"My meaning is very simple," Duan Muxing chuckled at Lin Xingwan's words. "Your mother suffered far more before she was thrown into Anlong Village. Do you think killing those few villagers avenges her? How naive. But then again, if you weren't so naive, perhaps you wouldn't be alive today."
Lin Xingwan detested Duan Muxing's tone, as if he were speaking from a divine perspective, uttering words that unsettled her.
Yet, infuriatingly, she couldn't help but start overthinking because of his words.
What had her mother truly experienced?
For what reasons had those who hurt her mother done so?
"Mr. Duan, I don't like beating around the bush. You're telling me this, what do you want?" Lin Xingwan frowned. Ever since she met this man on the snowy mountain peak, she felt as if she were stepping into a bizarre chessboard, one by one. She didn't know who had set it up, but every step was a perilous gamble, and a single wrong move would lead to her utter destruction.
But she couldn't stand still and rest; an unseen hand was constantly pushing her forward.
"I want you to divorce Zhou Jinbai. It's that simple. However, Miss Lin Xingwan, you seem very unwilling to divorce Zhou Jinbai. Of course, I understand your feelings. Zhou Jinbai has been bestowed the title of Dongfang Junze by the elders of the Dongfang family, and the Dongfang Junze throughout history have been the leaders of the Dongfang family. Such a perfect and noble man, any woman would be captivated."
Although Duan Muxing spoke words of praise for Zhou Jinbai, his tone gradually turned cold.
His legs were a result of someone's actions!
He had to get back every bit of the torment and pain he had endured over the years.
And Lin Xingwan was the key to his revenge.
"Young Master, I don't think Zhou Jinbai is all that great. He just has a cold, icy face, as if everyone owes him money. He's arrogant and conceited. I hate men like that the most. He's not even worthy of being compared to you, Young Master. In my heart, you are the most perfect man."
Qu Nanzhi completely disagreed with Duan Muxing's words. What was Zhou Jinbai?
Duan Muxing coughed lightly, his hand resting on the edge of his wheelchair, his knuckles gently tapping.
Qu Nanzhi knew she shouldn't interrupt. Young Master was reminding her, so she reluctantly closed her mouth.
Lin Xingwan knew Duan Muxing would eventually bring this up, but she still licked her lips and said, "Mr. Duan, can I not divorce Zhou Jinbai? Aside from this matter, I can fulfill any of your requests. I know I'm going back on my word, and I know I have no right to say this, but I don't want to leave Zhou Jinbai."
After speaking, Lin Xingwan directly knelt before Duan Muxing with a 'plop'.
Duan Muxing tutted in amazement. The sound of his knuckles tapping on the wheelchair ceased as the plane took off at that very moment.
The broadcast carried the flight attendant's gentle and magnetic voice, soothing the passengers' emotions.
Duan Muxing, however, remained silent.
Time ticked by, second by second, until the plane had stabilized in flight. Only then did Duan Muxing speak indifferently, "The first time you met me, you knelt before me; the second time you met me, you still knelt before me. Miss Lin Xingwan, kneeling to make wishes is the job of the Bodhisattva in the temple. Why are you kneeling to me? The promise was yours, and I didn't force you into anything. Since you don't want to divorce Zhou Jinbai, then don't."
Lin Xingwan was certain these were the most pleasant words she had heard in the past month.
But before she could even utter her thanks, Duan Muxing spoke again, "However, if you don't divorce Zhou Jinbai, he might not live for another six months."
His words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Lin Xingwan's head.
"Duan Muxing, what do you want to do to Jinbai?" Lin Xingwan's eyes immediately showed strong rejection, and her mood plummeted from heaven to hell because of Duan Muxing's words.
Even without turning around, Duan Muxing could imagine the murderous look on Lin Xingwan's face, but his mood improved, as his happiness was built upon others' suffering. Even his explanation carried a hint of lightness. "It's not what I want to do to him, but what I have already done. Don't you find it strange that Zhou Jinbai suddenly fell into a coma, and even doctors can't figure out the cause?"
Lin Xingwan's face grew paler, her brows furrowed into the character '川', and her eyes stared intently at Duan Muxing.
In her mind, the sudden coma of Zhou Jinbai flashed, along with Lu Shiyan's words.
The symptoms were identical to what Duan Muxing had described, and the doctors' diagnoses were one hundred percent consistent.
Fear consumed her, making her want to scream, but her throat felt as if it were blocked by something, rendering her speechless.
"Not only do you have to divorce Zhou Jinbai, but you also have to make him give up on you. Otherwise, the moment he feels affection for you, his body will suffer excruciating pain, and he will die within six months at most."
Duan Muxing's words made Lin Xingwan feel as if her heart had turned to ash.
At this moment, all her hopes collapsed.
There was only one voice in her mind: she was indeed Zhou Jinbai's burden, but more importantly, his harbinger of death. Meng Chuzheng's summary was comprehensive.
There was silence from behind for a long time. Duan Muxing even offered a word of comfort, "Miss Lin Xingwan, whether to divorce or not is entirely up to you."
Lin Xingwan's hands, hanging by her sides, curled into fists, her fingers digging into her palms.
Duan Muxing's seemingly non-coercive stance had effectively blocked all her escape routes.
She had no choice.
Lin Xingwan's eyes were filled with despair. The indescribable pain and sorrow made her close her eyes and take a deep breath.
When she opened her eyes again, she said, "Give me half a month. I will divorce Zhou Jinbai. But regarding my mother's affairs, I want to know more."
Duan Muxing was somewhat surprised that Lin Xingwan accepted the situation so quickly and even inquired about her mother.
This woman was more resilient than he had imagined.
"After you divorce Zhou Jinbai, I will naturally tell you."
"Why not now?" Lin Xingwan was confused.
"Given your current circumstances, knowing more would only bring you harm. You just need to do as I say, and you will uncover the mysteries of the past."
Lin Xingwan got up from the ground. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Just as Lin Xingwan turned to walk towards the door, Duan Muxing spoke again, "Attend the King of Gamblers' Night tomorrow evening."
"Why?" Lin Xingwan felt that he and Duan Muxing were on completely different wavelengths. He knew too much but only spoke in fragments, which made her feel uneasy and prone to overthinking.
At this moment, Qu Nanzhi handed Lin Xingwan a file bag, her tone curt, "Take this."
Lin Xingwan looked down at the manila envelope, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally decided to take it.
Once Lin Xingwan returned to her seat, she eagerly opened the file bag and took out the contents.
At a single glance, Lin Xingwan's face turned deathly pale, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
The information in this file bag was enough to destroy her.
She had made up her mind; she had to attend the King of Gamblers' Night.
Four hours later, Lin Xingwan returned to her apartment.
She had only been away for seven or eight days, but those seven or eight days felt like seventy or eighty years to Lin Xingwan.
Exhausted, she sat on the sofa, holding the jewelry left by her mother and staring blankly.
After an unknown period, there was a knock on the door.
Lin Xingwan didn't want to open it and pretended not to hear.
But the next second, her phone rang.
It was Liu Mengqin calling.
"Xingwan, are you home? I came to bring you a gown."
Then Xue Manting's voice came from the other end of the line, "Sister Lin, hurry up and open the door. I've prepared so many beautiful evening gowns for you."
Lin Xingwan sighed and opened the door.
Before she could even process what was happening, Xue Manting embraced her warmly.
"Oh, my dear, I've missed you so much. I'm so sorry, so sorry, so sorry. If I hadn't insisted on inviting you to Qingxi Town last time, you wouldn't have gotten into trouble. I wanted to see you, but that bad guy Su Moyao has kept me under house arrest and won't let me out. Wuwuwu... I feel so guilty."
On the night Lin Xingwan had her accident, Xue Manting had intended to rush to Yan Jing Hospital immediately. But Su Moyao told her that Dongfang Junze was the injured party, and if she went to apologize, she would not only be punished by the Dongfang family but also implicate the Xue family.
Xue Manting became timid. She could disregard her own life, but she couldn't disregard her family's.
By the time she wrote a letter of severance from the Xue family and prepared to go to the capital, Su Moyao, that scoundrel, had quietly placed bodyguards to monitor her. She couldn't even leave the villa, let alone go to Yan Jing.
"Even if I hadn't gone to Qingxi Town, Ye Qingning would have found another way to kill me. What happened last time was just a coincidence."
Lin Xingwan didn't blame Xue Manting, yet Xue Manting cautiously asked, "What about Mr. Dongfang Junze? Will he hold our Xue family accountable?"
Lin Xingwan shook her head. "No."
Hearing this, Xue Manting finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"It's good that he won't pursue it. I haven't been able to eat or sleep these past few days, fearing that my foolish actions would lead to the extermination of my entire clan."
"Since everything is in the past, and Mr. Zhou is out of danger, everything is moving in a positive direction. Let's not dwell on past sorrows and try on these beautiful evening gowns. Manting brought them back from Yan Jing; both the fabric and the design are better than those in Rongcheng."
Liu Mengqin opened the bag and took out a wine-red sequined evening gown.
"Xingwan, the moment I saw this dress, I thought of you. Only someone with your cold, fair skin can carry off such an elegant and noble red."
Lin Xingwan's gaze fell on the evening gown. Although it was just a pile of fabric in her hand, the glittering diamonds on it were quite eye-catching.
"And this black deep-V gown. Don't let the deep V fool you; it's not vulgar when worn. This one suits you very well too."
Liu Mengqin continued to take out several more evening gowns, each with a different style. Lin Xingwan still asked, "Why are we trying on evening gowns all of a sudden?"
"Of course, it's for the King of Gamblers' Night tomorrow." Liu Mengqin explained.
"You're also going to the King of Gamblers' Night?" Lin Xingwan cast a surprised glance at the two women before her.
"Yes, the King of Gamblers' Night will have many influential figures present. If I can attract one or two investors, wouldn't that be a great contribution to our company?" Liu Mengqin's eyes were full of fighting spirit. "It's not like all the company's work falls on you. It makes me feel uneasy to receive a salary."
Although Liu Mengqin had been busy at the company these days, what she did was far less impactful than Lin Xingwan's contributions.
She also wanted to become a strong woman like Lin Xingwan. A woman only achieves her potential with a sharp mind, the ability to earn money, and beauty as a bonus. In fact, only excellent women have the capital to seek love. If a woman is not excellent, she will only be left with endless laundry, dishes, and cleaning.
"I'm different. The reason I'm attending the King of Gamblers' Night is that a few little bitches in my social circle have been showing off. Tomorrow, I'm going to make a stunning appearance and blind their dog eyes."
Xue Manting's delicate, palm-sized face was contorted with a look of intense annoyance.
"Xingwan, I'll take you to try on the gowns and see what needs adjusting."
Liu Mengqin couldn't wait, hanging the evening gown on her arm and then pushing Lin Xingwan towards the bedroom.
Meanwhile, Xue Manting sat on the sofa, curiously looking around Lin Xingwan's apartment. Although it wasn't as luxurious as Su Moyao's mansion, it was still very cozy.
Xue Manting's attention was soon drawn to the mother-of-pearl jewelry box on the coffee table.
This mother-of-pearl jewelry box was exquisite. Xue Manting opened it and was stunned at a single glance.
Such a clear bracelet!
Such a dazzling diamond ring!
Such a top-quality wooden hairpin!
And... the conch pearl necklace at the very bottom!
Xue Manting didn't know how to describe her feelings upon seeing this conch pearl necklace. It was fear, shock, and disbelief. She doubted if this necklace was real!
However, she owned a conch pearl bracelet and had been thriving in wealthy circles for years, so she could confirm that everything in this jewelry box was genuine, including this conch pearl necklace!
At the same moment, the bedroom door opened, and Lin Xingwan emerged, wearing the wine-red evening gown.
Liu Mengqin, standing beside her, couldn't stop praising, "See, my taste is excellent, isn't it? I told you this dress would look great on you. Tomorrow night, if you go to the King of Gamblers' Night, how many young noblemen will be vying for your attention? It seems Mr. Zhou will have many rivals!"
Lin Xingwan, however, focused her gaze on Xue Manting, who was examining the conch pearl necklace.
"Oh no, I forgot to put away the jewelry box!"
In an instant, Lin Xingwan's face turned anxious, and she hurried towards Xue Manting.
She wanted to retrieve the conch pearl necklace, but Xue Manting was quick. She directly placed the necklace into her LV handbag.