she joined YC, he got into an argument with director Lin and the other people at thepany over her fall during the variety show recording. She was in a terrible mood and hadn¡¯t eaten anything, so he ordered food for her...

    She was afraid that if she ever got sad again, there wouldn¡¯t be someone like him who could defend her and cheer her up like that ever again...

    With that thought, Ji Yi felt her eyes aching.

    She didn¡¯t want to cry in front of him, so in a split-second, she raised her lips. Without directly replying, she asked her own question: ¡°Why did youe over?¡±

    ¡°I had business to deal with, so I came over to the studio,¡± replied He Jichen vaguely. He didn¡¯t let her know that the only reason he went to Hengdian was because Zhuang Yi called him and told him what happened during Ji Yi¡¯s shoot in the afternoon. She even told him that for some reason, she was distracted today and hadn¡¯te out from her room after asking the director for the day off. He was worried, so he asked Chen Bai to book him a ne ticket and he flew over.

    After Ji Yi replied, He Jichen quickly changed the subject. ¡°What about you? What the hell happened?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just not in a great mood.¡± She realized He Jichen was still standing outside the door and quickly moved aside. ¡°Come in and sit.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but stared at her as though he didn¡¯t believe her.

    Ji Yi thought about it for a moment then exined with certainty, ¡°I feel sad every week for a few days for some reason.¡±

    He Jichen seemed to believe her and rxed his tightened brows. He then walked into the room.

    With the door shut, Ji Yi signaled for He Jichen to sit anywhere. Then she sat back on the floor in front of the tall windows where she was daydreaming earlier.

    There were several empty bottles of beer scattered everywhere and there were still some unopened beers in the bag on her right...

    He Jichen couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brows again as he watched. ¡°Why did you drink so many?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t drank this much in so long...¡± Ji Yi handed He Jichen the beer she just opened. ¡°...Do you want some?¡±

    He Jichen hesitated for a while but took it.

    Ji Yi grabbed another bottle of beer, raised it to He Jichen, then put it to the side of her lips and started to gulp.

    He Jichen wanted to stop Ji Yi, so he moved his lips but didn¡¯t say anything. All he did was stare at her unwaveringly as she drank.

    After drinking half the bottle of beer, Ji Yi raised her hand and wiped her mouth. Then she noticed He Jichen hadn¡¯t drunk from the bottle in his hands and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you drinking?¡±

    He Jichen put the beer bottle to his lips and took just a sip.

    Just as he stopped, Ji Yi raised her bottle at him again. All He Jichen could do was raise his bottle and drink with her.

    Ji Yi lowered the bottle from her lips and red at He Jichen. After he stopped gulping his beer, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°I heard you... are going to leave Beijing?¡±

    He Jichen remained silent for a while then gently nodded and replied, ¡°Mhm.¡±

 Chapter 685

    Chapter 685: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence and the Adolescent Who I Liked (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    His casual reply cut Ji Yi like a knife, tearing into her heart.

    She didn¡¯t dare keep looking at He Jichen. A second after his voice fell, she averted her gaze out the window.

    After some time, she cried, ¡°I also heard that...¡±

    She didn¡¯t manage to finish what she was saying when a warm, piercing pain crept into her eyes. Her throat became stifled as she tried her hardest to swallow. When she was sure her voice was back to normal, she continued to say: ¡°...You might note back this time?¡±

    He Jichen brought the beer to his lips. After drinking half the bottle, he finally replied to Ji Yi. This time, he didn¡¯t nod but gently replied, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    He wouldn¡¯t be making a grand return. Perhaps it¡¯d be like four years ago when he secretly came to Beijing on his own and watched over her from afar, but he wouldn¡¯t let anyone know...

    Ji Yi¡¯s throat felt unbelievably stifled. She was afraid to cry, so she started to chug the beer.

    The bottle of beer only left her lips when it waspletely finished. Then she stared up at the ceiling and held her gaze for a while. She waited for the ache in her eyes to fade away before she slowly lowered her head and deliberately tried to sound rxed. ¡°Are you going back to take over thepany?¡±

    Lately, he¡¯d been busy setting out her future path that he hadn¡¯t been thinking about his own future. He was more or less going back to Sucheng and was going to make other ns, but he hadn¡¯t really thought about it...

    As He Jichen was deep in thought, he didn¡¯t reply. Ji Yi took that as silent affirmation and said, ¡°He Enterprises is great. Compared to YC, you¡¯ll probably be a little busier, but there¡¯ll be less pressure. After all, you¡¯ll be on the right track for everything. Most importantly, you can earn more money, which is pretty great...¡±

    Actually, it wasn¡¯t great at all. She didn¡¯t want him to leave Beijing or YC at all...

    ...even if she was now signed to a differentpany. However, after she finished speaking, she raised her lips slightly. She turned to look at He Jichen and spoke as though she was trying to convince herself by emphasizing it again, ¡°...It¡¯s really great.¡±

    He Jichen gazed deeply at Ji Yi for a while but didn¡¯t say anything. All he did was raise his bottle to his lips as he withdrew his gaze.

    Ji Yi watched him drink and grabbed another bottle from the bedside. After she removed the lid, she started to drink with him.

    Before He Jichen arrived, Ji Yi already drank quite a bit. In that very moment, she was feeling a little tipsy. She was really afraid that after she sobered up, she¡¯d suddenly start crying uncontrobly if she continued talking about He Jichen¡¯s future without her.

    So Ji Yi waited until after she swallowed the beer in her mouth then changed the subject. ¡°During my afternoon shoot, one of the lines I had to deliver was ¡®Can we really not go back to how things were?¡¯ That made me think back to what happened on my birthday...¡±

    Even though Ji Yi didn¡¯t describe it in detail, He Jichen knew she was talking about the time he told her ¡°Can we go back to how things were before?¡±.

    He knew she hadn¡¯t finished speaking, so he didn¡¯t interrupt her.

    Ji Yi took another gulp then continued, ¡°...Then I thought back to what happened in senior high.¡±

    As she said that, Ji Yi looked over towards He Jichen again. ¡°Oh yeah... He Jichen, did you know?¡±

 Chapter 686

    Chapter 686: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence and the Adolescent Who I Liked (26)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Even though the first time I met you was at your house in our third year of junior high, I actually knew about you the first day I arrived at Sucheng.¡±

    He Jichen looked at Ji Yi with a little disbelief.

    Slightly tipsy, Ji Yi didn¡¯t give He Jichen a chance to speak as she continued by saying, ¡°My grandma mentioned you. Granny told me that the neighbors were a rich family with two identical twins; the older son was polite and respectful, but the younger one was a devil. If I ever saw the one with the red string around his wrist, I had to stay as far away from him as possible...¡±

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but smile at the thought of how she used to sneak peeks and hide far away from He Jichen before they became close. ¡°...I used to really listen to granny, so I immediately cklisted you...¡±

    Absolutely clueless about this, He Jichen was left a little speechless as he furrowed his brows. ¡°Granny was really scatter-brained. One time she forgot her keys, so she couldn¡¯t get into the house. I had to risk my life by jumping into granny¡¯s window and helping her open the door.¡±

    He Jichen immediately caught onto the three words ¡°risk my life.¡± Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help butugh again as she took another gulp of beer. For the most part, she really had drunk too much. Her vision was hazy and her expression became soft. ¡°...But, He Jichen, Yuguang Ge was the one who told me your name, not granny.¡±

    At the mention of his name, Ji Yi suddenly looked like she remembered something important then blinked gently. Without waiting for He Jichen to speak, she continued by saying, ¡°At the time, when I heard your name, I thought it sounded better than Yuguang Ge¡¯s name because...¡±

    Ji Yi stopped abruptly and pushed the answer back down and tilted her head. ¡°...He Jichen, do you know why?¡± she asked.

    He also thought her name was unusually pleasing to the ear the first time he heard it because her name had the same ¡°Ji¡± from his own name.

    Even after deep thought, He Jichen really couldn¡¯t figure out why Ji Yi thought his name sounded nice, so he shook his head at her. Then he asked with an earnest look on his face: ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because...¡± Ji Yi stopped for a second, curved her lips into a smile and said, ¡°...Ji.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers around his beer bottle trembled for a moment. He thought he heard wrong, so he didn¡¯t dare make a sound or flinch.

    ¡°The ¡®Ji¡¯ in Ji Yi and the ¡®Ji¡¯ in He Jichen. Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s a coincidence? Our names both have ¡®Ji¡¯ in them. Because of this, I thought your name sounded especially nice...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish her final word, He Jichen suddenly said, ¡°What a coincidence.¡±

    Ji Yi suddenly froze as she didn¡¯t quite understand what He Jichen meant by those three words.

    He Jichen knew Ji Yi didn¡¯t understand him, so he looked her right in the eyes and continued to exin with a t voice, ¡°Me too. Because of the character ¡®Ji,¡¯ I thought your name sounded particrly nice.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s lips gaped slightly as though she was gently stimted by something. She felt an intense feeling filling up her chest as she stared right at He Jichen. After a while, her lips curved into a smile then she replied, ¡°That¡¯s a real coincidence.¡±

    He Jichen nodded but didn¡¯t say anything. All he did was stare deeply back at Ji Yi.

 Chapter 687

    Chapter 687: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence and the Adolescent Who I Liked (27)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s breathing slowly faltered under He Jichen¡¯s gaze as she gradually withdrew the smile on her lips.

    The atmosphere in the room became a little odd. He Jichen fluttered his eyelids gently, put the beer bottle to his lips and took a big gulp. All of a sudden, it looked like he remembered something. ¡°Actually, the same for me too. The first time I found out about you wasn¡¯t that time you were at my house.¡±

    Wasn¡¯t the time I was at his house... Ji Yi stared at He Jichen¡¯s eyes with a sh of curiosity.

    He put on the same expression Ji Yi had when she told the story of the first time she heard about him. Like before, he didn¡¯t wait for her to ask and continued by saying, ¡°It was over a year before then, on the school¡¯s outdoor track. You walked out of the restroom with two girls and happened to pass by me. I heard you say something and nced back at you. That was the moment I found out about you...¡±

    Then I remembered you and fell deeply in love with you.

    Over a year earlier... At the time, she hadn¡¯t been in Sucheng for too long... But, how could she not remember seeing him as she walked by the track?

    Ji Yi thought about it deeply for a while then realized that she forgot something important. ¡°What did I say to make you nce back at me?¡± she asked hurriedly.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply Ji Yi but looked down andughed.

    Ji Yi looked at the expression on He Jichen¡¯s face and grew even more curious. ¡°What did I actually say?¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t say anything but reached into his pocket to grab his phone.

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen who was typing on his phone. Just as she was going to rush him, she heard her phone go off ¨C ¡°ding dong.¡± She picked up her phone that she¡¯d so casually tossed aside and immediately saw He Jichen¡¯s text that read: ¡°a condom each.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes suddenly widened.

    When did I say this?

    Confusion shed across Ji Yi¡¯s head as another message popped up on her phone screen. It was He Jichen again. ¡°Let me ask you guys ¨C if one night, you went out on your own and were stopped by two thugs who wanted to rape you, what would you do?¡±

    After reading that message, Ji Yi vaguely started to remember that it really did happen.

    Her face flushed in an instant.

    Conversations between girls were wilder than wild, so she felt a little embarrassed that a guy heard such a thing. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but try to exin her younger self in a hushed voice, ¡°At the time, I just said it randomly.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡± He Jichen knew she was embarrassed, so he didn¡¯t linger on the topic for too long and changed the subject. ¡°Later, I even saw you once or twice, but I only found out your name that time you were at my house.¡±

    ¡°But after that, I think we weren¡¯t really close. We saw each other at school, yet we never said hello,¡± said Ji Yi as she couldn¡¯t help but continue for him.

    ¡°Yeah, we weren¡¯t really close until the second year of senior high. I think that¡¯s when we started to talk,¡± said He Jichen.

    ¡°Yeah, it was that time with Sun Zhang. That¡¯s when we became friends.¡±

    He Jichen shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t think we started talking after what happened with Sun Zhang...¡±

    Even though it happened several years ago, He Jichen could still clearly remember what was said and where, after the first time they met. ¡°...That day was founder¡¯s day and my birthday. Fatty was messing around and brought you over to KTV...¡±

 Chapter 688

    Chapter 688: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence and the Adolescent Who I Liked (28)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As he said that, Ji Yi instantly remembered the incident.

    He Jichen was still reminiscing. ¡°...At the time, I really didn¡¯t know about it. As soon as I walked into the room and saw you, I was confused. Before I could ask what this was all about, you sshed beer all over my face.¡±

    ¡°At the time, I was afraid I wouldn¡¯t make it back to my performance, so I was a little impatient. That day was your birthday. I shouldn¡¯t have done that to you...¡± At the mention of the beer sshing incident, Ji Yi lowered her eyes apologetically.

    ¡°It all happened because of me after all, so you had every right to be mad at me.¡± As he said this, He Jichen looked like he was deep in thought as he suddenly paused for a moment before continuing. ¡°But since you just mentioned Sun Zhang, you made me remember this one thing that happened. The incident with Sun Zhang at the track wasn¡¯t the first time we shed. Before that, I punched him once at the inte cafe.¡±

    ¡°Inte cafe?¡± Completely in the dark, Ji Yi put down the beer she was drinking in confusion and looked at He Jichen.

    He Jichen softly replied, ¡°Mhm...¡± like he was thinking back to what happened. He was in deep thought for a moment then said, ¡°...I think he was at aputer at the time, sitting next to you. When he left, he deliberately tripped and leaned against your body. I happened to see it, so I asked Fatty to bring him up to the second floor and kicked him a few times...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t remember that incident, but after hearing He Jichen¡¯s story, she remembered something that she hadn¡¯t understood back when she was in school.

    Fatty and the gang always surrounded her every time she went to the inte cafe.

    At first she didn¡¯t notice, but she eventually realized that the gang always stayed with her as she started to recognize a few faces over time. Back then, she assumed it was a coincidence. However, He Jichen just told her that Sun Zhang leaned onto her body and as a result, got beaten up by Fatty and the others...

    With that thought, Ji Yi asked, ¡°So back then, did you arrange for Fatty and the others to surround me every time I went to the inte cafe?¡±

    Because they were bringing up the past and He Jichen was deep in thought, he hesitated for a few seconds after hearing what Ji Yi asked. Then he replied, ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Hearing this answer, the suspicion in Ji Yi¡¯s heart grew more concrete as she continued to ask, ¡°You made them surround me just to stop Sun Zhang from harassing me?¡±

    This arrangement wasn¡¯t just targeted at Sun Zhang alone, but at anyone who messed with her. However, seeing as she guessed one part right, He Jichen nodded right away and replied, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    So before we even knew each other well, he was already protecting me secretly?

    This was clearly something warm and positive, but after Ji Yi found out, she felt even sadder and sorrowful in her heart.

    If this was a little earlier, before she developed feelings for Yuguang Ge and before she knew what she now knew, would she be as sad?

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything else and chugged her beer like her life depended on it.

    Because of her conversation with He Jichen, image upon image of their past yed like a movie on Ji Yi¡¯s mind.

    The image of them winning a doll at the funfair; the image of him skipping ss with her and going to the inte cafe to y games; the image of him threatening Fatty to help her clean up...

 Chapter 689

    Chapter 689: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence and the Adolescent Who I Liked (29)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The image of when they fought once because of Qian Ge; the image of when he ran over to give her an umbre in the heavy rain even when they were on bad terms...

    During ss, she got a stomach ache because she ate something cold. Before the teacher could say anything, he crouched down in front of her and piggybacked her to the nurse¡¯s office...

    The more she thought about it, the more Ji Yi was moved. In the end, she felt so emotional that she couldn¡¯t hold it down anymore. She couldn¡¯t resist the urge and cried out, ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    Sitting beside her while also reminiscing, He Jichen heard her voice. He slowly his head around and looked at her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    The floormp in front of the tall window shone a pale yellow light, entuating his perfect features.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if it was because she was drunk or if it was because of He Jichen, but she suddenly felt a little dizzy. ¡°Did you know? If I had to use a phrase to describe you, do you know what I¡¯d use?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything and watched as Ji Yi¡¯s gaze suddenly turned serious and focused.

    Ji Yi looked back at He Jichen, softly gulped, then continued to speak.

    Every word spoken with her gentle voice sounded unusually sweet in the silent room. ¡°You were the joy of my adolescence.¡±

    To her, he was just the joy of her adolescence... A sense of loneliness entered He Jichen¡¯s heart. Before the dreary feeling crept into his eyes, he turned his head and looked out the window.

    You were the joy of my adolescence and the person I liked.

    This was once the most beautiful confession she read on Weibo.

    It was just a shame he didn¡¯t understand it...

    Ji Yi silently stared at He Jichen.

    It wasn¡¯t clear how long the silencested in the room. The alcohol hadpletely taken over Ji Yi, but before her mind became even hazier, He Jichen suddenly broke the silence in the room. ¡°Xiao Yi, then if I had to describe you with one phrase, do you know what I would use?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything but stared unwaveringly at He Jichen¡¯s profile.

    As he stared out the window, He Jichen¡¯s eyelids fluttered lightly then moved his lips. ¡°My name has your surname in it.¡±

    My name has your surname in it... Such a beautiful line. It sounded so simr to what people said during proposals ¨C ¡°With my name, I¡¯ll give you your surname.¡±

    Why did I only find out about these words today? Why did I only just learn how he¡¯s been secretly protecting me before we even got close...?

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes started to ache and it felt like something was lodged in her throat. After a lot of effort, she was able to speak again. ¡°He Jichen, no matter where you go, I hope you¡¯re happy.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers trembled gently for a moment and an indescribable pain churned in the depths of his heart.

    It was time to say goodbye...

    Like before, he stared out the window and said with a soft voice, ¡°You too. No matter what happens in the future, I hope you get what you want and let go of what you can¡¯t have.¡±

    Tears started to well up in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. She naturally shut her eyes and downed the full bottle of beer in her hand.

    When she put the bottle down, she spoke again. ¡°He Jichen.¡±

    When he heard her voice, He Jichen tore his gaze from the window, turned his head and looked at Ji Yi.

 Chapter 690

    Chapter 690: You¡¯re the Joy of my Adolescence and the Adolescent Who I Liked (30)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s handsome face suddenly barged into her field of vision, causing Ji Yi¡¯s heart to quiver slightly. She wasn¡¯t particrly clear-headed, and at that moment, she felt extremely dazed. She couldn¡¯t differentiate between reality and her dreams as she stared and stared at He Jichen. Under the influence of alcohol, she abruptly drew closer to He Jichen¡¯s face and kissed his lips.

    He Jichen froze like he turned to stone.

    This image paused for a moment with Ji Yi watching He Jichen¡¯s unblinking eyes blink gently before slowly closing as her lips softly rubbed against his.

    She felt wave after wave of electric jolts soaring through her body.

    Her drunken, hazy mind lost all reason as she was led by the deepest part of her heart like a puppet. She kissed his lips a little harder and even stretched her tongue out in between his lips.

    He Jichen shivered all over and abruptly snapped to his senses. He instinctively wanted to reach out and push her off him, but because they were sitting in front of the tall windows, she was leaning too close to him. For a split-second, He Jichen lost his bnce. Ji Yi¡¯s entire body suddenly lunged into his embrace and she pressed him against the wooden floorboards.

    Their lips were still stuck together, but her hand was now touching his waist.

    Her soft fingertips left a series of provocative and intense caresses through his thin shirt.

    He Jichen¡¯s entire body suddenly tightened up and his breath started to grow unsteady.

    He had been drinking some beer too. Although he wasn¡¯t drunk, he didn¡¯t have enough self-control as he clearly felt his own handnding on her back.

    He obviously wanted to push her away, but his fingers didn¡¯t listen to him and locked onto her back. He pressed up against her body till they were inseparably close.

    Her hand followed his lead and instinctively wrapped around his shoulder, hugging him tightly.

    Their intimacy softened He Jichen¡¯s heart and allowed his consciousness topletely crumble. The moment her tongue brushed across his teeth, he suddenly bit her tongue gently, taking the initiative to passionately deepen their kiss.

    His kiss was forceful, revealing his dominance and power. It seemed like it wasn¡¯t enough as he kissed and kissed until his body abruptly flipped her over and pressed her down to the floor. With his lips glued to hers, his hand reached for her clothes.

    He didn¡¯t remove her clothes but wandered up her skirt and impatiently intruded upon her world.

    They both shuddered as he kissed her more deeply and she clumsily kissed him back.

    Their kiss grew intense ¨C so intense that her mind went nk. He Jichen felt like everything was a dream. They both gave in to their sense of longing from the deepest parts of their hearts. With their most basic instincts, they released their hidden, buried love.

    The night sky outside the hotel window grew darker, yet the temperature of the room got warmer. The atmosphere became even more intense.

    The once-quiet room now gradually started to echo with gradual heaving, soft moans, and the sound of groaning which could make anyone¡¯s face flush and heart race.

    The sounds didn¡¯t cease for a long, long time.

    He Jichen heaved as he buried his head into Ji Yi¡¯s neck and pressed into her body.

 Chapter 691

    Chapter 691: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As their heaving breaths gradually simmered down, the room returned to its natural silence.

    The two of them remained still, lying on the floor for an infinite amount of time until Ji Yi¡¯s body gently shifted. She felt ufortable on the ice-cold floor.

    Her subtle movements rmed He Jichen, sprawled out on top of her. He slowly opened his eyelids and stared at her fair, delicate ears for a short while before he slowly raised his head and looked at her face.

    Her eyes were shut, the redness on her face hadn¡¯tpletely subsided yet, and her lips were slightly swollen. Her beautiful neck was covered with hickeys.

    She looked pure yet seductive like that, making He Jichen¡¯s throat tighten. With that thought, his body started to boil again.

    He Jichen pursed his lips as his breathing started to grow heavy again.

    With her eyes shut, Ji Yi vaguely sensed something was off about the atmosphere around her. Her long, curved eyshes softly fluttered as she couldn¡¯t help but open her eyes.

    The moment her gaze met He Jichen¡¯s eyes, all she could see was a tinge of red. Before she could figure out what it meant, her lips were sealed by his.

    This time, his kiss was gentle ¨C aplete contrast to her forceful and fierce kiss from earlier.

    He repeatedly caressed her lips, waking her up from the calmness of her inner body.

    Her cool body on the floor slowly warmed up. She couldn¡¯t help but put her hand on his shoulder, trying to kiss him more deeply. However, he seemed to be deliberately tormenting her by pulling his head back when her lips lunged forward.

    Her thirst grew deeper with the lust of wanting something she couldn¡¯t have. She couldn¡¯t help but grab his shoulders with more force.

    But it seemed like he didn¡¯t care about her dissatisfaction as he calmly tortured her until she let out a soft grunt. That was when he stopped hovering around her lips and kissed her deeply.

    He kissed her until her entire body shuddered. Then he finally removed himself from her lips and moved down inch by inch.

    His hand fell on the cor of her shirt and kissed her body deeply and frantically. His pretty, long, slender fingers unbuttoned one button at a time...

    Until her clothes had all been removed. That was when he left her momentarily and swiftly removed his own clothes, then carried her onto the bed, pressing her back down...

    ...

    Inparison to before, itsted a little longer this time.

    Perhaps it was because he was overly content from two consecutive times that after He Jichen came, his head felt slightly dizzy. He felt like everything was just a dream.

    She was already really exhausted. Having had two unrestrained sessions of love, she waspletely exhausted. Not long after he left her body, she slipped into a deep sleep.

    He Jichen, who was equally as tired, was also hit by sleepiness. However, he couldn¡¯t bear to sleep. With the lights on in the room, he stared at her intensely as he didn¡¯t want to avert his gaze in the slightest.

    Time ticked on and the dark night slowly retreated and a faint light appeared from the skyline.

    When the streetlights outside the hotel went out one after the other, He Jichen slowly reached out and stroked Ji Yi¡¯s face.

 Chapter 692

    Chapter 692: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    His fingers lingered over her face for a moment. Then he slowly moved over her brows as though he was treasuring something he couldn¡¯t bear to part with. His fingers gently hovered over the shape of her brows, repeatedly drawing over them several times. Then he followed her tall nose bridge and wandered over to her lips.

    ...

    Ji Yi awoke from her dream when He Jichen touched her brows.

    At first, she thought she was just dreaming and instinctively wanted to open her eyes. However, before she could open her eyelids, she felt slightly-cold fingers tracing her eyes and nose.

    Her heart shuddered at this tangible touch when she suddenly realized it wasn¡¯t a dream. It was real and the person touching her was He Jichen...

    With that thought, she then realized she wasn¡¯t wearing any clothes and her body was tightly stuck onto He Jichen¡¯s body. She also realized he was just as naked as she was...

    Having slept for several hours, Ji Yi was more or less sobered up. Having had hangovers before, she could feel the familiar sensation of her entire body wanting to fall apart, but then she immediately realized what happened between themst night.

    She couldn¡¯t quite remember everything, but with her scattered memory, she could remember that before he said goodbye, she started to drunkenly talk and kissed him... Following that, the sexual image of the two of them together washed over her mind.

    Her heart suddenly raced and her fingers under the covers couldn¡¯t help but tightly grip onto the sheets.

    She stopped reminiscing when she felt an electric current on her lips.

    All of sudden, Ji Yi stopped. She felt the tips of his fingers stopping on her lips and slowly tracing the shape of them.

    Wave upon wave of this numbing sensation washed over her heart as she couldn¡¯t help but hold her breath.

    After who knew how long, he finally stopped teasing her. Just as Ji Yi was about to secretly exhale, she felt his face drawing closer to hers.

    Ji Yi instinctively stopped breathing. Even with her eyes shut, her senses and intuition could feel his unwavering gaze upon her.

    His gentle breaths brushed over her face every now and then, causing her heart to pound uncontrobly.

    Just as she could no longer handle the racing of her heart, He Jichen shifted his head, causing Ji Yi to no longer feel the heat of his breaths.

    She secretly let out a sigh of relief and loosened her clutch on the bedding. That was when she realized there was a thickyer of sweat on her palms that appeared unknowingly.

    Without his breath upon her face, she wasn¡¯t sure about his location or what he was doing anymore. Out of curiosity, she wanted to secretly open her eyes to sneak a peek. However, before she could act upon that thought, she heard him exhale. ¡°Xiao Yi.¡±

    He made a barely-audible sound; those two words were uttered under his breath. He never normally spoke to her like that, but it sounded unusually familiar, like Ji Yi heard it somewhere before.

    Before Ji Yi could figure out what was happening, she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice again. ¡°Wish you the best,¡± he said in the same way.

 Chapter 693

    Chapter 693: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers trembled over those five words and realized how familiar He Jichen¡¯s manner of speech was.

    This time, He Jichen didn¡¯t stop at all but added another word under his breath. ¡°Goodbye.¡±

    Goodbye... Is he going to leave?

    Goodbye... Does that mean we aren¡¯t going to see each other again?

    It felt like arge hand was brutally clutching Ji Yi¡¯s heart as she suddenly winced in pain.

    Yeah, it¡¯s about time we said goodbye... He¡¯s already a married man and I¡¯m divorced from his older brother. The two of us are separated by a long and difficult path. If we hadn¡¯t been drunk and I hadn¡¯t drunkenly messed with him,st night never would¡¯ve happened...

    She alreadymitted a great sin because of her drinking, so even if she couldn¡¯t bear to say goodbye, she had no choice but to do it. This was the kind of goodbye where they would never see each other again.

    They hadn¡¯t parted yet, but the thought of it made Ji Yi¡¯s eyes heat up.

    Her fingers tightly clutched the bedding once more. She was afraid to suddenly cry and afraid for him to find out she was just pretending to be asleep.

    Having said goodbye, He Jichen stared deeply at Ji Yi, who had a soft look on her face as she slept peacefully. He stayed like that for a while, as though he was trying hard to imprint her in his memory. Then he slowly lowered his head and nted a soft kiss on her forehead.

    The warmth of his soft lips between her brows lingered for a second before it dissipated.

    When he pulled away from her face, Ji Yi heard an extremely faint sigh. Just when Ji Yi thought she was hallucinating, he abruptly and swiftly removed the covers and got out of bed.

    His movements made Ji Yi suddenly remember something that happened in the past.

    On the first Chinese New Year after she and He Jichen reunited, they got into an argument over a misunderstanding because of Lin Zhengyi. On the first day of school after Chinese new year, she went to a party with Bo He and Tang Huahua at the hot pot restaurant opposite the school, where she happened to sit at the same table as him.

    That day, they didn¡¯t speak to each other and he left early. Then the waiter went upstairs and told them that the wishing bell was going to ring.

    Purely to join in on the fun, everyone in the building went down. When the lights went out, the wishing bell rang for five seconds and someone stole a kiss from her.

    Before that person let go of her, he kissed the center of her brows. Then, as though he regretted that their time together was so short, he let out a soft sigh and swiftly left her.

    That whole scenario was the same as what He Jichen just did. What¡¯s more, the man who secretly kissed her even left by saying, ¡°Actually I¡¯m really not so bad. Do you want to try to fall in love with me?¡±

    At that memory, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but curl her body under the sheets.

    It was no wonder she thought He Jichen sounded familiar when he spoke as he exhaled. S-so that night, in front of the wishing bell... he was the one who stole a kiss from me.

    He even said those words to me... Did that mean he actually liked me a little back then?

    But... But I realized it toote... He¡¯s already married to the C Girl he loved deeply when he was younger. Later, I also fell for He Yuguang after reuniting with him again...

    If I knew it was him that day, then maybe... maybe we wouldn¡¯t havee to this end.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t open her eyes but from the sounds of it, she could tell He Jichen had stepped into the bathroom.

 Chapter 694

    Chapter 694: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Right after the bathroom door closed, the sound of running water was heard.

    Soon enough, that sound stopped and the room slipped into silence. In one short minute, the bathroom door opened and He Jichen emerged from inside.

    Like before, Ji Yi kept her eyes shut, but she could clearly hear He Jichen¡¯s footsteps getting closer to the side of the bed. Eventually, he stopped by the balcony.

    For a short while, it was silent again. Then Ji Yi heard rustling noises and realized that He Jichen was putting his clothes on when she heard a belt being buckled.

    Ji Yi knew that with He Jichen¡¯s departure this time, they would never have anything to do with each other again.

    She really wanted to open her eyes and ask him, ¡°Could you not leave Beijing?¡±

    But she knew that she couldn¡¯t do that. Last night, they weren¡¯t supposed to have sex ¨C she already hurt his wife, so she couldn¡¯t make another mistake like that. All she could do was pretend everything that happenedst night was all just a dream. Waking up from her dream, all she could do was force herself to endure the pain in her heart and pretend to not know what he was doing at that moment. Sheid quietly in bed like she was still sleeping and let him leave.

    As the sound of him getting dressed endlessly drilled into her ears, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but pinch the bedsheets even harder.

    Eventually, the silence in the room returned. Ji Yi knew He Jichen was done getting dressed. Her hands couldn¡¯t help but start to tremble gently.

    Fully dressed, He Jichen lingered in the room for just half a minute before he walked over to the door.

    Ji Yi heard his footsteps moving further and further away. Tears finally poured from the corners of her tightly shut eyes.

    She heard the sound of the doorknob turning and knew he had already walked up to the front door. She suddenly bit the corner of the sheets to muffle her own mouth then started to cry silently.

    The door was silent for a while before she heard the sound of footsteps again. She knew it meant he had walked out the door. She curled her body into a ball and her face was drenched in tears as she trembled violently.

    He took just two steps before the doorway fell silent again. This time, a long time passed before a soft ¡°kacha¡± came from the door. Ji Yi knew He Jichen had closed the door behind him.

    She abruptly flung the covers off like she had been electrocuted then jumped out of bedpletely naked and headed over to the door. She stared nkly at the door for a while then crouched down as though she lost the whole world and sobbed helplessly.

    He was gone. He left her with only ¡°Wish you all the best.¡±

    Tonight, their story hade to a full stop.

    As the sound of Ji Yi¡¯s cries got louder and louder, a slurred name escaped her mouth.

    ¡°Jichen, Jichen, Jichen, Jichen...¡±

    She cried over and over again until the pain prated her heart, until her heart broke.

    We¡¯re still so young. We still have really long lives ahead of us, yet we¡¯ll be spending it with other people. It seems like our time together ends right here.

    He Jichen, I really wanted to stay within your radius. I don¡¯t mind if you love me or not.

    He Jichen, I love you.

    He Jichen, goodbye.

 Chapter 695

    Chapter 695: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    He closed the door to Ji Yi¡¯s room and quickly walked over to the elevator. He pressed the button, stepped in, and headed down to the first floor. As he emerged from the elevators, he took big strides to the hotel lobby... This series of actions was done in one breath.

    On his journey, he didn¡¯t dare to rx at all, nor did he dare to slow down in the slightest in fear that he would suddenly crumble after making such a difficult decision. He was afraid he¡¯d turn around and run back to her hotel room and be with her, disregard everything and not care about any consequences whatsoever.

    So, all he could do was continue to force himself to walk on and stay as far as possible from her. By the time he simply had no more strength left and stopped walking, he was already far away from the hotel.

    The sky had just turned light, the streets were empty, and only one or two people passed by.

    He Jichen had his back to the hotel like a statue. After standing for quite some time, he slowly turned his head and looked over the towering hotel building.

    Last night, he was selfish. He acted on his impulses and took advantage of her while she was drunk and unconscious.

    This was the third night they spent together and he was afraid it would also be their final night together. Because of this, he let himself be selfish onest time.

    I wanted to disregard everything, hold your hand and stay with you till the end, but I can only be with you up to this point.

    Ji Yi, I wish you all the best. I¡¯m fine.

    Ji Yi, I wish you all the best. Without you, I really can¡¯t live.

    Ji Yi, from here on out, I won¡¯t look for you far and wide, nor will I wait for you. I¡¯ll just love you.

    Ji Yi, that girl I used to call ¡°C Girl¡± when I was young. Goodbye.

    A gust of wind blew into He Jichen¡¯s eyes. It wasn¡¯t a sandstorm, but a hint of redness appeared in his eyes.

    He stared unwaveringly at the hotel building for a really long time, until the sun rose. As his shadow grew longer, he finally withdrew his gaze, hailed a cab and left Hengdian.

    ¨C

    What happened that night didn¡¯t change Ji Yi and He Jichen¡¯s rtionship. The two of them acted as though they never met up and they didn¡¯t keep in contact.

    What happened that night didn¡¯t cause any major trouble for Ji Yi¡¯s life. After crying bitterly, she walked into the bathroom and took a thorough shower. She applied her skincare then went downstairs to have breakfast as usual. After eating, she went on set, did her makeup, and waited to shoot her scenes.

    She wasn¡¯t as distracted as she was yesterday afternoon. In contrast, she was particrly in character and was able to memorize every single line with no problem. To the director¡¯s surprise, she was able to grasp the emotions very well; she was even able to act out the scenes with breathtaking detail.

    Three dayster, ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± finished filming.

    The end-of-production party was set for the day after at the China World Hotel, Beijing.

    Ji Yi took an overnight flight back to Beijing the day they finished filming.

    She didn¡¯t go back to school or go back home because it was reallyte. Instead, she headed straight for the China World Hotel, Beijing and booked a room with Zhuang Yi.

    Ji Yi fell asleep at four in the morning, so when she woke up, it was already two in the afternoon.

    She ate some food then took a short break. She showered and applied her makeup for the end-of-production party at seven in the evening.

    ¡°Jiochong Pce¡± was YC¡¯s release, so Ji Yi thought she¡¯d bump into He Jichen at the party, but she never thought YC¡¯s vice president would be there instead.

    Midway through the party, Ji Yi didn¡¯t manage to see He Jichen but she did hear some news about him.

    He Jichen booked a flight to America for the next day.

 Chapter 696

    Chapter 696: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The flight was booked in a hurry for ten in the afternoon. It was a one-way ticket, not a return.

    What¡¯s more, he handed in all his work to YC two days ago.

    So... after He Jichen leaves Beijing, he¡¯ll go to America for some time but as for his return date... it¡¯s undetermined?

    Ji Yi was enjoying a tall ss of red wine while in casual conversation with someone when she identally overheard someone mentioning this. Her heart instantly started to feel an indescribable sense of panic.

    She knew he was going to leave, but she never thought he would actually leave in such a hurry. It¡¯d only been a few days since she heard the news and just three or four days since they parted that night...

    ¡°Miss Ji? Miss Ji?¡± cried someone repeatedly.

    Ji Yi snapped out of her daze and realized that the VP of Huan Ying Entertainment was introducing her to his business partners. Before she could greet them, she fell into a daydream thinking about He Jichen.

    Ji Yi hurriedly cleared up the confusion on her mind and forced an apologetic smile to the person calling her. Then she pushed her wine ss forward and said, ¡°Hello, Mr. Liang. My apologies for earlier.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I hope we will get the opportunity to work with Miss Ji in the future.¡± Mr. Liang didn¡¯t seem to mind as he smiled and clinked sses with Ji Yi.

    ¡°Absolutely, absolutely.¡± Ji Yi put the wine ss to her lips and took a sip then continued to casually chat with the group.

    In contrast to before, Ji Yi didn¡¯t seem so distracted. Every now and then, she heard snippets of other people¡¯s conversations. Sometimes, she still zoned out and her gaze would fixate on one area.

    Ji Yi knew that with her current state of mind, it wasn¡¯t best for her to continue socializing with others, so she found a right time to excuse herself to go to the restroom and left the party.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t go to the restroom but took the elevator and headed straight upstairs.

    When Ji Yi returned to her hotel room, she slumped back against the wooden door behind her and sat on the floor.

    Since the night he left her in that room in Hengdian, she¡¯d been forcing herself not to think about him. She¡¯d been doing her best to focus on other areas.

    However, when she randomly heard news about his departure tonight, Ji Yi instantly felt utterly defeated after several days of hard work to stay strong.

    They were going to part eventually, but when it was time for it to really happen, she realized she simply couldn¡¯t take it...

    Ji Yi held the pain in her chest and buried her head between her knees.

    While washing her hands after using the toilet, Ji Yi removed her watch from around her wrist and casually nced at the time.

    It was already ten in the evening.

    There were twelve whole hours until He Jichen had to board a ne to leave Beijing...

    Which meant that in twelve hours, they would no longer be in the same city. Between them, things would be just like they were four years ago. They would be in different cities, living lives that had absolutely nothing to do with one another...

    With that thought, the pain in Ji Yi¡¯s chest couldn¡¯t help but make her arch her body, letting a single tear fall into the sink below.

    She silently stared at the fallen tear for a while then suddenly reached out and removed her dress. After turning on the tap, she pulled out some makeup remover and quickly washed her face.

    She used a towel to frantically dry her hair. She changed into a pair of leggings and a white t-shirt, grabbed her purse and sunsses then hurriedly exited the hotel.

 Chapter 697

    Chapter 697: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As Ji Yi stepped out of the China World Hotel, Beijing, she randomly picked a taxi by the road and pulled the door open. She told the driver He Jichen¡¯s address and climbed into the car.

    The roads at ten in the evening were pretty smooth. It took just twenty minutes for the taxi to stop outside the gates of He Jichen¡¯s residential area.

    JI Yi paid the fare. After the taxi drove off, she walked into the neighboring area.

    After walking about five minutes through the quiet neighborhood, Ji Yi stopped outside He Jichen¡¯s apartment building.

    Ji Yi lifted her head. Her eyes shot up floor after floor until they finally stopped at the eighteenth floor.

    The lights in He Jichen¡¯s apartment were still on. Ji Yi had been to his apartment many times, so she knew where it was.

    It¡¯s sote now. Is he still busy working?

    She wanted to tell him not to work so hard and to take care of himself.

    She wanted to tell him to take a few days off and go on holiday, to not stay at the office or home office doing overtime.

    She wanted to tell him to drink less when he had to entertain clients. If he could slip away from business dinners, she wanted to tell him to do so and to not stay up toote.

    More and more thoughts popped up, but that¡¯s all they were ¨C just thoughts. All she could really do was quietly stand outside his building, staring up at his apartment lights and spending his final night in Beijing like that.

    ¨C

    At the same time, outside the Ji family house.

    He Jichen leaned against the hood of his car with his head slightly raised at the window of Ji Yi¡¯s room. Through the window, he quietly stared at the dim yellow light.

    His hand reached into his pocket then pulled out a cigarette. The evening breeze blew in, causing the tip to glow repeatedly. The ashes scattered endlessly with the wind and floated away.

    ¨C

    The night gradually deepened.

    As she stood outside his apartment for a while, the soles of her feet began to feel numb, so she shifted her stance.

    As he stood outside her parent¡¯s home with his head raised, he reached for another cigarette and put it to his mouth. He lit it up and quietly took a drag. He lit up so many that he lost count. For this one, he kept it between his fingers and like before, he didn¡¯t touch it again.

    The wind grew stronger. The midnight sky was dark and dreary with specks of rain that were as soft as silk, drifting along with the wind.

    In spite of this, Ji Yi didn¡¯t move from her spot outside his apartment building.

    In spite of this, He Jichen continued to lean against the hood of his car instead of going inside.

    The rain wasn¡¯t heavy. Even after a long time, only their jackets and hair got wet.

    Where Ji Yi was standing happened to be a drafty area, so she found another ce to stand.

    He Jichen reached into his pocket to grab another cigarette and lit it up.

    As it approached morning, the rain gradually turned heavy. Ji Yi¡¯s clothes werepletely soaked, and the rain started to run down her clothes.

    The morning joggers had already started to wake up and leave the apartment building.

    Even with sunsses on, Ji Yi really caught people¡¯s attention since she was standing there foolishly in the rain. She was afraid someone would take a photo and post it online, so she withdrew her gaze from He Jichen¡¯s apartment window. Then she walked over to the gates of the residential area.

    After two steps, Ji Yi turned her head and nced up at He Jichen¡¯s apartment window again.

    Meanwhile, He Jichen¡¯s hair waspletely soaked, yet from beginning to end, he never had any intention of getting into the car.

    As drops of water streamed down his fine facial features, into his cor, and down his corbone, this image of him looked tragic and touching.

    The sky gradually got brighter and people ready to go to work emerged from the building with umbres.

    Quite a few curious people nced over at He Jichen, but it seemed like he couldn¡¯t sense them at all. Still, he stared transfixed at her apartment.

    FacebookTwitterGoogle+Th¨ºm...

 Chapter 698

    Chapter 698: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At almost seven in the morning, the phone rang.

    After a short while, He Jichen withdrew his gaze from the window of her apartment and lowered his head. He reached into his pocket for his phone.

    Through the rain, he nced at the phone screen and realized it was Chen Bai calling.

    He slid his fingers across the phone screen to pick up the call. The moment he put the phone to his ear, Chen Bai¡¯s voice rang through the rain. ¡°Mr. He, there¡¯s a little traffic on the roads this morning, so it¡¯s probably time to leave for the airport.¡±

    He Jichen instinctively raised his head and nced at Ji Yi¡¯s window. After about ten seconds, he let out a gentle ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯m heading to your ce now and will be there in about twenty minutes.¡±

    It seemed like He Jichen hadn¡¯t heard what Chen Bai said as he continued to stare up at the apartment for a long time through the dense rainfall. It wasn¡¯t until Chen Bai cried ¡°Mr. He¡± over the phone that he snapped out of it and let out another gentle ¡°Mhm.¡± Then he hung up the phone and nced up several more times at the window before he walked around the car. He pulled the car door open and got in.

    ¨C

    Last night, apart from Ji Yi and He Jichen standing all night in the rain, there was one other person guarding another building from night till dawn.

    He Jichen was set to leave for Beijing the next day, so Han Zhifan set up a party the night before at the Golden Lounge as a farewell party.

    Han Zhifan knew He Jichen was still angry with him because he got Ji Yi involved when he set up Cheng Weiwan. However, because He Jichen was suddenly leaving Beijing, he asked him to take care of Ji Yi, so that forcefully improved things between them.

    He Jichen had recently been feeling down, but he hadn¡¯t been showing it in the usual way when he was angry. Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t quite tell what was wrong, but this time, he mostly stared at one spot like he was distracted and slipped into endless silence.

    The farewell party was especially prepared for He Jichen, but he left before it was even eight in the evening.

    Quite a few people came to see He Jichen off, so with him gone, everybody started to make excuses and left one after the other.

    Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t in a rush to go back home, so he stayed at The Golden Lounge until midnight. It was only after his interest subsided that he left the party room.

    As he stood at the end of the hallway, Han Zhifan smoked another cigarette until it reached the very end. Then he finally called his driver and asked him to pick him up at the entrance of The Golden Lounge.

    Han Zhifan casually took two drags then slowly put out the cigarette and swayed as he walked down the brightly lit corridor. There were several winding turns required for him to reach the entrance of the lounge.

    The driver was already at the entrance. When he saw Han Zhifan leaving the lounge, the driver immediately got out to help him open the door.

    As Han Zhifan had drunk quite a bit of alcohol, his stomach felt quite ufortable. The next second, he bent over and crawled into the car then swiftly leaned back into his chair and shut his eyes.

    Since the end ofst month, Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t returned home or to his office for some reason.

    When the driver asked Han Zhifan where he was heading, he didn¡¯t mention the address to his apartment, so the driver asked, ¡°Mr. Han, are we heading back to your office or to your apartment?¡±

 Chapter 699

    Chapter 699: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    There was no sounding from the back of the car.

    The driver remembered how Han Zhifan had been going back to his old house every day and was about to ask, ¡°The old house again?¡±

    But in the end, before the words left his mouth, Han Zhifan¡¯s voice came from behind. ¡°To Yongyi Gardens.¡±

    Yongyi Gardens is Han Zhifan¡¯s home...

    Some time has already passed, so why did he take so long to think about going back to his own home?

    Although the driver was confused, he politely replied, ¡°Alright.¡±

    The driver was met with a wall of silence.

    The driver didn¡¯t utter a word but stepped on the gas and headed for Yongyi Gardens.

    When the car reached Yongyi Gardens, the guard in the security room was ying on his phone and noticed ring headlights. He immediately opened the window and peered out.

    He recognized Han Zhifan¡¯s car. After he saw the license te, the guard immediately opened the gates and politely greeted Han Zhifan who was sitting inside. ¡°Mr. Han, you haven¡¯t visited for a while...¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but nced out at the guard from the window.

    There was a speed bump at the gate, so the car drove slowly. Just as the car gradually drove into the courtyard, the guard said, ¡°...On the contrary, Miss Cheng came by twice...¡±

    Miss Cheng... Just as those two words entered Han Zhifan¡¯s mind, he instinctively nced at the driver through the rearview mirror.

    The driver understood what he meant and slowed down the car even more.

    ¡°...But, speaking of which, a strange thing happened. One day, when I was on patrol, I happened to see Miss Cheng. She was standing outside the building in a daze. She didn¡¯t actually go upstairs...¡± The guard saw Han Zhifan¡¯s car slowing down to walking speed and knew he piqued his interest. Then he hurriedly exined everything. ¡°...Oh, I almost forgot about some important business. Miss Chen came tonight. She¡¯s been in for about half an hour now.¡±

    Han Zhifan still didn¡¯t say anything but raised his hand and rolled up the car window.

    The driver saw this, so he quickly stepped on the gas and bolted off.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s apartment was right in the middle of the residential area.

    They turned left about two hundred meters ahead. As they quickly drew closer to Han Zhifan¡¯s apartment building, the driver¡¯s sharp eyes nced at the road ahead to see a familiar silhouette. ¡°Mr. He, the guard wasn¡¯t lying. It really is Miss Cheng...¡±

    Han Zhifan, who had his eyes shut, abruptly opened his eyes and looked through the windshield straight ahead.

    It was just as the driver said ¨C Cheng Weiwan was quietly standing under themppost. She noticed the sound of the car, so she curiously turned her head when she heard iting. Maybe she recognized the car because in the next second, she swiftly hid behind a randomly-parked car by the road.

    ¡°Why is Miss Cheng hiding...¡±

    Before the driver¡¯s confused voice settled, Han Zhifan said, ¡°Stop the car here.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± said the driver in confusion as he stared about fifty meters ahead.

    Han Zhifan then said, ¡°I¡¯ll walk over myself. You can drop me off here.¡±

    The driver assumed Han Zhifan and Cheng Weiwan had things to talk about, so he hurriedly hit the brakes.

    Han Zhifan got out of the car and after the driver turned around to leave, he calmly strode over to his apartment.

    Cheng Weiwan hid behind the car and never peered her head out.

    When Han Zhifan reached the front of his apartment building, he purposefully slowed down his footsteps.

 Chapter 700

    Chapter 700: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He took one step at a time towards the building. He thought she would call him from behind the car, so he never imagined she would stay silent as he walked all the way to the front door of the building and reached the elevator.

    Han Zhifan stopped and stared at the elevator for a while before pressing the button to open it.

    When the elevator door opened, he strode in. After the doors shut for quite some time, he finally realized he hadn¡¯t pressed any floor button yet.

    Back in his apartment, he swapped his shoes for slippers. When Han Zhifan stepped into the bathroom, he poured himself a ss of water and drank half the ss. He hesitated for a moment then walked over to the tall windows.

    Through the window, he could see her standing under the streetlight with just one nce.

    He carried his ss of water and took a few more gulps before walking over to the telescope on his balcony. Then he pointed the telescope down at Cheng Weiwan.

    Maybe it was the abortion, but she looked a lot skinnier. She wore a loose fitting dress and a pair of white shoes. It was already deep into the summer, so the evenings weren¡¯t chilly. Maybe she was afraid that the abortion would have an after-effect, so she wore a pair of ck leggings.

    Shortly after watching Cheng Weiwan through the telescope, Han Zhifan straightened up and finished his ss of water. Then he put the empty ss to one side, took off his clothes and stepped into the bathroom.

    After taking a nice hot shower, Han Zhifan emerged, wrapped in a bathrobe. He nced at the window and noticed it was covered with raindrops.

    It¡¯s raining?

    Han Zhidan furrowed his brows then walked over to the side of his bed. Just as he was going toy down, he walked over to the window again in his slippers.

    She was actually still hiding in the area, standing under a broken umbre with no intention of leaving.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s brows creased even tighter as he watched her for a while, but he finally headed back to bed as though he hadn¡¯t seen a thing. He switched off the lights and shut his eyes, ready to sleep.

    However, maybe he smoked too much in the evening or something, but Han Zhifan¡¯s mind was in the clouds. Heid there for a long time and couldn¡¯t sleep.

    The rain outside got heavier as the raindrops hit the window loudly.

    She should¡¯ve left by now, right?

    Han Zhifan thought as he turned around.

    He stayed in the same position. Not too long after lying there, he pulled off his covers and got out of bed.

    Without putting on his slippers, he walked over to the tall windows in his bare feet.

    She¡¯s still there... It looked like it was cold because she was curled up on the ground, hugging her arms.

    The umbre was old. The naughty kids in the neighborhood liked to poke at it with sticks, so the umbre had many holes. It was fine to use when the rain was light, but with the heavy rain, the water started to seep through and drench her clothes.

    As the rain grew heavier, the umbre couldn¡¯t take it anymore.

    As Han Zhifan watched Cheng Weiwan crouched there with no intention of leaving, his chest suddenly started to boil with anger. He turned around and headed for the door. But when he reached the entrance, he suddenly realized something and stopped.

    With his back against the window, he stood there for a while before heading back to the bedroom. He picked up his phone and texted Lin Sheng. ¡°Did you say there¡¯s a nice girl you wanted to introduce me to? Does she have some time tomorrow? If yes, ask her to meet me.¡±

 Chapter 701

    Chapter 701: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After the message was sent, Han Zhifan stared at the phone for a while then threw it on the bed and walked into the bathroom.

    After he came out, Han Zhifan nced out the window. Eventually, his wandering feet headed back to his bed before changing course to the balcony.

    He pulled open the curtain and nced outside. Cheng Weiwan was still there...

    Han Zhifan turned his head and nced at the clock on the wall. It was already almost three in the morning.

    Having finally calmed down after sending that text to Lin Sheng, he was now starting to get angry again.

    How annoying! Didn¡¯t we already break it off? Didn¡¯t she get over me by now?

    What does it have to do with me if she¡¯s downstairs in the rain all night? What am I pissed off about here?!

    Han Zhifan thought as he walked over to the bedside table and grabbed the ashtray and lighter. He lit up a cigarette and smoked as he made his way back to the balcony.

    Cheng Weiwan never left. Han Zhifan leaned against the ss door of the balcony and smoked one cigarette after another while staring at her.

    It wasn¡¯t until the sky became a little brighter that Cheng Weiwan finally stood up from the ground.

    It looked like she crouched for too long because her feet looked numb; she almost fell to the ground as she got up.

    As Han Zhifan watched on, his fingers around his cigarette couldn¡¯t help but tighten until the cigarette almost snapped.

    Luckily, Cheng Weiwan had fast reflexes. She reached her hand out, lifted herself up with the stone bench next to her, and steadied herself.

    She remained bent over for a while probably because she had pins and needles in her legs. Then she lifted her head up and stared at his window.

    From such a far distance, he knew there was no way she could see him, but the moment she cast her gaze in his direction, he quickly hid behind the curtains.

    After some time, Han Zhifan pulled the curtains back a crack and nced down.

    No one was by the umbre and the silhouette of Cheng Weiwan was gone.

    All night long, he had hoped she would leave so he could go back to bed to get some sleep.

    He thought he would be thrilled over this, but for some reason, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t feel the least bit sleepy now. As the rage subsided in the furthest part of his heart, there was an unspeakable hollow feeling inside.

    ¨C

    Just as the car was about to reach China World Hotel Beijing, Ji Yi suddenly said, ¡°To the airport, please.¡±

    The driver was stunned for a moment then asked in astonishment, ¡°Miss, aren¡¯t you going to China World Hotel Beijing?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply to the driver but pulled out her phone and checked the status of He Jichen¡¯s flight for half-past ten. Then she said, ¡°To Terminal 3 please.¡±

    Since the driver heard Ji Yi ask to go to the airport twice, he replied, ¡°Got it¡±. Then he hurriedly turned the car around ahead.

    It was eight in the morning when Ji Yi reached the airport, which was two and a half hours before He Jichen was going to take off.

    Ji Yi assumed He Jichen hadn¡¯t reached the airport yet and he would have to pass by the departure gates for international flights. She found a random spot and patiently waited.

    At twenty past nine, Chen Bai appeared in Ji Yi¡¯s field of view, pushing a luggage cart.

    Following behind him was He Jichen.

    Maybe because He Jichen wasn¡¯t going for a business trip, he was dressed in a casual outfit with a pair of sunsses which made him look a lot younger than usual.

    He Jichen and Chen Bai didn¡¯t notice Ji Yi and followed the path down the red carpet to the first ss cabin window, check-in desk and baggage drop-off.

 Chapter 702

    Chapter 702: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    With boarding pass in hand, Chen Bai walked with He Jichen all the way to the security check before he came to a stop.

    The two of them said goodbye as they stood there chatting for a long time. He Jichen reached out and took his boarding pass from Chen Bai then he turned around and walked into the security check.

    Chen Bai must¡¯ve called his name because after taking just two steps, He Jichen stopped and turned back to look at him.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure what Chen Bai said to He Jichen, but He Jichen¡¯s face froze slightly. He looked as though he was contemting something, but after a long while, his lips moved a little before he turned around and strode down the VIP path to the security check.

    Ji Yi retracted her entranced gaze from the security check after He Jichen¡¯s silhouette disappeared from sightpletely.

    Therge airport was filled with the noisy chatter of people all around, but to her, it suddenly felt like she was the only one left in the world.

    She felt a little lost and helpless; she nced left and right for a long time as though she was searching for something. She stared and stared until her vision became so blurry that she couldn¡¯t see a thing.

    ¨C

    After Chen Bai finished the check-in procedures, he walked He Jichen over to the security check. That was when he noticed Ji Yi.

    He was so stunned that he stopped for a moment, but he saw that He Jichen was walking some distance ahead, so he quickly caught up.

    As they reached the security check, the two of them came to a stop.

    It was time to say goodbye. Before Chen Bai could say anything, He Jicehn said, ¡°Please do take good care of her.¡±

    Even though He Jichen didn¡¯t mention a name, Chen Bai knew he was referring to Ji Yi.

    Chen Bai gently nodded. ¡°Mr. Chen, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve already handed Huan Ying my resume. They called yesterday to set up a meeting with me.¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded He Jichen. He then replied after a short while, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± said Chen Bai.

    Silence fell between the two of them.

    Soon after, He Jichen added, ¡°If you can¡¯t resolve anything, you can look for Han Zhifan.¡±

    After a pause, He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for Chen Bai to speak before adding, ¡°His family background and business is powerful in Beijing, so there may be many situations when it¡¯ll be easier for him to resolve things. What¡¯s more, he also has Lin Sheng.¡±

    He¡¯s about to leave, yet everything he mentions is about Miss Ji...

    Chen Bai¡¯s heart ached all of a sudden as he turned his head and looked over at the security check nearby before replying, ¡°I got it.¡±

    He Jichen gently let out an ¡°Mhm.¡± A few seconds passed as he stood on the spot like there was nothing else left to say before he finally said, ¡°I¡¯m off then.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He,¡± Chen Bai instinctively cried out He Jichen¡¯s name.

    He Jichen knew he was going to try to persuade him to stay, so he didn¡¯t wait for him to say anything and took his boarding pass from him. Then he turned and walked over to the security check.

    After taking no more than two steps, Chen Bai¡¯s voice was heard again, ¡°Mr. He, she¡¯s here.¡±

    It felt like He Jichen¡¯s pressure points were hit as he suddenly stopped.

    Chen Bai added, ¡°She came to the airport.¡±

    He Jichen knew he meant Ji Yi. He slowly turned around and looked over at Chen Bai.

    ¡°I just saw her. She¡¯s here to see you off. She¡¯s just over there. Would you like to say goodbye to her?¡±

    Chen Bai waited for a while, but seeing as He Jichen looked unwilling to say anything, Chen Bai then added, ¡°I¡¯ll help you go call...¡±

    Before Chen Bai could finish, He Jichen spoke up: ¡°No.¡±

 Chapter 703

    Chapter 703: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After his voice fell, He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for a reaction from Chen Bai and turned right around. Without looking back, he entered the security check.

    He saw her before Chen Bai did, but he just pretended otherwise.

    He knew she was there to see him off and he was very happy, but he didn¡¯t have the courage to hear her say goodbye.

    Because he was afraid that if he heard her speak, he wouldn¡¯t bear to leave...

    ¨C

    As she left the airport, Ji Yi happened to bump into Chen Bai.

    He was standing at the exit next to the trash can, taking big drags of his cigarette.

    Ji Yi never thought Chen Bai was the smoking type, but seeing as he choked, maybe it was his first time. When she saw him, he immediately straightened up from his frantic coughing.

    His head shot up as Ji Yi simultaneously noticed him.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t manage to avoid him in time, so all she could do was to stop walking.

    Chen Bai bumped into her, not surprised at all. He immediately put out his cigarette then walked over to her. ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi put her head down to hide the redness in her eyes and gently let out an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°Heading back to the city?¡± asked Chen Bai.

    Even though Chen Bai didn¡¯t ask why she was there, Ji Yi heard what he asked and realized he knew.

    She didn¡¯t shy away and nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll take you,¡± said Chen Bai.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t decline his offer and followed Chen Bai to the parking lot.

    As they crossed the road, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t resist but gently ask Chen Bai, ¡°Is he gone?¡±

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t stop walking. Just as they were about to reach the car, he said, ¡°Yes.¡±

    That simple word suddenly stopped Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps.

    Chen Bai pulled the car door open, but seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t get in, he turned back and called her, ¡°Miss Ji.¡±

    Ji Yi snapped back to reality, walked over to the car door and entered the car.

    The two of them didn¡¯t say a single word on the way back to the city.

    The lively city looked just as it always had, but Ji Yi felt like the scene outside looked frighteningly unfamiliar.

    Ji Yi stared out the window silently throughout the whole journey without blinking. As they were about to reach China World Hotel Beijing, she finally asked, ¡°Has he really left?¡±

    This time, Chen Bai didn¡¯t hesitate and quickly replied, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply.

    The car stopped silently at the entrance of China World Hotel Beijing. Chen Bai got out of the car and helped Ji Yi pull the car door open.

    After Ji Yi got out of the car and straightened up, she stared at the hotel entrance and moved her lips again. ¡°He left?¡±

    It felt like something was lodged in Chen Bai¡¯s throat as he felt an unspeakable ache. Shortly after, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down as he forced out the word, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything again and walked into the hotel like a ghost.

    Seeing her like this, Chen Bai was a little worried. ¡°Miss Ji?¡±

    Ji Yi looked as though she hadn¡¯t heard what he said and continued walking forward one step at a time like she was sleep-walking.

    After walking away five or six meters, Chen Bai vaguely heard the same words drifting out from Ji Yi¡¯s mouth: ¡°Has he left?¡±

    Chen Bai felt something piercing his heart harshly as his breath was suddenly stifled.

    Yes... He¡¯s gone...

    ¨C

    That night, Ji Yi had a fever.

    Zhuang Yi looked after her at the hospital and heard her mumbling all night long.

    Though she was mumbling, from beginning to end, she repeated two words like a crazy person: ¡°He left? He left...¡±

 Chapter 704

    hapter 704: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s fever didn¡¯t subside until early the next morning. With the drowsy after-effects of her medicine, she fell into a deep sleep.

    During her sleep, she had a dream ¨C a very long dream.

    At the start of the dream, she casually and carelessly wandered into a restaurant. She raised her head and happened to meet his gaze.

    Though it was supposed to be a dream, it was actually a memory.

    The images felt real in the dream and his expression looked clear and realistic.

    On the school track, he cruelly stepped on Sun Zhang¡¯s back and arrogantly said, ¡°Apologize!¡±

    In the rain, he walked over to her with a stern look on his face and shoved an umbre into her hand. Then he turned around and left without saying a word.

    At the hot pot restaurant opposite the school, he wrote a note to her with his handwriting that read: Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry.

    On the set of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± she was the person everyone spoiled. He asked her if they could go back to how things used to be.

    In the hotel by West Lake, he asked Ji Yi if she was willing to believe him and said, ¡°...I won¡¯t swarm to you when you¡¯re famous, and I won¡¯t turn and leave you at your lowest point.¡±

    At YC, he signed an agreement and said that YC lived and died with her.

    After the charity g was over, he told her in the car that: ¡°Without YC, you still have me.¡±

    During the Television Awards, he calmly looked as though he had nothing to do with how embarrassing and downtrodden Qian Ge appeared.

    On April fool¡¯s day, he asked Ji Yi if she knew what a coincidence was and told her he never thought he would fall in love with her but he did. He said, ¡°Ji Yi, Happy April Fool¡¯s day.¡±

    ...

    As her dream went on, she continued to dream about the moment she heard he was leaving Beijing. She dreamed about when she stood outside his apartment all night long. She dreamed about when she personally saw him at the airport when he went through security... Then she started to cry in her dreams.

    She cried and cried. In her dreams, she thought her life ended the moment she saw him walk through security with her own eyes.

    Ji Yi¡¯s dream didn¡¯t seem to stop until the evening when she eventually fell into a deep sleep.

    This time, Ji Yi slept very deeply and for a long time; she didn¡¯t wake up for another sixteen hours.

    She never imagined that the entire world would be different after she woke up from sleeping for 24 hours.

    It was raining slightly outside when Ji Yi woke up at eight, but now the sky was unusually bright and clear like it¡¯d been washed over. The sun shone radiantly, cleansing the city like a scene in a Manhuaic.

    Maybe she was still in the early recovery period of her fever as her reaction time seemed a little sluggish. She didn¡¯t realize that when she woke, Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t have a particrly good expression on her face as she checked her phone. Nor did she notice that just as she was about to grab her phone to check the time, Zhuang Yi immediately got up, ran over to her and snatched her phone away. She didn¡¯t notice how flustered Zhuang Yi seemed when she started to feed her. Moreover, she didn¡¯t notice that after her meal, Zhuang Yi was a little distracted as Ji Yi read the script for the next drama...

    In the evening, while Zhuang Yi was in the restroom, Ji Yi took the opportunity to stretch her legs out afterying in bed ufortably for a long time. As she walked down the hallway, she heard someone saying ¡°He Jichen.¡± That was when she finally realized something big happened.

    Back in the room, she didn¡¯t bother with Zhuang Yi, who came out of the restroom and was worriedly looking for her. Instead, she ran over to the side of the bed and grabbed her phone from the bedside table. She flipped through her phone and opened Weibo.

 Chapter 705

    Chapter 705: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The gossip she just heard in the hallway now was true. The most searched topic on Weibo¡¯s searches was about He Jichen. #HeJichenMurderer

    Murderer... Before she read the story, the headline alone stunned Ji Yi.

    Not too far off, Zhuang Yi rushed over to Ji Yi from behind as though she just realized something and instantly tried to grab Ji Yi¡¯s phone.

    Unfortunately, Zhuang Yi was one second toote. When she reached Ji Yi, she had already clicked a post about He Jichen.

    Zhuang Yi¡¯s fingers trembled for a moment as her feet suddenly came to a stop. She stared at Ji Yi unblinkingly. Word after word, she swallowed back everything she wanted to say to Ji Yi.

    The very first person to post at elevenst night was a nobody, so there must¡¯ve been someone behind the scenes who spent a lot of money to push the story. There were over 100k shares, 700kments, and over 2 million likes.

    The Weibo post was just one simple sentence: ¡°YC¡¯s ex-CEO and founder, He Jichen, was once arrested for attempted murder!¡±

    Following those words was also an attached video.

    Ji Yi stared at the phone for a long time before her fingers trembled. She clicked y.

    The video must¡¯ve been an uploaded video. The video quality wasn¡¯t clear, but it was enough for people to recognize the person¡¯s face.

    The first person to appear was Qian Ge, who was wearing a casual dress. She was chatting andughing with another woman as they walked out of a club. After the two of them finished chatting on the sidewalk, Qian Ge made her way to the parking lot where she pulled out her car keys. Qian Ge unlocked her car and reached out to pull open her car door, but just as she was about to get into the car, she turned her head as though someone was calling her name. Qian Ge must¡¯ve known the person, because she shed a clear smile on her face. She let go of the car door and walked to the source of the sound. She took just two steps when the person who called her came into view of the security camera. Even though the person didn¡¯t show their face, Ji Yi recognized who it was with just one nce. It was He Jichen!

    The next part of the video came a little unexpectedly. In a particrly good mood, Qian Ge¡¯s brows arched as she spoke with He Jichen. However, her lips moved for just a while when He Jichen, who had both hands in his pockets, suddenly pulled out something shiny. He Jichen¡¯s hands lunged towards Qian Ge¡¯s abdomen. Qian Ge¡¯s eyes were wide open, staring at He Jichen in disbelief.

    He Jichen¡¯s face was nothing but cold and ruthless as though the woman before him didn¡¯t exist. A secondter, he withdrew his hands from her abdomen and raised his hands with a horrifying aura like he just sentenced someone to death.

    Ji Yi then saw it clearly ¨C the switchde in his hands. The flickering bright knife was covered in blood which dripped onto the ground.

    On the other hand, Qian Ge seemed to not have realized what happened ¨C she still wore a smile on her lips. After about ten seconds, she suddenly covered her abdomen then slumped to the ground.

    Thereafter, the police and ambnce arrived. He Jichen was cuffed and brought to a police car. Qian Ge was rushed into an ambnce by several people dressed in white.

    The police car and ambnce quickly left the scene, leaving behind a few police officers who took photographic evidence of where Qian Geid along with the blood stains which were clearly shown in the video.

 Chapter 706

    Chapter 706: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (16)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The video came to an abrupt end, but Ji Yi felt like the video was still ying. She stared at the phone screen and mentally reyed He Jichen stabbing Qian Ge in the abdomen, her gaze switching between the switchde in his hands, the shine of his de, and the fresh red blood dripping down endlessly...

    The entire hospital room froze over as it was so quiet; the atmosphere froze.

    After who knew how long, Zhuang Yi finally snapped back to reality. She stared at Ji Yi¡¯s profile as she looked at her phone. Zhuang Yi then slowly moved her lips and said in a weak voice, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t react in the slightest but continued to stare at her phone screen like a statue.

    ¡°Xiao Yi?¡± Zhuang Yi called her name again then timidly drew closer to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi only realized that Zhuang Yi was standing next to her after quite some time passed. She slowly turned her head and nced at Zhuang Yi with vacant eyes like she couldn¡¯t quite make out who she was. Then Ji Yi brought her gaze back to the phone screen. Her fingers trembled as she closed the video and opened thements section below.

    From the replies, Ji Yi learned that the situation had developed to an unsalvageable stage after sixteen to seventeen hours passed.

    Not only was the video of He Jichen¡¯s murder attempt on Qian Ge leaked online, but there were also incidents leaked about his gang affiliation and truancy during school. There was even gossip going around about forcing Sun Zhang to kneel on the sports track.

    He Jichen appeared to be a thug from Sucheng Yizhong who didn¡¯t study and was constantly involved in vicious fights. He was bossy and domineering and attempted murder...

    All those incidents that happened during his wild and immature adolescence were easy to link to the video of the attempted murder which was rapidly spreading online. He was once an elite businessman, but in over ten short hours, he became the scumbag of online discussion.

    With concrete evidence such as the video, everyone online stood against He Jichen. In an instant, practically everyone in the world posted nasty messages about the man Ji Yi loved deeply.

    ¡°Born with such a pretty face, but it¡¯s just a mask for his scummy character!¡±

    ¡°People like him shouldn¡¯t live in this world!¡±

    ¡°Back in the day, why didn¡¯t his dad shoot his load onto the wall?!¡±

    The incident during Chinese New Year, when Ji Yi was used of copying Qian Ge, paled inparison to the way people were cursing He Jichen out now.

    Though they were shouting at He Jichen, Ji Yi still felt a rugged pain in her own heart.

    The more she read thosements, the more it hurt. Eventually, her chest felt stifled with pain and she was heaving, yet she still stubbornly didn¡¯t swipe away. She saw that people left a billionments.

    The corners of her eyes gradually became wet and her vision blurred. She couldn¡¯t even read the words on her phone screen.

    Her fingers quickly swiped the screen.

    Her body gradually started to tremble in pain and anger.

    Zhuang Yi finally realized that something was wrong with Ji Yi. ¡°Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi?¡±

    As Zhuang Yi cried, she reached her hand out, wanting to grab Ji Yi¡¯s phone away.

 Chapter 707

    Chapter 707: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi felt an electric shock when Zhuang Yi¡¯s fingers touched her phone, sending her entire body shivering. She turned and nced at Zhuang Yi. A secondter, she ran out of the room in her hospital gown.

    ¡°Xiao Yi!¡± Ji Yi¡¯s reaction came so suddenly that Zhuang Yi couldn¡¯t catch up to her.

    Zhuang Yi hurriedly chased after her.

    Ji Yi still had a fever, but she was far faster than Zhuang Yi, a person of good health.

    When Zhuang Yi made it to the entrance of the hospital, wheezing, Ji Yi had already gotten into a taxi.

    Zhuang Yi hurriedly hailed a cab, handed the driver some money and asked him to follow Ji Yi¡¯s taxi closely.

    It happened to be the evening rush hour, so there was a lot of traffic on the roads. Luckily, Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t lose Ji Yi.

    After Ji Yi¡¯s taxi came to a stop, Zhuang Yi realized Ji Yi had arrived at Chen Bai¡¯s home.

    When Zhuang Yi¡¯s taxi stopped in front of the residential gates of Chen Bai¡¯s home, Ji Yi was already inside.

    She grabbed her things, hastily got out of the car and followed her in.

    Following the path of the residential area, Zhuang Yi took several turns before she entered the building where Chen Bai lived.

    When she took the elevator up to Chen Bai¡¯s floor and stepped out, Ji Yi was already knocking on Chen Bai¡¯s door.

    The person who opened the door was Chen Bai. When he saw Ji Yi dressed in a hospital gown, he looked evidently worried. ¡°Miss Ji? What¡¯s wrong? Are you sick?¡±

    Ji Yi ignored Chen Bai and stared right at him with her pitch-ck,rge pupils and asked, ¡°He left because of what happened online, didn¡¯t he?¡±

    Chen Bai was stunned by Ji Yi¡¯s question, but shortly after, he moved aside. ¡°Miss Ji, pleasee in first.¡±

    Ji Yi stood her ground and stubbornly repeated her question, which Chen Bai didn¡¯t answer. ¡°He left Beijing because of that video, didn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji...¡±

    Chen Bai kept trying to persuade Ji Yi toe in, but this time, after he merely called her name, she suddenly shrieked: ¡°He left because of that incident, didn¡¯t he?!¡±

    Chen Bai opened his mouth but didn¡¯t say anything. Zhuang Yi, who just emerged from the elevator, shook her head at Chen Bai and walked over to Ji Yi. She reached out to gently grab Ji Yi¡¯s shoulders and push her into Chen Bai¡¯s apartment.

    After the doors were shut, Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for Chen Bai to step into the living room when she relentlessly asked, ¡°I¡¯m right, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    There aren¡¯t many unexinable situations when two people, who are clearly very close, suddenly grow apart.

    It was only when that video came out to the public that Ji Yi suddenly realized this. Without waiting for Chen Bai to answer, she continued to ask, ¡°This was also why he signed me over to Huan Ying Entertainment, right?¡±

    Chen Bai pursed his lips a little and looked out the window.

    ¡°He knew this video woulde out a long time ago, which was why you guys rushed the production for ¡®Jiuchong Pce.¡¯ It was also the reason why you guys were rushing work for YC, and why I was handed over in such a hurry. After the situation couldn¡¯t be contained anymore, he had to hastily leave the country. Am I right?!¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, the rims of her eyes turned red.

 Chapter 708

    Chapter 708: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She stared at Chen Bai, who had been averting his eyes from her and looking to the side for a while. All of a sudden, Ji Yi remembered something and said, ¡°He was afraid these things would drag me down, so he kept his distance...¡±

    This time, Ji Yi didn¡¯t add ¡°Am I right?¡± or ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Even though she asked so many questions, Chen Bai didn¡¯t give her a reply. However, in her heart, Ji Yi knew everything she said was right.

    ¡°I knew it. He didn¡¯t really want to send me to Huan Ying. I knew it. Something happened, so that¡¯s why he did those things. I knew it. I was right to think that at the time. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it...¡±

    Ji Yi appeared to havepletely lost it when she repeatedly said ¡°I knew it¡± four more times. Towards the end, a single tear fell from the corner of her eye.

    Back when she was signing the papers, she had her suspicions, but she remembered that He Jichen was married. She also thought about Yuguang Ge. It would¡¯ve been better to cut things off between them sooner rather thanter, so she signed it. But she never imagined that... What happened to He Jichen would be this serious...

    If she knew earlier that he would have to experience all this, she never would¡¯ve signed the papers and she definitely would¡¯ve stayed by him.

    He¡¯d stayed with her through everything that happened for over a year now. However, he was now all alone in America...

    Ji Yi¡¯s incessant repetitions of ¡°I knew it¡± suddenly changed to ¡°I need to go find him...¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi turned around and ran towards the door.

    ¡°Xiao Yi!¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji!¡±

    Zhuang Yi and Chen Bai cried out at the same time.

    Ji Yi pretended as though she hadn¡¯t heard them and continued to say the five words ¡°I need to go find him¡± as she sped up.

    Chen Bai¡¯s legs were long and his steps were wide, so with just two or three steps, he was able to catch up to Ji Yi and pull her back by the arm.

    ¡°Let me go! I need to go find him...¡± Ji Yi struggled with all her strength then cried weakly, ¡°...I have to go find him, Chen Bai. Let go, let go...¡±

    Chen Bai gulped, ignoring Ji Yi¡¯s pleas. He tightened his grip on Ji Yi¡¯s arm and brought her back to the sofa. ¡°Miss Ji, you can¡¯t find Mr. He.¡±

    Can¡¯t find... Those two words instantly triggered Ji Yi as she struggled like crazy. Her voice sounded even more helpless. ¡°I have to go find him. I told you! I have to go find him! Let go of me, Chen Bai. I said let go of me!¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, you have to calm down. Xiao Yi...¡± cried Zhuang Yi.

    Right now, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t going to listen to what anyone said. Seeing that Chen Bai wasn¡¯t letting go of her, she started to curse at him. ¡°You pr*ck! Chen Bai, let go of me! Chen Bai, you a**hole. Let go of me!¡±

    From start to end, Chen Bai didn¡¯t utter a word. He just pulled out his phone from his pocket, called He Jichen¡¯s number then pressed the speakerphone button.

    ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is not active.¡±

    The service announcement suddenly calmed Ji Yi down.

    Chen Bai tried to call He Jichen again.

    ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is not active.¡±

    This time, Ji Yi heard it loud and clear. She stared transfixed at the phone screen for a while then gradually raised her wet eyshes up at Chen Bai.

 Chapter 709

    Chapter 709: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She didn¡¯t say anything, but Chen Bai knew that deep down, Ji Yi was confused. He pursed his lips for a moment and after two seconds, he said, ¡°Miss Ji, now do you understand why I stopped you earlier?¡±

    Ji Yi moved her lips softly as she stared at Chen Bai, but no sound escaped.

    ¡°Mr. He only did this to avoid everyone, so even if I didn¡¯t stop you, you wouldn¡¯t be able to find Mr. He.¡±

    As Chen Bai spoke again, Ji Yi¡¯s eyshes fluttered and tears came pouring out again.

    She instinctively lowered her head to hide her crying face. She waited for the unbearable feeling in her throat to subside then softly asked, ¡°How could you not know where he is? Aren¡¯t you always the one who arranges his schedule? How could you not know?¡±

    ¡°You know, but he doesn¡¯t want to tell me, right?¡± As Ji Yi said this, she suddenly lifted her head and grabbed Chen Bai¡¯s arm with hope in her voice. ¡°Tell me, please? Chen Bai, tell me. Please? There are so many people online cursing at him. He must feel terrible. I¡¯ve been through it, so I know how it feels to be targeted like that by everyone. Tell me. Tell me where he is. I just want to be with him and stay with him...¡±

    How could he get involved with such a thing? He¡¯s so rich and has so many connections. Why didn¡¯t he prevent this froming out? How did it get to the point where it got out to the public?

    With that thought, Ji Yi realized something wasn¡¯t right. She suddenly stopped mumbling and after a short while, she creased her brows and asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you contain the situation? Why did you let it blow up? You could¡¯ve thought of a n to negotiate with the owner of the video and prevent it from getting leaked online. Don¡¯t tell me you guys never thought of that? Why did it have to end up like this?¡±

    The more she asked, the more Ji Yi felt like something fishy was going on.

    She looked at Chen Bai, who didn¡¯t look like he was going to reply at all. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but tighten her grip on his wrist. ¡°Chen Bai, say something! Tell me why!¡±

    Chen Bai kept his head down and avoided Ji Yi¡¯s eyes.

    Ji Yi grabbed Chen Bai¡¯s arm and forcefully swung him around while yelling in an impatient, sobbing voice: ¡°Chen Bai, read the situation. Do you still n on not telling me anything?¡±

    As Ji Yi asked, her hand swung faster.

    Chen Bai¡¯s body rocked back and forth from Ji Yi¡¯s swinging until finally, when Ji Yi was so impatient that she was going to go nuts, Chen Bai finally said, ¡°Because of you.¡±

    These three words turned the rims of Chen Bai¡¯s eyes red. He put his head down, avoiding Ji Yi¡¯s gaze. He didn¡¯t bother with Ji Yi, who gradually came to a stop and nked out for a moment. Then he continued to exin, ¡°Mr. He left because of you.¡±

    Chen Bai could clearly feel Ji Yi gradually loosening her grip on his sleeve until eventually, he was freed from her grasp. He heard the whisper of Ji Yi¡¯s hesitant voice saying: ¡°What did you say?¡±

    Chen Bai knew Ji Yi wouldn¡¯t dare believe him or ept what he said. Chen Bai continued to look away from her and kept his head low. He then gulped and told Ji Yi, ¡°It was Qian Ge. She went to see Mr. He with the video.¡±

 Chapter 710

    Chapter 710: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°She told Mr. He that as long as Mr. He stopped supporting you, she¡¯d destroy the video.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He didn¡¯t even give Qian Ge any room for negotiation and declined right away.¡±

    ¡°Qian Ge actually started to leak this video during the production of ¡®Jiuchong Pce.¡¯ Eventually, it became hard to contain, so all Mr. He could do was push to get many thingspleted quickly.¡±

    ¡°It was just as you described earlier ¨C Mr. He was afraid to drag you down, so he sent you off to Huan Ying because he wasn¡¯t sure if YC would be dragged down after the video got out.¡±

    Huan Ying... Upon hearing those two words, Ji Yi suddenly remembered something she heard recently about Chen Bai also going to Huan Ying.

    She suddenly understood something then spoke with trembling lips: ¡°So, you¡¯re going to go to Huan Ying too?¡±

    Since she changed the subject rather quickly, Chen Bai paused for a moment then nodded.

    ¡°Did he set that up?¡±

    Chen Bai hesitated for a few seconds then replied, ¡°Yes, it was his idea.¡±

    Yes, it was his idea...

    Like a broken string of pearls, his t response made the tears in Ji Yi¡¯seyes crash down, one drop at a time.

    So as it turned out, he betrayed her so many times behind her back. He couldn¡¯t save himself, yet he still protected her and set out a future path for her to follow...

    He was afraid of her being alone at Huan Ying as there wouldn¡¯t be anyone to back her up if she ever suffered or if someone stole her resources or if she fell for someone¡¯s schemes, so he asked Chen Bai to also go with her.

    He left her, but he sent his most able, most trustworthy friend to stay with her.

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the more tears fell from her eyes.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t say anything else but stood in front of Ji Yi for a short while then got up and walked into the study.

    After about a minute, he emerged from the room to hand Ji Yi a document.

    He stood there for a while before he handed Ji Yi the file. ¡°Mr. He asked me to give this to you.¡±

    Ji Yi looked over at Chen Bai in hesitation before taking it.

    She opened the file to pull out a shares transfer agreement.

    Why¡¯s He Jichen giving me a shares transfer agreement?

    Ji Yi raised her head in confusion and nced at Chen Bai again. Then she carefully read the transfer agreement. When she read the name of thepany, it felt like someone had hit her hard on the head; she was suddenly left stunned.

    She was far too familiar with thatpany. It was the name she once made and the studio she started all on her own, which currently belonged to Qian Ge.

    She always wanted to get the studio back, but she didn¡¯t have much money and there was never a good time for her, so she only bought a very limited number of shares. She never imagined that He Jichen would possess so many stocks of Qian Ge¡¯s studio.

    ¡°Mr. He said this studio is yours, so before he left, he thought of loads of ways and spent a lot of money to help you buy all these shares. You aren¡¯t the biggest shareholder now, but don¡¯t worry. Mr. He and Mr. Han have taken care of it. In the future, Mr. Han will also help you.¡±

    It didn¡¯t seem as though Ji Yi was listening to Chen Bai. All she did was stare transfixed at the file.

    The room fell silent.

    After who knew how long, Ji Yi¡¯s voice came pouring out: ¡°He didn¡¯t lie to me. He¡¯s never lied to me...¡±

    As she said this, the paper in her hands started to tremble softly.

 Chapter 711

    Chapter 711: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°...I won¡¯t swarm to you when you¡¯re famous, and I won¡¯t turn and leave you at your lowest point.¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t lie to me. He really didn¡¯t lie to me. He did as he promised...¡±

    The thin paper slipped from Ji Yi¡¯s fingers and drifted to the floor. She stared straight ahead with tears stored in her eyes. Her lips were still moving non-stop then in the haze of it all, she heard him speak.

    ¡°Do you trust that I can fight, side-by-side, with you?¡±

    He asked if I¡¯m willing to trust him to take each step with me from the lowest point of the entertainment industry towards infinite, brightest heights.

    ¡± Will you trust that I can help you get back what was taken from you, bit by bit?¡±

    ¡°Will you trust me? If you do,e join YC...¡±

    He said it before and he did it.

    He stayed with her and fought side-by-side with her, he helped rebuild her empire, and he got back what she lost. However, there was one thing he didn¡¯t do... Everything was right on track for her, and things were finally good. She finally had the opportunity to achieve infinite radiance, but he was gone.

    He didn¡¯t tell her anything and left quietly without a word about everything he did. He didn¡¯t even give her a chance to persuade him to stay.

    Their destiny was filled with missed chances.

    She wanted to get back what Qian Ge owed her, but if she knew that the price of doing so would be him, she¡¯d rather give up on getting revenge, let go of Qian Ge, and abandon showbiz...

    Now, ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± made her instantly famous; now, she had arge sum of shares for Qian Ge¡¯s studio; now, everything she wanted had been made into reality. She could be happy now, but she didn¡¯t feel the slightest bit happy at all...

    Ji Yi tightly hugged her knees as she sat in a daze, staring out at a vacant spot in front of her without blinking.

    What am I going to do with the rest of my days? I should do something, right? A lifetime is so long ¨C who am I going to spend my days with when I have white hair? Who am I going to have kids with? And who am I going to grow old with?

    The world was so big, and the future was so lengthy, but deep down, Ji Yi knew she wouldn¡¯t meet a second He Jichen. Nor would she meet another man she could fall deeply in love with.

    Ji Yi was pale. Her lips pped as though she was using her whole body to force out the words: ¡°I believe you.¡±

    He Jichen, I believe you. I believe you, but what use is there in believing you now? You¡¯re no longer by my side...

    If it weren¡¯t for me, you wouldn¡¯t have been forced to leave. If you hadn¡¯t left and were still so attentive to me, maybe I wouldn¡¯t be in so much pain.

    But he had to, he had to... go and leave me all on my own...

    After reading the shares transfer agreement, Ji Yi suddenly cried out loud.

    He Jichen,e back. Stay and fight with me side-by-side, please? Come back, watch as I achieve infinite radiance, okay? Come back, and we¡¯ll get back the remaining shares, okay?

    He Jichen,e back. As long as youe back, I¡¯ll do anything...

    Ji Yi cried tragically and in desperation.

    Her cries grew louder.

    Zhuang Yi and Chen Bai were flustered. They surrounded her and tried tofort her for a long long time, but she ignored them and continued to cry.

    She cried until she was grief-stricken and inconsble.

    She cried for a long, long time. In the end, her voice was hoarse, her tears could no longere out, and she felt tired of life. Then sheid on the sofa and slipped into a dark abyss.

 Chapter 712

    Chapter 712: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    This time Ji Yi fainted, itnded her in the hospital and she was unable to get out of bed for over a month. She had been recovering from her fever when all of a sudden, her condition worsened significantly.

    At first, Ji Yi had no appetite, so in the end, she couldn¡¯t eat at all. Eventually, all the hospital could do was put her on a drip every day.

    Most of the time, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t sleep and even when she did sleep, she woke easily. Once awake, she would stare at the ceiling and mutter to herself for a long time in a daze.

    In the beginning, everyone thought Ji Yi just had a fever and that it wasn¡¯t anything serious, so they assumed all she needed was to stay in the hospital to recover. However, as time went on, Ji Yi¡¯s condition worsened and everyone grew anxious.

    It got so bad to the point where Ji Yi started to not recognize people. At first, she couldn¡¯t name Han Zhifan, then Chen Bai, then Cheng Weiwan, Zhuang Yi, Tang Huahua, and Bo He. Eventually, she waspletely confused when her own parents were standing in front of her.

    No matter if it was her parents, Chen Bai or Han Zhifan, everyone tried to get famous doctors to treat her. However, no matter what treatments they tried, they all had no effect on her.

    Chen Bai knew Ji Yi was heartbroken and could only be healed by He Jichen, who nobody was able to track down.

    Ji Yi became more and more skinny ¨C so skinny that she almost didn¡¯t have the strength to breathe.

    They asked another doctor to treat her, but even then, the doctor only shook their head and told everyone to give up.

    Just as everyone, including her own parents, believed Ji Yi couldn¡¯t be saved, Ji Yi had a dream about He Jichen.

    The dream was short. In the dream, they were sitting next to the window of a Thai restaurant in YR za.

    He told her so many things.

    ¡°In the future, don¡¯t lose weight for filming again. Your health is most important. What¡¯s more, although you woke up from youra, your health isn¡¯t as goodpared to ordinary people.¡±

    ¡°Though you really like hot and spicy soup, you should try to cut down if you can.¡±

    ¡°Also, don¡¯t always stay upte. It¡¯s not good for you.¡±

    ¡°Eat fewer things like ice cream. A woman should learn how to cherish and take care of herself.¡±

    ¡°Remember to eat more fruit, and eat it even if you don¡¯t like it. Those VC vitamins don¡¯t have as many nutrients as fruit.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got a gym card, so remember to go more often. It can¡¯t be bad for you.¡±

    ¡°Three meals a day. You have to eat your meals on time and don¡¯t wait till you¡¯re hungry before you go find something to eat...¡±

    This wasn¡¯t a dream. It was a memory of a true event.

    That day, she interrupted He Jichen when he spoke up to that part.

    In her dream, He Jichen also stopped at the same spot. Ji Yi suddenly opened her eyes and awoke from her dream.

    The sun shone brightly outside the window and the sky was blue with white clouds. It was eight or nine in the morning.

    Weak from not having eaten for a long time, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t sit up in bed, so all she could do was lie down, staring out the window. As she stared and stared, a smile formed on her lips.

    He was gone. Ji Yi was seriously sick to the point where no medicine could save her, but in the end, he saved her.

    Ever since she woke up that day, Ji Yi started to eat.

    At first, she threw up everything she ate, but she still ate.

    When she had the strength, she started to get out of bed and walk just over ten meters.

    She chatted with people who came to visit. Even though she spoke softly and used a lot of energy to talk, she still chatted with them earnestly.

 Chapter 713

    Chapter 713: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (23)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Gradually, her condition started to improve, day by day.

    She didn¡¯t need the IV drip anymore and her fever subsided. Her strength slowly recovered and her weight started to rise again...

    Half a monthter, Ji Yi returned back to normal and was discharged from the hospital.

    Before she left the hospital, she gave Zhuang Yi many orders.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take part in events that I have to attend, but I want to be home before eleven.¡±

    Because I need to listen to what he said and quit staying upte.

    ¡°In the future, if we¡¯re ordering takeout, I don¡¯t want to eat hot and spicy soup, crayfish or any food like that.¡±

    Those were Ji Yi¡¯s favorite foods, so after Zhuang Yi heard this, she was clearly in disbelief. ¡°Don¡¯t want to eat?¡±

    Ji Yi softly replied ¡°Mhm.¡± She didn¡¯t say anything else. However, deep down, she secretly added: Because he said to eat less and to cut down as much as possible.

    ¡°In the future, give me more hot drinks. Don¡¯t give me ice cream or cold drinks...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she suddenly remembered the production party. When she clinked a bottle of ice-cold beer with someone, He Jichen grabbed it from her and exchanged it for a cup of hot tea while he talked business with someone else.

    Ever since they¡¯d known each other, he¡¯d paid attention and gotten to know her habits better than she did.

    Now he wasn¡¯t by her side anymore and no one was around to pay attention to those things, so she had to take care of herself...

    Ji Yi blinked and pushed down the sore feeling in her eyes and continued to say, ¡°Throw away the VC pills I asked you to get me. In the future, I want to eat fruit every afternoon, so remember to prepare it in advance.¡±

    ¡°And I have to eat three meals a day...¡±

    It felt like something was stuck in her throat as Ji Yi found it unusually hard to swallow. She pushed down that feeling and continued to say, ¡°...Organize my schedule as you normally do, but I need to go to the gym two to three times a week. Put me in touch with a personal trainer again.¡±

    I¡¯ll try hard to live the way you wished.

    I¡¯ll try hard to live well and be healthy.

    Because it¡¯s what you wanted...

    ¡°Do you have anything else you want me to take note of?¡± asked Zhuang Yi as Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything for a while.

    Ji Yi stopped her train of thought and shook her head at Zhuang Yi. ¡°Nope.¡±

    Not long after Ji Yi said that, the door to the hospital room opened. Having finished her discharge procedures, Chen Bai walked into the room. ¡°Miss Ji, everything¡¯s done. You can leave now.¡±

    Ji Yi gently nodded without saying a word and got up.

    Zhuang Yi packed everything up and carried it on the way out, behind Ji Yi.

    After emerging from the hospital, Chen Bai drove to Ji Yi¡¯s parent¡¯s home.

    En route, they were passing YR za when Ji Yi suddenly said, ¡°Stop the car.¡±

    Chen Bai hastily stopped the car.

    Ji Yi stared at the Thai restaurant in YR za through the window.

    Chen Bai saw that Ji Yi wasn¡¯t saying anything, so he said, ¡°Miss Ji?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t react but continued to stare out the window without blinking.

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t understand and turned his head to nce at Zhuang Yi, who got his message. Just as Zhuang Yi was going to nudge Ji Yi a little and ask her what was wrong, Ji Yi suddenly mumbled, ¡°So, you were saying goodbye back then.¡±

 Chapter 714

    Chapter 714: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (24)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi said that out of nowhere, so Chen Bai and Zhuang Yi had no idea what she was saying. Zhuang Yi stopped in her tracks, nced at Chen Bai then said, ¡°Xiao Yi...¡±

    Perhaps it was Zhuang Yi who brought her back to her senses or perhaps it was herself. However, before Zhuang Yi could finish, Ji Yi withdrew her gaze from the window, looked over at Chen Bai and Zhuang Yi then calmly said, ¡°I¡¯m getting out of the car here.¡±

    ¡°Here?¡± asked Zhuang Yi in bewilderment. Without thinking, she shook her head in disagreement. ¡°This is quite some distance from your ce. You only just got out of the hospital, so it¡¯s best if you don¡¯t go running off on your own.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine and I don¡¯t want to run off. I just want to eat at that restaurant.¡± Ji Yi pointed at the Thai restaurant out the window.

    It¡¯s half-past ten, yet she wants to have lunch?

    Although Zhuang Yi was confused, she didn¡¯t ask any more questions. Instead, she was still worried so she said, ¡°Then I¡¯lle with.¡±

    ¡°No thanks. I can go by myself,¡± replied Ji Yi.

    ¡°But...¡± Zhuang Yi wasn¡¯t done talking but Chen Bai, who knew she dined at that restaurant with He Jichen before, stopped her. ¡°Then Miss Ji, you be careful on your own. If you need anything, call us at any time.¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± replied Ji Yi as she shot a smile at Chen Bai. She then picked up her handbag and reached her hand out to open the car door.

    ¡°Xiao Yi...¡± said Zhuang Yi anxiously. She didn¡¯t understand, but Chen Bai shook his head at her and stopped her. In the end, she gave in to Chen Bai and let Ji Yi walk into the Thai restaurant.

    ¨C

    It was too early. There wasn¡¯t a single customer in the restaurant as Ji Yi entered and was greeted by the waiting staff. She was free to sit wherever she liked, so she chose to sit at the window seat where she and He Jichen satst time.

    The restaurant would start serving food at half-past eleven. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry, so she silently sat there on her own, waiting.

    Since she came so early and waited for so long, the restaurant took particr care with her. At twenty past eleven, the waiter picked up a menu and walked over to her.

    Ji Yi flipped through the menu and ordered everything she hadst time with He Jichen.

    The waiter noticed she ordered so many dishes and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Miss, may I ask how many people will be dining?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers quivered slightly as she flipped through the menu. After a short while, she softly replied, ¡°Two.¡±

    The waiter put on a smile and continued to ask, ¡°Excuse me miss, would you like the dishes now, or would you rather wait for your friend to arrive?¡±

    Ji Yi lowered her eyes. ¡°Now.¡±

    ¡°Yes, madam. Please wait.¡±

    After the waiter left, Ji Yi stared at the seat He Jichen sat inst time and nked out.

    The dishes arrived quickly.

    Ji Yi grabbed her chopsticks and started to eat alone quietly.

    After she ate half, she stopped and stared at the empty seat and clean te opposite her for a long time. Then she gently moved her lips and muttered, ¡°I will.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll never eat hot and spicy soup again.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t sleepte anymore.¡±

    Ji Yi muttered as though she was really back to that day when she was talking to He Jichen. Then she continued with a smile on her lips: ¡°You too, He Jichen. Don¡¯t stay upte for work.¡±

    ¡°Mhm, I¡¯ll work out and eat well...¡±

    As Ji Yi continued to talk, tears fell from the corners of her eyes.

 Chapter 715

    Chapter 715: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    I really am slow. Back then, how could I not have noticed anything weird or noticed that he was saying goodbye?

    ...

    Ji Yi barely touched the table full of dishes.

    She sat there from the time there was no one in the restaurant until the restaurant was full of people and continued sitting there until it was empty again. She never showed any signs of leaving.

    As time gradually went by, it was three in the afternoon when Ji Yi¡¯s phone suddenly lit up.

    It was Tang Huahua calling.

    Ji Yi let it ring for a while then grabbed her phone, swiped the screen and took the call.

    ¡°Xiao Yi...¡± Tang Huahua¡¯s voice sounded hesitant over the phone. After she called Ji Yi¡¯s name, she fell silent.

    Having just cried, Ji Yi didn¡¯t really want to talk, so she quietly waited with her phone raised to her ear.

    After almost a minute, Tang Huahua¡¯s weak voice was heard over the phone: ¡°...Check out Weibo. Th-That...That person you hate the most. She... She¡¯s holding a press conference right now...¡±

    The person I hate the most... Those six words lingered on Ji Yi¡¯s mind for a few seconds before she realized who Tang Huahua was talking about.

    She didn¡¯t reply to Tang Huahua but hung up right away and opened Weibo.

    It was just as Tang Huahua said ¨C Weibo was promoting Qian Ge¡¯s press conference.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t watching it from the beginning; she yed the live coverage which was around ten minutes in. Qian Ge was wearing a simple outfit with no makeup. She looked pale, worse for the wear and she was crying.

    As she cried, she said, ¡°I know I framed Miss Ji Yi for copying my performance; what I did was over the line. After that incident, I felt truly guilty to the point where I couldn¡¯t sleep for a long time.¡±

    ¡°Here, in front of everyone, I deeply apologize to Miss Ji Yi.¡±

    As she said this, Qian Ge got up and bowed deeply towards the camera.

    After she sat down, she grabbed the microphone and continued, ¡°I know Miss Ji Yi will never forgive me because I caused so many people to curse at her.¡±

    ¡°But I truly, truly do feel guilty. During my break, I have tried everything to make it up to Miss Ji Yi, so I¡¯ve been donating money to impoverished children in the mountainous areas every month under her name.¡±

    As Qian Ge¡¯s voice fell, many photos of her charitable donations appeared on the big screen behind her.

    ¡°Maybe to Miss Ji Yi, she didn¡¯t need this apology, but to me, I had to do something because my conscience was uneasy.¡±

    ¡°As for hurting Miss Ji Yi, I don¡¯t want to try to justify myself. I made a mistake, so I was wrong.¡±

    ¡°Today, I wanted to say that I wasn¡¯t trying to beat down rookies and I¡¯m not afraid of Miss Ji Yi beating me down.¡±

    ¡°I only treated her like that because she¡¯s an artist at YC. The person I hate is He Jichen, the previous CEO of YC.¡±

    ¡°If that video of He Jichen and me hadn¡¯t been leaked online two months ago, I would¡¯ve liked to avoid thinking about that incident.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He Jichen and I were ssmates from senior high. Back then, I really, really liked him.¡±

    ¡°I admit that I was young, foolish, and reckless. I liked him and pestered him. I pestered him in so many ways. Back then, maybe I pestered him too far and it affected his life and his love life which was how we got into such unpleasant arguments.¡±

 Chapter 716

    Chapter 716: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (26)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Even though Qian Ge was very vague about what she meant about the arguments, news of her attempted murder got everyone talking, so everyone knew what she was referring to.

    Of course, that included Ji Yi.

    But when Ji Yi heard her say this, she didn¡¯t continue listening to what she had to say. Instead, she suddenly thought of a very important question.

    How did the argument with Qian Ge happen? And why did it happen?

    She didn¡¯t care if everyone was persuaded by Qian Ge and believed her. Deep down, she was certain that it definitely didn¡¯t happen as Qian Ge described it. She liked He Jichen, so she pestered him and that argument happened as a result?

    After what happened, she only cared about the pain and sadness and actually neglected the most important point!

    Ji Yi thought about it, immediately closed Weibo and called Zhuang Yi.

    Zhuang Yi was worried about her, so she¡¯d been waiting for Ji Yi¡¯s call. As soon as the call came through, she picked it up before the first ring was heard. ¡°Xiao Yi, where are you right now? Did you get home...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for Zhuang Yi to finish as she interrupted her. ¡°Zhuang Yi, do you know where Qian Ge¡¯s press conference is being held?¡±

    ¡°I can ask around. Just wait a moment...¡±

    Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice gradually got quieter, so Ji Yi knew she must¡¯ve lowered the phone from her ear.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to speak, so she patiently waited for half a minute until Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice was heard again: ¡°...At Kaiyuan Building.¡±

    Ji Yi heard those four words and immediately reached out to call the waiter for the bill.

    Having told Ji Yi the address, Zhuang Yi sensed something was wrong and immediately asked, ¡°Xiao Yi, why did you ask this?¡±

    ¡°No reason.¡± As Ji Yi replied to Zhuang Yi, she swept a nce at the bill. Once she confirmed there was no problem, she handed the waiter her card, entered her pin, and signed.

    She took her card back and got her things together. When she picked up her handbag, an idea came to mind then she told Zhuang Yi, ¡°Oh yeah! Ask the make-up artist to drop by my ce.¡±

    ¡°Make-up artist?¡± asked Zhuang Yi curiously. ¡°Xiao Yi, you¡¯re going out?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Ji Yi walked out of the Thai restaurant, hailed a cab, and gave the driver her address.

    Zhuang Yi had been working for Ji Yi for a long time now, so she knew her well. As she thought back to how she asked for the address of Qian Ge¡¯s press conference, she immediately asked, ¡°Xiao Yi, are you going to see Qian Ge?¡±

    Ji Yi let out a soft ¡°Mhm.¡± She didn¡¯t wait for Zhuang Yi to try to persuade her to stop and hung up the phone.

    That¡¯s right. I¡¯m going to find Qian Ge because I have something important to ask her!

    Soon after she came home, the make-up artist Ji Yi called over arrived. However, with her was also Zhuang Yi.

    Throughout Ji Yi¡¯s make-up process, Zhuang Yi endlessly tried to persuade Ji Yi not to go see Qian Ge.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say a word until after her make-up was done. She pointed out a dress from the selection of clothes presented by the make-up artist. ¡°That one.¡±

    Seeing Zhuang Yi as couldn¡¯t stop her, all she could do was go with Ji Yi.

    On the road to the Kaiyuan Building, Ji Yi received several voice notes from Tang Huahua.

    ¡°Oh sh*t, I¡¯ve never seen such a b*tch cry cry cry from start to end at a press conference before!¡±

 Chapter 717

    Chapter 717: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (27)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°She¡¯s obviously trying to win sympathy. What¡¯s most disgusting is when she said she almost didn¡¯t wake up at the hospital. After she woke up, she didn¡¯t want to forgive He Jichen, but she came from a poor background, so she was afraid and could only choose to keep it private.¡±

    ¡°She especially emphasized the fact that she came from a poor background and that she was scared. Any idiot can tell that she got threatened by the He family to keep it a secret and she harbored a grudge over the whole incident.¡±

    ¡°A while back, everyone cursed at He Xuezhang way too harshly. Qian Ge was the victim and she¡¯s crying so pitifully that everybody will definitely feel sorry for her weak self. I¡¯m afraid He Xuezhang¡¯s going to have so much gossip about him now.¡±

    As Ji Yi heard this, the light in her eyes turned cold bit by bit.

    ¡°It¡¯s a freaking trick! She actually said she¡¯s still afraid and hopes everyone will stop bringing it up. She¡¯s clearly taking one step back now in order to take two steps forwardter. She¡¯s basically fanning the mes!¡±

    ¡°Wow! I¡¯m going to explode! I¡¯ve never seen someone so shameless...¡±

    Deep down, Ji Yi felt disgusted and didn¡¯t want to keep listening to Tang Huahua¡¯s voice notes, so she closed Weibo.

    Qian Ge actually used the attempted murder video to try to win everyone¡¯s sympathy and return to showbiz!

    This isn¡¯t the first time something like this has happened. Five years ago, didn¡¯t she step over me to get to the top? Five yearster, she¡¯s stepping over He Jichen to get to the top, which is far more uneptable than stepping over me!

    Her schemes have gone far too well. Does she think that with this, she can return to her peak of sess?

    With that thought, a cold smile appeared on Ji Yi¡¯s lips.

    As long as I¡¯m alive, she can forget it!

    One of these days, I¡¯ll clearly recount all the new and old hatred!

    ...

    When she reached Kaiyuan Building, Qian Ge¡¯s press conference had already finished.

    Through her staff, Ji Yi found out that Qian Ge was taking questions from the press on the second floor.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t barge into the conference room looking for Qian Ge. Instead, she and Zhuang Yi chose a low-key spot and waited patiently.

    Media outlet after media outlet came out of the conference room.

    A media outlet stepped out with several of their reporters. Ji Yi knew that after Qian Ge¡¯s interviews finished, the only people in the room would be Qian Ge and one or two people she trusted.

    Ji Yi then got up and walked over to the conference room.

    Without even knocking, Ji Yi pushed the door open and stepped in.

    Qian Ge was on the sofa talking with her manager when she heard the door open. Thinking that it was the media, she immediately withdrew the smile on her face and put on a pitiful crying look on for show as she turned her gaze to the door.

    The moment Qian Ge met Ji Yi¡¯s gaze, her expression looked clearly stunned for a couple seconds before her face returned to her cold and icy nature.

    Although Qian Ge saw Ji Yi, she didn¡¯t actually say anything to her. ¡°Why¡¯s she here?¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s manager immediately shook her head at an absolute loss. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Then Qian Ge¡¯s manager added, ¡°I¡¯ll ask someone to make her leave right away.¡±

    As she said this, Qian Ge¡¯s manager got up, but she didn¡¯t manage to make it when Ji Yi walked up to Qian Ge in fury. ¡°He Jichen¡¯s video... You leaked it, didn¡¯t you?¡±

 Chapter 718

    Chapter 718: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (28)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The second Ji Yi finished speaking, Qian Ge¡¯s manager immediately asked, ¡°Sorry, please leave.¡±

    Ji Yi ignored the manager and looked right into Qian Ge¡¯s eyes. She continued to ask, ¡°When did the incident in the video happen?¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s manager saw that Ji Yi was ignoring her and repeated, ¡°Excuse me, please leave!¡±

    Ji Yi pretended she didn¡¯t hear what she said and continued to stare at Qian Ge. The reason why Ji Yi came was to ask, ¡°Why did it happen?¡±

    ¡°During the briefing, Qian Ge already exined it clearly. If you didn¡¯t understand it, please rewatch the briefing online. If you don¡¯t leave, I¡¯ll have to call sec-¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s manager was cut off when Ji Yi suddenly turned and stared at her. ¡°Quit pretending to be all polite. If what Qian Ge said was true, I wouldn¡¯t be here!¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s manager turned red in the face and retorted, ¡°You...¡± Ever since Ji Yi entered the room, Qian Ge hadn¡¯t said a single world until now: ¡°All of you, leave.¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s manager looked like she disagreedpletely. ¡°Qian Jie...¡±

    ¡°Get out!¡± Qian Ge didn¡¯t wait for her to finish what she was going to say.

    Qian Ge¡¯s manager¡¯s lips quivered silently as she hesitated for some time. Then she looked visibly worried as she nced at Ji Yi, shot a look at the assistant and walked out of the conference room with her.

    After their own people left, Qian Ge wasn¡¯t in a hurry to speak and red at Zhuang Yi, who was standing behind Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for a signal from Qian Ge and shot Zhuang Yi a look.

    Although Ji Yi hadn¡¯t uttered a single word, Zhuang Yi understood what she meant and silently turned to walk out of the conference room.

    After the doors shut behind Zhuang Yi, the only two people left in therge room was Ji Yi and Qian Ge.

    Qian Ge raised her chin up at the sofa as a signal for Ji Yi to take a seat.

    Ji Yi stood in her ce with her eyes glued to Qian Ge and waited for her to finish.

    Qian Ge looked calm under Ji Yi¡¯s gaze. After picking up her water bottle from the table and taking a few gulps, her eyes fell to the watch on Ji Yi¡¯s wrist.

    In under a second, Ji Yi understood what Qian Ge meant. Without hesitation, she removed the watch on her wrist and threw it in front of Qian Ge. Then she pulled out her photo from her handbag and chucked it at Qian Ge. ¡°I don¡¯t have anything on me. You can talk now.¡±

    Qian Ge picked up Ji Yi¡¯s watch and scanned it up and down to make sure it wasn¡¯t recording. Then she curved the pale lips she had drawn on just for the press conference. ¡°Even if you didn¡¯te to see me today, I would¡¯ve looked for you.¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, since He Jichen ruined me on TV to the point of no return, do you know just how long I¡¯ve waited for today? ¡±

    ¡°One hundred and forty-six whole days!¡± eximed Qian Ge with hatred sewn into every word. ¡°In the past one hundred and forty-six days, I¡¯ve dreamt about this very moment!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right! I was the one who leaked that video about He Jichen!¡±

    ¡°He was cussed out and left Beijing because of that video!¡±

    ¡°But did you really think I was the one who forced him to take this step?¡±

 Chapter 719

    Chapter 719: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (29)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Let me tell you, Ji Yi. I¡¯m not the one who forced him to take this step today!¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s tone of voice turned a little stern. ¡°It was you!¡±

    ¡°You made hime to this!¡±

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows as a slight chill shed in her eyes.

    Having clearly caught wind of the chill in her eyes, the corners of Qian Ge¡¯s lips curved into an arrogant, cold smirk. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t you believe me?¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you asking when that happened and why?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you now ¨C it happened on the thirty-second day after you slipped into aa from that car ident!¡±

    Qian Ge¡¯s words lingered in Ji Yi¡¯s mind for ten seconds before her heart suddenly shivered.

    The thirty-second day after I slipped into aa from that car ident...

    Don¡¯t tell me... don¡¯t tell me He Jichen did it because...because... Ji Yi¡¯s fingers instinctively clutched her sleeves. She was suddenly scared and she didn¡¯t dare to continue thinking about it.

    Qian Ge vaguely knew what Ji Yi was thinking from the expression on her face. The next second, she immediately said, ¡°That¡¯s right. He stabbed me because of you!¡±

    As she said this, Qian Ge reached out and quickly undid the buttons of her shirt, grabbed her cor and revealed her upper body to Ji Yi.

    On the left side of her chest, there was a striking, horrific scar on her soft, fair skin.

    She pointed at the scar as she stared at Ji Yi and continued, ¡°Do you see this? This scar is all thanks to you!¡±

    ¡°All these years, every time I shower, I¡¯ve gritted my teeth hating you while staring at this scar in the mirror!¡±

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, he never would¡¯ve stabbed me! Did you know how happy I was that night when he called my name? But then he reached out and stabbed me!¡±

    ¡°And did you know how much I liked him? I liked him enough to choose to forgive him even after he stabbed me!¡±

    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t woken up... if you hadn¡¯te back to showbiz and fought with me... if you hadn¡¯t stolen my thunder... if he hadn¡¯t ruined my reputation for your sake, I never would¡¯ve done that to him!¡±

    ¡°So Ji Yi, you¡¯re the one who ruined him. You dragged him down. You made someone as perfect as him, imperfect!¡±

    ¡°It was you...¡±

    Before Qian Ge could finish, Ji Yi suddenly raised her hand and smacked Qian Ge hard on the face.

    *Bam* The p hit Qian Ge right on her cheek.

    The room was silent for a couple seconds as Qian Ge slowly touched the area where she was pped. Then she turned her head and looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°You...¡±

    She was interrupted when Ji Yi cried, ¡°Do you know why I came by today?¡±

    Without waiting for Qian Ge to speak, Ji Yi continued: ¡°I came by today not only for answers but to also hit you!¡± she eximed as she raised her hand and pped Qian Ge hard across the face again.

    Ji Yi¡¯s second p was harder than her first.

    After she was done, she didn¡¯t give Qian Ge any chance to react and pped her again.

    Before the crisp sound of her p fell, Ji Yi actually looked down at Qian Ge and coldly said, ¡°I¡¯ve seen shameless people before, but I¡¯ve never seen anyone as shameless as you!¡±

 Chapter 720

    Chapter 720: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (30)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°After doing all those sick things, quit trying to shift the me onto me!¡±

    ¡°Shift the me?¡± Qian Ge finally came back to her senses from Ji Yi¡¯s ps. She raised her head and red at Ji Yi as she retaliated, ¡°If he didn¡¯t insist on protecting you, would he have beenpletely defeated by me?¡±

    ¡°You dare say you¡¯ve got nothing to do with it?¡±

    ¡°I never wanted to hurt him. He was the one who had to piss me off time and time again for you!¡±

    ¡°Since I can¡¯t have him, I¡¯m going to destroy you!¡±

    ¡°Now that I¡¯ve forced him to leave, you can¡¯t have him and I can¡¯t have him ¨C we both can¡¯t have him. Now that he has to bear an ugly mark on his reputation like this, it¡¯s impossible for him to return to your side. I know him too well. He¡¯s afraid, more than anyone, to tarnish your reputation...¡±

    As Qian Ge said this, a satisfying feeling permeated from her bones. ¡°...This is great! In my lifetime, I can¡¯t be happy without him, but without you, he can forget about being happy too!¡±

    Ji Yi pped Qian Ge hard on the face again.

    Having been pped a few consecutive times, Qian Ge suddenly jumped up from the sofa and reached out to hit Ji Yi back.

    Ji Yi predicted she would react that way because before Qian Ge could raise her hand, Ji Yi already grabbed her wrist and pped her several more times. Ji Yi didn¡¯t stop until her face was all red.

    Because she was mad, Ji Yi grabbed Qian Ge¡¯s wrist even more tightly then she cried in a trembling voice, ¡°Qian Ge, you¡¯re wrong!¡±

    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t brought up this crazy mess this time, I probably never could¡¯ve been with He Jichen!¡±

    ¡°But because of you, I finally found out just how many things he¡¯s done for me behind my back and you¡¯ve changed my opinion on him!¡±

    ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t know where he is right now and yes, maybe he doesn¡¯t want to be with me right now! But Qian Ge, I¡¯m willing to wait and I¡¯m willing to look for him. As long as I bump into him one day, I¡¯ll be with him without a second thought. Even if his reputation is in ruins and even if we might get hated on for being together, it doesn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t care!¡±

    ¡°Speaking of which, Qian Ge, you drove him away from me, but you also brought him to me!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re truly pitiful. You had everything nned out, but all you could do was watch as the man you loved be with another woman!¡±

    ¡°So, Qian Ge, I came over today to 1. get an answer, 2. hit you, and 3. thank you!¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi shoved Qian Ge¡¯s angry, teeth-gritting face away and bent over on the sofa to pick up her things. Then she turned on her heels and walked over to the conference room door with re.

    When she pulled open the door, Zhuang Yi, Chen Bai, and Han Zhifan came into view.

    The three of them practically rushed over to her at the same time.

    The first to speak out was Chen Bai: ¡°Miss Ji, are you okay?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply but stared at Chen Bai and Han Zhifan with furrowed brows.

    Zhuang Yi exined in a quiet voice, ¡°I called them. I was afraid you were being bullied in there. Mr. He especially ordered me to call assistant Chen and Mr. Han if you ever bumped into Qian Ge...¡±

    Mr. He especially ordered me to...

    Those few words made the fury coursing through Ji Yi¡¯s entire body instantly disappear.

 Chapter 721

    Chapter 721: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (31)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He was afraid I¡¯d have to put up with Qian Ge so before he left, he gave Zhuang Yi specific orders?

    After Zhuang Yi said this, Han Zhifan examined Ji Yi and said in a worried voice, ¡°Xiao Yi, she didn¡¯t do anything to you, right?¡±

    After hearing Han Zhifan¡¯s voice, Ji Yi hurriedly snapped back to reality and shook her head at the three people standing in front of her. ¡°Nah.¡±

    After a pause, Ji Yi didn¡¯t waste any time standing there and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    As they walked out of Kaiyuan Building, Ji Yi first said goodbye to Han Zhifan then turned to Zhuang Yi while watching Han Zhifan driving away. ¡°You can head home first.¡±

    With me at home, what¡¯s she going to do?

    Zhuang Yi was stunned for a moment then said, ¡°What about you?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply to Zhuang Yi but turned and looked at Chen Bai. ¡°Are you freeter?¡±

    Chen Bai nodded his head. ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    Seeing as Chen Bai agreed, Ji Yi turned to look at Zhuang Yi.

    After personally witnessing their conversation, Zhuang Yi saw that Chen Bai would be staying with Ji Yi and didn¡¯t say much else. She said her goodbyes to Ji Yi and Chen Bai then walked over to the minivan.

    After Zhuang Yi got into the van, Chen Bai pointed at a spot nearby. ¡°Let¡¯s go, my car¡¯s parked over there.¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded Ji Yi as she followed Chen Bai.

    After getting into the car, Chen Bai started it up and asked, ¡°Miss Ji, what would you like to eat?¡±

    ¡°Anything¡¯s fine.¡± After Ji Yi replied, she remembered the hot pot restaurant opposite the school and said, ¡°How about hot pot?¡±

    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s fine...¡± After Chen Bai¡¯s reply, he listed a few names of famous hot pot restaurants in Beijing for Ji Yi to choose from. After the fourth hot pot restaurant listed, Ji Yi said, ¡°Go to B-Film.¡±

    After a second¡¯s pause, Ji Yi added, ¡°That hot pot restaurant isn¡¯t bad.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Chen Bai didn¡¯t object. After he agreed, Chen Bai stepped on the gas and drove the familiar route to B-Film.

    Apart from new chairs and tables, nothing else had changed in the hot pot restaurant.

    As soon as she stepped in, Ji Yi saw the wishing bell and stopped in her tracks. Sensing that Ji Yi wasn¡¯t keeping up, Chen Bai looked back in confusion and called for her, causing her to snap out of it. Ji Yi shot Chen Bai a smile then followed him and the waiter as they were led to a private booth.

    Because Ji Yi had eaten there before, Chen Bai let her pick the dishes.

    After the order was ced, the waiter asked what they wanted to drink. Ji Yi raised her head and looked over at Chen Bai. ¡°Drink with me?¡±

    Chen Bai looked hesitant.

    Then Ji Yi added, ¡°Just a little. Don¡¯t worry, we won¡¯t drink a lot.¡±

    Chen Bai nodded in agreement then said to the waiter, ¡°Beers.¡±

    The hot pot base arrived quickly. Not long after, all the dishes Ji Yi ordered filled up the table.

    When Chen Bai dunked the meat into the pot, Ji Yi picked up a beer bottle and poured two sses of beer to the brim.

    After Ji Yi drank half a ss, she picked up her chopsticks and ate two slices of meat that Chen Bai picked up for her. As the smoke rose from the bubbling pot, she said, ¡°Did you know? That day I came back to school aroundst year¡¯s Chinese new year, he and I happened to bump into each other right here and had dinner together.¡±

    Chen Bai knew Ji Yi was just speaking her mind and all he needed to do was listen, so he didn¡¯t say anything. All he did was add more food into the pot non-stop.

 Chapter 722

    Chapter 722: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (32)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°At the time, I really hated him. When I stepped in this ce and saw him, the first thought I had was that if I knew I was going to bump into him, I wouldn¡¯t havee to the dinner party with my ssmates.¡¯¡±

    ¡°That day, he wasn¡¯t in a great mood. Everyone was chatting aside from him. He just stared out the window.¡±

    ¡°The hot pot was all ready and everyone was calling him over to eat, but he didn¡¯t react and just smoked one cigarette after another near the window.¡±

    ¡°It was winter and the hot pot was boiling, so there was condensation on the window. Later, he started writing words on the window.¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi turned to look over at the window like she¡¯d gone back to that day and recited the words he wrote one word at a time. ¡°He wrote ¡®the person I love isn¡¯t my lover...¡±

    ¡°Chen Bai, did you know? After reading it that day, that¡¯s when I was filled with curiosity.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s when I wondered how this person who had such a sharp-tongue, rotten temper, and brash and arrogant personality could have such a soft side?¡±

    ¡°That night, he didn¡¯t eat a thing. After we were all full, someone said they wanted to y a game. For the first time, he wanted to take part.¡±

    ¡°The game was simple. You just had to write a note. Someone wrote one for me. Nobody knew who it was from but I did. He wrote it...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t continue but pulled out her purse from her handbag. She searched around for a while and pulled a piece of paper then handed it to Chen Bai.

    Chen Bai hurriedly put down his chopsticks and opened the note to see He Jichen¡¯s handwriting.

    ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°He apologized to me for the Lin Zhengyi incident. Even though I ignored him that day and on set, Chen Bai, did you know? I already forgave him when I read this note that night.¡±

    ¡°But I just didn¡¯t want to admit it. I clearly hated him, but I never thought about why I kept that note in my purse and carried it with me everywhere.¡±

    Ji Yi raised her beer ss, clinked Chen Bai¡¯s ss then downed the whole thing and said, ¡°Then he left. I only realized recently that he didn¡¯t actually leave then ¨C he was the one who showed up downstairs, in front of the wishing bell...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t tell him how they kissed under the wishing bell nor did she mention what He Jichen said under his breath. Instead, she chose to stop her story there.

    The room fell silent.

    Besides the bubbling sound from the pot, there was no other noise that could be heard.

    Chen Bai knew Ji Yi was sad and that there was no use in saying anything tofort her, so he continued to pick up food and put it onto her te. ¡°Eat some more. Don¡¯t think too much.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t touch the food Chen Bai picked up for her. Instead, she picked up the ss of beer and downed it.

    After she put the ss down, she inhaled and felt an aching feeling in her eyes as she spoke to Chen Bai sitting opposite her. ¡°Chen Bai, even though I did well in front of Qian Ge and didn¡¯t embarrass myself, did you know? My heart really aches...¡±

    ¡°...Qian Ge was right. I ruined him.¡±

    In the end, tears streamed down from the corners of Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. ¡°...If it weren¡¯t for me, he wouldn¡¯t have be like this today.¡±

 Chapter 723

    Chapter 723: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (33)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Chen Bai, I dragged him down. He Jichen¡¯s misery all started because of me...¡±

    Ji Yi wiped her tears as she grabbed her beer bottle and downed it.

    After she finished drinking all the beer, Ji Yi mmed the bottle down heavily on the table. Then she mumbled, ¡°...How great would it have been if I didn¡¯t wake up? If I hadn¡¯t woken up, he wouldn¡¯t be attacked like this now...¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji, you got it wrong,¡± interrupted Chen Bai, who had been listening all along. ¡°From how you see things, you might think He Jichen¡¯s misery all started with you, but you don¡¯t know... Mr. He was happiest when he was doing things for you.¡±

    ¡°Because Mr. He once said that by doing things for you, he felt like he was really, really close to you.¡±

    ¡°Back when Qian Ge threatened Mr. He with the video, Mr. He decided how to handle it. I asked him why he wanted to do this, and Mr. He said he promised you a bright future, so that¡¯s what he was doing to do. He didn¡¯t want to get in your way, so he had no other choice but to get out of the way upromisingly!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s tears fell furiously until a sob escaped her lips.

    ¡°I even asked Mr. He if he now regrets doing that to Qian Ge back then?¡±

    ¡°Mr. He said he didn¡¯t regret it because he¡¯s never regretted anything he did for you.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He even said that if he had the chance, he would do it again because he couldn¡¯t sit back and do nothing while knowing that you were sabotaged!¡±

    Ji Yi finally couldn¡¯t hold it back anymore and sprawled out on the table crying.

    Chen Bai let her cry until her cries got softer. That was when he reached out and touched her shoulder.

    Ji Yi raised her head and looked over at Chen Bai, who handed her a tissue.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± she said.

    Right after she wiped her eyes, they got wet again.

    She might as well not have wiped them. Clutching the tissue, she lifted her head and looked over at Chen Bai. ¡°You¡¯ve been with him for a long time. You must know a lot about him. Can you tell me about him...?¡±

    Ji Yi was afraid Chen Bai was going to refuse, so she added, ¡°...say whatever you want ¨C it¡¯s fine as long as it¡¯s about him.¡±

    Because I really, really, really miss him.

    Chen Bai paused for a while and replied to Ji Yi with just one word: ¡°Alright.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t utter a word as she cupped her chin with both hands and looked at Chen Bai seriously, like a child paying full attention.

    ¡°The first time I met Mr. He was at boarding school...¡±

    ¡°We just finished our military training a few days earlier when someone sent Mr. He a love letter. Also, there were girls crowded at the entrance of the canteen, trying to confess to Mr. He.¡±

    ¡°I distinctly remember that there was a girl who ran over to the field on Valentine¡¯s day and arranged a bunch of candles into the words: ¡®He Jichen, I love you.¡¯¡±

    ¡°When Mr. He first started up YC, it was really tough. He often had to workte into the night.¡±

    ¡°You probably never imagined that Mr. He¡¯s way of relieving stress is by watching Spongebob Squarepants.¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you... Mr. He¡¯s afraid of cats.¡±

    ¡°Also, Mr. He likes peaches, but he hates washing peaches the most.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Chen Bai spoke a lot about He Jichen.

    The two of them only stopped talking when the hot pot restaurant closed. They paid the bill and left.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t let Chen Bai take her home, so he drove her back to the school.

    Ji Yi walked into the school and stopped as she approached her dorm.

    She stood there for a while then turned around. She walked out of the school and hailed a cab for He Jichen¡¯s apartment.

    She stood outside his apartment the day she found out he was going to leave.

    That night, the lights in his study were on, but tonight, his apartment was pitch ck.

    He was gone. He was really gone. It had been two months since he left, but it felt like a dream...

    Ji Yi raised her head and stared up at He Jichen¡¯s apartment for a long time. Then she walked into the building, took the elevator up, and stopped at He Jichen¡¯s floor.

 Chapter 724

    Chapter 724: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (34)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As she stepped out of the elevator, Ji Yi felt like the hallway seemed even more emptypared to before. Maybe it was because she knew He Jichen wasn¡¯t home...

    She stared at the door to He Jichen¡¯s apartment for a while then finally walked over.

    Since He Jichen no longer lived there, there was no cleaningdy to clean things up, so there was a thinyer of dust on the door.

    Ji Yi knew He Jichen¡¯s passcode but wasn¡¯t sure if he changed it before he left. Regardless, she gave it a try anyway and to her surprise, it worked. ¡°Kacha!¡± The door actually opened.

    She pushed the door open and was weed with the subtle smell of a long absence. Ji Yi instinctively raised her hand to cover her nose and walked into the apartment.

    She casually flipped on the light switch at the entrance. Without changing into slippers, she walked right into the apartment.

    Ji Yi walked over to the tall window at first then opened it.

    The evening wind blew in and dispersed the ufortable smell in the room.

    That was when Ji Yi started to gaze around the room.

    Even though nobody had been there for two months, it was still rtively clean.

    The long hand on the European style grandfather clock ticked like before.

    There was a copper flower vase at the center of the dining table, but there were no longer any beautiful, fresh flowers there.

    The fridge was open and the electricity was cut off. It waspletely empty with nothing inside. The water dispenser was also emptied out by someone in advance.

    Ji Yi stood in the living room for a long time before she headed upstairs.

    The door to He Jichen¡¯s room was open. His favorite bedsheets wereid out on the bed and there was still half a ss of water left on the bedside table. Half his clothes were still in the wardrobe and his grooming products were still in the bathroom.

    If there wasn¡¯t ayer of dust on the dressing table, Ji Yi would¡¯ve really thought He Jichen still lived there.

    As Ji Yi stepped out of the bedroom, Ji Yi walked to the end of the second-floor sunroom. As nobody had taken care of the green nts, all but two pots of devil¡¯s ivy had died.

    Ji Yi stood in the sunroom for a long time before she stepped out. She was the only one left in the room, but she stared at the empty living room downstairs and saw a faint image of He Jichen sitting on the sofa, reading files.

    She was caught in a daydream for some time. All of a sudden, scene after scene of the two of them in his apartment jumped into her mind; she had to off fight memory after memory.

    She stood there for a long time before she snapped back to reality then strode into the study, which was nearby.

    It looked just like it did the first time she entered; the bookshelf was filled with books and files.

    Theputer on the desk was still there, but theptop was gone. He Jichen must¡¯ve taken it with him.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers brushed across the bookshelf, the desk, theputer, then finally stopped on the office chair. Then she suddenly remembered how her hair got caught on his button there, and they almost kissed...

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes fell as a dreary look entered her eyes.

    She strode over to the sofa and stared at the seat He Jichen liked to sit in. Then she strode over to the balcony.

    She barely took two steps when she felt something hard beneath her feet.

    She lowered her head and looked over. She saw a red pouch. It was really old and it looked like it had been carried for a really long time.

 Chapter 725

    Chapter 725: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (35)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t think too much of it and just bent over to pick the pouch up. She didn¡¯t know what was inside but it felt kind of heavy.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel the object a little from outside the pouch. It felt just as hard as it did when she stepped on it.

    She stared at it curiously for a few seconds then cautiously opened the pouch and poured the object into her palm.

    It was a clear piece of jade which had a glowy, water-like quality.

    The jade was in the shape of a moon, and it had an intricate carving of an energetic dragon.

    The only imperfection on the jade was the small chip at the bottom...

    With just one nce, Ji Yi¡¯s entire body felt like all her pressure points were pressed as she stood still in her tracks.

    She was very familiar with this piece of jade... Last year during Chinese new year, Yuguang Ge rushed over to Lijiang to check on her sprained ankle. After he left, he forgot this piece of jade in her hotel room... But this was clearly Yuguang Ge¡¯s, so why was it in He Jichen¡¯s apartment?

    Could Yuguang Ge have dropped by after He Jichen left?

    Did Yuguang Ge identally leave it here without realizing ?

    However, He Jichen left Beijing and the He Family must¡¯ve known that Yuguang Ge dropped by He Jichen¡¯s apartment. Could Yuguang Ge have helped him retrieve something?

    Speaking of which... Maybe Yuguang Ge knows where He Jichen is?!

    As a series of questions barged into Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she realized that all this time, she¡¯d been so focused on thinking about He Jichen¡¯s location that she forgot to ask about He Yuguang.

    With that thought, Ji Yi pulled out her phone and searched for He Yuguang, who she hadn¡¯t contacted for a year. She clicked his WeChat contact and sent him a message.

    Her message was lost like a stone thrown into a vast sea. There was no response.

    Ji Yi waited for about half an hour then selected He Yuguang¡¯s number and gave him a call.

    After the call went through, a service message came on: ¡°Sorry, the person you called has turned their phone off.¡±

    Turned off?

    Could Yuguang Ge¡¯s phone be out of battery?

    Ji Yi sent He Yuguang another WeChat message then carefully put the jade back into the pouch and left He Jichen¡¯s apartment.

    When she returned to the dorms, Bo He and Tang Huahua were already asleep.

    Ji Yi carefully stepped into the bathroom. After she freshened up, she hurriedly climbed into bed.

    She wasn¡¯t sleepy, so she opened WeChat and noticed that He Yuguang hadn¡¯t replied to her message yet.

    Ji Yi tossed and turned for who knew how long before she finally fell asleep.

    When she woke up the next day, it was already ten in the morning. The first thing she did when she opened her eyes was to grab her phone and check to see if He Yuguang replied to her message.

    Their WeChat convo was silent. He hadn¡¯t sent her a single message.

    Ji Yi clicked into her call logs, found He Yuguang¡¯s number, and called again to find out his phone was still off.

    He Yuguang can¡¯t possibly still be asleep, right?

    Ji Yi vaguely felt like something wasn¡¯t right but she wasn¡¯t entirely sure what it was. She was in a daze on the bed for a while before she climbed down and walked into the bathroom.

    He Yuguang¡¯s phone was still turned off in the afternoon...

    Something wasn¡¯t right. He Yuguang was usually really busy with work. There was no way he would leave his phone turned off for so long. He couldn¡¯t have stopped using that phone number, right?

    The strange feeling she had in the morning crept into Ji Yi¡¯s mind once again.

 Chapter 726

    Chapter 726: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (36)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After dinner, Ji Yi called He Yuguang again but to herplete confusion, it was still turned off.

    Even if He Yuguang changed his number, his WeChat ount should still be active, right...

    Though they hadn¡¯t spoken for almost a year, she still knew him pretty well. He would never go a day without his phone.

    In the evening at their dorm room, Tang Huahua asked Ji Yi to y some games, but since she was distracted by things on her mind, she lost three whole rounds. Completely flustered, Ji Yi was no longer in the mood to y and told Tang Huahua she wasn¡¯t going to y anymore. She tossed her phone aside and walked out of the dorm.

    When she came back, it was already bedtime.

    As Ji Yi reached for her phone whileying in bed, her fingers touched the pouch she put under her pillowst night.

    Her fingers trembled then she stared up at the ceiling for a while.

    It was no n to just continue waiting for Yuguang Ge¡¯s reply.

    After all, He Jichen ended up like this today only because of her...

    With that thought, Ji Yi quickly reached for her phone and booked a flight to Sucheng for early the next morning.

    Maybe it was because she was finally taking action and personally taking a trip to Sucheng, but Ji Yi slept easier that nightpared to the night before.

    Before it was even six in the morning, her phone rang and woke her up.

    Her flight was for half past eight. She didn¡¯t want to bete so she bolted out of bed and quickly packed her suitcase. Then she grabbed her phone to call a cab as she walked out of the dorm room.

    At eight on the dot, Ji Yi was on the ne to Sucheng.

    At half past eight, the ne took off.

    Two hourster, the ne safelynded at Sucheng¡¯s international airport.

    As Ji Yi came out of the airport, she lined up for a taxi then gave the driver the He family¡¯s home address.

    So many years had passed. Coming back to Sucheng, she realized that the city had changed significantly. The roads were wider and the buildings were taller. However, there were loads of areas she could still recognize from past memories, so she didn¡¯t feel too much of a stranger. After passing by some ces, she was still able to urately name some streets.

    The airport was pretty far from the He family¡¯s estate, so it took a whole hour to reach the ce Ji Yi spent many years of her adolescence in.

    She noticed many years had passed as Sucheng¡¯s grandest residential area now looked a little old.

    Ji Yi stood at the gates and stared up at the familiar block of ts as if time had suddenly turned back to the time she studied there. It deeply moved her for a moment before she strode into the residential area.

    Although it had been many years since she visited, Ji Yi could shut her eyes and still be able to find the front door to the He family¡¯s estate.

    Before she reached their door, Ji Yi walked past her grandma¡¯s door first.

    After her grandma passed away, her parents sold the apartment because they had no rtives in Sucheng. Now, the memory of her grandma was no longer there as another family moved in and the apartment was refurbished. However, Ji Yi still stared at the second floor for quite some time before walking over to the He family¡¯s front door.

    The He family¡¯s home had also beenpletely renovated.

    The front gates were changed. The fence was no longer wooden, but therge plot of sunflowers in the courtyard was still there. The swings she loved when she was younger were still there and the grape vines were thicker and denser since the year she left Sucheng.

    Through the fence, Ji Yi stared at the courtyard for a long time before she reached out to press the doorbell.

 Chapter 727

    Chapter 727: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (37)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Soon enough, the door opened and out stepped a young woman who rushed over with hurried steps.

    From the way she was dressed, the young woman looked like the housekeeper hired by the He Family.

    She was probably hired recently because Ji Yi didn¡¯t recognize her.

    ¡°Hello, who are you looking for?¡± The He family courtyard was big, so the housekeeper sounded slightly at a loss of breath from running over there in a hurry.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for...¡± Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if Mr. He and Mrs. He still remembered her but then she remembered she was talking to He Yuguang justst year, so she paused for a moment. Just to be safe, she replied, ¡°...He Yuguang.¡±

    When the housekeeper heard who Ji Yi was looking for, she looked evidently stunned. ¡°You¡¯re looking for the eldest?¡±

    Ji Yi nodded without hesitation. ¡°Yeah.¡±

    The housekeeper didn¡¯t say anything but looked at Ji Yi with a strange look in her eyes.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if she was just being overly paranoid, but it seemed like the housekeeper was hiding something. She furrowed her brows slightly and seeing as the housekeeper didn¡¯t look like she was going to say anything, she added, ¡°Yuguang Ge, are you not home?¡±

    After hearing what Ji Yi said, the housekeeper snapped out of her daze. She ignored Ji Yi¡¯s question and asked one of her own: ¡°Excuse me, are you his friend?¡±

    ¡°Yes...¡± said Ji Yi as she pointed to next door. ¡°...That used to be my grandma¡¯s house. I¡¯ve known Yuguang Ge since I was young.¡±

    Ji Yi was afraid the housekeeper didn¡¯t understand her, so she pulled out the pouch from her pocket. ¡°I came to see Yuguang Ge to give him this and to ask him about something...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish, the housekeeper saw the jade in the pouch and looked like she suddenly understood something. She then said, ¡°Miss, you came to see the young master, right?¡±

    The young master? He Jichen?

    Ji Yi paused and started to furrow her brows.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since the young master came back home. We don¡¯t know where he is either...¡±

    Before the housekeeper could finish speaking, Ji Yi hurriedly interrupted her by saying, ¡°No, no, you¡¯ve got it wrong. I¡¯m not looking for He Jichen. I¡¯m here for Yuguang Ge.¡±

    The housekeeper shook her head with a smile and tried a different angle: ¡°Miss, let me ask you. Are you looking for the owner of the jade?¡±

    Ji Yi nodded.

    ¡°Then I¡¯m right. The owner of the jade is the young master...¡±

    The owner of the jade is the young master... Ji Yi was bewildered by what the housekeeper said.

    ¡°Madam gave this jade to the young master. The masters are identical twins, so you might have mixed them up and thought the jade belonged to the older...¡±

    The housekeeper said a lot, so when she saw Ji Yi¡¯s expression change, she thought Ji Yi was embarrassed, so she hurriedly tried tofort Ji Yi. ¡°...But, Miss, I heard madam say that people often get the two of them mixed up...¡±

    Ji Yi stopped listening to what the housekeeper said. Though Ji Yi had no idea what the housekeeper was saying, Ji Yi knew she was talking non-stop. After the housekeeper said ¡°The owner of the jade is the young master,¡± her mind took some time to digest those words before she mumbled, ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    The housekeeper thought Ji Yi didn¡¯t understand what she meant, so she exined, ¡°I said, the brothers are identical twins and are often...¡±

 Chapter 728

    Chapter 728: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (38)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi appeared to not have heard what the housekeeper said and continued to ask, ¡°You said, this jade belongs to He Jichen?¡±

    Before the housekeeper could finish, she realized Ji Yi got it wrong and hurriedly said, ¡°Yeah, that jade belongs to the young master. Everyone in the He family knows this...¡±

    This jade belongs to He Jichen...

    If this jade belongs to He Jichen, then the person who visited me every month in the hospital for three years while I was in aa was actually... him?

    If this jade belongs to He Jichen, why would He Yuguang have this jade on him when he rushed over to Lijiang overnight because of my sprained ankle?

    Ji Yi felt herself slipping into a giant maze of doubts as her chaotic mind couldn¡¯tprehend this.

    She spent a lot of energy forcing her mind to understand it. ¡°Is this one of a kind?¡±

    ¡°Of course, only one. It¡¯s an antique. On madam¡¯s birthday, she mentioned that the jade was once worn by the emperor of the Qing dynasty!¡±

    The housekeeper was clearly showing off proudly.

    Why would Ji Yi care that it was once worn by an emperor? Her mind was filled with the thought of the jade belonging to He Jichen. Then who was the man at the Lijiang hotel back then?

    ¡°What¡¯s more, this jade was a gift to the young master from madam herself on his first birthday. She said it was like a protective charm...¡±

    The housekeeper continued to go on, but as she went on, she heard Ji Yi muttering to herself: ¡°What¡¯s going on? Just what the hell is going on?¡±

    The more Ji Yi muttered, the more agitated her tone of voice became.

    The housekeeper sounded worried and nervous. ¡°Miss, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Ji Yi was deep in thought but didn¡¯t reply to the housekeeper. She continued to mutter, ¡°Who the hell was it? In the end, who was it? Who was it that day?¡±

    ¡°Miss, Miss!¡± The housekeeper raised her voice.

    She cried several times, but Ji Yi was transfixed and continued to ignore her. Then the housekeeper quickly shut the door behind her and walked over to Ji Yi, tapping her shoulder to try to wake her up.

    Just as the housekeeper¡¯s handnded on Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder, a car drove in and stopped next to the two of them.

    The car door opened and an elegant middle-aged woman stepped out. She didn¡¯t take a good look at Ji Yi, but she swept a look over at the housekeeper and said, ¡°Xiao Hong, did you prepare the items for the anniversary of Yuguang¡¯s death?¡±

    The housekeeper heard someone calling her, so she immediately turned her head and cried, ¡°Madam.¡± Then she obediently replied, ¡°They¡¯re all ready.¡±

    The housekeeper¡¯s hand startled Ji Yi. The next second, the words ¡°anniversary of Yuguang¡¯s death¡± sank in.

    The anniversary of Yuguang¡¯s death... Yuguang... anniversary... death...

    Those five words drifted repeatedly in Ji Yi¡¯s mind for a while then she slowly turned her head and looked over at the person who spoke.

    ¡°Madam, are you going to see master now? If you are, I¡¯ll go grab them for you now...¡± added the housekeeper to Mrs. He.

    The moment after she said this, Ji Yi happened to turn her head to look over at Mrs. He.

    Mrs. He was about to nod at the housekeeper when her eyes suddenly met Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. Then she suddenly stopped and turned to look over at Ji Yi.

 Chapter 729

    Chapter 729: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (39)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    They hadn¡¯t seen each other in five years. Ji Yi had changed dramatically from a youthful woman to a mature woman. Although Ji Yi looked familiar, Mrs. He wasn¡¯t immediately certain who she was.

    In the past five years, Mrs. He hadn¡¯t changed, so she looked practically no different from when Ji Yist saw her when she left Sucheng.

    Ji Yi recognized Mrs. He. When Ji Yi spoke, she didn¡¯t sound cold like she hadn¡¯t seen Mrs. He for a long time. Instead, she said, ¡°Auntie He, you just said...¡±

    The rest of Ji Yi¡¯s sentence was a little hard for her to say, so she struggled to continue speaking from there.

    As soon as she spoke, Mrs. He immediately recognized who she was and a hint of surprise clearly shed across her eyes. ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    After Mrs. He¡¯s voice fell, she walked over to Ji Yi right away and scanned her up and down. Then she pulled her arm and happily cried, ¡°I thought it was you but I didn¡¯t dare assume. In the blink of an eye, you grew up so much and you look so much prettier...¡±

    As Mrs. He spoke, she checked Ji Yi from head to toe. ¡°And you grew so tall...¡±

    With that, Mrs. He realized Ji Yi was standing at the door, so she turned around and med the housekeeper standing beside them. ¡°Xiao Yi¡¯s here ¨C why didn¡¯t you invite her inside? Why are you chatting at the door?!¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I haven¡¯t been a good host. Please don¡¯t take it to heart. Come, let¡¯s go inside.¡± Having told off the housekeeper, Mrs. He turned her head and smiled at Ji Yi with her eyes. Seeing as Ji Yi hadn¡¯t moved from her spot, she nudged Ji Yi¡¯s arm to walk away from the courtyard. ¡°Xiao Yi, why did you suddenlye to Sucheng? How are your parents? Now that I think about it, it¡¯s been many years since Ist saw your mum...¡±

    Ji Yi drifted off on a mental journey as Mrs. He stopped walking towards Ji Yi after just a few steps.

    Mrs. He stopped speaking in bewilderment then turned to look at Ji Yi.

    She wanted to ask Ji Yi: ¡°What¡¯s wrong,¡± but the words hadn¡¯t reached her throat when Ji Yi quietly repeated the four words: ¡°Anniversary of Yuguang¡¯s death?¡±

    Mrs. He, who was delighted to see Ji Yi at first, instantly turned nk.

    Ji Yi knew exactly what those four words meant, but seeing as Mrs. He didn¡¯t say anything, she asked again, ¡°What did you mean by that?¡±

    With that, Ji Yi¡¯s eyes turned red and the words ¡°Anniversary of Yuguang¡¯s death?¡± escaped from her mouth again.

    ¡°Auntie He, did you misspeak earlier?¡±

    A tear fell from the corners of Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. ¡°How could there be an anniversary? Isn¡¯t Yuguang Ge alive and well?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, let¡¯s go in first. Let¡¯s talk when we get inside,¡± said Mrs. He finally.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t move and the tears started pouring down. ¡°Auntie He, you misspoke, right? Or I heard wrong, right?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare to face the true meaning behind those words. Not only was she kidding herself, but she even turned to look at the housekeeper and said, ¡°Hey, did I hear correctly just now? Mrs. He, you didn¡¯t say those four words, right?¡±

    The housekeeper wasn¡¯t sure how to reply to Ji Yi¡¯s question and showed a helpless look.

    Her reaction made Ji Yi even more frantic. ¡°I misheard. I must¡¯ve misheard...¡±

 Chapter 730

    Chapter 730: He Jichen is......He Yuguang (40)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Yuguang Ge, how could he... How could he...¡±

    Have died... Those two words lingered in Ji Yi¡¯s mouth, but she couldn¡¯t say it aloud.

    Since He Yuguang passed away four years ago, Mrs. He had long epted that reality. However, seeing Ji Yi crying over her biological son, her eyes couldn¡¯t help but turn red. ¡°You know Yuguang¡¯s health was poor since he was young.¡±

    ¡°The doctors said he wouldn¡¯t be able to live past eighteen years old. In the end, he held on till the age of twenty before passing away. To him, that was truly a miracle.¡±

    Twenty years old?

    Which means He Yuguang passed away four years ago?

    But why have I not heard a word about this? Even my parents don¡¯t know about this...

    The tears in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes continued to fall as she asked suspiciously, ¡°Why have I never heard about this?¡±

    ¡°Yuguang slipped into aa the day after you got into the car ident. One monthter, he passed away. At the time, you were in a critical condition and you¡¯re your parents¡¯ only child; it was already bad enough to encounter something like this, and I didn¡¯t want to make matters worse for them. What¡¯s more, you know Yuguang grew up at home and didn¡¯t really know many people outside, so when he passed away, only members of the He family were there to see him off.¡±

    Mrs. He gave a long speech. After it was over, she stared at Ji Yi for a while then added, ¡°Today happens to be the anniversary of Yuguang¡¯s death. I¡¯m going to see him in a moment. Would you like toe with me?¡±

    ...

    Ji Yi stood in front of He Yuguang¡¯s grave for three whole hours from the moment she found out he passed away.

    At first, Ji Yi thought three hours would be enough for her to process the grief a little. However, when she saw the ck and white photo of young He Yuguang on the gravestone and the three words ¡°He Yuguang,¡± her heart felt a sharp pain striking her.

    So six years ago, when she left Sucheng, that was actually thest time they would see each other.

    The sickly, weak young man who called her ¡°Manman¡± had already passed away.

    The He Yuguang in the photo was the version Ji Yi was most familiar with. He looked warm with a smile on his face, and he made her feel happy andfortable.

    After Ji Yi tried so hard to stop the tears, they finally crashed down, drop after drop, as she stared at the photo.

    ...

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t leave with Mrs. He.

    She stayed in front of He Yuguang¡¯s grave from the afternoon till sunset. When night fell, Ji Yi finally reached out to stroke He Yuguang¡¯s cold gravestone and silently said goodbye.

    As she walked out of the cemetery, Ji Yi called for a taxi to the city.

    Through the window, Ji Yi looked out at the dark sky as she sped through the streets and reminisced about every little thing that happened between her and He Yuguang after they reunited.

    From the moment she received a text from He Yuguang saying ¡°Manman¡± to the night he rushed over to Lijiang to see her to the skynterns he prepared for her...

    Ji Yi quietly reminisced for a long, long time. It wasn¡¯t until she entered the city that her mind lingered over a single thought: The real He Yuguang passed away many years ago, so the He Yuguang I reunited with was actually... He Jichen?

 Chapter 731

    Chapter 731: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It¡¯s no wonder that when He Yuguang rushed over to Lijiang overnight because I sprained my ankle, He Yuguang had He Jichen¡¯s jade with him...

    When the housekeeper told her the jade belonged to He Jichen, she couldn¡¯t figure it out. But now, it was clear and simple.

    Yuguang passed away a long time ago. Last year, the Yuguang she reunited with wasn¡¯t ¡°He Yuguang¡± ¨C it could only have been He Jichen, who looked identical to him.

    Ji Yi suddenly thought back to when ¡°He Yuguang¡± showed up. At the time, she was busy thinking about marriage since Qian Ge was trying to set her up using the abortion she had when she was younger.

    ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± asked her out for a meal that night which was when he suggested the fake marriage.

    At the time, she just wanted to make aeback to showbiz and wanted to stomp ruthlessly over Qian Ge. She wanted to ovee this difficult obstacle as fast as possible. Now that she thought about it, ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± seemed anxious to discuss the marriage. It was as though he was afraid that if he was just a bit toote, she¡¯d get married to someone else...

    After she promised ¡°Yuguang Ge,¡± he didn¡¯t let here back to get married in Sucheng. Instead, he wanted all her details so he could pick up the marriage certificate himself. At the time, she thought he was treating it like a business negotiation, but now, she discovered He Yuguang already passed away and it was impossible for them to have gotten married...

    With that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s brows suddenly tensed up as she realized something important.

    He Yuguang and I couldn¡¯t have gotten married... Then is my marriage certificate real or fake?

    He Jichen handled the marriage certificates, so the marriage certificate I had was fake. Then did we really get married?

    All of a sudden, the image of the two red books in He Jichen¡¯s office shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind.

    That day, He Jichen had a big reaction when she saw the marriage certificate; he sprung up from the sofa and headed straight for her. It was like he was afraid she¡¯d flip through the marriage certificate so he shut the drawer and even locked it...

    At the time, she had liked him for quite a while. Seeing the marriage certificate, she was a little hurt and failed to notice how flustered he was.

    But now that she thought about it, if he was married, then why was he afraid to let her see the marriage certificate?

    The look he had clearly seemed guilty...

    He registered the marriage... He couldn¡¯t have... A daring guess slowly crept into Ji Yi¡¯s mind.

    But I asked him about it, and he said he got married to C Girl, the person he¡¯d liked for many years.

    So did I just guess wrong?

    Ji Yi¡¯s brows creased while deep in thought for a long time, but she couldn¡¯t think of any leads. In the end, she suddenly thought of Fatty, who was still in Sucheng and worked at the ministry of public security. She quickly pulled out her phone and called him.

    Fatty was working overtime, so after Ji Yi asked what she wanted to ask, she hung up the phone and waited patiently.

    After about five minutes, Fatty called back. Just as Ji Yi took the call, Fatty said with an angry voice, ¡°Xiao Yi, are you ying with me?¡±

    Before Ji Yi could ask, Fatty furiously continued by saying, ¡°You especially called to ask me to find out who Chen Ge was married to when you¡¯re the one he¡¯s married to ¨C like you don¡¯t even know! Wow, Xiao Yi, you¡¯re messed up!¡±

 Chapter 732

    Chapter 732: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Me and Chen Ge got married... Ji Yi¡¯s grip on her phone tightened.

    So, the daring guess that shed across her mind was right.

    The person He Jichen married really was me!

    ¡°But speaking of which... Xiao Yi, when did you and Chen Ge get together? Why didn¡¯t I hear anything about it? You didn¡¯t call me today just to tell me you guys got married and to ask me for a red envelope, right? Don¡¯t worry, Xiao Yi. If you got married to someone else, I might not give you one, but it¡¯s you and Chen Ge! I¡¯ll definitely give you one, and a big one at that...¡±

    Over the phone, Fatty sounded more and more ecstatic.

    All Ji Yi could think about was ¡°You and Chen Ge got married.¡± She disliked how chatty Fatty was since it interfered with her train of thought, so without saying a word and disregarding whether Fatty was finished speaking, she hung up the call.

    With silence in her ear, Ji Yi¡¯s mind ran a lot faster.

    It looked like after He Jichen used He Yuguang¡¯s identity to create their marriage certificate, he really did marry her.

    However, on the real marriage certificate, it wasn¡¯t her and He Yuguang but her and He Jichen.

    Back then, although she and He Jichen had been reunited for some time, they weren¡¯t on good terms. She avoided him and he wasn¡¯t kind to her, so why did he want to marry her by all means possible?

    As her confusion grew, another memory shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind.

    That day, when she was shooting ¡°Pce,¡± Qian Ge tried to work with Lin Ya and sabotaged her by trapping her in the abandoned school building at B-film. It was He Jichen who came to save her.

    She had just one day¡¯s worth of filming. Her final scene was of Little Nine¡¯s suicide in the rain for love.

    Her wrist was injured, and because of the rain, it became extremely serious.

    After the scene was shot, she got a text from ¡°He Yuguang¡± on her way back to the city. That evening, he asked her to wait for him at the apartment he bought.

    That night, she had a fever and it was ¡°He Yuguang¡± who stayed up all night to take care of her.

    And it was that night when ¡°He Yuguang¡± found out she wanted to shoot ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics¡± that she got a call from Cheng Weiwan, inviting her for a casting call.

    She always thought Yuguang Ge did it all. Now that she thought about it, it was all actually He Jichen¡¯s work.

    Including when he showed up by her side at the apartment ¡°He Yuguang¡± bought after she misunderstood He Jichen during the Lin Zhengyi incident. She was helpless and in pain but he stayed with her. God knew just how important it was to her when he told her that he believed her.

    And in Lijiang, after she hurt herself in retaliation to Qian Ge while on the set of ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics,¡± ¡°He Yuguang¡± sent her the message: You¡¯re not alone, you still have me.

    At the most helpless, lowest point in her life, Yuguang Ge gave her warmth.

    And it was because of this that the faded feelings she had for him when they were young started to germinate again.

    Soter on, when she couldn¡¯t control her own emotions after falling deeply in love with He Jichen, she didn¡¯t want to be with He Jichen because Yuguang He treated her far too well. She couldn¡¯t hurt him.

    Now, she finally realized that the warm and protective ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± was He Jichen ¨C the same He Jichen she slowly, irrefutably fell in love with.

    And during the three years she spent in aa, he came to visit her every month. Besides her rtives, the only person in the whole world who never forgot or abandoned her was He Jichen.

 Chapter 733

    Chapter 733: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She always med herself and felt guilty for liking two men at the same time.

    And she was also bewildered because love was supposed to be between two people. How could she have fallen for two people at the same time?

    Now, the truth was out and she finally understood. She wasn¡¯t fickle or half-hearted ¨C ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± and He Jichen were the same person. Even though he swapped identities, he moved her soul.

    So He Jichen was the one who gave her all the warmth and happiness she felt for over a year since she woke up.

    Why did he have to do that?

    Didn¡¯t he say he liked C Girl?

    Didn¡¯t he say that he liked C Girl so much that if he stared at her too long, he would want to embrace her?

    Since he likes C Girl, why did he still treat me so well then? Why did he pretend to be Yuguang Ge and marry me?

    Ji Yi was never the type to shower someone who wasn¡¯t interested with affection, especially when it came to He Jichen. She loved him, but she¡¯d never felt confident and felt inferior. However, at this very moment, as those questions shed across her mind, another daring spection came to mind: I can¡¯t be... C Girl, right?

    With that thought, Ji Yi picked up her phone and called Fatty again.

    As soon as the call connected, Fatty¡¯s angry voice erupted. ¡°Xiao Yi, what was that? I didn¡¯t finish speaking, and you hung up on me. That¡¯spletely rude...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for Fatty to finishining and interrupted him. ¡°Where are you now?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Fatty asked in confusion then replied, ¡°At work.¡±

    ¡°Where do you work?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You want to see me?¡±

    ¡°Hurry and tell me where you work!!¡± Ji Yi¡¯s tone of voice grew impatient.

    ¡°Take it easy! Take it easy! Alright, I give in...¡±forted Fatty as he quickly messaged Ji Yi with his address. ¡°...I¡¯m sharing it to you on WeChat...¡±

    Before Fatty could finish, Ji Yi felt her phone vibrating. She turned her gaze to the screen and saw that it was Fatty¡¯s message. Just like before, she hung up on him again without saying a word. Then she gave the driver his address. ¡°Sir, I¡¯m not going to the Four Seasons Hotel. I want to go here.¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t far from Fatty¡¯s workce. It just required a left turn up ahead, which only took five minutes for her to reach.

    As Ji Yi paid the fare, she gave Fatty a call. After Fatty picked up, Ji Yi didn¡¯t give him a chance to speak and quickly cried, ¡°I¡¯m at the front door of your workce. Come out!¡±

    ¡°For real? Are you lying to me?¡± asked Fatty suspiciously.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t bother bickering with Fatty and hung up right away.

    Ji Yi waited for the driver to give her the change and got out of the car. She walked just a few steps forward when she saw him hurriedly running over to the door.

    He saw Ji Yi and paused for a moment then rushed over and reached Ji Yi in just a couple seconds. ¡°You really came?¡±

    ¡°Have you eaten? I¡¯ll book us a table somewhere. Let¡¯s go eat?¡±

    ¡°Is there anything in particr you wanna eat?¡±

    Fatty asked Ji Yi a couple questions.

    However, Ji Yi didn¡¯t give Fatty a reply. It wasn¡¯t until he raised his phone to search for where to eat when Ji Yi gulped and suddenly asked, ¡°Fatty, who the hell is C Girl?¡±

 Chapter 734

    Chapter 734: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Fatty was stunned by Ji Yi¡¯s question while he stared at his phone for a couple seconds. Then he raised his head to look over at her. ¡°You¡¯re already married to Chen Ge, yet you still don¡¯t know who C Girl is?¡±

    Even though Fatty didn¡¯t answer Ji Yi¡¯s question, her fingers trembled slightly. Deep down, she knew the answer. ¡°I¡¯m C Girl, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    After Fatty heard this, he realized he got it all wrong. He thought He Jichen confessed to Ji Yi, came clean about liking C Girl for many years and the two of them got married. ¡°Then how did you two get married?¡±

    ¡°I only found out tonight that we¡¯re married.¡±

    When Fatty heard what Ji Yi said, he knew it would be a long story, so he didn¡¯t let Ji Yi exin everything on the sidewalk. ¡°Gimme a minute. I¡¯ll drive the car around. Let¡¯s get in and talk about it over some food.¡±

    Ji Yi gently nodded and said ¡°Alright.¡±

    Fatty turned around and walked into his workce. Soon after, Ji Yi heard a whistle from the roadside.

    Ji Yi looked in the direction of the whistling and saw Fatty through rolled down windows in his car.

    She walked over in a hurry, pulled the car door open, and sat inside.

    After Ji Yi fastened her seatbelt, Fatty hit the gas while asking, ¡°Let¡¯s have Shanghai food?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± replied Ji Yi with no questions asked. Then she continued, ¡°I always thought the person I married was Yuguang Ge...¡±

    It was really quiet in the car. Besides Ji Yi¡¯s voice, nothing else was heard.

    After she exined the details of what happened, she turned her head and nced at Fatty then continued, ¡°...If I hadn¡¯t found the jade in his apartment, gone to Sucheng to ask Yuguang Ge about He Jichen¡¯s whereabouts, and learned that Yuguang Ge passed away, I never would¡¯ve imagined that the person I agreed to marry was He Jichen.¡±

    After Ji Yi said this, the car happened to stop outside the restaurant.

    Fatty got out of the car first and helped Ji Yi open her car door.

    On the way there, Fatty booked a table, so after he stepped into the restaurant, he gave his name and was quickly escorted in by a waiter, who brought them to a quiet table.

    Fatty frequently ate at this restaurant, so he ordered the food.

    After the waiter left, Fatty took the teapot and poured them cups of tea. He pushed one of the cups over to Ji Yi then said, ¡°Chen Ge was afraid Qian Ge¡¯s video incident would drag you down, so he left Beijing?¡±

    Ji Yi lowered her eyes and gently replied with ¡°Yeah¡±.

    ¡°That¡¯s definitely Chen Ge¡¯s style...¡± said Fatty. He lowered his head and took a sip of tea. After a while, he put the cup down and stared at Ji Yi while saying, ¡°...Do you still remember when you mentioned C Girlst year at Louwailou? At the time, you asked me who C Girl was and I was particrly surprised. Then I asked if you were stupid. At the time, I almost told you who C Girl was, but in the end, Chen Ge called me out...¡±

    Ji Yi nodded slightly. ¡°I remember.¡±

    ¡°After Chen Ge called me, do you know what he said to me?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head.

    Fatty didn¡¯t stop there and continued, ¡°He asked me what we talked about while he wasn¡¯t in the room. His expression at the time looked so nervous that he jumped in fright. After I told him about our conversation, he let out a hard sigh of relief.¡±

 Chapter 735

    Chapter 735: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°That¡¯s when I realized he was afraid I told you who C Girl was.¡±

    With that, Fatty picked up the teacup and finished the tea then nced over at Ji Yi. ¡°Earlier at my workce, you were right. You¡¯re C Girl, you¡¯re Chen Ge¡¯s first love, and you¡¯re the C girl who Chen Ge has secretly liked for many years!¡±

    Even though Ji Yi was mentally prepared a long time ago, now that Fatty put the truth out there, her fingers quivered violently on the table.

    ¡°Chen Ge liked you before you knew him. Back then, the school was going crazy in search of C Girl. We were searching for you! Later, because of this, Chen Ge got punished to clean the toilets. That day, Chen Ge stood by the window and saw you. At the time, he practically leaped downstairs to chase you. It was just a shame that after he made it downstairs, you were already gone.¡±

    ¡°Later, I think Chen Ge met you at his house, but you guys weren¡¯t close and never crossed paths. However, you have no idea... none of us knew you existed!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve known Chen Ge the longest. There were many girls who tried to get with him, and every now and then, he would walk around with one or two girls for show, but he never cared about them. In the evening during self-study periods, he made us sneakily follow you home and to the inte cafe in order to protect you. He was afraid of thugs taking advantage of you. He knew you didn¡¯t like smoking, so he forbade us all from smoking around you...¡±

    ¡°He made us be more polite. I¡¯m not exaggerating here! Back then, Chen Ge was supposed to be our boss, but you seemed like our real boss.¡±

    ¡°We knew Chen Ge too well. Chen Ge treated you so nicely, so when you were seenughing and chatting away with the school council president, everyone thought it wasn¡¯t fair on Chen Ge. Then, we wanted to give Chen Ge a surprise for his birthday, so we brought you over.¡±

    ¡°That day, you pped Chen Ge right in the face without asking any questions. In actual fact, you shouldn¡¯t have been mad at Chen Ge ¨C he was also clueless. Later, we wanted to exin it to you, but Chen Ge didn¡¯t let us.¡±

    ¡°That day, Chen Ge kicked us all out before we could celebrate his birthday and silently smoked for half a night.¡±

    ¡°Later, because of Sun Zhang¡¯s incident, you and Chen Ge got closer, but there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know. A month before the college entrance exams, Chen Ge began to make preparations to confess to you when the exams were over.¡±

    Confess... So when we were younger, He Jichen thought about confessing to me.

    After Ji Yi heard this, she finally realized why he suddenly hated her guts after their one night stand!

    It¡¯s because he liked her, but he knew she liked his older brother...

    ¡°Later, you both parted ways. You left Sucheng, and Chen Ge started to live a drunkard¡¯s life.¡±

    ¡°For two whole months, Chen Ge was a drunken mess every day.¡±

    ¡°When he was drunk, the two words he mostly said were...¡± As Fatty said that, his chest suddenly felt stifled. He let out a long sigh and finished his sentence: ¡°...Xiao Yi.¡±

 Chapter 736

    Chapter 736: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart felt like it had suddenly been touched by something. She shuddered.

    Long before Fatty started talking, the dishes were all served on the table.

    After he said this, Fatty didn¡¯t continue speaking but silently kept his silence and ate some rice. Then he looked like he had a thought and said, ¡°On the day we ate at Louwailou, I asked Chen Ge why he wouldn¡¯t let me tell you that you¡¯re C Girl. Why didn¡¯t he just brazenly go after you?!¡±

    ¡°Chen Bai remained silent for a long time before he gave me a reply.¡±

    ¡°He said...¡± Fatty tilted his head like he was reminiscing about that day. Then he copied the tone He Jichen used that day and continued to say, ¡°Chase? You think I want to chase her?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly shuddered when she heard this then her fingertips tightly clutched her chopsticks.

    ¡°He also said...¡± Deep in thought, Fatty continued to use He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice and repeated what he said. ¡°I dream about chasing her; all I want to do is stand outside her dorm every day just to give her breakfast; when it¡¯s stormy outside, I want to be able to hold an umbre out for her; when she¡¯s not feeling well, I want to carry her to the hospital...¡±

    An intense heartache enveloped Ji Yi¡¯s heart, making her body tremble softly.

    ¡°Chen Ge also said he even thought about the whole setting and how he was going to confess. Deep down, he went through his lines an infinite amount of times, but he was afraid... afraid you wouldn¡¯t believe him. He was afraid that after he confessed, you¡¯d have to say farewell. He was afraid he would put you in a difficult position because you liked He Yuguang...¡±

    As she stared at Fatty, Ji Yi listened carefully and instinctively turned her gaze out the window.

    Before she came to see Fatty, she had the vague feeling she was C Girl.

    Even though Fatty gave her a definite answer, she was still shocked by the fact that he had a crush on her all this time. She thought about it repeatedly but had no idea that behind the scenes, He Jichen would actually be so deeply in love with her.

    At that thought, ayer of fog clouded Ji Yi¡¯s eyes.

    She always thought He Jichen treated her really, really well.

    Since he left, she found out from Qian Ge that he only treated Qian Ge like that because of her...

    At the time, she already thought he treated her the very best, the very best he could.

    But today, she found out that the ¡°best¡± was just a fraction of how well he really treated her.

    For over ten years from the time they first met to this very day, he had persevered in treating her this way.

    Fatty stared at the side of Ji Yi¡¯s face silently for a long time then finally said, ¡°Xiao Yi, do you know how Chen Ge reacted the moment he found out about you being in aa after the car ident?¡±

    ¡°He fell to the ground.¡±

    ¡°Deep down, Chen Ge has always been strong and omnipotent. That was the first time I ever saw him in such a state.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t wake up, so he foolishly guarded your room from downstairs.¡±

    ¡°Later, he got a fever and I had to force him to see a doctor. While he had an injection, he suddenly smiled.¡±

    ¡°To this day, I clearly remember what he said... Well actually, he didn¡¯t say much ¨C just that if worst came to worst, he¡¯d die with you...¡±

    After hearing this, Ji Yi finally couldn¡¯t hold her tears back; they came crashing down from her face.

 Chapter 737

    Chapter 737: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    What virtues and abilities do I possess for him to treat me this well?

    She really wanted to ask him: why does he like me? Why did he sacrifice so much? Why didn¡¯t he say anything and just silently protected me?

    She had many, many questions that she wanted to ask him, but she couldn¡¯t see him anymore...

    She was too slow-witted and realized everything toote, so now, the heavens could no longer sit and watch. That was why she was being punished to find out everything after she lost him.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, there¡¯s something I want to ask of you. If you ever meet Chen Ge again one day, I really hope you can take the initiative a little more.¡± Fatty was feeling a little down and his voice was quite sad because he¡¯d been talking about He Jichen. ¡°I know you can¡¯t force love, but Xiao Yi, there¡¯s a type of love you can¡¯t disappoint.¡±

    Ji Yi wanted to reply to Fatty, but her voice was stifled like crazy. In the end, she only nodded fiercely.

    After a while, she managed to speak: ¡°I will.¡±

    If I ever meet him one day, I¡¯ll take the initiative.

    The Yuguang Ge I liked was him.

    The He Jichen I deeply love is him.

    After waking up from my three-year-longa, I¡¯ve only been surrounded by the most wonderful things because of him.

    So, I¡¯ll wait for him. I¡¯ll always wait and wait to see him again, so I can take the initiative.

    I actually hate waiting usually, but this time, I quite like waiting.

    I¡¯m willing to start counting down to when we¡¯ll meet again.

    At that thought, even though she was still crying, Ji Yi¡¯s lips broke into a smile.

    I¡¯ll wait for you.

    Maybe when the dayes, I¡¯ll be white and old, my teeth will have fallen out, I¡¯ll slur my words, and I¡¯ll make no sense.

    But that¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll still wait for you.

    After you show up, I¡¯m going to embrace you tightly and never let you go.

    Because I¡¯m the true love of your life and you are the most loved person in my life.

    Because there¡¯s a type of love you can¡¯t disappoint.

    ¨C

    In a small town in France.

    At eight in the evening, a taxi stopped in front of a bar.

    After about a minute, the door opened and a man stepped out.

    He wore a ck trenchcoat over his tall and slender body.

    It seemed like he had been to this bar many times. After he pushed the door open and entered, he didn¡¯t bother waiting for the waiter; he walked down the familiar path over to an empty table at the furthest part of the bar and took a seat.

    The bartender behind the counter noticed him as soon as he entered. After he sat down, he then turned his head and said to the waiter, ¡°Look, that Chinese man¡¯s back again. I¡¯ve been paying attention to him for a long time now. For thest month, he turns up in that seat at the same time. Then he drinks a lot of wine and as soon as he starts drinking, he¡¯ll go all night long.¡±

    The waiter was a Chinese woman. When she heard the bartender say this, she couldn¡¯t help but nce over to where the man was sitting.

    Soon enough, more people started to fill up the bar. Everyone started to get busy working, so the bartender and waiter didn¡¯t have time to chitchat, but every now and then, they shot nces at the man.

    It really was just as the bartender said ¨C he sat there on his own and endlessly downed the wine.

    He was drunk before midnight.

    On the way to the restroom, the waiter deliberately walked around the man¡¯s table to see that he was spread out on the table while mumbling to himself.

 Chapter 738

    Chapter 738: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The cashier couldn¡¯t help but slow down her footsteps. After she listened for a while, she clearly heard him say in Chinese, ¡°Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi...¡±

    He¡¯s crying someone¡¯s name?

    They say the name you cry when you¡¯re drunk is the name of someone you deeply love. So, Xiao Yi is the woman he loves deeply?

    Women were naturally curious when it came to love, so the cashier couldn¡¯t help but turn her head and nce over at the man sprawled across the table.

    The light at the corner of the bar was dim and pale yellow. She couldn¡¯t see his face clearly, but she could sense that he was deeply sad and hurt.

    The cashier quickly walked away and entered the restroom.

    When she returned, the first thing she did was nce over at the corner table. The man had already left. His table hadn¡¯t been cleared up yet as it was still filled with empty beer bottles.

    The cashier didn¡¯t think much of what just happened; she quickly pushed it to the back of her mind and got back to work.

    At two in the morning, the cashier was done for the night. She headed to the break room at the back to change out of her uniform. She waved at the bartender and said her goodbyes before leaving the bar.

    Late at night, in the small French town, it started to rain.

    The cashier grabbed an umbre from her bag and opened it. As she took just two steps down the street, her gaze was drawn to a figure beneath a nearbymppost.

    It was just a nce, but the cashier recognized the figure as the man who was sitting in the corner of the bar earlier.

    He was motionless and looked as though he couldn¡¯t feel the rain.

    The cashier held up her umbre and stared at the man for a while from a distance. In the end, she gradually walked over to him cautiously.

    Maybe the man didn¡¯t hear her footsteps because the cashier stood right in front of him for a while, yet he didn¡¯t react at all.

    The cashier cried, ¡°Hello?¡±

    The man still didn¡¯t move.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± asked the cashier.

    After she finished asking, the cashier looked at the man with the same emotionless expression on his face and crouched down. ¡°You...¡±

    This time, she only let out one word when he lifted his head.

    Under the street lights, the cashier saw an rmingly handsome face which suddenly hushed all sounds from her mouth.

    The rain drizzled down.

    After some time, the man said, ¡°Xiao Yi...¡±

    The cashier snapped out of her shock.

    Then she realized the man was staring right at her.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if she was seeing things, but she felt like the man wasn¡¯t really looking at her.

    ¡°Hey,¡± she cried out to him again. Seeing as he didn¡¯t react, she raised her hand and waved it in front of his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±

    He didn¡¯t reply to her nor did he even blink when she waved her hand in front of his face. Instead, his gaze remained transfixed in her direction.

    The cashier furrowed her brows but couldn¡¯t resist ncing back. Besides the ceaseless drizzle of rain, there was no one else on the streets.

    The only person visible was the oriental female celebrity in the repeated advert ying on the billboard above the bar.

    There¡¯s nothing to see. Why¡¯s he staring at it non-stop...

    The cashier looked back and couldn¡¯t help but ask in curiosity, ¡°What are you looking at?¡±

    The man still didn¡¯t reply, but after she spoke, he shot her a dull look. The gaze clearly carried no emotions, and the cashier still felt like the man was a thousand miles away.

 Chapter 739

    Chapter 739: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    His icy gaze fell on her face for no more than a second before withdrawing. Then he silently got up from the ground like he hadn¡¯t seen the cashier in front of him at all.

    Before he could get up, his body dropped to the ground again.

    The cashier let out a shriek and without hesitation, she tossed the umbre aside and used both hands to prop him up.

    He fell quite heavily, causing her to crash to the ground harshly.

    ¡°Sssst...¡± She inhaled a cold breath of air in pain then tried to push him up, but her fingers incidentally touched his skin. That was when she realized that he was frighteningly warm.

    The cashier quickly pulled out her phone and called for an ambnce.

    When they reached the hospital and checked him in, the cashier pulled out his wallet and found his ID. She read his name: He Jichen.

    He Jichen, He Jichen... The cashier repeated his name several times. The more she read it, the better it sounded.

    The nurse quickly checked him in and returned the ID to the cashier.

    The cashier thanked her as she put the ID back into the man¡¯s wallet.

    Just as she was going to close his wallet, she realized there was a photo in the card slot.

    It was a photo of a woman; her face only peered out of the wallet half-way. She must¡¯ve identally pulled it out when she was looking for his ID.

    She knew it was rude to touch people¡¯s things without their permission, but she still couldn¡¯t hold herself back from pulling out the photo.

    The woman¡¯s perfectplexion fell into the cashier¡¯s eyes.

    The woman wasn¡¯t wearing any makeup. Her eyes looked bright and she seemed soft and gentle. She looked clean and eye-catching, aplete beauty.

    The cashier thought the woman looked somewhat familiar. It felt as though she¡¯d seen her somewhere before. After thinking about it for a long time, she still couldn¡¯t remember.

    Back in the hospital room, since the cashier just finished her evening shift, she felt sleepy and tired. After she forced He Jichen to get off the drip, she sprawled out on the side of the bed and fell deep asleep.

    When she woke, the sun outside the window was bright and there was no one on the bed.

    That guy didn¡¯t just leave without saying anything to me, did he?

    All of a sudden, the cashier waspletely awake as she abruptly stood up. Just as she was about to leave the room to ask a nurse where the man went, she saw his silhouette in front of the balcony.

    He was leaning against the wall with a phone in his left hand. He had his head down while staring at the phone screen and he had a cigarette with puffs of thick smoke in his right hand.

    The cashier stared at the man for a while then walked up to him and softly said ¡°Hi.¡±

    The man looked like he was trapped, deep in thought with no escape. He stared emotionlessly at the phone screen.

    The cashier was really curious as she couldn¡¯t help but nce at his phone. She saw that he was staring at the phone number for someone called ¡°Xiao Yi.¡±

    She didn¡¯t disturb him again as she quietly stared at him. She realized that his fingers were lingering over Xiao Yi¡¯s name, wanting to make the call, but every time he was about to make the call, he chose to pull back.

    On the ninth time, the cashier watched as He Jichen¡¯s fingers pulled away from the two words ¡°Xiao Yi¡± and she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Is that the woman you cried aboutst night when you were drunk?¡±

    He Jichen raised his head and nced at her in silence. All he did was put his phone back into his pocket then pulled out a thick wad of cash and handed it to her.

    The cashier didn¡¯t take it. ¡°That woman is the person you love deeply?¡±

 Chapter 740

    Chapter 740: As It Turns Out, She¡¯s C Girl (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen furrowed his brows, annoyed at the cashier¡¯s numerous questions. A hint of irritation shed across his cold eyes then he put the money on the table. He remained silent as he put out the cigarette between his fingers, straightened up, and walked out the door.

    As he brushed past the cashier, He Jichen heard her say, ¡°You were just staring at your phone. Did you want to call her?¡±

    He Jichen pretended like she didn¡¯t exist as he continued to leisurely walk away.

    ¡°Since you want to call her, why don¡¯t you just do it?¡±

    He Jichen slowly stopped walking as though the cashier¡¯s question struck a nerve.

    He didn¡¯t look back at her, but he could sense that she was looking back at him. ¡°Why did your fingers look like they were about to punch in the number so many times, but you kept on pulling back? Why can¡¯t you just follow your heart?¡±

    The cashier asked several questions, but about fifteen seconds after thisst question, He Jichen finally spoke with his back still facing her: ¡°I am following my heart.¡±

    His voice was soft like he was mumbling to himself, but the cashier heard him clearly.

    Following his own heart?

    The cashier furrowed her brows as confusion spread to her eyes. She was just about to ask him, ¡°If you¡¯re following your heart, why don¡¯t you call her?¡±

    Before the cashier could gather her thoughts, He Jichen said, ¡°If I was going to call her, I wouldn¡¯t have left her in the first ce.¡±

    So, I got it all wrong? He was just staring at the phone number like he wanted to call her, but in fact, he didn¡¯t want to call her at all?

    The cashier was even more curious. ¡°Why?¡±

    As though he hadn¡¯t heard the cashier¡¯s question, He Jichen said nothing more. He didn¡¯t stay in the hospital room for long as he walked right out.

    After he walked out of the hospital and onto the road, he came to a stop and pulled out a cigarette. Lighting up the cigarette, he took two drags and stared at the smoke rising while thinking about the question the stranger asked before he left: ¡°Why?¡±

    He knew what she meant. Why does following my heart mean I can¡¯t contact her?

    Because you would contact someone if you liked them, but you can stop yourself from contacting someone if you love them.

    In the blink of an eye, I¡¯ve already left her for two months now. In the past two months, how has she been?

    ¨C

    ¡°Mr. Han, Miss Cheng is here again.¡±

    In the middle of a meeting, Han Zhifan felt his phone vibrating. After he reached out to look at it, he saw that it was a text he requested from the security guard from his residential area.

    He didn¡¯t reply to the security guard, but he didn¡¯t delete the message either.

    He gently swiped the screen and counted that she¡¯d showed up at his apartment building ten times in two short months.

    Seeing Han Zhifan staring at his phone screen in a daze for far too long, his secretary, who was standing next to him, discreetly cried, ¡°Mr. He...¡±

    Han Zhifan snapped out of it and put his phone away immediately.

    The meeting ran till nine in the evening before it came to an end.

    As Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t busy, he didn¡¯t head back to his office. He handed his secretary some files and took the elevator down.

    The driver was waiting in the car, so when he saw Mr. Han, he immediately helped him open the car door.

    As the car quickly drove out of the underground parking lot, Han Zhifan suddenly had an idea then said, ¡°Head to Lin Na¡¯s ce first.¡±

 Chapter 741

    Chapter 741: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The driver replied ¡°Yes¡± then changed direction.

    Han Zhifan reached for his phone and started typing away.

    There was no music ying in the car nor was Han Zhifan speaking to the driver, so the car was unusually quiet. The sound of him tapping on his phone¡¯s keyboard sounded particrly crisp.

    ¡°Come to my ce tonight. I¡¯ll be at your building in twenty minutes.¡±

    Han Zhifan typed slowly and he took a long time to write his short message.

    He stared at the words on the screen for a long time before he entered Lin Na¡¯s number and pressed send.

    Lin Na was probably ying on her phone at the time because as soon as his phone disyed the ¡°message sent¡± notification, her reply came through: ¡°Alright.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t reply to Lin Na with more details and he put his phone on the seat beside him.

    He stared out the window absentmindedly as the car drove quickly down the road.

    Lin Na¡¯s ce wasn¡¯t far from Han Zhifan¡¯s office, so he reached her residential area not too long after.

    As the car drove in, the driver saw Lin Na from afar, standing at the entrance of her apartment building.

    The car came to a steady halt then the driver quickly got out and helped Lin Na get the door.

    When Lin Na bent over and got into the car, the strong scent of perfume wafted into Han Zhifan¡¯s nose.

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows and couldn¡¯t help raising his hand to roll down the window a little.

    ¡°Fan, why did you suddenly ask me to go to your ce today?¡± asked Lin Na with a bright smile as she turned her head.

    Han Zhifan stayed quiet for a short while and said, ¡°You called mest night, so didn¡¯t you want to see me?¡±

    Lin Na¡¯s smile grew even brighter as she drew closer towards Han Zhifan. ¡°You haven¡¯te to see me for a month now, so of course I wanna see you.¡±

    Han Zhifan put on a smile, held his breath and didn¡¯t say a word until he turned towards the rolled-down window. Then he finally started to breathe again.

    Traffic was unusually smooth at night. Even though Lin Na¡¯s ce and Han Zhifan¡¯s home were on opposite sides of the office, it didn¡¯t take long for them to drive into Yongyi Gardens.

    Just as they were about to reach the apartment building, the fast car suddenly came to an emergency stop.

    The driver stared at Cheng Weiwan for a while, who was standing in front of them in the distance. Then he turned his head back in hesitation. ¡°Mr. Han?¡±

    Han Zhifan spotted Cheng Weiwan before the driver did. He knew what the driver was asking, so he didn¡¯t need to hear the rest of the driver¡¯s question. Han Zhifan opened the car door and got right out.

    He walked around the back of the car to the other side, just to open the door for Lin Na.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t there still some way to go?¡± asked Lin Na in confusion.

    ¡°Let¡¯s walk,¡± said Han Zhifan in a t voice.

    Lin Na didn¡¯t protest and obediently got out of the car then naturally reached her hand out and clung to Han Zhifan¡¯s arm.

    Lin Sheng introduced Lin Na to him. She was very passionate and bubbly. The second time they met, she took the initiative and held his hand. At the time, his instinct was to struggle out of her touch, but this time, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t pull his arm away. Instead, he let her cling tightly to his whole body as they walked to his apartment.

    Because the car stopped at a distance, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t notice that Han Zhifan had returned.

    Lin Na talked as they both walked down the road. Although Han Zhifan didn¡¯t participate in the conversation, Lin Na still secretly giggled every now and then.

 Chapter 742

    Chapter 742: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan heard the sound ofughter and turned her head.

    Han Zhifan happened to nce over to where Cheng Weiwan was standing and their eyes met.

    Even though they were separated by some distance, Han Zhifan, whose eyesight was excellent, could clearly see the panic in her eyes. She instinctively wanted to avoid his gaze, but her attention was quickly captured by Lin Na.

    She stared at Lin Na for a while like she was looking at some kind of strange creature. Then the blood from her fair face seemed to drain gradually, leaving her pale white.

    Han Zhifan and Lin Na¡¯s footsteps never stopped or slowed down because of Cheng Weiwan.

    The two of them drew closer to her.

    Knowing that they were going to quickly reach Cheng Weiwan, her eyes stopped over Lin Na then turned back to Han Zhifan¡¯s face.

    In contrast to her panic when their eyes first met, she now looked at him nkly as though she didn¡¯t recognize him.

    Han Zhifan acted as though Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t exist then swiftly withdrew his gaze and escorted Lin Na up the stairs towards his apartment building.

    Back at his apartment, Han Zhifan let Lin Na do what she wanted. He took off his suit, walked into the bathroom, and took a shower first.

    After he stepped out of the shower, Lin Na, who was sitting on the sofa while ying on her phone, immediately got up and walked into the bathroom.

    Han Zhifan heard the sound of running water in the shower. Then he walked over to the tall windows.

    Cheng Weiwan still stood outside the building foolishly, staring vacantly at the spot where he and Lin Na had just passed.

    Lin Na quickly took a shower and came out of the bathroom.

    She wasn¡¯t wearing any clothes and came out with a bathrobe and bare feet. She walked behind him and hugged his waist.

    ¡°Zhifan,¡± she cried his name as her fingertips intentionally pressed into his firm abs.

    Of course, Han Zhifan knew what she secretly meant by her actions.

    As her fingers touched his waist, he suddenly raised his hand and held down her hands.

    This wasn¡¯t her first time trying to seduce him.

    Naturally, he wanted to pull her away from him like before. However, just as he grasped her hands, he saw Cheng Weiwan standing outside the building with her head up, staring at his bedroom window.

    The lights in his bedroom were on, so she could clearly see the silhouette of him and Lin Na on the balcony.

    Han Zhifan suddenly stopped pushing Lin Na away. About three secondster, he suddenly forcefully pulled Lin Na towards him and pressed her up against the window with his body.

    He didn¡¯t reject her like before, secretly exciting Lin Na inside and making her even more daring. Like a water snake, she hooked onto Han Zhifan¡¯s waist and wrapped herself around his neck. She even raised her chin, slightly opened her red lips and rushed towards his lips.

    Without hesitation, Han Zhifan turned his head and avoided her kiss by burying his head into her neck.

    He hadn¡¯t done anything yet, but Lin Na was already quietly moaning.

    He let her hands tear his clothes off.

    As she twisted and turned non-stop, her robe fell, revealing most of her upper body.

    When Lin Na pushed her breasts up against him, his eyelids flickered up, nced out the window, and looked down outside the building.

 Chapter 743

    Chapter 743: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan already had her head down and was no longer looking up at the building.

    About one or two secondster, she turned around and walked over to the gates of the residential area.

    She walked slowly and she paused every few steps.

    There was one time when she stopped for a particrly long time. He thought she was going to look back, but she didn¡¯t and eventually continued walking.

    It took her a very long time to walk just fifty meters and leave his line of sight.

    ¡°Zhifan?¡± cried Lin Na who couldn¡¯t help but say his name after finally noticing that he wasn¡¯t reacting to all the effort she put into teasing him.

    Han Zhifan lowered his head and nced at Lin Na, who was full of anticipation. He didn¡¯t say anything as Lin Na tiptoed in an attempt to kiss him. He took a step back and pulled her off his body. ¡°I have some things to deal with. You should go get some sleep first.¡±

    After he said this, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for Lin Na to react. He turned around and walked out the bedroom door.

    Didn¡¯t he make the first move? Why¡¯s he now rejecting me?

    Lin Na erupted in anger. ¡°Zhifan?!¡±

    Han Zhifan pretended to not have heard her and continued walking.

    ¡°Han Zhifan!¡± Lin Na was so angry that she stomped her feet.

    Han Zhifan closed the bedroom door, leaving Lin Na behind. He headed to his home office.

    Lin Na put on her bathrobe to cover up her body then went after him, but before she could reach the door to his home office, she heard the lock clicking from the inside.

    She angrily walked over to the door and forcefully pounded on the door a few times. There wasn¡¯t a single peeping from the door as the man inside showed no signs of opening the door.

    ¡°Han Zhifan, what do you mean by this?! You called me over! You¡¯ve taken things too far!¡±

    Lin Na was annoyed that her hand was hurting from pounding the door, so she grabbed a y object and smashed it at the tightly-shut door.

    Han Zhifan stood on the balcony of his office and stared down below the building, without paying any attention to the crazy woman beyond the door.

    ...

    After that night, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t receive any messages from the security guard again.

    Just as Han Zhifan thought Cheng Weiwan hadpletely disappeared from his world, he identally bumped into Chen Bai at a business dinner and heard news about her.

    He didn¡¯t hear the news at the dinner table; it was when he went out for a cigarette. That was when he happened to see Chen Bai as he stepped out of the restroom and walked over to him.

    Out of habit, Chen Bai was very polite to Han Zhifan, just as he was with He Jichen. ¡°Mr. Han.¡±

    Han Zhifan nced at Chen Bai but didn¡¯t say a word and handed him the pack of cigarettes.

    Chen Bai shook his head and didn¡¯t take it.

    The two of them didn¡¯t say anything for a while. When his cigarette was almost finished, Chen Bai suddenly said, ¡°She left Beijing a week ago. Did you know?¡±

    Chen Bai didn¡¯t say who ¡°She¡± was, but Han Zhifan, who had a cigarette in his mouth, finally got it after a while. Chen Bai was talking about Cheng Weiwan.

    He didn¡¯t utter a word. Chen Bai was silent for a while before he continued to say, ¡°Miss Ji told me Cheng Weiwan only said goodbye to her.¡±

    Han Zhifan shuddered slightly with the cigarette in his mouth as the ashes drifted away.

    ¡°Miss Ji said that she sold her apartment in Beijing, handled everything she could, and threw everything away that she couldn¡¯t deal with.¡±

    Chen Bai paused for a few seconds then said, ¡°I think this time, like Mr. He, she doesn¡¯t have any ns on returning.¡±

 Chapter 744

    Chapter 744: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan remained quiet as usual, but he stopped smoking.

    ¡°In the beginning, Mr. He and Miss Cheng put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into ¡®Jiuchong Pce.¡¯ They¡¯ve finished filming, so now the editing team can work on it. After two or three months, it¡¯ll be broadcasted all over the inte. However, the person who produced it and the person who wrote the script have both left...¡±

    As Chen Bai said this, he let out a soft sigh. Quite some time had passed before he finally said, ¡°Mr. Han, do you really not feel the slightest thing for Miss Cheng?¡±

    Again, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t reply to Chen Bai, but this time, he put out his cigarette and threw it into the garbage can. Then he straightened up and headed back to his private room.

    Having not had too much to drink, Han Zhifan ended up drinking too much that night.

    In the evening, when Han Zhifan¡¯s driver passed security on the way back to his apartment, the car was stopped by the guard. The guard gave the driver a parcel.

    Han Zhifan, who was already a drunken mess, had to be carried back to his apartment by the driver. After he was carried to his bed, the driver ced the parcel down on the bed and left.

    That night, after gettingpletely drunk, Han Zhifan slept until it was bright out.

    His hangover left him with a splitting headache and pins and needles.

    He rubbed his head and sat up on his bed to discover that he was still wearing his suit.

    The curtains weren¡¯t drawn and the sun shone brightly, illuminating the entire room.

    He couldn¡¯t help but raise his hand and shield himself from the light. Then he got out of bed, removed his clothes, and walked into the bathroom.

    After he washed off the smell of alcohol from his body, he came out of the bathroom and instinctively looked for his phone. Then he noticed a parcel on the bedside table.

    The parcel only had his name and address.

    Unknown sender.

    He knew the driver who took him home put it there. Without thinking too much about it, he opened the parcel.

    Inside was a pair of keys and a thin piece of paper.

    He recognized those keys ¨C they were the keys to his apartment.

    Aside from him, only one other person had them ¨C her.

    Han Zhifan clutched the keys for a long time then opened up the piece of paper.

    There was no signature ¨C just a small, elegantly handwritten passage which seemed just like her. ¡°I heard you¡¯re with someone new. From here on out, I¡¯m the hero who will fight the battles and bleed everywhere.¡±

    After those words, there were four very small words, but Han Zhifan still managed to read them: ¡°I love you. Goodbye.¡±

    ¨C

    Time flew by and in the blink of an eye, a year and five months had passed.

    This was everything that happened during the time that passed: Ji Yi graduated from university. Also, ever since ¡°Jiuchong pce¡± premiered a year earlier, it set a precedent by bing the most famous TV series in recent years. Because of ¡°Jiuchong Pce,¡± Ji Yi¡¯s value sky-rocketed, just as He Jichen nned. She sped up the list of A-list female celebrities, and she had endless jobs sent her way. Bo He let Li Da chase after her and the two of them got married while Tang Huahua felt like she wasn¡¯t suitable for acting, so she followed Zhuang Yi to learn to be a manager. Now, she was Ji Yi¡¯s assistant. Also, in the past year and five months, Ji Yi often stole or ruined Qian Ge¡¯s jobs. All in all, she never let Qian Ge have a single day¡¯s peace...

    There had been dramatic changes over the past year and five months. However, the only thing that hadn¡¯t changed was He Jichen, whose whereabouts were still unknown.

 Chapter 745

    Chapter 745: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ...

    The second Spring Festival after He Jichen left happened tond on Valentine¡¯s Day. Although it was the lunar new year, Ji Yi was preparing for an interview that night.

    Since Zhuang Xu, Zhuang Yi¡¯s brother, was about to get married and Zhuang Yi hadn¡¯t spent Chinese new year dinner with her parents for two years now, Ji Yi let her go back home. She kept only Tang Huahua and a new assistant at her side.

    The media outlet interviewing her was TX. Their meeting ce was TX¡¯s own cafe.

    The cafe was open to the public, but because it was Chinese new year, there weren¡¯t any customers around.

    Ji Yi¡¯s interview location was on the second floor. After clearing the floor, the only people left were her, some assistants and TX¡¯s staff.

    The official interview started at nine.

    The interview questions were ryed between TX and Tang Huahua. On the whole, the questions were about the dramas Ji Yi starred in for the past two years.

    The female presenter was very entertaining to talk to and had worked with Ji Yi many times in the past two years. Even though they weren¡¯t close friends, their rtionship wasn¡¯t bad. They could joke around and make fun of each other. The entire interview was filled with plenty of jokes.

    Towards the end of the interview, the final section of the TX exclusive online episode weed questions from fans.

    At the very beginning, the questions were simple like:

    ¡°Ji Yi, what color do you like?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, when will you go to Chengdu for a fan meeting?¡±

    Also, some fans were cheeky and deliberately asked prank questions like, ¡°Xiao Yi, between cake-vored chocte and chocte-vored cake, which would you choose?¡±

    There were thirty whole exclusive TX questions. In the end, there were some questions about the present: ¡°I want to ask out Goddess Ji Yi. Will she be celebrating Valentine¡¯s Day? And who will you spend it with?¡±

    When the presenter finished asking this question, Ji Yi instinctively lowered her eyes to hide the dreariness in them.

    Valentine¡¯s day... Since He Jichen left, days like this seem farther and farther away.

    Every Valentine¡¯s day, Christmas, Chinese Valentine¡¯s day, and the famous online 520 day... When Ji Yi walked the streets and saw sweet couples embracing, her heart felt hollowed out and in pain...

    ¡°Xiao Yi? Is this question difficult?¡± The presenter saw Ji Yi not uttering a word and was afraid of an awkward silence. She found an appropriate time to speak and switch up the atmosphere: ¡°You can¡¯t really want to celebrate Valentine¡¯s day, right?¡±

    Ji Yi lifted her gaze to reveal her clear yet dark pupils and smiled emotionlessly. ¡°Nope, I just remembered that I¡¯ve never celebrated Valentine¡¯s day.¡±

    ¡°Woah, does that count as a super big scoop?! You¡¯ve never celebrated Valentine¡¯s day which means you¡¯repletely pure when ites to love?¡± The presenter had been interviewing for many years, so she knew that the whole nation paid attention to artists¡¯ rtionships, so she immediately took advantage of the opportunity and started to discuss it further. ¡°So, Xiao Yi, are you still single?¡±

    Single?

    I¡¯m not single; I¡¯m married. However, I¡¯m as lonely as a single person...

    Ji Yi tried her best to prevent her smile from disappearing due to her heartache. She shook her head at the presenter and said with a soft and gentle voice, ¡°No, I¡¯m not single, I¡¯m just waiting for someone.¡±

 Chapter 746

    Chapter 746: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Maybe Ji Yi¡¯s words were too beautiful because the presenter let out a ¡°Woah.¡± Then she looked over at Ji Yi and asked, ¡°Xiao Yi, does this mean you like someone? You¡¯ve been waiting for the person you like toe back?¡±

    Many artists didn¡¯t dare expose their love lives for fear of losing fans and affecting their partners...However, after the presenter finished asking Ji Yi questions, she didn¡¯t hesitate to let out a gentle nod then she quietly replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve been waiting for him toe back.¡±

    One day without him back, I¡¯ll wait a day; A year without him back, I¡¯ll wait a year; If he neveres back in my lifetime, then I¡¯ll wait for you in the underworld, where I¡¯ll continue to wait for you.

    ¡°It looks like Xiao Yi really likes someone, but Xiao Yi, would it be alright if we ask you a few questions now? Xiao Yi, I know it¡¯s too much to make you confess right here. After all, some people might be ordinary people who don¡¯t want to be exposed to everyone. So I want to ask you could you describe the person you like?¡±

    The person I like ¨C what kind of person is he?

    As those words crossed Ji Yi¡¯s mind, He Jichen¡¯s face instantly appeared before her eyes.

    He was really tall, handsome, his temper stunk and he liked to put on a poker face all the time... When you deeply loved someone, you really remembered them in flesh and blood. A year and five months had already passed, yet she could clearly remember every single detail about him.

    But Ji Yi didn¡¯t speak what was on her mind. ¡°He... He¡¯s the best person in the world, so no one else can enter my heart.¡±

    ¡°Woah...¡± the presenter murmured, ¡°Today, this interview was truly full of great scoops! However, we¡¯ve been off topic for a really long time and there are a few unasked questions from fans. Time¡¯s ticking, so we must hurry...¡±

    Ji Yi nodded gently but didn¡¯t say a word.

    The presenter started to read the questions, but when it came to the final question from the fans, Ji Yi¡¯s heart was brutally stabbed.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I wanted to know ¨C among all the Chinese characters, which one do you like the most?¡± The presenter repeated it twice and asked oddly, ¡°For as long as I¡¯ve done interviews, this must be the most puzzling question. Why would they ask about your favorite director?¡±

    The presenter turned her head then looked over at Xiao Yi. ¡°Even though I don¡¯t understand this question, Xiao Yi, please answer it regardless. Come on now, who¡¯s your favorite Chinese director?¡±

    Ji Yi answered unusually directly, ¡°Ji.¡±

    ¡°Ji, as in Ji from Ji Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi smiled slightly without uttering a word, but in her heart, she added another line: Also the Ji from He Jichen.

    Time really was limited, so the interview ended there.

    Ji Yi and the presenter chatted casually for a while then they removed their make up.

    After everything was packed away, it was already eleven in the evening when the cafe closed for business.

    When Ji Yi and Tang Huahua came downstairs, the waiter on the first floor told the remaining table of customers to leave.

    After Ji Yi and Tang Huahua both stepped into the women¡¯s restroom, He Jichen, dressed in a ck trenchcoat, pulled open the doors of the men¡¯s restroom and stepped out.

 Chapter 747

    Chapter 747: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Back at the cafe, He Jichen hadn¡¯t left his seat when a short waiter ran over to him with an apologetic look on his face. ¡°Sir, we¡¯re terribly sorry, but we¡¯re closing now. Today is Chinese new year, so could you please settle your bill right now?¡±

    He Jichen gently nodded without saying a word then pulled out his wallet. Then he handed the waiter two red notes.

    ¡°That¡¯s a total of one hundred and sixty-eight. Your change...¡±

    The waiter hadn¡¯t finished what he was saying when He Jichen tly said, ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±

    Then he bent down to pick up hisptop and headed for the front door.

    Just before He Jichen opened the door, Ji Yi and Tang Huahua emerged from the women¡¯s restroom one after the other.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I wanna buy a hot chocte. Do you want one?¡± asked Tang Huahua.

    He Jichen raised his hand and pushed the door. He suddenly paused silently for two seconds before continuing to push the door open and walking out.

    Ji Yi shook her head at Tang Huahua. ¡°No thanks.¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi pointed at a seat beside them. ¡°I¡¯m going over there to wait for you.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± After hearing Tang Huahua¡¯s reply, Ji Yi turned around and walked towards the spot she just pointed at. After taking just two steps forward, a familiar silhouette shed before her eyes.

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps came to a halt as though her pressure points had been pressed.

    She instinctively turned her head and looked out the entrance of the cafe. There was no one there.

    Was I just hallucinating?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and withdrew her gaze from the entrance, but just as she was going to continue walking, the silhouette popped into her mind again.

    If it really was just an illusion, why did it feel so real?

    ¡°Xiao Yi, do you want to eat yellow peach cake...¡± asked Tang Huahua to Ji Yi after paying the bill.

    Ji Yi ignored Tang Huahua and stood motionlessly on the spot.

    ¡°Xiao Yi?¡± asked Tang Huahua again as she sensed something was wrong.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t even nce at Tang Huahua. The next second, she turned around and rushed towards the door.

    She pushed the door open and was weed with a cold breeze.

    Tang Huahua hugged her jacket as she was only wearing a thin hoodie. Momentster, she started to shiver from the cold.

    But Ji Yi couldn¡¯t even feel it as she rushed over to the street and looked left and right.

    There were very few cars and people on the streets of Beijing during Chinese new year.

    Aside from her and two or three cars driving by asionally, there was no one else there.

    ¡°Xiao Yi!¡± Tang Huahua hurriedly chased after her from the cafe.

    Just like before in the cafe, Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply but turned her head endlessly, scanning the area. Ji Yi didn¡¯t sluggishly turn her head and look at Tang Huahua until she put on her thick jacket.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did something happen?¡± asked Tang Huahua.

    Ji Yi shook her head. ¡°Maybe I was just seeing things.¡±

    ¡°What did you think you saw?¡± asked Tang Huahua.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything but continued walking.

    As she passed the entrance of the cafe, the silhouette entered Ji Yi¡¯s peripheral vision once again. She suddenly stopped walking, turned around, and looked down the street, but she still didn¡¯t see the familiar silhouette...

 Chapter 748

    Chapter 748: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as the two of them reached the entrance of the cafe, the waiter came over with a takeaway bag containing Tang Huahua¡¯s hot chocte.

    Tang Huahua took the bag and said ¡°Thanks.¡± She looked back at Ji Yi, ready to say ¡°Let¡¯s go¡± when she saw Ji Yi turning her head left and right in a daze, ncing at the empty streets.

    Tang Huahua swallowed her words then walked over to Ji Yi. ¡°Xiao Yi, what¡¯s up with you? You were fine earlier, but why are you now so distracted?¡±

    Ji Yi continued staring at the streets for a few seconds then looked over at Tang Huahua after she spoke. ¡°I think I just saw him.¡±

    Although Ji Yi didn¡¯t specify who she meant by ¡°him,¡± Tang Huahua could guess right away that Ji Yi was referring to He Jichen.

    Tang Huahua thought Ji Yi must¡¯ve missed He Jichen so much that she was in a trance.

    For over a year now, Ji Yi looked just the same as before, but she was a lot stronger and more mature. However, the people by Ji Yi¡¯s side knew that although she had changed dramatically, whenever she wasn¡¯t working, she often daydreamed if nobody snapped her out of it. Sometimes, when she was concentrating on one task for one or two hours, she would also space out like she did now. He Jichen obviously wasn¡¯t here anymore, yet she often cried out ¡°He Jichen¡± on a deserted street and ran out. She might look like she was eating three meals a day, but she ate very little. She said she didn¡¯t stay up at night and climbed into bed at eleven every night, but did she really fall asleep? In the middle of the night, she often got up and went to the bathroom. She would stare at He Jichen¡¯s photo in a daze and leave a bottle of sleeping pills by her side. That was when Tang Huahua knew that Ji Yi wasn¡¯t as strong as she appeared. She was just trying her hardest to be the way He Jichen hoped she would be.

    Seeing how sluggish Tang Huahua was at replying, Ji Yi knew that she misunderstood. Tang Huahua probably thought she was just as absent-minded as she was before, taking her hallucinations for reality.

    ¡°Huahua, I¡¯m not lying to you. This time, it was real. I think I really just saw him.¡± Ji Yi pointed at the front door in fear that Tang Huahua didn¡¯t believe her. ¡°It was at those doors. He pushed those doors open after you said you were going to buy a hot chocte...¡±

    Ji Yi tried hard to describe the scene, but when she looked at Tang Huahua, her eyes ached and tears almost came out. ¡°Xiao Yi, it¡¯s gettingte, we have to get going...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s low mumble came to a stop.

    She knew Tang Huahua didn¡¯t believe what she said. She didn¡¯t look at Tang Huahua and silently stared at the door for a while. Then she said to Tang Huahua, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    The two of them walked over to their car.

    Tang Huahua knew Ji Yi was feeling down, so she tried really hard to tell Ji Yi thetest gossip and funny anecdotes.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say a thing until they were about to reach the car. Ji Yi twitched her lips and interrupted Tang Huahua¡¯s chattering: ¡°Huahua, I really saw him.¡±

    Tang Huahua turned her head and looked over at where Ji Yi was standing.

    She wanted tofort Ji Yi a little, but something was stuck in her throat and she couldn¡¯t say a thing.

    After they got into the car, after Tang Huahua waited for Ji Yi to fasten her seatbelt, she started the car up.

 Chapter 749

    Chapter 749: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Soon after, the car drove quite some distance before disappearing deep into the night. Just then, someone in a ck trenchcoat emerged from the alley by the cafe. The buttons were undone, so the corners of his clothes drifted in the cold wind.

    He stared at the car driving off for a long time before he looked up at the sky. Then he walked over towards his car.

    The breeze was strong and drifted into his ears non-stop.

    He vaguely heard a woman¡¯s voice in his ears.

    ¡°I¡¯m not single, I¡¯m just waiting for someone.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve always been waiting for him toe back.¡±

    ¡°He... He is the best person in the world, so no one else can enter my heart.¡±

    He slowly stopped walking forward.

    Yeah, she was the best I¡¯ve ever had in this world, so she deserves the best.

    And I stopped being ¡°the best¡± a long time ago.

    ...

    On the way back, Ji Yi got a WeChat call from Zhuang Yi.

    She wanted to chat about the new drama in the spring.

    When Ji Yi left the house in the afternoon, she forgot to charge her phone. Soon after their phone call, her phone automatically popped up with a low battery notification.

    Ji Yi quickly cut off Zhuang Yi and asked Tang Huahua for her phone. After Tang Huahua gave Ji Yi her fully-charged phone, she called Zhuang Yi again with her phone.

    After about over ten minutes, she finally finished talking.

    ¡°Ask Xiao Yang to send the file straight to Huahua¡¯s WeChat.¡± After Ji Yi hung up the WeChat call, she received the file on Tang Huahua¡¯s phone.

    She exited the chat window and clicked on Xiao Yang¡¯s message. But then, she nced at three words on Tang Huahua¡¯s phone that just popped up: ¡°He Xuezhang.¡±

    From what I remember, Tang Huahua and He Jichen aren¡¯t close. Why are they exchanging WeChat messages?

    And my name was mentioned in the disyed message...

    Ji Yi raised her head and nced up at Tang Huahua, who was focused on driving. She hesitated for a moment then sneakily clicked the conversation with He Jichen.

    Tang Huahua and He Jichen¡¯s final message wasst Chinese new year.

    ¡°He Xuezhang, Xiao Yi got in a scandal. They say she¡¯s copying Qian Ge¡¯s performance. I called her, but she didn¡¯t pick up.¡±

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and continued to flick up. Most of the messages were sent from Tang Huahua to He Jichen, and each sentence was about her.

    ¡°He Xuezhang, Xiao Yi¡¯s at the dorms and she seems to be in a good mood.¡±

    ¡°He Xuezhang, Xiao Yi ate the congee you asked me to give to her. Looks like she really liked it.¡±

    ¡°He Xuezhang, Xiao Yi¡¯s not feeling well because of her period. She has some period pains.¡±

    ¡°He Xuezhang, I gave Xiao Yi the brown sugar ginger tea that Zhang Sao made.¡±

    ¡°He Xuezhang, look at these screenshots. Lin Ya¡¯s Moment¡¯s are saying this about Xiao Yi.¡±

    ¡°He Xuezhang...¡±

    It was no wonder why Ji Yi had always been confused. The Yuguang Ge she met was He Jichen, but there were so many things she never told He Jichen, yet ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± always came when she needed him most. So it turned out that... Huahua... was giving He Jichen intel.

    The car stopped outside Ji Yi¡¯s building. Tang Huahua got out and ran over to pull Ji Yi¡¯s car door open.

 Chapter 750

    Chapter 750: I¡¯m Not Single, I¡¯m Just Waiting For Someone (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Tang Huahua watched as Ji Yi red at her phone without any sign of getting out of the car. She was confused for a moment then turned her gaze to the messages on the screen.

    Tang Huahua instinctively bit the corner of her lips as she stared at the bright phone screen. She contemted something for a long time then slowly lifted her gaze.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze was transfixed on the phone; she hadn¡¯t moved an inch since the car door opened. Not a shred of annoyance or anger showed in her eyes.

    But Tang Huahua still felt uneasy. Her fingers tightly pinched her clothes in anxiety. ¡°Xiao Yi.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t utter a word.

    Tang Huahua grew even more nervous. Even though she wasn¡¯t sure if Ji Yi was angry, she apologized earnestly, ¡°Sorry, don¡¯t be mad...¡±

    Ji Yi still didn¡¯t say a thing.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t betray you and I didn¡¯t sell intel about you to He Xuezhang. When He Xuezhang first reached out to me, he did offer me money and I admit that I really wanted the money. He Xuezhang did give me some money, but Xiao Yi, I only took it once or twice. Afterward, I stopped taking his money, and to this day, I haven¡¯t touched the money...¡±

    Ji Yi blinked as her gaze slowly turned from the phone screen and fell on Tang Huahua¡¯s face.

    The moment their eyes met, Tang Huahua nervously looked down and avoided Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. Then her voice sounded a little flustered as she said, ¡°...Xiao Yi, if you don¡¯t believe me, you can log into my AliPay ount and look at my bnce. There¡¯s still money on it and I can give it to youter. I really never wanted to do anything bad to you. I didn¡¯t promise to help He Xuezhang because of money. He Xuezhang and I met up to chat for a long time and he touched me with his words.¡±

    Ji Yi still didn¡¯t say a word.

    Tang Huahua didn¡¯t pause for a second and continued by saying, ¡°Xiao Yi, do you still remember when Li Da invited us to the hot springs and He Xuezhang was there too? During dinner, Li Da asked He Xuezhang why he gave up his education at the prestigious college, his bright future, and family business just to go to B-Film?¡±

    ¡°At the time, He Xuezhang ignored Li Da and appeared particrly calm like he wasn¡¯t even talking to him. It made Li Da agitated and he asked He Xuezhang if he was crazy! And he asked why He Xuezhang did it.¡±

    ¡°Actually, Xiao Yi, when I heard what they said, my first thought was that Li Da was lying. How could someone be so stupid as to give up so many great things to go to B-Film?!¡±

    ¡°But Xiao Yi, did you know? The day He Xuezhang asked me to chat with him, he told me that he gave up the prestigious school for you, he gave up his bright future for you, he gave up taking over the family business for you, he came to B-film for you, he moved to Beijing for you, he established YC for you, and he got into an argument with his family for you. He let Lin Ya call him her boyfriend to get closer to you...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers around Tang Huahua¡¯s phone quivered for a moment.

    ¡°He even told me that he only had two hopes. The first hope was getting you and the other hope was helping you fulfill your own dream.¡±

 Chapter 751

    Chapter 751: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°He promised me that he just wanted to know if you were alright. Actually, I did ask him why he didn¡¯t just tell you how he felt. Do you know what he said to me?¡±

    ¡°He was silent, staring at the coffee mug in front of him. He stared for a long, long time before saying that he didn¡¯t hope for you to treat him well, but he had to treat you well.¡±

    That one line made Ji Yi purse her lips as a hint of red surfaced in her eyes.

    Tang Huahua remained silent for a while then she continued with a significantly calmer voice because she was afraid Ji Yi would be mad. ¡°At the beginning, I really never thought about agreeing to He Xuezhang¡¯s request. I thought it was too crazy, but in the end, he really persuaded me.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I know that no matter how I exin, I was wrong to tell He Xuezhang about your business. After He Xuezhang left, I¡¯ve actually always wanted to tell you but I didn¡¯t know how. I was afraid you¡¯d ignore me and was afraid you would think that I wasn¡¯t a true friend. I was afraid our friendship would be over...¡±

    As Tang Huahua said this, she revealed a slight smile. ¡°But it¡¯s good you found out today. Saves my heart from feeling uneasy sometimes at night...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything.

    Tang Huahua already said her piece, so she also stayed silent.

    The car door opened, blowing in a cold gust of wind into the car and clearing out the warmth.

    As the warmth dissipated, Tang Huahua was so cold that she lost all feeling in her ears. That was when Ji Yi blinked and came back to her senses. Then she handed the phone back to Tang Huahua. ¡°It happened already, so leave the past in the past.¡±

    Does this mean Xiao Yi isn¡¯t mad anymore?

    A light shed across Tang Huahua¡¯s eyes. ¡°Xiao Yi, I was wrong...¡±

    Before Tang Huahua could express her words of regret, Ji Yi spoke again: ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Don¡¯t we have work tomorrow? Hurry up and go back to get some rest.¡±

    Tang Huahua understood what Ji Yi meant by interrupting her. She wasn¡¯t angry, so she didn¡¯t need her to apologize endlessly. Tang Huahua knew well to keep her mouth shut and let it go. After Ji Yi got out of the car and said goodbye to Tang Huahua, Tang Huahua got back into the car and drove off.

    Ji Yi stood in front of her apartment building, waiting for Tang Huahua¡¯s car to disappear from sight. Then she turned around and nced at the building behind her. Ji Yi stood in ce for a while but didn¡¯t go upstairs. Instead, she walked over to the gates of the residential area.

    There was still about forty minutes until midnight and the new year.

    Ji Yi waited by the sidewalk and hailed a cab to go to YC¡¯s office building.

    Ji Yi remembered that two years ago today, she was sending new year blessings at home when she found out from Fatty that He Jichen didn¡¯t go back home to celebrate. Just like now, she hurriedly ran out and hailed a cab. Back then, when she saw that the lights at his apartment were out, she went to the office.

    Two yearster, she stopped outside the YC building. She looked through the car window, up at the pitch-ck office building.

    The taxi driver saw Ji Yi hesitating to get out of the car and couldn¡¯t help but prompt her, ¡°Miss? Miss?¡±

    Ji Yi turned her head and looked over at the taxi driver.

    ¡°Miss, that¡¯s a total of thirty-two yuan,¡± said the taxi driver.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t stupid. She understood that the taxi driver was rushing her out of the car, but she still didn¡¯t say anything. She just turned her head and looked out at the YC building again through the window.

 Chapter 752

    Chapter 752: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The taxi driver waited for a while then said a little impatiently, ¡°Miss, I still have business to make! I can¡¯t waste my time here...¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to bother with the taxi driver. Her eyes blinked as she stared at the YC building and looked for about ten minutes. Then she withdrew her gaze and said to the taxi driver, ¡°Go to Houhai.¡±

    There were many people at Houhai, so the taxi couldn¡¯t get through. All he could do was stop by the Drum Tower.

    Ji Yi paid her cab fare, got out of the car then walked down the alley for about ten minutes. At Houhai, she raised her wrist and nced at the time. There was about ten minutes before midnight.

    She wasn¡¯t looking for the best viewing spot like everyone else who was there to watch the fireworks. Instead, she headed for the area with the least people.

    She stopped at the spot where she and He Jichen stood two years ago and looked out at thendscape like before. However, this time, the person who watched the fireworks with her back then was no longer standing beside her.

    The moment the drum tower rang, everyone by Lake Houhai counted along with the countdown.

    ¡°Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven...¡±

    Just like two years ago, Ji Yi counted down silently in her heart.

    The moment they cried ¡°One!¡±, Ji Yi looked over at the empty space beside her. ¡°Happy new year, He Jichen.¡±

    As her voice fell, the sky in front of her erupted with endless dazzling firework disys, just like the magnificent show two years ago.

    The fireworks continued to soar and lit up the entire night sky. Ji Yi raised her head up at the skyline and waited for the fireworks to simmer down. She waited like before but didn¡¯t get to hear the words He Jichen said to her two years ago: ¡°Ji Yi, Happy new year.¡±

    After the fireworks were over, the group of people at Houhai quickly erupted in an outroar.

    Soon after, people filed out of thekeside.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t leave. She pulled out her phone, which she barely charged in the car. She clicked AliPay and found He Jichen¡¯s name. She found the records of their red envelopes from two years ago which hadn¡¯t been deleted yet. There it was: 8888 in Yuan, with the three words beneath it: New Year¡¯s Money.

    Two years ago, she dreamed of this whole picture with a smile on her face, but two yearster, her eyes were slightly wet when she saw the red envelope.

    Another year has gone by. The drum tower rang again and fireworks shot into the sky again, but you still haven¡¯te back.

    The final words you told me were: ¡°I wish you all the best.¡±

    But how¡¯s a ¡°me¡± without you going to be well?

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t leave until there was practically no one else at Houhai.

    She took a different route from how she got there. This time, she walked down the street of the bars.

    Because it was Chinese new year, most bars weren¡¯t open. There were only a few scattered bars that were still open, but they only had a few customers inside.

    Just as Ji Yi was about to emerge from the street of bars, she heard musicing out from one of the bars still open for business.

    Actually, all the open bars were ying music, but she heard a voice which sounded quite simr to He Jichening from one of them.

    She instinctively stopped walking. Ji Yi knew she had work the next day, but her feet couldn¡¯t help walking into that bar.

    In the bar, besides the singer and the boss behind the counter ying on their phone, there was no one else around.

    The boss saw here in and immediately greeted her, but the singer held the microphone and continued to sing like he hadn¡¯t noticed her.

 Chapter 753

    Chapter 753: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi picked a random seat to sit on then she took the drinks menu the boss handed her. She skimmed through it then chose a simple set.

    After the live singer finished his song, Ji Yi picked up a pen from the table and wrote a few words on the song request form. When the boss came over with the set, he took her request.

    The live singer nced at the form and nodded. Thereafter, he headed back to the stage and continued to y on his phone while Ji Yi started drinking.

    The live singer was probably searching for background music as he was on his phone for a while. Then a familiar tune yed in the bar.

    When she was outside, she thought the live singer sounded simr to He Jichen. After selecting her song, she realized that when he sang peak parts of the song, he really did sound like He Jichen.

    ¡°If you aren¡¯t in this world, then why not swiftly forget you? Everyone understands that principle. It¡¯s easy to say, but you¡¯re stubborn in love.¡±

    Instantly, time turned back to the image of her birthday celebration while she was filming ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡±

    Does he know that he¡¯s infiltrated my world far too deeply? After he left, Ji Yi didn¡¯t even dare celebrate her own birthday because she was afraid to reminisce, afraid to endure the pain, and afraid to cry to the point of losing her voice...

    In actuality, she had been controlling herself all along and tried her best not to think about him. However, tonight, too many things reminded her of him.

    The interview, Tang Huahua¡¯s phone, the fireworks at Houhai... She trapped herself once again in a world where she missed him and couldn¡¯t bring herself out of it.

    ¡°I would rather keep you within my radius. All I want is to feel your sadness and joy and be with you when you need me.¡±

    Although Ji Yi chose the set, she didn¡¯t touch the drinks.

    However, when she heard the live singer¡¯s voice, she thought back to every little thing that happened between her and He Jichen then her heart started to ache. The pain made it hard to sit up straight. She wanted to make herself feel a little morefortable, so she instinctively grabbed the wine from the table and started to drink with the bottle held up high.

    After she finished the bottle, the song Ji Yi picked happened to finish.

    She didn¡¯t wait for the singer to pick his own song and she selected these three words off the menu again: ¡°Within your radius.¡±

    Even though she already heard the song once, Ji Yi still thought it was hard to bear and endure upon hearing it a second time. Her eyes reddened and she continued to down the alcohol.

    Because she had an interview in the evening, she ate dinner early, so she was now a little hungry. Having drank so much, her stomach started to vaguely ache, but Ji Yi showed no signs of stopping at all. She selected ¡°Within your radius¡± over and over again and drank ss after ss of wine.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know just how many times she selected ¡°Within your radius¡± and she didn¡¯t know just how much she drank, but she knew that in the end, she couldn¡¯t hold it together and copsed on the table.

    It was probably reallyte as the boss and live singer were about to wrap up work and head home.

    The boss ran over to Ji Yi and asked for her to settle her bill.

    Ji Yi was still a little conscious, but it wasn¡¯t easy for her to move around. It took a lot of energy to find her purse, pull out a stack of notes and hand it to the boss.

    She didn¡¯t care if it was enough, but she got up and swayed out of the bar.

    The cold winter¡¯s breeze blew in and sobered her up a lot more.

    She stood by the side of the road, staring in all four directions and taking in her empty surroundings. She searched for a while then slowly slumped to the ground. Hugging her knees, she started to cry.

 Chapter 754

    Chapter 754: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The streets were very quiet. The sound of her cries wasn¡¯t loud, but they traveled far.

    Standing at a nearby tree, He Jichen heard the endless sound of crying. His fists were tightly clenched by his side.

    Ji Yi cried for a long, long time until eventually, her voice became hoarse, yet her tears continued to flow.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if it was the alcohol or if she cried too hard, but her head wascking oxygen. When she reached out to wipe her tears away while trying to get up, shepletely fainted to the ground all of sudden.

    He Jichen, who had been staring at her all along, rushed out from behind the tree without the slightest hesitation.

    He took big strides, daring to go over to her then he stopped just half a meter away from her.

    He stared at the woman lying on the ice-cold streets as the sudden fear of having romantic feelings crept into his heart. He wanted to draw closer, but he didn¡¯t dare to. He contemted it for a while before he edged closer to her, inch by inch.

    The closer he got, the harder it was to breathe. When his feet were about ten centimeters away from her fingers, he stopped.

    His lips trembled slightly as he stared at her for a long time with the feeling that this proximity to her was the stuff of his dreams. He pinched the palm of his hand hard, allowing the piercing pain to rouse his senses a little. That was when he snapped back to reality and quickly crouched down to pull Ji Yi¡¯s phone out from her bag.

    He called ¡°120¡± for an ambnce.

    After he hung up, he put the phone back into her bag then averted her gaze and looked over at her face.

    She cried for so long, so both her eyes were incredibly red and swollen. There were even tears on her eyshes.

    He Jichen watched with a tightened throat. He took a gulp then his fingers shivered and gently fell on her eyelids, carefully wiping her tears away.

    The feeling made He Jichen¡¯s heart pound uncontrobly.

    Having been separated for over a year now, the emotions he tried to force down instantly exploded. A warm, intense lingering feeling... rushed at him as all he wanted to do was immediately pull her into a tight embrace.

    But he didn¡¯t dare and he couldn¡¯t do it because now, he was most afraid of himself. He was afraid of hurting her with his immense selfishness.

    He Jichen really liked the feeling of reaching his fingers out and stroking her. However, he only lingered on her face for a few seconds before he forced himself to pull away.

    He was afraid to touch her for too long in case he couldn¡¯t bear to leave herter...

    The moment He Jichen¡¯s fingers left Ji Yi¡¯s face, he glimpsed the ne around her fair neck.

    It was the present he gave her for her birthday. Before he left Beijing, she never wore it... but now that he¡¯d been gone for over a year, it seemed like she always wore it to public events.

    He knew he shouldn¡¯t overthink too much, but He Jichen couldn¡¯t help but do just that.

    During the time I was gone, has she been thinking about me all along?

    Back at the bar, did she select ¡°Within your radius¡± twelve times because of me?

    In the past, he would wake up smiling after dreaming about something like this.

    But it was toote. Their love in their past lives wasn¡¯t strong enough. When he wanted to be with her, she didn¡¯t want to be with him. Now, she probably wanted to be with him, but he didn¡¯t have the heart to be with her.

 Chapter 755

    Chapter 755: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Because he was willing to stay with her at her lowest point in life, he didn¡¯t want her to bear the responsibility of taking care of him at his lowest point in life.

    The ambnce arrived quickly.

    Before the ambnce reached Ji Yi, He Jichen already left her side and stood behind the same tree from before.

    He personally saw the nurse raising Ji Yi up into the ambnce and leaving. Only then did he emerge from behind the tree and hail a cab to follow the ambnce.

    Once he was at the hospital, He Jichen also personally saw Ji Yi being taken into a hospital room. After he was sure she was safe and sound, he walked out of the hospital.

    He Jichen stood under an old tree and lit a cigarette. After leisurely finishing it, he raised his head to nce up at the room Ji Yi was in before finally putting his cigarette out. He tossed the cigarette butt into the trash can then turned to leave.

    It was already three in the morning when He Jichen headed back to the hotel he was staying in.

    After he got into the elevator and reached his floor, He Jichen emerged from the elevator and searched for his key card while walking over to his hotel room. He only managed to make it two steps when he saw a woman standing in front of his door.

    He Jichen¡¯s footsteps instinctively slowed down. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you asleep?¡±

    When the woman heard He Jichen¡¯s voice, she turned and looked over at him without any intention of saying anything.

    He Jichen realized that she wasn¡¯t saying anything, so he didn¡¯t say anything either. After he walked over to his room, he swiped the key card as the woman suddenly rushed over to him.

    He Jichen reflexively took two steps back. ¡°Ning Ning, what are you doing?!¡±

    The woman He Jichen called ¡°Ning Ning¡± didn¡¯t say anything but swiftly put her hands on He Jichen¡¯s jacket. She put her face to him and took a hard sniff then found a scent on his right sleeve.

    The sweet scent was faint and warm and made her feel rxed.

    So... He Jichen only just got back now after leaving the hotel yesterday. Did he go see a woman?

    In just a second, Ning Ning guessed who He Jichen saw. ¡°You went to see her?¡±

    He Jichen realized what Ning Ning smelled when she drew in close. He didn¡¯t give her a reply but swiped his room key and walked into the room.

    When he reached out his hand to shut the door, Ning Ning beat him to it by pushing against the door. Through the crack in the door, she quickly slid into He Jichen¡¯s room. ¡°Did you guys talk? Did you guys have dinner together? Or maybe you spentst night together?¡±

    He Jichen pretended as though he hadn¡¯t heard Ning Ning at all as he took off his trenchcoat and casually threw it onto the sofa. Then he took a seat and lit up a cigarette.

    ¡°Then did you give her the new year¡¯s present you bought for her?¡±

    Ning Ning seemed to be unbothered by He Jichen ignoring her and continued to ask endless questions.

    ¡°Did she really like it? Was she thrilled?¡±

    He Jichen slowly blew out the cigarette smoke. After hearing what Ning Ning said, his eyes fell on his trenchcoat pocket.

    Noticing his reaction, Ning Ning immediately jumped to the sofa. From his pocket, she pulled out a sky blue gift box.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t give her the new year¡¯s present?¡±

    ¡°You went to see her, so why didn¡¯t you give it to her?¡±

    With an impatient look on her face, Ning Ning asked several questions. However, seeing as He Jichen was silently smoking non-stop, Ning Ning had a rough idea of what happened. ¡°You went to see her, but just like how you¡¯ve watched her for the past year or so, you stood from afar and didn¡¯t get close to her, right?¡±

 Chapter 756

    Chapter 756: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As He Jichen was about to put the cigarette to his mouth, he paused when he heard what Ning Ning said.

    Like before, he didn¡¯t reply to Ning Ning, and his gaze fell to his right hand instead.

    Even though it had been a while since he touched ¡°her,¡± the warmth he felt was still incredibly clear.

    Ning Ning saw He Jichen¡¯s reaction and knew she guessed correctly. ¡°Is there any point in this? Either justpletely forget about her and start a new life or get her back, but right now you¡¯re not going after her and not forgetting her. How long do you think you can trap yourself in this world where you think about her while not having her?¡±

    Ning Ning was so noisy that it made He Jichen furrow his brows slightly. He Jichen nced emotionlessly at her like she didn¡¯t exist then continued to smoke absent-mindedly.

    ¡°He Jichen, why do you ignore me everytime I talk to you about this?¡±

    ¡°This is all about you. It has nothing to do with me. If I hadn¡¯t met you when I was a cashier in France and if you hadn¡¯t helped me out once, why the hell would I worry about you?!¡±

    As Ning Ning said a long string of words, He Jichen had an unconcerned look on his face. Ning Ning couldn¡¯t help but stamp her foot in anger. ¡°You might not be in a hurry, but I am! I really couldn¡¯t care less about you and your stinking attitude!¡±

    After she said this, Ning Ning angrily turned around and headed for the door. She took just two steps when she came to a stop. ¡°Oh yeah, there¡¯s something I want to ask you to help me with.¡±

    He Jichen saw Ning Ning changing the subject. Even though he didn¡¯t say anything, he turned and looked at her.

    ¡°It¡¯s like this...¡± Ning Ning strode back over to He Jichen. ¡°...The money you gave mest time wasn¡¯t really enough for my dad¡¯s surgery. Even a needle costs a couple thousand, so could you lend me some more money?¡±

    ¡°How much?¡± He Jichen finally spoke for the first time since entering his hotel room.

    Ning Ning tilted her head and thought about it for a moment then reached all five fingers out towards He Jichen.

    Fifty thousand doesn¡¯t seem like much... Ning Ning didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to react then reached two more fingers out.

    Is seventy thousand enough? What if it¡¯s not enough?

    After a few seconds, Ning Ning added two more fingers.

    Ny thousand seems a little too much... Ning Ning thought about it for a moment then pulled back one finger.

    He Jichen stared at Ning Ning¡¯s shifting fingers. He impatiently reached into his pocket for his card then threw it at Ning Ning. ¡°This card doesn¡¯t have a passcode, so take out as much as you need.¡±

    ¡°Alright...¡± Ning Ning took the card and added, ¡°...Tomorrow, I¡¯ll see how much I need then return the card to you with an IOU.¡±

    He Jichen was toozy to even speak as he waved his hand and signaled for her to quickly leave.

    Ning Ning had no intention of sticking around and replied ¡°goodbye.¡± Then she turned around and headed out the door.

    After about two steps, Ning Ning suddenly thought of something and stopped again for a moment. She turned her head and said to He Jichen, ¡°Oh yeah, didn¡¯t you tell me that treating you to dinner is a way of saying thanks? I¡¯ll give you a time and ce in the next two days...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t look at Ning Ning but tly responded with ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Ning Ning didn¡¯t say anything. Taking the card, she leaped out of He Jichen¡¯s room and into her own room next door. The mming of her door was so loud that He Jichen heard the *Bang!* as he sat on the sofa in his own room.

 Chapter 757

    Chapter 757: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¨C

    Never in her dreams did she imagine that she¡¯d meet He Jichen, who she hadn¡¯t seen in a long time.

    In her dreams, He Jichen didn¡¯t say a word but sat next to her. His long, slender, beautiful fingertips gently brushed her brows and face. The warm sensation which lingered on her skin felt real, unlike a dream.

    Because she dreamed of He Jichen, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t willing to wake up from her deep sleep.

    That simple scene yed repeatedly in Ji Yi¡¯s mind and circled an infinite number of times. It wasn¡¯t until the loud ringtone of her phone went off, hurting her temples, that she reluctantly opened her eyes.

    A white room entered her line of sight.

    The unfamiliar surroundings made Ji Yi¡¯s brows start to tighten up. She rolled her pupils and scanned her surroundings before she realized she was in a hospital room.

    Why am I in a hospital room?

    Ji Yi¡¯s brows tightened as her senses gradually became clearer. She remembered fragments of what happened to her before she fainted then it all started toe back to her.

    She had too much to drink and felt incredibly stifled. She hadn¡¯t cried in such a long time, so on the empty streets, she let herself go and started to cry. After she cried enough, she lost consciousness...

    So, I fainted on the big streets of Houhai.

    But I¡¯m in a hospital room now. Who brought me here?

    The phone rang again, breaking Ji Yi¡¯s train of thought. She picked up her phone and nced at the screen to see that it was Tang Huahua calling.

    She swiped the screen and took the call. Just as she raised the phone to her ear, Tang Huahua¡¯s worried voice erupted from the phone. ¡°Xiao Yi, where are you right now? I couldn¡¯t find you at your apartment and you didn¡¯t pick up when I called. You have an event this afternoon. Don¡¯t bete!¡±

    Ji Yi put her head down and nced at the time. It was alreadyte in the afternoon and the event started at four. She had to get her makeup done, so she had no time to go home. ¡°Huahua, I¡¯m in the hospital,e pick me up.¡±

    ¡°Hospital? Why are you at the hospital all of a sudden? Is it serious? Do you want me to give Zhuang Yi a call? I can ask her to give Chen Bai a heads up that you won¡¯t be going tonight...¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Come pick me up now. When you get here, I should be just about done handling my discharge papers.¡±

    After Ji Yi hung up, she pressed the button to call a nurse to help handle her discharge papers.

    A second after she pressed the call button and nced briefly at her phone, she noticed that beneath Tang Huahua¡¯s name in her call logs was ¡°120.¡±

    The call was ced with her phone at three in the morning...

    She vaguely remembered that she fainted after crying. Before she fainted, she nced at the time, which was ten to three...

    Which means that after she fainted, someone didn¡¯t take her to the hospital. Instead, they used her phone to help her call an ambnce?

    Just as Ji Yi¡¯s mind was deep in thought, the hospital room door was pushed open. A nurse, wearing a white gown, walked in. ¡°Miss Ji, you¡¯re up?¡±

    As she said this, the nurse sat by her bed and helped Ji Yi take her blood pressure.

    ¡°Blood pressure is normal. You can be discharged now.¡± The nurse smiled while she put the blood pressure equipment away.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± said Ji Yi politely. Then she added, ¡°Do you know who helped me call the ambnce yesterday?¡±

 Chapter 758

    Chapter 758: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I¡¯m not too sure, but the person who called was a gentleman. I happened to take the call at the time, and I remember his voice sounded pretty good...¡± described the nurse, exining what happenedst night to Ji Yi. ¡°...But when we rushed to the location he gave us, it was just you.¡±

    A gentleman... After some time, Ji Yi let out an ¡°Oh¡± as she thanked the nurse.

    ¡°Then Miss Ji, get some rest first. I¡¯ll go help you with your discharge papers.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything but smiled and gave a gentle nod.

    After the nurse left, Ji Yi picked up the phone and stared at the call log number ¡°120.¡± She stared and stared when Ji Yi suddenly remembered the dream she had when she was unconscious.

    She instinctively raised her hand and touched her brows. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was just an illusion, but she felt like the skin by her eyebrows still lingered with the warmth of He Jichen¡¯s touch.

    Not long after, Tang Huahua arrived at the hospital.

    She noticed the odd expression on Ji Yi¡¯s face. She surrounded Ji Yi and asked her non-stop questions out of concern.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t really speak as she absent-mindedly left the hospital with Tang Huahua and got in the minivan.

    The weather was unusually good. The sun shone brightly and illuminated the entire city, making it look especially stunning.

    Ji Yi sat in the car and stared out at the city from the car window. As the car swayed, her dream fromst night popped into her head. The 120 call on her phone and the familiar figure who brushed across her periphery at the cafe entrance after the TE interview...

    Those images repeatedly shed before her eyes. For some reason, a thought suddenly came to mind: He Jichen¡¯s back in Beijing...

    Even though she had no evidence and it was just her intuition, she felt like it was true.

    At that moment, Ji Yi stared out at the endlessly retreating streets outside the car window. All of a sudden, the city became incredibly beautiful.

    Tang Huahua stared ahead as she drove. When she reached a red light, she nced at Ji Yi through the rearview mirror to find that she was actually smiling as she looked out the window. Tang Huahua¡¯s eyes widened in surprise then she hurriedly elerated after seeing the red light change to green. She said, ¡°Xiao Yi, what are you thinking about that¡¯s making you so happy?¡±

    Hearing this, Ji Yi averted her eyes from the window and looked towards Tang Huahua. ¡°Nothing.¡±

    Seeing as Ji Yi wasn¡¯t going to say, Tang Huahua didn¡¯t force it and changed the subject. ¡°Oh right! Just before the new year, do you remember that thepany set you up for an event? The deadline¡¯s today at twelve in the afternoon. The fan who pays the most will be able to have a dinner with you.¡±

    Every artist held events to interact with their fans. At Tang Huahua¡¯s reminder, Ji Yi immediately remembered it. ¡°Oh, I remember. Have the resultse out?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, just before I came to pick you up. Chen Bai sent me the info about the winner. Do you know how much they offered?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head.

    ¡°A hundred and ten thousand!¡± After Tang Huahua read that figure, she continued, ¡°In the history of these kinds of events, that¡¯s the most a fan has ever offered. Also, you won¡¯t believe me when I say it, but the fan¡¯s a girl!¡±

    Female fans usually paid for male artists, and male fans usually did the same for female artists, so when Ji Yi heard this, she was slightly stunned.

 Chapter 759

    Chapter 759: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Oh, I forgot to tell you the woman¡¯s name is Ning Shuang.¡± Tang Huahua peered at Ji Yi in the back seat from the rearview mirror as she drove. ¡°She studied abroad in France for five years. She¡¯s graduated now and she¡¯s older than you by three months.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡± Ji Yi nodded.

    The car was silent for a short while before Ji Yi added, ¡°Last year when I went to the American Movie Festival, didn¡¯t we buy a lot of things while shopping with Zhuang Yi? I suddenly remember that I had a lot of unused and unopened products. Where did you and Zhuang Yi put them?¡±

    ¡°Oh, they¡¯re at the office.¡± With that, Tang Huahua then asked with confusion, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°When is the dinner date with the fan?¡± asked Ji Yi leisurely.

    ¡°The eighteenth. It¡¯s three nights from now at the revolving restaurant, Lc. Room No.1.¡±

    ¡°Mm...¡± replied Ji Yi softly. Then she continued with what she was saying earlier: ¡°...So tomorrow or the day after, whenever you have time, head back to the office and choose one of the decent unopened boxes as a present. Get it wrapped up then put it in the car in advance.¡±

    After Tang Huahua heard this, she understood why Ji Yi asked her about their shopping trip. She wanted to gift one to the fan who she was having dinner with. Tang Huahua quickly nodded and replied, ¡°Got it!¡±

    ¨C

    On the evening of the seventeenth, He Jichen got a video call from Ning Shuang.

    In the video, Ning Shuang had just finished taking a shower, so her hair was wrapped up in a towel. She held the phone up with one hand while putting on a face mask with her other hand.

    He Jichen only nced at the phone screen for a moment then put it down on the coffee table. He picked up the book he was reading and continued to calmly and elegantly read.

    ¡°Do you have time tomorrow?¡± The hotel room was very quiet, so over the phone, Ning Shuang¡¯s voice sounded quite abrupt.

    After He Jichen finished thest line of the newspaper, he slowly flipped the page and replied in a dull voice, ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll treat you to dinner tomorrow?¡± suggested Ning Shuang. She continued without waiting for He Jichen¡¯s reply: ¡°Is French food, alright?¡±

    He Jichen furrowed his brows. He stopped reading his book and looked over at the video chat.

    Ning Shuang saw his reaction and knew what he was thinking. He¡¯d lived in France for so long, eating French food practically every day. Now that he was back in Beijing, French food again? But she couldn¡¯t help it ¨C she wasn¡¯t the one who booked the table. It was Huan Ying Entertainment...

    Ning Shuang was afraid He Jichen would notice something strange was going on, so she lowered her head to avoid He Jichen¡¯s gaze. ¡°The revolving restaurant, Lc, is very famous. They say you can see a beautiful night view. I¡¯m not going for the food. I¡¯m going for the view...¡±

    As she said this, Ning Shuang raised her head and snuck a nce at her phone screen. Seeing that He Jichen wasn¡¯t in sight, she knew she was sessful. She immediately started to giggle and said, ¡°Remember, it¡¯s the revolving restaurant, Lc. Tomorrow night at half past six. Room No.1.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but mindfully let out an ¡°Mhm.¡± Then he gently turned the page again.

    ¡°I have to catch my TV series in a min, so I¡¯m hanging up!¡±

    Ning Shuang had gotten used to He Jichen¡¯s unresponsive attitude a long time ago. When she finished speaking, she was about to hang up the phone. All of a sudden, she remembered something important as her finger hovered over the screen. ¡°Tomorrow, give them my name and phone number at the restaurant. I only left my details with the restaurant.¡±

 Chapter 760

    Chapter 760: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    This time, He Jichen didn¡¯t even give Ning Shuang a response.

    When Ning Shuang heard the soft sound of pages turning, her lips twitched and she mumbled, ¡°Mute Stone Face¡± then continued to hang up the phone.

    ¨C

    On the afternoon of the eighteenth, Chen Bai made lunch ns to meet Ji Yi and a reputable and virtuous senior director on the sixth floor of a steakhouse.

    The lunch went smoothly, and they could tell that the senior director was satisfied with Ji Yi and was interested in working with her for their next major movie.

    The senior director had an afternoon meeting at two, so the business lunch ended after no more than ny minutes.

    Chen Bai also had an appointment to discuss a coboration, so he had to head back to Huan Ying Entertainment.

    The revolving restaurant, Lc, was near SKP, so Ji Yi didn¡¯t bother rushing home. Seeing as she had no ns in the afternoon and she hadn¡¯t been shopping in a long time, she met up with Tang Huahua, who was waiting at a nearby cafe, to go shopping.

    Because it was a weekday, there weren¡¯t many people at the shopping mall. New collections of clothing weren¡¯t released yet and there weren¡¯t many clothes and shoes to buy, so Ji Yi and Tang Huahua shopping in the cosmetics section on the first floor. Ji Yi chose a few hot colors of lipstick then headed straight for the fourth floor.

    Ji Yi actually wanted to buy a pair of shoes, so she casually circled the mall, but she couldn¡¯t seem to find a pair she liked. Instead, she spotted a porcin shop in the far southern part of the fourth floor.

    Ji Yi suddenly remembered that the director, who she was filming with a few days ago, invited her to his birthday party in a few day¡¯s time. During the shoot, as they sat together and chatted, the director mentioned he was a lover of porcin.

    She had to bring a gift if she was going to the dinner party and the gift had to be something he liked. Since Ji Yi was already at the mall, she might as well give up shoe shopping and call Tang Huahua to go to the porcin store.

    ¡°All of sudden, you wanna go shop at a porcin store? I never knew you were interested in those kinds of things,¡± said Tang Huahua quietly as she couldn¡¯t help but turn her head and look over at the porcin store.

    ¡°It¡¯s Director Yilu¡¯s birthday in a few day¡¯s time. I want to pick one out for him,¡± replied Ji Yi quietly. She then reached out to touch an azure vase.

    ¡°Oh, if you didn¡¯t mention it, I would¡¯ve almost forgotten ¨C Zhuang Yi called mest night to remind me to get Director Yilu a present.¡± After Tang Huahua said this, she started to look at some porcin with Ji Yi.

    As they browsed, they quietly discussed the porcin every now and then.

    Their focus was on the porcin, so they didn¡¯t notice that there were two other people also picking out porcin when they walked in.

    Ji Yi and Tang Huahua noted the porcin they looked at and liked. After they finished browsing the porcin store, Ji Yi pointed out the ones she liked,pared them, and chose the best one.

    The porcin store wasn¡¯t too big, so after Ji Yi and Tang Huahua finished browsing carefully, they called a customer service agent over.

    Maybe it was because it was a vintage porcin store, but the tall customer service agent was wearing a traditional Qipao dress. After she walked over to them, she asked Ji Yi and Tang Huahua in a low voice if there was anything she could help them with.

    Ji Yi pointed at the ones she wanted on the shelf and said, ¡°Could you please bring those porcin pieces on the table and describe them to me?¡±

    After the customer service agent heard what Ji Yi said, her expression looked a little strange.

    Tang Huahua had sharp eyes and noticed something was off. She asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is there some kind of problem?¡±

 Chapter 761

    Chapter 761: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The shop assistant hurriedly said, ¡°Ladies, it¡¯s like this. How about you take a look at other pieces? The ones you just picked out happen to have been reserved by someone half an hour ago.¡±

    All reserved?

    Ji Yi and Tang Huahua looked like they heard something unbelievable then they looked at one another with bewilderment in their eyes.

    Porcin wasn¡¯t cheap and the seven to eight pieces of the ten they were interested in came up to several tens of thousands of RMB, yet they all happened to be reserved?! Wasn¡¯t that too much of a coincidence?

    At that thought, Tang Huahua added, ¡°Excuse me, who reserved it?¡±

    The shop assistant turned around and walked around the store, pointing at the old wooden chair in the distance. ¡°Thatdy with the face mask reserved them.¡±

    Ji Yi was the first to look over there. Even though the shop assistant pointed the person out, she was wearing a face mask and hat, so she couldn¡¯t see her face. However, with just a nce at her body, Ji Yi could recognize that it was Qian Ge, who she hadn¡¯t seen for two months.

    Even though Ji Yi didn¡¯t personally know what Qian Ge was doing, when she found out it was Qian Ge who reserved them all, she knew what happened. Ji Yi was certain that Qian Ge must¡¯ve seen theme in and paid attention to every piece they liked then stole them all right in front of them!

    Of course, buying porcin was just an act. What she really wanted to do was give her more trouble!

    The light in her eyes instantly turned colder. She didn¡¯t say anything but shot Tang Huahua a look.

    Tang Huahua immediately understood what she meant and smiled at the shop assistant right away. ¡°Sorry to be a bother. We¡¯ll look at others.¡±

    ¡°Alrightdies, if there¡¯s anything you need, please call me at any time.¡± The shop assistant smiled and bowed then respectfully retreated.

    After the shop assistant had walked quite a distance away, Ji Yi walked right up to Qian Ge, who was sitting on the chair while ying on her phone.

    Before Ji Yi reached her, Qian Ge could sense someone drawing closer. She raised her face and looked over at Ji Yi and Tang Huahua.

    Ji Yi wore a face mask just like Qian Ge, but Qian Ge recognized Ji Yi at a nce too. Because of the face mask, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t see the expression on Qian Ge¡¯s face, but she could sense that her lips were smiling in delight. It wasn¡¯t until she walked over to her that Qian Ge put her phone away and sluggishly leaned back in her chair then whispered, ¡°I stole all the ones you picked out to gift to Director Yilu. Don¡¯t you feel especially sad and crushed?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s about right!¡± chuckled Qian Ge. She didn¡¯t bother waiting for Ji Yi to open her mouth when she softly added, ¡°I¡¯m telling you, I did it on purpose! From the moment you stepped into the shop, I spotted you and followed you in. I asked the shop assistant to reserve all the ones you picked out. You wanna get Director Yilu a gift? I won¡¯t allow you to get your way!¡±

    After she said this, Qian Ge ignored Ji Yi and turned her head to look over at her assistant behind her. ¡°Say, we picked so many porcin pieces out. Which one should we give to Director Yilu?¡±

    Qian Ge tilted her head as she said this and repeated what she heard while eavesdropping on Ji Yi. ¡°How about this azure vase?¡±

 Chapter 762

    Chapter 762: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°The craftsmanship is really intricate and you can tell with just one look that it¡¯s high ss. Also, director Yilu said that he loves azure vases the most...¡±

    ¡°You!¡± blurted Tang Huahua in anger as Ji Yi cut her off. How could Tang Huahua not know that Qian Ge was deliberately using Ji Yi¡¯s own words to piss her off?

    Qian Ge ignored Tang Huahua¡¯s protests and continued to slowly repeat what Ji Yi said to her assistant. ¡°That tall vase isn¡¯t bad. Director Yilu just so happens to have bought a new house, so he can put this in his living room...¡±

    The shop assistant gradually brought out the ceramic pieces Qian Ge reserved and ced them on the table in front of her.

    Qian Ge picked up a rather small vase and stroked it in her hands as she cranked it up a notch by adding, ¡°...This one¡¯s not bad. He can put it in his home office as an ornament and the painting on top implies great fortune and longevity, making it a suitable birthday present...¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s just too over the top!¡± Tang Huahua couldn¡¯t help interjecting.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything but stood on the spot, calm andposed. She stared at the table of ceramic pieces with something on her mind.

    The shop assistant worked quickly to sell the pieces. ¡°Miss, could you please inspect the piece you would like? If there isn¡¯t a problem, I¡¯ll wrap it up for you and give you the total.¡±

    Qian Ge turned her head when she heard this and nced at Ji Yi with a boastful expression. She deliberately raised her voice, ¡°Wrap it right up for me. Thanks!¡±

    After she said this, Qian Ge thought that wasn¡¯t enough to express her anger. ¡°Actually, we can give director Yilu all these pieces. After all, he¡¯s a lover of ceramics...¡± said Qian Ge as she turned her head towards the assistant.

    Before Qian Ge could finish speaking, Ji Yi suddenly bent over and picked up a vase. Without even taking a nce, she smashed it to the ground hard.

    The vase shattered on the floor with a ¡°Crash!¡± Qian Ge jumped up from the chair. ¡°What are you doing?!¡±

    Ji Yi ignored Qian Ge and reached out to pick up another piece then violently threw it to the floor.

    ¡°Miss, what are you doing? I¡¯ll call the police!¡± said the shop assistant.

    This time, Ji Yi reached out and pushed the ceramics off the table, smashing them all into small pieces on the floor!

    She straightened up and without a single nce at Qian Ge, she walked right over to the tall vase. She raised her foot and kicked the vase hard to the floor, shattering it into countless pieces.

    After Ji Yi confirmed that the ceramics were all smashed, she ignored both the fuming Qian Ge and the panicking shop assistant. She turned to look over at Tang Huahua and replied in a cold voice, ¡°Huahua, go pay for all the smashed items!¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± eximed Tang Huahua as she pulled out a card from the bag then handed it to the shop assistant.

    All the ceramics were smashed to pieces, so naturally, they couldn¡¯t be sold. Seeing that Ji Yi was willing to pay, the shop assistant didn¡¯t shout for the security and the police. Instead, she immediately brought Tang Huahua over to the cashier¡¯s desk.

    After everyone left, Ji Yi red coldly at Qian Ge.

    Qian Ge never imagined that Ji Yi would do that as the expression on her face looked stunned.

 Chapter 763

    Chapter 763: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi stared at Qian Ge for a few seconds then took one step at a time towards her.

    Maybe the light in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes was far too cold and gave off an incredibly hostile feeling as Qian Ge¡¯s assistant thought she was going to do something. She instinctively took a step forward. ¡°What are you gonna do?¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, her eyes swept over Qian Ge¡¯s assistant and before she could utter a word, Qian Ge¡¯s assistant took a step back in fear from her domineering aura.

    A cold smile emerged on Ji Yi¡¯s lips as her chilling gaze fell on Qian Ge¡¯s face.

    The expression on her face looked a lot calmer than before. Her assistant¡¯s shrill voice probably helped her return to reality.

    She looked at Ji Yi drawing closer, step by step, then she took a small step back just like her assistant.

    Ji Yi seemed to have guessed she would do that, so while Qian Ge was taking a small step back, she suddenly sped up and took big strides right over to Qian Ge.

    Ji Yi was a little taller than Qian Ge since she had a dinner date with a fan that evening, so she was wearing a pair of five-inch heels.

    Stepping out of the house today, Qian Ge probably just wanted to go window shopping since she was wearing a small pair of white shoes. Her choice in footwear made it so that Ji Yi towered over Qian Ge by half a head. ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to buy all these ceramics for director Yilu? And didn¡¯t you say he was a ceramics hobbyist? Would you like me to pick up these shattered pieces, put them in a box, and send it to director Yilu with your name on it?¡± asked Ji Yi as she looked down at Qian Ge with superiority.

    After Ji Yi said this, she remembered she forgot to mention an important point, so she added, ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll still kindly add a card for you. On it, I¡¯ll even write ¡®Happy birthday director Yilu, from Qian Ge¡¯!¡±

    Hearing this, Qian Ge suddenly lifted her head and met Ji Yi¡¯s eyes with anger. ¡°Quit talking all high and mighty here. Even though you settled on those ceramics, I reserved them first. You¡¯ve already gone too far by smashing them. Don¡¯t push it!¡±

    Ji Yi looked as though she heard something hrious and let out a chuckle then red even more coldly at Qian Ge. ¡°You were the first to reserve them, so it doesn¡¯t matter if I saw them first. Even if you used your own money to buy them first, I¡¯d still dare to smash them just to see you pissed!¡±

    ¡°As for ¡®taking things too far,¡¯ I couldn¡¯t possiblypare to you. You fully showed me the meaning of that a long time ago. But me? What I did today was barely a fraction of how far you took things. Am I not right?¡±

    ¡°Did you think it¡¯d be easy to steal the things I want? Let me tell you ¨C if there¡¯s something I want but I can¡¯t get it, it¡¯ll be destroyed before you can ever get it! Even if I wanted it at first and didn¡¯t want itter but you did, I would never let you have it!¡±

    ¡°Like...¡± Ji Yi leaned forward then spoke with gritted teeth: ¡°...that drama, ¡®Consort Ning.¡¯ The director begged me, using all kinds of methods to get me to take the job, but I didn¡¯t. Instead, I would rather invest money to rmend a rookie to take the role than give you a chance!¡±

 Chapter 764

    Chapter 764: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Today, I¡¯ll say it right here and now. Between us, I will always steal your roles and it¡¯ll never be the other way round!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me I¡¯m taking things too far or going overboard, because I never bullied anyone. Even if I did, they couldn¡¯t be human!¡±

    Qian Ge stared at Ji Yi¡¯s eyes with her face flushed with anger.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t give her any chance to speak and continued to say, ¡°Don¡¯t re at me with those eyes. You were only picked on today because you were asking for it! For over a year now, you must¡¯ve spent your days pissed. I stolemercial aftermercial from you and sabotaged one television series after another. I even stole your site traffic from your live broadcasts...¡±

    ¡°...Let me make this clear, the past year or so is just the beginning. As long as I live, don¡¯t ever count on having a good day¡¯s work. On days when I¡¯m pissed, I¡¯ll take it out on you!¡±

    ¡°So, I suggest that from now on, don¡¯t try to mess with me. If you see me, it¡¯s best for you to hide far away. Who knows ¨C if I¡¯m in a good mood, maybe I¡¯ll let you breathe a little!¡±

    JI Yi was so angry that she held her breath throughout her entire rant. Without even so much as a nce at Qian Ge, she straightened up, turned around and walked over to Tang Huahua.

    After taking just two steps, Qian Ge said with a trembling, angry voice: ¡°Don¡¯t think that I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re picking on me. Isn¡¯t it because I ruined him?¡±

    Even though Qian Ge didn¡¯t mention his name, Ji Yi knew she was talking about He Jichen.

    Her footsteps came to a sudden stop.

    ¡°Even if you shattered a floor full of ceramics, so what? He won¡¯te back to your side. Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know that you have feelings for him now. Last year, I came across you crying over his photo!¡±

    ¡°You say you¡¯re making life hard for me because you¡¯re pissed, but what I did back then never gave you a single day¡¯s happiness. Am I right?¡±

    ¡°So do you really think you beat me? Between us, you¡¯ve always lost to me. Haven¡¯t you?¡±

    With her back to Qian Ge, Ji Yi slowly turned around after hearing her words and looked back at her.

    Ji Yi looked far calmer than her righteous, domineering self earlier. In fact, her voice even sounded a lot moreposed as she said, ¡°I may not be happy every day because he left, but so what? At the very least, he loves me. He gave up his prestigious university and his duty to take over the family business just toe to Beijing. He created YC for me and to defeat you, and he left for me.¡±

    ¡°Even if he isn¡¯t by my side now, I know he¡¯s the person I hated, I avoided, I liked, I gave up on, and now, he¡¯s still someone I remember. I¡¯m someone he deeply spoiled, got angry over, argued with, sacrificed for, and now, someone he really loves.¡±

    ¡°I can wait for him. As long as I wait for him, we¡¯ll be together someday. But for you? You loved him so much. You used both good and bad methods, yet you were never able to have him. Even if you waited ten years for him, twenty years, or even a whole lifetime, he¡¯ll never be with you!¡±

    ¡°Between us, who do you think won?¡±

    As Ji Yi¡¯s questions escaped her lips, Qian Ge¡¯s arrogant gaze became embarrassed after thinking she had the upper hand.

 Chapter 765

    Chapter 765: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As Ji Yi¡¯s questions escaped her mouth, Qian Ge¡¯s arrogant gaze became embarrassed after thinking she had the upper hand.

    Ji Yi wanted to turn around and leave, but she suddenly remembered the past. Then she brutally stabbed Qian Ge again with her words. ¡°If I remember correctly, you¡¯ve always wanted to speak with him casually your whole life, and the only time he ever did was because of me. You told me before that you dreamed of being alone with him, and the only time that ever happened was when I helped you meet him in the grove during senior high. That was also because of me and back then, after he saw you instead of me, he looked pissed and left without saying a word, right?¡±

    The old saying was right: Don¡¯t hit people in the face and don¡¯t point out someone¡¯s weaknesses in an argument. (There are limits to hitting and belittling others.)

    But with Qian Ge, she kept on bringing up other people¡¯s weaknesses, so Ji Yi figured it would be best to retaliate with where it hurt most!

    As Ji Yi thought, after she said what she said, Qian Ge¡¯s gaze became unsettled.

    She knew she seriously pissed Qian Ge off, and she knew there was a limit to Qian Ge¡¯s temper. They were in a public area but if she continued like this, Qian Ge would go crazy and it would be troublesome if people recognized them.

    Ji Yi appropriately stopped while she was ahead then walked off with Tang Huahua without even sweeping a look at Qian Ge. Seeing as there wasn¡¯t a problem with the ceramics bill, she signed for it and left the store.

    It was still early and there was still over two hours until dinner.

    After bumping into Qian Ge, Ji Yi lost the temptation to go window shopping. Instead, she figured she might as well go to the cafe on the first floor with Tang Huahua to y games, killing time.

    The two of them started chatting as Tang Huahua suggested some games to y.

    After Ji Yi agreed to y one game and opened it, she realized there was an unread message. After clicking it, she read the message sent by ¡°Young Windchaser¡±: ¡°Who are you? Do I know you?¡±

    In actuality, Ji Yi forgot about ¡°Young Windchaser¡± but after suddenly reading his message, she remembered ying a few matches with him two years ago on Chinese new year.

    At the time, he tried to hit on her in the game. He Jichen grabbed her phone and pissed him off so bad that he didn¡¯t bother her ever again.

    Thinking about the past, a smile crept up on Ji Yi¡¯s lips.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I dragged you into the group chat. ept it,¡± said Tang Huahua, who couldn¡¯t help but rush her since she invited Ji Yi a few times.

    Ji Yi snapped back to reality and exited the message room. She clicked ¡°confirm¡± after receiving another pop up for Tang Huahua¡¯s room invitation.

    He Jichen, do you know? When you were here, I never knew how important you were to my life. After you left, I finally noticed the shadow of your existence on every little thing in my life.

    ...

    Her dinner date with her fan was at half-past six.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to bete, so she left SKP at six to wait for the fan and headed to Lc.

    When she arrived, it wasn¡¯t even a quarter past six yet.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to seem like a diva in front of the fan, so she didn¡¯t ask Tang Huahua to go into the private room with her. Beforehand, she took the gift prepared for the fan from Tang Huahua and walked into the restaurant alone.

    Ji Yi thought the fan might not have arrived yet. As the waiter lead her into the elevator and up to the first floor, Ji Yi learned that the fan for her dinner date had already arrived at six.

    As she emerged from the elevator, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure what was wrong with her but her heart suddenly hastened. She had the faint feeling that something was going to happen.

    After following the waiter for a bit, her heart randomly raced as they walked closer to room No.1. Just as she walked over to the doors, her breathing started to grow unsteady.

    How strange... I¡¯m just meeting a fan, so why am I so nervous?

    Just as Ji Yi had that thought, the waiter pushed the door open. ¡°Miss Ji, here we are.¡±

    Ji Yi smiled back at the waiter then raised her head and looked all around the room. Then her eyes saw a familiar silhouette.

 Chapter 766

    Chapter 766: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    There stood a silhouette of someone dressed in a simple shirt and ck trousers in front of the open window with his back to the door.

    There was a cigarette between his fingers, which followed the night breeze through the window and scattered both the cloud of smoke and strands of his hair.

    After Ji Yi heard what the waiter said and before she could even raise her feet, all the pressure points in her body seemed like they had been pushed. She stood frozen on the spot, motionlessly staring at the figure ahead of her.

    Even though over a year had passed, even though he had his back to her and she couldn¡¯t see his face, it took just one second for her to recognize the person she yearned for night and day, the person she had been searching and waiting for ¨C He Jichen.

    It was no wonder she feltpletely strange after stepping out of the elevator. She thought something big was going to happen... But it wasn¡¯t just something big ¨C the most anticipated event of her entire life was finally going to happen. It had been a year and seven months now, so almost six hundred days and nightster... She finally saw him again.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know how to describe her emotions right now; she was excited, delighted, moved... All in all, there were all kinds of emotions coursing fiercely through her entire body, wave after violent wave.

    With red eyes and curved lips, she stared transfixed at He Jichen¡¯s back.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if she wanted to cry orugh, but the corners of her lips curved even wider as the tears flowed from her eyes.

    Time has treated me well. My lover, I finally get to see you after waiting so long for you...

    Ji Yi revealed a toothy smile as her entire face was covered in tears.

    After the waiter finished speaking, he took a step inside the room first then realized that Ji Yi wasn¡¯t following behind. He stopped, turned his head and said, ¡°Miss Ji...¡±

    The waiter only managed to get those two words out when his eyesnded on Ji Yi¡¯s crying, smiling expression on her face. The waiter¡¯s prompting words to wee Ji Yi into the room instantly disappeared from his lips.

    With his back to the door, He Jichen stood in front of the window, staring out at SPK and thinking about how he once went window shopping with Ji Yi in that very mall. The second the waiter spoke, he stopped reminiscing and brought himself back to the present.

    Having not clearly caught what the waiter said, He Jichen brought the cigarette up to his lips as he slowly turned his head and looked back. Then without any emotions in his eyes, he met Ji Yi¡¯s direct gaze.

    The fingers he raised to his mouth stopped in mid-air and his tall frame visibly swayed for a moment. Like a statue, his entire body was instantly petrified and his reaction was just as stupefied as Ji Yi¡¯s.

    The two of them stared at each other for two minutes before thepletely confused waiter added, ¡°Miss Ji, are you alright?¡±

    The second time the waiter spoke, Ji Yi snapped back to reality. Without allowing her gaze to part from He Jichen in the slightest, she shook her head at the waiter. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Without bothering to wait for the waiter to speak, she walked into the private room.

    When she reached the waiter¡¯s side, her footsteps stopped and said, ¡°You may leave¡± while her eyes were still glued to He Jichen.

    ¡°Yes,¡± replied the waiter in a soft voice as he swiftly left the room.

 Chapter 767

    Chapter 767: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After the waiter softly closed the door, the room instantly flipped into a wall of intense silence.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes were glued to He Jichen¡¯s face as her tears couldn¡¯t stop flowing.

    They continued to stare at one another for a while then Ji Yi finally said, ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s crying made He Jichen¡¯s fingers quiver violently as a big chunk of ash burnt off. While it rustled to the floor, some ashes fell on the back of his hand and burned him slightly.

    He Jichen hadn¡¯t moved an inch since he saw Ji Yi. He finally blinked gently and removed his hand from the corner of his lips.

    After putting the cigarette out, he froze for two seconds before turning to look back at Ji Yi.

    ¡°You¡¯re finally back...¡± the tears in the corners of Ji Yi¡¯s eyes fell violently. ¡°...Do you know that I¡¯ve been looking for you non-stop for over a year now, and I¡¯ve been waiting for you toe back all this time?¡±

    He Jichen looked as though he hadn¡¯t quite returned to his senses since their sudden reunion. His eyes stared unwaveringly at Ji Yi without any hint of looking away.

    ¡°How could you be so silly? Why didn¡¯t you tell me about so many things while quietly carrying the burden on your own...¡±

    ¡°Why did you just leave and where have you been for over a year?¡±

    Every day and night for the past year or so, Ji Yi had been longing to reunite with He Jichen. Every day and night, she¡¯d also been thinking about what she was going to say to He Jichen if they ever really met one day.

    She recited this script countless times and yed out that scene in her dreams a million times. However, now that it really came down to it, shepletely forgot what she wanted to say. Her delighted and excited mind went nk and the words that came out of her mouth were incoherent.

    ¡°How have you been the past year or so? And when did you get back? After you returned, why didn¡¯t you call me first? You were at TE cafe on Chinese New Year, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    On her own, Ji Yi asked many questions and only stopped when she realized that He Jichen hadn¡¯t said a word.

    Ji Yi stared at the silent He Jichen for a while and figured she could find a day to slowly ask him in more detail.

    Now that she got to see him after so much difficulty, she couldn¡¯t ruin the mood...

    With that thought, Ji Yi walked over to He Jichen.

    As she drew closer, she realized that aside from his dark eye bags, he was no different from how she pictured him in her dreams. After over a year, he hadn¡¯t really aged.

    After Ji Yi walked over to He Jichen, she raised her head. Looking at him up close, she smelled the unique yet faint scent of his body.

    Her throat tightened as she stared at him for a short while before forcing herself to say, ¡°Look at me, babbling non-stop. I forgot about the most important thing. What would you like to eat? I¡¯ll call the waiter over to take our order.¡±

    With that, Ji Yi raised her menu, flipped through the pages, and handed it over to He Jichen. ¡°Let¡¯s get set A. When you ate here before, you always chose A.¡±

    After Ji Yi decided, she flipped through the drink menu. ¡°What would you like to drink? Red wine, just like before?¡±

    Seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t have much of a reaction, Ji Yi decided on her own to call the waiter over to ce an order for the set she just suggested.

    After the waiter left, Ji Yi pulled out a dining chair. ¡°He Jichen, sit down and let¡¯s talk slowly.¡±

 Chapter 768

    Chapter 768: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen didn¡¯t utter a word or move an inch, just like his old self.

    Seeing how unconcerned he seemed, Ji Yi walked over to He Jichen, reached out and gently tugged on his sleeve. ¡°Come, sit.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s touch snapped He Jichen out of his daze. He stared deeply into her eyes with a glimmer of light as though he was pleasantly surprised. The glimmer in his eyessted for ten short seconds then gradually dimmed before they returned to their deep and dark state. Then without any emotion at all, he said, ¡°Howe it¡¯s you?¡±

    Those were the first words he said after their reunion.

    Howe it¡¯s you?

    Cold and indifferent words. That cold and indifferent tone of voice.

    It was as though they were twoplete strangers.

    It felt like Ji Yi had a bucket of cold water thrown over her. The heat from her burning heart from finally seeing him again slowly turned cold. ¡°This is my event. Didn¡¯t you anonymously pay to take part in my event?¡±

    He Jichen furrowed his brows. ¡°Anonymous?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...¡± Ji Yi nodded then said the anonymous name He Jichen used. ¡°...Aren¡¯t you Ning Ning?¡±

    When He Jichen heard the two words ¡°Ning Ning,¡± he instantly understood. This was set up by Ning Ning.

    Her father really was sick and she did need the money, but for the past few days, she¡¯d been asking for a bunch of money. She didn¡¯t use it for her father. Instead, she used it to take part in Huan Ying Entertainment¡¯s Pre-New Year event for Ji Yi...

    Don¡¯t tell me that¡¯s why Ning Ning used every method possible to stop me from going back to Francetely. Deep down, she already had this n in mind!

    A sliver of anger crept into He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    At that moment, the waiter happened to push open the door to the room and ced dish after dish onto therge marble dining table that Ji Yi ordered.

    Even though He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything, Ji Yi took the initiative to say, ¡°He Jichen, the food¡¯s here. Let¡¯s have dinner.¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she pulled He Jichen¡¯s arm and dragged him over to the dining table. ¡°There¡¯s so much I want to say to you. Let¡¯s eat and...¡±

    Her final word ¡°chat¡± never escaped her mouth because He Jichen suddenly pulled himself free from her grasp.

    Ji Yi turned her head in confusion and looked over at He Jichen.

    Her gaze hadn¡¯t met his eyes when he bent over and picked up his jacket from the sofa. Then he walked around her and strode over to the door.

    ¡°He Jichen!¡± cried Ji Yi instinctively.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t slow down, acting as though he hadn¡¯t heard what she said. He walked out of the private room.

    Ji Yi instinctively raised her feet and chased after He Jichen.

    He Jichen took big strides with his long legs. Although Ji Yi ran after him, by the time she reached the elevator, he had already gotten into an elevator and started to head down.

    Ji Yi hurriedly pressed the button for the elevator beside her, but because it was the peak time for diners, the elevator was very slow. Ji Yi was afraid to lose He Jichen, so she ran over to the emergency exit, pushed the door open and ran down the stairs.

    Because her heels were so inconvenient for her to walk in, she took them off and ran barefoot down the stairs.

    Tang Huahua was in the first-floor lobby, waiting for Ji Yi while ying on her phone. She didn¡¯t pay attention to anybody walking in or out.

    FacebookTwitterGoogle+Th¨ºm...

 Chapter 769

    Chapter 769: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Tang Huahua thought she was hearing things when she heard Ji Yi hurriedly saying, ¡°Sorry, excuse me¡± from behind. After hesitating for two seconds, she turned her head to see Ji Yi running to the door while holding her heels in one hand and raising her dress in the other without a care about her image.

    If someone took a photo and uploaded it online, wouldn¡¯t there be some kind of uproar?

    Tang Huahua bolted up from the sofa without even bothering with her bag and ran over to Ji Yi¡¯s direction.

    ¡°Miss, Miss, Your bag!¡± cried the waitress carrying out her bag when she noticed that Tang Huahua left it behind.

    After running for about five meters, Tang Huahua heard the waitress¡¯ voice then instinctively stopped running. She turned around and headed back to the waitress then hurriedly said, ¡°Thanks.¡± She took her bag then quickly ran out of the lobby.

    After some distance, Tang Huahua caught glimpse of a barefoot Ji Yi looking left and right, walking back.

    She looked like she was searching for something.

    Tang Huahua instinctively thought that Ji Yi¡¯s old sickness was ring up again and she was hallucinating again, looking for He Jichen like she did on New Year¡¯s Eve. She felt a dull pain in her heart and slowed down. After a few seconds, she waited for the pain to subside then sped up and walked up to Ji Yi. ¡°Xiao Yi.¡±

    When Ji Yi heard someone calling her, she abruptly turned around as though she was pleasantly surprised by something. Without waiting for Tang Huahua to finish, she leaped over to her and grabbed her arm. ¡°Huahua, do you know who I saw?¡± Ji Yi asked in excitement.

    ¡°You won¡¯t believe me, but I saw him!¡±

    ¡°Back then, in room number one, I saw him! I really saw him! He Jichen¡¯s back! He¡¯s really back!¡±

    As Ji Yi went on, she cried excitedly with her head up, revealing the mess on her face. She was so ecstatic that shepletely jumped up. ¡°I¡¯m not lying, Huahua! It¡¯s true! He¡¯s Ning Ning. He¡¯s Ning Ning!¡±

    When Tang Huahua heard this, she realized Ji Yi wasn¡¯t hallucinating, but she didn¡¯t dare to believe it. All she could do was change the topic andforted Ji Yi: ¡°Xiao Yi, put on your shoes first. People are watching you and it¡¯d be bad if they took photos.¡±

    ¡°Oh, oh,¡± said Ji Yi two consecutive times. After she swiftly put on her shoes, she grabbed Tang Huahua¡¯s arms and said, ¡°Huahua, he¡¯s finally back! Do you know how hard it was waiting for him? He¡¯s finally back! This time, I definitely won¡¯t let him leave me!¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, be reasonable. Don¡¯t get so worked up. You say you saw He Jichen, but where is he?¡±

    Tang Huahua silenced Ji Yi with her question.

    Ji Yi saw how happy He Jichen was, but he said just a few cold words in an indifferent tone then left...

    A bleak look surfaced on Ji Yi¡¯s face as she looked down and softly replied, ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡±

    ¡°Gone?¡± Tang Huahua furrowed her brows.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t even eat dinner with me and left,¡± said Ji Yi softly.

 Chapter 770

    Chapter 770: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I know he¡¯s only doing this because he¡¯s afraid to drag me down. When he saw me, he didn¡¯t even stick around to chat and just left...¡±

    Ji Yi spoke with a soft and gentle tone like she was speaking to herself.

    ¡°But it¡¯s fine. He¡¯s liked me for so many years and has done so much for me, so I¡¯m not going to be mad... I¡¯ve waited over a year for him, so it¡¯s really fine. I can wait twice the time, or even ten times that for him to be with me.¡±

    Ji Yi was quiet like before, but there was some certainty in the tone of her voice. ¡°Yeah, it took me so long to wait for him toe back. I can¡¯t be defeated or give up just like that. I have to find a way to find out where he lives and find out how to contact him...¡±

    As she said that, Ji Yi looked like she had slipped deep in thought to think of a n.

    About a secondter, her brows started to furrow impatiently.

    Just as she was about to speak and ask Tang Huahua what she should do, the corners of her eyes caught the words ¡°Lc.¡±

    She was supposed to meet Ning Shuang there for dinner tonight, but He Jichen was the one who actually turned up. It didn¡¯t matter if He Jichen was or wasn¡¯t the winner, because at the very least, she knew someone named ¡°Ning Shuang¡± left her phone number, so she could be contacted. If He Jichen entered with his name, he would¡¯ve had to use his phone number. Since it wasn¡¯t under He Jichen¡¯s name, the person with that phone number would definitely know He Jichen...

    With that thought, Ji Yi secretly cursed herself for being stupid then hurriedly asked Tang Huahua, ¡°Huahua, what¡¯s Ning Ning¡¯s phone number?¡±

    ¨C

    As He Jichen stepped out of Lc, he hailed a cab without hesitation and headed back to the hotel.

    He took the elevator up to his room. When He Jichen stepped out, he didn¡¯t head back to his own room. Instead, he stopped right in front of the door next to his room. He reached out and forcefully pounded the door.

    The voice from inside sounded unusually crisp: ¡°Coming!¡± However, He Jichen continued to pound the door viciously as though he hadn¡¯t heard the voice from inside.

    ¡°Who is it?!¡± came an annoyed voice from inside the room. The door opened to reveal Ning Shuang with messy hair. When she saw He Jichen, the annoyance on her face from having been woken up by the knocking at the door disappeared and in its ce was a confused look. ¡°Huh? Why are you here? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be eating at Lc?¡±

    He Jichen ignored Ning Shuang¡¯s questions and looked right into her eyes with two dancing mes and said with a cold, angry voice, ¡°Who allowed you to take matters into your own hands... to go and do that?!¡±

    Ning Shuang, who wanted to ask what happened when he met Ji Yi, gaped at He Jichen¡¯s yelling as she swallowed back her questions.

    ¡°When did you have the right to meddle in my business? Do you really have nothing better to do?!¡±

    The more He Jichen spoke, the more he took things too far. As Ning Shuang listened, the more it started to irk her and she quietly started to exin herself. ¡°Wasn¡¯t I just doing it for you? I did it because you like her so much, and I couldn¡¯t watch you like this anymore. I wanted to get you guys to see each other just once...¡±

    ¡°If I wanted to see her, I wouldn¡¯t have left her in the first ce! Why don¡¯t you get that? Do you know just how much trouble you¡¯ve given me by blindly stirring things up?!¡±

 Chapter 771

    Chapter 771: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°How could you say it gave you trouble?!¡± Ning Shuang started to get angry over He Jichen¡¯s heavy words. The tone of her voice was no longer as soft as before. ¡°I was clearly trying to help you! The first time I met you at the bar, you were calling her name. When I got off work and came out of the bar, I saw you crouched by the side of the road in aplete daze. I walked up to you and talked to you, but you didn¡¯t reply.

    ¡°We saw each other again two monthster, yet you were the same drunken mess, copsed by a garbage can. Someone stole your wallet and you didn¡¯t even realize it. Those thugs were drunk too, so when they got annoyed after stealing your money, they kicked you! I was the one who ran up to you and took you back home again. Did you know that while I was bandaging you up, you cried her name all night?!¡±

    ¡°From that moment on, I knew she was extremely important to you! I saw you only a few times, but every time I did, you always had a phone in hand, staring at her number. You looked like you wanted to make the call but didn¡¯t dare go through with it.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t get it! Why did you leave her if you liked her so much? All I know is that since you love her so much, you should have the courage to love her fully! I admit that I really dide back to China this time to see my dad, but I also lied about having a lot of things I didn¡¯t handle right and hoped you woulde back to help me. I did that just to get you and her to see each other! However, it was all for your own good! I don¡¯t want to see you up alone every night while everyone¡¯s sleeping. I also don¡¯t want to see you pacing up and down the street and daydreaming whenever you see someone who looks like her!¡±

    Maybe He Jichen was too harsh on Ning Shuang or maybe it was because she mentioned how He Jichen had lived for the past year or so, but Ning Shuang¡¯s heart started to ache a little. As she went on, a hint of red surfaced in her eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean anything by it. At first, maybe it was because I wanted to help you and I thought I could use the money, so I started to care about you with a motive in mind. Butter on, my dad got sick and I begged for an advance with my boss at the bar, yet he wouldn¡¯t give it to me no matter what. He even wanted to fire me, but you stepped in and gave me the money!¡±

    ¡°At the time, I thought you were my savior and we became close friends, so I figured I should do something for you. I sincerely hoped you could be happy, so I put all my effort into setting tonight up! I don¡¯t understand what happened between the two of you, but I didn¡¯t blindly mess things up. I¡¯m sure that if she and you are together, you¡¯d be at your happiest. My objective was simple ¨C I just wanted you to be happy and wanted you to live well!¡±

    Ning Shuang had always been talkative, but now that she was angry, she sounded even more agitated.

    She said her long speech practically without taking any deep breaths.

    After she finally stopped talking, the hallway instantly slipped into a strange wall of silence.

    The anger between He Jichen¡¯s handsome brows was still there, but his tone of voice didn¡¯t sound as harsh as before. Instead, there was a faint hint of heartache as he spoke. ¡°But did you know that I¡¯ve never thought about my well-being? I¡¯ve always cared about hers!¡±

 Chapter 772

    Chapter 772: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried about how much she could be suffering or how unhappy she is without you by her side? She¡¯s the person you like so much. If she was being bullied by a man or cried over another man, wouldn¡¯t you worry about her? Don¡¯t tell me there¡¯s someone better than you who makes her feel at ease? You like her so much, yet you¡¯re just going to give up on her? Are you really alright with that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I do worry about her, I do feel uneasy, and I¡¯m really not alright with that, but...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes drooped. His face didn¡¯t show any emotions, but Ning Shuang could sense the intense heartache emitting from his body anding right at her. He was silent for a long time before he continued to say, ¡°...It¡¯s better than her taking on thebel of a murderer¡¯s wife...¡±

    As those two words ¡°murderer¡¯s wife¡± slipped between his teeth, it seemed like He Jichen had broached a touchy topic. His hands suddenly clenched into fists.

    ¡°This is the best that can be done. I suffer a little, but she can live an envious lifestyle. Everything was worth it, right?¡±

    As he said this, He Jichen didn¡¯t bother waiting for Ning Shuang to speak. He turned around and took big strides over to the elevator.

    ¡°He Jichen, where are you going?!¡± asked Ning Shuang as she instinctively walked out of the room and cried at the silhouette of He Jichen¡¯s back.

    He Jichenpletely ignored her and pressed the button for the elevator. After waiting for the doors to open, he stepped in.

    Ning Shuang had known He Jichen for over a year now. Though she didn¡¯t know him inside and out, she knew him well enough to know that after seeing Ji Yi tonight, he must be feeling even worse inside. Leaving like this, he was probably going to find somewhere to drown his sorrows with alcohol.

    There was one timest winter when he drank until his stomach bled. The doctor warned him seriously to quit drinking. If he continues to drink, then I¡¯m afraid he really doesn¡¯t want to live anymore!

    With that thought, Ning Shuang went back into the room, grabbed her room key and jacket, then chased after He Jichen.

    When Ning Shuang reached the first floor and stepped out of the elevator, He Jichen happened to have walked to the hotel entrance.

    She apologetically said ¡°Sorry, excuse me¡± to the people in front of her. Then, she reached out and shoved people out of the way while running over to the entrance.

    Ning Shuang ran really quickly, but when she leaped out of the hotel doors, He Jichen was already down the stairs and about to hail a cab from the sidewalk.

    Ning Shuang instinctively wanted to call He Jichen¡¯s name, but someone beat her to it. ¡°Jichen?!¡±

    Ning Shuang suddenly stopped running, and at the same, she and He Jichen turned their heads toward the source of the sound.

    It was a young woman dressed in a mink fur coat with a shiny handbag in her hands and bright red lipstick. She was staring at He Jichen with a look of disbelief and pleasant surprise.

    Who¡¯s she?

    Ning Shuang instinctively wanted to ask He Jichen, but he had already made his way over to the woman.

    Because they were quite some distance away, Ning Shuang couldn¡¯t catch what she was saying. He Jichen nodded and got into a car with the woman.

    Without thinking twice, Ning Shuang hailed a cab and got in.

    As she watched the car drive into a luxurious residential area, Ning Shuang¡¯s eyes suddenly widened.

    Why would He Jichen go home with another woman?

    She instinctively reached for the phone in her pocket with the intention of calling He Jichen when she realized she missed several calls from an unknown number while her phone was on silent during her nap. In the midst of her curiosity about who called her, the same unknown number called again...

 Chapter 773

    Chapter 773: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (23)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ning Shuang hesitated for a few seconds before sliding her finger across the screen and taking the call.

    ¨C

    Tang Huahua quickly sent Ning Shuang¡¯s number to Ji Yi¡¯s phone. With no hesitation at all, Ji Yi called Ning Shuang.

    The call went through, but nobody picked up.

    To Ji Yi, this number was the only clue she had of finding He Jichen and it was her onest hope. Even though nobody picked up, Ji Yi didn¡¯t give up at all. Every so often, she called Ning Shuang¡¯s number again.

    With He Jichen gone, the dinner date with her fan was ruined.

    Ji Yi ordered a table full of dishes, but she had no appetite after suddenly reuniting with He Jichen. Even though Tang Huahua tried her best since she did have an appetite, there was still a lot of food wasted.

    When it was time to pay the bill, Ji Yi called Ning Shuang¡¯s number again.

    As Tang Huahua entered the passcode, she nced over at Ji Yi, who had her phone in hand. She couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Xiao Yi, maybe the phone isn¡¯t by the owner¡¯s side. Just wait a little while longer before calling again.¡±

    Despite replying with an ¡°Mhm,¡± Ji Yi called the number countless times again during the time it took her to take the elevator down to the underground parking lot and get in the minivan.

    Just like her previous calls, the phone rang for a long time but nobody answered it.

    The second after Ji Yi hung up the call in disappointment, Tang Huahua got a call from Zhuang Yi.

    Tang Huahua was driving, so she put her phone on speaker. As she spoke with Zhuang Yi, she paid attention to the road ahead of her.

    The first thing Zhuang Yi called to ask about was how the dinner date with the fan went tonight.

    Tang Huahua exined every detail of how Ji Yi bumped into He Jichen, to which Zhuang Yi was both shocked and pleasantly surprised for a while. Then she dived into real business. ¡°My flight¡¯s for midday tomorrow, so I¡¯llnd in Beijing at three in the afternoon.¡±

    Because Tang Huahua mentioned He Jichen, Ji Yi unlocked her phone screen again and checked her call logs. She found Ning Shuang¡¯s number and made another call.

    ¡°Do you need me to pick you up?¡± As Tang Huahua talked with Zhuang Yi, she steered the wheel into a corner up ahead.

    Before Tang Huahua could finish speaking, someone actually picked up Ji Yi¡¯s call.

    Ji Yi was so nervous that her heart felt like it was going to leap into her throat.

    ¡°That¡¯s okay. I booked a ride. I¡¯ll have to head back home to unpack, so I¡¯ll see you girls the following day.¡± Zhuang Yi paused for a second on the phone like she just thought of something then continued to say, ¡°Oh yeah! A friend just sent me a screenshot of Qian Ge cussing at someone on her WeChat Moments. Without a question, I bet she was cussing at Xiao Yi. Was Xiao Yi in a bad mood and decided to take her anger out on her again?¡±

    As Zhuang Yi said a series of things, Ji Yi heard a voice through the phone, ¡°Hey! Hello, may I ask, who is this?¡±

    It¡¯s a woman¡¯s voice... Ji Yi instinctively clutched her phone more tightly.

    ¡°This time, Ji Yi really didn¡¯t go looking for trouble ¨C Qian Ge was looking to get picked on!¡± At the mention of what happened in the afternoon, Tang Huahua became more excited and was incredibly enthusiastic to tell Zhuang Yi what transpired.

    As Tang Huahua talked, the woman on Ji Yi¡¯s call had waited for a long time for someone to say something. Then she repeated, ¡°Hello? Is anyone there?¡±

 Chapter 774

    Chapter 774: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (24)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi snapped back to her senses and hurriedly replied, ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Ji Yi. May I ask if you¡¯re Ning Shuang?¡±

    Over the phone, Ning Shuang remained quiet for over ten seconds as though she was shocked by what Ji Yi said. ¡°Ji Yi?¡± she asked in surprise.

    Ning Shuang didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to confirm as she added, ¡°The same Ji Yi who yed the leading actress in ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯?¡±

    ¡°...Yes.¡± After Ji Yi replied, she was silent for a moment before asking the main question, ¡°It¡¯s like this... I¡¯m calling to ask you about someone...¡±

    ¡°You want to ask about He Jichen, right?¡± said Ning Shuang before Ji Yi could even finish.

    ¡°Yeah...¡± Moreover, Ji Yi wanted to ask what the woman¡¯s rtionship was with He Jichen. However, the words lingered in her mouth as she didn¡¯t dare ask.

    They had parted for over a year now, which wasn¡¯t a long time but it wasn¡¯t short either, and many changes could¡¯ve happened in that time.

    Ji Yi knew full well what she was afraid of. She was silent again for while. Perhaps she wasn¡¯t very confident because when she spoke again, she quietly asked, ¡°...do you have He Jichen¡¯s number?¡±

    JI Yi was afraid Ning Shuang and He Jichen¡¯s rtionship was no ordinary rtionship. After she asked, Ji Yi was afraid Ning Shuang wouldn¡¯t give her He Jichen¡¯s number, so she added, ¡°I was looking for him to talk about...¡±

    ¡°He has a number, but before I give it to you, there¡¯s something important I want to tell you.¡± Inparison to how uneasy Ji Yi sounded, Ning Shuang spoke directly and went straight to the point. ¡°Honestly speaking, I was the one who set you and He Jichen up for dinner tonight. I¡¯m not sure what happened, but not long after He Jichen left, he came back. He was a little mad at me, and after he blew up in my face, he turned around and left. I¡¯m afraid he¡¯s gone to drink again, so I quickly went after him...¡±

    From what Ning Shuang said, Ji Yi could sense that she had a pretty good rtionship with He Jichen.

    She even cares about He Jichen¡¯s drinking...

    Ji Yi would be lying if she said she wasn¡¯t jealous, but she assumed that their rtionship was as she thought it was, so she didn¡¯t say anything. All she could do was quietly listen to what Ning Shuang had to say.

    ¡°...up to the hotel entrance. I finally caught up with him and was about to stop him when a particrly well-dressed pretty young woman beat me in calling out his name!¡±

    A particrly well-dressed pretty young woman... Ji Yi furrowed her brows as rm bells rang in her heart.

    ¡°...then I¡¯m not sure what He Jichen and the woman said, but he ended up getting into the woman¡¯s car!¡±

    Ji Yi creased her brows like crazy.

    ¡°I thought they were going to find a cafe or a bar to discuss, but who knew... after I sneakily followed them, they actually went into a residential area!¡± As Ning Shuang said this, something inside her clicked. ¡°But your call came just in time ¨C I was just worrying about what to do. How about...¡± she continued.

    ¡°...youe and take a look?¡± Ning Shuang was about to say. However, she never managed to get the words out before she heard Ji Yi say, ¡°What residential area?¡±

    ¡°Wait a min! I didn¡¯t pay attention to that, so I had to check the gates...¡± As Ning Shuang¡¯s voice fell, Ji Yi heard the hurried footsteps through the phone.

    At the front of the car, Tang Huahua, who was talking to Zhuang Yi over the phone, reached the peak of the story between what happened between Ji Yi and Qian Ge. Her voice sounded increasingly ecstatic as she said, ¡°You don¡¯t even know! Xiao Yi was so cool at the time. She was like a queen!¡±

 Chapter 775

    Chapter 775: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°At the time, Qian Ge pissed me off with her b*tchy looks. I really wanted to rush over to her and tear off her b*tchy face, but Ji Yi stopped me!¡±

    ¡°I thought Ji Yi was afraid to start something, but I never thought she¡¯d actually smash a bunch of ceramics when Qian Ge was acting all pleased with herself!¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you, Zhuang Yi Jie... At that moment, the only thought I had in my mind was to go crazy, cheering for Queen Xiao Yi!¡±

    Tang Huahua was getting too excited. The only thing missing was her shrieking. Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but lift her head and shoot Tang Huahua a nce, subtlyining about how noisy she was being. Before she could look away, Ji Yi heard Ning Shuang say over the phone, ¡°Jiayuan Gardens.¡±

    Jiayuan Gardens? Isn¡¯t that the name of He Jichen¡¯s neighborhood? Don¡¯t tell me He Jichen went back to his own apartment?

    As that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she said, ¡°Did He Jichen go into unit 3 of building no.12?¡±

    Just as Ning Shuang was about to tell her the building He Jichen entered, Ning Shuang was stunned for a few seconds when she heard what Ji Yi said. That¡¯s when she said, ¡°How did you know?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t answer Ning Shuang but excitedly shouted at Tang Huahua in front of her. ¡°Go to Jiayuan Gardens!¡±

    Tang Huahua was shocked by what Ji Yi suddenly said for a few seconds. She turned her head towards Ji Yi and said, ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Go to Jiayuan Gardens!¡± repeated Ji Yi.

    That¡¯s when Tang Huahua came to her senses. ¡°Why Jiayuan Gardens?¡±

    Just as she said that Tang Huahua realized that was where He Jichen¡¯s apartment was.

    For over a year now, every time Xiao Yi missed He Jichen or was in a bad mood, she would always run off to Jiayuan Gardens. She would lock herself in He Jichen¡¯s apartment and stay there for a long time beforeing out... She can¡¯t be wanting to lock herself in there again, right?

    With that thought, Tang Huahua instinctively wanted to stop Ji Yi. ¡°Xiao Yi...¡±

    Just as Tang Huahua cried out Ji Yi¡¯s name, Ji Yi replied to her earlier question. ¡°I¡¯m going to take back my favored consort!¡±

    Huh?! Favored consort?!

    Tang Huahua was stunned once again by Ji Yi¡¯s words. She wanted to say something, but the words instantly disappeared from her lips.

    Ji Yi saw that Tang Huahua wasn¡¯t changing her route and hurriedly spoke again, ¡°Stop the car!¡±

    Tang Huahua instinctively stepped on the emergency brakes.

    Just as the car stopped, Ji Yi pulled the car door open and got out.

    ¡°Xiao Yi!¡± Tang Huahua instinctively cried Ji Yi¡¯s name then reached out to unfasten her seatbelt.

    Before she could push the car door open, get out of the car and chase after Ji Yi, the driver¡¯s door was opened from the outside. Ji Yi reached her hand out and dragged Tang Huahua out of the car. ¡°Get in the car!¡±

    After her voice dropped, Ji Yi released her grip on Tang Huahua¡¯s arm then jumped into the driver¡¯s seat and fastened her seatbelt.

    Tang Huahua was afraid Ji Yi would leave her on the main road, so she hurriedly opened the back door and got in.

    Before she could settle into her seat, Ji Yi stepped on the gas and sent the car flying.

    Tang Huahua¡¯s body abruptly lunged forward, almost resulting in her hitting her head on the driver¡¯s seat. Luckily, she had quick reflexes as she reached her hand out to steady herself.

    Tang Huahua hadn¡¯t snapped back to her senses when she heard Ji Yi¡¯s voice from the front saying, ¡°I¡¯m heading there right now. Thank you!¡±

    Tang Huahua lifted her head in confusion and looked over at Ji Yi, who had lowered the phone from her ear and tossed it on the front passenger seat.

 Chapter 776

    Chapter 776: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (26)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Xiao Yi, who were you on the phone with?¡± Tang Huahua couldn¡¯t help but ask as she was so focused on her conversation with Zhuang Yi that she hadn¡¯t even noticed Ji Yi taking a call.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply to Tang Huahua and abruptly stepped on the gas with both hands on the steering wheel.

    The car suddenly sped up, causing Tang Huahua to lunge forward again. Thankfully, she kept her hand on the handle, so she only swayed fiercely for a moment there. However, before she could sit properly, Ji Yi took another sharp turn, almost tossing Tang Huahua aside and causing her to fall, sprawled out on her seat.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, slow down!¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, it¡¯s a red light up ahead!¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, you¡¯re tailgating!¡±

    ¡°Ah¨C¡±

    Just as Tang Huahua continuously shrieked, the car entered ¡°Jianyuan Gardens.¡±

    When they were almost at building no.12, Ji Yi suddenly stepped on the brakes. As the awful sound of the screeching tires was heard, the car suddenly came to a stop.

    Tang Huahua hadn¡¯t recovered from the shock of their chaotic journey when Ji Yi leaped out of the car and charged right over to building no.12.

    Tang Huahua had no time to recover from her nausea as she fumbled to push the door open. She climbed out of the car and hurriedly chased after Ji Yi.

    After entering the building, a young woman in a ck down jacket, who was leaning against the wall, straightened herself up. Then she immediately walked over to Ji Yi the very second she saw her. ¡°Ji Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi nodded as she replied to Ning Shuang before rushing over to the elevator and pressing the button.

    So this is Ning Shuang... Tang Huahua shot a polite smile at Ning Shuang and wanted to greet her, but as soon as she opened her mouth, out came the sound of gagging.

    ¡°Ding dong...¡± rang the elevator. The second the doors opened, Ji Yi stepped in and reached out to press the button to select a floor.

    Tang Huahua and Ning Shuang were afraid Ji Yi would leave them behind, so they hurriedly squeezed into the elevator.

    When the elevator doors opened on the floor of He Jichen¡¯s apartment, a calmer and less impulsive Ji Yi stared outside for a couple of seconds. Then she walked out of the elevator.

    It was so quiet in the hallway that Ji Yi could hear the sound of her heart pounding.

    She stopped in front of He Jichen¡¯s door, stared at the tightly shut door for a moment, but didn¡¯t press the doorbell. Instead, she raised her hand and entered the passcode.

    *Click!*

    As the door unlocked, Ji Yi instinctively held her breath. She slowly reached her fingers out to the handle and pulled the door open.

    The light in the living room shone brightly.

    Across the tall windows, the words ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You¡± from the advert outside were bright and clear.

    Out of nowhere, Ji Yi¡¯s heart started to race.

    Without removing her shoes, she walked right past the entrance and into the apartment.

    She looked all around her to see that there wasn¡¯t a single person in the living room and the door to the gym was open. It waspletely empty in there too.

    Don¡¯t tell me that the woman Ning Shuang mentioned was with He Jichen is upstairs?

    Ji Yi instinctively lifted her head and looked up at the second floor.

    The people upstairs must¡¯ve heard the door open as Ji Yi happened to catch the door to the study being opened and He Jichen stepping out from inside.

    He was wearing the same clothes he was wearing when she saw him that evening. There was a file in his hands.

    Before their eyes could even meet, another person stepped out of the study.

    It was just as Ning Shuang described ¨C the woman really was young and pretty.

 Chapter 777

    Chapter 777: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (27)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi knew that woman. It was Xia Yuan.

    She was He Jichen¡¯s professor¡¯s daughter. From the first time they met, Ji Yi knew Xia Yuan liked He Jichen. Later, she even deliberately kissed He Jichen in annoyance when she saw Xia Yuan wearing a low-cut top while in a video call with him. In the end, Xiao Yuan was so mad that she hung up on their call...

    ¡°Jichen...¡± cried Xia Yuan in confusion when she saw He Jichen had peeked outside. Xia Yuan hadn¡¯t noticed Ji Yi.

    Her words brought both Ji Yi and He Jichen back to their senses.

    Ji Yi clearly saw He Jichen furrowing his brows for a moment then turning his gaze towards Tang Huahua and Ning Shuang, who came in with Ji Yi and stood behind her.

    Just as He Jichen¡¯s gaze fell on Ning Shuang, he immediately realized she must¡¯ve been the reason why Ji Yi showed up there. ¡°Who let you call her?!¡± he abruptly eximed at Ning Shuang with intense frustration.

    ¡°I was the one who called her,¡± Ji Yi blurted out before Ning Shuang could speak.

    He Jichen averted his gaze back to Ji Yi. His lips quivered but he didn¡¯t make a sound.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes met his and they stared at each other for a couple of seconds before her gaze fell on Xia Yuan.

    She stared at Xia Yuan for just a second before she strode over to the stairs and climbed one step at a time to the top.

    Nobody uttered a word in the big, spacious apartment. Besides the sound of Ji Yi¡¯s footsteps, nothing else was heard.

    Ji Yi only stopped walking when she stood in front of Xia Yuan. She quietly stared at Xia Yuan for a moment then said, ¡°Hello Miss Xia. Long time no see. I¡¯m He Jichen¡¯s wife, Ji Yi...¡±

    Didn¡¯t Xia Yuan like He Jichen all these years without backing down?

    Good. Today, I¡¯ll let her know that it¡¯s impossible for her and He Jichen to ever be together!

    With that thought, Ji Yi felt like what she just said wasn¡¯t tough enough, so she added, ¡°...you can call me Mrs. He.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s wife? Mrs. He?

    Xia Yuan¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked over at He Jichen. ¡°Jichen...¡±

    Jichen? Till now, she¡¯s still called He Jichen in such an affectionate way?

    Most importantly, let¡¯s forget how she ignored her when she was talking to her. Her first reaction was to go and call for He Jichen?!

    A chill surfaced in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes as she didn¡¯t even wait for He Jichen to speak before adding, ¡°Excuse me, Miss Xia. I don¡¯t think you and He Jichen are even close enough for you to be calling him ¡®Jichen.¡¯ I hope that you know your ce and call He Jichen ¡®Mr. He¡¯ from now on.¡±

    When Ji Yi said the words ¡°I¡¯m He Jichen¡¯s wife,¡± He Jichen was left stunned. It was only when Ji Yi said it a second time that he snapped out of it and said, ¡°Ji Yi...¡±

    Instead of replying to He Jichen, Ji Yi had more important matters to deal with. Having looked at both Xia Yuan and He Jichen, Ji Yi then immediately ignored He Jichen. She red at Xia Yuan and inserted her dominance by saying, ¡°No matter how long you¡¯ve known He Jichen, or how strongly you feel for him, from now on, I hope that you and He Jichen can keep a certain distance...¡±

    When He Jichen heard that, he knew Ji Yi had misunderstood.

    The professor called him a while back for a temte of a contract. Today, he happened to bump into Xia Yuan, and since Xia Yuan brought it up, he figured that he might as well give it directly to Xia Yuan to take back to Sucheng...

    ¡°Ji Yi...¡± repeated He Jichen.

 Chapter 778

    Chapter 778: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (28)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi continued to turn a deaf ear to what He Jichen said and stared unwaveringly at Xia Yuan. ¡°...He Jichen is my husband. I won¡¯t allow for any woman to have indecent thoughts about him. Today, I¡¯m just giving you a reminder. If you ever do something likeing to see him alone as you did tonight, I absolutely won¡¯t take it lying down!¡± continued Ji Yi.

    This was a picture He Jichen had never dared to dream of. However, he had no time to cherish this moment because Xia Yuan got married over a year ago and just had a baby earlier in the year...

    ¡°Xiao Yi, listen to me...¡± said He Jichen for the third time.

    Why¡¯s he stopping me? Shouldn¡¯t he be helping me kick Xia Yuan out?

    Having been interrupted by He Jichen, Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for him to finish speaking before abruptly turning her head and ring at He Jichen. ¡°Shut up! If there¡¯s anything you want to say, it can wait until after I¡¯ve dealt with her!¡±

    ¡°Xiao...¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, don¡¯t assume I have no idea the marriage certificate you kept is ours! I suggest that you behave and not say a word...¡± This time, He Jichen barely managed to make out one word when Ji Yi saw He Jichen¡¯s lips moving again and aggressively cut him off by adding, ¡°If you say another word, you best believe I¡¯ll sue you for having an affair!¡±

    Don¡¯t assume I have no idea the marriage certificate you kept is ours...

    Every word of Ji Yi¡¯s was like andmine, exploding in He Jichen¡¯s ears and causing his mind to gopletely nk. After a whole minute passed, his train of thought started to gradually turn again.

    So she was actually serious about what she just said to Xia Yuan. She wasn¡¯t just going after Xia Yuan and blurting out random nonsense. But... how did she know that the marriage certificate in my possession was ours? If she knows that, she must know He Yuguang died and that I was pretending to be He Yuguang all that time...

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know that her words caused He Jichen¡¯s mind to wander. Seeing as he wasn¡¯t saying anything else, she assumed she must¡¯ve shocked him. That was when her sharp gaze shot back to Xia Yuan¡¯s face.

    Xia Yuan didn¡¯t know anyone else in the apartment aside from He Jichen, who she was familiar with. Now that she was indiscriminately being yelled at by Ji Yi, she was at aplete loss, so her natural reaction was to turn to He Jichen. Like before, her eyes continued to stare at He Jichen.

    The expression on Xia Yuan¡¯s face fell into Ji Yi¡¯s line of sight and aggravated her broiling jealousy even more intensely.

    I¡¯m He Jichen¡¯swfully protected wife. Only I¡¯m qualified to stare so transfixed at He Jichen like Xia Yuan is doing now. What right does Xia Yuan have to look at He Jichen?

    Ji Yi truly felt it was an eyesore. With that thought, she took one step forward and blocked Xia Yuan¡¯s gaze at He Jichen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s face suddenly came into Xia Yuan¡¯s sight, causing her whole body to shiver from shock. She hadn¡¯tpletely stabilized when Ji Yi¡¯s gaze was glued to her face. ¡°You don¡¯t need to stare at him so much. There¡¯s no use looking at him. If he says one word to protect you today, then I¡¯ll beat both of you up!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t go thinking I¡¯m just scaring you! I keep my word! While you¡¯re now young and pretty, I suggest you hurry up and find someone suitable to get married to. Don¡¯t go lusting over another woman¡¯s man, or you¡¯ll get your name dragged through the dirt and you¡¯ll end up being the one embarrassed!¡±

    ¡°Of course, maybe you still want to get close to He Jichen as his mistress, but I advise you to drop that idea! I¡¯ll never divorce He Jichen. If he dares to take you home in the middle of the night, I¡¯ll break his legs. At the very worst, I¡¯ll just take care of him for the rest of my life!¡±

    After Ji Yi finished saying what she wanted to say, she didn¡¯t even want to look at Xia Yuan¡¯s reaction. ¡°Miss Xia, I¡¯ve clearly said everything I wanted to say. May I ask if you can now leave?¡± said Ji Yi directly to send her off.

    As she said this, Ji Yi stepped aside from standing in front of He Jichen just to make way for Xia Yuan to head downstairs.

    As Ji Yi drew closer, the sweet scent of her body bore into He Jichen¡¯s nose, abruptly waking He Jichen from his daze.

    Though he didn¡¯t hear everything she said to Xia Yuan in much detail, he could tell by the expression on Xia Yuan¡¯s face that Ji Yi definitely said something unpleasant.

    If Xia Yuan really liked him and deliberately wanted to get closer to him, then what Ji Yi did would be appropriate. However, it seemed like Ji Yi got it all wrong... Without even thinking twice about it, He Jichen said, ¡°Xia Yuan, I¡¯m terribly sorry for putting you through this. I¡¯ll see you out downstairs.¡±

    He Jichen actually wants to see Xia Yuan out?

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes suddenly widened as she red at He Jichen.

    He Jichen ignored Ji Yi¡¯s unsatisfied res; he walked around her and headed down the stairs.

    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Ji Yi reached out and grabbed He Jichen¡¯s sleeve. ¡°He Jichen!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m seeing her out. I¡¯ll exin things to you when I get back.¡± Seeing as Ji Yi wasn¡¯t willing to loosen her clutch, He Jichen pried her fingers off him.

    Ji Yi tightened her grip on his sleeve. She didn¡¯t say anything but looked at He Jichen¡¯s eyes as a hint of red slowly and clearly crept into her eyes.

    He Jichen¡¯s heart shuddered as the force he used to pry Ji Yi¡¯s fingers away instantly disappeared to nothing.

    He knew full well that they would never have a future together and he shouldn¡¯t indulge her as he did before. However, even if he wanted to draw a line between them and never see her ever again, now that he saw the rims of her eyes turning red, he didn¡¯t hesitate to give in as though it was his natural instinct...

    Deep down, He Jichen softly sighed in relief. A few secondster, he turned his head and looked over at Xia Yuan.

    He wanted to hand her the document in his hands and to truly apologize for today.

    Unaware of his thoughts, Ji Yi gritted her teeth in anger as she watched He Jichen looking at Xia Yuan, thinking that he was still going to see Xia Yuan off. Her mind wandered back to the night she saw Xia Yuan calling He Jichen. She remembered what she did at the time. Then she reached out, forcefully pushing He Jichen¡¯s face away from Xia Yuan and towards herself.

    Without a care for Xia Yuan beside them nor Tang Huahua and Ning Shuang downstairs, Ji Yi tip-toed and kissed He Jichen¡¯s lips. This made He Jichen swallow back the words he was going to say to Xia Yuan.

    He Jichen¡¯s body froze as he instinctively wanted to pull Ji Yi into his embrace.

    Before he could move, knowing that He Jichen was going to react that way, Ji Yi wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

 Chapter 779

    Chapter 779: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (29)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Knowing that he was going to react that way, before he could move, Ji Yi wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Then she kissed his lips even harder.

    He Jichen¡¯s body tensed up as his hands, about to pry Ji Yi¡¯s fingers away, froze a little.

    The room slipped into a momentary silence.

    Even though Ji Yi simply wanted to stop He Jichen from seeing Xia Yuan off, she now fell into aplete daze from the familiar softness and warmth of his lips and the familiar and cool scent of his body. Her lips never left his, yet she managed to gently whisper, ¡°He Jichen, you¡¯re really back...¡±

    As the sound of her voice settled, a single tear fell from the corner of her eye. She looked at his face in front of her for a while then she slowly shut her eyes. As the tear flowed down her face, she softly started to kiss the corners of his lips.

    The anger and hurt in her voice made He Jichen into a deted rubber balloon. At that instant, his mind waspletely nk and it seemed like his pressure points had been pressed. He stood motionlessly on the spot and let her kiss him in front of so many people.

    The room was increasingly quiet. When the tip of Ji Yi¡¯s tongue pried open He Jichen¡¯s mouth, Xia Yuan snapped out of her astonishment to see Ji Yi kissing He Jichen for the second time as she stood beside her. She didn¡¯t say anything but pursed the corners of her lips and coughed heavily.

    He Jichen abruptly returned to his senses and with practically any hesitation at all, he moved his head to avoid Ji Yi¡¯s lips. He reached out and extracted Ji Yi¡¯s hands from around his neck then took a step back and looked at Xia Yuan apologetically.

    Xia Yuan didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to react, nor did she wait for He Jichen to speak before saying, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. The baby probably wants milk by now. If the baby doesn¡¯t see meter, the baby will definitely be crying like crazy, so I have to head back now.¡±

    The second He Jichen opened his eyes, the very first thought Ji Yi had was to rush over to He Jichen again. However, before she could take any action, Xia Yuan¡¯s words rang in her ears.

    The baby probably wants milk by now... what does that mean?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows, turned her head in confusion and looked over at Xia Yuan.

    ¡°Give me the contract. My husband and I wille back tomorrow then I¡¯ll give it to my dad.¡±

    My husband and I?

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t help but widen.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to see me out...¡± said Xia Yuan ¡°...I think you won¡¯t be able to get out of this for a while.¡±

    When Ji Yi caught Xia Yuan¡¯s nce, her face instantly flushed.

    After all that, I got things all wrong?

    The situation wasn¡¯t as I thought? Xia Yuan is just here to pick up a file? She got married and even had a baby?

    And yet, I just asserted my dominance to Xia Yuan...

    With that thought, Ji Yi secretly clenched her teeth, lowered her head, and avoided Xia Yuan¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°Take care.¡± He Jichen handed Xia Yuan the file in his hands.

    After taking the file, Xia Yuan said ¡°Goodbye¡± and raised her feet. When she passed Ji Yi, she looked as though a sudden thought came to her and she added, ¡°Goodbye, Mrs. He.¡±

 Chapter 780

    Chapter 780: Taking Back My Favored Consort! (30)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s body shuddered. Her head dipped lower and she gritted her teeth even harder.

    As He Jichen said ¡°Goodbye¡± again, Ji Yi heard the pitter patter of Xia Yuan¡¯s high heels walking further and further away. The soundsted until she reached the entrance, then there was the sound of the door opening and mming shut. Silence returned to the room.

    It felt like the air had frozen over. The atmosphere in the room was stagnant for a long time before Ning Shuang came to her senses and cried, ¡°Errrr... I haven¡¯t had dinner yet. I¡¯m a little hungry, so I¡¯m gonna get something to eat.¡±

    As she said this, she took two steps towards the entrance and noticed Tang Huahua was still standing motionlessly on the spot. She stepped back, reached out and gently tugged on Tang Huahua¡¯s arm.

    Tang Huahua hadn¡¯t quitee to her senses but she turned towards Ning Shuang and let out a confused ¡°huh?¡±

    Ning Shuang didn¡¯t say anything but pointed upstairs and made pointed eye contact at Tang Huahua for a moment.

    Tang Huahua followed Ning Shuang¡¯s pointed finger and nced up at He Jichen and Ji Yi, who was standing in front of a column. Then she instantly came to a realization.

    ¡°Oh...¡± she cried as she hurriedly told Ning Shuang, ¡°I haven¡¯t had dinner yet either. Let¡¯s eat together.¡±

    ¡°Yeah yeah...¡± As Ning Shuang replied, the two women quickly slipped away, pulled the door open, and left He Jichen¡¯s apartment.

    When she heard the door closing for the second time, Ji Yi raised her head and looked over at He Jichen.

    He was leaning against the column with a nk expression on his face with his head turned. He was staring at the night sky outside the window, thinking about something.

    The apartment seemed even more empty and silent with just the two of them left.

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen for a short while then slightly moved her lips: ¡°I was hot-headed just now and said all those things when I didn¡¯t understand the situation.¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure whether He Jichen heard what she said. Having waited a long time after saying that, He Jichen still remained in his ce, staring out the window without the slightest hint of wanting to reply.

    ¡°After leaving Lc, you must not have eaten anything, right? Are you hungry? Should we find a ce to eat?¡± said Ji Yi again.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t react at all.

    An indescribable sense of nervousness surfaced in Ji Yi¡¯s heart. ¡°It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t want to go out. I can order take out. What would you like to eat?¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she fished her phone out from her bag.

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t looking at Ji Yi, but he must¡¯ve guessed what she was doing. The moment she unlocked the screen and clicked a takeout app, he finally spoke after a long period of silence. ¡°No thanks.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s finger hovering over the screen suddenly quivered.

    She stared at the phone screen for a while, looked up and nced at He Jichen. ¡°If you don¡¯t eat, then...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t manage to finish what she was saying when He Jichen said, ¡°I have some business to do, so I¡¯ll be leaving first.¡±

    With that, He Jichen straightened up and prepared to leave.

    Ji Yi hurriedly reached out and tugged on He Jichen¡¯s sleeve.

    He was afraid that the second he escaped her grip, she would walk in front of him and block his way.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows.

    Ji Yi caught his reaction and instinctively clutched onto his sleeve more tightly then quietly said, ¡°He Jichen, could you please not leave just yet?¡±

 Chapter 781

    Chapter 781: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other for over a year. Do you really have nothing you want to say to me?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± replied He Jichen swiftly. Even his voice sounded unusually indifferent...

    If she hadn¡¯t found out about everything, Ji Yi never would¡¯ve dared to believe that He Jichen liked her judging by his reaction at that very moment.

    She knew what he was worried about and she knew he was doing it for her own good. Deep down, she knew what rumors she would have to face if they really got together, but she didn¡¯t care...

    With that thought, Ji Yi added, ¡°It¡¯s okay. There¡¯s nothing you want to say, but I do. I have lots and lots that I want to say to you. Let¡¯s go downstairs, find a ce to sit and have a good chat. Alright?¡±

    ¡°I really do have things to do. Let¡¯s do this another day,¡± said He Jichen.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t budge. She knew He Jichen was brushing her off. If she really left, when would they have this chance again? She was afraid that she didn¡¯t even have the answer to that. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to go downstairs, that¡¯s okay. We can chat here...¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi.¡±

    Ji Yi acted as though she hadn¡¯t heard what He Jichen said and continued to say, ¡°He Jichen, where are you staying right now?¡±

    ¡°You canceled your old phone number. Did you get a new one? Can you tell me your number?¡±

    ¡°My number has never changed. It¡¯s the same as the one before...¡±

    It seemed as though He Jichen didn¡¯t have the patience to continue listening as he interrupted her by saying, ¡°Move aside.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t move from her spot as her other hand now also grabbed onto He Jichen¡¯s sleeve. ¡°I know why you¡¯re treating me like this, but He Jichen, did you know? After you left, I started to wait for you, and have been waiting for you ever since...¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi.¡± The fingers by He Jichen¡¯s sides trembled fiercely for a moment. Without any hesitation at all, he interrupted Ji Yi again, ¡°I¡¯m really in a rush and I really do have important matters to attend to, so I have no time to listen to you talking about such useless things.¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll say something useful. He Jichen, I know that the marriage certificate I saw back at your office was ours. I also know that Yuguang Ge passed away a long time ago. I even know that the Yuguang Ge I mettely was you. I also know I¡¯m the C girl you liked for so many years. I know so many so many things and I even went to visit Yuguang Ge¡¯s grave on the anniversary of his death while you were away this past year. I also know you were the one who visited me at the hospital while I was in aa...¡±

    He Jichen seemed to be really impatient; moreover, it seemed like he was afraid of something. As Ji Yi spoke herst word, he abruptly swung his arm and struggled out of Ji Yi¡¯s grip.

    He swung so fiercely that it made Ji Yi take a few steps back until she hit the wall beforeing to a stop.

    He Jichen knew he was acting out and he knew he was taking things too far. The moment he shoved her back against the wall, he instinctively wanted to turn his head and look over at her.

    But soon enough, he suppressed this urge like he didn¡¯t care about anything. He strode over to the stairs.

    The pain Ji Yi felt in her back against the wall made Ji Yi¡¯s brows furrow. A secondter, she cast the pain to the back of her mind and cried out to He Jichen who was making his way downstairs: ¡°He Jichen, I like you.¡±

 Chapter 782

    Chapter 782: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen¡¯s tall body swayed slightly for a moment as he suddenly stopped making his way down the stairs.

    ¡°If you think what I said earlier was useless, then how about that line?¡± Ji Yi slowly straightened up. She stared at the silhouette of He Jichen¡¯s back and softly cried, ¡°I know why you¡¯re ignoring me and I know why you hid from me the moment you saw me. It¡¯s because Qian Ge leaked that video, isn¡¯t it?

    ¡°But I don¡¯t mind anymore, so why do you care? Haven¡¯t you always wanted to be with me? And haven¡¯t you always hoped for me to like you? Now I like you and I want to be with you. Can we be together?¡±

    He Jichen felt a pain akin to something violently clutching onto his heart.

    He had to admit that he was a little persuaded by her words.

    Not a little, but really persuaded...

    He even felt as though if she said one more sentence, he would probably lose control, turn around and head upstairs to hug her passionately in his arms.

    But deep down, he knew he couldn¡¯t be that selfish, especially with her.

    From the day she woke up from hera till now, he had watched her go through quite a few bumps in the road.

    It was just as he hoped ¨C she became beautiful and radiant.

    Her career was flourishing and if she was with He Jichen, an attempted murderer, the truth woulde out sooner orter.

    Because he liked her... he liked her too much. He liked her and hoped she¡¯d be alright in every way, so that¡¯s why he left.

    If he could be so easily persuaded to be with her like this, then wouldn¡¯t all the wonderful things that happened to her in the past year or so be for nothing?

    Seeing that He Jichen hadn¡¯t moved, Ji Yi spoke up again. ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    Her voice woke He Jichen up from his daydream, but he didn¡¯t look behind him. He raised his feet again and headed downstairs.

    ¡°He Jichen!¡± cried Ji Yi quite loudly as she headed for the stairway after him. The entire apartment echoed with her voice.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t stop walking, but in fact, he sped up.

    Ji Yi held onto the stair railing and hopped down after him. ¡°He Jichen, I¡¯m serious. I really want to be with you, so I came to see you!¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s insistent tone of voice made He Jichen¡¯s mood worse, so he opened the apartment door with unusual force.

    Ji Yi ran down the stairs in quite a hurry and missed the final step then let out a low shriek. She steadied herself and cried out to He Jichen again as he walked out of the apartment. ¡°He Jichen, you can¡¯t not want me anymore after I¡¯ve fallen for you...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish, the apartment door mmed shut. She was met by the ear-splitting m.

    When Ji Yi ran over to the entrance and pulled the door open, there wasn¡¯t a soul in the hallway. The disy on the elevator door already read: ¡°1.¡±

    ¨C

    He Jichen¡¯s appearance rattled Ji Yi¡¯s life and sent her schedule in a disarray.

    The next day, she was supposed to be flying to Hong Kong, but she didn¡¯t go. Instead, she stayed in Beijing and called Ning Shuang again. From her, she found out where He Jichen was staying and found out his phone number.

    For the next few days, Ji Yi called He Jichen every day. He didn¡¯t pick up, so she waited for him at his hotel room door.

 Chapter 783

    Chapter 783: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It seemed like He Jichen knew what she was up to. Ji Yi spent a week going back and forth like that but she still didn¡¯t manage to catch sight of him.

    Thanks to Tang Huahua, news of He Jichen¡¯s appearance quickly got out to Chen Bai and Han Zhifan. The two of them called Ji Yi and got He Jichen¡¯s number from her. Like Ji Yi, they also tried to call him and visit him at the hotel he was staying at, but they didn¡¯t manage to catch him either.

    Ning Shuang, who stayed in the same hotel as He Jichen, hadn¡¯t seen him for a few days, let alone Ji Yi and the others.

    If Ning Shuang hadn¡¯t gone to the front desk every day to check if He Jichen had checked out yet, Ji Yi would¡¯ve thought He Jichen already left Beijing.

    As each day passed, Ji Yi grew uneasy as she wasn¡¯t able to catch a glimpse of He Jichen.

    Deep down, she knew that if this didn¡¯t work out, and she would need toe up with a new n.

    In the morning on the eighth day since shest saw He Jichen, Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua came to pick up Ji Yi to go to the suburbs for a shoot. The shoot was held at a film studio and it was for a new product endorsement ad which they snagged earlier in the year.

    Themercial, over ten minutes long, took three whole hours to finish shooting, so it was one in the afternoon by the time they left the studio.

    Back at the minivan, Tang Huahua started the car up. Zhuang Yi put on her seat belt in the front passenger seat as she turned and asked Ji Yi. ¡°Where to?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t give Zhuang Yi a reply.

    Zhuang Yi was silent for two seconds before she said, ¡°The Guili Hotel again?¡±

    Guili Hotel was the hotel He Jichen was staying at. For the past few days, whenever Ji Yi wasn¡¯t busy, she spent most of her time there, during which she did everything but check into a room.

    Ji Yi stared out the window in silence.

    Tang Huahua took this as Ji Yi¡¯s silent approval. As she entered the words ¡°Guili Hotel¡± into the GPS and waited for it to finish finding the route, she stepped on the gas and slowly started the car up.

    Today¡¯s weather was unusually good. The bright, clear sky didn¡¯t have a single dark cloud, and the entire city was as clean as a scene from an anime.

    In the afternoon, traffic wasn¡¯t particrly smooth, so the car went at alternating speeds. Ji Yi stared unblinkingly out at the passing romantic urbanndscape through the window. It wasn¡¯t until the car passed ¡°SKP¡± that she suddenly cried out, ¡°Go to SKP.¡±

    One after the other, Tang Huahua and Zhuang Yi were left stunned.

    What¡¯s this?

    The two of them shared a look before Zhuang Yi said, ¡°Xiao Yi, are you not going to Guili anymore?¡±

    Ji Yi let out a soft ¡°Mhm¡± for a few seconds and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go window shopping at SKP.¡±

    Over ten seconds after Ji Yi finished speaking, Tang Huahua came to her senses and let out an ¡°oh¡± followed by a hurried ¡°okay.¡± Then she turned the car around under the bridge and headed for the underground parking lot of SKP.

    After they took the elevator to the first floor, Ji Yi ignored the luxury brand shops that Tang Huahua and Zhuang Yi thought she would shop at and headed right for a diamond ring shop.

    With the shop assistant¡¯s help, Ji Yi carefully looked at all the rings. While looking at them, she didn¡¯t forget to ask for Tang Huahua and Zhuang Yi¡¯s opinions as they followed along beside her.

    After over an hour, Ji Yi emerged from the shop with a pair of simple yet elegant diamond rings.

 Chapter 784

    Chapter 784: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When it came time to pay, the shop assistant handed Ji Yi a piece of paper and a pen then told her that the rings could be engraved. She asked her if she wanted an engraving and if she did, she could write it on that piece of paper.

    Ji Yi took the pen and paper, and after some deep thought, she raised the pen and wrote down the word ¡°Ji¡± on the paper.

    As they left the jewelry shop, Tang Huahua couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Xiao Yi, why are you buying a diamond ring? It¡¯s not like you want to propose, right?¡±

    ¡°Is there any other use for diamond rings?¡± Ji Yi handed the receipt to Zhuang Yi. ¡°Find some time the day after tomorrow and help me pick up the rings.¡±

    Tang Huahua was so excited; it looked like someone had proposed to her instead. ¡°So, you¡¯re really going to propose to He Xuezhang?!¡±

    Ji Yi winked at Tang Huahua and asked in return, ¡°If not, then are we going to get fake married again?¡±

    After just three seconds of excitement, Tang Huahua¡¯s mood died down. ¡°But Xiao Yi, have you ever considered that you can¡¯t even meet up with He Xuezhang, so how are you going to propose?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to think up a n to trick him intoing out!¡± replied Ji Yi light-heartedly.

    ¡°Trick him? How?¡± Zhuang Yi also joined in on Ji Yi and Tang Huahua¡¯s conversation.

    ¡°Yeah. How?¡± A glint appeared in Tang Huahua¡¯s eyes as she assumed Ji Yi had a good n.

    Ji Yi shook her head and answered honestly. ¡°Haven¡¯t thought of it yet.¡±

    Tang Huahua heart dropped once again.

    ...

    That very night, before thinking it through, Ji Yi called Chen Bai, Han Zhifan, Fatty in Sucheng, and Li Da, who married Bo He, and told them her thoughts. After telling them, she asked them to help think of a n to trick He Jichen intoing out no matter what.

    After speaking with them, Ji Yi added them all into a group chat so everyone could message each other.

    The first to ask He Jichen out was Li Da, but he didn¡¯t pick up the phone.

    Then Chen Bai asked He Jichen out. He picked up but declined to meet up with Chen Bai.

    Fatty mercilessly made fun of Chen Bai and Li Da for a moment and bragged in the chat for a while. Then he picked up his phone and gave He Jichen a call. The call connected, but it was worse than Li Da and Fatty¡¯s experience. The call rang twice before He Jichen hung up straight away. When Fatty called again, he got the busy tone, followed by: ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently in a call.¡± People who knew better immediately understood that He Jichen had blocked Fatty¡¯s number.

    With three people down, the group tried to analyze why they failed as they also discussed what to do next.

    Just when Chen Bai suggested they kidnap Ji Yi, threaten He Jichen, and trick him intoing out, Han Zhifan finally sent a message in the group chat while he @JiYi: ¡°ns made. 8 PM, the day after tomorrow, The Golden Lounge.¡±

    Chen Bai: ¡°?????¡±

    Fatty: ¡°!#$#%#%^¡±

    Li Da:¡±!!!!!¡±

    Tang Huahua: ¡°Woah! Mr. Han, you¡¯re awesome!¡±

    Zhuang Yi: ¡°Mr. Han¡¯s really THE man!¡±

    Bo He: ¡°Mr. Han is 6 feet 2!¡±

    Chen Bai: ¡°Jealous.¡±

    Fatty: ¡°I¡¯m jealous too.¡±

    Li Da: ¡°Wifey...¡± *pitiful emoji*

    Ji Yi: ¡°For real?¡±

    Han Zhifan: ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Chen Bai: ¡°Mr. Han, how did you do it?¡±

    Li Da and Fatty sent a message at the same time: ¡°Same question.¡±

    Han Zhifan was probably busy and had no time to send messages in the group chat.

 Chapter 785

    Chapter 785: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just when Ji Yi was about to @HanZhifan, Han Zhifan sent another message with a screenshot to the group chat.

    It was Han Zhifan and He Jichen¡¯s chat log.

    HanZhifan: ¡°Chen Ge, I hear you¡¯re back in Beijing? I just so happened to be looking for someone¡¯s opinion on what to do. It¡¯s about buying thest stocks for Qian Ge¡¯s studio. Do you have some time to meet up?¡±

    He Jichen: ¡°Yeah.¡±

    He Jichen: ¡°Day after tomorrow.¡±

    Han Zhifan: ¡°Is the Golden Lounge okay?¡±

    He Jichen: ¡°Sure.¡±

    Han Zhifan: ¡°Booked the room. It¡¯s the same old spot, 1001.¡±

    The group chat one was silent for a whole minute before Chen Bai messaged: ¡°Wasn¡¯t the whole buying stocks situation resolvedst year?¡±

    Fatty: ¡°You¡¯re tantly lying!¡±

    Han Zhifan: ¡°Xiao Yi said to use any way to trick He Jichen intoing out. I¡¯m just following Xiao Yi¡¯s orders.¡±

    , fanning the mes: ¡°Xiao Yi, Mr. Han is tantly mocking you!¡±

    Ji Yi: ¡°Thank you, Mr. Han.¡±

    Han Zhifan: ¡°You¡¯re wee¡± followed by a giggling emoji.

    Fatty: ¡°!!!¡±

    Li Da: ¡°...¡±

    Chen Bai: ¡°So freaking sneaky!¡±

    ¨C

    Ji Yi originally thought that by sessfully tricking He Jichen intoing out, it would dissolve the massive lump in her heart and her days would go by a little easier. However, for the next two days, Ji Yi actually seemed to be even more agitated.

    It was alright when she was busy during the day, but when she had downtime, she couldn¡¯t help but think about her proposal to He Jichen. The more she thought about it, the more nervous she was; especially during the day before she was going to see He Jichen. Ji Yi practically didn¡¯t shut her eyes for the whole night.

    There were less than twenty minutes left before it would be eight in the evening and Ji Yi felt even more anxious and excited. She had lots of time before she had to leave, but she started to rummage around for tonight¡¯s outfit.

    As an artist, Ji Yi often attended different kinds of events. She wouldn¡¯t say she had all kinds of clothes from major luxury brands, but she had all their best-selling items.

    Normally, when she left the house, she would randomly pick an outfit and feel satisfied. However, today, Ji Yi practically tried on her entire winter wardrobe, yet she couldn¡¯t find a suitable outfit. In the end, she just dragged Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua out to go buy a new outfit.

    After shopping, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t satisfied with her shoes, so she picked a new pair. Then she was unsatisfied with her make-up, so all Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua could do was go with her to her regr salon. After a facial, they redid her make-up and hair.

    After Ji Yi went back and forth until she waspletely satisfied, it was already seven in the evening.

    After she rushed over to The Golden Lounge, Ji Yi didn¡¯t follow Tang Huahua and Zhuang Yi to the room Han Zhifan booked. Instead, she hid in the restroom.

    Tang Huahua kept sending Ji Yi messages.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, He Xuezhang has arrived. He saw so many people around, his expression looked odd, and his eyebrows were creased like crazy.¡±

    ¡°But thankfully, Chen Bai had quick reflexes and said that Han Zhifan must¡¯ve mentioned the meetup to him yesterday, so he shamelessly tagged along.¡±

    ¡°Li Da said he was there yesterday like Chen Bai. It¡¯d been a long time since theyst saw each other. Bo He said she was worried about Li Da going to a ce like the Golden Lounge, so she told me she was going there to watch Li Da.¡±

 Chapter 786

    Chapter 786: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Bo He said she¡¯d easily get bored as the only woman in a party with all guys, so she invited me too.¡±

    ¡°Zhuang Yi said that when Bo He called, I happened to be in the restroom. I picked up and like Li Da, I hadn¡¯t seen He Xuezhang in a long time too, so I thought I¡¯d pop in.¡±

    Ji Yi read the screen full of messages that Tang Huahua sent to her. Since she didn¡¯t find the excuses believable, an unspeakable sense of embarrassment crept into her heart. She raised her finger and lightly tapped the screen a few times. ¡°Did he believe it?¡±

    Tang Huahua¡¯s reply came quickly. ¡°I don¡¯t know. The expression on He Xuezhang¡¯s face is too hard to read. I¡¯m waiting, so how can I figure out what he¡¯s thinking... but there¡¯s something a little odd about his aura.¡±

    Odd?

    Ji Yi was a little worried about He Jichen finding out she was tricking him, so she ran right out the door and hurriedly sent a message to Tang Huahua requesting an update on the situation: ¡°What do mean by odd? He can¡¯t be angry, right?¡±

    Tang Huahua didn¡¯t reply.

    Ji Yi felt even more uneasy. ¡°What¡¯s going on right now?¡±

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡±

    ¡°Is He Jichen really mad?¡±

    ¡°Huahua?¡±

    Ji Yi sent a few consecutive messages, so seeing as Tang Huahua didn¡¯t respond, she thought He Jichen really was mad.

    Ji Yi quickly raised her phone up to take a look. Tang Huahua¡¯s reply finally came: ¡°I was almost scared to death just now. I thought He Xuezhang was about to get angry! Luckily, Mr. Han was smart and saved the day just in time.¡±

    After reading that sentence, Ji Yi let out a sigh of relief and stopped walking towards room 1001. She turned around and headed back into the restroom while quickly typing on her keyboard. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Tang Huahua: ¡°A second before He Xuezhang was going to get angry, Mr. Han admitted to tricking He Xuezhang. He said he knew He Xuezhang was back in Beijing and hadn¡¯t seen him for so long, so he did it because he really wanted to see him He even said he knew He Xuezhang didn¡¯t want to see you, so he specifically didn¡¯t call you over and that he could rx.¡±

    After reading that message, Ji Yi didn¡¯t have time to even send Tang Huahua a reply when another message popped up on her screen.

    ¡°I have this bad feeling that when youe inter, Mr. Han¡¯s going to get ughtered!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re all sitting down right now and they¡¯re starting to drink.¡±

    ¡°Zhuang Yi¡¯s singing. The next song is Bo He¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°Chen Bai just filled me in that he¡¯s already asked the waiter for our room to turn all the lights off on his signalter. That¡¯s when youe in.¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi, I added the song you wanted on the ylist. There are about five songs before that, so that¡¯s in about twenty minute¡¯s time.¡±

    After reading that message, Ji Yi felt nervous again all of a sudden.

    She clutched her chest and took a deep breath. Then she looked out the window of the restroom.

    A flourishing city, beaming with dazzling lights.

    In that instant, Ji Yi suddenly felt a surge of energy running through her body as though she had never felt this kind of courage in her whole life.

    As long as she bravely took the first step, from there on out, she¡¯d never be alone in this bustling city.

    With that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s heart raced even faster and her blood started to boil.

 Chapter 787

    Chapter 787: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The phone in her palms vibrated again, waking up Ji Yi from her daydream as she stared out the window.

    She turned her head and nced at the bright phone screen. It was a message from Tang Huahua again: ¡°Xiao Yi, the final song is ying; you should get ready toe over now.¡±

    Ji Yi tapped the keyboard incredibly quickly and replied to Tang Huahua with an ¡°mhm.¡± Then she stepped out of the restroom.

    As Ji Yi walked towards the hallway, she caught a glimpse in the mirror beside her from the corner of her eye. She hesitated for a moment and stopped walking. She turned and looked over at the mirror above the sinks.

    The woman in the mirror wore an exquisite dress with a special design on the waist which made her figure look elegant.

    Her makeup was simple and her long dark hair was in an up-do, exposing her clean and bright forehead. A few strands of hair fell by the side of her ears, which added to her sweet and beautiful aura.

    The woman¡¯s eyes were bright, full of life and throbbing with excitement.

    Ji Yi was both familiar and unfamiliar with herself like this.

    She always knew she was rather beautiful and even when she walked on the streets without makeup on, she attracted quite a few onlookers. However, at that very moment, she looked at herself in the mirror and felt like she was the most beautiful she¡¯d ever looked in her whole life.

    Ji Yi checked herself out in the mirror for a while until the phone in her palms vibrated again. Tang Huahua was rushing her to hurry up, so she withdrew her gaze and ran down the long hallway to room 1001.

    She stopped in front of the tightly-shut door and heard the faint mor of music and shouting on the other side of the thick wooden door.

    Because she just ran over in a hurry, her breath was visibly unsteady. She took a harsh deep breath and slowly exhaled at the wooden door. After her racing heart calmed down, she picked up her phone and sent Tang Huahua a message: ¡°I¡¯m at the door now.¡±

    Tang Huahua didn¡¯t give her a reply.

    The noise behind the door still continued.

    There were endless inconsistent shrieks and howlsing from inside.

    A whileter, the room quieted down a little.

    After a short while, the phone in Ji Yi¡¯s palm lit up. ¡°Xiao Yi, you cane in now.¡±

    Xiao Yi put her phone away then pulled out the ring she hid in her pocket. She took a deep breath in front of the tightly shut door, forcefully rubbed the ring then reached out and pushed the door open.

    The lights in the room were switched off, but it was still quite noisy inside.

    Ji Yi was familiar with the floor n for room 1001. After stepping into the room, she walked straight ahead until she came to stop when she saw the faint light from the song selection podium.

    First, she clicked the y button then raised the microphone Tang Huahua put on the song selection podium and took two steps towards the center of the room.

    After about half a minute, the ck screen behind Ji Yi lit up and a familiar song started to y.

    With the faint light from the big screen, Ji Yi immediately spotted He Jichen on the sofa nearby in front of her.

    He must¡¯ve not noticed there was one extra person in the room as he had his head turned while chatting to Han Zhifan sitting next to him.

    Ji Yi saw his brows twitch the moment the music yed, but he didn¡¯t look over at her.

    Even though Ji Yi had thought through this whole scenario a thousand times over the past two days, now that the moment was finally here, Ji Yi was still a little nervous.

    She secretly waited for the prelude to end before she raised the microphone to her lips and sang.

 Chapter 788

    Chapter 788: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She secretly waited for the prelude to end before she raised the microphone to her lips and sang.

    ¡°It honestly feels like a good thing that doesn¡¯t have to be promised. That¡¯s so immature...¡±

    As her singing voice rang out, Ji Yi clearly saw He Jichen suddenly stop in the middle of clinking sses with Han Zhifan.

    ¡°I thought I could let you do what you want. Besides, I have nowhere to go.¡±

    After Ji Yi sang two more lines, He Jichen turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi.

    When her gaze met He Jichen¡¯s, Ji Yi¡¯s heart let her down as she started to feel nervous. She didn¡¯t avoid He Jichen¡¯s gaze, but she forcefully clutched the rung in her hands. She continued to sing along to the music in the background: ¡°I¡¯m afraid of people with too much responsibility, because he would make sacrifices at any time...¡±

    As those words left her lips, Ji Yi thought back to how He Jichen hadn¡¯t said anything and took care of her in every way for over a year or so, and silently left her world.

    Men normally propose to women right? But she was willing to propose to him.

    He Jichen¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t shift from Ji Yi¡¯s face.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze locked onto He Jichen¡¯s face as she sang non-stop. ¡°You can choose to love me or not; I am still yours no matter what. I¡¯ve even found an excuse for you...¡±

    It¡¯s been three years. Until today, I haven¡¯t felt the same feeling I had when you sang this song into the microphone that year on my birthday.

    Say, how can there be someone as stupid as you in this world?

    You, who only want to give but never ask for anything in return.

    Ji Yi silently stared into He Jichen¡¯s eyes with ayer of mist starting to creep into her eyes.

    ¡°Rather than be in a world where you don¡¯t want me, why not forget youpletely? Everybody knows this principle ¨C it¡¯s easy to say it~ to be stubborn even loving you through and through.¡±

    It was very dim in the room, so Ji Yi couldn¡¯t see He Jichen¡¯s expression, but she could sense that his eyes were very deep and bright.

    ¡°I would rather stay within your radius. Should my heart not return to me, then it is yours. You can choose to love me or not; I am still yours no matter what.¡±

    As Ji Yi sang up to this point, her voice sounded a little trembly. She tried hard to suppress the emotions in her chest to avoid going off key as much as possible.

    ¡°My love spreads within your radius. It¡¯s so close, I can hear you breathing.¡±

    The noisy room gradually quieted down.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers around the microphone trembled slightly as her eyes were transfixed on He Jichen and her lips parted. ¡°As long as you turn around, I am right here.¡±

    The music stopped.

    The entire room was incredibly silent.

    Ji Yi slightly pursed her lips and spoke again. She was no longer singing, but instead, she cried, ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers clutching the ss trembled abruptly, causing the wine to spill out and fall onto his sleeve. He sat back on the sofa as though he didn¡¯t feel a thing, and stared at her without moving.

    ¡°In the hotpot restaurant opposite the school, you said something to me when the wishing bell rang.¡±

    ¡°You said, ¡®Actually, I¡¯m really not so bad. Do you want to try to fall in love with me?¡¯¡±

    He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t moved since he looked over at her, finally had a reaction.

    He slowly put the wine ss in his hands down onto the big marble table in front of him.

    Because the room was too quiet, it let out a faint yet crisp sound.

    He Jichen moved, but it made Ji Yi even more nervous. She stared unwaveringly into He Jichen¡¯s eyes, forcefully gulped, and continued to say, ¡°If I say that I¡¯m going to turn around. Will you still be here?¡± 1

 Chapter 789

    hapter 789: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As Ji Yi¡¯s voice settled, the entire room became even quieter. It was so quiet, in fact, that you could hear the crisp sound of a pin dropping.

    Everyone was staring at He Jichen.

    He Jichen wore a neutral expression on his face as he stared into Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. He didn¡¯t show a hint of emotion, which made it hard for anyone to read what he was thinking.

    It felt like time and space had frozen. After a short while, seeing as He Jichen didn¡¯t react, Ji Yi added, ¡°I have just one wish and that¡¯s to find someone who understands me.¡±

    Ji Yi clutched the microphone while she said this. She then slowly walked over to He Jichen.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need many. One¡¯s enough.¡±

    The closer she got to He Jichen, the faster her heart raced. She clutched onto the ring in her sweat-drenched palms tightly.

    When she reached therge marble table, Ji Yi had no more space to walk, so she was forced to stop.

    With a meter between them, she stared right at He Jichen across the table. She discreetly gulped, held her breath and continued to say, ¡°And the only one I want is you.¡±

    ¡°So, He Jichen...¡±

    Ji Yi raised her clutched fingers and reached out toward He Jichen.

    She was about to reach her hand out to He Jichen and finish her question: ¡°Will you marry me and live the rest of your life with me?¡±

    However, she didn¡¯t manage to do it.

    Her hand hadn¡¯t even reached He Jichen halfway before He Jichen, who was as stiff as a mountain, elegantly bolted up.

    Everyone¡¯s faces raised a little as they followed He Jichen¡¯s movements.

    Under everyone¡¯s gaze, He Jichen didn¡¯t feel ufortable in the slightest, but he looked calm as he fixed his clothes. He didn¡¯t say a single word as he walked over to the door.

    Ji Yi instantly froze like her pressure points had been pressed.

    The whole room of people, waiting for Ji Yi to propose, becamepletely stunned.

    Han Zhifan had the most experience of them all, so he was quick to react. In a few seconds, he jumped up and blurted out at He Jichen as he left: ¡°Chen Ge!¡±

    Thereafter, the closest person to He Jichen, Chen Bai, realized that He Jichen was going to leave, so he got up in a hurry and dragged him back. ¡°Mr. He!¡±

    One after the other, the remaining people also came to their senses and cried for He Jichen to stay.

    ¡°He Xuezhang.¡±

    ¡°Chen Ge.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    It seemed like He Jichen hadn¡¯t heard the room full of people crying out for him. He struggled out of Chen Bai¡¯s grasp with a cold face. He pulled the door open and walked out of the room without so much as a nce back.

    It wasn¡¯t until the door shut with a loud m that the unflinching Ji Yi suddenly shuddered all over. She dropped the microphone and withplete disregard for the room full of people calling for her, she ran after him, out the door.

    When she reached the long hallway, he was nowhere to be seen; it waspletely empty. There wasn¡¯t a single trace of He Jichen.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes repeatedly darted left to right, unsure which way He Jichen headed, then she bravely chose one route and ran in a hurry.

    Ji Yi ran down to the lobby of the Golden Lounge. After she was certain He Jichen wasn¡¯t there, she rushed over to the entrance and ran towards the sidewalk.

 Chapter 790

    Chapter 790: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The sidewalk was also empty. Every now and then, cars zipped across the wide road.

    After Ji Yi scanned her surroundings and confirmed that He Jichen was nowhere to be seen, she turned around and headed back into the Golden Lounge.

    When she stepped through the front doors of the lounge, Ji Yi bumped right into a doorman who she had seen a number of times. With a moment¡¯s hesitation, she stopped walking and asked the doorman, ¡°Did you just see Mr. He, previously from YC,e out?¡±

    The Golden Lounge had a membership system, which meant that the staff remembered the names and faces of some of the premium members.

    The doorman knew who Ji Yi was referring to and quickly shook his head while replying: ¡°No. After Mr. He came in at seven or so, he hasn¡¯te out since.¡±

    Knowing that He Jichen was still in the lounge, Ji Yi felt a little relieved. She thanked the doorman and took two steps towards the lobby. All of a sudden, she turned around again and opened her handbag to pull out a few notes. She handed them to the doorman and said, ¡°If you happen to see Mr. Hee out, could you please ask the front desk to send me a message?¡±

    ¡°Sure, Miss Ji,¡± replied the doorman as he happily took the money.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t head upstairs back to the room, but she sent a message to Tang Huahua to ask if He Jichen had returned while she searched all over the Golden Lounge.

    Ji Yi searched the guest rooms from the first floor to the top floor but couldn¡¯t manage to find He Jichen. It wasn¡¯t until she headed back to the second floor that she finally saw He Jichen through the window at the very end of the hallway, in the back garden.

    He stood under a blooming red plum tree, smoking.

    He ran out of the room in a hurry so he wasn¡¯t wearing a jacket. He only had a thin shirt on during this frosty winter¡¯s night. It seemed like he just taking big tokes of his cigarette, alone and in a somber mood.

    Ji Yi looked down at He Jichen, who was standing on the floor below, through the window for a while before she withdrew her gaze and hurriedly ran down the stairs.

    She pushed the back garden door open and rushed over to where He Jichen was standing.

    There were a few people scattered around the back garden.

    There were one or two couples hugging and flirting in discreet spots, and there were others on their phones.

    Ji Yi walked down the cobbled path, turning left and right a few times, before finally catching sight of He Jichen past a couple of red plum trees.

    She didn¡¯t hesitate for too long before walking right over to He Jichen. However, she barely took two steps before she heard a few people talking nearby.

    ¡°That man smoking under the red plum tree is so hot!¡±

    ¡°Eww... If you didn¡¯t say anything, I wouldn¡¯t have even noticed him, but I know who he is. That¡¯s the previous CEO of YC, He Jichen.¡±

    ¡°That name rings a bell. Like I¡¯ve heard it somewhere before... Oh! I remember now. It¡¯s that murderer!¡±

    Those women¡¯s voices weren¡¯t considerably quiet.

    The red plum garden was quite some distance from the Golden Lounge, so the noise couldn¡¯t travel over. Since it was rather quiet, both Ji Yi and He Jichen clearly heard everything those women said.

    When Ji Yi heard the word ¡°murderer,¡± she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

    Even though she was some distance away, Ji Yi still noticed how He Jichen¡¯s fingers gently trembled as he pinched the cigarette.

 Chapter 791

    Chapter 791: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s lips pursed tightly as she felt an unprecedented heartache filling her heart at an incredible speed.

    Then a ball of anger ignited in the depths of her heart.

    ¡°Yeah yeah yeah! I remember now! The man who stabbed Qian Ge!¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t get what that guy was thinking. Even if Qian Ge liked him and hassled him and annoyed him like crazy, he can¡¯t go and try to stab someone to death!¡±

    ¡°Which goes to say ¨C so what if he¡¯s hot? His character sucks! Just because his family background¡¯s decent and he¡¯s got money, he can¡¯t do whatever he wants! The fact that he bullied ssmates when he was in school was also just revealed!¡±

    ¡°That type of person is a societal failure. If you ask me, he shouldn¡¯t have stabbed Qian Ge. He should¡¯ve stabbed himself!¡±

    ¡°No matter what, I can¡¯t ept someone like that. He almost killed someone! Ya never know, he might be a psycho!¡±

    ¡°I think nobody can ept a man like that. It¡¯s a matter of perspective!¡±

    The more Ji Yi listened, the more the angry mes roared in her chest. She was so angry that a hint of red surfaced in her eyes as she clenched her fists tightly and her whole body started to gently tremble.

    What right do they have to talk about him in that way?!

    Those girls gossiped for a while before one of them got a call to head back. One of them said, ¡°They¡¯re calling us back.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± replied the other girl. Ji Yi heard the pitter patter of their high heels then snapped back to her senses. She looked over at the source of the sound.

    There were three beautifully dressed up women. Despite it being a chilly winter night, they were dressed in quite revealing clothing. In order to look good, they didn¡¯t care about the weather.

    Judging by the way they dressed and their feminine walk, Ji Yi knew they were probably also people who worked in showbiz. However, they were probably unpopr, minor celebrities.

    Not one of those three women noticed Ji Yi by the red plum tree. They were still chatting away as they walked past her.

    They were being really loud, so Ji Yi caught a few words and learned they were talking about thetest luxury goods. They were also talking about which guy was more generous and which guy they could get the most money from. One of the men they mentioned was a rather famous investor in the industry who was in his sixties, Mr. Huang.

    As their footsteps gradually disappeared, the red plum garden fell silent.

    That was when Ji Yi¡¯s gaze fell back on He Jichen.

    He had lit another cigarette but he didn¡¯t put it to the corner of his lips. Instead, he kept his head down, thinking about who knew what.

    Even though Ji Yi couldn¡¯t see He Jichen¡¯s expression, she could feel the heavy sense of loneliness on his back.

    After a short while, He Jichen raised his hand and brought the cigarette to his lips and took a drag.

    He probably took too hard of a hit as he bent over and started to cough furiously.

    He coughed for a while then calmed down. He didn¡¯t straighten up but slowly raised his right hand and looked at his palms.

    It seemed like he was studying something as he repeatedly stared at his own palms for a long time. Then a gust of wind blew in and with it, Ji Yi vaguely heard the sound of his voice: ¡°Yeah. Murderer...¡±

    It was like a knife had viciously stabbed Ji Yi¡¯s heart. The pain made it hard for her to breathe.

 Chapter 792

    Chapter 792: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Tears flowed down her face and unexpectedly came crashing down.

    Ji Yi came all this way to see He Jichen but all of a sudden, she was afraid she couldn¡¯t control her emotions and was afraid she¡¯d cry from the pain, rming He Jichen and making him feel even more stressed. She hurriedly raised her hand and covered her mouth. Turning around, she quickly rushed back into the main building of the Golden Lounge.

    Ji Yi ran quickly as though a ferocious beast was chasing her.

    Her eyes welled up with tears and blurred her vision. When she pushed open the door to the lobby of the Golden Lounge, she identally bumped into someone who she hadn¡¯t noticed was in front of her.

    Ji Yi was afraid the person would recognize her. However, she was even more afraid that the person would catch her face full of tears, so she kept her head down.

    She used all her strength to control her emotions then prepared herself to apologize to the person she identally bumped into.

    But the words she wanted to say never managed to reach her lips before a furious voice in front of her was heard. ¡°What the hell?! Watch where you¡¯re going! You hit me and it freaking hurt!¡±

    The voice sounded a little familiar.

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows and suddenly abandoned the thought of apologizing. She raised her hand and shot a look at the person she stumbled into.

    Even though it was just a quick nce, Ji Yi easily recognized her as one of the three people who was talking about He Jichen in the red plum garden.

    ¡°Forget it. There¡¯s no point in arguing with a low-life. Let¡¯s quickly head upstairs!¡± cried another familiar voice, the other, rather short one.

    Ji Yi then swept a look to her side. It really was a small world for enemies to meet. How unlucky it was to meet all three of them here!

    Just then, the third person happened to say, ¡°Yeah. Forget it! You know she¡¯s blind, so there¡¯s no point in wasting time on her and there¡¯s no point in getting mad over her!¡±

    At the thought of what those three said about He Jichen in the garden, Ji Yi¡¯s anger and pain instantly dialed up to the max.

    Before she could register her thoughts, Ji Yi¡¯s head darted up as she stared at the three people and eximed, ¡°Forget it? You wish. We really can¡¯t just forget what happened today!¡±

    She knew they weren¡¯t talking about the main point. The main point was what they said about He Jichen. It felt like their words stabbed her weak spot and touched her bottom line like a minefield.

    ¡°How could you say that?! You¡¯re unreasonable! Clearly, you were the one who wasn¡¯t watching where you were going and bumped into me first...¡± said one of the three, angry about Ji Yi¡¯s retort.

    Before she could finish what she wanted to say, Ji Yi raised her hand without hesitation and pped the woman she identally bumped into on the face with great ferocity.

    The impact of the p stunned all three women.

    After a few seconds, the woman btedly reacted by raising her hand to cover her face. ¡°How could you just randomly hit someone?!¡±

    ¡°I hit you because your nasty mouth said something it shouldn¡¯t have! You deserved to be pped!¡± Between her words, Ji Yi pped the same women again on the face.

    One of the other two recognized Ji Yi. ¡°I know who you are ¨C you¡¯re Ji Yi, right?! So what if you¡¯re a big celebrity? Since when can big celebrities just randomly hit people?!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! You need at least a reason to hit people! Aren¡¯t you taking it too far by indiscriminately hitting someone?!¡± cried the final one.

 Chapter 793

    Chapter 793: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°The two of you can quit helping her. Let me tell you this! She isn¡¯t the only one I¡¯m going to hit today ¨C all three of you are gonna get it!¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, her hand bolted up again and pped the other two women hard on the face.

    As two loud pping sounds were heard, Ji Yi angrily cried, ¡°As for the reason? Do I need a reason to hit the three of you?¡±

    All three women bumped into Ji Yi then randomly got pped in the face, so naturally, they were pissed. Even if there were people waiting for them upstairs, they couldn¡¯t care less about heading upstairs anymore. One of the women with an anger issue was first to react. As the woman swore, she lunged at Ji Yi with her ws. Then the two others came to their senses and followed suit.

    Honestly speaking, Ji Yi just lost it because they said such horrid things about He Jichen, so she hit them.

    She never thought about how she was outnumbered three to one. It wasn¡¯t until the three of them retaliated that she realized there was a problem.

    With three against one, she was definitely outnumbered, fighting alone. No matter how she saw it, she was going to lose.

    The situation had already escted, so even with thatst thought, Ji Yi didn¡¯t even have a chance of admitting defeat now. All she could do was brace herself and retaliate.

    After all, every hit counted and it was better than just getting hit and doing nothing about it.

    Honestly speaking, Ji Yi really was ready to get hit when the three of them came at her. If worse came to worst, she would potentially cancel her jobs for the next few days and pay thepensation fees for breaching the contracts if her face got scratched up, had chunks of hair ripped out, and her ear got cut by the studs torn off.

    It was unclear if it was because she was ready to fight to the end and was determined to take on any consequences, but Ji Yi acted out unusually. It was unclear if it was because they dissed He Jichen andpletely agitated her, but Ji Yi became incredibly strong. It was even more unclear if it was because those three women were really garbage, but all in all, Ji Yi, who expected the very worst, wasn¡¯t actually heavily outnumbered as she fought them, nor was she beat up by those three people. In fact, she might have been at a disadvantage in numbers, but she was actually winning the fight! And she was winning by a long shot.

    Not only was her face not scratched up, but her hair wasn¡¯t torn out and her studs and ne were still intact. Inparison, the threedies¡¯ faces were strikingly red and swollen. There were bloody scratch marks on their necks, and the woman with little hair was crying as a chunk of hair was torn out. Another one screamed about losing a several-thousand-RMB ring during the fight.

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯tpletely escaped unscathed as her hair was a mess, the dress she carefully chose in the afternoon was torn, her arms had bloody scratch marks, and her waist and back had been kicked a few times. However,pared to the scenario she anticipated, this was a lot better.

    After the security ran over in a hurry and separated them, Ji Yi finally realized that those three women were only good at talking. In reality, they were useless idiots!

 Chapter 794

    Chapter 794: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Having never encountered a fight like this one, the security guard didn¡¯t quite know how to handle it. In the end, he decided to leave it up to the four people involved. ¡°Look, everyone... would you all like to get the police involved or would you all like to handle this in private?¡±

    ¡°Call the police! Of course we choose to call the police! For a big celebrity like her to actually hit people like a mad woman, we have to call the police and make her pay!¡±

    The security guard recognized Ji Yi and knew she was close to people like Han Zhifan and Chen Bai. He didn¡¯t dare to mess with them, so after he heard those three women¡¯s opinions, he turned his head and asked Ji Yi, ¡°Miss Ji, would you like to call the police?¡±

    Before Ji Yi could reply to the security guard, one of the three women gritted her teeth and said with extreme dissatisfaction: ¡°We already said we want to call the police, so why are you asking for her opinion? We should have the police take care of an unreasonable person like her who jumps on people like a lunatic...¡±

    Before that woman could finish speaking, Ji Yi raised her eyes and swept her a look.

    The rays of cold light in her eyes frightened the woman and instantly put out her angry mes. Even the security guard behind them shrank back in fear that Ji Yi was going to charge at them again.

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t because you talked sh*t earlier in the red plum garden, I wouldn¡¯t have hit you girls! Let me tell you this ¨C don¡¯t assume that just because you¡¯re all young, pretty, and can seduce a couple old men that you can do whatever you want and talk about other people however you want!¡±

    ¡°At the very least, the person you were all talking about just now isn¡¯t someone you can mess with!¡±

    ¡°Today, I¡¯ll say this to you right here. From now on, it¡¯s best if you all shut your mouth when ites to anything about He Jichen. If I hear you talking about him again, I won¡¯t let it slide!¡±

    ¡°Also, if you really want to call the police, do it! I don¡¯t have time to waste with you girls! When my manager and assistant get here in a minute, they¡¯ll talk to you all!¡±

    When she was finished, Ji Yi was done hanging around and was about to turn around to leave.

    However, she only managed to turn around halfway when she caught the sound of a woman¡¯s mumble. ¡°We were talking about He Jichen. What rtion do you even have to He Jichen, sheesh... nosy a** meddler!¡±

    Ji Yi abruptly turned her head and red at her. ¡°If you girls were talking about me, then maybe I wouldn¡¯t have even bothered to bring it up with you girls, but unfortunately, you talked about him! In my world, you can talk about me, but you can¡¯t talk about him! He¡¯s the one person I protect, so wherever I am, I¡¯ll never let anyone say anything bad about him!¡±

    Perhaps Ji Yi was being too overbearing, but after she said that, the three women didn¡¯t make a single sound.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t waste her time. She turned towards the elevator, ready to head back up to room 1001. However, she didn¡¯t manage to walk away when she caught a familiar silhouette in the corners of her eyes.

    She suddenly stopped herself mid-step.

    She stared at the elevator, transfixed for a while, before slowly turning her head and ncing from the corner of her eye.

    She didn¡¯t know when, but He Jichen, who was smoking in the Red Plum Garden, returned to the lobby of the Golden Lounge and was standing nearby staring at her.

    When did he get there?

    Did he just see me fighting with them?

    Also, he heard everything I and those three women just said, didn¡¯t he?

    As those questions came to mind, Ji Yi feltpletely embarrassed. Her fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch onto her clothes tightly.

    Her tiny movements caught He Jichen¡¯s attention, causing his gaze to drift over to her hand.

    He stared at her hand for a while then lowered his gaze. Then he pulled out a phone from his pocket, tapped the screen a few times, and raised his phone to his ear.

    Ji Yi knew he was making a call.

    They were some distance away and he was speaking rather quietly, so Ji Yi couldn¡¯t hear what he was saying, but she did see his mouth opening and closing.

 Chapter 795

    Chapter 795: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It seemed like he spoke on the phone for about two or three minutes before he lowered the phone from his ear and put it back into his pocket.

    A secondter, he looked right at her.

    His gaze was dull and emotionless.

    Just as Ji Yi thought he was only shooting her a nce like he did back in the private room, she quickly withdrew her gaze and prepared to leave. All of a sudden, He Jichen raised his feet and started walking over to her.

    Since they¡¯d met again, this was the first time he took the initiative to get closer to her.

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen, who was drawing closer and closer, in aplete daze.

    She kept thinking she was just hallucinating until He Jichen stopped in front of her and tly said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± That was when Ji Yi sluggishly reacted by loosening her clutch on her clothes and secretly pinched herself hard on her waist.

    The piercing pain woke Ji Yi up considerably as she realized He Jichen just spoke to her. Her eyes lit up as she obediently nodded at He Jichen.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything more but he stared into the glow in her eyes for a while then turned around and headed for the elevators.

    Ji Yi hurriedly caught up.

    There was just the two of them in the elevator. He Jichen had his eyes down, staring at his feet with no intention of speaking.

    Ji Yi stood beside him in silence too. Every now and then, she nced over at him.

    When the elevator passed the floor where room 1001 was, Ji Yi realized what was happening ¨C He Jichen had pressed a different button. ¡°Are we not heading back to the room?¡± asked Ji Yi quietly.

    He Jichen shot her a nce but didn¡¯t say a thing.

    The elevator quickly rose to the top floor. The door opened and He Jichen straightened up, heading out first.

    Ji Yi caught up to him. ¡°Where are we going?¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t say anything.

    The two of them walked a short distance down the red-carpet hallway. Ji Yi was about to say something to He Jichen when an attendant showed up. ¡°Mr. He, this is the room key that Mr. Chen asked me to hand to you.¡±

    He Jichen silently took the key.

    ¡°Mr. He, the things Mr. Chen asked me to prepare are already inside the room for you,¡± said the attendant.

    Ji Yi turned her head in confusion and looked over at He Jichen.

    Was he just on the phone with Chen Bai earlier? What did he ask Chen Bai to prepare?

    He Jichen sensed Ji Yi¡¯s gaze on him and the questions she had deep down, but he didn¡¯t exin himself to her. All he did was give the attendant a nonchnt nod.

    ¡°So Mr. He, if there¡¯s anything you need, please feel free to contact me at any time. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving first.¡±

    This time, He Jichen didn¡¯t even give the attendant a reaction.

    Having gone through special training, the ¡°Golden Lounge attendant knew well to bow at He Jichen and Ji Yi and quietly left.

    After the attendant was some distance away, He Jichen lowered his head and nced at the room key and room number. He confirmed the room, swiped the key to open the door, pushed it open, then stood at the entrance. He shot Ji Yi a look as if to signal her to go in.

    After Ji Yi stepped in, He Jichen threw the room key by the countertop and headed for the bathroom.

    Ji Yi stood at the entrance for a while before heading into the living room.

    That was when she saw the medical kit on the coffee table of the living room and a paper bag from a luxury brand.

    This is what He Jichen asked Chen Bai to prepare?

 Chapter 796

    Chapter 796: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (16)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Is this what He Jichen asked Chen Bai to prepare?

    With that thought, the bathroom door behind Ji Yi opened.

    She turned to see He Jichen stepping out from the bathroom.

    He seemed to have gone into the bathroom to wash his hands as he was wiping his hands with tissue.

    By the time he walked over to the sofa, he had already finished wiping his hands and thrown the tissue in the trash can. That was when he looked up at Ji Yi, whose eyes had been following him. ¡°Sit.¡±

    ¡°Ok,¡± said Ji Yi. A short while passed before she finally processed what He Jichen meant and walked over to the sofa.

    The moment she sat got into afortable position, He Jichen crouched in front of her and lifted her torn skirt.

    His actions made Ji Yi¡¯s body stiffen up then she saw He Jichen dragging the medical kit by his side. He lifted the lid and rummaged inside for while before pulling out some alcohol and cotton balls.

    ¡°This is gonna hurt a little, so bear with it,¡± said He Jichen quietly as opened the lid of the bottle of alcohol.

    After Ji Yi¡¯s softly replied, ¡°Uh huh...¡± He Jichen poured the alcohol onto a cotton ball and pressed it onto Ji Yi¡¯s bleeding scratches.

    Despite how Ji Yi was trying her hardest not to show that she was in pain, her leg couldn¡¯t help but shudder from the searing pain of the wound being sterilized.

    Even if it was just for a moment, Ji Yi was still able to feel how He Jichen became softer and more gentle as he took care of her.

    The room was very quiet.

    In the end, neither of them spoke.

    Her head hung as she watched him concentrating on cleaning the wound, and it seemed like time had turned back to how things were before. Back to when she returned to showbiz but before she got famous, when He Jichen was the CEO of YC and was a young, talented director. Back to when he was by her side through all her tumultuous days.

    ...

    While He Jichen was taking care of Ji Yi¡¯s wound in the executive room on the top floor, a brief interlude was going on for Han Zhifan on the floor below room 1001.

    After He Jichen and Ji Yi left, the atmosphere in the room froze for a moment then it started to liven up again.

    In the midst of it all, Chen Bai had to step out to take a call for some reason, so all Han Zhifan could do was clink sses and drink with Li Da.

    Li Da got a video call.

    Han Zhifan sat beside Li Da, turned his head slightly, and happened to catch a glimpse of a one-year-old kid and a fifty-or-sody popping up on Li Da¡¯s phone.

    The baby just learned how to talk so the baby sounded incoherent, but He Jichen could make out that the baby was crying ¡°Daddy.¡±

    Li Da looked like he just heard the most beautiful thing as his face swelled with joy.

    He patiently teased the baby for a while then raised the ss, ready to take a sip, when he saw Han Zhifan staring at his screen. He thought he was interested in his son, so he put the screen in front of Han Zhifan. ¡°Mr. Han, this is my son. He¡¯s one year and two months old,¡± boasted Li Da.

    With that, Li Da spoke with a cute and sweet voice to the baby in the video call: ¡°Baby, this is Uncle. say ¡®uncle,¡¯ ¡®uncle¡¯...¡±

    The baby copied Li Da and made non-stop noises. Perhaps, ¡°uncle¡± was too difficult, so the baby kept on making an ¡°ah ah¡± sound.

    Shortly after, the baby peed. The fifty-year-olddy went to take care of the baby and hung up the phone.

 Chapter 797

    Chapter 797: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Li Da hadn¡¯t mellowed out from the joy of talking to his son, because after he put his phone away, he turned his head and started to happily talk about his son with Han Zhifan. ¡°My son is an early talker and he¡¯s a little bigger than the other kids. Every day at midnight, he cries and wakes up wanting milk...¡±

    ¡°...When his mum was pregnant, she vomited quite a lot. People say pregnant women get heavier, but Bo He didn¡¯t get fatter in the slightest. Instead, she lost several pounds.¡±

    ¡°...It happened to be raining heavily in Beijing the day that my son was born. We had two more weeks before her due date and my car just happened to be out for repairs. I was worried sick that day...¡±

    ¡°...luckily, the neighbor heard themotion and ran over to help. My son has always been naughty but he¡¯s pretty good at times too.¡±

    As Li Da spoke, he flicked through the photo album on his phone.

    It was filled with photos of his son.

    There were photos of him from when he was one month old till now, from when he could onlyy down till when he could sit up; there were pictures of him crying,ughing, sleeping, drinking milk, drinking water, taking his injections...

    Han Zhifan never really liked children nor had he been around them much. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was because he had too much to drink that he was confused, but he concentrated fully on Li Da¡¯s son as he flicked through all the photos.

    One of the photos was a recent one of Li Da¡¯s son.

    The kid¡¯s eyes were dark and bright as though they were the cleanest, purest thing on earth.

    Han Zhifan absent-mindedly reached out, took Li Da¡¯s phone, and started to stare at those pair of eyes.

    As he stared and stared, a pair of clean and crystal clear eyes appeared in front of him for some reason.

    That pair of eyes looked really familiar. After a while, he remembered those were Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes...

    They hadn¡¯t seen each other sincest year, after he spotted her when he brought that woman, who Lin Sheng introduced him to, back home with him.

    All in all, it had been almost a year and seven months now.

    Actually, in the past year and seven months, he rarely thought about her.

    ¡°Mr. He?¡± Having drunk half a ss, Li Da noticed Han Zhifan concentrating particrly hard on his phone and said, ¡°You look like you really like children. You¡¯re not young anymore, so you can consider meeting someone suitable, getting married and having kids now. Let me tell you ¨C before you have children, you might think it¡¯s a little troublesome or feel a little lost. After you have the kid, you¡¯ll be a lot happier in life...¡±

    As Li Da rambled on, Han Zhifan came to his senses. He didn¡¯t reply to Li Da but handed his phone back. With a t tone of voice, he said, ¡°I¡¯m just going to the restroom¡± then he got up and left the room.

    As he came out of the restroom, Han Zhifan¡¯s chest felt incredibly stifled for some reason.

    He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to head back to the room, so he leaned against the wall opposite from the restroom and lit up a cigarette.

    Through the cloud of smoke, he caught the faint silhouette of Cheng Weiwan...

    If he hadn¡¯t made her get an abortion and she gave birth, their child would be three to four months older than Li Da¡¯s son. The child would probably even be walking by now and would be speaking a lot clearer than Li Da¡¯s son by now...

    While Han Zhifan was daydreaming, he felt something gently touching his leg.

    He instinctively lowered his head and looked down at a little boy who barely reached his knees. The boy raised his head and all of a sudden, his big eyes stared right at Han Zhifan.

 Chapter 798

    Chapter 798: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The little boy looked particrly pretty. His eyes were dark and bright, his eyshes were unusually long like two fans, his skin was rather light, and he had rosy cheeks and a pout. He looked soft and cute like a steamed bun, which made Han Zhifan have the urge to hug him and give him two big kisses.

    Whose kid is this? Why did he run over to me?

    Han Zhifan was captivated by this adorable little bun as he stared for a while. Then he raised his head and looked all around.

    The hallway waspletely empty. There wasn¡¯t an adult apanying him, so this little boy must¡¯ve run out from one of the rooms when his parents weren¡¯t looking. He probably couldn¡¯t find his way back.

    Just when Han Zhifan was lost in thought, the little boy stared at him with wide eyes and cried, ¡°Daddy.¡±

    The little boy looked as though he was about one and a half years old; he cried ¡°daddy¡± a lot clearer than Li Da¡¯s son.

    The little boy saw that Han Zhifan was ignoring him, so he cried even louder than before: ¡°Daddy!¡±

    Whose kid is this? So stupid, he doesn¡¯t even recognize his own dad...

    Han Zhifan almost burst outughing as the little boy continued to cry ¡°daddy¡± twice. Without thinking, he bent down and wanted to talk to the little boy but mid-way, he realized he still had a lit cigarette between his fingers and stopped. After he put out the cigarette, he crouched down and said to the boy, ¡°I¡¯m not your daddy.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t sure if the little boy heard what he said because after he spoke, the boy cried ¡°daddy¡± again twice.

    ¡°I¡¯m really not your daddy.¡±

    ¡°Daddy, daddy.¡±

    Han Zhifan figured that no matter how he exined himself, the little boy would continue to call him ¡°daddy,¡± so he didn¡¯t fight it and changed the subject. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± asked Han Zhifan.

    It seemed like the little boy froze at his question and didn¡¯t say anything for a while.

    Just as Han Zhifan was contemting whether or not to take the little boy to the first floor and hand him over to the lobby manager to take care of him, the little boy cried ¡°daddy¡± again. Then he ran over to Han Zhifan with open arms like he wanted a hug.

    Han Zhifan hesitated for a moment but eventually reached his hands out and hugged the little boy.

    The little boy looked as though something awesome happened as he broke into a smile. He hugged Han Zhifan¡¯s neck and pecked his cheek.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t really like getting close to strangers, even if it was just a cute little kid.

    However, the moment the little boy¡¯s lips touched his face, not only was Han Zhifan not disgusted, but an indescribable warm feeling came over his heart for some reason.

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but hug the little boy harder and held him in his arms a little tighter. ¡°Uncle will help you find mommy, alright?¡±

    Perhaps it was because Han Zhifan mentioned the word ¡°mommy,¡± that the little boy fiercely nodded.

    Han Zhifan carried the little boy with one hand and was about to stand up when the sound of a panicked female voice came from inside the restroom: ¡°Hanhan! Hanhan!¡±

    Then a young woman ran out of the restroom in a hurry.

    The little boy saw the woman and immediately struggled out of Han Zhifan¡¯s grip and ran over to her.

    The woman saw the little boy and evidently let out a sigh of relief. As she crouched down to check him to see if anything happened to him while he was missing, she said with a strict voice, ¡°Hanhan! Why did you just run off like that?!¡±

 Chapter 799

    Chapter 799: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As he was being lectured, the little boy obediently lowered his head like he knew he was in the wrong.

    ¡°You can never do that again. If you do, I won¡¯t ever take you out to y, ya got that?!¡±

    The little boy raised his head and nodded fiercely at the woman like he was making a promise.

    With that, the expression on the woman¡¯s face reverted back to normal. She raised her hand, rubbed the little boy¡¯s head, and said, ¡°Very good, Hanhan.¡± When she straightened up, she noticed Han Zhifan crouched down by the wall in front of them.

    All of a sudden, the woman stopped as she was about to get up.

    The little boy tugged on the woman¡¯s hand, pointed at Han Zhifan, and cried, ¡°Daddy.¡±

    The little boy snapped the woman back to her senses as she kept her head down and spoke to the little boy with a hurried voice: ¡°That¡¯s not your daddy!¡±

    It seemed like the little boy hadn¡¯t heard what the woman said and continued to cry out to Han Zhifan: ¡°Daddy.¡±

    ¡°I told you. That¡¯s not your daddy!¡± said the women with an abrupt, angry voice.

    The little boy was so afraid that he didn¡¯t dare to make a peep as his eyes started to well up with tears.

    The woman didn¡¯t cheer the little boy up. She apologized to Han Zhifan: ¡°Sorry.¡± Then she carried the little boy and quickly walked away.

    Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t sure if he was overthinking things, but it felt like he knew that woman. Also, he felt like there was a hint of fear in her eyes when she looked at him.

    With that thought, Han Zhifan furrowed his brows and turned his head. He looked over at the woman who tried to cheer up the crying boy as she speed-walked away, The more he watched, the more he felt like she was fleeing.

    That was odd. He didn¡¯t know that woman at all, so why did she give him that kind of feeling?

    ¨C

    Just as He Jichen finished applying some medicine for Ji Yi, his phone rang.

    He put down the ointment and pulled out his phone from his pocket.

    Sitting in front of him, Ji Yi nced over at his phone screen and saw that it was Chen Bai calling.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t mind her; he swiped the screen and took the call.

    Before he said anything, he first heard Chen Bai¡¯s voice from the phone: ¡°Mr. He, I did what you asked me to do.¡±

    The hotel room was very quiet and Chen Bai¡¯s voice was a little loud, so Ji Yi could clearly hear what he said.

    What did He Jichen ask Chen Bai to do?

    Ji Yi lifted her eyelids in confusion and nced at He Jichen while he was on the phone. Then she heard Chen Bai¡¯s voice saying, ¡°Those three women have epted to handle it in private.¡±

    Those three women... the three women I beat up earlier?

    Curiosity shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind as He Jichen¡¯s words rang in her ear: ¡°And the CCTV recording? Was it destroyed?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s destroyed,¡± replied Chen Bai curtly. He thought his reply was too half-hearted, so he added, ¡°I saw the security guard deleting the recording of Miss Ji hitting people with my own eyes. I also checked that even if they used advanced CGI, they wouldn¡¯t be able to fix the recording.¡±

    ¡°Also, I got the three women to sign NDAs and found awyer to certify them, just as you asked. If what happened tonight ever gets out in the slightest, they¡¯ll have to pay ten times our rate ofpensation.¡±

    So back then, at the first-floor lobby, He Jichen didn¡¯t just call Chen Bai to prepare some medicine and some clothes ¨C he even helped clean up Ji Yi¡¯s mess...

    This whole scenario felt like how it used to be when he was by her side, no matter what happened. Before she could even think about what to do, he already helped her handle it.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but think back to the past again and her heart felt like it was being tugged by something. One minute she felt heartache, the other minute, she felt warmth.

    He Jichen quickly hung up on Chen Bai. He turned his head and scanned Ji Yi all over. After he was sure she wasn¡¯t injured anywhere else, he picked up the paper bag from the table and left it beside Ji Yi. ¡°Change into these clothester.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to reply at all. He got up and said, ¡°I¡¯m leaving first.¡±

    After he said this, He Jichen turned right around.

    Before he could lift a foot, Ji Yi, who was sitting on the sofa, quickly reached out and grabbed his hand.

 Chapter 800

    Chapter 800: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before he could lift a foot, Ji Yi, who was sitting on the sofa, quickly reached out and grabbed his hand.

    The touch of her fingers felt like an intense electric current engulfing He Jichen¡¯s entire body. It made his back tighten up.

    Before he could react to her sudden touch, he felt her other soft arm circling around his waist. He instinctively lowered his head and saw that she loosened the hand grabbing his hand and also wrapped it around his waist. Then she tightly sped both hands together.

    He Jichen¡¯s body trembled as his back tightened more fiercely. With his head down, he stared at both her fair little hands around his waist for a while. He wanted to break free from her grip before she drew closer, pressing her face gently against his back.

    Through the thin fabric, he could feel the softness of her face. It seemed like she was searching for afortable spot as her little face nuzzled his back for a short while before settling down.

    With her obediently cute movements, his hand suddenly stopped in midair.

    The room was incredibly silent. He had his back turned to her and she didn¡¯t move at all. He wasn¡¯t sure just how long he let her hug him from behind like that. It was so long that he thought she had fallen asleep while leaning on him. He wanted to turn around to nce at her when she quietly said, ¡°He Jichen, are you the same as before? Do you still want to leave?¡±

    When He Jichen heard what she said, he immediately abandoned the thought that crossed his mind.

    He didn¡¯t reply. Since Ji Yi held her pose for so long, her body felt a little stiff. She turned her head for a moment and stuck the other side of her face onto He Jichen¡¯s back. Then with the same tone of voice, she added, ¡°Did you know after you left, I started to wait for you toe back? For the past year, many, many things happened. I have many, many things I want to tell you. I¡¯ve been saving them all up, waiting to tell you everything after you returned. But every time I saw you, you didn¡¯t give me a chance to speak...¡±

    The more Ji Yi spoke, the softer her voice became, like a faint fog in the air. If the room wasn¡¯t so quiet that nothing else could be heard, He Jichen would¡¯ve really thought she hadn¡¯t said anything at all.

    ¡°I want to ask ¨C how have you been for the past year or so?¡±

    ¡°I want to tell you that Bo He and Li Da got married and had a boy. Last month, we celebrated his first birthday.¡±

    ¡°I want to tell you that the ratings for ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯ were unprecedentedly good. With the drama alone, we made ten-times the profit.¡±

    ¡°I want to tell you that the cherry blossoms this spring at B-Film bloomed unusually well. There were even two new snowy-white begonia trees nted. When the wind blew, it looked like it was snowing.

    ¡°I want to tell you that business at that Thai restaurant is now getting better and better.¡±

    ¡°I want to tell you that Huahua is now my assistant. When I was filming, Chen Bai often came over to the set. I could tell every time that he didn¡¯t especiallye to see me because he would go chat with Huahua.¡±

    ¡°I want to tell you that I really did follow the instructions you left me. I ate three meals a day, ate on time, ate fruit every day at 3 pm, didn¡¯t stay upte, and stopped eating cold things. No matter how busy I was, I went to the gym every week.¡±

    He Jichen felt the spot on his back, where Ji Yi was leaning up against, bing wet.

    ¡°I also wanted to tell you that after you left, I haven¡¯t eaten hot and spicy soup again.¡±

 Chapter 801

    Chapter 801: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°After you left, I worked hard to live how you hoped I would. I did it because it felt like you were still with me...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s fingers by his sides gently curled and tightly clenched into his palms.

    He didn¡¯t say a thing as the woman glued to his back cried violently and quickly drenched a big patch of his shirt.

    She loosened her grip around his waist then ced her face even closer to his body. ¡°I really do like you. I didn¡¯t develop feelings for you just because of all the things you did for me.¡±

    ¡°I realized I liked you when I found out that everything you did for me that night, two years ago at the television awards, was just to help me attack Qian Ge.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t dare tell you because I married Yuguang Ge and I didn¡¯t want to be a thorn between you two brothers...¡±

    ¡°But He Jichen, did you know? I liked you before I even knew it. Maybe I knew the moment we watched fireworks together two Chinese New Years ago; or maybe I knew even before that, when you told me that without YC, I¡¯d still have you; or maybe even earlier than that, when you fired director Lin for me, or when we took that evening stroll by West Lake during the shoot for ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were the one who arranged the sky full ofnterns that evening, not Yuguang Ge. If I knew you were pretending to be Yuguang Ge and that the one typing on the phone all along was you, I never would¡¯ve rejected you!¡±

    ¡°You told me to believe you, and I do. You¡¯ve really been with me throughout myeback and you¡¯ve also helped me get back everything bit by bit. The annual television awards will be held again in a few days¡¯ time. I¡¯m nominated for the best actress and I might get the best leading female award forst year¡¯s popr release of ¡®Jiuchong Pce.¡¯ For the past year, my career has gone smoothly and I¡¯ve been living a morous life every day. It¡¯s just as you said before about how I would reach the peak of sess, but I¡¯m not happy in the slightest. I feel like the whole world is shrouded in darkness because you, who brought me to my brightest heights step by step, weren¡¯t by my side. For the past year, even when I was well off, I would think back to my days with you. Although I wasn¡¯t famous, and although Qian Ge also bullied me back then, that was when I was happiest...¡±

    ¡°Everyone says that ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯ is a drama I should be most proud of, but they don¡¯t know about the pain I ignored for the past year or so.¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, the sound of a broken sob escaped her mouth. ¡°He Jichen, do you know why I tricked you intoing here today?¡±

    ¡°I wanted to propose to you...¡±

    Propose... He Jichen¡¯s body swayed slightly.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything more as silence encircled the two of them once again.

    After who knew how much time passed, Ji Yi said with a quiet murmur, ¡°He Jichen, do you really not n on being with me anymore?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to speak and continued to go on.

    ¡°But I know you still love me. At Lc, you were stunned to see me. At your apartment, when I grabbed on and wouldn¡¯t let you go see Xia Yuan out, you caved in. Even just now, when you saw me fighting someone, your first reaction was to call Chen Bai and order him to do a bunch of things just like before...¡±

    ¡°So, He Jichen... you still want to be with me, right?¡±

 Chapter 802

    Chapter 802: I Don¡¯t Want Someone Better, I Just Want You (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°So, He Jichen... you still want to be with me right?¡±

    He Jichen had been staring out at the tall windows since Ji Yi started speaking, but when she finished, his gaze became a little dazed.

    She said she liked him and she knew she liked him a long time ago.

    She said she missed the days they spent together.

    She also said she tricked him here today to propose to him.

    For his entire life, this was something from his wildest dreams.

    He wanted to tell her he wanted to be with her.

    But the words boiled a million times over in his chest. Every time the words approached his lips, they were swallowed right back down.

    He couldn¡¯t say them out loud because he knew far too well what it really meant to nod and agree to her.

    It meant that people like those three women from the red plum garden tonight would be pointing fingers at her.

    By then, people would no longer be giving Ji Yi nice nicknames like the ¡°queen of tv ratings,¡± or the ¡°nation¡¯s first love.¡± Instead, they¡¯d be calling her the ¡°murderer¡¯s wife¡± and saying that her husband killed someone.

    She was the girl he truly loved and watched over from the time he was young.

    She was the one who made him experience how it felt to like someone and know how to treat them properly. From her, he learned how to fall deeply in love with someone.

    He expended an enormous amount of blood, sweat, and tears to sessfully create the wonderful life she now lived today.

    How could he bear to personally sully her wonderful life?

    He Jichen didn¡¯t realize it until now, but the most painful thing wasn¡¯t when the person you loved didn¡¯t love you back. It was when you clearly loved each other, but you couldn¡¯t persuade yourself to be with her.

    He really couldn¡¯t do it.

    Even if what she just said really touched his heart; even if he could clearly see his heart being shaken up by her...

    He still couldn¡¯t do it.

    He couldn¡¯t allow her to unnecessarily bear the burden of the rumors and hateful words for him, He Jichen.

    Deep in thought, He Jichen felt the grip on his back loosening up. He then lowered his head to see Ji Yi¡¯s hands had let go of his waist.

    He heard a rustling noise from behind him as Ji Yi¡¯s hands quickly reached out in front of him.

    Her fingers were pinching a diamond ring. The light shone down on the diamond ring which radiated bright rays of light.

    ¡°He Jichen, it took me a long time to pick out this ring. Isn¡¯t it beautiful?¡±

    ¡°Look on the inside. I even asked someone to engrave it. It¡¯s the word ¡®Ji¡¯.¡±

    As Ji Yi spoke, He Jichen really did check the ¡®Ji¡¯ on the inside of the ring.

    It felt like a lump was stuck in He Jichen¡¯s throat. It felt so bad that he wanted to swallow, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t even do such a simple thing.

    Sitting behind He Jichen, Ji Yi got up, walked around, and stood in front of him.

    With her shoes off, she was so much shorter than him that she had to lift her head when she looked at him.

    The crystal lights in the living room shone on top of her head, allowing the light to fall into her eyes, making them glisten.

    There was a degree of sincerity in her eyes as she stared at him, and the corners of her lips pursed slightly. ¡°He Jichen, you...¡± she said.

    He Jichen guessed what Ji Yi was going to say as he didn¡¯t wait for her to finish speaking. As though by reflex, he interrupted her. ¡°Xiao Yi, you deserve someone better.¡±

    Ji Yi almost blurted out: Will you marry me?, but after two seconds of silence, she quietly replied, ¡°But I don¡¯t want someone better.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want someone better. I just want you.¡±

 Chapter 803

    Chapter 803: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Maybe the light in her eyes seemed resolute; they were so piercing that He Jichen instinctively had to turn his head away to avoid her gaze.

    ¡± I don¡¯t want someone better, I just want you¡±... what a maddening thing to say...

    He Jichen felt his ruthless heart starting to sway from when he rejected her earlier.

    ¡°He Jichen, if I¡¯m ever going to marry in my lifetime, I¡¯m definitely going to marry you!¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi,¡± said He Jichen suddenly as he interrupted her again.

    It seemed like Ji Yi hadn¡¯t heard He Jichen and she continued to say, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you n to be with me or not. Besides, I decided that you¡¯re mine for life!¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi!¡± cried He Zhichen again.

    That was when Ji Yi stopped speaking.

    He Jichen stared at the nearby wall for a while then he turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi.

    His pitch-ck eyes barely carried any emotion. He stared at her for just two seconds then cried her name again with a t voice.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes stared at He Jichen without blinking or uttering a word.

    The room fell quiet for a moment before He Jichen¡¯s lips moved again. Before he could speak, a piercing pain rose from the bottom of his heart. ¡°Find some time. Let¡¯s go to the civil office and let¡¯s get a divorce.¡±

    In actuality, he should¡¯ve gotten a divorce long before he left Beijing. However, he just couldn¡¯t bear to do it and wanted to leave himself a single memory to hold dear.

    Even though he had to painfully break off their final connection, it would really be worth it.

    Considering what Ji Yi said today, he was sure that the story of his love for her hade to a perfect end.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to!¡± Ji Yi shook her head without a second thought.

    He Jichen ignored her and continued on: ¡°Wait till I contact someone then I¡¯ll call you toe right over and sign the papers. Then it¡¯ll be sorted.¡±

    ¡°I told you I don¡¯t want to! Quit trying to get a divorce. I¡¯m telling you that I¡¯ll never divorce you!¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want toe over, don¡¯t worry. I can do it alone. I¡¯ll tell you once it¡¯s done.¡± After he said this, He Jichen walked right around Ji Yi without a moment¡¯s hesitation and headed for the front floor.

    ¡°He Jichen, did you hear what I said? I said I don¡¯t want to get a divorce...¡± as Ji Yi said this, she chased after He Jichen.

    He Jichen¡¯s footsteps didn¡¯t slow down in the slightest and sped up instead. In a short while, he put quite some distance between himself and Ji Yi.

    ¡°You want to divorce me? He Jichen, quit dreaming! Don¡¯t even think about it!¡± Ji Yi¡¯s walk turned into a run.

    Just after she said this, the door mmed with a loud *bang!* The only person left was Ji Yi.

    When Ji Yi reached the front door, she opened the door and ran down the hallway, but the silhouette of He Jichen had already disappeared.

    Ji Yi knew that this time, she wouldn¡¯t be able to catch up to He Jichen. She was so angry that she kicked the hallway wall, but since she wasn¡¯t wearing any shoes, pain shot up from the soles of her feet.

    She let out a cold breath and limped back to the room as she furiously mmed the door shut. At the thought of He Jichen¡¯s words before he left, she grabbed the cushion on the sofa and fiercely tossed it to the floor.

    ¨C

    That night, He Jichen seriously pissed off Ji Yi.

    After He Jichen left, she grabbed her phone and called him several times. He didn¡¯t pick up, so she figured she might as well start to send him angry text messages.

    He never replied, and the longer he ignored her, the angrier she got. It wasn¡¯t until she fussed about this till three in the morning that it finally forced her to fall asleep.

    Ji Yi thought she wouldn¡¯t hear about He Jichen for a long time. She never imagined that she¡¯d get a call about He Jichen bright and early the next morning.

 Chapter 804

    Chapter 804: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi sleptte, so when she was woken up by her phone, she was incredibly groggy. She waspletely dazed for a moment before she realized her phone was ringing at all. Then she shut her eyes and dug around by her pillow for her phone for a long time with her muddled head.

    Since she was seriously sleepy, her eyelids felt like they were glued together. Ji Yi tried really hard to force them open.

    She saw that the caller on the screen was Ning Shuang.

    Ji Yi took the call and mumbled ¡°hey¡± then shut her eyes tightly again.

    ¡°Miss Ji, this is Ning Shuang...¡±

    She was truly sleepy, so Ji Yi groggily replied ¡°mhm¡± but nothing more.

    ¡°Yesterday, didn¡¯t you guys sessfully get He Jichen toe out? Don¡¯t tell me you and him didn¡¯t talk things through?¡±

    She called just to say this... thought Ji Yi groggily without replying to Ning Shuang.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wanted to propose to him? Don¡¯t tell me you didn¡¯t do it?¡±

    Ji Yi was still half-awake and she started to loosen her fingers up around her phone. ¡°I proposed,¡± she said while daydreaming as she replied to Ning Shuang.

    ¡°You proposed. So why does he still want to leave?¡±

    Ji Yi was so sleepy that she almost fell asleep again. Her mind was incredibly sluggish, so although she heard what Ning Shuang said, she hadn¡¯t processed what she meant.

    ¡°And he¡¯s leaving in a real hurry. He¡¯s leaving three days from now!¡±

    When Ning Shuang finished speaking, Ji Yi¡¯s mind started to register what she said earlier.

    Why does he still want to leave? Why does he still want to leave? Leave?

    Ji Yi¡¯s brows furrowed slightly as she hadn¡¯tpletelye back to her senses. The next thing Ning Shuang said bore into her ears.

    What¡¯s more, he¡¯s leaving in a hurry. He¡¯s leaving in three days from now...

    Three days from now... Today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and three days from now... which means he only has three days left in Beijing?

    With those thoughts running through Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she felt like she suffered the biggest shock. She slumped down in bed,pletely awake. ¡°What did you say? He Jichen¡¯s going to leave? Where¡¯s he going?¡±

    ¡°Last night, he got back reallyte, really drunk. I only found out because thedy at the front desk called me. I went downstairs and carried him up to his room with the hotel attendant. He rambled on drunkenly for a whole night. Something about being sorry, something like: ¡®I want to be with you. More than anyone else, I want you to be with someone better...¡¯¡±

    It felt like something was prodding Ji Yi¡¯s heart. She felt hurt and bitter as she couldn¡¯t help but tightly clutch her phone.

    Ning Shuang thought he was just spewing drunken words, but Ji Yi knew he was replying to what she told himst night in the executive room at the Golden Lounge.

    ¡°...I stayed upte against night, taking care of my dad at the hospital. I was seriously deprived of sleep, so after I took care of He Jichen, I wanted to wait for him to drink some hangover soup then head back to the room after he sobered up. In the end, I identally dozed off on the sofa. When I woke up, before I could open my eyes, I heard him on the phone... he said he was going to book a flight in two days¡¯ time. He didn¡¯t say where he was going over the phone... but he said he didn¡¯t need a return ticket.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji, do you know how hard I worked to trick him intoing back from France? I did it because I wanted him to be with you, but if he goes just like that, then I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t ever be able to find him again!¡±

 Chapter 805

    Chapter 805: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Miss Ji, I really don¡¯t have any other ideas, so I called you to think of a n.¡±

    Ning Shuang probably noticed Ji Yi hadn¡¯t said anything for a while and thought she was just hesitating. She paused for a few seconds with the phone in her hand and spoke again.

    ¡°He Jichen really likes you. Back in the French town, he came to the bar I worked at every day. At first, I thought he came often because he was a regr, butter, I found out that wasn¡¯t it. It was because our bar had a big screen with yourmercial on it...¡±

    ¡°I only noticed He Jichen because of the bartender. He was sitting in a dim area. At the time, I didn¡¯t even know how he looked. I was purely curious, so when I went to the restroom, I deliberately walked around him. That was the first time I heard your name. He was a drunken mess syed out on the table as he called and called for Xiao Yi...¡±

    As Ji Yi heard this, her lips pursed but she stayed silent.

    ¡°...In the same night, when I finished work and was heading back home, I saw him crouched by the side of the road. I called him a few times but he ignored me. Later, he finally looked up and I thought he was looking at me, but I found out he was looking at the ad on the screen behind me.¡±

    ¡°Later on, he fainted... so I took him to the hospital. After I woke up, he was standing by the bed, smoking while staring at his phone. His fingers tapped the screen a few times but then he withdrew his fingers. After I got closer, I saw he wanted to call your number, so I asked him why he didn¡¯t just do it and why he didn¡¯t just follow his heart. In response, he told me he was already following his heart. A lotter, I realized that he was using that method to think about you. He really never wanted to call you because you would call someone if you liked them, but if you really loved someone, you would be able to not call them.¡±

    Ji Yi lowered her eyes to hide the pain in her eyes.

    The next second, she tapped to put Ning Shuang on speakerphone then opened her schedule.

    ¡°He practically spent half the year in a drunken trance. He drank until his stomach bled and drank until the doctor gave a serious warning for him to stop drinking or he¡¯d die!¡±

    ¡°For the past year or so, him and I never really spent a lot of time together. However, I rarely ever saw him sleeping until daylight...¡±

    The annual television awards would be held two days from now at eight in the evening.

    Ji Yi stared motionlessly at the itinerary.

    ¡°Miss Ji, I told you everything so you realize He Jichen really likes you. He just doesn¡¯t want to drag you down, but I think it doesn¡¯t matter. People who mutually love each other should be together, so who cares what the world says...¡±

    Ning Shuang spoke on the phone for a long time, but seeing as Ji Yi hadn¡¯t said anything from the very beginning, she wasn¡¯t sure if Ji Yi was going to try to stop He Jichen. ¡°Miss Ji? Miss Ji?¡± said Ning Shuang again.

    She cried ¡°Miss Ji¡± several times but got no response. Just as she was about to continue calling her, Ji Yi stared at the phone screen that read ¡°television awards¡± and suddenly said, ¡°If things went back to how they were before like nothing happened, then he¡¯lle back to my side?¡±

 Chapter 806

    Chapter 806: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°If things go back to how they were before like nothing happened, then he¡¯lle back to my side?¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s tone of voice was so soft that she sounded like she was talking to herself. Some words were spoken so quietly that Ning Shuang couldn¡¯t catch what she said. ¡°What?¡± she asked in confusion.

    Over the phone, Ji Yi stopped talking.

    Ning Shuang waited for a while then spoke out again. ¡°Miss Ji, what did you say?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± came Ji Yi¡¯s voice from the phone. Her voice sounded really quiet as though she hadn¡¯t said anything at all. ¡°I got it. Thank you for calling to tell me. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m going to hang up first.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji...¡± Ning Shuang noticed Ji Yi¡¯s voice sounded a little t and distant, so she thought Ji Yi wasn¡¯t going to stop He Jichen. When she heard Ji Yi was going to hang up, she anxiously tried to stop her.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t hesitate in the slightest like she hadn¡¯t just heard the anxiousness in Ning Shuang¡¯s voice. Then she continued on her own train of thought, said ¡°goodbye¡± and hung up the phone.

    Without Ning Shuang¡¯s voice in her ear, the entire world was a lot quieter.

    It seemed like Ji Yi slipped into some kind of conflicted thought as she stared at the corner of the bed in a daze for a while before she gazed at her phone screen.

    She unlocked her phone to see the schedule which she hadn¡¯t closed.

    She stared at the ¡°television awards¡± reminder for a long time without so much as blinking. All of a sudden, a determined glow appeared in her eyes like she had just made a life-changing decision.

    ¨C

    He Jichen called Ji Yi the day after Ning Shuang called.

    When he called, Ji Yi was in a photo shoot and her phone wasn¡¯t on her, so she couldn¡¯t take the call.

    She didn¡¯t see his iing call until she finished and finally had time for a breather to get a drink. Tang Huahua handed Ji Yi her bag, so she pulled out her phone and saw his missed call on the screen.

    Ji Yi vaguely knew what He Jichen called to say.

    She wasn¡¯t in a hurry to pick up the call, so after she casually drank a bottle of water, she then gave Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua beside her, who were chatting and giggling away, the excuse of going to the restroom to walk away on her own.

    Ji Yi walked out of the set and found a remote ce to call He Jichen back.

    He Jichen was probably busy as the phone rang a few times before it was picked up. ¡°Hello,¡± cried He Jichen in a t voice.

    Ji Yi ¡®s fingers clutched the phone tightly as she tried her best to sound natural like she was having a casual conversation. ¡°You called me?¡± she replied.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± With He Jichen¡¯s reply, Ji Yi could hear an exhale through the phone. She knew it was He Jichen smoking.

    Ji Yi waited until after the sound of the exhale had disappeared before she asked, ¡°Is there something wrong?¡±

    It was quiet over the phone for a while before He Jichen said, ¡°I contacted people at the civil office.¡±

    It was just as I thought ¨C he called me to tell me about the divorce procedures.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything.

    Over the phone, He Jichen said again, ¡°Check to see if you¡¯ve got some free time and if you really can¡¯te, I¡¯ll give you the information and send someone over for you to sign...¡±

    ¡°Definitely not today. Tomorrow¡¯s the television awards, so I¡¯ll be in C city.¡± Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to finish when she interrupted him. ¡°Can you do the morning of the day after tomorrow?¡±

    The call was silent for a while then He Jichen¡¯s indifferent-sounding voice was heard: ¡°Yeah.¡±

 Chapter 807

    Chapter 807: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    With practically no break in between, He Jichen¡¯s voice came out from the phone again: ¡°There¡¯s nothing else. If you have nothing else to say then...¡±

    ¡°He Jichen...¡± Ji Yi interrupted He Jichen for the second time.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t keep speaking but he didn¡¯t respond to her either.

    ¡°...Do we really have to do this?¡± eximed Ji Yi.

    He Jichen¡¯s silence informed Ji Yi of his answer.

    ¡°If you really insist on doing this, then can you do me a favor?¡±

    He Jichen remained quiet on the phone for three seconds before finally saying, ¡°Go on...¡±

    ¡°In the past, you told me you would walk with me one step at a time to the highest peak in my life. The television awards is tomorrow and I¡¯m nominated. If you¡¯re not busy, then can youe to the live show? Take it as a perfect ending to us being together. What we agreed on in the past can also be...¡± Ji Yi seemed so sad that she couldn¡¯t finish speaking. Then, after a pause, she continued by saying, ¡°...our farewell.¡±

    After Ji Yi said her piece, the call fell silent.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know how long she was quiet for. Maybe it was just for a minute or maybe it was just thirty seconds, but Ji Yi felt like it was as long as an eternity.

    Just when she thought He Jichen wouldn¡¯t answer and thought she needed to think of something else to say to persuade him, his voice came from the phone: ¡°Okay.¡±

    It seemed like a giant rock crushing Ji Yi¡¯s heart had been removed. She secretly let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Do you have an invitation? Do you need Zhuang Yi to send one over to you?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to go through that trouble. I can do it myself,¡± replied He Jichen more quickly this time.

    ¡°So... see you tomorrow night.¡±

    ¡°See you tomorrow night.¡±

    Ji Yi was stunned for two seconds when she heard He Jichen¡¯s reply as she lowered the phone from her ear and pressed the button to hang up.

    Ji Yi stood there for a while in a remote corner without a single person around. Then she headed back to the studio, clutching her phone.

    Tang Huahua nced at Ji Yi and immediately rushed over to her. ¡°Xiao Yi, Chen Bai and I were just chatting. Do you know who he saw today?¡±

    Tang Huahua was clearly asking Ji Yi a question, but she didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to guess. She couldn¡¯t help blurting out: ¡°Cheng Weiwan!¡±

    ¨C

    Chen Bai really did bump into Cheng Weiwan.

    It happened three hours ago at Muqing Publishing.

    Muqing Publishing¡¯s boss was Lin Muqing. There were countless best-selling books published under her management.

    Chen Bai was only in touch with Lin Muqing because this year, Muqing Publishing released an explosive collection of books. Huan Ying Entertainment wanted to buy them and adapt them into dramas.

    One story was called ¡°Lost¡± The author¡¯s name was just a single letter: C.

    At first, Chen Bai wanted to contact the author named C directly, but this author gave all their copyrights to the publishing house, so Chen Bai had to speak to Lin Muqing.

    ¡°Lost¡± was so popr that countless televisionpanies were fighting for the book¡¯s copyrights. Chen Bai tried to book a meeting with Lin Muqing for a week before he finally set up a meeting time.

    Chen Bai and Lin Muqing had a meeting at two in the afternoon at the publishing house.

    At noon, Lin Muqing and Cheng Weiwan had lunch together. With them was Cheng Weiwan¡¯s one-and-a-half-year-old son, Cheng Han.

    In this world, aside from Lin Muqing and Cheng Weiwan, no one else knew that the author of ¡°Lost,¡± ¡°C,¡± was Cheng Weiwan.

    In the first year Cheng Weiwan started to write her book, she met Lin Muqing, who was responsible for publishing all her books.

 Chapter 808

    Chapter 808: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At first, the two women really did be closer because of work, but ten years passed and their friendship grew stronger.

    So, aside from knowing Cheng Weiwan was the author of ¡°Lost,¡± Lin Muqing also knew Cheng Weiwan¡¯s biggest secrets.

    For example, that Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t actually abort her baby.

    And for example, that Cheng Han was Han Zhifan¡¯s son.

    And for example, that even though Cheng Han lived with Cheng Weiwan and called Cheng Weiwan ¡°Mummy,¡± he was legally Lin Muqing¡¯s son.

    Over lunch, Lin Muqing hesitated again but eventually said what was on her mind for thest two days. ¡°Wanwan.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was feeding Cheng Han when Lin Muqing spoke. She didn¡¯t look back at her but softly replied ¡°hm?¡± then spoke to Cheng Han sitting in the baby chair. ¡°Hanhan, no matter how naughty you are, if you aren¡¯t willing to eat, mummy¡¯s gonna get mad.¡±

    When Cheng Weiwan fed the rice into Cheng Han¡¯s mouth, Lin Muqing said, ¡°I saw him.¡±

    There was a hidden meaning in Lin Muqing¡¯s words. Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t react immediately, but she continued to feed Cheng Han rice as she casually asked, ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°Who else could it be? Him...¡±

    When Cheng Weiwan heard this, she slowed down stirring the rice significantly. She didn¡¯t have much emotion on her face, but her eyes clearly became dimmer. However, this glimpse of emotion quickly disappeared without a trace. She watched Cheng Han finishing the rice in his mouth then she scooped up another spoonful of rice and brought it over to Cheng Han¡¯s mouth. ¡°So you saw him. Why¡¯d you have to tell me?¡±

    ¡°Hanhan saw him too.¡±

    Lin Muqing¡¯s sentence made Cheng Weiwan¡¯s hand tremble. The entire spoonful of rice spilled into the bowl.

    ¡°It happened two days ago when you were unwell and asked me to help take care of Cheng Han so you could go to the hospital for a drip. However, at thest minute, something important came up and I couldn¡¯t take Hanhan to the hospital because I was scared of him catching something. All I could do was take Hanhan with me on business. On the way, Hanhan was screaming to go to the bathroom, so I took him. After he finished peeing, I wanted to go too, so I told him to wait for me and to not run off. In the end, he didn¡¯t listen to me and ran out, almost scaring me to death...¡± After saying so much, Lin Muqing stopped for a moment then secretly nced at Cheng Weiwan. Seeing that the expression on her face was considerably okay, she got to the main point. ¡°...after I ran out of the bathroom, I saw him.¡±

    The more Lin Muqing spoke, the quieter she was. ¡°He held Hanhan. I don¡¯t know what Hanhan said, but Hanhan even called him daddy. I didn¡¯t dare stay for long, so I took Hanhan and rushed out of there.¡±

    ¡°Wanwan, that day really was an ident. I never imagined it would be such a coincidence. For the past two days, I¡¯ve been thinking about whether or not I should tell you, but I was also scared you¡¯d overthink things. However, it all happened two days ago and seeing that he hasn¡¯t made a move, I don¡¯t think Hanhan actually said anything to him that day. He must¡¯ve not thought too much about it, so I¡¯m telling you about it today.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± said Cheng Weiwan after she heard what Lin Muqing said. Then she picked up the spoon, scooped another spoonful of rice and brought it to Cheng Han¡¯s mouth.

    After Cheng Weiwan¡¯s ¡°oh,¡± Lin Muqing didn¡¯t react at all. Realizing that Cheng Weiwan was deliberately avoiding everything to do with Han Zhifan, she didn¡¯t say anything else.

 Chapter 809

    Chapter 809: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When they finished eating, Lin Muqing nced at the time and asked, ¡°Do you still need to head back to the publishing house?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Hanhan¡¯s milk bottle, diapers, and the cold medicine he needs to take are in your office.¡±

    ¡°Then let¡¯s head back now. I have an appointment with Chen Bai at two. He used to work with you at YC, and the two of you were close, so he¡¯ll definitely know the truth if he sees you and Hanhan together. Let¡¯s head back early and get your things then leave with Hanhan.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan listened to all this and replied to Lin Muqing with ¡°Alright¡± without any hesitation. She raised her hand and called the waiter for the bill.

    The restaurant Cheng Weiwan and Lin Muqing were at was quite close to the publishing house ¨C it was just a five-minute walk away.

    They came out of the restaurant at ten past one, so it was sixteen past one when they got back to the publishing house.

    The appointment with Chen Bai was for two, so no matter what time Lin Muqing and Cheng Weiwan got back, Chen Bai never thought he would arrive that early.

    But some people were destined to meet and some stories were destined to never end. Nobody could escape or avoid the n the Lord had prepared.

    That day, Chen Bai had a business lunch in the afternoon near Muqing Publishing. However, after he rushed over, the person he was supposed to meet canceled at thest minute.

    There were still two hours until 2 PM. It was too much of a hassle to head back to the office, so Chen Bai figured he would randomly find somewhere to eat on his own. Then he headed over to Muqing Publishing early.

    He came out of the elevator and was just about to give his name to thedy at the front desk. In the end, he only managed to say ¡°Chen¡± when all of a sudden, a soft voice said from behind, ¡°Mummy! Hurry up, mummy!¡±

    Chen Bai casually nced over to see an adorable little-steamed bun running out of the publishing house.

    There were two women behind the little-steamed bun; one was a woman he¡¯d seen photos of who he recognized as the owner of Muqing Publishing. The other person was someone he was very familiar with. He was so familiar with her that he thought he was seeing things. He couldn¡¯t believe he and her were meeting again there.

    Chen Bai saw Cheng Weiwan the same moment that Cheng Weiwan saw him.

    The two of them were stunned at the same time.

    Lin Muqing didn¡¯t notice anything amiss at first. When she sensed something was off with the atmosphere, she instinctively wanted to carry Cheng Han into her own office. Cheng Han saw Cheng Weiwan standing at the door without going inside. He shuffled back to Cheng Weiwan, reached out his chubby little hand and grabbed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s pants and cried, ¡°Mummy.¡±

    The two of them were stunned at the same time.

    That one word made Chen Bai suddenly widen his eyes.

    His gaze turned back and forth between Cheng Weiwan and the little-steamed bun. After some time, he said inplete astonishment, ¡°Screenwriter Cheng, is this your child?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan suddenly came back to her senses. Without saying a word, she bent over, picked up Cheng Han, and ran out of the publishing house.

    Chen Bai instinctively bolted, wanting to run after her when Lin Muqing reached out and stopped Chen Bai.

    ...

    After leaving Muqing Publishing that day, Chen Bai was torn.

    it wasn¡¯t until twelve at night that he ended up calling Han Zhifan.

    ¨C

    The next day, Ji Yi got on a ne in the afternoon with Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua bound for C city.

    Since the weather was bad, the ne was dyed and there was practically no time to rest when they reached the hotel. They had Ji Yi¡¯s makeup done and they started to get ready for the television awards.

 Chapter 810

    Chapter 810: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The Television Awards was going to be held at C city¡¯s gymnasium which was quite a distance away from the hotel Ji Yi was staying at.

    So after Ji Yi got her makeup done, by the time she changed into her gown and finished getting styled, it was almost time to leave.

    Thepany booked the hotel. By coincidence, it was the same hotel He Jichen stayed atst year when he attended the television awards in C city.

    As she stepped out of the room, Zhuang Yi suggested Ji Yi take a full body shot and post it on Weibo for publicity before tonight¡¯s awards.

    Ji Yi listened to Zhuang Yi¡¯s suggestion without any objections. She raised the hem of her dress and took a few steps forward. After Zhuang Yi cried ¡°good,¡± she came to a stop.

    She fixed her dress a little, lifted her head, and broke into a perfect smile towards Zhuang Yi¡¯s raised phone.

    After she finished taking the photos, Ji Yi was just about to walk over to Zhuang Yi and check the photo when her gaze caught the room number: ¡°3618.¡±

    Ji Yi instinctively stopped walking and looked over at the tightly-shut door of room 3618.

    This was the room He Jichen stayed inst year.

    The Television Awardsst year happened tond on her birthday. The birthday present he gave her wasn¡¯t just the devastating blow to Qian Ge but also a tree of lipstick in this very room.

    It was in this room when she realized she had fallen deeply and silently in love with him a long time ago.

    Zhuang Yi saw that Ji Yi wasn¡¯ting over to her, so she hurriedly came over herself.

    ¡°Xiao Yi, wait a minute. I¡¯ll just adjust the lighting...¡±

    Zhuang Yi stopped by Ji Yi¡¯s side and kept her head lowered, editing the photo on her phone.

    Ji Yi ignored Zhuang Yi and stared unwaveringly at the door to room 3618. After a while, she murmured, ¡°It¡¯s been two years now. There should be an end to it now...¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s ¡®been two years¡¯? What should have an end to it now?¡± asked Zhuang Yi in confusion. Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply, Zhuang Yi lifted her head in bewilderment and looked over at Ji Yi.

    Zhuang Yi¡¯s gaze hadn¡¯t fallen on Ji Yi¡¯s face yet when Ji Yi withdrew her gaze from the room door after hearing Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice. As though nothing had happened, Ji Yi tilted her head and looked over at the phone in Zhuang Yi¡¯s hand. ¡°How¡¯s the photo?¡±

    Zhuang Yi quickly handed Ji Yi the phone.

    Ji Yi nced at it for two seconds. ¡°Pretty good. Send it to me and I¡¯ll post it on Weibo.¡±

    ¡°Wait, lemme do a final check...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything but walked over to the elevator with Zhuang Yi.

    Tang Huahua headed downstairs and started the car up in advance. She was waiting at the hotel lobby entrance.

    Ji Yi and Zhuang Yi got in the car together. After Tang Huahua left the hotel, Zhuang Yi said, ¡°Xiao Yi, I¡¯m sending you the photo.¡±

    As Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice fell, an alert popped up on Ji Yi¡¯s WeChat. She saved the photo into her photo album then opened WeChat.

    After Ji Yi uploaded the photo on Weibo, she edited the caption. At first, she wanted to write what most artists wrote about the Television Awards. However, after she wrote two words, she deleted one letter after the other. Then, she posted a restyled caption: ¡°I don¡¯t want radiant glory, I just want a lover who won¡¯t leave.¡±

    After the Weibo post was sessfully posted, Ji Yi put her phone away.

    She first leaned back into her chair then shut her eyes for a short while.

    As the car swayed and drove some distance away, she slowly lifted her eyelids. Through the ckened ss windows, she stared out the window.

 Chapter 811

    Chapter 811: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Night was approaching as the lights glistened.

    Ji Yi suddenly remembered what she softly mumbled in the hallway. ¡°It¡¯s been two years. There should be an end to it now...¡±

    Yeah... it¡¯s been two years since I found out I loved him. Our story really should have an ending.

    I hope that after tonight, our ending will be what I hoped.

    ...

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t considerably early orte when she reached the Television Awards.

    Quite a few media outlets recognized Ji Yi¡¯s car when Tang Huahua drove to the entrance of the red carpet. Many reporters carrying cameras and microphones rushed over.

    The car door opened and Zhuang Yi got out of the car first. Even with security blocking them, quite a few microphones reached Zhuang Yi.

    After Ji Yi got out of the car, many reporters started to ask questions.

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, do you have any jobs lined up?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi, we hear you¡¯ll be starring in Director Zhang¡¯s new movie. Is that true?¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji Yi...¡±

    Ji Yi presented her best smile as she avoided those questions. Under Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua¡¯s protection, she walked down the red carpet.

    Both sides of the red carpet were filled with reporters. Ji Yi stopped to give reporters time to take photos after every ten steps.

    The red carpet wasn¡¯t long, but it took ten whole minutes to walk to the end.

    By the signing area, Ji Yi signed autographs and greeted the outdoors presenter. Then she lifted the hem of her dress and walked over to the gymnasium.

    Inside, the seats were full. Every audience member sitting in the back was less famous. After seeing Ji Yi entering, they brought up their phones one after the other to take photos. Some even came over to take photos with her and get autographs.

    Ji Yi held her elegant and generousposure to satisfy everyone¡¯s requests then walked off.

    After passing the third row, Ji Yi and Qian Ge saw each other at the same time.

    The moment their eyes met, infinite glints of cold steel shed out of nowhere.

    Sitting beside Qian Ge was Xie Siyao, her aplice in the car ident back then. When Ji Yi brushed across Qian Ge, she caught a glimpse of her and Xie Siyao¡¯s hands tightly held together, and a cold glow arose from her eyes.

    It wasn¡¯t long ago when Ji Yi and Qian Ge used to be like that too ¨C holding hands wherever they went, including when they went to the bathroom between sses. If one of them wanted to go and the other didn¡¯t, they would still go together.

    Now, Qian Ge was doing what they used to do with other people, and that other person was the one who targeted her and argued many times with countless people to defend her.

    There were people from the industry everywhere, so Ji Yi wasn¡¯t going to do anything stupid like getting into an argument with Qian Ge.

    Even if she pissed her off, all she could do was pretend nothing happened and walk up the steps to the second row. She found her seat and sat down.

    It was really loud. Everyone was chatting with people they knew, but there were also others who wanted an opportunity to work with her, trying their best to get closer to her.

    Ji Yi was surrounded by everyone she worked with. By the time she finished greeting them, the male and female presenter was already up on stage.

    Without waiting for the presenters to speak up, everyone quieted down.

    The presenters were extremely skilled as they were able to make the entire audienceugh numerous times in three short minutes of talking back and forth from the moment they greeted everyone.

    The two presenters didn¡¯t chat for too long. At the most suitable time, they entered the awards section of the show.

 Chapter 812

    Chapter 812: A Confession For The Whole Would to Hear (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The awards ceremony was the same as every other year.

    There was an interlude between every award where guest award presenters would say a few words, and the winners would give their speech.

    In actuality, there weren¡¯t many award categories, so quite a lot of time was allotted for each award. They were two and a half hours into the show by the time the awards for the best actor and best actress were presented.

    The awards for best actor and actress had always been the highlight of the Television Awards, so the presenters couldn¡¯t contain their excitement as they entered this award category.

    ¡°I think the most highly-anticipated part of our Television Awards must be the following segment of the show,¡± said the male presenter.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m already really excited. I want to to know which male and female artist will take the two biggest awards this year,¡± said the female presenter.

    ¡°Who do you think it will be?¡± asked the male presenter in an attempt to trap the female presenter.

    ¡°I¡¯m not guessing just in case I offend someone,¡± said the female presenter.

    The entire audienceughed. Then the male presenter cued the guest presenter to step onto the stage.

    After the guest went up on stage and stood between the two presenters, the female presenter announced, ¡°First of all, let¡¯s bring our attention to the big screen. Here are the nominees for this year¡¯s award for best actress...¡±

    The final video was the most memorable scene of ¡°Jiuchong Pce.¡± The female lead was standing in a long hallway, staring at the male lead¡¯s back as he walked further and further away. All of a sudden, she cried, ¡°Can we really not go back to how things used to be?¡±

    After the video finished ying, it stopped at the image of Ji Yi crying from the corners of her eyes. ¡°And the fourth nominee for this year¡¯s best actress is Ji Yi from ¡®Jiuchong Pce.¡¯¡±

    The entire audience erupted in apuse like an iing tide.

    After the apuse subsided, the two presenters and the guest deliberately built up tension for a while before the male presenter made a gesture to signal the guest to finally announce the result.

    The guest opened the card the staff gave her before she stepped up on stage. She nced at it for a second before reading out: ¡°The winner of this year¡¯s best actress award goes to...¡±

    The guest purposefully stopped.

    There was a long silence. It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

    After about ten seconds, the guest smiled and continued to say into the tall microphone: ¡°The female lead for ¡®Jiuchong Pce,¡¯ Ji Yi.¡±

    Another thunderous roar of apuse ensued.

    Amidst the apuse, the female presenter said, ¡°Let¡¯s wee Ji Yi up on stage to collect her award!¡±

    Ji Yi made her way to the stage. She first shook hands with one artist after another on the way, each congratting her. She even gave the director of ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± a big hug before she made her way up to the dazzling stage.

    ¡°Congrattions! Congrattions!¡±

    Both presenters gave Ji Yi a hug.

    The guest award presenter handed Ji Yi the award. Ji Yi reached both hands out then she held the award with one hand while hugging the guest with the other hand.

    After the hugs, the guest stepped off the stage first.

    The presenters surrounded Ji Yi and asked a few questions.

    ¡°Are you delighted?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Are you excited?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Amidst the entire hall ofughter, the male presenter announced that the remaining amount of time would be left to Ji Yi as the female presenter retreated to the side of the stage.

    Ji Yi was wearing a starry dress and under the stage lights, the dense stars on the dress glowed brightly.

 Chapter 813

    Chapter 813: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi held the microphone and stood silently on stage for two seconds before raising it to her mouth. ¡°I¡¯m a little nervous,¡± she said.

    Her one sentence made the live audience burst intoughter again.

    ¡°I¡¯m serious. I¡¯m really nervous.¡±

    This time, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t over-hesitant to continue speaking.

    ¡°Honestly speaking, I really can¡¯t believe I won the award for best actress tonight.¡±

    ¡°In my hands, this award...¡± As Ji Yi said this, she raised the award up high. ¡°...feels heavy, real heavy, and this all still feels surreal.¡±

    ¡°All I can say is that I¡¯m very lucky. I came across a good script, a great director, a great production team, and a great partner, so although this award was given to me, it actually belongs to everyone who worked hard on ¡®Jiuchong Pce.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Here, I want to thank mypany, Huan Ying Entertainment; thank Cheng Weiwan, who wrote such a great script for ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯; thank the director of ¡®Jiuchong Pce,¡¯ Director Li; and thank my fans who¡¯ve always supported me. I¡¯m truly grateful.¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she took a deep bow.

    Another round of apuse ensued.

    After the apuse died down, Ji Yi straightened up and brought the mic to her lips. ¡°Besides giving a speech of thanks, I have something even more important to say.¡±

    ¡°I know it¡¯s not very suitable for me to talk about my private life in this kind setting, but I have to say it.¡±

    When Ji Yi received Ning Shuang¡¯s call earlier, she started to write a script for this very scenario.

    On the way to the Television Awards, she ran through what she wanted to say tonight.

    It flowed very well.

    But now that it was time, Ji Yi realized she was actually a little nervous.

    ¡°Yesterday, I got a phone call from someone. I told him, ¡®You said you¡¯d walk step by step with me from the lowest point to the highest point of my career. Tomorrow is the Television Awards and I¡¯m nominated. If you¡¯re free, could youe...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, her gaze scanned the room full of people.

    She was too far away and there were too many people. She had no idea where the person she was looking for was seated.

    ¡°...He agreed to do it. I don¡¯t know where he¡¯s sitting exactly, but I know he¡¯s definitely here.¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, quite a few people started to turn their heads and look all around.

    ¡°A few days ago, on New Year¡¯s Eve, I had an interview with TB. In the interview, the presenter asked me, ¡®Xiao Yi, are you single right now?¡¯¡±

    ¡°I said, ¡®No, I¡¯m not single. I¡¯m just waiting for someone.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Everyone thought I liked someone and that I was waiting for the person I liked toe back.¡±

    ¡°That really wasn¡¯t the case. I¡¯m not single. I¡¯m married.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s casual words incited uproar amongst the audience. Even the two presenters on stage shot a nce of confusion at each other.

    ¡°And the person I¡¯ve been waiting for is my husband.¡±

    ¡°And he¡¯s also the person I just mentioned woulde here in person today.¡±

    ¡°A year ago, because of some issues, he left me. I¡¯ve been waiting a year and seven months for him. This year, I was finally able to see him.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the person who treats me the best in this world. I¡¯ve already missed out several times, so I don¡¯t want to miss any more opportunities.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been as brave as I am today, but this time, I¡¯m willing to be brave for him.¡±

 Chapter 814

    Chapter 814: A Confession For The World To Hear (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I¡¯m not young anymore, and neither are you. After going around in circles, we¡¯ve known each other for twelve years.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to look around anymore. I just want to give you the rest of my life, let you hold my hand and walk together.

    ¡°So, what do you say...¡±

    As she said this, determination rose in her eyes. She didn¡¯t hesitate in the slightest and she didn¡¯t give herself any way of backing down as she said these words while stopping after every character: ¡°...He Jichen?¡±

    He Jichen...

    Everyone present at the ceremony worked in showbiz; there wasn¡¯t a single person who didn¡¯t know that name.

    The moment Ji Yi¡¯s voice dropped, the atmosphere evidently froze a little.

    Ji Yi ignored everything and continued by saying, ¡°He Jichen, you said you wished me all the best, but do you know? Only you can give me the best.¡±

    ¡°He Jichen...¡±

    Ji Yi ¡®s two consecutive mentions of He Jichen¡¯s name made the people beneath the stage graduallye back to their senses.

    It really was He Jichen... Ji Yi confessed for the whole world to hear. It really was He Jichen... That person who many people used to look up to as a young and talented director. That person who blew up on Weibo for being a murderer.

    Some people¡¯s expressions started to gradually turn strange. Some turned their heads and started whispering to others. Other people sitting around Qian Ge turned to look at her.

    The sound of the audience in discussion grew louder.

    Even standing on the stage, Ji Yi could sense everyone¡¯s gazes turn to her with odd looks. However, she raised the microphone to her lips and cried He Jichen¡¯s name again like she hadn¡¯t sensed a thing. ¡°He Jichen, I don¡¯t want to get divorced. I want to be with you through all my sesses and losses.¡±

    That was the best idea she could think of.

    If she stayed in her luxurious world for one more day, He Jichen would nevere back to her side.

    In the past, when she and Qian Ge were still good friends and when everything was going smoothly for her career in showbiz, Fatty told her He Jichen came to Beijing every month to see her. However, she never saw him once until Qian Ge set her up for that car ident which left her with nothing. That was when he finally appeared by her side...

    If she was destined to have to choose between a life of luxury and He Jichen, she was willing to give up the dream she chased her entire life. She was also willing to personally push herself down from her peak back to the very bottom.

    What is love?

    Love is being willing to give up everything for you and me, willing to do everything I can for you.

    With that thought, Ji Yi became a lot more resolute. The nervousness lingering in her bodypletely disappeared without a trace.

    With the microphone in hand, she stared straight ahead and said with a rare assuredness in her voice: ¡°He Jichen, I don¡¯t want wonderful glory; I just want a lover who won¡¯t leave.¡±

    ¡°If you are willing, will youe up on stage to be with me?¡±

    After Ji Yi said this, the rowdy audience quieted down for some reason.

    Everyone¡¯s heads turned left and right.

    Ji Yi looked down at the heads of dark hair and cried again, ¡°He Jichen.¡±

    A minute passed yet still, no one stood up and walked up to the stage.

    ¡°He Jichen,¡± cried Ji Yi without the slightest hint of giving up.

    Another minute passed.

    ¡°He Jichen,¡± Ji Yi cried for the third time.

    This time, Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait too long, maybe about ten seconds, before she moved her lips. However, before she could say the words ¡°He Jichen¡± again, she saw a familiar silhouette standing up in the fifth row.

 Chapter 815

    Chapter 815: A Confession For The Whole World to Hear (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Even though it was rather dim beneath the stage and even though the stage was quite far from the fifth row, Ji Yi could tell with just one look that it was He Jichen.

    He actually came to the show and he stood up. Is heing up on stage to be with me?

    Ji Yi was about to say something when all of a sudden, her mouth froze while slightly gaped. Her eyes were transfixed on his silhouette.

    He Jichen was sitting in the middle of the fifth row. When he stepped out, he had to walk past many people.

    Someone probably recognized him while he was walking through because the atmosphere in the fifth row seemed a little rattled.

    Despite themotion around him, the cold aura from his body never changed as though he hadn¡¯t felt a thing.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze followed He Jichen as he weaved through the crowd. When he stopped at the walkway between the seats, she instinctively held her breath.

    On the left, there was the stage. On the right, there was the exit.

    In that very moment, she put everything on the line and bravely gambled inplete disregard for everything else.

    In front of everyone, she bet on whether he would stay after she confessed for the whole world to hear or leave her there, incredibly embarrassed.

    Even if he got up on stage, she would still have to face a world of chaos, but he wouldn¡¯t be leaving her alone for the world tough at.

    Quite a lot of people beneath the stage immediately zoomed in on Ji Yi¡¯s expression. Everybody watched as she stared in one direction then followed her gaze. Even the people in the back row stood up.

    Almost everyone¡¯s gazes fell on He Jichen¡¯s body.

    Everybody was waiting for him to make a decision.

    As each second passed, the whole gymnasium remained silent for a minute. He Jichen stood in the walkway and slowly moved towards the stage.

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers instinctively clutched onto the award and microphone more tightly. All of a sudden, she became unusually nervous. Her heart started to race uncontrobly and with each beat, it seemed like it was going to jump out of her throat.

    Through the whispering sea of people, He Jichen¡¯s gaze was transfixed on Ji Yi on the stage for a while. He raised his feet, strode up the steps and walked over towards the stage.

    He walked slowly and solemnly but also calmly.

    But Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but hold her breath as she stared at He Jichen drawing closer.

    He Jichen walked over to the walkway which happened to also be the same path Ji Yi took when she entered. As he passed the third row, Qian Ge, who was sitting right by the walkway, looked like she wanted to stand up and stop He Jichen. However, she only managed to make it halfway when Xie Siyao, who was sitting next to her, dragged Qian Ge back down.

    Really quick yet really slow.

    As quick as the blink of an eye. As slow and drawn out as a century.

    He Jichen reached the foot of the stage.

    He raised his head and she lowered hers. They held their gaze for about three seconds before a seriousness and earnestness suddenly reced the dull expression on his face. Then he raised his feet and strode up the stairs. With each step, it felt like his once-in-a-lifetime chance as he set foot on the stage withplete seriousness.

    He took a few steps toward Ji Yi and stopped about five meters away from her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes started to well up as she stared at him, but the corners of his lips curved upward into a smile.

 Chapter 816

    Chapter 816: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (16)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She thought back towards the end of filming for ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± at Hengdian studios. She couldn¡¯t help but softly repeat what she said to him before: ¡°You were the joy of my adolescence.¡±

    She didn¡¯t pause too long and added, ¡°And the person I liked.¡±

    Standing just five meters away, He Jichen¡¯s body swayed for a moment after he heard just half the sentence.

    You were the joy of my adolescence and the person I liked.

    So this was like a confession. I just didn¡¯t understand it at the time.

    So it turned out that she was being sincere when she said that to me. She really did like me earlier than I thought she did.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t know how to describe his current mood. In short, he felt extremely puzzled.

    Ji Yi¡¯splete disregard for her own well-being broke his heart and angered him but also moved him and made him happy.

    In a short instant, he felt like he¡¯d tasted the sweetest things in life yet was enveloped by a thousand regrets.

    He wanted to say something to her, but thousands of words stacked up in his chest. For a moment, he didn¡¯t quite know where to start. In the end, he raised both his hands and rushed over to her with open arms.

    He Jichen just made his gesture when Ji Yi charged at him with lightning speed.

    She knew there were countless people watching them beneath the stage. She also knew she should retain her feminine conservativeness. Even more so, she knew her actions would leave people at a loss for words. However, she couldn¡¯t care less! These onlookers¡¯ gazes were all meaningless because opportunities like this came just once. She waited so arduously for him to return to Beijing and she waited so arduously for him to be with her willingly. She couldn¡¯t give him any chance to regret it.

    With that thought, Ji Yi lunged into He Jichen¡¯s arms and tightly hugged his arms.

    That hug actually made He Jichen a little flustered. He hesitated for a while before he slowly remembered to wrap his hands around her waist and tightly pressed himself into her embrace.

    Ji Yi felt his response as she couldn¡¯t help but tighten her grip around his neck.

    He gradually wrapped his hands harder around her waist. The strength of his arms almost broke off her waist, but the pain felt immeasurably pleasant and firm.

    ...

    After the Television Awards, many reporters barricaded Ji Yi.

    Zhuang Yi And Tang Huahua used their astounding strength to escort Ji Yi and He Jichen from the evil ws of the reporters into the minivan.

    On the road to the hotel, Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua¡¯s phones rang non-stop.

    If it weren¡¯t reporters calling, then it was thepany or their business partners...

    At the front of the car, Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua were under pressure. Sitting in the back, He Jichen and Ji Yi hugged and held hands as though nothing else was of their concern.

    When they reached the hotel, Ji Yi and He Jichen stepped into the room and didn¡¯te out.

    Ji Yi doing what she did back at the Television Awards was like setting off an explosion and inciting huge waves on Weibo.

    Some agitated users, regardless whether they liked or disliked Ji Yi and no matter how much they hated He Jichen before, now hated Ji Yi just as much. Hateful words attacked Ji Yi wave after wave.

    Some users with somemon sense were against it but also wrote essays trying to convince Ji Yi to not let love brainwash her. Some of Ji Yi¡¯s fans had already created the hashtag #antijiyiandhejichen. They announced that if Ji Yi insisted on being with him, they would stop being her fans.

 Chapter 817

    Chapter 817: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    There were also some fans who supported Ji Yi, but theirments were quickly drowned out by haters or a group of users who called her a retard with messed up morals.

    That night, not only did Weibo blow up, but Ji Yi¡¯s flourishing career was also more or less affected. Many business partners saw how big the situation had gotten on Weibo, so to protect their products, they proposed to cancel their contracts and demanded that Ji Yi pay for the damages. Otherpanies even sent letters from theirwyers to Huan Ying Entertainment.

    Aside from this, someone leaked that Ji Yi was staying in C City¡¯s hotel, causing loads of reporters to surround the entrance of the hotel lobby, refusing to leave.

    In the hotel room, Ji Yi and He Jichen never stopped.

    It¡¯d been half an hour since they entered the hotel room and they¡¯d taken over ten phone calls.

    There were parents, rtives, and also friends calling... inparison to thements of nonsensical fans, the two of them mostly got calls to congratte them and wish them well especially from Fatty, who acted like his own intuitions about the two of them for over ten years were finally being affirmed.

    He Jichen seemed annoyed from receiving call after call, seconds after hanging up from another call. After getting off the phone with Chen Bai, he casually switched his phone off.

    Ji Yi saw He Jichen switching off his phone then stared at the name ¡°Bo He¡± on her phone screen. She didn¡¯t take the call and copied him by switching off her phone too.

    Without the sound of the phone ringing and chatter, the room instantly fell silent.

    Ji Yi finally got some peace. Her first reaction was to look over at He Jichen.

    She was a little tired from wearing high heels all night long, so when she entered the hotel room, she kicked off her shoes and fell onto the sofa. To make sure their phone conversations didn¡¯t disturb one another, He Jichen purposefully walked over to the tall windows to take his calls.

    A million lights shone behind him.

    Leaning against the tall windows, he exuded a rather rxed aura.

    The lights of the hotel illuminated his exquisite facial features, giving him a soft glow and entuating his face to make him look even more handsome.

    Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel captivated.

    Through the air in front of her, she could clearly feel his unique breath.

    However, at that very moment, she felt like it was really surreal as though it was all a dream she conjured up.

    She stared at him for a short while then she couldn¡¯t help but get up from the sofa and walk bare-footed over to him.

    Before she could reach him, he reached his hand out to her as she naturally moved in close into his embrace. She glued her face onto his chest and listened to his strong, pounding heart. Little by little, his rattled heart calmed down.

    After his heart settled downpletely, Ji Yi reached out and pinched the firm flesh of his waist. ¡°You¡¯re really not dreaming,¡± she whispered.

    He Jichen let out a light chuckle from his throat as though she read his mind.

    He didn¡¯t say anything and neither did she.

    The two of them sat quietly in front of the windows in an embrace, like no matter how long they hugged, it¡¯d never be enough.

    After some time, He Jichen lowered his head. Ji Yi felt his chin on the top of her head then heard his seductive voice in her ear. ¡°Wasn¡¯t that stupid?¡±

 Chapter 818

    Chapter 818: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    For a second, Ji Yi didn¡¯t quite get what He Jichen meant by what he said. In his embrace, she lifted her head and looked at him.

    He sensed her shifting and lowered his head to look at her. After he caught the look in her eyes, he added, ¡°Aren¡¯t you losing out?¡±

    Upon hearing those four words, Ji Yi knew what He Jichen meant by his two questions.

    He was asking her if everything they did today was stupid and if she was losing out.

    Without thinking it over, Ji Yi shook her head. ¡°Hell no! It¡¯d be stupid if I let you leave.¡±

    He Jichen seemed to be in a great mood as he chuckled twice. ¡°If a stupid person knew they were stupid, they wouldn¡¯t be called stupid.¡±

    Is he switching sides and calling me stupid?

    A fake hint of anger surfaced in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. She lifted her head and bit He Jichen¡¯s chin.

    It looked pretty brutal, but she held back her strength the instant her teeth touched his chin.

    She stared at hisplexion for a while. Then with a softer, more delicate voice, she said, ¡°And we¡¯re not losing out. How could I, if I have you back by my side...¡±

    This time, He Jichen couldn¡¯tugh.

    He stared at her with his deep, pitch ck eyes, now with a burning me.

    At the sight of the searing expression in his eyes, Ji Yi¡¯s whole body started to heat up.

    Just when she couldn¡¯t take the expression in his eyes any longer, he said, ¡°So stupid...¡±

    Ji Yi pouted in discontent and wanted to retaliate when all of a sudden, he dipped his head and kissed her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyshes started to flutter.

    He Jichen¡¯s lips were glued to hers. It went silent for a moment then slowly and gently, he started to kiss her.

    This made Ji Yi forget to breathe and she shut her eyes. Her heart forgot to beat. As his tongue pried her teeth open and entered her mouth, her eyshes gradually stuck onto the base of her eyes and softly trembled every now and then.

    He Jichen¡¯s kiss grew fiercer.

    The silent room erupted with infrequently loud and quietly sensual moans.

    As the moaning grew frequent, He Jichen¡¯s big hands started fumbling inside Ji Yi¡¯s clothes.

    Ji Yi was disoriented by He Jichen¡¯s kiss. Before she could snap back to reality, her clothes had already fallen to the floor.

    When she came to her senses, she was already lying on the huge bed in the bedroom. He was on top of her, blocking all the light. Their body heat was the same, frighteningly boiling hot, and even their breaths were a little unstable.

    His lips were stuck onto her skin as they traveled everywhere. When his lips fell by her ear, he bit her earlobe and suddenly asked in a low and seductive voice, ¡°Did you miss me?¡±

    She trembled violently at the question.

    He seemed to be a little unsatisfied because he still hadn¡¯t received an answer from her, so he urged her. ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± whispered Ji Yi.

    That was when he kissed her neck in satisfaction. When the corners of his lips reached her corbone, she said with an unstable breath, ¡°How about you?¡±

    He stopped.

    She asked again, ¡°Did you miss me?¡±

    Again, he didn¡¯t reply, so she instinctively wanted to open her eyes to look at him. However, before she could do so, he suddenly forcefully barged into her world. Then she heard his voice over her face: ¡°I missed you to death.¡±

 Chapter 819

    Chapter 819: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At the blink of an eye, hepletely filled her up. Her heart and her body trembled unusually violently and both her arms started to gently shiver as he held her down.

    With every move, his range grew wider and he was more forceful.

    Soon enough, they were drenched. Their soaking wet bodies were entwined till you didn¡¯t know who was who.

    The feeling of reuniting after such a long time and regaining what they lost made them feel more engrossed in the sex.

    Their first time was when she was eighteen years old. They were really drunk and besides the pain, she didn¡¯t have any other memory of it.

    The second time happened at the production party for ¡°Three Thousand Lunatics.¡± She was a drunken mess, and after she woke up, aside from feeling helpless and confused, she didn¡¯t feel anything else.

    The day before they finished filming ¡°Jiuchong Pce,¡± there was no way for them to enjoy their sex with the thought of parting ways.

    Come to think of it, this was the first time they were really having sex.

    With that thought, Ji Yi wrapped her arms around He Jichen¡¯s neck and kissed his lips.

    Her forwardness made He Jichen thrust harder.

    The inte was still raving on about #antijiyiandhejichen. The hashtag skyrocketed to the top trending topics.

    The reporters at the hotel entrance didn¡¯t have the slightest intention of leaving. Some reporters were hungry, so they ate hot dogs as they waited.

    Zhang Yi and Tang Huahua¡¯s phones still rang non-stop.

    No matter how chaotic the world was outside, in the hotel, it seemed like Ji Yi and He Jichen were living in a different world. They only had eyes for each other.

    ¨C

    At the same time, in Beijing.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart had been feelingpletely unsettled after bumping into Chen Bai yesterday at Muqing Publishing.

    Tonight, she felt unprecedentedly flustered.

    After dinner, Cheng Han sat alone on the living room rug, ying with his toys. Cheng Weiwan turned on the TV to watch the annual Television Awards.

    Halfway into the Television Awards, she didn¡¯t know what was broadcasting. Cheng Han wanted to drink water, so he called her a few times ¡°mummy¡± but she didn¡¯t hear his cries. Eventually, Cheng Han had to wobble over to her and tug on her clothes for her to snap out of her daze and pour Cheng Han some water.

    At nine in the evening, Cheng Weiwan carried Cheng Han to bed on time. While she told Cheng Han a bedtime story, she made many mistakes.

    Having talked Cheng Han to sleep, Cheng Weiwan softly got out of the bed and walked out the door. She wanted to secretly go andplete today¡¯s unfinished script, but when she closed the bedroom door, the doorbell rang.

    Who could be looking for her in the middle of the night?

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart suddenly raced unusually violently.

    She was afraid Cheng Han would wake up from the doorbell, so she hurriedly walked over to the door and opened the door.

    It was a middle-aged man in a ck suit. Cheng Weiwan recognized him to be Xiao Zhang, Han Zhifan¡¯s driver.

    Xiao Zhang saw Cheng Weiwan. He immediately smiled and bowed. ¡°Miss Cheng, long time no see.¡±

    A few simple words instantly andpletely drained the blood from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face.

    She didn¡¯t say anything but Xiao Zhang didn¡¯t mind as he continued to politely say, ¡°Miss Cheng, may I trouble you to pleasee with me? Mr. Han wants to see you.¡±

    She guessed long ago that Chen Bai was going to tell Han Zhifan and he was going to eventuallye knocking at her door. She just never imagined he would move so quickly...

 Chapter 820

    Chapter 820: A Confession For The Whole World To Hear (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t figure out why Han Zhifan was looking for her. Her heart was really rattled, but she tried really hard to lookposed. ¡°Could you please wait a moment. I¡¯ll get changed.¡±

    Xiao Zhang didn¡¯t give Cheng Weiwan any trouble. ¡°Alright, Miss Cheng.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan moved aside to let Xiao Zhang into the apartment. Without even pouring him a ss of water, she made her way into her bedroom.

    She wasn¡¯t in a hurry to get changed; she first picked up her phone and called Lin Muqing.

    Lin Muqing lived downstairs, so before Cheng Weiwan could get changed, Lin Muqing had already arrived.

    On the other side of the bedroom door, Cheng Weiwan heard the hurried footsteps of Lin Muqing. As the bedroom door opened, Lin Muqing came bustling in. ¡°Wanwan, are you sure you want to see him?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan paused as she changed and softly nodded at Lin Muqing. ¡°Since it happened, I thought I¡¯d have to face it eventually. I can¡¯t take Hanhan and hide everywhere.¡±

    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll go with you!¡±

    ¡°No, you have to stay at home and watch Hanhan. I¡¯m worried about him being home alone.¡± Cheng Weiwan shook her head and picked up her jacket. When she saw Lin Muqing¡¯s worried face, she added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, nothing will happen. What¡¯s more, I¡¯ve already been through the hardest days. What could be more frightening than what happened back then?¡±

    Lin Muqing hesitated for a moment and nced at Hanhan sleeping safe and sound. ¡°Alright. If anything happens, you can call me anytime. I¡¯ll be guarding the apartment,¡± she said.

    Cheng Weiwan gently nodded and Lin Muqing gave her aforting smile. Cheng Weiwan bent down and picked up her phone and purse by her bed then walked out the door.

    Lin Muqing reached out toward Cheng Weiwan. When she was about to pull open the door, she cried, ¡°Wanwan.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan, holding onto the door handles, turned her head.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid of him. No matter what happens, you still have me and I¡¯ll help you think of a n.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan smiled again then let out an ¡°mhm¡± to Lin Muqing. Then she pulled the door open and walked out.

    Xiao Zhang saw Cheng Weiwaning over and immediately got up.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything to Xiao Zhang as she strode out the door.

    She took the elevator down to the first floor then walked out of the apartment block. Cheng Weiwan immediately saw the new and expensive car parked in front of the building.

    Xiao Zhang walked over to the car and started up the car for Cheng Weiwan. ¡°Please get in, Miss Ji.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t hesitate in the slightest as she slowly bent over and climbed into the car.

    Xiao Zhang shut the car door then opened the door to the driver¡¯s seat.

    The car quickly started up.

    Over ten minutester through smooth traffic, the car drove into the luxurious neighborhood of vis that were newly built justst year.

    The car parked outside the courtyard of a vi. He opened the door for Cheng Weiwan then escorted her into the vi.

    The vi was furnished to look really morous, but Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t in the mood to admire it. She followed Xiao Zhang upstairs, walked through the elegant hallway, and took two right turns before stopping in front of some double doors.

    Xiao Zhang knocked on the door and politely said, ¡°Mr. Han.¡±

    Soon enough, a familiar voice cried out, ¡°Come in,¡± causing Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face to instantly turn white.

    Only then did Xiao Zhang push the door open. He didn¡¯t go in but gestured towards Cheng Weiwan as if to wee her in. ¡°Please step inside, Miss Ji.¡±

 Chapter 821

    Chapter 821: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan stared at the open door for a while, raised her feet, and stepped in.

    After Cheng Weiwan stepped the room, she paused for a moment. Xiao Zhang reached out and shut the door.

    When the doors closed and locked with a ¡°kacha,¡± Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body softly swayed for a moment.

    The house was really big so Cheng Weiwan took a few more steps inside before she saw Han Zhifan on the sofa in front of the tall windows.

    He was wearing aplete set of white loungewear and was slouched casually on the sofa. His legs were crossed and he lookedpletely elegant and content.

    His eyes were shut and he appeared to be resting.

    The room was very quiet and Cheng Weiwan was wearing a pair of high heels, so the loud, crisp sound of her steps could be heard clearly.

    The sound of her heels made his eyelids sluggishly flutter open.

    It wasn¡¯t until the high heels stopped that Han Zhifan raised his hand and pointed over at the sofa opposite him as a signal for Cheng Weiwan to take a seat.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t move from where she was standing still.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t hear the sound of her high heels again. He slowly opened his eyes and nced over at where Cheng Weiwan was standing.

    His gaze lingered on her body for less than a minute before withdrawing.

    He already asked her to sit but she didn¡¯t, so he didn¡¯t force it. He picked up an envelope from the table, pulled out a stack of photos, and mmed them hard in front of Cheng Weiwan.

    The photos scattered to the ground as Cheng Weiwan lowered her head to see that they were all of Cheng Han.

    There were photos of Cheng Han at home ying with toys and photos of her hugging Cheng Han while shopping at the supermarket. There were photos of Cheng Han ying in the children¡¯s yground at the supermarket and photos of him eating yogurt... What was most important was that these photos were all taken today.

    So he didn¡¯t only just find out where she lived tonight, but he sent someone to follow her for a day before knocking at her door.

    Han Zhifan gave Cheng Weiwan a few seconds to look at the photos then said, ¡°What¡¯s the surname of the child in these photos?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips and didn¡¯t make a sound.

    ¡°It¡¯s not Cheng, right?...¡± Han Zhifan spoke again. As his voice settled, he quickly spoke in a significantly colder tone than before. ¡°Alright! Cheng Weiwan, you¡¯ve done well by hiding this from the world. You even paid off my secretary?! This child¡¯s surname should be Han, am I right?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s gaze was lowered. She didn¡¯t look at Han Zhifan but calmly replied, ¡°You got it wrong. The kid is Lin...¡±

    ¡°Quit messing with me!¡± Before Cheng Weiwan could finish speaking, Han Zhifan¡¯s cold tone of voice interrupted her. ¡°Do you take me for an idiot?! I was confused why my secretary suddenly quit a year ago when she was working for me just fine! I dare say you actually yed this trick behind my back! Let me tell you... I sent someone to contact her ages ago and she spilled the truth on everything that happened back then. Don¡¯t worry. I even got a strand of the child¡¯s hair and did a DNA check. It doesn¡¯t matter if you don¡¯t admit it. Besides, I didn¡¯t call you here today to hear you tell me who he belongs to!¡±

    After Han Zhifan¡¯s furious rant, it seemed like he had gotten things off his chest. When he spoke again, he was significantly calmer. ¡°Today, I called you over for one thing. Tell me, how much?¡±

    How much?

    Cheng Weiwan vaguely knew what Han Zhifan meant, but she didn¡¯t dare assume. She furrowed her brows lightly and remained silent.

    ¡°From giving birth till now, you¡¯ve worked hard to raise the child. Go on, tell me how much it will take for you to give me the child?!¡±

 Chapter 822

    Chapter 822: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    So, it was just as I imagined; he called me over just to steal Hanhan...

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t even think about it. The second Han Zhifan finished speaking, she eximed, ¡°I don¡¯t want a cent, because I¡¯ll never give you my child.¡±

    ¡°Ten million?¡± It seemed like Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t heard Cheng Weiwan¡¯s protests and set his own price.

    ¡°I told you. I won¡¯t give you the child!¡±

    ¡°Twenty million?¡±

    ¡°Quit dreaming! Even if I died, I¡¯d never give you Hanhan!¡±

    ¡°Thirty million?¡± Han Zhifan gave his third price. Compared to before, he had more to say. ¡°I suggest you consider it. Don¡¯t refuse me when I¡¯m showing you face!¡±

    ¡°Han Zhifan, you¡¯re the one who didn¡¯t want the child in the first ce. You have no right now to steal him away!¡±

    ¡°No, right? Don¡¯t forget I¡¯m the child¡¯s father!¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m the child¡¯s mother!¡±

    ¡°Mother?¡± Han Zhifan looked like he just heard the funniest joke. The corners of his lips were slightly curled, revealing a mocking smile. However, that smile didn¡¯t reach the depths of his eyes. His voice was ice cold and merciless. ¡°My child will have a mother but it won¡¯t be you!¡±

    That one sentence felt like a sharp dagger brutally stabbed Cheng Weiwan in the heart...

    My child will have a mother but it won¡¯t be you...

    The meaning behind his words was clear. He wanted the child, but he didn¡¯t want her...

    Yeah, why would he want her? From the moment he first got close to her, he never wanted her...

    To prevent herself from losing herposure, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers stabbed her palms. With the piercing pain, Cheng Weiwan forced herself to stay calm as she said, ¡°No matter what, I¡¯ll never let you take my child from me!¡±

    ¡°Fifty million. That¡¯s my limit!¡± eximed Han Zhifan as he pulled out a cheque. He scribbled on it for a moment then tossed it at Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t hesitate at all to bend over and pick up the cheque. Right in front of Han Zhifan, she tore it to pieces. ¡°Let me say this again. The child is mine alone. Nobody can take him away from me!¡±

    It looked like Cheng Weiwan had pissed off Han Zhifan as he suddenly raised his foot and violently kicked the coffee table in front of him.

    The force of his kick was so strong that the coffee table slid one meter away before it stopped.

    The vase on the coffee table crashed and shattered on the floor.

    After it quieted down, Han Zhifan pointed at the door and coldly cried, ¡°Since you¡¯re refusing me even when I¡¯m showing you face, get the hell out!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say a word. She turned around and left.

    When she reached out to open the door, Han Zhifan¡¯s sinister voice cried out, ¡°Three days. I¡¯ll definitely make the child want to return to my side in three days. If you don¡¯t believe me, just watch!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body gently swayed a little but she didn¡¯t look back at Han Zhifan. She pulled the door open and left.

    As the doors closed shut, Han Zhifan raised his foot again and violently kicked the coffee table.

    ¨C

    That night, Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t the only furious person. There was also Qian Ge, far away in C City.

    When Qian Ge returned to her hotel from the Television Awards, she stepped into her room, shut the door, and started smashing things.

    The more she smashed, the higher the ball of mes in her heart burned.

    She racked her brain to ruin the reputation of the man she loved most just so he would quit dreaming of ever getting the kind of love she could never obtain!

 Chapter 823

    Chapter 823: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Never in a million years did Qian Ge actually think Ji Yi would sacrifice so much for He Jichen!

    Even in her dreams, she hoped to see Ji Yi fall, despised by others. Now that the image in her dreams hade true, not only was she not as happy as she imagined she would be, but she felt worse off. So as it turned out, Qian Ge actually couldn¡¯t stand Ji Yi and He Jichen being together.

    Qian Ge just couldn¡¯t handle the very thought of Ji Yi and He Jichen hugging on stage, so she grabbed something she could throw and violently smashed it to the floor.

    She smashed things until the entire hotel room was a mess and there was nothing else for her to throw. Only then did Qian Ge slump weakly to the floor.

    No... I can¡¯t let them be together... He Jichen is the person I like. If I can¡¯t have him, then everyone else can quit dreaming about having him!

    Yeah! Quit dreaming about having him! So I have to think of a n... yeah, a n...

    Qian Ge muttered to herself non-stop as she furrowed her brows, deep in thought.

    A couple secondster, a glint suddenly surfaced in her eyes.

    She remembered how she and Ji Yi went to a small town by Sucheng in the summer of their third year of high school and walked into a very unique bookshop. The most memorable thing in the book shop was the wall full of letters.

    Those letters were written by visitors of that book shop. They weren¡¯t written for anyone but their future selves.

    You could leave your address with the shop and pay them a sending fee and postal fee. After the number of years written in the letter, the shop could mail the letter to you.

    That day, she and Ji Yi wrote a letter to their future selves.

    She was the first to finish writing. After her pen dropped, Ji Yi was still happily writing in front of her, so she incidentally nced over at her letter and saw several lines with the words ¡°Yuguang Ge.¡±

    At the time, she and Ji Yi were still on good terms; a rift hadn¡¯t yet happened in their rtionship. They used to do everything in the same way. Since Ji Yi¡¯s letter was written to her future self ten years from then, so was Qian Ge¡¯s.

    Come to think of it, it¡¯d been almost over seven years since then, more than two years shy of ten years. If that bookshop hadn¡¯t shut down by now, that letter should still be there.

    He Jichen knew Ji Yi liked He Yuguang. Back then, on the night before graduation, Ji Yi cried his name during their one-night stand.

    The more you deeply loved someone, the more you couldn¡¯t withstand anything else. When he didn¡¯t have Ji Yi, He Jichen might not have minded, but now that he had her, he would want even more. That was human nature. If she brought out that letter and gave it to He Jichen...

    A rift had to happen between him and Ji Yi.

    With that thought, the corners of Qian Ge¡¯s lips curved slightly, revealing a cold smile.

    With practically no hesitation, she bolted up and found her phone in the messy room then called her assistant in the next room.

    The call quickly went through. Then, without waiting for her assistant to speak, Qian Ge blurted out, ¡°Book me a ticket on the next flight to Sucheng.¡±

    ¡°Now?¡± Since Qian Ge¡¯s request came so suddenly, the assistant was a little unsure.

    ¡°Yeah, now,¡± said Qian Ge impatiently, thinking that the assistant was dawdling.

    ¡°But Qian Jie! It¡¯s reallyte, and you have to rush to Beijing tomorrow for an interview at a station...¡±

 Chapter 824

    Chapter 824: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before the assistant could finish, Qian Gepletely lost her patience and furiously eximed, ¡°I¡¯m telling you to book the ticket, so book the ticket. Why so much bullsh*t?¡±

    The assistant fell silent for a few seconds from Qian Ge¡¯s roar before she timidly replied, ¡°Qian Jie, I got it. I¡¯ll book that ticket for you right now.¡±

    ¨C

    Ji Yi had already forgotten how long it¡¯d been since she let herself sleep so soundly.

    In her dreams, she was vaguely aware she was sleeping for a really, really long time; it was so long that her whole body felt weak. It was so long that she had no sense of the time.

    Eventually, the weight of Mt. Tai upon her body was what woke her up. It might have felt heavy, but for some reason, she liked it.

    At first, she didn¡¯t know what that weight was until she heard the sound of hurried breathing by her ears. Bit by bit, she woke up from her dreams when she felt a numb and excited feeling in her chest rushing in, wave after wave. She opened her groggy eyes.

    A breathtakingly handsome face filled her line of sight. Before she could carefully admire the face, it came pressing down on her and covered her lips.

    Last night, they were so out of control as they didn¡¯t stop until the two of them were so exhausted that they hugged each other to sleep. They weren¡¯t wearing any clothes, so when he kissed her, his hand traveled from her calf and trailed up her straight legs.

    He moved too smoothly that Ji Yi got excited little by little from his teasing as she still hadn¡¯tpletely woken up.

    While his slender fingers brushed across her soft skin, she instinctively tightened up both her legs, but she couldn¡¯t fight his strength. Soon enough, he charged into her world like someone driving on familiar roads.

    After another round ended, Ji Yi finally woke up from her dreamspletely.

    Sheid on He Jichen¡¯s body, trying to catch her breath for a while. That was when her racing heart finally calmed down and she noticed the glow of the sunset through the windows as it covered half the room in red.

    Ji Yi thought she was seeing things as she blinked twice and looked at the shockingly beautiful glow of the sunset. All of a sudden, she rolled off from He Jichen¡¯s body as though she was electrocuted. She reached out to look for her phone as she made a fuss about nothing and asked, ¡°What time is it?¡±

    He Jichen was still savoring their love-making when he sluggishly said in a seductive voice, ¡°It¡¯s almost 6.¡±

    ¡°But I booked my flight for 11 am! I was supposed to go back to my hotel long ago!¡±

    ¡°I already ordered Zhuang Yi to cancel it for you and book a flight for half-past eight in the evening...¡± said He Jichen as he reached his arm out and pulled Ji Yi back into his embrace. ¡°Lay with me for a while.¡±

    ¡°Half past eight in the evening? It¡¯s already six o¡¯clock, so we have to rush to the airport...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish chattering, her lips were covered by He Jichen. He didn¡¯t kiss her but hushed her with his lips then softly made a ¡°shhhh¡± noise. ¡°Let me hug you for a moment then we¡¯ll go...¡±

    ¡°But...¡± Ji Yi protested as she was afraid of missing her flight

    She only managed to say one word when He Jichen softly blurted out, ¡°Be good.¡±

    His tone of voice had a rare affection in it that instantly calmed Ji Yi.

 Chapter 825

    Chapter 825: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The two of them hugged in silence.

    After some time, he suddenly said, ¡°I dreamed of hugging you like this...¡±

    That one line melted Ji Yi¡¯s heart.

    ¡°...now, I finally got that hug...¡±

    There was a faint hint of emotion in He Jichen¡¯s voice that made Ji Yi¡¯s eyes sore for some reason. She didn¡¯t say anything but hugged He Jichen¡¯s arm tighter.

    ...

    It was already half past ten by the time they returned to Beijing.

    He Jichen woke up once while Ji Yi slept throughout the day. He gave Zhang Sao a call and asked her to head over to the apartment early to clean up, so after their nended, he asked Tang Huahua to immediately drive them to his apartment.

    Zhang Sao was no longer there, but there were hot dishes on the dining table for them.

    It was midnight by the time they finished dinner and headed back to the bedroom.

    After the two of them took their respective showers and climbed into bed, they started doing what they did that night in C City.

    After a long, long time, He Jichen exhaled heavily while spread out over Ji Yi¡¯s body,pletely drenched.

    After his violently-heaving chest calmed down, he turned over and got out of bed. He picked up a towel beside him, wrapped it around his waist, and walked into the bathroom.

    Not long after, he grabbed a warm wet towel and gently wiped Ji Yi¡¯s body clean. After he threw the towel back into the bathroom, heid in bed and reached out his arm over to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi immediately used He Jichen¡¯s arm as a pillow and nestled in the crook of his arm.

    The two of them didn¡¯t say anything butid there in silence.

    Maybe it was because she had slept for a really long time during the day that although time ticked by, sleepiness didn¡¯t take over Ji Y. Instead, she became even more energetic.

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyelids opened and nced at He Jichen¡¯s face. He was leisurely shutting his eyes as hisfortable eyshes didn¡¯t tremble at all.

    He really was resting his eyes. He looked like a picture... Ji Yi stared at He Jichen for a while and gently moved her lips. ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    She wasn¡¯t sure whether He Jichen was asleep or not. She spoke really quietly in fear she would really wake him up.

    ¡°Hm?¡± She never imagined he would reply immediately after her voice dropped. Thereafter, he opened his eyes and looked over at her.

    When her gaze met his, Ji Yi¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°You¡¯re not sleepy?¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡± He Jichen replied with just one word again, but by his tone, his previous question turned into an affirmative sentence.

    ¡°Me too. I slept too much in the day, so I can¡¯t sleep no matter what.¡± With a pause, Ji Yi added, ¡°He Jichen, let¡¯s chat for a bit.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± He probably thought his response was too brief, so after Ji Yi¡¯s reply, He Jichen added, ¡°Your boobs seem a little bigger than before.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± said Ji Yi, stunned since He Jichen randomly blurted that out. She then realized what he said, immediately making her cheeks flush.

    He Jichen chuckled softly and realized he said something perverted, so he tried to change the subject. ¡°Are you going to Huan Ying tomorrow?¡±

    ¡°Uh huh, in the morning.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± He Jichen then added. ¡°But you¡¯re the same as before. I touch you just a little and your body just melts into a pool of water.¡±

    We were just talking, how did the topic get back to this... Ji Yi¡¯s face flushed all over again.

 Chapter 826

    Chapter 826: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As soon as he said it, He Jichen felt himself drift back to the previous conversation. He didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to finish when he added, ¡°When will you be done tomorrow? Let¡¯s go out for dinner?¡±

    ¡°Alright, but I¡¯m not very sure about the time. After I finish, I¡¯ll call you?¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± He paused for two seconds then added, ¡°Say, it¡¯s not your first time anymore, so why are you still so tight every...¡±

    He Jichen was about to say ¡°time¡± when Ji Yi couldn¡¯t take it anymore. She raised her hand and pped He Jichen really hard.

    Her flushed cheeks hadn¡¯tpletely subsided when they started to scorch incredibly. Her tone of voice sounded a little shy and angry at the same time. ¡°He Jichen!¡±

    He Jichen chuckled at the angry Ji Yi and hugged her even tighter. ¡°Forget it. You find a topic to talk about. My mind right now is still filled with those images...¡±

    Ji Yi buried her face into the crook of He Jichen¡¯s arm. She stayed there for a while until the heat in her ears subsided before she removed her face. She huffed then struck up a new conversation. ¡°He Jichen, what did you think about my performance in ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Pretty good.¡±

    ¡°So half-hearted.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, don¡¯t you think the wishing bell at the hot pot restaurant opposite B-Film was pretty urate?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re acting all cool!¡±

    ¡°Do I really need to act it?¡±

    ¡°Narcissist... He Jichen, was my performance yesterday night cool or what?¡±

    At the mention of what happened during the Television Awards... He Jichen didn¡¯t reply.

    After two seconds, Ji Yi added, ¡°He Jichen, I still feel like this is a dream. Say, with us like this right now, are we together?¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t say a thing.

    As Ji Yi casually chatted away, she shut her eyes and waited for a while. Seeing that He Jichen still hadn¡¯t replied, she opened her eyes and nced over at He Jichen.

    She finally noticed that he had already turned his head and stared at her some time ago.

    When he met her gaze, he suddenly turned over and pressed her body down. Then he lowered his head and stared transfixed into her eyes.

    Out of nowhere, Ji Yi became nervous with He Jichen like this. Her gaze couldn¡¯t help but wander everywhere as she didn¡¯t dare look right into his eyes.

    ¡°Look at me...¡± said He Jichen to her face. His soft exhale made her eyshes tremble as though a puppet was controlling her eyes. Her pupils rolled and look right into his pitch-ck eyes.

    He stared at her for a while before saying, ¡°There are some things I actually should¡¯ve told you yesterday...¡±

    Ji Yi nervously held her breath.

    ¡°...it¡¯s just that my mind was everywhere yesterday. I tried to write up a script a few times, but I couldn¡¯t figure out what to say...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch onto the bedsheets.

    ¡°...even now, I don¡¯t quite know how to tell you... so I¡¯ll be frank. Don¡¯t mind me...¡±

    Ji Yi clutched the bed sheets tighter and her fingers started to gently tremble.

    ¡°Ji Yi...¡± He Jichen¡¯s voice sounded particrly stern. Deep in the night, the room made things seem incredibly serious. ¡°...it¡¯s a long story, so I¡¯ll cut it short. I¡¯ve liked you for a really time, so let me ask you a question. Do you want to be with me?¡±

    With a pause, He Jichen appeared to have forgotten something, so he added the word: ¡°forever.¡±

 Chapter 827

    Chapter 827: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Yeah!¡± Ji Yi eximed without a moment¡¯s hesitation.

    After her answer, she felt like she wasn¡¯t clear enough, so she replied in a high-pitched voice: ¡°Yeah. I want to be with you forever.¡±

    He Jichen thought she would wait a while to reply after he asked his question. Who knew that she would answer so suddenly? She answered so quickly that he was stunned for a second before he came to his senses. Then the rims of his eyes began to feel sore.

    Ji Yi isn¡¯t the only one who thinks she¡¯s dreaming; even I feel like it¡¯s all a dream...

    After Ji Yi¡¯s unhesitating answer, she looked over at him but he still hadn¡¯t said anything. She furrowed her brows then moved her lips and cried out, ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    He still didn¡¯t reply as he stared right at her.

    Only a pale-yellow night light was on. With his head hung low, he waspletely hidden in the darkness. She wasn¡¯t sure if she was seeing things, but she thought she saw something akin to the glistening of water beneath his eyes.

    Ji Yi¡¯s brows furrowed like crazy as she tenderly and softly said, ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    Right after she said his name, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

    His kiss was really forceful and he hurt her a little when he bit her lips. Her eyebrows tensed up; she wanted to scream in pain when she tasted something salty in her mouth.

    Her cries of pain lingered in her mouth as she let him forcefully kiss her for a while. She finally realized that the salty taste earlier was from his tears.

    So I wasn¡¯t seeing things earlier. That glint of water beneath his eyes was real...

    It felt like her heart had been clutched by something as an unspeakable pain bubbled up inside. Even her throat hurt so much that she choked up a little.

    The next second, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. Just like him, she kissed him back with all her might.

    As he straightened up and entered her world, the room gradually heated up...

    This time, they were even more engrossed than any other time they did it in the past two days.

    When they were about to finish, He Jichen suddenly stopped and opened his eyes then looked over at her seriously.

    When the grunting came to a stop, Ji Yi furrowed her brows for a moment then opened her eyes. She watched him staring at her then she started to look back at him seriously.

    They filled each other¡¯s eyes, clearly staring at the deep love they had for one another.

    It was the most beautiful, most soul-stealing look they¡¯d had.

    He Jichen was the first to speak and he sounded unusually serious. ¡°So it¡¯s agreed. Forever.¡±

    ¡°Mhm, it¡¯s agreed. Forever,¡± replied Ji Yi softly, clearly, and sincerely like she was making a promise.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything; Ji Yi was given a reply of a forceful thrust in the depths of her body.

    Yeah. It¡¯s agreed. Forever is forever.

    Not only in my lifetime or your lifetime but both our lifetimes.

    ...

    The next morning, Ji Yi was woken up by He Jichen¡¯s kiss.

    Their bodies both reacted, but just as the teasing hinted at something more, he stopped. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s get up.¡±

    It seemed like he had it all nned as Ji Yi¡¯s phone rm started to ring just when his voice dropped.

    Their sensual night together hurt their waists and backs as both their legs started to tremble.

    Ji Yi turned off her rm and climbed out of bed. Just when her feet touched the floor, her legs trembled and almost made her fall to the ground.

 Chapter 828

    Chapter 828: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi turned off her rm and climbed out of bed. Just when her feet touched the floor, her legs trembled and almost made her fall to the ground. Luckily, she had quick reflexes as her arms grabbed onto the bed for support.

    When she got out of bed, He Jichen sat up against the headboard and watched everything. He let out a delighted scoff.

    ¡°What are youughing about? It¡¯s all your fault!¡± said Ji Yi angrily. She nced up at him when she heard himughing.

    He Jichen smirked at Ji Yi¡¯s anger and a smile surfaced in her eyes. He removed the covers and got out of bed. He reached his arms out and dragged Ji Yi up by the arms then carried her into the bathroom.

    He Jichen put Ji Yi in the bathtub, turned on the shower and readjusted the temperature of the water. He sprayed it over her body.

    The hot water helped relieve Ji Yi¡¯s exhausted muscles.

    He Jichen noticed that Ji Yi could stand up normally. He then grabbed a towel and tossed it over to Ji Yi.

    He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave the bathroom, so he sluggishly leaned back against the door. He stared at Ji Yi¡¯s flushed little face as she scrubbed her body in bewilderment.

    After Ji Yi wrapped herself in a bathrobe, He Jichen walked over to the sink and helped Ji Yi grab her toothbrush. He squeezed the toothpaste for her and grabbed the mouthwash.

    He calmly watched as Ji Yi washed her face and brushed her teeth. Just as she was going to brush past his body and head into the changing room, the words ¡°You¡¯re stronger than I imagined¡± drifted by her.

    Ji Yi stopped walking and looked over at He Jichen in confusion. ¡°What?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s gaze scanned Ji Yi in her bathrobe. ¡°You¡¯re actually strong enough to survive two nights...¡±

    So that¡¯s what he meant when he said I was stronger than he imagined...

    Having understood what He Jichen meant, Ji Yi¡¯s face heated up. She silently red at He Jichen then brushed right by him and walked over to the changing room.

    Before she could even take her first step, He Jichen grabbed her wrist. With this force, she fell into his arms as his voice drifted into her left ear. ¡°Do you know what my biggest dream is?¡±

    Without waiting for Ji Yi to react, He Jichen continued by saying, ¡°To get you into bed and never let you leave.¡±

    What kind of bullsh*t dream is this?!

    Ji Yi¡¯s face burned even more fiercely.

    She didn¡¯t dare look at He Jichen as she swatted his hand away. She fled into the changing room and violently mmed the door shut behind her.

    By the time Ji Yi changed into a new outfit and came out of the changing room, He Jichen already finished freshening up. He was also wearing a light-colored set of loungewear.

    Ji Yi put on a lightyer of makeup then she took two steps back. She looked left and right, checking her entire body in the mirror.

    After she confirmed she looked okay, she saw He Jichen through the mirror nonchntly leaning against the cab, staring at her. She turned around and twirled in a full circle then asked, ¡°Pretty?¡±

    ¡°Well, yeah it¡¯s pretty but...¡±

    ¡°But what?¡± Ji Yi thought something was wrong as a concerned expression surfaced in her eyes.

    ¡°But you¡¯re prettier when you don¡¯t have anything on.¡±

    The expression on Ji Yi¡¯s face immediately dropped. She didn¡¯t say a single word to He Jichen, picked up her bag from the bed, and walked out the bedroom door.

    He Jichen straightened up, casually followed behind Ji Yi and watched her walk all the way downstairs and out of the building.

    Ji Yi¡¯s minivan was stopped outside the front door of the apartment block.

 Chapter 829

    Chapter 829: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Zhuang Yi saw Ji Yi walking out, so she immediately got out of the car and helped Ji Yi open the car door.

    Ji Yi, who hadn¡¯t said anything to He Jichen the entire way, turned her head and said goodbye. ¡°I¡¯m going to the office now. I¡¯ll call you when I¡¯m done.¡±

    He Jichen nodded softly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be off then...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish saying goodbye, He Jichen said, ¡°Go. Remember toe back early after you finish work...¡±

    Ji Yi was just about to quietly let out an ¡°Mhm¡± when He Jichen lowered his head and whispered at a volume only the two of them could hear: ¡°...Tonight, I¡¯ll definitely make sure to make it the third day you can¡¯t get out of bed!¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything to He Jichen at all as she turned around and walked over to the minivan.

    Before she could even take two steps forward, He Jichen¡¯s voice rang out from behind: ¡°I wanted to do this ten years ago!¡±

    Ji Yi sped up as the redness on her face spread to her neck area.

    Zhuang Yi, who didn¡¯t have a clue what happened, saw that Ji Yi¡¯s face was incredibly red and she couldn¡¯t help but worry about her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Your face is all red. Do you have a fever?¡±

    Ji Yi ignored Zhuang Yi. She bent over and entered the car. She didn¡¯t care if Zhuang Yi was in the car yet and mmed the doors hard with a ¡°bam!¡±

    In utter confusion, Zhuang Yi stood beside the car in shock for a couple seconds. Then Zhuang Yi saw He Jichen, who was standing nearby, and said goodbye. ¡°Mr. He, we¡¯re leaving first.¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± grunted He Jichen with a neutral tone then he added, ¡°Drive slowly.¡±

    Although his voice sounded t, Zhuang Yi could sense that He Jichen was in a particrly good mood.

    Just when she was going to reply to He Jichen with ¡°Goodbye Mr. He,¡± the car window beside her rolled down as Ji Yi said, ¡°Zhuang Yi, get in! Don¡¯t talk to him!¡±

    Before Zhuang Yi could nce back at the rolled-down car window, Ji Yi rolled the window back up again.

    Zhuang Yi stared at the window then discreetly cried out, ¡°Shit!¡±

    Xiao Yi actually told me not to talk to Mr. He. The man behind me must be furious...

    With that thought, Zhuang Yi¡¯s heart felt uneasy. She didn¡¯t dare look back at He Jichen, but from the corner of her eyes, she caught the reflection of He Jichen in the car window. Not only was he not angry, but there was actually a faint smile on his lips.

    This was such a shocking picture that Zhuang Yi¡¯s eyes widened.

    Oh god! I can¡¯t be seeing things, right? Mr. He actually smiled...

    ¡°Zhuang Yi, didn¡¯t you hear what she said? Hurry up,¡± prompted He Jichen soothingly as he noticed Zhuang Yi hadn¡¯t moved yet.

    His tone was obviously kind, yet Zhuang Yi acted like she just heard the roar of a ferocious wolf. Flustered, she opened the car door fearfully, jumped into the car, stomped on the gas pedal and bolted out of there.

    The car quickly disappeared and He Jichen continued to stand outside the building for a moment. Then he turned around and headed upstairs.

    Back in the apartment, when he went to change into his slippers, his eyes softened as he saw the slippers Ji Yi left behind.

    He leisurely strolled into the dining room and poured himself a ss of water. After just two sips, the door opened.

    Zhang Sao came in.

    Zhang Sao was rather old, so she was quite chatty. She asked what He Jichen wanted to eat and went on a little too much about some trivial matters.

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t impatient like before and he didn¡¯t leave after saying ¡°whatever.¡± Instead, he listened to her finish talking and replied, ¡°Let¡¯s do as you say¡± then walked into his bedroom.

    He Jichen was just about to shut the door when he heard the doorbell ring.

 Chapter 830

    Chapter 830: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen thought Ji Yi was back because she forgot something. Just as he was going to step out of the bedroom, he heard an unfamiliar voice: ¡°Is this the home of Mr. He Jichen?¡±

    Seeing that it wasn¡¯t Ji Yi, He Jichen stopped walking. Then he heard Zhang Sao¡¯s voice. ¡°Yes. May I ask what this is regarding?¡±

    ¡°He has a package. Could you please sign for it?¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    So it¡¯s a package...

    He Jichen didn¡¯t hear any movement from outside the door, so he strode into the bedroom.

    Long ago, he was the one who single-handedly designed the interior of his apartment. Even now, it inspired eye-opening awe. However, when He Jichen walked over to the front of the bed, he sensed something was a little off.

    He instinctively stopped walking and scanned all areas of the room.

    Not long after He Jichen checked the room, a knock came at the door.

    *knock knock knock*

    Like before, He Jichen¡¯s gaze continued to scan all around. ¡°Come in.¡±

    The door was pushed open as Zhang Sao tip-toed in. ¡°Mr. He, I have a package for you.¡±

    He Jichen stared at the empty dresser for a while like he had figured out what was wrong with the room. Then he turned his gaze to the express package Zhang Sao brought up.

    The package was very thin. It seemed to be a letter...

    He Jichen was confused as to who sent it to him as he reached out to take it.

    ¡°Mr. He. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving...¡± said Zhang Sao politely.

    He Jichen gave a slight nod and lowered his head, about to open the package. Then he suddenly remembered something. He lifted his head and tly said, ¡°Oh, right....¡±

    Zhang Sao stopped in her tracks and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°Yes, Mr. He?¡±

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t in a hurry to speak, so he turned his head and nced at the bed. Then he walked over to the pillow, grabbed his wallet, and pulled out a credit card for Zhang Sao. ¡°Help me buy some things...¡±

    He Jichen wanted to continue, but when the words reached his mouth, he felt a little worried, so he changed what he was going to say next. ¡°...You better get a pen and paper first.¡±

    Even though Zhang Sao mentallyined about having to take notes about what Mr. He wanted to buy, she still followed his orders.

    When He Jichen saw she was ready, he then said, ¡°Buy a set of skincare products and ce them on the dresser...¡±

    ¡°...Also, get a few sets of bed sheets that women like... You¡¯re a woman ¨C you should know what styles women like, right? If you don¡¯t then you can ask the shop assistants...¡±

    With a pause, He Jichen added, ¡°...you have to ask a sales assistant who is roughly Xiao Yi¡¯s age...¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi is twenty-four years old this year. Ask if there are sales assistants who are twenty-four. Then ask her to help you pick...¡±

    ¡°Also, fill up the changing room with the newest, trendiest clothes...¡±

    ¡°Also, bags and shoes too...¡±

    ¡°...Oh yeah. Buy some plushies too... and snacks...¡±

    He Jichen enthusiastically listed off quite a few things, to which Zhang Sao repeated once over using the notes from her notebook. After He Jichen was sure nothing was amiss, he gestured for Zhang Sao to leave.

    After Zhang Sao bought everything he asked for and ced them all around the room, then the apartment would feel more like they both lived in it. Now, with only He Jichen¡¯s things in this apartment, it didn¡¯t feel like a home.

 Chapter 831

    Chapter 831: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    With that thought, He Jichen hung his head and opened the package he had been holding for so long.

    He pulled out the contents and continued to fantasize about what the whole apartment would look like after Zhang Sao brought back the things from her shopping trip.

    The moment he thought about how this room wouldn¡¯t just have his things but also her things and their things, He Jichen¡¯s heart became unusually soft. A warm light crept into his eyes and brows.

    There was a letter in the package.

    The envelope and its design looked many years old...

    He Jichen furrowed his brows without revealing a trace of emotion and secretlymented on how the letter looked really old while opening the letter.

    There was a pink letter inside the envelope. When He Jichen pulled it out, his fingers slipped, causing it to identally fall to the floor.

    The paper was a little simr to ones used for love letters. Could this be a love letter someone wrote many years ago now sent to his apartment?

    Amidst his spections, He Jichen bent down, picked up the letter, and opened it.

    A page filled with graceful, neat handwriting fell into his eyes.

    Even though many years passed, He Jichen could still easily recognize that it was Ji Yi¡¯s handwriting from high school.

    So Ji Yi wrote this letter?

    But why was it sent to me? Could it be that she wrote this letter to me many years ago?

    With that thought, He Jichen started to read the words in the letter.

    ¡°Hope you are well.¡±

    ¡°Let me first give you a self-introduction. I¡¯m Ji Yi from ten years ago and I¡¯m in my third year of senior high in Sucheng. There are ten months before the finals and I¡¯m not quite stressed yet.¡±

    ¡°Ten years ¨C a length of time that¡¯s not considerably long nor short. I believe that within these ten years, you and I must¡¯ve changed significantly.¡±

    ¡°The Me from ten years ago has two dreams; one is to act in a really good TV drama for everyone to watch, and the other is...¡±

    There was an ellipsis after that line, followed by a name: ¡°...Yuguang Ge.¡±

    ¡°I wonder what your dreams will be in ten years¡¯ time and if you really do perform in a good drama for everybody. However, I bet ten years from now, at least one of your dreams won¡¯t change and that is: Yuguang Ge.¡±

    ¡°Let me secretly tell you ¨C I started to secretly fall for Yuguang Gest year. I really, really like him and I dream of bing his girlfriend.¡±

    ¡°I want to confess to Yuguang Ge, but I don¡¯t dare to. I¡¯m afraid Yuguang Ge doesn¡¯t like me. But I bet that Yuguang Ge definitely doesn¡¯t hate me because he calls me Manman. It¡¯s Yuguang Ge¡¯s special nickname for me. Our names put together make a very, very beautiful saying: I only see you.¡±

    ¡°After the bing-of-age-ceremony and after finals are over, I n to confess to Yuguang Ge. If Yuguang Ge doesn¡¯t agree to be with me, I¡¯ll start to chase him. I¡¯m so cute, I bet he¡¯ll definitely be moved by me. Who knows? You, from ten years in the future, might have another name besides Ji Yi ¨C He Yuguang¡¯s wife.¡±

    ¡°Oh! No! Maybe in ten years¡¯ time, not only will you be married to Yuguang Ge, but who¡¯s to say you won¡¯t have kids together? If so, you¡¯ll have another identity as a ¡®Mummy¡¯.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that you, ten years in the future, will definitely be happy together with Yuguang Ge, right? Even though Yuguang Ge is really attentive, I still have to remind you that Yuguang Ge¡¯s health is poor and you have to take good care of him.¡±

 Chapter 832

    Chapter 832: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°But there¡¯s also the possibility that you, ten years in the future, didn¡¯t get together with him. There could be a lot of reasons for that kind of ending. Maybe you didn¡¯t have the courage to confess or maybe destiny made you miss out on the opportunity. However, regardless of what it¡¯s going to be, I just want to say that if you love someone, then love deeply. Should you and Yuguang Ge drift apart, I hope that you can meet again and that his gentleness will match your maturity.¡±

    ¡°Finally, I wish you never-ending happiness and a good life.¡±

    ¡°Love, Ji Yi from ten years ago.¡±

    The final line was the date.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t miss a single word as his gaze didn¡¯t leave the letter.

    He held the same pose he had when he first started the letter. From start to end, nothing changed at all.

    It wasn¡¯t clear how much time passed as his gaze gently shifted and he reread the letter from top to bottom. His pupils shifted very slowly as he had to read each word for a very long time to register the words. When he got through half the letter again, he added some force in his fingers, creasing the letter a little.

    ¨C

    After Cheng Weiwan stormed out of Han Zhifan¡¯s home and rejected Xiao Zhang¡¯s offer to take her home, she ran to the sidewalk, got in a taxi and rushed home.

    The taxi reached her apartment block and she paid the fare. Without even waiting for the change, she ran upstairs like she was running for her life.

    When Cheng Weiwan pulled out her keys to open the door, her fingers trembled so hard that it took a few tries to put the key in the keyhole.

    In the end, Lin Muqing had to run over to help her open the door when she heard some movement outside.

    ¡°Wanwan, you¡¯re finally back! I was thinking about calling you.¡± The phone in Lin Muqing¡¯s hand was lit and disyed her number. When she saw that it was her, she let out a sigh of relief.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t reply and darted into the apartment after hastily changing into slippers and rushed into the bedroom.

    She pushed the door open and she saw Cheng Han sleeping soundly in bed. Finally, the uneasy feeling she had on the road calmed down a little.

    ¡°Wanwan, why was he looking for you?¡± Lin Muqing shut the door and caught up to Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan still hadn¡¯t said a thing as she tip-toed over to the bedside and carefully pulled the covers over Cheng Han after he kicked them off during his slumber. Then she reached out and caressed his sleeping, rosy cheeks. The soft sensation finally settled the heaviness she felt in her chest all the way home.

    Lin Muqing watched Cheng Weiwan¡¯s actions and vaguely understood what happened. ¡°He couldn¡¯t have been looking for you because of Hanhan, right?¡±

    As Lin Muqing finished speaking, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers trembled violently like she just suffered the biggest shock.

    ¡°He wants to steal Hanhan?¡± Seeing Cheng Weiwan¡¯s reaction, Lin Muqing knew she guessed right. Feeling unjustified, she added, ¡°He was the one who didn¡¯t want Hanhan in the first ce. Now he has the balls to steal the child? With what right?¡±

    Lin Muqing was a little loud, so Cheng Han furrowed his brows like he was going to cry.

    Cheng Weiwan shushed Lin Muqing then reached out and patted Cheng Han. ¡°Good Hanhan, sleep. Be good...¡± whispered Cheng Weiwan.

    When Cheng Han fell asleep again, Lin Muqing quietly added, ¡°Wanwan, don¡¯t worry. He can¡¯t possibly steal the child. What¡¯s more, the child is under my name. Don¡¯t overthink things. It¡¯ste, quickly freshen up and get some rest...¡±

 Chapter 833

    Chapter 833: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan really didn¡¯t want to think about it too much, but after Lin Muqing left, only she and the fast-asleep Cheng Han were left in the room. She still couldn¡¯t help but have wild thoughts.

    She knew better than anyone that Han Zhifan would definitely do as he said he would by taking Hanhan away. His biological little sister, Han Zhili, died because of her father, Cheng Weiguo. With this kind of deep hatred between the two of them, he didn¡¯t want her to have the child, nor would he be soft-hearted with her.

    But Hanhan... was her everything in life. If Hanhan was taken away by Han Zhifan, that would be akin to killing her!

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t rest well for a whole night, but she was woken up by Cheng Han¡¯s rm the next morning.

    A few days ago, she promised to take Cheng Han to the zoo today. She never broke a promise with him, so despite having a head-splitting headache from not sleeping well, she still carried Cheng Han out the door.

    They yed until thete afternoon and only headed back home when Cheng Han fell asleep in her arms.

    A day went by just like that. It wasn¡¯t until the evening when she finally got some quiet time to herself.

    Could it be that Han Zhifan was just all talk and didn¡¯t really want to take the child away?

    Perhaps she was too tired or perhaps she had some hope because Cheng Weiwan slept well the following night.

    When she woke up the next day, it was already midday. Cheng Weiwan felt as peaceful as before.

    After having lunch and talking Cheng Han into an afternoon nap, she switched on herputer after two consecutive days without writing because of Han Zhifan. Finally, she could peacefully immerse herself into the story.

    Facts proved that Cheng Weiwan was still too naive. She was always on alert for Han Zhifan¡¯s people toe and take Chang Han away from her. However, she never imagined that Han Zhifan had no ns ofying his hands on her and Cheng Han. Instead, Han Zhifan chose to attack Lin Muqing.

    Just when Cheng Weiwan was most engrossed in her writing, she got a call from Muqing Publishing saying that the public security bureau sent their people over and took Lin Muqing away because there were mistakes in thepany¡¯s invoices.

    At first, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t really think she had anything to do with what was happening to Lin Muqing until she took Cheng Han to visit her at the local police station. That was when she vaguely understood the situation and started to think of ways to save Lin Muqing.

    Before she left, Cheng Weiwan had a short chat with the police and learned that if Lin Muqing was sued, she would be sentenced to at least five years in prison.

    Five years. Lin Muqing was only twenty-seven years old right now. This would undoubtedly be sentencing the prime years of her life to death.

    Cheng Weiwan said her thanks and left the police station then she started to make some calls. She called all her powerful friends, but none of them were willing to help her.

    Just when she felt helpless and at a dead end, she got a call from Han Zhifan.

    She stared at the phone screen for a while in hesitation before taking the call. Before she could say a word, Han Zhifan¡¯s ice-cold voice bursted out of the phone first: ¡°Tonight, I have a party at the old spot in the Golden Lounge. If you really want to save Lin Muqing,e see me. You know what my terms are.¡±

    As Han Zhifan¡¯s voice fell, the busy tone rang out: ¡°door-door-doot.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan lowered the phone from her ear and nced at the phone screen. The call was already cut off.

    Having been outside with Cheng Weiwan all afternoon, Cheng Han was hungry. Cheng Weiwan was staring at her phone, frozen. ¡°Mummy, mummy!¡± cried Cheng Han as he reached his hand out and tugged on her pants after not receiving any reaction from Cheng Weiwan.

    FacebookTwitterGoogle+Th¨ºm...

 Chapter 834

    Chapter 834: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan snapped back to reality and quickly put her phone away. She bent over and picked up Cheng Han.

    Cheng Weiwan was in no mood to prepare dinner for Cheng Han, so she took him out to eat something then headed back home.

    After dinner, it was time for Cheng Weiwan to be with Cheng Han as he yed with his toys. As soon as they got in, Cheng Han led Cheng Weiwan to the baby room to y with the building blocks Lin Muqing bought for him two days ago.

    Stacking the building blocks was very easy, but because Cheng Weiwan had things on her mind, she often got it wrong. Incidentally, she even managed to knock down the tall tower which Cheng Han put a lot of effort into building.

    Having survived till nine with much difficulty, Cheng Weiwan took Cheng Han to take a shower thenid in bed and told Cheng Han a bedtime story.

    In the afternoon, Cheng Han walked quite a lot as he went outside with her because of Lin Muqing¡¯s situation. He must¡¯ve felt tired because he only managed to catch half the story before he fell asleep.

    Cheng Weiwan stared at Cheng Han¡¯s little face, deep in sleep for a while. She reached out and stroked his face. Then she pulled the covers off her body and quietly got out of bed.

    She grabbed her phone and called thedy she hired to babysit during the day and asked if she could help take care of Cheng Han that evening.

    Thedy didn¡¯t live far from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s apartment. After she hung up, the doorbell rang half an hourter.

    Cheng Weiwan weed thedy in and quietly gave her a few instructions before she picked up her pale pink-grey coat and left.

    At ten in the evening, the neighborhood garden was really quiet.

    Aside from the dogs in the neighborhood, there was practically no one walking around.

    Cheng Weiwan stood on the sidewalk in front of the building for a while before walking over to the residential gates. She hailed a cab to the Golden Lounge.

    She knew that by the ¡°old ce,¡± Han Zhifan meant the private room 100.

    When she reached the Golden Lounge, Cheng Weiwan finished paying the cab fare then got out of the taxi. She stared at the glistening gold light in the lobby for a while before stepping inside.

    Business at the Golden Lounge was really good as it was full of customers every night. All the doors to the private rooms were shut. When Cheng Weiwan walked down the hallway, over to room 1001, she heard the faint sound ofughter and musicing from inside.

    Cheng Weiwan stopped at the doors of room 1001 then reached out and knocked on the door.

    It was too noisy inside, so no one replied. She waited a while before pushing the doors open.

    Immediately, she saw a woman dressed in a bunny outfit holding a microphone, jumping and dancing while she sang.

    There were quite a few men and women in the room, some Cheng Weiwan had seen before and others she hadn¡¯t. The main lights in the room weren¡¯t turned on, so Cheng Weiwan could barely see Han Zhifan sitting at the furthest end of the sofa under the shing fluorescent lights.

    Just like every other man, he also had a woman sitting next to him.

    However, that woman wasn¡¯t like the other women. She wasn¡¯t in his arms flirting with him, but instead, she sat beside him with her head lowered, ying on her phone.

    He had a wine ss in his hands and was happily talking to the man standing next to him.

    A while after the doors opened, a younger man noticed Cheng Weiwan. He ran over to the door, holding a wine bottle. ¡°Excuse me, who are you?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan withdrew her eyes from Han Zhifan¡¯s direction. ¡°I¡¯m looking for Mr. Han.¡±

    ¡°Ah, Zhifan Ge. Wait a min. I¡¯ll help you call him...¡± Perhaps there were too many women who often came to see Han Zhifan, so the young man didn¡¯t think it was odd at all. After he spoke so calmly, he ran over to Han Zhifan and whispered a few words in his ear.

 Chapter 835

    Chapter 835: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan heard what the young man said. He lifted his head and nced over at the door.

    The room was too dark and Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t clearly see the expression on Han Zhifan¡¯s face. However, she did sense a hint of coldness from his body.

    He had no intention of getting up and walking over to her. Soon enough, he withdrew his gaze and started talking to the young man.

    After the young man finished his duties, he walked over to a woman about the same age as him while holding a bottle of wine then sat down.

    The people in the room were ying on their own; nobody bothered with Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan stood at the door for a while then stepped out of the room and leaned back against the wall beside the door.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know just how long she waited before the doors to the private room opened. Han Zhifan finally stepped out amidst a cloud of cigarette smoke and alcohol.

    Cheng Weiwan instinctively straightened up.

    Han Zhifan swept her a chilly look but had no intentions of talking to her. Then he walked over to the elevators.

    Cheng Weiwan caught up to him.

    The two of them didn¡¯t say anything as they walked all the way to the back garden of the Golden Lounge where there was hardly anyone around. Han Zhifan lit up a cigarette, put it to his lips, and took a drag. After he lowered the cigarette, he nced over at Cheng Weiwan and coldly said, ¡°Have you thought about it?¡±

    From her memory of him, every time he saw her, he would smile and sound so gentle as he spoke. When she was unwell, he would always be so caring and speak so softly.

    However, she didn¡¯t know when it started, but he started to look this ice-cold and merciless whenever he saw her.

    The conflict between the two of them proved that the one who was truly in love was destined to be the loser.

    Even if she knew deep down that their story was over, that she was never his princess, and he was never her hero, Cheng Weiwan felt a needle-like pain pricking her heart when she heard his tone of voice.

    She pursed her lips slightly then replied, ¡°Just what will it take for you to let me go?¡±

    ¡°Looks like you haven¡¯t thought it through, huh?¡± Han Zhifan furrowed his brows. ¡°Since you haven¡¯t thought it over,e back and see me when you have.¡±

    With that said, Han Zhifan put out his cigarette like he was going to leave.

    If possible, Cheng Weiwan really didn¡¯t want to have to beg Han Zhifan, but there was no other option for her. She couldn¡¯t just watch as Lin Muqing sat in jail because of her and she didn¡¯t want to lose Hanhan either.

    Cheng Weiwan saw that Han Zhifan was about to leave, so she instinctively reached out and grabbed his sleeve. ¡°I¡¯m begging you. Let go of me and Hanhan and I promise we¡¯ll never appear in front of you again. I also promise that no matter what happens to Hanhan, I won¡¯t disturb you, alright?¡±

    Han Zhifan looked like he didn¡¯t want to hear Cheng Weiwan¡¯s bullsh*t as he struggled out of her grip.

    Cheng Weiwan was afraid Han Zhifan would really leave, so she quickly raised her hand again and grabbed his arm. ¡°I know you hate me, but in memory of our old rtionship together, could you let me and Hanhan go just this once? Please?¡±

    ¡°Our rtionship together?¡± Han Zhifan looked as though he heard the funniest joke as he let out a mocking scoff. ¡°Ha...¡±

    As the sound of his scoff left his mouth, he turned his head and looked over at Cheng Weiwan. ¡°How could I not remember that we used to be together?¡±

    His nonchnt question in retaliation instantly drained the blood from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face.

 Chapter 836

    Chapter 836: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (16)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan stared at Cheng Weiwan like this and for some reason, he felt even worst off. He always had a good temper, but at that very moment, he couldn¡¯t contain the fire in his heart. It was so bad to the point that when he spoke, his voice sounded quite vile: ¡°Between the child and Lin Muqing, you can only choose one. Since you want the child so much, I¡¯ll choose for you and let Lin Muqing rot in jail!¡±

    As Han Zhifan said this, he pulled out a phone from his pocket and called a person called ¡°Officer Wang¡± right in front of her.

    The phone rang *doot-doot-doot* several times before a middle-aged man picked up. ¡°Mr. Han, why are you calling sote in the evening?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like this ¨C about the economic dispute case for Muqing Publishing...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan saw that Han Zhifan really was talking about Lin Muqing¡¯s case and all of a sudden, she reached out to snatch Han Zhifan¡¯s phone in a panic.

    Han Zhifan was taller than her by a lot and his reflexes were faster than hers, so he raised his phone the second she reached out for it. ¡°...I hope you can handle it quickly and make the fastest decisi-¡±

    ¡°I promise you.¡± Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t wait for Han Zhifan to finish speaking and blurted that out.

    Han Zhifan stopped. He didn¡¯t hang up the phone, and he turned over to Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t have the same urge from earlier to steal his phone, and she didn¡¯t seem as weak as before when she begged him. Now, she was unusually quiet.

    She opened her eyes wide and stared at him with the least bit of energy in them. ¡°I promise to give you Hanhan if you let Muqing go,¡± she continued to say quietly.

    As those words escaped her mouth, ayer of mist clouded her eyes.

    Han Zhifan thought she would cry, but he never imagined she would suppress the mist in her eyes, little by little.

    He achieved his goal, but he felt worse than he ever felt.

    He hung up the call in annoyance. ¡°Send the child to my house tomorrow night. Once I see my son, I¡¯ll immediately let Lin Muqing go.¡±

    She didn¡¯t reply. Compared to her pale whiteplexion from earlier, she was now near translucent.

    Her silence made his mood even more violent. He lit up another cigarette and took another drag to settle the frustration in his chest with much difficulty. In the end, he caught a glimpse of Cheng Weiwan still standing in a daze from the corners of his eyes. All of a sudden, he ferociously roared, ¡°The conversation¡¯s over! What are doing still standing there?¡±

    Her eyes turned slowly at his roar. After a while, she looked him right in the eyes before she regained focus.

    She stared at him in a daze for a moment as though she didn¡¯t recognize him. She turned around and raised her feet.

    She walked away very, very slowly. After taking two steps, she stopped then she stood there for a moment like an idiot before raising her feet again.

    She didn¡¯t pay attention to the fake rock garden obstructing the path ahead and continued to walk with no signs of stopping. Han Zhifan initially didn¡¯t care if she was going to hit it, but suddenly, his body leaped over to her and grabbed her wrist.

    He saw that his movements significantly cleared her vision and he knew that her mind was a lot clearer. Then he quickly let go of her hand.

    He didn¡¯t know what she was hiding. Before he left, he didn¡¯t forget to leave her with the words: ¡°When you drop off my son tomorrow, don¡¯t bring anything else because he won¡¯t have anything to do with you ever again!¡±

 Chapter 837

    Chapter 837: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Having left those words, he strode away without lingering there a second longer.

    Just as he was about to reach the doors of the Golden Lounge, he turned his head and unwittingly nced back. He didn¡¯t know when, but the woman had crouched to the ground. As they were separated by some distance, he couldn¡¯t hear any sounds she was making, but he could see her shoulders trembling and her crying violently.

    His hand instantly balled up into a fist. He stared at her for a while like his mood was ruined then he kicked open the door into the Golden Lounge.

    ¨C

    Although the Television Awards happened one day and two nights ago, not only did the chaos from Ji Yi¡¯s relentless confession to He Jichen not subside, it grew more intense.

    The online hatements were still going strong. Ji Yi arrived at the office bright and early in the morning today to sign no fewer than five endorsement cancetion contracts. Thepensation fees were as high as nine figures, and she lost a major movie she was confirmed to star in as the main female lead.

    This tragic loss would¡¯ve been the worst thing for any artist. After all, so much money was lost. However, from the moment Ji Yi left the apartment to the moment she reached the office and finished signing those cancetion contracts, her face didn¡¯t show the least bit of pain and suffering. Instead, she wore a slight smile from start till end as though the happiest thing just happened to her.

    Ji Yi¡¯s loss wasn¡¯t just her loss alone ¨C it was also thepany¡¯s loss.

    So after she finished signing those cancetion contracts, she was naturally lectured by thepany¡¯s high execs.

    The execs were merciless as they abusively lectured Ji Yi. Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua, who were standing to one side listening to the whole thing, felt it was difficult to hear. However, Ji Yi looked as though it had nothing to do with her at all. She sat there and let them shout at her. Eventually, as the high exec reached a point of interest, she picked up her phone and sent He Jichen a text to ask what he was doing.

    But Ji Yi¡¯s phone was like a pebble thrown into a vast ocean. She didn¡¯t receive a reply from He Jichen.

    That¡¯s weird. Why¡¯s he ignoring me?

    Ji Yi continued to send two more messages, but seeing as He Jichen still didn¡¯t reply, she gave him a call.

    Is he asleep?

    Ji Yi thought about it and lowered the phone from her ear.

    The high exec lecturing her noticed Ji Yi looked as though she didn¡¯t care at all and he became even angrier. He pointed at Ji Yi in a fit of rage and gave her a long and hard-to-hear scolding. In the end, he threw out the words: ¡°Just you wait to get canceled!¡± then stormed out.

    The only three people left in the office were Ji Yi, Zhuang Yi, and Tang Huahua.

    Tang Huahua mumbled in dissatisfaction, ¡°He was too harsh, right?¡±

    As Ji Yi called He Jichen, she leisurely replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it! I was in the wrong to make them lose out, so let them shout as much as they want.¡±

    Ji Yi saw that nobody was picking up, so she turned her head and asked, ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing next on my schedule, right? If there isn¡¯t, let¡¯s go?¡±

    In the car, Ji Yi gave He Jichen another call as she left Huan Ying Entertainment. Once again, no one picked up.

    When she pressed the button to hang up, she thought about what he said before she left in the morning: ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll definitely make sure to make it the third day you can¡¯t get out of bed!¡± Her face suddenly flushed as she heated up for some reason. She was afraid Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua would notice something was weird, so she quickly rolled the windows down. She stared out the window.

 Chapter 838

    Chapter 838: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After Chinese New Year, Beijing got warmer and warmer each day, Last night, spring flowers in all of Beijing bloomed, and even the willow trees sprouted green leaves.

    At three in the afternoon, the sun shone brightly over the city,pletely illuminating it with clean, radiant rays of sunlight.

    In actuality, she saw this kind of scenery many times a year, but Ji Yi felt that today, Beijing looked unusually beautiful as she watched the familiar streets endlessly passing by from the window.

    She knew this was because of He Jichen... like how she wasn¡¯t upset in the slightest today from losing so many jobs and enduring the scolding, which outdidst year¡¯s when Qiange copied her ideas. Instead, she was full of joy and excitement.

    Because she had He Jichen now, it felt like she gained more than she lost. What¡¯s more, she gained big time!

    At the thought of spending the rest of her life with him, Ji Yi¡¯s heart felt kind of happy and looked forward to it for some reason. A hint of a smile surfaced on her lips.

    The car alternatingly drove fast and slow on the road for a while. Deep in thought of her and He Jichen¡¯s future life, Ji Yi caught a glimpse of a familiar ce. Without even thinking it over, she cried, ¡°Stop the car.¡±

    Tang Huahua mmed on the brakes.

    Sitting in the front passenger seat, Zhuang Yi turned her head and looked over at Ji Yi. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Ji Yi stared at the residential building by the road for a while. Then, without replying to Zhuang Yi, she reached out and pointed over at the small gate up ahead and said, ¡°Stop the car over there.¡±

    It was just over twenty meters, so Tang Huahua reached it with just one step on the gas pedal.

    After the car came to a steady stop, Ji Yi grabbed the sunsses and the face mask from the car seat beside her and put them on.

    As Ji Yi was busy, Zhuang Yi asked again, ¡°Xiao Yi, do you want to go into this residential area?¡±

    Ji Yi let out an ¡°Mhm¡± then grabbed her pocket mirror and checked herself for a moment. When she was sure no one would recognize her, she reached out to open the car door.

    Although Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t know why Ji Yi wanted to go into this residential area, she still unbuckled her seat belt. ¡°I¡¯lle with you.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s oka. You and Huahua can wait for me in the car. I want to walk around on my own for a bit.¡± Ji Yi knew Zhuang Yi was worried, so after she opened the door, she wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave and added, ¡°Girls, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯m familiar with this area.¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi jumped out of the car. She shut the door and walked over to the gate of the residential area.

    She was indeed familiar with this area because that house was the one Yuguang Ge bought for them when they were married.

    Before, she asionally stayed there for as long as a year. She stayed there every so often for a few days.

    Later on, she hadn¡¯t returned after she and Yuguang Ge got a divorce.

    If she hadn¡¯t happened to drive past and see this residential area today, she would¡¯ve almost forgotten about this ce.

    However, she shouldn¡¯t say that Yuguang Ge bought it. urately speaking, it should be He Jichen... So, that¡¯s why she got carried away suddenly and called Tang Huahua to stop the car and wanted to take a look.

    The residential area was luxurious. After over two years, nothing much had changed.

    Ji Yi never entered through the gate before, so she was a little unfamiliar with this path. She followed the winding path for a while before she reached the block she wanted to go to.

    She took the elevator upstairs.

 Chapter 839

    Chapter 839: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi returned the keys long ago when she got divorced from Yuguang Ge, impersonated by He Jichen. Luckily, there was a passcode on the door which Ji Yi remembered, so she could go in.

    Nobody had stayed in the house for over two years, so there was a strong odor, and even with the doors and windows closed shut, there was a thickyer of dust covering the whole ce. A clear footprint appeared after every step Ji Yi took.

    The furnishings of the room were no different from before. It looked like after she stopped living here, He Jichen hadn¡¯te over.

    Ji Yi walked around the room once.

    At each spot, she recalled past events.

    In the kitchen, ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± cooking. The apron he wore back then was hung on the wall...

    In the dining room, ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± and she were eating together...

    On the sofa, ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± looked at some documents while she brought out some fruit and was sprawled out, watching television...

    On the balcony, ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± crouched down to cheer her up when she was hiding because He Jichen upset her over what happened with Lin Zhengyi.

    In the master room, ¡°Yuguang Ge¡± stayed up all night, taking care of her when she had a fever...

    She went down memoryne as she thought about these scenes of them she had an immeasurable love for. In actuality, He Jichen was in all those memories with her. A gentle smile couldn¡¯t help but raise Ji Yi¡¯s brows.

    Ji Yi opened the study doorst.

    Because the study was on the darker side and didn¡¯t get regr sunlight, the smell in there was pretty strong. Ji Yi instantly started coughing when she opened the door.

    She covered her nose and stood outside the door for a while. Once the odor from the room dissipated a little, she stepped inside again.

    The books on the shelf were still there.

    Theptop on the desk was gone. Aside from a few scattered folders, there was nothing else on the table.

    She remembered that when He Jichen worked here, she would bring him a cup of coffee...

    At the time, he tried to act as Yuguang Ge as much as possible, so he would use his phone to chat with her.

    With that thought, Ji Yi curved her lips into a wide smile.

    Her fingers gently brushed across the shelf and finally stopped at a half-opened drawer.

    Through the crack, she saw that something was inside.

    Practically without thinking it through, she pulled open the drawer.

    It was a thick and bulging letter; she didn¡¯t know what it held.

    Ji Yi curiously picked up the envelope.

    The envelope wasn¡¯t sealed, so she could easily pull out its contents.

    It was a pile of photos.

    She was overly familiar with the person in the photos because it was her.

    When she flipped to one she thought looked rather familiar, she suddenly stopped.

    She stared at the photo for a while before she remembered she saw this photo in this very study before... With that thought, Ji Yi turned over the photo. So there was a line written on the back: ¡°I wish you would be lost forever ande to my side.¡±

    But that word ¡°forever¡±... She was certain He Yuguang wrote it.

    So these photos belonged to He Yuguang?

    Ji Yi made a guess then flipped through all the photos. Behind each photo was a sentence.

    ¡°Liking you... even if I know there¡¯s no hope, I can¡¯t help but fall for you.¡±

    ¡°If you asked me how much I love you, I wouldn¡¯t be able to say. But in my heart, I know that if you got together with someone else, I wouldn¡¯t be willing to love another.¡±

 Chapter 840

    Chapter 840: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Shocked to learn that the hidden yearning actually bore into my bones long ago.¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s you in the end, it¡¯s truly fine if it¡¯s a littlete.¡±

    ¡°A million beauties in the world, yet you were the only one I fell for.¡±

    ¡°You brushed past my adolescence for a moment, but you are stranded in my memory for a lifetime.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know just how many photos she flipped through or how many romantic phrases she read. When she reached the final one, she read a familiar line. ¡°I would rather stay within your radius. Should my heart not return to me, it is yours. You can choose to love me or not; I am still yours no matter what.¡±

    Those were the lyrics from ¡°Within Your Radius.¡± Why would Yuguang Ge write down the lyrics to the song He Jichen sang?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows in suspicion then continued to read on. She never imagined seeing another familiar line: ¡°The person I love is not my lover.¡±

    The person I love is not my lover... He Jichen clearly wrote this three years ago! He wrote these words with his finger on the window of the hot pot restaurant opposite the school!

    The person I love is not my lover...

    What¡¯s going on here? Could it be that He Jichen read what He Yuguang wrote behind these photos, thought they were beautiful and copied them?

    Ji Yi hesitated for a moment before she continued to flip through the photos. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m really not so bad. Do you want to try to fall in love with me and not hate me so much?¡±

    This was also what He Jichen said to her...

    Ji Yi¡¯s mind was a little chaotic. She tried to make sense of it for a while, but she couldn¡¯t figure it out. Then she turned to the next photo. ¡°Ji Yi, I really do love you, who I can never be with.¡±

    This line made Ji Yi¡¯s heart ache for some reason. Then her brows creased harder.

    That¡¯s not right...if Yuguang Ge wrote this, he would call me ¡°Manman.¡± Why would he call me ¡°Ji Yi¡±?

    But this is Yuguang¡¯s handwriting! Back then, he spent a lot of time highlighting passages in my textbook. There¡¯s no mistaking it...

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the more she couldn¡¯t figure it out. She thought she might as well spread out the final two photos.

    On one photo, the words read, ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    On the other photo, it said: ¡°My name has your surname in it¡ª Ji.¡±

    ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry¡±... those four words look familiar. Really familiar...

    At the bottom of her heart, Ji Yi mumbled two lines then pulled out the purse she always carried with her. She pulled out a note He Jichen wrote for her in the hot pot restaurant.

    The four words on her note also read, ¡°Ji Yi, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Ji Yi put those two sentences together topare. They were identical!

    That¡¯s right. This really was He Jichen¡¯s writing. If Yuguang Ge wrote this, it¡¯d be ¡°I only see you¡± ¨C it wouldn¡¯t be ¡°My name has your surname in it¡ªJi.¡±

    So He Jichen wrote this one, but what about this one?

    Amongst the pile of photos, Ji Yi pulled out the one that read: ¡°I wish you could be lost forever ande to my side.¡±

    The same handwriting... so He Jichen also wrote this?

    But if He Jichen wrote these, then in senior high, the highlighted parts in my textbook... He Jichen couldn¡¯t have also done those, right?

 Chapter 841

    Chapter 841: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    But she never told He Jichen she thought those sses in senior high were difficult. Why would he remember to highlight the key points?

    If He Jichen really was the one who highlighted the key points, then the one who put snacks on her textbook and pulled a nket over her couldn¡¯t have been He Jichen too, right?

    The more Ji Yi thought about it, the faster her heart raced.

    If she guessed correctly, how could he have known she wanted to eat those snacks? She clearly only told Yuguang Ge!

    Perhaps it was because something she was so certain of for so many years had suddenly been thrown out. Perhaps it was because the truth came out so abruptly that it was hard for her to ept. Ji Yi¡¯s mind was inplete chaos. Everything felt surreal.

    This isn¡¯t right... there¡¯s no point in letting my imagination run wild like this all alone. I could call He Jichen... Yeah. I¡¯m so stupid. If I just ask He Jichen, then wouldn¡¯t I find out the truth?

    With that thought, Ji Yi pulled out her phone and called He Jichen.

    Just like before, she called a few times but nobody picked up.

    That¡¯s weird. Why isn¡¯t he picking up my calls? Could it be that he put his phone on silent?

    As Ji Yi racked her brain over it, she lowered the phone from her ear and pressed to hang up.

    Forget it. I¡¯ll call Zhang Sao. Maybe he¡¯s at home, so Zhang Sao can get him toe to the phone...

    Ji Yi thought about it then searched through her phone contacts for Zhang Sao¡¯s number. Mid-search, she saw ¡°Fatty.¡±

    Oh yeah. I¡¯m so stupid! If I can¡¯t get a hold of He Jichen, then I can call Fatty. Fatty must know absolutely everything that happened back then...

    Without a second thought, Ji Yi called Fatty¡¯s phone.

    In contrast to how He Jichen didn¡¯t pick up, Fatty quickly did. ¡°Hey Xiao...¡±

    Fatty was about to say ¡°Yi¡± when he sharply changed what he was going to say. ¡°...Mrs. He. How may I help you?¡±

    Mrs. He... That greeting was very effective on Ji Yi as it brought a smile to her face. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare ask for help, but there¡¯s something I want to ask you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m all ears.¡±

    ¡°You followed He Jichen in senior high and your rtionship was the best. Did you ever see He Jichen often highlighting key points in a textbook?¡±

    Just when Ji Yi finished her question, Fatty said over the phone, ¡°You want to ask whether Chen Ge helped you highlight the key points in your textbook, right?¡±

    Fatty didn¡¯t wait for Ji Yi to reply and said, ¡°That¡¯s right. It was Chen Ge who highlighted the key points...¡±

    It really was He Jichen... Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything. Her fingers couldn¡¯t help clutch her phone more tightly.

    Over the phone, Fatty, who was always talkative, continued to go on now that Ji Yi opened up the conversation with her question. ¡°But at first, I didn¡¯t know who Chen Ge was highlighting those key points for. Later on, after graduation, you left, Chen Ge got drunk, and he told me himself.¡±

    ¡°He seemed to have overheard you and Yuguang Ge¡¯s conversation and found out you were stressed over the senior high sybus. Thereafter, he was determined to study well just to help you highlight the key points. Let me tell you, Xiao Yi ¨C Chen Ge never studied in junior high. Back then, he spent quite a lot of effort to highlight the points for you. He spent over half a year studying all night making up homework and studying for senior high...¡±

 Chapter 842

    Chapter 842: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°...Bute to think of it... Xiao Yi, I suspect Chen Ge didn¡¯t identally eavesdrop on your conversation with Yuguang Ge. He must¡¯ve deliberately gone home early everyday to eavesdrop. Take what happened to Sun Zhang back then for example. By the time Yuguang Ge asked Chen Ge for help, he actually called me the night before to find Sun Zhang...¡±

    ¡°Also, let me tell you this...¡± Mid-sentence, Fatty suddenly stopped and asked, ¡°Xiao Yi, did you receive all different types of snacks?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...¡± Ji Yi already suspected the snacks were from He Jichen. Now that Fatty asked, she added, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me He Jichen often bought snacks...¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t often, alright? It was every day!¡± After he asked Ji Yi a question, he asked another, ¡°Were they all the snacks you liked to eat?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Fatty continued after the interruption and continued to say, ¡°Let me tell you, Xiao Yi... You don¡¯t even know ¨C the snacks you wanted to eat were so strange and you were so picky, but Chen Ge told us guys to skip school to go to shopping malls and stalls to buy them all for you. Also... there was this one time when you wanted to eat some kind of lotus tofu. That thing was sold on a push cart! Let me tell you this... I had to especially go to the next town with Chen Ge to buy it for you...¡±

    So, I got it wrong all this time?

    The things that moved her when she was young weren¡¯t provided by Yuguang Ge. It was actually He Jichen?

    And the warm and considerate boy she liked wasn¡¯t actually Yuguang Ge but He Jichen?

    So when they were young, he was the one who secretly took photos of her every move.

    So all these years, he was the one who gave her the most warmth she¡¯d ever felt in her whole life.

    But why was he so stupid? If he wanted to treat her so well, why didn¡¯t he just tell her? Why did he secretly eavesdrop on her conversation with Yuguang Ge? Why did he have to secretly do those things for her?

    But she was so stupid that she thought by telling Yuguang Ge, she was certain Yuguang Ge did those things for her. Why didn¡¯t she ask Yuguang Ge if he did it?

    But... but... so many things revolved in Ji Yi¡¯s mind asplicated emotions boiled in her chest. There was guilt, regret, pain, and heartache...

    A tint of red surfaced in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. She suddenly became overrun with joy, but suddenly, she also missed He Jichen with unusual intensity. She missed him so much that she wanted nothing but to run immediately to his side.

    She didn¡¯t dive deeper in conversation with Fatty and quickly ended the call. She tidied up the photos and put them back into the envelope, shoved them into her bag and left in a hurry.

    Ji Yi eventually emerged from the door. Zhuang Yi immediately got out of the car when she saw Ji Yi and helped her open the door.

    After she got into the car, Ji Yi removed her face mask and sunsses.

    With a single nce from Tang Huahua¡¯s sharp eyes, she noticed the redness in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes then she immediately turned to look over at Ji Yi. ¡°Xiao Yi, what¡¯s wrong? Did something happen?

    ¡°No...¡± said Ji Yi with a heavily congested voice from her intense urge to cry earlier.

 Chapter 843

    Chapter 843: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (23)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    To prevent Tang Huahua and Zhuang Yi from continuously asking questions, Ji Yi waited till after her voice fell before she said, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    As she said this, Ji Yi put on a smile and rushed them: ¡°Hurry up and start the car. I want to go home.¡±

    ...

    Back at He Jichen¡¯s apartment, the first thing Ji Yi did was call ¡°He Jichen!¡±

    She cried his name several times before someone replied. However, it wasn¡¯t He Jichen who replied. Instead, it was Zhang Sao, who heard the noise and rushed over. ¡°Miss Ji, you¡¯re back?¡±

    After she changed into slippers, Ji Yi nodded as she walked into the apartment. ¡°Where¡¯s He Jichen?¡±

    ¡°Mr. He stepped out in the afternoon and hasn¡¯te back since.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s out? He¡¯s not asleep? Then why did he not pick up my call?

    Ji Yi furrowed the middle of her brows. ¡°Did he say why he was going out?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Zhang Sao shook her head.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything again and headed right upstairs and into the bedroom.

    After changing into her loungewear, Ji Yi caught a glimpse of He Jichen¡¯s phone on the bedside table.

    It was no wonder he didn¡¯t pick up her call. So he left his phone at home.

    But, that¡¯s so strange... What¡¯s He Jichen doing outside without his phone...

    Amidst her bewilderment, there came a knock at the door behind her.

    As the door opened, Zhang Dao came in with a ss of juice. ¡°Miss Ji, have something to drink.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± replied Ji Yi. She put the ss to her lips and took a sip of the freshly squeezed juice. From the corners of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of a dresser full of cosmetics on top. Her brows furrowed for a moment then she lowered the ss from her lips. She turned around and looked over at the dresser. Just as she was about to ask Zhang Sao what was going on, she realized the coffee table was full of all different kinds of snacks. There was also a cute music box on the Hernandez bedside table, a few fluffy teddies on the bed, and there were even quite a few things in the dressing room.

    With that thought, Ji Yi walked over to the dressing room doors and saw that over half the wardrobe was filled with women¡¯s clothing of all four seasons. Ji Yi randomly picked a few out and checked the sizes to find that they were in her size. The shoe closet was filled with shoes: high heels, ts, and also sneakers... She randomly tried a pair on and realized they fit her feet. Also, there was the cab above which was filled with bags of all different brands and styles...

    These things weren¡¯t there when I left in the morning. How did all these things get there?

    Although Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything, Zhang Sao noticed she was looking all around and knew she must be confused. ¡°Mr. He ordered me to buy them all, ¡± exined Zhang Sao.

    In actuality, even if Zhang Sao didn¡¯t say anything, Ji Yi knew He Jichen bought them for her. Nevertheless, after Zhang Sao finished speaking, she turned her head and said, ¡°Oh.¡± Then her gaze continued to scan around the changing room. So he didn¡¯t only buy bags, clothes, and shoes. There was also jewelry...

    Was this his surprise for me?

    Since he gave her such a big surprise, she also had to give him a surprise!

    Ji Yi¡¯s pitch-ck eyes suddenly brightened up. She tilted her head and pondered for a while. She turned her head and told Zhang Sao, ¡°Zhang Sao, there¡¯s nothing left for you to do here. You can go home early.¡±

    ¡°Then dinner...¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about dinner,¡± interrupted Ji Yi softly, without allowing Zhang Sao to finish.

    ¡°Then Miss Ji, I¡¯ll head back.¡±

 Chapter 844

    Chapter 844: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (24)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi replied to Zhang Sao with a smile. ¡°Take care.¡±

    After Zhang Sao left, Ji Yi paced around the living room for a while. Seeing how it was just about time, she walked into the kitchen and started to get dinner ready.

    ¨C

    He Jichen knew full well that the past was the past and Ji Yi wrote this letter many years ago. He had no need to mind, nor a need to care.

    But most of the time, while logic was simple and anyone could understand it, it was often difficult to actually follow it rationally.

    Because he was in love, far too deeply in love, he minded and he also cared.

    He Jichen also knew that reading this letter and discovering Ji Yi¡¯s devoted love for his older brother, He Yuguang, made him a little envious, that¡¯s all.

    Besides, in the past few years, he had been sufficiently jealous of He Yuguang, so he was long ustomed to this. After a while, the pain in his heart disappeared.

    He Jichen went to a cafe near his home to smoke for a long time. After the annoyance in his chest dissipated, he nced at the watch on his wrist. It was already half past five in the afternoon.

    Having left in the morning, she should be back home about now, right?

    He didn¡¯t ask Zhang Sao to cook dinner, and he was afraid Ji Yi wasn¡¯t going to cook after being out the whole day, working all day. With the inte blowing up over what happened that night at the Television Awards, he thought it was best if they didn¡¯t go out to eat. It looked like they¡¯d have to call for takeout.

    With that thought, He Jichen reached into his pockets, wanting to give Ji Yi a call to ask what she wanted to eat.

    After reaching around in there for a while, He Jichen remembered he forgot his phone when he left the apartment in a terrible mood.

    Just at that moment, a waiter walked by. He Jichen called him over and asked to borrow his phone.

    He gave Ji Yi a call, but no one picked up.

    Is she so busy that she can¡¯t pick up the phone?

    After He Jichen hung up, he deleted Ji Yi¡¯s number from the waiter¡¯s phone then entered Zhuang Yi¡¯s number.

    The call was quickly picked up. ¡°Hello, may I ask who is calling?¡±

    ¡°Me,¡± replied He Jichen.

    ¡°Mr. He?¡± said Zhuang Yi in surprise as she noticed the unfamiliar number. Soon enough, she calmed down again. ¡°Mr. He, is there a reason why you¡¯re looking for me?¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s Xiao Yi?¡±

    ¡°Xiao Yi? She went back home an hour ago...¡±

    He Jichen let out an ¡°uh huh¡± then said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it then.¡± He wanted to hang up.

    But before he could lower the phone from his ear, Zhuang Yi hurriedly said, ¡°Mr. He?¡±

    He Jichen stopped himself from hanging up then nonchntly blurted out, ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°Er...¡± Over the phone, Zhuang Yi hesitated for a moment but still chose to tell He Jichen about Ji Yi¡¯s condition. ¡°...Mr. He, Xiao Yi doesn¡¯t seem to be in particrly good spirits. After she left thepany in the afternoon, she went into a residential area for over half an hour. When she came out, her eyes were red as though she¡¯d been crying.¡±

    He Jichen furrowed his brows then said in a clearly nervous tone, ¡°She cried? Who bullied her?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure either. She went into the residential area alone because she didn¡¯t let us go with her...¡±

    He Jichen tried to get to the main point. ¡°Which residential area?¡±

    Silence fell upon Zhuang Yi¡¯s end for a moment as she thought about it for a while then she gave He Jichen a name.

    He was very familiar with that residential area¡¯s name... Because he bought that apartment while pretending to be He Yuguang.

 Chapter 845

    Chapter 845: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The residential area she went to was the one with the house he bought under He Yuguang¡¯s identity.

    Zhuang Yi waited over the phone for a long time. Seeing as the call was so silent you could hear a pin drop after she finished speaking to He Jichen, she felt vaguely sensed that something wasn¡¯t quite right. ¡°Mr... He?¡± she asked quite cautiously with hesitation.

    He Jichen hesitated for two seconds then pulled himself back to reality and replied, ¡°Got it.¡± Without waiting for Zhuang Yi to say anything again, he hung up.

    Now that Ji Yi found out he was the one she was fake married to, did she go to the house to reminisce about their married life together? Or did she go because of... He Yuguang?

    Having been in low spirits all day, He Jichen thought about the letter he received in the morning again.

    He and He Yuguang looked too simr, so she must¡¯ve remembered all the wonderful times they had while he impersonated his brother. Perhaps she went there because she missed He Yuguang?

    An indescribable sense of bitterness and pain instantly filled He Jichen¡¯s chest. He pursed his lips slightly then instinctively pulled out a cigarette from the pack on the table and lit it up.

    After the waiter returned from serving coffee to two other tables, he noticed Jichen was no longer using his phone but looked like he had no intention of giving it back. That was when he walked over and kindly prompted him, ¡°Sir?¡±

    It seemed like He Jichen hadn¡¯t heard the waiter speak at all as he stared motionlessly at the sulent on the table with a cigarette between his fingertips.

    All the waiter could do was raise his voice. ¡°Sir?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s eyshes fluttered for a while and he came back to his senses when he heard the waiter. He slowly turned and looked over at the waiter beside him. The waiter thought He Jichen would know to return the phone once he saw him, but to his surprise, He Jichen stared at him for a long time with no reaction. ¡°Errr... Sir, may I ask if you¡¯re still going to use the phone?¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± He Jichen snapped back to his senses, but once again, he didn¡¯t budge. Just as the waiter was about to prompt him again, He Jichen pushed the phone over to the edge of the coffee table.

    The waiter picked up the phone and quickly returned to work. Then He Jichen¡¯s mind started to wander once again.

    ¨C

    Ji Yi rarely cooked and hated doing it, but when she cooked dinner for He Jichen, she was full of anticipation and happiness.

    Step by step, she followed the cooking instructions on Baidu unusually seriously, like an elementary student writing an essay.

    It took her over two whole hours to finish cooking three dishes and one soup.

    The sky was dark by the time she ced all dishes onto the dining table, but He Jichen still hadn¡¯t returned home.

    She washed her hands then ran into the bedroom and pulled her phone away from the charging cable. She nced at the screen and saw that there was a missed call from an unknown number.

    Lately, she¡¯d been in the eye of a storm, so she wasn¡¯t sure if the call was from a reporter or a media outlet. Ji Yi didn¡¯t call the person back and ignored it.

    When He Jichen left the house, he didn¡¯t bring his phone, so she couldn¡¯t call him even if she wanted to. All she could do was call Chen Bai, Han Zhifan, Li Da, and Ning Shuang one after the other in Beijing.

    The responses she got were that they hadn¡¯t seen him all day.

    That¡¯s weird. He didn¡¯t go to see any of them, so where did he go off to on his own?

    Ji Yi creased her brows and thought about it but couldn¡¯t figure out where He Jichen went. All she could do was be patient and wait at home.

    Outside the window, the night sky grew darker.

 Chapter 846

    Chapter 846: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (26)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The bustling city became increasingly quiet.

    The cooked dishes on the dining table werepletely cold.

    Yet the front door hadn¡¯t budged and it didn¡¯t look like it was going to open in the slightest.

    The longer Ji Yi waited, the more anxious she became. The more anxious she was, the wilder her fantasies became.

    Why isn¡¯t He Jichen back yet? Don¡¯t tell me he regretted being with me after reading those hatements online and left?!

    Butst night, he told me he wanted to be with me for forever, so am I overthinking things?

    Yeah, maybe he¡¯s really busy and who¡¯s to say he won¡¯t be back real soon? I can¡¯t scare myself like this...

    After calming down with much difficulty, the grandfather clock in the living room rang at eleven o¡¯clock and rattled Ji Yi so much that she couldn¡¯t sit still anymore.

    It was already eleven in the evening, yet he hadn¡¯te back yet. She couldn¡¯t take it anymore. She had to go out and find him...

    With that thought, Ji Yi bolted up from the sofa and ran upstairs without even bothering to put on her slippers.

    Just as she reached the corner of the stairs, she heard the soft sound of the passcode being entered to unlock the front door.

    Ji Yi suddenly stopped to carefully listen for a moment and made sure she wasn¡¯t hearing things. Then she turned around and ran to the door while holding onto the railing.

    She just made it over to the entrance when the door opened.

    Wearing a ck coat, He Jichen stepped inside.

    So I was just panicking for nothing, overthinking things, and scaring myself... Ji Yi let out a sigh of relief as she happily weed He Jichen. ¡°He Jichen, where did you go? Why are you back sote?¡±

    He Jichen hesitated for two seconds then raised his head and looked over at Ji Yi.

    He was afraid she would notice something was wrong, so he looked away before even meeting her gaze and didn¡¯t linger over her face for even a second. Then he bent down and started to undo hisces.

    Having not sensed anything wrong at all, Ji Yi smiled as she took two steps closer to He Jichen. She opened the shoe cab and helped He Jichen grab his slippers. ¡°And you didn¡¯t even bring your phone with you!¡± added Ji Yi with a tone of voice like she wasining.

    When He Jichen heard her voice, he raised his head and nced over at Ji Yi¡¯s face for a moment. Their eyes happened to meet.

    His gaze was rather cold and quite unlike the warm and affectionate looks he¡¯d been giving her the past two days.

    Women are naturally perceptive, so Ji Yi knew He Jichen wasn¡¯t in a particrly good mood.

    Could she havee off a little too strong inining about him not taking his phone with him just now?

    Ji Yi ced the slippers in front of He Jichen then slowly spoke again. ¡°I won¡¯t be able to reach you if you don¡¯t bring your phone.¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t reply to Ji Yi, but his gaze was fixed on her bare feet. He furrowed his brows and said, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you wearing your shoes?¡±

    His words and her words referred to twopletely different things.

    Ji Yi hadn¡¯t quite caught on and let out a ¡°Huh?¡±

    Having finished putting on his slippers, He Jichen swooped Ji Yi off her feet.

    Ji Yi instinctively wanted to cry ¡°He Jichen¡± when his voice rang out from above her head. ¡°The weather hasn¡¯t improved yet. You¡¯ll easily catch a cold without slippers on.¡±

    Before Ji Yi could react, he had already nagged her for not wearing slippers.

    ¡°I heard the door, so I wanted to quicklye over to see you...¡± said Ji Yi as she naturally leaned into his embrace. Then she caught the heavy smell of cigarettes.

 Chapter 847

    Chapter 847: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (27)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He must¡¯ve stood outside in the cold wind for an awfully long time because his clothes were ice cold. That must¡¯ve been why she hadn¡¯t caught the scent of cigarettes on his clothes until she leaned in closer.

    He must¡¯ve smoked quite a lot for that scent to linger even after being in the cold wind.

    It looked like something really did piss him off. But then... he cared about her so much. She probably had nothing to do with what pissed him off...

    As her wild thoughts ran endlessly, He Jichen ced her down on the sofa.

    Ji Yi snapped back to reality then instinctively peered over at He Jichen, who had straightened up.

    She actually really wanted to check on him, but her words stopped in her mouth. She remembered how most people didn¡¯t like to talk when they were upset, so she figured she should wait until He Jichen felt a little better before trying tofort him. ¡°Have you eaten? I cooked dinner. I¡¯ve been waiting a long time, but you didn¡¯te back tillte, so the food¡¯s cold. Should I go heat it up for you, hmm?¡± she said, quickly changing the subject.

    As Ji Yi said this, He Jichen turned his head and nced over at the dining table.

    There were three dishes and a bowl of soup on the table.

    Though he was quite some distance away, he had excellent eyesight, so he noticed she had cooked his favorite kind of fish.

    So, even though she liked He Yuguang in the past, even though she once wrote that she missed He Yuguang in a letter to her future self, and even though she went to the apartment he bought when he was impersonating He Yuguang, deep down inside, she cared about him... otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have run over to him barefoot the very second he came back home. Nor would she have personally cooked him dinner.

    So, he had no need to care that much about it and he had no need to be so upset over it... Even if he knew this full well, he was actually afraid and upset that no matter how good he was, he couldn¡¯tpare to someone who passed away... He was afraid he would never be able topete with his older brother. But that didn¡¯t matter, right? They were together now.

    ¡°He Jichen?¡± asked Ji Yi as she noticed He Jichen didn¡¯t reply.

    He Jichen withdrew his gaze from the dining room and nodded at Ji Yi as if to say ¡°yes.¡± Then he twitched the corners of his lips and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll go take a shower first.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Ji Yi shot He Jichen a sweet smile. When he was about to turn around and head upstairs, she jumped up from the sofa, put on her slippers and walked into the dining room.

    While Ji Yi was heating up the food, He Jichen just finished taking his shower, changed into his loungewear, and walked into the dining room.

    Knowing that He Jichen was in a bad mood, Ji Yi was particrly attentive just to make him feel a little better. She saw that he had returned, so she immediately pulled out a chair for him.

    After He Jichen sat down, she immediately poured He Jichen a bowl of soup and handed him chopsticks.

    All through dinner, Ji Yi put food into He Jichen¡¯s bowl non-stop.

    Even though it waste, they couldn¡¯t go upstairs to sleep immediately after dinner, so Ji Yi suggested to He Jichen that they go out for a stroll to digest their food.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t utter a word but nodded without a moment¡¯s hesitation.

    Before they stepped outside, Ji Yi secretly checked He Jichen¡¯s expression. It seemed like he wasn¡¯t as cold as when he first got home and she knew he was in a better mood.

    It was a spring evening. As they emerged from the building, they were greeted by a gust of wind that carried the sweet aroma of flowers that bloomed overnight in the area.

    Ji Yi clutched He Jichen¡¯s arm and walked down the cobbled path. After some distance, she turned her head and nced over at He Jichen¡¯s profile. ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°Did something happen?

    She could tell something was up.

    He Jichen hesitated for a few seconds then replied, ¡°No.¡±

 Chapter 848

    Chapter 848: You Are The Light. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (28)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lies...ined Ji Yi silently inside. Then she quietly and softly asked, ¡°Then are you in a bad mood?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    Liar! You smoked so many cigarettes ¨C I can still smell it on your jacket right now!

    But Ji Yi didn¡¯t ask He Jichen any more questions.

    Seeing as she didn¡¯t ask any more questions, he didn¡¯t say anything.

    The two of them walked on in silence.

    Just as they were going to reach the garden of their residential area, Ji Yi softly said, ¡°He Jichen... I came looking for you as soon as I came home today, but you weren¡¯t in...¡±

    There was a hint of disappointment in Ji Yi¡¯s tone of voice, but soon enough, her voice started to sound rxed again. ¡°...but it¡¯s cool. I can just tell you now.¡±

    ¡°He Jiche, I went to Luming Park today.¡±

    He Jichen really never imagined Ji Yi woulde straight out with it and tell him she went to the apartment he bought with He Yuguang¡¯s identity.

    His feet couldn¡¯t help but stop.

    Before he could say anything, she spoke again.

    ¡°I actually forgot about the apartment a long time ago, but then I remembered we used to live there when I happened to pass by. I asked Zhuang Yi to stop the car and I strolled in on my own...¡±

    She said: ¡°we used to live there¡±... we... as in the two of us?

    He Jichen didn¡¯t interrupt Ji Yi, but deep down inside, he felt a hint of warmth from that one word.

    ¡°He Jichen, I was pretty d. Today, I walked around on a whim.¡±

    ¡°You have no idea how happy I was...¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, sorry... I got it wrong all along.¡±

    One moment she was happy, another moment she was apologetic; He Jichen couldn¡¯t quite understand what she was saying from her incoherent babble. He furrowed his brows and nced over at her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to reply to He Jichen¡¯s question and she asked her own question. ¡°He Jichen, do you know why I fell for Yuguang Ge?¡±

    Her one question made He Jichen¡¯s gaze drop.

    ¡°In actuality, I knew Yuguang Ge for a really long time... over a year before I knew you, but I didn¡¯t like Yuguang back then.¡±

    ¡°Iter fell for Yuguang Ge when I entered senior high.¡±

    Entered senior high... by then, I knew her. So, she didn¡¯t like He Yuguang before I met her?

    But the difference between me and He Yuguang was too great. Anyone could fall for him, but why did she especially like my older brother?

    He Jichen was confused deep down inside, but he didn¡¯t ask. Instead, he waited quietly.

    After about half a minute, Ji Yi spoke up again.

    ¡°It was in the first year of senior high that Yuguang Ge suddenly became really considerate. He always made things happen regarding casual things I told him.¡±

    ¡°I told him that my homework was getting too hard and I couldn¡¯t keep up. Then he filled up my textbook with highlighted key points.¡±

    As Ji Yi blurted all this out, she clearly felt He Jichen¡¯s body suddenly tensing up.

    She knew he only reacted like that because he was the one who did it.

    She pretended as though she didn¡¯t realize and continued to go on.

    ¡°I told him I wanted to eat candy floss. Then the next day, when I went to your house and walked into the room your mum prepared for me, there was a stick of candy floss.¡±

 Chapter 849

    Chapter 849: You Are Yuguang. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (29)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I told him I wanted to eat jade tofu, and I got to eat it the next day.¡±

    ¡°My grandma was often away from home, so I sometimes did homeworkte in the night at your house and got sleepy. After falling asleep on the table, I always woke up with a nket over me.¡±

    ¡°There were many situations like this... back then, there were so many of these cases every day and I felt so treasured.¡±

    ¡°I only told these things to Yuguang Ge alone. I knew him earliest, he always treated me well, and he was so good-natured, so when my wishes came true, I naturally assumed Yuguang Ge did those things...¡±

    ¡°Just like that, a little bit of warmth every day made me slowly fall for Yuguang Ge.¡±

    ¡°I really did like Yuguang Ge because I thought he treated me really, really well. In fact, he treated me so well that I couldn¡¯t name a second person in the whole world who treated me that well.¡±

    ¡°Back then, I really thought I would either marry Yuguang Ge or not marry at all. I clearly remember when I was still close to Qian Ge, we went to a cafe in the neighboring town. The cafe had a rather interesting feature where you wrote a letter to your future self. My letter was to my future self ten years from that point and each word in that letter never strayed from Yuguang Ge!¡±

    When Ji Yi said this, she and He Jichen happened to reach the garden of the residential area.

    There was an old tree in the garden and Ji Yi stopped by that very tree.

    She turned and looked over at He Jichen and stared at him for a while before moving her lips. ¡°But He Jichen, did you know that from the photos of my younger self in the study, I only found out today that you were the one who highlighted the key points in my textbook, you were the one who bought me snacks, you were the one who pulled the nket over me... For that incident with Sun Zhang, I found out you already started to help me before Yuguang Ge even asked you...¡±

    ¡°I never knew that back then, the person who gave me warmth and made me feel especially treasured was... you.¡±

    ¡°I just figured that all you guys just treated me really well for some reason, but I only found out today that after all these years, you were behind it all along.¡±

    ¡°So, He Jichen, don¡¯t be angry. I really didn¡¯t mean to get it all wrong. If I knew it was you and not Yuguang Ge back then, I¡¯d be with you no matter what...¡±

    After Ji Yi said all this, He Jichen was stunned for a long time before he asked, ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is...¡±

    Before he could finish, Ji Yi knew what he was going to ask next. ¡°Yeah. When I was young, you were the one I should¡¯ve liked, but I mistook your actions for Yuguang Ge¡¯s.¡±

    In that very moment, how could He Jichen describe his feelings?

    He thought he was dreaming and thought everything was freaking ridiculous.

    The girl he liked fell for his older brother over the things he did for her... Which meant that the person she truly liked all along was him, but she just got it wrong, that¡¯s all... yet he... actually got upset over that letter today for so long?

    ¡°When I liked you and Yuguang Ge back then, I even hoped you and Yuguang were one so you could also be with me for the rest of my life. I never imagined my dream woulde true...¡±

    Although it was spring, it still felt quite cold after standing outside for a while. Ji Yi¡¯s jacket had no pockets, so she reached her hands into He Jichen¡¯s pockets. Before she could finish saying what she had to say, her fingers touched a hard piece of paper.

 Chapter 850

    Chapter 850: You Are Yuguang. You Are Also The Rest Of My Life. (30)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± The words Ji Yi was just about to say disappeared from her mouth. She didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen¡¯s reply and pulled out the paper from his pocket.

    Under the dim garden lights, Ji Yi could make out that it was a letter.

    The paper was pink and it looked a little like stationery used to write love letters on.

    Someone couldn¡¯t have secretly written a love letter to He Jichen, right?

    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Ji Yi quickly opened the letter.

    The lights in the garden were rather dim, so Ji Yi couldn¡¯t clearly make out the words. All she could do was pull out her phone from her pocket, shine the light over the letter and try to read it again.

    The first line which came into view made Ji Yi¡¯s brows lock tightly together.

    ¡°Dear Ji Yi from ten years in the future, hope you are well.¡±

    Wasn¡¯t this the letter I just mentioned writing when I went to the neighboring town? Why does he have it?

    As that question crossed Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she raised her head and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°How did this letter end up with you?¡±

    He Jichen was still lost in the ecstasy of hearing Ji Yi¡¯s words: Yeah. When I was young, you were the one I should¡¯ve liked, but I mistook Yuguang Ge for you.¡± He didn¡¯t even realize Ji Yi discovered the letter or catch what she said.

    ¡°This letter shouldn¡¯t have been sent out now. There¡¯s still at least two more years...¡± As Ji Yi said this, her brows locked even more tightly together. ¡°...That¡¯s not right. Even if they were going to send it to me, they should¡¯ve sent it to my house. Why¡¯s it with you...?¡±

    With that, Ji Yi looked as though she realized something and suddenly came to a stop.

    Only she and Qian Ge knew they wrote those letters in that town, so it was impossible for He Jichen to have found out himself.

    So for the letter to reach He Jichen¡¯s hands, someone evidently meddled with the letter. There was only one person who could¡¯ve been behind it. The only person who knew about the existence of the letter was Qian Ge... Qian Ge had liked He Jichen since they were young. Did she deliberately meddle because she was bitter when she saw me and He Jichen together?

    Before Zhang Sao left, she told her that Mr. He was in a great mood when she first arrived. Later, he received an unknown package then his mood became worse. He didn¡¯t even touch his lunch before stepping out and he didn¡¯t return until dark...

    As her thoughts wandered up to this very point, Ji Yi instantly understood what happened.

    It was no wonder when she called Chen Bai and all those people they hadn¡¯t seen him. She was confused because she didn¡¯t piss him off nor did those other people, so what was the problem? She assumed he might¡¯ve been bullied and gotten into an argument with a stranger for nothing...

    After everything, it was all about her!

    ¡°He Jichen, didn¡¯t I just say I wrote this letter in senior high? That was then, this is now...¡± said Ji Yi with no hesitation, understanding why He Jichen was unhappy.

    As Ji Yi said this, she took two steps towards He Jichen. She reached her fingers out and pinched his sleeve. She gently swayed and batted her eyelids at He Jichen. ¡°...How about we go back to the town again together and write a letter for Ji Yi twenty, thirty, and forty years in the future? I promise every word will be about you...¡±

 Chapter 851

    Chapter 851: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen felt his sleeve being pulled and furrowed his brows slightly as he gradually came back to reality. That was when he heard Ji Yi say, ¡°...How about we go back to the town together and write a letter for Ji Yi twenty, thirty, and forty years in the future? I promise every word will be about you...¡±

    Wasn¡¯t she just talking about ¡°You are Yuguang and the rest of my life¡±?

    How did the conversation shift to the letter?

    A hint of confusion shed across He Jichen¡¯s eyes as his gaze darted over to Ji Yi¡¯s face.

    His gaze happened to sweep over the letter clenched in her hands. At first, he didn¡¯t think much of it as he averted his gaze upward by two centimeters. But then his eyes shook and came to a stop.

    After about two seconds, his gaze retreated back and hovered over the letter.

    Isn¡¯t that... the letter I mulled over all day long? How did it end up in her hands?

    Then she must know I was in a bad mood because of the letter?

    She just told me she liked the wrong person all along and actually truly liked me... so after everything, isn¡¯t this inadvertently telling her why I was in a terrible mood all day?

    What kind of joke is this? Do I have no sense of pride?

    The next second, He Jichen reached out and forcefully snatched the letter in Ji Yi¡¯s hands, scrunched it up into a ball and shoved it into his pocket.

    Seeing that he had such a strong reaction, Ji Yi knew her suspicions were right ¨C He Jichen really was upset over the letter the entire day. ¡°Now that it¡¯s all cleared up, don¡¯t be upset. Since we¡¯ll be free for a while, how about we go to the town tomorrow together?¡±

    As soon as Ji Yi said this, He Jichen¡¯s cold voice came crashing down. ¡°We¡¯re not going!¡±

    Ah... is he acting out?

    Ji Yi hugged He Jichen¡¯s arm then tightly glued herself onto his body. ¡°Let¡¯s goooo, that town is really fun...¡±

    ¡°Not going!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go! Let¡¯s go!¡±

    ¡°No!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    He Jichen looked like he couldn¡¯t be bothered to fight with Ji Yi and ignored her.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go! Let¡¯s go! Let¡¯s go!¡± Ji Yi emphasized it three times like it was very important.

    He Jichen swept her a nce. He turned around and looked like he was about to get up and leave.

    Latched onto He Jichen¡¯s arm, Ji Yi thought she saw something under the dim garden lights. The moment He Jichen turned around, Ji Yi caught a glimpse of a faint tint of red on his fair neck and ears.

    So... He Jichen only firmly refused to go to the town with me because he¡¯s embarrassed?

    But his flushed face looks really cute...

    With that thought, Ji Yi became more careful as she tip-toed over to He Jichen¡¯s ear before he could leave and whispered, ¡°Hey, He Jichen...¡±

    She deliberately exhaled near his ear.

    She clearly felt his body starting to tense up.

    As she became secretly happy deep down, she deliberately and softly blew into his ear. ¡°...Were you upset all day today because you were jealous?¡±

    Having been seen through, the redness of his ears turned a darker shade.

    The arch of Ji Yi¡¯s lips couldn¡¯t help but widen. Then with a firmer tone of voice, she said, ¡°You were jealous, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    Because Ji Yi¡¯s lips were really close to He Jichen¡¯s ear, she felt the temperature of his ears rising after her voice dropped.

 Chapter 852

    Chapter 852: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Thinking back to what he repeatedly said to her in the morning, before she left for the office, Ji Yi didn¡¯t show any signs of mercy. In fact, she drew closer to He Jichen¡¯s ear and seductively said, ¡°And, not only were you jealous, but you felt embarrassed because...¡±

    Ji Yi deliberately paused for a second then continued by speaking with a voice so low that only the two of them could hear. ¡°...You realized that the person you were jealous of all day actually turned out to be yourself...¡±

    ¡°Oh, wait. No, no...¡± At this point, Ji Yi shook her head and quickly took her words back. ¡°...urately speaking, you¡¯ve been jealous for so many years, when actually you¡¯ve been jealous about yo...¡±

    Ji Yi was happy to continue on but thest word just about reached her throat when He Jichen, who was standing beside her, abruptly turned around. Then he pushed her up against the trunk of a nearby tree.

    He was a little rough. The slight pain radiating from her back made Ji Yi gasp.

    But before she could finish her gasp, his hand already moved from behind her waist, into her pants...

    Ji Yi was so shocked she couldn¡¯t get away. ¡°He Jichen, what are you doing?¡±

    It seemed like He Jichen hadn¡¯t heard what she said as he pressed himself up against her squirming body. He reached his other hand out and unzipped her top.

    Ji Yi instantly felt the chill upon her chest a second before his facetched onto her.

    ¡°He Jichen, this is the garden! The garden!¡± Ji Yi said with a trembling voice as though she was incredibly shocked.

    He Jichen continued to ignore her as his hand caressed her body up and down non-stop.

    After teasing her just a few times, Ji Yi hadpletely slumped and couldn¡¯t stand up straight.

    However, she didn¡¯t forget they were in the garden. ¡°He Jichen, stop messing around. He Jichen...¡±

    Just as Ji Yi lost count of how many times she called his name, she heard the sound of two footstepsing from a nearby path.

    Her eyes widened in shock as she cried with a flustered voice, ¡°He Jichen! Someone¡¯sing. Let go of me! There¡¯s someoneing...¡±

    As the footsteps drew closer and closer, Ji Yi didn¡¯t utter a peep in fear of being discovered, but He Jichen didn¡¯t seem to want to let her go in the slightest. In fact, his hands became even more reckless and wild.

    In just a short while, He Jichen left Ji Yi with trouble breathing.

    As the sound of the footsteps got louder, just when Ji Yi thought she and He Jichen would get caught if the person turned around, He Jichen¡¯s fingers abruptly pushed into her body. She couldn¡¯t keep it in and let out a gasp of air...

    The footsteps came to a sudden stop.

    Ji Yi was so afraid she immediately stopped breathing; her heart even skipped a beat.

    He Jichen, who remained quiet from the beginning, finally stopped. His hand didn¡¯t pull away from her body, but he moved his face closer to her ear. Then he whispered, ¡°Admit you were wrong.¡±

    He¡¯s retaliating... Ji Yi stubbornly didn¡¯t say a word.

    He Jichen raised his eyebrows and didn¡¯t bother wasting time. His fingers thrust a little deeper inside her, causing Ji Yi¡¯s whole body to shudder. Without thinking twice, she blurted out, ¡°I was wrong. I was wrong...¡±

    ¡°Will you dare to do it ever again?¡±

    ¡°No, no, I don¡¯t dare...¡±

    ¡°This time, I¡¯ll let you off, but if there¡¯s ever a second time, I¡¯ll punish you on the spot!¡± said He Jichen with a little ferocity in his voice.

 Chapter 853

    Chapter 853: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t dare to be stubborn with He Jichen anymore. She nodded fiercely. Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.

    He Jichen seemed to have cheered up just by watching her acting so obedient. After staring at her for a while, he seductively whispered into her ear, ¡°You want it, don¡¯t you?¡±

    His voice was captivating to begin with, but now that he was deliberately teasing her, the sweet sound of his voice made Ji Yi¡¯s legs go weak. If she hadn¡¯t been pressed between He Jichen¡¯s body and the tree trunk, she would¡¯vepletely slumped to the ground.

    What kind of question is he asking...? Even if the passerby had already walked quite a distance away and if they were the only ones left in the huge garden, Ji Yi¡¯s face couldn¡¯t help but flush.

    He Jichen waited for a while. Seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything, he softly let out a ¡°Hmm?¡± But she ignored him still. He didn¡¯t say anything more and violently moved his fingers inside her.

    Ji Yi was really afraid He Jichen would cause trouble. She couldn¡¯t be reserved anymore! Without any hesitation whatsoever, she blurted out, ¡°Yes, yes, yes...¡±

    ¡°You really want it?¡± He Jichen¡¯s hands didn¡¯t show any signs of stopping at all.

    Ji Yi was both scared stiff and excited; she couldn¡¯t think too much about He Jichen¡¯s question. After she heard what he said, she furiously nodded and replied in a mouse-like voice, ¡°I really really really want it...¡±

    He Jichen seemed satisfied as his lips moved closer to Ji Yi¡¯s ear and he softly scoffed, ¡°Since you really want it, let¡¯s hurry back home to prevent ruining yourself from wanting it too badly.¡±

    What does he mean by ¡°ruining yourself from wanting it too badly¡±...?

    Ji Yi was shy and angry, but before she could re at He Jichen, he had already pulled his hand out. He zipped up her pants then put some distance between them by taking two steps back.

    Ji Yi stayed there against the tree for a moment before she came to.

    She just about straightened up when his voice came from beside her and drifted her way. ¡°Actually, I want you even more right here...¡±

    Ji Yi ignored He Jichen and started walking down the nearby path.

    The man let out a low chuckle as he leisurely caught up.

    Just as they were about to reach their building, He Jichen sped up and caught Ji Yi¡¯s hand.

    When Ji Yi swatted his hand away, He Jichen grabbed it again. Ji Yi swatted his hand away again, to which He Jichen grabbed it again. This repeated a couple times until they reached the stairs of the building when Ji Yi finally stopped fighting back. Then He Jichen suddenly stopped walking. ¡°You head up first. I¡¯m going to buy something.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t understand. ¡°What are you going to buy?¡±

    He Jichen bowed and said with a quiet voice, ¡°An umbre.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s breathing suddenly became unstable. She instinctively turned her head away and gave a half-hearted ¡°Oh...¡± Then she let go of He Jichen¡¯s hand as she attempted to step into the elevator.

    The moment her fingers left his, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace without warning. She had no time to react before he lowered his head and put his lips to her ears. ¡°Tonight, we¡¯re going to try a new position...¡±

    What could he say that couldn¡¯t be said when they got home?

    Ji Yi noticed He Jichen was acting improperly again, so without thinking twice, she struggled out of his embrace.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t make things difficult for her and let her leave. After he saw her entering the elevator, he slowly strolled out of the residential area.

 Chapter 854

    Chapter 854: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After Ji Yi took a shower and climbed into bed, the bedroom door opened. He Jichen walked in with a bag in his hand.

    As he unbuttoned his jacket, he walked over to the bedside and emptied the contents of the bag in front of Ji Yi. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a mission. Choose which one you want to use first,¡± he eximed as he walked into the bathroom.

    Ji Yi stared at the colorful squares spread out across half the bed and mumbled, ¡°What kind of freaking mission is this?¡±

    ¨C

    Since Cheng Weiwan returned from the Golden Lounge, she sat by Cheng Han¡¯s bed and watched as he slept all night long.

    That night, Cheng Weiwan thought a lot about Cheng Han.

    She remembered she gave Han Zhifan¡¯s secretary a ton of money to help keep her secret.

    In actuality, on the day of her operation, the liquid through the tubes wasn¡¯t anesthetic ¨C it was prenatal medicine to ease her unstable pregnancy due to the erratic emotions she was feeling at the time.

    In her entire life, she¡¯d only ever epted one man ¨C Han Zhifan ¨C and she¡¯d only ever loved him. At this moment, although she clearly knew everything was a trap, there was no way she could ept the truth. Simrly, she knew she couldn¡¯t love him any longer, but after putting herself out there, her heart was no longer hers to control. She didn¡¯t dare see him directly, so she could only secretly watch over him from below his apartment building in the middle of the night.

    At the time, she was afraid other people would find out she was pregnant, so she always wore baggy clothes.

    Perhaps it was because this was her first pregnancy, but she went through particrly bad nausea. She vomited whatever she ate, and not only did her weight not increase, but it actually decreased significantly.

    Lin Muqing was really busy with work and her dad, Cheng Weiguo, barely came to visit her ¨C he only came once a year. She had no other rtives, so every time she went to the hospital for a check-up, she was the only one there all alone, watching as other pregnant women were surrounded by their family or the husbands supporting them as they walked. At the time, she was seven to eight months pregnant with Hanhan, so it was hard for her to move around with her big belly.

    Throughout her pregnancy, she always worked hard to make herself happy and healthy. However, she knew that no matter how hard she tried, she wasn¡¯t truly happy. On the day she gave birth, she experiencedplications.

    Till this day, she still remembered the pain she felt that day and just how helpless she was.

    She was so afraid and panicked so much, but she couldn¡¯t call Han Zhifan or get in contact with her dad.

    All she could do was endure it on her own. If she hadn¡¯t considered how there wouldn¡¯t be anyone to take care of the baby aside from her after he was born, she wouldn¡¯t have been able to bear the pain and she might¡¯ve died on that operating table.

    She hired a midwife but she wasn¡¯t a rtive, so naturally she wasn¡¯t as attentive inparison to other pregnant women with perfect families who made adequate preparations for their first month after birth. After she was discharged, she busied herself with taking care of Cheng Han and that was when she fell ill. Till this day, whenever she stayed out in the cold for too long, she would have awful headaches.

    After Cheng Han was born, she didn¡¯t get a proper night¡¯s sleep for a long time.

    She clearly remembered how she got a fever at night when Cheng Han was just eight months old. It was raining heavily at the time, and Lin Muqing was on a business trip outside of Beijing, so she couldn¡¯t get a hold of her. In the end, she went to the hospital on her own while carrying her baby.

    Later, Hanhan became older and she gradually stopped worrying so much. She started to write again to earn money. But just as her days were getting better, Han Zhifan showed up.

 Chapter 855

    Chapter 855: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She knew if Han Zhifan took Hanhan away, that would be the death of her. However, she also knew that she couldn¡¯t just let Lin Muqing go to prison.

    Cheng Weiwan held back her tears as she reached out and gently touched Cheng Han¡¯s little face.

    She wanted to remember this feeling because who knew? She might not even get a chance to touch his face like this again...

    At five in the morning, Cheng Weiwan got up, tip-toed into the bedroom and headed for the kitchen.

    Even though it was just breakfast and even though it was just the two of them, she spent over two hours in the kitchen, making Chen Han¡¯s favorite food. After she finished cooking everything, she ced it all on the dining table then headed back into the bedroom.

    Cheng Han woke up before she could sit by his bed.

    Cheng Weiwan carried Cheng Han out of bed and personally helped him brush his teeth and wash his face. Then she carried him to the dining table and personally fed him breakfast.

    Having stayed up all night long, she was exhausted and sleepy. Regardless, after breakfast, she took Cheng Han out to the aquarium, which he had been asking to go to for a few days.

    It was one in the afternoon by the time they left the aquarium, and Cheng Han was hungry and begging for snacks. She wouldn¡¯t normally let him eat them, but today, she did.

    She could tell Cheng Han was really happy because he called out ¡°mummy¡± non-stop. Every time he heard her reply, he would arch his eyes and smile at her.

    The more he smiled, the more her heart ached, yet she forcefully endured her emotions and yed with him.

    In the afternoon, she took him to his favorite za to feed the pigeons, and in the evening, she took him to the children¡¯s y area in the mall.

    After he was all tired out, Cheng Weiwan, who was exhausted as hell, carried him around the mall for a long while and bought him a new outfit. After he changed into his new clothes, she took him into the restroom to wash his little face clean. Then she held his hand and walked out of the mall.

    It was already dark outside. She stood by the roadside, crouched down and stared at Cheng Han¡¯s big bright eyes for a moment. ¡°Hanhan, mummy¡¯s going to take you to find daddy, okay?¡± she asked softly.

    When Cheng Han heard the word ¡°daddy,¡± his eyes lit up.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s tears almost came crashing down when she saw him like that. ¡°Daddy¡¯s house is really big ¨C there¡¯s a garden and a swing. Also, there¡¯s a really, really big toy room and there are several uncles and aunties to y with you too.¡±

    As Cheng Weiwan said this, her voice cracked a little. She stopped walking and paused for a few seconds then said, ¡°So, mummy¡¯s going to take you to y at daddy¡¯s house, alright?¡±

    The naive child was so delighted that he adorably said, ¡°Okay!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan turned her head and wiped the tears from her eyes. She pulled her phone out of her pockets and sent Han Zhifan a text. ¡°Can Ie over right now?¡±

    Han Zhifan seemed to be waiting for her text as she immediately got a reply after sending her text. ¡°Yes.¡±

    He probably thought she didn¡¯t know the address because, after about ten seconds, her phone popped up with another new message. It was the address of his newly-bought vi.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t reply to Han Zhifan¡¯s message as she put her phone away and took Cheng Han over to the sidewalk to hail a cab.

    Cheng Weiwan really hoped the taxi could drive forever and never stop or better yet, she hoped she could suddenly get into a car crash and let it take her and Cheng Han¡¯s lives.

    But no matter how much she hoped and wished en route to Han Zhifan¡¯s vi, the car came to a gradual stop at the gates to his vi.

 Chapter 856

    Chapter 856: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan must¡¯ve ordered someone to wait by the gates long ago.

    After Cheng Weiwan and Cheng Han got out of the car, someone immediately came over and escorted them to the courtyard.

    They entered the vi, walked upstairs and reached the door to the room at the very end. Right then, the person escorting Cheng Weiwan and Cheng Han stopped there.

    The door wasn¡¯t closed. Inside, therge room was filled with all different kinds of toys.

    Han Zhifan and a nanny stood inside, waiting.

    Cheng Weiwan gripped Cheng Han¡¯s little hand as she walked him inside. Just as they were about to reach Han Zhifan, she lowered her head and softly said, ¡°Hanhan, say ¡®daddy¡¯.¡±

    Cheng Han obediently cried out, ¡°Daddy.¡±

    Han Zhifan had a transformer in his hands. After he heard Cheng Han speak, he waved the transformer at him. ¡°Come to daddy. Daddy will take you to y with all these toys.¡±

    Cheng Han looked like he wanted to go over, but he didn¡¯t run over to Han Zhifan. Instead, he raised his head and looked over at Cheng Weiwan first until she told him to go on. That was when he finally let go of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s hand and ran over to Han Zhifan.

    The child was innocent, naive and didn¡¯t know better. After being promised some toys to y with, he stopped caring about anything else.

    Cheng Weiwan watched Cheng Han and the nanny having fun ying with the toys together then she took a step back. When Han Zhifan was certain Cheng Han wasn¡¯t going to look for his mum, he shot Cheng Weiwan a nce as if to signal her to leave.

    Han Zhifan gently shut the door then without saying a word, he led Cheng Weiwan into the study.

    Inside was a man she didn¡¯t know. When they both stepped inside, he immediately stood up and handed Han Zhifan a file.

    Han Zhifan took it and briefly skimmed through it. Without even ncing at Cheng Weiwan, he tossed the document in front of her and coldly said, ¡°Sign it.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan picked up the file with the words ¡°Termination of Parental Rights¡± on the front. Her body shuddered violently for a moment.

    Han Zhifan wanted her to cut all ties to Cheng Han...

    Han Zhifan lit a cigarette and took a few drags before looking over at Cheng Weiwan, who still hadn¡¯t signed. His brows furrowed. ¡°I don¡¯t have a lot of time to waste on you. While I¡¯m still civil, I suggest you hurry up and sign so I can send someone to let Lin Muqing go. When my patience runs out, you better be careful... I might not let you leave with Cheng Han nor let Lin Muqing go free!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan lowered her eyes but didn¡¯t utter a word.

    After about half a minute, Han Zhifan¡¯s patience ran thin. Just as he was about to say something, she picked up the pen and started to write on the document.

    When she stopped, thewyer walked over and picked up the document. After a quick check to ensure no problems, he nodded at Han Zhifan. ¡°Mr. Han, everything looks good.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything and waved his hand at thewyer.

    Thewyer understood what Han Zhifan meant. After he put the document away, he stepped out of the room.

    As the door gently shut behind thewyer, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t waste his breath on Cheng Weiwan. He picked up the phone and made a call. ¡°You can let her go now.¡±

    Shortly after, Han Zhifan hung up, turned his head, and swept a look at Cheng Weiwan who was standing nearby. ¡°She¡¯s free now. You can leave.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan stood on the spot without flinching.

    The room fell silent for a while then Han Zhifan turned to look at her when he didn¡¯t hear any footsteps.

    Meeting his gaze, Cheng Weiwan cried, ¡°Can I see Hanhan one more time?¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything.

 Chapter 857

    Chapter 857: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    A pleading sound escaped Cheng Weiwan¡¯s throat. ¡°Can I just sneak a quick peek? Just one...¡±

    Her careful and cautious words ignited a familiar sense of frustration Han Zhifan feltst night at the Golden Lounge. He instinctively furrowed his brows as a hint of annoyance shed in his eyes.

    Sensing a change in Han Zhifan¡¯s expression, Cheng Weiwan was afraid he would refuse, so before he could speak, she cried, ¡°I promise I won¡¯t say anything or do anything. I¡¯ll just watch Hanhan from afar. Okay?¡±

    She spoke softly, but Han Zhifan perceived her request to be incredibly noisy as he listened with a growing rage. Then he interrupted her with a furious voice. ¡°Quit dreaming!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan appeared frightened by the violent tone in his voice as she instantly fell silent.

    A wall of silence engulfed the study.

    He only got angry because he hated that she spoke out. However, now that she wasn¡¯t saying a word, not only did the fire in his chest not subside but the mes grew fiercer.

    Han Zhifan forcefully pulled out a cigarette, shoved it between his lips and violently lit it with a lighter. After taking two drags, he turned his head and shot Cheng Weiwan a nce. He saw that herplexion had turned pale white and she had her head lowered while standing in the same spot without showing any signs of leaving. ¡°What are you still standing there for? Are you waiting for me to see you off?¡± he eximed, no longer with a good temper.

    Cheng Weiwan continued to stand there for a while with her head lowered then she finally said, ¡°Hanhan has a natural deficiency of vitamin B and he¡¯s prone to suffering from excessive internal heat, so he has to drink more water. He hates eating carrots, so he needs to eat it a little every day. If he really won¡¯t eat it, remember to give him some children¡¯s vitamin gummies.¡±

    Han Zhifan ignored Cheng Weiwan.

    After about two seconds, Cheng Weiwan added, ¡°Hanhan has bad sleeping habits at night. He often kicks off his covers, so you have to check up on him in the middle of the night; otherwise, he¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±

    ¡°Hanhan¡¯s not very brave. He¡¯s grown up with me by his side, so he might be a little shy. He¡¯s never met your people here, so he¡¯s definitely going to be a little afraid of strangers. No matter what, don¡¯t get mad at him. He¡¯ll definitely be scared.¡±

    The more Cheng Weiwan spoke, the more she wanted to cry. When she thought about how much she loved him, she used to let go and cry, but now... she didn¡¯t even want to let Han Zhifan see her eyes turning red. She tried hard to hold back to prevent him from seeing her weakness. She spoke slowly and deliberately as she said, ¡°Hanhan is allergic to cat hairs, but he really likes little animals. He always likes to rush over to them when adults aren¡¯t paying attention. If there are cats nearby, you have to watch him. Otherwise, his whole body will be covered with red bumps. If it gets serious, he¡¯ll get a fever.¡±

    ¡°If he doesn¡¯t see me, he¡¯ll definitely try to find me and he¡¯ll cry. You guys will have to cheer him up and have a little patience.¡±

    ¡°If he¡¯s unwilling to go to sleep, tell him a story. His favorite is the hare and the tortoise...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan really wanted to give him more reminders, but she couldn¡¯t go on. She stayed quiet for a while and went straight to the point. ¡°I know you don¡¯t like me. In fact, you hate me... But Hanhan did nothing wrong. I hope you won¡¯t take your anger out on the child.¡±

 Chapter 858

    Chapter 858: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The more Han Zhifan heard, the angrier he got. Eventually, when she stopped, he couldn¡¯t help but cry out, ¡°Are you done? If you¡¯re done, get out!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers tightly clutched her sleeves against her will. Deep down, she repeatedly told herself that he wasn¡¯t listening. She continued to finish where she left off. ¡°And I know you¡¯ll get married eventually. If it¡¯s possible, I hope you can postpone marrying for Hanhan. Wait until he¡¯s a little older and can take care of himself before you get married...¡±

    She was afraid that if he married too soon, the child would be mistreated.

    ¡°...I know it¡¯s an unreasonable request. I beg you...¡±

    ¡°Beg me? What right do you have to beg me?¡± Perhaps Han Zhifan was too angry as there was a faint tremble in his voice. ¡°Let me tell you this! Getting married or not is my business and finding a step mom for my son is MY business! Even if my step mom abuses my son, that has absolutely nothing to do with you. After all, my son is mine alone, so I get to call the shots!¡±

    ¡°Honestly speaking, I didn¡¯t even want you ¨C did you think I would want the child you gave birth to?¡±

    ¡°I only stole my son back to make you suffer!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan had her head hung low, but when she heard Han Zhifan say this, she suddenly lifted her head and looked over at him.

    He knew she was pale white, but he never imagined that her face would look so pale that it looked damn near translucent.

    Her eyes were very dry as she stared at him; there wasn¡¯t a trace of wetness. Her pupils were lifeless like she didn¡¯t even know him.

    The way she stared at him made him abruptly stop talking. He thought about it for a long time but couldn¡¯t figure out what to say. In the end, he furiously roared at her, ¡°Get out!¡±

    She blinked gently as though she wasing back to her senses. Then without uttering a word, she shot him a nce, turned around, and silently walked towards the door.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if he was seeing things, but he suddenly felt she looked a little pitiful as he stared at her back.

    For a moment, he actually thought he went overboard.

    Furthermore, when she walked up to the door and reached to open the door, he instinctively took a step forward and wanted to cry her name.

    But before he could do a thing, he snapped back to his senses. Then he instinctively gulped back the words ¡°Cheng Weiwan.¡±

    What¡¯s with me? I actually wanted to call her and let her see her son onest time...

    She¡¯s the daughter of Cheng Weiguo, the murderer who killed Lili. I got closer to Cheng Weiwan to make Cheng Weiguo suffer and to let him know that his own daughter felt everything Lili felt. That¡¯s why I won¡¯t go soft on her, feel sorry for her, or even pity her!

    Everything I¡¯m doing is right. I didn¡¯t go overboard. Not at all. If Cheng Weiwan wants to me someone, she can me her father!

    Han Zhifan forcefully pinched the cigarette between his hands as he repeated that line over and over in his heart.

    He didn¡¯t turn his head until he heard the sound of the front door opening from beyond the study door. Through the window, he watched her slender body walking out.

    The front doors closed but she stood still outside. He didn¡¯t understand what was going on with her. The next second, he threw the cigarette butt to the floor, stomped on it, and kicked the floormp beside him.

    ...

    As the front door mmed behind her, Cheng Weiwan slumped to the ground like she lost all strength in her body. She started to cry.

 Chapter 859

    Chapter 859: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Mum was gone and dad was never home. She¡¯d been alone ever since she was very, very little.

    Other people said family was the most important, but she never really had a family.

    Later in her life, she met him and thought he could give her a sense of family, but she never imagined that was overthinking things.

    Thereafter, she had Hanhan and she finally got a taste of family. But not long after, Hanhan left her too.

    She was on her own again...

    Cheng Weiwan cried for a really long time before she stopped.

    She swayed where she stood and stared at the streetlights not too far away. All of a sudden, she felt a little lost and didn¡¯t know what to do next.

    In a daze, she took two steps forward and reached for the phone in her pocket. She opened the call log, stared at ¡°dad¡± for a long while then made the call.

    The phone rang several times before it was picked up. ¡°Hello?¡±

    That was her biological father¡¯s voice. She could tell it was his voice, but to her, it sounded like a stranger.

    It¡¯s probably been over half a year since I called him, right?

    Cheng Weiwan was stunned for a moment then she finally cried out, ¡°Dad.¡±

    ¡°Oh... Weiwan?¡± It had been over half a year since the father and daughter were on the phone together, yet Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t sound the least bit surprised. In fact, his voice was so t that he sounded a little halfhearted. Without waiting for Cheng Weiwan to speak, he continued to say, ¡°What are you calling me for? Are you in need of some money? I¡¯ll ask assistant Zhang to send you some tomorrow. I¡¯m busy here. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m hanging up...¡±

    ¡°Dad...¡± Cheng Weiwan blurted in fear of Cheng Weiguo hanging up.

    ¡°Now what?¡± asked Cheng Weiguo in an obviously impatient voice.

    Over the phone, Cheng Weiwan heard the sound of singing and drinking on Cheng Weiguo¡¯s side over the phone... So when he said he was busy, he was busy having fun... Cheng Weiwan instinctively said, ¡°Dad, I¡¯ve recently been having a terrible time.¡± She spoke so suddenly that the words lingered by her lips.

    Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t wait for her to say anything else and just hung up right away.

    Cheng Weiwan listened to the busy tone for a long time before she lowered the phone from her ear. She turned and nced at her phone for a long time. Then she had a thought deep down: ¡°They all really don¡¯t want me, huh...¡±

    ¨C

    Having cancelled several jobs, Ji Yi was suddenly incredibly free. Since He Jichen didn¡¯t leave the country and since he had no immediate ns to go back to Sucheng to take over He Enterprises, he was also free. For the next few days, aside from when they had to use the restroom, the pair were practically inseparable.

    Considering how she had so much time on her hands, Ji Yi figured she would pick up the game she dropped a while back.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t really y the game nor did he now, but he spent most of his time sitting by Ji Yi as she yed. Every so often, when she was just about to lose, he would take her phone and turn the game around.

    Despite having not yed Kings for a few days now, Ji Yi seemed to have unknowingly reached the final stage. She needed just one more star to get her first King¡¯s emblem ever since starting the game two years ago.

    Who knew that Ji Yi would y the final match several times to no avail? With her patience drained, all she could do was sit aside and peel fruit as He Jichen helped her y the match.

    He Jichen turned to Ji Yi with conditions. ¡°I can help you y, buy you¡¯re gonna have to answer a question for me.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the question?¡±

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t in a hurry to answer Ji Yi, so after elegantly cutting the fruit and putting the knife down, he picked up a fork and stabbed a slice of apple. He brought the apple to the corner of Ji Yi¡¯s mouth then said, ¡°Answer the question I asked youst night in bed.¡±

    The question I asked youst night in bed... Ji Yi bit into the apple slice then chewed as she thought about the question.

    After about ten seconds, she suddenly stopped chewing.

    Last night, He Jichen pressed down on her body and asked what her favorite position was...

    She shyly replied she forgot. He bit her corbone then sluggishly told her not to worry about forgetting. With that, he revisited the positions they used the past few days...

 Chapter 860

    Chapter 860: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Thereafter, she fell asleep in exhaustion.

    She thought he was just flirting with herst night and that the topic would be dropped after they had sex. She never imagined he actually remembered it...

    ¡°Have you forgotten again?¡± asked He Jichen. Seeing that Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply for so long, he picked up a grape and fed it to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi chewed on the grape a few times. ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to revisit those positions again tonight. Only when you¡¯ve fully answered the question will I help you y Kings,¡± said He Jichen in a casual tone.

    Ji Yi was so surprised that she gulped down the grape she hadn¡¯t even finished chewing then clutched her chest as she coughed a little. She turned and red at He Jichen. ¡°He Jichen, why do you think about this every day?¡±

    In contrast to Ji Yi¡¯s anger and embarrassment, He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice was as calm as always. ¡°Because I want to make up for our lost time.¡±

    Lost time... Those two words felt like a thin needle stabbing Ji Yi¡¯s heart and painfully pricking her chest.

    But before that pain could subside, He Jichen¡¯s voice bore into her ears. ¡°It¡¯s been almost seven years since our first time. There are fifty-two weeks in a year, so that¡¯s three hundred and sixty-four weeks in seven years. A normal married couple has sex two to three times a week. If we calcte using two times a week over three hundred and sixty-four weeks, that¡¯s over seven hundred times...¡±

    So, this is the lost time he was referring to?

    She was really mindblown; her heart actually ached when he said the two words ¡°lost time.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to finish as she bolted up and walked out of the bedroom.

    He Jichen put his fork down then slowly got up and caught up to Ji Yi. ¡°...But think about it. I have unusually good stamina. It¡¯s too little to push you once a week and twice a week would be looking down on my abilities, so let¡¯s go for three times a week. Three hundred and sixty-four weeks equates to one thousand and ny-two times. I¡¯ll give you a discount, which means one thousand times...¡±

    After getting changed, Ji Yi randomly picked out some clothes from the changing room and chucked them at He Jichen¡¯s face. ¡°Thank you for your discount. Hurry up and get changed thene with me to the supermarket to check out those discounts.¡±

    He Jichen pulled a top over his head while he said, ¡°You¡¯re wee. ...Think about it. A thousand times! If I don¡¯t work hard now, I¡¯ll never make up for the lost time. I reckon that in this lifetime, we¡¯ll never make up for it...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to finish speaking as she grabbed her purse and walked out of the bedroom then out the front door.

    ...

    It was Thursday so most people were at work. There weren¡¯t many people at the supermarket, which made it easier to shop around.

    When she passed the frozen foods section, Ji Yi went to pick up some yogurt while He Jichen went to look at the fruit.

    When He Jichen picked out some fruit and was about to go find Ji Yi, he incidentally overheard two girls murmuring as they stood next to him picking fruit.

    ¡°Look at this headline. I¡¯m speechless!¡±

    ¡°What headline?¡±

    ¡°A woman actually slept with someone to be the King. Everyone¡¯s teasing them; one bang to be the king...¡±

    He Jichen slowed down his footsteps for a moment then slowly sped up.

    He took the yogurt Ji Yi handed him and put it into the cart. As they walked over to the vegetable section, he sluggishly said, ¡°Xiao Yi, you don¡¯t have to answer my question. Promise me something else and I¡¯ll help you with Kings.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡± Ji Yi stopped at the frozen foods section and picked up a box of white Ji mob shrimps.

    He Jichen wanted to say ¡°one bang to be the King,¡± but he figured that wasn¡¯t so ssy. He hesitated for two seconds then said, ¡°A thousand miles to Jiangling.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Ji Yi asked. ¡°What do you mean by a thousand miles to Jiangling? A thousand miles to Jiangling...¡±

    Ji Yi instinctively wanted to say ¡°what the hell do you mean by ¡®a thousand miles to Jiangling¡¯?¡± But as she said this, she suddenly thought back to the Chinese idiom ¡°a thousand miles to Jiangling repaid in a day.¡± Then the words in her mouth suddenly stopped there.

    ¡°But what are a thousand miles anyway? Think about our lost time. A thousand times will take us at least ten thousand miles to Jiangling...¡±

    A thousand miles to Jiangling repaid in a day would mean it¡¯d take ten thousand miles and ten days to be repaid... Ji Yi raised her foot and fiercely kicked the cart He Jichen was pushing around. She gritted her teeth and cried ¡°In your dreams!¡± Then she left He Jichen, sped up, and headed for the vegetable section.

    Ji Yi picked out some vegetables for a while then turned around to see if He Jichen had caught up to her.

    She looked all around but couldn¡¯t find He Jichen¡¯s silhouette and furrowed her brows. She put down the vegetables in her hands and was about to pull out her phone to call He Jichen. Then she suddenly heard the hesitant voice of a woman. ¡°Ji Yi?¡±Chapter 860: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Thereafter, she fell asleep in exhaustion.

    She thought he was just flirting with herst night and that the topic would be dropped after they had sex. She never imagined he actually remembered it...

    ¡°Have you forgotten again?¡± asked He Jichen. Seeing that Ji Yi didn¡¯t reply for so long, he picked up a grape and fed it to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi chewed on the grape a few times. ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to revisit those positions again tonight. Only when you¡¯ve fully answered the question will I help you y Kings,¡± said He Jichen in a casual tone.

    Ji Yi was so surprised that she gulped down the grape she hadn¡¯t even finished chewing then clutched her chest as she coughed a little. She turned and red at He Jichen. ¡°He Jichen, why do you think about this every day?¡±

    In contrast to Ji Yi¡¯s anger and embarrassment, He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice was as calm as always. ¡°Because I want to make up for our lost time.¡±

    Lost time... Those two words felt like a thin needle stabbing Ji Yi¡¯s heart and painfully pricking her chest.

    But before that pain could subside, He Jichen¡¯s voice bore into her ears. ¡°It¡¯s been almost seven years since our first time. There are fifty-two weeks in a year, so that¡¯s three hundred and sixty-four weeks in seven years. A normal married couple has sex two to three times a week. If we calcte using two times a week over three hundred and sixty-four weeks, that¡¯s over seven hundred times...¡±

    So, this is the lost time he was referring to?

    She was really mindblown; her heart actually ached when he said the two words ¡°lost time.¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to finish as she bolted up and walked out of the bedroom.

    He Jichen put his fork down then slowly got up and caught up to Ji Yi. ¡°...But think about it. I have unusually good stamina. It¡¯s too little to push you once a week and twice a week would be looking down on my abilities, so let¡¯s go for three times a week. Three hundred and sixty-four weeks equates to one thousand and ny-two times. I¡¯ll give you a discount, which means one thousand times...¡±

    After getting changed, Ji Yi randomly picked out some clothes from the changing room and chucked them at He Jichen¡¯s face. ¡°Thank you for your discount. Hurry up and get changed thene with me to the supermarket to check out those discounts.¡±

    He Jichen pulled a top over his head while he said, ¡°You¡¯re wee. ...Think about it. A thousand times! If I don¡¯t work hard now, I¡¯ll never make up for the lost time. I reckon that in this lifetime, we¡¯ll never make up for it...¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to finish speaking as she grabbed her purse and walked out of the bedroom then out the front door.

    ...

    It was Thursday so most people were at work. There weren¡¯t many people at the supermarket, which made it easier to shop around.

    When she passed the frozen foods section, Ji Yi went to pick up some yogurt while He Jichen went to look at the fruit.

    When He Jichen picked out some fruit and was about to go find Ji Yi, he incidentally overheard two girls murmuring as they stood next to him picking fruit.

    ¡°Look at this headline. I¡¯m speechless!¡±

    ¡°What headline?¡±

    ¡°A woman actually slept with someone to be the King. Everyone¡¯s teasing them; one bang to be the king...¡±

    He Jichen slowed down his footsteps for a moment then slowly sped up.

    He took the yogurt Ji Yi handed him and put it into the cart. As they walked over to the vegetable section, he sluggishly said, ¡°Xiao Yi, you don¡¯t have to answer my question. Promise me something else and I¡¯ll help you with Kings.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡± Ji Yi stopped at the frozen foods section and picked up a box of white Ji mob shrimps.

    He Jichen wanted to say ¡°one bang to be the King,¡± but he figured that wasn¡¯t so ssy. He hesitated for two seconds then said, ¡°A thousand miles to Jiangling.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Ji Yi asked. ¡°What do you mean by a thousand miles to Jiangling? A thousand miles to Jiangling...¡±

    Ji Yi instinctively wanted to say ¡°what the hell do you mean by ¡®a thousand miles to Jiangling¡¯?¡± But as she said this, she suddenly thought back to the Chinese idiom ¡°a thousand miles to Jiangling repaid in a day.¡± Then the words in her mouth suddenly stopped there.

    ¡°But what are a thousand miles anyway? Think about our lost time. A thousand times will take us at least ten thousand miles to Jiangling...¡±

    A thousand miles to Jiangling repaid in a day would mean it¡¯d take ten thousand miles and ten days to be repaid... Ji Yi raised her foot and fiercely kicked the cart He Jichen was pushing around. She gritted her teeth and cried ¡°In your dreams!¡± Then she left He Jichen, sped up, and headed for the vegetable section.

    Ji Yi picked out some vegetables for a while then turned around to see if He Jichen had caught up to her.

    She looked all around but couldn¡¯t find He Jichen¡¯s silhouette and furrowed her brows. She put down the vegetables in her hands and was about to pull out her phone to call He Jichen. Then she suddenly heard the hesitant voice of a woman. ¡°Ji Yi?¡±

 Chapter 861

    Chapter 861: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Deep down, Ji Yi¡¯s heart fell. Then she abruptly stopped reaching into her pocket.

    Before she left the house, she deliberately put on a face mask. How did someone recognize me?

    She didn¡¯t turn her head and hoped the person who called her name would drop it and walk away.

    Who knew that the person who called her not only wouldn¡¯t leave but decided to edge in closer? ¡°It really is you! Ji Yi!¡±

    The voice sounded familiar. It didn¡¯t seem like a fan... Ji Yi felt a little uneasy inside as she turned and looked over to the source of the sound.

    The person calling her looked a little familiar. Ji Yi recognized her as a B-film ssmate who stayed in the same dorm as her. They asionally crossed paths. It was just that after graduation, she wasn¡¯t sure what her name was. To avoid embarrassment, Ji Yi didn¡¯t say hello.

    When the person who called her name met her gaze, she added, ¡°I saw your back from far away and thought it might be you. Coming in closer, you looked even more familiar. What a coincidence for us to bump into each other here.¡±

    After the person who called her finished speaking, she added, ¡°I¡¯m Ruan Jie. It¡¯s been almost two years since we¡¯ve seen each other. Do you still remember me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...¡± Ji Yi replied with a little guilt. Afraid Ruan Jie would see through her lie, she quickly continued by changing the subject. ¡°...so you¡¯re here shopping?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I got married and my husband¡¯s house is nearby. We¡¯ve finished eating all the food at home, so we¡¯re just stocking up. After Ruan Jie answered, she then asked, ¡°How about you? Don¡¯t tell me you live nearby too?¡±

    Ji Yi vaguely remembered how Ruan Jie was quite talkative in school. She never imagined Ruan Jie was just the same as before. Unlike the talkative Ruan Jie, Ji Yi merely nodded softly.

    ¡°Then we really must¡¯ve been fated to meet...¡± Ruan Jie smiled as though she was really happy then she blurted out, ¡°Huh?¡± She pulled her smile back and asked curiously, ¡°...I remember your apartment wasn¡¯t around here before. Did you buy a new apartment here?¡±

    Ji Yi shook her head. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Are you staying at a friend¡¯s ce?¡± Ruan Jie was obviously being nosy. ¡°It can¡¯t be your boyfriend¡¯s ce, right?¡±

    As she said this, Ruan Jie then thought back to the raging news about her online and suddenly, her eyes shot wide open. ¡°Ji Yi, are you really dating that murderer?¡±

    Murderer... Ji Yi lowered her eyes to hide the sh of annoyance in them. Her voice sounded slightly cold when she spoke. ¡°Excuse me, his name is He Jichen.¡±

    Ruan Jie was clearly an airhead as she didn¡¯t notice anything weird about Ji Yi. ¡°Of course I know his name. After all, he was a well-known person at our school. It¡¯s just a shame that he stabbed someone. I can¡¯t ept his views. His behavior was too destructive...¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t interested in continuing the conversation with Ruan Jie and found an appropriate time to cut her off. ¡°Excuse me, I have to go take a look over there. Let¡¯s talkter...¡±

    ¡°What a coincidence, I have to go over there too. Let¡¯s go together...¡± As she said this, she clung onto Ji Yi¡¯s arm and turned around to where Ji Yi pointed, cutting her off. ¡°...And Xiao Yi, you¡¯re young and pretty. You can find any guy you want. Why did you have to go and be with that kind of man? Think about the people online cursing you. For him, is this all worth ending up like this?¡±

 Chapter 862

    Chapter 862: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Are you in it for the money? But there are so many rich people in the world. With your looks, it won¡¯t be hard to find someone richer. Are you in it for his good looks? You guys work in showbiz as it is. There are plenty of people who look good, so you didn¡¯t have to choose him. When his temper rises, he was willing to kill someone, so who knows when you¡¯ll be his target? Even if he doesn¡¯t hit you, he has a criminal record, so what will people think of you? You have no idea... Because of him, several of us didn¡¯t invite you to ourst alumni meet up...¡±

    ¡°Are you done?¡± Ji Yi simply couldn¡¯t listen on as her tone of voice ran cold.

    Her voice must¡¯ve been overly cold as Ruan Jie slowly but finally noticed something was wrong and shut up.

    The atmosphere between the two of them froze for a short while before Ruan Jie apologetically said, ¡°Ji Yi, don¡¯t be mad ¨C I didn¡¯t mean anything by it. I was just saying it for...¡±

    Deep down, Ji Yi was a little mad. People might not even be able to take care of their own affairs; who had the time to worry about other people?

    Without waiting for Ruan Jie to finish apologizing, she turned and looked over at her while cutting her off. ¡°For my own good? But you aren¡¯t me, so how would you ever know that I...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish saying ¡°...don¡¯t care for you worrying about me,¡± she caught sight of He Jichen, who was standing frozen nearby while pushing the cart.

    Inparison to before, there were now more things in the cart. It was now filled with her favorite snacks.

    Deep down, Ji Yi suddenly felt bad, followed by an unspeakable sense of panic.

    Although Ruan Jie said some things that made her feel terrible and even though she would immediately share this experience with He Jichen, she was afraid he heard what Ruan Jie said.

    He never really showed his emotions ¨C the nk expression on his face revealed no emotions.

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen for a while but didn¡¯t notice a thing out of ce.

    Whereas Ruan Jie noticed that Ji Yi stopped mid-sentence and furrowed her brows in confusion. Then she realized Ji Yi was staring at a certain spot, so she turned her head in that direction. The second she met He Jichen¡¯s eyes, Ruan Jie evidently took a step back.

    Her little movements shocked Ji Yi.

    Without even looking at Ruan Jie, Ji Yi walked right up to He Jichen.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you picking out vegetables?¡± asked He Jichen quietly when Ji Yi walked over to him.

    He sounds no different than usual, so mustn¡¯t have caught anything Ruan Jie said, right...? thought Ji Yi for a moment before arching her eyes and softly replying, ¡°I bumped into my college ssmate and chatted with her a little.¡±

    ¡°What did you girls talk about?¡±

    He¡¯s just chatting with me casually, yet I¡¯m acting all nervous... Ji Yi calmed down. ¡°Nothing, we were just randomly chatting.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    ¡°I picked out some vegetables now. Aside from the one time when you cooked as Yuguang Ge, I haven¡¯t eaten your cooking.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    After leaving the supermarket, He Jichen drove to the apartment then waited for Ji Yi to get out of the car before he drove to the underground car park.

    After the car stopped, He Jichen was in no hurry to get out of the car. Instead, he reached for a cigarette and lit it up.

 Chapter 863

    Chapter 863: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Through the cigarette smoke, his ears suddenly rang with what that unknown woman said to Ji Yi in the supermarket...

    ¡ª Xiao Yi, you¡¯re young and pretty. You can find any guy you want. Why did you have to go and be with a man like that?

    ¡ª Think about the people online cursing you. For him, is this all worth ending up like this?

    ¡ª Even if he doesn¡¯t hit you, he has a criminal record, so what will people think of you? You have no idea... Because of him, several of us didn¡¯t invite you to ourst alumni meet up...

    With that thought, He Jichen suddenly raised his hand and took a harsh drag of his cigarette.

    Because he inhaled too harshly, he choked on the cigarette smoke, making him cough violently.

    After a while, He Jichen slowly came to his senses and stopped coughing. He raised his head and caught a glimpse of the cigarette between his fingers in the car window.

    He stared at the flickering cigarette butt for a while before shutting his eyes.

    I¡¯ve always treated her well, but in the end, I¡¯m dragging her down.

    He knew she waspletely willing to endure all this, but because of this, he felt terrible, especially thinking about what happened at the supermarket. There was panic in her eyes the moment she saw him, which left him instantly both warm and hurt deep down with a bittersweet feeling.

    The cigarette burned till the end. He Jichen felt a heavy burden on his chest which didn¡¯t leave, yet he didn¡¯t dare to linger on the feeling in fear of her finding out.

    He put out the cigarette and turned the car engine off. He Jichen got out of the car and stood in the underground car park for a while. After the cigarette smell dissipated from his clothes, he made his way into the elevator.

    When he reached his floor, He Jichen was just about to step out of the elevator when his front door opened. Ji Yi had her phone raised as she came rushing out in a hurry. When she saw him, she immediately came to a stop. ¡°It was no wonder I couldn¡¯t get through to you. You were in the elevator...¡±

    He Jichen walked a few steps up to Ji Yi then asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I promise to y a guest role for the new movie on ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯?¡±

    He Jichen knew that wasn¡¯t the main point, so he softly and tenderly let out an ¡°Mhm¡± then walked into the apartment with Ji Yi in hand.

    ¡°They¡¯re starting production tomorrow, so there¡¯s a dinner party at Lotus Park. Zhuang Yi told me about it two days ago, but I forgot. Zhuang Yi sent me a message to ask if I was out the door yet. That was when I suddenly remembered we can¡¯t eat at home tonight...¡±

    We? He Jichen suddenly stopped removing his shoes.

    ¡°He Jichen, I have to take a shower and get changed. Watch the time or we¡¯ll be reallyte. That¡¯s so embarrassing.¡± After Ji Yi said this, she headed upstairs into the bathroom.

    Ji Yi took a quick shower, did her makeup, and got changed. When she headed downstairs, she saw that He Jichen was still wearing the same clothes from that afternoon when they went grocery shopping. The center of her brows started to crease as she said, ¡°How have you not gotten changed yet? We really won¡¯t make it...¡±

    He Jichen reached out and took Ji Yi¡¯s bag. He walked to the door with her then he nonchntly replied, ¡°I¡¯ll take you there, but I¡¯m not going to the dinner. The past few days, Han Zhifan and I have had business to discuss. Seeing as you have a dinner tonight, I¡¯ll go meet up with him instead.¡±

 Chapter 864

    Chapter 864: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°So that¡¯s how it is...¡± Ji Yi believed him, so she didn¡¯t force He Jichen to go to the dinner party with her.

    ...

    It was seven o¡¯clock by the time she reached the China World Hotel, Beijing ¨C half an hourte from the meeting time.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t want to waste time, so she immediately opened the door when the car stopped. She got out and cried, ¡°I¡¯m heading out first.¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded He Jichen. Just as Ji Yi was about to close the door, he added, ¡°When you¡¯re just about done, send me a message in advance and I¡¯lle pick you up.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± replied Ji Yi with a smile. She shut the door then waved at He Jichen through the car window and walked into China World Hotel, Beijing.

    Through the ss, He Jichen watched as a female attendant escorted Ji Yi into the elevator. It wasn¡¯t until after the doors closedpletely that he stepped on the gas pedal and slowly drove off.

    ...

    This time, the new movie that was about to start production by the director of ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± was called ¡°The Fleeting Years.¡±

    As she was making a guest appearance, Ji Yi didn¡¯t have many lines to act, so she was done filming after about two to three days.

    The leading actress for ¡°The Fleeting Years¡± was an experienced senior actress who was famous all over China ever since Ji Yi was discovered by a scout after graduation. The male lead was a young, popr actor who didn¡¯t have particrly good reviews within the industry. Ji Yi had never worked with him before. Although they usually bumped into each other at big events, they normally only exchanged quick greetings. Come to think of it, tonight¡¯s dinner party was the first time they truly met face-to-face.

    The male lead was called Yang Li. He was pretty handsome, witty, and was friendly to Ji Yi.

    And yet, Ji Yi was quite half-hearted with her replies to Yang Li¡¯s endless flirting.

    Ji Yi had a natural eye for people and could more or less see through someone like Yang Li. She knew he was showing particr interest in her just to shoot his take with her.

    Aside from the male and female leads, Ji Yi was rather familiar with everyone there as they practically all worked on ¡°Jiuchong Pce¡± together.

    Yes, they were all practically the same crew with one exception. Despite there being one exception, Ji Yi was still very familiar with that person.

    That one exception was Xie Siyao, the girl who conspired with Qian Ge to cause her car ident.

    Last year, Ji Yi caught wind that Xie Siyao had a boyfriend with a wealthy family background. Because of her boyfriend¡¯s influence and hefty investments, she was able to take part in small roles in several major movies.

    Now that Ji Yi saw them together today, she realized the rumors were actually true.

    Although Xie Siyao¡¯s rich boyfriend¡¯s family background wasn¡¯t too bad, it was far from what the tabloids were saying. He just had a bit of money, that was all.

    She could tell Xie Siyao was pretty pleased with her rich boyfriend. Throughout the dinner, she never strayed far from the words ¡°my sweetie dearest.¡± Every time Xie Siyao said it, she deliberately nced over at Ji Yi. Once or twice, she purposefully brought the topic back to Ji Yi. ¡°So Yi Jie, how are you and your boyfriendtely?¡±

    Of course, Ji Yi knew Xie Siyao was doing this on purpose. Although she pretended to y dumb and ignored her, deep down, she couldn¡¯t help butin. Birds of a feather do flock together! She¡¯s just the same as Qian Ge.

    On Ji Yi¡¯s left was Yang Li, who was flirting with her non-stop, and on her right was Xie Siyao, who was inadvertently verbally attacking her. This dinner really was quite difficult for Ji Yi to take.

    No matter how wellposed Ji Yi was, towards the end of the dinner, she couldn¡¯t take it much longer and found an excuse to go to the restroom to leave the room.

    After calming down, Ji Yi washed her hands and emerged from the restroom. As she was just about to head back to the room, she happened to bump into Han Zhifan, who came out of the men¡¯s toilets at the same time.

    ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi was just as shocked as Han Zhifan was. ¡°So you and He Jichen are meeting up here?¡±

    The smile on Han Zhifan¡¯s face turned stiff. ¡°Chen Ge? I¡¯m not meeting up with Chen Ge tonight...¡±

 Chapter 865

    Chapter 865: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He¡¯s not meeting up with He Jichen?

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart skipped a beat and her brows started to furrow of their own ord.

    Han Zhifan sensed something was wrong with Ji Yi. He was going to ask Ji Yi ¡°What¡¯s wrong?,¡± but before the words could escape from his mouth, the phone in his pocket started to vibrate like crazy.

    Han Zhifan shot Ji Yi an apologetic look as he quickly pulled out his phone and nced at the screen. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he swiped the phone screen and took the call. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°What? He still isn¡¯t eating?¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t standing too far from Han Zhifan, so although she couldn¡¯t exactly hear what the person on the other line was saying, she could vaguely make out sounds of a child crying.

    ¡°You¡¯re calling to ask me what to do? How should I know? If I could do everything myself, why would I have spent money to hire you bunch of useless idiots?!¡±

    She wasn¡¯t sure what the person said over the phone, but Han Zhifan suddenly got irritated. ¡°Shut up! Quit calling for mummy. Let me tell you this! Your mummy¡¯s dead!¡±

    The child¡¯s cries got louder and Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers gripping the phone started to tremble. This time, his voice sounded significantly softer. ¡°A fever? Then call a doctor! What? You called the doctor and you can¡¯t get him to take the medicine? Alright. Got it. I¡¯m on my way back.¡±

    After he said this, Han Zhifan hung up. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he strode over to the elevator. After just two steps, he suddenly realized Ji Yi was still there, so he stopped and turned around. ¡°Xiao Yi, did you just ask me what I meant? Did something happen to Chen Ge?¡±

    Without much thought, Ji Yi had an inkling of what happened. He Jichen only lied because he didn¡¯t want to go to the dinner party with her. He didn¡¯t want to attract more rumors and odd looks or drag her down because of the incident with Qian Ge.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t give Han Zhifan any details but replied with, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I might¡¯ve heard wrong.¡±

    Luckily, Han Zhifan just got off the phone, so he had other things on his mind and didn¡¯t notice Ji Yi was lying. After he heard what she said, he let out a dazed ¡°Oh... if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be off.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Bye,¡± replied Ji Yi with a smile.

    Han Zhifan smiled back, but it looked slightly forced. Then he turned around and strode off.

    After Han Zhifan stepped into the elevator, Ji Yi picked up her phone and gave He Jichen a call.

    The call was quickly picked up and his usual elegant voice came from the phone. ¡°Done?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, almost...¡± replied Ji Yi quietly before asking, ¡°...how about you? How¡¯s your talk with Han Zhifan?¡±

    ¡°Almost done.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Ji Yi knew He Jichen was lying, but she didn¡¯t call him out on it.

    ¡°So should Ie pick you up?¡±

    ¡°Sure. I wanted to leave ages ago...¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did someone bully you?¡± He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice clearly sounded worried.

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi¡¯s heart warmed up, and her voice sounded a little sweet but annoyed. ¡°Nobody¡¯s bullying me. I just bumped into Xie Siyao. She kept on showing off her boyfriend at the dinner table. Something about how her boyfriend bought her a handbag yesterday and a bracelet the day before then the day before that, he bought a pair of shoes... so annoying...¡±

    After hearing that, He Jichen clearly let out a sigh of relief over the phone.

    Ji Yi¡¯sining suddenly came to a stop as she felt her heart softening.

    He was probably the only man in the world who would listen to herints and get worried like this.

    The corners of Ji Yi¡¯s lips couldn¡¯t help but lift as she clutched her phone, ready to continue speaking wth an annoyed yet sweet voice. ¡°But don¡¯t you just think it¡¯s meaningless for Xie Siyao to show off in front of me like that? My boyfriend¡¯s better than her boyfriend by far...¡±

    Just as she was about to finish speaking, she heard something from He Jichen¡¯s end...

 Chapter 866

    Chapter 866: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (16)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as she was about to finish speaking, she heard something from He Jichen¡¯s end ¨C the whistle of his car mixed with sounds of other car engines.

    Is He Jichen... on the road?

    As suspicion shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she froze for a couple seconds then came to a realization. She quickly walked to the second-floor lobby and looked out the window.

    She was right. He Jichen¡¯s car was parked by the road. He had his head lowered, standing in front of the car with his phone raised, talking to her.

    The wind started to pick up since it waste in the night, wildly blowing his hair and clothes. There was a flickering light between the fingers of his other hand. It must¡¯ve been a cigarette.

    So after he dropped me off at China World Hotel Beijing, he never actually left. He waited downstairs all this time?

    In just an instant, Ji Yi understood why He Jichen did it.

    So he really was afraid to show up at the dinner party with me and drag me down, so he lied to me.

    He must¡¯ve overheard my conversation with Ruan Jie. He didn¡¯t show any emotions at the time, but he probably didn¡¯t want to burden me, right?

    An unspeakable mix ofplex emotions churned quickly in Ji Yi¡¯s head. She felt warm, touched, but above all, heartbroken...

    ¡°Xiao Yi?¡± said He Jichen worriedly, seeing as Ji Yi didn¡¯t make any sounds for a long time.

    When she heard He Jichen¡¯s voice, Ji Yi quickly snapped out of her thoughts and stared transfixed at him as he stood by the road. She let out a soft, ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡±

    ¡°No... I just got a text message, so I took a quick look...¡± Ji Yi sounded a little rattled as she knew He Jichen had been waiting downstairs all along. She was afraid He Jichen would notice something was off, so she randomly thought up an excuse then changed the topic. ¡°Oh yeah, when are you gonna arrive? I¡¯m just about done here.¡±

    ¡°Mhm...¡± Over the phone, He Jichen hesitated for a moment then softly replied, ¡°...Probably in about twenty minutes or so.¡±

    If she hadn¡¯t seen him standing downstairs with her own two eyes, Ji Yi really wouldn¡¯t have been able to tell that He Jichen was lying.

    She thought it was probably the most beautiful and heartwarming lie she¡¯d ever heard...

    He Jichen was probably afraid she couldn¡¯t make it out in time, so after speaking, he then added, ¡°Can you make it?¡±

    Ji Yi quickly suppressed her surging emotions and replied, ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll send you a message when I get there.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Ji Yi gulped hard. After she swallowed the lump in her throat back down, she affectionately said, ¡°Drive slowly.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡±

    The call ended. Ji Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave, so she silently watched over He Jichen by the sidewalk.

    He probably didn¡¯t want her to know he¡¯d been smoking, so he didn¡¯t smoke through their call. After he put his phone away, he finally took a drag of his cigarette.

    It was very windy, so he inhaled frequently.

    As time ticked by, he didn¡¯t reveal the slightest sign of impatience.

    Ji Yi stared unwaveringly at He Jichen as her fingers couldn¡¯t help but clench her phone. Tears began to surface in her pitch-ck, clear eyes.

 Chapter 867

    Chapter 867: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi stood there for about seven to eight minutes like this before heading back into the room.

    As soon as she sat down, the male lead, Yang Li, raised his ss. ¡°Why were you gone for so long?¡±

    Ji Yi only politely replied, ¡°I wasn¡¯t feeling too good.¡± She didn¡¯t raise her wine ss.

    ¡°Where do you feel unwell? Do you want me to go to the hospital with you to get it checked? Or should I call my private doctor over?¡± Yang Li put his ss down and came in really close as though he was checking on her body.

    Ji Yi slid back to avoid Yang Li¡¯s hand reaching out at her. ¡°No thanks.¡±

    After she said this, Ji Yi nced down at her phone. There were about fifteen minutes left till He Jichen would supposedly arrive.

    Xie Siyao sat opposite her, endlessly talking about her boyfriend with a sweet yet annoying voice. ¡°Actually I don¡¯t know much about all this. My boyfriend told me about it recently...¡±

    ¡°My boyfriend told me that...¡±

    Ji Yi, who had been outside for a while, started to get a headache again.

    Even though she hadn¡¯t received He Jichen¡¯s text, Ji Yi bid everyone farewell. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not feeling very well, so I have to leave now.¡±

    Yang Li heard this and immediately offered: ¡°I¡¯ll ask my driver to take you home.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. Someone¡¯s picking me up.¡± After Ji Yi¡¯s polite reply, she said her goodbyes to each and every person around the table. She softly kicked the chair back and got up.

    The waiter brought over her handbag and jacket. Ji Yi reached out to take it when Xie Siyao said, ¡°Ji Jie, your boyfriend¡¯s here to pick you up, right?¡±

    She brought up He Jichen again... Ji Yi pretended to have not heard anything and ignored Xie Siyao.

    It was clear Xie Siyao had no intention of stopping there as she smiled brightly and added, ¡°He knows everyone in this room, so why doesn¡¯t hee and say hi?¡±

    Xie Siyao paused for a moment then deliberately put emphasis on her tone when she said, ¡°He can¡¯t possibly feel embarrassed, right?¡±

    She was right; everyone in the room did, in fact, know He Jichen, and they clearly knew about He Jichen stabbing Qian Ge.

    For her to say something like that, she was trying to discreetly attack He Jichen by highlighting his embarrassment in showing his face after that incident with Qian Ge broke out.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze turned a little cold, but she still ignored Xie Siyao. She took the jacket and handbag from the waiter¡¯s hands, smiled at everyone in the room then walked out the doors.

    She took the elevator downstairs and waited in the lobby for a while. Her phone vibrated in her pocket.

    She pulled it out to take a nce and saw that it was a text from He Jichen.

    She was afraid that if she headed out right away, He Jichen would know she made her way downstairs early, so she continued to linger in the lobby for a while before stepping out.

    He Jichen¡¯s car engine was off, but he was probably afraid of being ticketed, so he parked by the road with both front lights on. He Jichen, who was leaning against the car door earlier, was now sitting in the car.

    He saw here out, so he immediately opened the car door and got out.

    Ji Yi sped up. By the time she reached the car, He Jichen already walked around the car, over to the front passenger seat door.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you wear your jacket out?¡± He Jichen helped take Ji Yi¡¯s handbag and furrowed his brows as he saw the jacket in her arms.

    ¡°It was quite hot.¡± Ji Yi¡¯s eyebrows arched.

    ¡°Be careful. You might catch a cold...¡± said He Jichen as he reached out to open the door. However, he only managed to pull it open slightly when they heard, ¡°Ji Yi?¡±

 Chapter 868

    Chapter 868: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Why¡¯s Xie Siyao also leaving so soon?

    The smile that crept on Ji Yi¡¯s face when she saw He Jichen suddenly disappeared.

    He Jichen¡¯s grip on the door handle trembled slightly for a moment. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he turned his head and quietly told Ji Yi, ¡°I¡¯m going over there for a smoke.¡±

    As he said this, he shut the door again and walked to the back of the car.

    ¡°I never imagined you¡¯d still be here...¡± He Jichen took just two steps when he heard Xie Siyao¡¯s voice. In contrast to earlier, Ji Yi heard the sound of her high heels clearly.

    As she drew closer, the sound of her heels grew louder. Then Ji Yi heard Xie Siyao¡¯s voice again. ¡°Huh? This is... Mr. He?¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s footsteps didn¡¯t slow down in the slightest under Xie Siyao¡¯s curiosity.

    Ji Yi clearly felt Xie Siyao¡¯s footsteps speeding up considerably. Just as He Jichen brushed past her, Xie Siyao stopped right in front of him. She raised her head and smiled brightly. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s really Mr. He! I thought I got the wrong person.¡±

    Having been stopped, He Jichen shot a cold nce at Xie Siyao who wore a friendly smile on her face. He didn¡¯t pay her any attention as he sidestepped and tried to continue on his way.

    But this time, before He Jichen¡¯s feet left the ground, Ji Yi, who was standing beside him, reached out and pulled on his sleeve.

    He Jichen¡¯s brows twitched slightly. He turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi smiled warmly at He Jichen and hugged the arm she pulled. Then she glued herself onto He Jichen¡¯s bodypletely, smiled right at Xie Siyao, and said, ¡°Miss Xie, may I ask why you¡¯re seeking Jichen out?¡±

    Jichen... He Jichen¡¯s body instantly froze.

    Ever since they got together, she¡¯d always called him ¡°He Jichen.¡± This might¡¯ve been the first time she called him ¡°Jichen.¡±

    Even though many people in this world called him ¡°Jichen,¡± none of them sounded so affectionate and pleasant until she came along.

    Xie Siyao probably never imagined Ji Yi react this way. The expression on her face froze for a second before the corners of her lips curved into a warm smile as she said, ¡°Well, it¡¯s nothing. When you left, the party was more or less over. I happened to see you both on my way out, so I called out to both of you. After all, the directors and producers are all familiar with He Jichen...¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s smile didn¡¯t fade but a cold scoff surfaced from deep in her heart.

    She really lives up to the reputation of being Qian Ge¡¯s partner. The way she acts is identical to Qian Ge!

    Does she think I¡¯m stupid? As if I don¡¯t know she deliberately wanted to leave and purposefully attracted the group to the entrance just to embarrass He Jichen?

    Deep down, she knew full well why He Jichen said he was going for a smoke when Xie Siyao called her the first time. She also knew that when Xie Siyao saw He Jichen trying to avoid her, she deliberately rushed over to He Jichen to stop him. That was why Ji Yi ignored Xie Siyao in front of He Jichen and pulled him back when he was about to leave again.

    She wanted everyone to know that He Jichen was the man she truly loved and the man she was devoting the rest of her life to. No matter how other people viewed him, in her eyes, he was perfect.

    What was most important was that she wanted to cheer up He Jichen, even though he lied to her tonight.

    With that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s smile became warmer. ¡°So I see...¡±

 Chapter 869

    Chapter 869: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As she said this, Ji Yi raised her head and looked at He Jichen¡¯s profile. Then she sweetly said, ¡°Hubby, since they¡¯re old friends, you have to say ¡®hello¡¯ to everyone after bumping into them...¡±

    Hubby... Having only juste to terms with ¡°Jichen,¡± when he heard that other word, his heart felt like it was being teased. A strange pounding sensation arose as he froze once more.

    ¡°But hubby, it¡¯s been a while since you¡¯ve taken a break from showbiz. I wonder if everyone still remembers you...¡± Ji Yi said with a crisp voice as she leaned into He Jichen¡¯s arm. She turned around and bravely spoke up to the group of people standing nearby. ¡°...Let me first give y¡¯all an introduction. This is my husband, He Jichen.¡±

    After Ji Yi said this, she turned and shot He Jichen a bright smile. Then she pointed at the respective people before her and introduced He Jichen to each and every one of them.

    ¡°Hubby, this is the producer. You remember him, right? You guys worked together previously on ¡®Three Thousand Lunatics¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Hubby, this is the director. You personally chose him to direct ¡®Jiuchong Pce¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Hubby, this is the casting director. You probably don¡¯t remember him. Don¡¯t underestimate him because he looks young ¨C he has a great eye. He matches every role with the right actor.¡±

    ¡°Hubby, this is the movie¡¯s female lead. I even liked her in senior high! I think I mentioned her many times.¡±

    ¡°Hubby, this is the male lead, Yang Li. He has so many cute, girly fans.¡±

    ¡°Hubby...¡±

    Every mention of ¡°Hubby¡± left He Jichen in such a daze that he didn¡¯t carefully listen to her introductions. After her voice fell, he politely and courteously smiled as a kind of greeting.

    The people there had worked in showbiz for a long time. Even if they had personal opinions about someone deep down, they wouldn¡¯t show it, so after Ji Yi finished her introductions, everyone engaged in casual conversations with He Jichen.

    ¡°Mr. He, you¡¯ve been away for some time now.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, when you have time, let¡¯s meet up and y cards.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He...¡±

    In the past, He Jichen didn¡¯t like to entertain before Qian Ge¡¯s video incident, so at a fitting time, Ji Yi said, ¡°Hubby, you¡¯re meeting with someer? We¡¯d better be off. It¡¯s almost time...¡±

    As Ji Yi said this, she shed an apologetic smile at the group. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. Let¡¯s talkter.¡±

    ¡°Sure sure.¡±

    ¡°Goodbye¡±

    ¡°Take care.¡±

    Ji Yi hugged He Jichen¡¯s arm as everyone said their goodbyes then she smiled brightly back. She turned around and headed for the car.

    Ji Yi thought Xie Siyao would give up since she couldn¡¯t achieve her goal. However, Ji Yi never imagined that before the car door opened, Xie Siyao would actually cry, ¡°Mr. He, you¡¯re meeting someone prettyte in the evening. I wonder what Mr. He is busy with after retiring from showbiz, hmm?¡±

    Xie Siyao deliberately emphasized the words ¡°after retiring from showbiz.¡±

    Because of what happened with Qian Ge, he immediately retired from showbiz, so Xie Siyao obviously touched upon a sore spot.

    Ji Yi¡¯s gaze instantly turned cold.

    Just as Ji Yi wanted to reply with ¡°He Jichen is my husband, so why do you care so much?¡±, He Jichen, who hadn¡¯t really uttered a word, said with a t tone, ¡°I¡¯m busy spending time at home with my wife.¡±

 Chapter 870

    Chapter 870: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Busy spending time at home with my wife...

    A second ago, Ji Yi was burning with anger, but the second after hearing that line, her lips couldn¡¯t help but curve.

    Xie Siyao was obviously slyly provoking He Jichen, but who knew that He Jichen would actually reply to her with a line like that? Incidentally, Xie Siyao¡¯s punchnded on wool; its impact was stunted.

    Ji Yi instinctively averted her gaze over to Xie Siyao¡¯s face.

    So she just had the same thought! Xie Siyao¡¯s smile turned stiff.

    Xie Siyao sensed Ji Yi staring at her. Right as Ji Yi stared at her, Xie Siyao also nced back at Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi instantly felt better when she met Xie Siyao¡¯s gaze. The corners of her lips deliberately curved more visibly.

    As Xie Siyao¡¯s gaze fell on Ji Yi¡¯s smile, it was particrly irritating to her and the expression on Xie Siyao¡¯s face worsened.

    Having achieved her goal, Ji Yi¡¯s smile grew bright.

    Xie Siyao was so angry that her hands clenched into fists. The moment He Jichen reached his hand out to pull the car door open, she abruptly blurted, ¡°Mr. He, do you mean to say that after retiring from showbiz, you haven¡¯t been working?¡±

    Xie Siyao put extra emphasis on the words ¡°after retiring from showbiz¡± again.

    How can someone be so b*tchy?

    Ji Yi felt good for just one second when all of a sudden, her anger rose once again.

    She withdrew her smile and looked over at Xie Siyao. ¡°Xie Siyao, you...¡± she blurted coldly.

    ¡°Xiao Yi.¡± Ji Yi only let out a few words when He Jichen, who was standing beside her, tly stopped her.

    Ji Yi turned and looked over at He Jichen.

    She thought He Jichen would retaliate by saying something back to Xie Siyao like before.

    Who knew that He Jichen would actually pull out his phone and make a call?

    After a couple seconds, the call went through, and He Jichen¡¯s voice softly rang in the night air. ¡°Where are you now? Ah, okay, the entrance of China World Hotel Beijing...¡±

    It wasn¡¯t clear who the person over the phone was or what they said, but He Jichen lowered the phone from his ear and pushed the button to hang up.

    Ji Yi and the group of people beside them stared at He Jichen with an odd look on their faces as they assumed he was going to say something but instead, he ended up making a call. After he hung up, everyone waited for what He Jichen was going to say next.

    Even Ji Yi was waiting.

    Who knew that He Jichen would elegantly stand by the car without any hint of uttering a word?

    Gradually, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help herself. She leaned closer to He Jichen and wanted to quietly ask him why he wasn¡¯t saying anything. All of a sudden, a car stopped right in front of He Jichen.

    The car door opened. The first to step out was a gentleman in an all-ck suit. Thereafter, two women in uniforms stepped out of the passenger car door.

    The gentleman bowed politely to He Jichen and cried, ¡°Mr. He¡±. Then he walked around to the back of the car and opened the trunk.

    The two women quickly caught up to the gentleman and hurriedly carried a couple of shoe boxes from the truck.

    The gentleman brought out a foldable chair and a rug. He walked over to Ji Yi and first ced down the rug. Then he opened the chair and ced it on the rug. Thereafter, he turned around and politely said, ¡°Miss Ji, please take a seat.¡±

 Chapter 871

    Chapter 871: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Completely bewildered by this scene, Ji Yi instinctively looked over to He Jichen.

    When she met his gaze, He Jichen gave her a warm nod.

    Only then did Ji Yi take a few steps forward and sit on the chair.

    Just as she sat down, the two women walked over and kneeled on the rug. Then one of the women helped take off Ji Yi¡¯s shoes while the other woman opened the shoe box.

    After the woman who opened the shoe box pulled out a pair of high heels, the other woman who helped Ji Yi remove her shoes took the heels and put them on Ji Yi. While she did so, the woman started to exin the brand of the heels, information on the designer, and highlights of the design.

    After she tried on all the shoes, the man standing to the side asked, ¡°Miss Ji, may I ask which one of these shoes you like?¡±

    Inplete shock regarding everything that was happening, Ji Yi¡¯s reaction was rather sluggish. After the gentleman finished asking his question, Ji Yi needed about half a minute to remember it was her time to say something. However, just as she about to move her lips, He Jichen, who was standing to one side, tly said, ¡°Put these shoes in the trunk of my car.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He,¡± politely replied the gentleman. Then he waved his hand at the two women beside him.

    When the two women started to put the shoes into He Jichen¡¯s trunk, the gentleman cried, ¡°Mr. He, ording to your orders, I brought thetest handbags from every major luxury brand for you. Shall I take them out now and let Miss Ji choose?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need. Just put them right into the trunk.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. He,¡± replied the gentleman in a second. Thereafter, he told the two women, who were busy moving the shoe boxes into the trunk, ¡°Take the bags in the car and move them into the Mr. He¡¯s trunk also.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡± After the two women said this, the gentleman turned to He Jichen. ¡°And the essories? Would you like...¡±

    This time, the gentleman didn¡¯t manage to finish his question when He Jichen tly said, ¡°Same. Put them all in the car.¡±

    After Ji Yi heard this, she finally understood why He Jichen got so many bags, shoes, and essories.

    When she saw Han Zhifan and realized He Jichen was lying, she casuallyined about Xie Siyao over the phone to him. She told him she kept on showing off how her boyfriend bought her a new bag yesterday, a bracelet the day before, and a pair of shoes the day before that...

    At the dining table, Xie Siyao repeatedly emphasized this, so the table full of people along with herself remembered it clearly.

    In that very moment, He Jichen bought her a whole car¡¯s worth of the three things Xie Siyao mentioned.

    So He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything for so long because he wanted to hit Xie Siyao with actions and not words?

    But a hit was a hit. He didn¡¯t need to exaggerate by bringing a whole shopping mall¡¯s worth of stuff, right?

    With that thought, Ji Yi turned and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°Why did you think of buying me so many things?¡±

    ¡°When I was talking business this evening, I got a little bored, so I casually pulled out my phone and made a call for you to pick out some items,¡± replied He Jichen nonchntly.

    Bored, casually... a cold inhale was vaguely heard from beside them.

    Those shoes, bags, and essories were all from international luxury brands. The cheapest ones were in the five-figure range and the most expensive were all six figures; in fact, seven figures even... Was this what he casually did when he was bored?

 Chapter 872

    Chapter 872: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi was taken aback by He Jichen¡¯sid-back attitude for two seconds, not to mention the shock of the on-lookers. ¡°But you didn¡¯t have to buy so much!?¡± she quietly mumbled.

    ¡°Too much?¡± He Jichen turned his head when he heard what Ji Yi said then he nced back at his own car.

    The trunk was already full, but the two women were still carrying various big and small bags to the car. There were so many that they couldn¡¯t shove them in there, so they put them on the passenger seat.

    He furrowed his brows slightly and continued by saying, ¡°Not really. The car¡¯s too small.¡±

    After he said this, He Jichen continued to stare at the car for a while then said seriously, ¡°Looks like we have to think about buying another car.¡±

    Not really. The car¡¯s too small...?! Ji Yi couldn¡¯t deny it ¨C those words from He Jichen¡¯s mouth really did make her feel better. She cheered uppletely as her voice became a little sweeter. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you n to buy this much every day?¡±

    ¡°Of course...¡± replied He Jichen. He nced at Xie Siyao, who was standing beside him, then slowly continued by saying, ¡°...haven¡¯t you heard of this saying? The first type of man has one thousand yuan and is willing to spend nine hundred on you, whereas the second type of man is willing to spend nine hundred on you when they have ten thousand yuan. You¡¯ll have to choose to marry the first type of man, not the second. That¡¯s because the second type of man doesn¡¯t truly love you.¡±

    ¡°...But, I... This afternoon, before you even woke up, I had nothing much to do, so I opened theptop and randomly checked my stocks for a while. I casually earned almost eight figures...¡±

    Randomly checked my stocks for a while. I casually earned almost eight figures... Eight figures. That¡¯s almost tens of million... Another cold gasp was heard in the crowd.

    He Jichen pretended as though he hadn¡¯t heard a thing as he continued to softly talk to Ji Yi.

    ¡°So, ording to my ie, I definitely can¡¯t just buy you a handbag today, a bracelet tomorrow, and a pair of shoes the day after that...¡±

    When He Jichen said ¡°buy you a handbag today, a bracelet tomorrow, and a pair of shoes the day after that...¡± he deliberately copied Xie Siyao¡¯s tone of voice when she said: ¡°after you retired from showbiz.¡±

    At the dinner party, Xie Siyao showed off like that on more than one asion.

    But at that moment, her boyfriend¡¯s efforts were simply stingy inparison to He Jichen¡¯s big show!

    Ji Yi instinctively nced over at Xie Siyao when He Jichen copied Xie Siyao¡¯s manner of speaking.

    She clearly saw Xie Siyao¡¯s face turn sour after what He Jichen said.

    Ji Yi thought He Jichen was just about done after saying that, but she never imagined that He Jichen would quickly follow up by adding, ¡°...spending this bit of money is nothing. If I didn¡¯t, I¡¯d be the second type of man, wouldn¡¯t I?¡±

    With that, he was saying he didn¡¯t want to be the second type of man, yet the boyfriend Xie Siyao showed off all night now looked like the second type of man who didn¡¯t really love her.

    The expression on Xie Siyao¡¯s face turned colder.

    The people beside her could tell Xie Siyao was a little upset, and they could feel the atmosphere turn a little tense.

    But He Jichen continued to speak warmly and affectionately with Ji Yi as though nothing else mattered. ¡°You have to understand that for our future, my second priority is earning money. My main priority is buying things for you.¡±

 Chapter 873

    Chapter 873: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (23)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The items were finally all packed up. After the gentleman did a final check, he walked over to He Jichen and said, ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯ve confirmed that everything is all set.¡±

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t in a hurry to reply to the man, so he stared at Ji Yi. Then he spoke in a calm tone of voice: ¡°As for the money that I simply can¡¯t finish spending, I¡¯ll leave you with it, so you can go shopping yourself.¡±

    After He Jichen said this, he paused for a few seconds. After he was sure he said everything he wanted to say, he then turned his head and lightly nodded emotionlessly at the gentleman who just reported to him.

    After his response, the man politely added, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be taking my leave now, Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen softly let out an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    The gentleman bowed and said goodbye. Then he drove off with the two women in their car.

    After the car had driven quite a distance away, He Jichen opened his car door a little wider. ¡°It¡¯ste. We should also head out.¡±

    Ji Yi looked back at the group of people standing nearby and said goodbye. When she withdrew her gaze, she happened to meet Xie Siyao¡¯s eyes. The moment their eyes met, Xie Siyao clearly shed a sinister look in her eyes.

    Standing to one side, He Jichen caught Xie Siyao¡¯s gaze and his face instantly ran cold.

    Ji Yi pretended not to have seen it and got into the car.

    After Ji Yi wasfortable in her seat, He Jichen bent over to help fasten Ji Yi¡¯s seatbelt. Then he straightened up. He was just about to reach out to shut the door when he caught a glimpse of Xie Siyao¡¯s fierce re. His hand suddenly stopped then he tilted his head and red at Xie Siyao. ¡°Your boyfriend¡¯s Chen Mingda, the second son of Chen Enterprises, right?¡±

    Xie Siyao probably never imagined He Jichen would suddenly talk to her, so she was frozen for two seconds before she looked over to him.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for Xie Siyao to react at all as he continued to speak with a t, nonchnt expression. ¡°If I remember correctly, thergest shareholder of Chen Enterprises is He Enterprises, right?¡±

    Thergest shareholder of Chen Enterprises was He Enterprises. This was public information, which could be verified online.

    So, after He Jichen said this, he kept his rxedposure as he asked, ¡°Then do you know the true story behind He Enterprises?¡±

    As for He Enterprises, everyone only knew it was a powerfulpany. Very few people knew thepany background.

    Xie Siyao was stunned when she heard this question.

    ¡°He Enterprises¡¯ headquarters is based in Sucheng. The biggest shareholder is He Zhengrong with seventy-three percent of shares.¡±

    He Zhengrong... other people didn¡¯t have too big of a reaction, but when Ji Yi heard those three words, she looked suspiciously at He Jichen.

    Didn¡¯t Xie Siyao show her boyfriend off all night? Didn¡¯t she use him to make fun of me? Didn¡¯t she tease me for doing nothing at home after I left showbiz? Isn¡¯t she staring at me fiercely?

    Alright then... I¡¯m going to show her just how different she and Ji Yi are! How different her boyfriend and Ji Yi¡¯s boyfriend are!

    With that thought, He Jichen stared into Xie Siyao¡¯s eyes with a mocking look. ¡°And did you know that He Zhongrong and He Jichen are father and son?¡±

 Chapter 874

    Chapter 874: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (24)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen saw the awful expression on Xie Siyao¡¯s face with his own two eyes and he said no more. He shut the car door for Ji Yi and walked around the front of the car. He opened the door to the driver¡¯s seat and was just about to get into the car and leave.

    Having spent the night showing her boyfriend off, how could Xie Siyao possibly be willing to back down after listening to He Jichen¡¯s frank words? Just as He Jichen was about to get into the car, she suddenly screamed, ¡°He Jichen, did you know that when Ji Yi said you wereing to pick her up, we told her to call you in to sit for a while but she refused?¡±

    Sitting in the car, Ji Yi turned her head in disbelief and red at Xie Siyao through the car window.

    Xie Siyao did tell me to call He Jichen upstairs to sit for a while, but I ignored her and left. So when did I ever decline?

    ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by her nice-girl act in front of you, repeatedly calling you ¡®hubby¡¯. In private, she doesn¡¯t dare to be at the same event as you!¡±

    Ji Yi was confused for a second, but after she heard what Xie Siyao said, she immediately understood she was trying to drive a wedge between them.

    However, she was making things up! Her ability to frame people was just too shameless!

    Deep down, a vicious sense of anger and disgust came over Ji Yi. Without even thinking twice, she reached out and rolled the window down.

    Xie Siyao disregarded Ji Yi¡¯s actions as her gaze was transfixed on He Jichen. ¡°Because deep down inside, she thinks the incident of Qian Ge¡¯s stabbing is embarrassing! You don¡¯t even know... I asked about your situation a number of times during dinner, but she never mentioned you!¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t mention He Jichen, but that was because Xie Siyao¡¯s every word was crafted in a way to mock He Jichen. Unless there was something wrong with her, she¡¯d never be as stupid as to reply to her.

    How the hell could she twist the truth and act all righteous?

    Ji Yi¡¯s chest started to heave in anger as she stared at Xie Siyao with an icy look. Just as she was about to say something, He Jichen, who was holding the driver¡¯s side door open but hadn¡¯t changed his expression in the slightest, heard what Xie Siyao said and tly said, ¡°I think you¡¯ve got it all wrong. Xiao Yi didn¡¯t stop me from going up. I didn¡¯t want to go up because she told me you were there.¡±

    ¡°Also, it¡¯s normal for her not to mention me. There¡¯s a good saying that ¡®showing affection quickly kills love.¡¯ There¡¯s an even better saying: ¡®you show off what you don¡¯t have¡¯.¡±

    After he said this, He Jichen didn¡¯t take another nce at Xie Siyao as he entered the car, put on his seat belt and stepped on the gas.

    Ji Yi stopped rolling down the windows. She could clearly see that after He Jichen¡¯s voice dropped, Xie Siyao¡¯s face instantly turned pale white. It wasn¡¯t clear if she was angry or if she was admitting defeat because her eyes were all red.

    She couldn¡¯t help but admit that what He Jichen said earlier really was harsh and cruel.

    Xie Siyao clearly wanted to challenge her and He Jichen¡¯s rtionship, but not only did he not take the bait, he even mocked her back. Xie Siyao was probably so mad that she wouldn¡¯t be able to sleep tonight!

    No matter how angry Ji Yi was earlier, she felt equally as relieved now. The more she thought about it, the more satisfied she felt deep down. Eventually, sheid back into her passenger seat, smiling foolishly.

    Just as the car was heading down to the underground parking lot of the apartment building, Ji Yi suddenly turned her head. ¡°He Jichen...¡±

 Chapter 875

    Chapter 875: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before Ji Yi could finish, He Jichen turned the steering wheel as he casually said, ¡°I believe you.¡±

    Having not uttered a word, Ji Yi stared into He Jichen¡¯s eyes with a bit of shock.

    He sensed her confused gaze. After He Jichen parked the car, he turned his head and smirked at Ji Yi. ¡°I don¡¯t even see Xie Siyao as a person, let alone believe what she said.¡±

    ¡°So Ji Yi, you don¡¯t have to exin it to me. Unless it¡¯s something you said, otherwise, I¡¯ll always believe you.¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice was t and light-hearted, but it shook Ji Yi¡¯s heart fiercely. An indescribable feeling instantly filled her with warmth and moved her.

    She wanted to exin that what Xie Siyao said was nonsense, but she never imagined he would reply simply with ¡°I believe you¡± the moment she called his name.

    ¨C

    Before Han Zhifan returned to the private room and said goodbye to Ji Yi, he headed right downstairs.

    He called the secretary in the private room upstairs. Before he left, he got his jacket and bag, picked up his car keys from the valet and walked into the parking lot.

    After hanging up the phone with his secretary, Han Zhifan pressed the button on his car keys. He saw a car light up not too far away, so he hurriedly walked up to it, opened the door and sat inside. Without putting his seatbelt on, he turned the steering wheel, stepped on the gas and sped out of the parking lot.

    The car drove some distance away until it reached a red light. Han Zhifan picked up his phone and gave his home phone a call.

    The new nanny picked up the call but before she could speak, Han Zhifan heard Cheng Han¡¯s cries.

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows slightly. ¡°What¡¯s the current situation?¡±

    ¡°The young master hasn¡¯t stopped crying. The midwife fed him a little just now with a lot of difficulty. Now, he¡¯s gone and thrown it all up...¡±

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows even more tightly as the red light turned green. He didn¡¯t waste his breath with the nanny and hung up the call immediately. Then he fastened his seatbelt, stepped on the gas pedal and sped up faster than before.

    After he drove into the courtyard, Han Zhifan mmed on the brakes and stopped right at the door. Without even turning off his engine, he pushed the door open and got out of the car.

    Before he stepped into the vi, he heard the sound of a child¡¯s crying from upstairs.

    He hurriedly took his shoes off, bolted upstairs and opened the door to the baby¡¯s room. The housekeeper, the nanny, the midwife, and the doctor surrounded Cheng Han, trying to cheer him up. However, Cheng Han had his eyes shut. He didn¡¯t listen to a word or see a thing; all he wanted to do was cry.

    He had probably been crying for a really long time, because his little face had turned purple and his eyes were as swollen as walnuts.

    Han Zhifan walked up to him and reached out to stroke Cheng Han¡¯s head. He was seriously burning up. Han Zhifan looked over at the doctor standing to one side.

    Before he could ask, the doctor replied, ¡°I can¡¯t get the young master to take his medicine. It¡¯ll be serious if the fever continues, so Mr. Han, should we give him an injection?¡±

    When Cheng Han heard the word ¡°injection,¡± he cried louder and his little frame started to tremble.

    ¡°An injection won¡¯t do! The young master isn¡¯t willing to eat. Today, he threw up everything he ate and no one can cheer him up no matter what we try!¡±

 Chapter 876

    Chapter 876: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (26)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Yeah. We forced him to take medicine yesterday, the day before yesterday, and the day before that. The fever subsided in the morning, but when the young master woke up, he wouldn¡¯t eat or drink and cried non-stop. By night, his fever got serious. For this to repeatedly happen every day, the young master¡¯s body won¡¯t be able to take it much longer.¡±

    ¡°But we can¡¯t let the young master go on burning up like this! His brain will fry!¡±

    The nanny, the housekeeper, the midwife, and the doctor discussed the situation over and over again, but they didn¡¯t reach a consensus.

    Cheng Han was probably in far too much pain because his throat was hoarse from crying.

    The nanny was rather old and soft-hearted. She silently watched Han Zhifan stroking Cheng Han¡¯s head before she hesitated for a moment and quietly said, ¡°Mr. Han, this won¡¯t do. Call the child¡¯s mother to take care of the child for two days...¡±

    When the young master first arrived at the house, he would cry and search for his mother every day. Whenever they all tried to cheer up the young master, they always told him that his mother was busytely and woulde to visitter. In the end, Mr. Han caught wind of this and erupted into a fit of anger. He said the young master didn¡¯t have a mother and whoever mentioned her again could get lost!

    Thereafter, nobody in the house dared to mention the young master¡¯s mother. But now, that nanny actually suggested Mr. Han to ask the young master¡¯s mother toe over...

    As the nanny¡¯s voice fell, the expressions on everyone¡¯s faces turned tense.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s expression instantly became frighteningly cold.

    The nanny was afraid, but she still continued to speak. ¡°The child¡¯s mother took care of him since he was born. He must be hurting deep down from not seeing his mother so suddenly. Right now, the child¡¯s not willing to eat or drink and repeatedly has a fever. No one can seem to cheer him up. Can we really stand this much longer?¡±

    To everyone¡¯s surprise, Han Zhifan might have looked somber, but he didn¡¯t get angry.

    He stared at Cheng Han for a while as he shivered endlessly from crying in bed. Before the nanny and midwife walked over with concern to hug Cheng Han to try to cheer him up, Han Zhifan pulled out his phone. Then he made a call. ¡°Xiao Zhang? Go to Luming Park right now and bring her back.¡±

    Seeing as Han Zhifan was sorting it out, the nanny let out a sigh of relief. She waited till after Han Zhifan hung up the phone then immediately walked over to the bedside and hugged Cheng Han. ¡°Baby, don¡¯t cry. Your mummy¡¯sing...¡±

    After hearing the word ¡°mummy,¡± Cheng Han¡¯s crying quieted down a little and he opened his red, swollen eyes.

    Finally, Cheng Han was showing them some kind of reaction. The housekeeper immediately said, ¡°Yeah. Daddy already sent someone to get mummy...¡±

    Cheng Han thought about it for a while then turned his head and looked over at Han Zhifan.

    Having met Cheng Han¡¯s sparkling wet eyes, Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but nod his head.

    Cheng Han¡¯s cries then gradually subsided.

    ¡°Baby, if mummy gets here and finds out you haven¡¯t eaten, mummy¡¯s definitely going to be hurt. So how about we eat something, shall we?¡± cooed the nanny in a soft voice.

    Cheng Han was deep in thought for a moment. Although he didn¡¯t say anything, he nodded.

    The housekeeper immediately ordered the servants to bring over the baby¡¯s congee.

    Han Zhifan stood aside and watched as the four adults groveled at the child for while. That was when he realized he still had his zer on, so he reached out and undid the buttons.

    Half-way through removing his jacket, Han Zhifan¡¯s phone rang. It was Xiao Zhang calling.

    Han Zhifan took the call and quickly heard Xiao Zhang¡¯s voice. ¡°Mr. Han, it seems that Miss Cheng isn¡¯t home. I¡¯ve been knocking at her door for ages, but she¡¯s not answering.¡±

 Chapter 877

    Chapter 877: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have a Baby (27)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Not at home?

    Han Zhifan raised his wrist and checked the time. It was already half past one. It¡¯s sote ¨C why isn¡¯t she at home?

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows and replied, ¡°Just wait there.¡± Then he hung up, found Cheng Weiwan¡¯s number and gave her a call.

    The phone rang for a while but no one picked up.

    Just as Han Zhifan lost his patience and was about to lower the phone from his ear and hang up, someone picked up the call. The voice from the other line wasn¡¯t Cheng Weiwan¡¯s but a man¡¯s voice who sounded around thirty years old. ¡°Hello, are you looking for Wanwan?¡±

    Wanwan... why does he sound so close to her?

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t notice that his fingers couldn¡¯t help but subconsciously tighten around his phone.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything and waited for the gentleman to speak for a while. He said, ¡°Wanwan¡¯s in the restroom right now. Is it something important? I can call her for you now. If not, please wait till after shees out and I¡¯ll tell her to call back...¡±

    The man hadn¡¯t finished speaking when Han Zhifan lowered the phone from his ears and pressed the button to hang up.

    Cheng Han stopped crying and was willing to obediently take his medicine because he thought Cheng Weiwan would be over soon.

    He saw that Han Zhifan had hung up the phone, so he raised his head and quietly asked, ¡°When will mummy be here?¡±

    Things would¡¯ve been fine if Cheng Han hadn¡¯t asked, but as soon as he did, Han Zhifan erupted in anger. He ignored Cheng Han and turned to leave the baby¡¯s room.

    In the room, Cheng Han started crying again.

    The nanny quickly tried to cheer him up. ¡°Baby don¡¯t cry! Baby, be good. Daddy¡¯s going out to pick up mummy...¡±

    Cheng Han¡¯s crying ceased when he heard what the nanny said about Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan stepped into the study and searched all around for a cigarette. After he lit one up, he took two puffs but didn¡¯t look calmer in the slightest. He started smoking faster and half the pack of cigarettes quickly disappeared before him. He still felt annoyed, so he picked up his car keys and headed downstairs.

    As he walked over to the courtyard, Han Zhifan¡¯s phone rang. He quickly picked up his phone and saw Xiao Zhang was calling.

    He couldn¡¯t figure out what was wrong, but he felt an unspeakable sense of disappointment. He stared at the phone screen for a long time before taking the call.

    ¡°Mr. Han, Miss Cheng hasn¡¯t returned home yet...¡±

    Xiao Zhang must¡¯ve waited a long time for Han Zhifan¡¯s instructions but didn¡¯t get it, so he called.

    Han Zhifan knew what Xiao Zhang was going to say, so he tly replied before he could finish, ¡°You don¡¯t have to wait anymore.¡±

    He hung up and stood in the courtyard for a while. Then he opened the door and got in the car.

    He didn¡¯t know where he was going, so he drove around blindly. When he came to his senses, his car was stopped at the gates of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s residential area.

    What the hell... Why did hee here?

    Han Zhifan thought about it then his feet slowly stepped harder on the gas pedal. Through the window, he saw a car stopped on the opposite side of the road. The car door opened and Cheng Weiwan came out.

    Following behind her was a man in white casual wear.

    The two of them looked extremely close. They stood by the car and chatted for a while. It wasn¡¯t clear what the man said, but Cheng Weiwan had a smile on her face.

    Probably because it was gettingte, Cheng Weiwan quickly waved at the man. Before she left, the man called out to her again then opened the trunk of his car and took out a bag from inside. Although Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t see what was inside the bag, he figured it was nutritional supplements.

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t timid about taking them, so she immediately took them from him.

    After her silhouette disappeared from the gates, the man then drove off and left.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s phone rang the second after the man¡¯s car disappeared.

    Han Zhifan continued to stare for a while at the spot where the car dropped Cheng Weiwan off before averting his gaze. He nced at his phone screen. Despite having not saved the name, he immediately recognized the number. It was Cheng Weiwan calling.

 Chapter 878

    Chapter 878: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (28)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He instinctively reached out and wanted to hang up the phone, but his fingers stopped when his fingers touched the screen.

    He looked as though he was contemting something as he let the phone ring and break the silence in the car. That was when he softly swiped the phone screen and took the call.

    He didn¡¯t say anything but heard the vague sound of her opening the door.

    Soon enough, the phone fell silent. He figured she must¡¯ve stopped everything she was doing to take the call.

    Neither of them said a word.

    The silencested for two seconds before Cheng Weiwan finally gave in. ¡°You...you called?¡±

    Han Zhifan still didn¡¯t say anything, but her question reminded him of the man who answered the phone earlier. The corners of his lips couldn¡¯t help but tighten.

    On the phone, Cheng Weiwan stayed silent for a moment. Then, seeing as Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t saying anything, she added, ¡°Is something the matter?¡±

    ¡°Dialed the wrong number,¡± replied Han Zhifan quickly. His tone of voice sounded cold and t as though he had nothing to do with her.

    Cheng Weiwan instantly didn¡¯t know what to say to Han Zhifan. She thought about it for a moment then figured she didn¡¯t want to bother saying anything anyway and wanted to hang up just like that. However, the moment she lowered the phone from her ears, Cheng Weiwan thought about Hanhan.

    Hanhan left her side only ten days ago. However, it felt like a century had passed.

    For the past ten days, she hadn¡¯t been able to sleep each night. She was always alone in the house in a daze. Every now and then, she would cry out, ¡°Hanhan, eat some fruit,¡± ¡°Hanhan, mummy¡¯s going to take you to take a bath,¡± or ¡°Hanhan, it¡¯s time for your bedtime story.¡±

    Every time, she was met with a room of silence. Then she sat there in a daze like a fool for a long time before she realized Hanhan wasn¡¯t with her anymore.

    The past ten days, she practically ran to his vi every night.

    His courtyard wasrge, so she couldn¡¯t hear anything from inside and didn¡¯t know if Hanhan was doing well or not.

    On more than one asion, she wanted to call him and ask if Hanhan cried from moving to a new house. She wanted to ask if he was sick. He had this old illness in the past when she tried to leave him at a nursery. As soon as she left, he developed a fever and didn¡¯t get better until they returned home.

    Cheng Weiwan wrestled with the thought for a long time but she eventually and quietly said it. ¡°Errrmm... How¡¯s Hanhan?¡±

    Things would¡¯ve been better if Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t asked about the child. However, as soon as she did, Han Zhifan¡¯s temper red up. ¡°What¡¯s it to you?!¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s merciless words suppressed Cheng Weiwan so hard that she couldn¡¯t say another word. However, he didn¡¯t show any signs of stopping there. He continued with an even more hurtful tone as he said, ¡°Do you still see yourself as his mother? Let me tell you this. He¡¯s going to have a new mother soon. By then, the person he¡¯ll be calling mother will be his true mother!¡±

    ¡°Also, stop calling him Hanhan. He¡¯s going to have a new name soon enough. Don¡¯t worry. I told you I won¡¯t leave a single connection to you at all. I¡¯ll go as far as changing his name!¡±

    Han Zhifan roared in tremendous anger for a long time before the phone fell silent again.

    He instinctively wanted to continue speaking, but the thought suddenly slipped his mind. He waited for a while with his phone in hand, but seeing as Cheng Weiwan remained silent as ever, he felt even sadder for some reason. In the end, he lowered the phone from his ear in a fit of rage and violently pressed the button to hang up the call.

 Chapter 879

    Chapter 879: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (29)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He forcefully chucked the phone at the front passenger¡¯s seat. Han Zhifan stared at the gates of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s residential area for a while then withdrew his gaze. He stepped on the gas pedal and sped off.

    He promised Hanhan he would bring his mother to see him, but now, he couldn¡¯t. He had no idea how Hanhan was going to react after not being able to see his mother.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t know if it was because Cheng Weiwan pissed him off or if it was because of Cheng Han¡¯s fever, but he suddenly had an agonizing, painful headache.

    He rubbed his temples then reached for his phone and called the house.

    The person who picked up was the housekeeper. When they heard what happened with Cheng Weiwan, they immediately reported on the situation. ¡°The young master thought his mother was on her way, so he was very good. He ate some food and took his medicine. After throwing a tantrum all day long, he was already a little tired, but after the medicine kicked in, he fell right asleep. Currently, he¡¯s fast asleep and the fever¡¯s gone.¡±

    After hearing all this, Han Zhifan let out a sigh of relief.

    He ordered the housekeeper and the midwife to take turns looking after Cheng Han through the night then hung up.

    He drove around the streets of Beijing at night with one hand on the steering wheel for some distance. Then Han Zhifan caught a glimpse through the rearview mirror of a bar on the opposite street.

    He was deep in thought and angry for some time before he took the road ahead and made a u-turn. He drove to the entrance of the bar.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t stay in the bar for long before he got himself drunk.

    While he was still conscious, he gave his driver, Xiao Zhang, a call.

    By the time Xiao Zhang rushed to the bar, he was alreadypletely drunk.

    He wasn¡¯t sure just how he got into the car nor what Xiao Zheng said to him. All he knew was that his mind was filled with the thought of wanting to go to Yongyi Park.

    He had an apartment there where they lived together before Cheng Weiwan found out the truth about why he tried to get close to her.

    Later, he took Lin Na Home with him to deliberately pretend to get intimate with another woman. After he forced her to leave, he got a package from Cheng Weiwan containing the keys to the apartment. Since then, he hadn¡¯t returned to the apartment.

    He didn¡¯t know why he suddenly wanted to go to Yongyi Park, but he vaguely knew why. Xiao Zhang obediently took him there.

    Drunken Han Zhifan felt horrible, so he dropped to his bed and fell asleep.

    The next morning, he was woken up by his phone.

    He opened his eyes to find himself in a vaguely familiar room before he realized where he was.

    Although there was no one else staying in the apartment, someone came to clean it every day; the bedsheets were even swapped out. This time, he happened to sleep in a pink set of bed linens. He remembered well that it was the set they picked together while window shopping that one time after dinner.

    The phone rang non-stop, waking up Han Zhifan, who had a hangover. He already had a headache, but it got even worse with the ringing.

    He rubbed his temples and contemted for a while. He sat up, picked up his phone, and nced at it to find that it was a call from his house. ¡°What?¡± he sluggishly answered.

    Just as his voice fell, he heard the hurried voice of the housekeeper. ¡°Mr. Han! The young master¡¯s nowhere to be found!!¡±

    All of a sudden, Han Zhifan was wide awake and shot up in bed. ¡°What?!¡±

    ¡°As soon as the young master woke up, he saw that his mother wasn¡¯t there and started to cry again. The two nannies were in the kitchen cooking dinner, I was out shopping for food, and the midwife was looking after him on her own. However, because people wereing in and out, the door was left wide open. Aftering back from heating up his milk, the midwife couldn¡¯t find the young master anywhere.¡±

 Chapter 880

    Chapter 880: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (30)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan listened with both anger and impatience as he pulled the covers off and got out of bed. He walked over to the bathroom then said with a terrible temper, ¡°What are you calling me for?! Go look for him! I¡¯m telling you now if you guys don¡¯t find him, don¡¯te back!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Han...¡± replied the housekeeper with fear.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t even bother replying to the housekeeper and hung up. He kicked the bathroom door open, found his toothbrush and toothpaste, then quickly freshened up.

    Fortunately, it was still early and the city hadn¡¯tpletely started to wake up yet. Han Zhifan drove back home in unusually smooth traffic. After about thirty short minutes, he reached the front door of his vi.

    The car hadn¡¯t evene to aplete stop when he pushed the door open, got out and ran in.

    The housekeeper sent everyone out to find Hanhan. There was a wall of silence on floor after floor in the bustling vi. Han Zhifan checked each and every room, but after confirming that Hanhan wasn¡¯t around, he pulled out his phone and rushed downstairs.

    He just made a call when he heard a phone ringing from the entrance on the first floor.

    He darted downstairs and saw the housekeeper staring at her phone as she stepped inside.

    The housekeeper must¡¯ve wanted to take the call, but when she heard the sound of footsteps, she nced up to see Han Zhifan. She immediately hung up and put her phone away. ¡°Mr. Han...¡±

    ¡°Found him yet?¡± Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for the housekeeper to finish and went straight to the point.

    The housekeeper shook her head and replied, ¡°No.¡±

    She probably knew Han Zhifan would get mad the moment her voice fell, so she quickly followed with, ¡°But, Mr. Han! Just now, in the security room, I happened to see on the monitor...¡±

    The housekeeper hesitated for a moment.

    Han Zhifan became even more impatient. ¡°What did you see?!¡±

    ¡°I saw...¡± The housekeeper clenched her teeth, shut her eyes, and reported, ¡°...Miss Cheng.¡±

    The housekeeper knew Han Zhifan always got angry whenever he heard anything to do with the biological mother, so after she said those two words, she instinctively took a step back. After putting some distance between them, she gave him a more detailed report of what happened. ¡°She woulde every night and stand by the door for a long time...¡±

    ¡°...In the evening, Miss Cheng came again. However, she came over a littleter than usual... I took note of the time. It was around four in the morning, which was about two and a half hours ago. The young master woke up at five something in the morning... There are cameras everywhere around the vi, but they didn¡¯t catch him, so we couldn¡¯t see what happened. I¡¯m not particrly sure if the young master left with Miss Cheng... However, the young master never usually runs out the door. Even if he went out on his own, he never went past the courtyard. We searched the entire courtyard, but we couldn¡¯t find the young master. I think- I think... it has- it has- something to do with Miss Cheng...¡±

    The more the housekeeper said, the worse Han Zhifan looked. She was so afraid that her voice got even quieter.

    In the end, she didn¡¯t even dare to breathe let alone look at Han Zhifan.

    After she finished speaking, the room became unusually quiet. About a couple secondster, they heard the sound of footsteps.

    The housekeeper lifted her eyelids. Before she could see the expression on Han Zhifan¡¯s face, the man already stomped out in a rage.

 Chapter 881

    Chapter 881: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (31)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After Cheng Weiwan returned home, she changed into her slippers and was about to head into the dining room for a ss of hot water when all of a sudden, she heard a mming at the door.

    *Knock knock knock*

    Cheng Weiwan furrowed her brows slightly. Noticing that the knocking hadn¡¯t stopped, she headed back to the front door and wearily unlocked it.

    Before she could pull the door open, the person outside forcefully pushed it open.

    She was standing behind the door, so if she didn¡¯t have such fast reflexes and took a step back just in time, the door would¡¯ve mmed right into her face.

    She barely steadied herself and was about to raise her head to see who it was. That was when the person stepped into the house. ¡°Where did you take the child?¡±

    After Cheng Weiwan heard Han Zhifan¡¯s voice, she was stunned to see him when she raised her gaze.

    The man looked unusually dull as though he was going to eat her in one gulp.

    Cheng Weiwan had seen Han Zhifan¡¯s angry face, but he never looked as frightening as this. She was so afraid that she hid to the side and didn¡¯t reply. He pushed her with one shove, stepped into the apartment, and started searching all over.

    He even checked the bathroom cab but he couldn¡¯t find Cheng Han. That was when he headed back to Cheng Weiwan in a fit of rage. ¡°Just where did you hide the child?!¡±

    After Cheng Weiwan heard what Han Zhifan said for the second time, she finally understood what he meant.

    He came here to get the child... which means... Hanhan is missing?

    When that guess crossed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mind, she immediately and anxiously cried, ¡°What do you mean by this? You can¡¯t find Hanhan? How did you lose him? He¡¯s only a year old! He can¡¯t even walk steadily! Why haven¡¯t you immediately sent someone to look for him?!¡±

    The more she spoke, the more anxious Cheng Weiwan grew. In the end, she didn¡¯t even want to say anything to Han Zhifan. She turned right around, ready to head out the door and look for Hanhan.

    However, she took just one step when Han Zhifan grabbed her wrist and forcefully pulled her back. Thereafter, she was fiercely pushed into the wall beside her.

    She felt the heart-searing pain on her back as Han Zhifan clutched her chin and raised it. ¡°Quit acting! Don¡¯t think I have no idea you haven¡¯t been lingering at my vi every day for the past few nights!¡±

    ¡°I suggest you better not y any tricks with me. Honestly, hand over Cheng Han to me!¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s gripped Cheng Weiwan¡¯s chin hard, hurting her so much that she discreetly gritted her teeth. After a while, she forcefully cried, ¡°You¡¯re the one who lost my child. You¡¯re the one who lost my child... let go of me. I want to go find Hanhan...¡±

    With that, Cheng Weiwan tried her hardest to struggle out of his grip.

    Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t ready for her abrupt force, so she managed to escape. However, soon enough, Han Zhifan found Cheng Weiwan again and tightly pushed her against the wall.

    Cheng Weiwan, who was worried about Hanhan, struggled to get out. Her eyes were red. Under pressure, she opened her mouth and bit Han Zhifan¡¯s wrist.

    She bit down unusually hard as though she used all the force in her body. Han Zhifan gasped in pain then immediately pulled out his other hand to clutch Cheng Weiwan¡¯s neck and pushed her head into the wall. ¡°We¡¯re here already, so quit acting! Believe it or not, if you don¡¯t hand over Hanhan, I¡¯ll not only make Ling Muqing suffer a life worse than death, but I¡¯ll even take you down with her!¡±

 Chapter 882

    Chapter 882: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (32)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan was a man, after all, and he was angry at that very moment, so he used more force than usual. Cheng Weiwan used the strength in her entire body but wasn¡¯t able to budge him in the slightest.

    She was already worried about Hanhan and urgently wanted to look for the child, but now that Han Zhifan was preventing her from talking, her rage suddenly reached its peak. No matter how she fought back, Han Zhifan had her pinned down. She saw that Han Zhifan¡¯s face had contorted in anger, so she suddenly stopped struggling.

    In her eyes, the light turned a little cold. ¡°You might as well kill me!¡±

    She spoke very softly, but it made the rageful Han Zhifan suddenly calm down.

    His brows furrowed then he met Cheng Weiwan¡¯s gaze.

    From his memory, she was always the warm and calm type of woman who never got angry. In that very moment, a different person was staring back at him. She was cold and icy and let off a merciless and ruthless aura.

    ¡°If I really can¡¯t find Hanhan, you might as well kill me. I don¡¯t want to live any longer!¡±

    Her tone of voice was calm andpletely serious. Han Zhifan¡¯s hand wrapped around Cheng Weiwan¡¯s neck suddenly trembled for a moment, almost loosening his grip.

    Cheng Weiwan was deep in thought and didn¡¯t notice Han Zhifan¡¯s reaction. She stared right into his eyes. She became a lot colder, but in her eyes, ayer of fog started to surface. ¡°If Hanhan is really gone, then I really can¡¯t live anymore...¡±

    This time, she sounded just as broken, but in the end, it intensified into a sadness which emitted from her body. As her voice fell, a single tear rolled from the corners of her eye and crashed hard onto the back of his hand.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s heart felt something akin to a sharp object violently stabbing him. He suddenly felt a dull pain.

    The searing pain made him put on a threatening expression. Compared to how painful it was to rush Lili to the hospital, seeing her in a pool of blood on the operating table, this... felt far more painful.

    At that moment, Han Zhifan forgot about his anger and loosened his grip on Cheng Weiwan¡¯s neck. It seemed like he was petrified as he stoodpletely still in his tracks. He stared at Cheng Weiwan for a long, long time without moving an inch.

    The picture of them froze like that with neither of them uttering a word.

    After who knew how long, the phone rang throughout the room.

    That was what brought Han Zhifan back to his senses. He blinked for a short while and realized that it was his phone ringing. He let go of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s neck and pulled out his phone. ncing at the screen, he saw that it was a call from home, so he hurriedly took the call.

    It was the housekeeper calling. ¡°Mr. Han, we¡¯ve found the young master,¡± she said with a considerably calmer voice than before.

    ¡°The young master fainted behind a flower bush in the garden. Everyone walked back and forth so many times but didn¡¯t see him. Eventually, the wet nurse found him.¡±

    After reporting the good news, the housekeeper¡¯s voice sounded distressed. ¡°But the young master¡¯s condition is dire. His fever is rmingly high. After the wet nurse found him, she called the ambnce immediately. The doctor said the young master¡¯s heartbeat was weak. I¡¯m afraid the situation is pretty serious.¡±

 Chapter 883

    Chapter 883: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (33)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan stood in front of Cheng Weiwan. Nobody in the room spoke a word. The housekeeper¡¯s voice was rather loud, so Cheng Weiwan clearly heard what she said.

    His heart rate was a little weak... The situation is pretty serious... As those words bore into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s ears, she snatched the phone from Han Zhifan¡¯s hand with no hesitation at all. ¡°Which hospital is Hanhan staying in?¡±

    After she finished asking, she didn¡¯t manage to get a reply from the housekeeper because Han Zhifan snatched the phone back.

    Ignoring the impatient Cheng Weiwan, he took a step back and put the phone to his ear. ¡°Which hospital?¡± he asked.

    ¡°The Children¡¯s Hospital.¡±

    After hearing the housekeeper¡¯s answer, Han Zhifan immediately hung up. Without even bothering with Cheng Weiwan, he headed for the door.

    Before he could take two steps, Cheng Weiwan tightly grabbed his arm. ¡°Which hospital is Hanhan at?¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s footsteps came to a halt. He furrowed his brows and turned his head to look over at Cheng Weiwan.

    The woman looked pale white in the face and her lips were trembling fiercely. There was fear and panic in her big, pitch-ck eyes.

    He wanted to cast her off his arm, but that thought was instantly killed off.

    ¡°Which hospital is Hanhan at? His situation is pretty bad, isn¡¯t it? What the hell is going on? Why¡¯s he so sick?¡± The more Cheng Weiwan asked, the more panicked she became. In the end, her voice started to tremble. ¡°You¡¯re going to the hospital, aren¡¯t you? Could you take me with you? Let me see Hanhan...¡±

    With that, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s other hand also grabbed Han Zhifan. It seemed like she was afraid he wouldn¡¯t agree, so she continued to plead. ¡°...I¡¯m begging you. Let me see Hanhan-see Hanhan, please? Please?¡±

    From the moment he learned her father was Cheng Weiguo, Han Zhifan endlessly told himself that no matter what happened, he would never get soft-hearted on her.

    So after she incidentally discovered the truth, he didn¡¯t hesitate in the slightest in leaving her. After he found out she was pregnant, he decided to abandon her child without another thought. After he found out she actually stayed outside his apartment every night even after they broke up, he still took the harsh and merciless route. He took a woman back home with him and got intimate with her in front of the window for Cheng Weiwan to see.

    He forced her out of his world, just as he wished. He thought he was free, but he never imagined she actually kept the world in the dark about giving birth. After he found out the truth, he also didn¡¯t change his initial position from when he tried to get close to her. Without mercy, he chose to steal the child and leave her!

    He had to admit he wanted to hurt her because Cheng Weiguo was her father. However, there was another reason ¨C he med herpletely for ending their story and ruining their chances of starting afresh.

    He clearly wanted to exact revenge for Lili and make Cheng Weiguo feel the pain of losing a rtive. His and Cheng Weiwan¡¯s story wasn¡¯t over ¨C he could continue to make her suffer. This was obviously what he wanted! He just couldn¡¯t figure out what happened, because everything he wanted was happening before his eyes, buttely, why didn¡¯t he get any thrill from this? Instead, he was even more annoyed.

    It wasn¡¯t until that very moment when he saw how she begged him helplessly to take her to see their son that he realized why...

 Chapter 884

    Chapter 884: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (34)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Because he actually had a soft spot for her.

    urately speaking, from the moment he decided to steal the child, he always had a thought deep down in his heart: ¡°Would she be devastated if I stole the child?¡±

    So even though things went ording to n, he never received the joy he imagined he would feel after sessfully getting revenge.

    Just like now. Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter was begging him in a manner as tragic as Lili¡¯s death. He should¡¯ve mercilessly told her she could quit dreaming about seeing their son. However, as he stared at her, he felt himself repressing the urge to say that he actually really, really wanted to agree to do it.

    She was Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter! Cheng Weiguo, that shameless old man! The worthless piece of sh*t who hid behind his prestigious status as a college professor. He never let anyone go, not even a young woman!

    To fulfill his own beastly desires, he actually drugged a woman and raped her. If that wasn¡¯t enough, he actually threatened Lili. He said if she ever dared to tell others, he¡¯d leak all his photos of her.

    Han Zhifan and Lili lost their parents when they were young, so they were raised by their grandmother. The Han family was powerful. He and Lili always took care of each other in their big family. Perhaps it was because they didn¡¯t have a sense of security, but Lili was a lot weaker than other girls. Or perhaps it was because he protected his sister far too well that she turned out considerably more naive than other girls. That was why, time and time again, Lili fell for Cheng Weiguo¡¯s threats, and she didn¡¯t tell Han Zhifan until the very end. She got pregnant, but because she had no experience and she was underaged, it was toote by the time she found out. She didn¡¯t dare give birth, so she sneakily went to the hospital to abort it but died on the operating table.

    If he hadn¡¯t gone to the university to collect the things she left behind and discovered her diary which recorded what Cheng Weiguo did to her, he would never believe it. His own sister, who he loved and swore to protect, was treated inhumanely!

    He found out toote. Lili was already dead and he didn¡¯t have any evidence. There was simply nothing he could do to Cheng Weiguo!

    So after he found out Cheng Weiguo had a daughter, he had been looking for her ever since...

    Yeah. She was Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter and the daughter of the horrid man who killed Lili. Even if she didn¡¯t have a clue about the disgusting things her father did, her father was Cheng Weiguo. She wasn¡¯t worthy of Han Zhifan¡¯s soft-hearted side...

    ¡°Take me to see Hanhan, please? I beg you. Take me to see Hanhan...¡± Cheng Weiwan saw Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t nodding, so she spoke with a considerably weaker voice.

    In the midst of reminiscing, Han Zhifan snapped out of it when Cheng Weiwan spoke.

    He already made his decision, but seeing how pitiful she looked, he couldn¡¯t say the words to refuse her.

    He furiously averted his gaze upon her face. Just as he considered going soft on her just this once, he caught a glimpse of several boxes of nutritional supplements by the cab.

    The image of hering out of a man¡¯s carst night while he sat in his own car suddenly popped into his mind.

    She and that man were chatting andughing like they were really intimate. When she stepped into the residential area, that man pulled out several bags and gave them to her.

 Chapter 885

    Chapter 885: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (35)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Even though they were quite far from him, he recognized those bags...

    ¡°I promise I¡¯ll just take a quick look at Hanhan. It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t let me into the patient¡¯s room. Just let me take a look at Hanhan through the window...¡±

    Before Cheng Weiwan could finish speaking, Han Zhifan suddenly raised his arm and violently flung her away. Completely unprepared, Cheng Weiwan fell onto the floor.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s head hit the leg of the cab beside her, causing a trickle of blood to flow from her scalp.

    Han Zhifan pursed his lips and quickly averted his gaze. It was as though he hadn¡¯t seen a thing and he coldly eximed, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it! I¡¯ll never let you see your son! Even if your son dies of sickness, I won¡¯t even let you look at him then!¡± He turned around, strode out of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s door, stepped into the elevator, and rushed out.

    The pain in her head left Cheng Weiwanpletely dazed on the floor for a while before she forcibly gained herposure.

    She ignored the blood on her face and climbed up from the floor. She didn¡¯t pick anything up with her and didn¡¯t even bother to change out of her slippers as she chased after Han Zhifan.

    It was fine if he didn¡¯t take her. She could secretly follow him and see which hospital Hanhan was staying at. Then she could check each and every patient¡¯s room...

    ¨C

    Time turned back to yesterday at twelve AM.

    No matter how distressed He Jichen left Xie Siyao at the entrance of the China World Hotel Beijing, no matter how warm and touched Ji Yi felt when He Jichen ignored and interrupted her by saying ¡°I believe you¡± while Ji Yi tried to exin everything to He Jichen, they both returned home with secretly heavy hearts.

    It was already reallyte. After taking a shower, He Jichen and Ji Yi headed straight to bed to sleep.

    They really slept.

    The two of them didn¡¯t do anything and shut their respective eyes to get some sleep.

    After she confessed her love for him, ever since they decided to be together, this was the first night they did nothing but sleep.

    Ji Yi had things on her mind, but now she felt even more heavy-hearted.

    Even though sheid in bed, looked like she was fast asleep, and didn¡¯t move an inch, her brain became unusually erratic and wouldn¡¯t stop having wild thoughts.

    At the same time, Ji Yi slowly turned her head to nce over at He Jichen. Heid perfectly in bed just like she did and his breathing was long and steady. His chest heaved as though nothing happened. However, for some reason, Ji Yi heart was in aplete frenzy watching him like this.

    Time ticked away. Ji Yi didn¡¯t check her phone for the time, so she wasn¡¯t sure just howte it was. All she knew was that in the end, the desire to sleep finally caught up to her. She couldn¡¯t stay up any longer as she slippedpletely into a deep sleep.

    Perhaps it was because she still had things on her mind, but Ji Yi didn¡¯t sleep well. She kept on dreaming.

    Her dreams were chaotic. She was there, and so was He Jichen. However, she didn¡¯t know what she was dreaming about.

    She felt that she had slept for a really long time, but in reality, she hadn¡¯t slept for long at all. Nobody woke her up and she didn¡¯t have a nightmare. In short, she suddenly woke up from her dreams.

    Even though she and He Jichen shared the same bed for no more than a dozen days, her first reaction after she woke was to reach her hand out and caress the space beside her.

    After searching for a long time, she couldn¡¯t find the familiar, warm sensation. She furrowed her brows, turned her head and looked over. That was when she realized that the other half of the big bed was empty. He Jichen was nowhere in sight...

 Chapter 886

    Chapter 886: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (36)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The covers were a little cold. It was obvious He Jichen had been gone for some time.

    Ji Yi instantly woke up and bolted up in bed. She picked up her phone to check the time. It was barely five in the morning.

    It¡¯s so early in the morning. If He Jichen¡¯s not asleep, where did he go?

    Could he be in the bathroom?

    With that thought, Ji Yi removed the covers and immediately nced at the bathroom. When she didn¡¯t see He Jichen, she walked out of the bedroom.

    It wasn¡¯t bright out yet and not a single light was on in the hallway, so it was quite dark. Ji Yi instinctively wanted to reach out to hit the switch on the wall, but just as she raised her fingers, she caught a glimpse of some light from the study nearby.

    Is He Jichen in the study?

    Ji Yi withdrew her raised arm and walked towards the study.

    The study door wasn¡¯t shut and the floormp was on. Ji Yi stood at the door and immediately saw He Jichen sitting at the desk.

    She instinctively wanted to cry ¡°He Jichen¡± and ask if he had urgent business to do, seeing as he came over to the study so early in the morning. However, the words hadn¡¯t reached her throat when she sensed that the atmosphere in the study was a little off.

    Ji Yi gulped back the words she wanted to say and calmly stared at He Jichen.

    The man looked very calm sitting at his desk in front of his brightptop monitor. He looked like he was working, but there were obvious marks from him pursing his lips.

    She had no idea what he was looking at on theptop, but his fingers were trembling on the mouse as though he was mad. He also seemed upset. In the end, the pain entered his eyes and was evident in his brows.

    Staring at He Jichen like this, Ji Yi felt a dull pain surfacing as though something had viciously clutched her heart.

    She stood at the door of the study then took two steps back to the bedroom. After sheposed herself a little, she cried, ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    As her voice fell, she pretended to look groggy, as though she had just woken up.

    She walked to the door of the study, raised her hand and rubbed her eyes. ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    After she cried He Jichen¡¯s name again, Ji Yi headed back to the door of the study.

    She clearly caught a glimpse of He Jichen, who looked like he was seriously caught off guard. He hurried raised his hands and closed theptop then got up in a panic and walked over to the door.

    When he walked up to her, the sense of panic he exhibited beforepletely disappeared when she suddenly showed up at the door of the study. It even didn¡¯t show in his voice, which sounded warm and low. ¡°Why are you up?¡±

    ¡°Maybest night¡¯s food was too salty since I¡¯m really thirsty...¡± replied Ji Yi weakly as she nced into the study. She pretended she hadn¡¯t discovered anything and asked, ¡°...Why are you up so early? Do you have some kind of important business to attend to?¡±

    He Jichen lowered his gaze and didn¡¯t look into Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. He let out a soft ¡°Mhm.¡±

    It seemed like he didn¡¯t want to linger on this topic for too long, so he quickly said, ¡°I¡¯ll go downstairs and pour you some water. Head back to the bedroom. Don¡¯t catch a cold.¡±

    Ji Yi obediently nodded and cheerfully said ¡°Alright.¡± Then she turned around and headed back to the bedroom.

 Chapter 887

    Chapter 887: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (37)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi climbed into bed then suddenly had a thought. She turned to He Jichen, who had followed her into the bedroom, and said, ¡°Maybe I¡¯m on my period. My belly¡¯s a little cold. Could you brew me a cup of brown sugar ginger tea?¡±

    He Jichen nodded, carefully put the covers over Ji Yi then slowly walked out of the bedroom.

    Ji Yi listened intently for the sound of movements outside. When she couldn¡¯t hear He Jichen¡¯s footsteps anymore, she tucked away the sweet expression on her face and quickly tore the covers off. She jumped out of the bed without even bothering to put on her slippers and hurriedly slipped into the study.

    She rushed over to theputer desk then quickly opened theptop and entered the password to enter theputer¡¯s home screen.

    He Jichen was probably caught off guard by Ji Yi¡¯s sudden appearance, so he didn¡¯t click out of the website he was on and just mmed theptop shut.

    After Ji Yi got in, she immediately saw the website He Jichen was browsing.

    He was looking at thements on her Weibo page.

    He read line after line of hatements that were all about her.

    So, He Jichen only had that kind of reaction because... he saw those kinds ofments from online users?

    But... it¡¯s the middle of the night. He didn¡¯t sleep but instead, he climbed out of bed just to read Weiboments?

    Ji Yi furrowed her brows slightly. Soon enough, she had a sudden thought and clicked into his browser history.

    The list of URLs was all about her.

    They were mostly links to her Weibo page and news about her termination contracts.

    Ji Yi swept a look at the date. From the night of the Television Awards and onward, he¡¯d browsed every day around today¡¯s time; four to five in the morning.

    Which went to say that after they got together, he actually wasn¡¯t asleep when she thought he was.

    Every day, he stayed with her and every now and then, he teased her to make her face flush and ears red. She thought that after they got together, he would be in a better mood, but things weren¡¯t as she assumed... He wasn¡¯t truly better. He was just acting like he was better to make her feel better.

    He only repeatedly checked the Weiboments because he cared about what those online users said about her.

    She knew he only cared because he truly loved her. People had called him a murderer and a degenerate after the video of him stabbing Qian Ge was leaked. Reading those words seemed to feel even more unbearable than when she was being hated on in the past.

    However, he didn¡¯t dare read all of it in front of her in fear that she would feel burdened. That was why he chose to climb out of bed every night when she was fast asleep and sneakily read them in the study.

    Piercing pain stabbed Ji Yi¡¯s heart once more.

    Her eyes started to water as she stared at theptop screen.

    She was afraid He Jichen would see all of this when he got upstairs and find out she realized he was pretending every day. She was afraid he would feel even more heavy-hearted, so she didn¡¯t dare stay in the study for too long. She quickly shut theptop and headed back to the bedroom.

    Sheid back in bed, pulled the covers over herself, and tried her best topose herself.

    But she didn¡¯t make it in time. He Jichen was already back upstairs.

    Ji Yi was afraid He Jichen would realize something was wrong, so she quickly shut her eyes and waited for He Jichen to walk over to the side of the bed. Having forced herself to calm down, she then opened her eyelids. ¡°Is it ready?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± softly replied He Jichen. He brought the mug in front of Ji Yi. ¡°It¡¯s a little hot, so drink slowly.¡±

    FacebookTwitterGoogle+Th¨ºm...

 Chapter 888

    Chapter 888: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (38)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When Ji Yi heard He Jichen¡¯s warm words, a bitter feeling surfaced in her eyes because of thements she just saw in the study.

    She didn¡¯t dare to look at him, so she let out a soft ¡°Mhm¡± then reached out and took the mug. She held it in her palms and took a sip.

    As she drank, her entire heart suddenly felt an extreme pain.

    Being together was meant to be an incredibly happy thing, but because of Qian Ge, there was a strong sense of irrevokable regret mixed into that happiness.

    And this regret was destined to never be erased as long as He Jichen loved her.

    Because deep down, he still thought he was dragging her down.

    No matter how awful Ji Yi felt inside, she didn¡¯t show the slightest hint of it in front of He Jichen.

    After she finished drinking the brown sugar ginger tea, she pretended as though she was very sleepy and pulled He Jichen back to make up for lost sleep.

    After they woke, they both had things on their minds, but they kept them deep down by never revealing it. They tried their hardest to put on their best selves to make the other person feel at ease.

    ¨C

    Cheng Han was already in the emergency room by the time Han Zhifan rushed to the hospital.

    Two hourster, Cheng Han emerged from the emergency room and was escorted into a patient room.

    Because he recently suffered a fever for a long time, Cheng Han¡¯s lungs were a little infected and he needed to stay in the hospital for observation.

    After the registration papers were sorted, Han Zhifan ordered the wet nurse to stay in the room to watch over Cheng Han. Then he asked the housekeeper to head back home to pack a few things and bring them to the hospital. As for himself, he went to the office.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say in the office for too long. He held an urgent meeting and assigned important jobs to high-up executives. Then he called the secretary into his office and told her he wouldn¡¯t be in the office for the next few days. If there were no matters of importance, he shouldn¡¯t be disturbed.

    After sorting out things at the office, Han Zhifan drove back to the Children¡¯s Hospital.

    Han Zhifan parked his car. Then en route to the patient ward, he bumped into the housekeeper and Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan was wearing the same clothes from that morning. Her clothes were wrinkled and looked a little worse for wear.

    Her hair was slightly messy, the blood on her face was wiped clean off, and the wound on her temple was quite conspicuous.

    Her eyes were really swollen as though she had been crying. She pulled on the housekeeper¡¯s arm and moved her lips non-stop. From the expression on her face, it looked as though she was pleading with the housekeeper.

    The housekeeper stood in her tracks with a pained look on her face. She stared at Cheng Weiwan looking a little lost on what to do.

    Han Zhifan stared at the two of them for a while before finally walking over.

    As he drew closer, he could hear what Cheng Weiwan and the housekeeper were saying.

    ¡°He¡¯s in there, right? Let me go into the room and take a little peek? I promise I¡¯ll leave before he gets here. I won¡¯t give you any trouble. I beg you...¡±

    ¡°Miss Cheng, I... I...¡± stuttered the housekeeper who must¡¯ve not known what to do with Cheng Weiwan¡¯s begging. She didn¡¯t manage to speak aplete sentence.

    ¡°I¡¯m begging you. Just this once! Please let me see Hanhan for five minutes. No! Three minutes, or just one minute...¡±

    The housekeeper looked like she was touched. She hesitated for a moment then cried, ¡°Alright. We agreed you¡¯ll only go in for a quick peek then you¡¯ll leave. You know how it is. If Mr. Han finds out that I secretly let you see the young master, he won¡¯t spare any mercy on me...¡±

 Chapter 889

    Chapter 889: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (39)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I know. I promise I won¡¯t drag you down. Thank you! Thank you...¡± Cheng Weiwan said repeatedly.

    The housekeeper couldn¡¯t bear to see her like this, so she lowered her head and let out a soft sigh. Then she pointed in the direction of the in-patient building as though she was going to take Cheng Weiwan there.

    Before the two of them could raise their feet, Han Zhifan, who was standing nearby, suddenly cleared his throat.

    The housekeeper clearly tensed up. Ten secondster, she slowly turned her head and looked over to the source of the sound.

    When her gazended on Han Zhifan, the housekeeper instinctively lowered her head and let out a weak cry. ¡°Mr. Han.¡±

    Han Zhifan silently stared at the two of them for a short while then strode over to them.

    As he drew closer, the housekeeper¡¯s legs trembled in fear.

    ¡°Head up to the room,¡± said Han Zhifan in a cold voice without even waiting for the housekeeper to admit to what she did.

    ¡°Yes.¡± The housekeeper heard this and didn¡¯t dare linger a moment longer. She carried the things she brought from home and darted off.

    After the housekeeper ran into the hospital building, Han Zhifan ignored Cheng Weiwan, who was standing beside him. He raised his feet and headed into the hospital building.

    ¡°Han Zhifan...¡± cried Cheng Weiwan.

    Han Zhifan turned a deaf ear and continued to walk without a moment¡¯s hesitation.

    Cheng Weiwan hurriedly caught up to him with a jog. ¡°Han Zhifan!¡±

    Han Zhifan wanted to get rid of her. He sensed her drawing closer, so he picked up the pace.

    Worried about Cheng Han, Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t think about anything else. Without even thinking about it, she reached out and pulled Han Zhifan¡¯s arm. ¡°Han Zhifan, let me see...¡±

    ¡°I told you NO!¡± eximed Han Zhifan in anger; he didn¡¯t bother waiting for Cheng Weiwan to finish.

    With that, he instinctively wanted to swing away the arm she grabbed. But just before he moved, the image of the ghastly wound on her temple shed across his mind. He couldn¡¯t think of anything else. His arm suddenly stopped in mid-air.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if it was because his voice was frightening or if she was afraid he would throw her to the floor again, but he could feel her body trembling violently and her grip upon his arm loosened up considerably.

    It seemed like she was going to let him go, but in the end, she didn¡¯t.

    He could sense she was a little afraid of him because she spoke so carefully. ¡°...As long as you let me see Hanhan, I¡¯ll do anything you ask. Just let me see with my own eyes that Hanhan¡¯s okay and healthy. I¡¯ll even leave Beijing, I...¡±

    A familiar sense of anger resurfaced in Han Zhifan¡¯s heart when he heard her words. Without waiting for her to finish, he cried, ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath. I told you I wouldn¡¯t let you see my son, so I definitely won¡¯t let you see your son!¡±

    With that, Han Zhifan pulled his arm away and strode off.

    Back in the patient room, Cheng Han was still asleep.

    The housekeeper saw Han Zhifan walking in; he looked visibly uneasy. She thought Han Zhifan would lecture her, but to her surprise, Han Zhifan just said, ¡°Just this once.¡± With that, she walked over to the bedside and watched over Cheng Han.

    Cheng Han¡¯s fever didn¡¯t show any signs of going down until it was almost evening.

    Having been worried sick all day, the wet nurse and the housekeeper only just remembered they had to get dinner ready.

    The housekeeper seemed quite happy when she left the patient room because Cheng Han was getting better. However, when she came back with the dinner she bought, it seemed like a lot was weighing on her mind.

 Chapter 890

    Chapter 890: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (40)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After dinner, when the housekeeper collected and threw all the takeout containers in the bin, she walked up to the window and nced outside the window. After she came back from throwing the trash away, she couldn¡¯t seem to sit still.

    During dinner, Han Zhifan received a message from his secretary. After dinner, he opened hisptop, sat on the sofa, and started to work.

    It was very quiet in the room. The wet nurse watched over Cheng Han as she sat by the bed. The housekeeper nced over at Han Zhifan every now and then while tidying up.

    As she did so, she continued to inadvertently nce out the window a few times. Every time she did so, she turned to look at Han Zhifan as though she wanted to say something.

    Although Han Zhifan didn¡¯t look back at the housekeeper, he could sense she was looking at him non-stop while he was trying to read his emails.

    He knew the housekeeper wanted to say something to him, but she didn¡¯t speak and he didn¡¯t ask.

    After losing count of the number of times the housekeeper looked over at him, Han Zhifan finally couldn¡¯t take it anymore. Although he didn¡¯t look at the housekeeper, he tly cried out while staring at hisptop screen, ¡°Just say it. What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    The housekeeper looked as though she was torn as she remained quiet for some time. Then she said in a quiet voice, ¡°Mr. Han, she¡¯s downstairs.¡±

    Although the housekeeper didn¡¯t point out who ¡°she¡± was, Han Zhifan instantly knew who she was talking about.

    The pace of his hands typing on the keyboard gradually slowed down. Then he nkly said, ¡°Oh.¡± It was as though the housekeeper¡¯s words had nothing to do with him at all. He returned to his work.

    The only sound in the room was Han Zhifan¡¯s typing on the keyboard.

    The housekeeper nced outside again then hesitantly spoke up again. ¡°When I went to buy dinner, I bumped right into her. She stopped me again and asked about the young master¡¯s condition. I identally touched her hand and realized she was really hot. She must have a fever.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t stop typing in the slightest as though he hadn¡¯t heard what the housekeeper said at all.

    ¡°What¡¯s more, when I was outside just now, I realized that today¡¯s weather was bad... like it¡¯s been raining all day.¡± It seemed like God and the housekeeper made prior arrangements because after she said this, they heard the ear-splitting sound of thunder outside the window. Thereafter, raindrops crashed hard against the window.

    ¡°It really is raining... and it¡¯s raining pretty badly too...¡± The housekeeper ran up to the window again and nced outside. ¡°...Why¡¯s she still standing there...? Her forehead is injured and the rainwater is so dirty. She¡¯ll catch an infection that way...¡±

    ¡°...Mr. Han, why don¡¯t you let her take a look at the young master... after all, she¡¯s his biological mother. She must be more worried than anyone when she heard that the young master got sick. What if she really stands outside all night? If she dies like that, what...¡± said the housekeeper as she looked at Han Zhifan.

    The sound of Han Zhifan¡¯s typing suddenly stopped. He raised his head and looked as though he was annoyed from the housekeeper¡¯s chatter. ¡°Since you¡¯re so worried about her, how about you stay with her and get rained on outside!¡± eximed Han Zhifan coldly.

    The housekeeper was so frightened by Han Zhifan¡¯s words that she immediately shut up.

    The room entered another wall of silence.

    Han Zhifan stared at theptop monitor for a long time before getting back to work. Just as he typed a few words, the housekeeper hovered over the window and suddenly shrieked, ¡°Oh no! Mr. Han! Miss Cheng¡¯s fainted!¡±

 Chapter 891

    Chapter 891: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (41)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The sound of typing suddenly disappeared without a trace.

    The entire room silent for a second before they heard a ¡°Bam!¡± The housekeeper, who was looking worried as she stared out the window, and the wet nurse by the bed, turned their heads one after the other.

    Theptop on Han Zhifan¡¯s knees had been thrown to the floor.

    Before the housekeeper and the wet nurse could figure out what happened, Han Zhifan, who was sitting on the sofa, already reached the window.

    When he nced outside and saw Cheng Weiwan slumped on the ground, his gaze happened to brush past the housekeeper. There was a hint of panic in his eyes.

    The housekeeper thought she was seeing things, so she instinctively blinked twice. After she opened her eyes again, she wanted to take a better look at Han Zhifan¡¯s face but he had already turned around and darted out of the room.

    The housekeeper turned her head in confusion and stared at the wet nurse.

    Just as their eyes met, another roar of thunder fell and more raindrops hit the window.

    That was when the housekeeper realized Han Zhifan was in such a rush that he didn¡¯t bring an umbre with him. She hurriedly chased after him with an umbre in hand.

    In a few short seconds, the silhouette of Han Zhifan disappeared from the hallway.

    The housekeeper took the elevator and chased him down to the first floor, where she finally saw him.

    He stood motionlessly at the entrance of the hotel building and stared out at the pouring rain.

    Didn¡¯t Mr. Han rush out here in a hurry just to check on Miss Cheng after he heard she fainted?

    He¡¯s almost there. Why isn¡¯t he walking up to her?

    The housekeeper thought to herself deep down as she walked over to Han Zhifan. Just as she cried out ¡°Han-¡°, she followed Han Zhifan¡¯s gaze and saw a man around thirty years old standing not too far in front of them. He bent over and picked up Cheng Weiwan.

    He looked at Cheng Weiwan with warm eyes and moved carefully, as though he was protecting a gem that could shatter easily.

    His car was parked to one side. After he picked Cheng Weiwan up, he immediately put her inside, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her.

    He wasn¡¯t concerned about the heavy rain hitting his own body and patted Cheng Weiwan¡¯s hair dry. It wasn¡¯t until he got a new towel and wrapped it tightly around her that he finally got into the car.

    He really wasn¡¯t worried about how drenched he was at all. He then stepped on the gas pedal and sped off with Cheng Weiwan.

    The car quickly disappeared from their line of sight.

    That was when the housekeeper turned her gaze back to Han Zhifan.

    She clearly saw his expression turning quite bleak. By his sides, his hands clenched into fists, trembling slightly with anger.

    From what the housekeeper remembered, Han Zhifan was always kind and gentle, but ever since the young master moved into this house, it seemed like he had be a different person and his temper worsened.

    At that moment, seeing Han Zhifan like that, the housekeeper didn¡¯t even dare to breathe.

    It was still raining. The rain turned heavier and it started to get windy. The rain blew into the entrance and quickly drenched the lower half of Han Zhifan¡¯s pant legs.

    The housekeeper was afraid Han Zhifan would catch a cold if he continued to stand there like that, so she cautiously cried out, ¡°Mr. Han...¡±

    It seemed like Han Zhifan had turned to stone as he showed no reaction.

    ¡°Mr. Han...¡± repeated the housekeeper.

    Han Zhifan snapped back to reality. He angrily turned around without even ncing at the housekeeper. He kicked the ss door behind him and stepped into the main lobby of the hospital.

    Am I sick? I actually ran downstairs when I heard she fainted!

 Chapter 892

    Chapter 892: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (42)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    And how does her fainting have anything to do with me? Besides... someone turned up beside her, took care of her and took her away...

    As the thought of that man carefully carrying Cheng Weiwan into the car and patting her dry shed across Han Zhifan¡¯s mind, his lips pursed into a single line. There were two roaring mes in the depths of his eyes.

    That man... I recognize him. He¡¯s the man who dropped her home yesterday...

    ...

    The next morning, Cheng Han still had a bit of a fever. However, his temperature wasn¡¯t shockingly high anymore.

    Ever since Han ZHifan returned to the roomst night, the entire atmosphere in the room turned unusually somber.

    The housekeeper and wet nurse didn¡¯t dare say a word out of ce. When they walked, they even tread carefully.

    After Cheng Han woke up with much difficulty, Han Zhifan¡¯s frozenplexion finally showed signs of defrosting. The housekeeper and wet nurse discreetly let out sighs of relief and revealed rxed expressions at the same time. After barely two minutes passed, Cheng Han opened his eyes and stared at the three people gathered around his bed with googly eyes. ¡°Where¡¯s mummy?¡± he asked in a cute voice.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s hand stopped as he was about to reach over to touch Cheng Han¡¯s head.

    The expression on his face turned cold again, bringing the temperature in the room to its coldest point once again.

    Neither the housekeeper nor the wet nurse dared to utter a peep.

    ¡°Where¡¯s mummy?¡± asked Cheng Han once more.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s brows furrowed again.

    The wet nurse was afraid if Han Zhifan said anything, he would frighten Cheng Han and make him cry, so she quickly said, ¡°Mummy¡¯sing overter...¡±

    As the words were blurted from her lips, the wet nurse clearly felt a frightening aura being emitted from the body of the man next to her. She didn¡¯t dare move an inch. All she could do was continue to stare at Cheng Han with a kind smile and continue: ¡°... Baby, are you hungry? Let¡¯s drink some milk, okay?¡±

    Cheng Han nodded obediently.

    The housekeeper hurriedly brought over a milk bottle.

    The wet nurse took it, picked up Cheng Han, and carefully fed him.

    The two of them carried this out wlessly but deep down, they were aplete mess.

    After he finished drinking the milk, the nurse came over and gave Cheng Han a checkup. She put him on another IV and left.

    Cheng Han started to cry because of the pain. He was still seriously unwell and had no energy. The medicine also kicked in and Cheng Han didn¡¯t pull a tantrum for too long before he slipped into a deep slumber.

    By the time Cheng Han woke up again, it was alreadyte in the afternoon.

    ¨C

    After being carried away by a man yesterday, Cheng Weiwan had now turned up again outside of the building. She¡¯d been standing there for almost two hours now.

    Just like he did when he awoke in the morning, the first thing Cheng Han did when he woke up was ask for his mother.

    Han Zhifan noticed Cheng Weiwan was standing outside half an hour ago. He looked like he was in the worse of moods, but now that he heard what Cheng Han said, his expression turned positively dismal.

    Not seeing his mother made Cheng Han start to cry again. The housekeeper and the wet nurse tried their hardest to cheer him up, whereas Han Zhifan held the same cold expression as though he hadn¡¯t heard a thing. He just stood to one side and watched motionlessly.

    It wasn¡¯t clear if he was annoyed by Cheng Han¡¯s crying, but after twenty minutes, Han Zhifan walked over to the window.

    Maybe it was because he knew she was downstairs that he instinctively shot a nce in her direction out of pure habit.

    She was standing there on her own earlier. However, it was unclear when this happened but there was now suddenly an extra person standing beside her.

 Chapter 893

    Chapter 893: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (43)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It was the man who carried her away the night before and the same man who dropped her home the day before that.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t know what the man said, but Cheng Weiwan raised her head and smiled at him. Thereafter, the man reached his hand out and stroked Cheng Weiwan¡¯s forehead.

    Han Zhifan squinted as he watched. Both hands in his pockets couldn¡¯t help but ball into fists.

    He was probably checking her temperature. After a while, he withdrew his hand and tried to persuade her to do something. She didn¡¯t say anything but shook her head at him. It looked like he couldn¡¯t persuade her because he pulled out some food from the bag he was carrying and gave it to her. After he watched her eat it, he opened a bottle of water and handed it to her.

    While Cheng Weiwan was drinking it, the man pulled out a bag of medicine and handed it to her too.

    Cheng Weiwan must¡¯ve said ¡°Thank you¡± to the man. She then took it and tilted her head, swallowing a pill.

    The man wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave, so he continued to stay by Cheng Weiwan¡¯s side.

    Although it rained the night before, the weather was pleasant now. The sun was shining brightly, illuminating the entire city in a warm glow.

    As time passed, the sun gradually set. The temperature dropped outside and the man removed his outer jacket to cover Cheng Weiwan with it.

    Cheng Weiwan not only didn¡¯t reject it but turned her head and smiled at the man.

    It wasn¡¯t clear what they were talking about, but they seemed to be chatting happily away.

    The glow of the sunset radiated a warmth upon them.

    Standing in front of the window, Han Zhifan watched them for a long time before he suddenly felt that this whole picture was an eyesore.

    It seemed like he was angry one second, but in the next moment, he wasn¡¯t anymore. He started to feel annoyed because he couldn¡¯t figure out how he felt. He grabbed the pack of cigarettes on the window sill and stepped into the restroom.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t leave the restroom until he smoked everyst cigarette in the pack.

    Covered with the smell of cigarettes, he didn¡¯t get close to Cheng Han. Instead, he walked over to the balcony.

    The sun had set and night had fallen. The hospital¡¯s street lights were all on and the two of them were still chatting outside.

    But this time, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t watch for too long. The man pulled out the phone in his pockets and walked to one side to take the call.

    A couple secondster, the man hung up and walked back over to Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan spoke first. After she finished, the man nodded then said something to her again. Her reaction was the exact opposite of the man¡¯s as she gently shook her head.

    Although Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t hear their conversation, he could tell by their reactions that they were saying their goodbyes.

    He guessed correctly. A couple secondster, the man left, leaving Cheng Weiwan alone.

    When the man was there, Cheng Weiwan looked no different from how Han Zhifan remembered her. Perhaps he was overthinking things, but after the man left, he thought that Cheng Weiwan had zoned outpletely. Every now and then, she stared at one spot for a long time.

    It gradually gotter in the evening. Cheng Weiwan was still outside zoned out and hadn¡¯t shown any signs of wanting to leave.

    It wasn¡¯t yet spring, so the weather was rather cold. With his superb eyesight, Han Zhifan could tell Cheng Weiwan was so cold that she was shivering.

 Chapter 894

    Chapter 894: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (44)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After crying for such a long time, Cheng Han finally fell asleep.

    The wet nurse and housekeeper were exhausted. They sat to one side and got some rest for a while. After a while, the housekeeper got up to tidy up then realized they ran out of diapers for Cheng Han. ¡°I have to go to the supermarket. The young master ran out of diapers a while ago.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± abruptly cried Han Zhifan, who was staring out the window.

    The housekeeper was stunned but she still told Han Zhifan the brand of diapers Cheng Han used.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything as he picked up his wallet and car keys and walked out of the room.

    Since it was sote at night, the only person left at the entrance of the hospital building, which was usually busy during the day, was Cheng Weiwan.

    She was staring at a nearby hibiscus flower in bloom when Han Zhifan walked up to her. She sluggishly came to her senses and looked at Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan, who wanted to pretend Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t exist and walk right past her without making eye contact, hesitated for a moment. In the end, his feet came to a stop.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s paleplexion revealed her condition. She probably got sickst night from the rain.

    The wound by her temples was dressed with two band-aids.

    Han Zhifan started coldly at Cheng Weiwan for a while then withdrew his gaze and raised his feet to leave.

    ¡°Hanhan¡¯s awake, isn¡¯t he?¡± Ifpletely necessary, Cheng Weiwan could really cut Han Zhifan out of her life, but... she was a woman and what¡¯s more, she was also a mother. She couldn¡¯t just pretend nothing happened after finding out Hanhan was in the hospital.

    After all, she worked so hard to give birth to and raise Hanhan up till now.

    Hanhan was the only motivation she had left to survive after the aftermath of her destructive love affair.

    So even if she knew she would probably get the same harsh words as the day before, she still had to ask.

    Han Zhifan lowered his feet down when he heard her voice.

    ¡°How is Hanhan¡¯s condition?¡± Cheng Weiwan asked again with a gulp.

    Han Zhifan turned his head and looked over at her. ¡°You¡¯ll do whatever I want as long as I let you see Hanhan?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know why Han Zhifan was suddenly bringing up what she said yesterday. She vaguely felt like something might happen, so she hesitated for a while before she nodded at Han Zhifan.

    ¡°I can let you see my son on one condition.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan remained silent for a while. ¡°Go on.¡±

    Han Zhifan thought he must be crazy to propose such a ridiculous condition, but he went and said it anyway: ¡°Sleep with me once and I¡¯ll let you see my son for a day!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan thought she misheard as her mouth gaped slightly.

    ¡°Think about it.¡± After leaving those words with her, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t linger for a moment longer as he left Cheng Weiwan there and strode off.

    ...

    Throughout the two days Cheng Weiwan stayed on guard at the hospital, the ¡°Fleeting Years¡± film officially started production in Beijing¡¯s film studios.

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t the main character, so she didn¡¯t attend the opening ceremony. Because she only had a few scenes to shoot and because she was at the height of her poprity when she first signed the contract with many jobs lined up, her scenes were all arranged for the first three days of production.

    Since the filming schedule was quite tight and the traffic in Beijing was uncontroble, Ji Yi decided to stay at a nearby hotel close to the film studio for her three days of filming in fear of dying filming.

    The filming process went considerably smoothly. The only problem was a minor hup.

    Ji Yi thought she could ignore this minor hup. However, she never imagined that after she finished filming that very day, the situation blew up into a big argument.

 Chapter 895

    Chapter 895: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (45)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Actually, before the argument happened, minor conflicts had been popping up in the past three days.

    These so-called ¡°minor conflicts¡± didn¡¯t include He Jichen violently pping Xie Siyao that day at the entrance of China World Hotel Beijing. Instead, they started with Yang Li, the male lead of ¡°Fleeting Years.¡±

    On the first day Ji Yi joined the cast and crew, she didn¡¯t have any scenes to shoot with Yang Li, but he always spent time on set even with no scenes to shoot.

    During dinner, Ji Yi more or less knew what was on Yang Li¡¯s mind. On set, no matter if she was putting on her makeup or changing, she always saw Yang Li watching her like she was prey. It made her feel unusually ufortable.

    But fortunately, the two of them always kept their distance. All Ji Yi could do was pretend that nothing was happening and focus on filming.

    But the next day, Ji Yi and Yang Li were set to start shooting a scene together. The ufortable feeling Yang Li left Ji Yi slowly turned into annoyance.

    During their first scene together, Yang Li and Ji Yi weren¡¯t in close contact, but in their second scene, Yang Li and Ji Yi had to hold hands.

    Yang Li¡¯s acting wasn¡¯t particrly good, yet it wasn¡¯t so terrible that it couldn¡¯t be saved. This scene when they had to hold hands could¡¯ve been done in one take, but Yang Li needed several takes. In the first two takes, he politely broke free from holding Ji Yi¡¯s hand. However, during thetter takes, he used his index finger to stroke Ji Yi¡¯s palm.

    Ji Yi already felt uneasy with having a stranger touch her. Now, with Yang Li clearly crossing the line like this, it made Ji Yi feel even more ufortable.

    It was obvious that Yang Li came prepared. Only the two of them knew about his little gestures. To others, it looked like there wasn¡¯t anything odd happening in the slightest, so even if Ji Yi couldn¡¯t ept it, there was no way she could get mad at him publicly before he revealed himself. All Ji Yi could do was guard herself as much as possible from Yang Li and prevent him from getting his way.

    Yang Li was an old hand in this area. He noticed Ji Yi was putting her guard up against him, so he changed his methods. For example, when he was filming, he pretended he was talking to Ji Yi about the script but hugged her from behind while he read the script with her. Another example was when they filmed outdoors, Yang Li deliberately acted like a gentleman and reminded Ji Yi to be careful while walking as he reached his arm out to pretend like he was protecting Ji Yi from falling. In actuality, he inadvertently touched Ji Yi¡¯s waist.

    Because Ji Yi managed to discreetly avoid him almost every time, Yang Li didn¡¯t manage to get his way, so he slowly became annoyed. During their final scene when they were supposed to argue, Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure if Yang Li did it on purpose, but he grabbed Ji Yi¡¯s shirt on her shoulder when the script clearly indicated that he was meant to grab Ji Yi¡¯s hand. He tore Ji YI¡¯s clothes, revealing a big portion of her skin for the whole cast and crew to see.

    Reflexively, Ji Yi¡¯s first reaction was to raise her hand and cover herself up to avoid a nip slip.

    Zhuang Yi worked in showbiz for a long time, so she was quite savvy about incidents like these. She had quick reflexes, so before the whole cast and crew came to their senses, Zhuang Yi had already run over to Ji Yi with clothes and covered her up.

 Chapter 896

    Chapter 896: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (46)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Following Zhuang Yi¡¯s actions, everyone came to their senses and turned their gazes upon Yang Li.

    Yang Li lowered his head and looked at the fabric in his palms that he tore from Ji Yi¡¯s body. Then he acted as though he only just realized what happened and blurted out, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I slipped up.¡±

    As Yang Li said this, he walked up to Ji Yi. ¡°I didn¡¯t hurt you just now, did I?¡±

    With that, Yang Li reach out to Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder with a worried expression on his face.

    Just before his fingers could reach Ji Yi, she abruptly took a step back and adeptly avoided Yang Li¡¯s hand. ¡°Mr. Yang, I¡¯m fine.¡±

    ¡°I feel so bad. How about I stay with you to get changed?¡±

    Being forced to deal with Yang Li¡¯s insincerity, Ji Yi didn¡¯t even bother ncing at him. All she did was shake her head, coldly declining, before she turned to leave.

    Yang Li took a step forward to chase after Ji Yi then reached out again to grab Ji Yi¡¯s arm. ¡°Xiao Yi, don¡¯t be mad. I really didn¡¯t do it on purpose...¡±

    Before he could touch Ji Yi¡¯s arm, Zhuang Yi stepped in to stop him. ¡°Mr. Yang, Xiao Yi has me with her. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    With that, Zhuang Yi deliberately stood in front of Yang Li to ward him off. After Ji Yi walked some distance away and met up with Tang Huahua, she smirked back at Yang Li. Zhuang Yi turned on her heels and walked in the direction of Ji Yi.

    After walking into the changing room, Zhuang Yi immediately walked up to Ji Yi. She took off her jacket and looked at Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder.

    Yang Li forcefully tore Ji Yi¡¯s clothes off, evident by the serious bloody scratches on her skin.

    ¡°That a**hole Yang Li definitely did it on purpose!¡± Tang Huahua cursed through gritted teeth. She searched around for the first aid kit then brought it over. ¡°Your wrist and your shoulders are so far apart. ¡®An ident¡¯ my a**!¡±

    Zhuang Yi pulled out some cotton balls from the first aid kit and helped Ji Yi cleanse the wound before Tang Huahua chimed in again. ¡°He definitely did it on purpose. The past few days, he needed so many takes when he filmed with Xiao Yi. Also, he looked at Xiao Yi with perverted eyes. The thirst in his eyes looked as though he wanted nothing more than to tear the clothes right off Xiao Yi!¡±

    ¡°I really never thought he would be this kind of person. We can¡¯t let this go on. What if he does somethingter?¡± Tang Huahua¡¯s anger spread as worry surfaced on her face. ¡°Later, he and Xiao Yi still have a bed scene in the dark...¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true...¡± While helping Ji Yi put a band-aid on her scratches, Zhuang Yi stopped as though she was forming a n.

    Tang Huahua tilted her head and thought about it for a while then cried, ¡°How about I give Chen Bai a call? He¡¯s got quite a high position at Huan Ying. Ask him toe over to help out then Yang Li definitely won¡¯t mess with us...¡±

    Zhuang Yi nodded in agreement then looked at Ji Yi. ¡°Xiao Yi, what do you think?¡±

    Telling Cheng Bai also meant telling He Jichen.

    She and Yang Li met two years ago at an event. Although they never really crossed paths until now, Yang Li¡¯s eyes lit up the moment he saw her.

    Thereafter, He Jichen appeared by her side and that was when Yang Li started to act a lot more polite and respectful towards her.

 Chapter 897

    Chapter 897: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (47)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Two years ago, He Jichen turned up by her side just in time every time; he could definitely tell how Yang Li had ns in mind for Ji Yi.

    Two yearster, everyone knew Ji Yi was He Jichen¡¯s wife. For Yang Li to still dare to do such a thing, he clearly wasn¡¯t afraid nor did he view He Jichen the way he used to before the Qian Ge video and all the trouble surfaced online.

    He Jichen was smart. If he didn¡¯t know exactly how Yang Li felt about him, he still definitely knew Yang Li only dared to bully Ji Yi like this because of him.

    What¡¯s more, he was already feeling terrible because Ji Yi had many business contracts canceled and received all those hatements online... As that thought shed across Ji Yi¡¯s mind, she remembered the first night she joined the team. When she woke up in the morning, she didn¡¯t see He Jichen beside her on the bed. While she was leaving, she saw He Jichen staring at hisptop with a vaguely pained expression on his face in the study.

    Ji Yi instinctively pursed her lips then slowly shook her head, ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll be fine if I¡¯m careful and I¡¯ve already survived three days. There are only two scenes left. It¡¯s nothing.¡±

    ¡°But...¡± Tang Huahua seemed a little worried.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful,¡± Ji Yi reiterated as she prevented Tang Huahua frompleting her thought.

    Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua noticed Ji Yi¡¯s persistent attitude, so they didn¡¯t try to talk her out of it and gave in.

    Maybe it was because Ji Yi¡¯s clothes were ripped that Yang Li was afraid he went overboard and revealed his evil intentions to the cast and crew. Thereafter, he acted normally through the rest of the filming and quickly finished shooting.

    In the final scene, Ji Yi needed a new costume. After she finished, she walked into the makeup room.

    After she was done, other people were still shooting their scenes. She needed to wait until after they were done before she could shoot the final scene of this movie.

    After about an hour, the sky turned dark. The set was all ready, so Ji Yi emerged from the make-up room and walked on set.

    The first half of the scene was of her and Yang Li just talking.

    To Ji Yi¡¯s surprise, Yang Li took the first part of the scene very seriously and actually finished it in one take.

    For safety reasons, the director took a break then started to get ready for her and Yang Li¡¯s bed scene.

    The scene was simple; there were no lines. There weren¡¯t many movements or expressions needed, but they needed to act drunk. Then the two of them would just quietlyy there for a while without touching.

    This was the scene where Ji Yi and Yang Li got into a big argument.

    In the end, she overestimated Yang Li¡¯s level of shamelessness. When theyid in bed, shut their eyes, and got into character, he secretly reached out and touched her breasts beneath the covers.

    Ji Yi reflexively kicked Yang Li right off the bed the moment his hand touched her chest.

    With a *bang*, Yang Li fell to the floor inplete embarrassment.

    As the entire cast and crew were unbelievably confused, Ji Yi yanked off the covers and jumped out of bed. ¡°Director! I want a body double for this scene!¡± She eximed coldly. Then, without staying on set another moment longer, she headed for the changing room.

    Under everyone¡¯s gaze, Ji Yi kicked Yang Li out of bed. He was already embarrassed and his face was already incredibly flushed, however, now that he heard Ji Yi requested a body double, Yang Li suddenly got mad. He bolted up from the ground and rushed over to Ji Yi as she left.

 Chapter 898

    Chapter 898: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (48)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Ji Yi, shouldn¡¯t you apologize to me? What did I do? What right did you have to kick me?¡±

    Deep down, Ji Yi let out a cold scoff. Her feet never stopped nor slowed down for a single moment.

    Yang Li got even angrier after seeing that he was being ignored. ¡°Ji Yi, don¡¯t take things too far! Quit acting all furious. Did you think that your backer, He Jichen, is the same He Jichen as before?¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you this ¨C you¡¯re nothing right now!¡±

    Ji Yi suddenly stopped walking. There was annoyance in her eyes and an icy glow radiating from them.

    ¡°He¡¯s a murderer. Ask people from showbiz if anyone would listen to him! That day at the hotel entrance, don¡¯t misunderstand ¨C everyone was just being polite to him. In reality, everyone looked down on him!¡±

    Standing with her back turned to Yang Li, Ji Yi immediately turned around when she heard this and walked right up to him.

    ¡°Regarding what happened today, I¡¯ll definitely contact the press and leak it online to let everyone know how disrespectful you are to people you work with...¡±

    Just as she was yelling at Yang Li, Ji Yi raised her hand and unexpectedly pped him hard on the face.

    Yang Li¡¯s words died in his throat. Probably because Ji Yi pped him so suddenly, he was stunned for two seconds. ¡°You- a-actually...¡±

    Without giving Yang Li a chance to speak, Ji Yi raised her hand again and mercilessly pped his face again.

    Yang Li was instantly p*ssed off.

    Fortunately, Zhuang Yi ran over to stop Yang Li after the first time Ji Yi pped him. She stopped him from touching Ji Yi.

    Nearby staff also rushed forward one after the other to separate the two of them.

    Yang Li continued cursing as Ji Yi swept him a cold look. Without wanting to stay a moment longer, Ji Yi impulsively shrieked at Tang Huahua who rushed over to her. ¡°Call the body double over!¡± Then without any thought to the chaotic state of the cast and crew, she sped off.

    ...

    The set finally returned to normal about half an hour after Ji Yi left.

    Yang Li, who was so mad that he stopped caring about his image, walked into his private dressing room with his assistant and manager.

    He sat on a chair while staring at the clear handprint on his face through the mirror. He thought about how he actually got pped twice by a woman in front of the entire cast and crew and suddenly started to get angry again.

    The only people around him were his manager and assistant, so naturally, he vented to those two people.

    His manager and assistant felt suffocated by Yang Li¡¯s overbearing attitude, so they found excuses to hide.

    Yang Li threw things in the dressing room for quite some time then he took a break and sat back down in his chair.

    The dressing room was quiet for about two minutes. The more Yang Li thought about it, the more resentful he felt. Without a care for his image being ruined by other people recording what happened and posting it online, he pulled out a cigarette and started to smoke.

    He smelled a waft of perfume and realized something wasn¡¯t right. Someone came in and stood by his side. He turned his head and saw who it was. He was stunned for a second then said in a confused voice, ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    Qian Ge wasn¡¯t in a hurry to reply to Yang Li. She reached out and pulled out a cigarette from Yang Li¡¯s pack of cigarettes on the table in front of him. She put the cigarette to her lips, bent over to him and lit her own cigarette with the cigarette between Yang Li¡¯s fingers. ¡°It¡¯s the annual charity g next month. The person in charge invited Ji Yi to attend. How about I make Ji Yi your woman?¡± she asked while smoking elegantly.

    Yang Li didn¡¯t say anything.

    Qian Ge sluggishly smoked for a while then continued by saying, ¡°I¡¯m serious. I promise Ji Yi will be sent to your bed that day, so you can do what you please with her.¡±

    ¡°What are your conditions?¡± asked Yang Li as he put the cigarette to his lips.

    ¡°It¡¯s simple. I want you to take a video of you and Ji Yi having sex.¡± With a pause, Qian Ge added, ¡°In high definition.¡±

 Chapter 899

    Chapter 899: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (49)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Once again, Yang Li didn¡¯t say a word. He looked like he was contemting something. After some time, he pensively took a drag of the cigarette again.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to take the video yourself. You don¡¯t have to show your face. You¡¯re getting a good deal here...¡± said Qian Ge. Once she was finished, she wasn¡¯t in a hurry for a reply, so she elegantly and slowly blew out beautiful smoke circles. After five to six minutester, she noticed Yang Li still hadn¡¯t shown signs of saying anything, so she bent over and whispered. ¡°...Aren¡¯t you also interested in Xie Siyao? But the problem is that she has a boyfriend, so you don¡¯t dare touch her. How about this ¨C I¡¯ll give you her too...¡±

    Yang Li¡¯s eyes rxed, but he was still a little worried, so he didn¡¯t immediately agree to Qian Ge¡¯s terms. ¡°But Mr. Chen definitely won¡¯t...¡±

    ¡°Definitely won¡¯t let you go?¡± Qian Ge knew what Yang Li was going to say. Her red lips curved into a gentle smile as she continued to say, ¡°You still have me, don¡¯t you? I promise Mr. Chen won¡¯t do anything to you!¡±

    There were footstepsing from the other side of the door where Qian Ge was standing. ¡°Think about it. Once you¡¯ve decided, I¡¯ll call you.¡±

    With that, Qian Ge put out the unfinished cigarette in the ashtray and started to leave.

    She took just a few steps before Yang Li cried out, ¡°Tell me ¨C why¡¯re you doing this?¡±

    Qian Ge stopped walking.

    Yang Li turned and stared at Qian Ge¡¯s back then asked the same question with more detail. ¡°Xie Siyao is someone you work with and your rtionship is pretty good. Other people would call you sisters. Could you tell me how you could betray Xie Siyao to take down Ji Yi?¡±

    Why?

    Those words prodded the softest part of Qian Ge¡¯s heart. Herid-back, seductive expression suddenly turned a little cold.

    Because... He Jichen.

    Just like six years ago, she and Ji Yi looked like sisters to other people, but in the end, she betrayed Ji Yi.

    Also because of... He Jichen.

    She liked him. She liked him like crazy. She liked him so much that she couldn¡¯t ept him liking other people.

    Back then, when Ji Yi and He Jichen parted ways, Ji Yi didn¡¯t hold on. However, He Jichen, who liked her, held on to any piece of Ji Yi he could get. When He Jichen and Ji Yi were no longer in contact, he secretly and discreetly visited Ji Yi every month...

    Qian Ge couldn¡¯t ept that, so she formed an alliance with Xie Siyao to sentence Ji Yi to death.

    But she was tough. Even with such a tragic ident, they couldn¡¯t manage to kill her on the scene!

    Later, when Ji Yi woke up, Qian Ge was willing to pay whatever price to take her down. She even personally destroyed He Jichen, whom she liked.

    She ruined his name but he wasn¡¯t her ultimate goal. Her true goal was to tear them apart, but they still managed to stay together.

    She felt hard done by. She wanted to break them apart and she didn¡¯t believe they could still be together if Ji Yi was sullied by another man. If He Jichen was okay with that, the He family wouldn¡¯t be. If Ji Yi truly loved him, she wouldn¡¯t willingly stay with him after that either...

    With that thought, Qian Ge revealed a sinister smirk. She replied to Yang LI with a cold voice, ¡°Because of love. Because of hatred.¡±

    Yes. Because of love. Because of hatred.

    Because of love, I abandoned Ji Yi four years ago.

    Because of hatred, I can abandon Xie Siyao four yearster.

 Chapter 900

    Chapter 900: He Jichen, Let¡¯s Have A Baby (50)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After leaving the set, Ji Yi headed back to the hotel. When Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua finished packing suitcases for the three of them, Ji Yi immediately checked out and left the film studio.

    It was still early ¨C it was only eight something, so there was quite a bit of traffic. The car drove alternatingly fast and slow towards the city center for about twenty minutes. After Zhuang Yi turned to look back at Ji Yi countless times, she finally realized that the expression in Ji Yi¡¯s eyes wasn¡¯t as threatening as before. Zhuang Yi bent over to grab a bottle of water, twisted the cap, and handed it to Ji Yi.

    Ji Yi, who had been staring at the night sky outside, turned and nced over at Zhuang Yi when she felt a gentle touch on her arm. When she saw the water in front of her, she softly thanked her and took it.

    Just as they left the studio, Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua sweetly tried to cheer Ji Yi up, but she didn¡¯t make a peep. Now that Zhuang Yi witnessed Ji Yi finally saying something, she let out a sigh of relief and quickly asked, ¡°Xiao Yi, are you alright?¡±

    Ji Yi nodded silently then put the bottle of water to her lips and took a sip.

    After she finished drinking, the car was quiet for a while before Zhuang Yi spoke again. ¡°During filming, the covers were pulled up so nobody saw anything. Was that when Yang Li did something to you under the sheets?¡±

    Although she had clothes on, Ji Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel disgusted at the thought of Yang Li¡¯s hand touching her breasts. She pursed her lips forcefully and gently nodded at Zhuang Yi.

    Tang Huahua, who was driving at the front, saw Ji Yi¡¯s reaction through the rearview mirror and immediately exploded. ¡°Not only does he have a bad mouth, but he¡¯s got perverted hands too! I freaking hate men who get handsy! You were really going easy on him when you gave him two ps on the face...¡±

    Tang Huahua only stopped after a long rant.

    She stared ahead at the traffic and drove on for a little while before she suddenly shouted angrily. ¡°...The more I think about it, the more pissed I get. I really can¡¯t stand it! I¡¯m going to call Chen Bai and tell him what happened. We can¡¯t just let it slide!¡±

    ¡°Huahua!¡± Zhuang Yi shouted the very moment Tang Huahua raised her phone.

    ¡°Zhuang Jie!¡± Tang Huahua was upset by Zhuang Yi¡¯s attempt to stop her.

    Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t say anything but through the rearview mirror, she shot Tang Huahua a nce with her aims directed towards where Ji Yi was sitting.

    Tang Huahua stopped speaking and nced over at Ji Yi then reluctantly lowered her phone.

    That was when Zhuang Yi turned her head and looked over at Ji Yi. She stared at Ji Yi¡¯s profile for a while then quickly said, ¡°Xiao Yi, do you still not want to tell Mr. He about what happened today?¡±

    Ji Yi stared out the car window without replying to Zhuang Yi. Her gaze was a little dazed and it wasn¡¯t evident what she was thinking.

    The car continued to drive ahead for some distance when Zhuang Yi continued by saying, ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t wait for Zhuang Yi to finish when she moved her lips and said with a soft tone: ¡°Do you girls still remember the huge news scoop published online a few years ago?¡±

    ¡°Specifically, about the reporter intern who interviewed an old woman? After the news went out, it created a huge buzz at the time.¡±

    ¡°The olddy¡¯s husband was a high ranking person in a drug-dealing ring. Her husband died getting caught while in that drug dealing ring.¡±

    Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua had no idea why Ji Yi suddenly brought up such an old piece of news.

    Through the rearview mirror, they exchanged nces but nobody interrupted Ji Yi.

    ¡°At the time, the olddy was a college professor, but because of her husband¡¯s criminal activity, she attracted a lot of criticism. In the end, the olddy quit her job at the college.¡±

    ¡°The olddy had no kids and lived alone for forty years. It wasn¡¯t until just before she died that everyone found out through a female reporter intern¡¯s interview that her husband wasn¡¯t a drug dealer at all. In fact, he was an undercover police officer.¡±

    ¡°At the time, her husband cracked a big case when they caught the drug dealers. The only reason why it wasn¡¯t publicized was because the cops were afraid people would try to take revenge by harming the olddy when the truth came out. In the end, the olddy¡¯s husband carried a bad name all that time until just before the olddy passed.¡±

    ¡°When the intern interviewed the olddy, she asked if she and her husband felt mistreated.¡±

    ¡°The olddy replied she has regretted a lot in this world, but if she cared too much, she wouldn¡¯t have lived happily...¡±

    With that said, Ji Yi paused for a moment then continued to say, ¡°...So sometimes, it¡¯s not bad to have regrets. Don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Even if she really liked filming and really wanted to make a name for herself in the entertainment business...

    Even if she really wanted to stomp Qian Ge to death and wanted to get back everything she owed her...

    In life, who got absolutely everything they wanted?

    For each day she stayed in showbiz, the name ¡°murderer¡± would forever hang over He Jichen¡¯s head.

    She didn¡¯t want to encounter someone like Yang Li talking about He Jichen in front of everyone ever again.

    Even if she knew He Jichen was wrong to have stabbed Qian Ge, Qian Ge did things herself that were even more overboard.

    However, she and He Jichen had no evidence. Rather than wasting her time with Qian Ge, why not just leave showbiz and happily spend her days with He Jichen?

    Just like that night at the Television Awards, after she finished her confession to He Jichen in front of the whole world, He Jichen asked her if they were acting stupid. She said no because she honestly thought they weren¡¯t being stupid. In fact, not only was she not being stupid, but she felt like she had won.

    So now that she had He Jichen by her side, what else did she need to care about?

    With that thought, Ji Yi suddenly moved on.

    Zhuang Yi and Tang Huahua didn¡¯t quite understand what she meant, so their eyes were filled with confusion.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t exin but merely said, ¡°Don¡¯t tell He Jichen about everything that happened on set.¡± Then she fell silent again.

    At that moment, Ji Yi felt like she was reincarnated. She stared out at the nightlife endlessly passing by the window as her lips couldn¡¯t help but lift into a slight smile.

    So as it turned out, letting go of a grudge could be quite relieving sometimes.

    ...

    It was half past nine in the evening by the time she returned home.

    He Jichen called her in advance to say he would be out on business in the evening.

    Even though the house was empty, there were four dishes and soup on the dining table and a bouquet of fresh flowers on the coffee table in the living room.

    He Jichen wrote a card for her and ced it in the fresh flowers. ¡°When you get back, eat dinner. I¡¯ve washed the fruit and you¡¯ll see it in the fridge. Once you¡¯ve finished your run in the home gym after dinner, remember to eat some.¡±

    Those words were nd and uninteresting, but Ji Yi¡¯s heart felt extremely warm for a moment.

    Isn¡¯t this what life is like with the person you love?

    Simple, happy, and peaceful...

    Ji Yi stared at He Jichen¡¯s handwriting on the card as her mind suddenly rushed back to the first time she saw him at his house. Then time started to rush forward to when he strutted on the sports field by making someone kneel and apologize before her. Time skipped to when he ran in the rain to hand her his umbre then to when they drunkenly had sex before their final exams. Now, they were reunited at B-Film after separating for four years then she saw the apologetic note he wrote to her at the hot pot restaurant opposite the college. She then saw him staying with her through the ups and downs of showbiz then she saw him asking if she was willing to trust him back at the hotel by West Lake. Finally, she saw him selflessly leaving Beijing for her...

    She missed him every day and waited every second of every minute when he wasn¡¯t around for that year.

    Now, all that waiting finally paid off.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t know why but all of a sudden, her heart was suddenly overflowing with emotions. She stared and stared at He Jichen¡¯s card then without even realizing it, she reached for her phone and called He Jichen.

    The phone rang twice before He Jichen picked up. ¡°Xiao Yi?¡±

    In his voice that sounded deep, low, and t as usual, she could also hear a slight hint of warmth and gentleness.

    The emotions in Ji Yi¡¯s heart bubbled up even faster and in that moment, her eyes started to get wet.

    Ignoring what He Jichen said, she softly said, ¡°He Jichen, I love you...¡±

    He Jichen, I love you.

    Since I realized I love you, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve truly said those simple words.

    He Jichen, I love you.

    Did you know?

    I¡¯ve loved you ever since you were by my side.

    I always wanted to find you and say those words to you when you left me that year.

    Now, my wish has finally been granted.

    ¡°He Jichen, I love you,¡± repeated Ji Yi as she paused and sounded more certain with every word.

    Not a peep came from the phone.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t say anything else.

    Silence lingered on the phone between the two of them.

    After who knew how long, a stranger¡¯s voice came from He Jichen¡¯s end of the call. ¡°Mr. He, your cigarette is about to go out...¡±

    He Jichen let out an ¡°Oh¡± in a dazed voice. Then after a while, JI Yi heard the sound of an ash tray and tea cup crashing to the floor.

    ¡°Mr. He, are you alright?¡± This time, it was a woman¡¯s voice. Ji Yi figured it was a waitress.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± replied He Jichen quickly with just two words. Then Ji Yi heard the sound of his footsteps.

    But he only took two steps before Ji Yi spoke again. ¡°He Jichen, do you want a baby?¡±

    The sound of the footsteps stopped.

    After a while, Ji Yi spoke again. ¡°He Jichen, I want to have a baby. Let¡¯s have a baby.¡±

    I want to spend lovingly simple days together as a family of three.

    I want to give birth to our child and release you from the awful situation you¡¯re in now by bringing apletely untainted life into the world.

    With that thought, Ji Yi¡¯s voice sounded more assured. ¡°He Jichen, let¡¯s have a baby!¡±

    The moment her voice fell, the call was cut off.

    Overflowing with emotions, Ji Yi furrowed her brows and called He Jichen again. There was no answer.

    She called again, but there was still no answer, so she threw her phone aside and walked into the bathroom to wash her hands and prepare to eat.

    Aftering out of the bathroom, she stepped into the dining room. Just as she was about to pour some soup, the sound of the door opening came from the entrance.

    She put down her bowl and got up. He Jichen was already standing in front of her by the time she stepped out of the dining room.

    ¡°He Jichen, aren¡¯t you busy...¡±

    Before Ji Yi could finish speaking, He Jichen bent over and lifted her up.

    Completely taken aback, Ji Yi shrieked as her feet went up in the air. ¡°He Jichen, what are you doing...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything as he strode upstairs with her in his arms.

    ¡°He Jichen, I haven¡¯t had dinner...¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t utter a word as he put Ji Yi down on the bed. He raised his hands and started to remove his clothes.

    Every inch of He Jichen¡¯s muscr body fell into Ji Yi¡¯s eyes. Although they had been intimate together many times, Ji Yi¡¯s face flushed. Her gaze shed aside. ¡°He Jichen, why are you stripping...¡±

    Before she could finish, apletely naked He Jichen pushed her down onto the bed with his body. ¡°Have a baby...¡±

 Chapter 901

    Chapter 901: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before Ji Yi could finish, He Jichen pushed her naked body down onto the bed. ¡°Have a baby.¡±

    Those three simple words escaped from He Jichen¡¯s beautiful mouth. He lowered his head and covered Ji Yi¡¯s lips.

    His kiss was hot and hurried, taking Ji Yi¡¯s breath away and making her mind sluggish. After some time, those three words ¡°Have a baby¡± finally registered in Ji Yi¡¯s mind.

    Have a baby... Have a baby... Over the phone, when he suggested they have a baby, she didn¡¯t react at all. He hung up the phone right away then no more than ten minutester, he showed up at home. As soon as he saw her, he pushed her down on the bed... Isn¡¯t he moving a little too quickly...

    With that thought, before Ji Yi could react to He Jichen¡¯s movements, she felt his hands spreading her legs apart.

    That was when Ji Yi realized He Jichen hadpletely undressed her.

    This realizationsted but one short second before she felt a hard force barging into her body.

    Her body instinctively trembled and soon enough, her attention was sucked away by He Jichen¡¯s attack on her body.

    Perhaps it was because they had been apart three days, or perhaps it was because of what they said over the phone, but He Jichen wanted her a little too urgently. He was quite forceful with her and he took a rather long time. He f*cked Ji Yi until she was gasping for breath before he finally stopped.

    The room was filled with the carnal smell of their lovemaking. Heid spread out motionlessly on her body as the two of them hugged in silence for a long time. He Jichen didn¡¯t lift his head from Ji Yi¡¯s neck and kissed her until he heard the sound of Ji Yi¡¯s stomach grumbling from missing dinner. Then he got out of bed and stepped into the bathroom.

    The bathroom door wasn¡¯t shut. A second after the lights lit up, the sound of the shower running could be heard.

    After about five minutes, He Jichen stepped out of the bathroom with a towel on. He walked to the side of the bed, swept Ji Yi off her feet and walked back into the bathroom again.

    The water in the bathtub was already twenty centimeters deep. He walked over to the bathtub, bent over and put Ji Yi down. He got up and just as he was about to give Ji Yi a body wash, he happened to catch sight of the two band-aids stuck onto the fair skin of her shoulders.

    Their lovemaking was too intense. They sweated quite a bit, so a big portion of the band-aid was left open. He Jichen immediately saw the bloody marks beneath the band-aid.

    Did she get hurt?

    With his mind consumed with what Ji Yi said over the phone, he carried her up the stairs after returning. He didn¡¯t know how to express the infinite emotions boiling up inside his heart. In the end, all he could do was use the most intimate way to show the excitement, joy, and happiness he felt after hearing her words. Because of all this, he didn¡¯t even notice the wound on her body.

    He Jichen furrowed his brows. Without thinking twice, he reached out and removed the band-aid from Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder.

    Four scratch marks clearly entered his vision. Among them, two were bleeding and even though the bloody marks had scabbed over, he could tell the scratches were pretty serious.

    A hint of coldness surfaced in He Jichen¡¯s warm eyes. ¡°Who did this?¡±

 Chapter 902

    Chapter 902: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Stunned, Ji Yi looked over at He Jichen in confusion.

    His eyes were a little cold with anger. Ji Yi furrowed her brows then realized what He Jichen was referring to after she followed his line of sight to the band-aid on her shoulder. She quickly pretended it was nothing and casually replied, ¡°Oh, this. I identally scratched myself this afternoon.¡±

    I?

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but his eyes clearly revealed he didn¡¯t believe her.

    Ji Yi realized He Jichen didn¡¯t believe her and she cried out, ¡°It¡¯s true! It¡¯s not like you don¡¯t know that period drama costumes have many buttons. When I was taking off my costume, I identally scratched myself with my fake nails...¡±

    With that, Ji Yi pouted at He Jichen then put on a troubled look and pretended to y cute. ¡°...The production team probably wanted to cut costs, so they skimped on the props. The materials are pretty bad in quality...¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s eyes seemed frozen, but they slowly melted with Ji Yi¡¯s soft words. He crouched down and drew closer to Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder. He raised his finger and gently stroked the wound. ¡°Does it still hurt?¡± he asked quietly.

    Ji Yi heard He Jichen¡¯s question and inwardly let a sigh of relief when she knew he had fallen for her lie. She smiled and said, ¡°It stopped hurting ages ago. It¡¯s just a scratch ¨C why would it be anything more...?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to cleanse it with alcoholter to prevent it from getting infected.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± replied Ji Yi obediently.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything else as he continued to stare at the wound on Ji Yi¡¯s shoulder for a while. He got up, grabbed the body wash and put it in Ji Yi¡¯s hand. ¡°Wash up first. I¡¯ll head downstairs to heat up the food.¡±

    Ji Yi¡¯s eyes smiled as she nodded deeply.

    He Jichen raised his hand and stroked Ji Yi¡¯s hair. He then turned around and walked out of the bathroom.

    He walked over to the changing room and found a set of lounge clothes. He Jichen pulled out his phone from the pocket of the pants he took off and walked into the living room.

    He walked downstairs, into the kitchen. He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to heat up Ji Yi¡¯s food, so he lowered his head and unlocked his phone screen. He gave Zhuang Yi a call.

    Zhuang Yi happened to be on her phone, so she picked up the call quickly. She knew He Jichen had a meeting in the morning, so he was probably calling to ask if Ji Yi was home yet. ¡°Mr. He, Xiao Yi went back home ages ago...¡±

    ¡°Come to Xingguang Cafe.¡± He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for Zhuang Yi to finish as he spoke with a t voice.

    ¡°Now?¡± asked Zhuang Yi in return and hurriedly said, ¡°Alright. Mr. He, I¡¯ll leave now.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything more then lowered the phone from his ear and hung up.

    Although he acted as though he believed what Ji Yi said upstairs in the bathroom, he knew deep down that she definitely didn¡¯t scratch her shoulder by ident.

    There must¡¯ve been quite some force used on her for there to be so much blood. How could a girl use so much strength?

    The only reason he didn¡¯t expose her lie was because he could tell she didn¡¯t want him to know the truth.

    If he guessed correctly, something must¡¯ve happened during the past three days during work... or perhaps, she suffered somehow...

    With that thought, He Jichen¡¯s eyes turned ice-cold.

    ...

    By the time Ji Yi finished taking her bath and headed downstairs, He Jichen had already heated up the food.

    He waited until she finished dinner then they went outside for a stroll as usual. When they returned home, He Jichen and Ji Yi repeated the intimate things they did before dinner.

 Chapter 903

    Chapter 903: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    By the time Ji Yi fell asleep from exhaustion, it was almost one in the morning.

    He Jichen picked up the phone from the bedside table. He nced at the screen. It was a text from Zhuang Yi received over two hours ago. ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯m here.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t reply to Zhuang Yi but put his phone down and gently pulled off the covers. He walked into the bathroom to quickly freshen up then walked over to the bed in his loungewear. When he was certain Ji Yi was really asleep, he carefully pulled the covers over her. He grabbed his phone and wallet then walked out of the bedroom.

    The cafe was close to the apartment ¨C it was just over two hundred meters away, but He Jichen still chose to drive there.

    There were no vacant parking spaces near the cafe, so He Jichen randomly found an empty space by the roundabout and walked over.

    There were no other customers in the cafe aside from Zhuang Yi.

    Perhaps it was because she waited so long that Zhuang Yi was a little bored, so she was lying on the sofa and had almost dozed off. It wasn¡¯t until He Jichen walked up to her, the waiter handed him the menu and asked what he would like to order that Zhuang Yi woke up. She straightened up and cried out, ¡°Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen ignored Zhuang Yi. He pointed to an item on the menu and asked for a cup of coffee.

    After the waiter left, Zhuang Yi spoke again. ¡°Mr. He, is there something you wanted to talk about with me?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but looked at Zhuang Yi in the eye.

    Zhuang Yi was a splendid manager in the industry. She was always able to hold down a situation, but at that very moment, she just sat there wearily under He Jichen¡¯s re.

    She vaguely understood why He Jichen had called her out, but she made a promise to Ji Yi, so she was torn for a while. In the end, she chose to act dumb and repeated what she just said. ¡°Mr. He, is there something you wanted to talk about with me?¡±

    The waiter brought the coffee He Jichen ordered. He put it to his lips and elegantly took a sip. When he put the cup down, He Jichen tly swept her a look. ¡°You know what I want to hear.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not particrly clear about...¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t wait for Zhuang Yi to finish pretending to y dumb before he said with a cold tone of voice: ¡°Zhuang Yi, I didn¡¯t believe Xiao Yi because I could tell she wanted to lie to me. I let her lie to me.¡±

    Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t say anything more.

    ¡°I¡¯m asking you because I don¡¯t want to have to personally go to the studio. If you don¡¯t tell me, I¡¯ll go to the studio right now.¡±

    Zhuang Yi knew full well that He Jichen saw through Ji Yi¡¯s act. Even if she wanted to help Ji Yi hide the truth, she couldn¡¯t with He Jichen.

    Rather than for him to run over to the studio and cause trouble, she might as well tell him.

    Zhuang Yi was deep in thought for a while then finally said, ¡°Xiao Yi did get into an argument on set...¡±

    ¡°Because of Xie Siyao?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Zhuang Yi shook her head. ¡°It was Yang Li.¡±

    Yang Li? He Jichen furrowed his brows.

    Zhuang Yi assumed He Jichen forgot who Yang Li was, so she quickly said, ¡°He¡¯s been quite popr for the past two years. He even came to see you back when he was filming. He¡¯s the number one guy at HT...¡±

    He Jichen let out an ¡°Mhm¡± and said nothing more. He shed a look at Zhuang Yi as if to tell her to get to the point.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if you know that this guy is rather perverted ¨C he¡¯s famous for being a yboy in the industry. He¡¯s been in rtionships with many female celebrities...¡± Zhuang Yi paused for a moment then really got to the main point. ¡°He¡¯s interested in Xiao Yi.¡±

 Chapter 904

    Chapter 904: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As those few words escaped Zhuang Yi¡¯s lips, the expression on He Jichen¡¯s face immediately fell to its dreariest.

    Feeling pressured, Zhuang Yi¡¯s voice sounded a lot weaker. ¡°He¡¯s been staring at Xiao Yi since the first day of filming. It was bearable when Xiao Yi didn¡¯t have any scenes to shoot with him, but when she didter on, he always made an excuse to touch her...¡±

    The dismal expression on He Jichen¡¯s face worsened.

    Zhuang Yi vaguely heard He Jichen gritting his teeth. She was afraid she wouldn¡¯t be able to say anything if she kept looking at He Jichen, so she lowered her gaze and continued to report what happened in detail. ¡°...Xiao Yi knew he was scheming something, so she kept avoiding him. However, yesterday during shooting, Yang Li went overboard. In one scene where he was meant to grab Xiao Yi¡¯s wrist, but he actually grabbed Xiao Yi¡¯s clothes from her shoulder and forcefully tore her shirt. If it wasn¡¯t for Xiao Yi¡¯s fast reflexes, she would¡¯ve been exposed in front of the whole cast and crew...¡±

    Having said all this, Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t dare to go on.

    She felt like the man in front of her could get angry and stab someone to death at any time.

    Silence fell between them for a couple seconds before a single word escaped from between He Jichen¡¯s teeth: ¡°Continue!¡±

    Zhuang Yi didn¡¯t dare to defy He Jichen, so when she heard hismand, she immediately spoke up again like a robot being controlled. ¡°That was when Xiao Yi¡¯s shoulder was scratched.¡±

    ¡°At the time, Huahua and I wanted to call Chen Bai, but Xiao Yi stopped us. She said it¡¯d be better to avoid any unnecessary trouble. Besides, filming was almost over, so it¡¯d be better to just put up with it.¡±

    ¡°Put up with it?¡± In the end, He Jichen wasn¡¯t able to hold his temper as he suddenly interrupted Zhuang Yi. ¡°When did my woman ever need to put up with anything?!¡±

    Zhuang Yi shook at He Jichen¡¯s roar as she thought to herself. I wasn¡¯t the one who told Ji Yi to put up with it. Why am I the one getting shouted at?

    ¡°And then?¡± Because of his anger, although He Jichen¡¯s tone of voice sounded calm, it was a little frightening at the same time.

    Zhuang Yi sat motionlessly on the sofa and continued to recount the story like she was reciting from a book. ¡°...Yang Li must¡¯ve been afraid to annoy Xiao Yi excessively or cause someone to find out, so he started to behave. However, in the evening, during the final scene when the two of them were meant to innocentlyy in bed together, h-he...¡±

    Zhuang Yi stuttered a little; she didn¡¯t have the courage to finish saying the rest. It wasn¡¯t until she met He Jichen¡¯s impatient-looking gaze that she shut her eyes and fearlessly came out with it in one breath. ¡°...Yang Li sneakily touched Xiao Yi, so she kicked him right out of the bed. Then Xiao Yi said she wanted a body double and walked out with Huahua and me. Yang Li probably felt embarrassed, so he rudely yelled nasty things at her. He even dragged you into it and Xiao Yi got a little angry, so she headed back and pped him twice on the face. Yang Li swore that this matter wasn¡¯t over. He was going to expose her online and ruin her reputation...¡±

    ¡°With his skills?¡± scoffed He Jichen coldly. The next second, he reached for a red note from his pocket and put it on the table. Then he screamed ¡°Bill please!¡± at the waiter, got up and walked right out the door.

    ¡°Mr. He!¡± Zhuang Yi instinctively bolted up.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t stop walking.

    Zhuang Yi caught up in hurry.

 Chapter 905

    Chapter 905: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    How could Zhuang Yi have caught up with He Jichen? By the time she stepped out of the cafe, He Jichen was already by his car and pulling his car door open.

    ¡°Mr. He!¡±

    Zhuang Yi raised her voice and called out for He Jichen once again.

    He Jichen¡¯s entire body was on fire; nothing Zhuang Yi said managed to get through to him as he bent down and entered the car.

    Zhuang Yi abruptly ran forward two steps. Just as she reached the side of the car, it sped off.

    Distressed, Zhuang Yi came to a stop. Her breathing was a little unsteady because she ran in such a hurry to chase after him. She covered her chest to calm her racing heart a little. Then she reached for her phone and was about to call He Jichen when she suddenly heard the screech of a car¡¯s emergency brakes.

    Zhuang Yi was so afraid that she took a step back. Before she could take a better look at the car ahead, the window rolled down to reveal He Jichen¡¯s icy expression. ¡°Don¡¯t let her know that I came to see you tonight.¡±

    Zhuang Yi only chased after He Jichen to tell him that Xiao Yi told her not to let him know what happened.

    She never imagined he would¡¯ve already left before she could tell him.

    Zhuang Yi¡¯s mouth gaped in confusion and she instantly blurted, ¡°Mr. He, why are you acting exactly the same way as Xiao Yi...¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we each let the other person know what we did?¡± He Jichen replied in a t voice without even waiting for Zhuang Yi to finish what she was saying.

    Once again, He Jichen said what Zhuang Yi wanted to say again. She gently nodded but didn¡¯t say anything.

    Both lights on the car shed on and off. A warm smile appeared on He Jichen¡¯s cold face. He looked like he was thinking about something for a while then he said, ¡°Because she and I are the same. We want the other person to feel less burdened and a little happier.¡±

    After saying this, He Jichen didn¡¯t linger. Once again, he stepped on the gas pedal and sped away.

    When there was no trace left of He Jichen, a gust of the night breeze roused Zhuang Yi from her daze.

    She walked to the side of her car, pulled the car door open, and sat inside.

    When she started the car up, she felt the phone in her pocket vibrating. She pulled it out and saw that Tang Huahua had shared a Weibo post about thetest cosmetics.

    She didn¡¯t click to take a look, but she stared at the phone screen with hesitation for a while then typed a line of text and sent it to Tang Huahua. ¡°All of a sudden, I want to be in love too.¡±

    ¡°Whaaat?!¡± Tang Huahua sent a shocked emoji then the words: ¡°Zhuang Jie, aren¡¯t you the type who doesn¡¯t want to get married? Why are you suddenly open-minded about it? Is it because women after forty are hornier and you now want a man?¡±

    ¡°...¡± Zhuang Yi replied to Tang Huahua with ellipses then an emoji that showed she was back to normal. She started to type on the keyboard again: ¡°If love is like Mr. He and Xiao Yi, then I really want to fall in love. Also, I want to be like them ¨C giving up everything without regret.¡±

    Zhuang Yi figured they probably had the most beautiful romance she¡¯d ever seen.

    Although they hid things from each other and lied to one another, those lies and the hiding came from their true feelings.

    ¨C

    In the car, He Jichen gave Chen Bai a call.

    It waste and Chen Bai was asleep, so when he picked up the call, he sounded a little groggy. However, when he heard the name that escaped He Jichen¡¯s mouth, he woke up and spoke with hints of confusion in his voice. ¡°Yang Li? Why are you looking for him?¡±

 Chapter 906

    Chapter 906: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I want to see him about something...¡±

    ¡°What is it that requires you to personally see him? When did he be so important? You can just order me to go do whatever it is. Why would you need to personally attend to it yourself?¡± Chen Bai mumbled in confusion then asked again, ¡°What do you need to do?¡±

    ¡°Beat him!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s voice sounded unusually serious. At first, Chen Bai thought he was telling a dry joke, so heughed along. But then he sensed that He Jichen fell incredibly quiet and he realized that the atmosphere was off. He Jichen seemed to be serious... Chen Bai hurriedly stoppedughing. ¡°Mr. He, are you serious?¡±

    Yet again, there was no sound from the other side.

    Chen Bai was certain He Jichen was serious. Without thinking twice, he said, ¡°Mr. He, did he cross you? You don¡¯t have to worry about it. I¡¯ll immediately send people to find him. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll help you get payback...¡±

    ¡°He tried to seduce my wife. Why are you getting all amped up?!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s casual words instantly silenced Chen Bai.

    There were two seconds of silence over the phone before Chen Bai hurriedly cried, ¡°Mr. He, I¡¯ll go check where he is right now and send you his location immediately.¡±

    He Jichen snorted then lowered the phone from his ear and hung up.

    After hanging up on Chen Bai, He Jichen called Han Zhifan to ask him to contact Lin Sheng to ask a few things.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t hang up He Jichen¡¯s call as he used another phone to call Lin Sheng. He let He Jichen and Lin Sheng talk directly.

    After he finished asking what he wanted, He Jichen lowered the phone from his ear again then saw Chen Bai¡¯s text. Yang Li was at a hotel right now.

    He Jichen entered the address into his car¡¯s navigation system then tossed his phone aside. He gripped the steering wheel, stared at the road ahead then stomped on the gas pedal.

    ...

    Having taken two ps from Ji Yi, Yang Li¡¯s face was a little swollen. Because of this, there was no way he could film for two days, so he left the set and checked into the Four Seasons hotel in the city.

    Since joining the production team, it had been several days since he touched a woman. In addition to that, he didn¡¯t get anything from Ji Yi, so the first thing he did after checking into the hotel was asking his assistant to call two pretty girls over.

    Ten minutes after he gave those orders to his assistant, he couldn¡¯t help but pick up his phone and yell at the assistant to hurry up. His mood was terrible and he was a little impatient and fed up since thedies still hadn¡¯t arrived.

    He only just hung up and walked into the bathroom to take a shower when he heard his assistant promising once again that thedies would be at his door in ten minutes.

    He just finished showering and hadn¡¯t wiped his body dry when Yang Li heard the doorbell.

    He thought the twodies his assistant arranged had arrived. Without even drying his hair, he walked over to the door in his bathrobe still soaking wet.

    Before opening the door, Yang Li deliberately curved his lips to reveal his signature, charming smile.

    Just as he opened the door and saw who was standing on the other side of the door, the smile on his face instantly froze.

    He recognized the person ¨C it was He Jichen. As that realization dawned on him, he instantly connected three other words: Ji Yi¡¯s husband.

    He Jichen couldn¡¯t have possiblye to see me here to settle the score, right?

    As that thought crossed his mind, Yang Li instinctively wanted to shut the door.

    His hand just about touched the wooden door when He Jichen¡¯s ck leather shoe stepped into the room.

 Chapter 907

    Chapter 907: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    His hand just about touched the wooden door when He Jichen¡¯s ck leather shoe stepped into the room.

    Thereafter, Yang Li didn¡¯t have time to shut the door in time before He Jichen reached out and shut the door behind him.

    *Kacha!*

    Yang Li¡¯s heart skipped a beat then he looked over at He Jichen.

    He Jichen seemed more like the owner of the room than he did as he leisurely walked around the room and stopped at the balcony like Yang Li didn¡¯t exist. He Jichen grabbed the wineid out for the two women then poured himself a ss. He gently swirled it around, put it to his lips, raised his head and took two sips.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t show any anger on his face. urately speaking, he lookedpletely normal. It wasn¡¯t clear if Yang Li was feeling guilty, but He Jichen made him absolutely feel terrified. He watched this man with an air of nobility calmly drinking wine for a while then he smiled. ¡°Mr. He, I wonder why you¡¯vee to see me sote in the evening?¡±

    He Jichen shot Yang Li a look but didn¡¯t say a word. He put the wine ss down on the bar counter then picked up a pack of expensive cigarettes. He pulled one out, put it to his lips, and lit it up.

    ¡°Mr. He, if there¡¯s nothing, could you please...¡±

    He Jichen lowered the cigarette from his lips and slowly blew out a ring of smoke.

    ¡°...I¡¯ve got ns with friends. They¡¯ll be here in a minute...¡±

    Yang Li didn¡¯t manage to finish what he was going to say for the third time as He Jichen finished blowing smoke rings and casually said, ¡°Five years ago, you had your eye on a female student at University A. She had a boyfriend and couldn¡¯t ept you. You were forceful and raped her in the car, causing her to jump from a building to her death. In the end, you spent twenty thousand to bribe her family to say she had a mental illness instead.¡±

    Yang Li never imagined that the first thing He Jichen said would be an unspeakable secret of his. A hint of shock surfaced in his eyes.

    He Jichen ignored Yang Li and continued to go on. ¡°Three years ago, you had your eye on a newly employed female assistant. You did everything to get her, causing her to have three abortions in one year. After making her unable to ever have children, you got bored and just gave her a bunch of money to send her away. You made her mentally unstable, causing her to get into a car ident and lose all function in her legs.¡±

    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about!!¡± After hearing the second incident, Yang Li chose to speak up.

    He Jichen pretended not to have heard him and continued on. ¡°Also, you¡¯ve slept with the newly signed artistst year from yourpany, right?...¡±

    ¡°Mr. He, I don¡¯t know where you heard this nonsense from, but I can assure you that this is fake news. If you came to see me just to talk about this then we have nothing to talk about. You can leave...¡±

    ¡°It looks like you don¡¯t want to talk about these things?¡± He Jichen lowered his head and nced at the cigarette in his fingers then straightened up. He casually walked over to Yang Li. ¡°Since you don¡¯t want to talk about these things, let¡¯s talk about something else.¡±

    He Jichen stopped in front of Yang Li and red at the right hand he used to scratch Ji Yi. Then he raised his chin. ¡°Do you want to make a move or shall I?¡±

 Chapter 908

    Chapter 908: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Sensing He Jichen¡¯s gaze, Yang Li instinctively hid his hand behind him. ¡°Mr. He, I don¡¯t quite understand what you mean.¡±

    As Yang Li¡¯s movements came into He Jichen¡¯s view, the expression on his face didn¡¯t change in the slightest.

    He Jichen¡¯s silence made Yang Li feel even more pressured. The calm expression he held from the beginning gradually disappeared with time, and he started to be a little uneasy. To break the tension, he cleared his throat and took the initiative to say, ¡°Mr. He...¡±

    ¡°Looks like you still haven¡¯t made a decision...¡± He Jichen nonchntly interrupted Yang Li. ¡°...Since you still haven¡¯t made a decision and I¡¯m not willing to waste my time here, let me decide!¡±

    As He Jichen¡¯s voice fell, Yang Li didn¡¯t have any time to react at all orprehend what He Jichen said. He Jichen gently flicked the cigarette from his fingers, leaving the cigarette butt to fall right onto the back of Yang Li¡¯s right hand.

    As the piercing heat quickly spread throughout Yang Li¡¯s entire body, he instinctively let out a pained cry. He lowered his head and wanted to look at the back of his hand, but before his gazended on his own hand, He Jichen had already covered his wrist. Then he sensed what was happening to his body. A huge pain spread from his wrist, and thereafter, the crack of a bone dislocating was heard.

    The pain sent Yang Li shrieking and his legs instinctively slumped.

    He Jichen seemed to have known he would have this kind of reaction, so the moment he swung his wrist away, he sat down on the floor with his legs crossed.

    After a while, Yang Li came to his senses from the pain. He moved his wrist slightly, sending another tremendous wave of pain throughout his whole body.

    He figured it was probably dislocated...

    Yang Li didn¡¯t dare move around, so all he could do was keep his arm still. After he forcefully endured the pain, he didn¡¯t raise his head with the same good temper and he looked over at He Jichen. ¡°He Jichen, aren¡¯t you taking this a little too far?! Do you know I could sue you for assault?¡±

    ¡°Too far?¡± Before making a move, He Jichen acted like a noble prince, but after hurting Yang Li¡¯s hand, the anger in his heart poured out from his entire body. He scoffed like he heard a hrious joke then raised his head and kicked Yang Li. ¡°Let me tell you this ¨C I can take it even further!

    With that said, He Jichen picked up the floormp beside him and smashed it into Yang Li¡¯s body, regardless whether it was right or wrong.

    Yang Li¡¯s painful shrieks and the sound of the floormp breaking hadn¡¯t stopped when He Jichen, standing next to Yang Li, bent down and grabbed him by the cor. He kicked him violently in the stomach. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to sue me for assault? Looks like I have to hit harder for you to be able to sue for the maximum injury inflicted!¡±

    Before Yang Li¡¯s hand was dislocated, he might¡¯ve been a match for He Jichen, but now with his hand dislocated and He Jichen¡¯s crazy punching and kicking, he had no strength to fight back.

    At the very start, he could still grit his teeth and yell at He Jichen, but in the end, he lost his courage and he couldn¡¯t even bother caring about his own dignity anymore. He wept and begged He Jichen to let him go.

    Even so, He Jichen didn¡¯t show any intention of stopping no matter how Yang Li begged.

 Chapter 909

    Chapter 909: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Yang Li had a drama to film and endless jobs to work. If he really got seriously injured and had to be hospitalized, all his contracts would be ruined. Thinking about his future and the fact he couldn¡¯t tolerate this pain any longer, Yang Li realized that begging wouldn¡¯t work, so he used a different method. ¡°He Jichen, stop! If you stop, I¡¯ll tell you something you really want to know!¡±

    Does he take me for a three-year-old kid? How could I be so easily appeased?

    He Jichen seemed to not care about what Yang Li said in the slightest. He raised his fist and violently hurled it at Yang Li¡¯s face.

    His actions were a lot more violent than Ji Yi¡¯s two ps. If he really did punch him, Yang Li wouldn¡¯t be able to go on camera for at least half a month. Yang Li didn¡¯t even hesitate and blurted out, ¡°I really do have something to tell you, and I promise you¡¯ll definitely be interested because it¡¯s about Ji Yi!¡±

    As the two words ¡°Ji Yi¡± slipped through Yang Li¡¯s lips. He Jichen¡¯s fist suddenly stopped.

    Yang Li could feel He Jichen¡¯s fist touching his face. The fear made him instinctively gasp, then he caught He Jichen¡¯s gaze which seemed to almost believe him but not quite. His body trembled in fear for a moment then he hurriedly added, ¡°I¡¯m not lying to you. It really is about Ji Yi... It involves Qian Ge. She came to see me...¡±

    After He Jichen heard the two words ¡°Qian Ge,¡± he squinted and continued to stare at Yang Li for two seconds. Then he withdrew his fist from Yang Li¡¯s face.

    Yang Li took a long sigh of relief thenid on the floor withplete disregard for his image. He endured the pain while hurriedly adding, ¡°...After Ji Yi left the studio, I was taking a break in the dressing room when Qian Ge came to see me. She said that next month will be the annual charity g. She said she was going to make Ji Yi my woman...¡±

    The second after he finished speaking, Yang Li felt the warmth in his body plummeting. Having been hit until he was truly terrified, he instinctively started to exin: ¡°I didn¡¯t say those words ¨C Qian Ge did. It had nothing to do with me at all!¡±

    He Jichen¡¯s expression still looked dark. After Yang Li was certain he wouldn¡¯t hit him again, he continued to speak.

    Because He Jichen¡¯s reaction was too frightening just now, he didn¡¯t dare mention what Qian Ge said to save his life. Instead of telling He Jichen that she said: I promise to send Ji Yi to your bed and let you do what you want with her, he instead said, ¡°I knew Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t have been so kind as to help me out of her own heart, so I asked her what the catch was and she told me...¡±

    ¡°...She told me she wanted a video of Ji Yi and me sleeping together... and she wanted it in high definition...¡±

    The more Yang Li spoke, the quieter his voice became. After he finished, he didn¡¯t forget to emphasize: ¡°This was Qian Ge¡¯s idea. She came up with everything.¡±

    ¡°And I didn¡¯t agree at the time. I really didn¡¯t agree to do it. She saw that I was hesitating, so she added another catch. She said she knew I was interested in Xie Siyao, and she would also consider sending Xie Siyao to my bed too...¡±

    Xie Siyao... These three words made He Jichen¡¯s brows furrow.

    Wasn¡¯t Xie Siyao the person who worked with Qian Ge to sabotage Ji Yi? Since only the two of them knew the intricacies of that scheme, the rtionship between the two of them had always been really good. Even the studio Ji Yi established belonged to the two of them now. Now Qian Ge was willing to betray Xie Siyao just to get revenge on Ji Yi?

 Chapter 910

    Chapter 910: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Yang Li wasn¡¯t sure what He Jichen was thinking, but seeing as his brows started to furrow after he said his bit, Yang Li instinctively raised his arm to cover his face. ¡°I promise every word is the truth and I still haven¡¯t agreed to do it. I promise I won¡¯t ever do it. I absolutely won¡¯t touch Ji Yi... No no no, I promise that whenever I see Ji Yi, I¡¯ll stay far away... I won¡¯t even nce at Ji Yi, so Mr. He...¡±

    Yang Li whole-heartedly promised all this then carefully started to speak to He Jichen in a negotiating tone of voice. ¡°...Seeing as I told you something so important, could you please forgive me for offending Ji Yi?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell Qian Ge that you agreed to do it?¡±

    Yang Li said so much but He Jichen only picked up on this specific point.

    Yang Li was stunned for a moment then nodded violently. ¡°No! I absolutely didn¡¯t. How could I agree to do something like that?!¡±

    In the face of Yang Li¡¯s bottomless bootlicking, He Jichen emotionlessly tossed out the words: ¡°Then call her now and tell her that you agree to do it.¡±

    Yang Li¡¯s eyes suddenly shot wide open. Am I hearing things? Did He Jichen ask me to agree to do it?

    Ji Yi is his wife! I barely did anything to Ji Yi, yet he ran over here and hit me like this. If I really tell Qian Ge I¡¯ll do that to Ji Yi, He Jichen will take my damn life!

    Is he switching tactics and trying to test me?

    With that thought, Yang Li shook his head like a rattle-drum. ¡°No, I won¡¯t do it!¡±

    He Jichen saw that Yang Li was refusing and his brows gradually started to furrow.

    Yang Li instinctively crawled some distance away. ¡°Mr. He, I really don¡¯t dare to think about Ji Yi like that. I was wrong. I...¡±

    ¡°Make the call!¡±

    ¡°I was wrong! I really was wrong! I beg you...¡±

    This time, He Jichen was toozy to speak, so instead, he directly shot Yang Li a cold re.

    Yang Li trembled. Without thinking twice, he picked up his phone and unlocked the screen with trembling hands. After he located Qian Ge¡¯s phone number, he raised his head and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°Mr. He, you really want me to call? If I really do agree to Qian Ge, then I- you want me to really go ahead and do what she nned? I definitely won¡¯t touch JI Yi, but Xie Siyao, I...¡±

    ¡°F*ck her!¡± He Jichen spat out two simple words.

    In the past, Yang Li would always be happy at the mention of sleeping with women, but not this time. He actually felt like this waspleting a difficult mission.

    But he didn¡¯t dare go against He Jichen¡¯s wishes. After he heard his orders, he gritted his teeth and made the call to Qian Ge.

    It was reallyte, so the phone rang several times before it was picked up.

    ¡°Hello, who is it?¡± Qian Ge must¡¯ve already been asleep because she didn¡¯t look at the caller ID when she took the call.

    ¡°It¡¯s me...¡± Yang Li noticed Qian Ge didn¡¯t react to his voice over the phone, so he added, ¡°...Yang Li.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± said Qian Ge sluggishly then she nonchntly replied, ¡°It¡¯s you?¡± Having put the call on speaker phone, they heard the sound of a lighter. She must¡¯ve lit a cigarette. After she took a drag, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s up? Have you thought about what I proposed this afternoon?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve thought about it. I¡¯ll definitely agree to do something so good.¡±

    ¡°Haha...¡± Qian Ge¡¯s delighted chuckle came from the phone.

    After Yang Li followed through with He Jichen¡¯s orders, he nced at He Jichen.

 Chapter 911

    Chapter 911: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After he saw He Jichen raising his chin slightly, Yang Li immediately understood what he meant then asked on the phone, ¡°Ermm... The date is set for next month¡¯s charity g for Ji Yi, but what about Xie Siyao? When is that?¡±

    The phone was silent for a while before Qian Ge¡¯s voice was heard. ¡°Next Tuesday. She and I are supposed to meet up next Tuesday to go to an event. I know the organizer for the event, so I¡¯ll ask him to give you an invitation; don¡¯t decline it. I promise it¡¯ll happen that night.¡±

    Yang Li wasn¡¯t in a hurry to reply to Qian Ge, so he raised his head again and looked over at He Jichen.

    He Jichen nodded slightly.

    Yang Li understood He Jichen was satisfied. He said his goodbyes to Qian Ge and hung up the call.

    After he put the phone down, Yang Li smiled at He Jichen in an attempt to get on his good side. ¡°Mr. He, you see, about Ji Yi...¡±

    ¡°We can leave that in the past, but from now on, you¡¯ll have to do as I say.¡±

    Yang Li didn¡¯t wait for He Jichen to provide him the details and he started to nod fiercely.

    He Jichen exined every single detail regarding how he wanted Yang Li to cooperate with him.

    After he was certain Yang Li understood everything, he then straightened up his messy clothes. Without any intention of staying in the slightest, he turned around and left.

    To guarantee there wouldn¡¯t be any issues, just as he reached the door of the room, He Jichen stopped, turned and looked over at Yang Li.

    When He Jichen appeared to have finally left, Yang Li started getting up from the floor. However, halfway up, he saw that He Jichen had actually turned around. He was so frightened that his arms gave in and he crashed back down onto the floor again.

    ¡°I¡¯m warning you. You better not y any games with me. Since I found out about all your shameful secrets, I obviously have proof you did them. If you don¡¯t want me to expose you and ruin your reputation, you better behave and follow my instructions!¡± said He Jichen in a clear voice as hepletely ignored Yang Li¡¯s embarrassing state.

    ¡°As long as you do well, I¡¯ll forgive you for what you did to Ji Yi.¡±

    ¡°But I have to say this first of all... I don¡¯t care that you like to y with women, nor do I care if you continue to do it, but remember this! Ji Yi is my woman ¨C He Jichen¡¯s woman! She¡¯s definitely not someone you can casually think about as you please!¡±

    The expression on He Jichen¡¯s face wasn¡¯t overly angry. The warm, dim yellow hotel room lights made his face look elegant and handsome. However, there was a cold and hate-filled aura rising from his eyes. ¡°Because you¡¯re not worthy of thinking about her!¡±

    After saying his piece, He Jichen didn¡¯t need to stay any longer, so he pulled the door open and ignored the two young, beautiful and well-dressed women standing outside the door for a while. Then he took big strides into the elevator and left the Four Seasons hotel.

    It was already three in the morning by the time he returned home.

    Ji Yi was fast asleep just as she was when he left.

    There was blood on He Jichen¡¯s clothes, so he threw them into theundry hamper and walked into the bathroom for a shower. When heid back down in bed, he reached out and hugged Ji Yi.

    He was really gentle and careful with her, but it still managed to wake her up.

    She was probably really sleepy because her eyelids barely opened a crack. ¡°He Jichen?¡±

    He didn¡¯t say anything but lowered his head and kissed her on the lips. He started to softly kiss her until she started gasping for breath. That was when he stopped then seductively and quietly spoke with his lips upon hers: ¡°Call me husband...¡±

 Chapter 912

    Chapter 912: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She didn¡¯t make a sound.

    His hand slipped to her waist then stroked her soft skin. After he felt her body trembling gently, he seductively cried, ¡°Call me husband...¡±

    His teasing made her legs go weak as she couldn¡¯t move beneath his body.

    He saw that she wasn¡¯t uttering a word, so he pretended to be violent and bit her shoulder. ¡°You gonna say it?¡±

    As his voice fell, she felt the tip of his tongue licking her skin, leaving an intensely numb sensation. It took her breath away. ¡°Husband...¡± she pleaded.

    ¡°Say it again...¡± he slurred as the tip of his tongue remained glued to her.

    She didn¡¯t make another sound, so he raised her legs up high and barged into her world incredibly slowly.

    This kind of torturous feeling was enough to make her cry again, ¡°Husband!¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡± He acted like he was going to go in all the way, but in the end, he didn¡¯t. Ji Yi heard his low, unhurried voice and once again, she cried without thinking twice, ¡°Husband...¡±

    His waist abruptly mmed into the deepest part of her world hard. He lifted Ji Yi¡¯s head, kissed her lips and lingered there for a long time. Then he hugged her and flipped her over so that he was on the bottom and she was on top. Then he used his hands to push her back down. He raised his head and kissed her breasts, leaving wet marks upon wet marks...

    ¨C

    Xie Siyao and Qian Ge were known sisters in the industry. On Xie Siyao¡¯s birthday, Qian Ge always immediately posted birthday wishes to her. Whenever Qian Ge released a new drama, Xie Siyao chose the most beautiful photos of Qian Ge after every episode and posted them on her Weibo. She would thenpliment Qian Ge and tag her.

    Actually, Xie Siyao and Qian Ge were quite simr; they were both child celebrities. Once, Qian Ge stole Ji Yi¡¯s role as the supporting actress, making her deeply loathe Qian Ge. At the same time, because of Ji Yi, Xie Siyao and Qian Ge also became great friends.

    In most female friendships, women could only both suffer and they could never both enjoy happiness at the same time. However, Xie Siyao and Qian Ge were different. They both had unspeakable secrets and information they could use against each other. Even after Qian Ge became famous, she was secretly still bitter and jealous deep down, but the two of them still had a good rtionship.

    As time went on, Xie Siyao gradually forgot how she and Qian Ge first got together. Even now, she thought she and Qian Ge were really sisters.

    So when Qian Ge¡¯s reputation was ruined and her poprity dropped after trying to sabotage Ji Yi for copying her performance, she still stood by Qian Ge. She spent two days and nights with her and she even paid for a week¡¯s holiday to the Maldives for the two of them.

    After Qian Ge shot to fame, she always took care of Xie Siyao, but Xie Siyao must¡¯ve really not been destined for this life because no matter how many good dramas she acted in or how well she acted, nobody remembered her. She never became famous and over time, Xie Siyao felt that she might not be cut out to be a big celebrity. That was when she figured she should just marry a wealthy man andfortably live out her life as a caged canary.

    Not long after she had that thought, Xie Siyao met Chen Mingda at a party.

    Even though Chen Baida wasn¡¯t considered handsome, he won her heart because he was young which was better than those old-fashioned, fat old men. Also, he was willing to spend money on Xie Siyao, so without much thought, she epted Chen Mingda and the two of them started dating.

 Chapter 913

    Chapter 913: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Mingda really didn¡¯t treat Xie Siyao half bad. He bought her endless gifts and even when he was busy, he never forgot to call her.

    Xie Siyao had to admit that no matter where she went, she showed off her boyfriend. She did it partially because in the past few years, she always envied others in rtionships, so she wanted other people to admire her. Xie Siyao also felt that she wasn¡¯t doing this only because Chen Mingda was rich but because she was slowly falling for him too.

    The most touching thing Chen Mingda¡¯d done for Xie Siyao was after Qian Ge¡¯s losses. The investors for the new drama about to be released from her and Qian Ge¡¯s studio withdrew their investments at thest minute. This meant the huge investment was held up; they couldn¡¯t get it back and the drama couldn¡¯t be developed further.

    Just as they felt at a dead end, Qian Ge suggested they ask Chen Mingda to see if he had any intentions to invest.

    A small part of Xie Siyao didn¡¯t actually want to since she was afraid Chen Mingda would think she was with him for the money and this would affect their rtionship. However, Qian Ge was her best friend. After fully contemting it, on a dark and dreary night after she and Chen Mingda finished being intimate, she carefully brought it up. Of course, she repeatedly emphasized he didn¡¯t have to invest. She was just asking for Qian Ge.

    To Xie Siyao¡¯s surprise, Chen Mingda actually agreed without a second thought.

    And that was when she officially introduced Chen Mingda to Qian Ge.

    Xie Siyao wanted to marry Chen Mingda and be afortable golden canary, but as time went on, Xie Siyao thought having nothing to do every day was no way to live. Once again, to Xie Siyao¡¯s surprise, after Chen Mingda found out she was bored as hell, he actually helped her get a role on the movie ¡°Fleeting Years.¡± Although it was a supporting female role and not the leading female role, it was much better than the roles Qian Ge used to get her.

    Xi Siyao practically lived inpletefort. She viewed Chen MIngda as her savior. She used to say ¡°Oh how annoying,¡± but that became ¡°My Mingda...¡±

    Xie Siyao always believed she lived poorly most of her life, but finally, things were turning around for her. She lived every day happily. Even her period, which made her have suicidal thoughts and made her erratically angry in the past, now seemed to have disappeared for the past few months.

    However, Xie Siyao didn¡¯t know what sin shemitted in the past to deserve someone viciously hitting her back with a bat after enduring over ten years of hard work.

    Xie Siyao had no memory of what happened. All she knew was that she and Qian Ge had ns to meet up at a party. Then, just as the party was almost over, it seemed like she had too much to drink and her consciousness waspletely hazy. She couldn¡¯t remember who helped carry her upstairs, but after she woke up, she wasn¡¯t wearing anything. Sheid on the big hotel bed with searing pain in her waist and back.

    At first, she thought Chen Mingda took her back homest night then they drunkenly spent the night together afterward. She sat up. Through the mirror in front of her, she saw her body was filled with hickeys. The corner of her lips curved slightly, but before it could turn into the most beautiful smile, she saw a man lying beside her through the mirror. He wasn¡¯t Chen Mingda.

 Chapter 914

    Chapter 914: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It felt like Xie Siyao¡¯s head had been hit hard on the head with a bat. She stared transfixed at the man for a long time through the mirror before she recognized him as the male lead of ¡°Fleeting Years,¡± Yang Li.

    Howe it¡¯s him?

    She knew he was also there atst night¡¯s party, but they didn¡¯t cross paths. After she got drunk, how did they end up in the same room?

    Xie Siyao racked her brain for a long time, but she had no memory of how she and Yang Li slept together.

    Perhaps she woke up Yang Li beside her because she sat up too abruptly. After he was conscious for a while, he felt that something was off, so he abruptly turned his head to find Xie Siyao staring back at him.

    He didn¡¯t wait for Xie Siyao to speak before he furrowed his brows. ¡°How did you end up with me?¡± he asked with a stunned expression.

    After his voice fell, his gaze froze upon Xie Siyao¡¯s shoulder. He stared at all the densely packed hickeys he left on herst night. ¡°Also,st night... you and I...¡± he continued to say after being stunned for two seconds.

    He only managed to spit out half the sentence before he stopped for a second then spoke again. ¡°...What in the hell happened?¡±

    Xie Siyao wanted to know what happened too, but she couldn¡¯t remember anything. Deep down, she knew she and Yang Li most probably drank a lotst night. After they got drunk, they had sex. Whether or not this was true, she was even more afraid of Chen Mingda finding out she and Yang Li slept together.

    Deep down, she thought about it over and over again. In the end, she decided in order to live happily for the rest of her life, this never happened. Regarding the confused expression on Yang Li¡¯s face, she said, ¡°Yang Li, I don¡¯t know what happenedst night either. You know I have a boyfriend and we¡¯re getting ready to marry. You didn¡¯t lose outst night and what¡¯s more, if this gets out, it won¡¯t be good for either of us. So, when we step out of this hotel room door, can we justpletely forget what happenedst night?¡±

    If it was any other man, after sex, they would want nothing more than to not take responsibility. This was why Yang Li¡¯s eyes lit up after he heard what Xie Siyao said. Then he hesitantly said, ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    Xie Siyao only wanted to quickly resolve the situation and leave, so without any hesitation, she looked at Yang Li then nodded violently. ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡±

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s pretend nothing happened yesterday, but I never like to owe people anything. Even though you have Prince Chen and Prince Chen isn¡¯t short of money, I still want to give you something aspensation...¡±

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t even wait for Yang Li to finish as she quickly picked up her clothes and got dressed. Then she ran out of the hotel in a hurry like she was running for her life.

    Xie Siyao had ns to meet Chen Mingda that day to go to the cinemas, but now that this happened with Tang Li, she was covered in hickeys. How could she dare to see Chen Mingda? When she got home, she charged into the bathroom and used a whole bottle of body wash and took a full three hours in the shower. She showered until her skin was wrinkled then she dragged her drenched body out of the bathroom. She found her phone and gave Chen Mingda a call.

    She lied to Chen Mingda by saying she had a family emergency and needed to head back to her parents¡¯ house.

    Chen Mingda¡¯s first reaction was to ask if she wanted him to go back with her.

 Chapter 915 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (15)

    Chapter 915: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (15)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Xie Siyao heard Chen Mingda¡¯s words and tears almost came crashing down. She worked hard to stayposed. After she declined Chen Mingda¡¯s offer, she didn¡¯t dare chat too long with him, so she hurriedly hung up.

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t go back to her parent¡¯s house nor did she go to the studio. She just stayed at home for days. At first, Chen Mingda called her every now and then to check on her like usual, but on the third day, Chen Mingda actually didn¡¯t call her the entire day.

    In the past, Chen Mingda acted like this in the past when he was busy with work, so Xie Siyao thought Chen Mingda was just busy with urgent work. She called him but when she realized no one was picking up, she stopped disturbing him with phone calls. Instead, she sent him messages to remind him to eat on time and take care of himself.

    On the fourth day, after Xie Siyao woke up, her first reaction was to pick up her phone. She found that her phone waspletely devoid of notifications. There wasn¡¯t a single call or text from Chen Mingda, so that was when she realized something wasn¡¯t right.

    She called Chen Mingda several times but no one picked up. She continued to call, but after the fourth ring, she was cut off. She continued to call but she was greeted with: ¡°Sorry, the phone you are calling has been switched off.¡±

    For as long Xie Siyao and Chen Mingda had been together, this had never happened. She suddenly started to panic. She knew full well that Chen Mingda¡¯s phone was off, but she still called him relentlessly. Since she couldn¡¯t get through, she turned to texting. She lost track of the number of messages she sent until the low battery notification popped up on her phone and it automatically turned off. That was when she realized she needed to charge her phone. She grabbed her car keys and drove to Chen Mingda¡¯s home.

    She knocked on his door for ages but no one answered. She went to his office but the person at the front desk didn¡¯t recognize her. Unlike before, she wasn¡¯t allowed to go upstairs, so she used thendline phone to call the manager. In the end, Chen Mingda¡¯s secretary came down to tell her that Chen Mingda was out of the country on a business trip.

    Xie Siyao asked when he was going toe back. The secretary said she didn¡¯t know and handed Xie Siyao a letter which Chen Mingda asked to be handed over to her.

    Women were naturally straightforward, so she told Xie Siyao there was absolutely nothing good in the letter. Xie Siyao was unwilling to face the facts or maybe she couldn¡¯t ept it. She chose to act confused although she knew the truth. She didn¡¯t open the letter and asked the secretary to please call her when Chen Mingda returned.

    The secretary promised her and personally saw her out of Chen Mingda¡¯s office.

    Back home, Xie Siyao stared at the letter for over two hours before she opened it. There was an empty cheque inside with three familiar words written in the signature area in a person¡¯s handwriting she knew far too well ¡ª¡±Chen Mingda.¡±

    Xie Siyao understood what Chen Mingda meant by giving her this cheque.

    People were all the same. They didn¡¯t cry until they saw the coffin and their hearts didn¡¯t die until they reached their goal.

    Xie Siyao pretended she knew nothing and continued to call Chen Mingda every day.

    For a whole week, Xie Siyao wasn¡¯t able to reach Chen Mingda. It wasn¡¯t until a weekter when she happened to bump into Chen Mingda at the entrance of China World Hotel Beijing while heading to a party.

    Chen Mingda saw her but showed no intention of wanting to talk to her, so he quickly withdrew his dull gaze away and got into his own car.

    Xie Siyao instinctively caught up to Chen Mingda¡¯s car, stopping him from driving away.

 Chapter 916 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (16)

    Chapter 916: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (16)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Chen Mingda sat in the car, staring at Xie Siyao silently for a while through the windshield. Seeing that she had no intention of moving aside at all, he opened the car door and got out.

    He stood in front of her. Without waiting for her to speak, he mercilessly spoke first. ¡°You received the cheque, so you should¡¯ve understood my intentions, right?¡±

    Xie Siyao pursed her bottom lip and pushed the bitterness out in her eyes. ¡°Mingda...¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t let me see you ever again.¡± Chen Mingda clearly didn¡¯t want to hear what Xie Siyao had to say, so he coldly interrupted her. Then he turned around and walked back to the open car door.

    ¡°Mingda...¡± Xie Siyao instinctively ran two steps to catch up with him and tugged on Chen Mingda¡¯s sleeve. ¡°...Mingda, I don¡¯t understand. We were doing great. What happened all of a sudden?¡±

    ¡°Mingda, you said you loved me and you even said you wanted to marry me. What in the hell happened?! Mingda...¡±

    Xie Siyao had no idea what pissed him off. All of sudden, Chen Mingda turned around to face her directly. Inplete disregard for the people walking by, he got unusually angry and cried, ¡°What happened?! You know full well what happened!!¡±

    Xie Siyao trembled in fear as she had never seen Chen Mingda this angry before. ¡°Mingda... I don¡¯t quite understand what you mean...¡±

    ¡°Haha...¡± Chen Mingda scoffed coldly. He stared at Xie Siyao¡¯s pretty face for a while then flung her grasp away from his sleeve. He walked over to the car door, bent over and pulled something out from inside.

    Xie Siyao thought Chen Mingda was going to get in the car and leave, so she instinctively raised her leg in hopes of chasing after Chen Mingda. However, she only managed to take one step forward when Chen Mingda straightened up and viciously threw a stack of photos at her face. ¡°...At a time like this, you¡¯re still pretending? See for yourself!¡±

    Xie Siyao¡¯s face looked like she thought Chen Mingda was frightened silly by his rage. She stood foolishly on the same spot for a while. Then she looked over at the photos in her arms and by her feet.

    They were photos of her and Yang Li hugging, and there were photos of her and Yang Li walking into the hotel room. There were also photos of hering out of the room in the morning looking disheveled.

    Xie Siyao¡¯s face instantly turned pale white. She stared at the photos for a long time before she looked over at Chen Mingda. ¡°H-how did you get these photos?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about where the photos came from. Just know that I, Chen Mingda, will never want to be with an indecent woman like you. You couldn¡¯t have possibly thought I would be with a broken shoe like you who¡¯s been worked by a million people?!¡± After Chen Mingda said that, he ruthlessly spat at Xie Siyao then got back into the car. He reversed for a short distance then stepped on the gas pedal. As he turned the steering wheel, he brushed past Xie Siyao¡¯s body.

    The gust of wind from his car speeding away blew the photos by Xie Siyao¡¯s feet and arms around in several circles. They fell not too far away.

    Xie Siyao looked as though she lost all senses as she continued to foolishly stand on the spot in a daze for a while. Then her stiff and vacant body bent over and picked up each and every photo. After she picked up the final photo, she couldn¡¯t take it anymore and slumped to the ground, hugging her knees as she wept.

    It was over. She thought she could turn her life around into something wonderful but in the end, it was all over...

    Xie Siyao always figured that night would be the most painful night of her life.

 Chapter 917 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (17)

    Chapter 917: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (17)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Xie Siyao always figured that night she slumped by the sidewalk and wept withplete disregard for her image would be the most painful night of her life. However, she never imagined that the darkest moment of her life would actuallye at three in the afternoon the very next day.

    After Chen Mingda left, she cried for a really, really long time before she stood up and sluggishly stumbled over to the main road.

    She waspletely bewildered and didn¡¯t know where she wanted to go nor where she should go. What¡¯s more ¨C she lost track of the distance she walked. All she knew was that she felt really hurt and by the time she was exhausted from walking and couldn¡¯t walk any further, it was morning.

    She hailed a cab back home, took a hot shower, andid in bed,pletely drained.

    She was really sleepy and really tired, but she couldn¡¯t sleep.

    She didn¡¯t realize she was like a zombie as sheid down silently for a long time. All she knew was that, outside the window, the sun shone brighter and brighter. When half her room was covered with the glow of the sun, her stomach suddenly felt a piercing, knife-like pain.

    The pain made her entire body tremble and she broke out in a cold sweat. She thought she was going to die from the pain. She picked up the phone and called Qian Ge.

    After she hung up, she realized it was wet beneath her body and she mustered up the strength to remove her covers to take a look. Her bedsheets were covered in blood.

    Later, she fainted from the pain. By the time she woke up again, she was already in a hospital bed.

    Qian Ge was watching over her. When she saw the blood on her bed, she had a rough understanding of what happened, so she didn¡¯t dare ask even though she wanted to. After Qian Ge figured out why she was so speechless, she shot her a gentle smile and softly said, ¡°Don¡¯t be too sad. You can get pregnant again in the future.¡±

    You can still get pregnant in the future... So I really had a miscarriage.

    Even though she and Yang Li slept together, if she checked the timeline, that baby should¡¯ve been Chen Mingda¡¯s.

    If the whole Yang Li situation never happened, or even if it had, as long as Chen Mingda didn¡¯t find out about it, she would¡¯ve realized her period waste and she would¡¯ve known there was a baby in her after some time. She definitely would¡¯ve given birth, just like she fantasized. She would¡¯ve married Chen Mingda, been a traditional wife and lived a wealthy life.

    Or even if Chen Mingda found out about what happened between her and Yang Li, if she noticed earlier that her period waste, she would¡¯ve known she was pregnant. Even if she lost Chen Mingda, she would¡¯ve kept the child.

    If... if... it¡¯s all just ¡°ifs.¡± She took one wrong step ¨C or rather, several wrong steps ¨C and in the end, she ended up with absolutely nothing.

    Before Xie Siyao spoke, the tears had already rolled down in big drops from the corners of her eyes. She spent a lot of energy to force out the question: ¡°How many months?¡±

    Qian Ge knew Xie Siyao was asking about the baby that was miscarried. ¡°A month and a half.¡±

    A month and a half... She got pregnant the day Chen Mingda proposed to her... In the end, Xie Siyao couldn¡¯t hold it in and wept loudly.

    She cried with such devastation that she didn¡¯t notice Qian Ge picking up a call. Qian Ge said they picked up a new drama which would receive an investment by Chen enterprises.

    ¨C

    From the night they decided to have a baby, Ji Yi started to change the way she lived for the better. Not only did she watch over He Jichen as he quit smoking, she even dragged He Jichen to work out with her every week.

 Chapter 918 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (18)

    Chapter 918: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (18)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi shifted her main priority to preparing for her pregnancy; she didn¡¯t attend any industry events.

    The exception was the BL charity g, which she promised to attendst year.

    Although Ji Yi figured He Jichen would find an excuse to decline her invitation to go to the BL charity g with her like before, she asked him anyway as she was trying her gown that evening while he sat on the sofa reading some documents. ¡°Oh yeah. Would you like to go to the charity g with me?¡±

    He Jichen must¡¯ve been thinking about something he read as he stared at the ck and white words on the pages for a while before raising his head. ¡°Mhm,¡± he softly let out then he replied, ¡°Sure.¡±

    With the help of Zhuang Yi and the makeup artist, Ji Yi got into her gown then stared at herpleted look in the mirror. She thought she was hearing things, so she was slightly confused for a moment. Then she curved her lips and said, ¡°Then you better hurry and get ready, otherwise we¡¯ll bete.¡±

    This time, He Jichen didn¡¯t look up at Ji Yi but continued to stare transfixed on the documents. ¡°Mhm,¡± he mumbled.

    After Ji Yi chose a gown, sat in front of the vanity and did her hair, He Jichen raised his pen and signed the document. Then he walked into the bathroom.

    Ji Yi happened to finish doing her hair when He Jichen finished getting ready.

    Ji Yi got up and put on some earrings in front of the mirror then raised her wrist to check the time. It was about time to leave. She nced over at Zhuang Yi as if to signal her to start the car.

    The BL charity g was being held at the Beiyang Hall as usual.

    When she and He Jichen walked on the red carpet into the entrance, they happened to bump right into Qian Ge as she was finishing an interview.

    Qian Ge¡¯s footsteps clearly stopped for a moment.

    He Jichen walked calmly as though Qian Ge didn¡¯t exist. He turned his head and whispered a few things to Ji Yi. Then he hugged Ji Yi¡¯s shoulders, brushed past Qian Ge, and headed into the hall.

    Ji Yi and He Jichen sat down and politely chatted with the people beside them for a short while before the BL charity g officially started.

    Inparison tost year, this year¡¯s BL charity g was just as grand and majestic.

    They didn¡¯t know how many times the show was rehearsed, but the actors on stage were astonishing.

    Amidst the joy andughter, two hours quickly flew by as the dinner portion of the gmenced.

    Like previous years, the dinner was held on the second floor of the Beiyang Hall.

    Aside from the multiple live broadcasting tforms who invested in the BL charity g, other reporters were located outside the dining hall.

    When Ji Yi and He Jichen entered the restaurant, the second floor looked particrly good. There was quite arge group of people standing together, chatting andughing away in front of the central spot for exposure to the live broadcast.

    After Ji Yi finished shooting her scenes for the ¡°Fleeting Years,¡± she decided to retire from showbiz. She didn¡¯t need this kind of exposure, so she didn¡¯t linger around the camera and found a corner to sit down at with He Jichen.

    There wasn¡¯t much to do at the dinner, but Ji Yi went anyway out of respect. She wanted to greet the founder of the BL charity g, who invited her, before leaving.

    There were far too many people surrounding the founder, so she figured she¡¯d go after the crowd thinned out a bit. In the end, she didn¡¯t manage to wait it out as a producer walked up to them with a ss of wine in hand.

    After the producer and He Jichen gave their self-introductions and chatted casually, he nced at Ji Yi, who was sitting next to He Jichen. ¡°Mr. He, I wonder if you¡¯re currently avable? I was hoping to speak to you privately,¡± he said with a smile.

 Chapter 919 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (19)

    Chapter 919: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (19)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He Jichen heard what the producer said and his first reaction wasn¡¯t to look at Ji Yi but to look over at the liveliest section of the party.

    There we many people standing next to Qian Ge. Everybody was chatting away, but she held her smile and didn¡¯t utter a word. When she raised her ss of wine for a sip, she lifted her eyelids and nced over at He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s direction.

    When he caught her gaze, He Jichen brought his eyes back to Ji Yi¡¯s face as though he hadn¡¯t seen a thing. With warm eyes and low voice, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±

    ¡°Mhm ok,¡± replied Ji Yi with a smile.

    He Jichen got up and nced at the producer, who was waiting beside them. After he started walking, He Jichen caught up to the producer, unhurried.

    The moment He Jichen left, a third-rate female celebrity, who once worked with Ji Yi, walked over with two sses of wine.

    ¡°Ji Jie, I looked all over for you! So here you are...¡± The female celebrity smiled kindly as she spoke and handed one of the wine sses to Ji Yi.

    As she was preparing for her pregnancy, Ji Yi shook her head at the female celebrity and apologetically said, ¡°I¡¯m not drinking alcohol.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I see...¡± The female celebrity nced at the ss of almost-finished fresh fruit juice in front of Ji Yi then ced the two sses of wine down on the table. ¡°...Then I¡¯ll help you get a new ss of fresh fruit juice.¡±

    ¡°No thanks. I can do it myself...¡± Ji Yi and the female celebrity weren¡¯t that close and she wasn¡¯t used to her disy of closeness.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± The female celebrity smiled enthusiastically then turned around and walked over to the buffet area.

    Soon enough, the female celebrity came back with a ss of fruit juice. After she handed it to Ji Yi, she then sat down and picked up a ss of wine she set on the table earlier. She brought it towards Ji Yi.

    The female celebrity was overly friendly; she even personally handed Ji Yi the juice. Ji Yi found it hard to decline, so she clinked sses with the female celebrity and symbolically sipped the fruit juice.

    After she put the ss down, the female celebrity and Ji Yi chatted again for a while before she made motions to leave. ¡°Ji Jie, you go ahead with what you were doing. I¡¯m just going to go over there.¡±

    Ji Yi gently nodded and replied with a smile.

    As the female celebrity got up, she casually grabbed her unfinished wine ss, but since she was clumsy, she identally knocked over the ss. The wine happened to spill right over Ji Yi¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Ji Jie, I¡¯m really sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to...¡± The female celebrity saw this and hurriedly pulled out a napkin and started dabbing at Ji Yi¡¯s chest.

    Ji Yi was wearing a long, nude-colored dress. After it got wet, the lining of her undergarments was revealed. ¡°...Ji Jie, I¡¯ve got a back-up grown in my car. How about I ask someone to bring it over and I¡¯lle upstairs with you to get changed...?¡± suggested the female celebrity.

    Most female celebrities had two outfits in their cars in case of idents or if their original outfits were ufortable.

    Actually, Ji Yi used to ask Zhuang Yi to prepare two outfits in her car too, buttely, she hadn¡¯t attended any events and her clothes were a little creased from being tossed around in the car, so Ji Yi asked Zhuang Yi to get them washed and dried. She never imagined that an ident would happen at tonight¡¯s event, so she didn¡¯t prepare an extra outfit.

    It wasn¡¯t right to call Zhuang Yi right now and ask her to go back home, grab an outfit, and drop it off, so Ji Yi considered the celebrity¡¯s offer for a while. Eventually, she epted the female celebrity¡¯s suggestion. ¡°Sorry to have to bother you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the best I can do, considering that it was my fault in the first ce,¡± replied the female celebrity as she nced elsewhere, nearby. Qian Ge had been paying attention to this whole ordeal the entire time. When the female celebrity¡¯s eyes met Qian Ge¡¯s, she nodded softly.

 Chapter 920 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (20)

    Chapter 920: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (20)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Having seen the female celebrity¡¯s nod, Qian Ge silently lowered her eyelids, raised her wine ss and took a sip.

    When she lifted her head again, Ji Yi and the female celebrity had already left the restaurant. She turned her head and circled the restaurant to find Yang Li. Thereafter, she walked over to Yang Li with her wine ss in hand.

    There were several people standing next to Yang Li. When he saw Qian Ge walking over, he immediately introduced her.

    Out of politeness, Qian Ge clinked sses with each of them.

    When she came over, there wasn¡¯t much wine left in her ss. After barely two sips, she was able to see the bottom of the ss.

    Just as she was about to see if there were any attendants passing by to pick up her ss, Yang Li already had an untouched ss of wine in his hand. He handed it to Qian Ge. ¡°I haven¡¯t drunk it yet. I¡¯ll grab another sster.¡±

    People in front of Qian Ge were waiting to clink sses with her, so when Qian Ge heard Yang Li say this, she replied, ¡°Thank you.¡± Then she reached out to take it.

    After she finished greeting everyone in the circle, Qian Ge continued to chat with several of them before she turned and looked over at Yang Li. ¡°There¡¯s something I want to talk to you about.¡±

    Yang Li apologized to several celebrities in the vicinity before excusing himself and walking over to an isted area.

    ¡°It¡¯s done. Xiao Yang brought her upstairs...¡±

    Yang Li didn¡¯t wait for Qian Ge to finish speaking as he interrupted her by saying, ¡°I kinda want to go to the restroom. If possible, walk with me. There are so many people around, so let¡¯s talk about it after we step outside.¡±

    Qian Ge didn¡¯t think there was anything weird about what Yang Li said, so she nodded gently. An attendant happened to walk by, so Qian Ge put her ss down then chatted about frivolous things as she walked with Yang Li out of the restaurant.

    Seeing that there wasn¡¯t anyone in the hallway on the way to the restroom, she resumed their discussion about their earlier topic. ¡°...Look for Xiao Yangter on the eighth floor. Xiao Yang will give you a key card to the room. The medicine should¡¯ve kicked in by now... remember what you promised me. You have to send me the recording right away. Record a high definition video first, send it to Xiao Yang, then continue doing what you want to do. There are so many people at tonight¡¯s charity g. I want to broadcast the video hereter...¡±

    ...

    After being discharged from the hospital after her miscarriage, Xie Siyao hadn¡¯t left home.

    If she hadn¡¯t heard Chen Mingda would be attending the BL charity evening tonight, she wouldn¡¯t have gone.

    Even if she and Chen Mingda hadn¡¯t seen each other for half a month, Xie Siyao felt it was as long as half a century.

    From what she remembered, Chen Mingda didn¡¯t look any different ¨C he was as well-dressed and charming as usual. The only thing that changed was that he was acting as though she didn¡¯t exist, even when she was standing in front of him. He continued to chat andugh with the people around him.

    In the midst of it all, although she chatted with Qian Ge for a while, her attention was always drawn towards Chen Mingda.

    When she snapped back to reality, she had no idea where Qian Ge had gone as she wasn¡¯t at the restaurant anymore. Chen Mingda, who was deep in conversation with others, pulled his phone out from his pocket and took a nce at his phone screen. It wasn¡¯t clear who had texted him, but a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes. He raised his ss, clinked sses with each and every person around him then turned around and headed towards the restaurant doors like he was going to leave.

    Before Xie Siyao could react, she had already walked over to Chen Mingda to block his path.

 Chapter 921 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (21)

    Chapter 921: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (21)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    When Chen Mingda saw Xie Siyao, the expression on his face instantly turned cold.

    ¡°Mingda, there¡¯s something I need to tell you...¡±

    ¡°I have no interest in listening,¡± replied Chen Mingda tly. Then he walked around Xie Siyao, preparing to leave.

    ¡°Mingda, our child...¡±

    Xie Siyao instinctively turned around and stared at the silhouette of Chen Mingda leaving. Mid-sentence, Chen Mingda stopped walking and coldly eximed, ¡°I told you. I¡¯m not interested in listening! There are so many people here. I¡¯m only replying to you to save you some face. If you want to preserve face, don¡¯t force me tosh out at you in front of so many people!¡±

    Xie Siyao pursed her lips and didn¡¯t dare to say another word.

    Chen Mingda noticed she was quiet and didn¡¯t linger for another moment as he took big strides away.

    Xie Siyao stared at the silhouette of Chen Mingda¡¯s gradually disappearing back. Ayer of fog gradually filled her eyes.

    People were walking by, and she was afraid she would really cry in an entire room of celebrities and media outlets. She hurriedly lowered her head.

    No matter how hard she tried to control her emotions, pain ricocheted endlessly in her chest. She was really afraid she was going to lose it, so she hurriedly held up her dress. She weaved through the crowd, ran out of the restaurant, and entered the restroom.

    She hid in a cubicle and cried freely for a while before she forced herself to calm down, get up and walk out.

    Since she had been crying for a long time, her eye makeup was ruined. She tried to fix it in the mirror for a long time before she took a deep breath. Once she was sure there were no signs of her tears, she walked out of the restroom.

    Xie Siyao headed for the door, returning to the dinner in her high heels.

    But just as she brushed past the emergency exit, she heard her own name on the other side of the half-open door. ¡°I heard you did it with that Xie Siyao chick?¡±

    The voice didn¡¯t sound familiar and Xie Siyao couldn¡¯t make out who it was, but the voice stopped her in her tracks.

    Following the sound of a lighter being flicked, she then heard a familiar voice. ¡°Yeah. Last month.¡±

    Is that... Yang Li?

    Didn¡¯t I tell him that after leaving the hotel, we¡¯d respectively forget about that whole incident? Why¡¯s he openly showing off to other people?

    All of a sudden, a fire ignited in Xie Siyao¡¯s chest. She instinctively raised a foot and prepared to confront Yang Li, but before she reached the door to the emergency exit, the two of them continued their conversation.

    The unknown man spoke first. ¡°How did you do it? She¡¯s Prince Chen¡¯s chick! You sleeping with her is like shaming Prince Chen. Aren¡¯t you scared Prince Chen¡¯s going to kill you?¡±

    ¡°It happened over twenty or so days ago. Don¡¯t I look just fine?¡± Yang Li asked.

    ¡°How did you do it? You couldn¡¯t have used something on Prince Chen, right?¡±

    ¡°No way ¨C I couldn¡¯t possibly have anything on Prince Chen. Qian Ge helped me get her.¡±

    Qian Ge... As those two words drilled into Xie Siyao¡¯s ears, it felt like her pressure points had been hit. All of a sudden, she stopped mid-step and froze on the spot.

    The stranger seemed just as surprised as she was. ¡°Qian Ge? Isn¡¯t she best friends with Xie Siyao? The two of them are business partners. You¡¯re kidding, right?¡±

    ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m kidding?¡± Yang Li scoffed softly. ¡°I only got Xie Siyao because Qian Ge drugged her and personally delivered her to my bed. The only reason why Prince Chen didn¡¯t stop me was because Qian Ge delivered Xie Siyao to my room, took the photo of her kissing me then sent it to Prince Chen...¡±

 Chapter 922 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (22)

    Chapter 922: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (22)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    There was a nonchnt tone in his voice, but his words were like a thunderous shock, splitting Xie Siyao¡¯s mind.

    What the hell is Yang Li saying? He actually said Qian Ge drugged me on the night I slept with Yang Li, Qian Ge took the photos Chen Mingda threw at me, and Qian Ge sent them to him...?

    What the hell is all this? What¡¯s more, how could Yang Li tell it like that?

    Qian Ge would never do that to me... Am I just hearing things?

    With that, Xie Siyao raised her hand and forcefully rubbed her earlobes. Then she continued listening to the conversation between the two people at the emergency exit.

    Inparison to her shock from earlier, the stranger¡¯s voice could be described as horror-struck. ¡°No way?! Qian Ge really did that? Is she that ruthless and conniving? She even sold out her best friend?!¡±

    Yang Li probably thought the use of the two words ¡°best friends¡± wasughable because he snorted twice. ¡°What friendship is there between Qian Ge and Xie Siyao? Xie Siyao¡¯s pretty stupid for getting betrayed by Qian Ge and not even knowing it. She even helped with her investments. All Xie Siyao does all day is show off her boyfriend, Prince Chen, telling everyone how well he treats her. Little did she know that someone was thinking about him long before she started showing Prince Chen off. Qian Ge did these things to break up Xie Siyao and Chen Mingda so she could take over,¡± he continued.

    Take over... What does that mean? Don¡¯t tell me Qian Ge and Mingda...

    Xie Siyao couldn¡¯t help but purse her lips tightly.

    Behind the emergency exit, Yang Li didn¡¯t know someone was eavesdropping just outside in the hallway, so he continued chatting while smoking with his friend. ¡°Think about it. Qian Ge ran to Chen Mingda and pretended to help him. She said a bunch of crap about Xie Siyao just so Chen Mingda¡¯s impression of Qian Ge could skyrocket in his heart. Chen Mingda, who now thinks Xie Siyao is a hoe, naturally ignored her, and he has no reason to deal with me anymore. After all, I didn¡¯t force Xie Siyao into bed ¨C Xie Siyao did it willingly.¡±

    ¡°Not to mention... Qian Ge¡¯s n really wasn¡¯t half bad. Did you know Qian Ge recently took on quite a few jobs? Most of them were invested in by Chen Enterprises... Prince Chen definitely helped her get them...¡±

    Has Qian Ge recently taken up a lot of jobs?

    Since her miscarriage, she hadn¡¯t really paid attention to work at the studio, so after she heard what Yang Li said, the heart of Xie Siyao¡¯s brows furrowed furiously.

    As though by reflex, after she heard what Yang Li said, she lifted the hem of her dress and darted back into the dining hall.

    She turned and scanned the hall full of people for a while before she found someone who worked at her and Qian Ge¡¯s studio. Xie Siyao walked up to her, grabbed her arm without a care for the person she was talking to, and dragged her to an isted area.

    ¡°Xie Jie, what hap-¡±

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t hold back; she dived right to the main point. ¡°Has Qian Ge recently taken on many jobs?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. For some reason, Qian Jie¡¯s luck has been amazing. She bagged a number of endorsements, two dramas, and a major movie. She went to some auditions and easily got the roles!¡±

 Chapter 923 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (23)

    Chapter 923: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (23)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Easy pass...¡± For the past two years, Qian Ge¡¯s poprity had wavered between heaven and earth. How could she say her audition was ¡°easy¡±?

    So what Yang Li said really was true?

    I really was drugged by Qian Ge and delivered to Yang Li¡¯s bed. Then photos of me were taken to ruin my rtionship with Chen Mingda?

    But Xie Siyao knew Qian Ge¡¯s most hidden secret. Even though she was her ally, after being back-stabbed, both sides were hurt in the end. However, Qian Ge had always been doing well for herself. She was always afraid to offend Xie Siyao, so she had no reason to do it until now...

    The studio worker Xie Siyao dragged over couldn¡¯t help but call out ¡°Xie Jie?¡± because Xie Siyao still hadn¡¯t reacted after she spoke.

    After collecting her thoughts, Xie Siyao asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Qian Ge?¡±

    Rather than guessing here, why not ask Qian Ge for an exnation?

    ¡°Qian Ge? I only saw her once and I haven¡¯t seen her since...¡±

    Xie Siyao let out an ¡°Oh,¡± scanned all around for Qian Ge and said, ¡°There¡¯s nothing else. You can go back to what you were doing now.¡±

    ¡°Then Xie Jie, I¡¯ll go back. If there¡¯s anything you need, just call me.¡±

    Xie Siyao gently nodded without saying anything. Her eyes continued to circle the room full of people looking for Qian Ge.

    Xie Siyao practically scanned over each and every person in the whole banquet hall, but she couldn¡¯t find Qian Ge.

    With Qian Ge¡¯s personality, she wouldn¡¯t miss out on a chance to get exposure by live streaming herself here. It couldn¡¯t have been that she left early...

    With that thought, Xie Siyao pulled out her phone from her handbag and called Qian Ge.

    The phone rang for a while but no one answered.

    Xie Siyao figured she might as well put her phone away and she got ready to go out to look for Qian Ge.

    But before she could reach the banquet hall entrance, the background music happened to finish ying a song, so the whole dining hall was silent for a few seconds. A new background song started to y.

    But not long after, the music switched to the sensual voice of a woman, gasping for air. ¡°Take me. I beg you...¡±

    The voice sounded a bit familiar.

    Xie Siyao instinctively stopped walking.

    The busy background noise in the banquet hall instantly fell silent at the sudden sound of the voice of the woman.

    The woman¡¯s panting didn¡¯t stop. Instead, it grew even more intense and the words from her mouth were more indecent than before. ¡°Quick! I want it...¡±

    Perhaps other people couldn¡¯t immediately make out who that voice belonged to, but Xie Siyao recognized it. It was... Qian Ge¡¯s voice...

    Why are they ying the sound of her having sex here?

    As that question shed across Xie Siyao¡¯s mind, she instinctively furrowed her brows. Then she realized that people¡¯s eyes were shot wide open and staring right in her direction like they had pictured something incredibly unbelievable.

    Without thinking, Xie Siyao turned and looked behind her.

    Throughout the night, whenever a song yed in the background, a screen spanning half the wall yed that song¡¯s corresponding music video.

    The big screen was directly behind Xie Siyao. Now, a music video wasn¡¯t being yed. Instead, there was a naked woman endlessly massaging her own breasts.

 Chapter 924 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (24)

    Chapter 924: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (24)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It seemed like she was really begging for it; her body ground and twisted non-stop.

    She continued to say things that made people blush.

    She was the only person in the video. As she struck sexual poses, the video was focused on one half of her face before she lurched forward for a second.

    It was just one short moment, but Xie Siyao recognized that it was Qian Ge!

    So, the voice I heard and the video are in sync?

    While that suspicion shed across Xie Siyao¡¯s mind, she saw a muscr man popping up on the big screen. The man was facing away so she couldn¡¯t see his face. Just as he walked over to the bedside, Qian Ge couldn¡¯t wait to pull him by the arm and both fell onto the bed. Then she flipped over and sat on top of him and started to make her move.

    There were a few media outlets in the room who, one after the other, snapped out of fixating on the stimting video. They pointed their cameras towards the big screen.

    Just as the sound of cameras shing and shuttering became much louder, the two people in the video acted even more intensely.

    Some female celebrities were perhaps embarrassed. They turned their heads and didn¡¯t continue watching.

    Quite a few people started to whisper.

    ¡°Oh my god! Am I seeing this right? It really is Qian Ge!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s usually so arrogant. I never thought she would be such a tease in bed?¡±

    ¡°But who is the man in the video? His body¡¯s not bad. He must be young...¡±

    Unlike the other female celebrities, Xie Siyao¡¯s eyes were glued to the unknown man¡¯s body from the moment he appeared on the video. She didn¡¯t look away from the big screen.

    Qian Ge and that man were having crazy sex. The action was more entertaining than some Japanese porno.

    She sat on the man and quickly moved up and down. As though it was far from enough, she even grabbed the man¡¯s hand so he could massage her breasts. Then she even hunched over so she could feed her breasts to the man¡¯s mouth.

    He was a man after all. So naturally, he was excited by her teasing and his thirst for her intensified immensely, making Qian Ge scream more.

    It seemed they didn¡¯t like the position so halfway through, Qian Ge climbed off the man and spread herself out on the bed. The man got up and thrust into her from behind.

    Qian Ge¡¯s face happened to face the camera directly. All of her intoxicated expressions were caught in the video.

    From time to time, she murmured, ¡°Faster, faster, faster!¡± The man really did speed up as Qian Ge¡¯s body swayed up and down from the pounding. This must¡¯ve gotten in the way of the man¡¯s enjoyment because he raised his hand to keep Qian Ge¡¯s shoulder down.

    On his wrist, he wore an expensive watch.

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t need to get a closer look or careful inspection. She already knew who the man was.

    It was no wonder she thought the naked man looked familiar even from the back. So it really was... Chen Mingda!

    Qian Ge actually got together with Chen Mingda... So everything Yang Li said was true.

    It was no wonder I got incredibly drunk despite drinking so little that night. Qian Ge spiked my drink!

    And it was no wonder Chen Mingda had those photos ¨C Qian Ge was behind all of this. She didn¡¯t hesitate to ruin me just to steal Chen Mingda!

    And... and my child... If Chen Mingda hadn¡¯t seen those photos, dumped me and caused me to wander on the streets all night in despair, causing my miscarriage... My baby never would¡¯ve left me!

 Chapter 925 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (25)

    Chapter 925: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (25)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    All this time, she lived with regret over going to that party, regretted drinking so much, and regretted not noticing that she was pregnant earlier...

    She even called Qian Ge crying about her sorrows and pain every night when she couldn¡¯t sleep.

    Qian Ge wasn¡¯t at all impatient with her. The longest time she stayed up to chat with her was until the middle of the night.

    At the time, she really feltforted. She didn¡¯t have love or a child, but she still had Qian Ge... Even if they didn¡¯t have a beautiful beginning to their friendship, Qian Ge gave her a warm feelingter on.

    Xie Siyao only just realized in this very moment how dumb she really was!

    The solemn end I met today was all orchestrated by Qian Ge¡¯s hands! And yet, I poured my heart and soul out for Qian Ge to hear. Over the phone, when Qian Ge said suchforting words, was she admiring how devastated I was and did she smile while feeling pleased with herself?

    What Yang Li said was right. Qian Ge sold me and I didn¡¯t even know it. I even foolishly helped Qian Ge gain investments!

    I¡¯m so stupid and naive. If Qian Ge could ruthlessly put Ji Yi, who treated her so well, in a hospital bed for three whole years to the point of almost never waking up again, why would she show me mercy if she could gain fame and fortune?

    Did I think things were that simple? Did I think too kindly of Qian Ge? I thought Qian Ge always treated me well, really well...

    Xie Siyao stared at the big screen. The two of them were still tossing and turning and her hands abruptly balled into tight fists.

    A sense of loathing and an inerasable hatred sprouted from the deepest part of her heart and quickly enveloped her entire body.

    Hell no! I can¡¯t just leave it at that!

    Since Qian Ge is heartless, I can¡¯t be med for being unfaithful!

    I¡¯m not a pushover who will let people bully me without retaliation!

    What¡¯s more, what do I have to be afraid of now? The acting industry is always a ruthless struggle to survive. It¡¯s rare for me to have even met Chen Mingda. I thought I came upon happiness, but in the end, it was all ruined...

    However, Qian Ge was different after somewhat cleaning up her image from the whole situation with He Jichen stabbing her. Now, with Chen Mingda¡¯s support, her career was going to skyrocket... But it was a shame that they were no longer the same two people as before. Back then, all she wanted to do was help Qian Ge get big and thought that if Qian Ge got big, their lives would be better. But now, all Xie Siyao could think about was the two of them going down to hell together!

    Oh no, wait! After being kicked down to hell already, all I want to do is drag her down to hell too!

    With that thought, Xie Siyao stared at the big screen and carefully examined the area.

    The room looked a little familiar like it was a hotel room at Beiyang Hall...

    Not long after Qian Ge left, Chen Mingda nced at his phone and left too. Don¡¯t tell me the picture up on the big screen right now is happening upstairs?!

    Xie Siyao raised her head and nced at the ceiling of the room then remembered the room Qian Ge booked. All of a sudden, she charged at several media outlets nearby.

    Inplete disregard for the numerous people watching, she spoke directly to the reporters in front of her. ¡°Do you guys want an even more explosive scoop? If you do, follow me!¡±

 Chapter 926 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (26)

    Chapter 926: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (26)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Xie Siyao¡¯s movements came far too suddenly; the group of reporters had no idea what was going on. Everyone looked at each other for a while in silence, and none of them seemed willing to go with Xie Siyao.

    Xie Siyao waited with a cold re for a while, but seeing as nobody moved, she cried, ¡°I know where the video is being taken and I know Qian Ge¡¯s heinous secrets. I¡¯m sure everybody is aware Qian Ge and I are business partners and best friends. If you are all willing to trust me and you want the best scoop, follow me. If not, I won¡¯t force you!¡±

    Xie Siyao knew she made her point very clear and there would be some reporters who would take the risk and give it a try so they would follow her.

    Just as Xie Siyao thought, two reporters were intrigued by her words and revealed hesitant looks.

    One of the reporters secretly gritted her teeth and followed Xie Siyao.

    The other reporter saw her following Xie Siyao, so they followed too.

    As the two reporters were about to quickly leave the dining hall, the remaining reporters chased after them one after another.

    Seeing as there were several reporters leaving with Xie Siyao, some third-rate minor celebrities followed along too to watch the drama.

    They took the elevator up to the fifteenth floor, where Xie Siyao pulled out a keycard from her purse and swiped to open the door.

    The first thing they saw on the wooden floor of the entrance was a pair of scattered crystal high heels.

    Those were the pair of high heels Qian Ge wore that night for the party.

    It was just a nce, but it made Xie Siyao squint furiously as she charged into the room in a rage.

    A woman¡¯s purse, watch, gown, earrings, and ne and a man¡¯s zer, shirt, pants, and belt... were scattered from the living room floor all the way to the half-opened bedroom door.

    Xie Siyao secretly gritted her teeth and charged into the bedroom.

    The closer Xie Siyao got to the bedroom, the slower her footsteps got and the louder the noises sounded from inside the bedroom.

    Following closely behind Xie Siyao, the reporters took photos of the scattered clothes and essories in the living room before they prepared themselves to record.

    When standing at the bedroom door, Xie Siyao pursed her lips with all her strength and stood there for a while. It wasn¡¯t until she heard Qian Ge shriek before she raised her hand and pushed the door open.

    The hotel bed was a huge mess. Qian Ge and Chen Mingda were still in the room, tightly intertwined and having sex like crazy.

    Inparison to the video she saw downstairs earlier, Xie Siyao was even intensely angry now that she was seeing them like this with their own eyes.

    Chen Mingda was the man she found with so much difficulty and the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with! When he said he wanted to have a child with her, he was obsessed with having sex with her, but now, he was using the same positions and strength with another woman...

    Xie Siyao¡¯s chest heaved increasingly hard. She stared at the picture of them in bed with balled up fists which started to tremble.

    The two of them were reaching the climax as Qian Ge lunged onto Chen Mingda¡¯s lips.

    Chen Mingda didn¡¯t avoid her as he started to kiss Qian Ge deeply and hungrily.

 Chapter 927 - A Billion Stars Cant Amount to You (27)

    Chapter 927: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (27)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Xie Siyao stared at them kissing and all of sudden, she snapped. Charging violently at the bed, she grabbed Qian Ge¡¯s long hair and threw her down from the bed, onto the floor.

    Qian Ge crashed to the rug with a *THUMP!* Xie Siyao raised her leg and savagely kicked her. ¡°After I treated you like my closest friend in the world, how the hell could you actually go and treat me like this?!¡±

    Through the infinite shes of light and cameras snapping away, Xie Siyao spoke again. ¡°There are so many rich men in this world, so why couldn¡¯t you go and find one of those? Why did you have to steal mine?!¡±

    Steal mine?

    When the room full of people heard what Xie Siyao said, their eyes all shot open.

    The man Qian Ge was sleeping with was Xie Siyao¡¯s man? Which meant he was... The second son of Chen Enterprises?!

    Everybody¡¯s line of sight simultaneously fell on the bed.

    Confused by everything that was happening so suddenly, Chen Mingda heard what Xie Siyao said then slowly snapped back to reality. After seeing a horde of reporters at the bedroom door taking photos of him, Chen Mingda instinctively pulled the covers over himself to hide his face.

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t know if it was because Qian Ge and Chen Mingda¡¯s lovemaking was too crazy, but Qian Ge was exhausted. After several kicks from Xie Siyao, Qian Ge¡¯s body cowered in pain and she didn¡¯t show any signs of fighting back.

    Xie Siyao was wearing high heels when she kicked Qian Ge, so on top of the hickeys over her body were several bloody marks and bruises.

    Xie Siyao acted like she hadn¡¯t seen a thing and kicked Qian Ge once again. Then she bent over and pulled Qian Ge¡¯s long hair. She raised her hand, yanking Qian Ge¡¯s head up violently, then she pped her mercilessly hard over the face several times. ¡°To steal my man, you actually went and drugged me then sent me off to another man¡¯s bed?!¡±

    The more Xie Siyao said, the angrier she got. She thought her actions so far weren¡¯t enough to vent her anger. Inplete disregard for the consequences, she grabbed themp from the bedside table and smashed it onto Qian Ge¡¯s head. ¡°You were especially thrilled to take those photos, weren¡¯t you?! You must¡¯ve thought my man was in your hands now and you werepletely overjoyed, weren¡¯t you? If you don¡¯t sleep with a man once a day, you don¡¯t feel good, do you?!¡±

    ¡°My god! Qian Ge actually used these kinds of tactics to steal Xie Siyao¡¯s man?!¡±

    ¡°Holy sh*t! I never imagined she would drug her own friend!¡±

    ¡°This really is the world¡¯s biggest scoop...¡±

    If some celebrities, at first, had only followed with the simple thought of watching some drama go down, then in that very moment, they were now really immersed in the drama.

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t react in the slightest to everybody¡¯sments. In her eyes, she could see no one other than the person worthy of deep vengeance ¨C Qian Ge.

    ¡°You dared to sleep with my man?! Did you really think I never got mad all those years with you and that I was afraid of you?¡±

    Xie Siyao yelled with gritted teeth as she randomly grabbed things left and right, chucking them directly at Qian Ge.

    After all the smashing, she simply had nothing more to grab, so she just stretched both hands and strangled Qian Ge¡¯s throat.

    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for you, would my child have died? If it wasn¡¯t for you, would I have be like this?!¡±

    The more Xie Siyao spoke, the more tormented she felt, and the harder she choked Qian Ge.

 Chapter 928 - A Billion Stars Cant Amount to You (28)

    Chapter 928: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (28)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°It was you who ruined all my hope!¡±

    ¡°Did you know that all these years, I finally got someone I could spend my life with and you ruined it! You ruined it! RUINED IT!¡±

    Xie Siyao¡¯s tone of voice grew fiercer until she started to be hysterical. ¡°Let me tell you this Qian Ge! You never let me be happy, so you better forget about being happy yourself!¡±

    That¡¯s right. She put me in the most tragic ce and ruined my whole life. How could I let her be happy?

    I have to make her a hundred times more miserable! A thousand times more miserable! A million times more miserable!

    That¡¯s right. I have to make her miserable...

    With that thought, Xie Siyao suddenly let go of Qian Ge¡¯s neck. She abruptly stood up and walked over to the reporters.

    ¡°You guys should know that the Weibo post about He Jichen a while back ¨C wait, no! I mean the Weibo video that hasn¡¯tpletely disappeared of He Jichen stabbing Qian Ge.¡±

    ¡°After practically everyone saw that video, they yelled at He Jichen. Someone even incited it by tagging He Jichen as a murderer but no one wanted to search for the truth nor did anyone ask why He Jichen wanted to kill Qian Ge. When Qian Ge was crying about how she liked He Jichen and said he stabbed her because he was annoyed from being harassed, everyone just believed it!¡±

    Xie Siyao strangled Qian Ge¡¯s neck, so there was no way for her to breathe. But from then on, Qian Ge gradually came to her senses.

    The soreness in her legs told her what happened, but she couldn¡¯t remember who she did it with.

    I didn¡¯t get drunk... My mind is still muddled. Qian Ge spent a long time thinking about it before she realized she could¡¯ve been drugged.

    That¡¯s not right! There¡¯s only one portion of the drug and Ji Yi should¡¯ve drunk it. How did I end up taking it? And there¡¯s a camera in this room. I prepared it in advance to stream a live feed for the big screen in the dining hall, but I¡¯m the one experiencing all of this. Then does that mean a recording of me and the man was seen by everyone in the world?

    Qian Ge hadn¡¯t figured out the answers to all these questions when she felt the suffocating feeling in her neck disappearing.

    Her mouth gaped and she started to breathe again. Since her breathing stopped for so long, her chest hurt for a while until she finally felt a little better. That was when she realized what Xie Siyao was saying beside her.

    ¡°But what you all don¡¯t know is that the truth isn¡¯t what you heard. The truth is...¡±

    Is Xie Siyao confessing to what we did back then?

    Now that the world knows about me sleeping with that man, I¡¯ll be scolded for being a slut at most. With my and Xie Siyao¡¯s huge argument, people will say we¡¯ve turned into enemies at most. However, if Xie Siyao reveals what happened, I¡¯m really done for...

    With practically no hesitation, Qian Ge cried, ¡°Xie Siyao!¡±

    ¡°...He Jichen only stabbed Qian Ge for Ji Yi!¡± cried Xie Siyao as she turned a deaf ear to Qian Ge¡¯s attempts to stop her and said what she wanted to say with a resolute tone of voice.

    He Jichen only stabbed Qian Ge for Ji Yi?

    Everyone at the scene was stunned by what Xie Siyao said.

    ¡°Xie Siyao!¡± cried Qian Ge again, with more agitation than before.

 Chapter 929 - A Billion Stars Cant Amount to You (29)

    Chapter 929: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (29)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Qian Ge liked He Jichen, but He Jichen never liked her! The one He Jichen always liked was Ji Yi. Qian Ge thought hard to find a way to get closer to He Jichen, but he just ignored her.¡± Xie Siyao stared directly at the camera in front of her, simply ignoring Qian Ge who was frantically screaming behind her. She went on to say, ¡°So He Jichen always ignored her. Why would he stab her because of her persistence?¡±

    ¡°Xie Siyao, shut up! Quit spewing bullsh*t!¡± Qian Ge struggled to get up from the floor. She took a step towards Xie Siyao when she realized she wasn¡¯t wearing any clothes. That was when she hurriedly bent over and picked up a bathrobe to cover up her body.

    ¡°He Jichen only stabbed Qian Ge because she sabotaged Ji Yi with a car ident that put her in aa for three years!¡± Xie Siyao knew Qian Ge wasing for her, but she didn¡¯t dodge in the slightest. With a calm tone of voice, she continued to reveal what happened.

    Ji Yi got in a car ident and was in aa for three years. This the public knew, but how did Qian Ge get involved in this?

    Confusion appeared upon the faces of the people filling up the room.

    A reporter moved their lips, trying to ask something.

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t wait for her to speak and continued from where she left off. ¡°Simply speaking, six years ago, Ji Yi¡¯s car ident wasn¡¯t an ident. It was premeditated!¡±

    Not an ident but premeditated? Which meant that Qian Ge set it up?!

    Everybody¡¯s eyes fell on Qian Ge one after the other.

    Upon hearing what Xie Siyao said, Qian Ge stopped rushing over to her.

    Am I one step toote? Did she just say it aloud?

    The atmosphere instantly turned quiet.

    After a few seconds passed, Xie Siyao was resolute and refused to back down as she moved her lips again. ¡°Qian Ge and Ji Yi were ssmates from senior high school. At the very beginning, she and Ji Yi were very good friends. After graduation, Ji Yi was scouted and be an overnight sess, but Ji Yi never abandoned Qian Ge. In fact, she even helped hernd all sorts of investments. However, Qian Ge never felt grateful, and eventually, she sought me out. She said we could be allies as long as I helped her do something. Then she¡¯d give me shares in her studio!¡±

    ¡°The studio she mentioned is the one which Qian Ge and I currently own. This studio wasn¡¯t actually founded at all by Qian Ge ¨C it was Ji Yi¡¯s. Qian Ge put Ji Yi in aa with the car ident, so when the investors came to retract their investment, there was no choice but to let Qian Ge act as the founder of the studio!¡±

    ¡°That car ident looked like a normal car ident, but it actually wasn¡¯t because the culprit was my then boyfriend. Qian Ge gave him a lot of money to act like it was a drunk-driving ident where he crashed while unconscious!¡±

    ¡°He Jichen found out the truth behind the car ident, so he went to see Qian Ge! In fact, when the car ident happened, he didn¡¯t immediately go find Qian Ge. At the time, Ji Yi was in intensive care, so he must¡¯ve had a ray of hope. The night he came to see Qian Ge, the hospital issued a notice regarding Ji Yi¡¯s critical condition and everyone thought there was no hope at saving her...¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you all curious what He Jichen said to Qian Ge in the video? I was at the sidelines that night. He Jichen only said one thing. He said: ¡®I will take your life in return for the injustice you inflicted on her!¡¯¡±

 Chapter 930 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (30)

    Chapter 930: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (30)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    With her heart set on dragging Qian Ge down with her to hell, Xie Siyao spoke every resounding word and sentence with power and decisiveness. There wasn¡¯t a moment of hesitation as her final sentence escaped her lips.

    The expressions of shock and disbelief people originally showed upon finding out the truth behind Ji Yi¡¯s car ident turned to confusion and astonishment.

    Qian Ge was one step toote from stopping Xie Siyao from revealing the truth, so she stopped in her tracks. After she heard Xie Siyao repeating what He Jichen said years ago, she felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. All of a sudden, she was wide awake.

    I will take your life in return for the injustice you inflicted on her.

    This was the pain she felt in the deepest part of her heart. When that man plunged the knife into her chest mercilessly, he gritted his teeth and said those words. Despite the fact it happened so many years ago, those words still hurt so much that she still broke out in a cold sweat while having nightmares about this moment till this very day.

    What¡¯s more was that Xie Siyao actually revealed the pain in Qian Ge¡¯s heart in front of so many reporters and so many watching eyes!

    Qian Ge had worked in showbiz for many years. Even though she was a little lost by the unexpected attack, after a while, she still managed to quickly gain herposure. Her brain quickly started to devise a n.

    Since Xie Siyao was determined to tear into her, she didn¡¯t need to worry about anything.

    She couldn¡¯t just stand there and wait for death. There was s a good saying that ¡°Words are no proof.¡± Does she think she can just use her words to sentence me to death? She¡¯s definitely too naive!

    Qian Ge snapped out of it. She pursed her lips and stared at Xie Siyao¡¯s cold gaze for a while then she said, ¡°Xie Siyao, do you have proof?¡±

    As she said this, shepletely but slowly calmed down. ¡°Even if I did something to wrong you and made you mad, you can¡¯t just use people without any proof!¡±

    ¡°You said I was the mastermind behind Ji Yi¡¯s car ident. Do you have proof? You can¡¯t drag me down with such a self-destructive method because you hate me. You can¡¯t just spew nonsense, right?¡±

    With that, Qian Ge¡¯s gaze turned to the reporters in front of her. Even though she only had a bathrobe on, even if her face was swollen like crazy from Xie Siyao¡¯s beating, and even though she was sweaty from having sex with Chen Mingda, herposure and determination exuded from her body. ¡°The story Xie Siyao just told everyone was brilliant, but I want to say that if the car ident really was orchestrated, then let me ask everyone ¨C who would be willing to go to prison for drunk driving in return for a sum of money? You have to understand that it¡¯s prison! If someone really died, that would be a prison sentence of seven years. Seven... Have you all thought about what seven years in prison would be like? For a young person, that¡¯s your most youthful years spent in prison. That¡¯s like making a deal with your life!¡±

    ¡°Even if someone really was willing to do it for money, the incident happened eight years ago. The culprit from Ji Yi¡¯s car ident would¡¯ve already gotten out of prison. Xie Siyao, you said before that he was your ex-boyfriend. You both must still be in contact, so why don¡¯t you call him now and let him tell the reporters the truth as a person involved in the incident. Let him prove that everything you just said was true!¡±

 Chapter 931 - A Billion Stars Cant Amount to You (31)

    Chapter 931: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (31)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    With that being said, Qian Ge revealed a cold smirk on her lips.

    She only sought out Xie Siyao back then and suggested her boyfriend to help because she knew he had terminal cancer and would only have a year to live.

    Even if Xie Siyao¡¯s boyfriend back then used the money for better treatment, he would only survive two to three more years.

    The incident happened eight years ago; Xie Siyao¡¯s ex-boyfriend had long turned into a pile of bones.

    She wanted to see just how Xie Siyao was going to expose the culprit without implicating herself!

    Xie Siyao probably never imagined Qian Ge would hit back. Having to face what she said, Xie Siyao didn¡¯t make a sound.

    Qian Ge saw Xie Siyao wasn¡¯t saying anything, so the cold smirk on her lips became more prominent. ¡°Xie Siyao, weren¡¯t you really talkative just now? Why aren¡¯t you saying anything now? A phone call can clear up the confusion. Why don¡¯t you call? Or do you not know how to make a call? Or how about I help you make the call?¡±

    Xie Siyao, who hadn¡¯t said a word for a while now, viciously swatted Qian Ge¡¯s arm away from her when Qian Ge¡¯s fingers were just about to touch her phone.

    ¡°What? Feeling guilty? You don¡¯t dare to let me call?¡± scoffed Qian Ge coldly as she turned her head towards the reporters. ¡°Everybody¡¯s seen it now. If what Xie Siyao said earlier was true, why doesn¡¯t she even dare let me make the call...¡±

    Before Qian Ge could finish, Xie Siyao stood to one side and suddenly blurted out, ¡°Because he¡¯s dead!¡±

    The group of people at the scene all turned to Xie Siyao in astonishment when she suddenly spoke out.

    Xie Siyao paused for two seconds then exined in a little more detail. ¡°The boyfriend I was with eight years ago has already passed away.¡±

    ¡°Passed away?¡± Qian Ge looked like she heard the funniest joke as she softly chuckled. ¡°Xie Siyao, your only witness is someone who passed away in using me of being the mastermind behind the incident back then?¡±

    ¡°Looks like you should do your homework before you try to tarnish me! You deliberately chose a dead person who can¡¯t testify while you talked so much nonsense and tried to destroy me. Didn¡¯t you?!¡±

    ¡°I never imagined you would involve a dead person. He already left this world, so you can say whatever you want. I question whether you were actually his girlfriend when he was alive though...¡±

    ¡°What about you? Aren¡¯t you afraid of karma?¡± After Qian Ge finished talking, Xie Siyao raised her hand and brutally pped her face. ¡°I never imagined you were actually such a b*tch!¡±

    ¡°You dare to use me of trying to tarnish you. Deep down, shouldn¡¯t you know whether I¡¯m truly trying to tarnish you or not?¡±

    Qian Ge might not have seen that ping, but at that moment, her immediate reaction after Xie Siyao pped her was to p her right back.

    But unfortunately, Qian Ge was weak from the drugs, so Xie Siyao grabbed her wrist before her hand could touch Xie Siyao¡¯s face.

    Xie Siyao mercilessly pped Qian Ge twice then ruthlessly shoved her to the floor. As though she was releasing a type of anger that wouldn¡¯t dissipate, she crushed Qian Ge¡¯s body and started to punch and kick her.

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t get up again until after she ran out of strength and was left panting.

 Chapter 932 - A Billion Stars Cant Amount to You (32)

    Chapter 932: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (32)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She kicked off her high heels then raised her bare feet and stepped on Qian Ge¡¯s chest. She towered over her and continued to move her lips.

    ¡°Qian Ge, you really won¡¯t know fear until you¡¯re close to death. Since you won¡¯t ept defeat, I¡¯ll show you proof!¡±

    With that, Xie Siyao viciously red at Qian Ge then picked up her own phone and pressed the screen with both hands. She then showed the screen to the cameras in front of her.

    A video yed on Xie Siyao¡¯s phone.

    The picture quality was terrible; it must¡¯ve been taken by an old device.

    The video was of two people in a ssy hotel room.

    Even though the two of them looked really young, everyone watching could tell it was Qian Ge and Xie Siyao.

    There was a cigarette between Qian Ge¡¯s fingertips and a wine ss in Xie Siyao¡¯s hand.

    In the beginning, no one said anything, but after a couple seconds of silence, Qian Ge blew out a ring of smoke. ¡°Let me ask you ¨C do you really feel hard done by with Ji Yi always giving you pressure?¡± she asked.

    Xie Siyao thought about it for a short while then replied, ¡°Your rtionship with Ji Yi is so good, so why should I believe you?¡±

    Qian Ge replied at an rming speed with practically no break. ¡°Believe me based on the fact that I don¡¯t want to always be pressured by Ji Yi!¡±

    The video fell silent once again. After a few seconds, Xie Siyao seemed cooperative. ¡°Do you have a solid n?¡±

    ¡°Of course I do. If I didn¡¯t, I wouldn¡¯t havee to see you.¡± Qian Ge lit another cigarette and elegantly took two puffs. ¡°From what I understand, your boyfriend has terminal cancer. The doctor said he won¡¯t live past the end of this year, am I right?¡± continued Qian Ge.

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t understand. ¡°What connection does he have with our situation in showbiz?¡±

    ¡°Of course there¡¯s a connection; he¡¯s the main reason why I came to see you.¡± Qian Ge took two steps towards Xie Siyao then lowered her voice and continued by saying, ¡°Since he won¡¯t live for too long, he definitely won¡¯t care about his life. As long as he can help us get rid of Ji Yi, the studio Ji Yi single-handedly founded will be mine. I can give you a big portion of the shares so even if your acting career doesn¡¯t take off, you¡¯ll still get money every year. What¡¯s more, if we don¡¯t do this to Ji Yi, aren¡¯t you afraid we won¡¯t get famous if you worked with me?¡±

    ¡°But how can I get him to agree to help us do all this?¡± From the video, Xie Siyao looked uncertain and hesitant.

    ¡°Give him money. He has parents, right? Without him around, his parents need some money, right? And there¡¯s you. Does he love you? If he loves you, go persuade him. That¡¯s the best way.¡±

    Xie Siyao looked like she was in deep contemtion for a long while before she replied. ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡±

    ¡°Wait for my good news.¡± Qian Ge¡¯s brows lifted and she revealed a conniving smile. She grabbed her purse and her pack of cigarettes then replied, ¡°I can¡¯t stay here for too long, so I¡¯m off. When you get my message, remember to reply.¡±

    As Qian Ge left, she shut the door and the setting of the video changed.

    It was Qian Ge and Xie Siyao once again. The two of them were meeting in the same hotel room.

    ¡°I¡¯ve persuaded him, but he said a million is too little. He wants two million,¡± said Xie Siyao.

 Chapter 933 - A Billion Stars Cant Amount to You (33)

    Chapter 933: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (33)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After a moment of silent contemtion, Qian Ge replied, ¡°Can do. But I¡¯ll give him a million for now and I¡¯ll give him the second million after it¡¯s done.¡±

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t reply. She pulled her phone out and made a call.

    She repeated what Qian Ge said on the phone in front of her. Qian Ge couldn¡¯t hear what the other person said on the phone, but Xie Siyao said ¡°Goodbye¡± then hung up. ¡°He agreed to it. He wanted me to ask you when you want it done.¡±

    ¡°Next Wednesday. That day, Ji Yi and I need to go somewhere. In the evening, I¡¯ll make an excuse not to go with her. Then she¡¯ll be the only one in the car.¡± With a pause, Qian Ge added, ¡°Please pass the message onto your boyfriend and make sure he¡¯s brutal enough. If he can kill Ji Yi right there, that would be best. If she doesn¡¯t die, he can leave her paralyzed. All in all, I never want to see her appearing in the entertainment industry ever again.¡±

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll pass the word on,¡± said Xie Siyao.

    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be off. Remember to always keep your phone turned on next Wednesday; I might call you at any time,¡± said Qian Ge.

    The video finished ying to this point beforeing to a stop.

    Xie Siyao wasn¡¯t in a hurry to deal with Qian Ge, who was still pinned beneath her feet. Instead, she turned to the reporters and said, ¡°Who wants the video? Take the phone in my hands and send it to your own phones.¡±

    With that said, Xie Siyao raised her phone and stretched her hand out to the reporters.

    After one reporter with quick reflexes snatched it first, Xie Siyao then lowered her head and looked over at Qian Ge.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t really think that when you first came to see me, I would just agree to work with you and not leave myself with a backup n, did you?¡±

    ¡°After so many years, I didn¡¯t tell you about the existence of this video because you didn¡¯t piss me off! You promised to give me shares; you worked hard to allow me to join the team and make me famous. My issues with my career were my fault, so I¡¯m not angry with you about that. But you stole Chen Mingda! You drugged me and sent me to another man, made me endure a miscarriage and you publically slept with Chen Mingda! For all that, there¡¯s no way I could just take it lying down! For me to expose you in front of everyone, it shows just how confident I am!¡±

    Publically sleep with Chen Mingda?

    Qian Ge, who couldn¡¯t get up after Xie Siyao kicked her, could only turn her head and look over at the person in bed, lying under the covers.

    The person I slept with was actually Chen Mingda?

    ¡°Let me tell you, Qian Ge... You ruined everything for me, so I¡¯m going to ruin your life no matter the cost! Don¡¯t think I won¡¯t expose you in front of these reporters. This is over.¡± After she said this, Xie Siyao suddenly looked over at the reporters. ¡°Are you done with my phone? If so, can you give it back to me?

    ¡°Wait a second. Here you go,¡± hurriedly replied the person who had Xie Siyao¡¯s phone. After a moment, he handed the phone to Xie Siyao and said, ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Xie Siyao didn¡¯t reply but grabbed her phone and tapped a key buttons on the screen. Then she made a call.

    The phone rang several times before the call went through. Xie Siyao¡¯s tone of voice sounded resolute when she said, ¡°Hello, is this 110? I want to hand myself in!¡±

    Yes. She wanted to hand herself in. She wanted to take those videos to the police station to hand herself in and paint Qian Ge as the main culprit! She wanted Qian Ge to rightfully pay the price for the crime of intentional assault.

 Chapter 934 - A Billion Stars Cant Amount to You (34)

    Chapter 934: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (34)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lying on the floor, Qian Ge heard Xie Siyao calling the police and started to fight back. ¡°Xie Siyao, are you crazy? Do you know that if you hand yourself in, I won¡¯t be the only one going down? You¡¯ll go down too. Don¡¯t forget that you were an aplice. You can¡¯t run away fromwful prosecution...¡±

    Xie Siyao heard Qian Ge protesting, so she increased the pressure in her foot that was holding Qian Ge down. Not only did Xie Siyao not hesitate for a second after hearing Qian Ge¡¯s words, but her tone of voice over the phone sounded even more resolute. ¡°I¡¯m at Beiyang Hall. My name is Xie Siyao.¡±

    When Qian Ge heard this, she instantly stopped struggling and motionlesslyid sprawled on the floor like a deted ball.

    This time, Qian Ge knew was really done for...pletely done for.

    Qian Ge had always been cunning. After so many years, she never really saw Xie Siyao as a threat. From the very beginning, when she worked with Xie Siyao to defeat Ji Yi, she always had a mentality of using Xie Siyao. For the past few years, even though everyone saw them as sisters, she always looked down on Xie Siyao.

    When Qian Ge found out Ji Yi and He Jichen were living incredibly happily together, all she could think about was destroying Ji Yi and crushing her happiness. That was why she betrayed Xie Siyao with no hesitation at all.

    She schemed so carefully but she never imagined she would fall at the hands of Xie Siyao at the very end...

    My n was wless! How did things end up like this today?!

    Qian Ge ignored the reporters everywhere taking non-stop photos, nor did she bother with the gossiping of female celebrities present, watching the drama unfold. Sheid on the floor and stared up at the ceiling, racking her brain over how she got defeated.

    Chen Mingda was trash. From the moment she met him, he¡¯d endlessly been trying to send her signals to be his lover.

    Although she looked down on Xie Siyao, she never wanted Xie Siyao to misunderstand things, so she pretended to not have understood Chen Mingda¡¯s signals.

    She promised and told Yang Li that Chen Mingda would take revenge on him. However, Qian Ge really didn¡¯t do anything to facilitate that.

    If Xie Siyao hadn¡¯t suffered a miscarriage and cried to Qian Ge about what happened with Yang Li and how she didn¡¯t know who took those photos and sent them to him, Qian Ge wouldn¡¯t even have known Chen Mingda knew about them.

    Also, how did I end up having sex with Chen Mingda? And how did Xie Siyao know I drugged her?

    As those questions entered Qian Ge¡¯s mind one at a time, her brows started to furrow, bit by bit.

    Aside from her, the only one who knew she drugged Xie Siyao was Yang Li... Yang Li!

    Qian Ge¡¯s eyes squinted fiercely.

    All of sudden, she remembered how Yang Li handed her a wine ss not too long ago in the dining hall!

    In the past, she even saw Yang Li and Xiao Yang exchanging eye contact, so Yang Li actually colluded with Xiao Yang ages ago!

    She arranged for Xiao Yang to drug Ji Yi, but Xiao Yang didn¡¯t do it at all. The drug was in Yang Li¡¯s hands ages ago and it entered Qian Ge¡¯s stomach instead.

    And Yang Li told her there were a lot of people around so they should talk outside. That was actually just a pretense.

    Yang Li took Qian Ge¡¯s drugged body to the room prepared for Ji Yi then he grabbed her phone and messaged Chen Mingda... But there were no grudges between her and Yang Li. Why would he do this?

 Chapter 935 - A Billion Stars Cant Amount to You (35)

    Chapter 935: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (35)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before Qian Ge could think things through, two reporters raised their microphones and ced them next to her.

    ¡°Miss Qian Ge, may I ask ¨C after everything that just happened, is there anything you want to say?¡±

    ¡°Miss Qian Ge, may I ask how you will apologize to Miss Ji Yi?¡±

    Following the interrogating of Qian Ge from these two reporters, other reporters came to their senses and also surrounded her with their microphones raised.

    ¡°Miss Qian Ge, after hearing Xie Siyao¡¯sments, don¡¯t you think you are lying to the public as your public persona and your real persona contrastpletely?¡±

    ¡°Miss Qian Ge...¡±

    ¨C

    Holy sh*t! She practically blew my mind! I truly never imagined Qian Ge would actually be that kind of person!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! I really thought Ji Yi¡¯s car ident just an ident! I never imagined that someone orchestrated it!¡±

    ¡°To have a best friend like that is freaking tragic. I heard Ji Yi was ina for three whole years! When she first returned to the industry, I heard she wasn¡¯t very fit and after filming for a while, she would break out in a sweat.¡±

    ¡°Xie Siyao was freaking awesome! She actually called the police to hand herself in at the end!¡±

    ¡°She must¡¯ve had enough! If it were me and my boyfriend got stolen and my child was miscarried as a result, I would¡¯ve done the same!¡±

    ¡°So after everything that was said, Qian Ge really has no bottom line! Xie Siyao is a pretty pitiful!¡±

    ¡°What do you mean pitiful? She was an aplice back then! If Qian Ge hadn¡¯t pissed her off, would she have done it? She doesn¡¯t deserve any sympathy at all!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! She¡¯s not worth sympathizing over. It¡¯s a dog-eat-dog world! But about He Jichen, I think he¡¯s pretty manly! He actually stabbed Qian Ge with a knife for the woman he loved! What did he say again? He gets major boyfriend points!¡±

    ¡°He said: ¡®I will take your life in return for the injustice you inflicted on her¡¯!¡±

    ¡°Yeah yeah yeah!! So he¡¯s still the God and he was never tarnished after all...¡±

    ...

    Inparison to the endless excitement upstairs in the hotel room, the atmosphere in the dining hall, which had been live streaming everything, was equally lively.

    Soon after Xie Siyao hung up her call to the police, the police rushed into the hotel room.

    Xie Siyao wasn¡¯t the only one handcuffed and taken away; Qian Ge was also arrested.

    The reporters didn¡¯t stop taking photos, despite the police¡¯s warnings.

    The live stream broadcasted everything on the big screen of the dining hall up until Qian Ge stepped into a police car.

    Qian Ge couldn¡¯t be seen on the screen. Ji Yi¡¯s gaze had been glued on the big screen ever since she came downstairs ages ago after changing into the new gown.

    He Jichen withdrew his lifeless gaze, turned his head and looked over at Ji Yi.

    The expression on her face was delighted and excited, but not over the top. There was a glint in her eyes and the corners of her lips were slightly raised. It let He Jichen know that in that very moment, she was incredibly happy deep down.

    He Jichen¡¯s gaze turned a little warm as he stared at her for a while. Then he whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    When Ji Yi heard this, she let out an ¡°Okay¡± but her eyes never left the big screen.

    He Jichen got up first and fixed his shirt. Then he reached out and helped Ji Yi carry her bag.

    Sensing that he¡¯d shifted, Ji Yi, who was still staring at the big screen, hurriedly got up and prepared to leave.

    He Jichen naturally held Ji Yi¡¯s hand and he escorted her to the door.

    Ji Yi nced back at the big screen after every three steps.

    It wasn¡¯t until after they left the dining hall, got into the car, and He Jichen bent over to fasten her seatbelt that Ji Yi suddenly grabbed his hand. She put it to her mouth then unexpectedly bit him.

 Chapter 936 - A Billion Stars Cant Amount to You (36)

    Chapter 936: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (36)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The pain made He Jichen¡¯s hand tremble abruptly.

    After sensing his reaction, Ji Yi stopped biting. She raised her head, looked over at He Jichen and asked, ¡°Did it hurt?¡±

    He Jichen swept a look at the clear teeth marks on the back of his hand then let out a ¡°Hmph!¡±

    Ji Yi instantlyughed. ¡°Looks like I didn¡¯t just dream up everything that happened!¡±

    So to test if she was dreaming or not... she deliberately bit me?

    Ji Yi¡¯s final word hadn¡¯t fallen when He Jichen realized what she just did. He lowered his head and covered her lips.

    Quite a few people who hade to watch the drama started to leave the hall after everything unfolded too.

    The parking lot was open-air, so there were people walking around everywhere.

    He Jichen kissed Ji Yi without any reservation, so it instinctively made Ji Yi want to shy away. ¡°He Jichen, there are so many people around...¡±

    He Jichen seemed to not have heard her because he turned his head slightly, found her lips again, and bit down hard.

    He kissed her roughly and slowly for a while until Ji Yi¡¯s little face turned red from holding her breath. That was when He Jichen finally let her go.

    He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to release her lips, so he kept his lips glued upon hers and whispered, ¡°You just bit me. Now I bit you, so we¡¯re even...¡±

    He¡¯s such a petty man! I just bit him a little, and he wanted to bite me back... Ji Yi pouted.

    He Jichen kissed her lips like that twice then drew closer to Ji Yi¡¯s ear. He lowered his voice and said in a seductive voice, ¡°Compared to biting my hand, I like it more when you bite me down there...¡±

    Ji Yi, who instantly understood him, bit He Jichen hard on the face without a second thought. ¡°He Jichen, you jerk!¡±

    ¡°When we get back home, I¡¯ll show you how much of a jerk I can be!¡± replied He Jichen in a great mood as he rubbed the spot on his face where he got bit. He shut the car door, walked around the front of the car then got in.

    The car started up and drove just a short distance away when Ji Yi¡¯s eyshes fluttered. She started to talk non-stop to He Jichen.

    ¡°He Jichen, don¡¯t you feel like your anger¡¯s been all vented out?!¡±

    ¡°Haha~ I never even dreamed Xie Siyao would ruthlessly beat Qian Ge like that. Even though I never hit her, it felt awesome to see her get beat up!¡±

    ¡°But Qian Ge really doesn¡¯t have a bottom line. She actually seduced Xie Siyao¡¯s boyfriend and drugged her. Even though I really hate Xie Siyao, seeing them fight like that was pretty exciting! But I never knew Xie Siyao lost a child and was then yed around by Qian Ge like that. Now that I think about it, she¡¯s really pitiful!¡±

    ¡°*Sigh*... with all that said, it¡¯s all Qian Ge¡¯s fault!¡±

    ¡°Huh? I think I went off topic. Anyways, I should be happy...¡±

    I should be happy. The truth behind why you stabbed Qian Ge is finally out for the public to know. Even though you didn¡¯t do anything wrong, you won¡¯t bebeled as a ¡°murderer¡± anymore.

    I should be happy. The heavens treated me well in the end. After I dropped my grudge, God inflicted karma upon Qian Ge.

    I should be happy to have met you in my lifetime. I fell in love with you and am with you.

    I should be happy. The moment I felt like I was going to die, you didn¡¯t care about your own life and tried to help me get justice.

    Ji Yi stared out the window at the night sky endlessly passing by. All of a sudden, she remembered the charity g from three years ago. She pretended to be pushed over by Qian Ge at the party, embarrassing herself on a live broadcast and inciting tons of people to curse her.

 Chapter 937 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (37)

    Chapter 937: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (37)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    That night, she actually didn¡¯t twist her ankle, but He Jichen immediately rushed over to her when he saw the live broadcast.

    He didn¡¯t look good as he took her back, but when she called Qian Ge on a public phone to rub some salt in the wound, he still helped her.

    After she got in the car, he lectured her, yet she felt unusually warm.

    She clearly remembered the words she said to him that night: ¡°I wanted to surprise you.¡±

    The atmosphere in the car was a little strange at the time. She half-jokingly said, ¡°I was hoping YC would promote me, but if YC shuts down...¡±

    Before she could finish, he said, ¡°Without YC, you still have me.¡±

    It felt like those words were spoken in slow-mo as each and every word leapt into her heart. All of a sudden, that night, a sentence appeared in her heart, ¡°The glorious spring fell into autumn waters, summer days shone on spring mud. From here on out, you are the only one in my heart.¡±

    That was when she deeply andpletely fell in love with him.

    Three yearster, at the same charity event and driving on the same road, they were together now.

    ...

    Before He Jichen got in the car, he told Ji Yi that even more heinous things were waiting for her when they got back home.

    After they returned home, He Jichen really did more heinous things to Ji Yi for a long time.

    After Ji Yi fell asleep fromplete exhaustion, He Jichen, who had his eyes shut and looked fast asleep, opened his eyes, turned his head and stared at Ji Yi¡¯s sleeping face for a while. Then he gently removed the covers, got out of bed, and walked into the bathroom.

    When He Jichen stepped out again, he was dressed immactely.

    He walked over to the bedside and pulled the covers over Ji Yi. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. Then he grabbed his wallet and car keys before leaving the bedroom.

    After he reached the parking lot and drove out of the residential area, He Jichen stopped the car by the road, nced at his own home, reached for his phone and sent Chen Bai a message.

    Chen Bai sent him a message two hours ago.

    After He Jichen read it, he sent Chen Bai a reply then stepped on the gas again. He maneuvered the steering wheel and drove ahead on the empty streets deep into the night.

    ¡°Mr. He, would you like a cup of tea?¡±

    He Jichen shook his head and immediately asked, ¡°Where is she?¡±

    ¡°In the interrogation room,¡± replied the person who escorted He Jichen. He then asked, ¡°Do you want to go see her now?¡±

    He Jichen nodded gently in silence.

    ¡°This way, Mr. He.¡±

    He Jichen caught up to the person escorting him.

    They walked down the hallway and took two turns before the person escorting him stopped after they reached the darkest part of the hallway. He pulled out some keys, opened the door then turned to He Jichen and said, ¡°Here.¡±

    He Jichen nodded slightly. After the person escorting him stepped back, he shut the door.

    Qian Ge was sitting inside. She thought herwyer had arrived, so she abruptly lifted her head when she heard the sound.

    When she saw He Jichen, the joy in her eyes instantly froze.

    He Jichen ignored the change in Qian Ge¡¯s gaze and stood at the door quietly for a moment. Then he raised his feet and stepped in.

    He elegantly shut the door then leisurely walked up to the chair and desk in front of Qian Ge. He reached out and gently pulled the chair back as he casually sat down.

    Qian Ge¡¯s gaze followed He Jichen¡¯s path from the door to right in front of her.

    She stared at He Jichen unwaveringly for a long time. She noticed he didn¡¯t show any intentions of speaking, so her lips twitched and she softly asked, ¡°Are you here tough at me?¡±

 Chapter 938 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (38)

    Chapter 938: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (38)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m that kind?¡± asked He Jichen with a soft mocking voice. He lifted his eyelids and swept Qian Ge a nce.

    He didn¡¯t wait for Qian Ge to speak again before answering, ¡°I¡¯m here to strike you while you¡¯re down.¡±

    Qian Ge pursed her lips tightly as she stared at He Jichen.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t get mad. He pulled his phone out and tapped the screen a few times before he showed it to Qian Ge.

    It was a conversation thread.

    He Jichen and Chen Bai¡¯s conversation.

    He Jichen: ¡°Help me find out who Qian Ge¡¯swyer is.¡±

    Chen Bai replied: ¡°It¡¯s Zhu Yi.¡±

    He Jichen: Contact him and ask him to reject all of Qian Ge¡¯smissions.¡±

    It was no wonder herwyer hadn¡¯t appeared for so long after she asked someone to contact him. As it turned out, He Jichen had been preventing him from showing up... The corners of Qian Ge¡¯s lips pursed more tightly. Her fists clenched and visibly trembled.

    He Jichen sat in front of her calmly like he was nonchntly admiring Qian Ge on fire. As though something just came to mind, he said, ¡°Oh yeah! Without Zhu Yi, you can still call a differentwyer...¡±

    ¡°I should think about this...¡±

    As He Jichen said this, he pulled his phone back from Qian Ge then typed away on the screen for a while. He pushed the phone before Qian Ge¡¯s eyes again.

    There was a new message on the messages screen. He Jichen sent out: ¡°Also, greet all thewyers.¡±

    Qian Ge looked at the screen for a while. Her head shot up and stared at He Jichen. ¡°He Jichen, don¡¯t take it too far!¡± eximed Qian Ge with gritted teeth.

    Take it too far? What a real shame. To other people, perhaps he wouldn¡¯t have taken things this far, but towards her, he didn¡¯t show the slightest hint of mercy.

    An inkling of mockery rose within He Jichen¡¯s eyes.

    His expression fell upon Qian Ge¡¯s eyes. He was too much of an eye-sore as Qian Ge got agitated again. ¡°What are you all smug about?! This time, I¡¯m screwed because of Xie Siyao. It wasn¡¯t like you were personally for it! Aren¡¯t you so great? Didn¡¯t you announce you¡¯d trade your life to get justice for Ji Yi? But in the end, didn¡¯t you achieve nothing?¡±

    ¡°All I can say is that you¡¯re lucky. You hit the jackpot from my misunderstanding with Xie Siyao! Between us, you¡¯ve fought life and death for Ji Yi for so long, but in the end, you had to rely on Xie Siyao! Haha...¡±

    As Qian Ge¡¯sughter dissipated, He Jichen alsoughed. ¡°I always figured you were really smart. I never imagined you weren¡¯t actually that smart after all. Even now, you don¡¯t know how you got taken out?!¡±

    Qian Ge furrowed her brows slightly then she suddenly wentpletely silent.

    She stared at He Jichen for a while before she spoke as though she finally figured something out. ¡°You took the photos of Xie Siyao and Yang Li under my name and sent them to Chen Mingda?¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything.

    Qian Ge gulped. After a moment of silence, she continued by saying, ¡°You were working with Yang Li long ago? Yang Li was only working with Xiao Yang because Yang Li wanted Xiao Yang to betray me?¡±

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t make a sound.

    This time, Qian Ge didn¡¯t pause for too long before she continued. ¡°You knew long ago that I was going to drug Ji Yi at the charity g, so you told Yang Li to switch the drugs...¡±

 Chapter 939 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (39)

    Chapter 939: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (39)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°...At the same time, you let Yang Li take me away from the dining hall. After the drug kicked in, I was taken upstairs then Yang Li sent Chen Mingda the text?¡±

    Having figured everything out, Qian Ge saw that He Jichen still hadn¡¯t said a word, so she asked, ¡°Am I right?¡±

    ¡°Looks like you¡¯re not as dumb as I thought you were...¡± said He Jichen after a prolonged silence. ¡°...But you forgot one point... You thought your luck changedtely and took on so many jobs, but Chen Enterprise didn¡¯t give you those jobs...¡±

    As He Jichen said this, Qian Ge understood. The corners of her lips turned into a smile as she nodded endlessly and replied to He Jichen. ¡°...Did you get those for me?¡±

    ¡°You did it on purpose, didn¡¯t you? After you got me those jobs, I thought of a n to tell Xie Siyao. That made her think Chen Mingda and I were together; it made her think I sabotaged her to get with Chen Mingda.¡±

    ¡°It was no wonder that Xie Siyao ruined herself and tried to drag me down. So as it turns out... so as it turns out... so as it turns out...¡±

    Qian Ge repeated ¡°so as it turns out...¡± three times. After this, she started to chuckle. As sheughed andughed, tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes.

    She was celebrating the fact that although she was screwed, it wasn¡¯t at the hands of the man she liked. At the very least, she felt a little better.

    In the end, she was overthinking things. In the end, the person she loved personally pushed her into hell!

    She loved him so much. She loved him to the point where she fiercely hated him in the very end. But him? He never felt anything for her!

    ¡°He Jichen, why did you do this to me?!¡± All of a sudden, Qian Ge started to go crazy and unleashed the anger brewing in her heart all these years. ¡°You knew I loved you, so why couldn¡¯t you treat me a little better? As long as you treated me a little better, I wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this today!¡±

    ¡°What about me isn¡¯t good enough? Why do you only have eyes for her and not me?!¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you! You¡¯re the reason why I wanted her dead eight years ago! Did you really think I did it to be rich and famous in showbiz? I couldn¡¯t care less!¡±

    ¡°It was you. You forced me to hurt her! He Jichen, you forced me to hurt her!¡±

    ¡°It was you!¡±

    As she said this, Qian Ge opened her mouth and started to cry withplete disregard for her image.

    At the very beginning, she just wanted to gain some recognition in his eyes, but from the beginning, he never gave her the tiniest bit of attention... She was jealous and hateful. She thought as long as Ji Yi died, He Jichen might fall in love with her, so she yed a fatal game...

    With that thought, Qian Ge looked at He Jichen and asked with a cry in her voice, ¡°If-if I didn¡¯t do that to her back then... If-if I was always good friends with her all these years, would you-would you- look at me?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± replied He Jichen calmly and bluntly. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t look at you at all. And there wouldn¡¯t be any ¡°ifs¡± because if you got another chance, you would do the same thing. It has nothing to do with me liking Ji Yi and it has nothing to do with you liking me. It¡¯s about you ¨C it¡¯s the kind of person you are in your very bones!¡±

    With that said, He Jichen got up and grabbed his phone. He kicked the chair from behind him and got ready to leave.

    He took two steps then came to a stop. Without turning back to see Qian Ge¡¯s crying face, he tly said, ¡°Do you know what the stain in my life is? It isn¡¯t that I stabbed you. It¡¯s that you fell for me.¡±

    ¨C

    Everything at the BL Charity G was broadcasted live online.

    Themotion concerning Qian Ge and Xie Siyao didn¡¯t fade from Weibo until an entire half monthter.

    Although everyone knew He Jichen really did stab Qian Ge, the discussion online changed. However, not everyone understood it. Some people thought He Jichen was wrong for stabbing Qian Ge.

    However, it didn¡¯t matter if thements were good or bad ¨C it wasn¡¯t important to Ji Yi and He Jichen anymore.

    Ji Yi didn¡¯t take any more jobs and for the time being, He Jichen wasn¡¯t going to take over He Enterprises. Seeing as they were both free, He Jichen took Ji Yi abroad on vacation.

    They returned to China after a month.

    On the night of their return, Ji Yi and He Jichen had ns to meet Chen Bai, Han Zhifan, Tang Huahua, Li Da, Zhuang Yi, and Bo He at China World Hotel Beijing for dinner.

    It was already twelve at night by the time the dinner party was over.

    He Jichen and Ji Yi held hands as they walked some distance by the main road before they got into the slow-moving car behind them.

    As they had a long flight, Ji Yi was a little tired. She took a shower when they got home. The two of them didn¡¯t do anything but silently hugged each other to sleep.

    That night, He Jichen didn¡¯t know why but his heart raced unusually fast. He abruptly woke up from his dream then instinctively turned to look at Ji Yi. When he saw that she was sleeping soundly in his arms, he let out a sigh of relief. However, before he could rx, Ji Yi suddenly cried as her whole body balled up.

    He Jichen instantly woke up from the fright, sat up then anxiously cried, ¡°Xiao Yi, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Ji Yi covered her stomach and didn¡¯t look up for a good while. Her face was pale white as she told He Jichen with a trembling voice, ¡°He Jichen, my stomach suddenly hurts...¡±

 Chapter 940 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (40)

    Chapter 940: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (40)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Stomach hurts?

    Everything was just fine, so why is her stomach hurting all of sudden?

    He Jichen reached out and felt Ji Yi¡¯s head. After ensuring her body temperature was normal, he reached his hand out to her abdomen. ¡°Does it hurt here?¡±

    ¡°No. It¡¯s here...¡± Ji Yi grabbed He Jichen¡¯s hand and moved it down to her lower abdomen.

    He Jichen instinctively thought Ji Yi had period cramps, but after he asked her about it, Ji Yi thought for a while and shook her head. This pain was different from period cramps.

    He Jichen hadn¡¯t studied medicine, so he couldn¡¯t tell what was going on. He noticed that Ji Yi¡¯s little face had turned pale. Then, without hesitation, he grabbed his phone from the bedside and gave Dr. Xia a call.

    It was reallyte and Dr. Xia could¡¯ve been asleep; nobody picked up.

    He Jichen was afraid Ji Yi wouldn¡¯t be able to take the pain, so he immediately put the phone down. ¡°I¡¯m taking you to the hospital,¡± he told Ji Yi softly. Then he removed the covers and hurried over to grab clothes for the two of them from the wardrobe.

    He Jichen quickly put on a jacket then bent over to dress Ji Yi.

    Midway, Ji Yi lifted her head and looked over at He Jichen. ¡°He Jichen, I think it doesn¡¯t hurt anymore...¡±

    Ji Yi paused as she carefully felt her abdomen and smiled at He Jichen. ¡°It really doesn¡¯t hurt. We don¡¯t have to go to the hospital,¡± she continued to say.

    He Jichen was still worried. ¡°It¡¯s better to take a look at it.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to...¡± To show that she really wasn¡¯t in pain anymore, Ji Yi stretched her body in He Jichen¡¯s arms after she said this.

    Seeing as she was back to her lively self, He Jichen felt a little better, but he was still adamant. ¡°It can¡¯t be bad to get a check-up at the hospital.¡±

    Ji Yi saw how adamant He Jichen was and hesitated for a moment before obediently agreeing with a nod.

    He Jichen continued to help Ji Yi get dressed then he held her hand as they walked down the stairs and headed for the nearest hospital.

    Because it was early in the morning, there wasn¡¯t anyone in the emergency department.

    The on-call doctor was dozing off at the office when he saw the two of them walking in. He yawned and asked, ¡°Which department are you looking for?¡±

    Ji Yi wasn¡¯t sure which department, so she replied, ¡°My stomach hurts.¡±

    The on-call doctor thought about it for a while and gave her a ticket to wait at the gynecology and obstetrics department. ¡°Third floor, take a right.¡±

    Men were forbidden in the gynecology and obstetrics department, so Ji Yi went in alone.

    There was a rather older female doctor who questioned Ji Yi on her symptoms and gave her a regr check-up.

    It was early in the morning, so she didn¡¯t need to line up and the check-up was over very quickly.

    Soon after, Ji Yi picked up some forms.

    Before the doctor gave her the results from her urine test, Ji Yi already knew what was going on.

    Am I pregnant?

    She nned to have a baby and now she was pregnant.

    All of a sudden, Ji Yi cheerfully ran over to He Jichen to share the good news.

    After He Jichen heard the news, he was instantly stunned. He clearly felt his heart beating incredibly fiercely for a moment.

    However, the two of them weren¡¯t overjoyed about the new life for long, as they thought about the immense pain Ji Yi suddenly felt back at home...

 Chapter 941 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (41)

    Chapter 941: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (41)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Ji Yi¡¯s heart suddenly sank with a thud, as she instinctively raised her head to look at He Jichen.

    The expression on He Jichen¡¯s face turned dark. Both their eyes met, and before either of them could speak, they already knew what the other was thinking.

    A secondter, He Jichen held Ji Yi¡¯s hand and walked over to the gynecologist¡¯s office with her.

    The results showed Ji Yi was showing early signs of a miscarriage and the baby¡¯s vitals were weak. She needed to stay in the hospital to observe the baby.

    However, after that was said, the doctor added it was rmended not to have the baby.

    That sentence not only scared Ji Yi but it also frightened He Jichen too.

    Despite the doctor¡¯s rmendation and before the two of them could make a decision, the doctor quickly helped Ji Yi into a patient room. He Jichen didn¡¯t want Ji Yi to walk, so he carried her all the way into the patient room.

    He Jichen put Ji Yi on the bed then pulled the covers over her. After he told her to be good and lie there, he headed downstairs to check her in.

    It was half an hourter by the time He Jichen came back into the patient room.

    He Jichen looked incredibly pale and his bold brows were heavily anxious and unsettled.

    Ji Yi was really nervous, but when she saw how He Jichen looked, her heart ached more than anything. After she waited for He Jichen toe closer, she grabbed his hand and arched her brows, revealing a gentle smile. She tried her best to joke around and speak with a rxed voice. ¡°He Jichen, the doctor says I¡¯ve been pregnant for two months. Two months ago, we decided to have a baby. I never thought I¡¯d get pregnant that very night...¡±

    Saying this, Ji Yi¡¯s face started to flush as she drew closer to He Jichen¡¯s ear and quietly whispered: ¡°...I never thought you¡¯d actually be this incredible!¡±

    He Jichen knew Ji Yi was trying to calm him down and he was immensely moved by that. Although he smiled along with her joke, he med himself deep down.

    He forcefully squeezed Ji Yi¡¯s hand and carefully embraced her in his arms.

    He quietly hugged her for a short while, turned his head, then whispered into her ear, ¡°Sorry.¡±

    He Jichen wasn¡¯t to me for this, but he wanted to carry this tragedy himself...

    Deep down, Ji Yi felt a little warm and touched. She didn¡¯t say anything but hugged He Jichen¡¯s waist even tighter.

    Silence fell once more in the room.

    After an awfully long time, Ji Yi softly said, ¡°He Jichen, no matter what, I have to try hard. Unless it¡¯s absolutely necessary, I don¡¯t want to give up on our child.¡±

    Our child... He Jichen felt something bitter stuck in his throat. After a while, he forcefully let out an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    After a short while had passed, He Jichen turned his head and kissed Ji Yi¡¯s hair. ¡°I¡¯ll stay with you.¡±

    I will stay with you and work hard to protect our child.

    Just like how I¡¯ll stay with you for the rest of my life.

    Ji Yi heard what He Jichen said and smiled with her brows arched.

    Perhaps it was because she was pregnant, but she furrowed her brows as she smiled then whispered to He Jichen, ¡°He Jichen, I¡¯m hungry.¡±

    The subject changed too quickly, so He Jichen was left a little speechless for a moment. Then with a loving look on his face, he asked, ¡°What would you like to eat?¡±

    Ji Yi let out a long ¡°Errrrrr¡± for a while then replied, ¡°Green beans.¡±

 Chapter 942 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (42)

    Chapter 942: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (42)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Practically without any hesitation at all, He Jichen replied, ¡°Okay.¡±

    He let go of Ji Yi and grabbed the phone to make a call.

    After he hung up, he went back to the side of the bed. He tilted his head as though he was thinking about something while looking at Ji Yi.

    He helped Ji Yi pull the covers over. Just as he was about to head back to the side of the bed, he asked her what she was thinking. Ji Yi stared right at He Jichen and said, ¡°He Jichen, I¡¯ve got a really cute baby name idea. Green bean (Si Ji Dou)! What do you think?¡±

    He Jichen really wanted to reply ¡°It¡¯s alright...¡± but he thought about her condition and chose to remain silent.

    Ji Yi just took this as He Jichen¡¯s silent approval. She continued to talk to herself like she was given a treasure. ¡°He Jichen, Ji Yi, (Si Ji Dou) Green Beans... heh-heh! They all have the letter ¡®Ji.¡¯ This nickname really sounds better the more you think about it...¡±

    ¡°He Jichen, don¡¯t you think I¡¯m really awesome?¡±

    ¡°Hehehe~ Green beans, you have to be strong! Mummy really wants to see you...¡±

    ¨C

    Thirty yearster.

    Recently on Weibo, a major verified user became famous all of a sudden.

    Actually, this user got really famous two years ago, but this year, their poprity reached the highest point. In one short week, their fan count rose by millions.

    The Weibo user was called ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food.¡±

    The ount for ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food¡± was created five summers ago. She didn¡¯t post on Weibo every day, but whenever she did, it was about her parents¡¯ everyday lives.

    Su Xia was a reporter who learned about this verified user from a friend.

    That day, she wasn¡¯t very busy with work, so after she finished interviewing a popr female celebrity at five in the afternoon, she headed straight back home. It was still early after she finished dinner and she wasn¡¯t sleepy. She remembered how her friend reminded her about the seriously famous verified user then she grabbed her iPad and logged into Weibo. She entered: ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food.¡±

    The first post that came into view was posted three days ago by ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food.¡± There were over a million followers and over hundreds of thousands ofments.

    The post wasposed of only words and no photos.

    ¡°During breakfast today, Mr. He saw that he was logged out of WeChat. After he entered his password, he couldn¡¯t log in. He furrowed his brows and said in confusion, ¡®That¡¯s odd. Why does WeChat keep saying my password is incorrect?¡¯¡±

    ¡°Sitting in front of him, Miss Ji was eating congee. She lifted her head and nced over at him before casually replying, ¡®You changed your password yesterday.¡¯¡±

    Mr. He: ¡°What¡¯s the password? I need to contact someone for work.¡±

    Miss Ji: ¡°HJCNYSGCGWJJDNDXJJ in capitals.¡±

    ¡°Mr. He entered the password as he asked: ¡®It¡¯s such a long andplicated password. How did you remember it?¡¯¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji lookedposed as she said: ¡®He XX (Mr. He¡¯s name), if you dare have an affair, I¡¯ll cut off your d*ck.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Beautiful days start by eating dog food.¡±

    Su Xia casually scrolled through this Weibo ount with the attitude of ¡°why is this verified user so popr?¡± She never imagined that the first Weibo post would make her burst outughing, causing her to spit out her coffee onto her iPad screen.

    She quickly put her coffee mug down, pulled out a tissue and wiped the screen. Then she continued to read through the posts on the Weibo ount of ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji came across something upsetting today. She was unhappy when she came back home. Mr. He hugged her and told her to cry if she wanted to.¡±

 Chapter 943 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (43)

    Chapter 943: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (43)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Miss Ji came across something upsetting today. She was unhappy when she came back home. Mr. He hugged her and told her to cry if she wanted to. Miss Ji shook her head and said, ¡®You tell Green bean that you don¡¯t like girls who cry, so I can¡¯t cry.¡¯ With practically no hesitation at all, Mr. He replied, ¡®You¡¯re not a girl. You¡¯re my wife.¡¯ Baby Green Bean expressed that her heart ached as shepleted her homework beside them. Even though dog food tastes great, you¡¯ll feel painfully full if you eat too much!¡±

    ¡°Mr. He and Miss Ji went on another honeymoon vacation, so Uncle Chen picked me up from school. After school, my deskmate said she¡¯s having hot and spicy soup tonight. I really wanted to eat it, but Mr. He and Miss Ji are determined to cut it out of our diets. On the way home, I begged Uncle Chen and he couldn¡¯t fight me, so he took me to eat hot and spicy soup. Uncle Chen didn¡¯t eat any, so I ate on my own. Halfway through, Uncle Chen looked at me as though he was suddenly reminiscing something and said, ¡®Your mummy also really likes to eat hot and spicy soup. For a long time, your daddy would buy your mummy a portion of hot and spicy soup whenever they went out to eat, no matter if it was at a ssy restaurant by a food stall on the street.¡¯ Baby Green Bean expressed that her heart was exhausted. She was just eating a bowl of hot and spicy soup, and yet it had to be seasoned with Mr. He and Miss. Ji¡¯s dog food.¡±

    ¡°Miss Ji went out window shopping with her best friends, Miss Tang, and Miss Zhuang. Mr. He picked me up from school in the evening. Just when Mr. He walked me into the house, he was greeted by a flying pillow to the face! Before Mr. He could say anything, Miss Ji furiously charged up to He XX (Mr. He¡¯s real name). ¡®Be honest! Who was the woman you spoke to on WeChat yesterday afternoon?!¡¯ Miss Ji paused for a moment after saying that then continued, ¡®Don¡¯t lie to me! Zhuang X (Miss Zhuang¡¯s real name) saw you yesterday and told me!¡¯ In contrast to Miss Ji¡¯s fury, Mr. He put the pillow down on the sofa beside him with a loving look on his face then reached out to hug Miss Ji. ¡®My phone¡¯s here and the password is your birthday. Go into my WeChat ount and delete whoever pisses you off!¡¯ I looked at Miss Ji, whose eyes immediately smiled, then I silently pulled out my math homework from my book bag.¡±

    ¡°Today, Mr. He and Miss Ji took me to a party. Wearing a ball gown, I asked Mr. He if I looked beautiful. Mr. He nodded and half-heartedly said I looked beautiful. Then he turned to look at Miss Ji and said, ¡®But my dear wife is the most beautiful.¡¯ Baby was wrong! Baby shouldn¡¯t have said so much!¡±

    ¡°Since I am the only child and daughter of the family, I should be the most loved and spoiled one of all. But in reality, I have no power in the family whatsoever. On Chinese New Year, Mr. He gave me a red envelope but gave Miss Ji ten times more red envelopes. Mr. He gave me a little lover¡¯s rose but gave Miss Ji 9999 roses. Over Christmas, Mr. He gave me a pair of shoes but gave Miss Ji ten pairs of shoes, ten handbags, and ten pieces of jewelry. For New Year¡¯s Day, Mr. He dropped me off at grandma¡¯s house and took Miss Ji to Rome for ten days. On my birthday, Mr. He gave me a watch as a birthday present, but then gave Miss Ji a whole outfit! Why did Miss Ji get a gift on my birthday? Isn¡¯t it a little overboard how they¡¯re doling out dog food to me?¡±

 Chapter 944 - A Billion Stars Canâ€™t Amount to You (44)

    <h4>Chapter 944: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (44)</h4>

    <h6>Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_</h6><h4>¡°Today, Uncle Chen picked me up from school. On our way back home, he told me a story about when Miss Ji was pregnant with me. Two months into the pregnancy, Miss Ji had to stay in the hospital for one month before she was discharged. Since Miss Ji became pregnant, her cravingspletely changed and she especially liked to eat sour things. What¡¯s more ¨C sheined about how it wasn¡¯t lively enough when she ate with just Mr. He, so he often invited Mr. Chen, Miss Tang, Miss Zhuang, and other friends to dine at their home. At first, they were happy to take care of the pregnant Miss Ji, but after a few days, their teeth were sore and they couldn¡¯t even chew tofu. Gradually they started to make excuses, but because of Mr. He¡¯s abusive ways, nobody dared to fight him, so they still came over for dinner. Every time, Uncle Chenined to everyone in the WeChat group chat: ¡®No way are we eating dinner ¨C we¡¯re eating dog food.¡¯ Sitting beside them, Mr. He happened to see those words, so that night when everyone came over for dinner, there was a te of dog food in front of everyone and a dish of vinegar.¡±</h4>

    ¡°I only found out today that I¡¯ve had a younger brother in Miss Ji¡¯s belly for less than two months now. Well, I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯ll be a younger brother, but Mr. He is insistent that if it¡¯s a younger brother, they¡¯ll have an abortion. After Miss Ji gave birth to me, her body got into really bad shape and the doctor says she shouldn¡¯t get pregnant again.¡±

    ...

    In one breath, Su Xia read all the Weibo posts by ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food¡± from the past five years.

    By the time she read the final post, the sky was a little bright outside.

    Fortunately, it was the weekend. Having stayed up all night, Su Xia ate some food, took a hot shower, and climbed into bed to catch up on some sleep.

    By the time she woke up, it was alreadyte in the afternoon.

    Out of habit, she picked up her phone and logged into Weibo to check today¡¯s headlines.

    She never imagined that the top searched name on Weibo was ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food.¡±

    Su Xia thought ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food¡± made another post, so she quickly clicked it. She never thought that in actuality, the identity of ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food¡± was leaked.

    Her real name was He Siyi, the only child and daughter of He Jichen, the director who was momentarily popr thirty years ago, and Ji Yi, the queen of the silver screen. She was also the main actress for the uing release of ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You.¡± Mr. He and Miss Ji from the WeChat posts were He Jichen and Ji Yi.

    Everybody was somewhat familiar with those three words, He Siyi. She wasn¡¯t a female celebrity or anything, but since retiring from showbiz almost twenty-five years ago, He Jichen decided to return to the entertainment industry with a new drama. Five years ago, he cast his own daughter to star as the female lead for his drama, ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You.¡±

    After being in production for five whole years, many people only found out about He Siyi because they knew the drama was set to be released today. Although people hadn¡¯t really paid much attention to her before, she instantly got everyone¡¯s attention today when the real identity of ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food¡± was revealed.

    Su Xia watched Ji Yi¡¯s work when she was young and really liked her. Her biggest dream as a reporter was to be able to interview Ji Yi just once.

    Now that she found out ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food¡± was Ji Yi¡¯s daughter, Su Xia figured she¡¯d try to contact He Siyi through Weibo. She never imagined He Siyi would actually agree to meet with her.

    Su Xia and He Siyi were going to meet three dayster at three in the afternoon.

    Keen on their meeting, Su Xia turned up at the cafe they decided upon before two.

    At half past two, the cafe doors opened and a young woman stepped in.

    With just one nce, Su Xia recognized that it was Ji Yi¡¯s cool-looking daughter, He Siyi.

    Su Xia got up in preparation to shake He Siyi¡¯s hand.

    He Siyi shot Su Xia a friendly smile from afar then casually walked over.

    They ordered afternoon tea from the waiter. After the waiter left, Su Xia spoke to rify the reason for their meeting. ¡°Miss He, it¡¯s like this. I¡¯m a loyal fan of your mother¡¯s and I became a reporter just to personally interview Miss Ji Yi. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware of this as I¡¯ve exined this to you on Weibo.¡±

    He Siyi was undoubtedly a woman of high stature; she concentrated fully on looking at Su Xia and listening to what she said. After she finished, He Siyi smiled with a nod and replied, ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡°So, I asked you toe out today because I wanted to ask you: could you please help me contact your mother and make my wishese true? The same wish I had ever since I was young?¡±

    This time, He Siyi didn¡¯t smile.

    Su Xia saw that she wasn¡¯t saying anything and asked, ¡°Miss He, is there something wrong?¡±

    ¡°Miss Su, I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s no way to make your wishe true,¡± said He Siyi apologetically.

 Chapter 945

    Chapter 945: A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You (Conclusion)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Author: [I changed a small detail from yesterday¡¯s chapter. After Ji Yi found out she was pregnant, the time skip wasn¡¯t 20 yearster, but 30 yearster. This means that He Siyi is now 29 years old!]

    ¡°Miss Su, I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s no way to make your wishe true,¡± said He Siyi apologetically.

    ¡°Why?¡± Su Xia paused for a moment then continued. ¡°Must I first fulfill conditions of some sort? Tell me and I¡¯ll try my best to make it happen.¡±

    ¡°No...¡± He Siyao shook her head after just one word and stopped.

    ¡°Then why?¡± asked Su Xia before He Siyi could speak.

    It wasn¡¯t until Su Xia asked for the fifth time that He Siyi lowered her eyelids and finally gave her reply. ¡°Because... My mother is no longer in this world.¡±

    Stunned, Su Xia looked as though she just heard something unbelievable. She stared at He Siyi in a daze for a long while without a reaction.

    Silence enveloped the two of them for a very long time before He Siyi spoke again. ¡°Actually, I wasn¡¯t named He Siyi. Five years ago, after my mother passed away, my father changed my name to this.¡±

    Siyi; Chinese characters that sounded like the words for ¡°to miss¡± and ¡°to long for.¡± Siyi; the same ¡°Yi¡± from Ji Yi ¡ª¡ª Missing Ji Yi.

    The same moment He Siyi said this, Su Xia realized the meaning behind her name.

    So, the idol who she worked so hard to get close to for twenty years had already passed away.

    Su Xia knew He Siyi wouldn¡¯t joke around about her mother¡¯s life, but she still couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°But yourtest Weibo post was just three days ago. You have many Weibo posts you create till this day, so how could she possibly be-be...¡±

    After she said this, Su Xia gulped but eventually, her words came to a stop. She didn¡¯t manage to finish what she was going to say.

    ¡°Those are real events that did happen, but the timeline has changed,¡± calmly replied He Siyi as Su Xia understood what she meant.

    Having understood everything, Su Xia nodded with a rising warmth within her eyes.

    In contrast to Su Xia¡¯s devastation, He Siyi looked a lot moreposed. ¡°Do you know why I agreed to see you? It¡¯s because for the past few years, whenever I log onto my mother¡¯s Weibo, I always saw your private messages. When she was famous, she had countless fans, but thirty yearster, there were only a few who actually remembered her.¡±

    He Siyi was only telling the truth, but Su Xia felt even more stifled. She picked up her coffee and took a hard sip. The bitterness made her feel a little better. That was when she suddenly came up with her next question. ¡°Could you... tell me how she died?¡± she asked carefully.

    ¡°People die from illness and aging; natural causes.¡±

    He Siyi only replied to Su Xia with that sentence.

    Deep down, Su Xia calcted the timeframe. If Ji Yi passed away five years ago, she would¡¯ve been fifty-two years old.

    At that age, it wasn¡¯t considered an early death, but it wasn¡¯t considerablyte either. It was within the normal and eptable age range, but she still thought Ji Yi shouldn¡¯t have died so early. The He Family was so rich and He Jichen was now a major reputable investor. Ji Yi earned an rming amount from her acting career, so she could afford to take care of herself...

    Su Xia thought something wasn¡¯t right, so she continued to ask He Siyi. However, He Siyi didn¡¯t mention anything else about her mother.

    Not long after Su Xia and He Siyi¡¯s conversation, He Siyi received a call and left early, leaving Su Xia full of curiosity.

    Su Xia was really curious about how Ji Yi passed away. After she chatted with He Siyi, she spent a whole week pondering this in her mind. When ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You¡± first came to theaters, Su Xia bought a ticket. She sat in the movie theater and after watching the three-hour long movie, she came up with the answer.

    This movie, ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You,¡± was in and simple in the beginning; the young students from Sucheng Yizhong wore school uniforms. There was a group of troublesome friends who yed games all day and didn¡¯t study.

    The young man¡¯s desk drawer was filled with multicolored love letters all the time. On his way home from school, girls would stop him to give him gifts. While he yed games at the Inte cafe, a pretty girl came over to offer him a cold drink.

    But the young man didn¡¯t care for any of it. One day during a lunch break, the young man lit a cigarette by the sports track inplete disregard for all the students walking around. Just as he was going to take a drag, three girls in school uniforms passed by. The girl in the middle made the young man cough when she said, ¡°A condom per person.¡± He turned around to look at her but only saw the silhouette of the young girl¡¯s back.

    That was one part that made the audienceugh. Thereafter, the story continued to be shot in the young man¡¯s perspective.

    He ordered countless people to find ¡°C Girl,¡± but they couldn¡¯t find her. When he returned home, he saw ¡°C Girl¡± sitting in his dining room and having dinner with his family. That was when the names of the boy and girl were first introduced to the audience ¨C He Jichen and Ji Yi.

    After almost an hour into the story, the film showed scenes of wonderful times on the school grounds. The young man sneakily highlighted points in the girl¡¯s textbook and bought her snacks, and the young man was the first tounch punches at whoever bullied the girl. It wasn¡¯t until their high school graduation and college entrance exams that the story instantly turned upside down after the boy and girl¡¯s drunken sex episode.

    The following story was from thirty years ago. Whoever paid attention to entertainment news back then knew about it.

    The young woman was sabotaged by her best friend and was put in aa for three years. Every month, the young man would visit the young woman.

    It wasn¡¯t until after the young woman woke up that the young man insisted on leaving his prestigious school to attend B-Film to remain by the woman¡¯s side. Their story continued after they met up again.

    The film was shot artistically with many, many ssic quotes.

    ¡°I wish you would get lost forever ande to my side.¡±

    ¡°The person I love is not my lover.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no justice. Only she is right and you¡¯re wrong.¡±

    ¡°You were never alone. You still have me.¡±

    Half an hour into the movie, the first background song appeared in the movie. It was an old song; ¡°Within Your Radius.¡±

    Ji Yi was finally moved by He Jichen, but their story wasn¡¯t as everyone imagined and they couldn¡¯t be together easily.

    After the video of He Jichen stabbing someone was leaked, they were separated for the second time in their lives.

    The story continued with more drama until a moment when Ji Yi stood on a stage to ept her award. In front of everyone in the world, she confessed to He Jichen and they finally ended up together.

    When Ji Yi found out she fell for the wrong person, when she found out that her best days were spent with the young man after all and when she decided to dedicate the rest of her life to the young man, tears welled up in Su Xia¡¯s eyes.

    Thereafter, the story shifted to the explosive news from thirty years ago.

    The truth behind He Jichen stabbing someone was unveiled and Ji Yi got pregnant.

    From then on, the story was incredibly sweet.

    Ji Yi¡¯s pregnancy wasn¡¯t stable, so she had to stay in the hospital for a while. Behind Ji Yi¡¯s back, He Jichen bought an exquisitely decorated vi. He stood inside the vi while video-calling Ji Yi.

    In the video call, he carefully exined theyout of the vi. In the end, he pushed open the master bedroom doors, where the bed, floorboards, and walls were all covered in roses.

    Amidst the sea of flowers, he kneeled before her and pulled out an embroidered box. Sincerely and seriously, he said, ¡°Ji Yi, marry me.¡±

    Ji Yi remained in the hospital for a month before she could return home.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t go to work and always stayed at home by Ji Yi¡¯s side to take care of her during her pregnancy.

    One night six and a half monthster, He Jichen slept a whole week without changing his clothes when Ji Yi was due to give birth.

    He Jichen instantly woke up, picked Ji Yi up and rushed to the hospital. In thete afternoon of the next day, the sound of a baby girl crying could be heard from the maternity room. The man who stood outside quietly for eighteen hours abruptly fell on the chair as though he lost all strength in his body.

    The year He Jichen¡¯s daughter turned two, he returned home to take over the family business.

    Because he was busy with work and Ji Yi was rather weak, their wedding wasn¡¯t held until the year their daughter turned five.

    The wedding was grand but not many people attended. The people who did were their close family members and friends.

    The wedding ended at three in the afternoon.

    He Jichen and his friend, Chen Bai, sat in front of the tall windows and drank tea. On the other side of the tall windows, Ji Yi yed with her five-year-old daughter and their friend, Han Zhifan¡¯s, seven-year-old son.

    Chen Bai talked with He Jichen non-stop. In the beginning, He Jichen replied, but in the end, he was transfixed, watching Ji Yi y with the two kids.

    Chen Bai noticed that He Jichen wasn¡¯t replying, so he followed his line of sight. When he saw Ji Yi, he said, ¡°Everyone said that marriage is the death of romance, but I never saw the shadow of those words with the two of you.¡±

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°How does it feel to be married to her?¡± asked Chen Bai after a while.

    He Jichen still didn¡¯t say anything.

    It was unclear how much time had passed; it was so long that Chen Bai thought He Jichen wasn¡¯t going to reply when suddenly, He Jichen¡¯s brows rxed. His voice became gentle like he was talking to himself. ¡°Life was a barren field before, but after marrying her, a million lifeforms miraculously came to life.¡±

    Everyone thought the movie ended there.

    After the screen turned ck for a whole minute, the image of He Jichen and Ji Yi arguing appeared.

    From their conversation, Ji Yi wanted to give birth to another child for He Jichen, but the doctor said that the pregnancy wouldn¡¯t be easy on Ji Yi. He Jichen was against it, but Ji Yi ripped the condom behind He Jichen¡¯s back and became pregnant. He Jichen insisted on making Ji Yi abort this baby.

    After the two of them got married, He Jichen was as gentle as water, just like how he appeared in the movie.

    That scene was the first time they argued after getting married. He got really, really angry until his eyes turned red and he begged in front of Ji Yi. ¡°Between you and the child, I don¡¯t want to lose you.¡±

    In the end, the child was aborted.

    Ji Yi¡¯s condition became a little worse. She stayed in the hospital for three months before returning home.

    He Jichen found countless doctors to treat Ji Yi¡¯s body for five whole years before her health slowly improved.

    As time slipped by and day after day went by, Ji Yi suddenly fainted to the ground the day after her fifty-seventh birthday passed.

    Afterwards, she slept three whole days. After Ji Yi woke up, she was so weak that she couldn¡¯t quite get out of bed.

    He Jichen spent a countless sum of money and practically got all the doctors he could to drop by his home. However, after all the doctors diagnosed Ji Yi, they made the same gesture and shook their head at the young man.

    The doctors said Ji Yi¡¯s time was up.

    The doctor also said the car ident Ji Yi had at neen years old took half her lifespan away. It was a miracle she lived till fifty-seven.

    In the end, Ji Yi made He Jichen ept reality.

    It was heavily snowing the day Ji Yi left the earth. Sheid in bed, staring at He Jichen while smiling endlessly. Before she shut her eyes, she said to He Jichen, ¡°Turn our story into a movie okay? Call it ¡®A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You¡¯...¡±

    Ji Yi mumbled it a few times but He Jichen didn¡¯t agree to do it.

    In the end, she couldn¡¯t open her eyelids anymore and her vision was blurred. However, the words ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You¡± managed to leave her lips onest time.

    It wasn¡¯t clear just how many times she said it before He Jichen finally agreed with a slight catch in his voice: ¡°Alright.¡±

    That one simple word made Ji Yi¡¯s brows instantly arch. Although she was fifty-seven years old, her smile was still very beautiful. However, before her smile could reach her eyes, she had already,pletely slipped into a long slumber.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t say anything but tightly held her hand as he sat beside her.

    The snow fell heavier out the window and the entire city became white. Little by little, his shoulders started to tremble.

    ...

    The movie ended.

    There wasn¡¯t a single croak in the silent movie theater.

    The sound of movement came only after five whole minutes passed.

    It wasn¡¯t until after everyone in the entire movie theater had left that Su Xia raised her hands to wipe the tears from her face. Then she got up and left the theater herself.

    ...

    This movie, ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You,¡± became unexpectedly popr. It was number one in the box office and it broke the record for the highest tickets sold in the past five years.

    He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s story was crazily popr online, and ¡°Green Bean Who Grew Up On Dog Food¡± was frequently listed on the top online searches.

    Some of the ssic quotes from the movie were repeatedly shared amongst the fans, and the song ¡°Within Your Radius¡± became popr once again.

    There were two highly popr quotes from the movie.

    The first quote was: ¡°Do you trust that I can fight with you, side-by-side? Will you trust me to take each step with you from the lowest point of the entertainment industry towards the infinitely brightest point? Will you trust that I can help you get back what was taken from you, bit by bit? So, will you trust me? If you are,e join YC...¡±

    The second quote was: ¡°Your name has my surname in it.¡±

    The topic #Begging for Ji Yi and He Jichen to live together forever# appeared on Weibo¡¯s top searches the day the movie, ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You,¡± was released.

    He Jichen rarely went on Weibo, but that day, he saw the topic on He Siyi¡¯s phone.

    He stared at it for a long, long time before saying, ¡°If she were alive and saw this, she would definitely be very happy.¡±

    Back then, because he stabbed Qian Ge, many people were against them being together.

    Now that she wasn¡¯t here, the whole world was showing their support for them to be together.

    Time went by quickly and in the blink of an eye, it was spring. The annual movie festival was approaching.

    The director, He Jichen, attended, but when he received the award for the best-directed movie for ¡°A Billion Stars Can¡¯t Amount to You,¡± he didn¡¯t get up on stage to collect the award. Instead, his son-inw, Cheng Han, went up on stage to ept the award in his ce.

    After the festival ended, He Jichen instinctively wanted to silently leave with his son-inw.

    But before he could step out the door, he was stopped by the press.

    Reporters asked many, many questions but He Jichen never uttered a word. His son-inw always replied on his behalf.

    After they broke away from the media, He Jichen walked on an empty street. The wind blew and the leaves fell. All of a sudden, He Jichen¡¯s feet came to a stop.

    He Siyi and Cheng Hand also came to a stop.

    He Siyi saw her father staring at the road in a daze without reacting for a long time. She instinctively took a step forward, and just as she was about to ask He Jichen what was wrong, He Jichen suddenly said in a very, very quiet voice, ¡°I miss her.¡±

    As his voice fell, it became even windier and more leaves fell.

    By the time they got home, it was already twelve at night.

    He Jichen didn¡¯t stop for too long as he stepped into the bedroom, changed into the set of pajamas Ji Yi liked when she was alive, andid in bed to sleep.

    That night, He Jichen had a very, very long dream.

    In his dream, he was back at Sucheng Yizhong. He acted like a tyrant in school until he met her...

    At the end of his dream, he and Ji Yi sat opposite each other with white hair. Their teeth were all gone, so they couldn¡¯t even speak clearly.

    But from her vague words, he could tell what she meant. ¡°He Jichen, I miss you.¡±

    ¡°I miss you too. I really, really miss you.¡± After mumbling those words in his dream, the corners of his mouth curved into a slight smile.

    The next day, the nanny went upstairs to the bedroom and knocked on the door at eight when He Jichen didn¡¯te down to have breakfast.

    Nobody responded, so she thought he was still sleeping. She didn¡¯t disturb him and went out to buy groceries.

    When she came back home, the nanny started to busy herself with housework. By the time she finished, it was eleven in the morning. She walked into the kitchen and was just about to order the servants to prepare lunch when she got a call from He Siyi.

    Working at the office, He Siyi felt flustered for some reason, so she called home and asked the nanny, ¡°What¡¯s dad doing?¡±

    After being asked that question, the nanny suddenly remembered He Jichen hadn¡¯t gotten up till now. ¡°Till now, Mr. He hasn¡¯t gotten out of bed.¡±

    He Siyi¡¯s heart dropped. She instantly put the phone down, grabbed her car keys and rushed back home.

    She didn¡¯t even change her shoes before she ran right upstairs. She ran to the bedroom door and came to a sudden stop. She stared at the tightly shut door and stood there for a really, really long time before she summoned the courage to gently push the door open.

    The curtains in the room weren¡¯t drawn and the lights weren¡¯t on, so it was quite dark.

    She first walked over to the balcony, where she drew the curtains then she walked over to the bedside.

    The man on the bed looked peaceful as heid there silently with his eyes shut.

    He Siyi looked at him for a while then walked up to him. She cried ¡°Dad,¡± but there was no answer. She cried ¡°Dad¡± again, but there was still no answer. Before she could cry ¡°Dad¡± the third time, tears fell and her fingers trembled. She gently touched He Jichen¡¯s hand and realized that, at some point in time, his body temperature had lost its warmth.

    He Siyi¡¯s legs went weak as she slumped to the side of the bed with a thud.

    She knew this day would¡¯vee sooner orter. She knew what her mother meant by her final wish of making a movie about their story.

    Mother thought that with the time to make this movie, father would be able to ept the truth of her passing, and live on just fine.

    But mother underestimated father¡¯s love for her.

    Right after herst wish waspletely fulfilled, father left, without hesitation, to be with her.

 Chapter 946 - I Have One Condition (1)

    Chapter 946: I Have One Condition (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    I was the first who nned to not fall in love, I was the first to suggest calling it quits, I was the first to mercilessly leave, and I was thest to cry out loud. ¡ª Han Zhifan

    ¨C

    Han Zhifan thought he was definitely going insane for uncontrobly suggesting a condition to Cheng Weiwan that even he thought was unbelievable. ¡°Sleep with me once and I¡¯ll let you stay with your son for one day!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips gaped slightly, thinking she misheard.

    ¡°Think long and hard about it.¡± After Han Zhifan threw out those words, he didn¡¯t linger any longer and walked off, leaving Cheng Weiwan behind.

    He walked quickly and didn¡¯t stop until he reached the entrance of the hospital. The words he just said to Cheng Weiwan reyed once more in his mind.

    I really am crazy! I actually used my son to propose a trade like that!

    Obviously, in the beginning, he was adamant to cut all ties with her. To avoid being disturbed by Cheng Weiwan, he even subtly forced her to leave his neighborhood by bringing a woman home and acting intimate with her for Cheng Weiwan to watch!

    Han Zhifan, who couldn¡¯t quite understand what he was thinking just now, raised his hands in fury and grabbed his hair. Then he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, stuffed it into his mouth, and started to take big, big tokes.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s biological father, Cheng Weiguo, was the main culprit who killed Lili. Han Zhifan should hate Cheng Weiwan, despise her, and torture her. At most, he shouldn¡¯t have any more rtions with her.

    Perhaps it was the nicotine that made him regain his senses because his anger gradually settled down.

    He told himself to pretend he hadn¡¯t said anything to her and he continued to walk to the supermarket by the hospital.

    After buying some diapers for his son, Han Zhifan headed back to the inpatient building.

    The entrance of the building was empty and there was no sight of Cheng Weiwan.

    He furrowed his brows and acted as though it had nothing to do with him. He walked calmly into the building and took the elevator back up to the patient rooms.

    Han Zhifan stayed in the hospital for one night and two days, with his eyes open practically the whole time.

    Since Cheng Han had almost made it through this critical period, the housekeeper watched as Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes reddened with exhaustion and said worriedly, ¡°Mr. Han, the wet nurse and I are here, so it¡¯s fine. You can head back and get some rest.¡±

    Since he hadn¡¯t showered for two days, Han Zhifan really did feel awful. He nced at Cheng Han fast asleep in bed and thought about heading back for a shower; changing into some clean clothes, and getting some rest for two hours. He gave the housekeeper a nod.

    He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave, so he left the housekeeper and wet nurse with some instructions. If Cheng Han¡¯s condition changed, they had to contact the doctor. After he was sure they took note of his instructions, he sent his driver a message and left the room.

    Han Zhifan smoked two cigarettes as he stood in the first-floor lobby of the hospital and watched his car driving up to the entrance.

    He walked out before the driver could call him.

    The driver saw him stepping out and immediately got out of the car and helped him open the door.

    The first thing Han Zhifan did when he returned home was to go upstairs and take a hot shower.

    Just as he turned the water off, he heard his phone ringing from the other side of the bathroom door.

    He was afraid something happened to Cheng Han, so he wrapped himself up in a hurry and grabbed a towel. As he patted his wet hair, he pushed the bathroom door open then walked over to the bed and grabbed his phone.

    It was Cheng Weiwan calling.

    He stared at the screen for a long while before picking it up and putting it to his ear. Before he could say anything, the sound of her voice came through the phone.

 Chapter 947 - I Have One Condition (2)

    Chapter 947: I Have One Condition (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He stared at the screen for a while before he took the call. He brought the phone to his ear, but before he could speak, the sound of her voice came through the phone. ¡°What you said earlier... did you mean it?

    When he regained his senses after leaving the hospital, he already decided to act as though he didn¡¯t make that offer to Cheng Weiwan under those random circumstances. Now that she had called, he wanted to immediately deny it, hang up, and pretend it hadn¡¯t happened. However, he didn¡¯t listen to himself and the denial couldn¡¯te out no matter what. His fingers around the phone fell from his ears.

    Perhaps Han Zhifan was silent for too long because Cheng Weiwan took it as an admission. Over the phone, she added, ¡°If you meant what you said...¡±

    She stopped mid-sentence, and held a silence for about two seconds before she continued, ¡°...I¡¯ll do it.¡±

    She actually said she¡¯ll do it... Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t follow through with the thoughts he had deep down.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t hang up the call but stayed quiet for a while. When she spoke again, her voice sounded a lot more ufortable. ¡°If I agree to your condition, would you let me see Hanhan tomorrow?¡±

    ¡°What I mean is...¡± Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice became quieter. ¡°...Tonight, tonight, tonight...¡±

    She couldn¡¯t finish her sentence after repeating the word ¡°tonight¡± three times. In the end, there was silence again.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s mind was still stuck on what she just said: ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± He lost track of her words and seeing as Cheng Weiwan stopped mid-sentence, he blurted out, ¡°What about tonight?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan thought Han Zhifan said that on purpose, so she bit her bottom lip and held her breath as she clutched the phone. Then she thought about Hanhan, shut her eyes, and endured the humiliation. ¡°Tonight, with you-with you, I¡¯ll...¡± she said.

    In the end, Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t bring herself to say the words. She paused then changed her approach. ¡°...Tonight, should I meet you at a hotel or at your house?¡±

    Han Zhifan suddenly realized what she meant.

    She wanted to sleep with him tonight in order to see her son tomorrow... For her son, she really was willing to do anything!

    He was clearly the one who made the condition, albeit when he was out of his mind, and she agreed to do it, but why did he feel even more ufortable? Without a second thought, he mockingly replied, ¡°Have you ever seen a man who messes with women taking them home?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips as her pale little face turned almost translucent.

    Although they were talking over the phone and Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t see Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face, he could sense that she must be hurt.

    She didn¡¯t say anything after some time.

    The silence aggravated Han Zhifan even more.

    He thought about hanging up right away, but he felt a roaring me in his chest that couldn¡¯t be unleashed. He lowered the phone from his ear, but just as his fingers were about to touch the screen, he stopped. Then he put the phone to the side of his mouth and furiously eximed, ¡°Jiayuan in half an hour!¡±

    With that said, he hung up the phone.

    ...

    Jiayuan... That¡¯s the name of a hotel.

    Cheng Weiwan was familiar with it because Han Zhifan told her about that hotel.

    At the time, she and Han Zhifan had been together for a while, but he would never let her meet his friends.

 Chapter 948 - I Have One Condition (3)

    Chapter 948: I Have One Condition (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At the time, she didn¡¯t feel like anything was wrong; she just thought that being with Han Zhifan was a good thing. Never did she imagine that Han Zhifan didn¡¯t want to introduce her to his friends because he hadn¡¯t wanted her to enter his world from the very beginning.

    The night she bumped into several of Han Zhifan¡¯s friends was actually the first time she met them.

    And she only happened to bump into them when she and Han Zhifan were at the entrance of a restaurant they just dined at.

    When they left, Han Zhifan casually asked several friends where they were going. Someone replied with the word ¡°Jiayuan,¡± then another person winked at Han Zhifan and said, ¡°A ce you won¡¯t ever have the chance to go to again.¡±

    With a cigarette between his lips, Han Zhifan yelled, ¡°Get lost!¡± After the group left, he held her hand and walked over to the car which the driver parked by the sidewalk.

    Out of pure curiosity, she asked Han Zhifan, ¡°Zhifan, what kind of ce is Jiayuan? Why won¡¯t you have a chance to go there?¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t n on telling her the truth, so he half-heartedly said, ¡°Just a resort.¡±

    She wasn¡¯t stupid; she could tell he was lying to her. They had been together for so long, and he had been to resorts before.

    She continued to ask him several times but she didn¡¯t notice how the expression on the driver¡¯s face at the front of the car changed. In the end, Han Zhifan just couldn¡¯t take her questions anymore, so he hugged her shoulders and pulled her into his arms. Then he whispered, ¡°It¡¯s a hotel, but it¡¯s a different hotel from the others. They only serve male guests and they secretly have special services which aren¡¯t too bad. Basically, it¡¯s a ce men take women to have sex.¡±

    After exining what kind of ce Jiayuan was, he then added, ¡°I know this ce but I¡¯ve never been there.¡±

    Embarassed by what he said, she didn¡¯t reply. Her face was so red that she struggled out of his embrace, turned her head and looked out the window.

    Soon after the car drove off, she couldn¡¯t help but edge to his side then asked in a volume only the two of them could hear: ¡°Have you really never been?¡±

    ¡°Nope,¡± he replied without hesitation.

    She believed him and raised the corners of her lips in satisfaction.

    Then he stared at her and seductively teased, ¡°I never went before meeting you and now that I met you, I can bear not going since I have you.¡±

    After all, she was the woman he was serious about and not some random woman he was messing with at a hotel.

    Although over two years had passed, she could still clearly remember how happy she was, hearing him say that.

    It was in the past now, but now that they were involved again, she knew full well what he meant when he said ¡°Jiayuan.¡±

    He was warning her that he saw this as a business transaction and she was a woman he was just randomly messing with.

    With her phone in hand, Cheng Weiwan stood frozen in ce for a long time before she raised her head and nced at the inpatient block in front of her. In the end, she turned around and walked out of the hospital. She hailed a taxi and directed the driver to take her to Jiayuan.

    It wasn¡¯t really important to her how he viewed her.

    As long as he was willing to let her see Hanhan, that was fine.

    For ages now, he hadn¡¯t been the same person as he was before.

    The man she loved died a long time ago, that night when she was over six months pregnant, standing outside his apartment building as she watched him being intimate with another woman.

 Chapter 949 - I Have One Condition (4)

    Chapter 949: I Have One Condition (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t dare to directly tell the taxi driver to go to Jiayuan. Instead, she asked him to stop about five hundred meters from Jiayuan, in front of a bank.

    After the taxi drove off, Cheng Weiwan then rushed over to Jiayuan.

    Maybe she was paranoid, but she felt that the people who worked in the lobby were giving her odd looks.

    She didn¡¯t dare to speak loudly or look other people straight in the eye. All she did was quietly give her name and Han Zhifan¡¯s name.

    Soon enough, a male attendant came over and escorted Cheng Weiwan to the first floor. Then he walked her up to the door of a room on the top floor.

    After the male attendant knocked on the door, he left.

    Not long after, Cheng Weiwan heard the sound of the door opening from the other side of the wooden door.

    Her hand instinctively balled up into fists as she held her breath.

    She didn¡¯t dare look straight at the door as her entire body tensed up and she lowered her head, staring at her own toes.

    She held this stiff pose for a long period of time but didn¡¯t hear any further movements. Then she carefully raised her eyelids, nced ahead and realized that therge door was open. Han Zhifan, who opened the door, had long walked back into the room.

    She bit her lips, lowered her head again, and walked into the room.

    She reached out and shut the door. At the empty entrance, sheposed herself for some time before slowly walking into the living room.

    Han Zhifan was standing leisurely in the counter with a tall wine ss, nonchntly tasting the wine.

    He detected her presence, so he swept a look at her body. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he raised his chin in the direction of the bathroom.

    By this gesture, she knew he was telling her to go take a shower.

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips forcefully and continued to stand on the spot for a short while before turning around and walking into the bathroom.

    Cheng Weiwan locked the door from the inside then leaned against the door. She stared at the mirror directly in front of her for a long while before reaching out and stripping her clothes. She walked under the showerhead and turned it on.

    She was a little scared, so she showered for a really, really long time. When she felt like it was long enough, she turned the water off and grabbed a towel to wipe the water off from her body.

    She didn¡¯t put on the bathrobe hanging beside her. Instead, she picked up her own clothes and put them back on, one item at a time.

    Coming out from the bathroom, Cheng Weiwan quickly lowered her head when she caught a nce of Han Zhifan, who was still drinking wine by the counter.

    ¡°Wait in the bed!¡± This time, he spoke quickly with a colder, annoyed voice.

    Cheng Weiwan clutched her sleeves and didn¡¯t utter a word. Then she walked over to the bedroom door.

    Her silence andpliance enraged Han Zhifan as he stared at the silhouette of her back walking towards the bedroom. Before she opened the door, he purposefully made things difficult for her by saying, ¡°Strip all your clothes off andy on the bed. I don¡¯t want to go through all that trouble just for a f*ck!¡±

    He saw her back trembling.

    He thought she would stop walking, but she didn¡¯t. Instead, she pretended as though he hadn¡¯t said a word as she gently pushed the door open and walked in.

    Han Zhifan became even madder. He swung his hand, throwing the wine ss aside.

    As the ss shattered with a *crash,* he picked up the wine bottle on the table and raised it to his lips. He took big gulps then mmed it onto the counter, got up, and charged towards the bedroom.

 Chapter 950 - I Have One Condition (5)

    Chapter 950: I Have One Condition (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan pushed the door open and immediately saw Cheng Weiwan with her back to him, standing at the side of the bed.

    She was taking off her clothes, just as he had instructed.

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows as a hint of annoyance entered his eyes. He shut the door and took two steps into the room. With the least amount of patience in his voice, he saw that Cheng Weiwan still hadn¡¯t moved and he cried, ¡°Did you forget what I said?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body trembled and her eyes raised slightly. She looked as though she was going to take her clothes off but mid-way through, her hands fell back down.

    Her sluggishness made Han Zhifan burn inside as he blurted with an even more violent voice, ¡°If you¡¯re not willing to go through with it, quit being an eyesore! Let me tell you ¨C if you p*ss me off, I¡¯ll turn around right now and you can forget about ever seeing your son!¡±

    With that said, Han Zhifan noticed Cheng Weiwan still wasn¡¯t moving, so he really did turn around. He pulled open the door and walked out.

    Upon hearing this, Cheng Weiwan ran up to him practically without any hesitation at all.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s footsteps didn¡¯t stop.

    Cheng Weiwan pulled him back, but he swung his arms without a word and tore away from her. Then he continued to walk on.

    Seeing him quickly walking to the hotel room door, Cheng Weiwan sped up and leaped in front of him to block his path. She raised her hand and stripped off her clothes.

    The sight of her fair skin instantly fell into Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes.

    His footsteps suddenly came to a stop. He stared motionlessly at her breasts.

    She didn¡¯t look at him but bit her lips with her head lowered. Her fingers trembled as she unzipped her skirt then removed her underwear.

    Her head was incredibly low as her body started to tremble quietly.

    Her slender body looked really skinny and weak, but two years ago, her body felt soft and plush when she took off her clothes. Now, two yearster, she wasn¡¯t just skinny and weak but she was also frail. She didn¡¯t have a single bit of meat on her body and her ribs were clearly visible.

    After meeting again, it wasn¡¯t like he hadn¡¯t noticed that she was skinny, but because she was normally clothed, he hadn¡¯t noticed she was a lot skinnier than before, despite her slightly smaller face. Now that she wasn¡¯t wearing anything, he just realized that she was pitifully skinny.

    Her skin was as fair as he remembered, and it still glowed exquisitely.

    Besides the clearly visible scar on her abdomen, there were no other ws.

    Did she have a cesarean when she delivered Hanhan?

    Han Zhifan stared at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s abdomen and fell into a daze.

    He stood motionlessly in front of her, making her increasingly nervous.

    In the end, she couldn¡¯t help but take a step back.

    Her movements woke him up. He raised Cheng Weiwan¡¯s head and her big, pitch-ck eyes happened to meet his. When his eyes met her gaze, he realized he had been staring at her in a daze.

    This realization made him redirect the obvious anger he had for himself to her.

    He suddenly grabbed her arm and dragged her back to the bedroom. Throwing her onto the bed, he pushed her body down with his.

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t sure if it was because of his sudden movements or if it was because they had been apart for so long, but she felt a little ufortable with reliving this part of her past. Her body tensed up incredibly when he pressed his body up against hers.

    His hands fell upon her skin and explored it for a long time as her entire body turnedpletely rigid. Not only was she not as he remembered, Cheng Weiwan became soft and smooth at his touch and started to shiver gently.

    Her reaction made Han Zhifan¡¯s temper re up. He gave up on forey then stripped his own clothes off and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

 Chapter 951 - I Have One Condition (6)

    Chapter 951: I Have One Condition (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as his lips touched hers, her entire body shivered as though she received an electric shock. Then her head abruptly turned to avoid his kiss.

    She tried really hard to tell herself that it was fine and she should endure tonight so she could see Hanhan tomorrow just as she wished; it wasn¡¯t like she hadn¡¯t slept with Han Zhifan before and she didn¡¯t need to care so much. However, when his lips touched hers, a familiar feeling instantly made the vast ocean-like, sealed memoriese rushing back to her.

    The first time they held hands, the first time they hugged, the first time they kissed, and the first time they fell deeply in love... She had given him practically all the firsts a woman could have.

    She clearly remembered just how excited and happy she felt deep down the first time she experienced these things.

    She loved his gentle kisses the most.

    Now, when he kissed her again, the picture she had been most intoxicated by was now a nightmare; it was insufferable to her.

    He hadn¡¯t kissed her yet, but just as he touched her lips, her heart felt something akin to the sharp pain of a knife.

    There really was no way she could kiss him...

    Her dodge unleashed a hint of annoyance from Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes. He turned his head and lunged for her lips again, but this time, before he could touch her lips, she buried her face in the pillow.

    What does she mean by this? Is she disgusted by me?

    Han Zhifan really wanted to toss Cheng Weiwan away just like that and leave. However, his aroused body couldn¡¯t part from her body.

    His rationality and sensibility were at war and it was practically driving him insane. Before he could figure out what he was going to do next, he already spread her legs apart. Regardless of whether she wasfortable or not, he barged into her world.

    From the moment she learned she was pregnant until now, she hadn¡¯t been with a man. In addition to this, she wasn¡¯t ready, so his forceful entry was painful.

    Reflexively, she gritted her teeth and tensed her body.

    He was the one who stole her virginity, so he knew she was in pain ¨C incredible pain at that.

    Because her reaction was exactly the same as the first night he spent with her.

    But unlike the first night he spent with her, he overrode the impulse to stop to kiss andfort her.

    This time, he acted in line with his arousal by continuing to thrust forcefully and violently.

    She must¡¯ve been in immense pain because he could feel her body twitching slightly.

    Not only did he not show any signs of slowing down, but his hands upon her skin started to be unruly.

    He didn¡¯t care whether or not she wasfortable as he violently invaded her, unleashing the fury within his chest.

    Cheng Weiwan bit her bottom lip but didn¡¯t let out a single peep.

    The more she acted like this, the harsher he was.

    He finally stopped when her whole body had been ravaged until she was breathless and close to fainting.

    He didn¡¯t linger in her world a moment longer. As soon as he finished, he immediately turned around and distanced himself from her.

    Fortunately, the bed wasrge. Heid on the other half of the bed, heaving as he stared up at the ceiling to calm his breathing.

    He thought he would be the first to turn and leave, so he was surprised when Cheng Weiwan was quicker to react than he did. ¡°Tomorrow, can I see Hanhan at the hospital?¡±

    Maybe it was because of the pain, but her voice was very weak and trembling.

    He ignored her.

    She didn¡¯t mind. She forced her exhausted body to sit up on the bed. ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll go directly to the hospital see Hanhan. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡±

    With that said, she climbed out of bed.

    Maybe the pain was too intense because just as her feet touched the floor, she fell to the floor.

    She didn¡¯t plead with Han Zhifan in the slightest, but she pushed herself up using the bed and walked out of the bedroom.

    It¡¯s better for her to leave, so I can rest for the night... I should happy she¡¯s leaving, so why am I angry again?

    Han Zhifan hadn¡¯tpletely thought things through when he suddenly sat up and reached his hand out. He grabbed her arm, flung her back to the bed, then pressed her body down with his.

 Chapter 952 - I Have One Condition (7)

    Chapter 952: I Have One Condition (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Compared to thest time, Han Zhifan was just as merciless. After he finished, Cheng Weiwanid on the bed, not angry in the slightest. She was like a broken doll with hollow eyes; she motionlessly stared up at the ceiling.

    Seeing Cheng Weiwan like that, Han Zhifan suddenly became quiet and didn¡¯t instinctively turn to leave when he finished.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face was very pale and the expression on her face was lifeless.

    The cut on her forehead hadn¡¯t healed yet. It was unclear when it happened, but the wound was now bleeding from the reopened cut.

    Han Zhifan stared at the redness on her forehead and incidentally furrowed his brows. He didn¡¯t understand why, but his chest suddenly felt suffocated and his arms beside her couldn¡¯t help but tightly clutch the bed sheets.

    He didn¡¯t know just how long he had stared at her, but in the end, an unbelievable thought came to mind. He actually wanted to take her to the hospital to restitch the cut on her forehead...

    Han Zhifan jumped in shock at this thought. Before he coulde to his senses, Cheng Weiwan, who was staring up at the ceiling without blinking, slowly rolled her eyes and snapped back to reality.

    Their eyes met for a moment. Then she said, ¡°Is that two days?¡±

    She spoke so suddenly that he couldn¡¯t quite catch on. ¡°What?¡± he replied instinctively.

    ¡°Can I stay with Hanhan tomorrow and the day after?¡± She exined in a little more detail as she realized he didn¡¯t understand. ¡°You said it. One night with you equals one day with him. That was two times, so does that mean I can stay with Hanhan for two days...¡± she continued.

    Hearing this, Han Zhifan finally understood what she meant.

    Indeed, that was what he suggested. However, it was especially hard on the earsing from her mouth.

    He no longer had the heart to care for the wound on her forehead as he fiendishly pointed at the door and roared ¡°Get out!¡± before he fiercely turned around and jumped out of bed.

    By this answer, Cheng Weiwan thought he was going back on his word and he wasn¡¯t going to allow her to see Hanhan anymore. She struggled to sit up in bed. ¡°You suggested it and I agreed to do it. You can¡¯t deny that happened...¡±

    It would¡¯ve been alright had she not said anything. Her words made Han Zhifan shift his gaze from the table in front of him. Without waiting for her to finish, he furiously roared again, ¡°I said get out! You hear me? Get out!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan seemed frightened as she tightly pursed her lips and stared at him for a while then opened her mouth.

    This time, not a peep came from her mouth. Han Zhifan pointed at the door and violently cried, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a minute to disappear from my sight. One second too long and you can forget about seeing your son tomorrow.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say a word and immediately shot out of bed.

    He probably was too rough on her because she limped as she walked.

    When she brushed past him, Han Zhifan saw a patch of red on the white sheets.

    Where did the bloode from?

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows. From the red stains on the bed sheets, he made a deduction. Lowering his head, he looked down at the lower half of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body. As expected, there were bloodstains on the right part of her thigh.

    Was I too rough earlier? Did I hurt her somewhere?

    Just as that thought brushed across Han Zhifan¡¯s mind, his hand grabbed her wrist...

 Chapter 953 - I Have One Condition (8)

    Chapter 953: I Have One Condition (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just as that thought entered Han Zhifan¡¯s mind, his hand grabbed her wrist.

    When he touched her soft skin, he came to his senses and realized what he had unknowingly done.

    Why did I hold her back? I wanted to see if she was seriously hurt or not... but don¡¯t I want her to be worse off? What does the seriousness of her injury have anything to do with me?

    As Han Zhifan slowly let go of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s wrist, he yelled at himself for being insane.

    Just as his fingertips were about to depart from her skin, she turned her head because of his grasp on her and their eyes met.

    Her gaze was dull and without anyplex emotions, but it made him feel a little guilty.

    He knew she couldn¡¯t figure out what he was thinking inside, but he was shaken by her stare. It was a feeling he had never felt before, so he instinctively wanted to hide his panic. However, he couldn¡¯t think of an excuse all of a sudden. The more panicked he was, the more impatient he felt deep down. When he caught a glimpse of the wound on her forehead, he suddenly blurted out, ¡°When youe tomorrow, remember to take care of the wound on your forehead. Look at your ferociously dumb self! Don¡¯t go around scaring my son!¡±

    With that said, he released her wrist and walked into the bathroom without looking back.

    When he shut the bathroom door, he saw her reflection not too far behind him from the clean mirror in front of him. After she heard what he said, she lowered her eyelids slightly and a seemingly hurt look shed across her face.

    All of a sudden, he mmed the door. In the next second, he locked the door, cutting her off from his line of sight.

    From the other side of the door, he could hear the sound of her opening the front door and walking out.

    Because he was in the ensuite bathroom, he couldn¡¯t quite hear anything from the living room. However, he could still vaguely hear the sound of rustling.

    Amongst the sounds heard, there was one particrly loud one. She must¡¯ve tripped.

    His body instinctively tensed up as he wanted to open the door. However, before he could act upon the impulse in his mind, he forcefully dismissed the idea.

    After a while, the living room door opened then closed.

    The entire hotel room fell silent.

    Only then did he slowly stand up, walk over to the shower and turn it on.

    While he took a shower, he saw some blood on his body.

    He knew it was hers.

    The rising hot steam blurred his vision, but he vaguely imagined Cheng Weiwan dragging her broken body and limping away. His heart suddenly felt a sharp, bone-piercing pain. The pain hurt so bad that he was about to go crazy. All of a sudden, he raised his hand and viciously punched the tiles in front of him.

    As the intense pain rippled from the back of his hand to the bottom of his heart, blood dripped from the wall and crashed to the floor.

    He wasn¡¯t normally like this... After he drove her out of his world, he did just fine. He ate, drank, went out every day, had a great temper, and made big bucks. He never thought about her and he never went looking for her. To him, she was like a cloud of air... But when she reappeared in his world, why did he be like this... He was so unfamiliar with this side of himself that even he didn¡¯t believe he was doing all the things he did.

 Chapter 954 - I Have One Condition (9)

    Chapter 954: I Have One Condition (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan woke up not long after falling asleep.

    He sat up and out of habit, he reached for his phone to check the time. He saw a message he received half an hour ago from Cheng Weiwan. ¡°What time can I see Hanhan?¡±

    He thought about when he would be at the hospital then he replied to her message. ¡°At nine.¡±

    ¡°Room number?¡±

    Han Zhifan quickly tapped a few digits and sent the message.

    Not long after his message was sessfully sent, he got a prompt that it was read. After some time passed, he didn¡¯t receive any reply.

    Perhaps it was because he slept that his mood improved greatly. Deep down, he was a little pissed because of Cheng Weiwan, but he didn¡¯t get angry. After throwing his phone aside, he removed the covers, got out of bed, and walked into the bathroom to freshen up.

    When Han Zhifan arrived at the hospital, Cheng Weiwan happened to reach the hospital doors at the same time.

    She was wearing a very pretty long dress and she was carrying various-sized bags in her hands. Her face was as pale as usual, but because of her lipstick, she looked a lot more alive.

    She had her hair down and was wearing a hat, which conveniently hid the wound on her forehead.

    She probably never imagined they would coincidentally bump into each other there. Her footsteps headed for the patient rooms came to a stop.

    She didn¡¯t say anything to him and he ignored her.

    Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t wait to see Hanhan, but Han Zhifan was standing right in front of her and he didn¡¯t budge. She was too polite to push him aside and walk into the patient room.

    Not long after the two of them stood frozen in ce, the sound of Cheng Han crying was heard from inside the patient room.

    Cheng Wewian¡¯s heart ached when she heard that. Eventually, she couldn¡¯t help but look over at Han Zhifan and say, ¡°Can I go in?¡±

    Han Zhifan still didn¡¯t say anything. He shot her a neutral nce then pushed the door open and walked in.

    Cheng Weiwan hurriedly dashed into the patient room. ¡°Hanhan!¡±

    When Cheng Han heard Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice, he instantly stopped crying and immediately turned his head and looked over at the door.

    After he saw Cheng Weiwan, he immediately opened his arms wide at Cheng Weiwan. ¡°Mama!¡± he eximed.

    ¡°Mama hug!¡±

    ¡°Mama, why did you onlye to see me now?¡± Cheng Han¡¯s words were riddled with an unspoken sense of grief, which made Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart ache even more. The rims of her eyes suddenly turned red and she couldn¡¯t speak. All she could do was speed up and rush over to his bedside.

    Han Zhifan informed the housekeeper and the wet nurse in advance that Cheng Han¡¯s mother would drop byter, so the two of them didn¡¯t look surprised to see Cheng Weiwan. The housekeeper even reached her hand out to take the bags from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s hands when Cheng Weiwan walked over to the bedside.

    With both her hands free, Cheng Weiwan said ¡°Thank you¡± to the housekeeper then impatiently spread her hands to embrace Cheng Han.

    That familiar little body almost made Cheng Weiwan¡¯s tears fall.

    She tightly hugged Cheng Han for a while. After sheposed herself a little, she pulled him out of her embrace, stroked his head and checked his body. ¡°Hanhan, tell mama where you feel unwell. Are you in pain right now?¡±

    Cheng Han still had a low fever. When he heard this, he immediately shook his little head. ¡°Mama, I¡¯m not in pain. I¡¯m happy you¡¯re here to see me.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan looked at Cheng Han¡¯s little familiar and soft face. The corners of her lips tilted and she lovingly rubbed his cheeks. ¡°Really?¡±

 Chapter 955 - I Have One Condition (10)

    Chapter 955: I Have One Condition (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Really!!¡± Cheng Han was afraid Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t believe him, so he nodded violently. All of a sudden, he looked like he had been seriously hard done by and pouted. ¡°Mama, do you not want Hanhan anymore?¡± asked Cheng Han pitifully.

    The child¡¯s innocent words prodded Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart, making her feel a sharp pain. She forcefully held a rxed look on her face then softly lied to Cheng Han. ¡°How could I? How could Mama not want Hanhan?!¡±

    ¡°Then why did Mama note to see Hanhan for so long?¡± Cheng Han couldn¡¯t read her bodynguage, so he naturally couldn¡¯t tell that Cheng Weiwan was forced into a difficult position. He raised his little face and innocently continued to probe her with questions.

    It was impossible for her to tell him that his dad didn¡¯t want her to see him... Cheng Weiwan could only look up and smile. She made a random excuse and lied to Cheng Han. ¡°Mama has been a little busytely and a while back, I wasn¡¯t feeling well. I even got sick! So I couldn¡¯te to see Hanhan until today.¡±

    ¡°Mama, are you feeling better now then?¡± asked Cheng Han while blinking. He reached his little soft hands out and imitated Cheng Weiwan¡¯s movements from earlier by stroking her forehead.

    Hanhan was perhaps the only person in the world who cared this much about her...

    Cheng Weiwan was touched and upset. She forced a warm smile and shook her head at Cheng Han. ¡°Mama¡¯s fine now.¡±

    Cheng Han immediately smiled with arched eyes and walked up to Cheng Weiwan like usual and kissed her cheek. As though he had a sudden thought, he asked, ¡°Mama, did you miss me?¡±

    Cheng Han didn¡¯t wait for Cheng Weiwan to speak and continued by saying, ¡°Mama, I really missed you. Mama, can you take me back home...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes reddened and tears came rushing up again. She hurriedly turned her head and looked out the window to push down the misery in her eyes. Then she turned her head and smiled at Cheng Han. ¡°Mama really missed Hanhan too. Really, really missed you...¡±

    She could only give Hanhan half a reply because she was afraid she wouldn¡¯t be able to ever fulfill his wishes.

    ...

    Since Cheng Weiwan was there, she would take care of Cheng Han, so the housekeeper and the wet nurse didn¡¯t need to get involved.

    On a typical day, Cheng Han would either cry about looking for his mother or remain silent. Today, with Cheng Weiwan around, Cheng Han was a lot more talkative.

    Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t seen Cheng Han for a long time. Even though she was exhausted and in pain from being tormented by Han Zhifanst night, she still forced herself to stay with Cheng Han and chat.

    The housekeeper and wet nurse chimed in while Cheng Weiwan smiled and chatted with Cheng Han.

    While the housekeeper and wet nurse talked, she even politely looked at them.

    Sitting on the sofa beside them, Han Zhifan was the only one who didn¡¯t nce at them and pretended not to hear Cheng Han when he spoke. He quietly stared at Cheng Han, helped him fix his hair and handed him toys.

    For lunch, the housekeeper ordered servants from the house to deliver it once it was ready.

    Cheng Weiwan personally fed Cheng Han. After lunch, Cheng Weiwan yed with Cheng Han for a while then coaxed him to sleep.

    That was when the housekeeper softly said to Cheng Weiwan, ¡°Miss Cheng, have some food.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan heard what the housekeeper said then turned her head and nced at the dining table. When she caught a glimpse of Han Zhifan picking up his chopsticks to eat, she immediately turned her head without a second thought. ¡°No thanks. I¡¯ll eatter...¡±

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows and ignored the housekeeper and Cheng Weiwan¡¯s conversation. He continued to pick up his bowl of soup and take a sip.

    ¡°I specifically asked the servants to cook lunch for you. What¡¯s more, takeout isn¡¯t as good. It¡¯ll be a waste if you don¡¯t eat it...¡± the housekeeper continued to persuade her.

    In reality, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t want to sit and eat at the same table as Han Zhifan. She shook her head again, but before she could decline, Han Zhifan suddenly mmed his chopsticks down on the table and angrily looked over at the housekeeper. ¡°Am I the head of the house or are you? Did I allow you to cook her food? If you can¡¯t finish it, throw it out!¡±

 Chapter 956

    Chapter 956: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Am I the head of the house or are you? Did I allow you to cook her food? If you can¡¯t finish it, throw it out!¡±

    The housekeeper was stunned by Han Zhifan¡¯s sudden angry outburst.

    Having fallen asleep not too long ago, Cheng Han woke up with a cry. ¡°Wahhhhhh...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan quickly bent over and gently patted theforter. With a gentle and quiet voice, she said, ¡°Hanhan, be good.¡±

    Cheng Han heard Mama¡¯s voice and quickly stopped crying then went back to sleep again.

    Cheng Weiwan lightly pulled the covers over Cheng Han then she straightened up.

    Having had Han Zhifan¡¯s anger directed at her just now, the housekeeper snapped to reality and looked over at Cheng Weiwan apologetically with guilt.

    Cheng Weiwan knew Han Zhifan only took the chance to humiliate her because he saw her as an eyesore.

    Deep down, she knew the housekeeper was just being kind, so she couldn¡¯t me her. Although Han Zhifan¡¯s merciless words made things awkward, she still gave the housekeeper aforting smile. Cheng Weiwan told her it was fine, then she took advantage of Cheng Han being fast asleep to pick up her bag and silently walk out of the patient room without so much as a nce towards Han Zhifan.

    The sound of smashing was heard from behind the second Cheng Weiwan pulled the door open.

    She didn¡¯t look back but she could guess that Han Zhifan was responsible.

    ¡°Are each and every one of you stupid? You tried to win favor from a broken shoe I don¡¯t want!¡±

    A broken shoe I don¡¯t want...

    Cheng Weiwan felt a sharp pain at the bottom of her heart. Her fingers clutched her bag tightly. However, it made no difference as she stepped out of the patient room, undeterred by what Han Zhifan said, like it had nothing to do with her.

    As she stepped out of the room, Cheng Weiwan shut the door with her back up against it.

    As she heard a *CRASHHH*, another object was smashed inside the patient room.

    Her fingers trembled around the door handle and she stood in front of the door for a while. She didn¡¯t walk towards the elevator until she was sure there wasn¡¯t the sound of a child crying from inside the room.

    The weather today wasn¡¯t great. It was a little gloomy like it was going to rain at any moment.

    Cheng Weiwan walked out of the hospital and nced up at the cloudy sky. When she withdrew her gaze, a wave of sadness shed across her silent and bright eyes.

    Actually, there¡¯s nothing to be sad about, right?

    After she had bravely fallen in love for once in her cowering life and realized it was all a lie, she felt the greatest pain known to man. So now, there really was nothing to be upset about, right?

    Cheng Weiwan wanted to force on a smile, but in the end, all she could muster was a slight raising of the corners of her lips. Then she lowered her gaze, strode off and left the hospital.

    Cheng Weiwan found a random fast food restaurant by the hospital. After she ate her fill, she headed back to the hospital.

    Cheng Han hadn¡¯t woken up yet, so she didn¡¯t go into the patient room and quietly waited in the hallway.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t push the door open and step in until she heard the sound of Cheng Han calling for his mother at four in the afternoon.

    She pretended like Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t there and wholeheartedly stayed with her son just as she had earlier that afternoon.

    Because of the unpleasant scene at lunch, the housekeeper didn¡¯t offer Cheng Weiwan dinner this time.

    Cheng Weiwan just ignored them while they ate. After she fed Cheng Han, she took out the storybook she bought, sat by the bed, and read the story for Cheng Han while pointing at the pictures.

 Chapter 957

    Chapter 957: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    At eight in the evening, the sound of thunder rang out from the cloudy skies which had prevailed for the entire day. The pitter-patter sound of raindrops was heard as they rained upon the windows.

    The rain got heavier. At nine in the evening, the intense sound of rain outside was louder than Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice as she read Cheng Han the story.

    Cheng Han¡¯s fever hadn¡¯tpletely disappeared. After dinner, the nurse came in and gave him two pills to take. Soon after he cuddled in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s embrace, he fell asleep, snoring at the sound of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s gentle voice.

    At about half-past nine, Cheng Han was fast asleep.

    Cheng Weiwan stopped reading and stared at Cheng Han¡¯s little face for a while as he slept soundly. Then she transferred him into the bed and carefully pulled the covers over him.

    An entire day passed and Cheng Han was now asleep. Cheng Weiwan knew she should leave.

    She reached out and caressed Cheng Han¡¯s little face, reluctant to leave. She got up, picked up her phone from the bedside table, and just as she was ready to pick up her bag, she felt her phone vibrating in her hands. Thereafter, she heard the sound of her phone ringing. She was afraid it would wake up Cheng Han, so she quickly took the call without even looking at the screen.

    Before Cheng Weiwan could speak into the phone, she heard a familiar voice. ¡°Wanwan, are you still at the hospital?¡±

    She was going to ask ¡°Who is it?¡± when those words instantly stopped at her lips. She lowered her voice and cried ¡°Yinan Ge.¡± He replied, ¡°Uh huh, yes.¡±

    It was unclear what he said, but she lowered her voice again. ¡°I¡¯m about to head back home... dinner? Haven¡¯t eaten... Aren¡¯t you really busy in the next two days?... It¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t have toe all the way over just to have dinner with me. I can go back home and get Muqing to stay with me...¡±

    The man she called ¡°Yinan Ge¡± seems to have a pretty good rtionship with her... The tapping sounds on Han Zhifan¡¯s keyboard became a little disjointed.

    ¡°...What¡¯s more, I still haven¡¯t eaten the nutritional supplements you gave me a few days ago. I¡¯ll be fine with eating those tonight...¡±

    Nutritional supplements... the man on the phone is the person who took her back home. Was he the man who stayed with her outside the hotel building yesterday for most of the day?

    Han Zhifan stopped tapping on the keyboard.

    ¡°...It¡¯s really okay. Anyway, it¡¯s raining so heavily. It¡¯s pretty troublesome for you toe...¡±

    Before Cheng Weiwan could finish, Han Zhifan suddenly shut hisptop and threw it aside. Then he got up, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her out of the patient room without another word.

    After shutting the door, Han Zhifan swung Cheng Weiwan aside, stared at her, and said with a cold voice, ¡°If you have to take a call, get out! Don¡¯t wake up my son sleeping inside!¡±

    With that said, Han Zhifan swept a look at the phone in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s hand which was still in the middle of the call. His facial expression turned dark and he stepped back into the room.

    He always got angry randomly like that. Cheng Wiewan thought she would be used to it by now, but she never imagined he could still make her stunned.

    She didn¡¯te to her senses until she heard Yinan Ge cry out ¡°Wanwan¡± over the phone.

    She was just about to reply when the door opened again. Han Zhifan stepped out with a cold look on his face.

    Cheng Weiwan was afraid Yinan Ge would catch him saying something horrible, and she quickly changed what she was going to say. ¡°Yinan Ge, I¡¯m a little bit busy over here, so I¡¯ll hang up first.¡±

    Before she could hang up the call, something was chucked into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s arms...

 Chapter 958

    Chapter 958: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan instinctively lowered her head in shock and looked down to find that it was her own bag. Then she raised her head and took a nce at Han Zhifan¡¯s clothes. He walked into the room in a sh as the door mmed shut.

    Cheng Weiwan stood on the spot stunned for a while. Then she put her phone into her bag, turned around and rushed over to the stairs.

    It was raining heavily and puddles were forming on the ground.

    Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t brought an umbre, so she carried her bag and stared outside the ss doors of the hospital. That was when she realized the rain wasn¡¯t showing any signs of letting up.

    It was gettingte. The next day, she had toe early to visit Hanhan at the hospital again... Last night, she really hadn¡¯t gotten any rest. Today was insufferable on such little sleep, and if she stayed anyter at the hospital, she was afraid she wouldn¡¯t be able to get any rest before having to get up again the next day... If she went on like that, she definitely couldn¡¯t hold up. It was difficult for her to see Hanhan, so she couldn¡¯t make any mistakes now...

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan gritted her teeth then pushed the ss doors open and charged into the rain.

    ¨C

    Upstairs.

    After Cheng Weiwan was kicked out, Han Zhifan sat back on the sofa and continued working on hisptop.

    His thoughts were clear when he typed up an email earlier, but now, he stared at theptop screen for a long time. He forgot what he actually wrote in that email.

    He wanted to read the email from start to end and find his train of thought again, but he stared at the wall of text and struggled to read it for a long time. He was so dazed that he couldn¡¯t read a single sentence. He furiously shut hisptop and pulled out a cigarette from his pocket.

    Just as he put it to his lips, he remembered that he was in a hospital. He lowered his cigarette then shut his eyes as he tightly creased his brows whileying back on the sofa.

    Cheng Han was asleep. The housekeeper and the wet nurse didn¡¯t say a word.

    The patient room was very quiet. Aside from the sound of pitter-pattering raindrops against the window, no other sounds could be heard.

    He sat on the sofa without a thought in mind before his eyes shot open as though he was struck by something. He looked out the window.

    The rain was a lot heavier than before. Every now and then, the muffled sound of thunder could be heard and at times, the eye-piercing sh of thunder opened up the night sky.

    I¡¯m afraid there won¡¯t be any taxis avable close to the hospital in such terrible weather...

    When he chucked Cheng Weiwan¡¯s bag at her, he noticed it was empty. There must¡¯ve been no umbre inside...

    Han Zhifan stared out the window for a long time before he couldn¡¯t help but get up and walk over to the windowsill.

    Just as he looked down, he saw the silhouette of her back as she held her bag in the heavy rain.

    The rain was really heavy. She had just stepped into the rain and all her clothes were drenched... Did she n to brave the rain and head back home?

    Han Zhifan stared at Cheng Weiwan gradually walking further away and the corners of his lips inadvertently pursed.

    The silhouette of her back quickly disappeared from his line of sight.

    He furrowed his brows slightly. In the next second, he scooped up his car keys from the bedside table and strode out of the patient room, ignoring the housekeeper and the wet nurse¡¯s confused looks.

    After Han Zhifan drove away from the hospital, he started to follow the road, looking for Cheng Weiwan.

    The rain was falling heavily, so his field of view wasn¡¯t that good. He was afraid he would miss her, so he didn¡¯t dare to drive too quickly. He drove slowly for a while until he finally saw her,pletely drenched, standing at the taxi area.

    He instinctively wanted to step on the gas. However, before he could speed up, a white sedan overtook his car and hit the emergency brakes in front of her.

    Soon enough, a man climbed out of the car carrying an umbre. He quickly ran up to Cheng Weiwan.

 Chapter 959

    Chapter 959: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan abruptly stomped on the brake pedal, causing him to brake suddenly.

    The car suddenly stopped and his body lunged forward. He steadied himself, raised his head and stared transfixed at the two of them not too far ahead.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t need to try too hard to recognize that man. It was the man who took Cheng Weiwan home a few days ago, and the man she called ¡°Yinan Ge¡± who called her earlier.

    Before the man reached Cheng Weiwan, he already had the umbre ready to cover her body.

    The sound of the rain was loud, so through his tightly shut car windows, Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t hear their conversation. However, from the way the man looked, he could tell he was impatient.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s pale face looked a little weak. She didn¡¯t reply to the man, but she gave the impatient man a weak smile.

    Her smile instantly calmed him down. He took her hand in the next second and dragged her to the car. He opened the car door and allowed her to sit inside.

    After the man shut the car door, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to get going, so he walked around the back of the car. Then he grabbed a few towels from the trunk and walked back to the door Cheng Weiwan went through. He pulled the car door open and shoved the towels in.

    The man stood by the car door, bent over, and reached one hand into the car. He was probably helping Cheng Weiwan wipe the water from her body as his arm moved rigorously.

    After a while, he stopped, carrying several soaked towels in his hands. He walked back to the trunk once again. He chucked the towels in then pulled open the driver¡¯s side door. Closing his umbre, he then entered the car.

    The car quickly started up and slowly drove off.

    The rain was still falling heavily. The car drove a short distance away before itpletely blended in with the rain.

    Han Zhifan stared at the taillights shing red every now and then as the car drove off. Then he unconsciously stepped on the gas and turned the steering wheel to catch up to them.

    The two cars drove one behind the other for quite some distance. Han Zhifan realized that they were driving in the direction of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s home.

    However, when the car in front was about to reach Cheng Weiwan¡¯s neighborhood, it came to a stop.

    Han Zhifan hit the brakes too.

    Soon enough, the car door opened and Cheng Weiwan and the man got out of the car. The man held up the umbre and took Cheng Weiwan into the supermarket by the road.

    When the two figures disappeared into the supermarket, Han Zhifan turned his car off. He got out and walked into the supermarket too.

    Although it was about to close, there were still quite a few people in the supermarket. Han Zhifan walked around the supermarket for a while before he saw Cheng Weiwan and the man.

    The man was pushing the cart over to the fruit and vegetable area and was carefully picking apples.

    Cheng Weiwan stood motionlessly to one side and softly shook her head or nodded when the man asionally turned to ask her questions.

    The two of them didn¡¯t talk for long, but the image seemed particrly harmonious. Han Zhifan felt increasingly ufortable the more he watched them.

    Cheng Weiwan and the man didn¡¯t shop for too long. After picking up some vegetables and fruit, they picked up a case of yogurt from the dairy section and went to the counter to pay.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t get anything, but he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave. Instead, he waited for them to pay before he walked out through the exit.

    After Cheng Weiwan and the man finished paying, they walked out of the supermarket.

    Han Zhifan followed them.

    When they were about to reach the supermarket doors, the man spoke with a voice that sounded so courteous like he was a promising young man who received a higher education. ¡°Wanwan?¡±

 Chapter 960

    Chapter 960: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Wanwan?

    That man actually calls her name in such an intimate way?

    Without realizing it, Han Zhifan tightly furrowed his brows.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t seem to mind how the man called her in the slightest. She shot the man a nce and gently cried out, ¡°Hm? What¡¯s wrong, Yinan Ge?¡±

    The man wasn¡¯t in a hurry to reply as he nced at the area around Cheng Weiwan¡¯s neck.

    Han Zhifan followed the man¡¯s gaze and noticed him ncing at the area around Cheng Weiwan¡¯s neck several times. There were various dark marks he left on her yesterday...

    But Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t understand the man¡¯s meaning. Seeing as he didn¡¯t exin anything, she proceeded to ask, ¡°Yinan Ge, why are you holding back? If you have something to say, just say it...¡±

    The man probably hadn¡¯t considered how to express himself because he muttered to himself for a while but wasn¡¯t able to finish a sentence.

    Cheng Weiwan was a little impatient. ¡°Yinan Ge...¡±

    The man then raised his hand and pointed at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s neck. ¡°This...¡±

    He said just one word, but Cheng Weiwan understood what he meant and instinctively pulled up her cor.

    She left the house today wearing a dress that had a particrly high cor. However, because she was just in the rain, her cor fell. She never imagined Yinan Ge would find out...

    A wave of awkwardness came over Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face.

    The two of them didn¡¯t say anything and the atmosphere became a little strange.

    After a while, the man said, ¡°It was him, wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    He asked a question with just a few simple words and he did it so suddenly that Han Zhifan didn¡¯t even register what he said. Cheng Weiwan softly let out an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°Last night?¡± asked the man again.

    Cheng Weiwan let out another ¡°Uh huh.¡±

    Han Zhifan then realized the man was asking if he caused those marks on her neck.

    The two of them fell silent.

    But this time, the man quickly followed with: ¡°Wanwan, didst night have anything to do with being able to see Hanhan today?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was quiet for a while then confessed. ¡°Yes.¡±

    The man must¡¯ve really known Cheng Weiwan well and that she never would¡¯ve proposed such a trade. ¡°He made such a shameless suggestion, didn¡¯t he?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan said ¡°yes¡± once again.

    There was a hidden anger in the man¡¯s tone of voice all of a sudden. ¡°He threatened you with Hanhan and forced you to make such a shameless exchange with him, didn¡¯t he?¡±

    This time, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything. The man continued to angrily say, ¡°I really never imagined he could be so despicable!¡±

    ¡°He was the one who didn¡¯t want you. Now, he¡¯s the one who¡¯s turning around to torment you!¡±

    ¡°Wanwan, I know it¡¯s unrealistic for you to not care about Hanhan, but you¡¯re destined to lose. Even if you hate parting with him, Hanhan can¡¯te back to you. What¡¯s more, the guy¡¯s so rich; he won¡¯t treat Hanhan poorly. Why are you making yourself suffer like this?

    ¡°Alright, Yinan Ge. Don¡¯t be mad...¡±

    ¡°How can I not be mad? He humiliates you time and time again, so how can I not be mad?¡±

    ¡°Yinan Ge, I know you wish me well, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯m suffering if I can see Hanhan this way...¡± Cheng Weiwanforted the man then said, ¡°What¡¯s more, don¡¯t think he¡¯s humiliating me. I have to spend money for a gigolo. This way, he¡¯s knocking on my door, I don¡¯t have to spend money, he doesn¡¯t look half-bad, and I get to see Hanhan. It¡¯s not a bad thing...¡±

 Chapter 961

    Chapter 961: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She actuallypared me to a gigolo and said I knocked on her door without having to pay money... Which means I¡¯m lower than a gigolo?

    Han Zhifan squinted then suddenly stopped walking.

    The man who was just mad at Cheng Weiwan for making excuses burst outughing in amusement. ¡°Wanwan, you¡¯re too much! I¡¯ve seen peopleforting themselves, but this is the first time I¡¯ve seen someonefort themselves the way you did.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m notforting myself ¨C that¡¯s how I really feel. This time, I didn¡¯t think too much of our exchange and took him for a gigolo meant for passing the time, that¡¯s all...¡± Cheng Weiwan smirked as she said this. ¡°...But with that said, Yinan Ge, even though I didn¡¯t ask for a gigolo, I think his technique was a lot worse than a gigolo¡¯s...¡±

    As if it wasn¡¯t enough for her to call me a gigolo, she said my technique was worse than a gigolo¡¯s?

    Darkness instantly covered Han Zhifan¡¯s face as his entire body emitted a terrifying aura.

    The two people in front hadn¡¯t sensed him behind them at all. After the man heard what Cheng Weiwan said, he let out a quiet chuckle. ¡°If he finds out that¡¯s what you think of him, he¡¯d die from anger!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to fear...¡± Cheng Weiwan replied with just four words without care.

    There¡¯s nothing to fear?

    His anger on the verge of exploding instantly blew up.

    Han Zhifan abruptly charged at Cheng Weiwan.

    But before he could reach Cheng Weiwan¡¯s back, Cheng Weiwan, who was about to walk out of the supermarket doors, spoke.

    She was a little quiet like she was sad about something. ¡°...When I stood outside his building and watched him bringing a woman home two years ago, that was when his joy, anger, sadness, sess, failures, happiness and misery had nothing to do with me anymore.¡±

    As the words ¡°nothing to do with me anymore¡± drilled into Han Zhifan¡¯s ears, it felt like his pressure points had been hit. He stopped on the spot all of a sudden.

    She kept watch outside his apartment building every night in the past. He used to dream of them having no rtion at all.

    Now that he finally heard it from her mouth, he should be overjoyed! But deep down, he didn¡¯t feel a single bit happy. Actually, he felt a little... panicked.

    Panic?

    As that one word entered Han Zhifan¡¯s mind, he forcefully shook his head and hurled the thought away like he heard the funniest joke in the world.

    What kind of freaking joke is this... Me panicking about her?

    Hrious...

    Han Zhifan shook his head again and came back to his senses.

    Cheng Weiwan and that man had already left the supermarket. The car parked by the road was nowhere in sight.

    It was still raining. After Han Zhifan emerged from the supermarket, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to get into his car. Instead, he held his umbre and stood on the sidewalk in a daze.

    It was very windy and the rain blew beneath the umbre. The bottom half of his body was quickly soaked.

    He stood there as though he couldn¡¯t feel it.

    He didn¡¯t know just how long he stood there, but her words were suddenly on his mind. ¡°...When I stood outside his building and watched him bringing a woman home two years ago, that was when his joy, anger, sadness, sess, failures, happiness and misery had nothing to do with me anymore.¡±

    That sentence was like a spell. He didn¡¯t want to think about it, but it was echoing in his mind.

    It repeated over and over again... until in the end, his hand suddenly trembled, causing the umbre to slide between his fingers and fall to the ground.

 Chapter 962

    Chapter 962: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The pouring rain washed over his head.

    Soon enough, his hair was soaked.

    He stood,pletely unaware, that he was as still as a statue.

    A gust of wind blew in and blew the umbre by his feet far away. He still didn¡¯t show any signs ofing back to his senses.

    ¨C

    Back at home, Lin Yinan put the shopping bags in his hands onto the living room coffee table. Then he walked into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s bathroom.

    He adjusted the temperature of the water, ran a bath for Cheng Weiwan then immediately called her toe in.

    He attentively put the towel and bathrobe by the bathtub then walked out of the bathroom. He picked up the shopping bag from the supermarket and entered the kitchen.

    Cheng Weiwan took afortable, hot bath then blow dried her hair. By the time she changed into her loungewear, Lin Yinan had already ced two dishes and soup on the dining table.

    Lin Yinan turned and nced at Cheng Weiwan when he heard movements. ¡°Wanwan,e over quickly and eat.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan let out an ¡°Mhm.¡±

    When she walked over to the dining table, Lin Yinana immediately helped her pull out the chair.

    A second after she sat down, Lin Yinan handed her the soup and chopsticks. ¡°Give it a try. I recently learned how to make this.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t eaten since lunch, so she was really hungry. She grabbed the chopsticks, picked up some food and said, ¡°Yinan Ge, you shouldn¡¯t be a psychiatrist. You should be a chef!¡±

    Lin Yinan stared at Cheng Weiwan, who wouldn¡¯t stop eating. She didn¡¯t reply, so he affectionately reminded her, ¡°Eat slowly. It¡¯s all yours. No one is fighting you for food.¡±

    ¡°Well it¡¯s on you for cooking so well!¡±ined Cheng Weiwan. Then she downed the bowl full of soup and naturally handed it to Lin Yinan.

    Lin Yinan took Cheng Weiwan¡¯s empty bowl and helped scoop another serving for her. After he put the bowl into her hands, he watched her eat in satisfaction for a while then said, ¡°Wanwan, do you know why I learned to cook?¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Cheng Weiwan looked up at Lin Yinan then tilted her head. She thought about the most likely reason. ¡°Because you don¡¯t like to eat takeout?¡±

    Lin Yinan smiled but didn¡¯t say anything.

    The look on his face made Cheng Weiwan think she guessed correctly. ¡°I knew it! Yinan Ge, I¡¯ve known you for so many years. I know you best!¡± She eximed cheerfully.

    Know me best?

    If you really know me best, howe you didn¡¯t know that I don¡¯t like the smell of cooking and I don¡¯t like to wash vegetables?

    I learned to cook simply because you said you didn¡¯t want to cook and you wanted to find a husband who could cook.

    If you really knew me best, how could you not tell that deep down inside, I never saw you as my teacher¡¯s daughter or treated you like my junior?

    In my heart, I¡¯ve always seen you as Wanwan, the little princess...

    ¡°Yinan Ge, what are you thinking?¡± Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t gotten any reply from Lin Yinan. She stopped eating and looked up at him with a confused look on her face.

    Lin Yinan hurriedly hid the pain in his heart and smiled warmly at Cheng Weiwan. ¡°Thinking about it, time flew by! In the blink of an eye, you¡¯ve got Hanhan. I remember the first time I saw you. You were still in junior high and you were crying because you couldn¡¯t solve a math question!¡±

    At the mention of her embarrassing past, Cheng Weiwan red angrily at Lin Yinan then lowered her head and continued eating.

    After Cheng Weiwan was full, Lin Yinan tidied up the dining table and cleaned up all the dishes. Then he cut some fruit he carefully picked out into little pieces. After he mixed them into the yogurt, he pushed it towards Cheng Weiwan.

 Chapter 963

    Chapter 963: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Exhausted, Cheng Weiwan grabbed a fork and ate the fruit as shemented, ¡°Yinan Ge, whoever marries you has the cultivated luck of eight lifetimes!¡±

    ¡°Do you want this cultivated luck of eight lifetimes?¡±

    Lin Yinan spoke so quietly that Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t hear him clearly. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± replied Lin Yinan when he noticed what he just blurted out. Then he watched Cheng Weiwan eating fruit for a while before he asked, ¡°Wanwan, you can lie to yourself and you can lie to other people, but you can¡¯t lie to me. I know you definitely agreed to that exchange of his. The real reason wasn¡¯t what you told me at the entrance of the supermarket.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure Hanhan was one reason you did it, but deep down, the other reason was because of him. Am I right?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan suddenly stopped eating the fruit and looked at it but she didn¡¯t utter a word.

    ¡°You gave birth to Hanhan. It¡¯s not that you can¡¯t bear to be without the kid, but it¡¯s because you can¡¯t bear to be without the guy. If you were really over him, why did you leave the kid with him? You could¡¯ve easily run away with the kid, but you stayed in Beijing and never left because he¡¯s still in this city. You could¡¯ve easily not told Hanhan the guy was his father, but you showed Hanhan his photo and told him that was his daddy... Deep down, you never wanted Hanhan to acknowledge any other man as his dad... Tell me, if that isn¡¯t love, what is?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan still didn¡¯t say a word, but she slowly tightened her grip on her fork.

    ¡°Wanwan, I know it hurts to bring it up. You¡¯ve never been willing to face the truth, but you know running away won¡¯t solve things. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯repromising and staying by his side because you still love him. In my heart, you¡¯re the kindest woman in the world. You¡¯re talented and you can write touching stories. You deserve better and you don¡¯t deserve to waste away like this. I really want to know if you agreed to his unreasonable exchange because you¡¯re persistently taking the wrong path just so you can be with him?¡±

    ¡°Wanwan, I mean nothing by it. I¡¯m just afraid if you persistently take the wrong path till the very end, you¡¯ll be the one getting hurt.¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t want to see you miserable again, like how you were after you gave birth to Hanhan...¡±

    ¡°Yinan Ge...¡± interrupted Cheng Weiwan quietly after remaining silent for a long time. ¡°...Have you heard of the saying...¡±

    ¡°You only need two things to forget someone; time and a new love.¡±

    ¡°Some people can choose to use a new love to forget, but I chose to use time.¡±

    ¡°Yinan Ge, I know I shouldn¡¯t love him, but did you know? He¡¯s the only person I dare to love in this world.¡±

    ¡°I truly love him, so that¡¯s why it¡¯s really hard to stop. However, this doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m irrational and will continue to make mistakes and stoop so low!¡±

    ¡°I admit I was really making fun of him when I said those things at the supermarket, but he¡¯s done the same. I told myself that Hanhan is the only thing that¡¯s important to my life. For Hanhan, I¡¯m willing to do anything. As for Han Zhifan...¡±

    ¡°...I¡¯m not persistently waiting for him to love me. I¡¯m just waiting for myself...¡±

    As he heard this, Lin Yinan furrowed his brows.

    Waiting for herself to do what?

    Before he could speak, she quietly spoke again. ¡°...waiting for that part of myself who loves him to stop loving him.¡±

 Chapter 964

    Chapter 964: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After she and Han Zhifan stopped contacting each other two years ago, Cheng Weiwan practically stopped sharing her thoughts with other people. Now that she wasying out her utmost honest thoughts for Lin Yinan to hear, she incidentally reopened her own wounds. After she finished speaking, she instantly fell silent.

    Cheng Weiwan looked really calm and she didn¡¯t show much emotion.

    But Lin Yinan looked at her like this as though he had been struck in the heart with a knife. The pain pulsated.

    He wanted her to be happy. The past two years, he had been thinking about how to make her truly happy, but he was never able to figure out how to do it. Now, he knew she was upset and he wanted to cheer her up, but there was no way he could. This meant that she never gave him the right to be able to cheer her up.

    The room was quiet for a long time before Cheng Weiwan showed any reaction at all. She carried the te of fruit and put it down onto the coffee table. She noticed the rain outside had slowed down and she said to Lin Yinan, ¡°Yinan Ge, it¡¯s gettingte and you have to work tomorrow. You better head back early and get some rest.¡±

    Lin Yinan nodded and replied, ¡°You too. Get some rest soon.¡± Then he continued to sit on the sofa with his phone in hand for a moment before getting up.

    Cheng Weiwan saw Lin Yinan out.

    They walked to the front door, where Cheng Weiwan stood aside and waited for Lin Yinan to bend over and put his shoes on. Then she reached out to help him push the door open. ¡°Goodbye, Yinan Ge.¡±

    Lin Yinan replied warmly, ¡°Goodbye.¡± However, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave as he turned his head and looked over at Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan saw that he didn¡¯t say anything and said in confusion, ¡°What¡¯s wrong Yinan Ge?¡±

    ¡°Wanwan...¡± Lin Yinan¡¯s Adam apple bobbed up and down several times before he continued. ¡°...If one day, you¡¯ve really finished waiting for yourself to stop loving him, you must remember to tell me.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t quite understand. The conversation finished so long ago that she couldn¡¯t help but furrow her brows when Lin Yinan suddenly hurled those words out like that.

    Although she didn¡¯t ask why, Lin Yinan nonchntly gave her an answer. ¡°When that dayes, I¡¯ll help you hold a farewell party to bid goodbye to that part of you who loved him!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan heard what Lin Yinan said and couldn¡¯t help but smile with her eyes. ¡°Alright. When that day reallyes, I¡¯ll definitely tell you.¡±

    Lin Yinan chuckled and casually said ¡°I¡¯m off!¡± as he turned around to leave.

    Lin Yinan stepped into the elevator, not forgetting to smile warmly at Cheng Weiwan, who was standing at the door. He waved at her as if to tell her to hurry up and go inside to get some rest.

    When the elevator doors shut and he was the only one around, the smile on Lin Yinan¡¯s face froze little by little.

    The hell was he really going to hold her a freaking farewell party. He just had to say something to wrap things up in a sticky situation.

    He told her she had to tell him when she stopped loving the guy only so that one day, he could go after her honorably and openly.

    He¡¯d known her for a really long time, but back then, she was really young. He wanted to wait for her to get a little older.

    But he never imagined that after he graduated from studying abroad for four years and came back in excitement, she was already pregnant; she had already been hurt by love and a man had left her with cuts and bruises...

    ¨C

    Like the day before, Cheng Weiwan went to the hospital early the next morning.

    In contrast to yesterday, Hanhan¡¯s condition was a lot better today. His fever was gone.

 Chapter 965

    Chapter 965: I¡¯m Not Insistent On Doing the Wrong Thing, I¡¯m Just Waiting (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan was probably busy with something, so he didn¡¯t turn up at the patient room. Without him, Cheng Weiwan felt a lot more rxed and was a lot happier while spending time with Hanhan. Moods could be contagious. Hanhan saw that his mother was happy, so he became energetic as the mother and son yed happily together.

    Since the young master entered the vi doors, the wet nurse and housekeeper had mostly seen him cry. Today, upon seeing that he didn¡¯t stop smiling all day, they couldn¡¯t help but feel happy too.

    When Cheng Weiwan and Hanhan yed together, the two of them chimed in with a few words every now and then. The atmosphere in the entire room was a lot more cheerful and harmonious than yesterday.

    Time always flew when you were having fun. Without knowing it, evening had fallen. Cheng Weiwan and Cheng Han had to part ways in a few more hours.

    If Hanhan¡¯s condition was really bad, Cheng Weiwan would definitely consider seeking out Han Zhifan and pleading with him.

    However, Hanhan seemed to be just fine. In the afternoon, the doctor said that if he was okay after tonight, he could be discharged tomorrow.

    The child was well, so she had nothing to worry about and there was no need to look for Han Zhifan.

    But... Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t help but feel a little sad at the thought of not knowing when she would be able to see next Hanhan after he fell asleep.

    Of course, Cheng Weiwan wouldn¡¯t let Cheng Han see her upset, so just like yesterday, she personally fed him food and medicine then told him a story.

    Cheng Han was very smart. Even though he was little, he could read simple words.

    He pointed to the word ¡°Wei¡± and said ¡°Mummy¡¯s name.¡± That was when Cheng Weiwan felt the bottom of her heart randomly warming up. She couldn¡¯t help but stroke Cheng Han¡¯s little head.

    At eight in the evening, the wet nurse walked over with a bottle of warm milk. ¡°Young master, it¡¯s time for milk.¡±

    ¡°I want mummy to feed me,¡± Cheng Han declined the wet nurse who walked over with the milk bottle. He turned his head and looked over at Cheng Weiwan in a cute and pleasing manner.

    When Cheng Han acted up while Cheng Weiwan was busy, she lectured him in the past.

    But today, Cheng Han wasn¡¯t hers anymore. Seeing that she was about to leave, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t hold back and took the milk bottle from the wet nurse¡¯s hands and indulgingly fed Cheng Han.

    After he finished drinking his milk, Cheng Han didn¡¯t want to sleep. He wanted to y with his toys.

    Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t shown up to the patient room yet, so Cheng Weiwan naturally wanted to spend more time with Cheng Han. Unlike before, when she strictly asked Cheng Han to sleep at his bedtime, she stayed and continued ying with him.

    At half past ten in the evening, Cheng Weiwan checked the time. It was far toote in the evening, so she started coaxing Cheng Han to go to sleep.

    A second ago, Cheng Han was happily ying with toys, but for some reason, he started crying when heid in bed.

    Cheng Weiwan thought Cheng Han hadn¡¯t yed enough and was acting up, so she strictly told Cheng Han off. In the past, when Cheng Han saw that his mother was unhappy, he was good. However, this time, he didn¡¯t stop crying. In fact, he cried even more fiercely.

    Cheng Weiwan realized something was wrong. She hugged Cheng Han and paced around trying to cheer him up, but Cheng Han continued to cry. In the end, he cried until his little face turned red. He coughed for a while then threw up the milk he just drank.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the young master? Why did he start throwing up?¡± the wet nurse asked worriedly as she picked up a tissue and wiped the milk Chen Han just threw up.

    Cheng Weiwan furrowed her brows but didn¡¯t say anything. Instead, she lowered her forehead to touch Cheng Han¡¯s and realized that the fever that had gone down was now showing signs ofing back again.

 Chapter 966 - Taking Medicine (1)

    Chapter 966: Taking Medicine (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Hanhan¡¯s got a fever again. Call the doctor toe take a look...¡± urged Cheng Weiwan as she turned her head and looked over at the wet nurse. Then she hugged Hanhan and paced around, softly trying to cheer him up.

    Hanhan must¡¯ve been in a lot of pain because he cried breathlessly.

    Cheng Weiwan felt his body temperature rising while carrying him.

    The housekeeper, who left in a hurry, rushed quickly back with the doctor and nurse.

    Cheng Weiwan put Cheng Han back to bed, and the doctor and nurse started to examine Cheng Han at the bed.

    Soon after, the doctor nced at the thermometer in his hands and turned to Cheng Weiwan, the housekeeper, and the wet nurse, who were standing to one side with anxious looks on their faces. ¡°The young master¡¯s fever is a little serious. There must be another reason why he¡¯s repeatedly having fevers. We have to take his blood and do further tests.¡±

    With that said, the doctor looked over at the nurse beside him. ¡°Quickly go make preparations.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± swiftly answered the nurse as she walked out of the room.

    In no time, the nurse came back pushing a little cart.

    The doctor shot the nurse a look and she immediately walked over to the side of the bed and picked Cheng Han up.

    She rolled Cheng Han¡¯s pajama sleeves up, revealing his little arms.

    The doctor cleansed the needle then injected the needle without hesitation and drew his blood.

    The sharp pain made Cheng Han cry in even more anguish.

    The doctor drew several tubes of blood before he stopped.

    After he took out the needle, the doctor didn¡¯t linger in the patient room. He grabbed the tubes of blood he just drew and walked into theb.

    The doctor suggested Cheng Han not to take medicine before his condition was known because he wanted to wait a while for the test results toe out. During this time, Cheng Han cried and pulled a tantrum.

    Perhaps it was because their hearts as mother and son were one, but Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart ached when she heard Cheng Han crying. Her heart was incredibly rattled. If she wasn¡¯t hugging Hanhan, she sat restlessly, paced around the room, and almost lost it.

    As time went by, the stress in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart grew. Just when she couldn¡¯t help but carry Hanhan to go see the doctor and ask about his condition, a knock came on the door of the silent room.

    The doctor returned with the test results in his hands.

    The expression on his face was a little serious. Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart dropped and she instinctively tightened her embrace around Hanhan. ¡°Doctor Lou, how is Hanhan?¡±

    Doctor Luo didn¡¯t answer Cheng Weiwan but looked over at the housekeeper beside him. ¡°Give Mr. Han a call and ask him toe to the hospital now.¡±

    That one sentence made Cheng Weiwan¡¯splexion instantly turn pale.

    She vaguely guessed that Hanhan¡¯s condition was worse than she imagined, so she didn¡¯t dare ask.

    After the housekeeper followed the doctor¡¯s orders and gave Han Zhifan a call, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the young master?¡±

    ¡°Preliminary test results show signs of the young master possibly having a blood disorder. The possibility of it being leukemia is rather high. As for what type it may be, we¡¯ll need to perform further tests tomorrow to confirm it.¡±

    Leukemia? How does Hanhan suddenly have leukemia?

    Cheng Weiwan nced down at Hanhan who had purple lips and fallen asleep from tiring himself out crying. She took two steps back and her legs went limp as she fell down on the bed.

    The wet nurse must¡¯ve also been frightened by the word ¡°leukemia¡± as she waspletely stunned. ¡°How did he get this disease all of a sudden? Is it curable?¡± she stuttered.

    ¡°Right now, I don¡¯t dare to make any promises. We must wait for all the test results toe through.¡±

 Chapter 967 - Taking Medicine (2)

    Chapter 967: Taking Medicine (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Right now, I don¡¯t dare make any promises. We must wait for all the test results toe through.¡±

    After the doctor finished replying to the wet nurse, he mentioned another point. ¡°The young master has to be transferred to the istion unit. We¡¯ll now start to iste him to avoid other infections.¡±

    ...

    Han Zhifan must¡¯ve been close to the hospital. After the doctor¡¯s brief exnation of Hanhan¡¯s condition, Han Zhifan showed up before Hanhan could even be moved into the istion unit.

    Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t talked to Dr. Luo when Cheng Han was sent to the istion unit.

    To avoid too many people from entering the istion unit and Cheng Han getting an infection, Dr. Luo arranged for professional nurses to take care of Cheng Han. He temporarily prohibited Han Zhifan, Cheng Weiwan, the wet nurse, and the housekeeper from going in to visit him.

    Dr. Luo was Han Zhifan¡¯s family doctor. He was fully responsible for Cheng Han while he was at the hospital. He briefly described Cheng Han¡¯s condition to Cheng Weiwan and the others. When Han Zhifan arrived and after Dr. Luo settled Cheng Han into the istion unit, he then fully exined Cheng Han¡¯s condition. He even briefly mentioned possible diseases and future treatment.

    ¡°Even though we haven¡¯t performed an in-depth examination, ording to my experience working many years in the medical field, the young master should have regenerative astic anemia. If this is confirmed to be the case, the only way to cure it would be to have a bone marrow transnt. We¡¯ll need to conduct pathological tests and find a match for the young master¡¯s bone marrow in storage. Mr. Han, you must understand that the chances of finding a sessful match is very low. This method is like finding a needle in a haystack...¡±

    Han Zhifan saw that Dr. Luo hadn¡¯t finished and asked, ¡°Besides the bone marrow transnt, is there any other way?¡±

    ¡°Yes, and the sess rate is a lot higher than the bone marrow transnt...¡± said Dr. Luo. Then he stopped and nced at Cheng Weiwan and Han Zhifan. After he met Han Zhifan¡¯s impatient gaze, he continued to say, ¡°...Mr. Han, this method is for you and the young master¡¯s biological mother to have another baby.¡±

    Have another baby?

    All of a sudden, Han Zhifan furrowed his brows.

    Dr. Luo vaguely sensed Han Zhifan¡¯s annoyance. He instinctively paused then continued by saying, ¡°By having another baby, it¡¯s not to use the second baby¡¯s bone marrow for the young master. It¡¯s to use the blood from their umbilical cord to cure over eighty blood disorders. Even if my early presumption was incorrect, after getting the results back in a few days from the in-depth examinations on the young master tomorrow, the blood from the umbilical cord could cure other blood-rted diseases. What I mean is, Mr. Han... If you want to save the young master, you can start preparing now for...¡±

    Before Dr. Luo could finish his sentence, Cheng Weiwan, who was standing nearby in silence, blurted, ¡°That¡¯s not necessary...¡±

    That¡¯s not necessary?

    A row of people heard those three words, turned their heads simultaneously, and looked over at Cheng Weiwan in confusion.

    Does that mean she doesn¡¯t want to save her son?

    Thinking back to what she said at the supermarket yesterday, Han Zhifan¡¯s annoyed heart instantly went up in mes.

    He practically didn¡¯t hesitate to turn his head and gaze over at Cheng Weiwan, who he hadn¡¯t looked at since he showed up. He was just about to get angry at her when she suddenly looked at Dr. Luo and quietly spoke up again. ¡°...When I gave birth to Hanhan, I especially spent money to preserve the blood from the umbilical cord.¡±

    The words on Han Zhifan¡¯s tongue abruptly paused.

    The preserved umbilical cord blood means Hanhan could just use that and I don¡¯t need to have another baby with her?

    Just now, he hadn¡¯t even decided if he wanted to have another child with her to save their son, but now that he didn¡¯t have to, he saved himself the trouble. So why did he feel a little disappointed?

    ¡°That¡¯s perfect! Miss Cheng, we might need to trouble you to contact that hospital. As soon as we confirm the young master¡¯s condition, we can immediately arrange the operation.¡± Dr. Luo looked ecstatic when he realized that the trickiest problem was solved. After he finished leaving instructions for Cheng Weiwan, he turned his head and looked at Han Zhifan. ¡°Mr. Han, the young master will be looked after by professionals, so you needn¡¯t worry too much. If there¡¯s nothing else, you can head back and get some rest. I¡¯ll probably be busy over here, so I won¡¯t keep you any longer.¡±

    Han Zhifan nodded gently then said, ¡°Thank you. I¡¯lle a little earlier tomorrow.¡± He nced at the housekeeper and the wet nurse. Without even bothering with Cheng Weiwan, he strode right to the elevators.

    The driver was waiting downstairs. When he saw Han Zhifan, the wet nurse, and the housekeeper stepping out, he immediately got out of the car and opened the car doors.

    After they got into the car, the driver grabbed the steering wheel and was just about to step on the gas when a figure appeared. It rushed out of the hospital in a hurry and stood in front to stop the car.

 Chapter 968 - Taking Medicine (3)

    Chapter 968: Taking Medicine (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The driver¡¯s heart shuddered in fright as he abruptly mmed on the brakes.

    Naturally, the car full of people jolted forward.

    The driver was afraid he hit someone, so he didn¡¯t wait to straighten up before raising his head to look through the windscreen.

    The driver knew the person who was blocking the car. It was Miss Cheng.

    Fortunately, his reactions were fast as he was still an inch away from hitting her.

    The driving secretly let out a sigh of relief and turned his head.

    Due to the emergency brake, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t look too good. The driver sounded a lot more serious as he spoke. ¡°Mr. Han, it¡¯s Miss Cheng...¡±

    After Han Zhifan heard what the driver said, his face changed. He didn¡¯t even shift his body and nced right ahead of him.

    It was rather quiet in the car.

    Outside the car, Cheng Weiwan stood in front of the car with no intention of moving aside.

    The driver couldn¡¯t drive, so all he could do was speak again. ¡°Mr. Han, Miss Cheng. She...¡±

    This time, before the driver could finish, Han Zhifan furiously said, ¡°Can¡¯t you go around her?¡±

    The driver hurriedly said ¡°yes¡± after being yelled at. Then he quickly stepped on the gas and reversed some distance away. Just when he turned the steering wheel with the aim of going around Cheng Weiwan, she took a few steps towards the direction the car was heading. Once again, she stood in front of the car, blocking its path.

    The driver stepped on the emergency brakes again.

    This time, the driver didn¡¯t ask Han Zhifan for instructions and continued to reverse. After changing directions, Cheng Weiwan continued to block the path as though she was going up against the car.

    They went back and forth like that for a while while the car made more emergency brakes. Sitting in the back seat, Han Zhifan seemed to havepletely lost his patience as he abruptly pushed the door open and got out of the car.

    ¡°What the hell do you want?!¡±

    Following his outraged roar, he shut the car door then strode over to Cheng Weiwan.

    He looked coldly into her eyes then without the same fury as before, he said with a slightly menacing tone, ¡°After repeatedly blocking my car, what the hell do you want?!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan tightly pursed her lips and softly cried, ¡°I want to see Hanhan tomorrow.¡±

    Han Zhifan knew what Cheng Weiwan meant. For her to risk her life and stop his car, she wanted to sleep with him tonight in ordance with their previous exchange, just to see her son tomorrow...

    As that thought shed across Han Zhifan¡¯s mind, the things Cheng Weiwan said at the supermarket yesterday suddenly re-entered his mind.

    ¡°I have to spend money for a gigolo. This way, he¡¯s knocking on my door, and I don¡¯t have to spend money...¡±

    ¡°This time, I didn¡¯t think too much of our exchange and took him for a gigolo meant for passing the time, that¡¯s all.¡±

    Han Zhifan squinted then a secondter, he asked bluntly, ¡°So you want to sleep with me tonight?¡±

    This time, although Cheng Weiwan initiated the exchange, she didn¡¯t quite know how to respond to him when she heard his reply.

    ¡°Nothing to say? Then that¡¯s a no?¡± Han Zhifan chuckled then turned around and walked back to the car door.

    After he took just two steps, Cheng Weiwan cried out.

    Han Zhifan turned his head and looked over at Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan knew he was doing it on purpose just so she could admit it. Even though it was humiliating, she gritted her teeth at the thought of Hanhan. With a quiet ¡°Yes,¡± she nodded gently.

    After hearing her reply, Han Zhifan burst outughing.

 Chapter 969 - Taking Medicine (4)

    Chapter 969: Taking Medicine (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After Han Zhifan heard her response, he burst outughing. He turned around and walked up to her with a smile on his face as he stared at her for a while. He bent over slightly and drew closer to her face. ¡°Did you think simply wanting it could make it happen?¡±

    With that said, his gaze turned cold as his tone of voice became cool and sinister. ¡°Let me tell you something. You want it, but I don¡¯t. I¡¯m not in the mood tonight. Even if you stripped yourself naked and stopped in front of me, I wouldn¡¯t even be willing to give you another nce!¡±

    After Han Zhifan spoke his harsh words, he straightened up. Without lingering another moment, he turned right around and headed for the car.

    Cheng Weiwan instinctively reached out and pulled on his arm.

    Before she could forcefully stop him from walking away, he abruptly raised his arm and swung it backward.

    At the great force of his swing, Cheng Weiwan took a few steps back and fell to the ground.

    When Han Zhifan heard this, he didn¡¯t even nce back. He opened the door right away and got into the car thenmanded the driver: ¡°Drive!¡±

    The driver hurriedly stepped on the gas, turned the steering wheel, and quickly drove out of the hospital as he stared at Cheng Weiwan climbing up from the ground through the rearview mirror.

    Enroute, the expression on Han Zhifan¡¯s face looked frighteningly cold as though it had frozen over.

    He leaned back in his seat and tightly pursed his lips as he held his pose without moving an inch.

    HIs silence made everyone afraid to make a sound. The atmosphere in the car felt incredibly awkward.

    As they drew closer to the vi, everybody thought they would finally be free before the housekeeper in the front passenger seat noticed something with her sharp eyesight. There, beneath the streetlight in front of the vi, was a skinny and small frame crouched on the ground.

    Isn¡¯t that Miss Cheng who Mr. Han pushed to the ground at the hospital?

    How did she reach the vi gates faster than us?

    Just as the housekeeper was deep in thought, Cheng Weiwan must¡¯ve heard the sound of the car approaching because she turned her head to look over in their direction.

    After she confirmed it was Han Zhifan¡¯s car, Cheng Weiwan immediately got up and walked over to the gates.

    Just as the car turned and was about to drive into the vi¡¯s courtyard, they were forced to stop.

    The driver and housekeeper¡¯s eyes met. ¡°Mr. Han, Miss Cheng is blocking the vi gates, so the car can¡¯t enter the courtyard...¡± said the housekeeper daringly.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but he turned his head and stared right ahead at Cheng Weiwan through the windshield.

    The inside of the car was frighteningly quiet.

    In contrast to the atmosphere while they were driving, it was even more terrifyingly dull.

    In no more than two short minutes, the people in the car couldn¡¯t take it. The housekeeper moved her lips, wanting to remind Han Zhifan again while he stared at Cheng Weiwan in front of the car. He then gently blinked and withdrew his gaze. ¡°All of you, get out first,¡± he said with a dull voice.

    When they heard him, they sprung out of the car.

    The only one left in the car was Han Zhifan. He continued to sit in the car for a while then he pushed the door open and got out.

    When he walked around to the front of the car and turned to face Cheng Weiwan, who was blocking the path, he eximed, ¡°Get in.¡± Then he pulled open the driver¡¯s seat door and got in.

    Cheng Weiwan got in, but before she could properly sit inside, Han Zhifan turned the steering wheel and quickly drove out of the neighborhood.

    After the car drove some distance away, Cheng Weiwan vaguely figured out where Han Zhifan was going.

 Chapter 970 - Taking Medicine (5)

    Chapter 970: Taking Medicine (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After the car drove some distance away, Cheng Weiwan vaguely figured out where Han Zhifan was going.

    Her hand instinctively clutched onto her sleeves.

    After about five to six minutes, the familiar neighborhood entered Cheng Weiwan¡¯s field of view.

    It was really just as she thought. Han Zhifan was really taking her to Yongyi Garden.

    The ce where they spent all their beautiful moments together; the ce of all her nightmares.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers tightly clutching her sleeves couldn¡¯t help but tighten.

    When the car reached the bottom of the familiar building, there wasn¡¯t a drop of blood in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face. It was drainedpletely of blood.

    Through the car window, she stared at the traffic light in front of the apartment building as her fingers started to tremble.

    Even though two years had passed, she clearly recollected all their old memories. In the past, she stood there night after night and experienced pain and suffering in her heart.

    The car came to a steady stop. Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say a word and got out of the car first.

    Cheng Weiwan sat in the car for a while before she pushed the car door open with her trembling fingers.

    Han ZHifan noticed she got out of the car but didn¡¯t say anything as usual. He took the stairs and walked into the apartment building.

    Cheng Weiwan caught up one step at a time.

    As the elevator got closer to the floor of Han Zhifan¡¯s apartment, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingernails dug deeper into her palms.

    The elevator doors opened. Han Zhifan walked up to the door and entered the passcode. After the door was unlocked, Cheng Weiwan trembled as she stepped out of the elevator.

    Someone must¡¯ve cleaned the apartment every day because it was very clean; there wasn¡¯t a singleyer of dust.

    The furniture inside was exactly the same; nothing had changed.

    Past memories came rushing back to Cheng Weiwan as she stood at the door alone.

    She didn¡¯t like to cook but for him, she was willing to learn. Time after time, he cooked for her in the kitchen of this apartment.

    Aside from their first time in the hotel, every time they had sex, it was in this very apartment; in the bedroom, the living room, the dining room... these were all ces they had sex.

    And it was in this apartment where he learned she was pregnant. After he asked her how many weeks pregnant she was, he then told her to get an abortion.

    She clearly remembered just how flustered she felt that night. She¡¯d never been so afraid of losing him and losing their child. She begged quietly and she even said she was willing to have nothing to do with him as long she didn¡¯t have to abort the child. However, he showed no signs of backing down and mercilessly told her that from the very beginning, he didn¡¯t get close to her because he loved her. In actuality, it was because she was Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter, so he was willing to sleep with her to get her pregnant and force her to abort the child...

    ¡°Go shower!¡± After pouring a ss of red wine, Han Zhifan furrowed his brows as he noticed that Cheng Weiwan was standing at the door and hadn¡¯t walked in.

    Cheng Weiwan quickly stopped reminiscing and lifted her eyes to look over at Han Zhifan.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have a lot of time to waste on you. You know where the shower is,¡± yelled Han Zhifan coldly when his gaze met hers. He walked over to the sofa with his wine ss and elegantly sat down.

    Cheng Weiwan stayed by the door for some time before she summoned the courage to walk into the apartment. Then she removed her shoes at the entrance, held her breath, and walked into the ensuite bathroom of the master bedroom.

 Chapter 971 - Taking Medicine (6)

    Chapter 971: Taking Medicine (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan dawdled for a long time in the bathroom before pulling the door open and walking out.

    Han Zhifan, who was tasting wine in the living room, had walked into the master bedroom. He was standing in front of the tall windows near the balcony, smoking.

    He didn¡¯t look back, but judging by the sound of movement from the bedroom, he could tell that she hade out. ¡°Come here,¡± he said in a t voice.

    Cheng Weiwan stood at the bathroom door for a while before taking little steps over to him.

    He must¡¯ve been waiting impatiently. After he sensed her breathing, he put out the cigarette between his fingers, turned around and reached out to grab her wrist. He dragged her to the tall windows then pressed his body up against hers, lowered his head and covered her lips.

    Cheng Weiwan was far too familiar with this picture.

    The final time she appeared outside his apartment building, he brought a woman back home with him. She wasn¡¯t sure how she felt at the time, and she knew she had no right to be upset, yet she was so heartbroken that night she couldn¡¯t breathe.

    She knew what bringing a woman home to spend the night meant. She crouched outside the apartment, unwilling to leave but wanting to give up. Later, she saw with her own eyes how he pushed the woman up against the tall windows. The picture of them kissing intensely was identical to the way he kissed her. At the time, she was so heartbroken that she felt a faint pain in her pregnant belly, so she forced herself to leave.

    She thought he did it on purpose.

    He did everything he did to her with the other woman.

    His goal was to let her know that she was no different from the random women he brought back home.

    They no longer had anything to do with each other, nor would they in the future. It really was fine for him to treat her with this kind of mentality... But as Han Zhifan kissed her deeper and he tore more of her clothes off, the thought of him having sex with other women came to mind.

    Did he treat the woman he brought back that night just like this?

    Did he also kiss her with this kind of force? Was he also this rough tearing her clothes off?

    Two years had passed and Cheng Weiwan thought she wouldn¡¯t care too much. However, when those images appeared more clearly in her mind, she still couldn¡¯t take it.

    She truly wanted to endure it with gritted teeth. If she endured this, she could be with Hanhan, but she overestimated her endurance. She simply couldn¡¯t pretend she wasn¡¯t imagining him doing the things he did to the woman he brought back to this room.

    Her body trembled like crazy as she forced herself to control her emotions. When he was about to enter her body, she lost it and started to murmur and her limbs started to fight back. ¡°Let go of me! I don¡¯t want to do it anymore. I don¡¯t want to anymore. Let go of me...¡±

    He ignored what she said and continued to torment her.

    All she could do was think about running away from this torture. She was afraid that if she moved toote, she would break down here. She knew she couldn¡¯t struggle out of his grip, so she helplessly opened her mouth and violently bit his shoulder.

    She bit particrly hard, causing his body to freeze with a piercing pain. In the next second, he pulled his arm away reflexively, raised his hand, and pped her face.

 Chapter 972 - Taking Medicine (7)

    Chapter 972: Taking Medicine (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She bit particrly hard, causing his body to freeze with the piercing pain. The next second, he pulled his arm away reflexively, raised his hand, and pped her face.

    But before his hand fell, he caught a glimpse of her face.

    Her eyes were shut, her eyshes were trembling like crazy, and she had a pained expression on her face. She looked as though she had been through the most grueling experience.

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows. His hand stopped in midair against his will for some reason.

    Her lips moved endlessly as she muttered broken words.

    Her voice was low. He listened for a short while before realizing what she was muttering about.

    ¡°Let go of me! I don¡¯t want to do it anymore! I don¡¯t want to anymore! Let go of me...¡±

    Don¡¯t want to anymore?

    It wasn¡¯t clear if it was because of the immense pain of her bite, the intense desire he had for her body, or because of her abrupt interruption, but anger rose in his heart. All of a sudden, it felt like oil had been poured over him, igniting roaring mes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t want to anymore! I don¡¯t want to anymore! Don¡¯t want to anymore...¡±

    The words she repeatedly mumbled drilled endlessly into his ears.

    Han Zhifan became even more furious the more he listened. Without another thought, he roared, ¡°Shut up!¡±

    It seemed like she hadn¡¯t heard what he said as she tightly creased her brows. With a trembling body, she repeatedly murmured those two sentences.

    Han Zhifan really wanted to p her right on the face. However, his arm didn¡¯t listen as though it didn¡¯t belong to him.

    The more she stayed like that, the greater the anger in his chest became. As though he was fighting himself, he tried to push his arm down hard. Seeing that his hand had stopped about twenty centimeters from her face and he couldn¡¯t do it, he suddenly turned his hand into a fist. He violently smashed the ss window in front of her.

    Following a loud ¡°Clink!¡±, cracks appeared in the ss.

    Pieces of ss stabbed the back of his hand, but it didn¡¯t hurt him at all. When he heard her uttering the five words ¡°I don¡¯t want to anymore!¡±, it seemed like he suddenly went crazy as he dragged her arm to the side of the bed and mmed her into it. Then he pressed his body on top of her heavily.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to anymore? Did you think you have the right to talk? Don¡¯t forget that I proposed the exchange. Even if we stop midway, I¡¯m the only one with the right to call it off!¡±

    Han Zhifan yelled at her through gritted teeth while spreading both her legs apart. He used all his force to barge into her world.

    ¡°You get what you want and call it quits when you don¡¯t want it? What do you take me for? Tonight, I didn¡¯t want to touch you, but you pestered me all the way from the hospital till I got home. I¡¯m just pitying you and giving you charity!¡±

    Han Zhifan was really angry. He was so angry that his body trembled and was shockingly forceful as he took her.

    He unleashed all his anger upon her, but he thought this wasn¡¯t enough punishment by far. His words became more cutting.

    ¡°Do you really think I cherish sleeping with you? I¡¯m just bored of sleeping with those women who are so forward. All of a sudden, I wanted to change it up, but... you were so boring and acted like a dead fish. So many yearster, you¡¯re the same as before. I got bored sleeping with you two days ago!¡±

    ¡°Your body¡¯s just dry, t, and unresponsive. It¡¯s practically revolting. Let me tell you right now ¨C you¡¯re just a sex doll to me!¡±

    He said increasingly harsher words until he practically gritted his teeth while saying thest four words.

 Chapter 973 - Taking Medicine (8)

    Chapter 973: Taking Medicine (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Don¡¯t they say people don¡¯t get angry with people they don¡¯t care about?

    So why am I so angry?

    If she wants to quit halfway and I kick her out, if I never have to see her again, if she doesn¡¯t want to see her son again, wouldn¡¯t that be just perfect?

    Besides, it¡¯s torture for her as a mother to see her son¡¯s current condition.

    But of all the methods to use, did I have to choose the lowest method?

    Was it because I¡¯ve never touched another woman aside from her? Was it because I haven¡¯t had sex since she left two years ago? Is that why when she said she doesn¡¯t want to do it anymore, I couldn¡¯t stop midway?

    Han Zhifan suddenly stopped his savage words.

    He shut his eyes and waited for a really, really long time before the searing feelingpletely disappeared.

    After he snapped to reality, he realized she was trembling violently beneath him. He furrowed his brows slightly and slowly opened his eyes to see all the tears on her face.

    He had no idea when she started crying, but from the wet strands of hair by her ears, he knew she must¡¯ve cried for a long time.

    Even now, her tears still rolled down her face.

    It wasn¡¯t as if he hadn¡¯t seen women crying, but in that very moment, his lips couldn¡¯t help but purse at the sight of her crying face.

    Why¡¯s she crying? She was the one who epted this kind of deal!

    He should be angry at her, but he couldn¡¯tsh out at her in the slightest.

    He red at her endless flow of tears. All of sudden, he turned and got out of bed. ¡°Get out!¡± he yelled while pointing at the door.

    Her body trembled softly when she heard what he said then she continued toy in bed for a while. She eventually sat up and got out of bed.

    She lowered her head, limped and walked over to the tall windows. She picked up her clothes and put one item on after another. Then without saying a single word, she left his bedroom.

    He was the only one left in the room, but it was filled entirely with her scent.

    He was like a statue as he stared at the big, disheveled bed. After looking at it for a long time, he picked up his bathrobe and put it on. Then he grabbed a box of cigarettes and walked over to the tall windows.

    She still hadn¡¯t left the building.

    He stared at the bottom of his building and took big drags of his cigarette.

    When the cigarette was about to be finished, her silhouette finally appeared outside the building.

    He thought he had been too heavy-handed earlier. He must¡¯ve torn her body.

    She probably wanted to leave as soon as possible, but she looked like she was in too much pain because she stopped after taking just two steps.

    She stood on the spot for a while. Without raising her feet to leave, her gaze fell upon the spot beneath the street light when she sneakily watched over him at night right after she was dumped.

    Is she thinking about how she stood there on the lookout?

    She stared for a really long time then she lowered her head.

    He thought it meant she was going to go, but he never imagined she would actually open her bag and pull out a pack of medicine. She opened it, put a pill in her mouth and swallowed it without any water.

 Chapter 974 - Taking Medicine (9)

    Chapter 974: Taking Medicine (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but pinch the cigarette between his fingers even more tightly.

    What¡¯s with her? She¡¯s taking medicine? Is she sick? He had seen her quite often in the past few days, but he couldn¡¯t tell if she was sick.

    Han Zhifan instinctively looked back and stared at the disheveled bed behind him then he started to gradually furrow his brows.

    We just had sex, so... is she... taking emergency contraceptive pills?

    If they hadn¡¯t identally had Hanhan, he wouldn¡¯t have really wanted to have children.

    In the past when they had sex, he didn¡¯t use contraceptives in hopes of exacting revenge by getting her pregnant and forcing her to get an abortion.

    But the past few times, he didn¡¯t n on not using contraceptives. He must¡¯ve forgotten to use contraceptives out of habit.

    It was a good idea she remembered to take the pill after sex. Otherwise, it would be troublesome if she got pregnant...

    It was strange to talk about it since he had be a stranger to her already. He wasn¡¯t himself in the slightest. Many things that he wanted to happen to her had panned out, but he didn¡¯t feel the slightest bit of joy or rxation. Also, he felt an unspeakable dull and stifled sensation.

    He let out a sigh of relief after she took the emergency contraceptive pill. However, he felt an unspeakable annoyance.

    She was afraid that if she had another child, their rtionship would be ambiguous. Was that why she took the emergency contraceptive pill?

    Han Zhifan raised the cigarette to the corner of his lips then took a hard drag. As a beautiful cloud of smoke sprayed out of his nostrils, he watched her still standing outside the building for a while. She raised her feet then swayed as she walked towards the gates of the residential area.

    She walked very slowly like she was going to fall to the ground.

    Han Zhifan stared at the silhouette of her slowly disappearing then he suddenly stopped smoking and started daydreaming.

    He didn¡¯t return to his senses until her silhouette had disappeared from sight.

    It was already deep in the night. He was the only one in the apartment and his surroundings were unusually silent.

    He was so quiet that he could hear his own heart racing.

    After who knew how long, he understood the message from his throbbing heart: When he watched her leave, he was actually worried about her; he was worried she would trip, worried she wouldn¡¯t be able to go home safely in her condition and worried she would faint en route...

    She was the biological daughter of the culprit who killed Lili! How could he worry about her... He should hate her and loathe her!

    The more he thought about this, the more flustered Han Zhifan¡¯s heart became. He didn¡¯t know what he was afraid of, but his fingers trembled and the cigarette fell right by his feet.

    He figured he couldn¡¯t think like that any longer. To him, it was simply torture. He should find a few friends to party with andpletely wipe everything about her from his mind.

    With that thought, Han Zhifan raised his feet and stamped out the cigarette by his foot. After turning around and walking into the bathroom, he took a shower, got changed then called his usual bunch of friends he hung out with. After he looked for his car keys, he leisurely walked out of the apartment, went downstairs and drove towards the gates of the residential area.

    By the time he made his fourth call, Han Zhifan happened to reach the gates.

    He single-handedly turned the steering wheel, made a turn onto the empty road and stepped on the gas.

    The call went through and the groggy sound of his friend¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Master Han, it¡¯s the middle of the night. What¡¯s up?¡±

 Chapter 975 - Taking Medicine (10)

    Chapter 975: Taking Medicine (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan was just about to reply with the sentence: ¡°Asking you toe drinking and enjoy being treated like you¡¯re in heaven.¡± However, those generous words only reached the corners of his lips before he saw a familiar figure up ahead on the sidewalk through the windshield.

    It¡¯s her?

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t hesitate to m on the brakes.

    The car stopped as he threw his phone aside. He pushed the car door open and ran over to the sidewalk.

    The pale-faced Cheng Weiwan was motionlessly lying on the ground with her eyes shut.

    Han Zhifan bent over and reached out to p her little face. Seeing as her eyshes didn¡¯t even show signs of quivering, he hurriedly picked her up and ran back to the side of the car. He pulled the door open then shoved her in. Without even putting on her seatbelt, he grabbed the steering wheel and rushed to the nearest hospital.

    Just as he was about to head to the hospital, Han Zhifan heard his friend¡¯s voiceing from the phone he chucked onto the front passenger seat. ¡°Master Han? You¡¯re messing with me, right? Master Han, are there people like you who wake people up in the middle of the night and not say a word? What¡¯s the meaning of this? Master Han?!¡±

    Han Zhifan constantly watched the unconscious Cheng Weiwan sitting in the back seat through the rearview mirror. He picked up his phone and replied in annoyance, ¡°Shut up.¡±

    ¡°What the f*ck! Master Han, you¡¯re the one who called me and you¡¯re telling me to shut up...¡±

    He drove to the hospital and parked his car in a random spot. Then he carried Cheng Weiwan and stepped into the A&E building.

    After twenty minutes of fussing around, Cheng Weiwan was sent to a patient room.

    The doctor said she was fine; she just hadn¡¯t had much resttely and fainted from fatigue. After putting her on an IV drip, she would be discharged the next day.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but nodded gently as if to say he understood.

    The doctor left with the words: ¡°If there¡¯s anything you need, press the call button,¡± Then the doctor left the patient room.

    Han Zhifan stood on the spot for a while then turned his head and nced at Cheng Weiwan, who was still unconscious on the hospital bed.

    He pulled out his phone, wanting to give his housekeeper a call to tell her to take care of Cheng Weiwan before he killed that thought just as he was about to unlock the screen. After he put his phone away, he walked over to the window and stared out at the night sky.

    The room was so quiet that he could hear the dripping of the IV drip.

    He counted every drip. When he lost count around the hundredth drip, he turned his head and nced at the IV bag.

    There was still over half a bag left. He averted his gaze then gazed at her face and lingered there against his will.

    Her eyshes were still so long, but her eyebags were dark and a little heavy.

    He remembered how she didn¡¯t have dark eye bags in the past. She often proudly worked all-nighters writing her scripts and he proudly told her that someone as naturally beautiful as her, who didn¡¯t get dark eyebags after staying up, was very, very rare.

    From what he remembered, her lips were a very pretty pale red, but now, her lips were always pale.

    She had really be a lot skinnier, and her wrists were so thin that he could snap them if he exerted some force.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t realize just how long he had been staring at Cheng Weiwan; he only withdrew his gaze when he heard her phone ringing. He scanned around the room for it then walked over to the bedside table, opened her bag, and pulled out her phone.

    It turned out to be an rm.

    She hadn¡¯t changed her habit of waking up in the middle of the night to write stories?

    Han Zhifan casually turned her rm off then threw her phone back into her bag. He saw a pack of pills there.

 Chapter 976 - Backing Down (1)

    Chapter 976: Backing Down (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He recognized it as the box of pills she pulled out outside his apartment building.

    There were many words on the box and they weren¡¯t emergency contraceptive pills as he thought.

    Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t familiar with medicine, so he wasn¡¯t particrly sure of the name of the medication and what it was used to treat.

    He just thought she had been unwelltely. He casually picked up the box of pills and read the basic information on the back.

    When he read the line describing the purpose of the medication, he found the key usage: Clinical Depression.

    This... is medicine to treat clinical depression?

    Han Zhifan¡¯s mind instantly turned nk. Without knowing it, he stared at the words on the box for a long while before he slowly raised his head and looked over at Cheng Weiwan as she slept in the bed.

    She... has been taking medicine for clinical depression all this time?

    For how long? Is it minor or major depression?

    Han Zhifan squeezed the box with his fingers as thoughts shed across his mind. He couldn¡¯t help but slowly strengthen his grip.

    It was no wonder that when he saw hertely, she had nk stares every now and then. It was like her soul had left her body and for a long time, she wouldn¡¯te back to her senses.

    He thought she just had things on her mind. Now, it seemed like he was wrong to think she was daydreaming...

    He remembered that in the past, she was very quiet but she was the peaceful type of quiet. Now, she seemed quiet but rather lifeless.

    He thought it was because her personality changed after giving birth. He never imagined that it was actually clinical depression...

    A faint voice was suddenly heard in the silent room. ¡°Hanhan... Hanhan...¡±

    Han Zhifan snapped back to reality. His gaze was transfixed on the tears pouring out from the corners of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Hanhan... Hanhan...¡± she repeatedly muttered those two words.

    More and more tears fell until she started to sob very quietly while still unconscious.

    She cried for a while before she suddenly started to murmur, ¡°Hanhan, you can¡¯t leave mummy... Hanhan...¡±

    ¡°...Hanhan, you can¡¯t leave mummy. They all left mummy... you can¡¯t leave mummy again... Hanhan... Mummy only has you...¡±

    As she said this, she must¡¯ve really wanted to cry out loud from the immense pain, but even in her dreams, she wasn¡¯t able to cry freely.

    Han Zhifan stared at the stifled and struggling Cheng Weiwan with something stuck in his throat. It bobbed up and down, making him choke painfully.

    He didn¡¯t know just how much time had passed before he came back to his senses. By now, she had quieted down. Her eyshes were wet and there were still teardrops in the corners of her eyes.

    Her IV bag was empty.

    Han Zhifan gulped then put the box back into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s bag. He straightened up and pressed the call button above the bedside table.

    The nurse quickly rushed in and helped take the needle out of Cheng Weiwan.

    After the nurse left, Han Zhifan stood by the bed for a short while. Then he turned around, walked out of the room, and left the hospital.

    It was alreadyte at night. Han Zhifan stood on the sidewalk, lit a cigarette, and called the same friends he woke up earlier. After he hung up, he lit another cigarette and put it out after smoking just half. He got in the car and headed back home.

    Han Zhifan woke up early the next morning.

    The housekeeper had breakfast ready. When she saw himing downstairs, she immediately pulled out a chair for him at the dining table.

    After he sat down, Han Zhifan reached out to take the bowl of congee from the housekeeper. He took just two gulps when he had a sudden thought and stopped.

 Chapter 977 - Backing Down (2)

    Chapter 977: Backing Down (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He stared at the bowl of pork congee for a moment like someone who didn¡¯t care about a thing. He turned and looked at the housekeeper standing beside him. ¡°Give her a call and tell her to remember to go to the hospital today.¡±

    The housekeeper was stunned for a moment before she realized who Han Zhifan meant by ¡°her.¡± She hurriedly cried ¡°yes,¡± and ran into the living room in a hurry to grab the home phone and make a call.

    Han Zhifan went to the hospital first. The doctor had already given Cheng Han a physical examination. After Han Zhifan arrived, he signed some papers and was taken to the operating room where they sent Cheng Han soon afterward.

    Cheng Weiwan arrived not long after the doors to the operating room closed.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Hanhan?¡± she asked.

    After the housekeeper exined the situation, she didn¡¯t say anything.

    She must¡¯ve not wanted to stand too close to him, because she chose to stand in front of the window. The window was further away from the tightly shut doors of the operating room that she was ring at.

    A call came in ¨C it was thepany calling. Han Zhifan suddenly remembered he had a contract to sign today and hurriedly picked up the call.

    He spoke on the phone for a long time with the business partner of that project.

    After hanging up, he nced at the window and saw Cheng Weiwan¡¯s dazed gaze outside the window.

    Han Zhifan put his phone away for a moment then stared at Cheng Weiwan for a while before he put it back into his pocket.

    When it was almost noon, Cheng Han came out of the operating room.

    ¡°The young master is finally out...¡± The housekeeper muttered to the wet nurse next to him then ran over to the operating room doors.

    Cheng Weiwan, who was standing dazed in front of the window, quickly looked back at Cheng Han on the hospital bed. Then she immediately strode over to him.

    Cheng Han was wheeled into the istion unit.

    Because there were professionals taking care of him, family and friends were stopped outside the patient room.

    Dr. Luo took off his mask and gave Han Zhifan a brief summary of his condition. After he finished, he was just about to leave when Cheng Weiwan stopped him. ¡°Can I go in to see Hanhan?¡±

    Dr. Luo looked hesitant.

    Standing in front of him was Han Zhifan, who lowered his head slightly and nced over at Cheng Weiwan. He looked as though he was contemting something. After a while, he looked up at Dr. Luo and nodded silently.

    With Han Zhifan¡¯s approval, Dr. Luo gulped back his rejection. ¡°You can, but before you go in, please wear the hazmat suit.¡±

    Perhaps it was he had been given an anesthetic during the operation, but Cheng Han was fast asleep.

    Beside the bed, Cheng Weiwan watched over Cheng Han without blinking.

    Han Zhifan stood outside, looking in through the window, and clearly saw her facial expression. She no longer looked dazed the way she was when she was standing in front of the window earlier, but she now looked warm and affectionate.

    That was when he realized that Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t really smiled in the past few days unless she was in front of Cheng Han.

    Han Zhifan stood in the hallway for a while then headed downstairs and smoked two cigarettes in the garden.

    When he headed back to the building, Cheng Weiwan had alreadye out of the patient room.

    She had her head lowered and was flipping through things in her bag. She didn¡¯t notice him.

    Soon enough, she grabbed the box of pills he sawst night and put a few in her mouth.

    She moved naturally as though she had been taking them for some time... Which meant she had actually been clinically depressed for a long time?

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t walk over to Cheng Han¡¯s hospital room and headed back to the elevators instead.

    He walked out of the hospital building and stood beneath the sun for a moment. He pulled out the car keys, opened the car door, stepped on the gas and left the hospital.

 Chapter 978 - Backing Down (3)

    Chapter 978: Backing Down (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t actually sure where he was headed. After getting on the main road, he followed the traffic and drove ahead aimlessly.

    He didn¡¯t know just how long he had been wandering for. It wasn¡¯t until there were more and more cars on the road, he moved increasingly slower and traffic became intense to the point where he couldn¡¯t move any further that he finally realized it was rush hour in the evening.

    The car was about to run out of gas. Han Zhifan left the main road at the closest exit then turned into a gas station by the road.

    After filling up the tank, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t head back onto the road. Instead, he looked left and right for a while then stepped on the gas. He drove about two meters ahead and stopped outside an office building.

    The lights of the office building were lit.

    Through the tall, wide windows, he could see people walking back and forth.

    Perhaps many people thought they could beat the heavy traffic during rush hour by working overtime.

    Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t consciously thought abouting here, so he didn¡¯t know what to do now that he was there. He sat in the car, smoking one cigarette after another, because he was torn about wanting to leave and not wanting to leave at the same time.

    Night was gradually approaching and the sound of car horns on the road died down. One light after another started to turn off in the office.

    When there were only a few countable lights left in the entire office building, a familiar figure emerged from inside.

    It was Lin Muqing, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s best friend.

    Han Zhifan stared at her for a while through the car window as she grabbed her phone. She must¡¯ve wanted to call a taxi. Just as she approached the front of the car, he unexpectedly pressed the car horn.

    Perhaps the horn came too suddenly because Lin Muqing jumped in fright. She almost dropped her phone on the ground.

    Because the car window was tightly shut, he couldn¡¯t hear what she was saying outside. However, from the shape of her moving lips, he could tell she was calling him crazy or something of the sort.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t mind and pressed the horn again.

    Standing at the head of the car, Lin Muqing impatiently turned her head and looked over.

    Their eyes met through the windshield.

    In two short seconds, Lin Muqing¡¯s face immediately turned furious.

    Lin Muqing didn¡¯t want to stay a second longer as she red at him menacingly. She didn¡¯t even bother calling a taxi anymore and strode off to the sidewalk.

    Han Zhifan hurriedly pushed his car door open and got out. Then he quickly rushed over to Lin Muqing.

    Lin Muqing vaguely sensed he was catching up to her, so she sped up. Since she was in heels, she couldn¡¯tpete with his speed. She was probably tired from walking, because she suddenly came to a stop. Turning her head, she said with a fed up voice, ¡°Mr. Han, you¡¯ve already used me to force Wanwan to give you Hanhan. Now that you¡¯vee to see me, what do you want? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still unwilling to let Wanwan go? Do you really have to make her pressured to death before you give up?!¡±

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows slightly as he got a little angry at Lin Muqing¡¯s impolite attitude. There was a sh of annoyance in his eyes.

    Seeing him like this, Lin Muqing¡¯s anger simmered down.

    She was a little afraid to drag Wanwan down...

    Lin Muqing gulped and spoke in a quieter voice. ¡°Mr. Han. I¡¯m begging you! Could you not use me to do over-the-top things to Wanwan? If you continue to do this, I can¡¯t even be friends with Wanwan... I already feel sorry for her. Do you know her apartment is above mine? I haven¡¯t dared to see her for several days now...¡±

 Chapter 979 - Backing down (4)

    Chapter 979: Backing down (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lin Muqing was an impatient person. She sped up as she spoke and became even more agitated as she spoke. However, before she could finish, Han Zhifan suddenly cut in after not saying a word since he appeared before her. ¡°Is she really in a bad state right now?¡±

    Lin Muqing was stunned for two seconds then nervously said, ¡°What do you mean by this? What happened to Wanwan?¡±

    How would I know? Don¡¯t tell me Wanwan deliberately kept it from me?

    With that thought, Lin Muqing quickly grabbed her phone and starting flipping for Cheng Weiwan¡¯s number.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for her to call Cheng Weiwan and said, ¡°I was referring to her health...¡±

    Her health? Wanwan¡¯s sick?

    Lin Muqing furrowed her brows and didn¡¯t hesitate in the slightest to press a key on the screen.

    ¡°...Clinical depression.¡± Han Zhifan continued to say.

    Lin Muqing suddenly stopped making the call.

    Clinical depression... how does Han Zhifan know Wanwan was clinically depressed? What¡¯s more, wasn¡¯t Wanwan¡¯s depression cured over a year ago?

    Lin Muqing didn¡¯t catch on for a moment before she raised her head and looked over at Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan thought she didn¡¯t want to admit it, so he spoke out again. ¡°I saw her take antidepressants with my own eyes.¡±

    ¡°With your own eyes?¡± Lin Muqing¡¯s eyes shot wide open. ¡°By this, you mean Wanwan has been secretly taking medicine all along? Her clinical depression came back?¡±

    And?

    The corners of Han Zhifan¡¯s lips pursed tightly. ¡°She¡¯s had clinical depression before?¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s question made Lin Muqing instinctively raise her hand and cover her mouth.

    In the heat of the moment, I let the cat out of the bag? Wanwan told me not to tell anyone about her dark past!

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t know why he was so curious at that very moment. He wanted to know about Cheng Weiwan really badly. Seeing as Lin Muqing didn¡¯t reply, his voice sounded a little hurried. ¡°What really happened?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure...¡± Lin Muqing shook her head as she was about to run away. ¡°...Mr. Han, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be on my way.¡±

    With that said, Lin Muqing turned around and was about to run off.

    But after just two steps, Han Zhifan pulled on the straps of her handbag.

    He was forceful and dragged her right back to his side. ¡°What the hell is going on? How did she get clinical depression before? And why is it back now?¡±

    ¡°My rtionship with Wanwan is great, but I really don¡¯t know. All I know is that she¡¯s had clinical depression in the past...¡± Lin Muqing was naturally afraid of Han Zhifan, but she pushed down the fear in the bottom of her heart and pretended to be crazy.

    ¡°Quit trying to trick me. Did you think I would believe you? She was willing to put my son under your name, so what do you not know?¡± Han Zhifan gradually tightened his clutch upon Lin Muqing¡¯s bag as his voice sounded even harsher. ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t tell me. Did you think I can¡¯t investigate her?¡±

    Investigate?

    Upon hearing this word, Lin Muqing¡¯s heart was suddenly on fire. ¡°If I don¡¯t tell you then you¡¯ll find out the reason? Who¡¯s willing to let other people find out their most embarrassing secrets?¡±

    ¡°I know it¡¯s because Wanwan sees me as family and to her, you¡¯re a whole other person! For you to investigate her past, that¡¯s like sprinkling salt on the wound!¡±

 Chapter 980 - Backing Down (5)

    Chapter 980: Backing Down (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Have you not made her suffer enough? Just how much must you make her suffer until you give it up already?!¡±

    ¡°You want to know why she¡¯s clinically depressed? Let me tell you! Let me tell you! You don¡¯t have to investigate! Alright?!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s depressed because of you! After you and she broke up, there was a period of time when she lingered outside your apartment building every day. That was because, at that time, she already had depression! She couldn¡¯t sleep at night, so she lingered there to feel a little better. But I don¡¯t know what happened. One day, she came back andpletely stopped talking and stopped going out in the sun. She shut herself in her room without eating, drinking, crying, orughing. She was no different from a zombie!¡±

    ¡°You see how tall and lovable your son is right now, but you don¡¯t know just how she almost died giving birth to him! She almost left this world!¡±

    ¡°Hanhan saved her life. Hanhan¡¯s arrival revived her and she put all her heart into that child. She got better day by day. If you hadn¡¯t appeared in her life again, who¡¯s to say she wouldn¡¯t be able to get a publishing deal for hertest book and take Hanhan to live her life out in a mountain resort in Europe by now?!¡±

    ¡°I may not have known her depression was back, but I know you must be the reason why it¡¯s back! It¡¯s because you stole Hanhan, causing her to crumble into her current state!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Han, didn¡¯t you chase her back then just to get revenge? I may not know the details or whether your deep desire for revenge is real or fake, but I can tell you that you¡¯ve seeded! Cheng Weiwan is about to die by your hands! Are you particrly satisfied right now? Particrly happy?¡±

    After Lin Muqing finished venting the anger in her heart, she forcefully yanked her bag from Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers. Then she strode over to the sidewalk without so much as a nce at him.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t stop her. It wasn¡¯t until her silhouette disappeared that Han Zhifan blinked and slowly came back to his senses.

    She got depression after I drove her away from me? She only appeared outside my apartment building every day because she was sick?

    Now that I stole our son from her, the depression came back?

    Didn¡¯t I always think I was too lenient on her?

    Her father killed Lili, but I let her go.

    I never imagined she would be tortured by this illness because of me.

    Before Lin Muqing left, she questioned me so harshly ¡ª Are you satisfied? Are you happy?

    Yeah, I should be satisfied, I should be happy, I should call Cheng Weiguo and tell him, ¡°You killed my sister, and I¡¯ve tortured your daughter to the point where she¡¯s barely alive...

    She should also be really happy... After all, she¡¯s still alive and she has a protective friend like Lin Muqing. However, my sister, Lili, died long ago.

    In contrast to my sister, her circumstances aren¡¯t bad. I don¡¯t need to feel guilty and I should feel gratified. However, not only did he not feel the least bit overjoyed, but he was even more unhappy.

    From the moment he learned she was Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter, he felt like God had arranged everything between them.

    ...And everything that happened was under his control. However, in the end, he didn¡¯t know what to do.

 Chapter 981 - Backing Down (6)

    Chapter 981: Backing Down (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan seemed to be stuck in some kind of conflict where he didn¡¯t know what to do. He tightly creased his brows and stood motionlessly on the spot for a long time. He didn¡¯t move until the phone in his pocket rang and he slowly pulled it out. He nced at the screen and unwittingly realized it was ten in the evening.

    The housekeeper was calling. His phone rang a few more times in his palms before Han Zhifan snapped to reality and pressed the button to ept the call.

    ¡°Mr. Han, when are youing over?¡±

    Han Zhifan instinctively thought something urgent had happened to Cheng Han, so he spoke with a slightly anxious tone of voice. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did something happen to Hanhan?¡±

    ¡°No...¡± The housekeeper quickly exined. ¡°...I noticed you left at noon and haven¡¯t turned up at the hospital till now, so I thought I¡¯d ask if you¡¯ll be hereter?¡±

    ¡°Ye...¡± instinctively cried Han Zhifan when he came to a sudden stop after just one word.

    Even though the housekeeper spoke perfectly well without any detectable ws, he guessed Cheng Weiwan probably asked the housekeeper to call and check up on him...

    With an illness like this, Hanhan¡¯s life could be threatened at any time. Dr. Luo hadn¡¯t given them any hope that Hanhan could be cured. Cheng Weiwan must¡¯ve really wanted to stay in the hospital to be with Hanhan.

    If he was going to the hospitalter, she would definitely follow him and make a deal with him like yesterday toe over the next day.

    He wasn¡¯t stupid. He could tell she wasn¡¯t willing to do so.

    ¡°Mr. Han?¡± asked the housekeeper over the phone as she couldn¡¯t help but speak up after only hearing Han Zhifan let out a single syble.

    After hearing the housekeeper¡¯s voice, Han Zhifan gathered his drifting thoughts then let out an ¡°Mhm.¡± Then he calmly replied, ¡°I have some urgent business over here at the office, so I might not be able to make it. Please take care of Hanhan. If anything happens, call me anytime or find Dr. Luo...¡±

    Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t finished but he paused for a moment.

    Just as he was trying to figure out how he was going to finish what he was going to say, the housekeeper on the phone spoke again. ¡°Mr. Han, the young master is unwell and he¡¯s unstable. After he woke up in the afternoon, he¡¯s been crying and pulling a tantrum... All we could do was let Miss Cheng be with him. You can¡¯te to the hospital right now; the wet nurse and I can¡¯t control him. How about we let Miss Cheng...¡±

    Han Zhifan knew what the housekeeper was going to say next.

    The housekeeper more or less said what he was thinking. He wanted to let Cheng Weiwan stay with her son in the hospital...

    The housekeeper was probably afraid he would get angry, so she stuttered on the phone. She stopped mid-sentence for a moment then said, ¡°...let Miss Cheng stay in the hospital for a little while longer?¡±

    After Han Zhifan waited for the housekeeper to finish speaking, there were a few seconds of silence then he softly replied into the phone, ¡°Do as you wish.¡±

    The housekeeper probably held her breath while on the call, because after she heard him giving her permission, she let out a long sigh of relief. ¡°Mr. Han, please get back to work first. If there¡¯s nothing else, I won¡¯t keep you any longer.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything. He lowered the phone from his ear and pressed the button to end the call.

    ¨C

    Han Zhifan got a call from Dr. Luo three dayster to go to the hospital.

    During the past three days, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t move an inch away from Cheng Han¡¯s side.

 Chapter 982 - Backing Down (7)

    Chapter 982: Backing Down (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Dr. Luo called Han Zhifan to the hospital without Cheng Weiwan¡¯s knowledge.

    When Han Zhifan arrived at the hospital, he didn¡¯t stop by Cheng Han¡¯s room to see him. Instead, he headed directly to Dr. Luo¡¯s office.

    They talked for almost two hours to confirm Cheng Han¡¯s treatment n before Han Zhifan got up and left Dr. Luo¡¯s office.

    Dr. Luo wanted to see Han Zhifan off. As they walked out of his office, Dr. Luo kept on emphasizing the high sess rate of Cheng Han¡¯s operation. He also promised he would definitely try his best to help Cheng Han recover as soon as possible.

    Listening to this, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t show too much emotion on his face. When he was about to reach the elevator, Han Zhifan said, ¡°About Hanhan ¨C thank you for taking good care of him.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Han, what do you mean? It¡¯s my duty,¡± said Dr. Luo with a smile.

    ¡°Mhm.¡± Han Zhifan appeared absent-minded. After a while, he then said, ¡°Please, you¡¯re busy. You don¡¯t have to see me out.¡±

    Dr. Luo didn¡¯t attempt to be overly polite to Han Zhifan and said, ¡°Then Mr. Han, I¡¯ll leave you to it. Please take care.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but he gently nodded. After the elevator doors opened, he said ¡°Goodbye¡± to Dr. Luo then walked in without waiting for Dr. Luo to say goodbye in return.

    After Han Zhifan walked out of the A&E building, he smoked a cigarette then walked over to the in-patient building.

    He took the elevator up to Cheng Han¡¯s floor. After Han Zhifan stepped out, he stood outside the elevator for a while before walking in the direction of Cheng Han¡¯s room.

    Dr. Luo gave Cheng Han medicine the day before, so his fever was gone and he was returned to his previous room.

    The wet nurse gave him a call yesterday. Something happened at her parent¡¯s house, so she had to take a few days off.

    It was almost dinner time, so the housekeeper should be on her way home to pick up dinner. Cheng Weiwan and Cheng Han should be the only two people in the hospital room.

    Cheng Han had a needle at his wrist connecting him to an IV drip, which was over half full.

    Perhaps the medicine had taken effect because Cheng Han was fast asleep on the hospital bed.

    Cheng Weiwan sat by the bed, staring transfixed at Cheng Han.

    She wasn¡¯t facing him, so Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t see the expression on her face. However, he could sense the warm and protective aura from her body as she stared at Cheng Han.

    Every now and then, she reached out and affectionately touched Cheng Han¡¯s face.

    The sunset shone through the windows and made half the hospital room glow golden.

    The picture lookedforting and easy on the eyes. Han Zhifan watched through the window of the door in a daze. For a long time, he didn¡¯t even think about opening the door.

    After an unknown amount of time, Cheng Weiwan raised her head and nced at the IV drip. Then she turned around and pulled out a fruit knife from the drawer of the bedside table.

    She had her back to Han Zhifan, so all he could see was that she had a fruit knife in her hand. He had no idea what she did after grabbing the fruit knife.

    He suddenly remembered that she was taking antidepressants. He stared at the silhouette of her back for a while then seeing as she didn¡¯t make any other movements, he was ovee by a terrible feeling. Without a second thought, he abruptly opened the door, rushed over to the side of the bed and grabbed her wrist.

    He wanted to say ¡°What are you doing?¡±, but before he could say those words, he saw a half-peeled apple in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s other hand.

    So she was peeling an apple... I was worried...

 Chapter 983 - Backing Down (8)

    Chapter 983: Backing Down (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan hurriedly gulped back the words at the tip of his tongue.

    After about two seconds, his gaze turned from the apple in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers to her face.

    With a seriously confused look in her eyes, she furrowed her brows slightly then stared at him grabbing her wrist.

    Han Zhifan froze for two seconds when he met her gaze. Then he slowly came to his senses and realized he was still holding her hand.

    He reflexively let go of her and took two steps back.

    When he bumped into the table behind him, he realized he overreacted and actually lost hisposure.

    His tendency to get angry from embarrassment red up again as he came to his senses. ¡°Don¡¯t you have anythi-¡± he eximed as he instinctively wanted to hide his awkwardness with anger.

    His voice sounded very menacing; he was so loud that his face looked furious. The moment he opened his mouth, Cheng Weiwan visibly shivered in fear as she sat in front of him.

    He instinctively shut up and pushed his words back down.

    In that instant, the hospital room was engulfed in silence and the atmosphere became a little ufortable.

    The fire in Han Zhifan¡¯s chest burned more intensely, but he couldn¡¯t vent. He stared at Cheng Weiwan for a while then raised his feet and walked out the door.

    When he passed her, he caught the expression on her face visibly rxing from the corners of his eyes.

    Did she let out a sigh of relief because I¡¯m leaving?

    Deep down Han Zhifan became even angrier. He sped up his pace and stomped harder.

    When he was about to reach the door, he suddenly remembered why he was really there. Aftering to a quick stop, he turned around and looked back.

    She sensed his movements and clearly tensed up her body.

    Her reaction made Han Zhifan tightly purse his lips in annoyance.

    He thought he might not be able to hold his temper and wouldsh out at her, but in the end, he didn¡¯t. Instead, he angrily stood on the spot for a while then spoke in a t voice: ¡°Hanhan¡¯s operation is scheduled for the eighth of next month. Dr. Luo gave Hanhan medicine. For the meantime, there won¡¯t be any problems. Tomorrow, Hanhan can return home, but he¡¯ll have toe to the hospital the day before the operation.¡±

    Discharge first then go back home.

    As those words spewed from Han Zhifan¡¯s mouth, he looked at the ufortable expression on Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face as she was sitting close to him.

    She¡¯s probably afraid she won¡¯t be able to see Hanhan after I take him back home, right?

    He already let her stay with his son for three days. In principle, he let her cross way over his bottom line. However, Han Zhifan realized that when his eyes met Cheng Weiwan¡¯s upset gaze, he actually considered letting her continue staying with her son.

    ¡°You know our arrangement well. You¡¯ve stayed with my son the past few days now, so you know what you owe me. The wet nurse happens to have gone back to her hometown, so now, with my sick son, I¡¯ll have to find someone to take care of him. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ve taken care of my son for so long now and he¡¯s close to you, so tomorrow, you and my son will move into my ce!¡±

    Han Zhifan was a little angry with himself for being so soft-hearted with Cheng Weiwan. After he finished speaking, he then added, ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled. I¡¯m only letting you live at my ce because of my son.¡±

 Chapter 984 - Backing Down (9)

    Chapter 984: Backing Down (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°When my son gets better, you and I will immediately have nothing to do with each other! And don¡¯t you think about ever seeing my son again!¡±

    With that said, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t stay a moment longer. He turned around, pulled open the door behind him, and walked out of the hospital room.

    ¨C

    The next day, Han Zhifan had a meeting in the afternoon, so he didn¡¯t go to the hospital.

    Dr. Luo helped handle Cheng Han¡¯s discharge.

    Han Zhifan simply couldn¡¯t walk away from work, so he ordered his driver to pick up Cheng Han from the hospital.

    Han Zhifan was busy with work all the way up until ten in the evening, which was when he finally asked his driver to drive him back home.

    The housekeeper heard the sound of the car approaching and emerged from the house.

    Han Zhifan got out of the car and handed the housekeeper theptop in his hands. He bent over and removed his shoes.

    ¡°Mr. Han, have you had dinner?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Han Zhifan simply left with one word and headed upstairs.

    He first went to the baby¡¯s room. Cheng Han was already asleep and Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t in the apartment.

    He gently shut the door then went into the bedroom. Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t there either, so he changed into his loungewear and walked out.

    He circled the second floor and didn¡¯t catch Cheng Weiwan, so he headed downstairs.

    The housekeeper was carrying a cup of tea as she emerged from the dining room.

    ¡°Mr. Han, your tea.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but he signaled her to put it on the coffee table in front of the sofa with a nod.

    After the housekeeper put the tea down, Han Zhifan casually strolled over to the sofa and sat down.

    The television was on, so he grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels a few times. After he stopped on the finance channel, he turned his head and nced at the housekeeper standing beside him. ¡°Where¡¯s she? Didn¡¯t shee back with you?¡±

    The housekeeper was stunned for a moment as she didn¡¯t immediately catch on. Then she realized Han Zhifan was asking about Cheng Weiwan and she replied, ¡°Miss Cheng went back home after the young master fell asleep.¡±

    Went back home?

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows.

    ¡°Miss Cheng said she has to go back home to grab some things and wille backter.¡±

    After hearing the second half of the sentence, Han Zhifan¡¯s brows rxed. He didn¡¯t reply to the housekeeper and concentrated on watching the television screen as though he had just asked casually with no care for the answer.

    Perhaps it was because the housekeeper had spent all day in the hospital and hadn¡¯t had much rest that she yawned at half-past eleven.

    Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t returned yet and Han Zhifan had no intention of going upstairs to sleep, so all the housekeeper could do was ignore her desire to sleep.

    Just as she felt tempted to sleep standing up, the sound of a car approaching finally came from outside.

    The housekeeper nced out the window and confirmed that a car had stopped outside the vi. ¡°Miss Cheng¡¯s here...¡± she cried as she immediately woke up.

    With that said, as the housekeeper ran out the door.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t move an inch from the sofa and continued to watch the television.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t turn his head and stare out the tall windows until he heard the sound of a familiar voice from the car parked outside the front door.

    The man who Cheng Weiwan called ¡°Yinan Ge¡± had dropped her off.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers couldn¡¯t help but grip the remote harder.

    ¡°Miss Cheng, is this all you have?¡± The door was open and the housekeeper¡¯s voice was loud enough to travel into the house.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything, so she must¡¯ve nodded at the housekeeper. ¡°I¡¯ll help you carry your stuff inside,¡± said the housekeeper.

    With that said, the sound of the housekeeper¡¯s footsteps drew closer to the entrance.

    Because Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t entered yet, the housekeeper didn¡¯t close the door. When she reached the entrance, she asked Han Zhifan on the sofa, ¡°Mr. Han, where will Miss Cheng be staying?¡±

 Chapter 985 - Backing Down (10)

    Chapter 985: Backing Down (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As the housekeeper spoke, the faint sound of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice came from outside. ¡°Yinan Ge, thank you for dropping me off. It¡¯s gettingte. Drive slowly on your way back.¡±

    The moment the housekeeper finished asking, Han Zhifan, who originally wanted to say: ¡°The maid¡¯s room,¡± suddenly changed his mind after hearing Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice. ¡°The master bedroom!¡±

    The housekeeper was left stunned as she probably never imagined Han Zhifan would let Cheng Weiwan stay in his room. ¡°Yes, Mr. Han,¡± she replied then she carried Cheng Weiwan¡¯s things upstairs.

    Outside the door, Cheng Weiwan and Lin Yinan overheard the conversation between Han Zhifan and the housekeeper. They were in the middle of saying their goodbyes when the two of them instantly fell silent.

    Although Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t outside, he could sense the atmosphere between Cheng Weiwan and Lin Yinan freezing over.

    After who knew how much time had passed, Cheng Weiwan spoke with a voice that sounded evidently less natural and smooth. ¡°Yinan Ge, you have to go to work tomorrow, so you better head back.¡±

    Lin Yinan didn¡¯t say anything but he nodded gently at Cheng Weiwan. Then he turned to nce at the door as though he wanted to say something. He moved his lips but remembered he had no right to say anything. If he did say anything, it would just embarrass Cheng Weiwan and she would feel embarrassed to face him. Lin Yinan thought about it, but in the end, he chose to let it go. He nodded once again at Cheng Weiwan then said, ¡°Goodbye¡± as he opened the car door and got in.

    When Lin Yinan drove out of the gates of the courtyard, Cheng Weiwan withdrew her gaze from the direction of the car.

    She stood in the courtyard and didn¡¯t go in until the housekeeper finished putting her things away and came back downstairs. Seeing her standing outside on her own, the housekeeper ran out and cried for her. Cheng Weiwan gave a slight smile and walked into the house.

    The housekeeper helped Cheng Weiwan grab a pair of slippers.

    After putting on the slippers, the housekeeper asked, ¡°Miss Cheng, are you hungry right now? Would you like supper?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything, but she gently shook her head.

    ¡°Then would you like something to drink?¡± asked the housekeeper.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want anything, thank you,¡± replied Cheng Weiwan.

    ¡°Then Miss Cheng, you better get some rest.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan nodded silently at the housekeeper.

    ¡°Miss Cheng, shall I take you upstairs to get some sleep?¡± The housekeeper pointed at the stairs not too far behind her.

    This time, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t react.

    The housekeeper was about to ask Cheng Weiwan again when Cheng Weiwan turned and looked over at Han Zhifan, who was sitting on the sofa watching TV with a remote in hand.

    Han Zhifan knew Cheng Weiwan was looking at him, but he didn¡¯t look back at her.

    The room went quiet for a moment then Cheng Weiwan said to the housekeeper, ¡°I want to say a few things with him in private.¡±

    The housekeeper discreetly stepped out of the living room in a hurry.

    Aside from the soundsing from the television, no other sound was heard in therge andvish room.

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips slightly then shuffled a few steps towards where Han Zhifan was sitting before uttering: ¡°Can I change rooms...¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers loosened up slightly around the remote control.

    ¡°...If you need something, I cane to your room, but could you arrange a private room for me otherwise...¡±

    At first, I wanted her to stay in another room, but now that she made this request, why am I so mad?

    Cheng Weiwan noticed that Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t said a word, so she added, ¡°...the maid¡¯s room will do...¡±

    Maid¡¯s room?

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t know why he was so mad, but he couldn¡¯t control himself no matter how he tried. All of a sudden, he waved his arms and threw the remote control in his hand.

 Chapter 986 - Hug (1)

    Chapter 986: Hug (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Following a loud *bang!*, the remote control smashed into the television and broke into pieces on the floor.

    The housekeeper was away from the room, so she didn¡¯t know what happened, but after she heard the noise, she hurriedly opened the bedroom door. She ran out, assuming something had been identally broken.

    ¡°How...¡± The housekeeper let out just one word when she sensed there was something off about the atmosphere in the bedroom. She instinctively shut up then nced at Cheng Weiwan, who was standing in front of the sofa with pursed lips. Then she looked over at Han Zhifan. When her gaze met the man¡¯s dark expression, she instinctively took several steps back and hid in her own room after gently shutting the door behind her.

    The second after the housekeeper disappeared from the living room, Han Zhifan moved his lips and spoke with a harsh and sarcastic voice. ¡°If you¡¯re really not happy, get out now!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m only letting you through the doors because of my son¡¯s illness. Did you really think you¡¯re all that to be negotiating terms with me? Why don¡¯t you check if you have the right to do that first?!¡±

    Han Zhifan said this while angrily getting up and walking over to the stairs.

    When he passed by Cheng Weiwan, he felt he hadn¡¯t vented enough of his anger yet. ¡°You ungrateful woman!¡± he added with gritted teeth as he walked up the stairs.

    His anger must¡¯ve not subsided yet because the ear-splitting sound of the door mming shut was heard after he walked into the bedroom.

    Silence returned to the living room.

    After a while, the door to the housekeeper¡¯s room was softly cracked open.

    Han Zhifan roared particrly loudly just now, so the housekeeper could hear everything crystal clear from behind the door. She stood obviously awkward by the door for a while then walked out.

    Having sensed her movements, Cheng Weiwan turned and looked over.

    When the housekeeper met Cheng Weiwan¡¯s gaze, she stopped. ¡°Miss Cheng, are you alright?¡± she said quietly with aforting expression on her face.

    Cheng Weiwan lowered her eyes to hide the hurt in them. She forcefully pulled on the corner of her lips then replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Without waiting for the housekeeper to speak, she pointed upstairs and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go up and check on Hanhan.¡± She kept her head low and hurriedly walked upstairs.

    After taking just a few steps, the housekeeper cried out to Cheng Weiwan, ¡°Miss Cheng.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan stopped in her tracks but didn¡¯t turn her head.

    The housekeeper seemed to be hesitant about something. After a while, she then said, ¡°Miss Cheng, Mr. Han is actually easy to talk to and he¡¯s really soft-hearted. Stop constantly going against him and making him angry, then your days will be better... I mean nothing by it, Miss Cheng. I...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan knew the housekeeper meant well. Even though she was upset, she still turned her head and thanked the housekeeper. Then she turned around and quickly walked up the stairs.

    The housekeeper didn¡¯t say anything else, but she gently shook her head and let out a sigh when Cheng Weiwan disappeared around the corner of the stairs. She walked over to the television, crouched down, and started to clean up the scattered pieces of the remote control.

    ...

    That night, Cheng Weiwan stayed in Cheng Han¡¯s room for a long time before heading into the master bedroom.

    All the lights were off in the room aside from a nightmp on the bedside table.

    Han Zhifanid motionlessly t on the big bed.

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t sure if Han Zhifan was asleep or not, but she didn¡¯t want to call out to him. She stood at the door for a short while then softly shut the door. She picked up her bag and walked into the bathroom.

 Chapter 987 - Hug (2)

    Chapter 987: Hug (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    After freshening up, Cheng Weiwan stepped out and dawdled for a while before walking over to the empty half of the bed. She lifted a corner of the covers theny her body across the bed.

    She just settled in but before her eyes shut, she felt Han Zhifan¡¯s body moving and shifting over to her side.

    She was so afraid that she immediately held her breath and tensed her body up without daring to move an inch.

    She waited for a long time, but Han Zhifan didn¡¯t appear to move again. That was when Cheng Weiwan dared to breathe little by little.

    She didn¡¯t know how much longer she could take this tension. It wasn¡¯t until she got tired and simply couldn¡¯t stand it anymore that she gradually shut her eyes and slipped into a deep sleep when she saw that Han Zhifan still wasn¡¯t moving.

    Cheng Weiwan slept unusually well.

    When she woke up, it was light outside and beside her, Han Zhifan was already gone.

    After she finished freshening up, she went downstairs. In the living room, there was no one else there besides the housekeeper, the nanny, and Cheng Han. Cheng Weiwan let out a sigh of relief then reached out to Cheng Han who came running at her after seeing that she had woken up. They chatted while greeting the housekeeper then they went to the dining room for breakfast.

    Han Zhifan must¡¯ve had a lot of work to do because he barely showed up at the vi for the week.

    Of the only two times Han Zhifan came back, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t bump into him. If the housekeeper hadn¡¯t told her, Cheng Weiwan wouldn¡¯t have known he came back at all.

    The first time Han Zhifan came back, Cheng Weiwan was taking an afternoon nap with Cheng Han. He came to pick up a document.

    The second time, he came back in the evening. Cheng Weiwan took Cheng Han out to take a stroll around the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Han Zhifan changed into a suit and left.

    Before Cheng Han¡¯s operation, Dr. Luo didn¡¯t rmend him to go outside, so Cheng Weiwan stayed inside Han Zhifan¡¯s vi. She watched over Cheng Han and didn¡¯t take a single step away from him.

    Maybe it was because of the medicine Dr. Luo gave Cheng Han, but he slept quite a bit every day. When Cheng Weiwan was alone, she stared at Cheng Han in a daze or sat in the balcony of the second-floor baby¡¯s room, listening to music with her earphones and staring nkly out the window.

    Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of the month. Cheng Weiwan still hadn¡¯t seen Han Zhifan.

    On the morning of the twenty-fifth, Cheng Han ran up to a sleeping Cheng Weiwan and pulled on herforter. ¡°Mummy mummy!¡± he cried, waking her up.

    Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t really slept the night before because she spent the night typing up a script. She was so sleepy that she simply couldn¡¯t open her eyes, so she groggily grunted at Cheng Han.

    Cheng Han noticed Cheng Weiwan still hadn¡¯t woken up, so he cried louder, rming the housekeeper downstairs.

    Cheng Weiwan heard the housekeeper cry, ¡°Young master,¡± so she had to open her eyes and sit up.

    ¡°Mummy! Mummy! You promised to eat breakfast with me today. Mummy, mummy...¡±

    The housekeeper noticed that Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t look well, so she tried to persuade Cheng Han. ¡°Young master, I¡¯ll feed you, so we can let mummy get some rest for a while, okay?¡±

    Cheng Han shook his head and looked like he was about to cry.

    Cheng Weiwan rubbed her throbbing temples and softly told Cheng Han, ¡°Mummy¡¯s going to brush her teeth.¡± Then she pulled off the covers and walked into the bathroom.

    After Cheng Weiwan freshened up and emerged from the bathroom, Cheng Han was the only one left in the master bedroom.

    Cheng Han was probably hungry because as soon as he saw her, he immediately ran over and grabbed her hand. They walked out the door together.

    Cheng Weiwan followed Cheng Han down the stairs through the wide winding stairway. Before stepping into the dining room, they saw Han Zhifan through the open door, sitting inside.

 Chapter 988 - Hug (3)

    Chapter 988: Hug (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s feet came to a halt.

    How could Cheng Han possibly know about matters between adults? Seeing that Cheng Weiwan had stopped walking, he started to rush her. ¡°Mummy, hurry up. Mummy...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan withdrew her gaze from Han Zhifan and started walking again. She followed Cheng Han into the dining room.

    Han Zhifan already knew Cheng Weiwan had arrived when Cheng Han called ¡°Mummy¡± earlier, but he didn¡¯t turn to nce back at her. His gaze was still stuck to his phone, even when she took a seat at the dining table. He didn¡¯t greet her, let alone show any signs of lifting his eyelids.

    When Cheng Weiwan and Cheng Han reached the dining table, Han Zhifan had more or less finished breakfast.

    The housekeeper had just served Cheng Han a bowl of congee when Han Zhifan put his chopsticks down. He picked up a tissue, wiped his mouth then looked over at Cheng Han.

    He looked warm and gentle as he shared a few words with Cheng Han. He even picked up Cheng Han from the dining chair and hugged him for a while. He let him down then rubbed Cheng Han¡¯s head and nced at the housekeeper beside them.

    He left a few instructions for the housekeeper regarding Cheng Han. Through everything, he pretended as though Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t exist. Then he picked up his phone and walked away from the dining table.

    After they finished breakfast, Cheng Weiwan followed Cheng Han out of the dining room. She happened to bump right into Han Zhifan, who happened to change into a suit and had juste downstairs.

    Han Zhifan bent over, stroked Cheng Han¡¯s little face and treated Cheng Weiwan like air again. He brushed past her and walked to the entrance where he put on his shoes. He left the house, got in the car which was waiting at the door for him, and left.

    Perhaps it was because Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t turned up at the vitely, but Cheng Weiwan had been a lot more rxed recently.

    Perhaps it was because she unexpectedly bumped into Han Zhifan at breakfast but after he left, Cheng Weiwan had a heavy heart and felt as though she had a lot on her mind.

    She yed with Cheng Han for a while but after Cheng Han fell asleep, she went back to the master bedroom to catch up on some lost sleep. However, when sheid in bed, she tossed and turned for a long time, unable to actually fall asleep.

    In the end, she simply sat up, hugging her knees. She stared out at the bright sunshine and started to daze out.

    Cheng Han woke up in the afternoon. Cheng Weiwan yed with him for a long time in the game room. In the evening, she had dinner with Cheng Han then took him on a stroll around the neighborhood for a while. When they came back, she finally felt her mood improving after feeling rattled all day from seeing Han Zhifan in the morning.

    She personally washed Cheng Han and told him a bedtime story. After she got Cheng Han to sleep, her rxed mood made herck of sleep catch up to her. She rushed back into the bedroom, where she took a hot shower then climbed into bed.

    She shut her eyes and quickly slipped into sleep.

    However, not long after she fell asleep, she heard the sound of the car downstairs. Thereafter, she heard the faint sound of the housekeeper¡¯s voice.

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t sure if she was hallucinating or if she was dreaming. She didn¡¯t really care and turned around to continue sleeping.

    But this time, Cheng Weiwan still hadn¡¯tpletely fallen asleep when she heard the sound of familiar, heavy footsteps. Following this, she heard the sound of the door to the baby¡¯s room next door being opened.

    Cheng Weiwanpletely lost her desire to sleep. She didn¡¯t open her eyes but continued to listen carefully for a while. It wasn¡¯t until the master bedroom door opened that she instinctively opened her eyes and looked over at the door. When she saw the silhouette of Han Zhifan, she knew everything that happened was real.

    Han Zhifan sensed her gaze and his footsteps towards the room abruptly stopped.

 Chapter 989 - Hug (4)

    Chapter 989: Hug (4)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan sensed her gaze as his footsteps into the room came to an abrupt halt.

    His gaze wasn¡¯t focused on her. Soon enough, he raised his feet and walked into the bedroom.

    Cheng Weiwan heard the endless sound of running water in the bathroom as her heart couldn¡¯t help but race erratically.

    When the sound of water stopped, Cheng Weiwan instinctively held her breath. She heard rustling from the other side of the bathroom door.

    Her body tensed up the moment the door opened and her fingers instinctively clutched onto theforter tightly.

    Wrapped in a bathrobe, Han Zhifan walked over to the bed. He lifted up theforter andid down without so much as a nce towards Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body was incredibly stiff as her fingers clutching theforter gently quivered.

    It was very quiet in the bedroom. She held her breath and silently waited for a long time, not daring to breathe. When she saw that Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t making any movements, she then slowly rxed a little.

    She was afraid Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t asleep and would suddenly get excited in that area... Even though she was very sleepy, she didn¡¯t dare to sleep.

    She didn¡¯t dare try to sleep until he was fast asleep with long and even breaths. She shut her eyes but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t fall asleep.

    She knew it was because she wasn¡¯t used to him lying beside her.

    It was funny now that she thought about it. Two years ago, when they shared the same bed, she was filled with happiness like she had the whole world. But now, two yearster, she felt incredibly tortured and ufortable with him lying in the same bed.

    It was a little ufortable to hold the same position for a long time, but Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t dare move recklessly. She was afraid to wake up Han Zhifan beside her.

    She didn¡¯t know just how long sheid there with wild thoughts, but eventually, she sneakily removed the covers. Getting out of bed, she walked to the windowsill because she simply felt too ufortable lying there.

    After that night, Han Zhifan came home to stay for several nights.

    At first, he woulde home in the middle of the night. Perhaps he wasn¡¯t so busy with work, because from then on, he came back home earlier and came across Cheng Weiwan in the vi for longer periods as the days went by. However, he treated her like she didn¡¯t exist; he didn¡¯t interact with her at all, nor did he look her right in the eyes. Of course, when they shared a bed in the evening, he wouldn¡¯t eveny a single finger on her.

    As the days went by, they entered a new month at the blink of an eye.

    There was just one week till the day of Cheng Han¡¯s operation.

    She wasn¡¯t clear if it was because she had seen Han Zhifan for too long now, or if it was because the date of Cheng Han¡¯s operation was approaching, but Cheng Weiwan felt on edge with each day that passed. The stress she had deep down grew bigger every day.

    She knew this was rted to her depression. She increased her antidepressant intake, but there were no signs of her illness being under control in the slightest.

    The housekeeper was the first to notice something was wrong with Cheng Weiwan.

    At first, the housekeeper didn¡¯t really pay much attention and just assumed Cheng Weiwan was unhappy about something. Butter on, she bumped into Cheng Weiwan secretly crying alone for several consecutive days, so it was no wonder she started to worry deep down.

    On the second day of the new month, the housekeeper caught Cheng Weiwan secretly crying again. She finally couldn¡¯t take it anymore and told Han Zhifan.

    It was a weekend. Han Zhifan left the house early in the morning because he had ns to meet someone to y golf.

    After lunch, he had ns to y cards in thete afternoon but all of a sudden, he wasn¡¯t in the mood, so he called the driver to take him home early.

 Chapter 990 - Hug (5)

    Chapter 990: Hug (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan always liked to be outside, so he was rarely at home in thete afternoon. When the housekeeper saw him at home, she was stunned for a moment but she then ran to the entrance. She opened the shoe closet and helped him grab his slippers.

    The vi was very quiet, unlike how noisy it normally was with the sound of a child ying when he usually came home. When Han Zhifan removed his shoes, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Where¡¯s the young master?¡±

    ¡°The young master is taking an afternoon nap. He hasn¡¯t woken up yet.¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± Han Zhifan responded after hearing the housekeeper¡¯s answer. Then he walked over to the stairs without saying another word.

    The housekeeper stared at the silhouette of Han Zhifan¡¯s back and contemted for a while before she couldn¡¯t help but cry, ¡°Mr. Han...¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s footsteps came to a halt as he turned his head and slowly responded with an ¡°Mhm?¡±

    Having met Han Zhifan¡¯s gaze, the housekeeper started to be even more hesitant, knowing that he didn¡¯t like Cheng Weiwan.

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brows after seeing that the housekeeper was hesitant to say something.

    The housekeeper was afraid Han Zhifan would get angry, so she quickly said, ¡°Mr. Han, Miss Cheng... She¡¯s... been acting a little strangetely...¡±

    As the housekeeper spoke, she lifted her eyelids carefully and checked Han Zhifan up and down.

    After she was certain Han Zhifan was showing no signs of getting angry, she continued. ¡°...There have been many times when she was preparing the young master¡¯s milk and she¡¯d forget to add water and just handed the young master the milk bottle. Also, when changing his diapers, she¡¯ll change him into a new one again, right after already changing his diaper... Not only has she been in a daze, but she often daydreams. There were many times when she would suddenly stop talking mid-conversation with the young master. He would call her ¡®mummy¡¯ a few times, but she wouldn¡¯t react.¡±

    ¡°...At first, I didn¡¯t think there was a problem. But then I realized Miss Cheng would often hide in the bathroom and wash her hands in the sink for a long time. Once, she washed them for a whole hour until the skin of her fingers turned white!¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t interrupt the housekeeper, but when he finished listening to what she had to say, the corners of his lips pursed tightly.

    ¡°Miss Cheng often cooks for the young master. Yesterday, she actually almost touched hot oil bare-handed. If Xiao Yang hadn¡¯t noticed and reminded her, her hand would¡¯ve definitely burned!¡± The housekeeper paused for a moment then continued to say, ¡°Also...¡±

    Also... There¡¯s an ¡°Also¡±?!

    The corners of Han Zhifan¡¯s lips pursed fiercely.

    ¡°...Also, I¡¯ve seen Miss Cheng secretly hiding and crying on her own a number of times.¡±

    Cry?

    Han Zhifan¡¯s hands couldn¡¯t help but ball into fists.

    ¡°...Just before you got back, Miss Cheng was crying... I think something¡¯s really wrong with Miss Cheng. I¡¯m only telling you because I¡¯m really worried...¡±

    When Han Zhifan listened to this point, his eyelids shot up and he nced at the housekeeper. ¡°Where is she?¡± he asked, interrupting her.

    ¡°When I was going up and down the stairs, she was in the sunroom.¡±

    Han Zhifan nodded gently and said ¡°I got it,¡± then turned to head upstairs.

    Han Zhifan walked over to the sunroom first but didn¡¯t see Cheng Weiwan through the ss. Then he walked over to the baby¡¯s room.

    The only other person in the room aside from Cheng Han, who was lying in the crib, was the nanny.

    Han Zhifan said nothing in response to the nanny¡¯s soft greeting and walked into the bedroom.

    Just as he opened the door, he heard the sound of running watering from the bathroom.

    He sped up as he walked over to the bathroom door. With just one nce, he saw Cheng Weiwan with her head down, washing her hands.

    Her hands were already very clean, but she still forcefully rubbed her hands.

 Chapter 991 - Hug (6)

    Chapter 991: Hug (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan was just two meters away from Cheng Weiwan, but she didn¡¯t respond in the slightest as though she hadn¡¯t noticed someone was approaching at all.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t disturb her but just stood at the bathroom door, quietly staring at her.

    After an unknown amount of time, he saw that the skin of her fingertips was peeling from being washed for a long period of time.

    He thought about what the housekeeper said to him when he went upstairs.

    If no one interrupts her, will she hold that position forever?

    Han Zhifan stared at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingertips for a moment, which were unbelievably pale and peeled. In the end, he couldn¡¯t help but walk over and stand behind her.

    He was so close to her, yet she didn¡¯t react at all.

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan, what are you doing?¡±

    She seemed to bepletely unaware of her surroundings. She kept her head down and repeatedly washed her hands.

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan?¡± Han Zhifan cried Cheng Weiwan¡¯s name again. Seeing as she didn¡¯t respond again, he reached out and grabbed her arm.

    With someone touching her, it still took her a minute to raise her head very slowly.

    Through the mirror, Han Zhifan could see that her empty pupils had no focus.

    From what he remembered, her eyes were very pretty, calm as the ocean waves, and beautifully charming with the power to make people feel at peace. Now, he couldn¡¯t find that breathtaking look in her eyes. The lifeless glow in her eyes was like a sharp dagger, stabbing his heart.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s breathing was painfully stifled as he instinctively furrowed his brows.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t see Han Zhifan¡¯s expression changing. In fact, she was still frozen in ce. After a while, she realized someone had touched her arm. Then she slowly turned her head and scanned the hand Han Zhifan was holding onto then she traced her gaze up Han Zhifan¡¯s arm, bit by bit. In the end, her eyes met Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes.

    She had a dazed expression, appearing not to recognize him.

    When his gaze met hers, Han Zhifan pushed down his heartache and spoke again. ¡°Just going to use the toilet.¡±

    His voice confirmed that it was him, Han Zhifan, standing in front of her. She instinctively lowered her eyes and withdrew her gaze.

    She continued to stand on the same spot for a short while. Then as though she realized what he just said, she quickly turned around and walked out of the bathroom.

    By the time he stepped out of the bathroom, Cheng Weiwan was nowhere to be seen.

    Han Zhifan walked out of the room and pushed open the door to the baby¡¯s room next door.

    Cheng Han was still sleeping. Cheng Weiwan sat in a chair by the bed, watching over Cheng Han.

    This time, she wasn¡¯t the same as she was earlier in the bathroom. She didn¡¯t notice he was getting closer. He pushed the door open and took just two steps when she turned her head and looked over at him.

    She silently and quickly withdrew her gaze.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t utter a word either and walked over to the bedside while staring at Cheng Han in bed for a while. Then he shot the nanny a look. After she left, he bent down and sat on the nanny¡¯s seat.

    Han Zhifan and Cheng Weiwan sat on opposite sides of the baby¡¯s bed.

    The two of them didn¡¯t talk, so the room was incredibly quiet.

    But after a short while, Cheng Weiwan woke up.

 Chapter 992 - Hug (7)

    Chapter 992: Hug (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    As Cheng Han cried ¡°mummy¡± in an adorable voice, Cheng Weiwan immediately straightened up, carried Cheng Han, and walked over to the bathroom.

    The moment she turned around, Han Zhifan clearly saw her let out a long exhale.

    Is it because with me here... she feels really stressed out?

    In the bathroom, Cheng Han talked non-stop with Cheng Weiwan.

    Han Zhifan listened for a while. When Cheng Weiwan took Cheng Han to wash their hands at the sink, he got up and left the baby¡¯s room.

    Han Zhifan walked out the door and stood in the hallway. He couldn¡¯t help but keep his head down and scoff.

    How strange. This is my home, so I can go wherever I want. Why do I want to avoid her because she let out a long exhale?

    Although Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t right in front of Cheng Weiwan, he could still silently observe her.

    It was exactly as the housekeeper described.

    When Cheng Han was around her, she would be fine. She seemed no different from the Cheng Weiwan he used to know.

    As soon as Cheng Han wasn¡¯t by her side, she became a little dazed, or she would hold onto something in her hand all day without noticing, or the housekeeper would be chatting away enthusiastically while she would be the only one secretly hiding away.

    After dinner, Cheng Weiwan stayed with Cheng Han in the toy room as he yed with his toys.

    Han Zhifan was afraid Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t take care of Cheng Han on her own with her current condition, so after he ordered the housekeeper toe up and stay with them, he went to the study.

    He really was busy with some work. It wasn¡¯t problematic, but there was a little loophole in the contract. By the time Han Zhifan finished editing the contract, it was ten in the evening.

    When he came out of the study, the noisy hallway had be unusually quiet.

    He knew Cheng Han was definitely asleep.

    But when he brushed past the baby¡¯s room, Han Zhifan still pushed open the door and took a peek inside.

    It was the same as when he came back home in the afternoon; the nanny was there and Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t.

    Han Zhifan thought Cheng Weiwan was tired and headed back to the bedroom to get some rest. He didn¡¯t think much of it, but he shut the door and went downstairs to get a drink.

    After he finished his drink, Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t in a hurry to go upstairs, so he walked outside the vi for a cigarette.

    When he smoked half his cigarette, Han Zhifan thought about the Tegong Cigarettes someone gifted him over the game of golf that afternoon. They were still somewhere in the car. He bit his cigarette butt and walked over to the car in the middle of the courtyard.

    Before he reached the car, he caught the quiet sound of sobbing.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s footsteps instinctively came to a stop.

    It was very quiet in the courtyard; not a single other sound could be heard. Han Zhifan thought he misheard and was just about to continue walking away when he heard the sobbing again.

    This time, he could tell where it wasing from.

    He hesitated for a moment then strode over and walked towards the garden.

    He deliberately slowed down his pace.

    There were no lights on in the garden. The deeper into the garden he walked, the dimmer the light became.

    Han Zhifan walked for about two meters. With the help of the pale streetlights outside the courtyard, he saw a figure crouched under an old tree.

    Just by the clothes, Han Zhifan could tell it was Cheng Weiwan with one nce.

    She was shivering like crazy. She was crouched on the ground with her head buried in her knees.

    She was probably afraid of someone catching her crying, so she forcibly stopped herself from crying out loud.

    asionally, she couldn¡¯t help but let out a short gasp and sob.

    Even though he couldn¡¯t see her face, Han Zhifan could tell from her skinny frame that she was crying in devastation.

 Chapter 993 - Hug (8)

    Chapter 993: Hug (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    The housekeeper told him she didn¡¯t only catch Cheng Weiwan secretly hiding away to cry just once.

    Cheng Weiwan chose such a ce to hide. The housekeeper only caught her crying a handful of times, right?

    When Han Zhifan came back at noon, the housekeeper said Cheng Weiwan had just been crying. Now, he¡¯d seen her crying with his own eyes... In one short day, he knew she cried at least twice...

    Han Zhifan sensed his heart being cut to pieces by a knife. It hurt so much that he couldn¡¯t muster the strength to even breathe.

    She hadn¡¯t sensed his presence as she cried.

    He saw her fingers clutching her clothes shivering frantically.

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but purse his lips. He wanted to walk over to her but his feet couldn¡¯t move. It was like they were glued to the ground.

    After an unknown amount of time had passed, her trembling body gradually calmed down.

    Han Zhifan knew she must¡¯ve cried enough. He was afraid she would suddenly get up and see him, so he silently walked back. He retreated all the way to the front of the car. Without even grabbing the cigarettes he came to get in the first ce, he walked right upstairs.

    He stood in front of the window of the study. He stared in the direction of the garden for a while before he finally saw her silhouette.

    Perhaps she had crouched for too long because she felt pins and needles on the soles of her feet. She limped as she walked.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if he was seeing things, but he felt like she was a lot skinnier than before.

    Not long after entering the house, the sound of footsteps was heard from the open study door behind him.

    But soon enough, the sound of her footsteps disappeared with the sound of the door shutting.

    He thought she must¡¯ve gone back to her bedroom to sleep.

    Perhaps it was because of the exercise in the afternoon and because he had been busy all day with work that Han Zhifan was a little exhausted now. He originally nned to smoke a cigarette, rx a little, and go back to his room to sleep.

    But at that moment, he thought back to the image of Cheng Weiwan carrying her son into the bathroom and letting out a sigh of relief after Cheng Han woke up from his afternoon nap. He didn¡¯t even notice he was having that thought before he instinctively banished the thought.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t know just how long he stood on the balcony of his study, but he had pins and needles in his legs. Then he walked out of the study and pushed open the door of his bedroom.

    Cheng Weiwan was already asleep, but her brows were tightly furrowed like she was troubled by something.

    There was a little bottle of medicine and half a ss of water on the bedside table. Han Zhifan knew the medicine was antidepressants.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers instinctively trembled and he stared at Cheng Weiwan in a daze.

    During this time, scene after scene of what unfolded seemed like a curse, endlessly running in his mind.

    The picture of her taking antidepressants; the picture of her repeatedly washing her hands in the bathroom; and the picture of her crouched under the tree, crying...

    The more Han Zhifan thought about it, the more stifled his chest felt. Eventually, it seemed like he couldn¡¯t take it anymore as he quickly walked into the changing room, got changed, and left the vi in the middle of the night.

    Han Zhifan drove on the empty roads of Beijing deep into the night. The car flew by for what seemed like an eternity then he suddenly hit the brakes and stopped by the road.

    He fled her side, but after he stopped the car, pictures of her still drifted into his mind.

    Han Zhifan lit his cigarette in a hurry as he wanted to use the nicotine to relieve him from his thoughts.

    But as he smoked and smoked his cigarette, the housekeeper¡¯s words back at home in the afternoon drifted into his ears...

 Chapter 994 - Hug (9)

    Chapter 994: Hug (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan went to the office early in the morning.

    He opened hisptop in hopes of getting his mind off things and focusing on work, but he stared at the wall of text on theptop screen for a long time without reading a single word.

    At eight, the secretary reminded him he had an early morning meeting.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if it was because he hadn¡¯t slept all night or what, but as he sat in the meeting room ofpany employees talking non-stop for an hour, he didn¡¯t take in a single word.

    After the meeting was over, he walked back to the office. Han Zhifan drank a cup of coffee and felt a little morefortable albeit with much difficulty. He opened a file, wanting to give it a read, but he ended up barely reading two pages before mming the file on the table. Then he angrily ruffled his hair, grabbed thendline, and gave his house a call.

    The person who picked up the call was the housekeeper.

    He actually wanted to ask how Cheng Weiwan was. But he couldn¡¯t manage to get the words out. In the end, all he said was, ¡°How are things at home?¡±

    When did Han Zhifan ever call home to ask how things are? The housekeeper was stunned for a long while before she replied, ¡°Pretty good.¡±

    ¡°Are things truly pretty good? Is everything fine?¡±

    ¡°Things are truly pretty good. Everything¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± responded Han Zhifan. After a while, he hung up the phone.

    Han Zhifan simply couldn¡¯t get into a working state of mind, so he leaned back into his chair as he let his mind wander.

    With much difficulty, he stayed like that until noon. Han Zhifan called home again.

    He said the same thing and the housekeeper gave the same answer.

    However, he felt ufortable. After he put down the phone, he hesitated a while and picked it back up again.

    This time, his call wasn¡¯t to his house. Instead, it was a call to Lin Sheng.

    Lin Sheng quickly picked up the call, but Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for him to speak before blurting out, ¡°Come to my office.¡±

    Lin Sheng thought Han Zhifan had urgent business, so he came over quickly.

    After Han Zhifan signaled for him to sit down, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to speak.

    Lin Sheng couldn¡¯t help questioning Han Zhifan on why he called him out. Finally, Han Zhifan cried, ¡°Go abroad and help me pick up a doctor to take back to China.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Lin Sheng instinctively asked in return after he heard this.

    Han Zhifan shook his head as if to say no.

    ¡°Is that freaking it?! You told me nothing over the phone! Why did you tell me toe over?¡± Lin Sheng felt like he was being yed.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything and lit a cigarette.

    Lin Sheng saw that he was smoking, prompting his addiction to re up. He also lit up a cigarette and after two puffs, he asked, ¡°Have you called the doctor? Is it okay to just go see him?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± responded Han Zhifan absent-mindedly.

    ¡°Do you want to get the doctor to treat your son?¡± asked Lin Sheng.

    Han Zhifan shook his head. Then after a few seconds, he said, ¡°It¡¯s a psychiatrist.¡±

    ¡°A psychiatrist?¡± Lin Sheng pondered as he spoke frankly. ¡°Your son got a mental illness too?...¡±

    Lin Sheng hadn¡¯t finished speaking as a sh of ferocity crossed Han Zhifan¡¯s gaze.

    Lin Sheng instinctively stopped talking.

    After a while, Lin Sheng couldn¡¯t help but curiously ask, ¡°If it¡¯s not to treat your son, who¡¯s it for?¡±

    Han Zhifan seemed to not be bothered with Lin Sheng and didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°It¡¯s definitely not a problem with you...¡± Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say and Lin Sheng didn¡¯t mind, so he started to guess. ¡°...For you to ask an overseas doctor toe here, it definitely can¡¯t be an ordinary person. That person must have some deeper connection with you... deeper connection...¡±

 Chapter 995 - Hug (10)

    Chapter 995: Hug (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lin Cheng repeated those two words, ¡°deep connection,¡± several times. Then he suddenly remembered how Han Zhifan had frequently been interacting with Cheng Weiwantely.

    All of a sudden, it looked like something had clicked for him. He raised his head and looked over at Han Zhifan. ¡°Is it her?¡±

    Even though Lin Sheng didn¡¯t say a name, Han Zhifan knew who he was referring to. His fingers couldn¡¯t help but tremble.

    All his subtle movements fell into Lin Sheng¡¯s line of sight.

    Lin Sheng knew he had guessed right. ¡°It really is her.¡±

    ¡°She has depression? Or some other mental illness?¡±

    ¡°Does it have anything to do with you?¡±

    ¡°By this, you want to help her get well?¡±

    Lin Sheng asked quite a few questions, but Han Zhifan only quietly smoked his cigarette without reacting at all.

    Lin Sheng also stopped and didn¡¯t say anything.

    Silence enveloped the office.

    After an unknown amount of time, Lin Sheng fiercely took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled. Then he stared at Han Zhifan and cried, ¡°Why do you want to help her?¡±

    Han Zhifan still didn¡¯t say anything.

    Lin Sheng didn¡¯t wait for him to speak up. The next second, he asked, ¡°You¡¯re interested in her, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Interested in her?

    Without a second thought, Han Zhifan replied, ¡°What the hell are you talking about? How could I be interested in her?¡±

    ¡°What the hell am I talking about?¡± Lin Sheng exhaled again. ¡°I should¡¯ve figured out ages ago! I¡¯m so slow! I should¡¯ve known after you reunited with her ages ago, found out she gave birth to your son and made me investigate Lin Muqing¡¯s slip-ups. Then you forced her to give her son over to you. A while back, you ended up letting her see your son!¡±

    ¡°Look at how you not only let her watch over your son in the hospital, but you actually let her stay at your house too! Now that you know she¡¯s ill, you actually want to help cure her... If that doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re interested in her, what does?¡±

    ¡°I told you! I can¡¯t possibly be interested in her! It¡¯s impossible!¡± Han Zhifan was a little angry now as his voice became a little anxious.

    ¡°You said it¡¯s impossible, but is it really impossible? Think about it! Two years ago, how did you treat her? Back then, you were ruthless and merciless! I asked you time and time again if you were really going to put your hands on her, and I repeatedly told you that the person whomitted the crime was her father. Not her! She¡¯s innocent. Yet, you didn¡¯t listen. You insisted on taking her down and you said you were going to give Cheng Weiguo¡¯s precious, one and only daughter, a life worse than death. This was the biggest form of revenge against Cheng Weiguo!¡±

    ¡°Yes, you did it! I helped you gather people to set up a whole ¡®hero saves the damsel in distress¡¯ act for you. After she found out the truth, you mercilessly pushed her away and you even told her to abort your child!¡±

    ¡°But look at you now! Are you still the same ¡®you¡¯ from before?¡±

    ¡°If you really don¡¯t like her, why would you get a doctor from so far away just to help her?¡±

    ¡°How many f*cking times do you want me to say it? I told you! ¡®I don¡¯t like her¡¯ means I don¡¯t like her!¡± Han Zhifan sudden;y grabbed the ashtray and hurled it at Lin Sheng.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t like her, why are you so agitated? Do you dare say you¡¯re not feeling guilty right now? Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re thinking! You¡¯re afraid. You¡¯re afraid to love her and afraid you¡¯ll fall for the daughter of the culprit behind your sister¡¯s death!¡± Lin Sheng had always been temperamental. Now, seeing Han Zhifan throwing an ashtray at him, he was even harsher with his words!

 Chapter 996 - Hug (11)

    Chapter 996: Hug (11)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°I already f*cking said I don¡¯t!¡± Han Zhifan got so angry that his whole body started sweating. With an angry look that he simply couldn¡¯t hide, he roared at Lin Sheng as he raised his hand and swept things from the office desk onto the floor.

    Lin Sheng turned a blind eye and deaf ear to everything in front of him and continued to roar at Han Zhifan with all his strength to finish what he was saying. ¡°Not only are you afraid of yourself, but you¡¯re also afraid other people can tell you like her, so you torture her at all costs! Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know you felt guilty back then and had feelings for her!¡±

    ¡°Get out!¡± interrupted Han Zhifan furiously as he mmed the desk and pointed at the door.

    Lin Sheng sat motionlessly on the sofa. ¡°If you don¡¯t feel guilty and you don¡¯t have feelings for her, why were you not intimate with the women I introduced to you in front of everybody? I know you secretly didn¡¯ty a single finger on those women!¡±

    ¡°I told you to f*cking get out! Ya hear me? Get out!¡± Han Zhifan saw that Lin Sheng wasn¡¯t walking away, so he shot up from his office chair and strode over to Lin Sheng.

    ¡°Not only do I know you didn¡¯t touch those women, but I¡¯ve seen your dull eyes lighting up when you bump into children looking at you on the streets!¡± Just as Lin Sheng said this, Han Zhifan jumped on him and grabbed his cor. Then hended a hard punch on his face.

    In pain, Lin Sheng suddenly stopped talking.

    After about two seconds, Lin Sheng raised his hand and touched the side of his face which got hit. Then in frustration, Lin Sheng smirked. ¡°You think about your own kid when you see other people¡¯s kids, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s angry eyes turned red as he faced Lin Sheng¡¯s question. He mercilessly raised his arm and repeatedly punched his face until he had no strength left in him and came to a stop. He heaved heavily and was as stubborn as an unmoving rock as he spoke. ¡°I¡¯ll say it one more time. I don¡¯t. I have never liked her and I don¡¯t care about the child she gave birth to. I only let the child stay by my side because I want her to experience a life worse than death!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s already living a life worse than death, isn¡¯t she? Since you want her to live a life worse than death, why would you ask me to go all the way abroad to help bring a doctor back?¡± Lin Sheng hit the nail on the head with his question.

    Han Zhifan felt speechlessly suffocated.

    His pupils dted and constricted non-stop. The harder he clutched Lin Sheng¡¯s cor, the more stifled he felt. In the end, all he could do was push out a sentence. ¡°Get out!¡±

    With that said, he clutched Lin Sheng¡¯s cor and dragged him from the sofa to the door.

    Lin Sheng didn¡¯t fight back, but he stared at Han Zhifan like a wild beast and scoffed.

    ¡°Did you think you could hide the truth by lying to yourself? Do you believe you¡¯re forcing her to live a life worse than death? You¡¯re wrong. You¡¯re forcing yourself to live a life worse than death!¡±

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m speaking on her behalf? Let me tell you, Han Zhifan! I¡¯m just thinking on your behalf! I¡¯m worried about you ¨C worried that you¡¯ve actually taken a dark path! I¡¯m worried that in the end, you won¡¯t get revenge, but you¡¯ll end up making yourself suffer!¡±

 Chapter 997 - Hug (12)

    Chapter 997: Hug (12)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Lili¡¯s not here anymore. I understand you¡¯re hurting. I¡¯m also hurting. I have no thoughts on how to defeat Cheng Weiguo, but this time, I¡¯m not on your side because I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll regret your decision for life!¡±

    ¡°Most importantly, I believe Lili definitely doesn¡¯t want to see you turn into this because of her!¡±

    In the face of what Lin Sheng Said, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say another word but he picked up the pace.

    After he walked over to the door of his office and pulled it open without a care for whether Lin Sheng was done speaking or if the managers on the other side of the door were watching him. Then he chucked Lin Sheng out without so much as a nce and ruthlessly mmed the door shut.

    Lin Sheng¡¯s words lit a me in his chest which burned with a particr fury.

    He walked in circles around the office, but there were no signs of the me being extinguished. He raised his leg and kicked over the floormp beside him. Then he flipped over the coffee table and smashed all the sses on the countertop.

    As the crashing sounds of ss rang out, Han Zhifan gradually calmed down.

    After he stopped, the office no longer looked the same as it did; it was aplete mess everywhere.

    He wasn¡¯t bothered with it and walked over to the office desk like he was exhausted. He slumped into the office chair and lit up a cigarette.

    As silence entered the office, his gaze was empty for a while through the cloud of smoke. Then he reached out, pulled open the drawer beside him, and pulled out a photo album.

    It was filled with Lili¡¯s photos.

    The photos spanned from since she was little until the year of her death.

    Han Zhifan flipped through it, page after page. With each photo, he remembered how Lili looked back then.

    At three years old, Lili waddled behind him, crying ¡°Big bro.¡±

    At five years old, Lili reached her arms out to him when she was tired from walking, wanting to be carried.

    At eight years old, he helped her fight the bullies at school.

    At nine years old, he had a stomachache all night and she stayed up taking care of him. When he woke up, her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She grabbed his hand and said, ¡°Big brother, don¡¯t leave Lili behind. Lili gets scared.¡±

    At thirteen years old, Lili cooked him a table full of dishes after he came back from school. Even though it tasted awful, he pretended it was delicious and finished the food. Lili was very happy that day. After he finished dinner, she mysteriously gave him a gift. Later, he learned Lili used the rest of her pocket money to buy it for him.

    At fifteen, Lili looked very beautiful. At the time, he was going to a prestigious school and leaving her alone in Beijing. After their parents passed, they¡¯d been taking care of each other and never parted ways. To her, he was the talented older brother who she proudlyplimented. However, he caught her secretly crying a few times over having to part ways.

    At sixteen, Lili got her ID. On his birthday, she didn¡¯t even give him a heads up and took the train to his university just to surprise him.

    At seventeen, Lili was the most beautiful girl in school. He knew there were many, many guys after her, but he told her not to get into a rtionship when she was young. She obediently promised her older brother and said, ¡°By the time big brother lets me date, I¡¯ll be dating at an appropriate age.¡±

    At eighteen years old, Lili called himte at night once, crying like crazy. Han Zhifan, who was abroad at the time, didn¡¯t know what happened, but he believed her when she told him she was very stressed at school.

 Chapter 998 - Hug (13)

    Chapter 998: Hug (13)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Before he came back to China, he told a lot of jokes to her over the phone. Sheughed happily and he even said he was going to give her many, many gifts after he was back.

    At the time, he was an international student who wasn¡¯ting back to China for half a year.

    He hadn¡¯t seen Lili for a really long time and he missed the only rtive he had in this world. After he entered this prestigious college, he put down his belongings then rushed overnight to Beijing with the carefully picked gift he bought overseas for her.

    He couldn¡¯t find her at her ce nor at the school. She didn¡¯t pick up his calls.

    Early the next morning, he went back to the school where her ssmate told him she hadn¡¯te to school for three days now.

    At the time, he knew the situation was big. The first thing he did was call Lin Sheng then he went to the police station to report her disappearance.

    That was the most grueling moment of his life. He couldn¡¯t eat or sit still. He followed up on it with Lin Sheng and the police station every minute.

    In the end, he found out where Lili was. Lin Sheng wasn¡¯t the one who told him nor the police station. Instead, it was a call from an unknown number.

    After he took the call, he then found out it was the hospital.

    The person who called him was a female nurse. Over the phone, she sounded a little fuzzy and all she asked was if he was a rtive of Han Zhili and if he could make it to the hospital.

    At the time, he was so scared. He thought Lili could¡¯ve possibly gotten sick. On his way there, he wouldn¡¯t stopforting himself by saying that medicine was so advanced nowadays and he had money, so no matter what illness Lili caught, he would do his best to cure her.

    But when he reached the hospital, the nurse who called him escorted him to the operating room of the maternity ward.

    Lili was only eighteen years old and had only just be a legal adult. How could she possibly be in the maternity ward?

    H e didn¡¯t dare ask. In fact, he didn¡¯t even dare go.

    He was like a puppet as he followed the nurse into the operating room.

    He finally saw Lili.

    But his Lili wasn¡¯t breathing.

    The Lili who loved to smile, was pale white, lying on the operating table. Her eyes were shut and she was motionless.

    H e thought she was sleeping, so he quietly called her name like when they were young. He thought she would quickly open her eyes, pout like she was wronged and cry. Then when she clearly saw his face, she would immediately stop crying. She would smile and say, ¡°Big brother.¡±

    He called for her repeatedly, but she didn¡¯t respond.

    The hospital tried to save her, but in the end, they weren¡¯t sessful. The cut in her abdomen had just been stitched, and they hadn¡¯t had time to clean up the bloodstains.

    He wasn¡¯t willing to believe everything the doctor told him.

    Lili was so good and smart. She would¡¯ve told him immediately if anything happened. She couldn¡¯t have possibly dated someone at such a young age and gotten pregnant.

    At the time, if it wasn¡¯t for Lin Sheng, he figured he might not have even been able to give Lili a proper burial.

    He only epted Lili¡¯s death two months after it happened, when he stepped into Lili¡¯s room.

    Lili hid the gifts he got her in the cab of her changing room. Her pretty clothes were still neatly hung in the wardrobe. Her favorite knitted toy, her piano, and even her English books were on her desk... Frame by frame, things looked exactly the same as when she was still on this earth.

    But he knew Lili would nevere back.

    That day, he hid in Lili¡¯s room and cried like an idiot.

    That was the first time he cried after Lili passed away.

    He cried for a really, really long time. After he stopped, he started to tidy up Lili¡¯s belongings. Then under Lili¡¯s pillow, he discovered a diary.

 Chapter 999 - Hug (14)

    Chapter 999: Hug (14)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lili¡¯s diary carefully detailed the events from when Cheng Weiguo drugged and raped her till when Cheng Weiguo ckmailed her with those videos if she ever dared to go public with the truth. Thereafter, Cheng Weiguo used those videos time and time again to force her to submit to him.

    The diary mentioned how she entered the darkest nightmare of her life and she couldn¡¯t escape even though she wanted to.

    She even mentioned Han Zhifan in the diary. She said she really wanted to tell her big brother these things, but she was afraid that if the video came out, he would do something to break thew.

    Not just once, she asked in the diary how she was going to make this nightmare end, how she was going to live the rest of her life, if she could still have a beautiful romance, and if her future husband would look down on her.

    About two months ago, she realized she was pregnant. In her diary, she endlessly asked what she should do. She said she asked the hospital to abort the child, but because it was toote in the pregnancy, it wouldn¡¯t be an easy operation. She said she didn¡¯t dare give birth to the baby and she didn¡¯t want the demon child because she felt she and the child were dirty. In thest two entries of her diary, she mentioned many times how she didn¡¯t want to live in this world...

    Even though this incident happened a really long time ago, Han Zhifan¡¯s body couldn¡¯t help but gently tremble when he thought back to it again.

    He protected Lili since she was little and she practically hadn¡¯t seen the dark side of society.

    She must¡¯ve been very scared when she met Cheng Weiguo. He knew she wasn¡¯t very brave, so she must¡¯ve had nightmares every night during that time. She definitely hugged herforter and secretly cried in the night.

    At the time, she must¡¯ve felt helpless and hopeless, right?

    When he was abroad and received a call from her crying in the middle of the night, that was when she found out she was pregnant, right?

    How could he be tricked by her and believe that it was stress from school? If he had returned to China, everything would¡¯ve changed and his little sister wouldn¡¯t have left him...

    Also, she was stupid. How could she have not told him about these things? He could¡¯ve protected her...

    When he got sick in the past, thirteen year old Lili watched over him all night. When he woke up, she said, ¡°Big brother, don¡¯t leave me,¡± and he said, ¡°I won¡¯t ever leave you.¡± But, in the end, what happened? He didn¡¯t leave her, but she left him first... His pretty and intelligent little sister was killed just like that by Cheng Weiguo. How could he not hate him? How could he not hate him?!

    He was unable to legally convict him, so all he could do was use despicable methods to take revenge on him!

    So everything Lin Sheng said was wrong. He wasn¡¯t in love with Cheng Weiwan. He hated her!

    With that thought, Han Zhifan pursed his lips.

    He looked at Lili smiling in the photo, and he repeatedly told himself he wouldn¡¯t like her, he wouldn¡¯t like her, he definitely wouldn¡¯t like her...

    ¨C

    The things Lin Sheng said at the office made Han Zhifan not return to his vi for the next few days.

    In the blink of an eye, it was the day before Cheng Han¡¯s operation.

    Han Zhifan finished his work and nced at the time. It was already two in the morning. Unable to sleep no matter what, he randomly drove on the main road until he turned into the gates of his vi without noticing it.

 Chapter 1000 - Hug (15)

    <h4>Chapter 1000: Hug (15)</h4>

    With the car stopped, Han Zhifan nced into the vi¡¯s courtyard through the car window.

    It waste at night, so the people inside should be asleep by now. There were no other light sources on aside from the light by the gate.

    Withdrawing his gaze, Han Zhifan wanted to step on the gas and leave, but the soles of his feet couldn¡¯t summon the strength no matter how hard he tried like he was being controlled. He struggled for a moment before finally giving up. Then he pulled out a cigarette from beside him, rolled down the car window, and started smoking.

    On his third cigarette, he turned his head and looked back at the vi through the circling cloud of smoke.

    He looked like he was immersed in thought as he pursed his lips while staring at the vi. Without blinking, he watched it for a long time. All of a sudden, he put out the cigarette and pushed the car door open. He got out and walked over to the courtyard.

    The whole world was silent. It was so silent that his footsteps sounded particrly crisp.

    When he walked up to the door and entered the passcode, Han Zhifan removed his shoes and tip-toed upstairs.

    In the baby¡¯s room, the wet nurse was fast asleep beside Cheng Han.

    Han Zhifan stood by the door for a short while then softly shut the door. He stared in the direction of the master bedroom for a while. Then he slowly walked over.

    He raised his hand to the door of the master bedroom but ended up pulling it back.

    He turned around and walked over to the stairs.

    The slight tread of his feet stopped again as though his pressure points had been pressed. He stood there motionlessly for a long time, but he eventually turned around again and reached out to slowly push the door open.

    The bedroom was incredibly silent.

    Using the light from the nightlight by the bedside table, he saw that the two-meter wide bed was empty. No one was in it.

    It was the middle of the night. If Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t asleep, where could she have gone? Moreover, did she not live here anymore?

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows slightly and instinctively walked out of the room. He wanted to find the housekeeper and clear things up. He turned around just as the familiar sound of a broken sob entered his ears.

    His body tensed up as he instinctively paused. Then he heard another sad sob and forcefully balled up his fists.

    He stood with his back against his bedroom for a while then slowly turned around and looked towards the source of the sound.

    It wasing from the balcony.

    The curtains were pulled, and she was obscured by the outer portion of the curtain, so it was no wonder why he hadn¡¯t seen her.

    Han Zhifan struggled for a while. He gulped and walked over to the balcony.

    When he lifted the curtains, he nced at her hunched near the window sill.

    She must¡¯ve been afraid of crying out loud, so she forcefully bit the back of her hand. There were big teardrops rolling down endlessly on her face.

    She didn¡¯t know if it was because of the cold midnight breeze or if she cried too painfully, but her neck shrunk back and her body shivered endlessly. She looked pitiful.

    It felt like something was crushing Han Zhifan¡¯s heart. The pain almost made him bend over.

    Before he could think things through, his hand gently pushed open the ss doors to the balcony.

    She didn¡¯t notice him until he walked up to her. She raised her head and sluggishly realized who he was then she looked at him.

    Her eyes were incredibly red and the tears brimming in her eyes were falling down her face.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s balled-up hands became even tenser.

    Her reactions were a little slow. It took her a while to recognize him before the apparent shock and defensiveness rose from her eyes.

    She knew he knew she was crying because when she sensed his presence, she instinctively lowered her head. Just as she shifted, Han Zhifan reached out and grabbed her arm. Then he pulled her up from the floor and swung her into his arms.

 Chapter 1001 - Cut Off (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1001: Cut Off (1)</h4>

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body shuddered instinctively as she naturally wanted to pull away.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t give her a chance to fight back at all as his arms wrapped around her waist. With a little force, he locked her entire body tightly in an embrace.

    He didn¡¯t know just how long she had been crying on the balcony, but her clothes were all cold.

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but tightly hug her even more tightly in his arms.

    Her body was as stiff as a rock.

    Han Zhifan stood there hugging her for a while. Seeing that she was dazed like a wooden block, he reached out and gently patted her back tofort her.

    Although she was forced into his arms, she kept on fighting back. Gradually, Han Zhifan¡¯s hug started to take effect and Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face slowly stuck to his chest. Her body also slowly softened.

    Even more tears flowed from her eyes. Soon enough, the clothes on his chest got wet.

    But she cried with the same devastation.

    Sometimes, the longer sad feelings were cooped up inside, the more difficult it would be to let them out. The sound of her freely crying out loud was really soothing.

    Han Zhifan moved his throat, lowered his head slightly and quietly told Cheng Weiwan, ¡°If you want to cry, just cry. You¡¯ll feel a lot better if you cry out loud...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know what was going on with her. When she heard Han Zhifan¡¯s words, she suddenly felt incredibly wronged. Her tears poured out even more fiercely, but she bit down tightly on her bottom lip, not daring to make a sound.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Just cry it all out...¡± said Han Zhifan again.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body trembled immensely as she tightly bit her bottom lip. The sound of her broken sob traveled upwards intermittently.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything else, but without even noticing it himself, his gentle pats on her back turned even gentler.

    His soft patsforted Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart with every stroke. In the end, she couldn¡¯t help but break. She leaned upon his chest with shuddering shoulders as she cried freely.

    She cried for a long time in his embrace.

    In the end, when her crying came to a stop, Han Zhifan held the same position, hugging her.

    Time ticked by and after an unknown amount of time had passed, the soles of Han Zhifan¡¯s feet had pins and needles. He then lowered his head and nced down at her in his embrace.

    Perhaps she had been crying for too long. Her psyche had been incredibly tensetely and she hadn¡¯t really had a good night¡¯s rest. After she let herself cry so freely, she exerted far too much strength. She was so exhausted that she actually leaned into his embrace and fell asleep.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wake Cheng Weiwan up and carried her back into the bedroom.

    When he ced Cheng Weiwan onto the bed and pulled the covers over her, he saw that her eyes were incredibly swollen. Several teardrops still hung on her eyshes.

    He hesitated for a moment then mysteriously raised his hand to gently wipe her tears away.

    She was fast asleep and didn¡¯t sense his actions.

    Han Zhifan stared at Cheng Weiwan for a while as she was fast asleep. Then he lowered his head and stared at the moisture on his fingers.

    <i>Why did I hug her? Why did I have so much patience to stay with her? I even... helped her wipe her tears away.</i>

    <i>I was clearly the one who baited her in the first ce, yet my actions just now were things I would¡¯ve done only when I was still tricking her into falling in love with me...</i>

    Han Zhifan thought about it for a long time and realized he must¡¯ve seen her being far too pitiful when he just came back, so he couldn¡¯t help but lose his cool. That was all... He wouldn¡¯t have treated her like that normally. If it was anyone else who looked that pitiful, he would¡¯ve done the same. That¡¯s what it was. It must be...

 Chapter 1002 - Cut Off (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1002: Cut Off (2)</h4>

    Han Zhifan figured that night was just a mistake and something like this would never happen again.

    But that thoughtsted no more than twelve hours. At the hospital, three hours after Cheng Han was sent to the hospital, he saw a pale-faced and restless Cheng Weiwan who hadn¡¯t eaten. He couldn¡¯t help but walk up to her and grab her arm. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go get something to eat.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry...¡± declined Cheng Weiwan in a quiet voice.

    ¡°You have to eat even if you¡¯re not hungry!¡± fiercely replied Han Zhifan. He then turned and nced over at her before softly saying, ¡°Dr. Luo told me the sess rate of the operation is very high. What¡¯s more, he personally asked his teacher to help, so there shouldn¡¯t be any problems.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was still torn as she thought about how to decline his offer.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for her to speak before speaking out, ¡°Let¡¯s go...¡±

    With that said, Han Zhifan forcefully dragged Cheng Weiwan to the elevators.

    There were some cuts that couldn¡¯t be closed once they were opened; they just seemed to open up even wider.

    Han Zhifan felt like he was in a trance. After Cheng Han¡¯s sessful operation, he not only initiated conversation with Cheng Weiwan time and time again when Cheng Han stayed in the hospital, he wasn¡¯t even in a rush to kick her out of the vi when Cheng Han was discharged and returned home. Instead, he did many things even he felt were unbelievable.

    For example, he finished work early one day and came back home to find Cheng Weiwan with Cheng Han in the toy room, assembling a new toy the housekeeper recently bought Cheng Han. Cheng Weiwan was a woman, after all, so she didn¡¯t know much about things like nes and cars, and she couldn¡¯t assemble them no matter how hard she tried. As a child, Cheng Han was impatient and kept on rushing Cheng Weiwan to the point where he looked like he was going to cry. Just then, Han Zhifan happened to walk past the door and saw this scene. He hesitated for a moment then walked in and told Cheng Weiwan, ¡°Let me do it.¡± Ignoring Cheng Weiwan¡¯s stunned expression, he sat down then started to take a look at it. These kinds of things were no problem for him, so after no more than half a minuteter, he reached out and started to ask Cheng Weiwan for several parts of the car. Not long after, the toy was assembled. Cheng Han hugged it happily and started to y with it. When Han Zhifan was about to get up and leave, he caught a glimpse of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s bloody fingertips. He figured she might¡¯ve hurt herself while trying to assemble the toy, so he grabbed her hand and put a band-aid on her fingers. She didn¡¯t fight back, but throughout it all, he could sense her gaze upon him. She watched in confusion, but she didn¡¯t dare ask.

    Another example was when he learned morning runs were very effective in treating depression. Every day, he woke up and called her and Cheng Han to work out. Cheng Han had only just had the operation, so he couldn¡¯t really work out, so Han Zhifan carried Cheng Han on his shoulders. Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t very good at sports, so she always slumped to the ground quickly. Cheng Han turned his head and endlessly called for her. She couldn¡¯t catch up, but Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but slow down his pace. One day, after their morning run, Han Zhifan noticed there were a lot of cars on their way back home and Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t looking where she was going, so he even reached his hand out and held hers.

    No matter if he was in the office during the day or at home during the night, he started to be in a better mood. However, nobody knew that when he reached the office, he would think back on the things that happened with her at home and somehow, he struggled back and forth between torn thoughts.

    After much difficulty, he calmed his thoughts and immersed himself with work. However, not too long after, it was time to get off work.

 Chapter 1003 - Cut Off (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1003: Cut Off (3)</h4>

    <h4>Chapter 1003: Cut Off (3)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    After much difficulty, he calmed his thoughts and immersed himself in his work. However, not too long after, it was time to get off work.

    He started to feel torn between the decision to return home or not. Although he eventually returned home in the end, there was no way to describe the internal ordeal he experienced.

    When he entered the house, he thought he could act like before and pretend she didn¡¯t exist. However, whenever he saw her, there were many things that happened beyond his control. After they spoke, he became suddenly rxed after having suchplicated feelings all day at the office.

    It seemed like he was bewitched by her; when he clearly should¡¯ve let her go and stayed far away from her world, he couldn¡¯t stop his heart from wanting to get closer to her.

    He didn¡¯t know if it was because Cheng Han was getting better, or if it was because the morning exercise he asked her to do every morning was having an effect, but Cheng Weiwan was gradually smiling a lot more.

    One day, when he returned home, the housekeeper even mentioned to him that Miss Cheng was a lot happiertely. For the past few days, the housekeeper hadn¡¯t caught Cheng Weiwan sneaking off to cry on her own.

    Everything had been good since Cheng Han was discharged. He returned to the hospital for regr check-ups.

    Because Han Zhifan was busy with important business, he didn¡¯t go to the hospital with Cheng Han. However, after he received the results from Cheng Han¡¯s check-up, the housekeeper gave him a call.

    After he hung up and put down the phone, his finger identally touched the calendar and caught sight of the lunar calendar dates.

    He remembered this lunar date because... this was the date of her birthday.

    In the beginning, he tricked her and got with her that very day ¨C the day she let him take her virginity.

    He clearly remembered the night he hurt her, but she silently endured it and shut her eyes through it all. She was so embarrassed that she didn¡¯t dare nce at him and by the time it was over, she immediately buried her flushed face into theforter.

    That night, she even told him that her mother passed away when she was young and her father was really busy with work. It had been a long time since anyone celebrated her birthday. From what she remembered, he was the first person to give her a birthday cake.

    If he remembered correctly, she was really happy that day. Even though she was full, she forced herself to finish the leftover cake.

    She didn¡¯t know that the birthday cake that made her so happy was in fact, a setup... He didn¡¯t give her a second birthday cake because they broke up before then. This was two years ago. Had she not celebrated her birthday since then?

    Han Zhifan stared at the phone screen for a long time before he put the phone down and continued to immerse himself in work.

    He couldn¡¯t really concentrate at work, so it took him an hour longer than he imagined to finish the day¡¯s work.

    He didn¡¯t let the driver take him back home. Instead, he drove around Beijing on his own. When he turned into the entrance of a shopping mall, he went in and chose a beautiful bracelet.

    By the time he got home, it was already nine in the evening.

    When he stepped inside, Cheng Weiwan was carrying Cheng Han, who had just taken a shower, and was just about to head upstairs.

    As Cheng Han called out ¡°daddy,¡± Cheng Weiwan turned her head and smiled at him.

    She didn¡¯t say anything but quickly walked into the bedroom, probably in fear of Cheng Han catching a cold.

    <i>Since when did she start smiling at me whenever she saw me?</i>

 Chapter 1004 - Cut Off (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1004: Cut Off (4)</h4>

    <i>Since when did she start smiling at me whenever she saw me?</i>

    Han Zhifan thought about it for a while but gave up when he couldn¡¯t remember when this started.

    Han Zhifan went back to the main bedroom and took off his zer as he searched for a light-colored lounge outfit.

    Before he left the changing room, he picked up the suit he changed out of, intending to take out the phone and wallet from his pocket. Incidentally, he touched a square box.

    Han Zhifan paused for a moment then pulled out the box.

    It was the bracelet he bought in the shopping mall on his way back home.

    He never thought about giving her a birthday present, but after he realized that today was her birthday, he bought one anyway. He¡¯d have to gift it to her at some point, right?

    Han Zhifan thought about it deeply for a moment then put the box back into his pocket. Then he quickly pulled out his phone and wallet and chucked the suit in theundry basket. He strode out the bedroom door.

    The door to the baby¡¯s room was opened, and he could hear the faint sound of Cheng Weiwan telling Cheng Han a bedtime story.

    The tone of her voice was warm and gentle and made him sound at ease.

    Han Zhifan stood in the hallway and listened for a while. Completely unbeknownst to him, he felt a sense of enjoyment creeping in his heart.

    Cheng Weiwan read two fairytales to Cheng Han, but Cheng Wasn¡¯t sleepy and he asked for a third.

    After speaking for so long, it was difficult to avoid feeling a little ufortable. Han Zhifan could hear Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice turning hoarse, and he couldn¡¯t help but walk over to the baby¡¯s room.

    He wanted to tell her to go downstairs to drink a ss of water and ask to take over telling his son a bedtime story.

    However, he heard the housekeeper saying, ¡°Mr. Han...¡± after taking no more than two steps towards the baby¡¯s room.

    Han Zhifan stopped.

    The housekeeper sped up as she walked upstairs. Soon after, she reached him and cried out again, ¡°Mr. Han...¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything. Having worked for him for so many years, he could tell from the housekeeper¡¯s expression that she had something to tell him.

    The housekeeper heard themotioning from the baby¡¯s room and took a nce inside. Perhaps she was afraid other people would hear her, so she suppressed the volume of her voice. ¡°Mr. Han, next Tuesday will be the anniversary of Miss¡¯ death. Take a look at Miss¡¯ things and I¡¯ll prepare them for you, or would you rather personally make the preparations?¡±

    <i>The anniversary of the Miss¡¯ death... Lili...</i>

    Han Zhifan¡¯s face suddenly froze over a little.

    Time really did fly! At the blink of an eye, Lili had been gone for another year now... Her corpse and bones were long gone, but the person who killed her lived happily in this world...

    Just as Han Zhifan had that thought, the sound of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s warmughter came from the baby¡¯s room.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s hands instinctively balled into fists.

    Not only did he not get revenge on the person who killed Lili, but his daughter also lived peacefully in his home... His home... And she wasughing...

    It seemed like Han Zhifan was hit on the head with a bat as he felt extremely dizzy. Then hepletely woke up from the shock.

    Lately, he had been seduced or under some kind of spell, because time and time again, he treated his enemy¡¯s daughter so well. And he actually forgot about Lili, who was killed so tragically!

    In an instant, Han Zhifan was annoyed and med himself.

    The housekeeper sensed something strange about Han Zhifan¡¯s expression and cautiously cried, ¡°Mr. Han?¡±

    Han Zhifan nced at the housekeeper when he heard her voice. His gaze was unbelievably cold.

 Chapter 1005 - Cut Off (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1005: Cut Off (5)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    The housekeeper took a step back in fright, not daring to utter a peep.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t make things difficult for the housekeeper and blurted out, ¡°I¡¯ll make the preparations myself.¡± He raised his chin as a signal for the housekeeper to leave first.

    The housekeeper didn¡¯t stay a moment longer. Upon seeing Han Zhifan¡¯s signal, she fled down the stairs.

    Every now and then, the sound of Cheng Han¡¯sughter escaped the baby¡¯s room, coupled with Cheng Weiwan¡¯s affectionateughter.

    While Han Zhifan had admired these sounds earlier, he now felt like he was being stabbed in the heart by a sharp dagger. The pain smothered his chest.

    He didn¡¯t listen any longer; he quickly turned around and walked into the study.

    With one hand, he held the bracelet he bought from the mall and with the other hand, he sped a cigarette. He stared out at the night sky out the window as he stood there with a gloomy expression for a long time. It wasn¡¯t until all the lights surrounding the vi turned off that Han Zhifan put the bracelet back into his pocket. Leaving behind a floor covered with various cigarette butts, he walked out of the study.

    He pushed open the door to the bedroom. Cheng Weiwan still hadn¡¯t slept. She was sitting against the headboard, looking at her phone.

    She heard the sound of the door being pushed open then she raised her head. With just one nce at the door, she saw Han Zhifan. Unlike before, her expression didn¡¯t reveal resistance and confusion. Yet she didn¡¯t appear too intimate, but she smiled with a really distant and polite expression.

    There was a bowl of glutinous rice balls in sweet fermented rice wine soup on the bedside table beside her. It must be the supper the housekeeper prepared for her.

    Perhaps it was because the room was too quiet, or perhaps it was because she saw Han Zhifan ncing at theglutinous rice balls, but when he walked over to the bed, she pointed at it. ¡°Would you like to eat some? Shall I go down to get you a bowl?¡± she softly asked him.

    <i>Didn¡¯t she start to show signs of taking the initiative to speak to me only in the past two days...?</i>

    Rationality told him not to bother with Cheng Weiwan, but when it came to his actions, Han Zhifan silently shook his head at her.

    When Han Zhifan withdrew his gaze, he cast a nce at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s illuminated phone. The phone number for ¡°Dad¡± appeared.

    <i>Dad... Cheng Weiguo? Is she calling her dad?</i>

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows slightly and saw a series of phone calls in the call log. They were all from that day from noon until now. Some were one hour apart and others were two hours apart.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers instinctively trembled as his lips tightened.

    Cheng Weiwan saw Han Zhifan¡¯s head shaking, but she didn¡¯t say anything else. She lowered her head to stare at her phone screen for a while and gave Cheng Weiguo a call.

    Han Zhifan watched this and took a hard gulp. Then he turned around and walked into the changing room.

    When he stepped out after changing his clothes, Cheng Weiwan put the phone to her ear. He didn¡¯t know if the call was picked up and she heard Cheng Weiguo¡¯s voice, or if the call hadn¡¯t gone through at all.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t stay a second longer in the bedroom. He grabbed the keys he casually tossed on the dresser earlier then he strode out of the vi.

    It wasn¡¯t until Han Zhifan mmed on the gas pedal and drove a distance away from the vi that Cheng Weiwan lowered the phone from her ear.

    <i>Nobody picked up yet again...</i>

    From noon until now, she called at least ten times, but her father didn¡¯t pick up. He didn¡¯t even call her back.

    In actuality, it had been a really long time since she called her father. She only called today because it was her birthday... She didn¡¯t hope for her father to remember her birthday, but on that day, she wanted to hear a rtive¡¯s voice...

 Chapter 1006 - Cut Off (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1006: Cut Off (6)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    She didn¡¯t hope for her father to remember her birthday, but on that day, she wanted to hear a rtive¡¯s voice...

    But even such a small request couldn¡¯t be fulfilled.

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips slightly, lowered her head and nced at the time on her phone screen.

    It was already 23:59. There was just one minute left until her birthday would be over...

    It was funny now that she thought about it. She not only didn¡¯t know what her father was busy with all day, but she didn¡¯t know what corner of the world her father was in right now.

    From what she remembered, he had probably never called her before, right? She had always taken the initiative to call her father, and her father either never picked up or sounded half-hearted and annoyed by replying with a few rushed sentences before hanging up.

    Everyone said her father¡¯s love was like a mountain... but she never experienced it before.

    Her father was a well-known doctor, but he had no idea that other doctors, unbeknownst to him, treated his biological daughter¡¯s illness.

    Back then, she got depression because Han Zhifan abandoned her. She cried in the middle of the night and called him. However, after her father picked up the call, the first thing he said was: ¡°Do you not want to let other people sleep? How are you so dumb?¡¯ At the time, she felt hard done by and she wanted to tell him, but she couldn¡¯t do it after his harsh words. She didn¡¯t even dare reveal the fact that she had been crying; she forcibly tried to hang up the phone in a hurry. Because she couldn¡¯t stand it anymore, the sound of her cries managed to escape. She was certain he heard it clearly, but he didn¡¯t call her back or visit her.

    Sometimes, she often thought that if she hadn¡¯t had a father from the beginning, maybe she wouldn¡¯t have had hope and expectations of him, but she did. She watched as other girls she grew up with looked forward to hiking with their fathers, or had fathers to pick them up from school in cars when it rained or had fathers who cared for them when they were sick. She always fantasized about her father treating her like that... However, as the years passed, her expectations of her father were never fulfilled.

    She figured that since she¡¯d been upset for so many years, she wouldn¡¯t be upset by anything anymore. However, when she really thought about her father, Cheng Weiwan realized she was still a little hurt deep down.

    Her mood had been greattely. She was afraid she would be too affected by it, so she hurriedly brought herself back to reality.

    The time on her phone had skipped from 23:59 to 00:01. A new day had arrived, and her birthday had passedpletely. Another year without a single birthday blessing.

    But it was fine. She¡¯d never celebrated a birthday ever since she was young except the one time Han Zhifan celebrated with her when he was deceiving her. She was moved at the time, but she now thought of it as a joke.

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan smirked and made fun of herself. Then she put the phone down, got up, and walked into the bathroom.

    After she came out of the shower andid on the bed, Cheng Weiwan realized she had no idea where Han Zhifan went.

    <i>Didn¡¯t hee back home? Why did he leave again?</i>

    She didn¡¯t know if it was because she thought of Han Zhifan, but memories of every little thing that happened between themtely crossed her mind like a movie on rewind.

    She wasn¡¯t stupid. She could tell that he had changed.

    His temper suddenly improved significantly, and he hadn¡¯t blown up at her again.

    He hugged her one night. He even took her and Hanhan out for morning runs every day.

    Even without Hanhan by her side, he still exchanged a few words with her when they were alone from time to time.

 Chapter 1007 - Cut Off (7)

    <h4>Chapter 1007: Cut Off (7)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    She didn¡¯t understand why he suddenly changed, but she didn¡¯t dare ask and she never thought about asking.

    She had to admit that she quite liked the change, but she only dared to secretly feel happy about it on the inside. Aside from feeling happy, she didn¡¯t dare have any wild thoughts. Of course, she wouldn¡¯t allow herself to.

    Because of her environment at home, she¡¯d been alone ever since she was young. This made her a little guarded against others, but once she epted someone, she treated them genuinely and sincerely.

    Especially when it came to Han Zhifan. Back then, she really thought they were going to be together forever.

    So after she found out their rtionship was a lie, her world really came crumbling down.

    At the time, her heart was utterly crushed. From then on, she knew full well that she did, in fact, have the power to love, but she didn¡¯t dare love anymore.

    She didn¡¯t dare allow herself to think too much of Han Zhifan¡¯s recent acts of friendliness and care. She treated it all as if he was just doing things on a whim.

    So she didn¡¯t need to overthink their interactions, because... He wouldn¡¯t love her, and as long as she didn¡¯t have hope, she wouldn¡¯t be disappointed, let alone devastated...

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan shook her head and pushed all the thoughts about Han Zhifan to the back of her head. Then she shut her eyes and forced herself to sleep.

    ¨C

    After Han Zhifan left that night, he didn¡¯te home for several consecutive nights.

    He had several properties in Beijing. In the past, he stayed at the other ces and never returned to the vi. But this time, he stayed at the office day and night.

    It was like he had gone crazy. He worked day and night, making the higher execs at thepany shudder. Every night, they would do overtime till midnight with him at the office before heading home.

    His high performance made two workers sick in five short days. However, it was like he didn¡¯t notice a thing as he continued to work hard.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s coworkers and people he was close to could tell he was acting particrly strange. He workedday and night like he was avoiding something, but no one dared to ask.

    To the office workers, those ¡°dark days¡±sted a week until the Tuesday of the next week, which was when everyone finally caught a break.

    Before six that morning, Han Zhifan was inside the office. He took a shower and changed into a clean suit then finished shaving his face in the mirror. After properly freshening up, he drove from thepany to the cemetery in the suburbs.

    Since it was early in the morning, fog enveloped the cemetery. His leather shoes were dirtied with soil as he followed the hillside up to Lili¡¯s grave.

    In front of Lili¡¯s grave were a few bunches of weeds. Han Zhifan rolled up his sleeves and pulled them out himself. Then he wiped down Lili¡¯s gravestone before finally hovering his finger over Lili¡¯s photo in the center of the gravestone.

    Eighteen-year-old Lili was wearing a white dress and stood in front of a bush of Japanese roses. Her head was tilted and she smiled a bright, youthful smile.

    Han Zhifan stared at the photo for a long time as he gulped twice. Then he got up and ced the things he bought in front of Lili¡¯s gravestone.

    After he finished visiting Lili, Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave. Instead, he found a spot in front of the grave and sat down, leaning against the gravestone.

 Chapter 1008 - Cut Off (8)

    <h4>Chapter 1008: Cut Off (8)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    The sun rose higher and higher as the weather got hotter and hotter. Han Zhifan, whose forehead was full of sweat, showed no signs of leaving.

    Time gradually passed by. After sunset approached and the light gradually dimmed again, Han Zhifan turned his head to nce at the gravestone beside him.

    Since he arrived in the morning till now, he hadn¡¯t said a word. All of a sudden, he moved his lips. ¡°Lili, I have to leave again. Next time, when I have time, I¡¯lle see you again...¡±

    Like before, after Han Zhifan bid farewell on his visit to see Han Zhili, he would get up and leave. However, this time, he sat on the ground without moving an inch.

    He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. After taking two puffs, he then said, ¡°Lili, are you ming me? ming me for treating her so welltely...¡±

    ¡°Lili, don¡¯t be mad. I¡¯ll never do that again... At the time, I was soft-hearted and pitied her...¡±

    ¡°...Lili, don¡¯t worry. I promised to help you get revenge, so I definitely will. I¡¯ll make the person who killed you taste just how insufferable it feels for tragedy to befall a rtive!¡±

    ¡°Lili, did you know that you have a nephew?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s called Hanhan. He¡¯s very cute, but she gave birth to Hanhan. I was afraid you wouldn¡¯t be happy to see him, so I didn¡¯t bring him...¡±

    After Han Zhifan said that, he lowered his head and stared at the cigarette between his fingers for a long time. Just as the cigarette was about to burn to the end, he put it out on the ground. Then he got up and said ¡°goodbye¡± to the gravestone. He stared at Han Zhili¡¯s photo on the gravestone for a short while then turned around and headed down the mountain.

    As he emerged from the cemetery, Han ZHifan didn¡¯t return to the office nor did he return home.

    He drove around Beijing several times until his stomach started hurting from not having eaten anything all day. That was when he parked the car by the side of the road and randomly found a fast food restaurant to fill his stomach.

    Back in the car, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t drive around randomly anymore. Instead, he pulled the car seat t down andid there for a while. He tore open a pack of cigarettes and started smoking one cigarette after another.

    Thereafter, he knew full well what path to take, but he didn¡¯t know what he was so hesitant about.

    <i>Two years ago, didn¡¯t I cut things off cleanly? Now, two yearster, how hard could it be to cut things off once again?</i>

    This time, he was afraid he wasn¡¯t just cutting off their rtionship, and this time, he had these uncontroble feelings deep down...

    If the housekeeper hadn¡¯t abruptly brought up the uing anniversary of Lili¡¯s death that night, he was afraid he would¡¯ve still been too immersed in her world without even knowing it.

    Under these circumstances, he shouldn¡¯t have felt like that. To him, this was too dangerous and felt too foreign.

    If he was around her frequently, he really was afraid he would forget his own original intentions.

    There were some things that had started to develop out of his control. He wouldn¡¯t carry out future matters he couldn¡¯t predict and take paths he wasn¡¯t certain of.

    Even though he was torn about things and even if he wanted to run away from things, a week had passed. He couldn¡¯t let it drag on like this...

    Han Zhifan stared with lingering eyes and deeply thought about things for a moment. Then he picked up the phone and made a call.

    The call went through. He waited for the person on the phone to call out his name before he tly asked, ¡°Lin Na, didn¡¯t you always want to marry me?¡±

 Chapter 1009 - Cut Off (9)

    <h4>Chapter 1009: Cut Off (9)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Unlike Cheng Weiwan, who got shy easily, Lin Na was always outgoing and bubbly. Lin Na finished listening to what he had to say and bluntly replied, ¡°Yes, I really want to marry you, Zhifan. But you aren¡¯t willing to marry me.¡±

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but tighten his grip on his phone.

    He didn¡¯t reply for a long time. ¡°Zhifan?¡± cried Lin Na.

    Han Zhifan heard Lin Na¡¯s voice but still didn¡¯t respond.

    After a while, he gulped hard and shut his eyes. Then with a clear voice, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll marry you.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Over the phone, Lin Na must¡¯ve clearly heard what he said, but she didn¡¯t dare to believe it.

    After hesitantly asking him this, she didn¡¯t wait for him to say anything more and added, ¡°Zhifan, what did you say?¡±

    ¡°I said...¡± Han Zhifan paused for a moment then moved his lips. ¡°...I¡¯ll marry you.¡±

    This time, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wait for Lin Na to speak up again and continued, ¡°Let¡¯s get married, Lin Na. The sooner the better.¡±

    ¨C

    It was a Friday night when Han Zhifan was seen again.

    Cheng Weiwan was in the baby¡¯s roo, ying with Cheng Han when she heard the familiar sound of the caring from downstairs.

    She could tell it was the sound of Han Zhifan¡¯s car. She was sitting in front of the window, so without a second thought, she turned and nced out the window.

    Just then, Han Zhifan¡¯s car happened toe to a stop and he got out of the car.

    The housekeeper saw Han Zhifan in the courtyard and immediately weed him in. ¡°Mr. Han, you¡¯re back?¡±

    Han Zhifan gently nodded, but he didn¡¯t give the housekeeper a reply and walked into the house.

    ¡°Mr. Han, are you having dinner tonight?¡± asked the housekeeper.

    Just as the housekeeper¡¯s voice fell, another door of the car was pushed open. A beautiful young woman stepped out. ¡°Zhifan?¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s footsteps stopped then he first replied to the housekeeper. ¡°No. I came back to pick up some files, and I¡¯ll be leaving immediately.¡± Then he looked over at the beautiful woman.

    He didn¡¯t say anything, but he probably gave the woman a look in response. The woman walked over to him in her high heels.

    The woman was smart and polite as she walked up to the housekeeper and smiled. Then she turned to Han Zhifan and cried out, ¡°I want to use the restroom.¡±

    Han Zhifan nced at the housekeeper beside him. The housekeeper immediately understood what Han Zhifan meant ¨C she made a hand gesture to wee the beautiful young woman then escorted her inside.

    Han Zhifan stood on the spot for a moment then also entered the house.

    Soon after, Cheng Weiwan heard the sound of Han Zhifan¡¯s footsteps on the other side of the door of the baby¡¯s room.

    The door to the baby¡¯s room wasn¡¯t shut. Han Zhifan had to pass by the door to the room en route to the study.

    Cheng Han¡¯s sharp eyes caught sight of Han Zhifan while he was ying with his toys. He then immediately cried out ¡°Daddy¡± in a cute voice.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s footsteps came to a stop and he replied ¡°Son¡± to Cheng Han, who was lying spread out on the rug. Then he raised his eyes and happened to meet Cheng Weiwan¡¯s gaze.

    It was just for a second, and Cheng Weiwan avoided Han Zhifan¡¯s line of sight. After she raised her eyes, the silhouette of Han Zhifan disappeared from outside the door.

    He didn¡¯t stay in the study for long. He grabbed the file and stepped back out.

    He didn¡¯t stop when he passed by the door again.

    The young woman must¡¯ve emerged from the toilet as she bumped right into Han Zhifan on his way downstairs. In the baby¡¯s room, Cheng Weiwan vaguely heard the woman affectionately crying out ¡°Zhifan.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything, but the woman continued talking.

 Chapter 1010 - Cut Off (10)

    <h4>Chapter 1010: Cut Off (10)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Because the two of them walked out of the house together, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t hear the end of their conversation.

    She waited until they left the house before listening in on what the woman was saying.

    Cheng Weiwan instinctively nced out the window. She saw the woman clutching onto Han Zhifan¡¯s arm as they walked up to the car.

    Han Zhifan helped pull the door open for the woman. After she sat inside, he helped her shut the door then got in too.

    The driver waited for the two of them to sit then started the car up.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t avert her gaze back to Cheng Han until she saw that the car had disappeared.

    Cheng Weiwan felt like that woman looked really familiar like she had seen her somewhere before, but she couldn¡¯t remember where. She yed with Cheng Han for a while, but when she replied to Cheng Han¡¯s questions, she suddenly remembered. Han Zhifan brought that woman home when she was pregnant with Cheng Han and stood in Yongyi Gardens outside Han Zhifan¡¯s apartment.

    She clearly remembered how they got intimate that night in front of the window.

    So over two years had passed, yet they were still in contact... It seemed like he treated her well... She might not know how he acted when he treated a woman at his very best, but at the very least, she knew he treated that woman far better than her.

    With that thought, the corners of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips curved into a mocking smile.

    How could shepare herself to that woman? She really did overestimate herself. To him, any woman on the street was better than her, right?

    ¡°Mummy, what are youughing about?¡± asked Cheng Han. He lifted his head when he heard Cheng Weiwanughing.

    Cheng Weiwan shook her head and rubbed Cheng Han¡¯s head. She didn¡¯t say anything but continued to y with the toys with Cheng Han.

    Han Zhifan returned and with a woman no less, but it didn¡¯t affect Cheng Weiwan at all. After the housekeeper went upstairs to tell them dinner was ready, she took Hanhan to wash his hands clean then walked downstairs to have dinner.

    After they were full, Cheng Weiwan walked around the park in the neighborhood for a while like usual.

    When they returned home, Cheng Weiwan gave Cheng Han a shower. After she put Cheng Han in the crib, Cheng Weiwan went downstairs to grab Cheng Han a ss of warm milk then she headed back upstairs.

    She watched as Cheng Han finished the milk then she grabbed a storybook and started to read him a bedtime story.

    The door to the baby¡¯s room was open. There were maids taking care of the nts in the sunroom with the doors also open. Their conversation traveled to the baby¡¯s room every now and then.

    ¡°Did you see that woman Mr. Han brought back this afternoon?¡±

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t, but I heard from the housekeeper that she¡¯s very pretty.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not just ¡®pretty.¡¯ I hear that the woman was a model and she has a great figure. While cooking dinner, I incidentally overheard the housekeeper and the wet nurse¡¯s conversation. The housekeeper said the woman is Mr. Han¡¯s fiance...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan stopped reading the storybook

    ¡°Fiance? Mr. Han wants to get married?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. The housekeeper said there¡¯s no doubt about it. I hear the housekeeper is busy preparing for Mr. Han¡¯s wedding right now!¡±

    ¡°Then what about Miss Cheng? She¡¯s the young master¡¯s biological mother...¡±

    ¡°What can be done? She¡¯s definitely going to be kicked out and just like before, he won¡¯t let her see the young master...¡±

 Chapter 1011 - Departure (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1011: Departure (1)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    ¡°Yeah. What is there to do? He¡¯ll definitely make me go...¡± After one of the maids finished speaking, Cheng Weiwan followed by quietly murmuring, ¡°...But that¡¯s okay. I never had hope from the beginning, so now, I¡¯m not really disappointed. It¡¯s alright. It¡¯s alright...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan repeated ¡°It¡¯s alright¡± a few times before goingpletely silent.

    Laying beside her, Cheng Han thought she was telling the story. Even though he didn¡¯t understand, he still watched with wide eyes as he anticipated thetter part of the story.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything. She stared at the storybook with a slightly stunned gaze.

    The maid in the sunroom beside them didn¡¯t know Cheng Weiwan was eavesdropping on their conversation, so she continued chatting away.

    ¡°I heard the housekeeper say that Mr. Lin introduced that woman to Mr. Han, and Mr. Han and that woman got together two years ago.¡±

    ¡°Come to think of it, Mr. Han likes that woman... I actually thought Mr. Han was interested in Miss Cheng...¡±

    ¡°Mummy, mummy...¡± Lying in bed, Cheng Han waited for a while. Unable to keep waiting for Cheng Weiwan to finish reading the story, he couldn¡¯t help but cry out in impatience for the rest of the story.

    Cheng Weiwan snapped back to reality and murmured to Cheng Han quietly, ¡°Wait a minute for mummy.¡± Then she got out of bed, walked over to the door of the baby¡¯s room and softly shut the door.

    By cutting out the sounds of the two maids¡¯ voices, Cheng Weiwan opened the storybook like nothing had happened. Then she continued reading from where she left off.

    Midway through the book, Cheng Han finally couldn¡¯t hold back his desire to sleep and shut his eyes.

    Cheng Weiwan lowered her voice as she read the story until Cheng Han fell asleeppletely then she stopped.

    Normally, she would put the storybook away, climb out of bed and leave, but this time, she turned and stared out the window in a daze.

    It took a long time before Cheng Weiwan snapped back to reality. She put the book of fairytales down, pulled the covers over Cheng Han then stared at his sleeping face for a while. She lowered her head to kiss the middle of his forehead like she couldn¡¯t bear to say goodbye and repeatedly stroked Cheng Han¡¯s soft face for a long time. Then she pulled away, got up, and silently left the baby¡¯s room.

    After she took a shower, Cheng Weiwanid in bed but couldn¡¯t fall asleep no matter what.

    There were some things she wasn¡¯t willing to think about and was afraid to think about, so she sat up and watched television.

    The finance channel was on ¨C the same channel Han Zhifan often watched. Cheng Weiwan had no interest, so she grabbed the remote control and turned to the variety show channel. In the end, she kept changing channels until she saw a familiar looking person on TV.

    It was her father... Cheng Weiguo, having an interview.

    The father she saw on TV was wearing a full suit. He often paid attention to fitness and health, so his figure looked great and he looked rather young.

    Come to think of it, this must be the first time she had seen her father in practically three years... Three years... Wrinkles were faintly creeping in the corners of his eyes, but her father looked no different from before. In fact, he looked even younger and more vigorous.

    He still spoke slowly and clearly, and he sounded like an academic full of theories.

    When the host spoke, he looked seriously at her father with a smile on his lips.

 Chapter 1012 - Departure (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1012: Departure (2)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t help but secretly praise her father¡¯s eloquence. The host himself couldn¡¯t stopplimenting her father.

    Mid-interview, the host suddenly asked Cheng Weiguo an off-topic question. ¡°Mr. Cheng, when we spoke earlier backstage, you mentioned you¡¯ll be going to Beijing to give a lecture next week?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I expect it will be held next week at Beijing University. It will be on Wednesday at two in the afternoon...¡±

    <i>Beijing... Beijing University...</i>

    Upon hearing those words, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t help but light up.

    Her father wasing to Beijing on business... Did this mean she would finally be able to see the father she hadn¡¯t seen for several years now?

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan pulled her phone out and gave Cheng Weiguo a call.

    Just like the day of her birthday, nobody picked up, so she sent a text instead. ¡°Dad, I saw in a television interview that you¡¯reing to Beijing next week. Which hotel will you be staying at and when do have time for me to see you?¡±

    ...

    Han Zhifan had a business dinner and he drank a little too much.

    After it was over, he and Lin Na sat in the car as she glued herself to his body, sending him endless hints.

    He knew Lin Na wanted to go back home with him, but he pretended not to understand as he gave the driver Lin Na¡¯s address.

    Lin Na pouted in dissatisfaction as she pulled a tantrum all the way there. In the end, she saw that it was no use and she pushed the car door open in frustration. Without even saying goodbye, she stomped away in her high heels.

    The driver didn¡¯t ask him where he wanted to go. Just like the past few days, he drove Han Zhifan in the direction of the office.

    Han Zhifan drank quite a lot of alcohol, so he was a little thirsty. He opened the lid of a water bottle and drank half of it then rolled down the window as the night wind blew in.

    He stared out at the endlessly retreating night out the window. He vaguely remembered when he bumped into Cheng Weiwan while picking up the file at home that afternoon.

    He knew she saw Lin Na.

    When he passed the baby¡¯s room, he specifically nced at her face a few times. She wore a very nk expression on her face and didn¡¯t show any change in her emotions.

    Her current state was much worse inparison to when he wanted to break up with her two years ago, judging by how she stared right at him in tears.

    But Han Zhifan didn¡¯t know what was with him. The picture of her emotionless face stayed on his mind all night.

    The more he hesitated, the heavier his heart felt.

    <i>Did that emotionless expression of hers mean she doesn¡¯t care what I do with other women?</i>

    With that thought, Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but raise his hand and pull hard on his tie.

    In the car, they were about to reach the office. Han Zhifan¡¯s chest felt heavy and he wanted to unburden himself. ¡°Did I tell you to go to the office? When was it ever up to you to take matters in your own hands? Go back home!¡± he eximed in a disgusted tone of voice.

    The driver was so frightened that he mmed on the brakes. He didn¡¯t even dare to reply to Han Zhifan as he hurriedly turned the car around at the road ahead and drove to the vi.

    Drunken Han Zhifan didn¡¯t let the driver support him as he staggered and swayed into the house. He removed his shoes and walked upstairs.

    He pushed the door open, but before he stepped inside, he first heard the words: ¡°Cheng Weiguo.¡±

    The alcohol made him a little sluggish as he froze for two seconds. He first nced at Cheng Weiwan, who was sitting on the bed, watching TV. Then his gaze turned towards the television on the wall.

 Chapter 1013 - Departure (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1013: Departure (3)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    When Han Zhifan caught sight of Cheng Weiguo on TV, his lips suddenly pursed.

    <i>Is she watching her father¡¯s interview?</i>

    As that thought shed across Han Zhifan¡¯s mind, the host started topliment Cheng Weiguo. ¡°Mr. Cheng isn¡¯t only a talented individual, but you¡¯ve also contributed greatly to the medical field. I hear Mr. Cheng also created a trust fund for the impoverished. It can¡¯t go unmentioned that Mr. Cheng, you¡¯re truly extraordinary and worth everyone¡¯s admiration...¡±

    <i>A talented individual? Extraordinary? Worth everyone¡¯s admiration?</i>

    Han Zhifan looked like he heard a hrious joke as his lips raised into a cold smile.

    Cheng Weiguo was a hypocrite. Everything he portrayed and represented to everybody was all fake. Behind his fake act, the real him was dark, dirty, and inhumane!

    The image of Lili in a pool of blood at the hospital and the image of Lili¡¯s diary shed endlessly in Han Zhifan¡¯s mind. The host repeatedly saying ¡°Mr. Cheng¡± coupled with the sound of Cheng Weiguo¡¯s voice suddenly ignited another fire which zed hotter and hotter in Han Zhifan¡¯s heart.

    The cameras panned onto Cheng Weiguo once again. When he put on a warm and elegant smile, Han Zhifan finally couldn¡¯t take it anymore and walked up to the TV, reached his hand out, and yanked out the plug.

    Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t noticed a thing because she was focusing on sending her text to Cheng Weiguo. Just then, she sluggishly realized Han Zhifan was back.

    She waited a long time for Cheng Weiguo¡¯s reply. While she was in the middle of sending Cheng Weiguo another text, she stopped typing, raised her head and looked over at Han Zhifan.

    His facial expression looked unusually drab as the green veins on his forehead jumped out like he was seriously suppressing some kind of fiery rage.

    Han Zhifan stared dead at Cheng Weiwan for a while then strode closer to her one step at a time.

    Cheng Weiwan instinctively clutched her phone in fear. She gulped and didn¡¯t dare to speak a word. As Han Zhifan drew closer, she instinctively backed up.

    However, she only managed to back up an inch when Han Zhifan suddenly reached out and snatched the phone from her fingers.

    He lowered his head and nced at her phone screen. After reading the texts she sent to Cheng Weiguo, his pupils started to dte and contract as the rage within his entire body unleashed and the mes roared higher.

    It wasn¡¯t that Cheng Weiwan had never seen Han Zhifan angry before, but his current state left her trembling in fear. She didn¡¯t know what he was going to do next, so her first thought was to turn around, climb out of bed and run to the bedroom.

    Her attempted avoidance of him angered Han Zhifan even more as he suddenly raised his hand and pped Cheng Weiwan¡¯s phone to the floor. After that, he then grabbed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s ankle and dragged her to him.

    He didn¡¯t know if he was mad because of Cheng Weiguo, or if it was because she tried to escape. Anger rushed into his chest and wouldn¡¯t dissipate no matter what.

    He wanted to vent but he didn¡¯t know how. His furious eyes stared at her for a long time, and under the influence of alcohol, he suddenly pushed her down with his body. Heviciously bit her lips and forcefully tore off her pajamas.

 Chapter 1014 - Departure (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1014: Departure (4)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Han Zhifan never imagined that with his fury, he would actually do such a thing to Cheng Weiwan.

    He hated Cheng Weiguo and that hatred was deep-rooted enough to drag her, Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter, into it.

    He personally saw her watching her own father¡¯s interviewte at night, and he saw the messages she sent to her father, so he should¡¯ve smashed her phone and thrown her out of his vi. In fact, he could¡¯ve torn her up with his bare hands and sliced her into a million pieces to pacify the hatred in his heart. In his mind, he thought up many ways to use her to get revenge. However, he stared and stared at her in anger then decided upon a solution even he found unbelievable.

    He woke up the instant he put his lips on hers. He wanted to stop, but the softness of her lips made him instinctively unable to help himself.

    He clearly felt his s**ual desire quickly recing all the anger in his body. It filled his chest and caused the blood to course through his entire body.

    In actuality, he wasn¡¯t short of women, but he¡¯d only ever been with her. Before he came home, Lin Na tried her hardest to seduce him, but he wasn¡¯t interested. In fact, he even thought of her as a little annoying. No matter if it was then or now, Cheng Weiwan was the only one who could easily get him excited.

    Since he let her live in his house, he hadn¡¯t touched her once. However, when they slept in the same bed, he often got excited and had to stop his urges.

    Perhaps he wasn¡¯t torturing her because he was angry. Moreover, perhaps it was because he truly wanted to get intimate with her, so he used his anger and alcohol to quench the thirst in his heart.

    Han Zhifan knew he couldn¡¯t stop, or maybe he just didn¡¯t want to stop. He hovered over her lips then forcefully spread her lips and teeth and started to kiss her wildly.

    She fought back, but her strength was nothingpared to his. He easily tore the clothes off her body. He stared at her pale skin and red eyes as one of his hands traveled up her body. His lips couldn¡¯t help but trail down from the corner of her mouth, onto her neck.

    She fought frantically. While drunk, Han Zhifan¡¯s patience was terrible. He held both her wrists with one hand and kept them on top of her head as his face explored her body even deeper.

    She twisted her body, still trying to avoid him. However, it made him even more impulsive as he couldn¡¯t help but quickly strip off his clothes and use his hand to spread her legs.

    Having not uttered a word all along, she started to plead for him not to do it. He furrowed his brows slightly. Under the influence of alcohol, he entered her body neither roughly nor gently. Perhaps he hurt her because he heard her let out a grunt before she instantly fell silent.

    She probably felt there was no use in fighting back and pleading with him. She didn¡¯t let out another peep nor did she fight back in the slightest.

    How could this count as s**? At most, only one person was in ecstasy ¨C him. But that was it. However, by the time it ended, he still felt an immense joy.

    He felt like it wasn¡¯t enough. In no hurry to pull out from her body, heid on top of her in a daze for a while. After he got excited again, he continued to prate her, regardless of whether she was willing or not.

    It wasn¡¯t clear just how many times he came; maybe it was three times or maybe it was four times.

 Chapter 1015 - Departure (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1015: Departure (5)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    It wasn¡¯t clear just how many times he came; maybe it was three times or maybe it was four times.

    All in all, he only extracted himself from her body when he was inplete bliss.

    In utter exhaustion, he resisted his tiredness and walked into the bathroom to take a shower. When he returned, he nced at her silently curled up in bed and lifted his half of the covers. He slipped into bed, shut his eyes and fell asleep.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t wake up until it was light out.

    The result of his drunken s**ual antics was an exhausted body and a splitting headache.

    Han Zhifan rubbed his temples and tightly furrowed his brows for a while before forcing himself to wake up.

    Han Zhifan sat upright then swept a nce at the empty half of the bed. The silhouette of Cheng Weiwan was gone.

    He furrowed his brows slightly but didn¡¯t think too much of where Cheng Weiwan could be. He just figured she must be with his son. He picked up his phone and nced at the time. It was nine in the morning and he had a meeting at ten at the office. Han Zhifan removed the covers and walked into the bathroom barefoot.

    After freshening up, Han Zhifan wrapped himself in a bathrobe and walked up to the vanity mirror. He grabbed the hairdryer and was just about to blowdry his hair when he caught the silhouette of Cheng Weiwan in the corner of his eye.

    She was wearing a long white dress, and she was standing against the balcony railing with her head up, staring at the bright sunlight. Who knew what she was looking at.

    She looked frail from behind as the wind blew her dress and long hair wildly in every direction.

    Han Zhifan paused his finger on the hairdryer button. He stared at Cheng Weiwan for a short while then put the hairdryer down.

    She turned her head and looked at him as though she heard his movements..

    When her eyes met his, she gently bit her lips. She then lowered her gaze and slowly turned around to face him.

    ¡°You finished taking your shower?¡±

    To Han Zhifan¡¯s disbelief, she actually spoke first. Confusion shed in his eyes, but after a while, he gently nodded at her.

    She didn¡¯t speak.

    He turned on the hairdryer and dried his hair.

    The whooshing sound traveled to every corner of the bedroom.

    Halfway through, Han Zhifan turned the hairdryer off and blurted out to Cheng Weiwan, who had been staring at him all along: ¡°Is there something you need?¡±

    ¡°Uh huh...¡± Cheng Weiwan gently responded and looked as though she was thinking about how to put her thoughts into words. After a moment of silence, she then moved her lips again. ¡°...Hanhan is fine now. He¡¯s stopped taking the prescribed medicine now, and Dr. Luo wille to the house to check up on Hanhan every day. He¡¯s more or lesspletely recovered. I think... I should move out of your ce now...¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers around the hairdryer tensed up.

    <i>Aftering to my house, the first thing she took the initiative to tell me was that she wants to move out?</i>

    Those were words he should¡¯ve said to her... But now, they were actuallying from her mouth...

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t know if he was mad that she beat him to suggesting that she leave, or if he was mad that she even wanted to leave. All of a sudden, his line of sight dropped.

    ¡°I¡¯ve packed up everything. I¡¯m just letting you know that I¡¯ll be leaving in a while after I see Hanhan and after he¡¯s had his afternoon nap...¡±

    ¡°Leaving?¡± Before Cheng Weiwan could finish, Han Zhifan suddenly threw the hairdryer on the dressing table. ¡°Have you repaid what you owe me? You want to leave already?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the deal between us from back then. If you sleep with me once, I¡¯ll let you stay by my son for one day. Repay what you owe before getting out!¡±

 Chapter 1016 - Departure (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1016: Departure (6)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    With that said, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t continue drying his hair and walked right into the changing room.

    When Han Zhifan came back, he re-emerged in a suit and an elegant aura. As he smoothly fixed up his tie, he swept a nce at Cheng Weiwan, who was still on the balcony. It looked like his anger hadn¡¯t subsided as he spoke in a menacing manner. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Once our debt is repaid, I won¡¯t let you stay even if you wanted to!¡±

    While Han Zhifan spat out those words, he gave his tie a fierce tug. Then he grabbed his wallet and phone. Without ncing back, he strode right out.

    ...

    From that day on, Han Zhifan starteding back home again.

    Things were different from thest time he used toe home every day, and he and Cheng Weiwan reverted back to being strangers. The two of them not only didn¡¯t speak to one another, but they didn¡¯t even exchange nces. It was like the other person didn¡¯t exist at all. In the evening, when it was silent, Han Zhifan and Cheng Weiwan did intimate things, but although their skin touched, they were so quiet that they didn¡¯t let out a single sound. She always shut her eyes and never nced at him. After it ended, they immediately parted and the two of them slept together with a massive gap between them in bed.

    The maids sensed there was something wrong with the two of them, but nobody dared to ask.

    In the next few days, Cheng Weiwan kept contacting Cheng Weiguo. Just like on her birthday, no matter how she called and texted Cheng Weiguo, he never replied to her.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know about his situation until the following Tuesday when she checked Cheng Weiguo¡¯s Weibo.

    He reached Beijing at ten in the morning and was staying at the Four Seasons Hotel.

    After eating breakfast and coaxing Cheng Han to sleep, Cheng Weiwan went back into the bedroom and changed into a pretty dress. Then she headed downstairs.

    The housekeeper was sitting in the living room, watching television. She was a little surprised to see Cheng Weiwan, who never left the house, all dressed up. ¡°Miss Cheng, you¡¯re going out?¡±

    ¡°Uh huh.¡± Cheng Weiwan gently nodded then grabbed the only pair of high heels she brought with her to Han Zhifan¡¯s house from the shoe cab.

    ¡°Would you like the driver to drop you off?¡± asked the housekeeper.

    ¡°No thank you.¡± Cheng Weiwan shook her head.

    ¡°Then take care. If anything happens, call home at any time,¡± said the housekeeper who chose not to push Cheng Weiwan too far.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything but smiled back at the housekeeper. She pushed open the door and walked out.

    When she walked up to the gates of the vi, Cheng Weiwan pulled out her phone and called a taxi.

    The taxi was close, so it quickly picked her up.

    Traffic in the afternoon was considerably smooth. In twenty minutes more or less, they reached the Four Seasons Hotel.

    Cheng Weiwan got out of the car as she paid the fare with her phone.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know which room in the Four Seasons Hotel Cheng Weiguo was staying in, so after she stepped into the lobby, she walked right up to the front desk and asked. ¡°Miss, may I ask which room Mr. Cheng Weiguo is staying in?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was attended to by a young woman. After she heard Cheng Weiwan¡¯s question, she apologized and shook her head. ¡°Apologies madam, we cannot reveal the information of our guests.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a reporter nor am I his fan. I¡¯m his daughter...¡± Cheng Weiwan was afraid thedy at the front desk wouldn¡¯t believe her, so she pulled out her ID and residence ID.

    After thedy at the front desk took her IDs, she looked at them for a while with a little hesitation. ¡°If you are Mr. Cheng¡¯s daughter, why would you not know where he¡¯s staying?¡±

    That question made Cheng Weiwan¡¯s expression turn somber.

 Chapter 1017 - Departure (7)

    <h4>Chapter 1017: Departure (7)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    <i>Yes. I¡¯m Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter, yet I don¡¯t know my own father¡¯s schedule...</i>

    Thedy at the front desk didn¡¯t dare let Cheng Weiwan go up to Cheng Weiguo¡¯s room. She noticed Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t said a word and thought of apromise. ¡°How about this? I¡¯ll give Mr. Cheng a call. If he wants to see you, I¡¯ll ask someone to escort you upstairs. Would that be okay?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan hurriedly nodded. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Thedy at the front desk replied to Cheng Weiwan with a smile then picked up the mouse and clicked a few times. She then picked up the phone beside her and made the call.

    Cheng Weiwan could tell by the numbers thedy at the front desk pressed that she was calling Cheng Weiguo¡¯s phone number.

    The phone rang twice before it was picked up. Thedy at the front desk politely said, ¡°Mr. Cheng. Hello, it¡¯s the front desk of the hotel.¡±

    <i>I called him so many times, but he never picked up. Now an unfamiliarndline number called, yet he picked up so quickly...</i>

    After hearing what thedy at the front desk said, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch her sleeves tighter.

    She didn¡¯t know what Cheng Weiguo said over the phone, but thedy at the front desk spoke again. ¡°It¡¯s like this, Mr. Cheng. There¡¯s a woman called Cheng Weiwan at the front desk and she says she¡¯s your daughter. She wants to see you, so I¡¯m calling you to ask if we should have a member of staff escort Miss Cheng upstairs for you?¡±

    Cheng Weiguo must¡¯ve said something over the phone as the smiling expression of thedy at the front desk became astonished. She looked like she couldn¡¯t believe it. After a while, she replied, ¡°Alright, Mr. Cheng. Understood.¡±

    ¡°Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Cheng.¡±

    ¡°Goodbye, Mr. Cheng.¡±

    With that said, thedy at the front desk hung up.

    Thedy at the front desk looked torn about something as she hesitated for a while.Then she raised her head and looked at Cheng Weiwan. ¡°Miss Cheng, Mr. Cheng said he doesn¡¯t want to see you.¡±

    <i>Doesn¡¯t want to see... I¡¯m already downstairs at the hotel he¡¯s staying in, yet he doesn¡¯t want to see me?</i>

    Cheng Weiwan bit her lips but didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°Mr. Cheng even said he¡¯s here on business. He doesn¡¯t want you to give him any trouble.¡±

    <i>Give him any trouble... I¡¯m his daughter. We haven¡¯t seen each other for over three years ¨C not even once. Don¡¯t tell me meeting up would be considered giving him trouble?</i>

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes dropped as she tried to contain the bitterness in her eyes. She forced a smile for thedy at the front desk. ¡°Oh,¡± she cried then turned around and walked right out.

    Emerging from the big doors of the hotel, Cheng Weiwan walked up to the sidewalk before she came to a stop.

    She lowered her head then stared and stared at her feet as a single tear crashed down from the corner of her eye.

    ...

    Han Zhifan had a meeting with a client today at the first-floor cafe of the Four Seasons hotel to talk business.

    Mid-conversation, the client had to step out for a phone call.

    The call was quite long. Bored of waiting, Han Zhifan stared out at the people walking by the window to pass the time.

    When Cheng Weiwan appeared in his field of sight, he initially thought it was an illusion.

    He blinked hard but realized it really was her. His gaze started to follow and encircle her subconsciously.

    The cafe was surrounded by ss, so he could see her walking into the hotel lobby and to the front desk.

    <i>Why did she go to the hotel? To book a room?</i>

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows then stared transfixed at Cheng Weiwan.

    Because he was quite far away, he didn¡¯t know what she said at the front desk.

    However, he saw that after thedy at the front desk grabbed the phone, Cheng Weiwan looked like she suffered a serious blow. Her expression turned deste and lifeless.

 Chapter 1018 - Departure (8)

    <h4>Chapter 1018: Departure (8)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    The client finally finished their call and had returned.

    However, Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t shift his focus back to business. Every now and then, he nced at Cheng Weiwan through the window as she stood on the sidewalk.

    She had her head down. He had no idea what she was looking at.

    He didn¡¯t know if it was just an illusion, but he felt like the silhouette of her back was really lonely and pitiful.

    The client spoke for quite a long time, but Han Zhifan didn¡¯t respond. Eventually, the client couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Mr. Han?¡±

    Han Zhifan snapped back to reality and apologized then signaled the client to repeat what he said.

    At first, Han Zhifan listened carefully to what the client said, but midway through, his thoughts started to wander over to Cheng Weiwan, who was still standing by the road.

    He saw the silhouette of her back shuddering gently... His fingers on the coffee mug couldn¡¯t help but tighten.

    <i>Is she crying?</i>

    <i>What did the front desk staff say to actually make her cry?</i>

    ¡°Mr. Han?¡± repeated the client to snap Han Zhifan out of his daze.

    Han Zhifan apologized again but didn¡¯t signal the client to repeat what he just said. Instead, he continued by saying, ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry. I have some urgent business that needs to be tended to. About our cooperation, if you¡¯re interested, we can find ater date to talk more about it in detail...¡±

    As he said this, Han Zhifan got up and called the waitress for the bill.

    ¡°Mr. Han?¡± The client was a little dissatisfied with Han Zhifan¡¯s sudden departure.

    It seemed like Han Zhifan didn¡¯t notice. He handed the waitress a couple of notes then without even collecting his change, he said ¡°Goodbye¡± to the client. He then strode out of the cafe in a hurry.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t head right out of the hotel to find Cheng Weiwan on the sidewalk, but instead, he walked up to the front desk.

    Thedy Cheng Weiwan just spoke to was checking in a guest, so Han Zhifan didn¡¯t disturb her. He waited until she finished her work then walked up to her. ¡°Miss Cheng Weiwan just passed by, didn¡¯t she?¡±

    Han Zhifan was a frequent guest of the Four Seasons Hotel, so thedy at the front desk knew him. Seeing as he asked, she answered honestly, ¡°Yes, Mr. Han.¡±

    ¡°What was she doing here?¡±

    ¡°She came to find Mr. Cheng Weiguo.¡±

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows at the sound of those words: ¡°Cheng Weiguo.¡±

    Thedy at the front desk sensed something was wrong with Han Zhifan and continued to tell him what she knew. ¡°But Mr. Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t want to see her.¡±

    <i>Didn¡¯t want to see her?</i>

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows even tighter.

    <i>He¡¯s her biological father. Why did he not want to see her?</i>

    Thedy at the front desk saw that Han Zhifan was confused, so she replied with equal confusion. ¡°I¡¯m not sure why Mr. Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t want to see Miss Cheng. They¡¯re father and daughter, but I feel like they¡¯re more like strangers. Right after Mr. Cheng Weiguo took my call and heard that his daughter was looking for him, he said he wasn¡¯t going to see her without any hesitation at all. Then he told me to tell Miss Cheng that he¡¯s here on business and he hopes she won¡¯t give him any trouble.¡±

    ¡°And then?¡± asked Han Zhifan as thedy at the front desk stopped mid-story.

    ¡°Mr. Cheng had nothing to say after that. Then I passed the message on to Miss Cheng. Miss Cheng looked really upset then she left.¡±

    <i>So Cheng Weiwan came here to see Cheng Weiguo? And she was so upset when she left because Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t want to see her?</i>

    <i>Doesn¡¯t Cheng Weiguo treat his only daughter like she¡¯s precious?</i>

 Chapter 1019 - Departure (9)

    <h4>Chapter 1019: Departure (9)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    <i>Three years ago, didn¡¯t Cheng Weiguo mention his daughter in an interview? At the time, his expression looked full of affection and happiness like apassionate father who loved his daughter very much...</i>

    <i>Why would hee to Bejing and not want to see the daughter he loved so much, even when she came to see him?</i>

    Han Zhifan seemed puzzled by this enormous riddle. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn¡¯t figure it out.

    Thedy at the front desk noticed Han Zhifan didn¡¯t respond for a long time, so she thought he had more questions. ¡°Mr. Han? May I ask if there¡¯s anything else you need my help with?¡± she asked quietly.

    Han Zhifan snapped to reality and shook his head at thedy. Then he stood on the spot for a moment before quickly walking over to the hotel entrance.

    He ran over to the spot by the sidewalk where Cheng Weiwan had just been standing. Her silhouette had long disappeared. Han Zhifan looked left and right, but he only saw unfamiliar faces.

    Having caused an episode like that, Han Zhifan was in no spirit to go back to the office and continue working, so he figured he would ask the driver to take him back home early.

    The housekeeper heard the sound of the door and figured Cheng Weiwan hade back. On her way out of the kitchen, she cried Cheng Weiwan¡¯s name as she ran. ¡°Miss Che-¡±

    Before she could finish saying ¡°Cheng,¡± the housekeeper saw Han Zhifan quickly changed her tune. ¡°...Mr. Han...¡±

    Han Zhifan let out an ¡°Mhm¡± then removed his shoes and stepped into the house.

    Since he heard the housekeeper starting to call Cheng Weiwan, so before he walked upstairs, he casually asked, ¡°She¡¯s not at home?¡±

    The housekeeper knew Han Zhifan was referring to Cheng Weiwan when he said: ¡°she.¡± ¡°After lunch, Miss Cheng put the young master to sleep then she went out and hasn¡¯te back since.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± said Han Zhifan. He didn¡¯t say anything else and headed right upstairs.

    First, he went into the master bedroom to change into his house clothes then he went over to the baby¡¯s room to sneak a peek. Cheng Han was still fast asleep. Han Zhifanheaded back downstairs.

    He sat on the sofa, grabbed a random magazine, and flipped through it.

    After turning just two pages, he raised his wrist and checked the time.

    Soon enough, night fell. The sun had already set, but Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t returned.

    Han Zhifan gradually started to feel uneasy. He often nced out the window.

    Dinner was ready but Cheng Weiwan still hadn¡¯te back home yet. Finally, Han Zhifan threw the magazine, got up, and walked over to the window.

    The housekeeper called Han Zhifan to eat, but he ignored her. He reached for a cigarette and lit it up.

    The housekeeper could tell Han Zhifan had things on his mind, but she couldn¡¯t guess what he was thinking.

    The housekeeper shook her head and first replied to Han Zhifan¡¯s question. ¡°No. Miss Cheng didn¡¯t say anything.¡±

    After her reply, the housekeeper noticed Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything, so she added, ¡°Mr. Han, it¡¯s sote, yet Miss Cheng isn¡¯t back. Could something have happened to her? Should I give Miss Cheng a call?¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t give the housekeeper a reply.

    The housekeeper couldn¡¯t figure out Han Zhifan¡¯s temperament, so she was afraid to get yelled at for calling her without permission. ¡°Mr. Han, it¡¯s almost nine. Miss Cheng...¡± she continued.

    ¡°She hasn¡¯te back, so go ask her. Why do you keep on talking to me about it?!¡± eximed Han Zhifan in a terrible mood as he saw the housekeeper dawdling for a long time without actually making the call.

    <i>I still ended up getting yelled at...</i> Having been shouted at, the housekeeper put her head down in annoyance. Then she ran over to the home phone and gave Cheng Weiwan a call.

 Chapter 1020 - Departure (10)

    <h4>Chapter 1020: Departure (10)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    The phone rang many times, but no one picked up. The housekeeper hung up the phone then continued to enter Cheng Weiwan¡¯s phone number again. Just like before, nobody picked up. That was when the housekeeper put the phone down. ¡°Mr. Han, Miss Cheng¡¯s not picking up the phone.¡±

    <i>No one¡¯s picking up?</i>

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows. In the next second, he strode right over to the housekeeper. He grabbed the phone the housekeeper just put down then pressed eleven buttons in one go, giving Cheng Weiwan another call.

    It was just as the housekeeper said. After he made the call, it rang many times, but nobody picked up.

    <i>Why isn¡¯t she picking up the phone?</i>

    Han Zhifan¡¯s brows creased even more fiercely.

    The image of her standing by the sidewalk with shuddering shoulders from earlier that afternoon while he was sitting at the cafe suddenly came to mind.

    <i>She looked really hurt. She can¡¯t be hiding away by herself to cry, right?</i>

    With that thought, the image of her crying under a tree in the garden while he was out for a cigarette one night shed across Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes.

    His heart suddenly ached. The next second, he hung up the phone and walked out the door.

    ¡°Mr. Han, your shoes!¡± The housekeeper instinctively cried out when she saw that Han Zhifan had walked out without shoes.

    Han Zhifan ignored the housekeeper and immediately pulled his car door open. He entered and started the car up then mmed on the gas and sped out of the courtyard.

    After Han Zhifan left, the housekeeper gave Cheng Weiwan several more calls. Still, no one answered.

    Night gradually fell. When it was almost midnight, the sound of a car was heard outside the house.

    The housekeeper hurriedly ran out, thinking it was Cheng Weiwan returning home. Who knew that when the car door opened, it would actually be Han Zhifan?

    The car hadn¡¯te to aplete stop when the housekeeper ran out in front of the car. Han Zhifan just opened the door when the housekeeper couldn¡¯t help but cry out,¡±Mr. Han, did you find Miss Cheng?¡±

    After getting out of the car, Han Zhifan heard this and paused for a moment. ¡°Is she still not back yet?¡±

    ¡°No...¡± The housekeeper shook her head. ¡°...I just gave her a call. Her phone was turned off.¡±

    <i>Turned off? Did her phone run out of battery or did something happen?</i>

    <i>Although crime is low, it¡¯s still a little unsafe for a woman to be out by herself...</i>

    He went to all the ces he knew she frequented. He even went to Lin Muqing¡¯s house to look for her, but he couldn¡¯t find her, so where did she go?

    She had depression. Although things seemed to have been getting a lot bettertely, he didn¡¯t know if she would take things too hard after being provoked by Cheng Weiguo.

    As that thought drilled into Han Zhifan¡¯s mind, he suddenly pictured Cheng Weiwan jumping from a building, resulting in a pool of blood.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s heart suddenly skipped a beat. Then he pushed past the housekeeper and rushed into the house. He picked up the phone and called Lin Sheng.

    Lin Sheng must¡¯ve been asleep as his phone rang several times but no one picked up. He pressed the button to hang up then called Lin Sheng¡¯s home number.

    The phone rang several times until it was finally picked up. The sound of Lin Sheng¡¯s heavily groggy voice came from the other side. ¡°What?! Did something happen? Calling in the middle of the night...¡±

    Before Lin Sheng could finish speaking, two words escaped Han Zhifan¡¯s mouth. ¡°It¡¯s serious!¡±

    Lin Sheng, who hadn¡¯t quite woken up, instantly woke up. He sluggishly got up. ¡°What happened?¡±

    As his words fell, Han Zhifan heard the rustling sound of clothes from the other side.

 Chapter 1021 - Heartache (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1021: Heartache (1)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Lin Sheng, who hadn¡¯t quite woken up, instantly woke up. He sluggishly got up. ¡°What happened?¡±

    As his words fell, Han Zhifan heard the rustling sound of clothes from the other side.

    Han Zhifan was stunned by Lin Sheng¡¯s anxious response. After a short while, he realized that he overreacted first, causing Lin Sheng to react like that...

    After realizing that, Han Zhifan realized that his heart was racing. His fingers around the phone trembled slightly.

    <i>I¡¯m... afraid and flustered... because Cheng Weiwan is afraid and flustered...</i>

    <i>I¡¯m scared she really got into some kind of ident...</i>

    <i>I¡¯m actually scared she really got into some kind of ident...</i>

    Han Zhifan felt like he had been hit on the head with a bat. His mind instantly went nk.

    ¡°Just what in the hell happened?¡± Lin Sheng got dressed, grabbed his car keys, and prepared to leave the house. However, seeing as Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything more over the phone and he didn¡¯t get to the point, Lin Sheng couldn¡¯t help but rush him.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t listen to Lin Sheng. The thoughts in his mind lingered over his realization from earlier.

    Lin Sheng thought Han Zhifan was just at a loss for words, so he eximed, ¡°I¡¯ll be at the garage right away. Are you at home? I¡¯lle over right now. Let¡¯s talk then...¡±

    He stepped out of the elevator then rushed over to his car. Lin Sheng pulled the car door open, entered the car, then started the car up as he continued talking on the phone. ¡°...I have to drive, so I gotta go. See you soon.¡±

    With that said, Lin Sheng didn¡¯t wait for Han Zhifan¡¯s response then hung up the phone and tossed it on the front passenger seat. He stepped on the gas and sped off.

    *Doot doot doot* rang the busy tone in Han Zhifan¡¯s ear for a long time before he realized Lin Sheng hung up the phone.

    He put down the phone and ignored the housekeeper, who was sitting to the side. Then he took two steps back and fell onto the sofa, distracted.

    He really was afraid she got into an ident... What¡¯s more, he¡¯d never felt this kind of fear and panic before...

    <i>Why am I this afraid?</i>

    The answer seemed like it was about toe out, but Han Zhifan didn¡¯t dare to face it.

    The housekeeper realized something was wrong with Han Zhifan. Although she was confused about why Mr. Han called Mr. Lin without saying anything and reacted like this, she stillforted Han Zhifan. ¡°Mr. Han, are you alright?¡±

    Han Zhifan sat motionlessly on the sofa and stared up at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling without the slightest reaction.

    The housekeeper was worried, so she couldn¡¯t help but move her lips. However, before she could speak, there was a sound at the door.

    The housekeeper hurriedly changed tracks and ran over to the door. Just as she reached the entrance, the door was pushed open. Cheng Weiwan, who they had lost contact with for half a day, walked in.

    ¡°Miss Cheng, you¡¯re finally back?!¡± The housekeeper was pleasantly surprised as she weed Cheng Weiwan. ¡°Miss Cheng, where are you going? You didn¡¯t pick up the phone. You almost got me worried sick...¡±

    As the housekeeper chattered away, she helped Cheng Weiwan grab her slippers.

    After Cheng Weiwan put on the slippers, the housekeeper followed Cheng Weiwan around the house while speaking. ¡°Miss Cheng, have you eaten? Are you hungry? Would you like me to cook something for you right now?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan had her head lowered ever since she walked into the house. Just then, she shook her head at the housekeeper.

    She wanted to say No thanks.¡± In the end, before she could manage to say those two words, she caught a glimpse of Han Zhifan sitting on the sofa from the corner of her eye.

 Chapter 1022 - Heartache (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1022: Heartache (2)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    She thought she was just seeing things, so she turned her head to take a look.

    It really was Han Zhifan. What¡¯s more, he was staring right at her.

    His gaze made her feel a little ufortable. She wanted to say something but the words disappeared in her mouth.

    The housekeeper saw Cheng Weiwan looking over at the living room and averting her gaze. When she saw Han Zhifan, the housekeeper realized that she hadn¡¯t even told Han Zhifan about Cheng Weiwan¡¯s return. ¡°Mr. Han, Miss Cheng is back. You can tell Lin...¡± she said hurriedly.

    The housekeeper wanted to tell Han Zhifan to inform Lin Sheng that Cheng Weiwan had returned home safely and that he didn¡¯t need to run over. However, before she could finish, Han Zhifan knew what she was going to say and coldly interrupted her. ¡°So what if she¡¯s back? What¡¯s it got to do with me?¡±

    <i>Why would it have anything to do with him...? He was obviously in a rush earlier... Why did he turn into a whole different person? He¡¯s so cold; it seems like that helplessness and panic he felt was just my imagination.</i>

    The housekeeper was confused for a while then moved her lips.

    Han Zhifan was afraid the housekeeper was talking nonsense. He didn¡¯t wait for her to speak out before saying, ¡°Make a cup of tea.¡±

    <i>Isn¡¯t there a cup of tea in front of him? Why does he still want me to make him tea?</i>

    Han Zhifan left the housekeeper confused.

    Han Zhifan noticed that the housekeeper wasn¡¯t moving, so he cried out again. ¡°I said make tea!¡± he said with increasing impatience.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Han.¡± The housekeeper didn¡¯t dare overthink things and ran over to the dining room.

    At the blink of an eye, only Han Zhifan and Cheng Weiwan were left in the living room.

    Han Zhifan just acted as though Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t exist. He picked up his phone like he was ying a game and started to stare at the screen.

    They hadn¡¯t spoken since the night she told him she¡¯d be leaving. Cheng Weiwan was used to Han Zhifan ignoring her, so she didn¡¯t strike up a conversation. She turned around and dragged her extremely exhausted body upstairs.

    She was really tired. She thought she could manage to make it upstairs,y down and get some rest, but she overestimated herself. She forced herself to walk over to the stairs, but darkness fell before her. Without any warning, she copsed to the floor.

    Her gaze fell upon Han Zhifan the moment she turned around. Upon seeing this, he instinctively dropped his phone and ran over to Cheng Weiwan at an incredible speed.

    ¡°Wanwan?¡± He cried her name. Seeing that she didn¡¯t respond, he lifted the top half of her body and cried her name again.

    She still showed no response.

    Han Zhifan faintly sensed something wasn¡¯t right. He reached out to touch her head and realized she had a shockingly high temperature. That was when he carried her up and loudly yelled, ¡°Housekeeper! Housekeeper!¡±

    He cried louder and louder.

    The housekeeper didn¡¯t know what happened but she hurriedly ran over and screamed ¡°Aye!¡±

    As soon as Han Zhifan saw the housekeeper, he couldn¡¯t help but cry out, ¡°Call Dr. Luo and tell him to hurry over!¡±

    The housekeeper hadn¡¯t fully understood the situation before Han Zhifan walked up the stairs, carrying Cheng Weiwan.

    After just a few steps, he remembered that Dr. Luo couldn¡¯t drive. His feet didn¡¯t stop as he walked up the stairs but he called out to the housekeeper again. ¡°Call Lin Sheng and tell him to pick up Dr. Luo!¡±

    With that said, Han Zhifan nced back at the housekeeper. Seeing as she wasn¡¯t moving, he impatiently added, ¡°Hurry!¡±

 Chapter 1023 - Heartache (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1023: Heartache (3)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Cheng Han just had his operation not too long ago, so after Lin Sheng got a call from Han Zhifan¡¯s housekeeper, the first thought that popped to mind was that something happened to Cheng Han.

    As he called Dr. Luo, he turned the car around and rushed over to Dr. Luo¡¯s house.

    When he reached Dr. Luo¡¯s ce, Dr. Luo, who received Lin Sheng¡¯s call in advance, grabbed his medical kit and was already waiting at the gates of his residential area.

    Dr. Luo got in the car. Before he could even put on his seatbelt, Lin Sheng stepped on the gas.

    The car just reached Han Zhifan¡¯s courtyard when the housekeeper heard some movement and opened the front door.

    The car came to a steady stop, and Lin Sheng and Dr. Lyo practically got out of the car at the same time. They didn¡¯t even bother to greet the housekeeper as they walked into the house. They removed their shoes and walked up the stairs.

    On the way, Lin Sheng told Dr. Luo his suspicions. Both of them thought Han Zhifan was so worried because of Cheng Han.

    So after they reached the second floor, they both headed to the baby¡¯s room by chance.

    But before the two of them could reach the room, they heard Han Zhifan¡¯s footsteps. Through the open bedroom door, which they happened to pass, Han Zhifan cried out, ¡°Here.¡±

    Lin Sheng and Dr. Luo¡¯s footsteps came to a stop at the same time.

    After Lin Sheng heard the sound of Han Zhifan¡¯s voice, he instinctively wanted to ask,¡±Did something happen to Hanhan?¡± However, before he could ask, he saw Cheng Weiwan lying on the bed.

    Lin Sheng suddenly shut his mouth, wanting to say something, but he gulped back the words.

    Dr. Luo stepped into the bedroom and put his medical kit on the bedside table. He reached out and felt Cheng Weiwan¡¯s pulse.

    Lin Sheng waited until Dr. Luo gave Cheng Weiwan a shot, prescribed some medicine, and walked out of the bedroom before shifting from his position in front of the bedroom door.

    Han Zhifan personally saw Dr. Luo out and arranged for the housekeeper to take him back home.

    Lin Sheng didn¡¯t follow him, but he stood at the bedroom door like before. He stared at Cheng Weiwan lying down.

    Not long after, Han Zhifan came back.

    Lin Sheng shot a nce at Han Zhifan. From Lin Sheng¡¯s expression, Han Zhifan knew Lin Sheng wanted to ask him something. He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to talk to Lin Sheng, but instead, he reached out and shut the bedroom door. Then he pointed at the study as if to signal Lin Sheng to go over with him.

    After entering the study, Han Zhifan pointed at the sofa. Before Han Zhifan could utter the word ¡°Sit¡±, Lin Sheng shut the study door and spoke up first. ¡°You were so anxious tonight and called me just because of her?¡±

    Han Zhifan sat on the sofa without replying to Lin Sheng¡¯s question. Instead, he spoke up again: ¡°Sit.¡±

    Lin Sheng didn¡¯t sit. Instead, he stared at Han Zhifan and continued to ask, ¡°So was it because of her?¡±

    Han Zhifan lowered his eyelids.

    ¡°Han Zhifan...¡±

    Lin Sheng spoke again. He only called Han Zhifan¡¯s name, but Han Zhifan said, ¡°You were right...¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s sudden response waspletely unrted to what Lin Sheng said. ¡°What?¡± asked Lin Sheng in confusion.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t make another sound.

    ¡°What are you saying? What do you mean by ¡®You were right¡¯?¡±

    Lin Sheng noticed Han Zhifan still wasn¡¯t showing signs of speaking, so his brows couldn¡¯t help but furrow. Impatient, Lin Sheng wanted to say more, but Han Zhifan finally moved his lips again. ¡°...I¡¯m not me anymore...¡±

    Lin Sheng didn¡¯t understand. He was so impatient that he sounded a little irritated. ¡°What the hell? What do you mean by you aren¡¯t you? If you aren¡¯t you, then who are you?¡±

 Chapter 1024 - Heartache (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1024: Heartache (4)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    This time, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t stay quiet and he quickly spoke up again.

    But it didn¡¯t sound like he was speaking to Lin Sheng. It sounded like he was muttering to himself as he said, ¡°...not the same me as I once was...¡±

    His voice was a little quiet, so Lin Sheng couldn¡¯t hear him clearly. ¡°Hm?¡± grunted Lin Sheng.

    It seemed like Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t heard what Lin Sheng said as he remained silent.

    It seemed like he was thinking about something. After a while, he turned his head and looked out the window.

    Yes... What Lin Sheng recently said in his office was right... He was no longer the him from back then who only wanted revenge... Even if his heart always told himself she was the daughter of his enemy and he wouldn¡¯t fall in love with her, his heart betrayed him long ago. Silently, he had long fallen for her body.

    Maybe he had already been moved two years ago and he had already instinctively fallen for her then. However, he didn¡¯t dare face the truth, nor was he willing to ept the truth, so he mercilessly chose to cut all ties with her two years ago.

    He wanted to abort the child. He brought a woman home to make her think they were intimate. He was harsh and relentless. It looked like he wasn¡¯t giving her a chance at all, but in reality, he didn¡¯t want to give himself a chance.

    After shepletely disappeared from his world, he didn¡¯t let himself think about her. He always assumed he had forgotten about her, but today, he realized he hadn¡¯t forgotten about her at all. He just hadn¡¯t dared to think about her.

    After they reunited, he found out she had a son. Rather than tell her that he wanted her to suffer, he hated that she broke the facade he worked so hard to create of forgetting about her.

    He repeatedly said he wouldn¡¯t allow her to see his son, but when he saw her with other men, he was pissed off. He was confused when he saw her outside the hospital. He had done many, many things that he couldn¡¯t exin himself, like allowing her to see his son for one day if she slept with him once, like letting her stay at his house and not letting her leave when she wanted... His actions gave him away a long time ago. However, he still tricked himself into thinking he couldn¡¯t possibly fall in love with her. She was the daughter of his enemy and he wanted to make her live a life worse than hell...

    Until today, when she couldn¡¯t be contacted. He drove all around Beijing, looking for her but unable to find her. He was afraid and panicked. He couldn¡¯t fool himself with that act any longer...

    The scene that he was most unwilling to face had finally arrived. He realized he had fallen in love with her... He fell in love with the biological daughter of the culprit behind his biological sister¡¯s death.

    ¡°Han Zhifan?¡± cried Lin Sheng several times. Seeing as he looked so unconcerned, he couldn¡¯t help but walk up to him, reach out and pat his shoulder.

    Han Zhifan was forced to snap out of his thoughts.

    ¡°What were you just muttering about? What do you mean you¡¯re not you? You¡¯re not possessed, right?¡± Lin Sheng noticed Han Zhifan looking over and repeated everything he said once more.

    Han Zhifan ignored all of Lin Sheng¡¯s questions and fell into a trance for a while. ¡°Lin Sheng, help me investigate something...¡± he said with a t tone of voice.

 Chapter 1025 - Heartache (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1025: Heartache (5)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Han Zhifan ignored all of Lin Sheng¡¯s questions and fell into a trance for a while. ¡°Lin Sheng, help me investigate something...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was Cheng Weiguo¡¯s biological daughter. Cheng Weiguo came to Beijing. Cheng Weiwan went to see him. If I were any other father in this world, they¡¯d at least try to see their daughter, even if they had no time to have a meal with them. However, Cheng Weiwan was at the ground floor of his hotel, yet Cheng Weiguo still declined to see her... Between father and daughter, something definitely must¡¯ve happened...

    With that thought, Han Zhifan continued to speak with a calm voice: ¡°...Dig deep into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s family situation...¡±

    ¡°...most importantly, the rtionship between Cheng Weiguo and Cheng Weiwan...¡±

    <i>Deep?</i>

    Lin Sheng, who had been asking Han Zhifan questions non-stop, suddenly went silent.

    All of a sudden, why was Han Zhifan asking him to dig deep into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s family situation? And why did he emphasize the rtionship between Cheng Weiguo and Cheng Weiwan...?

    ¡°What¡¯s with you? Did something new happen?¡± Lin Sheng twitched his brows.

    ¡°There are some things that I can¡¯t figure out,¡± said Han Zhifan.

    ¡°What is it?¡± asked Lin Sheng.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t reply anymore and reached for a cigarette. He lit it up, put it to his lips, and smoked half before he caught a nce of Lin Sheng, standing to one side. Then he moved his lips. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Go back and get some rest. Sorry to trouble you over my issues and I hope you can help me resolve things as soon as possible.¡±

    Lin Sheng could tell Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t told him the whole situation, but he wouldn¡¯t get to the bottom of it by troubling Han Zhifan. Upon hearing what he said, he gently nodded and said, ¡°Alright.¡± Then he stared at Han Zhifan for a while and said, ¡°Goodbye.¡±

    Han Zhifan bit his cigarette and gave Lin Sheng, who was dozing off, a nod.

    Lin Sheng didn¡¯t linger. He turned around and walked out of the study.

    Han Zhifan was sitting on the sofa. After smoking two cigarettes, he then got up and walked to the master bedroom.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fever hadn¡¯t subsided. The housekeeper must¡¯ve been worried as she was watching over her.

    The housekeeper saw Han Zhifaning in and gently cried out, ¡°Mr. Han.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything. He strode over to the side of the bed and stared at Cheng Weiwan for a while. In the end, his gaze fell on her swollen red eyelids.

    <i>Her eyes are so swollen; she must¡¯ve cried for a long time, didn¡¯t she?</i>

    It felt like something was lodged in Han Zhifan¡¯s throat as his breath was unsettled for a long while. That was when his gaze fell on the housekeeper. ¡°Watch over her. When she wakes up, remember to make her take the medicine. If she continues to have a fever, call Dr. Luo and ask him toe over to check on her.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Han,¡± said the housekeeper.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything more and walked right into the changing room.

    He came out after changing into a new outfit. Then Han Zhifan grabbed his car keys and wallet as he nced at Cheng Weiwan, lying in bed, before leaving.

    Han Zhifan went to the office and slept in the spare room at his office.

    He didn¡¯t sleep well because his mind was all over the ce; he kept having wild thoughts.

    He shut his eyes andid there idiotically until ten in the morning. Han Zhifan only opened his eyes and got out of bed when the secretary entered the office to tidy up her desk.

    Han Zhifan resisted the impulse to call Cheng Weiwan to ask what was going on. He resisted it until noon, which was when he finished his work. When Han Zhifan was about to go downstairs to thepany canteen for lunch, the phone on his desk rang.

 Chapter 1026 - Heartache (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1026: Heartache (6)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Han Zhifan nced at the iing call screen. It was the housekeeper calling.

    After taking the call, he heard the housekeeper¡¯s voice from the phone. ¡°Mr. Han, Miss Cheng went out...¡±

    <i>So what if she¡¯s gone out? It¡¯s not like I was restricting her freedom...</i> thought Han Zhifan deep down.

    He wanted to ask the housekeeper: ¡°Has her fever gone down?¡±

    But the housekeeper beat him to it. Before he could ask, the housekeeper said, ¡°...Miss Cheng¡¯s fever hasn¡¯t gone down yet. I wanted to call Dr. Luo over so he could check on her, but she didn¡¯t want him to and insisted on going out...¡±

    <i>Her fever hasn¡¯t gone down, yet she went out?</i>

    Han Zhifan furrowed his brows then said with an angry tone of voice, ¡°You didn¡¯t stop her?¡±

    ¡°I tried to stop her. I followed her and tried to talk her out of it for a long time, but it didn¡¯t work. She was insistent on going out...¡± Perhaps it was because Han Zhifan got angry, but the housekeeper¡¯s voice sounded a lot less confident over the phone. ¡°...I was afraid something might happen to Miss Cheng, so... so I called you...¡±

    <i>She¡¯s practically garbage! Why am I paying to support her?!</i>

    As Han Zhifanined to himself angrily deep down, he didn¡¯t give the housekeeper a reply. He hung up the phone, grabbed his jacket and walked out of the office.

    When he reached the underground parking lot, Han Zhifan entered the car and started it up. That was when he seriously thought about it. <i>Where could Cheng Weiwan have gone with a fever?</i>

    He thought aboutst week. <i>When I returned home that night, she was watching an interview about Cheng Weiguo on TV... Today¡¯s Tuesday and Cheng Weiguo¡¯s giving a lecture atBeijing University of Medicine at two in the afternoon... She didn¡¯t get to see Cheng Weiguo yesterday at the Four Seasons Hotel. She couldn¡¯t have gone to the Beijing University of Medicine today, right?</i>

    Han Zhifan thought about it, turned the steering wheel, and drove towardsBeijing University of Medicine.

    It was one o¡¯clock by the time he reached Beijing University of Medicine.

    Han Zhifan found a parking lot nearby then walked into Beijing University of Medicine.

    The university was filled with adverts and directions to Cheng Weiguo¡¯s lecture. Han Zhifan easily found the auditorium of the Beijing University of Medicine.

    Quite a few students walked out of the auditorium carrying notebooks.

    Han Zhifan saw Cheng Weiwan with just one nce in the heavily crowded auditorium. She was standing right by the entrance.

    <i>So she did go to see Cheng Weiguo...</i>

    She didn¡¯t look too well; it must¡¯ve been because she still had a fever. She wasn¡¯t in good spirits as it looked like she could faint at any moment.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t walk up and disturb Cheng Weiwan.

    He was standing in a rather discreet spot; she wouldn¡¯t be able to see him.

    At ten to two, there were very few people at the auditorium entrance. Students who wanted to listen to the lecture were already seated in the auditorium.

    Nearby, a group of well-dressed people walked in.

    Edging closer, Han Zhifan saw that the person in the middle was Cheng Weiguo. The people all around him were probably all leaders atBeijing University of Medicine.

    Cheng Weiguo turned and smiled right at a man about his age as they chatted.

    Hatred rose from the deepest part of Han Zhifan¡¯s heart. Han Zhifan stared at Cheng Weiguo as his fingers couldn¡¯t help but clench into fists.

    When a row of people drew closer, Cheng Weiwan straightened up.

    She was standing at the entrance area and Cheng Weiguo¡¯s group was able to see her.

    Everyone saw Cheng Weiwan as a student and didn¡¯t bother too much with her. After they swept her a look, they withdrew their gaze one after the other.

    When Cheng Weiguo¡¯s gaze finally fell upon Cheng Weiwan, the smile on his lips didn¡¯t change nor did he stop talking. He acted as though he didn¡¯t recognize her.He withdrew his gaze and walked past Cheng Weiwan, talking and joking around, as he walked into the auditorium.

 Chapter 1027 - Heartache (7)

    <h4>Chapter 1027: Heartache (7)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Han Zhifan clearly saw her body trembling violently for a moment when Cheng Weiguo passed Cheng Weiwan by. Thereafter, she turned her head and looked over at the silhouette of Cheng Weiguo¡¯s back.

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t see Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes, but he could tell from her body that she was upset.

    The auditorium doors shut behind the row of people who had just walked in. After Cheng Weiguo disappeared behind the doors, Cheng Weiwan seemed frozen as she stared in the direction Cheng Weiguo just went.

    Not too long after, the sound of thunderous apuse came from inside the auditorium. Thereafter, the sound of Cheng Weiguo¡¯s voice was heard.

    That was when Cheng Weiwan withdrew her gaze from the auditorium doors. As she lowered her head, she took a few steps back and leaned against the wall.

    She didn¡¯t leave, so Han Zhifan didn¡¯t either.

    After about an hour, it was time for a break, so the auditorium started to be noisy. Large groups of students walked out and entered the library restroom.

    After all the students returned, Cheng Weiguo and the school leader came out of the auditorium.

    The two of them talked as they stepped into the library.

    This time, when they passed Cheng Weiwan, Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t even nce at her.

    Cheng Weiwan waited for Cheng Weiguo and the school leader to disappear into the library. After standing at the doors of the auditorium for a while, she suddenly straightened up and headed into the library too.

    Han Zhifan knew Cheng Weiwan was going to look for Cheng Weiguo. He hesitated for a while. In the end, he still couldn¡¯t help but chase after her.

    Cheng Weiguo was the first to step out of the restroom. He had a handkerchief in his hands, and he was wiping drops of water from his fingers. After he saw Cheng Weiwan, he stopped for a momentt and his warm eyes abruptly turned cold. Even his voice sounded impatient and annoyed when he spoke. ¡°Why did youe?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips for a while. She stared at Cheng Weiguo and quietly cried, ¡°Da-¡±

    Before she could finish saying the word ¡°Dad,¡± Cheng Weiguo hastily interrupted her. ¡°I told you so many times before. Don¡¯t call me dad in public!¡±

    All sounds stopped from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips as an obvious hint of pain crossed her eyes.

    Cheng Weiguo looked around. After confirming that no one else was around, he looked over at Cheng Weiwan like he hadn¡¯t noticed her sadness. He spoke up again. ¡°Getting pregnant out of wedlock at such a young age ¨C if people found out, I¡¯d be aughing stock! When the timees, it¡¯ll affect my image. Do you know just how much hard work I put into developing my image?!¡±

    ¡°Three years ago, I told you that I had a boyfriend and wanted you to meet him. You agreed, but on the day, I told you that my boyfriend had urgent business, so he couldn¡¯t make it. Back then, we met for no more than five minutes. You took a call and said you had business to attend to, so you tossed me aside and left. It¡¯s been three years since then and I haven¡¯t seen you once. You don¡¯t call or text back. I just wanted to see you and find out if you¡¯re doing well...¡±

    The cubicle door in the men¡¯s restroom was open.

    The person who entered the restroom with Cheng Weiguo stepped out.

    Cheng Weiguo was afraid other people would see him and Cheng Weiwan talking. On second thought, he interrupted Cheng Weiwan and said, ¡°I¡¯m very good. If you didn¡¯t give me any trouble, I would be even better!¡±

    The sound of running water came from the restroom.

 Chapter 1028 - Heartache (8)

    <h4>Chapter 1028: Heartache (8)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    It was the person who had entered the restroom with Cheng Weiguo. Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t wait for Cheng Weiwan to respond and said, ¡°The person inside is about toe out. Hurry up and leave!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t move.

    The sound of running water stopped in the restroom and there was the sound of footsteps.

    Cheng Weiguo lowered his voice and eximed, ¡°Leave!¡±

    He noticed that Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t moving, so he gave Cheng Weiwan a vicious re. Then he brushed past her, walked out of the library, and stood outside to wait.

    The second after Cheng Weiguo disappeared out the library doors, the person he was waiting for emerged from the restroom.

    That person saw Cheng Weiwan, slowed down, and shot Cheng Weiwan a polite smile. Then he brushed past Cheng Weiwan and exited the library.

    Cheng Weiguo¡¯s unsightly expression after talking to Cheng Weiwan immediately turned into a smile when he saw the maning out.

    Just like before, Cheng Weiguo continued to chat and joke around as they walked back together into the auditorium.

    Through the open library windows, their conversation was loud and the sound of Cheng Weiguo¡¯s candidughter entered Cheng Weiwan¡¯s ears. She was still standing in the hallway.

    Her body shudderedgently as she lowered her head down.

    Standing nearby, Han Zhifan clearly saw Cheng Weiwan¡¯s shoulders trembling for a short while.

    <i>Cheng Weiguo seems to really hate his daughter... From their conversation, it seems like he mentioned her getting pregnant out of wedlock. Don¡¯t tell me Cheng Weiguo thinks she¡¯s embarrassing and treats her like that because of Hanhan?!</i>

    <i>They¡¯re biological father and daughter after all... Even if the fact that Cheng Weiwan gave birth to Hanhan really embarrassed Cheng Weiguo, he doesn¡¯t need to treat Cheng Weiwan like that, right? That kind of attitude makes it seem like he wished he never had a daughter like her...</i>

    Cheng Weiwan stood in the hallway for a long time before she turned around and walked out of the library.

    Han Zhifan was afraid Cheng Weiwan would discover him, so he quickly hid away.

    Cheng Weiwan walked really slowly. Han Zhifan waited for her to walk some distance away before he chased after her.

    Perhaps the fever made her feel terrible because after stepping out of the Beijing University of Medicine, she hailed a cab and couldn¡¯t wait to get inside.

    Han Zhifan memorized the taxi¡¯s license te then got into his car from the parking lot. He drove toward the direction of the taxi, chased it for a while and eventually caught up to it.

    He followed the taxi for some distance before he realized Cheng Weiwan was heading back to his vi.

    He followed the taxi as it drove into the residential area of his vi and stopped at the gates.

    Not long after, the taxi that dropped Cheng Weiwan off exited the residential area.

    He knew Cheng Weiwan was back home now.

    He still had meetings at the office in the afternoon, so Han Zhifan stayed in the car. However, he didn¡¯t show the least bit of interest in heading back to the office.

    The image of Cheng Weiwan and Cheng Weiguo¡¯s encounter crossed his mind and lingered there, making him feel flustered.

    When Cheng Weiwan stepped out, the housekeeper gave him a call. Now that she was back, the housekeeper called him again.

    Han Zhifan waited for the housekeeper to finish speaking then told her to call Dr. Luo toe over again before putting his phone down.

    He didn¡¯t know why he had been sitting in the car with nothing to do for so long. All of a sudden, he received a call...

 Chapter 1029 - Heartache (9)

    <h4>Chapter 1029: Heartache (9)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t know exactly why he sat in the car aimlessly like that for so long. Another call came in on his phone.

    At first, he thought he was hearing things, so the phone rang for quite a while before he realized it was actually real.

    He pulled out his phone and nced at the screen. It was Lin Sheng calling.

    He was probably calling about Cheng Weiwan and Cheng Weiguo¡¯s situation...

    Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t sure why his heart suddenly felt a little afraid as he let the phone in the palm of his hand continue to vibrate. After a while, he finally swiped the screen.

    The call went through and Lin Sheng¡¯s voice came from the phone. ¡°Zhifan, I investigated what you asked me to do.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re at the office, right? I¡¯ll be there in about ten minutes.¡±

    Han Zhifan gulped then moved his lips. ¡°I¡¯m not there...¡±

    ¡°Huh? Where are you then? I¡¯lle find you.¡± Following his reply, Lin Sheng¡¯s instructions to his driver were heard over the phone. ¡°Wait, I might not go...¡±

    Han Zhifan knew Lin Sheng was about to say his office¡¯s name, so he didn¡¯t hesitate before saying, ¡°You don¡¯t have toe find me. I¡¯m about to head back to the office.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Alright then. If I get there first, I¡¯ll wait at your office for you.¡±

    After hanging up the phone, Han Zhifan sat stunned in the car for a while before starting it up again and getting on the main road.

    After Han Zhifan reached the underground parking lot of his office and parked his car, he smoked a cigarette inside his car. Then he walked into the elevator.

    When Han Zhifan reached the floor of the general manager¡¯s office and emerged from the elevator, the secretary ran over with several files. ¡°Mr. Han, Mr. Lin is here and he¡¯s waiting for you in your office.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but took the secretary¡¯s documents and pulled out a pen from his pocket and signed them.

    Thereafter, the secretary held the signed documents to her chest and asked, ¡°Mr. Han, you have a meetingter. WIll you see Mr. Lin or have the meeting first?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll see him fir-¡±

    Before he could finish the word ¡°first,¡± Han Zhifan stopped.

    He thought about it for a moment then changed his mind. ¡°...I¡¯ll have the meeting first.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Han.¡±

    After the secretary left, Han Zhifan didn¡¯t head to his office. He headed straight for the conference room.

    Throughout the meeting, Han Zhifan was absent-minded.

    At the conference table, it looked like his attention was long gone.

    He didn¡¯t take in a single word of what was said at the meeting. It wasn¡¯t until the secretary discreetly nudged him when the meeting was over that Han Zhifan realized it was over. That was when he uttered his first word since the meeting started. ¡°Meeting adjourned.¡±

    The conference room was quickly emptied out.

    Han Zhifan stared out the window in a daze for a while before getting up and walking out of the conference room and headed to his office.

    Lin Sheng must¡¯ve not slept well as he wasying on the sofa with his eyes shut, catching up on some sleep.

    The secretary following behind Han Zhifan instinctively wanted to call Lin Sheng but was stopped by Han Zhifan.

    After he signaled for the secretary to leave the office, Han Zhifan walked over to his desk.

    Just as he sat in the chair, Lin Sheng woke up. ¡°Are you done with work?¡±

    After hearing what Lin Sheng said, Han Zhifan¡¯s body tensed up for no reason. That was when he let out an ¡°Mhm¡± to Lin Sheng.

    In the past, whenever Lin Sheng was asked to help him investigate something, Lin Sheng couldn¡¯t wait to report back to him with the results. However, this time, Lin Sheng didn¡¯t say anything after Han Zhifan¡¯s response.

 Chapter 1030 - A Joke (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1030: A Joke (1)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t probe him on it.

    The office was very quiet ¨C it was so quiet that it made him feel pressured for some reason.

    This kind of silencested for an unknown amount of time before Lin Sheng raised his head and nced at Han Zhifan. ¡°Got a cigarette?¡±

    Han Zhifan shot a look at Lin Sheng but still didn¡¯t make a sound. He pulled a drawer open from beside him, reached for a pack of cigarettes, and tossed them over to Lin Sheng.

    Lin Sheng removed the packaging, pulled out a cigarette from inside, and lit it up.

    He looked confused and torn about something as he smoked a little impatiently. Shortly after, the cigarette reached the very end.

    He lit another cigarette. Then after he took another puff, he lifted his eyes and nced at the silent Han Zhifan¡¯s facial expression. He gulped and finally said, ¡°I¡¯ll start exining now...¡±

    After a long while, Han Zhifan nodded and let out a soft ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Lin Sheng inhaled the cigarette smoke hard. After the smoke dissipated, he continued by saying, ¡°Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother and Cheng Weiguo got married after an unnned pregnancy. After marriage, Cheng Weiguo practically never came home, so when Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother was pregnant, she took care of herself the whole time.¡±

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother¡¯s family loved Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother, so theyter hired a nanny for her. What I¡¯m going to say next is what I found out from the nanny herself.¡±

    ¡°When the estimated date of birth came out, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother called Cheng Weiguo several times but Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯te back. On the day Cheng Weiwan was born, it was raining heavily in Nanjing. It was difficult to catch a cab since it was the middle of the night. In the end, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother reached the hospital with the help of the police. After Cheng Weiwan was born, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother called Cheng Weiguo immediately. Cheng Weiguo heard she was born and was really happy at first, but after finding out it was a girl, he was a little unhappy. Thereafter, Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯te to see Cheng Weiwan for over a year after she was born.¡±

    ¡°The nanny said Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t give a cent to the family. Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother found ways to pay for all her expenses.¡±

    ¡°Because of work, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother started to leave Cheng Weiwan at home alone from a very young age.¡±

    ¡°The nanny said Cheng Weiwan was really good when she was young. If she wasn¡¯t reading books on her own then she was ying with toys. Maybe it was because her parents weren¡¯t around and she had no one to talk to that she was a little timid. She didn¡¯t really like to talk when she met people. After she started school, ssmates called her mute for several years.¡±

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother treated her well and really adored her, but during the second year of elementary school, she passed away from an illness.¡±

    ¡°Her father only showed up on the day of her mother¡¯s burial. He practically didn¡¯t say anything to her. After her mother¡¯s burial was over, he gave the nanny a wad of hush money and left.¡±

    ¡°The nanny said Cheng Weiwan really wanted Cheng Weiguo to treat her the way other dads treated their children. In the very beginning, after her mother passed, she called her father about parent meetings and father-rted school events. However, Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t hesitate to decline because of work. Sometimes, she insisted too hard and annoyed Cheng Weiguo. He yelled at her, so she didn¡¯t dare to cry in front of Cheng Weiguo again. She always hid somewhere and cried alone. Later, when she got older, she didn¡¯t even bother inviting Cheng Weiguo to school events.¡±

 Chapter 1031 - A Joke (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1031: A Joke (2)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    ¡°Since her mother¡¯s passing, Cheng Weiwan basically spent every Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn festival alone.¡±

    ¡°When she got sick, the nanny was often there, so there was someone to tend to her, but when the nanny wasn¡¯t there, she took care of herself.¡±

    ¡°The nanny said after she came back from her Chinese New Year holiday one time, she saw a teenage Cheng Weiwan dragging up a gas cannister as heavy as she was.¡±

    ¡°When Cheng Weiwan was fourteen or fifteen years old, Cheng Weiguo was unhappy and drank every day for a while.¡±

    ¡°After he came back drunk, he loved to take his anger out on Cheng Weiwan. Every time he yelled at Cheng Weiwan, he always went on for over an hour. Sometimes, when yelling wasn¡¯t enough, Cheng Weiguo would throw things at her.¡±

    ¡°Later, Cheng Weiguo¡¯s career started to go smoothly and he started to note home again like the years before.¡±

    ¡°The year when Cheng Weiwan turned eighteen, she identally got hit by a car crossing the road then she fell to the ground unconscious.¡±

    ¡°A good Samaritan took out her phone and called Cheng Weiguo, but he didn¡¯t pick up. After she woke up, the first person she thought about was her closest rtive, Cheng Weiguo. She called him too but he still didn¡¯t pick up. She called him relentlessly many times until Cheng Weiguo finally picked up. However, he only asked if she was done and if she realized how annoying she was.¡±

    ¡°Then Cheng Weiwan graduated high school. The nanny didn¡¯t take care of her anymore, but the nanny told me that Cheng Weiwan attended medical school at the college where Cheng Weiguo worked...¡±

    ¡°The nanny said although Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say it, she could tell Cheng Weiwan craved her father¡¯s love. Also, Cheng Weiwan really hoped for the wholesome family other kids her age had.¡±

    ¡°She worked really, really hard to make this dreame true, but it never did.¡±

    ¡°After Cheng Weiwan went to college, she didn¡¯t stay in contact with the nanny. I took a special trip to the college and tracked down her ssmates. Then I tried to contact a few of them. I was able to contact some of them, but the numbers a few of them left with the college were no longer in use. Fortunately, there was a woman who was quite close to Cheng Weiwan who still keeps in contact with her. She told me that aside from the few girls who stayed in the same down as Cheng Weiwan, nobody knew Cheng Weiwan was Professor Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter.¡±

    ¡°It was Cheng Weiguo who didn¡¯t allow Cheng Weiwan to tell people at school.¡±

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan often bumped right into Cheng Weiguo, but Cheng Weiguo wouldn¡¯t even smile at her.¡±

    ¡°On Teacher¡¯s day, many students gave Cheng Weiguo gifts. Cheng Weiwan also gave him one. Cheng Weiguo would always smile at other students and act concerned about their academic careers and health. He even gave money to some students who had issues at home, but Cheng Weiguo never said a word to Cheng Weiwan. At the time, Cheng Weiwan made her own money for her daily expenses. At the very beginning when she didn¡¯t write stories to make money, she didn¡¯t have enough money to pay tuition, so she called Cheng Weiguo to tell him she was short of money. Cheng Weiguo impatiently sent her some money, but from then on, Cheng Weiguo would ask ¡®Do you need money again?¡¯ whenever she called him.¡±

    ¡°That female ssmate told me that wasn¡¯t even the worst of it. The worst was when several troublemaking guys started wreaking havoc because their family had a little power.¡±

 Chapter 1032 - A Joke (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1032: A Joke (3)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    ¡°For some reason, one of them favored Cheng Weiwan. He wasn¡¯t really into her ¨C he just wanted to mess around.¡±

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan rejected him. One night, the group stopped her on her way back from the library to her dorm.¡±

    ¡°Several of them were a little drunk and made a move on Cheng Weiwan. They even tried to drag her to KTV. At the same time, Cheng Weiguo passed by and didn¡¯t interfere...¡±

    ¡°That woman told me not to believe what Cheng Weiguo says about how much he takes care of his family, how he raised his only daughter after his wife passed away, and how difficult it is to act as both parents at the same time. In reality, it¡¯s all fake. Cheng Weiguo never really cared about his daughter!¡±

    ¡°Cheng Weiguo gave birthday gifts to people he wasn¡¯t even close to. However, he never even gave his biological daughter birthday wishes on her birthday, let alone a gift.¡±

    ¡°That woman also said Cheng Weiguo only thinks about himself. He¡¯s never thought about Cheng Weiwan and in his eyes, if he could turn back time, he wouldn¡¯t have his daughter to begin with. There was one time at college when Cheng Weiwan called Cheng Weiguo on the phone. They all heard Cheng Weiguo say that the biggest regret in his life was having a daughter like her.¡±

    ¡°If that wasn¡¯t enough, Cheng Weiguo showed the cruelest side of himself to Cheng Weiwan. What¡¯s most cruel was...¡±

    Lin Sheng, who had been speaking non-stop, suddenly stopped there.

    It seemed like he was hesitant about whether or not he should continue.

    From when he started until now, Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t uttered a word, but seeing as he was conflicted, Han Zhifan tly said, ¡°Say it. It¡¯s okay.¡±

    Lin Sheng pursed his lips for a moment then after a while, he continued, ¡°...what¡¯s cruelest was three years ago, after you broke up with her, Cheng Weiguo found out she got pregnant out of wedlock and gave her a call.¡±

    ¡°That was the first time Cheng Weiguo called her. The woman who told me about it said she was right next to Cheng Weiwan at the time. She said Cheng Weiwan was really happy and so excited to take the call that her fingers trembled.¡±

    ¡°However, after she took the call, Cheng Weiwan was only able to cry out ¡®Dad¡¯ before Cheng Weiguo started yelling at her. Cheng Weiguo called her shameless, called her a whore, and basically yelled every nasty thing in the book. He even warned her to abort the child over the phone!¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t want to do it, so she collided with Cheng Weiguo. That was the first time she ever shed with Cheng Weiguo. Cheng Weiguo was p*ssed. Right there, he said they were no longer father and daughter, and she was never allowed to mention him!¡±

    ¡°The woman that after Cheng Weiwan hung up, she looked just fine. She told them she had something to do and left first, but the woman noticed something was wrong. She secretly followed her and saw Cheng Weiwan hiding in an isted corner, crying and heartbroken, all alone.¡±

    After reporting everything he learned, Lin Sheng lifted his head and looked over at Han Zhifan.

    He was sitting at the desk with a calm expression on his face. It looked like he hadn¡¯t heard a thing that was just said.

    The office fell silent for a while before Lin Sheng spoke up again. ¡°She¡¯s Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter. You said you wanted her to live a life worse than death, which was equivalent to making Cheng Weiguo live a life worse than death. You even said you wanted Cheng Weiguo to taste the pain and agony that Han Zhili¡¯s death brought to you. But...¡±

    As Lin Sheng said this, he remembered what he helped Han Zhifan do to Cheng Weiwan. All of sudden, he couldn¡¯t quite continue.

 Chapter 1033 - A Joke (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1033: A Joke (4)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    The office fell silent once again.

    Lin Sheng knew that even if he didn¡¯t finish speaking, Han Zhifan knew what he meant.

    He stared at Han Zhifan for a moment then let out a sigh and changed the subject. ¡°...What are you going to do next?¡±

    Han Zhifan kept the same attitude as before and didn¡¯t utter a word.

    Lin Sheng continued to say, ¡°I feel pretty horrible right now. Even though I¡¯m part of a triad and I¡¯m not considered a good person, I still feel it¡¯s wrong to bully a weak woman like this...¡±

    ¡°In the past, I could use Lili¡¯s death to justify it, but now... Say... What the hell is this... After everything that happened, it was all a freaking mistake...¡±

    ¡°Tell me, what¡¯s the difference between Cheng Weiguo did and what we¡¯ve done?¡±

    ¡°I f*cking...¡±

    Lin Sheng wanted to say ¡°f*cking want to p myself in the face a few times,¡± but he never managed to finish that sentence. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, you can leave now,¡± said Han Zhifan abruptly after being silent all this time.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Lin Sheng was stunned at Han Zhifan for kicking him out all of a sudden.

    ¡°I said, you can leave now.¡± Han Zhifan repeated what he just said.

    He noticed that Lin Sheng wasn¡¯t moving and he continued: ¡°Would it be okay if you left first?¡±

    This time, Han Zhifan¡¯s voice trembled softly. Although Lin Sheng wanted to ask Han Zhifan why he asked him to leave, his question suddenly died in his mouth.

    He wasn¡¯t stupid. He could tell this meant Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t control his state of mind.

    He and Cheng Weiwan weren¡¯t close. After he found out about Cheng Weiwan and Cheng Weiguo¡¯s rtionship, he felt terrible deep down. Han Zhifan liked that woman, and now that he¡¯d realized what he did was merely his self-righteous idea of revenge, it must be hard to take in...

    Before everything began, he was afraid Han Zhifan would regret his actions. Now, look what happened...

    As a friend, Lin Sheng was a little worried that Han Zhifan wouldn¡¯t be able to take this kind of hit. He couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Are you alright on your own?¡±

    Lin Sheng paused for a moment then said, ¡°Do you want me to get some drinks with you?¡±

    Han Zhifan shook his head in silence. All he did was reach out and point to the office door.

    Lin Sheng knew Han Zhifan wanted him to leave.

    He didn¡¯t continue to linger there. He got up and walked out the door.

    Before he pulled the door open, Lin Sheng was still worried. He turned around, looked over at Han Zhifan and said, ¡°What¡¯s done is done. Don¡¯t be too sad.¡±

    Han Zhifan ignored Lin Sheng, or rather, Han Zhifan seemed to not have heard him as he motionlessly stared transfixed at his desk.

    Lin Sheng moved his lips, wanting to persuade him some more, but he thought anything he said would pale inparison to how Han Zhifan felt. In the end, Lin Sheng let out another sigh, pulled open the door, and walked out.

    Han Zhifan was the only person left in the office. He sat in the chair like a statue without moving an inch.

    The room was very quiet ¨C so quiet that Han Zhifan could hear the sound of his own heart racing.

    He didn¡¯t know just how long he held the same seated position. All he knew was that the bright sun outside the window had turned red and had started to set by the time his ears rang with Lin Sheng¡¯s words from that afternoon.

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother started to leave her at home alone from a very young age.¡±

 Chapter 1034 - A Joke (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1034: A Joke (5)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother started to leave her at home alone from a very young age.¡±

    ¡°Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mother... during the second year of elementary school, she passed away from an illness.¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s parents passed away when he was young, leaving him and Lili to fend for themselves too. He was far too familiar with feeling helpless, but he still had his little sister to keep himpany. But what about her? She was alone... Even though her father was alive, it was like he wasn¡¯t...

    As that thought shed across Han Zhifan¡¯s mind, the vision of little Cheng Weiwan calling Cheng Weiguo, full of anticipation, to ask if he coulde to the school yed out before his eyes. He imagined her asking him to help with parent¡¯s day, getting rejected by Cheng Weiguo, hanging up the phone in disappointment, and crying in secret.

    It felt like Han Zhifan¡¯s heart was being violently clutched as he felt a raw pain rising in his chest.

    He knew he shouldn¡¯t think back to what Lin Sheng said, but he couldn¡¯t help himself. As those words bore endlessly in his ears, image after image formed in his mind.

    The image of little Cheng Weiwana looking helpless with wide eyes as kids her age called her mute.

    The image of her lonely and helpless, alone in the hospital at eighteen years old, when she got into that car ident.

    The image of her turning a blind eye to how her own father was friendly with all the other students.

    The image of her timidly giving Cheng Weiguo a call to ask for tuition money.

    The image of her being bullied by guys and Cheng Weiguo ignoring it as he walked by.

    He figured that Cheng Weiwan must¡¯ve been devastated by her biological father¡¯s coldness more than the guys from college bullying her, right?

    It was no wonder he felt she was a little defensive when he first approached her. So as it turned out, she¡¯d never felt warmth in this world.

    He thought she would be really hard to get and he created so many schemes to win her over. However, who would¡¯ve thought he would be able to get her with his very first scheme.

    Back then, he couldn¡¯t help but feel delighted inside. He thought he was incredibly charming and that she was really stupid and easy to fool. Now, he finally understood that it wasn¡¯t because he was incredibly charming, nor was it because she was really stupid and easy to fool. Instead, it was because nobody had ever treated her well. He was the first. She was defensive at first because she didn¡¯t dare ept it. After she truly epted it ,she clung onto the thought of themsting forever.

    She must¡¯ve liked the night she gave herself to him, right? She must¡¯ve felt that something beautiful had finally happened to lonely old her.

    Instead, she was set up.

    He mercilessly abandoned her and forced her to abort her child without a moment¡¯s hesitation. Then without getting soft-hearted, he brought a woman back and acted intimate with her just for Cheng Weiwan to watch...

    Time and time again, he crossed her bottom line. He shattered one fantasy after another in her heart.

    The mother who loved her left her very, very early.

    Her biological fatherpletely hurt her.

    And him... She thought she had finally met someone good when all along, she was still being pushed toward hell.

    It was no wonder she was depressed; it was no wonder she couldn¡¯t live without Hanhan; it was no wonder she couldn¡¯t fall sleep even when it waste at night...

    In the very beginning, he clearly got close to her because of Lili.

 Chapter 1035 - A Joke (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1035: A Joke (6)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    He figured she was Cheng Weiguo¡¯s one and only daughter and Cheng Weiguo mentioned his daughter on multiple public asions, so she must be Cheng Weiguo¡¯s weak spot. He figured that as long as he made her live a life worse than hell, Cheng Weiguo would definitely live a life worse than hell too.

    But in the end, while he really made her live a life worse than hell and he really did achieve his objective, Cheng Weiguo was still living just fine in the world. In fact, he lived happily and freely.

    He racked his brain nning everything, but he never actually achieved his desired goal.

    The person who should¡¯ve truly been punished never received his punishment. If that wasn¡¯t enough, he loved her but didn¡¯t dare admit it, and he was afraid he was too captivated by her, so he found a random woman to marry in a hurry. Cheng Weiwan wanted to leave, but what about him? He didn¡¯t want to let her go, and he even cruelly raped her...

    <i>Funny! How truly hrious!</i>

    What was funny was that if it wasn¡¯t enough for him to hurt her, he even got her pregnant, which led to her being embarrassed by Cheng Weiguo like that. If that still wasn¡¯t enough, Cheng Weiguo wanted to also cut all ties with her, which led to her being ignored for three whole years...

    <i>I was a freaking moron to havee up with such a hrious joke!</i>

    <i>Is there anyone more moronic than me in this world?</i>

    With that thought, Han Zhifan startedughing as he thought it was a really funny joke.

    The sound of hisughter grew until his eyes eventually turned red.

    What was he going to do? His heart was aching so fiercely that he thought he could die at any time from the pain.

    What was he going to do? He was a little out of breath and he felt like it was quite hard to breathe. It felt like he was going to die from ack of oxygen.

    What was he going to do? He suddenly felt like an idiot, aplete idiot...

    What was he going to? He was panicking ¨C the kind of panic where he couldn¡¯t speak. He treated her like that and hurt her like that time and time again...

    <i>She must be really disappointed in me... She mustn¡¯t dare to believe me...</i>

    <i>So what should I do?</i>

    Before finding out about her and Cheng Weiguo¡¯s rtionship, he realized he was falling in love with her. At the time, he could use Lili as a way to mask his feelings.

    <i>But what about now?</i>

    There was no way he could use revenge to fool and deceive himself any longer.

    Aside from being annoyed, he was regretful, he med himself, and he was in love.

    He truly loved her. It didn¡¯t matter if she believed him or not, because he truly loved her. But was he still worthy of her?

    <i>No, I¡¯m not worthy!</i>

    <i>How could I have the face to actually hope of being worthy of loving her?!</i>

    <i>I¡¯m truly shameless!</i>

    <i>Yeah! How could I be so shameless?!</i>

    With that thought, Han Zhifan suddenly reached out and violently pped his own face.

    It seemed like Han Zhifan felt like one p wasn¡¯t enough, so he raised his other hand and pped himself on the face several more times.

    Did it hurt?

    A lot.

    Butpared to the pain he inflicted on her, what was this little bit of pain?

    Lin Sheng was right. Before Lin Sheng helped carry out his n with her, Lin Sheng asked if he was sure. Lin Sheng said it might not be a good idea to do this to a woman...

    At the time, he didn¡¯t think twice about it and replied he was sure he wanted to go through with it.

    If he could turn back time, knowing he would end up like this, then he definitely, definitely would¡¯ve replied, ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind. I don¡¯t want to do it.¡±

    But the situation had already gotten to this point; time couldn¡¯t turn back. The world had no cure for regret. Aside from the annoyance and regret, he should continue by thinking about what he should do now.

 Chapter 1036 - A Joke (7)

    <h4>Chapter 1036: A Joke (7)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    For some reason, Han Zhifan suddenly remembered how Cheng Weiwan sent him a parcel to return her key to his apartment in Yongyu Gardens. Inside, there was a note which read: ¡°I heard you¡¯re with someone new. From here on out, I¡¯m the hero who will fight the battles and bleed everywhere.¡±

    It felt like Han Zhifan¡¯s heart was stabbed by a knife as the pain stifled his breathing for a good while and his mind started spinning again.

    No. He was never with someone new, and he never fought battles and bled for another woman...

    He had an ulterior motive, but his whole life, he¡¯d only ever had one woman ¨C her.

    If he told her all this, would she forgive him...? Would she believe him...? Would she be willing to be with him?

    But he hurt her so deeply. How could he talk about love with her?

    But no matter how embarrassed he was, he was sincerely and whole-heartedly in love with her... But wasn¡¯t there an old saying? ¡°It¡¯s never toote to get back on the right path.¡±

    He knew he was in the wrong. He would change. He would change everything. Would she be willing to give him a chance to treat her good all over again?

    He promised to himself he would be good to her, love her, and give her the best of everything in the world. He would repay everything he and other people did to her. He would never make her mad, he would never make her sad, and what¡¯s more, he would never let her down...

    Would she be willing to give him another chance and would she trust him once again?

    Once, just once. Once would be enough.

    With that thought, Han Zhifan suddenly got up from his office chair, scooped up his jacket and car keys, then ran out of the office and out the building.

    He stepped on the gas and sped all the way back home.

    There were clear handprints on his face, so when the housekeeper saw him as he walked in, she looked worried and heartbroken while she asked what happened. He ignored her as he ran up the stairs and darted into the bedroom.

    She was asleep.

    ...

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t sleep. He stayed up all night, watching over Cheng Weiwan.

    ...

    After Cheng Weiwan woke up, she immediately saw Han Zhifan.

    There was stubble on his chin, his eyes were red, and his face was swollen with handprints.

    Cheng Weiwan was stunned when she saw Han Zhifan like that. Then she withdrew her gaze, and as usual, she didn¡¯t say anything but silently removed the covers, climbed out of bed, and walked into the bathroom.

    When she finished freshening up, Cheng Weiwan was ready to walk out of the bedroom and see Hanhan.

    She thought Han Zhifan wouldn¡¯t speak to her. She never imagined that when she reached the door, Han Zhidan would cry out to her. ¡°Wanwan.¡±

    He called her ¡°Wanwan¡± in the exact same tone he used when she thought he loved her.

    Cheng Weiwan stood with her back to Han Zhifan for a while then turned her head to look over at him.

    She didn¡¯t say anything.

    Han Zhifan gulped and said, ¡°Can we talk?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was a little lost for what to do about Han Zhifan¡¯s sudden change in attitude.

    She thought he was ying some kind of trick, so she didn¡¯t dare ept or decline his proposal.

    ¡°Are you hungry? Do you want to eat breakfast first then talk?¡±

    Han Zhifan spoke again to let Cheng Weiwan know he was serious. She shook her head.

    ¡°Then sit down first.¡± Han Zhifan point to the side of the bed.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t sit.

    Han Zhifan gulped again. It seemed like he was afraid to be disturbed, so he walked over to the bedroom door and locked it from the inside. Then he turned around and faced Cheng Weiwan.

    She didn¡¯t sit, nor did he.

    He stared at her eyes for a while then said, ¡°Wanwan, can we still go back to how things were?¡±

 Chapter 1037 - A Joke (8)

    Chapter 1037: A Joke (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    He stared at her eyes for a while then said, ¡°Wanwan, can we still go back to how things were?¡±

    Can we still go back to how things were?

    Such a simple question, yet Cheng Weiwan thought about it for a long time, trying to figure out what Han Zhifan really meant.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple shifted as he repeated what he just said. ¡°Wanwan, if I told you that I loved you, could we still go back to how things were?¡±

    If I said I loved you... I love you...

    Cheng Weiwan stood stunned on the spot for a good while before she realized what ¡°I love you¡± meant. Her first thought was that she hallucinating.

    Did my depressen worsen because I¡¯ve been feeling terribletely? I must be pretty sick to hallucinate the impossible...

    Cheng Weiwan thought about it and a self-taunting smile was stered across her lips.

    Looks like I¡¯m going to have to see a psychologist tomorrow for a check up...

    Although Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything, she smiled, which let Han Zhifan know she didn¡¯t believe him.

    Before he came, he thought Cheng Weiwan wouldn¡¯t believe him. Even though he thought it was difficult to say, and even though he felt he was being far too shameless, he said what he should¡¯ve said.

    ¡°Wanwan, I know you don¡¯t believe me and I know that if it were any other person who experienced what you did, they wouldn¡¯t believe me either. But what I said is all true, I...¡±

    Han Zhifan wanted to tell Cheng Weiwan that everything he did was because of Lili and because of that trash, Cheng Weiguo. Cheng Weiguo¡¯s cruelty and despicable nature killed his biological little sister. However, when the words approached his mouth, he thought back to how Cheng Weiwan looked when she went to see Cheng Weiguo yesterday and how she hoped to speak peacefully with him; he also thought about every little detail Lin Sheng told him about her.

    Even though Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t treat her very well, she was probably still full of hope for her father deep down.

    If I told her about these things... She¡¯d be really hurt and probably wouldn¡¯t believe me, right?

    Just like in the beginning, he mercilessly abandoned her. He clearly nned to tell her about the monstrous things her father did, but in the end, he gave up on the idea. At the time, he didn¡¯t know why he didn¡¯t tell her, but thinking about it now, he probably couldn¡¯t bear to do it back then... Just like how he didn¡¯t dare to personally force her to abort the child and sent his secretary instead. He was afraid he would back out at thest minute and drag her down from the operating table. He didn¡¯t think twice about cutting all contact with her because he was afraid of himself; afraid that he wouldn¡¯t be able to control his emotions...

    Bloody revenge for Lili still needed to be carried out, but he was afraid he¡¯d need to think of a different method.

    At the very least, he needed to find a way that wouldn¡¯t affect Cheng Weiwan...

    With that thought, Han Zhifan decided to brush over these grudges. ¡°...I don¡¯t want to exin my previous actions too much, because the past me was a real douchebag. I also know it¡¯s obviously stupid for me to say these things now, but I¡¯m serious. Wanwan, I truly love you and I really want to start all over with you. Could you give me another chance? Just this once. I promise I won¡¯t make you sad, I won¡¯t let you down again, and I¡¯ll treat you really well. From now on, I¡¯ll make up for all the times I mistreated you...¡±

 Chapter 1038 - A Joke (9)

    Chapter 1038: A Joke (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°...So Wanwan, give me another chance and let us start again, please?¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s final question made Cheng Weiwan blink softly and snap back to reality.

    In the face of Han Zhifan¡¯s look of anticipation, she didn¡¯t say anything. Instead, she turned around and walked over to the sofa nearby.

    Han Zhifan furrowed his eyes slightly as a hint of confusion shed across his face.

    Soon enough, he saw Cheng Weiwan picking up her bag from the sofa, pulling out a white bottle of pills, taking out a few, and putting them into her mouth.

    He knew those were antidepressants.

    Why did she suddenly take her medicine when I¡¯m speaking to her?

    ¡°Wanwan?¡± cried Han Zhifan, who couldn¡¯t help but ask.

    When Cheng Weiwan heard his voice, she turned her head and looked over at him.

    She looked at him for a while then gently blinked and mumbled something.

    Despite her very quiet voice, Han Zhifan could still clearly hear what she said.

    She said, ¡°So I wasn¡¯t hallucinating...

    It was like a knife had viciously stabbed Han Zhifan¡¯s heart. The pain made Han Zhifan¡¯s body sway for a moment.

    I said so much to her just now, but she actually thought it was a hallucination caused by her illness... To have that kind of reaction, just how much did she not believe what I said?

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but turn his head away and softly reply, ¡°Wanwan, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Sorry... The dullest, most powerless word in the word.

    But at that very moment, Han Zhifan really didn¡¯t know what he could say aside from this word.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t speak.

    It seemed like she was staring at Han Zhifan, and it also looked like she was staring at an empty spot with a slightly dazed look in her eyes.

    In her mind, she thought about everything Han Zhifan said from start to end.

    He said he loved her and he was sincere. He said he wanted to start over with her again and that he wanted her to give him one more chance ¨C just one. He even said he would treat her really well from now on... He even said ¡°Sorry¡± to her.

    Sorry... When he abandoned her two years ago, she thought about how he normally treated her really well when they were together, so how could he say he didn¡¯t want her just like that? Was he messing with her? Would he apologize to her the next day? Even if he really wanted to apologize, she definitely wouldn¡¯t forgive him... Even though that¡¯s what she thought, her past self would let bygones be bygones if he apologized and got back together with her. She would¡¯ve pretended that nothing happened and be with him again.

    But she waited day after day, yet he didn¡¯te to see her. In the end, he was even cold and merciless to her in her dreams.

    Later on, she couldn¡¯t wait any longer. She finally stopped waiting and gave up a long, long time ago. He was apologizing to her now, but she... she no longer believed him.

    Yeah. She didn¡¯t dare... She really lost all confidence and didn¡¯t dare to believe him.

    Who could say what the truth was? Maybe he was just using a new method to torture her all over again.

    So she couldn¡¯t believe what he said ever again; she would treat it as though nothing happened. As long as she didn¡¯t look forward to anything in this world, she wouldn¡¯t get upset.

    He didn¡¯t say anything else, nor did she hear anything.

    I should get out of bed, eat breakfast, and check on Hanhan...

 Chapter 1039 - A Joke (10)

    Chapter 1039: A Joke (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan gently shook her head and pushed all the thoughts about Han Zhifan to the back of her mind. Then she raised her feet and walked over to the door.

    When she passed by Han Zhifan, he reached his hand out and pulled her arm.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body trembled as she instinctively wanted to pull away from Han Zhifan¡¯s grip but Han Zhifan locked his grip in a little tighter.

    ¡°It¡¯s true. Wanwan, what I just said was true.¡±

    ¡°I know I¡¯m going too far in asking you like this, and I¡¯m really shameless considering how I treated you, how I hurt you.¡±

    ¡°And I know it¡¯ll be really hard for you to suddenly believe me, but Wanwan, could you please try to believe me just once? Just once!¡±

    ¡°I promise I won¡¯t let you down. What¡¯s more... Wanwan, we still have Hanhan...¡±

    When Han Zhifan said this, he suddenly remembered how he agreed to marry Lin Na recently to distance himself from Cheng Weiwan. Without thinking twice, he pulled out his phone and called Lin Na right in front of Cheng Weiwan.

    He put the call on speakerphone.

    Lin Na quickly picked up the phone. She was really happy, perhaps because he called her. ¡°Zhi...¡±

    He didn¡¯t wait for her to finish calling his name as he said, ¡°Lin Na, I¡¯m really sorry. I can¡¯t marry you...¡±

    With that said, he hung up the phone and couldn¡¯t wait to look over at Cheng Weiwan. ¡°...Wanwan, it¡¯s fixed. Okay?¡±

    ¡°...Or, Wanwan, you tell me. What will it take for you to give me one chance and trust me just this once?

    Cheng Weiwan tried to pull her wrist away. After she realized she couldn¡¯t pull away, she stared unwaveringly at Han Zhifan for a moment then turned her gaze out the window.

    She stared out at the shining sunlight, blinked softly and said quickly in a quiet voice, ¡°It¡¯s been over two months since Hanhan got sick and I moved into your home. These past few days, you and I...¡±

    She paused for a moment; perhaps because she was shy. Then she suddenly blurted out the words she found difficult to say: ¡°...have done it about twenty times now. Could you do it as frequently as possible... finish quicker. I want... to leave sooner.¡±

    ¡°Wanwan...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t wait for Han Zhifan to finish speaking as she softly and quietly spoke up. ¡°I don¡¯t know what your motive or ns are for suddenly telling me this, but no matter what they are, they have nothing to do with me. I don¡¯t want to know why you¡¯re doing this. Haven¡¯t you always wanted to stay far away from me? You¡¯ve done it. As long as everything is cleanly handled between us, I definitely won¡¯t appear in your world again once I leave.¡±

    With that said, Cheng Weiwan pulled harder, trying to free her wrist from Han Zhifan¡¯s hand.

    Han Zhifan instinctively tightened his grip. ¡°Wanwan, I¡¯m telling you all this from the bottom of my heart. I have no motive or ns.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips but didn¡¯t say a word. She pulled her wrist away even more fiercely.

    ¡°If you must think I have some kind of n or motive, the only one I can think of is being with you, to make up for everything, to fix every little horrible thing I ever did to you! Of course, I¡¯m not doing it because I owe you, but because I really like...¡±

 Chapter 1040 - Afraid (1)

    Chapter 1040: Afraid (1)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan knew Han Zhifan¡¯s words were all lies.

    But his words still rattled her heart.

    In the past, he used to speak to her like this, but in the end, it was all a lie.

    She had been lied to once. She couldn¡¯t be foolishly lied to a second time.

    So, no matter whether he was telling the truth or not, she couldn¡¯t be influenced by what he said.

    She needed to free herself...

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t wait for Han Zhifan to finish saying ¡°You¡± and said, ¡°...Did you know? After you left, it wasn¡¯t like I didn¡¯t meet other people, and it wasn¡¯t like other people didn¡¯t express any feelings towards me ¨C I just didn¡¯t respond to them. I rejected them all...¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t like no one tried to persuade me; it wasn¡¯t like no one told me to find someone for Hanhan¡¯s sake; it wasn¡¯t like nobody told me I deserved better! But I still insisted on rejecting them.¡±

    ¡°...Do you know why?¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but Cheng Weiwan knew he was listening to her words. After a short moment of silence, she said, ¡°...I admit I truly loved you when we were together. After we broke up, I still really liked you, but I rejected other people not because I liked you, but because I didn¡¯t dare fall for another person ever again.¡±

    ¡°I knew deep down that no matter if it was Lin Muqing or Lin Yinan, they all thought I still had hope for you and didn¡¯t want to give up. I told them that wasn¡¯t it, but they didn¡¯t believe me. Not too long ago, Yinan Ge talked to me about it and asked if I still had any hopes of being with you.¡±

    ¡°Do you know what I said to Yinan Ge?¡±

    ¡°I said you need two things to forget someone: time and a new love.¡±

    ¡°Some people might use a new love to forget, but I chose to only use time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not persistent in waiting for you to love me. I¡¯m just waiting for myself to stop loving you.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t lie to Yinan Ge ¨C everything I said was the truth. Since you brought a woman back home and since I watched you both having sex, standing outside...¡±

    Han Zhifan, who had been listening to Cheng Weiwan all along, suddenly interrupted at that point. ¡°Wanwan, she and I didn¡¯t do anything that day. I was just putting on a show for you to watch...¡±

    ¡°None of that is important... What¡¯s important is that from that night onwards, from the next morning when I sent keys to your apartment when I got home, and from when I put pen to paper and wrote that line ¡®I heard you¡¯re with someone new. From here on out, I¡¯m the hero who will fight the battles and bleed everywhere...¡¯ I started waiting for myself to stop loving you.¡±

    ¡°I waited a really, really long time. I¡¯ve waited till now...¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m living well or not, but inparison to when you first abandoned me, I¡¯m a lot better. So if what you¡¯re saying is true, I¡¯ll tell you the truth too. I don¡¯t want to relive that train wreck of a rtionship. I won¡¯t be with you, but it¡¯s not just you, it¡¯s everyone... I won¡¯t be with anyone...¡±

    ¡°To you, maybe you think you really need a chance. Just one.¡±

    ¡°But to me, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to give you a chance, I just can¡¯t give you one...¡±

 Chapter 1041 - Afraid (2)

    Chapter 1041: Afraid (2)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to give you a chance; I just can¡¯t give you a chance...

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s final words were spoken softly, but when they entered Han Zhifan¡¯s ears, they had immense power. It made his heart violently tremble twice.

    Can¡¯t give... Just how deeply was she hurt to not be able to give me a chance?

    She didn¡¯t lie to him ¨C everything she said was true. She really couldn¡¯t give him a chance.

    Perhaps if it were any other woman, after they experienced something like this, any other woman could give him a chance and start all over again. But she couldn¡¯t...

    From when she was born till now, no matter if it was friendship or love, she hadn¡¯t had much.

    After her mother passed away, she always hoped for a feeling of home from her father. In the past few years, she worked so hard and had been so tolerant. But in the end, she was just on the receiving end of her father¡¯s mercilessness.

    And then there was him, the person she believed so much. Nobody knew how torn her heart was because she let herself believe him. Ultimately, she ended up getting dumped.

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan added, ¡°...Not only am I not courageous, but I don¡¯t even have the underlying confidence right now. I don¡¯t dare believe in another person, because I¡¯m afraid ¨C afraid of being tricked or left behind and forgotten once again. When ites to it, it really wears me out...¡±

    ¡°...Maybe you¡¯re saying everything with sincerity, but I don¡¯t dare take the risk because at least... at least now...I¡¯m still alive.¡±

    At least... at least now...I¡¯m still alive.

    Those few words made Han Zhifan¡¯s heart ache.

    Cheng Weiwan, who said everything she wanted to say, noticed that Han Zhifan hadn¡¯t said anything, so she didn¡¯t say anything. Instead, she forcefully pulled her wrist away again, trying to tear herself away from his hands.

    This time, Han Zhifan loosened his grip the moment her fingers tensed up. With this, he gradually let go and let her pull away.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t linger for too long in the bedroom and quickly walked over to the door. She pulled it open and walked out.

    When Cheng Weiwan shut the bedroom door, her feet came to a stop.

    With her back against the door, she stood in the hallway in a daze until she heard Hanhan cry ¡°Mummy¡± before she snapped back to reality. Then she swayed as she walked towards the little Cheng Han, who had walked up the stairs. She picked him up while having a quiet conversation with him on their way down the stairs.

    ...

    Han Zhifan stayed in the room for a long while in a daze before stepping outside.

    Cheng Weiwan was on the living room sofa with Cheng Wan as he yed with a new toy which the housekeeper bought for him yesterday.

    The housekeeper was the first to notice Han Zhifan. ¡°Mr. Han, would you like to eat breakfast right now?¡±

    After hearing that voice, Cheng Han raised his head from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s embrace. ¡°Daddy,¡± he cried in a sweet voice.

    Cheng Weiwan raised her head too but only to quickly sweep him a look. She barely caught the look on his face when she shifted her gaze again and watched Cheng Wan y with his toy.

    Han Zhifan paused for a moment on the stairs before heading down again.

    He ignored the housekeeper, but when he stepped into the living room, the housekeeper said, ¡°Mr. Han, shall I serve you breakfast now?¡±

    Han Zhifan shook his head.

    After getting closer, the housekeeper realized Han Zhifan didn¡¯t look so well. ¡°Mr. Han, what¡¯s wrong? Are you not feeling well?¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but he stared at the adult and child on the sofa for a while. Then he raised his feet, walked over to the entrance, put on some shoes and left.

 Chapter 1042 - Afraid (3)

    Chapter 1042: Afraid (3)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯te back home for several days, nor did he go back to the office.

    He turned his phone off and stayed somewhere no one could find him. He quietly, repeatedly thought back to every little thing that happened before he reappeared in everyone¡¯s field of sight again.

    After he turned his phone on, the first call he received was from his secretary. Having disappeared without a word, a lot of jobs at work were put on hold. After he hung up the phone, he first went to the office to take care of business.

    By the time he finished all his work, it was already one in the afternoon of the next day.

    The secretary asked him if he wanted to go to a dinner party in the evening.

    He thought about it for a while but chose to decline. After the secretary left, he sat in his office in silence for a while then grabbed his car keys. He went to the underground parking lot to retrieve his car and headed back to the vi.

    In the afternoon, the sunlight shining upon the vi emphasized its beauty.

    Because it was the afternoon, people who had just eaten lunch must¡¯ve been taking afternoon naps. When Han Zhifan pushed the door open and walked in, the only sound he could hear inside was the swishing sound of the air con.

    Han Zhifan walked up the stairs and first took a nce at the sleeping Cheng Han. Then he walked over to the master bedroom.

    He assumed Cheng Weiwan was also taking an afternoon nap, so he never imagined that after he pushed open the door, he would see her on the sofa with a book in her hands.

    She was wearing a long white dress with her long ck hair draped behind her head. The bright sunlight hit her body through the window and made her look unusually crisp.

    Han Zhifan couldn¡¯t help but stare at her a little longer before stepping inside.

    He pushed the door open really softly. Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t notice someone drawing closer until the door shut and Han Zhifan took a few steps towards her. She lifted her gaze from her book and looked up at his body.

    Perhaps she never thought he woulde back suddenly, so she nked out then hesitated for a moment. It was as though she was contemting if she should say ¡®hello¡¯ to him, but in the end, she didn¡¯t say anything. She withdrew her gaze silently and continued to read her book.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t speak until after he walked over to Cheng Weiwan. ¡°Reading?¡±

    He sounded like he was just speaking casually. Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers around her book tensed up as she softly nodded and mumbled, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°What kind of book are you reading?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t reply to him but showed him the title written on the front cover.

    ¡°Oh,¡± said Han Zhifan then he didn¡¯t say a word more.

    He stood in front of her. Although she didn¡¯t look at him, she could still sense his gaze.

    This kind of scene made her feel ufortable. She couldn¡¯t read anymore, so she figured she might as well shut her book and prepare to check on Hanhan.

    It seemed like Han Zhifan knew she wanted to leave, so he asked, ¡°Wanwan, can we talk?¡± before she could even move.

    Cheng Weiwan froze.

    Han Zhifan stared at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s clean face for a while then said, ¡°I want to hear you talk about how you spent thest few years after you left me.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips. After a while, she calmly said, ¡°What¡¯s there to say? I lived one day after another.¡±

    ¡°Wanwan, I really want to know...¡±

    Perhaps it was because Han Zhifan¡¯s tone of voice sounded really serious that Cheng Weiwan nodded softly after a long pause. ¡°Then I¡¯ll just tell you some things about Hanhan...¡±

    He was Hanhan¡¯s father, so Hanhan would need to follow him in the future. It couldn¡¯t be bad for him to know more about Hanhan. There was no telling ¨C it might even make him love Hanhan a little more.

 Chapter 1043 - Afraid (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1043: Afraid (4)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Han Zhifan wanted to hear about Hanhan¡¯s past, and moreover, he wanted to hear about things he didn¡¯t know about her...

    But he didn¡¯t want to put her in a difficult position. She wasn¡¯t willing to tell him, so he made do with her offer. ¡°Okay.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t in a hurry, so she tilted her head as though she was seriously reminiscing about something for a while. ¡°After I left you, I didn¡¯t leave Beijing because I had already been here for many years at that point, so I knew it very well. I was afraid that if I suddenly moved to a new ce, it might be difficult for me to deal with things if I came across any problems while pregnant.¡±

    ¡°You told me to abort the child. Although your secretary helped me keep this secret, I was still afraid that you¡¯d find out, so I didn¡¯t dare go to the hospital. I spent arge sum of money to hire a private doctor. Even so, I felt uneasy every day and perhaps that affected Hanhan, because I started to show signs of bleeding at six months.¡±

    ¡°I almost lost Hanhan that time.¡±

    ¡°Actually, at the time, my mental state wasn¡¯t that great. I was really down and after I found out that my pregnancy wasn¡¯t stable, my first thought wasn¡¯t to work hard to protect the baby. Instead, I thought it would be pretty great to die with the baby.¡±

    ¡°Hanhan was stronger than I was. He fought on, so I fought on.¡±

    ¡°Hanhan was born in the middle of a snowy night in Beijing and the ground was very slippery. There were still two months until the expected delivery date when my water suddenly broke. The nanny I hired happened to be off that day, so I was alone. I was in so much pain that I couldn¡¯t even leave the apartment. In the end, Muqing came to see me and happened to see me like that. She sent me to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t take good care of the baby and my state of mind was always terrible. When we reached the hospital, Hanhan still wouldn¡¯te out. The doctor was impatient and so was I. In the end, I bled a lot.¡±

    <i>Bled a lot... </i>the sudden image of himself rushing to the hospital and seeing Lili lying in a pool of blood shed across Han Zhifan¡¯s mind.

    <i>Those were the circumstances on the day Hanhan was born?</i>

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything, but he looked very pale.

    ¡°That was Hanhan and my second time almost leaving this world.¡± Inparison to the torment Han Zhifan felt in his heart, Cheng Weiwan felt nothing while she thought back to that frightening scene.

    ¡°Hanhan was born two months premature. When he was born, he was particrly small and he could¡¯ve died at any time.¡±

    ¡°Hanhan stayed in the incubator for three whole months before he came back home with me.¡±

    ¡°I was alone during the three months that Hanhan stayed in the incubator. That was when I got depressed.¡±

    ¡°It was very serious. It was so serious that I didn¡¯t want to live. I walked up to the window more than once, wanting to jump down, and I stood still in the middle of the road more than once.¡±

    ¡°Fortunately, Muqing and Yinan Ge noticed something was wrong with me at the time, so they took turns taking care of me around the clock.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan spoke very slowly. As she spoke, she stopped and thought to herself every now and then.

    She spoke quietly in the same volume that she usually used to tell Cheng Han¡¯s fairy tales in the evening. However, it caused endless daggers to repeatedly stab his heart.

    Han Zhifan was so hurt, but from beginning to end, he didn¡¯t tell Cheng Weiwan to stop.

    Before he arrived and decided to listen to her tell all these stories, he already knew he was going to be really hurt. However, he never imagined he would be this hurt.

 Chapter 1044 - Afraid (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1044: Afraid (5)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    ¡°After Hanhan came home from the hospital, Muqing hired a midwife to take care of Hanhan.¡±

    ¡°At the time, I was still sick. There was one really serious time when I swallowed a whole bottle of sleeping pills.¡±

    ¡°After I woke up, I was really unwell and in the hospital because I was throwing up my stomach.¡±

    ¡°Muqing¡¯s eyes were red as she called me ¡®foolish¡¯ from the sidelines. She yelled at me for not thinking things through and asked what was going to happen to Hanhan if I left.¡±

    ¡°Actually, Muqing said a lot at the time, but I didn¡¯t listen. It was the sound of Hanhan¡¯s endless crying that let me know that I had given birth to a child. The baby who I fought tooth and nail to protect was born...¡±

    ¡°And it was from then on that I started to slowlye out of it and slowly shifted all my focus on Hanhan. I gradually got better little by little as Hanhan grew up.¡±

    ¡°When I used to work as a screenwriter, I might not have earned a lot, but I spent a lot of my savings on an apartment. The more time I spent with Hanhan in my belly, the less savings I had. I knew I should work and make money, so when I was eight months pregnant with Hanhan, I raised my pen and started writing stories again.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t dare use the pen name of Cheng Weiwan in fear that people would find out I had Hanhan. Although I put Hanhan under Muqing¡¯s name, all I could do was start writing with a new pen name. Writing books was really tiring and I didn¡¯t earn a lot. My days were a little tough, but I never let Hanhan suffer because I knew that without him, I¡¯d be nothing. It was Hanhan who kept me alive...¡±

    Han Zhifan¡¯s hand couldn¡¯t help but ball into fists.

    His back started to gently tremble.

    ¡°Later, the nanny found a better working environment, so she quit. All I could do was find a new nanny to take care of Hanhan.¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, I didn¡¯t notice many things when I was fully concentrated on writing scripts. Later, I realized that the new nanny would often lecture Hanhan, and she would secretly feed Hanhan sleeping pills just to let me work in peace.¡±

    ¡°When I found out, I couldn¡¯t trust anyone anymore. I took over taking care of Hanhanpletely. During the day, there simply wasn¡¯t time to write, so I would have to wait till Hanhan slept to write in the evening. I pulled all-nighters every day. Huge chunks of hair fell out and my state of mind was also awful. My memory started to get worse and for some time, I got headaches every day.¡±

    ¡°How should I put it... Although those days were hard, I was really happy.¡±

    ¡°Hanhan slowly learned to crawl then swayed as he walked then called me ¡®mummy¡¯ and learned simple words.¡±

    ¡°I felt a special sense of aplishment. It gave me a stronger sense of aplishment than my first script that was made into a television series.¡±

    ¡°But as Hanhan got older, he learned more and more about some things. For example, when he was over a year old, he suddenly asked, ¡®Mummy, what is a dad? Howe everyone has a dad? Why don¡¯t I have a dad?¡¯¡±

    ¡°He asked me several questions in session. I didn¡¯t know how to reply to him.¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t tell Hanhan that ¡®your father doesn¡¯t want you.¡¯ In the end, I chose to lie to him. I picked up your photo and told him that: ¡®This is daddy. When you grow up, daddy wille back to see you.¡¯¡±

    ¡°He was really happy and cried ¡®Daddy¡¯ endlessly. Eventually, he would even start recording all the happy things that happened to him in the day. He told me that when daddy came back, he was going to give these for daddy to watch.¡±

 Chapter 1045 - Afraid (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1045: Afraid (6)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    ¡°Hanhan really wanted a dad. Muqing and I went out for dinner with him once and there was a family of three sitting next to us. The family had a daughter about Hanhan¡¯s age who had just learned to speak not too long ago. She would keep calling ¡®daddy¡¯ and you could tell that her dad really adored her. Her father replied to every cry. The more the girl cried out for him, the higher her voice was. In the end, Hanhan couldn¡¯t help but turn his head and look over at the girl. Hanhan didn¡¯t say anything, but I could tell that he was envious, really envious...¡±

    ¡°That night, when we got back home and after I told him a bedtime story, I sat writing beside him. In the middle of the night, he talked in his sleep. That was the first time I heard Hanhan talk in his sleep. He cried just one word. It was... Daddy...¡±

    Han Zhifan gaped, wanting to say something, but in the end, he realized that his throat hurt so much that he couldn¡¯t utter a single word.

    It felt like his heart had been tightly squeezed by a countless pair of hands; the terrible pain of having no air to breathe made him feel like he was experiencing a life worse than death.

    He figured that if eighteenyers of hell really existed in this world, he was afraid that this was how it felt to be there.

    The pain was quite unbearable for him. He really wanted to run away, but he feltpletely weighed down. His heavily-weighed-down-body had nowhere to go.

    ¡°Yinan Ge woulde visit Hanhan and me at times. Hanhan normally stuck with me, but when Yinan Ge came, he stuck with Yinan Ge.¡±

    ¡°Yinan Ge had a friend who got married and had a son about the same age as Hanhan. Sometimes, we would let the two kids y together. When the friend¡¯s son broke his toy, he would go find his father; when he wanted a drink, he would go find his father. Every time that happened, Hanhan would stand to one side in a daze and watch our friends taking care of their son. There was even one time when Hanhan actually pushed our friend¡¯s son and cry ¡®This is my daddy...¡¯¡±

    Han Zhifan turned his head and reached out to cover his face.

    The heart-wrenching pain made his organs tremble and caused his entire body to softly shiver.

    He was incredulous about how she lived after they broke up...

    He was hurting like this just by listening to stories about Hanhan. He thought that if he knew about what happened to her back then, he would be a million times more hurt, right?

    It was already difficult for a woman to single-handedly take care of a child... but she also had depression...

    Han Zhifan knew he let Cheng Weiwan down. He instinctively wanted to apologize to her, but he found himself feeling disgusted by those two words.

    No matter how many times he apologized, just what use would it be now that things were at this point?

    He only wanted to get back to how things used to be and make up for everything he owed her, but he¡¯d just end up hurting her. Could he make up for it? Even if he could, there would still be scars...

    ¡°You know what happenedter. You know I had Hanhan and you stole Hanhan from me...¡±

    Han Zhifan remembered how he went looking for Lin Muqing that one time after he found out Cheng Weiwan was taking antidepressants. As soon as Lin Muqing heard what he said, his first reaction was: ¡°She¡¯s sick again?¡±

    <i>Again... Did I make her rpse because I took Hanhan away from her?</i>

    Han Zhifan suddenly felt like he couldn¡¯t stay there any longer. He got up and exerted a lot of strength to force some words out of his mouth. ¡°I¡¯m heading out for a while...¡±

 Chapter 1046 - Afraid (7)

    <h4>Chapter 1046: Afraid (7)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan softly replied, ¡°Alright.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything but turned around and walked towards the door.

    He walked really slowly. After just a few steps, his body swayed for a moment and he almost fell to the floor. Thankfully, he reached his hand out just in time and supported himself up with the wall. After a while, he thought he could stabilize himself and walk again, but after walking not too far from where he stopped, he bumped into a cab beside him.

    The bedroom was several dozen square feetrge, but he trudged for a really long time before he made it out of the bedroom.

    After he shut the door, he slumped to the floor like a deted balloon.

    <i>How could this be?</i>

    <i>How could everything have turned out like this?</i>

    <i>She clearly should¡¯ve hated me. The things I did were for Lili, but in the end, it was a big joke.</i>

    <i>She loved me, she truly loved me, but when I love her and want to be with her, she no longer wants to be with me.</i>

    <i>But who can I me? I tore up my happiness with my bare hands...</i>

    <i>She said she only hopes to leave me as soon as possible. I gave her so many reasons to leave, so now, what... what should I do? Should I really let her go? But what am I going to do if I let her go? If I don¡¯t let her go, what right do I have to make her stay? As I am now, I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t even have the right to pester her, let alone tell her to stay. </i>

    <i>If I knew things would turn out like this, I definitely wouldn¡¯t have treated her like that back then. Nor would I have dumped her after chasing her. Moreover, I wouldn¡¯t have forced her to abort our child... I wouldn¡¯t have. Now, I¡¯m able to think of many things I wouldn¡¯t have done, but what use is that? Time can¡¯t turn back and life can¡¯t start again. I lost her, so I lost her. No matter how painful the consequences are, I have to endure the pain of the sins Imitted.</i>

    Han Zhifan slowly shut his eyes and tears poured from the corners his eyes.

    ...

    Han Zhifan said he was heading out for a bit, but Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t see him for the rest of the day. It was now already one in the morning.

    Cheng Weiwan had just fallen asleep when she was woken up by the doorbell downstairs.

    The housekeeper and maids were probably fast asleep because nobody went to open the door. Cheng Weiwan put on a jacket and walked downstairs. After she opened the door, she saw apletely drunk Han Zhifan being supported by the driver.

    ¡°Miss Cheng, Mr. Han¡¯s drunk and he keeps mumbling toe back here...¡± The driver simply exined to Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan gently nodded and moved aside. ¡°You better carry him upstairs.¡±

    ¡°¡±Okay, Miss Cheng.¡±

    Han Zhifan was so terribly drunk that he couldn¡¯t even walk, so the driver had to practically drag him upstairs.

    On his way up, the driver almost fell down several times but was helped up by Cheng Weiwan beside him.

    After the driver put Han Zhifan in his bed, he helped remove his shoes then said goodbye to Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan saw the driver out then headed back up to see that Han Zhifan had rolled from the bed to the floor.

    Cheng Weiwan stared at Han Zhifan for a while. In the end, she walked up to him and used a lot of strength to get him back up onto the bed. Cheng Weiwan pulled the covers over him, but just as she was about toy down on the other side of the bed, Han Zhifan murmured, ¡°Water, water, water...¡±

    Cheng Weiwanid with her back against Han Zhifan for a moment, but she eventually got up and headed downstairs to bring back a ss of water.

    After she helped Han Zhifan finish his water, Cheng Weiwan put the ss down but didn¡¯ty back in bed. Instead, she walked over to the sofa and turned the floormp on. She picked up the book she read during the day and started to read.

 Chapter 1047 - Afraid (8)

    <h4>Chapter 1047: Afraid (8)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    It was very quiet in the bedroom. Aside from the crisp sound of Cheng Weiwan turning the page every so often, nothing else was heard.

    After an unknown amount of time, Cheng Weiwan grew tired of reading, so she closed her book then rubbed her eyes. She was about to go into the bathroom then sleep when she heard the drunken words of Han Zhifan lying on the bed before she got up. ¡°Wanwan, Wanwan...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan suddenly stopped.

    He didn¡¯t speak loudly but his words sounded unusually clear in the silent room.

    He repeatedly cried her name before he finally said different words: ¡°Sorry, sorry, sorry...¡±

    Like a broken record, he repeated that one word over and over again.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers couldn¡¯t help but curl and clutch onto her sleeves.

    <i>Sorry... Is he apologizing to me time and time again while asleep because he really is sorry?</i>

    <i>Does that mean what he¡¯s been saying is true? He really does like me and he really wants to start over again?</i>

    ¡°Wanwan, I¡¯m sorry...¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Wanwan...¡±

    His voice drilled into her ears once again and made her heart start to tremble slightly.

    She knew she shouldn¡¯t be swayed. A person could screw things up, but they couldn¡¯t do it time and time again. However, with the person you loved, how could you really screw things up?

    Despite being swayed, it was nothing more than that.

    She could never be with him.

    She couldn¡¯t be with him or anyone else.

    So, she couldn¡¯t be confused again just by his sleep talking.

    Cheng Weiwan thought about it then got up and walked into the bathroom.

    Aftering out of the bathroom, she heard Han Zhifan¡¯s muttering once again. ¡°Wanwan, I¡¯m sorry. Sorry, Wanwan...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan stopped her footsteps and stood at the bathroom door. After she heard Han Zhifan repeatedly saying those words, she turned around and walked over to the balcony.

    Cheng Weiwan waited until after Han Zhifan wentpletely quiet before she walked back to the bedroom from the balcony.

    When sheid in bed, she had nothing on her mind, yet she felt her mind was inplete chaos. She stared up at the ceiling for a long time and didn¡¯t shut her eyes until the sky outside was bright.

    She didn¡¯t know if she was influenced by Han Zhifan¡¯s sleep talking, but Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t slept well. Not long after falling asleep, she woke up.

    Cheng Weiwan sat up and saw the bathroom door being pulled open. Han Zhifan walked out drying his wet hair with a towel, fully dressed in his house clothes.

    Han Zhifan also saw Cheng Weiwan. He suddenly stopped drying his hair and casually said, ¡°You¡¯re up?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything but gently nodded at Han Zhifan. Then she removed the covers and walked into the bathroom.

    When she finished freshening up and came out of the bathroom, Han Zhifan was already done drying his hair. He sat clean and fresh on the sofa, reading the morning newspaper.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t disturb him but headed right for the bedroom door, ready to check on Hanhan.

    She only took two steps when Han Zhifan, who was reading the newspaper, said, ¡°Wanwan?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s footsteps came to a stop as she turned and looked over at Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan stared at the newspaper for a moment before his gaze fell upon Cheng Weiwan. ¡°Wanwan, if you really want to leave...¡±

 Chapter 1048 - Afraid (9)

    <h4>Chapter 1048: Afraid (9)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Han Zhifan stared at the newspaper for a moment before his gaze fell upon Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face. ¡°Wanwan, if you really want to leave...¡±

    Han Zhifan stopped for a moment.

    He made up his mind already, but when it came time to say it, he still found it difficult to say it aloud.

    He pursed his lips and gulped for a while before he forced himself to finish speaking the main point. ¡°...then leave.¡±

    A hint of confusion came across Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes as though she couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s fingers upon the newspaper couldn¡¯t help but tense up. He knew she didn¡¯t dare believe him, so he tried to exin what he just said in more detail. ¡°You can leave whenever you want. No one will stop you. As for our previous deal, just forget it. Forget about the number of nights you owe me or whatever. Before you leave, tell the housekeeper to help you pack and call the driver.¡±

    Han Zhifan paused for a moment then continued. ¡°Of course, if you don¡¯t want the housekeeper to do it, you can do it yourself. If you don¡¯t want to use the driver, you can call your own cab, or call a friend to pick you up if you want...¡±

    When Cheng Weiwan heard this, she finally dared to believe what she heard was true. Han Zhifan really was letting her go.

    There was happiness but also sadness.

    The happiness was because she could finally go back to living her quiet and peaceful life alone as she did before.

    The sadness was because she had to part with Hanhan and this time, she didn¡¯t know when they were going to see each other next.

    But she didn¡¯t need to be that sad, right? Han Zhifan had more money than she did, so he could provide for Hanhan; he was countless times better for Hanhan than her. It would be better for Hanhan to stay with him because at the very least, he could wear the best clothes, eat the very best food, use the very best things, and he could go to the very best school...

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan nodded gently at Han Zhifan. ¡°Got it.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was quiet for a moment before she added, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t reply.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t talk anymore either.

    It was silent in the bedroom for quite some time. Cheng Weiwan was about to find something to say before leaving when all of a sudden, Han Zhifan said, ¡°Wanwan, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Last night, she heard him saying this all night long... Cheng Weiwan pursed her lips but still didn¡¯t make a sound.

    ¡°I know this means nothing, but I still want to sincerely apologize. I¡¯m sorry Wanwan. I really was a douchebag back then...¡± said Han Zhifan.

    Not all ¡°Sorry¡±s could be exchanged for ¡°That¡¯s alright.¡±

    Just like now, Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t say ¡°That¡¯s alright¡± no matter how she tried. In the end, all she could do was say, ¡°It¡¯s in the past, so let¡¯s not bring it up again.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± said Han Zhifan.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know how to reply, so she didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°Wanwan, I hope you live happily and peacefully in the future,¡± said Han Zhifan.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± replied Cheng Weiwan.

    ¡°If youe across any problems, you can find me at any time. I¡¯ll help you think of a way to resolve them,¡± offered Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan knew she wouldn¡¯t go to him, but he said it anyway.

    Cheng Weiwan knew she wouldn¡¯t go to him, but she still replied with ¡°Thank you¡± after she heard him say this.

    It seemed like Han Zhifan was finished talking because he didn¡¯t speak for a long time.

    Cheng Weiwan pointed at the door. ¡°I¡¯m going to see Hanhan.¡±

    With that said, she raised her foot.

    Before Cheng Weiwan pulled the door open, Han Zhifan spoke up again. ¡°Wanwan...¡±

 Chapter 1049 - Afraid (10)

    <h4>Chapter 1049: Afraid (10)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Before Cheng Weiwan pulled the door open, Han Zhifan spoke up again. ¡°Wanwan...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s hand stopped before it touched the door handle.

    She thought Han Zhifan was going to go back on his word, so her heart leaped into her throat for a while before she turned her head.

    Han Zhifan looked at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes for a long time before he put the newspaper in his hand down. He picked up a file from beside him, got up, and walked up to Cheng Weiwan.

    He handed CHeng Weiwan the file.

    Cheng Weiwan looked over at Han Zhifan with a confused look on her face then nced at the file in his hands. She reached out and took the file.

    She opened the file and pulled out a pile of papers.

    With just one nce at the contents, Cheng Weiwan could tell what it was. It was Hanhan¡¯s custody contract, which he used Lin Muqing to get her to sign.

    <i>Why¡¯s he giving this back?</i>

    Cheng Weiwan furrowed her brows slightly and scanned the file. She raised her head in confusion then looked over at Han Zhifan.

    She didn¡¯t speak, but Han Zhifan knew she had questions. ¡°There were three copies of the document you signed back then. I have one copy in my hands, and you have one copy in yours. Take the copy you have and there¡¯ll be two copies left for me and thewyer. They¡¯re all here. When you leave, take them with you. Keep it or destroy it ¨C do whatever you want.¡±

    <i>He¡¯s already given me the contract. So does that mean this contract is nullified?</i>

    <i>Then Hanhan¡¯s custody...</i>

    These questions just crossed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mind when Han Zhifan spoke again as he stood before her. ¡°At the back of the file, there are three contracts you can take a look at now...¡±

    With Han Zhifan¡¯s prompt, Cheng Weiwan realized there were three new contracts aside from the two contracts she signed.

    Like the others, they were contracts for Hanhan¡¯s custody... The contents of the three contracts were exactly the same as the ones she signed before. However, the names of party A and party B were changed.

    <i>In the past, I was the one who gave up custody of Hanhan. Now, he¡¯s giving up custody of Hanhan...</i>

    Beside the space where she should sign, the other signature spaces were all signed by him and thewyer.

    This meant that as long as she picked up the pen and signed her name, Hanhan would be hers. What¡¯s more, from there on out, Han Zhifan wouldn¡¯t fight her for Hanhan¡¯s custody rights...

    He used every method to steal her child from her back then. He even gloated that Hanhan would have a mother, but it wouldn¡¯t be her.

    <i>Why now? Not only is he returning Hanhan to me, but he signed a contract to never fight for Hanhan¡¯s custody.</i>

    Cheng Weiwan stared at the file for a long time but she didn¡¯t believe it was real.

    Han Zhifan saw Cheng Weiwan staring transfixed at the document for a long time without reacting. He then cried, ¡°Thewyer and I have signed and stamped the documents. All that¡¯s needed is your signature and it¡¯ll be legally binding... Simply speaking, Hanhan will return to you. When you leave, you can take Hanhan and leave together...¡±

    After hearing what Han Zhifan had to say, Cheng Weiwan slowly lifted her head and looked over at him.

    She wanted to ask him, ¡®Why are you doing this?¡±

    She moved her lips but in the end, she didn¡¯t ask.

    ¡°...Also, there¡¯s a cheque in there. That¡¯s my child support money for Hanhan... I know you¡¯re not short of money, but Hanhan¡¯s my son, after all. This is money I should give him...¡±

 Chapter 1050 - Swayed (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1050: Swayed (1)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    ¡°...I don¡¯t know if this is enough money. If it¡¯s not, you can seek me out at any time for more...¡±

    When Han Zhifan finished, he stood in front of Cheng Weiwan for a moment before he left.

    The only one left in the room was Cheng Weiwan. She stood there in a daze with the file in hand for a long while. She blinked softly then brought her gaze back to the file.

    She stared nkly at Han Zhifan¡¯s signature on Cheng Han¡¯s custody contract before she opened it up.

    It was just as Han Zhifan said ¨C there really was a cheque inside. Cheng Weiwan pulled the cheque out and nced at the figure. When she caught sight of the series of ¡°0¡±s after the ¡°1¡±, her fingers couldn¡¯t help but tremble.

    <i>He actually gave Hanhan a big sum of child support money. I guess Hanhan can live a luxurious life without any worries or working too hard.</i>

    <i>Why did he do it?</i>

    It was just like how he drunkenly said her name and kept apologizing the night before.

    <i>Could it be that he really didn¡¯t lie to me and he really fell for me? Does he really want to start over with me?</i>

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart was rattled once again, just likest night.

    <i>No... I can¡¯t think like that... When we first got together, he treated me equally as well. He even saved me and I was so touched by that. But in the end, I was lied to...</i>

    <i>Yes. Don¡¯t have hope. That way, I won¡¯t be disappointed ever again... Now he¡¯s giving Hanhan back to me and giving up Hanhan¡¯s custody, so the biggest problem on my mind¡¯s resolved. From here on out, I can go back to the peaceful life I once lived, mutually dependent on Hanhan like before. Those days were amazing and far better than I could¡¯ve imagined, so I don¡¯t need to think much more. Nor do I need to make too many unreasonable requests...</i>

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan shut her eyes and slowly took a deep breath.

    She waited for her heart to calm down before she put the contract back into the file. Then she walked over to the changing room, took out the bag she brought with her when she moved in and started to pack her clothes.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t bring many things with her, so she packed very quickly.

    She put the bag on the bed then walked out of the bedroom and into the baby¡¯s room.

    When she dropped Cheng Han off at Han Zhifan¡¯s home, she didn¡¯t bring any of Cheng Han¡¯s things. Everything Cheng Han ate and used were all things bought by the housekeeper and wet nurse. She didn¡¯t need to pack his things, but she prepared the medicine Cheng Han now had to take every day.

    After she finished packing the things she was going to take with her, Cheng Weiwan walked over to the baby¡¯s room.

    Han Zhifan must¡¯ve spoken with the housekeeper and the wet nurse. The two of them saw hering in and immediately got up then left Cheng Han.

    Cheng Weiwan walked up to Cheng Han, who was ying with his toys, and stroked his head. ¡°Hanhan?¡±

    Cheng Han stopped ying with the toy, lifted his head and cried ¡°Mummy¡± in a clear voice.

    Cheng Weiwan showed a slight smile. ¡°Hanhan, didn¡¯t you want to see Auntie Muqing? Mummy will take you back home today. We¡¯ll find Aunt Muqing to y, okay?¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Cheng Han heard what Cheng Weiwan said and immediately dropped the toy.

    ¡°Before we leave, how saying goodbye to daddy?¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± said Cheng Han as he got up.

    Cheng Weiwan raised her head and nced at the housekeeper who was standing beside her. ¡°Please take Hanhan to him.¡±

 Chapter 1051 - Swayed (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1051: Swayed (2)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    The housekeeper nodded then bent over and picked up Cheng Han. They walked out of the baby¡¯s room then entered the study.

    The doors to the study were shut, so the housekeeper didn¡¯t barge right in there. Instead, she knocked on the door with one hand.

    Soon after, Han Zhifan cried from the inside, ¡°Come in.¡±

    The housekeeper pushed the door open and took just two steps with Cheng Han in her arms when she smelled the cigarette smoke. She instinctively stopped and cried out to Han Zhifan, who was standing at the balcony. ¡°Mr. Han...¡±

    When Han Zhifan heard the housekeeper¡¯s voice, he turned his head back and took a nce. The moment Han Zhifan saw the housekeeper carrying Cheng Han in her arms, he immediately put out the cigarette between his fingers. He reached out and pushed the window open in front of him.

    After the smoke dissipated a little, Han Zhifan then asked, ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°Miss Cheng asked me to bring the young master over for you to say goodbye,¡± replied the housekeeper.

    Han Zhfian heard this and pursed his lips. ¡°She¡¯s going just like that?¡±

    The housekeeper hesitated for a moment then said, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t speak, but he was quiteposed.

    Cheng Han, who was in the housekeeper¡¯s embrace, didn¡¯t understand what the two adults were saying. All he remembered was that he came to say goodbye to his dad. When he saw that Han Zhifan wasn¡¯t saying anything, he cutely cried out, ¡°Daddy.¡±

    Han Zhifan snapped back to reality and responded to Cheng Han then shot the housekeeper a look.

    The housekeeper understood what Han Zhifan meant and immediately walked over to Han Zhifan with Cheng Han still in her arms.

    Han Zhifan reached out and took Cheng Han from her. After he carried him into his arms, he asked a question despite knowing the answer. ¡°Why is Hanhan here to see Daddy?¡±

    ¡°Mummy wanted to take me to see Aunt Muqing and told me toe and say goodbye to Daddy.¡± Cheng Han repeated what Cheng Weiwan said with all seriousness then looked at Han Zhifan and said with a serious look on his face. ¡°...Daddy, goodbye.¡±

    <i>Goodbye... Will we never see each other again?</i>

    Han Zhifan stared warmly at Cheng Han for a while then gently smiled as he said, ¡°Goodbye, Hanhan.¡±

    Upon hearing this, Cheng Han drew close to Han Zhifan¡¯s face like he usually did when they were saying goodbye and gave him a kiss.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s arm trembled slightly while carrying Cheng Han. He continued to hug Cheng Han for a while, unlike how he used to immediately hand Cheng Han back to the housekeeper. ¡°Hanhan, you have to treat mummy really well from now on.¡±

    Cheng Han didn¡¯t understand what Han Zhifan meant by that, but he obediently nodded and said, ¡°I love mummy the most.¡±

    ¡°Hanhan¡¯s really good...¡± Han Zhifan smiled at Cheng Han for a while then said, ¡°...When Hanhan grows up, you have to be a real good man. Protect mummy and don¡¯t bully mummy like daddy did.¡±

    Cheng Han looked at Han Zhifan like he didn¡¯t quite understand. He blinked his eyes for a short while and obediently nodded as he replied, ¡°Hanhan¡¯s the most obedient.¡±

    Han Zhifan knew he might as well have not said anything, but he added anyway, ¡°Hanhan must listen to what mummy says and not make mummy mad.¡±

    Cheng Han nodded deeply and mumbled, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t say anything more. He stroked Cheng Han¡¯s head and handed him back to the housekeeper.

    When the housekeeper took Cheng Han, she stood on the same spot for a while and softly cried, ¡°Mr. Han, I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡±

    Han Zhifan knew that after the housekeeper left, Cheng Weiwan would take Cheng Han with her.

    He didn¡¯t actually want the mother and son to leave; he actually really wanted them to stay, but he tightly pursed his lips and tightly clenched his fists. He held his breath for a while and gently nodded at the housekeeper.

 Chapter 1052 - Swayed (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1052: Swayed (3)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    The housekeeper got Han Zhifan¡¯s signal and carried Cheng Han out.

    From the other side of the study door, Han Zhifan could vaguely hear the sounds of the housekeeper and Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voices from the hallway.

    ¡°Miss Cheng, you¡¯ve only just woken up and you haven¡¯t eaten. Would you like to have a meal before you leave?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not hungry.¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll help you call the driver and get the car ready?¡±

    ¡°No thanks. I¡¯ve already called for a ride. It¡¯ll be here soon.¡±

    ¡°Then, Miss Cheng, what about your things? Are you all packed? Would you like me to help you?¡±

    ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯ve already packed.¡±

    The hallway fell silent.

    Soon after, there was the sound of a phone ringing then came Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice. ¡°Yes, vi number 1. Okay, I¡¯lle out now to wait for you.¡±

    After the call ended, the housekeeper¡¯s voice was heard. ¡°Miss Cheng, has your cab arrived?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything, but Han Zhifan figured she must¡¯ve nodded at the housekeeper. Soon after, the housekeeper¡¯s voice was heard. ¡°Miss Cheng, will you not be saying goodbye to Mr. Han?¡±

    Han Zhifan still couldn¡¯t hear Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice.

    He figured she must¡¯ve shaken her head at the housekeeper and declined because he heard the housekeeper¡¯s voice after that. ¡°Miss Cheng, I¡¯ll help you carry these things and see you off downstairs.¡±

    This time, he finally heard her voice. But she said just two words: ¡°Thank you.¡±

    As her voice fell, Han Zhifan heard a taxi stopping right under the balcony of the study, in front of the main doors.

    Soon after, the housekeeper appeared in the courtyard, carrying a bag next to Cheng Weiwan, who was carrying Cheng Han.

    Perhaps it was because the taxi was waiting at the door, but Cheng Weiwan walked quite hurriedly and didn¡¯t nce back at all. He stood in front of the window motionlessly as he watched her leave.

    The second after the door was shut, the taxi started to drive off. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared from Han Zhifan¡¯s field of sight.

    ...

    The housekeeper stood at the door for a really long time before she headed back into the vi. She walked upstairs to the study door and knocked for a very long time. There was no response, so she pushed the door open and walked in.

    Han Zhifan stood motionlessly in front of the window like a statue, staring outside.

    The housekeeper cried, ¡°Mr. Han.¡± Seeing as Han Zhifan didn¡¯t respond, she walked a few steps towards Han Zhifan and raised her voice. ¡°Mr. Han?¡±

    The housekeeper repeatedly cried, ¡°Mr. Han.¡± Han Zhifan then softly shook his head. ¡°Hm?¡±

    The housekeeper gulped. ¡°Miss Cheng and the young master have already left.¡±

    Han Zhifan seemed like he hadn¡¯t heard what the housekeeper said. After a while, he cried, ¡°Left?¡±

    The housekeeper didn¡¯t notice anything was wrong with Han Zhifan and repeated what she just said. ¡°Yes, Miss Cheng and the young master have left. Miss Cheng didn¡¯t ask the driver to drop her off, but called her own taxi...¡±

    After another while, Han Zhifan repeated the word, ¡°Left?¡±

    This time, before the housekeeper could speak, Han Zhifan cried again, ¡°Left?¡±

 Chapter 1053 - Swayed (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1053: Swayed (4)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    This time, before the housekeeper could speak, Han Zhifan cried, ¡°Left?¡±

    That was when the housekeeper realized Han Zhifan¡¯s three consecutive cries of that one word wasn¡¯t for her to hear.

    She sealed her lips and gulped back her words.

    Han Zhifan stood with his back to her and stared out the window for a very long time. He spoke once again, but this time, he didn¡¯t speak with a questioning tone of voice. ¡°Left...¡±

    His voice was very soft, but she was still able to clearly hear the incredible tremble in his voice.

    The housekeeper¡¯s heart started to ache with a sharp pain as though she was shocked by something.

    She knew Han Zhifan was hurt and she wanted tofort him, but she didn¡¯t quite know how.

    It was really quiet in the room. She didn¡¯t make a sound from start to end, but she clearly saw how his shoulders started to gently tremble as time went by.

    ¨C

    After Cheng Weiwan left, Han Zhifan felt like time was endlessly stretched out all of a sudden. Time passed unusually slowly, and amidst this sense of disorientation, summer turned into fall.

    On the final day of September, Han Zhifan met up with an old client that he¡¯d known for many years for afternoon tea.

    The old client had to leave early to go pick up his son, who had just turned a year old, from school.

    Han Zhifan continued to stay in the cafe on his own for half an hour before he paid the bill.

    There were several ginkgo trees at the door of the cafe. All the leaves had turned golden yellow, and as the wind blew, they rustled and drifted down.

    Han Zhifan lifted his head and stared at the endless downpour of leaves for a while. That was when he remembered he also stopped by this cafe a few days before she left his home. At the time, the gingko trees were still young. On his current visit, the leaves were all yellow and she had moved out of his home... So as it turned out, the season had changed since she left. Now that he counted the days, it seemed to have been over forty days since she left him...

    Han Zhifan stood in a daze by the road for a long time before he drove back home.

    It was still early. Dinner wasn¡¯t even ready yet.

    The housekeeper noticed he had returned. She immediately walked up to him and helped get his slippers.

    After removing his shoes and putting the slippers on, Han Zhifan handed the jacket to the housekeeper. Without even knowing it, he blurted out, ¡°Where¡¯s Hanhan?¡±

    After asking his questions, he saw that the expression on the housekeeper¡¯s face looked odd. That was when he realized Hanhan left with her a while ago, but he still had this habit he couldn¡¯t shake off every time he came back home.

    Han Zhifan lowered his eyes and curved his lips into a mocking smirk. He waved his arms to signal the housekeeper to leave then he walked upstairs.

    The decorations in the bedroom hadn¡¯t changed, but when he pushed the door open, his heart felt incredibly empty when he stared at the empty room.

    He walked into the changing room and changed into his home clothes then he walked over to the baby¡¯s room next door. She didn¡¯t take all the things he prepared for Hanhan, and the housekeeper hadn¡¯t put them away. It looked just as it used to when Hanhan lived there; everything was neatly tidied up. The maids even cleaned Hanhan¡¯s favorite toys in the toy room every day. The new toys he brought back with him after his business trips were thrown to one side and left unopened.

    Han Zhifan stood at the baby room door for just a while, but his heart felt incredibly stifled.

    When he stepped into the study, he smoked several cigarettes before it forcefully made the dullness in his chest disappear.

    She clearly left him over a month ago, but howe he couldn¡¯t escape that?

 Chapter 1054 - Swayed (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1054: Swayed (5)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Cheng Han was a little unwell that day. He didn¡¯t eat much in the evening, and he didn¡¯t want to y games or listen to a bedtime story. Instead, he kept crying for Cheng Weiwan to hug him.

    Usually, Cheng Han slept at nine, but he didn¡¯t finally go to sleep that day until half-past ten.

    Cheng Weiwan, who tried to cheer Cheng Han up all night, was exhausted. She had no energy to write, so after she took a shower, she made herself a hot cup of milk because she wasn¡¯t sleepy. She sat on the swing on the balcony while editing her work from the past few days on herptop.

    Time always flew by when she was at work. After her phone rm rang, Cheng Weiwan finally realized that it was already one in the morning.

    Because she used to pull all-nighters to write, Cheng Weiwan developed reurring headaches, so she didn¡¯t dare work toote anymore. Although she still wanted to keep editing, she stopped herself and shut theptop. She got up then walked into the dining room.

    She poured a cup of warm water. After taking two vitamins, Cheng Weiwan turned the living room lights off. Just as she was going to head back to the bedroom to get some sleep, the doorbell suddenly rang.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t have many close friends that woulde looking for her in the middle of the night. If it wasn¡¯t Yinan Ge, it was Lin Muqing.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t think too much of it and opened the door right away.

    So she really guessed right. It was Lin Muqing and she was carrying a box. ¡°Wanwan, I ordered some crayfish and I can¡¯t finish it all alone. It¡¯s also boring eating alone, so I brought them here to eat them with you!¡±

    Because Cheng Han wasn¡¯t feeling well in the evening, Cheng Weiwan hadn¡¯t eaten much. Now that she saw Lin Muqing with a box of food, she really was a little hungry, so she immediately let Lin Muqing in. The two of them sat at the living room coffee table and started to savor the crayfish.

    At first, the two of them ate quite hastily because they were hungry. They slowed down after a bit.

    As they ate crayfish, Lin Muqing and Cheng Weiwan talked endlessly about Cheng Weiwan¡¯s new book.

    After they more or less finished eating the crayfish, finished talking about the book, and Lin Muqing helped Cheng Weiwan clean up the table, it was already two in the morning. Cheng Weiwan was just about to tell Lin Muqing to wash her hands, go home and get some sleep when Lin Muqing suddenly said, ¡°He¡¯s downstairs.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t immediately react as she stood over the sink in the bathroom and squeezed some soap into her hands. She repeatedly rubbed her hands with soap then asked, ¡°Hm?¡±

    Lin Muqing also squeezed some soap into her hands. After she half-heartedly rubbed it into her hands, she turned on the tap and started to wash her hands. After she finished, she finally replied to Cheng Weiwan. ¡°I said he¡¯s downstairs again, tonight...¡±

    When Cheng Weiwan heard it the second time, she instantly understood who Lin Muqing meant by ¡°him.¡± She instinctively wanted to ce her hands beneath the tap to wash them, but she stopped. After just two seconds, she sluggishly said ¡°Oh¡± then resumed cing her hands beneath the tap.

    Lin Muqing leaned against the bathroom door and stared at theposed Cheng Weiwan for a while. After she turned the tap off, she spoke again while she grabbed a hand towel. ¡°...When I picked up my takeout in the afternoon, I saw him, but he had his head down while smoking. He didn¡¯t see me...¡±

    The look on Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face didn¡¯t change in the slightest, as though the person Lin Muqing was talking about had absolutely nothing to do with her.

    She wiped her hands clean and nced at Lin Muqing then blurted out, ¡°Hurry up and go downstairs to get some rest.¡± Then she turned off the bathroom lights and left.

 Chapter 1055 - Swayed (6)

    Chapter 1055: Swayed (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Lin Muqing caught up to Cheng Weiwan without any sign of heading downstairs. ¡°Wanwan, if I remember correctly, this must be the seventeenth time I¡¯ve seen him showing up at the building at night...¡±

    This time, Cheng Weiwan just ignored Lin Muqing right away.

    Lin Muqing didn¡¯t mind and continued to talk, ¡°...The first time I saw him, it was over twenty days ago. I was busy that day, so I happened to see him when I came home at night. In the past twenty days, he¡¯s watched over you from outside the building for seventeen days. It¡¯s been over a month since you left his house, right? He¡¯s probably been watching over you outside even before I noticed him...¡±

    At first, Cheng Weiwan was just going to ignore Lin Muqing and thought Lin Muqing was only talking non-stop because she was bored. However, Cheng Weiwan started to show signs of not wanting to listen to Lin Muqing in the slightest; Lin Muqing actually started to get on her nerves the more she talked. Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t help but cut her off. ¡°You have work tomorrow, so you better head down and get some sleep. I¡¯m tired too. I¡¯ll go check on Hanhan and get ready to go to bed.¡±

    With that said, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t wait for Lin Muqing to reply and headed for Cheng Han¡¯s room.

    Before she could even take two steps, Lin Muqing cried out to her: ¡°Wanwan!¡±

    Her tone of voice didn¡¯t sound as rxed as before. She sounded like she was seriously lecturing her.

    ¡°Wanwan, I confess. I didn¡¯t innocentlye over to eat crayfish with you tonight. I actually wanted to have a chat with you.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan hesitated for a moment then paused.

    Lin Muqing stared at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s back and asked, ¡°Wanwan, just what the hell are you thinking?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan was silent for a moment then turned around and leisurely replied, ¡°What do you mean ¡®What am I thinking?¡¯ Nothing much?¡±

    This time, Lin Muqing wasn¡¯t in a hurry to speak. She stared right into Cheng Weiwan¡¯s eyes.

    She stared for a very long time and saw Cheng Weiwan looking fed up. ¡°Muqing, why the hell are you staring at me like that non-stop?¡± she joked.

    Lin Muqing still didn¡¯t say anything.

    Cheng Weiwan lowered her eyelids and avoided Lin Muqing¡¯s gaze. ¡°Muqing, if you¡¯re going to be like this again, I sure as hell won¡¯t waste my time here with you!¡±

    ¡°Wanwan...¡± cried Lin Muqing with a serious tone of voice which made Cheng Weiwan flustered. ¡°...Running away won¡¯t solve things. I admit you¡¯re acting veryposed ¨C soposed that you don¡¯t look like you care at all. Perhaps you could trick other people, but I won¡¯t be tricked by you. I¡¯ve known you for many years. I know you far too well and I know that you may put on a calm front, but deep down, you can¡¯t let go of everything. If you really could let go, you wouldn¡¯t have depression. Nor would you have immediately named Hanhan ¡°Cheng Han¡± right after you gave birth to him. Cheng Han ¨C is thebination of Cheng Weiwan and Han Zhifan, right...¡±

    The smile on Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face disappeared little by little.

    Lin Muqing didn¡¯t stop there. ¡°...If you can really let it go, you wouldn¡¯t turn away new beginnings and wouldn¡¯t turn away Yinan Ge¡¯s advances now that you and him are over...¡±

    ¡°Deep down, he¡¯s still there, but you¡¯re just hurt too badly, too afraid, and you don¡¯t dare to love.¡±

    ¡°Wanwan, you know I really cussed Han Zhifan out in front of you. I hate him to death, and I¡¯m the one who hopes that you both have anything to do with each other.¡±

 Chapter 1056 - Swayed (7)

    Chapter 1056: Swayed (7)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    ¡°Wanwan, I see you as my closest friend in the whole world. You¡¯re like family. I hope you¡¯re okay, especially after watching you enduring the toughest days with my own eyes. I just hope you¡¯ll be okay ¨C really okay.¡±

    ¡°I admit that raising a child on your own can be really great, but this way of life doesn¡¯t suit you because he¡¯s still in your heart. Each day he¡¯s in your heart, you can¡¯t live a great life on your own.¡±

    ¡°The only reason I came to talk to you about this is because I think he¡¯s sincere about you...¡±

    ¡°Muqing, that¡¯s enough. You don¡¯t have to say anymore.¡± Cheng Weiwan was a little afraid of what Lin Muqing was going to say next, so she instinctively stopped Lin Muqing.

    Lin Muqing knew Cheng Weiwan wanted to run away, but before she could head upstairs, Lin Muqing was determined to not let her run away from this again.

    She ignored what Cheng Weiwan had just said and continued to go on, ¡°...He really likes you. If he wasn¡¯t sincere, he wouldn¡¯t have given Hanhan back to you and destroyed the contract he forced you to sign. Nor would he have signed the contract to give up Hanhan¡¯s custody...¡±

    ¡°Muqing!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s voice was a little high-pitched, but Lin Muqing¡¯s voice was even more high-pitched. ¡°Wanwan, after you left and hepletely disappeared from your world, he certainly wouldn¡¯t have chosen to quietly watch over you if he didn¡¯t have feelings for you...¡±

    ¡°Wanwan, sometimes, you need a little courage to achieve happiness. As you are right now, you really need to give yourself a little courage. If you didn¡¯t love him, that would¡¯ve been alright, but you still do, so you can only be happy by being with him. What¡¯s more, he¡¯s Hanhan¡¯s biological father. For Hanhan, I think you need to try to trust him just once...¡±

    ¡°Muqing... I really think I¡¯m living very well right now. I really don¡¯t want to change anything...¡±

    ¡°But Wanwan, have you thought that in a year¡¯s time, Hanhan will go to kindergarten? Without a dad, he might get teased by kids the same age...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan suddenly fell silent.

    ¡°I¡¯m not using Hanhan to try to persuade you, but I think you can trust Han Zhifan just once.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to ept Han Zhifan immediately. I just want you to stop running away and listen to my opinion as an observer. After all, outsiders can see things clearer than those involved in the situation. I really think you should try to open your heart and consider being with him again in the future...¡±

    ¡°Life is long, Wanwan. I really don¡¯t want you to grow old alone. It really is a little pitiful.¡±

    ¡°Wanwan, I¡¯m only saying these things for your own good. Think hard about what I said.¡±

    ¡°Wanwan, you should know that I hate him. After all, he got me taken into the local police station. But for you, I¡¯m willing to not hold a grudge against him.¡±

    ¡°Wanwan, I¡¯ve said everything I should have. Just think about it. It really iste, so I¡¯m going back down to get some sleep.¡±

    After Lin Muqing finished speaking, she looked at Cheng Weiwan, who seemed to not want to say anything. Then she turned to leave after saying, ¡°Goodnight.¡±

    As she heard the sound of the door gently closing, Cheng Weiwan blinked and snapped out of the daze she was in when Lin Muqing was talking.

    In light of what Lin Muqing just said, Cheng Weiwan first walked into Cheng Han¡¯s room to check up on him. Then she headed back into her own bedroom.

 Chapter 1057 - Swayed (8)

    <h4>Chapter 1057: Swayed (8)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    In light of what Lin Muqing just said, Cheng Weiwan first walked into Cheng Han¡¯s room to check up on him. Then she headed back into her own bedroom.

    She was sleepy but after sheid in bed, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep no matter what.

    She wasn¡¯t sure how long she went without sleeping, but as time went by, she became a little annoyed. She removed her covers and climbed out of bed then walked over to the window. She took a nce outside. Lately, she would look down outside her building every night before she slept and see him standing under a streetlight, smoking.

    In actuality, before Lin Muqing discovered he was showing up outside the building, Cheng Weiwan had already noticed him.

    But she just didn¡¯t say anything. Or so to speak, she was forcing herself to pretend not to have seen him.

    Just like most nights, she nced down. After she saw him, she would go to sleep like she hadn¡¯t seen a thing.

    She was avoiding the issue, just as Lin Muqing said. She was avoiding it and deceiving herself.

    She thought that as long as kept avoiding it, she could pretend he hadn¡¯t given Hanhan back or given her a big sum of money for child support and pretend he wasn¡¯t showing up outside her building every night.

    However, Lin Muqing knew her too well. Lin Muqing knew she was just pretending to be stupid and although she looked like she was fine, Lin Muqing knew her heart was deeply conflicted. She mercilessly and fatally ced the facts in front of her, forcing her to face the truth.

    Did she really have to seriously think about what Lin Muqing said and seriously consider their future?

    Cheng Weiwan knew she was swaying. She¡¯d been swaying all along, but this kind of swaying couldn¡¯t take on the fear in the bottom of her heart.

    ¨C

    In the days after Lin Muqing and Cheng Weiwan¡¯s talk, Han Zhifan appeared outside Cheng Weiwan¡¯s building every night for several nights. And he would stay longer as the days went on. One night, he even stayed there all night long.

    Actually, Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t sure what point Han Zhifan was making by protecting her from outside her building every night. However, she had to admit that after Lin Muqing said all that, his actions really did confuse her heart. Since then, she couldn¡¯t help but daydream. For example, a week after the talk, she tried to get Cheng Han to take an afternoon nap and asked the housekeeper to stay in the apartment for a while to look after him while she went to the supermarket alone to buy Cheng Han¡¯s necessities. On the way back, because she saw the word ¡°Han,¡± she thought back to Han Zhifan, who appeared every night at her apartment building. The thought distracted her, so she identally bumped into an electric bike on the road. She fell to the ground and twisted her leg.

    The person who bumped into her was a young kid. He didn¡¯t even stop and rode away.

    Her ankle wasn¡¯t twisted in terrible shape, but it hurt like crazy, so she couldn¡¯t quite stand up.

    A good Samaritan who passed by saw what happened and walked up to her. However, before he reached her side, a figure beat him to it and appeared by her side.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t notice who it was until he crouched down in front of her and asked how badly she was hurt. That was when she realized that the voice sounded familiar, so she shifted her gaze from her ankles up to the face of the person in front of her.

    It was Han Zhifan.

    His brows were furrowed intensely. There was an obvious look of anxieety on his face, and his gaze wasn¡¯t on her face but on the ankle she was covering.

 Chapter 1058 - Swayed (9)

    <h4>Chapter 1058: Swayed (9)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    He probably asked her something. She didn¡¯t say anything, so he quickly spoke up again. ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the hospital.¡±

    With that said, he reached his hand out, wanting to carry her.

    His fingers just about touched her arm when she snapped to her senses. She suddenly shifted her body back and quickly shook her head. ¡°No thanks. I¡¯m fine,¡± she replied.

    Han Zhifan felt empty-handed.

    He stared at his own fingers and forcefully pursed his lips. He wasn¡¯t annoyed by her rejection. Instead, he was a little impatient as he softly said, ¡°Then let me take a look at it.¡±

    This time, when he finished speaking, he didn¡¯t give her any chance to dodge him and removed the hand covering her ankle.

    It was just as she said. Although her ankle was incredibly red, it wasn¡¯t severely twisted. He was afraid it would be difficult for her to walk for a while.

    Han Zhifan raised his head and nced at the twenty-four-hour pharmacy ten meters down the road. Then he quietly told Cheng Weiwan, ¡°Wait here for a minute.¡± He got up and walked into the pharmacy.

    Soon enough, he walked back to Cheng Weiwan with a bottle of safflower oil. He first bent down and picked up each and every item she bought that had fallen everywhere and ced them back into her bag. Then without exnation, he bent over and carried her to an area not too far ahead.

    On the way there, Cheng Weiwan told Han Zhifan to put her down several times.

    Han Zhifan pretended not to hear her cries.

    He¡¯d been to her ce, so he drove with great familiarity to her front door.

    He didn¡¯t have the keys. She kept on saying thank you and asked him to leave. He thought about how she went to the supermarket alone. She wouldn¡¯t leave Hanhan alone at home, so she must¡¯ve hired an hourly worker. Without her permission, he reached his hand out and pressed the doorbell.

    The hourly worker quickly ran over to open the door.

    She was stunned to see that Cheng Weiwan was in Han Zhifan¡¯s arms, so she asked with worry, ¡°Miss Cheng, what happened?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I was just identally hit and sprained my ankle.¡±

    By the time the hourly worker replied to Cheng Weiwan, Han Zhifan already put Cheng Weiwan down on the living room sofa. He kneeled with one leg in front of her, held onto her injured ankle, and carefully helped remove her shoe and sock.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s feet instinctively shrank but she couldn¡¯t avoid his clutches. ¡°I can rub it on my own. You really don¡¯t have to go through all the trouble,¡± she couldn¡¯t help but cry again.

    Han Zhifan was analyzing her injury when he slightly pursed his lips and eventually chose to ignore what she said.

    After he made sure her ankle really wasn¡¯t broken and he didn¡¯t need to call Dr. Luo over, he then grabbed the safflower oil. He poured some into his palms, rubbed it until it was warm, then he started to gently rub her ankle.

    She tried to persuade him to leave several times. From start to end, he didn¡¯t make a sound until he more or less finished rubbing her ankle. That was when he raised his head and told her, ¡°I¡¯m going to use your bathroom for a second.¡±

    She pursed her lips but didn¡¯t give him a reply.

    He got up on his own ord and walked into her bathroom. After he washed his hands, he came out and before he could speak, she cried, ¡°Thank you for taking me back. I just gave Muqing a call. She¡¯s free today, so she¡¯ll be over in a moment. I really don¡¯t need to trouble you to stay here.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t give her an answer, but he didn¡¯t ignore what she just said either. ¡°Remember to apply the medicine. Try your best not to walk for two days. If you can¡¯t take care of Hanhan, I can get the housekeeper toe help for a few days...¡±

 Chapter 1059 - Swayed (10)

    <h4>Chapter 1059: Swayed (10)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    ¡°No thanks...¡± Cheng Weiwan rejected his suggestion really quickly before Han Zhifan could finish. She clearly felt the atmosphere in the room bing a little strange. After a while, she ended up getting soft-hearted and added, ¡°...It¡¯s the weekend tomorrow and the day after that, so Muqing won¡¯t be at work. Also, she lives downstairs, so it¡¯s really convenient. You really don¡¯t have to trouble the housekeeper toe over.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t insist any further. Pursing his lips tightly and nodding his head, he stayed quiet for a moment then said, ¡°I¡¯ll be off then.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan let out a soft ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t budge and stood his ground.

    It was very quiet in the room.

    After about five or six seconds, Han Zhifan said, ¡°Goodbye.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything more.

    Han Zhifan turned around and was about to raise his feet when Cheng Weiwan suddenly spoke again, as she suddenly remembered something while staring at his back. ¡°Would you like to see Cheng Han?¡±

    Han Zhifan paused his slightly raised leg in midair.

    ¡°But Hanhan¡¯s asleep. If you want to see him, then you¡¯ll have to...¡±

    ¡°Mm okay.¡± Han Zhifan finished answering as he then went to Cheng Han¡¯s room.

    He didn¡¯t stay in there for too long.

    He didn¡¯t show signs of staying any longer and nodded at the door and said, ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡± Then he walked up to the entrance area.

    For the past few days, Han Zhifan had been stressing Cheng Weiwan out a little. When he walked up to the entrance and was about to open the door, she couldn¡¯t help but cry out to him, ¡°Han Zhifan.¡±

    Han Zhifan turned his head with a hint of a pleasant surprise in his eyes, probably because she had stopped him from leaving two consecutive times.

    ¡°Could you not loiter outside my building at night from now on?¡±

    <i>So, she stopped me just to tell me this... </i>The glow in Han Zhifan¡¯s eyes instantly dulled.

    ¡°It bothers me when you¡¯re like this. I just want to live a peaceful life with Hanhan...¡±

    Han Zhifan lowered his eyes to hide the disappointment in them. WIth a gentle voice, he let out an ¡°Mhm¡± then told Cheng Weiwan, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll never be like that again.¡±

    With that said, Han Zhifan pulled the door open and left.

    ...

    When Han Zhifan reached the bottom of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s building, his footsteps came to a stop. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it up.

    It was just as Cheng Weiwan said. A short while passed when Lin Muqing returned and the hourly worker emerged from inside.

    The two of them bumped into each other back at Cheng Weiwan¡¯s home, so the hourly worker was stunned for a moment when she saw Han Zhifan.

    Han Zhifan stared at her for a while and eventually walked up to her. ¡°May I please discuss something with you?¡±

    With that said, Han Zhifan reached into his pocket for a business card then handed it to the hired worker. ¡°This is my contact information. If she¡¯s in a bad mood or if anything happens, could you please call me and let me know?¡±

    Han Zhifan was afraid she would decline, so he reached for his wallet, pulled out a pile of notes without counting, and handed them right to the hired worker.

    The hired worker agreed, took the money, and happily left without another thought.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t linger outside Cheng Weiwan¡¯s building any longer. He put out the cigarette and left Cheng Weiwan¡¯s residential area.

    Back in the car, he was deep in thought for a moment before he grabbed his phone and gave Lin Sheng a call.

    ¡°Lin Sheng, get a few people to follow her... It mustn¡¯t be easy taking care of a child. If anything happens, at least she¡¯ll have someone reliable to help her at any time.¡±

 Chapter 1060 - Forced Marriage (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1060: Forced Marriage (1)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Ever since Cheng Weiwan told Han Zhifan not to keep watch over her apartment, he really hadn¡¯t shown up again.

    At first, Cheng Weiwan still checked outside her building at night. Time went by and the spot where he once stood outside her building remained empty. She gradually stopped thinking about him and the agitation she felt also slowly dissipated.

    Her days became increasingly like the old days when she and Cheng Han used to live together, mutually depending on each other.

    Although those peaceful days didn¡¯t pass by considerably fast, winter had arrived without her realizing it.

    It snowed in Beijing when the temperature just about reached zero degrees Celsius. One day, Cheng Weiwan made a snowman in her residential area with Cheng Han. They probably exerted too much energy while ying, because Cheng Han got tired and slept really early that night.

    Cheng Weiwan was working on the ending for her new book. She wanted to publish the book before the new year, so she¡¯d been rushing the manuscript alongtely.

    She felt really inspired that day, so without knowing it, Cheng Weiwan actually wrote over three thousand words.

    She nced at the time. It was prettyte and ncing at the outline, she was probably about several thousand words away from the ending. She figured she could leave it for tomorrow to write.

    After shutting herptop, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s phone rang just as she was about to take a shower.

    Very few people would call her in the middle of the night, so Cheng Weiwan walked over to the bedside from the bathroom door, bewildered.

    She picked up her phone and nced at the screen. All of a sudden, she waspletely stunned like her pressure points were hit.

    She was curious about who was calling, and she considered all sorts of possibilities. However, never in a million years could she imagine that the only person who would never call her was actually now calling her.

    Yes. It was her father, Cheng Weiguo.

    From what she could remember, this was his first time calling her...

    Cheng Weiwan thought she was seeing wrong, so she forcefully blinked her eyes. That was when she realized her phone screen really was showing the word ¡°Dad.¡±

    Her fingers trembled as she swiped the screen to take the call. She cried out ¡°hello¡± in an unbelievably shaky voice.

    Perhaps it took too long for the call to be epted because Cheng Weiguo didn¡¯t respond for quite some time.

    Cheng Weiwan suppressed the excitement in her heart and softly asked, ¡°Did you call me to talk about something?¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow, at six in the evening,e by China World Hotel Beijing and let¡¯s have dinner.¡±

    This time, although Cheng Weiguo¡¯s tone of voice didn¡¯t sound considerably good, it was better than how he sounded when Cheng Weiwan used to call him before.

    After he finished, he didn¡¯t wait for her to respond and immediately hung up the phone.

    Although the callsted over ten seconds, Cheng Weiwan repeatedly checked the call logs several times afterward before she finally believed that Cheng Weiguo really had called her. He also invited her to dinner...

    Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t remember how many years it had been since she and Cheng Weiguo shared a meal.

    With practically no hesitation at all, she decided she would make it to dinner with Cheng Weiguo the following evening.

    Early in the afternoon, she took Cheng Han to Lin Muqing¡¯s ce. Then she took a shower, got changed and headed out the door early.

    ( )

    She arrived early, so she went to the cafe next to the hotel and ordered a cup of tea. She waited up until the time of their meeting before she grabbed her phone and gave Cheng Weiguo a call.

    Inparison to how he used to never pick up her calls, this time, things werepletely different. He quickly picked up the phone.

    ¡°I¡¯m here. Which room are you in?¡± asked Cheng Weiwan.

 Chapter 1061 - Forced Marriage (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1061: Forced Marriage (2)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Cheng Weiguo gave her the room number and warmly said ¡°See youter¡± before hanging up.

    Cheng Weiwan held her phone in shock from Cheng Weiguo¡¯s affection. She sat in the cafe for a while before she paid the bill. She put her things away and walked over to the China World Hotel Beijing next door.

    With the attendant¡¯s guidance, Cheng Weiwan was quickly escorted to Cheng Weiguo¡¯s room.

    The attendant pushed the door open and Cheng Weiwan stepped into the room to find that Cheng Weiguo wasn¡¯t alone. For dinner, there was also another man who looked about the same age as Cheng Weiguo.

    Cheng Weiwan was a little surprised. If Cheng Weiguo was meeting a friend, why would he invite her? He never allowed her to meet his friends before...

    Cheng Weiwan was stunned for a moment before she moved her lips.

    Just before she could cry out ¡°Dad,¡± Cheng Weiguo spoke first. ¡°Brother Liang, let me introduce you. This is my niece who I mentioned to you before ¨C Cheng Weiwan. Her parents passed away when she was young, so I¡¯ve adopted her under my name...¡±

    <i>Niece?</i>

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers couldn¡¯t help but clutch her sleeves when she heard those words.

    ¡°I know she¡¯s a talented woman. I heard she¡¯s written quite a few books, many of which have been made into television dramas.¡± The man Cheng Weiguo called Brother Liang looked Cheng Weiwan up and down like he was analyzing a product. After a while, he nodded in satisfaction and said, ¡°Not bad.¡±

    Cheng Weiguo seemed ted by what Brother Liang said. Without getting mad at Cheng Weiwan for not taking the initiative to greet them, he med Cheng Weiwan in an affectionate way by saying, ¡°What are you doing frozen there? Hurry ande say hello to Mr. Liang.¡±

    With that said, Cheng Weiguo looked over at Mr. Liang. ¡°Brother Liang, my niece rarely goes out and likes to stay at home alone, so she¡¯s not very good at socializing. Nor does she really like to speak, so please forgive her.¡±

    ¡°No no no, I think she¡¯s great...¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good, as long as Brother Liang likes her.¡±

    ...

    During their conversation, Cheng Weiwan found out Brother Liang¡¯s real name was Liang Yi. He was a big investor in a listedpany. His wife passed away at the beginning of the year and he had no children.

    Cheng Weiguo knew him for quite some time from what seemed like a project in which he needed an investment from Liang Yi.

    The two of them didn¡¯t go into too much detail at the dinner table, so Cheng Weiwan only knew some surface-level details.

    Dinner didn¡¯tst considerably long and it ended at half past eight.

    Before Liang Yi left, he whispered a few words into Cheng Weiguo¡¯s ear then got into the car.

    Cheng Weiwan wasn¡¯t sure what Liang Yi said, but Cheng Weiguo was very happy. He even pointed at his own car and told Cheng Weiwan, ¡°I¡¯ll take you home.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan got into Cheng Weiguo¡¯s car in disbelief.

    Not long after the car drove off, Cheng Weiwan said, ¡°Mr. Liang told me he¡¯s very satisfied with you. Later, I¡¯ll send him your number. Talk to him and make him happier. He¡¯ll really marry you.¡±

    <i>Marry you? What does that mean?</i>

    Cheng Weiwan creased her brows.

    ( )

    ¡°Mr. Liang¡¯s a certain age and he can¡¯t have children. His wife didn¡¯t leave him with children, so he was pretty happy to hear that you have a child. He says he¡¯s willing to support you and your child, and I happen to need his investment, so no matter what, you have to marry him!¡±

    It was only after hearing this that Cheng Weiwan came to realize that Cheng Weiguo never wanted to sincerely enjoy a meal with her. He only invited her because he had a use for her.

 Chapter 1062 - Forced Marriage (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1062: Forced Marriage (3)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    It was only after hearing this that Cheng Weiwan came to realize that Cheng Weiguo never wanted to sincerely enjoy a meal with her. He only invited her because he had a use for her.

    It was no wonder he stopped her from crying out ¡°Dad¡± when she stepped into the private dining room at the restaurant and said she was his niece. At the end of the day, it was all because he thought she was an embarrassment to him. If she wasn¡¯t useful to him, he wouldn¡¯t let outsiders know she was his biological daughter.

    The feeling of hope she hadst night when talking to him and when she arrived earlier for dinner was now incrediblyughable.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingertips couldn¡¯t help but clutch onto the handbag in her hand tightly. ¡°You¡¯ve always been toozy to see me. Yesterday, you suddenly called me just because I was of use to you and I could get something even better for you. Am I right?¡±

    From what Cheng Weiwan remembered, she¡¯d never spoken to Cheng Weiguo in such an agitated manner before.

    Instead, she¡¯d carried anticipation in her heart time after time. In the end, she felt like she had met a hrious end, so she really couldn¡¯t hold it in.

    ¡°But have you ever considered that I¡¯m your daughter and not a tool avable for you to use at your every beck and call?!¡±

    Cheng Weiguo noticed Cheng Weiwan was actually speaking to him like this and couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brows. He instinctively wanted to get angry, but he remembered how he needed to use Cheng Weiwan, so he suppressed the anger in his mind. After a while, he spoke with a much colder voice than before. ¡°Why are you suddenly saying these things to me? It has nothing to do with anything I¡¯ve said.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan really didn¡¯t know if Cheng Weiguo truly felt she was an annoying troublemaker or if he just wasn¡¯t bothered with her. She spoke up again because she was agitated. In the end, the brims of her eyes were filled with tears. ¡°No? From what I see, it has everything to do with it. Since I was young, have you ever truly shared a meal with me or went out with me? You haven¡¯t even gone out on a stroll with me, have you? Have you ever shown up on my birthday? I never understand why other people¡¯s fathers loved their children so much, but you couldn¡¯t. Since you don¡¯t like children, why did you have me?¡±

    Cheng Weiguo thought he had already been patient with Cheng Weiwan by not getting mad earlier, but now, seeing that she wasn¡¯t backing off, his expression turned even colder. ¡°Is this the tone of voice you use when speaking to me?! Didn¡¯t I repeatedly tell you that I was busy? I¡¯m not the same as other people! Look at the other fathers. Are they as sessful as I am?¡±

    ¡°But I would rather my father be poor than to have a father this BUSY...¡± Cheng Weiwan specifically emphasized the word ¡°BUSY.¡± He had used being busy as an excuse ever since she was little and she really believed him. Now that she¡¯d grown up, she realized he wasn¡¯t busy in actuality. He just didn¡¯t care! In fact, he felt like his daughter was dragging him down.

    ¡°Enough!¡± Cheng Weiguo couldn¡¯t take it anymore as his tone of voice suddenly sounded heavier. ¡°I have no time to waste here with you arguing about this. You still have to get to know Mr. Liang. How do you know you won¡¯t want to marry him after getting to know him?¡±

    A mocking smile appeared on Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips. ¡°Like him? Did you know that at his age, he could be my dad?!¡±

    ¡°Things like age aren¡¯t a problem. What¡¯s more, you¡¯ve done such humiliating things. You should be happy that someone¡¯s willing to marry you and doesn¡¯t look down on you for having a child...¡±

 Chapter 1063 - Forced Marriage (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1063: Forced Marriage (4)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t wait for Cheng Weiguo to finish and interrupted. ¡°ording to what you said, he¡¯s willing to marry me, so should I kneel and thank his whole family for him being willing to marry me?¡±

    ¡°In your eyes, just how worthless is your daughter? Do you think you¡¯re going to be happy as long as anyone¡¯s willing to marry your daughter?¡±

    ¡°Let me tell you ¨C I won¡¯t marry! Hanhan and I are living pretty well. I don¡¯t need to marry someone and even if I¡¯m going to get married, I don¡¯t need to get married to someone like that. If you want a marriage, you go marry him because I won¡¯t get marr-¡±

    Before Cheng Weiwan could say the word ¡°married,¡± Cheng Weiguo, who was furious from her back talk, suddenly raised his hand and pped her hard on the face.

    The driver suddenly hit the brakes at the loud sound of the p and stopped the car in the middle of the road.

    The previously-noisy car from all the screaming instantly fell silent.

    After a while, Cheng Weiwan then raised her hand to cover the part of her face that just got pped.

    Tears gathered in her eyes, but she stared right at Cheng Weiguo, unwilling to let them fall.

    Her fingertips upon her skin hurt a little and it repeatedly reminded her that her own biological father really did just p her...

    Having been so sad over never receiving love from her father since she was little, Cheng Weiwan fully imploded.

    All this time, the things she¡¯d never had the chance to say, or maybe, the things she didn¡¯t want to say to get Cheng Weiguo¡¯s love, were all rushing to her mouth.

    When she spoke again, she sounded a lot calmer in contrast to her earlier agitated state. However, every single word struck blood.

    ¡°Did I say something wrong for you to hit me? I¡¯ve said nothing wrong. Why do I have to marry him? What benefits can he give you? What good can he give me?¡±

    ¡°Now you remember you have a daughter you can use, but what about before? Why didn¡¯t you think of me then?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve never done your duty as a father for a single day. Now, what right do you have to ask me to listen to you?¡±

    ¡°I used to fantasize about you, but Iter realized that I was being foolish. Why would a father who was never even willing to nce at me be worthy of my fantasies?¡±

    ¡°In your eyes, you only see yourself, your career, your reputation, and your future. Aside from this, you have nothing in your eyes. In front of everyone, you pretend to be a kind father, but in reality? You constructed the image of a loving person. Aren¡¯t you afraid your image will copse one day?¡±

    ¡°The word ¡®image¡¯ sounds decent, but in other words, it¡¯s your ¡®facade¡¯...¡±

    ¡°A disgrace! How could I have given birth to someone so disgraceful?!¡± Cheng Weiguo¡¯s face flushed as he pointed at Cheng Weiwan like he still wanted to yell at her about something. However, he thought for a long time but couldn¡¯te up with the words. In the end, he settled for pointing at the door next to Cheng Weiwan and said, ¡°Get out! Get out right now!¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t care where the car stopped, nor how dangerous it was to get out on the highway. She didn¡¯t hesitate for a moment as she pushed the car door open and got out.

    The second she opened the car door, she heard the ear-splitting roar of Cheng Weiguo¡¯s voice, ¡°Get out of the car!¡±

    The second she found her feet, the car instantly sped off.

    Cheng Weiwan stood on the highway for a while before she walked down the long street towards the highway exit.

 Chapter 1064 - Forced Marriage (5)

    Chapter 1064: Forced Marriage (5)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    She was wearing high heels and the spot where the car stopped was quite some distance away from the exit. By the time she reached the zebra crossing with much difficulty, her feet were so grazed that she had several blisters.

    It really hurt. The heart-wrenching pain... but it couldn¡¯tpare to the pain in the bottom of her heart.

    She was exhausted, but she wasn¡¯t willing to stop. She didn¡¯t know where she was, yet she just sluggishly kept walking forward.

    The handprint on her face was very striking. Passersby all turned their heads and nced at her.

    She didn¡¯t notice a thing about her surroundings and only stopped walking when she simply couldn¡¯t walk any longer.

    There was a floor mirror in the beauty salon disy window beside her. When she swept a nce at the mirror, she couldn¡¯t help but stop.

    In the mirror, her hair was intricately styled, her makeup was carefully done, and she was wearing the shoes that she asked someone to bring back from abroadst year. She couldn¡¯t bear to wear them before, not once...

    She attentively prepared for tonight¡¯s dinner, but now...

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s gaze fell upon her face in the mirror.

    She stared at the fresh fingerprint mark on her face and her lips couldn¡¯t help but curve into a smirk.

    As she smirked and smirked, the tears she held back all night came pouring down.

    Yeah... she understood the situation. She got angry at Cheng Weiguo earlier, but when she noticed her own father treating her like that time and time again, she felt really sad anyway.

    They were biological father and daughter. They were meant to be the closest people to each other in the whole world and have an intimately close rtionship, but... they were more distant than strangers.

    She knew she shouldn¡¯t have hope for Cheng Weiguo, but she was still very sad... As for their blood-bound rtionship, she still couldn¡¯t bear to forsake it.

    The more she thought about it, the sadder Cheng Weiwan felt. In the end, she simply couldn¡¯t hold it in. She crouched down and started weeping loudly as she hugged her knees.

    ¨C

    Han Zhifan was really busy that night, so he did overtime until eleven in the evening before he called it a day.

    He hadn¡¯t had dinner yet, so his stomach was unbearably hungry. Considering that it would take a while to get home, he grabbed his phone and ordered supper.

    Before he could make the call to order supper, the person who Lin Sheng hired to follow Cheng Weiwan called.

    They said Cheng Weiwan had a meeting tonight with an unknown person, but she was delighted to go. After the meeting, Cheng Weiwan got in a car, but the car stopped mid-way when Cheng Weiwan stepped out. Then she lookedpletely distraught. Right now, she was crouched on the sidewalk, crying...

    Curiosity crept into Han Zhifan¡¯s heart as he questioned who she could¡¯ve met up with to get this upset. Without much thought, he impatiently asked for Cheng Weiwan¡¯s current position.

    She wasn¡¯t too far from his office ¨C she was just on the street behind him. Han Zhifan hung up the call, and without putting on his jacket, he rushed down the stairs and barged outside into the dark winter night.

    Han Zhifan was very familiar with the area around the office, so he easily found the ce the caller mentioned.

    At quite a distance away, he saw Cheng Weiwan crouched down by the side of the road.

    Her body trembled like crazy. He knew she was crying bitterly.

    His footsteps instinctively came to a stop. He stared at her for a short while before he walked very slowly over to her.

    ¡°Wanwan?¡±

    He called her name.

    But she ignored him.

    So he bent down, grabbed her arm, and pulled her up.

 Chapter 1065 - Forced Marriage (6)

    Chapter 1065: Forced Marriage (6)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Just when she was crying inconsbly, Cheng Weiwan sensed someone pulling her up. She instinctively raised her head and looked up.

    The sudden sight of her red and swollen eyes from crying and the strikingly clear handprint on her face came into view for Han Zhifan.

    Who pped her?

    The expression on Han Zhifan¡¯s face instantly looked sullen. ¡°Who pped you?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say anything as the tears continued to trickle down from her eyes.

    Han Zhifan¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down. He didn¡¯t force her to answer, but he dragged her arm and walked over to his office.

    After barely two steps, he realized something was wrong. He stopped, turned around and lowered his heard before he realized that her high heels were really tall. Her footsteps were really unstable...

    Without hesitation, Han Zhifan immediately picked up Cheng Weiwan.

    Back in his office, Han ZHifan ced Cheng Weiwan down on his sofa. Then he walked into the restroom and soaked and twisted a towel dry. When he stepped out of the bathroom, he handed it to Cheng Weiwan as if to signal her to use it to wipe her face.

    Cheng Weiwan had already stopped crying. When she took the towel, her lips moved, wanting to say ¡°thank you,¡± but she couldn¡¯t make a sound.

    After she wiped her face clean, the handprint on her face cleared up.

    When Han Zhifan took the towel, his tightly-sealed lips turned into a single line. ¡°Who in the hell hit you?¡±

    With her eyes lowered, Cheng Weiwan still didn¡¯t utter a world.

    Because Han Zhifan didn¡¯t know who it was, his heart felt even more stifled. He turned around and heavily hurled the towel into the sink and stepped out again.

    He wanted to open his mouth and ask again but before he could, the phone rang.

    The supper he ordered had arrived. He asked the first-floor security guards to ept it on his behalf. After he hung up the phone, he was about to head downstairs to pick it up.

    All of sudden, his gaze identally swept past her ankle as he brushed past her body. He saw bloody marks above her high heels.

    His brows creased, and he stopped for a moment then walked over to Cheng Weiwan. Without saying a word to her, he bent down and grabbed her ankle then removed her high heels.

    There were several blisters on her fair feet... It was no wonder it was so difficult for her to walk when he pulled her up and walked off with her...

    Also, why did she walk so far in high heels?

    The more Han Zhifan thought about it, the more annoyed he felt deep down. With a considerably calmer voice, he said, ¡°Wait here for me. I¡¯ll help you buy a pair of shoes.¡±

    With that said, he nced at Cheng Weiwan. He was afraid she would be bored all alone, so he grabbed the iPad on his desk and unlocked it. Then he ced it into her heads and got up. He grabbed his jacket, reached around for his pocket, and after he was certain his wallet was there, he left.

    Cheng Weiwan was the only one left in the office, so it was very quiet.

    Having argued with Cheng Weiguo, she wasn¡¯t in the mood to be entertained in the slightest. She leaned back into the sofa then stared at the millions of lights out of the tall windows in a daze as she stared at the night sky.

    After a while, she wanted to use the toilet, so she got up and walked bare-footed into the restroom.

    When she re-emerged and sat on the sofa, she identally sat on some kind of book. She shifted around and picked up the book.

    She held it in front of her eyes and finally realized it wasn¡¯t a book. It was a notebook...

    Is this a notebook Han Zhifan uses for work?

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t think too much about it and ced it on the coffee table before a photo slipped out from the notebook...

 Chapter 1066 - Forced Marriage (8)

    Chapter 1066: Forced Marriage (8)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t think too much about it and ced it on the coffee table before a photo slipped out from the notebook.

    Cheng Weiwan instinctively bent down and picked up the photo. She brought it up to her eyes and realized it was a photo of a girl.

    The girl in the photo looked really young. She was probably sixteen or seventeen years old. She had beautiful facial features and she gave off a youthful and energetic aura.

    Why was Han Zhifan keeping a photo of a girl? Don¡¯t tell me he and this girl...

    Before Cheng Weiwan could think about it more deeply, she sensed something was off.

    This girl¡¯s eyebrows and eyes are a little simr to Han Zhifan¡¯s...

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s natural curiosity made her take another nce at the notebook in her hands. That was when she realized the notebook was a little thick and there seemed to be some objects sped between the pages. She knew it was wrong to touch Han Zhifan¡¯s things without his permission, but she couldn¡¯t help but open the notebook anyway.

    There were more photos sped in the notebook. However, the photos didn¡¯t just feature the girl. There were ones with Han Zhifan too.

    The photos were taken at different times; from when Han Zhifan was little, up until he was in his twenties. The girl was in each photo.

    So, this girl knew him since they were young and she grew up with him... They look a little alike. Are they rtives?

    Just as Cheng Weiwan was lost in thought, she caught elegant handwriting from the corner of her eyes. The handwriting on the notebook wasn¡¯t Han Zhifan¡¯s.

    Cheng Weiwan instinctively lowered her head and nced at the notebook. Never would she have imagined that when she nced at the paper, she would see three familiar words: Cheng Weiguo.

    Cheng Weiguo... Why¡¯s my father¡¯s name appearing in a notebook in Han Zhifan¡¯s possession?

    Her immense suspicions made Cheng Weiwan carefully read the words in the notebook.

    After she read a few lines, she realized they were thoughts the girl had written down.

    The girl only mentioned Cheng Weiguo once in the diary. It said he was her teacher and he didn¡¯t look bad. Later on, she kept on talking about her older brother ¨C how she missed her older brother, and how she wondered if her older brother was missing her...

    Older brother... Cheng Weiwan vaguely figured out who the girl¡¯s older brother was, but she wasn¡¯tpletely sure. She turned the page and continued to read on.

    The girl didn¡¯t start off writing in the diary every day, but on one random day, she started writing several entries every day.

    She said she was a little afraid, but she didn¡¯t describe what she was afraid of in the diary. However, reading between the lines, Cheng Weiwan could sense that she was panicked and helpless.

    More than once, she said she wanted to tell her older brother, but she was also afraid this was all in her head.

    She frequently wrote in her diary for about half a month, but then she stopped for three days. When she started writing in her diary again, she simply wrote: I¡¯m done for. He¡¯s ruined me. He drugged and bullied me. He even ckmailed me with video recordings. I don¡¯t dare tell my older brother. I¡¯m afraid that after I tell him, he¡¯ll really leak the videos to the public. What am I going to do?

    Drugged...Bullied?

    Did the girl who wrote in this diary get drugged and raped by someone?

    With that thought, Cheng Weiwan continued flipping through the diary. In theter entries, the girl didn¡¯t write very often, but when she did, she wrote about feeling dirty and how she didn¡¯t want to live after that person recorded her and forced her to do it again.

    Those kind of entries appeared over ten times. In thetest entry, there was a sentence that read: I¡¯m pregnant.

 Chapter 1067 - Forced Marriage (9)

    Chapter 1067: Forced Marriage (9)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    In the second-tost entry, Cheng Weiwan learned she was called Han Zhili and her older brother was Han Zhifan.

    The only reason why she read on was because she wanted to find out who vited Lili.

    It wasn¡¯t until the final entry when Lili said she was going on the operating table the next day to abort the child and she decided to change schools to distance herself from the demon, Cheng Weiguo...

    Cheng Weiguo...

    Cheng Weiwan was obviously very familiar with those three words, but it seemed like she didn¡¯t recognize them. She stared for a long while as her mind went nk.

    The college Lili mentioned earlier is the one Cheng Weiguo works at, so the Cheng Weiguo Lili wrote about is the same Cheng Weiguo I know...

    After a long while, the gears in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mind started to turn.

    As those thoughts drifted little by little into her mind, her body started to tremble violently.

    That person who frightened Lili, drugged and raped her, and even recorded her to rape her again, turned out to actually be the Cheng Weiguo she knew...

    All this time, didn¡¯t he care about his self-image? Wasn¡¯t he most afraid of dirtying his reputation? How could someone who cared so much about their image do something so monstrous?

    Lili was younger than I am... I¡¯m his daughter! How could hey his hands on a girl so young?

    Lili didn¡¯t even have a boyfriend and she didn¡¯t get the chance to live through the most beautiful romance in her life. He ruined it just like that... ruined...

    It was no wonder Han Zhifan went after her; it was no wonder Han Zhifan nned the whole hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress act; it was no wonder Han Zhifan didn¡¯t hesitate to tell her to abort the child the second he found out she was pregnant...

    His sister was ruined by my father like that, so how could he love me?

    From the very beginning, he went for her with the intention of getting revenge on Cheng Weiguo...

    It was no wonder she was always confused about what happened. So this was why he hated her so much. This was why...

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s entire body started to tremble even harder.

    If it was anyone else, I¡¯m afraid they¡¯d probably hate me to the max, right?

    Cheng Weiwan thought there¡¯d be more entries in the back, so she turned the pages with trembling fingers. There were, in fact, words in the back, but Lili hadn¡¯t written them.

    Front the handwriting, Cheng Weiwan recognized that Han Zhifan wrote it.

    ¡°If there wasn¡¯t Cheng Weiguo, then you wouldn¡¯t have gotten pregnant and you wouldn¡¯t have died from blood loss during the operation.¡±

    ¡°Lili, big brother promises you that I¡¯ll do my best to avenge you.¡±

    Died... That woman, who was vited by her father and wanted to escape from him through getting the operation and starting her life again, died on the operating table?

    So her father not only ruined the life of a young and beautiful girl, but he actually took the life of the girl after he destroyed her...

    It was no wonder Han Zhifan treated me like that... treated me like that...

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know just how long her mind was in a mess before she heard the sound of footsteps from outside the office door.

    She knew Han Zhifan had returned.

    Cheng Weiwan, who hadn¡¯tpletely processed Lili¡¯s diary yet, instinctively put the photo back into the diary and put it back under the sofa cushion.

    Just as she finished doing all that, Han Zhifan pushed the office door open and walked in, carrying several bags.

    The moment Cheng Weiwan saw Han Zhifan, she immediately thought about Lili¡¯s diary and her body started to shiver uncontrobly.

 Chapter 1068 - Forced Marriage (10)

    Chapter 1068: Forced Marriage (10)

    Trantor: Paperne Editor: Caron_

    With the way she was now, she really couldn¡¯t pretend like nothing happened. Having to face Han Zhifan, she needed to quietly be alone for a while and carefully think about the new information she incidentally came across tonight...

    Cheng Weiwan got up without even waiting for Han Zhifan to say anything. She was afraid Han Zhifan would see something was wrong in her eyes, so she didn¡¯t dare lift her head and look at him. She lowered her head and quietly said, ¡°It¡¯ste. Hanhan¡¯s home alone, so I have to get back.¡±

    With that said, she rushed over to the door.

    After barely taking a few steps, Han Zhifan stopped her.

    Cheng Weiwan instinctively lifted her eyelids only half-way before she quickly lowered them again. ¡°I really have to...¡±

    Before she could finish, Han Zhifan pushed her back down on the sofa.

    ¡°I...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan spoke again, but she only managed to get out one word before Han Zhifan grabbed her leg. He pulled out band-aids from the bag of things he bought and stuck one on her wound.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s words suddenly cut off as she stared at Han Zhifan, who was concentrating on taking care of the blisters on her feet. All of a sudden, she thought about her father causing his biological sister to die, and her heart was overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of sadness which made her eyes water.

    She was afraid the tears in the corners of her eyes woulde crashing down and Han Zhifan would see them, so she instinctively turned her head to look out the window.

    The room was silent. After Han Zhifan took care of the injury on her foot, he put on a pair of newly-bought sneakers on her feet. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you home,¡± he said.

    ¡°No thanks, I...¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s reallyte. It¡¯s not safe to call a taxi. ¡± With that said, Han Zhifan got up and grabbed his car keys, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s bag, and the pair of high heels she slipped out of.

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t fight Han Zhifan on this. She got up and followed him out the door.

    As the door shut, she saw the jacket on the coffee table.

    When he brought her back to his office, he got a phone call. It seemed like it was take away.

    He ordered take out which he still hadn¡¯t eaten. It was early morning, yet he hadn¡¯t eatenst night¡¯s food?

    ¡°Let¡¯s go...¡± Han Zhifan noticed Cheng Weiwan standing at the office door motionlessly in a daze, so he couldn¡¯t help but cry out to her.

    Cheng Weiwan snapped back to reality then let out an ¡°Okay¡± and caught up to Han Zhifan.

    Stepping into the elevator, she shot a few nces at Han Zhifan every now and then. She wanted to say something to him, but the words only lingered by her mouth. She moved her lips, but no words escaped.

    ¨C

    Han Zhifan¡¯s diary seriously shocked Cheng Weiwan. She couldn¡¯t stop thinking about Han Zhili¡¯s diary for three whole days.

    She actually knew Han Zhifan and her father might have some misunderstanding between them. Back then, when she found out the truth while standing at the door of Han Zhifan¡¯s office, she only heard him say, ¡°If you have to me something, then me the fact that she¡¯s Cheng Weiguo¡¯s daughter.¡±

    She thought about asking Cheng Weiguo what kind of misunderstanding was between him and Han Zhifan. However, she was never able to really sit down and speak with Cheng Weiguo.

    She also wondered what kind of misunderstanding was between them, but the only thing she could think of was how Cheng Weiguo was a doctor, so they must¡¯ve had a doctor-patient issue. However, she never imagined that the problem would be as big as a grudge which involved someone losing their life...

    Every letter of Han Zhili¡¯s diary tested her silent endurance. Cheng Weiwan knew everything Han Zhili wrote was probably true, but Cheng Weiguo was, in fact, her father. Although her father had never truly yed the role of a father, she still couldn¡¯t ept that her father was that kind of person. She thought about this over and over again for the next few days until eventually, she took the initiative to call Cheng Weiguo.

 Chapter 1069 - Return (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1069: Return (1)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Maybe it was because Cheng Weiguo hadn¡¯t given up on the idea of Cheng Weiwan getting married to Mr. Liang, so this time, Cheng Weiguo quickly picked up Cheng Weiwan¡¯s call.

    Before Cheng Weiwan could speak, Cheng Weiguo said, ¡°Why are you calling?¡±

    Practically without giving any time for Cheng Weiwan to reply, Cheng Weiguo then added, ¡°Mr. Liang called me today in the afternoon. Have you reconsidered marrying Mr. Liang?¡±

    <i>That day, I made my opinion very clear. Cheng Weiguo even pped me on the face and kicked me out of the car as a result of my answer. Yet, he actually has the gall to bring up the situation about marrying Mr. Liang as soon as he picked up my call?</i>

    Deep down, Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart froze over, making her voice sound a little cold. ¡°Where do you live? I want to see you.¡±

    Regarding the incident with Han Zhili, Cheng Weiwan thought it would be better to speak to him in person. Over the phone, he wouldn¡¯t just openly tell her if it was true or not; he definitely wouldn¡¯t even talk to her about it.

    Cheng Weiguo wanted to turn Cheng Weiwan away, but at the thought of Mr. Liang, he remained quiet for a short while but eventually gave Cheng Weiwan his hotel address.

    After hanging up, Cheng Weiwan dropped Cheng Han off at Lin Muqing¡¯s ce and headed for Cheng Weiguo¡¯s hotel.

    Cheng Weiguo gave Cheng Weiwan his room number, so Cheng Weiwan immediately asked thedy at the front desk to activate the elevator to allow her to head upstairs.

    ( )

    At Cheng Weiguo¡¯s door, Cheng Weiwan pressed the doorbell for a long time, but nobody came to open the door.

    She furrowed her brows and reached into her pocket for her phone. Then she gave Cheng Weiguo a call.

    The person who picked up the call wasn¡¯t Cheng Weiguo, but his driver.

    After the call, his driver quickly emerged from the elevator with the room key to help Cheng Weiwan enter the room. ¡°Mr. Cheng had ast-minute meeting. He¡¯s in the hotel¡¯s meeting room right now, so he told me to let you in first to wait for him inside.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Cheng Weiwan replied politely.

    The driver didn¡¯t stick around. He bowed at Cheng Weiwan, shut the door and left.

    Cheng Weiguo¡¯s room was very luxurious; it was the best suite in the hotel and it was at least seventy to eighty square feet in size.

    Cheng Weiwan scanned the room for a moment before she ended up finding a seat by the window.

    This spot was really good. Through the window, she could see over half of Beijing.

    Cheng Weiwan figured Cheng Weiguo must love working at this spot while staying at this hotel. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have put hisptop and USB on the small table.

    <i>USB...</i>

    As that thought came to mind, a key point shed across Cheng Weiwan¡¯s mind.

    She was very familiar with this USB because many years ago, Cheng Weiguo had the same USB.

    She remembered that in junior high, she went to the hospital to see him because she really wanted to get closer to her father. At the time, he was in the middle of a surgery. Other doctors took her into his office. At the time, she was only young and didn¡¯t know better, so she went snooping around his office. Back then, she found this USB, but just as she touched it, he returned from the surgery and snatched the USB away. He lectured her harshly for a while then kicked her out of the hospital.

 Chapter 1070 - Return (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1070: Return (2)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    At the time, she was young, so she never cared too much about whether her father liked her. But now, thinking back, Cheng Weiguo seemed more flustered than disgusted by her.

    <i>Flustered... He was afraid I would get my hands on the USB...</i>

    She remembered that in Lili¡¯s diary, there was more than one asion when she mentioned, ¡°He used the videos on the USB to threaten me.¡±

    She was little at the time and didn¡¯t really know better, yet he was so scared of her touching the USB. <i>Don¡¯t tell me this USB was the same USB Lili mentioned?</i>

    Cheng Weiwan stared at the USB in deep thought for a while before eventually opening the hotelptop and inserting the USB.

    There was a password on the USB, so there was simply no way to see what was on it. Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know much about Cheng Weiguo, so she didn¡¯t know what the password was. She attempted multiple passwords ¨C she tried his birthday, her mother¡¯s birthday, and numbers rting to her mother and his marriage and their birthdays. Seeing as they were all incorrect, she shut theptop and pulled out the USB.

    If a USB only had some innocent data on it, it wouldn¡¯t have a password. Unless there really was some unspeakable secret stored on it...

    Cheng Weiwan stood by theptop and stared unwaveringly at the USB then put it into her pocket. Without even greeting Cheng Weiguo, she left the hotel.

    Lin Muqing had a friend who was an expert withputers. After Cheng Weiwan left the hotel, she immediately grabbed the phone and called Lin Muqing.

    Soon enough, Lin Muqing called Cheng Weiwan back and gave her the address of theptop expert.

    ( )

    Cheng Weiwan hailed a cab and headed right for the target location.

    Lin Muqing had given her friend a heads up, so as soon as Cheng Weiwan arrived, he immediately weed her in. He turned on theptop and started to guess the password.

    Lin Muqing¡¯s friend was really awesome. In less than ten minutes, he was able to crack the USB password.

    When he cracked the password, he probably scanned something in the USB, because the expression on his face looked visibly off. When he handed theptop to Cheng Weiwan, he said, ¡°Take your time looking. I still have some things to do¡± as a redness climbed up his ears.

    When Lin Muqing¡¯sputer expert friend walked into the study, Cheng Weiwan took theptop he left behind and clicked on the USB folder.

    It was filled with videos. Cheng Weiwan randomly picked one and caught sight of an unconscious girl lying on the bed as a man stripped her clothes.

    Cheng Weiwan was more than familiar with that man. He was her biological father... Cheng Weiwan.

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s face turned instantly pale.

    She didn¡¯t have the courage to watch all those revealing videos. She only watched the beginning then closed the video.

    The USB had over a hundred videos and each video was of a different girl... which also meant that her father had molested over a hundred girls?

    These videos shocked Cheng Weiwan. Inparison to when she identally read Han Zhili¡¯s diary at Han Zhifan¡¯s office, this was a bigger shock.

    She really never imagined that her own father actually did something so deranged...

    The corners of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s lips trembled as she stared at theptop screen for a long time. That was when her fingers shook and she clicked those videos again.

    She watched one video after another, carefully searching for a long time before she finally found Han Zhili¡¯s video...

 Chapter 1071 - Return (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1071: Return (3)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    So what Han Zhili said was all true. Her father really did kill Han Zhifan¡¯s sister.

    <i>It was no wonder he hated me so much and was so harsh to me!</i>

    Cheng Weiwan never dared to love and the only time she did, it ended up being a lie.

    It wasn¡¯t that she wasn¡¯t angry with Han Zhifan. But in the end, she found out that the only reason she had this kind of ending was all because of her father!

    ¨C

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t know how she got out of Lin Muqing¡¯sputer expert friend¡¯s house. All she knew was that when she snapped out of her daze, she was already standing at the door of the police station.

    Behind her, cars drove back and forth on the road. In front of her was the dignified and respectful police department.

    She tightly clutched the USB in her palms as her mind was torn for a long time. She couldn¡¯t manage to take one step forward.

    He was her biological father. Although he¡¯d never truly treated her well, she couldn¡¯t unveil his true identity with her bare hands.

    But how could she let her father just get away with it all?

    The dates were disyed on those videos. Her father did the same things to a woman justst month...

    She knew Han Zhili died because of him. She didn¡¯t know which of those hundred plus women had also lost their lives like this. Did they be crazy because of her father? Stupid? Given up on themselves? Or maybe they couldn¡¯t bear it and left this world ages ago, like Han Zhili?

    She had to stop her father. Otherwise, he would continue to ruin other women.

    It was easy to write the words ¡°to put her father to justice,¡± but it hurt to read those words. Labeling someone like that really was difficult...

    Cheng Weiwan pondered it inside for a long time before she decided to hail a cab for Han Zhifan¡¯s office in the end.

    After stepping out of the car, Cheng Weiwan stood at Han Zhifan¡¯s building entrance, hesitant to step forward.

    Just as she summoned the courage after much difficulty and prepared to enter the building, someone from behind cried out: ¡°Miss Cheng?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan turned her head and looked over at Lin Sheng.

    Lin Sheng walked up to Cheng Weiwan and said, ¡°Miss Cheng came to look for Zhifan?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan twitched her lips but didn¡¯t say anything.

    Lin Sheng rushed up to the door in front and made a hand gesture to wee her in. ¡°You¡¯re just in time. I¡¯m also here to see Zhifan. If Miss Cheng doesn¡¯t mind, then let¡¯s go up together.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan stood motionlessly on the spot.

    Lin Sheng took half a step before he sensed something was off with Cheng Weiwan and he stopped. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me I¡¯ve made a mistake and Miss Cheng was just passing by here?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan forcefully clutched the USB in her palms then harshly gulped and handed the USB to Lin Sheng. ¡°I¡¯m giving this to you.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Lin Sheng furrowed his brows with a confused look on his face.

    ¡°This is the thing he wants the most...¡± Cheng Weiwan was afraid Lin Sheng didn¡¯t understand and added, ¡°... It¡¯s about my father.¡± ( )

    <i>It¡¯s about her father... Cheng Weiguo... Don¡¯t tell me this is the USB mentioned in the notebook with videos of Cheng Weiguo bullying Lili?</i>

    <i>Didn¡¯t Han Zhifan hide Lili¡¯s situation from her? How did she find out?</i>

    The more Lin Sheng thought about it, the more confused he was. ¡°You know about Lili and Cheng Weiguo?¡± He couldn¡¯t help but ask.

    Cheng Weiwan lowered her head and didn¡¯t answer Lin Sheng¡¯s question. Instead, she said, ¡°It¡¯s best if you don¡¯t let him see what¡¯s on the USB.¡±

    Lin Sheng knew what Cheng Weiwan meant.

 Chapter 1072 - Return (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1072: Return (4)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Lin Sheng knew what Cheng Weiwan meant.

    <i>If anyone else saw their own little sister being bullied, they wouldn¡¯t be able to take it either, right? </i>

    Lin Sheng nodded slightly and took the USB from Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingers. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan really couldn¡¯t muster out the words: ¡°you¡¯re wee.¡± Even though she didn¡¯t do those deranged things, she still felt guilty. ( )

    She pursed her lips. Without saying a word, she turned around to prepare to leave.

    Before she could take two steps, Lin Sheng called out to her. ¡°Miss Cheng.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s footsteps came to a stop, but before she could turn her head, Lin Sheng¡¯s voice rang out again. ¡°He really does love you.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s body swayed slightly and all of a sudden, she wanted to stop her head from turning back.

    ¡°Actually, he already liked you before he approached you with a motive over two years ago. It¡¯s just that he kept on lying to himself because of Lili.¡±

    Cheng Weiwan¡¯s fingertips couldn¡¯t help but tightly dig into her palms.

    ¡°After you left, he thought you really did abort your child, so he looked no different from before as though you really weren¡¯t important to him. However, I caught him staring transfixed at one or two-year-olds many times. His eyes always seemed really sullen and I knew he was definitely thinking about the child you shared.¡±

    ¡°After you left, he didn¡¯t dare go to Yongyi Gardens again aside from that one time when he was drunk. I took him there but he was the one who mumbled that he wanted to go. When he stepped inside Yongyi Gardens, he cried out your name just once, but it was clear enough for me to hear it. I never dared to confront him about that.¡±

    ¡°After you showed up again with Hanhan, he might have stolen Hanhan from you, but I could tell that he was really confused.¡±

    ¡°Do you know why he let you go?¡±

    ¡°Because he found out your father didn¡¯t treat you well. He realized that his revenge plot ended up being a joke.¡±

    ¡°He let you down and you really wanted to go, so he let you go. But did you know that there was another reason why he let you go? It was because he didn¡¯t want to let Lili down. He lost his trump card, so he wanted to tie himself with your father and ruin him by opening a financial case. However, in the process of ruining your father, it¡¯ll also ruin himself...

    When Cheng Weiwan heard this, she abruptly turned around and looked over at Lin Sheng.

    ¡°...Because of this, he wanted to let you go and he also gave you and Hanhan a big sum of money... After you left, he hasn¡¯t actually been doing well. I can tell he¡¯s unhappy every day, but he probably thinks it doesn¡¯t matter since he¡¯s going to go down with Cheng Weiguo anyway...¡±

    ¡°But even so, he never really stopped caring about you and Hanhan. Every day, he would make me send people to follow you and Hanhan... He was afraid something would happen to the two of you and no one would be there to take care of you both...¡±

    <i>It was no wonder that he showed up by my side when I was crouched on the street, crying.</i>

    <i>So he¡¯s always been paying attention to my condition.</i>

    <i>So, although he promised to not show up outside my building again as per my request, he¡¯s still secretly watching over me and Hanhan... </i>

    <i>If Han Zhili¡¯s situation hadn¡¯t happened, then perhaps I wouldn¡¯t be so conflicted. Han Zhili was so innocent, yet her life was taken by my father... I¡¯m not someone who doesn¡¯t know right from wrong, nor do I not understand everything that Han Zhifan did back then... </i>

 Chapter 1073 - Return (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1073: Return (5)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan knew she should¡¯ve replied after Lin Sheng said so much.

    But her emotions were erratic and she simply couldn¡¯t think of what to say all of a sudden.

    Lin Sheng wasn¡¯t stupid. He could tell Cheng Weiwan was torn inside and he knew that one couldn¡¯t just say they¡¯d get over it and just get over it. He said what he had to say, but it still came down to how she thought about things. He didn¡¯t continue pestering Cheng Weiwan by saying nice things about Han Zhifan; instead, he left with the words, ¡°I¡¯m heading up first¡± then he added, ¡°Goodbye,¡± and stepped into the office building.

    With Cheng Weiguo¡¯s situation and Lin Sheng¡¯s words piling up in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart, her mind was inplete disarray. ( )

    She walked along the street and wandered aimlessly for a long time. It wasn¡¯t until she got a call from Lin Muqing that she quicklyposed herself and hailed a cab back home.

    If she knew what was going to happen next, she would¡¯ve definitely asked the taxi driver to drop her off outside her apartment building.

    But she didn¡¯t have the ability to predict the future. She remembered there was no food at home and she wanted to cook for Hanhan, so she told the driver to stop at the local supermarket.

    She spent twenty minutes carefully picking some vegetables and fruit, paid, and prepared to take it all home. On the way home, she got a call from Cheng Weiguo.

    When she took the USB, she knew Cheng Weiguo would look for her.

    But she never imagined that he would realize so soon that the USB was missing.

    That wasn¡¯t right. It wasn¡¯t really considered soon since the USB contained evidence that could ruin him ¨C he must pay attention to it all the time. Normally, people wouldn¡¯t notice it, but this time, she just happened toe across it, that was all...

    Cheng Weiwan pulled out her phone, stared at the phone screen for a while, then took the call.

    Just like when she called him that afternoon, she didn¡¯t manage to get a word in before he said, ¡°Did you take the USB?¡±

    Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t say a word.

    Cheng Weiguo had always carefully hidden the USB in fear of someone finding out his secret, so he even set a password on it. However, in the middle of the nightst night, he was suddenly in the mood to take out the USB. Today, he woke upte because he wanted to admire the videos on it as he got drunk from red winest night. After he got off the phone with Cheng Weiwan, he had ast minute meeting, so he hurriedly headed downstairs to the meeting.

    After the meeting was over, he figured Cheng Weiwan was waiting for him in the room. He even thought about possibly drugging her, sending her to Mr. Liang¡¯s bed, and using the footage to ckmail her just as he did with the women he had his eyes set on.

    But he never imagined that she wouldn¡¯t be in the room at all. He asked the hotel staff, who checked their security footage. They told him she left a long time ago... That was when he noticed that something was wrong. The first thing he did was look for the USB. He searched every corner of the room but couldn¡¯t find it. That was when he realized that this was serious...

    Having finished asking Cheng Weiwan that question, Cheng Weiguo noticed she wasn¡¯t saying anything, so he spoke again. ¡°Where¡¯s the USB? Did you take it?¡±

    This time, Cheng Weiwan didn¡¯t remain silent but bluntly replied to Cheng Weiguo with a single word, ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Where did you take the USB? What did you do to the USB? Give the USB back to me!¡± Cheng Weiguo¡¯s tone of voice sounded clearly desperate.

    ¡°You can¡¯t get it back anymore...¡±

    ¡°What do you mean ¡®you can¡¯t get it back anymore¡¯? I¡¯ll say it one more time. Give me back my USB!¡± Cheng Weiguo¡¯s tone of voice sounded a lot sterner.

 Chapter 1074 - Return (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1074: Return (6)</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    ¡°You really can¡¯t get it back anymore...¡±

    Cheng Weiguo gritted his teeth and roared over the phone, one letter at a time, ¡°GIVE ¨C ME ¨C BACK ¨C MY ¨C USB!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve done so many wrong things that you should take responsibility for your actions...¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t what I f*cking want to hear. I want you to give me back my USB!¡± This time, when Cheng Weiguo finished roaring, he didn¡¯t wait for Cheng Weiwan to reply and asked in an abrupt, cold voice, ¡°I¡¯m going to ask you onest time ¨C will you hand over the USB?¡±

    ¡°Sorry, I...¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear ¡®sorry¡¯ ¨C I want the USB. You¡¯re determined to not give back the USB, is that right?¡± With the USB in someone else¡¯s hands, Cheng Weiguo was a little agitated. He didn¡¯t wait for Cheng Weiwan to finish speaking and butt in again in exasperation.

    ¡°Is that right?¡±

    ¡°Is that right?¡±

    ¡°Is that right?¡±

    He asked ¡°Is that right?¡± several times in a progressively louder voice, to the point where a murderous aura rushed to his head.

    Cheng Weiwan remained silent over the phone for a while before replying with ¡°Yes.¡± However, before she could finish speaking, she heard someone beside her saying, ¡°Be careful.¡±

    The voice sounded a little simr, but Cheng Weiwan couldn¡¯t make out who it was as she was forcefully pushed away.

    Cheng Weiwan fell to the ground. The fruit and vegetables she bought scattered on the ground. The pain made her gasp as she realized that the atmosphere around her was a little odd. She saw a car stopping crookedly by the road with a personying on the ground in front of it in a pool of blood.

    The car drove right into where she just stood... so that car intended to crash into her?

    Cheng Weiwan raised her gaze. Through the windshield, she saw Cheng Weiguo sitting in the car.

    <i>I won¡¯t give him the USB, so he actually wanted to crash into me with his car... I¡¯m his biological daughter...</i>

    Cheng Weiwan stared at Cheng Weiguo in disbelief until someone cried, ¡°Quickly call an ambnce! This person looks like they won¡¯t make it.¡± Then she turned her head and looked down at the person in the pool of blood.

    She was a little far away so she didn¡¯t know who it was. Enduring the pain in her body, she climbed up from the ground and rushed over to the person lying on the ground.

    She was only able to clearly see that person¡¯s face when she drew closer.

    It turned out... It turned out... to be him, Han Zhifan...

    It seemed like Cheng Weiwan¡¯s pressure points were hit as she suddenly came to a stop. She stared wholeheartedly transfixed on Han Zhifan without so much as moving an inch.

    Han Zhifan seemed to have sensed her gaze as he tried hard to lift his eyelids and look over at her.

    The moment he saw her clearly, he actually revealed a thin smile.

    It felt like something had violently stabbed Cheng Weiwan¡¯s heart, making her entire body tremble. Then she crouched on the ground, beside Han Zhifan.

    She stared at him with trembling lips as he bled and she summoned the strength to force herself to call his name.

    ¡°Han Zhifan...¡±

    As his name escaped her mouth, the tears from the corners of her eyes couldn¡¯t help but fall.

    Han Zhifan wanted to raise his hands and help Cheng Weiwan wipe her tears, but he simply couldn¡¯t move his body.

    All he could do was move his lips and softly urge her, ¡°Wanwan, don¡¯t cry...¡±

    She cried even more fiercely.

    He knew full well that he couldn¡¯t hold out for long before he would fall unconscious. He didn¡¯t know if he would wake up after, so he had no time to keep urging her to stop crying. He spoke again but all he could muster was the main thing he wanted to say, ¡°Wanwan, sorry...¡±

    He apologized again.

    Cheng Weiwan shook her head and whimpered, ¡°Don¡¯t speak anymore, don¡¯t speak for now...¡±

    She was afraid that if he spoke too much, he would bleed even more.

    Han Zhifan didn¡¯t hear what Cheng Weiwan said and continued moving his lips. His speech was choppy but Cheng Weiwan understood what he meant. ¡°Wanwan, this time, I sincerely meant to save you. It¡¯s not the same asst time. This time, it¡¯s real...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan knew he was talking about the hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress scheme from back then.

    ¡°...Wanwan, does this count as ¡®fighting battles and bleeding everywhere¡¯?¡± With that said, Han Zhifan started coughing violently as a string of blood trickled from the corner of his lips. ¡°...I only fight battles and bleed everywhere for you...¡±

    Cheng Weiwan instinctively bit her lips, but the sound of her cries still managed to escape her lips.

    ¡°...Wanwan... It¡¯s never toote to get back on the right path...¡±

    She wanted to beg him to stop speaking and save his breath, but all she could manage while he continued to speak was the sound of her weeping.

    ¡°...It¡¯s never toote to get back on the right path... It¡¯s never toote to get back on the right path...¡±

    She didn¡¯t know just how many times he repeated those words, but his voice grew fainter and fainter. Eventually, he slowly closed his eyes and fell silent.

    The sound of Cheng Weiwan¡¯s uncontroble cries rang out.

    She heard the faint sound of the ambnce and police sirens. / ReadRead

    Though the noise, she could hear a sentence bing clearer from the bottom of her own heart: <i>Yes. It¡¯s never toote to get back on the right path. My hero finally came back...</i>

 Chapter 1075 - Epilogue

    <h4>Chapter 1075: Epilogue</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan watched over Han Zhifan every day during his stay in the hospital after the car ident. Although the two of them seemed to get along better with each day that passed, Cheng Weiwan still rejected Han Zhifan on the day he was discharged, when he suggested that she and Hanhan move back into his home.

    After Han Zhifan was discharged from the hospital, he started to drive to all three spots: Cheng Weiwan¡¯s home, the office, and his own house every day.

    Thatsted until the day He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s daughter, Green Bean, was born. Han Zhifan saw He Jichen¡¯s family of three around the hospital bed and couldn¡¯t help but ask Cheng Weiwan in an envious way, ¡°When will our family of three be able to be together?¡± Having also been emotionally touched by this family, Cheng Weiwan finally nodded in agreement.

    Living back in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s home, Lin Muqing and Lin Yinan were often around. Lin Muqing would always tease Hanhan and ask how he would rank the people in the apartment. Hanhan would always answer: Mummy, Aunt Muqing, Uncle Yinan, and Daddy.

    Having been upset by this for a really long time, Han Zhifan immediately asked Hanhan the same question on the night Cheng Weiwan took Hanhan to move into his home.

    Han Zhifan thought he might not rank first, but he could possibly rank second, right? That¡¯d be better than the fourth ranking he used to get.

    Who knew that Hanhan would answer: Mummy, Green Bean, Aunt Ji Yi, Uncle He Jichen, and Daddy...

    <i>Green Bean? Ji Yi? Chen Ge?</i>

    What the hell¡¯s this? Are they in our family?

    Han Zhifan was dumbfounded for a while before he questioned Hanhan, ¡°I said in our family. Uncle He¡¯s family isn¡¯t our family...¡±

    Hanhan stopped ying with his toys. He lifted his head, looked up at Han Zhifan with all seriousness, and answered, ¡°Green Bean is part of my family, so Uncle He Jichen and Aunt Ji Yi are also part of our family!¡±

 Chapter 1076 (END) - Epilogue

    <h4>Chapter 1075: Epilogue</h4>

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Paperne <strong>Editor: </strong>Caron_

    Cheng Weiwan watched over Han Zhifan every day during his stay in the hospital after the car ident. Although the two of them seemed to get along better with each day that passed, Cheng Weiwan still rejected Han Zhifan on the day he was discharged, when he suggested that she and Hanhan move back into his home.

    After Han Zhifan was discharged from the hospital, he started to drive to all three spots: Cheng Weiwan¡¯s home, the office, and his own house every day.

    Thatsted until the day He Jichen and Ji Yi¡¯s daughter, Green Bean, was born. Han Zhifan saw He Jichen¡¯s family of three around the hospital bed and couldn¡¯t help but ask Cheng Weiwan in an envious way, ¡°When will our family of three be able to be together?¡± Having also been emotionally touched by this family, Cheng Weiwan finally nodded in agreement.

    Living back in Cheng Weiwan¡¯s home, Lin Muqing and Lin Yinan were often around. Lin Muqing would always tease Hanhan and ask how he would rank the people in the apartment. Hanhan would always answer: Mummy, Aunt Muqing, Uncle Yinan, and Daddy.

    Having been upset by this for a really long time, Han Zhifan immediately asked Hanhan the same question on the night Cheng Weiwan took Hanhan to move into his home.

    Han Zhifan thought he might not rank first, but he could possibly rank second, right? That¡¯d be better than the fourth ranking he used to get.

    Who knew that Hanhan would answer: Mummy, Green Bean, Aunt Ji Yi, Uncle He Jichen, and Daddy...

    <i>Green Bean? Ji Yi? Chen Ge?</i>

    What the hell¡¯s this? Are they in our family?

    Han Zhifan was dumbfounded for a while before he questioned Hanhan, ¡°I said in our family. Uncle He¡¯s family isn¡¯t our family...¡±

    Hanhan stopped ying with his toys. He lifted his head, looked up at Han Zhifan with all seriousness, and answered, ¡°Green Bean is part of my family, so Uncle He Jichen and Aunt Ji Yi are also part of our family!¡±

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