That's right, the person who came was Zhang Junlan!
"Mind your own business, or I'll kill you!" the leader of the thugs said viciously.
"In broad daylight, under the clear sky, how dare you... have you no law? She's my woman, let her go! Or don't blame me for being impolite!"
The four thugs exchanged glances, then released Xi Hongmei and rushed over to give Zhang Junlan a severe beating.
How can two fists fight against four hands?
Zhang Junlan could only be beaten. He was knocked to the ground, his hands covering his head, his body curled up, but he kept shouting, "Xiang'er, run! Don't worry about me, run! Run!"
Xiang'er...
How long has it been since anyone called that name?
This name used to be his exclusive one, and only he would call himself that. After many years, he never expected to meet him again in Kyoto in this way.
Memories flooded back, and Xi Hongmei was moved to tears.
"What are you doing?" Just then, two men dressed as constables passed by. Upon seeing them, the four thugs ran away like mice seeing a cat.
"So it's Scholar Zhang. Are you alright?" the constable asked.
"We are fine. Please, both of you, apprehend that villain as soon as possible."
After saying that, the two constables ran off to arrest the man.
Now that there was no one else around, Zhang Junlan asked with concern, "Xiang'er, are you alright?"
"Master Zhang, you've mistaken me for someone else, but thank you still for your righteous help." Xi Hongmei composed herself, her tone polite yet distant.
Zhang Junlan looked dejected and sighed, "Xiang'er, you're blaming me."
"I told you, you've mistaken me for someone else." Xi Hongmei turned to leave, but Zhang Junlan quickly stepped forward to stop her. He was so agitated that he aggravated his wounds and cried out in pain.
Xi Hongmei felt a little guilty, since he had helped her earlier.
"Here is two taels of silver, for your medical expenses."
"Xiang'er, saving you was my instinct, how could I take your money? Actually, back then, I wanted to marry you, but..."
"Fine, then!"
"Don't go, listen to me, listen to me!" Zhang Junlan grabbed her. "Xiang'er, let me explain. Actually, I've always missed you. It was Fan Lingling who threatened me! I was forced to abandon you and leave you. If I hadn't done it, Fan Lingling wouldn't have let you go!"
Now that she's dead, we can be together, Xiang'er, please give me another chance? Our meeting in Kyoto is fate, a deliberate arrangement by heaven, Xiang'er…”
With tears streaming down her face, Xi Hongmei kicked him to the ground: "I never want to see you again!"
Zhang Junlan lay on the ground feigning misery, trying to win back Xi Hongmei, but Xi Hongmei ignored his painful wails and strode away.
Seeing her run away without looking back, Zhang Junlan was furious and cursed Xi Hongmei in his heart for being heartless and cruel!
Only after Xi Hongmei had walked away did he stand up, his face grim.
...
At dusk, Xi Hongmei received a thick letter. The doorman said it was delivered by a child. Xi Hongmei opened it with some skepticism and found it was full of drawings.
The painting depicts the entire process of how she met, got to know, and fell in love with Zhang Junlan.
The last page of the letter described how much he had missed her over the years, and then invited her to meet him at the small bamboo grove in the east of the city the next day. He said that he would wait there for her whether she went or not, rain or shine.
Xi Hongmei gripped the papers tightly, her eyes blazing with fury...
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