At this time, Zhu Tong suddenly realized something. He raised his eyes and said, “Why… Why does Qiu Shaoping know your exact location?”
Qiu Shaoping just came out of prison, and he didn’t have the means to follow Shao Ming at all. When he ran out of the hospital, he did not go to Shao Ming’s house, did not go to school, and did not go to the milk tea shop… Why did he appear across the square so quickly and accurately?
Zhu Tong suddenly remembered that there was another person standing with Shao Ming at that time.
He understood something. He asked Shao Ming with a glare. “Did you… deliberately lead him over?”
But why?
Zhu Tong’s heart tightened slightly as he asked, “What did you do?”
Shao Ming’s eyes were calm and he did not deny it.
Zhu Tong’s mind turned very fast at this moment, he quickly reacted, and took a deep breath, “You want to send him into jail again, don’t you?”
Shao Ming was still very calm, a little too terrifyingly so.
Zhu Tong felt a pang in his heart.
To put Qiu Shaoping back in prison, he’d have to provoke him into committing another crime, making him do something that is indefensible and irreparable.
Shao Ming was using himself as bait.
Judging from Qiu Shaoping’s madness and determination when he rushed out from behind the stone statue, he was obviously provoked to the point of losing his mind completely.
So was that the reason why Shao Ming wanted to go back to his house during these two days?
How did he contact Qiu Shaoping, and how did he lead him out?
And who was the man who was talking to him outside the cafe?
If he hadn’t rushed over today, what was Shao Ming going to do?
He didn’t think that Qiu Shaoping could actually hurt Shao Ming with his skills. He was just provoking Qiu Shaoping to attack him, with the evidence of a “weapon” being used in full display.
Perhaps rushing to confront him outside the café today was unnecessary, but what if it wasn’t?
What if something went horribly wrong?
Zhu Tong suddenly got a little angry. He straightened up his posture and said, “Are you crazy? Do you know how dangerous it is for you to provoke a madman… ouch ouch.”
With his movement, he pulled the injury on his back, causing him to hiss and gasp.
Shao Ming quickly stabilized him so that Zhu Tong wouldn’t move. He whispered, “What about you?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
What?
“You know it’s dangerous, and yet, you still came in barrelling. If that knife really stabbed you, you…”
The unfinished words were swallowed back.
The two youths fell into silence.
What’s there to ask?
What’s not clear?
Shao Ming’s hand on his shoulder suddenly moved to the back of his head, avoiding the wound on his back and taking him into his arms.
His heartbeat, still unsettled, thumped heavily and distinctly, one beat after another.
Zhu Tong’s hands that were hanging by his side were slightly stiff, unsure how to move in this situation. He asked back in an equally soft whisper, “Are you… scared?”
Shao Ming replied, “Yes, I’m scared to death.”
He may have phrased it like a joke, but his tone implied otherwise.
Zhu Tong didn’t know what to say.
In fact, he was also a little scared. The moment the fruit knife cut through his skin, he thought he would die.
But it wasn’t his first time he had brushed shoulders with death, so his mental state recovered very quickly.
However, he didn’t know how to comfort Shao Ming.
He relaxed and leaned against Shao Ming’s arms, resting his chin on the nook of the taller youth’s shoulder.
Shao Ming didn’t use any force when he held him. He put one hand on the back of his neck and gently pressed his head with the other.
A careful yet heartfelt hug.
Zhu Tong could smell Shao Ming’s distinctive scent – he didn’t know how to describe it, but it simply smelled so good that he felt a slight tremor in his heart.
Shao Ming moved his hand that was pressing on Zhu Tong’s head, and the soft touch of the shorter youth’s hair flowed through his fingers. Zhu Tong’s breathing by his ear was steady, and the warmth of breath on his neck… the smaller youth was still in his arms, safe and sound.
Shao Ming felt a little at ease. He gently rubbed the youth’s chilly ear, and said in a whisper, “I’m sorry.”
Zhu Tong was startled and replied, “You should say thank you instead.”
Shao Ming never made him block the knife, it was all his own initiative – so, Shao Ming didn’t need to say sorry.
Shao Ming said, “I won’t thank you.”
Zhu Tong: “Why?”
Isn’t his selfless act worthy of appreciation? Not even a thank you?
Shao Ming said, “You make me worry and sad, why should I thank you?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Why was it his fault? Should he apologize?
Qiu Shaoping had escaped from the hospital, appeared outside the café, and even attacked Shao Ming with a weapon – and if all of these were part of Shao Ming’s plan, then his impulsiveness seems unnecessary.
Therefore, all he did was making Shao Ming worry. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with it.
So he should really apologize?
Before he could speak, he felt a slight itch in his ear. Shao Ming turned his head, rubbing his nose against his face.
“What are you doing…”
“Don’t move, let me hold you for a while.”
“…”
‘Just hug, what are you rubbing for, ah?’
‘Shao Ming is really strange. Very, very strange.’
He rubbed against his own ear, feeling as though… it was just like the intimate touch between lovers.
When this thought came up, Zhu Tong’s heart trembled again. His ears flushed against his will.
What is he thinking?
Fortunately, Shao Ming didn’t rub it for a long time, so he probably didn’t notice the flushing ears.
Shao Ming did not let go of him, nor did he struggle against his hold.
Firstly, he was afraid that the wound would hurt; and secondly, he didn’t want to struggle anyway. In the end, he just leaned against Shao Ming’s arms. It was quite warm.
But why did Uncle Liu not come back when he went back to pick up his clothes?
Maybe because it was quite far away? But if so, then why didn’t Luo Suo come back?
It should be quick to get the medicine, right?
At this time, outside the door, Luo Suo did not enter the room even with medicines in his arm. Nor did he want to enter the room.
If someone were to give half their clothes to someone else, it would be understandable, but why are they hugging each other like this?
What kind of opening line should he use to get inside?
He is so embarrassed, ah!
In the end, Uncle Liu arrived and beat the mandarin ducks1lovers pair away from each other.
Qiu Shaoping was still sent back to the hospital again. But this time, there was an extra handcuff on his hand, connecting to the bed’s headrail.
The police, always a step behind, met the “victim” coming out of the hospital and expressed their apologies and condolences.
Shao Ming originally wanted to carry Zhu Tong back to the homestay, but under the strong insistence of Zhu Tong himself, the four of them had to slowly make their way back on foot.
The way back was as quiet as when they went to the hospital.
Luo Suo didn’t know what to say – he felt like a guy buying soy sauce2unrelated passerby.
Uncle Liu walked at the end of the small convoy, looking at the boy who was supporting his young master.
What Zhu Tong could figure out, he was sure Shao Ming could understand as well.
A teenager of just seventeen or eighteen, facing a recently released lunatic, with a plan and courage, was admirable but also intimidating.
This youth is quite profound in his thoughts. Logically, he should keep his young master as far away from this youth as possible, but his young master seems to have a special connection with him.
He could even rush up and block a knife. Does he like Shao Ming that much?
Uncle Liu had mixed feelings in his heart.
As for the true nature of Zhu Tong’s “liking” towards him, Shao Ming himself did not know.
Exactly because he didn’t know, so before today, he had been restraining himself.
Maybe it’s that kind of liking, but he did not have any expectations in his heart.
He could get close, but he could not get trapped inside.
He is a selfish person, after all.
He was always logical, weighing the pros and cons.
Even if he developed feelings for Zhu Tong, he felt that he could separate those feelings with rationality.
Liking someone is emotional, while controlling emotions is rational.
Zhu Tong seemed like a surprise that appeared out of nowhere in his life. Surprises are not permanent, and he didn’t know how long it would last, so he hesitated to move forward.
However, in front of that cafe, Zhu Tong bumped into him, resolute and determined, rushing forward without hesitation.
Compared to Zhu Tong, he seemed like a coward who was afraid to pursue something he desired.
Surprises do come out of nowhere, but who said surprises can’t be a permanent fixture in his life?
If he hasn’t tried it, how does he know that it won’t work?
Moreover, there are some things that, even though one knows they will regret, must still be done.
At an intersection next to the homestay, a person looked at the group of four walking into the courtyard. Under a large tree, he made a call.
“…he is fine. It’s indeed the young master of the Zhu family. The two have a close relationship, and… Liu Jianbai is also there.”
The man had a serious expression and a grim tone.
There was an unintelligible response over the phone. The man then nodded and replied, “Understood, Xia-zong.”
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