"Isn’t that true? Ever since that kid got into A University, there’s been no end to the people chasing after him. I’m not exaggerating here, the line might stretch from the east gate to the west gate of A University. But he didn’t even blink and rejected them all. Later, he went abroad, and I heard he didn’t have any relationships there either. Subsequently, I heard a university overseas wanted to keep him and even promised him a tenured professorship, but he still came back to the country.
During a small gathering, I asked him why he refused such a good job and insisted on returning to the country. He just smiled and said something about how American Imperialism’s food didn’t suit his taste. But, having been brothers with him for so many years, I knew very well that this was probably the least significant reason. He likely came back for you, after all, he missed the chance to chase after you back then... That time, when he heard about your marriage to Leng Yixiu, he actually dragged me to a bar to drink himself into oblivion. He ended up with a stomach hemorrhage and almost lost his life. He was always so calm and self-restrained, yet he did such a ridiculous thing for you.
So, when I heard the news of his death this time, knowing he died for a woman, the first person I thought of was you. In this world, besides you, who else could make him so reckless?"
Lin Yixun listened quietly, feeling a burning pain in her eyes. She never knew, she never knew, all this time, there was someone who had been silently and unreservedly loving her.
The man saw Lin Yixun was overwhelmed with grief, and gently patted her shoulder, speaking in a deep voice, "Life and death are fated, there’s no need to be overly sad and blame yourself. These were all Xing Yi’s own choices."
Lin Yixun’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and tears rolled down her cheeks. How could she not be heartbroken, how could she not feel guilty?
The closer she got to the past, the more she felt immense guilt. Five years ago, she had let Xing Yi down and broke his heart, and now, she had even cost him his life.
How could she ever repay the debt she owed him?
The man comforted her a bit more, then shook his head helplessly before leaving. He was just an outsider, unable to help her. All he could do now was to see his friend off one last time.
A light drizzle started, wetting Lin Yixun’s hair, but she stood still, watching the final scene of the funeral.
After the funeral, Lin Yixun saw Mrs. Xing walking step by step towards her. She didn’t know if Mrs. Xing had noticed her, but she knew that avoiding her at this moment would be the wisest choice.
She lowered her eyes sadly and moved her steps to make way for Mrs. Xing, but Mrs. Xing stopped in front of her.
In just a few days, Mrs. Xing seemed even more haggard, as if she had aged ten years. Her eyes were still filled with sorrow, but when she looked at Lin Yixun, there was less sharpness and hatred in her gaze.
After a long silence, Mrs. Xing finally opened her mouth, "Miss Lin, I lost my senses the other day and hurt you. I’m truly sorry."
Lin Yixun was a little surprised. She had thought she would be scolded again, but didn’t expect that Mrs. Xing would actually apologize. It was clear that Mrs. Xing was a reasonable woman.
Then to make a reasonable woman lose her senses, speak malicious words, and even resort to violence, one could only imagine how sad and desperate she must have been at the time.
"Auntie, I..." Lin Yixun opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say.