Zhou Qiang did not stop. He continued his recollection.
"Although Lanxiang was in her mother's arms, she wasn't looking at her."
"She kept staring at me."
"She told her mother three words: 'He cheated.'"
"Lanxiang's mother froze for a moment, then walked over to the bed and slapped me across the face."
"It was incredibly loud. My ears were ringing."
"I didn't make a sound."
"After slapping me, her mother turned back to hold Lanxiang and said, 'All right, you've let off some steam. What else do you want to do? Kill him?'"
Zhou Qiang paused.
"She meant to talk her down. Who knew Lanxiang would nod?"
"She really nodded. I knew she really wanted to kill me."
"She kept muttering, 'I'm going to kill him.'"
"Lanxiang was looking at me the whole time she said it. That hatred... it wasn't the kind you shouted about. It seeped out from deep inside."
"Her mother cried as she said, 'Why do we both have such miserable lives? Why do all the men we meet turn out like this? Not a single decent one.'"
"Her mother held Lanxiang and said, 'Sweetheart, listen to me. Let's leave. Back then, I left with you all by myself. I had nothing, but I still raised you. You're much better off than I was. You have me, you have your child, and you have-'"
Zhou Qiang gestured.
"She turned to look at me."
"Then she asked, 'Are you willing to pay?'"
"She said, 'Five million.'"
"I was tied to the bed, with blood still on my shoulder. What else could I say?"
"I said, 'Yes. However much you want.'"
"To tell the truth, I actually felt relieved at that moment. If money could settle it, that was the best possible outcome."
Zhou Qiang paused, the corner