Chapter 40: Transformation and Growth

“Get up. I did nothing; it was you who saved yourself.”
Zhao Kai did not see himself as some great savior. Had Zhou Chengwang continued siding with Lin Zhenting until the very end, he would have shown no mercy.
“Brother Zhao, I truly can’t face you…” Zhou Chengwang was still weighed down by guilt.
Zhao Kai thought for a moment and said, “I remember you set out to temper yourself because you wanted your family to see you in a new light. Now, you can distinguish right from wrong, hold to your principles, and stand up for your friends at any cost. You’ve already changed a great deal, and I believe your family will be glad to see it.”
Only through hardship does one change, Zhao Kai thought. There was no need to say more; Zhou Chengwang would understand.
Indeed, Zhou felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment, all thanks to Zhao Kai.
“Brother Zhao, from this day on, you are my brother, if not by blood, then by fate! Rest assured, no matter what happens from now on, I will always stand by your side, ready to risk everything for you!”
Zhou Chengwang pledged with burning sincerity in his eyes.
Zhao Kai rubbed his nose, feeling a bit awkward—there was no need to make such a solemn vow; he had merely acted on impulse.
Still, Lin Zhenting, that petty villain, deserved another lesson.
Surveying him from head to toe, Zhao Kai watched Lin Zhenting hurriedly cover his important parts. “What… What are you going to do?”
…
Brother, I’m not that depraved.
“Just considering which part to remove. After all these days of torment, you must be exhausted. Perhaps I should let you rest properly?”
Zhao Kai flexed his wrists, the joints cracking as he moved toward Lin Zhenting.
Lin’s scalp tingled with dread. He shouted, “Someone! Help!”
“No use,” Zhao Kai replied, “They stopped obeying you long ago. Now, let’s start by taking an arm.”
With a sickening crack, agony shot through Lin Zhenting as his arm went limp, hanging uselessly at his side.
“And next…”
Zhao Kai moved to his leg—another crack, and the leg broke as well.
“That’s enough. Throw him out,” Zhao Kai said, dusting off his hands. “And watch him—don’t let him ride a carriage. Make him crawl back.”
To kill the spirit is crueller than death itself; Lin Zhenting almost wished Zhao Kai would simply end him.
Zhao Kai smiled faintly, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure we have plenty of fun yet.”

Thus, with one arm and one leg, Lin Zhenting crawled through half of Jinghong County to return to his family estate.
He resembled a beggar—no, worse than a beggar. Gritting his teeth, burning with hatred, he survived only by sheer, unyielding stubbornness.
As for the rumors of Zhao Kai’s injury and the troubles plaguing the Zhao family, Zhao Kai appeared in person to announce it was all due to a doctor’s mistaken diagnosis.
Several business leaders came to apologize. Though they knew it was all a performance, Zhao Kai’s intelligence and capability made it clear he was not someone to cross.
Even if they had to shoulder blame unjustly, they would do so willingly.
Zhao Kai quietly brought Lin Fei’er home. He offered only a simple explanation, omitting any mention of what Zhao Yan’er had done.
He intended to protect Lin Fei’er; he would shield her from all the darkness.
Zhou Chengwang remained at the Zhao residence, vowing to spend his life repaying Zhao Kai, but Zhao Kai refused.
“When a young eagle matures, it should seek new skies. Keeping you here would be a waste of your talents,” he said.
Zhou Chengwang was overwhelmed with gratitude; the first confidant of his life had given him boundless encouragement.
“Brother Zhao, let’s drink together again when we have the chance.”
“Of course.”
As for Zhao Yan’er…
Zhou’s gaze turned somber. “Brother Zhao, I know I have no right to ask, but I still hope you’ll take good care of Yan’er.”
“Compared to you, I am truly unworthy of her affection… I have no particular merit to make her look at me differently. I don’t expect anything; all I hope is that one day Yan’er can see me as a friend again, as she once did.”
He had let go of his own obsession; his only wish was for her happiness.
“She will,” Zhao Kai replied. “Yan’er is a kind soul. When you risked your life to save her, I believe she had already forgiven you.”
“I hope so.”
With that, Zhou Chengwang left. The inexperienced youth gained a wealth of friendship and encouragement—surely, he would become an extraordinary person in the future.
Yet… when Zhao Kai met Zhao Yan’er’s gaze, he looked away.
He was decisive in all things but found himself helpless when it came to matters of the heart.
“Yan’er… have you come to see Zhou off?”
“No, I’m here… to apologize to you, brother.”
“There’s no need to apologize; we are family.”

Yan’er had never done him any harm—what need was there for apologies? In fact, he felt a measure of gratitude toward her.
Looking at her gentle and lovely face, Zhao Kai suddenly realized that the radiant girl of yesterday now bore a faint sorrow before him.
Unwittingly, he had wounded Yan’er, causing her to withdraw her once fierce affection—something he had never wished to see.
“Yan’er, actually I…”
I also have feelings for you.
When faced with someone who loves you wholeheartedly, who could remain unmoved?
His recent illness, in a twist of fate, had brought him unexpected blessings.
“Brother, you needn’t say more,” Zhao Yan’er forced a smile. “I know… your heart belongs only to Fei’er. You are faithful by nature, and I don’t want to make things difficult for you. You have done me no wrong. From now on… I will no longer appear before you.”
She had spent a sleepless night making this painful decision.
“No.”
Zhao Kai did not want her to leave. His heart was in turmoil. Yan’er was a good girl; he could not bear to see her hurt.
“Yan’er… I don’t want you to go. In truth, I care for you too.”
Zhao Yan’er looked up in shock, “Truly?”
Zhao Kai nodded firmly. If a young lady could give her all, how could he, as a man, shrink back?
“Yan’er, you are in my heart. But I don’t want you to suffer from unfairness. If I love two people, your heart will always be troubled. You deserve someone who cherishes you alone, and there are many who wish to do just that.”
Tears streamed down Zhao Yan’er’s face as she threw herself into his arms. “If I can’t be with the one I love, then no matter how much someone else cherishes me, it’s meaningless. Brother… I truly love you. I have never loved anyone so deeply. If I cannot be with you, life itself loses all meaning.”
Held by such a devoted woman, Zhao Kai felt unworthy of such profound affection.
He wiped her tears. “When you first declared your feelings, I was already moved… In truth, without realizing it, I came to feel the same. I just thought it was unfair to you.”
“I’m not afraid. As long as I can be with you, nothing else matters. I know you care for Fei’er, so I can wait until she accepts me.”
“That’s asking too much of you.”
“Not at all. I am content.”