Reservoir Dogs chapter 90
Revenge
The light in the red wine created small circles of light, making the fingers holding the glass look even more slender.
Liang Hanqing’s home was a typical three-bedroom apartment, clean and simple.
“Is there any way to keep Jiang Chengyuan from intervening in the appeal?” Xiao Zhou asked while sitting.
Liang Hanqing poured the wine, facing Xiao Zhou, “Why do you think I have the ability to influence his decisions?”
Xiao Zhou’s shoulders slumped, feeling somewhat defeated, “I don’t know, just thought I’d try. Maybe you could use other cases to stall him or create some trouble? I don’t know many people, so I’m asking you.”
Liang Hanqing said, “Don’t worry too much. It might not be as bad as you think.” He handed the wine to Xiao Zhou, “Even if Jiang Chengyuan continues with the appeal, it doesn’t guarantee success. I believe in the fairness of the law; criminals will be punished sooner or later.”
Xiao Zhou took the wine glass. “It’s precisely because of this that I don’t want him to take it.”
“Are you afraid he’ll lose?” Liang Hanqing’s mouth curved into a cold smile. “Chen Jin is dead, and he was your friend.”
Xiao Zhou tightened his grip. “Before I came to find you, I talked to the prosecutor. We had a little chat.”
“Hmm?”
“He has no confidence in this case.”
Liang Hanqing fell silent for a moment, a flicker of powerless anger flashing in his eyes. He swallowed a mouthful of wine. “So what are you afraid of?”
Xiao Zhou held the glass, his thumb gently stroking the rim. “I’m afraid he’ll regret it.”
“Regret?”
Xiao Zhou drank the wine. “I don’t want him to look back on what he’s done and feel regret or self-blame. I want to leave him some leeway.”
“I always feel like the person you know and the person I know are two different people.” Liang Hanqing stood up, bent down to the TV cabinet, and picked out a record. Soon, a melodious classical tune filled the room. “The person I know has always been very decisive and self-centered.”
Xiao Zhou said, “I understand him.”
Liang Hanqing smiled slowly but didn’t say anything.
“But I also know that no one can make decisions for him except himself,” Xiao Zhou said self-deprecatingly. He then stood up. “Forget it, I don’t know what to do either. I’ll head back first.” Suddenly feeling a bit dizzy, he stumbled but was caught from behind.
Liang Hanqing held him, letting him lean against his chest, whispering in his ear, “Careful, this wine is quite strong.”
Xiao Zhou felt very dizzy, his vision blurred, and an unfamiliar alpha scent approached. Instinctively, he struggled and muttered, “But I only had one glass.”
Liang Hanqing chuckled softly. “Sometimes, one glass is enough. I told you, you’re too tired and need a good rest.”
Xiao Zhou felt like he was sinking into a black swamp, the drug taking effect quickly, and he soon lost consciousness, collapsing weakly.
Liang Hanqing laid him flat on the sofa, looking down at his now vulnerable state. He then slowly sat down on the edge of the sofa, reaching out to touch Xiao Zhou’s face—a face that had shed its childishness, clean and handsome.
Xiao Zhou had never been guarded against him, which made it so easy for him to succeed, easily capturing Jiang Chengyuan’s weakness.
Although capturing a prey that willingly puts its neck in the collar isn’t interesting, it wasn’t just dull; it made one feel a bit pity for it.
His fingers brushed over Xiao Zhou’s cheek, sliding down to the exposed skin of his collar. His skin was very fair, and his collarbones were prominently visible.
Liang Hanqing remembered some past events. When Jiang Wenxing asked him to rescue Xiao Zhou, he inexplicably suggested using the parole act to exonerate him. When he proposed to be Xiao Zhou’s alpha, he was both anxious and excited. Perhaps sensing Xiao Zhou’s reliance on and fondness for him, he indeed wanted to possess this young man, though he was unsure if these sudden impulses were due to guilt or a passing fancy and if it was worth such a sacrifice.
Xiao Zhou’s later refusal brought him both regret and relief. Sure enough, once back to his routine life, he almost forgot about it.
Years later, when they met again, Xiao Zhou had become Jiang Chengyuan’s omega. In that moment, he felt an inexplicable fury. Xiao Zhou could choose anyone but not Jiang Chengyuan. It meant Jiang Chengyuan had taken something that belonged to him again, always overshadowing him in everything, past and present, even if it was something he didn’t want.
He slowly unbuttoned Xiao Zhou’s shirt, watching the young body gradually reveal itself before him—a strong, handsome physique, with muscles perfectly distributed, long, slender limbs and torso, and goosebumps rising on the skin exposed to the cold air.
Nothing could be more satisfying than destroying something that Jiang Chengyuan thought he had. It might be the only thing that could make him lose his composure, more cruel than hurting Jiang Chengyuan himself.
With an expressionless face, Liang Hanqing began to caress the person lying on the dark sofa, watching him tremble, his skin blooming with patches of red. As his exploration went down Xiao Zhou’s pants, his own breathing became rapid.
Fragments of memories started flashing through his mind, recalling the times when Xiao Zhou called him “Hanqing Ge” without any wariness, believing he was genuinely defending him wholeheartedly; the time Xiao Zhou tried to suppress his sadness after the trial verdict, saying it was okay; and the time in the visiting room, with bruises on his face, silent and unspoken.
His heart stirred slightly, a distant tenderness rising, along with emotions he thought he had long discarded. When Xiao Zhou climaxed, calling out Jiang Chengyuan’s name, Liang Hanqing paused, lowered his eyes, and withdrew his hand, wiping the cum off with a tissue.
He looked at Xiao Zhou for a moment, then started laughing manically, his shoulders shaking, and tears streaming down his face from laughing too hard. He bent down to kiss Xiao Zhou’s lips but hesitated and only kissed his tightly shut eyes.
Liang Hanqing thought, he never felt he did anything wrong, that he owed no one, and everything he did had unavoidable reasons. But Xiao Zhou was the exception, the only mirror reflecting his despicableness. All his kindness towards him was just compensation and pretense. So where did Xiao Zhou’s foolish and laughable trust come from? Why was he willing to give his all just because someone was a little kind to him?
Liang Hanqing realized that he couldn’t do anything more. He still wasn’t ruthless enough; he couldn’t even match Jiang Chengyuan in cold-heartedness. No wonder even his own uncle and mentor, Wu Yichang, preferred Jiang Chengyuan over him.
Liang Hanqing took a few steps back, pulled out his phone, and took some photos and a video.
The progress bar completed, and the message was sent successfully.
He placed the phone on the coffee table, and soon it started vibrating frantically.
Liang Hanqing glanced at the caller ID, then switched the phone to silent mode. Even without answering, the message notifications kept accumulating.
Liang Hanqing didn’t dress Xiao Zhou, only covering him with a thin blanket from the bedroom.
He poured himself another glass of wine. The classical music reached its most intense section. He crossed his legs and sat on the other side of the sofa. The dim light made his handsome face look like a veiled painting. He closed his eyes to the rhythm, letting himself sink into the sensory experience.
Author’s note:
In the next few chapters, everyone is invited to witness Jiang Chengyuan’s madness…