Zheng Yan stood in silence, watching Chen Kai being taken away, his gaze lingering for a long time before he could look away.
Qin Xuan’s face was as cold as ice. As soon as the door closed, he grabbed Zheng Yan by the chin, speaking with a harsh tone. “What’s the matter? Do you think I’m terrifying? Are you planning on going to the police to report me, this ‘bad guy’?”
Despite his icy expression, Zheng Yan could hear the insecurity behind his words. It was almost laughable—tragic, really. Despite his deep concern for Chen Kai’s safety, Zheng Yan found himself worrying about Qin Xuan, the very person responsible for this mess. “What’s gotten into you, Qin Xuan? If you’re facing some kind of difficulty, let me help you figure it out. You’re so young, with a bright future ahead of you. Why ruin it by doing something like this?”
Qin Xuan stiffened, and Zheng Yan took the opportunity to hug him briefly in an attempt to soothe him. “Listen to your teacher. Let the officer go before things get out of hand.”
Qin Xuan slowly pushed him away, and with each movement, Zheng Yan’s heart sank deeper. As expected, when Qin Xuan spoke again, his voice was hard, all traces of warmth gone. “I’ll take you home. Once things at home settle down in a few days, I’ll come find you.”
Zheng Yan hadn’t expected Qin Xuan to listen and free Chen Kai, but hearing such cold words still stung. In school, Qin Xuan had been mischievous but never crossed any serious lines. Yet after only a month of taking over Qin Shi, he had transformed into a ruthless and emotionless leader. He was now someone who could imprison a police officer without batting an eye. Truly, Qin Yang had trained him well!
“Qin Xuan—” Zheng Yan started, but Qin Xuan cut him off. “When you get home, don’t say things you shouldn’t, and don’t do things you shouldn’t.”
Zheng Yan clenched his jaw, staring at Qin Xuan, who calmly walked over to the table, picked up the gun, and pressed it into Zheng Yan’s palm. The cold metal felt like ice against his skin, and Zheng Yan shuddered.
“Look.” Qin Xuan murmured, guiding Zheng Yan’s hand over the gun’s surface, “It’s a real gun. You never know when it might go off.”
Zheng Yan jerked his hand back in alarm. “Qin Xuan!”
“Don’t be scared.” Qin Xuan tucked the gun into his jacket pocket. “I won’t hurt you.”
Zheng Yan sneered. “As long as I obey you?”
Qin Xuan didn’t respond, instead reaching out to take Zheng Yan’s hand again. Zheng Yan slapped it away, but Qin Xuan narrowed his eyes and grabbed his hand once more, this time with enough force to make Zheng Yan feel as if his bones were being crushed.
“I’ll take you home.” Qin Xuan repeated. “But first, you still haven’t told me—why were you working as a waiter here?”
Zheng Yan walked alongside him in silence for a moment before finally answering. “My sister is sick. We need money.”
Qin Xuan raised an eyebrow, about to respond when he heard a soft “clink.” A small black object fell from Zheng Yan’s hair.
He paused, bending down to pick it up. It was a tiny wireless earpiece.
“You were wearing an earpiece—” Qin Xuan started, but then he heard Zheng Yan softly gasp, “It hurts, Qin Xuan. Let go.”
The words carried a hint of vulnerability, almost like a plea, and despite his dark mood, Qin Xuan found himself oddly appeased. He loosened his grip slightly, looking at Zheng Yan’s hand, which bore deep, purplish marks from his earlier grip.
He hadn’t even realized how much strength he had used. “I hurt you again. I shouldn’t have been so rough.”
Zheng Yan shook his head, taking the earpiece back from Qin Xuan’s hand. “I was just on the phone with my sister. I forgot to take it off.”
“You said your sister was sick?” Qin Xuan’s mind lingered on that detail. “Which hospital?”
“I won’t tell anyone. You don’t have to worry.” Zheng Yan answered evasively, leaving Qin Xuan staring at him, momentarily at a loss for words.
“I’ll go home by myself.” Zheng Yan said when Qin Xuan attempted to take him to the underground parking lot. “The subway is convenient. No need to trouble yourself.”
Qin Xuan’s expression darkened again. “You won’t tell me about your sister’s illness, you won’t say which hospital, and now you won’t even let me give you a ride. So why promise me you won’t say anything? Wouldn’t it be easier to just call the police on me?”
“Don’t overthink things. Just take care of yourself.” Zheng Yan replied wearily. “I’m leaving now. Let’s not see each other again.”
“You’re not going anywhere!” Qin Xuan snapped, dragging him back. His anger flared once more. Qin Yang had scolded him many times for his temper, and it always seemed worse around Zheng Yan. “What do you mean, we shouldn’t see each other anymore? Don’t even think about it! You belong to me—always have, always will.”
“Have you had enough?” Zheng Yan’s patience finally broke. He closed his eyes, his voice laced with frustration. “I don’t want to see you again because I can’t stand watching you destroy yourself like this. I’ve said so much to you, but do you ever listen? Can’t you just go back to school and leave this behind?”
Usually gentle, Zheng Yan’s rare display of sternness calmed Qin Xuan somewhat. In fact, it almost pleased him. Zheng Yan cared more than he had realized.
“Alright. I’m really leaving now.” Zheng Yan shoved his hands into his pockets and added softly, “Qin Xuan, take care of yourself.”
This time, Qin Xuan didn’t stop him, watching in silence as Zheng Yan left Yuan Ming Du.
Zheng Yan made his way slowly to the subway station. His palm was slick with sweat, dampening the wireless earpiece. When it had fallen out earlier, he hadn’t dared to reach for it, letting it drop without a word. Fortunately, Qin Xuan hadn’t asked too many questions, and Luo Wen had already been removed from the scene.
Thinking of Luo Wen’s reaction, Zheng Yan knew the situation had become even more complicated.
As the subway arrived, Zheng Yan boarded, sensing two pairs of eyes on him. He didn’t need to look back to know he was being followed. Qin Xuan, despite his youth, acted with a seasoned cunning. Even at this stage, he hadn’t forgotten to have Zheng Yan tailed. Luo Wen’s words had clearly planted seeds of suspicion in Qin Xuan’s mind.
When Zheng Yan finally arrived at the hospital, he headed to the bathroom first, changing his clothes and checking his phone for updates. Zheng Min had sent him her room number. The button on his uniform had transmitted the events at Yuan Ming Du to Zheng Min. When he’d confronted Qin Xuan, she had immediately prepared to act as though she were ill—a plan they had discussed in advance, just in case.
Although the hospital setup was in place, it was unclear how long they could keep the truth hidden from Qin Xuan. One problem after another loomed ahead, and Zheng Yan sighed quietly.
He made his way toward Zheng Min’s hospital room, noticing that one of the men tailing him had left, probably to report back to Qin Xuan.
Zheng Yan frowned as he entered the room. He left the door ajar, knowing the remaining tail wouldn’t dare come too close.
There weren’t many patients in the hospital at this hour, and Zheng Min was alone in her room, lying weakly in bed, her face a little pale.
“Nice work.” Zheng Yan said, setting down his things. Zheng Min gave him a smug look.
“I’m going to rescue Chen Kai tonight.” Zheng Yan said quietly as he peeled an orange. “Stop looking at me—someone’s following us.”
Zheng Min glanced away, focusing on the edge of the bed. “I’ve sent you a map of the eastern suburbs, but we haven’t pinpointed where Chen Kai is being held. Are you sure about going tonight? It’s too soon.”
“I can’t wait any longer.” Zheng Yan handed her the orange slices. “Remember Li Wu? He was dead in a matter of hours. Qin Xuan moves fast, and Chen Kai is ready to sacrifice himself. I’m afraid…” He trailed off, unable to finish.
“I’m scared too.” Zheng Min whispered, a tear falling onto the crisp white sheets. “Qin Shi is supposed to be cleaning up its act. They wouldn’t dare harm Chen Kai, right?”
“Don’t ruin your makeup.” Zheng Yan handed her a tissue. “The situation with Li Wu is a constant reminder. Qin Shi is still Qin Shi. They cover up their crimes with more crimes. I won’t risk Chen Kai’s life on the hope that they’re too scared to act.”
Zheng Min wiped her eyes, her movements careful. “But Luo Wen is watching you now, and Qin Xuan saw your earpiece. What if the eastern suburbs are a trap?”
“I have to check it out.” Zheng Yan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his firm grip conveying his resolve. “You’ve been emotional lately. Try to stay calm.”
“Must be menopause.” Zheng Min joked weakly. She had already composed herself, making sure her makeup hadn’t been ruined. “A doctor will cover for you tonight. I’ve hacked into the security cameras around the eastern suburbs. I’m working on the security system now. Both you and Chen Kai need to come back safe.”
“We will.” Zheng Yan picked up another orange from the bedside table, slowly peeling it.
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