Chapter 145: No medicine for regret

The Liu’s, Chen’s and Xiang’s, Nana and the twins all gathered in Golden Sea villa.

The atmosphere was too gloomy and dreary to bear. So many truths were revealed in a single night. The world turned upside down in a mere three hours.

Jianyu didn’t have the courage. He lost every right to ask forgiveness from Nana. This was not something a simple apology could solve.

But no matter what, he wanted to face her. Whatever punishment Nana would give, he will readily accept it.

He slowly made his way towards her.

Nana saw Jianyu coming and clutched her dress.

“Stop!”, Chen Liling said.

He stopped in his tracks.

“You think you still got any face to talk to her? You did what you wanted to do, whose repercussions we are all facing now. What more do you want!?”, she shouted. “You left Nana for that b*tch Suyin when she was trapped in that shed that night. You even let her go when you realized the truth! What about the justice to Nana? What were you thinking!?”

Jinhai coldly looked at Jianyu.

Chen Guiren held her shoulder. “Liling…calm down please.”

Jianyu clenched his hands.

“Every time. Every single time you chose Suyin over Nana. That girl who had an affair behind your back, who never had any respect for your love, who only ever wanted your money, for that girl! How much more blind can you get!?”

She stood in front of Nana and held her hands. “Child…I…I don’t know what to say. Jianyu’s mistake is also my fault. I didn’t raise him well. He was supposed to protect you, but he was the reason for the ruin. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”, she silently sobbed.

“Aunt!”, Nana held her shoulders. “It is not your fault. Not even for a second will you think that it is your mistake.”, tears brimmed in her eyes. “After so many years I felt like what a mother’s love is, how it is like when your mother is with you. You treated me just like your daughter. You gave me so much love and care that it is overflowing. You were never at fault.”

Chen Liling smiled and hugged her. Nana also couldn’t help but cry.

“Nana. After everything that has happened, I don’t have any right to ask you to…be with Jianyu anymore. It will be unfair to you. Jianyu doesn’t deserve you. The man who always chose to live in the past cannot possibly give you any future.”

“A-aunt, I-“

“No Nana. I know what you will say, child. Maybe you will still agree just for my sake, just out of respect for me. But firstly, a relationship cannot stand on the base of such feelings. If there is no love and trust, it simply crumbles one day or the other. And secondly, it is now me who doesn’t want Jianyu for you. You deserve a much, much better man.”, she sadly patted her head.

Every word brutally struck Jianyu.

That was true. There was a limit to which Nana could bear. She was also now hesitant in going ahead with this engagement. She thought she could trust Jianyu. Even though they didn’t have feelings for each other, she felt hurt by what he did. She had regarded him as a close friend after all.

Liu Hai and Jing said nothing. They simply watched.

Chen Liling then turned to look at Jianyu and said expressionlessly, “And you Jianyu. You have terribly let us down. Everything is over, thanks to you. You are the CEO. You make so many big decisions for business deals. But as a person, you couldn’t even make such a simple judgment in the hospital that day, for something that was so crystal clear.”

“Mom, please. Give me any punishment you like. Hit me, beat me, starve me, do whatever you want…”.

He utterly regretted the blunder he made. But like how wise men say, ‘There is no medicine for regret.’

She stared at him long and hard.

“You need a break, Jianyu. Your heart is lost somewhere. That is why you couldn’t make the decision to not forgive her. You have to get yourself back together. You need to find something or someone that will make you a strong and firm person. This is all the result of you being too good and forgiving. So, take this time and don’t show your face anymore. Get away from our lives.”

“Liling, how can you-“, Grandma Liu wanted to interrupt but Chen Liling gave a chilling glare.

“Mom, I think you have done more than enough to ruin lives here. Don’t try to meddle in between us now.”

“You! Is this how you talk to your mother!?”

She gave her the cold shoulder.

Jianyu sadly smiled. “As you wish, Mom. I won’t show my face anymore. This is my punishment; to lose everybody who I hold dear to me. This is what I deserve and this is how I will repent.”

“Nana…”, he softly spoke. “I’m not asking you to forgive me. But please let me say this. I’m sorry I disappointed you…again. I’m sorry I couldn’t become the man worthy of you. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you…I’m your culprit more than anyone else. I will gladly take your any punishment.”

Her heart ached. Jianyu was always so cheerful whenever they met. As a friend, she really enjoyed her time with him. And now, she is losing that very friendship. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss.

She shook her head sadly. She knew how much he also cherished this friendship. What more can be the punishment for him when there has got a crack in it?

Jianyu sadly chuckled.

He looked at Jinhai. “Bro…”

Jinhai looked back at him.

“I want to apologize to you too. I thought we were so close. But I didn’t even realize that you were in so much pain this whole time. You suffered so much but I didn’t get a clue. Maybe that’s why you couldn’t share your burden with me. I’m so stupid, right?”, he said while coldly glaring at Huian.

She shrank back in fear.

Jinhai said nothing.

He looked at everyone one last time. Chen Liling didn’t return his gaze.

He turned around and left.