Chapter 389: Irresponsible

If it weren't for Su Yan saying she wanted to reclaim those memories, the clan would likely have treated her as nothing more than a discarded shoe.

This was precisely what made Kong Nian feel most sorrowful.

They had already chosen Su Yan, and she was about to become just like the Su Yan of fourteen years ago—left to be drained of her last shred of value by them.

"Miss, how could you think that way? The Clan Leader is your biological paternal uncle; how could he truly not care about you? Besides, staying outside in your current condition will only bring constant danger. Once you encounter the retaliation of an evil spirit, you won't even have the ability to protect yourself. That is why the Clan Leader specifically instructed me that I must bring you back," Kong Xiang comforted her.

"Heh, hehe. For my own good? Do you truly think I am as easy to deceive as a three-year-old child?" Kong Nian let out a furious roar.

But aside from this inconsequential venting, there was no other way to seek revenge.

Kong Xiang seemed to have anticipated her loss of control long ago, and he directly took something out.

"Miss, do you know what I am holding in my hand right now?"

Kong Nian could not see. "Are you mocking me for being blind?"

Kong Xiang continued, "It is your eyes. When I rushed to save you in the Zhou family ancestral grounds, it was already too late. I knew there was nothing that could be changed, which is why I deceived you, but I have preserved your eyes perfectly intact. As long as we return to the clan, the Clan Leader will have a way to restore your sight."

Kong Nian trembled violently. Although her reason told her not to believe a single word Kong Xiang said, a flicker of hope instantly ignited in her heart.

How could she ever be willing to be blind for the rest of her life!

Watching her expression shift incessantly, Kong Xiang knew she had begun to waver.

"Furthermore, my previous attempts to show goodwill to Su Yan were also part of the Clan Leader's plan. The Clan Leader instructed me to appease Su Yan at all costs to ensure she returns to the clan as quickly as possible. Because only once she is within the clan can we completely control her and obtain all of her energy."

Hearing this, Kong Nian truly could not help but become agitated, like a drowning person grasping at the final straw of salvation.

"You mean... my uncle still wants to give Su Yan's energy to me?"

"Yes, this is the Clan Leader's arrangement," Kong Xiang's voice grew a few degrees heavier.

Kong Nian's breathing became rapid; the constant intertwining of reason and desire drove her to madness.

"Uncle Kong, do you still intend to lie to me even now? Compared to a blind person like me, wouldn't it be better for you to simply recruit Su Yan directly?"

She retorted to Kong Xiang, her voice trembling.

"Miss, as the original body possessing energy, Su Yan is indeed more advantageous than you. But do not forget what our Kong family did to her and her mother. With Su Yan's temperament, how could she ever truly submit to the Kong family? Why would the Clan Leader leave such a massive threat unaddressed? But you are different; you are the Clan Leader's biological niece. From the very beginning, the Clan Leader has been training you to be the successor of the Kong family."

Kong Xiang's explanation was watertight; to anyone listening, it sounded true, and Kong Nian was certainly no exception.

Between reason and hope, the scales in her heart ultimately tipped toward the latter.

"Are you truly not lying to me this time?"

When she spoke these words, a relaxed smile appeared on Kong Xiang's face.

"Miss, you are such a clever person; how could you not be able to tell if I am speaking the truth? If you still do not believe me, you can call Gan Hua and the others in and have them see if what I am holding is indeed your eyes."

At this moment, the last shred of doubt in Kong Nian's heart vanished without a trace.

"I believe you! Uncle Kong, you are the person closest to me. If I don't believe you, who else can I believe?"

Outside the room, Kong Yueling paced incessantly.

"Do you think Junior Sister Kong Nian will return with us?"

In the past, she had truly admired and worshiped Kong Nian, but after this incident, she felt from the bottom of her heart that Kong Nian was somewhat pitiable.

Especially since Kong Nian had lost all her spiritual power, and could not even see; perhaps the power within her eyes had vanished as well.

Gan Hua's expression was grim. If it were him, he would resolutely choose to be an ordinary person and live out the rest of his life in peace.

Of course, such words could never be spoken aloud.

"Regardless of whether Junior Sister returns with us, we must be careful with our words on the road."

The current Kong Nian was sensitive and mercurial, so they had to be extra cautious not to provoke her.

Kong Yueling and Ruan Tao nodded simultaneously.

At that moment, the door opened, and Kong Nian and Kong Xiang walked out.

Looking at Kong Nian's current expression and attitude, they knew Kong Xiang had already persuaded her.

"Let's go. Let's go home."

***

In the Capital.

Lu Feng stood at the door of Gu Yang's dormitory, his expression extremely grim.

"Gu Yang, what kind of evil has possessed you? You just throw away your job like that, and then you want to leave like this? Where is your sense of responsibility? Where is your accountability?"

Two days ago, Gu Yang had suddenly handed his resignation to the leadership of the publishing house. He intended to leave immediately, even before a replacement had been found.

This had caused a massive uproar within the publishing house.

Reaching Gu Yang's current position was certainly not something one could just walk away from; there were far too many tasks and matters involved.

Yet, no matter how the leaders tried to retain him or how his colleagues tried to persuade him, he was dead set on resigning.

Listening to Lu Feng's incessant nagging, Gu Yang continued to busy himself with his own tasks.

Lu Feng paced around in frustration, feeling both angry and resentful toward him.

"Can you say even one word to me? Is our friendship of all these years not worth a single honest word from you?"

Perhaps these words touched Gu Yang, for he finally stopped.

Lu Feng stared at him with wide eyes.

Gu Yang turned to his desk, took out a thick stack of documents and work records, and handed them over.

"These are all things I must finish processing. I have also written down some points of caution. Once the new editor-in-chief arrives, please hand these to him."

A dark line appeared on Lu Feng's forehead. "I don't care! If they need to be handed over, you do it yourself!"

After saying this, he deliberately crossed his arms over his chest, the fury on his face intensifying.

Gu Yang sighed, knowing that he was truly angry, but there was no other way.

"Lu Feng, I don't trust others to handle these; you are the one I trust most."

"Stop giving me empty praise! If you truly trust me, then tell me the truth!" This time, Lu Feng was prepared to sever their friendship.

"What do you want to hear? Why I am suddenly leaving?" Gu Yang's jaw was tight, as he was also suppressing certain emotions.

"Yes! You owe me an explanation!" Lu Feng's attitude was resolute.

Gu Yang understood that if he didn't say something today, he certainly wouldn't be able to leave in peace.

"Fine, then I will tell you."

(End of Chapter)