Chapter 51

Fan Xing’s mind was in chaos.

What was going on?

Could it be that Eric was the nephew of He Qingmo, who had gone missing?

In that case, didn’t he become…

Fan Xing felt a headache coming on; he really didn’t want to face this reality.

He Qingmo also noticed him, observing his bewildered and instinctively panicked expression, feeling somewhat helpless.

Actually, when He Qingmo learned that Eric was in the nearby police station of Qing University, he basically confirmed that this nephew he had rarely met was his love rival.

This was truly not good news.

Fortunately, all the attention of He’s family was on Eric, and no one noticed Fan Xing’s presence.

He Qingmo glanced at the three classmates behind Fan Xing. Although he hadn’t formally met them, he had seen their photos that Fan Xing showed him. He knew they were Fan Xing’s roommates. Also, he was aware that Fan Xing didn’t want to publicly acknowledge their relationship.

So, he didn’t speak to Fan Xing and walked up, blocking Fan Xing from He’s family. He comforted his worried mother, “Mom, let’s talk about it at home. Dad is waiting for us.”

At the same time, he gestured with the hand behind his back to Fan Xing, signaling him to leave first.

Fan Xing, not wanting to face the upcoming situation, turned around to discreetly lead his roommates away.

However, at this moment, Jì Jǐn suddenly remembered something. She let go of Eric, moved past He Qingmo, and walked up to Qin Xiuming and his group. Her tone was annoyed, “Who hit our Ningning? Why did they start a fight for no reason? I need to find out who dares to hit our child.”

Jì Jǐn was not someone who would bully others, but her rare return to China and her grandson being beaten up left her no choice but to address the situation.

And when she cared, Qin Xiuming and his friends were frightened.

Initially, when He’s family suddenly appeared, Qin Xiuming and his group were already shocked. Now they found out that Eric was also a young master from He’s family.

How could this be okay?

Usually, when He’s family was mentioned, people mostly talked about He Qingmo because he was young, promising, handsome, and frequently involved in scandalous news. So, the other members of He’s family were often overlooked.

But now that they hit the little young master of He’s family, it seemed like they were in big trouble.

Jì Jǐn walked over to question them, and the three of them were so scared that they couldn’t speak, lowering their heads without making a sound. They had never seen such a scene before.

Fan Xing, seeing the situation, had to speak up, “Uh… they are my classmates, and it’s a misunderstanding.”

He didn’t want others to know about his relationship with He’s family, so he deliberately omitted the title “Mom.”

Fortunately, Jì Jǐn’s attention was mostly on her grandson at this time, and she didn’t notice. She turned around and was surprised to see Fan Xing, “Fan Xing? Are you here too? Oh, they are your classmates?”

Fan Xing nodded, “Yes, they are my roommates. The police already asked about the cause and effect. It’s a misunderstanding, and the injuries aren’t too severe.”

Jì Jǐn, originally planning to be unreasonable for her grandson’s sake, changed her mind upon realizing they were Fan Xing’s classmates. She couldn’t say much.

But her heartache for her grandson made her expression unpleasant. She glanced at Qin Xiuming and his group and coldly said, “Today, I’ll let it go for Fan Xing’s sake. But if anyone dares to bully our Ningning again, I won’t let it slide.” After speaking, she turned around and went back to Eric’s side.

As soon as she entered, she saw Lin Lin, who hadn’t had the chance to greet anyone yet. She approached with a smile, pulling Fan Xing’s hand, “I saw you as soon as I entered. I was wondering how you and Ningning were together. It turns out you came to bail out a classmate. It’s really a big mix-up. Come, let me introduce you. This is the eldest grandson of our old He family, studying in the United States. He’s back for the first time.” She said, pulling Fan Xing toward Eric.

Fan Xing was resisting with his whole body, and his nervous voice changed, “Lin… I…”

“What time is it? Why hasn’t He Shuning gone to see a doctor in this condition?” He Qingmo timely intervened to defuse the situation.

Upon hearing this, Jì Jǐn naturally couldn’t stay any longer. She pulled Eric and was about to leave.

However, Eric, who had been silent, gently pushed away Jì Jǐn’s hand and said, “I already know Dana; no need for introductions. But…”

He stood up and walked to Fan Xing, looking at those eyes that had been avoiding him since He’s family appeared. “I find it strange. How do you know them?”

Jì Jǐn and Lin Lin had different attitudes toward Fan Xing. Eric could see that they not only knew each other, but there was also a relationship he didn’t know about.

Fan Xing’s heart pounded, and he instinctively avoided Eric’s eyes, glancing at He Qingmo. His mind was in chaos, unsure of what to do.

Jì Jǐn, unaware of the situation, only heard that Eric knew Fan Xing and found it somewhat surprising. “What a coincidence? That’s fate. Don’t you know? Your unreliable third uncle got married recently. It’s with Fan Xing. Speaking of which, you should call him Aunt Fan Xing now. But…”

Before Jì Jǐn could finish explaining, she felt someone poking her arm. Turning around, she saw Lin Lin signaling to her. Confused, Jì Jǐn followed Lin Lin’s gaze and realized that her eldest grandson and daughter-in-law’s expressions were strange. Even her youngest son looked peculiar. The atmosphere between the three was extremely odd.

Eric stared fixedly at Fan Xing, his expression extremely disappointed, as if he were a wounded beast.

Fan Xing also looked at him, filled with guilt, helplessness, and reluctance.

As for He Qingmo, after briefly glancing at Eric, he returned his gaze to Fan Xing and came over to stand beside him. He gently rubbed Fan Xing’s hair and whispered, “The truth has come out; we can’t hide it anymore.”

Fan Xing looked up at him and nodded gently.

Yes, the truth had come out, and they couldn’t hide it anymore.

Actually, Fan Xing didn’t intend to hide it; he just hadn’t found the right opportunity to reveal it. Unexpectedly, when the truth needed to be exposed, he couldn’t escape, and it happened at the worst possible time.

Not to mention how shocked Qin Xiuming and his friends were upon hearing the news that he was married to He Qingmo, even He’s family was full of confusion at this moment.

As for Eric, seeing that his love rival was his uncle, the impact might be even greater.

But since the truth had already been laid bare, it might as well be settled here.

Fan Xing’s hands involuntarily clenched, and he let out a soft sigh of relief. Looking up into Eric’s eyes, he spoke in a low but earnest voice, “Eric, it’s as you heard. I’m married to my brother, your third uncle. Moreover…”

“So…” Eric coldly interrupted him, his gaze shifting away from Fan Xing and landing on He Qingmo. His eyes turned fierce. “You’re the old man who took advantage of the situation, forcing him to give up his studies?”

Through gritted teeth, he finished speaking and directly lunged at He Qingmo.

The onlookers, not knowing the cause and effect, were completely puzzled. Before they could react, it seemed that the nephew was about to fight the uncle.

Fan Xing, reacting the fastest, stepped forward to explain. However, he was pulled aside by He Qingmo, and then, the punch thrown by Eric was deftly dodged by the man.

Eric seemed to have lost control, with one punch missing and another one following immediately.

This time, He Qingmo directly avoided it, coldly saying, “If you want to fight, let’s go outside. This place is too small.”

Eric stared at him fiercely and then turned to leave.

Clearly intending to accompany him to the end, He Qingmo followed.

Fan Xing felt like he was going crazy. He didn’t understand why He Qingmo had to cause trouble at this moment. Watching the two about to fight for real, he couldn’t control his frustration and shouted, “Both of you, stop!”

His shout seemed to use all his strength, and the effect was earth-shattering. People felt like the entire building was shaking, creating an illusion.

What surprised everyone even more was that the seemingly soft and gentle boy could display such momentum when he got angry. The uncle and nephew, who were ready to go outside for a duel just a moment ago, instantly lost their temper and obediently stopped, turning to look at him.

Ignoring the bewildered looks from the others, Fan Xing walked forward, glaring at He Qingmo with anger. “Don’t say anything!”

Surprisingly, He Qingmo just shrugged and obediently stepped aside.

It was truly a spectacle of obedience.

Then Fan Xing approached Eric, and his tone softened. “Eric, I’m sorry for not telling you the truth all this time. It’s my fault for presuming too much, assuming that our relationship was just that of ordinary friends, and some things didn’t need clear explanations. I didn’t expect it would cause you worry and misunderstanding. I’m really sorry. But this matter has nothing to do with my brother. Indeed, I gave up my university abroad and came back to marry my brother for my grandmother’s medical expenses. However, the one who forced me to do this was… my mother.”

A trace of surprise flashed in Eric’s dark eyes, but it was fleeting and quickly replaced by the emotions of hurt and disappointment.

He looked into Fan Xing’s eyes and asked, “And then?”

Fan Xing’s heart trembled. Although Eric’s tone was very calm, he could sensitively perceive that Eric was more distressed now than before.

But Fan Xing knew he couldn’t soften his stance.

Holding his hands tightly, he maintained a calm expression. “And then, I spent more time with my brother and developed feelings. I… fell in love with him, and I want to be with him.”

The entire office suddenly fell silent. All eyes focused on Eric, and regardless of whether they understood the situation, everyone could feel the sadness and despair emanating from the tall and slender boy.

Eric didn’t do anything, just looked at Fan Xing. Even his gaze, which was much calmer than before, couldn’t conceal the intensifying sadness, as if it was seeping out from his body.

Fan Xing opened his mouth, wanting to say something to make him feel better, but he swallowed it back. Forcing himself to calmly look back at him with unrippled eyes.

After a long time—or perhaps just a moment—Eric finally spoke again. “Dana, tell me the truth. Before you came back, before you married him, did you… love me?”

Something hit Fan Xing’s heart painfully. He almost instinctively wanted to avoid Eric’s eyes but harshly pinched his own palm, bringing back his rationality.

He calmly looked at Eric and shook his head. “No.”

Eric’s voice trembled a bit. “Really?”

Fan Xing clenched his hands tighter, still maintaining a calm expression. “Really.”

“Then why could you accurately call my name after seeing me only once? Why were you so happy and expectant when you knew I would go to the same university as you? Why were you so joyful every time we met? Just because I’m your ordinary friend?” Eric became excited, as if he grasped the last straw of hope. It seemed hopeful, but in reality, it was despair, yet he was unwilling to let go.

Fan Xing never thought he would hurt Eric like this one day.

However, now that the truth was told, making Eric regret not confessing his feelings earlier and missing the chance, what meaning would it have?

It was better to cut off everything from the root.

So, Fan Xing suppressed the reluctance deep in his heart and spoke against his will, “It’s because you were the first when I saw you for the first time. How could I forget who I lost to? As for being happy when I knew you would go to the same university, that wasn’t fake. It’s because being able to attend the same university as a friend is indeed something to be happy about. And, Eric, we are friends. Why wouldn’t I be happy to see a friend? This time you came from afar, and I’m equally happy. What does that explain?”

Eric silently looked at him. After a while, he suddenly smiled, a self-mockery evident in the smile. “So, I really misunderstood, deliberately coming back from abroad to ask you for a divorce and take you with me, thinking I was some kind of savior. But in your eyes, I’m just a meddlesome fool, right?”

Fan Xing hurriedly shook his head. “Of course not! I’m really grateful that you rushed over as soon as you learned about my situation and wanted to help me. Although all of this is a misunderstanding, how could I not know your good intentions?”

Eric waved his hand. “Forget it, it doesn’t matter.” Saying that, he turned and walked away.

Fan Xing wanted to catch up but forced himself to retract his steps.

He had already said what needed to be said. Eric must be feeling painful now, but it shouldn’t be him comforting Eric. That would only make Eric hold unrealistic hopes.

Fortunately, the people from the He family, especially Jì Jǐn, were very worried about Eric, so they all chased after him.

He Qingmo walked to Fan Xing’s side, took his hand, gently but irresistibly opened his tightly clasped hands, revealing palms that were bleeding again.

Feeling heartache, He Qingmo immediately borrowed a medical kit from a police comrade. However, before he could open it, Eric’s angry shout came from outside. “Get lost! Who wants to go back with you? What does my relationship with your He family have to do with you?”

 

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