Chapter 4.1 Escape

Yan Qing was almost brought to tears from the cold air of the night. In her head, she whispered, Yun Qing Goddess I’m sorry. I broke the glass globe you gave your husband. It was an accident. 

Since you left, he hasn’t been taking it well. If you knew his current state, I’m sure you would be heartbroken for him too. 

Yan Qing felt sympathy in her heart. Taking a deep breath, she continued her way down.

She was very aware of her place on the food pyramid. No matter how pitiful Huo Yunshen appeared right now, he could still easily finish her off. It was best for her to escape before he noticed. If she was captured, she could only imagine how horrible the results would be for her.

Yan Qing clung to the bedsheets as her make-shift rope swung in the wind. Her fingers were numb from the cold, bringing her entire body to shivers. Her movements slowed, wary of the Big Boss inside.

But as expected, Murphy’s Law applied to her: anything that could go wrong, will go wrong.

As she declined to between the second and first floor, she suddenly heard motion from the open bedroom window above her. Instinctively sensing danger, she quickened her pace.

In a blink of an eye, Huo Yunshen appeared at the window edge. His face was choked with fear. He gasped out a name, his voice distorted and ripped apart by the wind.

As he shouted, Min Jing’s men moved swiftly. From hidden spots, they all assembled towards the back of the building. In moments, Yan Qing’s position was spotlighted under dazzling lights coming from all sides. Stressed and anxious, her hands slipped.

Before she could even scream, Yan Qing helplessly fell to the ground.

It’s over, I’m gonna die! Goddess! Please save me! 

Yan Qing could see the third floor window as she fell. The silhouette at the window had already disappeared. She guessed that he had already raced downstairs as soon as he spotted her.

Just as she expected her skull to collide with the ground, she simultaneously anticipated and was surprised to find herself falling into a man’s chest instead.

This wasn’t Goddess. It was Goddess’ husband. 

Huo Yunshen used his body to catch Yan Qing. From his throat burst a wordless guttural sound. His arms gripped her to his chest.

Yan Qing felt new life rushed into her veins. After the scare, her mind was finally working again, leading to a realization.

It was useless to fight with Huo Yunshen, or use tears and reason to combat him. But what was he most afraid of? He feared the death of “Yun Qing.”

She pretended to be weak, allowing Huo Yunshen to lower his guard. As Min Jing rushed towards them, she snatched the fountain pen in his suit’s breast pocket.  Uncapping the pen, she pointed the sharp tip at her neck artery. Sternly she spoke, “Huo Yunshen! Are you done fooling around? Would it take seeing me die in front of your eyes for you to let me go?”

Huo Yunshen reached to grab the pen. She stumbled back, falling to the ground. As long as she was able to escape him, she didn’t care if she got hurt.

In the dark night, Huo Yunshen’s entire body was tense, stiffly gazing at her.  The woman that he loved with all of his heart, now saw him as a horrid beast. She was using a weapon and pointing it at a vital vein. She was threatening him with her own life, forcing him to let go of her.

Yan Qing was going all in. She slowly pierced the pen head through her skin. When facing a madman, she needed to use extreme methods!

As acute pain slowly intensified, Huo Yunshen defeatedly roared, “No! Don’t hurt yourself! I’ll let you go!”

Yan Qing’s heartbeat quickened, but she didn’t dare believe him just yet. She kept the pen at her neck as she scrambled up to her feet. She walked backwards, keeping her eyes on Huo Yunshen, cautious in case he changed his mind.

Every second that she looked at him, Huo Yunshen felt like his heart was being struck.

When she created safe distance between the two of them, she immediately turned around. Her thin silhouette dashed towards the residential area’s front gates. Huo Yunshen couldn’t bare to watch her disappear again. Instinctively, he stepped forward to chase after her, but stopped himself.

“Shen ge… …” Min Jing has known Huo Yunshen since middle school, but he didn’t dare make any decisions on this matter.

Huo Yunshen didn’t take his eyes off Yan Qing. He uttered, “Prepare the car. Arrange for a taxi to pick her up. No matter where she wants to go, send her there. Don’t let her feel scared.  Also.” His eyes hardened, “Find out what has happened in the past three years.”

Min Jing nodded his head. He pulled out the plastic bag holding a long strand of hair. He didn’t dare reveal that he had plucked it off. Guiltily, he explained. “… …I picked this up from Yun Qing’s back… But even if we were to test it, she probably wouldn’t believe it.”

Huo Yunshen ice cold gaze struck him, taking the bag from him.

She was able to undo the knot that had been their secret knotting method.  And yet she still insisted that she was someone else.

Huo Yunshen closed his eyes. His hands molded into tight fists, with his nails digging into his flesh. He repeatedly ordered himself. Don’t worry. It’s not that Qing Qing doesn’t want him anymore. She’s just…forgotten about him. 

Yan Qing finally escaped out of the residential area. She didn’t dare look back. She followed the well-lit pedestrian path out, hoping that she could grow wings. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw an unoccupied taxi cab.

The driver was a friendly looking middle aged woman. The driver slowed down her car, and asked with care, “Hello young lady! Are you alright? Where are you going? I’m finishing off my shift so I can give you a ride. It’s not easy finding a taxi in this area.”

Yan Qing stood in dirty clothes in the middle of an empty street. In that moment, she really wanted to cry. Her parents were gone and she didn’t have any extended family. She had just returned from abroad. Only An Lan could be considered her friend right now.

In this big city, she was alone.

She rubbed her red eyes, and ducked into the taxi cab to escape to cold. Anxiously, she said: “It’s too dangerous here, let’s leave quickly!”

The taxi driver was very cooperative. She stepped on the gas, heading towards the downtown area. Yan Qing kept her body tense for a while, only relaxing when the car was enveloped in the bright lights of the lively city centre.

As if racing against time, she ran to her old family home to retrieve her personal luggage and immediately left straight for Chengfeng Videos.

While driving, the taxi driver asked: “It’s still the middle of the night. Would that kind of place be open right now?”

Yan Qing firmly responded: “It’s okay. I can wait.”

It was four o’clock at night,  the sun would be up soon anyways. Chengfeng Videos had 24/7 security guards and cameras. Later, when the doors unlock, she’ll run in and report to the dorms.

But for now, Yan Qing rested her head on the car window. Her reddened eyes contrasted with her pale face. After the chaos of tonight, anyone else would have collapsed. Yet she sat quietly, nestling into the car seat.

From the rearview mirror, the driver glanced at the black SUV following closely behind them. Then she peaked at Yan Qing, before shaking her head. This maiden was truly beautiful. No wonder President Huo was willing to forget about his past love and turn to her.