Chapter 364: Regretting Choosing You

During dinner, Zhong He asked, seemingly casually, "We've all been here so long, and you still don't know what Lilian does at a specific time."

In the silence, Xie Zian also looked up at Lilian; he hadn't thought of this before.

Lilian hesitated for a long time without answering, and Zhu Shutao broke the awkward atmosphere first.

"He runs a rather varied business; we Xie Clan have had some cooperation with him before."

Because of that, Zhu Shutao felt comfortable introducing Lilian to Xie Zian.

Zhong He nodded thoughtfully, "You've never been to Haicheng before?"

The question hung in the air like a storm about to break, and Lilian's chopsticks trembled, sending a clatter of food onto the table.

The instigator Zhong He, as if nothing, gave Lilian a smile he thought was very friendly.

"Just chat casually to relieve everyone's stress."

Young Lu Xixi also seemed to sniff a hint of scheming, quietly observing Lilian.

Zhong He's suspicion wasn't baseless; those involved were all clever, and a few words of hint would be enough to get the point.

Zhu Shutao knew she looked bad here; Lilian was the one she had her eye on.

So Zhu Shutao casually found a pretext, grabbed Xie Zhangwen and Xie Zian, and left.

Zhong He's smile made Lilian shiver; she lowered her head and silently endured Zhong He's stare.

Once suspicion arises, the accusation is already established.

Lilian, not knowing how to answer, pretended to be deaf and mute, silently praying that Zhong He would spare her soon.

Only the storm that should have arrived was delayed, and Lilian, steeling herself, took the initiative.

"Uncle, you may have misunderstood; my father only does a bit of business abroad and has no ties to Haicheng. If you don't believe me, you can investigate right now."

Lilian said it with solemn oath, and Zhong He naturally had no doubt.

Only what is left unsaid is the true secret.

Although he hadn't dealt with people for decades, Zhong He, having roamed the jianghu, had no hesitation once he acted.

"Don't be so nervous; I see that Xie Zian doesn't have any interest in you, and I happen to have a disciple."

Zhong He didn't hesitate to bring Zhong Yun forward, and spent the next five minutes extolling Zhong Yun's virtues.

At first glance, it really looked like someone anxious about a junior's marriage.

Lilian, however, shook her head urgently, "I currently have no thoughts of getting married."

Zhong He squinted, studying Lilian:

"Then what are you doing here?"

…

Lu Xiwán casually flipped through the book 347 had taken out, only glancing at it a few times before boredly tossing it aside.

A nameless booklet pressed against the spine of the bottommost book caught Lu Xiwán's attention; she strained to pull it out.

The leather cover was also spotless, bearing no name.

Lu Xiwán raised it toward 347, "Is this also something you took from the Study?"

347 honestly nodded, "The boss said we could take anything."

Without even a name, could it be a rare piece collected by Chris?

Examining the leather cover, which seemed aged, Lu Xiwán slightly frowned.

Important items probably wouldn't be let out by Chris, right?

Thinking that, Lu Xiwán opened the booklet carefree.

The title page, in ornate English calligraphy, bore the bold words "To My Beloved."

She turned to the first page, reading the lengthy, intricate text word for word.

The paper was slightly yellowed, confirming the booklet's age, and the handwritten script made Lu Xiwán even more curious about its contents.

It was a diary, and its owner was probably a man.

From his flowing script, Lu Xiwán could infer how elated he was at the time.

He spared no effort, using the most ornate, elaborate language to describe the woman he called his muse.

He praised her, sang her praises, calling her a cloud in the sky, which made him feel how wretched he was.

He even feared that by looking at his muse a little longer, he would tarnish her.

Reading such devoted words, Lu Xiwán couldn't help but think, "He must love her deeply."

Otherwise, he wouldn't consider himself so lowly as to the earth.

347 lowered his gaze at Lu Xiwán, his lips moving but no sound came out.

Later, he finally mustered the courage to confess to his muse; they eventually got together as everyone expected.

All the beautiful things were like a fairy tale; if this is the ending, then of course it's beautiful.

Lu Xiwán turned to the next page, which contained only a few lines: "She is going to marry someone else." The sentence was repeatedly emphasized, even tearing the paper.

The words saddened the reader, and a hint of worry colored Lu Xiwán's brows.

It seemed the diary's owner could not control his own fate.

The next page read, "I'm getting married; that woman is beautiful and gentle, but she cannot compare to my muse."

From this page onward, the notebook contained photos: a man in a suit and a stunning woman standing together; apparently resentful of fate, the man's face was brutally scratched away, leaving only a solitary bride and the man's eerie torso.

Knowing that later pages would still be tragic, Lu Xiwán nevertheless turned the page without hesitation.

The following page, set much later, still showed a solitary woman and a faceless man; this time the woman held a child, and the text, now more formal, read, "They are satisfied."

Lu Xiwán fully witnessed his passion, his compromise, and his ultimate loss of self.

Reflecting on the title page, Lu Xiwán thought he originally intended it as a love diary.

In the later part, the boy had grown into a vibrant young man.

Lu Xiwan saw the shadow of present-day Chris on him.

This is Chris's father's diary! With this guess, Lu Xiwan's mood suddenly became wonderful.

She had been wondering what kind of person could raise a child like Chris.

Now she has the answer.

She actually unintentionally discovered such a secret!

Lu Xiwan looked at 347, 'Are you sure you're not trying to harm me?'

Lu Xiwan doubted whether she could return safely after knowing these things; what kind of luck does 347 have to find this diary in the book pile?

But curiosity still defeated Lu Xiwan's rationality, and she turned to the next page.

"My son is also engaged; I am very satisfied with his fiancée." The handwriting is very fresh, probably written recently.

Below is a very clear photo, Chris holding the hand of a young girl, both of their faces bearing brilliant smiles.

Lu Xiwan was shocked again.

The girl in the photo is Lilian! And she is wearing the white dress that Chris had her wear.

She looked at 347 more resentfully, 'You really aren't trying to harm my life? I now somewhat regret choosing you.'