Chapter 17

The storm showed no sign of easing; rain hammered on.
Qiao Zhenzhen and Chi Shen sat beneath the awning of a 24-hour pharmacy, sheltering from the rain. A gust blew; Qiao Zhenzhen shivered. "Reach out your hand."
Chi Shen pressed his lips together and didn't move.
"Stop hiding it. I know everything," Qiao Zhenzhen shot him a look; the shopkeeper's words replayed in her head. "Let me see how bad the injury is."
Chi Shen clearly hadn't expected her to know. He hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand toward her. On both his wrists, thin but not frail, were coarse, festering wounds. The heavy rain had washed away any blood; all that remained were pale, swollen gashes, split and ugly.
Qiao Zhenzhen had guessed his injuries were serious, but not this severe. Her eyes reddened in an instant.
A flicker of unease passed over Chi Shen's face, and he immediately drew his hand back.
"Hold it out." Qiao Zhenzhen's face went stern.
Chi Shen was silent for a moment, then extended it a second time.
Qiao Zhenzhen took a deep breath, rummaging through the plastic bag as she scolded, "Are you stupid? You're tied up, why are you still struggling? That's your mother…"
Halfway through she remembered the boss's line, "not actually her biological child", and paused, lowering her head before continuing, "Can they keep you bound for life? Why are you in such a hurry to break free?"
As she spoke she pulled out bandages, hydrogen peroxide, and a few wound-healing ointments.
"Tell me if it hurts," she said, and began to clean his wounds.
She moved with extreme care, afraid he'd cry out; after a long while without a sound, she couldn't help looking up. "Doesn't it hurt?"
Chi Shen gave a slight shake of his head.
Qiao Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes.
Chi Shen hesitated, then, "…it does."
"That's more like it, you aren't made of iron and skin, of course it hurts," Qiao Zhenzhen said, lowering her head again. "Tell me when it hurts. Don't keep holding it in."
Chi Shen looked at the little cowlick on top of her head; the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "I promise."
"What?" Qiao Zhenzhen asked, confused, looking up and unexpectedly falling into his dark eyes.
Chi Shen was quiet for a beat. "You told me to wait for you."
Qiao Zhenzhen froze for a long moment before she understood he was answering the question she had just asked,
Why were you in such a hurry to escape?
Because I promised I'd wait for you at the school gate.
A warm rush spread from her heart to her limbs, chasing away much of the cold. She gave a small laugh, then set her face stern again. "Don't interrupt my work."
"…Oh." Chi Shen lowered his head once more.
Qiao Zhenzhen shot him a sideways glance and continued bandaging. She was so inexperienced that it took her ages to make a passable dressing. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she grew increasingly dissatisfied. "It's all crooked. If it doesn't hold, we should go to a hospital."
"This is fine." Chi Shen drew his hand back.
Qiao Zhenzhen looked at his hand again and didn't insist on going to the hospital.
With the wound dressed, she had time for other questions. After tidying up the remaining gauze, she looked at him. "When did you run away?"
"This afternoon."
Qiao Zhenzhen nodded. "It's hard to get a taxi out where you are. I walked a long way before I found a car. Did you walk a long way too? You're lucky you weren't seen."
Chi Shen said nothing.
Qiao Zhenzhen watched him, a bad feeling rising. "How did you get back?"
"…By bus." Under her stare, Chi Shen's fingers unconsciously dug into his knee.
Qiao Zhenzhen set her face. "Tell the truth."
"I walked back." Chi Shen's voice was rough; he somehow couldn't bring himself to look at her as he spoke.
When those words fell, a stunned silence settled over them. They hadn't noticed the rain stop; the air, washed clean by the downpour, felt cool and carried a faint chill.
Chi Shen waited a long time and did not hear a second sentence from Qiao Zhenzhen. He finally couldn't help but glance up, and unexpectedly saw her eyes reddened.
Panic flickered in his own eyes. A dozen things rose in his throat, but he couldn't find a single comforting word.
After a long moment he managed, haltingly, "Don't cry…"
If he'd stayed silent it might have been better; the moment he spoke tears welled in Qiao Zhenzhen's eyes. She turned her face away in embarrassment, sniffed, then quickly looked back, choking as she asked, "How long did you walk?"
"About eight hours… I guess." Chi Shen hesitated. In truth, he'd only arrived shortly before Qiao Zhenzhen came to the school.
Qiao Zhenzhen had never imagined that a taxi ride that took an hour by car could take eight hours on foot. While she measured the village with her steps, he too had been hurrying to keep their appointment, but unlike her, who paused from time to time, he had walked in a straight line without stopping.
She took a deep breath and looked at his rain-soaked shoes, noticing they were worn and misshapen; she could only wonder what their insides were like.
"I'm sorry," she said with reddened eyes. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been forced to drop out. It's my fault."
Chi Shen looked at her calmly, he had clearly known why he had to withdraw since last night. At her apology he pressed his lips together. "It's not your fault."
"But if it weren't for my dad…"
"I'm back." He cut her off for the first time.
Qiao Zhenzhen paused, then forced a smile. "Right. You're back. I won't let you leave."
Seeing she had made up her mind, Chi Shen said no more and simply took the bag from her hand.
Qiao Zhenzhen rubbed her eyes. As she calmed a little she suddenly realized, "What time is it?!"
She fumbled for her phone to check, but it had already shut down. Cursing inwardly, she ran to the pharmacy to read the digital clock.
When she saw it was nearly one in the morning, the world went dark at the edges. Years of grown-up life had left her rusty on the habit of always reporting her whereabouts. She'd been late before without telling her mother, but never this late.
Her mother would be beside herself. Qiao Zhenzhen quickly borrowed a cable, charged and restarted her phone, sent a brief message to Qin Jing to say she was safe and on her way home, then took Chi Shen to a nearby motel.
"I don't have my ID, and you probably don't either, so you'll have to make do here for the night," Qiao Zhenzhen said as she paid and led him into the room. "Don't run off. I'll be back first thing in the morning."
Having said it, she hurried out, but halfway down the hall she remembered something and rushed back.
She burst into the room to find Chi Shen halfway out of his short-sleeved shirt, revealing a lean waist. Hearing the door, he glanced up automatically, and their eyes met.
Qiao Zhenzhen froze for a moment; her gaze slid down his face before she could stop it. When she saw the sharply defined abs, she blinked and, shamefully, swallowed. Only then did she belatedly notice how the air around them had stilled.
She forced her eyes back up and fixed them on Chi Shen’s face, finishing what she'd been saying: "…If an earthquake, flood, landslide, a murderer, or any other disaster breaks out here, you have to run. Whatever you do, don't stubbornly stay inside trying to tough it out, understand?"
The warning was stupidly obvious, but of course Chi Shen treated her words like an edict. She was genuinely afraid that if something went wrong he might stand his ground because of one careless remark, so she had hurried back in a panic.
Chi Shen watched her in silence, and after a long moment nodded.
Qiao Zhenzhen forced a dry laugh and spun around to run, stealing one more glance at his abs as she went.
The boy looked slight, but he was solid, far better built than the average high schooler. Even after she slid into the taxi, her mind kept returning to the sight of his lean, strong waist.
[Affection +30, now 280]
Qiao Zhenzhen froze and asked Xiao Ba in her head, "Where did that affection come from?"
"It probably came from you leering at him," Xiao Ba replied matter-of-factly.
Qiao Zhenzhen: "…" I'm doomed.
In any case, after a day of anxiety the affection score had finally reached 280, so her effort hadn't been in vain. She spent 60 points to buy Chi Shen six months of life, leaving 220 points in reserve.
Although she wanted to pour everything into extending his life, each pause in time now cost far more points than the last. She had to save enough affection to deal with whatever came next.
Qiao sighed; her limbs felt heavy and fuzzy, but her mind was clear.
When the taxi pulled up at her house she took a deep breath, got out, and headed inside, already calculating how she would face her mother's fury.
Her mother must have started worrying the moment the driver hadn't been able to reach her at ten. It had been over three hours, she was probably about to explode. Qiao Zhenzhen decided she had to act decent when she came in and not make her mom angrier.
With that in mind, Qiao Zhenzhen steadied herself, pushed open the door, and walked in with a fearless expression.
The living room was quiet. Qin Jing sat on the sofa with a stern face; when she heard the door she felt anger surge up, sneered as she looked toward the entrance and was just about to start scolding, only to see Qiao Zhenzhen's eyes redden as she ran toward her, sobbing.
Qiao Zhenzhen had planned to take the scolding calmly, but the moment she saw her mother all the day's fear and exhaustion burst out of her, grievances that felt like they spanned two lifetimes. She lost control, bit her lip, and threw herself into Qin Jing's arms, choking out, "Mom…"
Qin Jing held her, stunned. When her hands touched Qiao's cold, drenched body, her heart plummeted; the pain was so sharp it felt as if every bone in her body were breaking.
She patted Qiao's back with trembling hands, stammering as she tried to calm her: "Don't, don't cry. Just…don't cry for now…"
Qiao Zhenzhen heard the strain in her voice and scrambled out of her arms, tears still falling as she looked up with a plaintive face: "Mom."
"Tell me, are you" The thought of that possibility twisted Qin Jing's heart like a knife.
Qiao froze, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. "Are what?"
"Are you" Qin Jing couldn't bring herself to finish, her own eyes reddening.
Qiao finally understood and hurriedly waved her hands. "No, no. I'm fine. Nothing happened."
Qin Jing stared. "Really?"
"Really," Qiao Zhenzhen nodded quickly.
Qin Jing still looked unconvinced. She glanced around to make sure no one else was there, then went ahead and lifted her daughter's shirt.
Pale, soft, perfectly fine.
Rage flared up in Qin Jing and she slapped Qiao's tender belly. "If nothing's wrong, why are you crying? Trying to scare me to death?!"
Qiao Zhenzhen yelped in pain. Seeing her mother raise her hand again, she hurriedly backed away; all her sadness and tears vanished as she hid behind the coffee table and whined, "Can't I be a little upset?"
"You vanish in the middle of the night, what right do you have to be 'upset'?" Qin Jing snapped. "Do you know I just got back from the police station?!"
Qiao Zhenzhen pouted. "My phone died; I forgot to send you a message. I'm sorry, Mom."
"Don't give me that. Where were you in the middle of the night?!"
Qiao Zhenzhen rubbed her still-sore stomach. "You should ask Dad."
"What does your father have to do with this?" Qin Jing frowned.
Qiao Zhenzhen paused, then looked at her with a dawning realization. "You didn't tell him I was going to be late tonight?"
Qin Jing hesitated. "His phone was off, maybe he was busy with work."
What kind of work keeps you busy in the middle of the night? Qiao snorted.
Seeing the disdain on her daughter's face, Qin Jing couldn't help but frown. "What on earth happened?"
Qiao Zhenzhen came back to herself, pressed her lips together, and said nothing.
"What is going on? I'm asking you, Qiao Zhenzhen." Qin Jing's expression hardened.
Qiao Zhenzhen hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "Mom, do you remember Chi Shen?"
"Do you think I'm senile? He stayed at our place just the other night, how could I forget?" Qin Jing shot her a sideways look. "What does he have to do with this?"
"My father gave his family a sum of money and forced him to drop out," Qiao Zhenzhen said calmly.
Qin Jing was stunned.
"You know how his family treats him, they don't treat him like a person, otherwise they wouldn't have beaten him like that. After taking my father's money they forced Chi Shen to quit school. When he refused, they tied him up with rope and dragged him back to their hometown. I went to find him today.
When I found him he was at the school gate; he'd broken free from the ropes and walked seven or eight hours from his hometown. His wrists were rubbed raw, the wounds so pale and blistered there wasn't even a speck of blood.
He was born into that kind of family, if he stops going to school he'll never escape them for the rest of his life. Mom, what my father did, what's the difference between that and ruining his entire future?"
Qin Jing listened dazedly to her, and only after a long pause did she say in a small voice, "Your father isn't that kind of man..."
"The person who came to the school today to process the withdrawal was Chi Shen's father. Chi Shen himself didn't come. By our school's rules the student must come with the parent, and Chi Shen's father clearly violated that rule, but the homeroom teacher still signed for him. Do you know why?" Qiao Zhenzhen cut in.
Qin Jing looked at Qiao Zhenzhen's composed face and, almost reflexively, asked, "Why?"
"Because the grade coordinator called the homeroom teacher."
When Qiao Zhenzhen finished speaking, the living room fell quiet.
Qin Jing had been a housewife for many years and didn't know much about Qiao Jian's business, but because Qiao Zhenzhen attended that high school she did understand a little.
The senior-year coordinator was a longtime friend of Qiao Jian's and someone he had promoted. The moment Qiao Zhenzhen said it was him, Qin Jing was certain Qiao Jian was behind it.
Qin Jing sank into a longer silence. Only when Qiao Zhenzhen sneezed did she come back to herself. "Go upstairs and take a hot shower, don't catch a cold."
Qiao Zhenzhen nodded. "Okay."
"By the way... where's Chi Shen? Where is he now?" Qin Jing asked hesitantly.
Qiao Zhenzhen paused. "I found him a small motel. He's staying there for the night."
"All right, I know." Qin Jing nodded and urged her to go upstairs.
Qiao Zhenzhen agreed obediently, but as she climbed the stairs she couldn't help turning back to ask, "Mom, about Chi Shen..."
"Your father must have his reasons. Let me ask him first before I say anything." Qin Jing didn't promise anything immediately.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Qiao Zhenzhen's eyes, but she said nothing more and went upstairs with her head bowed.
After she went to her room, Qin Jing sat alone in the living room, and stayed there all evening.
At half past six, when the sun was up, Qiao Jian came back from outside. He saw her sitting alone as soon as he entered, tossed his coat onto the shoe cabinet, changed his shoes, and asked, "You called me last night?"
"Yes. Zhenzhen didn't get home until after midnight, and I couldn't reach her. I was worried, so I called you," Qin Jing said calmly.
Qiao Jian was silent for a moment. "Oh... really? I didn't check my phone. There was an impromptu international meeting late last night; I was busy until after four. If you couldn't reach me, why didn't you call my secretary? If it was urgent he'd have notified me."
"Why didn't you ask Zhenzhen where she was?" Qin Jing looked at him.
Qiao Jian hesitated, meeting her gaze with an odd, guilty look. "Why?"
"Because her father forced one of her classmates to withdraw, and she went to find him," Qin Jing said deliberately. "Aren't you going to explain?"
Qiao Jian was momentarily taken aback, then frowned. "What is there to explain? A poor kid, he had the nerve to set his sights on the Qiao family's daughter. I didn't just have him expelled; I gave him a sum of money he'll never earn in his life. That should be enough."
"Zhenzhen said there was no early romance, why don't you believe her?" Hearing him, Qin Jing finally lost her temper. "Even if there had been a relationship, so what? Zhenzhen knows her limits; she knows what's appropriate. What right do you have to expel that boy?"
"Because he's nothing but trash, and he had the nerve to lay a hand on my daughter!" Qiao Jian snapped.
Qin Jing suddenly turned cold. "Don't forget, you used to be the sort of 'trash' you just described."
"Qin Jing, what do you mean?!" Qiao Jian exploded.
Qin Jing's face was expressionless. "I mean, don't look down on people too much. Fortunes change, your family wasn't always where it is now. Didn't my father once not imagine you'd end up in the position you are today?"
"Whether your father wanted it or not is none of my business. If you regret marrying me, you should leave now, maybe the Qin family would take you back. Don't use this as an excuse to grandstand." In his fury, Qiao Jian blurted out words that hurt.
Qin Jing's eyes immediately filled with tears.
Qiao Jian took a deep breath. "In any case, it's done. Nothing anyone says will change it. He won't be staying in Chengde. If you have time to argue with me, you should spend it disciplining our daughter. You sit at home doing nothing all day, and when I worry about Zhenzhen you get upset."
For a second Qin Jing stared at the frantic, red-faced middle-aged man in front of her, and in that instant he seemed utterly hateful.
After a brief silence she spoke in a trembling voice, "Do you think I wanted to be a housewife?"
"So you didn't want it?" Qiao Jian said coldly. "While I'm working myself to death, what are you doing? Getting your nails and hair done, shopping for clothes, our daughter has basically been raised on her own. No wonder she can't measure up to the Zhaos..."
He cut himself off mid-sentence.
"Measure up to who?" Qin Jing's brow knitted.
Qiao Jian grabbed his clothes impatiently. "I don't have the energy to explain."
Seeing him about to leave, Qin Jing rushed forward to block him. "No, you won't go until this is settled."
"What is there to settle?" Qiao Jian's face went dark as she stopped him. "Fine. You don't want me involved? Think everything I do is wrong? Then handle it yourself. From today on, I'm done caring about her!"
With that he slammed the door and left.
Qin Jing took a deep breath and, exhausted, sank down to the floor by the shoe cabinet.
"Mom..."
Qin Jing's eyes moved toward the voice. On the stairs stood Qiao Zhenzhen, watching her with concern.
She smiled automatically and, without composing herself, stood up. "It's the weekend, why are you up so early?"
Qiao Zhenzhen pressed her lips together, walked over with aching legs, and wrapped her arms around her.
The smile on Qin Jing's face froze. After a long silence she patted her back. "It's all right. Your father and I just had a disagreement. We didn't have a fight."
Qiao Zhenzhen let go and looked at her quietly for a long moment before suddenly asking, "Mom, when you chose to be with Dad and severed ties with your father and brothers, for nearly twenty years, do you regret it?"
“Silly girl, what is there to regret? It was my decision,” Qin Jing scolded with a glance. “Besides, I’m doing fine now. Your father came through for us, he struck a major deal just after you were on the way. You and I haven’t wanted for anything all these years. Aren’t we lucky?”
Qiao Zhenzhen tried to return the smile but couldn’t quite: “You wouldn’t have had to marry him to be provided for. Don’t forget you’re the only daughter of the Qin family.”
“Why bring that up,” Qin Jing said, stroking her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll help sort things out with Chi Shen. The withdrawal paperwork takes about three days; when classes start I’ll go to the school with you, there’ll still be time.”
Watching her feigned composure, Qiao Zhenzhen felt a fierce ache in her chest and, after a long moment, gave a bitter smile. “Mom, I really feel like Dad isn’t the same with us as he used to be.”
This time, Qin Jing didn’t argue.
Qiao Zhenzhen exhaled in relief, though her feelings were mixed. If she could she would have told her mother about Qiao Jian’s affair right away, but her better judgment held her back.
In her previous life, Qin Jing had been blinded by the illusion of a harmonious family and utterly unprepared for Qiao Jian’s infidelity; when Zhao Ying appeared she was shattered and never recovered. Afraid of history repeating itself, Qiao Zhenzhen planned to proceed slowly, peel away the facade of harmony bit by bit, then gradually reveal the truth about Qiao Jian.
She wanted to protect her mother as much as possible and keep the hurt to a minimum.
Qin Jing didn’t know what was on her mind, but hearing the slight grievance in her voice left a sour feeling. “Your father probably won’t be back these days. Bring Chi Shen to our house, he’s injured, isn’t he? He needs someone to take care of him.”
Qiao Zhenzhen’s heart leapt, but then she shook her head. “I’m afraid he won’t be comfortable.”
“What’s there to be uncomfortable about? Give me the address and I’ll have the driver pick him up,” Qin Jing said, reaching for her phone.
“I’ll go get him,” Qiao Zhenzhen hurriedly said.
Qin Jing shot her a sideways glance. “Your leg doesn’t hurt?”
Qiao Zhenzhen let out an awkward laugh. “Of course it hurts, how could it not? But I won’t be walking far. I can manage picking him up.”
Qin Jing studied her carefully, then after a long look asked, “Qiao Zhenzhen, be honest with me, you're not seeing someone, are you?”
“No.” Qiao Zhenzhen answered at once.
Qin Jing narrowed her eyes. “Then why are you so worried about him?”
Qiao Zhenzhen was silent for a second. “I just want to be kind to him.”
Qin Jing paused, realization dawning. “I get it, an unrequited crush.”
Qiao Zhenzhen: “...” No, really, it’s not like that.
“Whether it’s a teenage romance or a crush, I don’t care. I’m not as old-fashioned as your father, but I’m not permissive either. If you do anything foolish, I will deal with you,” Qin Jing warned.
Qiao Zhenzhen immediately nodded. “Understood, Mom. I absolutely won’t.”
After a moment’s hesitation she added, “Not until university, okay?”
Qin Jing snorted, but before she could reply Qiao Zhenzhen limped away. Watching her scuttle like a little crab, Qin Jing couldn’t help but laugh through tears. Then she looked up at the family portrait hanging in the living room and her smile faded.
There was no morning rush on Sunday. Qiao Zhenzhen sat in the family car and drove straight to the little guesthouse without a hitch.
“Miss, which room is your classmate in? I can go up and call him,” the driver asked kindly.
“No need, I’ll go myself.”
Qiao Zhenzhen climbed out of the car and, leaning on her stiff legs, headed up the stairs.
The shabby guesthouse was in an old walk-up with no elevator, and Chi Shen lived on the fourth floor. It took her a long time to climb up. She’d only just reached his door when it opened.
Chi Shen was still wearing the clothes from yesterday, though they looked washed and dried.
She blinked. “How did you know I was coming?”
“Your footsteps,” Chi Shen said, watching her.
Qiao Zhenzhen smiled. “You’re pretty sharp. Come with me.”
“Okay.” Chi Shen agreed and stepped outside.
Qiao Zhenzhen was surprised. “Not asking where we’re going?”
Chi Shen was silent.
“...Aren’t you afraid I’ll sell you off?” she laughed, half-crying. “My mom asked me to bring you home. Do you want to go? If not, we can get another hotel, I brought my ID today and can book a decent room.”
Then she added, “If you come to my house you don’t have to worry, my dad isn’t home. It’ll just be me and my mom.”
Chi Shen pressed his lips together, met her hopeful eyes, and after a brief pause nodded silently.
Qiao Zhenzhen’s face brightened; with eyes curved in a smile she walked beside him, but as they began to descend the stairs her smile suddenly disappeared.
Her legs, exhausted from yesterday’s overexertion, had already found climbing up difficult; she assumed going down would be easier, but it hurt even more. After only two steps a fierce wave of aching numbness shot through her legs and she nearly dropped to her knees.
Fortunately Chi Shen caught her in time.
Qiao Zhenzhen grabbed his arm and looked up, falling into his calm eyes.
She was silent for three seconds. “You walked so far yesterday, don’t your legs hurt?”
“No.” Chi Shen replied.
“Not sore at all?” Qiao Zhenzhen asked, doubting it.
Chi Shen nodded seriously.
Qiao Zhenzhen straightened up and, not giving him time to answer, jabbed his leg. Chi Shen’s expression shifted subtly.
“Why try to be tough?” she teased, and the pale skin at the base of Chi Shen’s neck flushed red.
After fussing on the stairs for a while, by the time they got into the car and returned home an hour had passed. Waiting for them at home were not only Qin Jing but also a doctor.
“Auntie,” Chi Shen said, taking the initiative.
“Go lie down on the bed and let the doctor check your wounds,” Qin Jing said; seeing him arrive she didn’t bother with small talk and went straight to help him.
“Yes, yes, have a look. My bandaging wasn’t very good,” Qiao Zhenzhen added hastily, helping him as well.
Chi Shen was supported on either side by two women and led straight into the bedroom he'd stayed in before, then pushed down onto a bed he'd never slept on.
The doctor followed in and helped unwrap the crooked bandages on his hands.
After a night's rest the wounds were no longer white and swollen, but the ghastly marks remained, twisted and unsettling. Qin Jing covered her mouth at the sight, her chest tightening with distress.
"Not too serious, but it'll definitely scar," the doctor sighed as he cleaned the wounds again.
His technique was more professional than Qiao Zhenzhen's, and harsher too; he clipped away the raised skin with scissors. Qiao Zhenzhen and Qin Jing watched with pained faces, but Chi Shen remained calm, letting the doctor do as he pleased.
Because Chi Shen cooperated so readily, both wrists were treated quickly. The doctor gave him a brief check, and once he was satisfied there was nothing else wrong, he prepared to leave.
"Wait," Qiao Zhenzhen called, then turned to Chi Shen. "Take your shoes off, let me see your feet."
She'd only walked a few laps around the village yesterday and gotten a blister; Chi Shen had walked all the way from the village to the school in cheap shoes. Even if his feet looked fine today, she was worried.
Sure enough, a flicker of hesitation passed through Chi Shen's eyes, but when Qiao Zhenzhen insisted he bowed his head and took his shoes off.
When both shoes were off, Qin Jing couldn't help a gasp; her eyes brimmed with tears. Qiao Zhenzhen's chest tightened too, she felt guilty seeing the blisters on his feet torn and bloody.
We should have seen this yesterday, only remembering now meant he'd suffered for nothing!
Chi Shen looked at their worried faces, paused, and said calmly, "It doesn't hurt."
"As if it doesn't!" Qiao Zhenzhen shot him a sideways look and begged the doctor to treat his feet.
The doctor reopened his kit and began treating the blisters on Chi Shen's feet. Many were already raw; after cleaning them with hydrogen peroxide he started cutting away the dead skin.
The wounds oozed a mixture of blood and pus and were more disturbing to treat than his wrists had been. Qin Jing couldn't bear to watch and finally turned away.
Qiao Zhenzhen sat by Chi Shen, biting her lip, and silently took his hand.
Chi Shen had been frowning against the pain, but when the soft hand covered the back of his hand his thoughts drifted uncontrollably. Only when she let go did he belatedly realize the wounds were already dressed.
His feet were wrapped in the same white bandage, covering the mottled wounds, somehow it looked tidier.
After the doctor left Qin Jing looked at him again and sighed. "This is your uncle's fault. Auntie apologizes on his behalf."
"...It's okay." No elder had ever spoken to him so calmly; he wasn't used to it and didn't know how to reply.
Fortunately Qiao stepped in to help him: "Mom, don't worry, he doesn't hold a grudge. Right now we just need to deal with his withdrawal from school."
"Yes, this is important," Qin Jing forced a smile and ruffled Chi Shen's hair. "Don't worry, I’ll go to the school tomorrow and I’ll make sure it's sorted."
"Thank you." Chi Shen nodded awkwardly.
Qin Jing looked like she wanted to say more, but Qiao tugged her away. Halfway out, she turned and mouthed to Chi Shen: Get some rest.
Chi Shen watched her quietly; only when the door blocked his view did he lower his eyes. He sat still for a long time, then slowly lay down. He thought he might feel strange on a soft, unfamiliar bed, but he fell asleep quickly and slept until dusk.
Qiao Zhenzhen wasn't any different; exhausted from yesterday, she finally allowed herself to rest and fell straight asleep the moment she hit the mattress.
They woke at around the same time and saw Qin Jing bringing dinner in; after they ate she went back to sleep.
At eighteen the body heals fast, after getting plenty of sleep their exhaustion vanished and they were fully restored and brimming with energy.
On Monday morning Qin Jing didn't have the driver take them, she drove them to school herself.
Qiao Zhenzhen knew Qin Jing was going to speak to the principal about withdrawing him and refused to attend morning study; she insisted on tailing her. Chi Shen followed Qiao Zhenzhen without a word. Qin Jing had no choice but to take them along. Fortunately Qiao Zhenzhen was sensible; she didn't go into the principal’s office but waited outside with Chi Shen for the outcome.
"Don't worry, my mom is here, everything will be fine," Qiao said when Chi Shen stayed silent, "I'm still counting on you to teach me."
Chi Shen awkwardly lifted the corner of his mouth and gave her a smile.
Qiao Zhenzhen laughed. "Where'd you learn that? It's so stiff. If you don't want to smile, then don't."
Chi Shen instantly went expressionless.
Qiao Zhenzhen laughed even more, until she caught sight of Qin Jing emerging from the principal’s office. She hurried over and asked, "Well? What happened?"
"They need a parent to cancel the withdrawal application," Qin Jing said, then looked at Chi Shen. "Where do your family live? I'll go talk to your father."
"We'll go with you!" Qiao Zhenzhen quickly said.
Qin Jing shot her a look. "Don't butt in, go back to class!"
"No, his father is fierce. I can't let you go alone," Qiao Zhenzhen insisted.
Chi Shen was silent for a moment. "I'll go talk to him," he said.
"You're coming too?" Qin Jing glared indiscriminately. "What use are two little kids? Go back to class."
"I'm not good at studying, missing a few classes doesn't matter; he's even less bothered, he'd still be first in the grade even if he skipped a month," Qiao Zhenzhen said with a cheeky grin. "So it's fine to miss a few classes."
Qin Jing stared at her righteously self-assured face as if she wanted to pry her head open to see what made her like that. Qiao Zhenzhen seized the moment to pull her out the door; after a glance at Chi Shen he immediately followed.
The three of them went straight to the snack street. When they arrived the fish stall was surprisingly open, though there wasn't much left inside; the bald man was busy sorting through the last batch of scrap.
When he saw Chi Shen, he sneered. “Oh, so you remembered to come back.”
He glanced mockingly over at Qin Jing and Qiao Zhenzhen. “What’s this, brought company? Gonna get someone to fight your corner for you?”
“You must be Chi Shen’s guardian, right? I’m Qiao Zhenzhen’s mother. I came to talk,” Qin Jing said, a smile at the corner of her mouth, pretending not to notice his rudeness.
At the mention of her identity, the bald man hesitated and narrowed his eyes.
Ten minutes later, they were seated in the shop.
Even though all the chickens, ducks and fish had been dealt with, the place still smelled strongly of blood and fish. Qin Jing, elegant and out of place amid it all, showed no hint of disgust. She spoke directly about why she’d come, and before he could frown she said, “Don’t worry, I won’t demand the money Qiao Jian gave you back, but you must withdraw the application to pull him out of school and let Chi Shen continue his studies.”
At the mention of not wanting the money, the bald man relaxed instantly. He leaned back in the rattan chair and appraised Qin Jing with bluster, clicking his tongue after a long moment. “We don’t have the money to send him to school,” he said.
“I’ll pay,” Qin Jing said plainly.
Qiao Zhenzhen’s eyes widened in surprise, and Chi Shen blinked in astonishment. “Auntie…”
“Don’t feel burdened, you’re top of your grade and your future’s bright. Afraid you can’t manage a little tuition?” Qin Jing smiled at him.
Chi Shen pressed his lips together; a frown was forming.
The bald man looked from one to the other, sat up a bit straighter, and said with proud insolence, “He’s my son. If some outsider pays for his schooling, what will people think of me? Besides, his tuition’s waived and he gets scholarships on big exams. You don’t need to pay a thing, why should I let you fund his education?”
“Because you already took my father’s money and forbade him from going to school” Qiao Zhenzhen said expressionless.
The bald man clicked his tongue. “I’ve already taken the money; whether he goes or not doesn’t affect me. Why would I let him accept your so‑called charity and be talked about for no reason?”
“You…” Qiao Zhenzhen frowned.
Qin Jing patted her hand and, looking calmly at the bald man, asked, “So what do you suggest we do?”
“How about this: you give me some compensation for the damage to my reputation, call it emotional distress, and then I’ll let you sponsor Chi Shen’s schooling. How’s that?” the bald man asked obsequiously.
Chi Shen’s gaze went ice‑cold.
“You mean you’re extorting us!” Qiao Zhenzhen snapped, irritated.
The bald man sneered, pleased with himself, and fished a glass from the corner. He filled it at the tap and drank it in one gulp. “If you don’t want to, then leave, Chi Shen’s coming back to our hometown with me anyway.”
“You…”
Qiao Zhenzhen sprang to her feet, but her wrist was suddenly seized. She froze, then turned to see Chi Shen holding her.
“You and Auntie go outside,” Chi Shen said slowly.
Qiao Zhenzhen frowned. “Chi Shen…”
Chi Shen looked at her calmly; his eyes were black as bottomless whirlpools.
“I’ll come out as soon as I’ve finished talking,” Qin Jing said, of course she wouldn’t leave him alone with the bald man.
Chi Shen kept staring at Qiao Zhenzhen. She, as if under a spell, suddenly lowered her head and tugged on Qin Jing’s sleeve. “It’s fine, let’s go outside and let them talk.”
Qin Jing hesitated for a moment, then, seeing Qiao Zhenzhen insist, had no choice but to step outside first.
No sooner had they stepped out than the rolling shutter came down behind them. Qiao Zhenzhen’s heart tightened; she looked at Qin Jing worriedly. “Mom, he won’t hit Chi Shen, will he?”
“How would I know?” Qin Jing shot her a sideways glance. “If you’re worried, why did you ask me to come out?”
“…I don’t know either.” When Chi Shen had glanced at her earlier, she’d had an inexplicable feeling he could handle it, and she’d gone out before she could stop herself.
Now she could only pray her intuition was right, Qiao Zhenzhen sighed.
Inside the storefront, with the shutter down, the room grew suddenly dark. Chi Shen hung the lock on the door and checked that it couldn’t be opened from the outside, then turned and walked deeper into the room.
The bald man shot him a contemptuous look. “Don’t think you can shake me off just because you’ve hooked up with a rich woman. I’m still your father, don’t get that twisted.”
Chi Shen kept his eyes down and walked quietly to the tap. A glass sat in the sink, half full of water.
“I’ll ask them for money in a bit, help me out. Those two ladies are soft‑hearted; maybe we’ll squeeze another sum out of them, and your tuition will be covered. Two birds with one stone,” the bald man said, spit flecking his lips as he got excited.
Sunlight leaked through the window slats and fell across Chi Shen’s handsome features. Head bowed, he gripped the glass in his hand.
“I’m talking to you, answer me!” the bald man barked. After ranting for a while and realizing he was the only one speaking, his brow creased.
But Chi Shen remained motionless, back turned.
Finally losing patience, the bald man roughly shoved him. The dark, fat hand touched Chi Shen’s shoulder, and at that instant a sharp cracking sound split the air. He froze, and before he could react a force hit him. He was knocked to the floor, the pain making the fat on his face tremble.
“You son of a”
Before he could finish, a shard of broken glass flashed before his eye. Terrified, his face drained of color. “Chi Shen, what are you doing? I’m your father, ”
“Don’t touch them.” Chi Shen’s eyes were ink‑black, like a demon born without human feeling; there was no softness in his voice.
Meeting that gaze, the bald man belatedly felt fear. “Put the glass down…”
“Withdraw the application to leave school before noon, or, ” Chi Shen’s voice was rough and hoarse, a stark contrast to his unnaturally delicate face; a dark, sickly aura seemed to radiate from him. “I’m not afraid to die. I hope you aren’t either.”
The bald man’s pupils dilated; a cold sweat broke out across his back.
Just as the standoff held, Qiao Zhenzhen’s voice came from outside the shutter: “Chi Shen, are you done? Hurry up and come out.”
Chi Shen gripped the glass so tightly his fingers were cut, though he hardly noticed. The bald man stood frozen, too tense to move.
After a long moment, Chi Shen set the glass down and walked to the door with an expressionless face.
The rolling shutter rose and sunlight poured into the little shop, driving away the darkness. Standing in the light, he looked like a pale, fragile boy.
Qiao Zhenzhen ran over, worried. "He didn't hit you, did he?"
Chi Shen watched her quietly and, after a moment, gave a faint shake of his head.