Volume One, Chapter 16: Someone Has Backing

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Gu Qingchen still didn’t quite understand and asked, “What do you mean by ‘for Grandpa’s sake’?”

Feng Xi felt a heavy weight pressing in her chest and took a deep breath. “If Lin Shengwang and Lin Dong go to prison because of me, people will say Grandpa raised an ungrateful wretch. They’ll say I’m a curse on the family. My gentle birth mother won’t be able to stay in the Lin household anymore, and it will affect the entire family—the cousins, the uncles, and aunts.”

Gu Qingchen clenched his fists slightly. All these days of running back and forth had been to see the Lin men rot in jail, but it turned out to be like punching cotton.

What Feng Xi said was true—words spoken by others are terrifying. If Lin Shengwang and Lin Dong were truly imprisoned, Feng Xi would never be able to return to that home again.

But what good was that home if she had to silently endure such immense wrongs without any chance to clear her name? Other children were treasured like precious gems, but Feng Xi was treated like a mere pet.

Gu Qingchen’s face darkened slightly. “But from start to finish, the one most affected by this is you. Don’t your injuries hurt? Don’t you feel wronged? Even as an outsider, I feel sorry for you—what about yourself?”

Feng Xi paused, a wave of bitterness spreading in her heart.

She was used to hardship and never allowed herself to feel sorry for herself. Her aunt’s reasons were endless, but none ever considered Feng Xi’s pain or grievances.

Gu Qingchen was the first to genuinely care for her, the only one to ask if she felt wronged.

Tears welled up in Feng Xi’s eyes, her gaze red and swollen as she looked at Gu Qingchen. “Yes, I do.”

Tears slid slowly down her delicate cheeks like broken strings of pearls, silently revealing the deep-seated sorrow and injustice within.

Gu Qingchen reached out, wiping away her tears gently, soothing her softly, “Don’t cry.”

If no one asked, she could endure it, but once someone showed concern, the dam of grievances broke, and Feng Xi’s tears refused to stop.

Gu Qingchen panicked, regretting his harsh words.

He rose slowly and moved beside her, tenderly brushing the glistening tears from her cheeks with his broad palm, as if carefully tending to a wilting flower.

Then he cupped her face gently, his gaze deep and resolute, speaking each word clearly: “Don’t cry anymore. Everything will be as you wish.”

Feng Xi nodded between sobs, her eyes red and watery like a frightened little rabbit. Gu Qingchen pulled her into his embrace, his broad chest warm and comforting like a safe harbor.

Her body gradually stopped trembling, but the tears kept flowing.

Gu Qingchen regretted inwardly—whenever she cried, he was completely disarmed, utterly helpless.

“All right, I’ll find a lawyer right away. We won’t press charges.”

Feng Xi’s hair, damp with tears, stuck to her cheeks, making her look especially fragile. She bit her lip and nodded.

She didn’t want to give in, but when she thought of Grandpa and her aunt, she couldn’t bring herself to be ruthless.

Gu Qingchen gently tidied her disheveled hair. “Don’t cry anymore. The police will come for your statement this afternoon. Get some rest.”

Feng Xi slowly calmed down. Gu Qingchen was called away by Ding Wen, and she lay back on the hospital bed, drifting into a deep sleep.

When she woke, Feng Xi felt as if knives were lodged in her throat, her whole body burning with heat, her chest aflame.

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The heat seemed to seep into every bone and joint, itchy and dizzy, and she felt as if she might vomit whatever was in her stomach.

Feng Xi took her own pulse: it was excessively rapid, like a flood, six beats per breath, coming and going erratically—signs of heat illness.

Her body was too weak to accept tonics. It had to be something added to that chicken soup.

Feeling dizzy, Feng Xi quickly retrieved acupuncture needles from her drawer, the ones she used for exams.

She placed one deep into the back of her lower leg, moving it in and out repeatedly, then withdrew it, blood gushing out, running down her calf.

Next, she inserted several needles atop her head—within a short while, more than a dozen needles were in place.

After the bloodletting, Feng Xi finally felt some relief.

Five or six minutes later, her nose began bleeding, and her head felt much lighter.

That chicken soup at noon was probably loaded with powerful tonic herbs. Gu Qingchen was so well-off that it was likely ginseng—top quality and aged.

Feng Xi smiled bitterly. Ginseng is truly beneficial for those recovering from serious illness, but for normal people, it’s not suitable. If not dosed correctly, it can land one straight in the hospital.

During her time at the clinic, she had seen an old man go into shock from ginseng. After being saved, all his hair fell out, even his eyelashes. Yet it worked—he remained vigorous for decades afterward.

The sudden entrance of the police startled her.

Feng Xi’s calf rested on the bedside, blood pooling on the floor. She sat on the bed, her lower face flushed red, holding tissues to her nose, and a dozen silver needles protruded from her scalp.

Ding Wen pushed Gu Qingchen inside. Gu Qingchen’s breath caught. “What happened here?”

Feng Xi awkwardly pulled out the needles. “The chicken soup was too potent.”

Gu Qingchen covered half his face with his hand, half-smiling.

The police officer entered, “Hello, Feng Xi. I’m Liao Mingyuan, the lead detective on your kidnapping case.”

Feng Xi tossed the disposable acupuncture needles onto the table. “Hello, Detective Liao.”

Detective Liao pointed at her head. “You still have one in there.”

Feng Xi lowered her head. There was still one needle on the back of her head. She felt around but missed it.

Ding Wen pushed Gu Qingchen to the bedside. Gu Qingchen gently held Feng Xi’s head, lifted the needle’s end, and pulled it out.

Feng Xi looked up, smiling awkwardly, took the needle from Gu Qingchen, and placed it on the table.

Detective Liao cleared his throat. “About the kidnapping details, we need your statement.”

Feng Xi nodded and followed them to the meeting room outside.

Detective Liao spread several photos on the table.

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Feng Xi immediately recognized Lin Shengwang, Lin Dong, Yong Ge, and two henchmen.

All of them had bruised and battered faces; only her birth mother might recognize them.

Detective Liao asked, “Can you identify who kidnapped you?”

Feng Xi replied, “No need to identify. They’re all the kidnappers. These two are the henchmen. Lin Shengwang tricked me out, then Lin Dong abused me.”

Detective Liao then showed another photo. “We checked surveillance footage from the day you disappeared. Someone contacted Lin Shengwang, and he said this person gave him your phone number. Do you recognize this person?”

The photo showed only a side profile, but having lived together for over a year, Feng Xi immediately recognized her roommate. “That’s my roommate, Su Miaoyi.”

Detective Liao put away Su Miaoyi’s photo. “We questioned her. She said Lin Shengwang claimed to be your father at the school gate, so she gave him your number. Lin Shengwang says he is your biological father. Do you confirm his claim?”

Feng Xi bit her lip and lowered her eyes. “I don’t. I’m an orphan, and Lin Shengwang is my adoptive father’s son-in-law.”

Detective Liao asked, “So you knew Lin Shengwang and Lin Dong before the kidnapping?”

Feng Xi frowned. “So what? Just knowing them doesn’t mean they can kidnap me.”

Detective Liao waved his hand. “No, I mean—did you suddenly withdraw your complaint because you have family ties with Lin Shengwang?”

Feng Xi shook her head. “I wish they would just die immediately.”

Detective Liao pressed further, “Then why did you withdraw the charges?”

Feng Xi lifted her head, her eyes dim. “For the family’s reputation.”

Detective Liao said, “You should know that what the Lin father and son did is against the law. Even if you withdraw the complaint, they will still face legal consequences.”

Feng Xi sighed slowly, her back slumping like a deflated balloon. “So what? Will they be executed?”

Detective Liao remained silent. Feng Xi sneered.

“I hate them so much I want them all dead, but here I am standing alive. Their crimes won’t be that severe. Sooner or later, they’ll get out of jail. What happens when they come looking for revenge? What about my family being talked about behind their backs? What if Lin family’s mother can’t bear it? It all falls on me.”

Detective Liao was silent for a moment. “If you withdraw the complaint, they’ll at most be locked up for a while and pay bail to get out.”

Feng Xi smiled bitterly. “Lin Dong loves money like his life depends on it. He should bleed heavily for this.”

Detective Liao asked, “Aren’t you afraid they’ll seek revenge once released?”

Feng Xi glanced at Gu Qingchen, then said firmly, “I’m not afraid. I have someone backing me up.”