The Fake Son Wants to Live [BL]

Chapter 157: Chapter 157 - CPR

Jian tore at the rubble with growing desperation, his fingers raw and trembling. Finally, after what felt like hours compressed into seconds, he cleared enough debris to yank open the crushed car door. The hinges screamed in protest before snapping entirely.

Inside the mangled vehicle sat a slumped figure, half-limp, half-curled. Jian’s breath caught in his throat.

”No way...”

His eyes widened as recognition slammed into him.

”Li Wang!”

He lunged forward and grabbed the motionless body, dragging it out with shaking hands. Dust clouded the air, sticking to the blood and grime that coated Li Wang’s torn clothes. Jian laid him down carefully onto a level piece of broken concrete, already dropping to his knees beside him.

”Come on... come on...” Jian muttered.

He leaned in and pressed his ear to Li Wang’s chest.

No breath.

But—yes—there was warmth. His skin still held heat.

His heart might still be beating.

Panic surged through Jian like fire. Without wasting a second, he tilted Li Wang’s head back and began chest compressions, counting under his breath, arms stiff, movement precise but frantic.

”One... two... three...”

His voice was tight with urgency.

”Li Wang, come on! Don’t do this—don’t you dare—!”

As he lifted Li Wang’s chin, preparing for mouth-to-mouth, someone behind him froze in place.

Xing Yu stood a few steps away, eyes wide. His usually unreadable expression was cracking at the edges.

He watched, almost unable to breathe, as Jian leaned closer, lips about to press to Li Wang’s—

”Stop!” Xing Yu’s voice rang out.

He moved quickly, stepping forward and grabbing Jian’s arm.

Jian’s head snapped up.

His face was red with exertion, his voice sharp and full of fury.

”Don’t get in my way!” he shouted, yanking his arm free.

Without another word, he leaned down and gave Li Wang two quick breaths, then went back to chest compressions, his entire body trembling with focus.

Xing Yu didn’t move.

He stood like stone, watching the scene play out—watching Jian, his own mate, lock lips with another, breathe life into someone else’s body. Something inside him twisted painfully. His jaw clenched. His throat felt dry.

His fists slowly curled at his sides. One hand reached down and picked up a large chunk of rubble nearby, almost absentmindedly. As Jian pressed down on Li Wang’s chest again and again, Xing Yu’s grip tightened.

The rock crumbled in his palm.

Powdered dust and shards rained from his fingers.

Eren, a short distance behind him, had seen everything. He took a step back, the look in Xing Yu’s eyes sending a cold shiver down his spine.

He’s angry... Eren realized. Really angry...

Not like the way a commander would be when someone disobeyed orders. This was different. Deeper. Personal.

But Jian didn’t even notice. His world had shrunk to the boy lying before him. His hands moved in a rhythm powered by stubbornness and desperation. Again, he leaned in, gave another breath, then pushed against Li Wang’s chest.

And finally—

A soft gasp escaped Li Wang’s lips.

A weak cough followed.

His chest rose unevenly as air returned to his lungs.

Jian let out a shaky breath and leaned back on his heels, sweat and dust streaking his face. His arms hung at his sides as he watched Li Wang breathe again, each inhale like a gift.

Jian exhaled shakily, still catching his breath. Dust clung to his skin, sweat dripping from his brow as he leaned down beside Li Wang. The man’s eyelids fluttered, his chest rising and falling in uneven rhythm.

Jian gently tapped his cheek. ”Li Wang,” he called softly. ”Do you feel any pain somewhere? Are you hurt?”

Li Wang’s eyes snapped open suddenly.

They were wide, unfocused for a second before locking onto Jian’s face. His lips parted as he coughed lightly, his throat dry and voice barely above a whisper. ”No...”

Jian let out a slow breath of relief and helped him sit up against a piece of concrete debris. He supported Li Wang’s back with a steady arm, eyes never leaving his face.

”What happened?” he asked quickly. ”Why did you collapse?”

Li Wang’s head drooped slightly. His gaze was distant for a moment before he answered in a hoarse, low voice. ”I... I couldn’t breathe...”

Jian frowned deeply. ”You shouldn’t have been in the city at all... Why were you even here?”

The Wang family estate was far—well outside the disaster zone. Their dealings were usually confined to their own region. It didn’t make sense for Li Wang to be anywhere near the city center.

Li Wang cleared his throat weakly, chest still heaving as if the effort of speaking strained him. Jian noticed and quickly pulled a water bottle from his bag, unscrewing the cap and pressing it into his hand.

”Here. Drink slowly,” Jian murmured.

Li Wang took it with trembling fingers. The bottle shook as he raised it to his lips, sipping the water like it was the only thing keeping him anchored to the world. After a moment, he lowered it, but his eyes never left Jian’s face.

”You...” His voice was thick with emotion. ”You were lost.”

Jian blinked.

Li Wang reached out, his fingers brushing against Jian’s cheek, slow and gentle. His thumb moved with familiarity, wiping away a streak of dust. His touch was hesitant, reverent. ”I went to find you. Are you okay? I saw your car wrecked near the outer road...”

His voice quivered.

”I thought something bad had happened to you. I was so sure something had... I went searching for you when—when it hit. The ground shook. I think rubble fell... I don’t remember much after that...”

Jian stared at him, stunned.

Li Wang’s hand remained on his face, warm and shaking. His fingertips reached up slowly, brushing over Jian’s temple, then trailed down to the outer corner of his eye.

He touched the golden ring in Jian’s irises as if unsure it was real.

His brows furrowed. ”Why do you have golden eyes, Jian?” he whispered, barely audible, his tone caught somewhere between awe and disbelief.