Su Wanqing’s heart felt like a dam had burst—like the flooding waters of the Yangtze River crashing down, every single drop filled with hatred toward Jian Ou.
She hated herself for being blind back then. She hated herself even more for being powerless. In the end, she didn’t even know who she was supposed to hate anymore.
The sudden wail of a police siren made Su Wanqing jerk her head up. Her tear-blurred eyes blinked hard, tears sliding down the corners, and only then did she finally make out several figures in police uniforms.
“Miss, are you okay?”
A low male voice sounded by her ear. Only then did Su Wanqing finally relax. The moment she let go, her whole body collapsed to the ground.
“Are you alright? Come with us to the station to make a statement.”
The young officer in uniform helped Su Wanqing to her feet as he spoke.
Su Wanqing shook her head. “No need, thank you.”
“No need? Did I hear that right? You’re not planning to report them?” the officer asked in surprise.
“You heard right. I’m not reporting them.” Su Wanqing shook her head again, giving a firm answer.
“Hey, you girl… you’re taking this pretty lightly. Aren’t you afraid they’ll come after you again?” the officer asked.
“I’m afraid, of course I am. But they’re just local thugs. They didn’t really cause me any substantial harm. There’s nothing you can really do about them anyway.”
The officer looked a bit embarrassed at her words, scratching his head awkwardly. Just then, a colleague called him from behind, so he greeted her briefly and left.
Su Wanqing saw the situation clearly. A boss like Long Ge definitely had some kind of backing. Even if they were all arrested today, they’d be out in a few days. And when that happened, retaliation would be inevitable.
An ending like today’s was already something she could accept. Cutting her losses in time was already a decent outcome.
Watching the police car disappear into the distance, Su Wanqing’s brows knitted tightly together.
Just thinking about tomorrow… and the days after… made her head throb in waves.
Long Ge already knew where she worked. It was only a matter of time before he came back to cause trouble.
She didn’t think she’d be lucky enough every time to be saved by a passing patrol car. But still… she couldn’t afford to lose this job.
“Let’s go.”
A low male voice sounded. The black sedan quietly drove away.
The hotpot street became lively again, as if nothing had happened. Only Su Wanqing noticed the black car leaving.
She didn’t believe Jian Ou hadn’t seen her being bullied by Long Ge—she just hadn’t expected him to be that heartless.
Watching his ex-girlfriend get harassed right in front of him, and he didn’t react at all… how could he?
Thinking of that cold, icy face of his curling into a mocking smile, the hatred in Su Wanqing’s chest burned even hotter. Her already bloodshot eyes turned even redder.
Over the next few days, Su Wanqing stayed on edge the entire time. She kept her guard up constantly, scanning her surroundings. Whenever she saw groups of three or five people approaching, she couldn’t help but glance over a few extra times—hoping to avoid them before Long Ge showed up.
“Hey, pretty girl, three beers.”
A teasing voice rang out. Su Wanqing frowned slightly but still jogged over toward the table.
Seeing that there was only one person sitting there, she kindly asked, “Three beers, right? Do you want them opened?”
“Open two.”
The man’s voice sounded a little familiar. Su Wanqing was about to look up at him when another voice called out from behind.
“Over here—ten bottles.”
“Coming!” Su Wanqing responded while opening the beers, completely forgetting to take a closer look at the man.
Just as she was about to leave, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. Startled, Su Wanqing finally looked up at the person sitting at the table.
It was a familiar face. Even though they hadn’t seen each other for three years, he hadn’t changed much.
He was very good-looking. With that faint smile at the corner of his lips, he even carried a hint of softness.
Soft—usually a word used to describe girls—but somehow, it fit him perfectly too.
“Hah, I was wondering who it was. Turns out it’s Si Tu Jing. Long time no see.”
Su Wanqing let out a light laugh, the joy in her eyes impossible to hide.
But the man she called Si Tu Jing immediately dropped his smile. He suddenly stood up and lunged at her dramatically.
“Su Wanqing, are you asking for it?! Si Tu Jin, Si Tu Jin! If you dare call my name wrong again, I’ll skin you alive!”
Si Tu Jin came at her fiercely, but when he reached her, he had already pulled back his strength—it felt more like he was tickling her.
Su Wanqing burst out laughing, the gloom from the past few days finally blown away.
After messing around for quite a while, Su Wanqing finally caught her breath. Smiling, she sat down across from him.
“What are you doing here?”
“And you still have the nerve to ask? You’ve been gone so long, and when you come back, you don’t even return to Shangjing. Are you trying to ditch me as a friend or what?”
As if he’d suffered some great injustice, Si Tu Jin’s lips actually pouted slightly as he spoke.
Su Wanqing froze for a second, then burst out laughing again.
“Hey, if you keep acting like this, I can only call you Si Tu Jing. Look at yourself—you’re already so tall, and you’re still pouting like a girl.”
“Su Wanqing, you’re dead!”
Si Tu Jin shouted as he stood up again, but Su Wanqing quickly stopped him.
“Alright, alright, stop messing around. I need to deliver the beer—you sit here for a bit.”
“Hey, I’m already here, and you’re still delivering beer?”
Si Tu Jin looked unhappy, pulling her to make her sit down.
“Don’t mess around. This is my job. I have to finish selling everything tonight.”
“How many are left? I’ll buy them all.”
With a casual wave of his hand, Si Tu Jin spoke with full confidence.