Shui stepped out of the hot shower, feeling her muscles relaxed and energized. Rubbing her head against the towel, she sat in front of the mirror. She pressed her lips, thinking of today. Her heart raced when Jin had caught Ren Alix's hand just in time. The anger, the possessiveness for her sake made her feel as if it was so natural.
But that momentary joy ended as they made their way back to the airport. There was no conversation between them and with a suffocating, pin drop silence, they returned to their homes. And now, Shui had no idea what she was supposed to do.
She could somehow help Jin with his guilt by being firm about her stance. It would take time, but she figured if Jin continuously watched her determined resolve, then one day might come that he would be kind enough to forgive himself. That scar would take time to heal even if Jin knew that Shui didn't hold any resentment against him for his relationship with Kang Xue.
But what about the sacrifice that bound him? There wasn't any way to interfere with that. She was in dark about the deal that Jin forged with the Gods or what would be the consequences if he broke it.
Will the Gods get angry and time would turn back again?
Will everything turn back to how it was in the past?
Will all the happiness that they have achieved be lost forever?
She pursed her lips, pressing her palms against the thighs. Such questions puzzled Shui. Her daze broke when she saw an incoming call from Ai. She faintly smiled, knowing what it was about. After the last night's kiss, Shui hadn't sent any message to Ai or provided any update of what was happening between them.
Shui picked the call and smiled. "Ai."
There was a pause at the other end. Then Ai's voice came. "I am sorry for calling you. I know you must be tired. Silly me. We will talk later-"
"No, no! Master Ai can call me anytime haha!" She beamed. "I am fit and fine~"
"That's good. So…" Ai took a moment and asked, "How were things with Jin? He returned but when we asked him about the trip, he wasn't very responsive and went straight to his room. Is everything alright?"
She bit her lip and her gaze lowered.
'Don't tell any of this to anybody. You have to promise me. You won't tell them about the deal or…or my past with Kang Xue to Bro or Zhou Ai.'
That was the only thing said when their flight had touched down to Beijing.
"Yes, Ai. Everything is alright. Jin and I…did have a serious conversation and he seriously conveyed it to me that he doesn't want a relationship between us."
"B-But why? There must be a reason. Jin must have definitely told you the reason!" Her anxious and troubled voice held desperation.
Shui weighed her options and after thinking for a moment, she revealed. "Jin…told me about the past life."
Ai stiffened on the other side. She parted her lips, not knowing what to say. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel·fire·net
"About time turning back and Jun and you getting second chances…"
Ai held in her breath. She never imagined that the conversation would have taken this turn between them but if she thought about it, it made sense too. Shui was an important part of Jin's life. If Jin was hesitating because of something that happened in the past, then Shui had every right to know. It was a question of her future too, after all, who loved Jin and wanted to spend her life with him.
"I see. Jin finally told you."
"...Yes," Shui answered, releasing a breath. "I believe him. I believe everything that Jin has to say. But it still…feels so surreal. A past life where we all lived but ended up in tragedy. This second life where you changed your fate."
Ai felt her eyes turning misty. "Yes, Shui. It was unbelievable for us too. I remember the moment I died very clearly and the moment when I woke up and found myself alive ten years back in time. I couldn't believe it for a long time. But I had decided then and there that I won't let the sad past repeat. Jun made the same decision. Even if we thank fate endlessly, it's still not enough. So many things changed and so many…tragedies were prevented from happening."
Shui felt a lump forming in her throat. Nobody knew that granting this second chance was only possible because of Jin. But the very same person now was forced to hold himself back and sacrifice his happiness. She covered her mouth, not wanting Ai to hear her chokes.
She wiped her tears and forced herself to calm down. "I am very happy for you and Jun. Because of you two, everybody else's future was saved too."
"But if Jin told you about the past and rebirth, then did he tell you what it had to do with his refusal to accept his feelings?"
She trembled. It was a truth that would crush Jun and Ai. They would never accept such a future where they happily lived together but at the cost of Jin's sacrifice.
"...There was nothing in particular, Ai. It's just that everything that has happened in the past has left a deep scar in his heart. There are many things he c-cannot forgive himself for. Even my reassurance didn't help him. It…wouldn't be so simple for Jin, Ai. He needs time."
A long silence stretched between them. But Shui didn't want to end this on a negative note, and she quickly said, "But worry not, Ai! No matter how stubborn Jin is or how deep his wounds are, I would never give up on him. If he needs time, then I will give him that. I will patiently wait for him no matter how long it takes," she stared at her reflection in the mirror and said, "I believe that the Gods who made this miracle happen would never be cruel towards Jin. They would definitely…find a way."
'The Gods are watching everything. Their plans are far beyond what you can imagine. The only thing you should do is place your faith in fate because it is never set in stone.'
Those words were the only flicker of hope lighting Shui's heart, and she wanted to believe in them with all her heart.
Shui and Ai talked some more and eventually hung up. As she was about to keep her phone back, a news flash displayed on the screen.
'En-route from Beijing's airport, a dangerous car accident fatally injures the members of the Kang and Ren family - Kang Yuze, Kang Xue and Ren Alix. Condition critical.'