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墨書 Inktalez
Time seemed to freeze in the air, and it was unclear how long it had been before Anna finally calmed down.
"Why did you call me?"
"I want to tell you about how Zheng Andy plans to take over Century Group, and where Miki is. I also want to hear your thoughts," Jin Yu Cheng said.
Jin Yu Cheng's disheveled appearance could perhaps define him as a pitiful person in some sense. Setting aside the cliché that a pitiful person must have their own faults, which has become somewhat tedious, Anna could not easily trust him or believe that this 'pitiful person' had transformed into a good person after all this time, especially considering the methods he had used against Brother Jae-seok.
"These are my matters; I don't want to say much. But I can tell you one thing: Kim Mi-kyung is not in danger. You can rest assured."
Despite having suffered greatly during this time, Jin Yu Cheng's smile always carried an unwavering confidence.
"Miss Anna, you may not have any fondness for me, but I am someone who repays grudges and also someone who repays kindness. Otherwise, I wouldn't have ended up in this situation because of Zheng Andy," Jin Yu Cheng said earnestly.
"I've already experienced that firsthand. Just because Brother Jae-seok was unwilling to meet your demands, you nearly ruined his life."
"That is my principle of conduct; it has always been so. You should understand why my daughter Kim Mi-kyung was involved in that fire with Miss Anna. I did not pursue that matter, so why must you always cling to the past?"
"The fire started for reasons related to me, but you surely know the specifics, and I was merely fortunate to escape. Even if I feel guilty towards Miss Kim Mi-kyung, that is our issue and has nothing to do with you."
Jin Yu Cheng smiled and said, "In the past regarding Yoo Jae-suk, I thought that although Miss Anna is young, she is indeed very clever and has her own ideas. I truly did not misjudge you... However, I am certain you will not stand idly by regarding these recent events."
The phone rang; Anna looked at the caller ID—it was Andy calling. She answered the phone. "Hello, Andy..." Anna glanced at Jin Yu Cheng, whose eyes flickered slightly, then continued, "Oh... I'm working overtime at the company... I'll be back soon... Okay, bye."
Seeing Anna hang up the phone, Jin Yu Cheng revealed a smug smile.
"I knew you must be questioning Zheng Andy's actions during this time."
Anna put her phone back in her bag without responding.
"If you had any doubts about him, you could have just told him about my existence earlier. I've been spreading the news that Jin Yu Cheng has escaped to the Philippines. If you were standing with Andy and told him about our meeting, I would really disappear completely. Thank you..."
Anna met his gaze, interrupting him, "No need to thank me. I'm not trying to help you. I just don't want Andy to continue making mistakes."
"Regardless, as long as our goals align, that's enough."
"Goals?" Anna was surprised.
"Of course, when someone does something, there is always a purpose. And coincidentally, our purposes are roughly the same at this moment."
Anna scoffed, "What is your purpose?"
"To reclaim what belongs to me."
"The Century Group?"
"Exactly, and I need your help."
"Oh, you're overestimating me. I don't have that kind of ability. Besides, why do you think I would help an outsider against my own brother?"
"It's quite simple. If you want your brother Zheng Andy to return to the right path, you must first strip him of his power. Only by losing that power can he no longer do the things you consider evil."
"So, you want to regain power and then do those evil things yourself?"
"I've said before, I am someone who repays both grudges and kindness. Whether you believe it or not, I've thought a lot during this time."
"If you return to your original position, what will you do to Andy? Will you send him to prison?"
"This is why we need to cooperate. If I return to my position, I promise you that I won't touch a single penny of Andy's houses, cars, or money, nor will I send him to jail. Also, Miss Anna, regarding Park Chan-yeol and S.M. Company, I can quietly handle those matters as well. However, Andy should never set foot in Korea again. Of course, the money he has now is enough for him to live comfortably abroad for three lifetimes, so you don't need to worry."
Anna has come to realize that no matter which path she takes, the outcome between her and Andy, her closest relative in this world, will only lead them to part ways.
Rather than risking everything alone and potentially causing Andy to resent her for life while in prison, it would be safer to choose this method of deception. Deep down, Anna still doesn't want Andy to hate her. Moreover, the procedure that Kim Mi-kyung mentioned likely contains some evidence that Jin Yu Cheng obtained when he discovered Andy's ambitions.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Miki mentioned that there is a program that only you know how to unlock with a specific command. What exactly is in there?"
Jin Yu Cheng smiled, "It seems you know more than I expected..."
"I just found out myself."
"In there are some highly confidential data from Century Group, as well as evidence I collected when I sensed Andy had ulterior motives. I thought I could use it to suppress him if he lost control. But unexpectedly, before I could act, he moved first and decisively made me stumble. Hmph, I really didn't misjudge this kid."
Indeed... Anna pondered. According to Kim Mi-kyung, using that evidence to bring down Andy or for blackmail would bring trouble regardless of who intervenes. If it were made public, Andy would definitely face imprisonment. Anna doesn't want to see either outcome.
"So, how should we cooperate...?"
"The first of every month is the day when all shareholders of Century Group hold their meetings."
"The first? That's the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, I need to appear at the meeting that morning, not Zheng Andy, but me."
"Even though you are no longer the chairman, everyone in the group should still recognize you."
"It's useless. To enter Century Group, even the chairman needs an access card. If I appear directly at the meeting without being discreet, I might be spotted by Andy's subordinates as soon as I step into the lobby of Century Group. At that point, it would be over for me."
"So, you need Andy's access card, and on that day, you also need me to hold off Andy..."
"That's right."
"Why not ask someone else?"
"Because you're the only one who can accomplish both tasks simultaneously. But don't worry, in the end, everyone will think it was all me and has nothing to do with you. You should understand what I mean and know what to do."
Autumn has arrived; there are already many fallen leaves in the yard. The wind and rain last night were harsh, and today's weather suddenly turned cool, catching people off guard.
Anna looks at the half-knitted scarf and wonders if she will have a chance to give it to Andy after tomorrow. After all, this is the only request Andy has made in a long time.
How did it come to this? If Anna had been a bit more domineering back then and had not allowed Andy to go to S.M. Company as a trainee, would he now just be an ordinary employee at a regular company, earning a salary from Simple, living an unremarkable life, finding an ordinary girl, experiencing love and heartbreak? Every month when payday comes around, the two siblings would go to Barbecue Restaurant to satisfy their cravings, which would be a great celebration. They would squeeze onto the subway, take the bus bravely, buy groceries and cook; they should still be in that small house.
In the future, they would meet their loved ones, bless each other, get married, and have children.
That would be a somewhat dull but stable life.
Step by step.
Unlike now, where it seems like one can reach the sky in a single leap but may fall harder and pay a greater price.
Feigning a fever, she requested two days off from the production team. Miao PD was naturally pleased, but could only apologize later. After all, time was indeed tight.
At night, Anna mixed sleeping pills into Andy's coffee; this was the second time she had done so, and it surprisingly eased her burdens and anxiety.
Confirming that Andy was asleep, with soft, rhythmic snores coming from him, Anna opened his door. This time, the dosage was much heavier than before; while it wasn't lethal, Anna felt as if she were poisoning him. He probably wouldn't wake up until noon tomorrow.
Anna put on her coat and took Andy's access card from the wall. It was just a plain white card, resembling an SBS work card. She slipped her old deactivated work card into the holder.
She handed the access card to Jin Yu Cheng, who was waiting at the agreed location. Everything would be accomplished tomorrow.
“How are you going to get in?”
“I have my ways, don’t worry.”
Andy would never expect that one day he would fall into the hands of his own people after meticulously planning every step.
Andy, all the sins you have committed will be wiped clean after tomorrow. Regardless of your hatred or resentment, leave Korea and start anew. You’ve lost your conscience once; you cannot afford to lose it again.
I have always chosen to believe in you; I never asked about what you didn’t say. Now I realize I was wrong. From the very beginning, I should have made you reveal everything so that you wouldn’t tie yourself in knots that you could never untangle.
Even if you feel that the world is unfair to you—your dreams, your loved ones, your fame, your family—all have left you… no matter what, you do not have the right to take out your misfortunes on others. Goodness is reciprocal, and so is evil.
Anna quietly opened the window in Andy's room; the autumn wind was cold.
Glancing at Andy deeply immersed in sleep, she thought that if you hadn’t completely lost your conscience, I would never choose this path no matter what. To go through so much trouble to erase your own blood ties is truly heartbreaking.
After you leave Korea, I will really have no family left on this land.
Anna closed the door and sat down in the living room, waiting for the moment when the morning sun would slowly rise.
In the past, she always felt that the night was long, very long. It was quiet and lonely. Anna just stared at Andy's door, tears streaming down her face all night.
Until dawn broke, the sounds of birds chirping, vehicles passing by, and the wind could be heard outside. The wind had not stopped all night, but now mixed with the birdsong, it finally felt less desolate.
Anna changed her clothes to cover her exhaustion, washed her face, and applied a thin layer of BB cream. Returning to the living room, she checked the time; it was already past ten in the morning. By now, the news must have come out.
She turned on the television, and sure enough, this shocking news once again dominated the screen.
'Century Group sees Jin Yu Cheng return to power as his health recovers.'
Jin Yu Cheng kept his promise and did not make Andy's situation public. Anna bitterly curled her lips; she still had her own unfinished performance to give. Thinking back to what the film star Mr. Li said, acting didn't seem like such a difficult thing after all; it was just that she truly no longer wanted to experience such feelings.
Anna took a deep breath and walked to Andy's door.
She knocked on the door. "Andy... Andy..."
After calling for a long time, she finally heard a sound from inside. Andy opened the door groggily, holding his temples, his face flushed.
"What’s wrong with you?" Anna asked, glancing at the window she had deliberately opened.
"I have a terrible headache," Andy replied.
"Why didn’t you close the window when you went to sleep?" Anna said as she went to close it. Then she touched Andy's forehead and frowned. "You have a fever. You must have caught a chill from the cold wind. No wonder you haven't gotten up after so long."
Andy looked outside. "What time is it now?"
"It’s already past ten in the morning. I’m off today. Didn’t you say you would take me to visit Century Group?"
"Oh no." Andy thought of the morning meeting and hurried to change clothes to get to Century Group.
"What are you doing? You’re sick like this; take your medicine first," Anna said.
"I don’t have time. There’s a meeting this morning. Are you still going?"
"You have a meeting; can I go?"
"It’s fine. Just wait for me in the lounge," Andy said.
"Alright, I’ll change clothes first. I’ll give you those two fever-reducing pills," Anna said as she left the room.
Looking at the two fever-reducing pills in her palm, Anna sneered at herself, wondering when she had become so hypocritical.
In the lobby of Century Group, someone was already waiting for Andy's arrival. Seeing Jin Yu Cheng, who had returned to his suit and tie, sitting confidently in the center of the lobby with a composed smile, Andy realized that everything had turned upside down.
He had deceived everyone by claiming that Jin Yu Cheng was seriously ill and had blocked all news about him, while secretly trying to eliminate him. He also knew that once Jin Yu Cheng made a comeback, his hold over him would be unbreakable. More than half of the major shareholders in the group had fought alongside Jin Yu Cheng; once he returned, everything would naturally come to an end.
Andy smiled slightly, "Hello, Mr. Kim Yoo-chung, Chairman Jin."
"Andy, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Jin Yu Cheng stood up, his gaze no longer flickering with uncertainty. He had won; relying on the information he had managed to gather while hiding in Korea and his previous understanding of Anna Zheng, he had decided to bet everything on Anna's choice. It was a high-stakes gamble that he had narrowly won but won beautifully.
"Let's talk," Jin Yu Cheng said.
Jin Yu Cheng was accompanied by two close associates, Anna and Andy, as they entered an empty conference room.
"Where have you been hiding all this time? Hmph, I couldn't find you at all," Andy sneered. Even in the face of total defeat, he showed no signs of fear.
"Me? Heh, thanks to you, I've slept in a garbage dump, under a bridge, and in a sewer," Jin Yu Cheng replied with a smile.
"I underestimated you by not eliminating you completely when I had the chance. I didn't expect it to turn into this situation," Andy said.
"You weren't soft-hearted; I just escaped quickly," Jin Yu Cheng countered.
"This round, I've lost. So tell me, what do you want?"
"I don't want a single cent of your money. Leave Korea and never come back."
Andy scoffed, "Hmph, you think you're so kind-hearted."
Jin Yu Cheng chuckled and said, "Ah, you've seen through me. Alright, I'll be honest: I'm quite fond of Miss Anna Zheng. If you let her stay by my side for five years, then I'll let you go as I just mentioned. Besides, the money you have should allow you to live well abroad. Otherwise..."
Anna looked at Jin Yu Cheng in surprise; she hadn't expected him to make such a request.
"What do you want her to do?"
"There are many things a young and beautiful girl can do. Surely you know that?"
"When did Director Jin become interested in young girls?" Andy asked.
"Men are like that," Jin Yu Cheng said with a smirk.
"Let's talk privately," Andy said.
"Okay."
Andy pulled Anna to a corner, and she thought he wanted to explain something to her. However, what Andy said next completely shattered the last bit of hope Anna had.
"Sis..." This was the first time Andy formally called Anna sister. "Please help me."
Anna felt something inside her break, causing a deep pain.
"You want me to agree to Jin Yu Cheng and stay with him for five years?"
"It's just five years. After that, you'll be free again. And trust me, once I settle down abroad, I will definitely..."
Slap!
A heavy slap landed on Andy's face.
Jin Yu Cheng smiled slightly.
Anna's eyes turned red; she had cried all night, but now there were no tears left.
"Zheng Andy..." Anna sneered and turned to leave, sitting back down across from Jin Yu Cheng.
She glared at Jin Yu Cheng. "Fine, Jin Yu Cheng, I agree to your terms, but you must fulfill your promise to me as well."
"Don't worry about that; I always keep my word," Jin Yu Cheng replied.
Andy also walked over.
Jin Yu Cheng looked at him with disdain. "I really overestimated you. Zheng Andy, leave Korea immediately, no matter where you go. If I see you in Korea again, you will definitely disappear from this earth." Jin Yu Cheng instructed those around him, saying, "Take Mr. Zheng Andy directly to the airport and make sure he boards the plane. Otherwise, neither of you will come back. Andy, a large portion of the money you have is in Swiss Bank; I believe you can find a way to access it yourself. Safe travels." Jin Yu Cheng moved his fingers, signaling goodbye.
Andy did not speak. He glanced at Anna, who had been silent with her head down, and left the conference room.
Anna never expected such a farewell. It was better this way; if today’s unexpected event hadn’t happened, watching Andy leave at the airport would have been a shadow she could never escape in her lifetime.
This was how she was—each time in despair, she would unconsciously give birth to a glimmer of hope, but reality would cruelly shatter those hopes into pieces and turn them to ashes.
"He’s already gone..." Jin Yu Cheng said.
Anna raised her head and realized that only the two of them were left in the conference room.
"Why did you suddenly make such a request? As expected..."
"As expected, I am still a despicable person, right?" Jin Yu Cheng said with a smile.
Anna scoffed disdainfully.
Jin Yu Cheng said, "I was certain that Andy would sell you out for his own survival. If I hadn't staged this scene, Miss Anna would probably feel guilty for the rest of her life."
"What?" Anna was surprised.
"I've said before that I am someone who repays grudges and kindness alike. Regardless of your initial intentions, this matter was ultimately your help to me. I promised you that I wouldn't let Andy hold a grudge against you, and of course, I can't let you feel guilty. So..."
"So you did that on purpose just now?"
"Otherwise, Miss Anna, you will never be able to let go, and you will never truly give up on Andy," Jin Yu Cheng said.
Anna was momentarily speechless.
"In any case, you should have understood the true purpose of the five-year agreement by now. Let's consider this arrangement as a friendship pact."
"Friendship?"
"What? If you want to think of it as something else, I don't mind," Jin Yu Cheng smirked.
"That's not it..." Anna lowered her head awkwardly.
"Miss Anna, you are very smart, but still too young. You must remember that in this world, there are no absolute good or bad people. Similarly, there is no unchanging good or eternal bad. Do you understand?"
"I think I roughly understand some of it," Anna said.
Jin Yu Cheng lit a cigar, took a puff, and exhaled the smoke. "As for Andy, Miss Anna, you don't need to blame yourself at all. He has long lost his true nature; he is no longer that brother of yours. Also, there is one more thing I need your help with."
"What is it?" Anna asked.
"Take me to find Kim Mi-kyung, my daughter," Jin Yu Cheng said.
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