Author: hoenimochi (Page 6 of 95)

       The law was a rule of positive order, the baseline of a public society, defining the boundaries of freedom. It was the sword and shield safeguarding fairness and justice, and also the scale that weighed on every person’s heart.

       When the warriors who upheld the dignity of the law abandoned their loyalty, when the impartial scales became laden with lust and profit, when those in high office stepped into the vortex of desire without a single thought… The black-and-white text became meaningless paper, the lofty courtroom became a bustling stage play, and fairness and justice became a tiny boat adrift in muddy waters, swaying and unsteady.

       Qin Mu felt as if someone had slammed a hammer hard into his chest. The wave of disappointment and anger that surged up his throat carried the metallic tang of blood. He watched as the once-indestructible city of belief within him collapsed with a thunderous crash, yet he could only stand helplessly among the ruins.

       Before, he had felt confident in seeking justice for Teacher Xiao, because he had believed that if he appealed through the judicial system step by step, there would eventually be a place where fairness and justice could be found. But now, it seemed that those seated high and presiding over judgments had long since become puppets, manipulated at will. What justice could there be left to speak of?

       Qin Mu clenched his fists, his eyes reddened.

       Also a man of law, Teacher Xiao had been viciously retaliated against and lost his life for helping the poor and helpless. Yet these beasts wearing human skin indulged in Zhao Jinchuan’s lawlessness just to satisfy their private desires, feasting on young flesh.

       Now, he understood why Shen Liu had brought him here. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he never would have believed that these people could fall so far. After the raging fire of anger had scorched his heart, all that remained was a barren emptiness. He lowered his head as if all strength had been drained from him and leaned his back against the wall, sinking into a long silence.

       Shen Liu handed him a cup of hot tea. “Have some.”

       Qin Mu shook his head and took a cigarette out of his coat pocket, clamping it between his lips. The cigarette and lighter were ones he had casually asked Tao Ze for earlier that morning—Huanghelou¹Yellow Crane Tower 1916, premium tobacco.

       He glanced at the man beside him, inquiring.

       Shen Liu shrugged. “Go ahead.”

        Qin Mu lit up and took a deep drag. The smell of tobacco quietly spread through the room.

        “When did you start smoking?” Shen Liu asked.

        “A long time ago. I quit, but recently I’ve been having one every now and then.” After taking a puff, his voice became low and hoarse, carrying a rough rasp.

        Shen Liu didn’t say anything more.

        The room was pitch black, lit only by the faint moonlight and the tiny sparks of a cigarette. The two of them stood on either side of the window, unusually quiet.

        By the time Qin Mu finished his cigarette and looked up again, his expression had already calmed down. He opened his mouth and said, “I want the surveillance footage.”

        This place had a perfect vantage point and was fully equipped—it was clearly not set up just recently. Shen Liu must not have been watching these people just for fun.

        The man leaned his head against the window frame and said lazily, “What, you think you’re capable of wiping them all out in one go?”

        “Do what I must and leave the rest to fate,” Qin Mu raised his eyes and stared at Shen Liu. “This is something I have to do. Even if it’s like smashing an egg against a rock, even if it’s like a moth flying into the flame, I don’t care if I lose my life doing it. Life is short. What we call ‘meaning’ is all something we give ourselves. Whether it’s worth it or not depends only on how we feel in our hearts. Why I chose this path, why I made this decision—others might not understand, but you should.” By the end, his voice carried a trace of emotion.

        Shen Liu narrowed his eyes slightly. The person in front of him seemed to overlap with the stubborn young man from years ago. The light in his eyes was clear and pure, making it hard to look away.

        “I… should understand?” He savoured the lingering weight of the words, drawing out the end with a teasing lilt. He curved his lips into a smile. “They say a man can change in three days. Looks like I really do need to see you with new eyes. You’ve even pulled out that whole defence routine and used it on me. But trying to trick the cards out of my hand with just empty words… Isn’t that a bit greedy?”

        Qin Mu took a sip of tea without changing expression. “You went through all this trouble to set up this stage. Wasn’t it all just to wait for me to come and beg you?”

        In the time it took to finish a cigarette, he had already figured out the whole story. Shen Liu was the person in the world who understood his temperament best. He naturally knew Qin Mu wouldn’t back down because of this. Bringing him here was probably just to let him see firsthand how hard it would be to win this case, and then sit back and wait for Qin Mu to come knocking on his door, asking for a favour.

        Shen Liu let out a short laugh.

        Qin Mu leaned against the window and said, “If you want something, just say it.”

        “So direct?” Shen Liu gave him a sidelong glance and said teasingly, “What if I ask you to run naked outside?”

        Qin Mu shot him a look from the corner of his eye.

        “Kidding. Don’t take it seriously.”

        “Are you giving it or not?” Qin Mu’s patience had run out.

        “No rush. Let’s go over things first.” Shen Liu refilled his cup and leisurely counted off on his fingers. “You want justice for those victims? You’ll need to win the lawsuit. To win the lawsuit, you’ll have to bring down Zhao Jinchuan. To bring down Zhao Jinchuan, you’ll need to deal with his father. His father, Zhao Dongsheng, is the Zhao family’s cash cow. He was deeply rooted and hard to topple. Above Zhao Dongsheng are two older brothers. The eldest, Zhao Qiming, is currently in a heated power struggle with my dad over that seat. The second brother, Zhao Weiguo, commands a number of soldiers. In addition, there’s an older sister overseas acting as their overseas shield. And above all of them is the old General Zhao, practically a spirit in human form. Nearly a hundred years old, yet still vigorous. Just a few days ago, he was in a wheelchair casting votes.”

        “Besides the immediate family, the Zhaos also have seventy or eighty extended relatives. Going up against this kind of clan usually ends in one of two ways: either you uproot them completely, or you’re left without even a whole corpse. Which do you think you’ll be?”

        Qin Mu remained silent.

        “So rather than handing over the evidence and letting you run off to get yourself killed, it’s more valuable to keep it in my hands and save it for a bigger move.”

        Qin Mu’s pupils contracted sharply as he locked his gaze on him.

        “Didn’t you say you wanted revenge? Then why are you glaring at me?” The man’s tone was nonchalant, as if he had just made a trivial decision over something unimportant.

        “This is my business. It shouldn’t involve you,” Qin Mu’s tone turned stiff.

        Shen Liu’s gaze slowly traced a circle across his face. “There’s a whole lot of things that ‘shouldn’t’ be, and not a single one of the things that ‘should’ be done has actually been done.”

        Qin Mu was momentarily stunned.

        “Don’t get it? I’ll teach you.” Shen Liu strolled toward him unhurriedly. “Right now, I’m your only chance to take down Zhao Jinchuan. What you should do is lower your pride and try to win me over. Do everything you can to coax me into fighting the Zhao family for you. You should gradually play the card of our old relationship, make me willing to go up against Zhao Jinchuan for your sake. At the very least, you should be flirting, playing mind games, carefully calculating how to get me to offer more resources and connections for your use.”

        Shen Liu stopped in front of him and asked, “Have you learned that yet?”

        Qin Mu frowned and had just opened his mouth when that man suddenly stepped even closer, the oppressive feeling intensifying. He instinctively tensed up, wanting to retreat, but there was only a wall behind him—no way out.

       “What’s wrong, can’t do it?” The man’s voice sank lower. “I’d go so far as to draw my sword in rage, yet you disdain playing the femme fatale. Clinging tightly to your pride, you would rather throw yourself into the fire than ask me for help. Are you that determined to draw a line between us?”

       This kind of closeness made Qin Mu extremely uncomfortable. He raised his hand, wanting to push the man away, but the next second, his wrist was forcefully pinned to his side. Their chests pressed together, and even through their clothes, he could feel the other man’s firm and unyielding muscles.

       “You—”

       “You wish.” Shen Liu leaned his face close to Qin Mu’s ear, biting down on those three words with deliberate force, as if he were about to sink his teeth harshly into his neck. “The things you can’t do, I’ll do for you. The things you want, I’ll make them happen for you. The condition is simple—accompany me for one night. As for how, I’ll make the rules. If you can’t accept it, then obediently go back to K City tonight, and from now on, never involve yourself in anything related to the Zhao family again.”

        Qin Mu widened his eyes in disbelief. The situation before him had entirely veered off his expectations, throwing him into utter disarray. He broke free from the hold and shoved hard, gritting his teeth. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

       Shen Liu’s leg bumped into the coffee table, and the teacup shattered on the floor. Almost instantly, the door swung open, and the man with the thin long-face along with a few others rushed in, startling Qin Mu.

       Shen Liu frowned impatiently and said coldly, “Get out.”

       The bodyguards, seeing that he was unharmed, quickly withdrew.

       He turned back to Qin Mu and said unhurriedly, “If you want to go crazy, I’ll go crazy with you. Isn’t that touching?”

       “This is my business. It has nothing to do with you.” Qin Mu kept a stern face, but couldn’t suppress the anxiety and restlessness inside him.

       Shen Liu looked at him for a moment, then smiled. “Whether it has to do with me or not, that’s for me to decide. Haven’t you heard? I’m one of the big names in J City too. My temper’s not much better than Zhao Jinchuan’s. He likes trading sex for favours—I like it too. If you piss me off, you might not even make it back to K City.”

       “I don’t need your help, and you can’t force me to go down this path.”

       “You do need my help. You just don’t want to pay this kind of price.” Shen Liu’s gaze swept across Qin Mu’s face as he said indifferently, “Just now, you were vowing with such certainty that you had to go through with it, even if it cost your life. Now that the chance is right in front of you, you’re backing down? Taking down the Zhao family is a high-risk investment. One wrong step and you’ll lose everything, down to your underwear. Honestly speaking, I’m not even asking too much. You’ve seen firsthand the Zhao family’s connections and methods. You should understand that apart from me, you don’t have a better option.”

       He raised his hand and smoothed the collar and front of Qin Mu’s shirt, which had been rumpled during the scuffle. His voice was unusually gentle. “Think about it carefully. No matter how unbearable, it’s only one night. It’s a very worthwhile deal. I’ll give you time to consider, give me your answer once you’re home.”

       With that, he turned and walked out the door.

       Qin Mu stood frozen on the spot for a long time, unable to move.

       The ride home was both brief and endless. The neon lights outside the car window and the receding nightscape became fleeting shadows reflected in Qin Mu’s eyes. His mind, like a rusted projector, lost its ability to move forward, and instead kept replaying past scenes—fragmented, scattered, and blurry.

       What was right? What was wrong? What kind of choice should he make?

       When the weight on the scale was his own life, Qin Mu could wager it without hesitation. But the moment Shen Liu stepped onto that scale, he suddenly lost his courage. He hadn’t expected Shen Liu to get involved, let alone offer such a condition. By now, he could no longer see through the man beside him.

       The car remained silent the entire way. Back at the villa, Qin Mu stopped at the foot of the stairs. His voice was hoarse as he spoke. “Why do this? You, toward me…” He hesitated, as if still unsure what the right words were.

       Shen Liu, standing on the stairs, turned around, lazily curling his lips. “It’s just a one-night stand. Don’t overthink it.”

       Qin Mu fell silent, his lips pressed into a rigid line. He closed his eyes, clenched his hand tightly at his side, as if it took all his strength to force out the word.

       “Deal.”

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       The servants in the dining room had all withdrawn. Qin Mu sat down beside the round table, and Shen Liu personally served him a bowl of rice.

       The dishes were all simple home-style fare. Stir-fried eggplant in soy sauce, scrambled eggs with tomato, braised pork with preserved mustard greens, fish ball soup with floating spinach leaves, and a small side dish of chopped chilli peppers. These everyday, down-to-earth dishes looked slightly out of place when served on Hermès Equateur Jungle¹it refers to a fine porcelain dinnerware collection by Hermès, the French luxury brand tableware series, designed with lush tropical jungle motifs (leaves, animals, vibrant patterns).

       Shen Liu didn’t care in the slightest. He held a piece of meat with his chopsticks midair and asked, “Should I be polite and offer it to you?”

       “No need, I’ll do it myself,” Qin Mu replied.

       Shen Liu nodded and dropped the meat into his own bowl, scooping up two mouthfuls of rice. “Didn’t eat properly at lunch, so hungry my waistline’s shrunk a whole inch.”

       “If you have that much time to spare sending your personal assistant to figure out my preferences, maybe let him sort out your lunch instead,” Qin Mu said.

       Shen Liu curled his lips into a smile. After quickly finishing half a bowl of rice, he slowed down and scooped some chopped peppers into his bowl.

       Qin Mu was a little surprised. He remembered that Shen Liu used to avoid spicy food completely—his taste was as bland as a monk’s. Even a bit of Lao Gan Ma²Old Godmother is a brand of chilli sauces made in China would have him breathing fire. Qin Mu himself had a much heavier palate and always adjusted dishes to be lighter in oil and salt to accommodate him, only setting aside a small personal dish of chilli paste or fermented bean sauce during meals. Seeing Shen Liu now eat so naturally was truly unexpected.

       “Been eating out a lot, my tastes have changed,” Shen Liu said, noticing Qin Mu staring at him. With a flick of his wrist, he slid the little dish in front of Qin Mu. “Want some?”

       Qin Mu didn’t stand on ceremony and asked, “Did you grow this too?”

       “Already visited my garden, have you?” Shen Liu said while eating. “This one isn’t homegrown. But if you want something extra spicy, I can go upstairs and pick a couple for you.”

       “No need.” Qin Mu quipped, “Why are you growing vegetables? The ones in J City not good enough? Or is this a new rich-people fashion trend?”

       Shen Liu glanced at him, smiling as he replied, “For a sense of accomplishment. There are so few things in life we truly get to choose. Of the few that remain, the most important are hobbies and lovers. Gardening helps me relax. Watching the plants flower and bear fruit, then eating them myself—that gives me a real sense of fulfilment.”

       Qin Mu hadn’t expected him to answer so seriously, and for a moment didn’t know how to respond.

       “What else are you curious about me? Ask anything—I’ll answer,” Shen Liu said as he continued eating.

       The two things he just mentioned, ‘hobby’ had been answered, and the only thing left is ‘lover’. Given their history, Qin Mu absolutely wasn’t going to step on that sensitive and awkward landmine. He ended the conversation immediately, “Nothing else.”

       “Then, in the spirit of reciprocity, it’s my turn to be curious.” Shen Liu’s lips curved into a graceful smile. “I heard the renowned Mr. Pharaoh has plenty of admirers, yet always hides behind the banner of celibacy to keep them at bay. Why is that?”

       A straight ball without any bias, leaving no room for turning around and dodging.

       Qin Mu’s chopsticks paused midair. He looked up. “What, your spies didn’t dig that up for you?” He had always disliked people prying into his private life, and this was clearly overstepping.

       “All this time and still no one compatible?” Shen Liu carried on with mock innocence, dancing right on the minefield.

       “I’m not good at getting along with others. Thought I should ask for some advice,” Qin Mu replied coolly. “How does President Shen handle all those admirers? Do you carefully screen them or just accept them all?”

       Now he was angry.

       Shen Liu smiled, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

       Qin Mu had clearly placed him in the ‘old friend not seen in years’ category. They could talk about the weather, national affairs, everyday life and that’s where it should end. But Shen Liu insisted on pushing further.

       The shared bedroom, the chatty housekeeper, the ambiguous teasing, the familiar dishes, the pried-open privacy… Shen Liu’s repeated provocations had finally roused the temper of a long-distance ex-lover.

       And yes, he did it on purpose.

       In their tender youth, love and hate were straightforward and intense. There was no need for games, no need for guarded words or second-guessing. But time had cruelly shaped them into more mature, more calculating versions of themselves. Like prickly creatures covered in barbs, they now hid all their true intentions deep inside, tiptoeing around each other, cautiously testing boundaries, trying to figure out how much space they occupied in each other’s hearts—then adjusting their own stance accordingly like two careful fencers locked in a standoff, trying to read each other’s minds, neither making the first move.

       Qin Mu was content to be a familiar stranger.

       But Shen Liu wasn’t.

       He was determined to break the deadlock, to tear off the mask of false cordiality Qin Mu wore and force him to show his true self. Even if it meant making him angry, that was better than nothing.

       Even when he was angry, Qin Mu wasn’t the type to charge around like a raging bull. He was more like a leopard locking in on its prey—striking cleanly and precisely at the sensitive point in the conversation, trapping Shen Liu in a rhetorical snare.

       It was a question with no good answer.

       Shen Liu had his ways of dealing with such questions. He shamelessly played dumb without batting an eye. “Too bad I don’t have many admirers, so there’s nothing for me to share.”

       Qin Mu shot him a sidelong glance.

       “Sometimes I don’t get it myself,” Shen Liu said, rubbing his chin in mock puzzlement. “I mean… I’m gentle, rich, charming, and devastatingly good-looking. How is it that no one’s throwing themselves at me? Do you think people these days have vision problems?”

       Qin Mu paused for a moment before answering, “Have you considered the possibility that your face is so big it’s blocking their view of anything else on you?”

       Shen Liu nodded in agreement. “Exactly. My face is just too captivating, and it hogs all their attention. The thing is, a man like me is a hidden gem that needs to be dug out slowly. Every part should be examined with a magnifying glass. Otherwise, it would be such a shame to miss out.”

       Qin Mu’s gaze swept once over his lower half, and he said with biting sarcasm, “You need a magnifying glass even to see it?”

       Shen Liu looked down at himself too, savouring the double entendre and then curled his lips into a smile. “If you’re curious, how about a bit of post-meal exercise?”

       Qin Mu knew sparring words with this scoundrel would get him nowhere. He picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and focused on eating. The thin slices of pork belly were rich but not greasy, melting in his mouth. The preserved mustard greens were full of flavour, and the meat juices mixed with soft white rice made an irresistible combination. It was enough to distract him from the infuriating idiot smiling beside him.

       Shen Liu, having eaten his fill, rested his head on his hand and watched him. “It’s not as good as when you cook.”

       Qin Mu ignored him. He finished the meal in silence, then put down his chopsticks and made to leave the table.

       Shen Liu grabbed his arm and teased, “What’s the rush? We haven’t done our post-meal exercise yet.” Seeing Qin Mu’s cold expression, he finally added, unhurriedly, “It’s boring staying at home all day. Let me take you out for a walk.”

       “I remember someone threatening me this morning, saying it wasn’t safe outside and I wasn’t allowed to leave.”

       “With me around, the safety index goes up a lot. Don’t be scared.” The man shamelessly contradicted himself without a hint of guilt.

       The night view of J City was stunning. It was like a glittering jewellery box, enticing the beasts lurking in the dark. They lay in wait, greedy ambitions stirring, wary of one another, scheming, all wanting to claim it as their own.

       Shen Liu and Qin Mu brought four bodyguards with them into a black business van. The familiar long-faced man was among them. Once everyone was seated, the long-faced man turned around and glanced at Qin Mu.

       “If you’ve got something to say, then say it,” Shen Liu said.

       “News just came through. We’ve found them.”

       “A day should be enough. They’re not that useless,” Shen Liu said as he tapped lightly on the car door’s armrest. After thinking for a moment, he added, “Have Tao Ze set up a trap. I’ll meet with him.”

       The long-faced man looked grave as he advised, “The old man said we shouldn’t stir up trouble at a time like this.”

       “This game is already a mess. To break out of it, we have to start over. Their path leads nowhere. So we’ll go with mine,” Shen Liu said, his profile flickering in and out of view beneath the streetlights outside the car window. Every word carried an unshakable authority, with a cold edge and latent menace that brooked no argument.

       “Yes, sir,” the long-faced man said, and fell silent.

       Qin Mu’s gaze lingered on Shen Liu for a moment, then shifted to the window. Even though he had tried to distance himself, that familiar closeness still clung to him like a shadow. Yet in a sudden moment, a sharp wave of unfamiliarity fell like a blade, severing every tangled thread between them. It cut a deep and invisible chasm, brutally reminding him that things were no longer the same.

       The business van drove straight into the underground garage of a serviced apartment complex.

       The twenty-seventh floor. Room 2703.

       The room was very dark. Qin Mu had a natural aversion to darkness. He stood at the doorway and didn’t move. From behind, Shen Liu gave him a gentle push and chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, if there’s a female ghost in here, she’ll definitely come for me first.”

       Qin Mu stepped inside and reached out to find the light switch. Shen Liu grabbed his wrist and spouted nonsense, “Don’t be in such a hurry to feel around. There are others here.”

       Qin Mu’s temple twitched. He withdrew his hand, realising this was Shen Liu’s way of saying the lights should stay off, so he stopped moving.

       The long-faced man pulled open half the curtain, letting in a mix of moonlight and city lights. Qin Mu could just barely make out the surroundings. The room was nearly empty, with almost no furniture. By the window stood three high-magnification monocular telescopes, their data cables connected to a nearby laptop.

       The four men needed no instructions; they moved in practised efficiency. One dragged over two beanbag chairs from who knew where, another took a kettle and teacups from his backpack, a third quickly brewed two cups of jasmine tea and set them on a small side table, and the long-faced man adjusted the telescopes’ angles. Then, all of them quietly retreated, the sound of movement indicating they had entered the neighboring unit, Room 2704.

       “Telescopes and monitors? What are we looking at? The moon? The stars?” Qin Mu asked.

       “Something a bit more exciting than that. Come here,” Shen Liu said, motioning him over.

       The telescope appeared to have night vision capabilities, with an extremely clear image. Through it, Qin Mu saw a window partially covered by a sheer curtain. Behind it was a white bed, and on the bed were two people. Bathed in warm yellow light, the two figures were entangled—a man and a woman. The man was thrusting his hips repeatedly.

       Qin Mu abruptly stepped back, stared at Shen Liu, and said, “Peeping is illegal.”

       Shen Liu smiled nonchalantly. “There are those who steal books and those who steal nations. Obsessing over book thieves while ignoring those who steal a country was also enabling evil.”

       “What’s that supposed to mean?” Qin Mu frowned.

       Shen Liu tilted his chin toward the telescope. “Keep watching.”

       Qin Mu hesitated for a moment, then looked again through the telescope.

       The intercourse behind the curtain continued. The man had changed positions and was now gripping the woman’s hair, thrusting his c0ck into her mouth. Her face was obscured by long hair, but she had a high-bridged nose. She was likely a young woman with sharp features. She seemed utterly limp, showing none of the typical responses of consensual sex, offering no resistance at all as the man manipulated her. She looked like…

       A thought flashed through Qin Mu’s mind. In shock, he said, “Is this… drug-r4p3?”

       “Shh—” Shen Liu wrapped an arm around his waist from behind, half-forcefully lifting Qin Mu’s chin. His breath brushed against Qin Mu’s ear. “Keep watching.”

       Through the curtain’s gap, a third figure entered the frame.

       It was another man, stark naked, with a bloated belly and ugly genitals.

       They forced her into a kneeling position on the bed. One in front, one behind and they both entered her. Then they switched positions, spreading her legs and sandwiching her between them for another round of penetration. The two men finished quickly but refused to stop. They tormented her with new humiliating positions, slapped her genitals forcefully, and even urinated on her face.

       Qin Mu couldn’t watch any longer. He broke free from Shen Liu and reached for his phone to call the police. Shen Liu seized the opportunity to pin his arm against the wall, using his body to press him there.

       Qin Mu stared at him in disbelief. “You want me just to stand by and watch them…”

       “What, upset now?” Shen Liu cut him off, his expression calm. “Didn’t you ask me to stand by and watch you walk into certain death?”

       “…This is not the same thing.” Qin Mu frowned. “If we call the police now, at least we can catch those two beasts.”

       “No one can be caught.” Moonlight reflected in Shen Liu’s eyes, giving off a cold, crystalline glint.

       The crease between Qin Mu’s brows deepened.

       Shen Liu let go of him, leaned lazily against the window, and said coolly, “A young woman, chasing the dream of overnight fame and fortune, comes to the entertainment industry only to find that there are countless others more beautiful, more hardworking, and more talented than her. She’s not exceptional. In fact, not even the best in her own group. She fears the brutal elimination that comes with this industry and dreads fading into obscurity. So, in her arrogance, she chooses what she thinks is a ‘shortcut’; she climbs into Zhao Jinchuan’s bed.

       “She got what she wanted, but of course, she has to pay the price. Using her body to entertain Zhao Jinchuan’s guests is one such cost.”

       He paused, then looked at Qin Mu. “Those guests hold power. They can open doors for Zhao Jinchuan. Once they take the bait of sex and money, they place the handle of their secrets in Zhao Jinchuan’s hands. From then on, they’re trapped and forced to keep working for him. That forms a perfect, closed-loop chain. Each part is bound tightly by vested interests, unbreakable. You can’t save someone who won’t reach for your hand. Reporting this will do nothing but alert the enemy and put us on their radar.”

       He lifted a hand. “Now that I’ve explained, if you still insist, go ahead.”

       Frustration and rage on Qin Mu’s face slowly gave way to dismay and sorrow. He stood frozen for a moment, then finally lowered his hand and put the phone back in his pocket.

       The two of them stood silently in the dark room for a while. Then Shen Liu said, “Don’t you want to see who those two guests are?” He jerked his chin toward another telescope. “They’re about to leave.”

       Qin Mu, still dazed, returned to the telescope.

       The men, now fully dressed, looked perfectly respectable. It was a complete transformation from the beasts who had just satisfied their lust. When he saw their faces clearly, a chill shot up from the soles of his feet and locked his entire body in place.

       “Now you understand why this case can’t be won.” Shen Liu’s voice was low and cold, like the wind that made people shiver in the night.

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       The hangover felt awful. When Qin Mu woke from the haze, Shen Liu had already gone to class and had even thoughtfully cancelled his alarm. The room had been tidied up simply, and on the table was a fried egg sandwich—one of the very few things Young Master Shen knew how to make.

       Everything that had happened the previous night felt like a dream. Qin Mu struggled in the push and pull of affirmation and denial for a long time, until he finally summoned the courage to ‘get things clear’, each step toward the library taken with the solemnity of marching to his own execution.

       He found Shen Liu beside a shelf of math books. Before he even opened his mouth, he was already a bundle of nerves. The lines he had rehearsed a thousand times all turned into stammers.

       “Shen Liu, to you…what am I?”

       “π.”

       “…What?” He was stunned.

       “In every circle, there hides a mischievous and fascinating infinite non-repeating decimal. It’s an inner law, yet impossible to precisely calculate. It requires constant deduction and pondering—just like someone secretly kept in your heart…”

       The book slipped from his hand as his fingertips brushed past Qin Mu’s cheek, gently hooking his collar and pulling him into his arms. The tender and lingering kiss was more intoxicating than liquor, making one willingly drown in it.

       Qin Mu moved back into the little apartment and began a cohabitation life with a proper title. Both of them were rational types, considerate of each other, and as they grew to understand one another deeply through daily life, they turned out to be highly compatible in every way, except… sex.

       Qin Mu had grown up without proper sex education. When he discovered his ‘abnormal’ orientation during adolescence, he never received the right guidance. The time he had spent at the correctional school had only made things worse, leaving him with a deep fear of sexual activity. Even though he tried his best to cooperate with Shen Liu, his body instinctively resisted penetration. That state of being terrified to death but still forcing himself to go through with it made Shen Liu unable to hold back a laugh. “What are you trying to do, die heroically?”

       Qin Mu, who was red from head to toe, buried his face in his arms and mumbled, “Then maybe I should just use my hand…”

       “My little Liu boy was raised all these years just to be jerked off by you?” Shen Liu pretended to be fierce and thrust his hips against Qin Mu’s backside. He gave Qin Mu’s butt two loud smacks, as if still unsatisfied. “What a waste of a war hero. Get up!”

       Feeling guilty, Qin Mu got up quietly, only to see Shen Liu lie down and push his own, already slicked fingers into his body. While Qin Mu was still in a daze, an unopened condom had already been tossed onto his face. Shen Liu spread his legs apart with difficulty and said through gritted teeth, “You better get to it before I change my mind…”

       Qin Mu never imagined Shen Liu would actually be willing to bottom. Shocked, he asked twice in a row, “Are you sure?”

       Shen Liu gnashed his teeth. “…Are you doing it or not?”

       Overcome with emotion, Qin Mu leaned down to hug and kiss him, trailing kisses all the way down to his lower abdomen, then gave a tentative lick on the tip of the still-soft little Liu boy.

       Shen Liu arched his neck and let out a long breath. “You little bastard, you sure learn fast.”

       As it turned out, once a greenhorn got fired up, his combat power could be terrifying. Shen Liu, who was usually strong as an ox, was almost thoroughly worn out. He gasped for breath, his waist giving out, as he clung to Qin Mu’s neck and bit him hard. “Sooner or later… I’ll make you pay for this.”

       And so, both of them broke new ground that night. Qin Mu lost his virginity, and Shen Liu got his ass popped. The experience was, at the very least, novel.

       Afterwards, Qin Mu nervously asked, “Does it hurt?” Shen Liu let out a cold snort, lying face down on the pillow. Qin Mu massaged his waist while asking again, “Just now… was it uncomfortable?”

       Shen Liu turned his head to look at him, face full of complexity. “Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about the word ‘comfortable’?”

       Qin Mu stifled a laugh. “The way you were moaning, I thought you liked it.”

       Shen Liu suddenly flipped over and lunged at him. Qin Mu sprang off the bed and ran. Shen Liu, sore and aching, couldn’t catch up and gritted his teeth. “Get back here! I’ll make you moan!”

       Despite all the ruckus, Shen Liu never really laid a hand on him. He truly loved Qin Mu, he loved him enough to change his own boundaries. Qin Mu understood this deeply. In the days that followed, he fully demonstrated the professional quality of a ‘child bride’. He served tea, cooked, massaged, always gentle and obedient, ready to come when called.

       Shen Liu had always meant what he said. Once his waist stopped hurting and his legs could run a full basketball game again, he began Qin Mu’s ‘payback’ training with full force.

       One evening after self-study, Qin Mu came home to receive a ‘gift’ from him. When he opened it, his face turned red instantly. It was a vibrator.

       “Do it yourself. Show me.” Shen Liu sat leisurely on the edge of the bed.

       Qin Mu was dying of embarrassment but didn’t want to spoil the fun. He had no choice but to obediently comply. After a hasty bit of prep, he was about to insert it when Shen Liu flicked his half-erect c0ck hard.

       Shen Liu stripped off his shirt and unzipped his jeans, holding the condom packet between his teeth, spreading his legs in front of him with a seductive smile. “If you’re ready, here’s your reward.”

       The sight made Qin Mu instantly hard. He pushed the vibrator into his body with some difficulty, but before he could even turn it on, he already cum, earning a good round of ridicule from Shen Liu. Once he recovered, Qin Mu pounced like a leopard, pinned Shen Liu down, and bit his earlobe. His movements were fierce, but his bite was gentle. The man underneath didn’t resist at all, allowing Qin Mu to ravage him, letting out muffled moans as he was thrust into.

       Shen Liu was like a meticulous gardener, full of patience in cultivating Qin Mu’s ‘sexuality’. With the help of toys, seductive teasing, and endless creativity, he gradually soothed Qin Mu’s trauma. He lured him into opening up his body to accept the feeling of being ‘penetrated’.

       After nearly two months of training, Shen Liu began a more advanced attempt. He had Qin Mu tie him up.

       “Be good, just treat me like a vibrator,” Shen Liu lay flat on the bed, his limbs bound, smiling as he gave instructions. “But first, you’ll have to make my ‘stick’ stand up.”

       With a completely unthreatening posture, he handed over all control to Qin Mu.

       At the moment of union, Qin Mu leaned down with tears in the corners of his eyes and kissed him deeply. Their bodies connected, chests pressed together, impossible to tell one from the other.

       Qin Mu, when aroused, was both shy and wild, resisting and craving at once. He was a beautiful contradiction that drove the thoroughly bound Shen Liu nearly insane. His wrists and ankles were chafed and swollen from being tied so tightly, and afterwards, Qin Mu felt distressed over it for quite some time.

       A few days later, Shen Liu mysteriously said he was going to take Qin Mu to ‘broaden his horizons’.

       It was a private club hidden within the city, with no signboard and no service for strangers. Qin Mu had no idea how Shen Liu had managed to obtain a membership.

       He originally thought it was some sort of niche art exhibition, but what he saw left him stunned.

       The tools were ropes, and the canvas was the human body. Soft yet resilient ropes transformed into winding, intricate lines, creating a visual beauty full of tension upon the body-as-canvas, a powerful shock to Qin Mu’s senses.

       “What is this…?” he asked.

       “Rope art,” The female rope artist from Japan explained earnestly in somewhat imperfect Chinese, “Binding and restraint can bring a sense of calm, allow one to feel life, and help one find oneself.”

       “Let’s learn it together,” Shen Liu lured him with a face that could bring down a nation and people. “To spice things up a little.”

       Qin Mu blushed and glared at him. “Tie you up?”

       “You tie me, I tie you. Fair and square.” Shen Liu casually extended both hands toward him. “Come on.”

       To everyone’s surprise, Qin Mu showed extraordinary talent in this area. Not only did he quickly master various knots and binding methods, but he also explored even more creative possibilities with the cooperation of his ‘partner’ Shen Liu.

       The owner of the rope art club introduced them to a small BDSM circle, opening the door to an underground world. They quickly unlocked skill trees that made one’s blood race and left people addicted.

       At the time, they loved each other deeply. In their eyes, there was only one another. They were willing to do anything for each other. Shen Liu enjoyed the look of restraint and yearning on Qin Mu’s face under his guidance, and he was also happy to submit to Qin Mu’s commands, to be tied and restrained. Qin Mu, in turn, worked hard to overcome his psychological barriers to please Shen Liu, even becoming unrecognizably aroused in his presence.

       But the road of life is long, and in the end, they parted ways amidst a storm of sand and dust.

       Qin Mu never handed over control to another person again. He picked up the whip and fully became a dom.

       Looking at himself in the mirror, he sometimes felt he looked exactly like Shen Liu.

       And Shen Liu?

       Was he still playing these games?

       Had he knelt before someone else, been tied up, whipped?

       Or did he already have a favored sub, whispering the same sweet words he once said to Qin Mu?

       …

       Qin Mu’s mind was a complete mess. Footsteps approached from a distance. He opened his eyes.

       Shen Liu’s face overlapped perfectly with how he remembered it, as if nothing had ever changed.

       He stared, dazed. “Why are you sleeping here?” Shen Liu reached out his hand to him.

       Qin Mu came back to his senses, avoided his hand, stood up, grabbed a towel and wiped his sweat, quickly composing himself. “When are you giving my luggage back?”

       “You want it?” Shen Liu teased. “Call me ‘Dear gege’ and let me hear it.”

       Qin Mu ignored him, dr4p3d the towel over his shoulders, and headed straight upstairs. Shen Liu walked behind him with his hands in his pockets, swaying leisurely all the way to the door of the room. Qin Mu blocked him outside. “Anything else?”

       Shen Liu leaned against the doorframe with one hand and smiled. “Free guest room medicine-application service.”

       The next second, the door closed in his face.

       Nearly getting his hand caught, Shen Liu clicked his tongue and leisurely pulled out a key. By the time Qin Mu finished showering, Shen Liu was already sitting on the sofa fiddling with a bottle of medicated oil, the room filled with the cooling scent of mint.

       “Come over and lie down. Let me give you a proper massage.” Still persistent after being shut out, Shen Liu was like an overzealous elementary schooler determined to help an old lady cross the street, brimming with an almost ridiculous enthusiasm.

       The spot on Qin Mu’s lower back that had taken a hit yesterday was indeed much more painful today. He ran a hand through his still-damp hair and said, “Don’t you have a massage therapist? Let him do it.”

       “Fired,” Shen Liu replied without missing a beat.

       “When?” Qin Mu frowned. Tao Ze had just told him this morning that the therapist was still around.

       “Just now,” Shen Liu tilted his head, unreasonable as ever. “I’m the only massage technician left in the entire house. Whether you want it or not, you’re getting it.”

       Qin Mu was speechless. Lips tight, he lay down on the bed. Thanks to regular workouts, the lines of his back were strikingly beautiful. The muscle contours from the nape of his neck down his shoulders to his waist resembled undulating mountain ridges.

       Technician Shen casually tugged away the obstructive towel and placed his warmed-up hands on Qin Mu’s lower back. As he gently kneaded and pressed, the teasing talk flowed non-stop:

       “Does it hurt?”

       “Too much pressure?”

       “Be good, just relax, I’ll go softer.”

       “Feel better now?”

       “If it hurts, cry out. Stop always holding it in.”

       “Want to try a different position?”

       Qin Mu kept his eyes closed the entire time, letting him perform his act alone. His body was tense at first, but gradually relaxed. The familiar touch of those hands deceived the brain, conjuring up memories of the distant past.

       The cramped, stifling rental room.

       The sore, aching back.

       The pungent scent of medicated oil.

       And those murmured words of affection by his ear.

       “My Little Log’s had a hard day. Come here, let big brother give you a massage…”

       His consciousness slowly sank in a haze, drifting below the surface like a leaf on water. Yet the lingering trace of reason struck like a warning bell, thudding heavily against his heart.

       Qin Mu snapped awake.

       Shen Liu sensed the sudden tension in Qin Mu’s back and paused. “Does it hurt?”

       “That’s enough,” Qin Mu said, turning over and sitting up.

       “Then let’s go downstairs and eat.” Shen Liu packed away the ointment and headed to the bathroom to wash his hands. Water flowed across his palms, washing away the remaining warmth. He repeatedly rubbed his long fingers, as if reluctant to let go of the sensation from earlier. Looking up at his reflection in the mirror, he couldn’t help but mock himself silently—

       What kind of expression is that? Why do you look like such a pervert?

       When he came out, Qin Mu was already dressed. Shen Liu pulled a small box from his pocket and handed it over. “Got your glasses fixed. Try them on.”

       Qin Mu took the box. The prescription was accurate and the details nearly identical. If not for the lack of that distinctive scratch on the inner arm, he would’ve thought they were the original pair. As far as he knew, that model had already been discontinued. He had no idea where the ever-resourceful Master Shen had managed to find one.

       But the other man didn’t mention it at all. He just stood at the doorway, urging him, “Let’s go, I’m starving.”

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       The kiss was hasty yet resolute, bitter yet sweet. He knew this act was somewhat shameless, but his body, as if bewitched, was beyond his control. Just as uncontrollable was his heart, which felt as though it was about to leap out of his chest. He even gave rise to a dangerous hope—if Shen Liu were to wake up at this very moment…then everything could be laid bare, and he wouldn’t have to keep hiding anymore.

       But Shen Liu remained sound asleep, his chest gently rising and falling, his breath tinged with the lingering scent of alcohol.

       Qin Mu let out a sigh, both disappointed and relieved. He savored that lingering kiss over and over in his mind, then carefully lay down beside Shen Liu. He had planned to lie there just for a moment before moving to the couch, but ended up falling asleep without realizing it—only to be caught red-handed when Shen Liu woke up in the morning, needing to pee. Before he had a chance to blush and stammer an explanation, the man pushed him back onto the pillow. “If you haven’t slept well, sleep a bit more. I’ll go buy breakfast.”

       With a guilty conscience, Qin Mu buried his face under the blanket and let out a long sigh. He truly didn’t know what to do with this ghost of a man.

       Apart from his torturous and bumpy path in love, what also weighed on his mind was his living expenses.

       Thanks to his excellent college entrance exam scores, K University had proactively waived his tuition for all four years. However, he didn’t meet the criteria for the ‘financial hardship’ student aid and thus couldn’t apply for subsidies. He had to cover his living costs on his own. Before the semester started, he took on several short-term jobs. He worked as a barista during the day, doing night shifts at an internet café, and tutoring the neighbor’s little daughter in English two evenings a week.

       Although he spent the entire summer working nonstop and was often so exhausted that he could barely move, his mood remained both joyful and tinged with reluctance to leave. To him, this was the ‘last period of time’ he had set aside in his heart to be with Shen Liu. Even though Shen Liu was willing to let him continue staying over, Qin Mu still insisted on moving into the school dormitory. He couldn’t allow the ghost in his heart to keep growing unchecked.

       The night before registration, Shen Liu gave him a cellphone as a gift—the exact same model as his own. Qin Mu accepted it. For a long time afterward, that sliding Nokia phone contained only one contact number. Shen Liu also handed him thirty thousand yuan in cash, saying it was from Qin Aihua and Zheng Yan. Since Qin Mu refused to go home or see them, the couple had no choice but to ask Shen Liu to deliver it on their behalf.

       On registration day, Shen Liu helped him settle into his dorm, took him to set up his student card and internet access, showed him around the library and cafeteria, and walked with him through every corner of K University. Qin Mu followed him down the tree-lined paths, painfully suppressing the urge to take back his decision.

       At last, he left Shen Liu.

       The initial discomfort was overwhelming, but fortunately, his classmates and dormmates were all friendly, helping him gradually integrate. Military training, classes, part-time jobs as a campus staff member, joining clubs and volunteer groups… With help from Feiyan and others, Qin Mu gradually stepped into a brand-new campus life and built a social circle of his own. He didn’t slack off academically either, maintaining his grades steadily in the top tier.

       Shen Liu was intentionally trying to foster Qin Mu’s independence, rarely took the initiative to disturb him. The two saw each other less and less often, but kept in touch through daily texts. They exchanged morning and evening greetings, shared amusing stories from the day, and occasionally grabbed a meal together at the cafeteria. Qin Mu had thought that his feelings would gradually fade after parting, but contrary to his expectations, he couldn’t stop himself from missing him.

       On Christmas, Shen Liu invited him back to the small apartment to celebrate. Qin Mu took a detour to pick up a cake and arrived late, only to open the door and find a room full of people. Shen Liu sat with a beautiful girl on his left, and an empty seat on his right. Feiyan pulled him over to sit in the vacant spot, winking as she whispered, “That’s Liu kiddo’s rumored girlfriend—the campus belle from the business school.”

       It was like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over his head. Qin Mu forced a stiff smile. “She’s very pretty.” From then on, he entered a dazed state. He drank mechanically and swallowed mouthfuls of bitter sourness. His loneliness turned the festive atmosphere into something incoherent and messy, and a flickering reel of past memories began playing in his mind. He knew Shen Liu would eventually have a girlfriend. He also knew he had no right to feel jealous. But emotions and reason were two different things—he simply couldn’t keep his heart still.

       The group got tipsy and began teasing one another, egging each other on to call the girl ‘sister-in-law’ and demanding that Shen Liu drink on her behalf. Shen Liu cursed, “Get lost. I’ve been in poor health lately, can’t drink that much.”

       “Your hand still isn’t better?” Glasses asked.

       Qin Mu froze. “What happened to his hand?”

       Fatty cut in, “He was trying to show off! There was no way he could’ve blocked that shot, but he insisted on trying and got slammed hard—got flung a long way, hand basically ruined.”

       Shen Liu had never mentioned a word about it to him. Qin Mu’s mood sank even lower, and he furrowed his brows.

       “It’s just a sprain. A few days and it’ll be fine.” Shen Liu brushed it off lightly, his eyes glancing at Qin Mu’s wine glass. “Shouldn’t you be putting that down by now?”

       Qin Mu said nothing.

       “Why are you bossing him around like that?” the girl interjected with a smile.

       Shen Liu habitually slung an arm over the back of Qin Mu’s chair, tilted his head, and said, “I’m his older brother.”

       Bitterness bubbled up in Qin Mu’s chest, wave after wave, impossible to suppress. He forced a smile and raised his glass. “In that case, as the younger brother, let me toast my sister-in-law.”

       The people around them roared with laughter. The girl blushed and protested, “You’re all such bullies!”

       Shen Liu lifted his eyelids and gave Qin Mu a cold and unwavering stare. “Put it down.”

       The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant.

       Qin Mu didn’t move. His heart felt like it was being torn apart. You’re protecting her to the point you won’t even spare me this bit of dignity?

       Seeing the tension rise, the girl hurried to ease the situation. “It’s not that I won’t drink—it’s just that I really can’t hold my liquor… how about half a glass?”

       Without a word, Shen Liu took the glass from her hand and drained it in one go, leaving Qin Mu out in the cold.

       “Whoa, our knight in black armor,” Fatty cracked a joke, trying to break the tension. “Come on, someone play a round with me—loser downs their drink!”

       The guy with glasses immediately chimed in, “Forget alcohol, I dare you to finish this bowl of spicy hot pot soup!”

       “Bring it on! Who’s afraid of who?”

       The table quickly returned to a noisy buzz.

       Qin Mu sat there at a loss. He could tell Shen Liu was angry. It was such a foreign feeling, after all Shen Liu had never been mad at him before. He had no idea how to deal with it. After a moment of hesitation, he quietly set his glass down.

       Shen Liu got up and walked out. Qin Mu wanted to follow, but the girl beat him to it. He could only sit there in silence.

       Feiyan patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about him. He’s got a temper. Let’s just keep drinking.”

       After seven or eight more drinks, Qin Mu was finally properly drunk. Dizzy and drowsy, he couldn’t bring himself to leave as long as Shen Liu was still around. In the end, Feiyan dragged him into a game circle.

       Truth or Dare.

       The empty beer bottle spun round and round, pointing to everyone but him. Qin Mu felt like a ghost—utterly invisible in the room’s laughter and chatter. He could see it all but couldn’t touch it. He didn’t belong.

       In the final round, Shen Liu’s rumored girlfriend chose “Dare,” and drew the task: A passionate kiss. But by some twist of fate, the bottle’s mouth didn’t stop in front of Shen Liu. Instead, it tilted crookedly and pointed straight at Qin Mu.

       The bizarre pairing left everyone speechless.

       Qin Mu, already a little numb with alcohol, stared blankly at the bottle, as if trying to analyze the probability of it pointing to him.

       The girl awkwardly asked, “No knight to save me this time?”

       Shen Liu tossed aside his half-eaten apple and stood up. Fatty whistled.

       “Hold on a sec,” Feiyan interrupted on purpose. “She drew passionate kiss—if it’s not going to be a wet one, then you better chug that beer instead.”

       Everyone assumed Shen Liu would just drink the beer. Even Qin Mu. Until Shen Liu half-knelt in front of him, reached out, and wrapped an arm around his neck—then Qin Mu realized something was off.

       Before he could react, Shen Liu’s lips were already on his. It was fierce and commanding.

       It was like a massive avalanche had erupted in Qin Mu’s head, collapsing all reason into rubble. He couldn’t tell if he was dreaming or awake. Shen Liu cupped his jaw, forcing his mouth open. The sweet and crisp taste of apple swept in. Tongues tangled, saliva mixed, and obscene sounds echoed in the stunned silence.

       Someone gasped. Fatty was trembling and whispered, “Holy shit…”

       Qin Mu’s scalp tingled as he shoved Shen Liu away.

       “Satisfied now?” Shen Liu wiped the corner of his mouth with a flick of his finger. Though the question was directed at Feiyan, his eyes never left Qin Mu.

       Feiyan swallowed hard. “…Satisfied.”

       “Good. Then let’s wrap this up. It’s late,” Shen Liu said, ruthlessly kicking everyone out.

       Qin Mu’s face flushed and he couldn’t say a word. His heart was racing wildly, completely out of control. He just wanted to run, but his limbs wouldn’t cooperate. He couldn’t walk in a straight line and nearly knocked over the coffee table.

       Shen Liu grabbed his arm. “You stay.”

       Qin Mu struggled, but must have pulled Shen Liu’s injured hand. Shen Liu hissed in pain. Qin Mu immediately froze.

       The atmosphere was far too strange, and the onlookers had lost all will to spectate. One by one, they fled like their lives depended on it. Fatty sobered up instantly, the guy with glasses didn’t even bother to grab his 800-degree specs. The two of them supported each other as they bolted. Feiyan and the others raced to get dressed like they were competing in a quick-change contest. The Shen Liu’s rumored girlfriend left with a gloomy face and said nothing.

       In less than three minutes, the room was empty, leaving only Shen Liu and Qin Mu. The silence was overwhelming.

       Qin Mu had already downed a barrel of jealousy and drowned himself in alcohol. He had been cold-shouldered, then kissed out of nowhere. His emotions had been yanked up and down until his temper finally snapped. He stared at Shen Liu and mocked coldly, “Aren’t you going to see your girlfriend off?”

       Shen Liu shoved him hard and pinned him against the wall. “You’ve been out for just a few days and you’re already acting out—itching for a beating, aren’t you?”

       Qin Mu, dizzy and irritated, struggled. “If you don’t let go, don’t blame me if your arm ends up broken.”

       Shen Liu pressed him down with his chest, deliberately using his injured right hand to hold down Qin Mu’s wrist. “I’ll give you a chance. Go ahead.”

       “…You’re insane.” Even in his drunken haze, Qin Mu remembered not to touch his injured arm. But that left him unable to move, pinned and helpless. He muttered, “Stop messing around, will you?”

       Shen Liu was so close and their faces nearly touching. Under the light, the dark depths of his eyes sparkled faintly, and with a teasing smile he asked, “Angry?”

       “If you didn’t want me to kiss her, you could’ve just said so… why do all this…” Qin Mu’s voice faltered. He lowered his eyes, avoiding Shen Liu’s gaze.

       “A law student like you—don’t you know that a debt must be repaid to be fair?” Shen Liu curved his lips in feigned innocence. “You stole a kiss from me while I was drunk. I deserve a chance to collect.”

       Qin Mu’s heart gave a violent jolt. His eyes widened in disbelief.

       …He knew?

       …He had known all along?

       Panic surged through Qin Mu. A wave of shame flooding him until he felt scorched inside and out. He was like a thief cornered in a dead-end alley with only two choices; to surrender or fight to the bitter end.

       But this was Shen Liu. Once he made a move, he never left an escape route.

       “You’re right. I didn’t want you to kiss her.” Shen Liu murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the side of Qin Mu’s neck. “After all, I raised you for so long. How could I let someone else kiss my child bride?”

       The tingling and electric sensation made Qin Mu shudder involuntarily. He must really be drunk, so drunk he had started dreaming strange and impossible dreams. Dreams where up was down, right was wrong.

       And yet… he didn’t want to wake up.

       He had finally heard the words he had longed for, from the person he loved. Whether they were true or not, none of it mattered anymore.

       Shen Liu found his reaction utterly amusing. He cupped Qin Mu’s face and gave it a light squeeze. “You really are made of wood, huh?”

       Qin Mu stared at him for a moment, dazed, then silently wrapped his arms around him. He held him tightly, like he was afraid he might lose something precious. He hugged him so hard he almost crushed him.

       “You silly thing, ease up—I’m about to suffocate,” Shen Liu said helplessly. “Go lie down for a bit. I’ll take care of this mess…”

       But Qin Mu wouldn’t let go.

       “…Fine,” Shen Liu said with a laugh, and simply carried him straight to bed.

T/N:
Hello, very long time no see.. I never plan to abandon this series for this long, but life happens… I need time to solve my financial situation properly, and with the fact that I need to move and everything… I just always came home exhausted and have no time or strength to translate
So I’m sorry for making you guys wait long, I don’t have any excuses; just that I need to focus more on my rl to get more money so I can leisurely translate without burden.
Since half of the problem solved, I will be posting more than just one chapters 🙂

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       Qin Mu shut the door and slapped himself hard a few times in front of the mirror.

       He told himself: Can you have some damn shame? He saved you, protected you, and did so much for you. How can you have such dirty thoughts? You’re a fvcking homosexual. What right do you have to mess up his normal life? Do you even deserve it?

       After a sleepless night, he made up his mind to bury these feelings deep down and focus all his attention on studying. He wanted to get into K University. At first, it was to escape his tormented home life, but now he had a more important reason; he wanted to be somewhere closer to Shen Liu.

       The college entrance exam and a secret crush were both the toughest trials in life. And on top of that, he was still battling persistent PTSD. For more than a year, he crawled through that swamp of struggle, fighting with himself, falling countless times, and getting back up just as many. Shen Liu was his endless source of strength, like the morning star shining high in the sky. Just seeing it meant dawn was near and gave him the strength to keep going.

       Qin Mu tempered his heart to become ever stronger, slowly revealing a deep, steady, and resilient core.

       Finally, his efforts bore fruit in the national college entrance exam. He had estimated his score earlier and felt confident, so he appeared calm. On the contrary, it was Shen Liu who was more excited than when he got into college himself. He ran straight to K University’s admissions office and picked up Qin Mu’s acceptance letter. As soon as he walked in the door, he wrapped Qin Mu in a hug and kissed him loudly on the forehead, praising, “Not bad! Amazing! You really made me proud.” He looked just like a father who had finally seen his son live up to expectations.

       With Shen Liu hugging him like that, Qin Mu’s heart was pounding. He subtly moved away and said, “What do you want to eat? I’ll go buy groceries later.”

       “Groceries, my ass.” Shen Liu pinched his cheek. “Your big bro’s taking you to eat at restaurant. Today we’re celebrating properly.”

       Qin Mu thought the ‘restaurant’ he was referring to was a small, home-style restaurant downstairs. But before he knew it, Shen Liu had dragged him all the way to Guangyue Tower in the city center. Shen Liu boldly reserved the biggest private room and plopped down to start ordering.

       Qin Mu glanced at the menu and instantly felt all his hairs stand on end. He whispered, “It’s too expensive. Let’s go somewhere else.”

       “It’s a special occasion, so we’re eating well today.” Shen Liu laughed. Normally, he was a very down-to-earth guy. Except for being picky about where he lived, he didn’t care much about food, clothes, or transportation. He had no issue eating at street stalls, wore tank tops out and about, and if there was no car, he would just walk. Because of that, no one around him—not even Qin Mu, who lived with him day in and day out—knew anything about his background. Not that he was deliberately hiding it; he just didn’t see the need to mention it. But today, his rich-boy flair was on full display as he casually ordered an entire lavish feast.

       Qin Mu looked at the lobsters swirling through dry ice and couldn’t help laughing and crying at the same time. “You planning to starve next month?”

       “No worries. When it’s time to pay, we’ll just run.” Shen Liu suggested.

       Qin Mu played along. “Then I’ll bend down to tie my shoes first.”

       Guests started arriving one after another, all of whom Qin Mu knew. When Fatty saw the lobster and roast duck, his eyes lit up. “Damn! This spread… Liu boy, you went all in, huh?”

       Feiyan looked puzzled. “Did you win the lottery or something?”

       Glasses shook his head. “The odds of him winning the lottery are too low. Robbing a bank seems more likely. Fatty, go check if there are any cop cars outside.”

       Everyone burst out laughing.

       “People feel refreshed when good things happen to them, and even if you spend a thousand gold coins, it will come back again.” Shen Liu dr4p3d an arm lazily over the back of Qin Mu’s chair, showing off his ridiculous literary flair. “Little Wood got into K University. As his big brother, of course I’ve got to throw him a proper celebration.” He patted Qin Mu’s back. “Go pour some drinks for your seniors.”

       Qin Mu got up and poured wine for each of them. Feiyan stuffed a large ribbon-tied gift box into his hands. “Take this, or else people will say we shameless upperclassmen just came to freeload.”

       Seeing that Qin Mu didn’t want to accept it, she smiled and said, “It’s a little something from all of us. Congratulations on getting into the law department at K University. From now on, you’re my junior. If you ever need anything, come find me. I’ve got your back.” Just as Qin Mu was about to thank her, she leaned in with a mock-serious whisper, “That includes dating too. I know a few great guys.”

       His ears immediately turned bright red, and he was beyond embarrassed.

       “Woody, get back here after you get your gifts!” Shen Liu shouted. “Don’t let that shady matchmaker lead you astray!”

       Qin Mu thanked everyone and opened the gift on the spot under Shen Liu’s urging. It was a brand-new laptop.

       Fatty said, “We talked it over and figured it had to be something practical. This computer has a good cost-performance ratio. Though it can’t handle online games, it’s more than enough for browsing and researching stuff. If anything goes wrong, just bring it to me. Ever since my mom teased me for studying computer science but not knowing how to fix a computer, I’ve become the go-to repair guy in our department.”

       “If anyone bullies you, come find me,” said the tall guy with the square face. “Our taekwondo club isn’t to be messed with. By the way, are you interested in joining?”

       “Don’t go to his place. A gentleman talks, not fights. The literature club welcomes you,” said a pretty girl with a sweet smile.

       “Alright, you two quit fighting over him,” Feiyan said. “Classmate xiao Qin Mu is officially under my wing now. I’m taking him to the debate team.”

       “… Did I agree to this?” Shen Liu raised an eyebrow.

       “Whether you agree or not, he’s part of our law department,” Feiyan teased and gave him a provocative middle finger.

       Qin Mu smiled as he watched them bicker. His heart felt like a spring meadow warmed by the sun, soft and cozy. These strangers, unrelated by blood, treated him like a younger brother, giving him love and kindness, supporting, guiding, and accompanying him through tough times. They helped him shed his self-doubt and guard down, keeping a positive outlook on life. More importantly, they gave him something in love he had always lacked, something even more precious than family, which made him deeply grateful.

       He took up his cup and stood. Since it was his first time toasting in such a setting, he was a bit nervous, “I toast to everyone with the first cup of wine. It has not been easy for me to come this far. I’ve received a lot of help and care from you all. I will remember your kindness and definitely repay it when I get the chance. This glass… I drink to you all.” With that, he drained the cup.

       Fatty whistled, “Qin Mu already finished his drink, what are we waiting for?” Everyone drank along.

       “The second toast is to you, Shen Liu ge.” Qin Mu refilled his cup and turned to the man beside him. “Thank you for pulling me out of hell. Thank you for taking me in and giving me a home. And thank you for always encouraging me and helping me get better.” Memories flashed before his eyes, and tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke.

       Seeing this, Shen Liu smiled slightly and raised his hand. “Keep going, I think it’s time to properly recognise my great deeds.” He successfully drew a chorus of insults calling him shameless, which eased Qin Mu’s emotional turmoil. Shen Liu gently clinked his glass against Qin Mu’s and said, “I’m proud of you.”

       His gaze was gentle and bright, making Qin Mu’s barely settled feelings bubble up again. He quickly tilted his head back and drank. The cold drink warmed him immediately, spreading through his insides and making him a little excited. It was his first time drinking openly. The beer was light, and he didn’t experience any adverse effects, so he continued drinking several more cups without hesitation.

       “Young man, don’t be so fierce.” Shen Liu put some black bean sauce ribs on Qin Mu’s plate and tapped the edge of the bowl. “Eat something first.”

       “Oh.” Qin Mu put down his cup and started eating.

       Fatty waved his lobster claw and rolled his eyes. “Liu boy, you messed up. On a night like this, you’re still acting like an old lady controlling everything.”

       Feiyan, already tipsy, wagged her finger. “He’s not an old lady, he’s a man managing his wife, or rather, his child bride.”

       Shen Liu laughed, “Drink your own, you shrew.”

       Qin Mu blushed and pretended not to hear, quietly eating ribs. Someone came to toast again, and as Qin Mu was about to raise his cup, Shen Liu pressed his finger on the rim.

       “Blushing like that and still drinking?” Shen Liu scolded, taking the cup and proudly announcing, “I’ll drink for him.”

       Fatty exploded in anger, “Damn it! Last time I nearly got trashed by the team and you didn’t drink for me!”

       “You’re wild, he’s domesticated. How can it be the same?” Shen Liu said leisurely.

       Qin Mu was startled, almost dropping the food on his chopsticks.

       “fvck you Shen Liu, you’re the wild one!” Fatty grabbed the bottle and charged, “You want to drink for him or not? This bottle’s for Qin Mu. You drinking?”

       “I’m toasting Qin Mu too.”

       “Me too.”

       Hearing Shen Liu say he would drink for Qin Mu, the whole table rose up to join in, even Glasses wobbling over to join the fun.

       Shen Liu turned to Qin Mu with a smile, “Look at these beasts with human faces.” After finishing his drink, he kicked the chair boldly and shouted, “Bring it on! I’ll crush you all till you’re calling me daddy!”

       The boys drank, and the girls cheered; the dining table was like a battlefield filled with smoke and killing intent. In the end, it turned into a combined alliance assault against the Big Boss Shen Liu.

       The battle was fierce.

       The first squad’s daredevil captain, Fatty, vomited on the spot; Iron Lady Feiyan hugged a coat rack and whispered heartfelt words; the taekwondo club president stuck out his tongue and sang ‘Sunset Glow¹A Chinese TV program that focuses on the lives of the elderly. The title refers to the ‘sunset years’—a poetic metaphor for old age, like the warm, glowing light before the sun sets. The second squad was even more drunk and swaying; even the third squad’s logistics and communications officer, Glasses, was knocked out cold.

       Shen Liu, the boss who claimed to be able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, was still sober. Sitting backwards in his chair with legs spread, he rested his soft head on the backrest and commanded, “Call three cars to load them up. If it’s too much to handle, call a few more people. These trash…”

       With him blocking the front, Qin Mu didn’t drink a drop after all. Now he helped the two sober girls hail three taxis and took turns sending the drunkards home. When they returned, Shen Liu had already swiped his card and paid. Leaning against the cashier counter, he waved to him, “Come here and help your ge.”

       Qin Mu put his arm around him. Shen Liu was dizzy and weak in the legs, leaning heavily against him. Qin Mu quickly wrapped his arms around Shen Liu’s waist. They were about the same height, so Shen Liu’s chin rested right on his shoulder, forming a face-to-face embrace.

       “Little Wood, was Shen Liu ge awesome just now?”

       “…Awesome.” Qin Mu’s heart pounded so fast he thought it might burst. He hurriedly took two deep breaths.

       “When did you get this tall?” Shen Liu half-closed his eyes, leaning against Qin Mu’s neck, slowly smiling, “Our Little Wood has grown up.”

       “…” Qin Mu felt if they kept hugging, he would lose control. Adjusting his position, he held Shen Liu to his right side and said, “Let’s go home.”

       Shen Liu leaned on him as they walked toward the roadside, suddenly saying, “Don’t listen to Yan child.”

       “What?” Qin Mu didn’t understand.

       “Don’t get to know with those shady guys.”

       Qin Mu laughed wryly.

       Less than a minute later, Shen Liu seemed to realise something. “Alright, you’ve grown up. It’s fine to meet people, but you have to tell me beforehand. Also, don’t sleep with anyone easily. And if you do, always use protection. Men and women are different—those places get hurt and infected easily…”

       The main street was bustling with people passing by. Qin Mu blushed and grit his teeth, “Did you really have to say this on the main road?”

       Shen Liu smiled softly. His lashes drooping to cover half his eyes, looking especially gentle, “Silly kid, I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”

       Qin Mu’s heart seemed to skip a beat; he stopped walking for a moment. He pressed his lips together and whispered, “I’m not a kid anymore.”

       Shen Liu seemed to both understand and not understand. He looked at him vaguely for a moment, then muttered, “I want to vomit.”

       Qin Mu: “…”

       He was really drunk. He barely made it home, collapsed on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep. Qin Mu took off his dirty clothes, wiped Shen Liu down with a wet towel, and then sat by the bed watching him.

       The timed nightlight automatically went off after half an hour, leaving the room pitch black.

       In the darkness, Qin Mu bent down and gently kissed his cheek.

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       While Shen Liu was still lost in memories, Qin Mu had already begun quietly maneuvering behind the scenes. He contacted his assistant to organize and send over copies of all the available documents. He then called Zhou Yi and asked for help reaching out to a few clients to supplement and verify materials.

       When Zhou Yi heard that Qin Mu was physically restricted, he was shocked. “What happened?”

       Qin Mu answered honestly, “I was locked up.”

       Zhou Yi’s voice turned tense. “By who? Baolijian’s people?”

       “If it were them, I wouldn’t be able to call you.”

       “Oh, right.” Zhou Yi exhaled in relief. “Then who?”

       “Shen Liu,” Qin Mu replied. He had no need to hide anything from his business partner, and Zhou Yi already knew the history between them.

       “…What the fvck,” Zhou Yi said, stunned. “You two really are…fated to meet across a thousand miles?”

       Qin Mu couldn’t be bothered to banter. “Did you get the contact info I sent?”

       “Yeah, I got it.” But Zhou Yi was clearly more interested in the drama. “So what’s going on now? You walked right into the trap and Senior Shen keeping his lover hidden away in a golden house? Is he seeing anyone? Are you two—”

       Qin Mu hung up before Zhou Yi could spit out more nonsense. He spent the entire afternoon in the gym instead.

       Whenever something troubled him, Qin Mu liked to work out. It burned energy and helped clear his mind. But today, it backfired. The heavy breathing and sweat-drenched clothes didn’t drive out the chaos in his head. The past kept surfacing, no matter how he tried to push it down.

       The feeling of losing control over the situation gnawed at him. Qin Mu lay flat on the floor exhausted and his eyes shut in resignation.

       At some point, that person had silently taken up residence in his heart and never left.

       Back then, Qin Mu had been so naive. He thought that if he were just strong enough, he could overcome anything. But returning to school wasn’t as simple as he had imagined.

       The affiliated high school first insisted that only a parent could file the return from leave paperwork. Then, using the excuse that ‘many parents objected’, they dragged their feet on approval. It wasn’t until Shen Liu escalated the matter to the Education Bureau that the school reluctantly agreed to let him back in.

       Qin Mu wanted to stay in the dorms, but when teachers asked for their opinions, none of the boys in his class were willing to room with him. Other classes also refused to accommodate him. In the end, he had no choice but to keep living at Shen Liu’s small apartment and commute.

       His return was met with anything but a warm welcome. His classmates were cold, either treating him like he didn’t exist or gossiping about him like he was some rare specimen. Qin Mu had mentally prepared himself, but seeing even Han Zhang avoid him still stung.

       Soon enough, word spread like wildfire throughout the school about ‘the gay kid that came back’. It was as if a shot of adrenaline had been injected into the otherwise dull campus life. To make things more scandalous and thrilling, students let their imaginations run wild, creating an ever-growing list of shocking rumors,

       ‘I heard he started that fire himself. He just got out after being locked up.’

       ‘A friend who lives near him said he beat his parents and got kicked out. Even pulled a knife.’

       ‘Hey, doesn’t he go to the hospital often? I heard he was r4p3d. Might even have AIDS.’

       ‘He’s living with a man now. I saw it myself.’

       ‘Ugh, gross. Is he just giving up on himself completely now?’

       …

       People were always full of malice towards those who were different from themselves.

       Rumors and silent hostility blanketed the school like a snowstorm, turning it into a frozen lake. Malicious thoughts churned beneath the ice, and countless claws were sharp and restless. It scratched and screeched, as if the moment a crack appeared, they would break through and drag down the lone figure walking above.

       It didn’t take long before someone began to test the waters.

       One of Qin Mu’s worksheets came back with the words ‘disgusting pervert’ scrawled on it. His missing uniform was found shredded in a trash bin. On cleaning duty, someone intentionally kicked over a bucket of water, and passing students stepped through it, cursing and casting contemptuous glances his way.

       The so-called ‘model students’ grew more brazen by the day under Qin Mu’s silence. Some boys catcalled him with vulgar whistles or gave him nicknames so filthy they were hard to repeat, such as ‘sissy’, ‘gigolo’, ‘double-ended plug’, ‘male toilet seat’. Someone spat in his water bottle. Someone else threw his schoolbag into the girls’ bathroom.

       Qin Mu had fought back, but one person’s fists couldn’t win against many. When he reported the bullying to his homeroom teacher, all it earned him was a lukewarm lecture directed at the offenders, which only made the retaliation worse. Being singled out in a mob felt like being stranded on a lone island in the middle of the sea, with nowhere to run.

       One day, a group of senior athletes cornered Qin Mu in the restroom. The ringleader was Li Xiaomo’s current boyfriend.

       Li Xiaomo had cried to her new boyfriend, painting herself as a victim. She claimed Qin Mu had deceived her, taken advantage of her, and even conspired with Han Zhang to beat her. With no basis, the rumors fanned his male aggression into a frenzy. He led his gang to ambush Qin Mu, pinned him down, kicked him, doused him with urine, and even took photos. They posted them on the school bulletin board under the words: ‘Perverts don’t belong in the men’s room’.

       Qin Mu had no choice but to return to Shen Liu’s apartment to change clothes. He didn’t want to worry Shen Liu, so he planned to clean up quickly and make it back in time for night study. But as he opened the door, he came face-to-face with Shen Liu, just out of the shower and clearly just back from a game.

       There stood Qin Mu, reeking of sweat and urine, eyes flickering with shame and helplessness.

       “What happened?” Shen Liu’s expression darkened. “Who did this?”

       “It’s nothing. I just… had an accident…” Qin Mu tried to brush it off, but lying in front of Shen Liu had always been hard. His nose tingled, his eyes reddened, and he quickly lowered his head.

       “Shower first, then talk,” Shen Liu said, draping his own bath towel over Qin Mu’s head, shielding the tears that had started to fall.

       The water poured down, washing away filth and tears.

       Qin Mu didn’t know why he would suddenly break down. Maybe it was the soft weight of that perfectly timed towel, maybe it was the worry in Shen Liu’s voice, or perhaps it was simply that one sentence, “Who did this?”

       Life was so damn cruel. It cruelly piled bitterness and hardship on his shoulders, forbidding him from hiding, from running, and from even crying out. Just when he had forced himself to be strong and independent like a ‘real adult’, Shen Liu was the only one who still saw him as a kid, offering patience, acceptance, and care. It was like a drop of sweetness in a mouthful of bitterness. It was sweet enough to make him cry.

       By the time Qin Mu finished his shower, he had pulled himself back together. Knowing he couldn’t hide this from Shen Liu, he simply told the essentials of what had happened.

       Shen Liu was sprawled on the sofa in his usual careless posture, long legs propped up high, a lollipop dangling from his lips. His takeaway from the story went completely off-course, “You had a girlfriend? Was she pretty?”

       Qin Mu: “…”

       “Judging from your silence, not pretty,” Shen Liu said, shaking his head like a disappointed parent. “Woody, when people date, they either go for a pretty face or a kind heart. How did you end up with someone ugly and mean? She crawled out of the trash can behind your school at midnight wearing sunglasses?”

       Qin Mu’s face turned scarlet. He stood up and ignored him.

       Shen Liu grabbed his arm.

       Qin Mu muttered, “What?”

       “My leg’s cramping…” Shen Liu hissed through his teeth. “Help me out, quick.”

       “That’s what you get for playing basketball every day,” Qin Mu grumbled, but still took his foot and began stretching and massaging his calf. “Better now?”

       “Nope. Still numb.”

       Qin Mu kept massaging. “Now?”

       “Still numb,” Shen Liu said, lounging even more comfortably with eyes closed in bliss.

       Qin Mu saw through him at last. With narrowed eyes, he gave Shen Liu’s inner thigh a hard pinch. Shen Liu yelped, sprang up yelling “You little brat, you’re dead!” and lunged at him.

       Qin Mu nimbly dodged around the coffee table. Shen Liu was limping slightly and couldn’t catch up. He instead pelted him with couch cushions.

       “Come here!” Shen Liu growled through gritted teeth.

       Qin Mu shook his head, laughing. “Do I look stupid to you?”

       “You’re not stupid, you just go digging for women in the trash can.”

       “Uh-oh, are you getting mad again?” Shen Liu grinned. “Oh no, I’m so scared. Our Little Woody can actually get mad? Come on, show your brother what that looks like.”

       That did it, Qin Mu pounced on him.

       The two of them wrestled on the floor, tangled together, going back and forth. Qin Mu wasn’t as strong as Shen Liu and was also terribly ticklish. After getting pinned to the carpet and mercilessly tickled, he laughed and begged for mercy. “Stop… I give up…”

       Shen Liu sat astride him, sneering playfully. “Still gonna throw a tantrum?”

       Qin Mu answered obediently, “No more tantrums.”

       “Call me good big brother. Let me hear it.”

       “…Good big brother.”

       “Good boy.” Shen Liu leaned down, bracing his arms on either side of Qin Mu’s head. “Little Wood…”

       “What?”

       “You realize it, don’t you? You don’t push me away anymore.” Shen Liu smiled with squinted eyes.

       Qin Mu paused, then flushed slightly and pushed him. “You’re heavy. Get off.”

       That afternoon, when Qin Mu left for evening study, Shen Liu put on a black jacket and went out too. By the time Qin Mu got home, Shen Liu hadn’t returned yet.

       The next morning, just as Qin Mu entered the classroom, the group of jocks from the day before followed him in. Thinking they were about to beat him up again, Qin Mu clenched his fists and stood up nervously.

       Unexpectedly, the group stood in a row, their eyes awkwardly darting around. They then bent at the waist and said in unison, “We’re sorry, Qin Mu.”

       Qin Mu was stunned. Looking closer, he saw that they were all bruised, especially the leader—Li Xiaomo’s boyfriend—whose face was black and blue. That guy pulled out a crumpled note from his pocket and started reading it in a lisping and halting voice, likely due to a missing tooth, “We bullied the weak with numbers and strength. We are simply morally… degenerate and have no conscience. It’s as if all our education was eaten by dogs and we did things no decent human should do… We’ve let down our teachers’ guidance, our parents’ hopes, our motherland’s beautiful rivers and mountains, and the title of successors of the new era… We were wrong, and we will never do it again. Please, for the sake of being schoolmates, for the sake of building a great future together… forgive us.”

       By this time, most of the class had arrived, and even students from the next class were crowding around the door to watch. The ridiculous speech had everyone trying not to laugh, and they were all struggling to hold it in.

       As Qin Mu listened, he gradually pieced it together. This tone, this method… Who else could it be but Shen Liu? He took the apology note and gave them a way out. “Okay.”

       When the group quickly shuffled away with lowered heads, Qin Mu sat back down. The more he thought about it, the funnier it became. He couldn’t help but cover his face with his English textbook and laugh.

       Later, when Qin Mu went back, he asked Shen Liu, “Did you beat them up?”

       Shen Liu, who was squeezing toothpaste onto his brush, put on an innocent face and replied seriously, “Beat who? Don’t go throwing baseless accusations at me. I’m a model citizen. I am pure, upright, and never a fan of violence. I always persuade people with reason.”

       Qin Mu knew he wouldn’t get anything out of him.

       In the mirror, Shen Liu stood in a tank top with toothpaste foam in his mouth, and a mischievous gleam in his eyes that was lazy and unruly as ever.

       But to Qin Mu, he looked just like a superhero out of a Hollywood movie.

       And in that moment, he heard the sound of his own heartbeat.

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       The application for changing the guardian was rejected again, and Qin Mu was taken home by his parents.

       Shen Liu went to see him at home several times. The Qin family was filled with a kind of stiff harmony.

       Qin Aihua and Zheng Yan watched their son standing in front of the court in the dock, and after he told them everything he had suffered in a trembling voice with great restraint, they finally believed it about 70% and lowered their heads in regret belatedly.

       Fortunately, the son eventually returned. On the one hand, the two wanted to repair the precarious parent-child relationship, and on the other hand, they also sought to use this as a means to soothe their guilt; their attitudes changed significantly. Zheng Yan stopped swearing when she was not at home, and Qin Aihua no longer had a cold face. For the first time since their marriage, the two put aside their past grudges and joined hands to create a ‘harmonious and loving’ family atmosphere for their children. They treated Qin Mu with a stern and reserved attitude, carefully caring for his emotions, not mentioning what happened in the past, no longer controlling him, and avoiding all topics of sexual orientation. Still, it seemed more awkward because of the deliberateness.

       What puzzled them was that Qin Mu did not buy their act. This lost and found son was like a polite and cold sojourner, actively avoiding intersections with them. Except for meal time, Qin Mu either stayed in the room or went to the library. He would greet them when they entered and left the house, wash the dishes after meals, do his own laundry, and tidy up the room, but he would not show any intimacy to them, nor would he say unnecessary words or smile.

       Qin Aihua and Zheng Yan couldn’t understand why Qin Mu was like this, but Shen Liu understood very well, because his relationship with Shen Lan was also gradually fading.

       Children’s feelings are delicate and fragile things, like blue and white porcelain that needs to be carefully cared for. However, many parents don’t care. They always smash everything with their self-righteous hammers and then blame their children for being too sensitive, too caring, too stingy, and too vulnerable. Qin Mu has completely lost trust in his parents, and this parent-child relationship has long been in name only.

       Shen Liu regularly takes Qin Mu to see a psychologist every week. He knew that Qin Mu had a great yearning for K, so he often took him to K University, visited the library, and enrolled him in a few interesting elective classes, trying his best to ignite his passion for life.

       The application to change Qin Mu’s guardian had once again been rejected. Qin Mu was taken back home by his parents.

       Shen Liu had visited him at home a few times. The Qin household was filled with a stiff and forced harmony.

       After seeing their son stand before the court and recount all he had suffered with a trembling voice. He tried hard to be steady. Qin Aihua and Zheng Yan finally believed that at least 70-80% of it was true and hung their heads in belated regret.

       Fortunately, their son had come back in the end. On one hand, they wanted to mend the fragile parent-child relationship; on the other, they hoped to ease the guilt that had been festering in their hearts. Their attitude had shifted noticeably. Zheng Yan no longer cursed and grumbled at home, and Qin Aihua stopped wearing a perpetually cold expression. For the first time since their marriage, the two of them had set aside their past grievances and joined hands to create a ‘harmonious and loving’ family atmosphere for their child. They treated Qin Mu with a clumsy and awkward gentleness, tiptoeing around his emotions. They avoided bringing up the past, no longer tried to control his every move, and carefully steered clear of any discussions about sexual orientation. However, their deliberate restraint only made things more unnatural.

       What puzzled them was that Qin Mu didn’t buy into any of it. The son they had lost and regained now acted like a polite but distant sojourner, consciously avoiding any interactions with them. Other than mealtimes, Qin Mu either stayed in his room or went to the library. He greeted them when they came or went, did the dishes after meals, washed his own clothes, and kept his room tidy. But he never showed any warmth, never said anything unnecessary, and never smiled.

       Qin Aihua and Zheng Yan couldn’t understand why Qin Mu was like this, but Shen Liu understood all too well. This was exactly how things had gradually unraveled between him and Shen Lan.

       A child’s emotions were always delicate and fragile, like porcelain that needed to be handled with great care. Yet many parents didn’t care at all. They used what they believed were righteous hammers to smash everything to pieces, then turned around and blamed the child for being too sensitive, too particular, too petty, too fragile. Qin Mu had completely lost trust in his parents. That parent-child relationship had long since become one in name only.

       Shen Liu took Qin Mu to see a psychologist regularly every week. He knew Qin Mu was drawn to K University, so he often brought him there to walk around the campus, hang out in the library, sit in on interesting elective classes, and did his best to rekindle Qin Mu’s passion for life.

       Qin Mu was also working hard. He took his medication on time, forced himself to live by the routine prescribed by his doctor, got up early to exercise and ran at night to tire himself out, leaving no room for aimless thoughts and that was how he combated his sleep disorder. He endured and waited for adulthood.

       In this way, the three members of the Qin family, like trees in a forest exhibiting ‘crown shyness¹a natural phenomenon where the crowns(top branches and leaves) of a fully grown trees avoid touching each other, forming visible gaps in the canopy.‘. Each drew invisible boundaries between themselves and the others, achieving a strange kind of peace.

       This superficial calm lasted until Qin Mu’s eighteenth birthday. Qin Aihua had gone out of his way to buy him an expensive pair of running shoes, learning his son’s shoe size for the first time. Zheng Yan had ordered a twelve-inch cream cake and cooked a tableful of dishes Qin Mu liked. Worried the atmosphere would be too cold, they suggested he invite some friends over to liven things up.

       By dinnertime, the only guest to arrive was Shen Liu. He had come on purpose because he knew what Qin Mu was about to do.

       The meal felt like the quiet before a storm, filled with a terrifying stillness. After everyone had set down their chopsticks, Qin Mu placed a kraft paper envelope on the table and slowly spoke.

       “Dad, Mom, I’m an adult now. From today on, I’ve decided to live independently. I’ve found a place to stay, my things are packed, and I’ll be moving out tonight. This is the compensation the court awarded me. I don’t have an income yet, and living on my own requires some expenses, so I’ve taken five thousand from it. The remaining thirty thousand is for you. They say the kindness of being raised can’t be measured in money, but this is all I can do for now. Once I start working, I’ll send you money regularly. I can’t predict the amount yet, but I won’t go back on my word.”

       “What did you say… Where are you going?” Zheng Yan stared at him in disbelief, stammering. “You… you’re moving out?”

       “Yes,” Qin Mu answered.

       Qin Aihua’s face turned grim. He fixed his eyes on his son and asked, “What do you want now? Are you rebelling? You suffered at that school, so what? It’s all our fault? If you had just studied properly and hadn’t gotten involved in that disgusting gay stuff, your mother wouldn’t have panicked and sent you to that kind of place. Wasn’t she doing it for your own good?” The more he spoke, the angrier he became. “Whose kid didn’t grow up getting beaten and scolded? And it wasn’t even me or your mom who beat you. Did you really have to take us to court to get even? Fine, you sued us. And after you came back, we’ve been nothing but careful around you, living by your mood, almost burning incense and worshipping you. Still not enough? Tell me, what kind of kid treats his parents like enemies and can’t even be bothered to speak to them? Who threatens to run away from home every time something happens? Someone says a few words and you’re ready to leave. What do you think you’re capable of, huh? You think you’re going to make something of yourself by following those people?”

       In his fury, Qin Aihua even dragged Shen Liu into his rant.

       Shen Liu raised his eyebrows and was visibly annoyed, but swallowed the sarcasm that had risen to his throat. He was never one to hold back with his words, but before entering the house, Qin Mu had told him that no matter what happened, he wanted to handle it himself. So Shen Liu could only force himself to stay silent, silently accepting the label of ‘instigator’.

       Qin Mu seemed to have expected everything in advance. He calmly asked, “Then, what is it that you want from me?”

       “Bullshit! We raised you, and now you think we’re scheming to get something from you?” Qin Aihua slammed the table in fury, making the bowls and plates clatter from the impact.

       Qin Mu looked up at him. “Now that we’ve come to this, why don’t we lay everything out in the open? Ever since I was old enough to understand, I’ve tried my best to live according to your expectations. I was afraid of your fights, the cold wars, the smashing of pots and dishes. I lived every day in fear and anxiety. I studied desperately because when my grades were good, Mom would be happy, and the atmosphere at home would ease up a little. I obeyed everything. I didn’t make friends because I wasn’t allowed to, didn’t read extracurricular books, didn’t listen to music. That was how I tried to please you. I was supposed to be a perfect creation shaped by so-called ‘motherly love.’ But unfortunately, this creation turned out flawed.”

       His fingers resting on his lap were curled tightly and trembled slightly from the strain as he struggled to suppress his emotions and keep his tone steady. “My sexual orientation became an indelible stain in your eyes, and so you discarded me like a defective product. In that hell, I kept asking myself: Who am I? What am I supposed to become? Eventually, I figured it out. What my mother loved and wanted was just a false illusion. That wasn’t me—it was a projection she desperately constructed to compensate for her failed life. But I can’t bring myself to hate her, because I understand why she became that way. And I know who made her that way.”

       His gaze shifted to Qin Aihua. His breath quickened, and a flush of suppressed red tinged the corners of his eyes. “I remember back in elementary school, there was a composition assignment called ‘My Dad.’ I held the pen for a long time and couldn’t write a single word, because in my mind, my father was only someone who sat in front of the TV with crossed legs, drinking and eating peanuts. But I still got a high score on that essay because I wrote about my imaginary dad—someone who would take me on outings, play ball with me, care for me and protect me. I never understood why you would rather waste energy arguing than do a bit of housework, why you dumped all the burdens of life onto her shoulders, why you completely ignored me. And more than that, I couldn’t understand if you don’t like kids, why have one? If there’s no love in the marriage, why not divorce? Later, I understood. It’s because you care about saving your face. You are afraid that if you lack one of your wife and son, others will look down on you. But before you praise other people’s kids, shouldn’t you ask yourself if you’ve ever been a decent father like them?”

       “You… ungrateful little bastard!” Qin Aihua exploded with rage, standing up and raising his hand for a slap.

       Qin Mu didn’t move. His fists were clenched tightly, but in that moment, he suddenly felt a sense of relief.

       He thought, Go ahead. Hit me. Maybe it’s better if you do.

       But before the slap could land, Shen Liu caught Qin Aihua’s hand. The young man said coldly, “If you’ve got something to say, then say it. But if you hit him, I won’t stand by.”

       “And who the hell do you think you are?!” Qin Aihua tried to jerk his arm free, but he wasn’t strong enough to break free from the younger man’s grip. His face flushed with anger. “Let go!”

       Shen Liu shoved him back forcefully before releasing his grip. Qin Aihua stumbled and fell back into his chair. Humiliated and furious, he said, “Get out! If you want to leave, go! I’ll just pretend I never raised a son like you!”

       Qin Mu stood up. Zheng Yan rushed over, grabbed his arm, and sobbed, “No! I don’t agree! You can’t move out! You’re still so young and you can’t possibly live on your own! Just stay home, okay? From now on, you can do whatever you want, I won’t try to control you anymore, alright? Everything I did was for you… I really did it all for your own good…”

       Qin Mu was being shaken by her, his eyes half-lowered, as if they held two hollow voids. “You say it was all for my good, but why didn’t I get better? You used those words as an excuse every time you hurt me. Don’t you think that’s cruel? I’ll never become the person you want me to be. If you’re so disappointed in me, then take this life back.”

       He picked up the fruit knife on the table and pulled it out of its sheath.

       Shen Liu immediately grabbed his wrist and said firmly, “Qin Mu, don’t do anything stupid. Let go.”

       The sharp blade glinted silver. Qin Mu stared at Zheng Yan and asked, “Is this what you want?”

       Zheng Yan was terrified and shook her head, crying, “Put it down… please put it down…”

       Qin Mu let go. The fruit knife clattered onto the table. Zheng Yan collapsed to the ground and sobbed uncontrollably.

       “Crazy. You’re all crazy!” Qin Aihua stormed out, face dark, slamming the door behind him.

       Qin Mu quietly turned back into the house, picked up his packed suitcase, and walked out the door amidst Zheng Yan’s sobs. Shen Liu helped him load the suitcase into the taxi. Noticing that Qin Mu kept staring at the window, Shen Liu patted his shoulder and said, “I’ll go back and say a few words.”

       Back inside, he crouched down in front of the still-crying Zheng Yan and said, “Auntie, after being locked up in that place for so long, he’s developed some psychological issues. The doctor also recommended that he live in a new environment, so leaving home isn’t a bad thing. I’ll take care of him, so you don’t have to worry too much. Some things just need time to heal. The bond between you and your son isn’t beyond repair, but right now, you need to wait for him to heal first.”

       He wrote down a landline number for her. “This is how you can contact me. Call if you need anything.”

       Zheng Yan nodded numbly, wiped her tears, and accepted the number. Only then did Shen Liu leave with peace of mind.

       The engine roared to life, and that familiar window grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. Qin Mu seemed to see a silent young boy standing at the window, sorrowfully watching him leave.

       It was his younger self saying goodbye to him.

       On the day he became an adult, Qin Mu severed ties with his birth family and set out on an independent path. From that moment on, he had the right to make his own choices and the duty to bear all the consequences.

       Fortunately, he was not alone. Shen Liu was by his side.

       Qin Mu hadn’t brought much; all he brought were a few books and some changes of clothes. Shen Liu bought him the daily essentials. When Qin Mu said he would pay him back, Shen Liu scoffed, “With what money? You barely have enough for tuition and living expenses.”

       Qin Mu had no choice but to let it go and silently noted down every expense. He was planning to return to school once the term began. Shen Liu was worried he would face discrimination if he went back to his old school and tried to convince him to transfer.

       “The Affiliated High School has strong teachers, good facilities, and a high college acceptance rate. It’s one of the best in all of K City. Besides, I’m already used to how things are taught there,” Qin Mu said, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, flipping through a math book. “A secret can’t be kept forever. Even if I transfer, word about me being gay will spread eventually. No matter where I go, people will talk. I’ll just ignore it, it’s not a big deal.”

       Shen Liu, who was cramming calculus on the sofa, teased, “Pretty open-minded, aren’t you, Little Wood? You’ve missed so many classes, think you can keep up? Want your gege to tutor you?”

       Qin Mu gave him a sidelong glance. “How about you go take a shower first? You stink of sweat.”

       “Tsk, getting bold now, huh? Complaining about your big brother! Taste the wrath of my invisible athlete’s foot!” Shen Liu lifted his leg and stuck his foot toward him.

       Qin Mu smacked it away and played along, “Dragon-Subduing Palm, one out of ten hits so far.”

       Shen Liu, now fully in play mode, hooked his arm around Qin Mu’s neck from behind. “Great Locking Hand!”

       Qin Mu suddenly gripped his arm tightly, his voice trembling. “…Let go.”

       Shen Liu didn’t move. Qin Mu struggled hard and flung him onto the sofa. After catching his breath, he lowered his head and muttered, “Sorry.”

       “What’s there to apologise for?” Shen Liu replied casually. “Didn’t you slap me last time? Being able to hold back this time is progress.”

       Feeling guilty, Qin Mu tried to lighten the mood with a small smile. “What do you want to eat? I’ll make it.”

       “Diced stir-fry, please.”

       Once Qin Mu had gone into the kitchen, Shen Liu quietly rubbed the back of his head where he had hit it earlier and sighed: a prickly little creature like this really is hard to care for.

T/N:
Previously I said the nickname is blockhead but after reading their dynamics in the past few chapters, I see that the nickname is too harsh and decided to change it to Little Wood, I will be changing the notes and also the chapter nickname too
Also sorry again for the barely there updates… I’ve been busy because I will be moving and also my laptop is kinda broken and it limited me to use it until it gets fixed (•̀⤙•́ )
But I hope when all things are done and fixed I can translate again a lot!

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       The fire made the morning news the next day.

       After solemnly reporting that ‘a fire broke out at a school due to ageing electrical wiring, resulting in the unfortunate death of a student’, the anchor’s tone abruptly shifted, spending far more time praising the authorities for their swift and wise response and the firefighters for their selfless bravery.

       Lang Feiran’s death became a disposable subplot in a tale of heroism, and his resistance was reduced to an irrelevant paragraph in the whole story. While alive, he was labelled a ‘troublemaker’; in death, it was ‘misfortune’. His existence faded like a snowflake that fell silently and melted at dawn—barely noticed, easily forgotten.

       Still, a fire that killed someone left a blemish on K City’s safety record. In addition, it was in a sensitive period with the Spring Festival approaching, and the public outcry was too great to ignore. Higher-ups issued a directive to temporarily shut down and ‘rectify’ the Yongning Youth Correctional School.

       Even as the school iron gates clanged shut, Liang Yong stepped out of the compound with a smile on his face and approved documents for an expansion tucked under his arm. Recently, student numbers had been rising steadily, and the dorms were nearly full. Once the holiday heat died down, he would rebuild two new buildings under the guise of renovations. Like weeds after a wildfire, new growth would sprout in the spring—and with it, a fresh fortune from spring admissions came.

       The students who had survived the blaze were gradually picked up by their parents. After the ‘effective correction’, these children were now obedient to a fault—compliant, unquestioning, responding to every command. Their parents, pleased, finally welcomed the harmonious family reunion they had long dreamed of.

       By the time Zheng Yan arrived at the school, Qin Mu was already gone. She assumed he had gone home on his own, but when night came, and he still hadn’t shown up, she panicked and grabbed Qin Aihua to go file a missing person report. Before they could even call, the police came knocking, asking them to cooperate in an investigation.

       It turned out that Qin Mu had reported everything to the police, accompanied by Shen Liu, Fatty, and the others. He had his injuries documented and gave a full, detailed statement. The school flatly denied all accusations of beating and attempted assault, insisting Qin Mu had simply run away in defiance of rules, and accused him of seeking revenge against his teachers out of spite.

       Upon hearing this, Zheng Yan immediately scolded her son with wounded fury, “How could you tell such lies? I’m so disappointed in you!” Then, turning to the police, she glared at Shen Liu and explained, “My child isn’t bad by nature. He must’ve been misled by someone. You know how teenagers are—confused, impulsive, unable to tell right from wrong, unaware of the pains parents and teachers take for them, and especially difficult to discipline. Strict methods are necessary. A few hits, a little punishment—it’s all fine. Sometimes pain is the only way they learn. We parents absolutely support the teachers. And besides, if the teachers were really in the wrong, why didn’t they hit the other kids? Clearly, it’s because he did something wrong. We’re grateful to the teachers. We would never report them.”

       Her absurd justification made the college students accompanying Qin Mu frown deeply. Li Feiyan muttered under her breath, “And she calls herself a mother? She’s the one who can’t tell right from wrong, treating her kid like property or a slave. I swear, I really want to slap her.”

       Fatty nervously grabbed her arm and whispered, “Don’t be rash. If you hit her, it’ll be considered serious assault. You’ll get arrested by the police.”

       Li Feiyan ground her teeth in anger. “Then maybe she deserves it. Why else would I want to hit her and no one else?”

       Glasses looked at Qin Mu with pity and sighed softly. He then murmured, “No wonder he didn’t want to come.”

       The police officer, who had stayed up all night and still had a pile of reports to process, was getting impatient with Zheng Yan’s rambling. “Alright, you all work this out yourselves. If you can settle it privately, even better.” Although Qin Mu’s body was covered in blue and purple bruises all over, they didn’t quite meet the legal threshold for minor injuries. Even if charges were filed, it wouldn’t lead to anything serious. Besides, the legal guardian had no intention of pressing charges.

       Qin Mu sat in silence, his bangs falling over his eyes, concealing a gaze void of light. It was like that of an old man who had long since seen through the ways of the world and accepted the ending. There was no vitality left in him. Shen Liu, who had been quiet the whole time, only nudged his arm after the formalities were complete and tilted his head toward the end of the hallway. “Didn’t you say you needed the bathroom?”

       Qin Mu met his eyes briefly. His eyelashes trembled slightly before he stood without a word and walked away. Shen Liu exchanged a glance with Fatty and then smiled as he turned to Qin Aihua. “Uncle, we’ll leave him in your care. We’ve got class soon, so we’ll be heading out.”

       Qin Aihua gave a perfunctory thank you. As soon as they were out of sight, Qin Aihua spat in the corner and cursed under his breath that these college kids had nothing better to do, blowing a tiny thing out of proportion. Not only that, they were reporting things to the police, making him come here and lose face for nothing.

       If word got out that he had failed to raise his child properly and that the kid was gay, how was he supposed to show his face again? Annoyed, he urged Zheng Yan to hurry up. The two of them kept blaming each other until they reached the entrance only to discover Qin Mu was gone again, leaving behind a note in the hall that said he was staying at a friend’s and would be back in a few days.

       Zheng Yan was furious and yelled at the police to help find her son. At that time, there weren’t many surveillance cameras. All they could see was Qin Mu walking out alone and disappearing into an alley across the street. No further footage. Zheng Yan threw a hysterical fit, crying and accusing the police of losing her child. She nearly got detained herself.

       Qin Mu had gotten into a taxi waiting at the end of the alley. Before going to the police station, Shen Liu had made a promise to Qin Mu that if things didn’t go well, he would help.

       Shen Liu took him back to his place.

       Though he lived on his own now, Young Master Shen still carried the airs of a rich kid. He couldn’t stand six-person dorms, so he rented a sixty-square-meter apartment near K University. His place was often packed with friends, noisy and lively. He quickly settled Qin Mu in.

       K University was a long-established institution with a long history. It was home to top faculty and elite students, many of whom were already influential in their fields. Shen Liu, though only a freshman, had quickly become a campus celebrity thanks to his striking looks and bold personality. He was active in the student union, the basketball team, and campus music competitions—all of which earned him fans. With a single call, he rallied a group of passionate students to begin their attack on the correctional school and Liang Yong.

       The students posted on major forums, exposed the truth, sought out other victims of abuse, and even contacted the media to amplify their efforts.

       But Liang Yong hadn’t risen to power in K City without backing. The powerful figures he served were like gods, shielding him with a golden bell no group of naïve college students could shake. Back then, the internet wasn’t what it is today, and the media remained silent under pressure from higher authorities. Before long, the bullet of public outrage lost its momentum.

       Frustrated but undeterred, the students strategised. Li Feiyan, the belle of the law faculty, took the initiative. She connected with older students and alumni and even enlisted the help of their department head, Professor Xiao Chengzong. With these legal experts on their side, Qin Mu officially filed a lawsuit against Liang Yong and several ‘teachers’ for abuse.

       What surprised Shen Liu most was that after consulting Professor Xiao, Qin Mu also named Qin Aihua and Zheng Yan as ‘accomplices’. He filed a petition to revoke their parental rights.

       Professor Xiao spoke to him in a grave and paternal tone, “In our culture, family ties are bound tightly with the idea of filial piety. What you’re doing will be seen as ungrateful, disobedient, and heartless. People will criticise you. And whether you win or lose, it’ll be hard to mend your relationship with your parents.”

       Qin Mu lowered his eyes. “That relationship became irreparable the moment they sent me there. I don’t want to give them another chance to abandon or hurt me.”

       Kahlil Gibran once said that a person has two selves—one awake in the darkness and one sleeping in the light.

       Shen Liu didn’t know whether the calm and composed Qin Mu before him or the one who had screamed and cried in the snow was the one awake or asleep, but he could sense a subtle change in the boy. It was as if, piece by piece, a cold suit of armour was growing from his flesh and bones, covering him from head to toe—appearing so hard from the outside that it seemed he needed no comfort or pity.

       However, that wasn’t the truth.

       Not long after Qin Mu moved in, Shen Liu began to notice something was off. One night, when he got up in the middle of the night, he found the boy missing and was startled. As he approached, he saw Qin Mu curled up on the carpet like a shrimp, wrapped tightly in a blanket. At first, Shen Liu thought he had just rolled off the bed in his sleep and reached out to wake him, only to spot a pale blue ribbon tied around the wrist peeking out from the covers.

       It was the decorative ribbon left over from Feiyan’s birthday gift a few days ago. Qin Mu had used it to tie his wrist to the bedpost. There was nothing else on the bed that could be used for restraint, and the ribbon was too short to reach from the bed itself, so he had chosen to sleep on the floor.

       His body had escaped hell, but his heart was still locked in the abyss. The long-term torment he had endured left him with an intense sense of insecurity. No matter how hard he tried to appear normal, he couldn’t conceal the fear inside him. All kinds of seemingly absurd paranoid thoughts clung to him, convincing him that if he ever let himself fall asleep, he would once again descend into hell.

       Shen Liu quietly backed away, then tossed and turned all night on the sofa before seeking help from a psychology professor. After hearing about Qin Mu’s situation, the professor connected him with a brilliant student who specialised in PTSD and was well-known in the field. The specialist agreed to help free of charge.

       The first time Shen Liu took Qin Mu to see the therapist, he was nervous and worried the boy might resist. However, Qin Mu’s response surprised him.

       Qin Mu was fully cooperative, even remarkably proactive. He knew he was sick and was willing to work hard to get better. This relieved Shen Liu immensely. Like a dutiful pet owner caring for a fragile little creature, he would get up at night from time to time to check on him.

       One night, he was overjoyed to find Qin Mu sleeping peacefully without tying himself up. Out of pure happiness, he covered his mouth and bounced in place three times.

       Shen Liu had initially planned to go home for the Spring Festival, but at the last moment, he softened and decided to stay with the now-homeless Qin Mu. He couldn’t quite explain why he was so dedicated to this kid. Maybe it was a pity; maybe he found it fascinating; maybe Qin Mu’s dependence gave him a sense of achievement, or maybe, as Feiyan joked, his ‘maternal instincts had kicked in, and he just got used to raising the kid’. Whatever the reason, every time he heard Qin Mu call him ‘Shen Liu ge’, it lifted his mood.

       Though Shen Liu stayed, he wasn’t of much practical help. He was a classic domestic incompetent, and he was utterly useless when it came to cooking or cleaning. Qin Mu knew how to do laundry, but he had rarely cooked before. With all the restaurants closed for the holiday, the two survived on frozen dumplings for two days before they got sick of it and sat staring at each other in boredom. In the end, Qin Mu felt guilty for freeloading under someone else’s roof, picked up a cookbook and began cooking by trial and error. He burned one pot, melted a steamer, charred a fair number of ingredients, and finally managed to put together something halfway edible. And just like that, the New Year passed.

       For Qin Mu, who had long been repressed and now regained his freedom, these days with Shen Liu felt like a rebirth. But for Qin Aihua and Zheng Yan, they were steeped in grief. The two sat in silence in front of a cold New Year’s Eve dinner. Eventually, Zheng Yan couldn’t hold back anymore. She buried her face in her hands and cried, “I’m his mother! I gave birth to him, raised him! I put in so much effort! Everything I did was for him! For his own good! And now he won’t even acknowledge me, and he’s even suing me… That heartless little beast! My whole life is ruined. What’s the point of living anymore…?”

       Qin Aihua sat there with a sullen expression, silently picking at his food. Hearing her neurotic wailing, the anger in him flared up. He slammed his glass down and shouted, “Shut up! You’re the one who raised that ungrateful brat! It would’ve been better if you hadn’t given birth at all! What a disgrace!”

       His words lit the fuse.

       Zheng Yan exploded and unleashed every grievance she had ever swallowed during their marriage. Her bitterness, her misfortune, all of it came pouring out in a tirade of accusations aimed at Qin Aihua. Enraged and humiliated, Qin Aihua flung down his chopsticks and snapped, “If you can’t take it, then let’s divorce!”  He stormed out and left the plate-smashing Zheng Yan behind.

       But after slamming the door and stepping out into the freezing night, he realised he had nowhere to go. He wandered aimlessly for a while in the snow before returning home, dejected and covered in frost.

       After the New Year, Qin Mu’s case went to court. Due to insufficient evidence, a lack of witnesses, controversy over electric shock therapy, and overwhelming pressure from all sides, the proceedings didn’t go well. In the end, it quietly ended in a hasty defeat.

       As they exited the courtroom, Qin Mu stood on the steps at the door, looking up at the scales of justice hanging high. He asked, “Is it that there is no fairness in this world, or is fairness simply not meant for me?”

       A wave of indescribable bitterness surged in Shen Liu’s heart. He reached out, pulled the boy into a tight hug, and whispered, “It will be yours. I promise.”

       “Ge, thank you. I will repay you in this life,” Qin Mu’s voice was soft.

       “What’s with all this talk of repayment? Can you offer yourself in return?” Shen Liu suppressed his frustration and made a joke, ruffling his hair. He watched Qin Mu get into a taxi with Zheng Yan. He stood silently in the cold wind for a while, then turned and took a cab to the airport, flying back to J City that night.

       This was the first time in his life that Shen Liu had asked Shen Lan for help in solving a problem. Shen Lan seized the opportunity to offer the condition of ‘studying abroad’.

       To his surprise, Shen Liu agreed without hesitation.

       Two weeks later, a national newspaper published a full-page article about the case, with a striking headline: ‘Beware of the Claws Stretching Toward Children’. The next day, a top-tier media outlet also published a stern editorial on the serious crackdown on unqualified pseudo-schools, with harsh wording and a clear stance.

       A fierce storm suddenly swept through K City, bringing with it the public’s heated discussions. Before the officials in K City could react, the sharp axe of disciplinary inspection fell like lightning. The school’s incomplete paperwork, questionable teacher qualifications, and unclear fund allocations cut through the false facade to reveal the nauseating tumours beneath.

       Students who had left the school came forward one after another to testify about the abuse, intimidation, and mistreatment they had endured. Liang Yong was quickly arrested, and a string of officials was implicated. On the surface, it appeared to be a clash of good and evil, but beneath the surface, it was an unseen political struggle. The personnel changes in K City shifted the balance of power, with the Shen family displacing the Zhao faction’s influence in the city and replacing it with their own people.

       When the spring breeze returned, the expansion of the Yongning Correctional School came to a permanent halt. The abusive student case that had been pushed to the forefront was sealed with a final verdict from the judge. Qin Mu, as one of the victims, was awarded 35,000 yuan in civil compensation.

       This terrifying nightmare finally came to an end in such a way. When the judgment was announced, Shen Liu hugged Qin Mu and said, “See, fairness will always come.”

       Qin Mu buried his face in his shoulder, tears streaming down as he nodded.

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