Chapter 33

Fan Xing only felt a sharp pain in his left cheek, not sure if it was from a punch or a burn. His umbrella fell to the ground, and the rain started to pour heavily, pattering on his face.

Gu Mingyu wasn’t done yet; he raised his hand and threw another punch.

This time, Fan Xing was prepared. He grabbed Gu Mingyu’s wrist and prevented him from making a fist.

“What’s wrong with you?” Fan Xing was angry, seldom resorting to insults, but Gu Mingyu’s actions were bewildering.

Little did Fan Xing know, Gu Mingyu couldn’t move one hand, but the other hand came at him with fierce determination. His veins popped out, and he gritted his teeth. “Do you have a problem? Why are you interfering in my business? What’s it to you?”

Fan Xing realized that he couldn’t reason with him, so he decided to fight back. Five minutes later, Fan Xing had Gu Mingyu pinned to the ground to prevent further trouble.

Gu Mingyu’s clothes were soaked, and he was covered in dirt, even leaves stuck to his head. The young master of the Gu family, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, had never been in such a sorry state.

Struggling to free himself, Gu Mingyu couldn’t push Fan Xing away. He became so frustrated that he started yelling, and his anger had a hint of a crying tone, “Let go of me, you busybody! What’s the meaning of helping me like this? Do you look down on me? Think I’m incapable? Without your fancy husband’s help, do you think I can’t make it to the top?”

Fan Xing finally understood what was going on. But he was surprised because he had never mentioned this matter to He Qingmo. However, knowing Fan Meixi’s character, she might have approached He Qingmo directly.

Fan Xing released Gu Mingyu and stood up. He picked up his umbrella and turned to face Gu Mingyu, calmly saying, “You’ve got it wrong. This has nothing to do with me. You should ask your mother about it.” With that, he walked away.

Gu Mingyu, who had just gotten up from the ground, was dumbfounded. Suddenly, he went after Fan Xing, grabbed his arm, and said, “Stop denying it. Do you think I don’t know? It’s you, it’s definitely you! You can’t escape it!”

Fan Xing pushed him away and stared at him with a cold expression, “Gu Mingyu, get this straight. At best, we’re acquaintances. Whether you can succeed or not has nothing to do with me. And right now, someone is helping you. Who are you trying to play the victim for? Don’t take your good fortune for granted!”

Gu Mingyu looked at him, disappointment and hurt evident in his eyes. “That’s why I hate you the most. For all these years, Mom has been hoping for your return, but you never came back. I always knew you were a heartless person, and now I’m even more sure. I hate you the most!”

Fan Xing originally intended to leave, but Gu Mingyu’s words made him pause. “What did you say? You mean Mom has been hoping for my return for all these years? She even helped with the formalities, and I refused? Is that true?”

Gu Mingyu coldly snorted. “What are you pretending for? For years, Mom has tried to persuade you to come back and even took care of all the paperwork. Haven’t you always rejected her? Are you pretending not to know now?”

Fan Xing’s head was spinning. Had he lost his memory? Why did he remember having a few phone calls with Fan Meixi over the years? Each time she hung up hastily and never mentioned him coming back.

But Gu Mingyu’s words didn’t seem fabricated. Could there be a misunderstanding?

Suddenly, a bright car light shone directly into his eyes. He squinted and saw a car approaching at an abnormal speed, showing no sign of slowing down.

He looked at Gu Mingyu, who was angrily oblivious to his surroundings and ready to cross the road.

Fan Xing rushed over and grabbed him, causing Gu Mingyu to collide with him due to inertia. They both fell, and Fan Xing’s head hit the ground.

At the same time, the car, still at an abnormal speed, crashed into the road divider just a short distance in front of them. The car’s hood was completely deformed, the windshield shattered, and the driver was unconscious on the steering wheel.

Gu Mingyu was petrified and remained motionless, pinning Fan Xing to the ground.

Fan Xing felt a throbbing headache but pushed Gu Mingyu away, dialed the emergency number.

After Fan Xing hung up the call, Gu Mingyu gradually regained his senses but was shocked by Fan Xing’s condition. He pointed to Fan Xing’s head, his voice trembling, “Your head is bleeding.”

Fan Xing touched his head and indeed felt something sticky. No wonder it hurt. He looked at the blood on his hand and saw that Gu Mingyu’s face had turned pale. Trying to reassure him, he said, “It’s okay, it’s just a little blood. A hospital can take care of it.”

Gu Mingyu, however, just stared at him, unresponsive for a long while.

Fan Xing looked at him and saw that he wasn’t injured either, so he paid him no mind and stood up, waiting by the side of the road.

The police car and the ambulance arrived almost simultaneously. Since both the driver and Fan Xing were injured, they were taken to the hospital in the ambulance.

Fan Xing was right; his injuries weren’t severe. He received some medical treatment at the hospital, and the bleeding stopped, but his facial injuries were worse.

Gu Mingyu’s punch had been quite harsh, and at the time, Fan Xing had felt only momentary pain. However, now his left cheek was swollen, and there was even a small blister near the corner of his eye where a cigarette butt had burned him.

Because it was a traffic accident, the police conducted a comprehensive examination.

When Fan Xing came out of the examination room, the Gu family had just arrived.

A large group of them, as if it was a family mobilization, and even the Gu family’s old lady had been alarmed.

Fan Xing had met all these people on his first day back in the Gu family.

Seeing them, he was about to greet them, but Fan Meixi rushed over and grabbed him. She anxiously asked, “Where’s my son? How is he? Why isn’t he here?”

Fan Xing was taken aback and only then realized that she was referring to Gu Mingyu. He pointed behind him and replied softly, “He’s still undergoing examinations.”

“What? Examinations?” Fan Meixi’s face turned pale, and she grabbed Fan Xing’s arm tightly, her sharp nails sinking deep into his flesh. “Why is he still being examined? Is it serious?”

Fan Xing didn’t say anything, not knowing how to respond.

Thinking he had confirmed it, Fan Meixi suddenly went berserk, physically assaulting him. “It’s all your fault. If it weren’t for you, my son wouldn’t be in this mess. I’m telling you, if anything happens to my son, I’ll hold you responsible, you jinx!”

Fan Xing remained motionless and expressionless throughout the ordeal, as if his soul wasn’t inside his body.

“Mom!” Gu Mingyu’s voice came from a distance, tinged with anger. “What are you doing?”

He quickly approached, pulled Fan Xing behind him, and questioned Fan Meixi, “Do you know what you’re doing? Coming to hit people? It’s him…”

But Fan Meixi wasn’t listening, she had been worried, and when she finally saw Gu Mingyu, she released her pent-up emotions. She sobbed, “My son, my son, are you okay? If something happens to you, I won’t be able to live.”

Fan Meixi’s tears seemed to be a signal, and all the members of the Gu family rushed over. Gu’s old lady and Fan Meixi clung to Gu Mingyu, unwilling to let go, as if they were afraid he would disappear if they did.

In contrast, Fan Xing stood alone, looking somewhat pitiful.

However, Fan Xing didn’t seem to mind the commotion around him; he was still staring at the hospital corridor.

It was late at night, and the place that had been bustling during the day was now deserted.

He maintained that posture for he knew not how long until, suddenly, a disheveled figure rushed down the empty corridor. Only then did Fan Xing snap back to reality and realized it was He Qingmo.

He was surprised because He Qingmo had told him that he might not return until the next morning due to a trip out of town. So, how did he end up here? He looked disheveled, his tie was undone, his shirt was unbuttoned, and there was an evident sense of urgency in his eyes.

Fan Xing was about to say something when He Qingmo rushed over, his gaze fixed on Fan Xing’s swollen cheek, and he asked in a cold tone, “This doesn’t look like an accident. What happened?”

Fan Xing was just about to explain, but Gu Mingyu suddenly pushed his way out from Fan Meixi’s side and confessed, “I punched him. I’m sorry.”

He had an apologetic look, as if he was saying, “I know I was wrong, and I accept the consequences.”

He Qingmo turned to look at Gu Mingyu, and with a swift motion, he removed his tie and threw it away. He delivered a punch to Gu Mingyu’s face and then grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off the ground. He had a fierce and menacing look, saying, “You dare to hit my wife? Do you want to die?”

Gu Mingyu was dumbfounded, not by the punch, but by He Qingmo’s imposing aura.

The others were stunned but soon began to worry. Especially Gu’s old lady and Fan Meixi, as Gu Mingyu was their beloved child, seeing him being punched while they watched was almost unbearable.

But they couldn’t afford to offend He Qingmo, so they could only plead for mercy.

Fan Meixi, with a forced smile, explained, “Mr. He, please don’t be angry. Mingyu knows he was wrong. You see, he and Fan Xing are brothers; siblings fight sometimes, right? It’s all just for fun.”

He Qingmo glanced at her and said, “I was just playing too.” With that, he gave Gu Mingyu another punch.

Fan Meixi felt her heart ache, wishing she could rush over and fight He Qingmo but didn’t dare to. She could only pat Fan Xing on the shoulder and said, “Fan Xing, please make Mr. He stop. Mingyu knows he’s wrong. Mom is begging you. Please help Mingyu; he has never been hurt by anyone before.”

Fan Xing didn’t speak; he simply stared at He Qingmo. After a while, he walked past Fan Meixi to He Qingmo, grabbed the man’s arm, and softly spoke, “Brother, I’m tired. I want to go back.”

He Qingmo turned to look into Fan Xing’s eyes. At that moment, his usually clear gaze seemed vacant, as if his entire being had disappeared.

He Qingmo’s heart sank suddenly. He let go of Gu Mingyu and lifted Fan Xing off the ground, then walked away swiftly.

 

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