Chapter 98: A Glimmer of Hope Amidst the Darkness

While chatting with Ayun, we climbed the mountain together and before we knew it, we had reached the ancient temple on Tongshan. Perhaps because it was winter, the path was desolately quiet, and we hardly encountered any other hikers. Upon arriving at the temple, Ayun took my hand and led me to kneel before the painting of the Goddess of the Painting Immortals.

After kneeling, I looked up again at the image and was suddenly struck with astonishment—Ayun’s features bore a striking resemblance to the portrait. Especially her eyes; a chill ran down my spine as I felt a strange, eerie aura emanating from the temple.

Noticing my pallor, Ayun asked, “Afeng, what’s wrong?” I replied, “Ayun, I’m feeling unwell. Let’s head back.” She said, “We’ve climbed all the way up here; how can we leave without asking about our fate in love?” I responded, “You can ask all you want, but I don’t believe in any of this.” Disappointed, Ayun said, “If you don’t believe, then there’s no point in me asking. Let’s go back.” I nodded, and we left the temple together.

It was noon, and the sunlight was bright, yet I still felt intermittent chills for some unknown reason. We walked down to the road at the foot of the mountain, and only after hopping into Ayun’s car did I begin to feel warmer.

Ayun asked, “Where are you planning to go now?” I said, “I’m going to see Jin Yulian to check if she and her brother have completed the necessary paperwork.” Ayun sighed, “It seems your heart has always been with her.” I gave a bitter smile, “I have no choice; she’s the only one in my heart.”

I called Jin Yulian and asked what she was doing. She replied sadly, “She and her brother have finalized the division of the family assets. The company and debts now belong to her. Jin Baoqiang took the $10,000 deposit and $10 million in working capital and left. The company is preparing to shut down.” I said, “Jin Yulian, don’t be sad. I’ll think of a way to help.” She smiled bitterly, “Afeng, I appreciate your kindness, but let’s not struggle any longer. We’ll just leave it to fate.”

After hanging up, I turned to Ayun and said, “Ayun, I hope you can help us succeed.” She asked, “Afeng, are you sure about this?” I nodded. “Alright,” she said, “let’s go see Jin Yulian together.”

I called Jin Yulian again to tell her I was bringing Ayun to meet her and help resolve the debt crisis. She was stunned, seemingly unable to believe it, but still agreed to meet.

At the company, I introduced Ayun to Jin Yulian. Her demeanor was cold as she said, “Please sit.” Then she had her secretary, Xiao He, prepare tea for us.

I asked Xiao He to leave, saying I needed to discuss something privately with Jin Yulian. I explained Ayun’s intentions, but Jin Yulian shook her head, unwilling to accept. I then whispered a few words into her ear. After a moment’s hesitation, she agreed. What I told her was to temporarily accept Ayun’s plan to first resolve the company’s debt crisis. As for revealing the truth behind past events, that decision was mine alone, and I had a plan.

Jin Yulian understood that my plan was essentially to bluff, but I couldn’t let Ayun know the truth, or she would refuse to help with the debt crisis.

With Jin Yulian’s agreement, Ayun said she could persuade Donghua International Trade Group not to sue for breach of contract. The remaining inventory could be purchased for $10 million since the $10,000 deposit had already been paid, so only an additional $10,000 was needed. Ayun also promised to lend another $10,000 to help Jin Yulian repay the Qianduobao loan.

Upon hearing this, Jin Yulian was overjoyed. Ayun called Donghua International Trade Group, and indeed, they decided to withdraw the lawsuit. They sent people to sign a new contract and to collect the goods. After Ayun finished negotiating with Jin Yulian, she left.

Once she was gone, Jin Yulian felt as though she were dreaming. She asked me, “Who exactly is this Ayun?” I answered, “She’s the daughter of Director Du from Donghua International Trade Group.”

Jin Yulian nodded in understanding, “No wonder she has such capability.” Then she worried, “What if you deceive me? What will happen then?”

I reassured her, “Don’t worry. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. In the end, she can only resent me but won’t be able to harm you.” Jin Yulian sighed, “It’s wrong to deceive people like this.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “Jin Yulian, don’t pretend to be virtuous. You made me take the blame back then—it was illegal. We’ve already done it; what’s the point in worrying now?” Hearing this, Jin Yulian no longer felt guilty.

To prevent any mishaps, I told Jin Yulian to keep the arrangement secret. Only the three of us knew about Ayun’s help with resolving the debt crisis—not even her secretary Xiao He was informed.

Jin Yulian understood that many within her company were informants for Qianduobao. If he found out, more trouble would surely follow.

Seeing the debt crisis was being resolved smoothly, I suggested, “Jin Yulian, how about we celebrate tonight?” She shook her head, “Afeng, I’m too exhausted these days. Let’s wait until everything is settled.” I agreed, “Alright, we’ll celebrate then.”

Since Jin Yulian didn’t feel up to it, I didn’t visit her villa that night.

At that time, Fatty called to tell me that Aunt Lin was unwell, likely from fatigue after caring for Tietou. He asked me to look after Tietou in the hospital for a few nights.

For the next several days, I stayed at the hospital caring for Tietou. Two days later, Aunt Lin recovered and returned to take over.

I left the hospital, and just then Sister Li called to say she had arrived in Mingzhou and was responsible for collecting the inventory from Jin Yulian’s company.

Hearing this, I was delighted and immediately called Jin Yulian. Together, we went to meet Sister Li.

When we met, feelings overwhelmed us. Sister Li arranged for her team to take the goods away and discreetly deposited an additional $10,000 into Jin Yulian’s secret account. The loan contract for the $10,000 was signed by Sister Li on behalf of the company, and the funds were deposited into the secret account as well. This was to prevent Qianduobao from knowing that Jin Yulian’s debt crisis had been resolved.

When Sister Li came to collect the goods, Xiao He was puzzled and asked what was going on. Jin Yulian told her that the other company had chosen not to sue and that the goods would be exchanged for the $10,000 deposit.

This was a reasonable arrangement; if they sued, the company might go bankrupt, compensation would be uncertain, and the deposit might not be recoverable. It was better to use the deposit to exchange for the goods, which was more beneficial.

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