Chapter 127 - Oh Ho, I’ve Remembered
Translated by Eve
Edited by Serefina
14. Oh Ho, I’ve Remembered
Lin Ran ran over with large strides, a folder in one hand. He gazed at Ye Jinzhou icily. Not only did this b*stard hide Xie He away, he even had people watch Lin Ran so that the latter would have no chance to approach Xie He! If he hadn’t unexpectedly gotten hold of news that Xie He was leaving the country today, Lin Ran would have completely missed the other!
Lin Ran already knew about Xie He’s amnesia so he didn’t beat around the bush. Instead, he straightforwardly said, “Do you want to know who it was that plotted against your company with despicable methods?”
Xie He looked at Lin Ran inquisitively. This person obviously knew him. As for the matter of his company falling to difficult circ.u.mstances and having to be sold in the end, Xie He had found out a little about this from the employees. However, no one had known who the mastermind had been. This was something that had puzzled him all this time, to the point where he had been unable to ignore it.
Xie He muttered to himself for a while and then asked, “Do you know?”
The corner of Lin Ran’s lips rose, “I do. It’s the person next to you.”
Xie He was startled. He seemed stunned.
Ye Jinzhou’s complexion was deathly pale. He tightly clasped onto Xie He’s hand, his lips moving, seemingly wanting to refute this, but no sounds came out. He could continue to trick Xie He and convince him not to believe Lin Ran’s words. With their relations.h.i.+p, Xie He was more likely to believe Ye Jinzhou…but…why couldn’t he do it?
He had already told so many lies. How many more would he have to tell to maintain this charade?
Lin Ran was Xie He’s best friend. If Xie He one day regained his memories, wouldn’t he hate Ye Jinzhou all the more for how he tricked him and slandered Lin Ran today? This was why he hadn’t been willing to let Xie He meet with Lin Ran.
At this moment, Ye Jinzhou realized that he couldn’t say a thing. There was only powerlessness and sorrow in his heart.
He had done his best to prevent this from happening, but it had been unavoidable.
Lin Ran turned to look at Ye Jinzhou, voice furious, “You’ve already taken his company away. You’ve gotten your revenge. Why won’t you let him go? Even if the previous generation had a grudge between them, what does that have to do with Bai Mu? It can’t be that you’d only be satisfied once you’ve cornered him to death?”
An ineffable unease and restlessness emerged in Xie He’s heart. He stared at Lin Ran, voice heavy. “What do you mean?”
Lin Ran handed the folder over to him, eyes fixed on Xie He. “Everything you want to know is in here. Once you’ve read it, you’ll understand.”
Just because someone says something, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s true. In order to convince Xie He today and to let Xie He see Ye Jinzhou’s true face, he had already made ample preparations ahead of time.
Although he had no concrete proof that Ye Jinzhou was the mastermind, he could describe the entire process and experience. He could tell Xie He Ye Jinzhou’s true ident.i.ty. Then, he would let Xie He come up with his own judgement and decision. At the very least…he could not allow Xie He to leave the country with Ye Jinzhou today!
Xie He stared at that folder blankly. Hesitation flickered through his eyes….He thought that he had finally found what his old life had been like. It couldn’t be that this was all another lie?
Just what had been his real life?
Lin Ran could see the hesitation in Xie He’s eyes. Sadness welled up in his own and he asked softly, “Do you not believe me?”
Xie He could hear the sadness and disappointment in Lin Ran’s quiet, soft words…. Suddenly, some kind of emotion began to stir. Instinct told him that this was the person he trusted the most. Xie He felt a faint throb in his head. He slowly reached out and accepted that folder.
Avoidance was no solution…. Regardless of whether this was fake or real, he had to see it….
At this moment, Ye Jinzhou, who had been as motionless as a statue, suddenly reached out and grabbed Xie He’s arm in what seemed to be a last-ditch struggle. There was a trembling, pleading note to his voice. “Don’t look at it, okay?”
Xie He turned around to look into Ye Jinzhou’s eyes. When he heard the other’s pleading tone, his heart sunk…. Everything made it irrefutably clear that Ye Jinzhou was guilty.
He was afraid of Xie He finding out the truth.
“You also lied to me, didn’t you?” Xie He’s lips parted. Disappointment finally coloured his eyes.
There was no colour left in Ye Jinzhou’s face. There was a suffering as heavy as the sea in his eyes.
Xie He suddenly threw Ye Jinzhou’s arm off. He no longer hesitated as he took the folder from Lin Ran. There were quite a few pages inside, the stack being about a finger thick. Everything was orderly and clear. Not only were pictures included, there was also a detailed description of Ye Jinzhou’s ident.i.ty and the grudge between their fathers. It also detailed how Ye Jinzhou had hidden himself by Xie He’s side, playing with his emotions to gain his trust while plotting to push Xie He’s company to near bankruptcy….
Xie He read through each page, heart sinking further with each one.
Each page was like a bead on a string, gradually putting together his memories….Ye Jinzhou had also lied to him.
Everyone he loved had lied to him!
Xie He suddenly felt a splitting headache erupt. The papers in his hand fell to the ground in a flutter. He covered his forehead with the palm of his hand and wobbled. Ye Jinzhou and Lin Ran both reached out to support him.
Ye Jinzhou was faster. He pulled Xie He into his arms and nervously asked, “What’s wrong? Do you not feel well? I’ll take you to the hospital!”
Xie He shut his eyes tightly, furrowing his eyebrows in pain. His eyelashes trembled and he reached out to grab Ye Jinzhou’s arm, fingernails practically digging into the other’s flesh. Ye Jinzhou, however, didn’t seem to perceive the pain. He only looked at Xie He in concern. Just as he was about to carry Xie He away, Xie He parted his lips slightly and said, “I’m fine.”
Ye Jinzhou still didn’t feel rea.s.sured. “Really? It’ll still be better to get you checked out. I don’t feel rea.s.sured.”
Xie He slowly opened his eyes. There was a layer of coldness over his eyes and his voice was icy. “I’m doing really well. Better than before.”
The instant Ye Jinzhou looked into Xie He’s eyes, he was submerged in dread.
Ye Jinzhou’s voice carried an uncontrollable tremor, “Y-youk2026;.”
It felt like something was blocking his throat. He wanted to ask if the other had regained his memories, but he was afraid that he would be left without even a sliver of hope upon uttering that question out loud. He had never been so afraid of anything in his lifek2026;.
He had lived abroad for twenty years. He had gradually grown up from the youngster who had been pushed around to who he was today. No one knew just how many setbacks he had faced or how big a price he paid. He had also been humiliated in the past. He had been ridiculed and beaten up at school until he felt like he was on the verge of dying. His company had been coveted by others before. One wrong step could have wasted all his past efforts. But no matter how close he had come to death or even when he had faced the cruellest failure, he had never been this afraid before.
He used to think that he would never be afraid of any setbacks or difficulties. That is, until he had fallen in love with this person.
He had learned what it was like to be afraid of losing something.
Xie He stood up. He pushed away the hand Ye Jinzhou used to support him slowly but with determination. He said blandly, “You wanted to ask me if I regained my memories, didn’t you?”
Ye Jinzhou stared at Xie He in a daze. He felt him leave his embrace…the departing warmth seemed to take his soul away.
Xie He flashed him a derisive smile and said with emphasis, “Yes, I remembered.”
These words were like a final sentence in court and Ye Jinzhou was the convicted. He felt all the blood in his body freeze. He then watched as Xie He slowly pa.s.sed him, wanting to leave. This time, he would really leave Ye Jinzhou. He would never come back.
Ye Jinzhou suddenly rushed over and held Xie He in a deathly tight hold. There was suppressed pain in his voice, “I’m sorry. Actually, I wanted to apologize to you all this time. Don’t leave….”
Xie He said with a frosty voice, “Let go of me.”
Ye Jinzhou didn’t let go. He said with a quiet voice, “I love you. I was wrong. Give me one more chance, okay?”
I really can’t go on without you….
When Xie He heard that ‘I love you’, he recalled those countless days when this person had whispered to him that he loved him with a soft, affectionate tone…. But this man was someone capable of telling someone he loved them while also relentlessly pus.h.i.+ng them into a bottomless abyss. He was someone who could lovingly spend the entire night with them while ridiculing them and calling them contemptible in front of his real boyfriend.
Meanwhile, Xie He had been an idiot, ignorant to the fact that he was being humiliated and despised, only to end up losing everything in the end.
And yet this person still dared to say he loved him?
Xie He could no longer maintain his calm. He had wanted to retain some semblance of dignity—he didn’t want to look too wretched—but he was only human. When he was hurt and upset past the tipping point, he would also be unable to control himself.
“Shut up!” Xie He’s eyes were red, his voice hoa.r.s.e and expression warped. “Didn’t you want to see me upset and suffering? Didn’t you want to humiliate me? I’ll let you have a good look. Right now, I’m really suffering and really upset. Are you satisfied now? Let go of me!”
Xie He did his best to throw off Ye Jinzhou’s hold. Xie He struggling with all his might was nearly too much for Ye Jinzhou to restrain. Because he didn’t dare use too much force in fear of hurting Xie He, Ye Jinzhou had no choice but to let go. Ye Jinzhou was elbowed several times in the gut, sending a shock of pain through his abdomen.
No…I just don’t want to lose you….
Despair appeared in Ye Jinzhou’s eyes. It wasn’t because of the physical pain, but because he could feel the decisiveness in Xie He. In the past, Xie He…had never fought against him like this…he had never used all his strength like this…. He gave Ye Jinzhou no leeway.
“I love you…this time I mean it…” Ye Jinzhou stared at Xie He, lips pale, “I’m not lying.”
“You’re not lying?” The corner of Xie He’s lips hooked upwards and he sneered, “Didn’t you just try to lie to me? You planned on tricking me into leaving this country so that I’d end up in the palm of your hand. Then at that time, you would humiliate me or get rid of me however you liked. If I didn’t regain my memories…what did you plan on doing to me?”
Ye Jinzhou shut his eyes. He finally reaped what he sowed. He just hadn’t thought that the beautiful dream would shatter so quickly.
“I won’t hurt you again.” Ye Jinzhou’s expression was warped in pain.
But Xie He would no longer believe in his words. Everything Ye Jinzhou had told him had been lies. Xie He sucked in a deep breath. “Enough. Keep your crocodile tears and lies. Don’t tell me you love me again. You… don’t deserve to say it.”
These words were like a heavy hammer smas.h.i.+ng down on Ye Jinzhou’s heart. He felt like he couldn’t stand steady and faltered slightly.
Xie He turned around and said to Lin Ran, “Thank you. Let’s go back.”
Lin Ran looked at Xie He, emotions stirred up. He heaved a long sigh. “I was really worried just now. If I had been late….” Fear appeared on his face when he thought of this in retrospect.
Xie He smiled at him. “Luckily, you came in time.”
At this moment, a reminder to board the plane was broadcasted over the waiting room. Xie He took out the plane ticket from his pocket and was about to tear it apart. His gaze fell on the ring on his finger. His eyes stung. He narrowed his eyes slightly and then took off the ring without any hesitation. He tossed it into the trash bin with the plane ticket.
Ye Jinzhou pressed against his chest. He felt as if he had no strength to even take a step. His whole body was frozen.
The person he loved had left…he even disdained to give him so much as another glance….
A long time later, Ye Jinzhou seemed to finally regain some strength. He walked over to the trash bin, eyes vacant. He didn’t care that it was dirty. He directly stuck his hands in and began to search. The airport employees finally couldn’t continue to watch on indifferently. Quite a few people had seen Xie He throw that ring into the garbage bin during the scene just now, which had obviously been a lovers’ quarrel. Right now, when they looked at Ye Jinzhou’s dazed appearance, they couldn’t help but sigh.
An employee walked over and said, “Sir, please sit down. We can help you look for it.”
Ye Jinzhou turned a deaf ear. It was like he was the only person remaining in this world….
That employee could see that Ye Jinzhou’s eyes had turned red. He didn’t dare provoke the other so he could only call over a few more employees. They carried the garbage bin out and searched for the ring with Ye Jinzhou. Because the ring was so small, Ye Jinzhou only found it after much difficulty.
He grasped the filthy ring, clenching it tightly into the palm of his hand.
This was the proof of love his beloved had towards him. He originally could have possessed this love and blissfully been together with that person. However, because of his ridiculous need for revenge…in the end, this love had been thrown away like trash. He could pick up the ring but what of his love…? That love could no longer be retrieved….
It could not be retrieved.
The love to which he had once turned his nose up, he now fought to hold onto like his life depended on it. However, it had already been thrown away like a pair of old shoes.
……………………………………
Lin Ran and Xie He left the airport together. He asked, “Do you want to head home?”
Xie He said, “Yes. Please take me back home.”
Lin Ran didn’t say anything more. He directly took Xie He back.
Xie He returned home. He had only left here a few hours ago. Originally, he had thought that he wouldn’t return for a long time. Who would have expected that in a blink of an eye, he’d return to his original place. He stood there for a while before silently packing.
He took the cup Ye Jinzhou had left, his razor, his toothbrush, his face cloth, his clothes, his shoes…he pulled everything out and threw it onto the floor.
Lin Ran watched Xie He’s actions and took in his calm appearance. The pain in his heart grew and grew. Finally, he could no longer bear it and walked over to say, “If you’re sad, you can show it. You don’t have to hold it in.”
Xie He pulled out the last of Ye Jinzhou’s clothes from the closet. It looked like the last of his strength left him.
He covered his eyes and laughed. “Do I look terrible? Heh…aren’t I such a joke? I actually fell for the same thing twice.”
Lin Ran’s heart hurt as he said, “It’s not your fault. He was the one who lied.”
Xie He’s lips pulled into a self-deprecating smile.
No, it was his fault. It was because Xie He loved him that he was deceived. He could not lie to himself. He still loved that person…but this love would only cause him pain. His self-esteem would not allow him to continue loving that man.
Xie He rested for a while and then found a cardboard box to put those things in. Lin Ran helped him fill the box until the house no longer held any signs of Ye Jinzhou.
Xie He took a look at his surroundings. This was once their love nest. Right now, it was like a piece had been dug out of it. It was a mess.
Just like his heart. A piece of it had been dug out.
But even if the process was painful, he had to persevere. He could not turn back.
Xie He turned his head and looked at Lin Ran, who was silently helping him pack up these things. His gaze turned absentminded and he suddenly asked, “Why do you always treat me so well?”
Lin Ran smiled and said, “Because you’re my friend.”
If it was before, Xie He would not continue digging. They were such good friends, so it made sense that they would help each other like this. But today, he could no longer continue to lie to himself. He couldn’t continue to believe that Lin Ran would do so much for him while only thinking of him as a friend.
Xie He slowly asked, “You love me?”
The object in Lin Ran’s hand suddenly clattered to the ground. His expression froze and he didn’t respond.
Despite this, Xie He instantly understood Lin Ran’s answer.
Comprehension appeared in his eyes. Turns out…Lin Ran loved him, ah… And how slow must Xie He have been to never have caught on? This person had been by his side for so many years. He had never lied to him or deceived him. When he needed him, he was always there….
There was no other reason except that he loved him.
At this moment, Xie He’s heart was filled with guilt towards Lin Ran. He suddenly felt that he was really contemptible. He had enjoyed the benefits of being loved but had never planned on reciprocating. He said, “I’m sorry.”
Lin Ran paused. “Why are you sorry?”
Xie He said, “For now, I don’t think I can love another person.”
When he said this, his heart filled with bitterness. Not only because of his own sorrowful love, but more so because he might lose the friend he had always trusted and relied on…but he could not continue to feign ignorance while enjoying Lin Ran’s love. That would be too unfair to Lin Ran.
Xie He thought that Lin Ran would be angry. But that wasn’t so.
Instead, Lin Ran laughed, as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulder. “That’s really good news.”
Xie He was startled.
Lin Ran smiled as he looked at him, eyes soft, “You being unable to love another is only temporary, not permanent. This means that I have a chance, right? I’m really happy.”
Xie He said, “But….”
Lin Ran interrupted him. He walked over to him and gazed into his eyes earnestly. “If you were a fickle person, then you wouldn’t be the Bai Mu I liked. The Bai Mu I like is gentle, decisive and principled like the you now. Therefore, you don’t have to apologize. It’s my choice to love you.”
“Anyway, I’ve loved you in secret for ten years now. To give up now when you’re finally single would be a bad investment. How could I be willing to give up if I don’t wait a little longer and give it a try? Since you already know, I can straightforwardly court you,” Lin Ran said.
Xie He’s eyes reddened slightly. His lips moved but no sound came out.
Lin Ran actually felt really apprehensive right now. He was afraid that Xie He would reject him again. However, Xie He didn’t. He only stared at him dumbly, seemingly moved. His moist black eyes looked touched and surprised. It aroused Lin Ran’s tender feelings…. This gave Lin Ran hope. Did he have a chance?
For the first time, he gathered his courage and planted a kiss on Xie He’s forehead. He looked into Xie He’s eyes, tone soft and quiet, “Do you dislike me?”
Xie He was in a daze for a while before he cast his gaze down and shook his head.
He only felt that this was too unfair towards Lin Ran.
Lin Ran hugged him softly and laughed. “You will never need to apologize to me. I am very willing to love you…thank you for giving me this chance.”
【Ding, Lin Ran’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 95.】
A baffling sense of ease washed over Xie He’s heart as he was held in Lin Ran’s arms. After a while, he realized that this was inappropriate and he gently pushed Lin Ran away with an awkward expression on his face. He turned his face to the side, uncomfortable, and said, “I’m going to throw this stuff away.”
Lin Ran had never expressed his feelings for Xie he so directly. He was actually really nervous. A faint flush emerged on his cheeks and he nodded. “Okay.”
Xie He turned around and carried the cardboard box down.
【444：Host dada, Ye Jinzhou has come!】
【Xie He：Where is he?】
【444：You’ll b.u.mp into him if you go out now. (≧▽≦)/】
【Xie He：Very good. ? 】
Xie He had just exited through the main doors when he saw Ye Jinzhou rush over. Xie He’s expression changed in that instant. He ignored the other and continued to carry the box out.
Ye Jinzhou looked like he had been in a great hurry. It had just drizzled outside and the other hadn’t carried an umbrella. He couldn’t tell for how long the other had run but the other’s hair was completely drenched. That handsome face wore a dejected expression. He called out Xie He’s name and seemed to want to pull him over but he didn’t dare to. He could only follow Xie He from behind and then watch helplessly as Xie He threw the box into the dumpster. The contents of the box fell out that moment. When Ye Jinzhou glanced at it, his eyes dimmed.
Those were…all his things….
Almost-tangible pain appeared in Ye Jinzhou’s pitch-black eyes. He grit his teeth and caught up to Xie He as the other was about to re-enter the building. With a hoa.r.s.e voice, he said, “I have something to give you.”
Xie He said, “Move.”
Ye Jinzhou didn’t. He pulled out a stack of papers. He said, “Sign here and the company will be returned to you. Actually, I wanted to give it back to you earlier but…you had lost your memories so I….”
Xie He cast him an indifferent glance, expression not changing in the least. “No need. Keep it.”
Ye Jinzhou stared at this version of Xie He. However gentle and loving this person used to be was how cold-hearted he was now. However much he used to love him was however determined he was in severing all relation with him now…. And when faced with this kind of Xie He, Ye Jinzhou was powerless. Even if he did everything he could, he would not be able to fix it.
People must suffer the consequences of their own mistakes.
He had always understood this philosophy and he was willing to endure any consequences…aside from losing this person….
Ye Jinzhou crumpled the papers tightly in his hand. He said in a quiet voice, “This is what I owe you. It should have been returned to you. I know that this kind of compensation is really laughable but…” There’s nothing else I can do.
Xie He suddenly laughed. His lips quirked up and his expression became lively. He said, “You’re wrong. This is what I owe you.”
Ye Jinzhou was at a loss.
Xie He slowly said, “Half of this company originally belonged to you. I’m giving it back to you now. The rest…take it as interest, ba.” His tone was light, as if they were talking about some insignificant matter. There was only indifference in his eyes. “From now on, we’re even.”
Eve: You deserve it. Some things cannot be taken back once thrown away.
sere: SEVERE SECOND MALE LEAD SYNDROME APPEARS ლ(ಥДಥლ) asdf Lin Ran reminds me of every nice second male lead from previous arcs…. Im always so sad for them….these nice guys with their selfless love BUT AALSO FUUU Sc.u.m YE HASN’T SUFFERED ENOUGHHHH 凸ಠ益ಠ)凸 FIGHT ME AHHH ୧(๑•̀ᗝ•́)૭ lol sorry these emoticons r so fun
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