Chapter 26: Finally Seeing Zhang Longtao

Zhang Yinuo had tears in her eyes, but she didn't cry, nor did she beg for mercy. Instead, she opened her big, watery eyes and looked at me through her tears: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't know it would turn out like this, but I really didn't help Zhang Longtao. Believe me!"

At this moment, I was blinded by hatred. How could I listen to her words? I pressed down on Zhang Yinuo fiercely and roared at her: "Don't force me. Do you believe I’ll take you right now? Tell me quickly where your brother is!"

Zhang Yinuo lay on the bed with tears in her eyes, not moving or struggling, looking at me and murmuring: "I know Zhang Longtao wronged you. If this can alleviate your pain, I don't mind!"

Hearing this, I became even more furious and cursed: "Are you trying to stand up for your brother?"

"I really don't know where my brother is!" After saying this, Zhang Yinuo didn't intend to explain further, lying on the bed as if accepting her fate.

I was so angry I tore off her coat. Zhang Yinuo was wearing pink underwear underneath, her skin soft and fair. But at this moment, I had no intention of appreciating it. I pressed her onto the bed and, mimicking what I’d seen in movies, kissed her face repeatedly.

I raised my head, looked at Zhang Yinuo, and said for the last time: "I’ll give you one last chance. Where is your brother?"

Zhang Yinuo looked at me and said calmly: "This matter with Su Xueyan really has nothing to do with me from beginning to end. I know you are struggling and in pain, and if humiliating me and taking revenge on me can make you feel better, I don't mind. But I’m afraid you’ll regret it later. Although Zhang Longtao was wrong, are you doing the right thing now?"

"It has nothing to do with you? It has nothing to do with you? Then why did you ask me to eat that day? Why didn't you say anything while eating?" I roared, my voice already slightly hoarse.

"Because I like you!" Zhang Yinuo’s sudden words left me completely stunned.

I stared blankly at Zhang Yinuo lying on the bed, finding it hard to believe. I didn't believe it was true, feeling like Zhang Yinuo was lying to me. How could someone like me be liked by anyone? It wasn't out of low self-esteem; I truly felt I wasn't worthy of her.

"Actually, I liked you a long time ago. Do you remember? A few years ago in winter, I was walking on the side of the road and was suddenly bullied by a few people. You appeared in front of me and saved me. Since then, your shadow has always been in my heart. Once, when I went to Zhang Longtao’s place, I suddenly saw you. I was very happy and wanted to ask Zhang Longtao about you, but I never had the chance. Zhang Longtao is usually busy and doesn't come home much, and I didn't want to go to his places. However, not long ago, you suddenly appeared at school. I felt this might be a gift from heaven, a destiny for me!"

Zhang Yinuo continued crying: "At that time, I approached you and helped you with tutoring. I originally asked you to eat that day to confess to you, but after school, I found you with that girl. Although you seemed to be arguing at the time, I knew you liked her, and she liked you too. I didn't want to destroy someone else’s relationship, so I didn't know what to say. But I really didn't know she had been taken away by Zhang Longtao at that time!"

Hearing Zhang Yinuo’s words, I froze, standing there for a long time. At this moment, I slowly sobered up. Thinking of the bastard things I had just done, I felt I was no different from Zhang Longtao—a naked bastard. I squatted on the ground, holding my head and crying bitterly, feeling incredibly sorry for Su Xueyan.

Seeing me get off the bed and squat on the ground crying, Zhang Yinuo didn't take any further steps. She slowly climbed off the bed, put on her clothes, walked up to me, and said apologetically: "I know nothing I say now is useful. Zhang Longtao wronged you. Although I really want to help you, I cannot betray my brother, so I’m sorry!"

I squatted on the ground and shouted in agony: "Get out!"

Zhang Yinuo also squatted on the ground, her eyes teary as she looked at me. Suddenly, she hugged me and pressed her whole body against me. I only felt the light touch on my lips. She hugged me passionately and frantically, demanding. I was completely stunned.

Slowly, Zhang Yinuo let me go: "This is to pay you back. You kissed me just now, now I kiss you. We don't owe each other anything. Everything before was my own will, so you don't need to blame yourself. I know it’s impossible to persuade you to give up revenge, but I hope you also consider your own safety!"

With that, Zhang Yinuo took her things, slowly stood up, and opened the door to leave. Seeing Zhang Yinuo’s departing figure, my heart was incredibly complex, my expression pained. I certainly knew everything Zhang Yinuo had just done—she did it to keep me from having psychological pressure, to keep me from blaming myself.

Zhang Yinuo was indeed a very kind girl. Even though I had done such excessive things to her just now, she wasn't angry; instead, she came to comfort me. At this moment, I felt I was truly a naked piece of human scum.

I lay on the ground powerlessly. Zhang Yinuo and Third Brother were right—going for revenge now was clearly going to my death.

I drew some salary in advance from Sister Ling and would buy things to visit Su Xueya and Zhang Fengnan when I had time. Although they tried their best to refuse, they couldn't resist me and had to accept. Indeed, I couldn't be impulsive now; after all, Su Xueya and her mother were still waiting for me to take care of them.

Third Brother and I decided to return to school and attend classes as usual. Third Brother was also happily picking up girls. However, Zhang Yinuo hadn't come to help me with tutoring during this time. Since she left my place that day, we hadn't said a word.

Because I really didn't have the face to see her. Now, whenever I saw her, I would lower my head or walk around her. For the past two days, I had also started brainstorming with Third Brother and Wang Hua to recruit people, but our current strength couldn't achieve it. We had no money, no power, nothing. All the methods we thought of were useless.

And on this day, Sister Ling suddenly asked me to eat with her. Indeed, I had always said I would treat Sister Ling to a meal, but I never had the chance. This time, I simply agreed.

The place Sister Ling chose for the meal was the Jinling Grand Hotel in our town. This grand hotel wasn't just any small restaurant; big bosses ate here. Seeing this, I felt a pang of heartache, thinking, "It’s over, I’m going to be drinking wind." A single meal here would probably cost more than several months of my salary.

That day, I arrived at the Jinling Grand Hotel early. Suddenly, I saw a familiar person—a person I would never forget in this lifetime. It was none other than Zhang Longtao.