Chapter 443 A Never-Ending Maze

Ai wrapped her hands around his back and patted him. "And you are beside him today too."

"But he cannot see me wherever he is right now. How is he supposed to know that there is nothing to be afraid of? This didn't happen with us, Ai. How will we know when he will wake up?"

"I am sure he will be okay. Let's wait for him. I trust Jin. Whatever it is, he will definitely be strong enough to come out of it."

—

In that plethora of memories that floated around Jin, he sat at the core of that storm with a dead look in his eyes. He was tired. He was exhausted. His heart felt empty.

He didn't know how much time had passed. Was it five minutes? Or five hours? He was clueless. But to him, it felt like he was trapped in this memory hurricane like forever.

He was so tired that even his tears had given up on him. The last stains of those tears on his cheeks had dried up a long time ago. He simply sat there amidst the memory lane, waiting for somebody to help him out. Waiting for somebody to wake him out of this nightmare.

He stared at the pictures and every moment he ever spent with Jun and Shui. When he was forced to face his own locked up memories, it was at that point when the last strand of his patience had fallen apart. The shackles broke, and everything came into the light.

And when it did, some very nauseous feelings crept into his heart.

Despair.

Hopelessness.

Shame.

Guilt.

Every one of the last emotions he had kept from everybody and especially Jun, came pouring out as if a dam broke. He felt himself slip into a never-ending maze of darkness, stubbornly refusing to admit the truth.

And Jin didn't know when he would see the light ever again.

—

"Lu Bohai…"

Xing Bi mumbled under her breath as she walked on the pedestrian pathway. Nian explained some juicy details about Lu Bohai as she was also trying to peek into their conversation for some information.

Lu Bohai worked in Shi Publishing's marketing department. Even though he had been for close to six years with the company, his performance was average and he was one of the many employees of the company.

But lately, Shi Publishing seemed to have stalled. It was at a standstill where they desperately needed a push to revive their company's image in the market. The company dedicated most of its resources to Huan under her mother's orders. But Huan wasn't working on any new novel, and other authors hardly got any chance.

If this went on, Lu Bohai was in serious trouble as he had heard some whispers that there might be layoffs to cut off the spending of the company. And with his not-so-bright performance, he would definitely be among the first in line to be the ones to be laid off.

"In regards to his relationship with Sun Bai, my source said that she once dated his elder brother, Lu Long. But he died in an unfortunate accident two years back. Seems like she is still in touch with his brother."

She frowned. "I couldn't hear what they were talking about. But it felt like he was asking her something. And he seemed really desperate. It could be something personal or it could be professional too since he works at Shi Publishing. My senses say something is fishy."

Nian grinned. "What are you worried about? Your boyfriend is very capable. I can find that out for you~"

She smacked him on his head. "Who is my boyfriend!?"

"Me~"

"No, you are not!"

"Then when will that day come my dear?" He asked.

She harrumphed. "It won't be so easy."

He sighed.

The road is long…

When they reached back to Nian's bakery, Xing Bi was surprised to see another familiar face at the counter.

"Hou Lin?"

Hou Lin paused taking his parcel and turned. He blinked. "Miss. Xing."

She beamed. "What are you doing here?"

Nian alternated his gaze between the duo and felt extremely aggrieved.

"Xing Biiiii, you never beam at my sight!" He cried. "Who is this man!? Let me have a WORD with him!"

Xing Bi gasped and pulled him back. "What are you doing! He works in Liu Jun's company! Hou Lin."

"Never heard of him from Jun. Guess he is not that important…" he mumbled. "W-what is going on between you two?" He asked as he wiped his eyes.

Xing Bi smiled. "What will you do if I say something that you wouldn't want to hear?"

"Kill him."

"..."

He sniffled. "It's not wise to provoke the men in the Liu family…Just for your information."

He narrowed his eyes at Hou Lin. "Why do you work at Sky? What is your relationship with Xing Bi? Do you love her? You better not. Why are you here?"

"..."

Xing Bi wanted to jump off a cliff. She kicked the owner away in his own shop and sheepishly grinned at Hou Lin. "Ignore him."

Hou Lin said nothing. Instead, he faced Nian and answered. "I work at Sky because I like Mr. Liu Jun's vision for his company. That's why I want to work for him. Miss. Xing and I are colleagues. No, I don't love her. I am here to buy cake."

Xing Bi's brow twitched upon seeing him obediently answer Nian's questions.

Nian dusted his coat. "Are you sure you don't have any evil intentions for my Xing Bi?"

"I don't have any intentions for Miss. Xing. Evil or otherwise."

Nian internally decided to thoroughly talk to Jun about Hou Lin and his 'job' at Sky.

Sensing his intentions, Xing Bi warned Nian not to make anymore trouble for Hou Lin.

Nian burned with jealousy.

Why are you being so good to him!? You should have all your attention on meeeee!

She smiled at Hou Lin. "Hehe, what's the occasion for the cake? Wait, is it your birthday?"

"No. My friend's," he curtly replied. "That reminds me. It's quite a coincidence to see both you and Miss. Sun."

"You saw her too?"

"I saw a glimpse of her. She was talking to Lu Bohai."

Xing Bi was taken aback. "You know him?"

"I handle marketing in Sky, so I keep tabs on other company's marketing department that are rivals to Sky. Lu Bohai is in Shi Publishing's marketing department."

S-so diligent…

"And he is bad news."