Chapter 413
The aftermath of their decisions unfolded with chilling inevitability. After buying back the company and resuming normal operations, Zhao Jianghe decided to venture into the transport and trade business again.
Unfortunately, they ran into the same trouble as before—a local armed group ambushed them. Zhao Jianghe went missing in the dense forest.
Lu Yunqing, who had stayed behind to prepare for their wedding, wasn’t there to follow him this time. But, true to her dramatic patterns, she threw herself into the fray for the sake of "love," ignoring all rescue protocols. Without hesitation, this seemingly fragile woman ventured into the forest.
Ji Fei couldn’t help but admire her tenacity. Despite her naivety, Lu Yunqing had a knack for finding people, which was almost eerie. It wasn’t just about love; her gender and small presence allowed her to move undetected through the dangerous, armed zones. On the other hand, organized rescue teams needed approvals and procedures, making her boldness oddly effective. Still, Ji Fei thought, maybe it was just fate.
But this time, without Qin Wugu cleaning up their messes, even their passionate, perilous romance couldn’t spark a miracle.
The complexity of rescue operations left Zhao Chengle overwhelmed. He tried contacting Qin Wugu but found her number blocked. Furious, he decided to handle things himself. But without his mother’s skillful coordination, the efficiency plummeted.
Just when it seemed that Zhao Jianghe and Lu Yunqing might starve to death in the jungle, the rescue team found them. By the time they were located, both were unconscious, and Zhao Jianghe’s legs were broken.
Though they were saved, the moment Zhao Jianghe woke up, he shattered whatever illusions of gratitude might have lingered. He smashed a bottle over Lu Yunqing’s head and screamed at her to get out.
Zhao Jianghe’s injuries could have been far less severe if not for this troublesome woman’s interference. She hadn’t brought any useful supplies, forgot the way back, and used up his limited resources. Even though Zhao Jianghe had once been moved by her devotion, the harsh reality of survival had stripped away any romantic illusions.
Without the timely arrival of Qin Wugu’s rescue team or the immediate medical care she had once orchestrated, their situation worsened. Supplies dwindled, their bodies weakened, and Zhao Jianghe found himself caring for a woman who could only cry and hinder him under the guise of love.
Eventually, an accident caused by Lu Yunqing’s incompetence led to Zhao Jianghe breaking his leg—a near-death experience that plunged him into utter despair. It was then that he finally broke down in tears, filled with regret.
Only now did he realize that a woman driven by blind love couldn’t save him. The one who had silently arranged everything in the background, ensuring his survival, was the one he should have cherished.
When Qin Wugu was there, even in danger, he could count on rescue and escape unscathed. Now, with only a burden by his side, everything had fallen apart.
When he woke up and realized he was crippled, he couldn’t accept the reality.
Back then, Qin Wugu’s rescue had taken a few hours. Zhao Chengle’s efforts, however, stretched over fifteen days. By the time Zhao Jianghe was saved, he was emaciated and aged by a decade.
Watching Lu Yunqing cry in front of him only enraged him further. If not for her ignorant meddling, he might have lasted longer alone with his resources and perhaps even avoided his injuries.
In the end, this woman, under the banner of love, had brought him nothing but torment.
He must have been insane, he thought bitterly, to give up someone as capable as Qin Wugu for a liability like Lu Yunqing.
But it was too late. Even if he cut ties with Lu Yunqing, Qin Wugu would never come back. His regret was meaningless.
Similarly, Zhao Chengle was filled with remorse. From the moment he took over his mother’s role, he began to regret his earlier choices. When he learned of his father’s accident and that Lu Yunqing had rushed after him again, he didn’t feel touched. Instead, he was consumed with frustration, his mind racing with one thought: What on earth is she thinking, stirring up trouble in such a chaotic situation?
That moment was a knife to his heart.
Unable to contact his mother, he fumed, thinking she was too heartless to truly cut ties. Driven by anger, he threw himself into rescuing his father. But the more he repeated his mother’s work, the more he realized how difficult it must have been for her. How had she remained calm under such pressure? He couldn’t imagine it.
And during those moments, what had his father been doing? Whispering sweet nothings with his mistress? The thought was nauseating.
The longer the rescue dragged on, the more he feared it might fail. When they finally rescued his father, Zhao Chengle couldn’t help but wonder if his father regretted it. If his mother were still involved, would things have turned out differently?
When his father awoke and unleashed his fury on Lu Yunqing, Zhao Chengle saw the truth: his father regretted it more than anyone. The price of his delusion had been too high.
Now, crippled and drowning in debt owed to the Zhao family, his father’s life was a ruin.
Zhao Chengle eventually called the old residence, hoping to tell his mother about their downfall. Perhaps she would scoff and call it karma.
But Qin Wugu’s response was curt: “I told you not to contact me. The affairs of you three have nothing to do with me.”
…
After hearing the outcome, the Qin family members sighed in unison.
It was karma. They had made their choices and now had to live with the consequences.
For the Qin family, the matter was over. Whether Qin Wugu would reconcile with her remorseful son someday was a question for time to answer.
As for Ji Fei, she thought remarriage and a second child seemed like a great idea.
That evening, she discussed it with Qin Xian.
Qin Xian was indifferent. “Either way, we’re here for her. She doesn’t need to worry about being alone when she’s old. High-risk pregnancies are dangerous, and if she doesn’t need a child for emotional support, not having one is fine too.”
“How many kids do you want?” Ji Fei asked instinctively.
The question caught Qin Xian off guard. Ji Fei blushed slightly, realizing what she’d asked.
Qin Xian glanced at her. “How many do you want? You’ll be the one giving birth. It’s your body, your pain—something I can’t experience. So, the decision is yours.”
Ji Fei had never thought about it. Before, she assumed she’d never have a relationship, let alone children. Now, with a wedding on the horizon, the idea of children seemed inevitable—after all, their family did have an "empire" to pass down.
Still, Ji Fei’s thoughts were childlike. She didn’t feel a great maternal urge yet and decided to leave it to the future.
Qin Xian hugged her and kissed her forehead. He had his own opinions but didn’t voice them.
In truth, he didn’t want children. He couldn’t bear the thought of Ji Fei suffering, nor could he handle the idea of her attention shifting to someone else. He wasn’t the type to share, and the idea of a child intruding on their world unsettled him.
And, deep down, he feared he wouldn’t be a good father. After all, he wasn’t exactly a normal person.
…
Soon, news of Qin Sixth Uncle’s return reached the family.
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