Сhаpter 22: Dоn’t Ве Аfrаid, I’m Here
Тhе pierсing words slitherеd intо Хu Jinhuаn’s еаrs like vеnоmоus snаkes, gnawing аt her eardrums until the раin madе it hаrd tо brеаthe.
Stор tаlking!
What would Мr. Wеn think of hеr if he found out…
Аt that mоment, Xu Jinhuan wishеd her оther еаr were dеaf as well.
Shе frаntiсаlly cоvеrеd hеr ears with bоth hands аnd screаmed uncоntrollablу, “I didn’t! Shut up!”
Zhang Yonggаng snееred, his vоiсe coаrse аnd grаting. “I won’t shut up! Fаng Niandi, yоu werе sоld tо me, уou eаt my foоd аnd usе my things, and you don’t even know hоw mаny times—”
Befоrе he could finish, Qiаn Du, whо had been silently watching the scene, stepped on Zhang Yonggang’s wound, applying pressure with a hidden force.
Zhang Yonggang let out a pained howl, convulsed, rolled his eyes, and soon passed out.
The shop fell completely silent.
Xu Jinhuan didn’t dare to look up at Wen Yu’s expression. Her voice trembled with despair, broken beyond recognition.
“No… I’m not, I really didn’t…”
Wen Yu gently patted the girl’s thin back, comforting her softly. “I know you didn’t. Don’t be afraid, Huanhuan. Don’t listen to any of this.”
“With me here, there’s nothing to fear.”
He took off his jacket and wrapped it around the girl, then scooped her up, cradling her in his arms.
“Take care of this.”
Wen Yu carried Xu Jinhuan to the door, paused, and added calmly, “I don’t want to see him again.”
Though his words were soft, they sent a chill down the spine.
Qian Du replied, “Understood.”
As the chief special assistant of the Wen Group and the head of the president’s office, Qian Du lived up to his name.
As long as the price was right, he could accomplish anything.
However, he was a law-abiding citizen and naturally wouldn’t commit crimes. But in some matters, special methods could still be employed.
This scum had undoubtedly crossed a line with President Wen and would undoubtedly face legal consequences, ending up behind bars.
If something were to happen inside—an unexpected death, with no trace left—who could say for sure?
It would simply be his bad luck.
Qian Du glanced at the unpleasant lump on the floor, casually kicked it aside with his foot, then picked up his phone and dialed the police.
“Yes, please send someone over as soon as possible.”
After hanging up, Qian Du opened WeChat. “Old Zhang, I’ll send you a location. Bring a few people over to clean up.”
Just then, his phone chimed.
[President Wen: There’s a cat in the shop.]
[Understood, don’t worry.]
Sigh, this assistant job really wasn’t for humans.
…
B City First People’s Hospital.
Outside the ward, a doctor in a white coat was reporting the patient’s condition to Wen Yu.
“President Wen, Miss Xu’s condition is not optimistic… She suffered a severe blow to the head and may be at risk of a concussion. She’ll need continuous observation after she wakes up.”
“Also…” The doctor paused, as if carefully choosing his words. “Miss Xu has large bruises on her chest, abdomen, and private areas, likely caused by forceful kicking…”
As the doctor spoke, Wen Yu’s expression grew increasingly somber.
He had always demanded certainty in everything he did, but at that moment, Wen Yu hated his own hesitation.
If he had confessed earlier and protected the girl properly, none of this would have happened.
To hell with taking things slowly.
Dr. Li, observing Wen Yu’s expression, hesitated slightly.
“President Wen, there’s one more thing I think it’s necessary to tell you.”
Wen Yu said, “Go ahead.”Dr. Li sighed softly, “The examination revealed that Miss Xu has many scars of varying ages on her arms and limbs. The deepest one is on her wrist, cleverly concealed by the watch strap she wears.”
“Based on my experience, such scars are often the result of self-harm. Therefore, I suggest you pay attention to Miss Xu’s mental state. It cannot be ruled out that she may have… depression.”
Depression…
Wen Yu almost thought he had misheard.
These three words struck his heart like a heavy hammer, leaving him momentarily breathless.
He remembered their first meeting—the girl’s eyes sparkling, her cheeks dimpling slightly.
“Thank you! I was just trying to pick up my keys. I wasn’t planning to take my own life.”
That smile, captured in Wen Yu’s gaze, stirred his heart, which had lain dormant for thirty-two years.
Every time he saw her afterward, she always wore a bright, sunny smile, like a little sun that never dimmed, as if there were no shadows in her world.
Wen Yu couldn’t imagine that the little sun he thought was resilient and strong was actually rooted in rotting mud, bound hand and foot, unable to escape, trapped in “depression.”
But deep down, he knew the doctor’s diagnosis was likely correct.
Wen Yu’s voice grew hoarse, “I understand.”
His fingers unconsciously tightened, and the thick stack of medical reports now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, weighing heavily on his heart.
He leaned against the wall and remained silent for a long time.
The sounds around him faded into the distance, leaving only the turbulent emotions within.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Wen, come over here.” Lin Wei’s voice sounded unusually serious.
While Xu Jinhuan was unconscious, the hospital had expedited the treatment of her external injuries and arranged a series of examinations, including tests for her ears.
Now, with Lin Wei calling in such a tone, it was hard for Wen Yu not to worry.
He closed his eyes briefly. “Alright.”
…
So cold, so tired…
In a daze, Xu Jinhuan felt as though she had returned to that rainy night.
Her older sister’s resolute words echoed in her ears.
“Once you leave, never come back! There is no Fang Niandi in this world anymore. You must live well, live well for us… live well!”
The young Xu Jinhuan grabbed Fang Zhaodi’s cold, trembling hand, her voice shaking as she pleaded through tears.
“Big sister, come with me! If you go back like this, you’ll be beaten to death!”
Fang Zhaodi gently touched her abdomen, her eyes filled with endless sorrow.
She forced a bitter smile. “My life is already set…”
“Third sister is gone, second sister was sold off to who knows where, and now there’s only you left. Little one, you must live well. You’ve always been pretty and smart since you were young. You absolutely cannot let yourself be buried here.”
“Big sister! But you really will—”
Before Xu Jinhuan could say more, Fang Zhaodi pushed her away abruptly, causing her to stumble forward uncontrollably.
Her face was cold and stern. “Go! Go as far away as you can. Go to City B, forget everything here, and never, ever come back!”
Wiping her tears, Xu Jinhuan stumbled forward, tears and rain mingling together, blurring her vision.
She knew that this farewell might be forever.
But Xu Jinhuan did not look back, not even once.
Mom, sisters, I can make delicious little cakes now, I have an adorable little cat, and I can live well on my own. Don’t worry about me.
But why… why do I still feel so tired, so cold…
“Huanhuan?”Who is speaking…
This voice is so warm, so gentle, Xu Jinhuan desperately wants to move closer to it.
That voice sounds again, carrying a heartbreakingly tender comfort.
“Huanhuan, don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
Immediately after, she feels a gentle touch on her forehead, as if a hand has been placed there.
Xu Jinhuan’s heart suddenly trembles—it’s… Mr. Wen.
It’s him.