0126 Past
"Squeak."
Pushing open the door, a strangely familiar fragrance wafted from the gloomy, dark secret room.
Tantai Qing stood there silently recalling the familiar scent, only to suddenly realize—wasn't this the perfume that Jiang Jifan usually used?
He fumbled for the wall lamp and turned it on. Under the bright white light, the walls were covered with densely packed photos, all of them from the same face.
Standing in the center, Tantai Qing looked around at the various photos of Jiang Jifan on the wall and couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine.
His gaze fell on the two black boxes under the table.
He crouched down and used the rusty utility knife on the table to open the two sealed boxes.
Inside were several photo albums neatly stacked. He put the utility knife away and took one out.
The thick photo album was full of photos of Jiang Jifan. The camera perfectly captured all the girl's joys and sorrows, every expression and color, full of youthful energy.
The girl in the photo is wearing an ordinary camouflage military training uniform and no makeup, completely different from her bright, generous and confident self now.
In that instant, he suddenly understood what Xia Fu had said back then.
Eighteen-year-old Jiang Jifan possessed a pure and innocent charm, her clean face exuding a natural allure. Even Tantai Qing, who was used to seeing her glamorous and dazzling appearance now, couldn't help but exclaim – she was truly stunning.
Scrolling down further, you'll find photos of her daily university life, each with a date printed on it.
Just as Xia Fu said, Jiang Jifan often worked part-time off-campus during her university years. Tantai Qing could even guess what kind of work she did from some of her photos.
It was clear that she had a very difficult time during her university years. Looking at the photo of Jiang Jifan kneeling on the floor with her head down, picking up money and letting customers pour water on her head, he felt a lump in his throat.
The pain in his heart made Tantai Qing unable to bear looking at the photo a second time. He sighed softly and quietly covered the photo at the bottom.
Scrolling down further, his gaze settled on a photograph that had been cut in half.
The photo, which was cropped into a mess, only showed half of Jiang Jifan's body. She stood on the lawn with a shy expression and her hands clasped behind her back, looking like a shy student, which made him take a second look.
When Tantai Qingwei saw the slender, long hand with a wristwatch draped over her shoulder, she paused slightly.
Judging from the same watch he had worn when he was young, he guessed that the other person must be a boy from a well-off family.
He didn't study it much, lingering on the photo for a few seconds before flipping to the next one.
The album contains many photos of her radiant on stage. It must be admitted that the photographer's skills are superb, and every photo perfectly captures Jiang Jifan's beauty.
He was stunned when he opened the second photo album.
In the photo, Jiang Jifan has long blonde hair, no makeup, and sits at her desk with red and swollen eyes.
Tantai Qing's attention, however, fell on the large banner behind her that read "School Violence Committee," and he felt a sense of foreboding.
Turn to the next picture, and you'll see a solemn-looking Jiang Jiping holding Jiang Jifan in his arms as they walk out. She looks distraught, with two lines of tears on her cheeks, and she's hiding in her brother's arms with her head down.
The further he flipped through the pages, the more his brows furrowed.
Tantai Qing had never seen Jiang Jifan so emaciated. In the photo, she was wearing a tank top and shorts, looking extremely thin, staring at the camera with gloomy eyes while smoking. Her loose clothes revealed only an empty shell of a soul, which made people feel sorry for her.
Furthermore, in a smoky KTV, a woman with blonde curly hair, heavy makeup, and revealing clothes sat on a man's lap. The man leaned over to light her cigarette, while his other hand held her thigh, which was clad in black stockings.
"Jiang Jifan is someone who secretly enjoys both cigarettes and alcohol..."
The words Qin Zilu had said suddenly popped into his mind. He pursed his lips and fell silent for a moment.
After a long pause, Tantai Qing continued scrolling down.
In the last photo, Jiang Jifan is pressed tightly against the man's chest, weeping with her eyes closed, looking grief-stricken. The hands embracing her are wearing a silver wristwatch, and it is none other than the boy who had taken a photo with her before.
Who exactly is this man...?
Tantai Qing felt a pang of regret as she recalled the truth-or-dare question she had refused to answer, even though she had preferred to be punished with a drink.
Jiang Jifan took a few days off to recuperate at home.
She woke up very late today. When she got up, Tantai Qing had already left, leaving only a sticky note on the bedside table reminding her to eat.
He prepared several dishes that Jiang Jifan liked, but Jiang Jifan had no appetite. He forced himself to eat a few bites and then threw away the rice in his bowl.
Tantai Qing didn't return until evening.
He washed his hands and went to the kitchen, only to find several untouched dishes neatly stacked in the refrigerator.
Looking into the trash can, I saw that it contained half a bowl of rice.
Upon entering the bedroom, he saw her lying on the bed fast asleep. Not daring to disturb her, Tantai Qing quietly went out to change her clothes before returning to lie down beside her.
Actually, Jiang Jifan wasn't asleep; he only opened his eyes after Jiang Jifan lay down beside him.
Where did you go?
He recalled everything that had happened in the secret room, looking at her as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
She was perceptive and, upon seeing this, immediately guessed what he had done.
What do you want to ask?
Tantai Qing stroked her cheek and whispered, "Jifan, I don't want to learn about your past from other people's mouths. I'm willing to wait for you to tell me yourself."
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