“I don’t want to see it… not right now. I can’t.” TangShi lost her courage, her nerves kicking in and nausea consuming her at seeing for herself that the tests results were not a lie. That Rong Cai really did something to her with intent. Somehow in the back of her mind she had held a glimmer of hope that it wasn’t him, that it was maybe another student as a prank and somehow this was part of a misunderstanding, or a mistake meant for someone else. She had prayed it wasn’t how it seemed so it would be less devastating. She had so badly wanted to see something innocent that had taken a bad turn and not this…this cruel and horrible reality.
“I need the bathroom.” TangShi got up, leaving Linlin to watch the footage herself, her eyes misting over and her stomach churning as she hightailed it into the toilet and barely made it before she threw up. Retching her guts out and emptying her stomach as tears poured down her f
ZhengLi wandered into YuZhi’s apartment with a heaviness on his chest that was suffocating, unable to really shake this awful feeling of shame and guilt that slowed his steps and weighed down his posture. YuZhi was standing in the kitchen making them food after he told him he was on his way as he needed to see him. Oblivious to what ZhengLi was about to tell him and ZhengLi braced himself for the worst of reactions. Hating to be the one to do this.“Hey, bud. What’s with this late evening guys night? You seemed tired today and thought you were heading home for an early one.” YuZhi was in a pretty neutral mood. Never really okay since breaking up with TangShi and he hated being in this apartment nowadays, but he was trying to move forward with his life. He was glad ZhengLi called him to come over as he was starting to regret the early evening here when these rooms held all her memories, and he was sure in certain places he could still smell her perfume.
“I need to see her….. I need to ..” YuZhi knew that he had a hell of a lot of groveling and begging to do. His heart near exploding with agony as he thought about what she must have been going through this past week without him.Afraid, alone, knowing she had been locked up with a scumbag who did god knows what to her for endless hours. Just the thought of it, of her being in that room vulnerable like that made him spin back to the sink and upchuck another bout of liquid and food remnants. Gasping through the gags before his legs gave out and he slumped down, sliding against the kitchen cabinets with a thud as he ended up on his ass on the floor with his knees bent in front of him. Propping his elbows on his knees and cradling his head as he tried to regulate his erratic breathing.“I went to detective Kim and gave him copies of everything while filing the report and opening the assault case. He’s going to see TangShi tomorrow to take a s
TangShi sat motionless on the couch, silently awaiting Linlin showing in the Detective who she assumed was who rang the bell a moment ago. She tried not to fidget with her nails as she swallowed hard and concentrated on deep breaths to calm her nerves. All night she had tossed and turned, going over the statement she would have to give today, and she wasn’t looking forward to going through everything again. Even with blank spaces it somehow had begun to traumatize her now she knew the truth.Her dreams had been a torturous mix of nightmares and flashes of memory, and yet she still was none the wiser to what actually happened once she was sin that room and she didn’t want to know. If Rong was arrested and gave testimony then the details were not something she felt she was strong enough to face if he admitted what he did. Right now it was somewhat of a blessing that she couldn&rsquo
“I don’t need or want any of it. Right now, I honestly don’t care anymore. Divorce me, what difference will it make.” TangShi really meant it. She had become so entrenched in this mess that she had stopped being able to feel anything beyond cold disconnect. Her mind and heart numb from shock and betrayal after a lifetime of hard knocks, and it had finally snapped something in her soul. An accumulation of growing too big for her. She could only experience emptiness and a sense of loss, but the tears had stopped falling and when she woke up this morning it felt like all her purposes in life had flown away on the breeze. YuZhi swallowed hard to curb the knee jerk wince of pain in his gut at her words, knowing he deserved it but it still stung. ZhengLi had told him a million times this morning to give her time and understanding. That she was processing a lot and she was h
“I know you don’t think this is the best idea, but what YuZhi an ZhengLi said made sense, baby girl. This is where the public expect you to be and the place YuZhi can keep you safe now they’ve arrested Rong Cai. My parents don’t exactly run a tight ship in terms of security at home and with them coming back soon you won’t get space the way you can here. YuZhi will look after you in ways I can’t.” Linlin felt like she was deserting her and throwing her back into YuZhi’s arms after everything even though this was furthest from the truth. This just made more sense for her.“I know.” TangShi answered quietly, her eyes straying around the apartment that she once loved as home and yet it now felt cold and sterile. Unsure she had made the right decision.“Excuse me, ladies.” ZhengLi came in behind them wheeling TangShi’s largest suitcase with balanced boxes on top and one under his arm as he slid pa
TangShi padded through to her bedroom to change into comfortable clothes before setting the dining table. Sighing at the familiar space that had once been where she slept every night before she moved into YuZhi’s room when their relationship changed. Now it seemed cold and empty and her gaze wandered around the untouched shelving, baby pink bed linens, and white dresser as her eye landed on a familiar red velvet box placed there. Her heart flipping over as she caught sight of it and her stomach churned with a flutter of emotion.She swallowed hard, recognizing the ring box right away and wandered to it like a moth to a flame. Unable to stop herself as she picked it up and clicked it open without hesitation. Her bright sparkling princess cut engagement ring twinkled back at her, dazzling in its perfection, causing both a sense of warm sentimentality and yet slicing heartache at the same time. A memory of happiness before mayhem and she closed it again fast before the tea
“Hey, Grandad, we’re here, where you at?” YuZhi called out in the empty sitting room off grandfather’s living quarters, expecting him to be close as he had asked to see TangShi now life was quieter. Leading the way with her walking shyly behind him as he ventured towards the closed bedroom door. Still distance between them, but since the announcement of Rong Cai’s release on bail two days ago she was more inclined to stick to his side and have him around again.“I’m here.” Grandfather wandered out, a bright smile on his face and dressed in a casual grey lounge suit today. His white hair shining and combed back and his beard neatly trimmed. For a man in his seventies he was still the picture of health despite needing a walking stick which he used more as a weapon sometimes.“You wanted to see Tang so I brought her to visit, finally.” YuZhi smiled guiltily, eyes flicking to his left as TangShi edged by and sat o
“Nineteen, and they had to wait until her legal age changed before he could wed her. It was a very rushed and quiet affair for a family so well-known and wealthy. Steeped in scandal and speculation that your father was after her money and forced himself upon her to ensure their marriage.”“You think Tang’s mother was forced to have sex with him and then marry because she fell pregnant?” YuZhi choked, eyes widening in disbelief that Lei was so much worse than he fathomed and grandfather nodded his disapproval. His eyes darkening and it was clear this was raking up old scars and regrets for the old man.TangShi paused, her body running cold as she shuddered and couldn’t help thinking of the nature and behaviors of Rong Cai. Believing there were really men who did those kind of heinous things fueled by their own greed and selfishness. Tears welling up in the backs of her eyes and she swallowed hard, taking deep breaths to hide her sudde