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墨書 Inktalez
"Did you make an appointment with Alice after turning left out the door?"
When Jono heard this, he noticed the distant expression on Jin Chengyan's face. Yes, they were now strangers; why should he expect Jin Chengyan to answer her questions or fulfill her requests?
However, when it came to Yan Beiting, Jono couldn't afford to hesitate with Jin Chengyan. Whatever it was about making an appointment or being strangers could wait until she found out more about this matter!
"Tell me, why did you say that Beiting died from a stray bullet in Africa? What else do you know?" Jono stepped forward, the distance between him and Jin Chengyan only a desk apart, yet he felt as if an entire galaxy separated them.
Jin Chengyan looked up slightly, regarding Jono as if he were just another ordinary person.
"On what grounds do you question me about Yan San? As his friend? Sorry, I didn't know he had a friend like you. A lover? Are you Yan San's lover? I don't know that either. So what exactly gives you the right to inquire about Yan San's whereabouts?" Jin Chengyan's words were sharp and unyielding.
Jono adjusted his breathing to keep his emotions in check. His hands gripped the edge of the desk tightly—calm down, stay calm.
"Beiting was taken out of the operating room by me four years ago and then returned to the operating room before the explosion happened, and Ye Yun carried him out. Now you say he died in Africa; what do you really know? Did he not die four years ago at all?" Jono struggled to comprehend the situation—who was telling the truth?
Unbeknownst to him, Jin Chengyan had already stood up from his chair and walked around the desk to stand in front of Jono. He grasped Jono's arm tightly, pain shooting through her, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"What if he's alive? Would you throw yourself at him? Grateful for being saved from the operating room four years ago, giving you a chance to come back and then repaying me double?"
Jono frowned; his arm hurt too much but didn’t pull away from Jin Chengyan's grip.
"Why do you have to think so poorly and so dirty of people? Can't I hope that Beiting is still alive? Do you want to watch your friend of so many years disappear from this world without any explanation?" Jono felt exhausted—truly exhausted. If it weren't for the suspicion surrounding Yan Beiting's situation, he would never have stepped foot into Jin Chengyan's office again.
It seemed that something in her words struck a chord with Jin Chengyan, and he released Jono.
Without his support, Jono leaned heavily against the desk, feeling weak and… pain.
"You think I don't know what he did for you? If I told the Yan Family about this, do you think they would believe their Yan San died protecting a woman or that he sacrificed himself for a noble cause? Weigh that for yourself!"
Jono sank into the chair in front of the desk completely. Every word from Jin Chengyan landed heavily in his ears. If there had been any lingering hope that Yan Beiting was still alive, now Jin Chengyan’s words confirmed it—Yan Beiting could not possibly be alive.
He knew it; he knew that Yan Beiting had died in an explosion four years ago. But to prevent the Yan Family from thinking his death was meaningless, they fabricated such a story.
Pain surged through Jono's entire body, making it hard for her to breathe.
The second time she received the news of Yan Beiting's passing was even more suffocating than the first. Memories of those days four years ago, when she had relied on medication to survive, flooded back into her mind.
Jin Chengyan watched as Jono collapsed into a chair, trembling and struggling in pain. He desperately wanted to hold her, to comfort her, to support her.
Yet, his hand hovered in the air, ultimately not resting on Jono's shoulder.
Knock, knock, knock—someone was at the office door.
Had they all agreed to come and discuss life with Jin Chengyan today?
Jin Chengyan turned away. "Who is it?"
Gathering her courage, Alice opened the office door. As soon as she did, she felt the oppressive atmosphere inside.
But the imposing figure outside was something Alice didn't know how to handle.
"President, Miss Yun is here." The future Jin Family Young Mistress, recognized even by this old lady, stood there. It was clear that their president had no way to deal with this situation; otherwise, how would those rumors have surfaced?
Jin Chengyan turned slightly and noticed Jono's body stiffen at the mention of Miss Yun.
"Let her in."
"Yes." Alice left the door ajar as she went out to fetch Yunxin.
Inside the office, Jono had certainly heard Alice mention "Miss Yun." Taking a deep breath, she tried to compose herself.
"Sorry to interrupt you." Having received the answer she sought, Jono stood up, preparing to leave.
Before she could fully rise, Miss Yun entered swiftly through the door, and their collision was unavoidable.
Yunxin paused for a moment, taken aback by the scene before her. She had unexpectedly encountered Jin Chengyan's ex-wife. Should she retreat or step forward?
However, Jin Chengyan knew that Jono was inside, yet he still let her in. Was it to avoid giving her the wrong impression? Did he no longer have feelings for his ex-wife? Was it really like that...
"Ayan, my aunt told me that you like Brownies, but those made outside are too sweet. So I made some with just a little sugar, hoping it suits your taste," Yunxin said as she walked in, acting like the hostess. "Miss Qiao, since you're here, why don't you stay and try them? Let's see if my cooking matches Ayan's taste better than yours."
"Hmph," Jin Chengyan scoffed coldly.
Yunxin felt a bit confused by the cold laugh. Did she do something wrong?
But Jono understood. From the beginning to the end, the number of times Jono had cooked for Jin Chengyan could be counted on one hand. He didn't even know that Jin Chengyan liked Brownies.
"Miss Qiao has too many things to care about; how could she possibly pay attention to what her ex-husband likes to eat?" Jin Chengyan said lightly. "Are you going to stay and try Yunxin's cooking? I remember you don’t know how to make cakes."
Jono turned around and looked at the box on the desk. When he opened it, the aroma of cake filled the office.
A virtuous wife and good mother, nothing more.
In such a warm atmosphere, it was hard to refuse. Jono returned to his seat, waiting for Yunxin to bring over a plate with the exquisite pastries. She even brewed coffee, serving Jin Chengyan a cup of black coffee and Jono a latte.
Look at that; a virtuous wife and good mother clearly knew Jin Chengyan's preferences.
She was even generous enough to invite the ex-wife to sit down and enjoy some snacks together.
Didn’t that feel uncomfortable?
Jono certainly felt uncomfortable as he tastelessly ate the Brownie.
Why stay? Because just moments ago, Jono had seen legal documents related to the company on Jin Chengyan's desk. This matter had not been resolved at all. If the Jin Family really intended to take the company to court, it would be a major scandal for Qin Cheng.
That document was openly placed on the desk in front of Jono, who was responsible for the company. Was Jin Chengyan being careless or was it intentional?
"How is it? Does it suit your taste?" Yunxin asked as she sat next to Jono, leaning slightly forward, closing the distance between her and Jin Chengyan significantly. It seemed their level of intimacy was definitely greater than that of Jono and Jin Chengyan.
Who could argue otherwise? Yunxin was currently the most popular candidate for the title of Jin Family Young Mistress.
Jono was nothing more than an outdated ex-wife; the difference in importance was clear at a glance.
"Yes, it's delicious," Jin Chengyan gave a high praise.
Based on Jono's understanding of Jin Chengyan, he was not a man who pursued high culinary standards. He generally thought that as long as he could fill his stomach, it was enough. Unless it was a necessary occasion, his meals were usually quite simple.
He had no particular demands regarding dishes, and his evaluations were even less noteworthy.
Was he trying to please his new girlfriend now?
Once Jono realized this, she suddenly felt like an enormous third wheel in this situation.
But it hurt!
Seeing the man she loved deeply getting along so well with another woman—if that didn’t hurt, it would mean she had never loved him at all.
"I'm sorry." In the end, Jono still put down her fork and left in embarrassment.
After Jono left, Jin Chengyan also set down his fork, took a napkin to wipe his mouth, and looked at the brownie on the opposite side of the table that Jono had barely touched.
The cake was indeed delicious; however, no matter how good it was, it held no meaning.
"Ayan?" Yunxin tried to call out to Jin Chengyan. Just moments ago, Jono had suddenly run off, and since then, Jin Chengyan seemed to have lost his spirit, not even touching the brownie she made.
But hadn’t they already divorced? Was there still some lingering affection?
"Alice, see them out," Jin Chengyan directly pressed the intercom on the table to have Alice come in and escort them out.
A hint of anger appeared on Yunxin's face, but she couldn’t vent it towards Jin Chengyan at all.
This was Jin Chengyan; who would dare to lose their temper at him?
In the end, Yunxin could only leave dejectedly. It was fine; Melancholy was still behind her. Jin Chengyan listened to Melancholy so much; surely he wouldn’t defy the marriage arranged by his mother?
After everyone had left, only Jin Chengyan remained in the office. Habitually, he turned his large chair around and sat down, facing a vast floor-to-ceiling window. Before him lay the scenery of Qin Cheng, and beneath him was the city he could command at will.
Yet this imposing figure, Jin Chengyan, had stumbled over the matter concerning Jono. It was an experience he found utterly incomprehensible in his life.
The appearance of Yan Beiting and everything he was told left him unable to fully grasp the situation. Back then, Yan Beiting had been so determined to tear their relationship apart just to make Jono leave him, and that was what Jono herself had wanted.
No matter how many times he explained that he didn’t want to hurt her, that he only wanted to take the knife from Jono’s hand, it didn’t matter. What she pursued was not just that knife but everything he had done to her.
Had he really brought only pain to Jono? Was there not a single moment of happiness?
That couldn’t be true!
After all, he had taught Jono how to love!
Jin Chengyan took a deep breath, resting one hand on the arm of his chair to support his head.
…
Jono ran out of Jin Building, sprinting until she felt her stamina could no longer keep up with her pace. Only then did she stop, crouching on the ground and gasping for air.
This was why she wanted to leave quickly—she couldn’t bear to see him with any other woman, couldn’t stand how good he was to others, couldn’t tolerate him being friendly with anyone but herself.
Her possessiveness was particularly strong; what was hers was off-limits to others, and what belonged to others she wouldn’t bother to covet.
So when she saw Jin Chengyan and Yunxin getting along so well, Jono felt her eyes must have been red with jealousy at that moment.
But what right did she have?
She had divorced Jin Chengyan and vowed never to have contact with him again!
What was she angry about?
Even sadness was something she could no longer afford to feel.
"Miss, are you alright?" A shadow blocked the sunlight from Jono.
The voice seemed to come from outer space. Jono slowly regained her senses and looked up. With her back to the sun, she felt a wave of dizziness as she raised her head, and before she knew it, she collapsed to the side.
"Jono—" The man quickly crouched down and supported her, preventing her from hitting her head on the concrete ground.
Everything around her was hazy, and all sounds seemed to come from a distant planet. She grasped something, as if it were a lifeline, but it also felt like...
"Beiting..." Jono's hand slipped from the man's sleeve, and she completely closed her eyes, losing consciousness.
"Jono!" Yan Beiting patted Jono's face and noticed that her skin felt cold, and her hands were extremely chilly.
He had seen Jono run out of the Jin Family, sprinting wildly until she finally collapsed. How could someone faint like this?
He wanted to pick Jono up, but even a slight exertion made him feel breathless; moving at all was uncomfortable.
The aftereffects of the explosion lingered. Although he had survived, his body had become particularly weak. Just two days ago, after playing basketball with Jin Chengyan, he had shown signs of fever on the way home and was immediately taken to the hospital by Ye Yun for a forced two-day stay.
Now, he didn't even have the strength to lift Jono.
Ye Yun arrived shortly after and saw the situation. Without hesitation, he picked Jono up and couldn't help but say to Yan Beiting, "I see you won't rest until your life is on the line for Jono." Ye Yun carried Jono toward the car.
Watching Ye Yun effortlessly carry Jono made Yan Beiting's heart ache infinitely in that moment.
The embrace he couldn't provide, the happiness he couldn't give—this had been true before and remained true now.
As the car drove along the road, Ye Yun glanced at Yan Beiting in the rearview mirror, noticing his anxious expression toward Jono. She couldn't help but sigh.
"Are we going to the hospital or somewhere else?"
"The hospital." Where else could they go?
"Actually, we really don't need to care about Jono anymore. Haven't you done enough for her four years ago? Knowing that the two of you have no future, why are you still trying to play matchmaker for Jin Chengyan? Beiting, can you be selfish just this once? Even if Jono likes someone else, what's so hard about keeping her by your side?"
"Ye Yun, stop it. Let's just take her to the hospital and then leave Qin Cheng." Never to return.
Hearing Yan Beiting say this, Ye Yun finally calmed down a bit and drove steadily toward the hospital.
In the back seat, Yan Beiting lay next to Jono. Did she recognize him before she fainted?
Or did Jin Chengyan tell her?
No, Jin Chengyan promised him not to tell anyone, so he wouldn't say a word. He would never reveal anything to Jono.
No one could bear having someone leave them forever twice.
Why choose Jin Chengyan? It wasn't because he thought he was unbreakable and wouldn't feel hurt; it was simply that among so many people, Yan Beiting trusted him the most.
Despite their past, when they fell apart for various reasons, in the end, no one understood him better than Jin Chengyan.
"Beiting... Beiting..." Jono whispered in pain, as if she wanted to grasp Yan Beiting like she did four years ago. But with his entire body wrapped in bandages, she had no way to reach him. All she could do was call his name, believing that by doing so, he wouldn't leave her.
In the last moment before closing her eyes, Jono thought she saw Yan Beiting. Memories flooded her mind; now trapped in a dream, she could only grasp a corner of Yan Beiting's clothing as a form of solace.
"I'm here." Yan Beiting held Jono's hand.
Feeling the warmth of his hand, Jono held on tightly, reluctant to let go.
Hearing her anxiously call his name felt like it made everything worthwhile.
"Beiting..." Her furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and her grip loosened slightly. "Goodbye..." Having never said goodbye before, hearing the truth from Jin Chengyan today made Jono finally believe that Yan Beiting had truly left her forever.
The pain that had been suppressed in her heart for so many years and the wounds that couldn't be released ultimately needed a farewell.
Yan Beiting was slightly taken aback. But isn't this exactly the result he wanted?
With a final goodbye, Jono let him go, and in doing so, she freed herself.
“Jono, it’s really time to say goodbye.” He caressed Jono's cheek. It was the first time in all these years that they were so close, able to touch her face like a partner.
After this, there would be no more chances like this!
……
When Jono woke up, she found herself in a hospital room, the faint smell of disinfectant filling her nostrils, making her feel a bit uncomfortable.
She tried to struggle to sit up, but her legs and back ached. She suddenly remembered running out of Jin Chengyan's office and then fainting; a man had brought her to the hospital.
She thought she heard the name "Beiting." Was she mistaken?
“Jono sis, you’re awake! You scared me to death!” Xining rushed over as soon as she received the doctor’s call. After leaving Yan Beiting's grave that day, she felt something was off with Jono, and now here she was in the hospital!
With Xining's help, Jono managed to sit up.
“I…” Her throat was dry, and Xining quickly poured her a glass of water.
After drinking most of the glass, Jono felt her throat ease a bit. “Who brought me to the hospital?”
“The ambulance. They said you fainted by the roadside; a passerby called for help. How could you faint by the roadside? You must never go out alone again; it’s too scary!” Xining still looked shaken.
Jono nodded; so it was an ambulance after all.
But she distinctly remembered a man. Could she have been mistaken? Or was it just a dream?
“You need to take good care of yourself. Don’t overwork yourself anymore. Leave taking care of Qiao Lovely to Qiao Chen. It’s best if you go to Switzerland soon; the air is good there. But staying here? The baby is so unstable; can your body handle a long flight?” Xining rambled on, and at first, Jono didn’t quite understand what she was saying.
But she clearly heard the word "baby"!
“Xining, am I… pregnant?” Jono looked at Xining in disbelief.
It was impossible. After the miscarriage and the subsequent damage from medication, the doctor had declared that she was basically destined to never become a mother. But what Xining had just said...
"Yes, Jono, you are pregnant, but you must take good care of yourself. The doctor told me your health is particularly poor, and you've had a miscarriage before. If you don't protect yourself well, not only the child but even you could be in danger." Xining furrowed her brows, looking hesitant and worried. "There really is a risk. Maybe, Jono, you should consider not having this child? After all, you already have Qiao Lovely, and you and Jin Chengyan... it's not like you could be together."
Jono seemed to hear nothing else. She placed her hand on her abdomen, where there was indeed another little baby. Was it the same baby that hadn’t had a chance to stay last time?
This time, Jono wouldn’t let it leave so easily!
“Jono, listen to me!” Xining urged. Jono hadn’t heard what the doctor said, so she didn’t realize how dangerous her situation was, but Xining did!
“Xining, I want this child. I truly want it.” Jono grasped Xining's hand and gently placed it on her abdomen. “Feel it; it’s alive and precious. I want it to see the sunlight of this world, to experience its beauty. It will be the happiest child in the world, born amidst blessings and gratitude. Isn’t it wonderful? Can you feel it?”
Tears streamed down Xining’s face as she forgot about everything else; all she wanted was her Jono. She hugged Jono, crying.
“Jono, do you know that if you decide to have this baby, you might die?”
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