Fang Qin was hospitalized, and Chen Ting visited her once.
Seeing Chen Ting, Fang Qin was delighted, offering her apples and bananas. Chen Ting took the apple to wash, peeled it with a knife, and the two of them chatted as they shared the fruit.
Fang Qin learned from Fang Kelou that it was Chen Ting who brought her to the hospital. Grateful, she insisted on treating Chen Ting to a meal once she was discharged.
Chen Ting quickly declined, saying it was the least she could do, and there was no need for formalities.
After a while, Chen Ting noticed Fang Kelou hadn't returned and curiously asked, "Aunt Fang, where's Lulu?" Fang Kelou had been staying with Fang Qin in the hospital for the past few days, and it had been quite a while since Chen Ting arrived. Even if Fang Kelou had gone out to buy something, she should have returned by now.
"Lulu had something to do at home, but she'll be back soon."
As Fang Qin spoke, a smile crossed her face, "These past few days, Lulu has been mentioning you often, saying you're a good person and a friend worth having."
"Really?" Chen Ting asked cautiously, part of her probing, part of her genuine vulnerability. With her current appearance, could anyone truly want to be her friend?
Fang Qin, who had lived through many hardships, immediately saw the unease on Chen Ting's face. She reached out and gently patted Chen Ting's head.
With warmth, she said, "Xiaoting, a person's appearance is not something they can choose. Don't feel inferior. One day, when you've made something of yourself, no one will dare look down on you."
Seeing the flicker of relief in Chen Ting's eyes, Fang Qin withdrew her hand and smiled, "Lulu may seem prickly on the outside, but deep down, she's straightforward and sincere. If she recognizes you, it means she genuinely thinks well of you."
"You should try being friends with her. Because of me, she hasn't had many true friends growing up."
Fang Qin's words echoed in Chen Ting's mind as she walked home, her head down, kicking a pebble. She, too, longed for a genuine friend.
But the trauma Wang Jie inflicted on her in her past life was so severe that even hearing the word "friend" now made her instinctively shudder in fear.
Feeling a tightness in her chest, Chen Ting entered an alley.
Suddenly, a piercing scream rang out from the adjacent alley. Startled, Chen Ting stood frozen for a moment, shivering. She mentally recited that curiosity kills the cat, yet her feet involuntarily carried her toward the sound.
Several disheveled women leaned against the wall, looking terrified as a group of thuggish men closed in on them.
"Stay back, don't come any closer, or we'll call for help!" The words, as old and clichéd as they were, trembled from the lips of one woman, doing little to deter the advancing men—if anything, it was almost laughable.
Hiding behind a corner, Chen Ting frowned as she spotted Fang Kelou, brandishing a long knife, leading the group of menacing figures. So this was the "business at home" she had to attend to.
These women must have been responsible for harming Fang Qin; otherwise, Fang Kelou wouldn't have gone to such lengths to confront a few older women.
Although these women were despicable for hurting Fang Qin, the knife in Fang Kelou's hand was dangerous—it could kill. If Fang Kelou lost control and took someone's life, her own future would be ruined.
Chen Ting stared at the crowd, her foot, which had impulsively stepped forward, slowly retreated. She didn't want to get involved, but she was also afraid that Fang Kelou, in a moment of impulsive rage, might do something irreversible.
While she hesitated, a sudden gust of wind passed her. Chen Ting looked up, only catching a glimpse of a tall man walking briskly toward the alley.
He wore a simple black T-shirt, yet it gave him an effortlessly stylish look. Chen Ting watched as he approached Fang Kelou.
"Hong-ge," a voice called out from the edge of the crowd. Dàshān, one of Fang Kelou's men, spotted the man and, with a look of relief, quickly made way for him.
Hong Xi walked up to Fang Kelou, snatching the knife from her hand. As Fang Kelou glared at him angrily, he raised an eyebrow, "What's this about?"
Seeing it was him, Fang Kelou's hostility faded, and she averted her eyes sheepishly, "Brother, why are you here?"
Hong Xi gave her a stern look. "If I didn't come, were you planning on catching a murder charge? How many days do you want to spend in jail?"
Fang Kelou opened her mouth but couldn't refute his words. Hong Xi, annoyed by her recklessness, tapped her on the forehead, "I told you to wait for me, but you came here on your own, in such a hurry? Do you really think they're going anywhere?"
Fang Kelou bit her lip and stayed silent, knowing she had acted impulsively this time. If something had gone wrong, and the police had gotten involved, the consequences would have been disastrous.
Seeing the remorse on her face, Hong Xi turned to the terrified women and smiled, "Looks like you ladies were just returning from the market?"
Their grocery baskets had been kicked over, eggs and vegetables strewn across the ground, with broken eggs mixing with the trampled leaves, attracting flies. The women stood amidst the mess, looking utterly wretched.
One of the women, normally known for her brashness, mustered the courage to raise her chin and speak to Hong Xi with defiance, "Who do you think you are? I'm warning you, get lost now, or I'll call the police and have you all arrested!"
Before her words even settled, a round of mocking laughter erupted around her. Someone spat on the ground, cursing, "Idiot, do you really think we'd give you the chance to make that call? Stupid housewife, raising kids has made you brainless."
Hong Xi, hearing himself called a "nobody" for the first time, found the nickname oddly amusing, though it didn't make him laugh. Crossing his arms, he looked at the woman, who was clearly bluffing, and chuckled, "Auntie, do you know why we're here today?"
"I don't want to know. Just get out of here!" The woman's voice cracked from fear, though she tried to maintain her composure.
Hong Xi raised his eyebrows and gestured for two heavily tattooed men to come forward. Placing a hand on one of their shoulders, he squeezed the man's muscular frame, "You've got some solid muscle here."
The man scratched his head and grinned, "Thanks for the compliment, Brother Hong."
"These ladies aren't in the mood to talk. Why don't you two show off some of your skills until they decide they're ready for a conversation?"
"Got it." The two men cracked their knuckles and advanced toward the women.
Fang Kelou stood by, watching as the women's terror reached its peak. Oddly, she found this slow grind of intimidation far more satisfying than simply attacking them outright.
Seeing that the situation was now under control, Chen Ting, though still curious, knew it was time to leave. As she turned to go, she didn't notice a pair of eyes following her until she disappeared from sight.
Hong Xi's memory wasn't particularly sharp, yet he still remembered that girl from the bus. He hadn't expected to see her again here. What had she been doing, hiding behind the wall?
"Just now, there was a girl hiding by the wall. She had a ponytail, and her skin looked pale and malnourished. Do you know her?" Hong Xi nudged Fang Kelou with his elbow.
Fang Kelou immediately thought of Chen Ting and asked, "Was she wearing gray canvas shoes?"
Hong Xi thought for a moment, then nodded, "Yeah, gray shoes."
"Yes, I know her. She's staying at my house right now. Her name's Chen Ting." What was she doing there, hiding by the wall?
Chen Ting—such a delicate name, completely out of sync with her appearance. Still, people were full of surprises. Hong Xi stroked his chin, finding her oddly intriguing.