Chapter Thirty-Six: She and He

Zhao Ke Wen went ahead of me to settle the bill, then walked with me toward the old house. As we walked, I kept an eye on her, afraid she might do something drastic if she couldn’t get over her pain. Yet Zhao Ke Wen remained calm along the way; though her steps were unsteady, she hadn’t lost her senses.

Having drunk seven or eight bottles of beer myself, my mind was foggy, and I could barely keep myself alert. My thoughts repeated over and over: I must watch over Zhao Ke Wen, I must keep her safe.

“Why do you keep looking at me?” Zhao Ke Wen slurred, clearly drunk.

“I’m afraid you might do something rash,” I replied, my head throbbing, unable to think of a proper way to answer. I just said whatever came to mind, as if my ability to reason had slipped away.

“Brother, come sit with me somewhere,” Zhao Ke Wen stopped and looked at me.

“All right, but you have to promise not to drink anymore,” I rubbed my aching eyes, thinking that as long as she didn’t ask me to keep drinking, nothing too serious would happen between us in our current state.

“I won’t drink,” she promised.

“Then let’s go.”

Following her, we walked westward across town. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but I found myself sharing memories of my days with Zhang Jia Xin, and Zhao Ke Wen responded now and then with a brief comment.

She was much quieter than before, mostly answering in monosyllables or giving minimal thoughts, as if distracted. The mood between us grew heavy with her silence.

We stumbled along for about twenty minutes before Zhao Ke Wen, who had been leading the way, finally stopped. I came up beside her and looked around; this was the very spot where I’d recently encountered You Qin—the small stone bridge in the west of the city.

“This is where I first met him,” Zhao Ke Wen said, moving to the middle of the bridge, holding the railing and staring blankly at the rushing river below.

I stepped onto the bridge as well, standing beside her, watching the endless flow of water, the distant lights shimmering and trembling in the ripples.

“From that moment, I felt I’d discovered the joy of living,” Zhao Ke Wen smiled—beautiful and gentle, as if reliving her happiest memories. “I gave him everything sincere and wonderful in my life, hoping we could always be together, no matter what it cost me.”

“For him, I went from being a rebellious girl to trying to become someone proper, just so I could be worthy of his upright, courageous beliefs. I could change everything for him, no matter how many people laughed or insulted me, I still found happiness… because I saw approval in his eyes.” Zhao Ke Wen tilted her head back, gazing at the layered clouds and stars, smiling. “If I could choose again, I would still love him without hesitation, pursue him, because those were my happiest days.”

I watched her, lost in memories, and sighed softly, not daring to interrupt.

“After graduating high school, I didn’t continue my studies, but he did well and got into a top local university… I knew if things stayed as they were, the difference in status and education would lead him away from me eventually, and I couldn’t let that happen!” Her voice was resolute. “So I started working hard, hoping to achieve something in a few years and show him my worth, so he wouldn’t leave me…”

“But aside from my looks, which are decent, I’m clumsy and not quick-witted. I tried many kinds of jobs, but none worked out—I just became the butt of everyone’s jokes.” Though she was looking up, tears slid down her cheeks and fell onto the stone railing.

“Every night I’d seek him out, trying to make him happy. I thought that would deepen our feelings and keep his heart with me… but things didn’t turn out as I hoped. He drifted further and further away, until he stopped reaching out altogether.”

Listening to her story, I felt as if I’d become her, wandering through each scene, feeling joy when he smiled, anxiety when his messages never came…

“I was truly afraid, yet helpless, because my whole heart was invested in him. Even if he didn’t cherish it and crushed my fragile soul, I couldn’t take it back…” She wiped her tears and continued, “I quit school behind my parents’ backs, with only a bit of money left from my jobs. With nowhere to go, I rented the room I live in now. I thought maybe this was the end of my life—without Jiang Nan, all my happiness seemed drained away, and I couldn’t recall what joy felt like for a long, long time.”

“Then, one day, he called me, asking to meet. I was overjoyed and dressed up carefully before going to the restaurant he’d named. But as soon as I entered the private room, I sensed something was off—he wasn’t alone. Sitting beside him was a man around forty.” Zhao Ke Wen laughed at this point. “That meal was meaningless; only afterward did he tell me the man was the boss of the company he hoped to join, and wanted me to help him.”

“I knew exactly what he meant by ‘help,’ but after much hesitation, I couldn’t refuse… because I wanted him back desperately, and he promised to love me forever, never leave me!” Zhao Ke Wen smiled, tears streaming down her face. “I helped him get the position he wanted, handed over all the hush money the boss gave me, so he could win trust and connections in the company…”

My fists clenched so tightly blood nearly seeped out. I couldn’t fathom how that cruel man could harm such a devoted girl.

“His ambitions grew, and with my help, he climbed higher and higher. I never doubted his love, just worried he might lose his job and money someday. So I secretly opened a bank card, saving the money I earned from my transactions, just in case.” Her voice trembled. “Now he’s involved with the heiress of another company, gave me five million as hush money, and told me never to appear in his world again… ha, I guess it’s my own fault… but he doesn’t understand, he’s taken my best years and purest love… I’ve lost everything—my spirit and body are no longer pure… I’m finished, brother… sob… I’m utterly finished! My life is completely ruined! Sob…”