Chen Junshan, lying on the ground, suddenly raised his head upon hearing Chen Tiannan's words, his eyes filled with anger and mockery.

"Chen Tiannan, stop pretending to be a good person!"

Chen Junshan's voice was hoarse and cold. He stared intently at Chen Tiannan, as if he wanted to devour him alive.

"My business is none of your concern! If you have the guts... if you have the guts, then kill me!"

He would rather die than accept Chen Tiannan's pity.

In his view, Chen Tiannan's plea for leniency was an even greater insult to him.

Chen Tiannan's face turned deathly pale when he saw the hatred in Chen Junshan's eyes.

His body swayed precariously, as if he might collapse at any moment.

"Junshan...you...you still hate me?"

Chen Tiannan's voice was filled with pain and helplessness. His lips trembled, as if he wanted to explain something, but didn't know how to start.

Qin Yang frowned slightly as he watched the father and son turn against each other.

He could sense that there seemed to be some unknown secret hidden within.

"What happened back then... wasn't what you think..."

Chen Tiannan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and slowly opened his mouth.

His eyes were filled with memories and pain, as if he had returned to that heartbreaking night.

"Back then, we...we really didn't approve of you being with Jiaojiao..."

Chen Tiannan's voice grew softer and softer. He paused here, as if he couldn't bear to continue.

"Jiaojiao... Jiaojiao committed suicide because... because of you!"

Chen Tiannan finally told the truth. His voice was hoarse and desperate, and two streams of turbid tears flowed from his eyes.

The entire hall fell silent instantly.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Chen Tiannan to continue.

Chen Junshan was stunned.

His eyes widened as he stared intently at Chen Tiannan, his gaze filled with disbelief.

"What...what did you say?"

His voice trembled, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

"Back then...you told Jiaojiao...that you cultivated the Path of Ruthlessness..."

Chen Tiannan spoke with difficulty, each word like a knife stabbing cruelly into his heart.

"But for her... you're willing to give up... but she... she loves you so much... how could she let you... let your cultivation stagnate..."

Chen Tiannan's voice choked with emotion, and he could no longer speak.

"She chose...she chose to jump off a building and die!"

After Chen Tiannan finally finished speaking, he collapsed to the ground as if all his strength had been drained away.

He covered his face and wept bitterly.

Chen Junshan was struck dumb, and froze on the spot.

His mind was blank, with only Chen Tiannan's words echoing in his ears.

"She chose to jump off a building and die...she chose to jump off a building and die..."

"No...it's impossible...this can't be..."

Chen Junshan muttered to himself, unable to accept this fact.

He always believed that the Chen family had driven Jiaojiao to her death, which is why he harbored such hatred towards them.

But now, Chen Tiannan is telling him that Jiaojiao's death was because of him!

How could he accept this?

"For so many years...we...we couldn't bear to tell you the truth...but we never expected...you would hate us..."

Chen Tiannan raised his head and looked at Chen Junshan, his eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness.

He knew that his past concealment had led to the grave mistake he had made.

He thought that time could heal all wounds, but he never expected that the seeds of hatred had already taken root and sprouted in Chen Junshan's heart.

Chen Junshan still couldn't believe it. He shook his head and backed away step by step.

"No...you're lying to me...you must be lying to me..."

He preferred to believe that it was Chen Tiannan's lie rather than believe that he was the murderer who killed Jiaojiao.

"Jiaojiao... Jiaojiao left you a suicide note..."

Chen Tiannan took out a yellowed envelope from his pocket and handed it to Chen Junshan with trembling hands.

"See for yourself..."

His voice was filled with exhaustion and despair.

Chen Junshan took the envelope with trembling hands, his fingers almost crushing it.

He took a deep breath, slowly opened the envelope, and pulled out the letter inside.

The letter was written in delicate and pretty handwriting.

"Junshan, by the time you read this letter, I will no longer be in this world..."

"I know you gave up your cultivation for me. I'm very touched and happy..."

"But I can't be so selfish. I can't let you give up your dreams for me..."

"I know you cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness; only by severing your emotional ties can you reach a higher realm..."

"So, I've chosen to leave. I hope you won't blame me..."

"I love you more than I love my own life..."

"I hope you... can live a good life..."

"Your forever love, Jiaojiao..."

As Chen Junshan read the contents of the letter, tears welled up in his eyes and streamed down his face.

He gripped the letter tightly, his body trembling violently.

"Jiaojiao... Jiaojiao..."

He roared, his voice shrill and mournful.

He finally realized how terribly wrong he had been.

He had always hated the wrong person; he had always lived in hatred and pain, but he didn't know that the real murderer was himself!

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Chen Junshan suddenly threw his head back and laughed, his laughter filled with despair and self-reproach.

He laughed at his own foolishness, his own ignorance, and his own arrogance.

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