Chapter 129

"Bang!"

A deafening crash echoed through the receiver. The person on the other end started, asking urgently, "Young Master, what is it? What happened?"

"Darling, what are you doing?" Feng Qingquan cried out, "Hill, bring the medical kit, quickly!"

The wine glass Arthur had been holding was now shattered to pieces. Shards of glass had embedded themselves into his palm, and fresh blood dripped slowly through his fingers. It was only then that Feng Qingquan noticed Arthur’s face was also bloodied.

"Arthur, what has happened to you?"

Arthur stared at his bleeding hand with dull eyes, showing no expression, as if it were not a part of him.

"It's nothing."

"Nothing? Are you joking?" Feng Qingquan gasped, staring at Arthur in disbelief.

"A minor injury like this is nothing to make a fuss about," Arthur said coldly. He flicked his right hand carelessly, shaking off the blood and glass shards, and prepared to walk away.

Feng Qingquan grabbed him, his voice low and firm. "Arthur, are you self-harming?" Is this how you intend to dull the pain in your heart?

Arthur’s body stiffened for a moment before he replied indifferently, "Perhaps." He pulled his arm from Feng Qingquan's grip and headed upstairs.

Hill arrived with the medical kit just in time to see Arthur’s retreating figure. He frowned and looked at Arthur, then turned to Feng Qingquan in confusion. "Young Master Feng, what is going on?"

Feng Qingquan’s gaze followed Arthur until he disappeared from sight. He sighed helplessly, glanced at the kit in Hill's hand, and said quietly, "Take it up to him." With that, he left the villa, his expression heavy.

Upstairs, Arthur entered his room and went straight to the bathroom. He turned on the tap and listlessly rinsed his bleeding wound under the water. Crimson streaks swirled down the drain until the water ran clear. Arthur turned off the faucet, wiped his hand dry with a simple motion, and left the bathroom.

As he stepped out, he paused. A medical kit sat on the small table by the bed. Arthur’s eyes flickered. He sat on the edge of the bed, opened the kit, took out the tweezers, removed the glass shards from his palm, sterilized the wound, applied medication, and bandaged it.

Once finished, Arthur pulled open the drawer and took out a photo frame. His bandaged hand stroked the photo gently as he whispered, "Lanlan, I miss you so much." As he spoke, a drop of water fell onto the picture.

The photo showed a field of golden tulips. Two people stood in the field: a man with golden hair, sky-blue eyes, and a joyful smile on his rose-colored lips; he was holding a girl in his arms. The girl had silky black hair cascading over her chest, a fair face framed by violet eyes, and a small, cherry-red mouth curved into a cute expression for the camera.

Arthur’s long fingers brushed softly over the girl’s smiling lips in the photo. He closed his eyes and whispered again, his voice now filled with resolve: "Lanlan, wait for me. Soon, I will bring you home. You must wait for me!"

***

On the other side of England:

Yuwen Xi watched as people came and went from Eva’s room. Soon, medical equipment was moved inside, followed by a steady stream of doctors.

After an unknown amount of time, once everyone had left, Yuwen Xi entered. The room was thick with the scent of medicine. He frowned, but when he saw the tubes attached to Eva’s body, his brow knotted in distress.

He stood by the window for a while, watching her. His gaze shifted from hesitation and reluctance to determination. He leaned down, pressed a kiss to her forehead, stood up, and walked out with firm, measured steps.

***

Mr. Weiting’s study:

Yuwen Xi stood at the door, watching Mr. Weiting by the window. He hesitated for a long time, his courage beginning to wane.

"How long do you intend to stand there?" Mr. Weiting’s voice carried a hint of mockery.

A dark glint flashed in Yuwen Xi’s eyes. He clenched and unclenched his fists at his sides before finally walking inside.

Mr. Weiting turned, looking at him with a faint, mocking smile. He raised an eyebrow. "Well? Didn't you have something to ask me?"

Yuwen Xi kept his eyes on his own knees, remaining silent.

Mr. Weiting’s expression turned cold, his tone icy. "If you have nothing to say, then leave. I don't have the time to watch you space out."

Yuwen Xi gritted his teeth, looked up, and met Mr. Weiting’s gaze coldly. "I agree to what you said the other day."

Mr. Weiting felt a surge of triumph, though he feigned confusion. "What did I say the other day?"

Yuwen Xi narrowed his eyes, his voice tight. "Don't you remember?" His tone was laced with sarcasm.

Mr. Weiting leaned back comfortably, crossing his legs elegantly. He rested his chin on his hand, appearing innocent. "I said many things that day. I don't know which one you are referring to." He glanced at Yuwen Xi’s ashen face. "Please, remind me. You know how it is—as one gets older, the memory isn't what it used to be."

Yuwen Xi stared at him like a sword for several seconds, looking him up and down until it felt as if Mr. Weiting were being stripped bare. "So, you’ve become that old already," Yuwen Xi said with biting sarcasm. Mr. Weiting flinched, but remained silent. Yuwen Xi continued, "I want you to prepare the banquet as soon as possible. I am going to hold an engagement ceremony with Eva."

Mr. Weiting felt immense satisfaction; every cell in his body seemed to vibrate with pleasure. A triumphant smile curled his lips.

"Yes, this banquet must be grand, so the preparations might take..." Mr. Weiting glanced at Yuwen Xi, saw the flicker of anger in his eyes, and immediately corrected himself, "Good, good, I will make sure it is ready as soon as possible. Rest assured."

"State your conditions," Yuwen Xi said. He had always known this man did nothing without a motive or a profit; otherwise, he would never have agreed.

Mr. Weiting’s smile deepened. *Heh, he truly understands me. As expected of—*

"It is exactly what I have been talking about all along," Mr. Weiting said calmly.

"Anything but that. I can agree to anything else," Yuwen Xi interrupted.

"I have no other requirements," Mr. Weiting shrugged, his voice sounding resigned. The implication was clear: if they couldn't agree on this, then there was nothing more to discuss.

Yuwen Xi frowned, lost in thought, his heart in turmoil. If he agreed now, it meant all his efforts over the years would be in vain. But the moment he thought of Eva, his heart raced.

If Eva were not in his life, everything would be meaningless. Even if he could live his old life, he would never be happy. After a long silence, Yuwen Xi looked up. His gaze was complex—filled with hatred, resolve, and a myriad of other unreadable emotions—but it all crystallized into a single, firm vow. "Fine. I accept your terms."

Yuwen Xi stood up and looked at Mr. Weiting sternly. "I hope you keep your word!" He turned and walked quickly toward the door, not wanting to stay a second longer.

Behind him, Mr. Weiting’s expression grew complex. A trace of sorrow seemed to permeate the air around him, though it vanished in an instant.

*When will we ever stop being at each other's throats?*

Mr. Weiting sighed inwardly, his eyes dimming for a moment.

***

Yuwen Xi left the study and returned to Eva’s room, standing by her bed. She was still unconscious, the rhythmic beeping of medical equipment filling the silence.

He sat down, took her hand in both of his, and spoke with profound tenderness.

"Yingyue, Yingyue, I love you so much. I love you so much. I used to believe that pure love did not exist in this world. To me, love was the most unreliable emotion of all. For years, I held onto that belief with certainty. But then you appeared, and you taught me that true love does exist. My disbelief all those years was only because I hadn't met you, hadn't met the destiny meant for me. So, Yingyue, since you have stolen my heart, please cherish me, will you?"

Yuwen Xi’s voice was deep with emotion. He looked at her with increasing tenderness. "Yingyue, I once thought you were just a cruel joke played by the heavens—teasing me with your love only to discard it, leaving me in such agony. But God has not been unkind to me after all. He has brought you back to my side, and now your memory is a blank slate. You no longer have that person filling your heart and eyes. Since that is the case, I will never let go this time. I will keep you tightly by my side, and I will never let you return to his arms again. You will be mine, and mine alone."