Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 68 Part 2

"Am I dreaming?" Yang Jiabo wondered if he was still asleep. He tugged the blanket up, ready to go back to bed.  

But Wei Jing wouldn’t let him run. He poked Yang Jiabo’s slightly swollen cheek. "Does this hurt?"  

"A little... but it still doesn’t feel real." Yang Jiabo felt like he was floating.  

"Then how about this?" Wei Jing pressed a light kiss to his forehead.  

Yang Jiabo’s vision blurred. The warmth on his forehead told him, he had just been kissed. His face burned as if on fire. Once the realization fully hit, he felt foolish, his entire body overheating. Summoning his courage, he blurted out, "I like you. What about you?"  

"Silly, isn’t it obvious? I like you too." Wei Jing was overjoyed by Yang Jiabo’s confession.  

"When did you start liking me?" The happiness felt too sudden, too unreal.  

"I don’t know. Maybe a long time ago..."  

They had grown up together, and somewhere along the way, their feelings had quietly changed. Even Wei Jing couldn’t pinpoint exactly when.  

"Were you so good to me because you liked me?"  

"Yes."  

Two new lovers exchanged silly, meaningless words until they gradually drifted off to sleep.  

Despite their heartfelt confessions before bed, Yang Jiabo wavered after waking up. The gap between him and Wei Jing was vast in every way—their families would never approve, let alone his illness...  

Yang Jiabo’s sudden avoidance left Wei Jing baffled. They had been fine before falling asleep, why the change? 

Watching Yang Jiabo dodge his gaze, slinking along the walls to avoid him, Wei Jing was both amused and exasperated. He strode forward, catching Yang Jiabo before he could flee, pulling him into a room and locking the door.  

"W-what are you doing?" Yang Jiabo’s eyes widened, guilt written all over his face.  

"I should be asking you that. Did you really think you could take it back after waking up?" Wei Jing closed in, trapping Yang Jiabo between the wall and himself.  

"I—I blacked out last night. I don’t know what you’re talking about."  

Wei Jing laughed in disbelief. Pressing his forehead against Yang Jiabo’s, he said firmly, "Tell me the truth."  

Yang Jiabo felt Wei Jing’s breath against his face, sending tingles down his spine.  

"I’m not good enough for you. And our families would never agree."  

"Whether you’re good enough is for me to decide. You haven’t even tried, how do you know they’d disagree?"  

"I—"  

"You were the one who confessed first. You don’t get to back out now." Wei Jing’s words were resolute.  

"My family has no money or influence. I barely went to school, I’m not particularly good-looking, and I’m sick..." Yang Jiabo’s voice grew smaller, his words increasingly despondent.  

Wei Jing sighed and pulled him into a hug. "None of that matters. You work harder than anyone to live well, and that’s what I love about you. Let’s face any challenges together, okay?"  

"I’m scared..." There were too many obstacles ahead. He feared his illness wouldn’t hold out. Worse, he feared Wei Jing would one day grow tired of him, he wouldn’t be able to bear it.  

"Don’t be. I’ll always be here for you. Trust me."  

"I trust you."  

Yang Jiabo couldn’t bring himself to give up Wei Jing, this was the first time he had truly fallen for someone. He decided to follow his heart, cautiously taking a huge step forward. They agreed to keep their relationship a secret until they figured out how to break the news to their families.  

That morning, when Yang Qing woke up, he found his brother absent-minded, following Wei Jing around like a lovesick fool. Something felt off between them, but he couldn’t quite place it, maybe they were still hungover. Others also noticed the change but assumed Yang Jiabo was simply relieved now that the ordeal was over.  

Happy days always pass quickly. Soon, it was time to part, Wei Jing had to return to the capital. Yang Jiabo worried. Their relationship was already difficult, but now they’d be separated by distance.  

"Don’t overthink it. I’ll visit whenever I can." Wei Jing ruffled Yang Jiabo’s hair affectionately.  

"I’ll come see you instead. You’re the busy one." Yang Jiabo had always planned to live a laid-back life, so he had plenty of free time.  

"Have you thought about moving to the capital?" Wei Jing didn’t want to be apart and hoped to bring him along.  

Yang Jiabo considered it but shook his head. As much as he didn’t want to be separated, the thought of leaving everything familiar behind terrified him. He wasn’t ready.  

"Don’t worry. Once the company stabilizes, I’ll have more free time." Wei Jing already had a plan in mind.  

"Big brother, it’s getting late. What’s taking so long? Don’t miss your flight." Wei Feng urged.  

Wei Jing shot his brother an annoyed look. "If you’re feeling better, hurry home. Stop bothering Jiajia all the time."  

"Yeah, yeah." Wei Feng waved him off dismissively. 

Some brother you are, Jiajia never once complained or told me to leave

After seeing Wei Jing off, Yang Jiabo felt an emptiness, as if something were missing. He even considered moving to the capital but quickly dismissed the idea when he thought of all the practical challenges. He’d rather be the one traveling back and forth.  

Just then, his phone buzzed, a message from Wei Jing.  

[I already miss you.]  

[I miss you too.] Yang Jiabo replied with a silly grin.  

His heart swelled with sweetness, filling him with determination to figure out how to win over his father.  

"Jiajia."  

The voice made Yang Jiabo’s smile freeze instantly.  

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 68 Part 1

Chapter 68

"Jiajia, is your hearing alright now? You really scared me that day." Wei Feng said, still shaken.  

"I'm fine." In truth, Yang Jiabo had also been frightened.  

Upon hearing that Yang Jiabo had been discharged from the hospital, Zhang Yi's mother brought a group of people to his doorstep, demanding an apology and compensation. The people Zhang Yi's mother brought were all educated individuals, they didn’t make a scene or curse in the streets but instead argued with reason and subtly threatened him without leaving a trace.  

Yang Jiabo was furious and immediately wanted to confront the Zhang family, but Yang Jianjun and Wei Jing stopped him. Yang Jiabo wanted to face it himself, avoiding the problem wouldn’t solve anything, but he couldn’t overpower these two.  

Wei Jing didn’t waste words with them and directly hired a lawyer to handle the matter. The Zhang family had many relatives in the area and decent connections in various fields. Zhang Yi's mother tried to pressure them with her influence but failed. The two sides couldn’t reach an agreement and refused to reconcile, eventually taking the matter to court.  

The lawyer Wei Jing hired was formidable and ultimately won the case. Zhang Yi's mother, unwilling to accept the verdict, refused to comply with the court’s ruling. Yang Jianjun then took the judgment to the school administration, forcing Zhang Yi's mother to obey.  

The alumni reunion that day wasn’t just attended by teachers and students but also school administrators. The incident became widely known, causing quite a stir, and Zhang Yi's mother’s reputation in the eyes of the leadership plummeted to rock bottom.  

The fallout was severe. Not long after, Zhang Yi's mother was transferred to a rural middle school as a teacher. She wasn’t young anymore, and this transfer meant she wouldn’t return before retirement, let alone get promoted. Before the transfer, Zhang Yi's parents finalized their divorce.  

Despite this, Yang Jianjun still felt she got off too lightly, though it did give him some satisfaction. He hadn’t forgotten what happened years ago, Yang Jiabo’s expulsion from school was largely their doing.  

Aside from Zhang Yi's mother, another person deeply affected by this incident was Liu Yueting, who had organized the reunion. She had used her parents’ connections to invite many leaders, hoping to expand her network and pursue the person she liked. Instead, things backfired.  

After the incident, though no one said it outright, many mocked her behind her back. Furious, Liu Yueting's already feeble crush on Wei Feng evaporated. She wanted to take her anger out on the Yang family, whom she saw as the root cause, but the Wei family shielded them. Left with no choice, she directed her resentment toward the Zhang family and Zhang Yi's mother.  

With the matter resolved, Yang Jianjun happily prepared a lavish feast and invited friends and family to celebrate. Coincidentally, Yang Qing was back on break. Upset that no one had told him about everything that had happened in his absence, he sulked until Yang Jiabo managed to cheer him up.  

The dinner was lively, and even Wei Feng drank quite a bit. Wei Changdong and his wife were delighted to see his son's injuries healing well and his overall condition improving. Wei Changdong drank heavily with Yang Jianjun, thanking the Yang family for taking care of his two sons. In high spirits, they inevitably overindulged.  

After the gathering, Yang Jiabo stumbled to bed and fell into a deep sleep. He woke up in the middle of the night, his body burning with heat and his mouth parched, so he got up to drink some water. When he saw Wei Jing lying beside him, he froze. Wei Jing had also drunk a lot that night and was sound asleep, undisturbed by the noise.  

Yang Jiabo didn’t think much of it. After drinking water, he quietly lay back down. The alcohol-induced heat made it hard for him to fall asleep again. He opened his eyes, and the moonlight streaming through the window cast a faint glow on Wei Jing’s handsome face, making it impossible to look away.  

"Ah—"  

After who knows how long, an almost imperceptible sigh echoed in the room. Wei Jing’s eyes seemed to flicker.  

"You’re so good to me. What would I do if you left me?" Yang Jiabo murmured, thinking his voice was too soft for anyone else to hear—but he underestimated the silence of the night.  

Wei Jing’s eyelids twitched. He had woken up when Yang Jiabo got out of bed, and now, hearing these whispered words, his heart raced. Jiajia was sometimes insecure and timid, and Wei Jing, unsure of his feelings, had been careful not to scare him. Now that Yang Jiabo was speaking his true thoughts under the influence, Wei Jing wanted to hear what else he might say.  

The room was silent for a long time. Just as Wei Jing wondered if Yang Jiabo had fallen asleep and was about to open his eyes, he heard him mutter dejectedly again.  

"Brother, what should I do? I think I’ve fallen for you." The words seemed directed at Wei Jing, yet also at himself.  

"Then just be with me." Unable to hold back any longer, Wei Jing responded to the confession from the person he loved.  

Yang Jiabo’s body stiffened instantly. He nearly forgot to breathe, his mind buzzing, thoughts scattering. It took him a long moment to stammer out, "Brother, you... you were awake?"  

Amused by his reaction, Wei Jing chuckled. "How could I sleep through someone whispering a confession in my ear?"  

"I—I—I—" Yang Jiabo never expected to be caught red-handed. He stuttered, at a complete loss for words.  

"Don’t be nervous. Relax." Wei Jing patted his back soothingly, as if comforting a child.  

Their position was so intimate it almost seemed like an embrace. Yang Jiabo felt surrounded by Wei Jing’s presence, with no escape. What had once felt normal now seemed unbearably ambiguous.  

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 67 Part 2

In the end, negotiations broke down, and Wei Feng and Liu Yueting nearly came to blows. Liu Yueting got her deposit back and took her guests elsewhere. What was supposed to be a grand alumni gathering ended in disgrace. Even after relocating to a high-end hotel, few showed up, most had already left on the spot.  

As soon as the guests dispersed, several posts about the incident popped up on local forums. Whether it was “Teacher Assaults Someone” or “Teacher and Restaurant Owner Brawl,” the story was juicy. Word of what happened spread quickly through departing guests. Fortunately, this wasn’t the era of viral short videos—otherwise, the news would’ve spread even faster.  

____

Yang Jiabo stared at the hospital ceiling, the sharp sting of antiseptic in his nostrils. The rhythmic beep of monitors underscored his self-recrimination: After all these years, I still dropped my guard.

Yet for the first time, the familiar storm of rage hadn't come. Perhaps Dr. Luo's methods were finally taking hold, his hands remained steady where they'd once tremble with unchecked fury.

His condition wasn’t serious. After three days in the hospital, he was discharged with no lasting issues. Yang Jianjun lectured him harshly, worried about his mental state, and barred him from handling the fallout.  

On the day of his discharge, Yang Jiabo was pleasantly surprised to see Wei Jing personally driving him home. Wei Jing had only gotten the news the day after the incident and had rushed over after wrapping up his company affairs. Only he knew how frantic he’d been upon hearing Yang Jiabo had been hospitalized—only seeing him in person had eased his mind.  

“Does it hurt?” Wei Jing asked softly as he applied medicine to Yang Jiabo’s face.  

“No,” Yang Jiabo mumbled. His cheek was still slightly swollen, and talking tugged at the sore spot.  

“Fall into a moat and gain wisdom. Stay away from people who hold grudges against you. You never know what they might do in the heat of the moment.”  

[吃一堑长一智 (chī yī qiàn zhǎng yī zhì): lit. Fall into a moat and gain wisdom; fig. Learn from one’s mistakes.]

“She’s a highly educated teacher! Who’d expect her to suddenly hit someone? Honestly, she seems crazier than me.” The memory made Yang Jiabo scowl.  

“You’re not crazy,” Wei Jing corrected sternly.  

“Right, our brains work differently from hers.”  

“Don’t worry about this matter anymore.”  

“Dad and Wei Feng said the same thing. They won’t let me get involved. I just feel bad for Wei Feng.”  

“He’s been freeloading at your place, doing some work is the least he can do. Besides, I’ll help too. Actually, this mess is partly his fault.”  

Yang Jiabo looked at him, confused, waiting for an explanation.  

Wei Jing leaned forward, lowering his voice. “That whole reunion was organized by Liu Yueting - one of Wei Feng's more persistent admirers. She comes from a powerful family and isn't lacking in brains either. When she somehow discovered Wei Feng was recovering here, she saw her chance. She decided to host the event at your place, make it a big affair, he'd have no polite way to refuse showing up.”

Yang Jiabo let out a low whistle, equal parts impressed and skeptical. "Now that's dedication. But why go through all this theater? If she wanted to see him, why not just drop by with some fruit basket and well-wishes?" He shook his head, unable to decide if the scheme was romantic or ridiculous.

“Probably reads too many novels and watches too many dramas. She wanted a grand, dramatic gesture.”  

“Yeah, that’s more impressive. Most people would’ve been moved.” Yang Jiabo nodded thoughtfully.  

Wei Jing gave a dry chuckle. “Well, her grand romantic scheme backfired beautifully. Instead of some storybook reunion, she ended up across the negotiating table from him - all formalities and cold calculations.”  

Yang Jiabo snorted, then immediately regretted it as pain shot through his bruised face. “Oof.” he muttered through gritted teeth, “Wait, did I ruin Wei Feng’s chance at love?”  

A knowing smile played at Wei Jing's lips. “Trust me, he'd thank you for it. That woman's schemes would've driven him up the wall.”  

“Got it.”  

Wei Feng had always been the straightforward type. Liu Yueting's elaborate schemes and dramatic gestures didn't impress him; they just set off all his alarm bells. To him, all that theatricality reeked of calculation rather than genuine affection.

“What are you two doing?”  

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives - Wei Feng appeared at the door, staring at them in shock.  

[说曹操，曹操到 (shuō Cáo Cāo, Cáo Cāo dào): lit. Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives; fig. Talk about someone, and they show up.]  

“Applying medicine. What’s wrong?” Yang Jiabo was baffled by Wei Feng’s "what the hell?" expression.  

“N-Nothing.” Wei Feng glanced at the cotton swab in his brother’s hand and laughed awkwardly, mentally scolding himself for overthinking. 

Why did I think Big Brother was kissing Jiabo just now? 

Wei Jing noticed Wei Feng’s lingering gaze and pondered it silently.  

“We were just talking about your admirer,” Yang Jiabo said with a grin, then hissed in pain as his cheek protested.  

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Wei Feng hobbled in on crutches and gave a brief rundown of the past few days under Yang Jiabo’s curious stare.  

“Is she still contacting you?” Yang Jiabo couldn’t resist asking.  

“Nope. Pretty sure I’m blacklisted now.”  

“Do you regret it?”  

“Not at all. She’s not my type.” If anything, Wei Feng was relieved.  

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 67 Part 1

Chapter 67

Teacher Jin’s sharp, piercing voice drew the attention of everyone around, instantly making the scene the center of focus.

Don’t get angry, don’t get angry, Yang Jiabo tried hard to suppress his surging emotions.  

“What’s going on?”  

“Looks like an argument over there.”  

Whispers spread around them.  

“Teacher Jin, what happened?” Another teacher, familiar with Teacher Jin, stepped forward to ask.  

“It’s nothing, really. Just ran into a former student. At my age, I can’t help but nag a little, it must be annoying.” Teacher Jin smiled politely, though her gaunt face and drooping eyebrows gave her a somewhat mean-spirited look.  

The surrounding teachers frowned slightly, their eyes filled with disapproval, some even showing hints of disgust.  

Yang Jiabo was highly sensitive to shifts in others’ emotions. In a hostile environment, he was prone to losing control.  

“There was a reason you got expelled back then. A person should learn to reflect in order to grow. After all these years, you haven’t changed at all.” Zhang Yi’s mother spoke with unmistakable malice. The gazes directed at Yang Jiabo grew even sharper.  

Yang Jiabo took a deep breath, straightened his back, and tensed up as if preparing for battle. He adjusted his expression slightly and flashed a mocking smile. “I’m more surprised you didn’t get fired. Must be nice having connections.”  

“Let’s all go inside. We’re here for a gathering, no need to ruin the mood.”  

“Yeah, yeah, let’s disperse.”  

People around them tried to mediate. Yang Jiabo, being a businessman, was ready to let it go for now, as long as things didn’t escalate further. After all, there were many guests today.  

Zhang Yi’s mother, however, remembered how her daughter’s suicide had humiliated her, how her husband had been demoted, how she had almost been fired. Because of that incident, she and her husband had remained ordinary teachers all these years, which was a disgrace for a family like theirs. After their daughter left for college, she never returned home, rarely even called, clearly estranged. And all of it - her family’s misery, her career’s stagnation, was because of this little delinquent standing before her.  

Years of hardship, her daughter’s resentment, her husband’s blame, relatives’ mockery, colleagues’ exclusion - all of it had been bearable as long as she didn’t see him. But now, with the root of her suffering right in front of her, old and new hatred burned away her reason. She raised her hand high and slapped Yang Jiabo across the face.  

Slap!

The crisp sound echoed far, leaving everyone stunned. No one had expected Zhang Yi’s mother to resort to violence.  

Yang Jiabo felt a stinging pain in his cheek, his ears ringing sharply. Realizing he’d been hit, he instinctively punched her in the nose, drawing blood immediately.  

“Ah! How dare you hit me?!” Zhang Yi’s mother, who had never suffered such humiliation, lunged at him with her nails. Yang Jiabo dodged behind Teacher Jin, who ended up getting scratched across the face.  

“The staff are assaulting customers! Call the manager, now!” Teacher Jin, caught in the crossfire, was furious but still grabbed the frenzied Zhang Yi’s mother. Only then did the onlookers snap out of it and step in to separate them.  

Brother Bai and the waitstaff quickly surrounded Yang Jiabo, shielding him.  

“What’s happening?”  

“No idea.”  

Amid the chaos, Yang Jiabo’s head spun, his ears still ringing, making it hard to hear anything.  

“Your staff attacked a customer! Where’s the manager? We’re filing a complaint!” Zhang Yi’s mother shouted.  

Brother Bai and the staff gave the troublemaking customer an odd look. “The one you just hit is our young boss.”  

Teacher Jin, recalling her earlier remarks, stiffened, her face suddenly aching as if she'd been slapped by her own hypocrisy.

“Brother Bai, Brother Bai, I can’t hear. Take me to the hospital.” Yang Jiabo clutched Brother Bai’s arm.  

“Alright, don’t panic.” Brother Bai called Yang Jianjun.  

Yang Jiabo couldn’t make out what he was saying, only growing more uneasy and angrier. “Brother Bai, I’m injured and need medical treatment. Close the restaurant for today.”  

“Young boss, don’t be rash. There are a lot of guests today.” Brother Bai tried to dissuade him.  

“What? I can’t hear you.”  

“Oh no, the young boss is really hurt.” Brother Bai grew frantic.  

“What’s going on?”  

Just then, Wei Feng arrived in his wheelchair, immediately recognizing the tense atmosphere. Brother Bai hurriedly briefed him on the situation. Though Yang Jiabo noticed Wei Feng's arrival, his impaired hearing left him stubbornly repeating one demand - the restaurant must close immediately, no compromises. As tempers flared, a few teachers attempted to intervene and calm the situation.

Yang Jianjun arrived shortly after by car and immediately drove Yang Jiabo to the hospital. With his mobility restricted, Wei Feng remained at the restaurant to deal with the fallout.  

Wei Feng was a decisive man. If the boss, Yang Jiabo, said to close, then they closed. His presence alone was enough to stabilize the situation, though most of the actual arrangements were handled by Brother Bai.  

The moment the restaurant made its announcement to clear out guests, someone immediately notified Liu Yueting, the event’s organizer. When she hurried to the scene, finding Wei Feng waiting for her drained all enthusiasm from her expression.   

After learning what had happened, confirming the boss was hospitalized, and glancing at Zhang Yi’s mother (whose nosebleed had stopped), Liu Yueting gritted her teeth in frustration. But there was nothing she could do, she had to negotiate with Wei Feng. She had assumed her family background would earn her some leeway, especially with so many guests present. Surely a man like Wei Feng would show some consideration.  

To her surprise, Wei Feng was unyielding. No matter what she said, his response was the same: The boss is in the hospital. We’re not operating today. As for losses? At this point, no one cared. Wei Feng believed that, as long as it didn’t affect their livelihood, money was far less important than peace of mind.  

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 66

Chapter 66

“Then you should think carefully. If you don’t love him, stay away. Don’t let him grow more and more dependent on you.” Ren Boying spoke earnestly, a trace of melancholy between his brows. “More importantly, you need to figure out how to handle family relationships.”  

“I understand.” Wei Jing nodded.  

“Whatever you choose, brother will support you.” Ren Boying knew how tough it was. His own feelings had no clear path forward, and he didn’t want his brother to struggle the same way.  

The two drank until slightly tipsy before a designated driver took them home. In Wei Jing’s heart, a small sprout broke through the soil and grew vigorously.  

To treat Wei Feng’s leg, Yang Jiabo not only used his stored medicinal herbs but even cut a piece from the little fleeceflower, Yang Jiabo was worried the little fleeceflower would come crying to him at night, which made him a little scared. But he didn’t dream of anything, thinking that strange dream before had just been a coincidence. Aside from this, he also consulted Dr. Chen for medicinal recipes, adjusting the meals according to Wei Feng’s condition. The peaceful days passed quickly, and before they knew it, Wei Feng had already stayed at the farm for a month. His injuries were healing well, and he had even gained some weight.  

Every day, Wei Feng either went fishing with Yang Jiabo or played chess with the two doctors, then called Wei Jing to brag about his heavenly life.  

“Brother, Jiajia isn’t just good at growing herbs, his cooking is amazing too.” Wei Feng was in high spirits, so happy he felt like soaring to the sun. “Dr. Chen said my recovery is going much better than expected. The efficacy of Jiajia’s herbs is surprisingly good too, there’s a chance I’ll fully recover.”  

“That’s great. You’ve said this many times already.” Wei Jing’s reaction was indifferent.  

“You don’t get it. I mean recovering to how I was before the injury, that’s practically a miracle. It’s all thanks to Jiajia’s prescriptions and Dr. Chen’s skills.” Wei Feng’s tone suddenly turned troubled. “But after recovering, I’ll need to train harder. It’s only been a month, and my abs are almost gone. I’ll need at least half a year to recuperate. Good grief, will I end up with a beer belly by then?”  

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell Jiajia not to feed you too well. Whole grains are healthy and filling, with some greens on the side, that’ll do.” Wei Jing genuinely meant it. Now that his foolish younger brother was no longer at risk of disability, there was no need for such a refined lifestyle.  

Thinking about his own daily work meals, sometimes too busy to even eat, while his troublesome little brother was being pampered with delicious food by Jiajia, it felt like he’d just bitten into a pound of lemons.  

“Brother, if you really do that, you’ll lose me.” The thought of eating nothing but greens made Wei Feng feel miserable.  

“Wouldn’t be a loss.”  

“Are you really my brother?”  

“Yes, really.” Wei Jing admitted. “I’ve got things to do. I’ll visit you in a few days.”  

“When are you coming? I’ll have Jiajia prepare a guest room for you.” Wei Feng had grown so comfortable at the farm that he unconsciously spoke like its owner.  

Wei Jing felt displeased and replied bluntly, “I’ll contact Jiajia myself. Do you really treat that place as your own home now?”  

“Mom said the same thing, she told me to move back once I’m better.” Wei Feng couldn’t help complaining. “Go back for what? Those two are so busy I barely see them. Go back to eat cafeteria food or guard an empty house? Whatever, I’m hanging up.”  

Wei Feng didn’t notice anything odd about his words. He immediately called Song Yufang to share his good mood, and Song Yufang tearfully said she’d have to thank Yang Jiabo properly.  

During Wei Feng’s stay at the farm, Wei Changdong and Song Yufang frequently sent over gifts - food, daily necessities, health supplements for Yang Jianjun, electronics popular with young people, and anything they could think of. Originally, they wanted to give money, but Yang Jiabo refused.  

“Jiajia, the restaurant’s been booked today. Keep an eye on things, the guests will arrive in the morning.” Yang Jianjun had gone up the mountain early to pick vegetables and assigned Yang Jiabo the task.  

“Got it.” After gaining some fame, Yang Jiabo had become quite familiar with handling private bookings.  

After breakfast, Yang Jiabo headed to the restaurant, which was already bustling. A few guests were still eating. Seeing the restaurant manager finish assigning tasks, Yang Jiabo walked over and asked, “Brother Bai, who’s coming today? They’re here so early.”  

“An alumni gathering. Heard it’s teachers and students from No. 1 High School.” Brother Bai checked the stock of cigarettes and alcohol at the front desk. “People these days have so many events. Elementary school reunions, middle school reunions, high school reunions, college reunions, and now alumni gatherings. The more you study, the more reunions you have.”  

“Is some rich alum treating everyone?” These kinds of gatherings were hard to organize without a sponsor, and the host usually had an agenda.  

Brother Bai grinned slyly and lowered his voice. “Rumor has it, it’s a girl from a wealthy family. Word is, her goal is to pursue a guy.”  

Yang Jiabo felt a toothache. He didn’t understand the girl’s approach. “Does it have to be this complicated?”  

“You don’t get it. The guy she’s after was in the same grade but a different class. Not only does his family have connections, but he’s also outstanding himself.”  

“Brother Bai, I didn’t expect you to be so well-informed.” Yang Jiabo was surprised by his gossip skills.  

“Hah, it’s not just me, everyone here knows.” Brother Bai smiled meaningfully. “Want to know who the guy is?”  

“Who?” Yang Jiabo had zero interest, but he didn’t want to ruin Brother Bai’s excitement.  

“You’d never guess, it’s Wei Feng.” Brother Bai was delighted. “Apparently, the school invited outstanding alumni to give speeches, and Wei Feng was one of them. His heroic injury made the news, so his classmates all know about it.”  

Yang Jiabo was stunned, not knowing what to say. “Does Wei Feng know?”  

“Of course not. They asked us to keep it a secret, wanted to surprise him.” Brother Bai sighed. “Ah, youth.”  

Yang Jiabo gave him a strange look. Brother Bai was only in his late twenties, barely older than them.  

“I’m young too, but I’d never go to such lengths.”  

“Let’s hope it’s a pleasant surprise and not a shock.”  

Since it was a holiday, the No. 1 High School teachers arrived early. Yang Jiabo recognized many faces, but the encounter felt like something from another lifetime, and not in a touching way.  

Even after so many years, his memories of school hadn’t faded. Frowning, Yang Jiabo wondered if he should avoid them: No, I can’t run away. I need to face this head-on.

The girl hosting the event had booked the entire day. The morning crowd was small, but by afternoon, the farm was lively. Guests were everywhere - playing cards, fishing, experiencing farm life.  

Seeing new arrivals, Yang Jiabo quickly went to greet them. “Private rooms 11 and 12 are still available. I’ll have someone take you there.”  

“Are you… Yang Jiabo?” The person asked uncertainly.  

“Yes.” Yang Jiabo nodded politely, already recognizing her.  

“Back then, I kept telling you all to study hard, but you wouldn’t listen. By the time you realize how important education is, it’ll be too late.” Teacher Jin sighed.  

Yang Jiabo’s expression darkened: What’s she trying to say?

“But as long as you work hard, academic qualifications are just decoration,” Teacher Zhou quickly mediated.  

“Times have changed. Nowadays, even decent jobs require diplomas.”  

True to form, Teacher Jin remained as unpleasant as ever. Yang Jiabo didn’t want to waste time with her. “Please head inside and rest. Dinner will be served at six.”  

“Isn’t this the student who dropped out due to mental issues? Why is he here?”  

The shrill voice grated on the ears. After so many years, Zhang Yi’s mother looked even more spiteful. Of all the people to run into… Yang Jiabo felt a surge of hostility.  

“Auntie, you look more mentally ill than I ever was. How did your family let you out?”  

“So rude! Have you forgotten how your teachers taught you?” Teacher Jin scolded.  

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 65 Part 2

An hour later, Yang Jiabo figured enough time had passed and wandered back. From a distance, he saw Li Guizhen storming off angrily while Yang Jianguo’s expression was dark inside. Yang Jiabo sighed but said nothing, this was exactly what he’d expected.  

When Yang Jianguo saw him return, he composed himself, leaving only concern for Yang Jiabo. Now that he understood more about his son’s condition, he called Dr. Liu to provide counseling. Though Yang Jiabo didn’t think it necessary, he cooperated under his father’s worried gaze.  

But Yang Jiabo had underestimated Li Guizhen’s influence on him. It wasn’t until nightfall that he realized the nightmares hadn’t left him. He dreamed again of his past suicides, his consciousness drifting hazily between life and death. He knew he was dreaming but couldn’t wake up, forced to watch helplessly as everything unfolded.  

After struggling for most of the night, he finally broke free from the dream as dawn approached. His eyes were sore, his head throbbed dully, and his body felt sticky with sweat. Yang Jiabo smiled bitterly, hating himself for his weakness. Rubbing his temples, he headed to the bathroom to wash off the discomfort. Sitting by the window, he stared blankly at the faint light on the horizon.  

The nightmare lingered in his mind. He shook his head, trying to dispel the unpleasant images and focus on happier memories. Gradually, he realized that most of his vivid memories were of moments spent with Wei Jing.  

Yang Jiabo was in agony. He knew his own feelings, he wanted to be close to Wei Jing, to rely on him, to be with him. But he couldn’t. Even if he weren’t ill, there were still pressures from family and society. More importantly, he liked Wei Jing, but Wei Jing might not feel the same.  

What he didn’t know was that he wasn’t the only one struggling. Wei Jing was also staring at the predawn sky, lost in thought. Wei Jing had always maintained a strict routine, waking early without fail. But today was different, he had woken up startled from a dream.  

The day before, Wei Feng had called him, and they’d talked at length about Yang Jiabo. But Wei Jing hadn’t mentioned a word about Yang Jiabo’s condition or private matters. After hanging up, he went about his usual routine.  

But at night, he dreamed of Yang Jiabo - his frail body curled up, brows furrowed, looking helpless and vulnerable. Wei Jing couldn’t resist reaching out to smooth the wrinkles between his brows. He lay down beside him, pulling him into his arms and patting his back gently, as if soothing a child.  

Yang Jiabo nestled closer, perhaps finding comfort, and the tension in his lips eased into a peaceful smile. Wei Jing stared at that smile, momentarily stunned. How long had it been since he’d seen Jiajia so relaxed?  

He seemed to carry so many burdens, locking them away without sharing them with anyone. Outwardly, he appeared cheerful and easygoing, but alone, he was always weighed down, fragile as a child.  

Perhaps craving warmth, Yang Jiabo nuzzled against him, but his thick black hair got caught on Wei Jing’s shirt button. The once peacefully sleeping Yang Jiabo opened his drowsy peach-blossom eyes, gazing at him blearily before breaking into a happy smile.  

"Brother, you’re here."  

"Mhm, go back to sleep."  

"Then stay with me." Yang Jiabo pleaded like a child.  

"Okay."  

"Brother, you’re the best." Delighted, Yang Jiabo kissed Wei Jing’s cheek.  

The soft touch startled Wei Jing, his gaze involuntarily dropping to Yang Jiabo’s moist lips. They looked so soft—would they feel the same? Acting on impulse, Wei Jing leaned in and kissed him. Just as he’d imagined, they were tender.  

Then Yang Jiabo’s arms wrapped around his neck, deepening the kiss. In that moment, Wei Jing forgot everything, losing himself completely, sinking deeper and deeper…  

Just as he was about to lose control and claim the person in his arms, he jolted awake. After a cold shower, sleep eluded him. Wei Jing was bewildered, he had actually developed desires for Jiajia, whom he’d always treated like a younger brother. His heart was in turmoil. Remembering the dream, he didn’t know how to face Yang Jiabo. When had his feelings changed?  

That day, Wei Jing was distracted. Nearing the end of work, he hesitated outside Ren Boying’s office before knocking.  

"Brother Ren, want to grab a drink?"  

"Sure." Ren Boying gave him a knowing look.  

After work, they found a nice restaurant nearby. While waiting for their food, Ren Boying teased, "You’ve been absent-minded all day. Did your little sweetheart confess to you?"  

"No, he just sees me as a brother." Wei Jing didn’t notice the slight dejection in his own voice.  

"Oh, so the confession failed?" Ren Boying joked.  

"Neither." Wei Jing organized his thoughts. "I might… like Jiajia."  

Ren Boying stared at him in surprise. "Tsk, I never thought the ever-clever you could be so dense about feelings."  

"Is it that obvious?" Wei Jing was stunned.  

"The affection in both your eyes is practically overflowing. Anyone with eyes could see it."  

"Then there must be a lot of blind people." Wei Jing thought Ren Boying was exaggerating—so far, he was the only one who’d noticed.  

Ignoring his sudden contrarian tone, Ren Boying asked, "When are you planning to confess? I can tell Jiajia likes you too. As your elder brother, I advise you to take the initiative—otherwise, that turtle of a younger brother of yours will never dare to make a move."  

"I don’t know. I haven’t figured it out yet." This sudden realization had left him unsure how to face Yang Jiabo.  

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 65 Part 1

Chapter 65

The two arrived at the door and saw it was open, with Yang Jiabo’s loud scolding coming from inside.  

"Enough." Yang Jiabo always found it hard to stay calm when facing Li Guizhen, easily agitated. After being nagged for so long, he couldn’t hold back anymore.  

Li Guizhen was stunned by his shout, her eyes reddening as tears streamed down. "I’m your mother. How dare you yell at me?"  

Yang Jiabo looked at her pitiful appearance as she cried and wiped her tears, but his heart remained numb, he had seen this scene too many times. Suppressing his emotions, he spoke as calmly as possible: "You and Dad are impossible. Crying won’t change anything. I’ll give you the alimony on time, but I don’t want to say anything more."  

"Jiajia, is something wrong over there?" Wei Feng called from the doorway.  

"It’s nothing." Yang Jiabo walked to the door, forcing his expression to soften. "Why are you here?"  

"We heard the arguing and came to check." Wei Feng glanced at Li Guizhen, who sat with her back to them. "Aunt Li, if you have something to say to Jiajia, say it properly. At your age, you need to control your temper, getting too worked up isn’t good for your health."  

Li Guizhen felt too embarrassed to face Wei Feng, a junior, and found his words unpleasant, so she simply pretended not to hear him.  

"Sorry for worrying you. I still have things to handle, so you can go back first," Yang Jiabo said awkwardly.  

"Then we’ll leave. Call us if you need anything." Wei Feng turned to Li Guizhen again. "Aunt Li, I’m leaving. Take care of yourself."  

"Mhm." Li Guizhen responded dismissively.  

Dr. Chen gave an awkward smile and nudged Wei Feng to leave. After they were gone, the sound of crying grew louder inside. Yang Jiabo closed the door directly, sat back in his original spot, and watched Li Guizhen coldly without a word.  

"Wuu… I’m your mother, you unfilial son. I shouldn’t have given birth to you in the first place." Li Guizhen repeated these same phrases, hoping Yang Jiabo would comfort her so she could take the opportunity to dismount the donkey on the slope. But he ignored her completely. Thinking of her lonely life now, she was overwhelmed with sorrow. She regretted everything and wanted to make amends, to have the family live together again.  

[借坡下驴 (jiè pō xià lǘ): lit. Dismount the donkey on the slope; fig. Take the opportunity to back down or withdraw gracefully.]

Li Guizhen was a selfish person who never believed she was at fault—or if she was, she thought she could just change and everything would be fine. She never considered whether her family could forgive her or accept living with her again.  

"If I had a choice, I wouldn’t want to be your son either." Yang Jiabo’s tone was so cold it sent a chill down Li Guizhen’s spine.  

Li Guizhen was both furious and heartbroken. She couldn’t understand why Yang Jiabo was treating her this way, grieving over her son’s lack of filial piety and care.  

Yang Jiabo suppressed his irritation and spoke as evenly as possible: "Some things, once missed, are gone forever. Instead of clinging to regrets and trying to reclaim the past, you’d be better off starting fresh, finding someone new, and living well. Even if you forced Dad to reconcile, what good would it do? The past is an insurmountable barrier, the rift in our hearts won’t disappear."  

No matter how much Yang Jiabo disliked Li Guizhen, she was still his mother. He couldn’t bring himself to hurt her. Seeing her so deluded and confused, he couldn’t help but offer a few words of advice.  

"You—"  

Li Guizhen opened her mouth to say something, but just then, Yang Jianguo returned. As soon as he entered, he shot Yang Jiabo a worried glance. Seeing that he was fine, his furrowed brow relaxed slightly. He turned to Li Guizhen impatiently. "Why are you here?"  

"I came to see you and Jiajia, and to discuss something with you." Li Guizhen wiped her tears, her tone uncharacteristically gentle.  

"We’re doing fine, and there’s nothing left to say between us. You should leave."  

Yang Jianguo’s immediate dismissal made Li Guizhen start crying again. Frowning, he glanced at Yang Jiabo worriedly and said, "Jiajia, I can’t leave right now. Go check on the restaurant for me."  

"Okay." Yang Jiabo agreed readily and stood to leave. Though he was already in charge of the restaurant, Yang Jianguo’s request was clearly just to send him away. He stopped by the neighbor’s first to reassure Wei Feng before leisurely heading toward the restaurant.  

Watching him leave, Wei Feng sighed. "Every family has a difficult scripture to recite."  

[家家有本难念的经 (jiā jiā yǒu běn nán niàn de jīng): lit. Every family has a difficult scripture to recite; fig. Every family has its own troubles.]  

"Time erases all past suffering." Dr. Chen seemed lost in thought, as if recalling something.  

Wei Feng figured Dr. Chen might be thinking about the past and didn’t disturb him. Instead, he took out his phone and texted Wei Jing. He and Yang Jiabo had lost contact for years, and since he’d be recuperating here for a while, he needed to ask his brother for more information.  

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 64

Chapter 64  

"It's a bit scarce, but I'm not running a pharmacy, it's enough for my needs. As for aesthetics, what's more important than health?" Yang Jiabo glanced at Wei Feng's injured leg. "Your leg injury will also require those medicines."  

"You've gone to so much trouble for me. Once I recover, I'll find you some beautiful flowers." Wei Feng's tone suddenly shifted as he said with nostalgia, "Jiajia, you were so adorable when you were little, all pink and tender."  

Yang Jiabo rolled his eyes, unsure how the conversation had taken such a turn. "You were pretty silly as a kid too, adorably dumb."  

"Where was I dumb? I was a perfectly normal child back then." Wei Feng believed he had been quite bright compared to his peers. As for his brother and Yang Jiabo, they were hardly normal.  

"Sure, whatever you say." Yang Jiabo opened a nearby cabinet and took out a thin blanket. The weather had turned chilly lately, and the quilt he had prepared for Wei Feng was a bit too light.  

"I'm just stating facts."  

The two bickered and teased each other, dredging up old memories, yet strangely, the years of separation melted away, as if they had returned to childhood. It wasn’t until Yang Jianguo called them for dinner that they realized how much time had passed.  

Wei Feng recuperated at the farmhouse. Dr. Chen treated him daily with acupuncture, while Yang Jiabo ensured he was well-fed. Within days, the weight he had lost returned. Wei Changdong and his wife visited whenever they could, watching his condition improve day by day, their gratitude beyond words.  

Compared to the care the Yang family showed Wei Feng, the couple felt they had failed as parents. Yang Jianguo, having noticed their guilt, reassured them with his own experience—after all, Wei Jing had once looked after Yang Jiabo. Only then did the Wei couple ease their hearts.  

News of Wei Feng’s likely recovery soon reached the Wei family. Old Master Wei was overjoyed, and his own condition improved slightly. Wei Jing, upon hearing the news, wanted to visit—both to see Wei Feng and Yang Jiabo. This time, it was all thanks to Jiajia. 

Staring at a photo of the two on his desk, Wei Jing pondered what gifts to bring - something for Wei Feng, and of course, something for Jiajia, who had worked hard.  

Wei Feng’s days at the farmhouse were peaceful, except for one oddity - a relative of the Yang family named Luo Lixin. The man often loitered around Yang Jiabo, their interactions seemingly friendly yet carrying an undercurrent of something else. After several encounters, Wei Feng finally pinpointed the strangeness. Having dealt with psychologists in the military, he was sensitive to the field.  

Recalling Yang Jiabo’s past hardships, Wei Feng wondered if those experiences had left psychological scars. His heart ached for his friend, but he hesitated to broach the topic, fearing he might worsen things. Little did he know, Yang Jiabo’s issues stemmed not just from this life but from a previous one - a lingering affliction across two lifetimes.  

Yang Jiabo, unable to stand Wei Feng’s hesitant expression any longer, snapped, "Just say it. If you have something to ask, ask. If you’re not uncomfortable holding it in, I’m uncomfortable watching you."  

"It’s nothing." Wei Feng shook his head. How could he possibly ask outright, "Are you mentally ill?" 

"Acting all coy like this, people would think you’re some delicate maiden." Yang Jiabo scoffed, turning back to the herbs he was processing. His recent harvests required simple preparations before Dr. Chen’s more specialized treatment.  

Wei Feng wasn’t offended. Instead, he joked, "Have you ever seen a maiden as brawny as me?"  

"Can’t say I have." Yang Jiabo smirked before dropping a bombshell. "Luo Lixin is a psychologist. He’s here to treat me."  

His tone was casual, but Yang Jiabo avoided meeting Wei Feng’s gaze. He knew Wei Feng wouldn’t see him as a freak or judge him, yet the tension remained.  

"You overthink things. If something’s bothering you, talk to me. I’ve never been as sharp as you, but at least I don’t have these kinds of worries." Wei Feng’s relaxed demeanor put Yang Jiabo at ease.  

"True. Maybe being a little dumb isn’t so bad." Yang Jiabo’s shoulders loosened, a faint smile tugging at his lips.  

"Jiajia, you’ve got a visitor." Dr. Chen walked in with a tray of dried herbs, his eyes flickering toward the door.  

"I’ll go see." Yang Jiabo set down the herbs, wiped his hands, and headed outside.  

Outside the Yang family’s bamboo house, a woman in her forties or fifties paced nervously, occasionally peering toward the door. She was plump, with permed hair and a stylish blue dress. Though her appearance had changed, Yang Jiabo recognized her instantly.  

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Yang Jiabo frowned, reluctantly approaching.  

"Hurry up and let me in, I've been standing here forever!" Li Guizhen snapped, her glare prompting a silent thought: What an ungrateful child, completely lacking in filial duty.

"What do you want?" Yang Jiabo sighed but unlocked the door.  

Li Guizhen brushed past him, scanning the room for Yang Jianguo. "Where’s your father?"  

"No idea." Yang Jiabo poured her a glass of water and sat across from her. Despite her fashionable attire, age had taken its toll—streaks of white roots peeked through dyed hair, wrinkles deepened, and age spots dotted her temples.  

Li Guizhen sat close, her voice sharp. "How could you not know?"  

"I was asleep when he left."  

"Still so lazy at your age! Greedy and slothful since childhood, a dog can’t stop eating crap, and you’ll never change. Your father spoils you rotten. Who’d ever marry a lazy oaf like you? If you end up a lonely old bachelor, think of the shame you’ll bring me!" Li Guizhen ranted.  

[狗改不了吃屎 (gǒu gǎi bù liǎo chī shǐ): lit. A dog can’t stop eating crap; fig. Old habits die hard.]  

She was a hypocrite—freely criticizing others, especially her son. However, today's outburst was mild compared to the vile, profanity-laced verbal abuse Yang Jiabo had endured in the past.

"Why are you really here?" Yang Jiabo’s expression darkened.  

"Can’t I visit without a reason? You’re my son, what’s wrong with seeing you?" Li Guizhen’s face twisted. "I’m your mother. If I scold you, who are you to glare at me?"  

"Who else is here? And when have you ever visited without wanting something?" Yang Jiabo sneered.  

"Is that how you speak to your elders? What kind of manners did your father teach you? I should’ve known, you’ve always favored him over me!" Li Guizhen’s voice cracked as she burst into tears. "My life is so bitter, I might as well die!"  

"Can’t you just say what you want?" Yang Jiabo massaged his temples, fighting back his rising fury.  

Li Guizhen never expressed herself clearly. Instead, she nagged, attacked, or threatened suicide when things didn't go as she wanted.

The first time Yang Jiabo had seriously contemplated suicide was after a fight with her over house repairs. Li Guizhen was clueless when it came to practical things; when their roof started leaking, she had no idea how to fix it.

Yang Jiabo had handled everything - contracting workers, sourcing materials. But when a neighbor claimed his contractor was overpriced and unskilled, Li Guizhen berated him endlessly without checking facts. Their argument escalated until she wailed about killing herself.  

Overwhelmed by rage, Yang Jiabo had roared, "Stop threatening me with death! I’ll die first!"  

Standing on a rooftop, he felt an overwhelming urge to jump. It was then he first realized something was seriously wrong with his mental health.

Wiping her tears, Li Guizhen said, "I want to remarry your father."  

Yang Jiabo didn’t hesitate. "No."  

"Why not? Or do you want him to find you a stepmother?" Her shrill voice startled him.  

"Have you forgotten why you divorced?"  

"That was years ago! Can’t we start over? Don’t you want our family reunited?" Her tone wavered with guilt.  

"No man could ever get over that."

"You're just refusing to help me! You and your father live comfortably while I'm suffering alone - don't you have any compassion?"

"You reap what you sow." Yang Jiabo felt drained, as he always did after talking to her. If she had genuinely cared about the family, things wouldn't have ended up like this. 

"Cut the lectures. If you're not going to help, I'll talk to your dad myself." Li Guizhen's anger flared, her thoughts turning bitter: Useless son, can't count on him for anything.

Li Guizhen refused to give up, but Yang Jiabo stood firm, refusing to agree or help. Enraged, Li Guizhen turned her attention to Yang Jianguo, unleashing her anger on Yang Jiabo instead. 

Next door, Wei Feng frowned at the harsh shouting and said, "I'm going over there." 

Dr. Chen hesitated, knowing family disputes can be tricky, but concern for his patient won out. "I'll go with you."

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Yang Jiabo looked at Wei Feng, whose eyes were dull and spirits low, then at Wei Changdong and his wife, who wore worried expressions but hesitated to speak. After a moment of thought, he turned to Dr. Chen and asked, "Dr. Chen, how is Wei Feng's condition?"  

"The patient's injuries are severe. Although he has received treatment, the prognosis isn't optimistic, there's a possibility of permanent disability." Dr. Chen sighed inwardly. Another young soldier might have to leave the military due to injury.  

"If there were a good prescription, would there still be hope for Wei Feng's leg?"  

Dr. Chen had spent his life treating patients and had occasionally encountered cases where hospitals were powerless, only for the patients to be saved by rare prescriptions. But such cases were few. After some thought, he replied cautiously, "It's not impossible, but..."  

"But what?" Song Yufang pressed urgently.  

"The patient's injuries have already begun healing from the initial treatment. If too much time passes, even the best prescription may not help much."  

"I'll go invite that Dr. Wang." To save his son, Wei Changdong was ready to do whatever it took, no matter the means.  

"Uncle Wei, wait. I have a prescription here. Let Dr. Chen take a look first."  

Yang Jiabo stopped Wei Changdong and, under the couple's puzzled gazes, found paper and pen to write out a prescription from memory before handing it to Dr. Chen. Knowing what they were thinking, he explained, "This is an ancient formula I came across by chance, specifically for cases like Wei Feng's."  

With years of medical practice, Dr. Chen had often seen patients bringing so-called miracle prescriptions that were completely mismatched to their conditions. Especially with the rise of internet misinformation, self-diagnosing patients had become increasingly common.  

Initially, Dr. Chen had little expectation for Yang Jiabo's prescription, but his professionalism kept him from dismissing it outright. However, as he read the formula, his eyes brightened with excitement. "Quick, give me the patient's medical records!"  

"Here." Song Yufang immediately handed over the prepared documents.  

In the ward, everyone watched Dr. Chen with hopeful anticipation. Wei Feng's entire body was tense, he had been disappointed too many times since his injury. Yang Jiabo wasn't much better, though he had faith in the prescription, he worried it might not suit Wei Feng's condition, given that he was no medical expert.  

After a long examination, Dr. Chen exclaimed excitedly, "There's hope, he might really recover!"  

Hearing this, Yang Jiabo's anxiety finally eased. Fortunately it worked. He turned happily to Wei Feng, only to find him relaxed against the bedding, eyes shining unnaturally bright. Wei Feng hadn't been indifferent to his condition, he had just been putting on a brave face for those who cared about him.  

Dr. Chen still needed to study the prescription further and adjust it according to Wei Feng's condition. Wei Changdong led him to the office, with Song Yufang following to assist. Once the treatment plan was confirmed, they would procure the finest herbs for Wei Feng.  

Thus, the ward was left with only Wei Feng, barely concealing his joy, and Yang Jiabo, who pretended to be calm but was inwardly more excited than anyone.  

"Jiajia, thank you." Wei Feng spoke sincerely.  

"Between brothers, no need for formalities."  

"By the way, where did you get that prescription? It must have taken a lot of effort." Wei Feng committed this favor to memory, already planning to find out what Yang Jiabo had sacrificed to obtain it so he could repay him.  

Yang Jiabo grinned mischievously. "Actually, it's Dr. Wang's family secret. Given his temper, I just prepared for the worst."  

Wei Feng's eyes widened in disbelief as he scrutinized Yang Jiabo. The twist was unexpected. "After all this time apart, I really have to see you in a new light. You seem to know Dr. Wang well, how did you even get his family's secret formula?"  

"Really want to know?" Yang Jiabo teased.  

"Yes!" Wei Feng was burning with curiosity. Weren't family secrets supposed to be closely guarded?  

"It's actually simple." Yang Jiabo organized his thoughts. "Doctors are very protective of their prescriptions, especially critical ones. To prevent leaks, some use special symbols to replace certain drug names. But the hardest to guard against are the dispensers. Dr. Wang has always served private clients, and often, those handling his prescriptions were just experienced assistants, not even licensed pharmacists. Arrogant and dismissive, he never saw them as worth guarding against. If Dr. Wang had been willing to treat you properly, I wouldn’t have resorted to this. Stealing someone’s prescription isn’t right."  

In his past life, Yang Jiabo had been responsible for dispensing medicine for Dr. Wang’s patients. At first, he was just an experienced assistant, even after getting his pharmacist license, Dr. Wang still looked down on him. Yang Jiabo knew Dr. Wang well: proud, vain, and obsessed with status. Even when posing as humble during charity work, few ever earned his respect.  

Recalling Dr. Wang’s attitude, Wei Feng felt no sympathy. But the stark contrast between the two doctors made him sigh. "Who’d have thought they’d arrive the same day? Our military doctors are truly the best."  

Yang Jiabo nodded. Dr. Chen’s ethics were beyond reproach. "Dr. Chen is an excellent military doctor. Once you’re discharged, come recuperate at my place."  

"This injury will take at least half a year to heal. I don’t want to be a burden." Wei Feng shook his head.  

Yang Jiabo understood his concerns and laid out the facts: "Uncle Wei and Aunt Song are too busy with work, and their jobs make it impossible for them to care for you long-term. Besides, your home isn’t ideal for recovery. I have plenty of time, and my place is quiet and comfortable, perfect for recuperation. There’s also plenty of space; Dr. Chen could move in too."  

But Yang Jiabo had another motive: he wanted Wei Feng closer to the fleeceflower to see if it could aid his recovery. It was rumored to strengthen bones and muscles, it was even used in Dr. Chen’s medicinal wine, perhaps he could slice a piece and add it in.  

This was also him treating a dead horse as a live one. Though Wei Feng’s injury now had hope of recovery, they both knew in their hearts that even if his leg healed, he would never return to strenuous activity. His discharge from the military was already inevitable

[死马当作活马医 (sǐ mǎ dàng zuò huó mǎ yī): lit. to treat a dead horse as a live one; fig. to try every possible remedy in a desperate situation.] 

"As long as you don’t mind the trouble. I’ve heard your Wuquan Farm is like a paradise, just never had the chance to visit."  

"This time, you’ll stay as long as you want." Yang Jiabo waved generously.  

"Then I’ll thank you in advance."  

With the prescription, Dr. Chen soon finalized Wei Feng’s treatment plan. Wei Changdong and his wife were overjoyed, half-wishing they could adopt Yang Jiabo. They learned the prescription’s origin from Wei Feng and, while disapproving of the theft, were deeply grateful for Yang Jiabo’s efforts.  

The good news reached Wei Feng’s grandfather and Wei Jing. Old Man Wei, thrilled, vowed to thank Yang Jiabo and Dr. Chen in person once he recovered. Meanwhile, Wei Jing was already rearranging his schedule to take time off.  

Days later, Wei Feng was discharged. Yang Jiabo brought him and Dr. Chen back to his farm, having prepared a cleaned-out bamboo house next door for them and Gu Gong, a caretaker arranged by Song Yufang. It was already enough trouble for Wei Feng to move in, they couldn’t expect the Yang family to care for him too.  

As for Dr. Chen, retired and longing to return to his roots, but his wife, Liu Jianying, had refused to relocate. Wei Changdong, learning of her materialistic nature, enlisted a senior leader to persuade her, along with a generous fee, ensuring Dr. Chen could stay until Wei Feng improved.  

While everything fell into place, Dr. Wang waited in vain for the Wei family to beg for his help, unaware that someone with foresight and knowledge of his ways had already thwarted his plans.  

Yang Jianguo, knowing Wei Feng was coming to recuperate, eagerly prepared to welcome him. Grateful for Wei Jing’s past help, he saw this as a chance to repay the Wei family. He’d braced himself to meet Dr. Chen again, but the moment was still awkward.  

"Uncle Chen, it’s been a long time."  

Dr. Chen stared before exclaiming, "Jianguo? You’ve grown so much!"  

The middle-aged Yang Jianguo being addressed like a child only deepened the awkwardness.  

"Let’s head inside. Your rooms are ready, I’m sure you’ll be comfortable." Yang Jiabo stepped in to diffuse the tension.  

The bamboo house had three bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen, each with an ensuite bathroom. Modifications had been made for Wei Feng’s wheelchair.  

Pushing Wei Feng into his room, Yang Jiabo revealed a space furnished with bamboo furniture, blending antique charm with hidden modern conveniences.  

Wei Feng looked around, amazed. "If I didn’t know this was your place, I’d think I’d time-traveled."  

"Can’t help it, I love classical styles. They’re soothing." Yang Jiabo opened the window, letting in a faint herbal scent that was refreshing rather than overpowering. "Your window faces my courtyard, so this room’s been unused."  

Wei Feng glanced outside at the densely packed, unidentifiable plants - hardly aesthetic but thriving.  

"I thought you were good with flowers. What’s all this?"  

"Relocated the flowers. These are all medicinal herbs now."  

"I heard you grow great herbs, but isn’t this a bit sparse?" Wei Feng doubted such a small patch could yield much. Unaware, most were meant for him.  

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 61 Part 2

After waiting for over an hour, Yang Jiabo finally spotted a familiar figure. He quietly sighed in relief and went up to greet Zhang Wei, who was surprised to see him after so many years. Yang Jiabo suggested walking Zhang Wei home to see his new place, and Zhang Wei agreed. Though they hadn’t been in touch for years, their childhood bond made it hard to refuse. Wei Jing followed silently behind them.  

After just a few steps, a speeding car suddenly lost control and veered onto the sidewalk. Without thinking, Yang Jiabo yanked Zhang Wei backward, hard enough to make him fall. At the same time, another figure pulled Yang Jiabo into a tight embrace as the car barely missed them, crashing into a nearby wall.  

"Are you okay? Did it scare you?" Wei Jing asked worriedly.  

"I’m fine." Yang Jiabo shook his head. The warmth of Wei Jing’s arms slowly steadied his racing heart. He had been so focused on saving Zhang Wei that he hadn’t noticed his own danger. If Wei Jing hadn’t pulled him back, his clothes would’ve been caught on the side mirror.  

Zhang Wei sat pale-faced on the ground, still shaken from nearly becoming roadkill. Once he recovered slightly, Yang Jiabo and Wei Jing escorted him home. Zhang Wei’s parents, upon hearing what happened, were immensely grateful and tried to insist they stay for dinner, but Yang Jiabo politely declined.  

With Zhang Wei safe, the weight crushing Yang Jiabo’s heart finally lifted. Still, he urged Zhang Wei’s parents to keep him indoors for the next few days. Zhang Wei’s mother readily agreed, she also had been terrified by the close call.  

After resolving the matter, Wei Jing saw Yang Jiabo home before returning to his own family. The incident had shaken him badly—he never expected Yang Jiabo’s premonition to come true. Seeing that out-of-control car speeding toward Yang Jiabo had nearly stopped his heart.  

Wei Jing left in a hurry after the festival, not even getting a chance to see Yang Jiabo again, just a brief phone call to say goodbye.  

A few days later, Zhang Wei and his parents came with gifts to thank Yang Jiabo. From them, he learned that the driver had suffered a sudden epileptic seizure, causing the crash. Due to the high speed, the driver died on impact. Zhang Wei’s family repeatedly expressed their gratitude—if not for Yang Jiabo, their son would have been killed.  

When Luo Lixin returned from the holiday and heard about it, he was equally surprised but dismissed it as coincidence. Ding Xiang, upon hearing the news, also visited the farm to thank Yang Jiabo with gifts.  

After this incident, Yang Jiabo’s life returned to normal. Though Wei Jing still called him daily, Yang Jiabo couldn’t shake the feeling that his attitude had grown somewhat… strange.  

"Brother Ren, what exactly did you mean by what you said last time?" After wrestling with his thoughts for a while, Wei Jing invited Ren Boying out for a drink.  

"Everyone thinks I treat Meng Fan like a little brother, but the truth is, I’m in love with him." Ren Boying’s eyes darkened with melancholy. "What do you think your feelings for Yang Jiabo are?"  

"I—" Wei Jing was genuinely lost.  

"You don’t have to tell me. The answer is in your own heart."  

"What about you and Meng Fan, then?" Wei Jing asked.  

"Who knows? Let things take their course." Ren Boying himself was tangled in uncertainty.  

The two drank in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.  

Before Wei Jing could sort out his feelings, news finally came about Wei Feng. He had been injured on a mission and sent back to recuperate. His condition wasn’t promising, if his leg didn’t heal properly, he might be discharged from the military.  

This was a devastating blow to both Wei Feng and Grandpa Wei. Once his condition stabilized, Wei Feng was transferred to the military hospital under Wei Changdong’s jurisdiction. Upon hearing the news, Yang Jiabo went to visit.  

Wei Feng lay listlessly in bed, forcing a strained smile when Yang Jiabo entered. "Jiajia, you’re here."  

"Don’t force a smile if you can’t. It hurts to see."  

"Don’t be sad. The doctors said there’s still some hope." Wei Feng ended up comforting Yang Jiabo instead.  

"He’s right, so you must follow the treatment properly." Song Yufang’s eyes were shadowed with worry.  

Yang Jiabo asked about Wei Feng’s condition and chatted with him for a while, only leaving when Wei Feng grew tired. Before departing, he pulled Song Yufang aside to inquire about Wei Feng’s medical records.  

"Jiajia, do you have some kind of solution?" Song Yufang grabbed his hands eagerly. She and Wei Changdong knew the severity of Wei Feng’s injury, the chances of full recovery were slim. They had only transferred him back for better care.  

"Auntie, don’t get your hopes up. I’m not sure if it’ll work." Yang Jiabo had no confidence in his own idea.  

"It’s alright. We’ll try anything, no matter how small the chance." Song Yufang brought Yang Jiabo to Wei Changdong’s office.

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 61 Part 1

Chapter 61: What Kind of Feeling  

"I do." Yang Jiabo answered without hesitation.  

"Do you know the exact time of his accident?"  

"Yes. In my dream, I saw him carrying mooncakes and cooked food. I called a friend and asked, Zhang Wei was supposed to go home for Mid-Autumn Festival this year."  

Zhang Wei’s accident happened on Mid-Autumn Festival, which was why Yang Jiabo remembered it so clearly. The friend who had told him about it back then said Zhang Wei had been on his way home for the reunion dinner when the accident occurred right at the entrance of his neighborhood.  

"Tell me the details of your dream carefully." Wei Jing opened his notebook and began recording everything meticulously. Though Yang Jiabo’s account was disjointed, Wei Jing noted it all down with great care. "Since we know the time and place, leave this matter to me."  

"What are you going to do? Do you actually believe what I said?" Yang Jiabo clutched his phone tightly, his heart pounding. Did Wei Jing discover his secret?  

"Jiajia." Wei Jing sighed. "I don’t believe in past lives or reincarnation, but there are many mysteries in this world that can’t be explained. Since you can’t let it go, I’ll just find someone to keep an eye on him around Mid-Autumn Festival to make sure nothing happens. You should focus on living your own life and stop worrying about others all the time."  

Wei Jing was a materialist. When it came to Yang Jiabo’s recent nightmares, he was more inclined to trust Luo Lixin’s diagnosis. But to put Yang Jiabo’s mind at ease, he didn’t mind going the extra mile.  

"Brother, thank you. But there’s no need to trouble yourself like this. I’ll go check on him that day, that’s the only way I’ll feel at ease." Since it was something he could handle himself, Yang Jiabo didn’t want to burden Wei Jing, though he was deeply moved by his concern.  

"Don’t be so polite with me. Weren’t you the one who helped my grandma plant saffron?" Wei Jing smiled faintly, twirling the pen in his hand.  

"Yeah, but I think I can manage this on my own. There’s no need to hire someone." Yang Jiabo insisted.  

"At least let someone go with you, so you can watch out for each other if anything happens." Wei Jing frowned as he checked his schedule. He knew how stubborn Yang Jiabo could be once he made up his mind.  

What Wei Jing didn’t realize was that his concern for Yang Jiabo had long crossed normal boundaries. He always wanted to protect Yang Jiabo, shield him from harm, and ensure no one could take advantage of him. He wasn’t even this attentive to his own younger brother, Wei Feng. He simply thought Yang Jiabo was sensitive and fragile, needing extra care.  

"I know. I’ll ask Yang Qing to come with me."  

Wei Jing hung up the phone and saw Ren Boying sitting across from him. "Brother Ren, perfect timing. I need to go home for Mid-Autumn Festival."  

"Is it because of Yang Jiabo again?" Ren Boying frowned.  

"It’s been years since I last went home for the festival." Wei Jing avoided a direct answer.  

"Aren’t you a little too invested in his affairs? How’s Wei Feng doing lately?"  

"That kid is tough as nails, he could crawl his way out of a desert if you dropped him there. He just finished training and went straight on a mission. No idea when he’ll be back. Jiajia and Wei Feng are both like little brothers to me."  

"Is that really all there is to it?" Ren Boying stood up. "Fine, go if you must. Just make sure your work is in order before you leave."  

"Don’t worry." Wei Jing frowned, wondering what Ren Boying had meant by that.  

When Mid-Autumn Festival arrived, Yang Jiabo prepared everything for the family celebration early, then took Yang Qing to wait near the intersection close to Zhang Wei’s home. Since he didn’t know the exact time, the two of them could only wander around aimlessly. Yang Qing had no idea what his brother was thinking - skipping dinner prep on such an important holiday just to loiter on the streets.  

"Brother, shouldn’t you be home getting dinner ready? What are we even doing here?" Yang Qing was on the verge of losing his patience.  

"I’ve already taken care of most of it. Dad will handle the rest." Yang Jiabo replied absentmindedly.  

"Then can you at least tell me what we’re waiting for?" Yang Qing was convinced his brother had left his brain at home.  

"He’s waiting for me." Wei Jing’s voice came from behind them, startling both.  

"Oh, so it was for Brother Wei! Could’ve just said so, no need to be so secretive." Yang Qing rolled his eyes in realization.  

"We still have things to do. You go back and help with dinner." Yang Jiabo shooed Yang Qing away before turning to Wei Jing. "Why are you here?"  

"Came back for the festival." Wei Jing answered casually.  

"I see." Yang Jiabo nodded.

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 60

Chapter 60

“Jiajia, why are you back?” Yang Jianguo looked at his son, who was dragging a suitcase with a gloomy expression, in surprise.  

“Brother Jing's company just started, and I didn’t want to disturb him too much, so I came back early.”  

As soon as Yang Jiabo finished speaking, his phone rang. The call was from Wei Jing. Staring at the caller ID, Yang Jiabo frowned.  

“Whose call is it? Why aren’t you answering?” Yang Jianguo noticed his son’s odd behavior, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.  

“Oh, I’m just tired from the trip. Zoned out for a second.”  

Wei Jing had called to ask if he had arrived home safely. After just a couple of words, someone urged Wei Jing to attend a meeting. Yang Jiabo, feeling guilty, secretly sighed in relief.  

Wei Jing’s company was in its early stages, requiring him to work late into the night. Though he still called every day, their conversations had grown fewer. Yang Jiabo, tangled in his feelings for Wei Jing and unsure how to face them, was somewhat relieved by the distance.  

Yang Jiabo wasn’t an ambitious person. Even after being reborn, he had mostly overcome his suicidal thoughts and simply wanted a stable, peaceful life within his own small world. Rebirth didn’t mean completely erasing the past. Though he tried to appear cheerful and positive, deep down, he still feared crowds and unfamiliar environments.  

After opening the farm, he rarely ventured beyond its boundaries—just a slightly larger version of staying at home. Aside from helping manage the farm, he preferred lazing in bed with a book. All these signs pointed to his lingering psychological issues.  

Three months passed in the blink of an eye, during which Yang Jiabo had been self-hypnotizing into believing his feelings for Wei Jing were purely brotherly.  

Since returning home, Yang Jiabo hadn’t mentioned treatment. Wei Jing didn’t want to pressure him, but months had passed with no progress—only deliberate avoidance. Wei Jing felt he couldn’t let this continue. If he didn’t push him, would Yang Jiabo just hide in his shell forever?  

Wei Jing made time to contact a psychologist and called Yang Jiabo daily, urging him to come to the capital for treatment. Every time he answered, Yang Jiabo frowned as if swallowing bitter herbs, perfunctorily saying he’d think about it. 

Going to the capital meant facing Wei Jing. Yang Jiabo groaned inwardly, distance allowed him to keep deluding himself. Frequent contact? He didn’t dare imagine the consequences.  

Unaware of his turmoil, Wei Jing thought he was just avoiding treatment. After some consideration, Wei Jing directly contacted Yang Jianguo to discuss Yang Jiabo’s therapy.  

Yang Jianguo fully supported the idea. His son was growing older, reaching the age for marriage. Having suffered an unhappy marriage himself, Yang Jianguo wanted his son to have a happy family. Noticing Yang Jiabo’s recent absentmindedness, he grew concerned.  

Despite their joint efforts, neither could persuade Yang Jiabo to leave his shell. Finally, Wei Jing had no choice but to bring the doctor to the farm. Yang Jianguo was delighted, while Yang Jiabo stood dumbfounded at the sight of Wei Jing and the psychologist at his door, he hadn’t expected this move.  

“Brother, aren’t you busy?” Yang Jiabo stared blankly, struggling to process the situation.  

“If the mountain won’t come to me, then I'll go to the mountain,” Wei Jing said, both exasperated and fond.  

[山不来就我，我便去就山 (shān bù lái jiù wǒ, wǒ biàn qù jiù shān): lit. If the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain; fig. If one party refuses to compromise, the other must take the initiative.]  

“……”  

Yang Jiabo didn’t know how to respond. His chest felt tight, sour yet warm. Eyes reddening, he stared dumbly at Wei Jing. After months apart, Wei Jing seemed more mature and even more handsome.  

Wei Jing, seeing his pitiful, teary-eyed look, wanted to pat his head but held back, changing the subject instead. “This is Dr. Luo, who just returned from studying abroad.”  

Dr. Luo, Luo Lixin, was a scholarly man in his thirties with a gentle demeanor. Talking to him felt like a warm spring breeze - comfortable and relaxing. After settling him in a nearby bamboo house, Yang Jiabo gave him a tour of the farm.  

Luo Lixin loved the farm’s environment - willow trees, ponds, bamboo cottages, and orchards. Though not as refined as Jiangnan gardens, it was naturally cozy.  

Wei Jing, busy with work, had to leave the next day. The farm had guest rooms, but he always stayed with Yang Jiabo out of habit.  

That night, Yang Jiabo nervously leaned against the bed, distractedly flipping through a book while straining to hear the bathroom’s sounds. The lock clicked softly, and Wei Jing stepped out in pajamas, drying his damp hair.  

“What are you reading?”  

“A book on growing medicinal herbs.” Yang Jiabo avoided his gaze guiltily.  

“I’m here for once. Aren’t you going to talk to me?”  

The familiar minty scent of his own shower gel wafted from Wei Jing. Before recognizing his feelings, this wouldn’t have bothered him, but now it stirred something strange in his chest.  

“Brother, I’m an adult, not a kid. Focus on your company, you don’t need to worry about me.”  

“Hmm, you’re an adult in age, but mentally, you’re still a spoiled baby. If I really left you alone, you’d probably cry under the blankets.” Wei Jing saw Yang Jiabo as soft as toffee - fragile inside and out, easily hurt.  

“That’s not true!” Yang Jiabo glared, refusing to admit Wei Jing might be right.  

Wei Jing poked his puffed-out cheek. “Caught you.”  

Yang Jiabo covered his face. “You saw wrong.”  

“My eyesight’s perfect.” Wei Jing grabbed his wrist.  

Like childish kids, they tussled playfully.  

The next morning, Wei Jing left for the airport after breakfast. Yang Jiabo suppressed his reluctance and saw him off. This time, he could no longer lie to himself, his feelings for Wei Jing had long since changed.  

Luo Lixin was sociable and soon became friends with Yang Jiabo. He didn’t bring up treatment, nor did he let others call him doctor. Yang Jianguo, knowing his identity, was initially warm yet reserved.  

Within days, Luo Lixin blended into the Yang household. He mostly helped Yang Jiabo and chatted with him. Aside from the Yangs, no one knew he was a psychologist—they assumed he was a relative on vacation.  

“Jiajia, you’ve seemed restless lately. If you’re willing, can you share what’s troubling you?” Luo Lixin had noticed Yang Jiabo’s mood three days prior but only probed gently. Yet Yang Jiabo’s distress only worsened.  

“I…” Yang Jiabo hesitated. In two days, it would be the day of his childhood friend Zhang Wei’s accident.  

Zhang Wei had been strikingly handsome, with delicate features rivaling celebrities. Ding Xiang had adored him since childhood, vowing to marry him. Fearing others would steal him, she clung to him like a shadow. Though they drifted apart after school, Ding Xiang persisted, even enrolling in his university to pursue him.  

Her efforts paid off, she outshone Zhang Wei’s admirers and won his heart. Their families, already acquainted, happily supported their relationship, planning a wedding after Ding Xiang’s graduation. But Zhang Wei died before then.  

Devastated, Ding Xiang insisted on marrying him posthumously. Her parents naturally opposed to their only daughter married a dead man, relented only after her suicide threats. A simple wedding was held, but Ding Xiang never recovered. Her parents moved away to spare her the grief.  

Before Yang Jiabo’s death, he heard Ding Xiang never remarried, living alone. Some said she never forgot Zhang Wei, while others whispered she’d gone mad.  

Though Yang Jiabo and Zhang Wei had lost touch, he cherished those childhood memories. He wanted to save Zhang Wei but feared the consequences.  

Luo Lixin waited patiently for him to gather his thoughts.  

“Brother Luo, I keep dreaming about a childhood friend dying in a car accident, lying in a pool of blood, eyes wide open.”  

“The same dream repeatedly?”  

“Yes. It feels so real, and I can’t shake this dread.”  

Luo Lixin suspected stress might be the cause, but Yang Jiabo seemed to be hiding something.  

To get him to open up, Luo Lixin needed someone he trusted most. Logically, that should be Yang Jianguo, but Yang Jiabo, while trusting, didn’t rely on him. Luo Lixin asked Wei Jing to probe indirectly.  

After hearing Luo Lixin’s report, Wei Jing called Yang Jiabo. “I heard you’ve been upset. Can you tell me why?”  

Yang Jiabo, expecting this, repeated his prepared explanation.  

“Brother, do you believe in past lives? I feel like this happened in a previous life. I want to save him, but I’m afraid of altering others’ fates. Remember the two hypothetical lives I once mentioned? I think that was Second Cousin’s past life…”  

He knew rebirth sounded unbelievable, even he sometimes doubted his memories. But keeping secrets bottled up made him desperate to confide in someone.  

After a pause, Wei Jing asked, “So… do you want to save him?”

Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 59 Part 2

“Brother Wei, just give me a chance. I’ll prove myself. I’ve already interned at my brother’s company, I know I can do this job.”  

Wei Jing: “Then keep interning there.”  

“Brother Wei, is Yang Jiabo working here now?” Qin Rong glanced at Yang Jiabo.  

“He’s a special consultant for our company. Any objections?”  

“No. But if he can work here, why can’t I?” Qin Rong retorted.  

“Many of our projects stem from his ideas. There’s no comparison. He contributes to the company, while you’re just an intern.” Wei Jing’s words were merciless.  

“Brother Wei, just give me one chance to prove myself!” Qin Rong refused to give up.  

“That’s enough. There are other candidates waiting. You can leave now.”  

With Wei Jing’s dismissal, Qin Rong shot a resentful look at him and Yang Jiabo before stomping off in her high heels.  

After she left, Wei Jing called in the employee who had arranged the interviews. “Why was an unqualified candidate like her scheduled?”  

“My apologies, President Wei. President Ren’s assistant called to arrange it.”  

Yang Jiabo frowned. “Who’s Brother Ren’s assistant?”  

“You’ve met him, Zhang Yunwei. He’s close to Qin Ruiwen. This probably wasn’t Brother Ren’s doing.” Wei Jing was annoyed at Zhang Yunwei’s overreach, but since he was Ren Boying’s assistant, the matter would have to be handled by Ren Boying himself.  

The rest of the interviews went smoothly. The candidates’ education, experience, and demeanor all met Wei Jing’s standards. Afterward, he asked Yang Jiabo for his opinion. Yang Jiabo immediately recommended a recently married young father for the assistant role.  

Wei Jing was puzzled. Why him? Yang Jiabo explained that while the two unmarried women had stronger resumes, hiring a young female assistant as a male boss could lead to workplace complications and misunderstandings. It wasn’t prejudice, just practicality.  

The young father had relevant experience. Though his resume wasn’t as impressive as the women’s, he’d be more suitable for business trips and external meetings, with no risk of misunderstandings. Most importantly, he had a family to support and was less likely to job-hop. While his young child might cause minor disruptions, overall, he was the best fit.  

As for the last candidate, Yang Jiabo dismissed him outright - smooth talker, but too flighty. After reviewing the resumes again, Wei Jing agreed and decided to hire the young father.  

Once the interviews ended, Wei Jing wrapped up some work before taking Yang Jiabo to lunch. But at the building’s entrance, they ran into Qin Rong who had been waiting for them all along.  

Spotting Wei Jing, she beamed. “Brother Wei, since you rejected my application, you won’t mind treating me to lunch, right?”  

The Wei and Qin families were acquainted, so Wei Jing couldn’t refuse such a small request. He agreed.  

“Brother Wei, I’d love French. There’s a nice place nearby.” Qin Rong had already picked the spot.  

Yang Jiabo looked uneasy. “Let’s go somewhere else. I don’t like Western food.”  

“This place is great, you should try it,” Qin Rong urged.  

“How about Chinese instead?” The truth was, Yang Jiabo wasn’t against Western food, he just didn’t know the etiquette.  

Back when he’d eaten Western with friends, they’d booked private rooms and asked for bowls and chopsticks, treating it like Chinese food. But he couldn’t very well ask a fancy French restaurant for chopsticks, that would be humiliating.  

Qin Rong seemed to sense his hesitation and kept pushing for the French restaurant.  

“Brother Wei, you promised lunch. I want French. Unless you’re being stingy? Besides, small-town folks like him probably haven’t had authentic Western food. It’d be a treat for him.”  

Noticing Yang Jiabo’s discomfort, Wei Jing understood. “Let’s do Chinese. Xu Chen’s place has new dishes, we can try those.”  

“We go there all the time, it’s boring. And this place is closer to your office. More convenient.”  

“If you’re not interested, that’s fine. Go wherever you like, and I’ll reimburse you. We’re leaving.” Ignoring her reaction, Wei Jing pulled Yang Jiabo toward the parking lot.  

Yang Jiabo, dazed, let himself be dragged away.  

“Brother Wei—!” Qin Rong stomped her foot, watching them leave. Did she care about a free meal? What was so special about that country bumpkin? How had he become Wei Jing’s friend, let alone earned such favor?  

Yang Jiabo let Wei Jing lead him, feeling the warmth of his grip. Was this still within the bounds of friendship?  

Ren Boying’s words lingered in Yang Jiabo’s mind. He kept wondering, what exactly were his feelings for Wei Jing? Reflecting on their interactions, maybe Ren was right. Their relationship had surpassed friendship, yet it wasn’t quite romantic. A phrase came to mind: More than friends, less than lovers.  

If Wei Jing someday started a family, his focus would shift to his company, his spouse, his children. He’d have no time left for Yang Jiabo, and they’d drift apart. How would that feel? Just the thought made Yang Jiabo’s chest ache. If Wei Jing really grew distant, becoming a stranger,.Yang Jiabo couldn’t bear it.  

He realized, with a jolt, that he might have fallen for Wei Jing without noticing. His mind was in turmoil. Did Wei Jing feel the same? But he didn’t dare confess, what if Wei Jing was disgusted and pushed him away?  

In the car, Wei Jing studied him. “Jiajia, what’s wrong? You look pale.”  

“Nothing.” Yang Jiabo suppressed his unease and forced a smile.  

“If you’re unwell, tell me.”  

“I’m fine. Let’s just eat, I’m starving.”  

That afternoon, Yang Jiabo was distracted. Back at Wei Jing’s place that night, the sight of the bed they’d shared for days suddenly felt unbearable. Before, it hadn’t mattered—but now, lying beside Wei Jing, he felt restless.  

Wei Jing had noticed Yang Jiabo’s odd behavior all day but held back from asking. Now, he couldn’t. “Jiajia, what’s going on? You’ve been off all day.”  

“It’s nothing. I just miss home. If I can get a flight tomorrow, I’d like to leave.”  

Startled by his own feelings, Yang Jiabo panicked. Afraid Wei Jing might notice, he decided to flee.  

“So soon?” Wei Jing was surprised.  

“You’re busy, yet you’ve been making time for me. I feel bad. Besides, I should talk to my dad about seeing a doctor. You’re right, if I want a better life, I should get professional help.”  

But Yang Jiabo knew the truth, his condition could relapse anytime. At best, it could be managed, not cured.  

“That’s good. The sooner you decide, the sooner I can book an appointment.”  

“Okay.” Yang Jiabo knew this was just an excuse to escape. He still hadn’t decided whether to seek help.  

The next day, Yang Jiabo bought a ticket and bolted. His trip to the capital ended abruptly, he fled home in disarray.