Chapter 111

Notice Temporarily unedited, read at your own risk

Splas.h.!.+

Rong Zhouzhong, in tattered clothes, plunged into the sea to escape the pursuit of the soldiers trying to kill him.

d.a.m.n it! He got away! Soldier A exclaimed angrily, lowering his gun.

Soldier B looked at their leader. Should we go down and try to fish him out?

The leader glanced at the smooth surface of the sea, frowning. Hes badly injured and the currents in this area are strong; hes going to die sooner or later. Withdraw! Well kill XX first, hes more important! he said, signaling his subordinates with a wave of his hand.

Soon, only a long trail of messy footprints accompanied by scattered bloodstains was left on the beach. The waves surged gently, was.h.i.+ng away these traces of violence little by little. Some unknown time later, there was a sudden splash as something broke the water surface.

It was Rong Zhouzhong. His gla.s.ses were missing, his wet hair stuck to his pale face, and his lips were blue. He seemed exhausted, raising his head and gasping for breath, struggling to keep his eyes open. He paddled his limbs, trying to keep himself above the water surface, but then a big wave rushed over him, pus.h.i.+ng him back into the sea.

There were traces of struggle visible under the water surface, but not long after, it became completely calm. This time, no one disturbed it again.

Cut! the director shouted. While yelling Perfect!, he ordered the crew members on the beach to pull Rong Zhouzhong out.

While the scene was being filmed, s.h.i.+ Jin prepared a warm drink. When Rong Zhouzhong came out of the sea, he rushed to give it to him, preempting Rong Zhouzhongs a.s.sistant.

At the moment, Rong Zhouzhong cut a sorry figurecompletely soaked and with wet and dirty clothes clinging to his body. To highlight the pain and suffering during the characters last struggle, the makeup artist put on a deathly makeup on his face. It made him look corpselike, as if he was a moment from lying in a coffin. Eyebrows wrinkled, he carelessly wrapped himself in a blanket when he looked up and saw s.h.i.+ Jin, dressed in house clothes, running towards him. He was taken aback for a moment, then frowned and walked to meet him midway, shooing off the hovering crew members. Why are you here? he asked.

I finished my homework, so I came to have a look. The director said that I can watch if I want, s.h.i.+ Jin replied, stuffing the hot drink into his hand.

Rong Zhouzhong glanced at the director, who looked back at him with an expression that spoke, Sell yourself if you have to, just make sure we can use this place until were done filming. Eyebrows twitching, he suppressed the urge to throw the old crook in the sea and moved so he would block s.h.i.+ Jin from the sight of the crew, then motioned for the teenager to follow him.

Still blissfully unaware that hed become known as the beach owner who fell for Rong Zhouzhongs wiles among the crew, s.h.i.+ Jin casually fell in step with Rong Zhouzhong, saying, You should pay more attention to your body. Its only early autumn and the weather is still warm, but its not like you cant get sick if you get soaked.

These words were full of concern, completely different from the vicious remarks last night. Rong Zhouzhong gave him a sidelong glance, squeezing the cup with the hot drink. He drained it in one go, then walked with quick strides to the nanny car parked at the side of the beach, opened the door, and motioned s.h.i.+ Jin to go in.

s.h.i.+ Jin was curious about everything on the set, so he obediently climbed inside. Rong Zhouzhong followed him in and closed the door, blocking the sight of the crew who were trying very hard to pretend they werent looking this way at all.

The nanny car was very s.p.a.cious, wide enough to comfortably sleep in. It was also a bit untidy, with random stuff scattered all over the place. Sharp-eyed, s.h.i.+ Jin spied the centipede pillow hed given to Rong Zhouzhong, placed on a temporary bed made up from seats in the rear compartment.

Rong Zhouzhong noticed it, too, and hurriedly threw a blanket over it, deliberately fussing with something on the other side to distract s.h.i.+ Jins attention. What exactly did you tell the director? he asked. The directors expression a moment ago was just too full of meaning.

s.h.i.+ Jins gaze moved from the makes.h.i.+ft bed back to him. I just said that Im the owner of the beach and that Id like to watch you act if I could. Arent you going to change? You should be uncomfortable wearing wet clothes.

He introduced himself as the beachs owner rather than Rong Zouzhongs younger brother.

Feeling a bit unhappy, Rong Zhouzhong replied with a frown, No. The scene just now was taken in a wide shot, Ill have to get in the water again for some close-ups Actually, you can tell the director youre my younger brother, hell take care of you.

s.h.i.+ Jin hurriedly waved his hand. No, Im fine being just a casual onlooker. Its more comfortable this way.

In other words, being the beachs owner was more comfortable than being his, Rong Zhouzhongs, younger brother?

Rong Zhouzhongs face turned dark. Watching s.h.i.+ Jin quietly sitting in front of him like a well-behaved child, he couldnt help but blurt out, What you did yesterday, that wasnt just you playing a joke on me, was it? Do you really hate me?

s.h.i.+ Jin didnt expect that he would ask this directly. He glanced at him, nodded and shook his head. I was serious, I wasnt just playing a joke on you, but I also dont really hate you. If I have to be honest, rather than hate you, what I want right now is to really understand you, he replied earnestly.

Really understand me?

Rong Zhouzhong swept his wet hair away from his face with a towel and scrutinized s.h.i.+ Jin.

If you think about it, in the past, we didnt have many opportunities to interact with each other alone. In my eyes, youre full of contradictions; I want to know the real you, s.h.i.+ Jin said frankly. Only after I really know you, I can decide if I hate you or something else.

What else? Rong Zhouzhong immediately zeroed in on the key point.

s.h.i.+ Jin didnt answer. Reaching for the door handle, he said, Good luck at work. See you at lunch, then jumped out of the car and headed towards the villa.

Rong Zhouzhong was too late to stop him. Watching the teenagers back getting smaller and smaller, he raised a hand to yank at his wet hair. He kept silent for a long moment, then spat out, That d.a.m.n deliberately mysterious little b.a.s.t.a.r.d!

Rong Zhouzhong didnt come for lunch; the movie crew had been delayed for too long, and now picked up the pace so they would catch up with the schedule. Rong Zhouzhongs filming lasted from the morning till evening, without any break long enough for him to have time to go out for a meal.

After lunch, s.h.i.+ Jin went to the walkway and used binoculars to take a look at the situation on the set. Seeing that Rong Zhouzhong was in the water again, surrounded by an array of cameras, he sighed. He is really dedicated to his work.

< Yeah, its been several hours already, > Xiao Si said. < Humans arent supposed to spend so much time in the water, are they? >

The director seems to be a perfectionist. s.h.i.+ Jin put down the binoculars, asking Xiao Si to give him the Far-Seeing Eye buff instead since it was more convenient. He leaned against the railing and stuffed a nut in his mouth, watching Rong Zhouzhong carefully listening to the directors guidance while he sat in the lifeboat in the interval between shots.

This was Rong Zhouzhong hed never seen before: mature, calm, diligent, hard-working One by one, his brother displayed the character traits he never thought could be ever a.s.sociated with him.

Genes really are a powerful thing. He sighed again, overcome with an indescribable feeling. The more he saw, the more clearer it was to him that the s.h.i.+ familys children hadnt become successful simply because of a big amount of resources and support. Even Rong Zhouzhong, who seemed to rely on his face to eat, was much more talented and hard-working than most people in the world.

Businessmen, lawyers, actors, soldiers, doctors Come to think about it, it was just s.h.i.+ Jin, the only son raised by s.h.i.+ Xingrui personally, who had no accomplishments and hadnt displayed any talents. At his age, his brothers had already painted several brilliant strokes on their lives canvas, laying a foundation for their future glory.

Ironic, isnt it? he muttered to himself, a bit absent-minded.

Xiao Si didnt answer. Ever since s.h.i.+ Jins progress bar fell to 80, it tended to keep silent, sometimes not saying anything for several days, as if it never existed.

When alone, it was easy for ones consciousness to sink into a deep sea called memory. In s.h.i.+ Jins case, it was both his own memory and the memory of the original s.h.i.+ Jin. In the past, he could always clearly distinguish which memories were which, but since a while ago, they began to slowly blend together.

As he watched Rong Zhouzhongs serious face, a particularly unsettling image from the past emerged from the depths of his mind.

It was the original s.h.i.+ Jins tenth birthday. On that day, as usual, the brothers who all lived in different places gathered in s.h.i.+ Xingruis luxurious villa in M country to celebrate his birthday, bringing with them lots of presents.

That time, the original s.h.i.+ Jin was very happy, because he got to see his dazzling Third Brother who just became a movie emperor. He prepared a gift and celebratory cake especially for him, and then blew out the candles side by side with him.

Everything was perfect, until he was woken up in the middle of the night by his third brother so they could secretly watch the third brothers award-winning movie on the computer.

The movies theme was rather grim. The main characters were a pair of brothers who shouldve depended on and supported each other but ended up killing each other. The original s.h.i.+ Jin hadnt seen it before this; because the movie was so dark, s.h.i.+ Xingrui wouldnt let him watch it.

At the beginning of the movie, the younger brothers mother suddenly disappeared. The younger brother wanted to search for her but his father wouldnt allow it. Then, a man who claimed to be his older brother appeared and invited him to go looking for their mother together. Coaxed, the younger brother sneaked out of the house without his fathers knowledge.

The journey in search of a missing mother began. Along the way, the younger brother met with danger many times, and the older brother repeatedly rescued him. Over time, the two people who originally were perfect strangers gradually became close.

The original s.h.i.+ Jin watched the movie very seriously, his mood rising and falling according to what was happening on the screen. When he saw the two really acknowledging each other as brothers and deciding not to look for their mother any longer, but live together from now on, depending on each in difficulties, a happy smile appeared on his face.

My brother is the best person in the world, he exclaimed, turning to look at his third brother, on whose lap he sat, only to meet a gaze completely devoid of warmth.

Keep watching, the third brother said softly, his peach-blossom eyes cold and indifferent. Not bothering to be gentle, he turned s.h.i.+ Jins head back towards the computer screen.

The original s.h.i.+ Jin was a little uneasy, but since this was what his third brother wanted, he stopped getting distracted and obediently continued to watch.

About two-thirds into the movie, the warm-until-now story took a dramatic turn. It was revealed that the mother turned was already dead, the murderer appearing in front of the brothers to admit it. As the conspiracy was uncovered layer by layer, the life that a moment ago was so bright and full of hope for the future turned out to be like a human-skin drum cut apart with a knife: under the smooth and beautiful surface, there was hidden a blood-drenched truth.

Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. Read on the original translators site to get the fastest updates!

There was no bond, no brotherly feelingseverything was just an illusion. This wasnt a journey in search of a mother, but a quest for revenge. The moment the younger brother set out from home, his father and tribe had been step by step led into an abyss by the older brother, using the younger brother as bait. The pursuing enemies the two brothers killed along the way were in fact all the people who came to save the younger brother. By the time the truth was completely revealed, the younger brother was the only member of his tribe left.

The mother was also killed by the older brother, her body buried under the younger brothers room.

The origin of everything was a vague curse. Because of this curse, the elder brother had been tortured by the tribe, abandoned by his parents, and cast out to wander alone. Over the years, those misfortunes gradually twisted his character. Overcome by both hatred and longing for home, he couldnt help but secretly return to his village. After sneaking in, he saw a younger brother happily living with his parents, and whatever sanity he had left shattered completely.

We are the same, so why am I a curse, but hes a gift from heaven to be loved and cared for? Not fair! Its not fair!

The older brothers anguished cries pierced the air. Then, his revenge began.

At the end of the movie, the younger brother, angry and resentful but also heartbroken for his older brother, hugged him, wanting to die with him. The older brother, who originally could have pushed him away, instead dropped his weapon and returned the hug, expression contented as he fell off the cliff with his younger brother.

Though twisted, his wish to reunite with his family finally came true

.

Ah, Im so happy, was the older brothers last thought.

The original s.h.i.+ Jin, who was only ten years old at the time, was so shocked by the depressing story and Rong Zhouzhongs riveting performance as the older brother that he stared blankly at the screen for a long time after the movie ended.

The director said that I made the older brothers character come alive. Do you know why I was able to play this role so well, Xiao Jin?

A hand gently touched his head and the third brothers magnetic voice sounded in his ears, but s.h.i.+ Jin didnt dare to turn his head. He was afraid that some things would be completely broken if he looked back at this moment.

Because I am this older brother. Do you understand, Xiao Jin?

This gently whispered sentence was the last part of that particular memory. A ten-year-old child could hardly manage to stay awake through the night, so despite being frightened, s.h.i.+ Jin soon unconsciously drifted off to sleep. Waking up in the morning in his brothers warm embrace, he naturally convinced himself that what happened last night was just a terrible nightmare and buried it deep in his heart.

How could his third brother be the same as the older brother in the movie? His third brother was so good-looking, he looked like an angel when he was asleep like this, and his arms were so warm. Last night, he mustve become too immersed in the movie and got back into the role of the older brother, thats why he would say those things.

The original s.h.i.+ Jin convinced himself like that, but subconsciously, he did his best to blot this memory out, unwilling to touch it again.

Rong Zhouzhong did this in revenge for that thing s.h.i.+ Xingrui made s.h.i.+ Jin say when he was nine. Emerging from the chaos of memories, s.h.i.+ Jin looked at Rong Zhouzhong, who climbed down in the water again, and narrowed his eyes. How petty do you have to be to hold such a big grudge against a little kid and bully him in such a way? f.u.c.k you, you childish, vicious b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

He got up, picked up the bag with lunch he originally intended to give Rong Zhouzhong, and went back to the villa.

If youre seeing this notice, youre reading this chapter on pirate site the original translator of Death Progress Bar is Betwixted Translations.

After giving the lunch to the bodyguard at the front door, s.h.i.+ Jin crept into the study, lay down on his stomach on the sofa, and fixed his gaze on Lian Jun.

Lian Jun glanced at him and sped up work to finish the doc.u.ment at hand, then moved his wheelchair over to the sofa. Whats the matter? he asked, stroking the teenagers hair.

Its time for your nap, s.h.i.+ Jin said. I will take a nap with you, okay?

It was rare for s.h.i.+ Jin to take a nap in the afternoon. As a young man br.i.m.m.i.n.g with energy who besides tended to sleep late in the morning, he seldom got sleepy during the day.

Lian Jun took in his listless expression and leaned over to kiss the corner of his lovers eye. Okay.

When they returned to the bedroom, s.h.i.+ Jin closed the French windows, drew the curtains, got in the bed, and locked Lian Jun in his arms like an octopus.

Lian Jun hugged him too. Sleep, he whispered, gently patting his back.

s.h.i.+ Jin obediently closed his eyes and soon drifted off to sleep in the soothing warmth of his lovers arms.

Contrary to what hed expected before going to bed, s.h.i.+ Jins sleep was dreamless, and he woke up after only half an hour. Lian Jun was still sleeping; he got up very early every day, and his afternoon nap usually lasted an hour or so.

s.h.i.+ Jin moved and found that sometime during the nap, their positions changed: he now lay with his back to Lian Jun, hugged by him.

His back fitted against Lian Juns chest, their body temperatures blending, and he could even hear Lian Juns heartbeat if he listened properly. Suddenly, he felt at easethe only person in this world who would hold him like this, who would never frighten or betray him, was probably Lian Jun alone.

Those who get close to you for benefits will leave when the benefits are gone; those who get close to you for compensation will leave when theyve been compensated enough; those who get close to you because of guilt will leave when their guilt subsides Only those who are with you simply for you will stay with you regardless of circ.u.mstances.

That he was able to meet Lian Jun at that time when he was no one and had nothing was probably the greatest luck of his two lifetimessuch a thought suddenly popped up in his mind.

He carefully turned over, looked at Lian Juns sleeping face, and slowly leaned forward to kiss his lovers forehead. He stayed like that for a few seconds, then drew back, pursing his lips to stifle a chuckle. After cautiously getting out of the bed, he left the room, keeping his footsteps as light as possible.

When the room became completely quiet, Lian Juns eyelids lifted. He raised a hand to touch his forehead, the corner of his mouth curling up, then closed his eyes again.

When s.h.i.+ Jin, carrying a bowl of pork congee with preserved eggs, found Rong Zhouzhong, Rong Zhouzhong happened to be scolding someone sitting next to him.

The filming on the set had completely stopped. Except for the director and one staff member, who were discussing something, the other crew members and actors were stealthily glancing over at Rong Zhouzhong, their faces pale and stiff as if they were watching a disaster scene heading towards a full-blown apocalypse.

What the h.e.l.l is wrong with you? Rong Zhouzhong whacked the rolled-up script against the armrest of his chair, his damp hair flapping around. In this scene, you hide and watch your teacher die, not daring to save him because youre afraid of the soldiers! Is this so hard to understand? Try to freaking immerse yourself in your character! Imagine that its your mother who is forced into the sea by the enemy. You watch it from hiding, and even after the soldiers are gone, you still dont dare to go out and save herhow would you feel? What kind of actor you are if you cant even imagine something as simple as this! I bet that if I put here a mother chicken and let it watch its baby chicks being thrown into the sea by humans, it would show more visible unwillingness, anxiety, regret, and anger than youre showing!

As he came closer and the words became discernible, he stopped short, startled by the fierceness in Rong Zhouzhongs voice and his a.n.a.logy.

The person being scolded was a gentle-looking young man that appeared to be in his early twenties. He was handsome in a way that was popular with the public but now, not even daring to raise his head as he was being scolded, he looked quite pitiful.

Im sorry I made you angry, senior brother. I will work harder the young man whispered timidly, cowering.

Seeing him like this, Rong Zhouzhong got even angrier. He banged on the armrest on his chair again and growled, glowering at him, Dont call me senior brother, I really dont believe that you and I were taught by the same teacher! Work harder? What you need to do is to understand the character youre playing, not to work harder! You got the main role in such a promising script; the company spent so much money to hire an excellent crew and supporting cast and even got me to appear in a guest role, and youre showing this kind of performance? Youre f.u.c.kin trying to p.i.s.s me off to death! A moment ago, Director w.a.n.g explained how your character feels in this scene to you in detail, but you f.u.c.kin still dont get it at all, do you?!

The movie set became quieter still, and this time, even the director turned to watch.

The young mans head drooped lower. Clenching his fists, he began, Then, then, senior brother, lets switch

Third Brother! s.h.i.+ Jin cut in, quickly walking to Rong Zhouzhongs side and shoving the bag with the congee at his face. Here, I just made it, so eat while its hot! I added a lot of meat, try it and tell me if you like it.

Rong Zhouzhong was so startled by the pork congee attack that he didnt hear the younger actors words clearly. Seeing s.h.i.+ Jin, he took a few deep breaths to get his temper under control, then pushed the bag away from his face and said, trying to soften his expression, Im sorry I didnt go to have lunch with you. Were a little busy here.

Its fine, I understand, s.h.i.+ Jin replied. He pulled the young man up and quickly sat in his place, leaning close to Rong Zhouzhong and unpacking the bowl of congee. Winking at the young man to signal him to go over to the director, he stuffed the bowl and the spoon into Rong Zhouzhongs hands. Cmon, hurry up and eat while its still hot, warm yourself up.

The smell of pork and Egg congee wafted out. This day, Rong Zhouzhong had only eaten some bread in the breaks between the shots, so once the savory smell reached his nose, he immediately felt his stomach growl.

He glanced at the young man who didnt dare to leave and waved him away with a scowl. Stirring the congee with a spoon, he muttered, You shouldnt help him, you know. That guy is too unambitiousif you dont force him, scold him, and let him suffer, he doesnt know how to move forward.

s.h.i.+ Jin just looked at him.

Rong Zhouzhong frowned, a bit uncomfortable. What are you looking at? You think I was too ruthless and got scared?

s.h.i.+ Jin shook his head. Nah, that was pretty cool, you looked very handsome just nowyou totally pulled off that domineering successful CEO thing.

Cough, cough, cough. Rong Zhouzhong choked on his saliva, and hurriedly scooped up a large spoon of porridge and stuffed it into his mouth, pretending to be engrossed in eating. Turning his face away so he wouldnt see s.h.i.+ Jin, he said vaguely while chewing, Just now? Theres not a moment when I dont look handsome, Ill let you know. In the current s...o...b..z industry, my face is equivalent with high ratings, it

Is your mouth fine? This congee has finished cooking not too long ago, it should still be very hot, s.h.i.+ Jin warned him kindly.

As the pain finally kicked in, Rong Zhouzhongs expression stiffened. He hurriedly opened his mouth and chuffed a few times, then, probably feeling that his appearance was too embarra.s.sing, he clasped a hand over his mouth and twisted away, looking for some water to drink. His face and ears were a little red, whether because of being hot or some other reason.

Watching his rare fl.u.s.tered appearance, s.h.i.+ Jin asked, Third Brother, after you finish shooting, do you want to watch a movie with me?

Rong Zhouzhong barely managed to cool down his burning mouth and regain some semblance of dignity when s.h.i.+ Jins question almost made him fl.u.s.tered again. He straightened up, pretending that what happened just now had never happened, and asked with forced nonchalance, What movie?

The movie that made you famousHome.

Plunk.

The water bottle in Rong Zhouzhongs hand fell to the ground. He turned his head to look at s.h.i.+ Jin, the expression on his face dimming, and the warmth in his eyes slowly cooled.

So, will you come? s.h.i.+ Jin asked again.

Translators Notes:

Nanny car

[] AFAIK, it can be anything between a minivan and an RV. (Baidu, YT)