I never thought Jixuan would go through so many twists, suffer in love, and still meet a girl like Jing Xin. I must offer incense to the Buddha.”
Madam Gao, impulsive, didn’t notice Jing Xin and Jixuan in the living room and hurried to the Buddhist shrine.
Gao Zhanpeng looked at her retreating figure and shook his head helplessly.
“By the way, Jing Xin, have you and Jixuan set a wedding date?”
A thick cloud drifted outside, momentarily blocking the sunlight. The room darkened briefly, and although Gao Jixuan’s expression dimmed for an instant, he smiled.
“Not yet, Dad. We’re thinking of holding the wedding on December 25th. Jing Xin said it’s Christmas and easier to remember. I’ll go along with whatever she wants.”
“Oh, that’s good. We’ll follow what you young people want and forget about those old traditional lucky dates. Jing Xin, I’m so happy you and Jixuan are together. Dad wishes you happiness!”
The passage continues with further dialogue and interactions, describing their wedding preparations and family dynamics.
Mimi’s Notification Dear beloved ones: Today the sun is wonderful, warm, and comfortable. After being overcast for over a week, I finally saw sunshine, which excited me. I spontaneously decided to visit a friend, mainly to see their baby, a very handsome little guy. As a result, I came back late.
What I want to say is that today’s update couldn’t be written in time. I hope everyone understands! Wishing everyone a good night’s sleep and sweet dreams!
Chapter Fifty-Eight The warm-toned desk lamp illuminated the quiet study. The man’s breathing was clear and heavy, while wind rustled the pages on the desk through the open window.
The computer emitted a pale blue light, casting on Gao Xiquan’s slightly pale face. He was focused on this quarter’s report, feeling a bit of a headache and labored breathing. Physical discomfort distracted him more and more.
He frowned, picking up the cold coffee and taking a resentful gulp. Lately, his physical discomfort had been overwhelming, making him prone to fatigue. He pressed his brow; too many things were unsettled, and he couldn’t afford to collapse.
He needed to concentrate, arrange everything properly—
Eventually, he immersed himself in work, unknowingly sitting at the desk for over an hour. Suddenly, an uncomfortable sensation swept through his chest. He bent over, pressing his chest as a violent coughing fit struck, but he felt much better afterward.
He pulled a tissue from the desk, wiping his lips. The bright red spots on the pristine white paper pierced his eyes. He crumpled it and threw it into the corner.
Closing his eyes, he sank into the large sofa, as if drained of strength. His gaze rested on his pale fingers, coated in desolation. That ring symbolizing eternal love would never be worn on his finger again. A faint hatred spread in his heart; life and love could not be easily rewritten.
High Ji Xuan struggled to prop himself up and walked to the window, pulling open the silver curtain. Under the windowsill, Jing Xin had planted rose branches, which had grown lush and vibrant. The branches swayed in the night wind, close yet unreal, as if separated by vast distances.
He pondered the near future, when they would be forever apart. He had once told Jing Xin, “In the next life, I will definitely meet you earlier!”
At that time, his illness was not confirmed, but he already felt a vague unease about potentially losing her. He expressed a wish to meet her earlier in the next life than Jiang Xiang Yang, sensing that their fate in this life seemed to have run its course.
With such a shallow connection, he wondered if there would be a chance to meet her again in the next life or if he was deceiving himself.
Suddenly, sorrow surged in his heart. He leaned on the windowsill, his shadow cast by the lamplight, feeling deep pain.
After the sorrow, an intense longing rushed to him. He wanted to see her, to hold her in his arms.
He turned back, sat at his desk, and held his phone, making no move.
After calming down, ensuring he wouldn’t reveal his emotions, he dialed her number.
“Jing Xin, are you asleep?” he asked, his voice light yet melancholic.
“No, it’s just past nine. I’m reading a book. What are you doing?”
“Jing Xin, let’s go see the sea!” His voice lowered, trembling with sadness.
“Now?” she asked, puzzled.
“Yes, I suddenly miss you and want to go see the sea together.”
There was a pause on the other end, then Jing Xin’s voice came, “Okay, wait a moment, I’ll change my clothes.”
“Jing Xin, wait at home. I’ll call you when I arrive. It’s windy, bring a jacket.” His tone became urgent.
The phone hung up abruptly. Jing Xin held the phone, stunned, feeling a strange sense of foreboding. High Ji Xuan was acting oddly tonight, leaving her puzzled.
Frustrated, she decided to stop overthinking and closed her book to change her clothes.
On the other end, High Ji Xuan gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white. He listened blankly to the dial tone, the pain leaving him in despair.
He murmured, “Jing Xin, before this despair destroys me, I want to arrange everything for you. After I leave, I want you to live well and happily.”
“Meeting you has made me so happy.” A tear rolled down his face.
He held the phone, aware she couldn’t hear him, wanting to express what he couldn’t say. Some truths would hurt her; he preferred to bear them alone.
Even if she would know someday, he wished that day would be the last.
Suppressing his emotions, he stood up, took his jacket, and grabbed his car keys.
The study door closed with a bang, creating a strong air current. A piece of paper flew down from the book, revealing the words “Malignant Leukocyte Proliferation” in the top right corner.
Chapter Fifty-Nine (Unrevised)
This bay was located in the suburbs of A City, embraced by mountains, far from the city’s flickering neon lights, and free from noisy distractions. Only a deep night as dark as velvet covered the vast sea surface.
The car rested quietly on the beach, its engine off. The bright high beams illuminated the sea surface, sparkling like tiny diamonds.
The night air was cool and mixed with the salty sea breeze. High Ji Xuan took off his jacket and wrapped it around Jing Xin, who then draped it back onto him.
“Ji Xuan, don’t argue. Put on your jacket. Your hands are colder than mine,” she insisted, holding his hand tightly.
He interlocked his fingers with hers, revealing layers of coldness. Jing Xin frowned slightly, tilting her head to rest on his shoulder.
High Ji Xuan brushed away her hair, gazing at her serene features and lost in thought. He then extended his arm to embrace her.
They sat quietly as heavy clouds obscured the moonlight, the night dark and deep, concealing the grief on his face.
“Jing Xin, I’m going to the US next month and might be gone for a while. If the company has any problems, ask Dad, okay?” His voice was low and hoarse, tinged with subtle sorrow.
“Why didn’t you mention this before? How long will you be gone?” Jing Xin shifted slightly, finding a more comfortable position in his arms.
“There’s an issue with the company, a last-minute decision. Might be a while, but I’ll definitely return before our wedding.” His chin rested on her head as he gently stroked her hair.
It was already the 25th, and he needed to handle work matters in the remaining days. Most importantly, he needed to go to Macau to talk to Jiang Xiang Yang. He knew Jiang Xiang Yang had never let go of Jing Xin and that Jing Xin had always loved him. Perhaps this was unfair to Xin Yao, but wasn’t pushing Jing Xin into Xiang Yang’s arms equally unfair? Love was never about charity or sympathy; there was never true fairness.
