Chapter 41: By what right should I forgive you on his behalf?

As Jiang Zi stepped into the room, she saw a suitcase on the floor and luggage being packed nearby.

"Are you leaving?"

"I’ve offended you Jiangs; how could I possibly dare to stay in Qingcheng any longer?" Liu Qing replied while continuing to pack.

Jiang Zi sighed softly and said, "You don't have to go. My sister didn't say she was going to target you, and I certainly won't."

Liu Qing sneered, "Easier said than done. Your sister has already cost me my job. Who knows what she'll do next?"

"What?!"

Jiang Zi froze, her expression turning awkward. "How could my sister be like that? That’s just being unreasonable and indiscriminate!"

"Oh! You're quite different today from how you were at the cemetery, aren't you? What’s the matter? Did you finally find your conscience?" Liu Qing mocked.

Jiang Zi curled her lip. "I really didn't mean anything by it. Chu Jianghe is a good person; I only know that now, and I wanted to come and help you."

Liu Qing did not appreciate the gesture. "That’s quite unnecessary. I can’t afford to offend you Jiangs, but I can at least avoid you."

Jiang Zi had a temper too. She felt that after she had lowered herself to this point, she shouldn't be met with such a cold shoulder.

"Liu Qing, is this really necessary? I came to see you in person, wanting to have a proper talk and help you resolve the situation with Chu Jianghe. Even if you don't want my help, you don't have to look at me with such disdain, do you?"

Liu Qing turned her head, stared coldly at Jiang Zi, and spoke with added emphasis:

"Listen, you know exactly how you treated Chu Jianghe back then, don't you?"

"Now, what right do I have to forgive you on behalf of Chu Jianghe?"

Jiang Zi lowered her head, her gaze drifting, not daring to meet Liu Qing’s eyes. She furrowed her brows and let out a faint sigh. "I know, I know all of it. Over the years, I never gave Chu Jianghe a kind look, I always looked down on him, and I misunderstood him all along."

"Misunderstood?"

Liu Qing let out a cold laugh. "Miss Jiang, how can you call it a misunderstanding? None of you Jiangs are good people. You’re just like your sister—heartless, cruel wretches."

Liu Qing’s words were harsh. She rarely cursed, which showed just how furious she was. Indeed, the person she had loved for so long had been tortured like that and ultimately hounded to death. If I were in her shoes, I would be just as enraged.

Jiang Zi, of course, had a temper of her own—one no less fiery than Jiang Yue's. Hearing this, she couldn't control herself any longer. "Liu Qing, what do you mean by that? I came here with good intentions to talk about Chu Jianghe, did you really need to take this attitude?"

Liu Qing replied coldly, "The attitude you had toward Chu Jianghe back then was probably much worse than mine is now, wasn't it? Did he say anything?"

Jiang Zi hung her head, her lips trembling, unable to utter another word.

Liu Qing immediately went to open the door and pointed outside. "Get out! Get out of here!"

***

Jiang Zi said no more; after all, she had her own pride and was not about to grovel before Liu Qing.

After chasing Jiang Zi away, Liu Qing slammed the door shut and went back to packing her suitcase.

She had just finished loading the last of her things when a knock sounded at the door again.

Liu Qing opened it impatiently. "Jiang Zi, are you annoying or what? I told you to get out, why are you—"

Before she could finish, Liu Qing stopped, her expression stiffening as she stared at the stranger standing outside.

"Who... who are you?" Liu Qing instinctively took a step back.

Hidden behind the door was a kitchen knife. She kept it for self-defense, knowing full well that she was in danger. The man at the door was none other than the one who had been with Cheng Jun at the bar that day. I remembered his name was Li Feng.

But what was he doing here? Liu Qing didn't even know him!

It was over. This must have been arranged by that bastard Cheng Jun. Liu Qing was in danger!

Li Feng stepped inside. Seeing Liu Qing reach for the knife behind the door, he immediately lunged forward and grabbed her arm.

"Hey, beautiful! What’s all this?"

"Let go! Let me go... what do you want? Who are you?" Liu Qing struggled, but no matter what, she was no match for him.

Li Feng leered. "A pretty girl home alone, aren't you lonely? Why don't I keep you company?"

Catching him off guard, Liu Qing broke free and slapped him across the face. This only ignited Li Feng’s temper. He glared at her, closing in step by step, muttering vile, unrepeatable things.

Pressed into a corner, Liu Qing’s eyes were filled with fear and helplessness. Li Feng grabbed her arm again, his grip so tight she couldn't escape.

"Please, let me go!" Liu Qing begged, her voice thick with tears. "I can give you money, just don't do anything!"

Li Feng showed no mercy; instead, he laughed even more arrogantly. "Do you think I look like someone who needs money?"

"We have no grudge between us. If you just want to satisfy your urges, I can give you some money—go find a prostitute."

Liu Qing was remarkably composed; most people would have been paralyzed with fear by now. Though she was clearly terrified, she was trying to handle the situation calmly. Li Feng, naturally, wasn't here for sex. He didn't even know her, and it certainly wasn't about money.

There was only one reason!

***

That bastard Cheng Jun—even after Liu Qing admitted she was leaving Qingcheng, he still wouldn't let her go.

I was frantic, screaming at the top of my lungs, but they couldn't hear me.

Li Feng grinned lewdly. "Pretty girl, you're so beautiful, why would I bother with a prostitute? If you’re obedient, I’ll be gentle. If you can't fight back, just cooperate!"

Disgusting!

I jumped and kicked at him, but it was useless; my body passed straight through his. I was desperate, feeling as if ants were crawling all over me, yet I was utterly powerless.

Liu Qing tried her best to maintain her composure. "I hope you understand that this is against the law."

"Do you dare call the police? Aren't you afraid I'll silence you?" Li Feng threatened.

Seeing Liu Qing fall silent, Li Feng reached out, lifted her chin with his right hand, and teased, "I said, as long as you cooperate, I’ll make sure you suffer less."

With that, his hand began to move downward. Liu Qing’s entire body was rigid, trembling visibly, yet she kept her expression calm.

"Brother, you're still young. If you're coming after me, you must have been following me for a while. You should know what kind of person I am."

"What I want to say is, why go to such lengths? And even if you force yourself on me, if I don't cooperate, do you really think you'll enjoy it?"

Liu Qing truly had nerves of steel. In such a situation, she could still speak with such cool-headedness. I knew what she was doing—trying to distract Li Feng and talk him down. Her approach was correct; it was best not to provoke him, and solving this with wits was the better path.

Yet, I was pacing in circles, helpless. Watching Liu Qing being bullied by this bastard was worse than death.

Li Feng, while groping her, said with a playful tone, "Hey, pretty girl, I really don't want to do this either."

"But I have no choice. Someone told me to do it, and if I don't, he’ll get rid of me."

"So, bear with it. It’ll be over soon."

As he spoke, Li Feng pulled Liu Qing into his arms...