Chapter 64: No Longer Drifting

Their landing spot was on the private helipad of that hotel.

After disembarking, several Chinese men hurried over to help her with her luggage.

There were only two suitcases in total, and their eagerness surprised her; Ji Zhen Tang shyly said thank you repeatedly.

The hotel manager, dressed in a suit, personally greeted them with a smile: “Mr. Zhong, your room is ready.”

He turned to Ji Zhen Tang with the same gentle smile and greeted her, “Miss Ji.”

Ji Zhen Tang was still fixing her hair, which was tousled by the wind. When he greeted her, she paused for a moment and replied, “Hello.”

Zhong Yu Bai rubbed his forehead and said, “Sorry, I forgot to mention earlier that we’re not staying in a hotel. Please arrange for a car.”

The manager was naturally accommodating and gestured, “OK, no problem. I’ll arrange that right away.”

Once in the car, Ji Zhen Tang sighed. Although it hadn’t been long, it had been a tiring journey. She slumped against the seat, leaning on his shoulder, not caring her posture. After a while, the car finally drove out of the dazzling brilliance. She raised her eyes to see the enormous hotel sign and advertisements for the new entertainment city.

Ji Zhen Tang couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly; she had seen news about this casino online before, but never imagined it was in her boyfriend’s territory.

Such a high-level money sinkhole was impossible to find in the mainland.

Ji Zhen Tang couldn’t help but ask, “If you’re not here, how do you have so many businesses?”

Singapore was very hot; he had taken off his suit and wore only a white shirt, sitting silently in the back of the Mercedes, his words profound.

“The favor of fate is random; even if you casually sow a seed, there’s a possibility it will bloom.”

She glanced at him, half understanding.

Suddenly, Zhong Yu Bai remembered something and looked down to ask her, “Have you told your mother?”

Upon hearing this, Ji Zhen Tang felt a twinge of guilt, her back stiffening. It was because she hadn’t figured out how to tell her mother about Zhong Yu Bai. After a moment, she shook her head and softly said, “Not yet.”

He saw through her tangled thoughts and said straightforwardly, “If you want to say it, just say it. If you don’t want to mention me, that’s fine too.”

“…” Ji Zhen Tang felt a bit embarrassed, her face heating up. She looked at Zhong Yu Bai and promised him seriously, “My mother doesn’t dislike you; she just worries too much about my safety. I’ll find an opportunity to explain everything clearly to her. When the time comes, I’ll put a knife to her throat; she’ll have to agree!”

Seeing her determined yet somewhat childish demeanor, Zhong Yu Bai laughed and said, “I understand.”

She smiled back playfully, looking at him teasingly, “Yes, you understand everything. You’re so open-minded.”

Zhong Yu Bai shot back, “You’ve never been a mother, but haven’t you ever been a child?”

Her laughter faded slightly as she tilted her head back, gazing for a long time at his eternally humble and gentle face, feeling a bit moved by the curve of his lips.

Here, the seasons didn’t change; only the dry and rainy seasons did.

In December, it was the rainy season. The scent of the familiar moist air mixed with her breath.

It had been a long time since she experienced such a warm, humid, low-latitude night.

For the rest of the ride, Ji Zhen Tang silently gazed at the night outside. The road signs were all in English, with palm trees lining the way, and along the coast, she could faintly hear the sound of waves.

Ji Zhen Tang’s account was still active. She recalled the unrealistic wishes she had made when she first entered school—to make her brand bigger and stronger and take it international.

Though it still seems so distant now, she is indeed taking steps toward her peak.

Although he always praises her for her extraordinary talent, Ji Zhen Tang knows well that without Zhong Yu Bai, there would be no today for her; he is undeniably her benefactor in life.

As they approached their destination, Zhong Yu Bai placed a key in her palm.

It was a brand-new key.

Ji Zhen Tang was momentarily stunned and looked up at him in confusion.

However, the car came to a stop, and before she could ask, he said, “Let’s go,” and took her upstairs.

As they neared midnight, Ji Zhen Tang thought she would only be able to watch the New Year’s fireworks on the road, but Zhong Yu Bai managed to bring her back home just in time. 

It was a top-floor penthouse, an aerial villa. Ji Zhen Tang entered, looking up at the high-ceilinged living room, marveling at the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea.

He had also brought the wind chimes, which hung by the window. The place was very new, with all the furnishings neatly arranged, free of dust, and no one had lived there.

Ji Zhen Tang stood in the living room, turning in a complete circle several times, unable to take in all the exquisite details. Zhong Yu Bai stood calmly at the entrance, not following her from east to west, simply watching her.

In a slightly relaxed posture, he looked very much like a husband coming home from work.

He carried a slight fatigue and a warmth about him.

“I thought such upscale buildings would have electronic locks; why is there still such an outdated way to enter?” she said, holding the key up for him to see.

Zhong Yu Bai smiled gently and replied, “A key makes the sense of belonging more tangible.”

“…”

As he spoke, he stepped forward and used a remote to turn on all the indoor lights.

This revealed carefully arranged flowers in every corner, all incredibly fresh. The lavender had been airlifted from countries around the Mediterranean.

After Ji Zhen Tang toured the apartment, she asked, somewhat bewildered, “You mentioned a gift; could it be…?”

Zhong Yu Bai nodded slightly, saying, “It’s in your hands now.”

She was stunned: “This apartment was bought for me?”

“You can’t say it that way,” Zhong Yu Bai shook his head, “The sales of tea house are doing well, and the tea shop is profitable too. Don’t forget, you still have some money with me; you asked me to help you manage it.”

Ji Zhen Tang thought for a moment and realized he was right. He had taken out some profits from Huang Xinkui for her; she hadn’t accepted it, saying she lacked business acumen, so she let him manage it. Zhong Yu Bai certainly had more ideas about making money than she did.

However, she replied, “That’s impossible; no matter how well my hairpin sells, I couldn’t afford a place like this.”

Zhong Yu Bai explained, “That money indeed isn’t enough, but by merging your part with my funds, investing in futures, and taking profits—proportionally—”

Ji Zhen Tang raised her hand to interrupt: “Wait, my math isn’t good; how do I calculate this?”

He smiled and didn’t press her to listen further. He softened his tone and made a comparison: “Imagine a snowball. A small snowball climbs onto a larger one, and it can roll much farther.”

In her bewildered gaze, he summarized, “In short, with profit, you have this apartment.”

At the floor-to-ceiling windows, the curtains automatically drew back, and Zhong Yu Bai stood in the center, looking into the distance and said, “It’s not rented; it’s not that I bought it for you; you bought it yourself.”

For a moment, she didn’t understand what he meant by mentioning renting.

When the man turned back, his calm eyes met hers, and Ji Zhen Tang was momentarily struck by a recent memory.

At that time, she had performed “Song of Everlasting Regret” on stage.

He had been watching from below.

Director Li, in a high position, had rented an apartment for Wang Qiyao, keeping her there. This lavish, empty sky palace became a gilded cage that locked her fate.

To completely alleviate her worries, Zhong Yu Bai decided not to use others as examples anymore.

Thus, this home was created.

He said, “This apartment has only one key, which belongs to you. It’s not shared with anyone else; I don’t have a backup.”

“Everyone must knock before entering and ask you: May I come in? Everyone is your guest.”

“It’s your exclusive haven, your home. From now on, no matter where you go, when you’re tired, you can come back. You won’t drift anymore.”

Seeing Ji Zhen Tang standing there in a daze, he walked over and took her to the window to show her the vast view outside, smiling as he said, “Buying an apartment and getting a piece of the sea, isn’t that a great deal?”

Zhong Yu Bai joked, looking down at her. She was so choked up that she couldn’t speak, finally managing to squeeze out a fragmented, “Yeah, a great deal.”

Zhong Yu Bai continued, “Here, there’s starlight and sea breeze. If I’m not by your side temporarily, they will accompany you in my stead.”

Ji Zhen Tang looked down at the key in her hand and nodded seriously.

From now on, she would no longer drift and would no longer be a parasite.

At 21, she had her own home.

The kind person helping her manage her finances had also gifted her a piece of the sea. Across a bay, on the opposite side, was his magnificent pleasure palace. 

He was also very close to her.

Zhong Yu Bai hugged her from behind and gently said, “You won’t be lonely, darling; I love you.”

The most clichéd love words were made exceptionally touching by him.

The midnight fireworks exploded in the sky; tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

Ji Zhen Tang kissed him all the way to the bed. The bedroom also had a sea view, and as she looked outside, she said, feeling both moved and sad, “Without you, I am nothing.”

Zhong Yu Bai replied, “I’m just a bit ahead, a bit more calculating, that’s all I have.”

Her eyes that had been looking at the stars turned to him.

“When we grow old, my advantage may become a burden. My hair may turn white first, my teeth may fall out first, I might be the first to sit in a wheelchair, or perhaps—”

Ji Zhen Tang quickly covered his mouth: “Pah pah pah! You will always be young! Always have money! You’ll live forever!”

Seeing him smile and knowing he wouldn’t say more, Ji Zhen Tang finally let go of her hand. “Do you think we will walk together into old age?” 

Zhong Yu Bai gazed at her, gently caressing her cheek, and said softly, “Of course.” 

She smiled happily, feeling touched, and nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes! I will love you for a very long time.” 

He raised his hand to wipe away the moisture at the corners of her eyes, guiding her to look outside at the large terrace.

“When I was little, I had a wish: to have a tall building of my own, to see the scenery from such a place, to be with my mother, to push her wheelchair, to comb her white hair, and to talk to her about my future.” 

Zhong Yu Bai looked out the window, his gaze deep: “In a way, that wish has come halfway true.”

She could tell that although he spoke of wishes fulfilled, there were too many regrets hidden in his heart.

People lose each other not only due to broken separations but also because of death.

The bay in the distance was calm, but Ji Zhen Tang recalled old events.

She climbed onto him and nestled into his arms, cautiously asking, “Can you tell me what happened back then, at Liulu Bay? I was very young; I only remember someone shooting, and it seemed like there was a lot of blood.”

He gently brushed aside her messy hair, looking into her lively eyes: “Aren’t you afraid?”

Ji Zhen Tang shook her head.

As Zhong Yu Bai recalled, he began to narrate: “Years ago, there was an underground organization called Tingsong Hall. My mother lived safely in Singapore for many years, but once, she wanted to return home to see her family. My second brother got wind of it and immediately went to block her way.

“My mother had evidence of his crimes, and he wanted her to hand it over. He didn’t intend to take her life, but my mother was afraid it would implicate me and other relatives, so she committed suicide.

“The bloodshed was due to a shootout. The ship belonged to the Chen family; to throw people off the scent, she deliberately traveled at night to Penang to take off but ultimately didn’t escape.”

After he finished, both fell into a silence.

Finally, she broke the silence and asked, “So your second brother was also… you…” Ji Zhen Tang hesitated, avoiding the word “forced,” and instead said, “also committed suicide, right?”

Zhong Yu Bai replied, “I only learned the truth later, so I went back to confront him. He was at his wits’ end and jumped off a building in front of me; his eyes didn’t even close when he died.”

She was stunned into silence.

His voice was calm, devoid of emotion: “The law is like a net, and the murderer was brought to justice; the organization has long since disbanded.”

He added, “The security is very good now; with you here, I feel at ease.”

At this, he glanced at her, and there was a hint of relief in his eyes.

Ji Zhen Tang was still lost in the thought of how his brother had died with his eyes open. She cleared her throat and asked out of curiosity, “Were you scared when you saw your brother die?”

Zhong Yu Bai looked at her and asked, “Scared of what?”

“Just… scared of ghosts coming back to seek revenge or something.”

He chuckled dismissively, saying he had never been afraid.

After a moment of silence, he added, “My mother will protect me.”

Ji Zhen Tang leaned against his chest. For a long time, she couldn’t find the words. Thoughts swirled in her mind, and in the end, she settled on a seemingly trivial comment: “So do you still pray to the Buddha every day?”

After pondering for a moment, Zhong Yu Bai replied, “Perhaps because there are people I miss dearly.”

Desire and fear were absent; only longing remained.

Her delicate kisses fell on his face as she gently said, “From now on, Auntie will protect you, and I will love you in her place.”

Zhong Yu Bai glanced at her and asked, “What will you replace her for?”

Ji Zhen Tang smiled, realizing he was pretending not to know, and cheerfully said, “I love you~!”

Zhong Yu Bai also laughed, and before saying goodnight that evening, he held her in his arms and said, “Sing me another song.”

He added, “Hearing your voice makes me feel alive.”

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