Chapter 11#
At Hai City’s Kangya Private Hospital.
In a top-tier ward with excellent facilities, Chi Sheng lay on the bed, occasionally letting out pained, stifled gasps. “It hurts like hell! Can’t you give me another shot of painkillers?”
The anesthetic had worn off, and the stitched wounds had been medicated, now throbbing with unbearable pain.
Chi Ting watched, aching inside. Before she could speak, the closed ward door was pushed open.
Lin Yufeng entered with Chi Renpin, who was nearly seventy. He quickly exchanged a glance with his wife. “Dad, take it slow.”
Chi Ting spoke up. “Dad, you’re finally here. Look at what your precious grandson has had to suffer!”
Chi Renpin walked to the bedside, looking at Chi Sheng’s bloodless, pain-stricken face. “How is it? Serious?”
“How could it not be serious? Both thighs were stabbed, leaving bloody holes.”
Chi Ting brought up her son’s injuries, her anger flaring. “Especially the left leg—there’s a cut nearly ten centimeters long, and it took twelve stitches!”
Lin Yufeng added, “Dad, the doctor said if the wound had been a centimeter or two deeper or longer, it might have affected his walking in the future.”
Chi Sheng, half-truthfully, put on a pained expression. “Grandfather, I’m sorry for making you worry.”
Chi Renpin had lived to this age with thin bonds to his descendants; now, Chi Sheng was his only precious grandson.
Hearing this, he frowned deeply. “For no reason, how could something like this happen at our own family banquet? Who did it?!”
Chi Ting helped Chi Renpin to the sofa, taking the lead. “Dad, who else could it be?”
Chi Renpin caught her implication, his expression shifting slightly. “Chi Gui? What did you do to provoke that demon again?”
Chi Ting retorted, “We wouldn’t dare provoke him. He deliberately came after us!”
“Our eldest branch worked hard on a project for nearly a year, and Chi Gui, using the group’s leverage, just snatched it away! Last night, in front of all the Hai City wealthy merchants, he trampled our eldest branch’s dignity underfoot!”
“Fine, let that go. But what did Xiao Sheng do wrong? That heartless Chi Gui actually had someone intentionally injure him like this!”
Just as she finished, the half-open ward door suddenly slammed open with a “bang!” The sudden noise startled everyone inside, making them turn to look.
Chi Gui arrived uninvited, his cold, heavy gaze fixed on the person in the bed.
“If I had wanted to strike, his legs would have been completely ruined!”
“…”
As he approached, the air around them immediately grew stifling.
An instinctive guilt and fear surfaced on Chi Sheng’s face, and he dared not meet his gaze.
Chi Gui gave him no chance to avoid it, throwing the tablet in his hand onto Chi Sheng’s bandaged leg—hard and vicious.
In an instant, the freshly dressed wound split open again, seeping blood.
Chi Sheng winced in pain but forcibly suppressed it.
Chi Ting, protective of her son, snapped, “Chi Gui! What do you mean by this? Do you really think the eldest branch won’t call the police?”
Chi Gui stood at the foot of the bed, unmoved. “Fine, let the police take a look at this piece of trash too.”
The surveillance video on the tablet began playing again, laying out everything from last night in plain view of everyone—
Chi Sheng had not only followed and harassed Jing Shun, who was mobility-impaired, but had also forcefully dragged him up and shoved him into an empty room!
What vile act was he planning next? The answer was obvious without saying.
“…”
Chi Ting’s face showed shock. Recovering quickly, she shot a glare at her son: Didn’t you say you weren’t into men? What’s this all about, then!
Chi Sheng couldn’t defend himself. “Mom, it’s not what you think. I…”
Chi Renpin hadn’t expected such an incident to be behind Chi Sheng’s injury. He found it utterly absurd!
He looked at Chi Ting. “Why does that young man in the surveillance footage look familiar? Tell me the truth now!”
Lin Yufeng, sensing the situation turning unfavorable, stepped in to smooth things over. “Dad, that person is a childhood friend of Chi Sheng’s. He came to one of our family banquets before. Last night, it was probably just a conflict between the youngsters—a misunderstanding…”
“It’s not a misunderstanding.” Chi Gui cut in forcefully, reiterating, “Chi Sheng was drunk, followed Jing Shun, harassed him, and even, driven by lust, intended to do something improper!”
“He lost control at my banquet, so I stepped in to teach him a lesson.”
Chi Gui’s gaze, laced with warning, swept over the eldest branch, finally landing on Chi Renpin’s face. “Big Sis wants to call the police, right? When they arrive, Chi Sheng and I can confront each other.”
“You…”
Chi Renpin hesitated.
Chi Gui was the current group chairman. If he were taken by the police for questioning over something like this, and news leaked, it would surely trigger a new round of probing and trouble from the collateral relatives and shareholders.
Worse, it could affect the group’s market value.
No matter how much Chi Renpin doted on the younger generation, his primary thought was still the family’s interests. “Alright, it’s just a small misunderstanding. Why call the police? Why involve the authorities?”
Chi Ting was unwilling. “Dad! This can’t just end like this!”
As if struck by a thought, she sneered pointedly. “How rare. This time, you’d rather take the blame yourself just to protect that Jing Shun? What’s your relationship with him exactly?”
“Our Chi family is big and influential. We should avoid doing anything disgraceful. At your age, you should be thinking about marriage anyway. Dad is waiting for a grandson.”
Chi Renpin caught a hint of insinuation, but his thoughts were immediately interrupted by Chi Gui. “Chi Ting, what right do you have to meddle in my personal affairs? Are you finding your life too comfortable?”
He addressed her by her full name, not even bothering with a polite “Big Sis.”
Chi Ting snorted coldly.
Wei Di took back the tablet at the right moment and, reaching into his briefcase, pulled out a thick stack of documents. “President Ting, the public reports that Runguang Technology has submitted to the group headquarters over the past two years are suspected of profit falsification. Care to take a look?”
“…”
“Since you eldest branch loves calling the police so much, why not hand over these documents as evidence and file a separate case?”
At that, Chi Ting’s expression finally changed. Even the usually composed Lin Yufeng showed a hint of panic—
So-called “financial fraud” meant the eldest branch had used the group’s channel advantages to buy low and sell high, pocketing the “surplus” profits in between, while hiding it from the group and the counterparty.
But in the past two years, they had used that money to dip into overseas gray-market industries.
If the police investigated thoroughly, there would be endless trouble! One misstep in handling it could land them in prison!
“Enough!”
Chi Renpin called a halt to the escalating farce, seeming intent on covering for the eldest branch. “Stop this family squabbling! The matter ends here!”
Chi Gui shot a glance at Chi Renpin, with little respect. “Dad, the Chi group answers to me now. No need for you to trouble yourself.”
He took the documents from his assistant and, showing no mercy, tossed them at the feet of the eldest branch couple.
“You know what to do. If this hole isn’t patched by the end of the month, I’ll personally send you both in!”
Chi Ting looked at the documents at her feet, her arrogance completely deflated. Even the usually dignified Lin Yufeng wore an awkward expression.
Chi Gui ignored the couple and turned to Chi Sheng. “Put away those disgraceful thoughts. Stop harassing him.”
His stern gaze was like a drawn sword, pressed against the throat.
Chi Sheng was thoroughly humiliated. “I… I won’t.”
Chi Gui turned and left, not even sparing Chi Renpin a glance.
Chi Renpin stared at his cold, rigid back, his heart pounding with rage. “Rebellious! We should never have brought that wretch back!”
Ever since taking control of the family head position, he treated their close relatives with increasing disdain!
The sounds from the ward gradually faded until the elevator doors fully shut them out.
Only then did Wei Di ask, “Sir, handing over the evidence to them just like that—isn’t that letting the eldest branch off too easily?”
With irrefutable facts, if Chi Gui had used enough force, he could have sent the eldest branch to prison for a few years.
Chi Gui showed no regret. “If I hit too hard, the old man will cause no end of trouble on the side.”
Too many branch companies and shareholders were entangled beneath the group. Unless absolutely necessary, he couldn’t go for the kill just yet.
But this warning was enough to make the eldest branch bleed and learn their lesson, so they’d stop harassing Jing Shun again and again.
Chi Gui thought of Jing Shun, and the sternness in his eyes softened slightly. “Is the psychologist found?”
“Yes, Yi Ming has already contacted her. I heard she’ll be going tomorrow afternoon.”
“Good.”
…
The next afternoon.
Jing Shun sat in the back of the car, looking at the doctor’s information in his hand. “Wen Buyan?”
She was a highly authoritative psychologist and counselor. In earlier years, she had been the head of the psychology department at Huayi Hospital. After retiring early, she had founded this private clinic.
A single consultation fee could run into four figures, yet still, no shortage of patients sought her out.
Jing Shun had heard of her. “…Her consultation fees seem very expensive.”
He had originally planned to find a nearby hospital and just make an appointment for psychological counseling—he could afford that himself.
Chen Yiming smiled. “Mr. Jing, Mr. Chi has already paid the fees in advance. His meaning is that you shouldn’t have any pressure or burden in this regard. Since we can afford a good doctor, there’s no need to settle for less.”
Jing Shun thought for a moment. “Alright, please thank Mr. Chi for me.”
Since the agreement between them was already in place, and he had decided to rid himself of his psychological demons, he might as well go with the best option.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the private clinic on time.
Dr. Wen, over fifty, stood at the door, her face radiating warmth and approachability. “Hello to you both.”
She showed no unusual reaction to Jing Shun in his wheelchair, speaking gently instead. “Mr. Jing, first of all, thank you for your trust—”
“Secondly, I need you to cooperate with my assistant for a few psychological assessments. Once we have an initial evaluation of your mental health status, I’ll begin one-on-one therapy sessions with you.”
Jing Shun nodded. “Alright.”
An hour later, all the assessment data came out.
In a warmly decorated private therapy room, Dr. Wen delivered the test results. “Mr. Jing, severe anxiety, severe depression, accompanied by mild anorexia, and some somatic symptoms.”
“…”
Jing Shun wasn’t surprised. He pinched the pad of his finger. “Mm. So what should I do?”
Dr. Wen noticed his small gesture and proactively handed him a fluffy puppy plush from the table. “Want to hold it for a bit?”
Jing Shun took it in surprise, but the texture felt unexpectedly nice.
Dr. Wen then spoke. “Mr. Jing, by willingly seeking psychological treatment, it shows that you have an instinct for self-preservation right now. That’s a good thing.”
“I’m going to ask you some questions next. They may involve your privacy, but I hope you’ll answer honestly. Of course, please trust my professionalism.”
Jing Shun squeezed the plush toy. After two seconds of hesitation, he chose to cooperate.
“Alright.”
…
Two hours of consultation flew by.
Jing Shun had just stepped out of the therapy room when Chen Yiming greeted him. “Mr. Jing, all done?”
Dr. Wen followed. “The assistant has already prepared the medication. Take it on time. I’ll come by regularly for follow-up psychological guidance. If anything comes up, feel free to contact me anytime.”
Jing Shun seemed to be in decent shape. “Thank you, Dr. Wen.”
“You’re welcome.”
Dr. Wen lowered her gaze, a warm smile on her face. “Mr. Jing, do you really like this little puppy plush?”
Only then did Jing Shun realize he was still gripping the toy. He quickly held it out. “Sorry about that.”
Dr. Wen didn’t take it. Instead, she suggested, “Mr. Jing, if it’s possible, you could consider getting a dog. A cat would work too.”
Often, keeping a pet can have a significantly positive effect on patients with psychological disorders.
“…A dog?”
A flicker of light appeared in Jing Shun’s eyes, but he didn’t immediately agree.
Dr. Wen said, “I’ll give this plushie to you. I have more here. See you next time.”
Jing Shun held the fluffy toy and didn’t refuse. “Alright. See you next time.”
As soon as the two walked out of the elevator door, Chen Yiming reminded him, “Mr. Jing, this way.”
Jing Shun followed the voice and saw a black luxury car parked on the side—not the one they had come in.
The rear window rolled down at that moment, revealing Chi Gui’s face.
A little surprised, Jing Shun approached. “Mr. Chi, what are you doing here?”
Chi Gui explained, “I had some business nearby. Yi Ming said you were almost done here, so I thought I’d pick you up on the way.”
Jing Shun didn’t suspect anything. “Have you been waiting long?”
Chi Gui’s expression was calm. “Just got here. Get in.”
Behind them, Chen Yiming and Wei Di, who was acting as the driver, exchanged a glance. Without a word, they silently helped Jing Shun into the car and get settled.
A minute later, the car stopped at the exit payment booth.
An electronic voice droned matter-of-factly: “Dear vehicle owner, your vehicle Hai A11999 has exceeded the free parking duration. Please pay the fee promptly. Thank you for your cooperation!”
“…”
“…”
Jing Shun was taken aback and instinctively looked at Chi Gui.
Chi Gui, seemingly oblivious to his gaze, stared intently at the financial report on his phone, looking very busy.
As the special assistants, Wei Di and Chen Yiming were quick to read the room and reacted promptly, each doing what was expected.
One handled the payment. “Right away!”
The other made a casual excuse. “This parking lot is such a rip-off. We only parked… what, ten minutes? And they’re already charging?”