Chapter 25 Sharing the Bed

Chapter 25 Sharing the Bed

Husband, I'm afraid of the dark and dare not sleep alone...

The person in his arms kept slipping down, and Huo Zong frowned slightly, tightening his grip around Jiang Fengmian's waist to gently lift him up.

The small area on his shoulder gradually became damp, and through the suit, tears seeped onto his skin.

Jiang Fengmian was crying, silently.

There was no light in the elevator, and Jiang Fengmian's heavy breathing struck Huo Zong's eardrums. His fingertips found Jiang Fengmian's chin, wiping away the tears, and he called out again, somewhat at a loss.

"Jiang Fengmian, are you afraid of the dark?"

A faint voice passed through his ears, and Jiang Fengmian's chest felt heavy. He barely managed to lift his head, but waves of spasms surged through him, his whole body feeling as if it had been crushed by a heavy weight, making it hard to breathe.

His fingers tightened, gripping Huo Zong's collar as if clutching the last lifeline.

The endless darkness pressed down, and Jiang Fengmian felt like he was drowning, like a drifting piece of duckweed, helplessly wide-eyed, curling up and burying himself in Huo Zong's arms.

Countless demons sprang from the darkness, clawing and grinning wickedly as they reached out with skeletal hands. Jiang Fengmian closed his eyes, trembling.

"Jiang Fengmian, I'm here, don't be afraid."

Huo Zong kept talking for a long time, but Jiang Fengmian remained unresponsive, lost in his own thoughts, his empty eyes continuously shedding tears, his feet rooted to the ground, his soul seemingly drained.

"Hello, it's me."

"I'm not sure which floor we're stuck on. The elevator ran for about thirty seconds before it suddenly stopped. The floor is too high, I don't dare to move recklessly."

He had been working overtime too late, and there were hardly any employees left in the Huo Corporation building. Chen Chen was still on his way, and it would take half an hour to drive from his home to here.

"Please hurry, I..." Huo Zong paused, a word lingering on the tip of his tongue, "My companion isn't doing well, suspected to have claustrophobia."

"Alright, we're not leaning against the elevator."

The fire department had arrived and was investigating the cause of the accident.

Huo Zong picked up Jiang Fengmian, who kept slipping down, and brushed aside the strands of hair on his forehead, gazing at Jiang Fengmian's eyes in the darkness.

"Jiang Fengmian, you're not alone, you have me, everything will be fine."

A hot tear fell onto Huo Zong's hand, and Jiang Fengmian tilted his head, looking for a long time before squeezing out two words from his nearly voiceless throat.

"Huo Zong."

"I'm here, Huo Zong is here. Jiang Fengmian, the fire department will be here soon, stop crying, okay? If the firemen see you crying, they might say, 'How old are you, still crying like a child?'"

Jiang Fengmian sniffled, the chill around him slightly dissipating, and he tightened his arms, pressing even closer to Huo Zong.

"I am Huo Zong's child."

"Alright, but even children shouldn't cry. Stop crying, okay?"

Jiang Fengmian, slightly calmer, nodded gently, wiping his tears on Huo Zong's neck.

Jiang Fengmian's heartbeat fluctuated wildly, and as the elevator plummeted, all the negative emotions surged up, drowning him like a tidal wave.

The suffocating feeling of drowning was too intense, as if a nylon rope was tied around his neck, being pulled up and pushed down by an invisible hand, choking on water, gradually losing strength. He was in pain, his whole body hurt.

Only under the enveloping presence of Huo Zong did the ever-present sense of fear slightly recede. Jiang Fengmian could only desperately cling to Huo Zong, not daring to let go for a moment.

After waiting a few more minutes, the elevator suddenly lit up and resumed operation.

Almost simultaneously, Huo Zong received a call from Chen Chen.

"Mr. Huo, I'm with the firefighters. After inspection, we found that someone maliciously cut the power."

"Your private elevator malfunctioned once today. The maintenance technician said it was due to a sudden power outage. I repeatedly confirmed it was fixed, and it wasn't used in the afternoon. I suspect..."

"Investigate."

With that single word, Chen Chen felt a chill run down his spine.

An elevator malfunctioning at a high altitude, especially with two people inside, could be a matter of life and death.

Chen Chen hurried over, his back drenched in cold sweat.

Holding his phone, he dared not imagine what would happen if something really went wrong. How would he, as the special assistant, live the rest of his life?

Ding.

The elevator doors opened.

Huo Zong half-carried Jiang Fengmian out, and Chen Chen immediately approached.

"Mr. Huo."

"Hello, is everyone alright?" The firefighter stepped forward to assess the two.

"Thank you, he's not in a good state."

Jiang Fengmian's eyes were red, his face devoid of color, and his lips were bitten, leaving bloodstains. He looked utterly terrified.

"Chen Chen, please take the time to check the company's surveillance footage from this afternoon, as well as the clock-in records of those who worked overtime. Contact me immediately if you find anything."

"Thank you, I'll take him back now."

"It's good that everyone is safe."

The firefighters stepped out ahead of Huo Zong, leaving them some privacy.

"Mr. Huo, I'll get to work then."

Chen Chen was perceptive; as long as everyone was safe, that was what mattered.

He noticed Huo Zong's grim expression, clearly suppressing his emotions. If it weren't for Jiang Fengmian in his arms, Huo Zong would probably have stayed up all night reviewing the surveillance footage with him.

"Jiang Fengmian, can you walk?"

Since exiting the elevator, Huo Zong had been half-carrying him, lifting him with slight effort. His legs were weak, devoid of any strength.

Jiang Fengmian rubbed his sore eyes, steadied himself by holding onto Huo Zong's shoulder, and said in a soft, pitiful tone, "Brother, carry me."

In a silent standoff, Jiang Fengmian looked pitiful, his lips quivering as if he was about to cry again.

After their eyes met, Huo Zong turned and half-knelt.

"Jiang Fengmian, climb on."

Jiang Fengmian's eyes curved as he carefully climbed onto Huo Zong's back.

He wrapped his arms around, slightly squinting his eyes, his cheek rubbing against Huo Zong's neck, quietly taking a breath.

"Brother, am I heavy?"

"Not heavy."

Huo Zong walked steadily with each step, the person on his back feeling light. Despite having taken care of him for so long, he seemed only slightly heavier than when they first met, still thin and small.

He held onto Huo Zong's slender legs, his arms stretched out in front, always thinking that Jiang Fengmian needed more meals, he was too thin.

The driver got out of the car, surprised to see Huo Zong.

For so long, it was the first time he had seen someone so close to him.

On the way back, the driver couldn't help but observe Jiang Fengmian from the rearview mirror.

He leaned on Huo Zong's shoulder, his head tilted, a tear seemingly gathering on the bridge of his nose, his delicate cheeks flushed, his lips pursed, looking like he wasn't sleeping peacefully.

His appearance was indeed very compatible with Huo Zong, much more attractive than those online celebrities.

"Mr. Huo, we've arrived."

"Hmm."

Huo Zong didn't move, Jiang Fengmian seemed to be asleep on his shoulder, he signaled the driver to turn off the lights and get out, he sat quietly, waiting for Jiang Fengmian to sleep a little more soundly.

The clock hand moved only a few numbers, Jiang Fengmian made a sound, groggily opened his eyes, looked up at Huo Zong's chin, and affectionately rubbed against it.

His high nose tip rubbed from his chin to his earlobe, Huo Zong clenched his fist, after a day of physical contact, Huo Zong was completely unsettled, he restrained himself and closed his eyes, speaking in a low voice.

"Jiang Fengmian, get out of the car."

The kitten raised its paw and meowed, taking advantage of the situation to hook his fingertip, making cooing sounds.

Huo Zong lost his temper, could only push Jiang Fengmian to get out, grabbing his wrist to go upstairs.

"Brother, don't go."

Jiang Fengmian half-lay on the big bed, he tightly grabbed Huo Zong's wrist, using a little force.

With a bang.

Huo Zong half-knelt and fell on him, his arm propped beside his head, his deep eyes staring straight at him.

Jiang Fengmian's wet eyes blinked twice, then he wrapped his arms around Huo Zong's neck.

He seemed to bite his lip.

From Huo Zong's angle, Jiang Fengmian looked like he was... asking for a kiss.

Huo Zong was startled by his own thought, cold sweat immediately broke out, his back soaked.

His Adam's apple moved, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes.

Jiang Fengmian understood nothing, it must be his overthinking.

Huo Zong propped himself up with one hand on the bed, the other hand just touched Jiang Fengmian's wrist, when he saw Jiang Fengmian's reddened eyes filled with tears again.

"Husband, I'm afraid of the dark and can't sleep alone."

Before Huo Zong could even scold Jiang Fengmian, the grip on his neck loosened, and the person beneath him suddenly curled up, mumbling words that Huo Zong couldn't quite make out.

The term "husband" seemed more like an unconscious murmur.

"Huo Zong."

Huo Zong leaned down to listen for a few moments, barely able to make out his own name.

Jiang Fengmian's cheeks grew even more flushed. He reached up to touch them, then flinched as if burned.

"Hey, Dr. Li, could you come over?"

"No, don't."

A faint, small voice came through, and Huo Zong fell silent again.

"Jiang Fengmian might have claustrophobia. The elevator just lost power, and we were stuck halfway. He got scared and now he's starting to run a fever."

Dr. Li let out a soft "ah" and said gently, "Huo Zong, this isn't something I should handle. Fengmian is probably very resistant to outsiders right now. What he needs is you, not a doctor."

"Also, I suspect the fever is emotional. Stay with him, try to get him to sleep, and remember not to provoke him. He's more fragile than anyone right now."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Huo Zong first took off his suit jacket. He unbuttoned Jiang Fengmian's clothes, leaving only the inner layer, and firmly tucked Jiang Fengmian into bed to sleep.

"Brother, don't go, please," Jiang Fengmian's eyes misted over as he pleaded in a lowered voice.

"I'm not leaving. I'll stay with you."

Jiang Fengmian shifted further into the bed, stubbornly pulling Huo Zong up.

After some tugging, Huo Zong had no choice but to lie down fully clothed.

Only then did Jiang Fengmian's furrowed brow relax. He gradually moved closer to Huo Zong's side, finding a comfortable spot for his head, draping his legs over Huo Zong, and wrapping his arms around his waist, pinning him down from all sides, as if afraid he might run away.

"Jiang Fengmian, sleep."

A scorching heat radiated, making Huo Zong's entire body burn.

His rapid heartbeat was unmistakable in the darkness, thumping so loudly it felt like it might leap out of his chest.

Beads of sweat formed on Huo Zong's forehead. He lay stiff as a board, not daring to move a muscle.

The skin pressed together was unbearably hot, yet a faint sense of satisfaction began to rise. He twirled his fingers, listening to the steady breathing beside him, and in the end, couldn't bring himself to leave.

***

Late at night.

A loud crash.

Thunder roared outside.

Huo Zong's eyes snapped open. Jiang Fengmian beside him was sleeping restlessly, muttering something and silently crying again.

Huo Zong leaned in to listen closely. It seemed to be, "Don't hit me."

— "Please, don't hit me."

The thunder grew louder.

"Little bastard, was it you who stole it? Was it? Stealing even ten yuan, didn't we give you enough to eat or drink? Shameless, like parent, like child. A child with no father or mother has no upbringing."

The thin cane lashed fiercely on Jiang Fengmian's back, and he let out a cry. He curled up on the muddy ground, biting his lip to hold back tears, desperately explaining.

"Uncle, I didn't, really, it wasn't me."

The sharp sound of the cane cutting through the air was followed by intense pain. The cane, soaked in water, struck his back with extra force.

His thin shirt was already soaked with blood. When Jiang Fengmian looked up, he saw his uncle's son guiltily running back into the house, hiding in his aunt's arms, watching him with glee in his eyes.

In that instant, Jiang Fengmian understood everything.

He held back his tears and stopped explaining. His uncle, thinking he had admitted guilt, beat him even harder.

Jiang Fengmian was in so much pain that he couldn't even speak. His vision blurred, and he had no strength left, barely able to get up.

"Little bastard, stop pretending. Stealing money at such a young age, you must be tired of living."

"I'm doing this for your own good. If I don't discipline you now, you'll end up stealing and getting into trouble, and you'll end up in jail."

Seeing Jiang Fengmian's cold, unresponsive demeanor, his already drunken uncle grew even angrier. He grabbed Jiang Fengmian by the neck and lifted him up.

Like holding a chick, he dragged Jiang Fengmian across the ground, and in his drunken state, threw him into the small, confined attic.

The attic window had long been sealed shut. His uncle bent down, seeing Jiang Fengmian's stubborn refusal to admit defeat, and slapped him hard across the face.

Jiang Fengmian turned his head and lay on the ground, the last glimmer of light in his eyes extinguished.

"What are you glaring at, you little bastard? Let me tell you, without me, you'd be begging on the streets by now. Giving you food, drink, and a place to live is already more than you deserve, and you still steal money? You must be tired of living."

He spat.

A thick, foul-smelling phlegm landed on Jiang Fengmian. He closed his eyes, no matter what his uncle said, he remained silent.

This house was his, left to him by his parents after they passed away. Just because he was only ten, he needed a guardian. Just because he had no other relatives besides his uncle's family, he had to leave the inheritance to them.

The house, the car, the compensation from the accident—all of it.

Jiang Fengmian, an orphan, had nothing.

The attic was too dark. He struggled to crawl to the attic door, but it was tightly locked from the outside. Jiang Fengmian clawed at the door crack, his fingers bleeding, but he couldn't open it.

He took a deep breath, his stomach burning fiercely. He hadn't eaten for over a day, starving to the point of swallowing saliva.

Stars seemed to swirl before his eyes. Jiang Fengmian's tears fell on the floor, dust covering his entire body. His back hurt more and more. He carefully took off his shirt, afraid that the open wounds would stick to the fabric and tear.

Dark and quiet, Jiang Fengmian couldn't find a single glimmer of light.

He tried to crawl to the window, but it was too high up. He was too short, the sealed window seemed as high as the sky.

Thud.

Jiang Fengmian fell to the ground, whether from hunger or pain, he didn't know.

The rumbling thunder woke Jiang Fengmian. He curled up in fear, calling out for his mom and dad.

Mom and dad had just left, and he had become a wild child.

Mom and Dad, please take me with you, I'm so scared, so scared.

The light from the lightning occasionally illuminated the attic through the cracks in the window, and Jiang Fengmian watched in horror as the poisonous insects in front of him slowly approached.

He supported himself with his palms on the ground and retreated, soon hitting the cold wall, which irritated the wounds on his back, causing Jiang Fengmian's vision to darken from the pain.

He couldn't tell if it was a centipede or some other insect, but the densely packed legs made Jiang Fengmian shudder.

The rustling sound of a pile of insects seemed to engulf Jiang Fengmian, who now didn't even have the strength to cry, thinking it might be better to let the insects eat him.

Jiang Fengmian hugged his knees, instinctively protecting his head. Fortunately, the insects didn't seem to want to bite him; they crawled over him and went elsewhere.

In such a confined and dark space, Jiang Fengmian had no sense of time. The muffled thunder outside lasted as long as Jiang Fengmian's tears fell.

It was only later, when he couldn't hold on anymore, that he slowly fell into a deep sleep.

After what seemed like a long time, Jiang Fengmian was awakened by stomach cramps. He felt like he had been pulled out of water, breaking out in cold sweats.

He knelt on the ground and crawled to the attic door, pounding on it with decreasing strength.

So weak that he thought he was going to die in the attic, the narrow door finally burst open.

The demon-like uncle looked down at him with what seemed like mockery on his face.

"Awake, huh?"

"Your brother said he took the money to buy snacks. You deserve it, who told you to lead your brother astray."

Jiang Fengmian's ears were buzzing, and he couldn't hear anything. He fell straight to the ground, hitting it hard, and completely passed out.

When he woke up again, he was in the hospital, the smell of disinfectant mixed with a foul odor, making Jiang Fengmian almost vomit.

The uncle was nowhere to be found, and the doctors surrounded him, not speaking for a long time.

"Doctor Uncle, can you help me call the police?"

Being locked in the attic wasn't the first time, but being beaten half to death and then locked in was a first.

The sense of near-death was so real, Jiang Fengmian felt like he had truly walked through the gates of hell and come back. Since they didn't want him to live, he saw no need to be soft-hearted.

Jiang Fengmian's body was too weak; a ten-year-old child looked no different from a five or six-year-old, malnourished, covered in wounds, a shocking sight.

When the community heard that Jiang Fengmian had called the police, they went home with the police.

Many neighbors knew about the scumbag's abuse of Jiang Fengmian, but it was considered a family matter, and they couldn't intervene. Who knew it would go this far, almost beating the child to death.

"Officer, it's a misunderstanding. The child stole something, and I just wanted to teach him a lesson, it was just a joke."

"A joke? He can't even stand up now because of your beating. The child said it was your son who stole the money. He has a severe stomach illness, eating leftovers from the dog's bowl every day, moldy bread and buns. With witnesses and evidence, what are you trying to argue?"

"Also, the house and inheritance belong to Jiang Fengmian, you have no right to interfere. Not only do you have to return them, but you also have to go to jail."

The community staff looked at Jiang Fengmian on the stretcher with heartache, feeling it was their oversight. They only knew he was being raised by his uncle, not that he was being abused all along.

Relatives from Jiang Fengmian's mother's side avoided contact, not showing up from start to finish. Now his uncle has been arrested and sentenced to three years, and his aunt has taken the child and fled far away.

A ten-year-old child refused to go to the orphanage, believing that as long as he had a house, he still had a home, and didn't want to leave.

The community staff had to take responsibility for Jiang Fengmian's life. He was well-behaved and sensible, not troubling others, even though he was eating from a hundred homes, he took good care of himself.

The psychologist had come many times, but each time returned without success.

Jiang Fengmian's wariness was too strong; he no longer trusted anyone. On the surface, he got along very well with his neighbors, but in reality, he remained detached from the crowd.

He could be a good friend to anyone, yet at the same time, he held no one in his heart.

For many years to come, he was gentle and humble, becoming a little sun in the mouths of many, warming the community and the world.

Only in confined spaces, when Jiang Fengmian's breathing became rapid and his vision blurred, did he realize that all these years, he had been trapped in that small attic.

Another muffled thunderclap.

In a daze, Jiang Fengmian seemed to hear someone calling his name.

He was falling into an endless dark night, running forward without stopping, not daring to take a breath.

The abyss pressed down on him, with not a glimmer of light in sight.

Jiang Fengmian cried helplessly, even when he fell to the ground, he crawled forward.

"Jiang Fengmian."

"Jiang Fengmian, can you hear me?"

At some point, a crack appeared in the dark, confined space. Jiang Fengmian stumbled towards it, raising his hand in disbelief, only to touch something warm in an instant.

A hand, whose hand was it?

Jiang Fengmian struggled to open his eyes, coughed twice, and spat out a mouthful of foul air before he could see clearly who was in front of him.

It was Huo Zong.

With a cry, the pent-up frustration in his heart was released.

Jiang Fengmian struggled to get up, and under the dim light of the room, he threw himself into Huo Zong's arms.

"Huo Zong."

"Did you have a nightmare? Don't be afraid, I'm here with you."

It was a nightmare that had haunted Jiang Fengmian for over a decade, one he would fall into from time to time. Even though his uncle had long since passed away, his brother had become a regular at the police station for petty theft, and his aunt had become a stranger he would never see again, he was still trapped in that dream.

—Unable to break free.

"Jiang Fengmian, are you afraid of thunder?"

Huo Zong gently covered Jiang Fengmian's ears with his hands, his eyes filled with heartache and helplessness.

Jiang Fengmian had been crying in his sleep, repeatedly begging, "Don't hit me, please don't hit me."

Huo Zong patted his back lovingly, but it not only didn't help, it seemed to intensify Jiang Fengmian's fear. For a moment, he didn't know what to do.

"The thunder will stop soon, don't be afraid."

Jiang Fengmian gritted his teeth, and a surge of grievances overwhelmed him. He lifted his head from Huo Zong's embrace, and under Huo Zong's puzzled gaze, suddenly bit down on his neck.

Sharp teeth pierced the soft skin, and Huo Zong frowned slightly, letting Jiang Fengmian bite.

Soon, a dense itchiness overtook the pain, and Huo Zong's blood surged throughout his body.

He actually felt a sense of pleasure.

Hiss.

The sharp teeth seemed to have pierced the skin.

A faint scent of blood spread, and a tear slid down Huo Zong's collarbone, continuing downward.

Jiang Fengmian slowly withdrew, his tongue gently licking the spot on Huo Zong where he had bitten, like an injured little beast, seeking warmth only from Huo Zong in front of him.

As the scent of blood gradually faded, the string that had snapped in Jiang Fengmian's mind finally reconnected. He looked at Huo Zong helplessly, wanting to touch his wound but hesitating and carefully putting his hand down.

Tap.

Suddenly, Huo Zong grabbed his finger and pressed it against the ring of teeth marks.

"Jiang Fengmian, it doesn't hurt."

It hurt, Jiang Fengmian was in agony.

He held back the surging tears and complained, "Huo Zong, why did you only come now?"

After all these years, why did you only come now?