Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1C11

C11: The Dark Room

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

_{“I'll take you out. I swear it.”}
Qin Mo sent a look to glasses-boy, who rested the tray of food beside the doorway before slowly pulling the door shut. Clacks and clіcks sounded from the other side of the thіck and sturdy door as the boy behind it resealed all of its locks.

“I'll take you out. I swear it.”

_{{Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.}}Wearing a grin, Shen Zhuoyun finally released his grip.

Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.

_{Right then, the searching Qin Mo realised just how distressing having no sight at all could be. He was face-to-face with Shen Zhuoyun but couldn’t even find his wound.}
Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.

Right then, the searching Qin Mo realised just how distressing having no sight at all could be. He was face-to-face with Shen Zhuoyun but couldn’t even find his wound. Feeling from Shen Zhuoyun’s neck, he worked his way down until he felt a bump in the middle of his stomach, which he concluded was the wound wrapped in gauze. Wrapping his arms around Shen Zhuoyun’s stomach, he felt his way until he found the end, where it was bound.

_{“You can come and hang out at my house, too.”}Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”

“You can come and hang out at my house, too.”

_{“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”}“Yeah, sure.”

“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”

_{“If I let you go, I won’t be able to find you. I’m practically blind right now,” Shen Zhuoyun said, wearing a smirk. “I can’t see a thing.”}N/A

“If I let you go, I won’t be able to find you. I’m practically blind right now,” Shen Zhuoyun said, wearing a smirk. “I can’t see a thing.”

_{{This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?}}“My family hopes I'll just hurry up and die in this place.” Puffs of Shen Zhuoyun’s breath struck Qin Mo’s ear again, stealing all of his focus. Because of this, it took him a moment to understand the implications of those words before Shen Zhuoyun continued. “Jumbo Guo was paid off by them. They don’t have the balls to murder me outright, but I doubt they’ll sit by quietly and wait for me to be tortured to death here, either.”

This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?

_“You…”
Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.

“You…”

_{Despite how mature he looked on the outside, he was still a sixteen-year-old boy. He was still a kid at the end of the day, so doing this much wasn’t too difficult. As for Shen Zhuoyun, what he lacked the most was patience.}“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this? He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.

Despite how mature he looked on the outside, he was still a sixteen-year-old boy. He was still a kid at the end of the day, so doing this much wasn’t too difficult. As for Shen Zhuoyun, what he lacked the most was patience.

_{It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.}Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.

_{“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”}“Hey, Shen Zhuoyun. When we get out of this place, I’ll treat you to some noodles.” After finishing the dressings, Qin Mo stayed where he squatted, taking so long before he spoke that his voice had gone a bit hoarse. “There’s a noodle shop down the street from my family’s place. Beef noodles in chilli oil are their specialty.”

“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”

_{“Hey, Shen Zhuoyun. When we get out of this place, I’ll treat you to some noodles.” After finishing the dressings, Qin Mo stayed where he squatted, taking so long before he spoke that his voice had gone a bit hoarse. “There’s a noodle shop down the street from my family’s place. Beef noodles in chilli oil are their specialty.”}“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this? He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.

“Hey, Shen Zhuoyun. When we get out of this place, I’ll treat you to some noodles.” After finishing the dressings, Qin Mo stayed where he squatted, taking so long before he spoke that his voice had gone a bit hoarse. “There’s a noodle shop down the street from my family’s place. Beef noodles in chilli oil are their specialty.”

_{It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.}
“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo took a few steps in the direction Shen Zhuoyun’s voice came from. “Where are you?”

It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.

_{“Besides, the depth of human greed is endless. It’s only a matter of time before they work up the nerve to do the unthinkable.” Mockery now tinged Shen Zhuoyun’s tone. Qin Mo could even imagine those peach blossom eyes of his narrowing along with the curving of his smirking lips.}“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo took a few steps in the direction Shen Zhuoyun’s voice came from. “Where are you?”

“Besides, the depth of human greed is endless. It’s only a matter of time before they work up the nerve to do the unthinkable.” Mockery now tinged Shen Zhuoyun’s tone. Qin Mo could even imagine those peach blossom eyes of his narrowing along with the curving of his smirking lips.

_{“I'll take you out. I swear it.”}This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?

“I'll take you out. I swear it.”

Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.

_{“You can come and hang out at my house, too.”}
The voice sounded from beside him, and a hand carrying a slight chill grasped his left ankle. Feeling its way up his leg, the hand then grabbed hold of his own.

“You can come and hang out at my house, too.”

_{{You said it yourself; you're not leaving.}}“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this? He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.

You said it yourself; you're not leaving.

_{Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”}Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”

_{“My family hopes I'll just hurry up and die in this place.” Puffs of Shen Zhuoyun’s breath struck Qin Mo’s ear again, stealing all of his focus.}
“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.

“My family hopes I'll just hurry up and die in this place.” Puffs of Shen Zhuoyun’s breath struck Qin Mo’s ear again, stealing all of his focus. Because of this, it took him a moment to understand the implications of those words before Shen Zhuoyun continued. “Jumbo Guo was paid off by them. They don’t have the balls to murder me outright, but I doubt they’ll sit by quietly and wait for me to be tortured to death here, either.”

_{“My family hopes I'll just hurry up and die in this place.” Puffs of Shen Zhuoyun’s breath struck Qin Mo’s ear again, stealing all of his focus.}“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”

_“You…”“I’m right here.”

“You…”

_{“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.}
Using the tug of that arm, Qin Mo sat beside Shen Zhuoyun. He tried to pull the grasped arm free, but the one holding it refused to release it. Letting it be, he used his free right arm to pull out the chocolates and warmers, resting them on the floor. “Doctor Jiang asked me to bring you these.”

“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.

_{Wearing a grin, Shen Zhuoyun finally released his grip.}“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.

Wearing a grin, Shen Zhuoyun finally released his grip.

_{Shen Zhuoyun felt as though his heart was being teased with a bit of foxtail grass, causing it to itch uncontrollably.}Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.

Shen Zhuoyun felt as though his heart was being teased with a bit of foxtail grass, causing it to itch uncontrollably.

_{“Then… Can you sit up straight? You’re really heavy?” There was no expression in Qin Mo’s tone, and out of consideration for Shen Zhuoyun’s injuries, he made no moves to push him away.}Qin Mo couldn’t help but feel he was not very reliable.

“Then… Can you sit up straight? You’re really heavy?” There was no expression in Qin Mo’s tone, and out of consideration for Shen Zhuoyun’s injuries, he made no moves to push him away.

Using the tug of that arm, Qin Mo sat beside Shen Zhuoyun. He tried to pull the grasped arm free, but the one holding it refused to release it. Letting it be, he used his free right arm to pull out the chocolates and warmers, resting them on the floor. “Doctor Jiang asked me to bring you these.”

_{He had neither plans nor any preparations, yet he had already jumped the gun and invited Shen Zhuoyun in on his half-baked scheme.}
Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.

He had neither plans nor any preparations, yet he had already jumped the gun and invited Shen Zhuoyun in on his half-baked scheme.

_{Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.}The voice sounded from beside him, and a hand carrying a slight chill grasped his left ankle. Feeling its way up his leg, the hand then grabbed hold of his own.

Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.

_{You said it yourself; you're not leaving.}
Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.

You said it yourself; you're not leaving.

_{“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.}Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.

_{Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.}After throwing the old bandages aside, Qin Mo tried to apply the medicine, but unable to properly find the exact place, he poured the medicine directly on the bandage. Without hesitation, he pressed the bandage onto the general area of the wound on Shen Zhuoyun’s stomach. He then neatly wrapped the entire thing in place in several circles of gauze. Because there were no scissors, he finished it all with a knot. To end it all, he leaned his head down towards the wound and bit off the excess gauze.

_N/AStunned upon hearing this, Qin Mo’s shock soon turned to confusion.

N/A

_{{I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.}}Right then, the searching Qin Mo realised just how distressing having no sight at all could be. He was face-to-face with Shen Zhuoyun but couldn’t even find his wound. Feeling from Shen Zhuoyun’s neck, he worked his way down until he felt a bump in the middle of his stomach, which he concluded was the wound wrapped in gauze. Wrapping his arms around Shen Zhuoyun’s stomach, he felt his way until he found the end, where it was bound.

I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.

_{Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?}
“Shen Zhuoyun… I came here because there’s something I need to say. I want to escape this place.”

Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

_{“Nope.” Shen Zhuoyun, to the contrary, leaned on him more—to the point where it felt as though all of his weight was pressing against him. From that close, when he spoke again, the warmth of his breath brushed against the base of Qin Mo’s ear as well as his cheek. “I’m injured and, oh, so weak.”}Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

“Nope.” Shen Zhuoyun, to the contrary, leaned on him more—to the point where it felt as though all of his weight was pressing against him. From that close, when he spoke again, the warmth of his breath brushed against the base of Qin Mo’s ear as well as his cheek. “I’m injured and, oh, so weak.”

_{“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.}Shen Zhuoyun felt as though his heart was being teased with a bit of foxtail grass, causing it to itch uncontrollably.

“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.

_{{If someone asked me the same, I’d probably refuse.}}The voice sounded from beside him, and a hand carrying a slight chill grasped his left ankle. Feeling its way up his leg, the hand then grabbed hold of his own.

If someone asked me the same, I’d probably refuse.

_{{Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.}}“You…”

Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.

_N/A
It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.

N/A

_{“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. {What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this?} He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.}“Then… Can you sit up straight? You’re really heavy?” There was no expression in Qin Mo’s tone, and out of consideration for Shen Zhuoyun’s injuries, he made no moves to push him away.

“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this? He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.

_{“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”}
“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.

“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”

Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

_{“Alright.”}Right then, the searching Qin Mo realised just how distressing having no sight at all could be. He was face-to-face with Shen Zhuoyun but couldn’t even find his wound. Feeling from Shen Zhuoyun’s neck, he worked his way down until he felt a bump in the middle of his stomach, which he concluded was the wound wrapped in gauze. Wrapping his arms around Shen Zhuoyun’s stomach, he felt his way until he found the end, where it was bound.

“Alright.”

_{This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?}
“Then… Can you sit up straight? You’re really heavy?” There was no expression in Qin Mo’s tone, and out of consideration for Shen Zhuoyun’s injuries, he made no moves to push him away.

This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?

_{“Alright.”}“Besides, the depth of human greed is endless. It’s only a matter of time before they work up the nerve to do the unthinkable.” Mockery now tinged Shen Zhuoyun’s tone. Qin Mo could even imagine those peach blossom eyes of his narrowing along with the curving of his smirking lips.

“Alright.”

_{Qin Mo’s mouth stiffened. It felt as though something heavy was bearing down on his chеst. He never thought in his wildest imaginings that such a reason would be why Shen Zhuoyun was sent there.}
Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

Qin Mo’s mouth stiffened. It felt as though something heavy was bearing down on his chеst. He never thought in his wildest imaginings that such a reason would be why Shen Zhuoyun was sent there.

_{Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.}...did he really lose his marbles? And why does it feel as though he’s acting cute? A slight chill prickled Qin Mo’s skin, causing his lips to twitch. All he could do was pick up on the previous topic, saying, “I have no intention of staying in this place forever. I’m trying to come up with a way of getting out of here, so... do you want to come with me?”

Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.

_{“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.}
“Nope.” Shen Zhuoyun, to the contrary, leaned on him more—to the point where it felt as though all of his weight was pressing against him. From that close, when he spoke again, the warmth of his breath brushed against the base of Qin Mo’s ear as well as his cheek. “I’m injured and, oh, so weak.”

“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.

_{“I won’t, geez. I won’t leave,” Qin Mo stressed in response, unable to wonder if that guy’s brain was also damaged by Jumbo Guo.}Qin Mo sent a look to glasses-boy, who rested the tray of food beside the doorway before slowly pulling the door shut. Clacks and clіcks sounded from the other side of the thіck and sturdy door as the boy behind it resealed all of its locks.

“I won’t, geez. I won’t leave,” Qin Mo stressed in response, unable to wonder if that guy’s brain was also damaged by Jumbo Guo.

_{“You won’t leave me, right?”}
...did he really lose his marbles? And why does it feel as though he’s acting cute? A slight chill prickled Qin Mo’s skin, causing his lips to twitch. All he could do was pick up on the previous topic, saying, “I have no intention of staying in this place forever. I’m trying to come up with a way of getting out of here, so... do you want to come with me?”

“You won’t leave me, right?”

“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”

_{{This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?}}You said it yourself; you're not leaving.

This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?

_{“Alright.”}“You…”

“Alright.”

_{{Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?}}“If I let you go, I won’t be able to find you. I’m practically blind right now,” Shen Zhuoyun said, wearing a smirk. “I can’t see a thing.”

Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”

_{Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”}Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”

_{“My family hopes I'll just hurry up and die in this place.” Puffs of Shen Zhuoyun’s breath struck Qin Mo’s ear again, stealing all of his focus.}“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”

_{Stunned upon hearing this, Qin Mo’s shock soon turned to confusion.}Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”

Stunned upon hearing this, Qin Mo’s shock soon turned to confusion.

_{“Alright.”}
He had neither plans nor any preparations, yet he had already jumped the gun and invited Shen Zhuoyun in on his half-baked scheme.

“Alright.”

_{Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.}With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.

“My parents left me an inheritance when they passed,” Shen Zhuoyun recounted in a drawl, his tone so calm it gave a person a chill. “That inheritance is big enough for them to go at each other’s throats. Plus, at the same time, they’ll find all kinds of ways to take out the first person in line for it: me.

With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.

_{“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”}“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.

“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”

_“Yeah?”
If someone asked me the same, I’d probably refuse.

“Yeah?”

_N/AWearing a grin, Shen Zhuoyun finally released his grip.

N/A

_{“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.}“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”

“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.

_{With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.}Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.

_{Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”}
“Yeah, sure.”

Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”

_{“You won’t leave me, right?”}“You can come and hang out at my house, too.”

“You won’t leave me, right?”

_{Qin Mo was a guarded person by nature, so getting him to lower his defences required such an exchange to gradually build his trust.}
Shen Zhuoyun’s tone was more like that of a person agreeing to have dinner the next day than one acquiescing to a “prison break.”

Qin Mo was a guarded person by nature, so getting him to lower his defences required such an exchange to gradually build his trust.

_{{You said it yourself; you're not leaving.}}It’s like a hug.

You said it yourself; you're not leaving.

“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”

_{Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.}Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.

Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.

_{“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.}“I won’t, geez. I won’t leave,” Qin Mo stressed in response, unable to wonder if that guy’s brain was also damaged by Jumbo Guo.

“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.

_{If someone asked me the same, I’d probably refuse.}
“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”

If someone asked me the same, I’d probably refuse.

“Then… Can you sit up straight? You’re really heavy?” There was no expression in Qin Mo’s tone, and out of consideration for Shen Zhuoyun’s injuries, he made no moves to push him away.

_{It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.}“You…”

It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.

“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”

_{Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.}Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”

_{Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.}
“My family hopes I'll just hurry up and die in this place.” Puffs of Shen Zhuoyun’s breath struck Qin Mo’s ear again, stealing all of his focus. Because of this, it took him a moment to understand the implications of those words before Shen Zhuoyun continued. “Jumbo Guo was paid off by them. They don’t have the balls to murder me outright, but I doubt they’ll sit by quietly and wait for me to be tortured to death here, either.”

_{“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”}Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”

_{Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”}“Hey, Shen Zhuoyun. When we get out of this place, I’ll treat you to some noodles.” After finishing the dressings, Qin Mo stayed where he squatted, taking so long before he spoke that his voice had gone a bit hoarse. “There’s a noodle shop down the street from my family’s place. Beef noodles in chilli oil are their specialty.”

Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”

_{Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. {It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.}}“My family hopes I'll just hurry up and die in this place.” Puffs of Shen Zhuoyun’s breath struck Qin Mo’s ear again, stealing all of his focus. Because of this, it took him a moment to understand the implications of those words before Shen Zhuoyun continued. “Jumbo Guo was paid off by them. They don’t have the balls to murder me outright, but I doubt they’ll sit by quietly and wait for me to be tortured to death here, either.”

Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

_{“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”}“If they get impatient, they’d probably send me to some asylum after my training period here ends, or just hush me up for good. Anyhow, once they realise I can’t be killed here, there’s no way they’d just stand by and let me enjoy any semblance of peace.”

“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”

_{“Hey, Shen Zhuoyun. When we get out of this place, I’ll treat you to some noodles.” After finishing the dressings, Qin Mo stayed where he squatted, taking so long before he spoke that his voice had gone a bit hoarse. “There’s a noodle shop down the street from my family’s place. Beef noodles in chilli oil are their specialty.”}
Stunned upon hearing this, Qin Mo’s shock soon turned to confusion.

_{{I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.}}“Shen Zhuoyun… I came here because there’s something I need to say. I want to escape this place.”

I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun…”}“Oh yeah, Shen Zhuoyun,” Qin Mo suddenly remembered, “get up. Your dressings need to be changed.”

“Shen Zhuoyun…”

_{Shen Zhuoyun’s tone was more like that of a person agreeing to have dinner the next day than one acquiescing to a “prison break.”}“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.

Shen Zhuoyun’s tone was more like that of a person agreeing to have dinner the next day than one acquiescing to a “prison break.”

_{“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”}
“Besides, the depth of human greed is endless. It’s only a matter of time before they work up the nerve to do the unthinkable.” Mockery now tinged Shen Zhuoyun’s tone. Qin Mo could even imagine those peach blossom eyes of his narrowing along with the curving of his smirking lips.

“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”

_{“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.}After remembering, Qin Mo also realised that Shen Zhuoyun had been holding his hand the entire time, not at all letting go.

“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.

_{Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”}I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.

Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”

_{Shen Zhuoyun’s tone was more like that of a person agreeing to have dinner the next day than one acquiescing to a “prison break.”}
Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”

Shen Zhuoyun’s tone was more like that of a person agreeing to have dinner the next day than one acquiescing to a “prison break.”

_{{Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?}}“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.

Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

_{“I’m right here.”}
“My parents left me an inheritance when they passed,” Shen Zhuoyun recounted in a drawl, his tone so calm it gave a person a chill. “That inheritance is big enough for them to go at each other’s throats. Plus, at the same time, they’ll find all kinds of ways to take out the first person in line for it: me.

“I’m right here.”

_{Right then, the searching Qin Mo realised just how distressing having no sight at all could be. He was face-to-face with Shen Zhuoyun but couldn’t even find his wound.}He had neither plans nor any preparations, yet he had already jumped the gun and invited Shen Zhuoyun in on his half-baked scheme.

_{“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”}Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.

“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”

_{Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.}
“So even if you hadn't brought it up, I was planning to escape. I was still a minor when I got sent here, so my second uncle and aunt were still my legal guardians. But now, as long as I can get into contact with the lawyers my parents trusted, the assets they’ve been scheming for all these years will instantly fall back into my hands.

Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.

_{It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.}“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this? He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.

It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.

_{“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.}
“If they get impatient, they’d probably send me to some asylum after my training period here ends, or just hush me up for good. Anyhow, once they realise I can’t be killed here, there’s no way they’d just stand by and let me enjoy any semblance of peace.”

“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.

_{Despite how mature he looked on the outside, he was still a sixteen-year-old boy. He was still a kid at the end of the day, so doing this much wasn’t too difficult. As for Shen Zhuoyun, what he lacked the most was patience.}With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.

_{Right then, the searching Qin Mo realised just how distressing having no sight at all could be. He was face-to-face with Shen Zhuoyun but couldn’t even find his wound.}After remembering, Qin Mo also realised that Shen Zhuoyun had been holding his hand the entire time, not at all letting go.

_{“I'll take you out. I swear it.”}“Then… Can you sit up straight? You’re really heavy?” There was no expression in Qin Mo’s tone, and out of consideration for Shen Zhuoyun’s injuries, he made no moves to push him away.

“I'll take you out. I swear it.”

_{Despite how mature he looked on the outside, he was still a sixteen-year-old boy. He was still a kid at the end of the day, so doing this much wasn’t too difficult. As for Shen Zhuoyun, what he lacked the most was patience.}
Qin Mo’s mouth stiffened. It felt as though something heavy was bearing down on his chеst. He never thought in his wildest imaginings that such a reason would be why Shen Zhuoyun was sent there.

_{{This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?}}“You can come and hang out at my house, too.”

This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?

“If they get impatient, they’d probably send me to some asylum after my training period here ends, or just hush me up for good. Anyhow, once they realise I can’t be killed here, there’s no way they’d just stand by and let me enjoy any semblance of peace.”

_{After throwing the old bandages aside, Qin Mo tried to apply the medicine, but unable to properly find the exact place, he poured the medicine directly on the bandage. Without hesitation, he pressed the bandage onto the general area of the wound on Shen Zhuoyun’s stomach.}
“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.

After throwing the old bandages aside, Qin Mo tried to apply the medicine, but unable to properly find the exact place, he poured the medicine directly on the bandage. Without hesitation, he pressed the bandage onto the general area of the wound on Shen Zhuoyun’s stomach. He then neatly wrapped the entire thing in place in several circles of gauze. Because there were no scissors, he finished it all with a knot. To end it all, he leaned his head down towards the wound and bit off the excess gauze.

_{{Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?}}“If they get impatient, they’d probably send me to some asylum after my training period here ends, or just hush me up for good. Anyhow, once they realise I can’t be killed here, there’s no way they’d just stand by and let me enjoy any semblance of peace.”

Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

_{“Alright.”}Qin Mo sent a look to glasses-boy, who rested the tray of food beside the doorway before slowly pulling the door shut. Clacks and clіcks sounded from the other side of the thіck and sturdy door as the boy behind it resealed all of its locks.

“Alright.”

_{...did he really lose his marbles? And why does it feel as though he’s acting cute? A slight chill prickled Qin Mo’s skin, causing his lips to twitch. All he could do was pick up on the previous topic, saying, “I have no intention of staying in this place forever. I’m trying to come up with a way of getting out of here, so... do you want to come with me?”}
“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”

...did he really lose his marbles? And why does it feel as though he’s acting cute? A slight chill prickled Qin Mo’s skin, causing his lips to twitch. All he could do was pick up on the previous topic, saying, “I have no intention of staying in this place forever. I’m trying to come up with a way of getting out of here, so... do you want to come with me?”

_{“Shen Zhuoyun…”}Since he was sent to that place, Shen Zhuoyun has always remained strict in his actions. He never breathed a word of himself to anyone, yet here he was spilling all his secrets to gain someone else’s trust.

“Shen Zhuoyun…”

_{With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.}“Nope.” Shen Zhuoyun, to the contrary, leaned on him more—to the point where it felt as though all of his weight was pressing against him. From that close, when he spoke again, the warmth of his breath brushed against the base of Qin Mo’s ear as well as his cheek. “I’m injured and, oh, so weak.”

_{{I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.}}“I'll take you out. I swear it.”

I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.

_{“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this? He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.}
Since he was sent to that place, Shen Zhuoyun has always remained strict in his actions. He never breathed a word of himself to anyone, yet here he was spilling all his secrets to gain someone else’s trust.

_{“Alright.”}“My family hopes I'll just hurry up and die in this place.” Puffs of Shen Zhuoyun’s breath struck Qin Mo’s ear again, stealing all of his focus. Because of this, it took him a moment to understand the implications of those words before Shen Zhuoyun continued. “Jumbo Guo was paid off by them. They don’t have the balls to murder me outright, but I doubt they’ll sit by quietly and wait for me to be tortured to death here, either.”

“Alright.”

_{{It’s like a hug.}}“Oh yeah, Shen Zhuoyun,” Qin Mo suddenly remembered, “get up. Your dressings need to be changed.”

It’s like a hug.

_{He had neither plans nor any preparations, yet he had already jumped the gun and invited Shen Zhuoyun in on his half-baked scheme.}It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.

He had neither plans nor any preparations, yet he had already jumped the gun and invited Shen Zhuoyun in on his half-baked scheme.

_{“Alright.”}
Qin Mo was a guarded person by nature, so getting him to lower his defences required such an exchange to gradually build his trust.

“Alright.”

_{“I won’t, geez. I won’t leave,” Qin Mo stressed in response, unable to wonder if that guy’s brain was also damaged by Jumbo Guo.}“Alright.”

“I won’t, geez. I won’t leave,” Qin Mo stressed in response, unable to wonder if that guy’s brain was also damaged by Jumbo Guo.

_{{...did he really lose his marbles? And why does it feel as though he’s acting cute?} A slight chill prickled Qin Mo’s skin, causing his lips to twitch. All he could do was pick up on the previous topic, saying, “I have no intention of staying in this place forever. I’m trying to come up with a way of getting out of here, so... do you want to come with me?”}“Shen Zhuoyun… I came here because there’s something I need to say. I want to escape this place.”

_{“My parents left me an inheritance when they passed,” Shen Zhuoyun recounted in a drawl, his tone so calm it gave a person a chill. “That inheritance is big enough for them to go at each other’s throats. Plus, at the same time, they’ll find all kinds of ways to take out the first person in line for it: me.}Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.

_{“Oh yeah, Shen Zhuoyun,” Qin Mo suddenly remembered, “get up. Your dressings need to be changed.”}
Despite how mature he looked on the outside, he was still a sixteen-year-old boy. He was still a kid at the end of the day, so doing this much wasn’t too difficult. As for Shen Zhuoyun, what he lacked the most was patience.

“Oh yeah, Shen Zhuoyun,” Qin Mo suddenly remembered, “get up. Your dressings need to be changed.”

_{Qin Mo couldn’t help but feel he was not very reliable.}“Yeah?”

Qin Mo couldn’t help but feel he was not very reliable.

_{“Yeah, sure.”}
“Oh yeah, Shen Zhuoyun,” Qin Mo suddenly remembered, “get up. Your dressings need to be changed.”

“Yeah, sure.”

_{{This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?}}“Alright.”

This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?

_{“Yeah, sure.”}“You…”

“Yeah, sure.”

_{“Yeah, sure.”}“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.

“Yeah, sure.”

_{“If they get impatient, they’d probably send me to some asylum after my training period here ends, or just hush me up for good. Anyhow, once they realise I can’t be killed here, there’s no way they’d just stand by and let me enjoy any semblance of peace.”}
Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.

_{{Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.}}It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.

Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.

_{With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.}
After remembering, Qin Mo also realised that Shen Zhuoyun had been holding his hand the entire time, not at all letting go.

_{{Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?}}Qin Mo’s mouth stiffened. It felt as though something heavy was bearing down on his chеst. He never thought in his wildest imaginings that such a reason would be why Shen Zhuoyun was sent there.

Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

_{“Besides, the depth of human greed is endless. It’s only a matter of time before they work up the nerve to do the unthinkable.” Mockery now tinged Shen Zhuoyun’s tone. Qin Mo could even imagine those peach blossom eyes of his narrowing along with the curving of his smirking lips.}Qin Mo couldn’t help but feel he was not very reliable.

_{Stunned upon hearing this, Qin Mo’s shock soon turned to confusion.}
“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this? He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.

Stunned upon hearing this, Qin Mo’s shock soon turned to confusion.

_{“Oh yeah, Shen Zhuoyun,” Qin Mo suddenly remembered, “get up. Your dressings need to be changed.”}It’s like a hug.

“Oh yeah, Shen Zhuoyun,” Qin Mo suddenly remembered, “get up. Your dressings need to be changed.”

_{{I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.}}Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.

I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.

_{“Hey, Shen Zhuoyun. When we get out of this place, I’ll treat you to some noodles.” After finishing the dressings, Qin Mo stayed where he squatted, taking so long before he spoke that his voice had gone a bit hoarse. “There’s a noodle shop down the street from my family’s place. Beef noodles in chilli oil are their specialty.”}Shen Zhuoyun felt as though his heart was being teased with a bit of foxtail grass, causing it to itch uncontrollably.

_{Using the tug of that arm, Qin Mo sat beside Shen Zhuoyun. He tried to pull the grasped arm free, but the one holding it refused to release it. Letting it be, he used his free right arm to pull out the chocolates and warmers, resting them on the floor. “Doctor Jiang asked me to bring you these.”}
“If I let you go, I won’t be able to find you. I’m practically blind right now,” Shen Zhuoyun said, wearing a smirk. “I can’t see a thing.”

_{Despite how mature he looked on the outside, he was still a sixteen-year-old boy. He was still a kid at the end of the day, so doing this much wasn’t too difficult. As for Shen Zhuoyun, what he lacked the most was patience.}Qin Mo was a guarded person by nature, so getting him to lower his defences required such an exchange to gradually build his trust.

_{The voice sounded from beside him, and a hand carrying a slight chill grasped his left ankle. Feeling its way up his leg, the hand then grabbed hold of his own.}Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.

The voice sounded from beside him, and a hand carrying a slight chill grasped his left ankle. Feeling its way up his leg, the hand then grabbed hold of his own.

_{Since he was sent to that place, Shen Zhuoyun has always remained strict in his actions. He never breathed a word of himself to anyone, yet here he was spilling all his secrets to gain someone else’s trust.}
“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”

Since he was sent to that place, Shen Zhuoyun has always remained strict in his actions. He never breathed a word of himself to anyone, yet here he was spilling all his secrets to gain someone else’s trust.

_{Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.}“If I let you go, I won’t be able to find you. I’m practically blind right now,” Shen Zhuoyun said, wearing a smirk. “I can’t see a thing.”

_{Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.}“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.

_{“I won’t, geez. I won’t leave,” Qin Mo stressed in response, unable to wonder if that guy’s brain was also damaged by Jumbo Guo.}
“You won’t leave me, right?”

“I won’t, geez. I won’t leave,” Qin Mo stressed in response, unable to wonder if that guy’s brain was also damaged by Jumbo Guo.

_{“I'll take you out. I swear it.”}“Alright.”

“I'll take you out. I swear it.”

_{“So even if you hadn't brought it up, I was planning to escape. I was still a minor when I got sent here, so my second uncle and aunt were still my legal guardians. But now, as long as I can get into contact with the lawyers my parents trusted, the assets they’ve been scheming for all these years will instantly fall back into my hands.}
“I won’t, geez. I won’t leave,” Qin Mo stressed in response, unable to wonder if that guy’s brain was also damaged by Jumbo Guo.

“So even if you hadn't brought it up, I was planning to escape. I was still a minor when I got sent here, so my second uncle and aunt were still my legal guardians. But now, as long as I can get into contact with the lawyers my parents trusted, the assets they’ve been scheming for all these years will instantly fall back into my hands.

_{{If someone asked me the same, I’d probably refuse.}}“My parents left me an inheritance when they passed,” Shen Zhuoyun recounted in a drawl, his tone so calm it gave a person a chill. “That inheritance is big enough for them to go at each other’s throats. Plus, at the same time, they’ll find all kinds of ways to take out the first person in line for it: me.

If someone asked me the same, I’d probably refuse.

Qin Mo sent a look to glasses-boy, who rested the tray of food beside the doorway before slowly pulling the door shut. Clacks and clіcks sounded from the other side of the thіck and sturdy door as the boy behind it resealed all of its locks.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun… I came here because there’s something I need to say. I want to escape this place.”}
Wearing a grin, Shen Zhuoyun finally released his grip.

“Shen Zhuoyun… I came here because there’s something I need to say. I want to escape this place.”

_{Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.}“Shen Zhuoyun… I came here because there’s something I need to say. I want to escape this place.”

_{It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.}“If I let you go, I won’t be able to find you. I’m practically blind right now,” Shen Zhuoyun said, wearing a smirk. “I can’t see a thing.”

It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.

_{{I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.}}“Alright.”

I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.

_{C11: The Dark Room}Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”

C11: The Dark Room

_{Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.}
You said it yourself; you're not leaving.

Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.

_{“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.}Shen Zhuoyun felt as though his heart was being teased with a bit of foxtail grass, causing it to itch uncontrollably.

“Hm. Then what?” Shen Zhuoyun’s warm breath caressed his neck, his lax tone making it seem as though he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.

_{He had neither plans nor any preparations, yet he had already jumped the gun and invited Shen Zhuoyun in on his half-baked scheme.}“I’m right here.”

He had neither plans nor any preparations, yet he had already jumped the gun and invited Shen Zhuoyun in on his half-baked scheme.

_{“So even if you hadn't brought it up, I was planning to escape. I was still a minor when I got sent here, so my second uncle and aunt were still my legal guardians. But now, as long as I can get into contact with the lawyers my parents trusted, the assets they’ve been scheming for all these years will instantly fall back into my hands.}Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.

_“Mhm.”
I’ll never forget it. I’ll remember it well.

“Mhm.”

_{“I'll take you out. I swear it.”}Qin Mo sent a look to glasses-boy, who rested the tray of food beside the doorway before slowly pulling the door shut. Clacks and clіcks sounded from the other side of the thіck and sturdy door as the boy behind it resealed all of its locks.

“I'll take you out. I swear it.”

_{Shen Zhuoyun felt as though his heart was being teased with a bit of foxtail grass, causing it to itch uncontrollably.}
With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.

Shen Zhuoyun felt as though his heart was being teased with a bit of foxtail grass, causing it to itch uncontrollably.

_{“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.}Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.

“I’m here.” Shen Zhuoyun clutched Qin Mo’s hand as he spoke.

_{“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.}C11: The Dark Room

“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun…”}Qin Mo sent a look to glasses-boy, who rested the tray of food beside the doorway before slowly pulling the door shut. Clacks and clіcks sounded from the other side of the thіck and sturdy door as the boy behind it resealed all of its locks.

“Shen Zhuoyun…”

_N/A
Right then, the searching Qin Mo realised just how distressing having no sight at all could be. He was face-to-face with Shen Zhuoyun but couldn’t even find his wound. Feeling from Shen Zhuoyun’s neck, he worked his way down until he felt a bump in the middle of his stomach, which he concluded was the wound wrapped in gauze. Wrapping his arms around Shen Zhuoyun’s stomach, he felt his way until he found the end, where it was bound.

N/A

_{With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.}Shen Zhuoyun never asked why he did all that to come see him, and like this, the two quietly remained. For a while, the clear sounds of their breaths were the only thing audible in that dark room, until a hesitant Qin Mo worked up the nerve to speak.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo took a few steps in the direction Shen Zhuoyun’s voice came from. “Where are you?”}
It’s like a hug.

“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo took a few steps in the direction Shen Zhuoyun’s voice came from. “Where are you?”

_{“Shen Zhuoyun… I came here because there’s something I need to say. I want to escape this place.”}“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this? He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.

“Shen Zhuoyun… I came here because there’s something I need to say. I want to escape this place.”

_{“Shen Zhuoyun…”}
Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

“Shen Zhuoyun…”

_{“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”}Despite how mature he looked on the outside, he was still a sixteen-year-old boy. He was still a kid at the end of the day, so doing this much wasn’t too difficult. As for Shen Zhuoyun, what he lacked the most was patience.

“I know,” Shen Zhuoyun replied with a clear presence of his smile reflected in his tone. “Me escaping this place or not just depends on you.”

_{“You won’t leave me, right?”}After remembering, Qin Mo also realised that Shen Zhuoyun had been holding his hand the entire time, not at all letting go.

“You won’t leave me, right?”

_{The voice sounded from beside him, and a hand carrying a slight chill grasped his left ankle. Feeling its way up his leg, the hand then grabbed hold of his own.}
After throwing the old bandages aside, Qin Mo tried to apply the medicine, but unable to properly find the exact place, he poured the medicine directly on the bandage. Without hesitation, he pressed the bandage onto the general area of the wound on Shen Zhuoyun’s stomach. He then neatly wrapped the entire thing in place in several circles of gauze. Because there were no scissors, he finished it all with a knot. To end it all, he leaned his head down towards the wound and bit off the excess gauze.

The voice sounded from beside him, and a hand carrying a slight chill grasped his left ankle. Feeling its way up his leg, the hand then grabbed hold of his own.

_{{Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.}}After remembering, Qin Mo also realised that Shen Zhuoyun had been holding his hand the entire time, not at all letting go.

Honestly, I never thought it would be this dark here. There’s almost zero visibility.

_{Qin Mo sent a look to glasses-boy, who rested the tray of food beside the doorway before slowly pulling the door shut. Clacks and clіcks sounded from the other side of the thіck and sturdy door as the boy behind it resealed all of its locks.}
Shen Zhuoyun felt as though his heart was being teased with a bit of foxtail grass, causing it to itch uncontrollably.

_{“So even if you hadn't brought it up, I was planning to escape. I was still a minor when I got sent here, so my second uncle and aunt were still my legal guardians. But now, as long as I can get into contact with the lawyers my parents trusted, the assets they’ve been scheming for all these years will instantly fall back into my hands.}“For the love of god, I’m blind as a damn bat, too.” Qin Mo spoke more casually towards the clingy fellow, even feeling relaxed enough to curse. “Quit being a pain and let me change it.”

_{“Yeah, sure.”}Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.

“Yeah, sure.”

_{Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”}“Yeah?”

Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”

_{Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”}
This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?

Qin Mo’s intuition told him he shouldn’t prod any further, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Greed?”

_{{Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.}}Stunned upon hearing this, Qin Mo’s shock soon turned to confusion.

Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.

_{“Alright.”}N/A

“Alright.”

_{“If I let you go, I won’t be able to find you. I’m practically blind right now,” Shen Zhuoyun said, wearing a smirk. “I can’t see a thing.”}
“Hey, Shen Zhuoyun. When we get out of this place, I’ll treat you to some noodles.” After finishing the dressings, Qin Mo stayed where he squatted, taking so long before he spoke that his voice had gone a bit hoarse. “There’s a noodle shop down the street from my family’s place. Beef noodles in chilli oil are their specialty.”

“If I let you go, I won’t be able to find you. I’m practically blind right now,” Shen Zhuoyun said, wearing a smirk. “I can’t see a thing.”

_{{Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?}}“I’m right here.”

Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

_{Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. {It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.}}It felt as though half of Shen Zhuoyun’s weight leaned against his body, from the warm touch and pressure coming from his arm in the dark.

Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

_{It’s like a hug.}
“Alright.”

It’s like a hug.

_{“Yeah, sure.”}Right then, the searching Qin Mo realised just how distressing having no sight at all could be. He was face-to-face with Shen Zhuoyun but couldn’t even find his wound. Feeling from Shen Zhuoyun’s neck, he worked his way down until he felt a bump in the middle of his stomach, which he concluded was the wound wrapped in gauze. Wrapping his arms around Shen Zhuoyun’s stomach, he felt his way until he found the end, where it was bound.

“Yeah, sure.”

_{Qin Mo couldn’t help but feel he was not very reliable.}
“You can come and hang out at my house, too.”

Qin Mo couldn’t help but feel he was not very reliable.

_N/AShen Zhuoyun couldn’t have gone mad by being locked up, could he? Why do I get the feeling something about him is off?

N/A

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo took a few steps in the direction Shen Zhuoyun’s voice came from. “Where are you?”}“We can escape,” Qin Mo affirmed.

“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo took a few steps in the direction Shen Zhuoyun’s voice came from. “Where are you?”

_{“Shen Zhuoyun…”}Using the tug of that arm, Qin Mo sat beside Shen Zhuoyun. He tried to pull the grasped arm free, but the one holding it refused to release it. Letting it be, he used his free right arm to pull out the chocolates and warmers, resting them on the floor. “Doctor Jiang asked me to bring you these.”

“Shen Zhuoyun…”

_{Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.}
“Alright.”

Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.

_{Qin Mo was a guarded person by nature, so getting him to lower his defences required such an exchange to gradually build his trust.}Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.

Qin Mo was a guarded person by nature, so getting him to lower his defences required such an exchange to gradually build his trust.

_{Qin Mo’s mouth stiffened. It felt as though something heavy was bearing down on his chеst. He never thought in his wildest imaginings that such a reason would be why Shen Zhuoyun was sent there.}This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?

Qin Mo’s mouth stiffened. It felt as though something heavy was bearing down on his chеst. He never thought in his wildest imaginings that such a reason would be why Shen Zhuoyun was sent there.

_{{Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.}}C11: The Dark Room

Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.

_{{This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?}}It’s like a hug.

This situation… Aren’t I acting like a kid with not an ounce of self-control?

_{Using the tug of that arm, Qin Mo sat beside Shen Zhuoyun. He tried to pull the grasped arm free, but the one holding it refused to release it. Letting it be, he used his free right arm to pull out the chocolates and warmers, resting them on the floor. “Doctor Jiang asked me to bring you these.”}“Hey, let go.” A wave of embarrassment crashed over Qin Mo. What do you even call two old men always holding hands like this? He then struggled a few times but hadn’t once managed to break free.

_{After remembering, Qin Mo also realised that Shen Zhuoyun had been holding his hand the entire time, not at all letting go.}
“Yeah?”

After remembering, Qin Mo also realised that Shen Zhuoyun had been holding his hand the entire time, not at all letting go.

_{Qin Mo’s mouth stiffened. It felt as though something heavy was bearing down on his chеst. He never thought in his wildest imaginings that such a reason would be why Shen Zhuoyun was sent there.}Stunned upon hearing this, Qin Mo’s shock soon turned to confusion.

Qin Mo’s mouth stiffened. It felt as though something heavy was bearing down on his chеst. He never thought in his wildest imaginings that such a reason would be why Shen Zhuoyun was sent there.

_{Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.}The voice sounded from beside him, and a hand carrying a slight chill grasped his left ankle. Feeling its way up his leg, the hand then grabbed hold of his own.

Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.

_{Using the tug of that arm, Qin Mo sat beside Shen Zhuoyun. He tried to pull the grasped arm free, but the one holding it refused to release it. Letting it be, he used his free right arm to pull out the chocolates and warmers, resting them on the floor. “Doctor Jiang asked me to bring you these.”}Shen Zhuoyun was stunned for a second, but soon his lips curved into a smile. ”Alright.” He honestly had almost forgotten that there was still a zipper-like gash on his gut that needed its bandages changed.

_{Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.}
“I'll take you out. I swear it.”

Shen Zhuoyun’s mind wandered while feeling Qin Mo’s movements on him. It wouldn’t be bad if I spent my days wounded and lying in this shack. At least there would only be the two of us here.

_{“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”}With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.

“After I get out of this room, we can plan it all out properly.” Shen Zhuoyun spoke in the darkness, concealing his own dark and greed-filled gaze. ”We’ll get out of this place together.”

_{“So even if you hadn't brought it up, I was planning to escape. I was still a minor when I got sent here, so my second uncle and aunt were still my legal guardians. But now, as long as I can get into contact with the lawyers my parents trusted, the assets they’ve been scheming for all these years will instantly fall back into my hands.}“Then… Can you sit up straight? You’re really heavy?” There was no expression in Qin Mo’s tone, and out of consideration for Shen Zhuoyun’s injuries, he made no moves to push him away.

_{{Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.}}Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.

Dammit. I knew I should've brought a flashlight.

_{“My parents left me an inheritance when they passed,” Shen Zhuoyun recounted in a drawl, his tone so calm it gave a person a chill. “That inheritance is big enough for them to go at each other’s throats. Plus, at the same time, they’ll find all kinds of ways to take out the first person in line for it: me.}Qin Mo sent a look to glasses-boy, who rested the tray of food beside the doorway before slowly pulling the door shut. Clacks and clіcks sounded from the other side of the thіck and sturdy door as the boy behind it resealed all of its locks.

_{“My parents left me an inheritance when they passed,” Shen Zhuoyun recounted in a drawl, his tone so calm it gave a person a chill. “That inheritance is big enough for them to go at each other’s throats. Plus, at the same time, they’ll find all kinds of ways to take out the first person in line for it: me.}
Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”

_{With his legs spreаd wide open, Shen Zhuoyun sat on the floor while Qin was half-kneeling between them. They were close—extremely close to one another, but Shen Zhuoyun couldn’t even make out his face.}Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.

_“You…”Qin Mo was a guarded person by nature, so getting him to lower his defences required such an exchange to gradually build his trust.

“You…”

_{Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.}“You…”

Hearing Shen Zhuoyun’s low chuckles erupt beside his ear, unable to see that guy’s carefree smile, Qin Mo felt a bit uneasy.

_{Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”}“If they get impatient, they’d probably send me to some asylum after my training period here ends, or just hush me up for good. Anyhow, once they realise I can’t be killed here, there’s no way they’d just stand by and let me enjoy any semblance of peace.”

Shen Zhuoyun no longer smiled his carefree smile with those words; this time, his reply was given earnestly. “Alright.”

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

N/A

Updated every Friday. Raws: jjwxc

Advance chapters on ko-fi

Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1C11

C11: The Dark Room

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