Chen Jinzhao trembled all over.
His bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at Xu Mingzhi.
Xu Mingzhi found it difficult to meet Chen Jinzhao's gaze. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Everything I've said is true, not a single word is false. You can check Nianqing's entry and exit records; there are traces to follow. If you still don't believe me, I can swear a poisonous oath: if any part of what I've said is a lie, may lightning strike me dead!"
"No need..." Chen Jinzhao withdrew his gaze, utterly exhausted.
"If you had told me a few months earlier, the outcome would have been entirely different. It's too late to say anything now."
Chen Jinzhao had almost moved on from that relationship.
Especially since Yu Mengzhi had entered his life, and Chen Jinzhao had promised to be responsible for Yu Mengzhi. How could he break his word so easily?
That relationship was worth cherishing, but ultimately, it was in the past. Chen Jinzhao did not want a third party to be hurt in this romance.
Xu Mingzhi hurriedly said, "It's not too late yet. You and that girl from the Yu family aren't married yet. I heard Yu Mengzhi has already caught the eye of Qin Fengwu from the capital, so you likely don't stand much of a chance."
Chen Jinzhao found it amusing.
He said, with a hint of self-mockery, "Since Uncle Xu looks down on me so much, why did you bother telling me about these old matters?"
"You've misunderstood me. Qin Fengwu is a young man at the very top of China. He will likely have the chance to contend for the highest position in the future. It's nothing to be ashamed of if you're not as capable as him. As I've gotten older, I've realized that what I did before was wrong. If I don't tell you the truth, I won't be able to rest easy. I hope you can understand my intentions," Xu Mingzhi explained.
Chen Jinzhao sighed.
If...
He was just saying "if," but if Xu Mingzhi hadn't interfered back then, perhaps he would already be married to Xu Nianqing now?
Naturally, he wouldn't have met Yu Mengzhi.
The unpredictability of life was no mere saying.
"Uncle Xu, I am grateful that you have told me the truth, but... some things, once lost, can never be recovered. As the saying goes, a broken mirror is hard to mend, and spilled water is impossible to gather." Chen Jinzhao shook his head.
Let those beautiful, sorrowful memories fade away with the wind.
Without waiting for Xu Mingzhi to say anything more, Chen Jinzhao turned and left the ward dejectedly, making Xu Mingzhi realize once again how outrageous his actions had been back then.
At that moment.
Chen Jinzhao left the ward.
Unable to find a cigarette, he went to the stairwell to get some air.
His phone suddenly rang from his pocket. Chen Jinzhao thought it was Yu Mengzhi calling, but a glance revealed it wasn't.
It was Tao Qiyue.
He answered the call.
Tao Qiyue anxiously asked if Chen Jinzhao had rescued Xu Nianqing. Chen Jinzhao replied with a wry smile, "Officer Tao, do you distrust me that much? The situation was like this..."
Chen Jinzhao recounted the entire incident to Tao Qiyue. After all, she had trusted him so much, and he shouldn't hide anything from her.
Tao Qiyue listened, stunned.
"You're bragging!"
"You're only slightly stronger than an average person, how could you hold your own against seventeen burly men – and experienced thugs at that? Make sure to draft your lies before you tell them next time!"
Chen Jinzhao gave a wry smile, "It's all true. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do."
On the other end.
After hanging up, Tao Qiyue received a report from the county bureau. When she saw the number of injured and Chu Zixiong's condition, she gasped. It matched everything Chen Jinzhao had said!
Which meant...
Chen Jinzhao wasn't lying!
"My heavens..."
Tao Qiyue stared blankly, her face filled with shock. "His personal combat strength is too formidable! I take back what I said earlier. He's at least a member of one of the top special forces teams in the country, or even their captain."
"Who is more formidable, him or Candle Dragon's Eye?"
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, she quickly suppressed it.
Candle Dragon's Eye was the soul of the strongest special forces team – the Candle Dragon – and one of the most powerful single combatants in the world today. Chen Jinzhao was certainly far inferior to that individual.
However.
For these powerhouses, Tao Qiyue only felt admiration.
Snapping back to reality.
She ordered the county bureau to cooperate and apprehend Chu Zixiong and the others.
Tao Qiyue knew that doing so would be largely ineffective. Without evidence, they would be released in a few days. Still, giving these villains a hard time was deemed necessary.
Leyang County.
Just after Chen Jinzhao finished his call with Tao Qiyue and before he could meet his mother, another text message arrived on his phone.
"Why couldn't you say what you needed to on the phone?" he muttered to himself.
He instinctively assumed it was from Tao Qiyue.
No.
The sender was Yu Mengzhi.
After reading the content of the message, Chen Jinzhao frowned. It stated that Yu Mengzhi was feeling agitated and asked if Chen Jinzhao was still awake, and if so, whether he could give her a call.
Chen Jinzhao called her back.
"Missy, you're still awake this late?"
There was a long silence on the other end. Chen Jinzhao sensed that the atmosphere was not right. Yu Mengzhi soon cut to the chase, "Chen Jinzhao, my grandfather has been deeply affected by Yu Shenxing's imprisonment and has contracted Alzheimer's disease."
Chen Jinzhao also fell silent.
When Yu Mengzhi said that, he had a vague premonition.
"What are your thoughts?" Chen Jinzhao asked.
Yu Mengzhi's voice was filled with deep confusion. She shook her head blankly. "I don't know. I'm in a terrible mood right now. After thinking it over and over, calling you was the only thing I could do to relieve some of it."
Chen Jinzhao had no idea how to comfort someone.
He could only say, "Try to get some sleep first. Make a decision after you wake up."
"Chen Jinzhao, if... I'm just saying if I make that decision, will you hate me or dislike me?" Yu Mengzhi cared about Chen Jinzhao's feelings and cautiously asked this question.
Chen Jinzhao gave a wry smile, "How could I hate you? Everyone has their own difficulties. You just need to make the choice that is most beneficial to you. I will respect your decision."
Ultimately, Yu Mengzhi was still a member of the Yu family; she had the Yu family's blood flowing through her.
Chen Jinzhao could not possibly ask her to betray her family for him. It was not in line with Chen Jinzhao's way of life. Even if they ended up together, Yu Mengzhi would not be happy.
"I'm sorry," Yu Mengzhi said.
"I was too willful before. Now, I just want my grandfather to recover as soon as possible. If you're unhappy, you can scold me."
Chen Jinzhao's mood was quite terrible. Just as he had guessed, he still smiled and said, "It's alright. Our encounter was just an accident. We will eventually return to our respective correct paths."
"I wish you smooth sailing and success in everything you do from now on."
Yu Mengzhi felt a deep ache in her heart.
Between family interests and Chen Jinzhao, she had chosen the former.
If Chen Jinzhao had directly scolded her, she might have felt a little better, but he didn't.
"Chen Jinzhao..."
"There are some things I've always wanted to tell you. Before, I thought there would be plenty of time, but I forgot how unpredictable life is. If I don't say it now, I might not have the chance later."
"Actually, I like you."