I don't have an invitation card. I could only wear my finest clothes and find myself hesitating at the entrance of NiLuo's villa. The opulence and status of this place, even the hired help carry a distinguished air, discreetly waiting upon the host's esteemed guests. Surely they won't entertain anyone trying to buy their way in. I was already in dire straits, how can I go do such a disgraceful thing? In the middle of my frustration, a limousine stops at the gate. The attendants at the gate probably guessed that these were important guests, so they fell over each other to open the door and greet the guests. What luck! I slip through the gate like a wisp of smoke. Once in the door, the music and dancing went up a notch, a festive atmosphere. I'm well used to this scene but today I feel especially uncomfortable. I feel everyone's stares on me. NiLuo is chatting on the staircase with the usual gla.s.s of red wine in his hand, gleaming as it waves slightly. I am very uncomfortable. I really don't want to let this opportunity slip by, so I walk up to him.
"NiLuo." NiLuo turns around and is slightly surprised when he sees me. But worthy of his status, he quickly put on a gentle smile:
"ShengSheng, looks like you have come." He greets me intimately. I heave a little sigh in my heart. He didn't immediately call security, there's still a chance. I said:
"I've come to apologize." I don't use my usual casually joking manner of speaking, but apologize very earnestly. NiLuo shakes his head:
"Small matters, why take it to heart? This is not like you." I bow my head and consider if I should now ask him to aid Huang enterprise financially. As long as he agrees, I'm willing to say anything. But am I worth such a high price? Wouldn't it be shameful if he outrightly rejects me? NiLuo asked: "ShengSheng, do you have something to say to me?" I raise my head and look at his expression. There are no signs of him bearing grudges in his heart. But those in business circles always have numerous masks on their head. Just like Rong YuJiang, did I ever understand him even a little bit? Perhaps he only wants to fool me into begging him before turning it around to make me a laughing stock of the party.
"I ...... " I'm really useless, things have come to this and I'm still hesitating. I hem and haw for a long time, face probably turned scarlet, before finally gritting my teeth:
"Huang enterprise is currently unstable. Is it possible for GuiDe to consider our longtime relations and accommodate us a little on the capital loan side?" NiLuo was still gently smiling. I'm sure he had long foreseen my purpose in coming here. Right when I was anxiously waiting for his response, someone casually spoke up:
"NiLuo is such a busy man. Having to talk business in the middle of the party." My whole body shook once that voice entered my ear. I quickly turn around and my eyes almost fall out of their sockets. Rong YuJiang, impeccably attired, decked out with his whole person glowing with splendor, standing behind me. He smilingly approaches me: "ShengSheng, long time no see. Why is it that you have slimmed down so?" I ought to hate this person to the extent of gnashing my teeth. Once I heard those words "slimmed down", I felt my nose tingle, and the feeling of having been wronged rose up to fill my chest. I step away and say caustically:
"Thanks for your concern. After coming to know you, Rong YuJiang, who wouldn't lose a few pounds?" YuJiang chuckles, tolerantly not reacting. NiLuo pats his shoulder intimately:
"YuJiang, you're late. If we take Chinese customs into account, I should make you drink as a punishment." Their affectionate banter shakes me to the core. Looks like they were already long in cahoots, why have I come to bring on such disgrace? I think of immediately leaving this awkward situation but it is as if my feet were nailed to the floor. I can't stop looking at YuJiang's face that was beaming with satisfaction. Hate hate hate ......... indescribable hate! NiLuo chats a little with YuJiang before walking away to greet other guests. I know that asking him for help is pointless, so naturally I don't bother to stop him. I let him walk further away and stare furiously at the person that destroyed everything, YuJiang. YuJiang fixes his gaze on me and slowly comes closer.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Such an innocent way of speaking. Hmph! I scornfully glance at him, but can't help breathing unevenly. "ShengSheng, your lips are very beautiful." He whispers tenderly into my ear: "I long for you everyday." This scoundrel! The flames of fury burned until my head starts to smoke. I can only think of venting out all this anger. I stare at his gentle face for a long time, getting angrier and angrier. I simply grab something close by and brought it crashing down on his head. I smash it using all my strength, quickly and violently. YuJiang didn't have time to dodge. One loud *kuang dang* sound rising above the festive music. The priceless vase that NiLuo had placed on the banister was smashed to pieces. YuJiang stands in front of me, staring blankly at me, head covered in blood. An immediate hush descends on the room, everyone shocked speechless.
"Ahhhhh!!!!!" Suddenly someone shrieks. I'm not sure which respectable young lady it is. This started the commotion in the hall. I stand stiffly looking at YuJiang slowly topple over and tumble down the stairs. Everything happens in a flash. I suddenly come back to my senses and ran. The security guards outside were still unclear of what was happening. They watch me jump into a sports car, slam on the accelerator and fled.
I speed away, the wind blowing into the car but not blowing away the anxiety in my heart. I've killed someone. YuJiang, even if he isn't dead, he must be seriously injured. I suddenly think of YuTing, whether he was in the same frame of mind when he attacked me. YuJiang, you caused YuTing to go crazy that day. Today you made me go crazy. YuTing still had Uncle Rong and Rong enterprise to trade for his freedom. What about me? Huang enterprise is teetering on the brink, why would YuJiang consider it of any value. I catch sight of lamps at my gate from a distance and think of my mom and dad. I fiercely step on the brakes. The car screeches to a halt, coming to a stop at the dimly lit road side. Can't go home, I can't go home. After committing such a serious crime, how can I run home? I don't want to go to prison. I immediately check all the a.s.sets I had on me. Luckily I still have some money. Even though I don't know how many days it will be before Huang enterprise declares bankruptcy, I still have this gold card in my hand. I rush out of the sports car and scurry to several ATMs, withdrawing as much cash as I could. I don't dare to contact my parents. I hurriedly buy a long distance bus ticket and escape far far away. Who would have thought that I, ShengSheng, would this day become a fugitive, like a mouse running across the street. If someone had told me yesterday, that I would turn into an escaped criminal, I would have undoubtedly laughed until my insides hurt. Life is really unpredictable. On the long distance bus, I felt bleak and discouraged, my imagination running wild again and again. Yet my eyes are dry, not a single tear. YuJiang, YuJiang, what have I done, why have we become such enemies, causing me to fall to such desperate depths. Don't tell me it's because the debts from my previous incarnation that are now being repaid. Then your debt to me in this lifetime, will it still be counted in our next life?