Chapter 10, Scream
My words sank deeply into Ren Meier's ears, striking at her heart. The hatred she originally felt towards me crumbled in that moment. This conversation reminded Ren Meier of many shattered images. She vaguely recalled how Liu Gang had hurriedly tried to untie the ropes just now. Even now, there are still four ropes on the bed. If Liu Gang was indeed bound, then who was the one orchestrating what happened last night? Who was the one behind it all? The answer is evident.
This scream startled me greatly, making me truly believe that Ren Meier intended to do something. Almost instinctively, I turned over, wanting to leap out of bed, but I forgot that my feet were still tied to the bed. As I exerted myself to jump up, the bed actually shifted slightly, and my feet felt as if they were about to be severed. I couldn't help but let out a cry, which harmonized with Ren Meier's scream.
Two people, one sitting and the other standing, their bare bodies merging with the scent left from a night of wild abandon, filling the entire room with an unusual atmosphere. Yet, at this moment, neither of them is focused on this; they feel no trace of the splendid scene before them—one is in despair, the other in panic.
When my hands and feet were completely liberated, I almost leaped off the bed and retreated to the dressing table, trying to lean as close to the door as possible. Only then did I dare to look at Ren Meier. At this moment, because I had the ability to resist, my heart became somewhat calmer as I gazed warily at the woman in front of me, whose hair was somewhat disheveled and who was completely naked.
In a moment of daze, I found that my own questions went unanswered, and instead, I cursed myself. It was clear what the accusations were about: the madness of the two of us last night. Although I felt guilty towards Congying in my heart and in the books, I did not bear too much psychological burden. Even if Congying had a spirit in the heavens, she would certainly not blame me for this. I continuously comforted myself, yet my gaze fell upon that new bed, where the pink sheets bore a glaring stain of blood, causing my heart to suddenly tremble, and my heartbeat quickened significantly. However, I still did not bear too much psychological burden. Even if Congying had a spirit in the heavens, she would certainly not blame me for this. I continuously comforted myself, yet my gaze fell upon that new bed, where the pink sheets bore a glaring stain of blood, causing my heart to suddenly tremble, and my heartbeat quickened significantly
"Gang Ge, how are you? Where are you now? Speak up, I beg you, Gang Ge—" This was the voice of Li Hongling. From childhood to adulthood, there has only been one girl who called herself 'brother,' and that is Li Congying's younger sister, Li Hongling. This girl, who is three years younger than me, has always been regarded as a sister by me.
Rushing out of the funeral home in a panic, I saw a figure approaching me from the darkness. As it drew closer, I realized it was the already deceased Li Congying, dragging a trail of intestines behind him, with bits of flesh splattering from his mouth. It was a horrifying scene that left me dumbfounded; I wished I could faint, but I could only sit on the ground, unable to move. The man rushed back, picked me up, and leaped over the wall with me. I fell heavily to the ground and struggled to get up, only to see the man preparing to jump down from the wall. Then, something happened— I was left in shock, wishing I could faint, but I remained seated on the ground, unable to move. The man rushed back again, picked me up, and leaped over the wall with me. I fell heavily to the ground and struggled to get up, only to see the man preparing to jump down from the wall. Then, something happened—
Nonsense, it is not I who has wronged Congying, but you. Do you not remember what you did last night? You knocked me out at the funeral home, moved me to Congying's new house, and tied my hands and feet to the bed, rendering me unable to move. All of this was done by you, Ren Meier. As for— as for— my face flushed slightly, but that matter is difficult to speak of. I have not yet opened up to that extent, yet my eyes fell on the bed sheet. It was my first time, but I had not expected that Ren Meier was also a first-timer. It is truly unimaginable.
"Why aren't you speaking? Last night, didn't you say you wished you could die a thousand times for Congying? You also said he owes you. Since you've dared to do this, what is there to be afraid of saying?" I swallowed hard, my voice low, paused for a moment, then continued, "If you don't speak, I won't let this go easily. Congying and I are the best of brothers; I won't allow him to leave this world in peace like this."
The voice grew increasingly high-pitched, and there was a trace of hatred in the expression. The smooth body trembled incessantly, as if wanting to stand up and rush towards me, yet ultimately remained motionless. The hands were tightly clenched, and due to the excessive force, faint traces of blood could be seen where the nails dug in. The chest rose and fell continuously, revealing an inner turmoil, or perhaps a deep-seated anger.
After a moment of silence, I also felt a sense of discomfort throughout my body, as if I were becoming increasingly cold. Liu Gang did not understand why this was happening. Just at that moment, the phone on the bedside suddenly rang, startling both me and the frightened Ren Meier, causing us to shudder. Once I realized it was the phone ringing, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. My eyes did not dare to leave Ren Meier, yet I turned sideways and walked to the bedside, reaching out to pick up the phone. I glanced at it briefly; it was a somewhat unfamiliar number, but instinctively, I answered it.
Ren Meier was stunned, realizing that both she and Liu Gang were completely naked, and the pain in her lower body made her aware of what had happened last night. Especially as she saw Liu Gang's imposing figure before her, she could not comprehend how she could have engaged in such an act with this man. The shock filled her with an unprecedented sense of despair, as she felt violated by him. In a daze, she watched as he reached to untie the ropes on his hands, looking at her with a face full of vigilance, as if guarding against a monster that might erupt in violence at any moment. In that instant, Ren Meier screamed in terror, unable to fathom how she could have been involved with this man.
Furrowing her brow, she felt a stir in her heart and withdrew from herself. Ren Meier had been like this all along; the situation seemed somewhat off, yet she did not dare to approach Ren Meier easily. What on earth was wrong with this woman? Despite appearing to be on the verge of a mental breakdown, I found it hard to trust the Ren Meier from last night, who had been so wild.
After a while, there was no response from Ren Meier; she merely stared blankly. Although her gaze was directed towards me, it did not focus on my figure, as if she were trying to see through my body to an unknown place, sitting there in a daze, without a trace of reaction
As the words fell, my eyes kept flickering, recalling what Ren Meier had said last night. I was almost certain in my heart that Ren Meier had killed Li Congying and created a false impression, making people believe it was a bizarre suicide. However, there was also a perplexing question in my mind: given that Ren Meier had been in a relationship with Li Congying for several years, what kind of deep-seated hatred could lead her to commit such a heinous act, killing Li Congying in such a tragic manner? Just thinking back on it sent chills down my spine.
As soon as the words fell, it was unclear which statement provoked Ren Meier. The previously dazed Ren Meier suddenly smiled, a desolate smile that, combined with her pale complexion and despairing eyes, was heartbreakingly poignant. She murmured: "You dare to call yourself his brother? Can intelligence be blind? Do your actions truly honor your brother? Are you even human? You are nothing but a beast—"
In the midst of the panic, I cast a sideways glance at Ren Meier and found her merely staring blankly at herself, without making any move. I felt a slight sense of relief in my heart, but I did not dare to waste any more time. I sat up and hurriedly reached down to untie my two bound feet. In my haste, I nearly stumbled several times and almost fell off the bed, but in the end, I managed to free myself completely
Steeling myself, I was unwilling to recall everything that had happened. Taking a deep breath, I spoke in a low voice: "Hongling, I'm fine. Uncle Li and Aunt Li are all right, right? As long as they are fine, that's good. I'm currently at your brother's new house; please come over for a moment."
As a result, Ren Meier did not move; she merely curled herself into a ball, her face displaying a look of terror, her entire body trembling, the extent of her fear was truly unimaginable
Ren Meier's body trembled uncontrollably, curling into a ball. Various scenes whirled in her mind, becoming a chaotic mess. Her teeth clenched tightly on her lip, and slowly, blood began to flow down, yet she felt no pain at all. Her entire body was tense, and a profound fear engulfed Ren Meier.
Finally, Ren Meier could no longer restrain herself and let out a sharp scream. Her voice was somewhat hoarse, yet it reached a high pitch that startled me, causing me to instinctively recoil a bit. I looked at Ren Meier in confusion, wondering if this was another episode of her madness. Could it be a sign of a personality change? I have always suspected that Ren Meier might be suffering from schizophrenia.
At this moment, Ren Meier's eyes were vacant, her gaze completely unfocused on me. Everything that had transpired over the past two days had utterly shattered this fragile woman. Her complexion was exceptionally pale, showing no concern for the man's gaze lingering on her naked body. The scene of Li Congying's suicide, the haunting imagery of the mortuary, and the fact that she had been defiled by this man had completely collapsed Ren Meier's heart, plunging her into near despair. All these events incessantly swirled in her mind.
Taking a deep breath, I made an effort to calm my emotions before slowly speaking. Even so, my voice still trembled slightly: "Ren Meier, many things have happened in the past two days, many things that are hard to face. You have seen it too; Congying has risen from the dead, and he must be burdened with something that prevents him from resting in peace. I want to ask you, how exactly did he die?"
Hearing Li Hongling's voice, I felt a bit more at ease. It seems that the incident last night did not harm her, which is good. Since I regained consciousness, I have been in a state of tension, without time to think about those matters. If Hongling is fine, then Uncle Li and Aunt Li must also be fine, which is reassuring. Ultimately, it is a form of reassurance to the spirit of Congying in heaven. As I recall the events of the past two days, a chill continues to rise from my heart.
How could I not remember anything at all? In the chaotic memories, it seems I vaguely see myself riding on this man's back, moving incessantly. Yet, at that moment, I felt as if I were floating in mid-air, or perhaps standing aside, observing coldly, devoid of any sorrow or joy. What is happening? I only remember the instant when that man was about to jump; it felt as if something happened, rushing into my body, yet I couldn't recall what it was at that moment. After that, I became a spectator, or rather, I had lost all sensation, all consciousness. I had done something, yet there was not a trace of memory left. It was as if I were standing aside, observing coldly, devoid of any sorrow or joy. What is happening? I only remember the instant when that man was about to jump; it felt as if something happened, rushing into my body, yet I couldn't recall what it was at that moment. After that, I became a spectator, or rather, I had lost all sensation, all consciousness. I had done something, yet there was not a trace of memory left. What exactly happened?