Chapter 11 How Will You Pay Me Back?

Chapter 11 How Will You Pay Me Back?

The weather in C City had been turning colder these past few days, signaling a swift change of seasons.

Life seemed to be going on as usual, but for some, it was a time of hidden turmoil. Zhou Liao occasionally grew tired of tormenting Qin Zhan, finding it meaningless when the other person never resisted, acting like a lifeless corpse. This only made him want to bully this cold and indifferent person even more, forcing him to beg for mercy.

As Qin Zhan endured the abuse in silence, Zhou Liao often found it dull to watch someone who resembled a mute corpse. Pure violence no longer satisfied him; he realized that his initial dislike stemmed from Qin Zhan's eyes—those eyes that ignored him, filled with disgust and coldness, reminding him of his mother. A marriage between politics and business, devoid of love, where the child was used to bind a woman's freedom.

As he grew older, he saw his parents less and less. From trying to please them cautiously to receiving cold and indifferent responses, he once cried and asked his mother if she loved him, only to hear her say, "You have everything you could want. What else do you need?"

Zhou Liao couldn't remember how many advantages money and power had given him. He lived a life surrounded by adoration and flattery, using his position to his advantage, as if it were compensation from those two people. No one knew what he was like behind closed doors at home, and he learned to present himself as flawless.

"You have everything you could want. What else do you need?"

Zhou Liao didn't know what he wanted, but he seemed to desire nothing more than to make those eyes that cast shadows over his life focus solely on him through violence and manipulation.

Qin Zhan had been in the hospital for three days, with Zhou Liao footing the bill. After all, killing him would mean no more fun, and he certainly wasn't short of the repair fees.

Throughout the entire stay, Qin Zhan hadn't opened his eyes once, but the hospital assured him that his vital signs were stable, just a deep sleep due to exhaustion. No one reported the incident, and even the attending physician never asked about the origin of Qin Zhan's injuries.

After changing the IV drip, Zhou Liao looked down at Qin Zhan from above. His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see a call from Bai Ling.

He closed the door of the ward and walked to the balcony on the other side of the corridor, answering the call.

"Are you coming back to school today?"

Zhou Liao lit a cigarette, watching patients in wheelchairs touch the small flowers near the green belt below.

"I'll be back soon. Why?"

"Just wondering... do you want to have lunch together?"

Bai Ling rarely took the initiative, and Zhou Liao knew she had never been in a relationship before, always somewhat reserved. He hadn't been in such a relationship for a long time. To him, it wasn't really dating; it was more of a prank after realizing Qin Zhan seemed to care about someone, and that person appeared to like him.

"Go ahead and eat. I won't be there for lunch. Traffic is bad."

"Oh, okay..." Bai Ling hesitated, "How is Qin Zhan doing? Is he better?"

"Yes, much better." Zhou Liao took a deep drag of his cigarette, nicotine spreading through his lungs.

"Really? That's great. Can I come see him today?"

"Do you want to see another man so badly?" Zhou Liao's face showed no emotion, but his tone carried a hint of amusement.

Bai Ling blushed, feeling embarrassed: "No, because Qin Zhan was hurt badly. My mom also wants to know if he's better, but we can't reach him. So I wanted to check on him. Are you... jealous?"

"Only now you notice?" Zhou Liao held the cigarette between his fingers, "He'll be fine in a few days. He's just resting. Let him get some more rest."

"Right..." Bai Ling's ears turned slightly red. She thought about how Qin Zhan was either at school or working, rarely resting. "Thank you for taking care of him."

"It's nothing." Before ending the call, Zhou Liao gently reminded her, "Eat well. Don't worry about anything here."

"You too, you've been busy these days."

After hanging up, he extinguished the cigarette, his expression different from when he was speaking.

"President Zhou, the patient is awake. Do you want to see him?" The balcony door was knocked twice, and a nurse peeked in, speaking softly, afraid of disturbing Zhou Liao.

Zhou Liao turned around, locking his phone: "No, how long until he recovers?"

"He has good physical fitness and should recover within a couple of days. But the wounds will take longer. Some scars might heal faster. He could be discharged this afternoon or tomorrow."

"Hmm." Zhou Liao wasn't particularly concerned about Qin Zhan's recovery speed; it was like fixing a toy.

Seeing he didn't ask further, the nurse didn't say more: "I'll go get him some water."

Once the nurse left, Zhou Liao glanced at the ward. The tree outside the window partially blocked the view, its leaves beginning to turn yellow. Sunlight couldn't stop the changing seasons, and as the wind blew, the leaves fell onto the ground and the small flower near the green belt.

When Bai Ling saw Qin Zhan again, he had improved significantly. His wounds had healed well, and the scars had faded. Expensive medicine worked better than Qin Zhan's makeshift bandages and alcohol. Seeing him, Bai Ling felt relieved.

Qin Zhan said nothing, merely looking at her indifferently, not responding to her gaze.

Zhou Liao smiled: "Good, so everyone can stop worrying. My girlfriend can finally eat and sleep well."

Bai Ling glanced at Qin Zhan, who remained as indifferent as ever.

"Good to see you recovering. My mom heard you were hospitalized due to exhaustion and was worried."

"I'll send her a message."

"Okay." Bai Ling wanted to help adjust Qin Zhan's collar but remembered Zhou Liao's presence and Qin Zhan's aversion to being touched, so she held back. "Qin Zhan, do you want to have lunch together?"

Though she knew the answer would be a refusal.

Qin Zhan shook his head.

"Alright..."

Bai Ling still felt a bit disappointed, gently pulling Zhou Liao's sleeve. He squeezed her hand and smiled, then walked over to adjust Qin Zhan's collar. In the icy atmosphere, he leaned close to Qin Zhan's ear.

"The treatment cost forty-eight thousand. How will you pay me back?"

Qin Zhan, still pale from his illness, stood silently without responding. Bai Ling, standing behind Zhou Liao, couldn't see his expression. When Zhou Liao turned and hugged her waist, walking away, she curiously asked.

"What did you tell Qin Zhan just now?"

"Nothing, just told him to take care of himself."

"Is that so?"

"Don't you trust your boyfriend?" Zhou Liao raised an eyebrow.

Bai Ling hurriedly shook her head. Then, as if remembering something, she asked, "By the way, I heard from Chen Xian that tomorrow is your birthday. How... do you want to celebrate it?"

"How do you want to celebrate it with me?"

Bai Ling didn't know. This was her first relationship, and she couldn't fit into Zhou Liao's social circle. She knew that in that group, she couldn't blend in, whether by looks or background. Zhou Liao had many friends, and he wouldn't spend his birthday alone with her. Zhou Liao had everything; she didn't know what to give him.

"Do you have anything in mind that I could afford to give you?"

The phone in his hand vibrated. Zhou Liao glanced at the message from Chen Xian about the private room at the club. He made sure that Qin Zhan's figure was no longer visible behind him before he released Bai Ling's shoulder.

"I like anything you give me." Zhou Liao seemed somewhat regretful. "But it looks like we can't have dinner together tonight."

"What happened? Why so sudden?" Bai Ling was puzzled by the sudden change, but Zhou Liao always had many people around him, so she didn't feel right asking too much or intruding. She wasn't sure how to handle this relationship.

"A friend has something going on." Zhou Liao answered evasively, his eyes filled with apology. "I'll make it up to you next time."

"What about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow..."

Zhou Liao hesitated. Everyone who knew how Bai Ling and he got together understood that bringing her to such gatherings was unlikely. Moreover, a few words from his friends would reveal everything about him. If it weren't for the fact that helping her during her period could earn him some good will with girls, and because Bai Ling, being inexperienced in relationships, was easy to read and manipulate, Zhou Liao wouldn't even consider her.

"Do you want to come to the party? But there might be a lot of people, and you might feel awkward since you don't know them. Also, there will be a lot of drinking and smoking." Zhou Liao gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "If you decide to come, I'll pick you up."

Bai Ling became hesitant. She had heard rumors but didn't fully understand what that circle was like. As an ordinary college student whose daily life revolved around studying, shopping, and painting, she wasn't sure if she had the courage to join such a gathering. Besides, how long had she been dating Zhou Liao?

She didn't like investing all her emotions in one person. Bai Ling decided to finish the artwork she had taken on ahead of schedule, at least to maintain some independence and not become emotionally dependent on Zhou Liao so quickly.

"In that case, I won't go. Have fun. You've helped Qin Zhan so much, getting him the best care and treatment. Tomorrow is your birthday, so you should relax and enjoy yourself." Bai Ling smiled. "Happy early birthday."

Zhou Liao smiled and kissed her forehead. "Thanks, sweetheart."