Chapter 197

Chapter 197: Long Time No See In mid-May, Elder Jiang concluded his European interviews and returned home to see off his wife and son. Jiang Yi and Elder Mrs. Jiang's funeral was held on May 17th. On the day of the funeral, the sky was overcast, with leaden gray clouds hanging low, and the air was heavy and oppressive. Fifteen kilometers north of the Jiang family's old residence lay a private cemetery. Here rested the ancestors of the Jiang family, generation after generation. Rows of neat tombstones stood in silent vigil, as if they were guardians of time, witnessing the end of countless lives. Now, two new headstones had been added here, engraved with the names, birth dates, and death dates of the departed. Mourners dressed in black, their faces solemn and grief-stricken, slowly made their way into this tranquil place. The two graves were arranged one above the other, representing different generations. The tombstones were surrounded by bouquets and wreaths of flowers. As the ceremony began, the pastor's voice was low and solemn, guiding those present in prayer and remembrance. People bowed their heads in silent mourning. Time seemed to slow and grow heavy in that moment. Finally, it was time to say goodbye. The mourners stepped forward one by one, placing white chrysanthemums before the graves. Even though they had clashed with the Jiang family before, Ruan Shaodong and Yang Xuelian still attended the funeral. The couple placed their white chrysanthemums and offered a few words of condolence to the three members of the Jiang family standing nearby. After the funeral ended. A young woman dressed in a black dress with a white flower in her hair stepped forward. "Grandpa Jiang, Aunt Lin." Elder Jiang nodded in acknowledgment. Lin Yueying responded, "Mingyue." After greeting Elder Jiang and Lin Yueying, the woman looked up at the cold-faced man standing nearby, her expression shifting subtly, gaining a hint of tenderness. "Shixu." Jiang Shixu's expression remained indifferent, and he said with polite detachment, "Thank you for making a special trip back to attend my father and grandmother's funeral." Shu Mingyue looked at Jiang Shixu with a hint of barely perceptible heartache in her eyes. "My condolences." The man hummed in acknowledgment and looked away. This was a sign that he didn't wish to continue the conversation. Seeing this, the woman lowered her eyes, her lashes trembling slightly. She pressed her lips together, said nothing more, and turned to leave. The mourners gradually departed one by one. Jiang Shixu didn't see the figure he had been hoping for, and a flicker of disappointment passed through his eyes. That embrace on the rainy night felt like a dream. Too beautiful to be real. Many days had passed, yet it seemed as if Chu Tang's warmth still lingered in his arms. ... Chu Tang's wounds had not yet healed, and the doctor said she shouldn't move around too much. She wanted to attend the funeral, but Ruan Shaodong wouldn't allow it. So she had no choice but to stay put in the hospital. During this time, Chu Tang sent text messages to Zhou Xueluo. Chen Yuanyuan hadn't attended the funeral. She had been badly frightened the day Jiang Yi jumped from the building. Every night she had nightmares and woke up screaming. Lately, Chen Yuanyuan had been staying indoors, receiving psychological treatment at home. Chu Tang called every few days to ask about Chen Yuanyuan's condition. Qin Yan always answered the phone, saying that Chen Yuanyuan's mental state was still not good. After the funeral ended, Zhou Xueluo returned the call. "Hey, Tangtang, the funeral is over." Zhou Xueluo lowered her voice as she walked toward the car, updating Chu Tang on the situation. Knowing that she had called to hear about Jiang Shixu, Zhou Xueluo said softly, "I think Shixu's mood seems fine. Don't worry too much." Chu Tang breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good." Zhou Xueluo chatted with Chu Tang for a bit longer, then looked up and suddenly saw a familiar face. Zhou Xueluo's steps faltered, her voice cut off abruptly, and the second half of her sentence got stuck in her throat. In her daze, Shu Mingyue had already walked up to her and greeted her: "Xueluo, long time no see." "Xueluo, what's wrong?" Chu Tang asked with some confusion over the phone. Zhou Xueluo said, "Something came up on my end. I'll hang up now and call you back later." "Okay." After hanging up, Zhou Xueluo met Shu Mingyue's gaze and replied, "Long time no see." "Are you free? I'd like to treat you to a meal." Shu Mingyue said. Zhou Xueluo hesitated for a moment. She had wanted to refuse, but then she thought of Shu Mingyue's past feelings for Jiang Shixu, and she changed her mind. Shu Mingyue had made a special trip back to attend Jiang Yi and Elder Mrs. Jiang's funeral, so she must have already seen Jiang Shixu. Her invitation to dinner couldn't be just about the meal, Zhou Xueluo thought. Shu Mingyue definitely wanted to fish for information about Jiang Shixu from her. Likewise, she also wanted to probe Shu Mingyue's intentions and see whether Shu Mingyue still harbored feelings for Jiang Shixu. "Sure," Zhou Xueluo said. "Let me go home and change first. You pick the place." "Alright," Shu Mingyue said. "I'll contact you on WeChat." Zhou Xueluo gave a cold, indifferent "Mm" in response. Shu Mingyue turned and left. Watching the woman's retreating figure, Zhou Xueluo let out a sigh. Should she tell Tangtang that Shu Mingyue was back? Although Tangtang and Jiang Shixu had long since broken up, it was clear that they still had lingering feelings for each other. Now that Fu Yuanzhou had been arrested and Elder Mrs. Jiang had passed away, there was a real chance they might get back together... ... At seven-thirty in the evening. Inside a private dining room at an upscale members-only restaurant under the Shu Group. Shu Mingyue sat across from Zhou Xueluo. After exchanging pleasantries and catching up, Shu Mingyue took a sip of tea and asked, "I heard Shi Xu broke up with Ruan Chutang? Or something like that." Over the years, she had been abroad, but she had always kept an eye on Jiang Shixu. When she learned last year that he had arranged a marriage alliance with the Ruan family, she had been sad for a long time. The Shu and Jiang families had been acquainted since Elder Jiang's generation. When they were children, their parents had even joked about setting up a child betrothal between her and Jiang Shixu. Shu Mingyue's first love, at the age when her heart first stirred, was Jiang Shixu. She was beautiful, from a good family, and had more suitors than fish in the river. But because Jiang Shixu was so dazzling, for all these years, Shu Mingyue's eyes had never seen anyone else. Before going abroad, she had actually confessed once. That year, she was nineteen. She was about to go abroad to study. To leave no regrets for herself, and also hoping Jiang Shixu would ask her to stay, she had been bold once. However, Jiang Shixu had refused her completely. "I'm sorry, I have someone I like." "May I ask who she is?" Jiang Shixu answered without hesitation: "Ruan Chutang." She knew Ruan Chutang. The daughter of the Ruan family in Jiangcheng, the same age as her. They occasionally met at gatherings organized by friends, but it was only a nodding acquaintance. When Shu Mingyue learned that Jiang Shixu liked Ruan Chutang, she was jealous. But she had to admit that Ruan Chutang was indeed very beautiful. She had heard that Ruan Chutang had been the school beauty from middle school all the way through university. Moreover, she was excellent in both character and academics. Even the things she learned as hobbies had won awards. In high school, she had won the championship in the National Youth Golf Tournament, the grand prize in the national piano competition, and countless awards in calligraphy—so many that they couldn't be counted. It was said that her calligraphy works had been winning awards since elementary school. In their social circle, it was common for young ladies of noble families to learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and most had some impressive talents. But someone as outstanding as Ruan Chutang was rare. Out of pride, after being rejected, Shu Mingyue did not cling or pester. She even calmly said, "I accept defeat to her with all my heart, but Jiang Shixu, I won't give up." She didn't finish the second half of that sentence. I will work hard to improve myself, become good enough, so that you can see me. Pulling her thoughts back, after asking that question, Shu Mingyue was actually a little nervous inside. Because Jiang Shixu and Ruan Chutang had broken up in January this year, and more than four months had passed since then. She wasn't sure if they had gotten back together. She was afraid the answer she heard wouldn't be the one she wanted.