Chapter 60

Ren Xu’s case was neither serious nor light, but he had obviously planned for the worst, and did not come unprepared. After getting caught, he hired a well-known lawyer to fight for his case, and gathered a bunch of evidence that could go against Jian Ci.

On the surface, Zhou Bai said that he wouldn’t interfere, but he had secretly provided the prosecutor with a chunk of witness testimonies, evidence material and clues, which easily pulled Jian Ci out of trouble. How the court made their judgment later on, he didn’t care. And all the money that was obtained in exchange from Ren Xu’s property, stocks and surplus funds, all the more he did not give a hoot.

It was just that when Jian Ci happily handed him the passbook while humming “Emancipated Serfs Sing Proudly1“, he reluctantly popped a champagne to celebrate his victory.

However, they had never imagined that a scourge like Ren Xu, despite being in jail, could still cause trouble.

When Ren Xu’s current boyfriend – an eighteen or nineteen-year-old young man – realized that not only had he been cheated on, but had lost both his man and money overnight, he placed all the blame on Jian Ci.

That day, Jian Ci was on his way home after working overtime. When he passed by a small alley, his nose and mouth was suddenly covered, and he was dragged away. What followed was a series of aggressive punches and kicks.

The Little Boyfriend twirled a knife in his hand, a sinister tone in his voice, “So it’s you. I was wondering who was it.”

Jian Ci internally cursed Ren Xu eight hundred times.

Little Boyfriend was engrossed in his character, “He promised that there would be better days ahead of us, and it’s all your fault! He’s not here now, and the money’s gone too, I have nothing left! Tell me, how are you going to compensate for this?”

Jian Ci was unable to understand such a thought of a second-grade youth, “He committed a crime… and it’s only natural that he bear the consequences of it. By beating me up to pieces…” Jian Ci hissed, “Would you have everything in your grasp?”

“I just can’t let this go! What’s more, you’re a married2 man right? And I heard your husband is pretty rich. Not only can I beat you up, I can even kidnap you too! When that moment comes, I’ll have all the money I was supposed to have!”

Jian Ci was afraid that the boy would actually kidnap him, but after hearing him admitting it out loud, he felt relieved instead.

A dog that barks never bites; since he had said it out, he probably did not have the guts nor capabilities to do so. Perhaps it was just an act to scare Jian Ci, just like the small knife he was holding in his hands. Jian Ci was well aware of not pushing his buttons, afraid of saying something that might provoke him, as it was hard to say what this person would do.

It was unknown where these thugs which Little Boyfriend hired came from, and they were merciless. Jian Ci was feeling pain all over from those beatings, and he was trying his best to protect his vital points. He folded his body and covered his face with his hands, but as those gangsters took turns to whack him, holding him up and kicking him, Jian Ci was unable to withstand any longer. He was unaware when his phone and wallet fell out, and was kicked away. Jian Ci dodged and avoided them several times, trying to inch closer to his phone, planning to call for help when they were not paying attention.

At that moment, Little Boyfriend picked up Jian Ci’s wallet, taking all the cash inside. Perhaps it was out of greed, he asked the latter for the PIN to his bank card next. Jian Ci was beaten till his ears were basically ringing, and adding on to his strong desire to get his phone, how could he have possibly heard Little Boyfriend? Seeing that someone was blocking his way, he used all his strength to push the obstacle away.

Little Boyfriend staggered two steps back, bumping his head against the wall. Feeling the back of his head, he found out he was bleeding. Instantly infuriated, he pounced on Jian Ci and scuffled with him.

In the midst of chaos, the small knife in his hand slashed across. The very next second, warm fresh blood splattered onto his hands…

That day, Zhou Bai got off work on time, but after he reached home, he felt ill at ease; he broke the mug while getting water, he dialed the wrong number for food delivery, and whatever he did did not go well.

Jian Ci had informed him at noon that he would be working overtime, but it was already past eleven at night, and Jian Ci was not home yet. Hence, Zhou Bai was lonely and felt empty. Not able to endure it anymore, he picked up his phone to call Jian Ci. At that moment, his phone rang, and the caller was Jian Ci.

The sound that came through the receiver was patchy and weak, “… Mister Zhou, I… am in pain…”

Footnote:

1翻身农奴把歌唱, a Tibetian folk music.

2有夫之夫 (yǒu fū zhī fū), a married man with a husband, derived from 有妇之夫 (yǒu fù zhī fū), which means a married man with a wife.