Forgotten Love - Chapter 34

Gu Huaian’s pupils trembled, tears streaming down like rain.

A pleading rose in his eyes.

His trembling lips wanted to beg me not to say any more.

For a moment, it felt as if my heart was being torn apart.

I turned my head, forcing back my tears:

“I’m truly grateful that you saved me. So, besides returning the shares to you, I also want to give you a truth.”

I stuffed the fifth file folder into Gu Huaian’s hands.

But he still stood there in a daze, tears flowing.

Motionless, letting the folder slip to the ground.

I picked it up and silently opened it for him.

Inside was a voice recorder.

Mother’s voice slowly came through.

“Back then, Lin Jiao’s father, Ji Tang, and Old Gu-three men-were sworn brothers who had been through life and death together. But Lin Jiao’s father died unexpectedly because of a reckless mistake by Ji Tang.”

“Later, Ji Tang and Old Gu both went into business, but Ji Tang was ruthless and even colluded with the underworld, doing illegal deals.”

“So Old Gu gradually distanced himself, and eventually, because of conflicts of interest, they tore apart completely and became enemies.”

“Lin Jiao didn’t know the real cause of her father’s death, but after she came to my home, maybe out of guilt, Ji Tang actually sought her out, altered the truth, and tried to buy her off.”

“But he underestimated Lin Jiao’s feelings for us. She immediately told Old Gu everything.”

“Later, when she learned the truth, she begged Old Gu to help her get revenge and bring down Ji Tang.”

“Perhaps out of remorse, Old Gu… agreed. So Lin Jiao deliberately gave Ji Tang false documents, hoping to trap the Ji Family, but unexpectedly, Ji Tang discovered her and Old Gu’s plan in advance.”

“That day, Old Gu found evidence of the Ji Family’s crimes and was on his way to pick up Lin Jiao, but died in a car accident orchestrated by Ji Tang.”

“Before he died, Old Gu… entrusted me with his final wishes. He was afraid Lin Jiao would also be killed by Ji Tang in revenge, so he asked me to arrange for her to be secretly sent away.”

“Lin Jiao hid for twelve years. Only recently, after the Ji Family completely collapsed, did I bring her back.”

“This child has always felt guilty and blamed herself, whether towards Old Gu or… towards Huaian.”

“She never betrayed the Gu Family, and she has always treated Huaian sincerely.”

“So, I don’t blame her. Before he died, Old Gu said that before telling Lin Jiao the truth, he never knew how to face her.”

“And this time, he can finally go below without regret, to see his good brother…”

After a few seconds of silence, the recording ended.

At last, the truth of those years was revealed.

“Gu Huaian, this is my gift to you. Do you like it?”

I lowered my eyes, my tone calm.

But I didn’t dare look into his eyes.

Gu Huaian let out a self-mocking “heh.”

The laughter squeezed from his throat grew louder and louder.

“Shen Qingruan, I’m really happy, truly…”

“I want to thank you… thank you for clearing up the misunderstanding between me and the one I once loved! Thank you for paving the way for my love!”

Gu Huaian bent over, laughing.

The tears that had just stopped fell to the floor again, drop by drop.

I gripped my thigh tightly, took a deep breath,

forcing back the tears that threatened to overflow.

From the drawer, I took out the document I had prepared long ago.

“On the way back, you said you’d agree to one thing for me.”

“I’d like to trouble you to sign this divorce agreement. Let’s… part on good terms.”

The harsh laughter stopped abruptly.

Gu Huaian looked at me expressionlessly.

His eyes were like dead water shrouded in mist, cold to the bone.

As he took the divorce agreement, he said:

“Shen Qingruan, I hate you.”