Chapter 44 Making the Most of Everything

Staring at the familiar profile picture on his phone screen, Lu Er’s heart pounded wildly as he tremblingly tapped the “Add Friend” button.

[Lan An has accepted your friend request. You can now start chatting.]

Lu Er was so excited he almost threw his phone. After calming himself down, he carefully thought over his words before sending a message:

[What do you want to eat tomorrow? I’ll go grocery shopping with Aunt Wang in the morning.]

After sending it, he tossed his phone aside, too nervous to check for a reply.

He paced around the room three times, grabbed an apple and took a couple of bites, then couldn’t resist picking up his phone again.

Ten minutes passed. No reply.

As expected… Song Jingmo didn’t want to talk to him.

Dejected, Lu Er flopped onto the bed and buried his face in the pillow.

A few minutes later—ding—his phone chimed. Lu Er hurriedly grabbed it.

[Song Jingmo: Anything.]

Just two words. Not even a punctuation mark.

Lu Er stared at the screen, a little disappointed by the cold response.

But then he thought about it—Song Jingmo accepted his friend request and replied. What did that mean?

It meant Song Jingmo couldn’t bear to ignore him.

Grinning to himself, he rolled around happily on the bed:

[Then Aunt Wang and I will decide what to buy. Get some rest early. Good night.]

He even picked out a cute kissing-cat sticker and sent it along.

This time, Song Jingmo didn’t reply again, but Lu Er was already satisfied.

Early the next morning, while Lu Er and Aunt Wang were shopping at the supermarket, Bai Zhi called.

“The police have issued an official statement—blue background, white text—confirming that the video was maliciously edited. We’re proceeding with legal action to seek compensation.”

“What about Wang Bingsheng?”

“The psychologist’s diagnosis is out. He has a severe mental disorder.”

“He constantly imagines others are after his wife and suspects her of betrayal, which is why he often abuses her. Legally… it may be difficult to punish him severely.”

Lu Er’s expression darkened instantly. “Just because he’s mentally ill, Jingmo deserves to be slandered?”

“That’s how the law works…”

“Send me the address,” Lu Er said coldly. “I’ll meet him myself.”

An hour later, Lu Er appeared at the place where Wang Bingsheng was being held.

Looking at the burly man in front of him, Lu Er suppressed his anger.

“Mr. Wang, I hope you can come forward to clarify the truth and clear Doctor Song’s name.”

Wang Bingsheng sneered arrogantly. “Clarify what? That pretty boy had his eyes on my wife. You’re all in on it!”

Lu Er clenched his fists. “Doctor Song was stabbed in the abdomen while saving your wife. And you still slander him? Do you have any conscience?”

“Serves him right. Who told him to touch my wife?”

Wang Bingsheng spoke righteously, then sneered, “You’re defending him so much—what, got your eyes on him too? You people in the entertainment industry really play dirty!”

Lu Er flared up and stepped forward. “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Wang Bingsheng suddenly stood up and shoved him. “What? Hit a nerve? So you really are involved with him?”

Caught off guard, Lu Er staggered back, hitting his temple against a nearby shelf, leaving a cut that immediately started bleeding.

“Hiss—!” He sucked in a breath, touching the blood at his temple. His eyes turned cold instantly.

Seeing the blood, Wang Bingsheng panicked a little but still acted tough. “Don’t even think about framing me. I’ve got a mental illness—I don’t have to take responsibility!”

Lu Er let out a cold laugh and took out his phone. “What a coincidence. This face of mine is insured for 100 million.”

“You were conscious and fully capable of controlling your actions just now. Injuries caused under such circumstances? The insurance company will come after you for compensation. Not much… just tens of millions.”

Wang Bingsheng’s face turned pale. “Y-you’re bluffing!”

“A lawyer’s letter will be delivered soon.”

Lu Er calmly wiped the blood from his temple. “Either you record a video apologizing to Doctor Song and clarify the truth… or prepare to lose everything.”

Wang Bingsheng’s legs gave out as he collapsed to the ground. “I’ll apologize. I’ll record the video.”

After settling the video, Lu Er suddenly had an idea.

Since he’d already been hurt, he might as well make the most of it.

He deliberately messed up his hair, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, exposing his beautiful collarbone, and smeared the blood from his hand onto the collar so it would be obvious at a glance.

The “fragile” look—perfectly achieved.

At the hospital.

Song Jingmo glanced at the time on his phone—it was already 12:30, and Lu Er was nowhere in sight.

He’d probably forgotten.

Just as he was about to order takeout, he saw Lu Er standing at the door, holding a lunchbox, clothes disheveled.

Song Jingmo’s gaze swept over his exposed collarbone before landing on the cut on his temple. His brows furrowed slightly. “Who did you get into a fight with this time?”

Lu Er was secretly delighted, but put on a pitiful expression. “I didn’t fight. I just went to see someone.”

He placed the lunchbox on the table. “It’s past lunch already—you must be hungry. Sorry, I’m late.”

Back in school, Lu Er had often gotten into fights helping his two troublemaker friends, Chu Mian and Jiang Sheng, snatch girlfriends.

That was also why Song Jingmo disliked them.

“Who did you go see?” Thinking of a possibility, Song Jingmo’s voice turned icy.

Lu Er shivered under the cold tone and instinctively told the truth. “Wang Bingsheng—but I didn’t hit him.”

Song Jingmo hated it when he fought. Back in school, they had argued about it many times.

Hearing that, his tone softened slightly. “Why did you see him?”

“Of course to make him apologize to you and clear up the misunderstanding,” Lu Er said, relieved, then joked, “It’s not like I’ve got my eyes on him.”

Seeing the blood on his collar, Song Jingmo frowned even more. “Then how did you get hurt?”

“He refused to apologize and shoved me. I just bumped into something—just a small injury.”

Lu Er’s eyes sparkled as if asking for praise. “He wouldn’t apologize at first, but after I scared him a bit, he behaved.”

Song Jingmo was silent for a moment, then pressed the call bell.

A nurse quickly arrived. “Doctor Song, what do you need?”

“Please bring some saline, band-aids, and a pair of medical gloves.”

After the nurse brought the items, she said enthusiastically, “Doctor Song, you should rest. I can handle such a small matter.”

Lu Er immediately objected—this injury couldn’t be wasted.

“I don’t want that.”

The nurse smiled sweetly, coaxing him like a child. “You’re so handsome—if it leaves a scar, it won’t look good.”

“I’ll still look good even with a scar.”

Seeing such an uncooperative patient for the first time, the nurse looked helplessly at Song Jingmo.

“Give it to me,” Song Jingmo said, taking the tray and pointing at the sofa. “Come here.”

Lu Er obediently sat down. The moment the cotton swab touched the wound, he inhaled sharply. “Be gentle…”

Song Jingmo’s hand paused slightly, his voice softening. “Bear with it—it might sting a bit.”

Taking the opportunity, Lu Er stared at him intently.

At such a close distance, he could clearly see Song Jingmo’s long eyelashes, straight nose, and those always calm, self-restrained eyes—now reflecting his own image.

Exactly his type.

“Brother Jingmo,” Lu Er called softly, his breath brushing against Song Jingmo’s cheek.

“Mm?”

“It hurts…” Lu Er’s voice softened into a spoiled whine, his beautiful peach-blossom eyes moist and pitiful.

Song Jingmo looked up, their gazes meeting.

The scent of antiseptic mixed with the cool cedar fragrance from Song Jingmo’s body, stirring Lu Er’s heart.

“Don’t do this again,” Song Jingmo said, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. “My matters will be handled by the hospital.”

He applied the bandage, his fingertips brushing lightly against Lu Er’s skin, sending a faint electric sensation.

“I can’t stand seeing you being wronged.” Lu Er looked up, meeting his eyes. “I…”

“Alright.” Song Jingmo cut him off, stepping back to create distance. “Don’t let the wound get wet.”