Chapter 180 - THE PROMISE, THE SECRET {V}

Zhaolin had found it had to believe, but then there was no other reason to explain how she had a child, as old as that. She had never been married.

He was distraught. It would be a lie if he said he wasn't hurting. His heart, was in shambles. His head refused to settle, his eyes wandered about.

How did it all spiral out of control.

Slowly his eyes focused on a very familiar figure, they were actually two of them.

Xueyan and Qingran. She was carrying the little girl that was grinning widely while she played with her.

Her mouth moved and Qingran clapped her hands together then spread them wild.

Zhaolin smiled unconsciously. They look so sweet.

His heart twisted in pain, like a screw was passing through his ċhėst and deep into his heart.Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click <a href="#&apos;s-love_13372375705587405/the-promise-the-secret-%7Bv%7D_51622983705358306">#&apos;s-love_13372375705587405/the-promise-the-secret-%7Bv%7D_51622983705358306</a> for visiting.

Soon the mother and daughter pair disappeared from his sight into their apartment.

He swallowed, because his throat was dried up. He needed water, but now he was even too weak to move. He hands refused to ignite the car as they say immobile on his ŀȧp, his head drooping over.

He stayed there for as long as who knew it, then decided to come down.

Feeling this much pain, how much pain would she have felt when she found out? And then how much more when she discovered she was pregnant. 

He tried imagining it and felt only more pain.

Zhaolin legs felt heavy, his whole energy was drained. He took slow steps towards the entrance of their apartment then stopped in front of the elevator. He stood there a while more without pressing the buŧŧon.

He then turned back and headed for his car, why would he meet her now? What will he talk to her about? Will he ask again and again what happened in those eight years?

Will he ask about Qingran's father? Ask whether she's married.

Or will he apologize for not finding her earlier? For being absent in those eight years. For losing the most important part of his memory. 

And she? She will forgive him? 

He himself didn't want to be forgiven. He didn't deserve it. It had just been a fleeting moment but he had left her.

He had abandoned her... He had been the worst lover without realizing it himself.

He was a Xing by name, he had no authority. He was so useless, just like he was back then. He couldn't find anything about her, and even that he had the most vital information... He still couldn't find out who the culprit was.

Zhaolin took in a deep breath rested his back against his car and looked up at the night sky. There was no moon, just some almost invisible stars.

The phone in his pocket vibrated, he took it out to see it was a message from Zhihao.

<Since you aren't coming home tonight, I'm going over my grandparents place.>

Zhaolin eyes moved to check the time, it was fifteen pass ten. 

<Make sure to reply when you get my message.>

Zhaolin hand moved to tap on the screen and another message entered.

<Why are you taking time in introducing that special person to me? You want her all to yourself? Or you are scared of me giving her the same cold shoulder I give to Shiya? Don't worry, I'll like her. Shiya isn't just likeable.>

Zhaolin smiled, Zhihao was another version of him. Easy going and sweet but not to people that faked everything.

Shiya didn't Zhihao, and she had shown it to him when he was younger... But she was now trying to buŧŧer up to him since he was smart and if he supported her... Zhaolin would have no choice but to continue to pretend with Shiya.

Yes, it was all pretence. Nothing they had was real.

He shook his head, not wanting to think about that two faced woman.

His phone vibrated for the fourth time and he checked to see it was yet another message from Zhihao. <You should have fun and stop being by yourself always. I wonder why you have besties but still don't go out to enjoy yourself.>

Zhaolin scowled. Not like you have friends yourself.

<Alright, I love you. Good night.>

Zhaolin smiled even though it suddenly felt foreign to him, Zhihao was his ray of sunshine.

<I will, soon. Good night and I love you too.>

Zhaolin put the phone back into his pocket, entered the car and drove off. He pulled over at a 24/7 supermarket to get water.

As he came out, gulping the water down he saw a figure moving towards him.

The person got close and said something. He didn't catch it that instant but then it was able to settle in.

"Why are you out here suffering alone?"

His hand holding the water dropped to his side and he eyed her.

"What do you mean?"

She got closer and rested against his car. "I guessed you found out." Jiuwen tried her very best not to let her emotions show.

"Just now." His tone was filled with regrets. "After all these years," he locked eyes with Jiuwen.

Jiuwen averted her eyes. "We weren't able to hide it forever,"

Zhaolin hissed. "What would you all have gained?"

"Zhaolin..."

"You hid it all these while to hurt or protect me?"

Jiuwen didn't know how to answer.

"Even you too,"

She laughed, it was awkward and a trace of sadness. "Zhaolin,"

"You also joined them in believing it was best for me? Lying to my face... How many more know about this?"

Jiuwen's hand went to twist her hair out of nervousness.

"And you waited patiently for me to find out, so you could suffer with me?"

"Zhaolin it's not like..."

"Then I wonder what it is like."

Jiuwen didn't have enough words to say. "Zhaolin I'm sorry."

"That's what Jingyao had said too." Zhaolin looked down. "He's sorry. Just like you."

Riuwen hadn't told him who the culprit was...

The secret they held in them all these years was finally out. They had promised to keep it to themselves but look... How they failed.

"How long more did you plan on lying to me?"

He eyes misted up.

"JUST HOW LONG MORE‽"

"You had even wanted us to get back together without me finding out the truth? How disgusting of you."

Jiuwen's mouth fell open. She moved back, pained by his accusation. He was right though. It was the truth.

Without another word from him, he entered his car and drove away. He had no destination in mind, but he ended up at the Four Wheels Cooperation.

He had been able to raise the Xings motor company to greater heights, from the number three to the number one. Not only in the country but all over Asia but he failed at one thing.

He had failed her woefully. There was no other word that was more suitable.

He was a failure and the worst lover.

Is that why she had refused him at the beginning? Because he had been absent when she needed him most?

Zhaolin entered the big lobby of Four Wheels that was eerily quiet and empty. His eyes wandered about for a while before he strode towards the elevator, pressed the last buŧŧon and got in.

Inside his office, he booted on his personal ŀȧptop as his computer had fallen when he kicked the couch earlier.

The office wasn't as messy as he had left it, it was thoroughly cleaned except the fact that a computer was missing.

He searched online for Tianqing High and started reading through it.

No matter how much he read there was no single article about the rȧpė. No news about it. It was like it never happened.

Then he came to a conclusion that whomever had committed the crime had his family cover up his tracks. 

He will find out for sure.