[AT APARTMENT - MORNING]
The morning sun, usually a gentle alarm, was brutally interrupted.
The digital clock on Yu Han's nightstand glowed 09:58 AM. Yu Han was deep in sleep, a soft snore escaping his lips, blanket tangled around his legs.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
JIANG SHAO was Loud, excited, almost shouting,
"Yu Han! Yu Han, you lazy bastard! Why are you still sleeping? It's almost ten! Wake up!"
Yu Han jolted awake, a guttural groan escaping him. He squeezed his eyes shut against the sudden light, his mind still fuzzy. His body, used to school-day mornings, instinctively tensed.
Yu Han muttered in half-asleep," Wha...? Classes... damn it..."
He quickly swung his legs out of bed, rubbing his eyes vigorously with the back of his hand. His vision cleared, and he saw Jiang Shao, beaming, standing in the doorway. Jiang Shao was already dressed and looked disturbingly energetic for a Saturday morning.
"Wait... it's Sunday! There are no classes today, you idiot!" His eyes widened with sudden realisation.
He glared at Jiang Shao, then let out a frustrated shout, flopping back onto his pillow.
Yu Han's voice oice muffled by the pillow, "Why the fuck are you shouting? I was sleeping! You ruined it!"
Jiang Shao, unfazed, just laughed, a boisterous sound that vibrated through the room.
"Breakfast is ready! Yang Zi's calling you. Come on, don't be a slug! Get out here, the food's getting cold!"
Yu Han groaned again but slowly pushed himself up. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and something savory wafted from the kitchen, a tempting lure.
He dragged himself out of bed and made his way to the bathroom, grumbling all the way.
A quick shower later, feeling a little more human, he emerged to find Jiang Shao and Yang Zi already at the kitchen table, animatedly talking. Yang Zi looked up and smiled warmly at him as he entered.
"What are you two jabbering about so early?" Yu Han asked while wiping his hair by towel.
He sat down, reaching for a piece of toast.
Jiang Shao who was gobbling down a mouthful of eggs, said ,
"My uncle! He opened a new restaurant last month, but it's... well, it's not exactly flourishing. He's struggling."
Yang Zi nodded with concern,
"He wanted to start home deliveries to boost business, but he can't afford to pay much. No one wants to work for such a meager salary. It's a shame, his food is really good."
Yu Han paused, his toast halfway to his mouth. He looked at the two of them, a flicker of an idea sparking in his mind. The thought was sudden, unexpected, but it felt right. He put the toast down.
Yu Han with a sudden burst of determination said ,"I want to do this job."
Jiang Shao choked on his eggs, staring at Yu Han with wide, disbelieving eyes. Yang Zi's fork clattered to his plate.
Yang Zi's eyes widened, "Yu Han! Are you serious? This is a hectic job, and for such little pay! How can you possibly do that? You have classes all day!"
Yu Han firmly, looked from Yang Zi to Jiang Shao,
"I'll do it. Until I find something else better, I'll do this. I need to earn some money."
Jiang Shao swallowed, then leaned forward, his usual boisterousness replaced by a rare seriousness.
"Yu Han, if you're really serious about this, I can give you my uncle's number. You can call him."
"Tell your uncle I'm only available for night shifts. My days are for classes."
Jiang Shao nodded slowly, still processing the sudden decision but respecting Yu Han's resolve.
_________________
[MR. WU'S RESTAURANT - At NIGHT]
Weeks later. The scent of spices and wok-fired dishes hung heavy in the air.
Yu Han, dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans, stood awkwardly at the counter of a bustling but small restaurant, a delivery bag slung over his shoulder.
"Hello, Mr. Wu. I'm Yu Han. Jiang Shao's friend. From tonight onwards, I'm starting my shift here."
Mr. Wu, a kindly man with a perpetually flour-dusted apron, looked up from wiping down a counter. His eyes held a mix of gratitude and pity.
"Ah, Yu Han. Welcome. Thank you, truly, for working here, especially for such a... modest salary. I appreciate it." Mr. Wu said with a warm smile.
Yu Han offered a small, reassuring smile. It was meager, but it was his money. He felt a quiet sense of accomplishment.
"It's no problem, Mr. Wu. Just tell me what needs delivering."
Mr. Wu nodded, handed him a slip, and pointed to a stack of warm containers. Yu Han took a deep breath, adjusted the delivery bag, and headed out into the cool night air, ready for his first order.
[CITY STREET - LATE NIGHT]
Days bled into weeks, weeks into a steady routine. Yu Han became a familiar sight, a blur of motion during the day, attending classes, and then a focused figure on his delivery bike at night, navigating the labyrinthine streets of Beijing.
He worked diligently, even through weekends, the modest earnings slowly accumulating, a testament to his sheer will.
One particularly late night, the city was hushed, its usual roar reduced to a low hum. It was already past midnight.
Yu Han, tired but persistent, was stopped at a red light crossing. The road was nearly empty, only a few stray cars dotting the distant horizon. He leaned slightly, his leg resting on the ground, waiting for the signal to turn green.
Then, a sudden, blinding flash of headlights. A screech of tires.
BAM!
A sleek BMW, appearing from nowhere, slammed into Yu Han from the side.
The impact was brutal, sending him and his delivery bike flying. He landed hard on the asphalt, a sickening thud echoing in the stillness. His leg, twisted at an unnatural angle, was trapped beneath the heavy metal frame of his bike.
A raw, primal scream tore from his throat.
Yu Han gasped with tears immediately blurring his vision,
"Agh! My leg! It hurts! Oh god, it hurts!"
He writhed, trying to free himself, but the pain was excruciating, searing through him. The world spun.
He looked around desperately, but the street remained eerily empty. No one came. No one.
A car door creaked open. A tall, disheveled figure stumbled out of the BMW. He reeked of alcohol. The man swayed, then glared down at Yu Han, who was still on the ground, whimpering, tears streaming down his face.
The drunk man Slurred, furiously ,
"What the hell do you think you're doing, you little pest?! Look what you did! You scratched my car! My BMW!"
He kicked Yu Han's delivery bike with a heavy boot, sending a fresh wave of agony through Yu Han's trapped leg.
Yu Han cried out, clutching his leg,
"Please! My leg is stuck! I'm hurt!
The man didn't seem to hear him. He was fixated on the minor scratch on his expensive car. His face contorted with rage.
He lifted his foot again, this time aiming directly at Yu Han.
Yu Han squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the impact, a terrified whimper escaping his lips. He was utterly helpless.
BAMM!
But the kick never came. Instead, a different sound. A sickening crunch.
Yu Han's eyes flew open. He was shocked. The drunk man, who had been towering over him just moments ago, was now sprawled on the pavement.
And standing over him, his face a mask of cold fury, was LI HAO.
Li Hao was a large figure, his shadow eclipsing the struggling drunk man.
He had tackled the man, knocking him down with a single, devastating knee to the chest.
Now, Li Hao was on top of him, unleashing a barrage of merciless punches. Each blow landed with a sickening thud, a furious retribution. The drunk man's face was bleeding profusely, his pleas for mercy drowned out by Li Hao's brutal assault. He was moments from unconsciousness.
"Mr. Li! Enough! He'll die!" Gang Zi urgently struggled.
Gang Zi, Li Hao's ever-present aide, was trying desperately to pull Li Hao off, but Li Hao's grip was like iron, his rage unyielding. He seemed consumed, lost in a red haze.
Yu Han with his weak voice, but piercing through the chaos shouted,
"Li Hao! Please... leave him! He'll die! Please, Li Hao!
The sound of Yu Han's voice, raw with pain and fear, was like a splash of cold water. Li Hao froze.
His head snapped up, the fury in his eyes slowly receding, replaced by a dawning horror at what he had done, and what had happened to Yu Han.
He looked down at the bleeding man beneath him one last time, a flicker of disgust on his face, then he violently threw the man by his collar, sending him sprawling against the BMW.
Li Hao's hands were covered in blood. He didn't spare a glance at the unconscious driver.
His gaze, now filled with an unbearable anguish, locked onto Yu Han. He ran, not walked, to Yu Han's side, his powerful frame dropping to his knees beside him.
Li Hao's voice was rough with suppressed emotion, almost a gasp,
"Yu Han! Yu Han!"
Without a second thought, he shoved the heavy delivery bike away from Yu Han's leg with surprising force.
Then, gently, so gently, he gathered Yu Han into his arms, cradling him against his chest.
His hand reached out, hovering over Yu Han's twisted, injured leg, not daring to touch it directly.
"Ugh! Don't touch! Don't touch!" Yu Han shuddered in pain.
Yu Han's cry, ragged and desperate, tore through Li Hao's heart like a knife. The sight of Yu Han's tear-streaked face, his body trembling, ignited a protective fury in Li Hao he hadn't known he possessed.
Every memory of past annoyance or rivalry vanished, replaced by an overwhelming, primal need to protect this fragile person in his arms.
LI HAO (Voice tight with anguish, looking at Gang Zi)
"The car! Immediately!"
He carefully, yet swiftly, scooped Yu Han up into his arms, one arm under his back, the other under his knees, lifting him as if he weighed nothing.
Yu Han instinctively clung to him, burying his face against Li Hao's shoulder, the pain too much to bear.
In moments, Yu Han was gently placed in the back seat of Li Hao's luxurious car, Li Hao still holding him close, his arm a secure brace around Yu Han's chest.
Li Hao commanded Gang Zi,
"Drive! To Beijing General! Now!"
Gang Zi, already behind the wheel, floored it. The car sped through the deserted streets.
All the way to the hospital, Li Hao held Yu Han tight. Yu Han tried to tolerate the pain, gritting his teeth, but nothing helped.
The agony was all-consuming, a fire in his leg that spread through his entire body. He buried his face deeper into Li Hao's shoulder, clinging to him like a lifeline, his grip tight on Li Hao's shirt.
Li Hao's heart ached with every whimper, every shudder from Yu Han.
He gently stroked Yu Han's hair, murmuring reassurances he barely heard himself. He felt a profound, almost terrifying sense of responsibility, a fierce protectiveness that consumed him.
He hated himself for not being there sooner, for letting Yu Han go through this. His gaze was fixed on Yu Han's face, a silent promise in his eyes that he would make everything right.
_______________
[BEIJING GENERAL HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY ENTRANCE - NIGHT]
The car screeched to a halt at the emergency entrance of the biggest hospital in Beijing.
Before Gang Zi could even open the door, Li Hao burst out, Yu Han still cradled in his arms, held close to his chest.
He ran into the hospital, his powerful strides eating up the distance, not caring about the startled looks he received.
Li Hao shouted, his voice booming with authority,
"Doctor! We need a doctor, now!"
Hospital staff, recognizing the powerful figure of Li Hao, immediately sprang into action. A stretcher was rushed over
"Mr. Li! Please, put him here. We'll take him in immediately." Nurse came with a stretcher.
Li Hao carefully, so carefully, lowered Yu Han onto the stretcher.
Yu Han let out a soft moan as they moved him, his eyes fluttering shut. The staff immediately whisked Yu Han away, disappearing into the treatment rooms.
News of Li Hao's unexpected visit spread through the hospital like wildfire. Within minutes, the hospital dean, head doctors, and various other major personnel, all dressed in their night-shift attire, rushed to the emergency department, bowing and greeting Li Hao with utmost respect.
DEAN anxiously, bowed deeply,
"Mr. Li! We are terribly sorry for this intrusion. How can we possibly assist you? Is there anything we can do?"
Li Hao, his eyes still fixed on the door through which Yu Han had disappeared, didn't even bother to turn his head. His voice was cold, dismissive.
"Please go back to your duties. There is nothing serious. I can manage it." Li Hao's voice had no emotions.
The hospital staff, understanding the implicit command, quickly dispersed, leaving Li Hao alone, pacing restlessly in the waiting area. His hands were still stained with the drunk man's blood, a stark reminder of his rage.
After what felt like an eternity, a doctor emerged from the room, his face somber. Li Hao immediately went to him.
"Mr. Li, the patient, Yu Han… he has fractured his foot quite severely. He won't be able to walk properly for several weeks, perhaps even months. He needs complete bed rest to heal properly; otherwise, his situation could worsen significantly."
Li Hao's jaw clenched. He nodded slowly, his gaze hardening with a resolute determination.
"Okay, Doctor. I understand. I'll make sure he takes care of himself properly. He will receive the bestCare.
[PRIVATE HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT]
A short while later, Yu Han was settled in a private, luxurious hospital room.
Li Hao walked in, his heart heavy. Yu Han was sleeping, pale and still, a drip attached to his arm, the heavy dose of painkillers finally giving him some respite.
Li Hao approached the bed slowly, his footsteps barely disturbing the quiet. He sat down in the chair beside Yu Han, his gaze fixed on the sleeping figure.
Yu Han's hair was slightly damp, falling across his forehead. Li Hao, with a tenderness that surprised even himself, reached out his hand and gently brushed the strands away from Yu Han's face.
A slight twitch in his heart. A feeling he couldn't quite name, but one that was undeniably potent.
He looked at Yu Han's face, softened by sleep, peaceful in its unconsciousness. Yu Han's features were delicate, almost childlike, the faint shadows under his eyes speaking of his recent struggles.
Li Hao slowly, carefully, reached for Yu Han's hand, his fingers intertwining with Yu Han's, holding it gently but firmly.
He fixed his gaze on Yu Han's face, mesmerized by its innocence. The sleeping face of Yu Han was, indeed, just like a baby's, vulnerable and pure.
An overwhelming wave of emotions washed over Li Hao. The anger, the fear, the protectiveness – all coalesced into something deeper, something profoundly tender. It felt as though an invisible wall around his heart had crumbled, revealing a landscape of feelings he never knew existed for Yu Han.
Every past memory of annoyance, every instance where he had felt dislike or even hatred for Yu Han, evaporated like mist in the sun. All that remained was this aching, profound concern, this intense desire to shield him from all harm.
An urge, powerful and undeniable, rose in Li Hao's heart. An urge to kISS Yu Han.
He didn't hesitate, didn't fight it. He leaned closer, his breath catching in his throat. He felt Yu Han's soft, even breaths on his face, a faint smell of antiseptic from the room mingling with something uniquely Yu Han.
And then, the moment happened.
Li Hao's lips, with an almost reverent gentleness, pressed against Yu Han's.
Yu Han's lips were soft, thin, a delicate pink, and in that fleeting contact, they tasted, to Li Hao, sweet like honey, a promise of something more profound.
A jolt, electric and warm, shot through him. He wanted more, desperately, to deepen the kiss, to feel more of Yu Han's warmth. But he clenched his fingers against Yu Han's hand, an immense act of self-control. This was enough, for now. This was a silent vow.
He pulled back slowly, his eyes still closed for a moment, savoring the lingering sensation. When he opened them, his gaze was raw with emotion, fixed once again on Yu Han's peaceful face.
The whole night, Li Hao spent by Yu Han's side. He never left. He watched over him, held his hand, a silent guardian.
As the first rays of dawn pierced through the curtains, Yu Han stirred slightly in his sleep, unconsciously shifting closer to the warmth, his head resting gently against Li Hao's arm, completely embraced by Li Hao's presence. And in that embrace, Li Hao felt a quiet certainty: his world had irrevocably changed.