Chapter 218: At All Costs (1/2)
Chapter 218: At All Costs
Chen Xiaolian was stunned.
He was now in a clear dilemma.
This Countess had become overexcited. In fact, Chen Xiaolian could clearly feel that this young woman standing before him was showing signs that she was losing control of her emotions.
She appeared to be on the verge of an emotional breakdown.
…
Something like an emotional breakdown was something that would never happen to the Countess. However, today was a special day, and this moment was a special moment.
Before the break of dawn, she had come to this cemetery to bid farewell to a special person. Due to that, she was already feeling very sad.
Then, there were the stressful matters that were happening around her.
Finally, she suddenly saw Chen Xiaolian.
That was the straw that broke the camel’s back for her. At present, the Countess had lost control of her emotions.
Anger, fear, sadness, terror and various other emotions that she had held in check within her now erupted out from her!
As he looked into the Countess’ eyes, Chen Xiaolian hesitated.
Should I tell her… or not?
It was as though Miao Yan’s warning was ringing in his ears: Stay as far away as possible from my Exclusive Account!
At this moment, however, Chen Xiaolian could actually feel the pain that the Countess was feeling!
Just because …
We are NPCs?
And so……
All we can do is be slaves to the control of the Upper Plane?
Although he appeared to have more freedom compared to this Countess…
But… how much better of a state was he in?
Did he not still end up being tossed into instance dungeons again and again? Did he not have to struggle just to survive?
As for her… … she was in an even more pitiful state. She could not even live the life of an ordinary person.
She was just a puppet, a puppet.
A… a body meant for Miao Yan to enter into.
Because…
They were all NPCs!
…
“Calm down.”
Chen Xiaolian clenched his teeth and extended his hand to help support the Countess.
The Countess’ fingers gripped onto his wrist, refusing to let go. However, thanks to Chen Xiaolian’s help, she was finally able to stand firm.
“If you are so emotional, I won’t be able to talk with you,” said Chen Xiaolian as he shook his head.
The Countess’s eyelids were raised. Those eyes that were exactly the same as Miao Yan’s revealed a look of loss and anger – that expression was something that Miao Yan would never have.
“Can you talk to me? What can you tell me?”
The Countess was currently displaying a very weak side of her and Chen Xiaolian was also affected by those emotions of her… … especially the feeling of empathy as a fellow NPC who had no control over their own destiny.
However, Chen Xiaolian was neither a fool nor an idiot.
He would not blurt out everything just because he was feeling emotional.
Besides his friendship with Miao Yan and the fact that he had an agreement with her…
There was a more important point. Chen Xiaolian was well aware that even though this Countess appeared weak and helpless…
She was by no means such a weak woman.
From his previous experience of dealing with her, this Countess was not a simple person.
Sympathy… she was definitely not the type of weakling who would need to depend on the mercy of others.
The Countess looked at Chen Xiaolian and exhaled, “We have met before! Am I right?”
Chen Xiaolian sighed and slowly nodded his head.
Considering the fact that she had a sketch of his face, there was no need to deny that fact. It was something that he could not deny anyways.
“So, we really did meet before… … when did that happen?” The Countess stared into Chen Xiaolian’s eyes and suddenly burst out in a whisper, “It must be only recently! Mm, that is right! It must only be recently! The pencil marks on the sketch is very new. It must be something that happened not long ago.”
It appeared that she was finally getting calmer. There was no need for Chen Xiaolian to say anything; she quickly deduced matters on her own. “Also… … this is not the first time I am suffering from a loss of memory. Yet, I chose to draw a portrait of you. That means… you are extremely important to me! More accurately, the incident that made us acquainted with one another held a great importance to me. Thus, I had drawn out your portrait to remind myself!”
After saying that, the Countess sighed and stared at Chen Xiaolian. Then, she slowly spoke out, word by word, “In the end… … what happened between the two of us?”
Chen Xiaolian had a calm look on his face and he remained silent.
The Countess continued to stare at Chen Xiaolian. Then, her face suddenly changed and she said, “Could it be… … the two of us… …”
A slightly contorted expression appeared on her face.
Chen Xiaolian was quick to understand what she meant. He quickly shook his head and replied, “No, it’s not like that.”
“There is something that worries you!”
The Countess easily saw through Chen Xiaolian’s emotions and she slowly continued, “Clearly, you know of something. However, you are not willing to tell me now. There is something that worries you, something that troubles you, causing you to become unwilling to tell me!”
After saying that, the Countess’ eyes suddenly lit up!
“Just now, when you met me, you said… you came to visit me. But you happened to see me go out, so you followed me… …! If so, why did you come to visit me?”
Chen Xiaolian suddenly felt that his decision to come find the Countess was a bad idea!
He had been too hasty in making this decision.
“Just forget that I came, can you do that?” Chen Xiaolian gave a wry smile.
“What do you think?” The Countess sneered.
“Truth be told… …” Chen Xiaolian hesitated for a moment before sighing. “Even if I did tell you. It is useless… later on, you will still forget about them all.”
“You mean… my memories will still be lost?” said the Countess, her eyes flickering.
Chen Xiaolian sighed to himself.
He recalled the conversation he had with Miao Yan.
Even if I do tell you… you will still forget.
So… what’s the point?
“But still, I wish to know!” The Countess bit heavily on her lips. She abruptly yelled with all her might. “Even if I know that I will lose my memories after hearing it, I still want to know! It holds a meaning! Even if it is only a moment! At least, in that moment, I would have found the truth! There is a meaning in that! For the current me in my memories, that me whose heart is filled with pain and confusion would have found the answer!”
She took a deep breath. Despite her trembling body, she forcefully seized Chen Xiaolian’s wrist and said, “Please, please tell me!”
Looking at the Countess, Chen Xiaolian was suddenly reminded of himself.
He was reminded of the night when he faced Miao Yan!
“Are you willing to make an exchange?”
Chen Xiaolian sighed.
“Just say it, what do you want from me?” said the Countess with narrowed eyes. “I am willing to exchange all my wealth for this exchange! Anything!”
Chen Xiaolian frowned and he looked at the Countess. He asked, “Do you have that much determination?”
The Countess’ body trembled!
She suddenly loosened her grip on Chen Xiaolian’s arm. She turned to look at the distant grave.
“Do you know… … for whom the grave was made for?”
Her voice carries a deep feeling of sadness.
Chen Xiaolian remained silent.
“The one who is about to be buried inside there is named Schmidt. He was two years older than me and he was my… …”
Chen Xiaolian was momentarily surprised. He blurted out: “Your boyfriend?”
“No… … not that. But…” A trace of pain flashed through the Countess’s eyes. “He… he loved me a lot.”
Chen Xiaolian was silent. After a while, he whispered, “May I ask, how did this Mr Schmidt die?”
“I think, it must be because of me!” The Countess gritted her teeth and clenched her fists until her nails dug deep into her palm.
Then, she spoke with a depressed tone of voice.
…
Jane Brummel Norman.
That was the name of this Countess… naturally, as an aristocrat, and especially the descendant of the Norman family, her official name was longer than that. Generally though, that was how she was referred to.
The Countess was a typical member of the UK aristocracy.
She received an aristocratic education since childhood. Additionally, she attended the UK’s best public schools. In keeping up with the tradition of aristocracy, she attended an all-girls school.
After she graduated from the all-girls’ school at the age of eighteen, she began to take over many of her family’s businesses. At the same time, she also entered university to study.
The Countess had spent her entire adolescent life within an all-girls’ school. After leaving the school… … her beauty naturally caused a lot of males to pursue her with passion.
The name of the first victim was Rohart Dawson.
He was born into a family with a political background. His family could be considered as an emerging family of aristocrats. His grandparents had held offices in the ministry of the UK before.
During a social event, this Rohart Dawson became acquainted with the Countess. With an act that would shake the Heavens, he began to passionately woo her.
The Countess who had just left her all-girls’ school was like a little bird that had just flown out from her cage. When faced with those males who were arduously trying to court her, she became shocked. Additionally, she also felt vigilant and uneasy.
This Mr Rohart Dawson was quick to stand out from the others and was able to attract the attention of the Countess.
The reason for this was that he possessed a special point. He was a very outstanding polo player.
He had an extraordinary family background, favourable education, very good conversational skills, acceptable looks and expertise in polo. It just so happened that polo was the Countess’ most favourite interest.
Thus, Rohart Dawson was soon able to attract the attention of the Countess. They gradually grew close while their friends and family elders expressed happiness in seeing them being together.
Then… a tragedy occurred.
On a certain day, Rohart Dawson confessed his love for the Countess. Although the Countess had already agreed inwardly, she deliberately said: If you win in tomorrow’s polo match, I will agree to be your girlfriend.
Those words were simply a naughty act from the young girl’s heart. Which girl would not want her sweetheart to become a hero in the eyes of the people before moving to take her hand in full public view?
However, on the next day, on the day of the polo match, something happened.
Before the match began, the Countess had intended to go visit the stables to encourage her sweetheart.
In the end…
She lost her memories.
When she came to, the reality awaiting her was: