Chapter 2, Submerged from the Mortal Realm (2)

She looked so disheveled, with blood even smeared on her eyelashes. Yet she clearly gazed straight at him and blinked her eyes.

She thought that perhaps it was time for her to go back

Liang Jinge's gaze fell upon her face, clearly revealing the despair in her eyes. She kept her eyes wide open, appearing both unwilling to accept the situation and filled with fear. Her cracked lips moved slightly, only to repeat once more: "He is still alive ... ... "

After all, that phrase of gratitude carries a hint of farewell, no matter how you hear it

"You are Ji Mingrui's person... He called you at that time." Chen Danghao spoke to himself, his gaze not resting on him: "Ji Mingrui must still be alive..."

She truly closed her eyes and shut the car door. Liang Jinge suddenly recalled the question he had just asked Ji Mingrui over the phone: "If that young lady cannot be taken to the hospital, where should she be taken instead"

The sound of the ambulance siren blared, and pedestrians began to gather on the street to watch the commotion. Before the crowd realized the situation, Liang Jinge instructed those who came with him to help Ji Mingrui onto the ambulance, and only then did he lower his head to look at Chen Danghao in the passenger seat

He saw her silently open her mouth, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. The sunlight shone almost cruelly on her face, making her appear like a tortured spirit, with nowhere to hide. Liang Jinge tightened his arms, feeling that she was in pain; such a girl could evoke even a trace of compassion in a man.

Her voice immediately took on a tone of laughter: "Liangzi, thank you."

When she asked this question, her tone was too flat, just like the expression in her eyes, as calm as still water. Liang Jinge touched his nose and did not answer her question: "You have a fever, drink the water on the bedside and take your medicine."

The door was opened and quickly closed again. In an instant, the inside and outside of the door were separated into two worlds. Chen Danghao's smile faded, and she looked down to find that there were not even a pair of shoes under the bed. Due to this movement, the wound on her forehead throbbed faintly, and she bit her lip but still lifted the blanket and got out of bed

It fell, what should I do

She was momentarily taken aback, tilting her head to see a pair of men's sports shoes, quite old and of an unknown brand. In her peripheral vision, she noticed Liang Jinge wearing black socks. Perhaps having seen her remain unresponsive for too long, his voice softened a little: "Put them on."

Why does he wait for her to place her hand on him, when it is uncertain whether she is alive or dead? He is certain that the glance he just had was an illusion. As he extends his arms forward, just a second before grasping her arm, he involuntarily changes to a gentler motion.

Liang Jinge took the medicine out of the drawer and handed it to her

As the car started moving, Liang Jinge glanced back at the girl in the back seat who had fallen into a coma. It was likely that when Ji Mingrui made that phone call, she was right there beside him. What must her feelings have been when she heard those words

Ji Mingrui said: "Then I don't care, but she must be alive. If she wants to die, she must die at my hands"

Chen Danghao then extended her hand again; her palm was fair and clean, with faint lines. When her five fingers were spread flat, a mole could be seen in the center of her palm. Liang Jinge placed the pill in her hand, but unexpectedly, the next moment, she suddenly frowned in pain, and as her arm dropped, the pill rolled down to the ground.

Chen Danghao gazed at him, and just as the pill was about to reach her hand, she suddenly recoiled slightly, her voice soft, as if whispering between lovers: "Help me peel it open, my arm hurts"

He did not turn back, merely letting out a muffled "hm".

Time passes in this inexplicable confrontation, and eventually, someone loses their composure first: "... ... put down the water, I do not want to take the medicine"

It is still the human world

Put it on, and then come back with me

"If you are awake, drink some water." Liang Jinge pushed the cup towards the bedside and looked down at her. She must have put on exquisite makeup before leaving, but now the corners of her eyes were dark, and her entire face lacked any beauty. Chen Danghao opened her eyes, and their gazes met. She recalled the moment he stood outside the car door, reaching out his hand towards her.

The image of the weak always evokes a sense of heroism in men; at this moment, he may already feel as if he is a savior. He looked at her with a calm expression, his outstretched hand paused for two seconds, and with a sudden awakening of realism, Liang Jinge cursed himself inwardly.

The corridor is not long; after all, this is not a formal hospital, but rather a private clinic. Before leaving, Liang Jinge locked the door from the outside. No matter how one thinks about it, there is a sense of unease, unsure whether it is concern over her escaping or worry that she might attempt to take her own life again

Her arm was indeed wrapped in bandages, and her eyes held a faint, almost imperceptible plea. Liang Jinge's expression was emotionless; it was unclear whether it was the stifling air in the room, but a thin layer of sweat clung to the tip of his nose. After a moment of contemplation, he sighed inwardly as if he were at a loss with her, and he helped her tear open the packaging of the medication.

That person has returned

In the dimly lit room, which could barely be called an operating theater, Chen Dang heard such a sound. She did not know how long she had been asleep; pain and numbness alternated, occupying her reason. When she awoke again, she had been moved to another room, where the walls bore stains from smoking, and only one incandescent light was on. At her feet, her eye sockets felt somewhat sore, and she blinked with difficulty, a voice deep within her letting out a sigh tinged with regret.

Fortunately, he did not, after all, if Mr. Ji could survive smoothly, then with this merit, his future life would not be one of absolute poverty, but it would certainly not be as destitute as it once was. In a certain sense, Liang Jinge had to admit that he was afraid of being poor.

Gently, her head rested on his chest, her entire body cold as if devoid of life. According to Ji Mingrui's instructions, she was not allowed to accompany them to the hospital. Liang Jinge drove a dilapidated little car, borrowed from a friend just before leaving. He held her in his arms, walking step by step towards the car, unsure whether it was the urgency of his run or the coldness of the person in his arms that made his breath tighten, even causing him some unease. The sun blazed down, and just a few steps away from the car, the person in his arms suddenly seemed to awaken, causing him to pause slightly, tilting his head to see her pale profile.

When Liang Jinge opened the door, the room was already completely empty. The cup of water he had poured was placed neatly back on the table, not a single drop spilled. The window was open, and outside, the moon was bright and the stars sparse. He quickly walked to the window and looked down.

Close your eyes. He heard his own voice, mingled with the jolting of the footsteps

The red light was blinding, and he stood across from her. As their gazes met, she saw the fleeting relaxation in the depths of his eyes. Chen Danghao instinctively turned to flee, but ultimately, the disparity in strength was too great; she knew she could not escape.

She turned her steps and walked in the direction of the bus station. At her current pace, it seemed unlikely she would arrive before dawn. Chen Danghao maintained a calm expression, resembling a pilgrim, and after walking past two streets, she saw Liang Jinge standing across the street.

She could not fathom the temperament of this bodyguard, nor did she know how Ji Mingrui usually instructed him. Liang Jinge advanced step by step, and she suddenly recalled a certain evening when Ji Mingrui had violently thrown the noodles from the plate onto her face in front of the butler at the dining table

Every confrontation requires one person to concede defeat, and Chen Danghao simply cannot accept it. Why is it always herself who ends up being that person? She slowly sits up from the bed, and as she takes the glass of water, she gazes into his eyes and asks, "Where is the medicine?"

The incandescent light was pale and harsh, and in the cramped room, it seemed that everything was laid bare. Liang Jinge lifted his cup; the warm water inside had already cooled down. He handed the cup of water to her, and comforting words slipped out as if unfiltered by thought: "It is a good thing that Mr. Ji is not dead. If something had really happened to him, given his influence, you would probably be better off dead than alive."

Men are like this. When she is docile, they are gentle and amiable; when she inadvertently touches their sensitive spots, they change their demeanor, as if warmth and affection are merely illusions

What was Chen Danghao thinking when they first met? For a long time afterward, Liang Jinge often asked himself this question. He would forget that she was wearing a wine-red dress, forget the bloodstains on her face; he only remembered that as he leaned into the carriage, preparing to drag her out as if handling a corpse, she suddenly winked at him. He would forget that she was wearing a wine-red dress, forget the bloodstains on her face; he only remembered that as he leaned into the carriage, preparing to drag her out as if handling a corpse, she suddenly winked at him

By the light of the residential building, only the small shed downstairs was visible, and it was likely that she had escaped from there. He silently cursed, unsure of how to explain this to Ji Mingrui. Fortunately, the hospital said he had not yet regained consciousness, so he needed to find Chen Dahao before he could start questioning him.

"I am not dead," Chen Danghao looked at him, her voice very soft, devoid of doubt. Liang Jinge was about to nod, but then he heard her continue to ask in the same tone, "Is Ji Mingrui dead?"

Chen Danghao suddenly felt a surge of determination within her heart. What is so good about this city? Skyscrapers, red lights, and green wine, all concealing countless transactions and betrayals. What is wrong with her hometown, where her honest and hardworking father toiled all his life, facing the yellow earth and turning his back to the sky? What burdens or unbearable feelings does it evoke in her? Why does she struggle so hard, pursuing a vanity that does not belong to her, gradually pushing herself deeper into the mire.

This action was quite awkward, resembling a girl teasing the other person. Liang Jinge silently watched her for a while, and then he picked up a pill with his other hand, preparing to place it in her palm

Ling Mountain is located in the north, and during the summer, the evenings are not so hot. The evening breeze cools the sweat on Chen Danghao's palms, and she grits her teeth, jumping into the small shed downstairs before the door is pushed open

Mingrui Real Estate

The first encounter between Liang Jinge and Ji Mingrui after his release from prison took place at a crossroads near the western suburbs. The man, who lived in legend as a dashing figure, was covered in blood, and his mistress lay in the passenger seat. If he were to take out his phone and capture this scene, he could earn a considerable sum just by selling it to the media

In the quiet residential area, Chen Danghao hid in the corner of the shed, hearing the window above being slammed shut with force. She propped herself up to stand and walked towards the outside of the community. The time was approximately early morning, with sparse vehicles on the street and even fewer pedestrians.

Having received the medicine from the doctor, Liang Jinge hurriedly made his way back, while at the same time, Chen Danghao had already opened the window in the room. Perhaps she should be grateful for this rather informal clinic; it was likely an ordinary neighborhood, with chaotic security planning. Although the room was on the second floor, a makeshift shelter had been haphazardly constructed below by someone. Chen Danghao did not possess any athletic talent, and looking at it this way, it was inevitable that she would feel afraid. Standing on the windowsill, she took a deep breath and suddenly heard a noise at the door. Perhaps she should be grateful for this rather informal clinic; it was likely an ordinary neighborhood, with chaotic security planning. Although the room was on the second floor, a makeshift shelter had been haphazardly constructed below by someone. Chen Danghao did not possess any athletic talent, and looking at it this way, it was inevitable that she would feel afraid. Standing on the windowsill, she took a deep breath and suddenly heard a noise at the door.

In a moment of inexplicable impulse, Liang Jinge extended a hand towards her

He extended his hand, and the silver aluminum foil-wrapped pill lay quietly in his palm. Chen Danghao also extended his hand, signaling him to place the pill in his hand

He started the engine, and the car emitted an unpleasant noise. The crowd grew larger, and no one paid attention to this side anymore. He took out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth, gripping the steering wheel, feeling a wave of chill in his heart

Put on your shoes and come back with me

The sound of electric current emanates from the incandescent lamp, and in such a sound, the silence between them is infinitely magnified. Chen Danghao fixates on a particular stain on the wall, yet no matter how long he stares, when he turns back, he is bound to see him still standing there, his posture of holding the cup unchanged.

Chen Danghao slowly crouched down, waiting for him to come over, as if being dragged back like a piece of trash. She was very tired, both physically and spiritually. When Liang Jinge approached, she did not look up; in the brief silence, she heard the sound of something being thrown in front of her.

I am going to get the medicine, please wait. Liang Jinge turned to leave, and just as his hand touched the doorknob, he heard Chen Danghao ask from behind: Are you called Liangzi

Chen Danghao remained silent, and Liang Jinge, understanding the situation, closed his mouth. He was not a talkative person to begin with, and after spending several years in prison, he had become even more taciturn. His hand was still outstretched, and the cup of water in his hand gradually cooled down, but Chen Danghao never reached out to take it, so he just held it like that.

Looking up, the high-rise buildings in the distance seemed to share the city's insomnia, the bright letters on the rooftop causing a pang in her heart

A young man sat by the bed, his profile sharp and defined, with an attractive jawline when his lips were tightly closed. He was lowering his head to pour water from the thermos into a cup. Chen Danghao gazed at him, initially wanting to ask, "Who are you?" but then found it pretentious and meaningless, so she closed her eyes again, her eye sockets aching once more.

Even the most obtuse person should be able to discern that she has ulterior motives; it is not merely a matter of not wanting to take the medicine. The concrete floor is inherently dirty, and the pills have picked up dust, making it impossible to pick them up and consume them again. Chen Danghao raised his eyes, his voice still gentle, showing no hint of apology: "It fell, what can be done?"

She did not know his name, yet she felt that taciturn men were usually stubborn. If she did not make a move soon, she feared she would be sent back to Ji Mingrui's side. Having failed to perish together with Ji Mingrui, she could not possibly meet him alive.

"You have a fever." Liang Jinge remained in the same posture

There is no major issue, just a few stitches will suffice

She had nowhere to go; the world was a web of traps laid by Ji Mingrui. As she walked along the street, the rough pavement ground painfully against her feet, eventually numbing them. She felt as if she were now like a female ghost, haunting the streets at dawn, dressed in a blood-red skirt, with the blood at the hem serving as a darkly ironic joke. When a person wishes to break free from another, they must possess enough resources to survive on their own. Ji Mingrui was very astute in this regard, having cut off all her escape routes from the very beginning. When a person wishes to break free from another, they must possess enough resources to survive on their own. Ji Mingrui was very astute in this regard, having cut off all her escape routes from the very beginning.