CHAPTER 140: CHAPTER 140: FAREWELL, GU YACHEN

Gu Jiayin took a deep breath and forcefully shook off Chi Ye’s hand, casually rubbing her wrist that had been painfully squeezed, "Why we love Pei Nianchen, and why our feelings remain so strong over the years, neither you nor Sheng Qianchi would understand, so..."

She looked at him and clearly articulated each word, "You can’t have Xiya."

He couldn’t have her.

These words pierced deep into his soul once again.

Back when he was a thug, he couldn’t have her, and now, even though he wields power, he still can’t have her.

He wanted to ask, how could he ever be worthy of her?

However, Gu Jiayin had already turned around, gracefully walking away.

He watched her back, feeling an indescribable emptiness.

Gu Jiayin kept walking, still pondering how to get back to the city. At the intersection, she saw the taxi that had brought her here, waiting quietly.

Seeing her, the driver respectfully opened the car door, "Miss Gu, please."

Gu Jiayin didn’t think much of it, getting back into the taxi and heading to Lu Xiya’s place.

...

After Gu Jiayin left, Chi Ye remained silent for a while. As the last rays of the sunset disappeared over the horizon, he turned towards his car.

But as soon as he opened the car door, he saw a black, globally limited edition luxury car speeding towards him.

It was Sheng Qianchi’s car.

Without a second thought, he immediately dodged to the side.

"Bang!"

The two cars collided, the massive impact tearing through the twilight’s peace.

Sheng Qianchi pushed open his car door, radiating cold anger, slammed the car door shut, and marched up to Chi Ye, swinging a punch.

"Bang," Chi Ye’s lip corner showed traces of blood.

He didn’t fight back, simply saying softly, "sorry."

Sheng Qianchi, however, was still furious, clenching his fists and questioning through gritted teeth, "Who gave you the guts to touch her?"

He had been watching from afar, seeing Chi Ye dare to squeeze his woman’s wrist. When he saw her rubbing her wrist, he knew Chi Ye had hurt her.

His anger was ignited at that moment.

Chi Ye also knew he had been too impulsive, so he made no excuses, instead pulling out cigarettes from his pocket and smiling as he asked, "Do you want a smoke?"

Sheng Qianchi’s gaze remained intense, still ready for another hit, "You damn well didn’t hear what I said?!"

Chi Ye lit a cigarette for himself, taking a drag and still smiling, "We’ve been brothers; don’t be so unforgiving. I’ve already apologized."

He looked up again, earnestly repeating, "sorry."

Sheng Qianchi then slowly relaxed a little, though still gritting his teeth, "Touch her again, I’ll break your hand!"

Chi Ye nodded, smiling, and tossed the cigarette over, "Have a smoke and calm down."

Sheng Qianchi caught the cigarette mid-air without formality, extracting one and lighting it gracefully.

The two cars, one white and one black, were both severely damaged.

Two men stood by the cars, silently smoking.

The evening breeze gently blew past, casting dark hues across the horizon, while the chirping of insects persisted.

"I heard, Pei Nianchen is coming back." Chi Ye said flatly, lowering his eyelids.

Sheng Qianchi paused, pursing his lips without speaking, but there was a stark chill in his eyes.

To these two men, Pei Nianchen was like a shared nemesis, though amusingly, it was because of different women.

...

By the time Gu Jiayin arrived at Lu Xiya’s apartment, it was already completely dark outside.

Back then, Gu Jiayin had scammed money from Sheng Qianchi to settle the Lu Family’s debts, and Mr. Lu had undergone surgery. After two months of recuperation, he had been discharged.

Originally, Mr. Lu wanted the family to live together, but Lu Xiya said she wanted to live alone, making it easier for Gu Jiayin to find her, so Mr. and Mrs. Lu bought another apartment to live in.

Lu Xiya still lived in the original ordinary neighborhood.

When the elevator doors opened, Gu Jiayin stepped out and knocked on the door.

But it wasn’t Lu Xiya who opened it.

It was a tall young man wearing a black mask and a black baseball cap.

Gu Jiayin immediately became alert, her eyes flashing sharply as she prepared to act if needed.

But the man just smiled, not speaking, merely tilting his head to gesture her inside.

Those eyes seemed especially familiar.

Gu Jiayin instantly recognized who he was, glanced warily down the hallway, and quickly entered the room.

"Where is Xiya?" Her first concern was Lu Xiya’s safety.

Gu Yachen gracefully removed his baseball cap and mask, revealing his sharp features, his voice still as hoarse and clean as ever, "She’s sleeping in the bedroom."

Gu Jiayin was surprised he would reveal his true face to her, but she didn’t have time for closer inspection, quickly glancing around before rushing into the bedroom.

Sure enough, Lu Xiya was quietly asleep on the bed, covered with a thin silk quilt.

"What did you do to her?"

"Don’t worry, I just let her inhale some sleeping gas, she’ll sleep a bit longer."

"How did you get in?"

Gu Yachen smiled, "For an international master thief, sneaking into this kind of neighborhood is easy."

Gu Jiayin stopped talking, carefully scrutinizing the man before her.

Once again, she confirmed she had never seen him before.

Neither his looks nor his voice were familiar, but why did she have a sense of déjà vu?

She gazed at his eyes candidly, "Who exactly are you?"

"Lan Yue."

Gu Yachen was also closely observing Gu Jiayin. Last time on the Eagle Emperor Cruise, things were too chaotic; he hadn’t had a chance to really look at her.

For seven years, he had thought she was dead. At this moment, how much he wanted to hold her and savor the kinship.

The space fell silent.

They scrutinized one another.

Their gazes met in the air.

A subtle emotion spread quietly outward.

After a long time, Gu Jiayin finally realized why he seemed familiar; it was because of his eyes.

Those eyes looked so much like Gu Yachen’s.

Bright, profound, as deep as the sea.

Only, Gu Yachen was as gentle as jade, whereas Lan Yue carried untold stories and a sharper edge.

It should be said, Lan Yue had a multifaceted nature.

On the Eagle Emperor Cruise, he made her feel as if he was a cold-hearted man, but in this moment, she felt he exuded gentleness.

An iron-blooded man also had a gentle side.

Gu Jiayin almost blurted out the word "brother."

Just the exchange of glances made her feel much closer, and she suppressed the sourness rising in her throat, softly asking, "Want some tea?"

"Sure."

Gu Jiayin smiled slightly, turning into the kitchen to brew tea.

Gu Yachen stood quietly at the kitchen door, watching her.

He remembered a time when she was obsessed with brewing tea. Though her skills were rough when she began, she always sought his opinion, acting coquettishly like a little girl, deliberately teasing him, and recklessly squandering his affection.

Seven years later, after a brush with life and death, being this close again, he felt warmth enveloping him.

When she brought the tea to him, he held back the sadness in his eyes, took up the cup, and savored a sip.