The Villain Quits - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

After this ordeal, my brother’s injuries were even worse.

Jiang Ning had landed right on top of him, so she was mostly fine. She gave us a cool wave and limped away.

I helped my brother along as we struggled toward home.

My brother spent a long time in deep thought during the walk before finally speaking up.

“Sis, don’t you think I’ve been especially unlucky these past few days?”

“Eh, that’s life,” I replied absentmindedly.

“No! It’s not just normal bad luck. I think it started right when you became seatmates with that guy named Xie.”

“Eh, that’s people for you,” I continued to brush him off.

“Shen Sui!” my brother snapped, getting frustrated.

My gaze sharpened, and I said solemnly, “Brother, what you’re saying is wrong. You can’t discriminate against Xie Yu’an just because he grew up in an orphanage. Calling him a jinx and a bringer of bad luck is way too much! I never expected you to be this kind of person. I’m truly disappointed in you!”

My brother was stunned. “Did I say that? I…”

He thought about it for a moment and then said in a heavy voice, “I’m sorry, Suisui. It’s my fault. I didn’t realize I was being so narrow-minded. I’m glad you reminded me. I won’t do it again.”

I nodded, feeling gratified.

Just as I was helping him around a corner, I spotted a familiar figure under a streetlamp.

Xie Yu’an!

I took a sudden, massive step back. My brother was jerked backward by my movement and opened his mouth to start hollering.

Luckily, I was quick. I reached up and clamped my hand over his mouth.

“Shh!”

My brother nodded in understanding. Together, we crouched stealthily by the edge of the wall and peeked our heads out.

Only then did I realize that Xie Yu’an wasn’t alone under the streetlamp; there was also a short, middle-aged woman.

This was likely Xie Yu’an’s adoptive mother.

The woman was clutching a photograph, glaring at Xie Yu’an.

“It’s already senior year! I’ve spent so much money to keep you fed and clothed, and I transferred you to this high school so you could study, not so you could hang around with these low-lifes!”

My heart skipped a beat.

Although I couldn’t see the contents of the photo clearly, I could guess that it was probably a picture of us.

The woman raised her hand and slapped the photo against Xie Yu’an’s face. The sharp edge of the paper sliced a long, thin bloody trail across his cheek.

Xie Yu’an didn’t move. His eyes were downcast, and his profile was hidden in the shadows, making it impossible to read his expression.

Yet, for no reason at all, I felt certain he must be devastated.

It felt as if my own heart was being trampled; it hurt so much I could hardly breathe.

Seeing Xie Yu’an’s expressionless face, the woman’s anger flared even more. Her voice suddenly turned shrill.

“Kneel down!”

Xie Yu’an remained motionless.

The woman’s finger trembled, nearly poking him in the face.

“Fine, fine! So you won’t listen to a word I say anymore, is that it? I should never have adopted an ungrateful wolf like you! Just you wait-I’ll find every single person in this photo and make sure their parents give them a proper talking-to!”

“Don’t go,” Xie Yu’an, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke. Then, without any hesitation, he knelt down.

The dilapidated streetlamp flickered twice.

In that pale, sickly light, he knelt with his back perfectly straight and tall.

Like a green pine tree standing in a blizzard.

He said, “I won’t be with anyone else ever again.”