We Are Destined to Meet

4. A Clever Move

Translator: Iris Guo

I never complained though I lived a tough life these years.

There were many people who lived a harder life than me. I just faced some obstacles. The world was unfair. But at least, I was healthy and alive.

Thinking of Mei in Ling Mubai’s arms, I suddenly felt that death might be a relief. Only when I was alive would I suffer.

People always said, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” Victory was at hand if you didn’t give up. But I couldn’t see a ray of sunshine behind the clouds. The darkness in my world engulfed me.

When I was a kid, I had a wonderful family.

But my father then lived a dissipated life and squandered all our money. Every time he went back home, he would abuse my mother and me. Receiving physical abuse and verbal criticism was our daily routine.

One day, when I was 12, he sold me to an ugly middle-aged man with a potbelly. This man tried to rape me.

I kick him on the crotch with all my strength.

That night, when I went home, my father broke one of my legs. He then threw me onto the snowfield, turning a deaf ear to my cries.

I huddled up in the corner, shivering. It was bitterly cold. I then gradually went unconscious.

I thought I was dead for sure, but a boy saved me.

I later learned that he was Ling Mubai.

He took me to the hospital, got the best doctor and sat beside me all through that long night.

The next day, I went home with my leg in a cast. A dead body caught my eyes. That was my mom. Mei was wailing beside her.

On the day of her funeral, I packed my bag and left my home with Mei. Shen Xiong’an was no longer my father.

That year, I became a street kid with a broken leg.

For keeping Mei safe and paying her tuition fee, I could do anything, from dishwashing to sweeping the floor, from handing out leaflets to being a barmaid.

The driving force behind all these was my love towards Ling Mubai.

Every midnight when I got off work and went back to the rental apartment, I would talk about him with Mei. That was my happiest time in a day. He was my hero.

It was no wonder that Mei would date Ling Mubai.

It was all my fault.

Crying gave me a certain sense of relief. A doctor wheeled me into the E. R. I suffered only cuts and bruises. It was not a big deal. I had my wounds dressed and left.

Before I could step out of the E. R., a man stopped me.

I raised my head, only to find the stupid punk who beat me just a few minutes ago.

‘Hell, no. Does he come for me? He’s really a difficult person to deal with! We are in the hospital!’ I thought.

I looked around but didn’t find any weapon. Removing the needle, I pointed at him, “What do you want?”

But he went down on his kneels out of the blue.

Dumbfounded, I thought, ‘What the hell is he doing?’

When my mind went blank, he cried loudly and held my legs as tightly as he could. He wailed, “Sheng, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know she’s your sister. Otherwise, I won’t touch her even if they give me a hundred million…”

After a few minutes of silence, I asked, “Who gave you money? Is he Shen Xiong’an?”

“No!” He shook his head, “She’s a well-dressed middle-aged woman. Others called her Mrs. Ling.”

Mrs. Ling… Is she…

I fumbled for my phone and swiped the screen. Showing him a photo, I asked, “Is she the woman?”

He nodded, “Yes! That’s she!”

I burst out laughing.

It was Ling Mubai’s mother that asked the punk to rape Mei.

It was a clever move!

She reminded me to know my place. Ling Mubai didn’t like me, and I shouldn’t overthink.

She also gave me a chance to see Mei’s true colors, which burnt my bridges.

Whether that blonde guy successfully raped Mei or not, she was the biggest winner.

Her sinister and insidious means really astounded me.

If the punk didn’t confess to me, I didn’t know she was such a vicious woman.

When I came to myself, that guy didn’t leave. He was crying by my feet.

I kicked him, “Piss off! Who are you?”

‘Eww! His slimy snot and tears are on my legs!’

“Sheng, I’m Liang! You slapped me in the club. Do you remember?” He looked expectantly at me.

‘Well, it isn’t ringing any bells.’

Finding out I was confused, he cried even louder.

But in terms of slapping someone, I remembered suddenly.

When I was a barmaid, a teen hired me to drink with him every night. One day, he said he loved me and would marry me. But first, I should become his mistress and sleep with him.

I was then young and felt humiliated. Slapping him on his face, I chased him off.

There had been several years since then. He now grew up into a stupid punk.

The betrayal from my husband and sister hurt me so badly that I needed a friend’s company to relieve my grievance. Leaving the hospital, we went to a club and drank as much as we could.

We collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep after staggering out from the club and stepping into a hotel at midnight. Then I did not remember anything else.

It was already 10 a.m. when I woke up.

I sat up and looked around. The scattered clothes on the floor really spooked me. There was a man beside me. My heart suddenly sank.

“Bastard! A friend won’t do such a thing! I haven’t slept with anyone! How dare you?” The anger engulfed me. I madly threw my punches at him.

“Shen Huansheng! Are you insane?” The man caught my hands and snapped.

I was stunned.

‘His voice is so familiar. Is he… Ling Mubai?’