CHAPTER 373: CHAPTER 372: RESULTS ACHIEVED

Five clear fingerprints were imprinted on Gu Xiaoqing’s cheek, and because of the excessive force, they quickly turned bluish-purple and began to swell. In just a few minutes, half of the face was nearly unpresentable.

Gu Xiaoqing covered her cheek, but her eyes were filled with delight. Yes, that look could be called delight, completely different from all the negative emotions shown moments ago, a delight unmistakable to anyone.

Only now did Fang Shaohan realize that he had managed to roll over like a turtle stranded on its back, not just flipping himself over, but moving his hands and feet to get in front of Gu Xiaoqing. If he hadn’t moved himself, he wouldn’t have been able to touch her at all.

His legs surprisingly coordinated with his arms’ commands; blinded by anger, his body reacted in the most instinctual way.

Fang Shaohan delightedly twisted the muscles in his leg, feeling a slight soreness — not very noticeable, but a genuinely real soreness.

When he lifted his head, Fang Shaohan saw Gu Xiaoqing’s swollen, frightful cheek, and the hint of delight in her eyes.

If he weren’t a fool, Fang Shaohan would absolutely believe that this is what Gu Xiaoqing wanted.

This was all likely Gu Xiaoqing’s plan from the start: to anger him until he lost his rationality, thereby awakening his latent senses, mobilizing his barely perceptible but remaining instincts.

His heart ached; his eyes felt a slight sting. Such malicious words, such arrogant and acerbic Gu Xiaoqing — was this not a complete departure from the Gu Xiaoqing he knew?

How could he be so foolish, so stupid.

To believe Gu Xiaoqing would say such things. If she were such a person, then Wei Ziyun’s requests wouldn’t have been fulfilled; if she were such a person, she wouldn’t have been here caring for him for so long.

If malice and harshness were all that were needed, she wouldn’t have spent such a long time — months, not just days. Who would put the effort into caring for a crippled person for so long, merely for honor and accolades; only a fool like him would believe that.

If she didn’t harbor some concern for him in her heart, how could she speak so casually? The more one cares, the more one feigns indifference.

For the first time, he realized, what was paralyzed wasn’t just his legs but his eyes and soul. He indulged himself in using his condition as an excuse to endlessly harm those around him. Was he still a soldier, still a police officer? Was all his past training for nothing, to crumble from just one failure?

He truly wanted to slap himself.

This isn’t something a man should do.

It seemed that with this slap, Fang Shaohan suddenly had an epiphany, as if clouds parted to reveal a bright moon, awakening to everything: everyone’s attitude towards him these days, everyone’s words and actions were all now explainable.

Everyone selflessly helping him, helping him stand up again.

All for him, everyone was hiding things from him, confusing him, giving him the motivation and support to move forward.

It was just that he was blinded to everything, seeing nothing.

He grabbed Gu Xiaoqing’s wrist; at this distance, Gu Xiaoqing was right in front of Fang Shaohan, which was something he could easily manage now.

One hand gently caressed Gu Xiaoqing’s cheek, where the swelling and pain still radiated a burning heat. The cold touch of Fang Shaohan’s hand made Gu Xiaoqing shrink back.

A low, hissing sound escaped her mouth; indeed, the blow had been heavy.

Gu Xiaoqing felt regret; had she known, she would have stayed farther away, at least not to endure such a solid hit.

"Fang Shaohan, are you still a man? Hitting a woman? I’ve really seen it all now." Gu Xiaoqing couldn’t help but protest.

Feeling truly wronged.

"I’m sorry, I lost my mind. This will be the only time, I swear, it will never happen again." Fang Shaohan felt the skin beneath his hand radiating warmth; the swelling continued, indicative of the force he had used.

Yet, Fang Shaohan was still very remorseful; losing his temper and hitting a woman, how abhorrent of him.

Doing such a thing to a woman was never something he thought he would do, and he never approved of men who did so, but here he was, becoming one of them.

His heart truly pained; this woman gave so much for him. Perhaps without this slap, he would still be in a daze, muddled, sinking deeper into despair.

Gu Xiaoqing knocked away Fang Shaohan’s hand. On her already hot and swollen cheek, she now felt it scalding.

And beneath that hand, it seemed there was a current running, causing Gu Xiaoqing’s heartbeat to accelerate.

Sigh, this must be destiny.

Gu Xiaoqing felt ashamed of her self-deception. Despite telling him she had no interest in Fang Shaohan, despite convincing herself she neither needed nor wanted his appreciation, she was acutely aware that he was a man, and one who had a strong attraction to her.

He wasn’t just handsome; he possessed a robust masculinity. Physically and mentally, he was immensely strong. From his eyes, she could see clearly that he could be very ruthless; anyone obstructing his path was either foolish or naive.

Even his period of decline couldn’t stop his captivating allure; even that decadent fall was an irresistible, poppy-like temptation.

Perhaps there had already been too much entanglement between them for a long time, not so easily explained or as freewheeling as she imagined it could be.

It was virtually impossible now.

Outside, people rushed in, with He Cui and Fang Jianguo leading the way; after all, this was their collective plan, and although Gu Xiaoqing suffered, the outcome was evident.

Even the doctor standing aside couldn’t help but grin with satisfaction at the result.

This was exactly the kind of proactive effect needed, a fury leading to a loss of composure, igniting a person’s latent potential, helping them forget all their deficiencies and psychological barriers, overcoming any obstacle to achieve what normally would be impossible.

This was the result of psychological stimulation.

This Gu Xiaoqing truly dared to take risks.

And she succeeded.

Fang Shaohan experienced a slight sensation again; this was the greatest success.

Fang Shaohan, whom even the doctors were about to give up on, finally had a glimmer of hope.