part5

Li Sicheng kicked Mrs. Tang in the stomach.

“Li Sicheng, you could kill her like that!”

People around him panicked. Two men tried to stop him, but he was so determined that they failed. He had completely lost his mind. Kicking and punching, he soon made Mrs. Tang bend over. His eyes bloodshot, he was eventually overpowered by four strong men. Suddenly, they heard a man moaning, which sounded out of place.

A soldier walked up and muttered with a blush, “Boss, this guy seems to be drugged… Look…”

Mrs. Tang heard it and suddenly laughed coldly.

Everyone turned around to look at her. She grinned with her teeth colored red by blood. Her voice cruel\, she cursed like a demon\, “I initially just wanted to entertain that little b***h. However\, you brought so many people with you\, which was why I had to get rid of her. You’re the one who killed your wife.”

Li Sicheng bristled, which oddly brought him to calm down. His eyes were as cold as frost, making Mrs. Tang shudder. “Since that’s the case, keep it for yourself.” Li Sicheng’s cold voice made Mrs. Tang become pale.

“Take the two inside the car and keep Mrs. Tang entertained.”

“Yes!” Two people took Mrs. Tang to one of the cars. She suddenly realized that Li Sicheng was not joking.

“No, no way! Li Sicheng, you will get bad karma. You will be stricken by a lightning bolt and die miserably…” Before she could finish, she was stuffed into a car, and Monkey was pushed inside at the same time. Someone drove the car somewhere remote.

The rest of the gang shuddered and muttered, “Monkey… has AIDS…”

Her hands tied, Su Qianci did not know whether she had woken up at some point. Feeling suffocated, she was reminded of something as water filled her lungs. It took Rong Haiyue a lot of effort to catch her in the water. Using all his strength, he started to swim while pulling her. Fortunately, there were staircases underwater near them. Otherwise, even he did not know how long he could do this.

Because of the cold weather, Su Qianci was wearing a lot. A down jacket that became heavy when drenched, a thick sweater, and a long dress underneath. Noticing the unnecessary weight that was keeping her down, he smiled bitterly.

Putting one hand on top of the other, he pressed on her chest. After he did it for a couple of times, she spat out some water. Slightly cautious, she tried hard to open her eyes, but she eventually failed because of the pain on the back of her head. Seeing that, Rong Haiyue let out a sigh of relief. He wanted to yank her up, but his injured arm prevented him from doing that. All his strength seemed to have left from that injury. His whole arm was colored red. Rong Haiyue noticed that he became weaker and dizzier.

Rong Haiyue noticed that he became weaker and dizzier. However, he could not give up. This girl, this girl that looked extremely like Rong Xuan… Her features were delicate. Although she looked pale, she looked almost exactly the same as the young version of Rong Xuan.

“Song Yifan’s daughter…” His eyes red, he smiled out of self-mockery. After resting for a while, he helped Su Qianci up and said with guilt, “sorry, I have to do this.” He looked away and took her drenched down coat off.

She felt her coat was being taken off, but she could not fight it. Before her finger even touched the intruder, she lost her strength.

Don’t touch me… Please…

Tears fell from her eyes, but she could not even struggle. Her sweater was taken off as well. Her heart trembled as if it had been stricken by a lightning bolt.

“Don’t…” she managed to mumble. However, her voice was so small that Rong Haiyue could not hear her at all. Throwing the sweater away, he took off his own coat as well, which could slow him down. “Don’t be scared. You will feel better soon.”

Hearing that, Su Qianci felt even more desperate. Her body was then lifted up…

No…

“Please don’t…” She blacked out.

Rong Haiyue put her on his shoulder and thought she was being delirious from a fever. He got up and went ashore quickly. The wind was cold that night. He shuddered. Climbing up with great difficulty, he could feel his legs shaking. No, he could no longer do it… He put Su Qianci down and stumbled to the roadside. A van happened to approach. Rong Haiyue brought them to the center of the street. Although he could hardly manage to stand straight, something made him go there and wave his arms.

Seeing the van had stopped, Rong Haiyue felt relaxed. A middle-aged man walked out of the van. Seeing Rong Haiyue being feeble, he quickly put a hand on his arm.

“Help… Someone’s back there… Help her… I am major general of the Army, Rong Haiyue…”

“Sir, I found some clothing. Man and woman’s.”

Held down by a couple of soldiers, Li Sicheng could not move. Hearing that, he looked up and saw a white long down jacket. “Let go of me!” He commanded. People around him looked at each other and released him. He walked up and took the drenched jacket. It really belonged to Su Qianci. He put it on her himself this morning. At the same time, there was a man’s coat. Seeing that coat, Li Sicheng felt familiar. He must have seen it somewhere…

“Military identification?”

Li Sicheng blinked and took the card over. The name “Rong Haiyue” caught his eye.

“Him?”

Su Qianci was feeling very cold. It must have been a century. She woke up hurting all over. The back of her head, her limbs, waste, and even muscles. She also felt cold and hot at the same time. She whimpered in pain. Vaguely, she felt something cold was put on her forehead before she fell asleep again. When she opened her eyes, it was bright. She saw the electronic clock on the wall showing the time: 17:17. Someone was watching TV on the bed on the right. The nurse was putting a drip on the patient to her left.

Seeing that Su Qianci had woken up, the nurse felt her forehead. “You still have a fever, but it’s good that you’re awake.”

She was a bit dumbstruck. She moved around and felt a great pain. Then she knew she was burning up.

“Do you want some water?” The nurse poured her a glass of hot water, helped her sit up, and fed it to her. “How do you feel?”

Su Qianci raised her hand, and even her muscles were sore. She muttered, “It hurts…”

“Your temperature is 104.0°F. Of course it hurts.” The nurse laid her flat and said, “Luckily, you’re conscious now. The guy that came with you is not so lucky. He is still in the ICU.”

“The guy that came with me? Who is it?”

“You don’t know?” The nurse changed her drip and said, “A good man brought both of you over. I thought that guy must be your dad or relative. He is in his 40s, shot by a gun. He lost a lot of blood but still dragged you out of the water. Otherwise, you would be dead right now.”

Su Qianci immediately thought of the person and whispered, “Rong Haiyue…”

“Right, that’s the name. We have already called his wife.” The nurse finished up and said, “I will go get you some medicine.”

“Thank you,” she managed to say. Both the pain and the heat were torturing her. She unconsciously moved her legs. The pain between her legs reminded her of something. Feeling immense terror and despair, Su Qianci flipped over and bit on her fist. Her tears fell like rain. She had been raped… By Monkey who had AIDS… Since childhood, she had always been healthy and rarely had a fever like this… Did she get AIDS as well? Was she about to die?

However, she was just 21 years old. She did not want to die. She wanted to give birth to Li Sicheng’s kids. She wanted to celebrate grandpa’s birthday. And she wanted to live longer… The more she thought about it, the harder Su Qianci cried. She cuddled up and shuddered. There was no cure for this disease… and she would die an ugly death. Su Qianci was bombed by the sudden threat and did not know what to do. What should she do? She sobbed, biting on her fist.

When the nurse came over and saw her, she was startled. “What happened? Does it hurt a lot? Take the pills.”

Su Qianci shook her head. The nurse helped her up and got her some water. Holding a bunch of pills, Su Qianci manage to swallow them, but started to retch in just two minutes.

Retching and retching, Su Qianci vomited up some fluid but nothing else. She had only taken some water in 24 hours. Feeling dizzy, she lay down and fell asleep again. When she woke up, it was past 8 PM. She felt her hand being held. She wiggled and aroused the man that had fallen asleep.

Li Sicheng felt her forehead and then his, frowning. Looking at him, Su Qianci felt a bit dazed. There were shadows under his eyes. His hair was messy. And his chiseled face had not been shaven. Although he had changed, he still looked terrible. A pad of gauze was stuck to his forehead, a bit over his left eyebrow. Realizing it was him, Su Qianci pursed her lips and teared up.

Startled, Li Sicheng asked softly, “Do you feel uncomfortable? Which part?”

She cried, grabbing his hand. “It’s hurting all over…”

His eyebrows knitted together. He reached out a hand to wipe her tears away.

She suddenly shrank back and exclaimed, “Don’t touch me!” She knew that HIV could be transmitted by body fluids. After avoiding his touch, she felt even worse. She bit her bottom lip and sobbed.

Li Sicheng paused and looked at her. “What’s wrong?” His deep and dark eyes were filled with worry.

Su Qianci could not help herself and burst into tears. “Mr. Li, I…”

I was raped. I got HIV. And I might die. Maybe I could never be with you again…

Su Qianci could not put it into words. Squeezing his hand, she cried like an abandoned kid, desperate and said.

Li Sicheng helped her up and took her into his arms, patting her back.

Before she leaned in, Su Qianci wiped her tears dry with her sleeves so that her tears would not fall on him. Grabbing his collar, she took in his sent greedily, feeling desperate.

“It’s all right now. The old woman was in custody, charged with murder. I will hire Sheng Ximing to argue the case and make sure justice is served.”

Sheng Ximing was the top lawyer in Kingstown. With him, Mrs. Tang would at least be sentenced to more than a decade no matter what she did.

“How did you find me?” Su Qianci choked and asked.

“I looked for you everywhere.” Li Sicheng rubbed her head and said softly, “eat something. Grandpa brought congee for you. He wanted to stay here, but I chased him away.”

Su Qianci chuckled and gave him a push. “You’re so bad. If he knows you said that about him, he would kick your a**.”

Li Sicheng held her hand and hugged her tighter.

“Mrs. Li.”

“Yes?”

“I almost thought I had lost you forever.” Li Sicheng’s voice was trembling. “Fortunately, you’re okay…”

Su Qianci almost teared up again. Pushing him away lightly, she squeezed out a smile and said, “I’m hungry.”

Li Sicheng nodded and put two pillows behind Su Qianci’s waist to make her more comfortable before he turned around to get her congee.

Hugging the blanket, she couldn’t stop her eyes from getting wet. Seeing his figure, she felt her heart wrench inside of her chest. He had never treated someone so nicely, not even grandpa. He loved her. However, she could no longer afford this love.

“Li Sicheng.” Su Qianci bit on the comforter and caught him.

Without turning back, he answered, “Yes?” There was relief in his tone, because she had been rescued.

Hearing his voice, she hugged the blanket tighter and called again, “Li Sicheng…”

“Yes.” Li Sicheng turned around to look at her and found her face covered in tears. He brought the hot congee to her and placed it on the table. “It’s all right now. Don’t cry.” He moved to wipe her tears away like he used to, but Su Qianci dodged his hand and buried her face into the blanket. He thought she was still terrified.

But that was not true… Rather, she was scared of…

“Come here. Have some congee.” He lifted her face and fed a spoonful of congee to her. She opened her mouth and ate it. Her fever was getting better, but her appetite was not. It took her about 20 minutes to finish the bowl of congee. Without any impatience, he insisted on feeding her another bowl. She forced herself to take two sips, but in the end, she could no longer eat. Li Sicheng finally gave up and put the food away.

“I want to go to the bathroom.”

“Okay.” He grabbed the down jacket he had brought for her and put it on her shoulders before he lifted the blanket and carried her in his arms to the bathroom. Su Qianci had been transferred to the VIP room with a private bathroom. After peeing, she opened the door. He carried her back.

“I have to wash my hands…”

“Don’t get yourself wet. Use a wipe.” He put her down on the bed and gave her a sanitizing wipe.

With a blush, she slowly wiped her hands clean. “Sloppy!”

“That’s you.” He arched an eyebrow.

She threw the used wipe in a trashcan under the bed and gazed at his forehead. “What happened to your head?”

“I bumped into something.” Li Sicheng reached out to take her jacket off. “Rest some more.”

Su Qianci knew he was trying to change the subject and so she gave him a little push, insisting, “That does not look like it.”

“Bad luck– it was bleeding, so I had to put some gauze on it.” He sounded calm and a bit helpless.

She would take his words for it for now. However, she refused to take off the jacket and said, “Rong Haiyue, Rong Haiyue saved me.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Where is he now? He was shot, and I heard he had lost a lot of blood and is in the ICU.”

“I went to see him. He is doing better than you.”

As an officer, he was much stronger than Su Qianci was.

After the wound was dressed and blood was transfused, Sue Qianci was much better. “I want to see him. Could you take me?”

“It’s not convenient.”

“What’s not convenient?” After she asked, she thought of something and pouted. “What are you thinking? He could be my dad. Nothing would happen between him and I.”

Hearing that, Li Sicheng squeezed her nose and said, “You think that I am that petty?”

“Are you not?”

“I heard his wife just arrived here from the capital. He has been in Kingstown for half a month, so they must have a lot to talk about.”

“Oh…” She nodded. “All right, take me to see him tomorrow then.”

He nodded and took her coat off. “Sleep a bit more.”

“I’m not tired.” She pushed his hand away. “When did you sleep last time? Look at your dark circles.” She touched his face, feeling worried. “Lie down for a while. I’m not tired.”

“The bed is too small.”

“No, it’s not. I could sit up.”

“No.”

She wanted to give her bed to him?

“How about you go back and take some rest?”

“No.”

“Then I can check out and go home with you.”

“No, your fever hasn’t been brought down yet. Your temperature was so high.”

She bristled. “What do you want then?”

Li Sicheng glanced at her and touched her forehead, with smile and love hidden in his eyes. He whispered, “You can go to sleep and I will watch you.”

“No!”

“How about you take my hands, and I can take a nap on the desk.”

“No!”

“Then, shall we sleep together?”

“No!” Su Qianci immediately rejected. “I still have a cold or something, and I will pass it to you.”

“I’m strong.”

“No!”

More importantly, she very likely had gotten AIDS.

What if…

“Well then, take a nap. I’ll be here.”

“You…” She was pissed off by him and hit him on the arm. “You go back. I don’t want you here.”

Li Sicheng caught her hand and asked huskily, “You don’t want me, so who do you want?”

“You’ve been bad.”

“And so are you. I didn’t even say I don’t want you.”

Su Qianci said nothing.

“Be a good girl and take some rest.”

Silently, she took off her jacket and shoved it at him.

Satisfied that he had gotten his way, he smiled. He hung her coat up and turned around. She had moved over to the side and left half of the bed for him.

“Get up and get some sleep.”

“Yes, Mrs. Li.” He took off his jacket and shoes, turned the light off, and got into the bed. He immediately took her into his arms and bowed his head to catch her lips. Su Qianci’s heart thumped. She immediately moved away. He ended up kissing her chin.

“I’m sick. You cannot kiss me now. It’s probably contagious.”

“I’m a strong man, and I don’t care.”

“I do!” She shifted her position and pushed his face away. “Sleep well!”

“Yes, ma’am.” He put an arm around her waist and closed his eyes. Maybe he really was too tired. He immediately fell asleep and breathed evenly.

Su Qianci raised a hand to cover his face. Because she was burning up, she felt his skin was a bit cold. Sketching the contours of his face with her palm, she gazed at him for a long while…

After a while, Su Qianci carefully lifted his arm and got out of bed. Li Sicheng did not wake up, and was still fast asleep. Her heart ached. He must have lost sleep last night because she was missing. However, this would not do. She could not stay around forever…

She put on her shoes and jacket, opened the door, and walked out. She was still worried. Rong Haiyue had saved her life after all. Without seeing him okay, she could not relax. She asked a nurse and found out where Rong Haiyue was. Following the room numbers, she suddenly saw a woman coming toward her.

She looked sophisticated and put together. Wearing a long minty green qipao and an emerald coat with fur trimming, she had her hair in an elegant updo. Her makeup was perfect, and so was her posture. A lady that had something unique about her. However, what caught Su Qianci’s attention was not her elegance, but her face. She had seen that face more than once.

Rong Xuan. The love of both Song Yifan and Sheng Ximing’s life.

All Su Qianci could remember about her was the old photo in Song Yifan’s wallet. The girl who was youthful and smiley. She had no idea that one day she would see this girl in person. When seeing Su Qianci, the woman was clearly dumbstruck as well. She immediately knew who Su Qianci was. Looking distant, Rong Xuan nodded to her politely and walked past her in heels. When she brushed past Su Qianci, Su Qianci had so much going on in her head. “Rong Xuan!” It was not a question.

Rong Xuan stopped and looked at her.

Su Qianci thought she would ask: how do you know my name?

Or: do you know me?

Or rather: who are you?

However, unexpectedly, Rong Xuan only glanced at her coldly and said in a cold tone, “Don’t call me that. It’s disgusting.” Then she walked away.

Su Qianci was dazed, gazing at her back incredulously. Rong Xuan turned around the corner and disappeared. She was cold. Unlike Li Sicheng, she was so cold that it felt malicious. The malice was like a sharp knife, cutting away the unrealistic hope she had for her mother. She was her mother. That was clear, judging from their faces. However, why did she feel this way about Su Qianci? After a while, she suddenly realized how dumb she had acted.

She should have asked Rong Xuan why he had left Song Yifan, why she had left alone, why she had abandoned Su Qianci her daughter, why she had made Su Qianci marry Li Sicheng, and why Su Qianci was sent to the Su family…

Filled with questions, she regretted how she had forgotten everything after what Rong Xuan had said. She walked up and looked for her in the crowd. However, Rong Xuan had completely disappeared.

Su Qianci returned to where she was after her failed search. At the door of Rong Haiyue’s room, she knocked and heard, “Come on in.” It was Rong Haiyue’s voice.

Su Qianci walked inside, and his eyes lit up. However, when he saw who it actually was, he looked slightly disappointed. With a smile, he said, “It’s you.” It was that girl…He almost mistook her for a different person.

Su Qianci nodded and said sincerely, “Thank you so much for last night.”

“Sure thing. If it were anyone else, I would have saved him as well.”

So, it was not because he looked like her. Rong Haiyue told that to himself. However, seeing her face, he still felt heartbroken. She walked over and saw his wrapped arm. She bowed to him deeply and said, “I’m sorry. You got hurt because of me.”

He put a hand on her arm and said, “I said that I would have saved anyone. Under those circumstances, I don’t think any man would walk away. Moreover, I’m in the Army.”

“I know.”

“Well then, a man in the military should always be ready to help. If I did nothing, that would a shame to my identity,” Rong Haiyue said triumphantly. However, he suddenly found he was using the tone with which he talked to his daughter.

Su Qianci wanted to smile, but her eyes became wet. “Thank you, thank you so much.”

“Silly girl…” he chuckled, but he clenched his fists under the blanket.

She was exactly the same way as Rong Xuan when she was young. Candid, kind, and straightforward.

Such a great kid. However, why is she Song Yifan’s daughter?

Feeling disappointed, Rong Haiyue looked at her and pretended to be casual. “Did your dad come and visit?”

“He’s in London. I don’t think my husband has told him yet.”

“Business trip?”

“For a concert.”

“Oh… That’s great. Mr. Song is a wonderful musician. My neighbor’s kid is a big fan of his.”

Su Qianci smiled, her eyes radiant with the light. “I’m also a big fan. My dad is the best.”

“Right.” Rong Haiyue looked down, trying to hide his disappointment.

“Mr. Rong, can I have your contact information?”

He was surprised but immediately agreed. He looked for a piece of paper everywhere but could not find any. Feeling a bit awkward, Rong Haiyue said, “Give me your number, and I’ll call you.”

Su Qianci told him Li Sicheng’s number and quickly added, “This is my husband’s number. My phone is lost, and I will get a new SIM card soon.”

“Sure. Could you tell me your number as well?”

She told him her number and checked the time. It was about 10 PM. “It’s too late. I’ll go back now. Good night, Mr. Rong.”

“Night. Sleep tight.”

She nodded gratefully and walked out, closing the door behind her. When she went back to her room, Li Sicheng was sitting on the bed holding his phone. His eyes were groggy. Seeing Su Qianci coming back, he asked, “You went to see Rong Haiyue?”

“Yes.” Su Qianci walked in and took off her jacket. Getting in the bed, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Why are you awake?”

Li Sicheng turned around and embraced her, asking, “What did you say?”

“I thanked him, apologized, gave him our phone numbers, and then came back.”

“Okay.” Feeling her forehead, he checked the time. “Are you hungry? Shall we eat something?”

“Not really. I don’t have an appetite.”

“Well then, take your medicine.”

She pouted.

He pecked her on the lips and whispered, “Be good.”

She felt like she was struck by a lightning bolt. He kissed her? How could she let that happen? She covered her mouth and stared at him with wide eyes, her heart racing.

He noticed her behavior and squeezed her nose. “What’s that reaction? It’s not like we have never kissed before.” He got up to get some water. Making sure the water was lukewarm, he took some pills and walked over to her. “You take it.”

Su Qianci’s hands were trembling. When she saw the water he brought, her eyes became red. She stuttered, “Mr. Li, I…”

I was raped by someone with HIV. I might have it as well.

“No excuses. Take it.” Li Sicheng put the pills in his palm. “Open your mouth.”

She swallowed her words back again. She took the water and gazed at the pills.

“Do you want me to feed you?” He arched an eyebrow and approached her. “With my mouth?”

No, no!

Su Qianci immediately put the pills in her mouth and swallowed them with water.

“Then go to bed.” He got in the bed and helped her down. The bed was a bit narrow for two.

With so much on her mind, Su Qianci could not fall asleep. Because Li Sicheng had taken a nap, he did not fall asleep either.

“Mr. Li?”

“Yes?”

“If one day… I am sick with the disease that has no cure, will you still be together with me?”

“Yes.”

“What if I got the disease very soon?”

“Yes.”

“What if I am about to die?”

Without saying a thing, he raised his face. He had already turned the lights out in the room. Dim light came through the glass door, making his cold and deep eyes look like a galaxy. “Then I will die with you.” His voice was going to resonate for a thousand years in her mind.

Her heart suddenly raced. Her tears fell uncontrollably. She immediately wiped them off, afraid that they were going to fall on him. She sobbed, “Why?”

“We’re husband and wife, silly girl.” Li Sicheng gazed at her deeply. “I have only one wife. Without you, what is the point of living alone?”

Su Qianci bowed her head and put an arm around his waist, sobbing, “Mr. Li, I mean it.”

“And you think I don’t?” He took her into his arms, making her rest her head on his chest. Lying like that, she could clearly feel the vibration of his vocal cords. “I mean everything I said, Mrs. Li.” Last night, when he thought she had been killed, his heart was empty. His only thought was to be together with her… If those people did not stop him, Li Sicheng would have plunged himself into water.

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