Chapter 928: Final Chapter Before Death (15)
For the sake of Li Beinian’s funeral, Chi Hailangwent back and forth making arrangements, and finally placed her tombstone next to Mu Xichen’s.
On it was a photograph of her taken when she was in the Chi family home five years ago. In the photograph, she was smiling with all the arrogance and vigor of youth.
That look on her face was a world of difference than how she was in the recent years in the Mu family – lifeless and exhausted.
It was as if it were two completely different people.
Time could easily change a person. In just a few years, Li Beinian had undergone a complete transformation.
Besides the Li family, Mu Donglin, whom she used to love deeply, had given her everything.
From the time she was full of hopes and dreams of a sweet ever after, to the time she died so tragically, it had only been five short years.
However, most of the people who came were here to visit Mu Xichen’s memorial tablet, which was situated next to hers.
In Mu Xichen’s photograph, he was in his military uniform, stern and unsmiling. His eyes were sharp and determined as he looked straight ahead – exactly the same expression he had sported, as he dodged the rain of bullets and defended his country.
Many people came and go. In the dark twilight, a man in a cheap suit and cheap watch approached and stood in front of the two tombstones.
He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and seemed mild-mannered and calm.
His gaze fell on Mu Xichen’s tablet and he read out the words inscribed on it. “31 years old. Ha, pitiful.”
Then, his gaze fell on Li Beinian’s tablet and he said with contempt, “Femme fatale.”
Li Beinian was jolted awake from her sleep. Her entire body was drenched in cold sweat and she felt as though she was on nerves edge. For a long time, she could not calm down.
The alarm clock on the bedside table ticked away. It was a sound that normally could not be heard, but now, it was magnified many times and clearly, by the dark night upon waking from the nightmare
Li Beinian turned to look for Mu Xichen.
But when she reached out, there was only an empty coldness.
It was not known when he had left. She had no idea.
Feeling a little flustered. Li Beinian got up and reached for her cell phone, which was charging.
The moment the screen lit up, Li Beinian realized that her hands were shaking.
She held her other hand tightly, trying to stop this meaningless and uncontrollable tremble. However, in the next moment, warm water droplets fell from the back of her hand.
Only then did Li Beinian realize that her face was tear-streaked.
She quickly dialed Mu Xichen’s number.
Mu Xichen’s slightly hoarse voice came through. “Hello.”
The image of Mu Xichen’s photograph on his tombstone appeared in Li Beinian’s mind with great clarity.
Li Beinian couldn’t hold back her tears and her voice was hoarse. “Ah Chen, where are you?”
Mu Xichen immediately could hear that Li Beinian didn’t sound right. He frowned and was immediately on the alert. “What’s wrong?”
“Are you busy?”
“No, I’ll be right back. I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“No it’s okay, get back to your work.” Li Beinian wiped her tears and said in a nasal voice.
Sensing that something was amiss, Mu Xichen asked gently, “What happened?”
Li Beinian sniffed and looked around for some tissue paper.
Having not gotten a reply, Mu Xichen said gently, “Tell me, come on, don’t scare me.”
Li Beinian couldn’t stop herself from shuddering once. She whimpered softly, “It’s nothing. I was just… afraid that you’d disappear.”