Zhou Yunchen felt somewhat stifled. What good would it be even if he knew everything? What difference would all the words make?

The old man before him was already oblivious. Even if he did know, he wouldn’t care about himself or Song Jia. They were merely tools he had exploited and discarded.

He had never, ever taken them to heart.

He was right beside the old man, so close, yet everything had lost its meaning. Zhou Yunchen gave a very faint smile. "Seeing you like this now, do you have any regrets? Then again, you probably don’t even know what regret is anymore, do you?"

The old man’s gaze had been fixed on the paper on the table. At this, he looked up, his eyes rigid and vacant, devoid of their former liveliness.

Zhou Yunchen lowered his head and whispered into his ear, "Can you hear me?"

The old man looked bewildered, alternately nodding and shaking his head.

Zhou Yunchen closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, his expression was filled with bitterness... He wanted to say more, but Madam He entered from outside, carrying a cup of tea, and politely greeted the young guest.

However, the young guest declined. Madam He, left with no alternative, could only see him out.

When she turned back, she discovered a check on the desk. The amount was enormous, enough to ensure a worry-free life. She immediately grabbed the check and chased after him, but his car was already far in the distance.

Madam He stood there quietly, silent for a long time, then turned her gaze back to her husband...

She had so many questions, but no one could answer them, and she no longer wished to know.

「*」

Zhou Yunchen drove the car out of the villa. Ahead was a private road with little traffic. As he made a turn, he saw Gu Anxi’s car parked there. He slowly stopped his car and opened the door. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

He walked over and knocked on her car window.

The window slid down, revealing Gu Anxi.

Gu Anxi got out of the car, her gaze drifting to the distance before returning to him. "You’ve seen him?"

Zhou Yunchen took out a cigarette and lit it. He took a long drag before asking, "When did you find out?"

"Are you asking about his identity, or your and Song Jia’s relationship with him?"

Zhou Yunchen didn’t answer, merely staring at her quietly. Gu Anxi still confessed honestly, "I only knew his identity at first. I found out about your and Song Jia’s connection to him later."

Zhou Yunchen exhaled a smoke ring, eyeing her.

Gu Anxi chuckled twice, stepping forward to hook an arm around his shoulder. "What, finding it hard to step down from that position? Gotten addicted to it?"

"PFFT." Zhou Yunchen scoffed, "Do you think I’m that kind of person?"

Gu Anxi smirked. "Well, that’s not entirely certain."

Zhou Yunchen couldn’t be bothered to respond. With one arm around her shoulder, he leaned back against the car, finished his cigarette, and then looked at her. "I’m going to the office tomorrow."

"That’s great." Gu Anxi patted his shoulder, smiling brightly. "It’s good that you’ve come to terms with it."

Zhou Yunchen planted his hands on his hips, sneering, "Do I have a choice? If I don’t work hard, we’ll end up starving in Beicheng. We’d be too ashamed to go back to Qingcheng then, especially after arriving with such fanfare."

Gu Anxi just laughed.

At this moment, the setting sun cast its glow on the narrow road. They had no immediate plans to leave and leaned against the car together, hands clasped behind their heads, just like when they were children. Back then, Gu Anxi was just a little girl who always tagged along after Zhou Yunchen. Of course, her later crush on Qin Siyuan was another matter entirely.

They stayed together quietly for a while. It was a unique feeling that no one else could give them.

Not even someone as close as Uncle Bo, nor Shen Congwen, who was now his wife, nor even the recently acknowledged Song Jia could offer this. They had grown up together since childhood, taught by the same father... they knew each other so well.

After a long, long time, Zhou Yunchen turned his head. "When Duo Duo comes back, you’re still my sister. Don’t get jealous, alright?"

"PFFT!" Gu Anxi nudged him with her elbow. "Am I that kind of person?"

She put on a deliberately disdainful expression. "It’s not like I’m that fond of you anyway."

Zhou Yunchen just smiled, and in that smile, he found release...

Perhaps being with someone who truly understood you was a form of healing. One was a mentor, the other... well, it was that kind of bond. They simply didn’t want others to witness them in such a vulnerable state.

Zhou Yunchen ruffled her hair. "Alright, I have to go pick up my wife from work. Are you going to pick up Professor Bo?"

Gu Anxi frowned. "I’m the laughingstock of Yunxi Hospital now. Everyone says I’m more diligent about this than any man."

"There’s nothing wrong with that." Zhou Yunchen coughed lightly. "It’s mainly because you have too much free time. If you weren’t so idle, I reckon you wouldn’t have the time for this. Why not... have a baby?"

Gu Anxi gave him an indescribable look. Zhou Yunchen patted her head encouragingly. "You and Professor Bo need to get to work on that."

Gu Anxi finally bristled.

Zhou Yunchen, feeling particularly good, left Gu Anxi somewhat dejected. She sat in the car for a long time, unable to understand. They had been together for nearly a year, and things had been progressing naturally recently. Why hadn’t they conceived a child yet? She was utterly puzzled.

After a while, she finally started the car and drove to Yunxi Hospital. Bo Xichen’s assistant saw her arrive and said with a smile, "Dr. Gu, here to pick up Professor Bo again? He’s still in surgery and probably won’t be finished until seven."

Gu Anxi nodded, but felt something strange about the assistant’s words.

Alone in Uncle Bo’s office, she made a few phone calls. Feeling a bit bored, she decided to go upstairs to see Aunt Bo Jin, but learned she had been discharged earlier that afternoon. Gu Anxi felt a little disappointed.

As she took the elevator down, she unexpectedly ran into Tang Yuan’s attending physician. Since they’d met, she asked a few questions, "How is Mrs. Tang’s condition?"

Director Li was quite fond of Gu Anxi and spoke warmly, but when he discussed Tang Yuan’s illness, his voice dropped. "Not good. These past two days, she’s had persistent complications. Coupled with her low spirits, it’s likely... she really doesn’t have much time left."

Gu Anxi stared at the floor indicator, silent for a moment before asking, "What about Gu Mingzhu? Is she keeping her company?"

Director Li sighed. "She’s there, but the young lady isn’t very thoughtful. Mrs. Tang is often upset to the point of tears. Sigh, such an insensible girl. I wonder what will become of her when she’s on her own."

The elevator opened, and Director Li stepped out, bidding her farewell.

Gu Anxi considered for a moment, then headed to the VIP ward on the top floor. She didn’t enter immediately but stood at the door, looking through the glass panel.

Inside the room, Tang Yuan was alone, leaning against the headboard of the bed, silently weeping. Perhaps due to the suffering her body was enduring, her complexion was very poor, and she looked much, much thinner than the last time Gu Anxi had seen her...

Gu Anxi herself didn’t quite know how she felt. She probably should go in and see her, but seeing Tang Yuan in this state, she didn’t know what she could possibly say.

Words of comfort, or something else?

In her memory, Tang Yuan was the celebrated beauty of Beicheng. The woman before her now bore no resemblance to that image... Gu Anxi watched quietly. After an indeterminate amount of time, Tang Yuan suddenly looked over.

Their eyes met, followed by a stretch of silence.

About ten seconds later, Gu Anxi turned towards the elevator. In the room, Tang Yuan immediately propped herself up on the headboard and struggled towards the door.

Having finally reached the doorway, she called out to Gu Anxi in a hoarse voice, "Anxi."

Gu Anxi had already reached the elevator, and its doors had just opened. Hearing the voice, her body tensed, but she still turned back...

She thought to herself that if she was willing to help even Shen Wanqing, then treating Tang Yuan as a mere acquaintance and exchanging a few words wouldn’t be too much, especially since the woman didn’t have long to live.

She slowly walked back, her voice subdued as she said, "Director Li mentioned you... weren’t feeling well, so I came to see you."

As she spoke, her gaze fell on Tang Yuan’s hand, which had bloodstains on the back. It was likely because she had forcefully pulled out her IV drip. Blood was trickling down, drop by drop, making her already withered hand look horrifying.

Gu Anxi let out a breath. "Let me help you bandage that wound."

Tang Yuan gazed blankly at her.

Once they were back in the hospital room and Tang Yuan was lying down, Gu Anxi retrieved bandages and medication to treat the wound. Her technique was exceptionally professional, and she also helped reattach the IV drip.

Tang Yuan watched her the entire time, her voice a mere whisper. "I know you hate me."

"I don’t hate you." Gu Anxi finished tending to the wound and said in a flat tone, "You’re ill, so take good care of yourself. Getting angry won’t do your condition any good."

Tang Yuan mumbled, "I’m not angry. I’m just... afraid. I’m afraid that after I’m gone, no one will look after Mingzhu. I’m afraid she’ll end up going astray, like me, with no good end."

She reached out with her withered fingers and clutched Gu Anxi’s hand. "Anxi, I’m begging you. You’re so accomplished and capable, and you know so many influential people. If Mingzhu could follow you, she would surely have a good future."

"Follow me?" Gu Anxi scoffed. "To be Uncle Bo’s San Er?"

A look of confusion crossed Tang Yuan’s face. How could that be? She doesn’t even like Xichen.

Gu Anxi stated bluntly, "Sometimes, hatred can destroy a person. Hatred can make a person do irrational things. The same goes for greed."

Tang Yuan was stunned. After a long pause, she whispered, "If Mingzhu does something wrong, please forgive her, won’t you? You can teach her properly. You’re her older sister; it’s only natural for you to teach her things."

Gu Anxi replied without mincing words, "I’m sorry, Mrs. Tang, but I have no such obligation. But don’t worry, no matter whose man she tries to harm, she won’t harm anyone in my family. I’ve already made her sign a written guarantee."

Tang Yuan was even more stunned, taking a long moment to catch her breath.

She had always thought Gu Anxi would relent, but she hadn’t.

Gu Anxi had her hands in her pockets and took two steps back. "I just came to see you, nothing more. I wouldn’t kick you when you’re down, but at the same time, I won’t look after Gu Mingzhu as you wish. Like I said, I have no such obligation. She’s an adult; if she makes mistakes, she must bear the consequences herself."

With that, she walked directly to the door.

Tang Yuan called after her, her voice hoarse, "You still hate me, that’s why you won’t help Mingzhu."

Gu Anxi paused but didn’t turn around. She only said softly, "Think whatever you like!"

As she had said, she didn’t hate, but she wouldn’t forgive either—that included Gu Yuanshan. Wrong was wrong; abandonment was abandonment—

There’s no medicine for regret in this world, and certainly no ’what ifs.’ For those who didn’t love her, she wouldn’t spare them a single glance. All that mattered was having a clear conscience.

She left directly. Tang Yuan was alone again, crying, her sobs filled with sorrow.

A long, long time later, a hand pushed the door open. She looked up, somewhat dazed.

It was him!

The man walked in, closed the door, and quietly looked at her.

She, too, just looked at the man.

After a long silence, she finally managed to speak, her voice raspy, "Are you also here to gloat over my misfortune?"

Her fingers lightly brushed her own cheek, and she gave a soft laugh. "Look, look at this face, how old it is. It’s nothing like it was before."