Jiang Conghe left the Loo Family’s house and sat in the car, seething with resentment. Back in the day, as a lowly squad leader, he had caught the eye of Lu Shufen, and the two had married. However, due to his humble origins, he had been looked down upon by the Yue family and had never been able to hold his head high.
Years had passed, and he had always been suppressed by the Yue family, obedient to Shufen in every way. Now that he was a Commander, it was unthinkable that he was still being suppressed by his father-in-law, unable to hold his head up.
They said his son was a wolf, but what did that mean? Did they look down on Jiang Conghe’s own bloodline? Dafang was such a good kid, having started his own business without relying on the older generation. Wasn’t that more capable than the Loo family? Hmph! Why look down on the bloodline of the Chiang family?
And their treatment of him was the same, always resenting that he hadn’t turned out better, never giving him any respect. That old man was simply domineering.
Jiang Conghe muttered to himself with a heart full of discontent and defiance, and instructed the driver to head home.
Upon entering his home, he heard the melodious sound of a piano; it was Chiang Qing’s piano, which hadn’t been touched in a long time. Why was there piano music today?
Lu Shufen came to greet him with tears in her eyes, pointing to the piano in the living room, she said, "Old Chiang, Qingqing is playing the piano again!"
The piano music was pleasant and lively. Jiang Conghe breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, thinking that if she was playing the piano, it meant her mood must be good, and the treatment must be working. It would be good if the girl didn’t act out anymore.
Once she was completely well, he would simply send her overseas. Letting her find a son-in-law there seemed best; out of sight, out of mind. That way, she wouldn’t cause any more trouble that became unmanageable.
"Old Chiang, I’m talking to you, did you hear me?" Lu Shufen said as she brought him back from his reverie with a push.
Jiang Conghe gave an "ah" and replied, "I heard, it’s nice!"
As the piano music stopped, Lu Shufen hurriedly began to clap. Jiang Conghe watched his daughter turn around with a graceful curtsy, and couldn’t help but smile.
Indeed, she seemed to be getting better.
"Daddy, you’re back!" Chiang Qing came over with a smile.
"Mhm." Looking at his daughter’s face, which was gradually regaining its rosiness, Jiang Conghe said, "You played the piano today? That’s good, play more often to relax. Forget the messy things of the past, and once you’re well, go abroad for a trip! Have your mother accompany you for a change of scenery. As a girl, you should travel and see the world."
Chiang Qing lowered her eyelids, hiding the flicker of emotion in her eyes, and said with a smile, "Okay."
"Go upstairs, I need to talk to your mother about something. Remember to take your medicine and get plenty of rest." Jiang Conghe was satisfied with her conduct, as his daughter seemed to be slowly recovering. Good.
Chiang Qing obediently nodded and went upstairs.
After closing her bedroom door, her smile vanished. She walked to the bathroom, took out her medication from the cabinet, looked at it in her palm for a moment, and curved her lips into a smile.
She swallowed the medicine, looked at herself in the mirror with a smirk, and then took a razor from the cabinet. Rolling up her sleeve, the pristine white arm revealed several scars, some healed and some fresh, a ghastly sight.
Chiang Qing raised the razor and gently made another cut on her arm. As the blood welled up, the excitement from self-harm shone in her eyes like two bright stars, twinkling away.
Then she brought her arm close to her mouth, licked the blood clean with her tongue, and began to laugh at her reflection in the mirror.
The blood-red scene was eerie and horrific, but the people downstairs remained blissfully unaware.