Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong-Chapter 129 - The Final Gift

Chapter 129 - The Final Gift

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

16. The Final Gift

Mrs. Ye looked at Ye Jinzhou, eyes full of disappointment. When Ye Jinzhou had said he wanted to leave the country back then, she had wanted to stop him.

It had indeed been disgusting for Bai Rongkai to watch her husband die and not save him for the sake of profit back then. If he was still alive, she would have no reason to stop Ye Jinzhou from coming back and taking his revenge. But Bai Rongkai had been dead for ten years! Even if that person was guilty, Bai Mu was innocent…. Furthermore, Bai Rongkai hadn’t been ruthless against this pair of mother and son. He had instead given them a huge sum of money and let them leave…. Right now, they were living well. Did they have to turn around and involve an innocent child in their hatred?

What difference would there be between them and Bai Rongkai then? No, they would be even more despicable.

Moreover, what was most important was that she wasn’t willing to see Ye Jinzhou waste a great deal of his life on revenge. Every injustice has its perpetrator and if revenge breeds revenge, would there ever be an end…? Why didn’t Ye Jinzhou understand this?

However, her son had grown up and would not listen to her. Mrs. Ye couldn’t stop Ye Jinzhou. More than a year passed but Ye Jinzhou had only visited her a handful of times. Each time they talked on the phone, he would only report the good and ignore the bad. He only said that he was busy with work. If she hadn’t bumped into Xu Zhen, she would still be in the dark!

Mrs. Ye stared at Ye Jinzhou and sighed. “Bai Mu’s here, isn’t he?”

Ye Jinzhou wouldn’t meet Mrs. Ye’s eyes. He looked like he was put in a difficult spot. He couldn’t tell his own mother that he had fallen in love with the enemy’s son. He was silent for a few seconds and then said, “Why did you think to come here?”

Mrs. Ye saw that Ye Jinzhou was persistent in continuing down the wrong path. The disappointment in her heart grew. Her voice became stern, “I asked you if Bai Mu is here!”

Ye Jinzhou pursed his lips into a cold, straight line. He didn’t speak.

Mrs. Ye said, “Fine. If you won’t tell me, I’ll go look for myself.”

After saying this, she walked in.

If it were anyone else, Ye Jinzhou could stop them. However, only she could not be stopped. He understood his mother well. While she looked weak on the outside, she was actually very opinionated and tenacious inside. It had not been easy to raise him on her own abroad.

He had always respected his mother a lot. He would not do anything disrespectful towards her.

Ye Jinzhou stood in place. He should have followed her but he suddenly didn’t have the courage to do so…. Inside this place were the two people he loved the most. And their meeting meant that he had to make a choice.

Mrs. Ye crossed the living room and headed to the bedroom. She pushed the door open and saw the man on the bed.

The man had one hand cuffed to the headboard. His body was thin and his complexion was ashy. It was obvious that long-term captivity had been unbearable for him. When the man saw her walk in, he looked up. Although their eyes met, his expression stayed calm, eyes indifferent.

Mrs. Ye looked at him and suddenly she was lost in thought. This person looked a bit like Bai Rongkai but his features were more like his mother’s—that beautiful and gentle woman.

She still remembered what this child had looked like when he was young. He had always been lovable and cute since childhood…. But now, he had grown up. Originally, he should have had a wonderful life of his own, but it had been thrown into disarray with Ye Jinzhou’s sudden arrival. In the end, even his freedom had been stripped away.

Yes, she hated Bai Rongkai, resented his callousness, and how he had watched her husband die. But many years had passed. She had already walked away from it. Moreover, this had nothing to do with Bai Mu….

Ye Jinzhou and Bai Mu’s mutual torment was what she least wanted to see.

When the person being hurt was in pain and suffering, would that bring peace to the conscience of the one inflicting the pain?

Mrs. Ye sighed. She looked at Xie He, eyes apologetic. She said, “Xiao Mu, do you remember me?”

Xie He had been staring at her since he got up. He could see the similarities between her features and Ye Jinzhou’s. He then couldn’t help but think back to when he was young…to that auntie with a gentle smile who would always come to his house with presents and would always play with him.

Yes, ah…why didn’t he recognize Ye Jinzhou sooner? It was clear that he should have remembered him….

“Ah yi...” Xie He’s voice was slightly hoarse. The expression in his eyes was complicated. He thought that Mrs. Ye should also hate him. After all, he was Bai Rongkai’s son.

However, at this moment, there was no hatred in this woman’s eyes—only pity.

Mrs. Ye paused and looked at Xie He earnestly. She said, “I’m sorry.”

Xie He immediately widened his eyes in shock. He looked at her in disbelief.

Mrs. Ye said, “This is all because I didn’t discipline my son properly. I told him not to come back but he didn’t listen…I apologize to you on his behalf.”

Xie He thought that he would be denounced or would be faced with cold words. Who would have expected that he would hear a heartfelt apology…? This made him feel guilty. Faced with this magnanimous and sensible woman, he felt moved and his expression softened. “This isn’t your fault.”

Mrs. Ye watched as Xie He acted like this and her heart ached even more. This child was still so kindhearted and sensible…he was not at all like Bai Rongkai. If Xie He had been a black-hearted, vicious and cunning fellow, then with this kind of grudge between their families, she would find it difficult to feel any sympathy for him. However, he was actually such a good child….

Even if he had been treated and hurt like this, he didn’t take his anger and hatred out on her.

Mrs. Ye was really upset. She shook her head slightly, “Xiao Zhou lost his father at a young age. I was eager to get ahead in life. I was negligent with regards to his education. Therefore, I hold a share of the blame. I cannot fathom how I could make it up to you…but you can be rest assured. From now on, I will watch over him. He will not bother you again.”

Ye Jinzhou dragged his feet and walked over with heavy steps. He reached the door to the bedroom and just so happened to hear these words. His body felt like it had frozen over.

He should be glad that his mother didn’t hate Bai Mu and did not mean to make the next generation bear the grudge from the past. However, at the same time, he felt aggrieved. It was precisely because of this that she would not allow him to continue forcing Bai Mu to stay here.

But aside from force, he had no other method that could make this person come back to him let alone give him so much as another glance.

How did things get to this point?

He could not blame anyone else. He only had himself to blame. He could have had this person’s wholehearted love and his mother wouldn’t have opposed them from being together. A beautiful future had been at his fingertips but his own willfulness and impulsiveness had gradually destroyed it…. In the end, it had become irreparable.

Mrs. Ye saw that Ye Jinzhou had come. She turned and said to him, “Hand the key over.”

Ye Jinzhou didn’t move. He had never gone against Mrs. Ye before. But at this moment, he didn’t want to listen to her. He didn’t want to let go. Even if it was his mother…he didn’t want to comply.

Mrs. Ye understood her own child. She didn’t scold him. Instead, she used a soothing and gentle tone to ask, “Do you still hate him?”

Ye Jinzhou shook his head.

Mrs. Ye thus asked, “Then why do you keep him locked up?”

Ye Jinzhou clenched his fists, seemingly gathering his courage. He slowly said, “I love him. I don’t want him to leave me.”

When Mrs. Ye heard this, she didn’t get angry. Instead, she smiled, “Do you know? Anything can be taken by force except one thing. Only one thing cannot be taken by force, and that is a person’s heart.”

Ye Jinzhou’s face paled. This principle…it wasn’t that he didn’t understand it. But he hadn’t been willing to think about it. He had trapped himself in an illusion. As long as that person was at his side, he could ignore everything, not care about anything….

But Mrs. Ye’s words had mercilessly destroyed it all. He had no choice but to face reality.

To see how ridiculous and futile his actions were.

Yes&#k2026;he had gotten used to taking things by force. Since he had been young, whatever he wanted, he had stolen with his own strength. Whatever he wanted just needed to be plundered. But&#k2026;he could not make a person he had greatly disappointed forgive him.

Ye Jinzhou looked up. There was helplessness and grief in his eyes.

Mre. Ye took in Ye Jinzhou’s appearance. There was an unprecedented sorrow in his eyes. In the end, she still felt pained for him. This was her only son, the apple of her eye who she had watched grow up. Right now, he was trapped in an impossible situation. How could she be willing to see him like this? This was why she hadn’t wanted Ye Jinzhou to come back in the first place. Because…hurting an innocent person would not result in any feeling of achievement.

Although her son seemed mature and steady and was strong and resourceful, he was still a twenty-something year old young man. His heart was not wicked or callous. Because of a moment’s impulsiveness, he had hurt an innocent person. He must regret it.

Moreover, the consequences were even worse than she had predicted. Not only did Ye Jinzhou regret it, he had even fallen in love with the person he had hurt…. There was no way of freeing himself from this.

Mrs. Ye sighed softly. Today, she had sighed many times. “If you truly love someone, you will wish for their happiness. My child, I really love you. Back then, when I tried to stop you from taking revenge, it wasn’t because I was a coward or because I was stupidly kind. It was because I wished that you could be happy and not succumb to a hatred you would not be able to extricate yourself from…. For this, I could let bygones be bygones. This was also why I didn’t tell you the truth for so many years. I had hoped that you could grow up happily beneath the sunlight and have your own life. I couldn’t bear to see you be twisted by hatred from a young age. I didn’t want you to become a tool for revenge. Moreover, regarding that matter…although Bai Rongkai was guilty, he hadn’t been the killer. Furthermore, he’s already dead.”

“So if you truly love Bai Mu, you should let him go. If you truly love someone, you would not be able to bear to see him in pain or upset. You will only add to your regret by doing such things. Or, maybe your so-called love is nothing but selfishness and possessiveness…. In that case, I will object even more strongly because I cannot watch you walk down the wrong path.”

Mrs. Ye paused, looking at Ye Jinzhou calmly. She said, “Give me the key now.”

These words were like a bucket of cold water dumped onto Ye Jinzhou, making him feel ice-cold from head to toe. His love would only cause the person he loved to suffer….

Ye Jinzhou clenched his hand so tightly it turned white and shook. The key was in his pocket.

If he really loved this person, then it should be as his mother said. He should not be able to bear to hurt the other and should let him go. But it was precisely because he loved him that he couldn’t bear for the other to leave. He could only use such a method to make him stay.

Letting Bai Mu go was like digging out his own heart while he was still alive. But making him stay felt like scraping his heart with a knife over and over again.

No matter what choice he made, it would cause him to fall into a bottomless pit of suffering.

Ye Jinzhou looked at Mrs. Ye and then turned to look at Xie He.

This choice was currently laid out before him. He could not escape it. It was a choice between him suffering on his own, or for both of them to suffer…. But now that it was time tomake this choice, there was no need to think.

Since it was like this, he would suffer on his own.

He would let his love go free.

Things had already come to this. What kind of ridiculous hope could he still hold? It couldn’t be that he had to continue to persist in walking down the wrong path? That he had to make the two people he loved the most both be upset and disappointed in him? This was all his fault….

Ye Jinzhou pulled the corner of his lips up, trying to smile, but he couldn’t. He hurt so much he wanted to die.

A long time later, he opened his mouth and spat out one word, “Okay.”

He just said one simple word, but it used up all of his strength. This meant that he finally had no choice but to let go. From this moment on, he would no longer appear in the world of the person he loved.

Because if he really loved someone, even if he would suffer extreme pain, he should still wish that the other could be happy.

And he would not drag his loved one down into his own abyss.

【Ding, the target Ye Jinzhou’s Favourability Value +1. The current Favourability Value is 99.】

Mrs. Ye looked at Ye Jinzhou. She saw the child who had been stubborn and strong since he was young reveal a weak and wounded side. She felt extremely sad for him. But…sometimes, it was better to hurt now for a while than to suffer for the long term. Beating around the bush, acting indecisive—that would only hurt both of them all the more.

She was willing to play the villain.

Mrs. Ye took the key from Ye Jinzhou’s hands and personally freed Xie He. She said with a soft voice, “I’ll have someone take you back. Your friend has been looking for you. He’s very worried for you.”

Xie He stared at Mrs. Ye in a daze. He was lost for a moment before whispering, “Thank you.”

Mrs. Ye’s expression became complicated. She sighed softly, “No need to thank me. I should have stopped him earlier.”

Xie He shook his head. He wanted to say, I should still thank you. Not only because of this, but because of your magnanimity. He and Ye Jinzhou had both been young back then. They did not experience anguish as she had. Mrs. Ye had lost the person she loved. Just how much pain must she have been in? But even though it had been like that, she had still chosen to forgive. She did not let hatred blind her eyes. She had chosen to walk out of the darkness instead of staying there, unwilling to leave.

Xie He stood up. He thought that he should leave.

From now on, there would be nothing between himself and Ye Jinzhou. Ye Jinzhou would no longer come pester him. He could let go and start anew. He could put his life back onto the right track. This was everything he had hoped for but why…did his heart feel empty…?

He actually still loved the other. It was just that the hurt and misunderstanding had carved itself too deeply into him. The humiliation and betrayal could not be forgiven.

A broken mirror was difficult to mend, after all.

“I’ll be taking my leave,” Xie He said to Mrs. Ye. He then brushed past Ye Jinzhou, uttering no other words, let alone bidding farewell to Ye Jinzhou.

Ye Jinzhou was motionless, like a statue. He could not move.

He was afraid that if he moved, he would regret it and become impulsive. He was afraid that he would once again do something that would make the people he loved disappointed with him….

Mrs. Ye watched Xie He leave. Once he was out of sight, she said to Ye Jinzhou, “Go back with me.”

There was loneliness in Ye Jinzhou’s eyes. His lips curled up into a forced smile and he said, “Give me a few days. I have to arrange things with the company, okay?”

Mrs. Ye nodded.

……………………………………

Xie left this place and the chauffeur Mrs. Ye had left outside took him home. Only then did he realize that he was in a city several hundreds of miles away. No wonder Lin Ran hadn’t been able to find him all this time.

The chauffeur dropped Xie He off in C City and then left.

【444：Yi, he let you go so easily….】

【Xie He：That’s normal. The blood had just rushed to his head in a fit of anger at the time. Now that his Favourability Value is so high, he naturally wouldn’t be able to bear to hurt me. He just needed to be dealt a direct blow, that’s all. However, if anyone but Mrs. Ye were to have said these words, it wouldn’t have been so effective. Look, he became clear-minded so easily. This child really has his wits with him. Anyway, people need to learn how to let go. Smile.JPG】

【444：……(⊙o⊙) Oh.】He just felt that the other looked a little pitiful….

【Xie He：Besides, being trapped in a little black room I have no affinity with was so difficult to bear. Look, I got so skinny. Sigh.JPG】

【444：……】He didn’t want to say a thing.

When Xie He returned home, he gave Lin Ran a call. Lin Ran rushed over very quickly. He saw Xie He’s haggard and thin appearance and his heart filled with rage and distress! He hugged the other tightly and said, “Ye Jinzhou that b*stard, what did he do to you?!”

“I’m fine,” Xie He said softly, “Sorry for worrying you.”

Lin Ran’s arms, which held Xie He, trembled. Only the Heavens knew how worried he had been. He had been concerned that Ye Jinzhou would hurt Xie He. After all, Ye Jinzhou had come for revenge. Although he had reported this to the police, there had been no news for so long. He was afraid that one day, he would receive news of Xie He’s death…. He had been scared witless this whole time.

“I’m really fine. Ye Jinzhou…he didn’t hurt me.”

Xie He saw that Lin Ran didn’t believe him. In order to reassure him, he said, “And he won’t appear before me ever again.”

Xie He didn’t let Lin Ran stay with him. He stayed at home on his own.

He shut his eyes. He couldn’t help but recall Ye Jinzhou. What the other liked the most was to hold him to sleep. When the other slept, he was like an insecure child, always holding Xie He tightly. Every day, the other would wholeheartedly make his meals to curry favor with him. He would even act coquettish and shameless. His possessiveness was frightening and he was easily jealous…. When he looked into the other’s eyes, it was always full of love. He could always feel the other’s scorching affection.

In the beginning, it had been fake. But afterwards? It had become real but it had unfortunately been too late.

Xie He thought about the sea-deep despair that had been in Ye Jinzhou’s eyes as he watched Xie He leave.

He didn’t pester him like in the past. He didn’t beg him. He didn’t do a thing. There had only been helplessness and sorrow, because this time…they would really be going their separate ways. He would not even be able to come bother him anymore.

Although Xie He had disappeared for more than one month, fortunately, their company had Lin Ran. There had been no issues.

Lin Ran still took meticulous care of Xie He. Although the two of them were often together, Xie He had resumed his previous attitude and did not try to get intimate with Lin Ran again. Instead, he was even a bit distant. He felt that it would be inappropriate to accept Lin Ran before he was able to completely walk away from this.

Lin Ran saw the occasional flashes of melancholy in Xie He’s eyes. Although he didn’t know what had happened, he understood that Xie He was still not over Ye Jinzhou.

He didn’t push the other. It was very difficult to put down his deep emotions but he was willing to keep waiting.

In order to get over his past earlier, Xie He had no choice but to numb himself with his work. Every day, he was the last to leave.

Tonight, it was in the middle of the night when Xie He walked out of the company building alone. He saw a reserved, lonely silhouette standing on the road, as if it had waited a whole century.

When Ye Jinzhou heard the footsteps, he gazed deeply at Xie He with pitch-black eyes and messy black hair that fell over his forehead.

Xie He’s footsteps paused. He did not leave right away with indifference as he usually would. Instead, he peered into Ye Jinzhou’s eyes, because he knew that the other had only come to say goodbye.

Ye Jinzhou swallowed. After a while, he said, “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Xie He didn’t respond.

Ye Jinzhou seemed as if he hadn’t thought that Xie He would respond to him. It was like he had only come here to fulfill his last wish. He paused and then shot Xie He a longing smile. His voice was low and hoarse, “I love you.”

Even though I will no longer exist in your world, I still love you.

After Ye Jinzhou said this, he gave Xie He another longing gaze and then slowly but decisively turned to leave. One step at a time, he left.

【Xie He：Baby, I’ve got a task for you. Smile.JPG】

【444：(⊙v⊙) Mn! What kind of task?】

【Xie He：Do you see that unremarkable curve over there? There’s always cars that speed. It’s very easy for a traffic accident to occur here. Wait until a car comes near. When it’s about two hundred meters away from Ye Jinzhou, let me know.】

【444：(⊙o⊙) Oh, OK!】

【Xie He：It’s about time to leave. For ZhouZhou to cooperate with me like this, I feel really gratified, ah. I love high efficiency. 🙂 】

【444：……】

Xie He stared at Ye Jinzhou’s slowly departing figure and some kind of emotion began to bubble up in his eyes. Suddenly, he said, “I believe you.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it was crystal clear in the deathly stillness of the night. Each word fell into Ye Jinzhou’s ears.

Ye Jinzhou suddenly turned around and looked at Xie He incredulously.

What did he just hear?

Just as he was about to leave with regrets in his heart, he had finally heard Xie He say that he believed him…he believed that he loved him.

At this moment, there was no one else in Ye Jinzhou’s world. There was nothing else. He couldn’t feel anything else. There was only Xie He in his world…this one word “believe”, was like forgiveness to him.

He had stopped holding any hopes that his love would be accepted. But at least his love was being recognized.

That was enough.

【Ding, the target Ye Jinzhou’s Favourability Value +1. The current Favourability Value is 100.】

Ye Jinzhou’s lips trembled, as if there were a million words he wanted to say but he didn’t know from where to start.

However, it was at this moment that he saw Xie He’s expression change abruptly. The other charged at him and shouted, “Move!”

Move? Why? Ye Jinzhou had yet to come back to himself when Xie He pushed him away suddenly! At the same time, a car sped over, knocking Xie He into the air! The car’s side mirror bumped against Ye Jinzhou’s arm and just barely passed him by. The fierce wind was like a knife, cutting his face!

Ye Jinzhou stumbled onto the ground. He heard the ear-piercing screech of the car hitting its break. He watched as Xie He’s body fell to the ground. He then saw as blood seeped out from underneath the other man’s body…dyeing his vision red.

No…this can’t be….

Ye Jinzhou’s arm hung by his side limply. He staggered to his feet and dragged himself over.

He wanted to hold Xie He in his arms but was afraid of disturbing the other’s wounds. His eyes were full of helplessness and despair. At this time, he thought to call for help. Therefore, he quickly called for EMS. After doing that, he bent down and said to Xie He in a shaking voice, “Don’t be nervous, don’t be afraid, you’ll be fine…you won’t die….”

Xie He felt like all his bones had been shattered. He knew that he would not make it. However, he didn’t feel any fear. Instead, there was relief in his eyes. He stuttered out, “Back…to you….”

Ye Jinzhou looked at Xie He dumbly. Fear made him unable to think. “Don’t talk…dont talk….”

Xie He indeed didn’t have the energy to speak. He looked at Ye Jinzhou and smiled. That smile was as warm as it had been in the past. The deep love and regard from back then seemed to re-emerge in those eyes. He said, “That life, I’ve returned to you.”

That grudge…it was Bai Mu’s father who had initially been in the wrong. Since it was his father that had started this resentment between their families, then it was up to him to repay the debt. Like this, they were even.

Like this, everything would truly come to an end.

Ye Jinzhou watched as Xie He shut his eyes. It felt like all of the blood had drained out of his body. He lowered his head and called out the other man’s name. But the other didn’t give him any response.

The ambulance rushed over, sirens blaring. The paramedics rushed out and quickly inspected Xie He. Very quickly, they determined that he had already died. There was no need to save him.

Ye Jinzhou was unable to perceive anything around him. He only stared at Bai Mu blankly. He softly called out, “Wake up, wake up, ah….”

The paramedic came over to Ye Jinzhou to persuade him, saying that the person had already died. But Ye Jinzhou wouldn’t listen. He held onto Bai Mu tightly. No matter what, he wasn’t willing to let go. He still looked at the other with a gentle gaze and said, “Wake up, ah. You don’t owe me anything. I don’t need you to pay anything back. You really don’t have to….”

Who knew how much time had passed, but Ye Jinzhou felt that the person in his arms was already a little cold. He wrapped his arms even more tightly around the person in his embrace, wanting to warm him up. Suddenly, his head snapped to the side from the impact of an attack.

Ye Jinzhou felt a burning pain on his face. He slowly looked up and saw Mrs. Ye standing before him, looking at him with a sorrowful gaze.

Ye Jinzhou seemed to finally realize that other people were present. His voice was hoarse, “Mom….”

Mrs. Ye could see Bai Mu who laid in Ye Jinzhou’s arms. Her eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness…. But right now, she had to stay calm and rational. Her son needed her.

“Let go. He’s dead,” Mrs. Ye said.

When Ye Jinzhou heard this, he suddenly broke out in tears. They wordlessly slid down his cheeks. He looked just like a child.

Mrs. Ye quietly said, “You can cry, but don’t let his sacrifice be in vain.”

……………………………………

Ten years later.

One night, Ye Jinzhou was startled awake. He had dreamt about Bai Mu again. He remembered the last words he had said to him.

He had thought about these words for ten whole years but still didn’t understand them.

Did Bai Mu hate him or love him?

If he hated him, why did he save him despite the risks it posed to himself? If he loved him, why did he tell him that he was paying him back? Why had he been so cold-hearted and decisive?

Ye Jinzhou raised his hand. On his ring finger were two wedding bands. Both bands stuck together tightly…Ye Jinzhou gently kissed one ring, nostalgia appearing in his eyes.

Without you, every day in this world feels like torture. Every day, every night, the torment gets worse….

Do you know that I really miss you?

After Ye Jinzhou woke up, he couldn’t fall asleep. The next morning, he headed to the hospital. These last few years, Mrs. Ye had become seriously ill. Later on, she had to stay in the hospital. Every day, Ye Jinzhou would go see her.

During these last ten years, Mrs. Ye had grown much older from the torment of her illness.

Ye Jinzhou arrived at her bed and slowly helped her peel an apple. But actually, right now, Mrs. Ye couldn’t eat this kind of thing anymore. She looked at her son and her gaze fell on the wedding rings on his hand. Sadness welled up in her eyes.

Her son had never gotten over it. His heart had died with that person. Now, he was nothing but a living corpse that held on for her sake.

Mrs. Ye slowly raised her hand and placed it on Ye Jinzhou’s hand. She asked, “After I’ve died, what will you do?”

Ye Jinzhou’s actions paused. Pain appeared in his eyes. “You won’t die.”

Mrs. Ye smiled. Everyone would die eventually.

Ye Jinzhou accompanied Mrs. Ye as they chatted. He then received a call and left. He typically busied himself at the company until very late in the night. In the middle of the night, he received a call from the hospital. They said Mrs. Ye had passed away.

Probably because he had already been prepared for this, but this time, he didn’t feel helpless and panicked. He calmly and rationally arrived at the hospital to deal with the aftermath.

When Mrs. Ye was buried, Ye Jinzhou stared at the black coffin.

The words, you won’t die, were only said to deceive himself. Everyone would die eventually…but humans were unwilling to accept this cruel fact. They were unwilling to admit that one day the people you loved would disappear from your life.

Ye Jinzhou watched as Mrs. Ye was buried. He watched as the tombstone was erected. He then looked next to it. Compared to the new tombstone, this one had already borne the wear and tear of ten years. It had already become old, with cruel marks carved into it by the passage of time.

Everyone I love has already left. What’s the point of holding on?

Ye Jinzhou gently caressed the old tombstone. He was a thirty something year old man, but he looked nervous and uneasy. He whispered, “I’ve always wanted to ask you, ask you for the answer…. But I’ve waited for so long, could you have forgotten me…?”

I’m sorry, I hadn’t wanted to make you wait so long.

Ye Jinzhou donated all of his assets.

A month later, his corpse was found in his home. He had died donning a very peaceful expression, one hand placed before his body and clenched into a fist.

When he was buried, people tried very hard to pry open his fingers. Turns out that inside was just a pair of old, worn-down wedding rings.

The author has something to say:

Sorry for the late release today. Finally finished writing with much difficulty. Finally, we finished this world. ~\(≧▽≦)/~ lalala

The next world’s announcement ~The Corrupted Elven King~

Eve: I don’t feel bad for Jinzhou. Honestly, this was a very fitting end to this arc. And XH’s death was a very fitting punishment. Be careful what you wish for.

But what did get me was the talk of death. And then the final imagery of the pair of wedding rings. If only they had met in a world without revenge. What a beautiful couple they could have been. I don’t care for Jinzhou’s happiness, but I do for Bai Mu’s. I wish BM could have gotten a non-asshole version of YJZ. I’d like to think that there could be a reborn world where YJZ just grovels and does everything he can to make BM happy.

sere: eve +1. I don’t feel sorry for YJZ, but it was sad.