Any Closer and I'll Lose Control - Chapter 63

The physical pain paled in comparison to the mental terror. Even the hardest wood could be tamed by a carving knife, so it was only natural for Meng Tang, with her soft skin, to be terrified when the sharp blade grazed her.

Overwhelmed by emotion, she couldn’t even speak, leaving those around her frantic with worry.

“Are you hurt?” Wei Chuan used the light from his phone to scan her from head to toe.

There were no obvious external injuries, but she looked utterly shaken, her face deathly pale, her eyes wide with fear when she met his gaze.

Wei Chuan placed a steadying hand on Meng Tang’s shoulder, offering silent reassurance.

Tian Yu and Shao Yiming exchanged glances, realizing their barbecue plans for the night were ruined. Without hesitation, they unceremoniously used Wang Jue as a makeshift stool.

Wang Jue’s chest tightened with indignation, and he immediately started cursing.

A cold glint flashed in Wei Chuan’s eyes as he turned and snapped, “Shut him up. Take him to the security office to explain the situation. Meng Tang and I will join you shortly.”

The security guards patrolled around the clock, making it the best place to detain Wang Jue for now.

Seeing Wei Chuan’s barely contained fury, Tian Yu and Shao Yiming stopped fooling around and dragged Wang Jue away.

When Wei Chuan turned back, Meng Tang was still crying, soft, hiccuping sobs, but the tears kept falling faster and heavier.

Unable to resist, he reached out and wiped away the teardrop clinging to her chin. “Don’t cry. I’m here now. You’re safe.”

Meng Tang lifted her head, her voice choked with fear and distress. “I can’t help it.”

She looked utterly pitiful, her face drained of color, reminding Wei Chuan of that out-of-control dream.

In the dream, he had thought her pale lips looked unappealing, so he’d shamelessly pressed his own against them, staining them a glossy, flushed red.

His throat tightened with an unbearable itch, and Wei Chuan averted his gaze, instead cupping the back of Meng Tang’s head and guiding her to rest against his shoulder.

“It’s okay…”

He wasn’t sure if he was comforting her or himself.

If Meng Tang had been too paralyzed by fear to call for help, Wei Chuan didn’t dare imagine the alternative.

“You did well.”

Meng Tang’s grip on the knife handle loosened slightly, the gentle reassurance slowly grounding her panic.

After what felt like an eternity, her tears finally subsided, leaving Wei Chuan’s shoulder soaked.

Instinctively, she reached up to rub at the damp spot, only to wet her fingertips further.

Embarrassed, Meng Tang pushed him away, but the sudden movement tugged at the wound on her neck. She winced with a sharp hiss, her hand flying to the spot.

Wei Chuan caught her wrist. “You’re hurt?”

Meng Tang murmured, “The knife touched me.”

Wei Chuan’s lashes flickered. That carving knife was razor-sharp, even a graze wouldn’t be minor.

“Let me see. Lift your head.” He gently cradled the other side of her jaw.

The cold wind had long since numbed her face, and her tears had left her skin icy. But Wei Chuan’s palm was scorching, the only warmth she could feel.

A thin red line marred her fair skin, though thankfully it wasn’t deep. Wei Chuan exhaled in relief. “Just disinfect it. It’ll heal in a few days.”

Meng Tang gave a small nod. “He was nervous when it happened. It didn’t hurt at the time.”

With a knife pressed to her throat, who would even register pain?

Wei Chuan’s gaze dropped, and he took the carving knife from her hand. “Give it to me. It’s dangerous.”

Meng Tang mentioned there was a protective sleeve in her bag.

Wei Chuan opened it, retrieved the sleeve, and said, “We always get scrapes during games, so I keep disinfectant in my bag. Want me to spray some on you?”

Meng Tang nodded, pressing a hand to her collar as she unconsciously tilted her neck forward.

Aside from the vivid red mark, a tiny crimson mole nestled near her collarbone stood out starkly against her skin.

Wei Chuan stared at the small mole, rummaged through his bag for iodine, and said, “It might feel a bit cold and sting a little. Bear with it.”

Meng Tang responded softly with a hum.

With a hiss, the amber-colored liquid sprayed onto the wound. Meng Tang flinched, her shoulders tensing as she loosened her collar.

The pain was bearable, it was just too cold.

She glanced up at Wei Chuan and met his deep, unreadable gaze. For a moment, she was at a loss for words before finally murmuring, “What are you looking at?”

Wei Chuan abruptly lowered his head and put the iodine away.

“I had Tian Yu and Shao Yiming take Wang Jue to the security office. Your advisor will probably be here soon.”

Meng Tang immediately replied, “Then let’s go too.”

Wei Chuan reached out a hand to her. “Let me help you up.”

Meng Tang grabbed his wrist, but her legs suddenly gave way, and she collapsed face-first into his arms.

She tilted her head up. “…Why are my legs so weak?”

Wei Chuan chuckled. “Scared, huh?”

Clutching his clothes awkwardly, she muttered, “Let go of me. I’ll just lean against the tree for a bit.”

Wei Chuan teased, “Want me to carry you?”

“N-no need!” Blushing, Meng Tang thought he was serious and quickly refused.

The lakeside was bitterly cold. A gust of wind swept past, making Meng Tang shiver as she sniffled.

Wei Chuan pulled up her hood. “This’ll block some of the wind.”

Hunched over, Meng Tang rubbed her legs, though the worst pain was actually in her back.

Suddenly, a pair of large hands pressed against her back, making her freeze mid-motion.

Through the thick coat, Wei Chuan held still and asked, “Did he hit you here?”

Meng Tang straightened up, shifting away slightly. “It’s fine. It was through the clothes.”

“Have your roommate check it when you get back,” Wei Chuan said.

Meng Tang gave a vague hum, sensing something off about him.

After two inexplicably silent minutes, Wei Chuan asked, “What did Wang Jue say to you?”

“He probably did it,” Meng Tang answered. “He told me to call the advisor and drop the investigation.”

Wei Chuan frowned. “Don’t walk back to the dorm alone so late next time.”

“The campus is pretty safe,” Meng Tang countered lightly. “I didn’t expect him to dare do something like this here.”

“Zhang Yifan pulled the same thing last time,” Wei Chuan said, displeased with her lack of caution. “The campus is only relatively safe.”

Meng Tang’s phone rang, it was her advisor, summoning her to the security office.

She tested her legs and, after hanging up, abruptly changed the subject. “I think I can walk now.”

After another two minutes of recovery, Meng Tang left the lakeside with Wei Chuan.

The moment they stepped into the security office, her advisor gave her a thorough once-over.

Meng Tang hid the injury on her neck and assured her she was fine.

Just as the advisor sighed in relief, a booming voice erupted from the doorway:

“You little brats! I barely had time to sit my ass down at home before another call dragged me back here!”

The advisor wrinkled her nose in distaste, this man’s language was far too crude.

Still, she forced a polite smile. “Coach He, these three saved my student tonight. That should count as making up for their mistakes, right?”

Coach He turned and scrutinized Meng Tang. “You again?”

Meng Tang gave an awkward laugh. She was definitely getting blacklisted by him.

The advisor gestured at Wei Chuan and the others. “I’ll take my student. You handle yours.”

Tian Yu, terrified of Coach He’s wrath, forced a laugh. “Uh… maybe we can all just walk back to the dorms together?”

Coach He gave a forced smile: “Go run two laps around the field. After curfew, I’ll personally escort you back to your dorm.”

Tian Yu wailed: “Coach…”

“Calling me dad won’t help either. Saving someone is one thing, but what you were planning to do before that, you know exactly what I mean.”

“Coach…”

“Make it four laps.”

Wei Chuan immediately stopped Tian Yu: “If you don’t want it doubled, shut up now.”

Wei Chuan didn’t mind running. For once, he complied with the coach and followed him out of the security office, lowering his head to send Xie Lingyin a text message.