Choice

As soon as the results came out, the atmosphere in the living room relaxed and warmed up. Everyone began to discuss s.h.i.+ Jins achievements, unable to conceal their pride and joythere was nothing more exhilarating than the child who was thought to be a poor student getting one of the top places in an exam!

After the initial commotion subsided, Gua Five and Gua Nine called Mr. Feng and Gua One respectively, reporting the happy news. Gua Two busied himself with preparing a party, ready and eager to celebrate s.h.i.+ Jins accomplishments.

Uncle Longs tense expression also relaxed. Letting out a hum, he said, still unwilling to give up, With this score, you could easily get into a medical university.

s.h.i.+ Jin flinched, woken from his shock. He grabbed the laptop and rushed to sit at least three meters away from Uncle Long, then turned to look at Lian Jun next to him.

Congratulations. Lian Jun also smiled and leaned over to put an arm around his back in a half-hug. With his other hand, he tapped the laptops touchpad to light up the screen, looked at the score on it, then kissed s.h.i.+ Jins ear. Exceptional results, well done. What kind of reward do you want?

For a moment, s.h.i.+ Jin was in a daze. When he noticed that everyone was watching him, he was a little embarra.s.sed and let out a cough, but didnt break away from Lian Juns arm. Looking at him sideways, he asked, There is a reward?

Yes, Lian Jun confirmed. What do you want?

s.h.i.+ Jins eyebrows immediately flew up, and the words Lets go on a date almost rushed out from his mouth, but he caught sight of Gua Two out of the corner of his eye and hastened to swallow them again. After pondering for a moment, he pretended to be distressed and said, I dont know, you asked so suddenlycan I think about it and give you an answer later?

Amused, Lian Jun put his arm around s.h.i.+ Jins waist to hug him tighter and replied, Of course you can. You can think as long as you like, Ill wait for you.

In his mind, s.h.i.+ Jin yelled an excited, Yes! Delighted, he gave Lian Jun a kiss and happily began to plan the details of his long-awaited date.

That day, the club was bustling with noise and excitement as everyone put down their work and got together to enjoy the happiness of ordinary people. After a lively lunch, Lian Jun asked for a mahjong table to be set up and accompanied s.h.i.+ Jin to play.

The afternoon pa.s.sed like that, and what awaited them in the evening was the official celebration party. Everyone enjoyed themselves; as Lian Juns att.i.tude showed he wasnt going to be a party-p.o.o.per and intervene, s.h.i.+ Jin, the days protagonist, was poured several gla.s.ses of wine.

The fun lasted past 9 p.m. Despite being half-drunk, s.h.i.+ Jin never forgot that Lian Jun needed to get an early rest, and thus broke up the party and let everyone disperse.

After returning to their room, s.h.i.+ Jin pushed Lian Jun to the bathroom. First, he turned the faucet on to let the tub fill, then dragged over a small bathroom stool, sat in front of Lian Jun, put his hands on his lovers legs, and leaned forward. He didnt dare to put his body weight on them, though, and only pressed them lightly. Do they hurt? he asked.

Lian Jun looked at his half-drunk eyes, raised his hand to smooth his hair, and said, shaking his head, No.

Do you like drinking? s.h.i.+ Jin asked. His eyes were a little hazy because of the intoxication, a hint of care and tenderness s.h.i.+ning through.

Lian Jun couldnt resist touching the corner of his eye. Yes, I like it.

What a coincidence, I like it too. s.h.i.+ Jin smiled, satisfied, and said, In the evening after work, Id like to go to the night market with you. We will stroll around, going this way and then that way, and then have a midnight snack, and then well have a drink together You look so good, maybe some hooligans will want to hara.s.s you, and I will jump in to save the beauty Yeah!

Amused, Lian Jun knocked on his forehead. You should drink in moderation.

I know. The smile on s.h.i.+ Jins face softened. He took Lian Juns hand and kneaded it gently, lowering his head. Most wine should be drunk in moderation, but theres some wine that must be drunk, like a wedding toast Hurry up and get better, Lian Jun, you cant miss out on that wine.

Lian Jun felt a tug on all of his heartstrings. Now he was sure s.h.i.+ Jin was drunkthough the younger man was warm-hearted and thoughtful, and you could feel his love as he showed it through his actions, it was rare for him to be so straightforward when he expressed it in words. Sometimes, Lian Jun was even confused as to how s.h.i.+ Jin, who grew up in such a dysfunctional family, could hold so much kindness and love.

Fortunately, this wonderful person was caught by him.

He didnt drink, but all of a sudden he felt a little drunk. He held s.h.i.+ Jins face and leaned forward to touch their foreheads together. Looking into the youths eyes, moist and glistening from inebriation, he asked, s.h.i.+ Jin, do you love me?

s.h.i.+ Jin blinked and looked into the other mans beautiful eyes as well, his consciousness captured by the tenderness and expectation inside. Bit by bit, he sank into that gaze, falling deeper and deeper. Reaching out to touch Lian Jun, he said, You look so good

Do you like me? a soft voice continued to ask, bewitching and alluring.

s.h.i.+ Jin nodded without hesitation. I like you, I like you very much.

Consequently, the tenderness and expectation in Lian Juns eyes were joined by contentment and joy. I like you too I love you, s.h.i.+ Jin, he said.

Xiao Si:

That duck-like cry shook s.h.i.+ Jins confused mind back into a semblance of consciousness. Eyes wide, he stared at Lian Jun in front of him. Suddenly, he took a breath and his expression became serious. He grabbed Lian Juns neck to pull his head down, looked up, and gave his nose a hard chomp.

Mine, he said. After this brief period of clarity, his eyes immediately glazed over again. He buried his head in Lian Juns chest and pulled him into his arms, announcing childishly, Mine, my Darling, no one is allowed to s.n.a.t.c.h.

Bitten, Lian Jun was stunned for a moment, then broke into a smile at s.h.i.+ Jins words, his expression indescribably content and brilliant. He lowered his head to b.u.mp their foreheads together again, hugged him tight, and replied, Yes, Im yours.

My everything is yours.

Late next morning, s.h.i.+ Jin sat up in bed, holding his painfully throbbing forehead. He looked around, but the room was empty and no movement could be heard nearby. Letting out a groan of pain, he patted around for his phone to check the time, and found he had several missed calls and unread messages.

There were three missed calls, two from s.h.i.+ Weichong and one from Fei Yujing, all between 9:30 and 10:00 last evening.

s.h.i.+ Jin struggled to recallhe seemed to have pushed Lian Jun to the bathroom to take a bath and left the phone on the bed. He shook his head and checked the messages.

There were six of them. The first one, sent around 8 p.m. last night, was from Gua One; it said that when Gua Three called him to inform him about s.h.i.+ Jins exam results, Fei Yujing was pa.s.sing by and overheard them, so s.h.i.+ Jin should mentally prepare for the possibility Fei Yujing might hara.s.s him.

The second came from Fei Yujing, only a few minutes after Gua Ones, and was extremely short: [How many points did you get?]

The third one was sent by s.h.i.+ Weichong and was similar to Fei Yujings, also inquiring about s.h.i.+ Jins college entrance exam results.

The fourth and fifth were from Xiang Aoting and Li Jiuzheng respectively. They congratulated s.h.i.+ Jin on his good score and asked about his preferred universities.

The last message was from Fei Yujing again: [Why arent you answering the phone?]

s.h.i.+ Jin dropped his phone and fell back on the bed, feeling his headache getting worse.

These brothers were really impossible to make sense of. Especially Fei Yujingwasnt he pretty busy in L country, helping Old Ghost? How come he still managed to find the time to eavesdrop and gossip?

s.h.i.+ Jin could almost see Fei Yujings appearance when texting the rest of the brothers, telling on s.h.i.+ Jin after overhearing Gua One and Gua Threes conversation.

It was really childish.

And Rong Zhouzhong, who neither called nor texted to ask about his results, seemed a bit cute all of a sudden.

The second s.h.i.+ Jin thought that, quiet music sounded and his phone lit up.

His eyebrows jumped and an ominous feeling appeared in his heart. He reached for the phoneindeed, he saw the name of his third brother, who hed just called cute.

Beep.

Expressionless, he hung up, decisively muted the phone, and pulled the quilt over his head.

He slept for a while, then was dragged out of bed by Lian Jun whod returned after finis.h.i.+ng his exercise. Once hed taken a quick wash to wake up, he accompanied Lian Jun to the study.

Drink some porridge to pad your stomach, but dont eat too muchlunch is coming soon, Lian Jun said, settling s.h.i.+ Jin on the sofa and putting the porridge the kitchen staff brought in front of him. Does your head hurt?

s.h.i.+ Jin drank half a gla.s.s of warm water to moisten his throat. He shook his head at Lian Juns question and replied, No, Im fine. I didnt drink much yesterday. In fact, it was because Xiao Si gave him a buff; his headache had disappeared by the time he went to wash his face.

Seeing he truly seemed fine, Lian Jun was relieved and didnt contradict his words about not drinking much. After waiting for the teenager to finish breakfast, he took out a stack of school application forms.

s.h.i.+ Jin froze. These are

The exam results are out, so now its time to apply to schools, Lian Jun replied, putting the application forms in front of him. I talked to the official side and selected a few schools that are suitable for you. You did well on the exam, so there are several more schools available for you to choose than I expected; I contacted them early this morning and asked them to send their application forms. Take a look and tell me which one you like, so I can make the arrangements.

s.h.i.+ Jin glanced at the doc.u.ments in front of him. Finding that there were also the application forms of several prestigious schools that he hadnt even dared to think of, he let out a small gasp of surprise. These arewould I get admitted? My score isnt high enough.

It is, Lian Jun affirmed. You are different from ordinary candidatesyou have several military achievements, which means you can be enrolled by special rules.

Military achievements? What are you talking about? s.h.i.+ Jin asked, confused.

At this, Lian Jun simply moved his wheelchair over to him and explained in detail.

It turned out that Lian Jun began to make preparations as soon as he found out s.h.i.+ JIn wanted to attend a police academy. First, he improved s.h.i.+ Jins background a bit: he found a way to squeeze s.h.i.+ Jins name into a military academy preparatory school. Then, he contacted the government and readjusted the Pockmarked Yuan mission file a little, making s.h.i.+ Jins part official (originally, s.h.i.+ Jins partic.i.p.ation was confidential since he was a member of an underworld organization, not the police or military forces).

So now, s.h.i.+ Jin was not only a military prep school student, but a military prep school student who took part in an official mission and helped the authorities to clean up an illegal underworld organization, gaining military merit. As such, getting enrolled through special circ.u.mstances was perfectly reasonable.

s.h.i.+ Jin was dumbfounded. Is something like this okay?

Of course it isyou took part in the mission, the file isnt fake. You have enough merits to get into any university you want to, Lian Jun said, his expression relaxed. It was clear he was in a good mood.

Seeing that s.h.i.+ Jin was still in a daze, he reached out to smooth his hair and continued, Actually, the Pockmarked Yuan mission isnt the only task you did. When you first came to B city, you acted with Gua Two to prevent a retired official from leaking confidential information abroad, and then there are also your accomplishments when dealing with Gunfire in L country. However, considering those are a bit too eye-catching, I only asked the officials to reveal your part in the Pockmarked Yuan task. Never doubt your ability, s.h.i.+ Jinyou deserve the best.

With Lian Jun praising and boasting him like that, s.h.i.+ Jin was successfully coaxed, his shock and uncertainty finally dissipating. Looking at the whole row of application forms in front of him, he suddenly felt like an emperor pondering which concubine he should bestow his favor upon this night.

To be honest, it was quite a cool feeling.

Then His gaze moved between the forms. He stretched out his hand, hesitated, and picked one of the most inconspicuous ones. This one. I want to go there.

Lian Jun looked at the form in his hand, a bit surprised. This one? Are you sure?

Yes. s.h.i.+ Jin nodded, somewhat sheepish. I said it before, that I want to go to a police academy. These military schools are very good, but it means getting entangled with the authorities. Being a policeman is bettera soldier cant choose where he gets a.s.signed, but policemen are civil servants and can pick where they want to work. Besides, its more leisurely and theres much less intrigue and scheming. I dont want to go to a prestigious military academy and be a military officerIm satisfied with just being an ordinary policeman.

Hearing him say so, Lian Juns eyes softened.

Despite having more and better options, s.h.i.+ Jin still persisted with his original choice. While some would perhaps say he lacked ambition, it should rather be called sticking to his ideals.

The man he liked never seemed to be blinded by temptation, always knowing exactly what he wanted, walking forward with unwavering resolve.

He couldnt help but confirm again, Are you certain?

I am, s.h.i.+ Jin nodded, then suddenly hesitated. Am I too willful? If I chose this, all your previous arrangements will be wasted. With his exam results, he could easily get into any police academymilitary merits or no, it didnt make a difference.

Lian Jun shook his head. It doesnt matter. This school isnt a bad choicenot only its easier to take leave, but the authorities also wouldnt be as wary of you.

s.h.i.+ Jin was relieved to hear that. Since Lian Jun really didnt look upset, he hurried to ask, You can take leave from a police academy? How?

Its easy, the school just has to be informed youre a part of the military reserve forces and could be called away on a task at any time. Ill talk to the officials about that and let you know as soon as its confirmed, Lian Jun replied. He looked at him sideways and tossed out an abrupt question, Have you decided what reward you want?

It took s.h.i.+ Jin by surprise, but he still shook his head with a serious expression. No, Im still thinking.

After lunch, everyone knew that s.h.i.+ Jin had still rejected the offer of choosing between famous military schools in favor of attending a police academy.

Uncle Long was so angry that he stormed off, growling that rotten wood cant be carved. Gua Two, suffering from a hangover, kneaded his forehead with despair. Gua Nine, an expression of I knew it would be like this on his face, continued to hammer on the keyboard of his laptop. Only Gua Fives att.i.tude was still friendly, and he congratulated s.h.i.+ Jin.

s.h.i.+ Jin thanked Gua Five. No matter other peoples opinions, hed finally lifted that huge weight off his chest, and he threw himself into making preparations for the date.

A few more days later, it came time for examinees to officially fill in the preferred universities. Everyone once again gathered around the small living room, sighing as they watched s.h.i.+ Jin type the name of the police academy in the first column.

At least put something else in the second column? Gua Two still didnt give up the fight.

Ignoring him, s.h.i.+ Jin filled in the name of the police academy hed attended in his last life in the second column, then clicked Submit.

And so, s.h.i.+ Jins university application process was completed, his career patha police officercontinued from his previous life.

Gua Two sighed and poked s.h.i.+ Jin in the back of the head. You little traitor.

s.h.i.+ Jin closed the laptop lid and reb.u.t.ted seriously, Why am I a traitor? Graduating from a police academy takes four years. Who knows what the world will look like after four years? Maybe youd have already gone back to living the lives of ordinary people and would be using your real names. Then, when I become a policeman, not only would I not be a traitor, but wouldnt I be someone who can protect everyone out in the open, without hiding? Isnt that good?

When he said that, everyone stared at him blankly, their expressions stunned.

The lives of ordinary people Indeed, when it was put like that, s.h.i.+ Jin seemed to have made a good choice.

Lian Jun looked at the teenager, his thoughts far away for a moment.

Four years? No, with how the situation was developing, it would take far less time than that for everything to collapse. At most three yearsno, perhaps only two years later, their efforts would bear fruit.

A day after completing the application, s.h.i.+ Jin was once again hara.s.sed by his five brothers calls and messages.

He was so annoyed he nearly blacklisted all of them several times, but remembering the progress bar, he managed to resist. In the end, he selected the five of them as recipients and sent them a simple message through the messaging app: [600, police academy, stop asking]. Then, he dragged them into the blacklist of the app.

The world finally quiet, s.h.i.+ Jin made himself comfortable on the sofa, picked up his tablet, and prepared to continue with planning the date.

Three minutes later, his phone started ringing like crazy.

Taking a deep breath to maintain his temper, he picked it up from the coffee table. Seeing it was s.h.i.+ Weichong, he counted to ten inside his head, then answered the call. Yes, what can I do for you? he asked straightforwardly, cutting to the chase.

s.h.i.+ Weichong didnt seem to expect him to answer the phone. It took him a while before he managed to say, {Zhouzhongs birthday is this weekend, so everyone is going to get together for dinner. Will you come?}

Huh? Rong Zhouzhongs birthday?

s.h.i.+ Jin was taken aback. Suddenly, he remembered that Rong Zhouzhong had called him one morning, but hed hung up the call without even answering. He opened the calendar on his tablet, looked at the note added to the coming weekend, and narrowed his eyes. Third Brothers birthday, you say? he chirped, his tone suddenly warm and friendly. When exactly is the get-together, and where? If I have nothing else, its possible Ill come over.

s.h.i.+ Weichong was shocked again. His voice rose in an instant and a trace of happiness could be heard in it as he replied, {In the restaurant on x.x.x street, in the evening. Do you want me to pick you up?}

No, Ill get there by myself. Is that all? All right, Ill get back to you later. s.h.i.+ Jin hung up, tapped a certain date on the tablets calendar, and chuckled.

He had been worried because he couldnt find an excuse to take Lian Jun out this Sundaywho couldve known s.h.i.+ Weichong would provide the perfect one? Very good, with this, he should be able to give Lian Jun a complete surprise.

Just, Rong Zhouzhongs birthday

He sat up, let out a slightly guilty cough, and opened an online shopping page. Then he frownedhe wanted to choose a gift to compensate his third brother, but all of a sudden, he seemed not to remember what Rong Zhouzhong hated or was afraid of.

On Sunday, s.h.i.+ Jin accompanied Lian Jun to his exercise as usual. Then, at lunch, he told him about Rong Zhouzhongs birthday.

Lian Jun was surprised. You want to go? He was well aware that s.h.i.+ Jin tried to keep away from his brothers, so the teenagers sudden wish to attend Rong Zhouzhongs birthday was strange, to say the least.

Well, actually I want to take revenge, s.h.i.+ Jin said, a little embarra.s.sed. He took out a centipede pillow from the bag beside his feet. When my third brother found out that I didnt like eating cuc.u.mbers, he deliberately bought me a cuc.u.mber pillow. Now that he gave me an opportunity for revenge, I definitely wont miss it!

Lian Jun paused. He put down his chopsticks, glanced at his solemn and serious face, then at the cartoon centipede pillow in his hand. After a few seconds of silence, he gave a nod and said, All right, then Ill let Gua Two take you there.

Given an inch, s.h.i.+ Jin immediately rushed to take a mile. Come with me, please? Theyre all single dogs, but I have youIm going to show you off and make them angry!

This was very childish, but Lian Jun swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.

His frowning eyebrows relaxed straight away, and a slightly helpless smile even appeared on his face. Okay, Ill go with you.

Ill inform Uncle Long! s.h.i.+ Jin jumped to his feet and stuffed the pillow back into the bag, saying happily, The restaurant is a bit far, so we should leave soon. Eat slowly, Ill call Gua Two to be our driver!

After that, he turned around and rushed away, texting while running: [Plan, start!]