#24: Hidden Sorrows

The Pagani drove into a high-end residential complex. When the security guard saw the unfamiliar license plate, he lowered the barrier.

After Jiang Yan got out of the car, he was stopped outside the gate and could only watch as the taillights of the car ahead disappeared from sight.

That day at the hospital, Ji Qiuchi had been covered in injuries. Though she didn’t say anything, Jiang Yan guessed it was the man who had beaten her. In addition to external wounds, the examination results showed signs of sexual abuse.

“Who is the owner of that car just now?”

“I’m sorry, we cannot disclose the private information of our residents,” the security guard, dressed in his uniform, was unsure of the situation but remained polite. “Your car is blocking the entrance. Please move it.”

Although Jiang Yan was anxious, he didn’t make things difficult for the other party. He memorized the license plate number and planned to ask a friend at the vehicle management office to help investigate later.

Lin Xingzi had drunk two glasses of wine at dinner. The car’s speed was too fast, with several sharp turns and a sudden brake at the end, causing her stomach to churn violently.

When Jiang Yan returned to the car, he noticed Lin Xingzi leaning against the seat, pale-faced, seemingly in great discomfort.

“Jiang Jiang...”

“What did you plan to do by chasing after them?” Lin Xingzi asked indifferently.

After recognizing Ji Qiuchi, he had forgotten that Lin Xingzi was still in the car.

“Beat him up to vent your anger? What identity would you use to intervene?”

Jiang Yan frowned, his expression grave. “I acted impulsively.”

“Zhan Tianxiong has more than one mistress, but in recent years, Ji Qiuchi is the only one he has brought out in public. Although she is just a secretary, she holds shares in the Zhan Corporation. She graduated from university only four years ago, yet her assets are close to ten million. Have you never wondered why?”

Lin Xingzi had heard people in their social circle privately joke about Zhan Tianxiong’s declining physical capabilities due to his age. He had indulged in debauchery in his youth, leaving his body drained. The less capable he became, the more perverse his sexual preferences grew, with countless ways to torment women.

Ji Qiuchi’s ability to flaunt herself under the nose of Madam Zhan surely meant she had her own methods.

Jiang Yan gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white. “She has her reasons...”

“In this world, who truly lives an easy and carefree life? Who doesn’t have their own burdens?” Lin Xingzi found it meaningless to discuss further. “Let’s go back. I’m tired.”

Lin Sang had looked down on her for agreeing to be with Zhan Yan after losing a childish game. Being dumped within 48 hours was entirely her fault. But Jiang Yan was someone she had tricked into coming from a golden house, yet things still weren’t going smoothly...

Lin Xingzi wasn’t in the mood to argue and suggested sleeping in separate rooms. Jiang Yan disagreed, but when a pillow was thrown out and the door clicked shut from the inside, it was clear she had locked herself in.

After washing up and lying in bed, Lin Xingzi knew he was still outside the door. Tossing and turning, she finally fell asleep in the middle of the night.

In her dream, she went back many years ago when Lin Ke had tricked her into breaking her leg. A handsome young boy carried her on his back for a month. The staircase between the school gate and the teaching building had 107 steps—she had counted them countless times.

The uniforms at No. 1 High School were ugly and old-fashioned, blue and white stripes, but they looked so good on him.

He always held her body with his arms, keeping the school uniform between them. Occasionally, when she intentionally moved around, afraid she might fall, his palm would suddenly press against her leg. He would purse his lips silently, release her once she was steady, and continue walking forward, his neatly trimmed short hair unable to hide his reddened ears.

Leaning on his back, Lin Xingzi could smell a clean scent, like coconut-scented detergent. Watching sweat drip down his neck into the faded collar of his washed-out school uniform, her heart felt utterly shattered.