Chapter Seven: Drowning Sorrows in Wine

At that moment, my anxiety had already transformed into a deep, bone-chilling fear.

Yet, at Sister Hong’s reminder, I forced myself to steady my emotions.

Suddenly, I thought of Su Li.

The whole affair stemmed from the conflict between Su Li and Xiao Mi.

Xiao Mi had vanished without a trace—Su Li must know something!

“Sister Hong, let’s go find my cousin Su Li,” I blurted. “She must know something.”

Sister Hong nodded, turned the car around, and we headed toward Su Li’s place.

Along the way, my heart grew heavier and heavier. Images of Xiao Mi flickered ceaselessly through my mind. If something truly had happened to her, I had no idea what I would do.

When we reached Su Li’s door, I pressed the bell with a complicated mix of emotions.

The door swung open quickly. Su Li stood there, and upon seeing me and Sister Hong, she flashed a scornful smile.

“What are you doing here?” she asked coldly.

“Su Li, Xiao Mi’s missing. Do you know where she is? You must know something, don’t you?” I asked urgently.

Su Li sneered, “Missing? Serves her right! And you, you spineless loser. Can’t even protect the woman you like, and you dare come question me?”

“I’m not her mother—why should I know where she is?”

My face turned pale, anger and shame burning inside me. I opened my mouth to press further.

But Su Li’s gaze slid past me to Sister Hong behind me, and she continued, “Why are you asking that hostess? Isn’t she just a bar girl? Nothing special!”

“In fact, this lady behind you seems pretty good! Who’d have thought, Wang Hu, you’ve actually got some brains, cozying up to a rich woman!”

“Since you’ve landed a sugar mama, stop pretending to be righteous and looking for Xiao Mi!”

Her eyes, full of ridicule, fixed on Sister Hong.

Sister Hong’s face darkened. Without another word, she strode forward and slapped Su Li twice, hard.

Su Li was stunned, clutching her cheek, a flicker of fear flashing in her eyes.

“You crazy woman, do you know who I am? How dare you hit me?”

Su Li tried to intimidate us again.

“Do you know who my boyfriend is?”

Sister Hong smiled—a calm, unhurried smile. “Of course I know who you are. Your name is Su Li, and your home address is right here, isn’t it?”

As these words left Sister Hong’s lips, I saw Su Li’s expression change instantly.

Such an ordinary sentence, yet spoken by Sister Hong, it carried an unmistakable chill and menace.

“You—!” Su Li’s eyes darted around, her bravado faltering. Just as she was about to erupt, my uncle burst out from inside, ready to intervene.

But when he got a clear look at Sister Hong, he froze, his face drained of color, not daring to utter a single word.

“Try saying one more thing,” Sister Hong said icily, her gaze sharp as a blade. My uncle was immediately cowed into silence.

Su Li, seething from being struck, suddenly shot to her feet, pointed at me, and screamed, “You useless piece of trash! Do you know why I framed you back then? Because you’re pathetic! I deliberately left my lingerie in your room just to ruin your reputation!”

Her voice was shrill and venomous, laced with malicious satisfaction. “The way you are, there’s nothing you can do to me! My boyfriend could crush you with a finger!”

I stood there, dumbstruck, my heart roiling with rage and grief.

So all these years of suffering were orchestrated by her alone!

“Su Li, how could you do this?” I roared, tears of fury glistening in my eyes.

“Why not?” Su Li snorted. “You’re a loser—you deserve every bit of pain!”

“That’s enough!” Sister Hong suddenly barked, her voice booming with command. She grabbed my arm, saying, “It’s pointless talking to her. We’re leaving!”

Startled, Su Li shrank back, her face turning ashen, not daring to utter another word.

“If you won’t talk, I have other ways to find out. But let me warn you—if anything happens to Xiao Mi, you’ll bear the consequences!” Sister Hong’s tone was icy, her gaze sharp and unyielding.

She wasted no more words, dragging me away at once.

Through a blur of tears, I glimpsed my uncle in the rearview mirror, standing at the door—he slapped Su Li across the face.

“If you want to cry, then cry. There’s no rule that says men can’t shed tears.”

Sister Hong steered with one hand, while the other gently patted my back in comfort.

Sister Hong’s car sped through the night, the atmosphere inside heavy and stifling. Her hand continued to soothe my back, trying to calm me, but my heart felt as though a thousand needles were piercing it—I could not find peace.

“Wang Hu, don’t be too upset. We’ll find Xiao Mi,” Sister Hong said softly, her voice filled with determination.

I managed a feeble smile, but the pain inside could not be masked. “Thank you, Sister Hong, but I really need some time alone.”

“All right. I’ll take you to my place for a bit, let you rest,” she offered, her eyes full of concern.

“No, I want to go home,” I shook my head, bitter inside. Truth be told, I no longer had a home to return to.

Sister Hong sighed helplessly, but complied. She stopped the car at a crossroads as I asked.

I got out wherever was convenient.

“Wang Hu, if you need anything, call me anytime,” she reminded me, before driving away.

I stood alone on the street, lost and aimless. Wandering here and there, I eventually found a small tavern. The lighting was dim, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and smoke. I walked in, emptied my pockets, and set about drinking myself into oblivion.

The past replayed before my eyes—Xiao Mi’s smile, Su Li’s mockery, my uncle’s betrayal—each memory slicing into my heart like a knife. Glass after glass, I tried to numb the pain with liquor.

I lost track of time. Eventually, a group approached, their tone unfriendly: “Hey, time to pay up!”

I patted my pockets—my money was gone. My head spun, my vision blurred, and at last, I blacked out completely.

When I awoke again, I found myself lying on a soft bed.

Looking around, I realized I was no longer in the tavern, but in a luxurious bedroom. Sunlight streamed in through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the tranquil room.

I rubbed my eyes, struggling to recall the events of the previous night.

Suddenly, the door opened quietly. Sister Hong entered, carrying a steaming bowl of soup.

“You’re awake? How are you feeling?” she asked with concern.

“Sister Hong, is this… your home?” I asked hesitantly.

“Yes. Last night you got dead drunk at the tavern—the owner called me, and I brought you back,” she answered with a smile. “You need to rest.”

I lowered my head, a swell of guilt and gratitude rising within me. “Sister Hong, I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble.”