Chapter 16: Getting Out Of Monster’s Claw

Chapter 16: Getting Out Of Monster’s Claw

*His fate is an endless and restless journey.

Chen Kong Alley is a dangerous place.

In the cramped and filthy shantytown, it was filled with jackals and tigers. Not only was there a foul ditch where Zhi Qi stepped on, but the entire area... almost had no good places.

But if it was just the external conditions, the most dangerous presence happened to be his father, Jiang Quan.

Since Zhi Qi came to this alley, Jiang Qi felt that he couldn’t stay here.

He couldn’t live here, and he couldn’t let Zhi Qi come looking for him again. The boy covered the wound on his shoulder, cold sweat dotted his pale forehead; he laboriously lowered his head to find a roll of bandage under the bed, wrapping it around his injury.

His deathly pale face had no trace of color on his lips, obviously in extreme pain.

Jiang Qi closed his eyes to endure this piercing pain and slowly got up, leaving the already gloomy low house. He struggled to move with pain all over his body, gritting his teeth, and managed to walk out. After struggling for two hours, he finally reached the place of his uncle Jiang Shi in the Itada district.

Jiang Shi only returned home with his vegetable stall in the evening. At the door, he saw the boy curled up in the corner of the stairs. There was a sudden ‘thump’ in his heart.

Actually, scenes of Jiang Qi actively coming to him for help were rare, but the appearance of the boy’s bleeding shoulder in the gray short-sleeved shirt seemed ‘unusually common.’ Jiang Shi frowned, walked up to him, and asked from above, “Did your dad beat you again?”

Jiang Qi pressed his lips, not answering the obvious question.

After a stalemate for a while, he asked in a low voice, “Uncle, can my household registration be transferred to your name?”

Jiang Shi was stunned, and there was a somewhat impatient joy in his tone, “Are you serious?”

The boy’s voice was hoarse, and he replied with a muffled ‘yes.’

Only then did Jiang Shi let him in. Aunt Guan Yue happened to come out of the kitchen with her apron tied around her, and when she saw Jiang Qi, she was stunned. Then, noticing the red marks on the boy’s shoulder, she regained her composure.

“Tsk, such cruelty.” Guan Yue spat, pulling Jiang Qi over and tearing open his clothes. There was a deep wound on the boy’s shoulder, flesh and skin turning, incessantly bleeding, a strong smell hitting their noses, causing Guan Yue to involuntarily step back.

But those accustomed to the harshness of life could tell at a glance that the wound on Jiang Qi’s shoulder was caused by a sickle. Looking from the neck down, the boy’s fair and bony upper body was densely covered with scars—burns, knife wounds... countless of them, old ones not yet healed, new ones emerging, layer upon layer covering half of his body.

Jiang Shi and Guan Yue both knew that these were the ‘masterpieces’ of Jiang Quan.

Women’s hearts are still somewhat softer. Guan Yue sighed, reaching out to rub Jiang Qi’s head, “Go to the hospital for stitches.”

In the past, when Jiang Quan played drunk, they could handle the lighter injuries he left on Jiang Qi themselves. But in cases like this, not going to the hospital was not an option. Jiang Qi silently nodded, obediently listening like a lost dog.

On the way to the hospital, Jiang Shi and his wife discussed moving Jiang Qi’s household registration under their name. Guan Yue’s eyes brightened.

“Is it true?” The woman excitedly exclaimed, then, seeming to think of something, sighed in a low voice, “But big brother... can he agree?”

Jiang Shi couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Qi.

The young man sat quietly, his features cold. He stiffened for a moment when he sensed Jiang Shi’s gaze, then spoke in a low voice, “I agree. Uncle, you can sell the house in Chen Kong Alley.”

In fact, this was the fundamental thing that could truly make Jiang Shi and Guan Yue happy. The two looked at each other, suppressing the joy in their eyes without a word. After all, the boy in front of them was different from others.

The boy’s household registration was forcibly ‘withheld’ when Jiang Qi’s grandfather was still alive.

When Jiang Quan was underage, he went to jail for robbery and murder. He came out after more than ten years, almost thirty years old, wasting his time in debauchery. His character became so irritable, gloomy, and fickle to the extreme.

When the old man was alive, almost all the money in the house was ruthlessly plundered by Jiang Quan, except for the house in Chen Kong Alley. That low, small house had the old man’s name on it, the place where he intended to spend his later years. The old man despised Jiang Quan and originally planned to leave this only property to his younger son, Jiang Shi—although the younger son was uneducated and not promising, he was at least relatively honest.

However, at this time, Jiang Quan encountered a woman.

A woman who had all the vices of eating, drinking, gambling, and debauchery, a woman who happened to get along well with Jiang Quan. She was a dishonest girl, willing to sleep with anyone for money. However, Jiang Quan took all the money from his father and brother, sleeping with her for a month alone.

A month later, this woman became pregnant, and the child in her belly could only be Jiang Quan’s.

On a summer day more than ten years ago, the woman, holding a cigarette and a bottle of liquor along with a medical report, came to Chen Kong Alley to negotiate with the old man.

Plan one: she would take the abortion money and compensation, get rid of the child, and have no further connection with Jiang Quan.

Plan two: she could give birth to the child, but after giving birth, she would receive twenty thousand yuan, then leave without any connection to the Jiang family.

Even as a night club girl leading a debauched life, she didn’t want to entrust her future to a man like Jiang Quan.

The old man almost without hesitation chose the latter, using his pension to ‘save’ Jiang Qi’s life—For the old man, the child in the woman’s belly represented the continuation of their family, the continuation of blood. Even though the poor surroundings had no ‘throne’ to inherit, they had to fight to keep this root.

Born of his mother, Jiang Qi’s features resembled her. The woman was extremely charming and cold, with the most beautiful face, doing the most ruthless things.Fịndd new updates on n(o)v/e/lbin(.)com

She and Jiang Quan were actually a natural pair, both with dark hearts.

After ten months of pregnancy, Jiang Qi was sent to the old man’s place without even drinking a day of his mother’s milk. From then on, the woman disappeared without a trace, and Jiang Qi never saw his mother again.

As for Jiang Qi’s name, on the day the woman sent him to the Jiang family, the old man happened to be taking Jiang Shi to the temple for blessings. He named him Jiang ‘Qi’ on the spot. Unfortunately, both of them lacked education, and when they registered the name, ‘Qi’ was mistakenly written as ‘祁.’

The boy’s name itself might be a mistake from the beginning of his life.

But the only solace in Jiang Qi’s life was the old man.

The old man treated his grandson like his life, transferred his household registration under his own name, kept Jiang Qi away from Jiang Quan, and even wrote a will connecting the house and household registration, leaving them both to Jiang Qi.

Unfortunately, the old man passed away in less than two years. In the end, only a household registration and a house were left for Jiang Qi, lifeless objects.

And this house became Jiang Qi’s only ‘refuge.’ Although the low and dilapidated house in Chen Kong Alley was small and broken, it was still a house within the city limits of Lin Lan. There was a possibility of future redevelopment in the shantytown, so both the devilish father and the calculating uncle and aunt were eyeing the house.

Only by transferring Jiang Qi’s household registration under their name could they openly have the right to claim the house.

In the past, when Jiang Qi was young, he could only live with Jiang Quan, who stubbornly stayed in Chen Kong Alley. He was often subjected to abuse and beatings—middle-aged men with nothing to do, except venting their accumulated anger from drinking and smoking heavily onto their own son.

Jiang Qi had nowhere to go, nowhere to escape, and the matter of ‘domestic violence’ was not something the police would intervene in, let alone anyone else. He could only silently endure Jiang Quan, live with him in mutual hatred, gradually get used to this kind of abuse, and gradually become numb...

In order to go to school, he could only help Jiang Shi’s vegetable stall from a young age, collecting and selling vegetables to earn some tuition and book fees. After all, he couldn’t get a single penny from Jiang Quan.

Jiang Yu never considered it his ‘duty to raise a son,’ but Jiang Qi knew he had to study, not live in confusion. With a young and tender mindset accompanied by growing resentment, as it gradually took root and spread like a towering tree, he still remembered that he had to ‘stand out.’

Going to school seemed to be the only hope visible in the dark and long road. Jiang Qi didn’t want to give up. Even though in his childhood, lying on the steel-wire bed in the cramped and dilapidated room, he would shiver uncontrollably every time he heard the heavy footsteps outside, almost unable to control the trembling of his teeth.

He was afraid of getting beaten, afraid of Jiang Quan.

Jiang Qi felt that he was probably very wicked, very dark, because every moment... he hoped that his so-called ‘father’ would die outside, preferably quietly, without even needing to claim his body. So he doesn’t have to resist in vain anymore, doesn’t have to endure the pain on his body that makes it impossible to concentrate in class from time to time.

He won’t have to... live in constant anxiety.

It’s a pity that wishes are just wishes. The demon Jiang Quan is still there, but Jiang Qi no longer wants to stay with him in Chen Kong Alley.

He is willing to use the house left by his grandfather to exchange for a place to stay with his uncle, willing to attend middle school in the distant Itada District away from the city center, as long as he can get away from Chen Kong Alley.

During the stitching at the hospital, Jiang Qi remained silent the entire time, allowing beads of sweat the size of soybeans to slowly drip from his forehead.

From Tang Jiao’s perspective, this was a ‘well-intentioned’ suggestion.

However, Zhi Qi was furious.

Why should she distance herself from Jiang Qi just because of the gossip and rumors of those around her? Shouldn’t the most important thing be her own clear conscience? Moreover, where was Jiang Qi ‘strange’?

In fact, Zhi Qi and Tang Jiao had a good relationship, almost like talking about everything as front and back desk buddies. But at this moment, the girl still remembered her first ‘friend’ from elementary school, who she fell out with because of Jiang Qi—Zhi Shuang.

It was also because of Jiang Qi that Zhi Shuang followed the crowd and slandered Jiang Qi along with the public. Although the ‘herd mentality’ is human nature, Zhi Qi still couldn’t help but feel that this kind of follow-the-crowd thinking was a sign of an unhealthy personality. But Tang Jiao was not Zhi Shuang, and she was no longer the girl who would casually break off friendships with people.

“Jiao Jiao, Jiang Qi is not strange; you just don’t understand him.” This time, Zhi Qi took a deep breath, choosing to explain to Tang Jiao. The girl’s delicate face showed an almost serious attitude—

“I’ve known him for many years and know that he is a good person.”

“In this world, not everyone has to be sociable or likable.”

“Jiang Qi may just be someone not very likable, but I like him.”

...

Tang Jiao couldn’t help but look at her in astonishment.

And Zhi Qi just smiled slightly, openly and honestly saying, “I’m talking about liking as friends.”

“Following the crowd in judging someone can sometimes blind one’s eyes. Under the spread of false information, it also damages another person’s reputation.” Zhi Qi smiled, picked up her backpack and slung it over her shoulder. Before leaving, she sincerely said to Tang Jiao—

“Jiao Jiao, both you and Jiang Qi are my friends. I hope you observe him with your own eyes rather than judge him based on others’ words. Goodbye.”

With that, the girl turned and went downstairs.

At this moment, the first-year students had mostly left, while the second and third-year students were still in class. Under the big locust tree on the playground, there was the slender shadow of a boy waiting for her. A faint dimple appeared at the corner of Zhi Qi’s lips as she walked towards Jiang Qi in the moonlight. She trusted him, liked him, and that was all.

*

Zhi Qi and Jiang Qi certainly didn’t have a puppy love, at least not at the age of sixteen in the first year of high school.

As for later... in fact, they had long understood some things.

It’s just that in the moment of youth, young people don’t understand which comes faster, tomorrow or the unexpected. So the love that had been declared long ago finally faded away silently amidst the ‘thunderous’ casualties.

Now, after four years, they were approaching each other for the first time.

But Zhi Qi still remembered the fact that Jiang Qi was now a ‘public figure.’ After removing the boy’s mask, the girl hesitantly covered his face with her hand. The slightly cool lips were covered by the girl’s soft palm, and Jiang Qi was momentarily lost in thought. Then, Zhi Qi, as if feeling guilty, put the mask back on the boy stealthily. With a slightly tiptoed and adorable posture, you could see her long eyelashes fluttering like little fans when she lowered her eyes.

Zhi Qi took Jiang Qi’s hand and spoke softly, “Come with me.”

The area around Lan University was bustling, making it inconvenient to talk. Zhi Qi led the boy to the back garden of the female dormitory at Lan University. It was usually a popular spot for couples in the evening, but during the day, it was deserted, making it a good place for conversation.

The two sat on a bench in the garden, surrounded by lush scenery. The boy, however, stood out in his all-black attire.

This time’s ‘reunion after a long separation’ is different from the one in high school, but Jiang Qi is still... very nervous. His slender fingers unconsciously clenched into fists, and the palm of his hand quickly became moist with cold sweat.

Zhi Qi looked at the evident nervousness in Jiang Qi’s light-colored pupils. She felt like laughing, but she restrained herself, maintaining a calm expression and tone.

“How did you know I was here?”

She could be infatuated and passionate about Jiang Qi on the internet, expressing her love for him as if he were a confidant every day. But in real life, Zhi Qi had to convey her attitude to Jiang Qi—she minded the young man repeatedly leaving without notice and suddenly reappearing, even though she was genuinely concerned about him.

“I...” Jiang Qi’s voice under the mask was muffled, his eyes staring at her without blinking. “I saw you at the fan meeting.”

His voice was noticeably uneasy.

Zhi Qi remained silent for a moment, squinted her eyes, and asked, “Saw me?”

She didn’t have a VIP ticket, nor was she in a good position among the thousands of people. How could Jiang Qi spot her?

“Yeah.” Jiang Qi nodded, taking out his phone and handing it over obediently. “I knew you were at the fan meeting today.”

So, he had been looking for her all along.

Zhi Qi took the phone suspiciously. On the screen were rows of private messages in the Weibo ‘Confession’ box.

...

The fair-skinned girl’s face instantly turned red, then exploded!

“You!” She stood up suddenly, looking down at Jiang Qi, her voice involuntarily stuttering, “Aren’t you celebrities supposed to ignore Weibo private messages?”

Could it be that Meng Chunyu lied to her? But this was too, too, too embarrassing!

Zhi Qi looked at the private message list filled with shameless and cheesy words, feeling like she could crawl into a crack in the floor.

Meanwhile, the young man with a ‘steel straight male heart’ still didn’t understand why Zhi Qi suddenly got angry.

Jiang Qi stood up somewhat awkwardly, shaking his head in explanation, “I only recently saw it. Before that, my assistant used to log in to this account. I didn’t... didn’t intentionally see it and not come to find you.”

He thought Zhi Qi was angry because of this reason, explaining with genuine emotions.

Zhi Qi, still embarrassed, didn’t look at him, turned her head and asked with a pout, “Then why are you here now?”

Jiang Qi replied without hesitation, “I just found out you were here, so I wanted to come and find you.”

...

Perhaps when it comes to someone you care about, the bottom line is that a casual sentence from them can easily break down all the defenses you’ve built in your heart.

Just like six years ago, when they reunited.

In reality, there were many questions she wanted to ask—

‘How is it inside? When did you come out?’

‘Why did you enter the entertainment industry? Are you doing well now?’

‘In these years... have you ever thought of me?’

But with countless thoughts swirling in her mind, she suddenly felt like she couldn’t ask anything.

After a while, Zhi Qi just sighed softly. Then, she turned around, familiarly removed half of Jiang Qi’s mask and put it back on for him, her voice gentle, “Your phone has been ringing continuously, go back.”

Zhi Qi looked at the private message list filled with shameless and cheesy words, feeling like she could crawl into a crack in the floor.