CH 43

In a small private room of the hotel restaurant.

Lin Xiufeng sat anxiously with Cheng Shaohua. in front of them was a cup of tea and a glass of juice on the table.

Li Yuan, also with them, leaned against the window and lit a cigarette.

Cheng Shaohua drank his juice and stared at Li Yuan, pointing his finger, saying, “Uncle, you shouldn’t smoke. Secondhand smoke is bad.”

Lin Xiufeng quickly pressed Cheng Shaohua’s hand, apologizing repeatedly.

Li Yuan didn’t mind. Suddenly, he remembered Gu Zhongyi’s cold face and decisively put out the cigarette. Fortunately, Cheng Shaohua, that silly boy, reminded him; otherwise, if the private room was filled with smoke, choking Lin Yuxing, it would probably upset Gu Zhongyi.

He patted Cheng Shaohua’s shoulder and said, “Kid, you’re so health-conscious that’s good.”

Cheng Shaohua happily nodded his head, “Yeah, my brother taught me! I’m well-behaved and can remember everything.”

“Your brother?” Li Yuan looked at Cheng Shaohua, who seemed not much younger than Lin Yuxing.

Lin Xiufeng held Cheng Shaohua’s hand tightly, explaining hurriedly, “Yuxing is three years younger than him, but he’s not sensible and likes to call Yuxing ‘brother.'”

“I see.” Li Yuan casually replied, “So he’s about the same age as my son. If he could go to school, he would have already graduated from college by now.”

Lin Xiufeng smiled bitterly, “Yes.”

Suddenly, the door to the private room opened.

Lin Yuxing, looking refreshed, walked in with the support of Gu Zhongyi.

Li Yuan looked over and noticed that the bruises on Lin Yuxing’s face had gotten darker, but his expression was natural, no longer as panicked as the day before.

As soon as Lin Xiufeng saw him, she stood up anxiously, “Yuxing!”

Cheng Shaohua also jumped up, “Brother!” He wanted to rush over, but Li Yuan grabbed the back of his collar to prevent him from causing trouble.

Li Yuan then directly took him out of the private room, saying, “Come, let’s go buy candy for you.” Cheng Shaohua, being a treat lover, immediately followed him happily.

Lin Yuxing didn’t say anything. With Gu Zhongyi’s help, he sat down on a chair. The waiter followed closely and brought two cups of hot tea.

In the private room, there were only three people left.

Gu Zhongyi held Lin Yuxing’s hand, displaying an affectionate attitude that instantly made Lin Xiufeng understand their relationship. Coupled with the fact that they stayed in the hotel together last night, Lin Xiufeng became even more certain.

She frowned, carefully looking at Gu Zhongyi from top to bottom. On the day they briefly met, she didn’t get a good look at Gu Zhongyi’s appearance.

Now, she was astonished.

While on the way here, Lin Xiufeng heard Li Yuan mention that Gu Zhongyi’s background was not simple, so she mentally prepared herself for the possibility that Lin Yuxing might “rise to the top.” But she couldn’t have imagined that Gu Zhongyi would be so outstanding, even in appearance. She was confused. How could such an extraordinary Alpha be attracted to Lin Yuxing? Didn’t Gu Zhongyi know about the burn scars on Lin Yuxing’s back and gland?

But with Li Yuan’s words in mind, Lin Xiufeng was convinced that Gu Zhongyi was not a fraud.

…..

Gu Zhongyi noticed Lin Xiufeng’s gaze and turned around, saying, “Hello, I’m Yuxing’s boyfriend. My name is Gu Zhongyi.”

“Uh, hello, hello.” Lin Xiufeng used polite language, not daring to be disrespectful to the young man in front of her. She nervously squeezed her hand and said, “I-I’ve heard everything from Mr. Li. Thanks to your help, my Yuxing is safe.”

She got up, bowed to Gu Zhongyi in gratitude, with a humble attitude.

Gu Zhongyi politely said, “This is what I should do. You have an injury on your foot, please have a seat first.”

She nodded, tugged at the corners of her mouth, and forced a smile, “Yuxing is a reserved child. He doesn’t tell me anything. I didn’t even know he was dating in school, especially with someone as outstanding as you.”

As she spoke, her gaze fell on Lin Yuxing.

Lin Yuxing stared blankly at the small teacup on the table, lost in thought.

Seeing this, Lin Xiufeng had to speak first, “Yuxing…”

Lin Yuxing looked at her, pondered for a long time, and asked the question that had been bothering him, “Did you already know Uncle’s plan? Did you know in advance?”

His straightforward question made Lin Xiufeng’s eyes dodge involuntarily. She turned pale, wanting to deny it.

Lin Yuxing: “I went to the police station, that’s why I’m asking you this question.”

Hiding the truth was useless. Sooner or later, Lin Yuxing would know the whole truth.

Lin Xiufeng didn’t know whether to admit it or how to phrase it.

But then, something occurred to Lin Yuxing. His heart tightened, and he asked abruptly, “So, that’s why you told me not to come back home as much? Facing Lin Xiufeng’s silence, he stared in disbelief and stammered, “You knew… you, you knew he was going to sell me?”

Only then did Lin Xiufeng’s eyes well up with tears, and she nodded slowly, “…Yes.”

For a moment, in the small space, it was quiet as the dead of night.

It was hard to tell what expression was on Lin Yuxing’s face.

Disappointment? Despair? Or was it just as he expected?

Lin Xiufeng choked up, “Yuxing, I know you will resent me for this, but that day, he tied me up with a rope. I couldn’t break free. I know these words sound like excuses! You mentioned before that Ashan was always watching you, and I should have warned you in advance but…”

Lin Yuxing’s heart grew cold. He couldn’t understand why Lin Xiufeng hid such news from him.

“You actually hid such an important matter from me. Do you know,” he paused, speaking with difficulty, “…I almost didn’t escape yesterday.”

If Lin Xiufeng had told him from the beginning, Lin Yuxing would have been well prepared to deal with that situation.

He didn’t dare to think about it. If it weren’t for Gu Zhongyi coming to look for him, what would have happened to him? He was injured and had no money. His ID card wasn’t with him at the time as well.

There was a high chance he would have been captured by Cheng Rong and Ashan, imprisoned, and marked for life, forever stuck in the mire.

His life would be ruined, and under Ashan’s control, he might never have escaped that swamp in his lifetime.

Those assumptions were really terrifying. Just thinking about them sent shivers down Lin Yuxing’s spine.

He clenched his teeth and murmured, puzzled, “I really don’t understand why you kept it from me.”

Lin Xiufeng covered her face and sobbed, unable to utter a single word.

Suddenly, Lin Yuxing looked at Lin Xiufeng’s injured leg, he asked in realization, “Could it be… you were afraid that if you told me, I would immediately escape back to City C? Were you afraid that with your injured foot, there would be no one to take care of Cousin?”

Just for that?

Just for such a simple reason?

Lin Yuxing desperately hoped that he was overthinking. He wished Lin Xiufeng would firmly deny his words. He felt himself trembling, pressing hard against his own thigh.

However, the horrifying truth was that Lin Xiufeng admitted it.

She knew she couldn’t hide it, so she tried her best to explain herself, “I stopped Cheng Rong! He promised me that he wouldn’t bring up this matter with Ashan again! I really thought he had given up… I didn’t know why he suddenly did this! I, I really…”

“You actually believed his words…” Lin Yuxing shouted, interrupting her, “…You’re so selfish!”

That was the first time Lin Yuxing treated Lin Xiufeng with such an attitude.

Lin Xiufeng was dumbfounded, unable to speak.

Lin Yuxing’s eyes turned red, and he held his breath.

It wasn’t until Gu Zhongyi placed his hand on Lin Yuxing’s thigh, as if comforting him, that Lin Yuxing relaxed. He closed his eyes in disappointment and continued to breathe the murky air of City D.

It was a complete mess.

Living together with Lin Xiufeng for so many years, Lin Yuxing had probably already guessed the reason for her visit this time.

She must have come for Cheng Shaohua.

People say, “Parents’ love for their children knows no bounds,” but Lin Yuxing didn’t have parents who cared deeply for him. Instead, people who treated him as a tool for their own benefits.

In fact, Lin Yuxing knew that Lin Xiufeng brought him back from the welfare institution back then only so he would take care of Cheng Shaohua, who had intellectual disabilities, as he grew up.

After all, Cheng Rong was unreliable, and Lin Xiufeng would also someday grow old.

Lin Yuxing felt he owed them for raising him, so he had to shoulder that heavy responsibility. He had been taught this way all along.

But he didn’t understand why Cheng Rong believed he would abandon them, constantly making things difficult for him. Lin Xiufeng was always worried that he would leave Cheng Shaohua, thus constantly pulling him back.

He was like a fool, reluctant to eat or wear nice clothes. Every penny he saved went into this bottomless pit. He had thought about getting rid of Cheng Rong, but he had never considered abandoning Lin Xiufeng and Cheng Shaohua.

In reality, Lin Yuxing never felt sorry for himself. He was luckier than most of the children with disabilities in the welfare institution.

He had a “family,” went to college smoothly, and grew up well.

Although it was difficult along the way, even if his blood relatives had left him, he didn’t blame the ones who raised him.

He always thought this way, convincing himself.

Because only in this way, the hardships he experienced would become bearable.

Now, Lin Yuxing helplessly turned his body, not knowing where to place his hands.

Gu Zhongyi held his hand, calming Lin Yuxing’s heart.

Gu Zhongyi said in a deep voice, “If you’re exhausted, let’s not talk about it anymore.”

Lin Yuxing opened his eyes and what met his gaze was Gu Zhongyi’s unwavering care for him and his cold hand warmed up as Gu Zhongyi held it.

He was tired, so he weakly nodded and slowly got up with Gu Zhongyi.

Lin Yuxing didn’t want to stay there anymore, regardless of what decision he would make in the future. Right now, he just wanted to return to City C quickly and leave that so-called “home” behind.

He needed some time to calm down, and Lin Xiufeng needed it too.

But when Lin Xiufeng saw the indifference in his eyes, her emotions suddenly spiraled out of control, and she sorrowfully said, “It’s my fault, I did something wrong! If I had known that Cheng Rong would do this,  I wouldn’t have let you stay at home! Yuxing, don’t leave, you can’t leave!”

Lin Yuxing listened to her screaming, remaining silent.

Lin Xiufeng then knelt on the ground, dragging her injured leg, and knocked her head loudly against the ground.

Lin Yuxing’s face turned pale, and his scalp went numb.

Gu Zhongyi stepped forward in two strides and grabbed Lin Xiufeng’s arm, trying to help her up.

But Lin Xiufeng stubbornly stayed on the ground. “Please forgive Auntie! Please forgive me—” she pleaded in despair.

At that point, whatever she said was useless, and all she could do was desperately beg Lin Yuxing.

“Are you really going to follow him? Yuxing, please don’t go! Mr. Li told me that Cheng Rong will definitely go to prison this time!”

She tried to reach for the hem of Lin Yuxing’s pants, but Gu Zhongyi stopped her.

She exclaimed, “Didn’t you ask me to get a divorce? I’ll divorce him! I’ll rent a house with Shaohua, and you don’t have to pay for anything! Just don’t abandon us, Yuxing. Just because you’re with this Alpha now, doesn’t mean you can abandon us! I’ve always been on your side, always!”

Lin Yuxing looked at the woman in front of him, who was both unfamiliar and incredibly familiar.

His aunt, a pitiful person struggling at the bottom, had taken him as her only lifeline. Perhaps he had shed too many tears the previous day; as he couldn’t shed a single tear.

He turned his head away, feeling as if his heart had been pricked by a needle, a dense pain enveloping him.

Lin Xiufeng panicked. She couldn’t reach Lin Yuxing, so she turned and grabbed Gu Zhongyi instead, venting her anger without restraint, “You can’t take him away! I know what he’s thinking! If he leaves this time, he won’t come back… I’ve raised him, what right do you have to take him away? What have you brainwashed him with?!”

Gu Zhongyi frowned, the four words “raised him” were particularly grating to his ears.

He had seen how hard Lin Yuxing’s life had been.

In the end, it was Lin Yuxing who stopped Lin Xiufeng.

“Let go!” Lin Yuxing didn’t want Lin Xiufeng to cling to Gu Zhongyi any longer. “I want to go, it’s my own decision.”

Tears welled up in Lin Xiufeng’s eyes as she stared at Lin Yuxing. “Yuxing, you can’t leave…” She shook her head and repeated, “I raised you… I raised you…”

Lin Yuxing didn’t want to see her anymore.

He said, “In the second year of junior high, Uncle got injured at the construction site, and our family was struggling. He wanted me to drop out of school and work, but you never agreed. That’s why I had the opportunity to get into City C. You raised me, you have shown me kindness, even if everything you did was for Cousin, I am still grateful to you.”

Lin Yuxing remembered all of that.

Life has its ups and downs, and people are the same. There are no completely good or completely bad people, but no one is a saint either.

He remembered Lin Xiufeng’s goodness, but that didn’t overshadow the pain he had suffered.

“Auntie, I promise you.” Lin Yuxing took a deep breath. “From now on, I will send you money every month within my capabilities and you also should not burden yourself because of me anymore.”

Tears moistened the floor as Lin Xiufeng sobbed silently.

Lin Yuxing listened to her crying, feeling like needles in his heart, and he shrank back, raising his eyes unintentionally. In that instant, he met Gu Zhongyi’s gentle and determined gaze.

In an instant, his heart found solace and gained courage.

Lin Yuxing continued to speak to Lin Xiufeng, “If you and Cousin have any difficulties, I will do my best to help. But you must never come to City C to find me. If you do, I will disappear completely, and you won’t be able to contact me again.”

He said firmly, “I won’t come back either.”

Lin Yuxing didn’t like City D; the memories of his upbringing were like a bone-deep pain.

“Auntie, regardless of whether you believed in me or not, I never once thought of abandoning you all.”

Those final words made Lin Xiufeng deeply regretful.

In an instant, she understood that all the faults stemmed from her own obsession.

She believed Cheng Rong’s words and thought of Lin Yuxing as an outsider in the family. So, while she had high hopes for him, she also longed for a shackle that could keep Lin Yuxing tied to her.

She was the most contradictory person.

That  incident had caused too much harm to Lin Yuxing, completely shattering his trust in Lin Xiufeng. Everything had reached an irreparable point, and no matter how persistent Lin Xiufeng was, it was all in vain.

She finally let go of Gu Zhongyi’s hand and sat helplessly on the ground.

Gu Zhongyi gave up on helping her up and walked straight to Lin Yuxing. “Let’s go.”

Lin Yuxing didn’t refuse; he silently embraced Gu Zhongyi’s neck.

As they opened the door, Lin Yuxing grabbed Gu Zhongyi’s clothes. Gu Zhongyi stopped and heard Lin Yuxing speak, advising Lin Xiufeng, “Take this opportunity to divorce him and seek a new life with cousin.”

The door closed.

In the spacious compartment, only Lin Xiufeng remained, in her miserable state.