NOVEL NEXT Chapter 104.2: This Is Santorini (2)
Cheng Yunsheng’s trial turned out to be even easier than Zhang Ning’s one.
Zhang Ning called Cheng Yunsheng into the office and locked him up with Ji Fanyin. Ji Fanyin was so nervous that the chocolate in her mouth started tasting bitter. Before she could say a word, Chen Yunsheng had already spoken up.
“I met Shen Qi,” he said. “He told me that the two of you aren’t just different identities in the same body.”
Ji Fanyin looked at Chen Yunsheng in astonishment, to see that the latter wasn’t smiling. It was just like how she wouldn’t smile at Ji Xinxin even though the two of them had the same face.
“You don’t have to worry about our relationship. There’s nothing between us that needs to be settled,” Chen Yunsheng said.
He stretched his hand outward and casually adjusted an accessory on Ji Fanyin’s desk. His calm attitude allowed Ji Fanyin to regain her composure.
“What did Mr. Shen tell you? When he visited me, he told me everything that’s happened and that I can deal with the fortune the other ‘Ji Fanyin’ left behind as I deem fit,” said Ji Fanyin.
“He explained the situation to me, and we made a bet,” Chen Yunsheng replied with a shrug. “I was the one who proposed the bet. He didn’t want to accept it, but I provoked him.”
Ji Fanyin felt a little fearful hearing that. “Mr. Shen doesn’t seem to have a good temper.”
“I don’t know if I can win the bet or not, but I went ahead knowing that there would be no hope at all if I don’t give it a try,” said Chen Yunsheng. “As of now, I think that I stand a pretty good chance.”
Ji Fanyin nodded in agreement. “You’re the last one she bade farewell to.”
Chen Yunsheng looked at her and asked, “Aren’t you the last one she bade farewell to?”
Ji Fanyin widened her eyes in surprise. Then, she lowered her head in embarrassment and replied, “Ah, yes. I thanked her, although a single word of thanks isn’t enough at all.”
“That depends on what you do in the future,” said Chen Yunsheng. “I believe that she would find her efforts worthwhile if you can walk away from your past trauma and find your own path.”
With those words, he nodded at Ji Fanyin before heading out.
Ji Fanyin subconsciously called out to him, “What about you?”
Chen Yunsheng pointed to the sky and replied, “For the time being, I’ll try winning my bet with Shen Qi.”
Ji Fanyin offered her earnest well wishes. “I don’t know what kind of bet it is, but I wish you the best of luck.”
“You too.”
…
In the following three months, Ji Fanyin had made five to-and-fro journeys between China and the United Kingdoms. On her fifth flight, she decided to officially apply for a visa in the United Kingdoms.
With a swipe of her credit card, Zhang Ning bought a house that was only a ten minutes’ walk away from her lab. It was located in a safe neighborhood, making it the ideal accommodation.
Ji Fanyin swiftly got immersed in her studies that it was only a month after arriving in Oxford that she finally found time to get on the phone with Zhang Ning. It took mere moments for her to realize that Zhang Ning was really a gossip girl through and through.
Zhang Ning: “Your father’s company has collapsed, but they still have a house, a car, and some savings. They should be able to survive as long as they tighten their purses and work a normal job.”
“Mm,” Ji Fanyin replied as she left her lab and locked up the doors behind her.
Zhang Ning: “The Li Family did fully sponsor Ji Xinxin’s medical bills, so your parents were at least spared from that additional expense. Speaking of Ji Xinxin, she’s in a more troubling position. She’s in no condition to work at all.”
“Does it take that long to recover from a miscarriage?” Ji Fanyin asked as she made her way down the corridors.
“That’s not it. She’s suffering from a mental breakdown. I heard that her hallucinations are quite severe; she would cry at one moment and laugh at the next. She doesn’t even remember how old she is. She’s currently warded in a nursing home.” Zhang Ning suddenly recalled something and added, “Ah, what a coincidence. It’s the one where she stayed in back when she was a child.”
Ji Fanyin: “…”
“You shouldn’t feel sorry for them. Don’t worry, I’ve already sent a fruit basket over in your name,” said Zhang Ning.
“Thank you?” said Ji Fanyin hesitantly.
“No need to thank me,” Zhang Ning accepted the gratitude candidly. “Also, Song Shiyu is currently in the hospital. His heart problems are quite serious, and he’ll need a surgery soon. Even if the surgery is a success, I reckon that he’d be squeezed out of his own company by the time he recovers.”
“…” Ji Fanyin fell silent. “Everyone doesn’t seem to be doing well physically. You have to take good care of yourself.”
“I haven’t even gotten to Li Xiaoxing yet.” Zhang Ning laughed. “Li Xiaoxing hasn’t regained feeling in his hands yet. I’m not sure whether he’s faring better from his phantom pains or not… Ah! I nearly forgot. I didn’t just call to tell you what’s happening here. I also wanted to tell you that your birthday present is already on its way over.”
“Ah!” Ji Fanyin exclaimed in realization. She looked at the date. “My birthday is coming up soon.”
She had been so busy that she completely forgot about this.
This was the first time in her life that she had gotten so busy over something. On top of that, the Ji Family would always get lively half a month before their birthdays, so there had never been any need for her to remember her own birthday.
“It’s the day after tomorrow, right? Screw the time zone difference; I paid for the most expensive delivery service to make sure that the company delivers my present straight to your doorstep. Don’t get too busy in your lab and forget about your own birthday, alright?” Zhang Ning said. “Alright, that’s all from me. I still have things to do. Byebye, sweetheart. Take care of yourself.”
“Mm…Thank you.” Ji Fanyin thanked her with a smile.