Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 55

Tian He, lying in the grass, slowly opened his eyes. When he saw Han Ning, his gaze became unfocused. He struggled to stand up, but after only a few shaky steps, he collapsed heavily to the ground. Curling up his body, he let out a low groan of pain.

“Ah Tian, what happened to you? Where have you been all this time?” Han Ning hurried over to help him up, and the two sat on a park bench.

The wounds on Tian He’s face were shocking to see. Han Ning carefully asked, “Did you get yourself into trouble?”

He didn’t dare to meet Han Ning’s eyes. He nodded at first, then quickly shook his head.

Han Ning, confused, looked at him and asked, “Is there something you’re not telling me? We live in a lawful society. Who would dare to hurt you like this? Also, don’t you have a place to stay? How did you end up in such a miserable state?” Looking at the patch of grass where she found him, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

Tian He let out a bitter, sorrowful smile, as if the past few days had been nothing but a nightmare. In a low voice, he said, “It was Nie Lan…”

He turned to Han Ning, his voice filled with guilt. “Nie Lan ordered people to beat me up.

She also… threatened me to reveal Miss Shen’s secrets.”

“Shen Xi’s secrets?” Han Ning was stunned for a few seconds before realization struck her.

She let out a cold laugh, filled with anger. “So it was you… We should have figured it out earlier.”

Shen Xi had been completely exposed by someone. She had tried so hard to distance herself, yet Nie Lan had effortlessly found out where she lived and even discovered Shen Fengmei’s whereabouts. Han Ning had thought that Nie Lan must have used powerful connections to get that information.

But she never expected it to be Ah Tian…

Tian He was overwhelmed with emotions. Han Ning’s reaction only made him more afraid and guilty.

Tears streamed down his face as he slapped himself repeatedly. Han Ning stood up and coldly watched him. “You don’t have to put on an act. Think about it—was Shen Xi ever unkind to you? And yet, you still betrayed her?”

Han Ning’s eyes welled up with tears. Her nose tingled, and she could no longer hold them back. She stomped around angrily before shouting at Ah Tian, “You ruined her! You ruined all of us!”

Tian He lowered his head, silently crying. His heart ached because he knew that with Shen Xi in Nie Lan’s hands, her fate was likely doomed.

Although Han Ning was furious, she didn’t forget what was important. Wiping her tears, she looked at Ah Tian with a scrutinizing gaze. “From now on, everything I ask you, you must answer honestly.”

Tian He nodded. “I promise to tell you everything.”

From Ah Tian, Han Ning learned that Zhong Kai was not in Lingchao City. He had gone to Jiuhua Mountain a week before the incident.

“My master goes to Jiuhua Mountain for one or two months every year to meditate. During that time, he doesn’t allow us to disturb him, and he rarely carries his phone,” Tian He explained before sighing. He then looked at Han Ning apologetically. “Miss Shen was very kind to me. It wasn’t just about the money—she genuinely cared about me.”

Han Ning scoffed. “Right, and yet you exposed all her secrets, didn’t you?”

Tian He was speechless for a moment before muttering, “I’ve been in this industry for a few years and have seen many people who pretend to be something they’re not. On the surface, they look glamorous, but inside, they’re a mess. They’re monsters wearing human skin…” He looked at Han Ning. “But you and Miss Shen are different. You two are among the few people I’ve met who are real, who are passionate.”

Han Ning rolled her eyes impatiently. “Who asked for your opinion? Did anyone ask you to analyze our personalities? Do we need your approval? Do we need your validation?”

Tian He shrank back. “…I was just speaking from the heart.”

“Why do you have so much to say? Did you win an award for it? Oh, right, you must be the winner of the ‘Most Heartless Traitor’ award.” Han Ning snorted.

“…I should just leave,” Tian He muttered, trying to stand up. But Han Ning grabbed him.

“Not so fast. Keep talking!”

Tian He hesitated. “Ning Jie, I know I betrayed both of you, especially Miss Shen. And I know this is not the right time to say this, but…”

“Say what?” Han Ning glared at him. “What are you up to now?”

Gurgle, gurgle. Tian He’s stomach answered for him. Embarrassed, he admitted, “I have no money left. I don’t dare go home looking like this… I haven’t eaten all day.”

Han Ning sighed and reluctantly took him to a nearby KFC. Tian He was starving, devouring his burger in huge bites, nearly choking himself.

“Drink some Coke before you choke to death.” Han Ning scolded him, but still handed him a cup of soda. Tian He mumbled a thank you with his mouth full of food. Han Ning rolled her eyes in disgust. “Just stop talking. Every time you speak, you spit bread crumbs everywhere.”

As Tian He ate, Han Ning propped her chin on her hand, watching people come and go in the restaurant. She felt bored and idly played with her fingers before looking back at Tian He.

He wasn’t much older than her. He had always been a cheerful and clean-cut young man—talkative, yes, but simple-hearted. Seeing him so battered and broken now, she couldn’t help but feel a little pity for him. No matter what, he was still just a young man. They weren’t friends, but they knew each other. In just a matter of days, he had gone from normal to this state… It was hard not to feel sympathy.

“Hey, didn’t you already tell Nie Lan everything? Why did she still beat you up?” Han Ning asked.

Tian He stopped chewing, hesitated, and then said, “At first, I only told her minor details. When she realized I was playing tricks, her men started using real force…” He sniffled. “In the end, I had no choice. To stay alive, I had to tell them everything.

Otherwise, I might not have made it out…”

Han Ning sighed. She understood. He had done it to survive. If she were in his position, she couldn’t guarantee she would have done any better.

Realizing this, she felt less frustrated. She pushed a box of chicken nuggets toward him. “Eat.”

“After I told them, they let me go. Nie Lan even said she would get me medical treatment, but instead, they just dumped me there and left me alone…” Tian He sighed. “That place was a deserted wilderness. I walked for hours to reach the city. I was exhausted and broke, so I slept under a bridge for days. Someone pitied me and gave me some money, but then the fortune tellers under the bridge chased me away… That’s how I ended up wandering here.”

Han Ning glanced at his exposed knee, wrapped carelessly with cloth. The dried bl00d had formed a scab. His face was bruised and swollen—he really did look miserable.

“Finish eating and wait here. I’ll get my car and take you to the hospital to clean your wounds.” With that, Han Ning got up and left.

“Thank you…” Tian He watched her back as tears welled up in his eyes.

As Han Ning drove back from the hospital, her thoughts were in turmoil. Tian He had suffered so much—how could she not worry about Shen Xi’s fate? What if Shen Xi was beaten and dumped somewhere too? If that happened, she would go crazy…

She took Tian He to the hospital, where the doctor confirmed there were no serious injuries. After dressing his wounds, she lent him some money for a hotel. Before leaving, she instructed, “Rest for a week. Once you look decent, take me to find your master—I need his help.”

Tian He nodded gratefully.

By the time Han Ning returned home, it was already midnight. She logged into the game and saw that Shen Xi had been online ten minutes earlier. There was a message waiting for her:
[Ning Ning, Nie Lan texted me tonight. She said she’s coming back. I’ve thought of a way to make her give up on me voluntarily. I don’t know if it will work.]

Han Ning immediately replied: [I ran into Ah Tian. He’s both pitiful and detestable. Xi Xi, don’t take risks. Stay safe.]

She clicked send.

Muttering to herself, she frowned. “Make Nie Lan give up on her… How is that even possible?” For once, Han Ning had no idea what Shen Xi was planning.

Thirty kilometers away, Shen Xi had made up her mind.

She wasn’t sleeping. She was carefully reviewing her plan, wondering if it would work.

After observing Nie Lan for days, she had realized that Nie Lan was extremely controlling, suspicious, and unpredictable. She could only be described as a mad dog.

Han Ning was fierce too—but Han Ning was rational.

So what happens when one control freak meets another?