Chapter 10: Why Do Behaviors Mimicking Animals Occur?

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Si Moxing’s gaze darkened; he knew Qiao Yiran because she bore a striking resemblance to his stepmother. Because of this, he had joined forces with several others to beat up Wei Xifeng.

Secretary Chen said, “President Si, Master Wei’s condition seems to be deteriorating.”

Si Moxing understood that this meant Wei Xifeng was having an episode.

When Wei Xifeng’s illness flared, he became like a raging beast—completely irrational, possessing immense strength, bloodthirsty and brutal.

Si Moxing ordered, “Go assist.”

Secretary Chen responded, “Yes.” Behind them, the bodyguard convoy followed. Secretary Chen led a few men over.

…

Despite more than a dozen bodyguards and Fu Qinian’s efforts, they failed to restrain Wei Xifeng.

The more they tried to control him, the fiercer and more violent he became.

The bodyguards, realizing the crucial role of a pacifier, immediately contacted Qiao Yiran by phone. “Miss Qiao, could you come over? The master is having an episode and needs your calming.”

“Wei Xifeng’s having an episode?” Qiao Yiran gripped her phone tightly. At the same time, her door was knocked by Uncle Wang, urging her to open up, go downstairs, and leave immediately.

It seemed Wei Xifeng’s condition was severe; only then would the staff in the villa disregard her wishes.

Qiao Yiran was puzzled—wasn’t Jiang Liwu here?

But she quickly figured it out. Previously, Jiang Liwu had been able to soothe Wei Xifeng because, in his unclear state, Wei Xifeng had mistaken her for Qiao Yiran. Now that Wei Xifeng realized this, Jiang Liwu’s calming influence no longer worked.

Qiao Yiran shook her head. A stand-in is just a stand-in; how could they compare to the original?

Still, she had no intention of going to calm Wei Xifeng.

Since Jiang Liwu had successfully pacified him by resembling her, she probably hadn’t yet witnessed Wei Xifeng’s truly terrifying side. Letting Jiang Liwu see it might be good—it would help her retreat wisely and understand that being around Wei Xifeng was no easy matter.

She was doing it for Jiang Liwu’s sake, hoping to protect her from future harm, hoping she would understand her good intentions.

With this in mind, Qiao Yiran immediately said, “Isn’t Miss Jiang here? As far as I know, Wei Xifeng took her with him. You should ask her to calm him down.”

From his throat came a beastly roar, each one more filled with hatred, anger, and terrifying intimidation, driving everyone away—everyone except Jiang Liwu.

Jiang Liwu charged forward and embraced the wildly dangerous and violent Wei Xifeng.

Everyone present instinctively held their breath, even the bodyguard on the phone fell silent.

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For the past three years, Qiao Yiran had been the unshakable constant, while pacifiers came and went, which was why the bodyguards urgently contacted her.

But now, it seemed she wasn’t needed.

Looking at the abruptly ended call, Qiao Yiran was incredulous.

Although she had no intention of helping, the fact that they didn’t try to persuade her more made her feel uneasy.

Outside, Uncle Wang’s knocking had also stopped. This sudden change made Qiao Yiran vaguely uneasy.

…

“All right, all right,” Jiang Liwu soothed Wei Xifeng.

At the moment he was embraced, Wei Xifeng’s mind returned somewhat. His bloodshot eyes reflected Jiang Liwu’s figure.

Afraid of hurting her in his madness, Wei Xifeng struggled to suppress the raging, violent impulses within him. Sweat beaded on his temple, veins bulged, and his whole body trembled.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Let’s regulate our breathing and gradually stabilize your emotions.”

“I believe in you. You can do this,” Jiang Liwu encouraged him.

Battling between reason and his illness, Wei Xifeng bit his lip, tasting the metallic sting of blood.

Noticing this, Jiang Liwu pinched his face to make him open his mouth.

The moment he did, a beastly whimper escaped his throat.

Jiang Liwu frowned in concern and pondered why manic depression and schizophrenia symptoms would manifest as animalistic behavior.

“Teacher dirtied the candied hawthorn you gave me,” Wei Xifeng said plaintively, resting his chin on Jiang Liwu’s shoulder, tears welling in his eyes.

Jiang Liwu gently patted his back, coaxing him like a child, “Good boy, I’ll buy you new ones, every flavor, okay?”

In Jiang Liwu’s eyes, Wei Xifeng was still a child. Though physically grown, to her he was just older in age and body.

After all, Jiang Liwu had traveled back twenty years, but in reality, they had only been apart for a few days since Wei Xifeng was six.

His hoarse voice answered, “Okay.”

Secretary Chen arrived with others, but before they could assist, Wei Xifeng’s condition had already stabilized.

Still, since they had come, they had to announce their presence, so Secretary Chen respectfully bowed slightly, “Master Wei.”

Seeing Secretary Chen, Wei Xifeng’s nerves twitched, and he hugged Jiang Liwu tighter.

Secretary Chen’s presence meant Si Moxing was nearby as well.

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Twenty years ago, under their teacher’s witness, Wei Xifeng and Si Moxing had sworn brotherhood despite different surnames. Wei Xifeng was fourth, Si Moxing second. Strictly speaking, he should call Si Moxing “Second Brother.”

Although the teacher had just returned and hadn’t mentioned the others in his presence, Wei Xifeng knew Jiang Liwu would eventually seek them out.

There was no way to stop it, but he didn’t want that moment to come so soon.

Sensing Wei Xifeng’s tension, Jiang Liwu looked up curiously, her gaze landing on Secretary Chen.

Their eyes met, and Secretary Chen’s eyes flickered with deep astonishment.

Secretary Chen disagreed with Song Jinwei’s claim that Qiao Yiran was a mere stand-in—having seen Qiao Yiran, he thought the two were not very alike.

“Master Wei, President Si…”

Before Secretary Chen could finish, Wei Xifeng cut him off mercilessly, “What is it?”

Meeting Wei Xifeng’s dark, impatient brows and still bloodshot eyes, Secretary Chen was stunned.

He felt as if Master Wei wanted him gone in a hurry.

Secretary Chen dryly replied, “Nothing now.”

Wei Xifeng radiated irritable hostility, “If nothing, then leave.”

Secretary Chen: “…” Alright, it’s definitely not a hallucination.

Awkwardly adjusting his glasses, Secretary Chen wondered if he was really that disliked—he had never seen Master Wei treat him this way before.

“Xifeng, you can’t be rude to others like that,” Jiang Liwu said, noticing the bodyguards Secretary Chen had brought, likely intending to help.

Wei Xifeng growled low in his throat, his black hair disheveled and wild like jagged spikes. He lowered his head slightly, softening a bit, but his gaze toward Secretary Chen remained dark and unfriendly.

Secretary Chen hurriedly waved his hand, “It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll be going then.”

Not staying to wait for an apology from this master? Impossible to imagine—he felt as if he was being stared down by a wild beast, his scalp tingling.

Jiang Liwu looked in the direction Secretary Chen had left and sensed that he was acting under orders. But whose orders? That remained unknown.