Chapter 5
839 Words
Chen Nuo grabbed the dish from the waiter's hand and threw it at Hu Shao, then landed a punch before he could react. "What have I ever done to you?"
Hu Shao, who had only ever been beaten by his father, was furious. "You want to die?!"
Chen Nuo, blood boiling, shouted, "What did I ever do to you? You messed up your contract and blame me! I was doing my job just fine, and you had me fired. I finally found a new job, and with a few words, you got me fired again. Hu Xuewen, do you think you're the only one who matters?"
Su Cheng stopped his secretary from intervening, while Hu and his father were shocked. Half because of the embarrassment, and half because they realized the significance of the situation.
Su Cheng looked at the agitated boy, now understanding the severity of his plight. "I was the one who was violated, why is everyone acting like it’s my fault? You failed to close the deal because of your incompetence, not me! You cornered me at school, ruining my reputation!"
"Pfft—" Su Cheng nearly choked on his drink hearing Chen Nuo's words.
His secretary moved to intervene, but Su Cheng stopped her. "There's no need to make this worse."
Hearing Su Cheng, Hu's father turned crimson with rage. Realizing it was his son's fault, he smacked him hard on the head. "You useless brat!"
"Dad!" Hu Shao was caught off guard, Chen Nuo now wielding a broken bottle. The situation escalated, Hu Shao tried to kick, but Chen Nuo blocked with the bottle, cutting his own arm.
Blood dripped from Chen Nuo's wrist, alarming everyone. Fearing it could end badly, someone called the police.
In the chaos, Hu’s father raged, "Look at what you've done!"
"He was asking for it!"
"Say that again!"
Chen Nuo clutched his arm, tears blurring his vision. Desperate, he threatened, "Tomorrow, I'll expose this to the press. If that doesn't work, I'll write a long post online. I won't be the one suffering in silence anymore. Why should I bear all the blame?"
Su Cheng stood up, pulling Chen Nuo into an embrace. He glanced at the enraged Hu Shao and calmly told Hu's father, "Today is not a good day to discuss business. We'll reschedule."
Hu's father panicked, following them. "Mr. Su, my son was in the wrong. Personal matters are separate from business."
Su Cheng held Chen Nuo's trembling hand, his smile cold. "It's clear there's no separation of personal and business matters here. I'll take him with me."
The secretary stepped forward, "Our apologies, Mr. Hu, we'll be leaving."
"Let go of me!" Chen Nuo protested the intimate hold. Su Cheng whispered in his ear, "I’m helping you."
The words, warm against his ear, made Chen Nuo shiver, but he stopped resisting.
Blood soaked through his fingers and onto his clothes. The sight of it made Chen Nuo feel faint, and he fell silent, unsure of what to say.
Looking like a stubborn child, Chen Nuo's defiance melted into exhaustion. Su Cheng, now fully aware of the boy's predicament, resolved to help him.
The secretary handed Su Cheng a file. "Sir, here's what you asked for."
Chen Nuo glanced away. Su Cheng skimmed the documents, learning about Chen Nuo’s impressive academic record and competition awards at Qingjiang Academy of Fine Arts.
"You said you were assaulted that night?"
Chen Nuo's lips tightened. "It was rape."
Su Cheng, pity in his eyes, sighed. "We were drugged that night. It wasn't r**e, it was mutual."
The term "mutual" from Su Cheng made Chen Nuo freeze, tears streaming. "No!"
Su Cheng, worried about the bleeding, spoke gently. "I understand this is hard for you. I’ll make sure you’re compensated. But if you decide to expose this, don't twist the facts."
Chen Nuo, shaken, realized Su Cheng’s concern was genuine and fell silent.
At the hospital, the line was long. Su Cheng stayed with Chen Nuo, who looked pale and unsteady. Su Cheng asked, "Have you taken care of yourself since?"
Chen Nuo, understanding the implication, replied, "No, I've been too busy."
Su Cheng, feeling responsible, insisted on a thorough check-up.
The hospital was crowded, so they waited. Su Cheng stepped away to take a call, leaving Chen Nuo alone. An elderly doctor noticed Chen Nuo’s condition and sat beside him, offering to check his pulse.
"You haven't been sleeping well," the doctor observed.
Chen Nuo, touched by the concern, explained his symptoms. The doctor, suddenly serious, asked, "Who brought you here?"
Panic set in for Chen Nuo. "What’s wrong with me?"
Seeing the elderly doctor and a concerned Su Cheng, Chen Nuo realized something was terribly wrong.
Su Cheng hung up the phone, turning to see Chen Nuo nervously gesturing, with an elderly doctor in a white coat seated opposite. He walked over and pulled Chen Nuo behind him. "Hello, may I ask who you are?"
The old man glanced up. "Who are you to him? His boyfriend?"
- Writer
