Chapter 34: Parting

Chengzi did not press for more details; in the eyes of their circle, Fang Ye always had his reasons for everything he did.

In the hazy moonlight, Fang Ye picked up the silver bracelet the young girl had left behind. A faint smile touched the corners of his lips as he slid it onto his uninjured wrist. The design was intricate and beautiful, yet his eyes immediately caught the pear-shaped carving hidden within the band.

It would be safe.

That was what he told himself, too.

Last night at the docks, "Red-Head" had brought dozens of bodyguards onto the ferry to inspect the cargo. A cowardly businessman, he loved money above all and cherished his own life even more. In his youth, he had trampled over others to seize resources, never treating anyone as a human being, and in doing so, he had accumulated countless enemies. Therefore, his appearance in an area without surveillance was a golden opportunity for those seeking revenge. Someone had made a tip-off call the moment he arrived.

Fang Ye had watched calmly, making no move to stop it. Soon, a group of men wearing headscarves arrived, brandishing large machetes. The bodyguards, being employees of a company, dared not engage in a real fight for fear of taking a life; they could only try to hold the attackers back, but the sheer number of assailants and their wild, indiscriminate slashing soon put Red-Head in grave danger.

As Red-Head crawled about, terrified and wetting himself, it was Fang Ye who charged in to shield him, grabbing the handle of an attacker's blade and taking the blow squarely on his own body. He was unable to protect himself in the process, leaving his back, shoulders, and arms sliced open, the raw red flesh exposed.

By the time the police arrived, Red-Head was unharmed and coherent enough to be taken in for questioning. Before leaving, he emptied his pockets and placed all his cash heavily into Fang Ye’s hand. "Take this for your medical bills. Don't worry, there will be more. I, Red-Head, value loyalty above all else. You took a hit for me; I owe you my life."

Fang Ye, lying in a pool of blood as paramedics loaded him onto a stretcher, gripped the money. His eyes held no excitement; they were as calm as a stagnant pool. This was something he had foreseen long ago. He only knew that in this exchange of interests, he had traded his life for a chance to climb higher. If he wished, perhaps in the future, no one would ever dare threaten him so easily again.

The only thing he hadn't expected was for the girl to follow him to the hospital and weep for him. Watching her lead the doctor into the room and sit obediently behind him to wait for the examination, he closed his eyes. It was rare, after a year of bearing injuries, to be met with such warm, concerned eyes.

After the examination, the doctor spoke up, "It’s not so complicated now that you’re awake. You can stay in the hospital until the wounds heal, but given the depth of these cuts, there will likely be scars."

Fang Ye’s gaze was indifferent, like the morning mist of that year, as he murmured, "It doesn't matter."

Bai Li paused. After thanking the doctor, she glanced back at Fang Ye. The silver bracelet on his wrist glimmered, while his other arm was covered in jagged wounds. Unconsciously, she linked it back to that dream. Her heart raced with dread.

*Scarring...*

Was it a coincidence? Or could that dream actually predict the future? Everything felt too absurd, yet there were traces of evidence. Bai Li’s heart hammered against her chest all night long.

Fang Ye tried to find someone to take her home, but she refused. She borrowed a folding chair from the front desk and refused to leave, insisting on caring for him until he was discharged. The night was thick, like ink that refused to dissolve. Before falling asleep, she heard Fang Ye’s voice drift through the darkness:

"Bai Li, how much do you think college costs?"

Bai Li calculated with a hazy mind and answered honestly, "I’ve looked into it. Tuition should be around seven or eight thousand, and living expenses depend on the person."

After she finished, she instinctively asked a more pressing question: "Brother, why did you get hurt?"

It was a serious knife wound—the kind of unbelievable situation she had only ever seen in movies. Fang Ye chuckled softly but did not answer.

"Go to sleep."

Bai Li closed her eyes silently, her mind clearing for a moment. She pressed her lips together; as expected, her brother was unwilling to talk about it. The scenes from that dream grew increasingly clear in her mind.

...

Bai Li stayed in the hospital for ten days. Fang Ye’s condition had stabilized, though his body bore so many old scars that the doctors were hesitant to discharge him. During that time, many people came to visit—strangers she had never seen before. They brought heaps of supplements and expensive fruit baskets, all claiming to be there on behalf of Red-Head. Bai Li found it strange and quietly committed the name to memory.

For the rest of the time, she continued her summer job during the day, though for shorter hours, and she would go home at night to boil soup for Fang Ye. No matter what ingredients she used, Fang Ye would always finish it. She found him easy to feed; he wasn't picky, didn't care about the flavor, and never left a scrap behind.

Perhaps it was the nutrition from the soup, but on the twelfth day, Fang Ye was discharged. Bai Li quit her job at the Wave Bar to focus on keeping him company at home.

Time suddenly felt comfortable and long. Since his injury, she noticed that Fang Ye didn't seem to be short of money anymore, but the way he spent it was strange. He didn't spend it on himself, nor did he make any additions to the house. Instead, he bought her a mountain of new clothes—enough to fill an entire wardrobe.

Bai Li was stunned. Only after opening the packages one by one and confirming they were all beautiful outfits did she blink and say, "Brother, I don't need so many clothes. My school uniform is fine for daily wear."

Fang Ye stood before her, cradling a cup of hot tea, and said gently, "Don't shortchange yourself. A young girl feels better when she dresses beautifully."

Since he had already bought them, and he wouldn't hear of returning them, Bai Li could only repeat over and over, "Brother, this is more than enough. Please don't spend any more on me."

But it was useless. The next time, Fang Ye bought her various pairs of shoes, a brand-new backpack, and school supplies. He didn't even skip the small items like water bottles, hair ties, and socks.

These were things she wouldn't need during the summer.

Bai Li understood the subtext immediately: her brother was preparing for their separation.

Indeed. Her rebellious escape was drawing to a close. Whenever this thought crossed her mind, tears would well up in her eyes. Looking out at the familiar ancient city, she felt as if she could still see the day she first arrived: the bustling bar, her nervous heart, and the cold yet handsome brother she had reunited with after so long.

Bai Li admitted that these past two months had been the most relaxed and happy days of her life since she had become old enough to understand the world. Every morning when she woke up, the mere thought of being in Lingjiang made the corners of her mouth lift.

She truly loved this city. It was shimmering and beautiful, life was easy, and most people were kind. Most importantly, someone here loved her.

But she had to go back. She had goals she wanted to achieve, and if she kept relying on the comfort zone Fang Ye had built for her, she would never grow.

Time passed until the end of August. A storm was brewing in the lakeside city, and the rain fell harder with each passing day. Bai Li found a moment to buy an envelope, solemnly tucked in the five thousand yuan she had earned, and sealed it. She wasn't sure if Fang Ye was still short on money, but it was a gesture of her gratitude and a small contribution toward the trouble she had caused during her stay.