Chapter 83: We Have Been Together for Three Years

Jiang Ci You regarded him with a smile that was neither entirely amused nor scornful. “How do you plan to make amends?”

A flicker of hope seemed to ignite in Yan Feng’s eyes. He gently took Jiang Ci You’s hand, probing cautiously, “Ci You, can we start over?”

His voice carried a note of pleading and humility, yet his gaze gradually filled with renewed hope.

Jiang Ci You slowly withdrew her hand from his grasp, her half-smile fixed on his eyes as the hope within them shattered piece by piece.

“Yan Feng, what makes you think that just because you turn back, I must do the same?”

Yan Feng’s face darkened, becoming increasingly unpleasant.

“And what makes you believe I’d abandon him for you, simply because of your narcissism and ignorance?”

His expression grew even more grim. “Ci You, I know you won’t forgive me. I’ve never been arrogant before you—only insecure.”

She would never understand how deeply insecure he was.

He knew his words were excessive, and that the resentment accumulated over three years couldn’t simply dissipate with his remorse. Yet now, he desperately wanted to hold onto her.

These past days, memories of the past tormented him every second, day and night. He finally understood that Jiang Ci You was the most precious person in his life. Her love had been selfless, pure, passionate, and innocent—a stark contrast to Xia Ling’s sordid schemes.

Whenever he recalled what he’d done to her, he wished he could go back and punch his foolish younger self.

Yan Feng continued, “Bo Jin Xiu isn’t the right man for you. His family ties are complicated. Such a top-tier family will inevitably choose another equally prestigious family for marriage. I’ve investigated: the Bo family values the Xue and Shen families most—they’re old aristocratic clans in the capital. If you really stay with him, at best you’ll remain a hidden lover.”

Jiang Ci You scoffed, her lips curling in derision. “You sound as if you’re considering my welfare.”

Yan Feng lowered his gaze. “I know I’m selfish, but I still don’t want to lose you. These days, I keep thinking of our past, our school days, when we were reckless and had eyes only for each other. Can we really never return to that?”

Jiang Ci You didn’t hesitate. She simply sighed deeply.

“Let’s not dwell on the past. Look to the future. For the sake of the Yan family, I don’t want to make things ugly, but I’ll tell you clearly: I, Jiang Ci You, never eat the grass I’ve already walked past.”

“Because of Bo Jin Xiu, does our twenty-year relationship mean less than a single month with him?”

Yan Feng sounded agitated.

Jiang Ci You turned to face him, her gaze steady and unwavering, calm and profound, not a ripple in her eyes. Yet her words struck Yan Feng like thunder.

“I’ve been with him for three years—since the day you and Xia Ling went abroad. So, it’s not just a month, as you think.”

“Sometimes I think everything now is the consequence of what happened then. The karma between you and me has ended, but with him, it’s only just begun. Whatever comes in the future, I accept it as fate.”

Yan Feng was stunned.

A long moment passed before he finally responded. “You’ve really been together three years?”

Jiang Ci You’s voice was steady. “I have no reason to lie to you.”

The last ember of hope within Yan Feng seemed to be extinguished. Three years—three long years. No wonder they shared the intimacy and understanding of lovers. It had already been three years. For a moment, Yan Feng was at a loss for words.

“Yan Feng, we should both look after ourselves.”

With that, Jiang Ci You strode forward.

Yan Feng stood frozen for a second, then suddenly dashed after her, pulling Jiang Ci You into his arms.

She was startled for half a moment and was about to struggle when, out of nowhere, she felt a massive impact against her back, as though some heavy object had slammed down.

Then she heard Yan Feng, who had shielded her, cough violently—a cough that brought up blood.

There was the loud crash of a wooden plank hitting the ground.

Jiang Ci You looked up.

Above them, a tower crane was at work, clearing debris from the site. At that moment, it was hoisting a pile of wooden boards directly overhead. Perhaps the boards hadn’t been secured properly; one piece slipped free and plummeted straight down toward them.

The plank was not large, but because it fell from such a height, it struck Yan Feng’s back with tremendous force, causing him to cough up blood.

That plank had been headed for her.

Jiang Ci You’s expression became grave.

“Yan Feng, are you all right?”

Yan Feng was bent over from the blow, unable to straighten up, his face ashen and twisted with pain. Yet he managed to grit out, “I’m fine.”

How could he possibly be fine?

Jiang Ci You kept her composure and quickly called Zhao Yuan, who was not far off, for help.

Soon, Operations Manager Hao Zhen hurried over.

“Boss, are you all right?” Hao Zhen had come from the Yan company and had been working under Yan Feng lately.

“He was hit by a plank that slipped off the tower crane. We need to get him to the hospital quickly.”

The crane operator rushed over as well. “What happened? What’s going on?”

Hao Zhen pointed at the operator and scolded loudly, “You’re finished. We’ll settle accounts with you later.”

Yan Feng was rushed to the medical room.

But the project site’s medical facility had just been established; most staff hadn’t arrived yet. There were only a few basic rooms, one doctor, and two nurses.

Half an hour later.

Yan Feng sat in a chair, shirt removed, as the doctor examined him. His color had improved and he was no longer coughing up blood. His back was swollen, with a large patch of bruising.

The doctor, a man in his fifties with glasses, finished his examination.

“At present, it looks like nothing serious—just a contusion of the soft tissue on his back. But since he coughed up blood, I recommend you go to a proper hospital for a comprehensive check-up; there could be internal injuries.”

Jiang Ci You spoke decisively. “No time to lose. Take our car to Rui’an Hospital—leave immediately.”

But Yan Feng sat motionless in his chair, silent for a moment before saying, “I’m fine. No need to go.”

Jiang Ci You frowned at him. “Yan Feng, this isn’t a joke.”

Her feelings were complicated. No matter what, Yan Feng had shielded her from harm. She couldn’t simply stand by.

As they stood at an impasse, Hao Zhen spoke up.

“Reporter Jiang, you may not know, but our project director, though the highest authority on the contractor side, is still subject to the client’s leadership. Our boss was assigned here by the Crown Prince. He said that once work began, our boss must eat and live with the frontline workers, and cannot leave unless absolutely necessary.”

“It’s only the first day. If our boss says he needs to leave because of an injury, the Crown Prince of the Bo family might think he’s faking illness, and see him as unreliable and irresponsible. If they use this as an excuse to replace the contractor, our boss can’t bear that responsibility.”