Chapter 43: I’m Just a Joke

Before Liu Qing could speak, Jiang Zi said again, "I know what you are going to say next, but I want to tell you that the way I treated Chu Jianghe before was because I didn't understand him at all.

He has done so much for me, and now I understand the kind of person he is. If I were still like before, I wouldn't have come to look for you today, nor would I have risked my life to save you just now."

"Do you know how terrified I was? I'm still shaking."

Jiang Zi was not lying; she was truly frightened, her eyes still filled with lingering fear.

Liu Qing finally calmed down, sat back down, and said in a deep voice, "Then what do you want now?"

"I don't want anything. What I wanted to know, I already know."

"Cheng Jun is utter scum! If Chu Jianghe was really killed by him, he must be brought to justice!"

Liu Qing gave a bitter laugh and said, "Your sister likes him so much. Aren't you going against your sister by doing this?"

Jiang Zi smiled coldly, her voice filled with despair: "I used to idolize my sister so much, but now I feel she doesn't deserve to be my sister."

"Chu Jianghe liked her for so many years, willing to do everything for her, even giving his heart to her."

"Yet how did she treat Chu Jianghe? I am well aware of it."

"At her house, Chu Jianghe had zero dignity. He lived worse than a servant in her family."

"I used to bully him in all sorts of ways too, thinking he only fancied our family's wealth and agreed to become our matrilocal husband."

"But I was led astray by my sister! My sister was always bad-mouthing him, saying he had no ambition, that he spent all day at home studying food and trying to curry favor with her."

"So I thought he really was that despicable. But it wasn't until now that I gradually learned he is nothing like what my sister described."

"He originally had a bright future ahead of him, but because he loved my sister, he gave up everything."

"Where can you find a man like that? Why can't I ever meet one?"

After listening to Jiang Zi, Liu Qing smiled faintly: "Consider that you still have a bit of conscience left."

"So stop being so guarded against me. I am not like my sister."

"Alright, I get it."

Liu Qing stood up once again: "It's getting late, you should hurry back yourself!"

"Besides, don't mention today's events to anyone."

"Why?" Jiang Zi asked, confused.

"If you talk, you're done for. Remember my words!"

Jiang Zi stood up as well and said to Liu Qing, "You're in great danger too! Where are you going?"

"That's none of your concern." With that, Liu Qing turned around and walked away.

Jiang Zi stood in place, dazed for a moment, and then chased after her.

"Let me find you a place to stay! You must be in great danger right now, and Cheng Jun will definitely come looking for you again."

"No need, just take care of yourself," Liu Qing said coldly, continuing to walk forward.

Jiang Zi continued to follow her, saying, "I'm being sincere. Can you not be so cold? Let's cooperate and get to the bottom of Chu Jianghe's death. I really won't harm you."

Liu Qing said nothing and kept walking.

Jiang Zi remained close behind, persisting: "Why are you so cool about this? Can you just listen to me? I'll find you a place to stay, a place only I know about, and I won't tell a soul."

"If I take your favor, what would that make me?"

"Look at you, still pushing me away. Was everything I just said a waste of breath?"

Of course I knew what Liu Qing was thinking. She was definitely thinking from my perspective, and she knew how Jiang Zi had treated me in the past, so she wouldn't forgive Jiang Zi so easily.

Yet Liu Qing, you really should listen to Jiang Zi right now.

She might actually be able to protect you!

However, Liu Qing flatly refused once more and told Jiang Zi not to follow her anymore.

Jiang Zi had no choice but to give up, and then asked her, "Then at least leave me your contact information, that's fine, right?"

Liu Qing stopped in her tracks and recited a string of numbers.

Jiang Zi immediately recorded it on her phone and saved it.

She watched as Liu Qing's figure vanished into the long street under the streetlights. After a long daze, she muttered to herself:

"Chu Jianghe, I always thought you didn't even have a single friend."

"But now I realize that I am the one who doesn't even have a single true friend. I am a complete joke!"

Listening to Jiang Zi's soliloquy, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

It seems you still have some self-awareness!

Too bad you realized it only now; it's already too late.

My soul followed Liu Qing once more. Unexpectedly, she actually returned home.

I was really worried about her; how could she dare to return home alone?

Fortunately, Li枫 had already left, but there was still a pool of undried blood on the floor.

Shocking to the eyes!

It felt as though that thrilling scene was playing out all over again.

Liu Qing did not hesitate; she quickly packed her luggage and left the place.

Walking alone in the nighttime streets, she seemed unsure of where to go.

After walking alone for a while, she hailed a taxi and gave the driver a destination.

I knew that destination—it was her home.

Based on my understanding of her, she hadn't been home in a very long time.

Because of her father, she had lived outside ever since graduating from college.

It wasn't that she lacked filial piety, but because her father truly didn't deserve to be a father.

Though Liu Qing held a rural household registration, she was born and raised in the city.

Before her parents' car accident, she had a wonderful family.

Her mother worked as a nurse in a hospital, and her father was a team leader at a factory. The family was harmonious.

Yet a single car accident changed their family and altered her entire life.

As soon as Liu Qing arrived home, she habitually pulled the key out from beneath the flowerpot outside the door and opened it.

As soon as she stepped inside, she was hit by a pungent smell of alcohol, with empty wine bottles scattered all over the floor, along with various kinds of garbage, instant noodle cups, and cigarette butts everywhere.

Liu Qing closed her eyes, took a deep breath, put down her suitcase, and began to clean up.

Hearing the noise, her father limped out of his bedroom.

"Liu Qing, you... you're back?" Her father asked with a trembling voice, looking haggardly at Liu Qing.

Liu Qing did not speak to him and continued cleaning with her head down.

Her father hurriedly walked over, smiling ingratiatingly, "Let me do it, Liu Qing, let me clean up. Have a seat..."

"Liu Chengart, you really are incorrigible! Look at this home... what does it look like?"

Her father just chuckled foolishly, cleaning as he spoke: "I'll clean it up right now. Why did you suddenly come back?"

"I'm coming back to stay for a while."

Liu Chengai nodded repeatedly: "Good, good! I'll clean it up immediately. You can stay as long as you want."

Liu Qing said nothing more to her father, turned around, and walked toward her bedroom.

...

The next morning, Jiang Zi rushed anxiously to Jiang Yue's home.

At that moment, Jiang Yue was in front of her computer selecting a company for wedding photography. It was obvious she placed great importance on this wedding.

When Jiang Zi hurried in, Jiang Yue gave her a cold glance and then continued staring at the computer screen.

Jiang Zi walked over and, seeing Jiang Yue choosing a wedding photography company, seemed to flare up instantly.

"Sis, do you really intend to marry that bastard Cheng Jun?"