\”President, I already asked our people to make the news about Dongfang Jin trend for the whole day. Unless the Dongfang family pays a lot of money to remove the trend. Or create a piece of bigger news then there is no way that everyone will stop seeing his name anytime soon.\” Secretary Go said. \”He is currently in prison. While his lawyer is working on his bail.\”
\”Hmmm…\” Zhou Jingren nodded. \”And Zhou Kang?\”
\”Well… we may have a small situation about him.\” Seeing Zhou Jingren lift an eyebrow at him, Secretary Go continued. \”Miss Lin went to see him yesterday. Our people just saw her leaving the Zhou estate this morning.\”
\”Is that all?\” his gaze darkened.
\”Yes, President.\”
\”Then… call Bei Tian. Tell him about this news.\” Secretary Go nodded. However, before he could bid Zhou Jingren goodbye, he received a call from one of their people.
\”President… Miss Lin is asking to see you. She is downstairs. Shall I tell our people to let her in?\”
\”Alright.\” Zhou Jingren nodded and rose from his seat. \”Send her to my study.\”
……………………………….
\”Hey,\” Lin Yu Yan meekly said as she made her way towards Zhou Jingren. She held her breath, trying to control her racing heart. \”I’m sorry. Please accept my sincere condolences.\” She bit her lips and watched Zhou Jingren’s side profile.
\”Why are you here? Didn’t Bei Tian told you not to see me?\” he asked, his gaze glued towards the tablet in his hands.
\”I just… I thought I would come and see you. I mean… after Lily’s unfortunate passing. I thought it would be best to send my condolences in person.\”
\”Then… if you are done, you can go now.\”
\”I — Jingren…\” she gulped. \”If there is anything else I can do to help you. Then… please tell me.\” She lowered her head, her hand clenched into a fist. She watched as her knuckles turned white. \”Also… I would like to apologize. For what happened.\”
Zhou Jingren peeled off his eyes away from the tablet and gave her a brief look. \”Are you done?\” his eyebrow lifted. \”You can leave… once you are done talking.\”
His indifference shook her core. She trembled as she felt her nails graced her palms. \”I—\”
\”Is there anything else?\”
\”I… I just want to ask you. I just want to know something.\” She started. The terms of her bet with Zhou Kang echoed in her head like a bell, reminding her of what she had agreed to do. \”I just want to know… if there is a chance. If there was a time in the past that you thought of me as a woman and not as a sister?\” As a response, Zhou Jingren stared at her blankly. He stood from his seat.
\”Please answer me.\”
\”No.\” Zhou Jingren’s lips thinned. \”There will no chance that it will happen in the future either.\” He shoved his hands into his pocket.
\”Jingren…\”
\”The only reason why you are alive is because of Bei Tian. I know how… he liked you for years. Aside from that… there is no other reason that you are alive now.\” Zhou Jingren’s gaze was devoid of any expression as he continued, \”I don’t want you to think that you are lucky. If I tell Bei Tian to kill you… he would not hesitate to do it.\”
His words left her speechless. Her eyelids fluttered as fear raced in her heart. What kind of man would say such cruel things? \”You are going to have me killed?\” she asked her voice trembled. \”Really?\”
\”Why?\” she continued. \”Is it because… because you can’t love me? Is it because… I loved you too much? Jingren… I have done nothing wrong but love you. Is it a sin? Is loving you so wrong?\” she muster all the courage that she had and stood from her seat. She edged closer to him. \”Jingren… you knew! Since we were children. You knew that I love you. Yet you…\” she pursed her lips.
\”Lily is gone. Can’t you… Can’t you at least give yourself a chance? Another chance to love someone?\”
A scoff escaped his lips. \”Your business is done here. Ask Go Jichen to escort you outside.\”
Lin Yu Yan stared at him . She sucked her breath, defeat in her eyes. \”What part of me is not enough?\” She watched as mockery swirled in Zhou Jingren’s eyes. \”Are you going to mock me forever? Zhou Jingren… why are you so cruel? What have I done to deserve this?\”
\”Do you think… I am not pretty enough? Am I not rich enough? Am I not smart? Zhou Jingren… If you want me to change, I can. I will do whatever you want me to do. I can even change my face! Make it look like hers! I can act like her. Just so you will give me a chance to be with you.\” Tears pooled in her eyes. \”I can make you happy. I will do everything to make you happy. I am the only woman who would do this for you. Can’t you see? I am the only one who loves you more than I have ever loved myself… more than I have ever loved anything else.\”
Seeing Zhou Jingren’s eyebrows knit, she continued, \”I am the only woman who is willing to change everything about myself for you. Isn’t that enough? I am asking for a chance, that’s all.\”
\”Are you telling me that… you will change your whole self just so you can be with me?\” he asked.
\”I can! I will do everything… I mean… just like everyone else, you can also learn how to love.\” She smiled, her crazed eyes sparkled. \”I will stay by your side. Unlike Qin Jinghua, I will never leave you. Just give me a chance.\”
\”Tell me, Lin Yu Yan…\” Zhou Jingren’s icy gaze swept through her. \”All this time that you mention how much you love me… did you ever think, even once… If you love yourself enough to share this feeling with someone else?\”
\”I—\”
\”You are willing to have another person identity. You are willing to forget yourself and everything about you just so you can show me your so-called ‘love’. Lin Yu Yan… this is not loving. This is madness. \”
