Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes Chapter 4 (1/2)

Chapter 4

Compared to losing Lu Hai Kong, what I had planned should be scarier. However, after losing Lu Hai Kong, I felt an inexplicable deep fear. With fear comes imagination. If Lu Hai Kong has been murdered, then it’s alright. But what if he is sold to do hard work, become a servant or be sold to a brothel. Those images made my head hurts.

If that were the case, even if Chu Kong went to h.e.l.l, even if he’ll face the danger of ceasing to exist, he’ll let me disappear in one of the three realms (human, h.e.l.l, heaven). I can’t go too overboard.

While walking I shouted his name. I’ve never been so excited to see him appear well before me. I searched the whole day without results.

When the sun disappeared, the gates on the north, south, west and east of the capital closed. If someone has kidnapped Lu Hai Kong, he’ll be outside the capital by now.

With only my power, I wouldn’t find Lu Hai Kong. Lu Hai Kong is the general’s son. The general, in order to search for his son can use some of his power. With that thought, I ran back home.

When the red lights at the general’s mansion were lit, the two guards stood more rigid. I was about to rush past them, when I saw father Song with an apologetic face, coming out together with the general.

Father Song said: “It’s my fault for not teaching her well, letting her have the gut to cause today’s mess. Brother Lu, when I find that brat, I’ll bring her here to apologize.”

My heart made a “thump” sound. Did something really happen to Lu Hai Kong?

I didn’t care about how father Song will punish me and ran towards them.

“Father, general; Lu Hai Kong what… what happened to him?”

The general didn’t even get to speak; I was interrupted by my angry father: “What happened?! You still have the gall to ask what happened?! I haven’t taught you well and spoiled you too much. You don’t even know the limits of your actions anymore. Today, I’ll let you catch up some lessons!”

Father Song dragged me to our home. Even before entering he yelled: “Lao Zhao, bring me the stick1.”

Father Song has never used the stick against me. I was afraid to be beaten, but I still asked: “Has someone really sold Lu Hai Kong? How come he’s sold at such a short time? How was he sold? How much did he cost?”

Father Song quivered in anger: “I’d like to sell you too.”

“Brother Song, “the general interjected. “Yun Xiang is still small. That she doesn’t understand things is normal. My brat was also not in a big trouble. Just let this matter slide.”

I did not let father Song answer: “Lu Hai Kong wasn’t in a big trouble? Then in what for small trouble did he get into?”

General Lu helplessly sighed: “He…he was caught by bad guys. Luckily, our guards arrived in time.  He lost half a tooth and was a bit scared. But Yun Xiang, you really shouldn’t have taken Hai Kong outside the general’s mansion alone.”

Hearing that Lu Hai Kong was fine, I felt relieved. I didn’t bother with what the general said after that and turned to father Song: “Father, see, nothing happened. His virginity is still there, his life is still there.”

Pale faced father Song was turned to the general, while the general was persuading my father. Upon hearing my words, he stopped and said instead: “Ten year is not small anymore. There isn’t many years left before she’ll get the hairpin2 Brother Song, strengthening your way of disciplining is understandable. I’ll go back now.”

Suddenly I realized that I may have said something wrong. I wanted to amend what I’ve said, but father Song grabbed my hand and dragged me. I staggered.

He sternly said: “Come here!”

Thinking about the thick stick hanging at the ancestral hall3, my legs started to feel the pain. Without a G.o.d’s body, being beaten is a vexed thing. My lip trembles and my eyes began to fill with tears.

“Father, I was wrong.”

Father Song was unmoved: “I’ve been spoiling you too much. That’s why you’ve become as you’re now. Even if you cry blood tears, today you’ll receive this beating.”

“Father!”

My tears kept falling down. I looked like when Lu Hai Kong cried when he was still an infant.

I knelt down and hugged his thigh. With a hoa.r.s.e voice while crying, I said: “I really know I’m wrong! I’ll never go alone with Lu Hai Kong again! In the future, I’ll obediently listen to you! I’ll obediently stay at home every day, reading books and doing embroidery.”

“Heng,” father Song sneered. “You’ve already used this way.”

His face darkened and he said in a heavy voice: “Don’t cry anymore on the street. People will look at us as a joke.”

He spoke in such a tone, he must be really angry.

I know that no matter what I say, I can’t escape today’s beating. Just when I was wiping my tears and was about to stand up, someone shoved the general’s mansion’s door open. A small person, who didn’t even wear a coat, with one red eye, stood at the general’s doorway.

His head was bandaged. It must’ve been from today’s injuries. Lu Hai Kong, seeing me on the ground, grabbing onto father Song’s thigh, was shocked for a moment. After all, in front of him I’ve always been haughty and aloof. I let go of father Song’s thigh and just kneeled on the ground. In my heart, I was wondering why Lu Hai Kong was here. I saw Lu Hai Kong’s lips trembled and tears streamed down. I don’t understand him. The nanny and servants behind him were busy comforting him.

Lu Hai Kong has a stubborn temper. He pushed them away. With tottering steps, while wiping away his tears, he ran towards me.

“Yun Xiang….huwa…huhu.”

He wiped his tears with one hand; with the other he grabbed my hair.

“You don’t want me anymore! You don’t want me anymore! No matter how hard I chased I couldn’t keep up with you!”