Chapter 21: He Had Never Touched Her

Shaking his head in bewilderment, Wei Xifeng took a step back. In the next second, he saw his father’s face again. His father’s eyes were cold and filled with malice, looking at him with utter indifference and deep disdain. "Useless thing."

As he retreated further, Wei Xifeng’s world plunged into darkness. Everyone around him was staring, their faces obscured, leaving only eerie eyes and twisted, mocking mouths. They laughed one after another, sounding profoundly evil and terrifying.

Sweat beaded on Wei Xifeng’s forehead. Clutching his ears in agony, he curled into a ball, trembling uncontrollably.

Just then, a hand touched his head and stroked his hair. Wei Xifeng looked up slowly. The moment he saw Jiang Liwu, the surrounding darkness vanished, and the scene returned to normal.

"Stay close," Jiang Liwu said. "Don't get lost."

Wei Xifeng’s eyes reddened, his gaze trembling. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and a sound like that of a wild cub escaped his throat.

Jiang Liwu patted his head again. "It’s alright."

This time, Wei Xifeng gripped the corner of Jiang Liwu’s clothes tightly. Despite his towering height of 1.88 meters—making him look twice the size of Jiang Liwu—he followed close by her side, as vulnerable and dependent as a child clinging to his mother.

...

"Yiran, how are things between you and Wei Xifeng?"

Qiao Yiran was sitting by the hospital bed, feeding her mother porridge. Hearing this sudden question, she froze. "What do you mean, 'how are things'? They’re just... how they are." She kept her head down. The porridge was no longer hot, but she stirred it repeatedly. Though she sounded indifferent, her voice carried a heavy, muffled tone.

Noticing this, her mother immediately sensed something was wrong. "Yiran, have you and Wei Xifeng run into trouble?"

Thinking of the sudden appearance of Jiang Liwu, Wei Xifeng’s special treatment of her, and Ba'er’s closeness to her, Qiao Yiran felt a wave of agitation. She mashed the already soft porridge with her spoon. "No, Mom. Please, stop asking."

"How can I not ask? You’ve been with Wei Xifeng for three years without any status or title. Has he never mentioned marrying you?" her mother asked, deeply anxious.

Qiao Yiran’s eyes widened, and she stood up abruptly. "What do you mean, 'no status'? Mom, what are you talking about? It’s not like that between Wei Xifeng and me." She stomped her foot and bit her lip, but the thought of Wei Xifeng marrying her lingered in her mind, making her feel so flustered that her face turned crimson to the roots of her ears.

Though she appeared resistant, her eyes were wet and shimmering.

"Not like that? Do you mean you and Wei Xifeng haven't even done the things that men and women do?" her mother pressed, even more urgent.

Qiao Yiran grew even more embarrassed and annoyed. "Mom, what are you saying!?" In truth, Wei Xifeng had never touched her. He always forced her to do things she disliked, compelled her to stay by his side, imposed strict rules, restricted her freedom, and terrified her when he broke down and turned into a monster...

Even if Wei Xifeng did want to touch her, she wouldn't be willing. She wasn't the type to sell her body to please a man. Although she was no longer the young lady of the Qiao family and was indeed kept by Wei Xifeng in a villa like a canary, she still possessed her own pride and self-respect.

"Oh, my foolish girl," her mother sighed, burning with worry. But then, she thought that if Wei Xifeng could hold back for three years without touching her, it only proved how much he cherished Qiao Yiran—that was why he hadn't touched her lightly.

Struggling with her limited mobility, her mother reached out and took Qiao Yiran’s hand. "Yiran, you must hold onto Wei Xifeng and become the mistress of the Wei family."

Qiao Yiran pouted. "I don't care about being the mistress of the Wei family."

"Even if not for yourself," her mother urged, "you must think of your father."

"Are you asking me to beg Wei Xifeng?" Qiao Yiran frowned, an immediate sense of resistance rising within her. She didn't want to be that humble and pathetic in front of Wei Xifeng. "But Father... he committed a crime..."

"No matter what grave crime he committed, he is still your father," her mother interrupted. "He only took the wrong path because he wanted you to live a life of luxury. Yiran, can you bear not to save your father and let him rot in prison, suffering for the rest of his life?" Her mother’s eyes filled with sorrowful tears. "I don't have much time left. My only wish is to see your father again before I die, so our family can be reunited."

Hearing this, Qiao Yiran felt a deep ache in her heart. Her eyes reddened, and she gripped her mother’s thin, aged hand tightly. "Mom, don't say that. I promise you, I will beg Wei Xifeng."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. The mother and daughter froze, both instinctively composing themselves. At the third knock, someone pushed the door open.

Qiao Yiran called out with a voice full of trust and dependence, "Brother Min."

Her mother wore a warm, friendly smile and greeted him familiarly, "Xiaoxuan, you're here."

Min Boxuan nodded politely. His gaze fell first on Qiao Yiran, his heart trembling at the sight of someone he hadn't seen in a long time, before he restrained himself and shifted his focus to her mother. "Auntie, I’m here to check on your condition."

"Is it really just for a check-up? Haven't you already checked today?" her mother teased, implying something more.

A faint blush spread across Min Boxuan's ears. "I did check, but I feel more at ease doing another one. After all, I am your attending physician, and I must be responsible for you."

"Auntie, you look like you're in good spirits today."

Her mother thought, *That’s only because I was just getting worked up.*

"That's all because you take such good care of me. Xiaoxuan, you’re not even thirty and you’re already an attending physician. You’re tall, handsome, gentle, and patient. Any family would be lucky for eight lifetimes if their daughter could marry you." Her mother looked at him with the satisfaction of a prospective mother-in-law.

Meeting her gaze, Min Boxuan felt an unstoppable surge of excitement, as if receiving approval. He became even more attentive in his care. "Auntie, I’m not as good as you say. You’re making me blush. I’m pushing thirty, and I just hope the girl who marries me in the future won't mind my flaws."

"Anyone who minds you clearly has no eye for quality. I personally think you’re wonderful and sincere."

Encouraged by these words, Min Boxuan’s head grew hot, and he couldn't help but blurt out, "Auntie, actually, I..."

Her mother’s eyelids twitched. Clutching her head, she interrupted, "I suddenly feel a bit drowsy and would like to rest."

Min Boxuan paused, then quickly reacted, helping her lie down. Qiao Yiran moved to the other side of the bed to assist. As they both carefully supported her, their hands brushed against each other.