You Refused the Face I Gave You

Outside the window, the scenery of a foreign land rushed past, but inside the car, there was a brief moment of tranquility. Lin Feng, Zhou Wenyuan, and Lü Yi were sitting in a private room of an elegant private restaurant.

As soon as the dishes were served, their colors, aromas, and flavors were irresistible. Lü Yi couldn't wait to pick up her chopsticks, her eyes shining as she stared at the glistening braised pork in the center of the plate. Meanwhile, Zhou Wenyuan leisurely wiped his hands with a hot towel, preparing to eat.

Just as Lin Feng picked up his chopsticks, his phone, which was placed to the side, vibrated at an inopportune moment, and the screen lit up, displaying the name "Monkey".

He frowned slightly, put down his chopsticks, picked up his phone, and pressed the answer button.

Hey, Monkey.

On the other end of the phone, instead of Monkey's usual lively or weary voice, came a strained, yet still trembling and choked tone:

"Madman... Xiaoya... Xiaoya, she..."

Lin Feng's heart sank slightly, but his tone remained calm. "Don't rush, tell me slowly, what happened to Xiaoya?"

"This afternoon... this afternoon we just got the transfer certificate... but haven't... haven't gotten it stamped yet..." Monkey's voice was broken, thick with nasal tone and undisguised fear, "Xiaoya... her condition suddenly worsened... she can't breathe... she's... she's in the ICU now!"

ICU (Intensive Care Unit)?

Lin Feng's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly. He held his phone, listening quietly as Monkey, his voice trembling with sobs, incoherently recounted the events of the afternoon—how they went to see Doctor Qin, how Doctor Qin initially strongly objected, then spoke privately with his parents, how, although a transfer certificate was eventually issued, how grim his parents' faces were when they came out, and how, just as they were about to complete the formalities with the certificate, the nurse rushed out shouting, and how Xiaoya's condition "coincidentally" took a sharp turn for the worse at that moment...

The Monkey's narrative was chaotic and full of emotion, but Lin Feng clearly gleaned several key points: the doctor who resolutely opposed transferring the monkey to another hospital, the strange private conversation, and the "sudden change in condition" that occurred immediately after the monkey received the certificate.

What a coincidence!

He hesitated, not speaking immediately. He raised his left hand, his gaze falling on his wristwatch, calmly estimating the time and distance.

"Monkey," he said, interrupting the still-painful voice on the other end of the phone, his tone calm and reassuring, "I understand. Don't panic, there are doctors in the ICU, you're safe for now. I've basically finished things here, I'm heading back now."

He paused briefly, then gave a specific time. "I should arrive around five or six in the afternoon. We can meet this evening to discuss things in detail. Where are you? Find a quiet place."

"Okay... okay... I'm here..." The Monkey named a small restaurant they used to frequent.

"Okay, I'll wait for you there." Lin Feng said, then hung up the phone decisively.

Silence returned to the private room.

Lü Yi remained in the position of picking up food, looking at Lin Feng with a somewhat blank expression. Zhou Wenyuan put down the towel, his gaze behind his glasses questioning.

Lin Feng casually placed his phone on the table and leaned back in his chair. The corners of his mouth slowly, very slowly, curved upwards into a clear arc, revealing a cold, devoid of warmth.

However, his eyes were the complete opposite of the smile on his lips.

There was not a trace of a smile in those eyes, only a bottomless, icy pool. The chilling killing intent was like a ferocious beast lurking at the bottom of the pool, silently extending its sharp claws, making the temperature in the entire private room seem to drop several degrees suddenly.

He took a deep breath, then spoke to himself in a voice that was almost a murmur, yet each word was clear and chilling:

"You really... don't... appreciate... the... kindness... you... need..."

Every word was like something pulled from an ice cellar and smashed into the quiet air.

Zhou Wenyuan pushed up his Glasses and didn't say anything, but he understood. Although Lü Yi wasn't quite sure what had happened, he sensed the sudden and unsettling aura emanating from Lin Feng, and he obediently put down his chopsticks, no longer daring to joke around.

"I'm not eating anymore." Lin Feng stood up, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Pack your things and go back immediately."

Without any further questions or delays, Zhou Wenyuan immediately got up to make arrangements, and Lü Yi quickly ate a few bites of rice before obediently following along.

The group quickly paid the bill and left, getting into the black SUV. Driver Old Liu had obviously received instructions, and the car immediately started and drove onto the highway back.

The journey was long, and even with a fast pace, by the time they arrived back in Lin Feng's city, it was already dusk. The city's neon lights were just coming on, illuminating the way home for those returning, but they couldn't dispel the gloom in some people's hearts.

Lin Feng didn't go back to his residence; instead, he had Old Liu drive the car directly to the small restaurant where he and Monkey had agreed to meet.

The restaurant has a small storefront and simple decor; it's a typical, affordable street-side shop. At this time of day, it's already quite crowded with diners, bustling with noise and filled with the aroma of cooking.

Lin Feng glanced around and quickly spotted the Monkey in a corner by the window.

He sat alone at a four-person table.

The table was completely empty.

There was no wine, no food, not even a cup of tea. There was only a pot of ordinary boiling water, just beginning to steam, and a clean white porcelain cup.

The Monkey sat there blankly, his eyes vacant and lifeless, as if his soul had been ripped away. He held the water glass in both hands, his gaze unfocused on the table, his whole being like a lifeless sculpture, completely out of place in the noisy environment around him.

Lin Feng strode over and pulled out the chair opposite the Monkey.

The wooden chair legs scraped against the ground, making a "sizzle" sound that wasn't harsh but was clear enough.

The sound was like a Key, suddenly unlocking the Monkey's closed senses.

He shuddered violently and abruptly raised his head as if startled.

When his gaze met Lin Feng's calm yet profound eyes, it was as if some kind of power was instantly injected into those empty eyes, his dim pupils refocused, and the scattered vitality gradually returned.

He opened his mouth, a thousand words stuck in his throat, ultimately turning into a trembling sound filled with endless grievance, pain, and dependence:

"Madman... you've come..."