The private hospital was quiet, and the corridors were empty. Song Yi glanced at the address information that Song Jie had sent him and walked to Zhao Hongyan’s room. Before he could push the door open, he heard the sound of a phone call coming from inside. Zhao Hongyan seemed to be on a video call.

Since Zhao Hongyan had hearing issues, the volume on her phone was unusually loud. Through the door, Song Yi could hear everything clearly.

“Take care of yourself. I saw online that things are chaotic abroad, and the security is terrible. Everyone has a gun, so be careful.” Zhao Hongyan was giving her usual concerned advice.

“I know, Auntie. I’ll take care of myself. You also need to get better soon so you don’t make me worry about you,” came the reply.

The voice… was that Shen Li?

Song Yi froze at the door. What was Shen Li doing, privately contacting Zhao Hongyan?

He felt both confused and uncomfortable, an indescribable sense of discord. Although Shen Li had often come to Song Yi’s house for dinner before, it had always been as a classmate, not with the kind of familiarity that would lead to private video calls with Zhao Hongyan.

Zhao Hongyan, in a good mood, chuckled. “Just the two of us, no need to call me Auntie. Call me like you did before. I like it when you call me that.”

There was a brief silence from Shen Li, who seemed reluctant but eventually called out. “Mom…”

Song Yi’s skin crawled. He and Shen Li weren’t even together—there was no connection between them like that—and yet Shen Li was calling Zhao Hongyan “Mom”?

What was going on?

Shen Li continued. “Take care of yourself. I’ll bring you a silk scarf when I come back in a few days…”

“Don’t bring me anything. You should get something for Song Yi instead. I just found out you took his spot. You, child… how could you do this?” Zhao Hongyan’s voice lowered.

Song Yi stood outside, feeling distant despite just flying back from abroad. He didn’t want to go in anymore. The way Zhao Hongyan was speaking to Shen Li, so kindly and affectionately, was something she had never shown to Song Jie, let alone to him.

Song Yi felt a slight bitterness in his heart. Although he had long stopped caring about these things, he hadn’t expected that it would still affect him, especially when it came to Zhao Hongyan.

He took a step back, turned around, and walked away quickly. He visited the attending doctor to discuss Zhao Hongyan’s condition. After confirming there was no major illness, he drove back home.

He had once thought his life was quite successful. At a young age, in the capital, he had a car, a house, a solid reputation, and strength in his field. He was flourishing and had a bright future ahead. But when it came to family matters, whether with Song Jie or Zhao Hongyan, he had managed them terribly.

Gu Xingchuan saw this clearly. He used to say that Song Yi was like Song Jie’s mother, spoiling her into the way she was.

Song Yi thought carefully. Perhaps he himself was partly to blame for the way things had turned out with Zhao Hongyan today. He had always been focused on maintaining peace, constantly retreating, but eventually reaching a point where there was no more room to back down. That was when Zhao Hongyan began to push his limits time and time again.

Yet, he didn’t know how to handle normal family dynamics, how to weigh the pros and cons, and resolve these conflicts.

Arriving back at his community, he parked his car and was about to head upstairs when he heard two sharp honks behind him. Thinking it was Gu Xingchuan following him back, he turned around, only to see a familiar luxury SUV pulling up behind him.

The car door opened with a “click,” and a tall man stepped out.

Shen Du, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, smiled gently at the corner of his mouth. His elegant stride brought him closer, step by step, like a scene from an old movie, the kind where the next moment could be a dramatic proposal.

Song Yi didn’t particularly like Shen Du, but this scene was undeniably pleasing to the eye.

Shen Du walked up beside him, his eyes smiling. “I came to meet a friend today, but I didn’t expect to run into you.”

“Such a coincidence.” Song Yi remarked with a meaningful tone.

Shen Du remained unfazed, his expression calm. “It must be fate. We’re quite destined to cross paths.”

Song Yi smiled but said nothing, waiting to see what game he was playing.

Shen Du, undeterred, continued with his gentlemanly demeanor. “Since we’re so destined, would you honor me with a drink?”

“No need for a drink. My boyfriend is waiting for me at home.” Song Yi deliberately emphasized the words “boyfriend,” making it clear to Shen Du that he shouldn’t bother.

Shen Du narrowed his eyes, smiling faintly. “I’m sorry, I thought you two had already broken up.”

Song Yi thought, finally, some semblance of face, but then Shen Du’s next words crossed the line, lowering his standards even further. “But I must admit, I like a challenge, especially when someone already has a boyfriend.”

“Your shamelessness is impressive.” Song Yi responded coldly. He had already severed ties with Shen Li, so he no longer cared about preserving the so-called “brother” relationship.

Shen Du chuckled lightly, lowering his head briefly before looking back at Song Yi with no shame. “I can’t help it. You’re just too charming. I can’t forget about you.”

Song Yi had been confessed to by many people in the past, so he was used to it. However, this was the first time he encountered someone as shameless as Shen Du. He was genuinely taken aback by Shen Du’s audacity. “I already made myself clear last time—we have no future.”

He didn’t like Shen Du’s type, even though he was handsome. But no one could compare to Gu Xingchuan.

Shen Du was persistent, taking a step forward. Song Yi instinctively took a step back, only to find himself trapped against a pillar in the parking lot, his back pressed against the wall, warily watching Shen Du.

Shen Du gently took Song Yi’s hand, his thumb sensuously caressing the back of it, his eyes dark under the dim lighting.

Song Yi quickly pulled his hand back, but Shen Du yanked it back, like a tug-of-war. He held onto Song Yi’s hand tightly, smiling suggestively. “If you keep pulling away like this, I won’t be able to resist kissing you.”

“You’d better not try.” Song Yi warned coldly, his voice low.

Shen Du froze for a moment before chuckling lightly and leaning closer to Song Yi, almost face to face. “Are you really so cold? Can’t even entertain the thought?”

Song Yi had nowhere to retreat. His face darkened as he weighed how to deal with Shen Du if he dared to kiss him. “Move aside. I need to go home.”

“What if I don’t?” Shen Du moved closer, his warm breath brushing against Song Yi’s lips, his gaze slowly tracing the soft curve of his lower lip. “Has anyone ever told you? Your lips look really soft.”

Gu Xingchuan had said those very words to him, in that unique, possessive and naive tone, more than once. Song Yi had been impressed by it, finding it quite sultry but now, hearing it from Shen Du made him feel somewhat disgusted.

“Shen Du, I’ll say it one last time. I need to go home.” Song Yi’s tone was emotionless, leaving no room for negotiation.

Shen Du sighed in frustration, about to retract his arm, when suddenly, a loud “bang!” echoed through the air.

Both of them jumped in shock, turning their heads just in time to see an orange McLaren slam into Shen Du’s Range Rover. The side of the Range Rover caved in deeply, the airbags deployed, and the bumper fell off in a grotesque mess.

Then, Gu Xingchuan emerged from the McLaren, striding angrily toward them. In the blink of an eye, he grabbed Shen Du by the collar and threw a powerful punch, his strength terrifying. Shen Du being a wealthy second-generation was no match for Gu Xingchuan’s ferocity.

The punch landed hard, and Shen Du instantly felt dizzy, stars flashing before his eyes. Despite this, he still tried to fight back, clenching his fist to retaliate.

However, despite his occasional gym sessions with running and swimming, Shen Du’s strength was no match for Gu Xingchuan, who was accustomed to rock climbing and mountaineering. Within just a few exchanges, it was clear who was losing.

Gu Xingchuan showed no mercy, his face dark and cold, his sharp features twisted with rage. “You dare touch my person? Do you believe I’ll tear you apart and feed you to the dogs? You won’t even know how you’ll die!”

Shen Du, stunned by his sheer aggression, had never encountered such force in the wealthy circles he belonged to. No one ever fought so ruthlessly. Though he couldn’t fight back, he wasn’t going to let his pride be broken. With a fierce glare, he spat. “You wait and see. You’ll regret this!”

=^_^=

Author has something to say:  A punch to the big brother-in-law