Coming to Steal Someone

Su Jian wanted to follow, but Yao Qin firmly raised a hand and stopped her.

Jin Pingchuan gave Su Jian an assuring look before pushing Yao Qin downstairs.

There was a small garden downstairs. It was a bright sunny day, and spring was in the air. Many patients were taking leisurely strolls along the path.

Jin Pingchuan pushed Yao Qin for a while before she suddenly spoke up. "I remember you. Ten years ago, you climbed over our wall. This was before I broke off from the family, of course."

Jin Pingchuan paused for a moment, choosing not to respond.

Yao Qin turned her wheelchair around, examining Jin Pingchuan as if comparing him to his appearance from ten years ago. "Back then, you were younger and much thinner. That day, you sneaked into the courtyard after climbing over the wall. I saw you from upstairs and called out to you. You even smiled at me and explained that you weren't there to steal while asking me not to raise the alarm. You didn't seem like a thief to me, so I humored you and asked why you came. Do you remember how you answered?"

"I said, 'I'm here to steal someone,'" Jin Pingchuan replied with a slight smile. It was as if he could still envision Yao Qin as she was back then—a beautiful woman in an elegant long dress.

"You have a good memory." Jin Pingchuan sighed.

Yao Qin had not expected Jin Pingchuan to readily admit it. Numerous doubts had been plaguing her. "That day, your answer left me dumbfounded. You claimed to be there to steal someone, then quickly jumped onto the wall and ran away before I could inquire further. That question remained unanswered all this time. Whom did you intend to steal?"

"Who do you think?" Jin Pingchuan asked.

"Su Jian?"

Jin Pingchuan smiled, seemingly confirming her assumption.

"You knew Su Jian ten years ago?" Yao Qin was taken aback.

"Yes, unfortunately, by the time I found her, it was already too late." Jin Pingchuan recalled the day he climbed over the high wall of the Su family's residence. The weather was just as splendid as today—clear blue skies and fluffy white clouds. He had been in a good mood, but then he witnessed something he shouldn't have. It instantly dampened his spirits. It was the sight of sixteen-year-old Su Jian and twenty-year-old Su Yinian sharing a kiss beneath the blossoming pear tree.

Yao Qin pondered for a moment, understanding what Jin Pingchuan meant by being "too late." "Back then, Su Jian and Su Yinian were secretly dating... Before the accident, it wasn't surprising to see Su Jian and Su Yinian together. After all, they grew up alongside each other and naturally developed a close bond. When they fell in love, they regarded each other as their lifelong partners."

"Su Yinian was the first to win Su Jian's heart. They had a deep connection growing up," Jin Pingchuan rubbed his temples. "Honestly, I was unjustly defeated in that regard. But seeing Su Jian leading such a happy life, I couldn't bring myself to disrupt it. I couldn't do anything to ruin it."

By then, Jin Pingchuan was already twenty-two years old and wouldn't act so recklessly. He observed Su Jian for a long time and, upon confirming that she was content in the Su family and well-treated by Su Yinian, he resigned himself to fate, letting go of his unrealistic hopes. He moved to Haicheng.

Yao Qin listened attentively. Initially, she had a negative impression of Jin Pingchuan, but gradually, she realized he wasn't a bad person.

"For all these years, my work has kept me occupied in other places. I haven't come to Lingnan often. When I do visit, it's usually in a hurry. During this year's Spring Festival, my mother told me that her distant aunt had taken quite a bad fall and asked me to come and check on her. That distant aunt would be Grandma Wang. When I was young, Grandma Wang took care of me for a few days. I'm a nostalgic person, so I visited her when I had free time. On my third visit, she mentioned wanting to introduce me to a potential partner and even showed me a photo. I immediately recognized Su Jian, so I agreed to the blind date..."

Pausing for a moment, Jin Pingchuan continued, "I didn't plan on registering our marriage on the first day of our blind date, but it ended up happening. It was a pleasant surprise for me." Jin Pingchuan couldn't hide his joy. "When I received the marriage certificate, I was genuinely happy. I felt that fate was on my side. Mom, don't you think so?"

Yao Qin didn't respond immediately. She felt a mixture of joy and worry. She was glad that Su Jian didn't hastily marry just about anyone. The person she married was someone who had cared about her for so many years. Yao Qin didn't have to worry about Su Jian being at a disadvantage due to a hasty marriage. However, she also worried that Su Jian had experienced too much hardship in her previous relationship and might struggle to move on.