Chu Wuyang hadn't expected Jing Min to admit it so readily.

For a moment, she couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

Directly telling someone they are sick is extremely rude, especially to someone like Jing Min who has long held a high position and is known for his stern and aloof demeanor. It should be unacceptable.

However, he spoke as if he were discussing a trivial matter.

She moved her lips, tentatively speaking:

"So, you really did inherit your mother's..."

He realized halfway through his sentence that the word "mental illness" was too harsh.

She swallowed it.

After all, Old Mrs. Jiang had told her about Jingmin's mother; she had told him about it on her own initiative.

She didn't say it explicitly, but he probably understood.

Jing Min didn't respond directly, but instead looked up at her, his tone carrying a hint of worry and uncertainty:

Are you scared?

Chu Wuyang's heart sank suddenly.

The things Grandma Jiang said surfaced in my mind like a shadow.

She remembered that Old Mrs. Jiang had mentioned how Jingmin's mother had secretly harmed those who betrayed her.

If Jingmin is really like her mother...

She secretly observed him, but saw no trace of violence on his face.

Thinking about it carefully, he doesn't seem to have ever shown a cruel side to her.

Although the subtle sense of oppression emanating from him made her feel uneasy.

Jing Min looked at her as she lowered her head in deep thought, and a strange emptiness and fear swept through his heart.

He certainly understood what she was worried about.

Since Grandma Jiang mentioned his mother, there must be quite a few details.

His mother would even describe these things to him directly, without any hesitation—those cold and heartless words are still etched in his memory:

"There is no need to be merciful to those who betray you. The more ruthless the methods, the stronger the deterrent effect."

He was only a few years old at the time.

He took a deep breath, softened his tone, and tried to reassure her:

"Don't overthink it. I'm not talking about hereditary mental illness... just some aftereffects of injuries."

Chu Wuyang snapped out of her daze, frowned, and still had a hint of doubt in her eyes.

She spoke slowly:

"Aftereffects? But weren't you the one who had those kidnappers crippled?"

Jing Min lowered his head and smiled, but there was a hint of chill in that smile.

He straightened up, put his hands in his pockets, and spoke in a calm but somewhat cold voice:

"They were indeed crippled, but I didn't do it. Of that group, I only dealt with the guy who tried to humiliate you. The others had their hands and feet broken and were thrown overboard."

He paused here, then looked up at her.

"As for the rest of the people, their becoming like rats in the street is none of my business."

Chu Wuyang frowned at him, "Irrelevant?"

Jing Min narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone cold yet firm:

"I'm not so bad as to deny it; it really has nothing to do with me!"

"They keep blaming me for this, which means it was someone on the ship who did it. If not, why would they be 'stabbed in the back' so soon after I sent people to clean up the mess?"

"I've already had someone investigate, and we'll have results sooner or later."

Chu Wuyang frowned and asked:

"Who could have done that? What good would it do to pin it on you?"

"Could they be your enemies? Did they orchestrate this kidnapping by chance to make you an enemy of more people?"

Jing Min chuckled softly after hearing this, his tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning:

"Who is it? That's a good question!"

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before continuing,

"However, if they are truly my enemies, there is no need to incite deeper hatred."

“Those people already had their hands and feet cut off, which was enough to create a deadly feud. To ‘finish them off’ would seem more like a simple act of venting anger.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Wuyang's expression relaxed a little, and his previously tense shoulders also loosened slightly.

Jing Min's explanation sounded reasonable, and it seemed that he really didn't do it.

At least, he wasn't as cold-blooded and cruel as his mother.

She lowered her head and gently bit her lip, her doubts lessening slightly.

"So what exactly is this 'aftereffect' you mentioned earlier?"

Chu Wuyang hesitated for a moment, but still asked the question.

Jing Min didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at her, then looked at the half-eaten food on the table and casually asked:

"Have you finished eating?"

Chu Wuyang paused for a moment, but still nodded.

He stood up, walked over to her, and reached out to help her up.

"Go outside for a walk."

Chu Wuyang was led out of the small house by him.

As soon as they stepped out the door, the sea breeze, carrying a hint of damp saltiness, hit them. Jingmin's steps were steady, and he held her hand tightly without letting go.

He stood outside and gazed at the horizon where the sea met the sky, then asked in a cryptic tone:

Does this place feel familiar to you?

Chu Wuyang paused, looked at the sea ahead, then glanced back at the small wooden villa behind her, and finally nodded, answering with certainty:

"familiar."

Jing Min suddenly turned his head to look at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes:

"Really? You were really here?"

Chu Wuyang was a little unaccustomed to his sudden enthusiasm, and shook her head to explain:

"Didn't you say this was Sunrise Island in Haicheng? I've never been here before."

"But you asked if this place is familiar... Of course it is! Isn't it quite similar to the scenery of Golden Sunflower Island? Except there are no sunflowers."

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