Prologue

After a moment, Liang Jingxing took his leave. Jiang Ci accompanied him to the door and politely expressed her gratitude.

Jiang Ci raised her head, the dark blue coat accentuating her deep black eyes, with pupils resembling two inorganic glass beads. Her waist-length black hair hung down, and her sparse brows and features conveyed an overall sense of coldness, "There is nothing left."

Miss Jiang," Liang Jinghang looked at Jiang Ci and took a step forward, "... I once borrowed a sum of money from your father, and I have come today primarily to repay the debt

Jiang Ci hesitated for a moment and said, "Yes."

A week later, it was heard that all the funeral arrangements had been taken care of. Liang Jingxing could not help but think of Jiang Ci's words from the day of the memorial service, feeling uneasy. He found some time to visit the Jiang residence.

The tattered black clouds pressed against the horizon, having unleashed several rains, the light of day was thin, resembling the murky gaze of a dying person casting a final glance at the world.

Liang Jingxing took the water bottle, gently placed it on the plastic stool, and looked down at her, "Are you sick?"

Liang Jingxing opened his umbrella and said, "No need to be polite." He walked a few meters away, then turned back to take a glance. Jiang Ci remained standing in place, her dark hair lifted by the wind, gently brushing against her pale face. Her pitch-black eyes seemed to glimmer with a hint of light, though upon closer inspection, it appeared to be merely an illusion.

Jiang Ci wore a floor-length black velvet dress, bowing to each person who came to pay their respects, her expression unchanged as she listened to the repeated phrases of "please accept my condolences".

A thousand words were instantly lodged in his throat; his lips parted slightly, yet he graciously said: "... ... Please accept my condolences and adapt to the changes."

Liang Jingxing entered the room and placed a bouquet of white chrysanthemums in front of Jiang Ci's father's memorial photo. The large mourning hall was quiet and oppressive, with some people lowering their voices to gather and converse. Liang Jingxing caught a few words, which he found quite jarring, and could not help but direct his gaze towards the entrance.

The young girl lowered her gaze, lightly bowed, her expression showing no change whatsoever

Jiang Ci shook his head, turned his head slightly, and cleared his throat, "Mr. Liang, please have a seat"

Jiang Ci's eyelashes fluttered gently, her lips pressed into a line resembling a sharp blade. This was the first time Liang Jingxing had seen a change in her expression since she entered the room. However, she said nothing, only letting out a soft "oh".

Liang Jingxing withdrew his gaze and turned to leave

Liang Jingxing took out a cigarette and lit it, walking to the window to open it a crack. The rain fell in a chaotic manner, intertwining and blurring the once distinct boundary between heaven and earth. After a long while, he moved his finger, and a long piece of ash suddenly broke off, blown into fine dust by the sudden chill of spring wind rushing in through the window.

Jiang Ci remained silent for a long time, and finally, she slowly extended her hand to take the check

Jiang Ci lowered her head to look at her toes, her body trembling slightly, as if the ash that had just clung to the cigarette between her fingers was about to be scattered by the wind at any moment. After a long while, she gently bit her lip and said, "... People come and go, Mr. Liang, I am very grateful for your willingness to come over"

March, the return of cold in spring

Liang Jingxing asked again, "Do you have any other relatives?"

Liang Jingxing lowered his head to look at her and said, "Then take it."

Liang Jingxing lowered his head to look at her, "Pardon my frankness, but did your father leave behind any assets..."

Liang Jingxing took out the checkbook, filled in the amount of 100,000, and handed it to Jiang Ci

Jiang Ci nodded

The floor-to-ceiling windows on all four sides, the sound of rain pattering outside, raindrops slowly sliding down the glass

Jiang Ci still stood there, her figure slender, like a faint ink mark, ready to vanish into the grayish daylight at any moment

Liang Jingxing lowered his gaze and caught sight of a thick stack of documents on the side table, suggesting that the lawyer had already been there. A sudden wave of annoyance surged within him, and he asked in a low voice, "May I smoke a cigarette"

The villa has been sealed off, with genuine leather sofas, rosewood furniture, and a display cabinet filled with antiques... all covered with seals. Jiang Ci somehow found a red plastic stool— the kind commonly seen at cheap outdoor stalls— and pulled out a bottle of mineral water from a cardboard box standing against the wall, handing it to Liang Jingxing, "There is no hot water in the house, please forgive me." Her cheeks were flushed unnaturally, and there was a layer of dead skin on her lips.

Jiang Ci glanced over, murmured a thank you, and stuffed it into the pocket of his coat

"It's nothing." Liang Jingxing looked around, feeling somewhat constrained. Remembering the purpose of his visit, he spoke again, "Miss Jiang, I was an old friend of your father. If you find yourself in any difficulty, I am willing to offer my humble assistance." As he spoke, he took out a business card from his pocket.

Liang Jingxing stood in the rain with an umbrella, silently gazing for a long time, and finally stepped forward. He gently grasped Jiang Ci's pale hand, and was suddenly taken aback—her fingers were as cold as frozen stones, entirely unlike those of a living being