Chapter 4

Chapter 4

In the days that followed, I went through a process so agonizing it made me wish for death.

My mother quit her job at the supermarket and ran herself ragged day and night.

The police station, law firms, the Women’s Federation, television stations…

Again and again, she was turned away and mocked. She would clutch a tea-stained water bottle and eat two cold steamed buns, and that would be her whole day.

Later, with nowhere else to go, she made a banner and sat in protest outside the school gates every day. After the police drove her away several times, she went to sit outside the Jiang Family Villa District instead.

Whenever someone came over to ask what was going on, she would explain seriously, gently, and in a small voice, “I want to prove my daughter’s innocence. Can you help me?”

One day, she received a call from a lawyer who said he was willing to help. He gave her an address and told her to come explain the situation in person.

My mother was so happy.

Sitting on the bus, she kept trembling, both hands resting on her lap.

Before she went inside, her bony hand smoothed the stray hairs by her forehead. Then she bent down and carefully wiped the dust from her shoes with a tissue.

…

Ten minutes later, she burst out of the house in a panic, crying out in terror,

“No, you’ve made a mistake. I’m here to see a lawyer!

“I’m not here to sell myself. The lawyer said he’d help my daughter with her lawsuit!

“You have the wrong person!”

Two burly, vicious-looking men came after her, cursing as they went. “You damned bitch! I didn’t even mind that you’re an old whore, and you still dare run after taking the money?”

They rushed over to grab my mother.

My mother was so frightened her soul nearly left her body. Dazed, she ran straight ahead.

A heavy truck came driving by at that exact moment.

My mother was dragged beneath its enormous wheels and disappeared in an instant.

That truck was so heavy…

It ran over a living, breathing person, yet there wasn’t even the slightest bump.

…

The next time I saw Gu Huai, it was in front of my grave.

I almost didn’t recognize him.

Ever since he was little, he had been disciplined and self-controlled. He went to bed early and got up early, exercised on schedule, and paid attention to balanced nutrition.

He had lofty ambitions and a compassionate heart. I had never once doubted that his future would be bright and splendid.

Gu Huai was so outstanding that sometimes I felt insecure. Once, after reading some tragic romance online, I snapped at him, “Everyone says a childhood sweetheart can’t compare to someone who falls from the sky. If you ever have a change of heart, just tell me! I promise I’ll step aside immediately!”

How did Gu Huai react back then?

He stared at me with those dark, bright, pure eyes of his and said nothing for a long while.

The longer he looked, the guiltier I felt. I was just about to back down when I saw his eyes curve with a smile. Slowly, he raised three fingers beside his temple and said, “Childhood sweethearts. Never betrayed.”

That man, once so vigorous and full of life, once so high-spirited and confident.

Now his gaunt figure stood in the cold wind, hollow and weightless, like a wandering soul with nowhere to go.

In a soft, gentle voice, he confessed to me,

“Xiaozhen, I was wrong.

“I shouldn’t have let Auntie face all of that alone. I should have been there with her.

“I kept telling myself to think long-term. I thought I was being clever by cutting off the pain and impulse I couldn’t bear, forcing myself to keep preparing for interviews. I thought only by gaining ability and a platform could I stand against those people.

“I was such a fool. When lives were already gone, what long-term plan was there to think about?

“Xiaozhen, I’m sorry. I failed to take care of Auntie for you.

“I deserve to die a thousand deaths.”

I stood beside him in silence, watching him.

My heart was torn to pieces, yet my eyes were empty.