Chapter 16

“The invitation was arranged by Director Lu. He said there might be something there that needs my confirmation.”

On the way there, He Zhou said to me.

I was taken aback, feeling a bit uneasy. “Will it be dangerous?”

“It won’t. I’m just going to confirm something.”

He curved his lips into a smile and ruffled my hair.

“Don’t overthink it. Since you’re already discharged from the hospital, it’s good to take you out for a change of scenery.”

The banquet hall was resplendent and magnificent.

In the past seven years, I had accompanied Fu Jun to countless events like this.

I had seen all kinds of people.

Yet my heart had always been as still as dead water.

Not once had I felt even a fraction of the joy I felt now, holding onto He Zhou’s arm.

The attendees of the banquet were all prominent figures from various industries.

He Zhou brought me along to greet a few acquaintances of his.

Only then did I learn.

Among the hostages he had rescued from the pirates back then, there were a few rich second-generation heirs who had been partying on a cruise ship.

Their families were deeply grateful to He Zhou.

After the greetings, as we turned around, we unexpectedly ran into Song Chen and his gang of disreputable friends.

He whistled at me.

“Well, isn’t this the wife of that iron lady Fu Jun? I heard you two are going through a divorce recently?”

“So, how’s it going? Still short on money? Down another bottle of booze, and I’ll give you another million to hire a lawyer, hahaha-”

Halfway through his laugh, he suddenly fell silent, like a chicken with its neck wrung.

Because He Zhou had casually picked up a table knife and pressed it against his neck.

Song Chen’s eyes were filled with both shock and anger. “Do you know who I am?”

“Do you know who I am?” He Zhou retorted.

Song Chen hesitated, his expression shifting to one of uncertainty. “I don’t know which family you’re from, but go ahead and say it-”

“I’m not from any family,” He Zhou said with a faint smile. “But for someone who’s about to die, wanting to take someone down with them is perfectly normal, isn’t it?”

For someone like Song Chen, a pampered young master who had always lived in luxury, there was nothing more terrifying than someone who cared nothing for life or death.

He and his gang of disreputable friends slunk away in disgrace.

I stared at He Zhou. “Don’t ever say things like ‘about to die’ again. The doctors clearly said your physical decline is slowing, and some of your wounds are even showing signs of healing.”

He let out a faint sigh. “That was my mistake.”

“I’m sorry, Jingjing.”

Since his return, he had apologized to me countless times.

But he could never change the fate that awaited him.

I sniffled and lowered my gaze. “I just want you to be a little happier while you’re still alive.”

He Zhou promised me.

He went to get me some cake, but in the crowd, he suddenly disappeared from sight.

As my eyes scanned the room, a wave of unease surged within me like a rising tide.

I wanted to go look for He Zhou, but Fu Jun appeared out of nowhere like a haunting shadow.

He looked at me. “Jingjing.”

“If I apologize for everything that happened before and promise to make it up to you, would you be willing to come back to me?”

“No.”

Fu Jun’s eyelashes trembled, and a flicker of pain appeared in his eyes. “Jingjing, I regret it.”

“I never wanted to admit it, but when I first bought that painting, Moonlight in the Wilderness, I already had feelings for you.”

I interrupted him impatiently. “But Moonlight in the Wilderness was never painted for you.”

“You don’t even deserve its meaning.”

In the fifth year of our marriage, late one night.

Fu Jun had drunk a little and suddenly grabbed my hand.

Because of an old injury left by Xu Wanning, my pinky finger curled slightly.

He sighed. “It’s a pity this hand can no longer paint.”

I withdrew my hand and covered it with my sleeve, speaking calmly.

“I just wasn’t lucky. Mr. Fu can always look at Miss Xu’s recent paintings. They’re quite good too.”

He chuckled lightly. “Hmm, you’re right.”

He had ruined my future, brushing it off as if it were nothing.

And now, he came to confess his cheap feelings to me.

“But I really do love you, Jingjing.”

“It’s just that I grew up with Xu Wanning, and I always habitually thought of her as…”

I didn’t listen to the rest of his self-reflection.

Because He Zhou had finally returned, walking toward me from the hallway outside.

I lifted the hem of my dress and hurried toward him.

I didn’t spare Fu Jun another glance.

And so, I didn’t see the look he gave me from behind-a gaze tinged with a hint of malice.