Chapter 162: The Truth

He Chuan looked into her eyes—double eyelids, apricot-shaped eyes like curved moons, meeting standard aesthetic tastes. They were pretty, but they were soulless.

He had seen someone whose eyes were far more captivating than Wen Liang’s, but those eyes had lost their soul as well, and he knew very well that it was all his doing.

He had met the psychologist who had been treating Cheng Hui and learned that Cheng Hui suffered from depression—a severe case of it.

The doctor had mentioned back then that she had suicidal tendencies; if her illness relapsed, she might end her life.

The number of people who committed suicide due to depression every year was by no means small.

He had never imagined in his wildest dreams that Cheng Hui would fall victim to this illness.

That had never been his intention. He did not wish for any harm to come to Cheng Hui. Whenever the dead of night arrived and he closed his eyes, he seemed to hear the heartbreaking cries of Cheng Hui as she was being sent abroad on a plane all those years ago, asking him why they had to break up, asking if they hadn't promised otherwise, and why he had deceived her...

Those cries felt as though they were tearing open his chest, clutching tightly at his heart. However much pain she had endured, he had suffered just as much.

From Cheng Hui’s perspective, he had suddenly changed his mind and turned into a heartless scoundrel who played with her emotions. He had sworn with absolute certainty that he would take care of her and love her, yet it was also he who had proposed the breakup.

It was only natural that Cheng Hui had completely lost hope in him.

Yet the truth was that when he called off the relationship back then, there were hidden circumstances. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone all the way to London to look for her after speaking of breaking up.

During that trip to London, he knew she was with someone else, and he knew she had been deceived by that man. Fortunately, she had only been cheated out of a watch worth several hundred thousand. He didn't care what happened to that man afterward, but during that journey to London, not only did he fail to find her, his presence was discovered by Xin Gan instead.

Xin Gan hadn't informed Cheng Jiu or Madam Cheng; she had simply made a phone call to him, telling him to stay away from Cheng Hui and not to disrupt the hard-earned peace of her life.

He had to admit that he had wavered and been persuaded by Xin Gan, so he had given up the idea of seeing Cheng Hui again.

Xin Gan had told him back then that everything he brought to Cheng Hui was unforgettable and indelible damage; if he had any conscience left, he should stop hurting her.

Indeed, looking at it today, Cheng Hui’s depression was largely related to him, even if not directly. He could never wash his hands of it.

Lost deeply in his memories and unable to pull himself out, He Chuan replayed every single event of the past in meticulous detail. To his dismay, most of them featured the image of Cheng Hui in tears, which made his heart tighten and ached so intensely that he could barely breathe.

Driving back to the company from the hospital, He Chuan was somewhat distracted. Suddenly, a thought struck him: when Xin Gan told him to stay away from Cheng Hui back then, did that mean Xin Gan knew something?

He waited for the traffic light at the intersection ahead, made a U-turn, and drove straight toward Cheng Jiu’s residence.

Damn it, why hadn't he thought of this sooner!

He Chuan couldn't help slamming his hand against the steering wheel, feeling as though his heart was suspended in his throat. His reaction had been far too sluggish; he should have figured it out earlier. Xin Gan must have known some inside information, seeing as Cheng Hui had been so close to her, and Xin Gan had also studied abroad in London around that time.

The expression on his face flickered through countless changes as the pieces of the puzzle suddenly fell into place.

If that was the case, did Cheng Hui know that he had gone to London to look for her back then?

Had she intentionally been hiding from him all those years ago?

He had a mountain of questions he needed to ask Xin Gan, and he had to get to the bottom of them.

When he arrived at Cheng Jiu’s house, Cheng Jiu was not home. Because He Chuan frequently visited them, the security guards recognized him and let him in without obstruction.

Since Cheng Jiu was out, only Xin Gan and little Manle were at home.

Xin Gan was less than welcoming upon seeing He Chuan arrive, but since he was Cheng Jiu’s friend, it wouldn't do to give him a cold shoulder or slam the door in his face.

Little Manle was in a good mood today, sitting on the sofa watching an anime. Though she didn't speak, she wore a smile.

He Chuan stepped into the house with a rigid expression and said, "Xin Gan, I'm here because I need to talk to you about something."

Thinking he was there for Cheng Jiu, Xin Gan was about to call her husband when she heard those words. Frowning slightly, she asked, "What business do you have with me? I suppose you and I don't really have anything to discuss, do we?"

She wasn't sure, and she didn't dare to let her thoughts wander toward Cheng Hui.

In truth, it was painfully obvious: if He Chuan was looking for her, it could only be on account of Cheng Hui.

Yet Cheng Hui and he had severed ties long ago; what could possibly be the matter now?

He Chuan studied her expression for several long seconds before saying, "There is. It's about Cheng Hui."

"... " Xin Gan smiled faintly and remained standing by the entryway. Without inviting him in, she started the conversation right there, saying, "If it's about Cheng Hui, I have nothing to say to you."

"No, you do," He Chuan said sternly, keeping his gaze locked on her.

The next moment, however, Xin Gan averted her eyes and replied with an air of nonchalance, "He Chuan, do you think you still have the qualification to inquire about Cheng Hui's affairs? I imagine whatever state she's in now has nothing to do with you. You already have a fiancée; it's common knowledge that you're getting married at the end of the year. I know your fiancée, and I've met her."

By speaking this way, Xin Gan was attempting to divert his attention. He had barged in unannounced, which suggested he might have found out something, but since she wasn't certain, she threw out those words both to remind him of his place and to muddy the waters.

Too many things had happened to Cheng Hui over the past few years.

Cheng Hui had begged her to keep secrets and not tell anyone.

She had promised, going so far as to keep it from Cheng Jiu as well.

He Chuan gave a bitter, self-deprecating smirk. "Xin Gan, I know you and Cheng Hui are close. If something happened to her, she would naturally turn to you. My coming here today has no other purpose than to understand Cheng Hui's condition—her true condition."

He clenched his jaw as he uttered the final few words, his voice trembling slightly.

Xin Gan heard it, but her attitude remained unchanged. Even if he had discovered some hard truth and come to her for confirmation, she would never admit to anything.

Cheng Hui had also found someone to marry, and so had He Chuan. Even if He Chuan knew, what could he possibly do? He couldn't cure Cheng Hui's psychological ailment.

Xin Gan smiled as well. "Don't ask. I don't know anything."

He Chuan clenched his fists tightly, then slowly relaxed them, looking somewhat drained. His eyes were bloodshot as he asked, "When did Cheng Hui develop depression?"

There was no inflection in his tone, laying bare his profound sense of helplessness in that moment.

"You know when Cheng Hui fell ill with depression, don't you?" He Chuan stared blankly at the floor, lost in a daze.

Hearing the word "depression" spoken aloud by He Chuan, Xin Gan wore a look of utter disbelief. Before she could recover, little Manle on the sofa suddenly burst into loud tears. Hearing the child cry, Xin Gan immediately rushed over to pick her up and soothe her.

He Chuan did not leave; he intended to wait for Xin Gan to reveal the entire truth to him.

In reality, Xin Gan had not known that Cheng Hui had depression. When Cheng Hui first arrived in London, she had indeed fallen ill due to anxiety, but it was far from reaching the level of depression. During that period, Xin Gan had stayed in London to accompany Cheng Hui for a long time. According to Dr. Ye, Cheng Hui had merely been immersed in sorrow and unable to pull herself out.

Dr. Ye was her friend; if Cheng Hui truly had depression, Dr. Ye would have had no reason to keep it from her.

She had been completely in the dark.

Had He Chuan not rushed over today to ask her when Cheng Hui contracted depression, she would never have connected the dots. Wasn't Cheng Hui's condition merely a heartbreak, an inability to move on from the pain of a breakup for a while?

How could it have turned into depression?

All this time, Dr. Ye had never once mentioned it.

After comforting little Manle, Xin Gan walked back out, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Where did you hear that Cheng Hui has depression?"

"She saw a psychologist. I went and tracked down the doctor she saw to ask. That doctor told me: she has depression, along with suicidal tendencies."

"Suicidal tendencies?" Xin Gan recalled something, biting her lip with a look of absolute shock.

Was that why Cheng Hui had ended up in the hospital during that period?

Dr. Ye had never once brought that up.

Neither had her friend.

Xin Gan immediately pulled out her phone to verify the matter with a friend—not Dr. Ye, but Julia.

Julia knew Dr. Ye as well. When Xin Gan questioned her first, Julia had been evasive, neither confirming nor denying it, implying that Xin Gan should ask Dr. Ye directly to find out.

Dr. Ye’s younger sister had fallen ill and was hospitalized, and was still receiving treatment. Xin Gan hadn't wanted to disturb Dr. Ye over this matter, but given the exceptional circumstances, she made the call anyway.

She did not make the call in front of He Chuan, stepping out onto the balcony instead.

He Chuan waited in the living room.

When Dr. Ye answered Xin Gan’s call, he didn't seem particularly surprised by what she said. It was as though he had anticipated this day—that Xin Gan would find out eventually, and that Cheng Hui’s condition could not be hidden forever.

Especially since Xin Gan was like family to Cheng Hui.

"Cheng Hui does have depression. When you first asked me to provide psychological counseling for her, I sensed it, though I wasn't certain. It was confirmed later on. She has depression, and she has been taking medication for the past few years."

"Her depression is moderate, which is considered quite severe. I'm sorry, Xin Gan; I never told you."

Xin Gan hadn't misheard. Dr. Ye had admitted it: Cheng Hui truly had depression. But why hadn't he told her?

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Cheng Hui was afraid you would worry. She felt she had already brought you enough trouble, and if she told you, you would only be more distressed."

Dr. Ye apologized to her, acknowledging his own share of responsibility. Back then, seeing how severely ill Cheng Hui was and feeling pity for her out of sympathy, he had agreed to help her keep it a secret.

Looking back now, it had been a disastrous decision that ended up harming Cheng Hui instead.

"Xin Gan, did something happen to Cheng Hui?"

"No, she's fine. She's fine now. Ye Yan, I won't take up any more of your time."

Xin Gan hung up the phone, her heart tangled in heavy knots. She felt a deep sense of failure for not taking better care of Cheng Hui. If she had been just a little more attentive back then, perhaps she would have realized that Cheng Hui’s condition was far more complicated. But even if she had known, there was nothing she could do aside from finding doctors for her. Now, however, it was too late for regrets.

Things had reached this point, and there was nothing more to be done.

He Chuan was still waiting when Xin Gan walked back in. She said, "Cheng Hui's depression is directly related to you. Why she went abroad is also related to you—I believe you know that in your heart. Her depression started not long after she went to London, and it only grew worse over the years while she stayed on medication. I think you should stay away from her from now on. Seeing you probably means she will never truly heal."

He Chuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. He had already guessed it, only lacking the courage to admit it. Cheng Hui had fallen sick because of him. During that company team-building event when he went to look for her, he had stumbled upon those bottles of medicine in her bag—those must have been the medications used to treat her illness.

He should have noticed earlier; why had his reactions been so slow?

Her insomnia was a direct result of her depression.

No wonder her eyes had been as lifeless as ashes, completely devoid of a soul. It was because her soul had been personally destroyed by his own hands.

He was the source of it all, the root of the disaster.

No wonder Madam Cheng couldn't stand the sight of him; even he couldn't stand himself.

"Xin Gan, just one last question: when I went to London back then, did she know I was looking for her?"

"No. I didn't tell her. When you went to look for her, she had gone away to clear her mind."

The turning of the years and the missed connections of the past had forged the antagonistic stalemate of today.

He Chuan’s spine slowly curved downward, and a dull, agonizing pain blossomed in his chest—a bone-deep, freezing numbness brought on by the truth. Had Cheng Hui experienced this exact torment back then?

Through those three years in London, had every single day and night of hers been spent in despair and agony?

If she was riddled with countless wounds right now, the knife that inflicted them was the one he had plunged into her with his own hands. The sins he had committed were not trivial; they were total and absolute.

He Chuan let out a desolate, bitter laugh, his eyes burning red. "Xin Gan, you're right. The damage done to her was brought by me, and I am the one who caused her suffering today."

Xin Gan was speechless, feeling as though he might collapse at any second. How could a man so tall and upright be broken this way?

She couldn't be certain of the depth of his feelings for Cheng Hui, but right now, why did she suddenly feel that He Chuan truly had Cheng Hui in his heart?

Otherwise, why would he be in such agony upon learning of Cheng Hui's plight?

Still, Xin Gan offered a word of warning: "Since you know, you should stay far away from her and never see her again."

"You were the one who discarded her back then, so don't pretend to be in agony now, He Chuan. There's no point."

...

Cheng Hui had suffered a severe blow to her vitality and had been recuperating quietly at home ever since, going nowhere. Lacking even the physical strength to move, she spent most of her time lying motionlessly in bed.

One day, she thought of calling Dr. Ye to ask how Ye Ruoruo was doing. She dialed several times, but the calls wouldn't go through; an automated female voice repeatedly droned that the number was out of the service area and asked her to try again later.

Why wouldn't the call go through?

Uneasy, Cheng Hui sent a text message to Dr. Ye, but waited the entire day without receiving a single reply, as if it had sunk into the ocean.

Perhaps he was simply too busy, Cheng Hui thought. She would try calling again later.

At that moment, the housekeeper knocked and entered, carrying a bowl of traditional herbal medicine. Watching closely as Cheng Hui drank it all down, the housekeeper took the empty bowl and left.

Cheng Hui disliked the bitterness of herbal medicine, and drinking it left her entire body feeling uncomfortable. Yet doing so would give Madam Cheng peace of mind; for the sake of reassuring Madam Cheng, she forced herself to swallow it down every time.

Madam Cheng had witnessed Cheng Hui’s transformation and could barely conceal her joy, knowing that the girl had finally turned over a new leaf and completely cut ties with He Chuan. Lately, Cheng Hui had been wonderfully obedient, taking her medicine on schedule without a fuss.

Madam Cheng appreciated an obedient Cheng Hui. At the same time, concerned for her physical health, she had summoned numerous traditional Chinese medicine practitioners who prescribed a myriad of decoctions to nourish and mend her body.

The Cheng household ushered in a brief period of tranquility.

Yet only a few days later, Cheng Hui received the news of Ye Ruoruo’s death.

It was Xin Gan who called to inform her.

Hadn't they said Ye Ruoruo’s condition was relatively stable?

How could it happen so suddenly?

For a long time, Cheng Hui could not process the news. How could this be?

She frantically dialed Dr. Ye’s number again. This time he answered, his voice sounding unimaginably weathered and worn. "Don't comfort me. I'm fine. I knew this would be the outcome, and I accept reality. Cheng Hui, I'm taking Ruoruo back to our hometown."

"Dr. Ye..."

"There's no need to say anything else. Ruoruo always wanted to go home and take a look; now she can finally go home. Once I've settled things here, I'll contact you." Pausing for a moment, Dr. Ye added, "Regardless of everything, I hope you can take good care of yourself, Cheng Hui."

Even though she refused to believe it, she had no choice. Dr. Ye hung up the phone, and she sat in a daze for a long while, listening to the dial tone buzzing in her ear.

...

Dr. Ye brought Ye Ruoruo back to their hometown and buried her beside their mother.

He stayed in his hometown for a week, meeting the relatives on his mother’s side. Because they hadn't kept in touch for many years, everyone was a stranger to him, and there was even a language barrier. Dr. Ye didn't speak the local dialect, making communication exceptionally difficult.

Fortunately, he could understand most of it, and whatever he couldn't grasp, he guessed.

It was only then that he learned from the older generation that when their mother had passed away years ago, she had actually gone looking for that man—their father, the man who had betrayed their marriage.

He had returned once before to build new houses for the older generations in the family, allowing them all to move into modern dwellings, and had even invested in local infrastructure such as a Hope Primary School. The local area was underdeveloped, which was why there were few young people left; it was also the reason their father had abandoned his wife and two sons to seek his fortune elsewhere long ago.

Now he had transformed into a wealthy man, entirely because he had married into a wealthy family as a son-in-law, earning the status and position he possessed today.

Upon learning the truth, Dr. Ye grew to despise his father utterly.

When he later went abroad to study on his own merits, he had always claimed to others that his parents were still in China, never speaking the truth to a single soul. When he was young, he hadn't wanted to be the object of strange looks from those around him; to him, it felt like discrimination and made him deeply uncomfortable.

Thus, for all these years, he had immersed himself in the web of lies he had woven.

No one knew, and no one exposed him.

Now that Ye Ruoruo had passed away due to illness, that father of his remained completely indifferent, as though Ye Ruoruo had never been his biological daughter and her fate had nothing to do with him.

The man called again, and Dr. Ye answered. The voice on the other end said, "Come back. Now that you have no ties holding you down, can you come help me? Ayan, I need your help. I don't have a son; I only have you."

Dr. Ye simply chuckled—coldly, apathetically, almost wanting to laugh out loud.

"I know you harbor resentment toward me in your heart, but surely you couldn't expect me to abandon my company just to come find you? The company is so busy right now; I truly can't get away. Besides, I've inquired about it—Ruoruo's illness was incurable, and she was bound to die sooner or later."

Dr. Ye listened in silence without hanging up.

"Nothing is more important than my company right now. You are my only son, and this company will eventually belong to you. All my assets will be yours, so you won't even need to struggle; you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labor without a care in the world. As long as you're willing to come over and help me."

Dr. Ye replied, "And what if I refuse?"