Chapter 156: It Must Have Been Sincerity That Moved Her

“When I was eighteen, I had just started out making my way in the world when I met a girl. She was innocent, lively, and intelligent.” Yuan Jing opened up long-sealed memories, as if returning to those green years of youth.

“She never once looked down on me when I had nothing. She was willing to be my friend, and later, we fell in love. At that time, I swore to myself that I would give her the best life possible, and that I would ask her to give me five years—that after five years, I would give her the grandest wedding.”

Speaking to this point, a faint trace of happiness appeared in the lines of Yuan Jing’s eyes and brows.

This was something he had never mentioned to outsiders.

“In the days that followed, she stayed by my side, supporting me silently. I was truly foolish back then; the only thought in my head was that I wouldn't marry her until I had made it big. Tell me, am I deathly stupid?”

It seemed as if he were asking Su Yan, but Su Yan knew he was merely regretting the choices of his past.

There was no need to ask what happened next; naturally, a change of circumstances had occurred.

He achieved fame and fortune, but that girl did not live to see the wedding she had anticipated. Thus, she remained by his side as a deep obsession, and she ended up causing the deaths of every bride he married thereafter.

“For five whole years, I put all my focus into desperately making money, and gradually, I neglected her existence. I never once cared about the household expenses, nor did I ever ask how she managed to support both of our lives all on her own. I didn't even know where her home was, or if she had any other relatives. It’s truly laughable.”

Su Yan frowned as she listened. So, the two of them had been living together, yet he didn't even understand her circumstances?

Yuan Jing’s voice choked up slightly, and he paused again.

It took a full four or five minutes for his emotions to stabilize somewhat.

When he looked at Su Yan again, his gaze was incredibly complex.

Su Yan couldn't quite understand why he was looking at her this way.

“Later, I finally made it, but she died on our wedding night. For a very long time afterward, I couldn't move on; I could only numb myself with work. My money grew more and more, but my heart grew lonelier and lonelier. I made her wait five years for me, and after she passed, I also spent five years trying to forget her. Five years later, through a friend's introduction, I married my first wife. Everything that happened after that, you already know.”

Yuan Jing’s story was finished, but Su Yan still felt something wasn't quite right.

“Miss Su, she really isn't a bad person. I can swear that while she was alive, she never harmed a single soul. The reason things turned out this way is solely because of her resentment toward me. Can you please help her? I’m begging you, please help her, okay?”

Yuan Jing’s voice trembled; Su Yan was his only hope.

Su Yan remained silent.

“If Miss Su is able to help, in addition to the ten thousand gold pieces previously promised, I can pay an extra reward.” Yuan Jing had no other options left; he could only try to move her with money.

Although people like them were not easily swayed by money, he could only treat this like a last resort.

Besides, he wasn't a fool; the fact that Su Yan hadn't refused immediately meant there was a way.

“Fine. Since Mr. Yuan has shown such sincerity, I certainly don't want to drive you into a corner.”

This time, Su Yan actually relented.

Yuan Jing felt it must have been his sincerity that moved her, definitely not the money.

“Then, thank you, Miss Su.”

His tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

“Don't be in a hurry to thank me. I don't have complete certainty as to whether this will succeed or not. Was everything you just said the whole truth? You aren't hiding anything from me, are you?”

As Su Yan spoke the final words, her volume unconsciously increased a few notches.

Yuan Jing averted his eyes from hers and nodded stiffly.

“One last question: how did she die?” Su Yan’s eyes beneath the black cloth stared intently at his every expression.

“She died... of illness. Yes, she fell very ill, and medicine could not save her.” Yuan Jing answered with difficulty.

For the first time in front of such a young girl, he was nearly losing his composure.

Fortunately, Su Yan seemed to believe his explanation and did not press further.

Just as Yuan Jing had reached the door, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Miss Su is engaged, right?”

Su Yan was slightly stunned.

Could he actually be gossiping about such things?

“Yes.”

“Then, does he know everything about Miss Su?”

Yuan Jing’s voice was very soft, yet it seemed to suppress far too much emotion.

It took Su Yan a few seconds to react to his use of the word "everything."

However, that brief silence was enough for Yuan Jing to get his answer, and he stepped forward once more.

Su Yan’s eyes flickered; she felt as though he were implying something.

***

The people of the Yuan residence were busy tidying up the things left over from yesterday's wedding.

Ma Chulong and the others, on the contrary, were the most idle.

The danger had been neutralized; now they only had to wait until nightfall to deal with that menace, and then they could leave in peace.

After breakfast, Sun Mang ran excitedly to Su Yan’s room, saying he had made plans to go out wandering with the Ma siblings. Su Yan declined their invitation and stayed in her room.

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed since she arrived in the provincial capital. Although she had told Su Jianguo when she left that she wasn't sure when she would return, her family would surely be worried after so much time.

There was a landline in the guest room, so Su Yan dialed Su Jianguo’s office directly.

Perhaps because it was an unfamiliar number, the phone rang for a long time before being picked up.

“Hello, this is Su Jianguo.”

Su Jianguo’s voice came through the receiver, and a faint smile immediately appeared on Su Yan’s face.

“Dad, it’s me.”

On the other end of the line, Su Jianguo immediately became excited.

“Yan Yan, where are you right now? Tell me your address, and I’ll come pick you up immediately!”

Even though Su Yan had called a few days ago to report that she was safe, he was still worried to death.

“Dad, the matters on my end are almost finished. I’ll be back in two days at the latest.”

Su Yan could automatically imagine Su Jianguo’s impatient expression at this very moment.

“You must be lying to me. You said the same thing last time.” Su Jianguo’s aggrieved voice sounded just like a child's.

“It’s true this time. While I’ve been away, have you and Li Qiuhua been getting along okay?” Su Yan could roughly guess that Li Qiuhua and her daughter would definitely take this opportunity of her being away to repair their relationship with her father.

“It’s just the same as always, but Momo has become much more well-behaved; it seems she has recovered from her illness.” Su Jianguo naturally had nothing to hide from her.

Recently, Su Mo had even become more attentive and sensible than before.

Su Yan was not surprised; after all, for Su Mo, being able to stay in that home was more important than anything else.

“By the way, Gu Yang called me a few days ago. Although he said he was just checking in on me, I could tell that boy is pining for you. Find some time to give him a call back.” Su Jianguo reminded her specially.

Calculating the days, Gu Yang had been gone for over a month, yet his own daughter had never once contacted him. This really didn't seem like a newlywed couple.

(End of Chapter)