Liang Xianzhang was always gentle and considerate in front of Zhou Yi, but seeing him trying to escape from him, his control slipped. The calm demeanor he usually displayed shattered, revealing the fierce authority of a superior.

However, when his gaze landed on Zhou Yi—frowning slightly from the strain of his movements, his eyelashes casting faint shadows under his eyes, making him look fragile and pitiful—a pang of guilt shot through Liang Xianzhang.

He suddenly realized that his earlier words had been too harsh, too quick.

He pursed his lips, his calloused fingertips softening as they brushed over the red mark he had inadvertently left when he’d gripped Zhou Yi’s chin. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you…” he murmured.

Zhou Yi slowly shook his head. His attention wasn’t focused on the pain; it was on something else entirely. He was stunned by the way Liang Xianzhang had called him. No one had ever addressed him so naturally and intimately before. The soft apology, the tenderness in his eyes—it all left Zhou Yi feeling lost and confused. The way Liang Xianzhang had offered to help him so decisively had left him wondering: Does he really mean that?

Zhou Yi hesitated for a long time, his mind swirling with uncertainty, before finally asking the question that had been nagging at him. “Mr. Liang… Why… why are you helping me this much?”

Liang Xianzhang touched his chin thoughtfully before replying, “Why wouldn’t I help you?”

Zhou Yi felt the heat of Liang Xianzhang’s touch on his sensitive skin. The repeated caresses made him feel slightly flushed, and he trembled, instinctively grabbing his hand to stop it.

Liang Xianzhang’s confident question only added to Zhou Yi’s confusion. Slowly, he responded, “I don’t understand. You know my situation. I’m a burden now. We have no relationship other than physical contact. You could easily just walk away, and I wouldn’t mind. From any perspective, this is of no benefit to you. I don’t understand why you’re so determined to help me.”

Taking the opportunity, Liang Xianzhang held his hand firmly, clasping it tightly as he looked at Zhou Yi with unblinking eyes. “You’re not a burden to me,” he said softly. “And I can’t just leave you. Even if you say we have no relationship, as long as you need help, I will always be there. I want to do this.”

Zhou Yi froze as Liang Xianzhang’s words settled in. His breath caught in his chest, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.

Liang Xianzhang continued, his voice barely above a whisper, “The truth is… I like you.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, and Zhou Yi’s eyes widened in disbelief. He stared at Liang Xianzhang, almost in horror, unable to speak. His mind raced as he tried to make sense of it.

He had considered every possible reason, but never had he expected Liang Xianzhang to say such a thing. Zhou Yi would have preferred the harshness and scolding he was used to. But these words—these gentle, confusing words—left him feeling lost, unsure of what to believe.

He finally managed to speak, his voice faltering, “Are you… are you making fun of me?”

As he spoke, he tried to pull his hand away, but Liang Xianzhang held on tightly, unwilling to let go.

Not only did Liang Xianzhang hold his hand, but he also wrapped his other arm around Zhou Yi’s waist, pulling him closer. Zhou Yi, already in a state of confusion, struggled to pry his arms away, but every attempt was futile.

Liang Xianzhang smiled faintly, watching Zhou Yi with deep eyes. He felt an indescribable satisfaction as he held him tightly, savoring the moment. He lowered his gaze, then spoke in a soft, serious tone. “I’m not making fun of you. I was willing to wait, but you kept avoiding me. If I did nothing, if I said nothing, you would only drift further away. I couldn’t let that happen.”

Zhou Yi’s heart raced, and his thoughts spun. “But… we only have a physical relationship,” he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “Why would you feel this way for me?”

The words seemed to weigh heavily on him. Zhou Yi had never considered such things. In the past, whether young or an adult, he had always been focused on survival—on work, on making ends meet, on filling his stomach. Love had never been something he could afford to think about.

Now, hearing these words from Liang Xianzhang, he was touched but more so confused and uneasy. The idea that someone could truly care for him in such a way felt impossible. Can I really be liked? he wondered. Are there really people who can like someone like me?

His mind was a swirl of conflicting emotions as he waited for Liang Xianzhang’s answer.

Liang Xianzhang, sensing Zhou Yi’s unease, asked, “Do you remember the doctor who treated you at the hospital?”

Zhou Yi thought for a moment, then nodded. “The one who kept mumbling? Dr. Liang?”

Liang Xianzhang smiled softly. “Actually, he’s my brother.”

Zhou Yi’s eyes widened in shock. “Your… brother?”