Beginning with the Ubume Bird
Chapter 692 - Chapter 692 Chapter 78 Goodbye Goodbye

Chapter 692: Chapter 78 Goodbye, Goodbye Chapter 692: Chapter 78 Goodbye, Goodbye Early the next morning.

Li Yan stood on the deck, stretching his arms in a big yawn.

The last bit of Ambota Volcano Bacteria had been taken away by Zhao Jianzhong. This creature, dubbed the “emperor” of ancient organisms, was too untameable and presented too great a risk to control. Li Yan had also tried to inquire whether it could be tamed to join the Water Lord Species, but the answer he received was that unless his Water Lord Palace could create a Soul-Pardoning Waters, it would be impossible. So, Li Yan had no choice but to give up on the thought.

Yang Zheng was not dead, but he was severely weakened. He had literally been eaten by Muni down to just his legs–if he’d been a regular Sixth Judicial Commissioner of Fundamental Laws, he could have been declared dead on the spot. Even back in Yan Fu, Yang Zheng could only barely recover a normal human body before slowly recuperating. Zhao Jianzhong’s promise to exempt Yang Zheng from one year of Yan Fu’s events indicated just how gloomy his injury was.

Ren Ni had been knocked unconscious by Muni’s roar at the last moment, and still hadn’t woken up, but there were no serious concerns.

Fortunately, there were no casualties in the end, a scenario that could be considered a complete victory.

The sun was about to rise when Zhao Jianzhong walked up to the deck and stood beside Li Yan.

“Mr. Zhao.”

“The ship will depart soon. What did you tell her?”

“Do you want her to come?”

“She won’t come. I understand her.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

Li Yan scratched his head somewhat anxiously, “I’m not quite sure, maybe I’m waiting for her to come and slap me twice.”

Zhao Jianzhong did not speak again.

“Right, Mr. Zhao, actually, there’s another thing I want to ask you.”

Li Yan suddenly said.

“Go on.”

“When you hosted Zhang Zhongshan and the others for a movie viewing, you chose ‘Human Path.’ What do you think of that movie?”

Li Yan asked with a bit of mischief.

‘Human Path,’ released in 1990, came six years after the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong was signed, yet the political situation on the mainland was unpredictable, and the people on Hong Island were uneasy. In addition to the divine battles depicted, ‘Human Path’ also contains many political metaphors and satirical comments on the mainland. Some people believe that out of the A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy, ‘Human Path’ is the one that captures Pu Songling’s true essence the most.

When Li Yan had asked before, Zhao Jianzhong’s response was that it was just a movie, not to be taken to heart, and he didn’t comment on the film’s insinuations.

Zhao Jianzhong paused, then chuckled wryly, “Are you intentionally trying to make me uncomfortable? I came to see you, but I didn’t say you couldn’t take that girl Judy back with you, as long as you can handle it. Do I really come across as so overbearing that I’d even care about how many wives you take? You’re being too petty.”

Li Yan just gave an apologetic smile without saying a word.

“As for the movie…”

After a long pause, Zhao Jianzhong stopped laughing, and looking into Li Yan’s eyes, he said, “There is a principle to everything. No matter what you do, you can’t forget the broader context, nor can you forget timing and location, which includes the rebelliousness and resistance of the young people.”

Li Yan wanted to say something but caught a glimpse of a flash of bright red out of the corner of his eye.

…

Half an hour earlier.

“Did you get that clear?”

Judy asked her assistant Andy seriously through the car door.

Andy, sitting in Judy’s beloved Ferrari, nodded, “Got it, Judy. Once I get to the pier and see Mr. Li, I’ll tell him Judy has decided to break up with him, and this is the gift she got from him.”

The female assistant showed off the exquisitely wrapped ring box containing a ring holder with a blue glass bead.

“She wishes you happiness.”

“Hmm, close enough.”

Judy nodded.

Li watched with arms crossed, glancing at Judy but saying nothing.

Just as the assistant was about to turn the key, Judy suddenly exclaimed, “Wait.”

“Remember to tell him, it’s not him dumping me, but me dumping him.”

Li covered her forehead with her hand.

“Okay, got it.”

“Don’t go yet, let me think again,” Judy said.

She looked at the ring box lying quietly on the seat.

“Hmm, never mind, just tell him that I still appreciate the time we spent together…”

Judy twisted her hands together nervously.

“Sigh!”

Li let out a sigh, “Andy, come out.” She pulled Judy up, opened the car door, and pushed her into the car.

“What are you doing?”

Settling into the driver’s seat, Li lit a cigarette with a snap and spoke to Judy, “Stop hassling Andy. If there’s something you want to say, go tell that Mr. Li yourself.”

After saying that, she floored the gas pedal, and with the sound of tires slipping, the red sports car sped away.

Victoria Pier

Judy anxiously scanned the crowded crowd but didn’t see the man she was looking for.

Li came over with furrowed brows.

“How is it? Found him?”

Li shook her head.

“What’s the time now?”

“Six fifty.”

Judy pursed her lips and gently asked, “Do you think, did he lie to me?”

Li opened her mouth but said nothing.

“Make way, make way!”

A man shouted loudly, elbowing his way through the crowd and provoking a chorus of curses.

“Hey, what’s the rush, you running to a funeral?”

“Dumb northerner. Are you blind or what?”

The man, carrying a square bag, walked up to Judy as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

“You’re here? Let’s go.”

The man reached for Judy’s hand.

Judy let him lead her a few steps before snatching her hand away, staring at the man before her with a complex look in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you really think I would come back?”

The man gave a self-mocking laugh, “Aren’t you here already? Come on, the boat’s about to leave.”

“Let’s break up. I won’t go with you. The only reason I came was to tell you that.”

The man showed no reaction, merely uttering a questioning, “Hmm?”

Judy picked up the man’s hand and placed a ring box in his palm.

“Here, take it back.”

Judy reached out to adjust the man’s tie and collar.

“I wish you happiness.”

The man furrowed his brows, “Are you sure about this?”

Judy didn’t answer him, and simply said softly, “Goodbye.”

After saying this, she turned and left.

Li glared fiercely at the man, then quickly caught up with Judy.

…

Judy inserted the key into the ignition and started the engine.

“Men are unreliable,” Li patted her on the shoulder, “Whatever you want to do today, I’m here for you, okay?”

The sports car slowly started moving.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about me. I know he doesn’t love me anymore,” Judy said calmly.

“Hey, let’s not talk about this. Let’s listen to some music,” Li suggested as she turned on the car’s stereo.

“Hey, Andy Lau has a new song out.”

The voice of the singer came through the radio.

“Um, actually, this song ‘Unintentional Words’ was sent to me by a friend who wishes to remain anonymous. He hoped I would release this song to convey his feelings to a lady named Yang Baojin. He also hopes that my fans…”

Judy’s expression gradually changed,

Finally, you are living your life again

And I don’t want to reveal how sad I truly am inside

Actually, I shouldn’t have looked back

And let you catch sight of me

Then both of us face the indifference in our memories

…

As if we’re both avoiding something

Neither of us daring to break the silence easily

With a thousand words and myriad thoughts in my heart, how should I speak

The flashy sports car sped along the sparsely populated highway, as tears began to well up in Judy’s eyes. She reached for a tissue but instead found a ring box — the very one she’d returned to Li Yan.

Does it mean I still love you deeply

Does it mean I’m still full of regret

Why should I make you suffer once more for my sake

So I lied to you with ‘Unintentional Words’

So I held back my tears and sorrowfully left

Not allowing you the chance to truly understand my heart

Suddenly, the sports car stopped.

Judy clenched the box tightly, her chest heaving.

A Nissan Honda screeched to a halt behind her, and the driver, furious, stuck his head out, “Stupid bitch, can’t you drive? Think you’re someone special because you’re rich?”

Judy shoved the gearstick, made a swift U-turn, and, incredibly, headed back toward the dock.

“What bad luck!”

The driver cursed and pulled his head back in.

Toot toot toot toot toot~

The ferry blew out white smoke as it slowly left the harbor.

Li Yan squatted in a corner of the deck, a spot not easily noticed, silently smoking.

“Men are indeed very selfish,” he muttered to himself, “No matter what, I still hope you don’t forget me.”

A thin mist rose unnoticed over the sea, slowly enveloping the entire ferry until it disappeared from view.

“You have completed this Yan Fu event. Total number of Yan Fu events completed: 20”

“Your evaluation for this Yan Fu event is: ‘Great Fortune.’

“Settlement begins.”