A Sharp Edge Emerges From The Mist Chapter 43

anniversary

The wind in March has lost its harshness and brought with it a touch of warmth, blowing through the branches of the city that are gradually turning green.The sky is a clean blue, and the sun is bright but not scorching.

For most people, this day is just an ordinary spring weekend.But for Lin Jianfeng and Shen Qingwu, it has special meaning – one year ago today, the case of Shen Qingwu’s parents, after ten years of silence and months of twists and turns, was officially retried by the Shuangcheng Intermediate People’s Court.

The trial process was not long, but thrilling enough.Based on the independent investigation report submitted by Shen Qingwu, the confessions of Wang Youcai and others, and the solid evidence obtained by the task force’s subsequent supplementary investigation, the public prosecutor clearly restored the criminal chain behind the “accident” that year due to business competition, profit transfer, malfeasance and corruption.The key video fragments of the scene that were technically restored and played in court, as well as the key witness testimony of Zhang Mingda, the “passed” safety assessor, who had been bribed (part of the evidence retained by his family due to uneasy conscience), became the last straw that broke the defense line.

The court finally ruled that the main responsible person of the competitor company involved in the incident (although his company is deceased, his company bears civil liability for compensation), and the official Zhang Mingda (deceased) who was responsible for safety assessment, accepted bribes and issued false reports at the time, were directly responsible for the accident.However, two relevant officials who were “suggested” during the accident investigation, deliberately obscured the doubts, and hastily closed the case as an “accident” (one of them was the “leader in charge” who had been transferred to another province) were investigated in a separate case for suspicion of dereliction of duty and abuse of power.

Although the real murderer has passed away and cannot bear criminal sanctions, the belated legal identification and solemn sentencing finally brought a relatively fair end to the tragedy that swallowed up two living lives and changed the fate of a family.The injustice was redressed and the truth was revealed.

On the day the verdict was delivered, Shen Qingwu locked himself in the study for the entire day.Lin Jianfeng did not interrupt, but just stood guard outside the door, listening to the occasional, extremely suppressed sobs coming from inside.She knew that it was the grief, unwillingness, anger and grievance that had been accumulated for ten years, and when she finally waited for justice to respond, it was released like a dam.

In the evening, Shen Qingwu walked out with red eyes. He didn’t say anything, but just hugged Lin Jianfeng tightly.That hug was so hard that Lin Jianfeng almost suffocated, but it also made her feel that the hardest ice deep in Shen Qingwu’s soul was shattering and melting.

Since then, the date “March 15th” has had special weight for the two of them.It’s not an anniversary in the traditional sense, with no flowers, cake, or romantic dinner.It is more like a coordinate engraved in life, marking the junction of darkness and light, the end of a long period of redemption, and the beginning of the true intertwining of their destinies.

On this day this year, Lin Jianfeng adjusted his class in advance.In the early morning, she drove Shen Qingwu to Nanshan Cemetery in the western suburbs of Shuangcheng.

Outside the car window, spring is getting stronger, the grass on the hillside has been dyed new green, and unknown wild flowers are dotted here and there.It was quiet in the cemetery, with only the rustle of the pines and cypresses blown by the wind and the occasional crisp bird song.

The joint tomb of Shen Qingwu’s parents is located on a sunny slope, with simple and solemn tombstones.Shen Qingwu gently placed a bouquet of white lilies in front of the tomb, and placed a few snacks that his parents loved to eat during their lifetime.Lin Jianfeng was on the side, quietly placing the memorial incense candles.

There are no complicated rituals or too many words.

Shen Qingwu knelt in front of the tomb, stretched out his hand, and lightly brushed his fingertips over the cold stone tablet, brushing over the names of his parents and the dates of birth and death engraved on it.Her movements were very light and slow, as if she was afraid of disturbing her loved ones who were sleeping here.

“Dad, Mom,” she said, her voice was very clear in the silent cemetery, with a hint of unnoticeable trembling, but extremely smooth, “Today…is the day of the retrial one year ago. I…bring someone to see you.”

She turned slightly sideways and looked at Lin Jianfeng who was standing aside.

Lin Jianfeng took a step forward, stood side by side with Shen Qingwu, and bowed solemnly three times to the tombstone.

“Uncle, aunt.” Lin Jianfeng’s voice was calm and clear, “I am Lin Jianfeng. I’m sorry that I have only come to formally meet you now. Please rest assured, Qingwu…she is fine now. She has walked very hard in the past ten years, but never gave up. Now, the truth has been revealed, and the person who harmed you has also received the justice he deserves. In the future, I will accompany her, protect her, take care of her, never let her be wronged again, and never let her… alone.”

She spoke very slowly, and every word seemed to have been carefully thought out, with heavy commitment and incomparable sincerity.

As Shen Qingwu listened, tears welled up in his eyes again without warning.She bit her lip and tried her best not to cry. She just held Lin Jianfeng’s hand tightly.

Lin Jianfeng held her back and continued to say to the tombstone: “Uncle and aunt, please look at us in the sky. We will be fine, live a good life, and… continue to move forward with your love and expectations.”

A spring breeze blew by, picking up a few newly fallen pine needles and stirring the white petals of the lilies in front of the tombstone.The sun shines through the gaps between the branches and leaves, casting mottled and swaying light spots in front of the tomb, like a silent response.

Shen Qingwu finally couldn’t help it, buried his face into Lin Jianfeng’s shoulder, and started crying suppressedly.This time, it was no longer despairing grief, but a complex and turbulent emotional release mixed with relief, longing, grievance and great happiness.The shackles of ten years were completely removed at this moment; the loneliness of ten years was filled by the warm embrace around me.

Lin Jianfeng hugged her tightly, letting her tears soak his shoulders. He patted her back gently with one hand and clasped her fingers with the other.She didn’t speak, but used her body to convey silent comfort and support.

The spring breeze is gentle and the birds are chirping.The cemetery is filled with the smell of earth and grass, mixed with the faint fragrance of lilies.

After a long time, Shen Qingwu’s crying gradually subsided and turned into slight sobs.She slowly raised her head, her eyes were red and swollen, and her face was stained with tears, but it was strangely glowing with a clear light that had been washed away.

She looked at her parents’ tombstones again, took a deep breath, and tried to raise a tearful smile.

“Dad, Mom, did you hear that?” Her voice was still a little hoarse, but it was brisk and firm as never before, “I have her. From now on… I will not be alone anymore. You… can rest assured.”

Lin Jianfeng also looked at the tombstone and nodded solemnly.

The two stood quietly in front of the tomb for a long time, as if they were communicating silently with the deceased, reporting on the changes of the year and expressing their expectations for the future.

It wasn’t until the sun was getting higher that Lin Jianfeng reminded him softly: “It’s time to go back.”

Shen Qingwu nodded, and finally took a deep look at the tombstone, as if he wanted to imprint his parents’ faces and their mood at the moment in his heart.Then, she turned around, intertwined her fingers with Lin Jianfeng, and walked down the hillside step by step.

The sunlight elongated their figures side by side, casting them gently on the bluestone road.The heaviness and sadness I felt when I arrived seemed to be left behind in the quiet cemetery behind me.The steps down the mountain are brisk and steady.

“Every year from now on,” Lin Jianfeng said suddenly, his voice was very soft, “we will come together to visit our uncle and aunt.”

Shen Qingwu held her hand tightly and nodded vigorously: “Okay.”

“Not just today,” Lin Jianfeng paused and looked sideways at her, with a gentle light in his eyes, “I will accompany you every day of the year from now on.”

Shen Qingwu stopped and turned to look at her.The spring sunshine shone on Lin Jianfeng’s face, illuminating the seriousness and commitment in her eyes clearly.Shen Qingwu’s heart felt as if it had been soaked in warm spring water, and was as soft as a mess.

She didn’t speak, just stood on tiptoes and kissed Lin Jianfeng’s lips gently.

A kiss that was salty with tears, but extremely sweet.

The spring breeze blew by, lifting their hair and bringing with it the faint noise and vitality of the city in the distance.

Anniversaries are not meant to dwell on the past.

But to remember, to be grateful, and to move towards the future better with the blessings of the deceased and the commitment of the lover.

The road down the mountain is paved with sunshine.

And their hands were held together tightly and never separated again.