Chapter Sixty-Seven: A Struggling Choice

Luo Qing lay gently in my arms, her touch tender, and in that embrace, the world outside faded into utter silence. It was as if all troubles and pains had become irrelevant to me. I gazed quietly at Luo Qing’s beautiful, flawless face, knowing my own blood-stained visage must form a stark contrast to her purity.

Qi Tian still lay motionless on the tiled floor nearby. Just as they had said, perhaps he truly was dead. Yet I felt not the slightest trace of fear. Even if I were to relive this moment a thousand times, given the choice, I would do exactly the same.

Soon, the bar’s security staff gathered around, helping Luo Qing and me to our feet. Only then did I realize my arms and legs were trembling, drained of all strength. No one dared approach Qi Tian—perhaps for fear of unnecessary trouble, or perhaps fearing that disturbing him would destroy the scene if he was really dead.

“My brother… how did it come to this…” Zhao Kewen approached softly, supporting me as I staggered. When she saw Luo Qing, her clothes torn and clinging desperately to my side, Kewen quickly took off her little jacket and draped it over Luo Qing’s shoulders.

I placed a hand on Zhao Kewen’s shoulder and met her concerned gaze. Warmth bloomed in my heart; at least there was still someone who cared. But I had no words to answer Kewen’s question, only shaking my head to show how impossible it was to explain.

We moved slowly out of the restroom, and the bar was unnaturally silent. Everyone had stopped what they were doing, their eyes fixed on us with expressions ranging from shock to suspicion. In their stares, I saw fear, I saw doubt—it was as if I were transported back to the days when I sang on the streets, forced to ignore the world’s judgments just to survive.

“Yang Chen…” Luo Qing’s voice came softly from beside me, almost inaudible.

Looking into her clear, shining eyes, I could not help but smile. As long as she was safe, all that had happened seemed to have reached a perfect ending. Even if I were to be imprisoned, to face an unknown judgment, to carry forever the stain of being a murderer, misunderstood by all—none of it mattered, so long as she, whom I loved, remained unharmed. What could possibly matter behind me, in the past?

“Be my boyfriend…” Luo Qing’s voice was gentle as a spring breeze, soothing the wounds in my heart; like sunlight, it broke through all my darkness.

I stood there, stunned, staring incredulously at Luo Qing in my arms. She, too, gazed up at me with a gentle smile, as though awaiting my reply. Luo Qing… she wanted me to be her boyfriend…

Was this a confession?

I stared at her in silence. How I wished I could accept without hesitation, to sweep her up and spin her around. Was this not the outcome I had always dreamed of? Yet…

“What’s wrong?” Sensing my hesitation, Luo Qing nudged my chest lightly and said, “This is my first time confessing to someone, don’t reject me, or I’ll get angry.”

Hadn’t I always liked Luo Qing? Why couldn’t I just say yes, even if it was a moment’s impulse, even if this love would be fleeting, even if we parted ways once she calmed down? Couldn’t I just accept for now?

Turning aside, I wrapped her in trembling arms, breathing in the fragrance and softness of her hair, feeling the smoothness of her skin. My blood had stained her pristine shoulder… Compared to Luo Qing’s purity and beauty, I was utterly filthy.

Perhaps this was fate. Fate is a mysterious thread; love, an intoxicating path of no return. Since we made our choice, there was no turning back. Since I had received this love, I should learn to be content…

“I’m sorry…” With every ounce of strength, I forced a smile and whispered into her delicate ear the first decision of my life made after endless inner struggle: “I am no longer worthy of this love…”

At my words, Luo Qing’s body trembled violently. She shoved me away, gripping my arms and staring into my eyes. I could see her wide eyes brimming with tears, her expression lost and uncertain.

Perhaps, had I set aside the differences in our backgrounds, I could have tried to keep up with her. But I could not let go of the approaching judgment. I knew, even without studying the law, how hard I had struck, and that even if it was self-defense, I had exceeded the limits of justification.

Gently, I wiped away the tears at the corner of Luo Qing’s eyes, coaxing her softly: “Come now, don’t cry. Our heroine Luo is at her cutest when she’s being a little stubborn!”

“Yang Chen, you idiot… how can you be like this…” This time, Luo Qing would not be soothed by my words; instead, she burst into tears, her tears sliding from my fingers to my arm.

“Luo Qing… there, there, aren’t we still best friends?” I drew her into my arms again, hiding the sting in my own eyes.

“No!” Luo Qing suddenly struggled, pushing me away once more, her teary eyes fixed on mine. “Are you afraid?”

I dared not meet her gaze, nor did I know how to answer.

By now, some of those who had seen the truth in the restroom were quietly slipping out of the bar. Like dominoes, the truth spread quickly, and soon only a handful of people remained.

“At least… can you give me a reason?” Luo Qing’s voice was hoarse as she looked at me.

I hesitated, then steeled myself, met her eyes, and declared, “Yes, I’m afraid. I’m afraid I can’t give you the happiness you want. I’m afraid that if I go to prison, I’ll waste the best years of your life. I’m afraid that no matter how hard I try, I’ll never be worthy of your family. I’m afraid I’ll become the weakness others use against you… Yes, I’m afraid! Is that reason enough?”

My voice echoed through the bar, and Luo Qing looked at my desolate expression without a word.

Just as my heart seemed pierced through with steel, as if everything was over and beyond redemption, Luo Qing suddenly broke into a bright, happy laugh.

“So you’re rejecting my confession for such a childish reason?” She laughed, giving my chest a light slap. “You fool!”

Stunned, I watched Luo Qing—who had just been weeping in anger—now smiling radiantly, and could not understand.

Was this an act, or her true feelings? On second thought, I realized that this was simply Luo Qing’s way, as always. There was nothing strange about it, after all…

Her mood infected me, and I asked myself: Shouldn’t love be pure and untainted by all other concerns?

“You dare call me names, even seeing me like this?” I laughed as well, hugging Luo Qing tightly for the third time, whispering in her ear, “Be good… wait for me to come home.”

Before Luo Qing could answer, the bar doors were suddenly kicked open with a tremendous force. A crowd of men in black, armed with clubs, stormed in and surrounded the bar.

Zhao Kewen moved to question them, but a middle-aged man parted the group and walked over.

“Take Miss back,” the man said, his voice deep and commanding, brooking no opposition. His attire was striking: a wide black trench coat, tailored trousers, gleaming dark shoes—astonishingly similar to Luo Qing’s own outfit.

“Could he be Luo Qing’s father, Luo Qiancheng?” The answer seemed obvious in my heart. When our eyes met, I felt an unprecedented pressure—it was the gaze of a man who had weathered countless storms, piercing through my body and soul.

He frowned at my disheveled state, then waved Luo Qing over.

“This time, you mustn’t break your promise again!” Luo Qing called out, making a face at me before leaving with the man.

After they left, the men in black withdrew from the bar in an orderly fashion. In just a few minutes, everything seemed unchanged—except that Luo Qing was gone.

“That was Luo Qiancheng, the tycoon of Yichun’s entertainment world—your little sweetheart’s father,” Zhao Kewen remarked, surprised that Luo Qiancheng would appear in her bar.

I nodded in silence, as police and ambulance sirens wailed outside.

Following procedure, Zhao Kewen was taken away in a police car, while Qi Tian and I were escorted and carried, respectively, into waiting ambulances.

On the way to the hospital with the ambulance, my heart finally settled. Qi Tian was not dead, only in a deep coma—this greatly increased my chances of a lighter sentence.

Only then did I truly realize how lost I felt without Luo Qing by my side, alone in a strange ambulance.

Fate, it seemed, delighted in these cruel jokes. Had Luo Qing not tried once more to hold on, had I been a little more ruthless, might I have lost this rare love forever?

I do not know whether this outcome is good or bad for either of us, but I do not regret any of the choices I made. For my heart still holds warmth, and at least I know there is still someone thinking of me…