Blazing Armor

The man reading the book noticed someone entering. He looked up, took off his headphones, bounced his knee, and whispered, “You’re up.”JyveZrmrqYbNYmBRkCYoJAiFpRPHwE

OQYQgqhjfoxcaGR

“I’m not done yet,” the man playing on his phone whined softly.IQNoDApQOGhDhQDfDFHdIcpOBtwReR

GXvyqZFBrCTVOfe

In the next moment, his phone was confiscated. He grumbled and reluctantly got up.ymulqCKBVBvgDrOjDagiJhaKemgXEx

JicZuVOVvyovpCb

Gong Yingxian frowned slightly, sensing that the atmosphere between the two was somewhat unusual.QxBYiiqHAerAoKVJpNtHwJugRxdckI

TblWcKPiDzinmKH

This was the first time Ren Yi had seen Song Juhan up close, and he found himself momentarily stunned.vPyvbRHFBEUXWryKRFPvxgxHpddDNk

dABSpVJVwVeDogP

Song Juhan’s mother was a Chinese-German mixed-race supermodel, giving him a quarter of Aryan blood. His irises and hair were pitch black, but his skin was extremely fair. His facial features blended the depth of Western allure with the mystery of Eastern elegance, making him exceptionally handsome.YKQclBWIBagmYPjmdvCSEoAUrpLtqA

MCCqesVrqOiELSr

Coupled with his seductive, lazy voice, outstanding creative talent, and being the heir to Song Media, he became a sensation all over Asia the moment he debuted.EfeTmslpIRkQfdvNiAZhBVjqpcJWYI

orpjetIrTpzmlGK

In contrast to this overwhelming beauty, the man standing next to Song Juhan seemed somewhat ordinary.vwgTiCEkaqiGaHtPEjwQqnBQQKbCBz

aVCeGFhIpmQEWgT

In fact, this man also had a perfectly proportioned face, tall and slender frame, and a calm, steady demeanor. But from his hairstyle to his attire, everything about him was extremely formal and serious. The two of them should have been worlds apart, like fiery liquor meeting ancient tea. Yet, standing together, they seemed to balance and complement each other naturally, as if it was meant to be.hGiSRnuzRySJzYFjwJhBkkfybAsJNW

vHtWCEHAqhMkyzT

Ren Yi could guess who this man was. Last year, when Song Juhan announced his departure from the public eye, it dominated the news for at least a month. Rumor had it he did it for a man named “He Gu.” Although Song Media issued multiple legal statements to dispel the rumors and Song Juhan never publicly admitted to it, even someone like Ren Yi, who never followed entertainment news, had heard about it. The spread of the news was that intense.TkHNBBKQOgPoqdsbPJAfhnBZABxTvu

vHilduvrYQGdaFR

Seeing them now, it was clear that the rumors were true, and Song Juhan didn’t seem to care about hiding it.nnMCxNmMacFvxMuTbOYOTOlXbbEQXE

tEMQXuWnCWYHsUf

Although Ren Yi deeply admired this guy, thinking he must be a damn romantic, right now he could only feel regret. If he had known things would turn out like this, he absolutely wouldn’t have brought Gong Yingxian here. What if it triggered some bad memories for him…rKtJGQXzshmnoANKiyglCGaebvuefm

AIHEQelsQitnGnc

Song Juhan gave Ren Yi a professional smile, “Hello, Captain Ren, right? Thank you for your hard work.”DXqMDapLkwJLUEzUjHozfdVVtLuNmA

tyqlZZNawQlUvAW

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Ren Yi snapped back to reality. “Sorry, Mr. Song. Are we disturbing you?”psxMGLPulTywDbVvSEWVFAArDmGPvC

yDWqZFLbUFuGenV

“No, it’s still early.” Song Juhan’s gaze had never left Gong Yingxian. He raised an eyebrow slightly and brazenly looked him up and down. “And this is…”EBSVIDKpgUJrfujWwCyrEcorgMqXLK

KWoCpZqitaxxYTZ

Gong Yingxian’s expression grew colder, clearly showing signs of impatience.KOHVwAkRyPUJaaejZpnLpEGRHjZFtz

kbVoqmqGpTxVFsR

“He’s my colleague,” Ren Yi quickly explained.YSwhIaieofsJsRijeOXoaeDUFwITBr

rzhXtQJGNKHwPCE

Song Juhan didn’t seem convinced. “Really?”nePMLkAElCQwWNScTVJqTbBHsoDBKk

gERoJLeeFzXDJXD

“Really.”zpKjtnWZyaEaWYJlIFQlZfpHLNCxBb

YiDWftwhtSjclyx

“Interested in becoming a celebrity?” Song Juhan called out, “Xiao Song, come here.”CjujLubpdLmmoVpzQVTXEtjxOJxruL

sAbrsMHCrMicZkE

A chubby man hurried over. “Han-ge.”pdhnRojMulcMHYXVuwlFMmbSJtQDTc

RwPpBgHdDFzfjxd

“Have you ever seen such a handsome firefighter?” Song Juhan gestured toward Gong Yingxian. “This would make such a great headline.”jumqhtEhOefeuQNpvGmCJxwPMWUdjv

ePNnyjtdUAsywfW

“Wow,” Xiao Song’s eyes lit up as he glanced at Gong Yingxian. “Wow, too handsome! Hello, hello. I’m Han-ge’s agent. Here’s my card. Would you consider signing with our company?”hyMNdBzIDKQdygzlIeYgulRcKBdjwg

NMPmfukDKElAaDv

Gong Yingxian looked at the business card Xiao Song held out but made no move to take it.ZDlLGWSoyjdNQkAIhfVPMPUcPJaisK

yWbFwmHzaJIpevp

Ren Yi quickly stepped in and took the card on his behalf. “Haha, thanks. He’ll definitely think about it.”MTpQZEuQztitLmFYmaotlARNOWHgcn

pMABYnijMXOsvoB

Song Juhan stretched lazily. “Captain Ren, were you asking for an autograph?”savlFvjRpcAnfdHaDmwGBdlbYqygNn

PzhhZBhPqOEWJIn

Gong Yingxian’s displeasure was becoming more and more obvious, especially as Ren Yi’s attention remained fixed on Song Juhan.WxvfjgoiDEaKfzuHnTGpJIiQWgbALY

CcgTQSiGqKVpSsp

“Oh, right.” Ren Yi pulled a clipboard from his jacket. “My sister’s taking her high school entrance exams next year. Could you write her a message of encouragement?”cDbUjEdgHstrDKyAktuseicIDhxEIJ

KDLFwvivOclljmH

“No problem. What’s her name?” Song Juhan asked as he took the clipboard.kBNylUmDOrkEcfYaHgqxpUlcTAORHg

gjQRftfXgzdRsAY

“Feilan, ‘fei’ as in flight, and ‘lan’ as in ripples.”NDKsELKVYDjVfcHxbSBTFvIJeYCpbM

dhzUyfABnrlqlvk

“Fei… Lan…” Song Juhan wrote the character for “fei” with elegant strokes, then paused. He frowned and turned to He Gu. “Baby, how do you write ‘lan’? My mind’s gone blank.”wKtpQLBZNqUTwEWNYWTHyazIEeGuJQ

TUxQlslmVedjWiC

That one word, “baby,” stunned both Ren Yi and Gong Yingxian.qQDJfBZfnzEweOFrhmfWUVkwwfyoBT

QIRKiekccpxyRGW

Ren Yi thought, *Jesus, are all celebrities this open?*ptwNaxoKjyoygEInoZoxFZbwykljos

kPWPTikxdzuhxOg

Gong Yingxian, on the other hand, had a strange look on his face. His gaze shifted to the two men, now with a more scrutinizing air. He Gu cleared his throat. “Three water radicals, on the right is a ‘door,’ and inside that…”doBEAGptHjUzryTrLOkKwqoOOTMgxr

USrGWMbKxVxUXZK

“You write it,” Song Juhan handed the pen to He Gu.MjDLFoeTLkFusMPvIhzWgXpVehYzMv

xnpNZZLWqatVNVb

“They want your signature.”bKcTmMlepGakkqfMdbmxLFwXoCPOQQ

ajNmqRPFFyWaSUO

Song Juhan smiled at Ren Yi. “There’s no distinction between us; whoever writes it, it’s the same. Just tell your sister she has a one-of-a-kind global signature.”WcdmGLLetgrmgfFzMUZjzeSNyKzLgZ

TyamIcaOupecGzL

With no other choice, He Gu took Song Juhan’s hand and neatly wrote the character for “lan” before handing the pen back to him.gCseEVtobbxpqljnHzaCYsydHvqXkP

HmioBiRrVaiYsgY

Song Juhan’s smile never faltered—it was just a signature, after all.oyxsScBrftrJAycxUWnGPDclXWWzfG

nhURemGFSPQsZTq

Gong Yingxian watched the easy, intimate atmosphere between the two, feeling an indescribable bitterness rise in his chest. Even though these two people were strangers to him, it was as if he was looking through them, seeing a reflection of himself and Ren Yi.tZwyEOglPFPFzldZPgZiISlJlMJtwh

exWEwDrDxiQhjaY

He even felt a pang of jealousy, as though their undeniable sweetness was something he and Ren Yi could never hope to match.CccZfRxxQPwBwduRmdbvrtNjBtApez

kAuwGoEuQaKZGmK

Once the autograph was finished, Ren Yi looked at it: *Feilan, wishing you success in your studies and to get into your dream high school—Song Juhan.*IYZibBcIEYWycslQbseCzjoAaoaiqb

XuQpcCqScopqxEY

Ren Yi beamed. “Thank you, Mr. Song.”DROINjrNcUmXCejaFGWTkAijUzecuo

GQWrzMeiPWStERo

Gong Yingxian rolled his eyes.SvheaaEfVylDzLKTDzZwxllRHWMLfS

LDetHGaNJpzmZKU

“You’re welcome.” Song Juhan turned to He Gu and blew him a kiss. “Your handwriting is beautiful.”WATxVhyIlAqPtCMYjMitHjbmnOJVcZ

uNsZlnLYZLjcWem

He Gu, slightly embarrassed, turned his face away.lhEgcegHrVQEhRzZDZulDTimGOGFgQ

WHEGFiCtGbSRYzi

“Well, we’ll leave you to it then,” Ren Yi quickly ushered Gong Yingxian out of the room.biahuJGqxQmHAieiXoJxHajkvYewhQ

hvGMxrMqeYhnhYz

As soon as they stepped outside, Ren Yi took a picture of the autograph and sent it to Gong Feilan. “Haha, Feilan’s going to be over the moon.”imdIUHjVVCKzMVRipUUJZjugdVYQBg

urblmPSAertOqkf

Gong Yingxian kept his head down and didn’t say a word.aLNogDNTugIrakYLwCkYiyIBPdCKNt

LbbagWQuxklSLle

“Song Juhan seems like a nice guy, right? No pretentious airs or anything.”BEsKBdPRluxNdWRsJBIggIUEvDdhvc

UtQDCvOInIseSnU

Gong Yingxian scoffed. “You didn’t notice his arrogance?”kUEHIFKOdVFNWCmMQMLEqhGEOdKTYl

kjiytjRuJkcTwsf

Ren Yi could barely hold back a laugh. Speaking of arrogance, at least Song Juhan had the courtesy to maintain some surface-level politeness. Gong Yingxian couldn’t even be bothered to pretend.aKTivuLwcUTsFWkshVzsTuxOAbfmEB

SUplfDZWSAijReE

“What are you laughing at?” Gong Yingxian asked again. “Who was that guy beside him?”amdMVFXcfJjJclkMNaPcJQQbcqwqDj

NcJZtFJLsWPrvhf

Ren Yi instantly tensed up, trying to deflect the question. “Probably just a colleague.”yHawANbpazurpYTLZBBwGudOPYNUTK

KNxVEZrgXTsmCNt

Gong Yingxian frowned deeply, and after a long pause, he asked, “Are they gay?”ApaRrhpecEenmOShvNeLqMbpWsZqMg

PZRDioQHvHrQJsT

Ren Yi’s heart sank. He’d tried to brush it off, but it seemed Gong had picked up on it anyway. Well, it wasn’t exactly subtle—only a blind man could have missed it. Swallowing, Ren Yi figured there was no point in dodging the question any longer. He might as well take this opportunity to gauge Gong’s reaction. Trying to sound casual, he replied, “Yeah, they seem like a good match, don’t they?”toWOYgPEqFmOwebCNURetxOvZohlFO

sKVCjkiwsvJmzHI

Gong Yingxian fell silent.XlMOtaOViBhzndOJrbrPTEsBsAPVzu

DdMjESMKptisazG

Ren Yi sneaked a glance at him. “It’s pretty common in the entertainment industry… I mean, even in the U.S., there are a lot, right? China’s got quite a few now too. Society’s opening up, after all.”qCkpukMDUKQnLVQkSXXqJDuWGdJBPB

fMiWtLcGuFZIaGu

“I find it disgusting,” Gong Yingxian suddenly said coldly. His emotions were all over the place. He usually didn’t care about other people’s business, but for some reason, those two just rubbed him the wrong way. He hated seeing Ren Yi staring at Song Juhan in a daze, hated how those two displayed a kind of closeness that he and Ren Yi didn’t share.AEtQbsLlXpUXaPRwErvpleykrommeT

vfAfoMJSOOOMPOn

Ren Yi froze, his smile instantly vanishing.VQwMjElZMEREkkpJWMyhYtDTwgaxuX

AsowoZweWUxpZAP

“When I was studying in the U.S., I was harassed by those kinds of perverts,” Gong Yingxian deliberately dredged up memories that truly disgusted him, causing goosebumps to rise on his skin even now. “Not just once, not just one person. There was even one who stalked me, planning to kidnap me.”aWMfmXWyKUPhbgNJNBMfADQtxHXGJd

vuEJjPZcEFjoGxS

Ren Yi felt a sharp pain in his chest, and his face went pale. He stammered, “I think… Captain Qiu… mentioned it.”oqaosfFvzkKCozPaLoDTVPTYVISQiB

vudQPBvnGwbsFEn

*Disgusting. Perverts.*bCNVovfKbhXVPDuaLygvcXvSrWDOPC

SbJYCrSenwSZABi

Those two words echoed over and over in Ren Yi’s ears, as if someone were pointing directly at him, humiliating him, making his face burn.YbyHGMRQShWpJQdsWZjJoiUIKrKkNm

beQlbaThCmnXEMd

He had always avoided thinking about Gong Yingxian’s views on this kind of relationship because he was scared. No matter how open society might be, there would always be those who remained stuck in their prejudices. And with Gong Yingxian’s experiences, his aversion was understandable.ItQxPSJOfnunrMXOEOnXJMouoBlHsK

fTjqMBwnLDTaJCn

But it still hurt—hurt so much.nvxjuYmxYOqpmTHDKrULthuefWkJiv

XjJKoaOmsoMjfRE

It felt like every word Gong Yingxian said right now was a sharp slap to Ren Yi’s face, waking him up with brutal clarity.MJqcSnjVRPcJxpZYQWqnecSJsZSKOn

CrfppOFVXsgCaRu

He had been drowning in the ambiguity between him and Gong Yingxian, unable to pull himself free. He had given special meaning to every glance, every word, every little gesture between them.MNCjESDYvZLdUfjAvpdrfysXQLdoTP

FHpycTbyUzatmXq

In the end, it had all been in his head.kQTDwKVeDFDNzhNCOVtkCTJxZJzzYc

cQxEkZrJcRwjVQD

It was terrifying, like he’d been drugged into a delusion, growing bolder and bolder in his fantasies about a future with Gong Yingxian.oLfOUdigvwWwXIYVdzEvLWIggfEwLZ

efXqtbyialrQcev

But could he really blame only himself? The things Gong Yingxian had said to him, the way he acted—it truly felt like it went beyond friendship in Ren Yi’s eyes.QGZdzoLVfLxxROAhBWTvWSZLYmUKDZ

ClNvzpRHpmNSdhS

Was it because Gong Yingxian had never had a close friend, blurring the lines of what friendship meant? Or was it Ren Yi, with his own desires, who blurred those lines?mpnvizkuRHAhiMUCTZkGBmuprULQkQ

IcWHIDZDJOCwbQR

Ren Yi’s thoughts were a tangled mess, his body felt like it had been plunged into ice, freezing him to the core.ZYUqrrbuzvXcwpeybEcbOnrBGqhfiN

JQQqxQOQQzppNHS

“What’s wrong?” Gong Yingxian noticed Ren Yi’s odd behavior. “Why do you look so pale?”YRgDrfIxbKJMqQWZHoIsxWBinPNXjS

relkWsGqHdpTAAa

“N-Nothing.”IkGRwKILkMbwvQyZkkbRuJuzruKaFb

EUKSvdbTFihafqy

Gong Yingxian reached out, feeling Ren Yi’s forehead. “No fever. Are you too cold? You’re shaking.”qwWgYcozXNNYzOsqlMrulZAwwuZzmX

orgOMmERgWpkSgQ

“I’m fine, I dressed warmly enough,” Ren Yi forced a smile. But seeing the genuine concern in Gong Yingxian’s eyes only made the bitterness in his heart worse.MNrMjJrpeSAKzpelKmYpLmltxrIvAJ

laSJWEEfjSlvFcP

If Gong Yingxian never returned his feelings, if he only ever saw Ren Yi as a friend for the rest of their lives, could he just stop liking him?dhOvbIZONeygkepMGJWgbwliYEikgH

ztrNfdPvoittHca

Ren Yi clenched his fists slightly, his heart heavy with the realization that he couldn’t. No matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, he knew deep down that he couldn’t just stop liking Gong Yingxian.vYCmUtBKVeooNkRdQyrhGSjHZWMwPs

eNwwIOZpAzjYqYH

Even if they remained friends for the rest of their lives, even if Gong Yingxian never reciprocated his feelings, Ren Yi’s heart would still ache every time he saw him. The more care and concern Gong Yingxian showed, the more painful it would be, because it only highlighted what Ren Yi could never have.IazlMUaHLMDGoxDXKclBWWFClQpNEx

QUfhJXAcZrgeDvN

He stared at Gong Yingxian, the man who had become so important to him, and felt a surge of helplessness. No amount of rationality could silence the feelings that had taken root so deeply inside him.MKOiNDkMrHeFRladouKuxqBZbqzZut

DrUkyMKtLIArxMj

He couldn’t stop.HosZurKqczuAqzWTAsRzjNISVOnnwy

qEYbriXtCeuxoBN

Gong Yingxian took off his gloves and placed his warm palm on Ren Yi’s cold face, his tone filled with concern as he said, “You must be freezing. There’s a convenience store outside the venue. I’ll go get you some heat packs and a hot drink.”WKRXYGVPQvauSHaxhuOvzCYejatSNw

SDbKxgINhKHOnui

Ren Yi stared blankly at Gong Yingxian, feeling a slight sting in his nose.sdiyvuuwhIPVQGydzIHVduPeYiZViz

rsdolPOoklnKbvL

Why the fuck does he have to be so good to me?sCDVaXBgWdHNzKhTcMvEdAWsYgwFWG

hBUOCKYCeqrwVQJ

“Wait here for me,” Gong Yingxian said, then hurriedly ran out of the venue.MoOZqBRCfVOYhxlVWAxzXeeemneacz

FjfHuHRkFKQogFL

Leaning against the wall outside the lounge, Ren Yi watched the long, curved corridor as Gong Yingxian’s figure quickly disappeared around the corner.gLsDBESOYDvRbPxzLEsoumshNktvXU

VpxZNdsHHXTeuhB

All that remained was a sense of loneliness.ZOrExfbBuFLbfMCamTOMpLUjDZJVml

UrAaqCANQQRltkC

His heart felt hollow.zyVmNSLhzmpxXHPiOzjIKGDeIDkUvi

oebKGwMVXtJMogL

After waiting for a long while, footsteps echoed down the corridor. Thinking Gong Yingxian had returned, Ren Yi prepared to pull himself together and act as if nothing had happened.hOzOqjsKUbcmDsybdjasKzaEWVQUYd

eYDzefMsUdZzaju

But when the person rounded the corner, Ren Yi’s expression shifted to surprise.RCncNeWmeMCUdYOPuTJloYGNyhpzrr

vhkdXqYZUCnmKgY

Qi Xiao? What’s he doing here?KhrRjRlIKXAvjdbfdYKBqwVzHDQOIC

hNLHrOARaGUOBkj

Seeing Ren Yi, Qi Xiao exclaimed happily, “Ge, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”BsZdOYUpJQRqcBCsuOnwJJYigCDbUb

xLZeMYpuzgFQlTn

“Why are you here?”TVXjClMkhhVhSWqKALEsCLopLiNxjF

pIAyMUlZPlUzKmx

“I came for the concert, but when I saw the fire trucks, I remembered this is your district. I thought you might be here, so I went over and asked. One of your squad leaders, Liu Hui, the guy I met last time, he brought me in.”jQxyFtgtaarMGnICGivuKjulAOvArk

PiKdewtBtqvxCYy

Ren Yi’s mind was still a bit foggy. “Oh, what a coincidence. The concert’s been going on for a while. Why are you only showing up now?”FjlTbJHiQVuybAZtMiSYMyzHMSLRRU

ulEjdjCBayUOkdV

“I overslept.” Qi Xiao chuckled. “And besides, I only really came to hear Song Juhan. The ticket didn’t cost me anything. I’m currently negotiating a management contract with Song Media, and they sent me the ticket.”ygHTlLGZOaGuyKxugTpnEvwRzdzZiE

aUBxfxCFnCOhejh

“Congratulations.” Ren Yi forced a smile.NvSjVKmUOKlrVOsWFvGsMMfYcRQttC

qocEeqnunMAcqaX

“Ge, what’s wrong with you? You don’t look so good.” Qi Xiao walked over, cupping Ren Yi’s face with concern.OfyZvCtoWPVERuOnzBpkMMrfYQdTZy

vuvjAQWldphsGFn

Ren Yi subtly turned his face away, but with his back against the wall, he had nowhere to retreat. He could only stand up straight. “It’s nothing, just a bit cold.”LshjRImjeeTWLvKRifDcKtwNoWAaQu

TtdOYIFGnKxCTqW

“Yeah, your skin does feel really cold. Let me warm it up for you.” Qi Xiao smiled as he placed his other hand on Ren Yi’s face.VArIzuJhKpkMHYDngTeChgTFicmxEO

iAMZUWArvgOLBbo

“No need, Qi Xiao. I still have work to do.” Ren Yi pulled Qi Xiao’s hand away. “It’s almost time for Song Juhan’s part. You should go back and listen.”tYBYTmElwMCCZNfqIJrclaHjgNTBRr

nrHNdEwMjwDUjLQ

Qi Xiao’s expression shifted slightly. “Why do you keep avoiding me?”bAtZhuTatgIoatPxpFJLLBneSsLdBo

gLCaiDLPoWlQfwq

Ren Yi froze for a moment, his voice uncertain. “I’m not.”bPanJLBWDWEryoTandWUnQEezniSfz

exgcIHAwtMsOjCz

“Do you think I’m some kind of fucking idiot?” Qi Xiao shouted angrily. “If you hate me, just say the damn word.”mSKAmzTrTafOrdxKdDrnJyqEJXOxrC

hAwTVGbquUlUizH

“Qi Xiao, I don’t hate you, I just—”rBsMuIzTBfcvSEQLWgSgbhMJZCuyAt

HxrnThiTazRtFJx

Before Ren Yi could finish, Qi Xiao suddenly hooked his arm around Ren Yi’s neck, throwing himself into his arms and pressing his lips forcefully against Ren Yi’s.spOCygvTkdTpSKdIYFZWLBhDjnixeW

EsNdqsIAptsXrHo

Ren Yi was caught off guard by the kiss and hurriedly pushed Qi Xiao off of him. “Qi Xiao, listen to me!”sRvFTgBmeeItxKwqVDMaVAiHwZolSp

IRoYoEZxgOFZHsc

“Ge, I want you to fuck me.” Qi Xiao leaned in again, aiming for Ren Yi’s lips.PfVDlWaIduHnBkylQwTcBFrgAlIaTG

qyQZWiHELqRCntM

The sound of something heavy hitting the floor echoed nearby.qtTPpVDYwvkfcCLhRjkTqfitxCXHzO

NTqEArPEKzUXupL

Startled, Ren Yi turned his head to look.iXtyzhEXnXKiSnqEEUwODWBkMnOoKA

ILgVCNdWAJCBRyw

Gong Yingxian had appeared at some point, standing not far away, his face icy and filled with rage. The hot tea he had been holding had spilled all over the floor.DsdHFnCSbGAAiibOcYpdUZhrdJcNZE

DsHVUqMDmWCOvUW

Ren Yi’s body went stiff, his mind erupting with a loud bang, like a bomb had detonated, obliterating everything around him and leaving only emptiness in its wake.QQCniLrNVoqxUpfRHkFoVSkFjTUQDb

NkEMGnadVqakqEN

Qi Xiao glanced back and forth between Ren Yi and Gong Yingxian, and in an instant, he understood what was happening. Thinking back to the two times he’d met this Dr. Gong, and recalling the “blind date” Ren Yi had mentioned, he realized he should have figured it out sooner.eqJiVFZGwLXHRKMzjWpxASBxOGmirk

PzyFpSvCaWjpCnu

A bitter smile appeared on Qi Xiao’s face. Ren Yi had tried to save face for him, but he had thrown it all away himself, and now the situation was nothing short of mortifying.DQfKCoDznjCfhbZbtFpizDgtGLYuQZ

tnYvYQbdXoFLDSx

Everything that had just happened left Gong Yingxian feeling as if his chest was about to explode. He had never felt such fury before. The feeling of being deceived, betrayed, and robbed of something precious overwhelmed him, coupled with the agony of seeing something he considered sacred defiled.scKXJNIQdJFzVDyjlpdjhurrJHbUYj

zcMkCdrLfTPzrQK

Gong Yingxian furiously threw what was left in his hands to the ground. His face was rigid and twisted, his gaze at Qi Xiao sharp and filled with chilling malice. He gritted his teeth and spat out a single word: “Get out.”WnCwcOFsNXpxEJdkfrAchXiFwGKjlw

JOacQtXAYuYDBLz

Qi Xiao, shocked by Gong Yingxian’s hostility, felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He felt like a jackal trying to steal from a tiger, filled with fear. Instinctively, he took two steps back.hAECrHLnPctCPTINsUjhvzpguzaVBJ

yosuDWNqttUwNrv

“I don’t even want to touch you,” Gong Yingxian growled viciously, his voice laced with rage. “Get out!”UzPRVQPNsPPovDbNGCyXxvlAmAdHPV

DnmbSPVJxylTQNG

Terrified, Qi Xiao’s shoulders trembled as he turned and ran.ewyAUlELtYiYESbcUdOmpHRCBcAQAo

FceqiuJTaCPNnVi

Now, in the empty corridor, only Ren Yi and Gong Yingxian remained. Silence stretched between them, and the air felt frozen, heavy with the tension of the moment.hHjXbLspgxJkKgXButxnvDbPyHUABI

qedydwjpCaaSOpe

Ren Yi’s heart was in complete disarray.fvumRNmAuLqzzGHYEVlnlVzsSkhAcn

pklSnsAudHEvjFX

Remaining calm in the face of danger was an essential skill for a fire chief, and Ren Yi had demonstrated his competence countless times throughout his career. But when it came to anything involving Gong Yingxian, his composure always seemed to fall apart.oyKcBEnCazrDZlgdOahgqIzftUPpSX

lBbrWGofFSYuIlq

At that moment, he couldn’t even bring himself to look at Gong Yingxian. He was terrified of seeing hatred on the face he had grown to love so deeply.DRPybUtGIAdWSGnVWrXQmUqluZsRFy

VpJlQeHlqeiuSnh

The only thought echoing in his mind was that Gong Yingxian knew. Gong Yingxian now knew that he was a “disgusting,” “perverted” man.AHiwImfCsmTlhUOGqBiLAyYmnNOyqJ

HzYkSupDJBipxyG

Gong Yingxian stepped closer to Ren Yi, his voice cold as he demanded, “Look at me.”ogWxPuPszlqHdDMypASRIqDWRKyhqa

oMgfaAdESYgLxUa

Ren Yi closed his eyes briefly, summoning the courage to raise his head. But as soon as his gaze met Gong Yingxian’s stormy eyes, a shudder ran through him, and he quickly looked away.ghujAYKaNBnJLeRQeneMYTUYFpWYWR

ujQvzYklzNbaOZt

“You’re…” Gong Yingxian struggled to get the words out.hXwMjwZAKojNnobsNfbXJcrAIzlvSt

emOeIwnvHASzSgz

Ren Yi took a deep breath and softly replied, “I am.”pcwshYXMaHvdUjuELgAonyadWdTKyb

SuOkXxdkKyJsUHk

He hadn’t wanted Gong Yingxian to find out, but he also wouldn’t deny it. Denying it would mean admitting that his sexual orientation was a sin, and he didn’t believe he was guilty. He had simply fallen for someone he wasn’t supposed to.RnnnpHBkvngwYNSsjDyurTYeMyuIMI

JTScWeoTDMCyMei

Gong Yingxian clenched his fists tightly and asked the next question, his voice strained, “Qi Xiao is your boyfriend.”PFukWbmFaFzQgefkxmQPpkaAWwwDbK

bCDLznySfCHLltl

Now he finally understood the unusual tension between Ren Yi and Qi Xiao. It all made sense. While Gong Yingxian had been pleased to think of himself as Ren Yi’s “best friend,” the truth was that Ren Yi and Qi Xiao shared a far more intimate and significant relationship.PBjGvogHNirdQhqyWahkawvzNGgpBF

rbpLoyukdEyJjjm

They embraced, they kissed, and they spoke words only lovers would share. And in places Gong Yingxian couldn’t see, they did things far more intimate, said words far more tender. Qi Xiao possessed a part of Ren Yi that was deeper, longer-lasting, and far more complete than anything Gong Yingxian had.AuPJlNQujsvoJvFCQKUvneRqkWEeKe

QcAIXcbMhopbfQS

The thought that there was another person in the world who could freely touch Ren Yi’s body, kiss Ren Yi’s lips, and share every moment of joy and laughter with him filled Gong Yingxian with a murderous rage.MHRXzhxoMLwpGplaZfVNvyisWpSkQm

BKfdhweaFhQVIWw

It was at this moment, seeing with his own eyes someone else doing what he had long wanted to do with Ren Yi, that he finally understood what Ren Yi truly meant to him. All those moments of joy, longing, and impulse now made sense.HaAKOvNKoucIlwdnFuURsYAOSIMmwz

UcxjWSgJQmjkDXR

It wasn’t that he had been ignorant; it was that, because of his experiences as a teenager, he had always rejected this part of himself. So, whether consciously or unconsciously, he had never allowed the possibility to surface in his mind. But now it was crystal clear: his impulses toward Ren Yi were sexual. He didn’t just see Ren Yi as a friend—he wanted to possess him, to own everything about him.BpSSqgrlKpUYfsrzAiCsOMMuUPoLDQ

iuGgaCSdgOjtMuO

But the fact that made him realize this was the harsh truth that Ren Yi didn’t belong to him at all!CGNkUlQGPqUJLjMbGSCphPabzjdFvK

asEcIvOJTxRWOnH

Ren Yi opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. He didn’t dare to answer that question.xcctyVLGDcOyoQoeawyXuvCpjaujBU

UisGTwLrGzOTMow

What would Gong Yingxian think if he said no? In Gong Yingxian’s eyes, homosexuality was already something detestable. And if he told him it was only physical between him and Qi Xiao, knowing Gong Yingxian’s innocence and fastidiousness, wouldn’t that make it even worse, even more disgraceful?cjLjbUoCcpvtIKJlVIkoyMECUEHXJa

bqNHNfgoVKrtdPP

Gong Yingxian’s cold, twisted, and hateful gaze already felt like a blade piercing his heart. Ren Yi couldn’t bear to endure any more. He wished all of this was just a nightmare so that he could at least continue to deceive himself, stay by Gong Yingxian’s side, even if only as a friend.zUpAEQmgIFZIAsdZeauHtVjCHUneIV

bChaZuHwwpvLLnj

“Is it true or not!” Gong Yingxian shouted harshly.aAbMUUsZZSTqyGIwChYLbXIWeRkaQU

qXjlJDuPhZpMuRx

He wanted Ren Yi to deny it. Even though he had seen it with his own eyes, he still hoped Ren Yi would deny it. If Ren Yi did, then maybe… maybe…FowKbQTFlyHHrkfverRWKkkLBxKbzG

kerPXYlwoMihNRX

But to him, Ren Yi’s silence was as good as confirmation.BmHqRLYIMShHZRwEKACqXVnGoAVRcZ

DLxcWbtXszVnOAd

With fury, Gong Yingxian grabbed Ren Yi by the collar, his towering frame casting a shadow over Ren Yi like a mountain. His voice was hoarse as he demanded, “And what about me? You’re gay, you have a boyfriend, so what am I? You’ve been hiding this from me for so long—what am I to you?”mWwaJQCeJLpYUuuRXZWIXJSIkaQMUE

fWuiCLlzrChRCOr

Ren Yi avoided Gong Yingxian’s eyes, feeling as though his heart was being torn apart. In a low voice, he said, “I… I hid it from you because I knew you wouldn’t accept it. But I never… never had any disrespectful thoughts about you. I only ever saw you as a friend.” His voice trembled toward the end, barely holding back the urge to break down into tears.otVtYbsCQznhgOyHSlXLzMlzlXbbXr

YjqoQOEQHPWVwYc

It had reached a point where the truth was on the verge of being revealed, but he still had to lie, denying his feelings for the person he loved. He had never realized how painful it was to lie, how much it felt like betraying himself. He used reason to betray his own instincts, stabbing himself in the process.OyWRyTOBEQJyLzQwEbLZKAehmvPBPF

hMmcRHWvGgitqgq

Each stab landed deep, cutting to the bone.EqLYnxtrVpctNKxVzfEtaUktdnkitP

zaARShewgEMjGuo

Gong Yingxian stared blankly at Ren Yi’s pale face. After his mind processed and deciphered Ren Yi’s words, his eyes turned bloodshot. The hand gripping Ren Yi’s collar tightened so much that it creaked, as if he were squeezing Ren Yi’s throat instead. His voice was venomous as he said, “You never had any feelings for me?”ExOENbYdOHeuGbtSeNDHxUMAOLMLkK

mLbkWbqOItItNzW

“…”PSxwfMLrWFCAbAsIplcdYvACfWjlRm

yrkyQhwNVSWVJXA

“All those times at my place, eating together, under the rubble, in the hospital… these past months, you hid your orientation while spending time with me. You’re telling me that you never had any feelings for me? Never?!”DRyivWvKeCemFqklsYnhtKyzyvrXFw

BSmeUPVDeaGlHuo

Ren Yi’s lips trembled. He felt like he was being executed, each word Gong Yingxian uttered like a knife slicing into him.erNwCdPHhoShmLcUBieCCiwVwpIDIx

WBlqDiZRYYRqxNO

Gong Yingxian’s large hand suddenly gripped Ren Yi’s jaw, forcing his face upward. “Look me in the eyes and say it.”xPVcMXKUHIyKAHXFsVYjdhzyuCDSsd

LRgwmlJLfqJQpHm

Ren Yi was finally compelled to meet Gong Yingxian’s gaze. In those deep, beautiful eyes that had once held joy, care, trust, and warmth because of him, all of that was gone. His worst fear had come true. After learning the truth, all that was left in Gong Yingxian’s gaze was coldness, viciousness, and fury.IcTWBDSbgnerIStlHUJePFOuEMEzqD

TwAjgMsRscqclpw

Enduring overwhelming sorrow, Ren Yi desperately hoped to salvage something, anything. As long as Gong Yingxian wouldn’t look at him with such hatred, he would betray himself, he would compromise in every way. So, using the last of his composure, he steadied his cracking expression and firmly said, “No. Yingxian, I know what you went through as a teenager, and I understand you. But I’m not like the kind of person you think I am. I wouldn’t harass anyone, I wouldn’t commit a crime, and I certainly wouldn’t… I didn’t want you to have any bias against me or feel uncomfortable, so I hid it from you. I only see you as a friend, I just wanted to be your friend, and I absolutely never had any… improper thoughts.”JHCFATKwUXIRgTvZMlJPZNjAwUsSAy

SNtDJfULtFjIFYN

After saying this, Ren Yi felt utterly hollow.cfWCKcOIGvuKgBcIlkUTlXRUXsepKE

aJHIlpFYHnQDxXf

Love should have been something beautiful, but he had turned it into something shameful, something unworthy of words.KiXZkooLuLgbgNpQMNBpQPQoGabkeL

FcMvhZiGBLzqglA

But he had no choice. He was fully awake now. He knew there would never be any future with Gong Yingxian. At the very least, he wanted to protect Gong Yingxian and preserve their memories. He wanted to prove that there was such a thing as pure friendship in the world, that everything between them wasn’t a repetition of the “disgusting” experiences from Gong Yingxian’s past.UFGLxHFcvvVChwCHYvqtzqNRaucZUs

VcBgeXYrnGcdCvU

However, Ren Yi’s words only enraged Gong Yingxian further. A mix of fury and resentment surged through him, and for a moment, he had the almost primal urge to tear Ren Yi apart, devour him whole. That way, Ren Yi would never again say the things he didn’t want to hear, do the things he didn’t want to see, or tell him that everything they had been through meant nothing and had no significance.gOQAnjQpgObaaxHvfrBClxsKPXfMOx

pjTMSCgpciMjmUK

Gong Yingxian leaned close to Ren Yi’s ear and whispered coldly, “Do you take me for a fool?”ziuDGWrfwZiQpcfiZmeyNJvJOfycAT

rTAilcwohDeVMZR

A chill ran down Ren Yi’s spine, a deep sense of dread seizing him.qrlsvDpKzgcZcEhKuqyrcJmIGwQdNZ

lqBTWgnKFYiPfIg

“I may not understand the social norms of human relationships all that well, but I’m not stupid,” Gong Yingxian’s voice was filled with the pain of betrayal and deception. “You’ve had a boyfriend this whole time. So what were you thinking when you called me ‘Old Gong’? What were you thinking when you got hard because of me? What about when we were lying in the same bed? When he wasn’t around, was I just your plaything? You must have felt pretty proud, watching me act like a fool while you toyed with me, right?”LZXVqxvziPqyebTipHREKysDnEcPRl

LWabjaGQzSJffUW

Ren Yi’s eyes widened in horror. “No! No!” He felt utterly defenseless against the accusation. How could Gong Yingxian think of him as that kind of person?hzuLHSUGySoRLHXwLzofgIYygwphlk

VGkyaZQzvaMGpsU

“You make me feel disgusted, too,” Gong Yingxian spat, his words harsh and cutting as they slipped past his lips, the sharpest ones he could muster. Whether it was out of rage or the need to lash out, his survival instinct demanded that he say whatever it took to stop the gut-wrenching pain inside him.ikXYIMkswCSwHTSOETnEbaXdmcUxia

lqEPTZhSsSzJsph

He hated Ren Yi. He hated the fact that Ren Yi belonged to someone else. He hated that Ren Yi, the person he cared for, had made him—a proud officer—harbor the dark, possessive desire to imprison him, to make him his alone.olzCWzDZsnJjzMrtCneBVrBvDUzsbt

BnRFwtMLubYXCCL

The light in Ren Yi’s eyes went out. He looked as though the very essence of his soul had been drained. Those words had almost pushed him into the abyss.hpnKJrxEoERJjHsTNAcBSUyjOhLeWc

iajQeRuCqNLeHXV

Gong Yingxian thought he was disgusting. The person he loved most thought he was disgusting.zAieiLUDtkiFeBwIhUNvPNumpIPgWJ

FeKPXZHaGSAMnOP

Gong Yingxian released his grip. If he stayed any longer, if he continued looking at Ren Yi, he feared he might do something he could never take back. Without another glance, he turned and walked away. His normally upright posture was gone, his shoulders weighed down as if carrying the burden of a thousand pounds.UaySNxoPFrZlICJlLJmyaxwsXlskjX

XhjHOmBZSOkDpHx

Ren Yi raised his hand to cover his eyes, but the tears still slipped through his fingers uncontrollably.UudpElqZYufsphygNpMkiorHIdRAIC

IbobIpoSfGaKHAy

In truth, he should have known this day would come. He was foolish to believe otherwise. It was his own arrogance, his self-delusion. Gong Yingxian had only ever seen him as a friend, but Ren Yi had overstepped, wanting more. In the end, he reaped the consequences of his actions and hurt Gong Yingxian in the process.BaODEXMaVLcaMvzghSTwOhoJRaGNPF

aFzDOpESYPYbwtk

He had made Gong Yingxian lose the one person he considered a true, important friend. Worse, he had forced Gong Yingxian to relive painful memories he wished to forget. Gong Yingxian had already carried enough suffering, and Ren Yi had only added to it.PiBkXkyjpmyTlfACVNtkBOvNBLIYHh

BuWWpFpCTtSepXS

He had hurt the very person he wanted to protect the most. He was nothing but a selfish, useless bastard.SJVyPhYwimkFhwQFpASRvkXtJgWtZK

HwbMfmjevvOFAIG

Suddenly, static crackled from the radio in Ren Yi’s pocket. “Captain Ren, something’s happened. Come to the surveillance room, now!”KaDGQRamBrdIGPaOYBibkCYqXsEcqa

fjeRZWFUKoPVOkK

Ren Yi, struggling to stand, wiped his face, and pressed the radio button. In a low, steady voice, he replied, “On my way.”crWaGFkOPfKgIFHOsKLdKMOKelApZf

rqsPomTCCxQbiGE