ASFTB 26: The Lover-Bro Makes a Dazzling Entrance

Li Lingfeng’s gaze appeared particularly deep under the night sky, so intense that Jian Chengxi couldn’t help but feel a cold sweat creeping up his back. It wasn’t like he had cheated or was having an affair, but for some reason, he felt his entire body tense up under Li Lingfeng’s watchful eyes!

At that moment—

A bright light suddenly broke the silence of the small courtyard.

It was Li Lingfeng’s communication wristband, with a message from the deputy commander: “Sir, the welcoming banquet hosted by Sky City is about to begin, but the palace cannot seem to find the commander-in-chief. As the greatest contributor to this event, whether for the sake of others or for the soldiers, I believe you should attend. It will declare to the entire planet and even to the underground city that the soldiers have returned.”

After reading the message, Li Lingfeng closed the information window, glanced at Jian Chengxi, and said, “A flying ship will arrive soon. Sky City is hosting a welcoming banquet. Would you like to go?”

Jian Chengxi paused for a moment before realizing that the person in front of him was no ordinary individual. He asked, “The military’s welcoming banquet, would it be improper for us to attend?”

Li Lingfeng stood in the night, his figure slightly solitary compared to Jian Chengxi, who was surrounded by children and neighbors. In contrast, the man seemed somewhat isolated. He spoke in a deep tone, “Today, the relatives of the soldiers will all be attending to welcome their loved ones back from victory.”

After finishing, the man cast a faint glance at Jian Chengxi, as if silently saying, It would be unreasonable if you don’t attend.

Jian Chengxi was grazed by Li Lingfeng’s sharp gaze, and quickly explained, “I really need to clarify this. When I went to collect the voucher, I specifically asked at the office about you, but they said they couldn’t find your name!”

Li Lingfeng’s icy aura seemed to dissipate a little. “Is that so?”

Jian Chengxi nodded quickly, “Of course, of course! If you don’t believe me, you can ask Grandma Li. She saw me leave when I was heading out!”

Even though Grandma Li might be a bit slow, she had clearly understood the current situation. Before, she had been confused, especially with the poor lighting, and had mistaken him for a new lover but now, seeing the man in military armor, and hearing that he was a relative, how could she not understand. She might be old, but she wasn’t foolish. When the time came to help, she would definitely step in to assist and set things right.

Thinking this—

Grandma Li quickly cleared her throat and nodded, saying, “Yes, yes, that’s right! Xiao Xi, this child, was always thinking about you before you came back. He would often cry out of nowhere, saying, ‘Why hasn’t he come back yet?’ Watching him like that, it made my old heart ache. That day, I even saw him take the child to the office myself!”

Jian Chengxi: ?

He looked at Grandma Li in disbelief.

He could understand the latter part of what she said, but what was going on with the first part? Why was Grandma Li adding her own twist to the story?!

Li Lingfeng raised an eyebrow after hearing Grandma Li’s words, and then his gaze shifted to Jian Chengxi, asking, “Really?”

Jian Chengxi: …

Who could save him?!

Under the focused attention of everyone, Jian Chengxi’s survival instinct was magnified to the extreme. Gritting his teeth in silence, he reluctantly nodded and forced a sheepish smile. “Yes.”

Grandma Li also smiled and added, “Of course! I’m older now, and as an elder, I wouldn’t lie or deceive anyone.”

Jian Chengxi thought the matter would just blow over.

Yet who would have thought—

Li Lingfeng remained calm and composed, his logic sharp from years of experience on the battlefield. With a slow and deliberate tone, he spoke, “So, the first part is true as well.”

This referred to the part about having an affair.

Grandma Li and Jian Chengxi’s smiles froze on their faces.

Neither of them had expected that General Li, with his keen mind, would catch such a logical flaw!!

Luckily, at this moment, Li Suisui’s soft voice echoed through the courtyard, saying, “Daddy was so disappointed when he found out he couldn’t find your name. He even put up a picture of Father and would secretly look at it every month. Sometimes, he would hide and talk to it alone.”

Li Lingfeng was somewhat surprised by this.

Jian Chengxi looked at his picture?

Hadn’t he been entangled with his lover these past few years, completely forgetting about someone like him?

Otherwise…

How could he not send even a single message?

Jian Chengxi, on the other hand, glanced at his daughter in complete exasperation. Looking at the photo wasn’t about missing someone, he was just paying respects to his late ex-husband’s spirit. As for hiding away and talking to it, he was simply praying that his deceased ex-husband could bless their family with great wealth!

But… the most important thing in life was to think on your feet.

His late ex-husband was so fierce and if he got angry, his own life might not be safe.

Jian Chengxi’s greatest strength was his ability to read the room. He quickly racked his brain and came up with an excuse. “Well… what Suisui said isn’t wrong. After all, you’ve been away from home for so long, and the two kids… they really wanted to know what their Father looked like, so I often took the photo out to look at it.”

He had casually mentioned the kids.

Li Lingfeng looked at the two small children standing in front of him. They were still so young, not even reaching his thighs. Yet, these innocent little lives carried his own blood. Over the years, he had neglected them far too much.

Thinking this, the man who was often called a cold-blooded and heartless monster on the battlefield unknowingly softened. With a temperature he hadn’t even noticed in his tone, Li Lingfeng said to Jian Chengxi, “My flying ship will be here soon. You should bring the kids along.”

Jian Chengxi was a bit surprised and spoke, “So soon?”

Li Lingfeng furrowed his brows slightly. “What’s wrong?”

Back then, before he went to war, the Li family wasn’t exactly poor. Li Lingfeng was a professional bounty hunter, taking on jobs that were often life-threatening, operating on the edge where every task felt like walking on a knife’s edge. His physical strength was immense, and his natural emotional detachment made him more ruthless than most. With that, he had accumulated quite a fortune. After rescuing Jian Chengxi, the two of them had lived through a period of good times together.

After the children were born, Jian Chengxi’s temperament changed drastically.

He became increasingly irritable every day, often complaining about why they couldn’t return to Sky City, expressing how much he hated living in the dirty underground city.

It was as if he had become a completely different person.

It was because of this that Li Lingfeng started to have the idea of joining the military.

Only those who achieved military merits and were promoted could move to Sky City with their families.

It just so happened that compulsory conscription came around, and he used all the hard-earned money he had saved over the years to leave for the military, leaving his wife and children behind. In his previous life, he had believed that his wife would be happy when he earned military merits, but instead, he received the news of his wife leaving and his family falling apart. So how could he bear such a blow. That was when the tragedy of the past had unfolded.

But in this life…

Jian Chengxi hadn’t even had the chance to elope yet. He couldn’t help but wonder, now that he had fulfilled Li Lingfeng’s wish, would he be eager and overjoyed to see it come true?

However—

Just as Li Lingfeng thought Jian Chengxi would eagerly agree, he heard Jian Chengxi say, “On second thought, let’s skip it. It’s almost the time when the kids usually sleep. A general’s status is important, and at the banquet, you’ll naturally be the center of attention. The kids are still young, and they’ve never seen such big events. After being chased by dogs earlier, with so many people at the banquet, I don’t want to scare them any further.”

Li Lingfeng was unexpectedly taken aback and lifted his eyelids, giving Jian Chengxi a sharp glance!

He hadn’t expected that Jian Chengxi would give up on his long-cherished dream of Sky City.

Instead, he prioritized the children even more.

Under the night sky, Jian Chengxi’s face was delicate and handsome, free from any desires or expectations. They stood a few steps apart, yet he still smiled at Li Lingfeng, lifting his hand in a wave. “Thank you for the kind offer, but you should go to the banquet, General.”

A cool evening breeze swept over from the distance.

In a moment of dazed recollection, Li Lingfeng was suddenly reminded of the past.

It was when he had just rescued Jian Chengxi, and the two of them had essentially had a whirlwind marriage. When they first got married, there were no real feelings between them. Li Lingfeng had always been a solitary person, but ever since someone else had entered his home, it had become much livelier. However, every time he went out, Jian Chengxi would stand at the door and wave, saying, “Make sure to come back early!”

That gesture was something he hadn’t seen in a long time.

The evening breeze seemed to blow away the winter snow from deep within the heart, revealing the barren soil of the soul, making one feel unexpectedly soft and disoriented.

Jian Chengxi crouched down to speak to the children, “Suisui, Xiao Chen, say goodbye to Li… to Father.”

Li Lingfeng looked at the two young and somewhat frail children. They were also looking at him with their dark eyes, filled with a faint wariness and scrutiny. It was as if they resembled small beasts, instinctively defensive, their entire bodies on guard in the presence of an unfamiliar stranger.

A sense of inexplicable emotion washed over him.

He didn’t feel angry, it’s just that these two children somewhat resembled his younger self.

…

The air was filled with a momentary silence.

It was still Li Sui who raised her hand first, imitating the gesture, her childish voice crisp and clear. “Goodbye.”

Jian Chengxi looked at Li Chen, the child who was always quiet and almost seemed to lean toward being introverted. Back then, he wouldn’t even speak a word to him, only starting to open up after they got more familiar. As a doctor, Jian Chengxi had long noticed that Li Chen had a slight tendency toward social withdrawal, and ever since, he had been paying attention to these signs.

So, Jian Chengxi took Li Chen’s hand and waved it at Li Lingfeng, smiling as he casually said, “Goodbye, General. Make sure to come back early.”

He was worried that such a casual farewell might upset Li Lingfeng.

He didn’t know which part of what he said managed to please the man. It seemed that even Li Lingfeng’s gaze wasn’t as sharp as usual. He simply nodded lightly and began to walk away.

Just as Jian Chengxi was about to relax, thinking Li Lingfeng was about to leave, he suddenly—

Li Lingfeng turned around and looked at him, speaking softly, “By the way.”

Jian Chengxi stiffened, his nerves on edge, like a cat whose fur was bristling. He quickly asked, “What’s wrong?!”

Li Lingfeng gave him a cold, indifferent glance, his expression unusually calm and steady. He spoke in a low voice, “My communication terminal has been receiving signals. If there’s any trouble, send me a message.”

He was referring to the matter with A-Hu.

Jian Chengxi let out a sigh of relief and smiled, nodding, “Alright.”

As soon as Li Lingfeng turned to leave, Jian Chengxi’s smile froze on his face. Not for any particular reason, but because he suddenly realized what Li Lingfeng had said. All this time, his communication terminal had always been receiving signals!!!

That…

Didn’t he see the message Jian Chengxi had sent to his late ex-husband a while ago?

Wuwuwu, this is so embarrassing.

I really don’t want to live anymore.

Just as Jian Chengxi was sinking into despair, the system’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind, unhelpfully:【Your life safety value has increased by 5%, currently at 30%. Please keep up the good work.】

Jian Chengxi froze for a moment, then instinctively spoke, “What do you mean? How could my safety value go up? Right now, Li Lingfeng probably wants to kill me! Didn’t you see the look he gave me just now? It was sharper than a knife!”

The system’s voice responded coldly:【This system does not make mistakes.】

Jian Chengxi couldn’t be bothered to argue with it. He silently lit a candle for himself in his mind, even beginning to quietly plan his escape. Now that the kids’ father was back, he wondered if there was any way he could run away.

When he came back to his senses, Jian Chengxi realized that Grandma Li had already left.

He took the hands of the two children and walked into the house. Fortunately, A-Hu was just outside throwing a tantrum and hadn’t come inside. So much had happened today, and now he felt as if his feet were barely touching the ground, like he was walking on clouds.

He crouched down and patted the dust off Li Chen’s clothes from when he had fallen earlier. “Daddy’s going to the bathroom to run some water. We’ll take turns for a bath, okay?”

Li Suisui obediently nodded and raised her hand. “Suisui can take a bath by myself today.”

Jian Chengxi smiled and gently patted her head. “Good girl.”

Then—

Jian Chengxi stood up and said, “Are you hungry? Daddy will go get you some wild herb pancakes to eat.”

Both children nodded.

Jian Chengxi quickly took out the pancakes from the cupboard. The family’s conditions weren’t great, and sometimes he feared the children might go hungry, so he had prepared a lot of pancakes at home. Fortunately, the pancakes were kept well. He took them out now, worried they might be too cold. A couple of days ago, since winter was approaching, he had bought a small heater for the room. He lit the fire and warmed the pancakes in the pan before handing them to the two children.

“Be careful, it’s hot.” Jian Chengxi wrapped them in paper and said, “Don’t eat too quickly.”

The two children sitting on the chairs nodded and lowered their heads to bite into the pancakes.

Jian Chengxi watched them for a moment and noticed that the children were unusually quiet and subdued today. Thinking back to what had happened earlier in the evening, he tentatively and hesitantly asked, “Father is back. Suisui and Xiao Chen aren’t unhappy, are they?”

…

The room fell into a brief silence.

Just as Jian Chengxi began to feel that he shouldn’t have asked such a question—

Li Suisui raised her head, her sparkling eyes looking at Jian Chengxi, and her voice was crisp as she said, “Happy.”

Jian Chengxi let out a relieved smile, but before he could feel fully at ease, he heard the child continue, “But it seems like Father isn’t happy.”

?

How could this child be so perceptive?

Jian Chengxi quickly said, “How could your Father be unhappy? He even asked about you two while we were out on the street.”

Li SuiSui bit her pancake and seriously said, “But Father hasn’t smiled at Suisui.”

“…”

Isn’t it possible that it has nothing to do with you two?

Maybe it’s just that the green on his head is too much, and your Daddy here pissed him off.

Jian Chengxi couldn’t help but silently mock himself in his mind, but still tried to comfort the children, saying, “Father doesn’t dislike Suisui and Xiao Chen. He’s just… just so happy that he couldn’t express it.”

Li Suisui bit her pancake and fell silent.

But at that moment—

Li Chen quietly spoke, “Even if I’m a cripple, would Father still be happy?”

Jian Chengxi choked on his words.

Li Chen, with his young and frail body, sat quietly in the chair, biting into his pancake. The boy, who was usually not good with words, lowered his head and said softly, “He would probably be very disappointed.”

It was such a sad thing to say, but this child spoke it in such a calm tone.

Jian Chengxi felt an inexplicable pain in his heart. He was a little agitated as he quickly said, “He won’t!”

The two children looked at him in surprise.

Even Jian Chengxi himself didn’t understand why he said it with such certainty, as if he knew Li Lingfeng so well. Being stared at by the two children, Jian Chengxi suddenly realized his own lapse in judgment. Soon, he remembered that not long ago, he had been thinking about running away, that the two children already had a wealthy father to take care of them. What did they need a poor dad like him for?

The original owner had betrayed Li Lingfeng, an unforgivable crime.

After Li Lingfeng returned, there was a chance he would even divorce him. Maybe it was better to part ways now.

But…

What if he really doesn’t like the two children?

Jian Chengxi felt a sense of unease at the thought. He hesitated and slowed down his escape plan. As he lifted his hand and gently patted the heads of the two children, he spoke softly, “Don’t think too much. Suisui and Xiao Chen are the most well-behaved and smartest children in the world. Daddy loves you both the most, and so does your Father. When he comes back, we’ll live a good life together.”

The room was filled with warmth.

Li Suisui’s fair little face broke into a smile as she asked, “Will we live in a big house? Will it still leak when it rains?”

Jian Chengxi replied, “Maybe your Father will take us to live in a new house.”

Li Chen was silent for a moment before speaking, “A-Hu and the others won’t dare come anymore.”

Jian Chengxi felt a deep pang of sorrow in his heart, but even in the hardest of times, he still managed to smile, nodding firmly, “Yes, they won’t dare come and bully us anymore!”

Just as he thought tonight would be a rare moment of family time, imagining a bright future—

Li Suisui, with excitement on her face, said, “If Father is that amazing, will we get a new school? Then I can keep learning to make poisonous apples!”

“Ah…?”

Li Chen whispered, “Make powerful mechs to crush A-Hu’s house.”

Jian Chengxi: “…”

Alright, alright, the family chat session is officially over.

If we keep talking, it’ll be impolite.

Later in the evening, after getting the two children washed up and ready for bed, Jian Chengxi prepared for their usual bedtime routine.

Normally, at this time, he would give Li Chen a leg massage and help with his rehabilitation. However, when he entered the children’s room this evening, he was surprised to find that Li Chen, just like Li Suisui, had already fallen asleep. This was a rare occurrence. Usually, the children wouldn’t fall asleep so early.

Jian Chengxi moved over to tuck the children in, but as he was about to leave, he noticed something was off.

The breathing rhythm was irregular.

He quickly walked back, reaching out to check Li Chen’s forehead. He didn’t want to disturb the child, but once he touched his forehead, his heart immediately dropped—so hot!!

“Xiao Chen…” Jian Chengxi hurriedly pulled back the blanket. The child curled up inside, and he patted him anxiously. “Wake up, tell Daddy, are you feeling unwell?”

That wouldn’t have been a problem if it hadn’t been lifted but once it was, the sight was shocking.

At the small back of Li Chen’s, a fluffy snow-white tail had appeared!

And even his legs weren’t spared.

Jian Chengxi drew in a sharp breath. Just then, Li Chen, who had been unconscious all this time, finally woke. His eyes were wary at first, but when he saw who was in front of him, they softened. As if summoning every last bit of strength, he whispered faintly, “Daddy…”

He had never been this fragile before.

Nor had he ever called him that softly.

Jian Chengxi’s chest tightened. In the past, he had always thought he was forced by circumstance to raise two children, but in this moment, his desperation was no different from a father with his own flesh and blood. All those old thoughts had long been forgotten. “Daddy’s here.”

The child on the bed looked to be in great pain. Without thinking, Jian Chengxi gathered Li Chen into his arms. Though fear gripped him too, he kept soothing the boy with his voice. “Xiao Chen, are you not feeling well? Don’t be afraid, it’ll be alright soon. Daddy will take you to the hospital right away.”

As soon as the words left his mouth—

The child in his arms seemed to let go of all defenses and completely fainted. Lying on the bed, his little body suddenly began to change right before Jian Chengxi’s eyes, slowly turning into a snow-white leopard cub, no bigger than a kitten. Curled up on the bed, he looked impossibly adorable.

Jian Chengxi quickly scooped him up and rushed outside.

Fortunately, his daughter was fast asleep. It was late at night, and he couldn’t take her running around with him, so he hurried to the neighbor’s house to call on Grandma Li. There was no time to explain the situation, he could only beg her to stay at his place and watch over his daughter.

Grandma Li noticed his reddened eyes and asked, “What happened?”

Holding the little snow-white leopard in his arms, Jian Chengxi said, “Xiao Chen is sick. I have to take him to see a doctor.”

“Oh, then you’d better hurry.” Grandma Li, pulling on a coat, stood up. After a moment of thought, she added, “But don’t panic—head to the clinic first and stay calm. It’s late now, and you’re not alone anymore. Whatever happens, remember to talk it over with your husband.”

At the mention of Li Lingfeng, Jian Chengxi’s unsettled heart somehow grew steadier. With eyes still red, he nodded.

He sprinted all the way to the clinic. Because it was so late, he even stumbled and fell once. Afraid of hurting the child in his arms, he took the brunt of it himself. With his body’s sensitivity to pain, that fall nearly sent his soul flying out of him.

The sharp pain forced a muffled groan out of Jian Chengxi, but for the first time, he couldn’t spare a thought for it. He pushed himself up and kept running toward the clinic. It wasn’t a long road, yet by the time he reached the door, he was drenched in sweat. Panting, he knocked hard on the door. “Doctor! Doctor, please open the door!”

He knocked for quite a while, but no one came.

Catching his breath, Jian Chengxi finally noticed a line of writing posted not far from the entrance: [Closed—attending the Sky City gathering].

His eyes widened as if struck by lightning.

The little snow-white cub in his arms was panting heavily, his whole body burning hot. Jian Chengxi spun in circles, frantic. There was only this one clinic in the underground city. If it was closed, what was he supposed to do for his child?

What should he do…

His heart pounded like a drum. In the chaos clouding his mind, he finally remembered Grandma Li’s words. He could turn to Li Lingfeng.

Like clutching at a lifeline, Jian Chengxi pulled up his contacts. The night was far too dark, and at first he accidentally pressed a call button—an old number saved by the body’s original owner. Without recognizing it, he hung up right away. Flipping to the very top, he finally found Li Lingfeng’s number and dialed at once.

At the banquet in Sky City.

A sea of people.

In the vast and splendid square, colorful lights glittered, fine wine and delicacies filling the air with festivity.

Li Lingfeng sat at the highest seat just below the emperor, watching it all with a detached gaze. It was as if all the splendor before him were a curtain, separating the man from the revelry. Not far away, many young nobles of the half-elves and angel clans stole glances in his direction.

The emperor cleared his throat and said, “General Li, it’s rare to have a chance to indulge a little, there’s no need to be so serious. Let me introduce you. This is my sister, Princess Qiyu. She deeply admires you, especially your battle against the Insect King, and has long been eager to meet you. Tonight, with the flowers in bloom and the moon so bright, the two of you can have a good chat.”

The princess not far away was strikingly beautiful.

The emperor’s intent was obvious. He was doing his utmost to match the two together.

She was dressed in the pure white robes of the angel clan, her long hair cascading down to her waist. Shy and timid, she stole a glance at Li Lingfeng.

Most men would crumble under such a beauty’s gaze, but Li Lingfeng was not like most men. He replied coolly, “If the princess is interested, you can review the military campaign logs. They’re certainly more detailed than anything I could say.”

Qiyu: “…”

Are you allergic to romance?

Just as the air was growing tense—

Li Lingfeng’s expressionless face shifted slightly. He answered the call on his wrist comm. “What is it?”

At first, he thought it was nothing more than an ordinary call.

But on the other end came Jian Chengxi’s tear-choked voice. “General Li… where are you? Can you come back?”

Li Lingfeng had thought he already utterly despised Jian Chengxi, yet at the sound of his sobs, his brows furrowed. His voice dropped low. “What happened?”

That single question shattered Jian Chengxi’s defenses. He broke down crying. “I–I’m fine, but our son isn’t. Li Chen, I don’t know what happened to him, he suddenly turned into a snow leopard! He’s unconscious now, burning up with fever. I brought him to the clinic, but they said they’re closed tonight, and there’s no other clinic in the underground city. Li Chen is still in his beast form as a little snow leopard, can you please come, save him!”

Li Lingfeng stood up. “Where are you now?”

“I–I’m at the clinic’s entrance.” Jian Chengxi was crying hard. “Li Chen is in my arms. Why did he suddenly turn into a snow leopard? Does it have something to do with that… that mental power thing? Will he end up like that werewolf the other day? Is he going to die?”

Hearing the panic in Jian Chengxi’s voice, Li Lingfeng suddenly felt a little dazed.

He had thought Li Lingfeng didn’t care about their child.

But maybe…

He really did care.

Li Lingfeng, the seasoned hunter who had faced countless storms and dangers with a steady hand, spoke calmly. “Jian Chengxi.”

Through his sobs, Jian Chengxi sniffled and answered, “Mm?”

“Send me your location, and the doctor’s name.” Li Lingfeng’s voice was calm and precise. “Then stay right where you are—don’t wander around. Wait for me to get there.”

Jian Chengxi wiped his tears, finally calming down a little. “Okay, then you…”

Hearing that he was still crying, Li Lingfeng drew in a deep breath and said firmly, “He’s not going to die.”

Jian Chengxi froze.

And then—

He heard the voice on the other end of the line, deep, steady, carrying a weight of reassurance. “Because I’m here, nothing will happen to you.”

Somehow, Jian Chengxi’s heart settled on those words. He sniffled and whispered, “Alright, I’ll wait here with the child.”

Li Lingfeng nodded, then, with a touch of helplessness, added, “I’ll bring the doctor over. Don’t worry, just keep an eye on the child.”

Jian Chengxi said, “I’m not panicking anymore.”

Li Lingfeng frowned. “Then why are you crying?”

“I fell and hurt my back.” Jian Chengxi couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down. “It really hurts, I can’t help it…”

“…”

He had thought the distance between the Underground City and the Sky City would be much farther.

Crouching at the entrance of the clinic with the child in his arms, Jian Chengxi hadn’t expected that in less than ten minutes an airship would land in the nearby square, followed by the doctor dragged straight from the party appearing before him.

In the dim light, Jian Chengxi looked up and saw Li Lingfeng not far away.

It was as if his long-unsettled heart finally found solid ground.

The doctor, when he came to open the door, was swaying on his feet. “That warship ride… ugh… I’m so dizzy, I think I’m gonna—”

Compared to the doctor’s staggering, Li Lingfeng’s steps were steady and composed. In just a few strides he was in front of them, first glancing at the child in Jian Chengxi’s arms, then at Jian Chengxi’s tear-streaked face.

The doctor said, “Come… ugh… come in.”

Sure enough, the clinic was nearly empty inside.

Once they entered, the doctor didn’t dare waste a second with the General’s son. The little snow leopard was taken straight into the emergency room, leaving the family waiting outside.

Jian Chengxi, still worried, said, “Doctor, I’ll be right outside. If anything happens, just call me.”

“Alright, alright, I know… ugh… don’t worry!” The doctor quickly shut the door and returned to the operating room. From inside came his voice. “I’ll keep you updated!”

Only then did Jian Chengxi feel a little more at ease.

Once the room quieted down, he glanced at Li Lingfeng. Now that he had calmed, thinking back on how he had wailed over the phone, he felt embarrassed and mortified, really.

…

The silence lingered for a moment.

He had thought Li Lingfeng’s cold personality meant he wouldn’t say anything, but then the man’s voice came from beside him. “Come here.”

Jian Chengxi froze and looked at him. “You mean me?”

Li Lingfeng nodded, sitting down on a chair not far away, his presence heavy as a mountain. “Didn’t you hurt your back? Come here, let me take a look.”

By now the pain had mostly eased, and Jian Chengxi, a little embarrassed, said, “I just tripped and fell, it’s nothing serious.”

“The Elves don’t heal easily. If you don’t treat the injury properly, it could leave hidden problems.” Li Lingfeng spoke calmly. “And if the wound happens to get infected, it might even trigger a loss of control over your mental power.”

Jian Chengxi was startled and quickly said, “Then I’d better let you check!”

Luckily, there was no one else in the clinic at this hour.

Just as Jian Chengxi was nervously wondering how exactly Li Lingfeng planned to “check,” the clinic door was pushed open from outside. Wang Zhe rushed in, flustered and breathless.

“Xiao Xi, are you alright? I knew you still couldn’t let me go! You called me so late at night, does that mean you’ve finally thought it through? Luckily I’m the overseer and have call-location privileges. So you’ve decided to give up on that ex-husband of yours and be with me, haven’t you?!”

“…”

The room fell silent for a moment.

A silence as heavy as death.

Li Lingfeng sat in the chair, his face turning cold as he shifted his gaze to the man who had entered. His eyes were dark and chilling, and then, lifting his lids just slightly, he cast a look at Jian Chengxi. When he finally spoke, his voice was unhurried, yet it carried a suffocating edge of killing intent. “He’s here for you?”

…

Jian Chengxi’s mind spun rapidly back through his memory. He suddenly recalled that when he had called Li Lingfeng earlier tonight, crying in a panic, with it being so late, he must have accidentally pressed one of the old numbers saved by the body’s original owner. Of course, he had hung up right away.

No way…

It couldn’t possibly be that coincidence!!

Wang Zhe still hadn’t realized what was going on. Standing at the doorway, he called out, “Xiao Xi, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Say something? Like I would dare.

Bro, could you maybe not talk either?

Are you tired of living or what!

Jian Chengxi froze stiff, not daring to move a muscle. Forcing out a strained smile, he leaned toward Li Lingfeng and whispered, “Um… if I said I don’t know him, would you believe me?”