Chapter 26: A Fated Encounter Missed by a Hair's Breadth

Had it not been for this chance encounter, he would never have paid her any mind.

Having walked quite a distance, he spotted a late-night rice noodle shop near a hotel entrance. He stopped, took twenty yuan from his pocket, handed it to the girl, and pointed toward the shop. "Eat a bowl of noodles there, then get a room at this hotel. Take the train back first thing tomorrow morning. Go back to your studies and stop bickering with your parents."

A bowl of noodles with extra shredded meat and an egg cost only two yuan. The twenty he gave her was more than enough for a night’s stay and a train ticket.

"My name is Sun Minzhi," the girl said. "I'm from Lancheng. Thank you for saving me. Could you tell me your name? I’d like to repay you someday."

"No need," the man replied. "Don't be so quick to trust people in the future." He glanced at her hand, signaling her to let go.

Sun Minzhi’s eyes welled up with tears. "I know I shouldn't pester you. But if you won't tell me your name, I won't recognize you if we meet again. And in all likelihood, we’ll never have the chance to meet again."

She hadn't shed a single tear when she was in danger moments ago.

The man felt a twinge of pity and said coolly, "It doesn't matter. Life is like that; we only have the fate of passing acquaintances with most people." Judging by her clothes and speech, she likely came from a well-to-do family, but he had no desire to pry—it was none of his business.

Sun Minzhi let go and stepped back, sobbing. The man immediately strode away and vanished into the darkness.

Back at the hotel, Liu Jie woke up, realized the girl was gone, and stumbled downstairs to the front desk. The clerk screamed at the sight of Liu Jie, whose face was so bruised and swollen he looked like a vengeful spirit.

"Shut up," Liu Jie snarled. "It's me, the guest from 207. Did you see anyone leave just now?"

"No," the clerk replied. "Are you crazy, scaring people in the middle of the night?"

Liu Jie stumbled back out, but there was no one to be seen. Furious, he went back in, slammed his hand on the counter, and demanded, "How are you going to take responsibility? I was staying at your hotel and got beaten up for no reason!"

"Do you have proof you were beaten here?" the clerk retorted. "Maybe you tripped on the way here and are trying to extort us. Our hotel may be small, but it’s a decent establishment. I suggest you don't make a scene. If the police come, I’ll have to tell them the truth, and that won't look good for you."

Liu Jie knew that soliciting a prostitute wasn't exactly something he could air in public, so he could only slam the room key on the desk and storm out in a huff.

***

The man reached the entrance of the machinery factory before taking off his mask and tossing it into a trash pile. It was Cheng Shi.

It didn't matter what Liu Jianshe and Liu Jie did to him, but targeting his family time and again had crossed his line. If he didn't teach Liu Jie a lesson, he would have wasted his second chance at life. He had made an excuse about going for a run to leave the house, but he had actually been waiting for Liu Jie at the intersection, remembering the evidence of Liu Jie's whereabouts from his previous life. He hadn't been sure if his own actions would change Liu Jie’s plans, but fortunately, Liu Jie’s movements remained exactly as they had been in his past life.

Cheng Shi had considered calling the police, but he realized the girl was a victim who had been tricked. If he involved the police, it might ruin the young girl’s reputation forever. So, he changed his mind and decided to handle it himself.

And honestly, it felt good—really good—to personally