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墨書 Inktalez
Jono had never really thought about how much money to ask from Jin Chengyan. Previously, she had only said those things to irritate him, claiming she wanted a large sum and half of his fortune.
Now, holding these items felt like a hot potato in her hands.
But if she returned them, she would inevitably run into Jin Chengyan again. For now, she could only temporarily keep these things at home, even though the documents were not signed.
After putting the files away, she forgot about the matter entirely and went on a picnic with Qiao Lovely the next day.
On their way back home, they saw a car parked outside. As they approached, the car door opened, and a girl with short hair stepped out.
It had been four years since they last met, but Jono recognized Xining at first glance. Although she had cut her hair short, she looked even more capable and fresh.
Upon seeing Jono, Xining immediately ran up to her and hugged her tightly.
"Jono sis! Do you know how happy I was when I found out you were alive? I rushed back to find you! You’re so bad for tricking all of us! Do you know that when I thought you were dead, I cried my eyes out? I've never cried like that for anyone else!" Xining held Jono tightly.
Jono patted Xining's back. "I'm sorry for making you worry. But at that time, I had my reasons. Now I'm back safe and sound! If you want to find me in the future, you can."
After teasing Jono for a while, Xining finally let go.
"What a cute girl! Is she your daughter?" Xining asked as she gently ruffled Qiao Lovely's hair. "Is she... Jin Chengyan's?" The last three words were spoken in a hushed tone, fearing Qiao Lovely might overhear something.
"Don't say that. This little cutie is my daughter; she has nothing to do with anyone else." In front of Qiao Lovely, Jono would never reveal that she was actually her sister; she worried that the girl wouldn't be able to handle it.
Besides, that secret was better left buried deep within her heart.
Xining nodded and didn’t press further, but she already had an inkling of the truth.
At that moment, Jono noticed Jasper standing by the rear of the car.
They had met years ago because of a dress, and he had helped her through many things since then. She believed their friendship was particularly strong, even though they had lost contact later on.
"Pretty sister, is that Handsome Uncle your husband?" Qiao Lovely leaned against Jono's leg, smiling brightly at Jasper.
After all, Qiao Lovely was a little girl with no resistance to handsome men.
When Xining heard this, she laughed, "You should call me Godmother. I made a deal with your mother that her daughter would be my goddaughter in the future! That over there is your godfather..."
Xining squatted down and whispered in Qiao Lovely's ear.
Qiao Lovely tilted her head back, looking at Jono, unsure if she should call her Godmother.
In fact, Jono was just as bewildered, having never discussed with Xining that her child would be her goddaughter.
But it seemed like it was too late to change anything now.
"Yes, call her Godmother."
"Godmother, okay!" Qiao Lovely waved her hand and suddenly ran over to Jasper, sweetly calling out, "Hello, godfather!"
Jono: "..."
Xining: "..."
The four of them returned to the villa. Qiao Lovely wanted to play with her godfather while Jono and Xining were in the kitchen cutting fruits, though it was really just two women chatting.
"Jono, that little cutie is really..." Xining was still quite interested in this topic.
"You are so nosy! Besides, if she really is from the Jin Family, do you think the Jin Family would let her be with me so easily?"
"So it's not you and Jin Chengyan, but you and someone else?" This made it even harder for Xining to accept! "You don't know? When everyone thought you had exploded and died, only Jin Chengyan didn't believe it!"
It seemed that no one had ever told Jono how Jin Chengyan had been after the explosion, or perhaps Jono chose to ignore that part of history. All he remembered was how he had emerged from those four years of darkness.
"I was here at that time, so I know he almost used all the resources of the Jin Family to look for you! You know, on the day of the explosion, you were in surgery, and Ruan Shengyu was also in surgery. Later, Ruan Shengyu was burned to a crisp, and he didn't even take a glance! About a month passed, and he was still tirelessly searching for you, but everyone said you must have died. Maybe it was too much of a blow; during that time, he looked particularly haggard and became a frequent visitor at the hospital.
"Later on, he thought you were with me and came to plead with me. You know? He really begged, almost kneeling down to ask where you were. But how would I know where you were? At that time, I thought he was going crazy. I kept thinking that if you were still alive and saw him like this for you, it would be hard for you too."
The past unfolded before Jono through Xining's narration.
Xining always emphasized how terrible his four years had been; however, Jin Chengyan hadn't had a single good day either.
But...
"Xining, all of this is in the past. He and I have moved on; whether good or bad, it has all drifted away with time. I will look forward, and there is no place for him in that future." She would not casually go back on her promise; she had wagered her entire life for Qiao Lovely.
It couldn't be said that Melancholy was heartless; it was the greatest effort a mother could make for her child.
She didn't believe Jono would truly separate from Jin Chengyan after he donated bone marrow to Qiao Lovely. So Jono swore.
If she ever went against Melancholy's vow and ended up with Jin Chengyan, Qiao Lovely would relapse into her old illness and die without a cure.
Such a harsh oath made every word feel like a painful tug at her heart; it was extremely distressing. Even now, recalling it brought her discomfort.
Having sworn on Qiao Lovely's life made it even more impossible for her to be with Jin Chengyan. It alleviated Melancholy's worries, which was why she agreed to let Jin Chengyan perform the surgery.
"Jono sis, I know those feelings can't just be forgotten. If you force yourself to forget them, you'll never truly let go. Life is so short; why can't we choose the life we want? Why must we live under others' scrutiny?"
"Xining!" Jono patted Xining's shoulder. "Are you acting on someone else's behalf? I never knew you could talk so well before!"
Jono skillfully shifted the topic, catching Xining off guard.
"What are you talking about? That's not true at all!" Xining immediately retorted, "And who do you think I should persuade you on behalf of?"
After four years apart, the girl had certainly improved her verbal skills! Otherwise, how could Jono ever keep up with her?
"So what about you and Warm Sun?"
"Huh? What about Jasper and me? What else could it be?" Xining feigned ignorance.
"I can tell you're not being honest. I noticed it four years ago; don't think I don't know your little thoughts!"
With her secret exposed, Xining felt a bit flustered and quickly changed the subject. The two chatted about other things before finally leaving the kitchen to bring out the fruit.
They found Qiao Lovely already asleep on the sofa, covered with a blanket, while Jasper gently patted her arm, resembling an experienced caregiver.
"Warm Sun, I didn't know you were so good at taking care of kids!" Jono raised an eyebrow. Although he wasn't sure how far things had progressed between Xining and Jasper, given their current development, it was certain that they would eventually see clarity.
"You've never seen a pig run if you've never eaten pork."
"If Qiao Lovely hears her handsome godfather describing her as a pig, she'll be heartbroken," Jono joked.
"She'll understand me."
Jono and Jasper exchanged banter effortlessly while Xining watched them, feeling like she couldn't interject.
However, it was her first time seeing Jasper being so patient with a child!
He should make a good father!
After this not-so-pure visit between Jasper and Xining came to an end, Jono felt a slight unease in his heart. Could it be that Jin Chengyan had changed strategies and was trying to approach indirectly?
Is he still not giving up?
But his rumors with other women have surfaced; how could he not have given up?
In any case, all of this made Jono feel unusually strange.
Later, Jasper told her that Yan'an City was also looking for Yan Beiting's whereabouts. After all, Jono and Yan Beiting had a complicated relationship. Jasper asked Jono if she knew where Yan Beiting might be.
Mentioning Yan Beiting made Jono's heart sink again.
Xi Yisheng had said that he personally witnessed the burial; unless the grave did not contain Yan Beiting at all.
So where could Yan Beiting be? He had been so weak back then; how could he possibly still be alive?
Yet she hoped so much that he was still alive.
...
In the open-air gymnasium of the university town, a still agile figure was running on the court. Although his steps were no longer as quick as in his youth, his charm remained undiminished.
The person on the court was Jin Chengyan. After all these years, especially during frustrating times, playing basketball could still relieve the pent-up emotions in his heart.
But back then, it was with Yan Beiting, Qi Ziluo, and others in Yan'an City. They would finish a game, take a shower, and then go out for drinks. Those youthful days were always spent sweating freely.
Now, he was alone.
Standing at the three-point line, he shot from a forty-five-degree angle—swish!
Applause erupted. Jin Chengyan turned around to see a man dressed in black long sleeves and pants, holding a basketball as well.
"Isn't it a bit lonely to play alone?" the man spoke, his handsome face appearing to be in his twenties.
Jin Chengyan was already in his thirties; would he lose to someone in their twenties?
He picked up his basketball and hugged it to his chest. "You can have the court; I'll play after you." It wasn't that he was afraid of losing; it was just that at this moment, it didn't feel right to play with someone else.
"Are you afraid of losing?" The man seemed intent on challenging Jin Chengyan's limits, his tone laced with provocation.
Of course, if Jin Chengyan could be easily angered, he wouldn't be the formidable figure he was in the business world.
"I was playing when you were still in diapers. Afraid of losing?" Jin Chengyan had already walked over to the nearby bench, organizing his belongings.
The man stood in the center of the court, facing Jin Chengyan. "Then I'll give you a point."
The phrase "I'll give you a point" made Jin Chengyan suddenly pause his actions. He seemed to recall many years ago, on this very court, when there was no plastic flooring—just concrete. Yet, that group of young boys loved playing on such surfaces and made many friends through basketball.
Back then, someone had calmly said those same words to him.
"I'll give you a point."
Jin Chengyan turned to look at the man standing two meters away from him.
Similar height, similar demeanor, similar gaze.
Yet beyond that, nothing was the same.
He tossed the ball swiftly toward Jin Chengyan.
Jin Chengyan caught the ball immediately, signaling that he accepted the challenge!
The man on the court was no longer the refined individual in the office, dressed in a suit and tie, sipping coffee while staring at a computer.
The man on the court was fierce and brutal, especially in such a one-on-one confrontation, with only the hoop in his eyes and a singular focus on winning!
Jin Chengyan was just that kind of person; once he started, he had to win!
When the final shot swished through the net, Jin Chengyan's victory was already secured.
His hand remained suspended above, maintaining the elegant pose of his shot.
Suddenly, he heard a cough nearby.
Jin Chengyan turned to see a man bent over, clutching his abdomen and coughing, looking as if it might worsen.
He immediately rushed over to the chair and grabbed an unopened bottle of mineral water for him.
The man accepted the water and took a sip, regaining his composure. When he looked up, Jin Chengyan noticed his pale face.
"Indeed, you don't need me to let you win; you will win regardless," he said with a faint smile, though his voice sounded somewhat ethereal.
For a moment, Jin Chengyan was struck by a sense of déjà vu as he caught a glimpse of Yan'an City in front of him. He froze!
Those eyes—they were too similar.
Realizing he had lost his composure, Jin Chengyan quickly averted his gaze, trying to calm the unease stirring within him.
It couldn't be possible. Grandpa Yan had said that Yan Beiting was currently in Africa. He had sent people to search for him; there was indeed someone named Yan Beiting over there.
This person was merely someone with similar eyes.
"If you're fine, I'll take my leave." Jin Chengyan thought there was no point in staying to care for someone who had just provoked him.
As he turned to gather his things, he heard a voice behind him.
"Ayan."
Jin Chengyan froze for a moment.
"It's me, Yan Beiting." After calming himself, Yan Beiting revealed his identity to Jin Chengyan.
Jin Chengyan was stunned for a second, then turned around to look at the unfamiliar man, his gaze icy.
"You'd better not be joking about him. Impersonating Yan Beiting should require some skill."
"Whether I'm joking or not, you should know very well. But I understand that you might find it hard to accept me like this right now because I have difficulty accepting this version of myself too. However, I must say, I look pretty good—better than before," he said without a hint of concern.
But how could such a brief exchange clarify everything?
Jin Chengyan had indeed harbored doubts before, but this version of Yan Beiting was beyond his comprehension.
"Ye Yun is waiting for me over there." Yan Beiting pointed to Ye Yun, who was sitting in a car not far away with the window rolled down, making it visible to Jin Chengyan.
"If you still don't believe me, I can show you the scar on my back—the one I got from taking a knife for you."
That was something only a few people knew about, yet here it was being spoken by this man.
Then he lifted his shirt, exposing his entire back to Jin Chengyan's view. Along with the knife scar, there were other marks resembling burns.
Two seconds later, Yan Beiting lowered his shirt and turned to face Jin Chengyan directly.
"The purpose of plastic surgery is simple; it's because of the extensive burns that make one unrecognizable." He said it lightly, "It was during that explosion four years ago that I saved Jono."
Jin Chengyan's mind exploded with realization. Yan Beiting had returned, but with a different appearance.
He had been the one who saved Jono in Africa four years ago!
But he hadn't been with Jono during those four years; Xi Yisheng was a friend of Yan Beiting!
All these pieces connected and spun around in Jin Chengyan's mind.
He stepped forward, grabbing Yan Beiting by the collar. "So you dare to come back?" Yan Beiting always liked to involve himself in matters that had nothing to do with him.
Ten years ago, he had taken a knife for him; four years ago, he saved Jono!
Both times, he had nearly lost his life!
Yan Beiting patted Jin Chengyan's hand, urging him to calm down.
"My health isn't great right now. Playing basketball earlier drained too much of my energy. If you keep this up, I might end up dying at your hands instead of from someone else's knife or the explosion!" Yan Beiting joked.
But he didn't know that Jin Chengyan was on the verge of breaking down inside!
All the emotions surged within Jin Chengyan's heart, connecting everything together.
Jono was alive because of Yan Beiting!
And he had sacrificed his own health for Jono's life!
But if it hadn't been for that explosion, when Jin Chengyan finished dealing with those people downstairs and went upstairs, all he would have found was an empty operating room.
Thinking of this, Jin Chengyan couldn't help but glare at Yan Beiting.
"Do you even know what you're doing?" He released him, noticing that he seemed a bit uncomfortable, a little distressed.
The aftereffects of the burn?
"People who prioritize love above all else. You wouldn't understand," Yan Beiting said dismissively.
"Hmph!" Jin Chengyan scoffed, "Do you know how worried your family is about you? Do you know why your grandfather doesn't dare let anyone from the Yan Family look for you and sent me instead? Love above all! Love is only love when it's mutual!"
In truth, when Yan Beiting heard Jin Chengyan mention the Yan Family, he did feel a pang of discomfort, but it wasn't because he had lost the status of heir to the Yan Family; it was because he felt sorry for his grandfather.
"As fellow heirs of wealthy families, you should understand that feeling all too well. My elder brother, Second Brother, was exiled by grandfather for various reasons, and now the burden has fallen on my shoulders. You have no idea how much intrigue and conflict there is behind the scenes."
Jin Chengyan fell silent; indeed, the matters of the Yan Family were far more complicated than those of the Jin Family. Everyone experiences fatigue at some point.
"Do you remember our dreams from our youth? We used to boast that we would definitely make it to the NBA. But now? As time drags on, we get tired just breathing. Forget about the NBA; even just touching a basketball has become a luxury. Ayan, my dream was never to work in an office or be an heir to a wealthy family. Dreams used to feel so distant to me, but now I want to pursue my own life." Although he didn't know how many years such a life could last.
Jin Chengyan sighed; among them, it was Yan Beiting who had the most thoughts yet was also the first to take over the family business.
He had the courage and determination to throw everything away—something Jin Chengyan might not possess.
"But I didn't expect that you and Jono would end up like this." The slight mockery reached Jin Chengyan's ears, and it was truly infuriating!
"What? Now that I'm divorced from Jono, are you planning to take advantage of it?"
"No, I'll leave that for you two to remarry. If I really made a move, do you think Jono could escape my grasp?" Not anymore; in his current state, how could he give Jono happiness?
"Remarry?" Jin Chengyan repeated those two words, pondering how easy it was to say.
Listening to Jin Chengyan's tone, Yan Beiting felt an unsettling sense that everything was beyond repair.
...
Jono stood in the cemetery, accompanied by Xining.
"Jono, who is Chris?" Xining asked, looking at the English name on the tombstone, which lacked a photo. "Yan?"
This was Jono's first visit to Yan Beiting's grave. The cemetery was desolate, not even a wilted flower in sight.
Had no one come to see him in four years?
"Xining, do you think it would be too extreme if I had someone dig up this grave and take the ashes for DNA testing?" Jono couldn't think of any other way to prove that the person inside was Yan Beiting.
But she just couldn't believe that the person inside was him; this was the only way to confirm it!
"Um... that does sound a bit extreme. What kind of person makes you want to dig up someone's grave?"
"Yan Beiting."
"Yan Beiting? He... he died? How could he..." Xining pointed at the tombstone, completely astonished.
"Right? You don't believe he's dead either, do you?"
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