“Ling’er, you are my best friend in this life and the next! But precisely because of that, I didn’t want to burden you! I hope you can be happy. I don’t want my disgrace to taint your purity! Please forgive my selfishness!”
Xiao Yue’s footsteps moved forward, and upon seeing Lan Ling’er approaching, she called out: “Ling’er, don’t come over! Do you know why I endured for so long and killed him today? This morning, after leaving the nightclub, I saw my father being beaten by loan sharks. I wanted to avoid him, but he noticed me. He actually told those thugs that if they could keep me entertained for a day, he’d reduce the debt by 500 yuan. Hearing his laughter made me want to kill him! Later, while my mother was out selling vegetables and my father was drunk, I picked up the kitchen knife and stabbed him twice while he slept. He would never know it was me! I was so scared I dropped the knife and ran. I came here to call you, but you worried and came looking for me!”
Ling’er felt that heaven was playing with her, throwing so many disasters her way. She cried silently, nearly blown off the building by the wind.
“How could parents be like this? Xiao Yue, why didn’t you tell me everything before it was too late? What can I do for you now?” Lan Ling’er felt torn apart and overwhelmed by the pain.
“Promise me to live well! For me and our deceased dean mother! Take good care of yourself and those children. Make them feel loved! Don’t repeat my fate! When I die, promise to scatter my ashes in the sea so I can see the world and wash away the stains on my body!” Xiao Yue gently turned away, her hair flowing in the wind, covering her desperate face. She smiled at Lan Ling’er and then seemed to fly away like a butterfly with broken wings.
“No, no! Xiao Yue, don’t!” Lan Ling’er woke from the dream, drenched in sweat. She reached for the handkerchief under her pillow to wipe her cold sweat, but tears kept falling.
She looked outside as dawn approached. After dressing, she stepped out into the still cold morning wind.
