The Downtrodden Villain In A Redemption Romance Novel Chapter 10

Lu Qingrang’s eyelashes fluttered lightly, but he did not immediately open his eyes.

A clean, sun-kissed scent of soap gently enveloped him first, replacing the smell of hospital disinfectant and the decaying odor of his own body that he remembered. His body felt dry, a sensation he hadn’t experienced in a long time. The bed beneath him wasn’t soft, but it offered a reassuring sense of solidity.

He slowly lifted his heavy eyelids, and his blurry vision gradually came into focus.

“You’re awake?”

Lu Qingrang followed the sound, seeing Xu Wen approaching with a basin of hot water.

The young man had changed into light gray loungewear. His overly long hair was casually tied back, revealing a clean forehead and delicate features. Those eyes, which were always strikingly bright, were as clear and lively as a fawn in the forest. They were looking over now, filled with undisguised concern.

Lu Qingrang turned his head back, silently staring at the yellowed ceiling.

Still couldn’t manage to die…

This thought had just surfaced when it was interrupted by that clear voice:

“Scoot over a bit. Lie sideways. I’m going to wash your hair.”

Xu Wen spoke naturally, but it sounded less like a suggestion and more like a notification. Without waiting for Lu Qingrang to react, he placed the basin on the low stool beside the bed. Then, supporting the back of Lu Qingrang’s neck with one hand and his shoulder with the other, he deftly guided him toward the edge of the bed, positioning his head to hang just over the side.

Lu Qingrang’s thoughts were somewhat sluggish; he didn’t know what he should be thinking at this moment.

Warm water slowly soaked his hair. Xu Wen’s fingertips gently ran through his strands, patiently massaging his scalp with careful movements. The sound of running water accompanied the young man’s continuous muttering beside him: “Your hair is all split ends… If you don’t eat properly, I’m afraid you’ll start getting white hair…”

In this warm mist, Lu Qingrang’s long-dormant heart, which had nearly stopped beating, seemed to stir ever so slightly.

“…Why?”

A question silently arose.

“Why save me?”

“Is it worth it?”

“What exactly does he… want to gain from me?”

Although this desire for inquiry was faint, it was the first reaction he had shown to the outside world, other than despair, in a very long time. He could not believe in the existence of baseless kindness in the world, nor could he believe that someone would be foolish enough to invest in a person who had nothing left.

But then again, what did he, in his current state, have that was worth plotting for?

Lu Qingrang’s eyelashes trembled, and he slightly shifted his gaze. From this upward angle, he could see Xu Wen’s focused profile. The young man’s lips were slightly pursed, and his clear eyes were filled with seriousness, as if washing his hair at this moment was a matter of utmost importance that could not be taken lightly.

Lu Qingrang quietly observed him. Into the heavy dead silence in his heart, a faint light finally penetrated, along with a host of perplexing questions.

Xu Wen skillfully massaged Lu Qingrang’s scalp, and warm water slowly rinsed his hair. He couldn’t help but boast to the System internally: “System, how’s my hair-washing technique? Back in the day, I was the gold-medal apprentice at the salon, if I hadn’t gone to work in an office later…”

[Excellent.] The mechanical voice rarely gave positive feedback. [Detecting an increase in Redemption Value.]

“See? I knew it. That’s why the System is willing to talk to me today,” Xu Wen thought, making his movements even gentler. He took the prepared dry towel, carefully helped Lu Qingrang sit up halfway, and wrapped the towel around the wet hair, absorbing the moisture little by little.

Plugging in the hairdryer and setting it to a gentle speed, Xu Wen’s fingers moved through the hair, carefully controlling the distance. The warm wind buzzed, carrying the clean scent of shampoo through the air.

Lu Qingrang remained quiet, allowing himself to be handled, but his previously vacant eyes now slowly followed Xu Wen’s movements. He watched the young man bustling about for him, observing his focused expression and the fine beads of sweat on his forehead. In his hollow eyes, a faint, living luster finally appeared.

After drying Lu Qingrang’s hair and carefully combing it smooth, Xu Wen plopped down beside him. Outside the window, the setting sun was slowly descending. After half a day of effort, it was already evening. He glanced sideways and saw the red-to-purple ligature mark on Lu Qingrang’s neck, and his heart clenched.

Coincidentally, Lu Qingrang was also secretly looking at him.

Their eyes suddenly met.

Xu Wen’s throat felt dry, and he blurted out, “Does it hurt?”

To his surprise, Lu Qingrang actually heard him this time and slowly shook his head.

Seeing this, Xu Wen immediately pressed his advantage, and words slipped out before he could think: “That doesn’t hurt? As expected of President Lu, the legendary King of Endurance!”

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it. He quickly scratched his own head and hastily tried to cover up: “Uh, no… I didn’t mean that! I wasn’t mocking you!”

Xu Wen was slightly distraught, Xu Wen was a little flustered, Xu Wen was panicking.

It’s over! He had finally managed to earn that 1% Redemption Value! Will it be wiped clean because of that thoughtless comment?!

He was so immersed in his own remorse that he failed to notice Lu Qingrang watching his embarrassed, scratching-and-clawing demeanor. The silent corners of Lu Qingrang’s mouth twitched upward, ever so slightly.

Xu Wen practically fled to the other corner of the room, moving awkwardly and seeing nothing. He turned his back to Lu Qingrang, pretending to be busy tidying up the hairdryer and comb, attempting to mask his recent embarrassment. His movements were slow and deliberate, but his mind had completely drifted away.

The sky outside the window was gradually darkening. He looked at the twilight, and an extremely realistic question slammed into his mind:

Life has to go on.

He thought about the balance in his mobile bank account. The hospitalization fees had nearly emptied him; he now only had a few hundred yuan left in total. He and Lu Qingrang, two grown men, couldn’t survive on plain congee every day, could they? With Lu Qingrang’s current physique, congee wouldn’t help him gain weight. And there was rent, utilities… which of those didn’t cost money?

His gaze involuntarily drifted back to the quiet figure on the bed. Although he had just made a fool of himself, Lu Qingrang had indeed responded to him today, even shaking his head.

“The revolution has just begun; how can a comrade starve to death first?” Xu Wen cheered himself up internally, trying to find humor in his hardship. “Delivering takeout is definitely out. I need to find a way to make money while staying here to watch him…”

He leaned against the window, watching the lights gradually illuminate below. For the first time, he began to seriously calculate how to survive in this world where he had no relatives, while taking care of this porcelain-doll-like villain.