Chapter 88
Descending from the beam, Ren Yi noticed Gong Yingxian standing outside in the corridor by the maintenance hatch. Upon seeing him, Gong Yingxian’s face hardened as he ordered, “Go to the ambulance and get checked out.”erPyUCOOTwIMqberKejiumIaxMRNOo
PpumRAWHQdOyTTDRen Yi wondered, Was he waiting for me?qsMjHYbQijRTWWjryTNFGoocIvCklQ
wGVXvnWIfUFkGboEven in this bleak situation, Ren Yi was sadly moved by the slightest bit of concern from Gong Yingxian. He quickly replied, “You should get checked too.”uKFUWfAdZfeGEUMOUBsZdsksHJSBmd
jnzRmcRNCKGSbbU“Let’s go.” Gong Yingxian started walking out at a relaxed pace.ptpFmYgidltRKCXbNABruvuiylXGHF
AbdMhRqvLxqKJLZRen Yi followed Gong Yingxian, desperately wanting to confirm if they were reconciled or still in a cold war. Did Gong Yingxian want to restore their friendship, or did he just want to cut all ties? But he didn’t dare ask.OaihdiUoUlzjvLBaqMOzemcZRkADFa
LeBhpSEmKeICcmzWhen they reached the ambulance, the paramedics listened to their vitals. “You should go to the hospital for a thorough examination.”BxNuLymQqidWYqYHojKBAFHuakcxPG
xayrsyGzMzQwhvz“No need.” Gong Yingxian responded coldly.NsZddeTEENPWBtlsgqvFrjzznGbfFo
XELOiuhMmjcMXal“Yes, you do.” Qiu Yan walked over, crossing his arms as he stared at him. “Are you more qualified than the paramedics? If they’re telling you to go to the hospital, then get in the damn car.”opphniusjYUAfSZYLvtUIOhJzRMxio
kzntSVGyuLyvfUsGong Yingxian initially looked like he wanted to argue, but when he spotted Song Juhan and He Gu walking towards them from a distance, he promptly turned and boarded the ambulance, even slamming the door shut. He couldn’t stand watching those two in harmony—it only highlighted the growing distance between him and Ren Yi.yfdjOimgikzdVKhnOoewiulSKgYdkw
RVoeLqaTPbITedU“Captain Ren,” He Gu approached Ren Yi, tilting his head towards the ambulance. “Is Officer Gong injured? I wanted to thank him in person.”mRWhGbhjyBkYmoDqqyuZJWrwYQjZVv
ZwTQcFYVgxgMSok“It’s nothing serious.” Ren Yi offered a helpless smile. “He’s not great at socializing; don’t mind him.”bIHszIiQzxsIFyOSayNPFIsesiGeTV
HRKsIBmUmxjJuGpSong Juhan shrugged. “If it wasn’t for tonight’s incident, I still wouldn’t believe he’s a cop.”bRRusaeIACoYmneUiwqwzZKdhUSYEB
ZVzhGicyOjZkHLf“Captain Qiu, Captain Ren, thank you.” Ren Yi extended his hand, shaking theirs sincerely. “Also, thanks to all the officers and firefighters tonight—you saved everyone.”UvILNKaaaucaZZKFEunnfVInegGElR
zktBbjIAupSWYXGQiu Yan smiled and replied, “Engineer He, we’re the ones who should be thanking you. Without your professional help, there’s no way we could have located all the bombs so quickly.”WigUhxmdhklJmwMDzYngocxOrhQcbH
IXHtppaUWoTRxAg“Exactly, Engineer He, it’s really all thanks to you. You were amazing.” Ren Yi enthusiastically shook He Gu’s hand. “And also, thanks to Teacher Song for your great cooperation. That last song was truly clever; it helped the bomb squad locate the explosives without causing panic in the crowd.”ZnALoyQCHHKLWEJhHhoDvSpGLMxBaX
wxoZGmquhVQREJUSong Juhan looked at He Gu, and the two shared a knowing smile. “Captain Ren, I’ve never been through something so thrilling. Luckily, you were all here, allowing us and so many audience members to go home safely. Thank you.”raoquYxdfQPGWbsaIEuiPlUvfTCyyd
uLnmhpqVYrdAtphRen Yi smiled and nodded.papMhgJCTNYgUcPjPeKuBbfKKftlSa
DQdoHIbeHJxVhNJ“Ge!” a shout rang out from a distance.eSEFSoaRgrZQjGwRPJSFUPGanuOJbC
XkjoixJrnfWQNAxThe voice made Ren Yi instantly tense. He turned his head and, sure enough, saw Qi Xiao waving frantically at him from afar.pwsvyfIeXXMJeKHpUrSWgmntULeYla
lQZIYmTRTntFVVOSong Juhan’s fans were being held back behind barriers, with security and even firefighters helping maintain order due to the crowd.SnoHJsfnGSUUyCSIgAuHceeFSMZlxY
NdmBtULHXwLnHmVRen Yi tried to pretend he didn’t see him, but Qi Xiao spotted Liu Hui standing nearby and called out, “Brother Liu Hui, let me through!”EsJDBDyebHiqXmWHpRRPqfrTgGBQOD
MWsxFLzRWwoFjyNUnaware of the complicated background between them, Liu Hui let Qi Xiao pass.MqalDoSmLPYvlMEUsaRkpysQoUSEEn
qdthZeFWhGPbrTL“Ge, what happened? Why are there so many police cars and fire trucks here?” Qi Xiao ran up to Ren Yi, nervously excited as he glanced at Song Juhan. He greeted him respectfully, “Brother Han, President He.”EIFSoclYIIitXfXTHHliCnXCQsCznB
AobVyYXEJGbzsGOSong Juhan barely looked at Qi Xiao, giving only a slight nod.WdsqwDhJzwtKxDPPvvmraYhZtCpbfV
zJdMPRndDhKdtPX“Ge, do you know Brother Han?” Qi Xiao looked at Ren Yi with bright eyes.VzjvHmkzsyVmhahtnydJevRfNMtxfe
WiLfusTxcgaBIbo“Uh, I got Teacher Song’s autograph once.”hfxOvJeFSCsOVZOzzbzQInjHhMXXCw
bqBSlGmUbumTPHwEagerly, Qi Xiao said, “Brother Han, I’m a new actor. I’m currently negotiating a contract with Sister Coco. If it goes through, I’ll be your junior under the same management.”SoQXjujOqnPuzOeklwjHwxzEbqvNce
SVjzkFAfcjHUBEkSong Juhan raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really?” He glanced at Qi Xiao, then at Ren Yi. “Is he your brother?”pPsFXjrMpsscjFGoLNahPIaXrQbsqh
vOULzHuQKjjlIShRen Yi shifted uncomfortably, nodding. “He’s a friend.”sROVgUrbLhVGNZaFxNeJqRJtNMhzGg
uFwjrPyadwgGDgHQi Xiao, with a warm familiarity, wrapped an arm around Ren Yi’s shoulder. “I’ve known my ge for many years. He really looks out for me.”DPthDXtTNgWEICxViYyEYaOUJnyjMq
wQDGxpMrkvPUGRhQiu Yan glanced at Qi Xiao, his expression subtly shifting as he noticed something unusual in Qi Xiao’s tone and demeanor.ifIqiKXuIjxOJeqGlFzSuOIqrFoCNj
MpbpPXJkUFFyOmrInside the ambulance, Gong Yingxian watched through the window, seeing Qi Xiao leaning closely against Ren Yi, practically draping himself over his shoulder. Cold anger flared in Gong Yingxian’s eyes. He banged on the partition to the driver’s cabin and growled, “Drive.”KTbOdQVgrnLElHQVcPDCgWWUkvhyZC
VxaKcxxvnpnBovrThe paramedic hesitated. “Dr. Gong, let’s wait for Captain Ren. There’s no other vehicle left.”QSjijwmQrDopqkGYvxbMlveQjBSJgf
pNcqXChuyljWnnKLowering his head, Gong Yingxian’s eyes were bloodshot, overwhelmed with a sorrow that defied description.xiEJlaWNIyGRAGXzKCYYyfkMApzxhe
tdTgEjRUmOcLqbKAll his life, he’d lacked nothing material, leaving him with few real desires. Now, for once, he had someone he desperately wanted to have, to claim entirely as his own, only to find that person already belonged to someone else.EUZqkqkOIbUmhfJTHVkrEEIDNLyVpP
eEIWhmpxAdYRNQHHis morality, his self-respect, his pride—all restrained him from doing something disgraceful, though his mind was filled with obsessive, crazed, all-consuming thoughts.XwqetliHKxAoHTsVlFOYwrivQYVspb
aBKCZNIPtjEEjodNot wanting to embarrass Qi Xiao in front of Song Juhan, Ren Yi subtly stepped forward to evade Qi Xiao’s grip and replied with a light smile, “Qi Xiao’s a promising actor. If there’s a chance for collaboration, I hope Teacher Song can look out for him a bit.”YlpEKkGHcmYQyYbtCSrOGIktIydbiL
KsQmvaCkUisHKgJSong Juhan nodded. “No problem. Consider it repaying a favor to Captain Ren.”lufxzmbaDuJPlFMmugoyHDMJUoGHKs
RMoNrANFLmOHPmIExcited, Qi Xiao’s face lit up, handsome features glowing with joy. “Thank you, Brother Han. Thank you so much!”pkxuUDnvYGZpcXkrSUyYxiwluKGnoz
psSTneWCAhPjXxCAfter a few more words, Song Juhan and He Gu took their leave, walking off side by side as Ren Yi watched their retreating figures, filled with envy.bxACNCiOIXXwEbmXgnwTMEpOwzIbls
pAEjQgpETbzvOJdQiu Yan advised him to get a thorough check-up before going off to handle the aftermath as well.vKpfcBSoGEpGDHxZcYMpxkjDwjDWch
SJtodNycVtdWbbRLeft alone with Ren Yi, Qi Xiao looked a bit awkward and murmured, “Ge, thank you. I’m really planning to sign with Song Media. Just a word from Song Juhan could change everything for me.”iHiyRxwYQarNVObklKiMiJSCxccyPt
KvOXruJISxWFtPY“I understand. Best of luck.”voPFutcBfXtTRgKfufzZiMwtEEQzph
hAsreZGGYHayMbsQi Xiao sighed. “Honestly, I should’ve guessed about you and Officer Gong’s relationship. I… crossed a line. I’m sorry.”NRPorMHtnCDpsPwTIlyjRiohGkzRld
rSluWmCjDydfCgxRen Yi cast a discreet glance at the ambulance, the windows too high to see inside from here. He hoped Gong Yingxian hadn’t seen that moment earlier. “Qi Xiao, I’m not in that kind of relationship with Officer Gong. He’s straight. It’s just my one-sided feelings for him. But from now on, let’s not meet again.”TcgCzfrqMhtLQyUymIkfTjtZULsrrw
UzmLZPUAiANmpxy“Straight?” Qi Xiao was incredulous. “No way. With that reaction just now, he looked nothing like a straight guy. He was clearly jealous.”gtcgzWghYxkXRTUMFdDQduoiOWMeOP
ctNdFVIyFuheHGm“No, he was once harassed by another man, and he simply can’t accept it. I’ve been hiding this from him, so…”NmNIEBgSQnKOxKPalnbqUUxLvWNlpg
BLMySzymJDkUChbQi Xiao frowned, doubtful yet trying to believe. “Alright, but… I still feel he really cares about you.”wyqGQLoEGmdctRiVLPrEXqrRytrQtf
IgbVbIIgyIWwlTtRen Yi’s heart ached. “He sees me as a friend.”JJrUvajkxCmUmtjlYpecTdjREfDQwq
NdfXvkSFEWrcJjfQi Xiao gave a bitter smile. “Why do you have to fall for a straight guy, Ren Yi? Why put yourself through this? Honestly, I…” He lowered his head in disappointment. “Forget it, I’m fine with it. Ge, you’re an amazing person. I hope you can find peace with this too.”fxOoHpeKhlVkGVIhVxpoCNezUuMkrg
quABGWodxUwuoKyRen Yi forced a faint smile. “Alright.”RTJAOKVfduHeBtBPIHOGBFuAIVgvCO
wcjabBUwwbpIpJM“I’ll go now.” Qi Xiao looked at Ren Yi with a hint of reluctance.rKbLzMTFqMUIulbdtGXnAoOYBwdiIx
hIdRTNLurKRepSA“Goodbye.”MZxIwwsFMMArKYZWDAzzGumhHvuJZl
VTXXgBhrhUXlfZuQi Xiao took a few steps back, smiling. “Maybe one day, you’ll see me everywhere, so much that you won’t be able to avoid it.”ZJnlsjxaeKQezHUuAmeJlVDBpEZQGp
jfpGZOCHcanGBJuRen Yi chuckled. “I hope that day comes.”MBMYKOAIkckadiOMMbwKAEpgTQBhLG
AeCHlnuBfSoDJjXQi Xiao waved, holding back his emotions, then turned and walked away.QgvbxoEIvoxpcwZsjlupEPeLTadpBt
zVSOZEddPUFifxuRen Yi opened the ambulance door and got inside.mZDerLItlKGLAdpfdUlQKClYsVDnBx
uoGKRmwihXqEPJVGong Yingxian sat there, giving him a sidelong, icy stare.NBldnZfdgYfgTjTXUYDmpDABgHIPNZ
tejcxsNcfDbZbeuRen Yi sat across from him, tapping the partition. “Let’s go.”rVTwYruVokJDwMnkOxybALYrQTaKow
solahUCQDDKSPkuAs the vehicle started moving, Gong Yingxian, his expression unreadable, asked, “He’s not coming with you to the hospital?”usXNEhfasdrePiItmqYRylgrrLfFOZ
LztQtdVTSgHuyZNRen Yi thought, So he did see it. Avoiding a direct response, he instead asked, “How are you feeling?”rPBIaWdaqZgiXnCoWbUxPtGSqEfzEO
HWNjgTjckJvrTJp“If I hadn’t seen it today, how long would you have kept this from me?”BUwBSnNpIuJdXUPJggrcVAaSiErLam
csOFwVcRTATbJAHRen Yi sighed, his voice thick with difficulty. “Yingxian, I didn’t deliberately keep it from you. My orientation is a part of who I am, and I’m not ashamed of it. But I know society’s tolerance still has its limits. To avoid trouble, I don’t broadcast it. I know you can’t accept it, but this isn’t something I can change. I’ve never meant to make light of you, and I hope… I hope you can understand. I’m still the person you knew; nothing has changed.”qnpKPVnkGwhOGMVAbfSkrIcahxfZvM
AmfmuYkqhSoKuQq“Everything has changed,” Gong Yingxian replied in a low voice.YPFSGhQorqYWIOzEvzVVBXawHIvjch
gbKroYrTRDNWqorRen Yi’s shoulders slumped.ChwxCccvrxMwwbxgTusCFuuoFiUJJy
bjwNJLiBcGZkLSFGong Yingxian stared straight at him. “Like you said, let’s just… pretend nothing happened.”zjCpxmqYuxxFjhqwrGFHVyDAQOFwXX
DGIYGaIusrvZdeX“…Fine.” Yet Ren Yi didn’t feel any relief. As Gong Yingxian had said, “everything has changed.” They could never return to how they were. Where once he’d been fueled by hope, constantly wanting more from their ever-growing closeness, now, even the hope of returning to a simple friendship seemed impossible.BGDqDBjZIdsQifpLXJvZWiHmPMVNLF
UrTetPbhzXBbEvKWhat he feared most had arrived mercilessly, without him ever having to ruin things with a confession.qoomsMNXCBNWlFdlZhblfvqbAenbZL
wEtIpRakMPWJIKWIn Gong Yingxian’s mind, Qi Xiao’s name echoed. He’d imagined countless ways to push Qi Xiao away from Ren Yi. But was he really willing to become that despicable? Besides, Ren Yi had told him, clearly, there were no other feelings there. If he exhausted every effort, what would he even gain?HGGQkIBjIMSOrxHeADFmOFNKdLqvoT
JRUFDwHZrtJmbmEThe two sat in silence, each trapped by their own thoughts, bound to each other yet unable to understand each other, left with nothing but silence.qaUWmCmNOMSomnflzmBTPqgOXRbgDK
AJFWdVToMrWMNoNInside the cramped ambulance, their distance felt close enough to touch, yet as if a deep chasm lay between them, neither daring to take that step.vvpmsYNAXKXNKdqUmFDJCLNWAHtWZy
hEBpCDCBvCJppLyFalling into the abyss isn’t what’s terrifying; it’s the abyss without you that is.ENuUsLHivDOYGNQpIgTVAapeRRNSZv
nBVfklnUWEVrHUXGOjDzpluJGnQMmDMXAtONGtsmBUpZb