CHAPTER 229: CHAPTER 229: NEVER FORGIVE

Her questioning was forceful, and Wei Shuqian could only respond with a helpless smile, unable to hide the guilt in his eyes.

He sighed, speaking in a voice filled with shame, "Yes, it’s not only today that you and I are from different worlds; it’s just that all this time, I’ve been deceiving myself, keeping you by my side. But now..."

Wei Shuqian paused, his eyes fixed on Wen Jiao, emotions too complex to understand, he said, "But now, I’ve come to understand that I can’t drag you to meet that version of me. Wen Jiao, I used to think, standing at the top, even if I was not clean or entirely honorable, I, at least, had the power to protect you. But recently, I’ve been thinking a lot."

Wen Jiao heard her own voice, stiff and dry, "What have you thought about?"

"I have my responsibilities, many brothers who have been through life and death with me, and I owe a life to someone. Now, he’s returned to that place, and I must go help him." After finishing, Wei Shuqian lowered his head and took Wen Jiao’s hand again.

Wen Jiao suddenly realized what he intended to do.

Her face paled, and she clenched her hand into a fist, her voice tinged with panic, "Wei Shuqian! Think about the consequences before you act! If you want to go help, then help! Is there a conflict in returning after the help?"

Wei Shuqian chuckled softly, he seldom laughed since they reunited, but tonight, it seemed he kept smiling at himself.

Wen Jiao heard him say, "There’s no conflict, but through this matter, I’ve thought of the future. One day, I may be in danger, perhaps even meet my death one day. Jiaojiao, I can’t guarantee a peaceful end for myself, I don’t want to keep you living in constant fear."

Wen Jiao’s mind went blank as she watched Wei Shuqian’s lips move; all his words seemed distant and abstract, which essentially summed up to one thing – he wanted to leave her.

"In the past, I could numb myself with the thought that you wronged me, thinking it was fine to keep you tied to me for a day, a month, a year, ten years. You owed me, and so I resorted to despicable means, tempted you with benefits, I could still convince myself. But now, I know the truth..."

There were faint blood vessels in Wei Shuqian’s eyes as he looked at Wen Jiao’s clenched fist, his voice hoarse, "Jiaojiao... A person in that position can’t have a weak spot, nor do they deserve happiness. I don’t want you to spend the latter half of your life in constant fear. I have numerous enemies outside, and if you were to get hurt because of me, I’d never forgive myself for the rest of my life."

Wen Jiao watched Wei Shuqian quietly, after a long silence, her voice raspy, "Wei Shuqian, I am the Ship Lord’s daughter! The rich and famous in Xiangjiang who want to marry me are countless. If you’ve decided to give up now, I will absolutely... absolutely not forgive you."

Wei Shuqian’s eyelashes trembled, his fierce and sharp face now showing complex emotions. He watched Wen Jiao for a long time before whispering softly, "I’m sorry, I can’t be with you."

"Have you thought it through? Wei Shuqian, I absolutely won’t come looking for you; even if you die out there, I won’t shed a single tear for you."

"I’ve thought it through."

The hand that Wen Jiao had been clenching slowly relaxed.

She looked at Wei Shuqian, nodded slowly, and took off the ring in her hand.

It felt like slow motion, the scene enlarging slowly, branding itself in Wei Shuqian’s eyes.

With an expressionless face, Wen Jiao stuffed the ring into Wei Shuqian’s hand, withdrew her hand, and laid down directly.

The light from the bedside lamp fell on her hair, the flowing light so tempting to touch.

But her voice had become indifferent, "Pack up all your things and take them away; when I wake up tomorrow, I don’t want to see a single trace related to you in this house!"

Wei Shuqian quietly watched Wen Jiao’s turned back, his hand gripping the ring getting tighter and tighter. After a long while, he spoke very softly, "Okay."

Wen Jiao’s mind exploded as if a pot had burst.

Her back trembled, and she roared in a low voice, "Get out! Leave immediately!"

Miss Wen, for so many years, had experienced what it meant to be heart-wrenchingly painful for the first time.

But she, so proud a person, even in such pain that it brought tears, would never allow herself to say a word of surrender.

As the sound of footsteps faded into the distance and the sound of the door being locked was heard, Wen Jiao finally relaxed, allowing herself to pull the quilt over and bury herself in bed, crying her heart out.

She wouldn’t turn back; she never would...

Bian Yue had sat in Shen Zhaoli’s living room all night, and Shen Zhaoli had tried every means to contact Shen Jinci who was abroad.

Until the light of dawn began to glow faintly, there was still no news.

Shen Zhaoli had no choice but to contact Wen Jiao.

The phone was answered quickly on the other end, but the voice was hoarse: "Spit it out if you have something to say!"

Shen Zhaoli clicked his tongue lightly, "Why are you so irritable? Did you not sleep well last night?"

"What’s the matter?"

"Come over to my place and keep Bian Yue company. She hasn’t slept all night, and I’m worried about her emotional instability."

On the other end of the phone, Wen Jiao directly asked for the address.

Before long, Wen Jiao appeared in Shen Zhaoli’s home, who was wearing a simple nightgown, with disheveled hair and swollen red eyes.

Shen Zhaoli originally wanted to tease Wen Jiao a bit, but upon truly seeing her in that state, he couldn’t utter a word and said in astonishment: "Did you go thieving last night? What have you done to yourself?"

"Where’s Bian Yue?" Wen Jiao sat down on the sofa, looked around, and frowned, "Your taste is really bad."

Shen Zhaoli, infuriated yet found it amusing, retorted, "And you waltz into my house looking like a ghost, yet you’re the one with taste?"

Wen Jiao tapped the table impatiently, "Water!"

Shen Zhaoli lowered his gaze, seeing Wen Jiao’s empty fingers, his teasing mood disappeared and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, he said solemnly: "Did you fight with your fiancé?"

"None of your business, kid!"

"I’m not concerned about you, I’m going to call Bian Yue to come down. You talk to her more and distract her attention, while I try to contact Shen Jinci."

After finishing his words, Shen Zhaoli placed a glass of water in front of Wen Jiao and headed upstairs.

Wen Jiao relaxed instantly, staring blankly at the cup in front of her, her gaze somewhat hollow.

When Bian Yue came downstairs, her face was pale. Seeing Wen Jiao on the sofa, she whispered: "Jiaojiao."

Wen Jiao collected her thoughts and looked towards Bian Yue, whose complexion was worse than hers.

Wen Jiao asked with concern: "Bian Yue, what’s wrong with you?"

Bian Yue shook her head gently and said softly: "I’m fine, I’m just a bit tired, Jiaojiao, you can go back, I’ll manage."

"Did you have a fight with Shen Jinci?" Wen Jiao probed: "Yueyue, tell me about it, maybe I can help?"

Bian Yue smiled weakly, her smile exuding a sense of helplessness, and she whispered: "It’s my fault..."

Meanwhile, Shen Zhaoli, who had been gone for a while, finally came down holding a phone, his expression excited, he said: "Bian Yue! It’s Shen Jinci’s call!"