Han Wenqian felt as if he were being choked, rendering him unable to speak.
Although he felt indescribable pain, he could not let himself do what he wanted. He had to take proper care of Xie He. Han Wenqian quickly reached over to carry Xie He out of the tub. He then placed the young man onto the hospital bed. One side of Xie He’s body had been scalded red. There were a few blisters that had formed. Han Wenqian carefully avoided touching them. He did his best not to let his hands shake while he quickly called the doctor on duty.
When the doctor saw Xie He, he frowned. During Xie He’s hospital stay, he had inevitably developed a bit of a kinship towards him. He was such a good child but had ended up like this…he had just recovered yet was now burned…. Although the doctor knew that Han Wenqian was not someone to provoke, he couldn’t help but scold him. The other was an adult but still couldn’t take care of a patient! From beginning to end, Han Wenqian didn’t say a word.
After the doctor left, Han Wenqian stood before Xie He again. He lowered his gaze, hiding the pain in his eyes. In a soft voice, he said, “You’re not dirty. My Xiao Xin is the cleanest of them all. You’re not dirty in the least.”
Xie He didn’t listen. He still kept on repeating those words, murmuring to himself, “I’m so dirty…they’ve all been inside me, so many people have been inside me, I’m so goddamn dirty…so disgusting….”
Han Wenqian clenched his fists tightly, preventing himself from shaking. What had he been thinking back then? Why did he have to trick Xie He into believing that? Han Wenqian took in a deep, cold breath and slowly parted his lips. He cupped Xie He’s face and earnestly said, “They never laid hands on you. I lied back then. Actually, I had saved you.”
Stupefied, Xie He said, “You’re lying.”
Han Wenqian peered into Xie He’s eyes and stressed, “I’m not lying. They really never laid hands on you. That day…it was me.”
He shut his eyes, pained. He finally admitted it. “It was me. From beginning to end, only I’ve ever touched you.”
Xie He finally showed a bit of a reaction. He turned to look at Han Wenqian. “Why did you say that then…? Why…why…did you have to treat me like that…?”
Han Wenqian opened his mouth but could not form any words.
Xie He stared at Han Wenqian, who looked like he wanted to say something but was hesitating. The colour in his eyes dulled. Once again, they turned into a numbed, ashen hue. He said, “You’re lying. It wasn’t you, it wasn’t you….”
For a moment, a sliver of madness flashed through his eyes. His tone turned odd. “I know why you treated me like that. You wanted me to be in pain. You wanted to torment me, so that I’d leave the Han Family….”
Xie He laughed. “I understand now, I understand everything….”
Han Wenqian looked at Xie He like this. He felt like it wasn’t just Xie He who was turning insane, but him as well…he felt like he was about to go mad.
Perhaps…from the day he was reborn, he had already gone mad….
Han Wenqian wanted to reach out and touch the young man before him. However, the other’s body was full of wounds. He didn’t know where to put his hands. Furthermore, Han Wenqian was well aware that the wounds this young man carried were not limited to visible physical wounds. What had been more severely hurt was the other’s heart…. As long as he still lived on this planet, as long as he breathed, a slight touch from anyone would cause him immense pain.
There was no medication that could fix this.
“I told you, they didn’t do anything to you that day.” Han Wenqian’s voice was ice-cold, just like how his blood felt at this moment. “I’m not lying. There’s no reason for me to lie.”
Xie He stared into Han Wenqian’s dark black eyes and listened to the other’s raspy voice. It was as if he suddenly recalled some horrifying memories as he suddenly shrunk back, a terrified expression flashing across his face. He stammered, “I-I understand. You didn’t lie to me, you didn’t lie to me….”
Xie He’s fearful expression was like icy water battering against Han Wenqian’s heart. He wanted to reach out and embrace the other but knew that he couldn’t. In the end, his hand halted in midair. However, despite the fact that he had not completed his action, Xie He was still extremely afraid. He shrieked in alarm, “Don’t touch me! I believe you! So don’t touch me!”
Han Wenqian watched him in silence for a long time before slowly and carefully tying Xie He to the bed. This was to ensure that the other would not hurt himself. He then stood up and exited the room, his back an image of loneliness and dejection.
Han Wenqian didn’t leave though. He just stood still outside the room, like a sculpture.
He stood there for about two or three hours. When he figured that Xie He was likely asleep, he quietly made his way back in.
The young man lay on the bed. Han Wenqian could faintly make out the outline of the other’s thin body. The originally pretty and exquisite face now looked worn due to the torment and ailments from which he had suffered. Xie He’s eyebrows were tightly knitted.
Han Wenqian stood before the bed quietly, regarding the other with a longing gaze.
Before his rebirth, he had only thought of the other as a younger brother. After his rebirth, he had treated him like an enemy…. He didn’t know from when it began but these emotions had begun to change. He no longer saw him as a younger brother or enemy, but something else entirely…. Possessiveness filled his thoughts, causing the other to become an existence that toed the line between being someone he loved and someone he hated.
It was only when he found out that he never had reason to hate him did he finally allow himself to love this person with everything he had. He didn’t have to feel pain from feeling conflicted. However, the moment he found out was also the moment the pain he had inflicted in the past had transformed into ruthless sharp knives that turned around and stabbed him.
They let him know just how impulsive and stupid he had been. They let him know that he himself was the most powerless when it came to regrets.
Han Wenqian’s fingertips gently touched the short hair on Xie He’s forehead. They then swept over the other’s long, curled lashes. Pain nearly seeped out from his eyes. What I wish for…is to have been able to have known everything just a bit earlier. How good would it have been if I had fallen in love with you just a bit earlier…?
If so, I would have protected you properly. I would have never let anything hurt you.
Xie He suddenly shifted. He looked very uncomfortable, as if he were in the midst of a nightmare. He tried to wrap his arms around himself, but because his arms were strapped to the edges of the bed, they couldn’t move. After a few seconds, he suddenly let out a low sob.
Because his voice was very quiet, Han Wenqian could only hear what he was saying by bringing his ears to his lips.
He then heard Xie He cry out in a pained, despairing, powerless voice, “No…Gege...don’t….”
Han Wenqian’s eyes reddened.
A long time later, his lips trembled and a hoarse voice came out. “Don’t be afraid…I won’t hurt you again, for real….”
I will never hurt you again. Because I love you.
【Ding, the target Han Wenqian’s Favourability Value +2. The current Favourability Value is 96.】
………………………………
【Xie He:Ah, the weather looks pretty good today. Smile.JPG】
【444:Host dada, you seem to be in a really good mood, ne. O(∩_∩)O~】
【Xie He:It’s alright. It’s pretty interesting playing this “tragedy” game with my “boyfriend”. I had already thought up yesterday’s lines from the moment he tricked me into thinking that I had been gangr*ped. Only by doing this kind of thing can I make life be a bit more fun when I don’t have a sex life. Hehe. 】
【444:……】
【Xie He:Moreover, he’s cooperating with me so well. I can’t help but want to play with him a bit more. ???? 】
【444:……】_(:зゝ∠)_
【Xie He:I’ll have to make sure Gege’s Favourability Value doesn’t rise too quickly. How’s Xiao Qin lately? 】
【444:Not too well. Han Wenqian hates him to the bone. He’s not sparing anything and is attacking him fiercely. He’s all but outright killed the guy. _(:зゝ∠)_】
【Xie He:Oh, then he’ll probably make his way over soon. ???? 】
【444:(⊙o⊙) Oh.】
Today, Han Wenqian had to go to the company for some business. He arranged for a nurse to take care of Xie He.
Xie He sat in his room, bored. After some time, Mother and Father Han came to visit. Actually, they had come to see Xie He several times before. In the beginning, Xie He had been unconscious. Later on, because Xie He always looked really afraid, like he didn’t dare to see them, they didn’t come often so as to avoid upsetting him. Even so, they had always paid attention to Xie He’s situation.
Han Chengshan looked like he had aged many years. He had many more white hairs on his temples now. He looked at Xie He. This boy had been a sunshine-like cheerful young man not long ago. Now, he was sensitive and timid, and covered in scars. He had lost both hands and had become addicted to drugs…. Han Wenqian, that unfilial son! When Han Chengshan thought of this, anguish arose in his eyes.
Of his two sons, one was ruined and the other would soon go insane. Was this retribution for the terrible things he had done back then?
He had been taking care of his body and been doing charity work these last few years. But that didn’t make up for the people he had hurt in the past. Even so, why did the retribution have to land on his children instead of him?
Han Chengshan said, “Xiao Xin, don’t worry. We’ll find the best doctor to operate on your hands.”
When Han Chengshan saw this, he put a hand on his chest and coughed. He said, “I know that this isn’t enough to make things up to you…. It’s my fault for not having looked after Wenqian properly, and for not having taken proper care of you. I…cough cough.”
Mother Han helped rub his chest, sorrow in her eyes. “Don’t speak of it anymore. You’re scaring Xiao Xin.”
Seeing that Xie He really looked helpless and afraid, Han Chengshan dropped the topic right away.
Mother Han forced a smile and said to Xie He, “Don’t overthink things. Rest well and get better. When you’re better, we’ll bring you home. We’re all waiting for you, OK?”
Xie He averted his gaze, not meeting her eyes. He didn’t say anything either.
The elderly couple sat there for a while. When they realized that Xie He looked very uncomfortable, they didn’t continue to stay long and left, sadness in their eyes. Every time they saw Xie He like this, their hearts would ache.
Xie He watched them leave with a timid gaze. When the room was empty, he continued to stare off into space.
【Xie He:Finally managed to send them away. It’s rare for Han Wenqian not to be around. Such a precious chance to see Xiao Qin. Time is precious, ah, hehe. 】
【444:How did you know he came?】
【Xie He:A cornered dog will jump over the wall. He can only use me now. I’m soft and easy to manipulate. I’m also Han Wenqian’s weak point. If he doesn’t come for me, who would he go to? He didn’t let me off in the last life either. Smile.JPG】
【444:……】
After a period of time, a male doctor wearing a surgical mask entered.
Xie He didn’t seem to notice him. He continued to space out. The nurse, however, gave the doctor a curious look. She thought, I don’t recognize this doctor, ah. Regardless, she didn’t react. The doctor then walked over and stabbed a syringe into her neck, causing her to faint.
Qin Ye gently placed the nurse onto the ground and turned to look at Xie He.
He hadn’t been doing too well as of late. Han Wenqian seemed to be able to predict his moves, always forcing him into dead ends. Qin Ye had wanted to take revenge but ended up suffering defeat time and time again. When he thought he had nothing left…he remembered Xie He.
According to his sources, Han Wenqian had been spending nearly all his time at the hospital. The reason was obvious.
Qin Ye didn’t understand. Han Wenqian had been trying to ruin Xie He back then. Why did he suddenly act as if he cared deeply for the other…? Nonetheless, there was no need to understand. All he needed to know was that Han Wenqian really cared for Xie He. Xie He could be used to threaten Han Wenqian.
Qin Ye took off his mask and smiled at Xie He. He said, “Xiao Xin, do you still recognize me?”
Xie He’s head turned his head over. It seemed to take him some time to recognize Qin Ye. He cowered, afraid. In a quiet, trembling voice, he said, “Don’t come for me. I can’t help you. I can’t help you. Han Wenqian won’t let me off….”
Qin Ye sized Xie He up. The young man in front of him had become even thinner. His face was pointy. Within his glistening black eyes was fear. He was no longer as calm and unperturbed as he had used to be.
He had heard that Xie He wasn’t doing well but he hadn’t thought that it was this bad….
Qin Ye couldn’t help but think back to the first time they had met. Although the other had been feeble-looking, he still seemed rather normal. But now, Xie He was like an injured little animal. He would be afraid and touchy whenever anyone approached. Just how had Han Wenqian been ‘taking care’ of him? Didn’t he really care for him?
Why was Xie He’s condition worsening?
Qin Ye suddenly felt a shred of anger. If Han Wenqian couldn’t take good care of Xie He, then he might as well take him away. Qin Ye didn’t know why he had this kind of thought…but as reality showed, he hadn’t been able to forget Xie He after all this time.
He had always been thinking of him and worrying about him.
And right now, everything he saw only strengthened his resolve to take Xie He away! He would steal him from Han Wenqian’s hands!
【Ding, Qin Ye’s Favourability Value +10. The current Favourability Value is 85.】
Qin Ye spoke to Xie He in a soft voice, “Don’t worry. I didn’t come to have you help me. But I will have to wrong you just a bit. When you’re better, I’ll take you away from here. You won’t have to fear Han Wenqian anymore.”
He stuffed Xie He’s mouth with a handkerchief. He then tied the other’s wrists and ankles. Under Xie He’s alarmed gaze, he gave him a tranquilizer shot. He then stuffed Xie He into the closet.
Han Wenqian kept a very close eye on this place. Qin Ye would not be able to smuggle Xie He out of the hospital. It had already been very difficult to sneak in.
After Qin Ye made all his preparations, he didn’t leave. He just waited there calmly.
He knew that he was doing this risky move out of desperation. It was a gamble. He was gambling on just how much Han Wenqian cared about Xie He…. But he had already reached this point. If he didn’t take the risk, would Han Wenqian let him off?
Han Wenqian had been worried about Xie He the entire time. When he finished his business, he rushed back. However, as soon as he entered the hospital room, what he saw caused his heart to go ice-cold.
The bed was empty and Xie He was nowhere to be seen. The nurse that had been taking care of Xie He was on the ground and Qin Ye was clad in a white lab coat. He was sitting on the sofa, beaming at Han Wenqian as if he had been waiting for him.
Intense terror made Han Wenqian nearly lose all rationality. He grabbed Qin Ye by the collar and shouted angrily, “Where’s Lin Xin?! Where’d you take him?!”
Qin Ye had a grudge against his family. He had framed Lin Xin and forced him in the past. He would hurt Lin Xin…!
Qin Ye glanced at the hand Han Wenqian had on his collar. He cocked a brow and smiled. “Don’t get all agitated. I hid him in a really safe place. As long as you cooperate, I guarantee that nothing will happen to him.”
Han Wenqian’s eyes were filled with an icy, murderous intent. His face was tense. After some time, he finally regained his cool. He slowly let go and said in a low voice, “What do you want?”
Before he could ensure Xie He’s safety, he could not even the slightest risk.
Qin Ye was a bit surprised. He had yet to make his threats but Han Wenqian was already so cooperative. It seems like he had underestimated how much Xie He meant to Han Wenqian…. Qin Ye raised a brow and said, “You seem to really care about him. I really don’t get it. Can you tell me why? If you care about him so much, why did you treat him like that in the past?”
Han Wenqian looked at him with a frigid gaze. “That has nothing to do with you. I know that your target is me. Tell me your conditions…. Don’t…don’t hurt Lin Xin. He’s innocent.”
Qin Ye’s expression changed. All of a sudden, he smiled. “If someone didn’t know what happened had heard this, they’d think that you really loved him.”
Han Wenqian clenched his fists tightly, not uttering a sound.
Qin Ye smiled and said, “How about this? Kill yourself and I’ll let him go. How about it?” Although he said this with a smile, there was a sharp coldness filling his eyes.
Back then, Han Chengshan’s loan sharks had forced Qin Ye’s father to die. Killing Han Wenqian would count as revenge, wouldn’t it?
Han Wenqian didn’t hesitate to say, “OK.”
When Qin Ye heard this, he didn’t speak. He didn’t walk over. Instead, he stayed on guard and kicked a knife over to Han Wenqian’s feet. He smiled. “Then kill yourself right now.”
Han Wenqian bent down to pick up the knife. He didn’t blink as he plunged it into his abdomen. He then slowly pulled it out. Blood stained his suit in an instant. From beginning to end, he didn’t so much as furrow his brows. His thin lips parted and he looked up to say to Qin Ye, “I know that you don’t trust me, so this is an act of good faith…. But I also don’t trust you. Tell me where Lin Xin is first. I have to see that he’s fine before I continue.”
Qin Ye kept his eyes on Han Wenqian the whole time. The other hadn’t hesitated at all with that stab…. He was sizing up Han Wenqian’s combative ability. Neither of them trusted the other. Qin Ye didn’t believe that Han Wenqian would really kill himself. However, now that Han Wenqian was injured, Qin Ye thought that he could take advantage of this and kill the other!
Han Wenqian’s eyes were frosty. He seemed to be able to read Qin Ye’s plans. He said in a cold voice, “Tell me where Lin Xin is and I’ll do as you wish. Otherwise, all I have to do is shout and the people outside will charge in. You won’t be able to accomplish anything.”
Qin Ye’s expression slowly turned solemn. Things were entering a deadlock. He narrowed his eyes and was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Stab yourself again and I’ll tell you.”
Han Wenqian plunged the knife into his abdomen again, eyes fixed on Qin Ye. He asked, “Where is he?”
What Qin Ye was thinking, however, was that he could kill Han Wenqian now!
However, at this moment, a soft thump came from the closet…. Qin Ye’s pupils constricted. Xie He had woken up ahead of schedule!
Han Wenqian’s gaze suddenly became sharp. He pounced at Qin Ye, ice-cold killing intent filling his eyes! Qin Ye could sense that things weren’t good. He turned to dodge but was slashed in the arm by Han Wenqian’s swing of the knife. Blood oozed out!
sere: plot hole but why would Lin Xin be afraid of the parents? The most he should feel is sadness for them not actually treating him as a son? Like they didn’t do anything to him, no one told him anything about the parents trying to kill him, so all his fear should be on Han Wenqian alone?? Anyway it was kinda irritating me.
Eve: I can’t imagine anyone stabbing themself in the gut with no hesitation. Thinking about it just makes me…ugh. As for why he would be afraid of the parents, probably because of HWQ’s brainwashing and the association he subconsciously makes between HWQ and the rest of the Han Family. He’s also not in a good mental state so everything might just be muddled.