Plan A
Old Shadows of the Republic of China 17
Life
The Japanese person was loudly jibber-jabbering, sounding very angry and terrified.
“He says he is someone important, and you better release him, or he will massacre everyone here.”
The translator remained unflustered, witnessing the situation with an unperturbed heart, even feeling a bit happy inside.
In the living room, most of the soldiers were pointing their guns at the Second Concubine, while a small number aimed at the Wei family members seated there.
“Tell him not to act rashly, or I will kill him.”
The Second Concubine, with oil paint still on her face, glared at people in a rather terrifying manner.
The translator feigned terror while conveying the message, pretending to be scared as they shrank to the side.
“He says, if you dare to make a move, he will order his subordinates to kill everyone here.”
The Japanese person continued jibber-jabbering, and the translator diligently translated.
“Oh, elder sister, make sure your hands don’t shake, or if something goes wrong, my wonderful youth will end here.”
The translator wore a frown, feeling ice-cold at heart while looking at those bayonets.
The atmosphere was tense, like a drawn sword and bent bow, with everyone’s nerves on edge.
The Second Concubine seemed the calmest among everyone, holding the knife without a hint of trembling.
After all, she had practiced before, though not how to press a knife against someone’s neck, but how could her hand shake while performing on stage?
The Second Concubine still had the mood for a joke, looking at those nervous about her, with a slight smile in her eyes.
“Master, let’s meet again in the next life.”
The Second Concubine spoke farewell words.
“And you, old enemy, let’s not meet in the next life. Although I didn’t mean to anger you, when I first entered the household, I indeed made you furious. I can understand your hatred towards me; if I were in your place, I would hate you to death too. But this isn’t my reason to endure. We’ve competed for decades; let’s stop competing and never meet again.”
The Second Concubine looked at the First Wife sitting there, speaking in a relaxed tone.
The First Wife lifted her eyes slightly, then lowered them again.
The Japanese person was made impatient by the Second Concubine’s nagging with a pile of words, after all, he couldn’t understand, and her knife was still held against his neck.
“He says if you release him now, he will let you go.”
The translator spoke.
“Do I look like a fool?”
The Second Concubine, unafraid, naturally would not release him.
Su Xin tightly gripped the gun in her hand. If the situation turned unfavorable, she would blow that devil’s head with one shot.
Outside, loud noises could be heard, including footsteps and car sounds.
Shen Xiangting hurriedly walked in, the corner of her black clothes forming an arc.
“Control.”
The Japanese soldiers in the living room all turned their eyes towards the person who entered, then looked towards their leader who was being threatened.
“Third Concubine? Aren’t you dead?”
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Wei Xuan exclaimed loudly, eyes wide open.
“Miss.”
Master Wei stood up, looked at him respectfully, then with a worried gaze, looked at the Second Concubine in the main seat.
Shen Xiangting, seeing Su Xin unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief and nodded towards Master Wei.
The Japanese person appeared very panicked, loudly shouting something.
The translator translated, and Shen Xiangting gave a cold smile.
“This place is too narrow, can you take him outside?”
Shen Xiangting looked at the mother-in-law who was holding a knife threatening others, speaking politely.
The space here is limited, making it very easy to cause accidental injury.
The Second Concubine did not ask how Shen Xiangting suddenly appeared, nor did she care about Shen Xiangting’s identity; she just nodded.
The Japanese person was not very tall, and the Second Concubine was slender.
The Second Concubine pressed the knife tightly, fearing the Japanese person might forcefully break free.
The Wei family quickly stood aside, afraid that one of the Japanese might take them hostage, which would not be pleasant.
Once outside, the atmosphere became more stagnant.
Gun against gun, both sides were well-trained armies, awaiting the commands of their leaders.
The Second Concubine stood in the middle, becoming the focal point.
A gunshot broke the silence, initiating chaos.
That shot was fired by Su Xin, directly hitting the enemy’s head.
After firing, Su Xin immediately dragged the Second Concubine away. Bullets rained down upon them, and the Second Concubine was hit in the leg by a stray bullet. As she fell, she narrowly avoided a bullet aimed at her vital organs.
The bullet went towards Su Xin, but she was forcefully pulled to the ground by someone, and saw the fearful look in Shen Xiangting’s eyes afterward.
Thankfully… it was close.
Shen Xiangting wiped the sweat from her forehead, quickly rolled and stood up.
Just a moment ago, she turned her head and saw Su Xin in danger, almost too scared to breathe.
Master Wei quickly ran over, picked up the Second Concubine, and rushed into the house, seemingly exploding with physical potential.
The fight turned into chaos, with bullets flying everywhere, entering flesh and creating loud sounds, accompanied by people’s painful groans. There were no cries or shouts; the smell of blood spread, and no one dared to come and watch for excitement.
Su Xin took out two enemies with a bang, and with Shen Xiangting, rolled back and forth in the crowd, cooperating perfectly.
Before Su Xin was fully satisfied, her stamina had already shown obvious problems.
Su Xin was secretly annoyed and exchanged a glance with Shen Xiangting, withdrawing from the chaotic crowd.
Shen Xiangting had brought enough people, but the outcome of this firefight was costly, losing more than half of her forces.
When it ended, Wei Ting hurriedly rushed out to find a foreign doctor.
But it was already too late; the Second Concubine’s leg was almost useless.
“It’s my fault, I’m sorry.”
Su Xin apologized properly for the first time, because her family matters had caused Shen Xiangting to act recklessly, and led to Shen Xiangting losing troops.
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“Between you and me, there’s no need to say this. Besides, although the loss this time was relatively large, didn’t I also gain control of this place? And gain prestige among the people.”
Shen Xiangting had carefully considered her actions, not rushing over recklessly upon hearing Su Xin’s call for help. Though she didn’t deny that part of the reason led her to deploy troops.
Everyone gathered around the Second Concubine, even the First Wife.
She didn’t say any words of concern, just stood aside, observing her painful expression.
Regarding the loss of her leg, the Second Concubine expressed a sense of acceptance; after all, she was soon to die, and one leg was nothing significant.
“We still cannot meet currently, let’s just quiet down in the future. I’m also tired.”
The First Wife touched the sandalwood beads in her hand, looking at the Second Wife leaning in Master Wei’s embrace.
“I’m afraid there’s no chance.”
The Second Wife shook her head, while Master Wei held her silently.
The First Wife watched all this with cold eyes, then turned and left.
“Ah Ting, mother is afraid she won’t live long.”
The Second Concubine looked at Wei Ting calmly, showing no trace of sadness or distress.
Actually, she didn’t want to die, but now it seems there are no particularly large regrets, except for those two things that always left her uneasy.
“Mother, don’t speak nonsense.”
Wei Ting’s eyes were red as he knelt in front of the Second Concubine.
“You know, my biggest regret in this life is not seeing you marry and have children. I fear I won’t die peacefully.”
The Second Concubine’s words had reached this point, and Wei Ting wiped his face, showing a smile to the Second Concubine.
“Mother, actually I have always had a girl I fancy. I will soon marry her so you can see your daughter-in-law.”
Su Xin stood aside, unsure of what to feel.
Some say, if you are gay, then don’t get married; isn’t that deceiving marriage? But is the pressure from society and family really that easy to bear? If there were a choice, gays wouldn’t resort to deceitful marriages.
This choice cannot be deemed right or wrong; it’s just that everyone’s choices are different.
Su Xin knew Wei Ting was in pain, but this was a responsibility he had to bear.
No one asked about Shen Xiangting’s matters, and the attitude towards her was also very cautious.
Shen Xiangting became busy, and Su Xin stayed by her side, doing her best to help.
Perhaps in Su Xin’s home, Shen Xiangting was particularly cautious, every day just holding Su Xin under the blanket, purely chatting, occasionally kissing and touching, not daring to leave any trace.
Shen Xiangting nuzzled Su Xin’s face; only when holding this person did she feel safe.
She knew how terrified she was at that time, watching with wide eyes as the bullet flew towards her lover. At that moment, she was so scared that her whole body stiffened, but her body acted faster than her will, pushing that person to the ground.
The speed was so fast that Shen Xiangting herself found it hard to believe. At that moment, she was scared and felt weak, but because the situation was urgent, she had to stand up again.
“Promise me, in the future, never let yourself be harmed; I cannot bear the consequences.”
Shen Xiangting held Su Xin, her expression serious.
“Okay, you too, never let me worry.”
On an auspicious day, with drums beating, Wei Ting married the girl into the house with an eight-carrier sedan chair.
The girl was not from a prominent family, but she looked gentle and virtuous, very obedient in appearance.
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Su Xin once directly asked Wei Ting, what if he couldn’t perform.
Wei Ting scratched his head, saying that even after taking medicine and closing the door, it was still not an issue. He said what he feared most was losing his mind and calling out another’s name while holding the girl.
On his wedding day, the Second Concubine dressed very beautifully, her face full of joy, looking very happy.
Zi Han stood in the courtyard both crying and laughing, crying because the young master she loved chose to surrender and lost his happiness, yet laughing because he chose to surrender as it was the best choice.
Su Xin held Shen Xiangting’s hand, feeling somewhat lost.
Shen Xiangting did not quite understand why her girl was unhappy on this joyful day, so she could only try to hold her hand tightly.
Reality was far less melodramatic than stories; that man did not appear at the wedding, just as Su Xin did not receive his invitation.
Parting ways, each found their own joy.
In early spring, the Second Concubine’s body still could not hold on. She relied on strong willpower to fight with the things in her mind until she felt her daughter-in-law’s belly had movement, then she smiled and let go.
When she died, the atmosphere in the mansion was very oppressive.
Su Xin cried nonstop; these weren’t her emotions.
In the white system space, the howling, crying girl affected this body.