Chapter 55: “I Want to Be the Fish in Your Pond”

Chapter 55: "I Want to Be the Fish in Your Pond"

Ye Rongzhen stood in front of a grand four-story mansion, hesitating to step inside.

The mansion, designed in an old European style, was shadowed by massive banyan trees. The red roof and white walls nestled beneath their shade, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled light spots that gave off a touch of romance.

Yet, to Ye Rongzhen, it felt eerie.

He stood outside, smoking with a furrowed brow.

A thought struck him, and he opened his phone, noticing an audio file sent by Qin Qing that morning. Attached was a message.

[Only open it when you're at your lowest.]

So even Qin Qing knew that returning to this prison-like home, to face his deranged mother and judgmental father, would only engulf him in boundless pain.

In the past, he had grown accustomed to this hellish existence, even deeming it natural.

But now, after spending merely a night, a few hours, with Qin Qing, he realized what a real home should feel like. A true home should resemble Qin Qing himself - soft, warm, safe, tranquil, seemingly brimming with flowers and sunshine.

Thoughts of Qin Qing softened the cold edges of Ye Rongzhen's eyes.

A slight smile curled his lips as he sneakily posted a photo he had taken of Qin Qing to his social media story, viewable only by Mu Feiyan.

The photo showcased a sleeping Qin Qing, her hair slightly tousled and adorable, her fair cheeks tinted with a rosy hue from deep slumber, her lips slightly parted in a peaceful smile.

Anyone viewing the image would be drawn to its tranquil beauty.

However, the focus for Ye Rongzhen wasn't solely her face but the strong arm beneath her head. That arm had held Qin Qing all night, serving as her pillow, tucking her in, and even gently grazing her curled eyelashes in the morning, eliciting a ticklish sensation.

With these thoughts, Ye Rongzhen smirked. When he looked back at the mansion shrouded under the vast tree canopy, his restlessness had faded.

Approaching the entrance, he stubbed out his still-lit cigarette on the pristine white wall, leaving a charred, unsightly mark.

The butler, who had already taken notice of him and was approaching to open the door, looked at the mark with a mixture of exasperation and affection.

"Young Master Rongzhen, you've grown up. Such mischief isn't befitting anymore. Please come in; your parents have been waiting all night." The elderly butler retrieved a brush, diligently cleaning the mark from the wall.

Ye Rongzhen walked into the living room, pinching his cigarette between his fingers. With a flick, he expertly shot it into the trash bin near the entrance.

Catching sight of someone seated on the sofa, he paused midway while bending down to remove his shoes.

"What are you doing here?" His voice laced with anger and disdain.

Yun Siyu's rosy face immediately turned pale.

Hearing the commotion, Father Ye emerged from the kitchen, voicing his displeasure, "I called Siyu over. Do you have any idea? Your mother almost slit her wrists last night! If Siyu hadn’t arrived in time to console her, you might not have a mother now!"

On any other day, hearing about his mother's suicide attempt would have sent Ye Rongzhen into a frantic panic. He would have willingly kneeled by her bedside, accepting her blows, her scorn, and any cruel punishment she deemed fit.

But today, for reasons unknown, his mind felt unusually clear.

Almost immediately, he caught the inconsistency in his father's statement, “We have you, two assistants, four caregivers, and three maids – a total of ten people watching over her round the clock. Yet, she could have successfully slit her wrists? How is it my fault when I wasn't even here?"

Father Ye was momentarily at a loss for words.

Indeed, with ten people attending to Mother Ye, the possibility of her succeeding in a suicide attempt seemed preposterous.

"All those threats of slitting her wrists, overdosing on sleeping pills, or burning charcoal – it's all talk. Isn't she just trying to manipulate me?" Ye Rongzhen, without even changing his shoes, stepped directly onto the plush woolen carpet in the living room.

Father Ye's lips trembled with anger, yet he was rendered speechless. He was all too aware that his wife's constant threats of suicide were merely tactics to make their son feel even more guilt-ridden.

"Knowing your mother's fragile state, can't you help ease her pain? Her suffering surely outweighs yours," Father Ye lamented.

"All these years, I have been bearing her burdens," Ye Rongzhen sat with a dominant posture on the sofa, spreading his long legs wide. Restlessly, he ran his hands through his coarse hair.

Turning to his father, the resentment clear in his dark eyes, he spat, "Don't forget, ever since I was five, she has taken out all her pain on me. What kind of parents would expect a five-year-old child to shoulder responsibilities and blame that even adults can't bear? Search your conscience; don't you find your actions absurd?"

Ye Rongzhen's face displayed his fervent desire for freedom and the suppressed rage and resentment from years of maltreatment.

His intense, bloodshot gaze bore into Father Ye's guilt-ridden face.

Yun Siyu nervously clutched a throw pillow.

Father Ye's lips quivered as he stammered, "Your mother is fragile, while you're tall and strong, with a fierce character. You can handle it. After all, she's your mother. What's wrong if she scolds you now and then?"

Ye Rongzhen looked at his father in disbelief.

"So, just because I can handle it, I deserve this blame? Am I your son or merely a tool for you both to vent on?"

As he spoke, Ye Rongzhen paused momentarily, then with a swift movement of his foot, forcefully overturned the marble coffee table in front of him.

"I've had enough!"

Amid the crashing sound of splintering marble, Ye Rongzhen swiftly turned to leave.

"Don't you dare walk away! Come back to me now!" A shrill cry echoed from the spiral staircase, belonging to Mother Ye.

She had been awake the whole time, awaiting her son's return. How could he just walk away from her? He must stay in this house forever, subject to her whims and torment!

"After what you did to your younger brother, do you feel no remorse? Look where you're standing!"

With wild, disheveled hair, Mother Ye dashed down the staircase, pointing at the carpet beneath Ye Rongzhen's feet, her voice raw and piercing, "Your brother died right here, the floor was covered in his blood! Do you think covering it with a rug makes it disappear? No! That blood will forever flow in my heart, and yours too! Where do you think you can run? Can you ever forget him lying in that pool of blood, staring up at you from the third floor? Can you erase that scene? Can you? You'll never escape it!"

Ye Rongzhen reeled back, as if punched in the chest, looking down at the carpet with pure dread.

The haunting image of his young brother's body lying in that pool of blood took over his mind, much like a recurrent nightmare.

It was a sight he couldn't forget, for every day of the past decade, his mother would bring it up, over and over again.

That sin seemed to be etched into his blood, reinforced with her relentless words.

Mother Ye lunged at him, grabbing his collar, screaming maniacally, "You won't escape! You're going to stay here forever to appease your brother's spirit, to atone for your sins! You won't get away!"

The unseen blood from Ye Rongzhen's long-decayed heart gushed endlessly.

When is the worst time? Isn't it now?

Ye Rongzhen glanced at his father, who stood motionless with a face full of guilt, yet indifferent. He then looked at the butler, assistants, caregivers, and maids; they all stepped back, allowing Mother Ye to vent her venomous words unchecked.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Yun Siyu, huddled on the couch, clutching a pillow, appearing petrified.

Ye Rongzhen gave a grim smile and clicked on the audio file sent by Qin Qing. In this opulent living room filled with people, no one could save him. How could Qin Qing, who was miles away, help?

Yet, Ye Rongzhen still held on to belief.

He believed that the light he pursued would bring hope.

The crazed, hoarse, and piercing screams of his mother were suddenly pierced by the sound of a jade stone dropping into a calm lake.

With his distinctively clear voice, Qin Qing asked, "Ye Rongzhuang, if I had been present during the tragedy, what do you think I would've done?"

"You would embrace me." Ye Rongzhuang had known the answer all along.

Miraculously, his burdened heart, on the verge of dissolving into despair, found solace. He adjusted the volume, amplifying the gentle, comforting voice.

Qin Qing sighed softly, "I would immediately hold you close, shield your eyes, and hide us somewhere safe, keeping the gore at bay. Whispering soothing words in your ear, I'd assure you it wasn't your fault, vowing to erase all memories of the event. I'd care for you twice as much, urging you to persevere, erasing every bit of pain, fear, guilt, and regret from your heart."

With a lingering sigh filled with a hint of melancholy, he said, "Did you hear that, Ye Rongzhuang? That's what someone who truly cares for you would do in such a situation."

As Qin Qing spoke, Mrs. Ye became eerily silent. It was as if she heard Satan's lullaby or the roar of a demon, her face contorted with terror.

Mr. Ye, Yun Siyu, and all those around displayed bewildered expressions.

Was Qin Qing right? Yes! Exactly so!

How could a truly loving mother, like Mrs. Ye, expose her five-year-old son to such a bloody scene, never letting him forget the painful memories, and consistently use that tragedy to torment him, forcing him to grow up in a hellish environment?

Is this love? Or is it hatred?

This madwoman of a mother, where is she pitiable? She's not pitiable at all! She's an abuser!

As everyone introspected, Ye Rongzhuang, unexpectedly, broke into laughter, a rich, mirthful sound emanating from him.

"Someone who truly cares would do this for me. So, Qin Qing, are you admitting you care about me?" he murmured, his corrupted heart miraculously regenerating at that moment.

Effortlessly, Ye Rongzhuang pried his mother's fingers off his collar, freeing himself from both her grip and his feelings of guilt and remorse.

Qin Qing continued to speak, his voice tinged with a gentle laughter, faintly echoing with the sound of running water.

It must have been recorded last night during a bath. To aid himself, he had gone to great lengths. He truly held himself dear.

Ye Rongzhuang laughed briefly again, his bloodshot eyes brimming with an unprecedented sense of contentment and joy.

He could never have imagined that one day, in front of his deranged mother and within this metaphorical quagmire, he would find himself laughing so heartily.

Seeing his mother lunging to snatch his phone, he showed no mercy, shoving the frail woman away.

Mrs. Ye crashed to the ground, emitting sharp, piercing cries followed by bitter curses.

The shriller and uglier her voice became, the more it accentuated the pleasant resonance of Qin Qing's voice.

Everyone listened intently as Qin Qing spoke; it was a natural pursuit of beauty and hope.

"If someone continually hurts you, they surely don't care about you, let alone love you. Why would you care about them? In the years to come, remember one thing: no matter what transpired, the blame for death should never fall on a clueless, utterly innocent five-year-old child. If you still feel guilt and self-blame now, then I say, to hell with that guilt and to hell with those who hurt you."

As he spoke, Qin Qing unexpectedly laughed. His deeply magnetic chuckle echoed in the confined bathroom, mingling with the humid aroma, irresistibly infectious and moving.

Consequently, Ye Rongzhong also broke into laughter, the dim eyes of a wild beast now twinkling with bits of brightness.

He stashed his mobile phone into his pocket, clenching it tightly with his fist.

Struggling to her feet, Ye's mother lunged to snatch the phone but was mercilessly pushed away by her son and fell hard.

Fearing injury to his wife, Ye's father rushed to assist her, while Yun Siyu and a few nurses gathered around, attempting to soothe her emotions.

But no matter what, Ye's mother couldn't be pacified. She saw clearly the profound influence of Qin Qing's words on her son. In the past, the slightest harm to her would drown him in remorse. But now, he was actually hurting her!

Just a few words from that damned man, and her son had completely slipped from her grasp!

This cannot be! Absolutely not!

"Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu, where are you? Mom knows you're still in this house! Come out and look at your brother! He killed you and feels no remorse! He's a beast!" Ye's mother started her ritual summoning – a tactic that had always worked.

Whenever she called for Xiaoyu, Ye Rongzhong would anxiously look around and then be overwhelmed by surging guilt, incessantly apologizing to thin air.

But today, all those symptoms vanished. Ye Rongzhong lit a cigarette, leisurely taking a few puffs, observing through a haze of smoke as his mother shouted into the void.

He truly didn't care anymore.

Everything in this home seemed disconnected from him, making him feel light and free.

This sensation was exhilarating, transforming Ye Rongzhong's normally dark countenance to one of brightness and openness. Now, he truly resembled a lion, dominant and unstoppable on the plains.

He sat on the single-seat sofa, legs crossed, eyes sharp yet relaxed, lazily drawing on his cigarette.

His mother's curses and beratings became nothing more than amusing background noise. Hearing an inventive insult, he might even curve his lips into a slight smile, casually applauding.

This carefree, aloof demeanor could drive someone in fury to the brink of madness.

In disbelief, Ye's mother gazed at her son, who had seemingly become impervious overnight. Finding herself at a loss for words, she resorted to outright screaming.

"Aaaaahhhhhhh..."

A series of piercing screams resonated through the living room, nearly rupturing everyone's eardrums. The chandelier above swayed, producing a soft tinkling sound.

Ye's mother had exhausted all her tactics today, spewed out all her provocative words. She realized only now that when her son genuinely didn't care about her or was unaffected by past events, he could be this cold and this formidable.

Holding the slowly burning cigarette between his thumb and index finger, his dark eyes slightly narrowed, he looked upon his mother's hysteria with a mocking gaze, as if enjoying a farce.

His mother never truly loved him, and this harsh reality brought him profound liberation.

That's okay, for someone will love him in the future.

A ray of light has already illuminated him.

With that thought, Ye Rongzhong chuckled deeply and contentedly.

Ye's mother, her throat raw from screaming, hearing her son's laughter, mustered up another breath to continue shouting. She was out of options; driving herself to madness was her last resort to keep her son.

But even that tactic was futile.

After finishing his cigarette, instead of stubbing it out in the ashtray, Ye Rongzhong pressed it against the pristine wool carpet.

Immediately, a charred hole formed.

He glanced disdainfully at the hole, then around at everyone in the room before getting up, heading towards the exit at a steady pace.

As he passed Ye's father, he murmured with a cold smirk, "I'm leaving, never to return."

Ye's father stared blankly, tears of separation brimming in his eyes. What pain in this world could be greater than the parting of kin?

"You're not allowed to leave! I won't let you escape!" Ye's mother shouted, her voice tinged with desperation.

Ye Rongzhong leaned in, staring down at his panting mother sprawled on the sofa, and enunciated, "You and your home can go to hell."

Standing upright, he briskly moved towards the open door. Outside, a thick shadow awaited, and beyond that, a brilliant light.

Using the last of her energy, Ye's mother yelled, "Your grandfather left all his assets to me on his deathbed. Step out of this house, and you won't see a penny of the Ye family's wealth again! I'll disinherit you!"

That didn't sound like the words of a madwoman.

The truth dawned upon Ye Rongzhong. All these years, his mother had been feigning madness!

Without looking back, Ye Rongzhong remarked, "This mire of a home, give it to whomever you wish."

Ye's mother shouted back defiantly, "Fine, remember your own words, and don't regret them! I'll adopt Yun Siyu as my son and leave all my wealth to him!"

Such an unexpected windfall left Yun Siyu completely dumbfounded.

Unconsciously, he gripped Ye's mother's hand tighter.

Ye Rongzhong stepped out of the house, his voice fading with distance, "Do as you please. From now on, consider yourself without a son."

"Ye Rongzhong! Ye Rongzhong..."

Ye's mother's cries were like the wails of a specter from hell, but in the sunlight, Ye Rongzhong was beyond her reach.

Qin Qing sat on the balcony, meticulously examining a forensic report.

996 was happily munching on dried fish, making a purring sound.

A vibration came from the phone lying next to him—it was a message from Ye Rongzhong. He said he had severed ties with his family and asked if Qin Qing could shelter him.

Qin Qing sent back three words: [Come back.]

Moments later, the doorbell rang. Without checking the peephole, Qin Qing swung open the door with a grin, "Back so soon?"

"Who did you think was outside?" Mu Feiyan stood at the entrance, his eyes shadowed.

"You thought it was Ye Rongzhong, didn't you? Are you two together now? Have you slept together?" He interrogated as he strode into the living room, swiftly removing his gloves and pulling Qin Qing into a tight embrace.

The scent of disinfectant wafted up, mingled with the woody aroma of agarwood. Qin Qing's head was forcefully pressed against a broad chest, held in place by a firm hand, while the other encircled his waist, leaving him immobilized.

Mu Feiyan held Qin Qing captive in his arms, burying his face in Qin's neck, taking a deep breath, before raising his gaze to meet the latter's surprised eyes.

That face was so beautiful when asleep, like a budding flower, yet not his to claim!

"You said you wanted to give us a try! You said you wouldn't fall for both Ye Rongzhong and me. But in just a day, you're with him! You lied to me!" Mu Feiyan whispered, his raspy voice filled with repressed resentment and anger.

Qin Qing shook his head, replying calmly, "Who I choose to be with seems to be none of your concern."

Mu Feiyan stared intently at him, desperately asking, "Why him and not me? We both made mistakes. Why forgive him and not me?"

At that moment, Ye Rongzhong approached the entrance of the apartment and overheard their conversation.

He didn’t enter but instinctively hid to the side, his back pressed against the wall, silently listening for Qin Qing's response.

He too wondered why he had been so fortuitously chosen.

“Because he needs me,” Qin Qing looked straight into Mu Feiyan's eyes and said deliberately, “Without me, he'd crumble.”

Mu Feiyan paused for a long moment, his head lowering even further until their noses almost touched, then replied in a suppressed tone, full of bitterness, “Is that it? Pity for him?”

Qin Qing remained silent.

Outside, Ye Rongzhong felt a sudden pang in his heart. Qin Qing cared for him, but not out of love—it was out of pity!

Mu Feiyan's eyes hungrily traveled across Qin Qing’s face, a mix of longing, reluctance, and resentment, “If I also descend into the abyss, would you choose me? If you can be with someone out of pity, then pity me too!”

It was a veiled threat. Without Qin Qing's assurance, Mu Feiyan might indeed let himself spiral into self-destruction.

He wanted to exploit his own downfall to gain Qin Qing's compassion.

“What a tragedy,” 996 muttered while chewing dried fish, shaking its head.

Hidden outside, Ye Rongzhong clenched his fists.

Forgetting his own concerns about Qin Qing’s feelings, his primary focus became getting rid of Mu Feiyan, his romantic rival. Mu Feiyan was a madman; for Qin Qing's sake, he was ready to do anything!

No sooner had he thought this, Mu Feiyan morbidly suggested, “Shall I degrade myself? Become worthless, indulge in vice, and drown myself in alcohol daily? You like playing savior, right? Then be my redeemer!”

996's fur stood on end. What on earth had Qin Qing done to enthrall these protagonists? Was this young man's life to be ruined just like that?

Ye Rongzhong was on the verge of bursting into the room, grabbing Mu Feiyan by the collar, and giving him a good thrashing! He knew Mu Feiyan was unhinged enough to go through with his threats!

Qin Qing hesitated briefly before his gaze turned icy. He forcefully pushed Mu Feiyan away and, with a swift movement, slapped him, sending Mu’s handsome face reeling to the side.

“Do you see?” Qin Qing held out his palm, his voice colder than ever, “Do you see what's in the palm of my hand?”

Mu Feiyan saw nothing. But the slap, for him, was evidence that Qin Qing cared. He licked the blood from his split lip, revealing a perverse, satisfied grin.

Holding up his empty palm, Qin Qing, struggling to contain his rage, declared, “My palm is filled with dust. Can you see it?”

Still smiling, Mu Feiyan's tongue teased the corner of his mouth, his face a picture of wickedness. The previously genteel demeanor, the gentlemanly charm, all were facades. This was his true nature.

Qin Qing stepped to the window, exposing his empty palm to the sunlight. Under its glow, the invisible dust sparkled, transforming into tiny, radiant specks.

With emphasis, Qin Qing slowly remarked, "If you were to become mere dust, sinking into the mire, I'd never see you. My eyes are drawn only to the shimmering stars. Understand?"

Mu Feiyan watched the drifting specks, shimmering beautifully under the sun's dappled light. Yet, more captivating was Qin Qing's fiercely indignant visage, radiating with intensity, like a blossoming flower.

What kind of foliage can best complement such a flower?

Suddenly, it dawned on Mu Feiyan. He simply wasn't worthy of Qin Qing. If he continued on a path of degradation and got mired in the depths, he'd lose all hope...

Lost in thought, a glint of determination replaced the shadow in his eyes. Mu Feiyan cast a longing glance at Qin Qing, then trudged away, murmuring, "I understand now. Wait for me."

As he stepped through the doorway, he caught a glimpse of Ye Rongzheng hiding nearby. Pausing, Mu Feiyan sneered, "Qin Qing's eyes see only stars. I lack that radiance. Do you possess it?"

This time, it was Ye Rongzheng's turn to be caught off guard. He realized that while he wasn't bright enough to dazzle Qin Qing, the luminance emanating from Qin Qing was truly intense.