Chapter 71
The patient room was enveloped in an eerie silence, with the steady beeps of the monitor piercing through the air like a shrill whistle.
Bai Yue's first observation upon pushing open the door was the room's over-the-top decor.
The space was awash in varying shades of soft pink - the walls, curtains, furniture, and carpet. Every visible sharp edge was smoothly rounded off, and even the bed linens were crafted from delicate pale pink silk.
Did this room resemble a patient's quarters in any way?
Had they mistaken him for a princess?!
The figure on the bed lay still with eyes closed, sinking into the plush mattress. So thin, the light covers on him hardly showed any movement. Attached to an oxygen mask and monitor, his exposed fingers appeared even paler than before.
Bai Yue had always struggled to understand why Gu Xiu Yi would be enamored with someone who seemed perpetually on the brink of illness, but lately, he felt he'd begun to comprehend.
Ji Ruan, in reality, wasn't asleep. Perhaps due to a fever, his head felt woozy, and whether his eyes were open or shut, the world seemed to endlessly spin.
The window was ajar, and a sudden gust of wind blew in. Ji Ruan furrowed his brow and slowly opened his eyes, only to be startled by the sight of Bai Yue standing at the foot of his bed.
Without his external hearing device, Ji Ruan hadn't caught the sound of Bai Yue entering. If not for the breeze stirring the curtains upon the door's opening, he might've remained oblivious to Bai Yue silently observing him.
This realization sent shivers down Ji Ruan's spine.
Bai Yue held a bouquet and also carried a brown paper bag. At a glance, he seemed no different from the usual hospital visitors, but there was an inexplicable, unsettling aura about him.
The curtains were half-drawn, with sunlight slicing the room into stark contrasts of light and shadow. Bai Yue stood in the dim section, head slightly bowed, his expression inscrutable.
The entire scene felt eerily cinematic, causing Ji Ruan's heart to race, as though he'd stepped into a horror movie.
But wasn't this supposed to be a melodramatic tearjerker?!
Right, a sudden thought struck Ji Ruan - Bai Yue probably wanted to torment him once more.
Realizing this, Ji Ruan felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He sunk deeper into the bed thinking, as long as it's not a ghost, he could muster enough energy to ring for assistance and have Bai Yue removed.
The instant Ji Ruan opened his eyes, they met Bai Yue's. He clearly saw a flicker of fear in Ji Ruan's eyes, which brought him a twisted sense of pleasure.
Any vulnerability Ji Ruan showed before him seemed to oddly gratify Bai Yue's twisted psyche.
Yet before he could capitalize on the situation, Ji Ruan's eyes suddenly closed, and he lay back down, acting as if Bai Yue was mere air.
Bai Yue: "...???"
For a moment, confusion clouded Bai Yue's face, which was quickly overtaken by mounting rage.
"Do you think playing dead will let you escape?"
There was no response from the figure on the bed.
With gritted teeth, Bai Yue assured, "Rest easy, I won't harm you. I came merely to tell you something - aren't you curious why Xiu Yi chose you as his marriage partner in the first place?"
He leaned closer, "Out of so many, why did he specifically choose you?"
Bai Yue believed he had played a psychological card. If Ji Ruan truly loved Gu Xiu Yi, this revelation would undoubtedly torment him.
Ji Ruan remained motionless. Bai Yue assumed he was feigning composure.
With a soft chuckle, Bai Yue disclosed, "It's because you reminded him of me. You were brought to his side solely due to this resemblance. Even if Xiu Yi no longer loves me, do you genuinely believe you've won?"
Bai Yue raised his chin in triumph, awaiting the moment Ji Ruan's face would display shock and pain.
Gathering strength, Ji Ruan tried to reach for the bell. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Bai Yue's odd, almost eerily amused stare.
He knew Bai Yue had been murmuring something but from his distance, and with Bai Yue's dramatic intonation, Ji Ruan had trouble comprehending, feeling only that Bai Yue seemed to be increasingly exhilarated.
His expression eerily resembled that of Lin Qing's when he was unhinged. Ji Ruan felt a PTSD-like reaction, fearing Bai Yue might lose control like Lin Qing and wanted him gone.
Ji Ruan hurriedly tried to prop himself up to ring the bell, but his movement was obstructed by the oxygen mask.
Frowning, he attempted to remove the mask. However, with the IV on the back of his hand and connected to monitoring wires, coupled with his dizziness, he ended up entangled. Overwhelmed, he involuntarily rolled his eyes back and slumped.
"What's with that look?" Bai Yue, not seeing the reaction he expected, stared incredulously, "You don't believe me?"
His voice was louder this time. Ji Ruan seemed to catch something about belief.
Above Ji Ruan's tiny head, a large question mark metaphorically appeared.
A letter? What letter? Someone surnamed Bai is sending him a letter?
What kind of thrilling plot twist is this?
Trying to fathom what kind of letter Bai Yue might want to send to him, Ji Ruan took a deep breath, lifted the corner of the blanket, and began searching, trying to locate the external device.
However, the external device was removed by Gu XiuYi, and his placement of things was always cunning. Ji Ruan searched for a long while but couldn't find it.
"Ji Ruan!" Bai Yue was thoroughly enraged by Ji Ruan's indifferent demeanor.
He lost his temper, tossing away the flowers, and pulled out a stack of documents and photos from a leather bag: "Don't you believe me? Look, I have proof!"
"Your silhouette resembles mine; I love literature and so do you. I love painting and you do too. You're my shadow; everything about you is like me!"
In his fury, he flung all the documents onto Ji Ruan.
"He only loves me!"
Whoosh!
A flurry of photos and papers filled the air, landing on the bed's edge. Ji Ruan, startled by a sheet of paper that brushed his cheek, lost his balance and tumbled off the bed.
Everything spun.
The floor was carpeted, so he wasn't hurt by the fall. But all the devices attached to Ji Ruan were yanked off, causing sharp pain. The IV needle was abruptly pulled out, causing beads of blood to roll down from his hand.
Immediately, the monitor and alarms blared in distress.
·
Meanwhile, on the other side, Li SuiAn was following Gu XiuYi, sprinting towards the elevator. With strides so large they almost seemed turbo-charged, he held his phone and shouted.
"Hello, nurse's station? Has there been any visitor to the VIP room just now?"
"There was?! Stop them!"
"What, they've already entered?!"
"They've been inside for a while now?!"
Ding!
The elevator doors slid open, and Li SuiAn quickly hung up the call and stepped out, pointing accusingly at the flustered young nurse still clutching her phone: "How do you operate? Anyone is allowed in? Do you know this is a VIP room?!"
The nurse caught sight of a group of imposing men swiftly walking down the corridor, accompanied by massive bodyguards. Leading them was Mr. Gu, who looked as solemn as a soldier heading to the battlefield.
The young woman was so startled she hiccupped, her legs feeling weak: "I-I-I-I..."
"What 'I'?" Li SuiAn interrupted, "When someone comes, don't you know to call and confirm with Mr. Gu? Did you just let them in without verification? Haven't you been trained?!"
The nurse was near tears, "But, but, but when Mr. Han used to come before, he, he, he never called..."
"Before... before, who is Mr. Han?"
"It's Han... Han Xiaolin," the nurse stammered, "I saw the visitor's log. He often visited in the past, also with flowers, so I, I, I just let him in."
The nurse truly felt wronged. Many people knew that Ji Ruan had a friend named Han who would visit from time to time. Previously, they just needed to register. Why, of all times, was there a need to report to Mr. Gu this time, leading to such a commotion?
A momentary lapse hit Li SuiAn, then he remembered Ji Ruan indeed had a friend named Han who had brought flowers during previous visits.
Slapping the counter, he exclaimed, "Does Han Xiaolin look like this? He's as skinny as a monkey! Can't you recognize him?!"
The nurse replied, "I've never met him before!"
This was her first time attending to "Han Xiaolin" during her shift. In the past, it was always her colleagues who took care of him. She hadn't suspected today's visitor was an imposter and didn't think to check the surveillance.
Li SuiAn was left speechless by the young lady, pointing with his index finger, "You, you, you..."
Beep beep- beep beep-
The urgent alarm interrupted Li SuiAn's words.
Song Ling, who had been following Gu XiuYi closely, noticed Gu stiffening for a moment.
Then, with a swift move, Gu XiuYi forcefully kicked open the door. The door slammed against the wall with such force that the window sills on the opposite side rattled.
Inside the room, Bai Yue stood in horror at the foot of the bed, while Ji Ruan wasn't resting as advised by Li SuiAn. Instead, he lay on the floor, pale-faced with beads of blood rolling down the back of his hand.
For a split second, Gu XiuYi's eyes darkened, his temples twitching uncontrollably, as if the surging blood wanted to burst forth from his veins.
Before he even realized it, he rushed forward and scooped Ji Ruan into his arms, "Didn't I tell you not to get out of bed?!"
Ji Ruan's large eyes were filled with confusion, his delicate eyebrows furrowing, his face reflecting shock and bewilderment.
Gu XiuYi felt as if his heart was bleeding, unable to fathom what Bai Yue could have done to terrify Ji Ruan this way.
His chest heaved, his arms stiffened, and he slightly arched his back, like a bird startled by a bowstring.
After a long moment, he steadied his breathing and gently kissed Ji Ruan's ear, a tenderness that came from extreme restraint.
"It's okay, don't be scared. I'll make sure you heal."
The bodyguard, a man who clearly had a soft spot for those in distress, was immediately incensed seeing Ji Ruan's condition. Without waiting for Gu XiuYi's command, he took matters into his own hands, grabbing Bai Yue by the collar and throwing him out.
A swarm of medical staff soon arrived, tending to the wound on Ji Ruan's hand, putting the oxygen mask back on him, and Li SuiAn stayed behind to further examine Ji Ruan's ear.
Bai Yue was tossed into an empty lounge, devoid of internet or phone signal. He waited there for what felt like an eternity, his heart chilling to the core, until finally, Gu XiuYi arrived.
By now, Gu XiuYi had regained his composure, his shirt and tie impeccably neat, as he sat on the opposite couch accompanied by Song Ling.
He didn't speak immediately, just sat in silent contemplation, his gaze fixed on Bai Yue.
Bai Yue couldn't decipher the expression on Gu XiuYi's face-or rather, the lack thereof. It was inscrutable, yet the depths of his eyes seemed to hold an unspeakable darkness, making Bai Yue's skin crawl.
"I...," Bai Yue began defiantly, "I truly didn't touch him. I had no intention of hurting him..."
Gu XiuYi idly fiddled with the wedding ring on his ring finger, not responding, then took a file handed over by Song Ling and tossed it in front of Bai Yue.
"But you intended to use these to provoke him, didn't you?"
Bai Yue's fingers clenched involuntarily, his tongue darting out nervously to moisten his lips.
After what felt like an eternity, he slowly looked up, tears brimming in his eyes, "... aren't these truths?"
He locked his gaze intently on Gu XiuYi's eyes, wary of missing even the slightest hint of emotion.
"You used to have feelings for me..."
"Which is why you subconsciously chose someone resembling me to marry. Even though you don't love me now, you can't deny that at the very beginning, the one who captured your heart was me."
Tears trailed down his cheeks as he gazed at Gu XiuYi with a clarity that juxtaposed his apparent distress, "Was it wrong of me to tell him the truth?"
Objectively speaking, Bai Yue was rather handsome, with a fair, well-defined face and a lean yet straight back. When tears filled his eyes, there was an undeniable air of vulnerability about him.
Most people, regardless of their relationship with him, would likely be moved by such a sight.
However, Gu XiuYi remained unaffected, his face impassive to Bai Yue's tears.
His mind was consumed with thoughts of how to discuss the surgery with Ji Ruan, who seemed to harbor an uncommon fear and resistance towards operations.
With his patience wearing thin, Gu XiuYi replied curtly, "I think you've misunderstood."
Bai Yue let out a soft chuckle, "Oh? Are you trying to deny it?"
Gu XiuYi shook his head, "While it's true I've never had feelings for you, and my marriage to Ji Ruan has nothing to do with you, I need to tell you that Ji Ruan was not my own choice of spouse."
Bai Yue paused, then burst out laughing as if he had heard something absurd, "What do you mean? Are you suggesting someone forced you into marriage?"
Gu XiuYi lounged on the sofa, legs crossed and fingers intertwined-an posture that seemed particularly grating to Bai Yue.
He vividly recalled the first time he saw Ji Ruan in the studio, seated in that exact manner, appraising him with a nonchalant gaze.
Gu XiuYi calmly explained, "This might be hard for you to accept, but my marriage partner was meticulously chosen by my secretarial team based on certain criteria."
"Back then, they considered Ji Ruan for his youth, excellence, lack of familial ties, and his commendable demeanor. They initiated contact and earnestly proposed this marital arrangement."
"Regrettably, they didn't know you." Gu XiuYi smirked, "And I initially didn't care who I'd be marrying."
A hint of tenderness flickered in his eyes, "But because he is Ji Ruan, things started to change. Every unpredictable element came from him, simply because he's Ji Ruan. It has nothing to do with anyone else."
"Regarding your assumption that I liked Ji Ruan due to his resemblance to you from a decade ago, I regret to say it's probably a manifestation of delusion."
He raised an eyebrow, "In any case, I'm grateful to my secretarial team. Once Ji Ruan's health improves, we'll honor them with a prime table at our wedding."
"Do you have any more questions?"
Bai Yue sat there, petrified.
Gu XiuYi's calm yet cutting words were typical of his demeanor. He had always been adept at using simple words to wound and confront others. But it seemed many had forgotten this aspect of his nature, dulled by his recent, more tempered behavior around Ji Ruan.
Bai Yue's cherished illusions, held for so many years, were ruthlessly shattered. He was momentarily stunned, feeling as if the very ground beneath him had cracked and his beliefs had collapsed.
His face briefly flashed with an indescribable pain, ultimately giving way to chaos and breakdown.
"Delusions?" With profound disappointment, Bai Yue laughed out loud, "So, you want to lock me up in a mental institution, too? Just like Lin Qing, treating me as if I'm less than human?"
Gu Xiuyi's lips thinned slightly, seemingly perplexed, "Of course not. Haven't you heard? Your family is bankrupt."
He was acutely aware that mentioning this now was akin to a second blow to Bai Yue, but he didn't care. There were very few things in this world he cared about.
"Not just bankrupt, but also drowned in debt. I heard your parents packed up early this morning to flee abroad. Most of those debts will probably fall on you."
At this moment, the look on Bai Yue's face was truly pitiable.
Gu Xiuyi paused for a moment, offering a slight consolation, "However, there's no need to worry. The customs and airport authorities have already been notified to restrict their departure. They won't get away. Your family might have a chance to reunite in prison."
Bai Yue's face turned crimson, veins bulging on his forehead. It looked as though a surge of anger was building up inside, ready to burst out with just a bit more provocation.
Gu Xiuyi wasn't one to kick someone when they're down. He stood up, straightened his collar, and prepared to leave. "You seem to have a busy day ahead, and others are waiting to see you. I won't take up any more of your precious time."
Bai Yue's eyelids twitched, turning to Gu Xiuyi with the last of his composure, "Who's waiting?"
He was sure he hadn't scheduled any other meetings today.
Gu Xiuyi frowned, "You're not aware of the high-interest loans your father took out?"
Bai Yue's eyes widened, filled with an indescribable terror.
Song Ling whispered from the side, "He knows. He was the one who decided to borrow the money. And now, those creditors are here."
Understanding dawned on Gu Xiuyi, he instructed Song Ling, "Then hand him over. Don't let those people make a scene, especially if it disturbs Ji Ruan's sleep."
Song Ling suppressed a chuckle, "Alright, I'm on it."
Gu Xiuyi nodded, pushed the door open, and left with an air of dignity.
Just as he turned the corner, he heard a thud from inside - Bai Yue had probably fainted.
·
After leaving, Gu Xiuyi took a thorough shower and changed into clean clothes. Only when he felt presentable did he visit Ji Ruan.
Fortunately, Ji Ruan was unharmed.
Well, to quote Li Sui'an: "With a carpet that thick, it'd be a miracle if anything had happened."
When Gu Xiuyi entered the room, Ji Ruan wasn't asleep. The oxygen mask had been replaced with a more comfortable nasal cannula. He was playing with his fingers, eyes wide. Catching sight of Gu Xiuyi, he flashed a sweet smile.
In that moment, Gu Xiuyi's heart melted.
He sat beside the bed, rubbing Ji Ruan's cheek with the back of his hand before gently lifting him up. "Does your ear still hurt?"
Ji Ruan shook his head.
Gu Xiuyi held Ji Ruan's wrist, noticing a band-aid on the fair back of his hand, underneath which a faint trace of blood could still be seen.
He kissed the pristine fingertips gently, "And your hand? Does it hurt?"
Ji Ruan shook his head again, but this time, his eyes curved into crescents.
He opened his mouth as if to speak, but hesitated. Gu Xiuyi knew that Ji Ruan was reluctant to talk when he couldn't hear well. He retrieved the cochlear implant device from his pocket and gently fitted it onto Ji Ruan.
Ji Ruan: "..."
It finally dawned on him why he couldn't find the device anywhere. Turns out, Gu Xiuyi had pocketed it.
Oblivious to Ji Ruan's silent exasperation, Gu Xiuyi asked with concern, "How does it feel? Is it uncomfortable?"
It wasn't uncomfortable. Ever since his fever subsided, his head hadn't hurt.
Ji Ruan blinked, giving a supremely adorable smile, trying to reassure Gu Xiuyi: "I'm fine, really. It doesn't hurt; it just feels a bit numb."
Gu Xiuyi's expression grew more complicated, a mixture of emotions. Unknown to Ji Ruan, the numbness he felt was a symptom of the displacement of his cochlear implant.
"By the way..."
"Speaking of which..."
They spoke in unison.
Ji Ruan's laughter echoed.
"You go first."
"No, you first."
Once again, in sync.
Gu Xiuyi leaned down, planting a gentle peck on Ji Ruan's cheek: "You speak first, darling."
The kiss tickled Ji Ruan. He laughed, scratching his cheek. His eyes, gleaming and curved, reflected only Gu Xiuyi: "Is the letter with you?"
For a moment, Gu Xiuyi was at a loss: "...What?"
"The letter from Bai Yue," Ji Ruan sat up, his seriousness evident, "He said he came to see me today specifically to give me that letter."
Gu Xiuyi: "..."
Silence befell Gu Xiuyi.
Why was he entirely unaware of this?
His expression turned grave. He believed he had grasped the entire situation, yet such a significant oversight appeared.
He meticulously combed through every corner of his memory, finding no trace of any letter.
Puzzlement etched across Gu Xiuyi's face, a rarity for him: "...What letter?"