Chapter 70 - SEVENTY

Chapter 70: Chapter SEVENTY

Xin Linhua stirs awake, the couch bites uncomfortably into his skin.

He blinks slowly, his eyes try to adjust to the lighting in the room. Where...the hell is he?

"Sleeping beauty’s awake."

Xin Linhua snaps his head towards that familiar and hoarse, sarcastic voice. Zhao Xi!

The youth is sitting upright, a large pillow behind him to hold him steady. In just one night, he looks frail and weak. The IV drip in his hand makes him look even more hopeless.

"Ah Xi..." Xin Linhua blinks "You’re awake..."

"Obviously." The youth smiles weakly "Why are you here?"

"Brother called." Xin Linhua is already on his feet and beside his best friend "Are you alright? How do you feel?"

"Like someone took a sledge hammer to my head and ran me over with a freight train." Zhao Xi jokes.

Xin Linhua doesn’t laugh with him. Something tightens in his chest, making it hard for him to breathe. Zhao Xi notices.

"What’s wrong?" The youth reaches out and holds his hand "You look terrible."

"I feel terrible." Xin Linhua squeezes his hand in return.

"By the way, how did I get here?" Zhao Xi frowns "Brother refuses to tell me so I can only ask you."

"He brought you here." Xin Linhua gently explains "You were on a call with him when you suddenly collapsed."

"Woah..." His eyes widen "I do feel weak. Have I been eating less lately? Nah, I doubt it. I must have been tired so I passed out."

Xin Linhua winces slightly. That dull ache in his chest is worsening.

"By the way, I don’t remember anything that happened in the last two days." The youth continues "The doctor said it’s normal, he’s probably high on something when he made that diagnosis. Nevertheless, I should be out of here in a few days!"

"Yeah..." Xin Linhua feels his throat go dry "Do you remember...our meeting this morning? You asked me to clear my schedule and meet up with you."

Zhao Xi tilts his head in confusion. He seems to be thinking long and hard about what Xin Linhua said but as expected, nothing surfaces.

"No. I can’t remember." He shakes his head slightly "I probably forgot about it, just like every other thing these last few days."

"It’s alright. Don’t strain yourself. Get some rest, then we’ll talk."

"I could say the same for you." Zhao Xi lays down on his back "You look drained. Just go and sleep on a proper bed. You can come back later in the day."

Xin Linhua stares out the window. The sun is slowly rising into the sky. He rubs his eyes.

Even if he returns to the institute, sleep is a luxury to him. Three hours of good sleep is considered a good night for him. Insomnia can be bitchy at times.

"You’re still here?"

Xin Linhai walks in and closes the door behind him. He’s holding a thermos cooler in his hands.

"I’m about to leave." Xin Linhua carefully places Zhao Xi’s hand on his chest "You know you can’t feed him something heavy, right?"

"I know." Xin Linhai walks towards the bedside.

"Okay. Take care of him for me, I’ll be back soon."

"Hua’er."

Xin Linhua stops in his tracks. He turns to face his brother with a raised eyebrow.

"Don’t forget what you told me." The man simply reminds him.

"I won’t."

Xin Linhua walks out of the room with heavy shoulders. He shuts the door behind him.

"What were you two talking about?" Zhao Xi can’t help but ask.

"It’s nothing." Xin Linhai ruffles his hair "Eat first, then we’ll let the doctor do a full body check up. Just in case."

"Okay..."

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Xin Linhua steps through the dormitory door with a blank expression.

He makes his way straight into his room, locking the bedroom door behind him.

He takes off his coat, folds it neatly on the bed alongside his scarf. He walks into the bathroom and towards the sink.

Above the ceramics, a mirror is mounted on the wall.

Xin Linhua wipes the mirror slowly and carefully, staring at his own emotionless reflection.

So many things worm their way through his head, planting seeds of doubts and sprouting into conspiracy theories in his head.

He lowers his gaze towards a small drawer built underneath the sink. He opens it.

Inside lies a small pocket knife. He picks it up and flicks it open. The sharp edge of the silver metal glistens softly in the bright bathroom.

He slowly takes off his shirt, folding it neatly on the countertop. He picks up the knife again, staring at the tip.

"Just a little bit..."

The sharp metal sinks into his skin without mercy. Right above his heart, a small tear appears, the knife still wedged inside and still piercing deeper into his skin.

The metallic stench of blood quickly filled the bathroom, intensified by the curling steam from the shower.

He winces softly, dark red liquid gushes out of the slowly expanding wound. A soft exhale escapes him, like he has been holding his breath for a long time without knowing.

__Bang!

"Xin Linhua!"

Rong Yizhan’s agitated voice echoes from outside the room.

Xin Linhua turns towards the door, his blank eyes finally regain some conscience. He stares down at the knife he’s gripping– the glistening metal is still wedged inside his chest.

He pulls it out without much thought, tossing the blood stained knife into the sink with a sharp clatter.

Grabbing a towel, he wipes the blood off carefully and slowly, ignoring the frantic knocks from outside.

He walks into the shower and switches it on. Cold water trails down his upper body and disappears beneath the waist band of his pants.

The weather is cold. The bathroom is cold. But Xin Linhua can’t feel any of it. The little relief he got from that cut is nowhere near enough. He wants to keep going, but Rong Yizhan is trying to break down his door.

He walks out, grabs another towel and starts wiping his hair. He walks into the room and pulls the door open.

"What are you doing?" His voice comes out colder than he intends.

"You–"Rong Yizhan clenches his fist "You did it again. I can smell blood. Xin Linhua, you stabbed yourself again."