A man like Jian Shuibing—idle, addicted to gambling, and dirt poor—had a character like a rotten apple, exuding a foul stench from the inside out. What woman would ever want to marry him?
Even at his age, he was still an old bachelor.
So, he started plotting a wicked scheme.
Back then, when Song Tingyou's grandmother took her to play at an amusement park, Jian Shuibing picked out the prettiest child among the group. He abducted Song Tingyou, who was only three years old at the time.
Upon returning home, he lied to his mother, claiming he had found Song Tingyou abandoned.
He declared that once Song Tingyou grew up, she would become his wife.
Jian Shuibing abducted a child, dumped her at home for his mother to take care of, and continued to wander outside, spending his days gambling in casinos.
Jian Shuibing's mother was a simple and kind-hearted woman. Although she had never received an education, she knew right from wrong.
Knowing her son was up to no good, she couldn't bear to see a little girl's life ruined. She adamantly refused to let Song Tingyou become Jian Shuibing's wife and had the girl call her Grandma.
Over the years, the grandmother truly loved Song Tingyou as her own granddaughter. Whenever there was something delicious, she would save it for Song Tingyou instead of eating it herself.
Fourteen years passed, and Song Tingyou grew from a delicate, porcelain-like toddler into a graceful young woman.
At an age when she should have been studying hard, she was instead chained by the ankles by Jian Shuibing, imprisoned in this small wooden cabin deep in the mountains.
At this time, her name was still Jian Yiyi.
Jian Yiyi had just discovered that the man she had called Dad for over a decade was not her father at all, but the very person who had abducted her. The revelation struck her like a deafening thunderbolt, piercing her mind, leaving it completely blank as she froze in place.
After a long while, she spoke with a dry voice, Is what you said true?
Jian Shuibing looked at her mockingly, gazing down with an arrogant and dismissive attitude. Of course it's true. You can't escape anyway. I plan to keep you locked up here for the rest of your life. Is there any need to lie to you?
He looked Jian Yiyi up and down. From now on, we're going to live together. You'll change your tune and call me Husband.
Jian Yiyi's stomach churned, and she dry-heaved in disgust.
Jian Shuibing sneered, You're throwing up? You're not willing to be with me? What an ungrateful little wretch. I wasted my time raising you.
Jian Yiyi glared at him fiercely, refusing to yield. You make me sick!
Jian Shuibing retorted, A beaten wife is like kneaded dough. You just need a good beating. A few harsh thrashings and you'll submit!
He raised his hand, aiming a slap at Jian Yiyi's face.
With a loud crash, the cabin's front door was kicked open, and Jin Ruizhi rushed in.
The young man's lean and agile figure shot forward like an unstoppable arrow. He dashed in front of Jian Yiyi, intercepted Jian Shuibing's descending hand, and smashed a fist into Jian Shuibing's face with a heavy thud!
Jian Shuibing was knocked to the ground, rolling several times.
Looking at the young man's handsome and sharp features, Jian Yiyi's eyes grew red, and she murmured his name, Jin Ruizhi.
The boy's jawline was tightly clenched, his angular shoulders firmly shielding her. He looked back at her and said, Don't be afraid anymore. I won't let anything happen to you.
The tears welling up in Jian Yiyi's eyes spilled over, streaming down her cheeks.
Jin Ruizhi crouched down, pulled a White Rabbit creamy candy from his pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into Jian Yiyi's mouth.
I remember you like White Rabbit candy. I always keep some in my pocket.
The milky sweetness spread through her mouth, and all the bitterness she was enduring suddenly didn't seem so unbearable.
Sweetness could heal pain.
In her most painful moment, he had given her this sweetness.
With tears shimmering in her eyes, Jian Yiyi looked at Jin Ruizhi and said, Thank you, Jin Ruizhi.
Jin Ruizhi replied, You're welcome, Yiyi.
Behind them, Jian Shuibing scrambled to his feet, grabbed a thick, heavy wooden club, and swung it at Jin Ruizhi's head.
Anticipating the sneak attack, Jin Ruizhi stood up, caught the club backhanded, yanked his arm back forcefully to disarm him, and retaliated by swinging the club right at Jian Shuibing's head. Bang!
Blood streamed down Jian Shuibing's head.
Jin Ruizhi had heard everything Jian Shuibing said earlier.
This man, Jian Shuibing, was utterly disgusting.
Yiyi originally had a grandmother, a sister, and a brother who loved her. She should have lived a life pampered by her family, but because Jian Shuibing abducted her, she ended up stranded in this mountain village, suffering so much.
Because she lost her granddaughter, Yiyi's grandmother suffered a lifetime of guilt, suffered a mental breakdown, and was admitted to a nursing home.
The cost of the nursing home weighed heavily on Song Xinya's shoulders.
The suffering of everyone involved was all because of Jian Shuibing, this nauseating man.
Thwack! Jin Ruizhi brought the club down heavily on Jian Shuibing again!
Jian Shuibing screamed and tried to flee toward the door.
Thwack! Jin Ruizhi blocked the doorway and smashed the club into Jian Shuibing's leg, knocking him back inside!
The key! Take out the key to the chain around Yiyi's ankle!
Jian Shuibing yelled, I don't have the key!
Thwack! Jin Ruizhi smashed the club over his head!
Do you have the key or not?
Jian Shuibing wailed, Yes, yes, I have it!
He crawled over to a large white plastic barrel. The key is inside here. I'll get it out now.
As the barrel's lid was twisted off, a sinister glint flashed in Jian Shuibing's eyes. With a thud, the barrel tipped over, and the liquid inside gushed out.
A pungent smell instantly filled the entire room.
Jin Ruizhi's heart skipped a beat. Gasoline!
With a click, a lighter was sparked, and Jian Shuibing tossed the lit lighter into the gasoline.
Whoosh! Raging flames erupted within the cabin. Scarlet tongues of fire danced wildly, spreading in all directions.
Fueled by the gasoline, the fire instantly engulfed the entire wooden structure.
Towering flames, scorching waves of heat, and billowing thick smoke swept over everyone in the room.
Jian Yiyi's feet were still locked in heavy iron chains!
Jin Ruizhi pulled out his pocket knife and began sawing frantically at the chain.
He positioned his body in front of Jian Yiyi, shielding her from the searing flames behind him.
Using a knife to cut through an iron chain was like an ant trying to shake a tree or throwing an egg at a rock; the effect was negligible.
Yet Jin Ruizhi continued to relentlessly hack at the chain with his knife.
The smoke in the room grew thicker, making it increasingly difficult for the two of them to breathe, and their consciousness began to fade.
Jian Yiyi's face was covered in tears as she wept, Jin Ruizhi, hurry up and escape! If you don't go now, you won't be able to leave. Just leave me behind!
Gritting his teeth, Jin Ruizhi said firmly, I won't let go!
He looked up at her, his eyes clear and stubborn, his gaze filled with unwavering sincerity. Jian Yiyi, either we make it out together, or I die here with you!
Jian Yiyi, I know you're terrified right now, but I won't leave you alone to face this fear. Whether it's to heaven or hell, I'll go with you!
Jian Yiyi's tears flowed even more fiercely.
Time was running out, and the situation was far too dangerous. Jin Ruizhi couldn't even spare a hand to wipe away her tears; even while he spoke, his hands never stopped sawing at the iron chains.
Thick smoke enveloped the two of them, making it harder to breathe. Jin Ruizhi felt his consciousness slipping away from his body.
His grip on the knife began to loosen.
He bit down hard on his lip, his sharp teeth piercing the flesh until blood seeped out, using the sharp pain to force himself to stay awake.
His grip on the knife tightened once more.
The blade left scratch after scratch on the chains, but the thick, heavy iron showed absolutely no sign of snapping.
Jian Shuibing ran past them, shooting the pair a mocking glance. With a wild, arrogant smile, he sneered, "You two can die together! I'm going to live!"
He bolted toward the outside of the cabin.
At that exact moment, a helicopter swooped down and landed on the ground right in front of the wooden cabin.
The person sitting in the pilot's seat was Qin Yuhe.
