Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 110

Chapter 110: His World

Shortly after He Lang managed to win the trust of the young man threatening him, the sanatorium welcomed a few unexpected visitors—key figures sent by the Rao family.

They first inquired about Rao Chen’s recent situation across various departments before specifically requesting a meeting with He Lang.

During this period, He Lang was practically always by Rao Chen’s side. When the nurse informed him that someone from the Rao family had arrived, Rao Chen froze, thinking that someone from home had finally come to visit him.

But then the nurse stammered and mentioned that the visitors had only asked to meet the director.

Rao Chen smirked mockingly, turning his head away in disdain, as if unwilling to engage. However, after He Lang left, a dark, swirling light flickered in his eyes.

As He Lang pushed open the meeting room door, the visitor immediately greeted him with a polite smile, apologetic and seemingly ashamed on behalf of their master.

“I’ve already looked into the matter. Since our young master arrived at your facility, he has injured several nurses and damaged some medical equipment. On behalf of the Rao family, I deeply apologize. We will compensate double for all expenses incurred.”

He Lang shook his head, secretly grateful that they had directly delivered Rao Chen into his care, sparing him the effort of searching.

“There’s no need to be so formal. The substantial fee paid by your family obligates us to take good care of him.”

The visitor smiled politely and nodded in satisfaction. “Your institution, though newly established and not particularly large, has an impeccable reputation for fulfilling all requests. That’s precisely why we entrusted our young master to your care.”

He Lang exchanged a few humble remarks, and the visitor made some perfunctory pleasantries before finally speaking his true purpose.

“That said, since you claim to fulfill all requests, I trust that your facility will meet ours as well?”

“I’m listening.” He Lang nodded.

Outside the room, however, a small commotion arose.

A young man in hospital attire, radiating hostility, had forced his way to the door. Clamping a hand over the mouth of a nurse who tried to stop him, he pressed himself against the crack of the door, peeking inside. Sure enough, he recognized a familiar face.

It was the butler who currently served Yang Xuefei in his family’s household. The man cleared his throat and said earnestly to He Lang, “Our young master is naturally unruly. Sending him here was meant to discipline him, but his behavior over the past half-month proves he’s shown no improvement. Therefore, as per Madam Yang’s instructions, if necessary, certain special measures are permissible—”

“Special measures?” He Lang raised an eyebrow, nodding as though he understood. He then asked in return, “This is a sanatorium equipped with extensive medical facilities. By your words, are you suggesting we employ electrotherapy, medication, or other controlling methods?”

Outside the door, Rao Chen tightened his grip on the struggling nurse, cursing her under his breath to keep quiet. His expression changed subtly as he listened.

“You’re a sharp man, Director, quick to grasp my meaning. Yes, so long as you can discipline the young master and curb his temper, such methods are permissible. Just don’t go too far—return him to us alive and intact.”

The words sounded earnest and sincere on the surface but, upon closer scrutiny, felt cold and detached.

Rao Chen curled his lips into a faint smile, dark emotions flickering in his eyes. He had long expected this, but when his gaze fell on He Lang, flames of anger surged.

Had this man agreed to it? Were they all in on it together? Not long ago, this man had spoken sweet words, yet now he had turned on him? Was he really so easy to manipulate?

When He Lang returned to the ward after bidding farewell to the visitors, a sudden gust of wind swept past him. In the next moment, he was shoved against the wall, his limbs restrained.

The furious Rao Chen swung his fist. He Lang didn’t dodge, taking the blow head-on.

As expected of a true Alpha, Rao Chen’s punch was both heavy and precise, leaving He Lang’s nose bleeding. Warm blood with a metallic tang flowed from his nose as swelling quickly followed, blurring his vision.

“Damn it, why didn’t you dodge?” Rao Chen cursed angrily.

He Lang had deliberately taken the hit. After one punch, Rao Chen didn’t follow up with another, ultimately stomping away in frustration and cursing, “Liar, you’re all liars!”

Ignoring the pain, He Lang wiped away the blood and maintained his usual composure.

“So, you’ve learned something. But now you see—Madam Yang wields significant influence in your family, and she’s intent on targeting you. If it weren’t me but someone else receiving this assignment, who knows how you’d be tortured? Do you think you’re truly strong enough to withstand methods like electroshock, medication, or mental control?”

Rao Chen’s anger gradually subsided as He Lang’s words sank in. He wasn’t oblivious to his own recklessness and tightly pursed his lips.

After all, he was still a teenager, immature in both mind and worldview. He Lang had no intention of blaming him. Seeing a hint of guilt in his eyes, He Lang instead ruffled his hair, his tone soft and reassuring.

“The Rao family will send someone to check on your progress regularly. So I’ll personally conduct some physical assessments for you, under the guise of discipline. You’ll need to follow my instructions.”

Rao Chen, unaccustomed to such intimacy, felt both awkward and flustered by the head-pat. Nevertheless, his heartbeat quickened.

He looked up slightly. “Behave? Do you like me being this way?”

He Lang nodded without hesitation.

Rao Chen chuckled faintly, a rare warmth surfacing in his eyes. As if granting a great favor, he replied, “Fine. Then I’ll listen to you.”

He Lang was surprised by his sudden compliance, but it was a welcome change.

Sensing that Rao Chen seemed to enjoy his touch, He Lang ruffled his hair again as a reward. “Good boy.”

Rao Chen didn’t reject the condescending tone. Instead, he seriously contemplated the possibility and, like negotiating terms, said, “If I always behave, you have to always treat me well.”

“Deal.” He Lang smiled, knowing that no matter how disobedient he might be, there was no way he could truly abandon him.

Rao Chen exhaled softly. Seeing the injury he’d inflicted on He Lang’s face, his brow furrowed in distress. Hesitantly, he reached out to touch it. “You… you won’t hate me because of this, will you?”

…

Their misunderstanding resolved, their relationship took a qualitative leap. However, their argument the previous day had reached the ears of others.

The sanatorium, teeming with female nurses, was fertile ground for gossip.

Those who had been on duty yesterday overheard the quarrel and were deeply concerned. “If even the gentle Director can be targeted by him, what chance do we have?”

Nurses who had previously cared for Rao Chen vehemently agreed. “He’s dangerous. I almost got shoved to the ground just delivering a meal. With all this advanced technology, why don’t we just use robots for deliveries? It’s safer than risking ourselves.”

Rao Chen, with his Alpha senses, heard every word clearly.

Aware of their fear, he showed no kindness to the nurses despite their care. Upon overhearing these remarks, his eyes filled with ridicule and, deep down, a trace of disappointment.

In the past, his life in the Rao family had been much the same. Though he lived in luxury, no one dared approach him. Meals and essentials were typically delivered by the old butler or robots to avoid the risk of him harming others.

The more they distanced themselves from him, the more violent he became, as if determined to push everyone away.

But now, for some inexplicable reason, he had agreed to behave for the sake of that man.

He wanted everyone else to stay far away from him, but as for He Lang—Rao Chen allowed him to step a little closer into his world.

At 8 a.m., He Lang arrived at the VIP ward and overheard the nurses’ conversation. With a disapproving smile, he gently rebuked them, putting an end to their gossip.

“If the patient’s world is left with nothing but cold machines, devoid of care and companionship, their condition will only worsen. Is this the kind of professional ethics you uphold?”

The nurses, flustered, shook their heads quickly before scurrying off to work.

He Lang opened the ward door to find Rao Chen staring intently in his direction.

His gaze was taut and somber, but upon seeing He Lang, his expression softened.

He Lang raised an eyebrow. His instincts told him that Rao Chen had overheard everything and that his earlier remarks had likely earned him a bit more trust.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, He Lang poured a glass of water for him. “You must’ve heard what they said, right? If you keep being so unruly, the nurses might not want to take care of you anymore.”

The lighthearted comment eased the tension. Rao Chen scoffed, watching He Lang peel an apple with a faint smile.

“Who needs them? I did it on purpose—I want them as far away as possible.”

“Oh?” Intrigued, He Lang paused and pressed further. “Care to share why? It’d help me avoid accidentally crossing your boundaries.”

“My attitude matters to you?” Rao Chen asked, his eyes lifting slightly, his mood clearly improving.

“Of course,” He Lang replied without hesitation.

“You’ll figure it out eventually. Besides, I seem to tolerate you quite a bit. As long as you don’t betray me, everything else is negotiable.”

Rao Chen spoke frankly. Since that day when he’d punched He Lang, a new sense of guilt had emerged within him. His hostility toward He Lang was gradually fading.

Getting along with someone, experiencing warmth and harmony—it was a strange, refreshing sensation that both surprised and delighted him.

—

Author’s Note:

Progress: 3/12. Since it’s the weekend, I’ll update more frequently. The pace is condensed and much faster compared to my previous lengthy chapters, so it might take some getting used to.

Chenchen is actually very adorable, though he might be the darkest among my protagonists.