Rotten maiden

Imogen got her first period, and I was the one who went out to buy her sanitary pads. When she filled in her college choices for the SAT, I helped her research and select schools. When she graduated and started job hunting, I helped her polish her resume and accompanied her to interviews. Later, I confessed my feelings to her, but she showed up with a guy from the construction site and told me she had found true love. I stepped back into the role of just a friend. When that boyfriend of hers beat her up and she ended up in the hospital, I confronted him on her behalf. Yet, she stood by him, blaming me instead. “Jasper, who asked you to interfere? Stop trying to drive a wedge between me and Jude.” That’s when I realized you should let go of a childhood sweetheart that has gone rotten. While I was working late, Imogen sent me a picture. She was lying in a hospital bed with her face bruised and swollen. She asked if I could visit her at the hospital tonight. Seeing her once beautiful face now covered in bruises made my heart ache. I simply replied, “Wait for me,” then grabbed my car keys and rushed to the hospital. Up close, her injuries were worse than in the photo. Not just her face; the doctor said her abdomen had been violently kicked, causing a rupture. Rage quickly filled my chest. “I’m going to deal with that jerk!” I stormed out in fury. “Don’t go!” Imogen clutched my arm tightly, stopping me. “It’s my fault. He came home late, and I nagged him a bit. I annoyed him, and that’s why he hit me.” I looked at Imogen in disbelief. She was beaten so badly over something so minor, yet she didn’t blame him but instead reflected on herself and defended him. I was so angry that my chest hurt, and I sarcastically remarked, “Didn’t you say he loves you? Loves you so much he’ll beat you up, right?” Imogen lowered her eyes, then looked at me with stubbornness. “He was just drunk today, lost control. He’s usually good to me.” “He cooks for me, knits bags for me, and texts me countless times a day saying he’s tired but doesn’t mind because I’m worth it.” “I’m the light in his life. He needs me.” I really wanted to knock on Imogen’s head to see if it was filled with water. His so-called cooking was just heating pre-packaged food in boiling water, and the handmade knitted bag was a cheap online purchase. I was genuinely puzzled. She wasn’t lacking love, so how could such cheap affection deceive her so thoroughly? Imogen’s family and mine are neighbors. She’s an only child, and her parents, both in government jobs, have doted on her like their treasure, never letting her lack anything materially. And as her childhood sweetheart growing up together, I always fulfilled her every need, always listening to her. Friends always said that Imogen had a loyal knight always following her. I also thought I would naturally end up with Imogen. But later, when I confessed to her, she was arm in arm with a man from the construction site and told me she had found true love. That man’s name was Jude. Just like his name, he always looked world-weary. He seemed to lack the spine to stand straight, always with a cigarette in his mouth, puffing smoke. When he looked at people, he tilted his head, chin up, his eyes half-lidded with arrogance. A typical rascal. But Imogen loved him obsessively. I asked her, frustrated, “Have you ever thought about how much your parents would hurt if they knew? You’ve never been scolded, let alone hit. If your parents knew you were beaten into the hospital, it would be like stabbing their hearts. Even if you don’t care about yourself, you should think about your family’s feelings.” Imogen was silent for a moment and then replied, “Then don’t tell them.” I took a deep breath and called the police. Imogen could endure it, but I couldn’t watch the woman I loved for so long be trampled by scum.

“Who called the police?” A male and female officer stood in the hospital room, asking in an official tone. “Officer, I did. The victim is my friend.” I pointed at Imogen on the hospital bed. “My friend was violently assaulted. You can see from her face how brutal the attacker was. He also violently kicked her stomach, causing a rupture. Please punish that inhumane attacker severely.” I handed the officer the doctor’s medical diagnosis. The officer glanced at Imogen, took the report, and frowned. “No… It’s not like that. My boyfriend didn’t mean to hit me. He was just drunk and accidentally pushed me. I got these injuries from bumping into things myself.” Imogen anxiously defended Jude to the police. “You said the person who hit you is your boyfriend?” the officer asked in confusion. “He didn’t hit me.” Imogen denied again. I was about to explain further to the officer, but he stopped me. He asked Imogen for Jude’s phone number and called him to the hospital. Jude arrived at the hospital smelling of alcohol. Seeing the police, his arrogance quickly diminished. He rushed to Imogen’s bedside, kneeling with a worried tone. “Baby, are you okay? How did you get so hurt? Does it hurt? Baby, you’re really breaking my heart.” I rolled my eyes and mocked, “Jude, what are you pretending for? Imogen’s injuries are clearly from you, and now you’re here playing the cat crying for the mouse. Do you have no shame?” Jude ignored me, continuing to softly and gently care for Imogen. Imogen was moved to tears. The police briefly asked about the incident. Since Imogen insisted Jude didn’t harm her intentionally, and Jude sincerely apologized, the police just gave Jude a verbal warning and left. After the police left, Jude glanced at me smugly and said sarcastically, “Baby, I told you to stay away from bootlickers, but you didn’t listen. Now he even called the police to try and drive a wedge between us.” “Some bootlickers just wish to break up true love, hoping to take advantage of it. Baby, you really need to keep your eyes open and stay away from those with ill intentions.” He finished with a meaningful look at me. “Jude, who are you implying? I…” “Enough!” Imogen sternly interrupted me, apologizing to Jude. “I’m sorry, Jude. I shouldn’t have called him. I didn’t expect him to meddle so much.” Then her blaming gaze fell on me. “Jasper, you should go. I don’t need you now.” Seeing Imogen forgetting the pain before her scars even healed, I sneered. “Fine, I must be a damn fool!”

After leaving the hospital, I was burning with anger with no outlet. I called Milo and dragged him out for a drink. We sat at an outdoor street stall, a table full of beer and barbecue. Without a word, I downed a bottle. Milo sat across from me, frowning, shaking his head. “Look at you. It’s just a woman. Three-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged women are everywhere. The best way to heal a broken heart is to start a new relationship. Stop fixating on a crooked tree.” “My sister graduated from an Ivy League school, beautiful and elegant. Let me introduce you.” I kept drinking in silence, feeling like my heart was soaking in bitter melon juice. I asked Milo, unwilling to let go, “Tell me, how did I lose to that scum? In looks, education, job, family background, I beat him in every way. Why would Imogen choose him over me? And the worst part is he hit her.” Milo sighed and spoke softly. “Love is inexplicable, illogical. I advise you to respect others’ fates and let go of your hero complex.” Hearing that, I deflated. Yeah, if love were rational, why would I be so obsessed with Imogen? From the table not far behind us, I heard laughter. Someone asked, “Hey Jude, did the police give you any trouble for hitting your girl?” Jude snorted, “As long as Imogen doesn’t admit I hit her, the police can’t do anything to me.” “Damn, Jude, you’re amazing. How do you make her so devoted to you? Teach us.” “Yeah, Jude, don’t keep your secrets on how to handle women to yourself.” Jude curled his lips into a wicked smile, his voice laced with disdain, “It’s simple: just satisfy her in bed.” When men start talking about private matters, they become especially sleazy. As soon as Jude finished speaking, the men at the table burst into suggestive laughter. Hearing this, my anger surged. Milo tried to calm me down, “Relax, relax. Be careful, or you’ll be blamed for meddling again.” The conversation continued over there. Jude pulled out his phone, tapped a few times, and tossed it on the table. “Don’t believe me? See for yourselves.” Everyone immediately gathered around. “Damn, Jude, you really have a video.” “Hurry up and play it. I want to see.” Jude’s phone played a woman’s voice intermittently. I recognized it as Imogen’s. After watching, the group seemed unsatisfied. Jude said, “The more intense content requires payment to unlock. Anyone interested, send me 500 bucks.” I couldn’t hold back my anger any longer. I got up and walked toward Jude. His back was to me, and I raised a beer bottle to smash it over his head. Just as I was about to hit him, one of his sharp-eyed friends pushed him aside. The bottle shattered on the chair, glass scattering everywhere. Jude stumbled a few steps and turned back, his face full of rage. “Quick… open it, I want to see.” Jude’s phone sporadically played a woman’s voice. I recognized it as Imogen’s voice. Everyone looked dissatisfied after watching. Jude announced, “The next part is even more thrilling and requires a payment of 500 yuan to unlock.” I couldn’t contain my anger any longer and stood up, heading towards Jude. Jude’s back was to me. I raised a beer bottle, aiming for his head. Just before it hit, one of his sharp-eyed friends pushed him aside. The bottle smashed against the chair, shattering into pieces. Jude stumbled a couple of steps and turned around, his face full of anger. When he saw it was me, he smirked arrogantly. “I was wondering who hated me this much. Turns out it’s the loser I beat.”

“Jude, how can you treat Imogen like this? You have no shame.” Jude shrugged indifferently at my outrage, spreading his hands like a scoundrel. “You treat Imogen like a goddess, but to me, she’s just someone to warm the bed. Too bad for you, bootlicker, you’ve got nothing.” “I’ll make you regret it, you heartless bastard.” Fueled by alcohol, I lost control and charged at him. Jude’s friends quickly intervened to stop me. Even with Milo’s help, I was outnumbered and got the worst of it. Suddenly, they let us go. I heard Imogen’s voice from afar. “Jude, are you okay? Why are you fighting?” Imogen gently touched the corner of Jude’s mouth, which was bleeding slightly, her eyes filled with worry. Jude grumbled, “Ask your loyal bootlicker. He suddenly went crazy and attacked.” Imogen frowned, looking down at me on the ground with disapproval. “Jasper, why are you causing trouble with Jude again? I’ve told you I only love him. Stop trying to come between us like a fool. I have no romantic feelings for you. Wake up and face reality.” “You’re still defending him!” I shouted angrily. “Do you know this jerk is showing your private stuff to others, letting them talk about you with disgusting words?” Imogen looked alarmed and hesitantly glanced at Jude. “Jude, he…” Before she could finish, Jude cut her off angrily. “You’ll believe anything a bootlicker says. Why don’t you date him instead?” Jude tried to shake off Imogen’s hand, but she held on tightly. “I’m sorry, Jude. I shouldn’t have doubted you. Please forgive me.” She turned on me. “Jasper, you’ve gone too far. To break me and Jude up, you make up such ridiculous lies. I’m completely disappointed in you.” “Jude, let’s go home and ignore him.” Suddenly, Jude’s phone chimed with several notifications of 500 yuan deposits. He raised an eyebrow at me, smugly waving his phone in silent provocation. The tension in my mind snapped. I charged at him like a madman. But Imogen threw herself at me with all her strength, knocking me away. I fell to the ground, and a car suddenly drove over, crushing my leg. The sound not only broke my leg bone but also completely severed any past I had with Imogen in that instant.

My injury alarmed my parents. They learned from Milo that the incident was because of Imogen. They immediately called Imogen’s parents to the hospital. Imogen and Jude’s relationship couldn’t be hidden anymore. As soon as I came out of surgery, I saw my parents standing there with displeased expressions. Imogen’s parents looked thoroughly ashamed. Imogen stood in a corner, fiddling with her phone. The doctor told us my bone was set, but I needed to rest. Only then did my parents feel relieved. My mom, still upset, spoke with a pointed tone. “Son, you give your all to others, but they treat you like dirt. Next time you act foolishly, I won’t wait for others to break your leg; I’ll do it myself. It’s my fault for not teaching you not to meddle.” Our family and Imogen’s had always been on friendly terms. I’d always followed Imogen, and both families used to joke about being in-laws someday. Now, my mom’s words were merciless. My dad nudged her, signaling her to stop. Imogen’s father, feeling ashamed, dragged her to my bedside and ordered her. “Apologize!” Imogen was defiant. “Jasper’s leg wasn’t run over by me, and if he hadn’t attacked Jude, I wouldn’t have pushed him. The broken leg is his own fault, and it’s not…” A loud slap interrupted her. Imogen’s father slapped her hard. He looked at her, trembling with disappointment. “Where’s your upbringing? How dare you defend that scoundrel!” Imogen’s eyes reddened, and she looked at her father with resentment. “Dad, you’ve never even scolded me before, and now you’re hitting me for an outsider. You’ve really lost your mind.” Her father nearly lost his balance from anger. Her mother quickly supported him, frowning at her stubborn daughter. “Imogen, how can you talk to your dad like this? You’re being so unreasonable.” Facing everyone’s criticism, Imogen shifted the blame to me, glaring at me with red eyes. “Jasper, are you happy now? Everyone’s scolding me. Are you satisfied? I hate you. I’ll never speak to you again!” She shouted and ran off crying. From start to finish, I watched coldly like a bystander. With no joy or sorrow, I felt no pity for Imogen being scolded or hit. Her insults didn’t hurt me either. She seemed to turn into a wisp of smoke, drifting away from my life. After Imogen’s parents apologized profusely to mine, they left. My mom began to gently persuade me to move on. “Mom,” I interrupted her nagging, “don’t worry. I won’t think about Imogen anymore, and I won’t get involved in her life.” My parents exchanged glances, seemingly unconvinced. No matter. Time will prove everything. Imogen’s parents found out Jude was a penniless scoundrel who even hit Imogen. They were furious and hired someone to beat up Jude while demanding Imogen break up with him. But Imogen was rebellious. The more they opposed, the more she believed in her true love with Jude. In the end, her parents threatened to cut ties if she didn’t choose. Imogen stubbornly chose Jude. My mom sighed, wondering if Imogen was under some spell. I just smiled without saying anything, as it was all irrelevant to me. I started pouring all my energy into work. If I completed the new project excellently, I’d get promoted. While I was busy working day and night, Imogen called asking to borrow money. Her voice was tearful. “Jasper, I need 200,000 yuan. Please lend it to me, it’s urgent.”

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