Chapter 6: Rage
Ye Tianlin glared at the thugs, his voice cold and curt. "Leave." Then, with a sharp bang, he slammed the door shut.
The thugs, faced with the infamous Second Young Master of the Ye family—known for his ruthless reputation—didn't dare protest. They swallowed their frustration and slunk away like beaten dogs.
Inside, Ye Tianlin strode to the restroom door with a smirk tugging at his lips. He called out, his voice deceptively calm, "They're gone. You can come out now." His chest tightened in anticipation. Woman, we meet again.
But there was no response.
Frowning, he knocked again, harder this time. When the silence persisted, a flicker of unease crossed his face. His patience snapped, and with one swift kick, he forced the door open.
The restroom was empty.
His gaze darted to the open window. Rushing to it, he leaned out and peered down. His breath hitched. The fifth floor. The woman had scaled down the water pipes.
"Damn it!" he growled, slamming his fist against the glass. His dark eyes burned with fury. "Woman, one day, I'll catch you."
"Ha… ha…"
In a dark alley reeking of decay and mildew, Liang Xiaoluo huddled in a shadowy corner, her hand clamped over her mouth to stifle her breathing. Rats scurried past, and the stench was nauseating, but it was better than being caught.
Her heart pounded like a drum, her nerves taut as steel. She couldn't believe her luck—first sold to loan sharks by her stepmother, and now running into her one-night stand not once, but twice.
Exhausted, she sank to the ground, her legs too weak to carry her any further. She couldn't help but laugh bitterly at herself. When did I become this pathetic?
Was she destined to live life on the run?
The oppressive silence of the alley offered a moment of respite, and her thoughts turned to her father. Anxiety gnawed at her. Was he okay? Had the thugs hurt him?
Needing answers, she powered on her phone. A slew of missed calls appeared on the screen, all from the same person—Nan Shaojie.
Her chest tightened. With Shaojie's resources, he could undoubtedly help her. But her pride wouldn't let her drag him into her mess.
The phone vibrated, snapping her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the caller ID. It was him again.
Without hesitation, she declined the call.
But it rang again. And again. Relentless.
Finally, her inner turmoil broke, and she picked up.
"Hello?" she answered, her voice flat.
A syrupy voice immediately greeted her. "Sister! Where are you? Dad told me what happened with Mom and the loan sharks. Are you okay? I've been so worried!"
"Ha!" Liang Xiaoluo let out a cold laugh, the sound dripping with sarcasm.
The voice on the other end faltered but quickly recovered. "I know what Mom did was awful. I'm so sorry, Sister…"
"Is there a point to this?" Liang Xiaoluo interrupted icily. "If not, I'm hanging up."
"Sister, wait!" Lin Xue exclaimed hastily. "Dad was worried you might be short on money. He asked me to bring some to you."
"Dad asked you?" Liang Xiaoluo's tone sharpened. Her instincts screamed that something was off.
Sensing her suspicion, Lin Xue hurried to explain. "Dad wanted to bring it himself, but he… he couldn't."
"What do you mean?" Xiaoluo demanded, her heart sinking.
Lin Xue's voice grew thick with emotion. "When I got home, Dad was beaten so badly he couldn't move. I took him to the hospital, but he's still unconscious."
"What? Dad's in the hospital? Which one? Is it serious? Tell me now!" Panic seized her.
"Sister, you can't go to the hospital! The loan sharks are everywhere. It's too dangerous. Tell me where you are. I'll come get you and sneak you in to see him safely."
Despite her reservations, concern for her father overrode her caution. "Fine."
After sharing her location, she hung up and waited anxiously for Lin Xue to arrive.
Half an hour later, Lin Xue's voice came through her phone. "Sister, I'm here. Come out."
Relieved, Liang Xiaoluo emerged from the alley. She spotted Lin Xue and raised her hand to wave—only to freeze in horror as several burly men stepped out from behind her.
Lin Xue's voice was sickly sweet as she turned to the thugs. "See? I told you she'd be here."
A cold gust swept through the narrow alley, stinging Liang Xiaoluo's face like a slap. Though she couldn't clearly see Lin Xue's face in the dim light, she could feel the smug satisfaction radiating off her.
Her chest tightened with bitter realization. Once again, she had been played.
One of the thugs chuckled darkly, slapping Lin Xue on the back. "You're ruthless, selling out your own sister."
Shrugging off his hand, Lin Xue sneered, "Sister? I don't have a sister." Holding out her palm, she added, "Where's my money?"
The thug handed over a wad of cash, his grin lecherous. "Here. A little bonus for your trouble."
Lin Xue counted the bills with a satisfied smile before sauntering off without a backward glance.
"Lin Xue!" Liang Xiaoluo's furious shout stopped her in her tracks.
Lin Xue turned slightly, her expression one of disdain. "Oh, dear sister. Enjoy your night. Consider it a parting gift from me."
Her laughter echoed as she disappeared into the darkness.
Liang Xiaoluo's blood boiled. How dare she? How dare she use Dad's condition to lure me out!
The thugs began closing in, their predatory smiles sending shivers down her spine.
She glared at them, her voice trembling with anger and fear. "Stay back! Don't come near me!"
Her defiance only amused them. "Feisty, isn't she? I like that," one of them jeered.
The leader silenced him with a slap. "Idiot. Boss said to deliver her untouched."
"But boss doesn't need to know," the lackey argued, grinning. "We can have a little fun first."
The leader hesitated, then shrugged. "Fine. Let's see if she's worth the price."
"No! Stay away!" Liang Xiaoluo screamed, her voice cracking as she backed against the cold brick wall.
The men laughed, their leering faces drawing closer. Desperation clawed at her chest. This can't be the end. I won't let it.
As they reached for her, Liang Xiaoluo clenched her fists. If she was going down, she wouldn't go without a fight.