Cold Water

Part 10 - Investigation 2

Note:

Narration
"Present conversation"

Flashback narration
"Flashback conversation"
'Sign language'

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Pei Qin began to move his hands slowly but steadily. Xiao Zhan watched him intently so as not to lose even a single detail of Pei Qin's story.

'That night we were walking together...'  Pei Qin began telling about the incident.

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"Qin-Qin. I feel very happy to meet and know you. I think very fortunate to have someone as good as you," said Ling Jiao while hugging Pei Qin's arms tightly. Pei Qin gently stroked Ling Jao's hair and smiled. Then his hands moved.

'I am the luckiest person in this world. You are a beautiful and kind girl. You can also accept all my flaws. Moreover I am not from a wealthy family.' Pei Qin smiled sadly.

"I have never questioned any of your shortcomings. I love you for who you are, even if both my parents or the world reject our relationship, I will still choose you," Ling Jiao said, looking at Pei Qin's eyes with reddened eyes.

'Jiao-Jiao. Our lives will continue, but I don't think our relationship will continue to improve like this. You must follow your father's will, I know he loves you very much. He can't possibly introduce someone bad to you.' Pei Qin's hands stopped moving. While Ling Jiao was crying uncontrollably. She never thought she have to part with her lover just because of the stupid match that her father planned for her. To hell with all that, she just wants to be with the person she loves.

'I will still love you no matter what. I love you more than anything in this world. However, I cannot refuse my current situation. I'm not the right person for you. I just want you to be happy.' Pei Qin joined to shed tears that he had been holding from the beginning.

"Therefore don't leave me," Ling Jiao shouted. Her legs could not hold all the weight in her heart. She then sat down before Pei Qin.

'No, Jiao-Jiao. I am not your happiness even though we love each other. There is nothing I can do so that I can be comparable to the person your father set you up with.' Pei Qin was trying hard to keep his feet standing.

"I told you I don't love him and stop comparing yourself with others," Ling Jiao said hoarsely. She hugged Pei Qin's legs with both her arms.

Pei Qin may not be able to talk like an ordinary person but he is not deaf because he is not mute from birth. When he was 10 years old he had a severe accident that his vocal cords were injured even though they were not destroyed completely. However, when he tried to speak forcefully, he would immediately cough up blood, finally he decided to learn sign language even though he hoped he could make his voice come back.

"How about we just run away, I think it's a great idea for both of us" Ling Jiao said. Pei Qin hears every word of Ling Jiao, but he doesn't know what to do.

The two of them were silent for a long time until Pei Qin helped Ling Jiao stand up. Pei Qin looked at Ling Jiao's eyes with an unspeakable feeling, he loved Ling Jiao with all his heart. But on the other hand his conscience could not let a girl as good as Ling Jiao live with him.

'I... Love you... I beg you... Listen... My request...' Pei Qin tried to make his voice which he had long wanted to spend even though he had to struggle and feel extreme pain. And sure enough after trying to let out his voice he immediately coughed and felt his neck feel very sore.