"Of course I need to tell my story. I forgot to introduce myself; my name is Anran, as in ’safe and sound’ Anran."
The woman glanced at Goh Fan, who immediately fetched a chair for her to sit down on.
"Back then, I excitedly took the money the whole village had pooled together for me to Nanning, feeling so proud. After all, I was the only university student from our village.
Nanning was so bustling with so many wonderful things. The university was so beautiful, and I was just steps away from it."
At that time, she was truly happy, believing she had soared from obscurity to glory, about to find a secure job after graduation, which would set her for life.
Just when I was about to register, my wallet was stolen. I chased after the thief desperately, the embodiment of all my hopes, but I couldn’t catch up... Without the tuition fee, I could only stand outside, watching how just a step away was so infinitely far."
It was so distant that she felt she would never touch it in her lifetime. She could only watch, helplessly watch.
"Afterward, I looked for a job because I couldn’t possibly return home. How could I face them after losing all the money everyone had contributed? Then I met a seemingly kind-hearted elderly woman who offered to help me make some money—she seemed so genuinely enthusiastic and helpful."
As she got to this point, she gave Goh Fan a fierce glare. The hatred in her eyes had not diminished one bit, even after all this time.
Her entire life had been ruined because of it.
"I was brought here, I passed by, made a fuss, tried to run, but it was no use. Goh Fan said he was willing to help me leave, but time and again I was dragged back home, and suddenly I had an epiphany."
Yes, Goh Fan was actually the only clear-headed person in the village; he didn’t want to collude with them. Back then, he had wanted to let Anran go because from the moment he first saw her, he lost his heart to her.
Even though he knew Anran only had hatred for him, not love, he was still willing to do anything for her, even descend into Hell, even do the things he once despised and never wanted to do.
He hardened his expression, fierce and menacing, to let that sunny boy die, all just to see her smile radiantly.
He numbed himself, watching the bright girl fall into Hell day by day, as the light in her eyes disappeared and then reemerged, different from before.
He watched her change, and he changed along with her.
The actions he took were inexcusable, and they could not coexist with his conscience; yet, he never regretted them.
For her, it was all worth it.
He was willing for her sake. To undergo his mother’s training and become a monster, willing to commit atrocious acts to spare her any touch of filth, and even willing to do things he once thought impossible.
"You believe you can’t escape, so you want to be the one in control, to watch others unable to escape—is that what you mean?"
Bai Zhi voiced the unspoken continuation of her thoughts and seemed to relish the process even more.
"Do you know, you’ve always hidden yourself well. If you hadn’t said too much yesterday, perhaps I wouldn’t have suspected your association with Goh Fei.
Goh Fei, as your daughter, must be the liaison. It’s like, initially, the helmsperson here should have been Goh Fan’s mother, but you pulled her down in revenge, and it was her own son who did it, right?"