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“However, digging up his grave might be a bit too unethical, don’t you think?” Ji Xining hesitated for a moment, ultimately feeling that Qiao Nuo was acting a bit strangely.
Qiao Nuo stared at the English inscription on the tombstone, also feeling that perhaps she was being a bit unethical.
What if Yan Beiting really was inside? Wouldn’t that disturb his peace?
But what if it wasn’t Yan Beiting inside?
She always had this feeling that Yan Beiting was right beside her.
After leaving the cemetery and returning to the city, Ji Xining took Qiao Nuo out to eat, though Qiao Nuo had little appetite.
“So, Qiao Nuo, did you ever have feelings for Yan Beiting?” Xi Ning, having learned the reason for Yan Beiting’s death, truly lamented that he was an exceptionally good man. She wanted to know if someone like him had ever captured Qiao Nuo’s heart.
“You like warm sunshine. I believe there have been other men who liked you during this time and unconditionally gave to you. So, have you ever liked any other men?”
“No.” Ji Xining answered without hesitation, then realized that Qiao Nuo had only ever liked Jin Chengyan up until now.
While she felt that Qiao Nuo was devoted, she also thought her heartless—cold towards Yan Beiting and indifferent to those who cared for her.
“You’re really harsh on yourself,” Ji Xining said, struggling to understand Qiao Nuo’s world. “You don’t like any other men, yet you also won’t be with Jin Chengyan. Do you plan to live in solitude?”
Qiao Nuo could explain to Ji Xining the reason for Yan Beiting’s departure but couldn’t tell her why she had to leave Jin Chengyan for Qiao Kawai.
“I’m doing just fine now, aren’t I?” Qiao Nuo smiled slightly, but the fleeting loneliness in her eyes didn’t escape Ji Xining’s notice.
However, Ji Xining didn’t press further. Everyone had their own lives; even if she asked every detail, it wouldn’t change the other person’s reality. It was best to leave it at that.
“Hello, what would you like to order?” The waiter approached the table, and everything was up to Ji Xining. Qiao Nuo paused for a moment, contemplating whether it was really a good idea to dig up Yan Beiting's grave for a DNA test. Wouldn’t that be quite strange?
While lost in thought, her gaze inadvertently drifted to the distance, where a man with a familiar build caught her eye.
Beside him were a woman and a child. As he turned his face slightly, Qiao Nuo realized it was indeed him.
Huo Yawen.
“Qiao Nuo, is this enough to order?” Ji Xining asked her.
Qiao Nuo snapped back to reality and nodded.
The waiter noted down Ji Xining's order and then left. With the waiter gone, Qiao Nuo found herself completely exposed to Huo Yawen's gaze.
Ji Xining noticed Qiao Nuo's distraction and followed her line of sight, spotting the man, woman, and child.
“Do you know them?” Ji Xining asked, having never seen Huo Yawen before and unaware of the connection.
Qiao Nuo nodded. “He’s my neighbor.”
Their eyes met, but neither made a move to approach the other.
Perhaps knowing that the other was doing well was enough; there was no need to disrupt the status quo.
It was the woman who spoke to Huo Yawen, prompting him to turn back and explain something to her.
Qiao Nuo quickly turned her head to look at Ji Xining.
She had always known that returning to her homeland would mean encountering people from her past, and old memories would come flooding back.
This place was where all her memories were buried.
“Oh,” Ji Xining nodded. After all, it was not surprising that Qiao Nuo would meet familiar faces here, having grown up in this area.
However, she didn’t expect that just a few minutes later, Huo Yawen would come over with a woman and a child.
It was the woman who spoke first.
“Hello, I just heard Yawen mention you. So you’re the little neighbor he grew up with. It’s nice to meet you! I’m Yawen’s wife, Lin Ke, and this is our son, Huo Ruolin.” Lin Ke smiled as she introduced herself to Qiao Nuo.
Yet, the atmosphere felt somewhat awkward, and even Ji Xining could sense it.
Qiao Nuo immediately stood up. “Hello! I’m also very happy to meet you. Your child is really adorable. Since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we sit down and have a meal together?”
“Sure!” Lin Ke glanced back at Huo Yawen. Seeing that he had no objections, she called over a waiter to arrange a larger table for them.
Ji Xining ordered more dishes again, and once everyone was seated, Qiao Nuo and Huo Yawen finally began to talk properly.
“Qiao Nuo, I thought…” You were dead. However, Huo Yawen didn’t finish his sentence.
The true reason behind that explosion years ago had been completely covered up by the Jin Family. He had asked many people before he learned what had really happened that day.
Of course, everyone thought Qiao Nuo was dead.
Qiao Nuo smiled helplessly, "I'm sorry for making you all worry. I have my own reasons and can't tell you everything. But I'm back now, and you’ve gotten married! I'm so happy to see your family of three living happily together. I haven't even given you a red envelope!"
Huo Yawen was a bit stunned when she saw Qiao Nuo, perhaps still processing the situation.
Although everyone had already known that Qiao Nuo was alive and had returned home, the news about her and Jin Chengyan had dominated the headlines for days. It was hard for anyone to believe she was dead.
But seeing her in person felt completely different.
"Qiao Nuo, we should keep in touch more often. Yawen doesn’t have any siblings, and having a neighbor like you will make our New Year’s Eve dinners much livelier!" Lin Ke chimed in, joining the conversation between Qiao Nuo and Huo Yawen.
Huo Yawen glanced at his wife, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes seemed to spark with something before it vanished without a trace.
Qiao Nuo thought she must have misinterpreted the moment; perhaps she was overthinking it.
Meanwhile, Huo Ruolin, sitting next to Lin Ke, remained silent, appearing to be a quiet child.
Qiao Nuo overlooked the subtle atmosphere between Lin Ke and Huo Yawen and turned to Huo Ruolin. "Auntie has a daughter who is just a little older than you. Would you like me to bring her to meet you next time?"
Huo Ruolin looked at Qiao Nuo and nodded but didn’t say anything.
Lin Ke immediately patted his son's head and apologetically said to Qiao Nuo, "Our son is a bit shy. He’ll warm up once he gets familiar with you."
"Yes, our Qiao Kawai is the same."
The meal they had was not particularly enjoyable; Qiao Nuo felt that something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. After finishing, Ji Xining mentioned that she had to leave for something important.
"I'll see you off," Qiao Nuo said, and so the two of them walked out together.
Once outside the restaurant, Ji Xining linked her arm with Qiao Nuo's wrist and murmured, "Qiao Nuo, I think that Lin Ke might not like you very much."
"Really? Why do you think so?" Qiao Nuo asked, sensing it too but unsure of the reason.
"I don't know, just a woman's intuition!" Ji Xining replied mysteriously.
They made their way to the parking lot and were just about to drive away when someone suddenly blocked their car.
It was Huo Yawen.
Qiao Nuo immediately hit the brakes.
"Maybe I know what the reason is now," Ji Xining said, glancing at Huo Yawen outside the car, her tone still enigmatic.
"Ah?" Qiao Nuo was still a bit confused.
"I'll head home by myself. You should talk to him; if he doesn't clarify things with you, he might never find peace in his life," Ji Xining said before unbuckling her seatbelt and getting out of the car.
After stepping out, Ji Xining gestured for Huo Yawen to get in the passenger seat.
Huo Yawen thanked Ji Xining and climbed into the front seat, leaving Qiao Nuo alone with him in the car.
Actually, just now, with Lin Ke, Huo Ruolin, and Ji Xining present, the two of them didn’t say much.
There were many things that weren’t convenient to discuss in front of outsiders.
“Qiao Nuo…”
“Huo Yawen…”
The two spoke in unison, perhaps because there was too much they wanted to say.
“You go first.” Qiao Nuo took a deep breath, sensing that what Huo Yawen was about to say would be the heaviest thing she had ever heard.
Huo Yawen also took a deep breath and pulled out a cigarette from his pocket.
Qiao Nuo remembered that Huo Yawen didn’t smoke. What made him pick up a cigarette?
“Do you mind if I smoke?” He seemed to need it to calm his emotions.
Qiao Nuo rolled down the car window. She didn’t like the smell of smoke, but she knew Huo Yawen really needed to smoke to collect himself.
“I don’t know where to start or where to end,” Huo Yawen admitted, feeling confused himself. “But you’re alive, and I’m really happy. As long as you’re alive, that’s enough.”
As long as one is alive, even if they have never been together, there is still a place in the heart that remains peaceful.
He lit the cigarette, and the acrid smoke wafted into Qiao Nuo’s nose, making her feel uncomfortable, but she held back her discomfort.
“Qiao Nuo, I liked you, but not as much as Jin Chengyan did, and I certainly didn’t give everything for you like Yan Beiting. In fact, I never even told you about it, and then you just disappeared from my sight.”
Qiao Nuo was shocked, but after a moment, she calmed down.
She had liked him once, but in the end, she let go and chose to marry another woman, starting anew.
Qiao Nuo felt that her burden was not so heavy anymore.
“When I found out you had died… no, when everyone thought you had died, I believed it too. Those who leave have left, but those who remain must continue living. So I got married, had children, and lived an ordinary life, burying my feelings for you deep in my heart.
“Honestly, I just didn’t like you that much. If I truly loved you and thought you were the only one for me, I should have been like Jin Chengyan—completely refusing to believe that you were gone, loving only you for life and disregarding all other women.”
While Huo Yawen spoke, Qiao Nuo didn’t say a word. She didn’t want to interrupt him or disturb his emotions.
And she finally understood how precious it was for Jin Chengyan to believe she was still alive all those four years.
He endured all the pressure from everyone else and chose to believe that the woman he deeply loved was still out there.
Thinking of this made Qiao Nuo’s heart ache painfully.
“I thought if you came back, it would be with Jin Chengyan.”
Qiao Nuo remained silent. Everyone assumed they would be together.
“But honestly, it’s probably for the best that you’re not together,” Huo Yawen suddenly said. “Being in a relationship with someone like him—getting married and having children—comes with pressures that most people can’t bear. I hope you find your own simple happiness and live joyfully for the rest of your life.”
Although he knew that such happiness could only be given by Jin Chengyan, he still felt that it was better for Qiao Nuo to stay away from him.
She deserved someone who would treat her with utmost care, but that person was not him.
"Thank you, Huo Yawen." Thank you for your affection, but I cannot reciprocate it; I cannot bear his feelings.
After finishing a cigarette, Huo Yawen took a deep breath and turned to look at Qiao Nuo. That glance contained too much.
All the past emotions—reluctance, infatuation, helplessness, and letting go.
From now on, Huo Yawen truly had to say goodbye to this girl.
"Qiao Nuo, goodbye." He wanted to reach out for one last embrace with Qiao Nuo, but as his hand rose halfway, it ultimately came to a stop.
It was inappropriate; they simply weren't suited for an embrace at this moment.
He retracted his hand and got out of the car.
Qiao Nuo watched Huo Yawen standing by the car, waving at her.
He wanted to see her leave first; it had always been this way.
In the past, when their family went to America, it was Qiao Nuo who was the one to send them off on that road in front of their house. But Huo Yawen insisted on watching Qiao Nuo leave.
Let him keep the memory of her silhouette.
The one who sends someone off will undoubtedly feel even worse.
Qiao Nuo started the car and drove away from the parking space.
In the rearview mirror, Huo Yawen stood still for a long time.
She also saw Lin Ke walking over with her son, standing two meters away from him, not taking another step closer.
Ultimately, Huo Yawen withdrew her gaze from the departing car of Qiao Nuo and walked towards her wife and son. Those two were the ones she would spend her life with.
…
“Alice, is A Yan Brother available now?” Yan An City suddenly visited Jin without calling ahead, just showing up unexpectedly.
Alice glanced at the office door. “The president is busy right now; he’s entertaining an important guest.” Although Alice had never seen this person before, it seemed that Jin Chengyan valued him highly.
“When will it be over? I have urgent matters.” Yan An City checked the time, feeling an impulse to break down the door.
“The president didn’t say.” Alice genuinely didn’t know, so she could only give Yan An City that response.
He was really anxious!
After waiting for about ten minutes, the conversation inside finally concluded. When Yan An City saw Jin Chengyan's esteemed guest exiting the office, he brushed past him.
In that fleeting moment of surprise, Yan An City immediately turned around and called out to the esteemed guest!
"You—" Yan An City did not know who this distinguished guest was to Jin Chengyan, but the figure was so familiar.
The person also stopped, having just brushed past Yan An City. It took a moment for Yan An City to realize, but from the moment he saw Yan An City, an unusual expression flickered in his eyes.
Yan An City rushed two steps forward, but upon getting a clear look at the face, he suddenly realized he had been mistaken.
"I thought..." he thought it was the long-lost Yan Beiting, that damn guy who had the audacity to disappear for four years without a word! "Sorry, I mistook you for someone else."
"It's alright." A hoarse and deep voice reached Yan An City's ears; indeed, he had been mistaken, as even the voice sounded different.
The man slightly gestured, indicating that Yan An City was blocking his path.
Yan An City showed an apologetic expression and then stepped aside, allowing the person who resembled Yan Beiting in both stature and gaze to pass.
He stood there in a daze for half a minute before Alice's call brought him back to reality. It reminded him that he had urgent matters to discuss with Jin Chengyan, so without hesitation, he walked toward the office.
When Jin Chengyan saw that it was Yan An City coming in, he couldn't help but think of the person who had just left.
From the expression on Jin Chengyan's face, it was clear that it wasn't good news.
"Do you know the whereabouts of Brother San?" A hint of concern appeared on Yan An City's stunning face, as she couldn't see any positive expression on Jin Chengyan's.
"Liu Er, if Brother San never returns from now on, can you hold up the Yan Family in his stead?" The question was posed in a way that prevented Yan An City from immediately accepting the grim reality.
Yan An City fell silent for a moment, contemplating the meaning behind Jin Chengyan's words.
The implication of "never returning" carried too many meanings. Did it mean he wanted to spend his life in that place in Africa as his angel, or did it signify something more final—death?
"A Yan Brother, this is not a matter to joke about. You know how much hope grandfather has placed on Brother San. I am just an unlearned scion of a noble family." Although Yan An City spoke with a hint of sarcasm, he became serious.
His bright eyes revealed a glimmer of insight, seeing through Jin Chengyan's demeanor.
After all, Jin Chengyan was also someone who had weathered many storms; he and Yan An City were evenly matched.
"Do you think I'm joking?" Jin Chengyan's stern face bore a serious expression.
The two seemed to be engaged in a game of wits, neither willing to reveal their cards.
When did they reach such a point?
Clearly, the relationship between Yan An City and Jin Chengyan was better than that between Yan Beiting and Yan An City; they were more like brothers.
"Liu Er, there was a conflict in a tribe in Africa. Brother San was injured by stray bullets while trying to save a local child. You know how poor the medical facilities are there and how chaotic the situation is, so..."
“So, what kind of joke are you making?” Yan An City scoffed, his gaze icy as he looked at Jin Chengyan. Was he suggesting that their all-powerful Yan San had been taken down by a stray bullet?
“His last wish was for Yan Grandpa not to know. Wait until he has passed a hundred years, until you can truly take control of the Yan Family, before announcing this news.”
Creak— the office door swung open.
Yan An City turned mechanically, and Jin Chengyan also glanced over. Who dared to open his office door at this moment?
Standing at the entrance was Qiao Nuo.
“He… really is dead?” Qiao Nuo had overheard the entire conversation between Jin Chengyan and Yan An City. Jin Chengyan had said that Yan Beiting had been killed by a stray bullet in Africa!
But Yan Beiting’s ashes were in the cemetery!
So, one of the two deceased must be a fake!
Qiao Nuo found everything particularly strange.
Jin Chengyan looked at Qiao Nuo at the door and felt that things had taken a turn for the worse.
Yan Beiting had told him that Qiao Nuo believed he was dead, and from her expression just now, it was clear she had heard everything!
“But he clearly is…”
“Qiao Nuo, is it really appropriate for you to be here right now?” Jin Chengyan said coldly, his tone carrying a hint of detachment and a touch of unfamiliarity.
Qiao Nuo came back to her senses and saw Jin Chengyan's indifferent expression.
Yes, they were already divorced. Why should he treat her gently?
"I... want to ask you about Yan Beiting." Perhaps she just wanted to see him, just once.
"Why are you asking me about him? Do we have any ties left?" The cold words echoed in Qiao Nuo's ears.
"A Yan Brother, I will clarify Brother San's matters with you." Yan An City knew that Qiao Nuo had arrived, and Jin Chengyan definitely didn't have the energy to deal with him. However, he absolutely did not believe that Yan Beiting could lose his life to a mere stray bullet!
He then left, brushing past Qiao Nuo and casting a deep glance at her.
That one glance made Qiao Nuo feel guilty. She had seen how much pain Yan Beiting was in at that time, and Yan An City was Yan Beiting's brother.
The office door closed, and Qiao Nuo looked at Jin Chengyan from three meters away.
It had only been half a month since they last met; she had actually seen him in a magazine standing with another woman.
"Qiao Nuo, there’s no need for us to meet now. If there’s anything work-related, turn left when you go out and make an appointment with Alice."
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