Shuangling: Braving the Rapids

"You're right, I am a hypocrite..." Aimin said self-deprecatingly.

"No, you're just a hypocrite! Chen Tiansheng is the truly wicked one!" Chen Yun suddenly blurted out. Seeing the other woman's astonished expression, Chen Yun said with tears in her eyes, "In your 'Manifesto,' you criticized that corrupt leader, who was actually Chen Tiansheng's father's mortal enemy. He was using you, Aimin..."

Few people know that Chen Tiansheng is Chen Yun's distant cousin. She knows the Chen family father and son well, and she knows even more clearly how Chen Tiansheng tricked Li Baihe into his arms. As an observer, she could have turned a blind eye, but Chen Yun cannot forgive her cousin for deceiving Aimin—it was this deception that left the man she admired unable to find a job and confined to the countryside.

These words plunged Aimin into an icy abyss. Previously overlooked details suddenly became clear: the alleged corruption information had indeed been leaked by Chen Tiansheng; the indignant accusations made by his bunkmates at the time now seemed nothing more than a venting of personal grievances. And he himself, with his sincere heart, had become a pawn in someone else's power struggle.

"Thank you for telling me all this..." Aimin grabbed the wine bottle, uncorked it, and filled the glass. "Later, I learned that it was Chen Tiansheng who reported me for posting the 'Manifesto.' I never understood why he did it, but now I finally understand."

If it were just a betrayal by his good brother, he might have swallowed his anger. But thinking that he had been used as a pawn from beginning to end, and that he was full of passion but was just a pawn in the power struggle of the "big shots," Aimin felt somewhat pathetic. He immediately tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup, swallowing all the bitterness and regret.

Seeing the man drink heartily, Chen Yun also raised her glass and drank heavily. The spicy liquid went down her throat, and the girl's face instantly flushed red.

"He took your spot as an outstanding graduate, stayed in the provincial government through his father's connections, and now he's married to the beautiful woman. Aimin, do you regret it?"

"Regret! If only I had known this would happen, I should have written all those parasites' names on the big-character poster that night..."

This answer almost made Chen Yun burst out laughing. The next second, she frowned and said, "I haven't told Bai He about these things yet. If she finds out, she'll definitely cut ties with Chen Tiansheng! If you have any concerns, I'll go with you. Even without concrete evidence, she'll definitely believe us."

Chen Yun is a good girl. At this moment, all she could think about was how to help Aimin win back his beloved, but what the man said next completely surprised her.

"Don't do this." Aimin downed another glass of wine. "Doing this might not be bad for Baihe. I know Chen Tiansheng well. It's true that he's deceiving Baihe, but he'll keep doing it for the rest of his life. This is better than suffering with me in the countryside."

"What kind of talk is that?" Chen Yun stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "Qin Aimin! I never thought you could spout such absurd nonsense! Baihe and I both misjudged you! You're just a self-righteous chauvinist! If Baihe really disliked your background or your lack of a degree, why would he have dated you in the first place?"

Chen Yun was furious, feeling a mix of pity for his misfortune and anger at his lack of ambition. She probably genuinely thought Aimin was beyond saving.

The man tried to explain, but Chen Yun grabbed a wine glass and splashed it on his face. The next second, she grabbed her handbag and stormed off.

Everyone in the restaurant turned to look, but Aimin neither wiped his face with a tissue nor chased after the girl. He simply sat stiffly in his chair, watching Chen Yun's receding figure.

Just then, a quick-witted waiter leaned closer and reminded her, "That lady has already paid the bill. Sir, would you like to go after her? It's so dark at night..."

Aimin was suddenly jolted awake. This bookworm, who had only ever dated during his student days, was now realized that he should be pursuing Chen Yun instead.

When Aimin appeared on a bustling street, Chen Yun had already vanished without a trace. He searched for half an hour like a headless fly, but ultimately found nothing and had to give up in frustration.

His throat tightened, and his chest felt like it was stuffed with cotton. This almost suffocating feeling was exactly the same as when he broke up with Baihe—he had lost two good girls. It was truly tragic.

Just then, a handsome young man and a beautiful young woman walked towards them, holding hands. Seeing his dejected and miserable face, the couple's sweet words came to an abrupt halt, and they quickly walked away, afraid of being tainted by his bad luck.

"This guy looks like his father just died! Ugh! What a damn bad luck!"

The man spat and was about to say something more when the woman grabbed his arm and forcibly pulled him away.

When Aimin heard the other person cursing, he didn't retaliate. He just shook his head, smiled bitterly, and went to the corner store.

He first left a message for the paging service, then hesitated for a moment before dialing Chen Yun's landline. The moment the call connected, a suppressed sob came through the receiver: "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have treated you like that…"

"It's all my fault." Aimin tried to control himself, but his voice began to choke up.

"I grew up in the city, so I can't truly understand your situation. What I'm trying to say is, even if you really do have epilepsy, Baihe will accept you, and so will I..." Chen Yun sniffled, "Also, I won't allow you to use your mother as an excuse anymore! Since she chose marriage and childbirth, she must have been prepared! Don't think that we women have to rely on you men for everything!"

These words struck Aimin's heart like a heavy hammer. He suddenly realized: Yes! When his mother passed away, he couldn't speak yet. Since he had never had a heart-to-heart talk with his mother, what made him assume she was unhappy?

Even realizing this, Aimin's ingrained way of thinking couldn't be changed in a short time. At this moment, he gripped the microphone tightly and said, "A man's infatuation can be escaped, but a woman's cannot! I don't want you to fall into the mountains; that would be too selfish. I still have to take care of my father, and I still have to..."

"You don't need to say so much!" Chen Yun interjected. "I've already contacted the hospital; they absolutely have to give you a checkup. You can't refuse!"

"I can manage on my own..."

Despite the other party's proactive approach, the stubborn Aimin still politely declined. His thinking was simple: even if he needed to undergo a checkup, he wouldn't let the girl accompany him. He absolutely couldn't bear to see another woman seeing him holding the report, looking anxious and worried.

Aimin hadn't expected that this decision would shatter Chen Yun's last hope—she had done everything she could, and it seemed Aimin truly had no intention of accepting her. It appeared this was yet another ineffective communication.

After hanging up the phone, Aimin bought some stationery and a kraft paper envelope.

When he paid the bill, the shopkeeper specifically asked him if he needed stamps, but Aimin simply shook his head and then walked into the small hotel next door with his head down.

Sitting at the desk in the guest room, Aimin felt a little uncomfortable—this was the first time he had written a letter to Baihe from outside, and he felt somewhat uneasy.

Baihe, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person:

Today is November 11, 1997, which marks exactly ten years since we met.

I just heard from Chen Yun that you're getting married. To be honest, I'm very sad, but I still wish you a happy marriage and a peaceful and smooth life. I really wanted to attend your wedding and see you in your wedding dress, but unfortunately, the groom isn't me.

By the way, Chen Yun asked me to try again, but I refused. I'm in a bad situation right now; my salary is low, and my career isn't progressing at all. I can't settle down in the city, and I certainly don't want you to go back to the village. I think it's best for us to part ways amicably.

From now on, you will be a wife and mother, living a comfortable and peaceful life, while I will care for my elderly father until his passing. Once our lives are settled, I will devote myself fully to starting my own business. If one day I achieve great success, perhaps I will visit you, and at that time, we will wish each other well.

Aimin's handwritten note

November 11, 1997

The letter has been put in an envelope, but like the previous letters, it is destined never to be sent. It will be carefully stored in the cupboard in the second-floor study.

That was the barrier space where Aimin sealed his secrets, but this time it might really be the last seal—Aimin knew better than anyone that he had lost his beloved forever!