Chapter 118: An Indispensable Person in One's Life

“Do you know why Yan Lie fell for Mai Xijun? Because she never hides her true self. Everyone has weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Her temperament may not be perfect—sometimes rash, sometimes sharp-tongued—but she has her most genuine side. She has passion, boundaries, a voice that laughs, silences that speak, and tears that fall. Sometimes she can be suffocating, yet other times so youthful and vibrant that you can’t help but fix your gaze on her, your eyes settling on her presence.”

Suddenly, for reasons unclear even to himself, Yuwen Si wanted to say something. It wasn’t out of a pang of conscience—he never knew how to blame himself.

Xie Yunting’s expression stiffened, her elegant oval face furrowed in concern. Yuwen Si twitched the corner of his mouth, but this time there was no trace of mockery or sarcasm. “Have you ever heard this verse? ‘Longing and gazing but never meeting, coldness turns into love’s burden. Tender heart breaks in pieces; living under the same roof but not of one mind. Fallen petals turn into the crime of betrayal, solitary tears of a lonely flower.’”

“What does it mean?” Xie Yunting sharpened her defenses instantly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Yuwen Si as if trying to see through him. She had never understood Yuwen Si; she only knew he was a man of peculiar temperament. Other things, even the words he once spoke, often eluded her comprehension.

“Go ask Baidu. It will tell you everything,” Yuwen Si said, a faint affection for Xie Yunting flickering in his eyes as he quickly swept his gaze over her face before turning away without lingering.

***

Still at Island Café.

Mai Xijun sat quietly, one hand gripping her coffee cup tightly, the other clenched into a fist on her lap. She bit her lip silently.

At that moment, Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” played softly in the café. It was the same song Mai Xijun, Shen Yanlie, and Yuwen Si had listened to in the private dining room at Sands Bay. Now, hearing it again, the feeling was completely different. So much had happened in such a short time.

“Lie, the woman he loves shouldn’t be someone like you. Leave him... Tell me what you want, whatever it is, I can give it to you...”

Sitting opposite Mai Xijun was none other than Shen Yanlie’s mother, Shen Yiling. Beside her sat Zhou Jingyi, the girl who had once massaged Mai Xijun’s injured waist.

Mai Xijun lowered her eyelids, her long, brush-like lashes and smooth, flawless skin gleaming like fine jade. This was the first impression Zhou Jingyi had of her. Although she had seen Mai Xijun many times since, she still felt a pang of jealousy when looking at her—an overwhelming, restless feeling fueled by her unspoken affection for Shen Yanlie.

“Is ten million enough? Fifty million? People should learn to be content—contentment breeds happiness. Know when to stop, the wise are those who understand the times,” Shen Yiling said decisively, signing her name on the check, leaving only the amount to be filled in.

Zhou Jingyi felt a flicker of unease. She tried hard to hide her anxiety, swallowing down the awkwardness of the situation and taking a few hurried sips of her coffee to steady her breath and calm her nerves.

She had always been quietly by Shen Yanlie’s side, unnoticed. Now she had to stand firmly before him, or she would lose him forever. Not because she dared not imagine it, but because she could not bear to.

“Lie was born with a silver spoon. You are worlds apart from him. Even if you’re together now, the differences in personality and background will surely bring more conflicts. I don’t want to hurt you. You’re smart—you’ll find someone better suited for our Lie. I suggest you take this money, change your life, and live better,” Shen Yiling said, writing the numbers on the check and pushing it toward Mai Xijun.

Mai Xijun glanced at the numbers and scoffed, causing Shen Yiling to frown. Zhou Jingyi’s heart skipped a beat. She considered herself a good person—always well-behaved in the adult world, never causing trouble, never crossing boundaries, certainly not an interloper.

She had held back because of her youth and because Shen Yanlie was with Xie Yunting, his fiancée. Even after Xie Yunting left years ago, Zhou Jingyi had never entered Shen Yanlie’s world—not because she lacked the cunning, but because Shen Yanlie never needed her.

For a long time after, Shen Yanlie was consumed with managing the Eurasia crisis and other affairs, leaving no chance for Zhou Jingyi to approach him. Later, when the crisis passed, she rarely saw him. Maybe he was abroad, maybe nearby—but still out of reach. She had chased shadows, firmly believing she could navigate the perilous path to him, yet she could never get close.

Now, with the connection between the Zhou and Shen families, and Shen Yiling personally seeking to hasten this relationship, Zhou Jingyi accepted unconditionally. Because that man was the one she loved most.

“He loves me. He will not let go. I love him. I will never leave his side.” Any departure other than death was betrayal. She had tasted betrayal and knew the heartache he had endured—pain that tore him apart. She would never leave. She knew this love, once ignited, could never be undone.

She would stay by his side, through mountains and rivers, hardships and dangers. Only when the mountains crumble and heaven and earth unite would she part from him.

Shen Yiling almost laughed at such words, as if hearing the biggest joke. Though touching, they struck her as absurd. In Cinderella’s world, was spiritual sustenance always enough? What about matching social status? Was that just a ridiculous notion in their world? Or did these women cling to wealthy men like a lifeline, never letting go?

“Maybe one day, when he has nothing left, you won’t think this way anymore,” Shen Yiling said, raising a delicate brow, her crimson lips full of elegance. Though in her fifties, she looked no older than forty, well-maintained and refined.

Mai Xijun had thought about it. If he chose to walk his path firmly, she would follow without complaint. If he wanted a lazy, free life, she would chase him to the ends of the earth, in every gesture and glance, forever.

“I believe he will one day be a man shining with brilliance, no matter when or where.” Otherwise, she could never have fallen for him—loving him with reckless abandon, loving him as if there were no other.

Zhou Jingyi’s right eyelid twitched violently, her heart skipping a beat. “Ouch,” she murmured, hurriedly covering her eye.

It was an unsettling feeling—an inexplicable panic and dread lingering in her heart. Though half a doctor and skeptical of unscientific things, she could not shake this ominous premonition.

“Jingyi, what’s wrong?” Shen Yiling asked anxiously, moving closer, carefully trying to turn Zhou Jingyi’s face toward her. But Zhou Jingyi stubbornly looked away. “I’m fine, Auntie. You two go ahead. I’ll step out for a moment.”

“Are you sure you can be alone?” Shen Yiling asked, still uneasy as Zhou Jingyi stood.

“I’m fine,” Zhou Jingyi said, withdrawing her hand. Mai Xijun watched her leave before shifting her gaze back, still avoiding Shen Yiling. She couldn’t find the right mindset to face her.

“Now that she’s gone, no one is here. We can speak frankly. Jingyi is the only daughter-in-law I’ve set my heart on, and that won’t change.”

Mai Xijun smiled faintly out of habit, unsure how else to react. After all, she knew Shen Yanlie’s past—his childhood, the man she was familiar with—a man who inspired both pity and desire, one who wanted her to return his grand passion with tender devotion.

She understood clearly: he was indispensable in her life, no matter how time turned, tides rose or fell, she would steadfastly walk toward him without doubt or hesitation.

“This is Lie’s own heart. I believe he will be responsible for his feelings. Whatever he chooses, he will bear the consequences. He has the right to choose who he loves most,” Mai Xijun said firmly, her tone gentle but resolute. She would move toward him unwaveringly, without confusion, fear, or hesitation—until earth and bones turned to dust, she would guard his years without worry.

If Shen Yanlie heard these words now, would he be deeply moved? Mai Xijun had never spoken to him with such passion, yet when she did, every word was full of emotion. Surely, if he knew, he would be happy—truly happy from the bottom of his heart.