CHAPTER 508: 487: DISCOVERY (CHAPTER 1)

Ye Ling looked at Liu Rui without saying a word, but Liu Rui didn’t mind. It seemed that having said what was weighing on her mind, she felt lighter, even in a better mood than when she arrived.

"I’ve been talking for so long, sorry if I’ve been bothering you." Liu Rui stood up with a smile, "If it’s no trouble, I’d like to come by again when I have the time."

Ye Ling also stood up politely to see her out, "Liu Rui, I’m glad you’ve become more open-minded; it shows you’ve grown up. But I think we’re not suited to be friends. No matter what, Xiang Weilai is still in between us, and what happened can’t be undone. So I’m just stating it plainly; I hope you don’t take it to heart."

Ye Ling was the kind of person who detests evil with a passion. She couldn’t accept an apology long after something happened, and then become friends with the person.

She couldn’t forgive how Liu Rui’s selfish actions ruined Xiang Weilai’s life. After graduating from college, he resigned and went into business. During those days together, she could tell he enjoyed being with everyone.

Such an excellent person, his life now dimmed. No matter how successful his career is, his dream has already shattered.

Faced with Ye Ling’s serious gaze, Liu Rui was momentarily stunned but then smiled. She tugged at the corners of her mouth without saying anything, nodded, and turned to leave briskly.

Liu Rui felt she should act this way to show her inner honesty, but she couldn’t hide her lingering disappointment.

Yes, so much had happened; how could she have the right to ask to become friends with her and for forgiveness!

Walking on the street, looking around aimlessly, Liu Rui felt lost; even though she grew up here, it felt as if she were a stranger.

Until a silhouette caught her eye and quickly disappeared, but Liu Rui recognized the person. Without thinking, she chased after the figure, turned several streets, and stopped at the door of a dilapidated building.

"Jiang Yan, is that you, Jiang Yan!" As she shouted the name, Liu Rui was still panting heavily.

Her voice caused the person in front to freeze, then stop, slowly turn around, and their eyes met. It was indeed Jiang Yan, the daughter the Jiang Family had been searching for.

Seeing she hadn’t mistaken, Liu Rui walked quickly over, "I never thought I’d see you again after returning. I heard about everything. Can we talk?"

"Talk about what? Mock me? Or lecture me? There’s no need for that. I’ve already acknowledged the foolish things I did. There’s no need to discuss it further." Jiang Yan’s words dripped with sarcasm, sentence after sentence.

Liu Rui knew Jiang Yan held resentment, but she didn’t expect it to be this intense despite them growing up together.

"I don’t mean to lecture or blame you. I just want to talk because you are my friend." Liu Rui forced a bitter smile, "I thought you could calmly accept all the mistakes, take all the blame, and still consider me a friend. It seems I was wrong."

Jiang Yan froze for a moment, then lowered her head, speaking after a long pause, "Come in, if you don’t mind the mess."

She turned and went inside first.

It was a small 40-square-meter apartment, with cooking and sleeping in one room. Although damp and dark, it was tidy. Liu Rui didn’t mind and sat down by the bed after entering.

"Jiang Yan, you shouldn’t live like this. Although you made a mistake, your courage is commendable. Moreover, others’ criticisms will fade over time. I hear your aunt and uncle are worried about you."

"Worried or not, it’s better than having me around them, constantly being criticized." Jiang Yan stood leaning against the door frame, arms crossed. She seemed much more mature, "Why did you come back? Was it just you, or did you both come?"

"You know about Weilai and me, so I won’t sugarcoat things. I came back alone; he’s busy and has no time." She added with a bitter note, "Even if he had time, he wouldn’t come back with me."

Jiang Yan remained silent for a long moment, then let out a long sigh.

"I think we were both too willful; otherwise, we would have been fine." Liu Rui forced another smile, "When did you start liking my brother? If you’d told your mom to talk to mine, maybe you’d be my sister-in-law now!"

"It’s all in the past, no point bringing it up." After enduring criticism from everyone, she never lost hope, but she was utterly disheartened after Liu Zhiyuan rejected her, "How long are you staying? You can see my current situation. I’m just doing odd jobs here and there. If you’re going back to Shenzhen, I’d like to go with you and see if there are any opportunities."

Liu Rui laughed, "Alright, you can come to Shenzhen with me; I’d have company. It’s a coastal city, developing faster than inland areas, so jobs are easier to find. After all, you’ve been in the military; finding work there won’t be hard."

"But I might stay at home for a bit before heading back."

Jiang Yan waved her hand, "No problem, just let me know the exact date when you leave. But with my dad and mom, you need to keep this a secret. Don’t tell them I’m living here."

"Actually, I need to apologize on my brother’s behalf. After all, no matter what, you were hurt, and he, being a man, should have taken responsibility. But you know his situation; the company granted him leave and his relationship with my sister-in-law is strained." Liu Rui smiled bitterly, "After getting married, I realized many things are beyond our control; it’s not as simple as it seems."

"I understand all that; you don’t need to feel guilty for your brother. I don’t blame him; it’s my own fault. I don’t blame anyone." Jiang Yan seemed genuinely at peace, "My reputation is damaged, but at least I have no regrets. I got the answers I needed."