Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“I’ll definitely take you out of here and bring you to a place where nobody knows us, so we can start life afresh. However, will you be able to put down your vengeance? Put all the hatred behind you and move on,” Tuoba Shuo said in a gentle and mellow voice.
“So what if I can’t? I can’t possibly send myself back into that living hell. Even if it’s just for Xiaoning’s sake, I can’t act on impulse and behave recklessly,” she said with a wry smile.
Tuoba Shuo nodded upon hearing her words.
In fact, Shi Xiaoyu had yet to discover that Shi Qingzhou had already escaped her clutches.
After all, she did not go down to the basement to check on her daily.
Besides, it was the election period and her main focus for now was not Shi Qingzhou. Thus, things were peaceful in the Autumn Palace for the time being.
An Xiaoning did not plan to leave right away. Instead, she thought it would be more appropriate to send her mother away first before leaving the palace herself.
Tuoba Shuo could not request to leave the Autumn Palace now, for he was well aware that Shi Xiaoyu will definitely pin him as a suspect when she finds out that Shi Qingzhou had gone missing at the same time that he was leaving. By then, how could they possibly live a peaceful life?
In fact, it may even bring another disaster upon Shi Qingzhou.
Hence, all he could do now was to endure and wait patiently.
An Xiaoning could not leave the palace in peace unless they had done so before she does.
Thus, An Xiaoning continued to stay by Tuoba Gucheng’s side while Tuoba Shuo and Shi Qingzhou lived together in bliss, despite having to be on their guard at all times.
An Xiaoning would occasionally visit her mother to chat with her at night or have a meal together with her and Tuoba Shuo. She could not help but feel envious every time she noticed the look of bliss and endearment in their eyes whenever they stared at each other.
How many people were there in this world who could be understanding toward her unconditionally?
Somehow, Jin Qingyan popped up in her mind.
I guess there’s no way to clear the misunderstanding that had caused our marriage to turn sour.
Especially since I don’t have any substantial evidence to prove my innocence.
What else could she say if even Tuoba Gucheng, the only evidence she had, was bent on insisting that they had gotten intimate with each other?
Noticing that he had become much colder toward her lately, An Xiaoning decided not to be thick-skinned and thus did not take the initiative to strike a conversation with him.
The two of them were getting along with each other cordially like how an employer and his employee should be, maintaining an appropriate distance.
She would tag along wherever he goes and follow him to attend various meetings and events where she met all sorts of people.
Fortunately, Lin Shishi had yet to hear her voice even until now.
An Xiaoning had been playing dumb in front of her.
She managed to pull the act off rather successfully.
Time continued to pass incessantly.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the 16th of October.
It was Jin Qingyan’s thirty-third birthday.
However, time seemed to have forgotten to leave a trace on his face.
He looked as if he had stopped aging at the age of twenty-six.
However, he exuded a mature charm from head to toe.
He was no longer an inexperienced, young chap and was now a promising and successful businessman who had an established career.
Putting aside the fact that he had divorced An Xiaoning twice, he could basically be considered perfect.
On this day, his friends were preparing to throw him a birthday bash.
They decided to celebrate his birthday with him at Wei Ni Estate.
Everyone was in a celebratory mood and gathered together to eat and drink merrily while catching up with each other.
When they approached the topic about the presidential election, Long Tianze remarked bluntly, “I reckon Tuoba Hancheng is going to lose this time. The controversy about his sexual orientation has tainted his reputation greatly. Even if he really isn’t a homosexual, there’s no way to clear his name now.”
“Well, the only possible outcome is either for the president to run another term or to hand his position down to Tuoba Gucheng. Tuoba Gucheng does seem to be a great fit, actually. Besides, he has the backing of his father,” Ling Ciye said with a chuckle.
Jin Qingyan remained quiet and refused to comment. Although it was his birthday, he did not seem to be in a good mood.
However, this was the most relaxed he had ever been in a long time.
He would not go to the extent of pulling a long face in front of his family and friends.
“Regardless of who becomes the next president, it’ll still be someone from the Tuoba family. It has nothing to do with us outsiders at all. Let’s just live life every day like it’s our last and enjoy while we can. Shouldn’t we?” said Long Tianze, who was flushed red and tipsy.
“You have it the easiest amongst the three of us,” said Ling Ciye.
“You’re not that bad yourself. When are you and Qingyue getting married?” Long Tianze asked.
“I’m thinking of knocking her up before having a shotgun wedding…”
“Watch out, Qingyan’s going to beat you to a pulp,” said Long Tianze, bursting into laughter.
“I’m not knocking him up, what would he beat me for?” Ling Ciye retorted, rolling his eyes at him. “I promised my mother that I would clear Qingyue’s tarnished reputation. However, Shi Shaochuan has beaten us to it and launched his attack against Qingyue. I really feel like shooting that bastard to death,” Ling Ciye continued.
Long Tianze chuckled and asked, “Seriously speaking, what does it feel like to be someone else’s stepfather? Is it thrilling?”
“Long Tianze, how dare you mock me? Well, at least I got the girl, unlike you. You carried a torch for Qingyue for so many years and you didn’t even get the chance to be her child’s stepfather,” Ling Ciye hissed.
“Well, at least I got to be the biological father of my own child.”
“That day will come for me too. Just you wait and see.”
“…”
Jin Qingyan watched as they continued to bicker incessantly. He then interjected, “Have you guys ever considered my feelings? There’ll be a woman becoming my son’s stepmother one day too.”
The two of them looked at each other in shock and dismay. Long Tianze cleared his throat and asked, “Have you really set your mind to it?”
“What do you think? Otherwise, am I supposed to stay single until I die?” Jin Qingyan retorted with a sullen expression.
“When do you plan to look for another wife? What type of woman are you going to go for? A mature and demure lady? An adorable Lolita? Or a domineering careerwoman? Or would you prefer a family-oriented and virtuous woman?” Long Tianze probed inquisitively.
“I’ll let fate decide,” Jin Qingyan answered without hesitation.
“Seems like you really have the plans to begin a new relationship,” Long Tianze remarked in awe.
“Otherwise, do you expect him to continue being a bachelor? He has his sexual needs and desires too. Given how great of a catch Qingyan is, it’s a piece of cake for him to get any woman he wishes. Besides, getting into a new relationship will make you glow and radiate from within. I’m speaking from experience,” Ling Ciye chimed in.
“Thing is, all he does now is go home after working at the office. Where is he supposed to look for a potential wife? Qingyan should really interact with more women,” said Long Tianze, hitting the nail on the head.
“I’m not a child, I don’t need you two to teach me what to do. I’m going upstairs to take a short nap. Suit yourselves.”
He turned around and headed straight upstairs.
Once he reached his bedroom door, he pressed his fingerprint onto the biometric lock to unlock the door, which closed automatically after he entered. No one else could unlock the door to his bedroom except him.
While lying in bed, Jin Qingyan felt as if his soul had left his body, as was the case every time he was alone by himself.
Yet, his mind would often wander off beyond his control, reminding him of the person he should not be thinking about. He often found himself imagining a future that did not belong to him and thinking about things he shouldn’t.
His memory of what happened in July became blurry with each passing day.
He had no idea how he had managed to overcome it and how he could blow his top so furiously back then.
It felt as if he was not the one who experienced those events at all and was simply a bystander, witnessing everything that happened before him.
He closed his eyes and lay on his side, struck with a sudden, excruciating wave of pain, which escalated quickly and spread all over his body. He was feeling the unbearable pain in every fiber of his body…
