Chapter 22 (1/2)
In Chapter 22 of The Youthful You Who Was So Beautiful, we finally deal with the fall out of discovery. With the police clamping down so tightly on the both of them, this day was bound to come sooner or later; but knowing that it was bound to occur, and seeing it play out, is two entirely different things. My heart aches for my two poor, silly youths. Once again, thank you everyone for being patient and understanding!
The sky was a brilliant shade of red and orange as the setting sun cast its amber rays over the cloudless sky. The gentle evening breeze grazed the thick foliage of the mulberry trees, causing the tree leaves to rustle restlessly.
Bei Ye sat on the swing, his eyes inevitably following Chen Nian’s tiny figure as she swept the fallen leaves from the abandoned grounds of the steel mill.
“I noticed that, an object is missing from the drawer beneath the basin,” Chen Nian asked uncertainly, “They said, Wei Cai had been ……, but I suspect that she wasn’t. Did you, perhaps, use that object ……”
Bei Ye raised his eyes to meet Chen Nian’s gaze. The two youths fell into silence.
Bei Ye bit onto his lower lip gently. After some time, he spoke up, “In any event …… I subsequently discovered that Wei Cai had truly been raped. That day, after you injured her with the knife, Wei Cai was subdued by the raincoat man who had been stalking her, and raped.”
Chen Nian gripped the broom tightly, “Are you speaking, the truth?”
“It’s Lai Zi.” That day, Chen Nian tensed up unnaturally upon seeing Lai Zi. At that very moment, Bei Ye realised that Lai Zi could have been amongst the group of males who bullied and hurt Chen Nian that night along with Wei Cai. “I’ve broken off all contact with Lai Zi. He has now fled to the other districts. The previous two cases of rape were also committed by him.”
Chen Nian remained silent.
“Don’t you remember? There were a few times when I had to help him to clean up his mess. Once, you were even at my house when he reached out to me for help.”
“He was the one who murdered Wei Cai?” Chen Nian asked hesitantly, the suspicion unmistakeable in her voice.
“Yes.”
Chen Nian’s brows furrowed together slightly;
Bei Ye rose from the swing. Walking over to Chen Nian, he grazed his fingers over her cheeks. Chen Nian gazed at him silently, her brows gradually unknotting themselves. Lowering his head, Bei Ye cupped her face gently in his hands and whispered in a ow voice, “You must believe this – that you didn’t kill anybody. That everything would turn out fine.”
Chen Nian s.h.i.+vered quietly, “I didn’t kill anybody.”
“That’s right. You didn’t.”
“You didn’t too either, did you?”
Chen Nian stared at him obstinately. Bei Ye broke into a gentle smile, and gave a small, gentle nod.
But Chen Nian’s heart remained clouded with worries and fears. She knew that Bei Ye was hiding something from her, that it wasn’t anything good, and that it was a disastrous piece of news. She believed in Bei Ye, but at the same time, she felt that he wasn’t being entirely truthful with her, and that his rea.s.surances were filled with truths and lies. However, she had no way of differentiating which parts were true, and which parts were lies.
She was overcome with a strange sense of uneasiness, just like he was.
After all, they were still two young, immature youths – they were afraid and fearful of the uncertain future. And yet, like the fields of wild gra.s.s who struggled to live despite the harsh conditions and lack of care, they would simply grit their teeth and struggle through what was to come.
That evening, the two youths clambered onto the window sill, hopped onto the cement ledge and sprinted up the emergency stairwell. On reaching the rooftop, the two youths sat side by side on the edge of the roof, their feet dangling beneath them as they gazed at the innumerable households in Xi Cheng. The sun had already dipped beyond the horizon, its remnant glow gradually fading away.
Chen Nian was overcome with an inexplicable feeling, that calamity was about to befall the both of them.
All of a sudden, Bei Ye’s voice rang out, “Little Stutterer?”
“Yes?”
“What’s your greatest wish?”
“You know my greatest wish already, don’t you?”
“I do. But I would still like to hear you say it aloud.”
Chen Nian said her greatest wish aloud, and turned to look at him.
“Did you hear what you said?”
“I heard.”
“Good. You will definitely meet someone like that in the future.” Bei Ye paused before continuing, “But please remember, that I was first.”
Chen Nian felt as though there was a huge rock on her chest, which she couldn’t rid herself of no matter how hard she tried. In a quiet voice, she asked him n return, “What about you, Bei Ye?”
“Hmm?”
“What’s your greatest wish?”
Bei Ye slowly told Chen Nian his greatest wish, his voice steady and calm. As Chen Nian listened to his wish, her eyes gradually reddened in the night breeze. She wanted to gaze at him, to look into his eyes – but Bei Ye had already lowered his eyes, instead choosing to gaze at the buildings beneath his feet.
Strumming his guitar, Bei Ye requested in a strained voice, “Little Stutterer, could you recite a poem for me?”
Chen Nian began to recite his designated poem aloud:
“I want to live with you,
In a small and unknown town.
I want to enjoy the neverending sunsets with you,
Along with the unceasing clanging of the city bells.
In the hotel in this small town,
The ancient grandfather clock chimes,
Weakly, and softly,
Like the time that is gradually dripping away.
Occasionally, when evening arrives, the sound of
A flute
Drifts from a certain room in he hotel room.
The flutist leans against the window,
The tulips in full bloom outside his window.
Even if you cannot bring yourself to love me at this very instant,
I wouldn’t take it to heart.”
A single drop of tear made its way through the darkness of the night and splashed onto the book Chen Nian was holding;
Bei Ye turned his head to gaze at Chen Nian’s lowered head. After gazing for a long period of time, a gentle, indulgent smile formed on his lips. He didn’t say a single word and instead chose to continue strumming his guitar. As he strummed his guitar, his gaze fell onto the red string that had been tied onto his wrist.
I want to live with you, in a small and unknown town. I want to enjoy the neverending sunsets with you, along with the unceasing clanging of the city bells.
But if it’s an unattainable dream, then let me transform into a key. Thread the red string through the key, and hang the red string from your neck – only then would I be able to stay somewhere close to your heart.
Fis.h.i.+ng his key out of his pocket, Bei Ye placed the key firmly onto Chen Nian’s palm and reminded her carefully, “Remember not to let anybody else see this key.” It’d cause you a ton of trouble.
Chen Nian wrapped her fingers around the key and clenched her fist tightly. Raising her eyes to meet his, she replied softly, “I know.”
Both of them knew, at the bottom of their hearts, that such peaceful days were about to come to an end.
The next day, when Bei Ye and Chen Nian left for school, Bei Ye instructed Chen Nian, “Do you remember the alley where we first met? Wait for me at the corner of that alley at 6PM tonight. Don’t go too early – make sure you reach only at 6PM.”
“Why?”
“Don’t worry, just do as I say.”
Chen Nian didn’t press Bei Ye any further.
It was only when Chen Nian arrived in school did she discover the drastic development in the solving of Wei Cai’s murder. The police had begun to comb the hill behind the school building for clues relating to Wei Cai’s death.
During cla.s.s time, when Chen Nian headed to the front of the cla.s.s to hand up her a.s.signment, Xu Miao tagged along behind her. In a low voice, Xu Miao apologised profusely to Chen Nian, “I’m terribly sorry, Chen Nian. I didn’t reveal anything, but that police officer is simply too sensitive – he managed to discern Wei Cai’s train of thought simply from that single call.”
It turned out that Zheng Yi had always been particularly concerned about the significance of Wei Cai’s call to Xu Miao. Xu Miao was, at that period of time, closely watched by her parents – Xu Miao was forced to return home immediately after school, and no longer had the spare time to meet and hang out with Wei Cai. As such, Wei Cai and Xu Miao’s friends.h.i.+p deteriorated extremely quickly, and they hadn’t contacted each other for a long period of time.
However, on the day Wei Cai went missing, she gave Xu Miao a call. The call didn’t even last for half a minute.
However, from that one single call, Zheng Yi’s theorised that Wei Cai had originally intended to go somewhere near the school compound that day, and that the very sight of the school compound reminded her of Xu Miao. This would thus explain Wei Cai’s sudden call to Xu Miao – Wei Cai probably wanted to ask Xu Miao out for a short meeting or catch up.
Zheng Yi even managed to theorise, from the single call, that the place where Wei Cai originally arranged to meet Xu Miao was the hill behind the school building. After all, Wei Cai knew that Xu Miao’s parents were extremely strict with her; thus, meeting outside the school compound was no longer an option. Wei Cai was thus left with no choice but to arrange to meet Xu Miao in the school compound; if so, the only possible option left for Wei Cai was the hill behind the school building, as it was the only corner that wasn’t under surveillance.
Chen Nian shook her head quietly, “It’s alright.”
Xu Miao continued, “The police officers know about the bullying that you suffered at Wei Cai’s hands. I hope you’re not too affected by Wei Cai’s sudden disappearance and murder.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Ah, I wonder what the current state of the investigations is… I hope that no one else saw you head towards the hill behind the school building. Also, it better not turn out like those television dramas where the police discover a critical piece of evidence (e.g. strands of hair etc) which would like you to Wei Cai’s murder and disappearance. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell the police officer that Wei Cai also invited you to meet at the hill behind the school building; I only told them that she was interested in meeting me.”
Chen Nian fell into silence.
For the rest of the day, she continuously glanced at the direction of the hill behind the school building. What clues would the police be able to uncover? Blood stains? Footprints? Strands of hair? Would the torrential rain and storm that occurred a few days ago successfully remove all such pertinent clues?
If the police officers managed to find related evidence linking her to Wei Cai’s disappearance and murder, she would be immediately brought to the police station and interrogated with a higher intensity compared to before. Alternatively, if they managed to uncover crucial evidence proving her involvement in Wei Cai’s disappearance and murder, then she’s doomed.
What exactly was Bei Ye doing at this precise point in time?
Just as the Bei Ye’s teacher was about to leave the office when he heard the deafening sound of a motorcycle braking outside the office. The brash and unruly youth removed his helmet, secretly unb.u.t.toning his sleeve b.u.t.tons as he did so. Bei Ye strode over to the office and gave a short, sharp knock. Before his teacher managed to reply, however, Bei Ye had already entered the office.
Glancing at the motorcycle parked outside the office, Bei Ye’s teacher was starkly reminded of the description of the raincoat man which the police officers had circulated previously; although he had a handful of students who fit the description, the police officers hadn’t reverted with any news of the raincoat man even after the previous observation they conducted. Well, who would have thought that another student fitting the descriptor would turn up today?
Bei Ye’s family background – with a criminal and a prost.i.tute as parents, it was little wonder that Bei Ye was often excluded and discriminated against by youths of similar ages. He was extremely good looking as well – when he was studying, he had innumerable girls who flocked after him, craving for his attention. However, Bei Ye was always extremely short and irritable with them. It was as though Bei Ye possessed a deep hatred for females in his bones.
“Teacher.” Bei Ye’s voice was slightly cool, and he didn’t bother disguising the impatience in his voice.
“Oh.” The teacher collected his thoughts, “Are you here to collect your graduation certificate?” The teacher began rummaging in his drawer, “You have been skipping cla.s.ses quite a fair bit recently, haven’t you?”
Bei Ye didn’t bother answering his teacher’s questions.
Finally, the teacher managed to locate Bei Ye’s graduation certificate. The teacher was about to continue his conversation with Bei Ye when Bei Ye impatiently wrenched the graduation certificate from his teacher’s hands. Just as Bei Ye reached for his graduation certificate, the sleeves on his uniforms flapped open, revealing a few fresh fingernail scratch marks, as well as a newly scarred knife wound.
It was only then that Bei Ye’s teacher realised the oddity of Bei Ye wearing a long sleeved s.h.i.+rt in such hot weather.
Bei Ye’s teacher hurriedly retracted his gaze from Bei Ye’s arm, and continued the conversation as if he hadn’t noticed the odd wounds on Bei Ye’s arms, “Once you’ve graduated, remember to find a good job for yourself.”
Bei Ye smirked at his teacher coldly before turning and leaving the office.
Covered in cold sweat, the teacher slowly sank onto his office chair as his legs gave way beneath him. It was only when the ostentatious revving of the motorcycle faded into the distance did the teacher compose himself sufficiently to call the police station.
Chen Nian had kept her phone by her side the entire day. Although the phone hadn’t vibrated a single time the entire day, Chen Nian wasn’t anxious or fearful in the slightest. However, she wasn’t calm and collected as well. What if the police officers managed to discover some clues on the hill behind the school building? What if those clues led them to her? Would Zheng Yi call her? Or would the police officers simply arrive at her doorstep, ready to arrest her within a moment’s notice?
The moment the school bell rang, signalling the end of school, Chen Nian sprinted out of the school compound. Zheng Yi wasn’t waiting for her at the gates of the school compound. This meant that the police officers hadn’t made any new discoveries today that linked her to Wei Cai’s murder. But what about tomorrow? What about the day after tomorrow?
Bei Ye was conspicuously missing from the gates of the school compound as well. However, Chen Nian wasn’t worried in the slightest as they had agreed to meet somewhere else today. Panting heavily from the physical exertion, Chen Nian ran towards the alley where they first met. It was still 10 minutes from 6PM when Chen Nian arrived at the designated corner.