Chapter 118: The Cannon Fodder in a Dogblood Novel (118)
Elder Li slowly pushed the celadon tea cup toward Shen Tangqing. “You have likely guessed who I am. My name is Li Jing. You may call me ‘Grandfather,’ just as Qiuqiu does.”
After saying this, the corner of his mouth curved imperceptibly, his voice gentle. “This is the second time I have seen you.” Elder Li let out a soft sigh before continuing, “Actually, based on your face alone, it isn’t surprising that my grandson fell for you. What I didn’t expect was that he would choose to die for your sake.”
Elder Liās expression was very calm, and his voice was flat, as if he were telling someone else’s story. Only a fleeting flash of gloom in his eyes betrayed a hint of complexity.
Shen Tangqing didn’t know why Elder Li had “invited” him here today, but he had no interest in playing riddles or establishing a relationship. He pressed his fingertips against the edge of the table, his tone cold.
“Mr. Li, what exactly do you want by having me brought here today?”
Hearing Shen Tangqing call him “Mr. Li,” Elder Liās expression remained calm. He took a sip of tea before speaking slowly, “I am fulfilling the request of my disappointing grandson to deliver something to you.”
He opened the nanmu box on the table and carefully pushed it toward Shen Tangqing. Shen Tangqing narrowed his eyes. Inside was a jade pendantāthe same one Li Qiulan always wore. Li Qiulan had given it to him on his birthday, but Shen Tangqing had thrown it. It hadn’t shattered, but it had a crack on it.
“I know you hate him, and I won’t defend him. He did indeed do wrong.” Elder Li paused and sighed again. “I only found out about your existence after he staged your fake death and imprisoned you. He knelt before me, begging for a long time… He looks so much like his father who died young…”
What Elder Li didn’t say was that when he had rescued Li Qiulan all those years ago, the boy had been tortured until only a breath remained. During those first few years, Li Qiulan had attempted suicide countless times, only to be saved each time. Later, when his mental state finally improved slightly, he met Shen Tangqing…
Before he could learn how to love someone, he had already developed an immense hatred for the world. When he encountered someone he wanted to possess, the only thing he could think of was to seize them at all costs and by any means necessary, even if it left him battered and bruised. That was why he had been so completely insane when facing Shen Tangqing.
…
Shen Tangqing understood Elder Liās unspoken implications, but did that mean he, the victim, deserved his misfortune? He felt no sympathy for the octogenarian before him, who used his power for illegal activities.
“Elder Li, I have no desire to hear your melancholic reflections. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave.”
Shen Tangqing was about to stand up when Elder Li called out to him. His gaze was calm as he looked at Shen Tangqing. “This jade pendant represents the inheritance rights of the Li family. Qiuqiu asked me to hand it over to you.”
Shen Tangqingās expression darkened instantly, followed by a cold sneer. “What use do I have for the Li family inheritance?”
Elder Li traced the rim of his cup, seemingly unsurprised by Shen Tangqingās reaction. He looked up at Shen Tangqingās tense profile, his voice lowered. “With this jade pendant, no one in Jing City will dare to touch you.”
Shen Tangqing offered a mocking smile. “Elder Li, I don’t care whether Li Qiulan feels guilt or wants to compensate me. I don’t want any of it. You should return this jade to him.”
He stood up and prepared to leave. Elder Li suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an imperceptible rasp. “Do you know why he stopped pestering you?”
Shen Tangqingās body stiffened for a moment. He looked down at the elder, his voice cold and heartless. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. But he can forget about ever imprisoning me again. At worst, we’ll both go down together.”
He finished with a mocking smile. “Elder Li, Jing City doesn’t belong to the Li family yet…”
Elder Li suddenly let out a soft chuckle. It was as if a burden had finally been lifted, and a trace of weariness appeared on his face. “Go then. He won’t appear in your life ever again.”
Shen Tangqingās expression froze for a second. His lips pressed into a straight line, and his hands at his sides unconsciously clenched into fists. He gave Elder Li a deep look before taking his coat and leaving the private room without looking back.
Whatever happened to Li Qiulan was none of Shen Tangqingās business. He wasn’t some “White Lotus” savior. Even if he knew Li Qiulan was pitiful and that his love was insane, that wasn’t an excuse for the harm he had caused. That single stab wound from before had already settled the score between them.
It wasn’t until Shen Tangqing had left the room that Elder Li slowly withdrew his gaze. His eyes fell on the jade pendant in the box. He slowly exhaled a single sentence:
“A wrong is a wrong.”
After a long time, he took a sip of the tea that had already grown cold. His brow was filled with self-reproach. It was his own indulgence that had allowed Li Qiulan to become what he was today. If he had spent more time on him back then, or discovered Mo Yaās abnormality earlier, would things have been different?
Unfortunately, time cannot flow backward.
From that day on, Shen Tangqing resumed his peaceful life. This lasted until early April, when Shen Tangqing wasāyet againākidnapped!
Was it a crime to crave night market snacks and want to visit the street near Jing University? He had just reached the basement level, before even reaching his car, when two people covered his nose and mouth and hauled him into a vehicle. Their speed was so fast he didn’t even have time to scream.
In the final second before losing consciousness, his thought was that the security in this residential area was too poor; he should have stayed at the Jiang residence…
…
When Shen Tangqing regained his senses, he realized he was in a car. His hands were tied, and his eyes were blindfolded. He shifted uncomfortably and froze for a second when he realized someone was sitting beside him.
He spoke tentatively, “Who are you? Why did you kidnap me?”
The car was deathly silent. After a few seconds, his tone softened slightly. “Are you after money or something else? If it’s money, name your price…”
The car remained silent, as if he were the only person inside. Communication had failed. The fear of the unknown plunged Shen Tangqing into a state of anxious restlessness. He even wondered if this was another of Li Qiulanās men.
Time flowed slowly. Shen Tangqing didn’t know how long passed, but finally, the car stopped. He was hauled into a room. When the soles of his feet touched soft cashmere carpet, his internal unease was magnified.
The man restraining him finally let go. “Boss, the person is here.”
After the manās voice faded, Shen Tangqing heard the sound of leather shoes stepping on the floor. The steps were measured and rhythmic, but each one made Shen Tangqingās heart leap.
It wasn’t Li Qiulanāthen who could it be?
[Translator’s Note: “White Lotus” (ē½č®č±) refers to someone who is seemingly pure and innocent but actually manipulative, or just someone who is overly forgiving and “goody-two-shoes.” Shen Tangqing is definitely not one! Also, “Nanmu” (ę„ ęØ) is a precious type of wood often used for luxury boxes. Stay tuned to find out who the “Boss” is!]
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