Chapter 178 - Solace (1/2)

”Jianjun, are you okay? You seem lost” His worried mother asked.

He raises his head to look up at her. He had no idea when she came to his room because he had been so lost in thought.

”Mum. When did you get here?” He asked.

”Few seconds ago. I knocked but you didn't respond” She said before sitting on the chair opposite the bed he was sitting.

”What is wrong? Is this about Changyu again? When are you going to stop brooding?” She asked in genuine concern.

He used both hands to cover his face. Took in a deep breath and released it slowly.

”Why did we never think her 'Song' was that 'Song'?” He asked in frustration. ”Why did she have to lie about her family? I don't... I don't just understand” He dropped his hands from his face to look at her, hoping she would have an answer for him.

”Things would have been different if we knew she was from that family. I wouldn't even have accepted her as an apprentice. A lot would have changed. So you shouldn't blame her for hiding it. And stop living like this. Everyone is worried about you. Especially your father.”

Jianjun nodded. ”I'll be fine” He said in a low voice.

She sent him a small smile before covering one of his hand with both her hands.

”I am really sorry. It's all my fault. But....you really have to stay away from her. You don't want her parents coming to cause a scene at the restaurant again. They might do something worse than that next time.”

He raised his head higher and tried to blink back tears.

He remembered how she had pleaded with him the previous week to run away with her.

How she had cried and accused him of not wanting her because he didn't agree to it.

His dream had been to become a chef along side his wife in his parents restaurant—just like his parents. It had never been to run away from everything because he was scared.

Should he have run away with her instead? He was beginning to rethink.

He had waited in front of her gate for hours, two days ago. But they told him she didn't want to see him and sent him out. When he refused, he was beat up. He still had those bruises even now as he spoke with his mother.

He could no longer hold it in. The tears spilled out. His mother embracing him made him sob even louder.

”Wh..at...what if... I never see her again?” He asked between sobs. ”I..want to see her.. see her everyday”

”Jianjun please...” His mother pleaded. ”I like her also. But she is out of reach now. I know it's hard. But you'll get over it. We'll all help you”

He pulled away from the hug after a while and sniffled. ”I'll just go get fresh air” He forced out a smile before leaving.

He left the house for the restaurant that night. It was the only place he could think of going to. It was the place that held most of the memories he had with Changyu.

”Brother Jun...” He heard a soft voice call him immediately he entered.

'How nice would it have been if that voice was Changyu's' He thought as he turned around.

”Helene? What are you doing here by this time?” He tried to sound natural. Not wanting her to know he had been crying. She also had tears on her face with bloodshot eyes.

”Are you okay?” He asked moving closer to her.

She kept trying to suppress her tears but she couldn't. She gasped repeatedly before finally bursting into tears.