Outside the window,
the night was bleak and lonely.
Cheng Jinyan gently massaged his temples, eliminating that groggy feeling bit by bit. He was on the phone reporting the situation to Qiao Ying.
"Good progress today, quite smooth overall. We talked about some things from his childhood. The death of that car owner was a major emotional scar for him that will take time to heal. Can't rush it."
"He has depression, since very young. I gave him some medication but those only treat the symptoms, not the root cause."
"I may not be able to help him that much. Qiao Ying, you can help him more - yes, you."
"He likes you. You should be able to tell. And now that you've broken up with Qin Hanyue, it gives him more hope."
Cheng Jinyan yawned. "I don't have much else going on. Just helped some friends see a couple of patients the last few days, so I'm quite tired. I even fell asleep while chatting with Xiao He earlier. How embarrassing. I'm really getting old, health declining."
"Qiao Ying, you should be dating at your age. I think Xiao He is quite a good choice - nice looking and good personality."
"Why the vulgar language? At your blossoming age, if not to date, then what? A sweet romantic relationship with a handsome guy will delight you and also help his condition. Win-win."
"He told me himself - he kept living all this time for you. Otherwise would have done something foolish long ago."
Cheng Jinyan was bantering with Qiao Ying when the half-closed door was suddenly knocked and pushed open. Xiao He appeared at the door.
Cheng Jinyan looked over and pushed up his glasses. "Anything else, Xiao He?"
Xiao He: "Left my keys here."
Cheng Jinyan saw a set of keys on the chair Xiao He sat on earlier, plus a paper airplane folded like his drawings.
Xiao He picked up the keys and unfolded the paper plane to return to Cheng Jinyan, saying "Sorry."
Cheng Jinyan just smiled to indicate no problem.
"Want to grab a bite?" Cheng Jinyan asked politely.
"No thanks." Xiao He left with the keys.
That weekend...
Xiao He walked to Qiao Ying's villa carrying a box of cake.
A black Maybach pulled up beside him and stopped.
The window rolled down to reveal Qin Hanyue's face.
After a traffic light, Qin Hanyue spoke. "Buying that for her?"
Holding the cake, Xiao He didn't answer that inane question. "I believe she already made it very clear last time."
Qin Hanyue's voice was low and unfriendly. "What happens between her and me is none of your business."
Qin Yan thought: Young Master, don't waste your breath. Just beat him up directly!
Qin Yan wanted to drive to a deserted spot, drag this homewrecker out and give him a vicious thrashing to vent Young Master's anger.
Xiao He said: "My confidence comes entirely from her."
Qin Hanyue looked at him, his dark pupils emanating a murderous glint. "In Jing City, making someone vanish without a trace is as easy as crushing an ant."
Xiao He was fearless. "Feel free to try."
He continued: "She split with you for me. Qin, do you think she just got bored and constrained?"
Qin Hanyue asked: "What do you mean?"
Xiao He: "She never told you? She and my brother go way back. Even her friend Cheng Jinyan knows."
Qin Hanyue's expression changed slightly.
Qin Yan thought: Damn, so there's this layer too. Underestimated this punk from the start!
Qin Hanyue's jaw tensed. "So what?"
Xiao He: "To her, I'm much more important than you."
Swords were drawn. A fight could break out any moment.
Qin Hanyue's patience was superhuman. "Riding on your brother, what can you amount to?"
Xiao He said: "I can ride that my whole life. That's enough. Qin, a man of your stature clinging desperately is quite unbecoming. Give it a rest."
Qin Yan clenched the steering wheel, wishing he could yank it out and bash him with it.
Never had Qin Hanyue looked so livid. He clenched his fists, forcibly keeping his roiling emotions in check.
The car entered the estate and soon arrived at the villa, preventing his probable irrational acts.
Qiao Ying happened to exit to throw trash. She frowned almost imperceptibly seeing Xiao He alight from Qin Hanyue's car, closely followed by Qin Hanyue himself.
Before Qin Hanyue could speak, she snapped. "What did you say to him?"
A point-blank accusatory question right off the bat.
She also asked Xiao He: "You okay?"
Xiao He: "Yes."
She unreasonably shielded Xiao He, even thinking Qin Hanyue would do something despicable.
Her two short questions nailed Qin Hanyue in place.
The mood instantly turned ominous. He desperately controlled his internal turmoil. His hands were already clenched into fists.
He looked at Qiao Ying, disappointment and fury intermingled.
So furious his chest heaved and teeth almost crushed.
He gave Qiao Ying a long look without a word, then strode to his car and slammed the door as he left.
Expressionless, Qiao Ying watched the car depart. Perhaps feeling she overdid it, her face looked bothered.
She threw the trash and went into the villa.
"Why were you with him?" Qiao Ying asked.
"Just ran into him." Xiao He replied.
Qiao Ying: "He gave you trouble?"
Xiao He thought for a bit. "Not really. But even if he did something, it'd be normal."
Qiao Ying got more annoyed.
Xiao He wasn't dumb. He changed the subject. "I bought you cake. Want some?"
Qiao Ying: "I don't eat sweets."
Xiao He: "What do you like? I'll bring it next time."
Qiao Ying: "Don't need to."
After a moment, seemingly recalling something, her tone softened: "Fridge is fine. I'll eat later."
Xiao He's face lit up. "Sure."
After this incident, Qiao Ying and Qin Hanyue thoroughly fell out.
Big mouth Huo Chengdong had spread the news at home. Before long half of Jing's circles knew Qin Hanyue got dumped by a girl over ten years his junior...
That night, after getting thrashed and threatened by Huo Chengdong, long absent Xiao Chengdong sneaked back home.
He began ransacking the place for money as soon as he returned, clearly having lost money gambling again.
Sporting injuries from the beating, his face was bruised.
Just back, Xiao He ran into Xiao Chengdong.
"You little bastard. Your mum's dead and you took all the money. Hand over your hidden cash or I'll beat you to death." Xiao Chengdong cursed.
Ignoring him completely, Xiao He walked by like Xiao Chengdong wasn't there. Infuriated, Xiao Chengdong grabbed Xiao He and raised his palm to hit Xiao He's face.
"Grown some guts daring to ignore me, you little bastard."
Xiao He flung him off.
This further enraged Xiao Chengdong.
He pounced on Xiao He, brawling while yelling curses. "Even got classmates to beat me up, hitting your own dad. Aren't you afraid of heavenly retribution, just like that whore mother of yours."
Xiao Chengdong knocked Xiao He to the floor. Xiao He blocked with one arm raised.
Xiao Chengdong spewed vicious vulgarities nonstop.
A murderous flash in Xiao He's eyes. In an instant he seemed like a different person. Suddenly his three fingers formed claw-like talons swiping at Xiao Chengdong's throat.
He'd thought about killing this trash for a while now.
