Chapter 692: Extra Chapter 2: My World Has Since Completely Collapsed

I don't know why, although the madam was clearly saying this with a smile, my heart gave a thump; I always felt something was off, but when I thought about it carefully, I couldn't put my finger on what.

Just then, someone rushed in from outside, looking somewhat unwell, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Obviously, because I was here, the other person found it inconvenient to speak.

I hurriedly got up to take my leave.

I had just stepped out of the main hall doors when I faintly heard, from behind, a lowered voice saying: 'Madam, the actors over at Pure Tone Residence are causing trouble again…'

Although I slowed my steps, I still only caught that much.

On my way back, I kept thinking about those words, 'Pure Tone Residence actors.'

As for this actor, it is the most scandalous disgrace Marshal Chen has stirred up in recent years.

In Wufu Town there is a teahouse doing very good business; the teahouse has a troupe, and when Marshal Chen would listen to opera there in his leisure, he took a liking to one of the actors.

And this actor had been in love with someone else from the very beginning.

Later, to escape Marshal Chen's entanglement, the actor hastily got married.

But even after marriage, it was of no use.

I heard people say that Marshal Chen had imprisoned the person in the Marshal's Mansion, and now it seems the rumor is true.

Ah…

In the evening, I returned home and told my parents that the madam wanted to help Zhao Zixun come to propose.

My parents both liked Zhao Zixun, thinking that if I could really marry him, it would be a great match for us.

Moreover, the madam herself came to act as matchmaker, which made them even happier.

But aside from the joy, my mother worried: 'Wanwan, has Little General Zhao told you where you'll live after marriage?'

'He has already entrusted someone to look at a residence,' I said. 'The bridal chamber should be in town.'

My mother breathed a sigh of relief: 'Having a separate courtyard is good, although saying this is somewhat unkind, but after marriage you'd best keep some distance from that madam.'

As for the doll matter, my mother also felt uneasy about it.

The next day, the madam had someone deliver a posting.

My mother took the gilt-edged posting and said, 'For a family like ours, we don't need all these formalities; the madam is really thoughtful.'

On the third morning, a little after nine, the madam came with two matchmakers and a retinue of attendants.

She brought many gifts.

The two matchmakers were very experienced, detailing Zhao Zixun's family background, achievements, and character; they basically just praised him nonstop—this segment was really just a formality, and as long as my parents didn't refuse, it signified willingness to talk.

The madam then went further: 'The proposal should originally proceed step by step, but good dates don't wait for people, so we have to push the schedule forward; please don't take offense, Little General Zhao's achievements and character are evident to all, and he and Wanwan have been talking for years, so they will surely be happy.'

My parents echoed her words.

The madam then went with the flow, saying that those who would match the eight characters had also been invited today; after matching the eight characters, they could exchange birth characters and settle the bride price and wedding date.

That day, the madam appeared to always respect my parents' opinions, but in fact she controlled the pace.

By the time she left, everything had been arranged.

My parents, fearing I might feel wronged, comforted me: 'Wanwan, the madam is so busy with her status; it's fine to settle everything together.'

I nodded and said, 'I don't mind; I have taken a liking to Zhao Zixun himself.'

My parents repeatedly said that was right.

After staying home for a day, I returned to the Health Training Office.

Three days later at dusk, returning from giving a lecture at the female students' home, as I passed an alley, I saw a person.

To be precise, it was a fleeting back view.

That back view was extremely familiar to me; I instinctively called out, 'Zhao Zixun?'

In the dim light, my echo came back from the empty alley.

I frowned, wondering if I had just misseen.

Yes, I must have misseen.

How could Zhao Zixun possibly be in Wufu Town at this time?

He is currently fighting at Small Camp Mouth.

Soon, soon, he will be back shortly.

This little interlude stirred up my longing for Zhao Zixun.

I still haven't replied to the letter he last sent me.

Back in the dormitory, I thought I should perhaps reply with a letter to tell him my recent situation.

By the time he receives this letter, he should already have won a victory and be preparing to return, right?

Seeing the letter, he will surely be very happy.

That evening I finished writing the letter; the next day I had a class.

That evening a heavy rain fell.

This rain came on fiercely; it looks like it won't stop for a day or two, so I thought I'd brave the rain and first take the letter to the mailbox.

The earlier I send it, the sooner Zhao Zixun can receive my good news.

At that moment I never imagined that this trip would mean I could never turn back.

I slipped the letter into the mailbox, and as I turned to leave, I once again felt that piercing gaze.

I instinctively turned my head and saw, opposite the pawnshop's rear eaves, those weasel's eyes.

But today those weasel's eyes shone with a dangerous crimson, penetrating the heavy rain as if they could seize one's soul.

I was startled, instantly sensing danger, and lifted my foot to run.

Just then, a person rushed out from the pawnshop and grabbed me.

I struggled desperately; the person's grip was extremely strong, they twisted my arms behind my back, one hand pinning me, the other grabbing the hair at the back of my head, pulling my head back, and dragged me into the pawnshop like that.

I shouted for help loudly, but my voice was drowned out by the rain.

I was pressed against the counter, my head held down, yet my eyes could still meet the gaze of the yellow weasel standing on the opposite eave.

Those scarlet eyes were filled with a bloodthirsty grin.

I am about to be married soon; I cannot let my purity be defiled.

I could only invoke Zhao Zixun to threaten them.

But they weren't afraid at all: "What is Zhao Zixun? Even Chen Ping is just a dog under our master's feet, and Zhao Zixun isn't even worthy of being called a dog."

"How pitiful, you ill-fated lovebirds are doomed to a bad end."

"There's nothing we can do; who made Zhao Zixun so good at fighting? To control him, we can only wrong you."

"In the future, when you reach the Underworld… oh, I almost forgot, you two probably won't even be able to go to the Underworld, after all, Chen Ping has assembled such a large force of ghost soldiers; someone needs to lead them, and Zhao Zixun is the best choice."

"Only by controlling you will Zhao Zixun submit obediently; Fu Wan, it's you who killed Zhao Zixun..."

That person spoke arrogantly while suppressing me.

I resisted, but I was utterly unable to resist; instead, I brought upon myself a series of brutal beatings.

My clothes were torn to shreds, my face covered in slap marks, blood continuously trickling from the corner of my mouth, my head bumping against the counter, and my consciousness gradually growing hazy.

At the moment of being utterly violated, I knew my world… had completely collapsed from then on.