The Honest Man Was Targeted by His Ex-Boyfriend's Alpha Brother - Chapter 12

Initially, Hua Yunlian did not notice anything unusual. Chen Wang’s temper was more stubborn than a donkey’s; he was as stiff and devoid of romantic sensibility as an old block of wood. Hua Yunlian figured the man had simply skipped work in a fit of pique.

Suppressing his anger, he found himself inexplicably returning to the flat where Chen Wang lived. To his surprise, amidst the chaotic mess of shattered debris, he picked up a small scrap of paper rolled thinner than a toothpick. Written in handwriting as tiny as sesame seeds, yet filled with childish desperation, were three words:

“Save me.”

Hua Yunlian thought for only two seconds before swiftly calling Assistant Lu. “Immediately investigate the detailed information of all patients Chen Wang has seen recently. Compile it into a document and send it to me. You have five minutes.”

Assistant Lu truly lived up to his reputation as a top-tier student who had fought his way through the recruitment process. At four minutes and fifty-nine seconds, the unreasonable mission was complete.

Hua Yunlian frowned as he stared at his computer. On the video call, Assistant Lu gave a calm introduction.

“Li Yingzhuo, actual age thirty-three, is a lawyer by profession and a second-generation legal professional. He suffers from a hidden physical ailment that has led to a distorted, low self-esteem. He has a history of domestic violence and chronic alcoholism. His Omega wife attempted to divorce him multiple times, but her petitions were all dismissed. Their son, Li Nian, also lives with him.”

“He is reportedly an enthusiast in the inner circle of Central City. He claims to have royal ancestry and privately demands others call him ‘Duke.’ He finds pleasure in maltreating and controlling people.”

At this point, Assistant Lu paused, gauging his boss’s expression before continuing. “Recently, he reached a private agreement with Chen Wang’s father. For a bride price of 200,000, he intends to marry Mr. Chen Wang.”

Hua Yunlian’s handsome brows were tightly knit as he looked at the unconscious man in his arms with a complex expression. He had intended to step forward and mock Chen Wang for the “glorious” feat of being tied up and tortured by his own fiancé, but Chen Wang seemed to have a built-in radar. The moment he lost consciousness, he collapsed right into Hua Yunlian’s arms.

Hua Yunlian moved his arm, intending to shake him off, but as he raised his hand, his fingers brushed against Chen Wang’s forehead. He clicked his tongue and muttered, “Why is he so hot?”

Taunting an incoherent patient now would likely result in zero damage to the target. Hua Yunlian decided to wait and curse at him when his brain was clear. He bent down and swept the man up in a princess carry. Subtly, he weighed him; the man was actually lighter than the last time he had held him.

Is this guy trying to starve himself to death? The room, bathed in a blood-red, dim light, was being systematically searched by the Federal Special Police. Footsteps and the screams of Li Yingzhuo’s slaves echoed everywhere. It was unclear if they were mourning their dead master or the loss of their future income.

When passing the wide-eyed corpse on the floor, Hua Yunlian’s expression remained indifferent as he stepped directly on Li Yingzhuo’s head. His face was dark, cold, and eerily calm as he walked right over. It was as if the sprawling corpse was merely an insignificant pebble in his path.

“Competing with me for a person? Are you even worthy?”

“Ugh.”

When Chen Wang woke up again, he had been smothered into a sweat by a soft yet warm duvet. He sat up slowly, his throat parched. He instinctively reached for a glass of water on the nightstand and gulped it down. His heavy body felt instantly refreshed. He was back among the living.

It turned out he had returned to Hua Yunlian’s large flat. The house was quiet, and he was the only one there. His fever had broken. Only his chafed hands and feet still throbbed with pain, though such superficial injuries would heal in a few days.

Chen Wang looked down. There were needle marks from an IV drip on the back of his hand; no wonder the fever had subsided so quickly. The scent of Damascus rose still lingered on him. Was Hua Yunlian a walking bottle of rose perfume? His pheromones leaked out all day long; even a Beta like Chen Wang could smell them.

Comparing people was truly a losing game. Thinking of Li Yingzhuo’s frantic, perverted face, Chen Wang shuddered, suddenly finding Hua Yunlian to be somewhat kind and pleasant. If Hua Yunlian had not saved him, he probably would have met his end in that pervert’s shack.

But then Chen Wang had a second thought: if Hua Yunlian had not suddenly gone crazy and thrown him out in the middle of the night, how would he have run into Li Yingzhuo in the first place?

Infuriated by the thought, he rolled out of bed and rushed into the shower. It seemed a professional cleaner had been to the house; it was brand new, leaving not even a fragment of the small wind chime behind. Rich playboys really have no sense of sentimentality.

It was not until Chen Wang checked his phone that he saw countless missed calls and a continuous stream of WeChat messages.

Mother: “Xiao Wang, how are you?” Shen An: “Senior, is that you in the news? Do you need me to take care of you? Send your address, quick!” Sister: “Four-eyes, are you dead yet?”

Chen Wang hurriedly turned on the TV. Sure enough, the news was broadcasting a report on an illegal detention incident. The camera panned over iron cages where several scantily clad people were blurred out. When it panned again, the man on the rack was also blurred.

An ordinary person would not recognize him, but close friends or family could identify Chen Wang by his silhouette. He had no idea when the reporters had arrived.

The man pressed his temples, nursing a headache, just as the hospital director called. “Xiao Chen, I know everything. Your absence these past two days will not count as skipping work. Furthermore, I am granting you an extra week of paid leave. All you need to do is rest well, understood?”

Chen Wang could not accept not working and quickly explained, “Director, I am really fine!”

“Aiye! Young man, take a word of advice: health is the foundation of everything. Just rest easy.” The director’s tone carried a hint of melancholy. “After all, the mastermind behind this vicious medical harassment was a family member of a patient at our hospital. You have suffered.”

No wonder the director was being so amiable. He thought Chen Wang had been the victim of a medical disturbance gone wrong.

After a few pleasantries, Chen Wang took a call from his mother. He insisted the person in the news was not him to put her mind at ease, told her to take care of her health, and promised to visit her in the slums soon. He also rejected Shen An’s enthusiastic proposal to provide personal care.

As soon as he hung up, a barrage of messages arrived. Chen Yu Xi was frantic: “If you do not reply right now, I am calling the police!”

Chen Wang used the same excuse he gave his mother to deal with her. But his sister had grown up; she did not believe him at all and insisted on seeing him in person.

Soon, the siblings were sitting in a small chain restaurant. A steaming pot of cheesy rice cake chicken was served. Chen Wang scooped a large spoonful, struggling a bit with the unending strings of cheese before finally placing it in his sister’s bowl.

“Eat up. I heard kids like this stuff,” he urged. “After eating, go back and study.”

Chen Yu Xi stared at him, her face crumpled in distress. Seeing him intact but noticing the shocking wounds on his wrists, she was on the verge of tears but forced herself to hold them back.

“Study what?” Chen Yu Xi took a large bite, too hot to speak. “I have not studied a day in my life!”

Chen Wang gave her a look of disappointment. The fact that this girl made it to university must have been because the God of Literature got drunk and hit her over the head with a book.

Silence fell for a while, punctuated only by the soft clinking of utensils.

“I know about that deadbeat’s debts,” Chen Yu Xi said suddenly. “I plan to drop out and become a resident singer. I can even DJ around. Only by paying off the debt early can we breathe easy.”

Chen Wang exploded instantly, his voice sharp and stern. “Nonsense!”

Chen Yu Xi was startled, dropping her spoon.

“I am warning you, this is adult business. Kids should not meddle.” Chen Wang frowned deeply, his face cold as frost. “Do you think it is easy to test into university from the slums?”

“You only have one year until graduation. Giving up now means everything before was for nothing!”

Chen Yu Xi obviously did not want to give up the opportunity, but she hardened her voice. “You are having trouble even finding a place to eat and sleep right now, are you not? I heard your rental was trashed. In this situation, what is the point of me continuing my studies?”

Chen Wang did not know where she had heard that, but he kept his face stern. “The meaning of your education is not tied to the suffering of your family.”

“Right now, I am…” He paused, choosing to lie. “I am looking after a house for a friend who is abroad. I am not lacking a place to stay. If you dare mention dropping out again, I will break your legs!”

Chen Wang’s tone was relaxed yet firm, carrying the indisputable authority of an older brother. Chen Yu Xi finally felt somewhat reassured.

After the meal, he received a call from the police, saying that Nian Nian’s mother had picked up the child and wanted to meet him.

“Dr. Chen, thank you so much,” the woman said. “I wanted to take the child and run away back then, but I was no match for that beast Li Yingzhuo. Every lawyer I contacted was in league with him.”

Nian Nian’s mother was a dodder flower Omega: fragile, beautiful, and soft-spoken. “If this had not happened, I am afraid I would never have been reunited with Nian Nian.” She wept while holding the child. “Back then, Li Yingzhuo and I were introduced by relatives. Before the introduction, they all said this blind date was rich, young, and had a good character. But those relatives were just watching the show; they did not have to live with him, endure him, and be beaten by him every day!”

The fragile Omega was clearly no match for the cunning and deceitful Li Yingzhuo. Chen Wang comforted her softly. “It is all in the past. Your new life with Nian Nian has just begun. You should feel happy.”

To show her gratitude, the Omega pulled out a thick envelope and insisted on pressing it into his arms. Chen Wang could tell she was not wealthy. If it were someone like Hua Yunlian, who had a bad personality but was drowning in money, he would have taken it. But this time, he firmly refused.

Nian Nian lunged forward and gave Chen Wang a heavy kiss on the cheek. Chen Wang swayed back from the impact of the child’s enthusiasm before smiling and hugging him. “Brother Chen Wang, it is so good that you are okay!”

Having experienced such severe trauma, the child’s first instinct was still to care for others. Chen Wang felt a sting in his nose. “It is also important that Nian Nian is okay. Many special police uncles saved you that day, right? Do not be afraid anymore.”

Unexpectedly, Nian Nian thought for a moment and shook his head. “The one who saved me first was another big brother. He looked like a foreigner! His eyes were as beautiful as lemon-grapefruit hard candies!” The child gestured exaggeratedly, a flush of excitement rising on his round face, clearly filled with admiration.

Chen Wang was stunned. “Hua Yunlian?”

That day, Hua Yunlian had intended to leave the moment he picked up Chen Wang, not caring about anyone else’s life or death. But as he reached the door, he saw the child sitting in the cage, dazed and silent. Something must have touched him. Hua Yunlian snatched the keys from Li Yingzhuo’s belt and unlocked the cage. He offered a simple, crude greeting: “Do not be scared, kid. Scum always die miserable deaths.”

After saying goodbye to his sister and Nian Nian’s family, Chen Wang was still immersed in the shock of Hua Yunlian saving two people. He had not expected the man to be capable of doing something decent. He was not completely beyond redemption.

Since it was a debt of gratitude for saving his life, and their chat history had been dormant for a long time, Chen Wang chose to call him.

No answer?

Slightly embarrassed, Chen Wang called again. After three or four attempts, the call connected, but despite Chen Wang calling out for a long time, there was no response. He knew the man was listening. Was he specifically waiting for Chen Wang to be moved to tears of gratitude?

Chen Wang supported his waist and took a breath, the veins on his fair forehead faintly pulsing. “Hua Yunlian? Hua Yunlian, are you listening?”

In a detached villa located in a quiet area amidst the city’s bustle, the spacious rooms were in total disarray with items swept over or smashed everywhere. The low, pained groans of a man were intermittent. He clutched his head, which felt like it was about to explode, rolling amidst the wreckage. His light chestnut hair was soaked with sweat, clinging to his face.

Hua Yunlian had skipped work. Because his old ailment was flaring up again, he had no choice. The assistant’s calls kept coming, urging him to make decisions. “President Hua, the day after tomorrow is the headquarters team building. The Bo’ai Children’s Hospital we recently invested in has also applied for a resort team-building activity. Do you think…”

Such trivial matters were completely inconsequential. To think they would disturb him at a time like this! Hua Yunlian’s irritability doubled. He struggled to control his body’s tremors and mutation, simply agreeing to everything and telling the assistant to get lost.

As soon as the call hung up, the animal ears in his hair and the tail at the base of his spine began to shake uncontrollably. His arms began to differentiate, bit by bit. Fur grew, and hands turned into sharp claws.

He had heard that the child named Nian Nian had been picked up by his Omega father. A secret envy rose within Hua Yunlian. His mother was a Slavic dancer. Years ago, in a cramped room in the red-light district, she had risked her life to give birth to him. From then on, Hua Yunlian became that woman’s winning chip for her dream of entering a wealthy family.

When he was only a few years old, his mother had forced him to kneel at the gates of the Hua family clan, enduring the accusations of a thousand people.

“Bastard.” “Haha, he is a lowly illegitimate child.”

His mother’s curses and sobs rang in his ears. Before his eyes were his father, the legal wife, and Hua Jingchen’s mocking smiles. Around him, the disdainful and contemptuous looks and words of countless Hua clansmen pierced his heart like ten thousand arrows. The world spun.

He had never experienced a shred of warmth from his mother, because the young Hua Yunlian was merely a tool. Later his mother died, and he became the experimental subject of his bio-maniac father. Every day, he was strapped to sophisticated instruments he did not understand. Cold mechanical pincers controlled him, countless drugs were injected into his body, and his blood was taken over and over again.

The young Hua Yunlian, powerless to resist, was once again a tool. He had almost never seen the outside world, living year-round in the laboratory. The people he encountered daily were researchers in hazmat suits who all looked the same. Occasionally, he could see his father through the glass, coming to admire the results of the experiment.

Once upon a time, Hua Yunlian had also yearned for family affection. He hoped someone would hold him during his moments of pain. During one later experiment, a rigorous and cold researcher screamed, knocking over rows of injections and retreating in flight. Hua Yunlian saw with his own eyes his skin splitting open into a bloody mess. Wild beast fur grew on his hands, and eerie fangs sprouted haphazardly on his face, piercing through and poking out at random.

The laboratory’s high-alert alarm bell rang. The young child collapsed on the floor, rolling in heart-wrenching agony and reaching out to his own biological father. “Save… save me! Da… Daddy!”

He was still mutating; the sticky sound of tearing flesh and blood was everywhere. He was a monster of unrecognizable form. Hua Yunlian was in so much pain he wished someone would end his life immediately. Or, that someone would hug him. But his only relative’s eyes held nothing but fear and disgust. Hua Hongfei waved his hand and gave the order.

“This is a failure! Immediately, lock him in the slum zoo and let him fend for himself!”

After an unknown amount of time, in the cold villa, there was only the heavy, tired breathing of a wild beast. He had not been able to withstand it; he had turned from a man into a beast.

On the cashmere carpet, the tip of a giant leopard’s tail hung limp. It had brilliantly patterned fur, coarse and sharp claws, and long fangs that surpassed those of an ordinary leopard. The leopard was both ferocious and beautiful. In its translucent amber eyes was a deep, unerasable sadness.

He had not even noticed when the call had connected. From the phone nearby came Chen Wang’s repeated probes, calling his name over and over again. “Hua Yunlian? Hua Yunlian, are you listening?”

That pleasant voice seemed to act as a long-acting analgesic. The beast quietly closed its eyes and stopped struggling.

I am listening.