Chapter 3

“My lady, a beggar is blocking the road ahead.

“I’ll send someone to drive him away at once.”

Even through the sedan curtain, I could smell a gut-churning stench.

Acting on a sudden intuition, I lifted the curtain.

The figure sprawled on the ground outside was none other than Gu Ningcheng.

His hair was matted, his clothes hung in rags, and the reek of decaying flesh mingled with the stink of urine and feces until it made the stomach turn.

Because his broken legs had not received timely treatment,

Gu Ningcheng was now crippled beyond recovery and could no longer stand.

He could only crawl along the ground on his two mangled hands.

Wherever he dragged himself, he left a wet trail of blood, pus, and urine.

Passersby gave him a wide berth.

Several mischievous children even pelted him with stones, laughing as they shouted,

“Filthy cripple! You stink!

“Get out of here! Go on, get lost!”

An indescribable thrill surged through me.

Yes.

This was the life scum like Gu Ningcheng deserved!

I wanted him to sink into hell for all eternity, never to rise again!

I suppressed the upward curl of my lips.

I was about to drop the curtain and order the driver to run him down when Gu Ningcheng’s lips moved and a hoarse voice emerged.

“Shiyi…”

Gu Ningcheng had spoken my given name.

His bloodshot eyes brimmed with confusion and resentment as he muttered,

“Why… Why didn’t you save me this time?”

The realization struck like lightning.

Gu Ningcheng had been reborn too!

Otherwise, he could not possibly have known my given name, much less asked such a question.

The shock was so great that my mind went blank.

My fingernails dug unconsciously into my palm, and the flash of pain brought me back to myself.

In that instant, only one thought remained in my mind:

I could not let him know that I had been reborn as well!

I quickly steadied myself, frowned at Gu Ningcheng, and said with displeasure,

“Who are you?

“How do you know my given name?

“And why should I save you?”

Gu Ningcheng froze, disappointment flashing through his eyes.

He soon rallied, however, and forced himself halfway upright.

“I am Gu Ningcheng.

“I am the man from that day—”

Before he could finish, I cut him off sharply.

“So you’re that lecher!

“First you stole a handkerchief and tried to frame my sister, and now you come here raving at me.

“Do you think the Lu family is easy prey?

“Men, seize this lecher and turn him over to the authorities!”