Chapter 327: Volume 1, Chapter 327: Prison (12)

Night fell.

She was led out of the Fu residence by Wang Guan Jia; it was the first time in a month she had stepped outside, touching the outside air. Although it was still as cold as ever, it did not hinder her from viewing the night scenery.

In two days it will be New Year's Eve; the streets and streetlights are hung with big red lanterns, heavy snow falls, snow accumulates on the roads, and many people sprinkle salt to clear it.

Jiang Zhi wore a pair of flat cotton shoes, which made a rustling sound as she stepped on the snow; she held up a black umbrella over her head to block the goose-feather heavy snow drifting down from the night sky.

As she hurried out of the black-bronze lacquered iron gate, her foot slipped slightly, almost causing her to fall to the ground, but she managed to steady herself in time.

The sound of a car door opening rang in her ears, and a black shadow appeared before her.

She lifted her gaze and saw the worry and tension still uncovered in the depths of the man's eyes.

After not seeing each other for a month, Fu Shao Huai had changed greatly; unknown how many all-nighters he had endured, his eyes were dark and bruised, his expression agitated and gloomy, filled with hostility.

All she saw was him reaching out his hand; his long, broad palm hovered before her.

Jiang Zhi did not take his hand; her plain brows and eyes lowered, she sidestepped him and walked straight toward the car.

Fu Shao Huai's figure stiffened abruptly; the unsettled, gloomy emotions not yet fully suppressed surged in the depths of his eyes, and his fingers hanging in midair turned a pallid cold.

After a moment, he got into the car.

The young maiden continued to sit facing the car window, her faint gaze directed outside; the light reflected from outside refracted onto her side profile, making her look breathtakingly beautiful.

Fu Shao Huai openly stared at her face, greedy and thick with possessive desire; over the past month, he only dared to sneak a look at her while she was sound asleep, barely easing the longing in his heart.

Yes, to keep her alive he would use any vile and cruel means; since no one donated a heart, he would create conditions for donation—on the battlefield casualties were highest, so there would always be someone who could match her heart.

Therefore, this past month he led troops to seize several rebellious border tribes in one fell swoop, and has already found a person whose heart matches hers.

"The surgery is next week." His voice hoarse from fatigue, he said, "Don't be afraid, I will accompany you."

Jiang Zhi's pupils lingered slightly as she turned her head to look at him, "Who is it?"

Fu Shao Huai closed his eyes, evading her question.

Jiang Zhi pressed her lips, then reached out and took his hand, saying, "Master Fu, I do not want to live by depriving others of their right to live."

Fu Shao Huai returned her grip, pulling her into his embrace and burying his face in her fragrant neck, he said calmly, "Rest assured, just a sinner, destined to die."

Jiang Zhi said nothing, her fingers clutching a corner of his garment.

Arrived at the funeral site of Fu's father.

Jiang Zhi was placed in the backstage lounge; the front hall gathered many people, all come to pay their respects.

South City's funeral hired people to play the suona and drums, the sound of Western drums and horns blowing. The atmosphere was solemn and cold; about half of those present had come for Fu Shao Huai.

Fu Shao Huai also invited a well-known newspaper reporter, as if to announce some major news.

Only Jiang Zhi was in the lounge; she wanted to push the door out, but outside several subordinates stood and said to her, "Miss Jiang, you may not go out yet."

Jiang Zhi did not know why Fu Shao Huai had summoned her here, so she returned to the lounge to wait.

Until the time reached nine o'clock.

Wang Guan Jia came to lead her out, arriving at the front hall.

Fu Shao Huai was announcing the news of their engagement.

Like a thunderclap, it exploded and silenced the entire venue.

The camera's flash illuminated her face; Jiang Zhi was held in the man's arms, facing everyone's gaze.

In the front hall where Fu's father's funeral was being held.

The blinding light forced her to close her eyes, burying herself in his embrace.

After the funeral ended.

Jiang Zhi still felt dizzy; she steadied herself, wanting to ask him why.

But at that moment Fu Shao Huai was already surrounded by reporters and the guests present.

She could only be led back to the car by Wang Guan Jia.

"Uncle Wang, why does Master Fu want to get engaged to me?" Jiang Zhi asked him.

The driver, Wang Guan Jia, naturally said, "Marshal Fu likes Miss Jiang."

He was also surprised.

The engagement announced by Marshal Fu was to take her as his principal wife.

But he was very happy; Miss Jiang deserves this position.

Jiang Zhi remained silent.

The car suddenly stopped midway.

Jiang Zhi got out of the car, then immediately dragged the unconscious Wang Guan Jia from the driver's seat, placed him beside the roadside telephone booth, called for an ambulance, and then returned to the car.

777 exclaimed in surprise, "Host, are you trying to escape?"

Jiang Zhi replied, "If I don't escape now, I will truly be sent by Fu Shao Huai to the operating table."

She was not used to driving a Republic-era car; she tried, barely got it moving, and drove off into the night.

…

Two days later.

Every newspaper's headline and the entrances of all shops displayed Jiang Zhi's photo, with a bounty of one million taels of silver; the whole South City was in an uproar, everyone wanting to find her.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhi, hiding at the residence of the female lead Bai Lian, felt dizzy and kept coughing.

This is a small courtyard gifted by Bai Lian's father, located away from the urban area, a place where Fu Shao Huai could never find no matter how he searched.

Jiang Zhi really had nowhere else to go; the only place capable of evading the search range of Fu Shao Huai's troops was here, at the female lead's residence.

Jiang Zhi hid here for two days; her condition worsened, and no treatment helped.

Bai Lian was about to cry from anxiety.

Jiang Zhi weakly leaned against the headboard, the corner of her mouth slightly curled, and said weakly, "I, this body, is destined."

Bai Lian shook her head, "You're still so young, how could this happen…… Xiao Zhi, don't be scared, I'll think of a way to save you."

She bit her nails and paced back and forth, thinking.

Jiang Zhi was helpless.

The villain Fu Shao Huai's Hatred Value has already reached 80 points; he's probably going crazy now.

As long as she leaves this world, her Hatred Value should reach its maximum.

Her body grew increasingly weary; Jiang Zhi closed her eyes, wanting to sleep.

Suddenly, several arguing voices came from outside; Bai Lian walked to the window and looked down, seeing a group of people in military uniforms push aside the servants blocking the way, about to search the place.

Seeing this, Bai Lian's face turned pale with shock: "How could they find this place??"

She hurried to the bedside, intending to hide Jiang Zhi.

Jiang Zhi grabbed her wrist, shook her head, and said, "No need to hide anymore."

Bai Lian's eyes turned red: "Fu Shao Huai is just a lunatic; he'll kill you."

Jiang Zhi's voice wavered: "I can't escape either, Bai Lian—you should go."

Bai Lian simply refused to leave, standing motionless by the bed, tears trembling on the verge of falling.

Jiang Zhi had no choice but to use her last bit of strength to knock her unconscious, gritting her teeth as she got off the bed and walked step by step to the door.

…

When Fu Shao Huai arrived here, she was sitting on the living room sofa, with the troops lined up beside her.

Jiang Zhi's vision was blurry; she couldn't clearly see the man's face before her, but she vaguely made out his eyes, like stormy clouds, filled with violent fury.

She felt herself being pulled into his embrace, and through his hard military uniform she sensed his heart pounding violently.

"No, don't hurt Bai Lian." Those were her last words before she passed out.