Chapter 169
After bidding farewell to Huang Zhengming, Su Bin went to meet Jin Fei. As he recalled how, on the morning of the incident, he had learned from Li Meihan that Jin Fei had tried to find him—yet he had avoided reality and distanced himself from everyone—his regret and guilt grew stronger.
He had initially thought that Jin Fei would scold him just like Qin Chao had, but to his surprise, when they met, Jin Fei gently ruffled his hair, a gesture filled with comfort, without saying a word beyond that.
Su Bin felt his nose tingle, and his eyes reddened. “Ge…”
Jin Fei smiled softly. “Silly kid.”
The two of them drove to the Royal Hospital. Even though Yang Chengzhe had told him that Allen was in an isolated ward and that he wouldn’t be able to see him, Su Bin still wanted to go. Even if it was just through a wall or a glass panel, being a little closer to Allen made him feel a bit safer.
Jin Fei went along with him, chatting casually during the drive.
Among Su Bin’s few friends, Jin Fei was the only one who knew almost everything about his relationship with Allen. So Su Bin didn’t need to hide anything from him.
In fact, after spending the past ten days reflecting on everything alone, Su Bin felt that, even if the truth were exposed to the world, it didn’t matter anymore.
In the past, he had been filled with fear—afraid of being asked questions, of hearing gossip, worried that once he spoke up, he would be seen as an outcast, that others would look at him with strange eyes. He feared that once he was labeled, he wouldn’t know how to go on with his life after Allen left him…
But now, Su Bin just wanted to say, “Whocares?”
Jin Fei already knew the truth about Su Bin’s “runaway” situation. What he was concerned about now was how Su Bin truly felt: Did he return because he was worried about Allen after hearing the news, or because he had thought things through and decided to come back?
Su Bin said it was the latter, but his expression revealed a hint of unease. Jin Fei guessed what he was worried about and directly asked, “What if Allen doesn’t make it this time? Are you really planning to end it all?”
When Jin Fei asked this question, Su Bin’s heart wavered, and for a moment, the balance seemed to tilt toward “death.” It was as if a voice inside him was gently persuading him—Let’s die together. If we go together, we won’t suffer anymore.
“Maybe…” Su Bin trembled as he spoke. The feeling was uncontrollable, as though he had been cursed. The pain was mixed with sweetness, the fear with a strange sense of comfort, and it was irresistible.
Jin Fei frowned, even he, who prided himself on not interfering with others’ relationships, hesitated. Now, he understood why some people involved in cults would commit suicide without fearing death. Su Bin’s “symptoms” were identical to theirs!
If this were judged by society’s moral standards, this kind of obsessive love would definitely be condemned…
“Actually, the night of the incident, I met with Allen,” Jin Fei briefly recounted the conversation he had had with Allen that day, mentioning a few things he had wanted to advise Su Bin on, but ultimately decided to hold back—now was not the right time.
Allen was still lying in the hospital, uncertain whether he would make it. There was still a possibility of improvement. If Jin Fei urged Su Bin to turn back now, it would only provoke a rebellious response from the naive kid…
“He said he wouldn’t force you. So, even if you don’t want to ‘go’ with him, it’s okay,” Jin Fei said gently.
For some people, being chosen by Allen would be an extraordinary stroke of luck, but right now, Jin Fei only wanted to offer Su Bin a small bit of support—if that guy really planned to do something foolish, Jin Fei would stop him, even if it meant risking their friendship.
Su Bin smiled bitterly. He was always a single-minded person. Since he had already made up his mind, he would not hesitate on the same issue again before hitting the wall.
Once they arrived at the hospital, Jin Fei, who had already been there a couple of times, was familiar with the layout. He led Su Bin directly to the special care ward.
As they tried to go further, sure enough, a large glass door blocked their way. The receptionist kindly reminded them that only medical staff could enter.
Su Bin asked, “Does that mean no one besides medical staff can visit?”
The staff member said, “Sir, I understand your concern as a friend of the patient, but the patient is still in a coma. To maintain a better treatment environment, only immediate family members are allowed to visit at this time…”
Immediate family…
He was also Allen’s “family,” but in front of this unfamiliar staff member, he couldn’t prove anything.
Su Bin felt empty inside and asked unwillingly, “Then when can regular friends visit?”
The staff member replied, “Once the patient’s condition improves slightly, and with the permission of the attending doctor, visitation may be allowed…”
Su Bin stood before the isolation door, staring blankly at the cold hallway beyond. There were many rooms along the hallway, but he didn’t know which one Allen was in… After standing there for about ten minutes, he finally slumped down, sitting in the waiting area, covering his face with his hands, almost on the verge of tears.
Jin Fei patted his shoulder. Su Bin remained silent, and Jin Fei followed suit, as if telling him through this action—it’s okay, you still have me.
“Did you call Li Meihan one morning?” Su Bin asked softly.
Jin Fei responded, “Hmm…”
Su Bin pressed on, “How did you know I was at her place?”
Jin Fei answered, “That night I heard Allen on the phone, saying he had sent someone to find you and had news.”
Su Bin was momentarily confused. “No one came to find me.”
Jin Fei wasn’t sure about all the details; he just relayed what he had overheard from Allen’s phone conversation: “Allen told the person to find you and keep an eye on you, to make sure nothing happened to you.”
“…Allen had someone watch over me?” Su Bin wondered. If that was true, then where was Allen’s protection this time? Was his situation the result of Allen not having someone to look after him?
This thought seemed to further solidify the idea that “Allen’s accident was because of me.”
Su Bin’s face fluctuated between green and pale as he cursed time for not being able to rewind, for giving him the chance to make everything right again.
By the time he arrived home in the evening, he was exhausted. Su Bin pushed open the bedroom door and found that the room was nearly as he had left it. Even the glass of water on the bedside table, left from when he took fever medicine, was still there. But no matter how he searched, he couldn’t find his phone.
There was a layer of fine dust on the windowsill, which was almost intolerable to Allen, who had obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
Su Bin forced himself to clean up, silently praying that Allen would wake up soon…
As he lay on the bed, trying to process the changes of the past few days, Su Bin recalled the “bodyguard” Jin Fei had mentioned. He had once casually discussed security with Allen. Allen had mentioned having special bodyguard protection. When Su Bin asked why he never saw them, Allen explained that these bodyguards were like FBI agents from the movies—they only appeared when necessary. At the time, Su Bin didn’t believe him, thinking Allen was joking. But Allen had called out the name of one of his bodyguards, and the man had appeared out of nowhere behind them, scaring Su Bin.
Since Jin Fei had said Allen had sent someone to follow him, was that person still nearby?
Su Bin suddenly froze, then leaped out of bed. He threw open the window and looked outside, shouting into the empty night, “Are you there? Come out!”
There was no response for a while, and Su Bin bitterly laughed at himself. “I’m going crazy,” he muttered, withdrawing his head.
In the darkness, someone stood silently.
Simon had been getting increasingly frustrated lately, just because the Duke had ordered him to follow this runaway kid, which led to all the trouble. Now, his bonus was all gone!
He was carrying out the Duke’s order to protect Su Bin, so even after the incident, he couldn’t rush back.
Since the morning after the incident, Simon had been quietly lurking after Li Meihan found Su Bin. He had been suffering in silence. Damn it, what was so special about this kid that needed protection? There was nothing challenging about him!
And now, this kid was actually calling out for him like some sort of summoned creature? What did he think Simon was?
The next day, Su Bin borrowed Yang Chengzhe’s old phone, planning to get a new SIM card. Without a mobile phone, it was almost impossible to get by. As he went downstairs, he overheard Qi Xin saying someone had sent a package for him that morning.
When Su Bin opened the package, he found… his missing phone!
Before he could wonder who had sent the package, the phone suddenly buzzed, and Su Bin quickly answered, his heart racing. A strange voice came from the other end, “Mr. Su, this is Simon. What did you need last night?”
“Ah…!” Su Bin was startled. This was the bodyguard? “Hello…” He was shocked. Did this guy hear his shout last night? What the heck!
Simon replied, “If you need anything in the future, just call me directly.”
Su Bin nervously looked around and asked, “Where are you? Can you see me?”
Simon, with an exasperated tone, said, “Stop looking around.”
Su Bin: “…”
Simon continued, “Do you want to see the Duke?”
Su Bin eagerly responded, “Yes! Can you let me see him?”
Simon replied, “I can’t let you meet him directly, but you can find someone to help you.”
Su Bin asked, “Who? I went to the hospital yesterday, but the staff wouldn’t let me in.”
Simon said, “Royal family members.”
Su Bin froze for a moment. He thought of Allen’s friends—Prince Hal, Sidney, Hualing, Sean…
Simon said, “I’ll connect you with someone. You can ask them. If any of them can prove your relationship with the Duke, or convince the hospital to make an exception, you’ll be allowed to visit.”
Su Bin immediately perked up. He thought for a moment, remembering that among Allen’s friends, Prince Hal held the highest status. However, Hal probably didn’t even remember him, a nobody. The person closest to Allen seemed to be Sidney, his cousin. But Sidney’s mother was that seemingly unapproachable Countess… After thinking it over, Su Bin decided to approach Hualing, the one who spoke Chinese.
Hualing had a good impression of Su Bin, and being Chinese himself, communication would be easier compared to others. But Hualing wasn’t a royal family member, so Su Bin also sought Sidney’s help. Through this, word about his intention to visit Allen spread within their circle.
Soon after, Hualing asked him to download a messaging app on his phone and added him to their internal chat group. Su Bin was given the nickname “Allen’s Little Slave♂,” and given the past pranks, he was too afraid to say anything in the group.
The group buzzed with activity, calling him playfully, but Su Bin weakly responded and then went silent, pretending to be dead in the group. Allen was still in the hospital, and he had no mood for chatting. He just anxiously awaited Hualing’s response.
Soon, Hualing called Su Bin back and told him to go for a physical checkup at the Royal Hospital ahead of his visit, as Sidney happened to be in M City to visit Allen and could take him inside.
That afternoon, Su Bin changed into clean clothes and, with Sidney and a nurse’s guidance, successfully entered the isolation ward. However, he still had to stay outside the room, only able to look through the glass.
Su Bin pressed himself against the glass like a gecko, staring at Allen in the bed. Allen’s complexion was pale, and his body was covered with tubes, giving him an utterly lifeless appearance. Tears immediately filled Su Bin’s eyes.
Sidney knew a little about the details of Allen’s injuries, so he held some lingering resentment toward Su Bin. At first, he stood with his arms crossed, distant and indifferent. But seeing Su Bin like this, he couldn’t help but grab a tissue and hand it to him.
“Thank you…” Su Bin managed to say the words, as if using every ounce of strength to keep his voice steady.
“…So upset?” Sidney asked softly.
Su Bin muttered to himself, “Will he be okay?”
Sidney seemed lost in thought. He had asked that same question once.
He remembered, when he was younger, accompanying his mother to the hospital to visit Allen, who was only a few years older than him. Seeing the frail Allen back then, he couldn’t help but ask his mother—would he be okay?
His mother, the Countess, wasn’t good at lying, so she could only avoid his question and softly murmur, “May God bless this poor child.”
Hearing such words, Sidney knew that his older brother, who was only a few years older than him, might never get better, might die at any moment.
…But somehow, the lonely Allen had survived, stronger than anyone had ever expected. He had achieved more than anyone—academically, professionally, and with the family business.
“He will be fine,” Sidney said softly.
They had long since gotten used to this kind of scene. So when they heard about Allen being injured and unconscious, everyone was only briefly shocked. Upon learning that he hadn’t died on the spot, they all calmed down, silently praying.
Even illness couldn’t take his life. He would crawl back from the brink of death, step by step…
