Chapter Twenty-One: “Repayment”

Chapter Twenty-One: "Repayment"

"Fortunately, he was found in time, and his heart is still beating," the doctor reported while making notes, "The patient has bruising and soft tissue trauma on his neck, along with pulmonary contusion. We've cleared the blood clots and fluid from his airway and started inhalation therapy. He'll need to be hospitalized for observation for a couple of days to monitor his condition."

Inside the private hospital room, everything was clean and orderly. Even the footsteps of nurses outside were kept as quiet as possible. The clear morning sunlight, filtering through dense plane tree leaves, cast mottled and tranquil shadows on the hospital bed and Yun Zi'an's comatose, radiant face. If not for the terrifying bruise marks on his neck, he seemed to be sleeping in a sweet fairy tale.

Rong Xiao, wearing a crumpled shirt, stood with one hand in his pocket, the other holding an unlit cigarette. His eyelids appeared somewhat shadowed due to a sleepless night.

"Hmm," he responded, emotionless, looking at Yun Zi'an on the bed, "I'll follow the doctor's advice."

"Please take care of your own health," the doctor said, standing straight and nodding slightly to Rong Xiao before leaving the room with his assistant.

.

After the doctors left, Meng Wen handed Rong Xiao an iced Americano and presented a stack of documents, "Director Rong, Qin Shi’s legal team is preparing a lawsuit against you and has contacted numerous social media influencers to manipulate public opinion for his exoneration."

Rong Xiao sipped his coffee for a bit of alertness and glanced through the detailed investigation. The internet influencers' emotionally charged drafts, paired with images of Qin Shi's plastered left arm and bandaged hand resembling a pig's trotter, were impactful. Once released on media platforms, they were sure to cause a Chernobyl-like explosion of public reaction.

Disdainfully scoffing at this, Rong Xiao commented, "Overestimating themselves."

He casually tossed the documents into the trash can.

"There’s another matter to report," Meng Wen said, pulling out his phone, "Mr. Li has called you thirteen times from early this morning until now."

Rong Xiao, sipping his coffee expressionlessly, replied, "I don't know him."

"Mr. Li is a Chinese-American, a leading figure in the restaurant industry in the Hong Kong circle," Meng Wen whispered to Rong Xiao, "Rumors suggest he's the financial backer behind Qin Shi's Golden Image Award, and the two have indirect corporate financial ties."

Rong Xiao raised his eyelids indifferently, "What did he say?"

"Mr. Li hopes to downplay the situation," Meng Wen seemed hesitant, "And also..."

Rong Xiao's brows furrowed, "And also what?"

Deciding to lay it all out, Meng Wen left the decision to Rong Xiao, "He also hopes that you will compensate Qin Shi financially and with film resources."

As soon as he finished speaking, Rong Xiao's grip on his coffee cup tightened suddenly, deforming the paper cup.

Reading the answer in Rong Xiao's action, Meng Wen nodded slightly, "I'll reject him right away."

Rong Xiao almost laughed in anger, "Since when can a foreigner meddle in the affairs of the capital?"

.

"Entertainment tabloids are already heating things up," Meng Wen pursed his lips, "They're teasing netizens that a big scandal will break today, hinting vaguely at Yun Zi'an’s identity. The media seems to be waiting, everything depends on your attitude in this matter. The direction of public opinion is very unfavorable for Yun Zi'an; too much suppression could backfire."

"Then let's give them a trending topic," Rong Xiao pointed at the tablet on the bedside table, "Qin Shi has frequented Rong family's hotels in Beijing and Shanghai many times." A mocking smile flashed in his eyes, "His companions are often underage boys."

Hearing this, Meng Wen immediately understood Rong Xiao's intention, "I'm on it."

"Don't let anyone disturb us," Rong Xiao commanded calmly, emphasizing, "Anyone."

Meng Wen stood upright and nodded, "Understood."

.

Holding the tablet filled with serious content, Meng Wen pushed open the door of the hospital room to leave. However, just a few steps out, he bumped into someone. The person was tall and burly; Meng Wen was unharmed, but the other was sent reeling back.

"Damn!" Yan Si clutched his nose, frowning deeply and cursing, "Who's that!"

Meng Wen recognized the man with the golden hair instantly, "Director Yan."

"You are..." Yan Si, still rubbing his nose, sized up the tall figure before him, pausing for a long time before he recognized Rong Xiao's assistant, his voice rising a notch, "Is that bastard Rong Xiao here?"

Old and new grudges surged up, and Yan Si, arm in a sling, headed towards the hospital room, "I'll break his teeth!"

But he was stopped by a hand.

"I'm sorry, Director Yan," Meng Wen said expressionlessly, all business, "Director Rong is not seeing anyone right now."

"Oh, really?" Yan Si had never imagined being barred entry. He was used to having his way, "You dare stop me?"

Meng Wen remained expressionless, "Sorry."

With his arm in plaster, Yan Si's physical strength was greatly reduced. He sized up Meng Wen from top to bottom, his eyes scanning the other's chest muscles straining against the shirt, realizing that forcing his way in was not an option.

But thinking of the rumors he had heard that morning and his deep prejudice against Rong Xiao, he was genuinely concerned about Yun Zi'an's condition.

In just a few seconds, he came up with a seemingly brilliant plan.

"Handsome..." Yan Si put on a smile, suddenly caressing Meng Wen's arm muscles and leaned close to his ear, sensually sucking on his earlobe, "Let me in, will you?"

The tingling sensation on the earlobe transmitted through the nerves to the back of the brain, causing a slight numbness. However, this only made Meng Wen frown slightly, then he expressionlessly pushed Yan Si away, repeating mechanically, "Sorry."

Yan Si, usually successful with his charm, was taken aback, "..."

Feeling humiliated, Yan Si almost gritted his teeth as he left a message for Meng Wen, "You'll see!"

Watching his angry departure, Meng Wen took a moment before lifting his hand to touch his wet earlobe. He then lowered his head, pursed his lips, and adjusted his suit pants, careful not to show any signs of disturbance.

.

The noise outside the door filtered through to the hospital room, causing Rong Shao to frown. He was about to go and check when he heard rustling from the bed. Turning around, he saw Yun Zi'an, pale, propping himself up in bed.

"Awake?" Rong Shao immediately approached the bed. "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Yun Zi'an, who had actually been awake and had overheard everything while feigning sleep, removed his nasal cannula, breathing deeply. He looked fragile as if he could shatter with a touch. "You..."

Rong Shao extended his hand halfway and then stopped, suspended in mid-air, afraid of accidentally hurting him. In his memory, Yun Zi'an was seldom this vulnerable.

It evoked a strong desire to protect and possess in one's heart.

However, the next second, he realized how misguided such a thought was.

.

Yun Zi'an looked at him, his bloodless lips suddenly breaking into a smile, like a white rose stained red, stunning at first glance. "I seem to owe you a repayment."

Rong Shao felt a sense of foreboding at his smile, his Adam's apple bobbing unsurely between saying "no need" and "as you wish."

Before he could speak, Yun Zi'an's hand reached for his waist, fingers slipping under his shirt to touch the hot muscles, and kissed the most sensitive part of a man through his trousers—

Rong Shao's mind exploded.