Gao Dashang advanced toward Song Qi Nian, the military knife glinting in his hand with each deliberate step.
Song Qi Nian's heart hammered as she retreated, her eyes fixed on the blade's edge.
"Such a devoted daughter," Gao Dashang taunted. "Running to save your worthless mother—the same woman who tried to sell you off. Touching, really."
Song Qi Nian's lips curled in revulsion. The irony wasn't lost on her—he'd forced her here by threatening her family, and now he was acting like some righteous figure.
With trembling hands, she pulled out paper and pen, scrawling a quick note before thrusting it at him. [How much does she owe you?]
Gao Dashang's mouth twisted into a cruel smile as he held up one finger. "One million yuan."
"That's impossible!" Liu Xiaohan's voice cracked. "I only borrowed five hundred thousand!"
"That was the original amount," Gao Dashang's voice dripped with contempt. "But factor in the interest, plus compensation for that little stunt you pulled—promising me your daughter's hand in marriage, only to have me beaten. Medical expenses, treatment costs, emotional distress... it all adds up."
"This is nothing but extortion!"
"Extortion?" Gao Dashang's laugh echoed off the walls. "Then by all means, take me to court."
His companions' laughter filled the room, their derision palpable.
Song Qi Nian's face hardened as she turned to her mother. [Where's the money?]
Liu Xiaohan couldn't meet her daughter's eyes. In that moment of averted gaze, Song Qi Nian knew—her mother had gambled it away again.
A familiar wave of rage and despair washed over her. How could someone abandon everything—husband, children, basic responsibility—for the gambling tables?
Sometimes Song Qi Nian wondered what she'd find if she could peer inside her mother's head. But right now, her anger and disappointment meant nothing. They were trapped.
She wrote another note and handed it to Gao Dashang, her movements deliberate.
Gao Dashang read each word with exaggerated slowness: [I don't have that much money now. Release her, and I'll pay in installments.]
He sneered and threw her notebook to the ground. Before Song Qi Nian could react, the knife was at her face, so close she could feel its cold presence against her skin.
She didn't dare breathe.
"Gao Dashang, stop!" Liu Xiaohan's scream pierced the air. "You'll kill her!"
Ignoring the mother's pleas, Gao Dashang traced Song Qi Nian's cheek with the flat of the blade, savoring her terror.
"No money? That's fine. I have two options for you."
Song Qi Nian's nails dug into her palms as she stared back at him.
"First choice—since your mother loves gambling so much, I'll do you a favor and cut off both her hands. Problem solved."
Liu Xiaohan's hysterical sobbing filled the room. "No! You can't pick that, Niannian! I'd rather die than lose my hands!"
Song Qi Nian squeezed her eyes shut, her chest tight with pain.
"Second choice," Gao Dashang's voice turned ugly. "Your mother promised you'd marry me, but I got beaten before I could even touch you. That needs to be made right. Entertain me and my brothers tonight, and maybe—just maybe—I'll give you more time to get the money."
Song Qi Nian's eyes flew open. His "choices" were nothing but a trap, driving her deeper into his corner.
"Take the second option, Niannian! You have to take the second option!"
Liu Xiaohan made the decision before Song Qi Nian could speak. To her mother, her daughter's dignity was a small price to pay—but her own hands? Unthinkable.
Her mother's words cut deeper than any blade. Even now, Liu Xiaohan was dodging responsibility, pushing her daughter to pay for her mistakes.
Gao Dashang watched the mix of anguish and defiance play across Song Qi Nian's face with sick satisfaction. He couldn't remember the last time he'd found such an unbreakable spirit.
The knife drifted down to her neck, its tip catching her collar and popping open a button.
Song Qi Nian's expression darkened. Without warning, she shoved Gao Dashang with all her strength.
He stumbled backward, nearly falling before his men caught him.
Rage contorted his features. "So that's your choice!"
The knife swung down toward Liu Xiaohan's hands in a vicious arc.
"No!"
Liu Xiaohan screamed and screwed her eyes shut. When no pain came, she opened them slowly. The sight before her brought forth a flood of tears.
She wrenched free and collapsed into Song Qi Nian's arms, shaking uncontrollably. "Niannian... are you hurt?"
In that crucial moment, Song Qi Nian had thrown herself forward, protecting her mother's hands with her own.
The blade had cut deep, straight to the bone. Blood dripped steadily between her fingers.
Song Qi Nian's face went white with pain. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked at her mother, her injured hands unable to form even simple gestures.
"You monster!" Liu Xiaohan's voice cracked. "She can't speak—and now you've cut her hands! How will she communicate? I'll kill you!"
She hurled herself at Gao Dashang, only to be kicked to the ground by one of his men.
Despite her wounds, Song Qi Nian rushed to cover her mother's body with her own.
The sight of her mute daughter—so small, so hurt, yet still protecting her—shattered something in Liu Xiaohan. All her mistakes came crashing down at once.
She clutched Song Qi Nian's arm, sobbing. "Niannian..."
BANG!
The private room door burst open. Song Jia Shu and Guan Ming Xu charged in.
Song Qi Nian's heart dropped at the sight of her brother. Jia Shu! He should be taking his exam—why was he here?
Their faces darkened when they saw her bloody hands.
"Sis!"
"Little Sweetheart!"
Gao Dashang's men rushed the newcomers, fists ready. But Guan Ming Xu, who'd spent years training in the military under Shen Chi Yan, handled them with ease.
He'd already called the police when he met Song Jia Shu downstairs, sensing trouble.
The police weren't far behind.
Gao Dashang tried to bolt, but Guan Ming Xu kicked him down. The thug's groan of pain filled the room.
"You piece of garbage!" Guan Ming Xu's fists rained down on him. "You hurt my Little Sweetheart? I'll kill you!"
Gao Dashang could only cower and beg. "Please—I was wrong! It won't happen again!"
By the time police sirens wailed outside, Gao Dashang was barely conscious. Guan Ming Xu left him there and rushed to Song Qi Nian.
His eyes filled with pain at the sight of her hands. "Little Niannian, your hands..."
Song Jia Shu stared at his sister's bleeding fingers, tears streaming down his face. "Sis, we need to get you to the hospital. Your hands will heal, I swear!"
He reached for her, but she pushed him back with her elbow. Through her tears, she forced her injured hands to sign: [Why aren't you at your exam?]
0 Comments