Chapter 55: Jiang Ci You, You Will Never Escape From Me

Xia Ling, too, had never forgotten that scene from the past.

Jiang Zhi You had pulled her along, hurrying through several winding alleys. She clung tightly to Jiang Zhi You’s hand. There was a fragrance about her, reminiscent of gardenias—cool and intense. Xia Ling kept her eyes on Jiang Zhi You’s profile, sunlight spilling over her features, making her shimmer gold, like an angel descended from the heavens.

She gripped her hand as if, by holding on, she could escape the man-eating abyss behind her.

Later, they ended up in a small plaza nearby. Jiang Zhi You bought her KFC. It was the first time Xia Ling had ever tasted it. She ate so many egg tarts, feeling she’d never had anything so delicious in her entire life—so sweet, so rich, so good it brought tears to her eyes.

Jiang Zhi You watched her eat a whole box, tears streaming down her face as she devoured them. Suddenly, Jiang Zhi You took her hand. “Xia Ling, don’t be afraid. I’ll look out for you from now on.”

She hadn’t asked, but Jiang Zhi You promised her protection all the same.

And later, Jiang Zhi You kept that promise.

From then on, whenever anyone at school bullied Xia Ling, Jiang Zhi You would fight for her. She even helped Xia Ling apply for the free boarding qualification, sparing her, if only temporarily, from her mad mother. Whatever good things Jiang Zhi You received, she always shared half with Xia Ling—even the expensive gifts she received for her birthday.

Jiang Zhi You believed she’d given Xia Ling her whole heart back then, even more so than to Shen Nuo, her childhood friend who had grown up with her. That was why, when she finally learned of Xia Ling’s betrayal, she felt such agony, even hatred.

The memories twisted in her heart, bringing a sharp ache.

“Xia Ling, what is the point of saying all this now?” Jiang Zhi You’s lips curled into a frosty sneer. “To this day, I still don’t understand—why? Why did you have to steal Yan Feng away? Why resort to such despicable means?”

If Xia Ling had truly loved Yan Feng, if she’d pursued him openly and fairly, even then, Jiang Zhi You wouldn’t have minded.

But Jiang Zhi You could not accept that someone she had treated so sincerely would plot against her from the shadows, would set her up and stab her in the back.

Xia Ling spoke without disguise. “Because I was jealous. I envied the way you two strolled hand-in-hand across the playground, envied how he queued every morning to buy you breakfast, envied the way you leaned on each other, talking about everything. The two of you—one bright and lively, the other radiant and handsome—a perfect match.”

Her gaze darkened, something vicious flickering in her eyes. “But I was jealous. You were like leaves and flowers basking in sunlight, while I was a root buried deep underground, never seeing the light of day, enduring the gnawing of worms and insects in silence. Day after day, night after night, I was nearly driven mad by jealousy.”

Jiang Zhi You had never imagined that the Xia Ling who trailed behind them back then harbored such thoughts.

She was quiet for a moment before speaking calmly. “It’s your own insecurities and sensitivity tormenting you. Every heart starts as a seed—whether it grows into leaves and blooms or remains a root buried in darkness is your own choice. Yes, you had a difficult life, but there are people in this world who have it worse. Does that mean everyone is justified in envying everything beautiful, in turning on those who are true to them? How is that any different from the snake in the fable of the farmer and the snake?”

A wave of sadness came over Jiang Zhi You.

“You did well in school. You were admitted to a top university. You’re not that helpless girl anymore, dominated by your mother and powerless to resist. You had already set out on a bright path, could have stood tall in the sunlight. But you still chose the most despicable, darkest road. You sacrificed sincerity, betrayed friendship. Your life is still filled with darkness and hypocrisy—but this time, it’s a cold, damp place you chose for yourself.”

Jiang Zhi You looked at Xia Ling and sighed deeply. “There’s no point saying any of this to you now. I don’t regret being good to you. But at this point, losing me is your loss, not mine.”

The past was like smoke; Jiang Zhi You had already let it go. She no longer wished to be entangled with Xia Ling. Whether hatred or resentment, she didn’t want to waste another moment or ounce of energy on her.

Jiang Zhi You tried to leave, but Xia Ling suddenly grabbed her arm.

“Zhi You, you can never escape me. Never.”

Jiang Zhi You turned, intending to shake off Xia Ling’s grasp. But before she could exert any force, Xia Ling fell backward, tumbling down the stairs.

Clutching her stomach, Xia Ling cried out, “It hurts, it hurts! My baby! Jiang Zhi You, why did you push me?”

A throbbing pulse beat at Jiang Zhi You’s temples—a sense of dread welled up in her heart.

Almost at once, a crowd surged toward them.

Jiang Xiaoxiao led the charge. “Sister, why did you push Sister Xia Ling? She’s pregnant!”

“Sister, I know you have a bias against Sister Xia Ling, but you can’t hurt her baby.”

“Sister, is it because the baby in her belly is Brother Yan Feng’s and you can’t stand it?”

A barrage of questions rained down on Jiang Zhi You like a hail of bullets.

In that instant, Jiang Zhi You understood—she had fallen into a trap set by Xia Ling and Jiang Xiaoxiao.

She’d expected Jiang Xiaoxiao to embarrass her, to make things difficult. She’d thought making Xia Ling the Jiang family’s adopted daughter was already her aim. She hadn’t imagined there’d be a pit this deep waiting for her.

Their malice exceeded anything she’d ever imagined.

Surrounded, Jiang Zhi You saw the other guests in the banquet hall drawn by the commotion. All eyes turned to her.

Yan Feng, hearing Xia Ling’s cries, came running. Forcing his way through the crowd, he saw Xia Ling lying on the ground, clutching her stomach in agony. And there, on the stairs, Jiang Zhi You stood—face cold, unmoved. People pointed at her, accusing her of pushing Xia Ling.

Yan Feng had no time to think. He hurried forward, helping Xia Ling into a sitting position. “Xia Ling, are you all right? I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Xia Ling kept her hands on her stomach, her face a picture of tearful distress. “A Feng, I’m all right. It doesn’t hurt as much anymore. It’s just… just…”

Her tear-filled eyes turned to Jiang Zhi You. “But I don’t understand why Zhi You would push me. In the end, she just can’t accept our child.”

Tears streamed down her face.

“A Feng, if anything happened to the baby, I wouldn’t want to live either. Thank heaven we were spared. But I’m so scared. I’m afraid she still won’t let me go. This isn’t the first time…”

She buried her head in Yan Feng’s chest, sobbing quietly.

Fury blazed in Yan Feng’s eyes as he looked at Jiang Zhi You. He raised his hand, pointing at her, nearly shouting, “Jiang Zhi You, you’re truly vicious!”