A Cruel Revelation

After Jiang Yan finished his praise, he turned to the living room and brought in the small white cat’s cage. Lin Yu’s gaze immediately locked onto it, his eyes alight with adoration for the kitten. Though his emotions weren’t overtly displayed, it was evident he possessed a deep fondness for animals.

“Place it on the bedside table; it will keep you company,” Jiang Yan offered considerately.

Setting down the cat cage, he retrieved his phone from Wang Jian’s lab coat pocket. Wang Jian, accustomed to such antics, displayed not a hint of surprise as he continued to engage Lin Yu in conversation.

“Have you ever had cats before?”

Lin Yu shook his head.

“In that case, I’ll have Jiang Yan teach you later.”

Jiang Yan: “?”

He hadn’t raised cats either. Nevertheless, he bit the bullet and agreed, “Yes, I’ll teach you.” Given that Wang Jian had several cats at home, he figured he could simply learn on the fly and impart that knowledge.

He waved the phone in front of Wang Jian’s eyes. Wang Jian glanced at the screen, read out two words, then abruptly stopped himself, clamping his mouth shut. A teasing smirk played on his lips as he turned to Jiang Yan, uttering a series of ‘tsk tsk tsks.’

‘Those words… shouldn’t be mentioned.’

Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow, glaring at him slightly. ‘He was merely providing the doctor with crucial information to aid in the patient’s treatment.’

Wang Jian, receiving Jiang Yan’s scornful look, merely pouted, thinking, ‘This guy has definitely fallen hard.’ He then glanced at Lin Yu again, noting the child’s eyes were still solely on the kitten, likely holding no interest in the famed actor, Jiang Yan. He raised an eyebrow at Jiang Yan, conveying, ‘Alas, the flowing stream may yearn, but the fallen blossoms remain indifferent.’

Wang Jian continued looking at his phone.

[Words not to mention, as they will cause him to lose emotional control: Grandma, red beans.]

Below, there was another line of text.

[This child just rinsed with cold water for about ten minutes. Take preventive measures to keep him from getting a fever or a cold.]

“Oh, right,” Jiang Yan interjected, taking the phone back and typing something for Wang Jian to read.

[He’s barely eaten anything these past few days. Can we increase the nutritional IV drip?]

“Are you the doctor, or am I?” Wang Jian chuckled, noting Jiang Yan’s anxious demeanor. “Are you planning to become a self-taught medical expert now? Keep up the good work, CEO Jiang, esteemed Actor Jiang, Young Master Jiang, Young Lord Jiang!” Wang Jian deliberately implied, ‘If you like him, just pursue him; what are you waiting for?’

Jiang Yan stared at him as if he were an imbecile, entirely missing Wang Jian’s subtle implication. “How would I ever find the time to study medicine?” he retorted. “My schedule is packed with announcements, and I occasionally need to attend company meetings.”

“Hehehehe…” Wang Jian chuckled. “It’s certainly rare to see Actor Jiang enjoying so many consecutive days off.”

“Shut up,” Jiang Yan snapped, realizing he’d spoken too quickly. He understood Wang Jian’s implication: he was setting him up to suggest to Lin Yu that he had postponed work for his sake. ‘Wouldn’t that simply burden the child psychologically?’ He quickly added, “I just haven’t had much work these past few days.”

Wang Jian offered him a微表情 (micro-expression) that screamed ‘I don’t believe you,’ then ceased his teasing. He checked the IV drip speed and asked Lin Yu, “Feeling okay?”

Lin Yu nodded.

The docile boy pursed his lips before making a request: “May I see the medical bill?” He truly wanted to know his exact debt.

Jiang Yan was about to interject and prevent it, but Wang Jian quickly answered, “Of course, but our hospital typically provides bills before a patient is discharged.”

“Hmm…” Lin Yu pondered, then asked, “When can I be discharged? There’s nothing seriously wrong with me…” He truly didn’t want Jiang Yan to spend any more money on him; he wouldn’t be able to repay it.

“Tomorrow, my father will perform a simple check-up,” Wang Jian promised. “If everything looks good, I’ll certainly ensure your discharge.”

Jiang Yan cast a worried glance. ‘This big swindler, how can he deceive such an innocent little boy?’

“Lin Yu, you rest first. I’m going to check on other patients.”

“Okay, thank you, Doctor.” Lin Yu was polite.

“You come out too, and let the patient get some proper rest.” Wang Jian grabbed Jiang Yan’s arm, pulling him out of the ward bedroom.

Once in the living room, he lowered his voice to Jiang Yan. “Someone at our hospital knows Cai Xinyu.”

“What? I’m transferring him immediately,” Jiang Yan stated, his expression hardening, his voice a low growl of discontent. He had no desire to encounter Cai Xinyu again, nor did he wish for Lin Yu to be subjected to further harassment.

“Jiang Yan,” Wang Jian began, glancing at the bedroom door, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. He sought to calm Jiang Yan’s agitation. “Hear me out first. The doctors at our hospital don’t have a particularly good relationship with Cai Xinyu,” he explained. “They merely exchange a few words during academic conferences held at various hospitals.” He paused, seemingly struggling to continue.

It was hardly surprising that someone as compassionate as Jiang Yan would go to such lengths for Lin Yu; truthfully, Wang Jian admitted, he too would have offered some assistance to the poor child.

“What do you want to say? About Lin Yu?” Jiang Yan’s voice lowered even more.

“Yes.” Wang Jian gestured again, indicating they should go outside to talk.

****

Once in Wang Jian’s office, they settled onto the sofa. Jiang Yan subtly gestured, inquiring if Wang Jian would mind preparing coffee while they spoke. Wang Jian chuckled aloud. “How many years have I known you? Five? Yet, I’ve never seen you so utterly devoted to anyone.”

“Please get to the point, Dr. Wang.” Jiang Yan urged him. He found his own emotions perplexing; he had never felt such an intense, almost agonizing, concern for anyone before.

“Sigh,” Wang Jian began with a sigh. “Do you know what the first thing the doctors at our hospital said to me when they chatted about Lin Yu after he was admitted?”

“Hmm?” Jiang Yan took a sip of coffee.

“He said, ‘That child is so well-behaved, polite, and sensible. He’s so handsome, how could he have been so foolish as to get involved with that pig-headed Cai Xinyu?'”

Jiang Yan put down his coffee and immediately nodded in agreement, “Exactly.”

“However, the second part has a twist,” Wang Jian stated, settling onto the sofa opposite him. He took a slow sip of coffee, then fell silent.

“Tsk, hurry up,” Jiang Yan pressed impatiently. “Speaking in riddles is utterly maddening.”

“That doctor told me,” Wang Jian began, pausing to interject, “What’s the rush? Look at you.” He continued, “He told me that after every academic conference, Cai Xinyu would bring Lin Yu and organize a dinner party, solely to show off his young boyfriend. And in front of numerous people, he would openly declare…”

“Declare what?” Jiang Yan interjected, a premonition settling over him that Cai Xinyu’s words would be unbearable for Lin Yu. His brows furrowed slightly.

Wang Jian shook his head, his own mood visibly darkening. “Lin Yu’s grandmother is elderly, and her heart isn’t well, requiring long-term medication. Every single time, at these dinner parties, Cai Xinyu would curse Lin Yu’s grandmother, wishing her a swift death.”

“What kind of monstrous behavior is that?” Jiang Yan exploded, his fury barely contained. ‘Are those words a human being would utter?’

“Hold on a moment; I haven’t finished,” Wang Jian interjected, sighing once more. “After hearing it, I completely understood your actions. I even felt the urge to beat Cai Xinyu myself.”

“What else is there? Can you please just tell me everything at once?” Jiang Yan, typically even-tempered, was now struggling to contain his rising fury.

“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you everything at once, just don’t interrupt,” Wang Jian conceded. “Every time he’d finish jovially cursing Lin Yu’s grandmother at the dinner table, and watch the docile Lin Yu gradually lose emotional control, he would then feign the role of a good man. He’d serve Lin Yu food, coaxing him with feigned concern, claiming it was all a joke. He’d even emphasize, ‘Don’t I always buy the most expensive medicine for your grandmother?'”

“Cai Xinyu would then turn to the doctors at the table and claim that Lin Yu was mentally unstable, and that he, out of his own kindness, was willing to look after the grandchild and grandmother. He’d spent a fortune, he’d say, and was merely making a drunken joke, not intending any harm.”

“The doctors at the table would simply laugh it off,” Wang Jian continued, his brows furrowing deeper with each word, clearly unable to stomach the memory. “It wasn’t their family’s business, so why should they care? Cai Xinyu would then instruct a waiter to lead away the emotionally distraught Lin Yu. His demeanor would then completely shift; he’d become arrogant and boastful, telling the doctors he was dining with, ‘See how obedient he is to me? I cursed his grandmother, and yet he was placated with just a few words. Hey, who among you wants to sleep with him? Such a handsome young man; aren’t you all tempted?'”

“Snap!” Jiang Yan slammed the table with such force that two coffee cups rattled and spilled their contents.

“That monster!” He was livid. “And Lin Yu?” ‘Wouldn’t that mean…’

“Don’t worry, don’t worry!” Wang Jian quickly reassured him. “Cai Xinyu was merely boasting at the dinner table that he alone possessed Lin Yu, this ‘little beauty.’ He never actually made Lin Yu accompany anyone.”

“That doctor told me that someone at the dinner table actually asked if they could sleep with Lin Yu. Cai Xinyu refused; he was merely reveling in his own boastful display.”

“Are such words meant to be a badge of honor? Cai Xinyu, that—!” Jiang Yan nearly swore, but he took a deep breath, reining in his temper, though his fists clenched tightly.

“The doctor who relayed all this to me happens to be our hospital’s psychological therapist,” Wang Jian explained. “When he first observed Lin Yu, noting his unusually docile demeanor, his cautious attentiveness to Cai Xinyu’s every move, and his prompt, corresponding reactions, he surmised that Cai Xinyu had tormented him for a considerable time. To put it rather unpleasantly, Lin Yu’s responses to Cai Xinyu were akin to the absolute obedience a severely beaten dog shows its master…”

“Wang Jian, I don’t want to hear anymore.” Jiang Yan was in a very bad mood.

“Hmm… I can’t bring myself to continue either,” Wang Jian conceded. “But what I most wanted to tell you is that this doctor has requested to provide psychological counseling for Lin Yu. Do you agree?”

Jiang Yan hesitated; he didn’t want Lin Yu’s past to be known by others. ‘A person’s self-esteem is too important.’

“Jiang Yan,” Wang Jian understood his concern, “You’re better off than finding a doctor who knows nothing about Lin Yu and having them forcefully dig it out. Do you want Lin Yu to recall the past and say these things himself? That’s too difficult. This doctor somewhat knows what Lin Yu has endured, and based on his rich therapeutic experience, he can…”

“Is he trustworthy?” Jiang Yan couldn’t help but be suspicious.

“He’s an old doctor, 55 years old, who has worked at my father’s hospital for over thirty years. His character is excellent; he’s the type to roar when he sees injustice,” Wang Jian said. “He mentioned at that dinner party that Cai Xinyu’s actions and words would cause psychological distress to Lin Yu. Because of this, his relationship with Cai Xinyu has always been poor. Consequently, he never attends Cai Xinyu’s dinner parties after conferences, but he always secretly checks if Lin Yu is there and has even spoken to Lin Yu a few times.”

Jiang Yan’s reluctance lessened slightly. “What did you talk about?”

“Simple psychological guidance, but what good could that do? Lin Yu’s environment was long-term. Those few words from Old Doctor Zhang couldn’t solve the fundamental problem. Now that he sees an opportunity, he genuinely wants to help this child.”

“I’m relieved if you endorse him,” Jiang Yan declared, pinching the bridge of his nose to soothe his emotions. With a low, heavy tone, he asked Wang Jian, “Tell me, what if I acquired the hospital where Cai Xinyu works?”

Wang Jian paused, looking at Jiang Yan with some surprise. “Is it that much love? You want to beat up the scumbag for the poor little thing?”

Jiang Yan drank the now-cold coffee, unable to quell the anger in his heart. A powerful, oppressive smile curved his lips, his eyes glinting with fierce resolve. “What does this have to do with love? Shouldn’t a scumbag like Cai Xinyu be dealt with?”

‘To roar when seeing injustice’—he possessed that very nature. Wang Jian quickly recoiled, lest he be caught in the wake of Jiang Yan’s imposing aura. He nodded briskly. “He should! Take him down!”