Chapter Sixty-Three - Peril on the Cliff (Part Two)

"Snap!" At the very moment when Chu Qitong's terrified and bloodless beautiful face plummeted downward, I could only stretch out an arm and tightly grasp her delicate hand! Thus, our bodies formed a nearly straight line in midair, and whatever confidence I had vanished like smoke...

Yes, if a moment ago I could still barely rely on my body's recovered strength to climb along the branch and save myself, now, in this state, the odds of survival for either of us were essentially none. We hung from the branch like doomed ghosts, destined to fall into the abyss below once my grip on the trunk gave way.

At this moment, the entire mountain wilderness was vast and silent, a silence so profound it was frightening. Perhaps both Chu Qitong and I understood that to die would be easy. All I had to do was let go, and we would plunge into the boundless chasm, our bodies shattered beyond recognition, our remains lost forever. Yet to live would be just as easy—if only I released Chu Qitong's hand, I could climb the young tree, scramble up the cliff, and save my own life!

But could I do that? Gazing down at Chu Qitong’s tear-streaked face, my heart twisted in pain. Let go? That would mean ending a life—a real, living life! Even if I'd once resented her deeply. But if I didn’t let go? Then both of us would die here, swallowed by the darkness below!

"Xiao Qiang... let go," her voice trembled in my ear as I battled my conscience. Stunned, I stared down at her, never expecting her to face death with such clarity at this moment. She had accepted it? "Let go... if you do, you can live. This is all my fault, I was the one who insisted we come to the mountains... I'm sorry, truly sorry. I only wanted to go barbecuing with you, to enjoy this rare National Day holiday together, but look how it turned out..."

Her soft sobs and despairing words sent a violent shiver through me. So the things she packed in her trunk were for the barbecue she’d planned for us. She’d come here on purpose. She wasn’t as bad as I’d always thought. At least, she was willing to spend the holiday with someone who seemed to be her enemy...

"Why did it have to be with me? If you hadn’t come with me today, none of this would’ve happened..." I was filled with regret—deep, burning regret. Why had I argued with her, why had I found her so irritating, why had I deliberately provoked her? Why, at the critical moment, had I slapped her, just as she was driving with her teeth clenched on my shoulder and her eyes fixed on the road? If not for me, maybe she would never have had that accident, would never be hanging here by my side now. And now I was wracked with selfish thoughts of choosing between saving myself or abandoning her—a question so shameful I could hardly bear it.

"Because I suddenly realized you aren’t as awful as I thought... not so unworthy of friendship," she managed a rare, beautiful smile, one that was heartbreaking in its sadness. "I really admire you, Xiao Qiang. Maybe not before, but somewhere along the way I realized you’re truly remarkable. Apart from my grandfather, no one’s ever impressed me before—not since I was a child. But you have. You’re so strange, so strange that I can’t help but secretly pay attention to you, think about you... Even I don’t know why, when you’re so infuriating, I still remember your proud smile whenever you beat me..."

Her words left me stunned. What did she mean? Could this little devil have fallen for me? No, impossible. I knew her too well. Maybe she wanted to be friends, but there was no way she could like me. After all, she’d always tried to drive Su Xin away from me. How could a man she disdained possibly be worthy? My mind instantly dismissed this absurd notion, yet in this moment, she seemed completely different from before. Perhaps this was what people meant when they said, "A person’s last words are always kind."

Looking at this woman—once an enemy, always resented—I suddenly felt I’d misjudged her all along. Her words seemed to sap what little strength I’d regained, leaving me unable even to climb.

Taking a deep breath, staring into the surrounding darkness, recalling everything that had happened since leaving the city, and all that I’d done since being reborn, I forced a bitter smile. "So be it. I, Xiao Qiang, may not be a virtuous man, but I’m not one to save myself at another’s expense..."

Lowering my head, I met Chu Qitong’s gaze, our eyes locking with unwavering resolve. "And I am definitely not the kind of man who would abandon a woman to survive! Chu Qitong, remember this night for the rest of your life. I ask only one thing—when you get back, tell Su Xin that I... I’m sorry. Please, watch over her for me. Make sure she finds happiness. I’ve already died once; what’s another time?"

"Xiao Qiang? What are you saying?" Still dazed, Chu Qitong hadn’t fully processed my words when her body began to shake violently! The trembling was so fierce that even the branch groaned under the strain. As dust and pebbles flew, I swung her with increasing force, my grip on the trunk loosening with each motion...

"Xiao Qiang!! You—ah!" Just as realization dawned, I used the last of my strength to hurl her upward. Her body soared, passing my chest, my head, rising toward safety!

As my final strength ebbed away, I let out a bitter smile and, like a kite with a broken string, drifted down into the endless darkness...

Rebirth? I smiled wryly as the only sound left was Chu Qitong’s cries echoing from above, her voice calling my name. My eyes watched the jutting cliff edge grow ever more distant...

I hated this damn heroism. I hated the self-sacrificing resolve. I hated everything I was doing right now. But regret? There wasn’t a trace of it—not even a little.