Volume One, Chapter 101: Bigamy

When Song Qingyu hurried to the room, Fu Linhan was standing guard at the door, forbidding anyone from entering.

Fu Linhan’s expression was grim. “She’s inside, but things don’t seem good.”

Song Qingyu’s heart plummeted at his words. She looked at him, pleading, “Young Master Fu, Zhengzheng is a celebrity—her reputation means everything. I know you’re resourceful, please help her.”

“Don’t worry. No one will know about this. I’ve booked the entire room—no one will come near. Go in and see her.”

Song Qingyu was deeply grateful to Fu Linhan. Without him, she didn’t know when she would have found Zhengzheng.

“Thank you, Young Master Fu. You’re a good person, and good fortune will surely come to you.”

Turning, Song Qingyu addressed Pei Jingmo, “Jingmo, it’s late. You should go back and rest.”

Her eyes, swollen and red from crying, made her pale and haggard. Pei Jingmo wanted to stay by her side, but he knew that Xie Liuzheng probably wouldn’t want to see anyone. He nodded, “Alright. Call me if anything happens.”

“Of course.”

Song Qingyu entered the room. Lu Rongrong was about to follow, but Fu Linhan stopped her.

“It’s late, Miss Lu. Shouldn’t you be resting? Why are you here?”

Lu Rongrong wanted to witness Xie Liuzheng’s downfall firsthand. “I saw Miss Song was upset. We’re all women; I’d like to stay and comfort her—and perhaps advise Miss Xie.”

Fu Linhan was blunt. “I doubt your concern is for Qingyu and Zhengzheng. You’re here for gossip, aren’t you?”

Lu Rongrong feigned indignation. “What kind of person do you take me for?”

Fu Linhan didn’t mince words. “Someone who loves stirring up trouble.”

“Hmph! So much for good intentions. If you’re so prejudiced, I’ll go get my beauty sleep.”

As she left, Fu Linhan narrowed his eyes. “Hmph, I can’t shake the feeling she’s up to no good.”

“Investigate who’s behind drugging Xie Liuzheng.”

“You suspect Lu Rongrong?”

Fu Linhan was puzzled. “Why? She has no grievance with Xie Liuzheng—”

Suddenly, his eyes widened. “Could it be she still believes Xie Liuzheng is your lover in the moonlight, and no matter how we clarify, she won’t believe it, and wants to destroy her?”

“Everything requires evidence. Otherwise, she’ll just accuse us of slander.”

“I understand! If it really is Lu Rongrong, you mustn’t marry her.”

Pei Jingmo cast him a sideways glance. “Polygamy is illegal. I only have a first marriage, not a second.”

Fu Linhan: “…”

Inside the room.

Xie Liuzheng was deeply asleep. Song Qingyu watched her exhausted face, her lips bitten and bloodied, her heart twisting with worry.

She gently lifted the blanket and saw bruises all over her body.

It was clear how brutal the man had been.

Tears fell uncontrollably from Song Qingyu’s eyes onto Xie Liuzheng.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Song Qingyu covered Xie Liuzheng, composed herself, and opened it.

“Miss Song, your husband sent us with this milk. He insists you drink it and rest.”

“Thank you.”

The milk was hot—surely Pei Jingmo had asked the staff to warm it. Being cared for felt comforting, and Song Qingyu felt a bit consoled.

All night, she didn’t sleep.

She sat quietly by Xie Liuzheng’s side, her mind spinning with worry about Zhengzheng’s future.

The next morning.

Xie Liuzheng woke slowly, feeling as if her body had fallen apart.

“Zhengzheng, you’re awake!”

Hearing Song Qingyu’s voice, she looked over, “Qingyu—”

At a glance, she saw how pale Song Qingyu was, with bloodshot eyes.

“What happened to you?”

As she tried to sit up, pain radiated from her waist. “Ow, what’s wrong with me? Why does everything hurt?”

Song Qingyu held her hand, asking gently, “You don’t remember?”

“Hm? Remember what—”

Before she could finish, memories from last night flooded her mind.

Seeing Xie Liuzheng frozen and stiff-faced, Song Qingyu hugged her tightly. “It’s alright, it’s alright—I’ll always be here.”

She soothed her, patting her back gently. “Young Master Fu said he’ll dig up the culprit no matter what. He’ll avenge you.”

“Revenge? No… Qingyu, listen to me…”

Xie Liuzheng reached for Song Qingyu, and as she lifted her arm, something struck her. Looking down, she found a Four-Faced Buddha pendant clenched in her left hand.

Song Qingyu noticed it too. “What’s this?”

A memory flickered in Xie Liuzheng’s mind—the pendant had swung before her all night.

The more it swung, the more violent the person became.

Her body felt as if it was tossed high into the air, then thrown down again, over and over.

Like a lone boat tossed in a stormy sea, rising and falling, unable to find solid ground.

She was dizzy, and the pendant made her dizzier, so she’d pulled it off.

Her face reddened visibly. “This… this belongs to the person who saved me.”

“Saved?”

“Yes!” Xie Liuzheng looked at Song Qingyu, serious. “Qingyu, I was drugged last night—the owner of this pendant saved me and cured me.”

She recounted every detail she could recall, insisting the person was good.

“If he were truly good, he wouldn’t have left you like this. Look at yourself… there’s not a sound spot on you.”

Though drugged, she hadn’t lost all awareness. With such intensity, she didn’t need to look to know how battered she was.

Xie Liuzheng was surprisingly open, comforting Song Qingyu. “I was drugged last night? Maybe I was the one clinging to him.”

Song Qingyu: “…”

“Besides, that man seemed to have a good figure, and he was quite skilled. He slept with me, but I didn’t lose out. Think about it—if those two thugs had taken me, who knows what would’ve happened.”

Song Qingyu looked at her worriedly. “Are you really alright?”

“I’m fine! It’s just a pity I didn’t see his face clearly.”

Xie Liuzheng wasn’t as conservative as Song Qingyu. To her, what happened between men and women just happened.

It hadn’t been the romantic, flower-filled affair she’d once imagined, but at least it was exhilarating.

Song Qingyu saw she truly didn’t care—not just pretending to comfort her—and breathed a little easier.

“Zhengzheng, I’m sorry.”

“Hm? Why apologize?”

“I should’ve gone with you last night.”

Seeing Song Qingyu’s expression, Xie Liuzheng knew she’d spent the whole night blaming herself.

She hugged Song Qingyu, her heart aching. “I insisted you not follow me, afraid no one would pay attention to me if you came. I was the one who wanted to drink. How is it your fault?”

“But I…”

“Alright, I’m fine, aren’t I? It’s rare to lose my virginity—we should have a drink and celebrate!”

Song Qingyu: “…”