When they returned from the hospital that afternoon, the atmosphere was heavy.
Both Chi Mingzhou and Gu Ziheng bore visible signs of a scuffle; Chi Mingzhou’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, and Gu Ziheng’s expression was equally cold. Chi Chen, who had returned with the food, looked back and forth between them, not daring to get close to either. He kept glancing meaningfully at Feng Mian, hoping that Feng Mian—who had been in the ward the whole time—would tell him what happened. However, Feng Mian pretended not to notice his signals, which made Chi Chen’s teeth itch with irritation. He was angry that Feng Mian was taking advantage of the presence of others to play dumb, knowing Chi Chen wouldn’t dare do anything to him right then.
As soon as Feng Mian’s IV fluids were finished, they all left the hospital. Gu Ziheng and Chi Mingzhou each drove their own cars, leaving only Feng Mian and Chi Chen together.
Once they were in the car, Chi Chen’s demeanor changed instantly. He reached out, grabbed Feng Mian’s shoulder, and stared at him with ill intent, asking darkly, “Did those two fight?”
Feng Mian’s lips moved as he deliberated before answering, “I don’t know.”
Feng Mian’s response made Chi Chen frown in dissatisfaction. Thinking Feng Mian was brushing him off, Chi Chen immediately grabbed Feng Mian’s jaw and squeezed hard, applying quite a bit of force. “You were in the ward the whole time; how could you not know? Don’t think that just because you know Ziheng, I’ll be nice to you. If you dare to tell Ziheng what I did to you, you’ll see if I don’t peel a layer of skin off you!”
Feng Mian was isolated and weak within the Chi household; offending Chi Chen would naturally have dire consequences. Feng Mian understood this well, so no matter how rudely Chi Chen treated him, he dared not offer the slightest resistance.
Feeling the pain from the grip, Feng Mian couldn’t help but frown and said with some difficulty, “I really don’t know.”
Feng Mian’s eyes turned red, and he wore a look of aggrieved vulnerability, as if every word he said were true. Chi Chen stared at him for a while, then half-doubting, he released his hand and leaned against the window, deep in thought.
It was possible that what Feng Mian said was true. How could his uncle and Ziheng make a scene in front of an insignificant person? They must have started the fight after leaving the ward.
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
Feng Mian shot him a cautious glance, and seeing that he believed it, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
If Chi Chen were to discover his past, or suspect the true nature of his relationship with Chi Mingzhou, his death would truly be imminent.
A shared man between an uncle and his nephew—such a scandal was something not even Chi Chen could stomach, let alone the entire Chi family. Since they couldn’t harm their own kin, they would only erase this insignificant person. Chi Mingzhou wouldn’t care if he lived or died, and Chi Chen merely wanted to use him as a bed companion; nothing more.
The slightest ripple could cost him his life.
Thinking this, Feng Mian suddenly felt a lingering ache from the mottled marks on his chest.
He turned a shade paler and instinctively gripped the lapels of his coat.
The car interior was cramped, and Chi Chen caught his every move. Seeing him pull his coat tight, Chi Chen frowned, “It’s boiling hot out; why are you wrapped up so tightly?”
Outside, it was like a furnace, yet Feng Mian kept his coat buttoned to the top.
Feng Mian kept his head down and whispered, “I’m cold.”
The shirt underneath was ruined, the buttons torn off, and the marks on his chest were clearly visible. He had no choice but to hold his coat closed.
Chi Chen didn’t think too deeply about it, assuming he was just experiencing chills after his high fever.
He commanded, “When we are in front of Ziheng, just say that the marriage alliance is with Chi Yu.”
He refused to believe he was supposed to end up with Feng Mian; he only had eyes for Gu Ziheng. It was clear that the entire Chi family had supported this, so why had things suddenly changed?
Feng Mian nodded compliantly, agreeing to whatever Chi Chen said as if he were easy to dismiss.
Chi Chen added, “After we get back, move out of that dilapidated storage room. I’ll have someone arrange a good room for you. Don’t you dare slip up in front of Ziheng.”
Feng Mian turned to look at him, his brow furrowed slightly.
When they first met, he had thought Chi Chen was mature and steady. But after spending these past few days together, he felt that Chi Chen was more like a spoiled child—vicious and immature.
Chi Chen didn’t get an answer from Feng Mian. When he turned his head and saw Feng Mian’s strange expression, his pride was wounded. He raised his voice to assert his authority, “Did you hear me?”
Feng Mian snapped back to reality and hurriedly nodded in submission, “I heard you.”
Chi Chen let out an “hmph” and retracted his gaze, satisfied. For the first time, he spoke to Feng Mian with a hint of casualness, “You’re actually quite impressive—you were a top scorer in the college entrance exam. You really can’t judge a book by its cover.”
Feng Mian didn’t respond to the praise, which was unclear whether it was a backhanded insult or a genuine compliment.
Chi Chen looked him over, surprised. “You started school early. I looked you up after we got back—we’re the same age, yet you’re two years ahead of me.”
Feng Mian nodded distractedly, “Children from poor families start school early.”
His real age was actually two years older than Chi Chen’s…
Chi Chen found the back-and-forth conversation increasingly boring, and after a few more words, he ignored Feng Mian entirely. Conveniently, the car arrived outside the Chi residence.
The passengers from the three cars got out one by one. The butler and a young man were waiting there.
The young man was dressed in a loose white T-shirt and khaki shorts, exuding a youthful energy. He wore a harmless, baby-faced expression with a light smile, and when he smiled, he had two dimples that made him look very cute. The two canine teeth peeking from the corners of his mouth added a hint of mischief to his face.
After stepping out of the car, Chi Chen waved at the young man, “Chi Yu.”
Chi Yu smiled, his eyes curving into crescents, “Cousin.”
Chi Yu’s parents were away, and since he was attending university in Ningcheng, he lived at the Chi residence. Chi Yu was sweet-talking and eloquent; having lived there for two years, everyone from top to bottom in the Chi family loved this cousin.
Chi Chen walked over to Chi Yu and asked in a serious, low voice, “A-Yu, do you know anything about the Chi family agreeing to a marriage alliance with the Feng family?”
At these words, Chi Yu was stunned, “I haven’t heard of it.”
Watching them whispering together, Feng Mian quietly looked away. He didn’t need to guess to know that their conversation was surely about him.
Gu Ziheng got out of the car and came to Feng Mian’s side. Seeing he looked unsettled, he comforted him in a low voice, “Don’t be afraid. Since I’m staying here, I won’t let anyone bully you.”
Feng Mian slowly looked up at him, a stinging ache in his heart. His lips moved, and he whispered, “Ziheng…”
He wanted to say more but held back, eventually swallowing his words.
The butler offered a smile to Gu Ziheng and said respectfully, “Mr. Gu, please follow me, and I will show you to your guest room.”
Gu Ziheng nodded and reached out to guide Feng Mian inside. However, just as his hand touched Feng Mian, another hand suddenly yanked his arm down.
He slanted his eyes to see Chi Mingzhou standing to the side.
Chi Mingzhou stared at him, curling the corners of his mouth in a mirthless smile. “Mr. Gu, it is enough for you to find your own guest room. As for Feng Mian’s…” He paused, his eyes gleaming with something ambiguous, as he reached out and placed his hand on Feng Mian’s shoulder without the slightest hesitation.
“I’ll arrange Feng Mian’s room myself.”