In the crescent swing, Jun had Ai wrapped around his arm as they embraced in silence. Nobody was really in a mood to eat after returning from the carnival. They had a simple and light dinner and moved to spend some time in the swing.
"Jun."
"Hm?"
As her head laid against his shoulder, she softly asked, "Did you ever feel like wishing to know what must have happened after your death in the past?"
"Many times. I was a coward who ran away from my mistakes and gave up on my life. But when I woke up, I have thought about this countless times. What happened after my death? What did Dad and my family go through? Jin died, then Mom and then...me too. Losing three people at once...just what happened to my family in the end?"
His voice turned hoarser. "Sometimes, I wish to know. Sometimes, I wish I better remain in the dark because I know they must have only suffered. It would have been miserable, and I...would never be able to forgive myself," he whispered.
He gently lowered his gaze. "You?"
"Me too. I wondered what happened to Mom and Dad? How did they take the news? I was their only child. How must have they felt seeing my dead body? What happened to Xing Bi and why did she have to die? What happened to Yating and Guiying? How did they live their lives? Did they ever feel guilty for hurting me? Did they feel sad after I was gone even if a little bit? I have so many questions...And after talking to Grandma today, I feel even more strongly about this."
She pursed her lips. "After learning what Yating had planned for, I want to know more about him and Guiying. What exactly was going on? And how is she connected to both of us?"
He exhaled a soft breath. "The only thing that connects all three of us is our job. Our writing world. But as I told you before, I just knew who she was. I never personally met her just like I never met you. But still...her brother, Cai Lingyun, worked for me. I am wondering..."
"What is it?" She looked up.
"I was matching up the timing in my mind. I met him shortly after I was thrown out of home. It was after Shui's twenty-fifth birthday. Did something happen around that time related to Cai Guiying that I am unaware of?"
"Possible," she gave it a serious thought too.
Her mind lit up with a suggestion, and she glanced at Jun again. It seemed that he was thinking of the same idea but with hesitation.
"I think you understand whom to ask."
He slightly cleared his throat. "I know. Jin..."
She nodded. "You told me that at the time you and Shui were separate, Jin was closer to her. If this something happened around her birthday or maybe even sometime before that, he might know something that you didn't."
"...Will he help me?" He doubtfully asked.
Her smile was filled with hope. "I am sure of it. Didn't Grandma say that you two need to work together to reach the truth? Maybe, this is what she is talking about. She also said that you two need to be together for the fire in his heart to extinguish. Doesn't it mean this is a chance for him to slowly let go of his resentments against you? I am sure this is what will bring the two brothers together," her eyes sparkled. "We three are the only ones to be reborn. It must definitely mean something."
He lightly pinched the tip of her nose. "When you say it like that, I cannot help but feel hopeful too."
"You should. I know in my heart that your relationship with him won't remain sour for long," her eyes twinkled.
Jun chuckled as he let out a breath. "What would I have done without you, Ai?"
She looked serious but proud. "I know. I am so cute and a genius. You might have missed out on so many things."
"Oh my God, you are really a narcissist."
She took his phone and handed it to him. "Call him."
"Right now?"
"Why not?" She narrowed her eyes. "I am pretty sure if I left you with it, you will only overthink and do nothing else."
He cleared his throat and defended himself. "I am not so hopeless."
She pushed him out the swing. "Yes, so show me that by taking some action."
After being mercilessly dumped outside, Jun slowly walked towards the balcony and stared at his phone. He wasn't sure how things would go after their last conversation at the get-together party.
He finally clicked on his number and heard it ring. He patted the tiny beads of sweat forming on his forehead as the number kept on ringing, but Jin didn't pick up.
He definitely doesn't want to talk to me...
If it had been the last life, Jin would have answered his brother's call just after one ring. But this wasn't the last life and this wasn't the same Jin.
Jun felt his hopes deflate and with it, his shoulders drooped. He slowly lowered his phone in defeat.
"...Bro?"
"Jin!" Feeling shocked, he spoke louder than expected.
There was a pause on the other side. "Yes?"
Jun carefully gauged his voice. It didn't sound particularly affected. Rather, it was quite monotone.
"Jin. How are you?" Jun patted his forehead once again.
"In what terms are you asking? Physically? Fine. Mentally? Not so sure."
His heart winced with guilt. "O-oh...I mean..."
"Come to the point, Bro. You are not good at talking about things in circles."
His brow twitched. "S-sorry. I wanted to ask if...can we meet tomorrow?"
Silence.
"For?"
Jun scratched the top of his head. He wasn't sure where to start with talking about fortune telling and the elderly mystic woman. "I want to ask a few questions about our last life. Something that I might not know but you do."
"What do you want to gain from this?"
"The truth."
"Is there one?"
"I am sure of it. There is something at large that is hidden from us. There are some things which you know and a few which I do. But nobody has the bigger picture. We might be able to put the puzzle together if we talk about it."
He said nothing.
Jun probed. "...Will you?"
Jin replied after much thought. "Okay."
His expression brightened like the sun. "Thanks!!" He spoke loudly again.
"You will tear off my ears, Bro."
"..."
"Sorry."
"Will you come home or do you want to meet outside?"
Jun thought about it. "Can you come to my condo? It will be easier to talk privately here."
"Will that 'naturally lovable and warm person' be there too?" He sarcastically asked.
"..."
His brow heavily twitched, and he looked back at Ai. She was staring at him expectantly.
What did you do to him, Ai?
"Well since she is also reborn, she can help us too."
"Alright. But tell her not to say a word to me or I will be out," Jin hung up.
"..."
Jun walked back to the swing. Ai asked, "Did he agree?"
"Yes."
She beamed. "See? I knew it."
"But the condition is that you won't talk to him at all."
She furrowed her brows. "Why not?"
"You are really asking that question?" He grimaced.
"Of course. Jin and I spent such a good time together on Chen Zixin's case. We bonded so well that day," she looked proud. "He likes me a lot now."
"..."
Was that bonding? How come it doesn't reflect in Jin's attitude?
He smiled and ruffled her head. "You better not talk to him as he says."
She slightly puffed up her cheeks and harrumphed. "You two brothers are such tsunderes, I tell you."
"..."
--
The bell rang the next morning, and Jun hastily opened the door. Jin stood before him in a casual shirt and jeans.
"Jin," Jun softly smiled.
Jin simply gave a nod. He stepped inside the condo and took a seat on the couch.
Jun quickly said, "I will bring something for you."
"No need. I already had breakfast."
He pressed his lips. "O-of course. Well then..."
He sat opposite him and glanced at their room.
Where is Ai?
"What is it that you wanted to ask me?" Jin asked.
"Yeah that-"
Just then, the door opened and Ai came out, her handbag slung across her shoulder.
Jun blinked. "Are you going somewhere?"
"Yes. To the library."
"Huh? But we are supposed to talk to Jin today."
She nodded. "I know. But you can continue without me. I just got inspiration for my new book last night!" She clapped her hands once in delight. "I want to work on it."
"Huh?"
Ai said with regret, "I know I am very popular and you two will definitely miss not having me around you..."
Jin's gaze darkened.
"But I am sure you two can handle it. I am getting late. Bye."
She looked at Jin. "My apologies that we cannot enjoy like last time."
He gritted his teeth.
Ai fluttered away like the wind before Jun could even ask her more. He stared at the door, dumbfounded.
Wait...did she do this on purpose for leaving us alone?
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