Chapter 22: Run for Your Life

Bai Peiyu shut his mouth at the perfect moment, which only piqued Qiu Yiyao’s curiosity about what he had been about to say.

"But what?"

Bai Peiyu looked her up and down, his brows slightly knitted. "With the little bit of flesh you have on you, I reckon it’s unlikely..."

"Get lost."

Qiu Yiyao didn’t want to hear another word. She shouted and lunged forward, kicking the door shut.

"Just because you think you’re handsome, you think you can insult people as you please? Hmph, what a small-minded person."

Qiu Yiyao was seething. Ever since they had met, their relationship had consisted of nothing but bickering. She truly couldn't understand why he found her so disagreeable.

She sat down at her desk, fuming. The window was half-open, and a breeze blew through, causing the leaves of the plum tree outside to sway and bringing a hint of coolness into the room.

Qiu Yiyao stood up to push open the other window, her gaze inadvertently falling upon her arm.

Seeing her arm, clean and devoid of even a single mole, she was stunned for a moment. Recalling that color-changing bruise, she glanced at the time. She had only slept for a little over an hour—was it already gone?

Her first instinct was to find Li Zhen. She turned and dashed out of the door.

She nearly collided with Qiu Shengming at the back door.

"Yiyao, how old are you now? Can’t you be more steady? You’re reckless every single day. I’m still in decent health, but if it had been Grandma Wang next door, wouldn't you have sent her to the hospital?"

Qiu Shengming, carrying a vegetable basket, scolded her with a stern face.

Qiu Yiyao didn't take his reprimand to heart. Excitement surging, she lifted her arm. "Look, Dad, it’s gone! Sister Zhen is amazing."

"What's gone?"

Qiu Shengming was confused. "I think you haven't woken up yet. If you want to sleep next time, go to your room. You occupy the sofa like that, and I can't even watch TV."

His words were like a bucket of cold water, but she remained unconvinced. Stubbornly, she thrust her arm out in front of him. "Look closely, right here," she said, pointing to the spot where the swelling had been. "You remember, don't you? It turned red at the slightest touch, and you even went to get Sister Zhen to look at it for me."

Qiu Shengming looked into her eyes, sighed, and his expression softened with pity. "Go back to your room and rest. I’m going to start cooking."

That sigh gave Qiu Yiyao her answer. She knew she was having another episode.

Her arm dropped limply, and she leaned against the door, her face filled with despair.

Bai Peiyu came down from upstairs, his hands in his pockets, heading toward the back door. He paused as he passed her.

Seemingly thinking of something, he stepped back. "Hey, I’m taking you somewhere."

"Not interested."

Qiu Yiyao knew without thinking that he was surely up to some prank again. She glared at him irritably and prepared to head back inside.

To her surprise, Bai Peiyu reached out and grabbed her arm. "Why be so polite? Let’s go."

...

"What do you want to do in the future?"

Qiu Yiyao was staring blankly at the river when Bai Peiyu’s sudden question caught her off guard.

"The future?"

"You’re about to be a sophomore. Do you have no vision for your future at all?"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Bai Peiyu’s eyes.

Qiu Yiyao gave a bitter smile. "If it weren't for the thought of caring for my father in his old age, I would have followed my mother when she passed. Besides, look at me—someone who can't even tell the difference between reality and illusion. Even if I had a future, I doubt it would be very bright."

Only Qiu Shengming truly understood how she had survived the last six months.

A boat passed in the distance, and the river water began to churn as if boiling.

Waves of fishy odor drifted to her nose, and Bai Peiyu frowned slightly. "Only cowards think about how to end their lives all day long. It’s rare to come into this world; if you don't think about facing it positively but instead dwell on negative things, how is that any different from having lived in vain?"

At this moment, Bai Peiyu lacked the irritating, confrontational air he usually directed at her. Instead, he seemed frustrated and helpless, like someone mourning a lost cause.

Qiu Yiyao turned to look at him. As the wind blew, the scent of his cologne kept drifting to her nose.

She couldn't help but ask, "What brand of perfume is that?"

Bai Peiyu turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. "Smells good? Well, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed—it’s my natural scent."

Qiu Yiyao laughed. "I’ve only heard of the Fragrant Concubine having a natural scent that could attract butterflies; I didn't expect to have a 'Fragrant Handsome' right by my side."

"You wouldn't believe it when I said you were short-sighted, but now you’ve seen the world, haven't you? Don't thank me, it was just a small favor."

Seeing how thick-skinned he was, Qiu Yiyao couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I’m done talking nonsense with you. I’m going home."

As she spoke, her stomach seemed to hear her words and began to growl.

She hadn't taken more than a few steps when she accidentally bumped into a woman walking hurriedly from the opposite direction.

"I'm sorry." The woman apologized hastily.

Qiu Yiyao’s expression soured.

The woman was looking down and hadn't recognized her, but Qiu Yiyao had recognized her voice, along with that distinct chestnut-colored hair. There was no mistake.

Before Qiu Yiyao could speak, a man rushed over, grabbed the woman by the arm, and began to curse. "Trying to run, are you? Am I not enough to satisfy you?"

He began to slap the woman’s face repeatedly.

Qiu Yiyao couldn't stand by and watch. Even though she and the chestnut-haired woman didn't get along, seeing a man beat a woman still made her feel deeply disgusted.

She lunged forward and pushed the man away with all her might. "Are you even a man? How can you hit a woman?"

"And what are you? Get lost."

The man was furious and raised his hand as if to strike Qiu Yiyao.

"What? You want to hit me too? They say only useless men hit women, and it’s clearly true."

"You damn girl, you asked for this."

The man’s hand descended heavily, but before it could touch Qiu Yiyao, it was grabbed from behind.

"Who’s that? Looking to die?"

The man turned around, and when he saw Bai Peiyu, he froze.

"I recall the Mayor saying that Moon Carp Town is a harmonious and wonderful town. Anyone who disrupts such harmony must be punished..."

Bai Peiyu spoke unhurriedly, yet every word was a warning.

The man gulped, his face tense. He looked at Qiu Yiyao, then at the chestnut-haired woman behind her, slowly lowered his arm, and muttered, "Damn woman, hurry up and get home."

The chestnut-haired woman was hiding behind Qiu Yiyao. Hearing this, she looked up.

Qiu Yiyao couldn't help but gasp. There were two bright red blood marks on the woman’s face, forming a cross.

If it weren't for that voice and the recognizable hair, she might not have even recognized her.

Qiu Yiyao felt a pang of pity and grabbed the woman’s arm. "Are you okay?"

The woman shook her head. She had also recognized Qiu Yiyao, and she said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you. I’m fine."

"What are you babbling about? Let's go!" The man said impatiently.

The woman didn't reply; she touched her hair and lowered her head to follow him.

After walking about two meters away, seeing the man wasn't paying attention, she suddenly doubled back, grabbed Qiu Yiyao’s arm, and said in a trembling voice, "Run! We’re being watched."

"What?"

Qiu Yiyao felt her scalp tingle. The last time she had heard such familiar words was on that mysterious forum. How could the chestnut-haired woman know about it?

Before she could ask, the man rushed back, grabbed the woman by her hair, and dragged her forward. "Stop with your nonsense!"

The woman’s scalp burned with pain, and she kept begging for mercy, but her eyes remained fixed on Qiu Yiyao.

"You can't do this! Hey, someone could die!"

Qiu Yiyao suppressed her confusion and tried to intervene to separate them.

But the man ignored her. He kicked out, and Qiu Yiyao felt a sharp pain in her shoulder as she collapsed to the ground.

Passersby walked past as if they were used to such things, their faces numb.

"What is wrong with this world?"

Qiu Yiyao turned back in despair. Seeing Bai Peiyu still standing there, she reached out to him like he was a lifeline and shouted, "Help me!"

"It’s useless," Bai Peiyu said coldly as he walked up. "That is her fate. No one can stop it."