Chi Yuan’s presence was overbearing. The driver attempted to read Lu Huai’s expression, but with Chi Yuan blocking the view and fixing him with a cold, piercing gaze, the driver could only tremble and pull over to the side of the road as demanded.
Lu Huai, now swaddled in a thin blanket, kept his head lowered. It was clear he did not want to meet Chi Yuan’s eyes. His profile appeared lean and sharp, hidden beneath the white velvet, which softened the coldness of his features.
Chi Yuan looked down at this scene, his lips curling slightly. He felt, inexplicably, that Lu Huai was particularly easy to bully. His heart softened, but he still issued a cold warning: “Do not act rashly.”
Lu Huai raised his lashes, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. He gave Chi Yuan a calm glance, largely understanding what the other intended to do.
Chi Yuan gave instructions to the driver and then walked straight to the driver’s seat. Now, the interior of the car was truly occupied only by the two of them.
Lu Huai was profoundly exhausted. The confrontation with Chi Yuan had drained his energy, and seeing that the situation was settled, he simply turned his head, leaned against the soft pillow at the back of his neck, and closed his eyes to rest.
Chi Yuan watched him, deliberately slowing the car’s speed and switching the music to something soothing. He felt a bit more relaxed seeing Lu Huai cooperate, but if he were to let Lu Huai skip the meeting, he felt Lu Huai would likely spend the entire afternoon lecturing him on principles and boundaries with a cold face.
Chi Yuan thought of that scene, chuckled, raised his eyebrows, and decided to take a middle path.
.
Although the destination was B City, it was actually just at the border of A City; the drive took only two hours.
After parking the car, Chi Yuan turned back to help Lu Huai, only to see him step out on his own. The blanket he had draped over him was tossed aside. If not for Lu Huai’s pale complexion, his impeccably tailored suit would have made him look ready for a three-hour commercial negotiation without a break.
Watching Chi Yuan awkwardly withdraw his hand, Lu Huai suppressed the emotions in his eyes and tightened his lips. “Does Mr. Chi usually play this diligently whenever he is just playing around?”
His words were laced with thorns.
Lu Huai walked ahead without waiting for Chi Yuan’s reaction, as if holding back a breath. Chi Yuan could not figure out what he had done to provoke the man, even if he had been too forceful earlier; this was the first time he had seen Lu Huai’s emotions fluctuate so violently. Lu Huai usually did not bother to argue with him, so Chi Yuan followed close behind, concerned about his poor health.
However, when he saw Lu Huai walk straight toward the pharmacy on the side, his brows furrowed deeply.
“Is taking medicine like this useful?” Chi Yuan asked, suppressing his anger as he grabbed Lu Huai’s arm. “Since we are already here, do you not think seeing a doctor would be more efficient?”
Lu Huai could not be bothered to argue. He did not mind his arm being held and pointed his chin at the counter, saying politely to the clerk, “May I have a box of compound dextromethorphan, please? Thank you.”
Chi Yuan’s expression darkened completely. He finally understood why Lu Huai’s health was in such a state; the man relied entirely on his own experience to treat himself. Come to think of it, did Lu Huai not have a close relationship with Ling Zhi? How had his doctor friend not persuaded him out of this stubborn refusal to seek medical help?
Before he could say a word, Lu Huai’s indifferent gaze flickered over. He held the medicine box, tapped his fingers against the casing, and spoke in a cold voice.
“Others would not make such a fuss as you do.”
Chi Yuan laughed out of sheer anger. He pressed his tongue against his teeth and let out a helpless chuckle. “Indeed, I am just meddling.”
He had truly lost his mind to waste two hours here just to be on the receiving end of Lu Huai’s spite.
But he stopped after only a few steps. The image of Lu Huai’s drained, bloodless face flashed before his eyes. Chi Yuan clenched his fists and cursed internally. It is not as if I am the one suffering, why do I care so much? But thinking about it, it was inextricably linked to him.
Furthermore, he knew Lu Huai was thin-skinned. Acting like that in front of the driver had shown little regard for the man’s feelings. With a long breath, Chi Yuan blocked Lu Huai’s path.
Lu Huai only saw the man who had been furious moments ago turn back with a look of repressed frustration. He did not slow his pace, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. “If you feel you are wasting your time, you may go back yourself. I will not stop you.”
“Can you talk properly?” Chi Yuan lowered his lashes in impatience and explained carefully, “If you trust me, go register now. Follow the doctor’s orders, and I will take care of everything else.”
Seeing Lu Huai about to speak, Chi Yuan paused and continued, “If you do not trust me, I will keep the meeting minutes for you, or you can call your assistant to supervise me.”
Chi Yuan sighed, thinking that given their years of conflicting temperaments, the chance of Lu Huai agreeing was slim. He softened his tone slightly. “Lu Huai, every time I see you, you are miserable. Now is not the time to be angry with me.”
“Fine.”
Lu Huai stared at Chi Yuan, who was racking his brains to lower the aggression in his tone. Finally, a hint of a smile touched his eyes, and he nodded slightly. “Alright.”
“Somehow, this was unexpected.” Chi Yuan looked up at Lu Huai’s expression, but the man lowered his eyes to avoid his gaze, his voice cold. “There is half an hour left. Are you sure you want to stand here staring?”
“I am in no rush.” Having received the man’s approval, Chi Yuan felt inexplicably better. “I will accompany you for a while.”
.
Lu Huai was pressed into a waiting chair. Seeing Chi Yuan, who was usually pampered, running around busy until he was hooked up to an IV, he finally felt a sense of calm. He wondered if this would keep the man from disappearing again. He added with some concern, “I will come after I finish handling things over there. You wait for me.”
“Chi Yuan…” Lu Huai muttered, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. “I am not Fang Qiming.”
You do not need to treat me like a fragile vase. In those years of secret, bitter longing, I faced similar situations all on my own.
The sudden mention of that third person’s name left Chi Yuan stunned. He looked at Lu Huai, wanting to explain but finding no place to start. With only fifteen minutes left, he could not afford further delay. He pressed his lips together and left.
“I am going now.”
Lu Huai did not look up again.
.
“Sir? Sir?” The nurse noticed a small bulge under the skin on Lu Huai’s hand, the needle tip leaking blood back into the tube. She called out to him several times.
Lu Huai finally snapped out of it, focusing his vision. “I am sorry, what did you just say?”
The nurse, momentarily captivated by Lu Huai’s peach-blossom eyes, took a few seconds to answer. “Oh, did you not feel the pain? My goodness, you need to have this needle removed immediately and apply a warm compress.” She looked at Lu Huai’s pale skin, where the leaking fluid had created a clear swelling. She winced at the sight and asked while working, “Was your boyfriend not here just now? Why was he not keeping an eye on you?”
Lu Huai watched the nurse remove the needle and flexed his wrist indifferently, though he was stunned by the word “boyfriend.” He dismissed it calmly: “He is not my boyfriend.”
“Oh?” The nurse did not know what to say, looking slightly embarrassed. “But I saw him being very concerned about you.”
Since it was a matter between him and Chi Yuan, Lu Huai did not intend to explain. He skipped the topic with a faint smile and thanked her. “Thank you.”
Whether the man cared or not, and what it was he cared about, it was enough for him to know.
.
Chi Yuan walked quickly downstairs. When he reached the pharmacy where he had been bickering with Lu Huai, his footsteps faltered.
He recalled Lu Huai’s words, “Whose fault is that?” and rubbed his nose sheepishly.
He entered the pharmacy and, under the clerk’s knowing gaze, took an ointment.
He was mostly worried that Lu Huai might be careless and get sick again.
When he drove to the destination and saw Lu Huai’s assistant waiting, he realized they must have been notified in advance, as the man showed no surprise at his arrival.
The assistant looked at Chi Yuan, feeling as if the world were a bit surreal. He had only recently heard that Chi Yuan had been in a foul mood for three days at the Chi Group because of the trouble Lu Huai had caused him on this project. Why was Chi Yuan here to take over now? Where was Lu Huai? Where was his boss?
However, under Chi Yuan’s sharp gaze, he could only remain silent and follow orders. Is the boss truly not afraid of Chi Yuan sabotaging the project?
Chi Yuan had never met the manager here, let alone substituted for Lu Huai. He took the file the assistant handed over and asked in a low voice, “Did your boss say anything else?”
The assistant dared not dally and answered stiffly, “Lu Huai said he trusts your ability and that you are fully capable of doing everything yourself.”
It was Lu Huai’s own words. Even though they were relayed by someone else, one could easily sense the gunpowder behind them. Chi Yuan lowered his eyes and chuckled. “Why is he so vengeful?”
However, this could hardly be considered a deliberate trap.
Chi Yuan skimmed through the key points marked by the assistant at incredible speed. His footsteps halted just before the door. He quickly adjusted his clothes and restored his usual professional expression before slowly pushing it open.
The staff had already taken their seats, but the central chair was empty, clearly waiting for Lu Huai.
Chi Yuan calmly accepted the gaze of a dozen people and smiled lightly. “I am here to give you Lu Huai’s regards.”
Whispers broke out below. They did not understand what Lu Huai was thinking. Even if he sent a representative, why pick someone from the Chi Group?
Chi Yuan ignored the assistant’s hesitation. He walked toward the head seat as if he had not heard the voices, his smile filled with the authority of a superior as he spoke decisively: “I expect you all to cooperate fully.”