"Your leg is injured, so you should be in the hospital recuperating, not here kidnapping Lin Meng."
Meng Jingwei couldn't understand what Xiao Cheng was thinking.
His leg was only fractured, not completely severed, rendering him disabled for life.
Yet, instead of staying in the hospital to receive proper treatment, he had kidnapped Lin Meng and brought her to such a dangerous place.
"Treatment? Hahaha."
He acted as if he had heard the most unbelievable joke, throwing his head back and laughing heartily. "You want me to get treated? I wish I could."
Xiao Cheng raised his hand and forcefully struck his injured leg. The pain made his face contort in agony, and he gritted his teeth.
But he continued to smile as he said, "The old man, you think the old man will give me the chance to recuperate peacefully in the hospital?"
He shook his head, tilted his head to look out the window, and offered a bitter smile.
Meng Jingwei felt an inexplicable pang in her heart. She felt pity for Xiao Cheng, yet she didn't know what to do.
She had to admit that she once considered Xiao Cheng her best friend, but his betrayal was something she could never forgive.
Meng Jingwei knew very well the pressure Xiao Cheng was under from Xiao Qitian, and that staying in the hospital to recover was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
"It's just that you're unwilling."
Meng Jingwei sighed helplessly. "Lan Cheng does have Xiao Qitian, and no matter where you go, Xiao Qitian can find you. But what if you leave Lan Cheng? Can he chase you to the ends of the earth? I doubt he has the energy for that."
"Don't you understand what I'm talking about?"
Xiao Cheng suddenly turned back, his eyes instantly sharpening. "I'm talking about Qing Muyue. Qing Muyue ruined the Xiao family. Now I'm the target of everyone's anger, and countless people from the Xiao family are targeting me. Do you know how exhausting it is?"
He struggled to stand, limping over to Meng Jingwei. He grabbed her arm and jabbed his finger at her chest. "Meng Jingwei, get it straight. If it weren't for Qing Muyue, how could I have ended up in this state?"
"And what about you?"
Meng Jingwei's anger flared.
"Do you think you've handled things well? Many times, it's your own fault. You don't cherish your reputation."
She pushed Xiao Cheng away fiercely. "I considered you my best friend, and what did you do to me? That time in the warehouse, if I hadn't intervened against you and Xiao Meiyan, Qing Muyue would have killed her. I don't expect gratitude, but how did you and your sister treat me in the end!"
Often, people are helpless.
If you do good deeds without mentioning them, others won't know.
But you can't keep bringing up so many things.
Meng Jingwei had expected Xiao Cheng to understand, and at the very least, remain a friend even if he didn't feel grateful.
She never expected things to turn out this way.
"You..."
Xiao Cheng was momentarily speechless. His gaze flickered as he looked at Meng Jingwei, licked his dry lips, and remained silent for a long time.
His mind replayed the scene in the warehouse where Meng Jingwei had ruthlessly attacked him and Xiao Meiyan. He hadn't realized she had genuinely acted for his own good.
Although Meng Jingwei had said so before, hearing her confess it again made Xiao Cheng feel somewhat guilty.
However...
Things had already happened, and discussing them now was meaningless.
"We can't go back to how things were. The Xiao family hates you to the core. Even if I didn't come for you today, Xiao Qitian or Xiao Meiyan would find you tomorrow."
He lowered his head, sighed dejectedly, took another cigarette from his pack, lit it, and sat to the side, smoking in silence.
Meng Jingwei watched Xiao Cheng. After a long while, he still hadn't spoken, and she didn't know what else to say.
Ring ring ring—
At that moment, Meng Jingwei's phone rang, shattering the quiet and heavy atmosphere.
She took out her phone and saw that it was Qing Muyue calling.
Meng Jingwei glanced at Xiao Cheng, her gaze deep. In that instant, her mind raced with countless thoughts. Finally, she said, "Is there something you need?"
"Ah Wei, where are you?"
After the call connected, Qing Muyue's voice came from the other end.
Meng Jingwei glanced at Xiao Cheng beside her, her gaze distant. In that moment, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Finally, she said, "Is there something you need?"
"Ah Wei, I'm downstairs at your place. Can you..."
"If you like staying downstairs at my place, then continue to do so. I told you, I will not forgive you."
With that, she hung up the phone directly and blocked his number.
Meng Jingwei feared that Qing Muyue's continuous calls would agitate Xiao Cheng.
She also wanted Lin Meng to leave, but Meng Jingwei knew that Xiao Cheng had likely arranged for people to be present here. Escaping wouldn't be easy.
"Xiao Cheng, just tell me what your plan is." She put away her phone and looked up.
The man smoking a cigarette flicked the ash. "Did he anger you?"
The conversation was completely off-topic.
But at that very moment, a sharp pain, as if her heart had contracted, surged into Meng Jingwei's chest.
She could feel that Xiao Cheng liked her very much, but...
She couldn't bear such a heavy love.
"Your leg injury is very serious and will require a long time to recover. I can give you some money, and you can leave Lan Cheng, find a place, and start a new life. This..."
Meng Jingwei paused. "is the only thing I can do for you."
She still had some savings, and giving Xiao Cheng a sum of money to leave Lan Cheng and start a new life would be a form of salvation for him.
Meng Jingwei didn't know if this was the right thing to do, but Xiao Cheng had always been good to her.
She couldn't bring herself to be cruel.
"Give me some money? Heh, what, is this charity?"
"If you want to understand it that way, I have nothing more to explain. But you should understand one thing: your Xiao family is no match for Qing Muyue. Even Qing Sihai can barely protect himself now. Who can help you?"
Meng Jingwei walked step by step to Lin Meng's side. Xiao Cheng watched her approach, remaining silent.
The small woman was anxious, her eyes fixed on Lin Meng. She subtly shook her head, signaling Lin Meng to remain quiet and not speak.
So, standing behind her, she untied Lin Meng's ropes and said to Xiao Cheng, "Qing Muyue always keeps his word. No one can stop him from doing what he wants. Moreover, your Xiao family's current situation offers no hope for recovery. Rather than this, your best option is to leave Lan Cheng. It's not charity; it's simply the last trace of consideration for our past friendship."
Lin Meng's face was pale with fear. Only when Meng Jingwei got closer did she notice Lin Meng trembling.
She placed her hand on Lin Meng's shoulder and gently patted it, signaling her not to be nervous.
Lin Meng was finally able to stand. She moved her wrists and limbs, then got up and ran towards the exit.
However, as soon as she reached the door, Xiao Cheng picked up a stone and threw it directly at her. It hit Lin Meng squarely in the back, causing her immense pain, and she collapsed onto the ground.
She fell hard and couldn't get up for a long time.
Meng Jingwei tilted her head and looked at Xiao Cheng. "What are you doing? Lin Meng is innocent. What's the point of kidnapping her?"
The small woman was furious. She moved a stool and sat directly next to Xiao Cheng. "Come on, I'll be your hostage."
As she said this, she even handed the rope from the ground to Xiao Cheng.