Old Rain Never Returns - Chapter 11
Chapter 11
After the explosion at the Paramount Ballroom, the entire city was placed under martial law.
Shen Ting’an took Shen Zhaoxue and hid in a warehouse at the docks.
It was only then that he discovered the list in the leather suitcase had been replaced with blank paper.
He smashed his teacup on the spot.
“Zhou Huaiyan isn’t dead.”
Shen Zhaoxue sat in the corner, her face pale.
“I fired the shot.”
“You missed.”
“I didn’t.”
Shen Ting’an whipped his head around.
Shen Zhaoxue looked up.
Her eyes were filled with nothing but hatred.
“Uncle, do you still not believe me? I have hated him for three years. I want him dead more than anyone.”
Shen Ting’an looked at her for a long time.
Finally, he placed the gun in her hand.
“Then help your uncle one more time.”
At four in the morning, Zhou Huaiyan appeared.
He led his men to seal off the docks.
Gunfire pressed inward all the way from outside the warehouse.
Shen Ting’an held Shen Zhaoxue hostage and retreated to the second floor.
The muzzle of his gun was pressed against her temple.
“Zhou Huaiyan!” he shouted. “Take one more step and I’ll kill her.”
Zhou Huaiyan stood downstairs.
His face was terrifyingly pale.
Blood was seeping through the bandages on his chest.
When Shen Zhaoxue saw him, her heart constricted violently.
He was alive.
But he was far from well.
Zhou Huaiyan raised his gun.
“The list has already been sent out. You can’t escape.”
Shen Ting’an’s smile was twisted.
“If I can’t escape, then you don’t get to live either.”
He whispered to Shen Zhaoxue, “Fire. Kill him, and I’ll let you go.”
Shen Zhaoxue gripped the gun.
Her hands were shaking uncontrollably.
Zhou Huaiyan looked at her.
His gaze was very calm.
It was as if he were saying, *It’s okay.*
And as if he were saying, *I’m sorry.*
Shen Ting’an urged, “Zhaoxue!”
Shen Zhaoxue suddenly raised her hand.
She didn’t aim the gun at Zhou Huaiyan.
Instead, she aimed it at the gas lamp hanging from the warehouse ceiling.
*Bang.*
The light exploded into flames.
In the chaos, Zhou Huaiyan rushed upstairs.
Shen Ting’an fired two shots in quick succession.
One grazed Shen Zhaoxue’s shoulder.
The other hit Zhou Huaiyan in the side of his abdomen.
Shen Zhaoxue lunged forward.
She grabbed Shen Ting’an’s wrist and drove her hairpin deep into his palm.
Shen Ting’an screamed in pain.
Zhou Huaiyan shot him in the leg.
Men rushed in and pinned Shen Ting’an down.
It all ended very quickly.
So quickly that before Shen Zhaoxue could even breathe a sigh of relief, she saw Zhou Huaiyan drop to his knees.
Blood gushed out from between his fingers.
“Zhou Huaiyan!”
She rushed over to support him.
He grabbed her wrist.
His strength was faint.
“Was the list delivered?”
“It was. Old Qin delivered it personally.”
“That’s good.”
“What’s good about it? Shut up. The doctor will be here soon.”
Zhou Huaiyan managed a small smile.
“Zhaoxue, I have to go.”
She froze.
“What do you mean?”
“The Section Chief is dead. Adjutant Lu is still alive. My identity has been exposed; staying here will only implicate you.”
“Then we’ll go together.”
He looked at her as if looking at a dream he had only dared to touch when it was too late.
“You still have the Newspaper Office. You still have the name your father left behind. You can’t become a fugitive with me.”
Shen Zhaoxue gripped his hand tightly.
“You decided for me once three years ago. Are you going to do it again?”
Pain flickered in Zhou Huaiyan’s eyes.
A siren wailed in the distance.
The pickup boat had arrived.
Old Qin came upstairs.
“Zhaoxue, there’s no time left.”
Zhou Huaiyan placed the Jade Button into her palm.
“Is the Marriage Contract still there?”
Shen Zhaoxue choked up.
“Yes.”
“Don’t burn it.”
“Come back and get it yourself.”
He nodded.
“Alright.”
She knew how flimsy an “alright” was in these chaotic times.
But she believed him anyway.
Before dawn, fog rolled over the docks.
Shen Zhaoxue stood at the warehouse entrance.
She watched as Zhou Huaiyan was helped onto the boat.
He didn’t look back.
And she didn’t call out to him.
They both knew.
If they looked back, he wouldn’t be able to leave.
The silhouette of the boat vanished into the fog.
The first ray of daylight fell.
Shen Zhaoxue looked down.
Her palms were covered in blood.
She couldn’t tell if it was his, or her own.
