When An'an suddenly changed her mind, I wasn't as happy as I had imagined. I was even a little nervous because I knew I didn't have the control over the whole situation, let alone the ability to strategize. Looking at the big picture, I was just a pawn.
Just as I was in a daze, An'an said to me again, "I'm going back first. If I stay outside for too long, he might become suspicious."
"How do you feel about your relationship right now... Does he trust you?"
"I don't know. He's still the same as before, with all sorts of social engagements every day, and we don't spend much time together..."
After a brief pause, An'an continued, "But now, no matter how late he's out socializing, he always comes to my place to keep me company... He says he's tired and wants a place like a haven. He also says that after another two or three years of being busy, he'll put everything down and enjoy life... He wants to buy a manor abroad, a motorhome, and then take me to live the life he wanted to live when he was young but couldn't... He's changed a lot lately, and he always says sad things to me... He might have realized something."
"Under these circumstances, it's impossible for him to be completely unaware... Last week, the head of the Zhaotong Public Security Bureau was thoroughly investigated as a protector. This police chief had worked in Dali for nine years, and the chain of interests involved is incredibly complex. It's impossible for him to have no connection with Cao Jinbo at all... I don't know how the situation will develop, but one thing is certain: Cao Jinbo has no way to escape. If such a big criminal isn't taken down, then this campaign by the state is meaningless... Therefore, your decision is correct."
"I don't want to think about right or wrong right now. I just want to wake up from this nightmare as soon as possible... My flight is at 8:30 tomorrow morning. Please tell Wang Xiaoling that I'm mentally prepared."
"good."
"Um."
After giving that reply, An'an picked up her handbag and walked out of the teahouse. Shortly after she left, Wang Xiaoling returned. Because of my complicated feelings, I didn't speak immediately...
Wang Xiaoling didn't seem to be in a hurry; she just sat to the side and waited quietly.
I finally spoke to her and said, "I have an important clue. Tomorrow morning at 8:30, An'an will fly to Singapore first. Cao Jinbo said there is something very important for her to take with her. I think it is very likely the evidence you want. You can make preparations in advance."
Is this news reliable? Could there be something fishy going on?
"This is something you need to decide. I've done what I was supposed to do..." I paused briefly, then said softly, "Regardless of tomorrow's outcome, I should leave this afternoon. I hope you have a smooth journey!"
"Hmm... Will you go back to Dali in the future?"
I forced a smile and replied, "Probably not in the next few years. There's nothing left to keep here."
My things... I'm doing quite well abroad now, at least I'm not like I am in Dali, always on edge!
"Actually, Dali is a nice place... Although it inevitably breeds crime, the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, the romantic scenery, and the beauty of nature are what many people yearn for."
I looked up into the distance and eventually fell silent.
I've reflected on my years in Dali. It seems like a success, but it's actually a complete failure... Because when it's time to face my family, I'm still all alone, even though I was once so close to love.
I don't know what went wrong, and then I felt an intense loneliness in the boundless night!
...
Because I lost Yang Sisi along the way, I felt embarrassed to stay at Tie Nan and Coach Ma's farm, so I found a seaside inn in Caicun that complied with the policy and stayed there by myself... I had no appetite, so I sat alone on the balcony, looking at the pitch-black Erhai Lake; all I had at hand was the car key that Yang Sisi had left behind and my cell phone that I needed to use every day.
A moment later, I became dazed. I remembered what Ye Zhi had told me earlier—she was pregnant…
What else can I say besides recalling the images of her entangled with other people?
I instinctively poked my chest with my finger; I felt it would make me feel a little better...
In my entire life, I've never waited for anyone; she's the only one. I can't help but ask myself, if I had known it would end like this, would I still have waited for her?
Not only could I not give an answer, but my heart was also filled with indescribable confusion... Then, I remembered the scene of her going to Thailand to accompany me. Although it had been some time, it still felt like it was right in front of me. I remember her leaning on my shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.
We had a sixty-year promise between us. Back then, we were so determined, and it was this promise that gave me the motivation to keep waiting. But now, it has become a bloody scar in my heart... because I know that I no longer have the ability to change anything.
It felt like a dark cloud was hanging over my head.
Then, I instinctively thought of Yang Sisi again. I felt that in the long river of my life, she was like an inextinguishable sun. Her smile, like the morning light, like a gentle breeze, like a loaf of bread with a sweet filling, would always find a crack to nourish the soil on which I depend for survival.
But even she left!
Suddenly, I woke up with a start, and I seemed to understand myself, why I had failed so miserably...
I dare not speak it aloud, because I have seen the greedy side of my own humanity.
...
I quickly stopped thinking and stared blankly at everything in front of me...
The monotonous black color made me forget where I was; the next moment, I suddenly realized that I was standing on the land of Dali.
I forced myself not to think about those who had passed through my life, and instead decided to think about Dali.
A city.
Although I made my first fortune here, I don't feel much joy when I think about it. My heart is filled with mixed feelings of love and hate, just like the unpredictable weather, sometimes rainy, sometimes windy, and sometimes sunny!
I'm probably drunk, even more drunk than when I was already drinking.
I asked myself, should I call Yang Sisi?
...
This is actually a very pointless question, because I should have called her when I heard the news... I don't know what I'm afraid of?
I'm afraid she has ulterior motives; or perhaps, I'm afraid she really did leave with Cao Xiaobei?
If that's the case, it really breaks my heart!
I took a deep breath and dialed Yang Sisi's number. Although I was mentally prepared, I still couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment when I heard the voice prompt that "the call could not be connected".
I tried sending her a voice message on WeChat, but she didn't answer.
I suddenly became extremely nervous. I was the one who brought her from Shanghai, and now she's like she's disappeared. If I'm not responsible, who will?!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
