My Life with Narration

Chapter 544 - 535: The End of the Story

The people from 120 left, the rescue personnel left too, and only a few colleagues from the police department remained around him.

Du Qiang sat on the ground holding Jiang Yu in silence, his eyes red but no tears fell. No one knew how much pain he was in right now, but they all knew who he was thinking of.

Jiang Yu was covered with coat after coat, all given by colleagues to Du Qiang, but he used them to cover Jiang Yu instead.

He did it because the river was too cold, even for a big man like him, let alone a girl. He was trying to use the warmth from his body to help the person in his arms get better.

Even though he knew it was impossible, it was the only thing he could do now.

Su Qing was holding a cigarette in his mouth at this moment, but he couldn’t find a lighter, his eyes somewhat unfocused.

’Snap,’ a flame ignited in front of him, illuminating his eyes.

He turned his head and saw it was actually Li Zijun, somewhat surprised.

"Smoke, if you’re upset, have one, but only one."

Hearing this, Su Qing’s mouth twitched, he wanted to smile, but he found he couldn’t smile at all.

Covering his hand, he lowered his head, the flame lit the cigarette, emitting a bright light.

"Hoo~~~"

He exhaled a heavy cloud of white smoke, as if trying to dispel the helplessness in his chest and the heavy stone pressing on his heart.

Jiang Yu was a very good girl. From the first time he met her, he knew she was a wonderful girl.

Because she had seen too much darkness and filth, she cherished that remaining warmth in her heart all the more.

Who would have thought that the girl they just saw in the police department not long ago would leave so resolutely today?

Unlike others, he had the role of an observer, able to see more, and naturally feeling more pain.

To others, Jiang Yu was just a stranger they hadn’t seen much and knew nothing about her past. Such an outcome might be just a little sigh, but he was different. He knew what Jiang Yu had been through all these years, so he felt even more heartache for this girl.

Back then, he even bet with Li Zijun on whether Du Qiang and she could end up together, but even he never thought things would develop to this point.

If there was a source for all this, it might be the reunion between Du Qiang and Jiang Yu that day.

If it weren’t for that reunion, even if Du Qiang hadn’t been in the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, but in another precinct or police station, not involved in that operation, would there have been a different result?

The two who loved each other, liked each other, after not seeing for years, but ultimately because of a reunion, resulted in the loss of two lives.

Did Du Qiang do anything wrong? No!

Did Jiang Yu do anything wrong? No!

Did Jiang Yu’s mother do anything wrong? Even less so!

Nobody was wrong, yet it seemed everyone bore a fault, himself included.

Seeing this, the colleagues at the police station couldn’t help but shake their heads, saying nothing, just standing by, accompanying their colleague. It’s something outsiders can’t advise on.

At this moment, Du Qiang’s mentor, Zhao Minghui, also arrived on the scene. Although such matters didn’t require the personal intervention of a criminal investigation team leader, Du Qiang was, after all, his protege.

After arriving at the scene and understanding the situation, Zhao Minghui couldn’t help but sigh heavily. He didn’t expect things would turn out this way. After all, he had just transferred Su Qing over today to see if he could help out, but didn’t expect it to turn out like this.

"How did you guys let this... happen?"

In response, Su Qing remained silent, holding the cigarette, while Li Zijun said: "Captain Zhao, the girl may have been struck by her mother’s recent death, couldn’t let it go for a moment, and committed suicide. The three of us were looking everywhere, even tried our best, but still didn’t make it in time. Du Qiang... he saw that girl jump off the bridge with his own eyes, if I hadn’t held him back, he would have gone down too."

Hearing these words, Zhao Minghui opened his mouth but didn’t say anything.

Although he hadn’t seen it personally, just hearing the description, he could imagine the scene at that time. Watching your friend leap down from the bridge in front of you, while you were powerless to do anything—it must have been a very helpless feeling!

He had experienced similar things himself. A previous comrade-in-arms had been sacrificed right in front of him. Even though he was by their side, he was powerless and helpless.

"You two are familiar with him, go and see him, sitting there like that isn’t doing any good, I’ll head back first, tell that kid if he has any difficulties, he can talk to me!"

After saying this, Zhao Minghui turned and walked toward the police car by the road, leaving only a sigh.

The two exchanged a look, and Li Zijun said: "Let’s go, I’m not good at comforting people, it’s up to you."

"Okay"

With that, the two slowly walked towards Du Qiang, who was sitting on the ground, while Li Zijun timely gestured to the surrounding colleagues to move away a bit.

Once everyone dispersed, Su Qing crouched in front of him. This time, he wasn’t afraid of the body, maybe because Jiang Yu didn’t look terrible in her current state, or perhaps because the pain in his heart outweighed the fear.

After a long while, he spoke, "I’m sorry, I couldn’t talk her out of it, and didn’t even let the two of you say your final words."

Su Qing’s voice was low, even a bit hoarse.

Upon hearing these words, Du Qiang’s eyes, previously as still as dead water, flickered, and he lifted his head, looking at him with red-rimmed eyes, shaking his head, smiling bitterly, attempting to smile but failing, raspingly said, "It’s not your fault, I should... thank you."

Then, as if reconsidering, he continued to ask, "Did she say anything at the end?"

Su Qing nodded, "Yes, it was for you. She wanted me to tell you that she never regretted loving you. She also said the fireworks were too loud, so in the future, just bring her flowers when you visit. And she said, the fireworks... were quite beautiful.

I know you don’t need comforting; everything Jiang Yu wanted to say to you has been said. I don’t think she has any major regrets left, if there are, it might be you.

She might have regretted the last meeting, wondering why she had to meet you again. If she hadn’t met you, maybe you wouldn’t have been heartbroken."

Hearing this, Du Qiang took a deep breath, gently tidying Jiang Yu’s hair, and softly said, "I’ve remembered everything you said. In my heart, you’ll always look like you’re 18, very beautiful. I’ll remember you until the day I grow old.

I’m not stingy. I wanted to buy you a big house. But now, it seems you’re the stingy one, running away to that little box, refusing to see me!

Don’t worry, I won’t let you leave wearing this. I still have the uniform from No. 2 High School, I’ll lend it to you one more time."

With that, Du Qiang exhaled heavily, struggling to lift the person in his arms. He wanted to step forward and help, but Du Qiang declined.

A breeze blew past, Du Qiang was still Du Qiang, Jiang Yu was still Jiang Yu, yet everything was different now, Jiang City no longer had any trace of the girl, only the evening wind by the riverbank in the southern part of the city remained.

Du Qiang, holding Jiang Yu, walked toward the police car step by step. Since she had no relatives anymore, he wanted to take charge of her final arrangements, as if sending her on her last journey.

On the day the college entrance exams ended, she had seen him off once. This time, it was his turn. Since he wasn’t part of her growth these past years, then he would see her off on her last journey. At least their affection wouldn’t be in vain. This might be the only thing he could do now.

Everyone left, accompanying Du Qiang back to the police station, leaving only Li Zijun and him reluctant to leave the scene.

"Do you think Qiangzi... can get through this?" Su Qing asked.

Li Zijun: "He definitely will, don’t underestimate him, he’s very strong."

"That’s good then"

In the end, those who passed stayed in the alley, and the living remained trapped in their memories.

...