FIO CH14

Chapter 14: Zhou Zheng, Apologize

Upon seeing Lu Fangchi arrive, the omega’s tears began to flow like a string of pearls, cascading down their cheeks. Even with a beautiful face, their crying was equally captivating, with eyes and nose turning red from the tears, making them look pitiable.

Lu Fangchi reached for some tissues on the table and handed them to the omega, who refused to take them. Instead, he took the initiative to wipe the omega’s tears. After clearing the tears, he also helped blow the omega’s nose. Holding a tissue to the omega’s nose with one hand, he used the other to support the back of their head. The omega cooperated by blowing their nose a few times, the movements so natural and smooth as if they had done it hundreds of times before.

After disposing of the used tissues in the trash can, Lu Fangchi leaned against the edge of the table and asked, “So, Xie Xing, what’s the matter?”

The omega named Xie Xing avoided answering and instead raised his hand, revealing a red mark on his wrist, which he brought close to Lu Fangchi’s face, complaining, “Brother Chi, look at my hand. It hurts so much.” His tone was filled with grievance and a hint of coquetry.

Lu Fangchi glanced down and noticed the red mark on Xie Xing’s wrist, which was indeed conspicuous against his fair skin, as if he had been subjected to some form of abuse. He cast a slightly reproachful look at the alpha and nodded towards him, saying, “Zhou Zheng, apologize.”

Xie Xing, standing beside him, seemed to revel in this moment, lifting his chin and arching his eyebrows triumphantly, as if to mock, “You deserve this.”

Lu Fangchi’s decisive reaction hurt Zhou Zheng a bit. He pursed his lips and explained, “He was the one who was rummaging through things, making a mess of everything, and even…” The alpha paused, swallowing the rest of the sentence, and concluded, “Anyway, he’s also at fault.”

Hearing this accusation, Xie Xing’s eyes immediately welled up with tears, ready to use them to cover up his misdeeds.

However, before he could put on the act, Lu Fangchi spoke up first, “No matter what the reason, it’s not an excuse for you to use force. Apologize to him.”

Zhou Zheng wasn’t stubborn; an apology wouldn’t cost him his life. But at this moment, regarding this matter, he simply refused to bow his head. He hadn’t done anything wrong. Or perhaps it was because Lu Fangchi was so blatantly favoring the other party. He just wouldn’t do it.

Zhou Zheng felt his nose tingle and his eyes grow hot. He ground his teeth together and finally muttered, “I won’t apologize.”

Lu Fangchi’s brow furrowed slightly, and Xie Xing, hearing this response, seemed to sense an impending storm. He wrinkled his nose and pouted, on the verge of another outburst.

Was the omega about to cry again? Would Lu Fangchi have to comfort him once more?

Zhou Zheng didn’t want to witness such a scene, but he just couldn’t bring himself to apologize. Out of sight, out of mind. With a stern expression, he turned around and left, giving the door a gentle slam.

Yes, it was a slam, not too loud, but just enough to convey his resentment.

Xie Xing continued to stir up trouble on the side, pointing towards the door and accusing, “Brother Chi, look at him, what kind of attitude is that?”

Taking advantage of the situation, he brought his red wrist close to Lu Fangchi’s lips again, cooing, “Brother Chi, blow on it for me. If you blow on it, it won’t hurt anymore.”

Naturally, Lu Fangchi didn’t comply with his request. Instead, he gently patted Xie Xing’s wrist and said, “I’ll apologize on his behalf. I’m sorry. I’ll cover the medical expenses. Do you want me to take you to the hospital, or will you go by yourself?”

Lu Fangchi’s voice was as pure as fine wine, and his words were considerate, but his overly polite and distant demeanor sent a shiver down Xie Xing’s spine.

He licked his lips and forced a smile, “No hospital. Just blow on it for me.”

Lu Fangchi looked at Xie Xing, his gaze as calm as water, and his beautiful lips moved, but the words that came out were cold: “Xie Xing, we’ve broken up.” He was reminding him.

Xie Xing’s upturned lips froze on his face. He bit his lip tightly and whispered, “I regret it.”

“It’s too late,” Lu Fangchi murmured.

It had been half a year since the breakup, spanning three seasons, from late summer to deep winter. In just half an hour, they would welcome the New Year.

It takes only twenty-one days to form a habit, and the same goes for forgetting. Eyes are in front; there’s no way to look back.

Xie Xing bit his lip, feeling a sourness in his nose, and his eyes turned red all around. Unlike the beautiful crying earlier, he now looked much more distressed.

He blinked, and a large teardrop welled up and fell, dripping down. He frowned, suppressing the urge to cry further, and pointed at the photo on the desk, questioning, “Then why do you still keep our group photo?”

Lu Fangchi followed his finger and glanced at the photo for two seconds before replying, “Forgot.”

“I don’t believe it,” Xie Xing’s voice sharpened, tears streaming down, and his tone became aggressive: “What’s there to forget? After a breakup, you either tear it up or burn it. You keep it buried at the bottom of the drawer. Does that mean you still miss me?” The last sentence seemed to be both exposing Lu Fangchi and convincing himself.

Whether he believed it or not, that was the reality.

Lu Fangchi didn’t want to argue and changed the subject: “Let me take you home.”

Xie Xing was relentless, slapping the table fiercely, demanding an answer.

“Speak up! Is it or isn’t it? Otherwise, why keep the photo?”

Lu Fangchi looked into the omega’s stubborn eyes, sighed, and lowered his eyelids: “Do you really have to be so blunt?”

“Yes, tell me,” Xie Xing was determined not to give in until he got an answer.

“The photo, you can take it with you. I don’t have the bad taste to tear or burn it. Destruction can’t erase the fact that it existed. From being on the desktop where I see it every day to being buried at the bottom of a box where I can’t even remember it, isn’t that enough?” Lu Fangchi calmly stated a cold, hard fact.

Xie Xing suddenly squatted down, buried his face in his knees, and began to cry loudly, his shoulders shaking.

The sobs were heart-wrenching and moving.

Lu Fangchi didn’t move, just slightly turned his head and averted his gaze.

After about five or six minutes, the crying gradually subsided, the shaking of his shoulders lessened, and he only hiccuped occasionally.

It seemed he had calmed down. Lu Fangchi squatted in front of him, reached out to pull his arm, and coaxed, “Let me take you home.”

Unexpectedly, the just-quieted Xie Xing became agitated again. He shook off Lu Fangchi’s hand, stared at him with his swollen, tearful eyes, and shouted, “Put away your fake sympathy. It makes me feel sick. So what if I cheated first? But you were the one who stopped loving first. You seem nice to everyone, but you actually like no one. You can’t stand even a grain of sand in your eyes. Your favor is easily controlled and can be withdrawn at any time.”

Xie Xing stood up, and the long squat made him stumble a few steps. He glared at Lu Fangchi and said fiercely, “Lu Fangchi, you have no heart. I hate you.”

After dropping these words, he turned around and left resolutely, slamming the door with a loud “bang.”

Lu Fangchi retracted his hand, which had been reached out, and after a moment, let out a mocking smile. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, he was back to his usual self.

He tidied up the messy desk, put the photo back into the deepest part of the drawer, and as he was about to shut down the computer, he accidentally touched a program.

The computer screen suddenly went black. One second later, it displayed “3,” followed by “2,” and then “1.” Beams of starlight shot up and exploded, their brilliant colors reflecting in Lu Fangchi’s eyes.