Chapter 16 Zhou Su’s Explanation
How?
Somewhere in my heart, something collapsed, shattered to pieces.
When I stepped back, my elbow accidentally hit a broom. The clatter startled Zhou Su.
The instant our eyes met, time seemed to freeze.
I whipped around and ran with all my strength. Zhou Su chased close behind, all the way to the rooftop. Hurried footsteps tangled with the heavy rain.
He grabbed my arm. He looked panicked, nothing like his usual calm.
"Songsong, listen to me!"
I asked him what he wanted to explain.
"Explain why the killers knew my address, Xia Lin's address? Zhou Su, you're an accomplice to murder. Do you know how many people you've ruined?"
The furious questions made him shut his eyes, looking pained.
"Yes. My real father is a murderer."
"A few years ago he was caught and sentenced to death.
My mom remarried and took me with her. But yesterday my dad suddenly called.
He said he'd broken out and needed a huge sum.
If he didn't get the money, he'd come for my mom and wreck the quiet life we have now.
I really had no choice. The college entrance exam is tomorrow.
He promised me that once he got the money he'd leave and never come back. "
This was the first time I had seen Zhou Su cry. Bloodshot veins packed his pupils.
"He's my real dad. Blood is thicker than water. I couldn't watch him die. But I really didn't know he had partners. Songsong, believe me. I really didn't know..."
His obsidian-like eyes were filmed with tears. It made me pity him.
"You don't know how much I've given for this exam. Other people don't, but Songsong, you can't not know."
"Didn't we promise we'd test into Beijing together?"
"Don't ruin me... all right?"