Chapter 12: A Letter from the Past

After that incident, I felt shattered. I couldn't find joy in anything; everything seemed meaningless. Days passed by in a haze, and I found myself lost in a void, feeling utterly alone. I barely spoke to anyone and spent my days in silence, unable to shake off the overwhelming sadness that had settled deep within my heart.

A few days later, while aimlessly wandering around the house, I found a letter in Ji-yu's room. My hands trembled as I picked it up, and with a sense of apprehension, I began to read. It started with, "If you're reading this, it means I've had to leave. I don't know where my future will take me, and there are so many things I may never get a chance to tell you. So I decided to write this letter.

"As a child, I was quiet, simple, and obedient. I always did what others told me to, never once considering my own desires or wishes. I followed every command without question and lived by the standards set by my family. I always tried to be the ideal daughter, respecting and upholding my family's values. I thought that as long as I listened to them, everything would work out for the best.

"But one day, I overheard something that would change everything. I found out that my marriage had been arranged, that in two years, I would be married to someone I had never met. The news shook me to the core. I couldn't believe that such a crucial decision about my life had been made without consulting me. It felt as though my entire future had been sealed by someone else's hands, and I was merely expected to follow along.

"I wasn't ready to accept it. I summoned all my courage and went to my family, telling them, 'I've always followed everything you've said. I've tried to live up to your expectations and never once brought shame to our family. But I can't agree to an engagement right now. I want a partner who understands me, someone I choose for myself.'

"After a long, heated discussion, I managed to convince two people my father and my elder brother. But even with their support, I couldn't sway the rest of my family. They remained adamant, firmly believing that this was the best decision for me. So, despite my best efforts, I failed.

"In the end, I was forced into an engagement I had no desire for. The pressure was intense, and after exhausting every other option, I finally gave in. I accepted the engagement, but only as a last resort. Still, a part of me refused to surrender entirely. I decided that before the engagement ceremony, I would at least meet the man I was supposed to spend my life with.

"I contacted one of his acquaintances and arranged to meet him at a place he frequented, the King Hotel. With my heart pounding, I went there, hoping for some semblance of reassurance, something that would make this easier to bear. But when I arrived, I was greeted by a sight that shattered every last bit of hope I had held onto.

"There he was, sitting at a table with another woman. They seemed close, too close. Before I could even approach him, I saw them lean toward each other and share a kiss. At that moment, I felt as though the ground had fallen away beneath me. I was stunned, hurt, and lost for words. I realized that this was the man my family wanted me to marry, a man who clearly had no respect for our engagement.

"Without saying a word, I turned around and left. I couldn't bear to be there any longer. I didn't even think to call my driver; I took the car and drove away on my own. I drove without direction, just wanting to escape, to go anywhere that would let me forget the pain I felt.

"Eventually, I found myself in Changsha Village, a quiet, secluded place far from the chaos of my life. I parked the car and walked towards a large canal. The water was calm, and as I stood by its edge, I felt a strange sense of peace. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I could breathe. I stood there for a long time, watching the gentle flow of the water, letting my mind drift.

"And then, just as I was about to turn and leave, something unexpected happened. That was when you entered my life. You appeared out of nowhere, and without hesitation, you began speaking to me in the strangest way. You didn't know me, yet there you were, talking as if we had known each other forever.

"I remember thinking to myself, 'Who is this strange person, and why is he talking to me like this?' But as you continued to speak, I found myself laughing, genuinely laughing, for the first time in days. You were like a breath of fresh air, breaking through the sadness that had engulfed me. Even though I barely knew you, there was something about you that brought me a sense of comfort I hadn't felt in a long time.

"As we talked, I began to feel a weight lifting from my heart. The sadness and frustration I had been carrying started to fade away, replaced by a warmth I couldn't quite understand. And just as I was beginning to enjoy this newfound sense of happiness, fate intervened once again.

"The villagers from Changsha found us and, assuming we were a runaway couple, took us to the village elder. They misunderstood our situation, thinking we were trying to elope. Despite our explanations, they insisted that we be married. They believed it was the right thing to do, a way to 'save our honor.'

"Before I knew it, they had arranged everything, and we were standing there, about to be bound together in a way I had never imagined. In that moment, I couldn't help but feel that maybe this was destiny's way of giving me a second chance, a path different from the one that had been forced upon me."