Chapter 16 — I Return From The Deep

Title lost, honor lost, job lost, future uncertain. In just one night, he transformed from an Associate Professor into an academic fraud who was humiliated by everyone. She couldn't stand it. But I endured it for four years. In that cell. Every day face the ceiling. Knowing she was innocent, knowing Ms. Trieu had been wronged, but there was nothing she could do. In that series of days, I endured 1,460 days. She endured less than two weeks and jumped from a building. After this incident, there were subtle changes in the direction of public opinion. A few voices began to change direction.

“Even though she did wrong, she still jumped off the building... is it too much to force her?”

"Should Jiang Niem Chu come out and express his attitude? Anyway, everything has already worked out."

"If you are forgiven, please forgive others. There is no need to put them in death."

Reading these comments, I suddenly burst out laughing. Laugh until your chest hurts. Driven to death? Ms. Trieu has been dead for 4 years. I served 4 years in prison. Carrying a sentence, and terminal lung cancer. The former will follow me all my life, the latter will take my life. When do I put someone to death? I'm just stating the truth. She danced herself. But there is one person who clearly doesn't think so. That evening. The motel room door was pushed open. This time there was no knock on the door. Being pushed in so hard——the motel's old lock was completely unbearable. Giang Tu Hanh stood outside the door. Strong smell of alcohol. Bloodshot eyes. The vest was thrown somewhere unknown, the sleeves of the shirt were rolled up to the elbow, the tie hung loosely. Those bloodshot eyes stared at me. The chest rose and fell violently.

“Giang Niem So.” He called both my first and last names.

The voice trembled as if trying to suppress a volcano waiting to erupt.

“Are you satisfied?”

I stood by the window, my back to him. Slowly turn around. Look at him. Say nothing.

"Tong Uyen Nghi jumped from the building." He staggered in.

He burst out laughing, a laugh that was harder to hear than crying.

"17th floor. Both legs are disabled. Spine is broken."

"He did wrong and deserves to be punished. I won't stop you."

“But you——must force people to this point?”

I looked at him. The voice was very calm.

“What did I do?”

“What did you do?!” His voice suddenly rose, and he punched the closet door next to him hard, causing a dent in the thin board.

"You spread the evidence everywhere, reported it to the police, contacted the media—can't you handle it privately? Do you have to make a fuss for the whole city to see?!"

“Resolve privately?” I repeat these four words. Then I laughed.

“Jiang Si Hing, four years ago when you sent me to prison, did you ever think about settling it privately?”

He was dumbfounded.

“That year I knelt in the snow and begged you to re-investigate, have you ever thought about listening to my explanation?”

My voice began to tremble uncontrollably. Not fear. It was 4 years ago when I first faced him. Say these words.

"Miss Trieu died of a heart attack because of her reputation as an academic fraud. When she passed away, no one was by her side."

“I was diagnosed with lung cancer in prison, missing the best time for treatment.”

“All of this——was caused by my adopted sister go out."

“What about you? What did you do? He believed her words and supported her. He single-handedly pushed his only sister into a deep hole."

“Now she jumped from the building—she jumped on her own, no one pushed her. You came to me again to ask about my crime?”

I took a step forward. Looking up, he looked at his blood-stained face.

“Jiang Tu Hanh, are you satisfied with me?”

“I tell you. Fierceness."