Archenemies

“Family members, please wait outside! We must proceed with the surgery immediately.”

The doctor sternly repeated, “Please wait outside!”

Doctors and nurses, masked up, wheeled the surgical bed across the shiny floor. The surgery room door closed, and a red light turned on.

Qin Chaochen could only catch a glimpse of black.

The hospital at night had a chilling vibe, with the walls reflecting a silvery light. Fu Quezhi sat on an iron chair, dressed in a suit, yet the creases on it made him look disheveled. His long, slender fingers were stained with fresh blood.

He had a tall and slender figure, with messy bangs covering his eyes. The suit outlined his excellent physique, and the suit buttons were meticulously fastened to the top. He irritably pulled off his tie, his gaze fixed on the surgery room, the sticky blood on his fingers emitting a strong metallic smell.

On Fu Quezhi’s handsome face, there was a streak of blood, as if someone had deliberately traced it from the corner of his eye downwards, a striking crimson.

“President Fu… still want to hold the meeting?”

Fu Quezhi was in a mess: “No.” He replied, his throat feeling dry and stuck.

*

Qin Chaochen lay on the surgical bed, his fingers barely moving. His mind felt like it had been run over by a car several times. Memories in his brain rewound rapidly, scenes flashing by quickly.

There were scenes of him holding and kissing Fu Quezhi, of them standing together for their high school graduation photo, with Qin Chaochen’s arm around Fu Quezhi’s shoulder, smiling provocatively. The scenes finally stopped at the car accident, white light exploding from the car, debris flying in the air, and a hand lifting to touch the beauty mark under his eye with blood.

…

Five days later, Qin Chaochen’s head buzzed. He adjusted to the light before opening his heavy eyelids. The room smelled of disinfectant, his back and shoulders burned with pain, and his arms felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

He Ze stood at the door and noticed his brother Qin sitting on the bed, frowning as he observed the room. He Ze quickly walked in, feeling sorry for his friend, “Chaochen, you’re finally awake! How do you feel?”

The moment Qin Chaochen saw He Ze, he fell into deeper contemplation. He Ze was his childhood friend, now looking much older, wearing a black suit that made him seem mature.

He was puzzled and uncertain. He was only eighteen and still in school. What was going on? A prank?

“Cough, cough, what happened to me?” Qin Chaochen asked skillfully, not revealing any information about himself. He wore a blue and white striped hospital gown, his dark eyes looking at He Ze with some confusion.

“You had a car accident.” He Ze, being straightforward, didn’t notice anything amiss. He said worriedly, “Luckily, the rescue was timely, and you’re okay. I was on vacation abroad and flew back as soon as I heard.”

Qin Chaochen asked He Ze to pour him some water. He glanced at the calendar on the wall. It’s 2034 now?! Qin Chaochen looked at the mature-looking He Ze.

Hesitantly, he asked, “How old are you?”

He Ze replied without hesitation, “I’m a year younger than you, I’m twenty-two.”

So old and still claiming to be a year younger?! Something’s not right, everything’s not right.

“I’ll go to the bathroom first.”

He Ze: “Need me to help you?”

“No, I can go myself.”

He Ze noticed Qin Chaochen getting up and heading to the bathroom. He immediately turned and called Fu Quezhi, as well as Qin Chaochen’s parents.

“Hey, Uncle and Aunt, he’s fine, really good.”

He Ze slapped his thigh, “He’s lively, can even dance a tango, so don’t worry. If there’s anything he can’t eat, he’s already had two big pig trotters, too greasy? He Ze racked his brain, “Steam it to remove the grease, give him pig trotter soup, good for the stomach and complexion.”

Qin Chaochen stood in front of the mirror, looking at the pale, handsome man reflected. High nose bridge, beautifully shaped lips, and a pair of peach blossom eyes that looked cold when not smiling, but when smiling, they reflected a beautiful light like a breeze over a lake. His appearance had shed its youthful innocence, becoming sharp and roguish, with broad shoulders and a slender figure.

His gaze suddenly froze on the ring mark on his ring finger. Qin Chaochen ruffled his black hair, looking at the scar on his forehead.

Qin Chaochen felt angry and wronged. He pinched the corner of his clothes with his fingers, his eyes turning red in an instant.

Such a handsome face got ruined! And he got older! Qin Chaochen’s memory was still stuck at eighteen, and the extra five years felt like they vanished without a trace, and he had no memory of those five years.

Just as Qin Chaochen was about to leave the bathroom, he heard a familiar name.

“Fu Quezhi, he’s awake, he even asked me about my age, haha…”

Qin Chaochen hadn’t even come to terms with being twenty-three, and now his good friend was stabbing him in the back. From Qin Chaochen’s perspective, He Ze was reporting to Fu Quezhi, sending him straight into the fire pit after just waking up from a car accident.

Qin Chaochen’s eyes flickered with flames.

Since childhood, he and Fu Quezhi had been archenemies, fighting from a young age to adulthood. Competing in height, grades, nose bridge height, and even the size during puberty, they compared everything they could. They even counted the number of hairs on their heads, only to find they had the same number, which disappointed Qin Chaochen.

Moreover, with both families being well-matched and the parents getting along well, they ended up as neighbors. Qin Chaochen always found Fu Quezhi annoying. Though he was sociable, with Fu Quezhi, it was always like fire and water, either he was tricking him or vice versa.

“Chaochen, sit for a while.” He Ze waved at Qin Chaochen, taking out a tissue to wipe his phone screen. He had a bit of a cleanliness obsession, wiping while saying, “No hot water left, I’ll get you a cup.”

Qin Chaochen weakly said, “Thanks.”

Seeing He Ze walk away, Qin Chaochen’s smile faded. Not running now would be foolish; he didn’t want Fu Quezhi to see him like this. If Fu Quezhi saw him in such a sorry state, he’d lose all face and dignity.

Moreover, Qin Chaochen was still unsure about his relationship with Fu Quezhi five years later, probably worse. But He Ze, a childhood friend who grew up together, betrayed their friendship by secretly siding with Fu Quezhi. Qin Chaochen deeply despised him, feeling both angry and frustrated.

Fu Quezhi was indeed his nemesis, or rather, his disaster star.

Only one of them could survive, Qin Chaochen thought fiercely.

Qin Chaochen limped out of the hospital room. His body, just recovering, made noises, and his balance was off. Qin Chaochen looked down, carefully watching his steps.

Suddenly, he bumped into a chest, making his nose sting painfully.

Why grow so tall like a wall, Qin Chaochen pouted, his nose turning red.

“Sorry, sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going. Did I hurt your chest?”

The wall didn’t react.

He wasn’t an iron-headed kid; he wouldn’t hurt someone by bumping into them. His tone was super annoyed, “Bro, what do you want?”

Qin Chaochen looked up and stammered, “Fu, Fu Quezhi…?”

“Your body hasn’t recovered, don’t run around.” Fu Quezhi frowned, then softened his tone, feeling sorry for Qin Chaochen, who had just woken up from a car accident, “If you need anything to eat or do, just tell me.”

Initially, Qin Chaochen felt wronged by Fu Quezhi’s scolding, but hearing the latter part calmed him down, leaving him a bit confused and embarrassed.

Fu Quezhi didn’t mock him or speak sarcastically, which was unlike him. Qin Chaochen wondered if he had misjudged Fu Quezhi, maybe he wasn’t that bad… right?

The words “none of your business” turned into: “You came to see me?”

“Yeah.” Fu Quezhi responded, stepping forward to support him, but the person beside him awkwardly avoided, “I can manage with a crutch.”

Fu Quezhi’s fingers paused but didn’t mind. Qin Chaochen was quite prideful, always liked to cry.

“It’s okay, it’s normal for patients to be supported.” Fu Quezhi’s voice softened, his fingers steadily landing on Qin Chaochen’s arm, somewhat forceful, reminiscent of his younger self.

Qin Chaochen got goosebumps all over, shivering.

“I want to go out.”

“Your body hasn’t healed yet, you need to stay for observation.” Fu Quezhi said without thinking.

Fu Quezhi hadn’t slept well for days. Today, he had just gone home to take care of Qin Shu and lay down when he received He Ze’s call, rushing over non-stop.

“The hit-and-run driver has been found. He fled to another province, C City. The police caught him using the Sky Eye system. His family came to ask for a forgiveness letter, but I didn’t agree.” He sneered, “He was drunk driving and still has the face to ask for forgiveness? If you do wrong, you must bear the consequences.”

“Well done.” Qin Chaochen fully supported Fu Quezhi’s approach.

But why does the forgiveness letter need your approval? Whether you agree or not shouldn’t matter; the person involved is still lying in bed. How can an archenemy decide on the forgiveness letter over the parents?

Did Fu Quezhi bankrupt his family? Otherwise, why would his parents have no say, even in their son’s forgiveness letter?

Would a normal person let an archenemy decide on the forgiveness letter?

Qin Chaochen hesitated to speak.

His mind raced, scaring himself half to death.

“Why are you shaking? Cold?” Fu Quezhi reached out to adjust Qin Chaochen’s hospital gown.

Qin Chaochen: “Yes, a bit cold.” His heart felt even colder.

“Qin bro, where did you go? The bathroom was empty.” He Ze saw Qin Chaochen and Fu Quezhi coming in from outside, even glancing at the bathroom, sounding puzzled.

Qin Chaochen forced a smile, “Went out for some air.” Otherwise, how to face the traitor and archenemy. Qin Chaochen would never bow to Fu Quezhi.

Fu Quezhi: “Drink hot water.”

Qin Chaochen meekly: “Okay, okay.”

He Ze casually asked, “How’s Shu Shu?”

“Li Ma is taking good care of him, but he misses his dad a bit.” Fu Quezhi said, glancing at Qin Chaochen.

Why look at him?! He’s not the uncle! Such a big person still missing dad, isn’t that embarrassing? Qin Chaochen scoffed.

Does he need to express an opinion?

He Ze: “How’s Shu Shu’s sleep quality at night?”

Fu Quezhi: “It’s okay. When I went back, I slept with him for a while before getting your call.”

He Ze eagerly: “Does Shu Shu still like Lego? I bought a new set from abroad.”

Fu Quezhi: “He has a lot of stuff already, maybe later.” Fu Quezhi was strict.

Qin Chaochen: “So infuriating!!!”

Fu Quezhi and He Ze exchanged glances, Fu Quezhi considering letting his son play with the new Lego after all.

Qin Chaochen: “You’re a pretty useless uncle, such a big person still missing dad, needing you to sleep with him at night, completely lacking empathy, such a selfish person should rot in a corner! Rot and stink! Don’t indulge him just because he’s your uncle! Otherwise, he’ll get beaten sooner or later. What’s the use of such a person! He’ll only bring you pain! Give up early! Don’t be bound by family ties! Even if it’s your own son, it shouldn’t be like this!”

Fu Quezhi: “…”

He Ze: “…”

Fu Quezhi’s face turned ashen, He Ze hesitated, looking particularly incredulous, with a “didn’t expect you to be like this, Qin Chaochen” expression.

Fu Quezhi’s face was ashen.

He was quite kind, Qin Chaochen thought, feeling wronged.

Honest advice is hard to hear but beneficial. Why doesn’t it work for him?

He wanted to cry.

▍Author’s Note

Fu Quezhi: My son has the demeanor of an emperor.

Qin Chaochen: Rot! Stink!

Upcoming “Transmigrated as a Heartless Scholar” for those interested, feel free to bookmark.

Salted Fish Big Boss Gong V Human Rich Flower Shou

Liu Yingqu died and transmigrated into a novel, becoming a heartless scholar.

The heartless scholar, born in the countryside, married a merchant brother, Shen Qingwu, and became the second place in the imperial exam. He was then chosen by the Prime Minister’s residence, killed his husband to marry the Prime Minister’s legitimate son, and lived a glorious life.

Later, he was corrupt, colluded with eunuchs, deceived the emperor, and killed ministers, becoming the biggest tumor of the Great Zhao.

On Liu Yingqu’s first day of transmigration, he wanted to be a salted fish, but the family couldn’t even afford food, and studying was expensive.

Farming had no future, so he decided to live off someone, at most writing an IOU.

*

While writing the IOU, a beautiful brother kept staring at him.

After finishing, the person affectionately called him Liu Lang, like calling a lover.

Liu Yingqu’s pen stained the IOU black.

Were the original owner and this person already in a romantic relationship?

He began to feel scared because he wasn’t very honest.

He felt his salted fish days might not go smoothly.

Later, indeed, he couldn’t escape the pain of exams wherever he went.

*

Shen Qingwu, handsome, with a modest family background, was pampered since childhood. He admired Liu Yingqu’s knowledge and formed a good relationship.

In Shen Qingwu’s eyes, Liu Yingqu, though a poor scholar, failed the exam three times, spent money lavishly, but was noble and kind, loved to speak sweet words.

Though there were rumors of him being involved with others, Shen Qingwu was half-believing until he saw Liu Yingqu writing an IOU, something he never did before!

Liu Yingqu’s talent was well-known, one of the best in Qing Shui County.

Liu Yingqu was upright and helpful.

Liu Yingqu… was diligent (?), just occasionally not very honest, always reluctant to study, but with him around, he would definitely pass the imperial exam.

Shen Qingwu felt he fell in love with Liu Yingqu! Poor scholar, truly fragrant!

He remembered his lover’s dream was the imperial exam, and he would definitely help his lover achieve it! He swore on his life!