Chapter 142: Chapter 141: Growing Strong
Striking while the iron is hot, Shi Yang briefly talked about his future plans: "I plan to open a Naughty Castle in a shopping mall, from renting a place to decoration, and the official opening will probably wait until October. Aunt, once you’re done with the matters back home, why don’t you come back and help me manage the business? I don’t trust outsiders to do it. As for my uncle’s job, you don’t have to worry. My dad’s factory surely lacks skilled workers, and by that time my installation project will be up and running. If my uncle doesn’t want to work in the factory, he can lend a hand here on my end."
Liu Xiue remained silent, not knowing what to say. Shi Yang not only took on the responsibility of looking after Zhao Meimei himself but also arranged re-employment plans for her and her husband.
That day, Shi Yang only analyzed the trend of the new project’s development in detail, and Liu Xiue listened with her eyes sparkling.
Seeing that things were almost settled, Shi Yang didn’t continue persuading, knowing that now was the time to give Liu Xiue some space to think it over.
Meanwhile, Qu Chaozong hurriedly ran to the staircase, and as he descended from the eighth to the seventh floor, he suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. When he realized the emotional burst from his chest felt like a weight lifted, he couldn’t help but inwardly despise himself—just like Shi Yang said, being chased by a woman in a frenzy is really embarrassing!
He shook his head, zipped up his down jacket as he continued heading downstairs, and upon turning at the landing, with the corner of his eye, he spotted someone standing at the stairway. He instinctively looked up, paused for about two seconds, and remarked, "It really is a ghost that won’t leave me alone!"
This statement was definitely full of derogatory meaning.
Zhang Xin picked up on it but wasn’t annoyed and directly asked, "Chaozi, can you do me a favor?"
Qu Chaozong opened his mouth to say, "I’m really not that close to you."
Immediately after, Zhang Xin added, "My brother’s in the hospital after appendicitis surgery, and he might be waking up soon. I can’t manage him alone. Can you help me?"
Qu Chaozong vaguely remembered the tall teenager he’d seen in the counselor’s office.
As Qu Chaozong was momentarily lost in thought, Zhang Xin swiftly thanked him: "Then thank you, let’s go."
After speaking, Zhang Xin turned and headed towards the exit.
Qu Chaozong watched her back, with Zhang Xin’s mink fur coat open, revealing the curve of her butt wrapped in black leather pants as she walked, resembling the silhouette of a small hill. He stared for two seconds and, almost unwittingly, raised his foot to silently follow.
On the bed, Zhang Zhao stared unfocused, as the anesthesia began to wear off, and the incision ached sharply but remained within a bearable range.
With her heavy boots clacking, Zhang Xin entered the ward, drawing everyone’s attention. Zhang Xin remained expressionless, walked straight to Zhang Zhao’s bedside, and seeing he was awake, asked without any joy, "Do you need to go to the bathroom?"
Zhang Zhao responded with a severe eye roll.
Seeing this, Zhang Xin showed no significant reaction, clearly accustomed to it, and asked again, "Have you passed gas? The doctor said if you feel up to it, it’s best to get up and walk around."
This time, Zhang Zhao was too lazy to even roll his eyes and focused his gaze on the unwilling-looking Qu Chaozong behind, paused, frowned, then quickly relaxed upon realizing who he was.
Zhang Zhao had little strength with the anesthesia just wearing off, speaking was tough, so he didn’t say anything but his face immediately darkened, and looked at Qu Chaozong with a hint of hostility.
Qu Chaozong viewed Zhang Zhao as no different from a moody teenager, and seeing Zhang Xin, he could guess the pale and weak-looking boy on the hospital bed probably wasn’t an easy one.
In his mind, Qu Chaozong defined Zhang Zhao.
Zhang Xin introduced, "This is my brother, Zhang Zhao. This is Meimei’s brother, Chaozi. You can call him Brother Chao like Meimei does."
Only then did Zhang Zhao glance at Qu Chaozong and silently refused.
Qu Chaozong stood by the bedside, towering over Zhang Zhao.
Upon closer inspection, Zhang Zhao’s eyebrows and eyes resembled Zhang Xin’s somewhat. With his tall frame sprawled on the bed, his large feet pressed against the rail at the end, and toes brazenly poked through the gaps—his nails were clean, and skin pale.
Tall individuals standing can exude a palpable pressure, but lying down, all advantages seem lost, and under the hospital’s yellowed, seemingly dirty blanket, a hint of helpless vulnerability showed.
Just as Qu Chaozong began to feel a bit sympathetic towards Zhang Zhao, Zhang Xin’s unemotional voice sounded: "If you really can’t get up, just roll around. Doing so might help you pass gas."
While speaking, Zhang Xin crossed her arms over her chest, lips moving but cold words came out.
Zhang Zhao focused on the worn blanket above him, staying silent.
Looking at the passively resistant Zhang Zhao, Zhang Xin paused, then added, "These are doctor’s orders."
Qu Chaozong found it intolerable, thinking these siblings surely had different fathers, or at least weren’t born from the same mother—he pushed Zhang Xin aside who blocked the path to the bedside and said below, "Let me help you roll over, just be careful not to press on the wound."
Zhang Zhao glanced at him, pressed his lips, said nothing, his expression mixed between defiance and rejection.
Qu Chaozong ignored him, lifted the blanket, seeing Zhang Zhao’s crumpled hospital gown tucked under his armpit and the wrinkled sheet beneath, sighed heavily, "Doesn’t lying like this feel uncomfortable?"
With one hand, Qu Chaozong hugged Zhang Zhao, quickly straightened the sheet and gown underneath with the other.
Zhang Zhao was immobile, so Qu Chaozong simply lifted him, turned him over, and upon touch, found the sweat-soaked back.
With the mindset of going the extra mile, Qu Chaozong helped Zhang Zhao wipe his body with a wet towel, until he broke into a sweat himself.
In contrast to the busy Qu Chaozong, Zhang Xin’s reaction was extremely calm, standing at the foot of the bed the whole time, like an inconspicuous presence, quietly observing.
After tidying up, Qu Chaozong straightened up, turned his head, and saw Zhang Xin staring at him: "What’s the matter?"
Zhang Xin met his eyes: "Never thought you were quite warm-hearted."
Qu Chaozong was slightly stunned; for the first time, during this brief moment, Zhang Xin seriously scrutinized him.
Qu Chaozong’s features were well-defined and looked quite decent, not handsome but at a first glance seemed superficial. The longer one looked, they’d feel an indescribable intensity within—especially when he smiled, lifting one side of his mouth—it carried a roguish charm, inexplicably captivating, enticing a special allure.