Chà Chà Novel

The reporters exchanged glances, trying to find an answer on their colleagues’ faces.

Instead, everyone looked equally numb.

None of them could make sense of Shang Jianli’s approach.

At previous press briefings, he would never have entertained their questions about love and romance.

Having lost his “spouse,” he somehow seemed much more human.

“Tell me, how do you decide whether you love someone?”

Rather than answering the previous question, Shang Jianli let his gaze settle on the reporter who had asked it.

The reporter called upon to answer froze.

However eloquent a journalist might be, the subject of love could still leave anyone at a loss.

“I think it’s actually quite simple” He scratched his head, his wedding ring catching the light. “Every day I have to go to this damn job, I wish the world would just end”

Then a shy smile appeared on his face. “But when I see my wife, I feel like there’s still something to look forward to”

“Work is just work, after all. Stick it out, and eventually you get to go home. But if the world ended, I wouldn’t get to see my wife anymore”

The happiness in his eyes did not look feigned. Through the camera lens, his love had taken on a tangible form.

Shang Jianli nodded, committing his words to memory.

When he had received the news of Ji Shileng’s death, his world had abruptly turned black and white. Life had lost all meaning.

Only the memories they shared retained scattered flecks of color.

He had even thought that, once he had settled everything, he would put an end to his own life.

Fortunately, Ji Shileng had appeared before him again.

Shang Jianli asked another question. “Then, for you, does love need a reason?”

The reporter frowned deeply and considered it for a while before shaking his head firmly. “Love doesn’t need a reason”

Shang Jianli nodded. “Love doesn’t need a reason. Disliking someone does”

This sudden poetic turn was entirely unlike him.

The literature and tangled passions he had once dismissed with contempt had, years later, become a bullet that struck him squarely between the eyes.

“So don’t keep chasing after me to ask that question” Shang Jianli spread his hands, his expression finally shedding its detachment. “When it comes to the person I love, I can’t give you a reason”

Because love had never needed one.

The reporters stood rooted to the spot. As Shang Jianli walked farther away, no one called after him.

At first, he had kept asking himself what, exactly, he had fallen in love with about Ji Shileng.

It had not only been him. One after another, the friends around him had asked:

“What do you even see in Ji Shileng?”

“It was only supposed to be some fun. You haven’t actually fallen for him, have you?”

“He’s dead. What are you still grieving for? If you ask me, just find a replacement”

Back then, he had not known the answer.

Whenever he thought about that question, all he could picture was Ji Shileng.

As for a reason, he could not think of one.

Only now did he finally understand: love needed no reason.

The banquet hall glittered with splendor. Dignitaries and nobles in lavish attire mingled and exchanged greetings.

The Federation’s representatives and the Ji family were undoubtedly the evening’s guests of honor.

They had barely taken a few steps before they were surrounded.

Ji Shileng had anticipated exactly this situation.

Taking Su Ke with him, he slipped away to the restroom before they could be caught.

They planned to stay there until the auction began.

Su Ke patted his chest, relieved to have escaped the crowd. “Seriously, what is the Empire playing at? Not long ago, they were treating us like enemies”

How had the people of the Empire all started trying to forge ties with the Federation in the time it took to hold one interstellar military competition?

When news of Ji Shileng’s incident had broken, everyone in the Empire had been desperate to distance themselves from the Ji family.

Various Imperial media outlets had also quietly taken turns attacking the Federation’s Ji family.

During that period, Ji Shiyun had put pressure on Imperial companies, forcing them out of the Federation’s market.

Then Ji Shifeng had canceled the military technology exchange without a word, offering no explanation whatsoever.

Now that the people of the Empire were flocking to them, they even managed to make themselves look magnanimous for setting old grievances aside.

Ji Shileng washed his hands and leisurely dried them with a paper towel.

His lashes fluttered twice before he scoffed. “Who knows?”

Then he answered his own question. “The moment there’s something to gain, they all come running”

Pure affection was so difficult to sustain. Relationships bound by shared interests often lasted longer.

But perhaps that could no longer be called love.

Su Ke smiled. “Right. Something to gain… I really don’t understand these people”

“There are plenty of things we don’t understand. If you can’t figure them out, don’t bother” Ji Shileng tossed the paper towel into the bin, looking indifferent, as though nothing concerned him.

“Young Mr. Ji”

They had left the restroom door open and were standing casually by the sinks, chatting.

At the sound of the voice, Su Ke was the first to notice the newcomer.

Half his hair had turned gray, and his traditional Tang-style jacket gave him a distinguished, vigorous appearance.

Not recognizing him, Su Ke remained wary and said nothing.

Ji Shileng turned around and immediately understood. “Mr. Chang. It’s been a while. Keeping well?”

He folded his arms, making no move to shake hands.

Mr. Chang was the powerful owner behind Imperial Capital News.

“Keeping well? As it happens, there may indeed be something I need your help with, young Mr. Ji” Leaning on his cane, Mr. Chang stopped in front of him.

“If you have business to discuss, please speak to my sister or brother” Ji Shileng had no fondness for the man. Putting an arm around Su Ke’s shoulders, he prepared to leave.

Mr. Chang’s voice was quiet, but Ji Shileng could hear him clearly.

“Young Mr. Ji, do you truly intend to destroy Imperial Capital News?”

Ji Shileng’s lips curved. The mildness in his eyes gave way to disdain. “Destroy it?”

“An apology counts as destruction?” His voice was very soft. “If it’s that fragile, Imperial Capital News is bound to collapse sooner or later anyway”

Meeting Mr. Chang’s dark gaze without a trace of fear, Ji Shileng continued, “The sooner it dies, the sooner it can be reincarnated. I’m sure you understand the principle”

Mr. Chang’s barely suppressed anger threatened to boil over. He tapped his cane against the floor several times. “Young Mr. Ji, I suggest you think before you speak”

Su Ke was about to step forward and argue, but Ji Shileng spoke first. “What? Am I not even allowed to tell the truth?”

“The truth? It seems you’ve picked up quite a talent for fabrication over these past few months”

“Sorry, but I’ve only ever told the truth” He continued unhurriedly, “Besides, isn’t Imperial Capital News the real god of rumor-mongering?”

Mr. Chang gripped his cane tightly with both hands, veins standing out on their backs.

His career had always gone smoothly. When the Imperial Ministry of Publicity first established Imperial Capital News, it had appointed him to its board.

Years had passed. Despite mistakes both large and small, Imperial Capital News had remained an official media outlet of the Empire.

It had all begun to change when Ji Shileng met with disaster.