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CHAPTER 811 — She's Not Dead
The living room was bathed in the soft glow of the chandelier, casting warm shadows on the finely upholstered furniture and the priceless artworks adorning the walls.
A fine carpet stretched beneath the Ye Sheng and Ye Cheng sitting opposite each other as they got drowned in their conversation.
Li Jing watched from the periphery as her husband and father-in-law engaged in a heartfelt discussion.
She knew this conversation was vital; she understood the gravity it held for their family and the company. Yet she couldn't help but feel like an intruder in this intimate moment between them.
Her eyes shone with admiration. Ye Cheng had handled the situation with grace and maturity. He had stepped up to take responsibility for his part in their rift, yet he bore no more grudge against his father.
"I'm sure you and mum must have made up now," he began lowering his eyes. "Feels like she cheated on me."
A hearty laugh escaped Ye Sheng's lips at his son's whining. Between the two of them, the one who should feel cheated on should be him, her ex husband and not her son who has had her every since.
"If you look at it from a certain angle, it is, but you cannot blame her. I guess I still have my charm," Ye Sheng teased.
Ye Cheng shuddered slightly. For him it was cringe seeing his old parents still behaving young but he wasn't against the idea if that was what his mother wanted.
All he could think of was how not to get her hurt again.
"I do not know what the future holds for Li An and I but for now let's focus on the present and take things step by step."
"I couldn't agree more. To the future of the Dream Star Corporation," Ye Cheng echoed, and his father nodded.
"We have a lot of work ahead," Ye Cheng reminded him. "We need to ensure the company's success and finally bring Chairman Zhang down."
"We will, together," Ye Sheng responded, his voice filled with determination. "I know I can rely on you, Cheng."
Feeling a lump in her throat, Li Jing chose this moment to interrupt, her heart filled with joy. "I will leave you two to your discussions. I need some rest."
"Of course, Jing," Ye Cheng said, turning to her with a warm smile. "Rest your pretty head well, my love."
Ye Sheng echoed his son's sentiment. "Rest well, Li Jing. We'll take care of things."
With those comforting words, Li Jing ascended the stairs, leaving the two men to their vital discourse.
She looked back one last time to find them deep in conversation, their expressions serious yet hopeful. It was a sight that imprinted itself in her heart, a symbol of the significant progress they had made.
As she disappeared from their sight, Ye Cheng turned to his father, his determination renewed. "We will not let Chairman Zhang harm this company, my family or anything I hold dear any longer, Father."
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~An Hour Later~
Alone in the master's bedroom, Li Jing settled herself on the plush bed, her posture elegantly poised, her legs crossed, her silk robes rustling softly against the sheets.
The room was a haven of tranquility, the only noise was the faint hum of the air conditioner and the soft music playing in the room.
Gazing down, she had her attention fixed on the iPad on her thigh, her window into their recent past; a scroll of pictures and videos from their vacation that she had intended to explore.
Slowly, her fingers danced on the screen, expertly navigating through the myriad of memories they had captured.
Suddenly, the serene silence was broken by the trill of her phone. It was a call from her grandfather, Lin Zian.
Her brows creased slightly as she wondered why the old man had called. Did he miss her or was he as eager to hear she had been knocked up?
Whichever one she could not help but find the timing uncanny.
"Hello Grandpa," her soft voice greeted the second the call connected.
"The old man's voice was heavy with sorrow and apprehension, the burden of years without a loved one evident in his every word.
"Jing'er," he began, calling her affectionately, "Your mother's supposed disappeance anniversary is coming up. What would you like to do to commemorate the day since we do not mark her death?"
Li Jing hesitated, the question catching her off guard. She had not given it much thought, lost as she was in the swirl of recent events. However, she understood her grandfather's sentiments. Her mother had been a beacon of strength and love in their lives, and her absence was felt every single day but she couldn't shake the feel of him thinking she was dead.
"Gramps she isn't dead," she spat out more sharply than she had intended. "I just know it," Li Jing added.
"Jing-er, I know this most be hard but it's been twenty years now. I think we should give her the honour she deserves."
"I know what you mean but I stand my ground Gramps, she isn't dead," she said sharply.
Lin Zian heaved a deep sigh but did not say anything. Several seconds passed away and both parties fell silent listening to the sound of their heavy breaths through the phone.
After what seems like forever, Li Jing let her hand fall over her face and exhaled sharply.
"I'm sorry. I... it is hard for you too, right? And more painful of I must say. Y-You...you had many smyears with her and I on the other hand forgot what little I had. So it's wrong for me to force your wounds open."
"Jing-er don't..."
"No gramps, I completely understand. Forgive me."
Not wanting her to keep blaming herself, Grandpa Zian nodded and accepted her apology. "Alright. So what do you want to do? Whatever you wish I shall fulfil it, Jing."
"Okay then. I think we should hold a private ceremony," she finally replied. "We can gather at our old family home. I believe it will be a fitting tribute to her memory for these years she wasn't with us. What do you think, grandfather?"
Lin Zian was silent for a moment before he responded. "I think that is a wonderful idea, Jing'er. Your mother would have wanted it that way. She always valued the quiet moments we spent together as a family."
Li Jing's heart warmed at her grandfather's words. The memory of her mother was a guiding light in their lives, a source of strength and unity.
As the conversation wound down, she felt a renewed determination.
Not only would they honor her mother's memory in a fitting manner, it pushed her to want to question her foster father even more and find out the truth.
He was hiding something and she knew it was important.
Once the call ended, Li Jing found herself staring at her iPad again, her thoughts now far from their vacation.
Instead, she was drawn to an old video her grandfather had sent to her before. It was one of he had taken of her mother on her eighteenth birthday, her laughter filling the room in a way no one else could.
As she watched the scene play out, a soft smile spread across her face.
She felt a sense of warmth envelop her and once again, she was reminded of her mother's words.
'Be good my love. Have courage and be kind.'
Her eyelids fluttered to a close as a hot tear rolled down her cheek down her neck. "I'll find you soon but first, I must ensure Ye Cheng's safety too."