Chapter 238

Words : 1409 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

The boys who had been with Yang Qicheng earlier, seeing the situation escalate, all scattered like a swarm of bees. Only Yang Qicheng was unlucky enough to get caught. Gu Xiuyuan deliberately separated the two, afraid of further provoking Yang Xinyu. As soon as Ji Nian reached the entrance, she spotted Gu Xiuyuan waiting for her. Like her, he was still wearing his school uniform. When he saw her, he walked over and handed her a mask. "Put this on. The flu’s been bad lately—don’t catch it in the hospital." Impressed by his thoughtfulness, Wei Yang nodded approvingly to herself, thinking, This young man’s quite good. She instinctively held out her hand. But nothing came her way. Wei Yang: "......" What if I get the flu too? "How’s Yang Xinyu?" Ji Nian’s voice was muffled behind the mask. "Just finished an ECG. He’s on oxygen now." Gu Xiuyuan paused mid-step, his voice lowering slightly. "The doctor said it’s likely a panic attack." "Yang Xinyu... might have depression." Ji Nian thought, I knew it. The last time she’d seen him, his condition had seemed off—clearly, he was ill. Her mind drifted to memories of the cheerful little boy who’d always grinned widely while bringing her snacks. "What about Yang Qicheng?" The two stopped at the elevator bay. Gu Xiuyuan replied, "Waiting outside. I’ve got someone keeping an eye on him." This panic attack was definitely tied to that kid. There was no way it was as simple as him just "apologizing," like he claimed. "If hospitalization is needed, transfer him to the Ji Family’s hospital." Though private and expensive, Ji Nian was willing to cover all costs. Her collaboration with the Chen family on pharmaceuticals had filled her pockets. Ji Nian was now undeniably wealthy. Back then, Yang Xinyu had given her so many snacks—she’d never properly returned the favor. Now was her chance. I’ll give him health instead. "Didn’t Uncle Gu tell you to be home by seven? Can you make it?" Checking the time, they stepped into the elevator. Gu Xiuyuan assured her he’d make it. Seeing he had it under control, Ji Nian didn’t press further. "We notified Yang Xinyu’s biological father." "It goes against what we originally intended, but we had no choice—we didn’t expect Yang Xinyu to be sick." "Still, it’s fine. If he tries to use Yang Xinyu’s illness as an excuse to pull him out of school, I’ll contact child protective services." If the Yang family wanted fame, they could have it. The public loved scandals—especially one about a mistress’s son being brought home shortly after the wife’s death. And this man had built his image as a devoted husband. A mere Yang family was nothing to Gu Xiuyuan. "You’re right." "Besides, Yang Xinyu’s mother left everything to him. Even if he cuts ties with that man, he’ll be fine." Ji Nian recalled the information she’d had investigated and nodded in agreement. The two kids chatted back and forth until they reached their destination, where they ran into the vice student council president, who’d just returned from paying the fees. Yang Qicheng was still defiant, loudly protesting his innocence. Exhaustion ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍weighed on Ji Nian as she approached. Two troublemakers in one day—anyone would be drained. When Yang Qicheng spotted Ji Nian, his shouts quieted, his eyes flickering over her. "Lucky you, Gu Xiuyuan. Even now, you’ve got time to fetch your girlfriend for some flirting—while my brother’s still lying in there." He smirked, winking at Gu Xiuyuan. Gu Xiuyuan strode over and punched him. The blow landed squarely on his eye socket, hard enough to make Yang Qicheng’s nose run. "Watch your mouth." Gu Xiuyuan’s expression darkened, his usual composure replaced by a stormy glare. The vice president, who already disliked Yang Qicheng, now looked at him with outright disgust. "This is our president’s sister. Shouldn’t you focus on studying instead of filling your head with nonsense? Disgusting." Too polite to even say idiot, the refined girl could only glare. Ji Nian, however, remained unfazed, her gaze fixed on the closed doors of the examination room. Fortunately, the doctor soon emerged. Scanning the group, he asked if there were any adults present. After Gu Xiuyuan explained, he said the patient had stabilized but, to avoid agitation, only two visitors were allowed. Ji Nian and Gu Xiuyuan entered. Yang Xinyu, now on oxygen, was still trembling slightly, but his condition had improved significantly. When he saw Ji Nian, surprise flickered in his eyes—as if he couldn’t understand why she was there. "I called her. You trust her, don’t you?" Gu Xiuyuan sat stiffly upright by the bed. "There’s something you should know. We contacted your biological father. He’ll probably arrive soon." At the word father, Yang Xinyu’s pupils trembled. "The doctor said you might have depression. Of course, the test results aren’t back yet, so we can’t say for certain." "Ji Nian and I discussed it. If you’re really sick, and if your father is as bad to you as the investigation suggests, he might use this chance to make you drop out of school." The Gu Family had only one heir, but the branches of the family were numerous. Gu Xiuyuan had grown up witnessing these power struggles and was all too familiar with such tactics. Gu Jing never shielded him from these matters. Instead, he made sure to explain things appropriately, knowing life was unpredictable. If anything were to happen to him, Gu Xiuyuan would be left alone—better to prepare him early. Gu Xiuyuan didn’t continue. Instead, Ji Nian spoke next. "Don’t be afraid. If you’re really sick, I’ll transfer you to my family’s hospital for treatment." "At school, your friends are waiting for you. There’s nothing wrong with you—none of this is your fault. You’re just sick." "As long as you’re willing to save yourself, no one can hurt you." Their help, after all, was only temporary. Only Yang Xinyu himself could stand up and truly protect himself. The waters of wealthy families ran deep. A fourteen-year-old boy, stripped of his mother’s protection, had no choice but to grow up fast and learn how to defend himself. Yang Xinyu’s mind was still a mess, but he understood what the two were trying to say. Though he was slightly puzzled—was Ji Nian’s family in the hospital business?—most of his attention was fixed on that last sentence. He was on oxygen and couldn’t speak. Sensing he wanted to say something, Gu Xiuyuan handed him the small notebook and pen he always carried. The two leaned in to read his shaky handwriting: "Can I... really do it...?" His once-loving father had turned cold. Yang Qicheng called him useless. His memory had started failing, his grades dropped, and he gradually lost the ability to express himself. He really thought he had become worthless. But... but someone was telling him he was just sick. If he got better, would his mother come back? Would his father return to how he used to be? Would his family be whole again? The answer was no. He wasn’t a child anymore. He knew shattered glass could never be pieced back together—let alone a broken heart. But... What if things got just a little better? Even the tiniest improvement—wouldn’t that be better than this unbearable pain? His eyes reddened before he could stop it. Ji Nian reached out, covering his trembling fingers, her gaze steady on his tear-filled eyes. "Of course you can." "You’re Yang Xinyu—the same kid who fought off a kidnapper with a broom at seven." Well, though the hallucinogenic drug 009 had helped a bit. ... When Yang Qicheng’s father arrived, Ji Nian happened to be out. Gu Xiuyuan insisted it was beneath her status to meet such a person and practically shoved her out the door. As soon as Ji Nian stepped outside, the sky had darkened without warning. A fierce wind whipped rain against passersby. Wei Yang said he’d fetch an umbrella and told her to wait at the entrance. Ji Nian stood there, pulling off her mask to breathe in the rain-fresh air, her thoughts still on Yang Xinyu. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a figure—at first, she thought she was mistaken. But then her gaze sharpened. That unmistakable, naturally soft golden hair—no dye could achieve that shade—definitely wasn’t a trick of the light. "Little Crown Prince?" She took a step forward, calling out in surprise.

Chapter 238

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