From body to Love

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: BloodstainsMeng Fu stared at the pink envelope in his hand, slightly dazed. Just as he was about to tear it open, Xie Zhenzhen stopped him."Why don't you show me any respect? I'm still a girl after all. Open it when you get home, and then tell me the result." Xie Zhenzhen's face carried the color of lotus flowers that summer.With a soft smile, Xie Zhenzhen cheerfully rode off on her bicycle. When Meng Fu got home and opened the envelope, he discovered it was a love letter.Receiving a love letter was a rarity these days. As Meng Fu read it, he started laughing. As he laughed, he felt his heart stir. It was the first love letter he'd ever received, and he thought the girl was quite cute.At that time, the college entrance exam had just ended.At that time, his parents had already been in prison for five years.At that time, he had already been shunned by everyone.At that time, Xie Zhenzhen came closer to him."Why did you go buy me flowers?" After coming out of the cinema, Meng Fu told her to wait for a moment. He hadn't expected him to return holding a bouquet of flowers.Her smile bloomed like a flower."For you."He cupped the girl's face in his hands, bent down, and gave her a light kiss."Meng Fu.""Yes?""I'm so happy right now. My dream guy has become my boyfriend. Doesn't this feel like a scene from a drama?"Meng Fu held her close, as she said joyfully."You've been watching too many dramas," he lightly tapped her head, full of affection.Xie Zhenzhen giggled. She would never tell him how many girls secretly had a crush on him. She wouldn't tell him that many people didn't mind his family's situation but were put off by his excessive pride.Luckily, she didn't care about pride, nor did she care about others' opinions."Which university are you planning to apply to? I'll apply to the same one." Xie Zhenzhen asked, then, as if remembering something, added, "My grades aren't as good as yours, so we probably won't end up at the same university. But, as long as we're in the same city, it's fine." Without waiting for Meng Fu to answer, she continued to speak to herself, "What if other girls try to steal you from me if we're not in the same school?""I'm applying to A University's law school. Don't worry, no other girl would like me besides you."Law school—how ironic, he thought. His parents were in prison for embezzlement, yet he was going to study law."Then I'll apply to C University. It's close to yours, so I can see you often.""Okay.""Meng Fu, you look like someone with a strong sense of justice. You'll definitely become an excellent lawyer. In a few years, when you're standing in court in a suit, you'll look so handsome. Little girls, grandmothers, and aunts will be lining up to ask you to take their cases. I'll be your assistant; wouldn't that be nice?" Xie Zhenzhen began to envision their future. Sitting in the café, she turned her head to look at Meng Fu's reflection in the window, thinking how lucky she was to have someone so admired by others."It's raining," Xie Zhenzhen said, noticing raindrops on the window. As she spoke, the rain began to pour heavily. "Well, looks like we're stuck here for a while," she laughed, feeling that the rain had come just in time—she wasn't ready to go home yet.The watch showed 11 p.m.The rain showed no signs of stopping.Meng Fu saw a call from Meng Yi and looked at Xie Zhenzhen apologetically. "Xiao Yi, what's up?""Meng Meng, when are you coming back? There's thunder, and I'm scared."He thought Xiao Yi would be asleep by now but hadn't expected him to be startled awake by the storm. He couldn't help but feel worried."I'll be back soon, don't be scared.""Okay, hurry up. I'll count to a thousand, and you better be here.""Okay."When Meng Fu hung up, Xie Zhenzhen had already packed her bag. "Let's go. I'll drive.""Sorry, I have to get back home.""It's fine. We'll have plenty of chances to go out on dates later."Raindrops fell heavily on the ground. As they stood at the door, a sudden sense of unease hit Meng Fu."Let's go." He glanced at Xie Zhenzhen's high heels, covered her head with his hands, and felt a bit more at ease."I'll drive," he said, shaking off the water from his clothes and handing her a tissue.Driving on a rainy, muddy road.Meng Fu hadn't had his license for long and wasn't very experienced behind the wheel.Later, as he sat in prison, he would think: If only I had driven slower, if only I had been more careful, maybe the tragedy could've been avoided."Your phone is ringing," Xie Zhenzhen reminded him.Meng Fu was focused on driving. "Is it Xiao Yi?""Yes.""Answer it for me.""Meng Meng, I've already counted to a thousand, why aren't you home yet?" Xie Zhenzhen held the phone to Meng Fu's ear as Meng Yi's complaints came through."I'll be home soon. How about you count to two thousand more?" Meng Fu suggested."But I only know how to count to a thousand!" Meng Yi wailed tearfully, a single tear falling onto his bed.Hearing this, Xie Zhenzhen laughed, playfully nudging Meng Fu's arm. Her eyes were sincere as she said, "Your little brother is so cute. I'd love to meet him someday.""Sure, you can."Meng Fu turned his head to respond.On the phone, Meng Yi continued to babble, "Meng Meng, I'll count to a thousand again, okay? And then..."Before Meng Yi could finish, all Meng Fu heard was a loud crash.A truck came hurtling toward them. Meng Fu instinctively swerved, slamming on the brakes.Xie Zhenzhen was pale, terrified. In front of them, several trash cans were knocked over. She patted her chest, calming herself down. "Luckily, we just hit trash cans," she laughed, trying to reassure herself. "Meng Fu, doesn't this mean we're going to have good luck after this?""Zhenzhen, I think I might have hit someone."Xie Zhenzhen was certain she hadn't seen anyone. Meng Fu, relieved, continued driving. He thought maybe the heavy rain had made him see things.He hadn't expected that two days later, the police would summon him. The evidence was clear, and his conviction came swiftly. He watched the blurry surveillance footage—his car had indeed hit a woman in a black dress.The police told him the woman had died from blood loss, and if he had gotten help sooner, she might have survived.The woman had also been two months pregnant.Meng Fu bit his lip, unable to speak. Wearing a prison uniform, handcuffed, he confessed to everything."Meng Fu, I'm sorry. Yesterday the police asked me to come in. I didn't know someone had died. I panicked and told them you were driving. I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have driven us on a date, I shouldn't have distracted you while you were driving. Maybe this accident wouldn't have happened." Xie Zhenzhen sat across from him, crying uncontrollably. She looked at his pale face, his blank expression, as though he still hadn't fully processed what had happened, as if he was living in a nightmare.Meng Fu was just waiting for the nightmare to end."It's not your fault. I didn't stop to check properly. I caused two deaths, and I should be punished by the law." He lowered his head, staring at the table.He had always thought prison tables were no different from those outside. But now, he felt a difference—everything here reeked of criminal guilt."No, no, Meng Fu, I'm so sorry." Xie Zhenzhen sobbed, her shoulders shaking."Don't cry. I'm not going to be in prison forever," he said softly, trying to comfort her."But we were just about to go to university," she choked out."If my university admission letter arrives, please throw it away for me."The guard signaled that visiting time was over. Meng Fu stood up and walked toward the door. Suddenly, he stopped, turned around, hesitated for a moment, and said quietly, "Zhenzhen, let's break up."

END OF THE CHAPTER