Looking at his face, she couldn’t help but curve her lips. He was the same as before, boasting a poor tolerance for alcohol, yet always pretending otherwise. In reality, he just liked the numbing sensation of being drunk. "Big Brother Qin, we’re not young anymore. This time, I want to live for myself." She reached out, slowly pulling down the zipper of her dress. The straps of her dress slipped down, revealing a smooth and fair complexion that, under the light, glowed softly like fine jade. It was then that Qin Zhuan slowly opened his eyes. Ji Die felt a moment of panic, her limbs stiffening. "Yiyi?" Qin Zhuan suddenly exclaimed in surprise, grabbing her hand. "Yiyi, you’re back." Her heart instantly sank into an abyss. She wanted to push him away, to tell him she was Ji Die, not Ji Lanyi, but in that moment, she made a decision that would alter her life forever. With a slight smile, she spoke softly, "It’s me." Qin Zhuan hugged her excitedly, "This is great, Yiyi, you finally came back. Do you know how long I’ve waited for this day?" Her heart felt as though it was being sliced by a knife, the pain so intense she trembled even as she breathed. But what could she do? This embrace she had waited for so long form—was she really going to push him away again? It was within her reach; just one step further and she would succeed. But then she thought of her lady, Ji Lanyi. It was a silent betrayal. She couldn’t do this... Her mind was a battleground, nearly driving her mad. Then she remembered the words of the young lady: only she could bring him happiness. So, she couldn’t back down now. They were both nearly forty—any further delay was just a waste of time... More importantly, she couldn’t bear it... Lady, don’t blame me. Since you couldn’t bring him happiness, let me do it. Even if it costs me everything, I am willing. She closed her eyes, her hands clutching at his clothes: "I’ve waited for this day for a very long time, too." Chapters first released on ɴovelfire.net Qin Zhuan cradled her face, wanting to see her clearly. He shook his head sharply, then suddenly pushed her away: "You’re not Yiyi... Who are you?" Ji Die was pushed askew onto the bed. Her face paled when she saw Qin Zhuan rolling on the bed, clutching his head. Taking a deep breath, she lunged back at him: "Skinny Bamboo, you can’t even resist me, can you? You fool..." Qin Zhuan was startled. In this world, only one person called him Skinny Bamboo. Disbelief filled his eyes as he looked up. His blurred vision outlined a woman’s figure, those eyes... He tried to see clearly, but the double vision made his head spin. "It must be Yiyi, it has to be Yiyi..." Pulled into his embrace, pinned down on the bed, a shadow weighing down on her. She closed her eyes, a tear slipping silently down her cheek, disappearing into her hairline. "I... I put a hallucinogenic drug in Uncle Qin’s drink." Yun Ya covered her face with her hands: "I’m terrible, aren’t I? You can scold me if you want." Qin Du sighed, giving her a gentle hug, his voice filled with pity, "Fool, what are you talking about? You were doing it for dad’s own good, to help him settle down. This way, he and Aunt Die could finally be together." He didn’t oppose Qin Zhuan being with Ji Die. Watching his father live like a walking dead for years because of Ji Lanyi, deep down he harbored a vague resentment towards her. Now that his father was with Ji Die, having someone to care for him warmed his heart, and he felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders. If the outcome was good, the means didn’t matter. As a businessman, Qin Du understood this clearly. "Uncle Qin will be disappointed in me when he finds out." Yun Ya bit her lip, aware of Qin Zhuan’s strong sense of responsibility. He would take responsibility, but it meant that both their lives would be troubled from that point forward. "If you don’t tell, how would he know? Don’t worry, go back to sleep now. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you for a run," said Qin Du, patting her shoulder, comforting her in a soft voice. Yun Ya pursed her lips and turned towards her room. "Yaya." Qin Du called out to her. Yun Ya stopped and turned around. Qin Du looked down at the shadows cast by the lights, speaking softly, "How have you and him been recently?" He was referring to Yan Song. Yun Ya gently lowered her gaze, "Quite good." With that, she said no more, turning and quickly walking to her room. Qin Du watched her retreat, sighing softly. You think I can’t tell if you don’t say it? Silly girl. He savored the name on his lips. Whoever it was, as long as you dare to make Yaya sad, I won’t let you off. That night, Yun Ya didn’t sleep well, waking up almost every half hour amidst a mix of dreams, until she was startled awake by a nightmare in the wee hours. She dreamt she was being chased by a ferocious beast, its gaping jaws ready to swallow her whole. As she turned her head, it transformed into the image of Ji Lanyi... Startled, she sat up abruptly, gasping for air, her temples drenched with sweat, uncomfortably clinging to her skin. Her memories of Ji Lanyi’s appearance were vague; she could hardly recall her face. But in her dream, Ji Lanyi’s visage was vivid, especially those eyes that seemed to pierce through dreams and reality, striking deeply into her heart with such a shocking intensity that she felt icy tremors throughout her body, every pore standing on end. A sense of foreboding enveloped her. Her intuition was always remarkably accurate.