Chapter 169: Chapter 169

Past events are vivid in memory, as Xiao Hesheng recalls them, there’s regret and even hatred in his heart.

He regrets not being firm with his sister, thinking if he had just brought her back to Hong Kong when she was pregnant, she wouldn’t have died. The hatred is for Fu Zhengjun’s heartlessness, promising a woman only to abandon her without even a final explanation, while he comfortably stays in Beicheng with a beautiful wife and children.

Something in Xiao Hesheng’s chest has been congested for thirty years, so seeing the Fu Family, there’s no way for a kind expression.

They say a father’s debts are repaid by his son. Facing Fu Jichen, of course, he’s angry, but ultimately, reason prevails, and he doesn’t lose composure in front of others.

Fu Jichen confirmed his inner suspicions, with not much left to say, watching Xiao Hesheng’s departing silhouette with deep eyes.

Similarly, this is his first time sitting face to face with Xiao Hesheng for a conversation. That man dressed in a custom dark gray striped suit, with an elegant demeanor, even with his enemy’s son, his tone at worst is somewhat cold, without insults or conflict, showing that he’s inherently kind.

If he had grown up with Xiao Hesheng, it’s uncertain what he would be like today.

Xiao Hesheng has endured for many years just to seek justice for his deceased sister, it seems he should be a good uncle.

The phone buzzed, pulling Fu Jichen’s wandering thoughts back, he pinched the bridge of his nose, took out his phone from his pocket to glance, it was a call from Lu Yanzhi.

Upon answering, he heard Lu Yanzhi complaining from the other side: "Lawrence is impervious to reason, I’ve talked until my lips are dry but to no avail, what exactly has the person behind him promised him!"

Fu Jichen switched the phone to the other hand, took out his wallet, pulled out some bills and placed them on the table to pay, then got up to leave the restaurant: "We’ll talk when I get back."

Nearby roads were under construction, the driver dispatched by the branch company took a detour, by the time they returned to the hotel where they were staying, it was already dark.

When Fu Jichen went to the hotel suite to find Lu Yanzhi, he had just arrived too, took off his suit jacket and threw it on the couch, loosened his tie draped around his neck, leaning against his belt with one hand and holding a can of ice beer in the other, the whole image of a raging lion.

Hearing the door open, Lu Yanzhi turned around, his expression slightly softened: "You finally came back, I couldn’t keep him here, really tried my best, I, Old Cao, and Special Assistant Song, the three of us couldn’t persuade even Lawrence."

He also knew he hadn’t handled matters well, a cloud of worry gathering between his brows.

Old Cao, being responsible for the branch office over there, was more familiar with the situation, and had analyzed various pros and cons with Lawrence, but the person was adamant about withdrawing.

Fu Jichen lit a cigarette, paced to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the gray cityscape, spoke calmly: "As expected."

"How’s your side of negotiations going? What path is that person on, Jun Mountain’s opposing party?"

Lu Yanzhi took another can of beer from the fridge and handed it over to Fu Jichen.

Fu Jichen reached out to take it, but didn’t open it, putting it casually on the nearby rectangular wooden table, the cigarette between his fingers halfway burnt, he tapped the ash into the ashtray without elaborating: "Confirmed some things."

Lu Yanzhi took a sip of beer, not understanding his words, lifted his eyes to look at him, wondering if it’s his illusion, the man’s back seems to carry some melancholy.

Wasn’t he supposed to be negotiating, why the low spirits? Could it be the result not being satisfactory?

Fu Jichen squinted and exhaled a smoke ring, then extinguished the cigarette butt in the ashtray, leaning against the edge of the wooden table, told Lu Yanzhi: "Don’t bother with Lawrence, if he wants to exit, let him, those who can be swayed by profit would also betray the company for profit in the future, always unstable. It’s better to kick him out while the project hasn’t reached a critical phase."

Lu Yanzhi choked on a mouthful of beer, wiped his mouth corner saying: "Then what about the project?"

"I have already contacted others for a technical stake, currently in the evaluation phase, analysts are making reports, results will be out by tomorrow afternoon at the latest, will hold a meeting to announce it then."

After Fu Jichen finished speaking, he took out his phone from his pocket, intended to call Shen Jianian, but upon checking the time, realized it was one in the morning domestically, so he dismissed the thought.

Lu Yanzhi gazed at him staring at the phone lost in thought, contemplated slightly, understanding his intention.

"Thinking of calling Miss Shen?" Lu Yanzhi teased.

Hearing Fu Jichen had a new plan, Lu Yanzhi’s mood lightened considerably, after all, he didn’t want to serve Lawrence anymore.

Fu Jichen didn’t conceal it, placing his phone on the table, one hand in his pocket, his tone softened: "I do miss her, she should be asleep now."

Even though Lu Yanzhi knew his friend genuinely felt for Shen Jianian, hearing Fu Jichen candidly say "miss her", he was still startled.

Like seeing a pine tree bloom, or the sun rising from the west.

Shen Jianian received Fu Jichen’s call the next day at eight in the evening, Switzerland time was two in the afternoon.

"Are you home?" Fu Jichen’s voice sounded a bit hoarse, he couldn’t help but softly cough after just one sentence.

Shen Jianian listened to his voice, feeling warmth around her eyes that she could hardly contain, thankful that the person on the other end couldn’t see it. She responded with a soft "hmm," and then immediately asked, "What’s wrong with your voice?"

Fu Jichen answered truthfully, "I had meetings all morning, maybe talked too much." As he spoke, he gave a low, dry cough.

"Have you eaten?" Shen Jianian asked.

"Song Fang ordered some food, I’ll eat in a bit." The tense string within Fu Jichen’s body slowly eased after hearing her concerned words, and his voice softened involuntarily, "What about you, have you had dinner?"

"I just had some fruit; the cook is still preparing the meal."

Shen Jianian sat in the living room of the Yunding Palace Villa, the TV was on with a low volume, and a plate of sliced fruit was laid on the coffee table in front of her.

Fu Jichen recalled that she felt unwell before boarding the flight and Lu Yanzhi’s words, he softly asked her, "After returning from the airport that day, has your stomach been feeling okay?"

"No, I’m fine." Shen Jianian tried to keep her voice calm, "When will you be back?"

Fu Jichen’s lips curved into a smile, "It’s still uncertain for now."

Shen Jianian said, "Then don’t forget to message me once you’ve booked the ticket."

"Are you coming to pick me up?" The smile on Fu Jichen’s face deepened, and an inexplicable tenderness seeped through his tone.

Shen Jianian, with one hand resting on her leg, clenched it and took a slow breath. She didn’t want to deceive him or make him hopeful, she answered evasively, "No, I’m just... casually asking."

Cheng Jin came over to call Shen Jianian for dinner, and Fu Jichen heard it over the phone, then spoke his parting words, "Go have your meal, I’m about to eat as well."

Just a second before the call ended, Shen Jianian hurriedly said, "Let Special Assistant Song prepare some honey water or snow pear water for you, it’s good for your throat."

She knew he was quite busy over there, possibly unable to spare time for such things, but she still hoped he would take care of himself.

Fu Jichen chuckled, "Got it."

Once the call ended, Shen Jianian gripped the phone tightly in her hand, staring blankly into the air until Cheng Jin returned with the dishes to the table and called her again. She snapped back to reality and went to the dining room to eat.

Four days later, Shen Jianian received a text message from Fu Jichen. His flight was at 6:15 PM, with a layover in Paris for two hours and forty minutes, arriving at Capital International Airport around 4:30 PM the following afternoon.

Shen Jianian’s heart suddenly accelerated, feeling as if the sword hanging over her head had finally fallen.

Feigning nonchalance, she replied to the message, saying she would wait for him at home. This was the last lie she told Fu Jichen.

After six, learning that Fu Jichen had smoothly boarded his flight, Shen Jianian booked an online courier service to send a letter to her teacher, Yan Qiusheng.

Some things she couldn’t say to Yan Qiusheng face-to-face, she wrote them all down in the letter.

The cook finished preparing dinner, Cheng Jin came over to call her, and everything seemed as usual. Shen Jianian quietly finished her meal at the dining table and then returned to her room upstairs.

After the cook left, Cheng Jin tidied up the room, turned off the lights in various places, and retired to his bedroom early.

The whole villa was silent, with only the ticking of the clock filling the air. Shen Jianian carried a backpack-sized travel bag, avoided taking the elevator, and quietly walked down from the third floor in the dark.

Unexpectedly, she woke the two dogs sleeping in the living room, who wagged their tails and came over to nudge her pant leg.

They were so familiar with Shen Jianian that they didn’t bark or make noise.

Shen Jianian bent down to gently stroke the fur on their backs, then quietly opened the front door of the villa and stepped outside.

Outside the fence gate, there was a security booth. Seeing Shen Jianian carrying something, the security guard poked his head out the window and greeted, "Miss Shen, are you heading out now? Why didn’t you call a car?"

Usually, Shen Jianian went in and out of the villa using the family car, never having hailed a cab on her own, so the security guard was a bit surprised.

Shen Jianian curved her lips into a slight smile and answered naturally, "I’m going to meet a friend who lives nearby; it’s convenient to walk, no need to call a driver."

The security guard didn’t suspect anything, and Shen Jianian pushed open the fence gate, walking straight ahead without looking back. She flagged down a taxi by the roadside and asked the driver to take her to the airport.

Sitting in the car, her calm facade finally dropped. She rested her head against the car window, closed her eyes slightly, as the neon lights glided past her face, illuminating the tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.