1 Released
In B City, precisely in Qingcheng Prison.
"0977, come out! Today you're released," an officer said arrogantly.
The metal door creaked, breaking the silence. The tall, thin, and shabby figure of a man, who was originally sitting quietly in the corner of his cell bed, automatically stood up and walked out after hearing the voice.
The expression on his face was pathetic. His physique looked extremely pitiful.
Yes, spending ten years in prison had eaten away at his body and left only bones covered with skin. The handsome and tough figure had now lost his glory. His face lost much of its gleam and lacked the light of happiness.
No one knew how much misery he had suffered all this time, the face just continued to be gloomy without any passion for life.
If the other prisoners were going to cheer with heaven when their prison term was up, the man was different. His release didn't guarantee any redemption in the past.
When it was like a wind blew from outside, greeted him, and hit his pathetic body.
On the day of his release, no one came to pick him up as if no one had wanted this. His departure was only followed by clouds and a bone-chilling cold wind. These were the things that welcomed and celebrated his release.
Unlike ten years ago. Many people wept over him when the court sentence was set. But, it was hypocrisy he would never forget. The relatives who were weeping over him substantially wanted him to rot for life in prison.
Even during his ten-year sentence; his stepmother, stepbrother, and even his wife—no one came to visit him. If it wasn't for his ex-wife, he would be alone and deserted as if he didn't have anyone in this world.
Nonetheless, it was a long time ago. For the last five years, his ex-wife stopped visiting him in prison. He expected his ex-wife to come to surprise him on his day of release and he didn't want anyone except for him!
Still, what he found now was a space; the world he had just seen was desolate and strange because the only person he knew didn't come for him.
Amid his contemplation, an ironic smile unawares etched on his face...
His ex-wife already had a boyfriend, certainly, they were married by now. He shouldn't be expecting something that would never happen.
He deserved that emptiness!
Now, he could only walk aimlessly and was reluctant to return to his family's mansion that could guarantee his life.
He would never go back there.
If there was a choice, a lifetime in an iron cell was better than a week in that place.
After an hour down the road, a black McLaren Elva pulled up beside him. He also stopped and looked at the car.
Inside the car, there was a gorgeous and graceful woman. It took a long time for the man to remember her until...
"Lu ... Xin'ai ...," he muttered.
"You, Jiang ... Yanxu? Are you Jiang Yanxu?"
The man didn't respond. He just stood frozen like a dazed person. Been a long time since someone had said the name, and it sounded strange to him.
"Brother-in-law, come on in. We'll talk in the car."
The woman opened the car door, the man got in immediately.
On the seat, Jiang Yanxu looked blankly at Lu Xin'ai who was sitting next to him.
He couldn't remember how many years he hadn't seen her. The only thing he remembered was that Lu Xin'ai was the successor of the Lu Company, which was one of the hugest animation companies after his company, Jiang Group.
She ...
Jiang Yanxu finally could remember after the pictures of the past were replayed in his head.
Lu Xin'ai was the female cousin of his ex-wife. Her figure reminded him of the most insulting words he had ever uttered, making him instantly feel guilty.
He had never thought of reuniting when things were getting worse.
Instantly a gentle, smiling figure popped up in Jiang Yanxu's memory. The man lowered his head, his heart instantly filled with deep grief.
His eyes were teary. He realized it when the drops of water fell on the shabby clothes he was wearing.
No one thought that he could be in pain. If someone asked, 'do you regret everything now?' No one would believe Jiang Yanxu said that he regretted everything impeccably.
"Brother-in-law, what's wrong?" Lu Xin'ai asked worriedly.
However, because the man kept wailing, Lu Xin'ai also pulled the car over. She touched the man's arm gently, asking softly, "Brother-in-law, what's wrong? You just released, then why are you crying?"
Yan An ...
Of course, the tears were for his ex-wife, Yan An. Jiang Yanxu didn't feel embarrassed anymore to show his imperfection in front of Yan An's family.
After years of trying hard, his life was still far from prosperous.
Jiang Yanxu divorced Yan An to marry his ex-lover. But, after their divorce; three years later after his new marriage; he was framed. All treasures were confiscated, even his Jiang Group.
Spending ten years in prison, he constantly remembered Yan An every moment. As his abandoned wife, Yan An was the only person who still cared about him. Bringing him food; telling many stories; even though every word he said didn't change, still sounded gentle.
He married Yan An for business, also his parents' wish. Since the Yan Group had no daughters, Yan An was an offer that Jiang Family agreed to.
During their marriage, he didn't know how many tears Yan An poured into the cup just to get the man's acknowledgment of him as a wife, but the man even poured wine as a mockery.
He didn't know exactly what kind of sweetness he had given to Yan An besides endlessly making him cry.
Judging by the look, Lu Xin'ai immediately knew what made the man burst into tears, but she didn't dare to bring up anything other than showing sympathy and tried to comfort him with the words, "Brother-in-law, Yan An has never hated you. Every time, after he visited you, he always told good things about you."
Lu Xin'ai was slightly surprised by this man's reaction. She never expected that what Jiang Yanxu believed in the past now made him so regretful.
However, she couldn't do anything. Her eldest cousin, Yan An, often told her not to hate Jiang's Family. Yan An loved Jiang Yanxu and didn't hold any grudges. So, year after year, Lu Xin'ai took good meaning to the words and tried not to hate Jiang Yanxu even though what Jiang Yanxu had done was inhumane.
In the end, she could talk amicably to Jiang Yanxu by now, not even hesitating to call him 'brother-in-law'.
