Exam Results

Two days later, Uncle Long finally finished drawing up Lian Juns preliminary treatment plan.

s.h.i.+ Jin looked through the stack of nutritional plans and exercise programs divided into stages that the old doctor brought over, and asked, Thats it? No medication, no supplements, he just has to nurse his body?

This is just the preliminary stage. When the real treatment begins, his body will become a battleground between the toxin and the drugs, so it has to be strong enough, Uncle Long explained. He turned to Lian Jun. I sent a copy of the nutrition plan to the kitchenfrom today on, your meals will be done strictly according to that. As for exercise, since you dont like to have outsiders present during treatment, Ill act as your therapist myself. Jun-shao, youd better prepare your mind in advancethe exercises will definitely be uncomfortable, but if you want to be healthy, you must move your body, theres no room for bargaining.

Contrary to the doctors expectations, Lian Jun did not resist this time, but met his words with an obedient nod, only adding, Let the kitchen prepare separate meals for s.h.i.+ Jin. Hes in good health and doesnt need to follow my diet.

Uncle Long glanced at the teenager. Yes, Ill tell the staff. Also, theres one more thing I must urge you to do.

His sudden drop into such a solemn tone made s.h.i.+ Jin instantly nervous. What is it? he blurted.

The old doctors eyes swept back and forth between the two younger men. Indulging in carnal desires during recuperation is a major taboo. I know that youre both still young, and often cant resist it, but you need to endure for now. Once a week, no more. If you cant help it, I suggest you sleep in separate rooms.

Rrrip.

s.h.i.+ Jin inadvertently tore off a corner of the treatment plan.

Lian Jun wheeled himself over, blocking s.h.i.+ Jin behind him, then said to Uncle Long, We dont have to sleep in different rooms. You have worked hard these past few days, Uncle Long, you should go back to your room and get some rest.

In other words, Go away, right now.

Uncle Long let out a cold snort. Glancing at the stiff s.h.i.+ Jin hidden behind Lian Juns back, he said, unwilling to give up, Its no good being so thin-skinned, lad. Studying medicine is the perfect way to get more guts and toughen your mindwhy do some people refuse to understand whats best for them?

s.h.i.+ Jin, who didnt understand what was best for him, unfroze. He looked at Uncle Long and said seriously, I dont know if you have heard this adage?

Uncle Long knew it was a trap but still stepped into it. What adage? he asked.

Enunciating each word, the teenager said, Dont force people to study medicine or heavens wrath will strike you down.

Uncle Long:

Bang!

The doctor left in fury, slamming the door behind him.

Frowning, s.h.i.+ Jin looked at Lian Jun and asked, uncertain, Everyone seems to be against me going to a police academy. Is my choice really so bad, after all?

Although he would like to stick to his dream and continue his previous career, if it would cause trouble for everyone, then he would grit his teeth and go to an ordinary university.

Anyway, after he graduated, he could still take a public servant exam.

Its fine. Lian Jun touched the wrinkle between the teenagers eyebrows, voice gentle as he soothed, There really is no problem. Uncle Long wants you to study medicine because hed like you to take care of me in the future, but thats too unfair on you. Just study whatever you like and dont worry about the opinions of others.

s.h.i.+ Jin pulled his hand down. He wanted to ask, And you, do you mind me going to a police school?, but swallowed his wordshe knew that Lian Jun would only say, Do what makes you happy; as long as youre happy, everything is fine.

As he met Lian Juns eyes, filled with tolerance, his heart melted, and he couldnt resist leaning over and hugging him. Let me stay with you during physical therapy, please? I want to watch you get better.

Lian Jun returned the hug. Stroking his back, he nodded and said, All right. Inwardly, though, he thought hed rather s.h.i.+ Jin didnt see how unsightly and embarra.s.sed he looked when exercising.

Uncle Long was as efficient as alwaysbefore the day ended, hed finished preparing a special training room for Lian Jun. It was also that evening that s.h.i.+ Jin and Lian Jun, despite sitting at the same table, began eating different dishes.

It feels like living together just before the divorce, s.h.i.+ Jin muttered as he ate, his forehead wrinkled so much his brows nearly touched.

Lian Jun gave him a warning glance. Dont talk nonsense.

So s.h.i.+ Jin shut up. He looked at the delicious dishes in front of himself, then at the medicinal soup in front of Lian Jun, and felt his chest tighten. He lowered his head and focused on shoveling the food in his mouth so that the dinner would finish as soon as possible.

The next morning, s.h.i.+ Jin pushed Lian Jun to the training room and stayed inside to accompany him.

The exercise was in fact just walking around the room. However, while it was easy for ordinary people, it was tantamount to torture for Lian Jun, for whom every step taken caused pain.

Uncle Long had already been waiting. When Lian Jun arrived, he first made him lie on a ma.s.sage table on one side and gave him a careful ma.s.sage to warm his legs, then helped him to put on special physiotherapy equipment. After shooing s.h.i.+ Jin away, he helped Lian Jun to the handrail mounted on the wall and said, Walk as long as you can, do your best to bear the pain. You have to exercise your leg musclesthis is very important, we cant be sloppy with it.

Lian Jun nodded and held onto the railing, then was unable to resist glancing back in s.h.i.+ Jins direction.

Noticing Lian Juns glance, s.h.i.+ Jin adjusted his expression and waved at him with the tablet. Im going to play mahjong, just call me after youre done exercising. Suppressing the worry in his heart, he walked to the chairs at the other end of the room, sat down with his side to Lian Jun, and pretended to concentrate on playing mahjong.

At this, Lian Juns expression relaxed a little. He looked back at Uncle Long and gave him a nod, then tried to take a step.

s.h.i.+ Jin immediately turned his head to watch him, his expression tense and full of worry.

None of this escaped Uncle Longs notice. He let out a quiet snort, but this time, there wasnt much annoyance in it.

First, it was walking, then standing and moving in place, and finally stretching the whole body. One and a half hours later, Lian Jun, soaked with sweat, finally finished the days exercise and returned to his wheelchair with Uncle Longs help.

This went better than I expectedthough there were several times you almost fell, in the end you managed to steady yourself, Uncle Long said, a rare smile on his face. I thought you would be stuck in the first stage for a long time, but you actually reached our goal on the very first day. This is very good.

s.h.i.+ Jins ears were perked up to listen. He let out a sigh of relief at Uncle Longs words, but his eyes were still glued to the tablet, pretending that he was engaged in playing mahjong, rather than taking secret peeks at Lian Jun the whole time.

Lian Jun wiped his sweat with a towel and said, Its all thanks to s.h.i.+ Jin.

This was complete truthif it wasnt for s.h.i.+ Jin keeping an eye on him through the past year, making sure he ate properly, and later ma.s.saging his legs every evening and helping him walk around the room for a while every so often, there would have been no way he could have kept up with todays exercises.

s.h.i.+ Jin couldnt hold on anymore. Pretending that hed just emerged from being absorbed in the game, he looked up and asked, Is somebody calling me? Oh, youve finished exercising, Jun-shao? I was engrossed in playing so I didnt notice. Wait, let me finish this game first. As he spoke this nonsense, he switched off the autoplay on his account and stood up with feigned indifference.

Uncle Long looked at the teenager, speechlessduring all the years he spent in the underworld, he had never seen such bad acting.

Lian Jun, however, only laughed. Beckoning to s.h.i.+ Jin, he said, Come here, I want to take a shower.

Ill help you! s.h.i.+ Jin quickly put the tablet down and ran up to Lian Jun. First, he smoothed his sweaty hair, then took the handles of his wheelchair and pushed him towards the built-in bathroom in the training room, saying bye to Uncle Long.

Uncle Long watched them leave, helpless to resist another smile. Two stinky brats, he humph-ed.

After this workout, Lian Juns legs were wracked with uncontrollable tremors for a long time. s.h.i.+ Jin stood by, full of anxiety as he watched Lian Jun calmly reading the doc.u.ments, so worried that he dragged Xiao Si to chat with him in his mind to distract himself. He didnt really calm down until the shaking disappeared.

After dinner, Uncle Long sought out s.h.i.+ Jin, dragged him to the side, and had a long, whispered talk with him.

In the middle of the night, Lian Jun was awakened by sudden pain in his legs. He reached out and felt them, suspecting that he had cramps. After glancing at s.h.i.+ Jin, who was sleeping peacefully by his side, he carefully propped himself up, wanting to get out of bed and knead them to relieve the pain. However, the moment he moved, there was a movement from s.h.i.+ Jin as well.

Whats wrong? The teenager opened his eyes in confusion, putting an arm around his waist.

Lian Jun paused mid-move. He looked at s.h.i.+ Jins face, muddled with sleep, smoothed his hair, and replied, Nothing, I just want to go to the bathroom. Go back to sleep.

Oh s.h.i.+ Jins consciousness faded once more under his caress and his arm slowly loosened.

Enduring the pain, Lian Jun waited for a while. When he was sure the younger man was asleep again, he carefully withdrew his hand, gently removed the arm on his waist, and, frowning, tried to move his legs.

s.h.i.+ Jins eyes flicked open again as if startled by something. He sat up, wiped his face, and lifted the comforter to look at Lian Juns legs. Touching them gently, he asked, Is it pain or cramping? Which leg?

Im fine, Lian Jun said, trying to hide it from him.

s.h.i.+ Jin was not fooled. That means both pain and cramping, and both legs. He rubbed his face again to wake up completely, then crawled back to his side of the bed, turned on the lamp, and took a medical spray out from the nightstands drawer. Bear with it for a little longer, Ill ma.s.sage it right away.

Seeing s.h.i.+ Jin so well-prepared, Lian Jun remembered Uncle Long calling him aside earlier. His gaze turned a little helpless, but he stopped trying to deceive him anymore and said, Its my right leg that feels uncomfortable.

s.h.i.+ Jin decisively moved to the right side and pulled open Lian Juns night robe. He was about to begin when all of a sudden, he paused and pointed to his face. I think I need a reward for the ma.s.sagehere.

His words dispelled Lian Juns guilt over waking him in an instant. Looking at s.h.i.+ Jins expression which seemed to say he was the one taking advantage of his lover, he couldnt help but kiss the teenager on the cheek. Thank you, he breathed into his ear.

s.h.i.+ Jin covered his itching ear and grinned, then lowered his head and focused on the ma.s.sage.

After half an hour, the pain in Lian Juns legs eased at last. s.h.i.+ Jin put the spray away, lay down, and took Lian Jun into his arms. Sleep, he whispered.

Lian Jun returned the hug and, stroking his back, murmured, Good night.

In the days that followed, Lian Juns legs would always tremble for a while after exercising and he would always be awakened by pain at night. s.h.i.+ Jin became more and more perceptive and would wake up at the slightest hint of movement from the other side of the bed.

Lian Jun was distressed to see it. When he judged the atmosphere was right, he raised the matter of sleeping in separate rooms in an indirect way.

s.h.i.+ Jins face changed at once. First you wanted me to move over, and now you want to throw me out? he growled. Say, does this mean you got tired of me and want to break up with me?

Lian Jun looked at his fierce expression, and although he knew the younger man was just acting, he still couldnt bear to say anything that might hurt him. It would be only temporary, he promised, trying to pacify him. You need to be able to rest properly.

Rest? I rest very well, I sleep in every dayIm the last person to get up in the whole club. After saying this, s.h.i.+ Jins face returned to looking silly. He took out a book of dessert recipes and went to Lian Juns side, bubbling with excitement. Uncle Long said the workouts youve been doing are very effective and that your diet might have to be adjusted to keep your nutrition up with your consumption. When I asked, he said that you could have some dessert once in a while. He went through this recipe book and marked what you can eat. If something catches your eye, tell me, Ill try to make it for youIm free anyway these days.

Lian Juns heart flooded with both warmth and guilt. Im sorry, I said that we would go on a date when we returned to B city, but

Do you want a date? Okay, then lets go on a date! s.h.i.+ Jin seemed to have been reminded of something as he dropped the book and stood up. You keep on working, Im going out to buy something.

This dumbfounded Lian Jun, a rare occurrence. He reached out, trying to catch s.h.i.+ Jins hand. What do you want to buy, Ill

Ill be back soon, dont miss me too much. s.h.i.+ Jin, who had reached the door, smiled, dropped a line in farewell, and ran away.

The room fell into quiet in an instant. Lian Jun slowly took back his empty hand. He glanced at the dessert recipe book s.h.i.+ Jin left at the coffee table, then looked around the study. Suddenly, he felt a little lonely.

Hed gotten used to s.h.i.+ Jin always being within sight when he looked up, refusing to go away no matter how he was coaxed. Now that s.h.i.+ Jin had thrown a curveball and taken the initiative to leave on his own, he really couldnt get used to it.

His heart felt empty.

He went back to his desk and picked up a file, trying to distract himself with work, but he couldnt concentrate on reading. In the end, he took out his phone and dialed s.h.i.+ Jins number.

The call connected almost immediately and s.h.i.+ Jins vibrant voice came from the speaker: {Gua Nine will come to accompany you in my place. If your legs hurt, please dont endure in silence, tell Gua Nine to call Uncle Long}.

Where are you? he asked in a low voice.

{In the garage Gua Two, here Is there anything you want? Ill buy it for you.}

Gua Twos complaints were faint noise in the background: {You sure know how to order people around I swear Im going to make you get your driving license as soon as possible so youll stop dragging me out to be your chauffeur Hurry up and get in, the earlier we go, the earlier well be back.}

{Alright, alright, Im coming,} came s.h.i.+ Jins indistinct reply, then his voice became clear again: {I need to get in the car, Jun-shao, Ill call you later.} With that, the call disconnected.

Lian Jun listened to the busy tone. A long moment later, he put the phone down, looked at his useless legs, and raised a hand to press the bridge of his nose.

After all, s.h.i.+ Jin wasnt even nineteen yetbeing locked in the club every day, it was only natural he would be bored.

In the car, s.h.i.+ Jin put away his phone and started to rifle through his pockets.

Gua Two tossed out a casual question as he drove, What do you want to buy? Do you want to go to the nearest mall or somewhere else?

Actually, I dont want to go shopping, s.h.i.+ Jin replied. He took out two bank cards and held them out. This is my salary card and the card with the bonus money Jun-shao gave me for completing the mission; altogether, there should be about one million yuan there. I want to use that money to book a place in B city thats one-hundred-percent safe and take Jun-shao there for a date. Where do you think would be best?

Gua Two stomped on the brakes and turned to look at s.h.i.+ Jin, surprised. Date? What kind of date?

Just a normal dateyou know, a meal, a movie, going to an amus.e.m.e.nt park or game arcade, something like that, s.h.i.+ Jin explained, obviously having already made plans. Waving the hand holding the cards, he pressed, Is this enough money? If not, lend me some.

Gua Two stared at him with a strange expression. At last, he rolled his eyes and slapped his hand down, then restarted the car. You really are full of schemes, kid Dating, you say? All right, today, let me take you around the town. Annihilation has plenty more businesses in B city than just a club and a clinicget ready, youll be spoilt for choice!

s.h.i.+ Jin was away for a whole day. Lian Jun exercised alone, ate lunch alone, took a nap alone, approved doc.u.ments in the study alone, and played two mahjong games alone. It was only when it was nearing dinner time that he saw s.h.i.+ Jin come back, loaded with shopping bags.

Where did you go to play? he asked as he quit the game, putting a stop to his losing streak, and set the tablet down.

s.h.i.+ Jin didnt seem to notice the downcast note in his voice. Digging through the bags, he replied happily, I went to the mall. Look, I bought you something, do you like it?

Lian Jun looked at the white T-s.h.i.+rt he took out. His hand, lying on his lap, twisted his robe without realizing it. He nodded, and said, I like it.

s.h.i.+ Jin looked at him. Suddenly, he put down the clothes, rushed over to hug him, and kissed him full on the mouth.

Lian Jun froze for a second, then returned the embrace and deepened the kiss, his actions a bit more urgent and intense than usual.

s.h.i.+ Jin gave him a light bite all of a sudden, forcing him to pull back a little. Resting their foreheads against each other, he said, Wait, dont Uncle Long said we can only do it once a week, didnt he?

So? Lian Jun held him tight, refusing to let him leave his side. His heart, that had been empty the whole day, finally felt as if it had come back to life.

s.h.i.+ Jin didnt answer, just kissed him again, only retreating after a long time had pa.s.sed. Lazily leaning on Lian Jun, he signed in contentment. Being by your side is the best after all.

The chaotic emotions that had acc.u.mulated in Lian Juns heart throughout the day were blown away with that one sentence like they were nothing. He rubbed his lips that were a little swollen, sighed with a touch of resignation, and hugged the young man tighter.

That evening, they indulged a little, falling asleep in each others arms.

Miraculously, Lian Jun had not been woken by leg pain, but slept through the whole night. His body seemed to have finally gotten used to the current intensity of his exercises and no longer protested all the time.

When s.h.i.+ Jin opened his eyes in the morning, it took him a while to shake off the confusion of sleep and wake up. When he turned to look at Lian Jun, he found that the other man seemed to have been awake for a while already and was leaning against the headboard, looking at him. Unable to stifle a smile, he said, I changed my mind, can we sleep in separate rooms after all?

Lian Jun leaned in, kissed his eyes and replied, The only place you can sleep is by my side.

A few days later, the officials sent a message: all the arrangements had been made and it was possible to visit Xu Chuan at any time. Lian Jun told s.h.i.+ Jin the news. After considering for a while, s.h.i.+ Jin decided not to meet with the former lawyer for the time being.

Why not? Is it because youre worried about me? Lian Jun asked.

After being convicted, the government covertly sent Xu Chuan to an isolated prison in M province. Lian Jun was in the middle of trying to strengthen his body and neither his nutrition plan nor exercise could be interrupted. If s.h.i.+ Jin went to M province, they would have to be separated for a few days.

s.h.i.+ Jin shook his head. Its not because of youI want to wait until the results of my mother and Jian Jinwens investigation come in. I will only go talk to him after I have more information. Xu Chuan is an old fox, I have to be careful.

Lian Jun took his hand. Okay, then Ill urge the investigation team to hurry up.

s.h.i.+ Jin nodded. Seeing that he didnt mean to continue working for the time being, he thought for a moment, then took out the dessert recipe book once more.

On a sunny morning late in June, the results of the college entrance examination came out.

Everyone gathered in the small living room, surrounding the sofa s.h.i.+ Jin sat on, waiting with baited breath.

s.h.i.+ Jin felt he was about to collapse. Opening the site and entering the exam ticket number with shaking hands, he forced himself to speak through his dry mouth, and said, Isnt it that nowadays, the results dont need to be checked, and are just sent straight to the guardians mobile phone? Why was it different for him? This was the same as a public execution!

But you dont have a guardianyoure the only person left in your household register, Lian Jun explained, adding in consideration, Do you need me to help you?

Well, that was the brutal truth.

s.h.i.+ Jin took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and decisively pressed Enter. No, Ill do it myself!

Clack.

The sound of the key being pressed was magnified infinitely in the quiet living room. All the people present stared at the page that jumped out on the laptop screen, not even daring to breathe too loud.

The query system seemed to lag a little; the page took a long moment to load, leaving everyone on tenterhooks.

Chinese 130, mathematics 110, foreign language 140, elective subjects 220a total score of 600 As Gua Two silently read s.h.i.+ Jins scores, the tension on his face was gradually replaced by excitement. Slapping the teenagers shoulder, he exclaimed, You can do it when you want, Little JinJin! This is a great result, and you even managed such a round number.

Xiao Si couldnt help going crazy.

it screamed in excitement.

His body askew due to Gua Twos hearty slap, s.h.i.+ Jin listened to the commotion; guessing that he didnt do badly, he found the courage to open his eyes and look at the screen. After seeing his scores, his mouth dropped open in shock. Oh my G.o.d, are these really my results? I actually didnt flunk Chinese? And I got so many points on elective subjects?

His disbelief could perhaps be explained by the fact that when he was still a student, his Chinese scores were often on the verge of failinghis essay-writing skills were so abysmal that Mr. Feng was often yelling in fury and scolding him for not using his brain at all.

And yet, he actually got so many points in Chinese! Did a miracle happen?