Chapter 3: Flavor
Liang Hui let out a deep sigh, raising his head. His eyes were filled with guilt as he spoke in a low voice, "Xiaoluo, this is all my fault."
Suddenly, without warning, he slapped himself across the face. Again and again, each slap landing with brutal force.
"Dad!" Liang Xiaoluo screamed, rushing to grab his hands to stop him from harming himself further. Though her voice was softer now, she had realized the gravity of the situation. "No matter what she's done, I… I'll forgive her."
After all, that woman was her father's wife. She had endured it all, choosing not to fight back.
Tears welled up in Liang Hui's eyes as he suddenly fell to his knees before her. Bowing his head, he sobbed and said, "Xiaoluo, your stepmother… she sold you to the loan sharks. They're looking for you everywhere. Once they catch you, they'll sell you off to the highest bidder to be someone's mistress. I'm sorry… it's all my fault. I couldn't protect you…"
"What?" Liang Xiaoluo's eyes widened in disbelief. Her fists clenched tightly, though she suppressed her anger. Instead, she helped her father to his feet and muttered through gritted teeth, "That woman…"
She dared to sell her?
"We need to leave now!" Liang Hui, aware of his failure as a father, quickly grabbed her hand and urged her toward the door. Taking out a wad of cash—his last remaining money—he stuffed it into her pocket. "Here, take this. Buy a plane ticket to Seattle. I've already contacted your aunt. When you arrive, call this number. She'll pick you up from the airport." He paused, turning his face away. "Once you're there, don't come back. Just think of this as your father's failure…"
"Dad!" Liang Xiaoluo shook off his hand, her voice rising in anger. "She has no right to sell me! I'm not leaving. Why should I?"
Her father was the only family she had left, the one she cared for most. How could she abandon him?
"Xiaoluo…" Liang Hui's eyes were bloodshot, filled with despair. He pleaded with her, "Be a good girl and listen to your dad. Go to your aunt's place and stay there for now. Once I've resolved everything, I'll come and get you, okay?"
Even as he spoke, he pulled her toward the door. They had no time to waste. The loan sharks could show up at any moment, and escaping then would be impossible.
"Dad, can you really come for me later?" Liang Xiaoluo broke free, her voice trembling. She knew all too well her father's current situation. The company was bankrupt, and everything valuable had been sold off by her stepmother. He was now penniless, a shadow of the man he once was.
Though she didn't want to wound his pride, she couldn't bring herself to leave. Why should she? Why should she let that vile woman dictate her life? She would never forgive her.
"Xiaoluo, I…" Liang Hui stammered, unable to answer.
Their argument was interrupted by loud banging on the door downstairs, followed by coarse, threatening voices.
"Old man, open the door! We know you're hiding your daughter. If you don't open up, I'll burn this place to the ground!"
"Stop wasting time with him. That old geezer needs a lesson!"
"Smash the door down, boys!"
Laughter and the sound of fists pounding against the door echoed ominously.
Hearing this, Liang Hui's face went pale. He began pacing back and forth, muttering to himself, "What do I do? They've found us… What do I do?" Then, resolute, he said, "No! I won't let them take my daughter."
He hurriedly pulled Liang Xiaoluo back into the house, locking the door behind them. Leading her to the window, he peeked outside to ensure the coast was clear before urging her, "Xiaoluo, quick, climb out the window. I'll hold them off."
"Dad!" Liang Xiaoluo could sense the danger but refused to leave him behind. Stubbornly, she shook her head and said, "I'm not leaving. No matter what you say, I won't go."
Liang Hui was near tears. Desperation lined his voice as he begged, "Xiaoluo, please! You're all I have left. If something happens to you, how will I ever face your late mother?"
Her mother—always her soft spot. Xiaoluo hesitated, her resolve wavering. Finally, she relented. Clutching her phone tightly, she climbed onto the window ledge. Yet, she hesitated once more and turned back to him. "Dad, come with me. Let's leave together. Don't waste your life on those two. They don't deserve you."
Darkness clouded Liang Hui's eyes. He gave a faint, bitter smile and said, "She's still my wife…" Holding Xiaoluo's hand tightly, he added, "Don't worry about me. They're after you, not me. You need to go."
Standing firm against the door, he braced himself, his body a barrier between her and danger. "Xiaoluo, take care of yourself. And if nothing else, remember this is my fault…"
Just as she opened her mouth to protest, the loan sharks broke through the downstairs door. The sound of their boots thundered as they stormed up the stairs, banging on the door to their apartment.
"Old man, I'm warning you—don't try anything stupid. Open this door right now!"
Liang Hui pressed harder against the door, shouting, "Xiaoluo, run! Now!"
His roar shook her. Without another moment's hesitation, she climbed out onto the ledge, her father's shouts fading into the background. Climbing down, she heard his final plea echo in her ears:
"Run! Don't ever come back!"
The loan sharks burst into the apartment, easily overpowering Liang Hui and beating him mercilessly.
Xiaoluo didn't see her father fall. She didn't see the bruises forming or the blood staining the floor. She ran with everything she had, her breath ragged, her legs burning. She didn't dare look back, terrified of being caught and sold.
Adrenaline coursed through her, pushing her frail body to its limits. She sprinted through the streets, weaving through alleys, until she had lost her pursuers. Only when she could no longer run did she collapse in a quiet corner, gasping for air.
Looking up at the blue sky, she felt an overwhelming sense of despair. The world seemed so serene—so cruelly at odds with her current state.
"Why me?" she whispered. "Why is my life such a mess?"
The faint hum of a voice startled her. It was coming from her hand.
"Hello? Xiaoluo? Xiaoluo, can you hear me?"
She stared at her phone, realizing it was still on, the screen displaying a familiar name.
Shaojie.
His voice—so warm and gentle, once her comfort—now felt like a curse. A flood of memories washed over her: the taunts, the threats, the humiliation.
"Liang Xiaoluo, you're just a small-time businessman's daughter. You'll never be good enough for him."
"You think you can be with someone like Shaojie? You're nothing but a joke."
"Stay away from him, or I'll ruin your father's company."
The insults rang in her ears, her heart breaking all over again.
Tears she had fought so hard to hold back now spilled freely. Covering her mouth to muffle her sobs, she cried until she could barely breathe.
"Xiaoluo? Are you there? Please say something!" His voice was frantic, growing more desperate with each unanswered call.
With trembling hands, she hung up. Turning off her phone, she let the silence envelop her.
It was quiet now.
But the weight of her hopelessness bore down on her, and all she could do was sit in the shadows, wondering what to do next.
For the first time, she felt truly defeated.
A gruff voice shattered the silence.
"She's over there! Quick!"
Her heart stopped as she saw figures approaching. They had found her.
Without hesitation, she bolted again, her legs burning with the effort. Catching a cab, she yelled, "To the airport! Drive fast!"
It was her only chance to escape.