Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Bai Chen:
This time, Qiao Qiao didnât go to the attic. She stood by the sea. Her body was too weak to support her for too long, so she squatted down. This way, she could also resist the sea breeze. The fog really did lift. The color of the sea looked deep. As the clouds floated low, it seemed to cover the surface of the sea, lifeless.
She looked into the distance. The cruise ship had yet to go out to sea. In other words, Shao Jingmo had yet to arrive. Then wasnât the position she was squatting in too conspicuous? No, it was better to be conspicuous. She was afraid that Shao Jingmo wouldnât see her.
It was better for him to see her.
As she was thinking, Qiao Qiaoâs expression suddenly froze. She slowly stood up. Because her body was weak, she couldnât support herself and almost fell.
Bai Chen quickly held her. âBe careful.â
Qiao Qiao stood up with Bai Chenâs help. She looked at the two cars parked under the cruise ship in the distance. Someone had gotten out of the car. Qiao Qiao recognized the person at a glance. It was Jingcheng.
âHe, he⦠heâ¦â Qiao Qiao wanted to go over.
Bai Chen grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. He raised his coat to cover her. As she quietly struggled, Bai Chen said, âSomeone from the Bai family.â Qiao Qiao froze, then went still. Bai Chen glanced into the distance. âMy stepfather, Bai Qingfeng.â
Qiao Qiao asked, âDid he get out of the car?â
Bai Chen said, âHe got out of the car.â
The next second, Qiao Qiao pushed Bai Chen away with all her might and turned around to look in that direction. At that moment, Shao Jingmo was boarding the cruise ship. Jingcheng did not board it. He stood there and watched.
Qiao Qiaoâs eyes widened. She wanted to call Shao Jingmoâs name, but just as she opened her mouth, Bai Chen covered it with her hand. âDonât call him.â
Qiao Qiao couldnât shout. She could only whimper. As she struggled, she found an opportunity to bite Bai Chenâs hand. The pain made Bai Chen frown, but he did not let go. calming her anxiety. âAfter all heâs done for vou. canât you work harder?â
Qiao Qiaoâs eyes were red, and her shoulders were trembling violently. Her tears fell silently on the back of Bai Chenâs hand, one drop after another. Finally, the moment Qiao Qiao let go, Bai Chen felt that the pain was even stronger than before.
He hissed. He raised his hand and saw that the bite mark was so deep that the flesh was almost visible.
The cruise boat set sail, heading out to sea, getting farther and farther away.
Qiao Qiao kept looking in that direction and murmured, âWe didnât see each other one last time. We didnât see each other one last time⦠We didnât see each other one last timeâ¦
Bai Chen endured the pain in her hand and said to Qiao Qiao, âYou have to try to look on the bright side. Maybe itâs not goodbye forever.â
Qiao Qiao ignored Bai Chenâs words. âIâll never see him again. I really wonât see him againâ¦â
Really, they would never see each other again.
This farewell was forever.
Qiao Qiao burst into tears. Bai Chen was shocked and didnât know how to comfort her. But he actually knew in his heart that it was useless even if he coaxed her. Her heart was broken, and it would hurt to mend it.
âQiao Qiao,â Bai Chen wrapped her clothes around her to prevent too much wind from entering. âThe reason why I told you about this last bet is because you have the right to know, you shouldnât be in the dark. But Iâm telling you not because I want to see you in such pain. Donât torture yourself.â
Qiao Qiao said nothing. She wiped the tears from her blurred vision and fixed her gaze on the cruise ship sailing on the distant sea, getting farther and farther away and smaller until it was out of sight.
Qiao Qiao said, âBai Chen, leave.â
Bai Chen looked at her. âYou have to come with me. Otherwise, Iâll wait here with you.â
Qiao Qiao shook her head. âWaiting for him is my business alone. It has nothing to do with you, so go. Iâll wait for him and go home with him.â The last sentence, âGo home with him,â sounded soft, like a relief.
Bai Chen did not say anything and stood quietly beside her to guard her.
Time passed just like that.
At noon, in the afternoon, nearing the evening, Qiao Qiao had only drank water during this long time and had never eaten a grain of rice. No matter how Bai Chen persuaded her, she did not eat it.
Bai Chen was so anxious that he almost forced her to eat. But in the end, he could not bear to see her cry again. It was good to be quiet like this. He could just wait with her until the answer she wanted.
It was getting late, and the temperature was getting lower. Soon, the temperature dropped to only five or six degrees. Qiao Qiaoâs face was blue from the cold, and Bai Chen, who was beside her, was no better, but he still held on. âQiao, Qiaoâ¦â Bai Chenâs voice sounded ethereal.
Qiao Qiao moved her stiff body and turned to ask Bai Chen, âWhy arenât you leaving?â
Bai Chen said, âIâm worried about you.â
Qiao Qiao exhaled weakly. âTell me the truth. Have we met before?â
Bai Chen closed his eyes and did not answer.
Qiao Qiao reached out her hand. âAre you okay?â
Bai Chen nodded.
Qiao Qiao said inexplicably, âItâs so late.â
Bai Chen opened her eyes again. âYou know itâs late. I told you to go back a long time ago.â
âl want to call him, whether he answers or not. Iâll go back after Iâm done,â Qiao Qiao said calmly. She lowered her head and looked for her cell phone in her pocket.
Before she could find it, Bai Chen took out her phone and handed it to her.
âYou left your phone in my car. Use mine.â
Qiao Qiao shook her head. âl need to use my cell phone. Help me get it.â
Bai Chen did not move and looked at her quietly. Qiao Qiao said, âThen Iâll go back and get it myself. Even if I get it, Iâll have to call him here.â She was very stubborn. Bai Chen could not do anything to her and resigned herself to her fate. âOkay, Iâll get your cell phone. Wait for me here.â
It was already dark. Bai Chen was worried and reminded her several times before leaving.
Qiao Qiao watched Bai Chenâs figure fade away..