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墨書 Inktalez
"What's that? Shen Yunchong is getting married?"
Zhou Xuanyu looked up.
Galen's heart, which had been hanging in the balance, finally found some peace. This was the longest sentence Zhou Xuanyu had spoken to her since returning to Hengfu Group, and it was not the usual cold indifference; it finally carried some emotion.
"Yes. Didn't the news come out a while ago? I heard it's been scheduled for these next few days."
"Who's the bride?"
"Isn't it Junxi?" Galen blurted out. As soon as she said it, she realized it was inappropriate.
Junxi felt embarrassed.
Zhou Xuanyu's expression darkened, and he fell silent again.
"Mr. Zhou..." Galen called softly.
The overcast skies had not yet cleared, and now it seemed another storm was approaching.
"How has Zhou Ziyan been lately?"
Galen did not expect Zhou Xuanyu to suddenly change the subject and ask about Zhou Ziyan. She paused for a few seconds before replying, "After the funeral, Zhou Ziyan moved back to the Zhou family. She stayed indoors for the first half of the month, but I heard she went out to meet friends last week."
Zhou Xuanyu nodded.
All of this would eventually pass. After this incident, Zhou Ziyan would surely grow a lot.
"Contact Zhou Ziyan and ask her to come see me," Zhou Xuanyu said.
Galen was unsure why Zhou Xuanyu suddenly wanted to see Zhou Ziyan, but she still responded affirmatively.
"I'll head out now."
"Wait a moment."
"Yes," Galen turned back.
"Manager Gao, you've worked hard during this time."
Zhou Xuanyu looked at Galen with sincere appreciation.
The suicide of Zhou Xuan Yong was also a significant blow for Galen. However, she suppressed her pain and held up Hengfu Group for the Zhou family. Although it had only been a few days, those days were crucial for Hengfu Group. After all, when a company is filled with anxiety, it is also on the brink of danger.
Galen did not expect that Zhou Xuanyu had stopped her just to say this. Her eyes welled up with emotion.
“Mr. Zhou, you are too polite. Your elder brother treated me well when he was alive, and now the only thing I can do for him is to guard his territory.”
Galen smiled at Zhou Xuanyu before turning to leave. Her steps were slightly unsteady; although she hid it well, Zhou Xuanyu noticed. He let out a quiet sigh, trying to refocus on the computer screen, but concentration eluded him.
Before long, Zhou Ziyan came over. He was dressed simply but appeared in good spirits.
“Uncle, you called for me?”
“Yes.” Zhou Xuanyu gestured to the seat across from him. “Sit down.”
“What’s going on?”
“Have you heard that Shen Yunchong is getting married?”
“What?” Zhou Ziyan exclaimed. “To whom? Junxi?”
“I just received the news; I don’t know who it is yet.”
“It can’t really be Junxi, can it?” Zhou Ziyan stood up from his chair, looking restless. “That fool! Didn’t they agree on something back then? How can she just go and get married?”
Zhou Ziyan's agitated demeanor only made Zhou Xuanyu feel more unsettled.
“Zhou Ziyan, Junxi’s parents have been out of prison for over a month now. During this time, I intentionally let both sides calm down a bit. Now that the rumors have finally subsided, we should go and apologize in person.” Zhou Xuanyu said.
"Alright, that's exactly what I was thinking."
Jun Xuan had already been discharged from the hospital, and for the time being, Junxi's family was squeezed into her rental apartment by the East River. Although the space was cramped, being together as a family was worth more than anything else.
When Zhou Xuanyu and Zhou Ziyan arrived, Junxi and her mother, Yang Tingfang, were busy cooking in the kitchen, while her father, Wen Wei, and younger brother, Jun Xuan, were soaking up the sun on the balcony.
Hearing the doorbell ring, Junxi was the first to dash out of the kitchen.
"I'll get it! I'll get it!" she called out to the two on the balcony, eager not to let anyone else beat her to it.
"Hey sis, I know you're worried I'll stand up again. Dad just lectured me about it; I won't do it anymore," Jun Xuan said, seeing right through Junxi's thoughts.
Junxi smiled at her brother and quickly pulled open the door. But when she saw Zhou Xuanyu standing outside, her smile faltered for a moment.
Zhou Xuanyu simply looked at her without saying a word.
"Who is it?" Father Wen Wei asked as he noticed her sudden silence and walked over.
"It's us, Uncle Wen," Zhou Ziyan chimed in as she stepped out from behind Zhou Xuanyu.
Wen Wei recognized the visitors and momentarily felt a bit dazed.
“Is it my brother Zhou Ziyan who has come to see me?” Jun Xuan, who was on the balcony, heard the commotion and excitedly shouted, “Come in!”
Junxi was brought back to her senses by her brother's call. She slightly moved to the side to let Zhou Xuanyu and the others enter the house.
Zhou Xuanyu first greeted Wen Wei, who nodded in response. Although there was a hint of awkwardness, he still led Zhou Xuanyu and Zhou Ziyan to the sofa to sit down.
“Junxi, pour some water,” Wen Wei said, gesturing with his chin towards Junxi, then glanced at the kitchen and added, “Let your mom finish up before coming out to greet the guests.”
Junxi remained silent and turned directly into the kitchen.
After a short while, she emerged holding two crystal glasses of water, placing one in front of Zhou Xuanyu and the other in front of Zhou Ziyan.
“Thank you,” Zhou Ziyan said with a playful wink at Junxi.
Junxi ignored him and simply pushed the glass of water closer to Zhou Xuanyu.
“Thank you,” Zhou Xuanyu replied, his gaze deep.
“What brings you here all of a sudden?” Yang Tingfang asked in surprise, her tone laced with delight.
“We're here to apologize,” Zhou Xuanyu began. “Although it feels too late for an apology now, both Zhou Ziyan and I hope you can accept our sincere regrets.”
“Yes, Uncle Wen, Aunt Wen,” Zhou Ziyan added. “My father has passed away and cannot apologize to you in person. So it falls upon me and my uncle to express our apologies. I am truly sorry that because of my father's selfish desires, you have suffered so much for so many years.”
The air pressure in the room felt a bit low.
Wen Wei and Yang Tingfang exchanged a glance, while Junxi lowered her head.
"Since the past is already behind us, let's just let it go," Yang Tingfang said.
"Aunt Wen, are you saying that you and Uncle Wen don't blame me and my little uncle anymore?" Zhou Ziyan asked with a bright smile.
"Junxi's mother and I never intended to shift our anger onto the two of you. Since your father has admitted his mistakes, then the deceased are gone, and dwelling on the past is pointless," Wen Wei also began to express his stance.
Upon hearing Wen Wei and Yang Tingfang's words, Zhou Xuanyu's expression softened slightly. He glanced at Junxi, who still had her head down, her eyes red.
"During my years in prison, I often wondered what I had done wrong for heaven to impose such injustice upon me. The confines of prison limited my thoughts, and I couldn't come to terms with it until recently after my release. It dawned on me that these five years were actually part of a greater plan."
Wen Wei paused as he spoke, his gaze sweeping over Jun Xuan on the balcony before landing back on Junxi.
"If it weren't for these five years of imprisonment, I wouldn't have been able to see clearly what true feelings and righteousness are. I also wouldn't have realized which 'friends' would only kick me when I'm down and aren't worth forming deep connections with. More importantly, these two children of mine have grown more mature, stable, strong, and brave than their peers during these five years."
Wen Wei recalled the moment Jun Xuan entered the operating room; this son he had spoiled for twelve years had even taken the time to smile and comfort him. The former Wen Junxuan was a little lord who would only cry and demand attention from the family—how could he have shown such bravery and thoughtfulness?
And then there was Junxi. Junxi had always been willful and spoiled by him. When he and his wife were imprisoned, he worried most about how this little princess, who cared so much about her image, would handle the pressure and ridicule. Unexpectedly, over these five years, Junxi had silently endured hardships that others might never withstand without being defeated.
Thus, while these five years were a time of suffering for him and his wife, they were also a period of growth for their children. He thought that if during these five years Jun Xuan and Junxi had continued to be pampered as before—having everything handed to them—then they might have been delayed for a lifetime.
A Blessing in Disguise. Who knows if it is a blessing? Fortune lies where misfortune lurks, and misfortune leans on fortune. The words of the ancients always hold their wisdom. With this thought, they found it easier to let go of their burdens.
Now that the truth was revealed, although they had lost five years, the happiness regained made it all the more precious.
"Uncle Zhou is truly remarkable; it's great that you can think this way," Zhou Ziyan couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
Wen Wei smiled and patted Zhou Xuanyu on the shoulder.
"Xuan Yu has made quite a sacrifice for our sake. Speaking of which, we should thank you."
Zhou Xuanyu shook his head, a hint of guilt crossing his brow.
"I feel undeserving of such gratitude."
"Regardless, we are very happy that you and Zhou Ziyan could come today," Yang Tingfang chimed in. "Junxi and I are cooking; if you don't mind, please stay for dinner."
"How could I mind? Aunt Wen's cooking is my favorite," Zhou Ziyan replied with a smile.
"You flatterer," Jun Xi Bai shot Zhou Ziyan a glance. "I'll go help out."
She followed her mother into the kitchen, her steps quickening, yet she still felt that piercing gaze following her from behind.
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