"Creeeak-"
The low courtyard gate was opened from outside.
A short man of about thirty walked in, revealing a gold tooth as he spoke:
"Mom, Dad, I've come to see Little Di!"
He walked straight past Lu Mi and the others, clearly unaware of their presence.
"Wu De's here! Come in and sit down!" Jian Di's parents came out to welcome him, beaming.
Lu Mi asked, "Are they married?"
Chen Mao shook his head. "Probably not yet. Her parents figured what was done was done, so they locked Jian Di in her room, hid her phone, and started arranging their wedding."
Lu Mi frowned deeply and followed Wu De inside.
Jian Di's room was at the easternmost end of the house. There was even a chain wrapped around the door handle.
Her father accepted the expensive cigarettes and liquor Wu De had brought with a smile, while her mother unlocked the door:
"She's being so disobedient. Don't take it to heart, Wu."
Wu De bared his yellow teeth. "Of course not. Little Di's so young. It's understandable that she isn't ready."
The moment the lock came off, her father braced himself firmly against the door. Jian Di's bloodshot eyes appeared in the gap.
"Let me out."
Her voice was already hoarse, and she was much thinner than when Lu Mi had first seen her.
"Jian Di!" her father snapped. "Behave!"
Her mother was much gentler by comparison. "Little Di, look. Wu's come to see you."
At Wu De's name, the sorrow in Jian Di's eyes instantly turned to fury. "That animal! Let him in! I'm going to kill him!"
Wu De's expression soured too. He looked awkwardly at her parents. "Well..."
"What nonsense are you talking!" her father barked, then hurried to placate Wu De. "We've already had Doctor Hu