Chapter 60

Tao Yi Xi and Xia Yan hastily made their way to the neighboring city.

On their way, Tao Yi Xi learned that Xia Yan had received a sudden call from Gu Mu Yang, who was on a business trip, instructing her to go to the police station to check out the situation first.

It was late at night, there were only a few police officers left manning the police station. However, there were many people crowded in the corner of the holding cell. Some were suspects in handcuffs, there were also intoxicated individuals reeking of alcohol, and flamboyantly dyed troublemakers with bruised faces. Amongst them, Gu Jing Yuan, wearing a school uniform, appeared particularly out of place.

Tao Yi Xi spotted him at a glance.

One side of his face was red, with a hint of purple around the corners of his eyes, the corner of his mouth was scabbed and bleeding as well. His school uniform jacket was stained with dust and dirty, the inner shirt was ripped, exposing his collar, and a glint of silver flashed around his neck.

He sat quietly at one side, while at the other corner, six people huddled together, glancing warily at him like he was a ferocious beast. They tried to keep as much distance between him and themselves as feasible possible, behaving obediently and not daring to make a sound. The injuries on their faces were more severe than Gu Jing Yuan’s, and their clothes were stained with dirt and blood.

Gu Jing Yuan appeared expressionless, looking both cold and aloof. His brows were furrowed, seeming to be lost in his thoughts. 

Suddenly, as if sensing something, he raised his head. When he first spotted her, he was momentarily stunned, and then a slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. However, that action tugged at his wound, causing him to wince in pain.

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Dky Zyd oyp nwaaldvzu ekpnwppkdt okvb vbl rszknl, “R yx Qw Kkdt Zwyd’p… qyxkzu xlxcla. Tkp qyvbla kp sd bkp oyu. Uyd usw zlv wp obyv byrrldle?”

“Zswa nbkze tsv kdvs y qktbv okvb psxl rlsrzl yde lhld casjl sdl sq vbl rlapsd’p akcp. Mbl hknvkx byp yzalyeu clld pldv vs vbl bsprkvyz.”

“Ebyv? G casjld akc?!” Dky Zyd pbakljle kd pbsnj, nywpkdt vbl rszknlxyd vs qasod.

Wynkdt vbl pvlad lmralppksd sq vbl rszknl sqqknla, Dky Zyd qlzv lmvalxlzu lxcyaaypple yde pbl tayccle sdvs Mys Zk Dk’p byde qsa pwrrsav.

Tszekdt y rszknl zstcssj, vbl rszknl sqqknla tlpvwale vs Dky Zyd, “Vzlypl nsxl okvb xl; R’zz awd vbaswtb okvb usw obyv uswa nbkze byp esdl.”

“Vzlypl oykv, oykv y xsxldv.”

Policeman, “?”

“I wish to wait for my husband’s arrival first.”

“…Okay.”

Soon, Gu Mu Yang, who was originally on a business trip, arrived at the police station. His secretary followed behind, making a phone call. 

Gu Mu Yang’s expression was stern. Upon entering, he first glanced to spot where Gu Jing Yuan was located before tightly pursing his thin lips, clearly trying to suppress his immense ire.

“Mu Yang, you’re here!” Xia Yan immediately let go of Tao Yi Xi’s hand and fluttered to his side. 

Gu Mu Yang patted her hand in comfort before turning to the police officer.

“Hello, I am Gu Mu Yang, Gu Jing Yuan’s father.”

“Good evening.”

The police officer briefly described the situation that occurred at that time. Undercover officers dressed as civilians were investigating a bar nearby when they encountered Gu Jing Yuan pummelling a person on the ground. By the time they managed to subdue Gu Jing Yuan, the person he assaulted had already lost consciousness, and six other people were lying around. Each of them was holding their stomachs, howling in pain, a scene too gruesome to bear. Upon seeing the arriving officers, they cried out for help.

These delinquent youths frequented the police station so many times that the policemen knew who they were. However, this was the first time the police officers had seen them in such dire straits.

When having their statements recorded, the six conscious individuals trembled as they recounted what they had witnessed.

They told the officers from what they understood, that guy went straight for their leader upon spotting him and barely a few words were exchanged before they started fighting. By the time they were near enough to assist their leader, the leader, who was still conscious at that time, kept repeating, “I don’t dare to do it again.”

Later on, they all took him on at once. Yet, the guy was not willing to release their leader so he took a few punches. When the guy turned around to deal with them, although they did not want to recall it, they were indeed all beaten down like weaklings.

Their leader tried to slip away, but the guy grabbed and forcibly pulled him back for another round of bashing.

His eyes were fierce, each punch heavier than the last, the sound of fists hitting flesh and cracking bones reverberating. Beaten to the ground, they could only listen on in trepidation as goosebumps breakout on their skins, as they feared that they might be next.

They were just a bunch of small-time hooligans, not accustomed to such ruthless violence as though the other party did not care about life and death. Even they, who usually ran at the sight of the police, felt as if they had seen their savior.

When the police officer questioned Gu Jing Yuan about the reason for the fight, he remained silent while the other party, who was privy to the reason, was currently still lying unconscious in the emergency room.

They had no choice but to quickly notify the involved parties’ parents.

Yet, Gu Jing Yuan was unwilling to disclose even his guardian’s contact information and the police’s threats of detention were ineffective as well. Hence, they had to resort to accessing internal systems to dig out Gu Jing Yuan’s household registration information, only then were they able to notify Gu Mu Yang.

After understanding the situation, Gu Mu Yang nodded.

“It seems like a small scuffle amongst children. I’ll contact the other parties’ parents to settle this matter privately.”

Policeman, “?” What kind of scuffle would result in the other party sustaining a broken rib?

Just as the police were about to speak, Gu Mu Yang’s secretary handed him a phone.

The secretary informed, “Sir, this call is for you.”

The police officer took the phone with a puzzled expression. Upon hearing the voice on the other end, his expression became subtly complex.

**

Under the gaze of the six detained people, Gu Jing Yuan was the first to leave the police station.

On the way back, the atmosphere in the car was silent and tense. Xia Yan stole glances at the father and son duo, as they both sat quietly, each seemingly trying to outdo the other in silence. She sat upright, not daring to make a sound, deliberately softening her breathing as well.

Tao Yi Xi sat in the back, staring at the back of his head, lost in her thoughts.

Upon reaching home, where there was no one else around, Gu Mu Yang immediately directed a slap onto Gu Jing Yuan’s cheeks. The crisp sound echoed like thunder in the empty villa.

Xia Yan covered her mouth to prevent herself from screaming.

Gu Jing Yuan’s head whipped to the side, and a red, swollen handprint quickly bloomed on his cheek. It even overshadowed the other injuries that littered his face and the scab at the corner of his mouth was torn open.

Gu Mu Yang berated loudly, “Gu Jing Yuan! Aren’t you just lawless now! You’ve even picked fights out of town to the point of landing yourself in a neighboring city police station!”

Gu Jing Yuan turned his head back, his dark eyes staring at Gu Mu Yang, showing no sign of humiliation from being slapped. He reached out and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his finger.

Gu Mu Yang clenched his fists. “Speak! What made you pick a fight with those people?!”

“I just didn’t like them.”

“People from thousands of miles away managed to offend you? Why did you go to the neighboring city?” Gu Mu Yang keenly caught onto this point.

“Tired of studying, can’t I go for a stroll?” Gu Jing Yuan uttered a ridiculous reason with a serious expression, infuriating Gu Mu Yang to the point of asking Xia Yan to bring over the family discipline rod.

Tao Yi Xi stood on the side, furrowing her brows as she watched Xia Yan obediently do as he instructed. She could not stop herself as she followed Xia Yan, hoping to stop her.

“What are you doing?”

“Mom, don’t do this… don’t get involved.”

“Xiao Xi, don’t make trouble. This is your Uncle Gu’s instructions.” Xia Yan always obeyed her husband.

“Uncle Gu is currently blinded by rage, if Gu Jing Yuan gets hurt from this, you’ll be the one who handed him the knife.” Tao Yi Xi stated bluntly.

Xia Yan felt a bit scared by her words, causing her to hesitate. Yet, the moment Gu Mu Yang shouted her name from downstairs, it startled her and brought her back to her senses. Xia Yan pushed Tao Yi Xi away and hurried down.

Tao Yi Xi helplessly closed her eyes.

The stick was thick and heavy, strikes followed one after another, creating a blunt smack that made people cringe. Yet, Gu Jing Yuan did not make a sound.

One after another, the hits entered Tao Yi Xi’s ears, knocking on her heart.

She turned around and ran towards Nanny Yang’s room, knocking rapidly on her door.

“Sir, please stop! Young Master is about to faint!” Nanny Yang wailed, finally bringing Gu Mu Yang’s actions to a halt.

Gu Jing Yuan’s lips bled from the force he used to bite them shut and his face was pale. The veins on his forehead bulged as he endured the pain and his short hair stuck to his face. Perspiration dotted his face as it flowed down his face, soaking even the outer layer of his coat. He gritted his teeth but did not collapse.

“Jing Yuan, quickly apologize to Master,” Nanny Yang pleaded heartbrokenly.

Gu Jing Yuan’s breaths were weak and shallow, visibly frail. One more hit and he would probably be the next one to be rushed into the emergency room.

Even so, Gu Jing Yuan did not speak a word in his defense.

Gu Mu Yang clenched the rod in his hand. In rage and heartache, he coldly threatened, “Get lost! Next time you enter the police station, no one will bail you out!”

Gu Mu Yang, full of anger, turned and left. Xia Yan ran to catch up with him.

Nanny Yang quickly dialed for the family doctor to come and check on Gu Jing Yuan’s condition.

Tao Yi Xi came to his side and lowered her gaze at his bend-over figure, her heart clenched tightly.

“What are you still doing here?” Even if Tao Yi Xi was the one who called for her to save Gu Jing Yuan, Nanny Yang still did not have a good attitude when facing her.

Tao Yi Xi brought his arm over her shoulder, “Let’s bring Ge-ge to his room first.”

Gu Jing Yuan was large in stature, and Nanny Yang, a middle-aged woman, could not lift him on her own. She had no reason to refute Tao Yi Xi.

With Tao Yi Xi and Nanny Yang on each of his side, Gu Jing Yuan caught a whiff of the fragrance from her hair, causing him to unconsciously lean towards her side.

His warm breath brushed against her hair, slightly ticklish, but she did not push him away.

The doctor arrived soon after and Nanny Yang went downstairs to fetch him, leaving only the two of them in the room.

He finally relaxed, closing his eyes weakly.

Tao Yi Xi noticed that the buttons of his collar were torn off, revealing the silver chained necklace underneath. It was the one he bought last time. As that was an area that was usually hidden under a buttoned-up shirt, she could not tell when he started wearing it.

She bent down and gently touched the small key hanging on the chain.

His large hand suddenly enveloped hers, bringing it to his chest.

Tao Yi Xi looked up, gazing into his bright and black eyes. They were filled with his intense sincerity, completely infatuated with her.

“In the future, they won’t dare to slander you again.” He spoke intermittently, with a breathy tone, but his words were firm.

As if a small hammer had found a weak spot in her hardened shell, it managed to crack it open, allowing her deeply concealed emotions to suddenly leak out.

Tao Yi Xi clenched his clothes, finding it difficult to control herself.

Hurried footsteps resonated from outside, getting closer by the second.

Gu Jing Yuan tactfully released his grip, and Tao Yi Xi stared profoundly at him before rising to give the doctor space.

The doctor pushed aside Gu Ying Yuan’s clothes, revealing bruises that were both green and blue, a sight that tugged at her heartstrings. Fortunately, there were no broken or fractured bones.

Nanny Yang exclaimed in horror, and Tao Yi Xi stood on the side with a worried expression.

After the doctor treated his wounds, Nanny Yang finally sighed in relief. Catching sight of Tao Yi Xi still standing around, she frowned in dissatisfaction, “Why are you still here?”

“I wanted to check on his condition so that I can help him apply for school leave later.”

“Have you seen enough? You can leave now, Jing Yuan needs his rest.” Nanny Yang stated unyieldingly.

Under Nanny Yang’s burning gaze, Tao Yi Xi could only leave.

Gu Jing Yuan watched reluctantly at her departing figure. She had finally softened slightly but now she was gone.

Lying on the bed, he told Nanny Yang weakly, “I want to sleep for a while.”

“Okay, okay, Nanny Yang will brew some bone broth for you later.”

“En, thanks Nanny Yang.”

Once there was no one else in the room, Gu Jing Yuan, despite the pain all over his body, got up and reached for his phone in the coat that was lying on the floor.

His phone was confiscated the moment he was brought into the police station, so he only managed to see her messages now.

9:30​​ P.M.: [Are you back?]

10.00 P.M.: [Where did you go?]

10.26 P.M.: [If you’re not coming back, I’m going to sleep.]

There were not many messages, but he could feel her concern through them.

Gu Jing Yuan, whose heart was filled with honey, cheerfully replied to her message.

[Nanny Yang has left. Are you still coming over?]​​

[No, you should get a good rest today.]

Clash. His happiness vanished.

Was it just his imagination? But just now he clearly felt her reluctance to leave too.

Could he have been knocked senseless?

Gu Jing Yuan lay weakly on his bed, thinking about her before slowly succumbing to sleep.

**

After darting back and forth, and finally returning home, the eastern dawn tinted the white clouds red, and sunlight illuminated the person by the window.

Tao Yi Xi put down her phone.

After a long pause, she reached out to open one of the bedside drawers. It revealed a neatly arranged notebook that hid a packaged box. It was the anklet that corresponded to his key necklace.

The delicate silver jewelry reflected the light, shining in her eyes.