A Chan – CH 148

Chapter 148: Ending (5)

Zhang Jingchan was still dressed in a low-key black suit, a light blue and white striped shirt, and a dark tie. He sat with his long legs crossed, his expression perpetually cold, his eyes calm and deep black. The soft light shone on his face, making his fair and serene features appear even more striking.

Facing such a young business tycoon, the female reporter’s voice softened slightly. She first asked a few business questions, which Zhang Jingchan answered concisely and clearly. He occasionally smiled, but even his smiles in public were somewhat restrained.

After finishing the business questions, the female reporter changed the subject, smiling as she asked, “Would you mind if I asked a personal question?”

Zhang Jingchan looked up and asked.

“Many people in the financial industry, as well as our magazine readers, want to know if Zhang Jingchan, who is renowned throughout Central China, is married.”

“No.”

“Then are you still single? Please don’t give our readers a heartbreaking answer.”

Zhang Jingchan smiled indifferently at the camera and shook his head: “I already have a fiancée.”

“My goodness! You’re already engaged? Congratulations! May I ask how you and your fiancée met?”

Zhang Jingchan, lost in thought, his smile lingering, said, “Childhood sweethearts, destined for each other.”

“Wow, that sounds so enviable. What does your future wife do? Is she in the same profession as you, Mr. Zhang?”

Zhang Jingchan shook his head: “She’s a very talented painter, far more sophisticated than me.”

“Mr. Zhang, has anyone ever told you that your eyes light up when you talk about your fiancée? When will you get married? Will there be a grand, century-defining wedding?”

Zhang Jingchan lowered his eyes, his smile gentle and calm: “Like you, I’m also waiting for an answer.”

…

Li Weiyi put down her phone, muttering, “Tch.” When did she get engaged to him for him to call her his fiancée? He’s such a hypocrite in public, a master of manipulation.

Li Weiyi sat down at her easel, continuing to work on a painting. But as she painted, she put down her brush, turned to gaze at the wide, flowing Xiang River, and stared for a long while before finally admitting that she had long since stopped waiting.

She left home with nothing, not even a change of clothes, only her ID card and phone.

The earliest flight to Shanghai was around 8 p.m. Li Weiyi called Zhang Jingchan’s male assistant.

Zhang Jingchan’s schedule in Shanghai was packed, including evening engagements that didn’t end until after 9 p.m. Among his guests were scions of wealthy families of similar background to himself, who announced in front of everyone that they would arrange the next event. Such events were naturally discreet and high-class, and Zhang Jingchan politely excused himself.

Back in his penthouse suite, Zhang Jingchan took off his suit and tie, leaned wearily against the sofa, and gazed at the night view of the Huangpu River outside the window. The lights flickered; the silence was profound; he had long been accustomed to nights like this. Loneliness? He would in the first few years, but he knew this was the path he was destined to take, the life he was destined to live. If you want to reach the jewel in the crown, you must endure loneliness and hardship that ordinary people couldn’t bear.

This life was different from the first. He was debt-free, his parents were healthy, and the loneliness and coldness he once felt had vanished. Most importantly, Li Weiyi was always there, waiting for him in the quiet of the night.

Zhang Jingchan smiled to himself, his exhaustion seemingly lightening with it. He got up and went to the bedroom, intending to wash away the smell of smoke and alcohol.

Sometimes, Zhang Jingchan wondered what he would be like if the Zhang family hadn’t met with that misfortune. Perhaps a little better off than other rich kids, not ruining the family fortune, but certainly not living as desperately as he did in this life, and his achievements would likely be limited. He probably wouldn’t have taken relationships seriously either. Back in his sophomore year of college, he was arrogant and superficial, only choosing girlfriends from among the school beauties. If he had continued like that, his life might be just like that rich kid’s tonight.

But fate taught him a lesson.

And Li Weiyi, along with him, learned to love.

Zhang Jingchan, wearing a bathrobe, stepped out of the bathroom, drying his wet hair with a towel. He immediately thought that if Li Weiyi were here, she would definitely be forcing him to use a hairdryer. She loved touching his hair and his neck. Zhang Jingchan chuckled.

He missed her.

On this most ordinary night, in a life that would henceforth be peaceful, he still missed her. He missed her companionship over the years and missed her unspoken understanding and support through the cycles of time. Even just holding her in his arms, doing nothing, could bring him a smile, could bring him contentment.

Zhang Jingchan stood by the window, phone in hand, about to make a video call, when the doorbell rang.

Zhang Jingchan went to the door and asked, “Who is it?”

A voice boomed, “Boss, room service.”

Zhang Jingchan frowned slightly. After all, a hotel of this caliber wouldn’t have that kind of harassment, but he still tightened the sash of his bathrobe and opened the door.

A woman, smiling sweetly, leaned against the doorframe, her gaze sweeping over him from head to toe with a satisfied look. “Boss,” she said, “room service is here.”

Zhang Jingchan smiled, pulling her inside and slamming the door shut. Before she could even step into the room, he pinned her against the door and showered her with kisses, his dark eyebrows and eyes brimming with joy: “Why did you suddenly come?”

Li Weiyi wrapped her arms around his neck and said earnestly, “Zhang Jingchan, I’ve come to give you the answer.”

Zhang Jingchan paused, understanding. He smiled down, then looked up, his eyes, deeper than the Milky Way, fixed on her: “What’s the answer?”

Li Weiyi gently bit his ear and said, “You’ll have to find out for yourself.”

Then I wouldn’t be polite.

I wanted to prepare a perfect ceremony, to complete our relationship, to draw a perfect conclusion to our eight-year cycle. But you’ve given me your heart; if I didn’t reciprocate, I’d be a bastard.

I thought that time travel was just a fleeting moment, but you waited a full eight years.

I once thought I was the unluckiest person in the world, but it turns out fate had never been unkind to me. Love and hate fade into the obliterating timeline, and everyone’s river of fate keeps turning. Because of your companionship, I was able to rewrite and turn things around time and time again.

I finally received fate’s most beautiful reward, to be able to hold your hand, from 19 to 27, filling all the missed moments with you, day after day; my steps, step by step, would never be empty again, steadfastly walking towards you in 2022.

The girl who wept bitterly by the river in the pouring rain, her heart filled with despair.

The man who carried a black umbrella, walking alone under the stars and moon.

My Ah Chan.

—End of Main Text—

Author’s Note:
Thank you, everyone. Today marks the final chapter of A Chan. Actually, this was originally a 200,000-word novella I started last October, intended to be structured with detailed and substantial elements, but I accidentally wrote 300,000. I hope you enjoyed reading it for the past two months.
Tomorrow at noon, I will update the first side story, “The 0th Cycle.” Due to editorial arrangements, the second side story, “The Wedding,” will be updated on May 13th.
My next new book will be announced on Sina Weibo @丁墨. It will definitely be a long novel; I’ve already written two novellas.
Spring has passed, and summer has come. Best wishes to everyone. See you with the new book.
Ding Mo
May 5, 2023, Changsha.