Rainy Night

Jin Yulian was the goddess I had secretly adored since childhood. Now, with her baring the most sacred part of herself to me, allowing me to touch her, I truly believed she would not deceive me. So, I nodded and said, “Sister Yulian, I can take the blame, but you must promise to get Granny Li treated.” Jin Yulian replied, “Don’t worry, Xiaofeng, I’ll make sure it’s done.”

I knew Jin Yulian’s mother had died early, which was why she doted on her younger brother. Now that he was in trouble, she was willing to do whatever it took to have me take the fall for him.

As for me, if Jin Yulian could really give one hundred thousand to treat Granny Li, I was willing to shoulder the blame. Granny Li had raised me, and I had always felt I owed her far too much. Giving her a chance at treatment was my only way to repay her kindness, so I was willing to do anything.

With that, Jin Yulian and I reached a tacit agreement, each getting what we needed. Then Jin Yulian drove me back to the police station.

In front of the police, I confessed that I had acted inappropriately toward Ling Xue while she was drunk. Ling Xue slapped me across the face in front of the officers, cursing me for being shameless.

Suddenly, Jin Baoqiang’s cold, sinister voice cut through my thoughts: “You mangy dog, you rapist, you ruined my plans back then. You’ve just been released from prison and you dare hang around my sister’s office? You really don’t know when to quit. Tonight, I’ll teach you a lesson… You lot, beat him until he begs for mercy!”

As soon as he finished, the four hulking men surrounding me swung their clubs with vicious intent. They had the numbers and the weapons, prepared for this moment. I was alone, unarmed, and stood no chance. After a few blows, my back, shoulders, arms, and thighs all took heavy hits. Soon, I was knocked to the ground.

The four men pinned me down in the muddy water. Rain and blood blurred my vision. Pain, rage, and humiliation surged inside me, and I swore to myself I would have my revenge.

Jin Baoqiang strode over, club in hand, and threatened, “You mangy dog, as long as you promise never to bother my sister again, I’ll let you off tonight. Otherwise, I’ll break your legs right here.”

That day, when I’d gone to confront Jin Yulian, it was only a moment’s impulse that led me to force a kiss on her. Later, I realized I was never worthy of her, and besides, she had deceived me from the start. Though I was angry when I got home, I understood the harsh reality, and my heart turned cold. I no longer wanted to cling to her.

Now, being beaten and threatened by Jin Baoqiang, my stubborn temper flared up. I roared, “Jin Baoqiang, you bastard, if you have the guts, kill me! As long as I live, I’ll never stop pursuing your sister. I’ll make sure she never marries!”

Jin Baoqiang saw I wasn’t begging for mercy—instead, I threatened him. Enraged, he seized the club and shouted, “You mangy dog, I’ll break your legs right now. If you come near my sister again, I’ll break another one!”

He raised the club, aiming for my shin.

Hopeless, I closed my eyes, fury and defiance boiling inside me. Suddenly, a clear female voice called out, “Stop!”

Hearing that familiar voice, I instinctively opened my eyes. There, walking toward us in a black dress, holding an umbrella, was a beautiful woman—Jin Baoqiang’s sister, Jin Yulian. Once, she had been the goddess of my heart, and I had been willing to give her everything. But now, knowing she had deceived me, all I felt was anger and bitterness.

Seeing his sister approach, Jin Baoqiang sullenly lowered his club. He both loved and feared his sister, and dared not defy her.

Jin Yulian came to my side, bending down to see my face caked with blood and mud. She knelt beside me, holding the umbrella in one hand and gently wiping the mud from my face with a tissue.

I caught a faint whiff of her delicate fragrance, but thinking of her deception, I instinctively turned my head away, ignoring her false concern. Then Jin Yulian said to the two men holding my arms, “Let him go.”

“But, Miss Jin, this guy’s like a madman. It took all we had to subdue him. If we let him go, he might hurt you,” one of the men protested.

Jin Yulian’s voice grew cold. “I said, let him go—do I need to repeat myself?” Reluctantly, the men released my arms.

Though they let me go, I was so battered and exhausted that I couldn’t stand.

Jin Yulian reached out to help, but I pushed her hand away. She looked awkward for a moment, then turned to her brother and the men, saying, “You all can leave. This is none of your business now.”

Jin Baoqiang, still worried, threatened me, “Mangy dog, you’d better watch yourself. If you try anything with my sister, I’ll kill you.”

Impatient, Jin Yulian replied, “Enough, little brother. Leave my affairs alone. Take your men and go. And stay out of trouble from now on.”

Reluctant but unable to defy her, Jin Baoqiang led his men to the BMW and drove off.

Seeing me sprawled miserably in the mud, Jin Yulian said, “Xiaofeng, I know you must hate me now. But reality is cruel. Whether I deceived your feelings or not, there’s no foundation for us to be together. Please, accept reality and stop holding on to illusions. My world isn’t yours.”

When I didn’t respond, just lay there weakly, she softened her voice, “Are you badly hurt? Should I take you to the hospital?”

My anger at her deception flared again at her pretense of concern. I snapped, “If there was never a foundation for us to be together, why did you agree to marry me in the first place?”