Please give the novel a rating or a review on NovelUpdates
———-

Chapter 76: I’ll Help You Get Revenge

Because the handcuffs held him in check, no matter how wildly Xu Ke thrashed, he could not even touch Lu Li.

Lu Li ignored Xu Ke’s frenzy, pulled over a chair, sat down in front of him, and calmly watched him rage.

Xu Ke struggled for quite a while, and when exhaustion finally set in, he slumped back into the chair, panting.

Only then did Lu Li speak: “Was the red-braised pork just now tasty?”

Xu Ke shot Lu Li a venomous glare. “You cooked it?”

“Of course; it’s not like this is your first time having it,” Lu Li said with obvious pride. “Pretty good, right? I’d say it’s almost as good as your mother’s best.”

Xu Ke exploded. “Don’t mention my mom! No one can compare to her!”

Lu Li waved it off. “You’re lucky. My mom couldn’t cook at all, and I never tasted a single dish she made.”

Xu Ke let out a cold laugh and muttered, “Lucky? At least you still had the chance to eat her food; I’ll never get that chance again…”

Lu Li sighed. “Same here; my chance is gone too.”

Xu Ke lifted his head and frowned at Lu Li.

Lu Li said, “She passed away 3 years ago.”

Xu Ke lowered his head, gripped the table so hard his knuckles whitened, and said nothing.

In a soft voice, Lu Li asked, “Would you talk to me about your mother? I’m probably the one who understands you best; we should have plenty in common.”

“What could you possibly understand about me?” Xu Ke sneered, drooping his head as he reverted to his earlier silence.

“If you don’t want to talk about your mother, I can talk about mine,” Lu Li said steadily, staying in his seat. “That car crash was sudden, blurry, yet painfully vivid.

I remember it was my birthday; after school my sister and I stayed home while Dad and Mom got off work and drove out to pick up the cake they’d ordered.

My sister and I waited for ages, from 5:30 in the afternoon all the way to 9:00 at night, and our parents still hadn’t come back.

I was furious; they were always busy and often broke promises, and I’d gotten used to it… but that day was my birthday.

I even thought, If they’re not coming back soon, then don’t bother coming back at all.

My sister dozed off from exhaustion, and just as I was drifting off too, my uncle called.

He said my parents were gone.”

“Ha.” Lu Li suddenly laughed. “I was livid; that uncle of mine had always been a jerk, and on my birthday he was still cursing me. I wanted to reach through the phone and give him a thunderous slap.

But when he told me to take my sister to the hospital, the truth finally sank in. My legs refused to move, my limbs went numb; I don’t even know how I made it downstairs or hailed that taxi.

I never want to feel that way again.”

Hearing this, Xu Ke slowly looked up, fixed his gaze on Lu Li, and asked, “Th-then what exactly happened?”

Lu Li spread his hands. “A rich drunk kid was driving the wrong way and headed straight for my parents’ car; my dad couldn’t dodge in time…

That punk got away with a few scrapes, but my dad died on the spot because he shielded my mom as best he could. When my mom reached the hospital, she could barely utter a single sentence.

I didn’t get to see her one last time, but through that bastard uncle, I learned the last words she spoke.”

Holding back, Xu Ke asked, “What did she say?”

“She said,” Lu Li drew a deep breath, “Happy birthday…”

Xu Ke’s body trembled.

Lu Li lifted his head, walked up to Xu Ke, tapped the table in front of him, and said softly, “Our experiences are very similar, aren’t they? That’s why I understand you.”

Xu Ke bit his lip hard.

Lu Li said, “I heard from Officer Jiang that you took this job to raise money and flee overseas, but if I were you, I’d have no reason to run abroad.”

“When I think it through, there’s only one possibility: you want to go overseas, find the heartless boss who ditched your girlfriend, and take revenge, right?”

Xu Ke jerked his head up in panic. “H-how do you know that?”

Lu Li patted Xu Ke’s shoulder. “I told you, I probably know you best. Neither of us is a good person; we both hold grudges. For years I’ve wanted to break into that prison and stab that rich kid serving time right through.”

Lu Li went on, “The reason you won’t name your handler is simply that he promised to help you find that scumbag boss, and you chose to trust him.”

Xu Ke knitted his brows; he had no idea how Lu Li had deduced all this, but every word was correct.

Lu Li let out a light laugh. “But you’re not sure whether your handler will actually help you; you’re just hoping he’ll keep his word. No one else could help you, so you kept silent.”

Xu Ke roared, “What’s the use of saying all this? Even if you know it, I still won’t name my handler. If I give you his name, can the police catch that heartless boss for me? Impossible! No one but him will help me!”

“Who says there isn’t!” Lu Li thumped his chest. “I… I’ll help you!”

“You?” Xu Ke scoffed. “Don’t joke around! What can you do for me? What skills do you have? Why should you be able to help me?”

“Because we’re the same type, and I understand you best!” Lu Li stared right at Xu Ke and said loudly, “You should know you’re already a pawn to be discarded; even your handler has almost no chance of truly helping you.

But I’m different. I won’t hide it: I’ve already qualified to apply to Yongning University. My future is full of possibilities; with my determination and resolve, I’ll become an outstanding talent, wield great wealth, and gain high status in society.

Of course, that’s all talk for now. The key point is that I have a compelling reason to help you.”

“What reason?” Xu Ke’s heart quivered at Lu Li’s confident air, and he asked blankly.

“I already told you: we’re the same kind… people who must avenge every wrong. Helping you is helping myself, helping that me who used to suffer every single day. That’s the biggest reason.”

After his impassioned speech, Lu Li stared quietly at Xu Ke. “I’ll give you only this one chance: will you talk or not?”

Xu Ke stared at Lu Li, and after a moment slowly lowered his head.

Lu Li snorted, withdrew his hand from Xu Ke’s shoulder, dusted off his palms as if he had touched something filthy, and said with disdain, “Looks like we aren’t the same; you can’t judge people at all.”

Lu Li turned and walked away without the slightest hesitation.

Just as Lu Li put his hand on the doorknob, Xu Ke slammed the table, jerked his head up, and clenched his teeth so hard his jaw trembled:

“His name is Li Chuyi.”

———-
Support the Translation! 🌐✨

Your donations not only show appreciation but also keep the translator motivated! Every contribution helps continue bringing you more of what you love. Thank you for being a part of this journey! 💖

https://www.ko-fi.com/maxoofie