TFSRITA Chapter 117

Inside the room: “…” Silence.

Chu Yang wasn’t discouraged and continued, “Bro, I just got off work. Come on, open the door…”

Still no response.

In the end, the young man Yan Qing had seen earlier appeared and said, “Young Master… work…”

After that, Chu Yang didn’t say another word and returned to his room, looking dejected.

Yan Qing had listened to everything and recalled her memories of Chu Zhao, filled with hints of his extreme behavior. He would break things, stay silent, or even self-harm—not in the typical way, but in ways like standing in the rain as he had the other day.

In her past life memories, the original Yan Qing had never seen Chu Zhao physically harm himself with a knife, but he did strange things that made him seem increasingly terrifying.

Once he set his mind on something, he had to achieve it; if he couldn’t, he would spiral. Yan Qing guessed that standing in the rain that day was something he insisted on, and the Chu family had no choice but to allow it, as it was better than him lashing out.

…

Dinner ended quickly. Around 7:30, a young man in a light-colored suit arrived at the Chu house and went straight to the second floor.

Zhou Huaiya explained to Yan Qing that this was Jiang Cheng, Chu Zhao’s primary doctor, and a close friend from high school. Chu Zhao’s psychological issues stemmed from the loss of his legs during his most active, vibrant years. At sixteen, he faced a devastating blow, but instead of receiving proper mental care, everyone focused solely on his physical recovery.

This neglect worsened his mental state, leaving his family at a loss on how to help him, so they simply tried to accommodate him as best they could.

Yan Qing listened quietly. After about half an hour, the doctor came out to speak with Chu Zhao’s parents, so Yan Qing respectfully excused herself. As she left, she overheard that Chu Zhao had caught a cold and had a fever.

It was likely from the rain two days ago that hadn’t fully healed.

Yan Qing went upstairs, pausing to glance at the room only a wall away from her own. She didn’t dare approach, fearing it would make Chu Zhao uncomfortable.

“Creak!” A soft door-opening sound came.

Chu Yang looked over knowingly, his tone cold. “Don’t go bothering my brother.”

“Okay.” Yan Qing quickly nodded and went into her room without protest.

Chu Yang didn’t immediately go in but waited at the door for a while before returning to his room.

This woman was acting completely different than a few days ago!

Back then, she had seemed to avoid the Chu family, looking scared and withdrawn. She had said something that upset his brother, which made Chu Zhao storm out alone and lock the family inside. He returned soaked from the rain and came down with a high fever that night, looking even more gaunt.

This incident left Chu Yang very wary and resentful of Yan Qing.

He bit his lip in frustration, his jaw clenched tightly. His beautiful almond-shaped eyes held a hint of vulnerability, his concern evident as he wondered when his brother would finally get better.

Yan Qing was oblivious to the situation outside. Her room’s soundproofing was good enough that only very loud noises would come through.

She lay on the bed, playing with her phone, then drank some spirit water she’d transformed from her palm and drifted off to sleep.

…

Late into the night, Chu Yang couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning.

Today’s change in Chu Zhao had given them a glimmer of hope, leaving Chu Yang longing for his brother’s recovery.

This hope kept him awake, dreaming of a day his brother would return to normal.

But then, the sound of a wheelchair rolling outside caught his attention.

Worried that Yan Qing might harass his brother since their rooms were adjacent, Chu Yang hadn’t locked his door tightly. Now, he could hear the sound in the hallway. As soon as he heard the wheelchair, he jumped out of bed.

Opening his door, he saw Chu Zhao about to open the door next to his—Yan Qing’s room.

“Bro?” Chu Yang whispered, stunned.

Yan Qing’s room was right next door, and here was his brother, sneaking over to open her door in the middle of the night.

Though he disliked Yan Qing, he didn’t want his brother to disturb a minor. Rushing over, he blocked his brother, his usually stoic face suddenly filled with worry and tension, as if he were a different person from earlier that day. “Bro, calm down. She might be your future fiancée, but she’s only sixteen!”

Chu Zhao looked at him with utter disdain, his gaze icy.

Chu Yang felt deflated but still held his brother’s hand, pleading, “Bro, seriously, let’s not do anything bad, alright? If you want… I’ll take you to a nightclub!”

Chu Zhao’s expression grew even more disgusted.

Dim night lights in the hallway provided enough illumination for Chu Yang to see his brother’s face, which held an expression that seemed to say he was looking at an idiot. Chu Yang fell silent, especially sensing the cold aura coming from his brother.

With a strong push, Chu Zhao shoved him aside.

Chu Yang fell to the floor, landing painfully on his backside.

Rubbing his aching hip, he watched as Chu Zhao opened the door. He reached out to stop him, but at a single icy glance from his brother, he froze.

Seeing Chu Yang retreat, Chu Zhao spared him a final frosty look before pushing his wheelchair into the room.

Chu Yang didn’t dare leave, hoping his brother wouldn’t do anything to a minor.

…

Soft moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow around the room.

Chu Zhao wheeled himself over and extended his hand to nudge the person soundly sleeping in the bed.