CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 123: MISSING A PIECE OF THE HEART

Ye Ningwan returned to the class, looking at Wen Jianan, with complex emotions in her eyes.

The child she had been searching for so long turned out to be him.

Yet, she couldn’t tell him the truth.

"Ye Ningwan, I know my sins are grave. No amount of apologies can make up for the harm to Zisu. But, Jianan is also Zisu’s child. Could you, for Zisu’s sake, not tell Jianan about his origins? I am not afraid of his hatred; I only fear that even his last bit of faith will collapse, becoming more unbearable." Wen Daofu pleaded.

Ye Ningwan asked, "Why does he hate you so much?"

Wen Daofu lowered his head and murmured, "It’s all my fault, I harmed two women."

He explained the cause and effect, and Ye Ningwan could only sneer.

Indeed, it’s all his fault.

Covering up one mistake with another, what on earth made Zisu fall for such a man back then?

However, she still had to agree to his request, not to tell Wen Jianan about it.

What he suffers now is merely having an irresponsible father.

Knowing the truth, that both parents are liars, would double the pain.

"Ningwan, why are you staring at the class monitor?" Jin Yingzi asked curiously.

Ye Ningwan snapped back and quickly replied, "Nothing, just wanted to say something to the class monitor but forgot about it."

"Ningwan, after school today, can I come to your house to study herbal medicine? Last time at your house, I saw many books on herbal medicine, even more comprehensive than our library." Jin Yingzi asked timidly.

Ye Ningwan said, "Tell me which book you want, and I’ll bring it over next time."

"No need, no need, I’ll come to your house to read! The dorm...is a bit messy, we have few people in the Chinese medicine department, and I share it with others, I’m afraid of losing it." Jin Yingzi explained hastily.

"Alright, you can come home with me this afternoon," Ye Ningwan agreed.

Jin Yingzi nodded, her face lighting up with a happy smile.

After school, Jin Yingzi went back with Ye Ningwan by car.

Sitting in the car, they listened to the news about Li Qingqing.

Due to Zhou Yun’s parents’ real-name report, it’s possible Zhou Yun was poisoned to death by Li Qingqing. Now, public opinion is very unfavorable to Li Qingqing.

Two companies that were planning to sign her as their spokesperson have announced they won’t cooperate with her.

Fans of Zhou Yun are also clamoring for a thorough investigation, determined not to let her death be in vain.

"The once-iconic actress Li Qingqing faces an unprecedented crisis in her career. Li Qingqing’s fans have voluntarily formed an alliance to safeguard their idol from harm. Meanwhile, Zhou Yun’s fans have also formed an alliance to thoroughly investigate her cause of death. What is the truth? Stay tuned."

"Turn it off!" Ye Ningwan instructed the driver.

The driver swiftly turned off the news.

Jin Yingzi asked curiously, "Ningwan, is this Li Qingqing the one who was rumored with Mr. Zhan last time?"

"Mm, that’s the one." Ye Ningwan nodded slightly.

After speaking, she closed her eyes.

She’s been too tired these past few days and didn’t feel like talking about these things.

Seeing her exhausted appearance, Jin Yingzi stopped asking questions, pursed her lips, and looked down. Feeling the comfort of the seat, she wondered why the seats in more expensive cars were so much more comfortable.

"Yingzi, all the books are here, have a look at them yourself! I’m a bit tired today, so I’ll go rest in my room first. If you need anything, call He."

After returning home, Ye Ningwan took Jin Yingzi to her pharmacy and let her look at the books inside as she wished.

She also called He to come over and take care of her.

Jin Yingzi nodded, urging her to go rest without worrying about her.

Ye Ningwan left the pharmacy and returned to her room.

She took a shower and changed into some more comfortable clothes before lying back down on the bed.

Not long after lying down, she drifted into a blur of sleep.

But once again, she had that dream.

In the dream, she returned to when she was six years old, crying helplessly under a car.

The smell of burning and blood surrounded her, filling her with fear.

She could feel her mother’s arm around her, but no matter how much she shook her, her mother did not respond at all.

She cried and cried until her voice went hoarse.

The passage of time felt like an eternity, so long it seemed endless.

She thought she would slowly despair to death in this interminable darkness.

Until she heard a voice: "Don’t cry."

"Brother, brother save me, brother save me."

The boy’s voice reignited her hope, and she cried out loudly, hoping he would come to save her.

But the voice disappeared again.

It was unknown how long it took, but finally, someone crawled over.

His face was covered in grime, indistinguishable, but his eyes were pitch black and bright.

"Don’t cry, I’ll pull you out."

She reached out her small hand to him, placing it in his long, warm palm.

Bit by bit, he pulled her out from there.

After pulling her out, he said to her, "Wait here for me, I’ll be right back."

"Brother, don’t go, don’t go."

She fearfully extended her hand, clutching his leg, pleading for him not to leave.

The boy sniffled, and the pungent smell of gasoline made his heart race with alarm.

He didn’t know which car it was leaking from.

He looked at the car on the left, then at the one on the right. The little one’s face was covered in snot and tears, her eyes and nose all red, as she hugged his leg with her chubby little hands—such a pitiful sight.

"Go crawl over there by yourself, I need to hurry." The boy urged her.

But the little one was terrified, barely seeing a living person, how could she bear to let go?

"No, brother, don’t leave me, I’m scared."

The smell of gasoline grew stronger, making the boy more and more anxious.

He dared not delay any longer and picked up the little girl, carrying her far away and placing her behind a distant pile of dirt.

At such a distance, they should be safe.

But just as he was about to leave, there was a loud "bang."

Some car exploded, and both children were instantly thrown to the ground.

The boy shielded the little girl’s body.

Once again, the little girl’s world turned completely dark, and pain and fear consumed her.

She couldn’t even scream, only shed endless tears.

"Ningning, Ningning?"

A deep voice called her back to consciousness.

Ye Ningwan awoke, choking back tears, from the dream.

As she opened her eyes, she saw Zhan Hanjue’s worried gaze.

His features were handsome, with sharply defined angles like a carved statue, exuding an air of dominance over the world.

Yet, those eyes that should have been cold were filled with concern and heartache at the moment.

Ye Ningwan looked at him, momentarily disoriented.

The scenes from the dream seemed partially remembered, but quickly, they faded as if erased, swiftly forgotten.

Her heart felt empty, as though a piece was missing.

It was a terribly uncomfortable sensation.

Her face was damp, and lifting her hand, she found it covered with tears.

"Why are you crying? Like a child." Zhan Hanjue reached out, tenderly wiping away the tears from her face, mildly reprimanding.