Chapter Three: The Runaway Bride

Liu Jingye was still reluctant to look away when Yuan Xiaoying closed the registration software and logged into her Penguin chat tool. No sooner had she logged in than a man’s avatar began flashing, the notification sound chimed repeatedly, and a slew of messages arrived.

Yuan Xiaoying frowned but opened the chat window nonetheless. Liu Jingye glanced over her shoulder and saw the message: “It’s been a day and night without any word from you. Are you alright? I’m so worried about you. Your parents are anxious too. Please reply soon. I’m in so much pain.”

It seemed to be someone very close to her, yet Yuan Xiaoying replied: “Knowing that you’re suffering brings me peace. If you have any other troubles, tell me all about them so I can enjoy myself!”

Liu Jingye gave her a thumbs-up and praised, “Sharp!”

Shortly after, the man replied again, saying a lot—he admitted he was wrong, claimed it was a moment of impulse, and pleaded that since their wedding was near, they should stop bickering, insisting there was still love between them.

He anxiously asked, “Please tell me where you are. I’ll come get you!”

Yuan Xiaoying smiled as she typed, “144 Happiness South Road.”

Liu Jingye felt a strange familiarity, thought for a moment, then was suddenly struck by realization: there was a prominent sign at that address reading ‘Eternal Life in the Flames’—it was the crematorium!

Yuan Xiaoying was truly ruthless, giving him the crematorium’s address. Even more amusing, the man replied directly, “Wait for me, I’m coming right now!”

“Sounds like he’s about to die for love,” Liu Jingye laughed.

“Who’s dying for love with him? I want him dead!” Yuan Xiaoying snapped.

Liu Jingye mused, “So Miss Yuan Xiaoying really is a bride-to-be. That man must be her fiancé, but for some reason, they’ve fallen out. She’s become a runaway bride, and the groom is begging her to return.”

Suddenly, the man messaged again.

“Xiaoying, darling, stop this. Please tell me where you really are, I’ll pick you up.”

Yuan Xiaoying didn’t reply. After waiting a while, he messaged again: “Xiaoying, I truly know I was wrong. I sincerely beg your forgiveness. You’re beautiful and generous, cheerful and sunny. I know you’ve never been one to nitpick.”

Yuan Xiaoying continued her sharp retorts: “I never nitpick, I prefer weighing by the kilo!”

The man replied with a bitter smile emoji and said, “Xiaoying, please don’t be angry. I was just confused for a moment, fooling around with her. You know we’re not suited at all.”

Yuan Xiaoying replied, “Don’t say that, you’re a perfect match. Look, you’re blood type B, she’s blood type B, your kids will be double B—what a harmonious family!”

Her sarcasm was relentless, slicing like a soft knife. Even Liu Jingye felt uncomfortable watching.

After a long silence, the man finally lost his temper.

“Fine, Yuan Xiaoying, if you’re determined, then let’s break up. But if we break up, let’s make a clean cut. I’m coming to see you now, return everything I gave you, and we’ll settle accounts.”

“Go die!” Yuan Xiaoying replied swiftly.

The man said, “It’s only right I get my things back. No need to play games or hide them; with the power of ‘Huang Dynasty’, I can find you anytime, so I hope you cooperate and don’t make a scene.”

“Huang Dynasty?” Liu Jingye’s eyes immediately caught those two bold words, and he frowned.

Though he had just returned, he had already heard of the infamous ‘Huang Dynasty’—one of the top gangs in the city, even in the provincial capital. It had been established in the old days and passed down through four generations. Now it had more or less gone legitimate, running proper businesses.

Yet, behind closed doors, they still engaged in shady deals—using their ships for smuggling, trafficking, illegal monopolies. Especially drugs, which Liu Jingye despised deeply. Those who trafficked were worse than those who cultivated, for without trade there could be no killing.

“No wonder Yuan Xiaoying wants me to pretend to be the groom. She must be deceiving her parents. But I never imagined she’d be tangled with the Huang Dynasty. Who is she, really? Is she part of their world?” Liu Jingye wondered. “The Huang Dynasty is certainly despicable, but for me, they’re an unnecessary complication.”

Yuan Xiaoying slammed the computer shut in fury, turned to the stunned Liu Jingye, and said irritably, “What are you staring at? Get ready, we’re getting married in three days!”

Liu Jingye could only smile bitterly, looking at Yuan Xiaoying in her stormy rage. She really was a domineering, unreasonable wife.

“Sister, this isn’t right. We hardly know each other,” Liu Jingye said awkwardly.

Yuan Xiaoying sneered at him, her voice cool and steady: “I know plenty of people well, but none have seen me naked. Yet you, a stranger, have. So tell me, are we familiar or not?”

Liu Jingye scratched his head. “Maybe halfway?”

“Enough nonsense. The wedding is set. Three days. Prepare yourself!” Yuan Xiaoying tossed out the words coldly and strode away, leaving Liu Jingye helpless.

Liu Jingye didn’t want trouble, so the best way was to send Yuan Xiaoying packing.

But she was stubborn, impervious to persuasion or force, couldn’t be beaten or scolded. The best solution was to scare her off.

“Yes, scare her.” Suddenly, inspiration struck Liu Jingye. “Women are naturally timid—especially afraid of snakes, bugs, rats, and ghosts!”

He glanced at the pile of white bedsheets beside him, picked one up, draped it over himself, marked spots for his eyes, and cut out two holes with scissors. Then he found two little green bulbs, taped them over the holes. These bulbs were meant for decorating the inn’s sign, but tonight they’d serve another purpose.

It was close to midnight. He listened at the door; upstairs and downstairs were silent. Time to act.

He quietly moved a ladder, braving the light rain, and climbed onto the roof without any light. From his pocket, he withdrew a Durex condom he always carried—a habit, useful for many things.

For instance, in the jungle or desert, it could be slipped over a gun barrel to keep sand and mud out, preventing jams.

He tied the tip securely, blew into it so it wouldn’t elongate but ballooned instead. When it was roughly the size of a human head, he sealed it, stuffed it into the bedsheet, then tied a rope at the base, resembling a neck. He switched on the sign’s power, and the two green bulbs in the sheet lit up, making the whole thing look just like a hanged person.

He took out his phone, found a ‘Wild Wind Howling’ sound effect online, and played it. Instantly, eerie, sinister noises filled the air. At first, it sounded like a raging storm, but on closer listen, it seemed like vengeful spirits wailing.

Just as he finished setting everything up, he noticed in the dark, rainy night, a shadow silently scaled the wall.

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