Chapter 135: Cold, Crazy School Idol x Delicate, Spoiled Brat 43
Jiang Luoluo stood by the window, bathed in the intermittent glow of fireworks against the inky sky, amidst the crackling of firecrackers and the joyous celebrations of the New Year.
From afar, he watched the man enveloped in loneliness.
The other man stood motionless, gazing back at him, like a nocturnal statue.
As the countdown to midnight began, the man’s arm moved slightly. He pulled out his phone and held it to his ear.
Simultaneously, Jiang Luoluo’s phone vibrated with an incoming call.
He stared blankly at the familiar “Hubby” on the screen before swiping to answer.
Mu Jianian’s cool, gentle voice came through the receiver:
“Baby, Happy New Year.”
Jiang Luoluo lowered his gaze to the man outside the window, remaining silent.
Mu Jianian didn’t wait for a response.
“Another year has passed, and our baby has grown even more.”
“Originally… at this moment, Hubby should be holding our baby by the window, watching the fireworks together.”
“Hubby even prepared a gift.”
“Your husband had been looking forward to this for so long, thinking that this time, he wouldn’t have to give you the gift through a lottery, but could personally give it to you.”
“But I still messed it up.”
Jiang Luoluo blinked in confusion. When he heard the word “lottery,” he seemed to understand something.
Mu Jianian’s voice deepened:
“I missed 18 New Years with you.”
“So many times, I’ve wondered what you were like during those 18 years.”
“I’ve imagined it countless times, and the result is always the same.”
“That innocent and carefree little child must have been cherished by everyone, growing from adorable to lovely, counting down the New Year’s chimes, and begging her parents for gifts.”
“It was only after meeting me that you stopped being so happy.”
“I’m sorry, baby. My arrogance and obsessive jealousy have hurt you again and again.”
“Your husband has made so many mistakes, hurting you and scaring you.”
“So, it’s understandable that you hate me and want to leave me. Your husband understands.”
“Since you lost your memory, we’ve shared many happy moments. But the happier we were, the more terrified I became.”
“It felt like a sword was hanging over my head, and I knew it would eventually fall and pierce my heart.”
“So, on many nights when I held you in my arms, I prayed, begging the heavens for mercy, asking to keep you with me just a little longer.”
“But it was all in vain…”
“Tonight’s dinner was supposed to be with my parents, discussing the wedding arrangements.”
“We were so close to finally having our wedding.”
“Just a little closer, and we could have stood side by side in our suits, receiving everyone’s blessings.”
“Maybe Li Chuan was right. Someone like me can’t expect divine favor. My prayers were futile.”
“You’ve regained your memory, and now you’re determined to leave me without looking back.”
Mu Jianian paused, as if sighing softly. His cool voice echoed in the moonlight, carrying an undeniable desolation.
“The year you turned 18, just before the Spring Festival, you stood gazing at the dolls in the shop window for so long that you soon had a whole collection of them.”
“The year you turned 19, you were upset when your favorite game shut down its servers. That very night, the game launched a new server and gifted you the rarest equipment.”
“The year you turned 20, during the Spring Festival, you cried and wished for your uncle’s safety. As a result, the best medical team in F Country partnered with the city hospital.”
Jiang Luoluo’s pupils constricted sharply at these words.
Mu Jianian’s voice, calm and steady, echoed through the din of fireworks:
“This time, darling, your wish will still come true.”
“Your husband will agree to divorce you, stay out of your sight, and give you the freedom you desire.”
“Don’t be afraid. Your husband will always love you.”
“And…”
“Darling, Happy New Year.”
“Forever happy.”
Jiang Luoluo frantically hung up the phone.
Clapping a hand over his mouth, he slid down against the window sill, his back pressed against the noisy, festive fireworks.
A man wept uncontrollably.
He had once loved Mu Jianian so, so much.
Mu Jianian was the person he had secretly peeked at from behind his books during his youth, the person whose sleeve he had shyly tugged with flushed cheeks, the person whose stolen kiss would leave him blushing and his heart pounding all afternoon…
All his cherished memories of youth were intertwined with Mu Jianian.
Yet at some crossroads in life, their paths had diverged.
Fireworks bloomed magnificently outside the window, like a grand celebration, only to plummet moments later, bidding farewell to the night sky forever.
They would never meet again.
Jiang Luoluo sniffled, his fingers gripping the windowsill as he cautiously peeked outside.
The man was still standing there, gazing at him like a statue.
Jiang Luoluo blinked, crystalline tears rolling down his cheeks. He remained hidden by the window, watching the man beneath the falling fireworks.
With a nasal voice, he whispered softly:
“Happy New Year, Mu Jianian.”
The system’s voice echoed in his mind: <i>【Target Mission Affection: 100.】</i>
<i>【Host, are you leaving this world now?】</i>
Jiang Luoluo jumped at the sudden voice, his tears startled back into his eyes. He sniffled softly, saying in a small voice, “You haven’t been around for so long, I almost forgot this wasn’t the real world.”
He then asked softly, “Why didn’t you warn me when Mu Jianian injected me with the drug?”
【The system cannot interfere with the target mission’s actions. I’m sorry, Luoluo.】
【Your conquest mission is complete. Are you leaving now?】
Jiang Luoluo’s intertwined fingers curled inward twice. After a moment, he pursed his lips and said, “My parents are getting old, and Dad’s health isn’t good. They need me.”
“They’ve always taken care of me. Now it’s my turn to take care of them.”
The system’s electronic voice seemed to waver slightly, as if teasing him: 【Oh? Not because you’re reluctant to leave Mu Jianian?】
“That’s not it at all!” Jiang Luoluo quickly retorted, but he soon realized his reaction was too strong and lowered his voice: “I’m not reluctant to leave him… not at all…”
On the first day after the New Year, Jiang Luoluo nervously brought up the idea of divorce at the dinner table.
Mother Jiang’s spoon slipped from her fingers and clattered onto her plate. Father Jiang lowered his newspaper, and both parents turned to stare at him in unison.
But no matter how they pressed him, Jiang Luoluo remained tight-lipped, only repeating that their relationship had broken down.
According to F Country law, the primary condition for filing for divorce was having been married for at least one year. Their brief marriage of just a few months meant they couldn’t immediately divorce.
Neither of them appeared in person. Instead, through their respective lawyers, they signed a legal separation agreement, stipulating that after one year, they would fly to F Country to finalize the divorce.
From that day forward, the two never saw each other again.
Mu Jianian kept his promise and never appeared before Jiang Luoluo again.
Jiang Luoluo began acting like a little adult, donning a crisp suit and bow tie as he resumed control of Comet Technology.
In the preceding months, thanks to Mu Jianian’s guidance, Comet Technology had recruited new talent, developed superior products, and sailed smoothly to unprecedented success, earning profits beyond measure.
The dark, scandalous affairs in the business world that Jiang Luoluo’s parents had always worried about never materialized.
At Huaguo’s triennial National Technology Industry Information Conference, Jiang Luoluo represented Comet Technology as a rising star and delivered a keynote speech.
Countless cameras focused on the young man at the podium. Under the flashing lights, Jiang Luoluo spoke with composure and clarity, articulating his vision for the technology industry.
Yet the most prestigious seat in the front row, the central and most influential position reserved for industry titans, remained conspicuously empty throughout the entire presentation.
As the applause subsided after his speech, a murmur of skepticism arose from the back rows.
“This kid’s so young? How can he be so impressive? He probably hasn’t even graduated college yet!”
“Young people these days are so trendy. Their minds are sharp, and they know how to leverage resources. How could they not be impressive?”
Someone detected the veiled sarcasm in the remark. “What do you mean?”
“He’s got a sugar daddy, that’s all!”
“You think everyone’s like Mu Jianian? A prodigy who soared to fame? He really dares to stand up there!”
The man pointed to the empty seat in the front row. “Do you know whose seat that is?”
The questioner shook his head, his face filled with admiration. “The front row, right in the middle? It must be for an industry titan!”
“Let me see!” Someone leaned over to take a look, his voice brimming with confidence. “President Mu isn’t here!”
“Mu Jianian is so arrogant! He doesn’t even bother to show up to events like this!” The man’s voice dripped with bitterness, a mix of jealousy and envy.
Another chimed in, “Who is Mu Jianian, anyway? A young prodigy, a god of the tech industry, the media praises him as the man who dominates the entire sector with one hand. Of course he can skip events whenever he feels like it!”
“If you were in his position, you could skip them too!”
The bitter man fell silent.
The sarcastic one sneered and waved his hand dismissively. “Why isn’t Mu Jianian here?”
He pointed to Jiang Luoluo, who was bowing on stage. “He had a falling out with his former flame. If he’s here, he definitely won’t show up.”
The others widened their eyes in shock.
The man grew even more smug. “Otherwise, why do you think that kid is even up there? If Mu Jianian wasn’t backing him, would he dare to even set foot in the business world?”
“With a face like that and so little cunning, he’ll be devoured whole in less than three days, leaving not even the bones behind!”
The astonished group watched as the figure descended from the podium.
His excessively beautiful features seemed to glow under the flashing cameras. His almond-shaped eyes, round and luminous, held an unspoken allure, while his full, rosy lips parted to speak, their delicate curve perfectly complementing the slight upturn at the corners of his eyes, creating an indescribably captivating and lively charm.
He didn’t belong in the business world.
He was better suited to being kept at home, pampered like a delicate canary, coaxing those beautiful eyes to overflow with tears…
Someone’s thoughts stirred, and they eagerly stepped forward to greet him.
The man who had been speaking scoffed. “I advise you not to court death. He’s not someone you can touch.”
The man sneered, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Luoluo. “No matter how much Mu Jianian values him, he’s just an old flame they parted ways with. He’ll be forgotten in a few days.”
“You people are just too cautious!”
