On New Year’s Eve, the sound of firecrackers rang out without end.
Liu Yi’an stood outside the research building in a worn-out cotton-padded coat, looking uneasy. “Comrade, I’m here to see Professor Fu Yanchen about something. Could you please help me find him?”
The bodyguard scrutinized her warily. “Who are you? Why are you looking for Professor Fu?”
Liu Yi’an clutched the corner of her coat, rubbing it nervously. “I’m his wife. I came…”
Before she could finish, the bodyguard suddenly shouted sternly, “Professor Fu and his wife are inside giving an interview. Who exactly are you?”
“How is that possible?”
Liu Yi’an’s mind went completely blank.
She was Fu Yanchen’s wife. After they got married, because Fu Yanchen had told her he had to take part in confidential work, she had waited for him in the countryside for thirty years.
She had taken care of his elderly parents, looking forward to the day when their entire family could finally be reunited.
But just five days ago, she had begun vomiting blood uncontrollably and was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer.
Wanting to see Fu Yanchen one last time before she died, Liu Yi’an had traveled all the way to Kyoto.
“I—I really am Fu Yanchen’s wife,” Liu Yi’an explained. “We have a marriage certificate. Just call him out. Once you do, he’ll know.”
“Yanchen! Fu Yanchen, come out!”
“Shut up! Shut up right now!” The bodyguard’s hand moved toward the gun at his waist.
Seeing the dark muzzle of the gun, Liu Yi’an wanted to keep quiet, but she was afraid that if she did, she might never get to see him before she died.
She tried to rush inside, but the bodyguard grabbed her and stopped her.
“What exactly are you trying to do?” he demanded loudly.
Liu Yi’an lost her balance and was shoved to the ground by the bodyguard. The dull pain in her stomach suddenly became excruciating, and she curled up in agony. In her dazed state, she caught sight of a familiar figure.
“Big Sister-in-law?”
Liu Yi’an stared in shock.
Hadn’t she remarried long ago after her elder brother-in-law died? Why was she here?
Wei Qing slowly approached and looked down at her condescendingly, her voice carrying a trace of pity. “Yi’an, how did you get so old?”
Only then did Liu Yi’an get a clear look at the woman before her. Dressed in a fine cashmere coat, Wei Qing looked like a movie star on television. She was clearly already in her fifties, yet she still looked like a young woman barely in her early thirties.
And Liu Yi’an was obviously several years younger than her, yet she looked like an old woman in the twilight of her life.
A wave of embarrassment suddenly washed over Liu Yi’an.
But she quickly thought of something and hurriedly said, “Sister-in-law, please help me explain to him. I really am Yanchen’s wife. Ask him to let me in.”
The bodyguard looked at her as though she were completely absurd. “Are you crazy? You’re standing in front of Professor Fu’s wife and claiming that you’re his wife?”
Professor Fu’s wife?
Liu Yi’an froze, unable to process what she had just heard.
Wei Qing had already taken an envelope from her bag and casually tossed it at Liu Yi’an’s feet. “Yanchen said that although you haven’t exactly been rewarded for your contributions over the years, you have worked hard. Consider this your wages.”
“From now on, don’t come and disturb our lives again.”
The bodyguard looked surprised. “Director Wei, you know this woman?”
Wei Qing replied indifferently, “She used to be the nanny at our home. She developed a mental disorder years ago and has always believed that she was Yanchen’s wife.”
In an instant, Liu Yi’an understood everything.
No wonder… No wonder that after Fu Yanchen went to Kyoto all those years ago, Wei Qing had said she wanted to return to her parents’ home.
And for the next thirty years, whenever Liu Yi’an wanted to visit him or suggested accompanying him to Kyoto, Fu Yanchen had rejected her with one excuse after another.
So that was it! They had already started another family in Kyoto!
“Wei Qing, you shameless woman!”
Liu Yi’an screamed and scrambled to her feet, grabbing Wei Qing by the hair. “You seduced your younger brother-in-law! You knowingly became the other woman and shamelessly involved yourself in a marriage!”
“Someone come! Everyone, come take a look!”
“Liu Yi’an, have you gone mad?” Wei Qing’s face twisted in pain. Hearing Liu Yi’an shouting everywhere, she panicked and shoved her away. “Get away from me!”
“Ah—!”
Liu Yi’an lost her footing and tumbled down the steps. In the chaos, her head struck a stone by the roadside with a heavy thud.
A searing pain like a sharp spike suddenly pierced through Liu Yi’an’s entire body.
It hurt. It hurt so much…
It felt as though a giant hand were viciously twisting her stomach. Liu Yi’an was in so much pain that her consciousness became hazy, and she no longer even had the strength to call for help.
Just before her consciousness faded into darkness, she finally saw Fu Yanchen running out of the building.
With an anxious expression, he pulled Wei Qing into his arms protectively.
“Yanchen, what should I do? I accidentally pushed Yi’an down just now. Will I be arrested?” Wei Qing sobbed breathlessly.
Fu Yanchen held her, his voice deep and cold. “Don’t be afraid. Even if she dies, I’ll issue a letter of forgiveness as her family member. Nothing will happen to you.”
“It’s actually better if she dies. Then she won’t be in the way anymore.”
“Once this matter is over, I’ll give you the grand wedding you deserve.”
Wei Qing broke into a smile through her tears in his arms.
Liu Yi’an widened her eyes in unwilling disbelief. As she watched Wei Qing walk over and crouch beside her, Wei Qing whispered, “Liu Yi’an, actually, I should thank you. If it weren’t for all those research materials you sent me, I wouldn’t have become deputy director so quickly.”
“Now, just obediently go and die.”
Hatred surged into Liu Yi’an’s eyes.
She regretted it.
If she had known, she would never have given up on herself, and she certainly would never have abandoned her parents’ unfinished legacy.
If she could live her life over again, she would never give up everything for love again.
…
“Yanchen, this time you must listen to me and marry Liu Yi’an!”
A familiar voice rang beside her ears, jolting Liu Yi’an’s dazed consciousness awake.
She slowly opened her eyes. Before she could even make out her surroundings, she heard the man’s restrained, anguished voice. “Do I not even have the right to choose the person I love?”
“Love? Then it depends on who you love!”
Fu’s mother was furious. “If your father finds out, he’ll beat you to death sooner or later.”
Fu Yanchen: “Then let him beat me to death!”
The low growl made Liu Yi’an’s eyes suddenly widen. Had she… been reborn?
She turned her head and looked at Fu’s mother and Fu Yanchen standing beside the bed. Their appearance… this was clearly ten years ago, back when she had not yet married Fu Yanchen!
Fu’s mother was so angry that she clutched her chest. “You ungrateful brat! Are you trying to send me to my grave?”
“I’m telling you, if you don’t marry An’an…”
“Auntie Fu!”
Liu Yi’an hurriedly spoke up. “I don’t want to marry him.”