Chapter 100: American Past

“It seems Chu Zhen doesn’t tell you everything.” Amy smiled. “Since you want to know, then I’ll tell you, so you’ll know that the feelings between us are something you’ll never have.”

"I took a bullet for Chu Zhen, did you?" Amy's expression was solemn, as if she was recalling that past event. "When Chu Zhen and I were in America, we never relied on our parents. We both remained neutral about blended families because we both understood that if our parents no longer loved each other, being together would only lead to mutual destruction. So we both chose to escape and start a new life in America. During that time, we worked together outside. Do you know how many basins I washed? Do you know how many blisters Chu Zhen got from burning his hands when he was learning to cook Chinese food? Do you know how many cuts he got on his hands?" Amy looked at me sharply. I didn't know any of this. Chu Zhen never told me any of this. He always told me about his life in America with a smile, as if it were a lighthearted study abroad experience. But it turns out he went through so much.

“We attended classes during the day and ran a food stall near the school at night. Many Chinese students liked to eat there. One day, a couple argued while eating. The girl was Chinese and the boy was American. The argument escalated to the point where the boy punched and kicked the girl while cursing Chinese people. Chu Zhen couldn't stand it and argued with the boy. What started as a breakup turned into a dispute over nationality. Chu Zhen had learned Taekwondo and had the upper hand in the fight. I thought that was the end of it, but the next night, the man pulled out a gun, pointed it at Chu Zhen, and fired. I happened to be right next to him and shielded her. Do you know the pain of a bullet piercing your ribs? Do you know what it looks like when blood instantly soaks everything?” Tears seemed to glisten in Amy's eyes. Compared to Amy, my love for Chu Zhen was nothing.

"Lin Dang, when I returned to China and saw you by his side, do you know how much my heart ached? Especially during that time, he was so haggard because of you, working day and night just so he could go to that remote mountain village to see you on his days off. And what did you bring him? Indifference? Distance? Heh~ When it comes to seducing men, I admit I'm not as good as you, but when it comes to your love for Chu Zhen, you are far inferior to me."

Amy is right. My love for Chu Zhen can't compare to his. I seem to have always been enjoying everything Chu Zhen has given me—his meticulous care in both work and life. Even now, all I think about is Chu Zhen coming to save me, placing all my hopes on him. But I haven't considered whether there might be danger if Chu Zhen comes. I've been too selfish in this relationship.

"Were you moved by us?" Amy asked, seeing that I hadn't said anything. "Don't act all innocent. I can't stand you like this. You're so weak and pitiful, making men take care of you. Chu Zhen is different from others. He wants a woman who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him, not a woman who can only act cute and pitiful."

"Amy, thank you for telling me all this. I'll ask you one last question."

"Go ahead and say it~ I've already said, you can ask me anything you want today. It's 11:40 now, I'll spare your life until dawn." Amy said, checking the time.

11:40? Chu Zhen will definitely come looking for me. Even now, I'm still selfishly waiting for Chu Zhen to come to me.

"Where is Lu Hong? Where is she?" I was still a little worried about Lu Hong, after all, she was only greedy for money.

"You can't even take care of yourself, yet you're worried about others. But since you asked, I'll tell you. She's already taken the money and disappeared. Do you think that just because you keep calling her 'big sister,' she really is your big sister? You're thirty years old, are you still so naive? If it weren't for Lu Hong, would you even be here today?"

Haha~ So Lu Hong had already been bribed long ago, and I was still thinking about her.

“Amy, as the saying goes, a dying man's words are often wise. I want to give you a few pieces of advice. First, ‘Those who do many evil deeds will surely perish.’ The matter between Chu Lin and Chu Yilin is not over. Even if I die here, this matter will continue to be investigated. Second, you misunderstand Chu Zhen's feelings for you. He only sees you as a sister, but you keep using the incident of taking a bullet for him to demand his love. This will only push Chu Zhen further away from you. Do you think Chu Zhen will love you after I die? Did he fall in love with you during all that time he spent in America?”

Perhaps my words angered Amy. Her eyes widened in fury, glowing with a bloodshot glint. Combined with her curly blond hair, she truly resembled an enraged lion. She approached me step by step, and with a light stroke of the knife across my collarbone, I felt a slight pain and then felt blood flowing down my neck, perhaps because the knife was too sharp.

"Lin Dang, I originally wanted to let you go more easily, but I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful. I'll let you bleed out bit by bit." After Amy finished speaking, she made another cut on the other side. I felt a stinging pain from this cut and couldn't help but groan.

There were a few people here when I came out of the dark room, but Amy sent them away, leaving just the two of us. There was no sound outside, so this place must be too remote for Chu Zhen to find. I'm really going to die here.

"Tell me, should I cut your face or your body next?" Amy gestured with the knife, looking quite eerie, as if she had gone mad.

"Amy, what are you going to do with me after I'm gone?" I'm genuinely curious about how I'll leave this world in the end.

"You have a good attitude. Since you want to know, I'll grant your wish. Do you know where this place is?"

"where?"

"This is the gutter oil processing workshop that you two worked together to dismantle back then. It's now abandoned, but do you know the refining furnace and the large oil filter tank? You will be turned into a pile of ruins through these two things~" Amy was really terrifying at this moment. Was this still the Amy who was usually so charming and envied by everyone?

"Amy, stop!" I was originally prepared to die a heroic death, but when I thought about the equipment I had secretly seen for refining gutter oil, I felt nauseous. I didn't want to suffer in those places after I died, so I tried to persuade Amy.

"Scared?" Amy sneered, and with a swift movement, the knife struck my face. I instantly felt a sharp pain on my cheek.

.

"Everyone must die eventually, I'm not afraid, I just hope you can stop in time, and I can let bygones be bygones for what happened today."

"Are you begging for mercy now? But it's too late, Lin Dang. In front of Chu Zhen, only one of us can exist." Amy's knife pressed slowly, slowly, little by little, against my heart. "Lin Dang, does it hurt? When this hilt is close to your heart, you can leave in peace."