Chapter 72 - SEVENTY-TWO

Chapter 72: Chapter SEVENTY-TWO

"I’ve been here with you the whole time. You’ve been giving me hell for half an hour, when will I get the chance to do anything to anyone?"

Xin Linhua stops. His mind spins from doubts to confusion.

Rong Yizhan has been with him the whole time– hell, they almost killed each other now. When will he have the time to attack Zhao Xi?

"Xin Linhua." Rong Yizhan walks towards him "If something’s wrong, you’re supposed to tell me. You can’t keep acting tough, like you can lift the weight of the world on your shoulders."

"Speak for yourself." Xin Linhua turns and walks into the bathroom.

Rong Yizhan follows after him.

Xin Linhua picks up his shirt from the countertop but a hand snatches it from him.

"Are you trying to piss me off more than you already have?"

"You’re bleeding." Rong Yizhan points out.

"Fuckk off–"

Rong Yizhan walks past him. He approaches a small cupboard and pulls out the med kit.

"Will you don’t yourself, or should I?" He lifts the box up.

"Mind your business." Xin Linhua snatches it from him.

He rummages through the metallic box, pulling out some bandages and cotton balls.

He mindlessly wipes at the blood, not feeling the sting from the alcohol swabs. Something soft suddenly appears in his field of vision.

"Wear this instead." Rong Yizhan says from behind "That was the same one you wore yesterday, it’s not ideal."

Xin Linhua raises his head. He stares at the man’s reflection through the mirror.

Everything about Rong Yizhan is shrouded in dark clouds. He’s a mystery Xin Linhua can’t solve– a dark fog he can’t see through.

He wants to– he desperately wants to see what’s beneath those blindfold and emotionless facades.

"If anything happens to Zhao Xi, I won’t forgive you."

Rong Yizhan visibly freezes. His hand quivers. His fingers clench tightly around the fabric in his hand. He can’t even hide his expression.

Xin Linhua notices everything as clear as day. His chest tightens. He gave him the benefit of the doubt, but it seems Rong Yizhan didn’t need it.

Xin Linhua turns away from him. He picks out another shirt and slips it on. He grabs his coat, keys and phone, walking out without glancing back.

"You only get one shot." He says on his way out "Just one. Make it count."

Rong Yizhan clenches his fist. His grip tightens around the shirt he’s holding.

"Ah...this is driving me crazy."

"I...didn’t do anything this time."

"Oh, I’m sure." His tone is anything but sarcastic "You take my words–"

"I really didn’t..."

"His friend is dying. Who else but you loathes the people around him enough to try to kill them?"

"Rong...Yizhan. I didn’t..."

"You underestimate me, don’t you..." A crazed smile spreads on his face "You think I won’t take us both down to hell?"

"I can...help Zhao Xi."

"You are going to do that. If he dies, you die with him."

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Xin Linhua races down the hallway in record time. At least he took the elevator this time.

"Brother!"

Xin Linhai is standing outside the hospital room, a panicked look on his face.

In all of Xin Linhua’s two decades of existence, he has never seen his brother with such expression. He never panics.

"What’s going on?" He manages to act.

"His heart stopped..." Xin Linhai stares at the sweater in his hand "They’re trying to resuscitate him, but it’s been twenty-five minutes now...he’s still the same."

Xin Linhua turns towards the room. Through the glass panels, he can see medicinal practitioners fussing over his best friend. A gas mask rests on the youth’s pale face.

His hand rests on the door. He knows he can’t go in, he has never wanted to break a rule so badly as now. But he’ll only get in the way.

"He’s not dead yet."

Xin Linhua turns to that familiar voice. The last person he wants to see right now is definitely Rong Yizhan. No– Rong Yizhan is not even on the list.

The man is standing a few feet away, expression masked by that facade he always wears, gloved hands in his coat pocket.

"What are you doing here?" Xin Linhua’s red eyes are blazing with anger.

"To save him." Rong Yizhan says plainly.

"Bullshit..." Xin Linhua turns to him "You’re the reason he’s like this."

"Believe what you must." Rong Yizhan stops in front of him "But I know you don’t want him dead. So I’m here to help."

"Ah..."

Xin Linhua suddenly reaches, grabbing the scruff of his coat. His eyes are on the man before him, livid and murderous.

"Save him? I’ll be lucky if you let him die peacefully. You’re the reason he’s dying."

"You said I only get one shot at this." Rong Yizhan replies calmly "I’m trying to save your friend and make you not hate me at the same time."

"Crazy crap." Xin Linhua lets go of his shirt "Fine. One shot. Save him if you can."

Rong Yizhan turns towards the door. The thirty minute mark has passed. They seem ready to pronounce him dead.

He pushes the door open and walks in.

"Sir, you can’t–"

"Get out." Rong Yizhan says without glancing at them.

"This is a hospital." One of the doctors responds "Even if you’re family–"

"You can leave." Xin Linhua says "Apparently, he’s here to bring the dead back to life."

"I told you, he’s not dead." Rong Yizhan retorts.

The doctors look conflicted, but it’s not like they can do much anyway. Patient’s dead and the family members are here. They quickly leave with their equipment.

The only ones left in the room are Rong Yizhan, the two brothers and the dead– not dead Zhao Xi.

"Well, work your magic." Xin Linhua leans against a wall "If it doesn’t work, you’re dead."

Ever since he walked into the room, Rong Yizhan’s attention has been on Zhao Xi. He hasn’t lifted his head to respond to anyone.

He quietly takes off one of his gloves, pale fingers flexing slightly in the harsh light. He pinches Zhao Xi’s chin, parting his lips slightly.