Chapter 15

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When Xi Yan was in middle school, he had already reported the matter to the police, but that scoundrel always put on an act in front of them and even turned the tables, slinging all kinds of dirt onto Xi Yan. After several attempts, not only did he fail to break free from the fiend’s grip, but he also suffered even more vicious abuse.

Moreover, this time he had stabbed the man—if the police were called now, who would end up arrested was uncertain.

Zhu Shiyan had originally planned to fight fire with fire. After Xi Yan’s eighteenth birthday, he intended to force that man to sever all parental ties with Xi Yan and then support him through university so he could escape far away. But that plan had prematurely been complicated. A minor trying to cut off parental rights was extremely difficult, and that scoundrel certainly wouldn’t let go easily.

Besides, Zhu Shiyan had not yet earned Zhu Feng’s attention and held no influence within the Zhu family. It would be very difficult for him alone to make Xi Yan leave that household.

He turned his gaze to Zhu Tingyun beside him, rolling his eyes briefly, then offered a pleading smile: “Sis, can you help him?”

Zhu Tingyun scoffed: “Why should I help? I don’t want to interfere with your friendships, so I gave you the photos to decide for yourself. But I didn’t expect you to insist on helping him even after seeing those.”

“Helping him yesterday was more than enough. You’d better not meddle in his affairs anymore.”

“Fine.” Zhu Shiyan let the words wash over him like water off a duck’s back and sighed deeply. “Then I’ll have to figure it out myself.”

Zhu Tingyun was speechless.

She had never realized before that her brother was so stubbornly incorrigible.

If he had to solve this on his own, who knew what would happen? Irritated, she said, “If you want my help, you have to unconditionally transfer the shares you hold to me.”

Though Zhu Shiyan was disregarded at home, he was still Zhu Feng’s biological son and held two percent of Zhu Corporation’s shares. Given the company’s valuation, even two percent represented an enormous fortune.

Zhu Tingyun only said this casually, hoping to deter him, but to her surprise, he nodded without hesitation: “Alright, it’s a deal. But I have one condition—you can’t let Dad find out.”

After all, the shares were useless to him now. Trading them to help Xi Yan escape that family was worth it.

Zhu Tingyun lost her composure rare for her: “Do you know what you’re saying? You’re casually giving away billions just to save someone unrelated. Has your brain gone soft?”

“I do.” Zhu Shiyan pointed to himself, then to the hospital room, speaking seriously: “I’ll transfer the shares to you, you help him get away from that scumbag father. This was your idea—I’ve agreed, and you’re not allowed to back out.”

Zhu Tingyun was dumbfounded—this was the first time she had seen someone sell themselves out and even help count the money for the other party.

Now she suspected her brother might actually like that person. He claimed all his classmates and friends were just distractions, but in reality, that person was his boyfriend.

Otherwise, why would he refuse renowned tutors, insist on being tutored by that person, and even sneak out late at night to look for him, doing everything he could to help?

Come to think of it, the person in the hospital room was indeed handsome. Even with blood smeared across his face, his refined and sculpted features were unmistakable—truly a strikingly good-looking young man.

Had her foolish brother been deceived?

Zhu Shiyan didn’t return for a long time.

Xi Yan grew increasingly anxious.

He didn’t know the bright and beautiful woman, but seeing her casual attitude toward Zhu Shiyan, she was likely a close acquaintance, probably family.

Xi Yan had seen many parents drag their children away from him and had even overheard parents scolding their kids to stay away from him.

No parent would want their child to associate with someone like him. Could the young master have been scolded because of him?

The thought troubled him more and more, his heart racing anxiously as he kept glancing toward the door.

Zhu Shiyan returned alone.

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When he opened the door, his expression was calm, unlike someone who had been reprimanded.

Xi Yan relaxed slightly and softly asked, “Who was that just now?”

“My sister. She was the one who helped bring you to the hospital last night.”

Xi Yan nodded silently, filing that information away.

He owed the young master too much—more than just a simple “thank you” could ever repay.

Before Zhu Shiyan left, their conversation hadn’t ended. After he sat down, Xi Yan had prepared a whole series of lies in his mind to answer any probing questions, but Zhu Shiyan didn’t say a word. Instead, he began peeling an apple for him.

He didn’t ask, so Xi Yan didn’t volunteer any information. Although Zhu Shiyan had witnessed many of his embarrassing and desperate moments, he didn’t want him to know the true state of his family unless absolutely necessary.

Especially since he had stabbed his father last night—the scoundrel’s fate was still unknown. It was best not to taint the young master’s ears with such a rotten origin story.

Zhu Shiyan handed him the peeled apple, slowly wiping his hands. In the quiet, peaceful atmosphere, he suddenly said, “Your father didn’t die. He’s awake now.”

“Bang!”

The apple slipped to the floor with a loud thud. Xi Yan stared at him in disbelief, panic evident on his face.

“You already knew?”

“Yeah.” Zhu Shiyan picked up the apple and tossed it in the trash. “Just found out.”

Xi Yan’s breathing grew rapid. His fingers clenched the blanket tightly. He felt like a sword hovered above his head, and every word from Zhu Shiyan could decide whether it would fall or vanish.

He struggled to speak, his voice tinged with despair: “I killed my father…”

What would the young master think of him? He must be very disappointed—disappointed that he was truly the demon everyone said he was.

Seeing Xi Yan look at him with utter hopelessness, eyes filled with disgust, Zhu Shiyan felt a painful ache deep inside.

He moved closer to the bed, opened his arms, blinking his eyes, “Want a hug?”

Xi Yan stared blankly at him.

Zhu Shiyan pulled him into his embrace, gently patting his back with warm words of comfort: “He’s not dead, so you didn’t kill anyone. Don’t worry. Besides, you were only protecting yourself. Don’t feel guilty or sad. It’s not your fault—it’s his own doing.”

Tears welled uncontrollably in Xi Yan’s eyes. Suddenly, he felt deeply wronged.

It was as if he had been walking alone in darkness for a long time. Because no one cared, he didn’t notice the pain from his wounds, nor did he feel wronged. Over time, he became numb.

But one day, someone took his hand, chased away all who bullied him, and solemnly told him: “You’re not at fault. He deserved it.”

His heart, once numb to all sensation, began to beat anew. Sunshine shone upon him again.

—He was redeemed once more.

Xi Yan gripped Zhu Shiyan’s shirt tightly, holding him as if to pour out all the pain and grievances of the past dozen years.

Feeling the slight dampness on his back, Zhu Shiyan paused, a flicker of tenderness in his eyes, his voice gentler still: “It’s okay. You’re not at fault. They don’t deserve to be your parents.”

The dampness on his back deepened.

Zhu Shiyan said nothing more, quietly holding him.

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After an unknown length of time, Zhu Shiyan’s legs were numb, but Xi Yan still wouldn’t let go.

He shifted his shoulders, sensing the tears behind him had likely stopped, and said, “Alright, alright, let go now.”

Reluctantly, Xi Yan released his grip.

Zhu Shiyan sat up and carefully examined the wound on Xi Yan’s head. Seeing no fresh blood, he relaxed and said, “My sister agreed to help you deal with this. Stay at my place for now.”

Xi Yan looked puzzled. “She… help me deal with it?”

He knew better than anyone how difficult that man was.

That scoundrel was a master of pretense—one face in public, another behind closed doors. Once tangled, he was impossible to shake off. The young master’s sister was no relative, so why would she want to help him?

Seeing his doubt, Zhu Shiyan explained, “I’m her biological brother, and you’re my friend. Of course she’ll help.”

Really?

Though he said so, Xi Yan still didn’t quite believe it, a faint unease stirring within.

People are creatures who seek benefit and avoid harm. The young master’s sister didn’t know him. Upon learning his situation, she should have tried to stop the young master from associating with him, so why would she go out of her way to help?

Did the young master promise her some condition?

“Don’t overthink it.”

Zhu Shiyan popped a segment of tangerine into his mouth, mumbling, “Our family’s so rich, and my sister’s a board member. This is a small matter for her—just a favor.”

Xi Yan kept his head down, silent.

Zhu Shiyan glanced at him and continued eating the tangerine, “Don’t feel too burdened. With our relationship, could I just stand by and watch you go back to that home? Of course not. Helping you doesn’t affect me at all. You just accept it, work hard, get into B University, and get away from this city.”

Still no response.

Zhu Shiyan shoved the last tangerine segment into his mouth, walked over, and gently held Xi Yan’s head, looking into his eyes: “How about this? Think of it as an investment. You’re my chosen prospect. When you make it big, pay me back double, okay?”

Xi Yan stared fixedly at him.

“No answer means you agree?”

Before Xi Yan could react, Zhu Shiyan solemnly tapped his head twice: “Alright, you agreed. Once you’re discharged, come home with me.”

Xi Yan closed his eyes, suppressing the flood of emotions.

When he opened them again, his voice was hoarse: “Okay. I’ll go home with you.”

Too much.

The young master had given him too much—more than he could ever repay in this lifetime.

Only by being kinder and kinder to him could he barely find peace of mind.