A few minutes later, Dr. Shen quietly entered the bedroom. He saw Zhiyuan was awake, trying to push himself up into a sitting position.
"Whoa, easy there," Dr. Shen said, hurrying over to stop him.
Startled, Zhiyuan's eyes flew open. He didn't recognize the room or the man. In a flash of fear, he grabbed the empty glass from the nightstand, holding it up like a weapon. "Stay away! Who are you?"
"Hey it's okay," Dr. Shen said gently, holding his hands up. "I'm a doctor. I'm the one who saved you in the alley, remember? You were hurt."
Zhiyuan lowered the glass slightly. His memory was foggy, but a vague image surfaced a kind face, being carried. He didn't remember the details, but he knew someone had helped him. "You… saved me?"
Dr. Shen nodded. "Yes. I'm Dr. Shen. Now, please, lie back down. You're injured."
Zhiyuan slowly relaxed against the pillows but looked around, confused. "Where am I?"
Dr. Shen hesitated. "You're in a safe place. Xiapu Village. Yichen thought it was best to bring you here."
At the mention of Yichen's name, Zhiyuan's entire demeanor softened. "Yichen? Is he here? Where is he?"
Dr. Shen offered a small, reassuring smile. "He went out to get a few things. He'll be back soon."
Zhiyuan nodded, seeming to accept this. He leaned back, but a worried frown creased his brow. He looked down at his own stomach, then back at the doctor. His voice was quiet, hesitant. "In the alley… when that man kicked me… it hurt so much. More than anything ever has. And I felt… I felt like I was bleeding. But I don't remember. Did… did my internal organs get hit? Is it serious?"
Dr. Shen's smile was gentle but firm. He patted Zhiyuan's hand. "Don't worry about that now. It wasn't serious. You're safe, and you're healing. Just rest."
Zhiyuan wasn't fully convinced, but he had no energy to argue.
Just then, the bedroom door opened. Yichen walked in, holding a small plastic bag of supplies. He stopped when he saw Zhiyuan awake.
Zhiyuan's eyes went wide. He took in Yichen's appearance the bruised jaw, the split lip, the dark shadows under his eyes, the way he held himself stiffly as if his ribs hurt.
"Yichen!" Zhiyuan gasped. He tried to sit up quickly, but a sharp pain lanced through his abdomen, making him wince.
"Hey, slow down!" Yichen rushed to the bedside, dropping the bag. "Don't move so suddenly. You're still healing."
But Zhiyuan wasn't listening. His gaze was fixed on Yichen's injuries. His hand reached out, trembling, towards Yichen's bruised face. "What happened to you?" he whispered, his voice filled with pain. "Who hurt you?"
Yichen caught his hand, holding it gently. He hesitated. "It's… it's a long story. Some men surrounded us on the road while we were coming here. It's nothing."
Zhiyuan didn't believe the 'nothing' part. He gently cupped Yichen's cheek, his thumb brushing the edge of a bruise. The touch was so tender it made Yichen's eyes sting.
Yichen leaned into the touch, closing his eyes for a second.
Dr. Shen, watching the intimate exchange, smiled softly. "I should leave you two alone," he murmured and slipped quietly out of the room. Neither of them noticed him go.
The moment the door closed, Zhiyuan's composure broke. Tears filled his eyes. "I'm so sorry," he choked out, his voice cracking. "I was so mad at you. I felt so manipulated. I know you do everything for me, and I just… I pushed you away."
"Hey, shhh," Yichen said, sitting on the edge of the bed. He carefully wiped a tear from Zhiyuan's cheek. "It's okay. I understand. You grew up all alone, surrounded by fake people who wanted to use you. Of course it's hard to trust. I don't mind at all. I never could."
Zhiyuan let out a sob and pulled Yichen into a tight hug, burying his face in the crook of his neck. Yichen winced at the pressure on his own bruises but immediately wrapped his arms around Zhiyuan, holding him close.
"I'm so scared," Zhiyuan whispered against his skin, his body trembling. "I don't want to be the CEO anymore. I don't want to go back. I just want a peaceful life. Away from all of it."
Yichen held him tighter, one hand gently stroking his back. "Shhh, bao bei. No one will hurt you ever again. I promise. You don't have to go back to anything you don't want to."
"I'm sorry for everything," Zhiyuan cried, his tears soaking into Yichen's shirt.
Yichen just held him, a soft, loving smile on his own bruised face as he rocked him gently. "It's okay. I've got you. Everything is okay now."
Downstairs in the quiet living room of the villa, Dr. Shen was scrolling through news alerts on his phone. His face grew pale, then hardened with anger.
On the screen, a live news report showed the Liang Group headquarters. One whole wing was a blackened, smoking ruin. The headline screamed: GAS BLAST AT LIANG GROUP INTERNATIONAL, FEARS FOR CEO'S LIFE.
The camera cut to a press conference. There, dressed in somber black, was Aunt Ruifen. She was dabbing her eyes delicately with a handkerchief, her voice trembling with practiced grief.
"...It was a terrible accident last night. A gas leak in the main conference wing. We… we haven't seen my nephew, CEO Liang Zhiyuan, since yesterday evening. We are so afraid… we fear he might have… might have been inside when it…" She broke down into sobs, the picture of a devastated family member.
Dr. Shen clenched his jaw so hard it ached. He knew Ruifen. He remembered her from years ago, always hovering around Wenhao with a smile that never reached her eyes, always bitter, always wanting more. He had always suspected her jealousy. Now, he was sure.
"She's the one?" a low voice said from behind him.
Dr. Shen turned. Han Zhenlong stood there, having watched the report over his shoulder. His expression was like carved stone.
Dr. Shen shut off his phone with a sigh and nodded. "She's behind all of it. The attacks on Zhiyuan, the drugs, everything. I've always known it in my gut."
"But you have no proof," Zhenlong stated, not asking.
"No. No proof. She's too careful."
Zhenlong sat down heavily in a nearby chair. "What is she after? Power? The company?"
Dr. Shen shook his head, thinking. "It has to be the property, the empire. She always wanted to be on top. But Old Master Liang, Wenhao's father, saw right through her. He left everything to Wenhao. And before Wenhao died…" Dr. Shen paused, the memory painful. "Wenhao made it very clear in his will. Everything he owned would go directly to Zhiyuan. And if Zhiyuan died before claiming it or passing it on, everything every share, every property would go to charity. Not a penny to the rest of the family."
Zhenlong frowned, processing this. "So that's why she never tried to kill Zhiyuan outright before. As long as he was alive, even if he was weak or drugged, the empire was his. Killing him would mean losing it all to charity."
"Exactly," Dr. Shen said, rubbing his temples. "She needed him alive but powerless. A puppet."
"Then why now?" Zhenlong asked, his voice sharp. "Why try to kill him now? What changed?"
Dr. Shen looked at him, his eyes grave with a terrible suspicion. "I don't know for sure. But there must be something. Something she found, or something she believes she has now, that makes her think she doesn't need Zhiyuan alive anymore. Maybe she found a way to break the will. Or maybe she found what she was really looking for all along."
He met Zhenlong's gaze. "Whatever it is, she has it. And now that she thinks Zhiyuan is dead in that 'fire', she's making her move to take everything. The mourning aunt is now the last remaining Liang in charge."
The room fell into a heavy silence. The enemy had shown her final card. She believed Zhiyuan was dead, and she was clearing the board to claim her prize. But they knew the truth. The real battle was just beginning.
back to Shanghai...
In penthouse that belonged to Ruifen. The mood here was the opposite of the quiet tension in the fishing village.
Ruifen stood in the center of a dimly lit room, a glass of wine in her hand, a triumphant, cruel smile on her lips. In front of her, tied to a sturdy wooden chair, was her sister Zhiyuan's kind aunt, Liang Xinyi. Xinyi's face was pale but held a quiet, defiant strength.
Ruifen took a slow sip of her wine and laughed, the sound echoing in the sparse room. "Oh, dear sister. I wish I had known about this sooner." She shook her head in mock regret. "All that time wasted… searching for that stupid USB in dusty offices. When the real key was right here with you all along."
She set her glass down and leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. "So, tell me, my dear. Who is the lawyer? Where is the real will? And most importantly…" her voice dropped to a deadly whisper, "…what is the code to the safe deposit box?"
Aunt Xinyi didn't flinch. She looked up at her sister with sad, knowing eyes. "I knew it, Ruifen. I always suspected. You have always been so jealous of Wenhao. Our dear brother did so much for you. How was it his fault that your marriage fell apart? How was it his fault for being successful?"
She spoke calmly, as if giving a lecture. "You know it very well. When Father handed the nearly bankrupt company to Wenhao, we were in deep debt. We were at a loss. Wenhao was the one who lifted us all up. He saved the company, he provided for us, he gave us everything. The properties you and I live in, the money we have… it all came from his hard work. What Zhiyuan has right now was built by Wenhao. There's nothing we can legally do to take it. We got our fair share. Isn't that enough?"
"ENOUGH?!" Ruifen's composure shattered. She slammed her hand on the arm of the chair, making Xinyi jump. She leaned in, gripping Xinyi's jaw painfully tight, forcing her to look into her furious eyes.
"Shut the fuck up!" she snarled. "You don't know how it feels! You don't know what it's like to be left out! To be overlooked! I have been begging my entire life for every little scrap of respect, for every bit of power! I have always been smarter, more cunning, more deserving than Wenhao! But what did I get? Nothing! He got the glory, he got the empire, and I got… leftovers!"
Her voice trembled with decades of bottled resentment. "Now, I am done listening to your pathetic loyalty. Don't waste my time. Tell me everything. The lawyer's name. The location of the will. The code. Tell me, or you will regret ever protecting that brat and his dead father."
Aunt Xinyi didn't show any fear. Instead, she looked at her sister with a sad, almost pitying smile.
"I'm sorry, Ruifen," she said calmly. "But I don't know anything. And honestly... it's kind of sad to see you like this. Standing here all alone, hurting people, for what? For money? For a company that was never yours? That's... pathetic. You really need help. Not a lawyer, but mental support."
The words, delivered with such gentle pity, were like ice water thrown on Ruifen's rage. They cut deeper than any insult.
Ruifen's face went completely white, then flushed dark red with pure, unadulterated fury. Her hand shot out and she slapped Xinyi hard across the face. The sound cracked through the room.
"You," Ruifen hissed, her voice trembling with venom. "You will regret those words. You will regret everything. So, so much."
Meanwhile, back in the peaceful fishing village:
In the cozy bedroom upstairs, the atmosphere was the complete opposite. Zhiyuan was clinging to Yichen like a koala, his arms wrapped tightly around him as they lay together on the bed. He hadn't let go since their emotional talk.
Yichen was gently stroking soothing circles on Zhiyuan's back, a soft smile on his face. "Hey, bao bei," he murmured. "You haven't eaten anything. Aren't you hungry? Let me go get you something delicious. Maybe some soup? Or more of those egg tarts?"
"No," Zhiyuan mumbled, his voice muffled against Yichen's chest. He shook his head, burrowing his face deeper. "Don't go. I'm not hungry."
Yichen chuckled, the vibration rumbling through his chest. "Not hungry? That's a first. You've been eating like a little bird with a bottomless stomach lately." He started to tease, his voice taking on a playful lilt. "What's wrong? Has the great CEO lost his appetite? Or are you just using me as your personal teddy bear now?"
Zhiyuan's ears turned pink. He gave Yichen's side a weak pinch. "Shut up."
"Ow! So violent!" Yichen laughed, pretending to be hurt. He leaned down to whisper in Zhiyuan's ear. "You know, if you wanted me to stay in bed with you all day, you could just ask. You don't have to pretend you're not hungry."
"I'm not pretending!" Zhiyuan insisted, but he was blushing furiously now. He tried to hide his face completely.
"Sure, sure," Yichen said, his grin widening. He poked Zhiyuan's side lightly. "Is my little CEO shy? Is that it?"
"Stop calling me that!" Zhiyuan squeaked, squirming and finally looking up, his face completely flushed. "And stop poking me!"
"Make me," Yichen teased, his eyes sparkling with affection.
For a moment, they just looked at each other, the teasing fading into something warmer, softer. In this quiet room, far from the danger and betrayal, they were just two young men, finding comfort and a flicker of joy in each other's presence, a small island of peace in the middle of a storm.
Zhiyuan pinched Yichen's cheeks, making him yelp. "Don't look at me like that!" he mumbled, then immediately buried his hot face back against Yichen's chest.
Yichen just laughed, the sound happy and free. The tension from the morning was completely gone here, in their little bubble.
After a moment of quiet, Zhiyuan, still slightly blushing, peeked up again. "Is this... your village?" he asked softly.
Yichen smiled, a genuine, proud smile. "Yeah. This is where I grew up. Well, not in this house, but in the village."
"It's quiet," Zhiyuan said, a hint of longing in his voice. "Can we... go for a walk? Outside?"
Yichen thought for a second. He wanted to say yes immediately, but the protector in him hesitated. "Let me ask Dr. Shen first, okay? Make sure it's safe and you're strong enough."
Zhiyuan's face fell into an instant, adorable pout. "Fine," he grumbled, and buried his face again.
Yichen couldn't help but chuckle. "You're being cute, you know that?"
"I am NOT cute," Zhiyuan insisted, his voice muffled. He frowned up at Yichen, which only made him look more adorable.
Yichen laughed. "It's so hard to believe you're about to turn thirty. You act like a kid sometimes."
That made Zhiyuan pause. His brow furrowed with a hint of insecurity. "I look... old?"
Yichen shook his head quickly, his expression softening. "No. Not at all. You look..." he tilted his head, pretending to think, "...like a bad boy from high school. A really, really spoiled one."
A surprised giggle escaped Zhiyuan. The idea was so absurd it was funny. He relaxed again, then a curious thought struck him. "How old are you, by the way?"
Yichen's eyes sparkled with mischief. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Guess."
Zhiyuan bit his lip, thinking seriously. "No offense, okay? You look very young. But you're so... capable. And tall. I guess... you're 30? Or 32?"
Yichen threw his head back and laughed, a full, loud laugh. "Ouch! That hurts!"
Zhiyuan looked confused and a little worried. "What? What did I say wrong?"
Yichen stopped laughing and leaned in even closer, until their noses were almost touching. He looked right into Zhiyuan's eyes, a playful smirk on his lips. "I'm turning 25 this year."
Zhiyuan's eyes went comically wide. He gasped. "What?" He couldn't believe it. This strong, confident, sometimes terrifying man was five years younger than him?
Yichen's smirk grew. He nudged Zhiyuan's nose with his own. "Gege," he said, the term for 'older brother' dripping with playful teasing. "You broke my heart, thinking I was so old."
Zhiyuan's face flushed a deep, spectacular crimson. "Don't... don't call me that!" he stammered, pushing at Yichen's chest weakly. "It sounds weird!"
"Why?" Yichen teased, not moving an inch. "Aren't you older than me, gege? Shouldn't I be respectful?"
"Stop it!" Zhiyuan squeaked, utterly flustered. He gave up and hid his burning face completely in Yichen's shirt, trying to disappear.
Yichen just kept laughing softly, wrapping his arms around him, enjoying every second of teasing his shy, flustered, older gege. For a little while, the world outside, with all its dangers, didn't exist at all.