Sweetheart, It's Time To Pay Your Debt - Chapter 17

The stalker’s act of kissing her hand made Bo Liye feel sick to her stomach.

He was right about one thing, she couldn’t bear to spend the next few hours covered in his saliva, nor could she secretly go to the police station to handle the matter right under her parents’ noses.

She was afraid of her parents finding out, and even more afraid that the daughter of the Bo family would become a subject of idle gossip for others.

“I’d rather like a beggar than someone as disgusting as you.”

“Disgusting? You’re already planning to date so many people anyway, sweetheart. What’s one more?”

Qin Mingyan gently bit down on the base of Bo Liye’s ring finger, her voice sounding almost infatuated.

“I really want to bite a hole right here, to break your skin and let the blood flow. Then, just as it’s about to heal, I’ll bite it again. After a few times, it will leave a beautiful scar, just like a ring. That way, when people date you, they’ll know at a glance that you belong to someone else, and they won’t try to take you from me.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I truly wouldn’t. I’d be too heartbroken.”

The stalker’s disguised voice grew increasingly hoarse. “So, I’ve prepared another gift for you. Shall I put it on for you?”

Bo Liye suddenly had an even worse premonition. When the crisp sound of silver bells rang in her ear, she retreated.

The person quickly caught up, the hard texture of the bell pressing against her earlobe. “Does this clip go here?”

Bo Liye held her breath.

As if remembering something, the person said softly, “No, probably not there.”

The bell slid down Bo Liye’s chin, its icy touch grazing the skin exposed by the square collar of her dress, inch by inch, until it stopped right over her heart.

The bell chimed twice.

Ding-ling, ding-ling.

As if finally finding the right spot: “It seems it clips right here. As long as you wear it obediently, it will prevent you from straying.”

“Your skin is so fair, you’ll look beautiful wearing this.”

“It might hurt a bit at first, but you’ll get used to it after wearing it for a while. You’ll like it, won’t you?”

Bo Liye almost stopped breathing as an unbelievable term for a product surfaced in her mind.

The moment the other person pulled at the sleeve on her shoulder, Bo Liye could no longer remain silent. She grabbed for the person’s hand. “Are you crazy?”

The other person’s eyes weren’t covered, they easily dodged her and pinned both her hands down. Then, they shook the bell in their hand as if declaring their resolve.

“Sweetheart, the moment I heard you say you were going to date them, I already went crazy.”

“I’ve already sterilized it with alcohol, it’s completely clean. Don’t move, and I won’t hurt you.”

As the sleeve was about to slip off her shoulder, Bo Liye gritted her teeth, her voice finally yielding. “I… I have nothing to do with them. That was just standard social talk used to build rapport.”

The sound of the bell stopped.

The person’s voice carried a distinct note of joy. “Really?”

“They want to marry into my family? What kind of daydream are they having? Look at them, do they even deserve me?”

Initially, Bo Liye thought this person liked her for her beauty or envied her family status. She never expected this person to be a pure “love brain” whose primary concern was whether she would date those men.

She let out a sudden, mocking laugh. “But even if they aren’t worthy, you’re even less so.”

“I’m not worthy? Then does that damned Qin Mingyan deserve you?”

“Her? She certainly…”

“Certainly what?”

Taking advantage of the person’s momentary lapse in guard, Bo Liye struggled to free her hands and tore off the fabric covering her eyes.

The black necktie slid to her shoulder. Just as she caught a glimpse of its texture, her eyes were covered tightly by a hand again.

“Sweetheart, you’re so bad, trying to trick me again?” The person leaned in close to her neck. “It’s about time. If you don’t go back now and your parents find out, I won’t get another chance to see you.”

That string of bells rang out once more, and finally, it was left around Bo Liye’s neck. “Sweetheart, you aren’t allowed to take it off.”

Bo Liye practically burst through the door to give chase, but the person seemed prepared, having jammed something against the door from the outside. By the time Bo Liye managed to get out, all she saw was a cleaning cart left behind, the person was long gone.

A cleaning lady was just about to come over to tidy the area. Still shaken, Bo Liye tried to keep her voice steady and asked, “Auntie, did you see anyone just now?”

Holding a mop, the cleaning lady asked with concern, “I’ve been cleaning inside this whole time. Did you lose something?”

Bo Liye forced a smile. “No, I just felt like I was blocked by this cart. I thought someone was playing a prank.”

An apologetic look appeared on the cleaning lady’s face. “Oh, I’m so sorry, young lady. I might not have noticed someone was inside when I parked it. Are you alright?”

Bo Liye knew she couldn’t blame her. “I’m fine, Auntie.”

She walked to the sink, turned on the faucet, and continuously scrubbed her right hand. She used soap and washed it five full times before turning off the water.

Her right hand was clean now, as if nothing had happened.

The mirror reflected the pair of bells around her neck. It was clearly a necklace style, it wasn’t meant for her ears or her chest.

She had been played.

The bells hung mockingly around Bo Liye’s neck, like a collar for a puppy, or even more so, like a brand on a trophy, a total humiliation.

Bo Liye ripped the bells off and threw them into the trash.

When she returned to the ballroom, Bo Jingxian’s expression already showed displeasure. She looked Bo Liye up and down and asked, “What took you so long? Do you realize how important this occasion is?”

Bo Liye lowered her head stiffly and explained, “Drinking on an empty stomach made me feel sick. I went to the restroom to induce vomiting.”

Looking at Bo Liye’s pale face, Bo Jingxian seemed to believe her. “Next time, remember to eat something before coming out. Are you still feeling unwell?”

Bo Liye said dutifully, “I already got some medicine from the hotel manager.”

“We’ll take you to the hospital to get checked out after this is over.”

Bo Jingxian stopped scolding her and took her hand, leading her toward Bo Cheng, who was not far away. As they walked, she whispered an introduction: “That’s your Uncle Wang. With the upcoming reshuffle, his position is likely to move up…”

As they were leaving the banquet, Bo Jingxian received an urgent call from Yancheng. A residential building under construction had caught fire, and over thirty construction workers were missing.

Bo Jingxian immediately booked a ticket and caught the latest flight out. As they left the airport, the driver asked Bo Liye which hospital she wanted to go to.

This was Bo Jingxian’s instruction. It was nearly 11:00 PM. Bo Liye glanced at Bo Cheng, who had fallen asleep after drinking too much. As the car got onto the beltway, she said:

“Go to Huashui Alley. My friend goes to the hospital often and is familiar with it, plus I left my homework at her place. If Dad wakes up and asks, just tell him the truth.”

The driver instinctively looked at Bo Cheng in the back seat. Since Bo Cheng was fast asleep, he could only say, “Okay. If you need a ride later, give me a call, and I’ll come right away.”

Bo Liye gave a perfunctory nod.

Over half an hour later, Bo Liye got out at Huashui Alley and headed straight for No. 109.

She knocked twice before the door opened. Qin Mingyan was wearing a simple over the knee T-shirt and was drying her wet hair with a towel. She had likely just showered; a faint, elegant fragrance accompanied by warm steam wafted toward her.

Qin Mingyan looked surprised to see Bo Liye. “Why are you here?”

Without any expression, Bo Liye pushed past her and walked straight in. “I’m staying here tonight.”

Qin Mingyan’s home was even more modest than she had imagined. The old-fashioned furniture was peeling, yet every corner was scrubbed clean.

She walked to the table, picked up a cup, and poured herself a full glass of water.

The water was cold. She gulped down one glass and poured another before the burning sensation in her stomach from the alcohol subsided slightly.

On the third glass, Qin Mingyan stopped her. “I’ll boil some fresh water for you. This is too cold; you shouldn’t drink so much of it.”

“No need.” Cold water couldn’t suppress her anger. Bo Liye just wanted to wash away the scent of that stalker. “Where’s the bathroom?”

Qin Mingyan pointed. “Over there.”

Bo Liye walked straight there. The moment she entered the bathroom, she began taking off her dress right in front of Qin Mingyan.

Qin Mingyan immediately pressed down on the loosening zipper. “Are you going to shower? There are no new towels or toothbrushes at home. Wait for me to go out and buy some.”

Bo Liye wasn’t in the mood for such formalities. “Give me your towel. I don’t need a toothbrush. I’ll just rinse my mouth.”

Qin Mingyan’s brow furrowed even deeper. “What happened to you? Did something happen tonight?”

Bo Liye looked at her right hand. The memory of being licked and sucked in the hotel restroom coiled around her like a venomous snake.

She closed her eyes. The emotions she had barely managed to calm resurfaced. she wanted to suppress the violent feelings in her mind, but the more she tried to forget, the more her hostility grew until it nearly consumed her.

Until Qin Mingyan’s face appeared in her vision, gripping her hand and prying open her clenched fist.

“Bo Liye, what’s wrong?”

“Get out, leave me alone.” Bo Liye forcefully struck Qin Mingyan’s hand away, her voice ice-cold.

Qin Mingyan stumbled back a few steps, bracing herself against the doorframe, before reaching for Bo Liye again. “Since you came to find me, I can’t just ignore you.”

What Bo Liye hated most was Qin Mingyan’s “saintly” display of pity. “Ignore me? What right do you have to manage me? When you came to my side, didn’t you say you would listen to whatever I said?”

She thought of those annoying people again, and suddenly grabbed Qin Mingyan’s shoulder. “Are you going to be like them and force me to listen to you?”

Qin Mingyan was startled by her movement. “Who forced you?”

Bo Liye looked at her blankly, clearly not intending to answer.

Qin Mingyan said patiently, “I haven’t stopped listening to you, and I’m not trying to force you.”

Her voice was cool and clear, like droplets of water from a cold spring, carrying a rare sense of comfort.

Bo Liye said no more, her gaze sweeping over herself and Qin Mingyan in the mirror.

Qin Mingyan’s gaze followed.

After nearly a minute of silence, Bo Liye asked, “Are you leaving or not?”

Qin Mingyan didn’t move.

The hand Bo Liye had on Qin Mingyan’s shoulder suddenly exerted force, pushing her toward the showerhead.

“What are you do….”

Simultaneously, Bo Liye squeezed in as well. As the shower was turned on, Bo Liye’s voice took on a hint of provocative intent: “Didn’t you want to help me?”

Qin Mingyan nodded slowly. She moved closer to Bo Liye, seemingly wanting to shield her from the initial blast of cold water.

Bo Liye’s eyes darkened. She pressed the back of Qin Mingyan’s neck, pulling her abruptly toward her own shoulder, finally letting herself go and doing the thing she had wanted to do most all night.

“Lick it.”