Twelve years ago,
Those words made Shanshan's hair stand on end and her eyes widened as if she was now truly one hundred percent aware of the situation she was in. Why did he have to kill someone? This was completely unlike Jicheng, because even though her older brother was a violent person, his guts were not that big, especially when it came to dealing with the law. Had he turned into a psychopath?
"You don't have to go that far," now the words that came out of Shanshan's mouth could be heard clearly by everyone in the room. "Just let us go, I promise we won't get you in trouble."
"How can I be sure that you won't do something worse than this to me in the future?" Jicheng shook his head, "No, I've already decided. Tonight will be the last thing that girl sees, because she'll be living in the deep, cold sea there after this."
"Are you crazy?" Those words came out of Shanshan's mouth spontaneously, but she quickly tried to calm herself down and negotiate with her older brother. "I'll do anything, as long as we get out of here, Jicheng."
Seeing the man's expression change considering Shanshan's request, a little hope emerged in her heart. "Alright," Jicheng replied. "If you can persuade your friend, then I'll let you two leave here."
Her older brother then stepped aside and let Shanshan's gaze fall directly on Wu Zhaoxing who was in the dark night on the deck of the ship. She couldn't move closer because Jicheng's two men were holding each of her hands and only allowed Shanshan to speak from where they were standing near the dining table there.
"Xingxing!!" the girl called out with all her might that almost sounded like a scream, "Come to me, it's dangerous there."
Seeing how the big waves that continued to hit the front of the ship made the wooden floor there soaked and even managed to make this small ship sway violently in the middle of the sea, made Shanshan who was inside feel quite scared and doubted whether she herself could get out of this place alive?
Moreover, Wu Zhaoxing who was outside there could clearly see the horror of nature that was ready to swallow her at any time but strangely did not move an inch from her place, as if she had no intention of leaving this place alive.
"Wu Zhaoxing!!" She screamed once more until her throat felt sore, fortunately this time Xingxing moved and turned to face Shanshan. "Let's go home."
Strangely when Shanshan saw Wu Zhaoxing at that time, the girl was not like the person she knew, who was very different and looked so fragile. What really happened when she fainted? Did Jicheng succeed in brainwashing the girl in a short time to get this far? What did he actually say to Xingxing?
When the girl's feet stepped slowly, Shanshan's heart beat fast as if both were opposites, that was because Wu Zhaoxing did not move towards her but retreated closer to the edge of the deck. "What are you doing?" Shanshan's voice carried away by the strong wind blowing there.
From Wu Zhaoxing's position which was getting further away, she could not hear anything Shanshan said. However, she could guess the words that continued to come out of the girl's mouth which looked so emotional and angry.
Wu Zhaoxing could even see how hard the girl tried to fight the two people who were holding her arms tightly so that she could run towards her and save her from the terrible incident that would happen there.
However, unfortunately whatever the girl did would not be able to change Wu Zhaoxing's decision, because like Jicheng who was not afraid to let her die, she would also do it bravely.
"You asked me to believe in you, but you were the one who put me to death." Those words came out of Wu Zhaoxing's mouth when she was already at the edge of the ship, with one hand raised as if asking for Shanshan's last help to pull her out of this situation.
However, as if the universe was not on Shanshan and Wu Zhaoxing's side, the deck of the ship hit something hard in front and made the it shake very violently, making them all sway left and right following the erratic movement of the water. In fact, when that happened, Jicheng's two men accidentally released their grip on Shanshan's two hands, which gave her the last chance to chase after Wu Zhaoxing.
But, again because the universe was not on her side that night, before she managed to pass through the door where Jicheng was standing. The man had already pushed Shanshan's body back with his elbow until the girl's back hit the wall and made a loud noise.
Suddenly her body felt helpless as if something had happened to her because of the impact, at that moment Shanshan realized that she could not go to Wu Zhaoxing's side or pull the girl's hand that was outstretched to her. Since she also did not have the slightest courage to believe in herself anymore to make everything better for the two of them.
In her last consciousness, Shanshan could clearly see Wu Zhaoxing who was at the other end fell into the sea with one of her hands still raised. That was when Shanshan knew her life would also change drastically and would never be the same again.
"Don't forget that you are the cause of all this. Because, if you had just kept quiet and not tried to interfere in our affairs, she wouldn't have died." Jicheng said with a big smile on his face.
***
"You're the cause of all this. Because, if you had kept quiet and not tried to interfere in our affairs, then she wouldn't have been there." Kylie said with a wide smile on her lips while looking at the woman standing on the edge of the ship's deck who was staring at them in fear.
Nicole who was standing next to Kylie, was on the same deck as her and Wu Zhaoyi last night. However, this time she was near the entrance which was quite far from her position at that time. However, strangely she could feel the strong wind blowing her long black hair until it became messy and blocked her view, then how cold the air was when she was in the middle of a dark ocean like this. Why did she just realize, that place was so scary?
"Hey, Nicole!!" shouted Li Rong who was standing on the edge of the ship without any safety equipment at all with a trembling voice, "You asked me to believe you, but you were the one who made me die."
Nicole turned to Kylie, "Let her go." She asked, "Just tell me what you want, I'll do it."
Kylie turned and looked at the woman who was already pale. "What I want is your life?"
Nicole cursed in her heart, would the same incident happen again? Why did they have to hurt her with someone else's life, when they should only have made Nicole the main target there.
"If that's what you want, let's do it." Nicole said confidently in response to Kylie's offer.
A cynical smile appeared on the other woman's lips, "It seems like you take your life lightly, Miss Nicole."
Nicole tried to calm herself down so as not to get too carried away, "How can that be?" she replied. "I have my life, I live it. My life is winding, tiring, uncertain and full of guilt. But, still, there is something there."
Nicole's words touched Kylie a little, then she turned her gaze back to the woman there who still hadn't moved at all from her position. Li Rong's two hands were holding tightly to the thin iron that was the frontmost barrier of the ship. If she made even the slightest mistake, the big pool there would immediately devour her without leaving anything behind.
"That's the least you can do for yourself, Miss Kylie." Nicole said again. "Never show too much love, affection or attention to someone. Because humans tend to underestimate something that is free."
Nicole could see the change in Kylie's gaze that began to melt, where she herself could feel the sadness that the woman was actually trying to cover up, "We all have two lives. The second life begins when we realize that we only have one."
The woman took a deep breath and let the cold air fill her lungs that had actually long turned into ice blocks. "Is that what you did in your past with that man?" Kylie's voice sounded deep, "Actually, all the lies he told didn't hurt me. But, the person who told them hurt me."
"That means you really want him as much as you want air." Nicole explained from her perspective, "Even if you could go back to when you started, I think you would choose to take the same path."
The two women seemed to be talking about the same situation that they had been through, which was the unconditional love they had given to someone. "Will I ever get the same happiness after this?"
Nicole shook her head slowly, "No one knows, but you have to go through this first to find out." Her voice echoed in Kylie's mind, "Stay strong. Everything will get better. Maybe the storm is blowing now, but the rain will never fall forever."
Kylie turned to Nicole again, her words this time sounding sincere. "But, looking at the two of you, I somehow believe it. Even though the sky and the sea are far apart, they can still be together." Then she smiled faintly, "The scars, failures, chaos, distortions in life make life itself perfect."
Nicole nodded her head, "I guess so." She affirmed, "When winter is over, spring will come to warm you up again. Also, the next summer will be even more exciting for you."
Looking at the two women who were having a serious conversation in the distance, Li Rong tried to see the situation as an opportunity for her to escape from the life-threatening situation. However, beyond her expectations, the move she made was wrong and made her lose balance because the heels she was wearing were hanging on one of the railings.
"Nicole!!" Li Rong shouted, "Help me!!" One of her hands reached out towards the woman to pull her.
From the corner of her eye, Nicole who had already turned towards the woman before the voice was heard, immediately ran with all her might. I beg you, God, please don't let my life get worse. I don't think I can bear this burden anymore, if another life is lost.
Pulling Li Rong's outstretched hand, Nicole and the woman's bodies subconsciously twisted and then switched positions. However, unlike Li Rong who still managed to grab the iron barrier, this time Nicole didn't consider what would happen there at all, causing her body to be thrown into the water.
The last word that appeared in her head was 'What a relief'. At least, this time she didn't have to spend her life with another regret. If this was really the end, then this would be a beautiful ending for her. And, I also hope you live well, Ayi~
Nicole's heart echoed with the name as she suddenly realized there were many things left unsaid between her and the man. She had never properly asked Wu Zhaoyi how he was after they reunited or if adult life was difficult for him? Did he live comfortably now? But the thought of him, who still remembered her, filled Shanshan with warmth.
However, among all the things she longed to say to Wu Zhaoyi, there was one thing she couldn't bring herself to say, the words caught in her throat 'I miss the days when we loved each other recklessly'. The days where laughter filled our stomachs and time flew by too quickly. Also, rainy days no longer needed to hide my pain because you were always by my side.
I can't help but reminisce about those memories with you. And then it dawned on me, these memories are not a burden but a source of strength that keeps me going. Even though love has caused us both deep pain, I know you must be hurting more than me. That's why the person I pity most in this life is you, Ayi~
***