The Third Year After The Breakup, He Knelt and Begged to Get Back Together - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Even if you died a hundred times, it wouldn’t be enough to appease…

The right ear touched by Qi Huan felt faintly hot, as if a fire dragon were winding inward along the incision, burning to swallow him whole.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t angry.

To be deceived, trampled upon, pursued relentlessly, humiliated by every possible means, and even to have his professional career destroyed.

But even if he wanted revenge, what could he actually do?

With just the two of them, how could they shake their opponents?

Even if he were to get an opportunity, he would have to pay far too high a price for it.

Qi Mingfeng was a very realistic person, especially after experiencing Qi Huan’s brush with death; he felt that being alive was more important than anything else.

Qi Mingfeng interrupted sharply: “Qi Huan, don’t think about anything. Just stay quiet for me.”

Realizing his tone was too severe, Qi Mingfeng grabbed Qi Huan’s hand back and comforted him: “A-Huan, to me, nothing is more important than the two of us being well together. Do you understand?”

Qi Huan remained silent for a long while before turning sideways to squeeze into Qi Mingfeng’s arms: “I understand. To me, being with Brother is also the most important thing.”

Having said that, he hugged Qi Mingfeng’s waist with utter dependence: “Brother must have worked so hard during this time. Once I’m better, it’ll be my turn to take care of you.”

Only then did Qi Mingfeng reveal a smile: “Alright, once you’re fully recovered, it’ll be your turn to take care of me.”

…

With Qi Huan’s surgery successful, the money in Qi Mingfeng’s hands was still enough for nutrition expenses; moreover, he was still earning money. As long as no accidents occurred, it was enough to last until Qi Huan’s recovery.

But Qi Huan was right; going abroad would cost a lot of money, and the visa process alone would be a struggle. Although his teacher had covered his tuition, he had to provide the living expenses himself. Costs abroad were not like those at home, and since Qi Huan was a medical student, it was uncertain whether his domestic credentials would be recognized abroad.

His contract with He Xian still had some time left. He also needed to consider how to stall after Qi Huan recovered; his younger brother was sensitive, and he didn’t want to anger him into a relapse later.

However, the biggest hurdle had passed. Future obstacles were small problems; as long as the brothers were of one mind, there was nothing they couldn’t get through.

Carrying beautiful expectations for the future, Qi Mingfeng returned to C City in high spirits, unconsciously humming a song in the elevator.

He pushed open the door; the inside was quiet.

Qi Mingfeng’s happiness reached a new level.

Great, He Xian’s flight hadn’t been moved forward; he wouldn’t be back until evening.

The sound of his humming grew louder involuntarily.

Qi Mingfeng put the small items like chargers back in their original places, pretending he had never been out.

Just as his hand gripped the doorknob of the workspace, a knock came from downstairs.

It was likely a delivery.

He had bought some small items recently.

Qi Mingfeng walked downstairs. Although he knew the security in He Xian’s neighborhood was very high, the days of being chased by loan sharks had made it a habit for him to check the peephole.

With just one look, all of Qi Mingfeng’s happiness vanished instantly.

The person outside wore high-end, light-colored casual clothes that looked expensive at a glance. On a face that shared several similarities with his own sat the “gentle and submissive” look he hated most.

Ruan Zhiyan.

Qi Mingfeng wished he could call the police on the spot, or open the shoe cabinet, grab the heaviest shoe, and swing the person two miles away.

But he reacted immediately—this wasn’t his home. Ruan Zhiyan was here for He Xian. He had no status or standing to evict him.

Four years ago, when he and Zhou Zhiqian first met, He Xian and Ruan Zhiyan began to interact closely.

When he agreed to collaborate on an album with Zhou Zhiqian, Ruan Zhiyan’s intrusion into their lives intensified. He would even occasionally come to He Xian’s house for dinner. At the height of their relationship, He Xian had even told Ruan Zhiyan the code to the house’s smart lock.

Qi Mingfeng subconsciously glanced at the door lock.

He didn’t know why Ruan Zhiyan hadn’t simply unlocked it and entered; perhaps out of politeness.

He Xian said he hadn’t paid much attention to Ruan Zhiyan in the last two years, but the two were childhood friends who grew up together; the relationship was right there. Perhaps they had already agreed to meet and discuss things this afternoon.

Qi Mingfeng took a deep breath and pulled open the door.

Ruan Zhiyan’s “gentleness” vanished the moment he saw him, replaced by a flicker of rage in his eyes.

Qi Mingfeng didn’t even offer a greeting; he turned coldly, intending to go upstairs.

“Qi Mingfeng.”

Ruan Zhiyan spoke suddenly.

Qi Mingfeng stopped in his tracks.

Ruan Zhiyan strode through the door to stand before him, looking at him with a complex gaze: “You actually really came back.”

There were too many people in the private booth that day; the news had eventually reached Ruan Zhiyan’s ears.

Qi Mingfeng pulled a slightly mocking smile: “It’s all thanks to you. If I had any other way to survive, I wouldn’t have come back to C City.”

The fire in Ruan Zhiyan’s eyes turned to cold malice: “You are my biological brother, related by blood. If you had just told me you had fallen to the point of having to return to He Xian’s side, I certainly would have helped you.”

Qi Mingfeng: “Help me onto the road to the Yellow Springs (the afterlife)?”

Ruan Zhiyan glanced around quickly, as if confirming whether He Xian was home. Upon finding no one, he slammed the door shut heavily, almost gritting his teeth: “You deserve it.”

They were clearly blood brothers, yet within two sentences of meeting, they were ready to draw swords against each other.

Ruan Zhiyan placed the bag he was carrying on the coffee table. He exposed his right wrist, which was tied with a section of aqua-green silk ribbon, and said in a rage: “If it weren’t for you, how could my hand have turned out like this! The doctor said I might never be able to play the piano properly again for the rest of my life!”

“Smack!” Qi Mingfeng slapped Ruan Zhiyan’s right hand away and roared back: “Then what about me? I might never be able to sing properly again for the rest of my life! You becoming like this is your own doing; what did I do wrong!”

“How are you fit to be compared to me? Even if you died a hundred times, it wouldn’t be enough to appease the hatred in my heart!” Ruan Zhiyan felt no guilt at all, only accusation: “It was bad enough that you didn’t die out there, but why do you keep coming back time and again? If it weren’t for you, He Xian and I would have been married long ago. I would have been the Best Singer two years ago as well. Everyone would only be focusing on me!”

Qi Mingfeng sneered: “Based on you?”

Based on Qi Mingfeng’s understanding of He Xian, even without him, He Xian would not have been with Ruan Zhiyan.

He Xian was very picky and had clear goals; if he had taken an interest in Ruan Zhiyan, he wouldn’t have waited until now to make a move.

As for “Best Singer,” although Zhou Zhiqian’s singing skills weren’t as good as his, he was still much stronger than Ruan Zhiyan. If Ruan Zhiyan wanted to use underhanded tricks, Zhou Zhiqian had a teacher backing him up.

Whether it was He Xian or the Best Singer award, it wouldn’t have been Ruan Zhiyan’s turn.

“You…!” Ruan Zhiyan tried his best to restrain his temper, and logic regained the upper hand. “I’ll send you and Qi Huan out of the country and give you an extra million. Don’t ever come back.”

Qi Mingfeng said decisively: “I refuse.”

Ruan Zhiyan was incredulous: “You refuse? What right do you have to refuse! Qi Mingfeng, you can’t still be failing to see the situation, can you? In He Xian’s eyes, you’re just a little plaything to be coaxed at will. Or are you really so cheap that you’re rushing to stay by He Xian’s side?”

Qi Mingfeng checked the time and said impatiently: “Are you finished?”

Seeing that he wasn’t falling for it, Ruan Zhiyan changed his approach and asked sinisterly: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll send those photos to…”

Rage instantly flared in Qi Mingfeng’s heart. Without waiting for Ruan Zhiyan to finish, he grabbed Ruan Zhiyan by the collar and slammed him against the wall: “Ruan, why do you think I’ve tolerated you for so long? If you really dare to send them, I’ll dare to drag you down with me to mutual destruction!”

“What do you have to use to drag me down?”

Ruan Zhiyan spoke with disdain.

“Qi Mingfeng, the only thing you can rely on is He Xian. Even if I really do send them out, do you think He Xian will do anything to me?

“Privately, he and I have the sentiment of knowing each other since childhood, and we share many of the same friends; they would all speak up for me.

“Publicly, he only took over the He Group a few years ago. His methods were too ruthless when dealing with the elders of the conglomerate, which has already caused dissatisfaction. If he makes a move against me—someone designated as a marriage partner by the previous generation—it will certainly be taken by the remaining elders as a signal of war. Although those people can’t unseat him, they have occupied the He Group for many years. Why would he go through the trouble of making problems for himself just for your sake?”

Because of his anger, the hand Qi Mingfeng used to clutch Ruan Zhiyan’s collar was trembling continuously.

Through their time together recently, he thought He Xian still had a bit of feeling for him. But to He Xian, that bit of feeling was merely a flavoring for life; it could not—and was not worthy to—influence He Xian’s career, not even by a single ripple.

After all, he once couldn’t even enter the front door of He Xian’s company.

It was because he understood his position in He Xian’s heart too clearly, and understood how malicious Ruan Zhiyan was, that he had been forced to retreat again and again.

But… what if…

What if that bit of feeling had some weight to it after all?

Qi Mingfeng stared resolutely at Ruan Zhiyan, or perhaps at a certain possibility: “Everything you said is right, but do you dare to gamble?”

Ruan Zhiyan choked.

“Ruan Zhiyan, don’t use the marriage contract as an excuse. If He Xian wanted to, he has plenty of ways to force the Ruan family to acknowledge me, and plenty of ways to throw you out of the country to marry He Hui. As for the sentiment between you two,” Qi Mingfeng sneered, “Do you dare to gamble?”

Ruan Zhiyan: “You…”

Qi Mingfeng: “Furthermore, no one can guard against a thief for a thousand days. If something really happens to Qi Huan, my life is cheap—don’t expect to have a single peaceful day for the rest of your life.”