Chapter 372: The Collapse of Identity
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Especially when he heard the words when he first came in; it almost drove him crazy. He dared not think about how scared Wenwen must have been, facing those men alone. The mere thought was enough to horrify him. He could only wrap Su Wen in his arms, holding her tight. He did not want to be apart, not even for a second.
“Hengyang?” Su Wen had not expected to see him back so soon. No buses commuted this far out into the countryside in the middle of the night. She had thought he felt familiar when those arms held her close; now, she knew why. She had not dared to believe it at first, trapped in her preconceived notions of him, but reality refused to allow her to look the other way.
“Why are you back?”
Zhou Hengyang held Su Wen close, burying his face in the crook of her neck. It was the only thing that managed to calm him enough to formulate a response. “I had a nightmare.”
“What?” Su Wen thought she had misheard him. What would a nightmare send him home in such a flurry?
‘Wait a minute… Would someone like him have nightmares, to begin with?’ Su
Wen wondered.
It did not sound like the Zhou Hengyang she knew at all!
“I had a nightmare. You were crying.” As soon as he freed himself from the clutches of his ominous dream, Zhou Hengyang rushed to Liu Chun’s room, where Xu Xiaoxiao was resting, and forced the latter to drive them back overnight.
Su Wen did not know whether to laugh or cry!
What kind of image did he have of her in his heart? Why would he have a bad dream, one that showed her crying? If it was enough to encourage him to act on his fears, the dream must have been terrifying!
“It’s okay, I’m fine. Let go of me!” Zhou Hengyang had arms of steel. They were coiled around her so tightly that Su Wen could barely breathe.
Zhou Hengyang inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet scent of his beloved.
Achingly slow and with great reluctance, Zhou Hengyang released Su Wen, his eyes fluttering open to take in the scene around him. He had a tight leash over his emotions, and his expressionless face betrayed nothing he did not want others to see, his eyes glinting cold and sharp.
He surveyed the situation. For some reason, the whole courtyard was silent. It resembled a corporate meeting where everyone waited for the boss to speak.
Tian Gang kneeled with his head bowed, his eyes, black coals smoldering with hatred.
Their attempt had been a disaster. They had hoped to escape dire consequences by citing they were Su Wen’s kin. However, Su Wen’s words shattered their faint hope. Su Wen was their undoing.
He deeply regretted not killing her when he had the chance.
As for Tian Yong, he had already fainted from the pain after being stomped on by Su Wen. When Li Youtian checked them for injuries, he had not done more than a cursory inspection. Hence, he did not know that Tian Yong needed treatment in a hospital as soon as possible.
If things dragged on long enough, he would be crippled.
“Hengyang, you’re back.” Li Youcai shifted from foot to foot awkwardly. “How do you think we should handle this matter?”
All the villagers waited for Zhou Hengyang to speak.
“Drag them to the police station, of course.” Zhou Hengyang spoke as if he were talking about the weather. “On my way back, I caught two accomplices at the village entrance. I’m sure this isn’t their first time doing something like this. People like them must be brought to justice for the harm they have done to others. ”
“Yes! Bring them to justice!”
Su Wen had said as much earlier, but none were willing to stick their necks out or put themselves at risk for nothing. They felt much more secure with Zhou Hengyang taking responsibility for what was to be done.
“Then it’s settled.”
“Where are the accomplices? Where did you catch them?”
“They’re by the village entrance. Uncle Youcai, arrange for someone to pick them up.”
“Yes. I shall get someone to go now.” Li Youcai quickly agreed.
Zhou Hengyang eyed Su Wen worriedly. He realized she had not spoken throughout his exchange with the village chief. Instead, she hung her head in what looked to him like sorrow. His heart melted. Quietly, he clasped Su Wen’s hand, interlocking their fingers despite her resistance..
Chapter 372: The Collapse of Identity
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Especially when he heard the words when he first came in; it almost drove him crazy. He dared not think about how scared Wenwen must have been, facing those men alone. The mere thought was enough to horrify him. He could only wrap Su Wen in his arms, holding her tight. He did not want to be apart, not even for a second.
“Hengyang?” Su Wen had not expected to see him back so soon. No buses commuted this far out into the countryside in the middle of the night. She had thought he felt familiar when those arms held her close; now, she knew why. She had not dared to believe it at first, trapped in her preconceived notions of him, but reality refused to allow her to look the other way.
“Why are you back?”
Zhou Hengyang held Su Wen close, burying his face in the crook of her neck. It was the only thing that managed to calm him enough to formulate a response. “I had a nightmare.”
“What?” Su Wen thought she had misheard him. What would a nightmare send him home in such a flurry?
‘Wait a minute… Would someone like him have nightmares, to begin with?’ Su
Wen wondered.
It did not sound like the Zhou Hengyang she knew at all!
“I had a nightmare. You were crying.” As soon as he freed himself from the clutches of his ominous dream, Zhou Hengyang rushed to Liu Chun’s room, where Xu Xiaoxiao was resting, and forced the latter to drive them back overnight.
Su Wen did not know whether to laugh or cry!
What kind of image did he have of her in his heart? Why would he have a bad dream, one that showed her crying? If it was enough to encourage him to act on his fears, the dream must have been terrifying!
“It’s okay, I’m fine. Let go of me!” Zhou Hengyang had arms of steel. They were coiled around her so tightly that Su Wen could barely breathe.
Zhou Hengyang inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet scent of his beloved.
Achingly slow and with great reluctance, Zhou Hengyang released Su Wen, his eyes fluttering open to take in the scene around him. He had a tight leash over his emotions, and his expressionless face betrayed nothing he did not want others to see, his eyes glinting cold and sharp.
He surveyed the situation. For some reason, the whole courtyard was silent. It resembled a corporate meeting where everyone waited for the boss to speak.
Tian Gang kneeled with his head bowed, his eyes, black coals smoldering with hatred.
Their attempt had been a disaster. They had hoped to escape dire consequences by citing they were Su Wen’s kin. However, Su Wen’s words shattered their faint hope. Su Wen was their undoing.
He deeply regretted not killing her when he had the chance.
As for Tian Yong, he had already fainted from the pain after being stomped on by Su Wen. When Li Youtian checked them for injuries, he had not done more than a cursory inspection. Hence, he did not know that Tian Yong needed treatment in a hospital as soon as possible.
If things dragged on long enough, he would be crippled.
“Hengyang, you’re back.” Li Youcai shifted from foot to foot awkwardly. “How do you think we should handle this matter?”
All the villagers waited for Zhou Hengyang to speak.
“Drag them to the police station, of course.” Zhou Hengyang spoke as if he were talking about the weather. “On my way back, I caught two accomplices at the village entrance. I’m sure this isn’t their first time doing something like this. People like them must be brought to justice for the harm they have done to others. ”
“Yes! Bring them to justice!”
Su Wen had said as much earlier, but none were willing to stick their necks out or put themselves at risk for nothing. They felt much more secure with Zhou Hengyang taking responsibility for what was to be done.
“Then it’s settled.”
“Where are the accomplices? Where did you catch them?”
“They’re by the village entrance. Uncle Youcai, arrange for someone to pick them up.”
“Yes. I shall get someone to go now.” Li Youcai quickly agreed.
Zhou Hengyang eyed Su Wen worriedly. He realized she had not spoken throughout his exchange with the village chief. Instead, she hung her head in what looked to him like sorrow. His heart melted. Quietly, he clasped Su Wen’s hand, interlocking their fingers despite her resistance..
