Chapter 11

I almost thought I was still dreaming.

Until He Zhou’s warm fingertips touched my hand.

His voice was completely different from seven years ago-hoarse, slightly muffled, as if his vocal cords had been damaged by something.

I thought of what that middle-aged man had said.

For the past seven years, he had been carrying out an extremely dangerous mission.

Tears surged uncontrollably.

“I’m sorry, Jingjing.”

He spoke softly, then turned to face the audience:

“I am He Zhou. Since I can remember, I have always grown up in the orphanage.”

“The children here may not come from noble backgrounds, but they can still contribute to the country and to others.”

“On their behalf, I thank all of you for your generous donations.”

He bowed deeply.

When he straightened up, he suddenly couldn’t stop coughing, a thin line of blood seeping from the corner of his lips.

It was only at that moment that I understood.

He was seriously injured.

He had rushed here in such a hurry, just to see me.

After the charity fundraising event ended, He Zhou was taken to the hospital.

I was about to follow, but was stopped by Fu Jun’s assistant who appeared out of nowhere.

She said, “Madam, Mr. Fu would like to see you.”

I frowned and corrected her, “I’m not Madam. Fu Jun and I are already divorced.”

“The divorce agreement hasn’t been signed by me, so we are still legally married.”

Fu Jun’s voice rang out.

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw Fu Jun sitting in a wheelchair, lifting his eyes to look at me.

In those eyes, usually proud and indifferent, there was a faint trace of panic.

“Zhou Jing, come back to me.”

“You just made a speech in front of so many people-I can let bygones be bygones.”

I curled my lips. “Who needs your forgiveness?”

“He’s back. I don’t need to get money from you to look for him anymore.”

“Move aside, I’m in a hurry to get to the hospital to see him.”

Because I was anxious to see He Zhou, my words were blunt.

On Fu Jun’s face, there was actually a touch of absurd sadness.

His eyes reddened as he asked me, “Did you never love me?”

“Of course not.”

He closed his eyes. “These seven years, you stayed by my side, willingly being Xu Wanning’s stand-in, enduring everything without complaint… Wasn’t it because you loved me?”

“Zhou Jing, do you even have a heart?”

I only felt it was ridiculous.

“You treated me like a servant, let Xu Wanning torment me, and the compensation you gave me was just the price of a handbag you casually bought for Xu Wanning.”

“For seven years, I kept my head down and acted meek in front of you, and for seven years, I was disgusted.”

“You never even gave me the most basic respect. Fu Jun, you should be grateful you’re really rich, otherwise I wouldn’t have even picked you to get money from.”

He really was fragile.

Just a few words like that, and he was already on the verge of tears.

I left Fu Jun behind and turned to go.

This time, his assistant didn’t stop me again.

When I rushed to the hospital ward, He Zhou was already on an IV.

His body was covered in wounds, big and small, some of them even festering.

“I escaped back by boat.”

He Zhou explained softly, “After I got the most crucial evidence, I was exposed. They chased me all the way, not wanting me to bring the evidence back to the country. I couldn’t use a SIM card or the internet, or else I’d be tracked by GPS. I found the dock relying solely on memories from seven years ago.”

Just a few words, but already enough to make one’s heart pound.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed into a tight ball, and I forced out a question with difficulty:

“What about now? You’re appearing at a public event like the fundraising-could it, could it…”

“Of course not.”

He Zhou hesitated for a moment, then gently placed his hand over mine. “I’m back now. It’s safe.”

I bit my lip and nodded, unwilling to take my eyes off him for even a second.

I had missed him for so, so long.

Under my gaze, he suddenly pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly.

“It’s been hard, hasn’t it, Jingjing?”

“I’m sorry, for these seven years.”

His voice used to be beautiful-clear and pleasant, and when he lowered it, there was a hint of deepness.

Like a fine cello.

But now, it was rough and unpleasant.

I asked, “Why has your voice become like this?”

The arms holding me stiffened slightly.

I said, “He Zhou, don’t hide anything from me anymore.”

“…Alright.”

He paused, then said softly, “Five years ago, after they used me for a drug experiment… it became like this.”