Du Lin had clearly had too much to drink. When he heard Lin Sheng ask for that piece of clothing, he didn’t immediately understand and was momentarily stunned before blurting out, “You really want that shirt, huh? Even though someone else wore it, you still want it?”
Lin Sheng took a deep breath and replied, “I want to buy it and burn it. Is that so wrong?”
Suddenly, Du Lin’s expression changed as if he’d just had a revelation. “There are only five pieces to begin with, and the price has already been driven up to 150,000. If you burn one, wouldn’t the price go up even more? You’re being too nice to your ex-girlfriend. You’re still doing her a favor by raising the worth of her work.”
Lin Sheng couldn’t stand it any longer. If Du Lin weren’t so drunk, he might’ve kicked him out of the car right then and there. Struggling to keep his composure, Lin Sheng ground out through clenched teeth, “Shut up!”
–
Since that day, Li Yan had been avoiding the gym as he was afraid of running into those people again. He spent a week hanging around with Lao Yue on the streets. Feeling utterly bored, he finally gave in and decided to head out on a rainy day with Lao Yue’s broken umbrella.
It was a Monday, a workday, so by mid-afternoon, the gym was still empty. It usually only got packed on weekends or Friday nights.
Li Yan found his usual spot in the fourth row of seats. The basketball court was deserted, but the lights were glaringly bright, reflecting off the shiny floor.
He stared blankly at the court for a while. The sound of rain outside grew louder. Then, he stretched out on the bench and closed his eyes.
Lu Lianning had tormented him all night, but he’d woken up unusually early. As soon as he stirred, Lu Lianning had started touching his eyelids, thinking he was being gentle enough not to wake him.
Just as Li Yan was beginning to doze off, a “bang” echoed through the gym—the sound of a basketball hitting the floor.
He abruptly opened his eyes and slowly sat up, glancing around. Then, without a second thought, he lay back down, pretending not to exist.
What a small world. It was the same guy who had tried to drag him and Lao Yue to the clinic after their scam that day.
This time, though, the guy was alone. He had come in on this rainy day, clearly in a bad mood, playing basketball with an almost aggressive intensity.
Li Yan stayed still and continued pretending he wasn’t there, praying the guy would finish up and leave soon.
An hour and a half passed like this. Li Yan hadn’t dared make any big movements, and half his body had gone numb from lying so still. Finally, he heard the sound of footsteps—likely the guy heading to the locker room to shower and leave.
Ten minutes later, the footsteps returned, fading into the distance. Just as Li Yan exhaled in relief, a loud “thud” echoed through the gym as something heavy hit the floor, followed by a muffled groan of pain, “Hiss…”
The guy had fallen!
It sounded like he tried to stand but collapsed again.
The gym was eerily quiet, except for the rain outside and the guy’s strained breathing.
Li Yan could no longer pretend that he didn’t exist. He slowly sat up and poked his head out. It turned out that Lao Yue’s broken umbrella had tripped the guy. One of the umbrella’s ribs had come loose and was now stuck in the guy’s calf. It was hard to believe how things had ended up like this.
Was this guy somehow cursed by Lao Yue!
Seeing the blood flowing from his leg, Li Yan quickly got to his feet and ran over, his voice somewhat hollow, “Are you okay…”
Lin Sheng was in so much pain that sweat beaded on his forehead. He glanced at the broken umbrella next to his leg, its ribs bent and rusty, then shifted his gaze to Li Yan. Lin Sheng’s eyes were cold, but his tone was soft. “You’ve been here the whole time?”
Li Yan forced a wry smile. “I just… didn’t want to disturb you.”
Lin Sheng continued to ask, “Is this your umbrella?”
Li Yan quickly waved his hands in denial. “No, no, it’s not mine.”
“It’s just the two of us here. If it’s not yours, then it’s mine!?” Lin Sheng’s chest tightened with anger. Did this guy really think he was that easy to fool?
Li Yan quickly changed the subject. “You’re pretty badly hurt. Let me help you up and take you to the hospital.”
Lin Sheng didn’t reply, but he didn’t resist as Li Yan helped him to his feet. Once standing, Li Yan suggested, “You should call a friend. It’s really pouring out there.”
“My phone’s dead. Go to the underground garage and bring my car around.” Lin Sheng pulled his car keys out of his pocket and tossed them to Li Yan. “You can drive, right?”
Li Yan caught the keys and nodded. After helping Lin Sheng to a nearby seat, he jogged to the garage.
He brought the car to the gym entrance, but there was still a short distance between the interior. Li Yan ran back into the rain and helped Lin Sheng up, placing his arm around his shoulder to support him while holding the umbrella in his other hand.
Lin Sheng frowned, his face pale and cold. It was difficult to tell whether it was due to the pain or something else.
“Where’d you get another umbrella?”
“I borrowed it from the security guard at the entrance. I’ll return it on the way out.” Supporting Lin Sheng, an adult Alpha with considerable weight, while holding the umbrella was no easy task, but fortunately, the entrance wasn’t far.
Once they were finally inside the car, both men sighed with relief.
Li Yan gripped the steering wheel with both hands, glancing at Lin Sheng. “I haven’t driven in a while, and it’s pouring, so hold on tight.”
Lin Sheng shot him a sideways glance but said nothing. The pain in his leg consumed all his focus.
He reached down and snapped off the part of the umbrella rib still sticking out of his leg, but didn’t dare pull the rest out.
He leaned his head against the seat, his hair damp, though it was unclear whether it was from sweat or the rain.
Despite his earlier words, Li Yan was anxious. Still, he managed to drive to the hospital in about fifteen minutes.
By the time they were checked in and waiting in line for the outpatient clinic, Li Yan was sweating from all the effort.
The doctor, wearing a mask, tended to Lin Sheng’s wound. The cut was small but deep. After cleaning it, the doctor applied medication, bandaged it, and gave Lin Sheng a tetanus shot.
At that moment, Lin Sheng noticed a sudden change in Li Yan’s expression, who had been sitting quietly.
Li Yan’s pupils narrowed sharply, and his whole body tensed. He quickly looked away—it was subtle but noticeable.
Lin Sheng lowered his gaze to the needle. Was this Beta afraid of injections?
He almost laughed but restrained himself. His eyes lingered on the Beta’s face. This Beta looked young, with tanned skin and well-defined features. If anything stood out, it was his eyes. They were bright and sharply contrasting. Upon closer inspection, there was a small, barely noticeable scar on his left eyelid. On most people, it might have added a fierce look.
But not on him. He looked more like someone who’d been bullied.
By the time they left the hospital, it was already dark. Lin Sheng’s phone had charged just enough to power on. The doctor had recommended two bottles of anti-inflammatory medication, but Lin Sheng refused.
When he got into the car, he noticed Li Yan still standing outside without getting in. Lin Sheng rolled down the window.
Li Yan stood outside and said, “Sorry, but I need to go.”
Lin Sheng glanced at him. “Are you just going to leave like that? I paid for all the medical expenses myself.”
“But you clearly fell by yourself. It’s not like the umbrella grew legs and tripped you.” Li Yan could tell Lin Sheng was unwilling to let the matter go, so his tone grew anxious. He truly didn’t have any money.
“So, you’re saying it’s my fault?”
Perhaps due to Lin Sheng’s unpleasant expression, Li Yan chose not to argue and lowered his voice. “You should call your family to pick you up or arrange for a driver… I really need to go.”
Lin Sheng wasn’t ready to let him go so easily. He grabbed Li Yan by the arm as he tried to walk away. “At least give me your phone number.”
Li Yan tugged at his shirt, trying to free himself. “I don’t have a phone.”
In this day and age, especially for someone Li Yan’s age, who didn’t have a phone?
“Do you think this kind of lame lie is funny? You really think I’m that easy to fool?” Lin Sheng’s grip tightened, his eyes colder.
Li Yan struggled several times, and as he glanced at the darkening sky, his anxiety grew. “I’m telling the truth. I really have to go.”
Lin Sheng studied his anxious expression, which didn’t seem fake. At least Li Yan had some conscience since he had stayed with him and brought him to the hospital. Lin Sheng slowly released his grip.
“Fine, go. But even if you don’t give me your contact info, I’ll find you if I want to.” With that, Lin Sheng rolled up the window.
