Chapter 17

“Hmm?” Zhu Tingyun was a bit surprised. “Hand it over to the police?”

“That’s right.” Zhu Shiyan said with righteous conviction, “Upholding social justice is every citizen’s duty.”

Zhu Tingyun: “?”

Then what was the point of her just threatening Xi Kuo with the evidence to get him to sign?

Zhu Shiyan blinked. “We only showed him the evidence; we never promised not to hand it over to the police after he signed.”

Zhu Tingyun paused for a moment, then laughed. “I didn’t expect this, Shiyan. You’re still a little rascal.”

To deal with such a rascal, one must be even more cunning. Zhu Shiyan didn’t deny it, his eyes curved in a smile. “Sis, you’ll make sure he ends up in jail, right?”

Zhu Tingyun sighed helplessly. “I’ve done all I can.”

Zhu Shiyan grinned, “Thanks, sis!”

Although what Xi Kuo did seemed like minor offenses, if Zhu Tingyun hired a top lawyer to sue him, the cumulative charges would likely result in a one or two-year sentence.

Moreover, as far as he knew, Xi Han’s mother was involved in an unspeakable gray-area business, and Xi Kuo was implicated as well. Just this alone could land them both in prison for several years.

By the time they were released, Xi Han would have already graduated high school and disappeared without a trace. With this severance agreement, all ties between them would be completely cut off.

—The dark cloud looming over his head was finally beginning to lift.

The next day happened to be the weekend.

Zhu Shiyan arrived early to complete Xi Han’s discharge procedures. Chu Junyuan, a free spirit, insisted on tagging along. Zhu Shiyan couldn’t stop him, so he simply put him to work running errands.

Xi Han had been in the hospital for a month, growing taller and healthier by the day. His hair was cut short, revealing handsome eyebrows and eyes.

Now his complexion was fair, his face rosy—a clean, fresh young man. There was no sign of the pale, malnourished boy he had been six months ago.

While Zhu Shiyan settled the bill, Chu Junyuan reluctantly supported Xi Han and quietly compared their heights, muttering, “No way, you’re taller than me?”

Although Zhu Shiyan insisted on helping him walk, Xi Han was mostly putting weight on his uninjured leg. They almost looked like they could fit another person between them.

His eyes stayed fixed on Zhu Shiyan, ignoring Chu Junyuan’s remarks.

Chu Junyuan rolled his eyes, one hand pretending to steady Xi Han while the other played with his phone.

Once the paperwork was done, Zhu Shiyan let out a long breath and smiled, “All set. Let’s go home.”

The driver waited outside the hospital. Zhu Shiyan helped Xi Han into the car, and Chu Junyuan followed without hesitation.

Zhu Shiyan pulled him out. “I’m taking him home. Why are you coming along?”

Chu Junyuan frowned. “I want to go too.”

Zhu Shiyan casually hailed a passing car and shoved him inside, waving cheerfully. “Maybe next time. Bye!”

Chu Junyuan fumed. “Zhu Shiyan, you—”

Zhu Shiyan ignored him, closing the car door. “Uncle Wu, let’s go.”

There was no way Xi Han could return to his old home, especially not sleeping on the sofa. Zhu Shiyan rented a new two-bedroom apartment near the school.

He led Xi Han inside, tidying up while saying, “The door code is the same as at the old place. You’ll take the left room; I’ve already prepared your things.”

Standing in the bright living room, Xi Han was silent for a long moment before softly asking, “Why are you so good to me?”

If it were just because he hated seeing bullied classmates, it wouldn’t have gone this far.

Zhu Shiyan straightened up and asked in return, “When your dad hit you, was there a reason?”

“No.”

“When Zheng Xingyan and the others bullied you, was that your fault?”

“...No.”

“So there’s no reason for me to be good to you either.”

Zhu Shiyan’s eyes curved warmly. “If I had to say why, I quite like you.”

Xi Han was stunned.

Realizing his words could be misunderstood, Zhu Shiyan explained, “I mean like friends.”

If at first he helped because of a system task, now it was genuine—he truly wanted to help Xi Han.

Xi Han was diligent, resilient, and motivated. Someone like him shouldn’t be wasted on senseless bullying and endless domestic violence.

If he had been born into an ordinary family with loving parents, without bullying or cold teachers, he would have been a bright, cheerful high school student with a promising future—like countless others.

—Not trapped in a quagmire he couldn’t escape.

The apartment had already been cleaned by a housekeeper. Zhu Shiyan tossed his backpack onto the sofa and collapsed. “Go check your room. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll order some takeout.”

Xi Han nodded and opened the door to the left room.

It was warmly decorated, the bed soft-looking, a soft light glowing from the overhead lamp. Opposite the bed was a large wardrobe.

He set his bag down and opened the wardrobe door.

Inside were clothes for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The shirt he had fought desperately to get back hung neatly at the front, the bloodstains and dirt washed clean.

Xi Han reached out to touch it, resting his head against the fabric.

He didn’t want to dig into why Zhu Shiyan was so good to him.

All he knew was that it was Zhu Shiyan who pulled him from the abyss, who saved him from the snowy night when he was near death.

Xi Han didn’t care about any ulterior motives.

—He just wanted him by his side.

After dinner, Zhu Shiyan casually asked, “Do you want to wash your hair?”

“Huh?”

“When was the last time you washed it?”

“Three days ago.”

“Then it’s time.”

Rubbing his hands together, Zhu Shiyan asked hopefully, “Let me help you?”

Xi Han shook his head, not wanting to trouble him. “It’s okay, I can do it myself.”

“That won’t do. What if you get your wound wet?”

Xi Han was puzzled by his sudden enthusiasm. “I washed it myself in the hospital.”

“That’s the hospital—you can call the doctor if you get it wet.” Zhu Shiyan said firmly. “Now we’re at home. If anything happens, I don’t want to have to take you back to the hospital.”

But being discharged meant the doctors had deemed it safe for Xi Han to wash himself...

Before he could figure out how to refuse, Zhu Shiyan had already turned on the hot water and beckoned him over. “Come on.”

Xi Han swallowed his objection and slowly moved over.

Before starting, Zhu Shiyan stared at him unwaveringly. “Take off your shirt, or it’ll get wet.”

Xi Han mumbled in assent and took off his jacket.

“Take off what’s underneath too; that’ll get wet as well.”

Xi Han’s expression blank. “What?”

Zhu Shiyan, without a hint of awkwardness, urged him, “Don’t worry, I turned on the heater. It’s not cold at all.”

Xi Han’s face flushed bright red. “It’s okay. If it gets wet, I’ll wash again.”

“That won’t do. What if you catch a cold?”

Xi Han: “???”

Zhu Shiyan didn’t think his words contradicted themselves. Seeing Xi Han freeze, he reached out and stripped off his shirt, then stared thoughtfully at the black mist on Xi Han’s chest.

Was it his imagination, or was the mist turning a bit whiter?

He could even see a tiny creature inside stretching its legs, revealing a furry little paw.

What on earth was that?

Xi Han felt uncomfortable under his gaze. He hunched his shoulders, trying to hide himself, stammering, “It’s almost gone... no, it’s not pretty.”

After over a month in the hospital, the thin layer of muscle he had built up was about to disappear. Xi Han felt too embarrassed to put his shirt back on.

But Zhu Shiyan ignored his words, pressing on his shoulders, eyes fixed intently on his chest. “Don’t move.”

Xi Han’s face flushed scarlet. He froze, tiny bumps rising on his exposed skin, his breathing growing heavier.

Zhu Shiyan poked the little creature with a finger.

His fingertip accidentally brushed Xi Han’s chest.

Steam rose from the hot water in the basin. The bathroom was foggy. Xi Han felt dizzy; the soft touch against his chest left his mind blank, all his senses focused on that small spot, burning with an intensity he couldn’t ignore.

He even wondered if Zhu Shiyan could hear his rapid heartbeat.

The little creature inside the mist rolled happily, seeming quite pleased.

Zhu Shiyan’s eyes widened as he tried to see what it was, but the mist completely enveloped it. No matter how he looked, he couldn’t make it out.

He gave up for the moment and let go. “Let’s wash your hair.”

Looking away, he realized Xi Han was practically melting.

After over a month in the hospital, all his wounds had healed. His skin was fair and rosy, his face and ears flushed, fingers gripping the chair tightly, shy to the point of almost burning up.

Zhu Shiyan, who had been so straightforward, felt embarrassed by Xi Han’s reaction. He rubbed his nose, wanting to explain but unsure how, and just blurted, “I just wanted to check on your wounds, nothing else.”

Xi Han curled his toes, voice barely audible, “Mm.”

Zhu Shiyan: “...”

That explanation was worse than none.

He inwardly cursed the damn system for placing such a crucial detail in such an awkward spot. Would he have to forcibly strip the other’s clothes every time he wanted to check progress? Would Xi Han think he was a pervert?

Zhu Shiyan felt a headache coming on and weakly said, “I really wasn’t trying to look at your abs...”

Xi Han nervously nodded. “I know. I’ll train hard.”

Zhu Shiyan choked, then changed the subject forcibly. “Hair washing! If we don’t do it now, the water will get cold!”