Chapter 27: I Will Take Responsibility

"Chief..." Tang Jinnan spoke, his gentle tone tinged with a hint of disapproval.

The cold and ruthless man glanced at him, then at Qin Hongfei. At last, he withdrew his hand, let out a cold snort, and walked away.

Qin Hongfei's indifferent gaze slowly softened as well. Only when the tension faded did she realize how much her right shoulder hurt. Was it crippled? Had she just lost the use of her arm saving someone? So much for the old saying that good deeds are rewarded—what a lie.

"The chief has a bad temper," Tang Jinnan said, apologetically. "I'm sorry."

"He nearly crushed my wrist before, and this time he wanted to strangle me," Qin Hongfei met his eyes, her own voice restrained with anger. "Having a bad temper doesn't give him the right to hurt people. That goes for you, too." She hadn't forgotten how he'd dragged her into the alley and used similar force on her.

"Sorry, I had no other choice at the time." Tang Jinnan knew he'd crossed the line before. Apology came first, whether or not she accepted it. "Let me check your arm. Don't worry, I won't let you be left with any lasting damage. But it will hurt—a lot."

It turned out, "a lot" was an understatement. The pain was enough to make someone wail for their mother.

Qin Hongfei didn't scream. She simply passed out.

Tang Jinnan looked in surprise at the girl who had collapsed in his arms. He picked her up and laid her gently on the small bed. "Chief, you were too rough. If I'd been a moment later, you might have ruined her right arm completely," he said, a trace of reproach in his tone.

"You're blaming me for her?" the chief said, displeased.

"You were wrong," Tang Jinnan replied. "Her arm is seriously injured, and since you caused it, I have to stay and see her hand healed properly."

"Just as well. I can use the time to keep an eye on things..." He added, "We won't be going back to Central City for now."

The chief looked at him and shook his head slightly. "They're after me, you shouldn't—"

Tang Jinnan cut him off, his voice calm. "If we're brothers, say no more." Then he glanced over at Qin Hongfei lying on the bed, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. She'd had her bones dislocated by the chief, yet she'd managed to endure the pain in silence...

"Our teacher always said girls would become stumbling blocks on the path to growth—one appears, chop her down; two appear, chop them both. But that's not always the case..." At least, Qin Hongfei didn't seem that way.

The chief looked at him but couldn't bring himself to say, "Your teacher was just worried you'd fall in love and lose focus on your studies."

Qin Hongfei didn't remain unconscious long; she woke after about half an hour, only to find the two troublemakers were still there! Instantly, her face darkened, but before she could speak, Tang Jinnan said, "You're awake. Good, time to apply the medicine."

"Medicine?" Qin Hongfei realized the pain in her right arm had eased a great deal, but she still couldn't lift it. She cursed inwardly.

"Your bone was out of place. I set it back..." Tang Jinnan approached. Tall and imposing, his gaze was cool, but his tone was gentle. "You'll need to rest for a while, probably a month. Don't worry, since my friend hurt you, I'll take responsibility."

Qin Hongfei was nothing if not pragmatic.

She glanced at Tang Jinnan, then at the chief, and finally at the medicine on the table. "You, out," she said.

The chief shot her a look and didn't move.

"Chief, please," Tang Jinnan said.

Only then did the chief leave, though not happily. As soon as he was gone, Tang Jinnan saw Qin Hongfei start to undo her clothes. In no time, her pale shoulder and the injured area were exposed to his view. Tang Jinnan was unfazed; as a trainee, his teacher had put him through countless such tests of willpower. He'd seen so many bodies under similar circumstances that he'd long since become immune. The only thing that struck him now was Qin Hongfei's boldness.