Chapter 1 Blood
August in the Nanling Mountains is like a furnace.
Around three or four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, the sunlight was still radiating immense heat.
There was no one in sight on the campus of Nanling No.1 High School. The faint sounds of teachers lecturing could be heard from the teaching building where the senior students were located. If you got closer, you could also hear the soft rustling of pages turning and pens scratching against paper, which, together with the rustling of the lush foliage outside the windows, created a white noise.
It's very hypnotic.
But all the students in the front row of the class were completely focused, afraid that if they took a break even for a moment, they would fall behind in their studies.
After finishing explaining the entire test paper, math teacher Song Ming unscrewed his thermos and took a sip of water. Just then, the bell rang, and he assigned homework. Then he raised his hand to the girl sitting in the middle of the first row.
"Class representative, please collect the homework tomorrow morning."
Tang Ci looked up from the perfect score paper, revealing a narrow, pointed chin beneath her large glasses. Her pale lips moved slightly. "Okay, Teacher Song."
As soon as Song Ming left, the students in the classroom began to move around. Some went to drink water, some went to the restroom in groups, and some went to the convenience store to buy snacks to replenish their energy. In a short time, the classroom was almost half empty.
Tang Ci took her schoolbag out of her desk drawer, neatly put all her homework for today into the bag, and zipped it up. She folded the test papers on the desk in half, but before she could put them on the bookshelf, Jiang Chan sat down in the empty seat next to her, holding the test papers that had just been discussed in math class, looking worried.
"Xiao Ci, could you explain the last big question to me again? I'm completely confused."
Tang Ci unfolded the folded test paper and laid it on the table, then picked up a ballpoint pen from her pencil case and twirled it. "Okay, which specific knowledge point are you unclear about?"
Jiang Chan moved closer to her, but poked a hole in Tang Ci's pencil case. "Your pencil case has been torn for so long, why don't you get a new one?"
“It still works.” Tang Ci ignored the pencil case and urged Jiang Chan, “Let’s talk about the questions first.”
After listening to her finish explaining what she didn't understand, Tang Ci took out a copy of the herbal book from the bookshelf, listed out the calculation steps in her mind, and patiently explained them to her.
Tang Ci has a gentle voice and a calm tone, making her undoubtedly a good teacher.
Jiang Chan's mind cleared immediately after hearing this, and she smiled as she took Tang Ci's arm. "Thank you, Tang Xueba. Shall we go to the convenience store now? I'll buy you some water."
Tang Ci tugged at the zipper of her backpack. "I'm not going. I need to go to the hospital."
"The results of the follow-up examination are out?" Jiang Chan stood up with her. "I'll see you downstairs."
Tang Ci nodded, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and squeezed out from between the desks and chairs. "Luckily, the last two periods are self-study."
During the senior year of high school, students have one day off every Sunday. The last two periods on Saturday afternoon are for self-study, and students usually ask for leave during this time if they have something to do.
Tang Ci sat in the first row and usually left the classroom through the front door, but today she happened to run into a group of students coming in through the front door, which blocked the small corridor.
Jiang Chan naturally pulled Tang Ci to go through the back door.
The canvas shoe soles turned a corner on the floor. Tang Ci's fingertips curled slightly before she took a deep breath and followed Jiang Chan's footsteps. Her gaze unconsciously glanced for a second at the single seat by the window in the last row of the classroom.
Sheng Yu is sleeping.
His black T-shirt was supported by his shoulder blades, forming a small mountain-like curve. His long, slender, white arms stretched out from the top of his jet-black hair and casually rested on the edge of the desk.
Several boys from our class and other classes were gathered outside the window, talking about something with serious expressions. Zhou Yiyang patted Sheng Yu on the shoulder, "Brother Yu! Wake up! That bastard Lin Yao had someone take Jin Ming away."
Sheng Yu lifted her thin eyelids, then quickly lowered them again, and uttered a hoarse "Hmm?"
A boy repeated urgently, "Lin Yao just sent a text message to Yi Yang, saying that he saw a few thugs taking Jin Ming to Binhu Park."
Zhou Yiyang spat viciously, "It was him who hired them. Lin Yao is always up to these dirty tricks."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Yu frowned slightly. When he opened his eyelashes again, his dark pupils were already clear.
Tang Ci and the others walked to the last row. Sheng Yu had already stood up from his seat, strode towards the back door, and rubbed the back of his neck with his pale hand. "I'll be there."
Tang Ci glanced at the boy's desk, which had only one extracurricular book on it, and then secretly looked up at Sheng Yu, who was walking in front of her. Even though she was looking up, her gaze could only reach his broad shoulders.
She didn't keep her distance properly, and as she stepped forward, her nose almost touched the boy's back.
A very faint scent of soap lingered in her nostrils.
Tang Ci stopped in her tracks instantly.
Jiang Chan grabbed her arm in alarm and whispered in her ear, "Are you out of your mind? You dare to get this close to the Demon King who just woke up?"
Tang Ci blinked slowly and saw a group of girls standing outside the door. Their eager eyes were fixed on Sheng Ze, but none of them dared to go up and chat with him.
Everyone at Nanling No.1 High School knows that Sheng Yu from Class 1 of the third year is unruly and hates girls getting close to him, especially when he's just woken up and feeling annoyed.
But he was born with a handsome appearance, and his cold and aloof nature aroused the human instinct to conquer, making countless girls flock to him.
Tang Ci shook her head. "I didn't notice."
Jiang Chan's attention was already drawn to Sheng Yu, and she didn't notice her reply. Only after the tall and handsome boy went down the stairs did she reluctantly turn her gaze away, shaking her head and sighing, "It's a pity that Sheng Yu is so handsome. He's always fighting and brawling. He'll be expelled from school sooner or later."
Tang Ci didn't say anything, but gripped the shoulder strap of her backpack tightly, her steps down the stairs becoming somewhat heavy.
Jiang Chan was still muttering, "But it's okay, he's a rich second-generation after all. He can just inherit the family business in the future. He's not from the same world as us poor test-takers..."
/
The automatic printer in the hospital lobby hummed as it printed out several test reports.
Tang Ci put away her ID card, picked up the report, and read it as she boarded the escalator.
Upon seeing the numbers on the report, Tang Ci's palms, which were resting on the armrest, suddenly tightened. She swallowed hard, trying to calm herself down, but her left hand, which was holding the report, trembled slightly.
Upon reaching the third floor, Tang Ci sat on a bench for a minute before getting up and going to the nephrology department.
After knocking on the door of consultation room number six and hearing a response from inside, Tang Ci pushed the door open and entered the room. "Dr. Zhang."
Dr. Zhang, whose temples were graying, looked up and saw her, saying gently, "Xiao Ci is here, come in and sit down."
Tang Ci placed the report on the table before sitting down. Dr. Zhang had already reviewed the report on the computer and went straight to the point: "Have you had any swelling in your calves recently?"
She has systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis, diagnosed at the age of eleven. Five years have passed since then, and edema is the most common symptom due to impaired kidney function in filtering proteins.
Therefore, the swelling in her ankle over the past few days did not raise any alarm for her.
“A little,” Tang Ci said, her voice hoarse.
Looking at the young girl whose face still retained its youthful innocence, Dr. Zhang felt a pang of sympathy but still spoke in a low voice: "Your creatinine level has now risen to over 200, which is already in the stage four. It will be difficult to control in the future, and you will need to come to the hospital every week to receive immunoglobulin."
"I understand." Tang Ci's face turned pale. She paused, then asked, "Approximately how much does it cost per session?"
"Around 500 after reimbursement." Dr. Zhang hesitated, then spoke again with pity. "Xiao Ci, we'll try our best to lower this indicator now, but if it gets out of control, you might need to discuss dialysis with your family."
Tang Ci's expression went blank for a moment, then she suddenly said softly, "My mom couldn't control herself at the time."
Dr. Zhang was stunned, recalling Tang Ci's mother, who had once been one of his patients. She was diagnosed with lupus nephritis shortly after giving birth to her daughter, and developed uremia in just two years. She was kept alive by dialysis and ultimately did not receive a kidney transplant. She did not know that her daughter would suffer the same fate when she passed away.
She gently patted Tang Ci's shoulder. "It's true that your illness is inherited from your mother, but medical technology is advancing, and everyone's physical condition is different. You still need to maintain a positive attitude, which will also be beneficial for subsequent treatment."
Tang Ci lowered her eyes, then smiled slightly. "I know, thank you, Dr. Zhang."
Dr. Zhang's gaze fell on her thin shoulders, where the shoulder strap of her backpack hung, the edges of which were frayed.
Thinking that Tang Ci had been coming to the hospital for check-ups alone for the past two years, she couldn't help but ask, "Is your dad busy lately? You can ask him to come with you next time you come to the hospital, and I'll tell him about your condition."
“He…may not have time,” Tang Ci said in a hoarse voice.
Dr. Zhang frowned deeply, recalling what he had heard circulating in the department, and did not ask any further questions.
Only after Tang Ci left the room did the busy intern slam her fist on the table indignantly, "Her dad is busy doing IVF to have a baby, how can he bear to ignore his own daughter who is so sick?! Having a stepmother is just like having a stepfather!"
Dr. Zhang disapproved of his behavior of discussing patients' family matters, gave him a warning look, and then sighed heavily.
/
As the workday drew to a close, the blood-red sunset painted the sky, the last glimmer of golden light being squeezed out by the chaotic afterglow.
The road outside the hospital was bustling with traffic, and the sidewalks were crowded with people.
Tang Ci looked up and wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead. Without much emotion, she was pushed and shoved by the crowd onto the bus home.
After the bus started moving, she took out her phone from her bag and sent a text message to Xi Jing.
[Tang Ci: Sister Jing, is the billiards hall short-staffed lately?]
Xi Jing used to be her neighbor across the hall. Later, her whole family moved to the new district, but the two girls never lost their friendship since childhood. A few years ago, Xi Jing opened a billiard hall on Beishan Commercial Street. Knowing that Tang Ci was sick and short of money, she often asked her to come and watch the shop on a daily wage basis.
A few minutes later, my phone vibrated.
[Xi Jing: The fire escape is being repaired today. You can come over tomorrow, but you're a senior in high school now, right? Is that convenient for you?]
[Tang Ci: Convenient.]
Xi Jing sent a smiley face: "Okay, I forgot our Xiao Ci is a top student. She can skip a few evening study sessions and still still get first place in the grade."
Tang Ci replied with an emoji and put her phone away.
As I entered the residential area, lights were on everywhere, and the humid air was filled with the aroma of food from each household.
Tang Ci went upstairs and opened the door. The living room was dark, and Tang Jianwei and Qin Ling had not yet returned home.
She didn't rush to cook. Instead, she went back to her bedroom, dejected, put down her schoolbag, lay on the bed, and stared blankly at her mother's memorial tablet placed in the corner.
In earlier years, this altar was placed in the living room. Later, when Qin Ling married into the family, a piano, which was part of her dowry, was added to the small living room, and the altar was moved to Tang Ci's bedroom.
If there is anyone in this family who cares about her condition, it must be her mother, who has already passed away.
Perhaps having foreseen this, her mother gave her the last sum of money she had saved before she passed away. This money, which had sustained her life, was gradually dwindling, and if she were to need dialysis in the future, it would certainly not be enough.
Tang Ci gripped the bedsheet tightly, a secret and dark seed taking root in her heart. In the darkness, she prayed that Qin Ling would not get pregnant.
Only then would Jiang Jianwei pay her medical expenses out of blood ties.
Click.
The sound of the front door opening came from outside the bedroom.
The woman's excited voice and the sound of high heels clicking on the floor rang out together.
"Old Tang—how are you feeling right now?!"
Tang Ci's breathing became rapid, and her limbs sank deeper and deeper into the bed as if filled with lead.
Tang Jianwei laughed heartily, "I'm so happy, I'm really happy. Two years of hard work have finally paid off, and your belly is finally showing signs of pregnancy."
Tang Ci's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and she curled up in the dark space, feeling utterly exhausted.
Because Tang Ci hadn't turned on the lights, Qin Ling didn't realize there were other people in the house, and spoke recklessly, "I'm carrying the only heir of your Tang family. You can decide how to treat us, mother and child."
Tang Jianwei bent down to change his shoes and mumbled, "What do you mean by 'only heir'? Xiao Ci is still living at home. You should have a younger brother to keep her company."
Qin Ling snorted, "Don't blame me for being blunt, you'd better know how to allocate the family money from now on."
“Xiao Ci has money left by her mother.” Tang Jianwei chuckled dryly. “She’s never asked me for money much.”
"That's a dead end; it'll run out of money sooner or later."
"Then what do you expect me to do?" Tang Jianwei said anxiously. "Xiao Ci is my own daughter. I can't just abandon her. Besides, she has such good grades and is destined for great things in the future."
"The future?" Qin Ling sneered. "What future can she have with that disease? You don't expect her to become successful and take care of you in your old age, do you? Be careful, she might die young and leave you penniless!"
Faced with his wife's increasingly sharp questioning, Tang Jianwei kept his temper in check and did not refute her.
Squeak—
The door to the second bedroom was suddenly pulled open from the inside.
The air in the living room froze instantly.
Tang Ci stood inside the door, her face as pale as paper, and gave him a blank smile. "Dad, you're back."
Tang Jianwei stiffened, rubbed his face with both hands, and asked in a low voice, "Why don't you turn on the lights when you're at home?"
Qin Ling cleared her throat and mumbled as she went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Tang Ci licked her dry lips. "I was just asleep, but you guys woke me up with your voices."
Tang Jianwei avoided Tang Ci's gaze and pointed to the kitchen: "Are you tired? What do you want to eat tonight? I'll have your Aunt Qin make it for you."
Tang Ci smoothed the stray hairs at her temples, slung her bag over her shoulder, and walked to the entrance. "You guys eat, I have to go out for a bit."
"Going to the billiards hall again?" Tang Jianwei knew she often worked part-time at the billiards hall in the evenings, and gave her a dry, "Come back early and be careful."
Only after closing the door did Tang Ci's forced spirits finally wane.
The sword of Damocles that had been hanging over their heads finally fell.
She surprisingly accepted the fact that her stepmother was pregnant very quickly, and even felt that Qin Ling's words were not wrong.
Short-lived.
She's already walking on thin ice right now, so what's the point of talking about the future?
What's the point of someone whose life hangs in the balance sitting firmly at the top of their class?
Tang Ci rode her electric scooter, which she only used at night, aimlessly through the streets. When a chill ran through her arms, she turned her head and saw the stone tablet in the square, only to realize that she had actually ridden to Binhu Park.
A cool breeze blew through the lush branches, but it did nothing to quell the heat rising on her cheeks. Tang Ci turned the handlebars, wanting to leave quickly, but stopped after hearing the noise in the park.
Amid the dull thud of fists colliding, a boy's urgent shout rang out.
"Damn it! They've surrounded Sheng Yu—"
"We can't leave here either!!"
Tang Ci's heart skipped a beat. She parked the car on the side of the road, disregarded the danger, and walked into the pitch-black park with her phone in hand.
Several people were standing on the lawn near the park fence. The boy in the middle had a tall and straight profile. Tang Ci stood behind a tree and looked at him for a long time before recognizing him as Sheng Yu.
In the dim light, Sheng Yu lowered her eyelids and casually moved her wrists, looking more like a member of the public taking a walk than she did.
The thugs surrounding him seized the opportunity to rush forward, throwing punches and kicks at him. Sheng Yu easily dodged them, but there were too many of them, and his shoulder was still punched by the bald thug.
Without even flinching, he quickly grabbed the bald man's wrist, pulled hard, and threw him into the green belt.
The opponents were too strong, and the thugs gradually lost their momentum. The bald man in the green belt pulled his head out of the grass, his face full of resentment, and pulled a folding knife out of his pocket. The blade reflected the light as he flicked it open.
Tang Ci's throat tightened. She took out her phone from her bag, pressed the dial button, and just as she pressed the first button, she heard a muffled groan from ahead.
She looked up abruptly and saw Sheng Yu gripping the folding knife that the bald man had plunged into his chest.
Crimson blood spurted from Leng Bai's fingertips. Taking advantage of the bald man's moment of shock, Sheng Yu snatched the folding knife from him, but did not retract the blade.
He kicked the bald man to the ground, squatted down with his foot on the bald man's waist, twirled the folding knife in the bald man's blood-soaked palm, and this time aimed the blade at the bald man's neck.
Sheng Yu lowered his brows and eyes, a crazy smile curving his lips: "Do you know how much blood will flow if it's inserted here?"
The bald man begged for mercy incoherently, "Brother Sheng, I was wrong, please calm down, calm down... You won't survive if you kill me."
By the end, the bald man's voice was already trembling with tears.
Sheng Yu remained unmoved and scoffed, "There's nothing worth living with my worthless life."
As Tang Ci watched the gleaming knife in Sheng Yu's hand plunge down, her trembling fingers pressed the wrong key.
The wailing of police sirens suddenly pierced the pitch-black night.
The thugs cursed and scrambled to their feet, scattering like birds. The bald man, as if waking from a dream, opened his eyes and saw the blade only two centimeters from his head, which terrified him so much that he fainted again.
When the boys who had been harassed by the thugs finally arrived, the police had already surrounded the lawn.
Zhou Yiyang cursed under his breath, "Damn it, which bastard called the police?!"
Jin Ming, his face bruised and swollen from the beating, saw Tang Ci behind a tree holding her phone. He narrowed his eyes, pointed, and said, "Was she the one who called the police? Who is this? Mind your own business—"
Before he could finish speaking, Jin Ming was slapped on the back by a policeman and taken away in a huff.
A large number of police officers arrived, and almost everyone involved in the fight was put into police cars with their arms tied behind their backs.
The boys' faces showed anxiety, anger, or disdain, but Sheng Yu remained calm. He wiped his forehead and bowed as he entered the police car, his dark gaze sweeping over the face of the girl who was frozen under the tree.
A night breeze suddenly swept by, splashing cold raindrops onto Tang Ci's face.
She looked at the clear night sky with a puzzled expression, then raised her hand and rubbed her cheek.
Tang Ci focused her gaze on her fingertips and discovered that it was a smear of cold blood.
Sheng Yu's.
A note from the author:
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Let's begin! Looking forward to a new journey together! [Owl emoji]
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