The Mori Garden.
This was the third time Xiao Liyan and Yan Chen had visited. As usual, they were blocked at the entrance.
A dark cloud hung over Xiao Liyan's features.
"Yu Jing, you know Gu Qichen's current condition better than anyone! By blocking us from entering, you're harming him!"
Yu Jing stood in their way, his expression bitter.
A week had passed since their last return from the hospital.
During this week, Gu Qichen had locked himself in the Mori Garden and refused entry to everyone.
Mrs. Gu and Gu Ranran had visited multiple times, but Gu Qichen had never emerged.
"I'm sorry, Young Master Xiao. I must obey President Gu's orders," Yu Jing gritted out.
Yan Chen, with his quick temper, stepped forward and grabbed Yu Jing by the collar.
"Do you know this is foolish loyalty? If no one helps him, aren't you afraid he'll die in there? What's the state of Gu Corporation now? Several vice presidents think Gu Qichen won't manage the company anymore and they're already in a power struggle!"
Yu Jing clenched his fists. "But—"
Xiao Liyan interjected coldly, "There are no 'buts.' You know how close we are to Gu Qichen. Even if he wants to fall into despair, we have to drag him back!"
Yu Jing gritted his teeth and pondered for a moment.
This was the first time he had disobeyed Gu Qichen's orders.
He stepped aside, allowing Xiao Liyan and Yan Chen to enter the Mori Garden with grim expressions!
In the dimly lit living room of the Mori Garden villa, Gu Qichen lay on the sofa.
The door was suddenly pushed open.
Blinding sunlight streamed in. This was the first time Gu Qichen had seen sunlight in a week.
He frowned, his gaze sharp and angry as he looked at the intruders.
With the room now illuminated, Yan Chen saw Gu Qichen on the sofa, his face unshaven. A surge of anger rose within him.
Several wine bottles lay scattered on the floor, and the room reeked of alcohol.
The two men walked up to Gu Qichen.
Gu Qichen had already sat up, his voice hoarse. "Who let you in? Where's Yu Jing?!"
Yu Jing, who had followed Xiao Liyan and Yan Chen, hurried forward upon hearing his name.
He gritted his teeth, looking at a dark stain of blood in a corner of the carpet.
"President Gu, it was I who let Young Master Xiao and Young Master Yan in. You really can't drink anymore. If this continues, it will be fatal."
Yan Chen also noticed the bloodstain on the carpet at this moment, his expression a mixture of urgency and anger.
"Damn it, Gu Qichen, are you crazy? It's just a woman! Do you have to torture yourself like this?!"
Xiao Liyan, his face cold, stepped forward and pulled Gu Qichen.
"Come with me. We're going to the hospital, now."
Gu Qichen shoved Xiao Liyan's hand away. "I'm not going anywhere. All of you, get out."
Yan Chen slapped his own forehead in frustration.
"I'm so angry with you, I'm seeing stars! Gu Qichen, are you going or not? If you don't go, don't blame me for resorting to force!"
Gu Qichen's gaze turned sharp.
Yan Chen, who had been about to make a move, froze.
The three were close friends for many years, but it was always implicitly understood that Gu Qichen was the leader among them.
"Gu Qichen, how long are you going to lie in your Mori Garden?" Xiao Liyan asked. "Do you know what's happening outside? If you don't return soon, Gu Corporation will have a new surname!"
"I said, get out!" Gu Qichen's voice was icy.
Xiao Liyan pursed his lips, staring at Gu Qichen for a long moment.
"Fine, if you want me to leave, then at least let me take my things."
Xiao Liyan gestured towards a lighter on the table.
"That was a gift I gave you back then. Since you're so disregardful of our brotherhood, you can return it."
"Take it and get out," Gu Qichen's eyes flickered.
Xiao Liyan, with a cold expression, walked directly to the table and bent down to pick up the lighter.
Yan Chen was also surprised. He and Xiao Liyan had come to persuade Gu Qichen, so why was this one getting angry?
"Xiao—"
Before Yan Chen could finish, he saw Xiao Liyan's hand touch the lighter, and in the next instant, he was extremely close to Gu Qichen.
Xiao Liyan moved with incredible speed, delivering an elbow strike directly to Gu Qichen's waist.
The next second, he had already pinned Gu Qichen's neck with his arm.
"What are you waiting for? Come and help!"
Xiao Liyan's face was serious. With Gu Qichen's skills, even in his weakened state, it would be difficult for him and Yan Chen to subdue him without using this kind of surprise attack!
The two struggled with all their might and finally managed to subdue Gu Qichen, binding his hands and feet with a blanket from the side.
Yan Chen, exhausted, sat down.
"What now?"
"What else can we do? Take him to the hospital," Xiao Liyan said, then added after some thought, "To the private hospital I own. Tie him to the bed directly!"
Yu Jing stood by, staring blankly as his President was attacked and tied up by the two men.
Xiao Liyan called out, "Yu Jing, go get the car!"
An hour and a half later, Gu Qichen was brought to the Xiao family's hospital.
The director personally came to receive him and arranged for Gu Qichen to be placed in a separate small building, a private ward.
Xiao Liyan secured Gu Qichen's hands and feet to the bed before finally feeling at ease.
"Examine him like this. The subsequent treatment will be the same. If you don't want to be beaten, don't untie him!" Xiao Liyan declared fiercely. "If he struggles too much, give him sedatives. Whatever methods you use, I want to see him healthy within a week!"
The director repeatedly nodded. "Yes, Young Master. Rest assured, we will provide him with careful treatment!"
Gu Qichen glared at Xiao Liyan from the bed.
"Xiao Liyan! Untie me!"
"No! Once you've completely sobered up, if you want to settle this score with me, then I'll just take a beating from you. It's not like I haven't taken one before," Xiao Liyan said coldly.
"Yan Chen, leave him here. We'll go out."
As they left Gu Qichen's ward, Xiao Liyan looked at Yan Chen.
"This is just a temporary measure. Even if he recovers physically in a week, there's no guarantee he won't start ruining himself again later."
Yu Jing also followed them out of the ward.
"Young Master Xiao, President Gu can't be tied up forever."
Xiao Liyan's gaze was deep as he looked back into the room.
"The one who tied the bell must untie it."
Yan Chen seemed confused. "Can you speak without being so cryptic? What do you mean? What bell?"
Yu Jing, standing nearby, understood. His eyes dimmed. "You're referring to Miss Qin, aren't you? Miss Qin has completely broken up with President Gu. She won't help."
Yan Chen frowned. "Why did they break up? Do you know?"
"I'm not entirely sure. It's just that ever since Miss Qin woke up, she's been keeping her distance from President Gu. A week ago, she and President Gu had a breakup talk, but I don't know what was discussed."
"Then let's go and find out!"
Xiao Liyan turned and walked towards the exit, Yan Chen immediately followed.
"Yu Jing, you stay here and watch over Gu Qichen. Ensure his safety!"
Yu Jing quickly responded.