He observed Yan Heqing's expression, and as he had expected, cracks appeared on that hypocritical, indifferent face, leaving him puzzled.
Lu Muchi was satisfied. He slowly uttered, "Listen carefully, don't overestimate yourself. I chose you because your eyes look somewhat like your younger brother's."
Lu Muchi's tone suddenly softened, "His name is now Lin Fengzhi, and he's the person I love most."
Yan Heqing was struck dumb. His fingertips trembled first, and he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, "You're lying!"
"What makes you worth me lying about?" Lu Muchi sneered. "Don't overestimate yourself. If it weren't for Zhizhi, you wouldn't even get to see me."
The room fell into a deathly silence, but Lu Muchi, unusually, did not lose his temper and waited for Yan Heqing with ease.
He knew that Yan Heqing was bound to lose this round.
Lu Muchi, feeling a mischievous urge again, glanced at his watch and said, "10."
9.
8.
He started counting down without warning.
As her fingertips dug into her palm, pain became a familiar sensation, but Yan Heqing felt no pain, only a deep sense of powerlessness.
As Lu Muchi uttered the number "1", he whispered, "I want to see him."
The meeting place was a restaurant located at the highest point in the city, offering a panoramic view of the capital's most vibrant nightscape.
Lu Muchi booked the entire restaurant, leaving only one table.
Just a wall away was Yan Heqing, who was gagged and tied to a chair. Lu Muchi was still worried that something might happen and that Lin Fengzhi would find out about Yan Heqing's existence, so he called four more bodyguards to guard him.
The curtains were only slightly ajar, and through that gap, Yan Heqing saw Yan Mingsong once again.
He knew at a glance that it was indeed his younger brother.
His light-colored pupils flashed with an astonishing brilliance, Yan Heqing dared not blink as he carefully examined Lin Fengzhi.
He was full of vigor, dressed in a handsome and sunny casual outfit. He had just finished playing ice hockey, and his arms were sore. He was rubbing them and complaining to Lu Muchi, but despite complaining, his smile remained bright and radiant.
Lu Muchi told him that Lin Fengzhi's series of photos of wild cats taken yesterday won the National Annual Photography Award.
His younger brother has grown into the best-looking man.
Yan Heqing breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, every now and then, as long as Lu Muchi in a good mood, he would reward him with a chance to see Lin Fengzhi. Although he could only catch a glimpse of him from afar, it was Yan Heqing's motivation.
Soon, Lu Lin noticed Yan Heqing's unusual behavior.
Yan Heqing's gaze toward Lu Muchi gradually shifted from disgust and hatred to a chaotic, burning intensity.
Stockholm syndrome.
The unfamiliar word popped into Lu Lin's mind. Ever since the coffee shop incident, things had taken an unexpected turn, as if they were happening in another world.
Yan Heqing was asleep, but his brows were furrowed in a tight knot as always.
Only when he was asleep was his body free from illness, resisting this absurd and suffocating chaos.
Lu Lin reached out to smooth his brow, but for the umpteenth time, her efforts were in vain.
Suddenly the door opened, Yan Heqing reflexively opened his eyes, first with fear, then with anticipation, and looked happily towards the doorway.
Lu Lin looked at him coldly.
This time, it wasn't Lu Muchi outside the door, but Cheng Jian.
Cheng Jian's gaze passed through Lu Lin, then fell on Yan Heqing with amazement, before turning into an ambiguous smile.
Yan Heqing froze instantly, adopting a defensive stance. Cheng Jian smiled slightly but did not come in; instead, he closed the door.
Lu Lin had a vague suspicion in his mind, and his facial nerves twitched uncontrollably.
No. 1 Primary School later, Lu Muchi appeared, confirming Lu Lin's guess.
Lu Lin almost ground his back teeth to powder, and the next second his vision turned blood red.
Yan Heqing released the knife handle, his fingertips covered in blood. When Cheng Jian pressed his shoulder and cried out in pain, he opened the door and ran away.
Yan Heqing ran without looking back. Lu Lin recognized the road; it led to Lu Muchi's villa.
Lu Lin didn't follow Yan Heqing. He stared at the young man's thin, disheveled figure in the wind. He knew very well that if he closed his eyes, he would be at the next destination.
Next, the location of Yan Heqing's tragic life.
Lu Lin didn't want to close his eyes anymore.
He couldn't bear to see his precious child suffer any more hardship.
But it still came.
His vision went black for a brief moment, and then the hospital came into view.
Lu Muchi was talking with several doctors.
"Corneal transplantation is quite special; the rejection reaction is much smaller than with other organs, and it doesn't require matching with immediate family members. I can arrange the surgery for young Master Lin tomorrow," said the older doctor.
Lu Muchi didn't answer, but got up and left. Downstairs, he dialed Lin Fengzhi's number, his expression gentle, "What are you doing?"
Lin Fengzhi had just finished crying, his voice hoarse, "Go to sleep."
"How many times have I told you? Don't lie so easily; people will see right through you." Lu Muchi chuckled. "Don't cry. Eyelid transplantation is a minor surgery. I've arranged everything. The surgery is tomorrow morning."
"So fast?" Lin Fengzhi in surprise, "What if... what if there's rejection..."
"I won't let anything happen to you," Lu Muchi reassured him. "The cornea I found for you is the most suitable one in the world."
Without thinking, Lu Lin guessed that the most suitable cornea for Lin Fengzhi was Yan Heqing's cornea.
Lu Muchi actually wants to harvest organs from living people! Lu Lin's finger bones cracked.
The phone call next to me was still going on.
"Really?" Lin Fengzhi delight, " A-Chi, you're so kind! Once my eyes are fully recovered, I'll treat you—"
Lu Muchi teased him, "What are you inviting me for? It can't be too easy."
"A big meal? Not enough... let's go on a trip!" Lin Fengzhi. "I've always wanted to photograph the aurora borealis. How about we go chase it!"
Lu Muchi smiled, infected by Lin Fengzhi's laughter. "You're in charge. I only have one request: stop crying." His voice softened. "If you cry your eyes out, you won't look pretty anymore."
Knowing perfectly well that he was merely an observer at this moment, Lu Lin still clenched his fist and swung it at Lu Muchi. The instant he touched Lu Muchi, he unsurprisingly passed through Lu Muchi and fell into another space.
The view became dim, a cold wind swept in, and countless withered leaves fell from above.