Ji Liao’s heart was leaping with joy, glad that someone was willing to take her in. However, Yu Nanzhi was her nightmare, his venomous words echoing in her ears incessantly.
She didn’t dare accept, nor did she dare take the risk.
“So, will you come?” the man asked again.
Ji Liao lowered her gaze, overwhelmed with sorrow. “No need. I’m a harbinger of doom and bring misfortune to others. If you take me in, you’ll suffer retribution.”
Hearing this, the girl burst into laughter. “I can’t believe there are still people who believe in such nonsense in this day and age. You stinky beggar, which backwater did you crawl out from? Don’t you know we’re in an era of science and technology that upholds rationality?”
No sooner had she finished speaking than she was scolded again. “How many times have I told you to show respect when speaking to others?”
The girl pouted and muttered an “Oh.” The man looked at Ji Liao and said, “Don’t be afraid. Our family runs a legitimate business. We won’t make you sell yourself…”
Ji Liao laughed self-deprecatingly. “If I could be sold, I’d gladly lie back and enjoy it. Sir, there’s really no need to pity me. Just let me fend for myself.”
Seeing her still so stubborn, the man frowned slightly. “But have you ever considered your parents’ feelings? Would they want you to become this despondent?”
At the mention of her parents, Ji Liao’s heart twinged.
Thinking back, she had once been her parents’ pride and joy, their precious treasure. How could she have imagined she would end up in this state, neither fully human nor fully ghost?
If they were still here, they would never have allowed her to become like this.
The man reached out his hand to her. “Come, let’s go home.”
Ji Liao paused, her thin lips murmuring, “Home? Which home? My home… has long been gone.”
The girl seemed touched by her words. After exchanging a glance with the man, they spoke in unison as if sharing the same thought: “Of course, it’s the home with us. Join our big family, and you’ll find happiness.”
“Happiness… Can I still hope for that? I’m a harbinger of doom. I bring misfortune to others.”
The girl scoffed. “Stop calling yourself a harbinger of doom. Look at my brother—he used to be called one all the time too, and I’m still alive and well, aren’t I?”
Ji Liao was slightly surprised. How could someone speak of their own brother that way?
“You don’t know…”
“Lu Chengqing, that’s enough out of you!” the man cut off her attempt to say more.
The girl stuck out her tongue playfully. “Fine, I won’t say it if you don’t want me to. No need to be so fierce!”
She stepped forward and took Ji Liao’s hand. “Come on, let’s take you home.”
Her hand was so warm, like the blazing sun, transmitting a surge of hopeful energy. In that moment, the stagnant pool in Ji Liao’s heart finally rippled with waves.
At that very instant, she finally understood the words Yu Nanzhi had once spoken.
He had said, “I am a lonely boat in the Star Sea, always drifting aimlessly, with no direction to move forward, no light to yearn for, only an endless, desolate river constantly engulfing me. And you are a grain of sand in the Star Sea, tirelessly following that lonely boat day and night, forever and always.”
He disliked it because the grains of sand in the Star Sea constantly threatened the safety of the lonely boat.
Now, thinking back, wasn’t she just like that lonely boat?
Later, when Cheng Shuangshuang appeared, she, who had been seen as the grain of sand, was finally ignored by him for a long time.
Nowadays, the reflection in each other’s eyes was nothing but dangerous grains of sand.
Thinking back to when she was twenty, Ji Liao had been overjoyed to marry Yu Nanzhi as she wished.
But on their wedding night, Yu Nanzhi abandoned her and went to Cheng Shuangshuang’s residence. It wasn’t until three days later, during the bridal return visit, that he was dragged back by Cheng Shuangshuang’s parents.
That time, they warned Cheng Shuangshuang.
And from that moment, Yu Nanzhi began to resent her.
Their marriage lasted for five years, until Cheng Shuangshuang’s death, when Yu Nanzhi tore off all pretenses with her, making her realize that some feelings were irreversible.
Afterward, Yu Nanzhi gave her five years in prison, blindness with an uncertain recovery date, and a life left in ruins, scarred and battered.
She could never forget his shadowy smile and terrifying words, cruel and inhuman.
In the dead of night, Ji Liao woke from a nightmare, clutching the blanket with trembling hands as she stared anxiously at the ceiling. Even though it was still pitch dark, she couldn’t stop the cold sweat from pouring down.
Months had passed, and everything was moving in a positive direction, so why on earth did she have to dream about the past?
Those memories were like leeches—impossible to forget or shake off, a lifelong nightmare.
She had grown accustomed to the darkness and groped her way out of bed to pour herself a cup of hot water.
“Sister Liao, you had another nightmare.” Qing’er came in holding a cup of warm milk and saw her sitting there with the cup, lost in thought.
Ji Liao wiped the moisture from the corner of her eye and turned to her, “It’s an old problem, no cure for it.”
Lu Chengqing pressed the milk into her hand, saying with concern, “It’s been months. If it doesn’t get better, we can try another doctor.”
“No!” Realizing her tone was too harsh, Ji Liao softened her voice, “This is a sickness of the heart, doctors can’t cure it. Qing’er, don’t trouble yourself.”
Times were different now. She was afraid of losing, afraid of suddenly running into Yu Nanzhi. She was so scared that she could only hide in a corner, living out her life quietly, if only to avoid dragging Lu Chengqing and her brother down with her.
Lu Chengqing sighed softly, “But you can’t go on like this. How about this—tomorrow we’ll go to the amusement park to relax. There are lots of children there, plenty of fun.”
“The amusement park… It’s been so long since I last went.”
“Then it’s settled. Rest well, we’ll take the day off tomorrow.”
“Mm.” Ji Liao handed the cup back to her and sank into thought.
When was the last time she went to the amusement park? It must have been a few days before her parents passed away…
The next morning, the dawn air was slightly cool. Lu Chengqing dressed Ji Liao beautifully, like a girl untouched by the world, and she was very pleased with the high rate of turning heads.
After months of quiet recuperation, the bruises on Ji Liao’s skin had mostly faded, and she had gained some weight.
Now, dressed in an apricot-colored dress, she looked just like an unmarried girl, drawing second glances.
Lu Chengqing couldn’t help but sigh, “So your skin is soft and dewy, and you’re not bad-looking either. Who knows how many men you’ll charm when you step out like this.”
Ji Liao smiled bitterly. Years of suffering had long worn down her proud edges, and others’ compliments only made her feel embarrassed. “It’s just a shell, no need to make a fuss.”
Lu Chengqing pursed her lips, frowned at her for a moment, but said nothing more. Taking her hand, she led her outside, “Alright, whatever you say. Brother hasn’t come back yet today, so we’ll take the Electric Moped.”
Ji Liao paused briefly in his steps, stopping at the doorway. “Is your vehicle fully charged? Don’t let it stall halfway like last time.”
Lu Chengqing patted his chest reassuringly. “Don’t worry, that was an accident last time. I guarantee it’ll be fine this time.”