Chapter 48: Layers of Memory, the Storm of Shattered Cars

At noon, Hua Tian returned to the real world. She took out the materials from their room and began searching for any information about the Rich Fortune Group. But as she thought about her actions, she realized she was behaving a bit like a thief. Lying on the bed playing games were the two fairies, their sleeping postures so adorable that Hua Tian couldn’t help but feel a surge of affection.

Downstairs, after the sound of the door opening, he sat on the sofa and sighed before getting up and heading upstairs. Hua Tian was startled—Brother Wei hadn’t logged on? Then, was one of the three people she mentioned actually her younger sister? Oh no, I’d better get out of here quickly.

She glanced down at the four-person photo on their bedside table, gazing with fascination at two of the figures.

“Tian, what are you doing in my sister's room?” Liu Wei asked, noticing Hua Tian’s eyes were fixed on his sister. He’d had plenty to drink with him the night before and now had some idea of his character—he seemed honest enough, so Liu Wei wasn’t too worried.

He came up behind Hua Tian, following his gaze, and saw he was looking at a family photo of their parents and the two siblings. Liu Wei picked up the album, wanting to say something.

“Yesterday, when I drove into Shuicheng, I think I saw them waiting at a red light on my left. When the light turned green, I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw them being dragged into a car by a group of people in black. I called the police right away, but they said, ‘If you saw it, how come you weren’t grabbed and silenced too?’ I remember the license plate—Shui Dushizui 6!”

“What? Did you see what clothes they were wearing? No, I mean my parents’ clothes.”

“The woman was wearing a blue floral hat, a casual outfit of red and purple, I didn’t see her shoes. The man had a camouflage cap, gray shorts, and a gray shirt.”

“Where did you see them?” “I’d just left Dream City and entered Shuicheng, right at the last traffic light before the turn. I think they’re still in the city. Their car didn’t look like it could handle rough terrain. Oh, and because I’m prone to getting lost, I have a habit of bookmarking places whenever I stop. Let me check... it was near the Grand Road Hotel, about thirteen kilometers away.”

“The Grand Road Hotel? I remember it was on the verge of closing down. Then, for no apparent reason, business suddenly boomed. The location is so remote—strange.”

“Whatever the case, I have to go see for myself. Even if it’s not them, I can’t just do nothing!”

With that, Liu Wei put down the album, grabbed his phone, and rushed downstairs. Hua Tian quickly made her way to the staircase, watching him leave.

Afterward, she too left, went to the canteen beside the school convenience store, had lunch, and then returned to the villa from far away. There, she spotted a student in an odd-looking uniform standing by her car with his back to her. Seeing him, she glanced right—there was a willow tree. She quickly rolled over and hid behind it, keeping an eye on the stranger.

She saw him talking on his phone, then suddenly dash to the gate and peek inside, as if reciting the villa’s number. When he finished, he looked visibly anxious and hurried away.

She caught a glimpse of his face as he glanced in her direction—a chill ran down her spine. Wasn’t this Sheng Fei, the wealthiest student in her high school class? His family also owned a hotel.

A sudden thought struck her, and she darted to the three-way intersection to see if she could spot him. She hurried to her car and accessed the dashcam recordings on her phone. She heard:

“Boss, I found the car that saw us grabbing people yesterday. Should I go in and nab him?”
“No, I saw the guy in the driver’s seat yesterday—he’s got thick arms, looks tough. First, check the name at the gate and report back. Also, where are you?”
“Boss, I’m at Shuicheng University. I’m a student here, told them my friend lives inside, so they let me in. The villa’s provided by the Han Family Group!”
“Not the Han Family again... Find a mechanic and have the dashcam data erased quietly. Wait, that’s a pickup truck, the kind that records sound too. Smash the car if you have to, grab the device fast!”
“Understood!”
“Hey, guys, that pickup is right ahead. Boss says ten grand for every swing you take at it! Wreck it so bad no one can tell what it was—he’ll give each of you a hundred grand!”
“Ha, you’re a real straight shooter, kid! I like your boss.”
“Damn, Tian, what are you doing here?”

Hua Tian heard the commotion outside—someone was about to smash her car. She sighed, realizing she’d have to fall back on her old ways.

She stepped outside the courtyard and saw a group of ten men. Hearing Sheng Fei call her name, her expression grew cold—she’d always enjoyed a good fight...

Back in her village, one of her childhood friends, who was built just like her, used to beat her up every time they fought. Refusing to lose, she’d brawl with him from dawn till dusk, then pick up again the next morning. After their fights, they’d challenge each other to catch the fiercest creatures—poisonous snakes, wild animals—until, one day, she finally defeated him.

When elementary school began, she heard he’d become the school bully. Not to be outdone, she too strove to be the top dog, even though she fought bare-handed while the others used sticks. They bullied girl classmates, and for the first time, she unleashed her ferocity on them. It almost got her expelled, but after the girls explained, she was spared. Later, they ambushed her outside the school gates and beat her up, but she fought back, knocking down one after another. The principal, seeing the fights, tried to persuade her to switch schools, but she refused. For half a month, she trained relentlessly. Eventually, the trouble died down.

Then she heard another rumor: at a neighboring school, a big, burly kid was being mobbed by a hundred students—it was her old childhood friend. A murderous rage overtook her. She went to the mountains, caught a hundred poisonous snakes, stuffed them in a bag, and rushed down to the scene. Leaping into the brawl, she kicked one attacker in the back of the head, grabbed a stick, and fought her way through to her friend. As the crowd paused, she sneered, “Weakness is a sin.” She hoisted her bloodied friend onto her back, and before leaving, she opened the bag of snakes and flung them high into the crowd.

Cries of pain erupted behind her as she escaped with her battered friend. Since they were both minors, the police held them under strict supervision. She had to sign countless pledges after being accused of using snakes for murder. As for the others, their fate was unknown. The whole incident became known as the School Snake Incident.

...

She stepped forward. “Sheng Fei, I heard from your boss that you plan to smash my car. You’ve grown bold lately!” Her indifferent fingers cracked loudly.

“Kid, you’re really something! You looking for trouble?”

“Oh? Am I? I wouldn’t mind trying you out—let’s see what you’re made of!” She swung a punch, landing squarely on his face. (The rest is omitted.)

“Tian, I didn’t know it was your car! Maybe you misheard?”

“Did I? Good! I’ll tie you all up and wait for someone—you’ll soon know whether I misheard or not, haha!”

On the spot, all eleven of them were bound with the force she usually used for wild wolves.

She went inside, rummaged around, found Brother Wei’s phone number, and headed to the door. Just as she was about to call, she saw Liu Wei storming back, furious.

He looked at the bound men beside Hua Tian and said, “Hua Tian, what’s going on?”

“Here, listen to this.”

“Good, very good. So you’re the ones who kidnapped my parents!”
“Brother Han, come to the university—I have a major lead!”
“You just said the Grand Road Hotel had a big clue, but we found nothing! My men have surrounded the place! After you scared off my guests, what am I supposed to do?... Don’t call me names. I’ll cover the damages, now get lost!”
“Brother Wei, this is the last time I’m trusting you. I’ll send people to the university right away. What’s that noise on your end—it’s so loud!”
“Thank you, Brother Han! That’s Tian’s captives rioting, but she’s knocking them out one by one!”
“...The Deputy Mayor? Not online?”

A group of men in black arrived at the villa gate. Seeing the captives, they splashed them with icy water.

“Damn it! Who did that?”
“I did. Now, talk. Who ordered you to kidnap those people? If I recall, you’re from the Grand Road Hotel. So it’s true, you’re involved.”
“Brother Han, Uncle Liu and the others were just tossed out of an unmarked car downstairs at the hotel! They’re being rescued now.”

Liu Wei and the young man surnamed Han looked at the bound assailants. Wang Baoshuai had abandoned his men—very well, just wait.