Shangguan Yu'an's face and voice still lingered in his mind.
At that time, they must have all thought Chen Jin Zhao was dead. Now, Chen Jin Zhao was alive, but Shangguan Yu'an was already dead.
After all.
Shangguan Yu'an, born into a noble family, would have had a bright future, but she perished so early. How unfair was heaven to her?
Chen Jin Zhao sighed.
If he could return to Hua Guo smoothly, he would definitely go to Shangguan Yu'an's grave to pay his respects.
"Anything else?" Chen Jin Zhao asked.
He remembered a radiant woman, and he remembered the sunshine of their meeting. He hadn't uttered that name in a long time.
Tao Qiyue, a beautiful name.
Matsui Yusuke stammered, "I really don't know anything else. I also don't know what you want to know."
"What do you know about Xu Yao Yao and Tao Qiyue?" Chen Jin Zhao asked.
"I know a little about Xu Yao Yao. As for the Tao Qiyue you mentioned, I have no information," Matsui Yusuke replied.
"Xu Yao Yao has already graduated and joined Gou Chen Group. Her specific position is still unknown."
"I remember now. After your funeral three years ago, Tao Qiyue disappeared without a trace, and no one could contact her."
"Perhaps you are also interested in Wu Ling Yun. As far as I know, Wu Ling Yun's life is not as good as before. She refuses help from Gou Chen Group and always keeps to herself. Her father, Li Qiu Tao, seems to have disappeared a year ago."
"Qin Feng Wu and Li Tian Ce have both returned to the capital to take up their posts, and the struggle between the two sides has entered a white-hot stage."
"..."
Chen Jin Zhao listened patiently.
Three years had passed, and many people and events had undergone earth-shattering changes.
It also strengthened his determination to return to Hua Guo.
Matsui Yusuke looked at Chen Jin Zhao dryly, "I don't know anything else. Only the heads of the noble families have the authority to know more detailed intelligence and information."
As if fearing Chen Jin Zhao would kill him, Matsui Yusuke quickly begged for mercy.
He said, "Don't kill me. I can help you leave Dong Ying. I have a private yacht at the Edo Bay, and perhaps I can help you return to Hua Guo. You can also keep me as a hostage, so you won't be intercepted on the way."
Yamanashi Chiho pondered for a moment and said, "I think what he said makes sense. Why don't we take him with us first?"
Chen Jin Zhao nodded, "Yes, that's the only way for now."
"This place is not suitable for lingering. Let's go to Edo Bay first."
Chen Jin Zhao, along with Yamanashi Chiho and Matsui Yusuke, left the courtyard. After getting into the car, they drove straight to Edo Bay. Under Matsui Yusuke's guidance, they arrived at the bay half an hour later. There were two concealed staff members on Matsui Yusuke's yacht. As soon as Chen Jin Zhao boarded, he disarmed these two and had them steer the boat towards Yamanashi Chiho's home.
Not long after the boat started, Matsui Yusuke's phone rang.
Chen Jin Zhao immediately cast a fierce glance at him, scaring Matsui Yusuke so much that he almost hung up. Trembling, he said, "I'll hang up the phone now and won't let them contact me."
"No need," Chen Jin Zhao said.
"Answer the phone. If you say something that displeases me, it will be just one swift strike."
Matsui Yusuke nearly wet himself from fear.
He understood what Chen Jin Zhao meant and could only press the answer button with trembling fingers. On the other end, the Matsui family's steward inquired why Matsui Yusuke's yacht was sailing so late.
Although Matsui Yusuke was the designated heir of the family, his actions were strictly controlled to avoid negative repercussions for the family.
Taking a deep breath, Matsui Yusuke said in a relaxed tone, "I've brought some women out to have some fun on the sea."
After saying a few ordinary words, the Matsui family steward was no longer suspicious.
Matsui Yusuke also breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the steward didn't ask further, otherwise, he wouldn't have known how to cover it up.
Chen Jin Zhao heard Matsui Yusuke's words and had no intention of acting against him. Instead, he went to the other side with Yamanashi Chiho. Yamanashi Chiho's cheek was bandaged, and it was evident that she was not in a good mood.
Seeing Chen Jin Zhao arrive, Yamanashi Chiho forced a smile.
It was clear that her smile was somewhat strained.
"Should I call you Chen Wu Ming, or Chen Jin Zhao?" Yamanashi Chiho asked.
Chen Jin Zhao was taken aback and smiled, "Call me whatever you like. I am who I am. A name is just a label."
Yamanashi Chiho tilted her head and thought for a moment, then nodded heavily, "Jin Zhao, you are right. Chen Jin Zhao is your name, and it's a very nice name."
"Does your face still hurt?" Chen Jin Zhao asked.
Yamanashi Chiho shook her head, "It doesn't hurt as much anymore. It's just a bit tingly. It's nothing serious."
"Where are we going now?"
Chen Jin Zhao replied, "Home first. We'll talk about the rest later. But I still want to go back to Hua Guo. Will you come with me?"
Yamanashi Chiho didn't hesitate, "Yes. Where you are is my home."
Chen Jin Zhao held Yamanashi Chiho close, "You've worked hard for these three years. I will keep my promise and protect you for life. But you also know that my situation is a bit complicated now, and I don't know how to tell you about it."
"Then let's start with Yu Meng Zhi. If I'm not mistaken, she should be your wife in Hua Guo, and you have a very cute daughter." Yamanashi Chiho blinked her large eyes, as innocent and naive as when they first met. Chen Jin Zhao sighed and said, "This is a long story. Perhaps I can start from when I was eighteen. Let me tell you slowly."
"When I was eighteen, I met my first love, Xu Nian Qing..."
This convoluted story also began that year.
Yamanashi Chiho listened with rapt attention. Especially when she heard about Chen Jin Zhao's three years of military service, she couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for him. Hearing about the years Chen Jin Zhao kept a low profile, Yamanashi Chiho couldn't help but feel a sense of loss along with him.
Chen Jin Zhao's experiences were full of twists and turns. After hearing it all, Yamanashi Chiho sighed, "When my grandfather and I rescued you from the sea, I guessed you were no ordinary person. I never expected your experiences to be so much more exciting than I imagined."
"I also never imagined your status was so noble."
As she said this, Yamanashi Chiho's tone became noticeably subdued. Chen Jin Zhao held her tighter and whispered, "Didn't I tell you? Like you, I am just an ordinary person among the common folk. There is no distinction between noble and lowly. If you don't leave, I will never abandon you."