Chapter 15 — A Retreat Called Love

I still come. Not because of softness. Not out of curiosity either. I just want to completely end this nightmare myself. In the visiting room. What separates us is a thick layer of cold glass. I met Ly Tu Lan again. She was wearing a gray prison outfit. Her hair has turned more than half gray. Back bent down. The whole person seemed to have been drained of life. Just for a short time. She has aged several decades. Ly Tu Lan held the receiver. Look at me for a long time. His eyes were cloudy as if covered with the dust of time.

“You've gotten thinner.”

I don't answer.

“That's good.”

She smiled softly. A bitter smile.

“Leave the Chu family.”

“Get out of that fire pit.”

“You must have had a good life.”

“I didn't come here to hear these stories.”

I calmly interrupted. There was no emotion in his voice. She was silent for a long time. Then slowly spoke up.

“That beast Chu Kai…”

“Because I want a reduced sentence.”

“It's cleared up.”

“The driver who caused the accident that year.”

“It's someone he knows.”

My heart felt slightly heavier. Ly Tu Lan continued to tell.

“That person used to work in Mr. Chu's factory.”

“Later, because of stealing things, Mr. Chu reported him to the police.”

“Sent to prison for two years.”

“He always hated that.”

“Chu Khai found him.”

“Give him the money.”

“Tell him to create an accident.”

Her voice was very calm. Calm to the point of being scary. As if the person being mentioned has nothing to do with me.

“But there is one thing.”

“It doesn't know.”

"I don't know either."

“After stabbing people.”

“That guy didn't leave right away.”

“He stopped the car very far away.”

“Look at Mr. Chu lying in a pool of blood.”

“Then make a phone call.”

I suddenly tightened my grip on the receiver.

“Who did he call?”

Ly Tu Lan raised her head. Look straight into my eyes.

“Call Chu Nghi.”

I stiffened. The pupils constricted violently.

“That guy told Chu Nghi.”

“Your father is in my hands.”

“Want him to live.”

“Bring two hundred thousand here.”

“If not…”

“I'll run him over again.”

Ly Tu Lan stopped. Her eyes became extremely strange.

“Do you know how Chu Nghi responded?”

I couldn't say a word. Throat feels tight. The air in the room suddenly became thick.

“Chu Nghi said…”

“Is that old man's life worth two hundred thousand?”

“Let's go.”

“Make it clear.”

That moment. Everything in my head seemed to completely collapse. I always thought Chu Nghi was a weak person. As a man manipulated by his mother and cousin. In that case. I think he's just a guy who got carried away. In some corner of my heart. I once found him some reasons to justify. Perhaps he was deceived. Maybe he was forced. Maybe he no longer has a choice. But now. I just realized I was wrong. So wrong it's laughable. He was not passive. He takes the initiative. He is not weak at all. He's cold-blooded. He is not stupid. He killed his father. His own hand. In the most cruel way. Just because in his eyes. The biological father's life is not worth two hundred thousand yuan. What he really wants. It's one million five hundred thousand insurance money. I looked at the old woman behind the glass. It took a long time to find my voice again.

“Why…”

“Why are you telling me these things?”

I had to use almost all my strength to ask out that sentence. Ly Tu Lan looked at me. Then burst out laughing. But on that old face, real emotions finally appeared. That's not regret. Not suffering. It's resentment. A resentment that has penetrated deep into the bones.

“Because I hate.”

She gritted her teeth.

“I hate Chu Khai.”

“I hate that guy even more.”

“I consider it my only hope in life.”

“I plan for it all my life.”

“I worry about him all my life.”

“What about the results?”

“It dragged me to hell!”

Her voice trembled more and more. Bloodshot eyes.

“I cannot live in peace.”

"Then it won't be able to live in peace!"

“I want you to know.”

“What kind of devil is the man you once married?”

“I want him to live in your contempt all his life.”

“I want it to never be at peace!”

Speaking of this. She laughed. Hoarse laughter. Dry like a night owl screeching in the middle of a cemetery at midnight. I quietly put down the receiver. Turn around and leave. From start to finish. I didn't look back even once. Step out of the prison gate.