Chapter 4.2 Escape

At 5AM, Yan Qing arrived at Chengfeng Videos. The driver wanted to help with her luggage. She shook her head, “I’ve got it.”

She pulled out the little cash she carried on her, giving the driver three 100s. “Auntie, thank you. I’m in a bit of a situation. If someone asks if you’ve driven me, you must deny it. I don’t want to burden you.”

Yan Qing quickly checked for her personal belongings, making sure that she had her money, passport, and important documents. As for her phone and bag, Huo Yunshen can keep them. She would prefer to not even have them.

She pulled her luggage along, not even noticing that on the corner of both sides of the building, there were already video cameras set up. The cameras captured her walking alone at the break of dawn into the dorms.

The security guard had been a bit sleepy. But when he saw a the beautiful girl heading towards him, he suddenly woke up.

With that face, she’ll definitely be famous! This was a great opportunity to get close to her and get some signatures!

The security guard excitedly helped Yan Qing into the building. Yan Qing shivered from the cold and rushed into the building, collapsing on a seat. She could still see Huo Yunshen’s image flash before her eyes. Especially that moment when she met his eyes as she fell to the ground. In his eyes were madness and pain, even she felt sympathetic.

Ai- – she had to stop herself.

Yan Qing angrily shook her head. If President Huo still had a bit of reason or conscience left in him, then he might just let her go. She’ll just treat today as a nightmare and forget about it quickly.

But she didn’t know that a few kilometers behind her was a black SUV.

In the front seat, a man peered through the window, his eyes on her side profile. With all his might, he held back the urge to rush inside and snatch her back.

Min Jing called him at that moment: “Shen ge, everyone involved in the matter three years ago is no longer alive. A deeper investigation requires more time. I guarantee we will work quickly.

“Additionally…” Min Jing felt like his livelihood had been challenged multiple times tonight. Knowing he was walking on thin ice, he spoke. “Yun Qing has been uploading songs online for the past two years. Currently, she’s a reputable singer-songwriter. Her voice seems a little different than before. Moreover, you’ve always disliked topics related to entertainment industry, so we’ve never spotted her there.”

Huo Yunshen didn’t respond, but the sharp creases on his forehead signified his mood.

Qing Qing’s voice did change. Before, she had a clean and silky sweet voice. Now, there was a layer  of raspiness. What had happened in these three years? What pains did she endure alone?

Huo Yunshen clenched his jaw, gripping the steering wheel to the point of his knuckles turning white.

“More importantly,” Min Jing braced himself and continued, “last night, Yun Qing signed a contract with Chengfeng Videos. For the next three months, she will appear as a girl group trainee in a competition…”

The more he spoke, the quieter his voice became. Because of Shen ge’s level of possessiveness, back in school, if another man even gave Yun Qing a second glance, Shen ge would have the man beaten to tears. And now? He had already been hit with the double punch of a long awaited reunion and her not remembering him. If Yun Qing then decides to go sing and dance and become an idol, where all the boys and girls in the country can chase after her, where if she gets popular there will no doubt be future filming requiring intimate contact with male idols, wouldn’t Shen ge self-implode?

Min Jing foresaw a bleak future. He probed, “Would you like to intervene? Abrogate the contract?”

Huo Yunshen narrowed his eyes, coldly biting out: “What needs to be abolished isn’t the contract. It’s the show itself.”

Min Jing should have expected this. See? As expected of his Shen ge. As extreme as usual.

Huo Yunshen’s fingers were still bleeding, made worse by his current temper.

Back in school, Qing Qing also liked to sing. At a teacher’s request, she performed a stunning folk song at a school event. He hated how everyone coveted her. He had pulled her into a dark corner, and demanded that she could only sing to him.

She had cutely tilted her face upwards, her eyes softly meeting his. “Then I’ll sing another one only to you. Don’t be upset, okay?”

His voice was hoarse. His expression still fierce. “We’ll see after the song. I want one that no one has heard before!”

She smiled, gently pulling him down. Near his ear, she spoke mischievous and melodious tone: “I’m willing to follow you to the ends of the world.” (T/N: Lyrics of song “Yong Qi” by Fish Leong)

His heart trembled.

He couldn’t wait long enough to  hear the rest of the song. Instead, he pulled her in to kiss her.

Huo Yunshen leaned back into the driver’s seat. There was a knife stabbing his chest. Again and again.

His fingers gripped together, tightening and then loosening. Slowly, his breathing changed.

Min Jing was on edge. He thought Shen ge was going to erupt, but Huo Yunshen lowered his phone and opened the browser app. With his head lowered, his muffled voice spoke: “Qing Qing…What songs did she sing?”

He wanted…to download them all.

He’ll put on earphones.

And listen to it alone.

And pretend…that they were for him.