Chapter 24: Thunderstruck in the Rainy Night

“What is there for me to be angry about? Whether you were forced or went willingly, it’s your business. I, Lorina, won’t meddle in your affairs ever again!”

With that, the girl turned on her heel to leave.

The boy grabbed her arm, anxiously exclaiming, “You still say you’re not angry! What do you want me to do before you’ll believe me?”

“Oh, believe you?” The girl sneered, shaking off his hand. “Isn’t it just that you don’t like Jiang Qiqi? If it were Xiao Zhiyun, you’d have already—”

“That’s nonsense!” The boy interrupted agitatedly. “Nothing happened, you… how can you say such things?”

The girl pressed, relentless: “Are you saying you have no feelings for Xiao Zhiyun?”

“I don’t—”

“Hmph, you’re just afraid of being ridiculed. She’s now the apple of Young Master Ao’s eye, and she’s already forgotten all about you, her childhood friend!”

The boy lowered his head, silent.

The girl threw out one last remark: “You’re just a coward!”

With that, she strutted off, heels clicking sharply.

Not long after, the boy, too, walked away, dejected.

Having overheard this exchange, Xianyu Zhen gleaned two pieces of information: first, that the girl was Lorina, the vice president of the student council, as indicated on the club membership form; second, that the boy secretly loved the one who now held Young Master Ao’s heart.

If it had been about anyone else, Xianyu Zhen might not have cared. But anything involving Nangong Ao, she had to pay attention to—after all, that big brother had always been good to her.

She lost all desire to write, and instead searched online for information about the Xiao family’s second daughter. She soon learned that Xiao Zhiyun was a third-year student at Liyang Academy, majoring in classical music, with excellent grades and a position in the student council.

However, her health was frail; she was born with a heart condition. Rumor had it that for this reason, Mrs. Nangong had never agreed to let her son and Xiao Zhiyun date.

As for how feelings between the two had started, there were countless theories. Some said it was love at first sight between prince and princess; others claimed it was an ambitious girl climbing into the arms of a powerful man; still others spun tales of love defying family and fate, a romance of suffering and survival…

Xianyu Zhen had to admire the creativity of rumor-mongers—they were far more skilled at spinning stories than she was as a struggling writer!

By the time she finished reading, it was nearly time for afternoon classes.

She hopped down lightly from under the tree, brushing off the dust from her clothes. Turning around, she was met with Bai Liyao’s stunned expression.

Ah, so much for a lady’s poise!

--------

After school that afternoon, Su Cha waited quite a while before she finally saw Xianyu Zhen exiting the school gate.

The reason was simple: Lorina and her group had tried to block her way again, so she’d taken a detour to slip out.

It was the first day of the new term—she really didn’t want any trouble!

Su Cha didn’t ask much, only relayed, “The young master is going abroad on business this week. He instructed that if you need anything, you must inform Miss Bai or me immediately.”

“All right,” Xianyu Zhen replied, weighing things in her mind. It was only the first week—surely there wouldn’t be any need to trouble Young Master Ao just yet.

Once she joined the student council, Lorina’s crowd would be easy enough to handle. Still, was Vice President Lorina related to Lorina herself—could they be sisters?

Xianyu Zhen wondered if she should make other plans.

That evening, heeding Su Cha’s earlier warning, Xianyu Zhen stayed in after dinner, skipping her usual stroll in the garden.

She sat alone on the open-air balcony, searching for information about the Jiang family in the north of the city. All she could find were details about their logistics company; nothing about the inner workings of the family.

Clearly, the Jiang family wielded considerable influence. Compared to the Nangong family, they operated in the shadows, rarely showing themselves.

Why, then, had Young Master Ao allowed Jiang Mohe to stay at the Nangong residence?

Some questions couldn’t be solved by thinking—she’d just have to wait for time to reveal the answers. That was what her brother had always told her.

She set down her phone and gazed southward at the starry sky. It must be daytime in the country where her brother now lived.

They were under the same sky, yet separated by thousands of miles. Even in this age of advanced technology, days could pass with no phone call, only a brief message: “Take care of yourself!”

Xianyu Zhen sighed. Just as she was about to return indoors, she noticed Jiang Mohe by the pool behind the house, conversing with one of the security guards.

They were too far away for her to make out their words. She could only see the guard listening intently, scratching his head or nodding from time to time.

After a while, the guard saluted Jiang Mohe and walked away.

Jiang Mohe remained by the pool, standing alone. The light shimmered on the water’s surface, casting a lonely air over his silhouette.

Suddenly, he looked up toward the balcony. Xianyu Zhen didn’t have time to hide—she was exposed in his line of sight.

Through the haze of night, she couldn’t explain why, but she had the odd feeling that she could see light shining in his eyes.

Was he truly, as Er Yuan had said, someone from the northern Jiang family—someone to be avoided at all costs?

If he were truly dangerous, why would Young Master Ao let him stay here? Besides, he had helped her; though each time, he insisted he was only doing his job.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

A knock came at the door, with Su Cha’s voice outside: “Miss, the forecast says it’ll rain tonight. Aunt Rong asked me to remind you to close the doors and windows.”

“All right,” Xianyu Zhen replied.

When she glanced down again, Jiang Mohe was gone.

In the second half of the night, the rain poured down in torrents, the sky erupting with two sharp peals of thunder.

Xianyu Zhen didn’t wake—she was trapped in her nightmare.

“Stay hidden, stay hidden, even if it’s quiet don’t come out…”

“I don’t want to be here alone… When can I leave…”

“Don’t go in, there are traps… If you fall, it’ll be terrible…”

“Can you move? Grab my hand!”

“So cold… so hungry…”

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here!”

“Brother, brother…”

—

A crash of thunder jolted Xianyu Zhen awake. Lightning flashed outside the balcony, illuminating a dark silhouette.

She almost screamed.

Eyes wide, she stared at the figure. He was gripping the awning outside the balcony with both hands, struggling to tear it down.

Amid the roar of the rain, there seemed to be other voices shouting.

Trying to steady her racing heart, Xianyu Zhen stepped toward the balcony.

The figure turned and, seeing her, waved forcefully for her to stay back.

A bolt of lightning flashed, and she finally saw clearly—it was Jiang Mohe. The awning in his hands was scorched black, and he was already drenched.

Unmindful of the rain lashing his face, he yanked down the charred fabric and threw it off the balcony. Down below, vague voices called, “Captain, get down—there’s lightning, it’s dangerous!”

Jiang Mohe wiped the rain from his face, glanced up at Xianyu Zhen, then vaulted over the balcony and disappeared.

Xianyu Zhen’s heart pounded wildly—from the lingering nightmare, from the thunder outside, and even more from that fleeting silhouette…