Chapter Eight: I Am the Mad Dog, Part Two—Shattered Eggs Leave No Trace

“Hahaha! Kill me? How are you going to kill me? With what?” Lin Tianyi gripped his gun in his right hand, tapping it against An Jing’s temple, while his other hand pointed mockingly at Lei Dong. “I know you can fight, but can you stop a bullet? Even if you could, could this bitch?” As Lei Dong’s expression grew darker, Lin Tianyi became ever more arrogant. “You like this filthy whore, don’t you? Not only do I have a gun, I’ve got another one on me. I’ll shoot you dead with this one, then use the other to finish off your woman—make her scream in ecstasy!” As he spat out his vile threats, the image of the delicate beauty writhing beneath him sent a thrill through his body, his lower half twitching with anticipation.

At this, Lei Dong grew eerily calm, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits as he spoke in a deep, cold voice. “Are you serious?”

Lin Tianyi, oblivious to the fury flashing in Lei Dong’s eyes—unaware that those who knew him would see he was on the verge of erupting—mistook the calm for fear and grew bolder. “Not only will I take her, I’ll have a whole group join in! All my men will get a turn!” Lin Tianyi waved his left arm, shouting wildly, “We’ll record the whole thing, make a video, burn it to disc—let this bitch be ruined for all to see—”

An Jing’s anger mounted with every filthy word. Her face flushed crimson, and at last, unable to endure it, she lashed out with her foot at Lin Tianyi’s shin, heedless of the gun pressed to her temple. But as her foot left the ground, Lei Dong’s figure blurred; in a heartbeat he was beside her. A series of chilling cracks rent the air as the cold muzzle left her head. In a dazzling instant, Lei Dong had lifted Lin Tianyi off the ground—his right arm twisted like braided dough.

The sleek pistol clattered to the floor with a crisp ring.

Lei Dong held Lin Tianyi aloft as easily as a hawk snatching up a helpless chick, his intimidating presence leaving An Jing stunned.

Lin Tianyi, wracked with pain and terror, stammered in a dry, shaking voice, “What… what are you doing? My father…”

Before he could finish, Lei Dong let go, then lashed out with a vicious kick that landed squarely between Lin Tianyi’s legs as he fell.

Bang! Lin Tianyi felt his groin—and his very soul—explode into agony, his scream dying in his throat, the sound strangled like a chicken’s. He flew a dozen meters through the air before slamming into the ground, twitching before passing out cold.

“Your father, my ass! Pah!” Lei Dong spat contemptuously on the unconscious Lin Tianyi, then slowly turned his gaze to the other young men sprawled across the ground. His voice was icy. “All of you wanted a turn, didn’t you?”

When Lei Dong kicked Lin Tianyi in the groin, every one of those privileged brats—each already nursing a broken arm—collectively sucked in a breath, curling up in pain as though the blow had landed on them instead. Now, as Lei Dong’s gaze swept over them, they shrank back, shaking their heads furiously but not daring to utter a word, terrified of provoking this ruthless young man.

With a snort of disdain, Lei Dong strode over and delivered a kick to each of their heads, knocking them out in turn.

An Jing stood in a daze, watching Lei Dong casually incapacitate the lot of them, then glanced at Lin Tianyi, sprawled unconscious after that savage blow, and at Lin Jiangnan, still trapped under the car, his fate uncertain. Her mind went utterly blank.

Through the haze, she heard someone approach and murmur softly, “It’s over now. It’s alright.”

She gasped faintly, her mind still reeling. That voice continued gently, “We can’t stay here. Come with me.” Still dazed, she did not move, and the person, sounding anxious now, reached out and took her hand. Jolted back to awareness, she saw Lei Dong standing before her, holding her hand, his face etched with concern.

“Are you alright?” Lei Dong asked as gently as he could.

“I—I’m fine, I’m fine…” An Jing was still shaken. Her fair, delicate hands, usually so warm and soft, were icy cold. Lei Dong, moved by a surge of pity, smiled kindly. “Come with me.”

An Jing followed him without thinking. After a few steps, she finally asked softly, “Where are we going?”

Lei Dong squeezed her hand reassuringly. “We can’t stay here. You shouldn’t go to classes for a while, either. I’ll take you somewhere safe, where no one can find you.”

The warmth of his palm and his calm demeanor soothed her somewhat. She understood the gravity of the situation—so many people hurt, the trouble immense. Suddenly, she recalled the rumors about Lin Tianyi’s background and shivered. In a low voice, she asked, “I heard… I heard Lin Tianyi is very well connected…”

“He’s Lin Jiangbei’s youngest son,” Lei Dong replied evenly. “That one under the car is Lin Jiangbei’s younger brother, Lin Jiangnan.”

“Lin Jiangbei?” An Jing exclaimed, shocked. Though her field was ancient literature and she rarely followed current affairs, living in Hanjing—the heart of the Republic’s politics—even the most sheltered could not fail to know the name of the Chief Steward of the nation’s highest council, a key confidant of the First Leader. Rumor had it this man was poised to seize one of the seven seats at the core of power in the upcoming reshuffle, backed by a sprawling political dynasty and countless business magnates.

Thinking of the immense power behind her adversaries, even the usually composed An Jing felt her heart race with dread. “Will… will you get into serious trouble?”

Lei Dong stopped and looked at her deeply. “Why aren’t you worried about yourself?”

An Jing tensed, falling silent for a long moment before whispering, “I hadn’t thought about it…”

Lei Dong smiled, squeezed her hand again, and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Looking at Lei Dong’s youthful, confident face, so unruffled even when speaking of men of overwhelming power, An Jing wondered if this was just youthful arrogance. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry, but his confidence was infectious, and she nodded gently.

*****************************************

The wheels spun furiously as a black SUV shot towards the outskirts of the city.

Lei Dong had stolen the car outside the west gate of Hanjing University.

He appeared calm as he drove, but from An Jing’s view, his brows were slightly furrowed, as if lost in thought. Her heart tightened. Facing such formidable enemies, how could a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old boy not be afraid?

Indeed, Lei Dong was far less at ease inside than he seemed. For eighteen years, no matter what trouble he got into, his father had always shielded him, cleaning up after his messes. But his past offenses were nothing more than roughing up a few entitled brats—nothing too serious, and usually he’d had some justification.

But this time was different. Lei Dong knew his own strength. In his fury, his blow had been devastating—few in the world could have survived it. Even if Lin Tianyi lived, his manhood would be ruined. However despicable Lin Tianyi had been, to be crippled so young, reduced to a eunuch for life… would his father still stand by him this time?

Even if his father were willing, how could he face such a powerful adversary? Lin Jiangbei was on the verge of joining the next ruling council, his family’s political influence vast and deep-rooted. And then there was Lin Jiangnan—head of training at the Security Bureau, soon to be promoted to major general—surely he had allies in the highest circles? Lei Dong’s father had clout in the military and intelligence, but compared to these titans, what could a mere general do?

If things truly became irreparable, what would he do then?

Flee the country with An Jing? Not likely. Within the Republic, there was nowhere two wanted youths could hide. Besides, to run away from trouble wasn’t his style.

No—if it came to the worst… The thought made Lei Dong’s heart pound, his teeth grinding audibly.

Inside the car, only the engine’s roar and the rush of wind could be heard, but Lei Dong’s clenched-teeth grimace rang clearly in An Jing’s ears, making her own heart race anxiously.

Watching Lei Dong’s shifting expressions—now frowning, now gritting his jaw—An Jing pondered deeply, then, as if making up her mind, bit her lip and took out her phone.

Catching this from the corner of his eye, Lei Dong quickly reached out to stop her. “Don’t use your phone!”

An Jing looked at him in surprise. “Why not?”

“They might track your signal and find us. Turn it off!” Lei Dong said gravely.

Hesitant, An Jing replied, “But… my mother gave me this number, said it’s a family friend in Beijing. If I ever have a problem, I can call...” Her voice trailed off, even she not quite believing that some distant relative could solve such a crisis. But with the situation so dire, how could she not at least try?

Lei Dong glanced at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes, but shook his head firmly. “It’s useless.” Then, as if remembering something, he smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to you or me. That’s not what I was just worrying about.”

An Jing studied his face, silent for a long moment, then finally nodded and switched off her phone. Following his instructions, she removed the back cover, took out the SIM card, and tossed it out the window.

Lei Dong watched her calm, methodical movements and smiled in approval before turning his attention back to the road.

Yet An Jing kept sneaking glances at him—this boy with a radiant, sun-bright smile; this boy who, in his wrath, was as fierce as thunder; whose skills were almost terrifying; who showed no mercy and humiliated his enemies; who remained confident even when facing the most powerful foes; whose mind was keen and meticulous… Remembering when he’d declared, “No one bullies my woman,” with such natural, unquestioned authority, An Jing felt her heart begin to stir.

“What’s wrong with you? Falling for someone you just met?” she scolded herself silently, shooting Lei Dong a quick, blushing glance. Yet, strangely, her heart began to settle.