Chapter 11

Feng Zhuangzhuang lay bound hand and foot, a gag stuffed in his mouth. Panic-stricken, he thrashed about like a fish stranded on land, his movements ceaseless.

Bald Head and the others, seeing this, began writhing along with him. Seven or eight men squirming in near-unison created quite a spectacular sight.

With everyone fully occupied by their synchronized thrashing, no one paid Zhu Feng any attention. Left with no other choice, Zhu Feng jumped back into the pit and resumed digging.

Jinlin Town stood in the northernmost part of the country, merely two hundred kilometers from the border. Sparsely populated, the mountainous areas nearby were completely deserted.

While continuing his frantic writhing, Feng Zhuangzhuang struggled to push the gag out of his mouth.

The moment he breathed fresh air, he unleashed a piercing scream. Unfortunately, the only responses came from Bald Head and his friends redoubling their squirming efforts, and the lonely, cool mountain air.

Feng Zhuangzhuang soon exhausted his voice. Drenched in sweat and weakened, he stared at Zhu Feng who remained focused on digging. What… what do you want?

Zhu Feng paused, leaning on his shovel against the pit wall. Can’t you tell what I’m doing?

Feng Zhuangzhuang’s eyes reddened. I… I remember who you are now. You’re Yuan Ying’s person. I remember… didn’t you come to Qixian Erwo before? Right outside my window… I lived on the fourth floor. How did you climb up there?

Mr. Feng has an excellent memory, Zhu Feng praised.

Who the hell wants your compliments!

Suppressing the urge to curse, Feng Zhuangzhuang tried to negotiate: About the door-smashing incident… didn’t I already reach an agreement with Boss Yuan? She… she probably doesn’t know about what you’re doing today, right?

No, she doesn’t know, Zhu Feng answered cheerfully, responding to every question.

Then are you doing this to vent her anger, or to extort me? Feng Zhuangzhuang asked, his body covered in cold sweat that felt clammy and chilling in the breeze, though he maintained a facade of composure. Whatever your goal is, I’ll pay you. I’ll give you lots and lots of money, just let me go…

Zhu Feng stared at him for a long moment before smiling.

He wore the white work gloves commonly used on construction sites, his thumb gently stroking the shovel handle as he spoke, appearing every bit the psychopath.

Feng Zhuangzhuang immediately broke out in goosebumps, wanting to speak but unable to form any words.

Zhu Feng had no interest in hearing him anyway. After stretching his limbs, he resumed digging while talking.

That girl has had it hard. Her parents divorced when she was just six months old. Before she was even weaned, she was sent to live with her grandmother in the countryside. After her grandmother passed away, her parents dumped her in a boarding school. Before her permanent teeth had fully grown in, she had to learn how to wash clothes, clean shoes, and navigate social relationships.

Her parents might as well be dead. While other children could seek comfort from their parents, she couldn’t. No one cared for her, no one had her back. Whatever she did, she had to rely on herself. So she learned to endure whatever she could, stumbling through life full of grievances.

Finally she grew up, got her own place, only to meet a scumbag boyfriend who promised to be her family, to protect her. Then he disappeared without a word for three years.

A drop of sweat fell into the soil, instantly absorbed by the earth. After a moment of silence, Zhu Feng resumed digging as if nothing had happened.

She had always talked about opening a guesthouse but could never muster the resolve. Now she finally quit her job, sold her home, and staked everything on pursuing her dream in an unfamiliar place—only to be constantly bullied. Blocking her door with threats—you’ve done that before too, haven’t you? Otherwise, she wouldn’t have bought such an expensive door even before firing Feng Juan, just waiting for it.

In Jinlin Town, the mountains remained snow-covered for half the year. Though there was no snow now, the soil layer was still cold and hard. After digging just two meters deep, the shovel’s edge began to curl.

Zhu Feng tossed the last spadeful of dirt, passed the shovel up, and vaulted out by pressing against the pit wall.

Feng Zhuangzhuang’s face twisted in terror. He instinctively tried to back away but, pinned to the ground, couldn’t move an inch.

She grew up alone and vulnerable, with no one to rely on. Even when fighting back, she had to plan every step carefully. After all that painstaking effort and spending her own money upfront, she only ended up with a little over twenty thousand in compensation—and gave it all away to others. How could you bully such a kind-hearted girl?

Under the full moon, he was covered in grime and dirt. Sweat at the corners of his eyes glinted in the moonlight like scattered silver scales.

Tell me, Zhu Feng asked Feng Zhuangzhuang calmly, without raising his eyes, don’t you deserve to die?

Feng Zhuangzhuang’s lips moved, but no sound came out.

Over there, Bald Head had already spat out what was in his mouth and hurriedly said, It was all Feng Zhuangzhuang’s idea! It has nothing to do with us!

The men behind him nodded vigorously.

Chen Sheng! Feng Zhuangzhuang’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. What do you mean by that?

Bald Head was equally furious. What could I mean? If you’d let my mom work at Qixian Erwo, would any of this have happened?! You brought this on us!

Bullshit! Was it wrong of me to get your mom a job? Feng Zhuangzhuang snapped.

Bald Head fumed, If you really wanted to help, why not place her at your guesthouse? Why stick her at Jin Yuanbao? Who knows what you were plotting!

You—

Zhu Feng clicked his tongue.

The sound was soft, fading quickly into the air, but it sent a jolt through everyone. Their faces turned purplish, and none dared argue further.

Zhu Feng seemed satisfied with their compliance. He pulled out his phone and checked the time. It’s about time.

W-what? A sense of dread washed over Feng Zhuangzhuang.

Zhu Feng met his gaze and smiled cheerfully. Time to send you all on your way.

Even as he was kicked into the pit, Feng Zhuangzhuang felt a sense of unreality. It was Bald Head’s wailing that finally snapped him back to reality. He tried to speak, but a shovelful of dirt landed on him.

Honestly, this shovel should’ve been burying you the first day you caused trouble. But Boss Yuan wanted to handle it herself, so I couldn’t interfere. Now that it’s settled, I’m dealing with you purely for my own satisfaction—it has nothing to do with her.

Zhu Feng gripped the shovel with both hands, sounding almost sentimental. After all, dragons like me, who respect their partners and trust in their capabilities, are truly rare.

He shoveled soil while admiring himself, but the people in the pit were in no state to agree, their pupils dilated with sheer terror.

The soil from Jinlin Town’s mountains was hard and cold. As it hit his face, Feng Zhuangzhuang felt dizzy and disoriented. His throat could no longer produce sound—he could only gasp for breath.

Bald Head initially shouted at the top of his lungs, but as the soil mixed with stones fell like a torrential downpour, he gradually lost his voice.

The long night dragged on, with only the sound of shovels digging through the earth. Everyone lying at the bottom of the pit was covered in a thick layer of dirt, and the more timid ones had already wet themselves in fear.

Feng Zhuangzhuang’s face was ashen, trembling with his eyes shut as he awaited death. Yet after a long wait, he found he could still breathe freely.

He shifted slightly, hesitantly opened his eyes, and saw Zhu Feng sitting casually at the edge of the pit, his long legs dangling carelessly.

Not a pleasant feeling, being terrorized, is it? he asked with a smile.

At that moment, in everyone’s eyes, he was no different from a silver-haired demon. Bald Head couldn’t take it anymore and began to sob quietly.

Just a joke, why the tears? Zhu Feng hopped down into the pit, shovel in hand, and approached unhurriedly.

Bald Head whimpered, his face smeared with snot and tears, staring blankly as Zhu Feng drew near and raised the shovel toward him.

Parts of the shovel were bent and worn, while other parts had been sharpened to a fine edge by the hard soil. As it swung down, a flash of white light streaked like a meteor.

Convinced he was about to die, Bald Head let out one last scream before breaking into heart-wrenching sobs.

He cried for what felt like an eternity until Feng Zhuangzhuang snapped, Stop your endless crying! It’s annoying!

Only then did he realize he wasn’t dead.

Not only was he alive, but the ropes binding him had been cut.

Looking up, he saw Zhu Feng had already leaped out of the deep pit and was watching them silently under the moonlight.

You won’t call the police after you go back, will you? he asked.

Bald Head caught the underlying threat and nodded eagerly, but Feng Zhuangzhuang beside him wore a dark expression, thinking, How could I not report this?

The moment I get back, I’m calling the police! I’ll make sure this psycho rots in jail!

Actually, it doesn’t matter if you report it. Since I dared to let you go, I’m confident I can walk away unscathed. But,—Zhu Feng kicked a small stone from the pit’s edge, which happened to hit Feng Zhuangzhuang’s leg, making him flinch—if you do report it, it’ll cause some trouble. I’m a petty person, and I’ll definitely hold you accountable. If I could capture you once, I can do it again.

He chuckled. Next time, I’ll really bury you.

Feng Zhuangzhuang: …

Bald Head and the others: …

After tormenting these local bullies, Zhu Feng returned to the guesthouse in high spirits.

It was already past 2 a.m., the start of a new day.

The guesthouse was pitch dark, except for a small lamp still glowing in the living room.

Having just finished the physical labor, he was starving and headed to the kitchen to find something to eat. Through the floor-to-ceiling window, he spotted a cup noodle on the living room coffee table.

A single tomato beef flavored cup noodle sat quietly among a pile of pickled cabbage ones.

At 2:11 a.m., he pushed open the door to the first-floor Water View room and woke Shu Lin.

Did you leave this for me too? Zhu Feng asked, holding the tomato beef noodle.

Shu Lin, drowsy and half-asleep, mumbled, …Why would I leave you instant noodles?

Zhu Feng chuckled and left.

Shu Lin collapsed back onto the bed, now wide awake, his mind looping one thought endlessly: Why would I leave him instant noodles?!

At 2:40 a.m., freshly showered and changed, Zhu Feng appeared in the third-floor guesthouse owner’s room, still holding a cup noodle.

You left these for me, he curled his lips and sat directly on the edge of the bed, You know I only eat tomato flavor.

Wrapped in a strange feverish warmth, Yuan Ying had no time to answer his question. Half-asleep, she furrowed her brows and unconsciously rubbed her legs against the quilt.

Zhu Feng reached out to stroke her face. In her dream, Yuan Ying resembled a thirsty traveler finding a spring, immediately pressing closer to his touch.

A sigh escaped Zhu Feng’s throat as he leaned down to kiss her lips.

Just like previous nights, Yuan Ying only briefly opened her eyes. Seeing his face, she closed them again, peacefully accepting his ministrations.

When the deep kiss ended, Zhu Feng buried his face in the crook of her neck, steadying his breath before straightening up to wipe the moisture from her lips.

The crease between Yuan Ying’s brows had smoothed out as she hugged the quilt and fell into deep sleep. Zhu Feng quietly watched her sleeping face until a sliver of light seeped through the loosely drawn curtains, then turned to leave.

Mmm…

Zhu Feng halted abruptly near the door. The previously soundly sleeping Yuan Ying had begun tossing and turning again.

He returned to her side, detecting a stronger, sweeter fragrance.

The initial restless period had ended – simple kisses could no longer soothe her now.

Zhu Feng’s brows tightened, realizing certain matters could no longer be postponed.

💝 Support the Team

soowe05

✍️ Translator

💙 PayPal