Zhou Jinbai sat on a luohan bed that Zhou Bingwen usually favored, his gaze fixed on the chessboard. In his hand, he held a letter.
A sorrow that could not be concealed clouded Zhou Jinbai's face, so much so that Lin Xingwan did not notice it when she entered.
It wasn't until Lin Xingwan sat opposite Zhou Jinbai and spoke, "The dead cannot be brought back to life. For Zhou Bingwen, this is the best ending. We who are alive must continue to move forward."
Lin Xingwan placed her hand on Zhou Jinbai's. Though Zhou Jinbai had not commented on Zhou Bingwen's affairs in the past few days, Lin Xingwan knew that this man was still deeply saddened. However, as the head of the Dongfang family, he had to maintain a stoic demeanor.
Zhou Jinbai did not look at Lin Xingwan. Instead, he said, "The chessboard is a dead end. When I used to play chess with my uncle, I was a restless person. But my uncle always taught me. They say life is like chess; one wrong move leads to a cascade of errors. But if a person makes the right move at every step, the final outcome will be good. Yet, every move in this game is wrong. He wrote me a letter, telling me that he had made too many mistakes in his life, that his obsession ran too deep, and that he did not wish to linger in this world."
After Zhou Jinbai finished speaking, his eyes reddened slightly.
Lin Xingwan didn't know how to comfort him. When facing the death of a loved one, even if that person had made many mistakes, when they are truly gone, one often remembers only the good times.
Lin Xingwan rose from the luohan bed and gently cradled Zhou Jinbai's head.
"For Zhou Bingwen, death is a release. We must look forward. Look, we have a child."
Zhou Jinbai's expression froze.
That's right, they had a child!
These past few days had been consumed by funeral arrangements, and he had neglected Lin Xingwan's well-being.
"Wife, I'm sorry. I feel so useless, as if I can't do anything right."
Zhou Jinbai carefully placed his ear against Lin Xingwan's belly. He knew that such a tiny child could not possibly make any sound yet, but listening to it brought him an inexplicable sense of peace.
Just then, unexpectedly, Xuan Yin rushed in from outside.
Upon seeing the scene, Xuan Yin stood awkwardly at the doorway, unsure whether to enter or turn back.
Lin Xingwan gently pushed Zhou Jinbai away. He composed himself and asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"
"Young Master, an old man claiming to be a 'Sheidaoren' is here to see you. He says that Zhou Bingwen borrowed something from him over twenty years ago, and now that Zhou Bingwen is dead, he has come to reclaim it."
"Sheidaoren?" Zhou Jinbai's face was filled with confusion at the mention of these words, and his brow furrowed again.
"Yes, a Sheidaoren." Xuan Yin's tone was firm. Zhou Jinbai instructed Xuan Yin to invite the old man in.
After Xuan Yin turned and left, Lin Xingwan couldn't help but ask, "What is a Sheidaoren? Are they very powerful? Why did your expression suddenly become so serious when you heard those words?"
"The so-called 'Sheidaoren' are actually a type of diviner in the martial world. They perform divination for fated individuals and then 'lend' them their cleavers. If their prophecy comes true one day, they will return to collect payment."
After Zhou Jinbai finished explaining, Lin Xingwan instantly understood.
At that very moment, an old man with white hair and an ethereal demeanor appeared in their sight.
Although Lin Xingwan was not interested in such matters and had never heard of them before, upon meeting the old man's benevolent gaze, she felt her mood instantly calm.
The old man's eyes were like an all-encompassing ocean, inspiring awe from the very first glance.
"Mr. Dongfang, I apologize for this abrupt intrusion."
The old man approached Zhou Jinbai and bowed. Despite his age, he showed no subservience to Zhou Jinbai, nor did he disregard him.
"Elder, you are here to collect the payment for the cleaver from our Dongfang family, correct? Please name your price, and I will have it prepared."
Zhou Jinbai had heard of 'Sheidaoren' but was unfamiliar with their customs.
To his surprise, the old man shook his head with an air of profound wisdom. "No, no, no. I have not come for money today. I only wish to retrieve my cleaver. For the Dongfang family, no matter how much money I asked for, you would have fulfilled it. However, when I made a prophecy for Zhou Bingwen, I never thought this day would come. In fact, I hoped my cleaver would remain with Zhou Bingwen, and I would not have to retrieve it. But this child ultimately did not heed my advice and strayed from the righteous path."
The old man's words were filled with sighs, and what he said made Zhou Jinbai and Lin Xingwan respect him even more.
He was a living Buddha, loving all beings and wishing to save them from hardship.
Zhou Jinbai and Lin Xingwan fell silent, unsure of what to say. The old man, however, glanced at Lin Xingwan and then spoke, "Mrs. Dongfang is with child. If the fetus in your womb is born safely, it will lead the entire Dongfang family into another era of prosperity. However, Mrs. Dongfang still owes a debt of gratitude. If this debt is not repaid, the fetus in her womb may be in danger."
If anyone else had heard this, they would have been enraged by the old man's words. But Zhou Jinbai and Lin Xingwan merely frowned, saying nothing.
They marveled at how the old man had seen through Lin Xingwan's pregnancy at a glance, but they also wondered if he had done some investigation before coming, otherwise how would he have known about the pregnancy?
Was he truly capable, or did he have other motives?
However, the elder's subsequent words shocked Lin Xingwan even further.
"You two need not doubt my words. If you don't believe me, just consider me spouting nonsense. However, Mrs. Dongfang, although Mr. Dongfang is your destined partner, that Duan Muxing also has a karmic connection with you. Your destiny is that of great wealth and prosperity. If the Helian family had not adopted a bringer of misfortune back then, your destined partner would have been Duan Muxing. In fact, he was your betrothed fiancé from birth. However, Helian Diejin's series of actions altered your fate, leading to all these events. He avenged you, and you owe him a debt of gratitude. If this matter is not handled properly, disaster will strike."
The old man's words became increasingly outlandish.
To Lin Xingwan, it was simply too shocking to comprehend.
Duan Muxing was her fiancé from birth?
This was too absurd!
After all, Duan Muxing had never told her this before!
However, a memory immediately surfaced in Lin Xingwan's mind: Duan Muxing had once told her that he had a fiancée he had never met!
Later, Duan Muxing had even asked her to pretend to be his fiancée. Could it be... that everything this old man said was true?
After the old man finished speaking, he truly paid no further attention to Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai. To be precise, in the old man's eyes, these two were no different from beggars or passersby on the street. After telling them, he did not care about their reactions.
As Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai exchanged bewildered glances in the room, the old man had already walked into the courtyard. After a brief observation, he began to dig under a tree.
Before Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai could figure out what was happening and go to see, they saw the old man unearth a cleaver from the spot.
The cleaver looked ancient, but as it was dug out of the earth, it still exuded a chilling aura.
"Alright, I have found what I came for today. I shall not linger any longer."
With that, the old man turned and walked towards the door.
At this moment, Lin Xingwan broke free from Zhou Jinbai's hand and ran after the old man.
"Elder, wait for me. I have some questions for you."
The old man stopped and looked at Lin Xingwan again with his benevolent gaze.
He did not seem surprised that Lin Xingwan had chased after him to ask questions.
"Elder, please tell me... how can I repay Duan Muxing's kindness?"
After speaking, Lin Xingwan fixed her anxious gaze on the old man, as if every word he was about to utter would change her destiny.
"Then how do you intend to repay it?" the old man asked, not answering directly.
At this moment, Lin Xingwan's mind flashed back to Duan Muxing's dejected look as he gazed at his own legs.
"I want... Duan Muxing to stand up again, to be like a normal person. But Duan Muxing told me that the medicine that could heal his legs has disappeared from this world."
Lin Xingwan knew that Duan Muxing had lost his legs because of Helian Diejin.
And Helian Diejin hated the Duan family so much because her mother had asked the Duan family for help back then. Furthermore, since the Duan family refused to give Helian Diejin the medicine, Duan Muxing lost his legs.
"In this world, sincerity moves mountains. I know of a medicine that can perfectly heal Duan Muxing's legs." The old man did not beat around the bush with Lin Xingwan and directly gave his answer.
As expected, after hearing the old man's words, Lin Xingwan's face lit up with excitement.
"Elder, where is this medicine? No matter the cost, I will obtain it."
Lin Xingwan then fixed her gaze on the old man.
The old man merely said indifferently, "In this world, some things cannot be bought, no matter how much money you have."
These words made Lin Xingwan's expression even more anxious.
Zhou Jinbai, standing beside Lin Xingwan, saw his wife's intense concern for another man. Though he knew Lin Xingwan was not wrong and was merely repaying a debt, he still felt a complex mix of emotions.
He wanted to be jealous, but he had no right!
Because when this woman made her choice, he had already been abandoned.
He felt wronged, yet he had to admit that when it came to dealing with Helian Diejin, Duan Muxing had indeed paid a greater price than himself.
"Elder, what do you mean by that?"
The old man spoke again, his gaze falling in a certain direction. "Legend has it that the divine medicine capable of curing all ailments is called the Flower of Eternal Life. This Flower of Eternal Life grows in the coldest and most dangerous places. It blooms once every ten years, and its flowering period lasts only a mere dozen hours. To obtain the Flower of Eternal Life, one must pluck it within these hours, otherwise, one must wait another ten years. And in the next ten years, the Flower of Eternal Life might have already withered."
After introducing the Flower of Eternal Life to Lin Xingwan, the old man continued to explain, "Currently, the Flower of Eternal Life is extinct in this world. However, to my knowledge, there is still one person who possesses a Flower of Eternal Life. As long as it is obtained, Duan Muxing can stand up again like a normal person."
"Who has this Flower of Eternal Life now?" Lin Xingwan's heart was filled with both excitement and urgency. In a daze, she recalled Duan Muxing once saying that his legs could be healed, but the medicine was gone.
Now, the old man's words were like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, filling her heart with boundless hope.
However, this time, the old man's gaze fell upon Zhou Jinbai, and he said, "This Flower of Eternal Life, coincidentally, has a connection with Mr. Dongfang. Does Mr. Dongfang remember a senior from the Dongfang family who was no less exceptional than Fu Cha Wanrong?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jinbai's mind immediately conjured a stern and cold face.
"Are you referring to Dongfang Qingwu?"
After Zhou Jinbai spoke, the old man nodded affirmatively.
"Yes, it is her. She currently possesses a Flower of Eternal Life. As long as she is willing to give it up, Duan Muxing can stand up." With that, the old man turned to leave again.
Lin Xingwan, however, excitedly grabbed Zhou Jinbai's hem, her face beaming like a child's. "Zhou Jinbai, Duan Muxing can stand up! You know where Dongfang Qingwu is, right? Take me to see Dongfang Qingwu. I want to ask her for the Flower of Eternal Life. No matter what conditions she sets, I will agree."
Zhou Jinbai looked at Lin Xingwan's current demeanor, his heart feeling like an overturned vinegar jar.
"Wife, you seem particularly concerned about Duan Muxing's affairs."
They had only been apart for a short time, yet there seemed to be a connection between Lin Xingwan and Duan Muxing that Zhou Jinbai couldn't penetrate.
Lin Xingwan looked at Zhou Jinbai's hurt expression and suddenly realized that this man was jealous. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
She cupped Zhou Jinbai's face with both hands and explained earnestly, "Although Duan Muxing plotted to use me as his pawn, in the end, Duan Muxing did not do anything to harm me. Moreover, he saved me many times. Whenever I was lost and helpless, he encouraged me. I don't love Duan Muxing, but I consider him my friend. Since he has done so much for me, I want to do something for him in return."
Lin Xingwan's explanation was like a spring breeze, melting the frost in Zhou Jinbai's heart.
Though it had only been a few dozen seconds, after receiving Lin Xingwan's explanation, Zhou Jinbai felt how childish his previous behavior had been.
He had actually doubted if his wife had any romantic involvement with Duan Muxing. He was a fool.
Zhou Jinbai lightly kissed Lin Xingwan's forehead and then explained, "I'm sorry, wife. It's my fault. I shouldn't have thought such nonsensical things. I should trust you. I will support whatever you want to do. But Dongfang Qingwu is not a kind person. She will absolutely not give us the Flower of Eternal Life. Moreover, Dongfang Qingwu was once expelled from the Dongfang family's genealogy and banished from the family for her mistakes."
Zhou Jinbai's words caused Lin Xingwan's hopeful heart to plummet from a great height.
"Why is that?" Lin Xingwan asked.
Zhou Jinbai had to recount the past events.
"Back then, Dongfang Qingwu was of the same generation as my grandmother, and she was one of the Dongfang family's outstanding heirs, second to none. However, Dongfang Qingwu was deceived by a man. He was only after her status as a member of the Dongfang family. Even after marrying her, he continued to have affairs with other women in the family. At that time, my grandmother happened to witness Dongfang Qingwu's husband's infidelity. The man, fearing that my grandmother would report him, directly told Dongfang Qingwu that my grandmother had seduced him. Dongfang Qingwu confronted my grandmother, even forcing her to write a letter of guarantee for her to leave the Dongfang family.
This was a completely baseless accusation. My grandmother refused to write it, and Dongfang Qingwu, due to her extreme emotional distress, miscarried. She was subsequently rendered infertile for life. The final outcome was that my grandfather broke ties with Dongfang Qingwu, she left the Dongfang family, and vowed to be irreconcilable with us."
After recounting these words, Zhou Jinbai felt a slight ache in his head.
The affairs of wealthy families were so tangled and complicated that they were enough to kill countless brain cells.
In the past, Zhou Jinbai had always believed that the affairs of previous generations had nothing to do with him. But now, he realized that all the troublesome things he had encountered were due to problems left behind by previous generations.
"What about that scumbag? Did Dongfang Qingwu ever see through his true colors?" Lin Xingwan had never imagined that Dongfang Qingwu would be so foolish.
"No. To this day, I only know that Dongfang Qingwu is about to squander all the assets she took from the Dongfang family, because that man has fallen into gambling. In fact, Dongfang Qingwu has come to our house to cause trouble several times over financial matters."