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Dislocated Life
墨書 Inktalez
Lin Yu stood quietly in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, the setting sun casting a golden glow upon her, outlining her slender and blissful silhouette.
Her fingers gently glided over the pure white wedding dress in her hands, each pearl on the gown shimmering with a soft light, as if holding all her dreams for the future.
Beside her, a wooden table was neatly arranged with a stack of wedding invitations, their red covers embossed with golden lettering, resembling flickering flames that ignited the joy of what was to come.
She slightly closed her eyes, an involuntary smile curling at the corners of her lips as memories of Li Hao's first time holding her hand flooded her mind.
It was a spring afternoon when cherry blossoms fell like snowflakes on the streets. Li Hao's hand reached out, trembling slightly as he gently grasped hers, the warmth of his palm conveying his nervousness and shyness.
Then there was that stormy night when heavy rain poured down. Without hesitation, Li Hao held the umbrella over her head, instantly getting soaked himself, his hair sticking to his forehead as he smiled and said to her, "Don't get wet; be careful not to catch a cold."
And on her birthday, when Li Hao hurriedly prepared dinner for her in their cramped rental apartment, smoke swirling in the kitchen. When he awkwardly presented a cake that looked less than perfect but was filled with heartfelt intention, the sincerity in his eyes made her heart flutter.
They wandered through the city's streets and alleys together, picking the freshest vegetables at the morning market and haggling with vendors; strolling by the river at dusk, watching their reflections dance on the shimmering water; sharing their joys and sorrows under the warm glow of dim lights in their humble home, cooking simple yet loving meals.
Now, with their wedding day just around the corner, Lin Yu felt an overwhelming joy as she envisioned herself as the luckiest woman in the world, about to step into the sacred hall of marriage with the one she loved and embark on a new journey in life.
In the morning, while the city was still waking up, Lin Yu stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, joyfully trying on the ring that symbolized eternal commitment. A shy blush spread across her face as she turned her finger slightly; the diamond on the ring sparkled brilliantly, as if narrating their beautiful future.
Suddenly, the tranquil air was shattered by a sharp screeching sound of brakes.
Lin Yu's heart tightened painfully as an ominous premonition surged within her.
Just then, her phone rang abruptly. She rushed to answer it, and the news on the other end struck her like a bolt from the blue, plunging her into an abyss. Her face turned pale as paper; she felt as if she had fallen into an endless ice cellar, her body uncontrollably trembling.
It turned out that Li Hao had been involved in a serious car accident while on his way to pick up flowers for their wedding.
Panicking, Lin Yu rushed to the hospital. The white corridors were filled with a pungent smell of disinfectant, and each step felt like carrying a thousand pounds.
Terrifying thoughts flooded her mind, and she was anxious yet afraid to confront the cruel truth.
When she saw several medical staff emerge from the tightly closed emergency room door, their faces heavy as they pushed a stretcher covered with a white sheet, her legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.
Her eyes widened in shock, fixated on the stretcher. She covered her mouth with her hands to stifle her cries, but tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes.
Trembling, she reached out to pull back the sheet, but fear held her hand suspended in the air. It was as if not uncovering it would prevent this harsh reality from coming true, that Li Hao would still smile and return to her side.
Inside, she struggled in agony, unable to believe what was unfolding before her. Just yesterday, they had been sweetly preparing for their wedding, and today they were forever separated.
On the day of the funeral, the sky was overcast, with leaden clouds hanging low as if mourning this tragedy.
Lin Yu stood before the grave dressed in the wedding gown meant for a joyful occasion. The pristine white fabric trailed on the dusty ground, stained with blotches of dirt, but at that moment, she had no time to care.
Her gaze was vacant as she stood at the cemetery. Surrounding her were people quietly weeping and sighing, yet she felt as though she were in another world, unable to hear any sound.
Memories of moments spent with Li Hao flooded her mind; those sweet recollections now felt like sharp blades piercing her heart.
It wasn't until a cold wind swept by that Lin Yu snapped back to reality. Tears burst forth from her eyes as she lunged toward the cold gravestone, frantically touching its surface while screaming hoarsely, "How could you leave me? We promised to walk through life together..." Her voice echoed in the silent cemetery, filled with despair and sorrow.
The empty wedding gown enveloped her trembling body. With a gust of wind, it seemed to carry away her last hope, leaving behind nothing but endless desolation.
Her cries grew louder as if trying to release all the pain within her. Yet no matter how much she screamed, Li Hao could no longer hear her.
Days passed one after another. Lin Yu locked herself away in the home that once brimmed with laughter shared with Li Hao. Every item in the room still bore his scent, as if he had never left.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains and spilled onto the floor; in those shadows, it seemed she could see his figure.
While sorting through Li Hao's belongings, her fingers accidentally brushed against an old book. As it shifted, an unsent letter hidden beneath it fluttered to the ground.
Seeing the familiar yet messy handwriting on the letter sent Lin Yu's hands into a violent tremor; it felt as though her heart skipped several beats.
She slowly picked up the letter, her fingers tracing the paper as she took a deep breath and unfolded it.
"Dear Lin Yu, by the time you read this letter, I may already be away on a business trip. Please forgive me for not having the courage to tell you this in person.
I have always wanted to find the right moment to reveal the truth to you, yet I have backed away time and again.
I am the illegitimate son of the Li Family, hidden away since childhood, witnessing the coldness and strife within my family.
Being an illegitimate child feels like a shackle, subjecting me to humiliation in what seems like a glamorous family.
I have never experienced true familial love, only endless exploitation and suspicion.
It was not until I met you that I felt real warmth; you were like a beam of light in the darkness, illuminating my bleak world.
I became enamored with your kindness and gentleness, fearing that my identity would scare you away, which is why I chose to hide it.
All I wanted was to live a simple life with you, away from the intrigues of others, but fate always loves to play tricks... I'm sorry for deceiving you, but my love for you has always been genuine, from the very beginning."
Lin Yu collapsed onto the ground, the letter scattering around her like snowflakes. Her heart was filled with anger, sadness, and confusion.
On one hand, she could not accept Li Hao's deception over such a long period. She felt like a fool who had been kept in the dark; all their sweet moments now seemed like lies wrapped in sugar.
She recalled countless times when she had shared her dreams of a simple future with Li Hao. He would always smile and nod, but there seemed to be something hidden in his eyes. In hindsight, that might have been his unspeakable secret.
The streets they had walked together and the warm nights they had spent side by side now felt precarious, as if they could crumble at any moment due to this sudden revelation.
On the other hand, Li Hao's love felt so real in her memories. Those gentle gazes and thoughtful gestures could not possibly be fake.
She remembered that winter day when she accidentally slipped on the ice. Li Hao had rushed to her side, carrying her on his back as he sprinted toward a nearby clinic, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead while he focused solely on asking about her pain. Then there was that time when she faced unfairness at work; Li Hao silently sat beside her on a park bench, allowing her to lean on him as she cried, gently patting her back to offer silent comfort.
These memories surged like a tidal wave, relentlessly crashing against her heart's defenses and making her question what their love truly meant.
Is it an illusion built on lies, or a sincere emotion that can penetrate the darkness?
Lin Yu sat there dazed, her vacant gaze fixed ahead as time seemed to freeze in that moment. Only the occasional breeze from outside gently stirred the letters scattered on the floor, producing a soft rustling sound, as if whispering their past or mocking the cruel reality.
Just as Lin Yu was lost in her painful struggle, unable to escape, members of the Li Family appeared like phantoms.
Li Hao's half-brother entered, dressed in an expensive suit with polished shoes, his face bearing indifference and arrogance. He strode through the door with confidence.
He glanced at Lin Yu, contempt evident in his eyes, and scoffed, "Hmph, so you’re the woman who’s been clinging to my brother? Have you looked at yourself? My brother is just playing around with you. In our Li Family, marriage is about matching social status. Do you really think you can reach that high?"
His words were like a sharp blade, piercing straight into Lin Yu's heart and leaving it bleeding.
Lin Yu's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him, her lips trembling as she tried to retort. Yet, it felt as if something was choking her throat, rendering her voiceless.
Her hands clenched into tight fists, nails digging into her palms until her knuckles turned white from the pressure. Her body trembled uncontrollably.
The arrival of Li Hao's parents only added to the air of superiority and disdain. Li Family Father leaned on an ornate cane, each step echoing loudly against the floor, asserting his authority.
Li Family Mother wore a large pearl necklace and had a meticulously crafted makeup look; however, her eyes reflected distance and disdain.
She stepped forward and pulled out a check from her elegant handbag, slapping it down on the table with a sharp sound. Coldly, she said, "Here’s a check. Leave this place and sever all ties with the Li Family. My son’s affairs are none of your business. His life should be bound to family interests; entangling with someone as ordinary as you is merely a moment of folly."
Lin Yu stared at the cold check, tears welling up in her eyes as the conflict within her intensified.
She recalled Li Hao’s helpless confessions in his letters and looked at these heartless people before her. Two extreme emotions wrestled within her.
She gazed at the icy numbers on the check—an amount she had never seen before—but at that moment, it felt like a pile of meaningless scrap paper.
She wanted to tear it apart and throw it at these people to defend her love for Li Hao; yet she also knew she was trapped in this complex situation, isolated and helpless, with no clear path ahead.
The mocking words of Li Hao's brother and the ruthless remarks from his parents echoed relentlessly in her mind. Each word struck like a hammer against her already shattered heart.
She didn't know how to choose between holding on to this love wrapped in lies, believing in Li Hao's sincerity, or letting go completely, distancing herself from the complexities that felt like a quagmire, and starting anew with her life.
These two thoughts tugged at her mind incessantly, causing her immense pain, as if she were trapped in an inferno, unable to find even a glimmer of hope for relief.
The room was silent, broken only by Lin Yu's suppressed sobs that occasionally pierced through the suffocating stillness.
Outside the window, the sky grew increasingly gloomy, dark clouds rolling in as if they intended to swallow every last bit of light left in the world, leaving behind nothing but endless darkness and despair.
On countless sleepless nights of tossing and turning, Lin Yu stared at the dark ceiling, a voice within her growing stronger, like the dawn breaking through the gloom.
She decided she would no longer sit idly by; she would seek out Li Hao's past and understand the world he had never spoken of.
Her journey began at the orphanage where Li Hao had once lived.
It was an old building, somewhat dilapidated, with peeling walls and a rusty slide in the yard.
Lin Yu gently pushed open the creaking iron gate, its hinges emitting a harsh squeak that shattered the silence of the yard.
She entered the orphanage and explained her purpose to the director, an amiable old man whose eyes reflected the weariness of time and kindness.
The director led her to a small activity room and pointed at the childish drawings on the wall. "These were all drawn by Li Hao when he was little. He was very sensible from a young age, but his eyes always carried a sense of loneliness."
"He often sat here alone, staring out the window, longing for a real home." Lin Yu leaned closer to the wall, gazing at the crooked lines. In one drawing was a small house with several figures holding hands in front of it. Her eyes welled up as she imagined young Li Hao here, harboring a yearning for love.
After leaving the orphanage, she made her way to the alley outside Li Family Mansion.
The dimly lit alley stood in stark contrast to the mansion's brilliant lights. She stood at the entrance of the alley, imagining how many times Li Hao must have wandered here, gazing at that home so close yet so far away.
At that moment, a grocery seller noticed her. Lin Yu approached her and softly asked if she remembered Li Hao.
The seller sighed and said, "That child... I watched him grow up. Every time he passed by here, his eyes were filled with loneliness. There was one time he stood here for so long that his family found him and scolded him. It broke my heart."
The sights and sounds around her gradually softened Lin Yu's heart.
She began to understand that Li Hao, growing up in such a complex family, concealed his identity solely to protect their love and to keep her from being entangled in endless disputes.
By chance, Lin Yu was invited to a charity gala.
At the event, the atmosphere was filled with elegance and sophistication, as socialites gathered under the dazzling glow of crystal chandeliers that illuminated the sparkling jewelry adorning everyone present.
Lin Yu wore a simple black evening gown; though it lacked extravagant embellishments, her gentle demeanor stood out distinctly in the crowd.
During the dinner, she noticed an elder with an imposing presence and deep-set eyes—an esteemed uncle from Li Hao's family.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu mustered her courage and approached him with a glass of champagne in hand. She slightly bowed and politely said, "Hello, I hope I'm not being too forward. I am Lin Yu, Li Hao's fiancée." The uncle frowned slightly, sizing her up with a scrutinizing gaze.
Lin Yu did not back down; her eyes were steady and sincere as she slowly began recounting her relationship with Li Hao—the warmth of their ordinary days together, his longing for a simple life, and the challenges they had faced.
As she spoke from the heart, her eyes glistened with tears, and her voice trembled slightly.
The uncle listened quietly, his initially stern expression gradually softening.
After the gala concluded, he returned to the family and made a point to mention Lin Yu during a family gathering.
He remarked thoughtfully, "I have met that girl named Lin Yu. She is kind-hearted and genuinely devoted to Li Hao. Now that Li Hao is gone, our family owes her; we cannot treat her poorly any longer." His words stirred quite a reaction within the family.
Gradually, the Li family's attitude towards her began to shift.
When Li Hao's brothers saw her again, they paused momentarily, an awkward look flashing across their faces. Although the disdain from before had faded, they still turned their heads away awkwardly and cleared their throats as if trying to act as if nothing had happened while passing by.
Even Li Hao's parents regarded her with less indifference. On one occasion at a mall, Li Family Mother unexpectedly stopped in front of her. Her lips moved slightly as if she wanted to say something but ultimately just nodded gently, revealing a hint of unspoken apology in her eyes.
Other members of the family began to cast friendly glances at Lin Yu in various situations, occasionally greeting her softly, no longer treating her as an outsider or ignoring her as they once did.
Lin Yu sensed these subtle changes; she knew that her persistence and efforts had not been in vain. If Li Hao were aware of this from beyond, he would surely feel comforted.
She became increasingly determined to find a new direction for herself within this complex family dynamic, to carry on Li Hao's unfinished wishes.
After countless internal struggles and self-reflections, Lin Yu ultimately made the resolute decision to inherit Li Hao's legacy.
She understood that this was not only a continuation of Li Hao's profound love but also a beacon of hope for those children who, despite being born into wealth, had missed out on warmth and a simple life.
The path to establishing the foundation was not smooth sailing; planning the finances, setting up projects, and recruiting personnel required her hands-on involvement and considerable effort.
Yet Lin Yu never wavered. With her resilience and dedication, she gradually outlined a clear blueprint for the foundation.
On the day of its establishment, the sun shone brightly as if in a dream. The azure sky was devoid of clouds, and a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, as if heaven itself was blessing this new endeavor filled with love and hope.
Dressed in a simple yet elegant white dress that fluttered gently in the wind like a blooming lily, Lin Yu stood on stage. She gazed at the hopeful eyes below, where the glimmering light in the children's eyes resembled brilliant stars, dispelling the last shadows in her heart and filling her with solace.
Throughout the lengthy process of preparing for the foundation, Lin Yu met many like-minded friends who became guiding lights along her path.
The young and passionate volunteers always wore radiant smiles; full of energy, they tirelessly worked on various tasks for the foundation.
Whether it was transporting supplies under the scorching sun or fundraising on chilly streets, their vibrant figures were always present, embodying the fervor of youth and the power of dedication through their actions.
Experienced philanthropists brought their wealth of knowledge and extensive networks to advise Lin Yu, helping her navigate potential pitfalls along her journey.
They patiently shared lessons from past projects and guided Lin Yu on how to optimize funding allocation and expand collaboration channels, ensuring that the foundation could move forward steadily from its inception.
Additionally, those who had once received help from Li Hao rushed from all directions upon hearing about the foundation's establishment, eager to lend their support.
Some brought precious donations, while others shared their stories, providing new ideas for the development of the foundation through their personal experiences.
These individuals sat around the conference table, each expressing their opinions. Every discussion sparked flashes of wisdom, and every plan was infused with collective love. Everyone was united in thought and effort, all to ensure that the foundation could truly help those children in need.
As the foundation gradually found its footing, Lin Yu also rediscovered her passion for life. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to every charitable event, joining the volunteer team to venture into remote mountainous areas to deliver school supplies to impoverished children; visiting orphanages to organize fun activities that brought laughter to the children; participating in projects to rescue stray animals, providing warm shelters for those homeless little lives.
Throughout these experiences, she realized that helping others allowed Li Hao's love to continue in another form. Every smile that blossomed on the faces of those she helped was the best reward for both Li Hao and her love.
She was no longer the woman lost in sorrow and conflict but was instead making great strides on the path of self-redemption, having found a new happiness of her own.
In her spare time, she began learning new knowledge, enrolling in various training courses on public welfare management and psychological counseling to continuously enrich herself. She frequently attended various charity events, engaging with people from different fields, broadening her horizons, and becoming stronger and more confident.
As time passed, Lin Yu occasionally thought of Li Hao and recalled that unforgettable love.
Perhaps on a quiet afternoon, with sunlight filtering through the leaves casting dappled shadows, she sat on a park bench, her thoughts drifting away; or perhaps on a starry night, she gazed up at the sky and saw the brightest star, reminiscent of Li Hao's gentle gaze.
But now she could face it all with a smile.
For she knew their love had never faded; it had simply transformed into another form, shining brightly in this world.
The pain she once endured became the cornerstone of her growth, teaching her to cherish and understand the value of giving. With this love and hope in her heart, she continued to write her own remarkable life story, striding confidently toward the future, unafraid of storms.
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