Upon hearing the Goddess's outburst, all the ancient people of the new city fell silent.
And some women from ancient times who could empathize, covered their mouths and wept silently.
They could understand the feelings of the person called Lin Lin.
Once branded with an impure reputation, the entire village would whisper behind her back, pointing fingers and hurling insults, even though they were grasping at straws, and it had nothing to do with them.
Yet it was as if they had desecrated her ancestors' graves, and they would never rest until they drove her to death.
Seeing those men who looked down on women cowering with ashen faces after being scolded by the Goddess, unable to speak out.
The decades of grievances those women had harbored seemed to be suddenly relieved, and they felt thoroughly refreshed, from head to toe.
Finally, finally someone could voice their innermost thoughts!
"Lin Lin, you still have me, Gu Sang, and your mother."
"Can we help you?"
"Hang in there a little longer, the truth can be brought to light, we can find evidence to prove your innocence, and he will be punished, please come down, okay?"
At that very moment!
As Lin Lin and Chen Yun were pouring out their sorrows!
In a corner that no one was paying attention to.
No, it should be a corner that only the ancient citizens watching the live broadcast could see.
They saw—
A young man in his twenties, wearing an orange-yellow uniform, had actually climbed onto the railing with no safety measures at all.
It was several dozen stories high!
Whether from the new city or the old city, the ancient people were horrified at the height, some even felt dizzy, and some who were afraid of heights collapsed to the ground, their faces drained of color.
The citizens of the capital exclaimed in shock: "How dare that young man do such a thing! It's so high, if he falls, he'll be smashed to a pulp!"
"He only has a single rope tied around him, what if the rope isn't sturdy enough?"
"This scene reminds me of that movie from before, the one about an earthquake, those firefighters were just like this, fearless of death, willing to sacrifice themselves just to save one more person!"
"Why are the soldiers of the future so good, not bullying or beating the people, and even willing to make such sacrifices, risking their lives to save a suicidal woman?"
The ancient citizens were deeply moved.
At this moment.
All the ancient people watched the firefighter with bated breath.
Suddenly.
Lin Lin closed her eyes, with a pained smile she turned towards her mother, Gu Sang, and the others, saying, "Mom, Gu Sang, Chen Yun, I'm sorry, but at this point, whether I'm innocent or guilty, whether the truth comes out or not, it doesn't matter anymore."
"I didn't come here to prove anything."
"Nor did I come to prove my innocence, to die for a cause."
"It's just that I'm tired, I'm so tired."
"What happened has happened, it's etched into my bones, and I can't shake it off. Even if one day, they all know I'm the victim, so what? My pain can't be reduced by a single bit, my memories won't disappear, and I don't have the courage to wait through this process anymore."
"I'm in too much pain, Mom, death is a release for me, please let me be released."
"Next life, next life I don't want love anymore......"
Bang!
Lin Lin's body fell backward, plummeting straight down.
And it was at this critical juncture.
The young firefighter sprang into action!
In full view of everyone, he held onto the railing with one hand, and stretched the other forward, trying to grab Lin Lin.
But Lin Lin's eyes were filled with anguish, pleading, helplessness – she shook her head and looked into the rescuer's eyes, as if begging for release.
At that moment.
Gu Sang's heart was deeply stirred.
She turned away, her trembling fingers hanging limply.
That pleading gaze.......like a girl drowned in a dark abyss, tortured until she was a bloody mess, seeking a moment of release.
For Lin Lin, death was not the end, but liberation.
Did innocence matter?
Gu Sang wanted to say it mattered, but then it didn't matter anymore, because what happened had happened, and the pain had tormented Lin Lin through thousands of nights of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Nothing could be undone.......
"Gu Sang........" Chen Yun wanted to rush forward, but stopped when she saw Lin Lin's gaze, helplessly and painfully turning to look at Gu Sang.
Gu Sang lowered her eyes, saying nothing.
She wanted to persuade Lin Lin to live, to persevere a little longer, but Gu Sang suddenly realized that perhaps what was death for everyone else, was the longed-for release for Lin Lin.
Perhaps living was more terrifying, after all......
She had endured for three years.
Three years.
She truly couldn't bear it any longer, let her go......
"Don't give up!" The firefighter held on tightly to Lin Lin: "As long as you're alive, there's hope, give me your other hand, I beg you, don't give up!"
"Mom."
"I love you."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm so sorry."
"Big brother, I'm sorry......" Lin Lin's entire body dangled in mid-air, prying open the firefighter's fingers one by one, as the surrounding firefighters rushed over.
They would soon be able to pull her up with great effort.
But Lin Lin's mother, who had cried until she was nearly unconscious, suddenly leaned against the wall and slowly stood up.
She grabbed the hands of two firefighters, her eyes shut tightly, her voice trembling, uttering each word with the greatest pain of her life, mustering all her courage and strength to say the following:
"My precious child."
"Mom understands now, I won't force you anymore."
"If.......if you truly can't endure it any longer, if you really can't go on, then, then, then Mom will respect your choice."
"Next life, Mom will definitely protect you, Mom will love you forever."
Mom.......
I'm sorry.
Lin Lin revealed a smile that emerged from the darkness, don't cry for her, she had already found peace, no longer caring about innocence, only that living was too painful and exhausting.
She couldn't bear it any longer.
She didn't want to face the painful memories, didn't want to face this world anymore, she wanted release.
She pried open the firefighter's fingers.
Boom—
Her entire body plummeted like a kite.
The firefighter clinging to the railing widened his eyes, fingers splayed, watching helplessly as Lin Lin faced him, showing the happiest smile she had in three years.
Crashing to the ground!
"Bang!!!"
"Boom!!!"
Lin Lin's mother watched in horror as her daughter fell, missing the rescue airbag by two meters and slamming onto the first floor, a pool of blood blossoming outward.
A bottomless sadness and self-blame welled up in her mother's heart, but it came to an abrupt halt when she met Lin Lin's grateful and relieved smile...
Three years had passed.
Her mother had almost forgotten what her daughter's genuine smile looked like.
So this is it.
Her mother remembered.
Her mother was no longer sad.
Lin Lin, don't blame yourself, you haven't wronged your mother. It was I who failed to protect you. I accept your pain, and let you be free and at peace.
"It's alright, it's alright, I'm not sad anymore, mother is not sad." Lin Lin's mother suppressed her sorrow and wiped away the tears from her face.
