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墨書 Inktalez
"Son, did you have fun?"
"Yes, it was fun!"
Zhong Li Ming Jie held onto Zhong Li Fan with one hand while the other hand gently grasped Lan Xin'en's as they made their way back home, presenting a picture of a harmonious family of three. However, if only the expression on her face could be a bit more joyful, this family portrait would be even more perfect.
"Do you want to go play again next time?" he asked his son, his gaze fixed intently on Lan Xin'en, who had just released his hand and was now seated on the sofa.
"Yes!"
What a loud voice! It made Lan Xin'en jump up from the sofa immediately.
Another time?
"Mommy, what do you think?" In a final playful assault—he lunged and bumped into her, successfully pushing her back onto the sofa once more.
"Uh!" Is he going to keep using this move as he grows up? It seems she needs to buy some insurance first.
"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" With his adorable charm unleashed, who could resist?
Seeing her son completely disregard past grievances and act as if he didn’t know her identity, Lan Xin'en couldn’t help but smile despite her exhaustion. "Xiao Fan." She felt utterly drained; she believed that if she lay down on the bed, she would fall asleep instantly.
After a sleepless night and a day spent at scenic spots requiring plenty of walking, she was so tired that she didn’t even want to take a shower.
He must have planned this on purpose; she was almost certain of it.
"Can we, Mommy?"
Lan Xin'en looked at her son's cute little face and found it hard to refuse his request. The problem was that she had her own considerations that prevented her from immediately agreeing.
She wouldn’t make promises she couldn’t keep; she couldn’t be sure if she would have time to play with him in the future. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the feeling of being a family of three; it was just that there were too many issues between her and Zhong Li Ming Jie that held her back.
Noticing her hesitation, Zhong Li Ming Jie stepped forward. "Son, go pour Mommy a cup of tea. Can’t you see how tired she is?"
"Okay."
Zhong Li Fan nimbly darted into the dining room to pour tea, while Zhong Li Ming Jie naturally took a seat beside her.
“How do you feel?” he suddenly asked.
“What do you mean by that?” Lan Xin'en glanced up at him with a sidelong look. Noticing how close he was, she deliberately created some distance between them.
“Are you satisfied with the role I played?”
“Your role?” The more he spoke, the more confused she became. “I don’t understand what you mean. I’m really tired and just want to go to bed quickly. If you’re just trying to play riddles with me, then I’m not interested.”
She stood up, dragging her legs, which felt as heavy as lead, toward the second floor.
“Let me carry you up!” Without waiting for her response, he reached out and placed his hands on her slender waist, then effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
“Hey!” The sudden force startled her, and she instinctively clutched his neck to avoid falling down the stairs. “Put me down! I told you not to scare me.”
Did he deliberately try to frighten her knowing she had a fear of heights?
“I’m just worried you’re too tired, so I’m carrying you upstairs,” he said innocently, though his expression was quite mischievous.
Since their son was currently of no use to him, keeping him occupied all day had already pushed her limits. Now that night had fallen, it was adult time; the child could go to sleep on his own without being an unwelcome third wheel.
“No need! I have two legs.” As if her legs were merely for decoration? “Don’t push your luck; don’t think that just because today happened, there will be a next time.” She wasn’t one to give in every time.
“I’m planning another outdoor excursion,” he said casually as he continued to carry her upstairs, glancing back at Zhong Li Fan, who had just poured tea, signaling him to be discreet.
“Stop dreaming! I’m not you; I have many things to do and not enough time.” She shouted but felt too weak to push him away, so she resorted to verbal sparring while waiting for him to carry her into the room.
* * *
“Put me down! Let me go!” Lan Xin'en yelled.
Zhong Li Ming Jie raised an eyebrow, still holding her tightly as he looked at the bed in front of them, refusing to set her down.
"Hey, what are you staring at?" She widened her eyes, fixating on the large bed that was so close.
She wanted to sleep; she was truly exhausted. After spending the entire day with him, playing the role of the perfect family member, what more did he want?
Thinking back to their outing today, how they chatted with passersby who all assumed they were a family, she didn’t dislike that feeling. She just hadn’t yet adapted to it and couldn’t fathom why he insisted on taking her away. If it was just to prevent her from meeting Lin Guangying, he could have easily done so without going through all this trouble. In fact, he had treated her exceptionally well throughout the day. Perhaps "well" wasn’t even the right word; it was more like he had been so gentle that it left her bewildered.
This wasn’t the first time he had shown her kindness, but it was the first time it felt strange and incomprehensible.
"Xin En, would you hate living together?" he asked softly, refusing to let go of her.
"Huh?" What was he trying to do now? "Do you want to hear the truth or a lie from a subordinate trying to curry favor with their boss?"
"I want to hear the truth." Why bother with lies? Deceiving oneself wasn’t exactly fun.
Lan Xin'en pondered for a moment but didn’t know how to respond. "I guess... I don’t really like it, but I don’t really hate it either."
In truth, she couldn’t quite describe that feeling. She didn’t think there was anything wrong with it, but she also didn’t think there was anything good about it.
"So if I were to propose to you, what would you think?" Perhaps she didn’t notice how his breath hitched, how he dared not exhale as he suppressed his wildly beating heart.
In her memory, he had never seemed this nervous before; even his palms were beginning to sweat.
"Huh?" A proposal? Lan Xin'en stared in disbelief, feeling a buzzing in her ears that made her head ache slightly. She still couldn’t grasp what those two words from his mouth truly meant.
Was it another game title?
"Is it really that surprising?" Zhong Li Ming Jie replied somewhat sulkily.
He had never imagined that when proposing to a woman, she would react with wide eyes and an open mouth as if she had seen a ghost. But if others were to find out he wanted to get married, he guessed their reactions would probably be similar or even more intense than hers.
"You want to propose to me? What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to get married? Didn’t you say the person you love doesn’t love you back, so you don’t want to marry? Then why are you bringing this up now? What game are you planning this time? What are you scheming?"
Her heart raced wildly and chaotically, her breathing quickened as if she were severely oxygen-deprived. Her mind felt foggy and disordered as she spoke. But how could she calm down?
At first, it was a transaction of the flesh that brought her endless benefits, and then it was a child that secured the control of Beiheng Group. Now, what did he want to achieve with marriage?
"What can I scheme against you?" Usually, it was she who plotted against him more. "I only proposed because I want to marry you. Why do you twist such a straightforward matter? Do you think everything I do is for some ulterior motive?"
Was he really such a terrible person in her eyes? Perhaps he was in the past, but certainly not now.
Now, he simply wanted to possess her. He longed for her deeply.
"Isn't it?" She chuckled lightly, a hint of self-mockery in her tone. "Because you can't stand Guang Ying flaunting love in front of you, you resort to any means to get me; all just to mock Guang Ying's so-called love as mere self-delusion. Isn't that a scheme? And to keep me by your side, you satisfy my every desire with various benefits, even asking me to bear a child for you just to escape marriage. If this isn't scheming, then what is it?"
Zhong Li Ming Jie stared at her in silence for a long moment, his solid chest heaving violently. Suddenly, he threw her onto the bed and pinned her beneath him.
"Let me tell you what this is!" he shouted, his large hand tearing at her shirt, boldly exploring her delicate skin. "It's all because I love you. Because I love you, I've become increasingly absurd. What you call scheming is simply my desire to possess you entirely; it's because I want to make it up to you..."
Don't paint him as so despicable; he merely wished to keep her by his side forever.
"You want to make it up to me because you know you've done wrong, right?" She closed her eyes, refusing to meet his gaze, unwilling to hear his excuses. The shocking words would only sway her emotions further.
His aggressive actions suddenly halted as he supported his weight on his arms, looking down into her enchanting eyes. "Yes! I know I've done wrong, which is why I'm willing to give everything to make it up to you. I'll satisfy your endless demands at any cost; whatever you ask for, I will provide. But do you know? No man would spend ten years of his youth on a woman out of mere guilt or desire for atonement—at least not me. Yet here I am, willing to wait for you. Xin En, if it weren't for love, I wouldn't be able to give so much."
Did she understand? She should have by now.
He admitted that initially, he had indeed wanted to ruin Lin Guang Ying's proud love story, but no one could have predicted how things would ultimately unfold.
Lan Xin'en stared blankly at him and then began to dodge his gaze.
"Stop hiding from me!" he shouted fiercely, forcing his face close to hers and not allowing her the chance to evade him again. "Xin En, no matter how reckless or absurd I may be, I would never be foolish enough to give away my inherited business just for the sake of making up for a woman!"
That was the legacy left by his father; he had no reason not to manage it himself and simply hand it over because she wanted it—he was willing only because of her.
"I don't know! I don't know anything!" she argued frantically.
He was about to tell her that everything he had done for her in the past was out of love, but expecting her to believe that right away was asking too much. She couldn't understand why he chose this moment to reveal it all, even proposing to her.
She needed time to think; there was no way she could let him reduce ten years of their lives to a few simple words. It wasn't that simple. He had spent a decade on this, and so had she; neither of them had gained anything from it. He shouldn't bring these matters up now, leaving her feeling lost.
Zhong Li Ming Jie suddenly kissed her lips, passionately deepening the kiss, recklessly teasing her proud spirit and enticing her stubborn senses.
"Don't..." She gathered all her strength, using every ounce of reason to resist.
It felt like being tossed in a stormy sea, struggling against the crashing waves that nearly drowned her, gasping for breath in fleeting moments of respite.
"I will wait for you to nod. As long as you're willing to consider it, I will wait forever!" Zhong Li Ming Jie murmured hoarsely, his heavy breath brushing against her ear. "Forget Lin Guangying; I'm here!"
Lan Xin'en narrowed her watery eyes, gazing dreamily at the man before her who had always been proud and unruly, now stubborn like a child. Her heart trembled slightly.
How could she not be swayed?
If she didn't have some feelings for him, if revenge was all she sought, she wouldn't be so gentle in her methods. Perhaps she could really consider his proposal; maybe she could think about it a little more...
＊ ＊ ＊
What was that sound? The doorbell? Who could it be at this hour?
"Someone's at the door..." Lan Xin'en struggled slightly.
"So what?" Zhong Li Ming Jie snapped irritably.
"But..." That voice... Could Xiao Fan have gone to answer it? "Wait, Xiao Fan seems to have gone to open the door; that's too dangerous. The security isn't great."
She struggled to get up but was firmly held down by Zhong Li Ming Jie.
"He knows how to handle it." He shouted dismissively, nearly driven mad by the burning desire within him.
Was heaven playing tricks on him? Why did it keep interfering with him time and again?
"However, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs..." She had no friends, and at this hour, it was impossible for anyone to visit her. She had to hurry downstairs to check.
"I don't care who it is that has come; whoever it is..." Zhong Li Ming Jie said, but just then he heard the sound of the door opening behind him. He turned around, annoyed, only to be stunned into silence. "You..."
"Zhong Li Ming Jie, I can't believe you deceived me!" The woman burst out in a stream of English, tears and snot streaming down her face as she accused him of being heartless. "I thought you came to Taiwan to find Xiao Fan, but I never expected you would... I even came all the way here to find you!"
Lan Xin'en raised an eyebrow, realizing what was happening. She recognized that voice and decided it was best not to stick around.
"Where are you going?" He quickly grabbed Lan Xin'en.
"I'm just going out for a walk." She had known she couldn't trust this man! Thankfully, her willpower was strong enough; otherwise, it would have been quite a sight. "Anyway, you're busy, so just continue with your work. I won't disturb you; feel free to do as you please here."
She must have been out of her mind to waver like this; she must have been crazy to feel anything at all. Now she needed to go out and calm herself down; if she kept listening to his deceitful temptations, one day she would lose control.
"If you leave now, we really won't be able to explain ourselves," he insisted, refusing to let her go.
He had finally managed to handle the situation almost perfectly when this woman suddenly appeared. What was her name again? Who could drag her away?
"If I don't leave, it won't make any difference," Lan Xin'en sneered. "You don't need to wait for me because I don't need you to wait for me. Just take Xiao Fan back to England. And maybe you should sign a long-term contract for the Presidential Appointment Letter while you're at it—sign for ten years at once so you won't have to fly back every year."
That way, she could have some peace and quiet.
Zhong Li Ming Jie stared at her in disbelief, unable to understand how she could speak so resolutely. Did he really mean nothing to her?
"Think about it. I have my phone; I won’t disturb you any longer." Lan Xin'en glanced at the phone on the vanity and picked it up as she headed for the door.
"Xin En!" Zhong Li Ming Jie shouted, unable to believe she was ignoring him once again.
He was so close to achieving his goal; why did fate have to torment him like this?
Under the dim light, various shadows danced around like ghostly figures.
Lan Xin'en hadn't stepped into a pub for a long time, and she felt a bit out of place. With a heart full of unease, she raised her eyes to search for the person who had invited her out.
Before long, she spotted someone waving at her, and she couldn't help but admire how he managed to see her amidst the crowd.
"What's up?" she asked bluntly as she took a seat.
She hadn't expected him to invite her out, and even less so that she would actually come; the only reason she did was probably because Zhong Li Ming Jie had pressured her. She certainly didn't want to stay home and watch him flirt with another woman.
What a jerk! He had the audacity to act all righteous, almost convincing her with his passionate demeanor.
"It's been a while. I wanted to talk," Lin Guangying said softly, ordering her a juice. "You still don't drink, right?"
"Drinking doesn't matter," she replied. After all, she was feeling bored!
She never imagined that two ex-lovers could meet so peacefully after ten years, even engaging in casual conversation. However, if she wasn't mistaken, there was something strange about his expression.
"You've changed; you never used to drink," Lin Guangying remarked casually.
"You've changed too; you used to speak more directly." Taking a sip from the drink just placed on the bar, Lan Xin'en shot back without hesitation. "Guang Ying, just say what you need to say. I doubt you're interested in reminiscing."
If she guessed correctly, his main purpose for meeting was to discuss the contract that hadn't been signed today; that contract was crucial for Beiheng and equally important for Changliu Enterprises.
Her unexpected absence today must have left the senior executives of her company unable to find her, and she could only imagine how furious the directors of Changliu must be.
"I'm not here to reminisce, as you said; I'm indeed here about the contract," he paused before continuing. "I didn't expect Zhong Li Ming Jie would hand Beiheng over to you. I also didn't realize you gained not just a nominal position but also absolute authority; for you, Zhong Li Ming Jie really went all out. It makes me wonder if it’s your networking skills or..."
"Your skills in bed?" She scoffed.
So that was why he came. What else could there be left to discuss between them?
Hadn't he sworn never to see her again? People are forgetful; promises made with such fervor can change with time. There’s nothing in this world that lasts forever—only the benefits she held in her hands would not betray her.
"Weren't you also using that very thing when you jumped from my side to Zhong Li Ming Jie’s? You vain woman," Lin Guangying chuckled.
Lan Xin'en raised an eyebrow and downed her drink in one gulp.
"So what?" In her years at Beiheng, she was not a puppet CEO. What she had learned was not how to live a life of luxury, but the skills to survive in a world filled with deceit and intrigue. His little criticism meant nothing to her.
If she wanted to hear harsh words, there were plenty on the streets.
Lin Guangying was momentarily taken aback. "Hmph! If I were a woman too, I believe I could climb to an even higher position than you, without having to humbly play the role of a dispensable secretary beside the board."
"That won't do, because you lack my beauty," Lan Xin'en replied with a cold smile. "If our meeting today is merely to discuss each other's recent situations, then I think I don't need to elaborate. You must have realized through our collaboration that I am far superior to you."
"You!" Lin Guangying glared at her, slightly embarrassed and angry.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Lan Xin'en said as she set down her glass and stood up.
Had she known their meeting would be so awkward, she would have preferred to wander elsewhere rather than face him, lest she grow increasingly disappointed in him; or perhaps it was better to say that she was coming to see him for who he truly was, just as she had seen through Zhong Li Ming Jie, this man of empty words.
After showering her with sweet nothings, he immediately contradicted himself by mentioning a Blonde Woman. She had known about his chaotic personal life for a long time, but without witnessing it firsthand, she would never understand how painful it was to deliberately ignore such hurt.
Her heart felt suffocated; it was as if it were being crushed under a heavy weight.
After one drink, her mood did not improve; instead, it sank even lower. She didn’t want to go home, but she didn’t want to stay here either.
"What's wrong? Now that Zhong Li Ming Jie is back, are you busy going home to keep him company?" Lin Guangying said coldly. "Hmph! Don’t think you can charm him for long. One day you'll taste the bitterness of aging and love slipping away. Then we’ll see if you can still hold onto your position as CEO of Beiheng."
Lan Xin'en frowned slightly in annoyance but suddenly burst into laughter. "So what? Just be afraid that you don’t even have the ability to seduce your boss, nor the chance to be abandoned. You’ll only be jealous of others’ success while remaining oblivious that seducing someone requires skill and talent too. Take notes!"
Her words were undoubtedly harsh; she hoped never to face him like this again, but she could not tolerate his blatant mockery.
Seeing that Blonde Woman had already made her uncomfortable enough, the thought of returning home to face both Zhong Li Ming Jie and the Blonde Woman felt like a heavy stone pressing down on her chest.
Lin Guangying insisted on provoking her; he brought this upon himself.
"One day, you'll regret saying all these things to me," Lin Guangying shot back as he saw her preparing to leave, his words laced with malice.
"Is that so?" Lan Xin'en turned her head to glare at him, a proud smile on her face. "I never do things I regret. If you have the ability, create an opportunity for me to regret." After taking a couple of steps, she suddenly turned back as if remembering something. "By the way, I don't think we'll have the chance to meet again in the future, so if you want me to regret it, you'll need to work harder."
The implication was clear: she intended to terminate this collaboration.
In pursuing this plan, Chang Liu was a decent partner, but not the only one. If Zhong Li Ming Jie could be so carefree, why couldn't she?
With that, she left Lin Guangying fuming behind her, completely unaware of the pair of deep eyes in the corner that were locked onto her, following her as she came and went.
＊ * ＊
"Did you have fun?"
As soon as she opened the door, she heard Zhong Li Ming Jie's somewhat hoarse voice. Lan Xin'en looked up in surprise and noticed his expression was a bit strange.
"Not bad."
As she approached him, she caught a strong scent of alcohol emanating from him, causing her to frown slightly. She wondered what he was drinking for. With a beautiful woman in his arms, did he really need alcohol to liven things up?
"Did you enjoy chatting with Guang Ying?" Zhong Li Ming Jie followed her into the living room.
Lan Xin'en paused and turned to look at him in confusion.
"You were following me?" She remembered not telling him where she was going or who she was meeting. Did he really follow her right after she left?
She was reluctant to jump to conclusions, but given the current situation, it certainly seemed that way.
"I was just worried about you. You've been working hard and it's late; I didn't feel comfortable letting you go out alone." Bolstered by a bit of alcohol, Zhong Li Ming Jie leaned closer to her, his hands sliding across her slender back and resting at her waist.
Lan Xin'en's brows furrowed deeply. "What about that woman?"
Why would he have the leisure to follow her? What about that woman?
"Who knows? After I pushed her out the door, I drove straight to find you. God knows where she is now." He didn't care about that woman; he only wanted to know what she had been discussing with Lin Guangying and why she had looked so happy.
"How ruthless! She came all the way from England to find you, and you can't even offer her a cup of tea? How can you lack such basic hospitality? Besides, her relationship with you is not like that of an ordinary person. Your way of handling this is too disrespectful." Did this imply what her future would hold?
Lin Guangying was right; one day he would surely grow tired of her. But what did that matter? Why think so much? What was said was simply the truth, just a matter of time.
"What need is there to entertain a woman whose name I can't even remember?" he retorted angrily, quickly suppressing the jealousy that raged within him. "Xin En, you still haven't told me your answer. I want to know your decision—tell me now!"
In the past, he had been able to keep his composure because he knew she had no contact with Lin Guangying; now he couldn't hold it together because he had seen her laughing and chatting with him.
Jealousy burned fiercely within him, and he could hardly suppress the bitterness in his heart.
He wanted a definitive answer to steady his tumultuous emotions.
"What decision? What answer?" How could she not remember at all?
"Have you forgotten my proposal?" Was it really so unimportant that she couldn't keep it in mind? "You clearly didn't take my proposal to heart, which is why you can laugh and joke with Lin Guangying as if you were back in your previous dynamic..."
"That's two different matters. Even if I don't accept your proposal, I won't have any entanglement with Lin Guangying. You can relax; there's no need for wild thoughts. But if you insist on thinking that way, I have nothing more to say; feel free to speculate." Before he could finish, Lan Xin'en interrupted him angrily.
If there were to be any outcome between her and Lin Guangying, it would have happened long ago; there was no way it could wait until now. As for her relationship with him, no amount of proposals would change anything. She wasn't so bored as to rush into marriage only to hastily seek a divorce afterward.
"So you're saying you won't accept my proposal?" He truly couldn't believe it. "Why won't you accept? Is it because of my chaotic lifestyle? No matter how many excuses I make, I hope you can believe me—my despair is only because I can't have you."
There were no reasons or excuses; they had been together for so long that she was almost ready to let go of past grievances. So why wouldn't she nod in agreement?
"There’s no reason behind it; I just think being single is better than being married. At least I can avoid the hassle of divorce." Did such a thing require justification? In her eyes, it didn't need any reason at all.
"Besides, I'm doing well right now; I don’t need to throw myself into a grave."
There were many reasons not to marry him—not just his issues but hers as well. She simply felt that being alone was better.
"Marriage is such a beautiful thing, the lovely result of love's catalyst. How can it be called a grave?" He tried hard to persuade her, his hands firmly gripping her waist, preventing any chance of escape. "If marriage truly equates to digging one's own grave, then there's nothing to fear—at most, it's just two people sharing solitude. Xin En, marry me; whatever you want, I'll give it to you."
Lan Xin'en lowered her gaze against his solid chest, listening to his heartfelt confession, and her heart wavered slightly. However, his final added words made her eyes widen in shock.
"I won't agree!" She struggled to break free from him. "There are plenty of women around you; if you want to get married, you can choose anyone. You don't need to be so fixated on me; I'm not that special. Besides, I haven't forgotten the pain you've caused me. I can't just marry you like that, and don't think you can sway me with anything, even by trading something for me. I've already sold myself once in my life, and that's more than enough. I won't make the same mistake again. I don't think I'm foolish enough to do that."
"Don't think of me as cheap; my feelings aren't for sale, my life isn't for sale, and my thoughts are worth more than gold. No one can change me."
"That's not what I meant. I just..." What did he need to say? "I just don't know how to convince you, so..."
"If you can't convince me, then don't try. My mind won't change. Even if you threaten me with Xiao Fan, my answer will still be the same. Don't waste your efforts." Her heart ached as if it were being sliced by a knife; she couldn't bear this pain any longer. She wanted to shake off this feeling and live the life she desired without accepting anyone's changes.
Zhong Li Ming Jie stared at her blankly, silent for a while, and slowly released his hands that had been intertwined behind her back.
"Is this the life you want?"
Her heart twisted painfully, an indescribable ache spreading slowly within her like an incurable poison, yet she stubbornly replied, "Yes." She wouldn't do anything she'd regret; once she made a decision, she wouldn't look back.
"I'm not like you. All I want is one person—the one I love—someone who will cry for me when I'm no longer in this world." He said hoarsely, then smiled bitterly. "It seems we want very different things. Staying here with you seems pointless now."
Her heart raced anxiously, a sense of unease accompanying the pain—as if a serpent's tongue were probing the hardest part of her heart.
She didn't like the way he said those words, as if he were leaving something unsaid.
"Tomorrow, I'll sign the Presidential Appointment Letter for a long-term contract. I might not be back for a long time; you don't need to come see me off. I'm afraid Xiao Fan won't leave once he sees you." Zhong Li Ming Jie said lightly, his usually domineering face filled with sorrow.
Since his desperate gamble was no longer valid, there was no need for further words.
If fate insisted on making him live this way, what could he do but accept it? Continuing to entangle themselves would only prolong the suffering.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Regarding the integration of Electronic Technology into home appliances, on the production line..."
The meeting buzzed with discussions about the latest product season; however, Lan Xin'en's mind was elsewhere—she didn't even know where her heart had flown off to.
He was leaving Taiwan today, signing a twenty-year long-term Presidential Appointment Letter all at once—it was almost unbelievable to her.
The outcome had evolved into something she should have welcomed, yet she felt not a trace of joy; instead, a weight pressed down on her chest, nearly suffocating her.
Her heart raced uneasily, an indescribable anxiety challenging every nerve that had always remained calm and steady, making it impossible for her to focus on the meeting.
Why had it come to this?
She should be happy, yet happiness eluded her. Instead, she found herself repeatedly analyzing every word she had spoken, contradicting her previous thoughts. She knew she was being contradictory; she had once loved him but had been too afraid to fully invest her emotions. Now, upon reflection, she realized the root of her turmoil lay in her own cowardice and distrust of love.
Her parents' flawed examples and Zhong Li Ming Jie's misguided expressions of affection had left her more fearful of love while simultaneously yearning for it. In the process, she had hurt him as well as herself, but she was at a loss about what to do next.
Perhaps it was fear, or perhaps it stemmed from her awkward personality.
There were too many possibilities, but the underlying reason was her own stagnation; wanting something without being willing to give, desiring something yet afraid to hope…
Her thoughts had never been so chaotic, almost impossible to untangle.
She longed to see him again, even though she didn't know what to say. But right now, she truly missed him; when he left for England years ago, she hadn't felt this way. She couldn't understand why she yearned for him so desperately now, wishing he would appear before her at that very moment.
She didn't know what time his flight was scheduled for, but perhaps she could take a chance!
She wanted to tell him that she still didn't have an answer and wondered if he would be willing to give her a little more time to think things through.
She also wanted to tell him that she didn't hate him or dislike him; it was just difficult for her to express that she had already forgiven him.
However, waiting for her at the airport was an aviation disaster.
The explosion's fireball froze her blood in an instant, causing her to fall helplessly to the ground as a buzzing filled her ears.
It felt as if something was compelling her to fidget restlessly, as if she had forgotten something extremely important.
"President? President?"
The secretary's gentle calls jolted Lan Xin'en back to reality. Looking up at the secretary, she immediately said, "Have the driver bring the car around; I need to get to the airport."
She didn't know what time his flight was, but she decided to take a chance.
She wanted to tell him that she still didn't have an answer and wondered if he would be willing to give her a little more time to think it over.
She also wanted to tell him that she didn't actually hate him or dislike him; it was just difficult for her to express that she had long since forgiven him. However, waiting for her at the airport was a tragedy.
The explosion's fireball froze her blood in an instant, causing her to fall helplessly to the ground. All she could hear was the buzzing chaos around her and the sound of her heart breaking...
Dream Fulfillment
“Mommy…”
“Ah—”
Lan Xin'en suddenly opened her eyes wide, waking from a distant dream. Drenched in cold sweat, she shivered, her unfocused gaze fixed on the familiar ceiling and the familiar furnishings of the room.
“Xiao Fan?” she trembled as she spoke.
She dared not call out too loudly, fearing that if she did, she would realize that her current surroundings were the true dream.
She saw the plane crash; she knew they had boarded that doomed flight. She had known something would go wrong, but it was only at the last moment that she remembered. It was already too late; she hadn't even had time to warn them before they boarded that plane.
“Mommy, what's wrong? You've sweated so much!” Zhong Li Fan gently wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and the tears streaming down her cheeks with a tissue. “Did you have a nightmare?”
“A nightmare?” Lan Xin'en's eyes widened, her voice trembling with unspeakable fear and uncertainty.
Did she have a nightmare? Which part was the nightmare? Was it here or what had just happened? She was beginning to lose track.
“What’s wrong?” A low, sexy voice suddenly interrupted.
Lan Xin'en cautiously raised her eyes to look at the tall, handsome man beside her.
“ Mingjie?” She wasn't quite sure if it was really him.
She longed to reach out and touch his face, but she was afraid that the moment she did, he would vanish like a bubble.
The thought terrified her!
“What kind of nightmare did you have to scare this fearless woman into such a state?” Zhong Li Ming Jie asked with a smile, gently pulling her into his embrace.
Listening to his heartbeat, Lan Xin'en felt his warm body gradually warming her usually cool cheeks, hands, and chest. His steady heartbeat slowly soothed her deep-seated fear, and her heart finally began to calm down. “I dreamed of a plane crash, and I couldn’t stop it.”
Thank goodness it was just a dream, thank goodness it was just a dream.
“You…” Zhong Li Ming Jie suddenly burst into laughter.
“What… what’s wrong?” Did she say something wrong?
Zhong Li Ming Jie laughed until tears streamed down his face, yet the corners of his eyes and lips held an indescribable satisfaction.
“What’s going on?”
Lan Xin'en felt that something was off, but she had just woken up and wasn’t fully alert; she couldn’t figure out what the problem was.
“Are you still half-asleep? At that time—”
＊ ＊ ＊
“No—”
The piercing scream shattered the sky, drawing attention even amidst the bustling chaos of the airport.
How could this happen?
She didn’t want this; she had never wished for it, yet she had orchestrated this entire scene herself.
Why couldn’t she face it calmly? Why couldn’t she confront her own feelings? She knew that if she just reached out her hand, she could hold onto him. If only she were willing to call his name, he would come to her side. Why couldn’t she extend her hand or voice her call?
Why must she watch the tragic scene of eternal separation unfold before her eyes?
Why has this cliché, melodramatic plot cruelly befallen her? She had merely kept her feelings unspoken; did it warrant such treatment?
Though she had never voiced it, that did not mean she did not love him. As long as he could live under the same sky as her, she would be content. Why, then, did fate deny her even this small happiness?
As for the son she had never shown kindness to, it wasn’t that she didn’t love him; rather, she felt guilty. She hadn’t personally guided him through this world, and thus she couldn’t bear to let him know her true identity.
Give her a chance to start over; grant her a moment of redemption. Don’t let her live a life filled with regret for what she never did… She didn’t want this life. Return her lover and son to her!
“Give them back to me; I would give up everything…”
Is that really true?
Lan Xin'en suddenly lifted her head from her palms, only to see the distant airport engulfed in flames, the air filled with piercing sirens and chaotic footsteps.
Though no one stood beside her, why did she hear a voice so familiar?
Do you truly wish to start everything anew?
“Who is it?” she murmured to herself.
Am I going crazy? Why do I hear someone calling me when there’s no one around?
Perhaps going mad would allow her to forget everything; maybe then she would feel a little better…
Do you want to forget everything now, or do you want to start over?
With despair overwhelming her, Lan Xin'en’s almond-shaped eyes brimmed with tears as she stared blankly into the distance, feeling the hollow beat of her heart. Silent tears slid down her tear-stained cheeks once more.
“If I could, I would want everything to start over; I want to change the ending…”
Whether the voice belonged to a god or a demon, or if it was merely a figment of her imagination mattered little. As long as it could take her back to a point where she could alter the outcome, she would pay any price.
"Is it because you want that person to live?"
"Mm..."
"Then do you love that person?"
"It's just a pity I never got the chance to tell him..." This would be the greatest regret of her life.
"Then it seems your wish has come true!"
Lan Xin'en closed her tear-filled eyes heavily, allowing the tears to wash over her face as she waited for that voice to guide her back to the past.
Before long, she felt someone touching her body, strong arms lifting her up, a broad and sturdy chest for her to lean against. She wanted to open her eyes but found no strength, so she let that person hold her tightly.
"Xin En, let's go home!"
Lan Xin'en suddenly opened her eyes, her watery gaze fixed on the smiling face that loomed before her...
Is it really him? Has she truly returned to the crossroads?
"Mama, Daddy and I heard everything!" Zhong Li Fan then jumped out from the side, his smile identical to his father's.
Lan Xin'en was stunned, unable to comprehend at first. She just widened her eyes as tears streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry!" The father and son exclaimed in unison. Zhong Li Ming Jie quickly explained, "We didn't even get on the plane. Xiao Fan kept insisting on finding you, so I decided to swing by the company first. After realizing you weren't there, I was ready to give up and head back to England. But as soon as we got outside, we heard someone mention a plane crash. I rushed over with Xiao Fan and just happened to see you..."
Lan Xin'en blinked in disbelief, slowly widening her eyes again as she trembled and asked, "Then what was that voice just now?"
"It was my voice." He should have sounded apologetic, but he couldn't help but smile. "I really didn't expect you to love me so much."
He said this with a gentle smile.
"I see now!" She should have been angry or embarrassed, but the tears wouldn't stop flowing. Her body felt too weak to muster any strength, so she let him hold her close, listening to the calming rhythm of his heartbeat as it soothed her nearly scattered thoughts. "As long as you both are safe, that's all that matters."
She felt that he could see everything about her, and there was no point in being awkward any longer. All she wanted now was to hold him and their son tightly, wrapping her hands around the happiness that rightfully belonged to her.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Do you remember now?” Zhong Li Ming Jie stole a sweet kiss from her lips.
In a daze, Lan Xin'en slowly gathered her scattered thoughts, gradually realizing that the illusion she had experienced before was merely a dream, a reminder not to be stubborn any longer and not to push away the happiness that was within her reach.
She couldn't bring herself to say anything mushy, but she could return a passionate kiss.
Zhong Li Ming Jie was somewhat taken aback but still thoroughly enjoyed her kiss, relishing in her usual shy yet captivating allure.
“Aren't you two forgetting about me?” Zhong Li Fan said with annoyance, tilting his head and glaring at his parents who were lost in their passion, rudely interrupting them like Cheng Yaojin.
“We'll talk about it later.” It was rare for Xin'en to be so proactive; how could he let this opportunity slip away?
“I don’t care! You both promised to take me out to play. How can you let Mommy take a nap here and then forget about me?” Zhong Li Fan shouted angrily. Seeing that they had no intention of acknowledging him only fueled his desire for attention as he rushed into their midst, determined to stop them from getting cozy again.
Little did he know, he was unceremoniously tossed out of the room.
No way! Zhong Li Fan stared at the door and couldn't help but yell, “I’m telling you, you better open this door! Otherwise, I’m running away from home!”
This was his only trick; even though Daddy wouldn’t fall for it, surely Mommy would react a little?
Unfortunately, he waited for a long time but only heard some muffled sounds that made his face flush and heart race, which only made him more furious.
Did they really think he wouldn’t dare run away? They would regret it; they definitely would!
He just knew they didn’t love him. His birth had never been welcomed. He was merely a bargaining chip used by Daddy and Mommy after their indulgence; he was just a fertilized egg being exploited. They didn’t genuinely want him—boohoo!
He wiped away the tears that threatened to spill over and angrily walked downstairs. Fine, if they didn’t want him, he refused to believe there wasn’t anyone in this world who would want him.
Zhong Li Fan picked up his luggage, left a note on the coffee table, and swaggered out the door.
As he walked, the sky suddenly opened up, pouring rain down on him. Zhong Li Fan couldn't help but glare at the dark gray heavens, feeling a surge of anger towards the world.
He had made up his mind; he would not only run away from home, but he would also be a bad kid. He was determined to make them regret it!
Zhong Li Fan quickened his pace, desperately holding back the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. In his heart, he resolved to embrace his greatest ambition—becoming a villain!
He wanted to make them sad, to make them hurt, to make them regret their actions!
“Hey, do you want an umbrella?”
Zhong Li Fan felt a shadow loom over him and looked up, annoyed. His gaze locked onto the girl standing before him, her delicate face framed by striking features.
“Where are you going? Do you want me to walk you home?” she asked.
He quickly wiped away the tears in his eyes and brushed his rain-soaked hair back, forcing a gentlemanly smile. “May I ask where you’re headed? Let me walk you home.”
The girl smiled and pointed down the path he had just taken. “I live up there.”
“What a coincidence! So do I!”
“Really?”
“Yeah! Let’s go!” Without hesitation, Zhong Li Fan took the lead and started walking back with her.
A villain? An ambition?
He would think about that after he experienced heartbreak!
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