Volume 1, Chapter 20: Framing and Incrimination

"Brother Feng, I just can't get the hang of this!"

I shook my head, feeling quite awkward. Up to this point, the most intimate contact I had ever experienced was a hug; I hadn't even had my first kiss.

"Heh, isn't this much simpler than math or science? Just reach out boldly. You'll find that they only pretend to resist for a moment before they settle right down."

Han Feng gave a wicked grin and pointed carelessly at the girls beside him. One of the girls giggled and puckered her bright red lips at me.

"Brother Feng, let's call it a night for now. Let me adjust slowly," I said, refusing with a bitter expression. As a virgin, how could I not feel timid when faced with such sudden temptation?

Han Feng didn't push me. He downed a bottle of beer in one go, then sat comfortably between the two girls, pulling them into his arms. Feeling embarrassed, I quickly got up to pick a song. Then, with my back turned to them, I imitated others and sang karaoke for the very first time.

Rowdy songs, drinking, and Han Feng playing the ladies' man—we played until midnight. Han Feng felt satisfied, and I felt happy; it was a form of indulgence and catharsis I had never known before.

Han Feng shooed the two girls away, and just as we were about to leave, the door was pushed open. A burly man wearing a black tank top walked in, followed by two young thugs with dyed hair. I immediately tensed up. Was I going to get beaten up again tonight? I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm.

Han Feng, however, remained unfazed, eyeing the three men as they entered. The scene that followed left me utterly shocked.

The burly man in the tank top suddenly dropped to one knee before Han Feng, cupping his hands in a salute: "Greetings, Brother Feng! Congratulations on your return!"

The two thugs quickly followed suit, kneeling on both knees in a gesture of profound respect, not even daring to lift their heads.

"Spare me that nonsense. When I got out of prison, not a single one of you bastards showed up to pick me up. What, am I some kind of plague?" Han Feng kept his chin lifted, unimpressed, as he blew a cloud of smoke toward them.

"Forgive us, Brother Feng. We didn't know the exact date," the burly man explained.

"Forget it. Get out of here!" Han Feng waved his hand, his expression one of disgust, as if he couldn't be bothered with them.

The burly man didn't press the issue. He bowed his hands again, led his men to stand, and started to head out. At the door, the man turned back with a fawning tone. "Brother Feng, the bill for tonight has been taken care of by the brothers. It’s a small gesture; please, accept it."

Han Feng just gave a grunt, putting on quite the airs. The door closed.

***

I let out a sigh of relief and went over to help Han Feng up, filled with genuine admiration. "Brother Feng, that was so impressive!"

"Brother, you don't understand." Han Feng proceeded to teach me a lesson. "When a tiger falls to the plains, the people turn cold. That truth never changes. I know too much about them, and since they can't kill me to keep me quiet, they have no choice but to butter me up."

He let out a cold laugh. "In the end, they are the ones who want me dead the most."

I fell silent. Having just stepped out of school, I didn't understand such cutthroat schemes. Han Feng was undoubtedly a dangerous person, but I didn't know who else I could rely on. At least for now, he could protect me from being beaten by Qin Shaohu and help me continue living in this small town.

As we walked out of the private room, Han Feng asked with a smile, "That sister of yours isn't too happy about you hanging out with me, is she?"

"She... she didn't say much," I said vaguely, not wanting Fu Xiaoya to offend Han Feng.

"Don't believe the rumors in the streets. I was framed when I went to prison. Now that I'm out, I'll definitely find out who did it and make them pay in blood." Han Feng's jaw tightened, and a layer of frost settled over his lean features.

I spoke insincerely. "Brother Feng, of course I believe you."

"Brother, you're the only one I believe, too." Han Feng patted my shoulder and laughed. "In a few days, we'll go find Chu Hailong. That guy has been playing dead, but he’ll have to spit out at least some of what he owes me!"

Han Feng was going after Brother Long! I felt deeply uneasy, only agreeing half-heartedly. If I couldn't find a way out of it, I’d just have to pretend to be sick!

After leaving the Night Beauty KTV, I saw Han Feng home before heading back to my place, smelling of alcohol. Only a wall lamp was on in the living room; Xu Li had already gone to sleep.

The alcohol was hitting me now. I held the railing as I walked upstairs, and when I passed Fu Xiaoya's room, I heard the sound of soft snoring inside. That wretched Zheng Juan! She was staying over again! Did she not have a home?

The door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open just a crack to see Zheng Juan sprawled out on the bed, wearing nothing but a pair of socks. My face burned, and I clutched my pounding heart as I hurried back to my room. Once I shut the door, I collapsed onto the bed, trying to calm down. What was Zheng Juan up to? I felt a faint sense of dread—this tactic of hers was suspiciously similar to the one Xu Li had used before.

She wanted to seduce me, young as I was, and make me commit an unforgivable mistake. Could it be that since Xu Li couldn't handle me on her own, she had brought in Zheng Juan to help? Xu Li was determined and persistent in trying to drive me out of the house. I had underestimated the depths of human malice.

The next morning, I was woken up by a fit of hysterical sobbing. I got up, groggy, and immediately saw a bra on my pillow. It was exquisite, lace-trimmed, and of a startling size. Where did it come from?

Just as I was confused, the door was pushed open, and Xu Li walked in with a dark expression. I had been too drunk last night and had forgotten to lock the door.

"Xiao Yan, come downstairs right now and explain yourself." Xu Li glanced at the bra on the bed, turned around, and walked out, slamming the door behind her.

I felt that something terrible was happening. I quickly put on my clothes and went downstairs. Zheng Juan was sitting on the sofa, sobbing loudly, her eyelids swollen.

"What's wrong?" I asked cautiously.

"Did you go into Zheng Juan's room last night?" Xu Li's face was grim, her tone more like an interrogator than a guardian.

"I did not!" I denied it immediately, but as I thought of the bra on my pillow, sweat broke out on my forehead.

Sure enough, Xu Li hit the nail on the head. "Then why is Zheng Juan's underwear on your bed? You not only molested her, you even stole her underwear. How did you become such a filthy, perverted thug in just a few days?"

"You're framing me! I didn't do anything, and I don't even know whose underwear that is!" I argued loudly, my chest feeling like it was about to explode with rage.

"You came into the room and forced yourself on me. You were so strong, I couldn't get away. You hit me, you cursed at me, and you took my things. I was scared to death!" Zheng Juan continued to cry loudly, as if she had suffered a grave humiliation.

"You're full of shit! Look at how old you are—do you think I'd be interested in you? Look in the mirror!" I finally exploded, cursing without restraint.

"Juan, we can't just listen to your side of the story," Xu Li said, appearing impartial. Then she added, "Since you haven't showered yet, let's go to the police station and report this. We'll have them perform a thorough examination to see if there are any traces of Xiao Yan on you."

I felt like I had been struck by lightning. A massive chill surged from the depths of my heart, accompanied by a sense of panic and terror that made my body tremble uncontrollably.