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Jin Chengyan felt a moment of surprise—was this kidnapping case related to Ruan Shengyu?
So that was why he encountered her that day?
However, from the mouths of the kidnappers, there was no way to know what connection Ruan Shengyu had with this case. Their testimonies revealed that they only discovered Ruan Shengyu was there afterward, thinking that having a big star in their grasp would allow them to demand more money.
Unexpectedly, neither the Jin Family nor the Yan Family was willing to pay to rescue Ruan Shengyu.
Regarding this matter, Jin Chengyan had discussed it with A-Shan on the side. The main person responsible for this situation was Jin Mengli, and based on Jin Mengli's character, the likelihood of rescuing Ruan Shengyu was nonexistent.
A-Shan was also vague about the matter; he mostly guessed that Jin Mengli initially intended to keep it from him not because he was injured, but because Ruan Shengyu was involved.
Yet, just after that fleeting moment of surprise, Jin Chengyan's expression returned to normal. When facing Jasper, he still refused to reveal his hand.
"Thank you for your concern in this matter; I will handle it myself." Jin Chengyan truly disliked Jasper's meddling. A person from C City insisted on inserting himself into their Qin Cheng affairs—did he think he belonged here?
Jasper nodded knowingly. "It's just a reminder; some people are not as they appear. Although Jono doesn't remember me, I still have quite a connection with her and don't want her to suffer too much."
A connection?
Jin Chengyan almost laughed out loud!
This guy named Jasper actually claimed in front of him that he had a connection with his wife—was he out of his mind?
Nevertheless, Jin Chengyan maintained his composure.
"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Ji, but my wife just returned from the hospital today and needs to rest..." You all can leave now.
Jasper certainly picked up on the underlying meaning in Jin Chengyan's words. He nodded. "As long as Xining sees Jono is well, she will be at ease. We'll leave now so she can rest properly."
"A-Shan, see them out!" Jin Chengyan immediately instructed A-Shan to escort them out. How much did he want to avoid having Ji Family members around?
Xining hadn't finished talking with Jono yet. From their encounter in the banquet hall to going together to eat in the old street, she certainly knew what should and shouldn't be said, carefully erasing any mention of Ruan Shengyu from their conversation.
Jono had repeated it three or four times, but Jino Chengyan had no impression at all.
Later, Jasper let her go.
As soon as Jasper and Xining left, Jin Chengyan threw the tulips they had brought into the trash can, leaving Jono dumbfounded.
When Jin Chengyan turned back and saw Jono's expression, he naturally said, "You used to dislike tulips."
"Oh..." So that was how it was?
But she thought tulips looked beautiful, vibrant and dripping with color. However, since Jin Chengyan said she didn't like them, then she must not like them!
...
Although Jono felt that having Jin Chengyan by her side made everything better, she couldn't shake the feeling that if she couldn't regain her memories, it would mean her past twenty-something years had been lived in vain.
Especially regarding those who still remembered her; it was heartbreaking for them that she couldn't remember them.
It was already late at night. After some activities with Jin Chengyan, the person behind her had begun to drift off to sleep, their breathing gradually becoming even. Yet Jono couldn't fall asleep no matter what.
"Honey, I want to regain my memories..." Jono placed her hand over Jin Chengyan's hand resting on her waist and spoke softly.
Jin Chengyan heard someone talking but wasn't paying much attention. He felt a bit tired—not just from the activities with Jono.
After what Jasper had said, he didn't want to seek confirmation or face Ruan Shengyu. He thought it was best to leave things as they were for now—just him and Jono like this, and him and Ruan Shengyu like this too!
After so many years of striving and fighting, he was exhausted and no longer wanted to struggle. He just wanted to surrender to the warmth surrounding him.
This warmth came from Jono.
He only heard a soft "mm" from behind him, prompting Jono to continue speaking.
"I feel really happy being with you now; you treat me so well. But I think it's unfair to you because you are giving so much while I'm still wondering if I loved you as much as you love me in the past. And then there's Qiao Chen, my brother. When I saw him that day, he felt so unfamiliar; I think we must have had a good relationship before, which is why he couldn't accept it so easily. And Xining..."
"You and they care about me so much, and if I forget you all, it wouldn't be fair to you. Can you help me regain my memories?"
While Jono spoke these words, Jin Chengyan had already awakened. He was more alert than ever before.
More than anything, he didn't want Jono to regain her memories.
"Isn't this... good?" He was by her side, the person she loved loved her back, carefree, with a beautiful future beckoning to Jono. Wasn't that good?
Jono paused for a moment. "It's not bad..." It wasn't bad, but something felt missing.
"Then that's good. Don't think too much."
"I..."
"It seems you're not tired enough. Have I not satisfied you?" Jin Chengyan's hand roamed freely over Jono's body, reaching her secret places, causing Jono to gasp.
It wasn't about satisfaction; she felt like she was being driven to the brink by Jin Chengyan!
Before Jono could respond, Jin Chengyan began a new round of conquest. Jono thought to herself that she should never discuss life after such moments; it was simply self-inflicted suffering.
...
After Jono fell into a deep sleep, Jin Chengyan quietly got up, left his bedroom, and walked straight to the room downstairs where Jono stayed, turning on the light.
Jono didn't have many belongings; aside from the clothes and cosmetics Alice had bought for her, it seemed she could fit everything into a single suitcase.
However, since he rarely entered this space, Jin Chengyan didn't know where Jono kept her valuable items.
He searched through the vanity and drawers but couldn't find the document he had signed with Jono. It wasn't in the closet either.
Standing in the room, Jin Chengyan felt somewhat at a loss. If Jono found that document first, she would realize their marriage was not based on love.
At that moment, Jin Chengyan feared such a thing would happen.
After scanning the room, Jin Chengyan noticed the bedside table, a place he hadn't yet explored.
He walked over in two strides and opened the drawer. Inside the second drawer, he found some identification belonging to Jono, along with the contract he had been searching for.
He quickly flipped to the last page, where he saw both his and Jono's signatures!
A sigh of relief escaped him; fortunately, he had found it before Jono did!
He returned upstairs to the study and located his copy in the filing cabinet. He locked both his and Jono's documents in the safe. When the safe clicked shut with a satisfying sound, Jin Chengyan exhaled deeply.
However, as he sat in the study chair and gazed out the window at the faint lightening of the sky, Jin Chengyan felt a twinge of confusion.
He had woken up early to rummage through everything just to find that document, to prevent Jono from seeing it. Ultimately, his goal was to avoid a divorce with Jono.
Coming to this conclusion startled Jin Chengyan; at some point, he realized he didn't want to divorce Jono after all!
...
"Honey, is this my phone? How silly! Why would someone decorate it with so many diamonds? It looks like something a nouveau riche would have!" Jono exclaimed days later when she finally got her phone back. Jin Chengyan had also retrieved her belongings from her small apartment with Qiao Chen.
Seeing her phone made Jono feel uneasy; it truly looked like something a nouveau riche would own!
Jin Chengyan's expression darkened. This phone was a gift from him to Jono, and it had been lost several times but always ended up back in her hands.
He couldn't believe she would call it something for nouveau riches.
"Yes, you used to have that nouveau riche style. You loved wearing gold and silver; I can't say I admire your taste," Jin Chengyan replied while sitting on the sofa handling paperwork. Most of his work these days was done at Jin Mansion.
"No way..." Jono said as she fiddled with her phone, only for it to ring unexpectedly.
She answered it.
"Jono, you finally picked up! When are you coming back to work?" Sun Wen asked. Unaware of what had happened to Jono, he probably would have fired her long ago if she weren't Jin Chengyan's wife.
Jono answered the phone, caught off guard; she still had work to do...
"I..."
"If you’re not feeling unwell, it’s best if you come to work tomorrow."
"Okay." Jono nodded, wanting to say something more, but the call was abruptly ended.
Jono looked at the phone in confusion, then turned to Jin Chengyan. "Do I still have a job? Shouldn't I be the Boss's wife?"
Although it was a question, Jono's tone was playful, and Jin Chengyan couldn't help but chuckle.
"If you want to be the Boss's wife, I can take you to the Jin Family tomorrow," Jin Chengyan said half-jokingly.
"Maybe not." Jono leaned against Jin Chengyan. "What exactly is my job like?"
Then, Jin Chengyan briefly explained her work without going into too much detail.
Jono went online to check out Jin Architecture while Jin Chengyan stepped out to make a phone call.
"A-Shan, go to Jin Architecture immediately. Jono is returning to work tomorrow, and I don’t want her to know anything about the past." He didn’t want Jono to find out that the Qiao Family had gone bankrupt and that she had experienced those painful memories.
...
The next day, Jin Chengyan drove Jono to work. The day before, he had already discussed some personnel changes at Jin Architecture with her and showed her photos of those people so she could remember them.
Jin Chengyan still felt uneasy, but seeing Jono eager to start her job made him reluctant to shatter her hopes.
He just didn't know if this was the right thing to do.
Furrowing his brow, he watched Jono enter the building before he drove away.
As soon as he pulled out, his phone rang, and he put on his Bluetooth headset.
"Mr. Jin, please take some time to see Shengyu. She's been very down lately, and it's about her recent kidnapping. I think if this continues, she might fall into depression," Xu Lin's helpless voice came through the phone.
Jin Chengyan frowned. He had been avoiding meeting Ruan Shengyu, but he knew that eventually, she would come to him on her own.
"Alright, I'll head over shortly." After hanging up, Jin Chengyan's brow furrowed even tighter.
He didn't know when it started, but he had become reluctant to involve himself in Ruan Shengyu's affairs. Although she remained the most important person in his heart, hearing her name no longer stirred his emotions or sparked any fantasies.
Six years ago, when he learned that Ruan Shengyu had been violated, he vowed to protect her with all his strength and make her the happiest woman in the world, even if she was no longer whole.
He tried many ways to make Ruan Shengyu his woman, but in the end, they remained two parallel lines.
On one hand, Ruan Shengyu was unwilling to break their friendship; on the other hand, he could have been a bit more forceful—turning raw rice into cooked rice wasn't impossible.
But just when he was about to be honest with her, Jin Chengyan found himself unable to overcome his own mental barrier. Ruan Shengyu had been with someone else...
So later, when he got involved with Jono and learned she was a first-timer, his feelings for her changed significantly.
He thought she had already moved on from a four-year relationship; little did he know...
Lost in thought, Jin Chengyan's car pulled up outside Ruan Shengyu's building.
Taking a deep breath, he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car.
He had stayed out of the kidnapping case entirely; as long as the testimonies didn't harm Jono or Ruan Shengyu, he let things unfold naturally.
He had a vague feeling that this matter was not as simple as it seemed.
"Ding-dong—" Jin Chengyan pressed the doorbell. Despite knowing better, he felt that given the current state of his relationship with Ruan Shengyu, it was inappropriate to just enter with a code.
Hearing the doorbell, Xu Lin rushed over to open the door. Upon seeing Jin Chengyan, she sighed in relief.
"Mr. Jin, you finally made it! Shengyu refuses to take her medicine; she says she'd rather die!" Xu Lin looked worn out as well. In recent days, Ruan Shengyu had no engagements; her endorsements and television projects were all indefinitely postponed. For an artist, this meant her future was bleak.
Jin Chengyan heard Xu Lin's words and realized that he had indeed been neglecting Ruan Shengyu's care these past few days.
He nodded and walked straight into Ruan Shengyu's room.
The curtains were tightly drawn, blocking out all sunlight, and the room was dimly lit, with no lights turned on at all.
Jin Chengyan switched on the light and was taken aback to see Ruan Shengyu curled up at the foot of the bed, wrapped in a blanket. Her hair was disheveled, and she was no longer the vibrant and captivating star she once was.
Seeing her like this made Jin Chengyan's heart ache inexplicably. He still cared for her; he just no longer loved her.
Feeling the light turn on, Ruan Shengyu turned her head in confusion and saw Jin Chengyan standing at the door!
Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, she panicked at the sight of him. Afraid of being seen in her current state, she quickly pulled the blanket over her head.
"No, I don't want to see you... I don't want you to see me like this," Ruan Shengyu whispered, curling up tighter as if wishing to disappear from sight.
Jin Chengyan stepped inside and closed the door. This version of Ruan Shengyu was clearly not one she wanted anyone to see, not even Xu Lin.
He approached her and gently pulled the blanket off her head.
"Shengyu, you need to take your medicine so you can get better. Don't worry; the bad people have already been caught. No one will hurt you," Jin Chengyan spoke softly.
But Ruan Shengyu turned her face away, unwilling to look at him. She felt that anyone who saw her in such a pitiful state would only feel disgust.
"I'm sorry I've been busy and haven't had time to visit you, but you should take good care of yourself. Don't make those who care about you worry," he said, feeling helpless as all he could do now was worry.
Upon hearing this, Ruan Shengyu suddenly burst into tears. Her tears fell onto the blanket with soft splashes.
Her face, which had always been fresh even without makeup, now appeared somewhat sallow. After crying, her eyes were red and swollen, with dark circles clearly visible.
"No... you're not Ayan... not my Ayan..." Ruan Shengyu kept retreating further away from Jin Chengyan, distancing herself from him.
Jin Chengyan looked at Ruan Shengyu with a pained heart. This woman was the one who had first made his heart flutter; a man's first love is always an insurmountable memory.
“Shengyu, please don’t do this.”
“No, my Ayan isn’t like this! He wouldn’t let anyone bully me… not even if that person is his wife… it can’t be… I’m so scared… I don’t dare to go out… everything is ruined… but your wife wants my life… I can’t compete with Mrs. Jin…” Ruan Shengyu’s fragmented words left Jin Chengyan utterly confused.
He looked at Ruan Shengyu with a puzzled expression. “Shengyu, what are you talking about?” His brow furrowed.
Seeing Jin Chengyan like this, Ruan Shengyu suddenly became agitated. She stood up from the floor and pointed at him.
“Leave! I don’t want to see you! If I see you again, your wife will definitely not let me go; she will kill me!” Her eyes were filled with fear. After saying this, she ran to the corner of the room, shielding herself with her hands in a defensive manner.
“Ruan Shengyu, no one will hurt you!” Jin Chengyan took slow steps toward her, trying to calm her down.
“No… Jono will hurt me; she will have someone kill me… she was the one who called me over… and then kidnapped me… wanting them to defile me… I refused and threatened to die…”
Jin Chengyan listened in astonishment. What was going on?
Moreover, Jono had amnesia!
“But Jono has amnesia; she’s afraid I’ll reveal the truth, so she pretends to be forgetful to deceive your sympathy! But my Ayan… you’re not my Ayan; my Ayan wouldn’t take so long to come see me…” She slid down to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
From Ruan Shengyu’s account, Jin Chengyan learned of another version of events. And Jono was the mastermind behind it all?
But with Ruan Shengyu in such an unstable emotional state, how could this not be a case of delusion?
Jasper had told him that Ruan Shengyu was deeply involved in this kidnapping case!
So who should he believe?
In extreme confusion, Jin Chengyan left Ruan Shengyu’s room.
“Xu Lin, when did Shengyu start showing signs of mental instability?” With Ruan Shengyu in this state, Jin Chengyan could only conclude that she was indeed unwell.
However, Xu Lin claimed ignorance regarding the matter. “Shengyu is mentally fine; she just doesn’t want to take her medication. She feels that her career and future have been ruined and sees no hope. Plus, you haven’t visited her for so many days; for her, it’s like a double blow.”
Jin Chengyan rubbed his temples.
Seeing Jin Chengyan like this, Xu Lin continued, "Shengyu hasn't been sleeping well these days, often having nightmares and suffering from insomnia, crying out not to let anyone near her..."
"Enough." Jin Chengyan interrupted Xu Lin, knowing without asking what Ruan Shengyu was afraid of.
The incident from six years ago had always been a nightmare for her. Given the current situation, her reaction was completely understandable.
"Take good care of Shengyu. I'll have a doctor come over. She needs to rest during this time and shouldn't work."
"But there has to be work for Shengyu! Don't you know all her projects have been put on hold? Someone is deliberately trying to blacklist her."
Jin Chengyan was at a loss for words at Xu Lin's statement—blacklisted!
Ruan Shengyu usually didn't have conflicts with others at work, but if there was anyone who disliked her, it would be the Jin Family. The Jin Family wished that Ruan Shengyu had never appeared in the entertainment industry or in Qin Cheng at all!
"I understand." Jin Chengyan said this and left Ruan Shengyu's apartment.
After a long while, Xu Lin saw Jin Chengyan's car drive away before entering Ruan Shengyu's room.
Sitting in front of the vanity, Ruan Shengyu slowly used makeup remover to wipe away her dark circles and foundation, revealing her pure face once again in the mirror.
Xu Lin caught a glimpse of a faint smile on Ruan Shengyu's face through the reflection.
...
Jin Chengyan's car sped down the road.
"A-Shan, I want to meet the people who kidnapped Jono and Ruan Shengyu!"
"Young Master, this case is currently being handled by Xiao Yuanshan. We're not familiar with him..."
"I don't care how you do it; I want to see them in half an hour." With that, Jin Chengyan hung up the phone.
A-Shan pulled the phone away from his ear, feeling unwell.
Jin Chengyan and Yan Beiting had been at odds for many years, but Yan Beiting had a good relationship with Xiao Yuanshan. Now, if A-Shan wanted to take someone from Xiao Yuanshan, it wouldn't be an easy task!
However, half an hour later, Jin Chengyan finally met the person he wanted to see, delivered personally by Xiao Yuanshan!
Xiao Yuanshan stood a few meters away, coldly watching Jin Chengyan before kicking Zhang Long over.
"I'll give you ten minutes!" Xiao Yuanshan glared fiercely at A-Shan.
A-Shan, however, remained calm and composed, allowing them to bring Zhang Long over to deliver him to their young master.
On the embankment of Qin Cheng, Jin Chengyan looked down at Zhang Long, who was kneeling in front of him.
Six years ago, this man had teamed up with others to force Ruan Shengyu to repay debts owed by his brother, threatening to use his body if he couldn't pay!
But by the time Jin Chengyan arrived, they had already laid hands on Ruan Shengyu! Six years later, he was once again targeting someone he cared about!
Thinking of this, Jin Chengyan couldn't hold back any longer. With a glance, his men moved in to strike Zhang Long!
Although Jin Mengli had already taught them a lesson at the docks last time, it didn't ease his anger.
Standing a few meters away, Xiao Yuanshan frowned. Was this going to end in someone getting killed?
He wanted to go over and tell Jin Chengyan to stop, but A-Shan stood right in front of him, blocking his way!
Xiao Yuanshan looked at A-Shan and felt helpless.
Zhang Long had not yet healed from old wounds and was now adding new ones, yet he still grinned at Jin Chengyan.
"Cough cough... Young Master Jin... your woman smells really damn good!" Even at this moment, Zhang Long couldn't resist making a snide remark.
Jin Chengyan closed his eyes and turned away.
Seeing the actions of his young master, the two bodyguards added a few more kicks to Zhang Long.
"Six years ago... you were my defeated foe... and now... you bully the weak with your numbers... that leg of yours, I was the one who crippled it!"
"Stop!" Jin Chengyan said sharply. He turned and took two steps to stand over the fallen Zhang Long, stepping on his hand. With just a little more pressure, he would break his arm.
"Tell me, whose idea was the kidnapping?" Jin Chengyan had reviewed their statements. Zhang Long and his accomplices had not acted on a whim, but they hadn't planned for long either. There was a woman involved, but she was neither Jono nor Ruan Shengyu; no one recognized her, only saying she was Zhang Long's woman.
Zhang Long himself didn't know much about this woman.
"Haha, there are things in this world that even Young Master Jin doesn't know! What can I do... I just don't want to tell you!" Zhang Long had given up; he was already in Jin Chengyan's hands. Even though he would be handed over to the police, he couldn't escape the law's punishment in the end.
But he could imagine what life in prison would be like; he hadn't had a good day since he was incarcerated six years ago!
This remark infuriated Jin Chengyan, and he pressed down hard on Zhang Long's arm.
"If you don't tell me, I’ll make sure you don’t live to see the courtroom!" Jin Chengyan lowered his voice, knowing that Xiao Yuanshan, who was being held back by A-Shan several meters away, couldn't hear him.
Zhang Long knew that Jin Chengyan had the power to bring him from the police station here for a lesson, so he believed he also had the ability to ensure he wouldn't make it to court.
"For a piece of trash like me, you’re willing to dirty your hands... what an honor!" He was nothing but a typical thug; Jin Chengyan's threats and temptations had no effect on him whatsoever.
Without getting any useful information from Zhang Long, he refused to reveal who masterminded the kidnapping. Even if he took all the blame himself, it wouldn't bother him at all.
"However... I will say this: men... if a woman has been taken by someone else... they definitely can't get over it in their hearts. That's why you sought out another woman... you're not so noble yourself, Jin Chengyan... Hahaha..." Zhang Long laughed recklessly, mocking Jin Chengyan without restraint.
Jin Chengyan was already seething with anger when he heard Zhang Long say this without revealing the truth about the kidnapping case. He turned around and drew a gun from one of his bodyguards' waistbands, pressing it against Zhang Long's temple! He disengaged the safety!
Xiao Yuanshan could no longer stand by. Even though A-Shan stood before him, if Zhang Long came out with him but couldn't return in the end, he would be in serious trouble!
He shoved A-Shan aside and pulled out his own gun. "Jin Chengyan, put down your weapon! Do you think I'm just decoration here?"
Xiao Yuanshan aimed his gun at Jin Chengyan, prompting all of Jin’s bodyguards to draw their weapons at Xiao Yuanshan as well. A battle of power and fury unfolded atop the dam.
“Xiao Yuanshan, put the gun down!” A-Shan shouted, aiming his weapon at Xiao Yuanshan, fearful that his gun might accidentally fire and injure Jin Chengyan.
“Put down your gun, and I will lower mine!” Xiao Yuanshan yelled back.
“If he doesn’t lower his, do you dare to shoot?” A-Shan retorted.
“How do you know I wouldn’t shoot?”
As soon as Xiao Yuanshan finished speaking, A-Shan stepped in front of his gun, shielding Jin Chengyan!
“Xiao Yuanshan, get the hell out of my way! Do you think I won’t shoot just because you’re standing in front of me?”
“If you dare to harm the young master, you’ll have to step over my dead body!”
After this standoff, Xiao Yuanshan was utterly defeated once again.
He angrily retracted his gun. “You’d rather be a dog for someone else than be a young master yourself! Are you stupid?”
A-Shan did not respond to Xiao Yuanshan’s words.
At that moment, Jin Chengyan had already holstered his weapon, not even glancing at Zhang Long as he walked up to Xiao Yuanshan.
“Please watch your language. A-Shan is not a dog of the Jin Family! It’s your Xiao Family that is!” Jin Chengyan said coldly, tapping Xiao Yuanshan’s chest with his finger.
Xiao Yuanshan could hardly bear such humiliation and grabbed Jin Chengyan by the collar!
Another confrontation was about to erupt; the Jin Family Bodyguards, who had just put their guns away, were on high alert once more!
However, Jin Chengyan calmly instructed the Jin Family Bodyguards to lower their weapons.
“Xiao Yuanshan, do you dare to make a move?” he provocatively challenged.
Yet, surprisingly, Xiao Yuanshan actually… released his grip on Jin Chengyan's collar.
"I tell you, don't go too far!" He pointed at Jin Chengyan's nose and said fiercely before bumping into his shoulder and walking over to lift Zhang Long, who was lying on the ground. He handcuffed him and shoved him into his off-road vehicle.
Xiao Yuanshan's car sped away, and the Jin Family Bodyguard was also preparing to leave.
Jin Chengyan took a deep breath and said, "A-Shan, I'm sorry." It was not his intention to let A-Shan face the Xiao Family's people.
"It's fine."
Jin Chengyan pondered for a moment. "Go find Ni Yue for me."
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