I was terrified, but I didn't avoid Jiang Lun's gaze, trying to be as calm and gentle as possible.

"What happened to you, Senior Jiang? Just tell me, and I'll do everything I can to help you."

Jiang Lun lifted his head, his eyes gazing into the distance without focus, before he finally spoke.

"Because of your rejection, because of my incompetence, I didn't complete the task, and Xie Weihuan didn't pay me. I tried borrowing money everywhere but couldn't make up the two million. To be precise, no one is willing to lend me money anymore.

So, my father was taken back home by debt collectors and beaten to death. My sister tried to intervene and fell, resulting in a miscarriage and severe bleeding. My mother couldn't withstand the torment and died before even entering our home when she was brought back.

I lost all my family members in an instant. I've worked so hard, taking on any job just to make money, not caring even if I was humiliated and insulted. I was just short of this last bit of money. Paying off this debt would have allowed me to return to my previously peaceful life.

But why did fate mock me like this? Why, tell me! Why!"

Tears covered Jiang Lun's face, his grief seemed unbearable as he looked at me.

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"You said you wanted to help me, right? How can you help me? Who can help me?"

Tears unconsciously welled up in my eyes too, Jiang Lun's immense sorrow felt tangible, like a howling tide about to engulf me.

"No one can help you!"

I yelled at Jiang Lun, our tearful eyes meeting, like two small animals licking each other's wounds.

"I also suddenly lost my only kin, lost everything, left with nothing.

But if you think it's the heavens playing tricks on you, then demand an explanation from the heavens, fight for your breath and change your fate against all odds.

If you think someone is sabotaging you behind the scenes, then demand an explanation from that person, take your revenge with your own hands.

Crying behind closed doors is the most useless thing to do!"

Jiang Lun shook his head frantically, as if he heard me, yet didn't.

"I'm too tired, Shuang Shuang, really too tired. I've been struggling for so many years, I don't even have the strength to continue.

I even blame myself, wondering why I bothered going to college, leaving the mountains. Maybe spending a lifetime in my hometown could have led to a satisfying end.

I'm so tired, I doubt myself, I can't even stand being alone with myself. How do you expect me to move forward?"

After saying this, Jiang Lun staggered out and returned with two cans of gasoline.

"Since you also have no relatives and nothing to worry about, why don't we keep each other company? It won't be as lonely on the road."

I was shocked, speechless. Jiang Lun, this madman, actually wanted to drag me into committing suicide with him.

Jiang Lun kicked over the gasoline cans, and the gasoline surged wildly on the uneven cement floor, encircling us.

He took out a lighter and fiddled with it.

The clicking sound of the lighter felt like a countdown to the end of my life.