Chapter 9

Fang Shimian saw the Zhao family driver approaching and took a step back, holding Zhao Shun’s hand to create some distance. He gave Huo Jun an apologetic look. “Mr. Huo, you’re busy with work, so I won’t disturb you.” With that, he led Zhao Shun away.

Watching Fang Shimian’s disappearing figure, Huo Jun chuckled lightly, not particularly concerned.

The temperature in Haishi had dropped sharply recently. Even though the weather was nice today, Fang Shimian didn’t let Zhao Shun play outside for too long. The two of them took a short walk along Riverside Garden before heading back.

Zhao Shun was reluctant to get in the car, so Fang Shimian took a box of yogurt from the pile of snacks, inserted a straw, and handed it to Zhao Shun. “Brother Shun, how about we go back and play games?”

Zhao Shun took the yogurt, got into the car, and gave Fang Shimian a kiss on the cheek.

When they returned to the Zhao family home, the two elders were taking a nap. Fang Shimian didn’t disturb them and took Zhao Shun to the downstairs living room to play games.

The game console was connected to the TV screen. Fang Shimian handed the blue controller to Zhao Shun and took the red one for himself. The console only had a simple level-passing game that could be played solo or with multiple players.

Zhao Shun was earnestly fiddling with the controller, pressing the buttons in a serious manner. However, his character couldn’t even make it through the passage, just aimlessly moving up and down along the obstacles.

Fang Shimian helped him pass a few levels, and suddenly his shoulder felt heavy. Carefully, Fang Shimian took the controller out of Zhao Shun’s hand.

The afternoon sun was warm, and the two of them snuggled up on the soft sofa to nap. Zhao Shun, being quite large, was like a protective brown bear, holding Fang Shimian tightly, with only the top of his black hair peeking out.

Perhaps because he had worked the night shift, Fang Shimian slept deeply. When he woke up, the sunlight had dimmed. He gently moved Zhao Shun’s hand aside, rubbed his eyes, and got up to wash his face in the bathroom.

He checked his phone; it was already past four in the afternoon. Zhao Shun was still asleep, with a sweet and innocent expression, a slight smile on his lips, lost in some beautiful dream.

Zhao Shun was his teacher’s first child, and it hadn’t been easy for him to come into the world.

Back when Fang Shimian was struggling to keep up with his studies, his parents had forced him to stay at his teacher’s house for private tutoring. The first time he saw Zhao Shun, Grandma Zhao was feeding him. Zhao Shun wasn’t focused on eating, so Grandma Zhao pointed out the pigeons flying in the sky and the little dog running downstairs to show him, with a patience and love Fang Shimian had never seen before, caring for Zhao Shun with utmost tenderness.

At that time, Fang Shimian didn’t like to talk, and coincidentally, Zhao Shun didn’t speak either. Zhao Shun liked being with Fang Shimian, while Fang Shimian interacted with Zhao Shun with a sense of observation and probing.

Young Fang Shimian only wanted to understand one thing: how could he, like Zhao Shun, receive so much love?

It wasn’t until he had spent a long time at his teacher’s house that Fang Shimian began to notice. Finally, from Zhao You’s tearful words, he understood Zhao Shun’s special condition. Congenital heart disease combined with intellectual disabilities meant that Zhao Shun would never be able to explore the world with thought in his future life, only possessing the most basic self-care abilities.

In his childhood, he had almost died due to a nanny’s negligence. His grandparents, who were living far away in retirement, came personally to take care of him. Everyone felt they owed this child.

Congenital defects were exchanged for doubled love and patience.

Fang Shimian found the answer but remained confused.

When he left his teacher’s house, it was already past five. Fang Shimian was carrying the packed meals Grandma Zhao had prepared for him when he received a call from Zhu Ze.

“Xiao Mian, the driver said he didn’t pick you up.”

Fang Shimian hung the food on his electric scooter. “I had something to do today…”

“Where are you now?”

Fang Shimian squeezed the windproof cover on the scooter and finally compromised. “Can you ask the driver to wait for me another half hour?”

“Sure, but make it quick. Brother is still waiting for you.”

Zhu Ze hung up the phone.

When Fang Shimian arrived at Yunjin, he saw the driver leaning against the car door, smoking.

He first placed the food he brought back from the Zhao family into the storage cabinet by the gate. When he came out again, the driver was already waiting by the rear car door.

On the way, the driver suddenly said, “Mr. Zhu likes punctual people. Mr. Fang, if you have something to change the time next time, remember to inform Mr. Zhu in advance.”

Fang Shimian looked up, glanced at the driver through the rearview mirror, and didn’t respond.

The destination was a private club in Haishi, famous for its luxury, with top-tier luxury cars lined up along the street.

Without even looking, Fang Shimian knew this wasn’t just a simple meal. He felt an unprecedented sense of annoyance and started walking to the side, almost bumping into a guide approaching him.

Just as Fang Shimian was about to apologize, someone suddenly held his shoulder. He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but he felt like he was pulled back a bit, causing him to fall backward into a warm embrace before he could steady himself.

A faint fragrance mixed with the smell of tobacco, not overpowering. Fang Shimian instinctively sniffed again, feeling that the tobacco scent was somewhat familiar, unlike what he usually smelled on Xu Long.

However, the faint fragrance was somewhat distracting, making it difficult for him to identify it accurately.

“Does it smell good?” The voice carried a hint of amusement, and Fang Shimian could even feel the slight vibration in the man’s chest as he spoke.

Fang Shimian, like a startled animal, quickly stepped back, turning to look warily at the calm and composed man.

The uniformed guide looked left and right, clearly not having encountered such a situation before, and didn’t dare to speak rashly until he could determine whether the two distinguished guests were on friendly terms.

Behind Huo Zhongshan were several black-clad bodyguards. He lowered his gaze and leisurely adjusted his cuffs, his imposing aura seemingly restrained. With a faint smile, he looked at Fang Shimian. “Shouldn’t you thank me?”

The approaching manager stopped about ten meters away from the two, while the guides retreated to a further position.

Only then did Fang Shimian belatedly come to his senses, lowering his head. “Thank you, Mr. Huo.”

It seemed like this wasn’t the first time he should have thanked him.

Huo Zhongshan’s gaze lingered on the boy’s ears, hidden beneath his thick black hair, which were turning red.

It wasn’t until Huo Zhongshan left that Fang Shimian’s muscles and bones slowly relaxed, and the surrounding air became lighter and cooler.

Unfortunately, before Fang Shimian could fully relax, he caught sight of a figure he really didn’t want to see right now out of the corner of his eye.

“Xiao Mian.” Zhu Ze seemed a bit upset. “Did you turn off the sound on your phone again?”

Fang Shimian masked his annoyance with a smile. “Maybe because it’s work time now, I forgot.”

Zhu Ze’s expression paused, as if he was at a loss with Fang Shimian. He lightly pinched Fang Shimian’s face. “Come on, Xiao Mian, you know these people. They haven’t seen you in a long time and really want to see you.”

At these words, Fang Shimian immediately stopped in his tracks, his face full of resistance.

He knew exactly who Zhu Ze was referring to.

Zhu Ze understood Fang Shimian’s thoughts. He looked at Fang Shimian and then hugged him. “Just this once, I promise, I won’t let them see you again.”

Fang Shimian looked at the people coming and going around him, gently pushing Zhu Ze away, feeling a desolate emptiness inside.

“Just this once.” Fang Shimian heard his own voice, calm. Zhu Ze seemed to be saying something, but he couldn’t hear it, nor did he want to.

Helplessness and fear mixed with tears swallowed down his throat.

Why not resist? Why not dare to turn around and leave!

Why not dare to look Zhu Ze in the eye and say, can you please not make me do things I don’t like, can you please not force me?

Clearly, he had been careful enough, clearly, he had started to be happy.

Fang Shimian, like a lifeless puppet, followed Zhu Ze into a semi-enclosed room. Inside, a few young men were sitting, looking to be in their twenties, with decent appearances. However, being young, the humility they feigned couldn’t hide the pride in their eyes.

When Zhu Ze brought Fang Shimian in, they all stood up, looking at Fang Shimian with surprise and curiosity.

“Brother Zhu is amazing, actually found Shimian.” One of them said excitedly, pulling Fang Shimian’s hand. “Come over and let the brothers have a look, our Xiao Mian is getting more and more handsome.”

“I thought I was the one who moved out of the compound the earliest and was the most distant from the brothers. But it turns out it was our Xiao Mian, silently deleting us all, quietly doing big things.”

Laughter erupted around them. It had indeed been a long time since they had gathered, and they bore no malice towards Fang Shimian.

However, as Fang Shimian looked at the familiar yet slightly unfamiliar faces around him, the memories of the compound they talked about, the childhood stories, all turned into sharp blades piercing through him, reminding him with bloody facts that memories couldn’t be altered, and those terrifying memories weren’t nightmares, but reality.

Fang Shimian drank a lot because those brothers said he needed to atone for making them sad back then. Zhu Ze tried to stop him a few times but couldn’t prevent Fang Shimian from drinking himself.

In a haze, Fang Shimian climbed onto the sofa himself, and someone covered him with a piece of clothing.

Someone said, “He’s drunk, let him sleep for a while.”

“Hahaha, Xiao Mian is still a kid.”

In the room, everyone spoke freely. Someone asked Zhu Ze, “Don’t think I didn’t notice, you invited these people today, all of whom have been doing well in their families over the years. But I heard your family is still working for the Huo family. Why didn’t you invite the two young masters from the compound who are truly doing well?”

Hearing this, everyone chimed in, eager to meet the once adorable and pitiable little brother, and even more eager to connect with the current head of the Huo family.

Fang Shimian’s ears felt like they were submerged in water, hearing their words in a fog. Just looking at their smiles, their faces, it was as if he was back in the compound, in that time he dared not recall, dared not touch.

Those burning books, the firelight, the emergency call that couldn’t be connected in his dreams, the worsening exam scores, the pain that kept falling on him, and the disappointed, resentful eyes of his parents.

Fang Shimian curled up in the corner, covering his ears, closing his eyes, but the strong smell of smoke and alcohol in the room made him nauseous.

The young masters laughed and drank, half-jokingly recounting how they were entrusted with heavy responsibilities by their families, burdened with significant duties during their university years, unable to enjoy the pleasures of university life like their peers.

The room was dimly lit, as if it wanted to devour people. Fang Shimian stood up, the clothing draped over him slipping off. He bent down to pick it up, instinctively wrapping it around himself.

He leaned against the wall, walking slowly, resting when he got tired.

Because he moved so slowly, Fang Shimian’s departure didn’t attract the attention of the young masters in the room who were in high spirits.

It wasn’t until he reached a bright, open space that Fang Shimian felt the air could be easily drawn into his lungs. He walked unsteadily because the ground seemed to be shaking, making it hard for him to stand.

At the end of the corridor was a large terrace. Fang Shimian struggled to reach it, the cold wind howling.

Fang Shimian wrapped the clothing tightly around himself, looking at the thousands of lights in the night, muttering to himself, “Please don’t blow, it’s a bit cold.”

But the wind wouldn’t listen.

Under the night sky, Haishi was brightly lit, still bustling. People’s emotions couldn’t affect the city. Fang Shimian couldn’t see the noise, so he only heard silence.

After his mind went blank, he recalled many, many fragments, those deliberately suppressed, embarrassing and awkward, the destroyed self-esteem.

Fang Shimian didn’t know how to deal with these overwhelming negative emotions. He was confused and helpless, not understanding why.

The edge of the terrace was a marble railing, cool to the touch, and his hand became damp after touching it.

Fang Shimian stepped onto the edge of the marble, instinctively trying to climb up. It was an unconscious action; he just wanted to know if the wind would lift him.

Like those kind people in fairy tales, who would have river gods and sea gods appear to save them, Fang Shimian firmly believed he would see the wind god.

But before he could fully climb up, someone grabbed him by the waist from behind and pulled him off the railing.

Fang Shimian, already slow to react, was even more sluggish due to the alcohol. He felt like he was floating, so he gently waved his hand, as if swimming.

Before he could figure out if he had encountered the wind god, he heard a crisp sound, and his butt was smacked hard, sending a burning pain through him.

It was a solid hit.

Fang Shimian turned his fuzzy head, looking around in confusion, and instinctively covered the spot on his body where the pain came from.

He turned to look at the man holding him, still a bit puzzled and slow to react, speaking slowly.

“Hello.”

“It seems like something’s on fire.”