DLRAS Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Like a weightless feather.

Half an hour ago.

Although Zheng Baoqiu had complained behind his back, when Mu Qing brought his friends over, she still put on a fake, polite smile.

Over there, Qi Tongzhou and Chen Wengang returned. Several people gathered in a circle; whether they knew each other well or not, they huddled together to chat and kill time.

Nearby, the staff had set up another champagne tower. The liquid gurgled down from the top of the pyramid like a golden waterfall.

Many people were high on the atmosphere and the alcohol, noisily surrounding this grand sight and cheering.

Mu Qing’s friends got an idea and suggested going over to play drinking games.

Chen Wengang didn’t plan to participate. He stepped back a little to make room for them.

Someone, however, couldn’t stand his seemingly pretentious aloofness and mocked him, “What’s this? Playing the ‘everyone is drunk but me’ card?”

Chen Wengang just smiled, feigning ignorance and ignoring him.

That person became even more aggressive, urging him to join, saying it would be disrespectful not to.

Zheng Baoqiu couldn’t stand by and watch. “Oh, his body doesn’t metabolize alcohol well, so he’s not suited for drinking. The doctor even mentioned it during his last physical.”

The person’s companion chuckled, “It’s just one glass, what’s there to metabolize? Just go take a few more pisses later and it’ll be gone.”

Zheng Baoqiu furrowed her brows. Before she could flare up, Qi Tongzhou quickly interjected, “What the hell? There are ladies present, keep your mouths clean.”

The other guy turned to Chen Wengang. “Of course girls don’t have to drink. What—are you a girl too? Are you on your period?”

Seeing that Zheng Baoqiu was at the end of her patience, Chen Wengang stopped her. “Forget it. Don’t lower yourself to the level of meaningless people.”

The guy clamored, “Come on, you’re so high and mighty, try saying that again?”

With alcohol in their bellies and the arrogance of youth, a few disagreeable words suddenly made the atmosphere tense and hostile.

At this time, Mu Qing stepped out to smooth things over, persuading his friend to say a few words less.

The conflict stopped escalating, but since they couldn’t see eye to eye, the two groups fell out and simply drew a clear line, each going to a different side of the venue.

Zheng Baoqiu turned her back and sneered, “I know those two. One’s family runs a machinery factory, and the other runs a modification shop. They’re just nouveau riche, unpresentable. Seeing who they hang out with, you just know that birds of a feather flock together.”

Qi Tongzhou chimed in to agree. However, he had a good impression of Mu Qing and didn’t actually realize who Zheng Baoqiu was hinting at.

The band on stage was still roaring out rock music. Offstage, someone started it—shaking a bottle of sparkling champagne violently until it was ready to burst. With a pop, the cork and wine sprayed out, drenching the person next to them.

The drenched person, unwilling to be outdone, immediately grabbed a bottle of wine to retaliate.

Like a signal, the crowd quickly started a champagne fight, engaging in a kind of senseless, wild revelry.

The wine was sprayed into the air as if it cost nothing, some pouring directly into the pool. Who knew how much money was burned away for nothing this night.

Chen Wengang and Zheng Baoqiu exchanged a glance; neither wanted to get soaked in alcohol. They decided to retreat early. Chen Wengang shielded Zheng Baoqiu and found a safe route to leave.

Qi Tongzhou followed closely behind. As they reached the edge of the venue, he heard someone call out Chen Wengang’s name.

The following accident happened with lightning speed.

Qi Tongzhou only saw champagne splashing out in an arc from a bottle, realizing that some blind fool was sneak-attacking them with wine.

Immediately, his second thought was that the attack was deliberately aimed at Chen Wengang.

Chen Wengang was splashed dead on. At this point, Qi Tongzhou already realized it was a tasteless prank.

Unexpectedly, Chen Wengang’s reaction was extremely intense. He jerked back a step. By the time Qi Tongzhou realized the wail came from him, Chen Wengang had already fallen to the ground, clutching his face. He didn’t look like someone who had just been splashed with wine; he looked as terrified as if he’d been splashed with sulfuric acid.

Zheng Baoqiu snapped back to her senses and cursed, “Who did that?”

She rushed forward, anxiously asking if it had gotten into his eyes.

The crowd looked at each other in dismay, all wearing innocent expressions. Naturally, no one volunteered to confess.

Qi Tongzhou, however, had seen it. The person who threw the wine was the same idiot who had insulted him earlier.

But there was no time to hold the guy accountable right now. He also squatted down beside Chen Wengang, holding his hands up, at a loss for what to do.

Chen Wengang curled his body into a ball, a highly defensive posture. His whole body was taut like a drawn bow, not letting anyone touch him. This was not a normal reaction.

The rock singing had stopped at some point; only the instrumental music was still playing. The band members all craned their necks to watch the commotion—

“What’s going on?”

“Is someone hurt?”

“He’s not faking it, is he? Hey, stop joking around.”

From the spectating crowd, a voice cautiously suggested, “Could it be an epileptic seizure?”

Yu Shanding parted the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea and popped his head out. He was relatively calm as he reprimanded the young model who spoke, “What epilepsy! What are you all doing crowding around here? Do you want him to suffocate? Disperse, all of you, make room for some fresh air!”

Many of these models were old acquaintances of his. With a look from Yu Shanding, they chuckled and took the lead in dispersing.

Zheng Baoqiu pulled up her collar, sniffed the liquid that had splashed onto her, and even tried licking the back of her hand. It was indeed just champagne. Could something else have been mixed into the wine?

She was a little bewildered and leaned down again. “Wengang-ge, how do you feel?”

Chen Wengang gritted his teeth tightly and didn’t answer her.

The wine soaked through his clothes, the chill traveling along his nerves straight to his brain. But what he felt wasn’t cold; it was scorching hot, so hot it felt like he was on fire, burning every inch of his skin with agonizing pain. His consciousness was also chaotic; he couldn’t distinguish between reality and memory.

Chen Wengang moved his lips. Qi Tongzhou felt like he said something, but unfortunately, couldn’t hear it clearly.

Zheng Baoqiu made a decision. “Maybe we should call an ambulance… I’ll go call right now.”

However, she was dressed in light swimwear, and her phone was locked in a locker. Yu Shanding, resting his hands on his knees and bending over to check the situation, touched his body upon hearing this—he was only wearing swimming trunks. Zheng Baoqiu quickly got up to run and get it, but turned around and froze, calling out, “Cousin.”

Qi Tongzhou was squatting there, completely lost. When he subconsciously looked up, there was an extra person beside him.

He hadn’t even noticed when Huo Niansheng arrived. But to be fair, Huo Niansheng didn’t even have eyes for him.

Zheng Baoqiu obviously relied more on her own family. She grabbed Qi Tongzhou’s shoulder and pulled him back, signaling him to make way. Qi Tongzhou helplessly stepped aside and watched Huo Niansheng bend one knee, kneel on the ground, and softly call Chen Wengang’s name.

Hearing his voice, Chen Wengang finally reacted.

Huo Niansheng felt his left hand tighten as it was gripped desperately. Chen Wengang’s strength was surprisingly great, almost crushing his hand bones.

His other hand still tightly covered his face. The exposed half of his face had a pale luster, showing no visible issues.

Paradoxically, Huo Niansheng felt relieved in his heart. Letting him squeeze his hand, he instructed Zheng Baoqiu, “Check his pockets. See if there’s a…”

A small pillbox. If Chen Wengang had it on him, it would always be kept in his right pocket.

Huo Niansheng frowned, pausing. “Forget it, I’ll do it.”

Once again, it was as if another version of himself appeared within his body, skillfully feeling for the pillbox in its usual place. Being one-handed was inconvenient, so Huo Niansheng handed it to Zheng Baoqiu. Opening it revealed two white pills of unknown composition. However, Huo Niansheng knew it was Alprazolam.

Zheng Baoqiu tipped out one pill and handed it over suspiciously.

Huo Niansheng supported the back of Chen Wengang’s head, propping it up slightly.

The familiar scent made Chen Wengang stop resisting. Guided by Huo Niansheng’s hand, he swallowed the pill, instinctively pressing it under the root of his tongue.

Huo Niansheng changed his posture, letting him lean against his own body.

He freed his right hand and patted Chen Wengang’s back soothingly. Yu Shanding brought over a clean bath towel—there were plenty prepared at the pool entrance. Huo Niansheng gave him a look, and Yu Shanding understood, quickly unfolding it. Huo Niansheng took it and wrapped Chen Wengang inside the towel, along with one of his own arms.

Chen Wengang finally loosened the grip of the hand on his face, letting it rest there loosely.

He leaned in Huo Niansheng’s embrace, his face and body still wet with wine stains. Huo Niansheng pulled up the towel and gently wiped his face.

The commotion here once again drew prying eyes, but Yu Shanding and the others blocked most of them. Huo Niansheng gave a few instructions to Zheng Baoqiu, ignored the hesitant Qi Tongzhou, re-wrapped Chen Wengang in the towel, and scooped him up into his arms.

Perhaps the effects of the Alprazolam began to kick in, and the sharp screaming of Chen Wengang’s nerves quieted down.

He curled up in Huo Niansheng’s arms, half-awake, vaguely hearing Yu Shanding’s voice asking, “Which room?”

Then he heard Huo Niansheng telling him to go press the elevator button and stop dawdling.

The jolting of walking felt like riding on clouds, but before him was a stretch of safe darkness. Chen Wengang kept his eyes closed.

He didn’t know if a few minutes or half an hour had passed before he was placed on a bed.

The surface beneath him was soft like a cloud. He sank into it, as if sinking to the bottom of the sea.

Chen Wengang’s weight wasn’t much of a burden for Huo Niansheng. On the contrary, holding an armful of him and walking all this way, his heart inexplicably felt sour and soft. A sense of familiarity, as if from a lifetime ago, tormented him, like he was holding something extremely precious that had been lost and found.

Huo Niansheng arrived at 707. The reserved room was a suite. He kicked the bedroom door open with his foot and settled Chen Wengang on the bed in the bedroom.

The moment Chen Wengang left his embrace, he started struggling restlessly again. Huo Niansheng quickly stroked him. “Wengang, don’t be afraid.”

He took off his shoes and, without even taking off his clothes, got onto the bed as well, scooping the person into his arms. “Don’t be afraid, Wengang, I’m here.”

After coaxing him for a while, Chen Wengang’s tense body gradually relaxed. He reached out and looped his arms around Huo Niansheng’s neck.

Huo Niansheng kissed his temples and cheeks.

He lowered his head and found that Chen Wengang was already awake. His eyes were open to a slit, his dark pupils gazing quietly at Huo Niansheng.

Huo Niansheng couldn’t help but kiss his eyes again, continuing to use the bath towel to dry his half-wet clothes.

Not long after, a doctor arrived carrying a medical kit. It was from the club’s infirmary; a staff member made an intercom call and let him in.

Huo Niansheng led him into the bedroom. “Give him a shot of a tranquilizer.”

The doctor hesitated a bit. The members of this club were all rich and powerful. There was a person lying on the bed, half his face buried in the pillow, looking listless, yet clearly beautiful. Being inexplicably called over to administer a tranquilizer made it hard not to assume the worst. It would be one thing if he hadn’t seen it. But he couldn’t just ignore his professional ethics, being called over specifically to unwittingly act as an accomplice.

The doctor hesitantly suggested, “How about letting me check his condition first?”

Instead, the person on the bed spoke up. “I’m already fine.” Chen Wengang explained, “I have a bit of panic disorder.”

Huo Niansheng sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed his hair. “Take the shot. You’ll feel much better after a sleep.”

Chen Wengang closed his eyes again. “Whatever works.”

The doctor bent over and asked him, “How are you feeling right now? Do you want the shot yourself?”

Chen Wengang said, “It won’t be a big problem. It’ll pass in half an hour at most.”

Huo Niansheng said, “Forget it. Just give him a check-up then.”

In the end, the injection wasn’t given. The doctor gave Chen Wengang a brief examination, listened to his heart rate, and preliminarily ruled out the possibility of a heart attack. Then he brought over a packet of traditional Chinese medicine granules meant to calm the nerves, dissolved it in warm water, and fed it to him.

“Just rest for a while, and if there’s anything wrong, call me anytime.”

Huo Niansheng saw the doctor out. When he returned to the bedside, he saw Chen Wengang wrapped up in the blanket.

He was lying on his side, his back arched, looking somewhat fragile, like a weightless feather. Even though they didn’t use a tranquilizer, he was probably exhausted from the ordeal. In just this short amount of time, as soon as he closed his eyes, his breathing started to lengthen and deepen.

Huo Niansheng originally wanted to tell him to get up and change his clothes, but ultimately didn’t make a sound, just tucking the corners of the blanket in for him.

He leaned against the headboard, listening to Chen Wengang’s steady breathing, absentmindedly thinking about something, occasionally patting him on the back.

If someone were beside him looking at Huo Niansheng, they would see that his face was entirely expressionless at this moment, hiding many unfathomable emotions.

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