Chapter 360: Concealment
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shen Xi calmed down once she received Guan Lei’s reply. “Alright. I’ll talk to you later. I’m glad you’re alright.”
When Zheng Huai got wind that Guan Lei was safe, he immediately called Shen Xi to inform her.
“Xixi, Guan Lei is fine. There’s nothing to worry about,” Zheng Huai said over the phone.
“Yes, I’ve heard. Thank you, cousin,” Shen Xi acknowledged appreciatively.
Zheng Huai chuckled and said, “Xixi, you should dress up a little more. If I hadn’t noticed the necklace or Zhao Yuan next to you, I would hardly have been able to recognize you!”
“Grandpa Lu and Grandpa Shen are around – I don’t want to be recognized! Eh? Wait a minute…” Shen Xi raised the necklace she wore and asked, “Did you say you recognized me because of my necklace?”
“Yes,” Zheng Huai replied as if it was the most natural thing on earth. “Didn’t Guan Lei give you that necklace?”
“How’d you know Guan Lei gave me this necklace? Are you that familiar with him?” Shen Xi felt something was amiss.
She and Guan Lei had been together for a while and even slept in the same room. Even so, she would not dare to claim that she was overly familiar with him or his possessions. If she had never seen the necklace before, how did
Zheng Huai know it was something Guan Lei had gifted her with but a glance?
Zheng Huai covered his mouth, mentally kicking himself for letting slip something he probably should not have known. His big mouth had always been a problem.
Feigning confidence, he rolled his eyes and said, ‘Of course. Who do you think I am? I’m Guan Lei’s attending doctor, and I saw it when I went to his house to treat him.”
Zheng Huai was quite pleased with himself for coming up with that excuse. “Guan Lei had been courting you for a while now. Who else would he have bought a necklace for but you? Besides, Zhao Yuan was beside you; it was not hard to put two and two together.”
“I see,” Shen Xi responded with indifference. Zheng Huai’s explanation did make some sense.
“Why would I lie? Aiya, I’ll stop talking. I’m heading for the island in a bit.” Zheng Huai floundered for a reason to put down the phone.
“What are you going to the island for? Did something happen to Guan Lei?”
Shen Xi latched onto Zheng Huai’s words, silently willing him to elaborate.
Shen Xi thought it was strange that Guan Lei had not said anything so far and even refused to answer her video call.
Recalling Guan Lei’s repeated instructions not to tell Shen Xi about his injury, Zheng Huai wanted to slap himself. Why did he keep causing trouble for himself?
“No… It’s nothing much. There was a riot, and the signal got cut off. Guan Lei is fine; he fell and scratched himself, that’s all. It’s nothing serious. I am Guan Lei’s primary physician, so I’ll be going over to make sure he’s alright. One of his friends had a bad panic attack and asked me to see him if I could.” Zheng Huai’s speech came in stilted bursts but finished with commendable finality.
“I see. Thank you for letting me know. I shan’t keep you; it’s best if you hurry over,” Shen Xi said.
Zheng Huai heaved a sigh of relief. “Yes. It is as you say.”
Upon hanging up, Zheng Huai reflected on his actions. He felt guilty. It was terrible lying to someone whom he thought of as his sister.
Shen Xi sent Guan Lei a message once she ended her call with Zheng Huai. Xixi: [ I heard you were involved in a riot and were injured. How are you? ]
Guan Lei, who had been lounging in bed, shot up with his eyes wide. Who was the blabbermouth that snitched on him?
Xixi’s Boy: [ It’s fine. It’s just a small wound. Who told you? ]
Xixi: [ My cousin. ]
Xixi: [ Why do you ask ]
Xixi’s Boy: [ It’s nothing. I just wanted to thank them for letting you know since they managed to get you to contact me and check if 1 1 m alright. I’m hannvl 1
Shen Xi chuckled. Happy? Bollocks! Guan Lei was probably grinding his teeth, annoyed by whoever had the nerve to tell on him. How could she not know what Guan Lei was thinking?
Xixi: [ Video call me if you’d please. I want to see how you are with my own eyes. ]
Guan Lei touched his bruised cheeks and swollen head. He was on the verge of tears. If Shen Xi saw him like this, would she not look down on him?
‘No, I can’t let Shen Xi see me like this.’
Xixi’s Boy: [ I’m fine, really! I’m going to see how my uncle is doing. His friend is quite badly injured. ]
There was nothing Shen Xi could do since Guan Lei was unwilling to do as she bid. All she could do was tell him to care for himself before dropping the conversation.
Guan Lei checked his call history and discovered a dozen video call requests which had not gone through.
He checked his inbox and poured through its contents patiently. He felt happier with each one he opened, and a tender smile warmed his aches and pains away..
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