Don't You Dare Turn Back

Saturday was a day off. Sleeping until he woke naturally felt wonderful. There were no unusual notifications when he checked his phone, so Wen Shuang lay contentedly in bed for a while before getting up to wash. After leaving home, he detoured to a store specializing in nutritional supplements, bought some easily digestible, easily absorbed products suitable for patients, then walked to the bus stop.

Wen Shuang remained quiet throughout, but his gaze wandered, making it obvious that something weighed on his mind. The driver honked the horn, and Wen Shuang suddenly snapped out of it, only to see that the bus had arrived.

Wen Shuang was going to the hospital to visit Yu Feng's mother.

He could make up for however much he could, Wen Shuang thought. He was not some saintly person, but whenever he recalled the look in Yu Feng's eyes that day, his heart could not help trembling. Although Wen Shuang's parents had died early in his previous life, he had experienced family and knew how precious it was. The original owner had driven someone to the brink of despair, and now that Wen Shuang had taken over this mess, it was like cleaning up a pile of garbage. Ignoring it would only leave the stench to spread everywhere, and he would not be able to escape it either.

The original owner had already investigated the hospital where the elderly woman stayed in order to threaten Yu Feng. Relying on his memories, Wen Shuang found it. It was a simply furnished private ward.

The old woman was asleep, the white hair at her temples painfully conspicuous. Seeing her in person hit far harder than those pale memories ever had. Wen Shuang did not even dare step closer. At that moment, an absurd feeling suddenly came over him, as though he had truly committed all those acts of hurting others himself. His legs went a little weak. Wen Shuang abruptly lowered his head and sniffed.

After setting the supplements beside the bed, he heard movement at the door. The nurse was somewhat surprised to see him, but before she could ask, Wen Shuang said softly, "I'm a distant relative of the patient. I came after hearing the news. I'll be leaving shortly and won't disturb her."

The lingering melancholy in Wen Shuang's eyes, coupled with the words "good person" practically written all over him and the pile of supplements he had brought, left the nurse with no suspicion. She smiled. "No rush. Her son will be here soon. You can have a chat."

Wen Shuang nearly fled out the window. If Yu Feng saw him, he would be dead!

The nurse had a favorable impression of Wen Shuang and could not help chatting for a while longer, but Wen Shuang could not wait. Estimating that Yu Feng would arrive soon, he made an excuse and hurried away. From then on, Wen Shuang came to the hospital every few days to visit, though he never stayed long, afraid of running into Yu Feng.

During his lunch break that day, Wen Shuang found time to visit the hospital. On the way, he received an email from Dilanda. The man said he had found a new translator to serve as his guide, that the business had already been concluded, so there was no need to trouble President Xuan anymore, nor was there any need to trouble Wen Shuang. Mainly, he was worried that constantly asking Wen Shuang for help would make President Xuan uncomfortable, and that he should not be a third wheel, and so on. The more Wen Shuang read, the tighter his brows furrowed, until goosebumps rose on his arms. What was all this supposed to mean? Why would Xuan Zhe be upset if Dilanda troubled him? What was the motive? What was the reason?

Even perceptive people had gaps in their knowledge. Some were complete idiots when it came to love, such as Wen Shuang.

Wen Shuang replied politely. He was happy to have some peace for the time being anyway. Cao Nanyu had already transferred the money to his card, so he was not losing out.

Yu Feng's mother was extremely weak. After several visits, Wen Shuang had figured out her routine. She was only awake for a few short hours each day, and she especially needed to sleep at noon and in the evening to regain her strength. The old woman was still resting when Wen Shuang arrived that day. He set down his things, checked whether there was enough hot water in the ward, tucked her blanket around her, and finally sat quietly with her for a while.

That put his mind at ease. Seeing that it was about time, Wen Shuang rose, gave the old woman a slight bow, and said softly, "I have to go to work. I'll come see you another day."

Wen Shuang pushed open the door and left. Almost the instant his figure disappeared, Yu Feng rounded the corner from a door to one side. The man's expression was unreadable, his eyes as dark as if a bottle of ink had spilled inside them. His fists clenched with a crack.

Wen Shuang thought that as long as he did not run into Yu Feng, everything would be fine. But he had overlooked the expensive nutritional supplements that kept appearing in the ward. Ever since New Orchid had gone under, the family's relatives had immediately cut ties with Yu Feng, to say nothing of anyone else. Other than the mother and son, no one had visited in a long time. The nurse had also kept mentioning a particularly handsome young man who often came to see his mother, and Yu Feng grew increasingly suspicious. Lei Wenxu's words that day had already left him unable to eat or sleep for several days.

Yu Feng had actually been very busy these past two days. Lei Wenxu had invested in him, and he still had a chance to turn things around. He should have been working himself to death in the office, but his mind was a mess. Some emotion kept urging him on, and Yu Feng could not take it anymore. That was why he had come to the hospital early today. He had prayed ten thousand times that it would not be Wen Shuang, but it was...

What was this... What the hell was this?! Yu Feng abruptly opened his eyes, the bloodshot veins within them churning violently.

He had once treated Wen Shuang so well, as family, as a brother. He had thought that once they made it big, he would not forget his brother, that they would share their high spirits together. But what had Wen Shuang done? Those pure, blazing feelings had been trampled viciously beneath Wen Shuang's feet, mixed with mud, becoming the greatest injury and mockery to Yu Feng!

Yu Feng stood still for a moment before suddenly charging out.

Wen Shuang did not know someone was pursuing him from behind. Seeing that time was tight, he took a taxi. After paying the fare and getting out, he headed toward the Power One building while thinking of buying two bottles of yogurt later and bringing one for Sister Fang Su.

The hurried footsteps were sharply distinct amid the chaotic surroundings. Wen Shuang sensed something was wrong. As he turned around, he only felt something cut through the air toward him before a fist smashed heavily into his face. His vision went black, and his body was actually sent flying several meters away, showing just how furious the attacker was. His ears rang without end. A woman's scream followed, drawn into a thin, piercing line before gradually becoming clear. Wen Shuang could not make out anything at first. He wanted to struggle into a sitting position, but pain erupted through him, and he decided that being a salted fish was not so bad.

Just lie here and play dead.

Xuan Zhe and Cao Nanyu happened to be coming out through the company's front entrance, and they saw the scene in full. Cao Nanyu stared in shock. "President Xuan, this..."

Xuan Zhe flung the documents he had been reading at Cao Nanyu and strode down the steps.

Yu Feng had only vented a third of his anger. Seeing Wen Shuang lying there half-dead, he told himself that it was all an act! He strode forward and grabbed Wen Shuang by the collar. Quite a few people had already gathered around to watch.

"Who are you putting on this act for?" Yu Feng enunciated every word, as if he wanted to bite a piece of flesh off Wen Shuang. "You ruined me like this, and now who are you putting on this act for?!"

The overlapping shadows before Wen Shuang's eyes finally came into focus, and only then did he realize that it was Yu Feng. Fine. He could still mock anyone else a couple of times, but not this man. He owed him.

Seeing Wen Shuang remain silent, Yu Feng sneered. "What, did you suddenly grow a conscience? First you contacted Lei Wenxu, then you went to the hospital to see my mother. Wen Shuang, if you have the guts, don't turn back for the rest of your life. Wasn't being a bastard working out just fine for you? Huh? Say something!"

My fucking head is practically smashed to pieces by your fist. My lips hurt when I move, and my mouth is full of blood. I might even spray blood all over your face. What the hell am I supposed to say?!

"You bastard!" Yu Feng's fury surged again, and he raised his fist high.

Wen Shuang saw it and immediately covered his face. He still had to record the show next week. Marks were not easy to fade from this body, so he could not let it delay the schedule.

Such careful consideration was only because he had no one to rely on.

But Yu Feng's punch did not come down. Xuan Zhe seized his wrist. He was a little taller than Yu Feng, and with a twist of his wrist, he instantly yanked Yu Feng away.

"Get lost!" Xuan Zhe said coldly. His anger never showed itself outright, yet it seemed to blend into the wind and air, instantly constricting Yu Feng's breathing and leaving him afraid to act recklessly again.

Wen Shuang had been dazed by the blow. He stared at Xuan Zhe through the gaps between his fingers, taking several seconds before extending a hand.

It was a subconscious action. Human instinct sought benefit and avoided harm. Wen Shuang simply felt safe with Xuan Zhe.

Xuan Zhe bent down and took that hand, then helped Wen Shuang up. "How are you?"

My golden thigh, you finally came. Wen Shuang wanted to speak, but something clogged his mouth, so he turned his head and spat first. His mouthful of blood was no exaggeration.

Yu Feng's pupils trembled lightly at the sight of that pool of blood. He had only thrown one punch...

Wen Shuang's old claim that "one punch can make me cry for ages" had not been a joke. This body really could not take a hit.

"My golden thigh, you finally came!" Wen Shuang cried out his innermost thought in a tearful voice as his consciousness began to scatter.

Xuan Zhe: "..." He might as well throw him back out.

The next second, Wen Shuang leaned into his arms, light as a drifting wisp of cotton. He drew in a quick breath and squeezed out one word from his throat. "It hurts..."

Xuan Zhe: "..." Better pick him back up first.