Chapter 50: The Bruise on the Arm

"Zhou Ming, be careful when you go back. Huang Zheng is unreasonable; don't try to be a hero. If necessary, I'm still here in Hong Kong, and you can reach me anytime as I've set up a mobile phone for you," Lin Muqing said while helping Zhou Ming adjust his clothes at the South Lake border crossing station. As a mature woman, Lin Muqing was not the type to express her reluctance with a flood of sentimental words. She knew that such behavior would only make her feel worse. But despite her well-maintained composure, her tone and eyes revealed just how much she was reluctant to part with Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming felt the same reluctance. He wanted to continue working with her in Hong Kong to develop Jinming Fund, but he knew he had to return. His parents were still unemployed at home, Su Han was waiting for him in the countryside, and he still needed to seek revenge on Huang Zheng.

Finally, Zhou Ming held Lin Muqing's small hand and said, "Don't worry; I'll solve these problems soon."

This time, Lin Muqing did not pull away shyly but allowed Zhou Ming to hold her hand. Since that night in the car when Zhou Ming had kissed her, Lin Muqing had tacitly accepted their relationship. Zhou Ming regretted that their kiss had occurred on the street. Lin Muqing had been embarrassed, and their moment of intimacy was cut short once she regained her composure.

Jinming Fund was officially handed over to Lin Muqing. Amin, who worked at the front desk, became Lin Muqing's personal secretary. Zhou Ming had suggested renaming Jinming Fund after Lin Muqing, but she refused, saying that the name Jinming Fund kept her motivated.

Zhou Ming trusted Wang Yunlong and the others, but having someone attentive like Lin Muqing manage the company made him feel more secure. Besides, Lin Muqing had studied at Hong Kong University for so long and needed a place to showcase her talents. Jinming Fund, still in its early stages but full of potential, was an excellent choice.

Lin Muqing smiled at Zhou Ming and said, "Alright, you should go now. Rannian is already here waiting for you! I've also transferred ten million to you; make sure to spend it wisely."

"My dear Muqing, it's ten million, not just a thousand. And the mainland is different from Hong Kong; I won't have many opportunities to spend it!" Zhou Ming said.

Lin Muqing withdrew her hand from Zhou Ming's and stepped back, saying, "Alright, you should go now."

Zhou Ming nodded. He understood that Lin Muqing wouldn't make a scene like a young girl, but as he walked onto the bridge and looked back, he saw Lin Muqing wiping tears from her eyes with a tissue.

---

When Zhou Ming exited the South Jiang border station, he saw Tang Rannian tiptoeing in the crowd, looking for him. She was wearing a green dress, looking lively and cute.

Upon finding Zhou Ming, Tang Rannian ran over excitedly, "Brother Ming, I've been waiting for you! Did Sister Muqing not want to let you go?"

Zhou Ming playfully pinched Tang Rannian's nose and said, "You're so sharp for someone so young. It seems like you know everything."

As he spoke, Zhou Ming took a bag out of his luggage and handed it to Tang Rannian. "This is a gift from Sister Muqing; she bought you clothes in Hong Kong."

"Wow! That's great! Thank you, Brother Ming!" Tang Rannian said, taking the bag and preparing to open it.

Zhou Ming chuckled and said, "Why not wait until you get home to open it? Besides, you should thank Sister Muqing. I just carried it over."

"Isn't it the same?" Tang Rannian asked. 

Zhou Ming shook his head, amused by her innocent question, and said, "Let's not stand in the sun. Take me to the hotel so I can drop off my things first."

Tang Rannian agreed and took a cab with Zhou Ming to the hotel. After Zhou Ming dropped off his luggage, he went over to Tang Rannian's place, which was a two-room unit provided by her workplace.

As soon as Tang Rannian entered her room, she eagerly opened the bag and took out the clothes Lin Muqing had chosen for her. Zhou Ming was pleased to see her so happy.

"If you like them, try them on," Zhou Ming said.

"Are these expensive?" Tang Rannian asked suddenly.

Zhou Ming waved his hand dismissively. "They're a gift now. Don't worry about the price. Besides, your Brother Ming is rich; it doesn't matter."

"Oh, I see." Tang Rannian nodded and went to change into a sleeveless t-shirt. When she emerged and twirled in front of Zhou Ming, she nervously asked, "Do I look good?"

"You're so pretty, Rannian; how could you not look good?" Zhou Ming said.

His words were sincere. Tang Rannian, being Lin Muqing's cousin, seemed to have inherited the family's beauty. Coupled with her natural charm, she was more appealing than many modern actresses who forced their cuteness.

However, Zhou Ming's smile faded when he noticed something. He furrowed his brows and called out to Tang Rannian, "Rannian, come here. What happened to your arm?"

Tang Rannian, who had been skipping towards Zhou Ming, halted at his question. She turned sideways to hide her arm and hesitantly explained, "It's nothing; I just bumped into something."

Zhou Ming was not convinced. "Rannian, let me see."

Tang Rannian hesitated but, fearing Zhou Ming's anger, reluctantly moved closer to him.

Zhou Ming pulled down Tang Rannian's hand to reveal a bruise on her left arm. Although Zhou Ming was not a medical expert, his experience from childhood fights told him it was from someone hitting her. The bruise had been hidden under her short sleeves, only becoming visible now with her sleeveless top.

Zhou Ming looked up and asked Tang Rannian, "What happened? Who did this?"

Tang Rannian quickly shook her head, saying, "No one hit me; I just bumped into something."

Zhou Ming's face darkened. "Rannian, are you trying to make me angry?"

"No, I don't want to make you angry, Brother Ming," Tang Rannian said anxiously.

"Then tell me who did this," Zhou Ming demanded.

Tang Rannian lowered her head, biting her lip with a pitiful expression. Zhou Ming's heart softened, and he pulled her to sit beside him, speaking gently, "Rannian, before I came back, Sister Muqing asked me to take good care of you. Seeing you like this makes me feel guilty. Is your family treating you badly? If so, you can come to Hong Kong with me."

Tang Rannian shook her head, saying, "It's not my family; it's Wei Hua…"

Tang Rannian hurriedly covered her mouth, but it was too late. Zhou Ming had already heard the name.

"Wei Hua? Isn't he your boyfriend? What right does he have to hit you? Who does he think he is?" Zhou Ming was furious. Whether in this life or his previous one, he hated men who hit women, especially someone as lovely as Tang Rannian. How could Wei Hua dare to hit her?

Under Zhou Ming's interrogation, Tang Rannian revealed the truth: Wei Hua had tried to kiss her today, but she refused, saying they should wait until marriage. When Lin Muqing paged her to pick up Zhou Ming, Wei Hua mistakenly thought Tang Rannian had moved on, and in his frustration, he hit her. The bruise on her arm was from that confrontation.

If Zhou Ming was angry before, he was now enraged. How could Wei Hua not appreciate such a good girlfriend and resort to violence over such trivial jealousy? The severity of the bruise indicated how hard Wei Hua had struck her.

Zhou Ming stood up angrily. "Rannian, take me to him. I want to see why he's so arrogant!"

Tang Rannian grabbed Zhou Ming's arm and said, "Brother Ming, don't go. This… this is also my fault. We're in a relationship, and I shouldn't have…"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Zhou Ming blurted out, then, realizing he was speaking in front of Tang Rannian, softened his tone, "Rannian, you did nothing wrong. A girl should think of herself. If Wei Hua truly cares about you and wants to be with you, he should respect your wishes!"

"But I…"

Tang Rannian wanted to say more, but her pager rang suddenly. She saw it was a call from her parents.

Since her dorm didn't have a phone, she had to go down to the lobby to make the call.

Zhou Ming didn't listen to her conversation with her parents, but when Tang Rannian finished the call, he noticed she had a distressed expression.

Zhou Ming asked in surprise, "Rannian, what's wrong?"

Tang Rannian seemed to have reached her breaking point and burst into tears in Zhou Ming's arms.

Zhou Ming, flustered and unsure how to comfort her, did his best to pat her back and speak gently. "Rannian, don't cry. Brother Ming is here. I'm like a superhero now, even more powerful than one with his underwear over his pants. Whatever you need

, Brother Ming will do everything he can to help you, even if it means reaching for the stars and moon…"

But Tang Rannian only shook her head and remained silent.

Zhou Ming felt overwhelmed, not knowing how to handle the situation. He had no experience with comforting girls and felt helpless.

Fortunately, after a while, Tang Rannian stopped crying, looked up at Zhou Ming with tear-streaked cheeks, and said, "I'm sorry, Brother Ming, for getting your clothes wet."

"It's okay. Brother Ming's clothes are meant for you to use as a tissue," Zhou Ming said, wiping her tears with his sleeve, and gently asked, "What happened?"

Tang Rannian gave Zhou Ming an answer that made him even angrier: "My mom wants me to apologize to Wei Hua."