You Owe Me, My Love

Chapter 397 She Was From A Wealthy Family

“So, your purpose here today is to cut ties with me?” Aaron's face slipped into a somber and defeated look.

“I need a favor from you for one more thing. It's about Liu Yan. In return, tell me what's the condition for helping me out.” Lifting her chin, Wu Nian was downrightly blunt.

"What if my request is for you to stay with me for a year?”

Aaron's question left Wu Nian speechless.

He chuckled. “Don't worry. I won't force the love of my life to do something she’s reluctant to do. Rest assured that I'll help you out, no strings attached. I just hope that you don't be a stranger when we meet again. You did promise to cook for me once, remember?”

Wu Nian looked at him with gratitude.

Aaron stroked her hair. “Actually, I've been thinking about it a lot recently. I know that you didn't have any feelings for me when you agreed to be with me. You scrupled a lot. You might have used me but I was really attracted to you.”

“I needed to get rid of somebody so I had no choice but to get attached to a boyfriend. Hence, I chose you,” Wu Nian explained.

“You're fantastic, strong, brave, kindhearted, righteous, smart, and beautiful. Besides a weak body, all I have is just my looks and a fabulous family background.” Aaron was rather downcast.

“I'm not as good as you think I am. I've committed suicide, got poisoned, jumped into the sea, undergone plastic surgery, married twice, and even faked an identity in order to start afresh. I can't even forgive my own father. Aaron, I thank you for helping Liu Yan. If there's anything I can do for you in the future, I'll give it my all.” Wu Nian made him a promise.

"You treat me as your friend by telling me all these. I won't let you down and I'll keep your secrets under wraps. I'll be there if you need me,” Aaron assured her.

She leaned over and hugged him. “Thank you and I'm sorry.”

“I told you this before, you never have to thank me for anything. I'm willing to do anything for you,” Aaron said in a serious tone.

With a mixed feeling, she let him go.

She was very grateful for his help, contributions, and the way he did so without asking for anything in return.

“I'll get off here, then,” Wu Nian said.

“Tell me a day or two in advance when your friend is coming to Ustrana,” Aaron reminded her with a heavy heart.

"Okay."

He curled his lips. “I've booked a room for you, it's 1809. Would you let me be a friend and a host even though I can't be your boyfriend?”

“Sure. I'll bring the suitcase to the room.” Wu Nian got off the car.

Aaron followed suit and helped her with her belongings. “When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

“You're here only for one day?” He was rather disappointed. “There’re many famous tourist spots in Lightspring. You can't cover them all in a day. Where would you like to visit the most?”

"What do you recommend?”

“If you're not too tired, I'll bring you to a place after putting your things in your room.” Aaron smiled.

Wu Nian nodded in response.

Aaron drove for two and a half hours before arriving at a church.

He introduced the place, “This is a replica of St. Paul's church. There's a mini version of the Buckingham Palace at the back of the church. You can have a meal, watch horse racing, and play golf here.”

Wu Nian wandered around. “It's such a unique church, but not visited by many.”

“The place belongs to my grandmother. It's not open to the public.”

"Oh, your grandmother?” She had a strange feeling about it.

Considering our current relationship status, it's not appropriate for me to meet the elders in his family, is it?

Aaron noticed her anxiety. “Don’t worry. Although my grandmother can't wait to see you, she doesn't meddle in my private life. I'll clarify our situation with her. By the way, my grandmother has a very close friend from A City. She's thrilled to know that you're from A City too.”

“But I didn't bring any gifts.” Wu Nian was not used to visiting an elder empty-handed:

"You're the best gift you can bring. Just keep my grandmother company and chat with her.” Hearing that, Wu Nian hesitated. Then, won't it make me look bad to only stay briefly?

Aaron led her through the mini version of Buckingham Palace. As they entered a magnificent hall, she saw an old lady making tea by herself.

“Grandma, this is Wu Nian, my friend from A City,” introduced Aaron.

“From A City?” Aaron's grandmother smiled lovingly at Wu Nian. “That's great. Tang is also from A City."

Wu Nian greeted her respectfully.

"Come over here,” Aaron beckoned her and then commanded the maid, “Help me get the photo.” Feeling awkward, Wu Nian took a glance at Aaron before she walked toward his grandmother.

The old lady looked at Wu Nian gleefully. “Aaron told me about you. He wants to call off the wedding planned for him and marry you instead. I think you're a good choice, so I've decided to cancel off the wedding.”

“This...” Wu Nian turned to Aaron with a perplexed gaze.

“Grandma, Nian and I are just friends. That being said, I still insist to call off the wedding,” Aaron made his position very clear.

“What? Didn't you tell me that you like her a lot and want to marry her? Don't think that I'm senile or have dementia just because I'm old now. I remember everything you said.” His grandmother got worked up.

“I jumped the gun. We've decided to stay as friends. That's enough, Grandma, Nian is our guest today.” Aaron tried to drop the topic.

Upon hearing that, his grandmother heaved a long sigh and let out a wry smile.

The maid brought the photo album.

Aaron's grandmother opened it sentimentally and pointed at a woman in a long traditional dress. “This is Tang.”

To Wu Nian’s disbelief, the woman in the photo looked exactly like her mother.

“Tang had such a pitiful life. Back then, she left her child with her parents and followed her husband to the United States to pursue his career. When her parents made a trip to look for her, an earthquake broke out and all of them died in the tragedy,” she told a story.

"All of them died?” Wu Nian was shocked to the core. “Is any of her relatives still alive?”

Aaron's grandmother shook her head. “She wasn't able to conceive another child. As a result, her husband married a second wife who bore him a pair of children. Tang went into depression after that and passed away in her forties. She was my best friend.”

Wu Nian lowered her eyes.

Her mother was an orphan and she looked identical to the woman in the picture. Could it be that she’s the woman's child who survived the earthquake? Tang's dead and my mother has gone mad. It doesn't seem like there's a need to contact her to verify this.

Back then, Xing Bachuan abandoned Bai Bing because she was an orphan and did not possess a prominent family background.

If Bai Bing had not lost her parents, she would have grown up in a noble family and became a socialite. She would not have been abandoned, let alone becoming mentally ill.

Unfortunately, we can't turn back time. I must be extremely careful in every step I take, very very careful...