Fortunate to Have You This Lifetime

The first is when one breathes their last, biologically dead; the second is at the funeral, socially dead; the third is when forgotten, with no one left to remember them, and only then are they truly dead, forever.

After her rebirth, Suzanne Saunders became Purple Summers, and though being reborn was a stroke of luck, facing her own death brought her pain.

The thought of departing this world and no longer being in anyone’s memory filled her with a melancholic helplessness.

But there were still those who remembered her.

They firmly remembered her likes, her wishes, her birthday…

Purple Summers’ lips curled into a smile, her heart like a tree swaying in the sunlight, blossoming brilliantly.

…

It wasn’t just Alexander Summers who remembered Suzanne’s birthday; Aria Jackson did, too.

Aria called to ask how busy Purple was with her studies.

“If you’re free, take a day off, and let’s go out and have some fun,” Aria suggested.

Purple responded with a smile, “What’s the point of celebrating a birthday for someone who’s already died? Besides, it’s Easter around that time, and the family might have other plans. Let’s not.”

Purple politely declined Aria’s suggestion.

Truth be told, she felt a bit guilty because she was keeping a secret from Aria: she planned to spend her birthday at a mountain villa with Alexander.

Alexander had done so much for her, out of gratitude or love, and she wanted to give something back.

Aria didn’t mind, and went on to talk about Jade Carlson: “…she’s having a rough time lately, shunned like a rat crossing the street, unable to find a job. I reckon if it goes on like this, she won’t be able to stay in Clearwater City.”

“What about her mayor father?” Purple asked with amusement, “Isn’t he taking care of his own daughter?”

“Secretary Wiggins is the governor’s aide; George Carlson is just a minor mayor. Unless he doesn’t want to be re-elected this year, he might want to think twice before making an enemy,” Aria said with undisguised sarcasm.

Purple chuckled: “Jade Carlson is finally reaping what she sowed; it looks like she won’t be able to turn things around this time.”

After several minor incidents in the past, Jade had always managed to make a comeback, much like an indestructible cockroach.

Aria remarked, “If she can make a comeback from this, I’d really have to admire her!”

“Indeed…” Purple laughed softly.

…

At that moment, Jade Carlson was indeed trying to turn the tide.

But her situation was extremely difficult; she faced restrictions and obstacles at every turn. After much deliberation, she realized that securing a financial source was the most urgent matter.

She reached out to Nathaniel Summers for help once again.

However, she had overdrawn her credit with Nathaniel to such an extent that he paid her no attention at all.

Jade called Nathaniel over and over again until she finally sent him a message telling him that someone was looking into Suzanne’s cause of death, which prompted Nathaniel to finally pick up her call.

Jade asked to borrow money from Nathaniel.

Nathaniel laughed scornfully, “Jade Carlson, you’ve played your games using the Summers family as your stage and I haven’t settled accounts with you, yet you have the nerve to ask me for money?”

With a desperate plea, Jade said, “Nathaniel, please, for old times’ sake…”

“You’re mistaken, we have no such ties,” Nathaniel’s voice turned cold, replacing his previous tenderness, “It was a business arrangement, not personal. Taking money for services has nothing to do with sentiment. Since you’ve accepted my money, don’t talk to me about sentiment, it makes the money I spent seem particularly worthless!”

Having faced too many blows recently, Nathaniel’s indifference was almost the last straw for Jade; she began to cry over the phone, “Nathaniel, I’m begging you!”