Unexpected Second Chance at Love

Lu Tian listened quietly until Grandfather Ji finished speaking. His brow furrowed as he processed the weight of what he had just heard.

It was well-known that Han Jin Moon and Ji An Ling had died in a car accident. No one, including Lu Tian, had ever suspected foul play. Even Old Han, whose age had been a concern for years, was presumed to have succumbed to the passing of time.

But considering the kind of work Old Han had been involved in, Lu Tian wasn’t entirely surprised he was murdered.

Yet, as his mind drifted back to his wife, a wave of sorrow washed over him. She had endured so much from such a young age, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

’If only I could go back...’

He thought of how he would hold her and assure her everything would be okay. He would protect and care for her and never let her face the world alone.

Their paths had crossed a few times when they were children, but as they grew older, their encounters became fewer and eventually stopped altogether.

Lu Tian closed his eyes momentarily as if trying to process everything he had just heard. His gaze settled firmly on the old man when he opened them again.

”Does Yue Ling or Chief Ren know you’re looking for Choi Li Sun?”

Grandfather Ji slumped in his seat, the weight of years and secrets pressing down on him. He had laid everything bare for Lu Tian, knowing there was no hiding the truth from the young man since his cover had been discovered.

At the question, he shook his head with a tired sigh.

”No. No one knows except for the people in this room.”

It was the truth. He couldn’t afford to let anyone else know about his search. There were only a few people he truly trusted and even fewer who could understand the gravity of what he was doing.

Lu Tian nodded, his eyes briefly flicking to Zhong Yang before landing on the other man in the room. It was Zhang Chao, the owner of Zhang Tech.

His eyes narrowed as he studied the man. They had crossed paths once before, and Lu Tian could see why Grandfather Ji had placed his trust in Zhang Chao. Despite his attempts at intimidation, Zhang Chao had never flinched. Instead, he was the type to keep his word and stand behind it, no matter the consequences.

Lu Tian looked away, his eyes falling on the report before he returned his gaze to the old man.

”I need all the information you have on Choi Li Sun.”

Grandfather Ji wanted to oppose, but deep down, he knew he couldn’t do this alone. Not when his health is worsening. He let out a long, weary sigh.

”I can give you everything, but you can’t tell Ah Ling. She musn’t know what really happened to her parents and paternal grandfather. You know better than anyone what she’ll do if she finds out.”

Lu Tian didn’t respond immediately, his thoughts drifting to his wife. The old man was right. He knew Yue Ling in the time they’ve been together. If she found out her parents and paternal grandfather were murdered, there would be no stopping her. She’d seek revenge, even if it meant putting her own life on the line.

”I won’t tell her.”

His words were steady, but when he met Grandfather Ji’s eyes again, his expression grew serious.

”But if the truth comes out, and she needs answers, I won’t lie to her.”

Grandfather Ji understood the weight behind Lu Tian’s words. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude that his granddaughter had such a man by her side.

He could only hope that Yue Ling would never uncover this truth. But if she did, he prayed she could somehow find it in her heart to forgive him.

While Lu Tian and Grandfather Ji exchanged the information they had gathered, back at The Regal, Yue Ling sat across from Ji Chu Hua, her frown deepening as she processed the proposal just thrown at her.

Her head tilted slightly, and she tapped her chin as if weighing the offer carefully.

”So… you want me to call off my wedding, and in return, you’ll help me get the Chairman position at Ji Corps?”

Ji Chu Hua, now on her second glass of wine, poured herself another without a second thought. She crossed her legs elegantly and flashed a knowing smile at Yue Ling.

”Correct. If you agree, everything will be yours.”

She leaned back in her chair, her gaze cold but calculated. She knew Lu Tian was a man coveted by women everywhere but was also untouchable. That didn’t bother Ji Chu Hua. After Yue Ling calls off the wedding, she would slowly find her way into Lu Tian’s life when he was most vulnerable—and then claim her stake in him.

Once she became Mrs. Lu, everyone would envy her and look up to her.

Ji Chu Hua thought such a position couldn’t be given to someone like Yue Ling.

She took a slow sip of her wine, smacking her lips as if savoring the taste.

”Don’t worry,” she said with a calculated smile, ”I’ll throw in a few million to sweeten the deal.”

Yue Ling stared at the woman, dumbfounded. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at such an absurd proposal.

Did Ji Chu Hua really think she was short of money?

Unable to hold back, she covered her mouth and let out a laugh—angelic in tone but sharp with mockery.

Once she regained composure, she looked at Ji Chu Hua as if the woman had lost her mind.

”And what makes you think I’ll agree?”

Ji Chu Hua almost choked on her wine, her face contorting in surprise. She had expected her proposal to be irresistible, yet Yue Ling’s rejection hit her like a slap.

Her expression darkened, and she shot a venomous glare at her cousin.

”I’m serious. Everything in that folder will be yours if you accept my offer.”

Yue Ling stared at her as Ji Chu Hua suddenly grew a second head. She had met plenty of people in her life, but none as clueless as this woman.

She shook her head and slid the folder back across the table to the owner.

”I suggest you take your proposal somewhere else. I am marrying Lu Tian, whether you agree or not.”

Yue Ling’s voice was unwavering, her resolve as strong as steel. She was never one to be manipulated, and she wasn’t about to start now.

”Don’t call me again with nonsense like this.”

Ji Chu Hua’s fists curled tightly under the table, her nails digging into her palms. The venom in her glare intensified, and a sinister laugh escaped her lips.

”I knew you wouldn’t agree so easily. After all, you are Han Yue Ling.”

She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest, the smirk never leaving her face.

”Since you want to make this difficult… let me rephrase. What if I threaten you with that useless boy you call your brother? You know, the one freeloading at Ji Mansion?”

Ji Chu Hua lifted one hand, inspecting her perfectly manicured white nails with a detached air.

”I know people who will do anything for me… as long as I pay them enough.”

Yue Ling regarded her cousin with an expression void of emotion. A dangerous glint flashed in her bluish-green eyes, and a smirk tugged at her lips.

”It’s funny how the only people who call others ’useless’ are the ones who couldn’t lift a finger themselves.”

She leaned forward slightly, placing her elbows on the table. Her gaze pierced through Ji Chu Hua like a blade.

”Try threatening me with my brother again… and you’ll see what a real threat looks like.”

Her voice was smooth, but her words were razor-sharp. She’d given Ji Chu Hua more than enough chances, but the moment her family was used as leverage, everything changed. No one would manipulate her like that.

With one final warning, Yue Ling made to leave. But just as she was about to stand, Ji Chu Hua reached inside her bag. Yue Ling paused, watching intently as her cousin pulled a piece of paper and slid it toward her.

”Then what about this?”

Ji Chu Hua said with an almost smug smile.

Yue Ling raised an eyebrow, her curiosity slightly piqued. She eyed the paper and glanced down. The second her eyes landed on one line, her world froze.

’Patient Name: Ji Huan’

She felt her heart clench, but she kept her expression impassive, her fingers barely trembling as she scanned the rest of the document.

’Positive Diagnosis: Cardiovascular Disease’

The words blurred together, but they replayed in her mind relentlessly.

’No. This can’t be real.’

Her entire body went cold, but she couldn’t falter. Not in front of Ji Chu Hua.

With forced calm, she looked up at her cousin, her expression unreadable.

”What is this?”

She asked, her voice betraying none of the turmoil swirling inside her.

Ji Chu Hua, surprised by Yue Ling’s calmness, smirked. She had expected a breakdown, an outburst, but Yue Ling was eerily composed. Too composed.

Ignoring the thought, Ji Chu Hua took another sip of her wine, continuing casually.

”It’s exactly what it looks like.”

Her eyes flickered with malicious glee as she set the glass down and smiled wider.

”I didn’t want to do this, considering Grandfather Ji is like a grandfather to me, but you left me no choice.”

She leaned back in her chair, her smile widening into something almost predatory.

”I have friends in the medical field. Looking at his diagnosis, it’s clear his health is deteriorating rapidly. But, if you don’t accept my proposal… well, I’m sure my friends could accelerate the process.”

Her words were a chilling promise. If Yue Ling didn’t comply, her grandfather’s decline would be hastened.

Yue Ling’s eyes darkened, her face losing all color. But in that instant, an icy coldness radiated from her, making the air feel like ice.

Her lips curled into a dark smirk, and she pressed her palms flat against the table, rising from her seat slowly, never breaking eye contact with Ji Chu Hua.

”Threaten my family again, and you will regret it.”

Her voice was low and controlled, but every word carried the weight of a thousand unspoken threats. Her hands gripped the table hard, the only outward sign of the fury building within her.

”Trust me when I say this: you do not want fate coming for you.”

She straightened her posture and turned to leave, her mind in turmoil over the paper she’d just seen. The shock of it still clung to her, but she refused to let it show.

Ji Chu Hua’s laugh rang out behind her as she walked away, followed by a chilling remark.

”If you don’t believe me, check his study. The real diagnosis is in the right drawer of his desk.”

Yue Ling didn’t stop. She walked out of The Regal with purpose, but her thoughts spinning in every direction. She didn’t want to believe Ji Chu Hua’s words. Her only choice now was to head straight to Ji Mansion and find the truth herself.

But the question gnawed at the back of her mind… Why didn’t Grandfather Ji tell her?