Chapter 59

I told the housekeeper that I would be leaving—but not to the place Lin Xiao had arranged—so his job was already done, and he could go. At first, he refused, but because I insisted, he eventually left.

I casually packed a few clothes and took a couple of books. Only then did I realize that I truly didn’t have much luggage—just like when I first moved into Lin Xiao’s home five years ago.

Just then, there was another knock on the door. I figured it must be Jin Fei—and it was. But when he saw me packing, his eyes showed both excitement and panic.

“Zhenxi, you’ve decided to leave?”

“Mm.” I answered lightly.

“When are you going?”

“In the next few days.”

“I’ll go with you!” Jin Fei turned me around to face him.

“What did you say?” I frowned slightly.

“I said I want to leave with you!” he repeated seriously.

“What about your family?”

“They’ll understand.”

“And your assets?”

“Zhenxi, is that what you’re worried about? You know that nothing matters more to me than you. For you, I can give up everything. As long as you’re by my side, I can let it all go!”

A strange warmth rose in my heart. I couldn’t deny it—at that moment, I was truly moved. Thinking back to what Andy had said, Jin Fei really was willing to give up everything for me… but then why couldn’t Lin Xiao do the same? He had never given me such a promise. Never…

I gave a bitter smile. “Jin Fei, I’m not worth it. I’m just an obsession for you—something blocking your vision. Once I leave, you’ll see that there are so many people around you who are worth loving. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but the person who deserves your love the most has always been by your side.”

“Is that so?” Jin Fei smiled bitterly as well.

“Then now that Lin Xiao has left you, why can’t you look around you too? Maybe you’ll discover who truly loves you… who truly cherishes you.”

“Jin Fei…” His words left me speechless. That feeling of being moved made it impossible not to waver, but all I could do was deflect.

“Jin Fei, I need time to calm down. Will you give me that time?”

He believed me. Smiling, he agreed, his eyes shining with joy. I knew what I was doing was a bit cruel, but I couldn’t ruin him. Jin Fei was too important to me—precisely because of that, I couldn’t accept him.

After sending him off with excuses, I immediately booked a train ticket—departure in two days. It was better to leave as soon as possible.

The next day, I visited my parents’ graves, bought some daily necessities, and returned to the hotel. There was no longer anyone to wait for, no one to worry about. That night, I slept soundly—for the first time in a long while.

Early the following morning, I picked up my already packed luggage and left the room. But as I passed through the hotel lobby, I saw a news broadcast on the large screen:

Lin Xiao, a wealthy heir, and Yan Jing would be getting married soon.

Without any expression, I carried my luggage into a taxi and headed straight for the station. As I stood on the platform, I thought to myself: everything here is about to come to an end.

After boarding the train, I took out my phone and called Jin Fei. If there was anything I still felt attached to in this place, it was him—that gentle, pure, warm-hearted boy. And yet, I had deceived him, leaving without even saying goodbye.

The call connected. I was about to speak when a voice came from the other end—but it wasn’t Jin Fei.

“You’ve already played your part in the show I asked you to act in. Now keep a close eye on her. Nothing must go wrong before my wedding! Otherwise, I really will kill her!”

“Zhenxi is no longer your concern. Just take care of your groom. But you’d better remember what you promised me. I will fulfill my end of the deal.”

“Brat, have you gotten used to talking to your sister like this? If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had to suffer so much. And now you don’t even appreciate it!”

“Heh… are you really doing this just for me?”

“You little brat, so sharp! Honestly, it’s a pity you’re not an actor. That bitch was completely fooled by you—didn’t suspect a thing. Even I almost believed it myself.”

I hung up the phone. I didn’t have the courage to keep listening—I was afraid I would completely break down.

It wasn’t that I had never noticed something strange between Jin Fei and Yan Jing before. But I had always assumed that in powerful families like theirs, business connections were inevitable. It didn’t seem unusual that they might know each other—that’s why Yan Jing had always shown some restraint around Jin Fei.

But now, thinking back, I finally understood.

Why was it that every time I was in danger, Jin Fei would appear just in time?

Why was everything always such a coincidence?

Because he had been part of it all along.

Suddenly, I wanted to laugh—laugh out loud, ignoring the strange looks from others. Because only now did I realize…

I was the most ridiculous one of all.

I had always been the pitiful one.

All along, I was nothing more than a pawn they manipulated at will—for reputation, for profit. In their eyes, I was a tool, a beggar, a pet… but never a lover.

Not a single one of them had ever truly treated me with sincerity.