Chapter 79 – Heartbroken Madam

Yao Chaowu knelt on the ground, clutching his chest as if struggling to breathe, panting heavily, “Phone… call 120.”

Wei Lai wiped the cream from his eyelids, glanced at the door, then at Yao Chaowu. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “What’s going on? Can you stand up? I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“Can’t get up.” Yao Chaowu gritted his teeth. “Hurry up and call…”

Wei Lai didn’t think Yao Chaowu was exaggerating. On the contrary, he found it impressive that Yao Chaowu could still speak after taking a kick from Chu Yin. Chu Yin wasn’t particularly burly, but he genuinely built his tough-guy persona on real capability. Perhaps his childhood experiences had instilled in him the belief that only fists spoke the truth—beauty, strength, and suffering forged through fitness, his physique defying the heavens. His right hand wielded kitty punches, his legs delivered pouty kicks. Someone like Yao Chaowu was just a melon rind in his hands.

Wei Lai called an ambulance. After hanging up, he immediately dialed Chu Yin. As the seconds dragged on like years, the ringtone suddenly sounded from the sofa.

Chu Yin hadn’t taken his phone.

Wei Lai looked at Yao Chaowu lying flat on the ground, his breathing shallow and labored, and only then did his own chest begin to ache belatedly—what had Chu Yin hit him with earlier? It seemed like a box.

Wei Lai bent down, rummaged through the cream-covered floor, and picked up a box. He opened it just a crack before snapping it shut again.

Rubbing his chest, Wei Lai stood up, washed his face and hands, rubbed them together, and then slowly opened the gift Chu Yin had given him.

A watch.

From his favorite brand.

Over two million yuan, casually tossed aside.

He said he was leaving, and so he left, even taking the cat they’d picked up together on his way out.

Wei Lai’s heart ached unbearably. By the time he got Yao Chaowu to the hospital and heard the diagnosis of fractured ribs, his heartache only intensified.

After all the chaos, Yao Chaowu was hospitalized again, lying in bed on painkillers. “…So brutal. Even if Chu Yin hates me… he didn’t have to… be this ruthless…”

Wei Lai: “I’m sorry.”

“Wei, why are you apologizing?” Yao Chaowu said earnestly. “I’ve always thought Chu Yin had violent tendencies. It’s terrifying… just like Chen Meixian. Who knows who infected whom. You’re his manager, running around serving an emperor? It’s a pit of fire—don’t jump in. Come back, Wei Lai. I was wrong. From now on, I’ll listen to you.”

“I’m sorry,” Wei Lai repeated.

“Stop apologizing.” Yao Chaowu reached out to Wei Lai. “Even brothers fight. I treated you poorly. After you come back, make any demands you want…”

Wei Lai cut him off. “I want a boyfriend.”

“A boyfriend is something you find yourself…” Yao Chaowu trailed off, suddenly realizing something was off. He sucked in a sharp breath, immediately regretted it from the pain, and exhaled slowly after a long pause. “A… boyfriend? You…”

Wei Lai said solemnly, “Yes. I’m the kind of person you hate most… a homosexual.”

Yao Chaowu: “…”

Wei Lai: “Sorry, I used to have a crush on you.”

Yao Chaowu clutched his ribs: “…!”

“Don’t panic.” Wei Lai forced a smile, as if relieved, light and breezy. “I also had crushes on a lot of other people at the same time.”

Yao Chaowu looked at Wei Lai as if seeing him for the first time, stammering, “…What’s wrong with you…? You and Chu Yin… is it real?”

Wei Lai denied it. “No. Chu Yin is straight.”

Yao Chaowu: “I don’t believe it! You and him, that kind of… that…”

Wei Lai, always prioritizing Chu Yin’s public image, denied it again. “Darling, if I say he’s straight, he’s straight.”

Yao Chaowu: “…You just called me ‘darling’? Wei Lai, you only call people ‘darling’ when you’re angry or don’t know them well. Have we really grown this distant?”

“Yao, you’re focusing on the wrong thing.” Wei Lai sighed and summarized, “In conclusion, I’m gay, I used to have a crush on you, and I think it’s best if you keep your distance from me.”

“You… I don’t mind. Wei Lai.” Yao Chaowu grabbed Wei Lai’s sleeve. “Even if you’re gay, we can still be friends! I just hate that stalker freak. I’d never look down on you for being gay.”

“Actually… whether you look down on me or not doesn’t matter much anymore.” Wei Lai rubbed his chest again. “Sorry, I don’t have a crush on you anymore.”

Yao Chaowu: “…” A whirlwind of emotions, and yet, an overwhelming sense of loss!

Wei Lai suspected his emotions had been too volatile tonight. His vision began to swim with stars again, and he barely managed to stand before heading for the door. “I’ve arranged for a nurse and bodyguard for you—they’ll be here soon. I’m leaving first. Rest well, and don’t overthink it.”

Yao Chaowu watched Wei Lai’s retreating back. “Wei Lai… Chu Yin beat me up like this, and you’re just going to leave me?”

Wei Lai rubbed his temples and said quietly, “I have to find him first.”

As Wei Lai stepped into the hallway, the stars in his vision multiplied. A sharp ringing in his ears made him nauseous. Leaning against the wall, he slowly crouched down. Midway, he felt the world’s brightness dimming. He thought the hospital had lost power—until a few minutes later, when the sensation passed, and he realized he’d experienced temporary blindness.

Should he get it checked?

If he went to the emergency room now, he’d have to wait over an hour in line. Chu Yin had run off with the cat, hadn’t taken his phone, and was dressed so lightly.

After a moment’s hesitation, Wei Lai reassured himself—maybe it was just low blood sugar, too many late nights, kidney deficiency. Passing by the emergency room, Wei Lai went home to wait for Chu Yin.