Chapter 14: Supporting a Useless Brother? Not Happening!
“Mom, go home and bring me a clean pair of underwear, I’ve been wearing this one for days.”
Xie Yaozu hung up the phone, trying to suppress the fire raging in his chest. He needed to get rid of Li Amei.
Li Amei was peeling an apple for him and didn’t even look up. “Let me finish peeling this apple, then I’ll go.”
“Aiya, I’m not hungry! Just hurry and go—if you wait too long, the inpatient ward will close and you won’t be able to get back in.” Xie Yaozu was practically jumping out of his skin. Xianxian’s voice had hooks in it—just hearing her had his heart bouncing like a hooked fish.
He snatched the half-peeled apple from her hands and took a big, loud bite. Only then did the parched feeling in his throat ease, just barely.
Li Amei, always obedient to her son, saw how anxious he was and wiped her hands on her clothes before getting up. “Alright, just lie down and behave. If you need to use the toilet, call a nurse. We paid the hospital, so we’re gonna get our money’s worth!”
“Yeah yeah, just go already.”
Xie Yaozu waved her off impatiently. Once she was far enough away, he clutched his still-aching chest and rolled off the bed. Every step made his ribs throb with pain—but thinking about Xianxian, his eyes lit up like a starving wolf’s.
Dragging his battered body downstairs, he didn’t notice Lin Zhifeng lurking nearby. She spotted his determined, limping figure immediately.
“Heh… today you’ll learn what it means when they say ‘Lust brings the blade upon the neck.’”
She quickly changed her expression to one of urgency and rushed toward the red T-shirt punk by the back door.
“Big brother! I’m the server from the fast food place earlier. Can I borrow your phone for a second? My dad just ran off—he’s injured, and I don’t know where he’s going!”
The blond punk squinted at Lin Zhifeng, giving her a once-over. She really was the cute server from earlier—no way he’d mistake a pretty girl like that.
“Here, take it—but don’t take too long.”
“Thanks, big brother!” Lin Zhifeng accepted the phone and dialed Xie Yaozu’s number. Just as expected, the call was rejected.
“What do I do? He’s not answering… sigh, even with a fracture he can’t stay put.”
The punk had just lit a cigarette, but the word fracture caught his attention. Connecting the dots with what she’d just said, he raised his voice sharply.
“What’s your dad’s name? Why’s he in the hospital?”
Lin Zhifeng pretended to panic, shoved the phone back into his hands, and turned to run—only to “accidentally” fall flat on the ground.
“Why are you running? I wasn’t gonna catch you!” the punk said, utterly confused. His tone turned menacing as he tried to scare her: “Spit it out, or I’ll send my guys to your school to block you in.”
“I’ll talk, I’ll talk!”
Stammering, Lin Zhifeng revealed Xie Yaozu’s situation. The punk’s expression changed instantly. He whipped around and bolted toward the hospital’s main exit route, all while frantically calling his gang.
“Yo, find him—that dumbass really ran!”
…
Meanwhile, Xie Yaozu was holding Xianxian’s soft hand, letting her lead him out the hospital’s back entrance. Once they turned into a quiet alley, he couldn’t hold back anymore.
“C’mon, give me a kiss first.”
“Aiya, wait a bit, let me go pee first,” Xianxian cooed, winking flirtatiously. “Then we’ll find a good spot.”
That sultry wink hit Xie Yaozu like a heatwave—he nodded repeatedly, practically dazed.
But once Xianxian walked off, the hot wind sobered him up a little.
“Damn… maybe I should just get a hotel room.” He hesitated, not quite ready to spend the money.
Suddenly, a furious roar rang out in the distance: “Xie Yaozu, you motherf*cker!”
The three blond punks, drenched in sweat, charged toward him like they’d just found their lost wallet—fast and ferocious.
Xie Yaozu was still dumbfounded when a flying kick slammed into his lower abdomen—right where it already hurt. Agonizing pain shot through him.
“Aaaaghhh—” he howled in agony, collapsing to the ground. The ribs he’d just barely recovered were re-injured on the spot.
Seeing his ghastly pale face and realizing something was seriously wrong, the three blond punks exchanged glances, then threw down a few vicious parting threats and took off running.
If things went too far, none of them wanted to take responsibility. But with that one kick, Xie Yaozu was definitely staying in the hospital—no chance of escape now. Plus, they wouldn’t have to keep watch anymore.
Clutching himself and wailing even louder than before, Xie Yaozu desperately wished Xianxian would come back. He needed to get to his room and have the doctor check if his family jewels were still intact.
—
Across the street, in a narrow alley, Xianxian cheerfully tucked the money into her little purse. A thousand yuan for a quick job—easier than pouring drinks, and way more profitable. She grinned ear to ear.
“Hey, little beauty, I probably shouldn’t ask, but I’m too curious—Xie Yaozu’s your dad? You doing this for your mom?”
Lin Zhifeng shook her head and flashed a wide smile.
“Thanks again for the help. I’ve got your number now—next time there’s another job, I’ll call you.”
“Cool, then I’m off. Bye-bye!”
Xianxian knew she’d been too nosy just now. This girl—what, seventeen or eighteen tops?—had a presence more intimidating than some CEOs.
She’d met all kinds of people, but even if it didn’t make sense, her instincts told her loud and clear: this skinny, delicate-looking girl was someone she couldn’t afford to cross.
After Xianxian left, Lin Zhifeng lingered at the mouth of the alley. Sure enough, a few minutes later, she saw Li Amei hurrying across the street toward the hospital—lugging a thermos and a bag of clean clothes.
“Perfect ending, let’s call it a day!” Lin Zhifeng stepped out of the alley and used a public phone at a convenience store to call home.
“It’s me, no need to tap.”
A series of taps came through the receiver—Xie Laidi’s special way of answering calls. Those who knew her would leave a message for her to pass along.
“No one else at home, right? Good. We’re having hot pot tonight. I’ll wait for you at the entrance to the food street.”
There was a gentle tap on the other end, then the line went dead. Lin Zhifeng paid fifty cents and headed toward the food street with light steps.
The food street was developed by Hengrui Group and featured specialties from all over the country. Prices were on the higher side for the county, but it was always packed every day.
Lin Zhifeng stood at the bustling street corner waiting for Xie Laidi. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure in the distance and turned to look—sure enough, it was Bai Ruyue.
Bai Ruyue didn’t notice her and was facing a scowling young girl with a cold expression. Having followed the family drama of the Bai household, Lin Zhifeng knew that was Bai Jiaojiao, the Bai family’s second daughter.
Bai Jiaojiao’s mother, Zhang Qin, was Bai Ruyue’s stepmother, and their relationship was extremely tense. Recently, Bai Ruyue suspected that the car which killed her biological mother was connected to Zhang Qin’s brother.
Zhang Qin was the mistress who moved into the Bai family just a month after Bai Ruyue’s mother died. Less than seven months later, she gave birth to Bai Jiaojiao, when Bai Ruyue was not even two years old.
The Bai family did not favor sons over daughters, but Bai Ruyue’s father was completely under Zhang Qin’s influence and failed to see Bai Ruyue’s grievances.
Just as Lin Zhifeng was about to step over and see if help was needed, a tall and upright young man appeared before the Bai sisters—arriving before her.
A teenage boy dressed in all designer clothes seemed to naturally shine with a light of his own; as he walked through the dimly lit street, the surrounding lights seemed to dim in comparison.
Bai Ruyue was momentarily stunned but quickly looked away, thinking he would pass by on her side, so she stepped aside to let him through.
Bai Jiaojiao was completely mesmerized, her eyes fixed on the boy’s face like a lovestruck fool. If she had been bolder, she might have just jumped up and bitten his face.
Only when the boy spoke did Bai Jiaojiao’s flushed face instantly pale.
“Someone stole your wallet — wearing a black T-shirt and white shorts — ran that way.”
Lin Zhifeng, eavesdropping with her super-sharp hearing, understood immediately: Bai Jiaojiao had lost something and was trying to frame Bai Ruyue.
Though the timing and way this boy appeared were different from before, she was sure this was the male lead, Qin Jiaming.
