Rebirth as the Richest Woman in the World
Chapter 716 - 718, rare (three more)

Chapter 716: 718, rare (three more)

It’s indeed rare to see the usually composed and seasoned Colonel Song lose his composure like this.

When he saw Chu Jin again, Song Shiqin’s eyes reddened, feeling like ages had passed in a moment. Unable to control his emotions, he pulled Chu Jin into an embrace and said with a choked voice, "Feng’er..."

Caught off guard by his embrace, Chu Jin slightly furrowed her brows and said, "Colonel Song, I am Chu Jin."

Her words served as a reminder to Song Shiqin.

She was no longer the phoenix she once was, and Song Shiqin was no longer Xuanyuan Shangchen.

Their grievances and entanglements had already ended a thousand years ago.

It was then that Song Shiqin realized his impropriety and immediately let go of Chu Jin, "I apologize for my behavior, please don’t mind it," he said, and then continued, "Come to my office and have a seat."

All this time, Song Shiqin had never given up looking for Chu Jin.

He kept searching for her, but, unfortunately, hadn’t found any useful information.

It was the belief that he would "find her" that allowed Song Shiqin to barely survive until today.

Now, she stood before him, very much alive. God knows how elated Song Shiqin was.

He even thought about finding a golden house to hide her in, wanting to forever watch over her and live with her.

"Alright," Chu Jin nodded gently.

Both of them walked in silence to Song Shiqin’s office. Song Shiqin took the initiative to make tea for Chu Jin, but she stopped him, "You don’t have to go to any trouble, I’m not thirsty. I just came to say hello and seeing that you’re well is a relief to me."

Although Chu Jin said that, Song Shiqin continued with his actions, handing her the prepared tea.

Out of politeness, Chu Jin reached out to take it, then continued, "Song Shiqin, thank you, thank you for the times you’ve aided me in reviving and extending my life. And thank you for the help a year ago; without it, I could not have successfully completed my wedding ceremony with Mo Zhixuan."

Chu Jin understood very well that, if it weren’t for Song Shiqin and Mo Qianjue a year ago, the wedding procession would have likely been intercepted by the evil cult, and she wouldn’t have been able to complete the most important scene of her wedding with Mo Zhixuan so smoothly.

If it weren’t for Xuanyuan Shangchen in her past eight lives, she would have ceased to exist long ago.

Therefore, Chu Jin was grateful to Song Shiqin.

"It’s what I owe you, no need for thanks," Song Shiqin replied, his tone mild, sipping tea with an unchanged expression.

A thousand years ago, he had wronged her, so now, a thousand years later, protecting her was only right.

The one who should be saying thanks was him.

Thank him for her forgiveness.

Chu Jin’s expression dimmed for a moment, then she stood up, looked at Song Shiqin, and said slowly, "Song Shiqin, from now on, let’s not owe each other anything, let’s just live our own lives well, and I hope you find your own happiness soon."

Some things are better clarified.

If there’s no chance, it’s needless to linger.

Chu Jin was never one to drag things out.

She hoped that next time, Song Shiqin wouldn’t risk his life for her sake.

If something were to happen to Song Shiqin, she would never be able to repay her debt to him.

The one Xuanyuan Shangchen owed was the phoenix.

Song Shiqin had never wronged Chu Jin.

As such, Chu Jin could not accept these things with a clean conscience.

As of now, their ambiguous relationship had come to an end.

Upon hearing this, the arm holding the teacup seemed to stiffen. Song Shiqin then looked up at Chu Jin, unable to control the torrent of emotions in his heart, he stood up, looked deeply at Chu Jin and said, "Not owing each other anything? Feng’er, do you know what you’re saying? I can wait for you, until the day you remember me, until the day you forgive me."

How could they not owe each other anything?

That wasn’t possible.

She was his only attachment in this world.

He couldn’t be without her.

Chu Jin slightly furrowed her brows and said in a calm tone, "Don’t wait. I am not the phoenix."

With just a faint statement, Song Shiqin saw an abyss of despair.

He knew the meaning behind Chu Jin’s words.

"No! You are the Phoenix Queen!" Song Shiqin’s face changed in a flash, and he stood up, gazing directly at Chu Jin, "Feng’er, can you forget Mo Zhixuan, please? Be with me, I don’t mind your past with him, I just want to be with you..."

He had guarded the Phoenix Queen for nine lifetimes.

Yet, in every lifetime, she had forgotten his existence.

Song Shiqin had never expected that the Phoenix Queen would come today just to say these words to him.

Did she know how cruel her words were? Each word was like a sharp blade, slashing at his heart, leaving it bloody and torn.

Nine lifetimes.

And this was what they amounted to.

Song Shiqin was unwilling to accept this.

Very unwilling.

"A thousand years ago, I was the one who wronged you! I realize my mistake now, I truly do!" Song Shiqin said each word clearly, "Can I use the rest of my life to make it up to you? Be with me, trust me, I will make you happy!"

Song Shiqin couldn’t forget that scene of her collapsed over the Konghou; that heart-wrenching pain, he never wanted to experience again.

At that time, he would rather have been the one to die, not the Phoenix Queen.

After the Phoenix Queen completely vanished, Song Shiqin regretted every day that he hadn’t confessed everything to her earlier, regretted watching her fall into the arms of another man.

Now, she had finally returned! He wouldn’t miss her again.

He didn’t want to do anything he’d regret, so this time, he was determined to keep the Phoenix Queen, regardless of the cost. He wanted her to stay by his side.

Even knowing that a melon twisted off its vine would not be sweet.

But still, he wanted to forcibly twist it off.

If it weren’t sweet, he could dip it in sugar.

If it weren’t sweet, he could just look at her.

Even if it wasn’t sweet, she would still be his.

He just wanted to truly possess her.

"I’ve already said," Chu Jin looked at Song Shiqin with a calm voice, "I am Chu Jin, and there is only one man I love, Mo Zhixuan. I came today to thank you. As for the rest, if you choose not to hear it, there’s no helping it, one cannot live solely in the past, take care."

There would be no future meeting.

With those words, Chu Jin turned and left, her turning figure stirring up a fierce gust of wind.

Song Shiqin saw the determination in her eyes, and her resolve.

"Why won’t you even give me a chance! I’ve said it, I don’t mind Mo Zhixuan!" Song Shiqin’s emotions completely erupted. He grabbed Chu Jin’s wrist, pulling her into his embrace, and held her tightly, as if wanting to meld her into his very being.

Only when he held her did Song Shiqin feel alive, feel that he was still a person.

But now, the Phoenix Queen was asking him to forget her and find another woman. Wasn’t she even giving him a chance to protect her?

How could she be so heartless?

"Phoenix Queen, I was wrong! It’s my fault, can’t you forgive me just once? Just once, please?" Song Shiqin held her tightly, his whole body trembling, he pleaded softly, "Don’t leave me, please. I love you! I can overlook Mo Zhixuan’s existence, I am willing to share you with him, as long as you are willing to forgive me... I know you still love me, don’t you?"

This was Song Shiqin’s final concession.

This sentence also carried great significance.

It meant that he didn’t mind if the Phoenix Queen belonged to two men at the same time.

A man being this abject shows he really loved the woman. For her sake, he was even willing to abase himself to accept the existence of another man.

"But I mind," Chu Jin said very rationally as she pushed Song Shiqin away, "I don’t love you. I only want to be with Mo Zhixuan for a lifetime, a pair of souls forever combined. I’ve long forgotten what happened a thousand years ago; you shouldn’t dwell on it either. Let the past be carried away by the wind."

Chu Jin was already filled with regret. Perhaps she shouldn’t have come today.

Song Shiqin’s expression was growing colder by the moment, the phrase "I don’t love you" echoing in his ears, as a powerful fury erupted from him, the air carrying the echo of a dragon’s roar.

"Bang, bang, bang—"

Just a second before Chu Jin was about to step out, all the doors and windows in the office shut automatically, and the sound of thunder and lightning filled the air.

It started raining.

And the downpour was not light.

The rain pattered loudly against the doors and windows.

"Song Shiqin," Chu Jin turned around helplessly and spoke in a cold voice, "what exactly do you want? Isn’t it good to let go?"

"I don’t want anything special," Song Shiqin, as if he had transformed into another person, said furiously, "I only want you!"

The forceful ten words resonated with conviction.

A thousand years ago, she was Xuanyuan Shangchen’s fiancée, and a thousand years later, she still was!

After silently enduring for nine lives, Song Shiqin had finally completely turned dark.

He used to think that love was about giving, not possessing.

But now, he simply could not bear to see her lovingly entwined with someone else, whispering sweet nothings.

He was not that noble.

He was a man of base desires at heart; if he loved someone, he wanted to possess her.

Chu Jin’s expression remained unchanged, and she spoke in a chilling tone, "I thought I had made myself very clear. Whether you are Song Shiqin or Xuanyuan Shangchen, I don’t love you, and I will not be with you!"

"I don’t care!" Song Shiqin waved his hand, and a gust of spiritual power swept forward, overturning the vase on the table with a "clang," shattering it, "Feng’er, I can’t manage so much anymore. As long as I love you, that’s enough. As for the rest, let’s leave it to time."

Familiarity breeds fondness.

Even if she didn’t love him, he could still watch over her every day.

He couldn’t bear the thought of letting her pair up with someone else.

Whispering sweet nothings.

"Unreasonable." Chu Jin frowned tightly and waved her hand, trying to use her spiritual power to open the door, but the door remained immovable, like a section of sturdy city wall.

As someone who was once an emperor in three lifetimes, with the mandate of a true dragon sovereign, Song Shiqin’s spiritual power was already extremely formidable, especially after turning dark, which had fully unleashed his potential.

Originally, Chu Jin was confident that she could beat him.

However, Chu Jin realized that she had been feeling lethargic and weak lately, so for the time being, she was unable to contend with him.

Song Shiqin’s body instantly transformed into a wisp of black smoke and drifted in front of Chu Jin, manifesting into a solid form and saying, "It’s useless, Feng’er, just follow me. You won’t be able to leave, and I won’t let you go!"

By the time he said the last sentence, Song Shiqin started laughing.

There was no triumph, only endless desolation.

The person he loved was avoiding him.

What an ironic situation.

He had protected her for nine lifetimes...

How could she be so heartless?

As Song Shiqin laughed, tears streamed down his face.

Chu Jin narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke with a clear and cold voice, "Song Shiqin, I’ve already told you, I only love Mo Zhixuan. Let me go immediately."

In this world, everything can be forced, except love.

Love is a very delicate thing.

Before she met Mo Zhixuan, Chu Jin thought she would never love again, but after meeting him, she fell in love once more.

Song Shiqin looked at Chu Jin and spoke passionately.

"Feng’er, I don’t care who you love. All you need to know is that I still love you. Rest assured, I will always love you. I can give you the best things in the world, including my life. Starting today, you belong to me, and I will take good care of you, for life."

When he said the last sentence, a determined look flashed in Song Shiqin’s eyes.

This time, he would not miss his chance again.

He wanted to guard her, protect her, for a lifetime.

"For a lifetime?" A mocking male voice suddenly appeared in the air, "Ha, Xuanyuan Shangchen, you’re not worthy of saying these words now, nor do you have any right to."

With that statement, the tightly closed door creaked open.

A tall and handsome figure slowly walked in from outside.

Behind him was the infinite brightness of snow.

The man’s lips were tightly pursed, emitting a deep chill that made one shiver involuntarily.

"Mo Zhixuan." Seeing the newcomer, Chu Jin’s eyes lit up. She walked to Mo Zhixuan’s side, feeling at peace no matter how stormy it was, as long as he was by her side.

Seeing Chu Jin’s subconscious action, a dark shadow passed over Song Shiqin’s eyes.

He had protected her for nine lifetimes, yet in the end... he still couldn’t compare to a Mo Zhixuan.

Laughable.

Truly laughable.

So laughable that it almost brought one to tears.

The heart felt as if it was being squeezed, a sharp pain that made it difficult to breathe.

"Let’s go back," Mo Zhixuan said, taking Chu Jin’s hand and slightly lowered his gaze, heading towards the door.

"Okay," Chu Jin nodded lightly.

"You can leave," Song Shiqin suddenly appeared in front of the two, looking at Mo Zhixuan, he said in a deep voice, "But Feng’er must stay."

At that moment, the violet aura surrounding Song Shiqin completely transformed into black, making him appear somewhat ferocious.

"On what basis?" Mo Zhixuan coolly met his gaze. He didn’t want to fight with Song Shiqin at this moment. After all, Song Shiqin had once saved Chu Jin; he just needed to be sure that she loved him.

Their eyes locked, a powerful and oppressive energy erupted between them in a flash, causing a chill in the hearts of those who witnessed it.

Both men, like kings, refused to back down.

"Because she was once my fiancée!" Song Shiqin spoke up suddenly, "She was my fiancée, so she must stay!"

Two families uniting in marriage, a solemn contract, an everlasting match, equals joined in name.

A thousand years ago, indeed, Feng’er was Xuanyuan Shangchen’s fiancée. Unfortunately...

"That was then. But now... she is my wife," Mo Zhixuan told Song Shiqin, pausing between each word.

"Mo Zhixuan!" Song Shiqin’s eyes instantly filled with blood, and his body transformed into a thick black smoke that violently attacked Mo Zhixuan.

Mo Zhixuan just stood there, the corners of his mouth hinting at a faint smile. He raised his hand and with a gentle wave, a stream of light burst forth from his palm.

The black smoke dissipated in an instant.

Song Shiqin knelt on one knee, his right hand over his heart, a trace of blood seeping from his mouth. His uniform remained neat, showing no signs of dishevelment, instead highlighting a different kind of military demeanor.

"Xuanyuan Shangchen," Mo Zhixuan looked down at Song Shiqin with a calm tone, "The betrayal from a thousand years ago foretold your defeat today!"

The betrayal from a thousand years ago...

These words forever echoed in Song Shiqin’s mind.

Why?

Why didn’t he even have a chance to make amends?

For nine whole lifetimes.

Song Shiqin clenched his fists tightly against the ground, his eyes bloodshot.

Love is to give, to see her happy, even if the person making her happy isn’t him.

But he had had enough of these days.

Once, Song Shiqin thought he was noble, content to see her happy.

But now he realized he wasn’t that noble. He was just an ordinary man, and an exceedingly common one at that.

Mo Zhixuan watched Song Shiqin, his voice as deep and cold as ever.

"Don’t feel aggrieved. All of this was your own doing. A thousand years ago, she placed all her hopes on you. For you, she would have even forsaken the imperial throne, but what about you? Think about it, what have you done? In your heart, there were only grand ambitions, the Overlord of Nine Provinces. From the very start, you never gave your true heart! Now, you don’t even have the right to love her! Xuanyuan Shangchen, you don’t even deserve to be a man!"