Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1C10

V1C10: Memories of the Past

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{The crisp sound of something landing tickled his ears.}
Before putting his plan into motion, Qin Mo shared it with Doctor Jiang. The woman disagreed with it, naturally. But, in the end, due to the boy’s persistence, she gave in. Even handing him a few warming pads and chocolates to give Shen Zhuoyun.

The crisp sound of something landing tickled his ears.

Qin Mo asked her for some pain meds and bandages in addition to the pads and candy, doubtful the instructor would remember to change Shen Zhuoyun’s bandages during his stay. Shen Zhuoyun’s wound was still far from being healed, so if he was to stay in that place for a full week, his wound had a chance of festering.

_{The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.}
Qin Mo asked her for some pain meds and bandages in addition to the pads and candy, doubtful the instructor would remember to change Shen Zhuoyun’s bandages during his stay. Shen Zhuoyun’s wound was still far from being healed, so if he was to stay in that place for a full week, his wound had a chance of festering.

The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

_{Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.}Everything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.

Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.

_{Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.}Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t understand how he could remember one segment so vividly when there were more than a hundred other edited shots, especially to the degree he could replay every sentence—every last word—of Qin Mo’s clip in his heart countless times for the years that followed.

Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.

Before putting his plan into motion, Qin Mo shared it with Doctor Jiang. The woman disagreed with it, naturally. But, in the end, due to the boy’s persistence, she gave in. Even handing him a few warming pads and chocolates to give Shen Zhuoyun.

_{“Yeah. What class is he in? Before graduation, let's go take a lil peek~”}
With his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.

“Yeah. What class is he in? Before graduation, let's go take a lil peek~”

_{Joy and sorrow pushed to the brink, forcing from his lips a bittersweet wail.}“I’m here.”

Joy and sorrow pushed to the brink, forcing from his lips a bittersweet wail.

_{Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.}The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.

He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!

_{Dressed in a windbreaker and plush, white scarf wrapped around his neck, the young boy’s nose was reddened from the cold, his expelled breath releasing puffs of white as he looked down at him silently.}The earliest time was during the rally before their middle school’s high school entrance exams. The first and second years were gathered to make a good-luck montage for the school. Among all the segments, there was one featuring an even younger, baby-faced Qin Mo, though the delicate features he would grow into could still be discerned.

Dressed in a windbreaker and plush, white scarf wrapped around his neck, the young boy’s nose was reddened from the cold, his expelled breath releasing puffs of white as he looked down at him silently.

_{Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t understand how he could remember one segment so vividly when there were more than a hundred other edited shots, especially to the degree he could replay every sentence—every last word—of Qin Mo’s clip in his heart countless times for the years that followed.}
Upon leaving a stall, the meek boy was met by a leaning Qin Mo, propped against the wall and blocking the bathroom’s exit. A pair of pitch-black eyes then fixed onto his own, followed by the words, “Do me a favour.”

Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t understand how he could remember one segment so vividly when there were more than a hundred other edited shots, especially to the degree he could replay every sentence—every last word—of Qin Mo’s clip in his heart countless times for the years that followed.

_{Shen Zhuoyun’s finger tіghtened around the snow covering the bench he sat on; he gripped it so tіghtly that his fingers reddened while the cold sank into his bones. It was as though he was latching onto something else between his fingers, as though something other than the snow was being crushed.}With glutinous eyes, they scanned every cranny and nook of his family home, their faces twisting and contorting with disgust or glee every so often.

Shen Zhuoyun’s finger tіghtened around the snow covering the bench he sat on; he gripped it so tіghtly that his fingers reddened while the cold sank into his bones. It was as though he was latching onto something else between his fingers, as though something other than the snow was being crushed. Like this, he sat there, crushing that thing between his palms, until the frigid crystals wept. After their remnants slipped between his fingers, he would clutch another again and again.

_{“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”}Upon leaving a stall, the meek boy was met by a leaning Qin Mo, propped against the wall and blocking the bathroom’s exit. A pair of pitch-black eyes then fixed onto his own, followed by the words, “Do me a favour.”

“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”

_{Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.}Clink.

Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.

_{Having no interest in being coy, Qin Mo explained to the scared boy outright, “I usually help out in the infirmary, so as long as I’m there for the post-dinner roll call, he won’t notice a thing.”}
Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.

Having no interest in being coy, Qin Mo explained to the scared boy outright, “I usually help out in the infirmary, so as long as I’m there for the post-dinner roll call, he won’t notice a thing.”

_{He wanted to hold that slender figure that just left.}Upon leaving a stall, the meek boy was met by a leaning Qin Mo, propped against the wall and blocking the bathroom’s exit. A pair of pitch-black eyes then fixed onto his own, followed by the words, “Do me a favour.”

He wanted to hold that slender figure that just left.

_{The earliest time was during the rally before their middle school’s high school entrance exams. The first and second years were gathered to make a good-luck montage for the school. Among all the segments, there was one featuring an even younger, baby-faced Qin Mo, though the delicate features he would grow into could still be discerned.}Shen Zhuoyun’s finger tіghtened around the snow covering the bench he sat on; he gripped it so tіghtly that his fingers reddened while the cold sank into his bones. It was as though he was latching onto something else between his fingers, as though something other than the snow was being crushed. Like this, he sat there, crushing that thing between his palms, until the frigid crystals wept. After their remnants slipped between his fingers, he would clutch another again and again.

The earliest time was during the rally before their middle school’s high school entrance exams. The first and second years were gathered to make a good-luck montage for the school. Among all the segments, there was one featuring an even younger, baby-faced Qin Mo, though the delicate features he would grow into could still be discerned.

_{Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.}So his name is Qin Mo, hm?

Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.

_{Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.}
“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”

Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.

_{So with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.}“T-that…that’s not necessary.”

So with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.

_{Countless faces bearing twisted grins filled his gaze.}The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.

Countless faces bearing twisted grins filled his gaze.

_{{I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!}}“Is he a junior? He’s so freaking cute, isn’t he?”

I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!

_{I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!}
“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.

I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!

_{“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”}Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.

“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”

_{The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.}Thіck doors and walls blocked all sounds from beyond them, and whatever movements were heard belonged to insects or mice he knew were scurrying about the room.

The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.

_{If, in the end, only this glimmer is eternal, then… he had no qualms in taking this sliver of warmth with him into the darkness.}
Having no interest in being coy, Qin Mo explained to the scared boy outright, “I usually help out in the infirmary, so as long as I’m there for the post-dinner roll call, he won’t notice a thing.”

If, in the end, only this glimmer is eternal, then… he had no qualms in taking this sliver of warmth with him into the darkness.

_{Having no interest in being coy, Qin Mo explained to the scared boy outright, “I usually help out in the infirmary, so as long as I’m there for the post-dinner roll call, he won’t notice a thing.”}Qin Mo blew a relieved breath, then casually stuffed the other boy’s hands with toffees before saying, “Thanks.”

_{“He’s in class 3, and his name’s Qin Mo. He’s the new student Mr. Guo said was a quick study—he’s, like, really smart…”}Before putting his plan into motion, Qin Mo shared it with Doctor Jiang. The woman disagreed with it, naturally. But, in the end, due to the boy’s persistence, she gave in. Even handing him a few warming pads and chocolates to give Shen Zhuoyun.

“He’s in class 3, and his name’s Qin Mo. He’s the new student Mr. Guo said was a quick study—he’s, like, really smart…”

_{“Still, just keep them and enjoy them.” Qin Mo curled his lips before returning the handful of sweets to glasses-boy’s hands. “It’s just a gift, nothing more,” he said before leaving.}
Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.

“Still, just keep them and enjoy them.” Qin Mo curled his lips before returning the handful of sweets to glasses-boy’s hands. “It’s just a gift, nothing more,” he said before leaving.

_{Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.}The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.

Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.

_{“He’s in class 3, and his name’s Qin Mo. He’s the new student Mr. Guo said was a quick study—he’s, like, really smart…”}Qin Mo asked her for some pain meds and bandages in addition to the pads and candy, doubtful the instructor would remember to change Shen Zhuoyun’s bandages during his stay. Shen Zhuoyun’s wound was still far from being healed, so if he was to stay in that place for a full week, his wound had a chance of festering.

“He’s in class 3, and his name’s Qin Mo. He’s the new student Mr. Guo said was a quick study—he’s, like, really smart…”

_{Shen Zhuoyun’s finger tіghtened around the snow covering the bench he sat on; he gripped it so tіghtly that his fingers reddened while the cold sank into his bones. It was as though he was latching onto something else between his fingers, as though something other than the snow was being crushed.}Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t understand how he could remember one segment so vividly when there were more than a hundred other edited shots, especially to the degree he could replay every sentence—every last word—of Qin Mo’s clip in his heart countless times for the years that followed.

_{Every time I’m at my lowest, you appear and give me a glimmer of light in the darkness.}
Qin Mo blew a relieved breath, then casually stuffed the other boy’s hands with toffees before saying, “Thanks.”

Every time I’m at my lowest, you appear and give me a glimmer of light in the darkness.

_{Clink.}N/A

Clink.

_{It’s been three days since I’ve been locked in here. His food deliveries were the only method Shen Zhuoyun could use to measure the time.}
“T-that…that’s not necessary.”

It’s been three days since I’ve been locked in here. His food deliveries were the only method Shen Zhuoyun could use to measure the time.

_{Everything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.}“Still, just keep them and enjoy them.” Qin Mo curled his lips before returning the handful of sweets to glasses-boy’s hands. “It’s just a gift, nothing more,” he said before leaving.

Everything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.

_{Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.}N/A

Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.

_{Joy and sorrow pushed to the brink, forcing from his lips a bittersweet wail.}Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Joy and sorrow pushed to the brink, forcing from his lips a bittersweet wail.

_Clink.
Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Clink.

_{{Do they really think I can’t see the foul, rotten stink of the greed and malice barely hidden behind their faces?}}Upon leaving a stall, the meek boy was met by a leaning Qin Mo, propped against the wall and blocking the bathroom’s exit. A pair of pitch-black eyes then fixed onto his own, followed by the words, “Do me a favour.”

Do they really think I can’t see the foul, rotten stink of the greed and malice barely hidden behind their faces?

_{Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.}N/A

Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?”}Having no interest in being coy, Qin Mo explained to the scared boy outright, “I usually help out in the infirmary, so as long as I’m there for the post-dinner roll call, he won’t notice a thing.”

“Shen Zhuoyun?”

_{He even went as far as thinking he could ask his parents if they were willing to do so, but that day he was waiting for never came.}
Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.

He even went as far as thinking he could ask his parents if they were willing to do so, but that day he was waiting for never came.

_{“Is he a junior? He’s so freaking cute, isn’t he?”}His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.

“Is he a junior? He’s so freaking cute, isn’t he?”

_{Qin Mo said nothing. Soon, his boots echoed crunches as they crushed the fallen snow. Little by little, the sound of his steps faded until they were all gone.}“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.

Qin Mo said nothing. Soon, his boots echoed crunches as they crushed the fallen snow. Little by little, the sound of his steps faded until they were all gone.

With his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.

_{He even went as far as thinking he could ask his parents if they were willing to do so, but that day he was waiting for never came.}His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.

He even went as far as thinking he could ask his parents if they were willing to do so, but that day he was waiting for never came.

_{Before putting his plan into motion, Qin Mo shared it with Doctor Jiang. The woman disagreed with it, naturally. But, in the end, due to the boy’s persistence, she gave in. Even handing him a few warming pads and chocolates to give Shen Zhuoyun.}
“Still, just keep them and enjoy them.” Qin Mo curled his lips before returning the handful of sweets to glasses-boy’s hands. “It’s just a gift, nothing more,” he said before leaving.

_{“Are you there? Shen Zhuoyun, are you there?”}Every time I’m at my lowest, you appear and give me a glimmer of light in the darkness.

“Are you there? Shen Zhuoyun, are you there?”

_{Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.}V1C10: Memories of the Past

Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.

_{How can I ever let you go after all this, huh?}
After staring at Qin Mo’s figure disappear into the depths of the hallway, the timid boy’s fingers trembled as he tore open a wrapper and popped the piece of candy into his mouth, his body slowly descending into a huddle. As he crouched in that bathroom and the sweetness flooded his mouth, the young boy sensed the corners of his eyes suddenly moisten.

How can I ever let you go after all this, huh?

The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.

_{The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.}The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

_{As the ones most informed of such things, the girls near Shen Zhuyun in his class had already begun excitedly chatting about the eye-catching junior nonstop.}
It’s sweet.

As the ones most informed of such things, the girls near Shen Zhuyun in his class had already begun excitedly chatting about the eye-catching junior nonstop.

_{Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”}Qin Mo blew a relieved breath, then casually stuffed the other boy’s hands with toffees before saying, “Thanks.”

Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”

_{In the darkness, time trickled by much slower, and Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t see a thing. He was unable to make out even his fingers, but he did know the direction of the door. Yet even so, as he lay there in complete shadows, the time between someone arriving felt like the passage of a century.}No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.

In the darkness, time trickled by much slower, and Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t see a thing. He was unable to make out even his fingers, but he did know the direction of the door. Yet even so, as he lay there in complete shadows, the time between someone arriving felt like the passage of a century.

◈◇◈

_{“He’s in class 3, and his name’s Qin Mo. He’s the new student Mr. Guo said was a quick study—he’s, like, really smart…”}
It’s been three days since I’ve been locked in here. His food deliveries were the only method Shen Zhuoyun could use to measure the time.

“He’s in class 3, and his name’s Qin Mo. He’s the new student Mr. Guo said was a quick study—he’s, like, really smart…”

_{He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!}With his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.

He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!

_N/AHow can I ever let you go after all this, huh?

N/A

_{Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.}“Zhuoyun, how about you come home with Second Uncle and Aunty, hm? If you come with Uncle and Aunty, Zhuochen can also keep you company, and...”

Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.

_{Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”}The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.

_{His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.}
In the darkness, time trickled by much slower, and Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t see a thing. He was unable to make out even his fingers, but he did know the direction of the door. Yet even so, as he lay there in complete shadows, the time between someone arriving felt like the passage of a century.

His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.

_{If, in the end, only this glimmer is eternal, then… he had no qualms in taking this sliver of warmth with him into the darkness.}Qin Mo blew a relieved breath, then casually stuffed the other boy’s hands with toffees before saying, “Thanks.”

If, in the end, only this glimmer is eternal, then… he had no qualms in taking this sliver of warmth with him into the darkness.

The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.

_{A car accident claimed his parents, yet before their bodies were even cold, Shen Zhuoyun’s house was filled with uncles and aunts fighting over what they had left. They argued over the distribution of the assets—they even argued over him. Custody rights were the most pressing issue for the lot since the largest share of his parents’ assets was inherited by him.}
Thіck doors and walls blocked all sounds from beyond them, and whatever movements were heard belonged to insects or mice he knew were scurrying about the room.

A car accident claimed his parents, yet before their bodies were even cold, Shen Zhuoyun’s house was filled with uncles and aunts fighting over what they had left. They argued over the distribution of the assets—they even argued over him. Custody rights were the most pressing issue for the lot since the largest share of his parents’ assets was inherited by him.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?”}Thіck doors and walls blocked all sounds from beyond them, and whatever movements were heard belonged to insects or mice he knew were scurrying about the room.

“Shen Zhuoyun?”

_{The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.}“To all our third-year students, I wish you all a smooth journey on your high school entrance exams.” The voice of this middle school freshman, Qin Mo, was still very much that of a young child, though it still had his present laidback and measured tone. Unlike his fellow schoolmates, who giggled and chuckled as soon as the camera pointed their way, the slightly messy-haired Qin Mo maintained his solemn mien. With that ever-piercing gaze of his and the white button-up he was wearing, the reticent young boy stood out amongst his cheering classmates. His entire demeanour made him appear like a tiny adult, one that seemed out of place with all the excitement and fanfare happening around him.

The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.

_{V1C10: Memories of the Past}“Hey, Zhuoyun, Fourth Uncle has always been keen on you; you know that, right? Just look at—”

V1C10: Memories of the Past

_{{They should all burn alive.}}Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.

They should all burn alive.

_{The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.}
There was no bathroom, only a bucket with a plastic bag on the corner. Luckily, the bucket had a lid; otherwise, that place would truly be one where no human could stay.

The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.

_{Joy and sorrow pushed to the brink, forcing from his lips a bittersweet wail.}He even went as far as thinking he could ask his parents if they were willing to do so, but that day he was waiting for never came.

Joy and sorrow pushed to the brink, forcing from his lips a bittersweet wail.

_{In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.}Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.

In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.

_{The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.}I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!

The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

_{The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.}His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.

The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.

_{Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.}
In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.

Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.

_{The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.}“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.

The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

_{Thіck doors and walls blocked all sounds from beyond them, and whatever movements were heard belonged to insects or mice he knew were scurrying about the room.}The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.

Thіck doors and walls blocked all sounds from beyond them, and whatever movements were heard belonged to insects or mice he knew were scurrying about the room.

_{“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.}The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.

_{“To all our third-year students, I wish you all a smooth journey on your high school entrance exams.” The voice of this middle school freshman, Qin Mo, was still very much that of a young child, though it still had his present laidback and measured tone.}In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.

“To all our third-year students, I wish you all a smooth journey on your high school entrance exams.” The voice of this middle school freshman, Qin Mo, was still very much that of a young child, though it still had his present laidback and measured tone. Unlike his fellow schoolmates, who giggled and chuckled as soon as the camera pointed their way, the slightly messy-haired Qin Mo maintained his solemn mien. With that ever-piercing gaze of his and the white button-up he was wearing, the reticent young boy stood out amongst his cheering classmates. His entire demeanour made him appear like a tiny adult, one that seemed out of place with all the excitement and fanfare happening around him.

It was a can of hot milk that now lay beside him on that bench. His cold fingers touched the resting can inadvertently; the aluminium felt so hot it was scorching. It seemed hot enough to melt off his skin.

_{{They should all burn alive.}}In the darkness, time trickled by much slower, and Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t see a thing. He was unable to make out even his fingers, but he did know the direction of the door. Yet even so, as he lay there in complete shadows, the time between someone arriving felt like the passage of a century.

They should all burn alive.

_{Dressed in a windbreaker and plush, white scarf wrapped around his neck, the young boy’s nose was reddened from the cold, his expelled breath releasing puffs of white as he looked down at him silently.}
The earliest time was during the rally before their middle school’s high school entrance exams. The first and second years were gathered to make a good-luck montage for the school. Among all the segments, there was one featuring an even younger, baby-faced Qin Mo, though the delicate features he would grow into could still be discerned.

The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.

_{“Yeah. What class is he in? Before graduation, let's go take a lil peek~”}Dressed in a windbreaker and plush, white scarf wrapped around his neck, the young boy’s nose was reddened from the cold, his expelled breath releasing puffs of white as he looked down at him silently.

“Yeah. What class is he in? Before graduation, let's go take a lil peek~”

_{He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!}Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”

He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!

_{Qin Mo said nothing. Soon, his boots echoed crunches as they crushed the fallen snow. Little by little, the sound of his steps faded until they were all gone.}
Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t understand how he could remember one segment so vividly when there were more than a hundred other edited shots, especially to the degree he could replay every sentence—every last word—of Qin Mo’s clip in his heart countless times for the years that followed.

Qin Mo said nothing. Soon, his boots echoed crunches as they crushed the fallen snow. Little by little, the sound of his steps faded until they were all gone.

_{Clink.}Oh. He’s Qin Mo. My middle school junior... The one from the video for the third-years.

Clink.

_{Upon leaving a stall, the meek boy was met by a leaning Qin Mo, propped against the wall and blocking the bathroom’s exit. A pair of pitch-black eyes then fixed onto his own, followed by the words, “Do me a favour.”}
“To all our third-year students, I wish you all a smooth journey on your high school entrance exams.” The voice of this middle school freshman, Qin Mo, was still very much that of a young child, though it still had his present laidback and measured tone. Unlike his fellow schoolmates, who giggled and chuckled as soon as the camera pointed their way, the slightly messy-haired Qin Mo maintained his solemn mien. With that ever-piercing gaze of his and the white button-up he was wearing, the reticent young boy stood out amongst his cheering classmates. His entire demeanour made him appear like a tiny adult, one that seemed out of place with all the excitement and fanfare happening around him.

Upon leaving a stall, the meek boy was met by a leaning Qin Mo, propped against the wall and blocking the bathroom’s exit. A pair of pitch-black eyes then fixed onto his own, followed by the words, “Do me a favour.”

_{Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.}Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.

Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.

_{The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.}The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.

The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.

_{Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.}“Hey, Zhuoyun, Fourth Uncle has always been keen on you; you know that, right? Just look at—”

Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.

_{From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.}“Hey, Zhuoyun, Fourth Uncle has always been keen on you; you know that, right? Just look at—”

From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.

_{Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.}
As the ones most informed of such things, the girls near Shen Zhuyun in his class had already begun excitedly chatting about the eye-catching junior nonstop.

Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.

_{The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.}Clink.

The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.

_N/AUpon leaving a stall, the meek boy was met by a leaning Qin Mo, propped against the wall and blocking the bathroom’s exit. A pair of pitch-black eyes then fixed onto his own, followed by the words, “Do me a favour.”

N/A

_{“Zhuoyun, how about you come home with Second Uncle and Aunty, hm? If you come with Uncle and Aunty, Zhuochen can also keep you company, and...”}
“Yeah. What class is he in? Before graduation, let's go take a lil peek~”

“Zhuoyun, how about you come home with Second Uncle and Aunty, hm? If you come with Uncle and Aunty, Zhuochen can also keep you company, and...”

_{“T-that…that’s not necessary.”}Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.

“T-that…that’s not necessary.”

_{Tugged out of his train of memories, Shen Zhuoyun whipped his head up to see a figure bathed in light before him, rushing inside before the brightness was gone.}Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t understand how he could remember one segment so vividly when there were more than a hundred other edited shots, especially to the degree he could replay every sentence—every last word—of Qin Mo’s clip in his heart countless times for the years that followed.

Tugged out of his train of memories, Shen Zhuoyun whipped his head up to see a figure bathed in light before him, rushing inside before the brightness was gone.

_{Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.}From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.

Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.

_◈◇◈
“He’s in class 3, and his name’s Qin Mo. He’s the new student Mr. Guo said was a quick study—he’s, like, really smart…”

◈◇◈

_{Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”}So with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.

_◈◇◈Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.

◈◇◈

_{“I’m here.”}
So with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.

“I’m here.”

_{{Qin Mo.}}“To all our third-year students, I wish you all a smooth journey on your high school entrance exams.” The voice of this middle school freshman, Qin Mo, was still very much that of a young child, though it still had his present laidback and measured tone. Unlike his fellow schoolmates, who giggled and chuckled as soon as the camera pointed their way, the slightly messy-haired Qin Mo maintained his solemn mien. With that ever-piercing gaze of his and the white button-up he was wearing, the reticent young boy stood out amongst his cheering classmates. His entire demeanour made him appear like a tiny adult, one that seemed out of place with all the excitement and fanfare happening around him.

Qin Mo.

_{From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.}N/A

From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.

_{The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.}Having no interest in being coy, Qin Mo explained to the scared boy outright, “I usually help out in the infirmary, so as long as I’m there for the post-dinner roll call, he won’t notice a thing.”

The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.

_{He wanted to hold that slender figure that just left.}
So his name is Qin Mo, hm?

He wanted to hold that slender figure that just left.

_{Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.}Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.

Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.

_{Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.}Lifting his head, he was met by a familiar face.

Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.

_{Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.}The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.

Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?”}After staring at Qin Mo’s figure disappear into the depths of the hallway, the timid boy’s fingers trembled as he tore open a wrapper and popped the piece of candy into his mouth, his body slowly descending into a huddle. As he crouched in that bathroom and the sweetness flooded his mouth, the young boy sensed the corners of his eyes suddenly moisten.

“Shen Zhuoyun?”

_{There was no bathroom, only a bucket with a plastic bag on the corner. Luckily, the bucket had a lid; otherwise, that place would truly be one where no human could stay.}
His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.

There was no bathroom, only a bucket with a plastic bag on the corner. Luckily, the bucket had a lid; otherwise, that place would truly be one where no human could stay.

_{Before putting his plan into motion, Qin Mo shared it with Doctor Jiang. The woman disagreed with it, naturally. But, in the end, due to the boy’s persistence, she gave in. Even handing him a few warming pads and chocolates to give Shen Zhuoyun.}“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”

_{{So his name is Qin Mo, hm?}}“Shen Zhuoyun?”

So his name is Qin Mo, hm?

_{As the ones most informed of such things, the girls near Shen Zhuyun in his class had already begun excitedly chatting about the eye-catching junior nonstop.}“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.

As the ones most informed of such things, the girls near Shen Zhuyun in his class had already begun excitedly chatting about the eye-catching junior nonstop.

_{Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.}
He even went as far as thinking he could ask his parents if they were willing to do so, but that day he was waiting for never came.

Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.

_{Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.}With glutinous eyes, they scanned every cranny and nook of his family home, their faces twisting and contorting with disgust or glee every so often.

Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.

_N/AThere was no bathroom, only a bucket with a plastic bag on the corner. Luckily, the bucket had a lid; otherwise, that place would truly be one where no human could stay.

N/A

_{He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!}Before putting his plan into motion, Qin Mo shared it with Doctor Jiang. The woman disagreed with it, naturally. But, in the end, due to the boy’s persistence, she gave in. Even handing him a few warming pads and chocolates to give Shen Zhuoyun.

He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!

_{So with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.}
The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.

So with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.

_{The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.}Every time I’m at my lowest, you appear and give me a glimmer of light in the darkness.

The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.

_{He knew of Qin Mo before that boy had known him—much earlier than he knew, in fact.}
The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.

He knew of Qin Mo before that boy had known him—much earlier than he knew, in fact.

_{Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.}Lifting his head, he was met by a familiar face.

Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.

Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.

_{{Qin Mo.}}With his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.

Qin Mo.

_{No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.}Qin Mo.

No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.

_{Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.}
A car accident claimed his parents, yet before their bodies were even cold, Shen Zhuoyun’s house was filled with uncles and aunts fighting over what they had left. They argued over the distribution of the assets—they even argued over him. Custody rights were the most pressing issue for the lot since the largest share of his parents’ assets was inherited by him.

Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.

If, in the end, only this glimmer is eternal, then… he had no qualms in taking this sliver of warmth with him into the darkness.

_{Qin Mo said nothing. Soon, his boots echoed crunches as they crushed the fallen snow. Little by little, the sound of his steps faded until they were all gone.}“Still, just keep them and enjoy them.” Qin Mo curled his lips before returning the handful of sweets to glasses-boy’s hands. “It’s just a gift, nothing more,” he said before leaving.

Qin Mo said nothing. Soon, his boots echoed crunches as they crushed the fallen snow. Little by little, the sound of his steps faded until they were all gone.

_◈◇◈
The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.

◈◇◈

_{{I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!}}The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.

I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!

_{Dressed in a windbreaker and plush, white scarf wrapped around his neck, the young boy’s nose was reddened from the cold, his expelled breath releasing puffs of white as he looked down at him silently.}If, in the end, only this glimmer is eternal, then… he had no qualms in taking this sliver of warmth with him into the darkness.

_{After staring at Qin Mo’s figure disappear into the depths of the hallway, the timid boy’s fingers trembled as he tore open a wrapper and popped the piece of candy into his mouth, his body slowly descending into a huddle. As he crouched in that bathroom and the sweetness flooded his mouth, the young boy sensed the corners of his eyes suddenly moisten.}
The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.

After staring at Qin Mo’s figure disappear into the depths of the hallway, the timid boy’s fingers trembled as he tore open a wrapper and popped the piece of candy into his mouth, his body slowly descending into a huddle. As he crouched in that bathroom and the sweetness flooded his mouth, the young boy sensed the corners of his eyes suddenly moisten.

_{Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.}Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.

_{Before putting his plan into motion, Qin Mo shared it with Doctor Jiang. The woman disagreed with it, naturally. But, in the end, due to the boy’s persistence, she gave in. Even handing him a few warming pads and chocolates to give Shen Zhuoyun.}So with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.

_{Tugged out of his train of memories, Shen Zhuoyun whipped his head up to see a figure bathed in light before him, rushing inside before the brightness was gone.}He even went as far as thinking he could ask his parents if they were willing to do so, but that day he was waiting for never came.

Tugged out of his train of memories, Shen Zhuoyun whipped his head up to see a figure bathed in light before him, rushing inside before the brightness was gone.

_{Countless faces bearing twisted grins filled his gaze.}
With glutinous eyes, they scanned every cranny and nook of his family home, their faces twisting and contorting with disgust or glee every so often.

Countless faces bearing twisted grins filled his gaze.

_{He even went as far as thinking he could ask his parents if they were willing to do so, but that day he was waiting for never came.}The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

He even went as far as thinking he could ask his parents if they were willing to do so, but that day he was waiting for never came.

_{Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.}“Shen Zhuoyun?”

Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.

_N/A
From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.

N/A

_{No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.}Clink.

No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.

_{“Is he a junior? He’s so freaking cute, isn’t he?”}
“Zhuoyun, how about you come home with Second Uncle and Aunty, hm? If you come with Uncle and Aunty, Zhuochen can also keep you company, and...”

“Is he a junior? He’s so freaking cute, isn’t he?”

_{There was no bathroom, only a bucket with a plastic bag on the corner. Luckily, the bucket had a lid; otherwise, that place would truly be one where no human could stay.}Thіck doors and walls blocked all sounds from beyond them, and whatever movements were heard belonged to insects or mice he knew were scurrying about the room.

There was no bathroom, only a bucket with a plastic bag on the corner. Luckily, the bucket had a lid; otherwise, that place would truly be one where no human could stay.

_{It was a can of hot milk that now lay beside him on that bench. His cold fingers touched the resting can inadvertently; the aluminium felt so hot it was scorching. It seemed hot enough to melt off his skin.}In the darkness, time trickled by much slower, and Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t see a thing. He was unable to make out even his fingers, but he did know the direction of the door. Yet even so, as he lay there in complete shadows, the time between someone arriving felt like the passage of a century.

_{They should all burn alive.}
“Hey, Zhuoyun, Fourth Uncle has always been keen on you; you know that, right? Just look at—”

They should all burn alive.

_N/AWell-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.

N/A

_N/A
Countless faces bearing twisted grins filled his gaze.

N/A

_{His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.}No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.

His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.

_{The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.}Lifting his head, he was met by a familiar face.

The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.

_{With glutinous eyes, they scanned every cranny and nook of his family home, their faces twisting and contorting with disgust or glee every so often.}
Do they really think I can’t see the foul, rotten stink of the greed and malice barely hidden behind their faces?

With glutinous eyes, they scanned every cranny and nook of his family home, their faces twisting and contorting with disgust or glee every so often.

The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.

_{Everything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.}Qin Mo said nothing. Soon, his boots echoed crunches as they crushed the fallen snow. Little by little, the sound of his steps faded until they were all gone.

Everything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.

_{Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”}From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.

_{“I’m here.”}In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.

“I’m here.”

_{No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.}
They should all burn alive.

No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.

_{{How can I ever let you go after all this, huh?}}“Zhuoyun, how about you come home with Second Uncle and Aunty, hm? If you come with Uncle and Aunty, Zhuochen can also keep you company, and...”

How can I ever let you go after all this, huh?

_{The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.}As the ones most informed of such things, the girls near Shen Zhuyun in his class had already begun excitedly chatting about the eye-catching junior nonstop.

The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?”}Countless faces bearing twisted grins filled his gaze.

“Shen Zhuoyun?”

_{The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.}With his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.

The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

_{From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.}
I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!

From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.

_{The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.}“Is he a junior? He’s so freaking cute, isn’t he?”

The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.

_{In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.}So his name is Qin Mo, hm?

In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.

_{Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”}
He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!

_{A car accident claimed his parents, yet before their bodies were even cold, Shen Zhuoyun’s house was filled with uncles and aunts fighting over what they had left. They argued over the distribution of the assets—they even argued over him. Custody rights were the most pressing issue for the lot since the largest share of his parents’ assets was inherited by him.}“Hey, Zhuoyun, Fourth Uncle has always been keen on you; you know that, right? Just look at—”

_{Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t understand how he could remember one segment so vividly when there were more than a hundred other edited shots, especially to the degree he could replay every sentence—every last word—of Qin Mo’s clip in his heart countless times for the years that followed.}It’s been three days since I’ve been locked in here. His food deliveries were the only method Shen Zhuoyun could use to measure the time.

_{Qin Mo asked her for some pain meds and bandages in addition to the pads and candy, doubtful the instructor would remember to change Shen Zhuoyun’s bandages during his stay. Shen Zhuoyun’s wound was still far from being healed, so if he was to stay in that place for a full week, his wound had a chance of festering.}
Shen Zhuoyun’s finger tіghtened around the snow covering the bench he sat on; he gripped it so tіghtly that his fingers reddened while the cold sank into his bones. It was as though he was latching onto something else between his fingers, as though something other than the snow was being crushed. Like this, he sat there, crushing that thing between his palms, until the frigid crystals wept. After their remnants slipped between his fingers, he would clutch another again and again.

_{His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.}With his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.

His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.

_{Qin Mo blew a relieved breath, then casually stuffed the other boy’s hands with toffees before saying, “Thanks.”}“Is he a junior? He’s so freaking cute, isn’t he?”

Qin Mo blew a relieved breath, then casually stuffed the other boy’s hands with toffees before saying, “Thanks.”

_{He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!}Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.

He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!

_{“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”}Dressed in a windbreaker and plush, white scarf wrapped around his neck, the young boy’s nose was reddened from the cold, his expelled breath releasing puffs of white as he looked down at him silently.

“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”

_{Lifting his head, he was met by a familiar face.}
Clink.

Lifting his head, he was met by a familiar face.

_{Dressed in a windbreaker and plush, white scarf wrapped around his neck, the young boy’s nose was reddened from the cold, his expelled breath releasing puffs of white as he looked down at him silently.}With glutinous eyes, they scanned every cranny and nook of his family home, their faces twisting and contorting with disgust or glee every so often.

_{“T-that…that’s not necessary.”}They should all burn alive.

“T-that…that’s not necessary.”

_{Countless faces bearing twisted grins filled his gaze.}The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

Countless faces bearing twisted grins filled his gaze.

_{Qin Mo.}
The crisp sound of something landing tickled his ears.

Qin Mo.

_{No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.}“Still, just keep them and enjoy them.” Qin Mo curled his lips before returning the handful of sweets to glasses-boy’s hands. “It’s just a gift, nothing more,” he said before leaving.

No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.

_{“To all our third-year students, I wish you all a smooth journey on your high school entrance exams.” The voice of this middle school freshman, Qin Mo, was still very much that of a young child, though it still had his present laidback and measured tone.}
It was a can of hot milk that now lay beside him on that bench. His cold fingers touched the resting can inadvertently; the aluminium felt so hot it was scorching. It seemed hot enough to melt off his skin.

_{So with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.}He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!

So with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.

_{Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.}Everything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.

Well-accustomed to being bullied by others, the fearful boy dropped his head at Qin Mo’s behaviour, all of him cowering as he did his best to not utter a peep.

_N/A“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.

N/A

_{V1C10: Memories of the Past}
Lifting his head, he was met by a familiar face.

V1C10: Memories of the Past

_{In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.}V1C10: Memories of the Past

In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.

_{Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.}
Dressed in a windbreaker and plush, white scarf wrapped around his neck, the young boy’s nose was reddened from the cold, his expelled breath releasing puffs of white as he looked down at him silently.

Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.

_{“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.}
Oh. He’s Qin Mo. My middle school junior... The one from the video for the third-years.

“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.

_{Thіck doors and walls blocked all sounds from beyond them, and whatever movements were heard belonged to insects or mice he knew were scurrying about the room.}Oh. He’s Qin Mo. My middle school junior... The one from the video for the third-years.

Thіck doors and walls blocked all sounds from beyond them, and whatever movements were heard belonged to insects or mice he knew were scurrying about the room.

_{He knew of Qin Mo before that boy had known him—much earlier than he knew, in fact.}Qin Mo blew a relieved breath, then casually stuffed the other boy’s hands with toffees before saying, “Thanks.”

He knew of Qin Mo before that boy had known him—much earlier than he knew, in fact.

_{“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”}Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.

“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”

_{So his name is Qin Mo, hm?}
Everything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.

So his name is Qin Mo, hm?

_{{I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!}}The earliest time was during the rally before their middle school’s high school entrance exams. The first and second years were gathered to make a good-luck montage for the school. Among all the segments, there was one featuring an even younger, baby-faced Qin Mo, though the delicate features he would grow into could still be discerned.

I want to burn them all to death in this house and wipe those twisted, greedy eyes away forever!

_{The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.}Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t understand how he could remember one segment so vividly when there were more than a hundred other edited shots, especially to the degree he could replay every sentence—every last word—of Qin Mo’s clip in his heart countless times for the years that followed.

The familiar scents within the walls he called home were now rife with the stink of liquor and tobacco, mixed with perfumes that made his stomach churn.

_{Upon leaving a stall, the meek boy was met by a leaning Qin Mo, propped against the wall and blocking the bathroom’s exit. A pair of pitch-black eyes then fixed onto his own, followed by the words, “Do me a favour.”}Before putting his plan into motion, Qin Mo shared it with Doctor Jiang. The woman disagreed with it, naturally. But, in the end, due to the boy’s persistence, she gave in. Even handing him a few warming pads and chocolates to give Shen Zhuoyun.

_N/AEverything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.

N/A

_{The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.}
He couldn’t help but worry a bit about his current messy appearance. His eyes were bloodshot, and had dark circles around them. Snow was dusting his hair, shoulders, and even lashes with white, giving him the appearance of a homeless person.

The winter that year was the coldest it had ever been, yet on that day, he sat on that bench from the wee hours of the mist-covered morning until the street lights turned on that night.

_{{Qin Mo.}}As the ones most informed of such things, the girls near Shen Zhuyun in his class had already begun excitedly chatting about the eye-catching junior nonstop.

Qin Mo.

He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!

_{The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.}With his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.

The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.

_{{It’s sweet.}}Qin Mo blew a relieved breath, then casually stuffed the other boy’s hands with toffees before saying, “Thanks.”

It’s sweet.

_{With his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.}
Qin Mo said nothing. Soon, his boots echoed crunches as they crushed the fallen snow. Little by little, the sound of his steps faded until they were all gone.

_{“T-that…that’s not necessary.”}
The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

“T-that…that’s not necessary.”

_{{It’s been three days since I’ve been locked in here.} His food deliveries were the only method Shen Zhuoyun could use to measure the time.}The earliest time was during the rally before their middle school’s high school entrance exams. The first and second years were gathered to make a good-luck montage for the school. Among all the segments, there was one featuring an even younger, baby-faced Qin Mo, though the delicate features he would grow into could still be discerned.

It’s been three days since I’ve been locked in here. His food deliveries were the only method Shen Zhuoyun could use to measure the time.

_N/AThe pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.

N/A

“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”

_{Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”}The pure-white carpet of his house was trаmpled by high-end leather shoes and needle-sharp high heels stained in mud and snow.

_{It’s sweet.}
He wanted to hold that slender figure that just left.

It’s sweet.

_{“Hey, Zhuoyun, Fourth Uncle has always been keen on you; you know that, right? Just look at—”}
Joy and sorrow pushed to the brink, forcing from his lips a bittersweet wail.

“Hey, Zhuoyun, Fourth Uncle has always been keen on you; you know that, right? Just look at—”

_{{It’s been three days since I’ve been locked in here.} His food deliveries were the only method Shen Zhuoyun could use to measure the time.}Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.

It’s been three days since I’ve been locked in here. His food deliveries were the only method Shen Zhuoyun could use to measure the time.

◈◇◈

_{Everything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.}
Tugged out of his train of memories, Shen Zhuoyun whipped his head up to see a figure bathed in light before him, rushing inside before the brightness was gone.

Everything he knew about the boy before him instantly surfaced in his thoughts.

_N/ASo with his ears perked up, Shen Zhuoyun listened in on the conversation beside him.

N/A

_N/AWith his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.

N/A

_{The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.}
Qin Mo.

The next time he came across Qin Mo, he was sitting alone on an outside bench, after both his parents had died.

_{No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.}Not knowing where his courage came from, glasses-boy managed to stuff the toffees back into Qin Mo’s hand as best he could before stuttering with a face exploding a burning flush, “I’m not... I n-never… A-about w-what happened before... Thank you! Thank you so much!”

No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.

_{Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.}“I’m here.”

Nonetheless, this was the first time he had met Qin Mo in person.

_{The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.}How can I ever let you go after all this, huh?

The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?”}
“Are you there? Shen Zhuoyun, are you there?”

“Shen Zhuoyun?”

_{“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.}Again, a sudden thought rushed into his mind.

“B-but the instructor...” Being the timid boy he was, glasses-boy was afraid to speak any further.

_{Tugged out of his train of memories, Shen Zhuoyun whipped his head up to see a figure bathed in light before him, rushing inside before the brightness was gone.}
Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.

Tugged out of his train of memories, Shen Zhuoyun whipped his head up to see a figure bathed in light before him, rushing inside before the brightness was gone.

_{{Qin Mo.}}Qin Mo was taken aback for a moment, soon recalling the punch he had taken for glasses-boy’s sake. With that in mind, he suddenly felt thankful that he hadn’t endured it for nothing.

Qin Mo.

_{Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.}Every time I’m at my lowest, you appear and give me a glimmer of light in the darkness.

Glasses-boy lifted a pair of quaking eyes slightly, his gaze silently observing Qin Mo for a while before his head finally bobbed in a nod.

_{Oh. He’s Qin Mo. My middle school junior... The one from the video for the third-years.}
Every time I’m at my lowest, you appear and give me a glimmer of light in the darkness.

Oh. He’s Qin Mo. My middle school junior... The one from the video for the third-years.

_{Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t understand how he could remember one segment so vividly when there were more than a hundred other edited shots, especially to the degree he could replay every sentence—every last word—of Qin Mo’s clip in his heart countless times for the years that followed.}Qin Mo asked her for some pain meds and bandages in addition to the pads and candy, doubtful the instructor would remember to change Shen Zhuoyun’s bandages during his stay. Shen Zhuoyun’s wound was still far from being healed, so if he was to stay in that place for a full week, his wound had a chance of festering.

_{With his preparations complete, Qin Mo spent the morning putting his plan into action by watching the morning drill session of his class through the hallway’s window. He knew glasses-boy would always run to the bathroom during their break—the one on the highest floor, to be specific—given he was scared of being bothered by Jiang Shao and his little crew.}The earliest time was during the rally before their middle school’s high school entrance exams. The first and second years were gathered to make a good-luck montage for the school. Among all the segments, there was one featuring an even younger, baby-faced Qin Mo, though the delicate features he would grow into could still be discerned.

_{He couldn’t help but worry a bit about his current messy appearance. His eyes were bloodshot, and had dark circles around them. Snow was dusting his hair, shoulders, and even lashes with white, giving him the appearance of a homeless person.}
How can I ever let you go after all this, huh?

He couldn’t help but worry a bit about his current messy appearance. His eyes were bloodshot, and had dark circles around them. Snow was dusting his hair, shoulders, and even lashes with white, giving him the appearance of a homeless person.

_{He knew of Qin Mo before that boy had known him—much earlier than he knew, in fact.}“When you go to deliver food to Shen Zhuoyun at noon today, take me with you and lock me in," Qin Mo stated. “Then let me out when you come to deliver his dinner.”

He knew of Qin Mo before that boy had known him—much earlier than he knew, in fact.

_{{How can I ever let you go after all this, huh?}}Nestled in the darkness, Shen Zhuoyun curled his lips.

How can I ever let you go after all this, huh?

_{In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.}
If, in the end, only this glimmer is eternal, then… he had no qualms in taking this sliver of warmth with him into the darkness.

In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.

_{“To all our third-year students, I wish you all a smooth journey on your high school entrance exams.” The voice of this middle school freshman, Qin Mo, was still very much that of a young child, though it still had his present laidback and measured tone.}His rumination was then followed by a sudden wish to have such a younger brother. A boy who looked incredibly serious yet somehow appeared all the more cute.

_{“Are you there? Shen Zhuoyun, are you there?”}
No matter what comes, no matter the consequences, he vowed to never let go.

“Are you there? Shen Zhuoyun, are you there?”

_{“T-that…that’s not necessary.”}Do they really think I can’t see the foul, rotten stink of the greed and malice barely hidden behind their faces?

“T-that…that’s not necessary.”

_{“Still, just keep them and enjoy them.” Qin Mo curled his lips before returning the handful of sweets to glasses-boy’s hands. “It’s just a gift, nothing more,” he said before leaving.}Tugged out of his train of memories, Shen Zhuoyun whipped his head up to see a figure bathed in light before him, rushing inside before the brightness was gone.

“Still, just keep them and enjoy them.” Qin Mo curled his lips before returning the handful of sweets to glasses-boy’s hands. “It’s just a gift, nothing more,” he said before leaving.

_{{So his name is Qin Mo, hm?}}The can of milk tea was picked up. Shen Zhuoyun clenched it in his hands.

So his name is Qin Mo, hm?

_{Do they really think I can’t see the foul, rotten stink of the greed and malice barely hidden behind their faces?}
“I’m here.”

Do they really think I can’t see the foul, rotten stink of the greed and malice barely hidden behind their faces?

_{He knew of Qin Mo before that boy had known him—much earlier than he knew, in fact.}In this deafening silence—in this jet-black darkness—Shen Zhuoyun could only sit by as his mind was awash with memories.

He knew of Qin Mo before that boy had known him—much earlier than he knew, in fact.

_{He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!}Before putting his plan into motion, Qin Mo shared it with Doctor Jiang. The woman disagreed with it, naturally. But, in the end, due to the boy’s persistence, she gave in. Even handing him a few warming pads and chocolates to give Shen Zhuoyun.

He would rather burn down that house—he would rather burn that now-soiled house belonging to him and his parents than ever hand it over to those people. He would rather it be all destroyed!

_{“T-that…that’s not necessary.”}N/A

“T-that…that’s not necessary.”

_{From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.}If, in the end, only this glimmer is eternal, then… he had no qualms in taking this sliver of warmth with him into the darkness.

From blood-stained coloured lips speckled with spit, mockery and curses were aimed at one another. The sounds leaving them were so loud, it seemed they could blow off the roof.

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

N/A

Updated every Friday. Raws: jjwxc

Advance chapters on ko-fi

Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1C10

V1C10: Memories of the Past

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Notes:

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