Chapter 76: At Last, You Descend Into Hell With Me (Extra Chapter for Those Who Sent the Tourmaline Diamond)

Luo Ange didn't look at him; instead, he fixed his gaze on me, his voice icy cold: "If you're so worried about him, let him be your hero." With those words, he led his people away.

I helped Du Fanchuan to his feet. Seeing his bruised and battered face, a sudden wave of sorrow washed over me, and I couldn't help but burst into tears. He hadn't even steadied himself before he shook off my hand and staggered outside. Concerned, I followed. He pointed at me, acting out in anger: "You're no longer the pure, innocent Wu You I loved. You're no longer the one I care for. I don't need your help. Don't touch me."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Du Fanchuan, are you saying I'm filthy?"

He wiped his eyes and shouted, "Yes, I think you're dirty. Yi Lanshan, congratulations—you've finally fallen into the same foul mire as me. You've finally joined me in hell."

Choking back tears, I asked, "Du Fanchuan, what gives you the right to say that?"

He sneered, "What right? Do you dare swear to heaven that nothing happened between you and that man?"

I laughed coldly. "Why should I swear? Who are you to question me?"

He stumbled backward, collapsing against the wall, his head tilted up toward the ceiling, hot tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Forget it. It's my own misguided affection, my own self-inflicted misery. I deserve this."

My heart truly broke. I had always been the one who found him dirty, and now it was his turn to despise me.

Karma, indeed.

The next day, I heard from my grandfather that Du Fanchuan had applied to work in the most remote and impoverished county of Kangcheng. The supervisors approved his request, and he left early that morning.

Grandfather assumed that the turmoil between Yi Huayang and Rong Luozheng had driven Du Fanchuan to this decision. After all, gossip had been rampant lately, and Du Fanchuan had endured plenty of criticism. I couldn't really say much, so I mumbled a few words to placate him.

Suddenly, Grandfather asked, "Your father was furious last night. What did you do to upset him again?"

I shared my worries with him. He pondered for a moment and asked, "Is your information reliable?"

I assured him it was, and told him about Rong Luozheng quietly transferring assets under Yi Huayang's name.

He asked, "Will this affect your father?"

I answered decisively that it would. Honestly, Grandfather was overthinking it. He knew better than anyone what kind of person my father was. If Rong Luozheng really got into trouble, my father would never stand by idly; he'd use every connection to help his son-in-law.

In such a case, not just my father, but our entire family would suffer the consequences.

Grandfather decided he'd investigate further. I was busy trying to call Du Fanchuan.

Unfortunately, his phone never connected. I knew he was avoiding me, and could only hope that one day he'd understand that shattered glass cannot be made whole again.

Li Wanqiu called urgently, demanding I rush to a certain tea restaurant in the pedestrian street. Backpack slung over my shoulder, I hurried out to meet her. Just as I wondered why Wen Yuan wasn't there, Li Wanqiu pointed across to the Häagen-Dazs shop.

When I realized what she wanted me to see, I nearly spat out my tea and slammed the table. "Damn, Jiang Chenghuan must have a death wish!"

The moment Xia Qi left for Beijing, he went looking for another woman. What else could he be but a jerk?

Li Wanqiu leaned in conspiratorially. "I've been watching him for days. Let's not be impulsive, and don't tell Xia Qi. We'll follow them and see what's really going on."

The girl beside Jiang Chenghuan looked barely of age—petite and slender, like a little daisy. They shared a box of Häagen-Dazs ice cream. Jiang Chenghuan scooped a spoonful and held it out to her; she opened her mouth, but he grinned mischievously and ate it himself. She pinched his neck, and as they laughed, they suddenly kissed.

I was furious. Jiang Chenghuan and Xia Qi had been together for years, shamelessly flaunting their affection in public. I couldn't imagine that the mouth which had kissed Xia Qi would one day kiss another woman.