Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 71

Han Ning and Shen Xi arrived in Anhua just before noon. After exiting the highway and driving a little further, they reached the entrance of the cemetery.

The sky was overcast. Han Ning took a bouquet of white chrysanthemums from the back seat, while Shen Xi carried some offerings for the memorial. Together, they climbed the stairs.

Shen Xi glanced at Han Ning. Her face was heavy with grief, her brows slightly furrowed.

She walked forward with her head down, lost in thought. Shen Xi caught up with her and gently took her hand. Han Ning looked at her for a moment, then tightened her grip slightly.

“Thank you for coming with me,” Han Ning said softly. Shen Xi smiled but didn’t respond.

The two of them walked toward Jiang Sujie’s tombstone.

“Who is that?” Han Ning murmured, looking at the man dressed in black ahead of them with a puzzled expression.

In her memory, she had no uncles or other male relatives like this. He shouldn’t be someone related to her, yet he was kneeling before Jiang Sujie’s grave, his back hunched, hands resting on his thighs—a posture of deep remorse, almost like seeking redemption.

“Is he a relative of yours?” Shen Xi asked, following Han Ning’s gaze.

Han Ning shook her head.

The man’s face was partially visible from the side, and she found it somewhat familiar.

His fair complexion, though aged, still bore traces of once strikingly handsome features, almost like a movie star.

The cemetery was eerily quiet. They stood behind the man, the only sounds being the faint rustling of the wind and his murmured words.

“Mom passed away a few years ago. When I came to visit her, I found you here too… Sujie, do you think fate is playing a cruel joke on me?”

Han Cheng wiped his tears, his voice hoarse. “I regret it so much… Why did I listen to my mother and leave you back then? Why was I so spineless? Maybe this is my karma. After divorcing you, I married another woman… but she wasn’t half as gentle, kind, or understanding as you. Our family was torn apart by her… And you know what? She even betrayed me, took some of my money, and left me. I deserved it!”

Tears streamed down Han Cheng’s face as every word he spoke echoed in Han Ning and Shen Xi’s ears.

Even without knowing the full story, Shen Xi could piece things together from Han Cheng’s confession—he was Han Ning’s father.

She glanced at Han Ning anxiously, and just as expected, Han Ning’s expression darkened.

Her face was clouded with anger. She yanked her hand away from Shen Xi and strode forward.

Shen Xi quickly followed, whispering, “Ning Ning, this is a cemetery. Don’t make a scene…”

But at this moment, Han Ning didn’t care. A raging fire burned in her chest. Staring at the man before her, she felt nothing but disgust.

“Are you done with your pathetic act? Playing the role of a devoted son? There’s no need to disgust my mother’s grave with your presence! Now you come pretending to be full of regret, acting like you had no choice? Who do you think cares? My mother?”

Han Ning sneered as she spotted the flowers Han Cheng had placed before the tombstone. She kicked them far away.

“My mother doesn’t need your flowers! Take them and get lost!”

Her furious voice echoed through the silent cemetery.

“You… you’re Ning Ning?” Han Cheng wiped his tears and stood up, staring at her in disbelief. His eyes searched her face, but Han Ning’s expression was cold as ice, her gaze filled with disdain—like looking at trash on the side of the road.

“Yes, I’m Han Ning. Your daughter. And honestly, I find that fact utterly humiliating. How could I have a father like you? Why are you still alive?” Her glare was sharp, like a blade ready to tear him apart.

Shen Xi stood aside, at a loss for what to do. She had never seen Han Ning like this. She wanted to say something to calm her down, but she couldn’t find the words. Because if it were her, she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t react the same way. She quietly stepped back.

“Ning Ning…” Han Cheng’s voice trembled as he spoke her name. He buried his face in his hands, crouching down as if overwhelmed by pain.

“I told you, take your flowers and get lost.” Han Ning’s voice was eerily calm, her eyes cold and distant.

Han Cheng silently stood up and left the cemetery.

Once he was gone, Shen Xi turned to Han Ning.

Han Ning’s face was emotionless, but tears fell one after another, pooling onto the red tiles below, forming a small wet patch.

“Ning Ning…” Shen Xi’s heart ached at the sight. She took out some tissues and gently wiped Han Ning’s tears. She had seen Han Ning break down in rage before, but this quiet grief scared her.

“I’m fine…” Han Ning took the tissue, set the flowers back in place, and neatly arranged the fresh fruits she had brought. Then, she turned to Shen Xi. “Xi Xi, did you bring a lighter? Let me borrow it.”

“I did, but… aren’t there rules against burning paper here?” Shen Xi glanced around and spotted a nearby furnace. “There’s a burner over there. Let’s go use that.”

They walked over to the furnace. Han Ning lit the spirit money and murmured under her breath, “Let Han Cheng die… Han Cheng must die…”

Shen Xi hesitated before speaking. “Ning Ning, I know you hate him. If it were me, I would too. But think about it…” She paused, then continued, “If he really dies, won’t he just go meet your mom? Wouldn’t that annoy her even more? I bet she doesn’t want to see him either.”

Han Ning froze, then looked up. “You’re right… Then let his mother suffer instead. Let her be tormented by little demons, whipped every day! That wicked old hag should never be allowed to reincarnate!”

“Exactly, exactly! Judge Lu will see everything clearly—he won’t let her off easily!” Shen Xi played along, trying to soothe Han Ning’s anger.

Han Ning was too furious to think rationally. She had lost all logic. For today, Shen Xi figured, she could be a little crazy.

Back in the car, Shen Xi handed Han Ning a cup of coffee. Han Ning sat in the passenger seat, resting her chin on her hand, staring out the window.

“What are you looking at?” Shen Xi asked, curious.

“That place used to be a kindergarten—my school. Over the years, it’s turned into a supermarket…” Han Ning’s voice was nostalgic. The warm sunlight streamed through the car window, softening her expression.

“I used to cry and refuse to go to school. My mom would take me there… and he…” Han Ning’s voice hitched. “That man would pick me up…” Her eyes turned misty. She quickly looked away. “Forget it. It’s all in the past.”

She didn’t say more, but Shen Xi understood. Those were the happiest moments in Han Ning’s otherwise turbulent childhood.

If happiness was only temporary, maybe it was better never to have had it—just like her own life…

Shen Xi lowered her gaze, started the car, and said softly, “Let’s go home.”

Han Ning slept the whole way. When she woke up, they had just gotten off the highway. They stopped by Shen Fengmei’s house to pick up two cats before heading back to Lingchao.
Shen Fengmei, unaware of what had happened, assumed they had just returned from their trip.

“Mom, are you hungry? Let’s go eat,” Shen Xi suggested casually.

“I just ate! It’s already past two, and you two haven’t eaten yet?” Shen Fengmei turned to Han Ning and noticed something was off. She sat beside her and asked with concern, “What’s wrong, Ning Ning?”

Han Ning looked up. The concern in Shen Fengmei’s eyes made her nose sting. Tears welled up again, and she suddenly hugged Shen Fengmei, sobbing.

Shen Fengmei was startled, looking at Shen Xi for answers. Shen Xi only gave a silent shush.

Fifteen minutes later, Han Ning finally calmed down.

“Auntie… my heart hurts so much…” she whispered.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Crying helps,” Shen Fengmei said, patting her back gently.

After learning everything, she sighed, holding Han Ning close.

“You’ve suffered so much, child…”