Jiang Lai, Jiang Lai, Jiang Lai… my husband…
Shen Ruxue repeated the name over and over in her mind, her every thought consumed by the person beside her. She had imagined their reunion in countless ways, preparing herself for even the worst possible outcomes, but now they had finally met again.
Their appearances had changed beyond recognition; everything was different. Until now, she could only find traces of the man she loved within the tiny details of this woman’s behavior.
Shen Ruxue felt a desperate urge to pour out her heart, to tell Jiang Lai how much she had missed her, but looking at their current state, the words died in her throat. This was not the time. Moreover, Jiang Lai didn’t recognize her at all. The two people who should have been the most intimate in the world now sat together like strangers.
As she listened to Jiang Lai humming that familiar nursery rhyme, Shen Ruxue’s heart sank further. She didn’t even know how to lift her head to face her. Perhaps resting on Jiang Lai’s lap was the only choice she had for now.
Jiang Lai, looking down at the quiet Shen Ruxue resting on her thighs, felt a heavy weight on her mind as well. Although she knew people outside must be searching for them, she was certain that Si Yina wouldn’t give up so easily after going to such lengths.
She was terrified that the madwoman would try to take them down with her. Jiang Lai didn’t care much if she herself got hurt, but she was worried about Shen Ruxue. If anything happened to the girl, how could she ever face the person who had protected her daughter?
But with no way to contact the outside world, Jiang Lai felt like a sitting duck. She let out a soft sigh, testing the ropes around her wrists again. The outer material was soft, felt-like—the kind designed not to leave bright red chafing marks—but she could feel the core. This wasn’t something she could fray by rubbing; it was a metal lock. Escape was a pipe dream.
All she could do was mentally prepare for the worst. She resolved that whatever happened, Shen Ruxue’s safety came first, and her own second.
Just as Jiang Lai was wondering how that bastard Si Yina planned to deal with her, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway. She looked up just as the door swung open.
Seeing a freshly cleaned-up Si Yina, Jiang Lai’s eyes filled with contempt and loathing. If the woman across from her had any shred of integrity—if she could fulfill a promise like a normal human being—Jiang Lai wouldn’t hate her this much. A villain can still be honorable; the person before her was nothing but a petty coward.
Jiang Lai looked away, refusing to even acknowledge her with a direct gaze. Si Yina, seeing the defiant look, didn’t get angry. She simply watched Jiang Lai’s “performance” with a cold, quiet intensity.
The moment Si Yina stepped into the room, Shen Ruxue sat up from Jiang Lai’s lap. She moved to confront the woman, but Jiang Lai instinctively pulled her back, shielding her.
Si Yina smiled as she approached the fierce-looking Jiang Lai. To her, Jiang Lai was already a canary in a cage; whatever happened next would be entirely up to her.
“Let me out now, and there’s still room for negotiation. If you don’t, you can imagine the consequences.”
“But I don’t want to,” Si Yina replied. “Since I’ve gone this far, I’m prepared for the consequences. But not before I achieve my goal.”
She reached out to straighten Jiang Lai’s messy hair, her fingertips lingering to stroke Jiang Lai’s skin. “I’m not letting you go until I get what I want this time.”
Jiang Lai felt the hand wandering over her face. It was a beautiful hand, but it made her skin crawl with a visceral, physical nausea. As the hand moved toward her lips, Jiang Lai lunged forward. Before anyone could react, she bit down hard on Si Yina’s finger.
Though it didn’t draw blood, she broke the skin. Jiang Lai felt a surge of triumph. It was exactly what the woman deserved; she had given her a warning, yet Si Yina refused to repent.
“You brought this on yourself. I will never do what you want, and you’ll get nothing of value from me.”
Si Yina clutched her hand, her face tightening. She couldn’t understand why, even in such a crisis, Jiang Lai refused to submit. Was it really that hard to bow her head?
“It doesn’t matter,” Si Yina said, her voice laced with suppressed rage. She signaled the female bodyguards to haul Jiang Lai up and take her to another room. According to her investigation, Shen Ruxue had only just turned eighteen; some things were better left unseen by a child.
It wasn’t an act of mercy. Si Yina simply didn’t want anyone else to witness what was about to happen. In her mind, Jiang Lai belonged solely to her.
Shen Ruxue watched as they dragged Jiang Lai away. There was no way she was going to sit there helplessly. After what happened on the resort island, she knew exactly what Si Yina intended to do.
She would never allow it. She would not let anyone bully or humiliate her Jiang Lai. She hadn’t been able to protect him before, but now was her chance.
Despite her hands and feet being bound, she forced herself to her feet. She didn’t aim for the bodyguards; they were just following orders. The culprit was Si Yina.
Shen Ruxue couldn’t take it anymore. She hopped forward, launched herself into the air, and kicked Si Yina squarely to the ground.
She didn’t believe Si Yina would dare do anything to her. She knew she was a “nobody” within her own family, but to the outside world, she still represented the family’s face. Besides, she was entirely in the right here. Even if she kicked this bastard into the hospital, she would be fine.
“If you want to take her, you have to go through me first!”