114 Forgetting the Past

I checked the Shanghai rich list again and found Du Guoqiang, chairman of Donghua International Trading Group and father of Ah Yun. The Du family possesses assets worth twelve billion, ranking thirty-ninth on the Shanghai rich list.

The wealth of the tycoons in Shanghai is indeed far greater than that of Mingzhou. Of course, Du Guoqiang is actually from Mingzhou himself; it is only because his company headquarters are in Shanghai that he is ranked there.

The rich list is not necessarily precise, but anyone who makes it onto such a list is a titan of the business world. They belong to the same circle, and even if they aren't close, they have at least heard of one another.

Sigh! Never mind these mega-rich moguls; even Sister Li has a considerable fortune. I once did a rough calculation of her assets. Her properties in Shanghai alone are worth nearly twenty million, and she has tens of millions in cash. As for her other investments, she hasn't told me, but I estimate her total assets might exceed one hundred million.

Sigh! I shouldn't dwell on this wealth; the more I think about it, the more inferior I feel. In truth, even my boss, Sister Yang, is a woman far beyond my reach, let alone these others.

After Sister Li left, no one else came to visit me. I felt a bit disappointed, though it was to be expected. I played on my phone for a while, and when I grew tired, I slept. In this way, the day passed quickly.

The next morning, the nurse came for an examination. Everything was normal, and I could have the doctor sign my discharge papers.

It was then I realized that the hospital admission paperwork had been handled by Jin Yulian, and the documents were in her possession. She had paid a deposit of thirty thousand, so there should be a significant amount left to be refunded.

For wealthy heiresses like Ah Yun or Ling Xue, a few tens of thousands—or even millions—would be inconsequential, so they wouldn't care about the paperwork. But for me, I wouldn't waste even a few dollars; I couldn't even bring myself to throw away the beef noodles Jin Yulian once dropped on the floor.

I thought about it and sent a message to Jin Yulian, asking what she was doing and if she had time to come help me with the discharge procedures.

Jin Yulian replied, "I have things to take care of this morning; I can only come in the afternoon." I sent back an "OK" gesture.

Since Jin Yulian wouldn't arrive until the afternoon, I remained in the ward, bored and playing on my phone.

I felt a flicker of expectation for Ling Xue, wondering if she might visit me again today. Because she had given me hope that night, I couldn't stop thinking about her. This is human greed, I suppose—clinging to a dream even when you know it is impossible.

However, I was disappointed. Ling Xue did not come, nor did she send a message. Just as Sister Li said, fate often toys with people: when you don't care, someone gives you hope; when you earnestly wait for that hope, all you get is endless disappointment.

It is just as the old saying goes: "You may plant flowers with intent, but they may not bloom; you may plant a willow by chance, and it grows into a shade."

I waited through the afternoon in a flurry of wandering thoughts. To my surprise, both Jin Yulian and Sister Li arrived together.

Seeing my surprised expression, Sister Li told me that the Nanshan New Residence villa she had purchased actually belonged to Jin Yulian, but it had been mortgaged by Jin Baoqiang. With no other choice, it had to be sold at a low price.

I thought to myself that Jin Baoqiang is a good-for-nothing spendthrift; even if Jin Yulian gave him all her funds, it wouldn't be enough to satisfy his squandering. Furthermore, since Ling Xue was orchestrating a scheme to bankrupt him, given his intellect, there was no way he could escape his fate.

I comforted Jin Yulian, suggesting she stop helping Jin Baoqiang, as he was a bottomless pit that would only drag her down with him.

To my surprise, Jin Yulian looked at me and said softly, "Ah Feng, I understand what you mean, but I have already lost you; I don't want to lose my own brother as well. Otherwise, my life would have no meaning."

I couldn't help but say, "Sister Yulian, is it true that there is truly no fate left between us?"

Jin Yulian shook her head and said bitterly, "Ah Feng, don't give me any more hope. The hope you give me only plunges me into endless pain and trouble. Only by forgetting the past can we be reborn. Let us both forget each other! Dwelling on the past is only looking for trouble, trapping ourselves in pain from which we cannot escape."

I smiled bitterly, "Sister Yulian, I am not reconciled to this."

Jin Yulian sighed gently, "And what if you aren't? Even if you had my body, we might not necessarily be able to stay together forever! So many loving couples end in divorce; there is no need for us to dwell on the grievances of the past."

I nodded, "Sister Yulian, I understand. I can only wish you well."

Jin Yulian also said, "Ah Feng, I wish you well, too. I hope that when we meet again, all the pain and regrets will have turned into beautiful memories."

After Jin Yulian finished the discharge procedures for me, she left without looking back.

Watching her beautiful silhouette disappear around the corner, my eyes finally couldn't help but well up with tears. So many dreams, so many hopes, so many aspirations—all of them vanished with her silhouette, turning into distant memories.

Jin Yulian had left me just like that. I bit my lip hard; only the sharp pain could numb my nerves, otherwise, my face would have already been covered in tears.

Seeing my pained expression, Sister Li pulled me into her arms gently and said, "Forget the past! Don't be sad! Life is full of regrets and things we aren't reconciled to. When there is truly no one left to accompany you, I am willing to stay by your side."

I couldn't help but ask, "Sister, are you planning to forget the past, too?"

Sister Li replied, "Yulian is right. Only by forgetting the past can one be reborn; otherwise, one is forever trapped in pain and trouble. Little brother, let's pull ourselves together. Before you succeed, all love is but a moon reflected in the water or a flower in a mirror—something you can see but never touch."

I nodded, "Sister, I understand. I will pull myself together and forget those unrealistic fantasies."

Sister Li said, "Right. Remember, little brother: a marriage without a material foundation is like duckweed on the water, forever drifting with the tide."