From Rural Roots to City Lights Chapter 7

"Ethan Chen, whether you agree or not, you are already his," Owen Gao said gently, "You can't escape no matter how you try, right? We know Adrian Wang best. He keeps his word and will never go back on his word. If this continues, you will be the one who suffers. This time, we stopped him from going to your house to ask for you. If it happens again, I don't know what the consequences will be. Anyway, you and him are only in name, right? You should think about proposing some conditions that are beneficial to you. I'll help you with some ideas."

Whether Ethan Chen agreed or not, it was definitely not legally effective. After living with Adrian Wang for four months, Ethan Chen knew Adrian Wang's character. Ethan Chen was afraid, especially because Adrian Wang would threaten his family. Ethan Chen agreed under Owen Gao's "persuasion". Although it seemed like a joke, Ethan Chen was willing to go for it. 

According to Gao Marcus Song's idea, Ethan Chen's conditions and requirements are as follows: Adrian Wang must buy a house for Ethan Chen, not interfere with Ethan Chen's freedom, not beat or scold Ethan Chen, and of course not threaten him with Ethan Chen's family, let alone tell outsiders about their relationship. If Adrian Wang has an affair, they will break up. If Adrian Wang wants to break up, he can just send Ethan Chen a bouquet of white flowers to express his feelings. Don't quarrel with each other, unite and help each other, Adrian Wang will bear all the living expenses, and once they break up, the house will belong to Ethan Chen. In addition, Ethan Chen's obligations are: never and never propose to break up first, and not to have an affair. In addition, Ethan Chen must not show a bad face to Adrian Wang, and must strictly follow the husband's power! Owen Gao didn't dare to laugh about this one. It was Marcus Song who drove the car back and added it coldly. It was originally a cold joke, but Adrian Wang didn't object. Only Ethan Chen's face turned pale.

Ethan Chen signed this unequal document which was equivalent to a contract of selling his body. Ethan Chen also knew that signing or not signing was the same. Not signing was a matter of force and power. He should be realistic. Owen Gao would not harm him!

Ethan Chen was a few seconds late in thinking. Adrian Wang looked at him twice. What Owen Gao said in his ear couldn't be false. Ethan Chen wanted to die. Ethan Chen gritted her teeth and signed. She must not let her family know about it, and she must not let her family know about it and be ashamed!

It was dark, and the sky was full of stars. The terms had been negotiated, the agreement had been signed, and they were ready witnesses, and they had done a perfect "notarization". Everything was settled and they could go home. The farce was over.

The problem was solved satisfactorily. We will go back to the city today and stay there for one night. Everyone is hungry and wants to have a good meal.

Ethan Chen was carried in and out of the car by Adrian Wang. Ethan Chen seemed to be suffering from severe anemia. As soon as she stood up, her eyes became blurry and her face looked very ugly, not sure whether it was because of poor health or because she was threatened.

Ethan Chen had to go back to the room to get his stuff, including Ethan Chen's sneakers and a new electric fan he had just bought, as well as 7,000 yuan hidden in the empty fourth bamboo section of the bamboo bed, 500 yuan in the interlayer of the pillowcase, and his ID card and other things hidden in the vase with plastic flowers on the windowsill. In the end, it was decided that Leo Liu would go and get it back, and return the house at the same time, having paid three months' rent for nothing.

They rushed to the city and found a high-end hotel to stay in. They called for service to have meals brought to the room. Ethan Chen reluctantly ate a little and drank a bowl of nutritious fish soup before falling into a daze. Adrian Wang also gave him a bath.

No one said anything more about this matter, they kept pretending nothing happened. Although Ethan Chen was frightened, confused and deceived by Owen Gao's words, it didn't mean that he wouldn't come to his senses if he figured it out. Their lies were not clever, and the spouse treatment was a farce. However, Ethan Chen didn't have his own ideas and relied on Owen Gao to make the decision. He was frightened and stunned.

They originally wanted to go to the surrounding tourist areas for fun, but Ethan Chen's condition was not right. She was too thin and weak, and she felt dizzy easily. Ethan Chen was not the kind of person who pretended to be good. Owen Gao and Marcus Song had other things to do so they came back. It was a good thing that Ethan Chen's problem could be resolved so quickly.

Except for Adrian Wang, they took turns driving on the highway so it was not too tiring. After arriving in Beijing, they went to the hospital to register. After a thorough examination, they received the medical report the next day.

"Malnutrition?" Leo Liu, who had nothing to do, came to visit the patient with a basket of imported fruits. When asked about the test results, Adrian Wang's expression was indescribable.

It is a symptom of severe malnutrition and anemia. In this day and age, if someone is still malnourished, even doctors will be very curious. Doctors will ask patients about their diet in detail.

It would be strange if Ethan Chen was not malnourished. Not to mention that Ethan Chen had been mentally disturbed for nearly a month and it was impossible for her to eat properly when she was running away. In addition, before all the things happened, Ethan Chen used the cakes brought back by Adrian Wang as the main food for meals, and the foundation of Ethan Chen's malnutrition was laid at that time. In short, the way to solve the problem now is to take some supplements and eat more healthy foods, and ensure a healthy, scientific and reasonable diet and living habits for three meals a day.

Take Ethan Chen back, this disease cannot be cured by hospitalization. Put Ethan Chen back on the bed, Adrian Wang stood beside the bed and pondered. Adrian Wang didn't want to let Ethan Chen suffer a little and learn a lesson. There was also a fine steel rope in the drawer. It was basic to tie Ethan Chen up for three or two months, but what was going on now? It felt like it was broken when touched, and it felt like pork ribs when held in the hand. And she had this problem of malnutrition and anemia, and in the end he still had to take care of her.

The peaceful life begins in the early morning.

Adrian Wang looked at Ethan Chen beside him and saw no sign of waking up. It seemed that according to the regulations, Ethan Chen was responsible for serving Adrian Wang with her husband as her God. After three days of confirmation, Adrian Wang felt that he was a fool for signing a treaty that was of no benefit to him at all. His life was still the same as before, the only difference was that he still had to serve Ethan Chen. Fortunately, Adrian Wang was not averse to household chores.

After preparing breakfast, Adrian Wang went to the bedroom to call Ethan Chen to get up. Ethan Chen ate a little under Adrian Wang's supervision. Adrian Wang felt that Ethan Chen was looking for trouble. As soon as Adrian Wang shouted a little, Ethan Chen showed signs of seeking death. Even if he wanted to slaughter her, he had to fatten her up first. Adrian Wang had to endure it!

Ethan Chen was like a pig in a farm, she would sleep when she was full and eat when she was full. She just felt very uncomfortable. If she had known this would happen, she would not have given up her studies. At least she could have kept the studies she had worked so hard for over ten years. What should she do now? The more Ethan Chen thought about it, the more she felt that it was all Adrian Wang's fault. Sick people are particularly vulnerable. The more Ethan Chen thought about it, the more she felt wronged and burst into tears.

Adrian Wang opened the door and saw Ethan Chen lying on the bed, shaking her thin shoulders and crying loudly. Adrian Wang stood by the bed for three minutes before he said, "Why are you crying?"

Hearing Adrian Wang's words, Ethan Chen raised her head and squinted her red and swollen eyes to look at Adrian Wang. She cried even more miserably, feeling helpless and aggrieved. She couldn't hold back her tears. "It's all your fault. I'd rather die. I can't go home. The school doesn't want me anymore. I'd rather die..."

Adrian Wang watched coldly. When Ethan Chen ran away, Owen Gao went to inquire about her address and got some critical illness notes from regular large hospitals to help Ethan Chen get a one-year sick leave. However, Adrian Wang didn't want Ethan Chen to know about this at all. Ethan Chen's third-rate school took advantage of this to stop her from going to school. Ethan Chen should just stay at home.

However, seeing Ethan Chen like this, Adrian Wang couldn't ignore her even if he was indifferent. This was also a bargaining chip to control Ethan Chen. When Adrian Wang saw Ethan Chen's crying voice weakened, he opened his mouth and gave her a blow: "I will let you go to school, but before that, you have to take care of your health first."

Ethan Chen suddenly raised her head, felt dizzy and fell back on the bed, but stared at Adrian Wang to make sure whether what Adrian Wang said was true. Adrian Wang said calmly: "You don't have to doubt my ability. If I say there is a way to get you back to school, I will definitely do it."

Ethan Chen was tempted, but experience told her that Adrian Wang would not fail to make conditions. Adrian Wang looked down at Ethan Chen and said, "Go wash your face and come out for dinner."

Ethan Chen climbed out of bed sobbing and staggered towards the bathroom. Adrian Wang began to know where to start dealing with Ethan Chen.

Ethan Chen was originally frail, and diet therapy could not cure her condition in a short period of time. Adrian Wang felt that the old doctor who treated Ethan Chen last time still had some skills. When he went to get medicine last time, the doctor looked at the prescription and said that it was well-written. Almost a month later, the prescription that day seemed to be not suitable for the disease, so Adrian Wang went downstairs to invite the doctor to come to his home to treat the rash.

The old doctor looked at Ethan Chen, who was lying on the bed pretending to be asleep. The old doctor suddenly asked, "What is your relationship?"

Hearing this, Ethan Chen opened his eyes suddenly, frightened. Adrian Wang didn't care and took out the rash treatment form from the hospital and answered him casually: "She is my wife, so we are husband and wife."

Ethan Chen wanted to bite Adrian Wang to death! But if Adrian Wang said something unpleasant, Ethan Chen might as well die.

The old doctor didn't make a fuss. He just looked at Ethan Chen and Adrian Wang again, took out an old inkstone and a paperweight from his bag, and took out a palm-sized pad and motioned Ethan Chen to put her wrist on the pad to feel his pulse. He squinted his eyes and switched his left and right hands. He looked up at Ethan Chen and said, "Your body is unbalanced. It's not difficult to treat, but your condition is not good. You are exhausted and you should be escaping from the world. It will shorten your life. You didn't take the medicine I prescribed last time, right?" Adrian Wang nodded and glanced at Ethan Chen and said slowly, "My wife is introverted. No matter how I persuade her, she will be depressed."

Ethan Chen was so angry that she really wanted to jump up and grab Adrian Wang's face a few times.

"This is a heart disease. It's best if you treat him better. I'm afraid his heart disease needs long-term treatment. He needs to take liver and kidney tonics. Madam's pulse shows that the cause of the disease is heart depression and liver knot. If it is not treated, it will cause big problems sooner or later."

"Please think about this more, doctor." Adrian Wang also felt that Ethan Chen was floating like a ghost. There was no need to scare Ethan Chen anymore. If he didn't get treatment, he would get into trouble.

"I have been practicing medicine for decades, and I have seen patients like you seeking medical treatment before, but I have always been perfunctory and never shown the heart to help. You are the only exception."

"Why... is this happening?" Adrian Wang was also surprised and puzzled. They hadn't met twice. Did he give a lot of money last time?

The old Chinese doctor looked at Ethan Chen, who was hiding her head under the quilt, and walked out of the bedroom. "For decades, you are the only couple who admitted your relationship without hesitation. I am old and will not have prejudices against such things, but no one dares to speak out, which makes me, a Chinese doctor who mainly relies on observation, smelling, listening and palpation, deeply condemn it." The old Chinese doctor said calmly: "You forced him. The child is not a lucky person. It's his fate. If you want him to live, treat him better. The child is not a scheming person. You should leave him a way out."

"I know." Adrian Wang knew. If it wasn't for this, would Adrian Wang have to hold Ethan Chen accountable? But he couldn't help but look at the experienced old doctor. It seemed that he was not an unknown person. There were all kinds of people in Beijing. At the beginning, he said Ethan Chen was his wife without hesitation. It was all because Adrian Wang said in Sichuan that he would give Ethan Chen spouse treatment. He didn't expect that the old doctor would look at him differently!

He began to write a prescription. Adrian Wang thought about it and wanted to ask something but stopped. The old doctor looked up and asked, "From your pulse, I can see that you don't have much S3x."

Adrian Wang nodded, "His health is not good, and we haven't adjusted this matter yet. Normal S3x should be fine." Adrian Wang has never been a person with high desires, but since the old doctor took the initiative to bring up this matter, it would be good to ask for his opinion. It is better to be prepared than to go back and ask Owen Gao and the others if you don't understand.

After the old doctor wrote the prescription, he still asked Adrian Wang to go to Tong Ren Tang to get the medicine. It was obvious that the old man did not trust the Chinese medicine ingredients sold in the pharmacy outside. He packed up his things and said, "Come with me. I have a Chinese medicine prescription at home. You can copy it."

Adrian Wang explained the situation to Ethan Chen who was pretending to be asleep, took the medical fee and put it in an empty envelope before going out. Hearing the sound of the door closing, Ethan Chen pulled down the quilt covering her head and looked nervous. Although she was pretending to be asleep, she heard everything she should have heard. She even forgot about the S3x. Ethan Chen wanted to run away again. She was so nervous that she cursed herself for being so stupid. That day, Adrian Wang said he would agree to all his conditions, but she only thought about not letting her family know about it, and never thought of refusing it. She regretted it deeply.

In fact, everything was under Owen Gao's control that day. Ethan Chen had no time or chance to think about these things in the chaotic situation where both soft and hard tactics were used.

The old Chinese doctor's home is in an old building at the back of the community. It has only one room and it seems that he lives alone. There are miscellaneous items everywhere. The dark and gloomy ten-square-meter house is very inconsistent with the image of the dashing old man. Adrian Wang asked: "Where are your family members?" This is a social question and has no other meaning.

"They're all dead, they all died during the Cultural Revolution." The old man calmly pointed to a pile of books beside the bed that took up half of the room: "Look for it yourself. The books contain my detailed and improved notes. I'm going to the outpatient department now." Adrian Wang took out the medical fee and gave it to him. He put it in his pocket and left, not caring about the thick stack of money at all, just like last time.

It is not easy to find books among a pile of sundries. It feels like turning over the dusty pages of history. Adrian Wang saw the old photos that had long been moldy sandwiched between the moldy books. The photos of the once youthful people and historical figures showed that he was really not an ordinary person. That period of history made the people of that era have an unknown sad story, and Adrian Wang was also a victim of that cruel era.

Adrian Wang found the old traditional Chinese medicine and took a quick look at it. Inside there were detailed notes of improvements written in vigorous handwriting. Adrian Wang spent more than an hour copying it down in the dim room, put the things back in place, tidied them up a little, and closed the door.

Adrian Wang moved with Ethan Chen. This house was originally bought temporarily for Ethan Chen's convenience in going to and from school. The property was officially transferred to Ethan Chen's name in the past two days. If Ethan Chen had not suffered from severe motion sickness, Adrian Wang would not have lived in such a remote suburb. Now is a good time to move.

Ethan Chen fell into a deep sleep after taking the medicine, and was carried into the car by Adrian Wang and taken away. Adrian Wang suddenly changed his mind and lent the house to the old doctor temporarily. Adrian Wang must have liked the old doctor. Adrian Wang talked to him and left everything in the house to him, as if he was renting it out until the old man passed away. He also made a notarization, which was a real legally binding notarization, and the old man accepted it silently.

Adrian Wang moved back to the city, so Ethan Chen had to buy a new house.

This is a completely different place, a completely different house. The first thing Ethan Chen did when she woke up, before she got nervous, was to ask Adrian Wang to give her the property ownership certificate of the house that had been transferred to her in the past few days. "This is your house. I will be responsible for all the expenses of this house." Adrian Wang gave two stacks of banknotes to Ethan Chen, who was lying on the bed and covering her head, "This is the household allowance for this month. Get up and go buy some things with me. Don't lie down all the time. Get up. You need to get a pair of glasses." Adrian Wang didn't like Ethan Chen's glasses with missing legs and threw them away.

Ethan Chen didn't want to go out at all, but Adrian Wang kept the agreement impeccably. Ethan Chen was not the kind of person who would cheat. Only under Adrian Wang's gaze did Ethan Chen get up and go out. It was really inconvenient without glasses. The Olympics began. Hearing the host's passionate voice coming from outside the window, Ethan Chen was also very patriotic.

There are many things to buy. Adrian Wang has not lived in this room for several months. When he first captured Ethan Chen, he originally moved here directly, but it has been empty for a long time. In the past few days, he asked someone to clean up the inside and outside before moving in. However, Adrian Wang has never cooked here, so there are many things to buy. Originally, Adrian Wang was the one who made the decision on buying things, but Ethan Chen really lay there for too long.

Ethan Chen spent an hour getting several pairs of glasses fitted in the bright palace-like eyewear shop. She was not exhausted from the hassle, but Adrian Wang waited patiently.

Wearing new glasses feels like regaining sight. Pushing a cart through the shelves in a large supermarket, Ethan Chen is responsible for pushing the cart, and Adrian Wang is responsible for taking the goods. Adrian Wang told Ethan Chen that this is the largest and most comprehensive supermarket in the nearby area. If you want to buy anything, you can buy it here. If you want something special, you can go to the street to buy it later. Today, Adrian Wang is the guide. From now on, Ethan Chen will buy things for the family. The first floor is the vegetable market, the second floor is food, the third floor is daily necessities, the fourth floor is small appliances, the fifth floor is clothing, and the sixth floor is... Ethan Chen almost fainted after seeing and hearing what she saw and heard. No wonder Leo Liu said that their school is a suburb of the suburbs.

I loaded the cart with pots, pans, and a large number of daily necessities. "From now on, you will be the one buying things. I will give you 20,000 yuan a month, and you can deal with the rest yourself."

"I don't want it!" Ethan Chen turned her head away. "You hate your parents so much, but why do you still use their money? And you use it with a clear conscience. You said you would never have anything to do with them again. If you have the ability, you should pay back all the money you spent on them. I don't want this money!"

Adrian Wang's eyes were cold. This was something he had said when he was sure that Ethan Chen would disappear. This was Adrian Wang's taboo. Ethan Chen had touched his reverse scale. He had let Ethan Chen go because he saw that Ethan Chen was really not in good health. But Ethan Chen had offended him. This! Adrian Wang absolutely could not tolerate it. He walked two steps quietly, each with his own thoughts. Ethan Chen stopped and suddenly turned his head to stare at Adrian Wang. The eyes through his glasses were sharp and intimidating: "Adrian Wang!"

Adrian Wang looked at Ethan Chen. This time he specially changed the glasses frames for Ethan Chen and the effect was quite sharp. He had no intention of causing trouble for Ethan Chen in public in Datong. Would Ethan Chen cause trouble for him first?

"Adrian Wang, where is my passbook?" Ethan Chen stared at Adrian Wang. She had been in a daze for the past few days and had forgotten about this matter. "Last time I spent a total of 617 yuan from you. There is 1,130 yuan in my passbook. You still owe me..." Ethan Chen calculated the result with her fingers. Adrian Wang felt very discouraged when he saw Ethan Chen like this. When he thought Ethan Chen was very vulgar, Ethan Chen was very noble. When he thought Ethan Chen was very noble, Ethan Chen was very worldly and unreasonable. Forget it. He turned his head away. Adrian Wang no longer had the energy to trouble Ethan Chen.

After leaving the supermarket, Adrian Wang put the things in the back of the car. Ethan Chen wanted to take the back seat, but Adrian Wang gave her a look and she lowered her head to sit in the front. The car started, and Ethan Chen opened the window to reduce the feeling of vomiting. When the car turned the corner, Ethan Chen saw the gate of the antique building that she had never been to but was definitely familiar with. Ethan Chen was so surprised that she looked at the plaque on the door and cried out in a low voice! Adrian Wang had already turned the car. Ethan Chen looked at Adrian Wang in horror, and Adrian Wang was puzzled.

The last time she came here, Ethan Chen was dizzy and couldn't see around without her glasses. Now Ethan Chen could see clearly the environment of the place where she lived. It was an old accommodation area with old sycamore trees that provided shade and sun protection. Respectable old people were leisurely playing chess and talking under the trees. The quiet and comfortable life was undoubtedly reflected here. Adrian Wang's house was on the second floor of an old building behind the accommodation building in the deepest part of the community. From the outside, the creeper vines were wrapped around the entire floor, giving it a desolate and solemn feeling of a haunted house. After Adrian Wang went to the affiliated primary school here, his guardian bought this house, but he didn't live there often. The day before yesterday, through Leo Liu's interpersonal relationships, it was officially transferred to Ethan Chen. The six households in the three-story old building with one door in the second unit were all under Adrian Wang's name. Because Adrian Wang was afraid of trouble, the upstairs was empty and the downstairs was also useless. He lived alone. This door had no outer doors and was very quiet. From the outside, it looked like an old tube building, but after entering, the interior was decorated brightly and was very modern. If Lun had not bought a house in this location more than ten years ago, he would not be able to afford it now.

They came to see how Ethan Chen and Adrian Wang lived, and the whole house was filled with the bitter aroma of Chinese medicine.

Ethan Chen's attentiveness and kindness made people feel rash. Her gentle and flattering voice made Leo Liu shiver. Even Owen Gao and Marcus Song spilled the tea in their hands, and they got goose bumps. Ethan Chen did not interfere with their conversation, put down the tea and went back to the room.

"What happened to him?" Owen Gao was also surprised: "How did you make him like this?"

Adrian Wang pursed his lips. He had been living in this weird atmosphere since he came back from the supermarket three days ago. If he had not been with Ethan Chen for four months, Adrian Wang would have thought that Ethan Chen wanted to climb up the social ladder with him to make some money. But that was not the case. After knowing the truth, Adrian Wang didn't want to comment even more.

"It's been like this since he found out which schools the four of us are from."

"Ah?" Owen Gao was a little confused, "Peking University? What's wrong?"

"It is said that in their county, at most one elite person can be admitted to such a university each year, and in their town, there has never been a single person who can be admitted to a first-class university in history, not even one," Adrian Wang said with a stern face. He has been in this abnormal state since he came back from the supermarket last time and found out where they went to school. Thinking of the various intimidation methods used in the past made Adrian Wang feel very powerless.

Although they didn't quite understand it, they understood it.

Ethan Chen was not a smart person, but he was studious and followed the traditional concept of respecting scholars. They looked at each other but could not smile. Respect? For their school? They looked at Adrian Wang and felt Adrian Wang's deep sense of powerlessness. It seemed that they all had to live up to this respect and be good people.

"Just let him go to school," Leo Liu said, "If he goes to a good university, will he be willing to run away?"

That was true. They could guess with their toes that Adrian Wang didn't want Ethan Chen to go to school. It was obvious that Ethan Chen hadn't had time to appreciate the capital's splendor and adapt to the complex environment of the city before she was caught and imprisoned by them, and Adrian Wang took advantage of her. They knew how chaotic the world was and how despicable the intrigues between people were. Of course, they didn't want Ethan Chen to stay in such a society, but going to school was a good thing anyway. After all, the school environment was relatively clean. Ethan Chen had a dull personality, and going to school was better than staying in a small house with wild thoughts. Adrian Wang also thought that this was good, and Adrian Wang began to feel powerless towards Ethan Chen.

Leo Liu took the initiative to take care of the next matter. He had to work hard to transfer Ethan Chen's household registration to Beijing. Adrian Wang would not let Ethan Chen go to that third-rate university. Once the household registration issue was resolved, Ethan Chen would go to a repeat class to retake the university entrance exam.

Adrian Wang gave Ethan Chen the prescription he copied from the old Chinese doctor. Adrian Wang asked Ethan Chen to take a good look at it. As soon as Adrian Wang turned his head away, Ethan Chen stuffed the prescription under the quilt and refused to look at it.

After that, Adrian Wang disappeared again, and his life returned to its previous leisurely state. Adrian Wang really didn't care much about Ethan Chen's affairs, and he was very busy.

Ethan Chen quietly strolled around the campus. It was a school that looked like a park, very beautiful and large, full of flowers and plants. Ethan Chen envied those gifted children who read books under the shady trees from the bottom of her heart.

Ethan Chen's external condition was getting better, but his internal condition was getting worse. He was already dull and now he was even more silent. His inferiority complex made him unable to hold his head up in front of the young and promising man. After going there twice, he stopped going out. He found his books in the empty room and began to review his lessons.