Xu Chun drove off the main road and turned into a secluded hospital. Only after confirming that no one was following her did she put on her glasses and walk towards the hospital with her head down. In her haste, she bumped into someone. Just as Xu Chun was about to speak, she found that a pair of hands covered her mouth from behind, and a black bag was put over her head. The man who bumped into her quickly lifted her legs and, together with the people behind him, carried her into a Jinbei van parked nearby.
Xu Chun's mouth was quickly taped shut, her eyes were blindfolded, and her hands were tied, but her feet could still move. She whimpered anxiously and tried to kick away the hands that were almost wrapped around her.
All Xu Chun could hear was the whistling wind and rapid breathing. She was terrified. Listening to the breathing, one, two, three? No, there were at least six men in the car!
Xu Chun struggled frantically, but the more she struggled, the rougher and more excited the men became. Some even reached inside her skirt, her trench coat was taken off, her top was roughly pulled open, her skirt was pushed up to her waist, her thin stockings were torn, and finally, even her underwear was ruthlessly ripped off.
Xu Chun's heart shattered. Was this revenge? Had it really come so quickly? Was he really that cruel? Tears streamed down her face, soaking her black mask. Her body was violated, then another person entered, then another… She didn't know how much time had passed, until a tearing pain shot through her lower abdomen, and she felt hot blood flowing from deep within her body…
"Head, what do we do if it bleeds?" The hoarse voice was clearly feigned. Another shrill voice said, "Continue, wait until the bleeding has stopped before releasing!" Unrestrained laughter filled Xu Chun's terrified nerves. The red blood and white skin only fueled the men's burning madness. The pain continued for an unknown amount of time; Xu Chun felt as if her soul had barely left her body before she finally fainted.
The pain, fear, tearing, and darkness lasted for an unknown amount of time before Xu Chun slowly awoke, the stark white walls blurring her vision. It was a long, long time before Xu Chun remembered what had happened.
Crying? Calling the police? Complaining? Cursing? Xu Chun didn't know. She just lay silently on the hospital bed, letting the doctor nag on and on.
"She was pregnant and still engaged in such vigorous sexual activity, she's practically courting death! She had severe bleeding and wasn't taken to the hospital in time, sigh, these young people nowadays! Uterine rupture, severe bleeding, it's already a miracle she survived, what will she do if she can't have children in the future!"
Xu Chun suddenly laughed, a loud laugh that startled the doctor, who sighed and shook his head, thinking she had suffered a tragic turn of events. Tears streamed down Xu Chun's face, soaking the pillow. "Xia Xuan, is this what you wanted? You want me to give everything back to Xiao Qiqi, is that it?"
The door to the ward was pushed open, and Xu Chun looked at the elegant, handsome, and gentle man who came in with a charming smile and even brought a bouquet of roses. He carefully placed the flowers on the bedside table and even took a light sniff of the dewy petals. "They smell so good, don't they, Xu Chun?"
Xu Chun suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, and couldn't help but shrink back, afraid to speak. When had his heart become so cold? He couldn't resist making one last tentative attempt, "...Is this the result you wanted?"
"Xu Chun, what are you saying? I don't understand." Xia Xuan drew back the curtains, and the cool sunlight outside made Xu Chun afraid to open her eyes. "Xu Chun, look how happy you are. You live in the best VIP ward in the city, with a dedicated doctor and even top-notch caregivers. Don't you realize how wonderful life is?"
"It's wonderful, Xia Xuan, I finally understand."
“That’s right. Women should be obedient and docile.” Xia Xuan still smiled as she looked at Xu Chun’s pale face. “Six years have passed, but this face is still beautiful and radiant. Xu Chun, you are indeed very beautiful.”
Xu Chun retreated in fear again. The day he took her away, he had said the same thing: "Xu Chun, you are indeed a beauty in the making." Back then, she was overjoyed; he had finally noticed her beauty, but hadn't grasped its deeper meaning. Had he suspected her from then on? After all, he was so intelligent.
"When did you first learn everything?" Xu Chun clutched the pristine white blanket, looking at Xia Xuan with a helpless yet persistent expression.
"I don't know anything." Xia Xuan looked out the window calmly. "I only act on my intuition. I don't like women who think they're clever. I've said it before, Xu Chun, if you're with me, don't do things I don't like, and don't say things I don't like to hear. Do you understand today?"
"I understand." Xu Chun nodded, then suddenly smiled: "I just wonder if Xiao Qiqi will be scared if she finds out all this."
“She’ll never know, will she?” Xia Xuan turned her gaze to Xu Chun. “If a dead person suddenly appeared in the world, do you think she would still learn something unpleasant from that dead person?”
"Absolutely not." Xu Chun gripped the corner of the blanket tightly.
"That's good. You don't seem to be feeling well, so get some rest." Xia Xuan left, still with that gentle smile, but it sent chills down one's spine.
Xia Xuan stood at the hospital entrance, staring at the window, her hands clenched tightly. The hatred in her heart was still uncontrollable. Had she finally gotten the retribution she deserved? Had she finally learned the extent of Qi Qi's suffering? He wasn't usually such a cold-hearted person, but seeing this woman, this woman he hated and loathed, he couldn't help but become violent, cold, and ruthless. If Xia Yexin hadn't repeatedly protected her, would he have impulsively pushed her into the sea or strangled her to death long ago?
21. Peak Return
This was the first time Chen Yuanxing had so seriously invited his parents to his study. His mother had been in a good mood lately, as the organization was considering her reassignment, so her enthusiasm for her son had waned somewhat. Chen Yifan, who was usually very casual with Chen Yuanxing, noticed his wife's furrowed brow, stubbed out his cigarette, and asked, "Yuanxing, what's wrong? Why are you so serious?"
"I'm getting engaged to Xia Rui, according to your wishes."
Mrs. Chen frowned even more. Actually, she didn't approve of this kind of marriage. Her daughter-in-law didn't necessarily have to be from a wealthy family, but she absolutely had to be virtuous. Most women from wealthy families were spoiled and foolish; perhaps women as intelligent as Xiao Qiqi were rare indeed. Looking at her son's serious face, Chen Yifan knew he must have something important to say, so he said, "You're not going to tell me now that you disagree with this marriage, are you?"
Chen Yuanxing shook his head: "No." He glanced at his mother, "Mom, Xiao Qiqi and I haven't seen each other for two months, you know that, right?"
Mrs. Chen nodded. "Hesitation only leads to trouble. When will you understand this principle?"
"You don't like her, do you?"
"Is it even necessary to discuss this at this point?" Chen Yifan interjected.
“There’s no need for that.” Chen Yuanxing pulled a crumpled check out of his pocket. “I just want to know what this is. I found it by chance in one of my mother’s books in the study.” Of course, he wouldn’t say that it took him several days to find it.
Chen's mother and Chen Yifan looked at the check, exchanged a glance, and their expressions changed.
Looking at his parents' faces, Chen Yuanxing's heart sank even further. It was just as he had suspected. Although he had suspected it before, actually reopening such a wound still filled him with fear and anger. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. "What a pity about a check; no one will accept it," he said with a mocking laugh.
Chen's mother was clearly better at handling emergencies. "We're all doing this for your own good. Xiao Qiqi, let alone her questionable background, is ridiculous enough to have had an abortion. Just the fact that she can't have children means she can't enter our family. You're such a grown man, don't you have any analytical skills?" As expected of a politician, she shifted the blame to Chen Yuanxing for his inability to distinguish right from wrong.
"What's wrong with her?" Chen Yuanxing finally roared. "Yes, she has been through some things, but who hasn't been young and made mistakes? Just because she made a mistake once, does that mean she shouldn't have happiness and love for the rest of her life? What gives you the right to use my feelings as a bargaining chip? What gives you the right to deny her like this?"
“You have all the reasons, and I won’t offer any explanation. My reason is only one: the Chen family only has one son, and he absolutely cannot marry a woman who cannot have children.” Chen’s mother stood up. “I’m a little tired. Go ahead and rant if you want. Whether in the past, present, or future, as long as I am your mother, there will only be this one thing: any woman is fine, but Xiao Qiqi is not!”
Chen Yuanxing sneered as he watched his mother's retreating figure. "Mom, does Qiqi not deserve your forgiveness because of this? What happened in the past was just an accident, not her fault. Don't you think it's unfair to blame her like this and not give her a chance to start over?" Seeing that his mother didn't stop walking, Chen Yuanxing raised his voice: "Just like you, if you make a mistake, doesn't the Party give you another chance? Does being wrong mean you should be overthrown forever?"
Mrs. Chen stumbled, grabbed the door frame for support, and turned back to look at her son, who had never dared to disobey her, incredulously.
Seeing this, Chen Yifan quickly scolded Chen Yuanxing, "Yuanxing, what nonsense are you talking about? Are these two things being discussed together? Stop fooling around and apologize to your mother right now."
Chen Yuanxing looked at his father coldly, "I won't apologize unless Mom takes back her misunderstanding and prejudice against Qi Qi."
"Yuanxing, that's enough!" Chen Yifan said sternly, "Your mother is already like that, and you're still angry with her? You're about to get engaged to Xia Rui, what use is our attitude towards Xiao Qiqi now?"
“It works.” Chen Yuanxing finally made a decision. “I’ve decided that I won’t marry any woman except Xiao Qiqi. As for what you think and do, I can’t control that! I’m sorry, Mom and Dad.” He stood up and walked past his mother, who had been leaning against the doorframe without saying a word. “I’ll go to my uncle and explain to him about breaking off the engagement with the Xia family. I think my uncle understands my feelings better than you do.” Chen Yijian had never married. Rumors circulated that he couldn’t let go of the woman who died for him during the Cultural Revolution, but the Chen family knew that it wasn’t just a rumor, it was the truth.
Xia Xuan stood downstairs at Xiao Qiqi's house, gazing thoughtfully at the flower-patterned curtains.
Unable to bear the constant phone calls any longer, Xiao Qiqi got dressed, went downstairs, and walked towards Xia Xuan, who was leaning against the wall.
Xia Xuan looked at Xiao Qiqi's face in the dim light and asked, "Qiqi, you don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"
Xiao Qiqi shook her head, "No."
It wasn't that she was physically unwell, but rather that her heart was completely overwhelmed. The email she opened by chance left her feeling utterly shocked and disoriented. She convulsed at home, imagining the expression on that person's face as they wrote those words. Never before had her longing been so intense; she realized she still couldn't let go.
"Have you eaten yet?"
"No."
"Shall we go eat?" It was a question, not a statement. If it were Chen Yuanxing, it would definitely be a statement. But he was already far away. That domineering, persistent, and obsessive man was no longer his. Opening that last letter was far too late.
"I don't want to eat." Xiao Qiqi walked around to the car, sat on the low, narrow stone base on the grass beside the car, and looked up at the dark night. "The night sky in North X is not beautiful at all."
Xia Xuan also came around and leaned against the car door, "Let's go back to H City, the starry sky there is beautiful."
Xiao Qiqi shook her head again, "I don't want to go back."
"Why?" Xia Xuan gently lowered her head and stared intently at Xiao Qiqi.
Xiao Qiqi chuckled, plucked a blade of grass, put it in her mouth, and chewed it slowly. It still tasted raw, but her mood was different. "Xia Xuan, don't come looking for me anymore."
"You still like chewing grass, you haven't changed at all," Xia Xuan replied, seemingly unrelated to the question.
“It’s changed, changed so much.” Xiao Qiqi spat out the chewed grass. “My feelings are different now. Xia Xuan, you’re so smart, why are you still so stubborn? Can’t you see through it?”
"Yes, I can't see through it. I want to see through it, but I can't. I can't let go." Xia Xuan finally faced the topic.
“It’s different now. Look, the starry sky is still the same, but what we see now is darkness. Xia Xuan, we can never go back. We’ve walked too far and forgotten to turn around. We’ve already separated too far.”
"No, I don't believe in trajectories, I only believe in myself. I turned around long ago and have been chasing after you all along. Now I've caught up, Qiqi, are you still going to refuse?"
"It's not a rejection, it's just impossible." Xiao Qiqi looked up at Xia Xuan's charming and perfect features and said firmly, "Xia Xuan, I don't love you anymore."
Xia Xuan laughed indifferently, "Qi Qi, what nonsense are you talking about? We have always been in love, but we missed some time because of some misunderstandings and mistakes."
Xiao Qiqi hugged her knees, looking at Xia Xuan's smiling but somewhat forced eyes: "Look at you, you're already feeling guilty and dodging when you say these things, why keep deceiving yourself? Xia Xuan, we can never go back."
"Because of what? Chen Yuanxing? Xu Chun?"
Xiao Qiqi shook her head, "Even without him, we couldn't have done it."
"No, you're lying to me again, trying to be clever, aren't you? You're still so foolish, still willing to give up love in the name of love? What are you still worried about? Chen Yuanxing is getting engaged to Xiao Rui. It's an arranged marriage between families, and even if he wants to, he can't break free. As for Xu Chun, I think she's no longer an obstacle between us. She's already received the retribution she deserved."
“I’m not being clever, nor am I being stupid. I know that Chen Yuanxing and I are no longer possible, and I also know that what happened back then wasn’t our fault. Perhaps Xu Chun played a large part in the blame. But it’s all in the past, isn’t it? I didn’t dwell on it or hate back then, and I certainly won’t now. Even if I know I was wrong, I can’t regret it now. We’ve moved on, gained and lost. Isn’t life always like this, full of gains and losses? So, Xia Xuan, don’t come looking for me anymore. Let’s treat our past as the most beautiful memory of our youth. Thinking about it occasionally is beautiful, pure, and happy. That’s enough.”
Xia Xuan's knuckles slowly turned white. "No, Qi Qi, this isn't fair. Six years ago, I was inexplicably kicked out of the game by you. I admit I had a misunderstanding. Now I understand my past mistakes and what I truly lost. My heart tells me that all these years I've been thinking of you, feeling guilty, and waiting. Six years later, can't I even make amends? Is the chance still gone?"
Xiao Qiqi nodded, "Xia Xuan, don't try to make amends. We just missed each other. I understand your feelings, but this is not something that can be explained by chance. We have really missed each other and can never go back. Even if we force ourselves to be together, it will only be a kind of nostalgia and guilt for the past, not love."
"That's your opinion. How do you know about my love? My love has always been here and has never changed!" Xia Xuan said, somewhat angrily.
"Fine, Xia Xuan, even if your love is still waiting there, I don't love you anymore. Do you understand? I haven't loved you for a long time. Your stubbornness and entanglement are making me very tired."
Xia Xuan's expression changed. "Qi Qi, how could you be so cruel?"
“It’s not cruel, it’s reality.” Xiao Qiqi still looked up at the man whose expression was changing a few steps away. “Actually, you know in your heart that we are no longer the same people we were six years ago. There are too many obstacles between us now.”
"You've fallen in love with him, haven't you?" Xia Xuan looked abruptly at the car and asked.
"...Yes, I've fallen in love with him, so it's been very difficult." Xiao Qiqi's voice was soft, yet firm. "I'm exhausted, Xia Xuan. Dealing with Chen Yuanxing has already worn me out; I simply can't handle you anymore. You're both such outstanding and intelligent men. I'm just an ordinary woman who wants a warm home, a loving husband, a lovely child, to laugh and chat together, cook, argue occasionally, go to work, take the kids to school, worry about money occasionally, and take a family trip when we have some spare cash. These are such simple requests, but none of you can give me that. Isn't that right?" Xiao Qiqi's voice gradually faded. "I had already prepared myself to live a solitary life. Even if I don't love him, I will never love anyone else again, Xia Xuan, do you understand? I have never regretted our past, nor have I resented what I lost. I only ask to live out the rest of my decades peacefully. Is that not even possible?"
"So, you chose to abandon both of us, right?" Xia Xuan's smile gradually turned bitter. "I still lost in the end, didn't I? Because you... fell in love with him."
"Six years, that's a long time. A lot can happen in that time. Xia Xuan, haven't you changed too? What about me?"
"I don't care about your explanation, I want to know." Xia Xuan's bitterness deepened, "Were you together in college?"
Xiao Qiqi looked at Xia Xuan with confusion, but still obediently shook her head: "I've said it before, Xia Xuan, when I was with you, I was happy and joyful, and more importantly, I was honest. I've never been fickle. Even now, I'm the same. I can't lie to you, and I can't deceive you, because my heart never allows me to do anything immoral. Six years ago, I loved you more than I loved myself; but in these six years, I'm sorry, Xia Xuan, I've fallen in love with Chen Yuanxing. I can't escape it, so I don't want to deceive you anymore. So, please don't waste your feelings on me anymore. I... can't bear it, I can only say I'm sorry."
Xiao Qiqi's eyes welled up with a misty look. "Xia Xuan, if you can, please tell Xu Chun that I don't hate her. Because I lost some happiness because of her, but unexpectedly gained another kind of happiness, so I still feel very happy."
"If you're happy, why do you cry? Why do you often space out? Why are you so lonely all the time?"
Xiao Qiqi wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "If I said I felt too tired because of love, would you believe me? Xia Xuan, don't you understand? Sometimes, loving someone is much easier than hating someone. I'd rather not love anyone right now. So, please, all of you, leave me. Stay far away from me, never see me again, never have to worry again, only those beautiful memories will accompany me for the rest of my life, wouldn't that be better? Perhaps, with the love I've had for these ten years, I'll find someone to marry, then adopt two children, and then when we're old, we'll go to a nursing home together, grow old together, and then die. Isn't that a luxury? Why should I be stuck between you rich, powerful, and handsome men, living a miserable life?"
"That's what you've always thought of us, right, Qiqi? You think power and pressure make you feel insecure, right? Yes, that's definitely what you think, which is why you rejected me. If I said, 'Qiqi, I can give you the life you want,' would you believe me?"
“I don’t believe it.” Xiao Qiqi answered quickly. “Xia Xuan, if it were six years ago, I would definitely believe it, but today…” Xiao Qiqi shook her head again. “I’m sorry, Xia Xuan. So, if you still have even a trace of guilt or care for me, please leave my life. I’m really tired, I can’t play this game anymore, I just want peace and quiet.”
"If I leave, will you go with Chen Yuanxing?"
“No, I missed you because of time, but with him, it’s beyond what can be explained by just missing. He and I are like stars in the sky, seemingly only a step away, yet separated by thousands of miles.” Xiao Qiqi stood up, bit her lip, and smiled. “Never regret yesterday’s gains or losses, Xia Xuan. You are so outstanding, you have a long future ahead of you, and you will be happy. Me too.” She extended her hand. “Let’s shake hands and say goodbye.”
Xia Xuan glanced at the other end of the car again and smiled, "I lost, but it seems you didn't win either." She reached out and grasped Xiao Qiqi's slightly cool fingertips.
Xiao Qiqi turned around, froze, and forgot to pull her hand away from Xia Xuan's warm palm.
Over there, under the warm yellow light, stood a tall, slender shadow, stretched very long by the light...
22. Turning Point
Xiao Qiqi trembled slightly as she watched Xia Xuan's car drive away, remaining standing there, anxiously staring at the grass. Chen Yuanxing slowly approached, standing a step away from her. Love, just a step away. Such a short distance, yet we've walked for so long.
Xiao Qiqi finally regained her courage, raised her eyes to glare at the man whose smile was growing wider, and said, "Get lost!" She ran away almost without hesitation.
In terms of running, Xiao Qiqi could never surpass Chen Yuanxing, even if he started later than her. Unsurprisingly, he grabbed her, and Xiao Qiqi began to struggle, kicking, hitting, and even biting him, yelling, "Let me go!"
Chen Yuanxing held Xiao Qiqi tightly, his smile turning into a suppressed chuckle, almost bursting with smugness. He lowered his head to kiss the restless woman, but Xiao Qiqi pushed him away, refusing to cooperate, still twisting and struggling. One sentence made her immediately obedient, "Qiqi, if you don't mind, I don't care if we put on an inappropriate show for children here."
Sensing the change in his body, Xiao Qiqi froze, cursing "Pervert!" before he swept her up in his arms and carried her to the stairwell and elevator. He kissed her eagerly, even starting to tear at her clothes. Xiao Qiqi's struggles had lost their strength, and she slumped softly into his arms, responding to his passionate kiss.