Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Chapter 60

"Master Jin, you really have a lot of forgetfulness despite your noble status. Do you not remember this face of mine?" The man leaned forward, his pallid face flickering in the dim light. He patted his own legs. "Master Jin, surely you still remember these useless legs?"

Xiao Bao struggled to speak. "...It's you..."

"Master Jin, now that you remember, do you know how long I've been waiting for this day? I thought I'd never have this opportunity in my lifetime." He chuckled to himself.

Xiao Bao shifted his body and instinctively positioned himself in front of the two elderly people. "Our enmity is between you and me. What do you want with me?"

"Heh, what kind of hero are you pretending to be? Of course, I'm here for you. Do you know the price I paid to be here?"

Suddenly, Lady Jin rushed to the cell bars, kneeling before the man. She pleaded, "Young Master Qi, Xiao Bin, consider our longstanding relationship. Spare Xiao Bao. You were both young and inexperienced back then. We've always felt guilty..."

"Shut up!" The man's facial muscles twitched, and he shouted, "Guilt? Nonsense! My father had only one son—me. I became a cripple. Do you think my father could swallow that humiliation? Could I? If your Jin family hadn't been wealthy and influential, we wouldn't have suffered this injustice! I've waited my whole life for this day—to see the Jin family crushed under my feet and justice served for my legs!"

Even Mr. Jin crawled to the cell bars, trembling. "The events of the past are murky. Over the years, our Jin family has compensated you generously. Young Master Qi, my son's current situation relies on our support. Those events happened so many years ago. Spare Xiao Bao, and I'll personally make amends. Spare Xiao Bao."

He forcefully kowtowed to Qi Xiao Bin.

"Father! Mother!" Xiao Bao rushed forward, pulling them both up. He shouted, "I'll bear the consequences alone. How can you kneel to him?"

Xiao Bao, useless and insignificant, couldn't let his parents bow down for him in this lifetime!

Mr. Jin pleaded urgently, "Why bother about these things now? Xiao Bin, spare Xiao Bao. Although Uncle Jin's assets have been seized, there are still hidden treasures. They're all yours. Spare Xiao Bao."

Qi Xiao Bin sneered. "Don't take me for a fool. Even if you really have something valuable, it's not my turn. I won't wade into that treacherous water. Money can't buy back my legs!"

With a single gesture, Qi Xiao Bin's companions opened the prison door and dragged Xiao Bao out. No matter how much the Jin family begged and pleaded, it was futile.

Qi Xiaobin cast a cold glance at the two elderly individuals. "Consider yourselves lucky that someone is protecting you and preventing any harm. But as for Jin Xiaobao, no matter the cost, I will make him pay for my legs!"

Xiaobao's face turned ashen, and he was dragged out of the cell. Whatever awaited him, he trembled with fear.

His parents' cries seemed distant, drowned out by the impending fate he feared. Memories of his complicated history with Qi Xiaobin surged through his mind.

Ironically, it was once again connected to the Xue family.

Back when he was around sixteen, he reveled in youthful arrogance. Throughout Jiangnan, he commanded attention—his every word echoed far and wide.

One day, while enjoying drinks with friends in a courtyard, they heard desperate cries and pleas from the neighboring house. Curious, Xiaobao asked the accompanying girls. Their fearful expressions and veiled resentment revealed the truth: the neighboring man was the son of a minor county official in Suzhou. His position might not have been significant, but he was equally dangerous to offend. This man had a cruel and twisted penchant for exploiting women. Rumor had it that he had already played a maid to death in his own home. No girl willingly engaged in his business, yet he always brought a few brawny servants who made it impossible to drive him away. His arrogance knew no bounds, and even his mother dared not defy him. They resorted to drawing lots—whoever encountered him would suffer.

At that moment, fueled by alcohol and youthful bravado, Xiaobao dismissed the minor official's son. He rallied his friends, intending to uphold justice.

Back then, he hadn't intended to harm the man—just a lesson in humility. Little did he know that it would sow seeds of resentment.

Later, when he thought the matter was behind him, he visited a temple to donate oil money. The rain fell steadily as he turned to leave. At the foot of a long staircase, Qi Xiaobin suddenly charged at him, catching him off guard. But Xue Minyu, Xiao Yu's older brother, happened to be nearby. Skilled in martial arts, Xue Minyu pulled him back just as Qi Xiaobin lost control and tumbled down the stairs. He crashed into a root-carved wooden bench at the bottom. The bench, weathered by years, stood precariously, supporting three large Taihu stones, each weighing over a hundred pounds. All of them landed squarely on Qi Xiaobin's legs.

Initially, the county official Qi refused to let the matter rest. However, he had crossed paths with the influential Jin family, who generously compensated him and facilitated his rise. Thus, the incident was swept under the rug.

At the time, Xiaobao hadn't taken it seriously. He believed Qi deserved the consequences, and he didn't even remember the man's face.

Ironically, this incident led him to meet Xue Minyu, Xiao Yu's brother. Xue Minyu was straightforward and easygoing, never disdainful of Xiaobao's humble background. They got along well. After a drinking session, Xiaobao found Xue Minyu's family heirloom jade pendant in a carriage and personally returned it. Little did he know it would be their final encounter...

The memories were vivid. Xiaobao never imagined that years later, he'd fall into Qi Xiaobin's hands, subject to his whims.

As he was roughly strapped to the execution frame, his mind raced. If only he hadn't interfered in that trivial matter when he was young—how different things might be now. But then he wouldn't have met Xue Minyu, wouldn't have become Xiao Yu's brother. If given another chance, he'd still choose to be Xiao Yu's brother.

Xiaobao turned away, unable to bear Qi Xiaobin's triumphant smile. His entire body trembled with fear.