Chapter 9: A Bitter Dream

  And then Fang Xiaoqin that day asked Wu Xin to dinner, Wu Xin did not respond, feeling extremely annoyed in her heart, but had no idea what to do. She thought, why not go and see what he is doing! So she went out the door. The result was that she couldn't find him anywhere, thinking of the morning's events, she thought for sure he must have gone to Huang Xiuying's house. This time she headed towards Huang Xiuying's house again, but as a result, on the street, she was knocked unconscious and caught.

  Where did Fang Xiaoqin experience such torture? Since childhood, she had been spoiled by her parents, and at school, she was also spoiled by her teachers. Even her classmates would intentionally or unintentionally spoil her. The more Fang Xiaoqin thought about it, the more wronged she felt. She couldn't eat or sleep, and tears kept streaming down her face. As she cried, she suddenly thought of that heartless, short-lived ghost! He was so ruthless! She gritted her teeth and said something she normally considered shameful - "I am yours" - but he remained unmoved. Was she really useless? Did she really disgust him that much? But why did he give her hope then? "You're so beautiful, and you sing so well," "My good cultural committee member!" Fang Xiaoqin remembered the things he said, and it felt like he was right in front of her. Although he spoke in a calm tone, she liked his expression, which was calmly arrogant. Unconsciously, she smiled again.

  Why must he torment me like this? Fang Xiaoxin couldn't understand. Was it because she had always looked down on him before? Why did she look down on him in the first place? Was it because he was too introverted? No, there were others in the class who were also introverted; was it because he never exercised? Not that either, as there were others who didn't exercise either. Besides, his physical education grades had always been good; was it because of his good grades? That seemed to make some sense! His grades were indeed very good, but her own grades were far behind his, so did she envy him? But there were many people whose grades were better than hers, why did she specifically envy him? Fang Xiaoxin couldn't understand, the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to think about it, and the more she thought about it, the more she found him annoying! She looked at him with disdain from left to right, because no matter what he did, he seemed to have an air of arrogance hidden deep within him, a kind of pride. Fang Xiaoxin finally understood, she just couldn't stand his proud attitude, that complacent look on his face, the way he was introverted yet still looked pleased with himself, the way he was calm and collected yet still looked pleased with himself. It seemed like everything he said or did revealed a sense of pride. Even when he wore tattered clothes, he looked as if he were wearing the most luxurious outfit, which made Fang Xiaoxin very uncomfortable, because she herself was also a proud person. She was proud, so she couldn't tolerate anyone being prouder than her. So she envied him, so she resented him, and when she found out that he actually had hidden depths, all her envy and resentment instantly turned into affection. The deeper the love, the more intense the hatred. Conversely, the deeper the hatred, the more passionate the love will be.

  Fang Xiaoxin thought and thought, as if she had become an onlooker, clearly and naturally analyzing everything. Only after everything became clear did Fang Xiaoxin realize that she was still just a bird in a cage. Perhaps her fate would be even more miserable than the bird's! Where were Dad and Mom? And where was he? Dad and Mom must be worried to death; would he be too? Would he come to rescue her?

  Fang Xiaoqin didn't know the answer and was even more afraid that the answer would make her even more disappointed. Why had she thought about it for so long, thought about it so clearly, yet still couldn't forget him?

  Fang Xiaoqin thought and thought, as if he was right in front of him. He smiled at himself with a self-satisfied smile. Then walked over and untied the tightly bound rope for himself.

  Fang Xiaoqin felt very relaxed and said to him: "This dream is too good! Can't you not leave, let me not wake up from this dream?"

  He looked at himself strangely, puzzled and bewildered.

  Xiao Qin smiled and said, "I'm afraid that after waking up from the dream, I'll still be tied up, or perhaps my fate will be even more miserable! I don't want this dream to end so soon! Is that okay?"

  He seemed to understand and walked over, leaning close to his ear and said: "This is not a dream! Don't make a fuss for now, I'll take you home later."

  "Don't lie to me, how can this not be a dream?" Fang Xiaoqin smiled and said: "Only in dreams do you treat me so well! Why is it that once the dream wakes up, you put on such an arrogant face? In fact, I also hope this isn't a dream! Can I kiss you? I really want to, but once I wake up from the dream, I may never have this chance again! Is it okay?" As Fang Xiaoqin spoke, two lines of clear tears appeared on her smiling face. Her smile was like a flower, and her tears flowed like a stream, with these two extreme expressions appearing simultaneously on her face.

  He was also moved and shed tears, he said softly: "Good! You try it out and see what it feels like?"

  Fang Xiaoqin smiled, and the dream was great! She leaned in close to his face and gently kissed his lips. What did it feel like? There was a strong boyish scent, and a warm, wet feeling. She smiled and said, "Thank you for giving me such a wonderful dream! Even the feeling is so real!"

  He cried even harder and whispered: "Xiao Qin! Dreams don't have a real feeling. This isn't a dream!"

  Xiang Xiaoqin smiled and said: "Xiaoqin? Really good, from now on in your dreams you can call me that too, okay? This isn't a dream, is it? How is that possible?"

  He suddenly came over and hugged himself. Fang Xiaoqin was embarrassed, how exciting, this dream is really strange, she's even so shy in her dreams! He's really something, isn't this going to make herself wake up even more painful? Fang Xiaoqin suddenly felt that she had turned around, right, he was carrying her and turned around. He must be walking out! Isn't the front where I just stood? Even the rope is still there! What a realistic dream.

  A creaking sound was heard, and the iron door of the warehouse was opened. The dream also gradually expanded, and came to a small courtyard. The courtyard was brightly lit by the lamp light, and many people were standing there. Oh! It must be those who caught me! Because each of those people's eyes showed a fierce glow like a wild beast, these people were too terrifying.

  "Wu Xin, let's not have this dream anymore, okay? I'm a little scared!" Fang Xiaoqin said, supporting Wu Xin from his shoulder and looking at his face.

  Wu Xin cried tears like a fountain and said: "Xiao Qin! Taste my tears, are they salty or not?"

  Fang Xiaoqin smiled and said, "Hmm!" After finishing, she used her finger to wipe away a tear from Wu Xing's face and tasted it. It was really salty. Why is it salty? Fang Xiaoqin suddenly thought. How could it be? And, the hands that had been tied for a long time were still aching slightly? How can there be feelings in a dream? Fang Xiaoqin was stunned, looking at Wu Xing, and didn't dare to believe!

  Wu Xin smiled lightly and said, "Xiao Qin, these people caught you and harmed you. Shall we give them a good beating?" Wu Xin spoke very softly, with a hint of pain in his heart. His eyes welled up with tears; his heart was bleeding. A young girl like her had been tortured to the point where she didn't dare believe it herself. He felt hatred! At this moment, he was filled with anger and resentment.

  Fang Xiaoxin seemed to have realized that all of this was not like a dream, but she still didn't dare believe it. Seeing Wu Xin's gaze, Fang Xiaoxin said calmly: "Brother Wu Xin! I don't care about any of this, I don't want to see them, can we leave?"

  "Alright! Xiao Qin! Close your eyes! From now on, this life, the next life, and even the life after that, in short, they will never be able to harm you again." Wu Xin said calmly.

  "But I don't want to close my eyes, I'm afraid that if I close them, I won't be able to see you again! Can I keep looking at you?"

  "Alright, but you can only watch me. No matter what you hear or feel, you can only stare at me, okay?"

  "Great!" Fang Xiaoxin looked at Wu Xin's face, feeling as if it was slowly shrinking, and she felt a little pity, so she touched it. Then she felt her body floating up, spinning in mid-air. She also seemed to hear a ghostly wail. She didn't pay attention, she had promised, she only looked at this face. Although she was shaking violently, even feeling a bit dizzy, she still wanted to look at this face, she smiled slightly, this was truly the best dream ever!

  After a while, Fang Xiaoqin felt a bit tired! But her body was still spinning. Fang Xiaoqin looked at Wu Xing and said: "Brother Wu Xing! Where are we? Why is it shaking so much? I'm getting a bit tired!"

  "Xiao Qin! Can't you wait a little longer? Didn't you say you were going to sing a song for me? Go ahead and sing, I love listening!" Wu Xin said with a smile.

  "Really? Then I'll sing! But I'm really tired!" Fang Xiaoqin was about to sing when Wu Xin covered her mouth.

  Wu Xindao said: "Xiao Qin! Do you want to see your dad and mom? Want to eat the dishes they cook for you?"

  "Is it possible? I really want to!" Fang Xiaoxin said with a gentle smile.

  Her body stopped moving, Wu Xin gently put her down and said: "Look! Where is this?"

  Fang Xiaoqin shook her head and said: "Wu Xing brother, I don't want to watch. No matter where we are, I only want to look at you, just look at you, okay?"

  "Hmm! But your dad and mom are right next to you, don't you want to take a look at them?" Wu Xin said.

  "Xiao Qin!" Suddenly, Fang Xiaoqin heard two familiar voices. She turned her head and saw her father and mother. Fang Xiaoqin smiled and ran over to them, saying "Dad! Mom! I miss you so much!" As soon as she finished speaking, she felt her body become light and weak, her limbs numb, and she felt extremely tired and sleepy, then fell asleep.

  It wasn't until much later that Fang Xiaoxin finally woke up, only to feel empty and starving. She opened her eyes, stunned, wondering why the ceiling looked just like her own room. She remembered the wonderful dream she had just had, so beautiful, so happy! But now? Where was she?

  Fang Xiaoxin moved slightly and found that she could move, so she struggled to sit up. When she looked around, she was stunned - this really was her own room! And how did he end up sitting in front of her? Had he been watching her sleep? Fang Xiaoxin's face suddenly turned red! Was this a dream? Then what about the previous one? She tried hard to stand up but found it very difficult. Suddenly, he woke up! He looked at her with a smug smile on his face. What an annoying smile!

  "You're finally awake! Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?" he said gently.

  "Uh-huh!" Fang Xiaoqin nodded happily and then watched him leave the room.

  "It's really not a dream!" Fang Xiaoqin pinched her own finger hard, and the piercing pain brought tears to her eyes. How could it hurt so much? Why was he so good to her? If it wasn't a dream, how did she get back home? Fang Xiaoqin suddenly remembered that dream, could it be that it really wasn't a dream? Then, how many embarrassing things had she done?! Thinking of this, Fang Xiaoqin's face turned bright red, Ah! She...she even kissed him! How was this possible? How did the dream become reality?!

  Just then, he came in, carrying a steaming cup of milk and holding a small plate with mom's specialty breakfast that I love the most! I'm so excited, I'm so happy!

  He smiled and said, "Is it better now?"

  "Hmm! Isn't this a dream?" Fang Xiaoxin asked.

  His eyes were slightly moist, and he smiled faintly as he handed over a newspaper. Fang Xiaoxin took it, looked at it, and exclaimed: "This is the sixth day since I was kidnapped!" The newspaper was new, and it was the one her father had subscribed to, no mistake! Fang Xiaoxin looked at him again, and he was still smiling as he said: "Take another look!"

  Fang Xiaoqin was somewhat perplexed, what else could she see? At this time, a line of large characters flashed before her eyes.

  "A bizarre case occurred at the Yuanhua Paper Box Factory, where all 81 people inside were seriously injured, with severed limbs and deafness! The police suspect it was a revenge attack by organized crime, and the case is currently under investigation!"

  Fang Xiaoqin couldn't believe it, could it be that he did it? Fang Xiaoqin stared at him blankly.

  "I've said it before, they will never be able to harm you again." Wu Xin still had a faint smile on his face, with a hint of calmness in his laughter.

  It's really him! For his own sake, he actually... Fang Xiaoxin couldn't bear it anymore and rushed over to hug Wu Xin, crying: "Wu Xinge, don't be so foolish in the future! What if something happens to you by mistake, what would I do?"

  "Xiao Qin! Stop crying, okay? Hurry up, this is the breakfast your mom made for you, eat it quickly! How about we go to class together?"

  "Uh-huh! Little Qin will always listen to Brother Wu Xin from now on and won't be naughty anymore!" Fang Xiaoxin said, laughing and crying at the same time.

  After having breakfast and going out of the house, Fang Xiaoxin saw her father and mother, seeing them looking at herself with moist eyes, she hurriedly rushed over.