America: John Wick 1924

Chapter 71 The Truth About "The Saintess of Maple Street" [Bonus Chapter, Please Read!]

"……what?"

Jane was stunned for a moment, staring at Li Yu with a look of astonishment on her face.

"Pastor, what...what do you mean by this?"

"It means exactly what it says. Why are you pretending to be a 'saint' with unwavering faith? You don't believe in God at all, do you?"

Although it is a question, the tone is full of certainty.

Upon hearing this, Jane's expression changed slightly, and her lips tightened...

Perhaps because he had played the role of a pastor for so long, Li Yu was always able to tell whether the other person truly had a devout faith.

Because he himself is a "fake pastor" who doesn't believe in God, he knows perfectly well what a person with weak faith would look like.

At first glance, Janet is the epitome of a nun.

He prays punctually every day, finds joy in poverty, is kind-hearted, and generous. He is even willing to risk his life to help others.

However, upon first meeting Jane, Li Yu vaguely sensed something was amiss about her.

After a period of contact, Li Yu gradually became convinced that Janet did not believe in God at all!

When she was praying, attending church services, or engaging in other Christian activities, she exuded the same aura as Li Yu—an aura of “trying hard to pretend to be a devout believer”!

What could possibly motivate a girl who isn't even a devout believer to put on such a perfect "saint" act in front of others?
Just now, the complex expression on Jane's face as she caressed her adoptive mother's belongings (the violin) gave Li Yu a sudden idea: her "saintly act" was probably related to her adoptive mother.

Therefore, Li Yu couldn't help but ask the question, deciding to resolve this doubt tonight.

"..."

Jane remained silent for a long time, meeting Li Yu's scrutinizing gaze.

Li Yu was not in a hurry and waited quietly.

About 10 seconds later, Janet parted her lips slightly, breaking the silence with a calm tone devoid of joy or sorrow:
"...My adoptive mother's name was Audrey Lovegood, and she was a violinist of some renown."

"She is very talented and has made a name for herself in the performing arts at a young age, becoming a rising star in the industry."

"However... just as her music career was getting on track, she was involved in a car accident, which severely injured her left hand, making it impossible for her to play difficult pieces anymore..."

"A violinist who can no longer play world-famous pieces can no longer establish himself in the industry."

"After sadly giving up music, she used her life savings to build the Stone Chamber Church and this house, and from then on she put on a nun's habit and lived a peaceful life away from the world."

One night 18 years ago, there was a sudden knock on her door.

When she pushed open the door, she saw no one, only a baby girl in a basket in front of the door.

She adopted the baby girl and named her 'Janell Lovegood'.

"And so, the world gained a mother and daughter who depended on each other for survival."

"Although life wasn't wealthy, the girl never felt sad."

"As long as her mother is with her, she can overcome any difficulty; as long as her mother is with her, she can endure any pain."

"However... however..."

At this point, Jane's voice was tinged with intense sorrow.

Her voice and shoulders were trembling... It took her quite a while to compose herself.

"...Three years ago, my mother was diagnosed with an incurable terminal illness. From the time she fell ill and was bedridden until her death, only ten days had passed."

"I still don't understand... why my mother of all people?"

"My mother was so devout, so kind... but why... why was God so cruel? Why did God hurt her again and again?"

"First they took away her music, then they took her life..."

"Whenever I think about this, I can't help but question God..."

"I often think to myself: God must be a bastard who can't tell right from wrong."

"So, Pastor, you guessed right, I'm indeed not a devout believer. "After my mother died, I've never been able to pray to God wholeheartedly again."

“However, Pastor, you are wrong about one thing. It is not that I do not believe in God.”

Jane paused, then adopted a self-deprecating tone:
"To be precise, it's 'not daring to disbelieve in God'."

"Although I hate God, I dare not deny God's existence."

"If God doesn't exist, then Heaven doesn't exist either."

"If there were no heaven, I would never see my mother again..."

At this point, Jane lowered her head and gently touched the cross necklace around her neck.

"I still have so much to say to my mom..."

"I haven't yet fulfilled my filial duty to my mother..."

"I really want to see her again..."

"Even if there really is a paradise in this world—even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance—I would not give up."

"My mother is a devout nun; she will surely ascend to heaven."

"When I go to heaven and see my mother again, she will surely pat my head gently and say to me, just like before: 'Jennell, it's been so long! You've grown up so much. Living alone must be very difficult, right? Don't worry, from now on, you won't be lonely anymore.'"

"Therefore, in order to reunite with my mother in heaven, I must become a devout and kind nun, like a 'saint'..."

Li Yu acted as the perfect listener, quietly listening until the very end.

After Janet finished speaking, he concluded with concise words:

"In other words, you work so hard to be a good person and do good deeds so that you can go to heaven after you die and reunite with your adoptive mother."

Jane nodded slightly, then gave an awkward, bitter smile:

"Pastor, you must be very disappointed... The beloved 'Saintess of Maple Street' actually did good deeds for her own selfish reasons, not out of her true heart, and certainly not for any grand goal..."

Li Yu shrugged nonchalantly:

"Everyone in this world lives for 'something'."

Some people live for money, some live for dignity, and some live for work.

"And you live to reunite with your adoptive mother."

There is a classic Chinese saying that roughly means, "To judge a person's goodness or evil, look at their actions, not their heart."

"Although your good deeds are motivated by your own selfishness, you have indeed helped countless people, including me—this is an indisputable fact."

"Therefore, in my opinion, you are an admirable and genuine 'saint'."

Li Yu paused, then adopted a gentler tone:
“A kind girl like you will definitely go to heaven after you die. If God doesn’t agree to let you go to heaven… I will have a good talk with Him.”

Janet, amused by Li Yu's "joking remark," covered her mouth and chuckled.

After a moment, she let out a long breath, a slight smile playing on her lips:
"Pastor, thank you..."

This is the first time I've told an outsider about these hidden secrets of mine.
"After revealing all my secrets, I felt much lighter."

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I know you don't like reading transitional chapters, and coincidentally, I don't like writing them either, so I'm releasing a big update today! I'll speed things up a bit and finish this transitional chapter as soon as possible.

There will be updates at 10:10 and 10:15!
　While writing this chapter, for some reason, I suddenly recalled a news story that left a deep impression on me—

　　The story is about a mother who lost her daughter and accidentally ate poisonous mushrooms. In her hallucination, she saw her daughter again.

　　From then on, she ate these poisonous mushrooms every day, and even when she was poisoned to the point of vomiting and diarrhea and fell ill in bed, she never stopped.

　　Unfortunately... her "reunion" with her daughter only happened once.

　　Despite repeatedly stuffing poisonous mushrooms into her mouth, she never saw her daughter again.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)