Redemption - Novelbike

Jia Ying finally gave up on grasping the doorknob, her head drooping as though she had resigned herself to defeat. But only two seconds later, a fierce glint suddenly flashed in her eyes. She quickly crouched down and then leaped up with force, executing a fierce aerial spinning kick aimed at the boy’s head. However, the boy showed no fear against this attack that could easily land an ordinary person in the hospital. Instead, he shook his head, displaying the mocking look of a hunter observing its trapped prey. He then reached out with one hand, firmly catching the girl’s foot as it swung towards him. With a slight turn of his body, he used his powerful arm strength and abdominal muscles to throw her out. Jia Ying was caught off guard, feeling the world spin around her before she landed heavily on something soft-it was an incredibly soft mattress. Before she could rise, the boy lunged at her like a bolt of lightning, gripping her neck with a hand that looked tender yet was surprisingly strong, and said with a low laugh, “Mr. Weber was right; that guy’s daughter is even more useless than he is. But… she does have some value as a toy. Thank you, Mr. Weber.”

Jia Ying struggled with all her might, but that strong hand tightened around her throat, leaving her gasping for breath. A sense of helplessness seeped from her bones, causing tears to well up in her eyes. Observing this scene, the boy released his grip and coldly remarked, “Boring, really boring. I didn’t expect you to be this weak. I can hardly believe you’re that guy’s daughter. I thought you might be an interesting person, but whatever. You’re just like those mediocre women, used and abused like a rag, destined to die in silence.”

Despair began to overwhelm Jia Ying, but in her panic, a name suddenly appeared in her mind. Yes, the boy she had always dismissed, the one she used as a punching bag, the one she had always teased. If only he were here… if only he were here…

“Zong Rui…” The name slipped out of her lips as her desperation grew. But what good would it do? He had already been chased away by the boy before her, who was possessed by a demonic spirit…

“Bang!!!”

Just as Jia Ying was about to succumb to total despair, the strong door was suddenly kicked open from the outside, crashing down and stirring up a cloud of dust. Through the dust, a tall boy’s figure gradually emerged. While coughing heavily, he managed to force his voice to say, “Did you call for me?”

The girl’s dim eyes suddenly brightened, but they quickly turned blurry again. He came after all. That idiot.

Even the devilish young man appeared startled. He jumped off the bed and scrutinized the newcomer for a long moment. Then, with a smirk that twisted his lips cruelly, he said coldly, “You actually came back. What about the driver? And those people outside?”

The figure emerged slowly from the dissipating dust. Yes, it was Zong Rui. Clapping the dust off his sleeve, he replied casually, “About that, sir, I must apologize. Your driver was quite obstinate and refused to turn back no matter what I said, so I had no choice but to toss him into the river. Don’t worry, though-I assume he knows how to swim. As for the others outside, their loyalty was impressive, but they’ve grown far too comfortable in their pampered lives. I helped them rediscover what it feels like to struggle… Though I do feel a bit guilty. When I tossed that tall skinny guy down the stairs, it seems his leg ended up broken. Truly, my apologies. I’ll visit another day to make amends… Still, wouldn’t you say your actions have crossed a far worse line than mine?” As Zong Rui spoke, his gaze flicked briefly to Jia Ying on the bed. His voice grew colder with every word.

The young man froze for a moment, then burst into peals of laughter. “Oh, really? I was wrong then. Turns out, you’re much more interesting than that girl after all. Not bad-if I’d known earlier, I’d have come looking for you instead, Mr. Zong Rui.”

Zong Rui shrugged. “Sorry, I don’t have that kind of interest, so I suggest you go look for someone else who’s more to your liking. But before that… you’ll have to explain to me exactly what you’ve done to this ‘uninteresting’ girl. Otherwise… you know, the law applies to everyone.”

The young man laughed even harder. “Coming from you, the son of Deputy Director Zong Li of the city’s Public Security Bureau, who just broke the law by injuring my driver and bodyguards, and now lectures me about the law-Mr. Zong Rui, don’t you find that a bit ironic?”

Zong Rui raised an eyebrow, then smirked coldly. “I have to say, I’m impressed by how well you know so much about me. Regardless, I’d say charges of assault are far less serious than attempted rape, don’t you agree, Mr. Zhang Ruofu?”

This time, it was the young man’s turn to pause. “You know my name… Who told you?”

Zong Rui shrugged again. “Your supposedly tight-lipped driver, just before I tossed him into the river. Unfortunately, he wasn’t very forthcoming with details, so down he went. Now, would you kindly tell me who you really are?”

A flicker of malice flashed through Zhang Ruofu’s eyes. “You’ll find out who I am soon enough. Or maybe you won’t-it depends on whether you survive. As for that boring woman, you can take her away. I really have no interest in her anymore. But listen closely: tomorrow, you’ll only have two outcomes-either you’ll die, or you’ll become an even more pathetic freak. Don’t understand? That’s fine. You’ll figure it out. Tomorrow, you and your little girlfriend can get married in hell…”

Zong Rui’s facial muscles twitched violently, but his strong self-control suppressed his emotions. Once he felt he was composed enough, his expression relaxed slightly. “Fine. We won’t bother you any further. For Jia Ying’s sake, I won’t bring this matter up… But…”

A rare, menacing grin crept onto Zong Rui’s face-a sight so chilling that even Jia Ying, who had spent so much time with him, felt a shiver run down her spine. With his terrifying smile, Zong Rui took a step closer to the stunned young man and said in an icy tone, “But don’t mistake me for some kind-hearted fool. I promise you, soon enough, you’ll pay for what you’ve done today… a hundredfold.”

The young man visibly faltered, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. Yet, he forced himself to maintain an air of arrogance and said, trying to sound unconcerned, “Very well. I’ll be waiting for your revenge, if…”

“If you live that long,”