CHAPTER 212: CHAPTER 54: THE MYSTERY OF THE GRADUATION TRIP (PART 2)

The diary entries had a sudden change here, perhaps due to the fact that Qiao Chu’s correspondence with Ye Taina became sparse because of marriage issues, shifting Ye Taina’s focus in her diary to her personal life. "I began to engage with Pello’s family business. I never discovered any special talent for jewelry design in myself, but Mussen said I had the most extraordinary gift for designing gems he had ever seen." That period was a golden era for Mussen and Ye Taina; they would appear together at various social events, and Ye Taina’s cheerful personality coupled with her unique Eastern beauty was second to none in the social circles of Paris and even the whole of Europe.

Through his wife, Mussen found a lot of inspiration. He boldly purchased a series of diamond mines in Central North Africa and would even bring Ye Taina on expeditions to the mysterious and rich African Continent. This couple shared the same adventurous spirit, hunting together, racing off-road jeeps with rhinos, and even being chased by natives.

"What a crazy couple," Su Ziceng brushed away the uneasiness she felt upon first seeing the "diary" and exclaimed at the descriptions in Ye Taina’s writings. She glanced at Pello beside her and saw him seemingly entranced, just watching the changes in her facial expressions.

Her face warmed by Pello’s breath, which was close at hand, Su Ziceng thought to herself that Little Pello must have been very lonely at the time. His parents were on a distant continent, leaving him alone in Paris. No wonder he did not show much joy. Childhood is when most mothers and children are closest; in this respect, Ye Taina was undoubtedly willful.

"Everything ended after the miners excavated those precious colorful diamonds. Mussen always refused to let me visit the diamond mining areas. The moment I saw the rough color diamonds, I was attracted by their rainbow-like colors; it was the first time I had the inspiration to design jewelry. Mussen was very supportive of all this, we worked day and night, and after a month, we designed this set of jewelry. Mussen said it was called Mussen’s Blessing, his gift to me and Little Pello. But I felt he had changed; after getting the design drafts, he personally invested in the diamond cutting and polishing, not allowing anyone to interfere with the process. It was hard for me to even see him, and Little Pello would often ask me where Daddy went, I could only answer that he was in the workshop." Ye Taina’s handwriting became increasingly sloppy, some of the words even starting to blur as if they had been soaked by tears.

The sorrow emanating from the Rose Handbook also seemed to infect Su Ziceng, making the tip of her nose feel sour. She felt sad for that woman who wept alone in a foreign land.

"I received another letter from Qiao Chu. She was pregnant, expecting a healthy and happy little girl, who would be the future bride for our Little Pello. I wanted to go back to Z country to visit Qiao Chu; when she got married, I was in Africa, but I still rushed back to the country. Regrettably, I had to leave soon after the wedding. Originally, I had hoped to be by Qiao Chu’s side when her daughter was born. I told Mussen my thoughts of living back home for a while, but he reprimanded me harshly. Mussen’s Blessing had been completed, its design and craftsmanship showcasing the utmost beauty of what diamonds could achieve; Mussen was utterly captivated by it. Once, when Little Pello played with ’Red Love,’ he was severely scolded by him. Angrily, I sent ’Red Love’ back to my home country, giving it to Qiao Chu, as if it were Little Pello’s proposal ring for his future bride." Su Ziceng suddenly coughed, fumbling for the "Red Love," the vividly red ring making her face blush even more. So that’s how "Red Love" ended up in Qiao Chu’s hands.

"Red Love" had been in her possession for quite some time now; if she returned it to Pello, Su Ziceng would lose the only connection she had with her mother, but keeping it seemed like an implicit acceptance of her marriage to Pello.

"Upon learning of this, Mussen was furious. For the first time in his life, he struck me, slapping me across the face. I was completely hopeless about his abnormal behavior. On the other hand, I was very concerned about Qiao Chu who was about to give birth, and I always had doubts about Chang Mei who was by her side, with a growing sense of ominous premonition. I shared everything that happened here with Qiao Chu, and then, she had her husband, Su Qingzhang, come to take me away. After meeting Su Qingzhang, he brought Qiao Chu’s invitations and concerns, all of which further strengthened my resolve to leave. However, I was still worried about Little Pello; he was still young, and I didn’t know if he would adapt if he went back to the strange Z country. Seeing my hesitation, Mr. Su made a suggestion, saying he could find out the reasons for Mussen’s abnormality, that he had some news Mussen was hiding from me. I was wary of this man who, like Chang Mei, came from the Sixth District and had shrewd eyes, but his words were indeed persuasive, so in the end, I chose to trust him." Su Ziceng was stunned; she had not expected that the man who took Ye Taina away could be Su Qingzhang.

Could her father have been Ye Taina’s lover? No, there must be some misunderstanding. As far as she was aware, Qiao Chu was the woman Su Qingzhang loved the most in his life. It was because of Qiao Chu’s insistence that the Su Family, and subsequently Su Ziceng herself, existed. What happened after that? Where exactly did Su Qingzhang take Ye Taina? Where did Ye Taina meet her lover, and what happened in between that made Ye Taina finally decide to leave Mussen and Little Pello?

The words on the diary hadn’t come to an end, and the narration continued. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)