Chapter 14: The Emptiness of Shen Yi, The Emptiness of Words

In the alley beside the hospital, a few scattered figures came and went.

Shen Yi toyed with a lighter he had somehow obtained, flicking it repeatedly without a word, quietly fixating his gaze on Ji Jingyuan, a sly smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Ji Jingyuan felt a chill run down his spine under Shen Yi's intense stare. Though their interactions had been few, he knew Shen Yi was a ruthless troublemaker—someone who, once provoked, could tear a piece off anyone, no matter who they were.

Hence the nickname "Wolf Cub."

Swallowing nervously, Ji Jingyuan asked, "I—Shen Yi, what are you up to?"

Shen Yi let out a low chuckle at Ji Jingyuan’s words. "Did the old man send you over?"

"Yes. I just happened to be at the hospital handling some business, so he called me." Ji Jingyuan pondered whether he should tell Shen Yi everything the elder had said.

"Did he send you to be his eyes? Or his ears?" Shen Yi’s gaze sharpened suddenly, locking onto Ji Jingyuan. "But my advice is, you better keep your eyes and ears to yourself. I wouldn’t mind crippling you."

"I know. But I have no intention of doing that." Ji Jingyuan exhaled deeply.

"Then why do you keep watching Ji Ling?" Shen Yi's fingers paused mid-flicker, his tone colder than before.

"I, I... it’s nothing." Ji Jingyuan swallowed the words threatening to spill out, fearing they would sound like lies if spoken aloud.

“‘Nothing’ is best,” Shen Yi leaned in close. “So take care of your eyeballs—otherwise, someone might pluck them out and use them as glass marbles.”

Ji Ling waited by the hospital room door, watching Shen Yi strut back like a victorious rooster.

Seeing Ji Ling’s meaningful smile, Shen Yi straightened up and earnestly stepped forward, offering a piece of paper in a conciliatory manner.

“Here, this is the contact info for that reporter from the newspaper.”

Ji Ling rolled his eyes but quickly accepted it with a delighted grin. “You?”

Shen Yi hurriedly cleared his throat, masking his embarrassment. “I just had a friendly chat with him, and he gave it to me.”

In the alley, Ji Jingyuan rubbed his sore arm and spat disdainfully. This wolf cub truly lived up to his reputation—he swept through the entire compound, even making his own father tremble.

Ji Ling beckoned Shen Yi with a finger, and Shen Yi’s mind instantly filled with the memory of Ji Ling kissing him last time, his heart bubbling with delight.

The corners of Shen Yi’s mouth curved upward uncontrollably. Slightly shy but eager, he leaned in a bit closer.

Ji Ling chuckled at Shen Yi’s show of coyness, then suddenly threw his arm around Shen Yi’s neck, pressing their foreheads together and locking eyes. “Well then, thank you.”

With that, Ji Ling let go and walked away. Shen Yi blinked in surprise, staring at Ji Ling with innocent, wide eyes.

Ji Ling sighed with helplessness. “My mom insisted on discharging him. I’m going to handle the paperwork.”

Watching Ji Ling’s retreating figure, Shen Yi felt a pang of loss and touched his cheek, a hollow feeling settling in his chest. Yet, moments later, he grinned widely—after all, Ji Ling had just been very close to him.

Ji Ling quickly completed the discharge procedures. Ji’s mother and father brought over a wooden board and laid Ji Qing on it. Several people lifted the board and stepped out of the hospital. Shen Yi’s car was still parked at the entrance, and the group hurriedly transferred Ji Qing onto a wheelchair.

Ji’s mother glanced back at the hospital, then quickly turned away. “Let’s go. This place is unbearable—so stuffy.”