Chapter 41
Alexei was taken aback. As an amateur assassin, he had imagined many possible scenarios beforehand, such as pursuit, calling for help, obstruction, and retaliation. But before anything happened, his enemy had escaped as quickly as a rabbit.
He turned and chased after them.
The first floor was completely dark, as Xiao Meng had made prior arrangements to prevent the building from being brightly lit and allowing others to see what was happening inside. Rong Xiang ran towards the heavy wooden door, but after pushing it once, he found it locked. He immediately turned into the corridor and ran up the small staircase on the side of the building to the second floor.
It was a weekend evening, and both the mother and the cook gave Xiao Meng the day off. Even Xiao Zhen took her baby to the nearby church, where she could chat and play games with some of her newly acquainted sisters.
Rongxiang ran uphill as fast as he could, and behind him—he couldn't say how far away it was—the sound of heavy footsteps followed closely. He grabbed the stair railing, because the momentum was so great when turning that he didn't have time to adjust his direction.
He ran to the second floor, took a breath, and continued upwards.
On the third floor, there is only a small attic—actually, it's somewhere between a pavilion and an attic. From a distance, it looks like a decorative dome, standing somewhat abruptly on the roof, in a Western style. The rooftop platform is surrounded by a low railing of the same style, still in a Western style.
There was a staircase connecting the small attic to the third floor, and a small iron gate was installed. It was always open, even in the middle of summer, because the cook, Old Zhang, liked to walk through the attic to the open platform on the third floor to dry vegetables.
Rongxiang rushed into the attic in a panic, then turned around to bolt the small iron door. But just as he closed it, he felt a violent slam on the other side, almost knocking the door open. He frantically tried to hold the door shut, but the damned anesthetic was gradually taking effect, and half of his body was starting to feel unresponsive.
The other person slammed into him again. Rong Xiang gritted his teeth and slammed back, then used the momentum to close the simple latch on the small iron gate. Taking a step back, he felt a hot, sticky sensation on his neck, thinking it was sweat, but when he wiped it with his hand, he found it was blood.
He certainly couldn't care less about that right now. The small iron gate was thin and was basically just for show. If Alexei really wanted to fight, he could break it open.
He stepped back, retreating through the attic's half-moon door to the outer platform, then looked around, trying to figure out how to get down. However, after circling the area, he found no suitable route. Only a long drainpipe made of welded tin sheets stretched down from the roof in the northeast corner; if he was agile enough, sliding down that pipe shouldn't be too difficult.
He pinched his shoulder, feeling as if he were pinching a piece of dead flesh; his entire arm was numb. He muttered a silent curse under his breath.
He swore he had never met Alexei before coming to Shanghai. He also had absolutely no recollection of any of the Russians Alexei mentioned—unless…
He suddenly felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, chilling him to the bone.
When was that? A long, long time ago, when he was still young, he went to the battlefield with Yi Zhongming. At that time, he still called Yi Zhongming Uncle Yi.
He couldn't remember what it was about or who he fought. He only knew that it was a series of victories, and sitting in the car didn't feel like fighting; it felt more like a spring outing. Later, for some reason, some soldiers began massacring the refugees on the road. He and Yi Zhongming got out of the car, mounted their horses, and rushed into the crowd. Yi Zhongming took a long rifle with an old-fashioned bayonet from a soldier next to him and handed it to Rongxiang: "Third Young Master, let's practice."
He took it nonchalantly, casually stabbing someone on the ground, and then handed the gun back to Yi Zhongming: "What's the point of this? It just makes you look like you're covered in blood."
If no one brings it up, he will never think about it again in his life.
Alexei was probably referring to this incident—because he rarely went to the battlefield, much less to "kill a group of Russians" with a bayonet.
He grew anxious and looked around. The platform was spotless, without a single broken brick or tile. He walked to the low railing and looked down. In the deep of night, he could vaguely see a small cement flower bed with a sparse cluster of roses growing inside.
That flower bed is terrible. If someone were to actually slide down the metal pipe, they would hit the edge of the flower bed. The building has a very high ceiling. Although it is only three stories high, it is enough to make someone fall half to their death.
The iron door to the attic was slammed shut with a loud clanging sound, as if it were about to be forcibly removed.
Rongxiang took a deep breath, thinking that if he died today, it would be Xiao Meng's fault—he would haunt him even as a ghost!
But then I thought: everyone dies eventually, and I've died before. I'm not afraid of death, since I still have acquaintances in the underworld!
Just then, a loud crash was heard from the attic as the small tin door slammed onto the ground.
Alexei stood panting at the doorway, then strode across the attic, approaching Rongxiang. One hand, tucked into his pocket, was suddenly drawn; the blade, faintly bluish in the dim moonlight, vanished in a flash.
Rongxiang took a step back, his heart turning cold.
Alex paused for a moment, then gripped the hilt of his knife tightly and charged toward Rongxiang.
He didn't have time to recount the crimes of the person in front of him. Xiao Meng might come back at any time, and he wanted to leave this place alive and continue his life.
Next, he felt his knife pierce Rong Xiang's body, but the penetration was uncertain, because as the tip of the knife touched Rong Xiang's chest, the man, using his momentum, flipped backward. At the same time, he heard a cry of alarm from downstairs: "Third Master!"
That was Xiao Meng's voice.
Next, a heavy thud, Xiao Meng's scream, and a dog's mournful whine rang out at the same time.
Alexei paused, took a step back, then suddenly realized what was happening. He turned and ran towards the attic, then stepped over the tin door and ran all the way down to the first floor. He jumped out of the window and went to the backyard. He had planned the route in advance, so without any hindrance or hesitation, he dashed out of the back gate of the garden and quickly disappeared into the darkness.
Later, he learned through various channels that Rongxiang had not been killed by him that night. This made him feel slightly melancholy, but that was all. By then, he had opened a silk shop in a city in southern China, and his wife, a White Russian, had given birth to three sons. He was busy with his business every day, and his life was full of hope. He no longer had any passion for revenge.
Now, let's go back to that night and look at the details.
Xiao Meng had secretly located Su Banyao's parking spot before she arrived, and afterwards, he quickly returned Su Banyao's body to the car. The car door was locked, but he cleverly opened it with a wire without damaging the lock.
After confirming that there was no trace of blood along the way, he hurriedly ran back. However, as soon as he entered the gate, he noticed someone on the roof. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Rong Xiang. This puzzled him greatly; he couldn't understand how Rong Xiang had gotten up there. But as soon as he called out, Rong Xiang fell headfirst from the roof.
He instinctively reached out to catch him, but just as he stretched out his hand, Rong Xiang's head slammed against the concrete edge of the flower bed, and his feet immediately slammed into his head. The heavy blow caused him to involuntarily take a step back, stepping on a dog crouching nearby. The dog yelped and was instantly half-dead from the trampling.
Xiao Meng, his eyes still blurry with shock, steadied himself and knew something terrible had happened. He quickly rushed over to help Rong Xiang up. Rong Xiang was covered in blood and unconscious. A small knife was stuck in his chest, not aimed at his heart. Suppressing his panic, Xiao Meng scooped Rong Xiang up in his arms and ran towards the garage—this situation was now beyond his control, though he didn't know how it had come to this.
Later, Rongxiang spent two months in the hospital.
The knife in his chest was lodged in his ribs, but it didn't damage any internal organs; the wound on his shoulder also didn't injure any joints or bones. However, the cement slab on the back of his head had left a long gash, requiring the doctor to stitch him up with many stitches. At the same time, the doctor had to reassure the patient's family, "Luckily it's on your head, your hair will cover it up and you won't be able to see the scar!"
Xiao Meng listened in silence for a moment, then asked softly, "A concussion...it won't kill you, will it?"
The doctor was quite certain: "Humans don't die so easily, do they?"
Over the next two months, whenever Xiao Meng felt hopeless, she would think of this sentence.
Later, the doctor began to worry that the young man in the bed might become a vegetable. Xiao Meng was completely unfamiliar with the term "vegetative state." After hearing the doctor's explanation, he felt relieved.
He thought indifferently: It doesn't matter what plant or animal he becomes. As long as he's alive and breathing, even if he becomes a monster, I'll still protect him.
If he dies, I will guard his ashes.
However, Rongxiang eventually woke up one autumn afternoon.
There was no warning before he opened his eyes. After opening his eyes, he simply remained in a supine position, squinting at the ceiling. His mind was a complete blank; he knew nothing and wanted nothing.
Xiao Meng carried a basin of warm water into the ward, a white towel draped over his shoulder. He wanted to wipe Rong Xiang's face. After wetting and wringing out the towel, he walked to the bedside as usual, murmuring, "Third Master, it's time to wipe your face." Then he looked down at Rong Xiang.
Then, with a slap, the towel in his hand landed on Rongxiang's face.
Rongxiang's nose and mouth were covered by a wet towel, leaving only his eyes exposed. They were half-open as if he was afraid of the light, and he suddenly blinked.
Xiao Meng snorted, swayed, and actually sat down on the ground.
"Third Master..."
He managed to utter only those two words, then trembled as he rose and knelt before the bed, pressing his forehead against Rongxiang's arm: "Third Master..."
Xiao Meng was sold into the Rong family when he was eight years old. Before that, he seemed to have a family and relatives, but that was only "seeming." Strangely, when he thinks about the situation before he was eight years old, his mind goes blank. Perhaps it's because that life was too bitter, so he automatically forgot it.
From the age of eight to twenty-three this year, he has followed Rongxiang for fifteen years. He has already endured all the hardships he was destined to suffer in his life. Over the years, when he occasionally showed off, it was like a dog relying on its master's power, and he could not leave any good memories.
He didn't want to think about what had happened before. Fortunately, he was still young, and he had a long life ahead of him.
Since he was going to live, he had to hold his breath and live a good life. After all, he had a family relying on him—what a happy thing that was that he finally had a family!
After another month of treatment in the hospital, Rongxiang was discharged and went home. Perhaps due to the aftereffects of the severe concussion, he was noticeably more dazed than before. He had completely forgotten what happened before and after the injury. The doctor told Xiaomeng that for someone like Rongxiang, being able to wake up and not become completely mentally impaired was already incredibly lucky.
Xiao Meng completely agreed with the doctor's words. Moreover, he felt that Rong Xiang was doing quite well now, at least much more obedient than before.
Shanghai's economy is booming, but Xiao Meng, unable to leave his family and with limited energy, hasn't followed the trend of opening a factory or starting a business. He continues to make small investments, which yield decent returns. At least he can save money regularly and keep his entire family, including his nanny Xiao Zhen, looking presentable and healthy. The housekeeper and cook are happy to work because of their generous monthly pay.
On sunny spring days, he would go on picnics in the countryside with his whole family, just like the harmonious families around him. He drove, Rongxiang sat beside him, and Xiaozhen sat in the back with their baby. The car window was slightly open, and the warm spring breeze rushed in, brushing against Xiaomeng's short hair like a little bird.
Rongxiang pulled out a pink letter from somewhere, spread it on his lap, carefully folded it into a paper airplane, and then turned around and threw it at the baby, hitting the baby right in the face.
The baby started yelling and waving his hand to hit back. Xiao Meng thought to himself that Xiao Zhen had spoiled the child rotten, then glanced in the rearview mirror at where the paper airplane had landed. He leaned to one side, one hand on the steering wheel, the other reaching out to grab it. Xiao Zhen saw this and quickly picked up the paper airplane and handed it to him.
"Third Master," he put the paper airplane back on Rongxiang's lap, "don't throw it at the baby, what if it hits his eyes?"
Rongxiang then picked up the paper airplane, pointed the tip at Xiaomeng, and suddenly thrust it into Xiaomeng's ear.
Xiao Meng glanced at him and saw that he was smiling smugly, revealing a set of snow-white teeth, with a kind of innocent cunning.
He laughed too, then tilted his head, causing the plane to crash.
The picnic spot was a lush, neatly manicured lawn. To the east of the lawn was a racecourse, with its rows of trees visible from afar. The lawn itself extended from the racecourse.
When Xiao Meng arrived, the place was already quite lively. He also saw a familiar couple, a young couple. After Tao Fengzhen's accident, their neighbors, the Tao family, moved away, and the house was sold to this wealthy young couple. The couple were both burly and broad-shouldered, with large faces and prominent features, but their smiles were very kind. When Xiao Meng arrived, the lady was loudly calling to her husband, "Darling! Quickly bring me my can of peaches and open it!" Turning around and seeing Xiao Meng, she nodded and smiled, "What a coincidence, you're here today too? The spot under that tree over there is nice, you should go and claim it!"
Xiao Meng went over as instructed, and sure enough, there was a clearing under the tree, flat and clean. He and Xiao Zhen spread a red and white checkered tablecloth on the ground, and then took out the food and placed it on the table one by one. Among them was a box of lemon-flavored cake. As soon as the paper lid was opened and the cake was placed on the tablecloth, Rong Xiang, who was sitting to the side, reached out and took a bite. He then gasped and frowned.
When Xiao Meng saw this, she quickly went over, squatted down, and took out a handkerchief to hold to Rong Xiang's mouth: "Is it a little sour? Spit it out, spit it out!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Xiao Zhen behind him suddenly let out a hateful cry. He turned around and couldn't help but cry out in distress as well. It turned out that the baby had climbed to the center of the tablecloth at some point and had unceremoniously peed.
He caught the cake Rongxiang spat out, turned around, grabbed the baby, and lightly slapped his bottom. Then he told Xiaozhen to watch over the father and son; he needed to go to the car to get a new tablecloth.
By the time the food was finally laid out, he was too tired to eat much. However, he felt very happy and wished he could sing a song out loud on the grass.
A group of nearby students fulfilled his wish. They were probably college students, all around twenty years old. At first, they laughed and made a ruckus, then sat together, and a girl started singing, clapping her hands: "Outside the long pavilion, along the ancient road, the fragrant grass stretches to the horizon..."
Looking at the lively scene of her peers, Xiao Meng couldn't help but smile unconsciously.
Rongxiang was drinking a glass of juice when the baby reached out to grab it. Rongxiang raised the glass above the baby's head and tilted it slightly—the juice spilled all over the baby's face and head. Xiaozhen, seeing this, quickly picked the baby up and frantically wiped him clean with a small towel. Xiaomeng turned around and saw this, still smiling. Rongxiang had been mischievous since childhood, and although he had grown up to be a gentleman, he was now completely showing his true nature. This was good; although it caused a lot of trouble, Xiaomeng found it adorable.
As evening fell, the family returned home. Only Rongxiang remained calm, while the baby's face was sticky and he cried incessantly the whole way. Xiao Meng and Xiao Zhen were exhausted and could barely stand up straight.
Xiao Meng led Rong Xiang back to the bedroom. After Rong Xiang entered the room, he began to take off his clothes to prepare to take a shower. Xiao Meng followed behind him, tidied up his clothes and hung them up, then unscrewed a bottle of calcium milk, scooped a spoonful and put it to Rong Xiang's lips: "Third Master, drink this before brushing your teeth."
Rongxiang immediately shook his head and refused, saying that calcium milk didn't taste good.
Xiao Meng continued to persuade him patiently: "Drinking this will make you healthy. Just one sip... 'chomp,' swallow it in one sip, okay? After you finish, you can have ice cream, okay?"
Helpless, Rongxiang had no choice but to open his mouth and swallow the spoonful of calcium milk. Then he frowned, looking unhappy.
Xiao Meng twisted the bottle cap shut, rubbed her lower back, and quickly left the room to go to the restaurant to get her ice cream.
The restaurant was dark. He knew someone had died there, but he didn't care at all. He found the refrigerator in the dark, grabbed a tub of ice cream, and happily went upstairs. This was what made him different from ordinary people; he seemed to lack many emotions, rarely getting excited and unaware of fear.
They went to bed at 10 p.m.
Rongxiang lay on his side and quickly fell asleep.
Xiao Meng hugged him from behind, pressing his face against Rong Xiang's short hair at the back of his head. Rong Xiang's hair was warm and soft, touching his cheek, carrying a slightly sweet scent. He closed his eyes and gently inhaled, as various scenes from the past flashed before his eyes like a movie. Now, things had finally come to fruition.
He suddenly felt a warm pang in his heart, and a tear slid down his cheek...
End of article
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
