After I Was Gone, Mr. Song Said He Loved Me - Chapter 14 - Called Back to the Hotel
After hearing Jiang Chenyang’s words, I was completely stunned, taking several seconds to regain my composure.
“Lu got beaten up by a client? Why? Is it serious? Where is he now?” I anxiously fired off a series of questions.
“It’s not really a big deal. Lu and Qin Naisheng, the top guy at Royal Dynasty, got into a fight over a deal. Then Qin Naisheng had his cronies beat up Lu.”
“What? Over a deal?”
“Yeah, Qin Naisheng has a big client who’s always supported him. Last night, for some reason, the client ordered from Lu and even paid tens of thousands for drinks. Qin Naisheng accused Lu of stealing his client, and they started arguing.”
“The manager pulled them apart, thinking it was over. But after work, Qin Naisheng got a bunch of thugs to corner Lu at the back door of Royal Dynasty. Luckily, we found out in time and got Lu to Hai University Hospital. Otherwise, Lu might not have made it through the night.”
Listening to Jiang Chenyang, I was so angry my lips trembled, unable to speak.
Qin Naisheng, with his good performance at Royal Dynasty, was arrogant and unruly, surrounded by several shady cronies. The managers usually turned a blind eye to his actions, and bullying fellow salespeople happened often.
But Lu was always principled, never looking at what wasn’t his. How could he possibly steal Qin Naisheng’s client?
Qin Naisheng must have been jealous of Lu’s big drink order and deliberately picked a fight with him.
“Chenyang, send me Lu’s room number. I want to see him.”
“Sure, but don’t tell Lu I told you. He didn’t want you to worry, but I figured you’re good friends, and you’re not working at Royal Dynasty anymore, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Thanks, Chenyang.”
“Ah, what are friends for? I heard you got a job at a big company? Just don’t forget us when you make it big.” Jiang Chenyang joked.
“Sure, when I make it big, I’ll set aside ten million for each of you to spend on drinks and make you all top sales.” I promised confidently.
“I’ll hold you to that, haha. Alright, I’ll send you the room number.”
Following Jiang Chenyang’s directions, I quickly arrived at Hai University Hospital, but couldn’t find bed E3. After asking a nurse, I learned that beds starting with E were temporary.
In a top-tier hospital like Hai University Hospital, beds were scarce. Lu’s emergency admission meant he was in a makeshift bed in the hallway, surrounded by chaos. Finally, I found him in the corridor of the fifth ward.
His head was wrapped in white bandages, looking like a mummy. His eyes were swollen and barely open, with bruises around his nose and mouth. His right arm was in a cast, lying motionless on a simple iron bed, covered with a thin blanket.
At that moment, my heart ached, and my eyes stung.
Lu and I had similar experiences, both kicked out of our homes for liking men. In Hai City, a bustling metropolis, we lived upside-down lives to survive, supporting each other like family.
Seeing him hurt like this, I felt both heartache and anger, frustrated at my inability to help Lu get justice.
Lu was surprised to see me, then tried to sit up, but I stopped him.
“Just lie down and don’t move.”
“How did you find out? Did Jiang Chenyang tell you? That guy’s mouth is like an old lady’s elastic waistband, never tight.” Lu cursed while shifting to make room for me to sit.
“Why didn’t you tell me you got beaten up?” I asked coldly.
We had promised to be lifelong best buddies, yet he didn’t tell me about such a big incident. What kind of buddy was that?
Lu lowered his head, mumbling, “I’m sorry, Bai Yu. I didn’t mean to hide it. You just got out of this mess, and I didn’t want you dragged back in. It’s dirty here, not suitable for you.”
His words made me tremble with anger: “What nonsense are you talking? Whether I work at Royal Dynasty or not, we’re good friends. You need to tell me first if anything happens, understand?”
Lu was silent for a while, then nodded.
I sighed, sitting down slowly: “I’ll stay here with you for the next few days.”
“No need, it’s just a broken arm. My legs are fine, and meals are delivered. Just come by when you have time and chat with me.”
“Look at you now, a living mummy. If you’re in pain, admit it. Why pretend to be tough? Your body is yours, take care of it, okay?”
I borrowed Song Yu’s words to lecture Lu.
Lu squinted at me through his swollen eyes, “Where did you learn all this? So full of wisdom.”
I proudly waved my hand: “What do you mean ‘learned’? I’m naturally cultured, okay?”
We both burst into silly laughter.
Lu’s mouth was injured, so he couldn’t eat anything hard. I bought him porridge with a straw and some soft snacks, and we had lunch together.
Just as we were chatting happily, Song Yu called.
I hesitated for a moment, then stepped away to answer.
“Where are you?” Song Yu asked.
I glanced at Lu, replying, “At the hospital. My friend is admitted.”
“I’m at the hotel,” Song Yu said.
I bit my lip, not responding. I knew he wanted me to return.
Sensing my reluctance, Song Yu softened his tone: “Should I come pick you up, or will you come back on your own?”
After struggling internally, I surrendered to reality: “I’ll come back on my own.”
Song Yu’s earlier words had given me enough face, and I couldn’t be ungrateful.
After hanging up, I returned to Lu’s bedside. Before I could speak, he asked, “Is it something urgent at your company?”
I hesitated, then nodded.
“Then you should hurry back. I’m fine here, see, I can still… ouch-” Lu tried to sit up to prove he was okay, but the movement hurt him.
“Don’t move!” I quickly pressed him back down, lying through my teeth: “I’m just going to show my face, I’ll be back soon.”
Lu’s clear eyes watched me for a moment, hesitating before simply saying, “Okay.”
For some reason, his gaze made me uneasy, and I instinctively avoided his eyes, fleeing the hospital in haste…
