Once Meng Ting had kissed enough, and was certain he had, he propped himself up and gently lay against Yan Sui. He buried his head against Yan Sui’s neck, his voice still trembling slightly, “Yan Sui, please don’t get hurt again, okay?”
“I’m very scared, very sad…” He was not just afraid of the medical tools for himself—he was also afraid of them being used on Yan Sui. It hurt a lot, he knew, it hurt so much. He was afraid Yan Sui would also experience such pain.
“Okay, I promise,” Yan Sui murmured, wrapping his arms around Meng Ting. The injuries on his back didn’t hinder him from bearing Meng Ting’s weight; there was no need for Meng Ting to hold himself so carefully.
Meng Ting stayed curled against Yan Sui for a long moment before speaking again. “Can we go home early? I want to go back soon.”
The ‘home’ Meng Ting spoke of was not the Xiao family in Beicheng, but the Yan residence in Haicheng. In Meng Ting’s heart, that was his true home.
“Okay, we’ll go home early,” Yan Sui agreed. The exposure of Wei Xiaoyu’s schemes didn’t have much impact on Meng Ting, but Yan Sui’s injury was not something that could be easily soothed away in such a short time.
Yan Sui took out his phone from his pocket. He made a call—not to change their flight, but to have a private jet from near Haicheng come directly to pick them up.
“We’ll go back to the Xiao family first, say goodbye to Mom and Dad, and then we’ll leave.”
Leaving directly from the hospital like this would only make the Xiao family worried and guilty. It wasn’t even midnight yet, and Ning Zhou’s birthday hadn’t officially ended.
Meng Ting hesitated for a long while before finally responding with a soft ‘Okay’.
“Don’t worry, you weren’t wrong earlier!” On the contrary, his straightforward decisiveness would probably earn Old Master Xiao’s admiration after his initial surprise.
“But, is it also not wrong for me to want to kill someone?” The reason Meng Ting didn’t want to return to the Xiao residence was because he was somewhat afraid of facing their gazes. At that time, seeing Yan Sui injured had filled him with such fury that he didn’t conceal his thoughts, even forcefully making Old Master Xiao agree.
“No, she deserves to die!” Yan Sui was no longer worried about Meng Ting going astray or anything like that. While Meng Ting’s sense of right and wrong might be a bit blurrier than the average person’s, those who could provoke his murderous intent were indeed the kind of people who deserved to die.
Meng Ting pondered for a long while before nodding. However, he still felt that Yan Sui only unconditionally agreed with him because he liked and loved him. Others might not necessarily feel the same way—and these ‘others’ included Ning Zhou.
***
Xiao Zi’ang’s phone call lasted nearly half an hour before he hung up. Xiao Zimo had been listening in as well, and the brothers’ expressions grew increasingly grim as the call went on. Never in their wildest dreams had they imagined that someone as vicious as Wei Xiaoyu could be their usually soft-spoken second aunt.
They finished the call, but before they could even push the door open to go inside, Yan Sui and Meng Ting opened it and came out first.
They looked at Yan Sui and Meng Ting and felt a pang of guilt, but before they could say anything, Yan Sui spoke first.
“I’m fine now. Let’s head back to the Xiao residence first.”
“Okay,” Xiao Zi’ang and Xiao Zimo nodded, stepping aside to let Yan Sui and Meng Ting pass. One went to complete the discharge procedures while the other went to collect the medication. Meng Ting and Yan Sui waited in the car for a while before the they rejoined them.
When they arrived, Ning Zhou and Xiao Huimin were already waiting outside the mansion. Their eyes brimmed with concern as they looked at Yan Sui. Although Xiao Zimo had assured them that there was no major injury, being struck like that would inevitably cause pain for days.
“Come inside quickly. Have a bowl of ginger tea first. The hospital couldn’t have been as warm as home.”
The guests who had come for the banquet had already been sent away while Yan Sui and Meng Ting were still at the hospital. Although they felt a bit puzzled by the abrupt end to the festivities, given the Xiao family’s status in Beicheng, no matter how much they wondered, they had no choice but to leave as graciously as they had arrived.
Ning Zhou said this, then looked at Meng Ting, but Meng Ting held Yan Sui’s hand, his gaze lowered, never meeting anyone’s gaze.
Once seated in the living room, Ning Zhou handed Meng Ting a bowl of ginger tea. Meng Ting didn’t refuse it, but his response was only a somewhat distant ‘Thank you’.
Meng Ting naturally felt distressed for Ning Zhou too, but his experiences growing up and his way of thinking didn’t provide him with the best way to handle the situation at this moment.
“The plane will arrive in another hour. Ting Ting and I will return to Haicheng first. You can come visit us in a few days when you’re free.” Yan Sui said to Ning Zhou and Xiao Huimin. Seeing how Meng Ting remained silent with his head bowed, they chose to nod, even if they were reluctant.
“Alright, we’ll come see you in a couple of days.”
Yan Sui nodded, then raised a hand to rub Meng Ting’s hair. He knew Meng Ting wasn’t taking his anger out on Ning Zhou and Xiao Huimin—or rather, what Meng Ting was worried about was no longer entirely the same as Ning Zhou’s and their current guilt.
Uncle Mo had someone bring down Meng Ting and Yan Sui’s luggage from upstairs. As Meng Ting looked at the bags, his gaze suddenly paused. He stepped forward, opened one of the suitcase, and pulled out a gift box. With lowered eyes, he walked up to Ning Zhou.
“Happy birthday. This is a gift for you.”
Before Meng Ting could hand over the gift, Ning Zhou pulled him into a tight embrace. “Nuo Nuo, I’m sorry Nuo Nuo. It’s Mom’s fault. Mom was blind and failed to protect you…”
The tears Ning Zhou had held back all night finally spilled over. She clung to Meng Ting as if letting go would mean losing him all over again.
Meng Ting lifted his eyes and met Yan Sui’s gaze. Yan Sui gave him a slight nod. Meng Ting pressed his lips together before speaking again.
“I’m not angry with you… I’m just a little scared… scared that you won’t like me anymore. I’m not good, I… I wanted to kill someone again…” The past incident of almost killing someone was a lingering shadow for Meng Ting. What he feared wasn’t the act of killing itself, but the looks others gave him afterward—the fear and disgust in their eyes were what Meng Ting was truly afraid of.
However, hearing Meng Ting said this, even Xiao Huimin found it hard to bear. He stepped forward and wrapped both Meng Ting and the sobbing Ning Zhou in his arms. “No, that’s not true. You are our most beloved child. That will never change.”
“Really?” Meng Ting couldn’t help but ask again.
“Really,” Xiao Huimin affirmed, his eyes also reddening, while Ning Zhou could only nod; she was too choked up to speak.
“That’s good then.” Meng Ting reached up to wipe Ning Zhou’s tears, then placed the gift in her arms. “This is a perfume I blended for you. I hope Mom stays healthy and beautiful.”
“Okay…” Ning Zhou managed to reply. She followed Meng Ting’s gaze, then she reluctantly let him go. Though her tears still flowed, but her heart no longer felt as heavy as before. As long as Meng Ting was alive, nothing was too late.
Meng Ting returned to Yan Sui’s side and immediately leaned into his embrace, burying his face against Yan Sui’s neck, hugging the person tightly. Asking those questions to Ning Zhou and Xiao Huimin hadn’t been easy for him either.
When Old Master Xiao heard from Uncle Mo that Meng Ting and Yan Sui were leaving immediately, he came out of his room as well. But Meng Ting only showed him the back of his head, and even when Old Master Xiao spoke to Yan Sui, Meng Ting didn’t turn to look at him.
How could the child who had been so composed and assertive earlier revert to this again? Old Master Xiao couldn’t quite figure it out, but he also seemed somewhat hesitant to provoke Meng Ting—or rather, he sensed the same protective ache that Ning Zhou and Xiao Huimin felt and couldn’t bring himself to push further.
Just as Meng Ting and Yan Sui were about to board the plane, Old Master Xiao spoke up again. “Nuo Nuo, this is your home too. Come back often in the future.”
Perhaps he was also a little afraid that Meng Ting would never be willing to return after this. And by saying these words, he completely abandoned any rational thoughts about control or restraint. He felt he had wronged Meng Ting, and if he could make amends in his lifetime, he would die content.
Meng Ting paused at the words, turning back after a moment of hesitation. Then, he nodded.
Xiao Zimo also boarded the plane, accompanying them to Haicheng. He planned to stay a few more days to ensure Yan Sui and Meng Ting were truly alright before returning to Beicheng.
***
At three in the morning, the plane landed on the grassy field of the Yan residence. Yan Yu, He Yue, and the others were all roused from sleep, and Gu Li came again to examine Yan Sui’s injuries. After much fuss, it was nearly four in the morning before everyone dispersed to go back to sleep.
On the plane, Yan Sui had spent a long time trying to coax Meng Ting to sleep, but to no avail. Though Meng Ting’s eyes were red with exhaustion, he stubbornly kept them wide open, not only refusing to sleep but also growing visibly displeased whenever Yan Sui tried to persuade him.
Once they were lying in bed, Meng Ting shifted closer to Yan Sui and said very seriously, “You sleep first. I’ll coax you to sleep…”
Seeing Meng Ting’s appearance, feeling both distressed and helpless. He pulled Meng Ting into his arms, pressing a kiss to his lips. “Alright, you coax me.”
“Mm,” Meng Ting affirmed, then gently patted Yan Sui’s shoulder, very, very lightly. He seemed afraid that if he used even the slightest extra force, he’d hurt Yan Sui. Eventually, the patting turned into a gentle caress.
Yan Sui closed his eyes for a while, but when he opened them again, Meng Ting was still awake. Seeing that he wasn’t asleep either, Meng Ting puffed out his cheeks in displeasure but held back from saying anything. Unable to resist, Yan Sui leaned in to kiss Meng Ting’s cheeks and lips again.
“I know, I’ll sleep right away…”
If he didn’t sleep, Meng Ting definitely wouldn’t either—that much was clear without needing further thought.
Yan Sui closed his eyes, enjoying Meng Ting’s gentle touch with peace of mind. It was indeed too late and they were too exhausted. After he settled down, he truly fell asleep. Meng Ting persisted in his gentle patting for a long time before finally withdrawing his hand. He gazed at Yan Sui for another moment, and finally, gently pressed a soft kiss to Yan Sui’s forehead before closing his own eyes to sleep as well.
***
They slept straight through until two in the afternoon. When Yan Sui woke, he freshened up briefly but didn’t leave the room, choosing instead to stay by the bedside, watching over Meng Ting. Sensing that Meng Ting was about to wake, he reached out to ruffle his hair and stroke his cheeks, helping him ease into wakefulness.
“Yan Sui, are you alright? Does your wound still hurt?”
As soon as Meng Ting opened his eyes, he asked Yan Sui the very thing he had worried about before sleeping and even in his dreams.
“Dr. Gu Li’s medicine works very well. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
As he spoke, Yan Sui brushed aside the hair on Meng Ting’s forehead, then leaned down to kiss his brow, the space between his eyebrows, and finally his lips.
Seeing that Meng Ting was less tense under his kisses, Yan Sui continued to kiss him gently and tenderly, with utmost care.
Meng Ting kept his eyes wide open as he was being kissed. He looked at Yan Sui, as if trying to confirm whether he was really alright. But after staring for a long time, he couldn’t discern anything. He reached out to wrap his arms around Yan Sui’s neck and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
“Then let’s have Dr. Gu Li check on you again later…”
Gu Li and Zhen Han were the only two doctors Meng Ting didn’t reject and was willing to trust. Worried that Yan Sui might refuse, he added another reminder, “Be good and listen to me.”
“Alright,” Yan Sui agreed, and only then did Meng Ting let go, allowing him to get up before rising himself.
Nanny Wang had prepared food for them. After they ate, before they could even go find Gu Li, Zhen Han had already brought him over. Zhen Han had been very busy the previous day and had spent the night at the pet hospital. It wasn’t until morning that he returned and heard the news. Seeing that they were awake, he immediately called Gu Li over.
“It’s not serious, but it’ll hurt for three to five days…”
As soon as the words left Gu Li’s mouth, he knew he had misspoken. Under Meng Ting’s dark, piercing gaze, he couldn’t even attempt to backtrack or remedy his statement.
He gave Yan Sui a helpless look, swiftly changed his bandages, and then left with his medical kit.
Yan Sui had just barely managed to calm Meng Ting down, only for Gu Li’s words to ‘undo all his efforts’.
Meng Ting didn’t say anything immediately, but the way he looked at Yan Sui made him feel uneasy.
They sat on the sofa for a while before Meng Ting finally spoke. “I know you didn’t want me to worry, but you shouldn’t lie to me either.”
It clearly still hurt, but earlier when they got up, Yan Sui had lied and said it didn’t. Thinking about this, Meng Ting was genuinely a little angry.
“Mm, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have lied,” Yan Sui admitted sincerely. Meng Ting stared at him for a while longer before reluctantly nodding. “I’ve lied to you before too. This time, we’ll call it even. But it absolutely can’t happen again in the future.”
“Alright,” Yan Sui agreed. He knew Meng Ting couldn’t bear to stay angry with him, but seeing him torn between anger and reluctance only made Yan Sui’s heart ache even more. “I promise I won’t lie to you again.”
Yan Sui’s words still carried a lot of credibility with Meng Ting. This time, he didn’t hesitate too long before nodding.
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 085.3″]
乾淨俐落 (gān jìng lì luo): smooth and clean; neat and efficient; neat and clean and good-looking; squeaky clean; neat and tidy; efficient.如影隨形 (rú yǐng suí xíng): lit. as the shadow follows the substance; as the shadow follows the body (idiom); closely associated with each other; be inseparable; to follow relentlessly; like the shadow following the body—be closely related to each other; a shadow always follows the body. It means that two things are closely related or two people are closely related and cannot be separated.
含笑九泉 (hán xiào jiǔ quán): lit. smiling in the Nine Springs (Diyu); to smile in one’s grave; to have no regrets in life; to die with satisfaction; smile in the underground; die happy; feeling relieved and happy even after death.
愛莫能助 (ài mò néng zhù): lit. would like to, (but) unable to help; unable to help however much one would like to (idiom); although we sympathize, there is no way to help you; unable to help, despite wanting to; hands are tied; feel helpless; unable to help despite willing; powerless to assist; can’t do anything to help; wish to help but can’t; although one has concern and sympathy in one’s heart, one has no power to help.
勉為其難 (miǎn wéi qí nán): to tackle a difficult job (idiom); to reluctantly do something that is almost beyond one’s ability or something that one does not wish to do; to force someone to do something that he/she is hardly capable of or is unwilling to do; undertake to do a difficult job as best as one can; try to do sth beyond one’s ability/power.
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