Chapter 28: Run! There’s a Thug!

A glaring red Porsche weaved its way along the narrow road, not far ahead a construction site loomed, half-shrouded in scaffolding. Zhou Jiayan gripped the steering wheel with utmost care, guiding the car past the protective barriers. In the very instant she squeezed through, a deafening crash exploded behind her, shaking the entire vehicle.

She whipped her head around and peered through the rear window. A silver van had slammed into her from behind.

All the anger she’d bottled up at the art exhibition now erupted in a torrent. She flung open her door and marched straight back to confront the other driver.

"Do you even know how to drive? Forcing your way in here of all places, biting off more than you can chew—are you looking to get yourself killed?"

The door of the van slid open, and five or six men climbed out. Their faces were leering, their clothes garish and strange.

Seeing the thuggish look of the men who approached, Zhou Jiayan fell silent, instinctively wary as she glanced at her surroundings. The construction site was deserted, no workers in sight—perhaps it was lunch break. The shops nearby were either shuttered or abandoned. In broad daylight, the place felt desolate, as if it were not the city center at all.

The men exchanged knowing glances, easily reading the flicker of fear in Zhou Jiayan’s eyes. Rubbing their hands together, they sidled up to her with greasy, leering smiles.

"You're right, miss. Our driver really is unprofessional. But we couldn't help but wonder what kind of person drives such a nice car. Didn’t expect it to be such a beauty. What a fortunate meeting."

Zhou Jiayan took half a step back, dodging the filthy hand of a blond thug who tried to reach for her. "Keep your hands to yourself if you want to talk! Speak, but don’t touch!"

Another man, this one with flaming red hair, seemed only more riled at her words. "Oh, feisty, aren't you? I like a woman with spirit."

A third thug emerged from the van, chains rattling all over his body, lip and nose both pierced with metal. "Hey there, beauty," he grinned, "since fate has brought us together, why not let us have a little fun, seeing as you drive such a fine car?"

Zhou Jiayan’s fear evaporated, replaced by outrage at their insolence. "What do you think you are? How dare you harass me? Do you know who my cousin is? Do you know who I am? If you have any sense of self-preservation, you’ll get lost right now! Otherwise, my family will see to it you can’t stay a day longer in Jingzhou!"

Her defiance only seemed to excite the thugs further. "Listen to her—she’s a real heiress! This is perfect! We’ve had all sorts of women, but never a bona fide rich girl. Boys, take her—let’s have some fun in that factory up ahead!"

Four or five of them started to close in. Zhou Jiayan was forced to retreat, stumbling in her high heels. She nearly crashed to the ground after stepping on a loose stone, but managed to steady herself just as a grubby hand reached for her.

"Officer! They're here!"

A woman’s voice pierced the tense air, followed immediately by two bricks hurtling through the sky.

The thugs instinctively raised their arms to shield their heads, terrified the flying bricks might crack their skulls open.

Zhou Jiayan hadn't even had time to react when a hand seized her wrist, pulling her out of the encirclement and racing down a distant alley with her in tow.

She ran, dazed and breathless, for an entire block before she realized what was happening. Glancing at the long-haired figure pulling her along, the frustration that had been simmering within her since the art exhibition once again threatened to boil over.

Behind them, the thugs had recovered and were now in hot pursuit. Gritting her teeth, Zhou Jiayan reversed their grip and dragged Jiang Zao along, sprinting with all her might.

"Wait—wait up!" gasped Jiang Zao, not used to running so fast, now being tugged along at a breakneck pace. "Slow down! I can’t keep up!"

Her arm and feet ached terribly; she couldn’t fathom how Zhou Jiayan could run so fast in high heels.

"Turn right!" Jiang Zao shouted between gasps, glancing back at their distant pursuers. "There’s a park that way—if we get to where it’s crowded, they won’t dare to follow!"

Zhou Jiayan didn’t hesitate, veering right and dragging Jiang Zao along. Jiang Zao did her best to follow, barely managing to keep up with the pace.

All she could hear was her own pounding heartbeat and ragged breaths. Just as she thought her lungs might burst, Zhou Jiayan finally slowed, pulling her to a stop at the round stone seat by the park entrance.

The busy street and bustling traffic came back into view. Catching sight of Jiang Zao, who was doubled over and gasping for breath on the stone seat, Zhou Jiayan’s temper reignited.

"Who told you to host the exhibition in a place like that? Who told you to leave so early? Who told you to hang your paintings in such an out-of-the-way corner? Who told you not to use my brother’s connections, so the other artists could squeeze you out? Who told you to show up out of nowhere? Did I need your help? Who—"

Her complaints tumbled out in a torrent, her eyes growing red and dewy, tears shimmering on her lashes.

As Zhou Jiayan’s rant continued unabated, Jiang Zao, still catching her breath, was left with only one thought: This young lady’s stamina and lung capacity were truly unmatched.

Jiang Zao reached out and tugged the hem of Zhou Jiayan’s clothes, pulling her down to sit together on the stone seat. With both hands, she gently squeezed Zhou Jiayan’s still-pudgy cheeks.

The soft, plump feel of her skin was even smoother than she’d imagined.

"Alright, alright—they’re gone now. They won’t be coming after us anymore."

Zhou Jiayan tried to bat her hand away, but her nose began to sting, and suddenly she burst into tears.

"Why were they like that? They barely said two words before getting handsy! I’m telling my brother—I want them in jail!"

Jiang Zao withdrew her hand, narrowly avoiding a teardrop landing on her skin. "Alright, alright. We’ll go home and tell him. Are you hurt anywhere?"

Sniffling, Zhou Jiayan moved her shoulder, which had been aching since the scuffle. "Yes...wah—"

Jiang Zao gently examined her shoulder. It seemed she’d scraped it on a stone—there were some bruises and minor cuts.

At that moment, Du Bin appeared out of nowhere, carrying two bottles of mineral water. "Miss Jiang, everything’s been handled. The police are on their way. I’ll drive you both home first."

Jiang Zao took the water, gulped down a large mouthful and nodded. "Alright. We’ll sort things out at home."

...

Back at the house, Zhou Lichuan was listening to an audiobook, headphones perched on his ears—his only entertainment since losing his sight.

Once inside, Jiang Zao settled Zhou Jiayan on the living room sofa and fetched the first aid kit from the storage room.

When she returned, Zhou Jiayan was clinging to Zhou Lichuan’s arm and wailing, "Brother—it hurts so much—you have to make them pay! They did it on purpose! They must have been following me for ages, waiting for me to be alone so they could crash into me and cause trouble! It really hurts—"

With her voice loud and clear, the young lady seemed healthier than her brother by far.