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 so ti 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 tis. 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 tis. What happened after my death? What did Dad and my family go through? Jin died, then Mom and then... too. Losing three people at once...just what happened to my family in the end?"
His voice turned hoarser. "Sotis, I wish to know. Sotis, 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?"
" 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 ? 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 t her just like I never t you. But still...her brother, Cai Lingyun, worked for . I am wondering..."
"What is it?" She looked up.
"I was matching up the timing in my mind. I t him shortly after I was thrown out of ho. It was after Shui's twenty-fifth birthday. Did sothing happen around that ti 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 seed that he was thinking of the sa idea but with hesitation.
"I think you understand whom to ask."
He slightly cleared his throat. "I know. Jin..."
She nodded. "You told that at the ti you and Shui were separate, Jin was closer to her. If this sothing happened around her birthday or maybe even soti before that, he might know sothing that you didn't."
"...Will he help ?" 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 an this is a chance for him to slowly let go of his resentnts 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 an sothing."
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 that by taking so action."
After being rcilessly 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 ...
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 sa 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. ntally? Not so sure."
His heart winced with guilt. "O-oh...I an..."
"Co 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 et 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. Sothing 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 sothing at large that is hidden from us. There are so 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 co ho or do you want to et outside?"
Jun thought about it. "Can you co 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 or I will be out," Jin hung up.
"..."
Jun walked back to the swing. Ai asked, "Did he agree?"
"Yes."
She bead. "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 ti together on Chen Zixin's case. We bonded so well that day," she looked proud. "He likes a lot now."
"..."
Was that bonding? How co 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 sothing 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 ?" Jin asked.
"Yeah that-"
Just then, the door opened and Ai ca out, her handbag slung across her shoulder.
Jun blinked. "Are you going sowhere?"
"Yes. To the library."
"Huh? But we are supposed to talk to Jin today."
She nodded. "I know. But you can continue without . 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 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 ti."
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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