Chapter 69: The Moonlight from Sixteen Years Ago

Chapter 69: The Moonlight from Sixteen Years Ago

The sky darkened early, and the rain was beginning to let up. Zhao Shengge took a long-handled umbrella and walked through the central garden, not entering the lobby of the office building.

Chen Wan soon emerged from the building with his partner, dressed in a suit and a long coat, seemingly discussing business matters, occasionally nodding, followed by two or three young colleagues.

It was clear that Chen Wan was about to say goodbye, but the young colleagues seemed to still be pestering him with questions, which Chen Wan patiently answered.

Almost the moment the automatic glass doors opened, Chen Wan spotted Zhao Shengge under the bauhinia tree, leaves resting on his shoulders. Their eyes met through the dim light and rain, locking in a quiet gaze.

A smile flickered in Chen Wan’s eyes as he bid farewell to his subordinates and quickened his pace, shedding some of his earlier formality.

Zhao Shengge stepped forward, reaching out to take him under the umbrella, firmly shielding him.

Chen Wan touched his hand, relieved it wasn’t too cold.

“Thanks for waiting.” Recently, Kexiang had gained significant attention, and Chen Wan had been busy assisting Ge Xi in dividing Rongxin, among other matters, significantly increasing his workload.

“No problem.” Zhao Shengge naturally placed his hand on Chen Wan’s waist, guiding him as they walked.

The wind and rain were blocked by Zhao Shengge and the umbrella, and Chen Wan remained completely dry when he got into the car.

From school to work, Chen Wan had little experience being picked up and taken home. He watched Zhao Shengge start the car and warm it up, feeling his heart fill. He leaned over to kiss him, but Zhao Shengge only let him kiss for a moment before gently pushing his shoulder to create some distance, handing him a paper bag and saying, “Have something to eat first.”

It was already past dinner time. Chen Wan was strict about others maintaining a regular schedule and diet but lenient with himself. Within reason, Zhao Shengge wouldn’t interfere, as he himself was a workaholic, but Chen Wan had been overdoing it lately.

The bag was still warm. Chen Wan opened it and blinked, “How did you figure that out?”

It contained his occasional favorites: mango pomelo sago, fish balls, and a pineapple bun with extra-thick butter.

When he was younger, living in a tenement building in the outer ring, someone would sell egg waffles with ice cream, red rice rolls, and fried radish cakes on the street. Chen Wan had no money, so he would stand and watch. Near closing time, the vendor, pitying him, would grill the leftovers and give him a portion.

The steaming curry fish balls in winter brought Chen Wan contentment.

It had been a long time since Chen Wan had eaten such childhood snacks. He once took Zhuo Zhixuan to try them. Zhuo Zhixuan, without any pretensions, ate three bowls of curry fish balls, while Chen Wan, touching his nearly empty wallet, hesitated to say anything.

Chen Wan laughed, “You actually know about these things. I thought you’d never seen them before.”

“…” Zhao Shengge turned the steering wheel halfway, reversing the car, “You know as much about me as I know about you.”

Even if he knew less than Chen Wan now, there would surely come a day when he knew more.

The two cars Zhao Shengge most often used, the radio channels, leather-scented car fresheners, tea, and pillows… Often, when Chen Wan opened the car door, it felt like stepping into his own car.

The pineapple bun melted on his tongue, sweeter than he remembered from childhood.

After dinner, Zhao Shengge said, “Let’s go somewhere.”

Chen Wan didn’t ask where, simply replying, “Sure.”

Halfway through the drive, Chen Wan recognized the place. Zhao Shengge slowed down and turned to ask, “Do you mind?”

He had consulted Monica, but if Chen Wan showed even the slightest resistance, Zhao Shengge would immediately turn around.

Over the years, Chen Wan had become impervious to harm, and this place could no longer hurt him, especially with Zhao Shengge by his side. So he said, “I don’t mind.”

Xiaolan Mountain hadn’t changed much from over a decade ago. Though it had been converted into a sanatorium, the dark hills, the not-too-tall trees, the daily-trimmed lawns, and the white fences made it feel more like a high-end, tranquil prison. The howling mountain winds drowned out countless screams, tears, and struggles.

Perhaps Zhao Shengge had made arrangements in advance, as they didn’t encounter anyone along the way.

Room 407.

The prison that once trapped Chen Wan, where the young boy was confined in this fifty-square-meter room to take medicine, receive injections, undergo electroconvulsive therapy, and endure forced treatments day after day. His consciousness and soul were stripped away piece by piece, turning him into a creature that was neither human nor ghost.

Chen Wan felt little emotion, only slightly confused as he looked at Zhao Shengge, wondering why they had returned to this place.

Zhao Shengge took his hand and placed it in his own pocket, then opened the door directly.

The room was not as Chen Wan remembered it. There was no hospital bed, no IV stand. It didn’t even resemble a hospital room. The air carried an indescribable stench, and if Chen Wan had to describe it, he could only think of the phrase "mangled flesh and blood."

The lighting was dim, and Chen Wan couldn’t see well. He moved closer to Zhao Shengge, who gripped his hand tightly. As they walked further into the room, Chen Wan saw a body with rotting flesh shackled to the wall.

If it hadn’t been for the finger Chen Wan himself had severed, he wouldn’t have recognized this person as Liao Quan.

Everyone outside thought Liao Quan had been taken away by the Securities and Exchange Commission, but now he was locked in Chen Wan’s former hospital room by Zhao Shengge, enduring abuse ten or even a hundred times worse than what Chen Wan had once suffered.

Liao Quan angrily cursed, "Zhao Shengge, what right do you have to arrest me! You’re abusing private punishment; this is a crime!"

Zhao Shengge ignored him, looking at Chen Wan, asking, "Are you scared?"

Although Chen Wan himself often operated on the fringes of the law, looking at Zhao Shengge’s face hidden in the darkness, he truly felt, for the first time, the extent of Zhao’s power and ruthlessness.

Chen Wan was lost in thought briefly, and Zhao Shengge’s grip on his hand tightened significantly. Chen Wan immediately gripped back just as tightly.

"Not at all."

Liao Quan, now with only one eye, glared at them, consumed by jealousy and hatred, sneering, "Zhao Shengge, so it’s for him. You’re actually a romantic."

All that effort to extract him from the police was for Chen Wan.

The Chen Wan he had obsessed over for so many years but never managed to possess.

"Don’t be fooled by him; he’s using you. He’s just like his mother, a heartless gold-digger who preys on the rich and powerful. People like him are heartless; they only toy with your emotions."

"You actually like this filthy trash? Do you know he was already—"

Zhao Shengge nonchalantly picked up an electric baton and shoved it into Liao Quan’s mouth. A sharp, guttural scream shattered the silence of the night.

Zhao Shengge’s expression remained unchanged as he applied force, the baton like a burning stick, tearing through Liao Quan’s mouth and searing his throat.

"I know. That’s why you’re here today."

Liao Quan screamed in agony as Zhao Shengge looked down at him coldly, taking a moment to admire the scene before tossing the baton aside and saying in a deep voice, "Because you got it wrong."

"It’s me who’s chasing him."

Liao Quan’s eyes widened in terror.

Zhao Shengge tilted his head slightly, "It’s me who begged him to be with me."

Chen Wan also couldn’t help but widen his eyes as he looked at him.

Liao Quan, blood in his mouth, let out muffled cries.

Zhao Shengge casually picked up a dagger and handed it to Chen Wan, asking, "Which hand did he touch you with?"

"The right hand," Chen Wan took the dagger and said lightly, "But I already crippled that finger back then."

"I see," Zhao Shengge seemed to ponder for a moment, then took the dagger back from Chen Wan’s hand, wrapping Chen Wan’s hand in his own palm, and said, "Then we’ll let someone else take care of it."

Now that revenge has been served, there’s no need to get Chen Wan’s hands dirty again.

Liao Quan, seething with jealousy and rage, cursed. Zhao Shengge shushed him like a stray dog yapping on the street and informed him, "I’ll make sure your right hand and tongue are delivered to your sister."

As Liao Quan watched in terror, Zhao Shengge led Chen Wan away.

Zhao Shengge said, "Chen Bingxin’s right next door. Wanna see him?"

At the shareholders' meeting that day, Chen Wan kicked Chen Bingxin off the board himself and, in alliance with some minor shareholders, took away the Chen family and their relatives' real power.

In just a few days, the Chen family was thrown into despair, their grand mansion cloaked in a deathly hush, like a tomb for the living. You could set up a gravestone at the entrance and start offering incense right away.

Chen Bingxin, stripped of his power, his soul drained, had a sudden stroke and was conveniently taken to this "sanatorium" by Zhao Shengge.

Before Chen Wan could speak, Zhao Shengge said, "Never mind." There was no need to see him again.

He gripped Chen Wan’s hand tightly and led him out of the white building.

Before they knew it, they reached the spot where Chen Wan first met Zhao Shengge. The moonlight tonight felt the same as sixteen years ago, yet somehow different.

Zhao Shengge was looking down at his phone, probably telling his people how to handle Liao Quan.

Chen Wan moved closer. Without looking up, Zhao Shengge kept typing with one hand and pulled Chen Wan into his coat with the other.

The falling leaves and valley breeze didn’t reach Chen Wan. He was safe and warm, only his eyes peeking out, glowing in the dark.

After staring at Zhao Shengge for a moment, Chen Wan spoke, "Zhao Shengge."

Zhao Shengge finished typing the last two words, put away his phone, and grasped the back of Chen Wan’s neck, lowering his eyes. "Hmm?"

Chen Wan stepped out of his coat, creating some distance, and said, "What he said... it’s not true, you know."

Zhao Shengge met his gaze.

Of course, he knew Liao Quan was lying. Truth didn’t matter. Zhao Shengge, a seasoned negotiator, understood human nature and knew how to strike the deepest chord.

No matter how much Liao Quan badmouthed Chen Wan, Zhao Shengge loved him, protected him, was devoted to him, and had won him over. This would hurt Liao Quan the most.

Seeing Zhao Shengge remain silent, Chen Wan repeated, "What he said isn’t true."

Zhao Shengge said, "Everything I said is true."

Every word.

Chen Wan opened his mouth but couldn’t speak.

Zhao Shengge continued, "But there’s one thing he probably didn’t lie about."

"Hmm?"

Zhao Shengge took two steps closer, looking deeply into Chen Wan’s eyes. "You toyed with me."

Chen Wan’s eyes widened.

Zhao Shengge listed his misdeeds and past offenses: "You liked me but never thought about being together."

"You pursued me while keeping an escape route open, ready to leave at any moment."

"You said we’d be together but never thought about staying together for long."

"..." Chen Wan touched the tip of his nose. Zhao Shengge lifted his eyelids, staring at him, and said calmly, "I don’t think that’s slandering you."

Chen Wan quickly wrapped his arms around him, saying guiltily, "Not really."

"I didn’t do that." He reiterated.

Zhao Shengge chuckled softly, offering no further comment.