Chapter 58

  A retro-style building located by the city river, with a large area of land, exquisite structure, but extremely low-key decoration. Even in the evening, only one door is opened, which is not big or small, and it is leisurely alone in the corner, surrounded by the twinkling lights nearby.

  In contrast to its low-key exterior, the interior is surprisingly luxurious, with crystal chandeliers, intricate and unique murals, well-trained waiters, and private rooms with lanterns in a medieval castle style.

  The sound insulation here is very good, and there's no hint of noise leaking out from inside.

  Zhang Xin's chips on the table changed hands again and again, his face flushed with excitement due to the alcohol.

  "Damn, do you have to be so ruthless? I haven't won a single round today." He slammed down his cards and took the wine handed over by the woman next to him, finishing it in one gulp. After wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he turned to the man leaning on the sofa across from him, who had a lazy expression on his face. "You'd better give me some water or I won't be able to leave this place today."

  The man wore a sky blue shirt, with the collar slightly open to reveal the white and sexy clavicle inside. The sleeves were casually rolled up to his elbows, and his face had a smile that was both drunk and enchanted. His eyes were slightly raised, exuding an innate sense of seductiveness.

  He opened his lips and spat out two words, "Get lost!"

  "Damn it!" Zhang Xin cursed under his breath, lit a cigarette and started to shuffle the cards. "Yuan Zhi, you son of a bitch, just wait for me, I don't believe in evil spirits!"

  Yuan Zhi raised an eyebrow, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of the sofa, completely carefree.

  In the room, there were several other men and women embracing each other, with looks of decadent pleasure on their faces. The images on the LCD screen continued to change in sync with the music, while the microphone had already been lost in some corner.

  In the dim light, the smoke-filled room seemed even more bewildering.

  Not long after, the private room door opened and a young woman was led in by the waiter. She had a simple ponytail, wore a slanting shoulder bag, and her clean and elegant face looked out of place with an awkward expression.

  "Wow, school's out so early today?" Zhang Xin shouted at her with bleary eyes.

  "Hmm!" She responded with a murmur and sat down beside Yuan Zhi.

  "How did you get here?" Yuan Zhi put a bottle of drink in front of her and pinched her hand, "Are you tired from class?"

  "He took a taxi." She said softly: "Not tired!"

  Yuan Zhi smiled and asked, "Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

  "No, General Yuan, you go ahead and play! Don't mind me."

  Yuan Zhi ruffled her bangs, "Hmm, let's play two more rounds and then we'll leave."

  Zhang Xin heard and said discontentedly: "You're also too inhumane, Lin Ke comes and immediately thinks of taking people away, do you have to be so disrespectful."

  Yuan Zhi seemed to smile but didn't make a sound. After two rounds were over, he pushed the chips he had won in front of him and said, "Today's on me."

  Then he picked up a coat beside him and took Lin Ke away, without caring about Zhang Xin's sudden change from gloom to joy behind him.

  As he walked outside, the cool breeze blowing in his face slightly woke up his dazed head. He put on his jacket and looked at the woman beside him with her head hung low, "Did you pass your driver's test?"

  "Ah, I found out last week."

  Yuan Zhi was somewhat surprised, "I didn't hear you say that."

  Lin Ke scratched his ear awkwardly, "We haven't even met before!"

  Her silly appearance stunned Yuan Zhi for a few seconds, then he shifted his gaze and responded in a low voice, handing her the car key. "You drive today, I've had a drink."

  Lin Ke took over the small block from his hand, with a hint of hesitation on her face. "I'm still not very familiar with driving."

  "It's okay, it's not your fault even if we crashed."

  After finishing speaking, Shi Yan walked out first, and Lin Ke could only follow reluctantly.

  Young Master Yuan's car is naturally exceptional, and its luxuriousness ranks among the top in this city.

  Lin Ke's hand holding the car key was shaking slightly, but under Yuan Zhi's intense gaze, he still steeled himself and got in.

  At this point, there were still many vehicles coming and going in the downtown area. Every time Lin Ke stepped on the brakes, he nervously glanced at Yuan Zhi, who was propping up his forehead and silently staring out the window with an expressionless face that revealed no emotions.

  "Director Yuan, where are we going?"

  "Go for a walk!"

  Lin Ke tightly grasped the steering wheel and started circling around the city, finally driving to the artificial riverbank.

  Yuan Zhi suddenly spoke up: "Stay here for a while."

  Lin Ke hastily stepped on the brakes, but the violent shaking of the car still didn't change Yuan Zhi's expression.

  Two people got off together and sat down on the riverbank.

  The wind by the river was even stronger, Yuan Zhi took off his coat and put it on Lin Ke, holding her struggling hands, his voice low and steady, "Wear it, don't catch a cold."

  He continued to hold her shoulder, showing no intention of letting go. Lin Ke could smell the faint scent of smoke on him and the laundry detergent on his clothes, a combination that didn't feel unpleasant.

  "How is your mother's body?"

  "It's okay, I've pretty much recovered." She pursed her lips and looked up at his elegant and handsome chin, her face slightly red, and said in a low voice: "Thank you, President Yuan, for your help. I will always remember it."

  "Hmm!" He responded with a tone that didn't fluctuate much.

  Lin Ke's mother had been severely burned in a sudden fire at home, and the high medical expenses instantly overwhelmed this university student who didn't have much social experience. While squatting by the hospital flowerbed wiping away tears, she met Yuan Zhi. At that time, he was being forced to see a psychologist. When he saw her, he was stunned for a long time. Nobody knew what the reason was. If you say Lin Ke is beautiful, there are many people more beautiful than her. Moreover, at that time, her crying was so messy that it had nothing to do with beauty. However, no matter what, she was special to Yuan Zhi because he spoke to her.

  The voice was very soft and stiff, with a childish stutter, "Your... eyes..."

  What's wrong with his eyes? He didn't say a word, just stared blankly ahead, as if looking through those eyes at a very distant place.

  There were several people who followed him to the hospital, each with a look of shock and bewilderment on their faces. It was only later that they learned that Yuan Zhi had been mute for an entire year.

  Lin Ke was fortunate enough to be the first person to get Yuan Zhi to speak, and as a result, his mother's medical expenses were resolved in such a dramatic situation.

  It's been two years since they met, and everyone thought Yuan Zhi was infatuated with her, but this man who seemed exceptionally considerate, gentle and tolerant to others had no intention of crossing the line. Lin Ke felt disheartened, it was somewhat shameful to admit, but she had indeed fantasized about being more intimate and honest with Yuan Zhi.

  A simple and clean office with a faint scent of medicine, Liao Shi sat at his desk drinking water while browsing through today's newspaper. The sunset outside cast a warm glow on the floor behind him, with scattered rays landing on his face, making his delicate cheeks even more rosy and vibrant.

  "Don't be lazy!" he said lightly, his eyes still fixed on the newspaper without moving.

  He Sheng, sitting opposite him, quickly glanced at him and hurriedly tightened his left hand holding the cotton ball, loosening it again after a few seconds, repeating the action continuously.

  The office was quiet, with only the sound of the wall clock ticking and the occasional rustling of newspapers being turned. He Sheng occasionally looked up at the time, his left hand slightly trembling.

  When the pointer finally pointed to the number ten, her eyes lit up, "We're here!"

  Liao Shi held down her hand that was about to withdraw, "Add three more minutes today!"

  "Ah!" He Sheng's expression was somewhat stiff, and then he lowered his head and slowly picked it up.

  Liao Shi glanced at her and his lips, which were pressed against the rim of the cup, curved into a slight arc.

  Three minutes later, Liao Shi took away the cotton ball in her hand and massaged her entire arm, "How have you been feeling these past few days?"

  "It's about the same as before."

  "Next week will continue with acupuncture and combine it with exercise for better treatment effect."

  He Sheng nodded, looking at his left arm which was being moved around by him, "But won't you be too tired? Acupuncture takes a long time."

  "It's nothing!" He let go of He Song's hand and handed her a package on the table, "Take it, go to Grandma Zhao's house."

  He Shuang quickly got dressed and followed him out.

  This is a small-scale traditional Chinese medicine clinic, the medical staff have all gone off duty now, the entire corridor is empty and filled with the strong smell of traditional Chinese medicine.

  Liao locked the door and then walked with He Sheng to Grandma Zhao's house a few streets away.

  Grandma Zhao is a lonely old woman, and she doesn't have any economic sources. She relies on government subsidies and neighborhood assistance to get by. Her quality of life isn't great. Dr. Liao often comes over to give her free check-ups and examine her physical condition.

  In a small, dilapidated bungalow, He Song stood silently by, watching the smiling, kind-hearted man.

  Liao Shi has a strong sense of social responsibility, often taking time to visit poor households in the neighborhood and participating in large-scale free clinics. Three years ago, he even sat in the scorching sun on a square in another city, where He Shuang had poured him a glass of water, never expecting their next encounter would be so dramatic.

  That summer, the train didn't depart on time and returned to the station due to a rail fault. He Sheng bought another ticket and took a long-distance bus instead. However, just hours later, the bus was involved in a rear-end collision with a large truck while exiting the highway. The accident scene was horrific, with a strong smell of gasoline, chaotic screams, and scorching blood.

  Many people died in that incident, but He Sheng was lucky enough to survive, only his left hand was crippled.

  It wasn't until a month later that she fully came to. All her documents were destroyed, and she had missed university registration. She didn't have a single penny on her.

  It's strange that the medical staff didn't ask her about her background, and when she was almost recovered, they directly helped her with the discharge procedures without asking for any treatment fees.

  He Shuang was thrown onto the street by the hospital in a state of confusion, and the local accent around her was unfamiliar. She didn't even know which corner of the world she was in. During the day, she tried to find a way to contact Yuan Zhi, but at night, she slept at the entrance of a nearby park, exhausted and hungry for three days. Almost losing hope, she met Liao Shi, who took her in and found ways to treat her arm. Her originally numb left hand could move again. He Shuang's gratitude towards him was beyond words.