Will Drawing the “Wife Card” Turn Me Into the Group’s Favorite? 32

Chapter 32: The Blade

The car was speeding. Jumping out would definitely result in injuries, but Tang Yu’an decided to take the risk.

If he let Yu Liao continue like this, something bad would happen.

He observed the surroundings. There was plenty of vegetation to provide cover. If the fall didn’t incapacitate him, he might have a chance to escape.

And he knew Wei Langxing was probably close behind. If Yu Liao wanted to avoid being caught, he might not turn back to look for him.

Or, if his injuries were serious… Yu Liao might take him to a hospital, which meant entering the city. That would, in a way, be Yu Liao giving up, and Wei Langxing would likely adopt a less aggressive approach.

At least… he wouldn’t be killed on the spot.

Ordinary kidnappers didn’t care about the hostage’s safety; they were just tools.

But Tang Yu’an felt Yu Liao was different.

If he needed medical attention, Yu Liao wouldn’t abandon him.

He wasn’t a desperate criminal driven by selfish desires, nor was he inherently evil.

Besides preventing him from leaving, Yu Liao hadn’t harmed him, at least not intentionally.

He even felt he had gained some weight these past two days, his complexion healthy, not at all like a hostage.

Yu Liao wouldn’t let him get hurt. He wasn’t a fugitive, just someone suffering from an illness. When he calmed down and cooperated, the Bureau would find a way to help him.

And if they didn’t… he and Wei Langxing would continue to investigate Yi Xin Pharmaceuticals until they found a cure.

He had no doubt they would succeed. Wei Langxing was a protagonist, blessed with luck, capable of anything.

The only question was how long it would take.

Yu Liao didn’t have much time left. In just two days, Tang Yu’an could clearly sense his condition worsening.

Even if the protagonist eventually caught the mastermind behind Yi Xin Pharmaceuticals, how many more people would suffer before then?

Yu Liao’s case wasn’t unique.

Somewhere out there, countless people, desperate for a cure, were lured by the promise of experimental treatments, falling into the abyss.

Tang Yu’an knew his abilities were limited, he couldn’t save everyone, but he could at least try to save Yu Liao.

Hearing about a stranger’s misfortune might evoke sympathy, but when that stranger became a friend, everything changed.

Although Yu Liao wasn’t a protagonist, he was one of the few people Tang Yu’an could talk to.

Initially, Yu Liao had also been hopeful about the future, just like everyone else. It was just bad luck that led him down this path.

It was time to get back on track.

Tang Yu’an exhaled. Now or never.

Don’t be afraid, just jump. You’ve done it before.

But as he was about to act, the car doors suddenly locked.

He glanced at Yu Liao, who was focused on driving, as if he had simply remembered to lock the doors.

But Tang Yu’an knew he had been watching him.

Fortunately, even in his unstable state, Yu Liao didn’t seem angry or reproachful about his escape attempt.

He simply accelerated, making Tang Yu’an abandon the idea of grabbing the steering wheel.

He wanted to save Yu Liao, not die with him.

Tang Yu’an had grabbed his bag before getting into the car. He now felt a vibration inside.

There was a signal!

Knowing someone was coming to rescue him and actually being able to communicate were two different things.

His heart pounded, his body tensing. He wanted to check his phone, but he didn’t dare make any sudden movements, afraid of startling Yu Liao.

He discreetly glanced at him, seeing him muttering to himself, his words almost inaudible.

Perhaps the hallucinations were bothering him again.

Seeing Yu Liao distracted, Tang Yu’an carefully took out his phone.

The flood of messages and missed calls made his eyes widen.

He had assumed only his team would try to contact him, but Wang Wen, Pang Jin, and even some Bureau officers he barely knew had sent him messages.

He remembered waking up in the hospital, checking his phone for messages from his family, only finding advertisements.

Now… it was different. Perhaps he had absorbed some of the protagonists’ luck.

No time to read them all, he opened Wei Langxing’s latest message—

“Zuo Tinghan is intercepting ahead. Duck your head slightly, don’t want him to accidentally hit you. It’ll be over soon.”

They were planning to kill Yu Liao!

He knew the Bureau had a special type of gun that could make a head explode upon impact.

Even with his regenerative abilities, Yu Liao couldn’t recover from that!

Tang Yu’an didn’t want to see a headless corpse beside him. His mind raced.

Wei Langxing, sending this message, must have considered the possibility of Yu Liao seeing it. Clearly, even if he knew, there was nothing he could do.

Indeed, Yu Liao was trapped. There was a side road, but it led to the city. As a fugitive, he couldn’t go there.

Tang Yu’an wanted to message Wei Langxing, telling him not to act rashly, not to kill Yu Liao, but he was afraid it would be interpreted as a delaying tactic.

He had to stop Yu Liao, somehow.

Although he knew it was likely futile, he still tried.

“Yu Liao, stop, we can’t escape,” he said. “Don’t be afraid, I’ll explain everything, they won’t hurt you, I mean it.”

But Yu Liao seemed to be in a trance, completely unresponsive.

Tang Yu’an said urgently: “I’m not joking! They think you’re dangerous, they’ll kill you on sight!”

He softened his tone: “Listen to me, please, or you’ll really die…”

He had assumed Yu Liao was simply ignoring him, but after he said this, Yu Liao suddenly laughed.

It was a forced, dry, grating laugh, like nails scratching against plastic.

His face was almost contorted. He replied that that would be fine.

After a few breaths, his laughter subsided, and he said softly: “Will you stay with me until the end? I’ve always imagined this moment. It’s wonderful that you’re here with me.”

Tang Yu’an suddenly understood. Yu Liao wasn’t trying to escape; he was seeking an end.

No, he was trapped in a negative spiral, about to make an irreversible decision.

Seeing that words were useless, Tang Yu’an took out his keychain—

A small, metal teddy bear ornament, a gift from Wei Langxing. It contained a small blade, for emergencies.

He took out the blade. Threatening a suicidal person with a knife was useless, so he turned it on himself.

He initially wanted to hold it against his neck, but he decided it was too risky. If he accidentally cut himself, Yu Liao would truly have no chance.

So, he chose his wrist.

The cold metal against his skin, he pressed slightly, about to break the skin.

“Yu Liao, stop the car now.”

He hadn’t expected it to be so effective. The manic energy surrounding Yu Liao seemed to vanish instantly, his face blank, as if he hadn’t processed it.

He stopped the car, the smooth stop as if he was afraid of a sudden jolt pushing the blade deeper into his wrist.

Tang Yu’an was surprised. Why was he suddenly so obedient?

He should have used this tactic to force him to take him back; it would have solved everything.

He assumed Yu Liao had relented, about to explain that surrendering was the best option, when the blade was suddenly snatched from his hand.

It happened so fast he didn’t even see it. The blade was now in Yu Liao’s hand.

Tang Yu’an: “…”

Was he truly this useless, unable to even hold onto a small blade?

He saw blood welling up between Yu Liao’s fingers, realizing he had grabbed the blade directly.

The small wound healed quickly. Yu Liao tossed the blade aside, then silently took Tang Yu’an’s wrist and examined it. There was a red mark, but the skin wasn’t broken.

He retrieved a first-aid kit from the car. Tang Yu’an had seen them online. These kits were commonly used on the battlefield, containing materials that could stop bleeding from serious injuries.

But with advancements in technology, more convenient and effective treatments were available, and these expensive kits were no longer produced. Yu Liao must have bought it for emergencies.

Such kits were usually used for life-threatening injuries. Tang Yu’an didn’t understand why he needed a bandage for a small scratch, but Yu Liao insisted, and he couldn’t refuse.

Although the blade was gone, Tang Yu’an felt Yu Liao would listen to him now. Just as he was about to speak, Yu Liao tied a soft cloth around his wrist.

Tang Yu’an: “!”

“What… what are you doing? I don’t have any other weapons, I promise…”

But Yu Liao ignored him, carefully adjusting the cloth to avoid putting pressure on the mark, then tied his feet as well, making Tang Yu’an feel like a lamb tied up for slaughter.

Ignoring his protests, Yu Liao carried him from the passenger seat to the back.

“It’s safer here.” He retrieved several pillows and blankets from the trunk, arranging them around him.

This way, even if he fell, he wouldn’t be injured.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “You’ll be rid of me soon.”

Tang Yu’an didn’t understand where this misunderstanding came from. He tried to explain, but Yu Liao wouldn’t stop the car.

As they drove further and further away, closer to the Bureau’s blockade, Tang Yu’an’s anxiety intensified.

Yu Liao had tied him securely; he couldn’t break free.

This wasn’t working, he thought. He had to stop him, now or never.

Unable to use his hands and feet, he tried a different approach.

He gritted his teeth, slamming his head against the center console.