Zhan Beijue took a hard punch to the brow, and the left side of his forehead immediately turned purple.
Lu Qingxu had it worse.
He'd taken two punches to the face and one to the abdomen. When he left, his clothes weren't even properly on; he'd practically yanked his pants up as he bolted out the door…
No one had expected their decade-long brotherhood to devolve into this.
It was only after the room had quieted down, looking at his own reddened knuckles, that Zhan Beijue felt regret.
However, his regret was only for his moment of weakness in agreeing to Melody’s unreasonable request, giving her the chance to meet Lu Qingxu. He didn't regret laying hands on him.
In this world, besides his parents and grandfather, Lu Qingxu was the first person to dare lay a hand on Zhan Beijue.
Knowing his current state of distress and fearing he might say something reckless upon returning, Zhan Beijue waited a moment before picking up his phone to call Lu Mingzhe.
Although Lu Mingzhe appeared somewhat frivolous on the surface, he was quite dependable when it came to serious matters.
He was the only one Zhan Beijue could rely on in this critical moment.
As it turned out, this former player of love had become a great romantic thanks to Xiang Wan.
He’d likely drunk too much again last night, as his voice was incredibly slurred when Zhan Beijue called. Zhan Beijue was immediately speechless.
What was with everyone lately? Not a single one of them was acting normally!
Zhan Beijue cursed them mentally as useless, said nothing, and hung up.
Seeing his frustrated expression, Melody walked over and sat down opposite him, taking his cigarette pack and lighting one.
“I’m the one who’s sick, not you. I don’t have such a big reaction, is it necessary for you to act like this?”
Indeed.
She was sick, not him on his deathbed; was such a strong reaction necessary?
But Zhan Beijue couldn't control himself.
Often, when facing a problem, it’s the loved ones watching helplessly from the sidelines who suffer the most.
Melody was only thirty, and not yet a mother. With such a beautiful face and excellent figure, Zhan Beijue couldn't bear the thought of something happening to her.
“Cut the nonsense. I'll contact the hospital in the States as soon as possible and arrange for both of you to go for treatment.”
“Drink less alcohol and smoke less. It's not so serious that it can’t be cured, so don’t mess around.”
His words, surprisingly, carried a hint of brotherly concern.
Melody, having no family since childhood, felt a pang in her heart at his unsolicited care, and couldn't help but smile.
“Send both of us for treatment? One patient watching another patient, you’re something else.”
Zhan Beijue pulled out a cigarette, bit it, and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t abandon you.”
“Can you spare the time to accompany me? Who knows when the treatment will be effective? Can you stay for half a year or a year?”
He truly couldn't.
Therefore, he had already made arrangements in his mind.
He wouldn’t let Ah Zhong go to that company for now; he'd send someone else. Ah Zhong still had many tasks to handle.
“I have my own arrangements, you don’t need to worry. Just listen to the doctor.”
“Put out the cigarette and go rest. I have something to attend to and need to go out.”
Saying this, he started to get up.
Melody lazily lifted her eyelids to look at him.
“Who are you going to see? Look at your face, can it even be seen by others now?”
Zhan Beijue instinctively raised a hand to touch the painful spot.
“Is it very swollen?”
“Not exactly swollen, but the color is quite unsightly. What will you say if someone asks?”
“What do you mean?”
“I have foundation. Would you like me to put some on to cover it?”
She meant it kindly, but Zhan Beijue didn't need it.
Who was Jiang Nan Fang?
A single glance, a single gesture could reveal something different. Forget applying makeup; it would be a miracle if she didn’t cause a misunderstanding.
“No need. Remember what I said, there are many things going on recently, and I’m already stressed enough. Don’t add to my troubles.”
Jiang Nan Fang returned to the hotel from the hospital.
Out of guilt towards the children, she took them to the children’s play area downstairs.
The four children played together, hopping around and chattering, while she sat alone nearby, lost in thought.
After an unknown period of zoning out, Tian Tian suddenly pointed in the distance from a trampoline and called out, "Daddy."
Jiang Nan Fang’s heart tightened, and she hesitated on whether to turn around.
Having just witnessed the scene, she truly didn't know what expression to wear when facing him.
Zhan Beijue walked closer, still carrying that familiar scent.
If she hadn’t seen him with someone else for so long with her own eyes, Jiang Nan Fang might have truly believed that everything was as it used to be.
He sat down next to Jiang Nan Fang, let out a soft sigh, and placed his hand over hers.
“Didn’t go out today?”
Jiang Nan Fang looked down at his hand.
As usual, it was long, handsome, and dry.
However, his hands were the same when he offered them to others, and she could no longer find joy in them.
“No.”
She subtly withdrew her hand and brushed her hair back.
“How did your business talks go?”
Her gaze shifted, and she saw his face.
That large bruise on his temple; it was impossible not to notice.
“They didn’t go well. Did you get into a fight with someone?”
This was a preposterous lie.
Anyone with a shred of intelligence wouldn't claim to have fought with a client because their business didn't go well.
But Zhan Beijue admitted it.
“I was upset, acted impulsively, and couldn’t control myself.”
He, the CEO of a major listed corporation, had gotten into a physical altercation with the president of a large bank in Beicheng over financing.
Jiang Nan Fang didn't want to say anything more.
Did he think I’d become this foolish?
She chuckled, “I can see that. I suspect you’ll be delayed here for a long time.”
“It’s not practical for the children to keep attending school like this. I plan to take them back tomorrow.”
Zhan Beijue was just about to ask her to take the children back early and was formulating his words when she brought it up herself.
Therefore, he hesitated for almost no reason, placing his hand on her shoulder, intending to pull her into his embrace.
“I apologize, I failed in my duty this time. After this matter is resolved, I will make sure to spend quality time with you and the children.”
Before his hand could reach her shoulder, Jiang Nan Fang subtly sidestepped.
She pretended to stand up to pick up a ball for Rui Rui, not answering his words.
Zhan Beijue could sense her displeasure.
He could understand; traveling all the way from Nan Cheng and promising to spend time with them, only to break the promise. For a woman, having a little temper was normal.
During dinner that evening, he was exceptionally attentive.
He doted on the four children meticulously and poured tea and water for Jiang Nan Fang.
However, these apologetic gestures seemed particularly ironic in Jiang Nan Fang’s eyes.
What was the point?
If your heart isn’t at peace, and you feel one woman isn't enough, and you like to have multiple partners like other men, just admit it openly.
Why bother putting on such an act for me, and then use sweet words with others? Isn't it tiring?
That night, Jiang Nan Fang told the children a bedtime story and, feigning exhaustion, slept on their bed.
Zhan Beijue waited for a long time, but when she didn’t come over, he quietly walked into the room. He saw five people lying side by side, already fast asleep.
He didn’t want to wake Jiang Nan Fang, nor did he want to be too far from them.
He brought a blanket over and slept on the floor all night.