I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2068: 1336: Standing Beside the Sun (Part 2)

If those words got out, even as Jin Zhuxuan, she would surely face accusations of admiring foreign influences.

Yet when the people begin yearning for other lands, can the blame fall solely on them?

“Me, can I really?”

Li Xuejing appeared stunned and whispered to herself.

Though she hadn't opted to end her sorrowful existence, she had braced herself for the direst consequences upon choosing defiance.

Starting anew…

The idea feels far too idealistic.

“Absolutely, you can!”

“Oppa just said so, and Oppa never goes back on his word.”

What counts as sweet talk?

That's exactly it.

He'd only tossed out a casual remark to lighten her emotional load a bit, preventing an early breakdown—how did that turn into a solemn vow?

Still, Jiang Chen chose not to spoil the mood right then.

He held no particular faith, yet through Lan Peizhi and Tanki Liuli, he maintained ties to the Daoist Sect.

The Daoist Sect stresses the cycle of cause and effect too.

Gathering merits and performing kind acts brings no harm, especially since Li Xuejing now served as a key piece in Korea's game.

A mere butterfly remains unaware of the massive storm it might unleash.

Jin Zhuxuan's earlier phrasing fit perfectly here.

Even a tiny flame can ignite a vast wildfire.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

Knocks echoed from the door.

Jiang Chen rose promptly, showing no hint of superiority.

It was Xing Jie himself bringing the meal.

Jiang Chen accepted the bag, “Head back now.”

Xing Jie gave a nod and departed.

Jiang Chen shut the door, brought the food to the table, “Time to eat.”

Jin Zhuxuan quickly drew Li Xuejing in to assist with the setup, “Ah, Xuejing, you're in for a proper feast today.”

Jiang Chen couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

After all their years of acquaintance, he was just now seeing how this iconic Korean figure possessed such a gentle insight and excelled at soothing others.

That said, upon reflection.

Despite knowing her for so long, their actual conversations had been few and far between.

“We don't get this many dishes normally.”

Li Xuejing mentioned softly, a touch embarrassed, revealing her inner turmoil easing away step by step.

The trio took their seats.

Jiang Chen occupied one side by himself.

“Oppa.”

Jin Zhuxuan handed over a lunchbox with care.

Li Xuejing noticed, her face shifting to an odd, unfamiliar look.

Boss.

Oppa.

In her thoughts, linking those two terms seemed utterly improbable.

Naturally, she kept silent on it.

Jin Zhuxuan uncovered another lunchbox, setting it before Li Xuejing, “Go ahead and eat.”

Li Xuejing quietly began her meal, her overall poise and spirit far improved from when they'd first arrived.

“Xuejing, why not part the curtains slightly for fresh air?”

Jin Zhuxuan suggested, brushing back her hair as she ate with her head down.

Li Xuejing stiffened, clutching her chopsticks, “What if somebody spots us…”

“You're way up here—who could possibly see? Xuejing, ease up; nobody knows your location.”

Li Xuejing stared down, her chopsticks pinching a rice ball, “I prefer it closed like this.”

Jin Zhuxuan let it drop.

“How are grandma and the others doing?”

Li Xuejing inquired.

“Oh, they're doing great health-wise. They asked about you yesterday. Junxiang Oppa mentioned you've vanished for days, so everyone's quite concerned.”

Li Xuejing lifted her gaze, her mouth opening then pausing.

“Something on your mind?”

Jin Zhuxuan picked up on her odd vibe.

“Zhuxuan…”

“Yes?”

Li Xuejing wavered before adding, “Do you chat with Liu Junxiang often?”

Even though Li Xuejing joined as a trainee later and got to know Zhuxuan, they shared a solid bond, and she knew of the old ties between Jin Zhuxuan and Liu Junxiang from their shared agency.

“Since heading to Shen Zhou, I haven't reached out much. I don't wish to weigh down Junxiang Oppa.”

“Zhuxuan, with your success in Shen Zhou, cut ties with Liu Junxiang completely.”

Jin Zhuxuan blinked in surprise, “Why say that?”

Li Xuejing stayed quiet.

“Junxiang Oppa treated me kindly back in childhood, always lending a hand. Xuejing, why suggest…”

“He's not the same Liu Junxiang from your youth anymore.”

Li Xuejing burst out at last.

Jin Zhuxuan's fine brows knit together.

“Zhuxuan, trust me. Keep your distance.”

Li Xuejing eyed her intently, full of sincerity.

“Did he do something wrong?”

Jin Zhuxuan wondered.

And Boss Jiang?

Just eating in peace.

He likely wouldn't grasp it regardless.

Li Xuejing wrestled inwardly, reluctant to badmouth someone indirectly, yet chose honesty for her friend's sake.

“His private affairs are a mess—hitting clubs regularly, stirring up issues when drunk, paparazzi have snapped him plenty, all hushed by the agency, and…”

“And what else?”

“And… he's into drugs too.”

Jin Zhuxuan's delicate brows creased deeply.

“Did you witness it?”

Li Xuejing denied with a shake, “No, but Zhuxuan, I wouldn't fib to you. He's changed from the one you recall.”

No concrete proof exists, but sharing the company means they're no strangers, if not close.

And Xuejing has zero motive to smear him on purpose.

“Got it, Xuejing—thanks for warning me.”

Jin Zhuxuan's brows smoothed out, her voice steady once more.

“Zhuxuan, if you can, remain in Shen Zhou—don't return.”

Jin Zhuxuan gazed quietly at her quivering eyes.

As they departed, Li Xuejing offered a deep ninety-degree bow to Jiang Chen, her Chinese accented but earnest.

“Mr. Jiang, please look after our Zhuxuan well—I implore you.”

“No surprise you chose to aid her. True friends like that are hard to come by.”

In the elevator, Jiang Chen murmured gently.

“Xuejing gets a fresh start, right, oppa?”

This time, it sealed as a pledge.

Jiang Chen affirmed with a nod.

“Your earnings in Shen Zhou alone should easily sustain her.”

Jin Zhuxuan grinned in understanding.

She's no fool.

She realizes oppa's sincere aid to Xuejing stems from deeper motives, but so what.

If Xuejing breaks free from her suffering, that's all that counts.

Xing Jie proves capable of handling major tasks; Jiang Chen dismissed him ahead, and he complied, naturally leaving a vehicle for Boss Jiang.

Before entering, Jin Zhuxuan glanced back; in the sunset's warm light, she caught a faint parting of the top-floor curtains in the apartment.

A soft smile crossed her face; she looked away, pivoted, and slipped into the car.

She still needed to escort someone back.

As the moon climbed over the clouds, the vehicle crossed onto the Han River Bridge.

“Oppa, mind pulling over briefly?”

Jiang Chen glanced her way.

“I'd like to stroll along the bridge edge.”

Jiang Chen directed the driver to halt.

The car stopped, and Jin Zhuxuan stepped out through the door.

The Han River Bridge stands as a renowned Korean landmark, featured in countless dramas, yet also known as a “suicide bridge.”

Nearly yearly, folks leap from it to conclude their lives, driven by the cutthroat success system and stark wealth divide—while not as extreme as next-door Japan, Korea's suicide figures rank high globally.

“In tougher times before, I'd wander the Han River Bridge to clear my head.”

Jin Zhuxuan sensed steps trailing her.

Overhead stretched the brilliant night sky.

To her side rushed the lively traffic.

“Why enter such a grueling field.”

“Because…”

Jin Zhuxuan faced the Han River, stretching her arms to grip the railing, “Who doesn't dream of gleaming vibrantly in this world.”

“Still so youthful and idealistic.”

Jiang Chen ribbed lightly.

“You're spot on, oppa. Success might make you a star, yet so tiny and fragile against the endless void, liable to vanish anytime.”

Jiang Chen positioned himself nearby, roughly two paces off—not intimate, quite distant.

“A lone star seems insignificant, but united, they form an entire galaxy.”

“Oppa.”

Jin Zhuxuan called out once more.

Jiang Chen looked over.

He watched as she spun around, hands clasped behind.

“I've found a simpler path now.”

She edged forward a bit, then again, the river's gentle wind tousling her hair and curving her smile.

“It's standing right next to the sun.”