Additional Inheritance - Chap 63

Chapter 63

Wen Xiaohui awoke from his slumber once the anaesthetic wore off. He was still plagued by the sharp pains, but he felt as if he could open his eyes a little more than before.

Seeing the expanse of unnerving whiteness, he knew he was in hospital. Had they operated on his nose? Had he been disfigured? He instinctively wanted to reach out and touch his nose.

A hand suddenly grabbed his wrist. He turned and found himself staring at Luo Rui’s eyes that were brimming with tears.

Luo Rui choked up and said, “Don’t touch it, you’ve just had an operation.”

The rims of Wen Xiaohui’s eyes felt sore and his eyes immediately welled up with a transparent liquid.

Luo Rui stroked Wen Xiaohui’s head. “Don’t cry, it might get infected.”

Wen Xiaohui sat himself up, looking at Luo Rui with tear-filled eyes. He said in a hoarse voice, “How’s my face? How’s my nose?”

“Baby, don’t worry. The nasal bridge has been set and you only need to wait for it to grow a bit before it looks the same as before.”

Wen Xiaohui sobbed, “R-Really?”

“Really. It’s really true.” Luo Rui was afraid that Wen Xiaohui wouldn’t believe him, so his head bobbed up and down like a piece of garlic that was being bashed. “That’s what the doctor said. Bones thicker than that can be set, so why wouldn’t they be able to set yours? Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

Wen Xiaohui covered his face gently and he started to cry without making any noise.

Luo Rui hugged him and used all of his strength to rub Wen Xiaohui’s head as he also broke into tears.

Wen Xiaohui nestled into Luo Rui’s embrace. Despite Luo Rui’s thin chest, it offered him the warmest comfort that he needed. His face was extremely sore, but his heart hurt thousands of times more. He felt as though he’d been living in a nightmare that he couldn’t awake from – no one could save him no matter how much he shouted or struggled.

His hatred towards Luo Yi was embedded in each niggle of pain as it became increasingly ingrained in his memory1.

Sniffling, Luo Rui’s voice trembled as he said, “Xiaohui, can you tell me what’s wrong? Luo Yi said you’d been mugged, but I don’t believe him. You were missing for three days! We even called the police.”

Wen Xiaohui’s body shook when hearing just the two words ‘Luo Yi’ – it was enough to make his heart tremble. He drew a deep breath and asked nervously, “Where’s my mum? Does she know that I’m hurt?”

“I saw that you weren’t seriously injured after Luo Yi asked me to come to the hospital, so I lied to her. I told her you were so drunk that you lost your mobile phone and you’re staying with me. She’s relieved.”

Wen Xiaohui heaved a sigh. Luo Rui knew him so well and always acted in his interests. His mum was in high spirits preparing for her wedding and he didn’t want to add to her worries at such a crucial moment. He didn’t know how to explain that he’d been missing for three days and how he ended up breaking his nose bridge. He should have listened to his mum and stayed away from that ‘monster’ from the start. He didn’t want to and also didn’t dare to face his mum.

Luo Rui looked him in the eye. “Tell me, Xiaohui, what actually happened? Does it have something to do with Luo Yi? How did you end up like this? “He started to sob when he got to the end.

Wen Xiaohui pressed his forehead against Luo Rui’s. He whispered, “I can’t tell you, so don’t ask. From now on, you can’t have any contact with Luo Yi. He’s a monster, a demon, and a bastard.” Wen Xiaohui gritted his teeth, wishing he could chew on Luo Yi’s flesh.

Luo Rui’s whole body trembled; he felt unbearably heartbroken. All he could do was to hold Wen Xiaohui tighter. “Okay, we’ll ignore him…” He didn’t dare to consider what Wen Xiaohui might have suffered during those three days that he went missing, but he knew that what Wen Xiaohui broke wasn’t just his nose – somewhere inside him, something had also completely collapsed.

The carefree, cheerful, and fearless Wen Xiaohui with a strong sense of self in Luo Rui’s eyes was destroyed by Luo Yi.

Wen Xiaohui remained in hospital for two days while Luo Rui stayed beside him for two days. Wen Xiaohui lied to his mum that he was on a work trip and that he wouldn’t be back for a fortnight. He hoped that his nose would be less swollen by then.

—————————————–

The day he got discharged from hospital, Luo Rui woke up really early to pick him up, but he got stuck in traffic. He sent across a text message with a picture of the traffic jam – it really did look like a massive queue of traffic.

Wen Xiaohui replied to the text message, telling him to take his time. He got dressed and sat at the top of the bed. His grip on the phone became tighter and tighter and in the end, he couldn’t stop himself from opening the web browser and entering ‘Changhong Corporation’ in the search box.

He wanted to find out what Luo Yi had gained from sacrificing him.

The webpage had yet to load when the hospital room door was pushed open.

Wen Xiaohui jerked his head up to meet a pair of black as ink and tranquil as water eyes. In that instant, his heart clenched. The chill spread to the rest of his body via his blood vessels leaving him frozen in fear.

Luo Yi!

Luo Yi closed the door, his gaze lingering on Wen Xiaohui’s face. He said indifferently, “Should’ve crippled both his hands.”

If it wasn’t for the operation on his nose, Wen Xiaohui couldn’t imagine how hideous his expression would have been. He clenched his fists and began to breathe deeper than normal. He wished that the daggers in his eyes could materialise and slice Luo Yi’s skin and flesh!

After Luo Yi went over, Wen Xiaohui stood up suddenly. He picked up the thermos flask and tried to bash him with it.

Luo Yi tilted his body to dodge it and he said softly, “Don’t disturb the wound.”

“Luo… Yi…” Wen Xiaohui’s voice shook so much that it was barely recognisable. He never thought he’d see Luo Yi so soon. He didn’t feel ready. He was about to be submerged in hatred and fear, and he wished that he could disappear.

Luo Yi lowered his head. “Both Changhong’s share price fell significantly and his money is trapped. That person was reported to the Chinese Regulatory Securities Commission. He has been detained, but he’s applying for bail and he might be able to leave soon. We might not be that safe. Don’t go to Luo Rui’s house or you’ll end up causing him trouble. I’m here to take you home, someone will protect you 24-7.”

“Luo Yi!” Wen Xiaohui bellowed, “You bastard! Go to hell!”

Luo Yi’s body shuddered and he bit down lightly on his own lip. When he lifted his head up, his gaze was cold and determined. “Xiaohui-ge, it’s my fault that you got hurt. It was unexpected, but it’s my fault for not considering all angles. Your injuries can be healed. You might have to undergo a few more procedures, but it won’t affect your appearance.”

Both of Wen Xiaohui’s eyes were as red as blood. He felt as though words were too weak for him to express his indignation and hatred. Luo Yi’s brain didn’t seem to be on the same planet as his. How could he dare to appear in front of him?!

Luo Yi fixed his gaze on Wen Xiaohui, absorbing every trace of enmity into the fundus of his eye. He felt an indescribable agony in his heart and he didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t stop himself from going over.

Wen Xiaohui took a few steps back abruptly as his eyes filled with fear.

He didn’t try to conceal his fear.

Luo Yi was stumped. His footsteps were heavy as if he were laden with lead and he couldn’t take another step.

Wen Xiaohui said as his voice trembled, “I don’t want to see you anymore – you and that damn Chang Xing. The grievance between the two of you has nothing to do with me. I was blind and stupid. Meeting you is my greatest regret in life! Piss off and don’t appear in front of me again. Get lost!”

Luo Yi closed his eyes. When he reopened them, his expression regained its normal calmness. “Xiaohui-ge, you need my protection now, so I can’t let you go home. Do you want to cause trouble for your family and friends?”

Wen Xiaohui nearly cracked his tooth. “This…”

“I’m sorry I’ve been lying to you. You’re more innocent than I imagined.” Luo Yi approached a step at a time. “At the very beginning, all I wanted from you was the inheritance. Afterwards, I wanted your smile, your loving care, your body, and then your heart.” Luo Yi forced Wen Xiaohui into a corner, then he easily caught Wen Xiaohui’s punch. He bent over and trapped Wen Xiaohui between himself and the wall, staring at him without blinking, with eyes as deep as the ocean. His voice was neither fast nor slow, but it delivered a direct blow to his heart. “You asked me many times which is the real me. I’m telling you, the person you’re seeing now is the real me – it’s genuinely the real me. I want all of you. Don’t think of leaving me even if you hate me.”

Wen Xiaohui’s eyes widened. The red blood vessels were like veins of poison spreading to his pitch-black pupils. He glared at Luo Yi as if he’d seen a demon.

Luo Yi pinched his chin and gave him a peck on his lips. “As long as you wish, I’m willing to pretend to be whoever you like.”

Wen Xiaohui swung his arm to give him a heavy slap across the face.

Luo Yi turned his head as his eyelashes trembled slightly, casting a shadow along his eye sockets.

Wen Xiaohui’s hands shook. “Bastard.” He couldn’t believe that he once loved a youth named Luo Yi – that youth was gentle, considerate, and cheerful – but it was all an illusion created by a demon. He never existed.

His love died with the illusion.

Luo Yi licked the corner of his mouth. He smiled slightly. “Xiaohui-ge, do you know the real me that you’re so curious about? You’ve seen him ages ago and it’s just like Chang Xing. We’re the same type of person. That’s why Mum was scared of me and it’s why I had to get rid of him. We both knew that only one of us could stay.”

Wen Xiaohui’s body curled up subconsciously as if he was trying to distance himself from Luo Yi, but he couldn’t escape anywhere.

Wen Xiaohui believed Luo Yi’s words that he and Chang Xing were the same type of person – they might have been the only words that he could trust. More accurately, he and Chang Xing were the same type of monster – intelligent, calm, bloodthirsty, and cruel. They were willing to do anything to achieve their goals. Like ferocious beasts hiding under the cover of darkness, it was impossible to tell when they would pounce and deliver a fatal blow.

Somehow, he managed to spend three years with someone like that without realising. It would be appropriate to use the word ‘terrifying’ to describe it.

Luo Yi caressed Wen Xiaohui’s hair tenderly. “Let’s go, I’ll take you back to my house.”

“No…” Wen Xiaohui replied through clenched teeth, “I don’t need you to protect me. I’ll go somewhere by myself and hide in a place where Chang Xing won’t be able to find me. I don’t want to see you!”

Luo Yi hugged him around the waist and whispered into his ear, “I won’t let you leave me. I’ll make it up to you after I get rid of Chang Xing and give you the best life possible. Xiaohui-ge, you’re the only person I care about. If I want something, it has to be in my hands.”

“You’re fucking insane. You monster…” Wen Xiaohui grabbed Luo Yi’s collar. He was stunned. “Do you dare take me to your house? I won’t be able to stop myself from grabbing a knife to chop you up. I’ll kill you! I’ll fucking kill you!”

Luo Yi said gently, “If that happens, I won’t resist.” He dipped his head to press a kiss to Wen Xiaohui’s forehead. “You can’t intimidate me with death threats. My life has never had any significance, I’m only living to fulfil my objectives. My first objective is Chang Xing and my second is you. I’d be very willing to let you kill me if you want.”

Wen Xiaohui punched him hard on the shoulder – the punch was filled with the anger and hatred that he hadn’t been able to release. “Luo Yi, I’m fucking begging you. Let me go! You disgust me – you make me feel fucking disgusted! On account of my usefulness, I’m begging you to let me go!” Tears flowed from his eyes as he became hysterical. Nobody could maintain their composure with someone’s hand clenched around their throat or with the tip of the blade against their flesh.

Luo Yi opened his mouth and his lips trembled a little. Wen Xiaohui’s loathing sent a stabbing pain into his eyes. He held Wen Xiaohui’s hand gently as he said calmly, “Come back with me please.”

He held onto Wen Xiaohui with one hand and carried his simple luggage with the other hand. He walked out the door.

Wen Xiaohui tried his hardest to struggle. Luo Yi turned around: “Xiaohui-ge, I can’t guarantee the safety of your family and friends if you don’t listen to me.”

Wen Xiaohui said sternly, “You’re threatening me!”

“I’m not threatening you, I’m just warning you. I don’t know what Chang Xing might resort to. My people are secretly watching over your mother and Luo Rui, but if you want them to be safe, stay away from them temporarily.”

Wen Xiaohui gave him a blank look.

Luo Yi took him out of the room.

Wen Xiaohui auto-piloted as he followed behind Luo Yi. After a while, he said in a deep voice, “Luo Yi, I hate you.”

Luo Yi pursed his lips. “I’m aware.”

“I’ll never forgive you.”

Luo Yi knitted his brows – his glacial expression seemed as though it had thawed a little, but he didn’t reply this time. He only dragged Wen Xiaohui into the car.

After getting into the car, he took the mobile phone from Wen Xiaohui’s pocket and dialled a number.

Luo Rui’s cheerful and lively voice echoed in the quiet compartment. “Baby, I’ll be there in a sec. There’s no traffic on this bit. I’ve made a reservation for a grilled fish restaurant, once I pick you up…”

“Luo Rui, I’m Luo Yi.”

Wen Xiaohui glared fiercely at Luo Yi.

The sound of emergency braking could be heard from the other end of the line. Luo Rui bellowed, “Where’s Xiaohui? What are you trying to do?!”

“I’m here to take Xiaohui-ge home. There’s no need for you to come.”

“What did you do to Xiaohui, you bastard, son of a bitch? Put Xiaohui on the phone!”

Luo Yi passed the phone to Wen Xiaohui as he used his eyes to communicate.

Wen Xiaohui was rigid as he took the phone. Closing his eyes, he said calmly, “Xiao Ma, don’t come over. I’m going to stay at Luo Yi’s house for a few days to rest. Don’t worry about me.”

“Wen Xiaohui, what’s up with you? Is he threatening you? What’s actually going on between you two? Wen Xiaohui!”

Luo Yi hung up. He said, with an unlimited amount of tenderness, “Which restaurant’s grilled fish do you like? How about I take you there?”

Wen Xiaohui put the mobile phone back into his pocket. He huddled against the door of the car as he turned his head away.

Luo Yi stared at the back of Wen Xiaohui’s head. The few times he wanted to reach out to stroke it, he retracted his hand in the end.

Seeing the scenery flitting past the window, Wen Xiaohui felt like he was shrouded in a dark cloud that separated him from the rest of the world. It was cold and painful there, but no one could save him. At this moment in time, his only thought was how to get rid of Luo Yi, but was it possible?

Who would be able to rescue him?

Footnotes:

刻骨铭心, literally carved in bones and engraved in the heart means that something has been etched into someone’s memory (idiom). It was first used in an essay written by Li Bai (702-762 AD), a famous Tang dynasty poet (the danmei novel Qiang Jin Jiu is named after one of his famous poems).