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"But Uncle gave up everything to protect you," Zhou Ziyan said sternly.
Zhou Xuan Yong lowered his head.
"Zhou Ziyan, I know that in your heart, I have never been as important as your uncle. But this time..."
"This time, can't you show me that you are also a man of integrity?" Zhou Ziyan interrupted his father's words.
Before Zhou Xuan Yong could respond, Zhou Ziyan suddenly walked over quickly. He knelt down in front of Zhou Xuan Yong with a thud.
"Dad, even if I have to beg you, please turn yourself in. You've already done something wrong; do you really want to keep making mistakes?"
"Zhou Ziyan..."
Zhou Xuan Yong looked at his son's tear-filled eyes, and his hardened heart softened. He reached out and touched Zhou Ziyan's hair gently.
Zhou Ziyan did not move.
Zhou Xuan Yong felt even more heartbroken.
After all these years, this was the first time Zhou Ziyan had not shown any rejection towards his affection, as if they had returned to the time when he was a child.
"Zhou Ziyan, have you forgiven me for what happened with your mother?" Zhou Xuan Yong asked tremulously.
The topic suddenly shifted to Zhou Ziyan's mother, and Zhou Ziyan's expression darkened further. He took a deep breath to force himself to calm down.
"Before Mom left, she repeatedly told me not to blame you. All these years, it has been my fault for not listening." Zhou Ziyan paused, looking up at Zhou Xuan Yong's somewhat cloudy eyes due to illness. "But Dad, if I truly hated you from the bottom of my heart, I wouldn't be kneeling in front of you now."
Zhou Xuan Yong raised his hand to wipe away the moisture from his eyes. Even if he had a heart of iron and stone, at this moment, it should have melted.
Finally, he had waited for this day when Zhou Ziyan could let go. When he learned that he had an incurable disease, he thought he would never see this day before he died. It seemed that heaven still showed him some favor at this final moment.
Now, he had nothing left to cling to and could go to meet Zhou Ziyan's mother with peace of mind.
"Child, thank you."
Zhou Xuan Yong wanted to help Zhou Ziyan up, but Zhou Ziyan shook his head.
“Dad, can you promise me to turn yourself in?” Zhou Ziyan grasped his father's hand tightly. “Junxi has all the evidence against you for framing her parents. If it weren't for my relationship with my uncle, she wouldn't even give you this chance. Since you have to admit your mistakes anyway, please, don’t give up this opportunity to reduce your sentence.”
Zhou Ziyan spoke urgently and earnestly. In that moment, Zhou Xuan Yong fully understood his son's good intentions. He opened his arms and leaned down. Zhou Ziyan saw his father's intention and took a step forward to embrace him.
“From now on, remember to listen to your uncle. And about your Aunt Rhine, if there's anything you can't figure out, you can also go talk to her.” Zhou Xuan Yong instructed carefully.
“Dad, you don’t need to say these things now; we can talk later…”
“Zhou Ziyan, you should know that I am sick. My illness is worse than you think.”
“Dad…”
“But it’s okay. In my life, I have indeed done too many wrong things. For heaven to let me live until now and hear you say that you forgive me, I am already fulfilled.”
“You won’t be in any trouble.”
Zhou Ziyan held Zhou Xuan Yong tightly; he didn’t realize how much his father’s once strong body had withered away.
“Remember to apologize to your uncle and the Wen family for me. Back then, I was blinded by greed and forgot my principles. If it weren’t for me, the Zhou and Wen families would have long been like one family. Those two children wouldn’t have had to suffer so much…”
For all these years, Zhou Ziyan had been by Junxi's side, protecting her and getting involved in her affairs. Zhou Xuan Yong was aware of this. The reason he chose not to intervene was due to his own guilt; he hoped that Zhou Ziyan's kindness could make up for some of the mistakes he had made in the past.
"It's useless to talk about this now. As long as you truly repent, I believe Junxi, Jun Xuan, Uncle Wen, and Aunt Wen will surely forgive you."
"How can I dare to hope for their forgiveness? All I ask is that Junxi doesn't develop any resentment towards you or Xuan Yu because of me."
"She won't. She's not that kind of person," Zhou Ziyan said firmly.
Faced with such a complex relationship and past, initially, no one could accept it. Junxi had her moments of despair, but now she had calmed down; none of this would become an obstacle for them.
Zhou Xuan Yong nodded.
"Also, what worries me the most is you. You have been spoiled by me and Xuan Yu since childhood, living carefree for over twenty years. Now, at this critical moment, I, as your irresponsible father, have let you down. In the future, countless people will look at you through colored glasses simply because you have an unclean father."
"Dad, don't worry about that. I won't care how others see me."
"Good. If you truly can ignore it, then that's great." Zhou Xuan Yong released Zhou Ziyan's hand. "Racing is too dangerous; if possible, avoid it in the future. That girl you met in the hospital during your surgery seemed pretty nice; it's time for you to settle down. Establish a family before pursuing a career."
"Dad." Zhou Ziyan sensed something unusual in his father's tone and couldn't help but stop him.
Zhou Xuan Yong smiled.
"Alright, alright, I won't say too much. You've grown up; I believe you understand what I want to say. Go out now and bring the doctor, Aunt Rhine, and the lawyer here; I have something to discuss with them."
Zhou Xuan Yong waved his hand at Zhou Ziyan.
Zhou Ziyan knew that once his father had stopped talking, he had already made a decision.
"Okay." Zhou Ziyan replied and headed out.
“Zhou Ziyan,” he called out again.
“Is there anything else you need to say?” Zhou Ziyan turned around.
Zhou Xuan Yong gazed deeply at Zhou Ziyan.
“No matter what happens in the future, I hope you remain the person you are now.”
So kind, so just, so fearless.
“Dad.”
“Alright. That’s all. You can go now.”
Zhou Ziyan nodded slightly.
Zhou Xuan Yong watched as Zhou Ziyan's figure slipped out the door. He smiled, and as soon as he did, tears streamed down his face.
In this life, the person he felt most regretful towards was Zhou Ziyan. If there were a next life, he would do everything he could to make amends.
So, my child, we will meet again in the next life.
?
Zhou Xuan Yong committed suicide.
He left behind a note confessing all his sins, choosing to embrace death early.
Upon hearing this news, Junxi was left in shock for a long time. She never expected Zhou Xuan Yong would end everything this way. She wanted to visit the Zhou Residence to see Zhou Ziyan, but she knew that Zhou Ziyan must have many things to deal with right now.
The reporters, quick to act, would surely surround the Zhou family, making it impossible for anyone to get through. Her presence would only add to the chaos. Besides, what identity would she even have to go there?
In the end, Junxi sent a text message to Zhou Ziyan, offering her condolences.
Zhou Ziyan did not respond until three days later when he finally called. From his voice, it was clear that he was still engulfed in grief. However, he told Junxi, "The doctor said my father is critically ill. The upcoming complications will cause him unbearable pain. His choice to understand his condition is nothing more than a form of euthanasia."
It was unclear whether this statement was meant to comfort her or himself.
Junxi stayed on the line with him for a while, and gradually, Zhou Ziyan's emotions calmed down.
He mentioned that the Zhou Residence had indeed been besieged by reporters these past few days; every time he came and went, he was subjected to lengthy questioning. The Hengfu Group's stocks had plummeted due to the scandals involving Zhou Xuan Yong and Zhou Xuanyu. With Zhou Xuan Yong's suicide under duress, they were at a loss for how to handle the aftermath… Each of these events felt like a weight pressing down on him.
"Right now, only my uncle can save me," Zhou Ziyan lamented.
"What... how is he?"
"My uncle's situation isn't good either. He might be charged with obstructing justice, but we've hired the best lawyer, and he should be able to secure bail soon. Once he returns, everything will get better; I believe in him."
Junxi simply responded with an "mm," choosing not to say more.
"Junxi, you don't blame my uncle, do you?" Zhou Ziyan asked cautiously.
Junxi fell silent.
Blame? How could she not? But what difference would it make? The pain in her heart outweighed any anger she felt.
"We've all been going through a tough time lately. I hope that once this is all over, you two can still be together," Zhou Ziyan's hoarse voice came through the receiver.
As for whether they could still be together— that was no longer something she could decide.
Everything was left to fate.
In the following days, they were each busy with their own matters.
To assist with the investigation, Junxi submitted all the evidence he had gathered to the police station. His parents were quickly released and received compensation.
A few days later, it was heard that Zhou Xuanyu had also been released. Although he was under bail, it was confirmed that he would not face sentencing.
Junxi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After Zhou Xuanyu's release, he indeed lived up to Zhou Ziyan's words and turned the tide.
He first discreetly handled Zhou Xuan Yong's funeral. After taking care of the arrangements, he held a press conference to explain and apologize for everything that had happened previously.
Although his actions were extreme, Zhou Xuanyu's apology was sincere, and he received understanding from many. Several media outlets praised him during the broadcast of the press conference, describing him as "compassionate and courageous."
After the press conference, he devoted himself entirely to saving Hengfu Group and did not show his face in public again.
He also did not come to find Junxi.
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