《Love in A Fallen City》


 I didnt kill him.

    Night, pouring rain.


    Wang Mei died.


    Died in front of Ma YuLi.


    The rainwater washed Wang Mei''s bloodied body, dyeing a large area red.


    A black Bentley stopped, and Li Cha rushed over, fiercely grabbing Ma YuLi''s neck: "You killed her!"


    "No, it wasn''t me. Wang Mei was already dead when I arrived..."


    "You''re still denying it! You''ve always hated her to the bone!"


    "It was Wang Mei who took the initiative to ask me to meet her. I had just arrived when I saw her lying on the ground!"


    But Li Cha did not believe her.


    A sinister light shone in his deep eyes: "Ma YuLi, I will make you suffer a fate worse than death! To appease Wang Mei''s spirit in heaven!"


    Ma YuLi looked at the handsome man before her in despair.


    She was Li Cha''s wife, but had never entered his heart.


    He loved his childhood sweetheart Wang Mei deeply. He had never given her any of his affection.


    Four years ago, Li Cha was diagnosed with leukemia. Ma YuLi''s blood type and bone marrow happened to match his, and could save his life.


    The Li family negotiated with her, but she didn''t want anything. She only wanted to marry him.


    Ma YuLi finally became Mrs. Li, and Li Cha''s illness was cured.


    "Slap!" A heavy slap made blood seep from the corner of Ma YuLi''s mouth as she fell to the ground.


    "Wang Mei told me just yesterday that she was pregnant. And you made your move today," Li Cha emanated an icy aura, "Ma YuLi, blood debts must be paid in blood!"


    She looked at him in disbelief: "How could you...let her bear your child...Li Cha, what about me! What about Li XiuQi!"


    Li XiuQi was her and Li Cha''s son.


    That year, because Ma YuLi had donated too much blood to Li Cha, her body was not suitable for pregnancy. Forcing her to have a child would endanger her life.


    But she endured unimaginable hardship and gave birth to Li XiuQi.


    She thought Li Cha would feel distressed for her, but he believed Ma YuLi used the child to tie him down. So he hadn''t held Li XiuQi in all these years.


    Father and son were emotionally distant.


    As a result, Li XiuQi developed autism.


    "You? You''re not even worthy to shine Wang Mei''s shoes!" Li Cha''s thin lips moved slightly, his words cruel. "Come! Throw her into prison!"


    "Yes, Mr. Li!"


    Two bodyguards dragged Ma YuLi away, while Li Cha crouched down next to Wang Mei, took out a handkerchief and wiped the rainwater off her face, then carefully picked her up in his arms.


    As if she were a precious treasure.


    This scene pierced Ma YuLi''s eyes and turned her heart to dead ashes.


    After loving him for so many years, what did it amount to in the end?


    No one noticed that in the alley, a pair of eyes watched all this silently, extremely delighted.


    She killed Wang Mei and framed Ma YuLi. So...


    Li Cha would be hers!


    Because she was Wang Mei''s twin sister, with an identical face!


    \---


    Women''s prison.


    The guard pushed her into the cell, lazily saying: "You guys, welcome the newbie properly."


    Ma YuLi looked up at the women surrounding her.


    "Don''t come near me..." She suppressed her fear. "What do you want!"


    "The boss just instructed us to listen well," said the woman in the lead, licking her lips. "This delicate little face, tsk tsk!"


    Ma YuLi turned to run, but the prison gates were locked tight. She could only cry loudly for help.


    "Scream all you want, no one''s gonna save you."


    She pretended to be calm: "Do you know who I am? I''m Mrs. Li!"


    No matter how much Li Cha hated her, he wouldn''t let these women touch her. He had always been domineering and ruthless. If he wanted to kill or punish her, he would do it himself.


    "Hahahahaha..." To her surprise, they all burst out laughing. "Still Mrs. Li? We''re going to take care of you, Mrs. Li!"


    Wang Mei and Li Cha were holding her down from both sides, while the other women surrounded her and started punching and kicking.


    Ma YuLi couldn''t move at all, pain shooting through her body.


    She squeezed her eyes shut, curling up into a ball. She had overestimated Li Cha''s hatred for her.


    But in her fading consciousness, the name she called out was still his: "Li Cha, Cha..."


    Ma YuLi loved him too much, for a whole youth of ten years.


    Yet Li Cha had wounded her heart beyond repair.


    ...


    Three days later.


    The graveyard.


    Li Cha personally buried Jiang Wang''s ashes and erected a tombstone.


    His deep set brows and eyes were filled with grief: "I will avenge you, Wang."


    His fingers brushed over the photo on the gravestone. Just then, a pair of delicate hands reached over: "Mr. Li, my condolences."


    Li Cha turned his head to look at Jiang YunRou beside him.


    She had an identical face to Jiang Wang.


    "My sister has passed, we are all very sad," Jiang YunRou said. "The murderer must pay the price!"


    She intentionally leaned into Li Cha''s embrace, but was imperceptibly pushed away.


    He understood they were two different people.


    Li Cha''s expression was cold. He asked to the side: "Has Ma YuLi confessed?"


    His assistant George replied: "Mr. Li, after the lady was imprisoned she developed a high fever, there was no time for interrogation."


    "Bring her here."


    George was shocked, but still responded: "Yes, I will go arrange it immediately."


    Jiang YunRou added fuel to the fire from the side: "Just give her the death sentence, secretly execute her with a gun, lest things get more complicated."


    Li Cha swept a sharp, cold gaze over.


    "Mr. Li, I...I just want justice for my sister." Jiang YunRou shrank back in fear.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.He said lightly: "You are very similar to Wang."


    Li Cha did not like people meddling in things before him. If not for Jiang YunRou''s face, he would have had her dragged away already.


    Moreover...he didn''t know why, but how to deal with Ma YuLi was his business. No one else had the right to make demands!


    - A while later, Ma YuLi appeared in handcuffs.


    Due to her high fever, her face was pale and her body weak.


    Li Cha stood straight in front of the gravestone, grabbing her wrists: "Kneel."


    She bit her lip: "What if I don''t kneel?"


    "I have my ways!"


    Li Cha kicked her knee, pressing her head down to force her to kneel.


    He looked down, yanking her hair: "Ma YuLi, do you confess? Will you submit to the law?"


    "I''m not guilty, I didn''t kill anyone," she answered. "Jiang Wang''s death has nothing to do with me! I was framed!"


    Li Cha cruelly smirked: "You think by not confessing I can''t do anything to you?"


    As he spoke, he pinched her chin: "Do you believe if I wanted to, I could make your entire Ma family accompany Wang in death?"


    Ma YuLi looked at him in horror: "Li Cha, you can''t do this!"


    "Scared? Then confess!"


    She shook uncontrollably: "Don''t you have any affection left for our marriage? Husband and wife, can you not show me a shred of compassion?"


    "Husband and wife? Have you forgotten how you drugged your way into my bed?"


    "I told you, that drug wasn''t given by me!"


    "I don''t have time to waste words with you!" The veins on Li Cha''s temples bulged. "Kowtow to Wang''s gravestone and confess!"


    Ma YuLi looked at the man before her, he was so ruthless and heartless towards her.


    She was so tired of loving him.


    "Li Cha, I loved you the most, I saved your life, I bore you a child! The one who loved you, you spurned. The one who didn''t love you, you treasure like a priceless gem! One day, you will regret how you treated me!"


    Ma YuLi lowered her head down onto the icy marble. "I am guilty, I deserve death!"


    "Wonderful, now my sister''s spirit in heaven can rest in peace!" Jiang YunRou immediately kicked Ma YuLi viciously. "You murderer!"


    She pressed Ma YuLi''s head against the gravestone, bashing it repeatedly, until blood streamed from her forehead.


    Li Cha watched coldly from the side.


    Jiang YunRou yelled: "My sister was pregnant with child, two lives ended! You deserve to be minced into pieces and rot in hell...ah! You dare to bite me!"


    Ma YuLi clenched her teeth tightly into Jiang YunRou''s flesh. Jiang YunRou screamed in panic: "Crazy woman, Mr. Li, save me!"


    Her cries reminded Li Cha of how Jiang Wang must have pleaded that night when Ma YuLi killed her.


    Li Cha grabbed Ma YuLi''s jaw, while yanking her hair back forcefully with his other hand.


    Ma YuLi''s mouth and face were covered in blood: "Even Jiang YunRou can get your pity?"


    "She is Wang''s sister."


    "I''m your lawfully wedded wife!"


    "You''re nothing," Li Cha elegantly wiped the blood from his hands, tossing the handkerchief at her face. "Ma YuLi, you''re more sinister than I imagined!"


    She closed her eyes, letting the tears flow freely. "Actually...Li Cha, you loved the wrong person. The one who pulled you from the fire when we were young was me, not Jiang Wang."


    He scoffed coldly: "You expect me to believe you?"


    Ma YuLi continued speaking: "After I carried you out, I left you by the lake to get help. But by the time I came back, you were gone. Only later did I know Jiang Wang happened to pass by and brought you to the Jiang family for treatment."


    "Wang is dead, now you want to steal even her credit?"


    "I just want to speak the truth, to stop bottling it inside." Ma YuLi answered. "Li Cha, you might as well just kill me now!"


    This torture was worse than a quick death.


    She had nothing left, only this heart that loved him, now damaged beyond healing.


    "I will torture you bit by bit," Li Cha yanked on her handcuffs. "Let you experience every cruelty in the world."


    Ma YuLi gazed into his eyes. She still remembered, amidst the raging fire, his hoarse yet gentle voice: "You saved me, I will marry you."


    Later, she had used her own blood to save him again, before becoming his wife.


    Two life debts, yet it resulted in this.


    "If there is an afterlife, Li Cha..." Ma YuLi struggled to remain conscious. "I will definitely not want to meet you again..."


    Her vision went black, and she completely fainted.


    ...


    Gu Residence


    Li Cha walked into the living room, immediately noticing the small cowering figure in the corner.


    He loosened his tie, eyes cold: "Come here."


    Gu XiuQi hugged his old, worn out toy as he slowly approached Li Cha, handing him a drawing.


    It depicted a family of three holding hands, with the words "Mama loves Papa" written below.


    Li Cha found it ironic. He snatched it up and tore it in half: "From today, you have no mother."


    Gu XiuQi''s clear eyes instantly widened in panic and fear.


    His autism made him dislike speaking, but under Ma YuLi''s patient care, his condition had improved. Now, Li Cha''s words completely shattered him again.


    "How could I have a worthless son like you?" Li Cha crossed his legs leisurely. "Or, are you the result of Ma YuLi sleeping around with other men?"


    His eyes narrowed, flashing with anger.


    Gu XiuQi took two steps back. At only four years old, his entire world was Mama. Papa was scary, Papa didn''t love him.


    Thump. Gu XiuQi knelt down.


    Gu XiuQi, who was diagnosed with autism and hadn''t spoken another word since, now uttered three words: "Want Mama."

 I am willing to divorce.

    Wang Mei trembled with joy. If only she could hear this - it would make her weep with happiness.


    Her child was bright, just lacking in love. She had tried so hard. But Li Cha was furious.


    He kicked over the coffee table. "I told you, you have no mother now!"


    Gu Xiuqi''s face turned deathly pale, his small body shaking, lips turning blueish-purple, breath stopping. Young master! The butler cried out in alarm.


    The courtroom.


    Wang Mei, wearing prison garb, appeared under the escort of two guards. She stood at the defendant''s table.


    At the plaintiff''s table, Li Cha sat haughtily and coldly, a thick stack of documents before him. He didn''t even glance at her.


    Mei! I''m your defense attorney, Lu Yunshen, came over, resolute. I will clear your name - I believe you did not commit murder!


    Lu Yunshen was Wang Mei''s college classmate. He studied law while she studied architecture. They met at a freshman mixer and became close friends.


    Wang Mei managed a faint smile. "Yunshen, thank you." But I don''t need a defense.


    Why! You can''t just give up like this!


    It''s the only way Li Cha will stop.


    Lu Yunshen yelled: Don''t you care about Xiuqi anymore? He''s only four, what will he do without you?


    Xiuqi still has his grandparents. Wang Mei replied. He is of the Gu family bloodline. No matter how much Li Cha hates me, he wouldn''t take it out on our son.


    You''re wrong! He needs his mother! Lu Yunshen looked at her intently. Xiuqi is in the ICU right now. He has a confirmed heart condition! The Gu family plans to give up on him!


    Wang Mei, who had seemed resigned to her fate just moments before, trembled at this news.


    Xiuqi only has you. You can''t plead guilty for his sake!


    How could he have a heart condition? I haven''t been away that long! Wang Mei''s heart ached. He''s only four...


    I heard it was from shock, too much for his heart to bear. Lu Yunshen''s gaze was resolute. So you have to get out of prison, for Xiuqi''s sake.


    Wang Mei''s will to live was reignited.


    She rushed madly toward the arrogant man at the plaintiff''s table. "Li Cha, you have to save Xiuqi! He is your son, your own blood, how can you abandon him?"


    Somehow she had the strength to break free from the guards and throw herself at Li Cha''s side.


    "Please, Xiuqi cannot die. I risked my life to give birth to him!"


    Li Cha looked at her coldly. "Are you certain Xiuqi is my son? Not Lu Yunshen''s?"


    Wang Mei froze. How could you doubt Xiuqi is yours?


    Lu Yunshen cares so deeply for you. He''s willing to defend you even on a murder charge. Such devotion is so rare. Did you two have an affair? We were completely faithful!


    Hmph. Wang Mei, even if Gu Xiuqi is my son, he''s useless - autistic and sickly, a disgrace to the Gu family! Like mother like son, nothing good comes from your womb!


    Li Cha''s words pierced her heart like a knife.


    He loathed her, even his own son born of her body aroused such hatred in him.


    She was in despair. "If you don''t want Xiuqi, give him back to me!"


    Yes!


    Fine. Li Cha''s eyes were icy cold. Divorce. The child is yours.


    Wang Mei''s eyes brimmed with tears. Ten years of devotion, in exchange for a divorce decree. Her sacrifices meant nothing to him.


    Alright. Wang Mei agreed. Li Cha, I''m leaving this marriage. He swiftly flung a divorce agreement at her. Sign here, fingerprint here!


    And free me of all charges. She seized the moment to make her demand. Otherwise I''m not leaving, and you can''t make me!


    Back when Li Cha and Wang Mei married, they had secretly signed an agreement.


    Li Cha could never divorce her.


    Because he needed her blood type and bone marrow. That was the condition she had insisted on. Li Cha gripped her chin. "Wang Mei, you''re vicious!"


    Not as vicious as you, Li Cha.


    Wang Mei held up the cold handcuffs. Divorce if you want, but from now on, we are through. I won''t love you anymore!


    The hospital.


    Outside the ICU.


    Can I go in? Wang Mei pleaded with the doctor. I''m his mother, I want to see him. From being imprisoned to now, she hadn''t gotten to see Xiuqi at all. She missed him dearly.


    The doctor looked her over. "You''re Gu Xiuqi''s mother? I''ve never seen such an irresponsible parent. The child is critically ill, half a step from death''s door, and you didn''t even ask about him?"


    I''m sorry, I''m so sorry! Wang Mei apologized abjectly. I won''t neglect him again, I''ll stay by his side always!


    Xiuqi was her life. The rest of her days, she only wanted to live them with Xiuqi.


    First pay the medical fees. The doctor handed over the bill. 80,000 total, plus the upcoming surgery fees, you need to prepare 200,000.


    Wang Mei hurried off to pay.


    But...your card has insufficient funds. The window clerk said. And since he was admitted until now, you haven''t paid anything?


    What? Li Cha didn''t contribute a single cent? And he froze her bank account too!


    What to do!


    I''ll cover it. Lu Yunshen seemingly appeared out of nowhere, handing over his card. Here.


    Wang Mei did not take it.


    Li Cha suspected her of improper relations with Lu Yunshen. If she accepted this money, who knew what Li Cha would do to Lu Yunshen.


    His law firm was just getting started, such a promising future ahead. She could not drag him down.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.You''ve helped me enough already. Wang Mei declined. I''ll find a way.


    She turned and ran out of the hospital.


    The Gu family wouldn''t care if Xiuqi lived or died. But the Su family should help their grandson!


    The Su residence.


    What? You want money? As soon as Su Hongming heard, his face froze over.


    When you were Mrs. Gu, you didn''t bring any benefits to the Su family. Now divorced, you just know to come begging from me?


    Dad, it''s for Xiuqi''s heart surgery, he''s your grandson!


    He''s the Gu family''s grandson! Why don''t they save him?


    Wang Mei felt chilled to the bone.


    Human feelings were so cold. She had tasted it fully.


    Stepmother Lin Zhen ate swallow''s nest and laughed. I heard Xiuqi''s illness came from shock. What good is a child like that, autistic and sickly?


    Wang Mei could stand it no longer. She grabbed the bowl of swallow''s nest and flung it directly in Lin Zhen''s face. "No matter what, he''s better than a homewrecker like you!"


    Ahhh! Lin Zhen shrieked, in disarray. Who are you calling a mistress? Hongming, control your daughter!


    Wang Mei! Su Hongming yelled. You''ve eaten the heart of a bear and leopard!


    I''ve no need to stay in this family any longer. She clenched her fist, nails digging into her palm. Fine, since you refuse to help, I won''t ever come back!


    Lin Zhen said, I wish you wouldn''t come back. Just break ties completely!


    Fine by me! Wang Mei agreed. Lin Zhen, you''ll face retribution for being a mistress! She left without looking back.


    After her father''s affair and her mother''s resulting departure, Wang Mei had always lacked parental love and care.


    She didn''t want Xiuqi to go through the same childhood as her.


    But she had tried her best, only to end up in such dire straits.


    Was she fated to just watch Xiuqi leave her? No!


    Wang Mei took out a long-neglected business card and dialed the number. I need money.


    Meet tonight at the Night Color nightclub.


    Night Color was Haicheng''s biggest nightclub, where the wealthy gathered for indulgence in sensual pleasures.


    Auntie Cui was the mama-san there. She smoked a cigarette, looking at the woman before her. "Wang Mei?


    It''s me."


    Have you made up your mind?


    Yes, I need money.


    Auntie Cui smiled. "I said the first time I saw you, with your innocent face and curvy figure, you''re the type rich men like. With your willingness, money will rain down on you."


    I''ll only sell drinks, Auntie Cui. Wang Mei said. No selling my body or being an escort.


    Fine, fine. Auntie Cui nodded. I won''t force you. After some time enjoying the sweetness, you''ll change your mind. Here, go change into this outfit.


    Wang Mei looked at the skimpy halter top dress. She thought of Xiuqi in the ICU.


    She put it on, carrying wine bottles to peddle them room by room.


    Little Wang Mei had been a princess, the apple of her parents'' eye. The Su family was one of Haicheng''s top 10 prominent clans.


    But after her parents'' divorce and her mother''s disappearance, she became a burden to the Su family.


    From then on, she would often be alone on the hilltop, blowing in the wind. That was where the mischievous Li Cha accidentally sparked a fire in the dry underbrush. The wind blew the flames into a raging inferno.


    Wang Mei heard cries for help and disregarding danger, rushed in to save him.


    She still remembered Li Cha''s beautiful brows and eyes discernible even with his hair and face blackened by smoke. Some people, you know with one look they''re your destiny.


    Later when Wang Mei saw him again, Jiang Yusi was by his side, assumedly his savior.


    She thought that was the end of their fate, but then Li Cha was diagnosed with leukemia, rekindling her hopes.


    Wang Mei was so starved of love. She thought giving love would earn love in return. Marrying Li Cha was like a moth flying fatally into a flame.


    Sir, good evening, excuse me for disturbing.


    Wang Mei approached the sofa. "This French wine was air-flown in. Would you gentlemen care for some?"


    The men''s greasy gazes roamed over her.


    "Well, Night Color has a new girl now? She looks like my first crush. A student? Nice figure, where did Auntie Cui dig up this bombshell?"


    Wang Mei pretended not to hear. "Sirs, would you like some red wine?"


    I want it. A skinny man nodded. All the wine you have, I''ll take.


    She was elated. These wines were valuable. If she sold them all, she could earn a five-digit commission!


    But you''ll accompany me tonight. The skinny man stroked her hand. Take turns serving us this wine.


    Wang Mei froze. "Excuse me, I only sell the drinks."


    Playing coy are you? All the women here are the same, you want more money? I''ll add some!


    She got up to leave. "If you don''t want the wine, I''ll be going."


    Stand right there!


    Wang Mei had barely taken two steps before several men swiftly surrounded her.


    "You''ll sell this wine. And I''m taking you." The skinny man grinned. No girl escapes me in the Night Color nightclub!


    Help!


    Li Cha, who happened to be passing by the door, paused in his steps.


    He was here on business. Why did he feel like he heard Wang Mei''s voice?


    President Gu, George pointed to the room. That woman looks like the Madam.