"I heard your parents moved to Kia City because of Yanjun," Xiang Hulin was talking to Zhai Kuijun as they came out after having a meal. "Are you also gonna live with them?"
"What am I? Five?" retorted Zhai Kuijun. "Why would I live with my parents?" He took a pause and added, "But I will pay them a visit. Do you..." His words trailed off as his eyes set on a familiar figure. But within a second, that familiar figure was gone. He ran over to look and even went out of the restaurant but couldn't find that figure again.
"Kuijun, what's wrong?" inquired Xiang Hulin as he caught up with him. "Who are you looking for?"
"Just now..." Zhai Kuijun took a pause to catch his breath before adding, "I thought I saw her."
"Who?"
"Yue Yue," he replied in a daze.
Xiang Hulin hit his shoulder, "Just yesterday, you didn't want to talk about her and now, you are even seeing her?"
Zhai Kuijun was pulled out of his thoughts by his words as he frowned, "When did I say I don't want to talk about her?"
"Didn't you say yesterday, that you don't talk about her?" reminded Xiang Hulin.
Zhai Kuijun shook his head, "No, I meant I haven't heard anyone around me talking about her. Especially her family. It's like it's a crime to bring up her name." He sighed out heavily, "But why did you assume I wouldn't want to talk about her? She was my closest friend. Even before I married her sister, she was my friend. I have no reason to hate her. In fact, I don't think anyone can hate her."
"Her parents do," said Xiang Hulin. "Also, your wife as well."
"That's the mystery, Hulin," replied Zhai Kuijun helplessly. "No one is willing to even tell what she did wrong. If I so much as say her name out loud, my wife starts throwing things at me."
Xiang Hulin waited a while before inquiring, "Are you sure you just saw her? Alive? And it wasn't just your mind playing games with you?"
Zhai Kuijun called back to the scene and frowned, "Maybe my mind is indeed playing games with me." He took a pause and caught on to something as he stared at Xiang Hulin, "And what the hell do you mean by 'Alive?' Of course, she is alive! Even if what I saw was wrong, she is still alive."
"How are you so certain?" Xiang Hulin shot back. Zhai Kuijun went silent in reply. "You know, there are plenty of rumors. Some people say that she is dead. Some people say that she ran away with someone. Some even say that she is still imprisoned inside the Yue Manor. In a dark room, all alone and helpless."
Zhai Kuijun kicked him away, "Hulin, seriously? What nonsense is this?"
"I'm just telling you a couple of bizarre versions of the rumors that had been circulating for years. It's not my fault that people have rich imaginations." Since no one knew the truth behind the Yue family's second miss's disappearance, people came up with their own versions to feed their curiosity and gossipy minds.
"How come I've never heard any of it in all those years?" inquired Zhai Kuijun incredulously.
"You're Yue family's son-in-law, who would dare talk casually around you?" He took a moment before asking, "By the way, it was because of Yue Yue that you met your wife, right?" Zhai Kuijun nodded in agreement. "Then why didn't you try to help her?"
"I wasn't around when she left," replied Zhai Kuijun. "By the time, I came back, it was already too late. I couldn't find her anywhere. Don't you remember, I even tried to use your position to find her whereabouts but it was to no avail. She really disappeared. Even you couldn't find her."
Xiang Hulin sighed helplessly, "That can't be helped, bro. Back then, technology wasn't as advanced as it is now. Even the surveillance cameras were not that common. I tried my best."
"I know," replied Zhai Kuijun. "She just didn't want to be found. So, she hid perfectly. I just wish she is doing well wherever she is. And I also hope, she is happy."
"Well, that's all you can do anyway," added Xiang Hulin.
Zhai Kuijun gave him a look before saying, "I'm going to Kia City to see my parents next week. Do you want to come along?"
"Why would I go with you to see your parents?"
"Because your father is also in Kia City. Not only that, but even your youngest one is also there. There is a possibility that you might have a chance to encounter her like you just met Mu Chenyan twice. Are you sure you don't want to try?"
Xiang Hulin was tempted by his words but he still held himself back. "I can't."
"Why?" questioned Zhai Kuijun.
"You know why," answered Xiang Hulin. "Don't make me repeat it."
"Well, I won't say hi to your daughter even if I ran into her," said Zhai Kuijun. "In fact, I think I should actively go over to look for her. If I go to see Koshing, it'll be easier to meet her."
"Will you shut up?"
Zhai Kuijun grinned at him slyly, "Why? Are you jealous that I can meet your daughter so easily?"
"YES!" exclaimed Xiang Hulin at his face. "I am jealous! Are you happy now?!"
Zhai Kuijun retracted his grin and patted Xiang Hulin's shoulder, "Don't worry. You're not allowed to seek her out but there is a possibility that she might come to look for you."
Xiang Hulin smiled bitterly, "That will never happen, Kuijun. She will never come to look for me." Although he wasn't familiar with Raelle, his heart still believed that she won't come. For some reason, he wasn't even willing to have a slight hope regarding this. It was pointless, after all.
If only he knew how true his thoughts really were.
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