CHAPTER 273: CHAPTER 273: QIN JINHAI, PLEASE RETURN THE YOUTH I’VE HIDDEN DEEP IN MY HEART TO ME

The night wind remained. The cool night breeze swept into the emptiness of their hearts, chilling them to the core.

Fu Bing’s gaze wasn’t sharp. Qin Jinhai didn’t dare to meet her gaze.

Fu Bing didn’t want to linger too long on the same question. She certainly didn’t want her relationship with Qin Jinhai to remain unresolved. She needed a relationship that was clear and definite.

She continued, "I want an equal relationship, one where I can endure hardship, encounter setbacks, and even go to prison.

"But all this is predicated on the other person honestly telling me the reasons. I need to clearly and distinctly know what I’m facing, not have my eyes covered by a so-called ’loving’ hand.

"You cover my eyes, making me walk forward in darkness. I could have known the truth! We could have discussed things and moved forward together!

"If only you had been willing to explain, just once, my past few years wouldn’t have been so difficult and filled with hatred.

"Was your meticulous caution really to protect me, or to protect your ridiculous male ego?

"You want to shelter me like the sky, shielding me from wind and rain. But I could have stood by your side and faced all the storms together.

"After I was released from prison, what did you do? You treated me like some lover you could humiliate and suppress!

"Qin Jinhai, sometimes your bizarre actions make me think you’ve been possessed!"

Fu Bing knew well that everyone thinks differently and thus acts differently. She had no intention of interfering with others. But Qin Jinhai, this man destined to leave a profound mark on her life—she had to say her piece to him. What she wanted was an attentive and understanding partner she could trust wholeheartedly, not someone who would push all the burdens onto the other person.

Qin Jinhai watched her intently.

Suddenly, he stepped forward. Ignoring her protest, he forcefully pulled her into his embrace.

Fu Bing struggled fiercely, "Let me go, you have no right to hold me!"

Qin Jinhai inhaled her scent deeply before gently letting her go. When he looked up again, his pitch-black eyes shone like the brightest stars in the night sky.

Fu Bing was dazzled by the brightness in his eyes.

"Fu Bing, you’re still willing to give me a chance, aren’t you?"

She had said so much primarily to make him understand her dislikes. If everyone approached relationships as he did, they would only get to know each other through mutual suspicion. She wasn’t like that. She was someone who needed to lay everything out and talk things through. She disliked it when those close to her kept secrets.

Fu Bing pursed her lips, unwilling to answer.

Qin Jinhai’s heart, however, throbbed with emotion.

"I was wrong.

"Fu Bing, I’ve always uncontrollably seen you as that little girl from back then. I wanted to protect you, to give you the best.

"But as I grew up, no one taught me to be honest. My upbringing dictated that I couldn’t have anyone else in my heart.

"If there was someone, that person would be quietly dealt with.

"For over twenty years, you’ve been the only exception.

"You don’t know how terrified I was that they would dispose of you.

"When you were imprisoned, I even felt a sense of relief. I no longer had to live in constant fear, wondering when they would make their move. I could protect you properly within the limited scope of your activities.

"I didn’t learn to be honest in the past, and I might not learn it in the future either.

"I can only say I’ll try my best."

Fu Bing didn’t interrupt, gazing at him quietly.

They had to move forward. Their names were etched into each other’s very bones, into their blood. Struggle or pain, it mattered little. The grand hand of fate had long since bound them together. Had she ever thought of letting go of his hand? Of course, she had. In her moments of deepest hatred, she had wished she could strangle him, make him disappear forever. She had merely been in a love that went wrong; it wasn’t as if she’d committed some heinous crime. Why should she end up so miserable just for loving someone? Yet her heart was just so disobedient. Even if she hated Qin Jinhai to the core, he was still different from everyone else. What could she do? She also held an irreplaceable place in his heart. She never doubted that. In this world, how many could compare to her, Fu Bing? He had loved her; how could he easily fall for someone else?

A light burst forth from Fu Bing’s eyes—a light of resolute determination.

"Qin Jinhai, my immediate goals don’t include you for now. You walk your path, and I’ll climb my own peaks.

"I’m only twenty-five. I’ve experienced an intense and unforgettable love, had an incomparable lover, and I have many people I love.

"I want to conquer new mountains first. I don’t want to invest too much emotional energy in the complexities of our relationship."

Love was indeed thrilling, but life held so many other interesting things she also wanted to experience. Whenever she was with him, her emotions were too easily swayed. She disliked the feeling of not being in control.

In her eyes, Qin Jinhai saw a freer, broader sky.

"You are devoted to your mountains and stars; I will strive to become a domain for you to conquer."

Fu Bing paused slightly, a smile flickering in her eyes. It was a frank and magnanimous smile.

"I look forward to it.

"I’ve always cherished the memory of the young man from that night—so spirited and warm.

"Qin Jinhai, try to bring him back to me, won’t you?"

Qin Jinhai’s eyes grew hot. In a hoarse voice, he replied, "Okay."

What had he ever done to deserve her? Their relationship had clearly been shattered, reduced to a field of rubble and ruins, yet she still had the courage to sweep away the debris and erect a new skyscraper upon it. Her courage was something he had never possessed.

After gazing into his ink-black eyes, Fu Bing turned and walked home. Qin Jinhai’s car followed her until she entered her house, only then did he drive away.

Now that they had talked things through, the huge boulder that had been pressing on Fu Bing’s heart suddenly lifted, and her entire being felt lighter. The confusion and hesitation in her mind dissipated instantly.

It was late at night, yet she felt no sleepiness at all. She turned on her computer; she needed to push forward with many of her plans, instead of passively accepting other people’s challenges.

「The next day.」

When Xiaomei woke up, she saw Fu Bing about to leave. "Sister, are you going out?"

"I’m going to check out a project. Want to come with me?"

"Then wait for me, okay?" Xiaomei ran upstairs to change into a more formal outfit.

Today, it was Fu Bing who was driving. The destination was the golf course.

When Fu Bing arrived, the others were already there. Yang Ningzheng saw Fu Bing and Xiaomei and hurried over to greet them. "President Shen and his group are already here."

Fu Bing and Xiaomei changed into sportswear and took a golf cart over. Shen Shichen’s eyes hadn’t left Fu Bing from the moment she appeared.

There was a flicker of dissatisfaction in the eyes of Shen Shichen’s female companion, Lin Ying. She didn’t dare show her displeasure to Shen Shichen, but she subtly directed some of it towards Fu Bing.

Fu Bing raised an eyebrow and looked directly at Lin Ying. "Is there something on my face that makes Miss Lin stare at me so intently?"