Ever since becoming a girl, Jiang Lai appeared so slender, pale, and delicate. She lacked any sense of aggression, making it easy for others to let their guard down. Her personality seemed incredibly gentle, a blend of innocence and raw desire that created a unique charm.
It was impossible to associate Jiang Lai with the word “aggressive,” which was why her current position — sitting astride Si Yina — was so hard to believe.
Whether exhausted from the physical exertion or sheer anger, Jiang Lai was panting heavily. Her chest rose and fell violently. Her slender, beautiful hands showed purplish veins from being clenched so tightly. Every blow she landed had been delivered with her full strength.
Jiang Lai wasn’t worried about seriously injuring Si Yina. She had targeted areas that were painful but non-vital. Even if a doctor examined those spots or if they required stitches, no major organs would be affected.
Jiang Lai had learned this odd bit of trivia from her sister-in-law. In any service-oriented industry, staying long enough meant witnessing the diversity and absurdity of the human race.
During the time she had helped out, the things she experienced were enough to reshape her worldview. One incident that stuck with her most was a street brawl.
The court had already ruled on compensation for that case, but the plaintiff was dissatisfied and appealed again, specifically hiring a lawyer to demand more in medical fees.
When she first took on the case, Jiang Lai had been surprised. ‘If it was a mutual fight, both parties were at fault. They should both feel in the wrong, so why continue the appeal?’
The moment she met the plaintiff, her doubts vanished. The person had truly been beaten miserably. Even though one week had passed since the fight, their face and body were still covered in bruises. It was still painful to the touch.
Yet, even in such a pitiable state, the injuries were legally classified as “minor.” Jiang Lai had been curious about the case and learned a few things, never expecting she would use that knowledge now.
Si Yina had been beaten quite badly. Initially, she remained stubbornly silent, but Jiang Lai wasn’t about to let her off so easily. While there wasn’t much hope for escape, Jiang Lai felt a deep sense of satisfaction being able to make the other woman suffer.
When Si Yina could no longer endure the pain and let out a cry of agony, the bodyguards could no longer stand by. They rushed forward and pulled the fierce Jiang Lai aside.
Even with her arms held by two female bodyguards and unable to break free, Jiang Lai continued to glare venomously at Si Yina. Her tone was bone-chillingly cold, making even the bodyguards shudder.
“Let us go now, and I can choose not to pursue what happened today. But if you continue down this path, I will make you pay the price you deserve sooner or later.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Si Yina struggled to climb up from the ground. She touched her nose and saw bright red blood. The obsession and stubbornness in her heart reached a breaking point after that beating.
Although she still wanted to do something to Jiang Lai, her current state was too pathetic. If she didn’t clean herself up, things would only get worse. She hated to interrupt the process, but her body could no longer support her.
“Tie their hands and lock them in the room. No one is allowed to leave without my order. Do not give them a single bite of food or a drop of water.”
Si Yina looked at the blood on her hands. ‘When have I ever been this pathetic?’ As she headed to the bathroom to wash the messy blood from her face and hands, the phone in her pocket rang at an inopportune moment.
Even without looking, Si Yina knew the only person calling right now would be her mother.
She didn’t want to admit it, but the reality was that her mother could track her every move if she wanted to. It was something she simply couldn’t avoid.
Si Yina knew that if she didn’t answer, her mother would come straight to her door. Weighing the pros and cons, she quickly rinsed her hands and answered. The moment the call connected, she heard her mother’s questioning voice.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but my dear daughter, listen to your mother and let those two girls go. If you do, I can help you minimize the consequences. We can pretend none of this ever happened. There are many beautiful girls in this world. Don’t get yourself hung up on just one tree, okay?”
“Mom, this is the thing I want to do most. If I don’t see it through, it will stay stuck in my heart like a thorn. There is no turning back now.”
“You used to be so obedient…”
Si Yina could hear her mother crying on the other end. But even facing her own mother’s tears, Si Yina felt not a shred of worry or guilt.
“Stop worrying about those people for a moment. Come home so we can talk properly, alright?”
“But like you said, that was the old me. The current me only wants to do what I want. I just hope you won’t stop me.”
Finishing her sentence, Si Yina hung up before her mother could respond. She turned the faucet back on to wash the remaining blood from her skin.
***
Perhaps it was because she had hit their boss, or perhaps because she had been making their jobs difficult, but after her hands and feet were tied, Jiang Lai was thrown directly into the room.
The moment she landed, her back slammed hard against the wall. The pain made her grit her teeth as she watched Shen Ruxue about to be thrown in as well.
“Be gentle with her, please?”
Jiang Lai’s plea fell on deaf ears. Watching Shen Ruxue being tossed in, Jiang Lai used her own body as a cushion, letting the girl land safely against her. She only felt relieved after ensuring the child hadn’t been bruised or bumped.
‘This girl is younger than my own daughter, yet she has been dragged into this unnecessary conflict because of my mess.’
Jiang Lai didn’t know what she would face next, but no matter what happened, she wanted to protect Shen Ruxue.
Under Jiang Lai’s incredibly gentle gaze, Shen Ruxue, who had been unconscious until now, slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Jiang Lai’s beautiful, worry-filled face.