Switch Mode

Chapter 36

Jiang Baichuan sighed deeply, reflecting on the challenges they had faced. “Back then, it was like dealing with raw melons and eggs. The knife family’s blade was dull, the dog family had a poor sense of smell, and the whole village was secretly informed. Fewer than twenty people were willing to take the risk. We had to rely on the elderly’s memories and some handwritten books left by ancestors that somehow survived Wen Ge’s time.”

He continued, “The lame father’s situation might seem hopeless, with no news of him, but now that there’s a lead, it’s worth inquiring. Ignoring it would make things colder for everyone. Besides, I didn’t make this decision alone; I consulted Xing Shen.”

Jiang Baichuan emphasized, “It’s not just about saving the lame father; it’s about saving a companion. Everyone here is a ‘companion,’ and they might face similar dilemmas in the future. Voting to save the lame father is like voting to save ourselves in a potential future crisis.”

Nie Jiuluo asked, “So, where should I go? Banya or Shihe County?”

“Start with Shihe,” Jiang Baichuan replied. “I’ll contact you later.”

Nie Jiuluo was about to end the call when a thought struck her. “Uncle Jiang?”

“Yes?” Jiang Baichuan responded.

“My mother had an accident in Qingyang. Did you see it happen?”

Jiang Baichuan was momentarily taken aback. “Why do you ask about that?”

He then said, “I saw it. We were attacked and dragged away by an owl. The blood trail was evident, but we couldn’t catch up with the beasts. We only found one of her shoes. Your father nearly went mad. If it weren’t for a few people holding him back, he would have rushed into the black and white stream… Why do you suddenly bring this up?”

“It’s nothing,” Nie Jiuluo replied. “Just curious.”

Quecha took a taxi back to the villa alone. She had initially planned to return with the big head, but Jiang Baichuan had called to say the basement was too small for Sun Zhou and that a change of location was necessary. This change was inconvenient for her to know about, so the taxi dropped her off alone.

Feeling somewhat slighted, Quecha was irritated by the sense of being valued only when needed and overlooked otherwise.

As she approached the villa, she noticed someone standing on the roof. Was it Xing Shen? She had thought her last encounter with him was indefinite.

Her mood brightened, and she called out, “Xing Shen, be careful up there! Don’t fall!”

Xing Shen glanced down, lifting his sunglasses slightly to avoid the glare. He saw Quecha’s silhouette below, recognizing her by the soft light and graceful lines, as well as her voice. Her light, finch-colored aura reminded him of the phrase “when the finch is at dusk.”

The term “finch color” always seemed to him like a pale, warm dusk color. In contrast, “Arrow” was moon white, which he interpreted as a very light blue—the faint hue of a distant cold moon—something far removed from him.

Footsteps approached, and Quecha, having rushed up, said anxiously, “Xing Shen, take a few steps back! There’s no railing here. Be careful!”

Xing Shen smiled, his movements somewhat clumsy and nervous in the soft light. He said, “I don’t care.”

Quecha, alarmed, insisted, “Please come down. There’s no railing up here! If the wind picks up…”

As if on cue, the wind blew, causing Quecha to crouch instinctively, fearing she might be blown away if she stood upright.

Back inside the villa, Xing Shen sat on the sofa in the living room. Quecha, busy in the kitchen, was preparing a selection of drinks: white peach oolong, jasmine black tea, freshly squeezed orange juice, pear juice, and coffee.

“What would you like?” she called out.

“Let’s have a cup of coffee,” Xing Shen replied.

As Quecha prepared the coffee, a pang of guilt hit her. She felt a bit remorseful for enjoying her time with Xing Shen, considering Jiang Baichuan’s concerns. But she quickly dismissed it, reassuring herself that her interest in Xing Shen was more about meeting and talking than anything else.

Soon, Quecha returned with a tray of steaming coffee cups, milk, and sugar cubes. She first attended to Xing Shen’s cup, saying, “The coffee I bought is a bit bitter. Adding some sugar and milk will make it taste better…”

Xing Shen replied, “It’s okay. I like it strong and bitter.”

Quecha, already having added sugar and milk to one cup, quickly handed him another. “I guessed you might prefer it bitter, so I didn’t add anything to this cup.”

When Quecha lied for the first time in front of someone, she didn’t feel the usual heat in her face, though she was relieved that Xing Shen couldn’t see her.

Xing Shen smiled and said, “Thank you.” His smile was so warm and charming that Quecha found herself mesmerized. She thought, He’s so polite, elegant, and good-looking. His smile is like a gentle spring breeze, and it’s as if you can still smell the freshness of early spring.

Quecha had fallen in love with Jiang Baichuan when she was seventeen. At that time, he was twenty-one years older than her. Though he was only thirty-eight, he still looked youthful, handsome, and golden. Over the fifteen years, she had grown disenchanted with younger men and talented individuals. Now, for the first time, she realized how appealing youth could be.

As she sipped her coffee, which she had just sweetened with sugar and milk, she found it astringent, possibly reflecting the bitterness in her own heart. Trying to make conversation, she asked, “What have you been busy with? Just got back?”

The moment she asked, she noticed a change in Xing Shen’s demeanor. His previously cheerful mood had shifted to one of apparent sadness. Realizing her mistake, Quecha quickly said, “I… I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry for my thoughtlessness.”

She smiled awkwardly, brushing her hair nervously. Why am I so flustered? It’s not like I’m performing on stage in front of thousands of scrutinizing eyes. Xing Shen doesn’t even have eyes. Why am I so anxious?

Quecha pinched her thigh, trying to calm herself.

Xing Shen held his coffee cup tightly, feeling the heat seep through the cup and into his fingertips. “Nothing much. I was just visiting my former… girlfriend.”

“Former girlfriend?” Quecha’s immediate reaction was to think highly of the girl who had dated Xing Shen, considering his blindness. She couldn’t help but ask, “How did you two separate? It’s such a pity.”

Realizing she had pried into a private matter, Quecha stammered, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. Forget I said anything.”

Xing Shen began, “It was because I was determined to do something she strongly opposed.”

Curious but hesitant, Quecha sipped her coffee and listened intently, hoping Xing Shen would elaborate.

He continued, “She was extremely angry—something I had never seen before. She loved making clay sculptures and, when she first started, she made one of me. She was very talented, and it looked almost like me. But out of anger, she smashed it.”

Xing Shen paused, as if reliving the moment when the statue was destroyed. He remembered how precious that statue had been and how fiercely protective he was of it. The destruction of the statue was resolute and final, just like the end of their relationship.

“She said, ‘Xing Shen, if you insist on this, our relationship will end, and so will our lives together.’”

Quecha asked cautiously, “Was it really that serious?”

Xing Shen responded, “It often boils down to communication. If you sit down and talk, you can understand each other better.”

Quecha, trying to offer some advice, said, “As long as it’s not illegal or immoral, I think you should pursue what you really want. When I was younger, I argued over trivial things, and looking back, it didn’t seem worth it at all. What did you really want to do?”

Xing Shen replied, “I wanted to regain my sight.”

Quecha was shocked, spilling her coffee all over herself. “What?”

Seeing the dark brown stain spreading on her clothes, Xing Shen commented, “Your clothes are stained.”

Before leaving Anta, Nie Jiuluo went to find Zhan Jing again. Over the past few days, she had gathered some new information: Zhan Jing had once been a Chinese teacher at a middle school. He was expelled around 1999 due to issues with his “lifestyle,” which involved intervening in the marriage of a young couple.

In 1999, Nie Jiuluo was just four years old. Her parents were indeed a “young couple” at the time. A year later, her mother had an accident, and another year after that, her father jumped from a building.

Zhan Jing worked at a small foot spa, performing various tasks from cleaning to assisting the technicians with meals. After his shift ended at eight o’clock, he emerged from the foot massage shop, his old back aching.

Nie Jiuluo greeted him and said, “Let’s talk for a bit.”

Zhan Jing apologized to Nie Jiuluo, saying, “Xixi, I was speaking nonsense before. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Seeing the jade chain had triggered a flood of memories for him, causing him to break down the cautious and nearly cowardly persona he had built over half his life. Afterward, he felt foolish, realizing that Pei Ke had been gone for twenty years, and dwelling on the past was pointless. He admonished himself not to let past grievances affect the younger generation.

Nie Jiuluo responded, “I’ve heard what you had to say. Now, tell me more about what happened with my mom back then.”

Zhan Jing looked at her with concern. Nie Jiuluo smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry. I’m an adult and have been through my share of relationships. I’m quite accepting. My parents were neither saints nor perfect; their relationships were complicated. Just tell me the truth.”

Zhan Jing was taken aback by her response. She resembled Pei Ke in some ways but was very different in temperament. He mused that if Xiao Ke had had Xixi’s character, her life might have been different.

He hesitated before speaking, “Did you know your parents had a child before you? Unfortunately, the baby died in the womb. My parents were heartbroken, and when they had you later, they referred to you as their second daughter.”

Nie Jiuluo nodded, “I know. It’s a pity the first one didn’t make it. My parents were very sad, but when I was born, they said it was like having a second chance.”

Zhan Jing struggled to look her in the eye, his voice barely above a whisper, “The first child was actually mine.”

Nie Jiuluo felt a jolt of shock, like a sudden buzzing in her ears. She raised her hand instinctively, as if to clear the sound, feeling empty.

Zhan Jing, realizing he might have caused more distress, quickly clarified, “But don’t think ill of her. She didn’t cheat on your father, and he knew about it. Xiao Ke and I broke up due to some misunderstandings. She later found out she was pregnant but chose not to contact me. Your father, who had always liked her, agreed to take care of her and raise the child as his own. In a small town like ours, gossip was harsh, and Xiao Ke accepted your father’s support.”

He continued, “I didn’t find out about this until I returned. Xiao Ke refused to meet with me, saying she was content with your father and wanted to move on. I regretted not being able to be there for her but had to focus on finding a job and settling down, keeping a distance while silently observing her and the child.”

Zhan Jing’s voice grew heavier, “What I didn’t expect was that when the child was about six months old, she couldn’t be saved due to a lack of oxygen. Xiao Ke was devastated, and I was also very sad. But I thought perhaps it was for the best. They were young and could have children of their own in the future.”

Two years later, Nie Xi was born, and Zhan Jing gradually overcame his sorrow. With the help of a colleague, he found a girlfriend.

“When you were just over three, I came home one day to find Xiao Ke waiting for me. She was in a terrible state, having clearly been crying. She told me she suspected something about the child’s death.”

Zhan Jing glanced at Nie Jiuluo nervously and lowered his voice, saying, “She suspected your father was involved in the child’s death.” It was as if he had done something to make it happen.”

Nie Jiuluo responded with a calm, “Oh.”

She was surprisingly composed, likely due to her mental preparation for such revelations. Zhan Jing, noticing her calm demeanor, became agitated. “Your father hated the child and pretended to care for Xiao Ke just to gain her trust. How terrible of a person must he be? Xiao Ke was introverted and didn’t have many friends, so she often confided in me. I still had feelings for her and was deeply concerned.”

He recounted how the scandal of his lifestyle had ruined his career and relationship, which only reinforced Pei Ke’s decision to leave Nie Xihong and file for divorce.

Nie Jiuluo, feeling her lips dry, sipped lightly from her lemonade to moisten them. “At that time, I was four or five years old and should have remembered any major arguments, but I don’t recall anything.”

Zhan Jing replied with a bitter smile, “Back then, people were concerned with maintaining face. They likely slept in separate beds and kept appearances intact. They didn’t argue in front of you because you were still very young.”

He added, “Eventually, Xiao Ke told me she would be traveling with your father for a few days, which she said would be the end of their relationship.”

Zhan Jing’s eyes clouded with emotion, “After that trip, Xiao Ke never came back.

Here’s the revised version with active voice:

Here’s the revised version with active voice:

“No body or ashes were found—only rumors that she was buried elsewhere. Do you believe it was just an accident? Even if it was an accident, if your father was present at the scene, I believe he must be somehow implicated.”


To Buy Coins, please Register and Login before purchasing any chapter! Please join our Discord to get updates on normal and locked chapters! Also, Illustrations are available for some novels!
An Owl Rising From The Green Soil

An Owl Rising From The Green Soil

Love On The Turquoise Land (Drama)
Score 8.0
Status: Ongoing Type: , Author: , Artist: Released: 2020 Native Language: Chinese
Over two thousand years ago on a deep night, Xu Fu* set sail to the eastern seas in a treasure ship to search for immortality, but few people knew that at the same time, a group of black-turban soldiers secretly entered the vast and dense Nanbao forest… A millennium later, the dark legend continues to slowly grow in the shadows. Xú Fú: Qin dynasty court necromancer and was tasked by Qin Shi Huang to look for the elixir of life between 219 BC and 210 BC. He never returned after departing on his second mission in 210 BC.

Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Options

not work with dark mode
Reset