She sat blankly until sunlight streamed through the window. In her desolation, she remained motionless, as if her brother and sister-in-law had vanished. No one brought her food or water, leaving her throat hoarse from crying.
In a daze, she heard children’s laughter outside. Listening intently, she felt a flicker of life and wrote down some numbers. Taking out ten yuan from her wallet, she softly called the children playing outside. An hour later, noisy sounds came from outside.
In her foggy state, Jing Xin heard her sister-in-law screaming and her brother speaking softly, but the sounds were unclear. Hunger and dehydration made her dizzy as she sat against the wall, eyes closed.
Moments later, a loud bang came from the door. Weakly, she opened her eyes to see Jiang Xiangyang kick it open, standing with a furious expression. In the dazzling light, he resembled a god, his messy hair falling over his forehead, eyes narrowed with malice.
Jing Xin knew he was angry. She forced a stiff smile: “Xiangyang, you’re finally here.” Tears began to fall.
He furrowed his brow, taking large steps to her side and scooping her into his arms. The sight of her haggard appearance caused him sharp pain. Her pale face, sunken eyes, and confusion struck him deeply.
Jing Xin wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his embrace, greedily inhaling his scent as warm tears flowed.
Her brother and sister-in-law stared in shock as he carried her towards the door, glancing at the damaged door and table, not daring to stop him.
They had just experienced his fists, and seeing his murderous expression, who would dare provoke him?
Jiang Xiangyang suppressed his rage, truly desiring to kill. Had they not been her relatives, he would not have let them off so easily. No wonder Jing Xin, seemingly shy and fragile, still mentioned marriage in such an embarrassing situation—she had long been an orphan!
If the child hadn’t called him, she might have been locked up for who knows how long. He sighed and held her cold body closer. This foolish woman, who never knew how to protect herself, would block knives for him. When he was injured, she cried sadly yet remained oblivious to her own safety.
“I thought you wouldn’t come,” she whispered in his arms, her voice hoarse from suppressed sobs.
