Author: hoenimochi (Page 7 of 95)

       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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       Shen Liu sat at the conference table, the light from the projector casting a kaleidoscope of colours in his pupils.

The screen displayed information on the Baolijian case. Though the contents were complex and the handwriting varied, every detail reflected the meticulous and consistent rigour of the person who compiled it.

       First there was Xiao Chengzong, and now Qin Mu. This master and disciple shared the same stubborn streak—so obstinate that even ten oxen wouldn’t be able to drag them back once they had made up their minds.

       As Shen Liu read, he sighed inwardly.

       He wasn’t the least bit surprised that Qin Mu got himself involved.

       On the surface, the man seemed intelligent, calm, as immovable as a mountain. He always wore a cold and indifferent expression that kept others at a distance. But in truth, it was nothing more than a carefully painted mask, hiding his real emotions deep beneath. He had drawn a small, tightly defined circle around himself, and anyone inside it held enormous weight in his heart. Xiao Chengzong had been his mentor, the one who guided his path. Now that the man had died tragically because of the case, there was no way Qin Mu would just stand by and do nothing.

       Shen Liu knew his character all too well. That was why, the moment he learned of Xiao Chengzong’s death, he contacted Chu Yu to try and hold him back—but even that failed. The only fortunate thing was that Qin Mu had now landed in his hands, safe and sound. He couldn’t let Qin Mu touch this case again—at least, not right now.

       But there was no way Qin Mu would just let it go.

       After weighing the options through a sleepless night, Shen Liu finally decided to step in himself. He gathered his team of lawyers to analyse and assess the value of the case files.

       The lawyers were well aware of how serious the case was. Their expressions were grim as they engaged in heavy discussion. Two of them got so worked up they nearly broke into an argument. All the legal jargon flying around reminded Shen Liu of the old days, when Qin Mu used to memorise statutes word for word. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

       The lawyers noticed and felt a chill. One of them cautiously asked, “President Shen, is there a problem?”

       “No. Carry on,” Shen Liu said, giving them ample time to discuss. He propped his chin in one hand and flipped through the documents with a solemn expression. But his gaze drifted, lost in the sight of Qin Mu’s neat and slender handwriting.

       Fate as truly something beyond one’s control. Like a pair of invisible hands, it stirred the vast and dusty world at will—causing countless twists of destiny, entanglements of love and desire, joys and sorrows, unions and partings, blooming and withering in turn. One moment, the dust seemed to settle; the next, the waves surged again. All living beings, as small as ants, lay hidden within it—rising and falling with the tide, directionless and adrift.

       It had once turned its face on them cruelly, tearing apart their deep affection with ruthless indifference, erecting mountains and chasms between them. And now, with that same capricious hand, it had brought Qin Mu back to his side—as if caught in a fated cycle no one dared to speak aloud, yet could no longer deny.

       The thread of time suddenly drew tight, yanking Shen Liu back to that snowy night fifteen years ago.

       The night they first met.

       Back then, he was in the throes of reckless youth—full of cynicism and defiance, hating nothing more than being told what to do. Among all the descendants of the Shen family, he was particularly troublesome.

       The Shen family had already grown into a massive clan by his generation. Old Shen military achievements for the country had long been recorded in history, studied and praised by generations to come. His descendants were all sharp and capable, like stones forming the foundation of the towering edifice that was the Shen family.

       His father, Shen Lan, was the youngest and most beloved son of the Shen family patriarch. As Shen Lan’s only child, Shen Liu held a status no less prestigious than that of Jia Baoyu, the jade-born darling of the Grand View Garden¹from Dream of the Red Chamber. But for some unknown reason, perhaps his mother had eaten something wrong while pregnant; he was born rebellious, headstrong, and full of opinions. The older he got, the harder he was to control.

       Shen Lan, being a domineering man, had little patience for parenting and usually resorted to sheer force to impose discipline. But wherever there was suppression, there was rebellion, and so their household was often a battleground.

       The father and son’s confrontations continued all the way through Shen Liu’s high school graduation. Defying Shen Lan, he gave up his guaranteed spot at J University, secretly changed his application to the architecture department at K University, and flew off like a bird out of a cage—leaving behind a furious Shen Lan who overturned the dinner table in rage.

       Freed from his original environment, Shen Liu found life relaxing and pleasant. The thorns the family had raised in him slowly retracted, and he made quite a few like-minded friends.

       That winter, just before the New Year, he and eight or nine classmates went to visit the hometown of one of their roommates, located in a rural county near K City. The roommate’s name was Ji Chunyang, and because of his extreme nearsightedness, he wore thick glasses like the bottom of a wine bottle. People nicknamed him ‘Glasses’.

       Glasses’ dad had an old Jeep. Shen Liu and a chubby guy named Liu Qiang egged Glasses into sneaking out of the car so they could practice driving. Their sneaky plan was spotted by another classmate, Li Feiyan, and to keep her quiet, they had no choice but to bring her along.

       That night, snow began to fall. Though Shen Liu and the chubby guy could drive, neither of them had a license. Glasses kept muttering, ‘This isn’t safe,’ like an old monk, so Shen Liu eventually turned the car around to head back.

       Just then, a dark figure suddenly darted out from the empty hillside—right into their path. It was almost too late to avoid a collision. Startled, Shen Liu slammed the brakes all the way down. The chubby guy banged his head on the seatback and yelled, “Ow, fvck!”

       The car came to a halt.

       With his soul just barely returning to his body, Shen Liu cursed and jumped out of the vehicle. But as soon as he approached the person, he shrieked and scrambled backwards, crawling away in a panic until they vanished into the darkness beyond the reach of the headlights—as if utterly terrified.

       The chubby guy and Glasses followed behind. Feiyan poked her head out of the backseat and shouted furiously, “You idiots left a girl alone in the middle of nowhere! What if someone jumps out and tries to assault me?”

       The chubby guy laughed. “Heroine, just lock the doors. With your kung fu, you could punch a man to death. We gotta leave those guys who try to molest you some chance to live.” Then he leaned in close to Shen Liu and whispered, “Just say Glasses was the one driving. He’s got a license. If not, you’ll get hauled in for driving without one. We’ll all stick to the same story so no one can extort us later.”

       Glasses, ever timid, nervously scanned the area and suggested, “The guy’s still moving and breathing. He doesn’t look seriously hurt. Let’s just go. Feiyan’s right—what if there really are robbers hiding around here?”

       Shen Liu lifted his eyelids and shot them both a look. “We’re in the middle of nowhere. What other car would be out here? What kind of brainless thief hides in the snow waiting to rob people? They would have frozen into popsicles by now.” He jerked his chin toward the chubby guy. “Go set up the triangle reflector so a passing car doesn’t rear-end us. Glasses, get in the driver’s seat and keep watch. If anyone is lying in wait, run them over—one down is one less to worry about. I’ll go see what’s up with him.”

       “Got it,” the chubby guy replied, heading to the back of the car. Glasses took a few steps, then turned back and added, “Be careful. Even if it’s not a trap, mentally ill people can still hurt you—and that’s not even against the law.”

       Shen Liu waved him off dismissively and walked toward the figure. After observing for a while and seeing no movement apart from heavy breathing, he crouched down at a distance. “Hey, I mean no harm. Don’t be scared.” He paused. “Are you hurt anywhere? Do you want us to take you to a hospital to get checked out?”

       At the mention of ‘hospital’ and ‘checkup’, the person started trembling violently, curling up into a tight ball and burying their face deep in the crook of their arm.

       Shen Liu noticed this detail and frowned slightly in confusion. He switched tactics. “Or… do you live nearby? I could take you home.” He thought that if this person really had a mental condition, the safest option was to find a family member or guardian.

       But the person just trembled harder.

       Later, Shen Liu would learn the reason for Qin Mu’s fear. The school he had been in ran so-called ‘sting’ experiments to prevent escape and crush any courage they had left. Teachers would deliberately relax their guard, creating fake opportunities to escape—only to trap those who took the bait and punish them with electric shocks. After being in that unsafe environment for so long, Qin Mu had lost the ability to trust anyone.

       But back then, Shen Liu didn’t know that. Seeing that no matter what he asked, the person remained silent, he ran out of ideas. He pulled three bills from his pocket and pressed them under a rock.

       “Alright, here’s the deal. There are three hundred yuan here. Use it to get checked out. No matter what they find, you can come find me. I won’t go back on my word. I’m a first-year architecture student at K University. My name’s Shen Liu. I’m pretty well-known at school—ask anyone, they’ll know me. K University. Shen Liu. Got it?”

       He turned and took a few steps. He seemed to hear something behind him—a sound faint and uncertain, mingled with the wind. He thought he was imagining it, but when he looked back, he saw that the person who had been curled up on the ground was now crawling toward him on all fours. The figure clutched at his pants leg, the pale yellow headlights illuminating the falling snow and the tear-streaked, still-bruised face.

       “Please… save us…”

       Shen Liu was stunned by that wretched expression. He swallowed hard before coming back to his senses, bending down to ask, “Us? You and who? What happened? How did you get all those injuries on your face?” Seeing the person shivering uncontrollably, he quickly took off his coat and wrapped it around them, offering comfort, “Don’t be scared. I’m not leaving. You’re half-frozen—let’s talk in the car, okay?”

       The person nodded but couldn’t stand up—their legs had completely given out, collapsing into the snow again. Shen Liu shouted, “Fatty! Come help me!”

       The two of them helped the person into the back seat of the jeep. Feiyan, who was still inside, had just opened her mouth to scold them when she caught sight of the face and gasped, “What the hell happened? Did we hit him that hard?!”

       “Idiot, he was beaten up.” Shen Liu pushed her into the front seat and climbed in beside the dirt-covered boy, sandwiching him between himself and Fatty. “Where’s the thermos? Give him some hot water.”

       Feiyan quickly poured a cup from the thermos and handed it over.

       The person didn’t drink it. Instead, clinging tightly to Shen Liu’s clothes, he choked out through tears, “Please… save my friend. He didn’t make it out. If they catch him, they’ll beat him to death.”

       His voice trembled violently—part cold, part terror.

       “Calm down and tell us slowly. What happened? Where’s your friend?” Fatty asked.

       The boy slowly composed himself. His words were a bit clearer now, though still shaking. “My name is Qin Mu. His name is Lang Feiran. We were both locked up in Yongning Correctional School up ahead… I escaped, but he got stopped by the gate guards. The teachers there… they’ll drag him off for electroshock… they’ll beat him…”

       “Those injuries on your face… Were from those teachers too?” Shen Liu asked with a frown.

       Qin Mu nodded.

       “What kind of bastard teachers beat people like this?” Feiyan cursed in fury.

       “I thought corporal punishment was banned?” Fatty added.

       Feiyan glared at him. “This isn’t corporal punishment—this is abuse! Assault!”

       Fatty’s flabby flesh quivered as he jumped in, outraged, “Yeah! We should report them to the Ministry of Education!”

       “No one’s going to do anything. That place isn’t even a proper school,” said Glasses, the local among them. He adjusted his thick-rimmed glasses and said, “Four or five years ago, the government was pushing some economic development goals and brought in an investor. It was originally built as a senior care facility. Once it was built, the investor ran off and sold it off cheap to some guy named Liang Yong, who turned it into a school in name only, taking in kids whose parents couldn’t control them. Think about it—if parents can’t manage their kids, what makes you think the teachers can? They rely on methods that can’t be made public.”

       He gave Qin Mu a glance and added, “They claim it’s ‘fully enclosed education.’ We’re not relatives or guardians, so we wouldn’t even be allowed to meet anyone there, let alone take someone out. And besides—it’s already late…”

       Hearing this, Qin Mu grew more frantic. Tears streamed down his face again as he pleaded, “Please… help him… He’ll die in there… the electroshock will fry his brain…”

       “If there’s a problem, we should go to the police,” Feiyan suggested.

       “It’s useless,” said Glasses, shaking his head. “A student escaped and tried that once. But all those kids were sent there by their parents. When the parents said they approved of the teachers’ methods, even violence, the police couldn’t do anything. As soon as the kid left the station, the parents just dragged him right back. Plus, the people behind that place… they’re not easy to deal with. The principal, Liang Yong, is a well-known ‘Model Citizen’ and ‘Education Pioneer’ around here—he’s got strong ties with the higher-ups.”

       “So we’re just gonna do nothing?” Feiyan gritted her teeth. “Kids aren’t their parents’ property—why should they have to suffer like this?”

       Glasses hesitated, then said, “Let’s at least take him to my place to rest. He looks like he’s barely hanging on.”

       “No… no…” Qin Mu shook his head frantically, clinging to Shen Liu’s arm as he broke into sobs again. “Please, I’m begging you—please save him…”

       The car was filled with heavy silence, broken only by the sound of his ragged crying.

       Shen Liu looked at the battered, bruised teenager, feeling something twist hard in his chest. After a long moment of silence, he said, “Glasses… drive.”

       “Go back?” Glasses asked.

       “To that school. To find his friend.”

       “Huh?” Glasses’ actual glasses nearly fell off.

Shen Liu curled his lips into a smirk, kicked the back of the driver’s seat in annoyance, and said, “So what if he’s one of those ‘Top Ten Model Citizens’? I was the damn campus singing champion, for what it’s worth. Drive! Tonight, I’ll use whatever bluff I’ve got—you guys just be brave and come along for the ride.”

       Fatty burst into laughter and gave him a thumbs up. “Now that’s bold.” He clapped Glasses on the shoulder and shouted, “Let’s go, bro!”

       Glasses sighed and shook his head helplessly before stepping on the gas.

       There was no time for Shen Liu to come up with a detailed plan. He figured they would go ask for the kid first—if that didn’t work, he would stir up some trouble, wait for the cops to show, then accuse the staff of assault. Once things escalated, he would pull out the trump card—his father’s name—and see if it carried enough weight in K City. He had never told his friends much about his background, but it looked like the truth might come out tonight.

       But the world has a way of making a mockery of plans.

       As the car rounded the hill, what they saw was blood-red snow under a burning sky.

       Flames soared into the air. Smoke billowed, thick and black.

       The firelight reflected in Qin Mu’s eyes as if setting him ablaze too. Sensing something, he bolted from the car before it even stopped. He was stumbling and scrambling like a wild animal out of control. As he ran into the crowd, he shouted Lang Feiran’s name over and over.

       It didn’t take long before he got the news from a student who had escaped.

       After Qin Mu’s escape, Lang Feiran had shaken off the guards and lit the fire he had long prepared. That night, he left the dormitory doors unlocked, giving the other students a chance to run.

       But he never left.

       This was the last rebellion of a young and angry soul against the cruel world.

       Blood and fire lit up the sky, staining the snow crimson, but could not drive away the darkness.

       Qin Mu’s hoarse and anguished cries pierced the icy night and stabbed into Shen Liu’s heart, making his chest ache with unbearable pain.

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