Precious (Second Update)

Jin had been in a wheelchair year-round, with a problem in his legs, though he was not completely unable to stand. Chi Li had said that once Jin's legs got better, he would take him out to have fun. Jin had smiled and agreed.

At the time, Chi Li had thought Jin stayed at the research institute and was forbidden from leaving because his legs made it inconvenient.

When he grew a little older, Chi Li realized Jin seemed more like he was trapped here—endless examinations, no freedom, the way some people treated Jin, certain rumors he had overheard by chance... There seemed to be one mystery after another surrounding Jin.

But Chi Li knew that Jin was simply Jin, unlike what other people said.

So when Jin suddenly brought it up, saying, "Didn't you want to know why I've always been here?" Chi Li's curiosity was still piqued.

Chi Li asked, "Why?"

"A secret. A terrifying secret. I can't tell you yet."

Chi Li furrowed his brows slightly, unconvinced, but no matter what, Jin refused to tell him now.

When Chi Li thought back on it later, Si Jinyan had probably brought it up then because he hoped that one day, Chi Li would be able to accept his true self. Before that, Si Jinyan had merely been testing him, while hoping time would bring them closer.

A terrifying fish tail, an abnormal, malformed appearance—Si Jinyan did not want to see disgust in Chi Li's eyes, did not want Chi Li to look at him as those people did, with the gaze one used for something abnormal. Yet he also harbored a hidden hope that Chi Li could accept him.

After Chi Li tried drinking alcohol, the first time he held canned beer in his hands, he climbed