Plunder-Chapter 274 Self-inflicted Trouble
Soon, the two of them arrived at the hospital.
Outside Xu Mei’s ward, several police officers were still on guard.
Zhou Jin’an approached and explained to the police, Director Huang had already given instructions, so Qiao En changed into a sterile suit and entered Xu Mei’s ward.
The woman who once had been so vibrant was now disfigured beyond recognition due to a severe fire.
She was wrapped in gauze all over, but the skin showing on her face still revealed the severity of her injuries.
As soon as Qiao En appeared, Xu Mei moved her eyes toward her.
Seeing it was Qiao En, she was somewhat surprised.
"Manager Xu, long time no see."
Qiao En approached Xu Mei, pulled up a chair, and sat down at the head of her bed.
"Would you like some water?"
She asked.
Xu Mei stared blankly at Qiao En for a long time, seemingly in disbelief that Qiao En would actually appear in her ward.
Qiao En smiled faintly, "I’m pregnant, six months along."
She stood up, revealing her bulging belly.
Xu Mei’s eyelids dimmed, devoid of any luster.
"President An has been arrested; Wang Liang has confessed everything. Setting the fire to burn you was President An’s idea. Actually, I feel quite sorry for you. You loved President An so much, did so much for him, and in the end, you ended up in such a state."
After Qiao En spoke, she lowered her eyes.
Startled, Xu Mei asked in a coarse, low voice, "How do you know I loved him?"
"I am a woman too, and of course I can see your feelings for him are different. If it wasn’t for deep love, how could you willingly risk your life for him? But Manager Xu, do you think all of this is worth it?"
This question stumped Xu Mei.
Everyone thought she was willing to risk her life for An Jinhua out of his appreciation, but no one knew that it was due to a woman’s unconditional love.
Because of love, she was willing to go through fire and water for him.
Xu Mei didn’t respond, and Qiao En continued leisurely, "Do you think he loves you?"
Does he love me?
Xu Mei had asked herself this question countless times.
Out of love, perhaps, or else why would he trust her so completely, entrusting her with such important matters?
And, he had said that she was the person he trusted the most.
But if he truly loved her, why then at a critical moment did he abandon her and even choose to kill to silence her?
Her heart was incredibly conflicted.
"Manager Xu, the premise of loving someone should be to love yourself first. For his sake, you’ve placed yourself in a trap, disregarding your own life and death. How could he love you when you are like this?"
Qiao En revealed how An Jinhua had poisoned Old Master An and almost killed his own mother, which Xu Mei was unaware of until that moment and was shocked to hear.
"Such a person, do you think he has love in his heart? He only has himself. To fulfill his own ambitions, he doesn’t hesitate to use everyone as pawns."
Xu Mei knew all this, but no one had ever told her so clearly.
"You can choose to be silent, take on everything alone, and at worst spend the latter half of your life lonely in prison. And what about him? A few years in jail and he’ll be out, continuing to act with impunity, he will quickly forget about you, and someone new will take your place. Are you willing to accept that?"
Qiao En’s words seemed to hit the spot for Xu Mei.
Hidden in the heart of every person who has loved without being loved in return is an unwilling seed.
When the time comes, that seed will sprout.
"Take care of yourself, I’ll be leaving, Manager Xu."
Qiao En slowly stood up and walked towards the door.
"If I were Manager Xu, I definitely wouldn’t be so foolish. The feeling of freedom is truly great; you are still young and so beautiful, sooner or later you will meet your match and start your own happiness. Moon in the mirror, flower in the water, after all, it’s merely an illusion."
After speaking, Qiao En didn’t stay any longer.
The door opened, and Zhou Jin’an immediately embraced Qiao En’s shoulders.
He cautioned her in a low voice, "What took so long? Are you tired? Let’s go home."
But in his eyes, there was full tenderness for her.
The door closed once again.
Yet Xu Mei etched this moment into her memory.
She stared at the ceiling for a long time and finally made a decision.
The next day, good news came from Director Huang: Xu Mei had confessed to everything.
An Jinhua had been up to no good for many years, but with Xu Mei speaking up, all the dirty business came to light.
With everything settled, it was a cause for universal celebration.
Yet, no one had expected that An Jinhua would choose self-harm in the detention center.
As a result, he had to be isolated, and he began to protest by fasting.
"He’s clamoring to see you. Whether to see him or not, it’s your decision to make."
Director Huang informed Zhou Jin’an of the latest news about An Jinhua.
"Let’s meet, arrange it for me."
Zhou Jin’an pondered for a moment and then made a decision.
Three days later, Zhou Jin’an met An Jinhua in the detention center.
The man who used to be so elegantly poised had now become a prisoner at the bottom of society.
The meticulously groomed hair, always swept back neatly, was now shaved to a buzz cut.
He always cared about his appearance, his physique, his looks, his clothing, but now that yellow vest added a touch of mockery to him.
Upon seeing each other, An Jinhua’s emotions exploded once again.
"Zhou Jin’an, may you not die a good death!"
He cursed incessantly.
All semblance of manner and composure was gone.
He had been reduced to a reluctant clown.
Seeing An Jinhua like this, Zhou Jin’an’s eyes darkened.
"You brought this on yourself,"
Zhou Jin’an said indifferently.
"Without you, would I have fallen to this state? Zhou Jin’an, you bastard, what right do you have to own everything that should’ve been mine?"
He raved like a madman, eyes bulging, spouting nonsense.
"Bastard" was the term Zhou Jin’an hated most.
From a young age, people at school called him that.
Each time he heard it, he would fight back, though he always ended up hurt.
This time, he clenched his fists, wishing he could punch An Jinhua to death, but he refrained.
"Whether or not I’m qualified is not for you to say. But now you’ve lost everything, and I have the final word. Starting from tomorrow, An Corporation will be taken over by Nanchen. An Jinhua, just wait to spend your life behind bars."
Zhou Jin’an didn’t want to waste another word on him. He stood up and walked out.
An Jinhua slammed the table forcefully, "I don’t agree. Why? An Corporation is my life’s work, why should it go to you?"
"Zhou Jin’an, even as a ghost, I won’t let you off!"
He shrieked.
But Zhou Jin’an’s footsteps had already faded away.
And he would lose his freedom forever.
After leaving the detention center, Zhou Jin’an stood under a tall banyan tree, smoking one cigarette after another.
Bastard.
When An Jinhua easily spat out those three words, his heart was pierced.
Childhood shadows could be dispelled, yet they always lurked, ready to return.
Suddenly, he seemed to understand Mrs. Zhou.
Hadn’t she spent decades trying to clear her name, feeling precisely what he was feeling now?
He had only taken a couple of puffs on the cigarette when he threw it on the ground and stamped it out fiercely.
He drove the Maybach straight to Central Hospital.
When Zhou Jin’an arrived, Aunt Liu was wiping Mrs. Zhou’s calves.
"Madam, don’t worry about the young master. He’s doing quite well now. You’ll be holding your grandchild soon, so please wake up."
Hearing these words, Zhou Jin’an felt a pang in his heart.
He pushed the door open.
"The young master, why are you here?"
Aunt Liu was happily surprised. She turned back to glance at Mrs. Zhou with the towel in her hand.
"Stay with the madam for a while. I’ll go change the water."
Aunt Liu was teary-eyed. She picked up the basin and hurriedly walked out.
"Aunt Liu, thank you for your hard work."
Zhou Jin’an said.
Aunt Liu paused, astonished.
"Young master, it’s no trouble at all."
She said, choked up, and left the room.
As the door closed, Zhou Jin’an pulled up a chair and sat beside Mrs. Zhou’s bed.
Her hands were very old, covered in wrinkles.
Zhou Jin’an took them in his, clenching them in his palms. He bowed his head, pressing it against the back of Mrs. Zhou’s hands.
"Mom, please wake up soon."
He began, his heart filled with a bitter tang.
Hot tears spilled from his eyes, soaking Mrs. Zhou’s hands.
"Mom, I’m sorry I never understood you. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely clear your name."
Zhou Jin’an said with conviction.
Just as he finished speaking, Mrs. Zhou’s fingers twitched slightly.
Zhou Jin’an abruptly looked up at Mrs. Zhou; her eyelids were trembling as though she was about to awaken.
"Mom, are you awake?"
Zhou Jin’an said excitedly.
"Aunt Liu, quickly call the doctor."
Aunt Liu immediately summoned the doctor. As before, he was told Mrs. Zhou could wake up at any moment.
Any moment, yet when exactly that would be remained unknown.
"Young master, go on with your business. I’ll take care of the madam. I talk to her every day, and she will surely wake up soon."
Aunt Liu consoled.
Zhou Jin’an nodded heavily.
After leaving the hospital, Zhou Jin’an went straight back to Chu Garden.
As he entered the house, he found one more person inside.
