Waterbound Love - Chapter 43

Spotting a familiar figure leaning against a utility pole-a sunglasses-clad beauty-he whistled and then walked inside. Jokingly, he thought to himself that the pies falling from the sky are meant for those with a good stomach; those with a bad one might end up with ulcers. There are plenty of women around, but one only has one life. He had his pick of the greens in his own class and wasn’t one for strong tastes-a casual nibble was enough for him. As the elevator doors were closing, a thought flashed through Chu Qian’s mind. He hurriedly pried the doors open and dashed out, startling the young girl who was with him in the elevator. She wondered if Young Master Chu had gotten some girl pregnant with how frantic he was, abandoning his usual composure.

“Well, I guess you’ve been living the good life recently, too comfortable to even recognize me,” the beauty said with a devilish smile, lighting a cigarette and blowing smoke in Chu Qian’s direction.

“How could I forget you? I dream about you all the time, every night a passionate affair,” Chu Qian replied with a mixture of thrill and dread, “but your sudden change of style threw me off for a moment.”

True enough, the sunglasses-wearing beauty was Du Bai. Her short, choppy hair now tucked behind her ears with uneven layers. Her tousled bangs did not obscure her affectionate eyes, which were framed by seductive, peach blossom-like wrinkles, adding a soft femininity that reduced her usual toughness.

“Stop the sweet talk, find us a quiet place,” Du Bai said with a chuckle and a mock scold, relaxed only in the company of these people.

“At your command,” Chu Qian replied with a slight smile, recognizing the Du Bai he knew.

“Wait, what do you mean? Have I been spending lavishly enough to cause premature aging and tinnitus? Are you suggesting I should contact a drug dealer in H City?” Chu Qian exclaimed, moving closer to Du Bai and asking loudly.

The idiot, Du Bai thought, fortunate to have chosen a quiet spot. “You heard right. I’ve checked beforehand; Qin Yulong handles drug trafficking for the Qing Gang in H City. Given the recent crackdown on drugs there, he’s having a tough time. I made him owe you a favor last time; he trusts you. Helping him now would be harmless to you,” Du Bai continued nonchalantly, sipping her water and ignoring the fool in front of her.

Seeing Du Bai so calm and collected, Chu Qian knew that to continue pretending would be pointless and uninteresting. He settled down, his earlier brashness fading as if it had been merely an illusion.

“I know Du Bai well enough to say she never does anything pointless. So, tell me, what are you really trying to accomplish with all this effort?” Chu Qian glanced at Du Bai and, just as she was about to speak, he cut in, “Don’t give me any of that nonsense. In H City, aside from your brother, there really isn’t anyone I can’t handle. Don’t waste my time talking about helping me get settled. I’ve been fighting since I was born.”

Du Bai realized he must have sensed something fishy. Looking at his carefree, rough demeanor, playing games with him might end up with him taking your wife, and you’d still have to thank him for helping bring the next generation into the world. “I want to make contact with a drug dealer in S City, have him do something for me.” She didn’t elaborate, nor did she lie or hide anything. You probably couldn’t say much about that now, could you? If you want to know more, go check it out yourself. By then, I’ll have taken care of what needs to be done.

“Du Bai,” Chu Qian lit a cigarette, his silence unprecedented, “I don’t know why you’re doing this, but I know your temperament well. If you don’t want me to know, then I won’t pry. But are you sure you want to do this? We are not the same, you and I. We struggle in the dye vat, never coming out clean; you’ve been too well protected, sealed in a glass jar, never tainted. But once some things are done, they open a gate that can’t be closed.” He looked deeply at Du Bai.

Du Bai clearly fell into deep thought, and Chu Qian did not disturb her. Some things, only she could fully understand.

“The gate, that gate has already been opened, hasn’t it? I always thought I was cold-hearted, able to detach myself from everything. It’s only on this journey that I’ve realized it’s all nonsense. Living means getting involved in right and wrong. Who can really stand apart? No one can say clearly, so it’s better not to think about it. Just do what I need to do, laugh without restraint, as there isn’t much left for me to do,” Du Bai said, her gaze drifting, her expression bitter yet indifferent as if all her emotions merged into a single continuous line, enduring simply because it must.

This was very oppressive for Chu Qian, what could have happened to the woman who used to talk and laugh with him, gentle and graceful like jade. He had always thought she was the sunshine in his life, unstoppable, shining into people’s hearts, lingering in an untouchable purity. But now, this bleak decline was truly suffocating, like air being pumped into a sealed bottle, controlled just enough not to burst the boundaries, oppressively scratching at the heart, yet finding no outlet for release.

“I have one last question for you, and I hope you can answer it,” Chu Qian said sternly, his gaze intense and unwavering as he looked at Du Bai. Seeing Du Bai nod in agreement, he continued, “Are you doing all this for the child you’re carrying?”

Du Bai, caught off guard and visibly surprised, responded, “It’s been less than a month, how did you know?”

“Don’t forget, my original profession was in Traditional Chinese Medicine. If I were still in the medical field, I might now be considered a senior expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine,” he explained. “But honestly, I wish I didn’t know so much if it only brings repeated pain. Just answer my question.”

Du Bai thought it over, realizing he must have felt her pulse when he grabbed her arm. Moved by Chu Qian’s earnest look, she knew he couldn’t stand to see her suffer. “No, it has nothing to do with that,” she said, lighting a cigarette.

Chu Qian frowned slightly. “Try to smoke less,” he remarked, reaching for the cigarette in Du Bai’s hand, which she deftly dodged. “No need for that, it’s just superfluous. Just tell me straight-will you help me or not?” Du Bai trusted Chu Qian completely, seeing no need to hide anything from him, yet she preferred not to dwell on the topic.

“What else can I do? Leave it to me,” Chu Qian sighed resignedly. “I’ll have it sorted out in three days, but don’t trust them too much. Remember, those driven by profit usually forsake principles.”

Du Bai nodded gently, feeling overly sentimental words of thanks would be too pretentious for this group of friends. It was enough to keep her gratitude in her heart.