Chapter 73: Crisis

Chapter 73: Crisis

Yun Fan had spent his life waiting for many people. He detested waiting, always had, because the outcomes of his foolish patience were invariably bleak.

Though he verbally reassured Wen Zhaofu, Yun Fan couldn't truly relax unless he himself was performing the surgery. Yet, he couldn't allow Wen Zhaofu to enter the operating room burdened by doubt. So, even if he had to feign it, he had to project unwavering confidence.

Only with Wen Zhaofu's successful surgery and recovery would everyone truly escape the shadow of the past. And only then could his own relationship with Wen Zhaofu genuinely move forward.

For security reasons, the time and location of Wen Zhaofu's surgery were kept under wraps. So, when Liu Erxing appeared, Yun Fan was startled.

"I always have my ways. These days, nothing stays truly secret," Liu Erxing said with a laugh that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Yun Fan glanced around, then led Liu Erxing to the lounge. Liu Erxing settled in with his usual nonchalance, a smile gracing his lips as he looked at Yun Fan.

In the silence, Yun Fan couldn't help but ponder Liu Erxing's unexpected arrival. Surely, he wasn't there out of concern for Wen Zhaofu, to stand vigil.

Observing Liu Erxing's enigmatic smile, Yun Fan's heart pounded. He noticed the bloodshot intensity in Liu Erxing's eyes, and a knot tightened in his chest—a profound sense of unease.

"I'm here; you can rest if you need to," Yun Fan said quickly. "If you heard from Third Grandfather, please assure him there's no need to worry."

Liu Erxing curled one corner of his mouth, studying Yun Fan with amused interest. "Already seeing yourself as part of the Wen family?"

Yun Fan paused, taken aback. "What are you talking about?"

"Is Wen Zhaofu really that remarkable?" Liu Erxing's gaze was unwavering. "Didn't you want to leave the Wen family? Why the sudden change of heart?"

"This is my choice. Don't drag Zhaofu into it," Yun Fan frowned, his tone hardening. "What era is this? Who I love is my freedom."

"It is your freedom, but don't you think being with Wen Zhaofu will restrict you?" Liu Erxing rose, closing the distance between them. "The Wen family has so many intricate ways. Aren't you afraid they'll destroy you one day?"

"Liu Erxing!" Yun Fan also stood, confronting him. "I'm an adult. I'll take responsibility for my choices. There's no need for Young Master Liu to trouble himself. If there's nothing else, please leave."

Just as Yun Fan reached for the door, Liu Erxing lunged forward, grabbing Yun Fan by the throat and hissing through clenched teeth, "Do I have to spell it out? I want you to leave Wen Zhaofu!"

"Impossible," Yun Fan gasped, struggling for air, yet forcing out the words. "Impossible. I love him."

An unreadable glint flickered in Liu Erxing's eyes. He sneered, averting his gaze from Yun Fan's. As Yun Fan choked and coughed, struggling to breathe, Liu Erxing produced a handkerchief from his pocket.

"Help! Some—" Yun Fan’s voice was a raspy whisper, barely audible. "Help…"

The blue-checkered handkerchief was pressed firmly over Yun Fan’s mouth and nose. Within seconds, Yun Fan lost consciousness. Liu Erxing caught him as he slumped, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

Who said he wouldn't dare snatch Yun Fan right under Wen Zhaofu's nose? He was doing it now. If anyone was to blame, it was Wen Zhaofu for being so unlucky; such a long surgery had given him ample time.

He supported Yun Fan out, making no attempt to hide. When they encountered anyone, he simply said Yun Fan was feeling unwell and needed some fresh air. The hospital staff, recognizing them as part of the Wen family, offered no resistance. He took Yun Fan away with effortless ease.

As they moved farther from the hospital, the surging thrill within Liu Erxing gradually surfaced. He turned to Yun Fan, his eyes alight with excitement, showing no trace of the exhaustion from two sleepless nights.

"Heh, Wen Zhaofu, Cheng Yu, Wen Haochen… do you understand? The one who laughs last wins," Liu Erxing muttered darkly to himself, like a snake flicking its tongue.

Yun Fan awoke to find himself in a helicopter. He shot upright, his head colliding with the hard window frame. The deafening roar made him dizzy.

"Awake?" Liu Erxing mouthed, a sinister grin on his face.

"Where are you taking me?!" Yun Fan roared, pouring all his strength into the question. "Zhaofu is still in surgery!"

At the mention of the name, Liu Erxing's temper flared. He shoved the pilot's seat. "Faster! I'm out of patience!"

Yun Fan instantly wanted to escape, but they were airborne. Where could he go? Jumping would mean being instantly dashed against the ocean surface.

"Liu Erxing, you're insane!" Yun Fan glared, his voice filled with accusation.

Liu Erxing, however, seemed unfazed by the insult. His eyes gleamed with excitement, echoing Yun Fan's words: "Yes, I am insane. I've gone mad for you…"

*

"The surgery was successful. We're just waiting for Zhaofu to wake up. Hey, where's Yun Fan?" Shi Ning emerged from the operating room, stunned to find the waiting area empty.

Due to the lengthy surgery, Yun Fan hadn't allowed Grandfather to come. Uncle Man and the little gardener had been sent back to Langyun Terrace. Wen Zhaofu had specified that Yun Fan would sign all documents during the surgery, but fortunately, such a situation hadn't arisen.

The entire procedure had gone smoothly. Wen Zhaofu had maintained his fitness within limits over the years, so his constitution was strong. Although the surgery was long, Shi Ning's mood had steadily improved throughout his time in the operating room.

He had wanted to share the good news with Yun Fan, but it had been inconvenient to leave the operating room. He'd held back until the very end.

But now, as he emerged joyfully, ready for an excited embrace with Yun Fan, where was he?

Shi Ning felt an inexplicable nervousness. He hurried to ask around. It was already nine in the evening, and even the nurses had changed shifts. Someone mentioned they hadn't seen Yun Fan since the afternoon.

"Damn it," Shi Ning clenched his fists and immediately called Grandfather, who was waiting at Taiping Qingshui Residence. He delivered both the good and bad news without delay.

"Find him! Immediately!" Grandfather urged, his breathing ragged.

After hanging up, Shi Ning immediately called the doctor responsible for Grandfather's routine health, asking him to attend to the elder at once.

From now until Wen Zhaofu awoke, there were still about two hours. Shi Ning knew he had to find Yun Fan within this timeframe. Otherwise, Wen Zhaofu might genuinely suffer unexpected post-surgical complications.

He couldn't afford to lose either of them.

"Untie me," Yun Fan said, head bowed, his hands bound behind his back. He leaned against the wall, drenched in clammy sweat. "Liu Erxing, stop this madness."

After the helicopter landed, Yun Fan discovered he had been taken to a deserted island, not a soul in sight. He was confined in a wooden cabin, with only Liu Erxing for company.

The cabin was damp and humid, a single light bulb swaying in the sea breeze. Yun Fan looked closely and realized the furnishings seemed familiar.

"Recognize them? They're all things you've used," Liu Erxing picked up a cup, kissing its rim. "I kept them carefully. See, this is the sheet music you used at Saint Ken Manor, this is the blanket you used at my place…"

"Shut up!" Yun Fan felt a wave of nausea.

Liu Erxing smirked, unhurried and composed. In this isolated place, it seemed everything about Yun Fan would belong to him, so he was in no rush.

Besides these items, the walls were adorned with paintings. Yun Fan's glance confirmed they were all of him—in various poses: eating, playing the piano, smiling, expressionless.

Everything served to remind Yun Fan that Young Master Liu was a deeply concealed madman.

"Yun Fan, look what you've done to me. I've gone insane because of you. How will you repay me?" Liu Erxing's voice had a detached quality, mirroring his ghostly appearance in Yun Fan's eyes.

Yun Fan calmed himself and looked up at him. "You were always insane. It's not because of me."

Suddenly, Liu Erxing lunged towards the wooden bed, gripping Yun Fan's neck. He stammered, but no sound emerged. Yun Fan's words had struck a raw nerve.

He had sought to externalize his turmoil by blaming Yun Fan, but Yun Fan had seen right through him.

Yes, he had always been mad.

Mad for over twenty years, and finally, someone had seen him for who he was. That person was Yun Fan, and he was satisfied.

From childhood, he had been neglected and ignored. As an adult, he had to play the subordinate. Who wouldn't go mad in such a life?

He had rarely met anyone he could truly confide in. Yun Fan was one, but he had never fully revealed himself, fearing he would scare him away.

"Yes, Cheng Yu says I'm a scumbag, and I admit it." Liu Erxing released his hand, staring at Yun Fan from an intimate distance. "You say I'm a madman, and I admit that too."

"But whether I'm a scumbag or a madman, I still possess some sincerity." Liu Erxing offered a self-deprecating smile. "Though there really isn't much, and I've given it all to you."

Yun Fan turned his head away, no longer looking at Liu Erxing. They stood in silent confrontation, as if whoever spoke first would lose.

If not speaking, then do something else. Liu Erxing's playful side emerged. He curled the corner of his mouth, leaned forward, and slowly inched closer to Yun Fan.

Liu Erxing's gaze dropped, locking onto Yun Fan's slightly parted lips. Yun Fan's eyes widened, and he bit down on his own lip.

"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself," Liu Erxing said, watching Yun Fan with amusement. "Let me kiss you; I've wanted to for a long time."

"Get lost," Yun Fan spat out, without mercy.

"How interesting," Liu Erxing pinched Yun Fan's cheek. "But today, I'm not going anywhere."

As he spoke, Liu Erxing raised his right hand, pressing his fingertip against the edge of Yun Fan's lower lip. Yun Fan calmed himself, staring at Liu Erxing, then bit down hard with his upper teeth, clamping his lips shut.

Crimson blood trickled down Yun Fan's lip. Liu Erxing's eyes widened in disbelief, darting between the blood and Yun Fan's gaze.

In Yun Fan's eyes now, there was no longer panic or confusion, only the fierce determination to fight to the bitter end, and a hint of mockery.

Yun Fan said nothing, but Liu Erxing understood. Even if it meant dying here today, Yun Fan would not let Liu Erxing have his way.

*

"Xiao Yun… Xiao Yun…" Wen Zhaofu struggled to open his eyes, failing repeatedly. He could only whisper softly.

But the response to Wen Zhaofu was not Yun Fan's usual smiling voice, nor did he receive a kiss from Yun Fan—only the doctor's clinical reply.

The doctor scrutinized the various data on the screen, assessing Wen Zhaofu's condition. Shi Ning moved closer, bending to look at Wen Zhaofu.

"Where's Xiao Yun?" Wen Zhaofu finally opened his eyes, fixing his gaze on Shi Ning.

Shi Ning rarely found himself stammering and unable to speak. He couldn't hide the truth from Wen Zhaofu and knew he lacked the skill to act.

Wen Zhaofu observed Shi Ning's expression, his brow immediately furrowing. He opened his mouth, feeling his throat dry and parched.

"Zhaofu, Yun Fan is missing. Liu Erxing took him away."

-----------------------

Author's note: There's one more chapter after this, and it'll be finished tomorrow!

Check out my upcoming work "My Childhood Friend Won't Let Me Leave Again" (Pilot x Air Traffic Controller), please add it to your collections! [Heart][Heart][Heart]

Synopsis:

Shen Yunchi happily lived six years as a young master, until one day everything turned upside down—he was actually a fake heir.

Little Shen Yunchi was sent to Mengyang County, where he was stopped by Mo Heng holding a big steamed bun. Mo Heng asked him who he was and to state his name.

His uncle scolded Shen Yunchi for walking too slowly, and he complained without hesitation: "He won't let me leave!"

Before Mo Heng could adjust to having a new brother, Shen Yunchi was taken back. He ran after the car, gasping for breath: "I don't want you to leave."

*

At 17, Shen Yunchi felt his life was a joke—he was sent back to Mengyang County again.

Mo Heng, just out of school, stared at him in surprise, his steamed bun falling to the ground, shouting: "I won't let you leave this time! You owe me a bun!"

Shen Yunchi was stopped by Mo Heng again, this time with a love letter shoved into his hand. The boy avoided his eyes, clenched his fists, demanding he give an explanation to his sister.

A teacher passed by, looking at them suspiciously. Mo Heng suddenly blushed, shaking his head: "I definitely don't like Shen Yunchi!"

The usually lazy Shen Yunchi reacted this time, his eyes red: "You wouldn't let me leave, I didn't leave, you..."

Aww~~ Shen Yunchi can cry! Mo Heng widened his eyes, hooking his pinky finger around Shen Yunchi's. Shen Yunchi interlocked their fingers, holding his hand tightly.

*

Shen Yunchi and Mo Heng got into university, one studying aviation, the other air traffic control. After graduation, one became a pilot, the other an air traffic controller.

Pilot Shen Yunchi sat in the cockpit, listening to Mo Heng's all-too-familiar voice calmly saying over the frequency: "Continue holding position."

The captain in the left seat impatiently tsked. Shen Yunchi whined pitifully: "He won't let me leave again!"

Shen Yunchi waited and waited, why wasn't Mo Heng blocking his path anymore? If not blocking him, would he block someone else? He grew anxious, blocking Mo Heng's path and silencing his chattering mouth.

"I won't let you leave again."