No reconciliation, no forgiveness! Mr. Pei leaves with nothing.

Jiang Hua: "She doesn't like you."

Kagel recalled that Miss Qingcheng had said the same thing to her master years ago. She had never liked her master; not only had she not developed any feelings for him, but she had also said that she felt a physical aversion to him. Even though Miss Qingcheng had spoken harshly to her master back then, he had never been angry with her. Instead, he accepted her arrogance and tolerated all her impolite behavior.

The young mistress wasn't wrong. No matter how good the master was to Miss Qingcheng, he never saw any lingering feelings for the young master in her. It wasn't hard to tell whether they loved each other or not from the atmosphere between them.

Jiang Qingcheng's aversion to Huo Tingshan was purely physical...

No matter how rich and powerful Huo Tingshan is, when it comes to matters of the heart, no one can say for sure.

"But your mother still chose to get engaged to me back then."

Hearing this, Jiang Hua laughed disdainfully, "My mother had no choice but to get engaged to you back then, her purpose was to stabilize the Wang family and protect my grandfather. If she really had any feelings for you, why didn't she just become the mistress of the Huo family?"

“Mr. Huo, love… is unique; it means that there is no room in your heart for anyone else but her.”

"Liking someone is nothing, but continuing to like them is remarkable."

"Look at you, you're almost fifty or sixty years old, and the women around you are all old enough to be your daughters, yet you keep saying in front of me that you like my mother?"

"I feel that the word 'I like you' is tainted by your words."

Huo Tingshan had lived for decades, and no one had ever dared to lecture him in such a tone. He couldn't help but feel displeased. If it were his bodyguards and servants, or even the entire Shengshi Group of the Huo family, just seeing him frown would be enough to make everyone tremble.

"Indeed, your mother was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Her beauty has kept me in my thoughts for so many years. But everything she went through proves that her choice back then was wrong." Huo Tingshan changed the subject, subtly revealing the cause of Jiang Qingcheng's death. His tone was only slightly smug and lighthearted, without any heavy emotions. He simply spoke of her death in a calm and understated manner.

“If she hadn’t left me back then, I would have been able to meet all her needs and give her a better life than your useless father.”

"I will give her everything she wants."

His superior and condescending attitude was utterly disgusting to Jiang Hua. "Mr. Huo Tingshan! This is just what you think my mother wants in terms of life!"

"No one in this world loves her more than my father!"

For Jiang Hua, he may not be a particularly good father, but... he is the best husband in the world, and he has never had any regrets about his mother!

In the more than twenty years since my mother passed away, my father has never stopped missing her.

The most painful thing is not for the person who dies first, but for the person who is left behind in this world, who can only suffer again and again... reminiscing about the past, finding it very difficult to move on.

If it weren't for Jiang Hua's birth, Dad... would have left this world along with Mom.

People who love each other should not end up together!

If time could truly heal all wounds, how painful would that process be?

The torment, the excruciating pain, the sleepless nights filled with longing!

Love can be seen in a tangible way.

In her past life, her relationship with Pei Zhan was one-sided, a forced union she had imposed upon herself. In the end, she was the one who was not loved and had to bear the consequences alone.

For Pei Zhan, Jiang Hua's death in his previous life, which allowed him to be with Song Qingran, was simply a relief, like a shackle being removed.

That's why those who truly loved each other in their past life could have a happy and fulfilling life together, their love blossoming and bearing fruit...

“Mr. Huo, my father has never been weak. He has only ever loved my mother. I am already very proud of that.”

“My mother never regretted leaving you; she was only glad that she found someone she could entrust her life to after leaving you.”

Her mother's death was a heavy blow to Jiang Hua, yet she was still able to speak these words in a light tone to this arrogant man, shattering his self-righteousness.

"I believe that even if everything were to go back and start over..."

"Mom...in the end, she made the same choice."

Even knowing the final outcome would still be like this,

My father back then was a gentle and refined young man. If it weren't for my mother's appearance, which disrupted his plans and led to this relationship, perhaps... he really would have been like my grandfather said. Now, my father would be an excellent diplomatic translator, and maybe... he could have married someone he loved and died without so many enemies.

Seeing the man's silence, Jiang Hua smiled but didn't say anything as she glanced at her. When another exquisite dessert was served, she felt a little hungry, picked up a spoon, and took a bite. "...I still maintain that falling in love is nothing special; continuing to love...that's what's remarkable."

It has a subtle sweetness and melts in your mouth.

Jiang Hua couldn't resist taking a few more bites.

Men are inherently flawed. Huo Tingshan has a powerful family and countless riches; women are merely embellishments in his life.

Even if my mother had to compromise and stay with him back then, in the end... he would still be fickle. A person like him would never be faithful to one person.

His mother will definitely leave him too.

Huo Tingshan is almost sixty years old. There are only a few silver strands in his black hair, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes are just the marks left by time. Compared with his younger days, his features are just more mature and have a unique charm like a male lion. It has to be said that the Huo family's genes are indeed very good.

“I can’t deny what you’re saying, but your mother holds many fond memories of my youth, and she… is someone I should cherish.”

“You are her daughter. If you can leave Jiang Weiguo’s side and become my daughter, I can give you any of the Huo family’s properties, real estate, shares…”

"Consider it my way of making amends to your mother."

"I don't lack money," she said truthfully.

As long as she doesn't gamble, even if Jiang Hua spends tens of millions a day, she could never spend all the money the Jiang family has earned in decades, not even including... Pei Zhan's daily income for the Jiang family.

"I heard you got married?"

How does he treat you?

Through the screen, Pei Zhan's deep gaze fell in her direction.

"I am even better than you."

"But he's a little less than you. At least... he hasn't dared to do anything reckless in front of me lately. Of course, I don't care what he's planning to do behind my back."

Huo Tingshan chuckled, seemingly puzzled. "Looks like you don't like it."

"Of course you can get a divorce. I've also gotten to know quite a few members of the royal family. If you're interested, you can come to the Huo family anytime, and I can represent you."

A sudden 'crack' sounded as glass shattered.

Jiang Hua looked over.

A waiter came out and explained, "I'm sorry, the waiter accidentally broke the glass."

Jiang Hua calmly withdrew her gaze. "You don't need to worry about matters of the heart. You should mind your own business. Previously, King, the jewelry group under your Huo family, suppressed our Jiang family. For the sake of a third-rate, tasteless designer, my father suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized."

"I still remember this, and it won't go away..."

"No matter what, I... have decided that I will not associate with any member of your Huo family."

Pei Zhan's gaze was somber, his heart filled with complex emotions.

Huo Tingshan explained to her, "I knew nothing about this."

The Huo family owns countless businesses, among which King is just a second-rate jewelry company that he wouldn't bother with, nor would he have the energy to manage.

I will give you an answer today.

Jiang Hua had almost finished eating, so she put down her chopsticks. "No need. So much time has passed. Even if you want to make amends, there's no need... Unless this never happened, I will always remember how the Huo family suppressed the Jiang family."

"I'm not much of a person, I just like to hold grudges."

"The hurtful things have happened cannot be erased by simply saying sorry and making amends."

"I'm full. Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Huo. I hope we will never meet again."

Jiang Hua got up, turned around, and left the restaurant. The restaurant manager personally escorted her to the elevator, pressed the button for her to go upstairs, and only left after the elevator doors had completely closed.

Huo Tingshan: "You did this?"

Kagel defended Pei Zhan, saying, "Young Master had his reasons for doing this, and Mr. Jiang's matter was also unintentional on his part. It was just to give the Jiang family a small punishment. If Young Madam can forgive Young Master's actions back then, King Group can be acquired by the Jiang family and merged into its subsidiary."

Pei Zhan looked around the spot where Jiang Hua had sat. The pleasant scent of her perfume hadn't faded yet. Even though... no matter how much he did, it turned out that Hua Hua was just pretending not to care. In fact... she had never forgotten.

"When you chose to stand up for the Zhou family and take revenge on the Jiang family, you shouldn't have been soft-hearted."

"Once you've chosen this path, there's no turning back."

"Without her, you've taken the position of Huo's heir, and you have many more options by your side."

A few minutes later, the hotel butler reported that Ms. Jiang had checked out three minutes earlier and had now left the hotel.

Jiang Hua checked into the guesthouse that Ji Liangchuan had mentioned. The air was filled with the fragrance of lavender and various flowers. Opening the window, facing the sea, away from that place, made her feel much better.

Seagulls perched by the window. Jiang Hua sat at the table near the window, picked up a pen, and wrote her first letter to him…

Even if she didn't know where he was, she just wanted to go to the places he had stayed.

Tell him... I've been here too, the scenery is beautiful.

The long sheet of paper, eight pages long, contained all the things I wanted to say over the years.

As the sun set and a chilly wind blew, Jiang Hua finally looked up at the dark night outside. Before she knew it, it was already dark outside.

Her hands were ice-cold, and she wondered if it was because the weather was too cold near the sea. Jiang Hua felt a strange, sharp pain in her heart. When she stood up, she felt dizzy and almost lost her balance. She quickly took out her medicine from her bag, swallowed it, and leaned against the table for a while. The suffocating pain gradually disappeared.

My consciousness, which was on the verge of dissipation, became clear again.

Ji Liangchuan... I think this is the last time I'll look for you.

I can't live in the past with you in it forever.

Wherever you are, I wish you peace, joy, a smooth journey, and freedom from disaster and illness.

That evening, Jiang Hua asked the guesthouse owner for extra envelopes and stationery. She folded the five letters she had written, sealed them with wax, and planned to mail them to different places the next day. The small town on the outskirts of the town still maintained its original way of life. The pace of life here was very slow, so slow that people could stop at any time and sit down to enjoy the scenery at their own pace.

This place is beautiful, and it was once the place my mother wanted to settle down and live.

If she has the chance, she might still be able to... live...

She also wants to settle down here and enjoy her retirement.

A car was parked downstairs, and the gaze from the back seat lingered on the window upstairs. If Jiang Hua were to look down, she could see Pei Zhan below at a glance.

Pei Zhan watched the lamp go out, his eyes filled with worry, not knowing how much time had passed.

Kagel saw through his thoughts: "Young master, don't worry, our people have already made arrangements. The house has been equipped with the latest heating equipment, so the young mistress won't catch a cold."

“If you are truly worried, you are welcome to come upstairs and be by your side at any time.”

“At this time, the young mistress also needs someone to accompany her.”

The wind was strong near the sea, and Jiang Hua, combined with the unfamiliar environment, found it difficult to adjust. She finally managed to fall asleep, but as she lay on her side, she heard soft footsteps approaching from behind. The wooden floor was hard to keep silent, no matter how quietly the person moved…

The bed dipped beside her, and the man reached out to stroke her cheek when Jiang Hua opened her eyes…

Half a minute later, their eyes met, one looking displeased, the other calm but with a hint of resentment.

It's like he wanted to say something to her, but didn't dare to.

Jiang Hua sat leaning against the bed, her exquisite and moving face fixed on the persistent person before her. "How did you find me this time?"

Pei Zhan looked like the one who had done something wrong, lowered his eyes, and helped her cover herself with the blanket. "I used money to bribe the local authorities to check the surveillance footage, and then... I hired some people to check all the guest information in this town. It took me a whole day."

Jiang Hua laughed in exasperation, speechless. "Pei Zhan, I've realized that the one who's sick isn't me, it's you."

He replied, following her words, "Yes, it's me."

Jiang Hua poked his chest with her finger, "You really are capable of everything."

Pei Zhan took her hand and held it gently in his palm. "I've booked a new hotel not far away. If we close the windows here, the sea breeze will inevitably seep in overnight, and you'll get sick."

Jiang Hua glanced at her hand that was being held, and in a moment, the coldness of her hand was quickly dispelled by his burning body temperature.

Indeed, although you can see the sea view here, it's really cold, and since she's not in good health, it's not suitable for her.

When she agreed to leave with him, Pei Zhan carried her with one arm and helped her with her shoes with the other, leading her to the car parked downstairs.

There was no one around, only complete darkness. Seeing the person coming downstairs, Kagel opened the rear passenger door, and the man gently lowered it.

When they arrived at the hotel, Jiang Hua was placed on a soft bed. The whole room was warm. At the foot of the bed where she was sitting was his black suit jacket, but it wasn't the one Jiang Hua had bought before. That one... she had already burned it.

Because… he gave it to Song Qingran.

It's already dirty!

The sound of running water in the bathroom stopped abruptly. Pei Zhan came out carrying a basin of water. His behavior was somewhat incongruous with his temperament. Before Jiang Hua could react, Pei Zhan had already knelt down in front of her, held the woman's delicate feet, and placed them into the water at just the right temperature...