My Perfect Enemy is Finally Broke Novel - Chap 69
The doctor had said that Qin Man’s wounds weren’t serious, so they both adopted an optimistic mindset that he would be able to move around in just a few days.
However, by the second day, Qin Man found out that not only could he not run, he even had difficulty getting out of bed.
After the doctor came to check on him in the morning, the nurse pulled out the urinary catheter, saying that there was nothing wrong with his leg, and reminded him to walk as much as he could to help with his recovery.
Ji Ran went out to buy breakfast, thinking that he should return to work soon. It wasn’t good to take too many days of leave and his team was about to burn.
The food that the street vendors were selling didn’t look very hygienic. Afraid that it would cause food poisoning, he took a cab to a high-end breakfast establishment and sat in the restaurant to wait for his takeaway.
Yesterday had been too tiring, leaving him without time to attend to other matters. He just realised that Xu Lin had sent him many messages.
Qin Man had retained him, but ended up resigning instead, leaving Xu Lin in confusion.
Ji Ran replied succinctly, and when he read the next message, he found that Ji Wei also sent him a text message.
Ji Wei: When are you free? Let’s talk.
Ji Ran only returned with a sentence that he wasn’t free before calling Yue Wen Wen.
Hearing his request, Yue Wen Wen was stunned for a moment before agreeing.
He returned to the ward with the takeaway. “Have you washed up?”
Qin Man looked at him helplessly. “I can’t use my hands.”
Ji Ran lowered the handlebars at the side. “I’ll help you there.”
Ji Ran wasn’t weak, and coupled with Qin Man’s effort, he easily lifted the other man and slowly walked towards the washroom.
“Open your mouth.” Squeezing out some toothpaste, Ji Ran commanded him expressionlessly.
Qin Man opened his mouth, revealing a pair of white teeth.
Ji Ran had never served another person before. Holding back his impatience, he helped the other man brush his teeth and rinsed his cup. “Let’s go.”
He had just taken two steps when his shirt was grabbed. Qin Man stood on the spot without moving.
“What is it?” Ji Ran stopped.
“I need to use the toilet.”
Ji Ran made a sound of understanding. “I’ll wait for you outside.”
“I can’t lift my arms.” Qin Man could only tug weakly at his shirt, as if he were trying his best but his hands slid down until they hung back at his sides.
“…”
What did this mean?
Ji Ran stared at him, at a loss. He took some time to react, “No, wait a minute. You want me to…”
Qin Man took a step back. “How about you help me take off my pants. I’ll do the rest.”
Ji Ran set the cup down and helped him out of his pants. The hospital garments were loose, so it was easy to pull down.
From this angle, Qin Man could see a pair of flushed ears and evil thoughts bred in his heart.
They’d clearly seen everything of each other before, but Ji Ran still turned around. “Hurry up. Tell me when you’re done. I’ll help you put it back on.”
There was no movement for some time. Ji Ran turned back and saw how everytime Qin Man lifted his arm, it would drop back down. He still hadn’t solved his needs after some time had passed.
Afraid that his bladder would burst, Ji Ran gritted his teeth and turned around to help him lift it.
“F*cking hell… is it that bad? How about I find the doctor to get some painkillers?” His face was pressed against Qin Man’s shoulder, not looking at what he shouldn’t be looking at.
“No need, it just has no strength but it doesn’t hurt.” Having gotten his way, Qin Man took advantage of their positions to kiss his ears.
Ji Ran unconsciously gripped harder.
“Hiss-” Qin Man sucked in a breath from anger. “You really dare to do it, what would you do if you break it?”
“Chop it off, I’ll help you.” Ji Ran refuted.
After coming out, Ji Ran felt his whole face was hot.
Because Qin Man had no strength, Ji Ran had to feed him breakfast.
Having had his fill, Qin Man reclined halfway in bed. “You should go home and sleep tonight.”
After getting out of bed today, he finally saw the portable bed. It was small and short, extremely uncomfortable for a big man like Ji Ran.
Although he would tease the other, he still couldn’t bear for his junior brother to suffer in this sort of place.
“No need. Is it really okay for you to sit in this manner? Won’t your neck hurt?”
“It’s fine. I won’t be able to see you if I lie down.”
“… Do you think I’ll run away?”
His phone rang at this time. Ji Ran glanced at the caller ID and got up. “Stay here and don’t move. I’m going to take this call. If there’s anything, just shout for me – I’ll be able to hear you.”
Walking over to the balcony, Ji Ran picked up the phone. “Is there news?”
Cheng Peng replied on the other end. “Yes, but you must stay calm when you hear what I have to say.”
“Speak.”
“The driver was one of Gu Cheng’s men back in the day. He has a criminal record and just got out of jail last year. It has only been a few months since he’s been released from prison, but he already has three cases on his back. One of them is your case, the other two are charges due to robbery and extortion.”
Cheng Peng coughed and continued, “I’ve only found out about their relationship, but there’s no evidence yet. I suspect… their transaction might not be monetary. I’m still looking into the matter, and I’m telling you now so you’ll have a bottom line in your heart.”
“Gu Zhe’s case has been dragged until now without a conclusion, so Gu Cheng is probably panicking. I also don’t know if he has any other plans apart from this. You best be careful.”
Ji Ran was silent for a long time. “Got it.”
“How about you don’t go home for the time being? Find somewhere safe to hide, I have an apartment near the foot of Heshan, not many people know about it…”
“No need. I’m staying in the hospital for the time being. No need to worry about me. How’s the auction going?”
“It hasn’t started. I’m not sure why it was suddenly postponed by a week. It’s strange, but I’m still checking.”
“Just call me if there’s anything you need, but apart from a little bit of money, I don’t have anything else.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not lacking in funds at the moment. That’s all, I’ll come visit you once I’m done here.”
After hanging up, Ji Ran didn’t rush to leave the balcony.
He wasn’t at all surprised to hear Gu Cheng’s name. Gu Cheng was originally from the underworld, and word on the street was that he was also a convict but he just had a scapegoat to take the fall for him. It was only a few years ago that he began to whitewash his business.
If it were before, Ji Ran would definitely seek revenge and beat this old man up before anything else.
But now, Qin Man had been implicated.
He didn’t know what else Gu Cheng might do and he didn’t want anyone else around him to get hurt.
He even wondered if things could have been prevented if he hadn’t caused Gu Zhe to be in such a bad situation.
Hearing the sound of conversation from the ward, Ji Ran turned around and saw a few doctors standing around Qin Man’s bed. He didn’t know what they were saying, and could only hurriedly return.
“I got a fright when I saw your name on the patient’s list. What happened? How did you get hurt to such an extent?” The one speaking was an authoritative-looking middle-aged man. It was obvious that the other doctors around him regarded him with respect.
“Nothing much, just a minor car accident,” Qin Man replied politely. “I’m fine, you don’t have to worry.”
Ji Ran shut the door to the balcony and walked over. “What happened? Are you unwell?”
The middle-aged doctor looked at him. “Who are you?”
“I’m his family,” Ji Ran replied without thinking. “Is there something wrong with the medical report?”
The man thought for a moment and confirmed that he didn’t have such a relative. “How are you guys related?”
Did all doctors care about such things now?
Ji Ran was prepared to bullshit.
“He’s my friend,” Qin Man quickly interjected. “This is my uncle, my biological uncle.”
“…”
Qin Man’s uncle was the hospital director.
Qin Man originally thought that since this was a minor car accident and his uncle was usually busy with hospital affairs, he wouldn’t learn about it. Unexpectedly, his name was spotted by other doctors and his medical history was dug up.
“Pack up, I’ll change your ward and get you a new nurse. Recover well in the hospital before you return.”
“No need. It’s just a minor injury, I’ll be discharged in a few days. Anyway, this is a small matter, please don’t tell mum. I don’t want her to worry.”
The two spoke for a while but Qin Man refused to budge. The hospital director could only sigh, “I know you have your own thoughts, but are you really fine?”
“I’m fine.”
“Then forget about the other things, but you still need a nurse. Otherwise, it’ll be difficult for you to get around.”
Qin Man smiled. “There’s really no need. My friend is already taking care of me.”
Ji Ran sat by the side, not interjecting.
He didn’t expect that Qin Man’s uncle would be a director.
He remembered that Qin Man’s other relative was also a prominent figure in the education world.
Wasn’t this family too high-profile?
The director nodded and chased the others off before sitting by the bedside and they chatted about family matters.
“If you think it’s really fine, then it’s alright. Anyway, how’s your progress with that person from the Ji family?”
The moment he spoke, both parties froze.
Ji Ran looked at him with wide eyes, while Qin Man could only indicate with his eyes that he had no idea what was happening either.
“What is it? Are you shy?” Seeing him silent, the director laughed. “I heard it from your mom, she said you’re dating the girl from the Ji family. How is she? Are you happy?”
Dating?
Qin Man had definitely never heard of such a thing before.
Ji Ran’s expression also sunk.
Qin Man replied, “I’m not dating her, uncle. You remembered wrongly.”
“That can’t be. I even asked, she seems to be called… Ji Tang?”
“We’ve met a few times, but we aren’t dating.”
The director continued, “In that case, your mother must not have told you yet. I only heard from her two days ago. Since you’ve met her before, what do you think about her? You’re not young anymore, it’s time you found a partner and got married.”
Qin Man nodded, “You’re right.”
“It’s indeed time to be dating,” He smiled helplessly, the implication thick in his voice. “But some people refuse to. What can I do on my own?”
Ji Ran: “…”
“If she doesn’t agree, you need to chase her. Send her flowers and a hug, and tell her nice things.” The director stopped halfway through his words. How could he forget? This nephew of his was good in every way except for flowery words. He hoped that whichever girl Qin Man had set his sights on would be able to change his cold personality.
The director fretted, “There are girls who don’t like you?”
“I don’t know. Qin Man calmly responded, “But the person I like isn’t a girl.”
The director was stunned, not understanding his words.
Ji Ran was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He nearly jumped up in fright and interjected. “It’s time to change your dressing…”
“Not a girl?” The director digested his words. “Is it someone older than you?”
A dagger-like stare came from the side; Qin Man could only laugh helplessly. “…You could say that.”
After the director left, Ji Ran immediately came for him.
“Do you know what you almost did?” Ji Ran asked. “You nearly came out, are you crazy?”
“I’m not crazy.” Qin Man looked at him, particularly sober. “It’s only a matter of time.”
His words were so certain that Ji Ran didn’t know what to say.
Even Yue Wen Wen didn’t dare tell his parents about the matter of his sexuality.
Noticing his silence, Qin Man asked, “Do you mind?”
“Mind what?”
“Mind that you’re being liked by someone of the same gender.”
“…”
Ji Ran himself was gay, what was there to mind? His mind was now a mess.
“That’s not what I mean. This matter is something many elders cannot accept and will bring you insults. Aren’t you afraid of being hauled to conversion therapy?”
“Conversion therapy?” Qin Man raised his eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Yue Wen Wen had a friend who was discovered by his family and tied up at home to undergo ‘treatment’. I heard that he’d been electrocuted several times a day. It was only recently that he was rescued.”
“My parents won’t do such a thing,” Qin Man said. “They will respect me and will not blame you, so you need not worry…”
Ji Ran’s voice subconsciously raised a notch. “I already said, I’m not worried about myself.”
Other people’s stares came from around.
Qin Man paused and smiled. “Are you worried about me?”
“…”
Ji Ran got up abruptly. “There’s nothing else to talk about. I’m going home for a bit, do you want to use the washroom? I’ll only be back after lunch.”
“Where are you going?”
“I forgot to grab your underwear yesterday…” Ji Ran explained, “And I’ll get the car so it’s easier to go wherever.”
“Don’t drive.” Qin Man frowned.
“Don’t worry. Do you think he’ll be able to hit me twice?”
“He?” Qin Man grasped the key point. “Who is it? Did you find out anything?”
Realising that he had accidentally revealed too much, Ji Ran quickly shut up. “…No one. You don’t need to care about anything, just lie here obediently.”
Before he left, Ji Ran took some fruit and headed to the bed beside them.
“Auntie, these are the fruits I bought this morning. They’re very fresh, try it.”
Overwhelmed by favour, she could only respond, “Ah, no need.”
“Please take it.” The man who usually hated talking to others was now chatting and smiling with another. “… I have to make a trip back to get some things. If the patient at Bed 36 needs anything, could I trouble you to give me a call?”
The auntie suddenly understood and accepted the fruit. “Alright, no problem. Go ahead.”
Only then did Ji Ran leave with peace of mind.
The moment the door to the ward closed, the smile on Qin Man’s face disappeared.
He effortlessly lifted the arm that ‘had no strength’ and under the auntie’s shocked gaze, picked up his phone and called his assistant.
