Waterbound Love - Chapter 5

“Tinna, let’s go out for a drink tonight,” Du Bai, feeling immensely bored, definitely didn’t want to stay home facing the “living work of art.”

“Uh, I have something to do today. Ask Shen Yan to go with you; she’s free. Gotta go.” Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Du Bai shook her head helplessly and nudged Shen Yan beside her, “What’s she been up to lately?”

“Spending time with her fiancé. They’re getting really close, inseparable, all lovey-dovey,” Shen Yan said while swirling her glass of Tequila.

Giving Shen Yan a sidelong glance, “Why so bitter over Tinna falling in love? Isn’t this a blessing in disguise?” Du Bai said before gazing ahead, seemingly lost in her thoughts. She murmured, “If only they wouldn’t get married.”

“Why don’t you take action? You don’t seem like the type to suffer losses,” Shen Yan asked, confused and internally conflicted, unsure of what she was hoping for or testing how much Du Bai knew.

“Hehe, I enjoy the game of slow nurturing-feeding the enemy, making them strong, and then striking. Gradually breaking them down, making them realize all their efforts are in vain. This way, their pain will be doubled, and so will my pleasure,” Du Bai said, lightly shaking her glass of Forgetfulness, her almond-shaped eyes gleaming with an indescribably eerie charm.

Shen Yan rolled her eyes weakly, “So many years have passed, and you still haven’t changed this habit?”

“Hehe, let’s go,” Du Bai downed her drink in one gulp. If this Forgetfulness could really make one forget, it would be great.

“So early? Where are you going? We haven’t even started to feel it yet,” Shen Yan frowned, looking at Du Bai.

“Gotta go home early to be with Wei Jia. Her mood’s been off lately, need to comfort her. If I get drunk and end up having unintended consequences, it would save me some trouble. No need to hold back,” Du Bai replied with a smile, seeing Shen Yan’s face darken as expected.

“Still haven’t touched her?” Shen Yan asked softly, her voice laden with emotions destined to be ignored.

“Yeah, it’s too early. She might get scared,” Du Bai thought her current expression must be somewhat joyful, somewhat happy. She despised such hypocrisy, yet also appreciated it.

As Du Bai turned, she smiled slyly-time was running out, and the game seemed to accelerate. Tinna, before you get married, I’ll give you a grand gift to make myself happy. I wonder if you’ll care by then, living in the happiness you created.

The sky will still be blue, and the people in the song will eventually part.

Tinna’s engagement party was quite grand. After all, it was the blessing from one generation to the next. Not everyone present was familiar, as the network of relationships was vast and complex. Du Bai, with her unchanged androgynous attire, shone amidst the crowd, full of important figures, which was a matter of respect. Fortunately, in everyone’s eyes, Du Bai, with her “background-less” appearance, wouldn’t attract attention-especially with Du Ruo still abroad. She envied Shen Yan a bit, in her dashing, sharp suit exuding mature charm, as usual without a partner, giving countless debutantes hope and excitement.

The moment Du Bai entered, Shen Yan’s face darkened. Seeing Wei Jia holding Du Bai’s arm, Shen Yan frowned, her fist clenching as if she might throw a punch at any second. Shen Yan glanced at Du Bai, signaling her to come along.

On the balcony, in a secluded and serene spot, Du Bai gazed at the night view outside. Her relaxed demeanor only fueled Shen Yan’s anger, “What are you doing? Do you know who’s here today? Why did you bring her?”

“Shen Yan, in my memory, you’ve always been the perfect gentleman. Anger doesn’t suit you,” Du Bai turned and tidied Shen Yan’s collar. Seeing the flush on Shen Yan’s ears, it seemed it wasn’t from anger.

“Don’t change the subject.”

Caught, “Lately, she’s been uneasy. I thought maybe some reassurance would make her happier.”

Shen Yan looked at Du Bai for a long time, making Du Bai feel like a treasure map had grown on her face for Shen Yan to study. “So you brought her here at the risk of being discovered? Are you serious? Ready to hold someone else so soon?” Her tone was serious, as if Du Bai’s answer was crucial to her.

“Shen Yan, relax. Things won’t be as bad as you think. Everyone knows Du Ruo is abroad, don’t they?” Du Bai knew what she was worried about. Perhaps she had been thoughtless, but sometimes one had to take risks to force matters.

“I’m asking if you’re serious about her.” Shen Yan fixed her gaze intensely on Du Bai.

Du Bai sighed helplessly, “Life must go on. I’m just trying to find something. There are too many issues between us-it takes a lot of effort to overcome them. Why not let time filter things and I’ll choose what remains.” With that, Du Bai turned and left, her back straight. But no one saw how her hand clenched tightly under her sleeve, her nails seemingly digging into her palm.

Since Tinna’s engagement, Du Bai had been exceptionally good to Wei Jia, so much so that Wei Jia felt like a princess in a dream. Shen Yan, however, pressed harder and harder. She didn’t want to betray Du Bai, but she also didn’t want Du Bai to abandon her upon discovering everything. Living in hell wasn’t scary; what was terrifying was returning to purgatory after getting used to the beauty of paradise. Du Bai’s continued abstinence made it difficult for Wei Jia to conceal things, and even if she could, it would become a thorn. She didn’t want that; she wanted happiness-a lot of it. Having done so much, she had tasted happiness and became addicted. She was determined to protect this happiness at all costs.

Upon returning home, Du Bai heard the sound of sobbing mixed with water coming from the bathroom. Du Bai smiled, as if something interesting had happened, and the game seemed to be reaching a climax. Pretending she heard nothing, she turned on the TV, saying, “I’m hungry. When are we eating?”

From the bathroom came a muffled response. Du Bai smiled but remained expressionless-an unsettling sight.

The atmosphere at the dining table was unusually heavy. Wei Jia felt the air was thin as Du Bai ate in silence.

“Why were you showering before cooking?”

“Uh… I had just come back from outside, went to buy something, and felt dirty so I showered,” Wei Jia nervously gripped her chopsticks.

Wei Jia expected Du Bai to say more but she didn’t. Distracted by the day’s events, Wei Jia didn’t notice Du Bai’s amused gaze.

Du Bai turned off the lights. She never liked sleeping with them on. The absence of the person who used to switch them off for her would only lead to a sleepless night.

In the darkness, Du Bai heard the faint sound of a door opening and then the soft friction of feet on the carpet. If the moonlight were a bit hazier, if she were a bit more tired, would she hope that it was her coming back? But this shore is not that shore, and this woman is not that woman. That hope, in the end, is in vain.

“What are you doing in here?” In the darkness, Du Bai saw the figure pause.

“I, I…” Wei Jia hesitated at Du Bai’s question. After a moment of contemplation, she resolutely threw herself onto the bed, embracing Du Bai and kissing her, fumbling for her lips. Du Bai fiercely told herself to stay calm, stay calm, but just as Wei Jia’s lips were about to touch hers, she pushed her away.

Du Bai felt a bit frustrated. She still couldn’t handle this well. “Why are you acting so strange today?” Du Bai used the action of turning on the light to discreetly put some distance between them.

“I, I…” Wei Jia stammered for what seemed an eternity without finding the right words. What happened today couldn’t be revealed, but the idea of leaving Du Bai brought a piercing agony from head to toe. She wanted Du Bai to hold her, to tell her that it was all just a nightmare, that upon waking, the person beside her was her true love.

Seeing Du Bai’s irritation, Wei Jia steeled herself. “Du Bai, hold me, please.” Her voice almost begging.

“Wei Jia, you know I’m trying very hard to respect you. I want to be with you for a long time, so now is not the right time.” Du Bai spoke earnestly, gently wiping away Wei Jia’s tears, as if caressing a precious yet delicate jewel, one that was on the verge of breaking.

“Du Bai, even though you’ve been very good to me, I’m still uncertain. The long-awaited feelings have come so quickly, it’s unsettling. I want to do something to try and hold on to them.” Tears streamed down Wei Jia’s face as she lowered her head. In this moment, her tears were genuine, devoid of scheming or demands, not a means to an end; they simply fell from the depth of her emotions.

In this moment, she was unmasked, yet still as simple, gentle, and beautiful as her pretense.

But these changes were only in Wei Jia’s perception and did not reach Du Bai’s heart.

“Come on, I’ll join you for a bite to eat,” Du Bai said calmly, standing up to open the window and then leading Wei Jia to the living room.

As she closed the door, Du Bai glanced back at her room. The breeze lifted the edge of the curtains, and the chime’s clear, pure sound stirred ripples in the depths of her memory. It seemed those crescent-moon-like smiling eyes were still gazing at her lovingly, bringing memories to life. Memories, like keys to longing, had already opened, growing into a towering tree.

Du Bai smiled wryly at herself, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. Ultimately, she couldn’t bear to tarnish the space shared with such treasured memories. If she cared less, perhaps the game could have ended tonight. Not only would she be free, but she would also see the results of long-laid plans. Wouldn’t that be good? Some things are best left unexamined, and they needn’t address what’s between them. But in the end, it wasn’t about letting go of her-it was about the woman in her memories who smiled like a warm sunflower.

“What? You’re saying you’re taking Wei Jia home this year?”

Surprise? Shen Yan’s expression was beyond surprise-perhaps shock was more accurate. Du Bai found this amusing.

Each year, Du Bai’s family held a grand gathering-four generations under one roof, enjoying family harmony. Considering the elders’ health, this was scheduled from mid-March to mid-April.

“Du Bai, are you serious?” Shen Yan asked cautiously. “Though you made an agreement with Du Eldest, they turn a blind eye to you, but you can’t go too far. Grandpa Du still doesn’t know. I recall you never took Lian Yinyun there. What makes her different?” Shen Yan reminded herself not to get worked up; maybe things weren’t as they seemed.

“Different, huh?” Du Bai smiled softly, as if happiness could blossom around them. Shen Yan’s face darkened suddenly, as if something had struck her heart. She felt a mix of frustration, melancholy, and a straightforward resentment, plainly visible.

“Actually, living a simple, long-lasting life isn’t so bad; once you give something to someone, it’s hard to take it back. So, you might as well keep it with them. That’s the kind of person I am,” Du Bai said with a smile, feeling as though she were standing at the edge of an abyss. The next choice wasn’t to climb back up but to continue falling.

She watched as a dark aura seemed to envelop Shen Yan, a heavy sense of helplessness pervading the air.

Sorry, some things must be concluded. I can only use you to see her most painful cries. I relish that feeling of being torn to the core. Perhaps, as the breeze blows and the veil is lifted, many things will surface unexpectedly.

Watching events unfold as predicted, abandoning emotions and expectations, walking silently on-everything seemed within the realm of anticipation, even those unexpected elements. Once sculpted, they no longer felt unfamiliar.

When these things happen to others, they might feel a surge of accomplishment. But when they happen to oneself, the overwhelming feeling is profound sorrow.

There is no struggle or escape, driven by nature.