Chapter 20: The Girl on the Bridge

I have to admit, wealthy people really are something else. On a bustling street in Haizhou, just as popular as Wanxiang Street, they had rented out the entire Financial Tower to set up their company.

I wondered why the name sounded so familiar, only to realize that part of Haizhou’s most beautiful nightscape belonged to this very firm.

If you pass by at night, you’re bound to be captivated by the dazzling light displays.

Among them were the illuminated decorations of Viking Cultural Media Co., Ltd.

I had seen it a few times before but never imagined I’d have any connection to this place.

Bringing Chen Yinan along turned out to be advantageous. That guy was a smooth talker—impossible not to be won over. Within minutes, he had the company receptionist giggling and chatting away.

We didn’t pry too much to avoid suspicion and left after about ten minutes.

By now, I was certain of one thing: the “Fat Luo” Third Master mentioned was undoubtedly the same person as Luo Weijing, the owner of this company. He was that man who once drove a Mercedes-Benz to collect scrap.

But after nearly three years, he had gotten even heavier, fully living up to his nickname.

On the way back, Chen Yinan drove while I studied the company brochures and materials he had obtained from the receptionist.

These were internal documents, giving a detailed glimpse into the company.

The Financial Tower stood next to the Haichuang Overpass, a heavily trafficked area frequently plagued by congestion.

Though he seemed disdainful of the car, Chen Yinan’s driving skills were impressive. Even for a first-timer, he handled the vehicle steadily and confidently, so I felt safe letting him take the wheel.

Without any warning, the car suddenly slammed on the brakes!

My head slammed into the back of the front seat, my nose stung and ached, and my neck nearly snapped!

Furious, I shouted, “What the hell are you doing?!”

Even worse, several cars behind us braked hard to avoid a collision. Thankfully, everyone reacted quickly, and no pile-up occurred.

But those drivers were furious. They rolled down their windows, yelling at my car, and some even got out, storming over with hostile intent!

I didn’t even have the chance to scold Chen Yinan because the moment the car stopped, he unbuckled and rushed out!

That’s when I noticed something strange beside me and cursed under my breath, “Damn!” I dropped the documents, threw open the door, and followed Chen Yinan.

At the highest point of the Haichuang Overpass, a young girl dressed in a white hoodie and jeans had climbed over the railing and was leaping down!

This was over thirty meters high, with a busy road below. If she didn’t die from the fall, she would surely be crushed by the traffic!

Chen Yinan reacted quickly but was still a step behind. Just as he lunged forward, the girl had already jumped!

He shouted and slammed heavily against the railing.

“Old Chen!” I yelled, rushing to the railing and peering down. I saw Chen Yinan’s right hand clutching the girl’s hoodie, holding her suspended in midair.

“Hold on!” I shouted, trying to grab the girl but couldn’t reach her. Without hesitation, I flipped over the railing and climbed out.

A crowd soon gathered, but no one came to help. They merely stood by, watching. Even people below noticed and stopped their cars as more bystanders gathered.

“Help over here!” Chen Yinan called out, struggling to hold on. I was still trying to find a position to assist. He had one arm around the girl, ribs pressed painfully against the railing, and could only hold on for so long.

The girl kept struggling, as if trying to make him let go.

The crowd heard the cries but didn’t approach. Instead, they sneered with scorn.

“If you don’t have the guts, don’t play hero! Better call for help—if you fail to save her, you’re just asking for trouble!”

“Exactly. If that girl’s family sues you, you’re done for!”

“Even if you’re trying to save her, you can’t just stop your car like that. My new car hasn’t even been driven for long. If you cause an accident, can you pay for it?”

Listening to their words, I was furious and anxious.

This spot was close enough to the girl, but there was nothing to brace against. I couldn’t crouch low enough to reach her, so I was helpless.

Seeing the girl still struggling, I yelled at her, “Don’t move! You’re so young—why do you want to die? Isn’t life worth living? If you’re not afraid of death, why fear living?”

The girl lifted her tear-streaked face and stammered, “Don’t, don’t save me. I really don’t want to live…”

She looked delicate and refined. Her stuttering might have been a natural affliction or caused by the shock.

I found a steady position, slowly squatted down, and leaned closer to her. “Young lady, how can you give up on life so soon? Think of your family, your friends…”

Before I could finish, she struggled harder, trying to pull away.

“They all, they all mock me! Laugh at my stutter! They don’t care about me at all!”

I’d hit a raw nerve.

I fell silent and glanced at Chen Yinan. Usually so eloquent, he was now silent.

Seeing him, I understood why—he was doubled over in pain, ribs pressed against the railing, using all his strength to hold on, with no energy left to speak.

If only someone would come to help!

A bald man approached, but not to assist—only to gawk at the girl.

He lit a cigarette and said, “If you ask me, you two are wasting your time here. She doesn’t want to live, so why stop her? People who want to die should be allowed to do so. Better to be gone than suffer in this world!”

“Shut the hell up!” I snapped at him.

He scowled, ready to retort, but I ignored him and turned back to the girl. “Listen, there are still good people in this world. Jerks like that guy are in the minority…”

From below came a chorus of shouts: “Are you going to jump or not? You’ve wasted so much time up there!”

“The area is clear. How long do you want to wait? If you’re jumping, hurry up. If not, come back up. Don’t keep me from getting to work!”

“I was hoping to watch a show, but all this dragging on with no action is boring as hell!”

The girl struggled more violently, crying, “They all want me to die! Let me go! Life is meaningless!”

I was too frustrated to argue with the crowd. I grabbed a handful of her hair.

At that moment, her hoodie ripped with a sharp tear!

If I had been a second slower, she would have fallen!

Cold sweat broke out. I shouted at Chen Yinan, “Hurry, help me!”

The girl dangled in midair, held by her hair, screaming in pain and spinning uncontrollably.

Her jet-black hair was so smooth I was close to losing my grip!

Chen Yinan clutched his left side, gasping and leaning over the railing, trying to climb out to help. But as soon as he lifted a leg, his face twisted in pain.

I thought it was over.

Her hair was too slippery—I couldn’t hold on any longer!

Just as she began to slip, a surge of energy burst from my lower abdomen. My fingers clenched tightly, and I pulled the girl upward by her braid!