All night, I couldn't close my eyes. My mind was consumed with worry for Nathan Li. After a brief sleep, I got up as soon as Lily Wu dozed off. I was still worried about Nathan.
I crept downstairs, and suddenly saw the front door wide open. Victor Zeng was sitting at the table, a wicked grin on his face, mumbling something. When he saw me, he stood up and beckoned me over.
Nervously, I followed him.
"You didn't do anything to Nathan Li, did you?"
Victor Zeng shook his head, then suddenly grabbed me and pulled me to the edge of a vegetable garden before turning around. I clenched my fists, staring at him, not feeling afraid at all.
"I didn't do anything to Nathan Li. But you saw it, didn't you? Last night's events, hm."
"Was Tina Wu... did you..."
"That bitch is already dead—killed by me. Heh, killed her, and it felt great. Now, whenever I think of that bitch who lied to me for a whole year, I just want to tear her to pieces."
I took a few steps back. Victor Zeng was laughing almost maniacally. After a while, my nerves started to go numb.
"You know what? There's not a single living soul in this village. Heh."
My heart skipped a beat as I stared at Victor Zeng.
You came here too, didn't you? To see if that woman really betrayed you.
I let out a sound of surprise as Victor Zeng suddenly broke down in tears, then squatted on the ground, looking utterly defeated.
Through Victor Zeng's account, I learned they'd been together for a year, but since they attended different schools, they rarely met. Over time, Victor noticed Tina Wu hiding something beneath her innocent facade and started investigating.
Though he'd heard Tina Wu wasn't just seeing him, but also other men, he refused to believe it. It was around then he heard about Riverbend Village.
It's said this place has long been deserted. That waterfall is called True Falls, and there's a River God within it. If you want to know the truth, you can see it there—the River God will reveal it to you.
I thought back to last night—it truly was unbelievable.
Why did you kill her? You could have just broken up.
I loved her—truly loved her. But now, I hate her, hate her so much. It doesn't matter anymore, she's dead now. At least she'll never belong to another man. And you...
Victor Zeng said this, then stood up and glared at me, approaching step by step.
What are you doing?
Suddenly, I felt a tightness in my chest—a gleaming dagger plunged into me. My eyes widened as I stared at Victor Zeng, and my consciousness began to fade.
The sound of dripping echoed around me. My chest throbbed with pain, and I woke from the agony.
It was already daytime. My clothes were soaked with blood. I coughed and heard the sound of the waterfall. Though it was dim, daylight filtered through the falls—I was in a cave behind the waterfall.
I touched something round and cold. Turning my head, I screamed—it was Tina Wu, her body decapitated, eyes wide open in death.
But then I saw the cave was filled with bones—piles and piles of them. Panicked, clutching my chest, I rushed out through the waterfall and tumbled into the pool below. Damn, I can't swim.
I flailed my limbs desperately, swallowing water, but soon found myself swimming smoothly in the pool.
I struggled to the shore, shivering all over. I had to warn Nathan Li and Lily Wu—I was worried about their safety.
Though there was a hole in my chest, it seemed to be just a muscle wound, bleeding a bit. Victor Zeng had brought me behind the waterfall.
I carefully made my way back to our place, only to find the door tightly shut. Looking around, I found a spot to climb in—the house was empty, nothing inside. I searched both upstairs and downstairs.
The bedding had been tidied, but when I touched it, it was still warm. Ignoring my pain, I rushed out.
I ran and chased after them, finally seeing Lily Wu and Nathan Li. They walked arm in arm, laughing happily. My heart felt as if it had been pierced by a blade.
The pain in my heart made my head spin. They'd left me behind. Suddenly, I remembered this was the place Nathan Li had always mentioned.
That day, when we discussed where to go, I blurted out this place. Did they plan this together to get rid of me? My heart grew dark, and anger surged from deep within.
I shouted and chased after them, caught up, and swung my fists. Suddenly, like phantoms, they vanished before my eyes.
A strong wind suddenly whipped up.
They've already left, you know.
I turned and cried out in surprise, backing away. Under the gloomy sky stood Victor Zeng, his body covered in bloody gashes, his face unrecognizable as if carved by knives, blood streaming as he walked toward me.
What will you do now, Ethan Zhang? I'm fine now—I can be with Tina Wu forever. Heh, heh...
As Victor Zeng laughed eerily, I saw him turn as if embracing someone. I blinked—it was Tina Wu, but her head was missing. A giggle echoed, and I looked up to see Tina Wu's head floating in the air. The two gradually faded away.
Ethan, don't let yourself be deceived...
Just as I was losing hope, a gentle female voice echoed in my mind. I struggled to breathe, then started walking as if my body was no longer under my control.
With a cry, I saw the person in the gray T-shirt again. This time, I saw his face clearly—handsome but gaunt, with sunken cheekbones. He ran past me, his eyes seeming to speak to me.
I staggered back to the house and lay down, falling asleep with a heavy heart.
That night, I opened my eyes and, without knowing how, found myself by the river.
River God, tell me, tell me—what is the truth?
As I asked, sure enough, a figure made of water rose up from the river's surface with a gurgle.
"The truth is just as you think." A sobbing sound followed. I smirked, and a knife was thrown in front of me—I picked it up.
A voice in my head kept urging me to go, go. I grinned wickedly, heading for the house. I kicked the door open—Lily Wu and Nathan Li were still inside. I screamed and lunged at Lily Wu with the knife.
I had just seen Lily Wu secretly meeting Nathan Li again and again, even going to a hotel. My heart was not only angry but also sad—there was only one thought left: I had to kill them.
Lily Wu screamed, and I stabbed her in the heart. Pulling the knife out, she stared at me blankly. Driven by madness, I raised the knife again and plunged it into her eye. She screamed and collapsed.
Ethan Zhang, are you insane?
Nathan Li shouted and swung a stool at me, then ran when he saw the situation was bad. I screamed and chased after him, my mind consumed by the urge to kill.
Lily Wu was dead. The thought of her death filled me with immense joy.
Nathan Li kept running, and I chased after him.
Finally, I caught up and slashed him. Nathan Li screamed and fell, blood pouring out. I screamed, raised the dagger, and stabbed his neck.
"They're dead—ahahaha, they're dead!" I laughed maniacally, looking around, then suddenly broke down and sobbed uncontrollably.
Suddenly, I saw Nathan Li's body by the well, his blood splattered on the ground, forming a long streak. My mind buzzed.
Don't let yourself be deceived by the story, Ethan Zhang.
A voice sounded behind me. I turned—it was the man in the gray T-shirt, staring coldly at me. Now I was certain I'd seen him before.
I shook my head and sat weakly on the ground.
But my vision grew blurry, and a voice in my mind kept telling me—Lily Wu and Nathan Li never left. They only went out to get a phone signal and call for help, then returned to look for me.
A wave of immense sorrow rose in my heart. I stood up, dropped the knife, and, overcome by grief, began to sob uncontrollably as I walked toward the waterfall.
The voice calling my name behind me gradually faded away.
It's me, Jianhui Wang. Ethan Zhang, don't forget who you are, Ethan Zhang...
My whole body was filled with immense sorrow, yet my heart felt hollow, as if something was wrong.
Gradually, I reached the riverside.
I'm Ethan Zhang... I muttered under my breath.
When I reached the river, the water suddenly surged, and with a gurgle, the water-made figure appeared.
Come here—there will be no more pain. You seem delicious right now.
It's just false sadness, isn't it, brother...?
A strange yet familiar voice echoed in my mind, and a smile appeared at the corner of my mouth.
Ah, it's true—just false sadness. Chou Yan, where did you go during those days?