ASSHKHME Chapter 99

## Chapter 99: Cannot Bear to See Tears

Chen Zhuo stood on the dormitory balcony, clutching his phone and looking out.

Just moments ago, the weather had been clear and sunny, but now, dark clouds had gathered, pressing down like a heavy blanket, turning the three o’clock sky into something resembling dusk.

A damp, earthy smell drifted on the breeze, a prelude to rain. The stray hairs on Chen Zhuo’s forehead trembled slightly. Two hours had passed, and Xie Yu still hadn’t replied to his messages. A suffocating feeling pressed on his chest, and he had a strong premonition that something big had happened.

A powerful sense of foreboding spread through his heart like a thick fog. Chen Zhuo vaguely sensed something, but he forcibly suppressed the thought as soon as it appeared, instinctively avoiding it.

Chen Zhuo not only had Cheng Tangyu’s WeChat, but also her phone number. If he couldn’t reach Xie Yu, he could contact her, but Chen Zhuo didn’t dare.

Chen Zhuo was afraid that the “situation” Xie Yu had mentioned was related to him, afraid that their peaceful and sweet life would be shattered by a heavy blow from reality, and even more afraid of hurting Cheng Tangyu as a result.

But what if something had happened to Xie Yu?

Chen Zhuo bit on an unlit cigarette, his brows furrowed in worry, torn.

Ultimately, his concern for Xie Yu outweighed his fear of the unknown, and he found Cheng Tangyu’s phone number in his contacts.

Just as he was about to press the dial button, the words “Spoiled Little Treasure” popped up on the screen. Xie Yu had finally returned his call.

Almost instantly, in less than a second, Chen Zhuo tapped the answer button, covering the receiver and anxiously asking, “Xie Yu, why are you only replying now? I called you so many times. What happened?”

Xie Yu laughed, trying to sound natural, but his voice couldn’t hide the fatigue: “Worried about me? Sorry, baby, I was busy just now. It’s all okay now.”

Although Chen Zhuo couldn’t see Xie Yu’s face, he seemed to be able to sense his sadness from afar, like a wet and shivering puppy hiding in a corner, freezing.

He asked softly, “Did something happen at home? Is Auntie alright?”

Xie Yu hid in the dim stairwell, listening to Chen Zhuo’s gentle voice, his nose stinging. He said, feeling wronged, “I really want to hug you.”

Chen Zhuo’s heart was struck hard. He felt nothing but pain and heartache. “Where are you? Can I come find you? What happened? Can’t you even tell me?”

Xie Yu leaned against the wall and slowly squatted down, rubbing his head. He told an incomplete truth: “Xiao Zhuo’er, I’m at the hospital. My mom got angry with me and went into premature labor, almost had a massive hemorrhage. My little sister is in an incubator. My mom just came out of the operating room and hasn’t woken up yet…”

He sniffled, listening to the soft breathing on the other end of the phone, and pressed his eyes. “Tell me, am I a total bastard? I’m almost twenty, and I still do things my own way without considering the consequences.”

Chen Zhuo gripped the phone unconsciously, his knuckles turning white. He asked softly, “What did the doctor say? How are Auntie and the baby?”

Xie Yu peeled the dry skin on his lips, letting it bleed, using the pain to soothe the guilt in his heart. “They’re out of danger, but we have to wait for her to wake up for a further assessment. My sister needs to stay in an incubator for a month. I only saw her briefly, she’s so small, so pitiful…”

Xie Yu had a lot he wanted to tell Chen Zhuo, but he was afraid that saying too much would give him away.

Chen Zhuo was sensitive. He had finally shaken off some of the shadows of the past these past few months. If he knew the whole truth, Xie Yu was afraid that he would shrink back into his shell again.

Xie Yu wasn’t afraid of being pricked by thorns, but he was afraid of Chen Zhuo secretly shedding tears.

Chen Zhuo was silent for two seconds, then tentatively asked, “How did you make Auntie angry? Is it because of… me?”

“How could it be!” Xie Yu denied it almost instantly. “Are you thinking nonsense again? It has nothing to do with you. I might not be able to go back to school for the next two days. Take care of yourself. When I get back, if I find you’ve lost an ounce of weight, you’re going to get a beating.”

Chen Zhuo rubbed the heavy curtains beside him. “Then I’ll go see Auntie tomorrow, okay?”

“No need.” Xie Yu realized that his tone was a little off. He cleared his throat. “My grandparents and maternal grandparents will be coming over these two days, as well as some distant relatives. It’ll be pretty busy. Come another day, okay?”

Chen Zhuo felt very uneasy. He looked up at the dark clouds in the distance. “Since you don’t want to tell me the specifics, I won’t ask. Don’t blame yourself too much. Auntie will definitely be healthy and safe. When she wakes up, tell me right away. I’m worried too.”

Xie Yu’s legs were a little numb from squatting. He leaned against the wall and stood up, stamping his feet. “Okay, I will. By the way, the weather forecast says it’s going to rain tonight. I don’t know if there will be thunder. I’m sorry, baby. If I can’t make it back, can I video call you and sleep with you?”

Chen Zhuo said, “You do your own thing. Don’t worry about me. Li Ang and Zhao Jiashu are here. If there’s thunder, I’ll get them up.”

Xie Yu said unhappily, “You’re not allowed to hug them to sleep! If you’re scared, pile my clothes on the bed and hug them.”

Chen Zhuo laughed. “You’re being ridiculous.”

Xie Yu said softly, “Then I’ll hang up first? I have to go see how our mom is doing.”

Chen Zhuo “mmmed” and said, “Go ahead. Contact me anytime. Bye.”

After hanging up, Xie Yu regretfully slapped his mouth. It seemed like he had brought his negative emotions to Chen Zhuo. He was so smart, would he be able to guess something from just a few words?

Xie Yu frustratingly punched the wall. It was all the fault of that bastard who was plotting against him behind his back!

After the doctor told them that Cheng Tangyu was out of danger, his rationality returned as well. He didn’t need to investigate to guess which grandson had sent that surveillance video on the tablet to his father’s work email.

But adults have to have evidence when they do things. He had suffered too many losses because of impulsiveness. He had to learn something.

Xie Yu pushed open the door of the fire escape with a gloomy face, and ran into Secretary Tian, who was coming out of the ward.

Secretary Tian was a veteran of the group, having followed Xie Liangjun for more than ten years. He was Xie Liangjun’s right-hand man and confidant.

Secretary Tian hurried over: “My young master, where have you been? Madam is awake and looking for you.”

“My mom is awake?” Xie Yu took two quick steps and stopped, turning to look at Secretary Tian. “Uncle Tian, help me track down the sender of an anonymous email. I’ll send you the information later.”

Secretary Tian replied, “Are you talking about the anonymous email sent to Chairman Xie’s mailbox? Don’t worry, Chairman Xie already instructed me after Madam entered the operating room. Someone is already investigating.”

Xie Yu lowered his eyes and said self-deprecatingly, “I’m really far behind my dad. Tell me when the results come out.”

He turned to walk towards the ward, but stopped at the door, holding the doorknob, afraid to turn it.

Xie Yu could accept being scolded or even beaten by his parents, even if he had to kneel for three days and three nights, but he couldn’t bear to see Cheng Tangyu’s tears.

His feet felt like they were filled with lead, and he couldn’t take a step.

Until the door opened from the inside, Xie Liangjun didn’t even bother to look at him, and said in a deep voice, “Aren’t you coming in!”

Xie Yu walked in with his head down, stopping a meter away from the bed. He cautiously looked at Cheng Tangyu. “Mom…”

Cheng Tangyu was wearing an oxygen mask, weakly sinking into the snow-white hospital bed. Her right hand, which was hooked up to an IV drip, moved and reached out to him, saying weakly, “Xiao Yu, come here.”

As soon as Xie Yu heard her speak, his eyes reddened again. He walked to the bed and knelt down with a “plop,” choking back tears. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault that you suffered so much. Hit me.”

Cheng Tangyu had just woken up and was very weak.

She used all her strength to raise her arm, but only gently wiped away the tears hanging on Xie Yu’s cheeks.