Thinking about it is one thing, hearing it firsthand is another.
Wan Chu’er hadn’t expected that seeing Jiang Kechu being kicked would make her feel so terrible.
Her chest felt blocked by a huge stone, making it hard to breathe. She wanted to vent so badly, yet she disgustingly didn’t know how to.
It was already midnight. There were no buses and she couldn’t see any taxis, so Wan Chu’er walked home slowly like a ghost.
She couldn’t help but wonder if Jiang Kechu was feeling terrible too.
She could tell that Jiang Kechu cared about Wei Feng; otherwise, he wouldn’t have listened to Wei Feng’s accusations or attempt to make amends, even though it ended in failure.
Even Chen Xiran’s sudden appearance had struck Jiang Kechu hard; when he left that office, she noticed his heavy and hurried footsteps.
It was a sign of his sadness.
She didn’t know how Jiang Kechu would explain this to his family; probably he would downplay it, taking all the blame on himself as usual. He had always been so responsible, and had taken many blames for her in the past.
Now that she witnessed Jiang Kechu taking the blame for another woman, it felt quite unbearable.
Caught up in her chaotic thoughts, Wan Chu’er failed to notice her surroundings until her path was blocked by three disheveled thugs.
Wan Chu’er said coldly without lifting her head.
"Haha, the little chick wants us to get lost," one of them laughed lasciviously as if he had heard some funny joke.
Meltingly, the thug with an iron chain around his neck said,
"This chick looks really good, let the brothers take good care of you tonight."
Saying this, he reached out a claw towards Wan Chu’er’s face.
Wan Chu’er took a couple of steps back, dodging the hand. Her eyes flashed as she checked her surroundings and listened carefully.
Good, this was a secluded pathway, nobody around, very quiet.
The three thugs thought Wan Chu’er wanted to run or call for help, giggling more obscenely.
"Beauty, don’t worry, nobody’s here."
"Bro, this girl’s skin is so soft and white, must feel awesome to touch."
"Beauty, just obediently, the brothers will be gentle, hahaha..."
Wan Chu’er threw her backpack to the ground, making a noise in the silent night.
The thugs were stunned, unsure of Wan Chu’er’s intentions.
Before they could react, Wan Chu’er struck, kicking the man in the middle in the chest and sending him tumbling to the ground.
"Damn! Dare to hit me, grab her!"
Wan Chu’er craned her neck, blood boiling with excitement.
With some knowledge in martial arts, Wan Chu’er quickly engaged the three ruffians in a fight.
After leaving the first university, Jiang Kechu remembered his car was still parked in the university parking lot and took a deep breath before going back to get it.
It was late at night and there were fewer cars and people on the road, yet he drove aimlessly around.
He remembered how four years ago, Wei Feng confessed her feelings in a red dress.
He thought their relationship was fine over the years, that they would stand by each other for life.
He was busy with work, and thought Wei Feng understood and appreciated it, so he always tried to fulfill her requests.
Tonight, he was supposed to have a meeting to discuss the exercise plan.
Yet, upon Wei Feng’s call, he managed to postpone the meeting to tomorrow, only to receive the news of their breakup.
He was not the type to cling, and with things having come to this point, he chose to let it go graciously.
However, he felt a suffocation inside, making him increasingly somber.
Jiang Kechu stopped the car, searched it, and found a half pack of cigarettes.
Lighting one, he lost his desire to smoke, just watching the cigarette slowly burn in the darkness.
His keen hearing soon picked up the sound of a fight from a nearby alley.
He initially decided to ignore it, but then a fierce female voice rang out.
"I’ll beat you to death!"
His first thought was: How could a girl be so crude, even referring to herself as ’I’?
Maybe he was really getting old, out of touch with the young girls of today.
Suddenly, Jiang Kechu threw away his cigarette and leaped out of the car.
That was Wan Chu’er’s voice!
Wan Chu’er was grabbing one by the hair, continuously punching, while also trying to dodge the other two attackers.
Both parties looked worse for wear, all bloodied.
Wan Chu’er’s hair was a mess, one eye bruised.
One thug limped, another with a vivid face and clear nosebleeds.
The last one, caught by Wan Chu’er, struggled to get free.
"Big sister, please stop, we surrender, isn’t that enough?" the limping one yelled out.
Wan Chu’er glared, "I haven’t had enough yet."
"Ow," the chaos continued, punches landed, but Wan Chu’er didn’t feel the pain, only a slow release from the sadness inside her.
In the midst of this chaos, Jiang Kechu’s agile figure appeared.
With two swipes like iron claws, he threw the two thugs attacking Wan Chu’er.
She looked up, stunned, "Jiang Kechu?"
Seizing the moment, the thug in her grip struggled to run; Wan Chu’er tightened her grip, "Don’t run."
Jiang Kechu was somewhat speechless at the scene before him—Wan Chu’er’s hair a mess, her face a sight, gripping an even messier head.
A few minutes later, Wan Chu’er, clutching her backpack and grimacing, followed behind Jiang Kechu.
The two walked forward in silence.
Jiang Kechu held back the urge to lecture, finally not uttering a word.
A girl not returning home at midnight, fighting with thugs!
Just thinking about it made his chest feel like it was going to explode.