Chapter 37: Qin An’s Help
Lu Zhiyin left Long Qinxin’s apartment in a daze, carefully descending the stairs, her hands gripping the railing. Her legs were so sore that every step was an ordeal.
“Ugh…”
After descending one flight of stairs, Lu Zhiyin’s hands weakened, and her knees gave out. She collapsed onto the ground, supporting herself with her arms. She couldn’t help but let out a soft cry, biting her lower lip. Why was her body so heavy? Lu Zhiyin couldn’t understand. Was the cause of her current state her body or her mind? Not wanting to delve into it, Lu Zhiyin hurriedly got up.
“…Lu Zhiyin? No, it’s Lu Shiyu.”
In the apartment building’s corridor, Qin An, who had changed her clothes and was preparing to go to school, opened her door and saw the disheveled girl before her. Her slender figure, just as she remembered, and her gray-white long hair, also as she recalled. Qin An’s heart skipped a beat. She strode down the stairs and quickly reached Lu Zhiyin’s side. She supported half of Lu Zhiyin’s body, steadying the girl who seemed about to collapse again. The moment she touched the girl’s body, Qin An had only one thought: she was so light. The girl’s body was exceedingly frail, like a feather that could be blown away by the wind at any moment.
“Did you run into some trouble?”
After a moment of hesitation, Qin An asked. Unlike Leng Qing Qiu and Long Qinxin, Qin An had completely reformed. She did like the Lu Zhiyin who had passed away but not to the point of being utterly consumed. She knew that the feeling would never lead anywhere and had wisely withdrawn. That being said, Qin An felt uncomfortable seeing someone resembling her past benefactor in distress. Lu Zhiyin had shown her great kindness, and Qin An had wanted to repay her, but she hadn’t expected her benefactor to leave the world so soon. Her desire to repay her debt had come to nothing. Now that someone identical to her benefactor appeared, Qin An wished to help her within her abilities, thus settling a matter in her own heart.
In the span of a few short seconds, many memories flashed through Qin An’s mind, and she sighed inwardly. She didn’t know what trouble the girl before her was in, but she hoped it was something she could resolve.
“…”
The sudden touch on her hand and the sound in her ear, which instilled a sense of dread, caused Lu Zhiyin to slowly turn her head. As Lu Zhiyin turned, her hollow eyes, reddened and swollen eyelids, tear-streaked cheeks, and neck bearing finger marks—everything—registered in Qin An’s vision. Qin An’s breath hitched. Qin An remembered that it hadn’t been long since she last saw the girl before her. The girl then was vastly different from who she was now.
“What… what’s wrong…?”
Stuttering, Qin An continued to ask, noticing that “Lu Shiyu” was staring at her arm. She awkwardly withdrew her hand from Lu Zhiyin’s arm.
“…”
Without saying anything, Lu Zhiyin merely shook her head. She continued to walk downstairs, not wanting any contact with Qin An.
“…Ah, tell me about it. I remember I told you, right? You can come to me if you’re in trouble. You resemble one of my friends, and I can help you.”
Qin An followed Lu Zhiyin at a leisurely pace. “My name is Qin An. Did I tell you my name? Do you remember me?” Qin An chattered incessantly, disturbing Lu Zhiyin, who was exhausted both physically and mentally.
“That’s enough… Stop bothering me. I’m not the person you know. How many times do I have to say it… Ah…”
Lu Zhiyin hunched over and glanced back at Qin An, unable to tolerate her incessant chatter. She was tired, truly tired, and didn’t want to deal with anyone anymore. Tears began to well up again in her hollow eyes, and the glistening moisture in her eyes made Qin An’s heart race. She felt exceptionally flustered.
“I’m sorry…”
She bowed. Her personality had become much more subdued during this time. Had it been the past Qin An, she would likely have already resorted to violence against Lu Zhiyin for such an affront. Qin An shook her head, dispelling the image of her past self’s rudeness from her mind.
“However, I’ve never treated you as anyone else.”
After a sincere apology, Qin An gently placed her hands on Lu Zhiyin’s shoulders again. “You might have some difficulty going to school looking like this. I’ll take you to school. It’s the least I can do to help.”
Saying this, Qin An helped Lu Zhiyin down the stairs, walking slowly. From Lu Zhiyin’s few words, Qin An could guess some things. The girl before her probably harbored hostility towards her because of Long Qinxin… They were closest to Long Qinxin’s place, and among them, Long Qinxin was the most infatuated with Lu Zhiyin. The girl before her had clearly just come from Long Qinxin’s home. Was she threatened by Long Qinxin? Most likely, she was coerced into being a substitute. Qin An quickly pieced things together. She thought she might need to issue a warning to Long Qinxin. Coercing an innocent girl was not a proper way to seek love.
“…Do as you please.”
Lu Zhiyin glanced at Qin An again. She didn’t know what Qin An was thinking and didn’t want to walk with her, but she was too lazy to resist. Therefore, she ultimately chose to comply, just as she had when Long Qinxin wanted to steal her chastity. Submissive and obedient, a doll needed no opinions of its own.
…
After leaving the apartment building, the ground became flat, and Lu Zhiyin no longer needed support. Qin An let go of her hand at the opportune moment, her hands in her pockets, quietly following behind Lu Zhiyin. The apartment building was not far from the school. After a short walk from the building, the school’s wide-open gate came into Lu Zhiyin’s view. Along with the school gate, Leng Qing Qiu, dressed in black, appeared, leaning casually against the doorframe.
“…”
After a brief pause, Lu Zhiyin thought for a moment. She could probably guess why Leng Qing Qiu was there. Leng Qing Qiu had said she wanted Lu Zhiyin’s reply yesterday. Yesterday… before Leng Qing Qiu could find her, she had already resigned from her job and returned to the apartment with Long Qinxin. She was probably here to demand an explanation. Lu Zhiyin closed her eyes. Her rational mind told her not to go forward, that she should hide far away.
“…”
She didn’t do that. Instead, she took a step forward again, walking towards Leng Qing Qiu. There was no need to be afraid; her tragic fate was already sealed.
“Heh, I thought you’d run off. You quit your job too?”
As Lu Zhiyin approached, Leng Qing Qiu’s mocking words reached the girl’s ears. Lu Zhiyin remained unmoved. She stopped at the school gate, calmly meeting Leng Qing Qiu’s gaze.
“…?”
The girl’s unusual behavior caused Leng Qing Qiu to pause briefly. She subconsciously reached out her hand, but before she could touch Lu Zhiyin, Qin An grabbed her wrist.
“That’s enough.”
With a serious expression, Qin An’s tone was somewhat stern. After receiving her father’s approval and attempting to manage some of the family’s businesses, Qin An had acquired a certain commanding aura unique to those in positions of authority.
“You cannot lay hands on the innocent.”
Qin An clutched Leng Qing Qiu’s wrist tightly.
“…Tch.”
Recovering herself, Leng Qing Qiu pulled her hand away. Due to Qin An’s status, she glanced at Lu Zhiyin, turned around, and left.
