Chapter 19 — Wu Yang Flower – Jade Snow Palace

I never thought that behind that ten-year marriage that people admired, there were hidden so many myths, mysteries and humiliations.

“So I left.”

He turned back to look at me. His eyes were as calm as dead water.

“I didn't bring anything with me.”

“Just want to go to Jiangnan once.”

“I want to see where she lives.”

"Wanted to confirm for myself... without me, would she really live well or not?"

He breathed out softly. “I saw it.” “She lives very well.” “That… is enough.” After speaking, he coughed violently again. I quietly poured him a cup of warm water and handed it over. He took it, took a small sip, his throat trembling slightly. Then, he slowly reached into his chest, took out a carefully kept object, and placed it next to his pillow. That is a white jade brooch. The tip of the brooch is engraved with a smiling apricot blossom. It's a relic of my mother. It was also the brooch that he had always carried with him all these years. It seemed like he had broken it the last time.

“Give her back.” He spoke softly. “This was originally hers.”

“From now on, between you and me… there are no longer any ties.”

“When I recover, I will leave.”

“I will go to a place... you will never see.”

“From now on, I will never appear in front of you again.”

I looked at the white jade hairpin lying on the pillow, then looked at him - his face was pale from illness, so thin that he almost lost his old demeanor. In my heart, something very small, quietly broke. I slowly reached out and picked up the brooch. The brooch still retains the warmth from his body - warm, but also cold to the bone. I looked straight into his eyes and asked each word clearly: "Tieu Quyet." “Do you hate me?” He stopped. It seems I didn't expect to ask that question. He looked at me for a long time. It took so long that the afternoon sunlight outside the window gradually faded and then went out completely, and the light finally withdrew from this damp room. Finally, he gently shook his head.

“No regrets.”

“I only hate myself.”

"I hate my past life... for not looking at her clearly."

"Hating this life... waking up too late."

He called my name. “Tham Thanh Nguyet.” His voice was as light as a sigh. “If there is an afterlife…” “Let me wait for you.” He didn't say another word, just looked at me deeply - those eyes were no longer attached, no longer crazy, only letting go and an endless separation. He left. The next morning, when I returned to that house, it was empty inside. The bed is neatly made. The rough clothes he used to wear were washed and neatly arranged on the edge of the bed as if no one had ever laid there. On the table lay a check - exactly the amount of money I spent to invite the doctor and buy medicine for him. Not more than a penny. Not a penny missing. He walks very cleanly. Just like how he walked out of my life. Just like he said. He went to a place that I could never see again. From then on, we really never saw each other again. I stood in the middle of that empty room, looking around at the four cold, damp walls, feeling strangely empty inside. Not sure if it's loss, or relief. Maybe… both. We return to Thanh Nguyet Cu. My illness also gradually recovered. I no longer have insomnia, I no longer get startled in the middle of the night because of old dreams, and I no longer see his shadow flickering in the Jiangnan rain. Life returned to its usual calm. Every day we read books, make tea, admire the flowers, watch the clouds pass by the eaves as if no storm had ever passed through my life. It's just that sometimes, on a rainy afternoon, I will take that white jade brooch out of the box and look at it quietly for a long time. Then put it back in the most exquisite brocade box, close the lid, lock it, letting the past sleep peacefully inside. Spring and autumn come, the four seasons of Giang Nam quietly flow before our eyes like a non-stop stream of water. Business under Uncle Chung's hands flourished day by day, and his fortune grew larger and larger. Our reputation also spread far and wide. People are still used to calling me Treasurer Tham. But gradually, some people started calling me Thien Nhan. Because we use the money we earn to build bridges, pave roads, build cemeteries, open schools, and help the needy in the world. Xuan Hoa also married a talented manager in our silk shop; The young couple lives peacefully, filled with laughter every day. Uncle Chung is old now, please excuse me and return home. I gave him a large sum of money so that he could retire in peace and not have to worry about making a living anymore. The people around us change over the years, some come and then go. Only I remained in Thanh Nguyet Cu, from then on I never left Giang Nam. I don't remarry.