Wu Wenbiao walked blankly through the streets of Hangzhou, remorse like a venomous snake constantly tearing at his already shattered heart. The strange look his wife gave him when he returned home yesterday caused a sharp pain in his chest. Was there any way to save the failing factory? Was there still a chance to salvage his broken family? Thinking of these things, Wu Wenbiao felt only darkness ahead, as if he had lost the courage to move forward.
A few minutes later, Wu Wenbiao's body showed signs of trembling. There was one more thing he was hiding from his family after his return: he had become addicted to drugs. During his time in Hong Kong, he had lost not only money but also his health. He was forced into drug rehabilitation in Hong Kong. Back in Hangzhou, facing a nightmare-like situation, drugs became his spiritual nourishment again. Days of continuous drug use had cost him his last bit of courage. Remembering the cold look in Li Li's eyes when she discovered his drug use yesterday, Wu Wenbiao felt a wave of coldness wash over him.
Suppressing his drug cravings, Wu Wenbiao walked aimlessly forward, finally reaching the destination of his life: the Zhongshan Elevated Bridge. Thinking that next year would be the Lunar New Year, the debt collectors would be breaking down his door, and he would be drowning in the spit of countless people, Wu Wenbiao felt tired, so tired, so tired that he didn't want to face it all anymore. He wanted to escape, he didn't want to face any of it.
Liu Jian, who hadn't slept well all night, woke up to find it was almost noon. After washing his face, he suddenly wondered if Wu Wenbiao might have already committed suicide. He rushed to the window and saw a middle-aged man walking on the overpass through the French windows. As he walked, he stopped there. Liu Jian knew this was the man. Not having decided what to do, Liu Jian decided to meet him. After all, it was a life, and he should try to stop him if he could. There would be many opportunities to make money in the future, and perhaps Wu Wenbiao could recover if he lived.
By the time Liu Jian had taken a detour and got onto the overpass, a crowd had already gathered ahead. Liu Jian hurriedly squeezed in. Fortunately, Wu Wenbiao hadn't jumped yet. He was standing by the bridge, looking dazed, and could fall at any moment.
Liu Jian squeezed to the front and looked at this slovenly middle-aged man. Who would have thought that just a few months ago, he was a wealthy man with assets of millions, but now he was about to embark on the final journey of his life.
After thinking for a moment, Liu Jian stepped forward and asked, "Brother, whatever the matter is, come down first and we can talk. Let's see if we can help you."
The surrounding crowd also hurriedly echoed, "Come down quickly," "It's too dangerous up there," and so on.
Wu Wenbiao said dazedly, "Help me? How can you help me? I owe millions in debt, and everywhere I go, people are demanding repayment. I've had enough, I'm fed up."
Liu Jian hurriedly said, "Brother, you can always earn more money, but if you're gone, you'll have nothing left."
Wu Wenbiao smiled bitterly and said, "Haha, I already have nothing."
After saying that, Wu Wenbiao seemed to have an even greater desire to commit suicide, staring intently at the Qiantang River under the overpass. Liu Jian, seeing the situation was bad, shouted, "No, you've lost your money, but don't you still have your family?"
Raising his head and glancing at Liu Jian, Wu Wenbiao chuckled foolishly and said, "Family? I haven't had any family for a long time. I abandoned them a long time ago, how could I have any family?"
Hearing him say this, some people in the crowd around him began to curse him in low voices. Hearing the curses, Wu Wenbiao not only wasn't angry, but even felt a sense of relief.
Someone had already called the police, and the police were on their way. Liu Jian thought that as long as he could stall until the police arrived, there might be a way to save him.
Seeing Wu Wenbiao swaying on the bridge, Liu Jian said, "Big Brother, come down first. How much money do you owe? I can lend it to you first?"
Wu Wenbiao looked at Liu Jian with amusement and said, "Lend me? I owe more than three million. How much can you lend me? Heh, thanks anyway, little brother."
Liu Jian knew that Wu Wenbiao didn't trust him, and hurriedly said, "I'm telling the truth. My family has factories and companies. Taking out a few million isn't difficult. Come down first and we'll discuss it."
Wu Wenbiao shook his head and said, "No need, little brother, I know you're a good person, but it's no use. I'm already ruined, even money won't help."
After saying that, a strange red flush appeared on his face, and his body trembled violently. Liu Jian sensed something was wrong and quickly reached out to grab Wu Wenbiao, but it was too late. After staggering a few times, Wu Wenbiao fell headfirst. Seeing Wu Wenbiao's body fall into the river, Liu Jian's mind went blank, not knowing what to do.
When he came back to his senses, he noticed a police car had arrived, and several police officers were searching the surrounding area, asking about what happened. Several onlookers recounted the events, pointing at Liu Jian and saying something. Liu Jian stood there blankly, not knowing what he was thinking.
A police officer walked over and asked, "Hello, can I ask you a few questions?"
Liu Jian nodded, recovering from his confusion, and sighed, saying, "Officer, go ahead and ask. How is he?"
The police officer shook his head and said, "He's dead. We found his ID card on him and are notifying his family to identify the body. We heard from other witnesses that you were trying to dissuade him from committing suicide. Would you mind telling us about the details?"
Liu Jian hummed and said, "I came to Hangzhou for tourism and stayed in the hotel across the street last night." The police looked over there, their eyes lighting up, thinking he must be rich. They didn't say anything, signaling Liu Jian to continue.
Liu Jian continued, "I woke up relatively late this morning. When I was standing by the window, I saw someone walking back and forth on the bridge, climbing over the railing several times. I felt something was wrong, so I rushed over."
The police interjected, "Young man, you have a good heart."
Liu Jian sighed and said, "When I arrived, he was already standing outside the railing. We all tried to persuade him, but he wouldn't come back. I asked him a few questions, and he said he owed a lot of money and couldn't repay it. I tried to persuade him a bit, but he was still unmoved. Finally, I told him I could lend him money and asked him to come down and discuss it, but he still didn't listen."
After hesitating for a moment, the police immediately noticed Liu Jian's expression and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Liu Jian nodded and said, "I felt like his mental state wasn't quite right. When he jumped, I noticed that he was trembling all over and his complexion was off."
After listening, the police said dismissively, "How many people who commit suicide are normal? By the way, young man, can you stay for a while?"
Liu Jian asked with some surprise, "Is there something wrong?"
The police nodded and said, "You were the last person to have contact with the deceased. His family will be here soon, and they may want to ask about some things, like if he had any last words or anything. It won't take long, probably just a little while."
Liu Jian felt very surprised. He was still wondering what excuse to use to contact Li Li when the opportunity unexpectedly presented itself so quickly. He hurriedly agreed.
About ten minutes later, a woman in her thirties, wearing a factory uniform, hurried over. Liu Jian stood not far from the body, lacking the courage to go over and look. He stood there blankly, lost in thought, and didn't notice Li Li's arrival.
Li Li looked at the unfamiliar yet familiar face, overwhelmed with mixed emotions, unsure of what to say. Her tears had long since dried up, and not a single one could flow out. The police officer next to her felt very surprised. It was rare to see such a calm woman when facing her husband's corpse. If it hadn't already been confirmed that the body was her husband, they would have thought the two were strangers. Li Li silently signed the documents, then walked to the side, watching others handle the scene.
A police officer walked up to Li Li, said something, then pointed at Liu Jian. Li Li nodded and then walked towards Liu Jian. What had happened this morning had already exceeded Liu Jian's expectations. He didn't expect to see Wu Wenbiao, yet failed to save him, failing to change his predetermined fate, until a woman in blue overalls appeared before him.
Li Li didn't expect that the last person her husband saw was such a young man. Although Liu Jian was tall and big, the mustache and his childish face made him look very young.
Li Li reached out her hand and said, "Hello, my name is Li Li, his wife. I heard from the police that you tried to persuade him for a long time, thank you so much."
Looking at the powerful woman of later generations, whom he only saw briefly during meetings, Liu Jian couldn't recognize her at all. Now she only wore a face of sorrow and heartbreaking sadness.
Liu Jian shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "But I still couldn't save him. I told him I could lend him money, to come down and discuss it properly, but he didn't seem to believe me. I really could have helped him, what a pity."
Li Li's eyes lit up, a surge of hope welling up. She opened her mouth to say something, but didn't know how to start.
Liu Jian didn't say anything more. He understood the principle of "too much is as bad as too little." Liu Jian was well aware that they were just passing acquaintances, so he couldn't appear too enthusiastic. He described Wu Wenbiao's last words and various circumstances. When Liu Jian mentioned Wu Wenbiao's abnormal trembling and strange blood color, Liu Jian noticed the disgust in Li Li's eyes, knowing that there might be other secrets involved, but Liu Jian didn't ask.
After recounting everything, Liu Jian said goodbye: "Miss Li, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving. You still have a lot to deal with. I'm going back to the hotel to catch up on some sleep. It's almost New Year's tomorrow, and I really didn't expect to experience something like this today."
Li Li nodded and then casually asked, "Young man, I still don't know your name. I'd like to thank you sometime."
Liu Jian shook his head and said, "No need, I'm Liu Jian, here in Hangzhou for tourism, and staying at the Hangzhou Hotel across the street." After thinking for a moment, as if hesitating, he took out a business card and handed it over.
Liu Jian said, "My phone number is on it. I heard your husband say you were in trouble. If you really can't manage, you can call my cell phone."
Li Li looked at the business card in her hand, which read: Vice General Manager of Liu's Industrial Co., Ltd., Vice General Manager of Liu's Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. She took a deep look at the young man in front of her. Li Li didn't say anything, but a sliver of hope arose in her heart.