"Astra, sometimes I feel that this world is too dark, and you... are my only light."
Standing by the window after Milano left, Jiang Ting spoke with his back to Astra. At that moment, Astra felt that the man who seemed to dominate everything in the eyes of others looked a bit fragile, a bit pitiful.
Jiang Ting sat back on the sofa, leaning against the backrest, his hands clasped on his knees. He gazed deeply out the window, his eyes reflecting a complicated light. His voice was low, carrying an almost imperceptible weariness.
"Astra, do you know? After years of struggling in the business world, I've grown used to coldness and scheming. I'm used to everyone wearing masks, used to being on guard for traps at all times." He took a deep breath, his voice sinking even lower. "But I'm tired of this game. While investing does put me at the top of the pyramid, I don't want to see ordinary people lose everything because of a financial storm. I've seen too many families destroyed by short-selling — children dropping out of school, marriages falling apart. I know that behind those fluctuating numbers, there is blood and tears."
Astra's heart trembled slightly. She hadn't expected that beneath Jiang Ting's cold exterior, there was such a deep belief and conviction.
Jiang Ting continued, his gaze sharp and his lips curling into a cold smile. "That's why I rarely short-sell, rarely bribe officials, and I never attend those so-called upper-class gatherings — those debauched, indulgent events disgust me."
His eyes grew even colder, a hint of mockery in his smile. "They call me arrogant, say I don't fit in. But I know that those so-called 'friends' will turn into wolves the moment there's a gap in interests. How could there be true sincerity in such circles?"
Astra felt touched. She finally understood that Jiang Ting's coldness and distance were a form of self-protection. The world had never shown him warmth or trust.
He suddenly turned his head, a rare vulnerability flashing in his eyes. In a low voice, he said, "I don't need friends tied to interests. What I need is family — someone I can trust completely, without worrying about betrayal."
Astra felt a lump in her throat, her nose tingling. She gently reached out and covered his hand with hers, feeling the chill of his palm.
The night silently embraced them, the sound of their breathing clear in the quiet air.
"Jiang Ting," she whispered, her voice soft, hesitant, and probing. "You're not someone who worships money... so why force me to use my powers to help you make money?"
"Astra..." His voice was low and filled with an indescribable pain. "For as long as I can remember, your presence has been deep in my soul. Whether it was vivid dreams or faint visions, your figure was always there."
Astra's heart skipped a beat.
Jiang Ting continued, his voice slow and firm, as if peeling back layers of fog. "I didn't understand it, thought it was an illusion. Until I met you at that investment summit. Then I realized... it wasn't an illusion, but memories left behind from previous lives. That day, I had someone investigate you. Your family, your abilities — everything matched what I'd dreamed. So when I found out about your 30 million debt, I decided to pay it off for you."
"In a past life, you were a mystic, always using your abilities to help others. And I... fell into danger because of a conspiracy. To save me, you exhausted your energy and ultimately... perished."
Jiang Ting's voice faltered slightly, his fingertips trembling, pain flashing through his eyes.
Tears welled up in Astra's eyes. She vaguely felt an inexplicable sadness and familiarity, as if a scar deep in her soul had been gently uncovered.
Jiang Ting took a deep breath and continued, his voice trembling. "You died saving me, and I couldn't repay what you did. The karma from that past life binds me to protect you in this one."
His voice shook slightly, carrying a hint of humble pleading. "It's been hundreds of years. My soul has long been accustomed to your presence. I fear losing you again, fear watching you disappear in front of me once more."
"So you force me to work for you just so I don't have time to heal others with my powers?" Astra laughed through her tears, finding this man oddly childish.
Yet a hint of worry still rose in her heart. Is refusing to use my powers to heal others really the right choice in this lifetime?