Volume One, Chapter 20: Dig a Pit for Me

I recounted everything that had happened between Kuang Li and me to Zhou Shutong like pouring out beans. After some thought, before asking her to show me the surveillance footage, I felt it was necessary to let her know exactly what had transpired—after all, whether she helped me or not was entirely her choice.

The cigarette between my fingers burned silently to its end, and with it, my story was finished. Looking at the shocked expression on her delicate face before me, I gave a bitter smile and firmly stubbed out the cigarette in the glass ashtray.

The glass ashtray made a sharp hissing sound, a noise that unsettled me, as if something had been branded into my heart.

“I’ve told you everything. Think it over carefully. If you provide me with the surveillance footage, you’ll be involved in this mess. But if you do help, I won’t tell her it came from you—rest assured on that.”

Without much hesitation, Zhou Shutong waved her hand in the next moment. “We’re friends. If you’re in trouble, of course I’ll help! And besides, Kuang Li really did wrong this time.”

With that, she pulled out her phone and quickly accessed the surveillance footage from her front door, handing it over to me.

“Here’s my phone. Find the footage yourself—I’m too lazy to mess with this stuff! You look for yours, I’ll play some PUBG on your TV with the screen casting.”

She handed me her phone and leisurely settled onto the sofa, her long legs and figure undeniably impressive.

I stared at the footage on her phone. Soon, Kuang Li appeared on the screen, sneaking up to knock on the door. After making sure no one was around, she fished a key from the electric meter box, unlocked the door, and walked straight inside.

About fifteen minutes later, Kuang Li swaggered out of my home. Though the video was a bit blurry, it was clear to see the relief written all over her face.

Watching the footage, I felt something shatter deep inside me.

Love between a man and a woman is complicated and hard to pin down. The person I once loved deeply has vanished from my world. The heart-wrenching pain is like a beast lurking in the dark, tormenting me without respite, leaving me to drown my sorrows in drunkenness.

Nine years of a long-term relationship now seemed like a dream, cruelly awakened by her own hand.

I sighed and handed the phone back to Zhou Shutong. “Could you please forward me this video?”

She was engrossed in her game, barely paying attention. “Why don’t you save it yourself? I’m playing! Just save it to my phone’s album first, then forward it to yourself.”

A flicker stirred within me. When a woman willingly shows you her phone, it’s a sign of trust. My heart rippled, but I rejected the offer without much thought.

A girl’s photo album is private. Even with permission, it would be impolite to browse through it casually.

I smiled wryly and shook my head. “Better wait until you finish your game before you send it.”

---

Zhou Shutong put down her phone, pouted in exaggerated frustration. “Fine, I’m done. Got sniped by a crossbow in PUBG—so embarrassing.”

She saved the video, forwarded it to me, then stood up gracefully and headed for the door.

“It’s late. I’ll head home now. You have work the day after tomorrow, so enjoy your last day off tomorrow.”

Once Zhou Shutong left, the house sank back into a deathly silence. I lit a cigarette, the drifting smoke seeming to chase away the loneliness.

When the cigarette burned out and the solitude faded, I hesitated before deciding to call Kuang Li.

When she answered, two cold words came from the distant end.

“What?”

Her indifference did not disturb me. I shook my head, sighed, and spoke.

“You came to my house today?”

Kuang Li’s voice instantly became unnatural. “No, don’t make things up! Do you have proof?”

I smiled bitterly. “You don’t need to be so defensive. I promise this call isn’t recorded. I just wanted to warn you—I installed a surveillance camera at my door after you moved out, and it caught you. I’m calling to tell you that you cheated first and trespassed.”

Kuang Li sneered disdainfully. “Trespass? It’s not that serious. I used a key to open the door—not climbing through a window.”

“So, you admit you came to my house.”

“Bastard! You’re trying to trap me!”

“You’re overthinking. I’m just telling you that besides cheating, you’ve now added trespassing.”

A cold laugh echoed through the phone. “Who do you think you’re scaring? Do you think I’m easily frightened?”

“If you don’t apologize within an hour, I’ll call the police.”

With that, I hung up immediately.

---

After ending the call, I shook my head in disbelief, feeling a bitter taste in my heart. After nine years of love, it ended in a mess of shattered pieces. Even if she apologized and gave up fighting for the property, would I truly be victorious?

I lit another cigarette and smoked silently. As it neared its end, Kuang Li called back.

Her tone was no longer arrogant but pitiably soft. “Yu Bin, let’s talk calmly. How much do you want? Just say it.”

I was taken aback, a chill running through me.

Kuang Li’s voice was gentle, almost fragile, yet it sent a shiver down my spine.

A wave of desolation surged within me. Listlessly, I said, “I didn’t call for money.”

“I know you recorded the call. Just be straightforward—how much will it take for you to let this go?”

I chuckled bitterly a few times. Hearing her soft voice, I suddenly felt a strange distance.

Seeing my silence, Kuang Li coaxed on, “I want to handle this quietly. We loved each other for so long. Can you really be so heartless? Just say the amount! Chen Zheng has already agreed to pay. We just want to make a big issue small.”

Her voice was tinged with grievance. “We were together nine years. I’ve been with you since college, stayed by your side until you turned thirty. I gave you my whole youth. Can’t you show a little mercy? Just treat it as your final act of love for me...”

As she spoke, her cries filled my ears. But I felt like a cold statue—my heart that once overflowed with love for her had finally turned as hard and cold as stone.

I took a deep drag of the cigarette, watching the smoke drift, and said, “Kuang Li, don’t try to trap me. If I asked you for money, you could turn around and accuse me of extortion.”

Silence fell on the other end. I thought I heard her heart pounding faster.

I continued, “I’m calling just to remind you: entering my home without permission counts as trespassing. Now, I’m going to call the police.”

Then I hung up.