Chapter 8: Everyone's Disappointment

"Haven't you understood yet? Your brother has already used you to pay off his debt. So, this isn't about money anymore; you belong to us now!" Wang Li clearly had no intention of letting Sister Shuang go. From the moment he first laid eyes on her, he had made up his mind.

Sister Shuang’s face darkened. Knowing these guys were no good, she quickly set down her suitcase and purse and pulled out her phone, appearing ready to make a call.

Wang Li snatched the phone from her hand and cursed, "What? Trying to call for help?"

"I’m telling you, what you’re doing is illegal. You’re going to jail. If you want the three thousand, take the money and leave. I’ll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, going to prison won't be good for your future!" Sister Shuang wasn't overly afraid; it was clear she didn't think much of these men.

"I think you're fucking looking for death!" Wang Li slapped Sister Shuang directly across the face.

Sister Shuang clearly hadn't expected this, and she was left dazed by the blow.

Seeing Sister Shuang get hit, my anger ignited. I lunged straight at Wang Li, bit down hard on his thigh, and refused to let go.

Wang Li was knocked to the ground by my charge. The pain in his leg made him scream. He swung his arms wildly, hitting me and cursing, "Fuck you, let go!"

The other two men saw what was happening and came over to pull me off, but I held on with a death grip, refusing to budge.

Unable to bear the bite any longer, Wang Li yelled at the two men beside him, "Ah! Pull him off! Fuck!"

Countless fists rained down on me. I couldn't tell if it was sweat or tears dripping from my face onto the ground. All I prayed for now was for Sister Shuang to run, to get away from this place.

Sister Shuang stood there, stunned by the scene. Seeing me being beaten, she rushed over to help, but as a small woman, she was no match for them and couldn't intervene. Seeing her phone lying on the ground where Wang Li had knocked it, she quickly ran over to make a call.

I used every ounce of my strength to bite Wang Li, channeling all the resentment and anger I’d held against him these past few days. I felt a salty liquid slowly entering my mouth; I guessed it must have been Wang Li’s blood.

San Mao and the other man hit harder and harder. I felt their blows were more vicious than ever. Gradually, my consciousness began to blur, until the police arrived and separated us, at which point I passed out.

When I woke up, I discovered that Su Xueyan was by my side, but Sister Shuang, who had returned, was nowhere to be found. I looked around anxiously, but there was no sign of her.

Su Xueyan quickly grabbed me and said, "Calm down, don't be anxious. You just woke up, your body is still recovering. Eat something first!"

Su Xueyan handed me the meat porridge that had been sitting nearby, but I had no appetite. I asked urgently, "Where is Sister Shuang? Where is she?"

"Sister Shuang? She went back. She left a letter and some things for you before she left," Su Xueyan said, setting down the porridge.

Hearing that Sister Shuang had left, I sat there stunned, feeling incredibly miserable. We had finally reunited, only to be separated again. Su Xueyan took out the letter and the items and handed them to me.

I took the letter and opened it. The content read:

*Xiao Yun, I came back this time intending to take you to a school in the big city. After all, the education there is better and could help improve your grades. Even if you couldn't get into a good university in the future, at least Sister Shuang and you would have tried. But upon returning, I found you had become like this—not only did you drop out, but you’ve become a thug, hanging out with those kinds of people. You have truly disappointed me. It seems you have no interest in school. I had so much to tell you when I came back, but suddenly, I can't say anything at all. It’s better not to wait for you to wake up. It is better not to meet than to meet. I don't know if bringing you here back then was right or wrong. I still miss that cute little boy shivering in the corner years ago. Those days are gone. I’ve paid off the money you owed. The remaining ten thousand was meant for your school expenses, but now, do as you please. Take care of yourself. Don't come looking for me, and don't call; I’ve changed my number. If you make something of yourself in the future, I will be proud of you. If you happen to die out there, that is your own fate. Take care, Shuang.*

I sat there holding the letter, tears streaming down my face and onto the paper. Sister Shuang was gone, never to return. She must have been completely disappointed in me. It was all because of me; it was all my fault.

I cried helplessly, just like a child. Su Xueyan didn't try to stop or console me; she just sat by my side, keeping me company.

After a while, I put down the letter and looked at the ten thousand yuan Sister Shuang had left behind. My heart ached. Suddenly, a strange thought flashed through my mind: I still wanted to go back to school, study hard, and get into a good university to make Sister Shuang happy.

Seeing that I had stopped crying, Su Xueyan quickly picked up the porridge and handed it to me, saying, "Eat something. You haven't eaten for a whole day."

I had no mood to eat and shook my head, not wanting to speak.

"Just eat a little. You'll make yourself sick if you don't eat," Su Xueyan pleaded.

"Are you annoying or what? I said I’m not eating!" My mood was extremely irritable. In a fit of anger, I pushed Su Xueyan away, and in my carelessness, the porridge spilled all over the floor.

Silence fell. I knew I had gone too far. I wanted to apologize, but I saw that Su Xueyan was crying. I panicked even more. I’ve always been clumsy with words, and whenever I see a girl cry, I become helpless, not knowing what to say.

This scene was witnessed by Yu Manling, who had just walked in. She set down the fruit she was carrying and scolded me angrily, "Yang Yun, I think you really don't know what's good for you. She was kind enough to try to feed you, and you’re throwing a tantrum? I think you deserve it. Someone like you should just be left to fend for yourself!"

With that, Yu Manling angrily pulled Su Xueyan away. Watching them leave, I let out a self-deprecating laugh. Sister Ling was right; I really didn't know what was good for me. I was a complete loser, a loser who made everyone sad.

I got out of bed and looked at the porridge spilled on the floor. There was still some left in the bowl. Ignoring the dirt, I picked up the bowl and took a large gulp, then choked back my tears.