Chapter 59: Does it hurt?

The only regret Lin Yiwei had was the last time she got so distracted that she mistook Xie Bo for Lin Xie.

In dreams and waking hours alike, it was always him she called out to, though she couldn’t recall how many times.

That was the only time she had mistaken someone in confusion.

Who knows why Xie Bo liked being called “big brother,” always wanting her to address him like that, especially when he was poised and tense.

Lin Yiwei didn’t mind it. If calling him ‘big brother’ would win his favor, then what’s the big deal? Calling him ‘daddy’ would be fine too.

Since when did whispering this term in his ear make her stop thinking about Lin Xie?

Perhaps it started the first time Xie Bo brought her to this old villa filled with nostalgia, when he held her and said they would part ways after the weekend.

Lin Yiwei truly felt lost.

Xie Bo was the lifeline she tightly clung to, repeatedly rescuing her from the Chi family’s grasp, risking conflict with them, peeling a pomegranate for her the first time, frying eggs for her, caring for her when she was sick, teaching her to drive, taking her to an art institution she had only dared to dream of… He was the tender deity she encountered when she was desperate and destitute.

Calling him “Master Bo” was not jest or sarcasm; it was sincere.

She began to savor every moment alone with him, relishing every second he held her hands above her head, letting him have his way.

Immersed in it, endlessly sinking.

She loved this man. Every late night in England, she thought of this man who could never belong to her again.

If someday ‘big brother’ was safely rescued, Lin Yiwei would definitely call the police.

Regardless of success, she wanted Chi Xiyu, Chi Xicheng and Chi Youhuai to receive their due punishment. She didn’t just want revenge for ‘big brother’; she also foolishly hoped to fight for her “doll.”

Even if it cost him his interests, shattered his dreams, or if Xie Bo hated her…She was determined to have Xie Bo. Since she wanted him, she would fight and snatch him at any cost.

The flames crackling in the fireplace surged and burned fiercely. A moth fluttered in and instantly turned to ashes.

Lin Yiwei drifted in and out of sleep, gradually regaining some awareness.

Her eyes slowly opened, and she saw the flames flickering in the fireplace, as well as the small dog lying on the wooden floor, all blurry.

She felt thirsty, her throat parched as if on fire. There was a glass of water on the coffee table. Lin Yiwei struggled to support her body to reach for it.

However, her body felt boneless, and as she tried to pick up the glass, it slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor, spilling water everywhere.

The German Shepherd resting in front of the fireplace was startled by the commotion, lifting its head and looking at Lin Yiwei with a tilted head. Sensing that she needed help, it stood up and barked loudly upstairs.

No one responded, whether they ignored it or were not at home.

Lin Yiwei was so thirsty, feeling like her body’s moisture had evaporated from the scorching heat, almost burning her alive.

She needed water.

Sitting up, she noticed a water dispenser by the bar counter. She struggled to stand up, stumbling towards it. Unexpectedly, as she got off the sofa, her legs gave way, causing her to trip by the coffee table, where the broken glass shards pierced her right hand, causing immense pain.

Lin Yiwei’s lips trembled in pain, blood staining the milky white lambs wool carpet, a stark contrast. At that moment, the door opened, and Xie Bo, dressed in a black tactical jacket, entered, exuding a chilling aura.

Carrying a bag of medicine, he threw it on the coffee table without a word, then called Yi Shiqi, “Come to Herlin Villa.”

Lin Yiwei’s eyes fell on the blood-red gemstone necklace she had thrown, now adorning his wrist.

Seeing the bloodstains on the carpet, Xie Bo’s expression darkened as he noticed her injured painting hand.

Without a word, he called Yi Shiqi, “Come to Herlin Villa.”

Lin Yiwei looked at him in a daze. Xie Bo hung up without acknowledging her, heading upstairs. The German Shepherd seemed anxious, whimpering and blocking Xie Bo’s path, as if hoping he could help Lin Yiwei.

Xie Bo, losing his patience, told the dog to move aside, and it obediently stepped back, whimpering softly.

Lin Yiwei still craved water, her lips dry and cracked. She gritted her teeth, enduring the pain, removing the glass shards from her hand. The pain made her cry out, cold sweat running down her face.

Xie Bo’s steps up the stairs seemed heavy as lead. She cried while standing, supporting herself against the wall, walking towards the bar counter, leaving bloodstains on the wall.

Unable to bear it any longer, Xie Bo pulled the girl back to the sofa, fetched water from the dispenser, and placed it forcefully on the coffee table.

Lin Yiwei eagerly drank the water, as if saved, gulping down several mouthfuls.

The glass was empty, but it wasn’t enough.

She licked her lips and looked at the man in front of her, her hoarse voice pitifully asking, “Master Bo, can you… pour me another glass?”

Xie Bo took a glass, filled it with water, and handed it over, though his actions were rough and ungentle, his face still grim, but he managed to give her lukewarm water.

The glass was placed in front of her, and Xie Bo got up to leave.

As Lin Yiwei drank water, she grabbed onto his sleeve with her other hand, trying to stop him from leaving.

She was weak, and Xie Bo pulled away from her grip, going upstairs to his room.

Shortly after, Yi Shiqi arrived, seeing the bloodstains all over the room, thinking it was a crime scene.

“What… what… what happened here?!”

“It’s nothing, just a minor injury that looks scary.” Lin Yiwei even tried to comfort Yi Shiqi, “Accidentally got blood on the wall.”

Yi Shiqi walked in and looked at the pale-faced girl on the sofa. “You’re the friend he mentioned, aren’t you?”

“Probably.”

Setting down the medical kit, Yi Shiqi approached to inspect Lin Yiwei’s wound. “It’s quite deep; let me stitch it up for you.”

“Does it hurt?”

“You tell me.”

Efficiently, Yi Shiqi took out disinfectants, needles, and thread from his medical kit. Lin Yiwei watched the needle trembling.

Seeing her discomfort, Xie Bo, leaning against the French window, couldn’t bear it anymore and frowned.

“Aren’t you going to give her anesthesia?”

“Such a small wound doesn’t need anesthesia; it’s not that bad. Endure it a bit.”

Lin Yiwei watched in horror as he disinfected the needle, then approached her.

She screamed, “Ah! Master Bo!”

Unable to stand it, Xie Bo walked over, pushed Yi Shiqi’s hand away, and shielded the girl behind him.

“Are you crazy? Stitching without anesthesia? What kind of doctor are you? Get out.”

Yi Shiqi held the needle, grinning. “I’m the only doctor for miles around. If you won’t let me do it, do it yourself.”

Xie Bo lifted Lin Yiwei and said, “Let’s go to the hospital.”

“Hey hey hey, no need for that. Oh, I’m the most professional doctor.” Yi Shiqi stopped him. “Just kidding. I’ll give her some anesthesia, don’t worry.”

After speaking, he took out a syringe from his medical kit.

Xie Bo put Lin Yiwei down, rolled up the sleeve of her injured hand, carefully wiped away the blood around the skin with alcohol, and handed her hand over to Yi Shiqi.

Lin Yiwei shrank back, trying to avoid him, but he held her firmly, his face cold without a word of comfort.

However, he frowned, watching Yi Shiqi carefully tend to the wound.

“Be gentle,” he reminded.

“I know, I won’t hurt your precious.”

Xie Bo remained silent, observing Yi Shiqi’s actions.

After finishing, Lin Yiwei reached out her other hand to hold Xie Bo’s, but he coldly pushed her away and went to the kitchen to calm down.

After Yi Shiqi treated Lin Yiwei’s wound and gave her antipyretics and antibiotics, seeing Xie Bo leave, he quietly told her, “Let me tell you something. I saw your brother.”

Lin Yiwei suddenly looked up, her voice hoarse. “What did you say?”

“Your brother, Lin Xie, right? I saw him. Mr. Bo asked me to treat him a while back. I’ve been taking care of his health, but I haven’t been there for the past week…”

Lin Yiwei grabbed Yi Shiqi’s collar. “Why is he sick? Is it serious?”

“You didn’t know? He’s been quite ill… But don’t worry, I’ve been treating him for a while, so he should be okay.”

“He hasn’t been there—is he better?”

“Mr. Bo stopped me from going; I’m not sure about the specifics. Oh, please let go… you’re strangling me.”

“Please help him, I beg you. Cure him.”

“It’s not entirely up to me.”

Before he could finish, a glass in Xie Bo’s hand was thrown down with a loud crash, venting his anger.

He looked at Yi Shiqi. “You can leave now.”

Yi Shiqi realized he shouldn’t have said those things to Lin Yiwei, quickly extricating himself. “Okay okay, I’ll leave first. Remember to pay me, Xie Bo.”

After that, he picked out some medications Lin Yiwei might need from his medical kit, carrying it as he left.

“Don’t leave!” Lin Yiwei held onto his clothes tightly. “Tell me, what’s wrong with him?”

“Oh dear, it’s nothing, don’t do this.”

“I’m begging you, Yi Shiqi.”

Lin Yiwei fell to the floor from the sofa’s edge, nearly kneeling to him. “Please, you’re a doctor, have mercy and help him.”

Xie Bo watched the girl cry and plead, his eyes cold and indifferent.

Yi Shiqi, being compassionate, helped her up and back to the sofa. “You’re still sick; rest well. Don’t worry; with me here, nothing will happen.”

He winked, glanced at Xie Bo, “You should try asking this gentleman; he’s the one who decides your brother’s fate. If you apologize and plead, he’s quite softhearted. I’m leaving now, goodbye.”

After Yi Shiqi left the villa, Lin Yiwei turned her pale face towards Xie Bo—

“Master Bo…”

Xie Bo ignored her, his face grim, and went upstairs.

…

Lin Yiwei lay weakly on the sofa, feeling alternately freezing cold as if in an ice cave and then sensing a fiery serpent moving through her body.

She drifted off into a hazy sleep. In her daze, she felt someone removing her fever patch and replacing it with a new one on her forehead. It seemed like he also held her hand and kissed it. She wanted to open her eyes, but she didn’t even have the strength to move her eyelids.

After an unknown period of unconsciousness, Lin Yiwei woke up feeling restored. As always, she was like a resilient weed. No matter what illness she suffered, as long as she rested for a night and slept well, she could regain her health. The room was quiet, the dog peacefully lying on the floor, and the fireplace burning brightly, radiating warmth.

She thought Xie Bo had left, so she sat up, and the thin blanket slipped off her. Looking up, she saw the man leaning back on the single recliner opposite, deeply asleep. The flames in the fireplace danced, illuminating his clear features, handsome face.

Lin Yiwei walked over, straddled him, and kissed his face in a daze.

Xie Bo had taken care of her all night, so he was deeply asleep. When he finally woke up, Lin Yiwei had already expressed her affection for him.

The man opened his eyes comfortably, seeing her delicate face and mesmerizing eyes, the beauty mark on her forehead as strikingly red as when they first met.

Xie Bo slightly raised his chin as she passionately kissed his neck and moved up to seal his lips, kissing him with emotion and entanglement.

Then, he grabbed her throat, warning, “Lin Yiwei, don’t even think about it.”

She replied, “I just miss you so much.”

Xie Bo coldly smiled, “I didn’t deceive you.”

She held his hand, letting him feel for himself, “It’s only you, I’m only like this with you…”

Xie Bo tightened his grip slightly, and she immediately straightened up, her breathing quickening, her eyes staring at him, circling his face.

Suddenly, his fingertips traced on her face, “Once you’re better, go back to London, finish your studies, and don’t make any more demands from me…”

After saying this, he tried to push her away and get up.

Lin Yiwei held his shoulders with both hands, not letting him leave, “You promised me!”

Xie Bo held her chin, “You broke your promise first, Lin Yiwei, you disappointed me.”

She agreed, “Okay, I won’t make any demands…” She knew he was angry and couldn’t provoke him further.

She embraced his neck, resting her chin on his shoulder, sealing him more tightly, preventing him from getting up, “It’s not over yet, Master Bo.” She whispered in his ear, “We… are far from over.”

Xie Bo had strong willpower, but with her, it seemed nonexistent. He leaned back on the recliner, enjoying the girl’s unrestrained connection with him, almost unable to resist.

Lin Yiwei could feel he was almost at his limit, “Xie Bo, you haven’t been with Chi Xiyu or any other woman…”

Xie Bo squinted, “That was before, but not anymore. Lin Yiwei, I don’t want to love you anymore.”

She retorted, “If you don’t love, you won’t hate. You hate me so much now, I don’t believe you can let go…”

Xie Bo sneered coldly, “You think too highly of yourself.”

Lin Yiwei revealed her plan, “Xie Bo, do you know what I plan to do? I intend to rescue Lin Xie and then call the police. I want to destroy the Chi family, Chi Youhuai, and Chi Xiyu.”

“Naive.”

“In any case, I won’t let you marry her. Even if I have to drag you to death, I won’t let you be with another woman.”

“Xie Bo, I want you.”

This statement made Xie Bo grip her waist, forcefully putting her down…