I Came From Heaven [Transmigration/Time-Travel] - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Handan took small, delicate steps, swaying her slender waist, her face wearing a seductive and alluring expression, and slowly descended the stairs. I stood still, rubbing the bridge of my nose, a habit I seemed to have developed whenever there was an unresolved knot in my heart.

The main hall was bustling. The girls were called into the private room in groups of three, replacing one another wave after wave. Only Handan did not come out, and I did not hear the supposed soul-stirring song she was famous for. The sounds of clinking cups and glasses occasionally drifted out, and I could smell the stench of wine and meat from the rich, a sickening odor of debauchery.

This feast, graced by the presence of an honored guest, continued for an unknown duration, lasting from the afternoon until dark, with no sign of them leaving. Perhaps for the girls in the establishment, this was a good thing; guests not leaving meant silver could be earned in large amounts. However, when the door to the private room was opened again, I saw a sight I should not have.

Handan was disheveled, her clothes torn. Perhaps she had been drinking excessively; her cheeks were flushed, her hair messy, and she was sitting unabashedly on the noble Young Master’s lap, handing a cup of wine to his lips.

The other companions were also lightly fondling their respective girls. My brows were probably furrowed enough to kill a mosquito. Yet, everything that happened next became the fuse that changed my life, cruelly and ruthlessly pushing me toward a trajectory that would be utterly incalculable in the future.

I stayed by the door, waiting for instructions, when I suddenly heard the sound of a wine cup shattering on the ground. Startled, I tried to push the door open but was stopped by a guard on the other side. My heart tightened, unsure what to do. Soon, all the girls were shooed out of the room, but Handan was still missing. The sounds inside were only the insulting, wild laughter of the despicable men, vaguely accompanied by Handan’s painful groans.

Everyone understood what was happening inside, yet they all stood motionless, their faces expressionless. I felt sick; the urge to vomit forced me to cover my mouth with my hand. So, the world was no different here; no matter where, the powerful and wealthy were still so hateful.

Not until the sounds inside the private room ceased did I slightly let out a breath. Why did they have to torment a weak woman? After a sustained period of silence, the City Commandant cracked the door open and imperiously ordered me:

“Errand boy, go fetch your Mama.”

I thought it was over. I desperately ran upstairs to find ‘Bao Xia Ju’: “The guest is looking for you, hurry.”

I had never seen ‘Bao Xia Ju’ with such an expression before. She stared at me in panic, her face very pale. I seemed to realize the seriousness of the problem and followed her back to the private room. ‘Bao Xia Ju’ gently pushed the door open and walked in. After another period of silence, I saw a group of scoundrels, dressed impeccably but with predatory hearts, fixing their belts and leaving the private room one by one, looking refreshed after the deed. Confined by my current identity as a man, I couldn’t rush into the room and could only greet the departing guests with a forced, ingratiating smile. The City Commandant signaled his subordinate to present the remuneration, and two men carried a whole box of gold, tossing it aside carelessly.

Seeing them off at the door, the Young Master in white never spoke a word, and the City Commandant also became much quieter. After watching the group depart with the same grand procession, I heard the sound of miserable wailing coming from the private room—it was ‘Bao Xia Ju’s’ voice. I panicked and rushed into the room.

The room was a mess. Handan lay in Mama’s arms, draped in a thin white gauze. Her face bore marks of having been severely beaten, and there were signs of being bound on her snow-white arms and neck. The fresh blood on her thighs was smeared everywhere. Damn it, these beasts really know how to play; they were into SM!

“Handan! Oh, Handan! My Handan!”

‘Bao Xia Ju’ continued her tragic wailing. Handan’s face was pale. She looked up at me faintly, struggling to motion for me to come closer. I stepped forward to her side, squatted down, and grasped her hand, anxiously asking:

“Miss Handan, what do you want me to do?”

“Xiaozhi, my Xiaozhi.”

Her lips were trembling, and tears streamed down her cheeks. I didn’t know if a child of only five or six should see such a scene, but I had to bring him to see his mother one last time.

“I’ll bring him over immediately.”

Just as I was about to stand up, Handan held me back: “No, don’t let him see me like this.”

Just as Handan finished speaking, Sixiao’s voice echoed in the room: “Mommy!”

Sixiao’s voice seemed to give Handan her final strength—it was the precursor to a final rally of life. Sixiao ran to her and threw himself into her arms. Handan cried and held him tightly, her gaze fixing on me: “Young Master Ji, Handan has a favor to ask.”

“I’ll do it! I’ll do anything! I promise you!”

I wiped the tears from my face and looked at Handan sadly. Handan raised her hand, and I immediately clasped it tightly, as if to prove that I would fulfill her request.

“My Xiaozhi is very young, but he is a sensible child and won’t cause you trouble. I beg you, please take him away from here, go to Shundu, and find his father. His name is… is… Dan… Tai…”

Before Handan could finish her sentence, she closed her eyes. I pressed my forehead against the back of her hand, crying harder than I thought possible:

“Okay! I promise you! I will take Xiaozhi to find his father!”

“Mommy!!!”

…

🛤️ The New Journey

…

In a single night, the Chun Sheng Lou, having lost Handan, was like a withered flower petal. Although guests still came, it lacked the spirit of days past. My journey was delayed by several days. After Handan’s burial, I retrieved my backpack from her room and organized the valuables she left behind.

I heard these items could be exchanged for some money, considering them her last legacy for Sixiao. Sixiao was sobbing continuously. I held his hand with one hand and carried the valuables with the other. ‘Bao Xia Ju’ stood beside me. Her plump face was devoid of the exaggerated, aggressive smile, looking suddenly much older.

“Take this money. It’s enough for all your expenses to Shundu.”

The gold ingots were exceptionally heavy, perhaps because they were weighted with Handan’s life. I carefully placed them into my bag. No need for excessive thanks; since I was genuinely leaving, there was no need to dwell on separation. I politely bowed to ‘Bao Xia Ju’ in farewell.

“Then, Sijie bids farewell. Xiaozhi, say goodbye to Mama Bao.”

Sixiao followed suit, mimicking my bow in farewell. The madam was touched by his innocent appearance, crouched down, and tightly hugged him:

“Stinky child, you must grow up well.”

Sixiao nodded firmly, his eyes bright and spirited, giving a soft “Mm.” Finally, I took Sixiao’s hand and left the Chun Sheng Lou.

…

According to reliable information from the attendants, the journey between Hongzhou and Shundu required crossing Shangpingzhou. The total distance would take about half a month to reach Shundu. So, I arranged transportation to Shangpingzhou. Before leaving, I still took Sixiao to Handan’s grave.

As soon as the little guy saw his mother’s tomb, he burst into tears. I felt the pain, but I couldn’t show such vulnerability to a child. I leaned against a nearby tree, letting him vent thoroughly. But after a long, long time, he still showed no sign of stopping. I quickly rushed over.

I lifted him by his collar, my face probably fierce, and sternly rebuked him:

“Cry, cry, cry! Does crying help? Will your mother come back alive after you finish crying? Remember this spot, this grave. You only have one thing you must do in this lifetime: find the person who killed your mother and make him kneel here, bowing his head to your mother for atonement!”

Sixiao was stunned by my roar. He bit his lip, sobbing and holding back his tears. I pushed him away gently. After calming down for a while, I sighed sadly: “I am your older brother, like a father to you now. You must listen to me from now on. Xiaozhi, let’s hit the road.”

And so, during the dozen or so days I was confined to the pleasure house, I witnessed the fragility of life and the depths of human evil, but I also unexpectedly picked up half a son.

The new journey begins now.