C11 An Annulment

The night was thick with darkness when suddenly, a fierce wind erupted, and thunder roared across the sky, sounding like an angry lion's growl. In no time, a torrential downpour began. On Main Street, a black Hummer sped through the storm. The rain pounded against the windows, but the man inside paid it no mind. His face was tense, lips pressed into a thin line. The veins on his hands stood out as he gripped the steering wheel, revealing the turmoil within him. An image flashed unbidden in his mind. It was a garden scene. A little girl with pigtails, rosy cheeks, and a bright smile walked with a bounce in her step, utterly adorable. Beside her stood a little boy, handsome and already showing signs of a remarkable presence. "Hey, let's play house! I'll be the bride, and you can be the groom," the girl said excitedly, her big eyes full of hope as she looked at the boy. Her sweet voice reached his ears, and the boy's cheeks flushed slightly, though whether from her words or something else, he couldn't tell.

"Alright," the little boy agreed with a resigned smile.

"How about Jinse becomes Mr. Luo's bride in the future? Mr. Luo will protect you for a lifetime," the boy, at just ten years old, promised the girl a lifelong commitment.

"Be a bride, I want to be a bride!" the girl responded with a face full of happiness, twirling around with joy.

"Then Mr. Luo has to keep his word. A promise is a promise, once it's said, it..." The girl opened and closed her mouth, unable to recall the next part, and looked at the little boy with some embarrassment.

"Is as good as done, you little goof," the boy said affectionately, patting her head with a tenderness that was beyond his years.

That year, she was six, and I was ten.

Some childhood promises fade with time, forgotten by those who made them. But for some, those promises are like seeds planted in their hearts, growing over time into towering trees.

A black Hummer screeched to a stop in front of a mansion, the tires making a loud, grating noise against the pavement.

"Ma'am, it seems young master Luo has arrived," a servant respectfully informed a well-dressed woman.

"Which young master Luo?" the woman asked, a bit puzzled.

"The one from one of the four prominent families in the capital, Miss's childhood friend."

Luo Yi, wasn't he supposed to be in the military? Why is he back already?

The woman looked puzzled for a moment, but then it clicked—he must be here because of Jinse's engagement.

"Mrs. Wu, tell them to close the door and not let him in. Say we've already gone to bed."

She waved her hand impatiently and headed up the stairs. It had taken a lot of effort to reach an agreement with Mother Yeh for this marriage alliance, which would provide Jinse with better support in his career. And you, Luo Yi, what right do you have? Even if you were childhood friends with Jinse, the Luo family has lost its former glory after years of upheaval. Besides, all the power is in your uncle Luo Cheng's hands. You have neither money nor influence, and Jinse would only suffer with you.

With these thoughts, a shrewd look flashed in Mother Ann's eyes.

"Tell your mistress and the young lady to come out. I have something to discuss with them."

Luo Yi stood there, drenched from the rain, his hair plastered to his forehead, looking both bedraggled and determined.

The servant was momentarily surprised by the sight of the man before him but quickly regained composure and said calmly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Luo, but the mistress and the young lady have already gone to bed. Please come back another time."

Luo Yi seemed incredulous as he shouted toward the nearby window, "Jinse, are you awake?"

"It's me, your brother Luo. Are you there?"

"I came to see you. Are you there?"

"Jinse, I won't let you marry another man. Didn't we agree that I would marry you?"

His stubborn and persistent words were barely audible through the thunder and lightning, but his figure remained steadfast, refusing to leave despite being urged to go.

"Mr. Luo, if you don't leave, we'll have to report you for disturbing the peace," a servant warned the man standing in the pouring rain.

Suddenly, Luo Yi noticed a graceful silhouette at a white curtain on the third floor. It was her, Jinse. It had to be her—there was no mistake.

"Jinse, I know you're there. Why won't you see me?"

The silhouette remained still, standing there unwaveringly.

Why, Ann Jinse, why won't you see me? Was it all just a dream I conjured up myself?

Ultimately, Luo Yi left reluctantly, his solitary figure appearing desolate and forlorn in the rainy night.

Watching his retreating figure, the silhouette at the window moved. It was a graceful woman with long, silky hair cascading down her chest. Her fair skin and large, expressive eyes were filled with sadness, but there was no regret.

"Mr. Luo, I'm sorry, I can't keep the promise I made before."

"Jinse, you need to remember who you are. From now on, you can't associate with that man anymore. Also, be mindful of your behavior."

The woman seemed to be gently reminding her daughter, but her eyes were cold and indifferent.

"Mom, why are you doing this? What's so great about Beijin that you insist I marry him?" Ann Jinse asked her mother, her voice tinged with resentment.

"Jinse, I'm doing this for your own good. Look, the Yeh family is wealthy and influential, and Beijin is quite handsome. In the future..."

"Hmph, in the future, to pave the way for my brother's career, right?" Ann Jinse interrupted her mother, her words dripping with sarcasm, a wry smile playing on her lips.

"Jinse, you need to know what should and shouldn't be said," Mother Ann frowned, clearly displeased with her daughter's words, and turned to leave the room.

Before leaving, she added, "Make sure to spend more time with Beijin from the Yeh family."

After her mother left, Jinse collapsed onto the bed, her eyes vacant, lost in thought.