Everyone said that getting drunk had become a norm for Zhan Yichen. Mu Linjing was heartbroken. She could no longer care about anything and followed Shishi to Zhan Yichen's side. She heard him mumbling her name while clutching a bottle of wine.
Suppressing her heartache, she nudged Zhan Yichen. "Yichen, put down the wine and give it to me."
Zhan Yichen refused, tightly hugging the wine bottle. He pushed her away, saying, "Don't try to snatch it. Linjing doesn't want to pay attention to me. I can only see her liking me when I'm drunk. Why won't you even leave me this sliver of hope?"
As he spoke, his eyes welled up with tears, completely throwing Mu Linjing into a panic.
She tried to snatch the bottle forcefully, but Zhan Yichen wouldn't let go. Helpless, she softened her tone. "Who says I don't want to pay attention to you? Put down the wine obediently now, and I promise I'll never ignore you again."
Only then did Zhan Yichen slightly open his eyes and look at the woman before him, who seemed incredibly wronged. "Is it really you, Linjing, or am I just hallucinating because I miss you too much?"
He then embraced Mu Linjing, his voice full of grievance. "Please don't ignore me, okay? I was wrong three years ago. Will you forgive me?"
Mu Linjing was already filled with guilt, but he apologized first. This made Mu Linjing even more distressed as she patted his back. "How could it be your fault? It was all my fault."
They held each other like that. Where Mu Linjing couldn't see, Zhan Yichen winked at Jin Zhi and gave him a thumbs-up.
Mu Linjing, in her concern, was completely oblivious. How could a drunk person like Zhan Yichen speak so coherently? She was still trying to persuade him.
"I'm back now. You shouldn't drink anymore from now on. Will you listen to me?"
Zhan Yichen nodded obediently. "I'll listen to you."
This was also the first time Mu Linjing realized that men too had vulnerable moments. She soothed his emotions as if comforting a wounded little beast, gently patting his back and speaking softly.
After a while, she felt that Zhan Yichen might have fallen asleep. She gently called his name, and when he didn't respond, she and Wei Yumeng helped him to the bedroom to rest.
After they left, Shishi let out a giggle, covering her mouth. Even Jin Zhi couldn't help but chuckle. They hadn't expected their second uncle to be such a good actor.
Jin Zhi looked at how heartbroken Mu Linjing was and slowly nodded her head. It seemed this time, their second aunt was truly their second aunt.
After taking Zhan Yichen back to the room, Mu Linjing gently caressed his cheek. "Yumeng, I'll take care of him." She hinted for Wei Yumeng to leave.
Wei Yumeng couldn't be happier. She quickly went out and closed the door, thinking that a reconciliation was in sight.
Zhan Yichen, who was pretending to be asleep, kept murmuring Mu Linjing's name, begging her not to leave him. Even though it was an act, his words stemmed from his heart.
Hearing this, Mu Linjing felt a pang of regret. She couldn't help but blame herself for leaving without a word. Perhaps if she had waited a little longer, she might have received an explanation?
She felt deeply guilty for making Zhan Yichen wait for three years.
As she took a towel to wipe the sweat from Zhan Yichen's forehead, thinking he was asleep, she confessed her true feelings.
Zhan Yichen had always believed Mu Linjing left him because he hadn't trusted her at the sanatorium. Now, he finally heard her reason.
Upon learning that she had left because she didn't want to be a burden to him, Zhan Yichen woke up after she finished speaking. He opened his eyes halfway and grabbed her hand.
"Linjing, since I've chosen you, I won't give you up because of any so-called danger or burden. You can't give up on our feelings because of these difficulties either."
Mu Linjing was in the midst of a heartfelt confession and didn't question why he could wake up so quickly. She just nodded tearfully.
"Shall we start over, Linjing? I know you still have feelings for me."
Zhan Yichen reached out, wanting her to place her hand in his palm. But she hesitated for a long time and still didn't make a decision. This greatly surprised Zhan Yichen. Were there still unresolved issues?
After much thought, he asked, "Are you worried about your parents' attitude?"
Mu Linjing nodded. "You saw what happened before. I can't disregard my parents' stance."
During this time, Mu Linjing had not contacted anyone from abroad. She had rarely even contacted her parents, only sending them money on time each month to let them know she was safe.
Therefore, she was unaware that for the past three years, Zhan Yichen had made time every Chinese New Year to visit her hometown.
He would help her parents tidy up and make arrangements before leaving. Coupled with the fact that the Mu family felt indebted to him, his efforts gradually won over her parents, who promised to persuade Mu Linjing to reconcile with him when she returned.
Seeing that this was Mu Linjing's concern, Zhan Yichen quickly told her everything.
She looked at him incredulously. "Are you telling the truth? You've handled my parents?"
Zhan Yichen patted his chest. "Would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, call Uncle and Aunt. See if they say the same thing."
Mu Linjing was also eager to know the answer, so she dialed her mother's number.
Her mother seemed to have been waiting for her daughter's call. The phone was answered almost instantly. "Jing'er, is that you calling Mom?"
Hearing the hoarseness in her mother's voice, Mu Linjing's nose twitched. "Mom, I'm back. I'll be home tomorrow."
Upon hearing this news, Aunt Mu also burst into tears. After more than three years, her daughter was finally returning.
After the mother and daughter had a heartfelt reunion, Aunt Mu indeed brought up Zhan Yichen. "Jing'er, does Yichen know you're back? Have you contacted him?"
Mu Linjing glanced at Zhan Yichen and told her mother no.
Just as Zhan Yichen had said, her mother immediately began to persuade her, talking about how dedicated Zhan Yichen had been to their family. Her description was roughly the same as Zhan Yichen's account, though it seemed embellished in parts.
Mu Linjing then understood that her mother truly wished for her and Zhan Yichen to reconcile. Her last worry could finally be put to rest.
"I understand, Mom. I'll consider what you've said."
After hanging up, she looked at Zhan Yichen and smiled with relief. "I never expected you to do so much for me while I was away."
"It was for us," Zhan Yichen corrected her.
He never felt that what he did was for anyone specific. He and Mu Linjing always prospered or suffered together. Although their engagement was never finalized, in his heart, Mu Linjing was his wife.
It was impossible for Mu Linjing not to be moved. She felt even more guilty about leaving without a word back then. Now that she was back, she would be with Zhan Yichen and complete all the things they hadn't done before.