"No…" Jin heaved breathlessly, "Nobody will understand. Nobody will f-forgive her. N-Nobody will accept my love for her…I-It's impossible, Zhou Ai. I-I will disappoint Mom, Dad and Bro…"
Her eyes widened. "How will you disappoint them? Like I said, you fell for Ren Alix and she is a changed-"
He shook his head, trembling as if was subrging in a biting chilliness. "No, no, no! It's impossible for our family to accept us. E-Even if I long for her, n-nobody will accept our relationship, much less…accept her becoming the daughter-in-law…That's what she said, Zhou Ai."
Tears fell like a broken dam, his eyes losing all hope.
"T-That's what Alix said. She cannot be with . She can.. never love the way I love her. Even if she happens to by so chance, my family won't ever accept her. How would they? They will only see her as Zhan Yahui and not Alix…
But I don't want to give up on her, Zhou Ai. The v-very thought makes feel nauseous. I just want one chance..I will do everything to make her like back but our family will always be against us a-and I don't know what to do. I have no way to reassure her because she is right…"
His head collapsed on Ai's lap as he broke down into tears. His back looked like a small frightened child hiding from the dangers to co. The past, the present, the future - everything was woven into one complicated situation that made it nearly impossible for them to have any future.
Ai's eyes ached with tears. His guilt with Shui had already left Jin weak and vulnerable over the long, painful years. Alix was the hope that would have brought back the light in his life. But even this spark of hope now seed to drown in the darkness of the abyss.
She lifted his head and wiped his tears with a soft glare in her eyes.
"What do you an that nobody will accept? I accept Alix and I support your love for her. I understand her point of view as well and why she would reject you, but I also know that you will be able to win her over eventually. The Lius' are very charming. Also, you are just as cute as Jun so there is no way Alix wouldn't lt with your cuteness one day."
"You don't understand-"
"I understand everything. You are worried about how everybody will react and it's a valid concern but I am sure that they will also see the goodness in Alix. Do you doubt Grandpa? He openly wants her to beco his granddaughter-in-law!"
"That is only because he doesn't know the truth!"
"But he liked Alix because she was nowhere like Zhan Yahui! They might be the sa person but they hold completely different intentions now. Everybody will understand that, including Jun."
His fingers clutching into her hand trembled. "Bro..Bro will too?"
Ai nodded. "Jun is not only cute but also has a golden heart. He will see the picture too the way you are seeing it. You…" she held his tighter, "You have to trust our family, Jin. Give them a chance. Everybody only wants to see you happy. They will definitely understand your feelings and Alix's feelings too.
Zhan Yahui…wasn't a bad person, Jin. It was the circumstances and misunderstandings that made her that way. Yes, that doesn't forgive her cris but she was simply lost in the past. Now, she isn't. Now she knows what she should live for. That is why she saved , saved Shui in Kang Yuze's company party and worked so hard to help Ren designs from sinking. Everybody will see her redemption, Jin. So…"
Ai wiped his tears and patted his face. "No more crying. I feel your fear but worry not as I am here!" She bead. "I will help you sail your ship. Jun can never ignore my charm. I am a naturally warm and lovable person," she nodded.
For the first ti today, a light chuckle automatically fell on his lips out of the blue. He felt the cats jump on his lap and rubbed their cheeks against his belly. They huddled together to give him warmth and comfort.
*ow*
"See, even the cats agree," she clapped her hands with delight. "So you have the full force behind you! We will make it possible for sure!" She harrumphed.
—
"Bro?"
Cai peeked in Lin's room and found him sitting all alone in darkness. His eyes teared up seeing his state and he sniffled.
"Bro…"
"...I am okay, Cai. Just give so alone ti please," he solemnly whispered.
Cai pressed his lips and quietly closed the door. The darkness settled in once again as Lin continued to stare out of the window with Alix's truth that kept replaying in his mind like a broken record.
A few hours earlier.
"Can we talk? Privately." Alix quietly asked, standing before the cash counter at Lin's cafe.
Her sudden visit took him by surprise, nevertheless he happily welcod her. With his own overlapping thoughts about Alix and Yahui since the fashion show, a tinge of joy sparked his chest upon eting her again.
"Sure. Let us head upstairs."
He let Cai handle the orders and counter for soti as they headed up in a private room. He patiently stood before her and asked, "What is it you wanted to say?"
Alix took a few long monts, trying to gather her thoughts.
"I had decided to never co out with this. I thought it was for the best, for you and Cai who were moving forward in their life and living a life of dignity."
He blinked, confused.
"But now I am facing a situation where I must reveal the truth to sobody or else…he won't back down. But before I told him, I wanted to tell you first because you deserve to know it first considering our history."
"History?"
She looked straight at him and said, "I know it's hard to believe but I am Zhan Yahui. It is my - Yahui's soul in Ren Alix's body."
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