“Dao’er…” Yun Mei interrupted. Dao’er fell silent. The room became quiet for a long time. Yun Mei’s eyes flickered, then he said, “Before, she loved me. Now, it’s my turn to love her… At least I am still her legitimate wife…” He didn’t want to end up with nothing, to lose the last bit of warmth.

#

As soon as Jin Yu returned, she saw the steward hurrying to meet her, sensing something had happened. Before the steward could speak, Jin Yu asked, “What happened?” Her tone remained calm, with a hint of gentleness.

“The legitimate wife fainted.”

The steward answered awkwardly.

Jin Yu was slightly stunned. “Has a doctor been called?”

“Yes.”

Jin Yu remained silent for a moment, then said, “I see,” and continued walking, leaving the steward standing alone.

The legitimate wife had fainted, but the family head showed no reaction. Could he really have no feelings for her?

The incense burner in the room wafted sandalwood. Yun Mei, who rarely met Jin Yu in the mansion, had dressed up and applied a bit of rouge. Aside from his slightly weak complexion, he looked more outstanding than ever before.

“Have a good rest.” Jin Yu came to check on him, greeted him briefly, and was about to leave.

“Wife,” Yun Mei hesitantly asked, “Are you really going to get married?” His tone was uncertain and tinged with melancholy.

Jin Yu remained quiet until she finally replied, “Yes.”

Yun Mei smiled bitterly, “I see.”

As Jin Yu turned to leave, Yun Mei grabbed her sleeve, his voice filled with sad hope, “You said you would come to see me.”

Jin Yu looked back, complexity flashing in her eyes. After a moment, she spoke, “Jin Mo will be back soon.” She had heard that he would return before her marriage to Xu Yi and that he also knew about the upcoming wedding.

Yun Mei was stunned. By the time he came to his senses, Jin Yu had already left, leaving him in disappointment and despair.

“When she comes back, I will write a divorce letter for you…”

Would he soon be divorced by his wife? He once hoped she would return to him, but now he didn’t want her to.

How would his wife choose upon her return – remain the master of the Jin family or choose Xu Yi? Once, she had chosen the Jin family master position for him, but would she give that up for Xu Yi?

Yun Mei closed his eyes with a bitter smile, never revealing the truth to Dao’er. Even knowing she had sacrificed much for another man, he foolishly believed in a glimmer of hope for their future.

After waiting two years for her return, he never expected it would be because the man she loved was getting married. Would he still love her? No, he would not.

When Dao’er entered worriedly, Yun Mei asked, “Still want to love?”

Dao’er was stunned. Love whom? The bitter smile on Yun Mei’s face disappeared, replaced by deep sorrow. Would he again fall into despair after finally escaping one after over a decade?

Does he regret?

No regrets. Loving her was exhausting; he no longer wanted to love blindly. Loving his wife, he could do so without hesitation. He would stand by her side, whether she continues to manage the Jin family or loses everything. He would not regret.

This time, no matter what, he would not let go of his wife.

#

The marriage between the Jin family master and the Xu family’s young master was the talk of the town. Xu Yi waited at home to get married. Though blind, her nimble hands traced out the wedding character, occasionally revealing a smile that outshone everything.

Xiao Lian, knowing Jin Yu would marry the Xu family’s young master, angrily closed the door, not wanting Jin Yu to enter.

“She’s about to marry someone else. Aren’t you angry?” Xiao Lian asked Su Xi. Two years had passed, and she hadn’t married her brother. Rumors said she loved her legitimate husband, while her brother had suffered without status and was now pregnant. Yet she refused to marry him.

Su Xi looked at Xiao Lian, feeling slight heartache. “If you still want to see my baby, open the door.”

Xiao Lian looked at the door, then at Su Xi’s serious face and her belly.

Finally, reluctantly opening the door, he thought about the baby in Su Xi’s belly, dreaming of playing with the infant.

The people inside were business partners of the owner. Ning Zhi spoke softly, then ordered someone to drag Ke He away. He intended to apologize to the woman with Su Chenbi. Though people despise and scold brothel boys, they are also fascinated by the pleasures of the quarters. As a lowly boy, Ning Zhi felt limited in what he could do for Su Chenbi, so he tried his best.

“Boss.” A joyful voice came from outside. Ning Zhi turned to see Jin Yu at the door. Ke He had escaped and approached Jin Yu, begging her to save Chenbi.

Jin Yu’s gaze fell on Su Chenbi, disheveled on the bed. Her eyes rippled, but her expression remained calm.

“Boss Jin, what’s going on?” the woman fondling Su Chenbi said, displeased with the disruption.

“Boss,” Ke He urged, looking at Jin Yu.

Ning Zhi watched silently, feeling nervous and expectant.

After a moment, Jin Yu lowered her eyes. “Chenbi has been booked by me and is not receiving guests now.”

Her calm voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable authority that demanded obedience.

Ning Zhi was slightly stunned, unsure whether it was due to her authority or her unusual behavior. He had not stopped the incident earlier because Wang Laoban was a partner, even smiling and accommodating. Now, the boss was directly refusing Wang Laoban.

The woman finished wiping her hands and discarded the handkerchief. “Since he’s Boss Jin’s person, I naturally won’t touch him.”

After Wang Laoban left, Ke He sighed in relief. “Boss…”

“You can go out first,” Jin Yu interrupted.

Ke He wanted to speak but left silently, Jin Yu’s complex gaze following her.

“Boss, Ning Zhi is leaving too.” After Jin Yu responded, Ning Zhi also departed.

Jin Yu looked at Su Chenbi on the bed, his underwear pulled down to his ankles, a few pieces of clothing hanging on him. Jin Yu walked over to straighten his clothes.

When Jin Yu’s cold skin touched him, Su Chenbi stiffened briefly, then became unresponsive again. His calm face showed no emotion, and the only sign of life was his still-beating heart. Su Chenbi had not received guests for several months, which was unprecedented among brothel boys.

Ning Zhi had been trying to help Jin Yu, though she was unsure of his motives. Despite her dislike for being manipulated, she didn’t blame him after learning about Su Xi’s pregnancy due to a drug. Jin Yu suspected Ning Zhi’s involvement but acknowledged that his actions weren’t entirely harmful.

Jin Yu knew secrets might have been uncovered by Jin Mo, and she needed to resolve matters before his return, especially concerning Su Chenbi, who could no longer stay at Yanhua Zui.

Upon her arrival at Yanhua Zui, Jin Yu was surprised to find Ke He there, presumably due to her connection to Su Chenbi. The stillness in the room was unnerving as she looked at the motionless Su Chenbi.

“Do you regret what happened back then?” Jin Yu asked softly, her voice barely breaking the silence.

Su Chenbi trembled, meeting her gaze with uncertainty, his lips moving soundlessly as he seemed lost in thought.

Su Chenbi had gone missing after a ransom a few days prior. When Ke He returned to Yanhua Zui, she met the grim result of that situation, and despite her persistent queries, no one knew the ransom’s source.

Ke He felt anxious and uncertain about facing her husband.

Her husband had just given birth and couldn’t bear another blow. Seeing him well each day filled her with happiness. If she hadn’t saved Su Jin, he might have met the same fate as Chenbi. Fortunately, they had escaped their pursuers.