I've never been so disappointed in myself. I thought of Lu Jia and Wang Lei again, and all sorts of messy people and social relationships. I felt suffocated, like I had claustrophobia...
There was even a fleeting moment when I wanted to go back to Shanghai. There, although I lived with anxiety, I wasn't afraid. But now, all the bad emotions are plaguing me like an illness. I don't dare think about Lao Mi. If he knew I was in this situation that could land me in jail, he would break down; he would also hate me even more for being so useless because I didn't listen to him and go back to Shanghai.
...
It felt like several years had passed before the door to the room finally opened again. This time, it wasn't the police officer who had interrogated me before who came in, but a female police officer I had never seen before. She first placed an A4 sheet of paper in front of me, and then said to me, "The party who was beaten has agreed to a settlement. Sign this mediation agreement, then go and collect your belongings, and you can leave."
I quickly picked up the mediation agreement and looked at it. It required compensation for various expenses, totaling 52,000 yuan. Although I could afford to pay that amount, it was already a significant financial blow, not to mention the inn outside of this agreement.
If this was a complete scheme, then I have lost utterly!
...
As I walked out of the police station, the rain had stopped. A ray of sunlight pierced through the dark clouds, stinging my eyes. I instinctively lowered my head. The uneven road surface stirred up my emotions again. I didn't know who would come to pick me up later; or perhaps, I would have to go back by myself.
As my eyes gradually adjusted to the light, I looked up at the Cangshan Mountains behind me... only to realize that while it was raining in the ancient city, it was snowing on the Cangshan Mountains...
I've heard from older Dali residents that when seagulls fly back to Dali from Siberia and snow begins to fall on Cangshan Mountain, Dali will usher in a new peak tourist season. But what can I still do in this city?
Do I still have the face to face Tie Nan, Coach Ma, and Bai Lu? And Tao Zi, she gave up everything in Shanghai just so she could settle down in Dali with Tie Nan, and now their dream is shattered.
And what about the money lost from the transfer of the inn? How could I possibly make up for it?
...
I finally used the last of my spare change to buy a pack of cigarettes from the newsstand across the street. After lighting it, I sat on the curb opposite the police station, but my mind was even more confused than when I was inside, because I saw many consequences beyond my control.
Looking out again, Erhai Lake seemed to have taken on a new layer of color, even more beautiful than before. But alas, I am no longer the same person I once was. I don't know where I should go; I feel as if that inn no longer belongs to me…
I wish someone would guide me and tell me where to go, but I'm also afraid to see those familiar faces, and I hate those who scheme against me even more...
...
In my confusion, I lit another cigarette. When my lungs started to hurt, a car pulled up beside me. Then I saw Sun Jiwei with the car window open. This shouldn't be a coincidence, but why was he the one who came to pick me up?
While I was still puzzled, Sun Jiwei waved to me, signaling me to get in the car first.
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