The Remaining Third Chapter Forty-Five: Resolution and Answers

"I don't want any new fate, I only want you!" Wang Chao's eyes were red as he growled hoarsely, hysteria in his voice, wrapping his arms tightly around Jin Yue from behind. "It doesn't matter, even if you really slept with that person... as long as you let me stay by your side, just like before, I'll do anything for you. From childhood until now, my world has always been just you..."

Jin Yue struggled free from Wang Chao's grasp, her brows furrowed, her voice cold. "Don't do this... don't you understand yet? What I want, you can never give me in this life. Rather than dragging this out in pain, it's better to cut it off completely. Better a quick pain than endless torment. You should pursue your own happiness."

"What happiness do I have left for myself?" A flicker of madness flashed in Wang Chao's eyes. He lowered his head like a rag doll discarded by a bored little girl, murmuring, "Do you really not want me anymore..."

"See, that's exactly where we don't fit," Jin Yue said, pointing at another painting on the wall. "I'm talking about ending things, but you keep asking for an answer. We're like those two people in the painting, clinging to the same piece of driftwood in the sea. If we keep entangled like this, we'll only drown together!"

"Are you afraid of death?" Wang Chao stared, gazing foolishly at Jin Yue.

"No one isn't afraid of death. If I weren't afraid, why would I go to such lengths... Since I survived that disaster years ago, it means fate gave me a second chance," Jin Yue folded her arms, chin raised slightly, her expression serene. "Fear of death is natural for the living. Only the gods on the altar are unafraid. So, please, be kind, and let me live—can you?"

"You're afraid of death... hahahaha, you're actually afraid of death," Wang Chao suddenly burst into wild laughter, tears streaming down his face. "So the answer you give me now is that you're afraid of death. Is that why you saved me back then... because you were afraid, and wanted me as a companion to face it? Fine, fine! I'll grant your wish..."

Jin Yue closed her eyes, her face twisted with disgust. "You look like a madman right now... This is a gallery, keeping quiet is basic courtesy. If you're not here for the exhibition, you can leave now."

Wang Chao took a deep breath, forcing a bitter smile. "So you've made up your mind, weighed it all, and decided to part ways with me." He punched the frame beside a painting, turned away furiously. "These damn scribbles don't interest me at all. Even kids in kindergarten paint better than this—what's so special about it? If you weren't here, I wouldn't last a minute. Crap, it's all crap!"

Only after Wang Chao's footsteps faded from the gallery did Jin Yue slowly open her eyes. With her right index finger, she brushed away a tear that had barely fallen, sighed deeply, steadied herself, and resumed her careful appreciation of the artworks in the gallery.

This world is relatively fair, obeying a law of conservation—when someone leaves, another arrives.

Three minutes after Wang Chao left the gallery, a young police officer in a blue uniform entered, stopping beside Jin Yue and staring at the painting on the wall. "The Abduction of Leucippus' Daughters... It's a fine work, one of Rubens' best. The bold colors highlight the bravery of Castor and Pollux, and the delicate softness of the two girls is vividly portrayed. But I still prefer his other piece, Garden of Love. This painting is too full of struggle, it's not pleasant."

A faint smile touched Jin Yue's lips as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and pouted. "Reading a lot is a good thing—you always have something to say. I don't really understand these. After all this time, all I see is three words."

The young officer glanced sideways at Jin Yue, seriously asking, "Which three words?"

Jin Yue looked back at him, meeting his gaze with a bright smile. "Not good-looking."

The officer shook his head, his expression odd. "If Rubens could hear that, he'd be rolling in his grave... but you're right, it really isn't good-looking."

"Let's stop circling around," Jin Yue pouted. "What are you here for today?"

"Although I don't want to spoil your mood for art, I'm sorry, there's no way around it," the officer cleared his throat, his tone serious. "Please come with me. We need to have a proper talk."

"Where to?" Jin Yue's expression grew cold. "The police station?"

The officer nodded. "That's why smart women are the best—understanding, no need for me to spell it out. Let's go, there’s a pile of work waiting for me at the station..."

"I guess I can't refuse, right?" Seeing the officer shake his head firmly, Jin Yue took out her phone. "Officer Chang, can I make a call? You know I have a lot going on lately, and I don't know how long we'll talk. I'd like to arrange a few things first."

Chang Ping shrugged, indifferent. "Of course, go ahead."

Jin Yue swiped through her phone, found a number, dialed, turned her back to Chang Ping, and spoke softly. "Hello... it's me... Something urgent just came up, I might not be able to help with the funeral preparations at the church for a while. If possible, could I go over the process at another time... Yes, thank you so much... Also, I think the vines beside the cemetery are growing too wild. Could you trim them? Yang Hai never liked anything blocking his view, and keeping it bright will help comfort those coming to mourn..."

After receiving the other person's assurance, Jin Yue breathed a sigh of relief, hung up, and turned to Chang Ping. "Now we can go. The weight on my heart is finally gone."

Chang Ping glanced at Jin Yue with a half-smile, gestured for her to go ahead, then led her out of the gallery. They got into the police car parked at the entrance, spun out quickly, and sped away with a howl.

The bushes on the right side of the gallery shook violently. Wang Chao emerged, his face dark as he watched the police car disappear. He pulled out his phone and tapped out a message, sending it swiftly.

Moments later, his phone vibrated. Wang Chao opened the reply—a simple "Yes." He exhaled heavily and put the phone away.

Back in the driver's seat of his van, he took out his wallet and looked at a photo inside. His trembling fingers withdrew it, and he pulled out a lighter, pressing it, but hesitated to set the photo ablaze. A tear fell onto the picture; Wang Chao put away the lighter, carefully slipped the photo into the inner pocket over his heart, placed his right hand there, his eyes turning cold again, and started the van, heading toward the city hospital.